Upper Suite Benefits

[Whinenowine]

20 hours ago, canderson said:

Given that, I'd wait until boarding and hit one of the bars, see what they're serving, pick from those, and let the PRH know which ones work for you.

 

In the past, it has become clear that the shoreside folks aren't very well connected to ship specifics, even though they are assigned to specific ships.

Yeah it’s so bizarre and situational. This was the case for us on the Edge back in April when shoreside was useless and the ship was out of many things. But on Millie earlier this month our shoreside concierge was very good and I got all my requests (which was actually a pleasant surprise, as I’m a realist). In fact I asked for champagne in lieu of my second liquor bottle, either Veuve, or if they didn’t have that, then Moët….I found a bottle of both in my fridge. Can’t complain at all.

[danceswithphones]

On 8/30/2022 at 6:35 AM, DCPIV said:

Our sailing isn't until 31 October.  We didn't hear nearly that early for our last cruise.

That is encouraging! We've done upper level suites before but it has been a while. We sail on November 8th. If we don't end up with monogrammed PJ's, I'll never hear the end of it. Never should have mentioned it to DW. 

[t18c97]

I took until the 3rd day that we received our monogramed PJ's last week.

[canderson]

2 minutes ago, t18c97 said:

I took until the 3rd day that we received our monogramed PJ's last week.

Which ship?

[t18c97]

1 minute ago, canderson said:

Which ship?

Millennium on the northbound Alaska. 

[RichYak]

10 minutes ago, danceswithphones said:

That is encouraging! We've done upper level suites before but it has been a while. We sail on November 8th. If we don't end up with monogrammed PJ's, I'll never hear the end of it. Never should have mentioned it to DW. 

I have the same problem 😟

[Whinenowine]

53 minutes ago, t18c97 said:

Millennium on the northbound Alaska. 

Port side or starboard? We were on the Southbound 8/12 cruise 

[SusieAV8R]

We are long time cruisers, starting in 2007 in a CS and worked our way up to PS in September and November 2021.  As stated by another poster, RS and PS experiences can be very staff-specific.  Our PS experience in November was extraordinary: Butler (yes, that's what they are again called), Suite Attendant, Luminae staff including Maitre D' , could not do enough for us.  (They accommodated our requests as much as possible). Our recent PS cruise (August 13-20) was not of the same high calibre, although our shoreside concierge has been outstanding.  I have now learned that if you want something, be it changing out a bottle of champagne, flowers, etc., (there are no "official unofficial perks" but Celebrity does want to "look after" their Upper Suite guests), ask your Butler on the first day of cruising.  It was suggested to me, that if I did not believe my request had been satisfactorily  accommodated by Retreat Staff, I should reach out to the Hotel Director or Food & Beverage Director  right away.  We have another PS cruise booked over Christmas/New Years.  I am going to follow some of the suggestions some of you made and let you know how successful I am.  

[RichYak]

38 minutes ago, SusieAV8R said:

RS and PS experiences can be very staff-specific...  Our PS experience in November was extraordinary... Our recent PS cruise (August 13-20) was not of the same high calibre,

Can you share which ships you sailed?

[Laurab23]

I have a Summit PH in May and making notes. Keep giving me your great ideas.

 

Laura

[wineoclock]

I’m very interested to see what being in a CS is like compared to PH & will report back. That’s if my move up bid isn’t successful. 

[t18c97]

5 hours ago, Whinenowine said:

Port side or starboard? We were on the Southbound 8/12 cruise 

Port side, 6141

[Whinenowine]

38 minutes ago, t18c97 said:

Port side, 6141

ah so you had Nicasio and Elvie—the dynamic duo…..they were very attentive and we loved them.  But maybe that was because we were in 6147! 😎. I also found the staff at Luminae particularly good…but that’s just my opinion. 

[Whinenowine]

46 minutes ago, wineoclock said:

I’m very interested to see what being in a CS is like compared to PH & will report back. That’s if my move up bid isn’t successful. 

In 2022 we were in a CS on the Edge in April and a PH on Millie last month…..I found the service very good on the Edge, but not excellent.   Whereas I can’t speak highly enough about our butler, steward, Luminae staff, Sushi on 5 staff and Tuscan Grille staff. Not sure if that was the ship, the staff or the suite difference…..I think all of the above. 

[t18c97]

23 minutes ago, Whinenowine said:

ah so you had Nicasio and Elvie—the dynamic duo…..they were very attentive and we loved them.  But maybe that was because we were in 6147! 😎. I also found the staff at Luminae particularly good…but that’s just my opinion. 

Yes we did and they were great. The wife wanted to have a small pre dinner gathering and  Nicasio got some food and wine for us. 

[George C]

1 hour ago, Whinenowine said:

In 2022 we were in a CS on the Edge in April and a PH on Millie last month…..I found the service very good on the Edge, but not excellent.   Whereas I can’t speak highly enough about our butler, steward, Luminae staff, Sushi on 5 staff and Tuscan Grille staff. Not sure if that was the ship, the staff or the suite difference…..I think all of the above. 

I do think the penthouse gets more attention, we couldn’t have asked for better service when we did edge in July last year. Although we have has some great service even with sky suites. 

[drarill]

9 hours ago, danceswithphones said:

That is encouraging! We've done upper level suites before but it has been a while. We sail on November 8th. If we don't end up with monogrammed PJ's, I'll never hear the end of it. Never should have mentioned it to DW. 

We received monogram PJ's on the Apex back in June-2021. On the Edge, April 2022, received the wrong size, not monogram PJ's. 🙄

[George C]

3 minutes ago, drarill said:

We received monogram PJ's on the Apex back in June-2021. On the Edge, April 2022, received the wrong size, not monogram PJ's. 🙄

I think it might be a good idea to ask for the monogrammed pj’s on first night . We got same size of them and robes but I am a hundred pounds heavier and 8 inch’s taller than my better hall. 

[SusieAV8R]

9 hours ago, RichYak said:

I have the same problem 😟

Constellation in Nov 2021; Infinity several weeks ago.  The Hotel Director & Food & Beverage Director were the same ones on both ships.   Christmas/New Years will be on Summit, which we sailed on this past September.

[SusieAV8R]

On 8/24/2022 at 2:01 AM, chemmo said:

We have cruised many times in RS and PH.

 

Service has always been good but sometimes is  outstanding. The difference, in our experience, seems to be related to staff experience/effort and individual ship general running.

 

Personal Retreat Hosts…

 

Good ones will do everything you ask.

Excellent ones will do everything you ask and provide a few treats.

Outstanding ones will almost ‘read’ you and predict what you may want, exceptional experience.

 

Retreat Lounge Concierges…

 

Standard ones will run a range of activities that suite guests will be invited to. 
Good ones will approach you first day and later in the cruise to ask if there is anything you want.

Excellent ones will suggest a few things (extra) they could arrange for you.

Exceptional ones will (somehow) know what you may like and suggest and provide a few treats.

 

Retreat Managers…

 

In our experience after a possible quick introduction they are not usually involved in your day to day experience. However, if you do have a difficulty with any aspect of the suite experience, they are there if needed. 

 

Other staff…

 

The Captain…On some cruises we have been on we have been personally greeted and been invited to dine with them (pre covid). This has happened when we have cruised in both RS and PH. On other cruises we have been invited to a lunchtime officers meal in Blu last sea day after a bridge tour (all RS, PH guests and a couple of others). Some Captains and officers are definitely more interactive with guests. We have been on cruises where officers have not been visible and others where, mid cruise, we have been approached by the F&B manager or the Hotel manager to ask how our cruise is going…

 

The advice I would give to all new higher suite cruisers is to communicate to staff exactly what would make your cruise special. Unless you get the ‘exceptional’ staff if you don’t request things staff may think you don’t want. There have been reviews where suite guests have said their Personal Retreat Host has done nothing. Not realising that they need to use the phone and ask. PRH rarely just ‘knock on’ to see if you want anything, they respect your privacy. Equally, concierge staff may assume there is nothing you want if you don’t talk to them.
 

Just  a few examples of things you may request…

 

From your Personal Retreat Host…

 

Additional simple suite amenities like fruit bowls.

Customised snacks daily.

In suite ‘special event meal’ (give at least 24 hours warning).

Private cocktail party (give at least 24 hours warning).

 

From your Concierge….

 

Behind the scenes tours in a small group (theatre, galley, bridge…).

Escort off the ship at difficult ports and end of cruise.

Dining with an officer (not necessarily the Captain).

 

 

OP in our experience, Spa services are not usually provided. As the spas are not run by Celebrity this is not surprising.

 

OP I suggest you ensure you have a fantastic cruise by doing the following….

 

When you are approached by the Shoreside concierge pre cruise draft an email listing your bar set up preferences, pillow preferences and any other room amenities you may like (we always ask for a kettle and tea tray).

 

On boarding chat to your PRH about your daily requests and generally anything you may want to arrange later in the cruise. If you do want to arrange a special in suite meal or a party give your PRH some warning. Obviously this is not necessary for in suite general room service.

 

Early in your cruise chat to the concierge about events you would enjoy like behind the scenes tours. You can also say you would like to dine with an officer. Please be aware these activities may not be happening owing to covid restrictions.

 

If at any point in your cruise you want something, ask!

 

 

I totally agree:  you want something, ask!!

[Whinenowine]

13 hours ago, t18c97 said:

Yes we did and they were great. The wife wanted to have a small pre dinner gathering and  Nicasio got some food and wine for us. 

 

Very nice!  We took our teenage kids on the cruise and they were so spoiled by that trip that we still have to remind them that DW and I aren't their butler or steward.  They need to channel their inner Nicasio/Elvie!

 

[canderson]

15 hours ago, t18c97 said:

Yes we did and they were great. The wife wanted to have a small pre dinner gathering and  Nicasio got some food and wine for us. 

So much for dinner!  How big was "small"???

[JDPCruisers]

We are on Infinity Oct 1-Oct 8 in a Celebrity Suite. Have been on Millie (Celebrity suite) and Apex (Sky suite), but not on this ship. When can we expect to receive our welcome email from the concierge?

 

We were not aware of any additional perks beyond those of being in a Retreat suite and our status, are there any?

 

Can we request the mini bar being stocked with specific beverages (wine, etc.) as part of our benefits?

 

[t18c97]

44 minutes ago, canderson said:

So much for dinner!  How big was "small"???

Only 6.

[SusieAV8R]

10 hours ago, JDPCruisers said:

We are on Infinity Oct 1-Oct 8 in a Celebrity Suite. Have been on Millie (Celebrity suite) and Apex (Sky suite), but not on this ship. When can we expect to receive our welcome email from the concierge?

 

We were not aware of any additional perks beyond those of being in a Retreat suite and our status, are there any?

 

Can we request the mini bar being stocked with specific beverages (wine, etc.) as part of our benefits?

 

Our experience in CS was that the mini bar was only stocked with specific beverages, like wine, if the additional beverage package had beeb purchased. (Check the Celebrity website but I believe they will permit EACH guest to bring up to 2 bottles of wine on board.  There is no corkage fee if you want to drink that wine at dinner rather than in your CS.)   Shoreside Concierge will contact you about 10 days before you sail.  I believe you may be dealing with Alex and she is super helpful, so ask her.