Is Concierge Worth It

[the penguins]

10 hours ago, Ipeeinthepools said:

 

Other than bragging rights and another bag of laundry, what Elite+ benefits are attractive to you?

If you don't drink much alcohol and don't need unlimited WiFi, Elite+ makes the cruise only prices much more attractive - as the + gets you free speciality coffees, teas and chocolate and 240 minutes each premium WiFi. 

[the penguins]

15 hours ago, mafig said:

DH did not like Blu, so we booked a lot of Concierge cabins.

It helped us get to Elite...which got us to Diamond on Royal C.....and also got us to Black (Diamond) on MSC.😄

Black Diamond on MSC is only one your first cruise and only if you contact MSC before you book. The Diamond on Royal is forever.

[Fly and Sail]

2 hours ago, Stealthdog said:

We have sailed Aqua class on every sailing before, but Celebrity has priced us out of it now.  We decided to go with Concierge for our Dec sailing on the Beyond (originally Veranda, but repriced for cheaper with concierge).  It was about half the price of Aqua (with the sail only rate) and we still get the same number of Club points per day, the daily canapes, and the crappy champagne.  With all the different dining options on the Beyond we didn't think we would miss the dining in Blu that much, and with the money saved we can just buy passes to the Thermal Suite.  I'll withhold judgement until December. 

 

Start using the casino and you'll get players offers for Aqua Class at $10/night ($140/week for two pax). Not sure how much you used to spend on average before but even if you're burning through a gambling bankroll of $2k on slots that should net you decent offers for AQ on pretty much any sailing.

[drakes2]

10 hours ago, GottaKnowWhen said:

Different groups get the sail-in or sail-away helipad opportunity; suites, Elite or Elite+, Concierge… It doesn’t always happen, depending on port, weather, timing, etc. On Summit recently we had a Captain’s Club invite and a Concierge invite, And for one passage, everyone was welcome to go out on the helipad. 
In general, sailing Concierge, I expect at least one helipad visit each cruise.

I'm Elite and also in a Concierge cabin so hope I get an invite. Closed toe shoes are a must for those who don't know.

[Cruise a holic]

On 9/6/2022 at 6:11 AM, Surfguyxxx said:

I leave Thursday on Equinox in Concierge Class and am starting to wonder now if I made a smart decision in choosing this category.  I actually looked at and wanted Aqua Class but by the time I booked, they were all gone.  I check almost every day but alas, nothing.  We'll see what happens.  😏

We found Aqua a waste.  Didn't like blu- we save the money and dine almost daily in Specialty restaurants.  If we aren't in a suite, and CC is reasonably priced, we prefer- the extra points, and better located staterooms worth it to us- or if price high- book a well located balcony and save your money for Specialty restaurants.  Since a done deal- enjoy your concierge class stateroom

[Stealthdog]

4 hours ago, Fly and Sail said:

 

Start using the casino and you'll get players offers for Aqua Class at $10/night ($140/week for two pax). Not sure how much you used to spend on average before but even if you're burning through a gambling bankroll of $2k on slots that should net you decent offers for AQ on pretty much any sailing.

 

Thanks - need to start looking at the casino more.  $2K is doable, we just have to remember to do it all on one account and not split it up. 🙂

[vjmatty]

5 hours ago, the penguins said:

Black Diamond on MSC is only one your first cruise and only if you contact MSC before you book. The Diamond on Royal is forever.

 

Actually, if you book at least every three years with MSC you do get to keep the status match.

[Ipeeinthepools]

11 minutes ago, drakes2 said:

I'm Elite and also in a Concierge cabin so hope I get an invite. Closed toe shoes are a must for those who don't know.

 

Closed toe shoes is supposed to be a rule, but I've seen plenty of people on the helipad with open toe shoes.  🤷‍♂️

Edited September 7, 2022 by Ipeeinthepools

[drakes2]

1 minute ago, Ipeeinthepools said:

 

Closed toe shoes is supposed to be a rule, but I've seen plenty of people on the helipad with open toe shoes.  🤷‍♂️

it's been awhile but I remember being on helipad sailing out of St. kitts and people were being turned away that were in sandals 

[drakes2]

8 hours ago, Mississippian said:

Oh for Pete's sake, it's worth a dime. I value the ability to have a seated lunch embarkation day at $20. The free bottle of wine is worth something. The extra Captain's Club points are worth something. The better cabin locations are worth something. Priority boarding (and debarking) and dining times are worth something. I've booked it for the first time and am looking forward to the daily canape tray, although I've read the negative comments, and am aware that I could just go to the buffet and make my own snacky-snack tray. I frequently see CC offered for very little extra money, and sometimes see it offered for LESS than a standard balcony. I think it's a good deal if cheap, not so much if a substantial surcharge.

@Mississippianof course it's worth a dime. The 2 times I've been in a CC it cost me zero $$$ extra. This upcoming cruise cost me $10 extra per night in a C1 sunset verandah. I make all the little extra amenities work for me the bottle of sparkly is used for breakfast mimosas  canapés get switched for hummus and pita even pillow menu and better towels are an advantage.  

[Fly and Sail]

21 minutes ago, Stealthdog said:

 

Thanks - need to start looking at the casino more.  $2K is doable, we just have to remember to do it all on one account and not split it up. 🙂

Right. I also recommend concentrating your gaming to days 1-3 because that’s when the onboard offers go out to the cabins. Best to cover all bases but I can assure you, once you drop a couple grand they want you back. Also, you will earn points with Blue Chip Club and Amethyst gets a free annual cruise as standard benefit which you can almost always upsell.

[the penguins]

4 hours ago, vjmatty said:

 

Actually, if you book at least every three years with MSC you do get to keep the status match.

Is that a change? It was promoted as on your first cruise only as a "tempter'. We still haven't taken the plunge but some of MSC's Africa cruises look tempting.

[vjmatty]

Just now, the penguins said:

Is that a change? It was promoted as on your first cruise only as a "tempter'. We still haven't taken the plunge but some of MSC's Africa cruises look tempting.

 

Let me see if I can find it on the site or my email they sent me.....

[the penguins]

2 minutes ago, vjmatty said:

 

Let me see if I can find it on the site or my email they sent me.....

 

2 minutes ago, vjmatty said:

 

Let me see if I can find it on the site or my email they sent me.....

 

[the penguins]

Just now, the penguins said:

 

 

 

3 minutes ago, vjmatty said:

 

Let me see if I can find it on the site or my email they sent me.....

Thanks, I hope it's not another example of different offers in different markets. 

[vjmatty]

1 minute ago, the penguins said:

 

Thanks, I hope it's not another example of different offers in different markets. 

 

Oooh, hadn't thought of that..... I am at work and can't open certain webpages but I will try from home tonight.

[Fly and Sail]

Ok another totally absurd Celebrity thing slightly related to CC. If you compare cabin types on the same deck online you'll notice they often have Aqua, Concierge and Veranda all mixed up together. We all know that Concierge is basically exactly the same as a regular Veranda (especially on EDGE). Today there was a great cabin location available but they would only sell it as basic balcony, not as Concierge (same price). AQ being sold out, fine they have a different bathroom I get it.

 

I had a similar situation last year when my AQ cabin was defective and the only other one that was available was all the way in the back with a dirty couch. I asked them to just give me any other balcony cabin midship and let me keep my AQ benefits. No sir, we can't do that, you HAVE to stay in a Aqua cabin to be able to access these benefits. Back and forth and my blood pressure was rising. I told them I'd disembark again and went up to pack my bag. Then the hotel director came and said they'd upgrade me to a Sky Suite with Retreat benefits (including BLU/Luminae) and I should just charge the Thermal Spa visits to the room, they'd take care of it. Like... WHY!?

[Kosh III]

We did it twice as the price was actually lower than normal balcony but it wouldn't be worth it for extra money.

[mafig]

2 hours ago, the penguins said:

Is that a change? It was promoted as on your first cruise only as a "tempter'. We still haven't taken the plunge but some of MSC's Africa cruises look tempting.

Just received my edocs for my upcoming (Oct.) MSC cruise.  This will be our third with them.  Last one was in June 2019.  We're still Diamond.😀

[bdstickks0944]

6 hours ago, the penguins said:

Is that a change? It was promoted as on your first cruise only as a "tempter'. We still haven't taken the plunge but some of MSC's Africa cruises look tempting.

MSC is nowhere near as good a Celebrity.  Nice ships.  Horrible service.  Rude staff

[drakes2]

4 minutes ago, bdstickks0944 said:

MSC is nowhere near as good a Celebrity.  Nice ships.  Horrible service.  Rude staff

Can't say I've ever had a bad experience on celebrity if there's an issue guest relations has quickly rectified it. 

[TMaine]

I like the better bedding, location, balcony furniture, breakfast menu, canapés, and a few other things.  If you time your booking right, it will be close to the same price as a regular balcony room.

[Fly and Sail]

1 hour ago, TMaine said:

I like the better bedding, location, balcony furniture, breakfast menu, canapés, and a few other things.  If you time your booking right, it will be close to the same price as a regular balcony room.

 

Concierge doesn't have better location. They arguably often times have a much worse location than some of the standard Veranda cabins. As for the bedding, you have a pillow menu but everything else is the same.

[Mississippian]

12 hours ago, Fly and Sail said:

Right. I also recommend concentrating your gaming to days 1-3 because that’s when the onboard offers go out to the cabins. Best to cover all bases but I can assure you, once you drop a couple grand they want you back. Also, you will earn points with Blue Chip Club and Amethyst gets a free annual cruise as standard benefit which you can almost always upsell.

Are you required to "drop" a couple of grand? Is one allowed to get lucky? I always thought comps were based on theoretical. At blackjack a basic strategy player should only lose about one-half percent of action, but theoretical is between two and four percent. Frontloading the system seems like a good idea. Not sure how that would work on a 14-day cruise.

[drakes2]

35 minutes ago, Fly and Sail said:

 

Concierge doesn't have better location. They arguably often times have a much worse location than some of the standard Veranda cabins. As for the bedding, you have a pillow menu but everything else is the same.

I thought the towels were better quality?