Paying for a guest outside of the Retreat to have Retreat access?

[swigso]

40 minutes ago, Ken the cruiser said:

They were also allowed to join your group when dining in Luminae? Interesting. Since you have to check-in with the Luminae host before being seated, that seems very odd. 

The Luminae host was put in a position where she had no choice but to allow the non suite guests into the restaurant. It was so very embarrassing we apologised to her the next day. 

Edited October 31, 2022 by swigso

[Northern Aurora]

Early in the cruise (if my memory is correct it was the second night) a woman and her adult son entered Michael's Club on the Solstice.  Neither Retreat Concierge happened to be in the room when they entered. However, when one of the concierges returned she very quickly realized that they were not in a suite and escorted them out.

[wrk2cruise]

7 minutes ago, Northern Aurora said:

Early in the cruise (if my memory is correct it was the second night) a woman and her adult son entered Michael's Club on the Solstice.  Neither Retreat Concierge happened to be in the room when they entered. However, when one of the concierges returned she very quickly realized that they were not in a suite and escorted them out.

 

This is what I believe normally happens.  We have seen the bartender serve someone who wonders in unknowingly then politely explain the lounge is only for suite guests.

[wrk2cruise]

The Luminae host should have asked who's seapass to charge the $30 pp to or to politely say guests can not be accommodated at that time.   If it were me trying it I can assure you I would not be allowed access.

[dlh015]

13 minutes ago, swigso said:

The Luminae host was put in a position where she had no choice but to allow the non suite guests into the restaurant. It was so very embarrassing we apologised to her the next day. 

I don't see why you apologized...it wasn't your fault. But it *was* her job to not allow them in the restaurant. I don't buy that 'no choice' excuse that they aren't supposed to upset the passengers. What about the other (suite) passengers getting upset?? 

[Guest 4-2-N-8]

1 minute ago, dlh015 said:

I don't see why you apologized...it wasn't your fault. But it *was* her job to not allow them in the restaurant. I don't buy that 'no choice' excuse that they aren't supposed to upset the passengers. What about the other (suite) passengers getting upset?? 

Now I'm upset again, and I haven't even stepped foot on my cruise yet!

 

I'd go hang out on a shore excursions thread, but that had me riled up for 14 hours straight last week! 🤓

[Ken the cruiser]

53 minutes ago, swigso said:

The Luminae host was put in a position where she had no choice but to allow the non suite guests into the restaurant. It was so very embarrassing we apologised to her the next day. 

I'm curious now. Just exactly how was the host put in a position where she had no choice? Inquiring minds want to know. I promise, we won't tell anyone. 

[CalTexCruiser]

I can vouch for the Retreat employees having sharp memories when it comes to faces.

 

One time, on embarkation day, we got in the elevator to head to lunch, and a lady in uniform walked in.  Then she turned around and greeted us by name, Mr. & Mrs. CaltexCruiser--surprised the hell out of us.  She was the Retreat Manager.

 

On another occasion, as we were wandering around the Retreat Sundeck also on embarkation day, a Retreat Concierge walked by us and also referred to us by name (we had never seen her before and she was not carrying around any device that would have our pictures on it so she was doing it purely by memory).

 

So for those worried about unauthorized people in the Retreat, don't worry.

[Guest 4-2-N-8]

12 minutes ago, Ken the cruiser said:

I'm curious now. Just exactly how was the host put in a position where she had no choice? Inquiring minds want to know. I promise, we won't tell anyone. 

I thought part of "hosting" was in part ensuring that those who have the amenities (i.e., Luminae, Retreat access) included with their stateroom are actually the ones who have access to the amenities.

 

Basically, being a "host" to those for which hosting means the mosting. 😆

[CHEZMARYLOU]

On our Alaska cruise in a RS we boarded with a group traveling together, one couple in a PH, one in a SS and one in a concierge cabin.  They boarded as a group, were welcomed into the Retreat Lounge upon boarding but the couple in a CC were politely told by the Concierge that they could not join their traveling companions in the retreat afterwards. The Retreat Hosts have no problem politely enforcing the rules.

[CHEZMARYLOU]

49 minutes ago, Ken the cruiser said:

I'm curious now. Just exactly how was the host put in a position where she had no choice? Inquiring minds want to know. I promise, we won't tell anyone. 

See my post re an Alaska cruise.  They are well versed in politely enforcing the policies. 

[SusieAV8R]

19 hours ago, sunpsyche said:

With suites sailing at full capacity, I don’t think exceptions should be made for non suite passengers, even in upper suites. Our last several cruises have shown lapses in service due to staffing issues. Adding additional passengers to an already full Luminae  dining room is diminishing the suite experience that we have paid for. 
  

I do realize that this is problematic to suite guests with family/friends traveling in other categories. We also have friends joining us for an Antarctica cruise who are not traveling in a suite. We plan to see them in lounges and on excursions. If they wanted the suite experience they would have paid for it. Why should we be subjected to longer waits and poorer service for passengers who failed to coordinate and plan well?

Right on!!!!   You nailed this particular nail on the head!!!

[SusieAV8R]

On 10/30/2022 at 7:35 PM, CHEZMARYLOU said:

This was offered pre covid. Surprised to see it back again.  The operative word is UPPER Suite.  It does not extend to SS and is very limited.

Yes, Upper Suite appears to be RS & PS only.  Not a surprise when one looks at the current cost of those 2 suites classes per passenger versus the cost of CS and less expensive.

[SusieAV8R]

22 hours ago, NorthStarStateCruiser said:

Access to the retreat is not exclusive to villa suite guests. I'm not sure what you're trying to say.

So this thread is discussing nonsuite guests having to the retreat.

[SusieAV8R]

21 hours ago, jelayne said:

That’s disturbing!  Paying $1000 per day and someone traveling with a PH guest  can buy access to the Retreat and Luminae for $100.  Add to that Zeniths have been kicked out of the Lounge.  

What is "Someone traveling with a PH guest"?  Is this a guest who has not paid PH costs but for $100 can access the Retreat Lounge and Luminae??!!

[SusieAV8R]

2 hours ago, swigso said:

The Luminae host was put in a position where she had no choice but to allow the non suite guests into the restaurant. It was so very embarrassing we apologised to her the next day. 

Tthe "Luminae host was put in a position where she had no choice??????!!! 

[sunpsyche]

8 hours ago, Denny01 said:

Im currently on the Edge TA about to leave Azores….a fantastic port by the way!…..and this is the first time Ive booked a Suite and using the Retreat. Im in the Retreat and asked the host about this issue and this is her response:

 

Yes, it is theoretically possible a Suite guest can get their family to join them….BUT….this is decided prior to the cruise and only available if the Suites stay unsold. Otherwise if all Suites are booked, it is not offered and the people asking to do this are told that if….IF…it is sold out prior, the offer is rescinded. Her strong suggestion is that all book the same Class and not rely on the minimal chance of this being available. Every one of the cruises I have booked in the future have no Suites available and this is cruises into early 2024!!

 

Den

Thank you for this information, Denny.  I hope you’re having a fabulous time in your first suite!

[jelayne]

2 hours ago, SusieAV8R said:

What is "Someone traveling with a PH guest"?  Is this a guest who has not paid PH costs but for $100 can access the Retreat Lounge and Luminae??!!

Yes

[SusieAV8R]

23 hours ago, sunpsyche said:

Thank you for this information, Denny.  I hope you’re having a fabulous time in your first suite!

If this X's position,   once one person is permitted to bring in a guest who is not qualified to benefit from Retreat Benefits, it will cause 2 problems.  (1) for  those who are permitted to do this, they will expect to do this in the future; (2) they will advise others they were permitted to do this and others will expect to be able to do this also.  This is incredibly unfair to Staff who must enforce the rules!!!!

[hcat]

The freeloading guests ( knowingly or not)  should have had their meals and drinks charged to the account of  the inviting suite  person..who probably was aware,  Could have been handled discreetly away from the table...their showy  invite, their treat!

[DaKahuna]

1 hour ago, hcat said:

The freeloading guests ( knowingly or not)  should have had their meals and drinks charged to the account of  the inviting suite  person..who probably was aware,  Could have been handled discreetly away from the table...their showy  invite, their treat!

 

 On one our Celebrity cruises we were in a Concierge room.  We met a Japanese gentleman and his son, my wife was the only other Japanese person on the ship, who were in a Royal Suite.  They invited us to dine with them in Luminae.  I found out there as a service charge for this and tried to paid it.  When I tried to pay and ask the maitre'd to change my account they said it was not allowed. 

 

All other interactions we had with them was either in a public space, e.g. martini bar, or their stateroom.  We did not ask and they did not offer to take us into Michael's Club. 

Edited November 2, 2022 by DaKahuna

[sunpsyche]

16 hours ago, SusieAV8R said:

If this X's position,   once one person is permitted to bring in a guest who is not qualified to benefit from Retreat Benefits, it will cause 2 problems.  (1) for  those who are permitted to do this, they will expect to do this in the future; (2) they will advise others they were permitted to do this and others will expect to be able to do this also.  This is incredibly unfair to Staff who must enforce the rules!!!!

Not sure why you directed this to me. I’ve stated my objection to the practice. I was thanking Denny for asking and relaying info received  from Retreat.

[wrk2cruise]

15 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

 

 On one our Celebrity cruises we were in a Concierge room.  We met a Japanese gentleman and his son, my wife was the only other Japanese person on the ship, who were in a Royal Suite.  They invited us to dine with them in Luminae.  I found out there as a service charge for this and tried to paid it.  When I tried to pay and ask the maitre'd to change my account they said it was not allowed. 

 

All other interactions we had with them was either in a public space, e.g. martini bar, or their stateroom.  We did not ask and they did not offer to take us into Michael's Club. 

 

This is very common for paid guests in Luminae although I expect your hosts insisted on paying.   I've been a guest on a couple of occasions where they had no problem putting the charge on my non-suite card.

[DaKahuna]

9 hours ago, wrk2cruise said:

 

This is very common for paid guests in Luminae although I expect your hosts insisted on paying.   I've been a guest on a couple of occasions where they had no problem putting the charge on my non-suite card.

 

 I am pretty sure you are correct.