Aqua Class Room Service changes?

[NutsAboutGolf]

57 minutes ago, jelayne said:

Which may be why the addition of the charge.

My WAG (Wild A$$ Guess) is someone without giving it any thought approved the RS fee for all rooms but suites.  We’ll find out if a mistake was made if and when X removes the fee for AQ

Edited February 9, 2023 by NutsAboutGolf

[wrk2cruise]

20 minutes ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

My WAG (Wild A$$ Guess) is someone without giving it any thought approved the RS fee for all rooms but suites.  We’ll find out if a mistake was made if and when X removes the fee for AQ

 

No mistake made.  AQ is not valued by Celebrity nearly as much as the 2x+ $$ of suites.

[NutsAboutGolf]

14 hours ago, southernbreezes said:

Most hotels I have stayed at list "room service" as a service but it does not mean free. My hotel in Venice the Bauer 2 cups of coffee was 35.00 euros plus a service charge of 15.00 euros so 50 euros! I walked to the lobby and got it for free. My point is we all get room service on the ship every day Continental Breakfast for free then you pay a charge of $10.00 which is cheap the food is free. If you want unlimited room service book a suite I do. Extra charge for lobster tail the Food Hogs brought this about I have seen people eating 4-5 lobster tails, and I have seen people eat 3-4 shrimp cocktails plus a full dinner or even 2 full dinners. Someone has to pay for them and it's us in our cruise price. Stop all the crying.  

 

RS fee with tips is $12.04 

Far more hotels will offer room service coffee for under $12 than over $12.  Many hotels have in room coffee makers or if you really want you can bring your own electric coffee maker.  Since we’re on the topic of hotels, it should be noted that nearly all hotels offer free Wi-Fi.

 

With the comment of someone has to pay for them (dinner/lobsters/shrimps), how much does 5 lobster tails really cost X, $25?  How many people are ordering 5 lobster tails per sailing, maybe 3?  Like it or not, suite passengers have always been “subsidizing” non-suite guests just like with airlines, biz/first class is subsidizing coach

Edited February 9, 2023 by NutsAboutGolf

[NutsAboutGolf]

2 minutes ago, wrk2cruise said:

 

No mistake made.  AQ is not valued by Celebrity nearly as much as the 2x+ $$ of suites.

100% agree with your second sentence; we agree to disagree that a mistake was made.  Absolutely pointless to offer an expanded AQ RS menu which mainly adds the same salads you can get all over the ship if they’re going to charge a fee

[Chemgoddess1]

19 hours ago, Hlitner said:

Some folks have yet to accept that if you want a luxury cruise (including 24 hour free room service) you will need to book a luxury cruise line.  On X, one can get something close, but by the time you pay for the "Retreat" Suite, any imposed add-ons, tips, etc. you will have spent more money than it would have cost if you booked Seabourn, Silverseas, etc.  And in its best day, X is not a luxury line but simply a mass market line with some luxury touches for those willing to pay a lot more than the average cruiser.

 

Hank

Considering I booked Aqua Class, which one of the perks was free room service anytime, I think I have a legitimate leg in the game. 

[Mark_T]

24 minutes ago, Chemgoddess1 said:

Considering I booked Aqua Class, which one of the perks was free room service anytime, I think I have a legitimate leg in the game. 

The expanded room service menu was an amenity of the cabin class, the free room service was a ship-wide facility, not specific to your cabin choice.

 

I don't like the change either, but Celebrity do have this covered in the T&C's

[DingoMom]

On 2/9/2023 at 7:08 AM, southernbreezes said:

  You may call it "savvy" but I call it being an El Cheapo wanting something for nothing. You can still get it all but have to pay for like everything else we do in life. 

Perhaps people commenting on here are NOT wanting ‘something for nothing.’ Perhaps they are merely wanting what they paid for when they made their final payment. 🧐

[Fly and Sail]

On 2/9/2023 at 3:09 AM, Mark_T said:

The expanded room service menu was an amenity of the cabin class, the free room service was a ship-wide facility, not specific to your cabin choice.

 

I don't like the change either, but Celebrity do have this covered in the T&C's

 

What exactly is covered in the T&C's? I'd love to watch when someone pursues the right to cancel and refund for free due to these changes.

[southernbreezes]

9 hours ago, Fly and Sail said:

I'd love to watch when someone pursues the right to cancel and refund for free due to these changes.

Really would you cancel over an extra $10.00 a day or $20.00 for a second lobster?

On a 7-day cruise, this is less than $100.00. Most of us tip extra at least this amount. 

12 hours ago, DingoMom said:

Perhaps they are merely wanting what they paid for when they made their final payment.

They are getting exactly what they paid for. Room service as advertised is included, free of charge in the morning than with a fee the rest of the day. I would tip $5.00 each time so it is costing $5.00 this is not worth getting upset about.

[Fly and Sail]

2 hours ago, southernbreezes said:

Really would you cancel over an extra $10.00 a day or $20.00 for a second lobster?

 

Not unless I'm looking for a reason to cancel anyway and use the changes for that purpose.

[Chemgoddess1]

On 2/9/2023 at 6:09 AM, Mark_T said:

The expanded room service menu was an amenity of the cabin class, the free room service was a ship-wide facility, not specific to your cabin choice.

 

I don't like the change either, but Celebrity do have this covered in the T&C's

There was an after hours $4.95 fee for standard cabins that was waived for Aqua on top of the extended menu. 

[Jim_Iain]

On 1/29/2023 at 3:04 PM, thebutlerdidit said:

The hard copy in the Aqua cabins also offers the Beyond Burger and fries. I finally tried it and really liked it. I’m glad I tried it (free in October!) from room service instead of at dinner  in Blu as it was deliciously juicy and messy. 

 

I tried it and wasn't a fan.   It may be that I hate beets and that is what the use to make them look like beef juices.   They claim you can't taste it but instantly hit my hate it taste buds.

 

I intentional order a different main and explained to the waiter I just wanted to try it as I had heard so many good things about it.   I was disappointed as I wanted to like it.

[Jim_Iain]

On 2/10/2023 at 5:23 PM, Fly and Sail said:

 

What exactly is covered in the T&C's? I'd love to watch when someone pursues the right to cancel and refund for free due to these changes.

You will probably have a link in your reservation confirmation- it directs you to the FAQ

https://www.celebritycruises.com/faqs/cruise-ticket-contract

 

The contract itself are included in your Cruise Documents that your receive about 45 days prior to cruise.   Without posting many pages of legal gobbly goop, I can tell you they basically say they can change anything they want and have little to no liability.  

 

Basically you are prevented from taking legal action in court and must work out disputes via arbitration

 

Also there are lots of *  like this 

[Jim_Iain]

Here's another fun paragraph.

 

[ebtrip]

I am Elite Plus, cruise in Aqua Class. Haven’t sailed on X since January 2020. Have Sailed on Viking Ocean 4 times, twice since 2020.  Yes everything has increased in price, but to nickel and dime cruisers sours our experience. Leave in 4 weeks on a transatlantic on Viking.  Gratuities increased, as their beverage package, which you don’t really need as beer and wine are free with lunch and dinner. 24 hr room service is free, specially restaurants are free, port excursions are included.  Definitely a different vibe, very low key cruise, no casino, kids or extravagant shows, no art sales. 
the next time we sail on Celebrity it will not be in Aqua, we’ll just pay for specialty restaurant package and save money. 

[Jim_Iain]

9 minutes ago, ebtrip said:

I am Elite Plus, cruise in Aqua Class. Haven’t sailed on X since January 2020. Have Sailed on Viking Ocean 4 times, twice since 2020.  Yes everything has increased in price, but to nickel and dime cruisers sours our experience. Leave in 4 weeks on a transatlantic on Viking.  Gratuities increased, as their beverage package, which you don’t really need as beer and wine are free with lunch and dinner. 24 hr room service is free, specially restaurants are free, port excursions are included.  Definitely a different vibe, very low key cruise, no casino, kids or extravagant shows, no art sales. 
the next time we sail on Celebrity it will not be in Aqua, we’ll just pay for specialty restaurant package and save money. 

Would really interested to read if you could do a Comparison of the two cruise line either live or a review after the cruise.   There have been a couple lately and really informative to all of us who are planning on trying other alternatives.

[terrydtx]

2 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

I tried it and wasn't a fan.   It may be that I hate beets and that is what the use to make them look like beef juices.   They claim you can't taste it but instantly hit my hate it taste buds.

 

I intentional order a different main and explained to the waiter I just wanted to try it as I had heard so many good things about it.   I was disappointed as I wanted to like it.

Jim, my sister tried it on the Reflection and she was sick for 2 days with the tourista, she was convinced the veggimeat gave it to her as she was the only one in our group who tried it.

[terrydtx]

50 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

Would really interested to read if you could do a Comparison of the two cruise line either live or a review after the cruise.   There have been a couple lately and really informative to all of us who are planning on trying other alternatives.

Having followed you on several of your cruising live threads, I am convinced you and Lain would like the more premium lines like Oceania and Viking Ocean. We are dipping our Retreat only toes into the Oceania pool in 2025. If it is everything, we suspect it will be, our Edge cruises next year could be our last on Celebrity.

[ebtrip]

30 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

Would really interested to read if you could do a Comparison of the two cruise line either live or a review after the cruise.   There have been a couple lately and really informative to all of us who are planning on trying other alternatives.

We have sailed on Viking ocean 3 times so far.  Mediterranean, Scandinavia, and Greece. This 4th sailing will be our first Transatlantic with them.

 

cabins..only have balconies, standard ones are  270 sq ft with balcony, there are larger cabins Penthouse and then suites, which are larger.  The floor in the bathroom is heated.  Large shower with glass door. You don’t have to upgrade as the only perks are refills of the mini fridge, and get to make your excursion and restaurant earlier. There are no private dining rooms for suites, everyone eats in the same restaurants. 
 

staff.  very friendly, go out of their way to assist 

restaurants. There are 2 specialty restaurants, Manfredi’s and Chef Table, plus the regular restaurant, world cafe buffet, Mamsens, pool grill. there is no fee for the specialties and I’ve never had a problem getting reservations on board.  I’ve found food is very good at all venues.

 

included tours. Most are on busses or walking, nothing fantastic, but have enjoyed getting a taste of a country. You can purchase optional tours if you desire.
 

Beverages. The price of the beverage package has increased.  It really isn’t necessary for most people as beer and wine is served during lunch and dinner.  If you want a cocktail in the evening the prices run about$8.00 including gratuity, very reasonable. I do get the package as I prefer better wines, and when we go to the Chefs Table for dinner, which serves a wine with each course, I get the premium wine, which would cost an extra $25.00 per person. 
 

entertainment. Celebrity has much better theater shows.  Viking has small shows with about 5 people.  They do have a band in a small club, and in the “Living room” there is a pianist or some other low key entertainment to enjoy.

 

There is no Casino, Children, art sales, photographers. I find the cruise low key, very relaxing. Most cruisers are experienced travelers, a different demographic. We have always loved Celebrity, but enjoying a different experience. 

[DingoMom]

From SouthernBreezes: 

“They are getting exactly what they paid for. Room service as advertised is included, free of charge in the morning than with a fee the rest of the day. I would tip $5.00 each time so it is costing $5.00 this is not worth getting upset about.”

 

Wow. Judgmental much? Everyone who has been on a Celebrity Cruise before January 1, 2023 has had Room Service for free. While I am happy for you (really!)  those that booked with the idea that RS was included (and nobody has complained about tipping for RS) have a right to feel slighted. And those that had previously booked on Celebrity when they could order more than one lobster tail (included), also have a right to feel slighted. When Celebrity chooses to change their product AFTER final payment for prior passengers, I would expect a little grace for disappointment. Apparently you have none.

[manmachine]

On 1/30/2023 at 1:04 PM, terrydtx said:

Lots of luck with that, I bet you get nothing back from the CC.

 

On 1/30/2023 at 1:04 PM, terrydtx said:

Lots of luck with that, I bet you get nothing back from the CC.

You lost your bet.