A Few Thoughts on the Retreat Privilege Package (RPP)

[thebutlerdidit]

5 hours ago, OysterD said:

I agree. I've actually often wondered why there aren't more 2 bedroom options not just on Celebrity but other cruise lines too, and not just at suite level.

 

The size of two standard veranda cabins could easily be reconfigured at the design/construction phase into having one door, one bathroom (poss even two) and two separate bedrooms, there's plenty of room. 

Wouldn’t that be wonderful? 

[Jim_Iain]

20 minutes ago, thebutlerdidit said:

Wouldn’t that be wonderful? 

The Iconic Suite is open for the April Apex TA.    Might be a good deal for a family but at $44,000 I guess we will give it a pass.

[Cruisegirl6]

On 3/2/2023 at 11:54 AM, Jeremiah1212 said:

 

Your suite guests would have to have been allowed to make the purchase (like previously mentioned - it is  capacity limited and only offered to upper suites) but it is all or nothing. You have the purchase for the entire duration of the cruise. 

Thank you, honestly, two days be enough, I don't like to be limited to one area such as the retreat during the day, I make my rounds all over the place, so it would be a waste for me thank you.

[Boo's Mom]

On 3/2/2023 at 10:20 AM, vacruisincouple said:

I disembarked from the Summit last Saturday.  My husband and I were in a royal suite and my parents travelled with us in the adjoining C1 balcony cabin.  I purchased the Retreat Privilege Package (RPP) for my parents prior to sailing.  I know this program is somewhat controversial but don’t wish to discuss that here.  Rather, I would like to give my thoughts on how well the program did and did not work for us as well as some of the logistics of the program.

 

Pre Cruise:  As expected about 3 ½ - 4 weeks prior to the cruise, I received an email from the shoreside concierge with the usual list of questions on our preferences for the stateroom, specialty dining reservations, etc.  I responded with our needs as well as inquiring about having my parents join us in luminae as well as the retreat lounge and sundeck.  It was only after inquiring was I told I could purchase the RPP for them or pay per meal to have them join us in luminae.  Pricing was $99 per person per day for RPP or $30 per person for dinner or $20 per person for lunch.  We opted to purchase the RPP.  I called the shoreside concierge and the purchase was taken care of in about 10 minutes.

 

Cruise check in:  The morning of the cruise we took an uber to the port of Miami and were dropped off around 10:20 a.m.  The signage for the special delivery area was not very clear so we had the porter walk us over to the check in area that was curbside further ahead from where we were dropped off at.  Once there, they asked for our cabin numbers.  I provided them and they immediately tried to tell me that my parents needed to go through the regular check in.  I explained that they had the RPP which was met with blank stares.  I further explained they were to check in with us as apart of the program.  I’m not sure they believed me but I was rather insistent that they were coming with us.  We were taken to the retreat embarkation lounge which was already almost full where we met Connor and Connie the retreat concierges.  Beverages (coffee, juice, water, etc.) and light snacks were available.  After about 15 minutes the room was introduced to Daniel the retreat manager.  Connor then invited the 4 of us along with one other couple to follow him onto the ship.  Daniel and Connie also had a group with them so I assume that made up all of the upper tier suite passengers. We were the first to step foot on the ship.

 

Cruise:  We were escorted to the retreat lounge where we were welcomed once again and offered beverages from the bar as well as more snacks.  After finishing our beverages we went to our suite to drop off our carryon luggage and pick up our room keys.  All of our room keys including my parents were the grey suite keys.  We met our room steward Michael (who was absolutely fabulous the entire cruise) and dropped off our things. 

 

Luminae:  We headed down to luminae for lunch where we met Lobo who asked for our room numbers.  After providing them Lobo discretely tried to tell me there was a charge to have my parents dine with us.  I replied that they had the RPP.  He told me he would check on it.  We had a lovely lunch with Andy as our server.  Upon leaving, Lobo walked us out and I asked him if everything was set for my parents to enjoy luminae without us if they wanted to and he assured me everything was as it should be.

 

Retreat Sun Deck:  We went to the retreat sun deck for sail away.  If you do so, be aware that you are very close to the ship’s horn.  It is very loud and quite startling the first time it goes off.  We were also invited to the helipad for sail away but opted for the sundeck because 1) I didn’t want to change into closed toe shoes and 2) I wanted a place to sit.  I used my key card to get us into the retreat sun deck but my parents decided to leave before us and their key cards did not work in unlocking the gate.  They flagged down a crew member and were able to exit.  Later that evening we mentioned this to Connor in the retreat lounge and he took their keys and reprogrammed them so that they would work.  The keys worked perfectly the rest of the cruise.

 

Specialty dining and extras:  We dined at Tuscan grill on my dad’s birthday and I was expecting to have to pay the cover charge for both of my parents.  At the end of the meal however we were told everything was taken care of and did not have a bill to sign.  We left an extra tip in cash.   I don’t know if its supposed to be this way or not, but its as if my parents were given the same royal suite perks that we had.  This was the only specialty dining that we did with them so I don’t know if it was a one off or if it would have been the same at the other specialty dining venues.  Or perhaps it was because my parents literally only had a half portion of pasta each and they would’ve felt bad charging me $60 per person for them.  I kind of doubt that though.  Later in the cruise all 4 of us were delivered the monogrammed pajamas.  I also noticed that my parents beverage package had been upgraded from the classic package that came with their room (they were on an all included cruise fare) to the premium beverage.  Again, not sure if it is supposed to happen this way or not.

 

Conclusion:  All in all, I am very happy we booked the RPP for my parents.  All the crew members we encountered were incredible and made my parents (and us) feel very pampered.  It was a little annoying to have to assert that they had the package at check in and at luminae the first time along with the little hiccup with the key cards.  This is something that could have been better but rather minor considering the entire cruise experience.

 

Cheri

Excellent info.  Thank you for sharing with us - in such great detail.