All-included like Celebrity

[alfaeric]

3 hours ago, Tudy said:

We cruise both Celebrity and Royal. I would say that there is no equivalent cabin on to a JS on Celebrity. The Sky suites on Celebrity are the same size as the JS, but come with many more perks, Premium drinks, gratuities, Premium WiFi, retreat lounge and pool,  Lumanae and a butler.

Aqua class has spa perks and Blu restaurant. When I am shopping for a cruise I usually book verandas and look for a price of about $100-150/pp/pd without perks and @200-250/pp/pd with perks. A good price for a Sky suite is about @300/pp/pd. Just my thoughts.

Which ones are the sky suites?  All I'm seeing is aqua suite and the retreat suite.  

 

When I look at veranda- that's just a balcony cabin, right?

 

And when I do a quick search on their website,  I find aqua suites at 300/person-night and the retreat is more like $450pp/nt.  I can't even see a ship that has something other than aqua and retreat suites.  When I looked into the concierge suite- that seems barely more than a balcony- can't really see how the concierge is helpful- can't get into a better restaurant.  

 

As for the perks- how are they different than RCI?  Not counting the butler- that's less than appealing to me.

 

Where should I be looking if it's not celebritycruises dot com?

[davekathy]

5 minutes ago, alfaeric said:

Which ones are the sky suites?  All I'm seeing is aqua suite and the retreat suite.  

 

When I look at veranda- that's just a balcony cabin, right?

 

And when I do a quick search on their website,  I find aqua suites at 300/person-night and the retreat is more like $450pp/nt.  I can't even see a ship that has something other than aqua and retreat suites.  When I looked into the concierge suite- that seems barely more than a balcony- can't really see how the concierge is helpful- can't get into a better restaurant.  

 

As for the perks- how are they different than RCI?  Not counting the butler- that's less than appealing to me.

 

Where should I be looking if it's not celebritycruises dot com?

There and the CC Celebrity forum. 

Edited April 4, 2023 by davekathy

[George C]

8 minutes ago, alfaeric said:

Which ones are the sky suites?  All I'm seeing is aqua suite and the retreat suite.  

 

When I look at veranda- that's just a balcony cabin, right?

 

And when I do a quick search on their website,  I find aqua suites at 300/person-night and the retreat is more like $450pp/nt.  I can't even see a ship that has something other than aqua and retreat suites.  When I looked into the concierge suite- that seems barely more than a balcony- can't really see how the concierge is helpful- can't get into a better restaurant.  

 

As for the perks- how are they different than RCI?  Not counting the butler- that's less than appealing to me.

 

Where should I be looking if it's not celebritycruises dot com?

Perks are way better on celebrity, all celebrity ships have a dedicated suite restaurant, on rccl only oasis class and above have suite restaurant, suite lounge is open from early morning to late at night with free drinks all day and no problem getting a double or more, definitely prefer suite restaurant on celebrity. On new edge class there is a outdoor suite area with swimming pool hot tub and a bar with great waiter service, some of the older ships have a limited outdoor area called the retreat. Normally if the liquor you like isn’t stocked in celebrity suite lounge they will get it for you. Recently they have been stocking the mini fridge with your choice a soda , water and beer , if they don’t you can just get it from the suite lounge and carry it to your suite. 

[Tlbecker1]

3 minutes ago, George C said:

Perks are way better on celebrity, all celebrity ships have a dedicated suite restaurant, on rccl only oasis class and above have suite restaurant, suite lounge is open from early morning to late at night with free drinks all day and no problem getting a double or more, definitely prefer suite restaurant on celebrity. On new edge class there is an outdoor suite area with swimming pool hot tub and a bar with great waiter service, some of the older ships have a limited outdoor area called the retreat. Normally if the liquor you like isn’t stocked in celebrity suite lounge they will get it for you. Recently they have been stocking the mini fridge with your choice a soda , water and beer , if they don’t you can just get it from the suite lounge and carry it to your suite. 

In the last 3 months I have cruised with Celebrity twice, but prior I cruised many on Royal.  You do get pampered more on Celebrity but it comes with a large price tag.  It just depends what you are looking for in cruises.  I would rather spend less and be at sea more days.

[alfaeric]

1 hour ago, George C said:

Perks are way better on celebrity, all celebrity ships have a dedicated suite restaurant, on rccl only oasis class and above have suite restaurant, suite lounge is open from early morning to late at night with free drinks all day and no problem getting a double or more, definitely prefer suite restaurant on celebrity. On new edge class there is a outdoor suite area with swimming pool hot tub and a bar with great waiter service, some of the older ships have a limited outdoor area called the retreat. Normally if the liquor you like isn’t stocked in celebrity suite lounge they will get it for you. Recently they have been stocking the mini fridge with your choice a soda , water and beer , if they don’t you can just get it from the suite lounge and carry it to your suite. 

 

Better is subjective.  For the cost, I would expect more than just equaling what I can get on an Oasis or Quantum ship.  

 

Right now, I can't even get though my 6 free drinks per day, so more certainly isn't better.  A dedicated swimming area isn't all that appealing- as it might be used once a cruise for a little while.  Soda isn't something we drink.

 

What level of cabin has a coffee maker?

 

Sorry if this sounds like a challenge, but after looking into some cruises that go to Iceland, we want to make sure the value is there.  

 

And I still don't understand the suites and whatnot.  Someone mentioned Sky suites, and I see no mention of those on the cruises I've looked at- just the Spa Suite and the Retreat Suites.  

 

90% of the time, we sail in JS's, the other 10% GS.   Even if the suites don't match up, what's the difference between RCI and Celebrity?  It's a pretty big step up in cost to get the least expensive suite.

[alfaeric]

2 hours ago, davekathy said:

There and the CC Celebrity forum. 

Ok, but on the Celebrity web site, all I see are aqua and retreat, not sky.    

[George C]

Sky suites are the smallest suites that celebrity has but they get all the normal perks. In general there the size of junior suite on rccl but they get the suite lounge, concierge, butler and suite dinning room. I still like oasis class for the entertainment, last couple of cruises I compared price of of celebrity cruise sky vs grand suite on oasis last year I got a much better deal on Celebrity this November we go a better deal on rccl . I like that they finally have oasis class leaving from Galveston Texas. Another factor is non smoking casino on celebrity, also way less children on celebrity compared to oasis class. ( we are diamond plus so 5 free drinks)

Edited April 4, 2023 by George C

[DaKahuna]

2 minutes ago, alfaeric said:

Ok, but on the Celebrity web site, all I see are aqua and retreat, not sky.    

 

Retreat class encompaes all the suites.  Unlike Royal Caribbean where you have Sea, Sky, and Star. 

 

A Sky Suite is Celebrity equivalent to a Grand Suite.  There are no Junior Suite Equivalents on Celebrity ships. 

 

I understand the drinks are not important to you and you may or may not want Butler service, think Genie on Royal Caribbean except available to all Suite Guest not just Star class.  

 

When we started sailing on Celebrity we sailed in a Veranda - this is your basic balcony stateroom.  No extra or special amenities.  We next sailed in Concierge class, same size room on most ships, just a better location on the ship and came with lunch on embarkation day in the main dining room instead of having to eat in the buffet, the pool side grill or a specialty restaurant.  Next we tried Aqua class .. Same size room on most ships but came with it's own dedicated restaurant, Blu, which has a 'lighter and healthier' menu as well as unlimited access to Persian Gardens, a  Spa like area on the ship with heated relaxation lounges, sauna, steam room, etc.  After that we started sailing in Suites.  The suites come with a dedicated butler, a dedicated lounge (Retreat Lounge/Michael's Club) that is open 1100 - 2300 nominally every day, and a dedicated restaurant, Luminae.  Once we sailed in a suite on Celebrity we have not sailed in anything else, predominately sailing in Sky Suites.  

 

[George C]

2 minutes ago, DaKahuna said:

 

Retreat class encompaes all the suites.  Unlike Royal Caribbean where you have Sea, Sky, and Star. 

 

A Sky Suite is Celebrity equivalent to a Grand Suite.  There are no Junior Suite Equivalents on Celebrity ships. 

 

I understand the drinks are not important to you and you may or may not want Butler service, think Genie on Royal Caribbean except available to all Suite Guest not just Star class.  

 

When we started sailing on Celebrity we sailed in a Veranda - this is your basic balcony stateroom.  No extra or special amenities.  We next sailed in Concierge class, same size room on most ships, just a better location on the ship and came with lunch on embarkation day in the main dining room instead of having to eat in the buffet, the pool side grill or a specialty restaurant.  Next we tried Aqua class .. Same size room on most ships but came with it's own dedicated restaurant, Blu, which has a 'lighter and healthier' menu as well as unlimited access to Persian Gardens, a  Spa like area on the ship with heated relaxation lounges, sauna, steam room, etc.  After that we started sailing in Suites.  The suites come with a dedicated butler, a dedicated lounge (Retreat Lounge/Michael's Club) that is open 1100 - 2300 nominally every day, and a dedicated restaurant, Luminae.  Once we sailed in a suite on Celebrity we have not sailed in anything else, predominately sailing in Sky Suites.  

 

Retreat lounge is open before 11am we were drinking Bloody Mary’s after breakfast 2 weeks ago on summit. 😁😁😁, they also have a light breakfast offered .

[DaKahuna]

1 minute ago, George C said:

Retreat lounge is open before 11am we were drinking Bloody Mary’s after breakfast 2 weeks ago on summit. 😁😁😁, they also have a light breakfast offered .

 

Thank you for catching that and correcting me. The posted hours are 1100-2300 on Embarkation Day and 0700 - 2300 on other days.  I guess I have just never noticed if there was a bartender in that early or not.  We usually get our Mimosa's and Bellini's at the Elite Breakfast. 

[alfaeric]

36 minutes ago, DaKahuna said:

 

Retreat class encompaes all the suites.  Unlike Royal Caribbean where you have Sea, Sky, and Star. 

 

A Sky Suite is Celebrity equivalent to a Grand Suite.  There are no Junior Suite Equivalents on Celebrity ships. 

 

I understand the drinks are not important to you and you may or may not want Butler service, think Genie on Royal Caribbean except available to all Suite Guest not just Star class.  

 

When we started sailing on Celebrity we sailed in a Veranda - this is your basic balcony stateroom.  No extra or special amenities.  We next sailed in Concierge class, same size room on most ships, just a better location on the ship and came with lunch on embarkation day in the main dining room instead of having to eat in the buffet, the pool side grill or a specialty restaurant.  Next we tried Aqua class .. Same size room on most ships but came with it's own dedicated restaurant, Blu, which has a 'lighter and healthier' menu as well as unlimited access to Persian Gardens, a  Spa like area on the ship with heated relaxation lounges, sauna, steam room, etc.  After that we started sailing in Suites.  The suites come with a dedicated butler, a dedicated lounge (Retreat Lounge/Michael's Club) that is open 1100 - 2300 nominally every day, and a dedicated restaurant, Luminae.  Once we sailed in a suite on Celebrity we have not sailed in anything else, predominately sailing in Sky Suites.  

 

Ok, I had to do a mock booking to get to those different suites.

 

 

Guess we have to try it, but since we normally don't spend the money on GS, it's a pretty big jump to do that.  Like around $1500pp extra for a cruise out of Boston next August.

 

And I know we won't do a basic balcony.   But the spa, relaxation lounges, butler, and more drinks isn't appealing what so ever.   Some are kind of negative.  So it's tough to see the value.  The only thing of value would be the restaurant, and even that has limitations.  

 

[alfaeric]

Just looked up one more thing- there used to be a coffee machine in suites, but apparently no more.  That we use more than any other suite feature on all RCI cruises, and the loss of that would be a big deal.  

 

And calling the butler to deliver some isn't a real answer to me- I'd rather have it on my own time.  

 

For that kind of premium cost, you'd think they'd offer at least the same than the base corporate line.

 

Guess it will have to be a real special itinerary.

[janetz]

Just finished pricing out a sailing on Celebrity 

For the regular drink package, tips, which are 280 per cabin, and WiFi, 1400 dollars more for the cabin..

Nope 

Will go ala carte 😊

[timf2001]

1 hour ago, DaKahuna said:

A Sky Suite is Celebrity equivalent to a Grand Suite.  There are no Junior Suite Equivalents on Celebrity ships. 

Size wise, Sky Suites are comparable to Junior Suites, while Celebrity Suites are comparable to Grand Suites.  The big difference is you get the full suite in both on Celebrity, whereas Junior Suites on Royal have limited benefits.

[CruizinSusan70]

15 hours ago, jean87510 said:

wifi for 2 devices pp, premium drinks.  Tips not included.  This is for YC.

Yes, we did the YC back on the Seaside in January of 2018.

[CruizinSusan70]

14 hours ago, LadyBerard said:

Besides Celebrity, Princess, Holland America, and NCL also have packages that you can book which include drinks, wifi, etc.

NCL only includes 250 minutes, not unlimited.  NCL also doesn't include tips.

[CruizinSusan70]

12 hours ago, Big_G said:

 

Doesn't Celebrity offer a 'Cruise Only' option now? Suites are AI but I thought they made the change after too many complaints.

They do.

[DaKahuna]

4 hours ago, alfaeric said:

Just looked up one more thing- there used to be a coffee machine in suites, but apparently no more.  That we use more than any other suite feature on all RCI cruises, and the loss of that would be a big deal.  

 

 We sailed in a Sky Suite last April and had a coffee maker in our room and we requested and received a pot to make hot water for tea.  We drink more tea than coffee and I have not year found good room service coffee on a cruise ship.  When in a suite, I'll go to Cafe al Bacio and get myself a coffee with Bailey's occasionally. 

 

 I will not know until we board on the 21st if we have a coffee maker in our Sky Suite or if, as you said, they are no longer providing them.  I know one of the first things we will be asking our cabin attendant or Butler for will be a kettle ot make hot water. 

 

 

[KKB]

On 4/3/2023 at 6:53 PM, CruizinSusan70 said:

If you upgrade to the next level similar to Celebrity and book Princess or Holland America, then you can get what you want.

Entry level lines like Royal, Carnival, NCL or MSC don't have such packages.

NCL & MSC have modified AI options--include drinks & wifi (plus a specialty dining on NCL).

Not tips.

This is one of the reasons we continue to go back to Celebrity & Princess (besides the fact that we find service & food to be a tick up on those lines).

We were offered a free cruise on RCCL via UrComped & once we added drink package, tips & wifi, it was no less than Celebrity/Princess when were we had to "pay" for the room!

Edited April 5, 2023 by KKB

[Donsyb]

19 hours ago, George C said:

Sky suites are the smallest suites that celebrity has but they get all the normal perks. In general there the size of junior suite on rccl but they get the suite lounge, concierge, butler and suite dinning room. I still like oasis class for the entertainment, last couple of cruises I compared price of of celebrity cruise sky vs grand suite on oasis last year I got a much better deal on Celebrity this November we go a better deal on rccl . I like that they finally have oasis class leaving from Galveston Texas. Another factor is non smoking casino on celebrity, also way less children on celebrity compared to oasis class. ( we are diamond plus so 5 free drinks)

Oasis class now has non smoking casinos in what was jazz in 4. They have already put them on wonder and oasis and re converting the others.

[PhillyFan33579]

On 4/4/2023 at 8:57 AM, Big_G said:

 

Doesn't Celebrity offer a 'Cruise Only' option now? Suites are AI but I thought they made the change after too many complaints.

Yes. They changed that awhile ago.