Surcharges for drinks in Retreat Lounge

[Ex-Airbalancer]

2 minutes ago, terrydtx said:

Here is one of the former PDP wines that got "Elevated" to $19 a glass, more than I can buy a bottle retail at my local Total Wine.

We’re at $40 CAD , but that included deposit on the bottle of a dime 😁

Maybe Celebrity is include the transportation cost of delivering the empty to a recycling centre in it  cost 🤔🤣

 

 

[terrydtx]

15 minutes ago, Ex-Airbalancer said:

We’re at $40 CAD , but that included deposit on the bottle of a dime 😁

Maybe Celebrity is include the transportation cost of delivering the empty to a recycling centre in it  cost 🤔🤣

 

 

$40 CAD is $29.98 USD which is not as bad, I forgot you were Canadian. So at $19 + 20% tip or $22.80 USD per glass on the ship your cost is about $30 CAD.  🤑

[The_Big_M]

16 hours ago, JLMcruise said:

Maybe Celebrity is figuring out that guest don't buy the beverage package and instead put the money towards a move up bid then plan to drink in the Retreat Lounge for free if the bid is accepted. They only buy the beverage package if they are unsuccessful at winning the bid. I know quite a few people who do this.

 

 

But then they don't get drinks in all the other venues on the ship, which is quite inconvenient, so hard to think they'd get the same value as the drinks package alcohol wise.

 

And it also neglects all the people who paid outright for a suite.

[PTC DAWG]

11 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

 

 I love your taste in bourbon.  We can't get any of those shown in your picture here except through auction and so far I have not had the luck of the draw smile upon me. 

 

Same here...

[jelayne]

3 hours ago, terrydtx said:

Here is one of the former PDP wines that got "Elevated" to $19 a glass, more than I can buy a bottle retail at my local Total Wine.

I got  6 bottles at Total for $14.21 a bottle.

[cruisestitch]

15 hours ago, billc23 said:

I requested what they did not have, and could not provide, and asked if I could bring my own. I was given permission but they never checked my luggage. I got the idea when I asked for Lagavulin. They told me they would try to get some in port and gave me permission to bring my own. It was cleared with the beverage manager who was to be contacted but no intervention was required. I ended up with 3 bottles and let the concierge (John from the UK - aka the iPhone expert) have one. 

 

The Jefferson 17yo with the red wax seal from Stitzel Weller is one of the nicest (wheat) bourbons I have enjoyed. Same distillery that the marketers sourced Pappy from and what a marking job they did! Then there is the new Pappy made by Buffalo trace... I have been a collector for a long time.

 

Who gave the permission? Pre cruise or during the cruise?  How did you bring it aboard?

[riredsox]

15 hours ago, billc23 said:

I requested what they did not have, and could not provide, and asked if I could bring my own. I was given permission but they never checked my luggage. I got the idea when I asked for Lagavulin. They told me they would try to get some in port and gave me permission to bring my own. It was cleared with the beverage manager who was to be contacted but no intervention was required. I ended up with 3 bottles and let the concierge (John from the UK - aka the iPhone expert) have one. 

 

The Jefferson 17yo with the red wax seal from Stitzel Weller is one of the nicest (wheat) bourbons I have enjoyed. Same distillery that the marketers sourced Pappy from and what a marking job they did! Then there is the new Pappy made by Buffalo trace... I have been a collector for a long time.

 

How was the new Pappy?  My husband bought me a Pappy (not the new one) for my 65th bday.  I sipped every night till it was gone!

[billc23]

12 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

 

 I love your taste in bourbon.  We can't get any of those shown in your picture here except through auction and so far I have not had the luck of the draw smile upon me. 

 

I do enjoy most bourbons. I try many different ones because I will not pay the ridiculous asking price on the collectable ones and want to find ones to collect today. My favorite is George T Stagg - everything else tastes like water after having some. EC barrel proof is released three times a year and is very good. Easy to find and really good for my taste is, I know... I know, Jack Daniels Single Barrel - Barrel Proof. 

[Frenchkona]

You bourbon lovers need to come to Kentucky. Trust me, the really good bourbon are in amble supply here in Kentucky. In fact great bourbons no one has ever heard of, originate and are in inventory. Imagine going to Michter’s Distillery’s tasting room and enjoying a flight of 10, 15, 20 and 40 year old bourbons. Kentucky, home of beautiful women and awesome bourbons. 

[billc23]

16 minutes ago, cruisestitch said:

Who gave the permission? Pre cruise or during the cruise?  How did you bring it aboard?

Pre cruise shoreside concierge. I sail in upper suites that include 2 bottles and if they do not have what I desire, I ask to bring my own. I am on the Ascent Jan 21 sailing and did not ask to bring my own because I will be with kids/grandkids. Anyone here on that sailing?

[jelayne]

7 minutes ago, billc23 said:

Pre cruise shoreside concierge. I sail in upper suites that include 2 bottles and if they do not have what I desire, I ask to bring my own. I am on the Ascent Jan 21 sailing and did not ask to bring my own because I will be with kids/grandkids. Anyone here on that sailing?

Yes, we are.  

[billc23]

23 minutes ago, riredsox said:

How was the new Pappy?  My husband bought me a Pappy (not the new one) for my 65th bday.  I sipped every night till it was gone!

I am biased. Pappy originally was from the shuttered S-W distillery remaining barrels. When those were gone they were gone. Guess what - Buffalo Trace began making "new" Pappy (they don't call it that) from the "old recipe". Different water, different rick house, different barrels... then they limited production. Years ago I would buy the 15 year Pappy for $50 off the shelf and it was good at the price point but not special to me. If you liked wheated bourbons, the Larceny barrel proof is a nice one. 

[billc23]

10 minutes ago, Frenchkona said:

You bourbon lovers need to come to Kentucky. Trust me, the really good bourbon are in amble supply here in Kentucky. In fact great bourbons no one has ever heard of, originate and are in inventory. Imagine going to Michter’s Distillery’s tasting room and enjoying a flight of 10, 15, 20 and 40 year old bourbons. Kentucky, home of beautiful women and awesome bourbons. 

We went to a wedding in Louisville 2 years ago. Spent a week in Nashville, great music, then drove up to Louisville. Bourbon, barbecue, K-derby and sluggers museum. The Brown Hotel was nice . Some caves in Indiana too. Great trip!

[riredsox]

26 minutes ago, billc23 said:

I am biased. Pappy originally was from the shuttered S-W distillery remaining barrels. When those were gone they were gone. Guess what - Buffalo Trace began making "new" Pappy (they don't call it that) from the "old recipe". Different water, different rick house, different barrels... then they limited production. Years ago I would buy the 15 year Pappy for $50 off the shelf and it was good at the price point but not special to me. If you liked wheated bourbons, the Larceny barrel proof is a nice one. 

I’ll give the Larceny a try!  Thank you and happy sipping!

[Dolebludger]

Just a question here. Has anybody actually been surcharged for a drink in the Retreat Lounge? 

[39august]

My question also. I'm not aware that anyone currently on board in Retreat has actually said this happened.

[tfred]

I would love to see if they are charging as well. The beauty of the previous premium package was that if they were pouring by the glass then it was included. Now there is an issue with that and I hate to ask every time. 
 

my next wonder is the spirit listings and if they have been “elevated” or will soon be. At $10k for a suite I don’t want to be drinking Dewars white label 

[terrydtx]

1 hour ago, 39august said:

My question also. I'm not aware that anyone currently on board in Retreat has actually said this happened.

I think this whole thread started as a result of a Celebrity Captains club posting on FB from a Retreat guest on the Summit. He stated that he was told this was the new policy from Celebrity by the Retreat hosts in the Retreat Lounge. He also said the Food and Beverage manager confirmed the new policy. He was charged for overages for wines by the glass that were higher than the $17 cap. 

Edited December 21, 2023 by terrydtx

[billc23]

1 hour ago, jelayne said:

Yes, we are.  

I'll see you on board!

[Dolebludger]

26 minutes ago, terrydtx said:

I think this whole thread started as a result of a Celebrity Captains club posting on FB from a Retreat guest on the Summit. He stated that he was told this was the new policy from Celebrity by the Retreat hosts in the Retreat Lounge. He also said the Food and Beverage manager confirmed the new policy. He was charged for overages for wines by the glass that were higher than the $17 cap. 

The reason I asked is that, the two cruises on which we visited the Retreat Lounges, I don’t recall seeing a drink menu with prices.

[terrydtx]

30 minutes ago, Dolebludger said:

The reason I asked is that, the two cruises on which we visited the Retreat Lounges, I don’t recall seeing a drink menu with prices.

We have not seen any pricing on the 5 retreat cruises as well. The issue started when Celebrity raised most of the better previous PDP wines by the glass above the $17 cap like Cherry Pie, Conundrum and Decoy and charging the difference on the Summit.  We have always been able to get any of the old PDP wines by the glass in the lounge, but the new PDP wine list is missing most of the old favorites and Retreat passengers are asking for them. I was able, in the past. to order a glass of Mccallan 18 year old scotch which had been in the PDP and it is no longer available on the ship, at least it wasn't on the Apex in September.  I have not seen any new spirits menu lists and do not know if any of the brands are now above the $17 cap as well, but I am sure that will happen.

 

One of Celebrity's selling points for the Retreat has been that you can leave your wallet at home as everything is included in the cruising price. That changed in October when gratuities were taken out of AI for all categories including suites, then they removed the generous OBC for suites.  Now having to possibly pay for drinks in the Retreat lounge over the PDP cap is added to the list of "not available anymore". From a Marketing point Celebrity continues to make more and more blunders that are driving us loyal customers to jump ship.

Edited December 21, 2023 by terrydtx

[tfred]

23 minutes ago, Dolebludger said:

The reason I asked is that, the two cruises on which we visited the Retreat Lounges, I don’t recall seeing a drink menu with prices.

us as well never seeing a price list . other than the occasional champagne in The Retreat, it was always spirits of some sort - scotch mostly with better rums, brandy (calvados) et al. If it was on the shelf it was free. I would hate to see a price list come out for that after dropping $10k

[Dolebludger]

All this is unfortunately very true. Celebrity has missed the demographic of those choosing the Retreat. Cruisers who so chose have been motivated by the fact that the Retreat offered much the same experience as smaller lux ships at what was a lower fare, while also offering access (when desired) to activities and features of a large ship. And the key was the inclusion of products and services in an uncrowded environment. Sad to see it go.

[drakes2]

6 hours ago, Ex-Airbalancer said:

We’re at $40 CAD , but that included deposit on the bottle of a dime 😁

Maybe Celebrity is include the transportation cost of delivering the empty to a recycling centre in it  cost 🤔🤣

 

 

While I enjoyed the free bottle of Decoy on my cruise in November I'd never buy it for $40 cad.  BTW: A bottle onboard sells for $62 US plus gratuities. 

[tfred]

16 minutes ago, Dolebludger said:

All this is unfortunately very true. Celebrity has missed the demographic of those choosing the Retreat. Cruisers who so chose have been motivated by the fact that the Retreat offered much the same experience as smaller lux ships at what was a lower fare, while also offering access (when desired) to activities and features of a large ship. And the key was the inclusion of products and services in an uncrowded environment. Sad to see it go.

all of this is true for us. We live in Florida in the winter and find it easy to drive to Fort Lauderdale (30 minutes) for a yearly January cruise.  We liked X for a few years and now retired can are not restricted by schedule of ships.  We sailed on 2 Crystal River (now gone) a few years ago and loved the no credit card aspect of the ships  

 

The Retreat offered that environment to us and also the big ship activities.  On river ships we were tired with port intensive itin, so we just wanted dinner and some piano music with great food and wine/spirits.  In the Caribbean we really don't do more than wander through town and then back on board. On those we enjoy the big ship activities when we want to go to shows, bigger casino and bars because we have the energy

 

I dont mind paying close to SSea, Seabourne or Crystal but the X product (especially of recent) is not the equal of them given a few changes.  I can do live without the butler, however the booze requires more money out of my pocket .  I know its only 2 dollars but it is ridiculous to not include that for suites