Edge class Sky Suite

[MyView]

Hi, we have not cruised Celebrity since the pandemic  and we usually booked Aqua class.  We are now considering coming back to Celebrity and trying Edge class ships in the Caribbean.  We were thinking of booking The Retreat Sky Suite.  However, in doing some research have encountered mixed reviews about decrease in service.  I would appreciate information on what I can expect as far as service/butler and other perks of booking The Retreat.  Our most recent cruise was on Seabourn Hawaii to Vancouver and we really enjoyed the service.  Am not sure if The Retreat Sky Suite is worth the cost.  Input would be most helpful.  Thanks

Catherine

PS  We are Elite on Celebrity

[George C]

In suite you get Luminae and indoor and outdoor retreat , love the outdoor retreat with there own swimming pool, hot tubs and bar . 

[tfred]

we like the retreat and the service that comes along with it. Never really used the butler but went to the Lounge and did it there   Never had a problem

 

Luminae food is very good and you are able to eat at Blu -space available.  Usually is 

 

The biggie is small ship vs big ship. It is 500 pax vs 3000 pax. X doesnt feel crowded but there are obviously more people.  Shows are much bigger on X and well done in our view.  We like the fact that you can get the big ship vibe and energy and then use The Retreat as a place away from the activity. 

 

I would sail on E class on X. S/M have a retreat lounge but no set aside pool so that sorta kills it for us 

[cruisebeachgirl703]

We are curious as well. Has the Edge, specifically, gone back to butler assigned to sky suite vs. "team approach"? Anyone sail recently with update? We are onboard July 5th. Hoping it is back to the old way by the time we board.

[whitbob]

Edge has Sky Suites butlers back on board.  We sail B2B on 3/24 & 4/5 in 2 different rooms.  Our first butler had just returned.  He said they were still filling some positions, working through travel and work visas for some so they still had vacancies.   The 4/5 cruise was a different butler, and it seemed they were fully staffed. In both cases, we were greeted day one, asked about our preferences.  We saw the butlers daily in the hall, or at times filling in at Retreat lounge.  The couple of times we had room service, the butlers delivered.  We didn’t have many requests, but felt the butler services were available.

[cruisebeachgirl703]

16 minutes ago, whitbob said:

Edge has Sky Suites butlers back on board.  We sail B2B on 3/24 & 4/5 in 2 different rooms.  Our first butler had just returned.  He said they were still filling some positions, working through travel and work visas for some so they still had vacancies.   The 4/5 cruise was a different butler, and it seemed they were fully staffed. In both cases, we were greeted day one, asked about our preferences.  We saw the butlers daily in the hall, or at times filling in at Retreat lounge.  The couple of times we had room service, the butlers delivered.  We didn’t have many requests, but felt the butler services were available.

Thanks. sounds good.

[jelayne]

We are just off the an Edge from a B2B in 2 different SS, so 2 different butlers.  .  They are fully staffed with Butlers but rather than the 12 +/- suites they had previously they now each have  closer to 22/23.  
We saw each butler on day 1 and placed a standing order for juice, which was delivered on time all but one day.  

We asked that the mini bar be emptied and that the soda we wanted stocked.  It was emptied by the cabin attendant, not sure if the Butler or attendant stocked it with the soda but it but it wasn’t restocked once on each leg. 

 

The cabin attendant picked up and delivered laundry where previously the Butler handled laundry.  We only saw our Butler in the hall on 1 occasion on the first leg, never on the 2nd leg.  Occasionally we would see them in the Lounge. 
Each did stop by about every 4th evening to check if everything is okay or if we needed anything. 
 

We were cruising with friends on the first leg had 6 in for a glass of wine pre dinner 1 evening.  The Butler supplied the glasses but unlike in the past no offer of snacks or cheese plate from the Butler.  
 

Previously on sailings where passports had to be collected and picked up the Butler picked them up and returned them.  That wasn’t the case this time.

When we asked for something we got it.  I would describe  Butler service as reactive not proactive or looking for opportunities to enhance the experience as they did in the past.

 

 

 

[chisoxfan]

We were on recent Apex and Ascent Sky Suite Cruises. We liked the cabins very much particularly the bed facing balcony and dual sink bathroom with nice sized shower, low tub arrangment. The Retreat pool was OK on both ships.. Ascent had two levels with a larger pool

and 2 hot tubs vs 1 but the seating areas in shade were actually less inviting and filled up on our Carib cruise. Bar and small menu dining there also. Overall a nice place. Lounge on Apex had outdoor area which we prefered to more antiseptic Ascent.

Luminae was a mixed bag. Service on Apex was outstanding and the hard working hostess did everything to accomodate desired tables. On the Ascent not so much. Tables for two were really small and close together- while the dining rooms were similar the Ascent seemed more constrained in 'good tables'.

Food for us was OK-good and I enjoyed well prepared Escargot every night which was a treat.

We never met a butler on our 10 day Apex cruise and had no more interaction with our cabin attendant than we would have in any cruise cabin on any line.  A head butler introduced himself with attendant on first day of Ascent and handed us cards.... a good start  and we had breakfast in the cabin the next AM where the head  butler actually helped arrange the food. Great I thought... but that was absolutley the last time I saw any 'butler'.  So in 17 days or Retreat cruising we had only one morning service where a butler was involved. It isn't a big deal except when I read some posts extolling butler services provided.

For me the Retreat 'failure' was in the inconsitency of the experience(s). The other issue of course is value. We paid probablly 50-60% of the published rate (roughly equivalent to MSC YC)and at that price I would do it again. The Edge class ships are very nice.

As many have pointed out, much better values exist with premium and semi premium lines but we really want to stay with larger newer ships.  So X is off our radar currently and our next cruises are Princess Sun suites and MSC YC (and slumming on one HAL balcony). While MSC has understandably  raised prices  they have laudably maintained their benefits and service levels. X seemingly is fixated on 'cheapening' theirs while extracting more $$$ (drink packages and specialty dining coming immediately to mind). JMHO

[RichYak]

8 minutes ago, jelayne said:

They are fully staffed with Butlers but rather than the 12 +/- suites they had previously they now each have  closer to 22/23.  

When I've seen the 22/23:1 ratio, I've assumed that this was temporary until Celebrity completed re-hiring of butlers. But you used the words "fully staffed". Are you saying that this ratio is permanent?

[jelayne]

48 minutes ago, RichYak said:

When I've seen the 22/23:1 ratio, I've assumed that this was temporary until Celebrity completed re-hiring of butlers. But you used the words "fully staffed". Are you saying that this ratio is permanent?

Seems to be the case.  We were told by multiple butlers and the Concierge that they were now fully staffed.  
The Butlers were hesitant to say how many suites they had but when I said I read it was over 20, they were surprised that I knew and were a bit more forthcoming with the numbers.

Edited May 8 by jelayne

[RichYak]

1 hour ago, jelayne said:

Seems to be the case.  We were told by multiple butlers and the Concierge that they were now fully staffed.  
The Butlers were hesitant to say how many suites they had but when I said I read it was over 20, they were surprised that I knew and were a bit more forthcoming with the numbers.

Brutal. So they capitulated on the misguided "Retreat Team" concept but haven't really done much about it.

[Liao]

26 minutes ago, RichYak said:

Brutal. So they capitulated on the misguided "Retreat Team" concept but haven't really done much about it.

And if this is going to be their model going forward, and in fairness to the crew and passengers, they need to re-think their concept of butler offerings to all suites.

[Bosjoe]

2 hours ago, jelayne said:

Seems to be the case.  We were told by multiple butlers and the Concierge that they were now fully staffed.  
The Butlers were hesitant to say how many suites they had but when I said I read it was over 20, they were surprised that I knew and were a bit more forthcoming with the numbers.

I concur, 4 weeks ago on Ascent, our butler said she has 22 rooms to cover. She did stock our room with soda and brought breakfast and was very friendly when I saw her in the hallway. We are not ones that would make the butler run around for our needs.  

[jelayne]

1 hour ago, RichYak said:

Brutal. So they capitulated on the misguided "Retreat Team" concept but haven't really done much about it.

It was better service than with the Retreat Team Concept.   Then the Retreat Concierges were swamped with folks wanting to make/change dinner reservations, cancel excursions, get help with internet, etc.  The butlers are now handling these things for many of the guests. So a big improvement there.
 

  I’m not sure whether the reactive approach is due to the number or suites each Butler has or a reduction in their freedom to act.  Things like not offering a cheese plate or snacks when we had 3 other couples in for drinks, no offer to stock beer in mini bar, or no surprise bottle of wine, or no unexpected snack, cookies or other treats periodically appearing in the suite.  

[Texed]

We had excellent service on our B2B on Ascent.  😊

[chisoxfan]

Frankly after two Retreat cruises outlined above we booked another YC on MSC. I reviewed current YC benefits to refresh my recollection of last cruise(s). So you have a butler who stocks your mini bar daily, escorts you to theater shows (there was a reserved section on X but nothing special). Escorted boarding on embarkation (X had an OK lounge area but otherwise you are on your own), dedicated area on private island (did not go to X PI but understand there is nothing special for suite guests). Access to Thermal suites for YC. At no time in X Retreat did I feel 'special' ie. there was no apparent advantage in booking excursions or specialty dining. On Apex there were some very appreciated service people who we thought displayed the Retreat norm only to find out on Ascent that maybe this standard was not to be expected X wide. For my money the YC experience provided so much more value than Retreat. Interested to see how Princess executes their Sanctuary experience on the Sun.

[RichYak]

1 hour ago, chisoxfan said:

Frankly after two Retreat cruises outlined above we booked another YC on MSC.

Just for reference, on my March MSC YC cruise each butler serviced about 8-9 cabins. The level of service I received was very, very good.

[dlh015]

8 hours ago, RichYak said:

When I've seen the 22/23:1 ratio, I've assumed that this was temporary until Celebrity completed re-hiring of butlers. But you used the words "fully staffed". Are you saying that this ratio is permanent?

Yes, it appears to be permanent. I spoke with our butler during our Apex cruise last April. He was somewhat taken aback when I mentioned that I had heard they were covering 23 suites. He asked how I knew...lol...he was unfamiliar with CC. 

 

He verified that this was the new norm. He said the hardest part was that he was covering multiple decks and it made it a little more difficult to deliver the same level of service. (I noticed him a few times in the Retreat Lounge also...)

 

He stated that there were no plans at that time of reducing the current workload. But I will say he did a fine job taking care of us. He brought coffee and rolls every morning and some nibbles in the afternoon. 

[critterchick]

On 5/8/2024 at 5:44 AM, jelayne said:

We are just off the an Edge from a B2B in 2 different SS, so 2 different butlers.  .  They are fully staffed with Butlers but rather than the 12 +/- suites they had previously they now each have  closer to 22/23.  
We saw each butler on day 1 and placed a standing order for juice, which was delivered on time all but one day.  

We asked that the mini bar be emptied and that the soda we wanted stocked.  It was emptied by the cabin attendant, not sure if the Butler or attendant stocked it with the soda but it but it wasn’t restocked once on each leg. 

 

The cabin attendant picked up and delivered laundry where previously the Butler handled laundry.  We only saw our Butler in the hall on 1 occasion on the first leg, never on the 2nd leg.  Occasionally we would see them in the Lounge. 
Each did stop by about every 4th evening to check if everything is okay or if we needed anything. 
 

We were cruising with friends on the first leg had 6 in for a glass of wine pre dinner 1 evening.  The Butler supplied the glasses but unlike in the past no offer of snacks or cheese plate from the Butler.  
 

Previously on sailings where passports had to be collected and picked up the Butler picked them up and returned them.  That wasn’t the case this time.

When we asked for something we got it.  I would describe  Butler service as reactive not proactive or looking for opportunities to enhance the experience as they did in the past.

 

 

 

We had the same experience you did.  We were in a Sunset Sky Suite and our butler had several floors to cover.  He also didn't want to give up numbers, but when I mentioned 24 or so he nodded.

We seldom saw him, a change from days where we couldn't leave the cabin without a butler dropping from the ceiling to ask if we needed anything. However, everything we needed was provided - emptying the fridge (no idea who did it), laundry (suite attendant), wine glasses, a hot water kettle and a cheese plate one day (butler). He did check in with us periodically to see if we needed anything, which we rarely did. He also covered tea time in the Retreat Lounge and was a velvet rope monitor on the chic nights in the theater. We did call him to say goodbye (with an extra tip) and he thanked us for making his life a little easier. I wanted to cry for him. He had a wonderful attitude and would have walked through fire if I'd asked him.

[Octavias]

I called the executive office and asked them directly if the butler workload was the same as before the “team concept” was implemented then canned, or if they had more cabins to cover.  I was told they had the same workload as before the change.  I even repeated it back to her and asked again, to make sure she understood me.  
 

sounds like she told me an outright lie. 

[MMMCruiser]

3 hours ago, Octavias said:

I called the executive office and asked them directly if the butler workload was the same as before the “team concept” was implemented then canned, or if they had more cabins to cover.  I was told they had the same workload as before the change.  I even repeated it back to her and asked again, to make sure she understood me.  
 

sounds like she told me an outright lie. 

I'm glad you asked them about it.  I plan to do the same.  If they are outright lying to their guests it tells me all I need to know.  I suspect our upcoming cruise will be our first with X as well as our last.  So far the amount of worrying and the bait-and-switch stuff they have been doing since we booked has me approaching this trip with an increasingly skeptical mindset.  I really hope they prove me wrong (last cruise was 2023 with another line and after reading a ton of complaints online I was worried but in the end we were all pleasantly surprised most of the time).