Aqua Class Benefits - Where's the Beef?

Some perspectives about the "upgraded" amenities/benefits of Aqua Class off recent cruise on Summit:

* Only reason to book Aqua Class : Blu -- despite our disappointment with the food and service at Blu (by service, I mean the speed of service/attentiveness, not the attitudes of the restaurant staff, which were universally great, from the top down)...Blue is still way better, to us, than eating in a main dining room. The intimacy and ambiance, as well as personalization, makes for a nice experience...just wish the food lived up. Other benefit is no kids in Blu...not by rule, but because Aqua Class rooms only allow 2 people per room and most kids on the ship are in rooms with more than 2 people (i.e., sharing room with parents).

Other "Benefits"

* Beds/Pillows - I did not think the beds were anything special, the linens were not so soft, and the down pillows not so dreamy.

* Upgraded Bathroom Amenities - please, just generic (non-branded) shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, body wash, and lip balm. I guess it's upgraded vs. having nothing or fewer items.

* Plush Bathrobe - nice, wore it a couple of times, not a reason to pay for Aqua Class.

* Priority Boarding...hmm, we were docked in Bermuda the whole time and we also don't tend to try to be the first off in the morning, so this isn't impt to us.

* Complimentary Bottled Water -- this is a reasonably nice benefit as we didn't have to go get water...although it should be generally available.

* Free access to Persian Gardens - nice on S class, but small, dark and disappointing on M class (no view). Still, only used once or twice on S class and never on M class.

* Concierge - not sure what concierge there was or how he/she could have been more helpful or less helpful than whatever other service we would have received.

* Canapes: yuck.

* Twice Daily Service (makeup and turndown) - if other rooms don't have turndown and provide fresh towels every evening, then this would be an issue/benefit to us.

* 24 hour Complimentary Room Service - I did order a club sandwich late one night...should be a standard offering.

* Hair dryer - listed as an amenity and it's very disfunctional.

* Private Mini-bar - huh, this is a benefit?

* Interactive Samsung flat-screen television system to view and select shore excursions, order room service, and watch movies - ??? of course.

* Private Safe - should be standard

* Dual voltage 110/220AC outlets - should be standard, can't believe this is listed s a benefit.

* A Personal Spa Concierge to Arrange Spa Treatments - ??? don;t you just pick up the phone call the spa desk -- now, if it came w a 20% discount off spa services...

* Hansgrohe® shower panel -- not meaningful to us

* Fog-free mirror - this is weird, the mirror was loosely placed on the shelf next to desk?

each their own..we are not big cruisers..I'm probably 1 of the few I would be fine if I never went on another cruise in my life,lol Only reason We book Aqua class is for BLU. Service and speed of service was excellent on the Silhouette(twice, Med and British Isles), we always ate early, so maybe that's why.

But yes much of it is "fluff" But we like BLU and being only a couple, no need for a suite

Very disappointed with the service in Blu and the food was only so so. Persian gardens is only so so. Sauna and steam rooms not hot enough and was very busy on sea days.

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Not a fan of Aquaclass

Blu menu gamey and very tough beef

Chicken good also vegetarian menu and breakfast

Persian garden hot & crowded

Cabin - overhang with pole and creaky noises but liked the fancy shower

All in all wouldn't do Aqua again

I think the op pretty much sums up how I feel about most of the so called benefits, upgraded this and that, which are probably of little real value to most people if they are being honest. Blue is the obvious benefit, it does get good reviews but with a very sizeable price mark up on the average cruise you could purchase a good few meals in a specialist restaurant with plenty left over. Having said all that Aqua class is proving to be very popular and even looking past the cruise hype many are obviously trying it and returning to it again, so what do I know.

I think the op pretty much sums up how I feel about most of the so called benefits, upgraded this and that, which are probably of little real value to most people if they are being honest. Blue is the obvious benefit, it does get good reviews but with a very sizeable price mark up on the average cruise you could purchase a good few meals in a specialist restaurant with plenty left over. Having said all that Aqua class is proving to be very popular and even looking past the cruise hype many are obviously trying it and returning to it again, so what do I know.

we dont cruise a lot...only cruise Aqua when we do....yes just for BLU, its not perfect, but were quite happy with it.

We love AQ but not for the "special " amenities. Loved our true aft cabin with large balcony, loved convenience to Sunset Bar and loved Blu, especially for breakfast. Always had good to excellent food and excellent service in Blu on Millennium.

We plead guilty to enjoying Aqua, but have only done it on S-Class ships. The only reason we book Aqua is because of Blu, and the other minor benefits have little impact on our decision making (although DW loves the little footstools on the balcony). As to the food in Blu, it has been hit or miss. But we love the ambiance of Blu and usually are OK with the food.

As to the pool deck overhang, we do think this is a huge negative and simply avoid the cabins directly under the overhang (or the pool deck). We always book the cabins aft of the pool deck (many have 1600 numbers) which have another passenger deck above (which gives more separation from the overhang).

Hank

You also have to remember during the previous promotions, which carries a few different names over the past year (1, 2, 3, Go was one of them), the aqau class bookings were getting all three perks.

So for people who booked under those pricing plans in many cases they were spending less than a balcony room if you consider the monetary value of the perks.

I sailed in Aqua for the first time in March. When I sail with my SO, we are in a suite; when I sail solo I have to downgrade because of the cost. One of the reasons I moved up to Aqua from Concierge was Blu. I had several bad experiences in the MDR when I was the "filler" at tables with 5 or 7 fellow passengers traveling together. I was clearly not wanted and by one table, basically told I was an "intrusion" in their vacation. Yes, I tried to change tables, but no luck. I figured I would rather eat by myself at a table for two in Blu than be ignored by my supposed table mates in the MDR. Blu turned out to be a delight. I liked the food. I had a wine steward who treated me like royalty and the hostess made sure, at breakfast, I sat near a couple with whom I had become friends. People at tables next to me would engage me in conversation. So for me the "beef" in Aqua is the much more personalized service and atmosphere. Other than that, there is no significant difference between Aqua and Concierge.

We cruise Aqua for Blu. Almost everything else in the Aqua features is pretty much "fluff." My DW dislikes breakfast in Blu, likes the breakfast buffets. I like Blu for all the meals - it is quieter, more relaxed, usually better service than elsewhere. We are just getting tired of the Blu menu that has not changed in years!

We cruise Aqua for Blu. Almost everything else in the Aqua features is pretty much "fluff." My DW dislikes breakfast in Blu, likes the breakfast buffets. I like Blu for all the meals - it is quieter, more relaxed, usually better service than elsewhere. We are just getting tired of the Blu menu that has not changed in years!

great if u have a short memory like myself,lol or just eat steak,lol

So for me the "beef" in Aqua is the much more personalized service and atmosphere. Other than that, there is no significant difference between Aqua and Concierge.

I agree 100% with that perspective.

You also have to remember during the previous promotions, which carries a few different names over the past year (1, 2, 3, Go was one of them), the Aqua class bookings were getting all three perks.

 

So for people who booked under those pricing plans in many cases they were spending less than a balcony room if you consider the monetary value of the perks.

That's a good point and makes it a no brainer at those times! Why not book Aqua at the same price, all things being equal (and I have seen it at the same price or for very little up charge) and the promotions a can make a big difference.

We enjoy AQ class ......more so on S class but did enjoy BLU very much on Connie,

AQ classs...nice showers, relaxation room (S Class) Persian Garden (nice on S Class), early boarding group, water each day....quieter hallways.

And until recently....really nice , plush towels (no more) and nice flowers (no more)

It isn't the fav of everyone but has worked well for us along with the Bistro for lunch,,,,we have 3 more booked!

Over all we like Aqua. We have cruised 3 times now in Aqua.

On the S Class ships we were under the pool. We never had any noise from above. I don't mind the overhang.

We just finished our 1st cruise in Aqua on the M class ship. We were up on deck 11. We had cabin 1114. It was great. Oceanview buffet and bar just down the backstairs. Right down the elevator to Blu. When we went to the captain club event in the Sky Lounge we just walked the deck outside past the upper deck of the pool area.

I emailed my TA had her changed my cabin on Millie up to deck 11. Yes I got 1114 cabin.

Now the amenities/benefits. Most of the amenities we can get in Concierge. I do like the shower and Canapes. Do you know that you can get shrimp cocktail or a cheese plate instead of what is given.

So Blu. Over all the service and atmosphere in Blu is great. Yes the food is to gamey. I seem to eat more often off the left side of the menu. The things you can get every night.

We tried Aqua on Equinox this month and enjoyed it. We got a great GTY price - not sure how much extra I would have been prepared to pay.

For us - all about Blu. The queue for ATD was back to the Martini Bar on some nights. We only had breakfast in Blu a couple of mornings but clearly an excellent venue. Room service breakfast was good. The Blu crew were wonderful. Fast service and they provided special service.

Early embarkation - we were on code red so checkin was delayed. Huge crowds when we arrived at 1.30 due to delays. But we were onboard within just a few minutes of arriving. Fantastic.

The cabin - lets face it, the location is not great with that overhang. We had a hump before and much preferred that view.

Pillows - the first morning we asked for a firm rubber pillow and were provided with excellent ones. Hate being smothered by soft pillows.

The shower jets - didn't bother after the first try. We did receive nice toiletries though. Three different types of bags.

The water was handy but being on a package wasn't necessary. The binoculars were not provided until 10 days into the cruise - they just appeared one day.

We didn't drink the sparkling wine and left it. Maybe would have if not on a drink package. I quite liked the Tea after a hot day getting back after an excursion. I drank some of it each day. The tray with the 3 apples went back as it took up space. Didn't eat the canapés - I don't see the point.

Concierge?

Went to the Relaxation room but the snoring was awful. One guy was so bad I left in disgust and slammed the door on the way out to wake him. Other attempts were futile.

Enjoyed Blu immensely but just don't like cabin location. Didn't realise how important that was to me.

We booked Aqua on our upcoming Feb cruise because it was only slightly more than CC and we not only got blu (worth the difference) but got all three promos on the 1,2,3 Go. However because of the higher cost, our TA also threw in a good chunk of OBC.

I'm looking forward to seeing if the experience justifies the future cost/benefit.

We booked Aqua on our upcoming Feb cruise because it was only slightly more than CC and we not only got blu (worth the difference) but got all three promos on the 1,2,3 Go. However because of the higher cost, our TA also threw in a good chunk of OBC.

 

I'm looking forward to seeing if the experience justifies the future cost/benefit.

We did the same thing for our upcoming cruise in February. It was the same price as CC and we got the 1,2,3 promo too! We can't wait to try it, since we've only done CC!

* Fog-free mirror - this is weird, the mirror was loosely placed on the shelf next to desk?

It's the bathroom mirror that is heated from behind and is not supposed to fog when you take a shower. Worked for us on the Summit.

That heated mirror can also be used to dry things on it like socks and other clothing :)

It's the bathroom mirror that is heated from behind and is not supposed to fog when you take a shower. Worked for us on the Summit.

I think it is one of those things you don't realise you have until it stops working.

We love our Aqua Class! We spent our last cruise in a suite and for us it was not a good fit. We didn't need, want or utilize a butler. However, I did truly miss:

The fog free mirror! It's so nice to be able to step out if a long, got steamy shower and have the mirror all clean and clear!

The shower jets! Very invigorating!

The lip balm! A nice little necessity that I don't need to pack!

Having bottled water in the room! We haven't had to remember to pick up extra bottles and carry them to the room before. It gets old.

Aqua Class is the definition of Modern Luxury to me!

Silly question: could I ask for the fruity daily teas to be substituted with regular old brewed iced tea? I'm generally not a high maintenance traveller so I'm not sure how picky this seems.

We booked two cruises on X precisely because we sailed in Aqua Class our first time this past March and loved it. The food maybe be gamey to some but have eaten many things all over the world so it seems pretty mild on that end to us. I mean after you have eaten Kudu and Impala in S. Africa all is pretty tame :D

We fell in love with Blu and the quiet breakfasts in the morning just the 2 of us.

The great thing about cruising is somewhere on some cruise line there is a good fit for just about everyone……cabin, food, entertainment….ect. We just think we have found our almost perfect fit with X and their Aqua Class.