Celebrity got their priorities straight?

[Garibo]

I was just thinking about this after reading an awful lot of threads on Aqua Class. It almost seems, to me anyway, that guests in Aqua Class rooms seem to get more benefits than those staying in suites.

 

Some of these benefits include:

• Free Bottled Water
  
• Private Restaurant(Blu)
  
• Free access to Persian Gardens
  

 

None of which guests in suites seem to get. Is it just me or should Celebrity not be affording these amenities to those in the higher cost rooms(suites) rather than Aqua Class.

 

Any thoughts?

[FinelyCruising]

Size matters. AQ certainly is not getting the cabin size or the butler for high end services. Its a different set of personal preference enjoyment opportunities. No one can say Celebrity doesn't go out of their way to provide many options for their customer. I agree with you though. the AQ package is very nice, and they do have it right.

[RichS10]

I'm sorry, but I love the ameneties Celebrity gives its suite passengers. Aqua Class sounds interesting, but since the cabin is the same size as a regular cabin, it doesn't appeal to me. The Persian Gardens was very nice on the Infinity, but since there is no T-Pool on the Solstice class ships, it doesn't rate as high to me. In any event, I can buy a pass for $99.00 for the cruise if its that important.

 

Blu sounds like a nice concept, but I would rather base dinner out of the MDR and use our two free specialty restaurant nights to see what we like rather than eat every night in one place. Breakfast in Blu wouldn't do much for us since we always have the butler set up our breakfast and eat on the balconey. So, I guess Aqua is just not my bag. Now, if it was "free bottled vodka".....that might make a difference!

 

I go on a cruise to eat, lay around, eat, be lazy and eat. Watching my waistline is not on the agenda during a cruise!

[lives-to-travel-er]

I'm sorry, but I love the ameneties Celebrity gives its suite passengers. Aqua Class sounds interesting, but since the cabin is the same size as a regular cabin, it doesn't appeal to me. The Persian Gardens was very nice on the Infinity, but since there is no T-Pool on the Solstice class ships, it doesn't rate as high to me. In any event, I can buy a pass for $99.00 for the cruise if its that important.

 

Blu sounds like a nice concept, but I would rather base dinner out of the MDR and use our two free specialty restaurant nights to see what we like rather than eat every night in one place. Breakfast in Blu wouldn't do much for us since we always have the butler set up our breakfast and eat on the balconey. So, I guess Aqua is just not my bag. Now, if it was "free bottled vodka".....that might make a difference!

 

I go on a cruise to eat, lay around, eat, be lazy and eat. Watching my waistline is not on the agenda during a cruise!

 

Ditto. Love the real estate and the butler that comes with it.

[Texed]

It almost seems, to me anyway, that guests in Aqua Class rooms seem to get more benefits than those staying in suites.

Any thoughts?

 

I think those in suites get a lot of "unadvertised specials". :cool:

[lives-to-travel-er]

I think those in suites get a lot of "unadvertised specials". :cool:

 

;);)

[FinelyCruising]

Like what...Cabins with a Waffle Iron in a hidden compartment???:rolleyes:

 

C'mon of course they do as indicated here with the Specialty reservations like Azamara. Do they keep these perks in line cruise to cruise or is it arbitrary. I'd like to know as SS are nicely priced on our next sailing.

[Gracie115]

We've been in RS, CS and SS and found AQ suited us just fine. We like the perks that come with it, we love Blu, and our stateroom attendant was better than most of the butlers we had...so the space just didn't seem to matter anymore!!!:D

[FinelyCruising]

We've been in RS, CS and SS and found AQ suited us just fine. We like the perks that come with it, we love Blu, and our stateroom attendant was better than most of the butlers we had...so the space just didn't seem to matter anymore!!!:D

 

So except for water and tea and the relaxation lounge that we get when we spa-hahaha, what is different than CC since the Blu thing is now questionable based on historical posts.

[ohiocruisemom56]

Last year, Concierge Class was higher than AquaClass. This year, they're reversed. I'm thinking that AQ has been a hit.

 

Virginia

[FinelyCruising]

I agree but me thinks there have been more suite posters of late than ever. They used to be either cruise critic or computer illiterate.:D

[Durkman]

So except for water and tea and the relaxation lounge that we get when we spa-hahaha, what is different than CC since the Blu thing is now questionable based on historical posts.

For one thing, AQ is not necessarily more expensive than CC! For the May 2 Solstice cruise, e.g., AQ is currently $2098 per stateroom vs. $2158 for a C1 CC stateroom.

 

And I don't understand how the Blu "thing" is "questionable." Seems there are an awful lot of people raving about it on these boards. Yes, some haven't liked it, but if they didn't they could have switched over (or did switch over) to the MDR at any time.

 

You're getting more benefits than CC (relaxation lounge, persian gardens, Blu (if you want it), iced tea, bottled water, etc.) for basically the same price. AQ over CC seems like a no-brainer to me.

[FinelyCruising]

Not a no-brainer to me for AQ. A concept in S Class cruising to be validated by those honest enough to be objective enough to avoid an elitist-bandwagon-statistical approach.

 

Half of the AQ cabins are not in my profile of veranda cabins with noise from above and large overhang and column supports, so one can't get to those details easily yet they are real and are part of the undiscussed larger picture.

[Durkman]

Not a no-brainer to me for AQ. A concept in S Class cruising to be validated by those honest enough to be objective enough to avoid an elitist-bandwagon-statistical approach.

 

Half of the AQ cabins are not in my profile of veranda cabins with noise from above and large overhang and column supports, so one can't get to those details easily yet they are real and are part of the undiscussed larger picture.

Well I guess since I look at it as a no-brainer I'm an elitist bandwagoner. You are of course entitled to your opinion, but I booked in AQ well before I even discovered what "Cruise Critic" was--I liked the benefits offered on Celebrity's website and it was the basically the same price as CC so I booked it. If that makes me elitist in your mind, so be it.

 

I did, however, discover Cruise Critic shortly after booking my cruise and based on the advice herein switched over to a forward port cabin without an overhang in a (reportedly) quiet area, and then to a hump cabin with an extended balcony and staterooms above. I'm quite happy with my choice and we're excited for our first cruise on Solstice.

 

So please pardon me if I refuse to jump off the bandwagon! :)

[Gonzo70]

I think those in suites get a lot of "unadvertised specials". :cool:

 

Such as what? I have my first suite experience coming up on my next cruise.

[FinelyCruising]

Durkman....Don't get so touchy.:cool:

 

Many decide to keep up with appearances just because they chose them. You obviously have done your research, and I have yet to select an AQ if I decide its right for me, but do agree the cost is less than some other more mainstream cabin categories so something is odd in that department.

 

That the disparity with the Blu dining is occurring is off. Its a rave for those who take it as a one off specialty but seems real to me by many that night after night its not quite what they were after.And this sis about the right time for that story to start to be told and is.

 

I might do AQ IF I can get a forward AQ, definitely no if not. Water and Tea are not a curiosity for me, (carafe of water I can ask for)nor are Persian Gardens ( I like same sex nude/towel nude so surely not hereon these ships) or Relaxation Room...again, I get that with spa-hahaha and I have my own balcony to gaze out on.

 

To me the deal breaker is Blu. And its not solid enough at this time.

[Durkman]

Durkman....Don't get so touchy.:cool:

 

Many decide to keep up with appearances just because they chose them. You obviously have done your research, and I have yet to select an AQ if I decide its right for me, but do agree the cost is less than some other more mainstream cabin categories so something is odd in that department.

 

That the disparity with the Blu dining is occurring is off. Its a rave for those who take it as a one off specialty but seems real to me by many that night after night its not quite what they were after.And this sis about the right time for that story to start to be told and is.

 

I might do AQ IF I can get a forward AQ, definitely no if not. Water and Tea are not a curiosity for me, (carafe of water I can ask for)nor are Persian Gardens ( I like same sex nude/towel nude so surely not hereon these ships) or Relaxation Room...again, I get that with spa-hahaha and I have my own balcony to gaze out on.

 

To me the deal breaker is Blu. And its not solid enough at this time.

Well, I only get touchy when "forum fighting words" are tossed in my direction--I didn't use them first! :D

 

I will admit that my wife is a little concerned about Blu--not because of anything anyone said on these forums, but because she likes real desserts and based on the menus we've seen posted on the Net (factual--not opinion--data), she's concerned that the desserts will be lacking (e.g., No Sugar Added Rhubarb Crumble Clafoutis? What's THAT all about?). If we don't like it, though, we'll get our desserts elsewhere or move over to the MDR altogether. We're not going to let it dampen our vacation!

 

Happy cruising! :)

[FinelyCruising]

I said NOTHING about dessert. You're on your own there with the rest of the forum.;)

[RichS10]

Such as what? I have my first suite experience coming up on my next cruise.

 

One little extra with a Suite:

.......At about 4 pm every day, there is a knock at the door of your suite. You open the door and there is your butler with a tall dessert cart full of little samiches, sweets, cakes, cookies, and other delights. You pick what you want, as much as you want. Then you pick your liquid poison...tea, coffee, whatever. Back you go into your cocoon and eat yourself into a stupor. At about 5:30, you're gently awaken by another knock at the door. You open the door and it's that butler again....this time with horsedivers. More to eat. Then more time to sleep.......until dinner. And as the week goes on, your butler learns what you like and makes sure your favorites are always available at the next feeding. Ya gotta love that guy (or gal).

 

I loves me some suites!

[FinelyCruising]

One little extra with a Suite:

.......At about 4 pm every day, there is a knock at the door of your suite. You open the door and there is your butler with a tall dessert cart full of little samiches, sweets, cakes, cookies, and other delights. You pick what you want, as much as you want. Then you pick your liquid poison...tea, coffee, whatever. Back you go into your cocoon and eat yourself into a stupor. At about 5:30, you're gently awaken by another knock at the door. You open the door and it's that butler again....this time with horsedivers. More to eat. Then more time to sleep.......until dinner. And as the week goes on, your butler learns what you like and makes sure your favorites are always available at the next feeding. Ya gotta love that guy (or gal).

 

I loves me some suites!

 

Where's the Vodka???:eek:

 

:D

[txsloth]

Suites had free access to Persian Gardens when I was on Solstice at the end of '08. Has that been phased out or was our sailing an anamoly? I didn't even make it to the spa on Equinox last year...

[RichS10]

Where's the Vodka???:eek:

 

:D

 

That's the point.

I would need free bottled vodka to draw me away from teatime in the Suite.

But not to worry, I do manage to squeeze in my vodka ration between knocks on the door. :)

[librarylady19]

Durkman....Don't get so touchy.:cool:

 

Many decide to keep up with appearances just because they chose them. You obviously have done your research, and I have yet to select an AQ if I decide its right for me, but do agree the cost is less than some other more mainstream cabin categories so something is odd in that department.

 

That the disparity with the Blu dining is occurring is off. Its a rave for those who take it as a one off specialty but seems real to me by many that night after night its not quite what they were after.And this sis about the right time for that story to start to be told and is.

 

I might do AQ IF I can get a forward AQ, definitely no if not. Water and Tea are not a curiosity for me, (carafe of water I can ask for)nor are Persian Gardens ( I like same sex nude/towel nude so surely not hereon these ships) or Relaxation Room...again, I get that with spa-hahaha and I have my own balcony to gaze out on.

 

To me the deal breaker is Blu. And its not solid enough at this time.

I don't know how you can have such an opionated outlook when you haven't even tried Aquaclass. Don't slam others for jumping on an elitist bandwagon when you haven't even formed an opinion based on your personal experience.

I really enjoyed Aquaclass AND Blu and will stand by my opinion until contradicted by my own experience. I would not chime in on the benefits of suites, however, never having booked a suite yet.

[Gracie115]

So except for water and tea and the relaxation lounge that we get when we spa-hahaha, what is different than CC since the Blu thing is now questionable based on historical posts.

 

 

Well..I don't know since I've never cruised in a CC and never said I had....but Blu is CERTAINLY not questionable in my mind...I was THERE last month....it was wonderful and everything it was billed to be....so for me anyway I'd stay in AQ even if Blu was the ONLY perk. I chose AQ BECAUSE I wanted to try Blu and I was not disappointed...I was elated with the result...

 

As for your other posts....I have ABSOLUTELY no idea what you are inferring by "elitist bandwagon" .... if someone likes something why does that make them elitist?

[FinelyCruising]

Don't get so touchy. The point of it all that language is that no one seems to be able to question AQ and if you read through some recent posts, new cruisers are put off by what comes off as attitude.

 

I have looked at the menus in Blu a bunch of times, and with the mixed reactions that are now part of the experience put forth by a mix of guests, combined with my own tastes, I am not sure that Blu would stand up for me for each and every night. To some extent the dinner menu seems limited to me.

 

I am not unwilling to try it, I may book it one evening on my next cruise to gain the food and DR experience, but I certainly can comment on what I find the overall benefits are or are not to me and open those opinions up for further discussion.

 

As I have sais before, Celebrity offer a wide range of arrangements to suit many different tastes and expectations.