What is Michaels?

[The Med]

Hi everyone

This will be our 5th cruise and our second with celebrity so we are mere novices compared to most on cruise critic.

 

We are on the Millennium departing next week 23rd Nov from Singapore on the 14 night Indonesia/Malasia cruise although we are actually leaving England on the 20th to have 2 nights prior to the cruise in Singapore.

 

We are in a Royal Suite.

 

I have read about Michaels lounge and that some people get an e mail inviting them to the lounge from their concierge but we have had nothing.

 

Is it only on certain ships?

 

Any help advice would be appreciated, thanks

 

Carole and Steve

[CYNSport]

Suite guests (not including Sky Suites or Aqua Suites) get access to the former Michael's Club (used to be an entertainment venue) as one of the amenities for Suite guests. Enjoy!

[cynbar]

Michael's is a lounge restricted to only Celebrity suites and higher, which includes your Royal Suite (I believe Zenith cruisers are also welcome.) The concierge is based there, and you can get complimentary cold drinks like water and soda, also cocktails and other alcoholic drinks , and appetizers before dinner. Some evenings there is often special entertainment, but this may well vary cruise to cruise. It's a refined, dignified atmosphere, sort of like a country club lounge. Apparently sometimes the concierge emails you before the cruise, but I don't think this is universal. I believe every Celebrity ship has one.

Edited November 12, 2014 by cynbar

[The Med]

Michael's is a lounge restricted to only Celebrity suites and higher, which includes your Royal Suite (I believe Zenith cruisers are also welcome.) The concierge is based there, and you can get complimentary cold drinks like water and soda, also cocktails and other alcoholic drinks , and appetizers before dinner. Some evenings there is often special entertainment, but this may well vary cruise to cruise. It's a refined, dignified atmosphere, sort of like a country club lounge. Apparently sometimes the concierge emails you before the cruise, but I don't think this is universal. I believe every Celebrity ship has one.

 

Thank you.

 

We are only on our second Celebrity Cruise and our first in a Royal Suite.

 

Should we then be expecting an e mail from a conciege? From reading the forum it appears that others in a suite get contacted by someone to ask about anything and everything to do with dietry requirements to booking trips etc.

Edited November 12, 2014 by The Med

[cynbar]

It may come in the next couple of days, that would seem to be about the right time frame. But if not, you can always email the concierge yourself with special concerns or questions. There is another thread discussion how to email the concierge on Reflection. I'm not sure what the 2 letter abbreviation is for Millennium (which the email address requires) but if you start another thread, I'm sure you'll get that answer quickly.

[john_galt]

We were on the Constellation in April and Michaels had just been converted to the concierge lounge. We were escorted from VIP check-in to Michaels and introduced to the head concierge. Drinks and snacks were very nice. A great place to wait until our suite was ready. There was a reception on formal night and we met several ships officers. I highly recommend this suite perk. We immediately booked the PH again upon our return.

[C-Dragons]

We were on the Constellation in April and Michaels had just been converted to the concierge lounge. We were escorted from VIP check-in to Michaels and introduced to the head concierge. Drinks and snacks were very nice. A great place to wait until our suite was ready. There was a reception on formal night and we met several ships officers. I highly recommend this suite perk. We immediately booked the PH again upon our return.

Events in Michael's Club vary from ship to ship. There wasn't a reception with the Officers on our Reflection sailing, though the Captain did come in on several evenings and it was nice to chat with him.

[groryjm]

We found the VIP treatment we recieved in Micheals club on the Exquinox made us feel realy quite special and went a good way to justifying the £10K+ cost of our cruise. :)

[sasset]

On our last three cruises, TA April 2014, Iberian AKA Wine Immersion October 2014, and TA October 2014 on Infinity, Michaels' was a ghost town. We walked by often as it was on the way to the theatre. There was never more than six or eight people there. Michael's used to be a nice piano bar. Can't figure out that the current use is making more money.

[C-Dragons]

On our last three cruises, TA April 2014, Iberian AKA Wine Immersion October 2014, and TA October 2014 on Infinity, Michaels' was a ghost town. We walked by often as it was on the way to the theatre. There was never more than six or eight people there. Michael's used to be a nice piano bar. Can't figure out that the current use is making more money.

Did you actually go into Michael's Club? There is a lot of seating that cannot be seen on a casual walk by from the outside. Some guests prefer their privacy and do not sit in the area which can be viewed by passersby. On our B2B Reflection cruises in October there were always guests in Michael's, in fact on many occasions, it was packed. I guess participation may vary by ship and itinerary, but from first hand experience, I can say it is not a "ghost town".

[Maligator]

As mentioned, it varies from ship to ship. On Eclipse in the Caribbean, it was a venue for a pseudo-Liberace piano act open to everyone. On Summit in Canada, it appeared to be wasted, empty space. Then again, so was the nightclub after 6pm. :D

[cynbar]

I thought Michael's has been converted to a lounge for upper level suites on all ships? Or is it just on some of them?

[Leia]

I thought Michael's has been converted to a lounge for upper level suites on all ships? Or is it just on some of them?

 

That's right, only since late spring/early summer of this year though. Was never crazy in there on Equinox but it wasn't ever empty this summer.

[Hapytocruise]

Zenith status are also welcomed in The lounge

 

 

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[pmcue]

Agree with PP. So many people say no one is there but bar and seating are where you can not see from entry way. Also that is where food, etc is. Only thing in front is concierge desk and a few sofas.

 

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[Quo Vadis?]

Hi everyone

 

We are on the Millennium departing next week 23rd Nov from

 

I have read about Michaels lounge and that some people get an e mail inviting them to the lounge from their concierge but we have had nothing.

 

 

Any help advice would be appreciated, thanks

 

Carole and Steve

 

Hi Carole and Steve. You should be getting an email soon from Lucy, the concierge in Michael's. She is fantastic and will help you with excursions, travel plans, dinner arrangements.

 

We received an email only two days before our sailing.

 

From coffee in the morning, to a tipple any time during the day, Michael's is a wonderful quiet oasis (most of the time) for passengers entitled to this perk when they book a senior suite or cruise often enough to achieve Zenith status.

On the first formal night there will be a reception with senior officers prior to late dining or the first production show. You will enjoy the experience.

[john_galt]

It was never crowded but never empty. I think the concierge said there were 48 people on board eligible to use Michael's. It was also the debarkation waiting area. This perk means I'll never sail in less than a CS again.

 

Not trying to be an ass, but most of the complainers just feel left out. Life's too short. Spend more, get more.

[KW Cruisers]

There was never more than six or eight people there. Michael's used to be a nice piano bar. Can't figure out that the current use is making more money.

 

First of all, if you weren't actually in there, I don't think you can see everyone who is. People sit away from the doors for privacy.

 

Also, suite passengers are paying higher fares now for suite perks--I would wager a guess that X is making more money from these increased fares compared to what they were making from selling a few drinks to people who didn't have beverage packages (which most people are getting now with the constant promotions). X knows what they are doing in this regard.

 

Shawn

[Chunky2219]

It's always risky to generalise too much, but for the most part Michael's Bar is a venue dreadfully underused, unloved and unwanted. During the daytime you've more chance of meeting a purple rabbit in there than a fellow passenger. In the evening it's a great place for a séance.

 

That is, until someone proposes to give it solely to suite guests. At that point it's a tragedy and a disgrace that the folks with deeper pockets are the only one's who can go in. Anyone with a dreadfully inflated sense of self entitlement as a result of having done a few cruises and got a few points in the bag is particularly at risk of being appalled by this move.

 

Of course, my comments do not apply to a ship that has Perry Grant on board. In that situation, it's either the life and soul of the ship or a location best avoided at all costs, depending on your predilection for cruise kitsch and being insulted by Liberace's lost twin.

 

 

.

[need2bespoiled]

I'm on Millennium now and Michaels is being used, there are often and handful of guests there, and more in the evening. Lucy the concierge is great and will email you if she gets the correct email. Please say hello to the tall woman with Purple hair (only shows in the light).

 

See you onboard soon.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

 

 

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[Project_gal]

It's always risky to generalise too much, but for the most part Michael's Bar is a venue dreadfully underused, unloved and unwanted. During the daytime you've more chance of meeting a purple rabbit in there than a fellow passenger. In the evening it's a great place for a séance.

 

That is, until someone proposes to give it solely to suite guests. At that point it's a tragedy and a disgrace that the folks with deeper pockets are the only one's who can go in. Anyone with a dreadfully inflated sense of self entitlement as a result of having done a few cruises and got a few points in the bag is particularly at risk of being appalled by this move.

 

Of course, my comments do not apply to a ship that has Perry Grant on board. In that situation, it's either the life and soul of the ship or a location best avoided at all costs, depending on your predilection for cruise kitsch and being insulted by Liberace's lost twin.

 

 

.

 

Yes, it is dangerous to generalise! We have just returned from our Eclipse TA. Michael's Club was extremely well used and valued. There was no time of day when it was empty for long. even on port days. Unfortunately, no purple rabbits whenever we were there.

 

For information, in addition to guests in Celebrity suites and above and Captain's Club Zenith members, Michael's was also available to Eclipse's Godmother and her travelling companion and [some?] Blue Chip Club members.

 

As far as I am concerned, Michael's Club far exceeded my expectations and I am looking forward to using it on future cruises.

[KW Cruisers]

 

As far as I am concerned, Michael's Club far exceeded my expectations and I am looking forward to using it on future cruises.

 

OK Sue,

 

I have a question then that I've posed in another thread. I would welcome your opinion! This summer we are doing an Alaskan cruise on the Solstice. I have currently booked an aft corner S1 Suite and a hump Celebrity Suite with the big balcony. The price difference is about $1800. I need to decide which one to keep. Would you say that having Michael's is worth it? (S1 doesn't come with access to Michael's) - I've also heard the aft facing suites are wonderful for Alaskan cruises...

 

Can't wait to try out the new Michael's in April on our Caribbean cruise!

 

Shawn

[Ma Bell]

OK Sue,

 

I have a question then that I've posed in another thread. I would welcome your opinion! This summer we are doing an Alaskan cruise on the Solstice. I have currently booked an aft corner S1 Suite and a hump Celebrity Suite with the big balcony. The price difference is about $1800. I need to decide which one to keep. Would you say that having Michael's is worth it? (S1 doesn't come with access to Michael's) - I've also heard the aft facing suites are wonderful for Alaskan cruises...

 

Can't wait to try out the new Michael's in April on our Caribbean cruise!

 

Shawn

 

I wouldn't give up being aft facing on an Alaska cruise. It's one of the few places where you see so much while cruising and it's wonderful to be able to see both sides and the panoramic view aft.

[junetraveler2014]

Thank you.

 

We are only on our second Celebrity Cruise and our first in a Royal Suite.

 

Should we then be expecting an e mail from a conciege? From reading the forum it appears that others in a suite get contacted by someone to ask about anything and everything to do with dietry requirements to booking trips etc.

Indeed you should be hearing from Michael's concierge. If you do not hear a week before your cruise contact Captains club or your TA. And yes all the benefits you mentioned are viable requests. In June we were in the RS on Summit, the concierge contacted us via e-mail, made our reservations. Upon arrival we were escorted into Michael's, was then escorted to Normandy for the best eggs benedict ever. We were then escorted to our room by our butler and explained how to work the faucets and delivered our evening reservation. Our butler took about 20 minutes to explain other important info about the ship.If you ever have questions please don't hesitate to ask your butler..or concierge, they really are there to make your trip the best it can be. Enjoy!

[Project_gal]

OK Sue,

 

I have a question then that I've posed in another thread. I would welcome your opinion! This summer we are doing an Alaskan cruise on the Solstice. I have currently booked an aft corner S1 Suite and a hump Celebrity Suite with the big balcony. The price difference is about $1800. I need to decide which one to keep. Would you say that having Michael's is worth it? (S1 doesn't come with access to Michael's) - I've also heard the aft facing suites are wonderful for Alaskan cruises...

 

Can't wait to try out the new Michael's in April on our Caribbean cruise!

 

Shawn

 

Shawn

 

Personally, out of the two, I would choose the Celebrity Suite but then I would not choose an Alaskan cruise again - I am not a snow and ice person! Now, I would find it hard to give up Michael's Club.

 

I have not seen an aft Sky Suite but we did get to see a Celebrity Suite on our latest Eclipse cruise. The Celebrity Suite was nicer than I had expected but still. IMHO, overcrowded with over-large furniture. The bedroom was more private than I had expected from the photographs I had seen and the suite was beautifully light but with different furniture I am sure that it could be so much better.

 

Why Michael's Club so appealing to me:

• 
  Embarkation - wonderful to have somewhere quiet to avoid the rush of the first day and have somewhere to leave your carry-ons plus you will get to your suite as soon as it is ready rather than when every room is ready.

• During the day - useful to have somewhere to hang around with a coffee/water while your room is made up when the weather is not great for sitting on deck. Somewhere to head to if you fancy a light snack - helps you miss a large lunch if you are trying to be good.

• In the evening - great place to meet up with new friends for a pre-dinner drink and guarantee to find a seat. Somewhere to hang around until your table is ready - the specialty dining maître d' will collect you when it is. Somewhere to pick up post-dinner malt whisky on your way to the casino [OK, that's my husband's contribution!].

• Concierge - point of contact for information/assistance. Priceless for those "difficult" times on a cruise - e.g. priority for New York Immigration - and well worth considering if you have a tender port.
  

Only you can decide if any of this is of value for you!

Edited November 30, 2014 by Project_gal