New Suite Class Restaurant begins April 2015 on ALL ships?

[KW Cruisers]

Thx.

 

Guess they are really tying to go after a super-premium crowd with this "exclusivity." Some of the new money crowd will love this - love the special tratment, exclusive venues...and do it in front of everyone else.

 

That's a nice thing to say about those of us who like to travel in suites. :confused:

 

I could care less about "doing it" in front of everyone else.

 

Nobody is stopping you from booking a suite.

 

I hear cries of jealousy. Plain and simple.

[need2bespoiled]

Thx.

So...since I am sailing 1/24, does that mean the Elite happy hour will be in Michaels (sicne the exclusive suites club starts in Feb)?

Honestly...I'd rather have the vouchers and get a drink at the martini bar. Don't know if the bartenders are the same as when I went last year - but they were great. Plus, I usually like to hang there, and use the same bartneders for all my mixed drinks, if possible (give good tips..get good service once they recognize you).

 

Guess they are really tying to go after a super-premium crowd with this "exclusivity." Some of the new money crowd will love this - love the special tratment, exclusive venues...and do it in front of everyone else.

 

NO. That was Feb-April 2014 that Michael's club was converted. For the couple of years, long before Michael's Club was converted, the Elite ranks have been so big, that the happy hour has been in the Sky Lounge (or equivalent) OR for some sailings, coupons are provided for the same drinks in other bars. I believe on my last cruise, that did vouchers on one night only (the first night), the Martini Bar was excluded, so that won't work for you. However on our Nov/Dec 2013 Trans Atlantic they were good in the Martini Bar. Someone else can report more recent experience. Only sailings popular with regulars, like TransAtlantics use vouchers anyway.

 

Your comments about "some of the new money crowed" are more than a bit condescending and frankly aimed at the same people currently helping you in this thread. It's only "in front of everyone else" if you are looking. It's only as exclusive as you decide to make it, it's easy to get access, just book the suite you'd like. Otherwise, there is no need to be jealous, you've lost nothing.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

[CrankySailor]

That's a nice thing to say about those of us who like to travel in suites. :confused:

 

I could care less about "doing it" in front of everyone else.

 

Nobody is stopping you from booking a suite.

 

I hear cries of jealousy. Plain and simple.

 

Ummm...didn't say "eveyone booking a suite..." or that "everyone who books a suite is new money and will love it."

I said "new money will love this sort of thing."

Very different statements. I hear cries of my own out of you. :mad:

Edited January 6, 2015 by CrankySailor

[CrankySailor]

NO. That was Feb-April 2014 that Michael's club was converted. For the couple of years, long before Michael's Club was converted, the Elite ranks have been so big, that the happy hour has been in the Sky Lounge (or equivalent) OR for some sailings, coupons are provided for the same drinks in other bars. I believe on my last cruise, that did vouchers on one night only (the first night), the Martini Bar was excluded, so that won't work for you. However on our Nov/Dec 2013 Trans Atlantic they were good in the Martini Bar. Someone else can report more recent experience. Only sailings popular with regulars, like TransAtlantics use vouchers anyway.

 

Your comments about "some of the new money crowed" are more than a bit condescending and frankly aimed at the same people currently helping you in this thread. It's only "in front of everyone else" if you are looking. It's only as exclusive as you decide to make it, it's easy to get access, just book the suite you'd like. Otherwise, there is no need to be jealous, you've lost nothing.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

 

Thanks for your help.

My comments are being misinterpreted - so let me explain...

I am not suggesting people that book suites do it to flaunt it, etc. I am stating there is a new money crowd that loves this sort of thing - and the lines are chasing after it. If you book a suite...that doens't make you one of them.

 

It's like saying: New money loves suites. I love suites, therefore, I am new money. Doesn't work. The logic is flawed.

 

Make sense?

[cle-guy]

Thx.

So...since I am sailing 1/24, does that mean the Elite happy hour will be in Michaels (sicne the exclusive suites club starts in Feb)?

Honestly...I'd rather have the vouchers and get a drink at the martini bar. Don't know if the bartenders are the same as when I went last year - but they were great. Plus, I usually like to hang there, and use the same bartneders for all my mixed drinks, if possible (give good tips..get good service once they recognize you).

 

Guess they are really tying to go after a super-premium crowd with this "exclusivity." Some of the new money crowd will love this - love the special tratment, exclusive venues...and do it in front of everyone else.

 

Michael's was converted to a suite lounge in 2014, March/April, ahead of the official suite perks roll out in April 2015. It hasn't hosted elite events on any ship since April of 2014. It was a little used space for so long, that this made sense to bring X into line with other lines. Especially once free beverage packages become the norm, it basically generated ZERO revenue for the ine,

 

Michael's generated little direct revenue in the past, now it has allowed cabins fares to increase for suites, and thus it generates additional passive cabin revenue. Anyone who bought a drink in Michael's in the past is still buying drinks at alternate venues, I doubt any have stopped drinking. The elite events are also in other more comfortable venues, so nothing has been lost. Michael's had in fact become to stifling and difficult for the masses of elites to attend in there, that moving to larger venues had to happen.

 

The beers that Michaels carried, are now available in Cellar Masters on all ships, but for Equinox where Gastrobar has them -- so nothing lost. On my November Siilie sailing, Cellar Masters carried 65 varieties of beers.

 

If you want the service you had in the past, upgrade to a Celebrity suite to gain Michael's access, or find a bartender at Martini or Passport or another venue to to know you. Most bartenders in any venue will recall your drink if you are a pleasant regular guest, even if you don't tip more. You don't have to flaunt your tips in front of anyone to get good service anyplace on the ship in my experience. I sailed an inside cabin this summer, and the martini bartender knew my drink of choice as I approached.

Edited January 6, 2015 by cle-guy

[Kevnzworld]

Thanks for your help.

My comments are being misinterpreted - so let me explain...

I am not suggesting people that book suites do it to flaunt it, etc. I am stating there is a new money crowd that loves this sort of thing - and the lines are chasing after it. If you book a suite...that doens't make you one of them.

 

It's like saying: New money loves suites. I love suites, therefore, I am new money. Doesn't work. The logic is flawed.

 

Make sense?

 

I think that Celebrity is deliberately targeting a more affluent market by first developing Aqua class, and now Suite class. Clearly Celebrity's internal accounting numbers have guided this decision to expand and focus on what they think is a higher margin more profitable demographic.

I wouldn't be surprised if 2/3 or more of its new Edge ships are devoted to the new classes.

Whether it's old money or new money,....it's definitely MORE money

Whether or not they will be successful competing in what for them is a " new " market is both debatable and interesting.

Edited January 6, 2015 by Kevnzworld

[TLCOhio]

I'm not going to jump to any conclusions right now. No "high hopes fading" here. Hopefully, those that are staying in Suites will be pleasantly surprised. We're on the 2015 Eastbound Reflection sailing, and the new dining venue will be available for us.

 

Appreciate this above summary and the details as posted by the OP. Still not very clear that using that same main kitchen of the MDR will work that well and/or be that special/custom. Blu works so well because it is smaller is size, has its kitchen closer to the tables, does more specialized dining dishes, etc.

 

Not sure on the Celebrity business objectives and/or potential to achieve any type of such goal on "Guess they are really tying to go after a super-premium crowd with this 'exclusivity.' "

 

The jury is out!! Looking for more "evidence" on what works and how.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Enjoyed a 14-day Celebrity Solstice, Jan. 20-Feb. 3, 2014, Sydney to Auckland adventure, getting a big sampling for the wonders of "down under” before and after this cruise. Go to:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

for more info and pictures of these amazing sights in this great part of the world. Now at 91,251 views for this posting.

[need2bespoiled]

I think that Celebrity is deliberately targeting a more affluent market by first developing Aqua class, and now Suite class. Clearly Celebrity's internal accounting numbers have guided this decision to expand and focus on what they think is a higher margin more profitable demographic.

I wouldn't be surprised if 2/3 or more of its new Edge ships are devoted to the new classes.

Whether it's old money or new money,....it's definitely MORE money

Whether or not they will be successful competing in what for them is a " new " market is both debatable and interesting.

 

I'd be surprised if it was more than 1/2 combined Aqua + suites. 1500 in suites and aqua to service in a spa, smaller restaurants, etc, but only time will tell.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

[need2bespoiled]

Appreciate this above summary and the details as posted by the OP. Still not very clear that using that same main kitchen of the MDR will work that well and/or be that special/custom. Blu works so well because it is smaller is size, has its kitchen closer to the tables, does more specialized dining dishes, etc.

 

Not sure on the Celebrity business objectives and/or potential to achieve any type of such goal on "Guess they are really tying to go after a super-premium crowd with this 'exclusivity.' "

 

The jury is out!! Looking for more "evidence" on what works and how.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

 

This is incorrect. On almost half the fleet Blu shares a kitchen with the MDR. It has its own line, cooks (chefs, maybe), servers, etc, but most definitely the same kitchen.

 

I agree it would be preferrable to be seperate, but if done well, and right, it can be done.

 

Reviews to come, 3 months away, 89 days to be exact for me to enjoy (hopefully) my first meal in the new restaurant.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

[cle-guy]

Appreciate this above summary and the details as posted by the OP. Still not very clear that using that same main kitchen of the MDR will work that well and/or be that special/custom. Blu works so well because it is smaller is size, has its kitchen closer to the tables, does more specialized dining dishes, etc.

g.

 

Aqua hosts 134 cabins on S class (150 on reflection), and 107 on M class.

 

Suite dining will only host 66 S class cabins (84 on Reflection once Aqua Suites convert to Sky) and 50 on M class.

 

Suite dining wil have about half the customers as BLU, and if BLU is servicing meals so well, no doubt the Suite dining will work equally as well.

[Project_gal]

Someone from the land of opportunity speaking of "new money" ...

 

Strangely, those of our Colonial Cousins very much enjoying Michael's Club on our TA were what I am sure that you may call "new money" and appeared to assume that we were even "older money" than they were.

 

I am always surprised that, when socialising with those from the USA whilst cruising, they always appear more preoccupied with these issues than those of us from this "class ridden" side of the pond.

[Andy]

Hi Everyone,

 

I stumbled onto this page on the Celebrity website tonight, which seems new - at least to me. It offers some tidbits, on amenities offered for each type of cabin.

 

http://www.celebritycruises.com/htmlpage/celebrity-suite-class#&panel1-1&panel2-1&panel3-1&panel4-1&panel5-2&panel6-1&panel7-1

 

Hope this is helpful !

[C-Dragons]

Someone from the land of opportunity speaking of "new money" ...

 

Strangely, those of our Colonial Cousins very much enjoying Michael's Club on our TA were what I am sure that you may call "new money" and appeared to assume that we were even "older money" than they were.

 

I am always surprised that, when socialising with those from the USA whilst cruising, they always appear more preoccupied with these issues than those of us from this "class ridden" side of the pond.

May be we could learn a thing or two from our cousins. :)

Thank goodness not all of us are pre-occupied with others' financial backgrounds!

Frankly I don't understand why there is an assumption by many (on this side of the pond) that a particular type of "money" is involved with those who choose to book suites with access to Michael's Club. I never presume to know the financial status of anyone I meet. You can't judge a book by it's cover, nor a person by their attire, or manners for that matter. ;)

And (to get back on topic) I can't wait to try the new Suite dining room! Another reason to spend some "money" on another suite. :D

[Kevnzworld]

Suite dining wil have about half the customers as BLU, and if BLU is servicing meals so well, no doubt the Suite dining will work equally as well.

 

I don't think that Blu does "that" well servicing meals or customers. It's definitely not up to real restaurant in a major city standards, Yes, it's more like a real restaurant than the traditional big cruise ship MDR and mostly better.

I convinced my parents to try Celebrity on our last cruise, a TA on Silhouette. They traditionally cruise on Regent and Seabourn . They loved the suite ( Royal ), but found Blu and the other restaurants not great.

Their main problem with Blu was inconsistent service and inconsistent food quality and preparation. We've historically experienced the same.

We did a B2B in spring 2014. A T/A on Reflection followed the next day by a Baltic cruise on Seabourn Quest. The contrast in food quality and restaurant service between the ships was stark.

As I've written before...the Suite restaurant can't just be " another " Blu if it's going to appeal to a premium demographic . It really needs to be a departure in style, kitchen organization, food preparation expertise, front of house management etc.

[vulcan1971]

Aqua hosts 134 cabins on S class (150 on reflection), and 107 on M class.

 

Suite dining will only host 66 S class cabins (84 on Reflection once Aqua Suites convert to Sky) and 50 on M class.

 

Suite dining wil have about half the customers as BLU, and if BLU is servicing meals so well, no doubt the Suite dining will work equally as well.

 

Curt - Your numbers are close on the count.

 

M Class Aqua = 107

S Class Aqua = 130

Reflection Aqua (including Aqua Suites through April 2015) = 189

Reflection Aqua (after April 2015) = 150

 

M Class Suites = 50

S Class Suites = 66

Suites on Reflection (including all Aqua Suites converting to S1) = 111

[cle-guy]

As I've written before...the Suite restaurant can't just be " another " Blu if it's going to appeal to a premium demographic . It really needs to be a departure in style, kitchen organization, food preparation expertise, front of house management etc.

 

I guess this is where we vary. I see a cruise ship as having the same provisions everywhere, slightly different preparations, and the atmosphere is really what makes each venue different.

 

I am not expecting any super duper over the top meals here, I expect they will look pretty, will taste good (as I feel MDR meals already do), will be prepared to correct doneness (as opposed to MDR where it's luck of the draw on this part) will claim to be local fare (how does that work on a repo or TA? and there is a laundry list of countries I'd rather not be eating food from due to health concerns) and "designed" by a celebrity or award wining chef, yet cooked by a galley chef or cook.

 

Celebrity is just too mass-line to offer such boutique style dining, in my opinion. They can however provide a fine atmosphere and attentive service, which really is all I am looking forward to and what I expect to be paying for in the suite class perks, the suite dining room in fact is among my least interesting parts of the program, but welcome none-the-less. Maybe it will be over the top and a pleasant surprise, but I am not expecting that at all.

Edited January 6, 2015 by cle-guy

[cadburysmom]

I can't imagine the food will be all that much better and in my opinion, the new suite restaurant concept is not for better food, itself. They're obviously appealing to egos and cruise snobs, which might actually work. Everyone wants to feel special...

 

Instead, they need to leave Celebrity as it is, price cabins accordingly, and simply buy new ships for Azamara. The fleet is old and sadly can't compete with Seaborn, etc.. which I prefer for more port intensive cruises. However, as much as I prefer the food on Seaborn, I enjoy Celebrity's solstice class for transatlantics as they offer more room to roam, so to speak, on all those wonderful sea days and I'm having a hard time convincing friends who disliked Azamara and now enjoy Seaborn, to "jump ship" and join me on a Celebrity transatlantic this spring. I really enjoyed Equinox TA in 2013 and Eclipse TA in 2014 and can't imagine crossing the big pond on anything smaller.

 

The new suite restaurants should be available in time for the April transatlantics...will be interesting. ;)

Edited January 6, 2015 by cadburysmom

[cadburysmom]

After some thought, I wish I could delete my last post as saying "obviously appealing to egos and cruise snobs" was admittedly a bit harsh. Some of the nicest, classiest people I've met on a cruise were in suites and I in no way meant to offend them.

 

I'm also stressing over choosing a transatlantic and would like to use the new suite restaurant as a "carrot" to get my friends to join me and would feel I let them down if it was not up to par with Seabourn. And on that note, my apologies to Seabourn for spelling their name incorrectly before....:o

[vulcan1971]

After some thought, I wish I could delete my last post as saying "obviously appealing to egos and cruise snobs" was admittedly a bit harsh. Some of the nicest, classiest people I've met on a cruise were in suites and I in no way meant to offend them.

 

I'm also stressing over choosing a transatlantic and would like to use the new suite restaurant as a "carrot" to get my friends to join me and would feel I let them down if it was not up to par with Seabourn. And on that note, my apologies to Seabourn for spelling their name incorrectly before....:o

 

cadburysmom -

 

I appreciate your efforts to come back to retract/clarify your posting and further apologize. I wish more people on these threads were like that.

 

Having been disappointed by Celebrity in the past while sailing in a suite, I am pleased to see their proposed changes. Until all the offerings are in place and rolled out, there are many cruisers all in the same boat... watching and waiting... to see how this all works and how good it is.

 

I have a 2016 booking in a suite, which will be changed/downgraded (if needed) based on feedback from folks that come back to report on their "enhanced" suite experiences.

[OuiOnboard]

In the past, we too have found the suite experience on Celebrity not sufficiently better than their less expensive offerings to justify the expenditure of more dollars. We'll see soon how this new suite program pans out.

It does appear, though, that the prices of the lesser offerings are going up while changes (additions/cutbacks) are made to implement 'modern luxury' cruising. Again, we'll see.

Edited January 6, 2015 by OuiOnboard
sp

[scifimonkey]

I am not expecting any super duper over the top meals here, I expect they will look pretty, will taste good (as I feel MDR meals already do), will be prepared to correct doneness (as opposed to MDR where it's luck of the draw on this part) will claim to be local fare (how does that work on a repo or TA?

 

I suppose that on a TA you will get a lot of fish..............!:)

[ghstudio]

After some thought, I wish I could delete my last post as saying "obviously appealing to egos and cruise snobs" was admittedly a bit harsh. Some of the nicest, classiest people I've met on a cruise were in suites and I in no way meant to offend them.

 

I'm also stressing over choosing a transatlantic and would like to use the new suite restaurant as a "carrot" to get my friends to join me and would feel I let them down if it was not up to par with Seabourn. And on that note, my apologies to Seabourn for spelling their name incorrectly before....:o

 

While harsh, the apple is not falling far from the tree. Certainly part of the allure of the "suite" is ego/prestige for more than you would think. Of course there are others who just travel this way and prefer the celebrity Vibe to Regent/etc. I think Celebrity's advertising is actually focused on those who cruise less often and want to splurge in "modern luxury".

 

So not sure the apology is necessary....at least for some suite guests.

[JFontaine]

My opinion - the people who can afford a suite, especially at the new prices - don't need to buy ego or prestige.

[varoo]

My opinion - the people who can afford a suite, especially at the new prices - don't need to buy ego or prestige.

I don't think it is a matter of affording a suite as much as a matter of how people choose to spend their money.

 

There are people of modest means who splurge on a suite for a special occasion, such as a landmark birthday or anniversary, or when taking the entire family on a cruise.

 

Conversely, many who can easily afford to pay for suites choose not to do so and prefer to spend their money elsewhere, or book suites for some cruises, but not for others.

 

Some who regularly booked top suites while they were working and had limited vacation time now choose lower category accommodations since they are retired and get to go on vacation trips much more frequently.

 

The way that one friend put it, now I can cruise for an entire month or two, in a very nice cabin, for the price of a week in that suite.

 

[cle-guy]

I fall into the ranks of sailing in suites the ghetto fabulous way. I wait for price drops, keep a flexible schedule, don't get sold on any particular date or ship or itinerary, just a general travel time, and am an Amex mile whore, earning miles and bonus miles at every opportunity possible. Personal amex and my company amex all roll points to a single membership rewards account. We purchase all our merchandise that we resell in our boutique sores with amex if possible, paying the bill off weekly to avoid paying interest, yet earning those miles. All utilities on auto pay, even pay some of our rents with the card. Marketing expenses, paid with the card. Satellite bill, cell phone bill, parking bill, dining out, gas & groceries (double and triple points often!), doctor visit co-pays, monthly health insurance premiums...

 

1,000,000 miles makes a $6,000 payment against any single charge posted to the Amex statement, so long as you pay with charges during the current billing (perhaps within 2 billing)cycle. So When I make final payment, I have the TA post 2 charges, one for $6000 which I then log in and "pay with points" and the balance of the charge as a second charge that I pay as my vacation cost, typically closer to the cost of a normal veranda or AQ cabin.

 

I've spent so much time in hotel rooms for work the last several years, that I have very little desire to be cooped in a cabin half the size of a standard hotel room. Add in the perks and freebies that come with suites, and it works out perfectly for my travel desires.

Edited January 7, 2015 by cle-guy