Open class experience

[vulcan1971]

Had a long winded comment, then decided it was not worth the time:rolleyes:

 

 

+1 ;)

 

 

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[shipshape sam]

It is reaching 'the limit' I think. My personal limit. If I thought for one minute I was the underdog poor person I would go elsewhere.

 

I know people like to book suites and people like to book inside cabins.

 

Cost.

 

We are all the same though. Just because someone has booked a suite for X quid doesn't mean they should have anything better than an inside saver upper except for their cabin. All the food is cooked in the same kitchen. The bars serve drink. Dine in a speciality restaurant is open to all. The swimming pool. The shows.

 

We are aqua class this next time. I don't fancy blu. Persian garden? No.

 

Why did we book! The cabin. My husband fancied a certain deck. I think it is a great waste of money but I will board with a smile on my face!

 

He is paying :D

 

:)

 

Actually, I think Celebrity itself thinks the price they are charging for suites, for example, are too high if the price difference was just the difference in cabin size/location/amenities just within the cabin suite/balcony. Thus, to help create more value, and thus charge more, Celebrity has added more features creating more benefits for the cruise price.

 

We used to book Aqua class when the price difference was reasonable to us. We got benefits for that decision beyond just what was inside the 4 walls of the cabin.

 

I just hope it does not become too obvious and one downside, I think will happen, is that it will start segregating people more along the category/class of cabin booked. For sure, dining and pre dining segregation are now there. Not sure this is game changing, but I would say that Suite guests might enjoy talking to my wife pre and during dinner and will miss the opportunity. Likewise we may miss some great conversations and opportunities to meet great people. :)

Edited February 21, 2015 by shipshape sam

[cle-guy]

:)

 

Actually, I think Celebrity itself thinks the price they are charging for suites, for example, are too high if the price difference was just the difference in cabin size/location/amenities just within the cabin suite/balcony. Thus, to help create more value, and thus charge more, Celebrity has added more features creating more benefits for the cruise price.

 

We used to book Aqua class when the price difference was reasonable to us. We got benefits for that decision beyond just what was inside the 4 walls of the cabin.

 

I just hope it does not become too obvious and one downside, I think will happen, is that it will start segregating people more along the category/class of cabin booked. For sure, dining and pre dining segregation are now there. Not sure this is game changing, but I would say that Suite guests might enjoy talking to my wife pre and during dinner and will miss the opportunity. Likewise we may miss some great conversations and opportunities to meet great people. :)

 

Pre-dining segregation exists? Is there a "suite section" at the Martini Bar (or Mast Bar, or Molecular, or Skylounge, or Envoy/Rondezvous/Passport) I am supposed to be using when I'm there pre-dinner with other cruise mates? If I have Michael's access. I go there, get a drink and take it to whatever venue my cruise mates are utilizing at the moment. If I had a drinks package, I'd bypass Michaels and go straight to the bars, unless they are busy, then would get my drink first to save time.

 

In fact if you read all about Michaels' club in these forums, you'd see most posters say no one is ever in there now that it's a suites lounge.....though I differ on that opinion.

 

Or perhaps you are talking about the Captain's Club cocktail elite event they host that segregates non-elites from the elites?

Edited February 21, 2015 by cle-guy

[shipshape sam]

Pre-dining segregation exists? Is there a "suite section" at the Martini Bar (or Mast Bar, or Molecular, or Skylounge, or Envoy/Rondezvous/Passport) I am supposed to be using when I'm there pre-dinner with other cruise mates? If I have Michael's access. I go there, get a drink and take it to whatever venue my cruise mates are utilizing at the moment. If I had a drinks package, I'd bypass Michaels and go straight to the bars, unless they are busy, then would get my drink first to save time.

 

In fact if you read all about Michaels' club in these forums, you'd see most posters say no one is ever in there now that it's a suites lounge.....though I differ on that opinion.

 

Or perhaps you are talking about the Captain's Club cocktail elite event they host that segregates non-elites from the elites?

 

Pre dining in Michaels as you indicate and you I would guess are the exception if you specifically go there, get your drink and move on.

 

I think I indicated that it does exist by cabin category and it also exists by Captains Club status. Is it pervasive, no, but my point was to the openness comment.

[laslomas]

It is reaching 'the limit' I think. My personal limit. If I thought for one minute I was the underdog poor person I would go elsewhere.

 

I know people like to book suites and people like to book inside cabins.

 

Cost.

 

We are all the same though. Just because someone has booked a suite for X quid doesn't mean they should have anything better than an inside saver upper except for their cabin. All the food is cooked in the same kitchen. The bars serve drink. Dine in a speciality restaurant is open to all. The swimming pool. The shows.

 

We are aqua class this next time. I don't fancy blu. Persian garden? No.

 

Why did we book! The cabin. My husband fancied a certain deck. I think it is a great waste of money but I will board with a smile on my face!

 

He is paying :D

 

I like this post. I know there are many different folk in the cruising community and for some if a suite is what they can afford then they book this. Or a special anniversary or occasion, or a great offer will also bring others into a suite. There is more space and great amenities in suites and a butler etc. But once in the main areas I always like that everyone is simply a cruiser on a beautiful ship and everything is available to all. Unless brought up in conversation you would never know what grade of stateroom anyone was in. The speciality restaurants are available to everyone for an extra charge for a more individual dining experience, and the rest of the ship is open to all, or it should be.

 

I will book what I can afford and love every minute. :D

 

But I hope Celebrity do not bring in more 'divisions' because I believe they could begin to lose a number of their long time returning loyal cruisers for the few new suite customers they gain. I hope they do not forget the non suite cruisers.

Edited February 21, 2015 by laslomas

[junetraveler2014]

Jazz,

Thank you for your post. I agree with you completely. Economics and economics only! I pay for what I want, and my only complaint would be if I did not get what I paid for! I don't have to defend my purchase to anyone and nor will I! And to all the nay Sayers, IT IS ECONOMICS, pure and simple!:eek:

[lisiamc]

DH and I met quite a few suite passengers on a recent cruise, and were able to spend a little time in Michael's Club as guests. While it was seldom crowded in there that we could see, the people who used it became quite friendly as a group and looked forward to socialising with each other there in the afternoons and evenings. Many of this core group were very rarely seen in any other bar. At ports they were allowed off the ship earlier than other guests and offered the first tenders in the tender ports. If they'd had a separate dining room at that point, they would have rarely been seen in any public venue at all except the show lounge and the queue to re-board the ship at the end of the port calls. They would essentially have been on a separate cruise from the non-suite guests.

 

I'm not completely sure why this bothers me, but it does. Yes, I or anyone else can book a suite if we want to and can afford it. But if I were a suite passenger, I wouldn't want to be so separate from everyone else. For a very similar amount of money, I could have the small-group experience on a small ship. I'd rather do that than be made (or encouraged) to feel that it's "us" and "them", no matter which side of the divide I was on.

Edited February 21, 2015 by lisiamc

[deise17311]

Bottom line is most people want something for free and those complaining want to book the cheapest cabin but get all the "perks"...the rest of the world doesn't work this way, why should a cruise ship????

Edited February 21, 2015 by deise17311

[Kleasie]

Years ago a first time cruiser seen a advertisement for a 7 day trans Atlantic cruise for only $2. He couldn't believe it and told a few friends about it and they all it signed up. As soon as they boarded they were escorted to the lower deck, stripped of their clothes and chained to the oars. For the next seven days they had to row to the beat of the drum along with the rest of the bargain seekers at the expense of the whip. At the end of the cruise he asked asked if it was customary to tip the drum beater? :D

 

Sorry but it is all about the dollar and we are the cause. We all look for the bargain and everyone that competes for it starts to cut services and qulaliy to keep the price low and cheap. Eventually the cuts can only go so deep and will reach the limit.

 

Consumers have driven out almost all personal service in retail stores, gas stations, grocery stores and many family store fronts businesses by patronizing those that don't offer any services to save a few dollars.

 

The cruise lines are now maybe at the level that satisfies the bargain seeker who doesn't want or cares about quality, or services that they claim they never use and don't want to pay for but is now offering it to those that want it.

 

You can say that they are now giving them the freedom of choice that they wanted.

 

happy cruising [/quote)

 

What a great insight! I wish there was a 'like' button you could push on this site ...

[Cindy]

I like a big ship for what it offers as far as entertainment, dining choices, and variety, but I don't like crowds, buffets, or (increasingly) set dining times. Aqua Class cabins and suites on other lines have suited my needs perfectly, because they allow me to continue to cruise on big ships while still having a more personalized experience. It has nothing to do with not wanting to mingle with other passengers, and everything to do with the way I want to spend my vacation.

[Duanerice1]

I really don't see an issue with this. Pay for extra service you get it. If I pay for a regular room I get the MDR, shows, room service, access to specialty restaurants, etc. They aren't taking anything away from me with the suite or Aqua Class amenities.

 

It's not like they took Blu away from me, they never had it until they created AQ. Same with the Suite restaurant, they didn't take it away from me because they never had it before. Michael's Club? Never stepped foot in there so it is not a loss for me but if someone used to use it a lot then yes, they took that away (although it was almost always empty).

 

Special seating at the show, OK, but there are plenty of seat so I don't go without.

 

I guess I don't see what the fuss is. If someone wants to hang with their group in Michaels and go to the suite dining room, why should any of us care?

 

Although I've never had a suite I have sailed in AQ once and enjoyed it but also enjoy cruises without it.

enjoy,

[NLH Arizona]

I guess if I were jealous of the "suite only" venues, I'd be upset. But I could care less if they have more perks, because after all they paid more than I did for my Concierge Cabin on my last cruise.

 

It is just business, when other cruise lines are giving dedicated space to "suite only" passengers, Celebrity has to keep up or those that enjoy the suite experience will go elsewhere. I hope in Celebrity's new builds that the have a "Haven" like atmosphere like NCL has.

 

Michael's was never used before, so why not use it as an area for the suite passengers, to sweeten their deal and, as far as the new Suite restaurant is concerned, having it or not having it is not going to have any impact on the rest of us. If one is so upset by these new suite perks, it can be rectified very easily, book a suite.

Edited February 22, 2015 by NLH Arizona

[Project_gal]

There are some very interesting and well-thought out views on this thread.

 

The uproar over Michael's Club really puzzles me. That would have been about the last bar we would choose to frequent in the old days. We'll have access to it on our next cruise, but I seriously can't imagine why I would go in there. It has always been a ghost town on our previous cruises, and I suspect with the lower number of passengers being able to access it, it will be even worse.

 

Although this will probably be my first and last Royal suite, I'm pretty excited to try it, and I think Celebrity is smart to court people who don't mind paying for luxury, but enjoy Celebrity enough that they don't want to defect to the luxury lines. If we see suite prices dropping dramatically or suites being turned into regular cabins, we'll know the experiment was unsuccessful. I can't see that happening.

 

Enjoy your Royal Suite - but you may well find that it is not your last. It is easy to be seduced! And do try Michael's Club. You will probably be pleasantly surprised.

[Yorkshire-Pudding]

And hopefully when I die they will remember me and say, 'she travelled the world and saw this country and that country' and not, 'well how lucky was she, being able to use the first class bathroom on her flight!' :p :rolleyes:

 

So if you could do both, are you saying that you wouldn't?:D

[dkjretired]

I guess if I were jealous of the "suite only" venues, I'd be upset. But I could care less if they have more perks, because after all they paid more than I did for my Concierge Cabin on my last cruise.

 

It is just business, when other cruise lines are giving dedicated space to "suite only" passengers, Celebrity has to keep up or those that enjoy the suite experience will go elsewhere. I hope in Celebrity's new builds that the have a "Haven" like atmosphere like NCL has.

 

Michael's was never used before, so why not use it as an area for the suite passengers, to sweeten their deal and, as far as the new Suite restaurant is concerned, having it or not having it is not going to have any impact on the rest of us. If one is so upset by these new suite perks, it can be rectified very easily, book a suite.

 

Agree completely, I've had suites in hotels and cruise ships and found out I'm not a suite person, could care less about a butler. I always start with an inside and work my way up by being proactive, last couple of cruises this has got me some nice AQ cabins. If I couldn't get good buys I'm happy with an inside because wife and I spend very little time in the cabin. Might try a suite at some point with the new amenities just for a novelty.

Edited February 22, 2015 by dkjretired

[villauk]

So if you could do both, are you saying that you wouldn't?:D

 

As far as toilets go, I would use them both in the same way :p. Not somewhere I choose to spend much time :D.

 

People spend their money in which ever way they choose. Nothing to do with me as I didn't earn it! If they want to spend extra on the luxuries, then that's up to them ;). Some like the use of the butlers, again, we don't like to trouble the stewards as it is, so asking someone to do something we could quite easily do ourselves would totally be out of character (we'd probably be quite embarrassed asking :o). Now would I like the extra space: yes - that's why, where possible, I book 2 cabins for our family of 4. Each to their own.

 

When it comes down to it, it's all capitalism. All companies want to make as much money as is possible for their shareholders - year on year. People like to feel 'special' and if companies can use this to their advantage, then the shareholders will be even happier.

 

As far as flights go, I would spend extra for larger lie flat seats and quicker checkin on long haul flights - what's in the bathroom or on the dining plate personally doesn't interest me. On the other hand, others are appalled if they are not served on china plates with the appropriate wine accompaniment to their meal. Horses for courses - I believe life's too short to worry about the wine temperature or what shape the toilet pan is (if I was that desperate, I'd use a hole in the ground - oh, I have) :p.

[Going Coastal]

There was a great deal of angst when Michael's Club was originally taken out of service a few hours a day for Elite events. Then the numbers got so large that these events were moved up to the Sky lounges, which are really much more pleasant.

Now Michael's Club has a new role and the suite and Zenith passengers fit there very well since their numbers are still much smaller and there is also room for their concierge in that space, making it again a cozy all day and evening club.

[Tudy]

Here's my problem, actually, I have 2 problems:

1. To be totally honest, I like extra amenities if I am the one getting them. I do not like too many extra amenities if YOU are the person getting them. Just being totally honest.:roll eyes:

 

2. We sometimes sail with friends who stay in suites. This is becoming more and more of an issue. They can go places we can't so it makes hanging out difficult. What happens after they get their new dining room. Do both couples have to get suites or non-suites in order to eat together?? I wouldn't want them to give up their benefit (well, I wouldn't want to give up a benefit I paid for if the situation was reversed) just so we could eat together. I think this will really effect the dynamics of suite/non-suite friends.

[cle-guy]

Here's my problem, actually, I have 2 problems:

1. To be totally honest, I like extra amenities if I am the one getting them. I do not like too many extra amenities if YOU are the person getting them. Just being totally honest.:roll eyes:

 

2. We sometimes sail with friends who stay in suites. This is becoming more and more of an issue. They can go places we can't so it makes hanging out difficult. What happens after they get their new dining room. Do both couples have to get suites or non-suites in order to eat together?? I wouldn't want them to give up their benefit (well, I wouldn't want to give up a benefit I paid for if the situation was reversed) just so we could eat together. I think this will really effect the dynamics of suite/non-suite friends.

 

1. Appreciate the absolute honesty ! LOL :D
   
2. Suite guests may invite friends to dine with them for a fee similar to Specialty dining. Fee is:
   
   • $20 breakfast
     
   • $35 lunch
     
   • $50 for dinner
     

Similar problem already exists with Aqua and BLU, and people have figured out that it's OK to have BLU friends "downgrade" and eat in MDR, not much talk about how that changed the "Dynamics". So if your friends are really friends, they won't care if they have to ditch SDR to eat with you.

 

I sailed Aqua class this summer and never ate in BLU one time, as all my other friends were not eligible, so I "slummed it" in the MDR, and survived. I assume I'll be doing similar once SDR opens, a night or 2 there, a night maybe in BLU, a few nights MDR, a specialty or 2, and buffet a night or 2.

 

Also if friends are in a suite, they can arrange dinner in the suite, so you can all dine together.

Edited February 22, 2015 by cle-guy

[Tudy]

1. 
    
   Similar problem already exists with Aqua and BLU, and people have figured out that it's OK to have BLU friends "downgrade" and eat in MDR, not much talk about how that changed the "Dynamics". So if your friends are really friends, they won't care if they have to ditch SDR to eat with you.
    
   

 

It's probably just my issue.:)

[Mikeandme]

Here's my problem, actually, I have 2 problems:

1. To be totally honest, I like extra amenities if I am the one getting them. I do not like too many extra amenities if YOU are the person getting them. Just being totally honest.:roll eyes:

 

2. We sometimes sail with friends who stay in suites. This is becoming more and more of an issue. They can go places we can't so it makes hanging out difficult. What happens after they get their new dining room. Do both couples have to get suites or non-suites in order to eat together?? I wouldn't want them to give up their benefit (well, I wouldn't want to give up a benefit I paid for if the situation was reversed) just so we could eat together. I think this will really effect the dynamics of suite/non-suite friends.

DH and I will be doing b2b Bermuda cruises in a few months, and we are booked in a CS. The first segment is a cruise with friends (9 of us total), and the second segment will be just us. We will be eating in the MDR with our friends, with whom we are linked, on the first segment. Wouldn't miss it for the world!

[Kevnzworld]

1. Appreciate the absolute honesty ! LOL :D
   
2. Suite guests may invite friends to dine with them for a fee similar to Specialty dining. Fee is:
   
   • $20 breakfast
     
   • $35 lunch
     
   • $50 for dinner
     

Similar problem already exists with Aqua and BLU, and people have figured out that it's OK to have BLU friends "downgrade" and eat in MDR, not much talk about how that changed the "Dynamics". So if your friends are really friends, they won't care if they have to ditch SDR to eat with you.

 

I sailed Aqua class this summer and never ate in BLU one time, as all my other friends were not eligible, so I "slummed it" in the MDR, and survived. I assume I'll be doing similar once SDR opens, a night or 2 there, a night maybe in BLU, a few nights MDR, a specialty or 2, and buffet a night or 2.

 

Also if friends are in a suite, they can arrange dinner in the suite, so you can all dine together.

 

I predict that the ability to invite non suite guests to the SDR will be temporary .

If it truly is better, the demand will be great. I would be very disappointed if after paying for a suite, I had to wait :30 to get seated in the evening because 20-40% of the restaurant was occupied by " invited " non suite guests.

Perhaps they will institute a reservation system giving suite guests priority, and non suite guests allowed without reservation on a space available basis only.

[jagoffee]

I predict that the ability to invite non suite guests to the SDR will be temporary .

If it truly is better, the demand will be great. I would be very disappointed if after paying for a suite, I had to wait :30 to get seated in the evening because 20-40% of the restaurant was occupied by " invited " non suite guests.

Perhaps they will institute a reservation system giving suite guests priority, and non suite guests allowed without reservation on a space available basis only.

 

I suspect invited guests will be based on availability from the beginning. I cannot imagine how it would work without some type of monitoring.

 

IMO it would be a very poor business decision for Celebrity to keep all the benefits the same in all categories as some are suggesting. This would leave the higher end business (suites) with the extra benefits to their competitors. By remaining competitive Celebrity is able to offer a good value for everyone depending on how much they are willing to spend vs. what they value.

[Redtravel]

Good friends want to be together especially at meals on a cruise. We sometimes go separate ways during the day...or take an excursion together. When we travel with friends and family, we book the same type of cabin. Usually somebody finds a cruise and then invites others to join them. That person arranges for a table for the group in the MDR. MDR food is good. We stick to non suite cabins and seldom eat in specialty restaurants. It works for us. If we travel as a couple, we may try a specialty restaurant or buy a more expensive cabin. Friends are more important than food. It's who you go with and not where you go. I have great friends.

[hypercafe]

I think this will cause a degrade of service for people who eat in the MDR. These ships can only carry so many crew members due to space. Part of the higher end dinning experience is better, more personal service. To get this waite staff has to come from someplace and that place is what's left of the MDR.

 

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