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New Suite Benefits - Sky Suites get Michael's Club Access


need2bespoiled
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Please see this flyer:

This should change the discussion off of dress codes for a bit.

 

http://www.creative.rccl.com/Sales/Celebrity/General_Info/Flyers/15047556_CEL_Suite_Class_Promo_Flyer.pdf

 

The above link was posted by a friend who is a TA based in the UK.

 

In addition to Sky Suites getting Michael's Club access, "Signature Suites" which presumably include upper level suites include:

 

- Two bottles of wine or spirits (your choice)

- A bottle of Perrier Jouet champagne

 

The other listed items do not seem to be new, except it looks like Bulgari is back.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

Edited by need2bespoiled
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This should change the discussion off of dress codes for a bit.

 

LOL

 

This is wonderful news for me. I was a bit perturbed after booking my first Sky Suite to find out that not all suites were created equal. For the premium paid, it makes sense to grant access to what appears to be an underutilized space. I look forward to checking it out...in jeans and a polo (gasp)!

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It'll be interesting to see how they know who are in suites now. Previously they had a sheet with the photos of those in top suites to see if they were allowed in. Maybe they'll just check key cards now? With all the sky suites, it'll be too hard to keep track using the current form of verification.

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It'll be interesting to see how they know who are in suites now. Previously they had a sheet with the photos of those in top suites to see if they were allowed in. Maybe they'll just check key cards now? With all the sky suites, it'll be too hard to keep track using the current form of verification.

 

 

It should be very easy. All Suite passengers have Silver Seapass cards. And the concierge will have computer access with all names and cabin numbers.

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I think it kind of takes away from booking a Celebrity Suite or higher for me. The room isn't much larger than a sky suite, but I liked that it included Michaels. I'd take saving a few thousand dollars over the added space if I get Michaels access now.

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"Signature Suites" which presumably include upper level suites include:

 

Signature suites are the 5 suites on the top deck only on reflection, near the Reflection Suite - only on Reflection.

 

They have been classified historically between a CS and RS in pricing.

 

So now they will get same perks as RS, PH and RF suites.

 

CS won't get these perks.

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Signature suites are the 5 suites on the top deck only on reflection, near the Reflection Suite - only on Reflection.

 

They have been classified historically between a CS and RS in pricing.

 

So now they will get same perks as RS, PH and RF suites.

 

CS won't get these perks.

 

I understand that is what is called a Signature Suite and think it is a good move to put it on the same level as a Royal Suite. I am not sure if that is how this is being referred to in the flyer, but of course I could be wrong. The reason is that it also lists:

- Two bottles of wine or spirits (your choice)

- A bottle of Perrier Jouet champagne

 

The wine vs spirits has always been possible, but never listed. Currently, even in the penthouse, it doesn't list the real champagne but the Celebrity sparkling wine, so both could be considered enhancements for RS and PH (and Reflection Suite I guess too).

 

Why not put new "Seats in the bathroom" in all suites and list that too? :D

 

Either way, it all still applies.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

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I understand that is what is called a Signature Suite and think it is a good move to put it on the same level as a Royal Suite. I am not sure if that is how this is being referred to in the flyer, but of course I could be wrong. The reason is that it also lists:

- Two bottles of wine or spirits (your choice)

- A bottle of Perrier Jouet champagne

 

The wine vs spirits has always been possible, but never listed. Currently, even in the penthouse, it doesn't list the real champagne but the Celebrity sparkling wine, so both could be considered enhancements for RS and PH (and Reflection Suite I guess too).

 

Why not put new "Seats in the bathroom" in all suites and list that too? :D

 

Either way, it all still applies.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

 

My summit sailing, the champagne in PH last month was the Perrier Jouet. It was a pleasant surprise. So i'm guessing they must be enhancing the Signature suites & above with it.

 

I consider Celebrity suites part of the :"upper level" suites, thus I read your message differently.

 

And I can report that sailings I have been watching sky suites on I have seen $150, $100 and $50 price increases per person for 9 nights, 7 nights and 5 night sailings, all today, this afternoon. I knew this change was coming, but had understood the announcement wasn't to be done till the 17th.

Edited by cle-guy
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My summit sailing, the champagne in PH last month was the Perrier Jouet. It was a pleasant surprise. So i'm guessing they must be enhancing the Signature suites & above with it.

 

I consider Celebrity suites part of the :"upper level" suites, thus I read your message differently.

 

And I can report that sailings I have been watching sky suites on I have seen $150, $100 and $50 price increases per person for 9 nights, 7 nights and 5 night sailings, all today, this afternoon. I knew this change was coming, but had understood the announcement wasn't to be done till the 17th.

 

Nice to hear the enhancements are currently happening onboard. I HOPE the toiletries have improved. On the post refirb pictures on Infinity I noticed the bigger tubes of the standard amenities.

 

On the sailing I am watching, Sky Suites went down. On the price tracking site, look at sailings 51199 and 51822.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

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The nice thing about Michael's club was the Exclusivity....Those Concierges are going to go from handling 44+ people to 140+ people and they were busy already with all the PH, CS, RS requests? Even some mornings in Michael's on last months cruise, Michael's was full. We had special requests every day and all the Concierges have risen to the challenges.....I am not loving sharing them with another 100 people....

 

While I understand that this is a Great benefit for bookings in the Sky Suites, I think it absolutely will dilute the high quality experience those of us who pay double or triple and have been getting amazing service at Michaels club.....Kind of like they have given us something and now taken it away, this is disappointing.

 

When the Reflection was built with so many suites (Aquaclass etc) extra and Celebrity said Blue would be bigger.....And it wasn't....And the MOST complaints of any restaurant onboard celebrities fleet is Blue on the Reflection.....Waiting time, crowding etc. While I am sure people have had lovely meals here....many have not. Last cruise on RF they gave us unlimited Specialty dining because they knew they had REAL problems meeting the peoples expectations......I am feeling another Blue experience with this change in Michael's club......Everyone on this board said, No No NO it will be fine.....This did not turn out to be the case AT All as is evidenced by Celebrity's poor feedback for the venue cruise after cruise.

 

I believe this change is lining up for their new Edge Ships which are soon to be built. I would think that Celebrity is going to establish a Suite Area completely private to only suite guests with Bar and Restaurant etc......MSC does this with their Yacht Club as does NCL and the MSC product is EXCELLENT and always sold out. Therefore I think this equalizing is just needed for what is to come and to homogenize the suite experience across the fleet. Someone getting into Michael's on Solstice class but not getting in on Edge class would not work. Thats my take on it.

 

I will reserve judgement until my next cruise and then report. But I am unsure how that ONE concierge is going to handle 150 people? They will surely need another desk.

 

Safe sails to all.

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Last 3 cruises we have spent considerable time in MC and enjoyed. And yes I agree the concierge could not always keep up with requests or problems with just the PH,RS and CS and apparently recently can no longer keep up with the precruise communication so obviously X will have to add staff to keep the original MC suite users satisfied. I can imagine how it could turn into standing in line at guest relations type scenario - oh horror! Many occasions in Michael's Club every seat was filled during predinner hours especially when a special event was going on. We sail in 1 week and this is the first time I have not been contacted by concierge or even "shore side" concierge. Email is correct as I get all other communications and have verified that phone number is correct.

 

And how in the world will concierge handle personally escorting pax to exit ship when tendering or on disembarkation morning?? On last M class sailing the morning of departure it was standing room only and trust me many of those in MC were not in suites - it was a 14 day so there was plenty of time to get to know by name or sight nearly every suite guest entitled to use MC. I guess time will tell and I will try to reserve judgement until I am impacted on future cruise in January and April....

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Good for SS passengers, but Celebrity is diluting the perks for those in PH, RS, CS, Reflection Suites who pay thousands more than any Sky Suite. Lutoff-Perlo strikes again. This woman is ruining my once favorite cruise line.

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Having booked a CS to get Michaels I will now downgrade to SS - I was not happy not having a walk in shower so now I can remove that compromise

 

I am sure Michaels will be much more restricted - can't see the bean counters allowing access to premium drinks all night as happened before

Edited by uktog
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I, also, am very unhappy with this news. I am sure everyone who has booked a Sky Suite is pleased but I really do not see how Michael's Club is large enough to accommodate the additional people. IMHO, this move grossly reduces the value of the suites that previously had exclusive access to Michael's Club. I can only see the end of our cruising days getting closer.

 

Perhaps I will feel differently when I calm down but I doubt it.

Edited by Project_gal
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I think this is how it should have been when the suite program was rolled out. It does make me wonder why, having switched all my AQ rooms into S1s last February, I then moved two of the cruises up to CS to get Michael's Club.

 

At the moment, other than on the Reflection, there are 22 cabins that can you Michael's. When did you ever see 44 people in there. People eat at different times and are likely to use Michael's for a pre dinner drink or for a/several nightcap(s). That spreads the visitors out from 5pm to 8pm with most staying for around an hour. There are so many other things to do on the ship that many do not return.

 

I think we need to wait and see how this works but for me, a few more in Michael's will not significantly change the atmosphere. Remember it was barely used when it was open to all (other than for the short time they used it on the Eclipse for Perry Grant).

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....we have had Michael's Club access on three cruises now and on all three between 5pm and 8.30pm it has been really busy and even after 8.30pm it has had remained used and enjoyed. We have loved it!

 

I think it is great for Sky Suite guests but I do wonder about the venue and staffing. If you have to queue to see the conceirge re an issue or booking an excursion it is no longer a perk, you may as well queue in guest relations! If I come in for a post dinner coffee and brandy and struggle to get a seat and have to wait to be served it is no longer a valued perk.

 

Whilst many Sky suites may not use Michael's much if they have no drinks package they may use it extensively.

 

I honestly think this has not been fully thought out. I am glad now it is a few months to my next cruise, hopefully if there are staffing and venue issues they will be resolved by then. Michael's access has been a strong factor in us booking upper suites, we have really enjoyed it. I do hope it isn't diluted into an entity no one will really enjoy.

 

One of our last RC cruises was in a suite on Allure. Beautiful as the conceirge lounge was and busy as the staff were to serve you it had lost the 'club' feeling owing to the number of suites with access. Staff didn't get to know you and your preferences the same, you were queuing to see the conceirge....

 

So, hopefully it will all work out well. I am sincerely happy for Sky Suites who now have their cruises enhanced, as I have said we have loved this perk. I just hope Celebrity have really thought this through, will staff it adequately and respond quickly and effectively if it does become unacceptably crowded.

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At the moment, other than on the Reflection, there are 22 cabins that can you Michael's. When did you ever see 44 people in there. People eat at different times and are likely to use Michael's for a pre dinner drink or for a/several nightcap(s). That spreads the visitors out from 5pm to 8pm with most staying for around an hour. There are so many other things to do on the ship that many do not return.

 

On both our cruise since Michael's Club became a lounge for higher-end suites, it has been crowded every evening. It is not used simply for a quick drink before dinner. Guests with late dining would often spend a few hours there before dressing for dinner and, only then, return for their quick drink before dinner. Those who chose to eat early would have the quick drink before dinner and then return after.

 

We just do not understand how Michael's Club can accommodate the extra guests. The rooms are just not large enough if everyone chooses to use them as guests have on our two cruises. Remember, it is not only suite guests who can use Michael's Club but also the increasing number of Zenith members and VIPs.

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