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

[cle-guy]

Many of those who normally purchase drink packages will not see a need to do so since they can get what they want and take it where they wish. .

 

I would think the majority of suite cruisers aren't all about the freebies and having to go all the way to Michaels to get a free beer or cocktail every time they want a drink. Sure some may, but the majority would enjoy the convenience of getting their drinks wherever they may be, and even pay for them as they go when they may not have a drink s package rather than run down to Michael's.

 

I think the majority pop in to socialize, and if they want to leave with drink in hand they don, but not a lot are really going in there to raid the free drinks in the refrigerators.

[Adammara]

If anything like our experience on the Independence of the Seas a few years ago, it will be chaos!

 

On our first cruise the Concierge lounge was only for the top suites, there was a concierge and a bar man, daytime it was quiet, and in the evenings a comfy chairs for everyone, bliss!

 

We enjoyed it so much we went again 14 months later, what a difference! The rules had changed, and the top tier of the loyalty club were allowed in as well. Still 2 staff, not to bad in the daytime, but in the happy hours in the evenings it was heaving, more chairs had been introduced, and it was overcrowded to a degree of being unsafe IMO, not such a pleasant experience on that trip. I can see the same happening at times in Michaels in the future.

[rogfam]

For us, this is horrible news. We're booked in a Sky Suite on the 12th of December!

 

Don't get off the ship!

[need2bespoiled]

I notice tat the small print says cruise must be booked on or after November 16. How will they control people who booked on November 15?

Different color key cards? Can't believe they'd go to such trouble. Good luck, Jules

 

I believe the promotion, with the perks (drinks, internet, OBC, etc) s is for the dates as listed, but the new perks (Michael's Club Access) is beginning in late December.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

[cybx]

I notice tat the small print says cruise must be booked on or after November 16. How will they control people who booked on November 15?

Different color key cards? Can't believe they'd go to such trouble. Good luck, Jules

That is in regards to the free Go Best package if you book between Nov 16 and sometime in Jan.

[maggie.1008]

Jenna, I sent you a email. Heather

[need2bespoiled]

Jenna, I sent you a email. Heather

 

Received and replied :)

 

Sorry we'll miss you in December, but it sounds like you have a nice line-up scheduled!

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

[Gordoncruickshank]

I notice tat the small print says cruise must be booked on or after November 16. How will they control people who booked on November 15?

Different color key cards? Can't believe they'd go to such trouble. Good luck, Jules

The asterisk (or *) on the flyer at the start of the footer relates to the offer of all 4 perks, which is asterisked. The detail at the bottom of the flyer only relates to that offer, not to the changes announced in the leaflet.

[CHEZMARYLOU]

While we enjoyed MC on Summit in September, we did miss going to Cellar Masters & the Martini Bar. Once my DH decides he likes a space it is hard to get him to give it up but he does agree we need to mix it up in the future so crowding will not be an issue for us if it does happen.

 

The 2nd best perk was having access to the Concierge for a few problems we had that she was able to resolve for us in no time. A lot of the reservations we wanted were handled by our Butler.

 

The best perk, and the one we would be disappointed if it did not go as smoothly, was the Concierge walking us to the head of the disembarkation line. Between that, the dedicated luggage area and lines in the terminal and customs, we were out the door in well under 10 minutes with no line anywhere.

[jcpc]

For most of our previous sailings, Michael's Club was about 1/2 full before dinner (7:30 pm to 8:30 pm). What we really loved about it was this: We like to have a martini (or sometimes two!) before dinner but the Martini Bar on Summit is JAM PACKED from 6:30 pm until closing. It's hard to get a seat at the bar and if you sit at one of the little tables you literally can sit there 20 minutes before the sole waiter they have working there gets to take your order. Then it's 10 minutes before he brings your drink back!

 

Michael's Club was perfect for having our pre-dinner drinks. I fear this won't be the case anymore.

[need2bespoiled]

For most of our previous sailings, Michael's Club was about 1/2 full before dinner (7:30 pm to 8:30 pm). What we really loved about it was this: We like to have a martini (or sometimes two!) before dinner but the Martini Bar on Summit is JAM PACKED from 6:30 pm until closing. It's hard to get a seat at the bar and if you sit at one of the little tables you literally can sit there 20 minutes before the sole waiter they have working there gets to take your order. Then it's 10 minutes before he brings your drink back!

 

Michael's Club was perfect for having our pre-dinner drinks. I fear this won't be the case anymore.

 

This is well put, but there are enough choices, we'd find a decent martini somewhere, even if it has to come from our bar set-up :)

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

[hcat]

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.

 

CELEBRITY DOES THAT FAIRLY REGULARLY. michaels was originally a cigar bar, they took it away and gave it to Cap Club, then gave it only to Elites at one point, then took it away.....then it was a beer place..took that out......and .so goes the Celebrity Identity Crisis!

Edited November 13, 2015 by hcat

[BosoxI]

The asterisk (or *) on the flyer at the start of the footer relates to the offer of all 4 perks, which is asterisked. The detail at the bottom of the flyer only relates to that offer, not to the changes announced in the leaflet.

 

 

Thanks. I see the light

[cle-guy]

CELEBRITY DOES THAT FAIRLY REGULARLY. michaels was originally a cigar bar, they took it away and gave it to Cap Club, then gave it only to Elites at one point, then took it away.....then it was a beer place..took that out......and .so goes the Celebrity Identity Crisis!

 

And Qsine/Tuscan on M class used to be a bar and flower shop, Aqua Class cabins used to be standard verandas, deck 11 used to be nothing now it's more cabins. Internet used to not be available to anyone, Captain's club used to have far fewer members, Captains club used to offer the same points for an inside cabin for 3 nights as a concierge cabin for 10 nights. sites used to have no dedicated concierge or pre-cruise contact.

 

Indeed Celebrity as with all businesses, changes with the times and adds and removes offerings and perks.

 

Innovation keeps business alive. Some changes last others change, sometimes annually, sometimes every 5 years sometimes after only a month.

[need2bespoiled]

And Qsine/Tuscan on M class used to be a bar and flower shop, Aqua Class cabins used to be standard verandas, deck 11 used to be nothing now it's more cabins. Internet used to not be available to anyone, Captain's club used to have far fewer members, Captains club used to offer the same points for an inside cabin for 3 nights as a concierge cabin for 10 nights. sites used to have no dedicated concierge or pre-cruise contact.

 

Indeed Celebrity as with all businesses, changes with the times and adds and removes offerings and perks.

 

Innovation keeps business alive. Some changes last others change, sometimes annually, sometimes every 5 years sometimes after only a month.

 

Say. It. Ain't. So! :eek:

 

:rolleyes:

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

[Caribbean Chris]

For us, this is horrible news. We're booked in a Sky Suite on the 12th of December!

 

We are too, on Reflection. I would not be surprised if some X ships do a "soft opening" of this new scheme earlier in December.

 

Doesn't seem prudent to wait to roll it out until the Christmas cruises or especially New Years' cruises when there will be a much bigger crush including children.

[cle-guy]

This article on Crusie Critic indicates SkySuites gain access beginning with the December 16th sailing of Solstice.

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=6655&UTM_Source=Social&UTM_Medium=Facebook&UTM_Campaign=News&UTM_Content=Celebrity&UTM_Term=Celebrity

 

I'd read this to mean that for the rest of the ships, it will begin on the 1st crusie that embarks beginning December 16 or forward.

 

Bulgari will be back starting in January.

[cruiserhal]

Well, up until now we have been loyal Aqua passengers because of Blu but today my feeling is to book a Sky Suite for the extra benefits (especially Michael's Club) knowing we can also eat dinner in Blu when we want. Best of both worlds!

[need2bespoiled]

This article on Crusie Critic indicates SkySuites gain access beginning with the December 16th sailing of Solstice.

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=6655&UTM_Source=Social&UTM_Medium=Facebook&UTM_Campaign=News&UTM_Content=Celebrity&UTM_Term=Celebrity

 

I'd read this to mean that for the rest of the ships, it will begin on the 1st crusie that embarks beginning December 16 or forward.

 

Bulgari will be back starting in January.

 

I guess all the people who didn't believe may believe it now? :rolleyes:

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

[jules815]

The added benefits, the free premium drinks in the club, the special small bites thru the day, , the special events the Concierge hosts throughout the voyage, the priority disembarkation and escort to customs. Lots of little perks and benefits.

 

There is actual programming and activities planned in the space on a regular basis now.

 

We have sailed in suites with RC. Can I expect it to be like their concierge lounge? Similar hours? Is it limited to drinks in the evening, or do they have a light continental breakfast as well?

 

Anyway, so happy to be able to experience Michael's Club on X. My husband won't be sailing with us in March, but we're considering sailing with Celebrity for our 2017 cruise, and he really enjoys full suites. Now I'll be able to check it out in advance and report back to him. :)

[need2bespoiled]

We have sailed in suites with RC. Can I expect it to be like their concierge lounge? Similar hours? Is it limited to drinks in the evening, or do they have a light continental breakfast as well?

 

Anyway, so happy to be able to experience Michael's Club on X. My husband won't be sailing with us in March, but we're considering sailing with Celebrity for our 2017 cruise, and he really enjoys full suites. Now I'll be able to check it out in advance and report back to him. :)

 

Similar, but a bit more upscale in hour opinion, but that was on Enchantment for a short cruise. There are not hot horse d'houvres out, they only serve small bite plates and drinks have been available 24/7. Water and soda was self serve when no one was there, coffee out of a nice "machine" and drinks by a bartender who was pretty much there from morning until late night. Of course, with the expansion, I could see drink hours becoming more limited, time will tell, but if most people have packages, it shouldn't matter.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

[Covepointcruiser]

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.

 

We booked a Celebrity Suite specifically for the Michaels Club benefit.

We were in one last November and even with CS and higher, the club was crowded at night. Zenith passengers and other folks from the Casino were

also in Michaels Club.

 

It sounds like a disaster and will be much like the bars during Elite events. Michaels Club is just too small for this.

 

We will probably stick to Cunard in the future, their dress standards and suite benefits have not changed.

[bEwAbG]

The obvious solution is to kick out the Zeniths. :D

[Cruise a holic]

We rotate between sky and celebrity suites. We do enjoy Michael's club. however it isn't ever crowded because people have drink packages and go to captains club functions. In addition passengers in suites have friends and family in regular cabins.

 

Last year, my DH and I were the only people for high tea on the Summit in Michaels club! Many staff members were present. Another day, they had the piano player/singer present performing a show, for my DH and I. Clearly the club is rarely full. At least now, maybe Michael's club will have a group of people at events.

Edited November 13, 2015 by Cruise a holic

[scifimonkey]

Based on the Micheals club occupancy on our last cruise and the number of Sky suites that there are on an S class ship, Micheals is going to be packed and possibly rather unpleasant in the pre dinner period. Turn up before 6.30 if you want a seat. It will be like a friday night pub. When and if they have entertainment in Micheals as they did on at least 2 occasions it was already standing room only without the Sky suites so either that perk will have to be shelved or not everyone who is allowed to will be able to get in which is going to cause entitlement ructions! The service will also drop off big time unless they increase the bar staff and concierges x 2 if not 3. Certainly the personal 'by name' attention will be over. The space is simply not big enough and the current staffing levels too low for the number of people that it will now have to serve.

I suspect that by mid year the perk will not seem anywhere near as beneficial as it did. We will see how it goes on our July 16 cruise but it will certainly make us reconsider whether it is worth booking a CS and possibly even X as a line if we end up having to drink elsewhere every night anyway because it is standing room only in Micheals.

The difference in cabin space alone does not anywhere near justify the additional cost of a CS over a Sky Suite.:(