Sky Suite vs. Celebrity Suite on the Summit

[SleepingUgly]

I'm thinking of booking a cruise on the Summit for next January for dh's 50th birthday.  I'm looking at either the Sky Suite or the Celebrity Suite for the two of us (kids are staying home for this one, ha).  I know the ship will be in dry dock in a few months' time, so things may change, but I'd love to hear of how these two suites may differ, besides the obvious size and layout.  There's probably a $1000 per person different in price for the two suites for a seven-night cruise, and while I know that "worth" is subjective, can you please let me know what may have motivated you to have booked the more (or less) expensive option?

 

Right now, for our sailing date, there are only a few S1 suites available and they are all on Deck 6, which I am not too crazy about.  This includes one with a much deeper, albeit angled, balcony (6132, I think).  Meanwhile, there are still plenty of CS suites available so we could book one on Deck 8, which would be my preference.  I do love their mid-ship locations and how the balcony is so wide and the windows are curved, but wish the bedroom had a window as well.

 

Anyway, any thoughts / input would be much appreciated.  Thanks!

  

[Jim_Iain]

Probably the major difference is that a Sky Suite is what I would call a Jr. Suite as it is just one room while a CS is a suite with a separate bedroom with a door.   I personally love the bedroom as it is pitch black and really nice for sleeping late and or taking a nap.  

 

While the CS does have a balcony it is rather small compared to many of the SS on the hump.   

 

CS and above are escorted from Check In to Michael's Club on embarkation and you will receive a call from on onshore concierge prior to cruise.   

 

Personally we like deck 6 better.   The main reason is that is where most off the higher level suites are located and you generally get better butler service on this deck.  just an observation which others may find different. 

[jelayne]

The CS has a large living area and seperate bedroom with a great closet& vanity area.  We love that Suite.  Most Suites are on Deck 6 and we found it quiet and very convenient ; just a short 2 decks to Michaels Club, Luminae,  Martini Bar, etc.  

[WonderMan3]

Many of the Sky Suites on Deck 6 look down on lifeboats just as an FYI. Checking out www.cruisedeckplans.com can help you by seeing photos of different cabins. If you don't see a particular cabin for Summit you can probably check one of the other M class ships for the same cabin number to get an idea what the cabin would be like.

[SleepingUgly]

39 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

Probably the major difference is that a Sky Suite is what I would call a Jr. Suite as it is just one room while a CS is a suite with a separate bedroom with a door.   I personally love the bedroom as it is pitch black and really nice for sleeping late and or taking a nap.  

 

While the CS does have a balcony it is rather small compared to many of the SS on the hump.   

 

CS and above are escorted from Check In to Michael's Club on embarkation and you will receive a call from on onshore concierge prior to cruise.   

 

Personally we like deck 6 better.   The main reason is that is where most off the higher level suites are located and you generally get better butler service on this deck.  just an observation which others may find different. 

 

Thanks, and this is super helpful!  I noticed from pics online that the CS balcony was quite narrow.  However, I wasn't too keen on the view from a SS on Deck 6, looking down (based on online pics), but that may be different from the CS balcony since it juts out a bit more?  That is interesting that most of the suites are on a lower level deck on the Summit.  That may be something to take into consideration!

 

Thanks again!

[SleepingUgly]

38 minutes ago, jelayne said:

The CS has a large living area and seperate bedroom with a great closet& vanity area.  We love that Suite.  Most Suites are on Deck 6 and we found it quiet and very convenient ; just a short 2 decks to Michaels Club, Luminae,  Martini Bar, etc.  

 

Thanks, and great points re: proximity to Michael's Club and Luminae.  I do like the separate bedroom option, and since it is for a special occasion, I thought it would be nice to splurge a bit.  Of course, that may mean I'll book it and then start to think about the Royal Suite instead ...

 

Thanks again!

 

[Host Jazzbeau]

1 minute ago, SleepingUgly said:

 

Thanks, and this is super helpful!  I noticed from pics online that the CS balcony was quite narrow.  However, I wasn't too keen on the view from a SS on Deck 6, looking down (based on online pics), but that may be different from the CS balcony since it juts out a bit more?  That is interesting that most of the suites are on a lower level deck on the Summit.  That may be something to take into consideration!

 

Thanks again!

 

That's one of the things I like best about M-class.  Newer ships tend to put all the suites on the top deck, right underneath the pool and deck area – too noisy for me!

[SleepingUgly]

23 minutes ago, WonderMan3 said:

Many of the Sky Suites on Deck 6 look down on lifeboats just as an FYI. Checking out www.cruisedeckplans.com can help you by seeing photos of different cabins. If you don't see a particular cabin for Summit you can probably check one of the other M class ships for the same cabin number to get an idea what the cabin would be like.

 

Yes!  I noticed that from online pics, which is why I'm hesitant re: Deck 6 suites.  Perhaps Deck 7 would be a good compromise?  Thanks very much for confirming what I had thought would be the view from Deck 6 while looking down.

[BeeMinor]

My husband and I have sailed in a Deck 8 CS and a Deck 6 SS on the Summit. As room service breakfast enthusiasts we found the CS's real dining table a true luxury, and Deck 8 is very convenient if you want to grab lunch from the buffet or pool grill and then eat in peace on your balcony. The living area is great--floor-to-ceiling windows and the couch is full-length which was nice for napping. Huge closet. The bedroom is definitely dark but nothing a couple of battery-powered tea lights from Target couldn't fix. (Stick 'em in the closet and leave the closet door open.) I liked the extra privacy of having the other room if the butler or stateroom attendant stopped by when one of us was changing/getting ready for dinner. We also got an invitation for a bridge tour in the CS, which we have not previously received on three cruises in SS on various ships, but that could just be coincidence. My husband is really into skipping lines so he loved blowing past the embarkation lines and speciality dinner hawking with the MC concierge upon boarding.

 

The main advantage the SS offers over the CS, other than price, is that the SS bed faces the window. The CS balconies are also much more on display because of the location. We have limited needs from the butler and thought ours on Deck 8 was fine although less visible than others we've had when we're in suite alley.

 

We were able to upgrade from an SS for a couple hundred dollars per person after final payment so if you are on the fence you could always try waiting it out. Given reasonably comparable prices I'd always pick the CS, regardless of deck, on an M class ship, but I'd be perfectly happy in an SS.

Edited February 11, 2019 by BeeMinor
Prepositions are good.

[SleepingUgly]

39 minutes ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

 

That's one of the things I like best about M-class.  Newer ships tend to put all the suites on the top deck, right underneath the pool and deck area – too noisy for me!

 

Yet another great point!  I always wondered about the Sky and Aqua suites on the S-class ships and how noisy it may get for some of those cabins.  This is very helpful to know; thanks very much!

 

[wrk2cruise]

Just left Summit yesterday in CS 6104.  I would choose deck 6 over the higher decks.   People were complaining about not seeing the butlers in SS on deck 9.  You look straight down to the water from the balcony.  Loved the CS on "M" class almost as much as RS on "S" class.  Renderings of the post revolution CS are stunning.

Edited February 11, 2019 by wrk2cruise

[SleepingUgly]

27 minutes ago, BeeMinor said:

My husband and I have sailed in a Deck 8 CS and a Deck 6 SS on the Summit. As room service breakfast enthusiasts we found the CS's real dining table a true luxury, and Deck 8 is very convenient if you want to grab lunch from the buffet or pool grill and then eat in peace on your balcony. The living area is great--floor-to-ceiling windows and the couch is full-length which was nice for napping. Huge closet. The bedroom is definitely dark but nothing a couple of battery-powered tea lights from Target couldn't fix. (Stick 'em in the closet and leave the closet door open.) I liked the extra privacy of having the other room if the butler or stateroom attendant stopped by when one of us was changing/getting ready for dinner. We also got an invitation for a bridge tour in the CS, which we have not previously received on three cruises in SS on various ships, but that could just be coincidence. My husband is really into skipping lines so he loved blowing past the embarkation lines and speciality dinner hawking with the MC concierge upon boarding.

 

The main advantage the SS offers over the CS, other than price, is that the SS bed faces the window. The CS balconies are also much more on display because of the location. We have limited needs from the butler and thought ours on Deck 8 was fine although less visible than others we've had when we're in suite alley.

 

We were able to upgrade from an SS for a couple hundred dollars per person after final payment so if you are on the fence you could always try waiting it out. Given reasonably comparable prices I'd always pick the CS, regardless of deck, on an M class ship, but I'd be perfectly happy in an SS.

 

This is perfect, and exactly what I've been struggling with!  I am sure there are pro's to having the bed be in a darkened, separate room, but I also love lying in bed with an oceanview right next to me.  I guess I can just lie on the couch to enjoy that ocean view, haha.  I may try that route - book the SS and see if I can upgrade to a CS after final payment.  And if we can't, we still get a lovely suite to enjoy. Although that bridge tour would be nice, though ...

 

Thanks again!  This gives me a lot to think about, with some wonderful, helpful points to consider.

 

Linda

 

 

 

[JFontaine]

Is the Sky Suite next to either of the Penthouses available?  They have larger, upgraded bathrooms.  If one is available, you might want to grab it while you decide; they are a hot commodity but now and then one becomes available.  Also - the Summit is being revolutionized this spring, and will have the private sun deck available to you in any suite, including a Sky Suite. 

[George C]

We had sky suite 6102 last March , celebrity suites were sold out, very small for suite , tiny balcony, but you get most of the same perks micheals and luminae were great. 

[BeeMinor]

4 hours ago, SleepingUgly said:

 

 This is perfect, and exactly what I've been struggling with!  I am sure there are pro's to having the bed be in a darkened, separate room, but I also love lying in bed with an oceanview right next to me.  I guess I can just lie on the couch to enjoy that ocean view, haha.  I may try that route - book the SS and see if I can upgrade to a CS after final payment.  And if we can't, we still get a lovely suite to enjoy. Although that bridge tour would be nice, though ...

 

Thanks again!  This gives me a lot to think about, with some wonderful, helpful points to consider.

 

Linda

 

 

 

 

You're welcome, happy to help! I posted some pictures of 8106 in my trip recap. Based on the renderings I've seen the basic layout and feel of the space won't change much. I think the CS feels like a one-bedroom apartment (minus the kitchen) and the SS like a hotel room.

[SleepingUgly]

4 hours ago, wrk2cruise said:

Just left Summit yesterday in CS 6104.  I would choose deck 6 over the higher decks.   People were complaining about not seeing the butlers in SS on deck 9.  You look straight down to the water from the balcony.  Loved the CS on "M" class almost as much as RS on "S" class.  Renderings of the post revolution CS are stunning.

 

I am starting to re-think Deck 6 now ... thank you!

 

Linda

 

[SleepingUgly]

4 hours ago, JFontaine said:

Is the Sky Suite next to either of the Penthouses available?  They have larger, upgraded bathrooms.  If one is available, you might want to grab it while you decide; they are a hot commodity but now and then one becomes available.  Also - the Summit is being revolutionized this spring, and will have the private sun deck available to you in any suite, including a Sky Suite. 

 

No, I believe those ones are all taken.  I saw those on the deck plans and the balconies look huge as well.  The Suite Retreat is one of the main reasons I am looking to book a suite.  I probably would not have considered it if this wasn't being offered; we probably would have just opted for Aqua to take advantage of Blu, along with the MDR.

 

BTW, are suite guests also allowed access to Blu then? 

[SleepingUgly]

4 hours ago, George C said:

We had sky suite 6102 last March , celebrity suites were sold out, very small for suite , tiny balcony, but you get most of the same perks micheals and luminae were great. 

 

Yes, I do like that the SS enjoy most of the same benefits as the CS.  To me, the most attractive ones are Michael's Club, Luminae and the Suite Retreat and Lounge.  I do like the extra CC points with a CS though; that will help push us up to the next tier before our December 2020 cruise.  Not sure if that's worth it, though.

 

Linda

 

[SleepingUgly]

22 minutes ago, BeeMinor said:

 

You're welcome, happy to help! I posted some pictures of 8106 in my trip recap. Based on the renderings I've seen the basic layout and feel of the space won't change much. I think the CS feels like a one-bedroom apartment (minus the kitchen) and the SS like a hotel room.

 

I just read your Summit review - loved it!  That was awesome, how you got an upgrade from SS to CS for only $200 per person!  Thanks for the link and hope you have a great time on the Edge later this month!

 

Linda

[NCHPcruiser]

We loved the M-class Celebrity Suite!  The sofa is full length and I took several naps there.  I am sure they will be beautiful after dry dock!  We had one on the hump with a large balcony.  Also love the round dining table which S-class CS's don't have.   The separate bedroom is key for us as DH gets up very early to enjoy his coffee while I sleep an additional 1-2 hours!  

 

BTW, loved following along with your family on your recent cruise.  Excellent review/blog!

[Northern Aurora]

We have been in Sky Suites on the Summit -- including SS #6132!  We have also been in CSs both on M- and S-class ships.  Just some random comments.

 

The Summit SS#6132 cabin is definitely wider and slightly longer than the adjoining SSs.  Some posters have voiced concerns about that balcony being windy, but my birdwatcher husband spends considerable time on balconies, and he didn't have any issues.  It is also large enough for decent loungers and a table, so would be a consideration for those who like to sunbathe.

 

The M-class CS balconies were retrofitted on the ships.  They are quite narrow, which isn't an issue for me as I am so fair complected that I never try to sunbathe; if I try to get a suntan I am just asking for skin cancer.  Also the door from the suite to the balcony is quite heavy, which again wasn't an issue for us.  While we liked the floor to ceiling expanse of windows some folks have found the CSs to become quite hot on a sunny itinerary.  The M-class CSs are currently configured to be connecting with the adjoining CS, which again was never an issue for us, but with the upcoming dry-docks I wonder if those adjoining doors will remain.

 

 

 

 

[BeeMinor]

33 minutes ago, SleepingUgly said:

 

I just read your Summit review - loved it!  That was awesome, how you got an upgrade from SS to CS for only $200 per person!  Thanks for the link and hope you have a great time on the Edge later this month!

 

Linda

 

Thanks so much! It's nice to visit with your vacation after vacation, isn't it?

 

I checked in on the sailing literally every morning beginning about a week before final payment to see if we'd luck into a cheap upgrade from our already (in suite terms) cheap suite and it worked! All in all that CS cost less than a guarantee SS that we had on a Bermuda sailing in 2016, which made it that much suite-er. Sorry, couldn't help myself.

 

Twelve days until we fly to Fort Lauderdale, where I understand we will reconnect with my old friend "that big glowing yellow thing in the sky." Think it's too early to start packing? 

[EagleRocker]

As others have said, the CS dining table is great, whether if having others over or for your own in-room eating (no more crouching over the coffee table to eat).  The living room area is really nice, again whether for having others over or just hanging out on your own.  Love the large wall of windows but did not really like the balcony - skinny and exposed to the elements.  We found that we used it far less on our 14-day South America trip on the Infinity in 2017 than anticipated and much less than the balconies we have had with Sky Suites and verandah rooms.  The CS bedroom is great, as others note.  Quiet and dark (wonderful for light sleepers like me) and the two closets are really useful.  I found the bathroom quite disappointing.  Very small and the tub/shower could be lethal for someone with balance or mobility issues (quite a step-over getting in and out). Plus ours (Deck 9) had a constant unpleasant smell from the drain in the floor — sometimes food smells (who wants to smell onions in your bathroom suite) but most of the time a nasty and vile disinfectant type stench.  It helps to keep a towel wadded up over the drain, but kind of ridiculous to have to do that.  In contrast, S-Class Sky Suite bathrooms are dramatically better. While we felt a fair amount of guilt and experienced dagger eyes from other passengers, having the Michael's Club concierge escort us past long disembarkation lines to get off the ship in port and come find us and pluck us out of long embarkation lines (a real surprise) to get back on was a great perk and a huge time and annoyance saver.  Guilt notwithstanding, it was nice.  And it also was nice getting a pre-cruise call offering assistance and the invitation to tour the bridge.

All this said, you will be happy if you decide to stay in a Sky Suite. You get Michaels Club and Luminae access (as well as Blu) and your four perks regardless of what suite type you are in, which for us are the clinchers. 

[CHEZMARYLOU]

We liked everything about the CS on the Summit except the bathroom.  Because of the configuration of the tub-sink-toilet it was almost impossible to get into and out of the tub, especially since I'm short.  I have a bad knee and can't imagine trying it now so the CS is a no go.  On the Silhouette it was somewhat easier because there was more floor room by the tub.  The other problem was the heavy door, especially when it was windy.

 

If you decide on a CS take a night lite or battery tea lights.  The bedroom is totally dark and it was easy to get disorientated in the middle of the night.

[Tillylovesseabourn]

I am very interested in a cs on Silhouette, but worried the balcony isn't going to be as good as an S1 balcony aft. Options for cs are 1620/17/22/19, nothing else available. We spend alot of time outside,so concerned the balcony will be too small, anyone have any sage like words please?