First Time Cruising Celebrity...beginning to get concerned

[mayleeman]

When people feel that they are being treated as second-class by being excluded on a new ship from certain areas that traditionally were highlights for everybody, I think that speaks for itself. Just because Billy Zane's valet wasn't observed chasing Leo DiCaprio out of the suite doesn't mean the sense of having an experience diminished by not being of "suite class" doesn't exist. And the design was purposeful, so the sense isn't just someone's imagination.

[Luvcrusn]

I chose my cabin aboard based on what DH and I found important at the time of booking. Would I like to sail is the best suite on any ship? Yes. Would I like my own private yacht with a crew to cater to me? Yes. When I booked less than a suite  I am happy with my choice, whatever the reason. I choose to focus on and enjoy what we chose, not feel deprived of what I didn't. 

[mfs2k]

12 minutes ago, Luvcrusn said:

I chose my cabin aboard based on what DH and I found important at the time of booking. Would I like to sail is the best suite on any ship? Yes. Would I like my own private yacht with a crew to cater to me? Yes. When I booked less than a suite  I am happy with my choice, whatever the reason. I choose to focus on and enjoy what we chose, not feel deprived of what I didn't. 

 

Me too but if I can get an inexpensive move up to a suite within my budget, I’m jumping on it. 

[Luvcrusn]

Choice is wonderful. Being content with one's choice is even better.

[cgolf1]

21 hours ago, ronbe65 said:

Hi TeeRick,

I value your opinion.

As to "my class division", it's not mine, it's cruise lines' class division. 🙂

There is a line that separates suite perks from class division. I have made it very clear in the article (with examples from my own cruising experience).

Do we need to read every book to learn the alphabet? There is nothing that makes the Edge case unique. I know cruising alphabet, so I read cruise ships like books (reading between the lines included) 🙂

It's not an issue that someone who paid much more have exclusive access to a particular place on the ship ("Retreat" or anything else).

The issue is that passengers have no access to the front of the ship because they did not book a suite. The suite class is designed the way that limit  cruising experience for non-suite passengers. 

 

It is a buying choice for us consumers. This is true.

But as a reviewer I have to document it: suite perks have grown to the point of class division. As a reviewer, I assess the ship, not consumers.

My next cruise will be on a ship with class division. We have booked a suite in the "ship within a ship area". This is my buying choice. Nothing wrong. I don't feel guilty for cruising in the privileged class.

But if I have time to write a review, I will underline the fact that the ship has class division.

 

Per your request:

Hoya65 wrote about her/his cruise on the Edge in February 2019:

https://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=648717

"We are "Elite" CCL cruisers and have cruised on all the Solstice class ships as well as on the Summit; Another downer is that only suite guests have access to the bow of the ship. For the first time, we felt we were treated a second class citizens because of this, One of our great pleasures has been to stand above the bow as the ship entered port; now no longer an option on the Edge unless you book a suite. "

 

TeeRicks,

Thanks for your posts. I find them very thoughtful. I am always happy to provide more info should my fellow cruisers have any questions or concerns.

 

Happy cruising!

 

 

 

 

We recently sailed the Edge and while I thought missing the forward view would be a disappointment it wasn’t as big of deal as we expected. We did add to our survey, and secondary email we sent, that the retreat area could be made so that it doesn’t take up all the forward facing views. When we sailed concierge on Disney, their exclusive spaces were smaller and nobody complained about it. We have since decided that level of cruising is not for us and have settled on inside and oceanview rooms. 

 

The MDRs on the Edge had plenty of space between seats, in fact it was more than we encountered on Disney or RCCL. It was far enough apart that it was hard for me to hear some of the conversations we had with the tables next to me. 

[Sianli]

I am following this as we are also considering a Celebrity in April. As D+ on RCCL, we would be Elite, but our sister BIl (also D+) recently sailed Celebrity for the first time. They liked the cruise and cruiseline, but the first thing they said is that there was definitely a strong  feeling of class system, and they weren't sure if they would go back. We have been told to book Blu?

[MizDemeanor]

1 hour ago, Sianli said:

I am following this as we are also considering a Celebrity in April. As D+ on RCCL, we would be Elite, but our sister BIl (also D+) recently sailed Celebrity for the first time. They liked the cruise and cruiseline, but the first thing they said is that there was definitely a strong  feeling of class system, and they weren't sure if they would go back. We have been told to book Blu?

 

AQ is a nice option for booking. I dont believe there is really a 'feeling' while on board of any sort of system but that's me and I've been bottom to top, and top wasn't necessarily that good as we progressed though Suites fwiw. Other lines do Suite Classes better. 

 

So to illustrate, we cancelled our Edge suite, and are sailing on the oldest ship in the fleet in AQ. I'm pretty sure we will be very comfortable and have a good time. We've enjyed AQ several times and expect to do so again and Blu is a pretty good dining venue. 

[ldubs]

1 hour ago, Sianli said:

I am following this as we are also considering a Celebrity in April. As D+ on RCCL, we would be Elite, but our sister BIl (also D+) recently sailed Celebrity for the first time. They liked the cruise and cruiseline, but the first thing they said is that there was definitely a strong  feeling of class system, and they weren't sure if they would go back. We have been told to book Blu?

 

Huh, we have been on Celebrity quite a few time in the past few years.  I asked Mrs Ldubs about this.  Neither one of us has ever felt there was a class system at play.  I'm not sure what would make someone feel that way.   

 

Edit:  Ok, I went back and read some of the previous posts. I see where this is coming from, I think.   Anyway, never been on the Edge and don't plan on booking it. Just not our thing.  

Edited March 4, 2019 by ldubs

[mayleeman]

4 hours ago, ldubs said:

 

Huh, we have been on Celebrity quite a few time in the past few years.  I asked Mrs Ldubs about this.  Neither one of us has ever felt there was a class system at play.  I'm not sure what would make someone feel that way.   

 

Edit:  Ok, I went back and read some of the previous posts. I see where this is coming from, I think.   Anyway, never been on the Edge and don't plan on booking it. Just not our thing.  

After reading thousands of posts, I have to say that yours is the first I have seen where someone has expressed an opinion and then stated of his own volition that reading other posts caused a change in perspective. You win the open mind award!

[hurwitz5]

We have sailed on 20+ Celebrity cruises, mainly in inside cabins.  This year we sailed on the Reflection (14 nights) and Equinox (7 nights) - inside cabins.  We will sail on the Summit in June (11 nights).  Other than dining in Luminae and Blue, we don’t feel we are treated as 2nd class citizens.   We have met quite a few people who have sailed on the 14 night Caribbean itinerary back to back in an inside cabin (total of 28 nights).  Coming from the northeast part of the US, the goal is to get to warm and sunny skies for as long as possible during the winter.  Celebrity designates us as “Elite” because we have been on many cruises. I wish management would use a different word - “Elite” has a negative connotation (snobby).

[yorky]

On 3/1/2019 at 5:53 PM, ronbe65 said:

 

It depends on the ship.

The Edge has class division.

Other Celebrity ships are OK so far.

Suites first - is their motto these days, but the older ships (built to higher standards) are not affected that badly.

The Summit is  in line to be "revolutionized" - modified to fit the new philosophy (more suites privileges, more cabins, reduction in public space, and other sorts of "optimization"). However from what I have read, they are not going to cross the red line (make it a two-class ships like the Edge).

The staff and fellow passengers will never treat you as a second class passenger. Do not worry about it.

The cruise line will (on the Edge).

Hopefully it won't be the case with the Summit.

 

Happy cruising!
Understanding the difference: suite perks vs class division.

I honestly never think of it as class division, simply because if I want to pay I get the same “perks” for me it’s just extra perks. I can pay extra to eat in a speciality restaurant, is that class division because you can’t use that area if you don’t pay ? What about the Persian gardens, again you pay if you want to use that area ? We are staying at more and more hotels in club rooms, even at a Universal hotel. Separate lift, lounge, food. Is that class division ? Our flight out this year are economy, premium economy coming back, different area of the plane, are we a higher class coming back ? It’s simply spaces anyone can use if they are willing to pay, it’s got nothing to do with your perceived social standing, Celebrity will happily take your money whoever you are.

Edited March 4, 2019 by yorky

[villauk]

2 hours ago, hurwitz5 said:

We have sailed on 20+ Celebrity cruises, mainly in inside cabins.  This year we sailed on the Reflection (14 nights) and Equinox (7 nights) - inside cabins.  We will sail on the Summit in June (11 nights).  Other than dining in Luminae and Blue, we don’t feel we are treated as 2nd class citizens.   We have met quite a few people who have sailed on the 14 night Caribbean itinerary back to back in an inside cabin (total of 28 nights).  Coming from the northeast part of the US, the goal is to get to warm and sunny skies for as long as possible during the winter.  Celebrity designates us as “Elite” because we have been on many cruises. I wish management would use a different word - “Elite” has a negative connotation (snobby).

 

 

Just to point out, I think many posts are referring to Edge and ships since the Revolution will/has taken place as to the changed feeling, as X is now following the pack with the ‘ship within a ship’ model.

Can’t comment on that since I haven’t sailed on Edge and don’t intend to in an IV (unless I get offered it for free - I’m not a casino player and over 18, but you never know, my category may be the next ‘free’ promo 🤞 😆).

[Luvcrusn]

5 hours ago, yorky said:

I honestly never think of it as class division, simply because if I want to pay I get the same “perks” for me it’s just extra perks. I can pay extra to eat in a speciality restaurant, is that class division because you can’t use that area if you don’t pay ? What about the Persian gardens, again you pay if you want to use that area ? We are staying at more and more hotels in club rooms, even at a Universal hotel. Separate lift, lounge, food. Is that class division ? Our flight out this year are economy, premium economy coming back, different area of the plane, are we a higher class coming back ? It’s simply spaces anyone can use if they are willing to pay, it’s got nothing to do with your perceived social standing, Celebrity will happily take your money whoever you are.

Exactly.  I couldn't agree more! 

[mfs2k]

Categories on a Celebrity ship is a value choice or a question of affordability. 

 

It’s not a class distinction if anyone can get it by paying more money. 

[TeeRick]

37 minutes ago, mfs2k said:

Categories on a Celebrity ship is a value choice or a question of affordability. 

 

It’s not a class distinction if anyone can get it by paying more money. 

Nevertheless some folks posting here want to for whatever reason bring the buying choice discussion to a class distinction discussion.  My guess is that many people sailing Celebrity from inside cabins to premium suites are a lot better off financially than most of the world population.

[mfs2k]

53 minutes ago, TeeRick said:

Nevertheless some folks posting here want to for whatever reason bring the buying choice discussion to a class distinction discussion.  My guess is that many people sailing Celebrity from inside cabins to premium suites are a lot better off financially than most of the world population.

 

Agreed. Not being able to afford an upgrade from inside to balcony or a suite on a celebrity cruise ship is a first world problem. 

[helen haywood]

It doesn't even have to be a discussion of "being able to afford an upgrade from inside to balcony or a suite."  I can afford to book and sail only in suites.  I choose not to.  I sail in regular balcony cabins.  It is certainly not a class distinction which cabin category you choose.  No one on board has any idea of your net worth.

 

If it makes someone feel uncomfortable to sail on a ship within a ship concept, such as Edge, or NCL ships with The Haven or MSC ships with the Yacht Club and not be in a suite then they should choose another ship/line.  But I doubt the majority of the passengers on those ships not in suites don't even have any idea those areas exist.

[Luvcrusn]

It's mind boggling that people continually  confuse "class distinction" with the extra perks that come with booking a certain type of cabin...suites.  As long as Celebrity, or any other cruise line isn't giving extra benefits to people because of race, nationality or other such criteria, but is giving those extra benefits to anyone who wants to pay more, I don't understand the flap!

[WrittenOnYourHeart]

43 minutes ago, helen haywood said:

It doesn't even have to be a discussion of "being able to afford an upgrade from inside to balcony or a suite."  I can afford to book and sail only in suites.  I choose not to.  I sail in regular balcony cabins.  It is certainly not a class distinction which cabin category you choose.  No one on board has any idea of your net worth.

 

If it makes someone feel uncomfortable to sail on a ship within a ship concept, such as Edge, or NCL ships with The Haven or MSC ships with the Yacht Club and not be in a suite then they should choose another ship/line.  But I doubt the majority of the passengers on those ships not in suites don't even have any idea those areas exist.

 

The only issue I have is when there is another area people can pay for and those in the already-different-area category buy up those passes. I was looking at NCL once and was asking questions on that board, specifically about the paid adult sundeck area Vibe. I was met with "If you can get a pass for it, which is hard because you can only buy it when you get on board" which I was fine with until multiple people who sail Haven chimed in with bragging about how they and their friends who were also in Haven made a point to buy the passes so that their sundeck area would stay quiet with no one or only very few people in Vibe. THAT is where I have a problem with the system. If a section has its own sundeck area, they should not be allowed to buy up the passes for the area that should be available for people not in the exclusive areas to book. Or at least not until say the second day when everyone is on board and has had a chance.

[AnnemarieC76]

18 minutes ago, Luvcrusn said:

It's mind boggling that people continually  confuse "class distinction" with the extra perks that come with booking a certain type of cabin...suites.  As long as Celebrity, or any other cruise line isn't giving extra benefits to people because of race, nationality or other such criteria, but is giving those extra benefits to anyone who wants to pay more, I don't understand the flap!

I am "mind boggled"  at your need to respond and you appear to want to scold others feelings - it was a simple concern - feelings are not facts - no need to comment if you do not have advice or experience...everyone has opinions; however,  - your response sounds pretty condescending...hmmm possibly where my concerns stem from 

 

Edited March 4, 2019 by AnnemarieC76

[mfs2k]

36 minutes ago, AnnemarieC76 said:

I am "mind boggled"  at your need to respond and you appear to want to scold others feelings - it was a simple concern - feelings are not facts - no need to comment if you do not have advice or experience...everyone has opinions; however,  - your response sounds pretty condescending...hmmm possibly where my concerns stem from 

 

 

When you're in a forum with hundreds of thousands of people, you won't see eye to eye with every one of them, and some will write things that annoy you.  I try to focus on responses I feel are constructive and do my best to tune out the responses which I personally feel aren't helpful.  I've never been successful at expressing my annoyance and getting opinions changed.  

[MizDemeanor]

40 minutes ago, WrittenOnYourHeart said:

 

The only issue I have is when there is another area people can pay for and those in the already-different-area category buy up those passes. I was looking at NCL once and was asking questions on that board, specifically about the paid adult sundeck area Vibe. I was met with "If you can get a pass for it, which is hard because you can only buy it when you get on board" which I was fine with until multiple people who sail Haven chimed in with bragging about how they and their friends who were also in Haven made a point to buy the passes so that their sundeck area would stay quiet with no one or only very few people in Vibe. THAT is where I have a problem with the system. If a section has its own sundeck area, they should not be allowed to buy up the passes for the area that should be available for people not in the exclusive areas to book. Or at least not until say the second day when everyone is on board and has had a chance.

I think there are misconceptions about Vibe. We have been in Vibe 3 times. The first two times by getting on line and getting to the front desk early, the third time by way of The Haven. 

 

So so it’s truly luck and timing. 

[WrittenOnYourHeart]

9 minutes ago, MizDemeanor said:

I think there are misconceptions about Vibe. We have been in Vibe 3 times. The first two times by getting on line and getting to the front desk early, the third time by way of The Haven. 

 

So so it’s truly luck and timing. 

 

And why was it needed for the Haven since you have your own deck there?

 

I was just saying what these posters were bragging about. They specifically said they would always buy wristbands when they boarded and they had no intent to use them. They would merely buy them to help keep the population of Vibe down.

[MizDemeanor]

1 minute ago, WrittenOnYourHeart said:

 

And why was it needed for the Haven since you have your own deck there?

 

I was just saying what these posters were bragging about. They specifically said they would always buy wristbands when they boarded and they had no intent to use them. They would merely buy them to help keep the population of Vibe down.

 

Its interesting that sort of maliciousness.

 

We really enjoy Vibe. We had been in Haven for our first NCL cruise and didn’t know a thing about Vibe. We are sun lovers and the pool area was just a rough go. Nothing at all like the Celebrity pool areas which we were used to. 

 

After that first cruise and learning about Vibe we were in a standard cabin next and tried and we got passes.  We love the quiet, the bar and the hot tub very much. We enjoy it more we than the Haven area. And it is a kid free zone. 

 

What we find extremely interesting is after the first day, Vibe is pretty much a ghost town. Very, very few people seem to come back and it gets a little too quiet. We have noticed this every time. So I suspect more passes could be given out then are. 

[AnnemarieC76]

10 hours ago, hurwitz5 said:

We have sailed on 20+ Celebrity cruises, mainly in inside cabins.  This year we sailed on the Reflection (14 nights) and Equinox (7 nights) - inside cabins.  We will sail on the Summit in June (11 nights).  Other than dining in Luminae and Blue, we don’t feel we are treated as 2nd class citizens.   We have met quite a few people who have sailed on the 14 night Caribbean itinerary back to back in an inside cabin (total of 28 nights).  Coming from the northeast part of the US, the goal is to get to warm and sunny skies for as long as possible during the winter.  Celebrity designates us as “Elite” because we have been on many cruises. I wish management would use a different word - “Elite” has a negative connotation (snobby).

Thanks!  any chance you could tell me if the MDR menus change every night?