Michael's Club vs The Retreat

[PhoenixCruiser]

Here are some pictures of the Retreat on The Summit

[PhoenixCruiser]

Had a duplicate in there

 

 

[DiamondDiva]

These shots above are very similar to our Millenium Retreat experience.  The chairs in these photos are quite uncomfortable and hard for shorter people to get into and out of, especially the deep couch.  Note the size of the "table" for 4 people (middle photo) to share with a drink and maybe a bite of food!   The ones along the outer walls  of the room are very hard and quite small in diameter and mostly set in duos.  Not for lingering to talk or sitting reading for sure!   It was quite diappointing.

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

3 hours ago, DiamondDiva said:

These shots above are very similar to our Millenium Retreat experience.  The chairs in these photos are quite uncomfortable and hard for shorter people to get into and out of, especially the deep couch.  Note the size of the "table" for 4 people (middle photo) to share with a drink and maybe a bite of food!   The ones along the outer walls  of the room are very hard and quite small in diameter and mostly set in duos.  Not for lingering to talk or sitting reading for sure!   It was quite diappointing.

 

In my view, the revolution is all about form over function.  Look at that last picture with all that HoppenCrap on the table.  Where is one supposed to put a drink or some food???

[DebInAntigua]

1 hour ago, Happy Cruiser 6143 said:

 

In my view, the revolution is all about form over function.  Look at that last picture with all that HoppenCrap on the table.  Where is one supposed to put a drink or some food???

 

I'd have no qualms about moving the tabletop clutter off to the side, onto the floor, while using the space. I'll put it back when I leave, of course. Problem solved. Just like we tucked away all the HoppenCrap in our IV while on Edge last month.

[amunhbuu]

I am going to go against the grain and say that I like the updates.  But I like modern contemporary.

 

We are just off the Summit and thought the service was just fine.

 

My only complaint was the stupid chair that did not slide under the desk in the sky suite.  That is my big "what were they thinking" moment.

[TeeRick]

20 hours ago, Phxazzcruisers said:

Unfortunately they are not kidding.  That is the "library".  VERY disappointing

Sadly the formal spaces known as libraries both on land and sea are a victim of technology and are disappearing all over.  Cities and towns still have them but for how long?  Who knows.  Many places where I have worked used to have beautiful libraries but in recent years they were hardly used.  Now closed.  People can get access to everything from their desks on their computers, and on cruises people take eBooks loaded on Kindles and iPads.  I still love a good hardcover!  But even I will admit that on cruises I take my own books and very rarely if ever visit a ship's library.

[TeeRick]

12 hours ago, Happy Cruiser 6143 said:

 

In my view, the revolution is all about form over function.  Look at that last picture with all that HoppenCrap on the table.  Where is one supposed to put a drink or some food???

I'm with you.  I do like the concept of the Revolution upgrades to keep these ships current, particularly with technology.  But yes the interior design is definitely form over function in many cases.  I would not mind contemporary interior design if it was comfortable and functional.  So I think we need Revolution NOT Hoppenization!  Sounds like a tee shirt is needed with this slogan.

[Phxazzcruisers]

24 minutes ago, TeeRick said:

Sadly the formal spaces known as libraries both on land and sea are a victim of technology and are disappearing all over.  Cities and towns still have them but for how long?  Who knows.  Many places where I have worked used to have beautiful libraries but in recent years they were hardly used.  Now closed.  People can get access to everything from their desks on their computers, and on cruises people take eBooks loaded on Kindles and iPads.  I still love a good hardcover!  But even I will admit that on cruises I take my own books and very rarely if ever visit a ship's library.

When we are on land we live in Phoenix and our libraries are beautiful and used by many, always full of people.  I do have an iPad and read most of my books on it, but loved to scour the library on the ships to see if there was anything interesting in a read that I was missing.....

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

1 hour ago, TeeRick said:

I'm with you.  I do like the concept of the Revolution upgrades to keep these ships current, particularly with technology.  But yes the interior design is definitely form over function in many cases.  I would not mind contemporary interior design if it was comfortable and functional.  So I think we need Revolution NOT Hoppenization!  Sounds like a tee shirt is needed with this slogan.

 

I have no problem with contemporary interior design.  I like it if it is well done.  Good design considers form AND function.  Chairs are meant to be sat in and must be comfortable.  Same for sofas or couches.  A chair by a desk needs to be able to slide under the desk, particularly in a small space like a cruise ship stateroom.  If you're going to offer room service, you need to offer a table of a height and size sufficient to consume said room service.  A bedside light that you need to climb out of bed to turn off?  Crazy.  The ships used to have these features.  So how is it an improvement to take them away?  Not, in my view.  Celebrity hired a designer who proudly stated that she had no experience of cruise ships.  Really?  Again, in my opinion, this wasn't very bright.

[hcat]

13 hours ago, DebInAntigua said:

 

I'd have no qualms about moving the tabletop clutter off to the side, onto the floor, while using the space. I'll put it back when I leave, of course. Problem solved. Just like we tucked away all the HoppenCrap in our IV while on Edge last month.

Yup.. put it under the table!

 

We had the faux chipped bleached white coral and "do not use  water"  vase removed from our EDGE cabins  twice.   No issues.

 

Fresh flowers are much more organic!

[hcat]

1 hour ago, TeeRick said:

Sadly the formal spaces known as libraries both on land and sea are a victim of technology and are disappearing all over.  Cities and towns still have them but for how long?  Who knows.  Many places where I have worked used to have beautiful libraries but in recent years they were hardly used.  Now closed.  People can get access to everything from their desks on their computers, and on cruises people take eBooks loaded on Kindles and iPads.  I still love a good hardcover!  But even I will admit that on cruises I take my own books and very rarely if ever visit a ship's library.

Proud to say that our local library is a large tech and social hub for our community.. all ages...tai chi.  yoga,   lectures, film, holiday  lights in the garden, concerts , small cafe,   books and book clubs  too!  We love our public library..! The budget ALWAYS  passes 

 

On the ship we like(d) getting the trivia games, there  selecting  books, magazines   looking at the Atlas, etc. Small space would be nice for reading and browsing ..maybe a cup of coffeee or tea.

 

We'll be happy to re-gain  access to the former Michaels when we finally have a suite!  Big loss when Elites were kicked out...but just too many of them now!

[C-Dragons]

2 hours ago, TeeRick said:

I'm with you.  I do like the concept of the Revolution upgrades to keep these ships current, particularly with technology.  But yes the interior design is definitely form over function in many cases.  I would not mind contemporary interior design if it was comfortable and functional.  So I think we need Revolution NOT Hoppenization!  Sounds like a tee shirt is needed with this slogan.

Don't tempt me... 😉

[groryjm]

8 hours ago, TeeRick said:

...... So I think we need Revolution NOT Hoppenization!  Sounds like a tee shirt is needed with this slogan.

Great idea 

[PhoenixCruiser]

15 hours ago, amunhbuu said:

I am going to go against the grain and say that I like the updates.  But I like modern contemporary.

 

We are just off the Summit and thought the service was just fine.

 

My only complaint was the stupid chair that did not slide under the desk in the sky suite.  That is my big "what were they thinking" moment.

 

The desk chair was the worst!

 

Our Thanksgiving cruise on the Summit was our first Celebrity cruise.  We loved the decor and updates. 

 

I posted the pictures which were taken Saturday morning at  7 while we were waiting to be escorted off the ship. Every other time we visited the Retreat it was packed with people enjoying the food, drinks and company.  I'm 5'4" and had no problems getting into and out of the chairs. 

 

We booked an accessible Sky Suite and the cabin was our only disappointment.  

Edited December 11, 2019 by PhoenixCruiser
Typo

[Caribbean Chris]

Completely agree with “form over function” comments. I like contemporary design and neutral color schemes, but comfort and function obviously should have been the guiding principles. Holland America’s new Nieuw Statendam was noticeably far more comfortable when we sailed her a few months after Edge, and HAL installed interesting contemporary artwork without wasting space like the Edge’s dark hall of mirrors/forest.

 

Sorry to learn that the Hoppenized-Michael’s has uncomfortable seating - I was afraid that was coming - after the low, hard sofa in our room on Edge, the 20-lb decor pillows, nuisance coral & no-water vase.

 

 

[Gordoncruickshank]

On 12/8/2019 at 11:15 PM, hulamoon said:

Yes I was told they are putting a bar in Apex Retreat. Yes retreat is a weird word for what it is, retreat is a good word for that place with water and floating lemons in front of spa on solstice class. I enjoyed it but it is not a place that they are bending over backwards to serve you or see how you like your cruise. They assume you like it and a few times throughout the day they will see if you want a drink.  I found it comfortable and pleasant. If you are a coffee drinker you will learn their high end machine and how to service it and keep it running. A fellow passenger will teach you. 

 

 Happy Camper 6143 is selling me on trying the yacht club. 🙂

We did it in October and would recommend it.

[MamaFej]

 

 

 

Is it just me, or does anyone else wonder if the executive in charge of "fixing" these problems was browsing Craig's List when the concerns/complaints came in?

[wpgcycler]

On 12/9/2019 at 7:18 PM, Happy Cruiser 6143 said:

 

 all that HoppenCrap 

Never heard this and it MADE MY DAY! 🤣

 

(Definitely stealing it.)

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

28 minutes ago, wpgcycler said:

Never heard this and it MADE MY DAY! 🤣

 

(Definitely stealing it.)

 

Feel free.  Along with the other term I coined, Hoppenized.  For the ships that have endured her "special" touch.  Hoppenized ships are full of HoppenCrap.  Like vases that you can't put water in and chairs that don't slide under desks.

[fstuff1]

5 hours ago, Caribbean Chris said:

Completely agree with “form over function” comments. I like contemporary design and neutral color schemes, but comfort and function obviously should have been the guiding principles. Holland America’s new Nieuw Statendam was noticeably far more comfortable when we sailed her a few months after Edge, and HAL installed interesting contemporary artwork without wasting space like the Edge’s dark hall of mirrors/forest.

 

 

i actually liked the Edge's mirrored forest.

it set the mood for Eden.
(for those that havent been on the Edge, you have to walk past the mirrored forest to get to Eden.)

[fstuff1]

1 hour ago, Happy Cruiser 6143 said:

 

Feel free.  Along with the other term I coined, Hoppenized.  For the ships that have endured her "special" touch.  Hoppenized ships are full of HoppenCrap.  Like vases that you can't put water in and chairs that don't slide under desks.

 

i dont remember the vase on the Edge but the chair not fitting was W T F?

major miscommunication between design departments there.

[Bo1953]

On 12/7/2019 at 8:38 PM, MEcruzr said:

We were on the Equinox in October. Service was slow to nonexistent. One early evening we ordered drinks from a table. We ordered the same drinks every time we were there. Bartender was serving anyone who came up to the bar first. We ran out of time to get our drinks and got up to leave to go to dinner... bartender (regular, not a sub) said you don't want your drinks, was I too slow? Well... yes, you were.  I had ordered wine, my mom a vodka tonic. It was disappointing. With a drink package you can go anywhere... the RL is not our first choice anymore. Not when the service is so slow and the atmosphere so cold. The RL is NOT an improvement on the Equinox.

I trust you addressed this on the survey....

 

cheers and bon voyage

[TrulyBlonde]

3 hours ago, Happy Cruiser 6143 said:

 

Feel free.  Along with the other term I coined, Hoppenized.  For the ships that have endured her "special" touch.  Hoppenized ships are full of HoppenCrap.  Like vases that you can't put water in and chairs that don't slide under desks.

Or in the PH deck on Millennium they have this huge canvas bag. A real eyesore. We thought it was a bag full of dirty laundry and asked to have it removed. Apparently, it is a chair to sit on. LOL. Trust me, I could go on and on about the HoppenCrap. They did remove the eyesore for us. It is probably back :))

[go.without.you]

I actually googled Hoppencrap (nothing came up). LOL. Looks like Edge has some design issues that they need to correct. That table and the chair not fitting under the desk is basic Cruising 101. Guess Hoppen has never cruised before. That should have been a prerequisite for the job, jus sayin.

 

I love the libraries on board. I always go there 1st to pick out a few books for the week. I also bring my Fire but sometimes it is too bright for me to read from it while wearing sunglasses, etc. They have a great selection and it's wonderful that people leave books behind. The average Celebrity cruiser is over 50 so you would think the library would be a keeper.