Royal Suite Perks ?

[Noreen411]

Hi

 

I am looking for clarification of the perks for booking a Royal Suite.

 

We have cruised twice on Celebrity; both times in a Royal Suite.

 

I understood the perks of the Royal Suite to include:

Alcohol set up in suite

Beverage (water/soda/etc) set up in suite and replenished as needed

Included Specialty dining

Premium Beverage Package

Internet

Luminae, Retreat Lounge, Retreat Sundeck (this one is for all suites)

I’m sure there are other that I can’t think of off the top of my head

 

When we were on our last cruise (Feb 2020) we booked a future cruise also in a Royal Suite (for Feb 2022)

 

I noticed there was a price drop on our sailing and when my TA called Celebrity, they told her I would lose my perks with the new price.

My TA mentioned that the perks should be part of the Royal Suite and not an add-on and was told that’s not the case.

 

Has anyone else heard of this change?

 

Thank you

Noreen

[C-Dragons]

9 minutes ago, Noreen411 said:

Hi

 

I am looking for clarification of the perks for booking a Royal Suite.

 

We have cruised twice on Celebrity; both times in a Royal Suite.

 

I understood the perks of the Royal Suite to include:

Alcohol set up in suite

Beverage (water/soda/etc) set up in suite and replenished as needed

Included Specialty dining

Premium Beverage Package

Internet

Luminae, Retreat Lounge, Retreat Sundeck (this one is for all suites)

I’m sure there are other that I can’t think of off the top of my head

 

When we were on our last cruise (Feb 2020) we booked a future cruise also in a Royal Suite (for Feb 2022)

 

I noticed there was a price drop on our sailing and when my TA called Celebrity, they told her I would lose my perks with the new price.

My TA mentioned that the perks should be part of the Royal Suite and not an add-on and was told that’s not the case.

 

Has anyone else heard of this change?

 

Thank you

Noreen

Your list of “perks” are actually amenities that are included in the price of the suite. You should not lose any of those. IMO, the X agent is incorrect, which unfortunately happens a lot.

[jelayne]

Another amenity of the RS is laundry.  If your existing booking included 4 perks and the RS price does not include perks then you you lose them but in reality what you are losing is the prepaid gratuities and $300 OBC. As the Premium Beverage pkg and wi-fi are amenities of the RS.    What you are gaining is the unlimited specialty dining and laudrry.  

[Noreen411]

26 minutes ago, C-Dragons said:

Your list of “perks” are actually amenities that are included in the price of the suite. You should not lose any of those. IMO, the X agent is incorrect, which unfortunately happens a lot.

Hi

 

Thank you for confirming - that’s what I thought (and my TA thought).

She said she’s going to try calling again later and hopefully get someone who knows the correct answer.

 

Thank you

Noreen

[Noreen411]

10 minutes ago, jelayne said:

Another amenity of the RS is laundry.  If your existing booking included 4 perks and the RS price does not include perks then you you lose them but in reality what you are losing is the prepaid gratuities and $300 OBC. As the Premium Beverage pkg and wi-fi are amenities of the RS.    What you are gaining is the unlimited specialty dining and laudrry.  

Hi

 

I forgot about the laundry but we used that also.

 

I think that I’ll mention to use the word amenity of the RS rather than perks.  Maybe that’s what is confusing the person at Celebrity.

 

Thank you

[tanzania2015]

In addition to the above comments, the laundry includes dry cleaning and pressing. The in-suite beverages includes beer and mixer for the liquor replenished daily.  Depending on the port, you have a special luggage drop off and escort through security, check-in and boarding the ship.  The shore side concierge is another amenity that permits you to request dinner reservations prior to boarding the ship or request other special items like extra hangers, blankets, pool towels, and additional deck lounger.

Gratuities and onboard credit that you might receive at booking are perks and not amenities that come with the suite.

I have repriced my B2B cruise twice and also used the lift and switch on them (Transpacific from Vancouver to Japan and the Best of Japan.)  My perks of onboard credit and gratuities remained in place. 

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

Many agents do not understand the distinction between amenities attached to the suite and so-called "perks," which come and go with the wind.  What has been described above are amenities which come with your suite booking.  Nothing to do with perks.

[chemmo]

The times we have had a similar conversation!  Using the term amenity rather than perk definitely helps.

 

We frequently find when booking the perks come automatically so we do get gratuity for two guests and the OBC.

 

On boarding we have on several occasions had to have further discussions when our adult son cruises with us as his card is frequently without his drink package sticker....Usually the concierge will simply apply the sticker and apologise but on a couple of occasions they have initially said “The drinks package is only for two guests...” and we have had to reiterate he has a package from the room, not from the perks....

 

Always sorted but it doesn’t help that some TAs and Celebrity staff don’t understand. Over the years we have spoken to many suite guests who have been wrongly advised including a CS guest who was told by her TA she had the same perks as a RS/PH, a RS guest on M class who even had an email from her TA  confirming she had a second bathroom in her suite (S class only), SS guests still being told they get a free speciality meal (stopped a few years ago)....Well worth new cruisers or cruisers who have not cruised in a suite before checking on CC for the real answer to what comes with each room!!!

 

What is still confusing is the laundry service which is listed as twice per cruise but in reality seems to be unlimited. 

 

 

 

Edited June 10, 2020 by chemmo

[groryjm]

Don't forget that TAs and celebrity agents are used to  dealing with the other 1400 odd state rooms and these amenities only apply to 10 cabins. They often forget too that the unlimited WiFi and Premium drinks etc apply to all in the suite so not just the first two.

 

Also at some ports you have Exclusive Luggage Drop Off and as far as by 20 year old DD is concerned the most importaint thing....unlimiited free gelato

Edited June 10, 2020 by groryjm

[groryjm]

Nobody has mentioned yet the way in which  if you stay in one of the 10 upper suite rooms service seems to go up a notch in ways it can be hard to quantify..😎 

[chemmo]

1 hour ago, groryjm said:

Nobody has mentioned yet the way in which  if you stay in one of the 10 upper suite rooms service seems to go up a notch in ways it can be hard to quantify..😎 

 

We have found some variety in the ‘added extra’ of being in a higher suite, I think a lot depends on the quality of the butler and concierge. Some make it clear from boarding that ‘anything you want just ask’ and often offer suggestions whereas others will respond positively to requests but not suggest anything ‘above and beyond’....

 

We have also found similar in the speciality restaurants, some M’Ds always being welcoming and polite but others offering something a bit more....

[Georgia_Peaches]

If you had additional OBC from your TA that would be a perk that you could lose with rebooking.  If you booked under a special promotion like "Kids Sail Free" then that promotion would be lost if it's no longer being offered.

 

All the things on your list are amenities of the suite, not perks to be added or lost...as others have said.

[TeeRick]

The only possible caveat is that none of us know if current amenities will survive "as is" on the restart of cruising.  But presumably they will since they were included in your advertised fare.  

[wrk2cruise]

8 hours ago, chemmo said:

What is still confusing is the laundry service which is listed as twice per cruise but in reality seems to be unlimited.

 

I believe they changed the advertised amenity as a few were abusing the unlimited by adding laundry from others in their party not traveling in the upper suite.   We have not had an issue submitting it more often than twice, but each time is a fairly small amount.

[wrk2cruise]

I believe what @jelayne has told you is the situation you are running into.  Perks vs Amenities.   Some of the lowest fares even for suites (like Xciting Deals, Senior, Resident) prices don't include the 4 booking perks which are usually built into the suite pricing.   As stated the upper suites come with premium beverage package and unlimited WIFI as an amenity of the room.   We always look for one of these reduced rates when booking RS as we feel otherwise we are paying twice for the Bev Pkg and Wifi.   Just remember that you will not be getting the $150 pp OBC and prepaid gratuities if you take one of these restricted rates.   But as others said all the amenities listed in the RS description will still be provided.

 

[jelayne]

5 hours ago, groryjm said:

Nobody has mentioned yet the way in which  if you stay in one of the 10 upper suite rooms service seems to go up a notch in ways it can be hard to quantify..😎 

That really depends on the Butler.  We have had amazing service in a SS and also just ok in a RS..

[chemmo]

11 minutes ago, wrk2cruise said:

 

I believe they changed the advertised amenity as a few were abusing the unlimited by adding laundry from others in their party not traveling in the upper suite.   We have not had an issue submitting it more often than twice, but each time is a fairly small amount.

 

Yes, we heard the same...Our butler told us that there had been a few problems when large family groups had been on board, most in standard rooms and then one in a suite.

[Georgia_Peaches]

1 minute ago, chemmo said:

 

Yes, we heard the same...Our butler told us that there had been a few problems when large family groups had been on board, most in standard rooms and then one in a suite.

Some people will try anything to work the system.  SMDH

[Noreen411]

15 hours ago, tanzania2015 said:

In addition to the above comments, the laundry includes dry cleaning and pressing. The in-suite beverages includes beer and mixer for the liquor replenished daily.  Depending on the port, you have a special luggage drop off and escort through security, check-in and boarding the ship.  The shore side concierge is another amenity that permits you to request dinner reservations prior to boarding the ship or request other special items like extra hangers, blankets, pool towels, and additional deck lounger.

Gratuities and onboard credit that you might receive at booking are perks and not amenities that come with the suite.

I have repriced my B2B cruise twice and also used the lift and switch on them (Transpacific from Vancouver to Japan and the Best of Japan.)  My perks of onboard credit and gratuities remained in place. 

Thank you

 

They have really made it very confusing when you look on line now too - they show those perks for all suites.

[Noreen411]

11 hours ago, Happy Cruiser 6143 said:

Many agents do not understand the distinction between amenities attached to the suite and so-called "perks," which come and go with the wind.  What has been described above are amenities which come with your suite booking.  Nothing to do with perks.

I agree

[Noreen411]

8 hours ago, chemmo said:

The times we have had a similar conversation!  Using the term amenity rather than perk definitely helps.

 

We frequently find when booking the perks come automatically so we do get gratuity for two guests and the OBC.

 

On boarding we have on several occasions had to have further discussions when our adult son cruises with us as his card is frequently without his drink package sticker....Usually the concierge will simply apply the sticker and apologise but on a couple of occasions they have initially said “The drinks package is only for two guests...” and we have had to reiterate he has a package from the room, not from the perks....

 

Always sorted but it doesn’t help that some TAs and Celebrity staff don’t understand. Over the years we have spoken to many suite guests who have been wrongly advised including a CS guest who was told by her TA she had the same perks as a RS/PH, a RS guest on M class who even had an email from her TA  confirming she had a second bathroom in her suite (S class only), SS guests still being told they get a free speciality meal (stopped a few years ago)....Well worth new cruisers or cruisers who have not cruised in a suite before checking on CC for the real answer to what comes with each room!!!

 

What is still confusing is the laundry service which is listed as twice per cruise but in reality seems to be unlimited. 

 

 

 

Luckily once onboard (our two Celebrity cruises) everything worked perfectly.  

This is the only time I’ve had any issue with getting something like this sorted.

[Noreen411]

5 hours ago, groryjm said:

Don't forget that TAs and celebrity agents are used to  dealing with the other 1400 odd state rooms and these amenities only apply to 10 cabins. They often forget too that the unlimited WiFi and Premium drinks etc apply to all in the suite so not just the first two.

 

Also at some ports you have Exclusive Luggage Drop Off and as far as by 20 year old DD is concerned the most importaint thing....unlimiited free gelato

I didn’t know about the free gelato - will have to use that more next time.

 

That’s a good point - that the majority of the rooms don’t have these applied to them so it’s probably not part of most of the discussions.

[Noreen411]

5 hours ago, groryjm said:

Nobody has mentioned yet the way in which  if you stay in one of the 10 upper suite rooms service seems to go up a notch in ways it can be hard to quantify..😎 

This is probably one of the reasons we keep booking Royal Suites - it’s hard to quantify but it’s a big plus

[Noreen411]

1 hour ago, TeeRick said:

The only possible caveat is that none of us know if current amenities will survive "as is" on the restart of cruising.  But presumably they will since they were included in your advertised fare.  

Very true

[Noreen411]

Thank you everyone for your feedback - I know I haven’t responded to everyone individually but I appreciate all the responses.

 

Here’s where we are now...

My TA is great.  She spent hours on the phone yesterday on hold and finally spoke to resolutions.  The first person she spoke to agreed and was trying to make the change; then something happened and he couldn’t do it and got someone else on the phone.  That person basically said No - it’s part of a current promotion and I would lose all the perks.  My TA went back and forth with them a few times but they disagreed that the Royal Suite includes Beverage package, internet etc.  She gave up and said she’ll try calling again today to see if she gets someone else.  And she’s going to ask what is included with the Royal Suite aside from any promotion going on.

 

Will keep everyone posted as I hear more

 

Thank you again

Noreen