Can you Spot What is Strange about the Pricing

[miched]

Is it because passengers don’t like the Retreat Suites?

 

if you look at all of that series of cruises for the Beyond the pricing is a little out of wack compared to the normal.

 

Happy cruising 

[Cruise Gopher]

That $2,099 rate is a simply sail rate. No perks. But even if you choose the lowest category Sky Suite it’s still just a small amount higher than the Aqua, so not sure why anyone would pick Aqua in that case. 
 

Early December tends to be a cheap time of year to cruise so these prices may just be reflecting that. 

[Captain_Cruising]

Veranda price is less than the oceanview & the Retreat is less than Aqua Class.

[deliver42]

I just checked our cruise which is one week earlier, and the prices are normal I compared them to our SV booking, and the pricing is the same as when we booked.

[Jeremiah1212]

The AI fare for the (formerly) named S3 is still around $5,500 which is typical. In normal times pre-COVID the rates between Thanksgiving and Christmas can dip quite low. 

[kearney]

52 minutes ago, Jeremiah1212 said:

The AI fare for the (formerly) named S3 is still around $5,500 which is typical. In normal times pre-COVID the rates between Thanksgiving and Christmas can dip quite low. 

My favorite time to sail.... ships all decked out for Christmas...past hurricane season... ships less crowded and generally they are cheaper.

[George C]

We just booked a corner aft sky suite for 11/27 with perks including 400OBC for under 3k per I thought that was a great rate for a new ship with captain Kate 

[Bo1953]

13 hours ago, miched said:

Is it because passengers don’t like the Retreat Suites?

 

if you look at all of that series of cruises for the Beyond the pricing is a little out of wack compared to the normal.

 

Happy cruising 

My question, did you book The Retreat on this sailing???

 

bon voyage

[DCPIV]

Like others, I'm guessing that some SS or guarantee rates make it look skewed.  Might be a good time to arbitrage, if one so desires.

[Dolebludger]

Regarding post #2 above, I wasn’t aware that suites in The Retreat were available in the “Simply Sail” program. I thought Retreat suites (Sky and above) included things like drinks, Luminae and other dining options, tips, and such. Educate me, please.

Edited December 23, 2021 by Dolebludger

[wrk2cruise]

At times suites have the Simply Sail rates available.   If you book a suite (Retreat) with a Simply Sail rate non of the AI booking perk, including the Indulge package are included and I believe are always a GTY.   You still get access to the Retreat amenities like Luminae, lounge, sundeck.   Drinks in the lounge are still complementary.

[as3369]

I have been watching our sailing for next month and the rates have been fluctuating up and down almost on a daily basis.  But all the suites (except the top tier) are sold out.

[Dolebludger]

I’ve noticed a trend in all the cruise industry where the best suites and cheapest inside cabins sell out first.

 

wrk2cruise, your post #11 above uses the term “GTY” and I don’t know what that means. Please educate me. When we have cruised in X suite class we almost never leave the suite areas except to go ashore. So if all suite class amenities are included even when you book a suite at the lower SS rate, that would be of interest.

[wrk2cruise]

GTY is shorthand for guarantee cabin.   If you book a Simply Sail rate they generally don't allow you to pick a cabin.   Celebrity will select the cabin but if it's a Retreat GTY (booking code W) it will be at least the minimum suite category.

 

When booking these rates you just don't get the AI perks like beverage package, wifi, tips or OBC.  You do get all the amenities which come with the stateroom category.   If you get little or no value from bev package and wifi or OBC they can be somewhat attractive.

[Dolebludger]

Thanks for the response. If I understand correctly, if we book SS in the Retreat, we would get Luminae dining and included drinks in the Retreat lounge (but not in other lounges in the ship). We’d get no WiFi package (unless we bought one). But otherwise we’d get all the perks of the Retreat. We’d get at least a Sky Suite. If that is the case, it is an economically interesting way to go.

 

We are not planning to book any cruise or major vacation right now due to the uncertain times. But we hope they are soon over, and we have been looking around for what might be available, and on what terms. This sounds good!

 

[miched]

If you breakdown the approx $500 extra that it costs for all of the perks it is almost a bargain.  
 

First off you get $300 SBC that can be almost won back in the Casino playing VP or used for other purchases.   So you and now basically paying $200 extra
 

Suggested Gratuities are now $19/day so that is $133 for 7 days.  
 

So for the extra $67 you are getting the premium drink pack and high speed internet for what amounts to less than $10 per day and you get to pick your cabin. 
 

Then again if you feel that you don’t want to gamble or use the $300 for other stuff,  get enough free WIFI minutes, and are satisfied with getting all of your drinks in the Retreat Lounge, or Elite HH,  the guarantee  is a good way for a suite.  The only addition expense would be the $133 for the gratuities.  
 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

Edited December 24, 2021 by miched

[DCPIV]

16 hours ago, Dolebludger said:

Thanks for the response. If I understand correctly, if we book SS in the Retreat, we would get Luminae dining and included drinks in the Retreat lounge (but not in other lounges in the ship). We’d get no WiFi package (unless we bought one). But otherwise we’d get all the perks of the Retreat. We’d get at least a Sky Suite. If that is the case, it is an economically interesting way to go.

 

 

I think you've got it correct, but allow me to clear things up a little with regard to terminology.  There are "amenities," and there are "perks."  "Amenities" are inherent in stateroom class (i.e., you get them even if you book a SS fare or as a result of a successful MoveUp bid).  "Perks," though, are a matter of a particular booking (i.e., not included in a SS fare or as a result of a MoveUp bid from a booking that did not include them).

 

Amenities for all suites are stuff like assigned dining in Luminae, access to (and complimentary drinks in) the Retreat/Michael's Lounge and Sundeck, butler service, extended room service menu, and access to Retreat Concierge.  The perks are premium wi-fi, premium drink package, and OBC.

 

Amenities for "higher suites" (typically RS and above, although some ships have additional classes) include mini bar and liquor setup and unlimited specialty dining.

 

If you really want all the details, take a look at the attached spreadsheet.  Another Cruise Critic member posted this on another thread.  As far as I can tell, it still is a good reference.

1577641448_AMENITIESGRID8_12.2020-1.xlsx

[crusinthrough]

Here today and gone tomorrow.  The prices you posted are gone.  I booked one week and wanted to change weeks (after the sale the ended on 12/21) but the prices changes.  I guess it really was a sale.  

[George C]

1 hour ago, crusinthrough said:

Here today and gone tomorrow.  The prices you posted are gone.  I booked one week and wanted to change weeks (after the sale the ended on 12/21) but the prices changes.  I guess it really was a sale.  

Yep my 11/27 sky suite is now more than 500 more per person, I thought it was a bargain. Glad I am locked in with a aft corner sky suite 😁😁

[taylortime05]

I was booked on the Apex Dec 4th 2022 sailing in Aqua cabin through online TA.  When I saw your post I wanted to upgrade to a S3 suite.  The S3 suite wasn't that much more than the Aqua cabin and came with more perks and lot's more OBC.  I couldn't get a hold of anyone at the TA and I knew the deal was ending so I called Celebrity and they put it on hold.  I actually called back and asked if they could extend the hold which I have until tomorrow 12/27.  If I can't get ahold of anyone at TA then I'll go ahead and pay the 500 non refundable deposit.  I still want to move the new reservation to the TA for the extra OBC.  But I'll probably have to cancel the 1st reservation and TA charges 50 per person.  I need to find a TA that is easily accessible and offers the AMEX OBC + their own OBC.  

[crusinthrough]

1 hour ago, taylortime05 said:

  If I can't get ahold of anyone at TA then I'll go ahead and pay the 500 non refundable deposit. 

This is why I no longer use a TA.  The extra onboard credit is nice but not being able to reach someone when needed is a huge drawback and at times can cost you a good deal or specific room.  

[wrk2cruise]

There are good TAs out there that don't charge a cancellation fee.  What you have done with putting it on hold is the smart thing to do.   I always do that when I see a deal I want and let the TA straighten it out later.

[canderson]

10 hours ago, crusinthrough said:

This is why I no longer use a TA.  The extra onboard credit is nice but not being able to reach someone when needed is a huge drawback and at times can cost you a good deal or specific room.  

If my TA kept going MIA on me, I wouldn't like that, either.  But mine made a snap reservation for me while aboard a flight home before the doors closed while heading back from her agency's corporate meeting.

 

Finding a reliable TA isn't easy, I'll grant you, but if you find one, it's like finding gold.

 

Recently, she called me to ask if the FCC we had just received aboard a cruise should be applied to our next booked cruise.  We hadn't even got the second load of post-cruise laundry into the machine yet.

 

Needless to say, I'm still using my TA of many years.

[stavy]

Sounds like you have a gem!

[crusinthrough]

1 hour ago, stavy said:

Sounds like you have a gem!

 

Agree.  I haven't found anyone close.  My experience has been the conversation is pleasant until the deposit is made.  Then it's hard to get in touch with the actual TA.  I have to wait on a long customer service line hold for the first available person, who usually know nothing about my reservation and has to read notes before calling the cruise line.  I'm then on hold again.  

 

Glad to hear there are good TA''s out there.