Is concierge class worth the difference...

[Nevertoolate]

We are going on a cruise to Alaska in September. There will be 24+ and we are all to be in concierge w/balcony. The cabins with just a window are available if we wish to change. The difference would be about $500 each ($1000 for us to splurge on other activities).

So, is a balcony to Alaska worth the extra cash? We have been there before and we spent most of our sightseeing on deck (didn't have a balcony).

Anyway, your thoughts please.

Thx

[flagger]

A balcony is worth the extra money, but there are some 2As with huge balconies. There is a thread showing the cabin numbers I can try to find. IMHO, concierge class has not been worth the money, but I booked for the extra cabin space and got an aft cabin on my last cruise and the only options are CC, FV or the penthouse suites which definitely are NOT worth the money.

[Andy]

We are going on a cruise to Alaska in September. There will be 24+ and we are all to be in concierge w/balcony. The cabins with just a window are available if we wish to change. The difference would be about $500 each ($1000 for us to splurge on other activities).

So, is a balcony to Alaska worth the extra cash? We have been there before and we spent most of our sightseeing on deck (didn't have a balcony).

Anyway, your thoughts please.

Thx

 

Hi Never !

 

You do not mention how long your sailing is, so it is hard to judge. I happen to like CC Class VERY much, but it is hard to justify an extra $ 1,000 per couple. Perhaps I would make a case for it, if your sailing was very long.

 

Question... how much extra is it for a Non - Concierge Class Cabin with a Balcony (like a Category 2A). Perhaps that would be an option, if it reasonably priced ?

[PattyMichael]

We are booked for Europe on the Cenutry 9/2/06 Cat 2A Balcony, it doent have concierge service it would be $700 more, this is for a 13 day cruise. I think its just too much money to pay. What are the chances of getting an upgrage to CC. Has anyone ever luck out before?

[Moeve]

PattyM you chances of getting an upgrade are practically nil at the moment as most sailings to Europe are full long before the 90 days come unless something dramtic happens (bird Flu epidemic etc) and people don't want to travel again - I wouldn't count on an upgrade: Those come very seldom these days!!!

[RevSmith]

It depends on what you like more...there is more comfort, more room, and a balcony...would not do without that...as far as the class, well it isn't worth 500...but I would say that about up grading on any ship...I just like being in a nicer cabin. But the balcony is worth at least that much...don't go without the balcony, you will be sorry!

[harry0]

We are booked for Europe on the Cenutry 9/2/06 Cat 2A Balcony, it doent have concierge service it would be $700 more, this is for a 13 day cruise. I think its just too much money to pay. What are the chances of getting an upgrage to CC. Has anyone ever luck out before?

 

Get to the pier early and ask. I got the upgrade of a lifetime on my 2/11 Connie cruise. Went from a inside guarantee to a CC aft balcony on deck 8-8176-for $280 total. Just be happy with the cabin you booked. I will not expect a upgrade like that again, but I can still dream.:D

Harry

[SANDY BEACH]

Never travel without a balcony. It's that important to us and each cruise I realize it more and more. Others don't care. Tough call, personal preference.

[Sky Sweet]

On an M class ship the concierge class cabin is slightly larger than a standard balcony cabin, and I will pay for that. However, I would not do so on a C class ship where the cabin is no different, unless it meant the difference between a sliding glass door and a conventional one to a balcony.

 

My parents owned a house that had 295 ' of frontage on the Long Island Sound, and my bedroom faced the water. During a cruise, I like to keep the sliding glass between our cabin and balcony slightly open when I go to sleep. I think part of the reason why I love a balcony is because it evokes wonderful childhood memories.

[PattyMichael]

We do have a balcony cat 2A, it will be a room in the 8000 Panorama deck it will be one of the new balcony room after drydock. I think they are also adding a deck of new balconys just for CC class. The CC class room will be same size rooms , but have flat screen tv, and a bunch of new stuff in the bathroon.

[Andy]

We are booked for Europe on the Cenutry 9/2/06 Cat 2A Balcony, it doent have concierge service it would be $700 more, this is for a 13 day cruise. I think its just too much money to pay. What are the chances of getting an upgrage to CC. Has anyone ever luck out before?

 

Hi Patty !

 

I would pretty much forget about it. Celebrity now charges for most upgrades. While some here on the boards do tell us they get upgraded, the Celebrity upgrade fairy does not pay visits often at all. I wish I had better news for you.

[Andy]

Get to the pier early and ask. I got the upgrade of a lifetime on my 2/11 Connie cruise. Went from a inside guarantee to a CC aft balcony on deck 8-8176-for $280 total. Just be happy with the cabin you booked. I will not expect a upgrade like that again, but I can still dream.:D

Harry

 

Hi Harry !

 

That was an awesome deal !!! On most of my sailings, I asked if there were paid upgrades available, and in most cases, there were none, as the ship was full.

 

The few times I did ask about an upgrade, and there were some available.... the prices were insanely high.

 

I totally agree, that the best practice is to book exactly what you want, and this way, you have no chance of being disappointed.

[flagger]

This is the thread I was talking about the 2As with larger balconies.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=193349

[Nevertoolate]

Well, thanks for all the information.

First, however, must clarify - we have always had a balcony except for the one cruise we took to Alaska. Love balconies.

This is a ten-day cruise. Balconies are wonderful for morning coffee, reading, sunbathing - a must. Alaska - in July - was cold and windy on the ship when at sea, the weather in the ports was light jacket (no shorts), except for Vancouver Island (hot). Alaska in September???

Checked cabin sizes - with window or with balcony seems the rooms are 170 sq ft. the balcony is the extra space.

So, am almost decided to do without a balcony this trip. Leaves cash for trips, or trip - the train ride which we didn't get a chance to do that first time as that port was cancelled for some reason. Almost decided - not definite as yet.

Anyway, another question if any of you have input (I guess I should really start a new thread) Oh, well, here goes.

 

We are, or will be after our trip this month, be Diamond members of RCL.

I know that there is some sort of agreement between the two lines. Would this benefit us on X? We have taken 3 cruises already on X.

Maybe I should phone Celebrity?

FLAGGER - thanks for your input. Am constantly reading your questions, answers and responses - especially from Danno. Hilarious. Love it - you should write a book one of these days.

[waltd]

A balcony is great for Alaska. If you have never done CC class before one time is nice especially if you get a deal. I've done it and would not do CC class again unless it was a deal. I don't think the cabins are that much bigger, for the extra price you have to pay. The extra amenities were just ok but they get old fast especially if you are on a longer cruise. Just my opinion.

[ukbecky]

We had a balcony for our late September Alaska cruise in 2003.

 

Our whale-watching tour was not cancelled for weather and did not cost a penny extra - we spotted them from our balcony. It was an amazing experience and only required binoculars(brought from home) and a sweater.

[nparmelee]

We loved having a balcony for Alaska. We had our coffee out there in the morning and wound down out there every evening staring at the scenery. Remember it's light much later up there when the cruises are cruising so you can enjoy the scenery even more.

[excitedofharpenden]

I'm assuming that if it is 10 nights to Alaska you will be on Infinity. If that is the case then you will have an extra 20 sq ft of space in a CC cabin over an Ocean View (191 vs 170).

 

As regards Diamond status, there are reciprocal arrangements with Celebrity and you will qualify for Elite Captains Club status. Here is the link to the website with benefits:

 

http://www.celebritycruises.com/captainsclub/heroSingleTxtSub.do;jsessionid=00008JO0OjH8PrAkK3aVV_8sJ64:1028etrd4?pagename=membership_benefits&cS=NAVBAR

 

I think I am right in saying that you should let Celebrity know, either in person or through your Travel Agent, quoting your Crown and Anchor number.

 

As to your initial question? $500 pp for a balcony over an oceanview for Alaska. Well I would! Perhaps if there is a cost issue with such a large group, maybe some of you could do the balcony and some the window and share the experience (for a small viewing fee, of course;)).

 

Phil

[newmexicoNita]

I am always in the minority on this one, but then what's new? To me, if the cost is only about $100 more, sure, go for it, otherwise, there are lots of places to spend your money. We love balconies but let's face it, most of us really don't spend all that much time in our cabins. As for CC service, we had it on the Zenith, again, it was fine, but about as unexciting as any CC class we have had on any cruise. We got such a great deal on our cruise it was worth it, had the price been higher we wouldn't have bothered. This is just my humble opinion.

 

NMnita

[Joanandjoe]

The web site shows the benefits, but not how you reach various levels. Is it, for example, 5 "points" to get to Select level? Our 5/13 cruise will be our second on Celebrity. The first was 10 days on Horizon in 11/03, in what later was called a Horizon suite (with bathtub and butler). The Zenith cruise will be in CC for 7 days. How many points will we have after the cruise?

 

Obviously, we think that the upgrades are worth it, even on Zenith, where CC rooms are the same size as all other outsides (not counting the suites).

[excitedofharpenden]

joanandjoe, the way they define it is (and I need to get my head around this to explain it properly:o) that you need to be at least Select status with Celebrity or Platinum on RCCL to be able to take advantage of the reciprocal arrangements (that is at more than 5 cruise credits within either program). You can't add an RCCL cruise to a Celebrity cruise or vice versa to make up the numbers. It has to be within each of the programs. You can then move through the program to get to the next level.

 

For your cruise back in 11/03, you would have earned 2 cruise credits for a suite (I think that the double sailing credit for a suite had taken effect then) and for a CC sailing upcoming you will get another 2 cruise credits. So you will have a total of 4 Celebrity Sailing credits after your next cruise.

 

Does that make sense?

 

Phil

[Gypsea]

While there is a view at all time in Alaska you have the same viewing from a window. It is chilly much of the time, its dark much of the time, you aren't even on board many hours a day and when you are are you really in that teeny cabin?

An oceanview is the minimum for Alaska if your budget allows but a balcony is not worth a thousand bucks. Do the math. If you spent 2 hours a day on it (which I think is pushing the limit) would it be worth it?

[Mom2Joce]

How is the aft? I know the balcony's are great but what about the motion?

[Nevertoolate]

I think I am in agreement with NewMexicoNita and Gypsea - not worth the money. My DH wasn't too impressed that we would get champagne and flowers - who needs that? (We did get champagne on our X cruises anyway). We figured out our time-in-cabin - and you are so right. Get up, showered, dressed and out for breakfast - at sea, do my exercise walk which is one mile per hour with wind against me and 50 miles an hour with wind behind. Then depending on port or a sea day we might go back to cabin to freshen up, go on an excursion, shop, etc., then back to change for dinner, to the show or whatever and then to the casino. Maximum time in cabin probably at most 3 hours. You are right, can use the money elsewhere.

Harpeneden - Hi there in the UK. We are originally from the Lake District.

(Otherwise known as God's garden - my opinion.)

Anyway, checked out the site you suggested. I gather from that that because we will be Diamond members on RCL after this next cruise, we should qualify for Elite status on X. At least that is how I read it.

No matter, I e-mailed them and asked just what would happen if I was booked in a concierge what would be the one-category upgrade, or if an ocean view - same question. No sense in getting excited about something that might never happen.

Everyone else, all your suggestions do make sense - if we were going somewhere else - so thank you all - you, too, Andy. Anyway, we did get an upgrade on the Galaxy over Christmas 2003. We took our kids and grandkids - 11 total. I had booked inside cabins for all - mainly because of the young ones and the tendency to rise early if the light shone in the window and woke them up. Very considerate, I thought, because we had an inside as well. Well, when we were checking in at the port, found out that we now had five outside cabins (no balconies but windows). I wrote a letter to X thanking them, but also explained my reasoning for insides - which did happen, all five them were up around 6 every morning. X replied and gave us certificate for $150 (2 of them) shipboard credit. Never did use them, but it was a very nice gesture.

So the upgrade fairy does exist within the X company.