Mismatched

[mfs2k]

We’ve been booked for over a year in a Sky Suite on Beyond sailing in 2 weeks. Now friends of ours may last minute book in an infinite Verandah. They won’t pay for a suite. 
 

I almost don’t want them to go because we’re really looking forward to spending 5 of our sea days in the Retreat, 1 sea day in a reserved 1/2 Cabana, and dining in Luminae when not in Specialty restaurants. 
 

Do any of you have experience with friends or relatives in mismatched cabin categories?  How did you manage it?  Thanks for your input. 

 

[Ipeeinthepools]

32 minutes ago, mfs2k said:

We’ve been booked for over a year in a Sky Suite on Beyond sailing in 2 weeks. Now friends of ours may last minute book in an infinite Verandah. They won’t pay for a suite. 
 

I almost don’t want them to go because we’re really looking forward to spending 5 of our sea days in the Retreat, 1 sea day in a reserved 1/2 Cabana, and dining in Luminae when not in Specialty restaurants. 
 

Do any of you have experience with friends or relatives in mismatched cabin categories?  How did you manage it?  Thanks for your input. 

 

Be honest with them.  Tell them that IVs are miserable and that’s why you booked a suite.  Let them know that you probably won’t see much of them because the  Beyond has a ship within a ship concept and the suites have several private areas.  Suggest that you book another cruise where you are both in the same cabin category so you can cruise together.  Don’t let a friend ruin your cruise.  If they have cruised before, they should understand the problem 

[teacherman]

Maybe they do not want to spend every moment of the cruise with someone else.  Can't you each do your own thing for some of the day and then meet up for dinner or drinks or entertainment at other times?  When we go on a cruise with "groups", that is what we do, and everyone seems to have a good time without being constantly in a group.

[Ex-Airbalancer]

5 minutes ago, Ipeeinthepools said:

Be honest with them.  Tell them that IVs are miserable and that’s why you booked a suite.  Let them know that you probably won’t see much of them because the  Beyond has a ship within a ship concept and the suites have several private areas.  Suggest that you book another cruise where you are both in the same cabin category so you can cruise together.  Don’t let a friend ruin your cruise.  If they have cruised before, they should understand the problem 

🙄
I would take a an IV balcony in a flash , only problem it is on a E-class ship so past 😁

[Ex-Airbalancer]

Just now, Ex-Airbalancer said:

🙄
I would take a an IV balcony in a flash , only problem it is on a E-class ship so past 😁

Also don’t worry about being in different areas , just go with the flow 

[TMLAalum]

Perhaps do some excursions or have lunch aboard the ship together. Dinner in a specialty restaurant with them is another option. Invite them to your cabin for pre-dinner drinks. 

 

 

[thebutlerdidit]

Yes, if they’re not willing to pay for a suite you might have to remind them that you have, so you’re going to be taking advantage of everything you’ve paid for. Separation will start quickly, as you’ll be heading off to Luminae for lunch on embarkation day. 

[Tudy]

We have done it. We sailed with 2 other couples who were in verandas. We also have the expectation that we will be doing our own thing during the day and meeting up in the evening.

 

The other couples had lots of OBC so they were willing to pay the price to eat in Luminae as our guests. Unfortunately, none of us were impressed with Luminae the first night we went so we ended up eating in the  main dining rooms most of the nights. 🙂 We did make use of the RETREAT and Luminae for breakfast and lunch.

[NorthStarStateCruiser]

A creative solution. Upgrade to a bigger suite and have all 4 of you stay in the same suite. That way all of you have the retreat perks. This certainly depends on whether you'd be comfortable sleeping in the same suite. You'd have to sort out what's a fair share in the prices paid, but it would probably be an easier pill for the other couple to swallow than purchasing their own suite.

 

Just thought I'd throw that out there as a potential solution. 👍

[NorthStarStateCruiser]

There was also mention of a "Suite Privilege Package" that Celebrity offered non-suite guests traveling with friends or family in a suite.  The post was from 2020, so I'm not sure whether they are still offering this, but it's worth calling Celebrity or your TA to see whether this is an option for your friends. Reportedly, the Privilege Package comes with all the suite amenities, but not the perks like the drink package, OBC, wifi, and gratuities.

[Team Stag]

I have never been in this situation directly but I'm trying to put myself in your situation with our best friends or even close family.

If this was in a S class or M class, I think it's more manageable.  We would be up front with our schedule and try to divide the trip with a balance of MDR, speciality dining, and Luminae (either dinner on our own or someone pays the surcharge for the guests).  Then figure out the excursion piece.  

 

But if it's an E class ship (as you mentioned), I'm completely up front that we can do a speciality dining or two, we can do excursions together, see you at night for the theater, trivia, martini bar, or the casino; but for the most part, I'm hanging at the retreat.  Especially the pool deck & I'm enjoying Luminae nightly.   Sorry, not sorry.

Edited October 12, 2022 by Team Stag

[retird]

If your friends are members of cruise critic, they may already know your feelings and you may not have to say anything.

[Orator]

They made their choice knowing what choice you made. No need to change or feel guilty about the choice. To me a friendship is based on respect. You can dine together at breakfast and lunch or at specialty restaurants. You may go the the MDR or they might pay to go to the suite restaurant. You can take excursions together. You and your friends should not sacrifice what your individual wants are for your vacation. A little separation may be good for both couples and that's might be what they want and are afraid to state.

[PTC DAWG]

Tell them about the Cruise Critic Celebrity Board.  Lots of great suggestions here. 🙂

[Tulsacoker]

24 minutes ago, retird said:

If your friends are members of cruise critic, they may already know your feelings and you may not have to say anything.

yep just now do 😡

 

 

lol

[kwokpot]

4 hours ago, mfs2k said:

We’ve been booked for over a year in a Sky Suite on Beyond sailing in 2 weeks. Now friends of ours may last minute book in an infinite Verandah. They won’t pay for a suite. 
 

I almost don’t want them to go because we’re really looking forward to spending 5 of our sea days in the Retreat, 1 sea day in a reserved 1/2 Cabana, and dining in Luminae when not in Specialty restaurants. 
 

Do any of you have experience with friends or relatives in mismatched cabin categories?  How did you manage it?  Thanks for your input. 

 

I'll be on the 10/26th sailing of the Beyond in Aquaclass and my parents. 84 & 93, joined us only two months ago but in an inside cabin. They know we have a separate dining room and they're fine with their set Early Dining. We plan on meeting up for breakfast and lunch. 

Don't ever let others cause stress with of all things your vacation plans. As others of suggested be honest with them and discuss that being in a suite you want to enjoy some of the benefits that come with it. Discuss with them your plans for specialty restaurants and invite them to join you;however, if they don't want to spend the extra money, DO NOT shame them for their decision. 

[Jim_Iain]

I would have to agree with most of the other comments.   We have traveled with friends in  that were not in a Suite.   We both agreed after discussion that we don't need to be joined at the hip as we both like our personal space and tastes on excursions, restaurants etc are different.    We invited them to dine with us one evening in Luminae,   ate dinner with them in Blu and had specialty dining together at Murano.   The other nights we would agree to meet up at a certain time for a drink.    To be honest I think it makes for better friends if we don't need to be doing everything together that one of us wasn't into.    Example -  they love the evening theater shows and we no longer go to the shows.  They like to eat at 6:00 PM we don't dine until 9:00.     We always have a great vacation when we travel together.

 

Remember that if they hadn't decided to join the cruise at the last minute you would have been been dining alone. 

[wineoclock]

When we go away with friends we may occasionally meet for dinner or drinks. We don’t spend the whole time together. We’ve done it a few times & it works. Enjoy your cruise. You’ve paid a premium to be in a suite so don’t waste it. 

[mfs2k]

26 minutes ago, kwokpot said:

I'll be on the 10/26th sailing of the Beyond in Aquaclass and my parents. 84 & 93, joined us only two months ago but in an inside cabin.

 

I'd love to meet you on that sailing.  Hope you and your parents join the roll call. There are a few meet and greets planned.  

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2779311-beyond-october-26-2022/?do=getNewComment

 

[kwokpot]

12 minutes ago, mfs2k said:

 

I'd love to meet you on that sailing.  Hope you and your parents join the roll call. There are a few meet and greets planned.  

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2779311-beyond-october-26-2022/?do=getNewComment

 

I'll checkout the rolecall. For reference here's a photo from our cruise in July on the Scarlett Lady. 

Edit: Yes, that's currently my favorite shirt, lol!

Edited October 12, 2022 by kwokpot

[PinkSandGirl]

For me, when I cruise with others (something I always do) part of the fun is doing things together.  Yes, there are times we go our own way but for the most part, we're together.  I also always book our cabins all together.

 

For this cruise, I had friends and some family who wanted to join but didn't want a suite.   They decided not to come because we'll have the Retreat areas and they wouldn't.  I didn't want to not utilize the Retreat and then we didn't want there to be times when we couldn't be together.   Yes, the ship is much more than the Retreat but part of booking a suite is having that extra access.

 

Honestly, I was relieved the friends/family decided not to go because I would feel bad not being able to be together.   I can't imagine boarding together and then for example we go to Luminae for lunch and they have to go their own way and then the same thing would happen multiple times throughout the cruise.   They felt the same, because they didn't book.  Yes, I would have liked for them to come but the mismatched cabin categories would not be enjoyable for me. 

 

If your friends decide to go, definitely tell them there are times you won't be together.  Have you cruised together before?  If so, did you do alot together?   That may help with the decision.  

 

It's 'your cruise' so do/say what you feel will be best and most enjoyable for you. 

 

🍹

[PinkSandGirl]

8 minutes ago, kwokpot said:

I'll checkout the rolecall. For reference here's a photo from our cruise in July on the Scarlett Lady. 

Edit: Yes, that's currently my favorite shirt, lol!

 

Hi!   I'll be on the cruise too.  Yes, come over to the Roll Call and join the fun.  We're an active bunch.  😉

 

🍹

[mfs2k]

Thank you. Helpful perspectives 

[Boo's Mom]

10 hours ago, mfs2k said:

We’ve been booked for over a year in a Sky Suite on Beyond sailing in 2 weeks. Now friends of ours may last minute book in an infinite Verandah. They won’t pay for a suite. 
 

I almost don’t want them to go because we’re really looking forward to spending 5 of our sea days in the Retreat, 1 sea day in a reserved 1/2 Cabana, and dining in Luminae when not in Specialty restaurants. 
 

Do any of you have experience with friends or relatives in mismatched cabin categories?  How did you manage it?  Thanks for your input. 

 

It's hard. 

I have dealt with this several times, and all times are with family members (grown children, etc) 

 

First, I don't plan to spend all time onboard the ship with people I am booked with. 

The beauty of a cruise is that you can be together as much (or as little) as you want. 

I find that all people want time to do what they want (and that may include doing nothing). 

 

As I look at your post, I offer the following potential solution: 

 

As many days as possible, plan to eat dinner in specialty dining. (together, with your friends) 

 

Although you are in a suite, you still have access to the main dining room.  Plan to eat there once or twice with your friends. Perhaps one of the formal nights. 

 

Some nights, the plan can be:  meet up after dinner and spend the next few hours with your friends.

 

Lunch in the main dining room can be quite nice as it usually is not crowded.  Very relaxing.  Plan to meet them for lunch one day, and then you are guilt free 😉 going your own way for dinner.  

 

Having a written schedule ahead of time is a good tool for clearly communicating "the plan". 

 

Bottom line:  really good communication/expectations/ upfront with your friends will go a long way. 

They will likely appreciate that they are not expected to be attached at the hip for the duration of the cruise. 

 

Good luck! 

 

🛳EnJOY 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[eas2225]

7 hours ago, kwokpot said:

I'll checkout the rolecall. For reference here's a photo from our cruise in July on the Scarlett Lady. 

Edit: Yes, that's currently my favorite shirt, lol!

We're also on the same cruise, in Aqua!  I also remember you from the old AC One board.    Will probably see you in the casino.  Small World!

 

When we travel with friends or family, we generally book the same category cabin (Verandas, Concierge or Aqua), and since I'm the planner, I'll let everyone know what we have planned each day and they are welcome to join us or meet up later for dinner, drinks, casino, etc. at night. 

I would think  that would give you all space but have the chance to  enjoy each other's company too.