Is Celebrity going to Eliminate Butlers on Sky and Celebrity Suites?

[neverlaysup]

41 minutes ago, Mark_T said:

Celebrity have got very good at 'boiling the frog slowly', none of these changes really matter... unless they alter something you value...

 

They got rid of the frog in the MDR a few years ago!

[Cap_D]

For those interested in the number of suites, here's the info on Beyond. 

 

https://creative.rccl.com/Sales/Celebrity/General_Info/CEL_04_06_SP_Beyond_One-Pager.pdf

 

 

[TheHawk1]

15 minutes ago, mac_tlc said:

That’s great for those in that community, most are not. While not impossible, it is difficult to spend $1,000pppd on a Sky Suite. Even Celebrity’s ridiculous pricing for SS is often closer to $650-700pppd.
 

Many pages back on this thread, I believe the reference to $1,000pppd was a CS, not SS. That’s an easier feat. 

 

I took a quick look at Regent today and for us normal non-aviation folks, it is close to $1000pppd or more —- pretty easily. 
 

Not wanting to cause a ruckus, but I think the stated $1,000pppd has morphed into something it was not originally. Imagine that happening on CC! 😂😂. 
 

mac_tlc

Sorry I wasn’t doing the currency conversion for you into U.S. dollars. I am booked in an SS1 on an 11 day Beyond cruise in Feb. 2025. The price is $22K, even with the future cruise “discount” applied. That is $1000 CDN per person per day. 

[mahdnc]

Now I know what 40% off every sailing truly means.

 

[Joker54]

Called the Retreat Desk and the agent had no idea about this change and had to read through what ever documentation they have available. She did see where this is happening on the Silhouette starting 15 Aug. She read that the butlers are being replaced by a "Retreat team". I asked about this "Retreat Team" whether or not that was a new team of associates or would it be the 2 or 3 Retreat Hosts. She said it would be a team different from the Retreat Hosts.

 

Sounds like they haven't done a good job of preparing the agents about this change. So its not just the customers - and this information is a bit different from what others have mentioned they were told.

 

We are back to back in SS this October so I guess we will see then.

 

Cheers

[mahdnc]

8 minutes ago, Joker54 said:

Called the Retreat Desk and the agent had no idea about this change and had to read through what ever documentation they have available. She did see where this is happening on the Silhouette starting 15 Aug. She read that the butlers are being replaced by a "Retreat team". I asked about this "Retreat Team" whether or not that was a new team of associates or would it be the 2 or 3 Retreat Hosts. She said it would be a team different from the Retreat Hosts.

 

Sounds like they haven't done a good job of preparing the agents about this change. So its not just the customers - and this information is a bit different from what others have mentioned they were told.

 

We are back to back in SS this October so I guess we will see then.

 

Cheers

 

The language on the Celebrity website has not been updated either.

[suzyluvs2cruise]

1 hour ago, TheHawk1 said:

Since when did we start calling Sky Suites on Celebrity "junior suites"? Isn't that Royal Caribbean terminology, where their junior suite doesn't come with any perks at all, it's just a larger cabin?  Oh wait, that's exactly what's happening here. 

 

All the apologists for Celebrity are now trying to say that paying upwards of $1,000 per person per day in a Sky Suite no longer qualifies for the luxury cruise experience. Just be grateful, for the time being at least, that you're still being allowed into the Retreat and Luminae along with the "real" suite passengers. 

 

Sheesh indeed!

If that's the direction Celebrity is heading next up will be no Retreat Lounge access and Luminae for dinner only when available. 

[CHEZMARYLOU]

3 hours ago, chemmo said:

So does this imply….

 

Higher suites will still have a ‘named’ butler.

Sky suites will have a generic phone number to ring and a member of the ‘Retreat Team’ will respond and bring their coffee, make their reservations…

 

 

Sounds like it.

 

[lyndarra]

22 hours ago, lyndarra said:

I can't imagine ever needing a butler. If I need a button sewn on I always bring a housewife with me.😉

 

[Northern Aurora]

I am reserving judgement until we have first person accounts from those onboard.  But we have eleven future reservations, all in either Sky Suites or Celebrity Suites.  One B2B2B and the remaining B2B pairs. We'll wait to make a decision.

[CHEZMARYLOU]

2 hours ago, 4-2-N-8 said:

This affects none of the cabins short of a junior suite/Sky Suite and affects none of the cabins above a junior suite. This is a (relatively) small(er) market segment affected. I surmise Celebrity to be keen on their impact, and do so knowingly.

 

Sounds like a logical process and efficiency decision on the part of corporate to rationalize the offering.

 

I read comments from other top suite passengers who have a fraction of apparent demand on their stateroom staff, while I read so often of junior suite (Sky Suite) passengers asking what they can "have their butler do."

 

If I was Celebrity, I'd be exhausted from the gripes of some who feel they "own" that butler and will monopolize every possible second of their time. Like, look at me, I'm in a suite.

 

I mean, how much does a junior suite passenger need? A bath drawn (in the baby bath tub they offer in the Edge Class)? A full two weeks of dry cleaning that has been dragged on board? Genuine Champagne (ok, Champagne is important to me, so I get this one)?

 

I'm no cheerleader, it's just that the gripes (and admittedly, this is a "critic" site) solve nothing. 

 

The feedback from some about other lines is positive, which is refreshing. Small luxury lines can be incredible, and definitely diverse ports and typically a different demographic (in my experience). These are good options, just not for my S.O. due to seasickness, unfortunately.  Celebrity is obviously offering what some will buy. We love it. Their EVs and ICs are superb! We only go Edge Class.

 

I do wonder, however, if you're angry at junior suite (Sky Suite) prices, how are you going to go first class on Regent, et al?

 

Sheesh.

Sorry but this is a response from an elitist cruiser who boasts that they will never sail in anything below a Villa or IC suite on a new Edge class ship.

 

Sheesh

[NMTraveller]

1 hour ago, mahdnc said:

Now I know what 40% off every sailing truly means.

 

That does seem to be the case these days. 😁😁

[NMTraveller]

1 hour ago, mahdnc said:

Now I know what 40% off every sailing truly means.

 

At this point in time I am surprised that we are not rowing the boat.  😁😁

[MamaFej]

Just now, NMTraveller said:

At this point in time I am surprised that we are not rowing the boat.  😁😁

Exciting news! Celebrity is now offering new fitness opportunities*

 

*Fees apply

 

Elite Plus and Zenith members save 15%.

[ChucktownSteve]

2 hours ago, kirtihk said:

As I stated, a starting $1,000 per day price in Regent is with business international air (an average Regent air is $6,000 round trip which would be around $300 per day for a typical 18-day Regent cruise; so, without air a cruise price would be $700 per day).

Don't forget the free hotel for concierge suites and above, luggage and guest transfers to the hotel and then the ship, included excursions in every port, requested premium brand liquor bottles in your suite, Butlers with Penthouse and above suites, included specialty restaurants for all and far superior menus even in the MDR.

[George C]

While we enjoy the suite perks on celebrity I will be booking more rccl suites unless prices come drastically down, the fact I can get a suite on rccl for a couple of thousand less is ridiculous. We do get a reasonable price for my music charter about 5500 each for 7 days cruise in a royal suite . 

[SusieAV8R]

8 hours ago, Cap_D said:

FWIW - The personal connection one makes with a crew member helps increase satisfaction and repeat business.  The elimination of a butler, even if it's just as a point of contact, makes it now less likely for customers to form a personal connection.  A constant theme throughout comments about cruising is the connection people form with crew, for some it's towards the top reasons why they feel positive about their cruise even if there are issues.  

DH & I always look forward to the connections we make with crew; such connections often continue long after we return home.  

[kirtihk]

29 minutes ago, ChucktownSteve said:

Don't forget the free hotel for concierge suites and above, luggage and guest transfers to the hotel and then the ship, included excursions in every port, requested premium brand liquor bottles in your suite, Butlers with Penthouse and above suites, included specialty restaurants for all and far superior menus even in the MDR.

Yes, of course, but those are “tiny” details; here we have a huge problem in discussion; so, who cares about all of those fancy-shmancy items in some Regent Seven Seas snobby cruise line.

[SusieAV8R]

8 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

Nah... I just bought the winning Mega Million Ticket.  LOL

 

When I read the information I was thinking that next they will kick Sky Suites out of Retreat and it will be just like when Retreat was first opened -  CS and above only.    Let me just say that upper suites were complaining like the sky had fallen.  "It will be so packed it will never be the same again-"

 

8 hours ago, mac_tlc said:

This is definitely their MO lately:

 

She also told me there are no plans to make an announcement of these changes or to notify people already booked in Sky Suites. She also said there’s no plan to offer any compensation or allowing penalty-free cancellation or return of deposit.

 

Three of our future X cruises are in Sky Suites. This along with the debacle of the Beyond redeployment, vaping in casinos and skyrocking prices have soured us on X. We were already soured on Royal and will sail our last booked cruise with them next week. Other than the Alaska family cruise next August, we will reconsider our February Beyond and November Apex cruises. They were booked on board under the old rules, so only $100pp at risk. I’d rather forfeit that and move to YC or Oceania or Viking. This cheapening of the advertised, and booked, product is ridiculous.

 

Was never going to make Pinnacle or Zenith anyway😜.

 

mac_tlc

Jim-lain, after SS was given access to the Retreat Lounge (still called Michaels' Club)it WAS packed (frequently DH and I could not find a seat in the Retreat Lounge  in the evening; (we were in CS & RS) and VERY noisy......until suite prices included alcohol packages.  Then the Retreat Lounge became a "ghost" location.

[1Virgo]

4 hours ago, 4-2-N-8 said:

This affects none of the cabins short of a junior suite/Sky Suite and affects none of the cabins above a junior suite. This is a (relatively) small(er) market segment affected. I surmise Celebrity to be keen on their impact, and do so knowingly.

 

Sounds like a logical process and efficiency decision on the part of corporate to rationalize the offering.

 

I read comments from other top suite passengers who have a fraction of apparent demand on their stateroom staff, while I read so often of junior suite (Sky Suite) passengers asking what they can "have their butler do."

 

If I was Celebrity, I'd be exhausted from the gripes of some who feel they "own" that butler and will monopolize every possible second of their time. Like, look at me, I'm in a suite.

 

I mean, how much does a junior suite passenger need? A bath drawn (in the baby bath tub they offer in the Edge Class)? A full two weeks of dry cleaning that has been dragged on board? Genuine Champagne (ok, Champagne is important to me, so I get this one)?

 

I'm no cheerleader, it's just that the gripes (and admittedly, this is a "critic" site) solve nothing. 

 

The feedback from some about other lines is positive, which is refreshing. Small luxury lines can be incredible, and definitely diverse ports and typically a different demographic (in my experience). These are good options, just not for my S.O. due to seasickness, unfortunately.  Celebrity is obviously offering what some will buy. We love it. Their EVs and ICs are superb! We only go Edge Class.

 

I do wonder, however, if you're angry at junior suite (Sky Suite) prices, how are you going to go first class on Regent, et al?

 

Sheesh.

How much does a junior suite passenger need.       You have got to be kidding!!!  . If not, this is definitely coming across as a very egoistical, conceited statement.      So as a person who books a Sky Suite….. I m on holiday. I dont need a diningroom in my cabin nor do I need a piano.  I don’t need to put on airs. And I don’t  look down on anyone that has not booked a suite class cabin. 

[kirtihk]

7 minutes ago, SusieAV8R said:

DH & I always look forward to the connections we make with crew; such connections often continue long after we return home.  

I just was back and force for last couple days with 3 Colombian and English musicians from my last Seabourn Venture cruise in March - we became friends.  They are in transition today from Venture (in Reykjavik) to the inauguration Pursuit (in Italy) ship for a new contract (no vacation for them for a year!).

[neverlaysup]

16 minutes ago, kirtihk said:

Yes, of course, but those are “tiny” details; here we have a huge problem in discussion; so, who cares about all of those fancy-shmancy items in some Regent Seven Seas snobby cruise line.

Those passengers are FAR less snobby than most of the passengers I have met on Celebrity....especially those that like to let you know they are in the Retreat!

[kirtihk]

14 minutes ago, neverlaysup said:

Those passengers are FAR less snobby than most of the passengers I have met on Celebrity....especially those that like to let you know they are in the Retreat!

So much agree.  My comment was obviously ironical one on all aspects.

[wineoclock]

Regarding the Retreat lounge, whether in PS or CS we have not really used it. We prefer the Martini bar. We especially like the Ensemble lounge on S class.
 

We would sail RS on E class but I don’t like the small balcony. Don’t need a 2 bedroom PS either. So back to CS.

 

If they took away Lounge not sure I’d be fussed. Sundeck & Luminae then I would be. 

[RichYak]

2 hours ago, CHEZMARYLOU said:

Sorry but this is a response from an elitist cruiser who boasts that they will never sail in anything below a Villa or IC suite on a new Edge class ship.

 

Sheesh

You forgot narcissistic.