Is anyone on a cruise in a Sky Suite that can comment about the changes instead of speculating.

[jelayne]

15 minutes ago, Covepointcruiser said:

Why should passengers in SS be escorted to their small suite stateroom?     You paid for the SS experience so if you want more you need to book a RS or above.

We haven’t been escorted on board when in a RS, but we always manage to find our suite unaided.😉 

[zitsky]

1 hour ago, Covepointcruiser said:

Why should passengers in SS be escorted to their small suite stateroom?     You paid for the SS experience so if you want more you need to book a RS or above.

Yes a SS is smaller than a CS.  What’s your point?  Yea I paid for the SS whose benefits were well documented.  Until X changed the rules.

[Classynfun1]

1 hour ago, jelayne said:

We haven’t been escorted on board when in a RS, but we always manage to find our suite unaided.😉 

Same! I didn't even realize that was a thing. I checked - we have sailed 10 times in RS or above and never escorted once. 🤷

[Jim_Iain]

9 minutes ago, Classynfun1 said:

Same! I didn't even realize that was a thing. I checked - we have sailed 10 times in RS or above and never escorted once. 🤷

Surprised.   Usually the Shoreside Concierge contacts you by phone and email and advise you of the "Special Delivery" desk outside the terminal where they take your luggage and escort you inside, through the hustle and bustle and once cleared in the Retreat Lounge you are escorted to your room. 

 

While we don't need an escort we have always been escorted often even in a CS.

[SusieAV8R]

1 hour ago, Covepointcruiser said:

Why should passengers in SS be escorted to their small suite stateroom?     You paid for the SS experience so if you want more you need to book a RS or above.

 

1 hour ago, Covepointcruiser said:

Why should passengers in SS be escorted to their small suite stateroom?     You paid for the SS experience so if you want more you need to book a RS or above.

I concur with you, Covepointcruiser!

[Classynfun1]

1 hour ago, Jim_Iain said:

Surprised.   Usually the Shoreside Concierge contacts you by phone and email and advise you of the "Special Delivery" desk outside the terminal where they take your luggage and escort you inside, through the hustle and bustle and once cleared in the Retreat Lounge you are escorted to your room. 

 

While we don't need an escort we have always been escorted often even in a CS.

We've only ever been taken to the lounge or Luminae. Once we were left right inside the doors as we were handed the welcome champagne. We were being escorted with another couple (that we did not know) as we arrived at the same time.

 

We have just never been taken to our cabin/offered to go to our cabin. 

[abbydancer2003]

All we've been escorted to (sky suites) is generally one end or the other of the gangway.  Never to the room.  Which is fine, I know where they are.

[wineoclock]

We’ve only ever been escorted when we’ve had a PS. 

[JLMcruise]

On 10/21/2023 at 11:02 PM, Baynanno1 said:

We are currently at sea off the Australian coast in a Sunset Sky Suite on day 4 of our cruise from Sydney to Singapore.

 

At this point in time, given what we had read prior to the cruise of the experience of others on other ships - we have been pleasantly surprised by the regular presence of our Head Butler Dominic, who we have seen at least once each day - often more than once.

 

We brought a cooler bag with us, but have not required it. Our fridge has been stocked and re-stocked with all we require, water and dry ginger ale. Also a small jug of fresh milk daily for our early morning tea - kettle and teabags were provided on request.

 

I will post again if there is anything to add during the next eleven days.

 

Trish

We were on the previous cruise for 18 days in an Aqua Sky Suite. Dominic was extremely attentive and all of needs were met. Each morning he greeted us in Al Bacio and we saw him  every evening and many times throughout the day always speaking to us to make sure our needs were met. Our laundry was done by the room attendant who was great. I did have a long conversation with Dominic and he stated he liked the "old method of service" better. He stated on longer cruises he gets to know the passengers but on shorter cruises it is very difficult being in charge of so many cabins. Only 2 times did I need to call him - once for the safe and once for ice and it was taken care of within minutes.We arranged for a night cap delivered every evening and it was never missed. Patricia from Michaels was EXTREMELY helpful with all the Retreat guests. She was another one who went out of her way to help you in anyway. I did not notice a change in the service from our previous cruises with Butler Service but as I stated Dominic preferred the "old method" so he could get to know his guests.

[chemmo]

8 hours ago, jelayne said:

We haven’t been escorted on board when in a RS, but we always manage to find our suite unaided.😉 

We have always been escorted onboard in a RS or PH although not really necessary. I always do appreciate someone carrying my hand luggage though. However, this has been on S and M class. With more higher suites on E class perhaps that makes a difference…

[catgirl411]

Currently on Reflection in an SS. This is our first Retreat experience so I have nothing in this category to compare with.  The suite is much larger than an Aqua Class cabin on this ship and has a bigger balcony.  We’ve only seen the butler twice…once to introduce himself and last night in the theatre to show us to the reserved seating, but we haven’t needed him.  Erdylita (sp?) in Michael’s has provided us with anything special we needed and our cabin steward is very helpful.  The service in Luminae is great.  We are very happy with our choice of the SS cabin.

[chisoxfan]

14 hours ago, zitsky said:

I’m not intending to be funny but….

 

”We didn’t have a butler.  They would have just asked for money.”

 

How would you know if you never had one?

 

I guess it is the arrogance of us little people in the “junior” suites who expect to get what we paid for.  😂

 

 

We have had butlers on NCL. If I may be permitted to offer my opinion we just don't feel it is important to our cruising experience.

[chisoxfan]

13 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

 Being escorted onto the ship and your room is not something that has been done for passengers in Sky Suites in our experience.  I have only seen that done for guest in the higher suites, e.g. Royal and Penthouse suites. 
 

 Something that we looked to our butler on past cruises was a standing delivery of coffee from Cafe Al Bacio in the mornings, keeping water, soda, and Vitamin Zero water stocked in our mini-fridge, as well as shrimp cocktail and cheese plates in the afternoon. 
 

This was our first X Suite experience and I was simply observing that NCL and MSC always escorted us to the cabin in suites. Since these were our only reference points for suite travel it was muscle reflex that this was 'normal'. When we met our cabin attendant we told him we didn't need the 5.5 dollar  bottles of Evian proudly displayed on the desk and said we just wanted the fridge for our own water. He asked if we needed anything else and I said if he wanted to throw a few beers in that would  be great. We never saw those but a few waters showed up every day. The Retreat Lounge was so close we never saw any issue with stocking anything but water in our cabin. We did enjoy an refreshed complimentary stocked fridge on MSC YC and on a Princess aft balcony last year you could order alcohol (with drink package) for complimentary delivery which I thought was a great feature for all guests. Not a complaint but simple observation as we enjoyed the Retreat experience.

[zitsky]

1 hour ago, chisoxfan said:

We have had butlers on NCL. If I may be permitted to offer my opinion we just don't feel it is important to our cruising experience.

How do feel about paying for service on Celebrity that you don’t get?  That’s the Sky Suite experience right now with the butler “team”.

[CruisinShips]

19 minutes ago, zitsky said:

How do feel about paying for service on Celebrity that you don’t get?  That’s the Sky Suite experience right now with the butler “team”.

I LOVE it!  Charge me even more, please!

 

But seriously, it likely depends upon how much one uses the butler, and the drop-off in service they experience as a result.  I pay for suites based on other things that are personally more impactful to my experience than not having a dedicated butler...the Retreat amenities (the larger cabin, Luminae, the Lounge, the Retreat sundeck).

 

The caveat there is on older ships like the Eclipse (which we just sailed on)...Michael's club was a boring dark room, and there is no Retreat sundeck, so we did appreciate the butler more (sailed in a CS).

[zitsky]

31 minutes ago, CruisinShips said:

I LOVE it!  Charge me even more, please!

 

But seriously, it likely depends upon how much one uses the butler, and the drop-off in service they experience as a result.  I pay for suites based on other things that are personally more impactful to my experience than not having a dedicated butler...the Retreat amenities (the larger cabin, Luminae, the Lounge, the Retreat sundeck).

 

The caveat there is on older ships like the Eclipse (which we just sailed on)...Michael's club was a boring dark room, and there is no Retreat sundeck, so we did appreciate the butler more (sailed in a CS).

Celebrity has a new Retreat benefit.  They are going to improve service by letting you pick up your soap and shampoo in the Retreat lounge.  But only if you’re in a Sky Suite.  
 

Win win!  😂

[CruisinShips]

11 minutes ago, zitsky said:

Celebrity has a new Retreat benefit.  They are going to improve service by letting you pick up your soap and shampoo in the Retreat lounge.  But only if you’re in a Sky Suite.  
 

Win win!  😂

I heard they are testing out a new policy where Sky Suite passengers will be required to get morning coffee and beverages for upper suite guests.

[chisoxfan]

39 minutes ago, CruisinShips said:

But seriously, it likely depends upon how much one uses the butler, and the drop-off in service they experience as a result.  I pay for suites based on other things that are personally more impactful to my experience than not having a dedicated butler...the Retreat amenities (the larger cabin, Luminae, the Lounge, the Retreat sundeck).

Exactly our sentiment. One of the problems (IMHO) is the inconsistency that always plagued the 'butler' model (speaking as much from my experience on NCL and in all inclusive properties since I never technically had a butler on X). Should they help you unpack, serve room service dinner, escort you to show, fill your fridge, deliver canapes, arrange for laundry.......everyone seems to have different expectations and one could argue that those who demand these services can dominate the butler's time. I prefer having clear guidelines on what is supplied with any cabin (or service) and like you appreciate the Retreat benefits you outline. The concierge(s) were always available in the Retreat Lounge and were pleasant and attentive. The cabin attendant was rarely seen but our cabin was spotless and always attended to.  

What's not to like.

[Tyler414]

@GenerationX is doing a live review on Beyond currently.  She received a move up to a sky suite and has been in them before the changes.  She said she is going to wait a few days before commenting on any changes good and bad, I'd recommend a follow if you want some good and fair insight on the suite changes.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2968631-beyond-live-med-review-1020-1030-tales-from-our-suite-roman-holiday/?do=getNewComment

 

[zitsky]

57 minutes ago, CruisinShips said:

I heard they are testing out a new policy where Sky Suite passengers will be required to get morning coffee and beverages for upper suite guests.

I love it.  I’m in a LOWER suite now.  😂

 

I like Aqua because there is none of this lower/upper suite nonsense.  😎

[LMHSRN]

1 hour ago, zitsky said:

Celebrity has a new Retreat benefit.  They are going to improve service by letting you pick up your soap and shampoo in the Retreat lounge.  But only if you’re in a Sky Suite.  
 

Win win!  😂

Time to get back on your meds.  Rumor starting is your thing I guess!

[chisoxfan]

Ironically, I am now more confused than ever over all the butler 'controversy'.

I just received an e-mail from X regarding our Jan. Ascent 7 day Sky Suite cruise... and it refers prominently to a butler with a link that lists duties such as unpacking?  To avoid any drama I think I will simply reply, 'not needed'.

[AlyssaJames]

1 hour ago, chisoxfan said:

Should they help you unpack, serve room service dinner, escort you to show, fill your fridge, deliver canapes, arrange for laundry.......everyone seems to have different expectations and one could argue that those who demand these services can dominate the butler's time.

 

Having sailed suites on a number of lines now, there's also this particular trend that bugs me: people online asking what 'extra' things they should ask their (butler/concierge/rock star agent) for. And the corollary, people bragging about all the extra things they got their butler to do. (I remember this a lot when I was reading DCL forums.) "Most people don't know this, but your concierge will get in a helicopter and fly back to the mainland and bring you McDonald's if you want. Most people don't know this, but your concierge may surprise you with a visit from all the Disney Princesses for your kids." 

Then people who previously didn't care about a McDonald's Life Flight or Disney Princesses feel cheated if they don't get those things ... because someone else claimed to have them. 

 

(And the people saying "What should I ask my butler for?" ... I guess don't feel like they're getting their money's worth if they don't send the butler off on some weird towel animal/random entree collection errand.)  
 

Edited October 23, 2023 by AlyssaJames

[zitsky]

6 minutes ago, chisoxfan said:

Ironically, I am now more confused than ever over all the butler 'controversy'.

I just received an e-mail from X regarding our Jan. Ascent 7 day Sky Suite cruise... and it refers prominently to a butler with a link that lists duties such as unpacking?  To avoid any drama I think I will simply reply, 'not needed'.

The point is I never said what a butler should or should not do.  Celebrity did!  It’s like buying cereal with a prize inside, only to open the box and find no prize there.  But you still got the cereal so it’s not deceptive, is it?

[hcat]

when we sailed on Beyond  from Port Ev..in Nov, there were no treats or even  enough seats in the fairly sterile lounge area that had been so widely talked about...only water, soda, beer and other drinks...not even bar snacks.

 

When  announcement to board was made it was the  same free for all as  in gen boarding..No escorts, no bubbly!

 

our Butler did smother us...we prefer privacy