Constellation veranda vs Aqua class cabin

[georgiacat]

We are thinking of taking our first Celebrity cruise on Constellation.  What are the main differences on a veranda cabin vs an Aqua class cabin.  Is it worth the difference in price?

[Tierun]

The main difference in the price is that AQ includes the classic drink package, Wi-Fi, and until Oct. 4th, gratuities. You get thermal suite access for the length of the cruise and dining in Blu for breakfast and dinner. Blu is the mdr exclusive to AQ guests. There are other minor perks such as a free bottle of wine, yoga mats, spa discounts, etc. 

 

The way I determine if it’s worth it over a standard veranda is by taking the veranda and adding in the costs of drinks, wifi, gratuity, and the thermal suite access for the cruise. If Aqua comes out less than that total then it’s a win. Spoiler alert, usually Aqua is the better option. The math would be different for a non drinker, or non thermal suite user, non wifi user. 
 

To each their own, usually I sail aqua class unless the math isn’t mathing like my cruise booked on Ascent. Concierge was a quarter of the price for aqua.

[RichYak]

15 minutes ago, Tierun said:

The main difference in the price is that AQ includes the classic drink package, Wi-Fi, and until Oct. 4th, gratuities.

My understanding is that from Oct 4th on, AQ won't automatically include the classic beverage package and WIFI either as booking cruise only will be an option.

[Tierun]

Just now, RichYak said:

My understanding is that from Oct 4th on, AQ won't automatically include the classic beverage package and WIFI either as booking cruise only will be an option.

Oh, so they are allowing cruise only and the all included option will not include the gratuity?

 

For OP when we mention the Oct. 4 date, we are talking about bookings, not actual sailings. So if you were to book an all included cruise today it includes drink, WiFi, gratuity. If you book on or after Oct 4th the gratuity will not be included. Not word on if the price will be adjusted for the change.

[RichYak]

2 minutes ago, Tierun said:

Oh, so they are allowing cruise only and the all included option will not include the gratuity?

 

Yes, that's my understanding. And I agree, this is all for bookings starting 10/4, not sailings.

[daydreamer16]

2 hours ago, georgiacat said:

We are thinking of taking our first Celebrity cruise on Constellation.  What are the main differences on a veranda cabin vs an Aqua class cabin.  Is it worth the difference in price?

If the price works for you, blu on the Constellation is quite nice!

[jelayne]

The Aqua cabins are about 20 sq ft larger than a regular veranda.

[phoenix_dream]

3 hours ago, jelayne said:

The Aqua cabins are about 20 sq ft larger than a regular veranda.

Agree.  That's another good reason to book Aqua or Concierge on M class, price permitting.

[georgiacat]

Thank you for all of your feedback.

[the penguins]

19 hours ago, Tierun said:

Oh, so they are allowing cruise only and the all included option will not include the gratuity?

 

For OP when we mention the Oct. 4 date, we are talking about bookings, not actual sailings. So if you were to book an all included cruise today it includes drink, WiFi, gratuity. If you book on or after Oct 4th the gratuity will not be included. Not word on if the price will be adjusted for the change.

X has said that the price will be adjusted what X hasn't been made clear is by how much.

X's lack of clarity has led to the usual "conspiracy theories" "they will charge double" etc etc. All just speculation. The 3 facts are:

1)bookings in Aqua made after 4 October will have a Sail Only Option.

2) price structure for all cabin grades will change from 4 October.

3) bookings made before the change will have current perks.

Wether you should book now or wait is a 50/50 bet. If you want certainty book now.

 

On a personal viewpoint Aqua is a non starter:

1) because for us one of the highlights of our cruises is to share tables at dinner. With Aqua you eat in Blu at you own table.

2) we don't like the position of the cabins - Deck 7, midish is as high as we go.

 

[Cruise a holic]

Having had both regular balcony and AQ, didn't realize AQ cabins were larger.  Thought the same size.  Not a huge fan of blu, or themal suites.  For us not worth it-  They had smelly atomizers in the room which we immediately asked to be removed.  We do not use yoga mats.  Blu, while tables for two available- they are really small tables a few inches apart from each so not at all private.  We had strangers voicing their opinions when we were having private conversations.  IMO not worth the additional charge.  On a few ships, the cabins were poorly located also- a great gimmick.  IMO better to get a well located balcony cabin, mid ship with cabins above and below.  Dine with your savings in a few speciality restaurants.  Enjoy your cruise.

 

 

[hubofhockey]

We love the M class ships and the Aqua goes great with M class for the following reasons.  The M class ships are smaller and lack good choices in specialty dining, which is more important since the main dining room is average, at best.  The Tuscan Grill is okay as a steakhouse.  Sushi on 5 is very good, but light fare.   Haven’t been to Le Petit Chef.  Some like the food/show, but kind of gimmicky.  Blu, the restaurant for Aqua is pretty good and service is outstanding.  Also, on days at sea, having the Persian Garden available is nice to have.  Agree with others on waiting until 10/4 where you can pick and choose your own inclusions.  We have AQ on the Millennium in Japan next May.  Looking forward to it.

[SbbquilterUT]

We sailed in the deck 11 Aqua cabins on Constellation and liked the size of the room, lovely bathroom and location for access to outside deck and Oceanview.  The Persian Gardens on the ship is small and dark but we used it daily.  And we do enjoy the smaller dining venue of Blu.  Once they went to mandated AI (we do not want the drinks or WiFi) we have not sailed in Aqua.

[the penguins]

37 minutes ago, SbbquilterUT said:

We sailed in the deck 11 Aqua cabins on Constellation and liked the size of the room, lovely bathroom and location for access to outside deck and Oceanview.  The Persian Gardens on the ship is small and dark but we used it daily.  And we do enjoy the smaller dining venue of Blu.  Once they went to mandated AI (we do not want the drinks or WiFi) we have not sailed in Aqua.

From October you can book Aqua as Sail Only

[the penguins]

5 hours ago, Cruise a holic said:

Having had both regular balcony and AQ, didn't realize AQ cabins were larger.  Thought the same size.  Not a huge fan of blu, or themal suites.  For us not worth it-  They had smelly atomizers in the room which we immediately asked to be removed.  We do not use yoga mats.  Blu, while tables for two available- they are really small tables a few inches apart from each so not at all private.  We had strangers voicing their opinions when we were having private conversations.  IMO not worth the additional charge.  On a few ships, the cabins were poorly located also- a great gimmick.  IMO better to get a well located balcony cabin, mid ship with cabins above and below.  Dine with your savings in a few speciality restaurants.  Enjoy your cruise.

 

 

Only bigger on M class, on S class all the same size.

[ezemoney]

On this class of ship I always go for the sunset veranda.  It's quiet and the veranda is huge!

[hubofhockey]

15 hours ago, ezemoney said:

On this class of ship I always go for the sunset veranda.  It's quiet and the veranda is huge!

The Sunset Veranda cabins on Deck 9 are probably best to avoid.  They are directly below the Sunset Bar on Deck 10.  On M class, Aqua cabins are bigger and some have the larger balconies as well.  Beginning 10/4, we’ll see what prices are like without the AI jacked up fares.

[Miss SeaBee]

On 9/19/2023 at 6:32 AM, Cruise a holic said:

Having had both regular balcony and AQ, didn't realize AQ cabins were larger.  Thought the same size.  Not a huge fan of blu, or themal suites.  For us not worth it-  They had smelly atomizers in the room which we immediately asked to be removed.  We do not use yoga mats.  Blu, while tables for two available- they are really small tables a few inches apart from each so not at all private.  We had strangers voicing their opinions when we were having private conversations.  IMO not worth the additional charge.  On a few ships, the cabins were poorly located also- a great gimmick.  IMO better to get a well located balcony cabin, mid ship with cabins above and below.  Dine with your savings in a few speciality restaurants.  Enjoy your cruise.

 

 

This was also my experience with Blu. Hated the elbows-touching tables for 2, and strangers inserting themselves into our private conversations. I also disliked the food in Blu. Prefer MDR.