Anyone in a Sky Suite thinking to go down a level?

[RichYak]

10 hours ago, Cap_D said:

I know many (myself included) have been focusing on the Butler cuts, another very real and meaningful issue seems to be the overloading of the housekeeper/steward/host person.  They've gone from cleaning and an occasional hello, to being customer relations, food and beverage minibar specialists, with more rooms, and varied room types.

They shouldn't be handling customer relations or anything food related. For that, there's the Retreat Concierges and Room Service.

[TeeRick]

On 11/29/2023 at 4:12 PM, zitsky said:

 Some people are saying I won’t book anymore suites.  Lower or upper.  But I’m not sure how many are giving feedback.  I think the more that people do so, the more likely Celebrity will get the message that people are unsatisfied.

I am one of those people - after many, many years booking suites on Celebrity-  we walked.

For example we booked a Crown Loft suite on RCCL Symphony next cruise.  Less expensive than a Sky Suite on Celebrity by quite a lot.  We get a number of suite perks including unlimited streaming WiFi, and meals at Coastal Kitchen (suite restaurant), but we would have to pay for a beverage package if we wanted one.  And gratuities are not included on either line now.   As we are D+, we can get drink coupons every day and access to the Diamond Lounge.  Also drinks included for free in the Suite Lounge.  This all works for us anyway.

[RichYak]

11 hours ago, zitsky said:

How are you getting those inventory numbers?  Is there an easy way?

There are TA sites that show cabin availability on the deck plan. As an example, here are the 11 available Aqua Sky Suites as mentioned in the post you quoted. Just count the squares.

 

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

17 minutes ago, TeeRick said:

I am one of those people - after many, many years booking suites on Celebrity-  we walked.

For example we booked a Crown Loft suite on RCCL Symphony next cruise.  Less expensive than a Sky Suite on Celebrity by quite a lot.  We get a number of suite perks including unlimited streaming WiFi, and meals at Coastal Kitchen (suite restaurant), but we would have to pay for a beverage package if we wanted one.  And gratuities are not included on either line now.   As we are D+, we can get drink coupons every day and access to the Diamond Lounge.  Also drinks included for free in the Suite Lounge.  This all works for us anyway.

I agree, with our daily drink coupons and the open bar in the early evening in the suite lounge, that covers a majority of our drinks.

 

I used to think that making Zenith was a reasonable goal, and likely achievable without significant effort other than time. However, I don't see that being in the cards going forward.

 

[mac_tlc]

44 minutes ago, TeeRick said:

I am one of those people - after many, many years booking suites on Celebrity-  we walked.

For example we booked a Crown Loft suite on RCCL Symphony next cruise.  Less expensive than a Sky Suite on Celebrity by quite a lot.  We get a number of suite perks including unlimited streaming WiFi, and meals at Coastal Kitchen (suite restaurant), but we would have to pay for a beverage package if we wanted one.  And gratuities are not included on either line now.   As we are D+, we can get drink coupons every day and access to the Diamond Lounge.  Also drinks included for free in the Suite Lounge.  This all works for us anyway.

We have done a CLS a few times also. Their prices have gone up considerably too.  We used to target about $5 - $5.5K for two for a week cruise. Now they are typically $7-8K, sometimes more, although Galveston departures seem to be a little less. 
 

It’s a good alternative and a great cabin. 
 

 

mac_tlc

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

10 minutes ago, mac_tlc said:

We have done a CLS a few times also. Their prices have gone up considerably too.  We used to target about $5 - $5.5K for two for a week cruise. Now they are typically $7-8K, sometimes more, although Galveston departures seem to be a little less. 
 

It’s a good alternative and a great cabin. 
 

 

mac_tlc

 

We usually shoot for their first (actual) suite - GS, though have splurged a couple of times up to a Grand Panoramic Suite, or some such labeled cabin, lol.

 

With Celebrity, they might as well rename sky suites to junior suites, as they do seem to be the red-headed stepchild of the suite lineup...

[zitsky]

1 hour ago, TeeRick said:

I am one of those people - after many, many years booking suites on Celebrity-  we walked.

For example we booked a Crown Loft suite on RCCL Symphony next cruise.  Less expensive than a Sky Suite on Celebrity by quite a lot.  We get a number of suite perks including unlimited streaming WiFi, and meals at Coastal Kitchen (suite restaurant), but we would have to pay for a beverage package if we wanted one.  And gratuities are not included on either line now.   As we are D+, we can get drink coupons every day and access to the Diamond Lounge.  Also drinks included for free in the Suite Lounge.  This all works for us anyway.

What service if any do you get on Symphony?  Anything like a butler that will tuck me in at night?  How much cheaper than X?

 

I’m trying to identify specific itineraries on specific lines either suite and/or butler then going to my TA for prices that are hopefully cheaper than X.  Haven’t spent much time on it yet.

Edited December 2, 2023 by zitsky

[dabear]

When comparing X to RCCL perks & policy changes don't forget there both owned by Royal CC Line. Perhaps they are trying to position X as a near luxury line. If so, they have a way to go to compare to Oceania, Azamara ,Windstar, etc;

Edited December 2, 2023 by dabear

[DaKahuna]

2 hours ago, TeeRick said:

I am one of those people - after many, many years booking suites on Celebrity-  we walked.

For example we booked a Crown Loft suite on RCCL Symphony next cruise.  Less expensive than a Sky Suite on Celebrity by quite a lot.  We get a number of suite perks including unlimited streaming WiFi, and meals at Coastal Kitchen (suite restaurant), but we would have to pay for a beverage package if we wanted one.  And gratuities are not included on either line now.   As we are D+, we can get drink coupons every day and access to the Diamond Lounge.  Also drinks included for free in the Suite Lounge.  This all works for us anyway.

 

It is interesting the difference in the Oasis and Quantum class.  With Symphony being Oasis class Sky and Start suite guest receive free beer, sodas, and wine (from a selected list) in the Suite Lounged 1100 - 2300.  On the Quantum class ships, Sky and Star suite guest receive free drinks from 1630 - 2000 in the Concierge lounge.  

 

Wine with your meals in Coastal Kitchen is included on Oasis class but on Quantum calls you will need to use your Diamond + allowance.   The five free drinks per day can go a long way on both classes of ships. 

 

[markeb]

3 hours ago, TeeRick said:

I am one of those people - after many, many years booking suites on Celebrity-  we walked.

For example we booked a Crown Loft suite on RCCL Symphony next cruise.  Less expensive than a Sky Suite on Celebrity by quite a lot.  We get a number of suite perks including unlimited streaming WiFi, and meals at Coastal Kitchen (suite restaurant), but we would have to pay for a beverage package if we wanted one.  And gratuities are not included on either line now.   As we are D+, we can get drink coupons every day and access to the Diamond Lounge.  Also drinks included for free in the Suite Lounge.  This all works for us anyway.

 

Curious to hear your experience. We're going to explore other cruise options after our next (final booked so far) Celebrity cruise (SS southbound from Alaska). But we're also looking at other vacation options that don't involve cruising. We'll see.

[CaptCrunch]

Add us to the list of former suite lovers that no longer see the value in paying for a suite.  The prices for the suites have gone up and the service has gone way down.  Our last cruise was a Transatlantic on the Constellation and we went with a regular veranda room and we were just fine. We did specialty dining a few times and while we missed Luminae, the MDR was adequate.  The service levels were abysmal across the board on this cruise, but I went in with such low expectations I really wasn't surprised.  There are not enough bartenders and servers especially in areas where you expect someone to be there to take orders and serve. For instance, the lines at Al Bacio at 6:30 am were ten deep and it was actually less time to wait in line and take your coffee and croissant to go and then sit at a table.  Table service was that slow - every table was full and they had only two servers.  It was like that everywhere - bars near the MDR were packed for pre-dinner drinks and the were only two servers actually going table to table taking orders. 

 

Our cruise prior was in a suite on the Equinox and found the service to be hit or miss.  Michael's Bar had been refurbished, but the actual bar was tiny - only four chairs and the bartender was surly. Gone were the help-yourself refrigerators full of beer and sodas, instead you had a single, harried bartender that acted put out when you wanted a drink. Afternoon tea is now a self-service affair, just like the Oceanview.  Service at Luminae was impeccable, and we enjoyed the service on the retreat sundeck, but every where else was service cuts galore.  

 

For us, we're back to standard verandas and just paying for the upgrades we want - Premium drinks, Streaming wifi, specialty dining.  Doing it that way, the price is way less than paying for a Sky Suite and the service is the same.  It's a shame, but it really seems like Celebrity has lost it's way. 

 

 

[jelayne]

3 hours ago, RichYak said:

They shouldn't be handling customer relations or anything food related. For that, there's the Retreat Concierges and Room Service.

Our experience is they aren’t handling food, all our coffee and food was delivered by Room Service.  The Host/cabin attendant emptied the mini bar and delivered 2 bottles of water daily, no stocking of the mini bar with even soda, that was dyi from the Retreat Lounge or a bar.
 

 

Edited December 2, 2023 by jelayne

[txtechmk]

We have sailed in Sky Suites for several years now, and have two booked for 2024.  However I just recently booked a sunset veranda for spring of 2025.  We will eat in a couple of specialty restaurants during that cruise.  Hopefully our selection will be satisfactory.  We have not eaten in the MDR for many, many cruises.......and I am not an Oceanview restaurant person.  But times are changing.  

[NMTraveller]

You can move down a level,  and then do a MoveUp bid to go back up 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[zitsky]

12 minutes ago, NMTraveller said:

You can move down a level,  and then do a MoveUp bid to go back up 🤣🤣🤣🤣

Yes if you have multiple cruises with many sea days where having access to the Retreat is more useful.  Thanks for that helpful advice.

[goofysmom99]

40 minutes ago, CaptCrunch said:

Our last cruise was a Transatlantic on the Constellation and we went with a regular veranda room and we were just fine. We did specialty dining a few times and while we missed Luminae, the MDR was adequate.  The service levels were abysmal across the board on this cruise, but I went in with such low expectations I really wasn't surprised.  There are not enough bartenders and servers especially in areas where you expect someone to be there to take orders and serve. For instance, the lines at Al Bacio at 6:30 am were ten deep and it was actually less time to wait in line and take your coffee and croissant to go and then sit at a table.  Table service was that slow - every table was full and they had only two servers.  It was like that everywhere - bars near the MDR were packed for pre-dinner drinks and the were only two servers actually going table to table taking orders. 

 

I was on your same cruise and also went in with low expectations.  Unfortunately, my expectations were exceeded and not in a good way.  Tied for worst cruise I've ever taken, only matched by a particularly memorable 2013 Brilliance OTS TA. 

 

At this point, Celebrity's bizarre management decisions have done the deed - not enough confidence in X to continue planning ahead with them.  And their backpedaling just makes it worse.  Who makes such remarkably stupid management decisions in the first place?  I've kvetched and complained to the home office and in person on board since back in February (even before they decided room service would be free for zeniths).  All year I've dreaded checking these boards to find out what else has been done to the cruise line I've loved since my first cruise on the Zenith in 1993.  They've certainly done a lot. 

 

So yesterday I made a lot of cruise tweaks with my agent.  Decided to keep my 2024 dirt-cheap C-2 cabin on Silhouette TA (has the three specialty dining options that work well for gluten free), but have canceled all other X cruises.  Also booked two additional new cruises (suites) on other lines.  I don't want come back home from a cruise feeling the disappointment I felt last week.  Celebrity has drifted too far off course.  Have finally, regretfully, accepted the reality that I can't change them and will, instead, change my own course.

[Ex-Airbalancer]

2 minutes ago, goofysmom99 said:

I was on your same cruise and also went in with low expectations.  Unfortunately, my expectations were exceeded and not in a good way.  Tied for worst cruise I've ever taken, only matched by a particularly memorable 2013 Brilliance OTS TA. 

 

At this point, Celebrity's bizarre management decisions have done the deed - not enough confidence in X to continue planning ahead with them.  And their backpedaling just makes it worse.  Who makes such remarkably stupid management decisions in the first place?  I've kvetched and complained to the home office and in person on board since back in February (even before they decided room service would be free for zeniths).  All year I've dreaded checking these boards to find out what else has been done to the cruise line I've loved since my first cruise on the Zenith in 1993.  They've certainly done a lot. 

 

So yesterday I made a lot of cruise tweaks with my agent.  Decided to keep my 2024 dirt-cheap C-2 cabin on Silhouette TA (has the three specialty dining options that work well for gluten free), but have canceled all other X cruises.  Also booked two additional new cruises (suites) on other lines.  I don't want come back home from a cruise feeling the disappointment I felt last week.  Celebrity has drifted too far off course.  Have finally, regretfully, accepted the reality that I can't change them and will, instead, change my own course.

I was also on this cruise 

I found it meet my expectations, had a great time , the crew was working hard , but understaffed 

Enjoyed my meals in MDR and OVC 

Only problem was the number of people coughing on everyone 

 

[goofysmom99]

3 minutes ago, Ex-Airbalancer said:

I was also on this cruise 

I found it meet my expectations, had a great time , the crew was working hard , but understaffed 

Enjoyed my meals in MDR and OVC 

Only problem was the number of people coughing on everyone 

 

Lucky you.  If you'd gotten sick and had had to rely on room service for five days, as it presently exists, you might have had a somewhat less "great time."  Agree, OVC was very good. 

[CruiseMrB]

27 minutes ago, goofysmom99 said:

Lucky you.  If you'd gotten sick and had had to rely on room service for five days, as it presently exists, you might have had a somewhat less "great time."  Agree, OVC was very good. 

Can attest, though for shorter time - 2 days. Herniated a disc on an excursion. I ordered things from room service in a defensive manner - What could they screw up the least? Was still disappointed in quality.

[Ex-Airbalancer]

52 minutes ago, goofysmom99 said:

Lucky you.  If you'd gotten sick and had had to rely on room service for five days, as it presently exists, you might have had a somewhat less "great time."  Agree, OVC was very good. 

 

so you not really giving a fair observation if you had to isolate and comparing to the rest of the ship 

My wife was in Covid prison on the Apex , for 10 days  talk about a complete shitshow 

She was fortunate to have me bring her food 

if you were in Suite , they would have treated you like a queen , 

They do treat people differently if you are in a suite 

 

[goofysmom99]

8 minutes ago, Ex-Airbalancer said:

 

so you not really giving a fair observation if you had to isolate and comparing to the rest of the ship 

My wife was in Covid prison on the Apex , for 10 days  talk about a complete shitshow 

She was fortunate to have me bring her food 

if you were in Suite , they would have treated you like a queen , 

They do treat people differently if you are in a suite 

 

As a zenith, I can guarantee I received an entirely different level of service than most experience.  Regardless, what I did receive was unacceptable.  Everyone did their best but best wasn't all that good.  F&B Director was well aware and I received so very many special deliveries it was comical (brought home four bottles of wine).  Luckily, my cabin had a doorbell.  My two experiences in MDR were dismal and didn't warrant a third visit.  Tuscan was excellent as was OVC, especially the gluten-free pizza.  Will I sail an M-class again?  Unlikely.  And unless it's on Silhouette/Reflection, it's unlikely it'll be on Celebrity.

[zitsky]

46 minutes ago, Ex-Airbalancer said:

 

so you not really giving a fair observation if you had to isolate and comparing to the rest of the ship 

My wife was in Covid prison on the Apex , for 10 days  talk about a complete shitshow 

She was fortunate to have me bring her food 

if you were in Suite , they would have treated you like a queen , 

They do treat people differently if you are in a suite 

 

Well that’s only in a “real” suite.  People in Sky Suites can get lost, according to Cruise Critic.

[Irishredhead21]

On 11/26/2023 at 8:07 PM, Lastdance said:

Yes, Vista for a TA in 2024/25 is such an awesome price for a PH1 that I hope the rest is that good.  We also have 600 OBC from Celebrity and another huge chunk from our TA.  We did not get one of those huge extended balconies, but will sneak on one that is not being used....🤣

Ok you guys. @mac_tlc  @Lastdance Now I’m an official stalker!! Just booked the Vista TA in Fall 2025 as well. Prices look decent even for a solo like me with everything that is included.  I always deeply appreciate your very generous heads up! 

[screwsmcernst]

We have a SV on reflection for  our Christmas cruise in a few weeks.  Then in May, we have a MCSS on Edge.  I have a food allergy, and we are going to see how the MDR does compared to Luminae.  If they are comparable (safety wise), then we will probably stay with Regular or Concierge verandas.    When we sail with Royal, I learned the hard way that I need the smaller kitchens from the suite dining or specialty restaurants. 

 

[Irishredhead21]

Sorry, to get back to the subject of this thread, I have two Sky Suites booked in 2024 for very good prices and I do not plan to downgrade them based on recent reviews. However, I am now bracnhing out to other cruise lines.