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Is The Retreat worth it on Celebrity Cruises?

by Steve and Ann | Jul 7, 2024 | Cruising , Feature Cruising , Feature Travel , Travel | 75 comments

Is Celebrity Cruises’ “The Retreat” worth it? We see this question asked often online and hear it when we’re aboard Celebrity Cruises ships. The Retreat is ship-within-a-ship concept offering specialized, upgraded amenities and services for those who book suites. All suite categories (Sky Suite and above) have access to The Retreat.

Regular readers of this blog know that we adore cruising – especially with Celebrity Cruises. We’ve purchased 25 Celebrity Cruises since 2013 and 22 of them have been in The Retreat. We enjoy cruising so much that we’re even hosting a Postcard Jar Friends Cruise aboard the Celebrity Reflection in January of 2025 . You should consider joining us!

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What’s included in The Retreat on Celebrity Cruises?

The first thing you’ll notice that makes The Retreat worth it is the priority boarding. Suite guests have access to their own, typically quickly-moving line. In Celebrity’s Terminal 25 in Fort Lauderdale, there is even a private boarding lounge for Retreat guests. With comfortable seating, fresh-baked pastries, and drinks, you’ll wait in style for your turn to check in.

The check-in process is super-easy, as well. You just sit in one of the comfy chairs until a staff member comes by with an iPad. They scan your documents, review your medical information, and check your passport. The next thing you know, you are scanning your boarding pass and are on board. On the last cruise we took out of Fort Lauderdale on the Celebrity Beyond, it took a total of about 12 minutes to get from curbside at the port to the martini bar on the ship.

The lack of lines doesn’t stop there. When it’s time to tender ashore, suite guests have priority boarding, just as they do on the morning of disembarkation. After sailing a 38-night cruise including several stops that required visas and special procedures, moving to the front of the line was a big benefit of being a Retreat guest. It’s just one of the little details that makes life in The Retreat so, um, suite sweet.

Luminae is a private restaurant for suite guests

The first time we booked a suite we knew that we had access to the special suites-only restaurant, Luminae. We stopped by just after boarding to see where it was before heading to the buffet. The maitre’ d saw us and invited us inside for lunch. How could we turn that down?

We were barely in our chairs when a team of servers descended on our table, made sure we were comfortable, had water, multiple choices of bread, and a diverse menu.

Soon, they returned to answer any questions we had and to take our orders. Talk about rock star treatment! Never before had we been so pampered in a restaurant at sea or on land. That said, we’ve recently noticed that the menu has not changed much over the last few years.

Prior to Celebrity’s 2023 “optimization” we wrote here that Luminae might be our favorite restaurant at sea. While the service remains absolutely spectacular, the food and wine pairings of late have been less inspired. That said, we know Celebrity has been updating its wine list a bit and the website says the menu has been updated. We look forward to trying it on our next cruise.

As you can see, the presentation in Luminae is spectacular.

Finally, as a guest of the Retreat, you may also dine in Blu, a spa-themed restaurant normally reserved for AquaClass guests, on a space-available basis. Of course, all the main dining rooms and the buffet are open to suite guests, as well. In short, you have a plethora of dining options.

The Retreat Lounge and concierge

Something else that can make booking in The Retreat worth the extra cost it is the exclusive Retreat Lounge and the dedicated concierge you’ll find there. The lounge is a wonderful, usually quiet place to relax and unwind.

In the Retreat Lounge, you’ll find complimentary water, sodas, tea, coffee, beer, wine, cocktails, and snacks – all day long. You’ll also find cheerful servers who are happy to help you get what you want so you can enjoy your vacation.

Every day the Retreat also offers a continental breakfast, afternoon tea, and a cocktail hour with hours d’overs.

Also in the lounge are dedicated hosts and concierges who can help with anything you need to make your vacation better. Whether you want to make a reservation at a specialty dining restaurant, book a private shore excursion, or ask a question about your on-board account, the concierge is happy to help.

In fact, they’ll even have someone from Shore Excursions, Future Cruise, or the Spa come and meet with you in person (and at a time convenient to you) so you won’t have to stand in a line anywhere.

It’s one more way you get to spend less time waiting and more time enjoying your vacation. We especially enjoy relaxing on a comfy chair with a view in the Retreat Lounge (above) or outside on this covered balcony (below) reserved for guests of The Retreat. (Thes photos taken aboard the Celebrity Edge. Retreat Lounges vary among ships and classes of ship.)

Larger staterooms for guests of The Retreat

Suites come in a variety of sizes from the smaller sky suites to suites with multiple bedrooms, bathrooms, as well as private hot tubs and plunge pools.

No matter which suite, we have found the service and amenities offered to be exquisite. We appreciate that even the smallest suite is about 50% larger than a regular stateroom, and has a larger bathroom with a tub, as well.

Each suite also has a private veranda which is a perfect place to sit, relax, and watch the waves go by. It’s also the best venue ever for a room service breakfast. Can you beat these views? Note that on the Edge Class ships we’ve been on, sky suites do not include a full sized table on the Verdana for dining.

Depending on the suite you book, your accommodations may include an in-room bar setup, as well as unlimited complimentary laundry and specialty dining.

For a full video tour of our Sky Suite on the Celebrity Apex, click HERE . And to tour our Royal Suite on the Celebrity Reflection, click  HERE .

Upgraded amenities for The Retreat guests

Celebrity welcomes guests of The Retreat to their staterooms with a complimentary bottle of sparkling wine. Guests will find premium toiletries in the bathroom and will sleep on Celebrity’s signature eXhale ®  bedding. This includes plush duvets, 100% pure cotton sheets, and even a pillow menu to help them find that perfect night’s sleep.

In the morning, they may don their plush robe, bedroom slippers and order an in-room specialty coffee. Suite guests can call (or text!) their butler to bring fresh fruit, pastries, or a full breakfast to the room if desired.

High class service follows suite guests everywhere they go on board. With a premium drink package included in the fare, Retreat guests can enjoy a favorite beverage (alcoholic OR non-alcoholic) most places on the ship.

In November 2023, the room had a private bar with pricing. According to the website, however, as of July 2024, suite guests again enjoy a complimentary minibar setup.

Additionally, suite guests enjoy premium WiFi. Finally, Retreat guests may also receive some on-board credit to spend on anything from shore excursions and jewerly to appointments at the luxurious on-board spa.

The Retreat Sundeck is totally worth it

A newer feature on Celebrity ships is The Retreat Sundeck. First introduced on the Edge and all Edge-class ships, The Retreat Sundeck is being retrofitted onto some of the other existing ships in the fleet, and is one of the features that truly makes booking The Retreat worth it. We call it our “happy place.”

The Retreat Sundeck is a private area reserved for suite guests to enjoy time outside. It offers a number of amenities not necessarily found on the main pool deck. We love that the loungers aren’t just made of tight vinyl mesh. Instead, they’re padded and offer a perfect seat where you’ll be happy to spend a day. You’ll even get extra pillows!

In addition, the Retreat Sundeck has a dedicated staff who get to know you and are happy to provide personalized service. They’ll bring you a cocktail if you’d like, or even a light lunch of shrimp cocktail, a turkey wrap or even a hamburger and fries. And they keep you on your toes, too. You never know when someone will swing by to offer a treat like a fruit-kabob or a scoop of gelato. They always seem to have the perfect snacks to cool you off on a warm, tropical day.

Some ships even have a dedicated Retreat Sundeck Bar with bartenders who work hard all day to take care of their guests and make sure there’s a fun, relaxing atmosphere for everyone.

Ships with a Retreat Sundeck

Not every Celebrity Cruise ship has a pool and bar designated for The Retreat guests. Here’s what’s available as of July 2024:

Edge – pool, hot tub, sundeck bar, upgraded lounge seating, cabanas Apex – pool, hot tub, sundeck bar, upgraded lounge seating, cabanas, umbrellas Beyond –  pool, hot tub, sundeck bar, upgraded lounge seating, cabanas, umbrellas Ascent –  pool, hot tub, sundeck bar, upgraded lounge seating, cabanas, umbrellas Millennium –  hot tub, upgraded lounge seating, cabanas Summit – hot tub, upgraded lounge seating, cabanas Silhouette – hot tub, sundeck bar, upgraded lounge seating, cabanas Equinox – upgraded lounge seating, cabanas

And just to pamper sunbathers a little more, we’ve often found a bowl of iced towels on the The Retreat Sundeck. Talk about refreshing! There truly is nothing better when you’re under the hot sun.

For a complete video tour of the Retreat Sundeck on the Celebrity Beyond click HERE .

Butler service in the top suites is top notch

Another perk that has made The Retreat worth it is every suite guest has had a dedicated butler. However, in 2023, Celebrity Cruises “optimized” and eliminated most of the butlers–specifically those serving Sky Suites. After listening to guest comments, we’re happy to report the cruise line brought the butlers back in the spring of 2024 and all suite guests again have a dedicated butler.

Butlers can be contacted by phone or text via the app to assist you with about anything you might want or need. Like the concierge in The Retreat Lounge, the butler can help with dinner reservations (at specialty restaurants like Eden), setting up shore excursions, and the like.

Your butler can also help with tasks like getting items to and from the laundry, and will even reserve prime seat in the theater for you on evening chic nights.

Extra experiences make The Retreat worth it

When you’re in The Retreat, you’re sometimes invited to take part in extra ship experiences. We’ve been invited on bridge tours, to the helipad at the bow of the ship for sail away, and have even had lunch with the captain.

You’d still have a wonderful vacation without these extra experiences, but having them can take the trip to the next level of special.

It’s easy to meet people (if you want to)

Being in The Retreat makes it easy to meet people. After all, you see some of the same folks over and over whether that’s in the lounge, in Luminae, or up on the Retreat Sundeck. We’ve met some wonderful people in The Retreat and we’re now glad to call them friends and continue to keep in touch and even sail together.

When you’re in The Retreat you’re part of a sort of family. If you’d like, it’s easy to sit, chat, and get to know new people. Indeed, it’s one of our favorite things to do on board.

What’s not included in The Retreat?

While Retreat guests do have access to the Blu Restaurant as space is available, Retreat guests do not get access to the Spa’s Thermal Suite unless they are in an Aqua Class Suite, or Royal Suite or above. This can be confusing for some. Bottom line is that unless you’re in Aqua Class or an Aqua Sky Suite, you’ll likely have to pay extra.

The Retreat: Is it worth it? Cost vs. benefit

Does The Retreat cost more? Yes. It can be much more expensive. But based on the overall experience, we think The Retreat is worth it, especially on Edge Class ships or itineraries with lots of tendering (the Retreat is your fast pass). That said, The Retreat may not fit in every budget. If it doesn’t match yours, that’s fine. We know from experience that you’ll have a wonderful cruise regardless because Celebrity Cruises’ service and accommodations are great, no matter where you are on board.

One word of caution though: if you upgrade to The Retreat, you may never be able to go back to a regular balcony stateroom, again. It’s sort of like trying to go back to holding hands after being married for 10 years. Not likely.

This is not a sponsored post. We paid for all of our cruises and upgrades to The Retreat. Want to try cruising? Let us know and maybe we can help. You can contact us at [email protected] .

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75 Comments

Hi Steve, I just started following you. Thank you for all your great suggestions/comments. My wife and I have been sailing with Celebrity for almost 10 years now. We typically get a veranda of concierge veranda. We just booked a transatlantic cruise in the retreat for spring of 2025 on the Equinox. We want to take advantage of what being in the retreat offers. We are looking forward to our sky suite, dining in the Luminae as well as having access to more personalized service. Would the spa amenities be included as well? Any suggestions from a pro such as yourself would be appreciated!

Hi Richard,

Sorry it took so long to reply…my wife just had her knee replaced and so I’ve been offline for a bit. The Thermal Suite is NOT included with a suite unless you’re in an Aqua Sky Suite (which is not the same as AquaClass) or in a Royal Suite or above. Otherwise you’d have to pay for a day/cruise pass for the Thermal Suite.

Insofar as hints: Now that you booked a suite, you’ll likely never want to go back. Celebrity offers great service everywhere, but somehow in The Retreat it is even more over the top. Enjoy the Retreat Lounge at cocktail hour or for breakfast. Heck, enjoy it anytime as it is a lovely space offering a great personalized experience. If you like coffee in the morning, let your butler know how you like it. You may pick a time for it to be delivered each day or simply have the butler “on call” with it and they’ll bring it when you give the go-ahead.

Enjoy your cruise! If you love Celebrity, know that we actually have a group cruise planned on the Reflection in January, 2025 with some great pricing. Let me know if you’d like more information. You can contact us at [email protected]

Enjoy reading your write ups! How do you access the Retreat spaces? Is it on your key card? Thanks!

Yes, if you’re in The Retreat, you just scan your card at a reader next to the doors to the Lounge or Sundeck and they will open for you. There are even entrances on the open deck that require a key card to enter.

First of all, what an adorable couple the two of you are. We are tiptoeing into our empty nesting years and I’m actively tempting my husband to join my retirement plan of extended cruise travel. We’ve cruised a few lines over the years, at this point for the most part it has been quick weekend travel with two instances of 7 day travel to the Caribbean. Last year I was successful in enticing him with Alaska and what a pleasure it was. I’m knee deep in research searching for an 11-12 day Panama Canal journey sailing out of Fort Lauderdale with Celebrity. Having never cruised this line previously I’m doing my best to navigate the choices. I’m hoping you can answer what might be a simple question to some seasoned Celebrity fans. How does one “Move Up”? I’ve searched high and low for availability on Royal Suite level cabins and this cabin seems to never show up on the cabin search within Suite Class for The Celebrity Ascent. Can you provide any insight? I’ve delighted in your shared articles, photos, and suggestions and will be eagerly anticipating my first B2B if I can get the hubs on board. 😉 Thank you for any suggestions you can offer. ~ a new big fan

Thanks for the nice comment, Raquel, and we’re so happy to have you along with us on the journey! A “Move-up” bid is something that you can place about 3-4 weeks before your sailing. If space is available, and you win the bid, you’ll be moved into a new cabin category.

As long as you’re looking at Caribbean cruises, you should know that we just announced our next Postcard Jar Friends group cruise. It will be in January, 2025, on the Celebrity Reflection–we’d love to have you and your husband join us! You can find more information here: https://postcardjar.com/postcard-jar-friends-cruise-western-caribbean/

This has been so helpful. I have just been notified that my MoveUp request has been filled and we are now in the Sky Suites. If I am reading everything correctly, I can cancel my Premium Drink package and the WiFi package I reserved, but I need to keep my specialty dining package, correct? We sail on the Beyond in 11 days!

Keep your premium drink package. With a move-up, you get to dine in Luminae, but without a drink package you’ll only have included drinks in the Retreat Lounge (and maybe the Sundeck.) With a move-up, they don’t add the drinks package–you get what you had before the move-up was made. And you’re correct…in a Sky Suite, the best value for eating in multiple specialty restaurants is the dining package. (If you moved-up to a Royal Suite or above, you would get unlimited complimentary dining….but not the drinks unless you already had them or bought them. You get the food of your new suite, but not beverages–or Captain’s Club points.) I hope this makes sense. I’m not sure about WiFi–so I’d say ask on board. If it’s included, I’m sure the Retreat Concierge would be happy to help you cancel it–after all, that’s what they’re there for.

I think you’ll love the Beyond and the Suite Life. Enjoy your cruise!

Thank you for your post it is very informative. We have cruised several times but are about to do our 2nd with Celebrity to Alaska. On our last cruise we did Spain and Portugal on the Infinity last May In Aqua Class. My question is …this evening I found a deal where the aqua sky suite is available to us as an $1139 upgrade per room, we are taking my mom & her husband with us so there are 2 rooms involved. They have never cruised before. The cruise is only 7 days with 3 days at sea….is it worth it? oh and I should add we are booked in concierge class this time.

If you’re in Concierge Class right now, the AquaSuite could well be worth it at that price. You’ll get priority seating in Blu (as well as access to Luminae), access to the Thermal Suite, as well as The Retreat. But beware, you can get pretty spoiled pretty fast! 🙂

Hi there. I enjoyed this review a while back. We just returned from a 7-day Caribbean cruise on the Apex Retreat Class. I agree with a lot of your comments and criticisms. We were disappointed in the quality of some of the food. We were really disappointed in the wine selection. I actually looked up some of their by-the-glass wines and, as I suspected, they were inexpensive, grocery store wines that retail for $12-$15. Considering we were paying for the Premium Beverage package, ,I expected better. I should also add that we are seasoned (27 and counting) cruisers and we have seen a lot of “nickel and diming” on the ships, especially on this last cruise. However, all in all, we enjoyed the ship and are doing a European Celebrity cruise in May. This time we are going back to Aqua Class which in our opinion is a better value and makes more sense since one spends so much less time on the ship in Europe.

Thanks for your comments, Pat. We agree that the wine selection hasn’t been what we’d like, recently. Indeed, after getting off the ship in late December, we explored our local Walmart and found many of the same wines available onboard there for $15-18/bottle. In a recent webinar, the President of Celebrity said that they are working on the wine selection and are getting new suppliers. She said they will be adding new wines without taking anything off the menu. Hopefully, things on the wine front improve.

And you make a good point about AquaClass, especially on an itinerary that’s port intensive. I will say, though, that the benefit of priority going ashore given with the Retreat can be of value on a port-intensive itinerary depending on the excursions you have booked.

Hello. I just discovered your site and really enjoyed this article on the Retreat. We are booked for a 13-day transatlantic cruise out of Barcelona on the Silhouette departing November 16th of this year. It will be our first transatlantic cruise and we have booked a Sunset Sky Suite, so this will also be our first experience with The Retreat (although we have booked suites in years past before the Retreat was created, and are familiar with Luminae, for example). We usually book an Alcove when we sail on the Silhouette — our favorite ship — for the sea days. And we have done so every time we are on that ship. It is just a very special experience! But we have two questions. First, given the Retreat’s sun deck and cabanas, is an Alcove still worth it? I know that the outdoor experience of an Alcove is hard to replicate, and the Retreat’s outdoor space in not at all comparable. But at $249 a day for the sea days, would we be smart to perhaps reduce our Alcove bookings and just enjoy the Retreat’s cabanas? (BTW, are the Retreat’s cabanas an added cost? If not, can you reserve them in advance?) Our second question has to do with the Atlantic in November. Do you — or any of your readers — think that being outdoors in an Alcove is going to be that pleasant an experience to begin with? Thanks for any guidance you may be able to offer.

Thanks for your nice comment! Sadly, Silhouette is one of the few ships in the fleet we have not yet tried. I know the ship was “revolutionized” before the Pandemic, but we have not been on Silhouette or other S-class ship that has had those upgrades. So, keep that in mind for this reply.

That said, the Retreat Sundeck does have cabanas, and they have no charge. Service on the Retreat Sundeck is typically elevated above what you’d experience on the regular pool deck. That said, the cabanas on the sundeck are first-come, first-served. If you want to guarantee your experience, book the Alcove. We have never tried an Alcove but hear it’s nice. If you like the Alcoves, you might still want to book one for at least a day or two so that you don’t totally miss that experience. Still, you might want to let yourself try the sundeck, as well, so that you can figure out whether the Alcove is worth it if you have the sundeck.

Please let us know what you think.

Thank you for your helpful information. Let me see if I understand. We are in the Retreat leaving next week. There will be a refrigerator in there but if we dare take a coke or a beer out of it, we will be charged. We have an “unlimited” drink package but cannot get a bottle of booze in our room without being charged? Sounds like Celebrity is figuring out ways to double dip and nickel and dime us to death. If we want to have happy hour on our balcony, we must keep our butler running back and forth from bar to our room or run back and forth ourselves? And our “premium” drink package is really no longer truly premium. That just sounds so ridiculous and inefficient and not a luxury experience you expect when you upgrade to have the luxury experience. Our gratuities are supposed to be paid, right? So we don’t have to pay 20% every time we order a drink from a bar or from our room, I hope? And no steak and lobster, (one of the things one looks forward to on a cruise), unless, wait for it…we pay extra? I also notice that on the Classic menus, the filet has been changed to Sirloin and those not in the Retreat now have to pay 10.00 for room service. Can you explain what you mean when you say Celebrity “optimized”? It sounds like they are in dire financial trouble and pulling out all the stops in thinking of ways to get more money from their guests. Did I also read correctly that with all those bars on that big ol beautiful ship, not a single one is a piano bar? Thank you for all your great information.

We found that if we asked our stateroom attendant (now called “Retreat Host”) to remove the paid articles from the fridge, he’d then put items (beer, wine, pop, water) we’d like in there and we could use those at no charge. It does seem rather inefficient, yes. There are wines and other drinks included in the Premium Package, but some of the ones we prefer have been priced per glass out of the package and come with an up-charge. They do charge a 20% gratuity on the amount above the package…so a $23 glass of wine would be $3.60 with tip (if you have the Premium Package).

The “optimization” was creating the position of Head Butler for the Sky Suites. You call that person, but someone else will bring what you need. You no longer have just one butler who brings things like breakfast or coffee to you. Instead, it’s delivered by room service.

The Edge does not have a piano bar, but it does have the Club, Martini Bar, and other indoor and outdoor venues.

Wonderful news about being able to ask for paid items to be removed. Bad news about not having a piano bar. Is my favorite part of being on a ship. Celebrity must be one of only a few cruise lines, (if not the only one), not to have a piano bar. Every other line we have sailed (and there have been many), had one. I wonder what their reason is for that decision. I’ll have to ask when we get on ship. Maybe Celebrity does not want to cater to my age group (mid 60s). Steve, thank you for your prompt response and very helpful information.

In Eden (at the back of the ship), they do have a very nice acoustic music scene nightly. Some of the music is piano, but other music might be piano and guitar, violin, etc. It’s very nice music.

And there is steak available, as well as lobster depending on the night. It’s the surf n’ turf that was especially surprising. That said, the minibar charges are not our favorite–at least we found a way around them.

This was incredibly helpful!! Thank you!!

We’re so happy this was of use to you! 🙂

This was a great article that provided lots of insight into the Retreat Program. I have never sailed on Celebrity but was considering doing so for a honeymoon cruise to Italy. However, I am wondering if a cruise on a premium line would be a better fit versus getting the Retreat benefits. We can sail on the new Explora (MSC owned) in a balcony room, 1.25:1 passenger to staff ratio, great personalized service on a much smaller trip and their rooms start at around $4500 pp. I am also not to keen on being around a lot of kids. Both cruises allow kids but most premium lines don;t necessarily cater to kids. What would your opinion be on traveling on a premium line versus utiliizing the Retreat benefits on Celebrity?

Celebrity calls itself, “Modern Luxury” and would say it’s a premium cruise line. With 13 ships (and another under construction) along with a fleet dedicated to the Galápagos Islands, it seems to fit the bill of premium line. While kids are allowed and there is children’s programming, the line does not specifically cater to them (no waterslides, not a lot of family activities, etc.).

I have not cruised on MSC so can’t really give guidance there. Sorry.

I have sailed on MSC and they have the MSC Yacht Club which is their equivalent to the Retreat. MSC’s yacht club is awesome. Butlers west tuxedos and are easy to spot. We received top notch service. The food was not as good as Luminae but now I am reading Luminaes food is not as good as it use to be. They do have things for kids to do on MSC and their own private island.

We have heard good things about the Yacht Club but have not tried it, yet. Glad to hear you had a good experience!

Thanks for the informative article. We were with you on the Rome to Sydney repositioning cruise — but on the other side of the fence. We’ve previously done Retreat but this time we could not book the same suite for all three legs of the cruise. Could you address the tricky question about Retreat passengers who want to bring non-Retreat passengers into the Retreat as their guests? Also, the issue of Retreat parents who have booked their children into non-Retreat cabins but who want their children to have full Retreat privileges?

I am pretty sure that Retreat guests can not bring non-Retreat in to any of the suites-only areas. Luminae is the exception–you may, (it’s best to talk to the restaurant, first), but it carries an uncharge. The last I knew it was $10 for breakfast, $20 for lunch, and $30 for dinner.

As far as kids go, I believe that children under 12 may accompany their parents. (This is for sure the case for parents booked in a MC suite with the kids in the adjoining inside cabin per the Future Cruise manager on Edge.) Older children would require permission from the Retreat manager.

Thanks for the great read. You have pretty much nailed it. We have met many wonderful people over the years on cruises both in The Retreat and not. That’s one of our favorite things about cruising.

We are currently in an AQUA Sky Suite. We did a “Move Up Bid” from a Prime AQUA cabin and find ourselves eating in BLU or NORMANDIE more often than LUMINAE. We prefer the selection and service there.

Our only real disappointment is that they have still not put the wonderful AQUA shower in the Aqua Sky Suites on EDGE or, we suspect, APEX. We have no knowledge about BEYOND or, well, beyond!

Frank and Norm

You know, I don’t know if those showers are there, either. Perhaps, as they built Beyond (and Ascent) with Aqua Suites in mind. They simply designated some Sky Suites as Aqua Suites on Edge and Apex.

We agree on Luminae. The menu there really hasn’t changed in the past 5 years or so…and we thing it needs some updating.

It was great meeting you on the cruise and we hope to stay in touch. Who knows–maybe we’ll find ourselves together on a ship again, one day!

We are currently on the Ascent for two weeks in the Retreat. They have made some great improvements since the Edge. The Retreat Deck is much larger and has a lot more shade options. We have been very pleased with everything except the food in Luminae. It is a beautiful dining room, but the food is not good. The other thing that was disappointing, effective with the Inaugural cruise was the increase in wine and specialty drinks. The Premium drink package allows for drinks up to $17. Now drinks are up to $22 and limited wines for $17. These prices are outrageous. Why have a premium drink package, if there are up-charges, plus a 20% gratuity added to the up-charge.

We agree that the space afforded on the Sundeck of the Beyond is terrific (and we assume the Ascent is the same). And you’re right, the food in Luminae, while good, is the same menu as has been there for awhile and it needs to be updated. Also, the ingredients they use are of lower quality than they used to be. Surf ‘n turf is now pork belly with scallops instead of Filet Mignon with lobster; they serve cod instead of halibut, and there is pasta on the menu almost every night with some kind of sausage or three shrimp.

And you are 110% correct that the new beverage pricing (we experienced it on the Edge effective at the beginning of the third leg of our recent B2B2B) is ridiculous. Why have a beverage package at all? Just eliminate the package and lower the cost of drinks to a reasonable level. Charging $23 for a glass of Decoy wine (one that we found just five days ago in our local grocery store for $17.99/bottle) is akin to robbery.

Very nice article. Thanks. We have sailed on Celebrity three times previously (always Veranda cabins). Today, I booked Beyond for May 5th out of Fort Lauderdale. I chose to book a “guarantee” suite cabin. I suppose we could get upgraded from a Sky Suite. Thanks again for the information.

We are glad you found it helpful and wish you all the best on your cruise!

Thank you so much for this! We’re booking a Panama Canal trip for Feb. of ’25 and were on the fence about upgrading to the Retreat on the Celebrity Beyond — but now we’re all-in on the Retreat! Cheers!

We’re so glad this post helped you make up your mind. Enjoy your cruise–I think you’ll really enjoy it. Welcome to the suite life!

Hello…..we were upgraded (via MOVE UP) to a Royal suite (we originally just had a verandah cabin) will we receive amenities such as *specialty dining *wifi *drink package??? Appreciate your help with this!!!

So happy you found this post helpful! Happy cruising.

Thanks so much such helpful advice we are on Beyond in March in an aqua sky suite

We’re glad this was helpful to you, Ally. Enjoy your cruise! 🙂

Hello Ann and Steve, My husband and I have booked a Celebrity cruise to the Norwegian fjords this summer. This will be the first time in the Retreat, and I would like to ask if the premium wifi and the premium drinks apply to both of us? Might be a silly question, but I would like to be sure so I can get an extra wifi package before boarding in Rotterdam. Thanks! Annica Lindahl, Sweden

Not a silly question, at all! You will both have the premium drink package as well as the premium wifi for one device. This means that you both get a login and can each have one device on wifi at a time. So, if your phone is connected and you want to use your laptop, you’ll need to disconnect your phone and login on your laptop. If you want for more devices, that can easily be added on board. Hope this helps, and have a great cruise!

We are considering the same cruise to the Fjords in the Retreat. Was it worth it considering the cooler temperatures?

One of the benefits of The Retreat on the Edge Class is getting to go on the top deck to the forward part of the ship and take in the magnificent views from the pool deck there. That said, there is tall glass all around (to block the wind) so that can interfere with photos. Something on our last cruise that we really appreciated was skipping to the front of the line. At virtually every port there was a line to get off the ship. Being in The Retreat put us at the front of the line–which gave us more time in port and was very worth it.

As you pointed out, the weather will be cool, so I don’t know that you’d want to book The Retreat for the pool area. If it’s cool/rainy, then I’d go to the solarium–which is open to everyone.

Planning on a first cruise experience. Can you help me understand whether you pay anything out of pocket in addition to the package paid?

If I buy Aqua Class or the Retreat, which says all included, does that mean all the meals are included as well???

What are the additional costs to budget on board when booking Aqua or Retreat?

No matter which class of room you book, all meals on your cruise will be included as will your snacks. There are some restaurants, called “specialty restaurants” which have an extra fee, but you don’t have to eat in them if you don’t want to–you will have other dining options (both formal and casual) without paying extra. Drinks other than water, basic coffee, tea, and juices have an extra cost, though there is some nuance to that (more below).

In AquaClass and in The Retreat, you have included access to a special restaurant pertaining to that class of room AquaClass offers Blu, a restaurant that features clean cuisine–lighter fare for people who might want fewer calories. The Retreat offers Luminae, a very nice restaurant offering some incredible, creative dishes.

There are some things on the ship that will have a fee but you don’t have to purchase them. Spa products/treatments, shore excursions, art pieces auctioned off, items in the shops, and the casino will cost extra.

With a room in The Retreat, “all included” means that you get the premium beverage package so that all drinks up to $17/serving are included. This means that almost every cocktail on board as well as specialty coffees, bottled water, smoothies, and many wines by the glass are a part of your fare and are included. You just show your room key and they serve you and you don’t pay any extra. You may, of course, purchase a bottle of wine or something like that, but you don’t have to. Suites also include premium internet, gratuities (though you may give extra if you’d like) and they’ll even give you some on board credit which you can use to buy anything on board that has a fee (like specialty dining, a bottle of wine, items from the shops, shore excursions, spa treatments, etc.).

In regular rooms, Concierge Class, and AquaClass, “All included” means you get a Classic beverage package (all drinks up to $12/serving), as well as basic internet (good for email), and gratuities.

Hope this helps. It’s confusing at first, but remember the cruise line wants it to be easy. Once you’re on board you’ll see how easy it is and why cruising is a GREAT way to travel!

Hello, do I have to share the table with other retreat guests during dinner time? Are these special restaurants for the retreat guests are open during the breakfast and lunch time? Thank you.

Great question, Paul. The suites only restaurant is called Luminae. In Luminae, you don’t have to share your table with anyone–they will seat privately. If you meet others in the Retreat and want to share your table with them, you may, of course, do that for any/all meals you’d like. You also don’t have to make reservations for Luminae; you may just come whenever you’d like during the hours the restaurant is open. That said, during busy times you may have a short wait. Luminae is open for breakfast daily and for lunch on embarkation day and on sea days. On port days, Luminae is closed.

Hope this helps!

Just found this post – great, helpful information. We are headed out with the Celebrity Millennium on March 11th for a 7-day Caribbean cruise. I’m beyond excited as I splurged on a Royal Suite for us. It will be our first time with Celebrity, and I know it would be tough to go back once you’ve been in the Retreat class. It may not fit the budget every time, but at least we can do it this time! Yay. Thank you for your posts.

Thanks for your kind words–we’re so glad you found our post helpful! And a RS on the Millennium class is a real treat! Enjoy every minute of the pampering and spoiling you’ll receive! 🙂 Thanks for reading and we’d love to have you stick with us…find us on FB and Insta @postcardjar if you’d like.

Hello We are on a B2B from Auckland to Sydney in February next year on the Edge. Our package includes drinks package, tips, Wi-Fi etc. We have a balcony stateroom Oz has always been a dream but this will definitely our last long haul flight. My husband now 70. This cruise has been expensive and didn’t quite stretch to The Retreat although that has always been a dream too. My question is can we upgrade just to use Retreat Sundeck and restaurant and only for the second leg of the cruise. There are ports everyday on first leg would not be able to use it fully Thank you

If you have two separate cruises with two embarkation days, then yes, in theory, you could upgrade the second cruise to The Retreat to use those amenities (if there is space available). You’d also have to move rooms into a suite. If it’s one cruise and you want to upgrade mid-cruise, (for the return from NZ to Australia), then you would likely not be able to make the switch, though you could always ask on board.

I’m looking forward to my upcoming trip with Celebrity Cruises in the Retreat. In my opinion Luminae is worth the price of admission alone! But the expanded amenities of the sundeck/lounge and everything else makes this a truly amazing vacation experience. This will be my 10th Celebrity Cruise and fourth time in the Retreat. I’ll be on Summit next and the Edge class Beyond in 2024. This was an excellent article and I also enjoyed the accompanying videos on YouTube. Cheers

So glad you enjoyed this post! We agree, The Retreat is totally worth it if a person can afford it for all the reasons you said. Thanks for the kind words!

Your description was perfect Couldn’t believe how consistently wonderful the food was in every specialty restaurant. Luminae made me feel like I was family Worth every cent Edge Royal suite 3rd sailing Jan 2019

Great review! We are interested in a future Retreat Suite and you answered my question about booking a steak speciality restaurant. Thank you.

We are so glad you found this post helpful! Just let us know if you have any additional questions.

It’s very interesting reading all your comments and recommendations. We had a similar thing on the MSC which is the Yatch club and we were treated like celebrities.we are actually going on Reflection in October and have booked a sky suite for that reason. We are looking for an upgrade and hope we get one. Really looking forward to being pampered.

We think you’ll love the Reflection! We also wrote a blog post about that specific ship. https://postcardjar.com/celebrity-reflection-review-cruise-ship/

I have been informed by Celebrity, regardless of the Retreat cabins, specialty restaurants (excluding Luminare) are not included in the price. I have sailed on Regent with airfare, shore excursions and all specialty restaurants are included so I want to make sure this information is correct before I book Beyond.

We can’t guarantee anything as we are not Celebrity and they may have changed their policy. When we sailed on board the Reflection in April of 2022, we were in a Royal Suite. In that class of suite, specialty dining was included. This may have changed. The last we knew, however, Sky Suites did not include specialty dining…not sure of Celebrity Suites. But Royal Suites and above did include it.

Do you use a travel agent? They might be able to reach out and clarify on this point as it comes down to just a few of the suites on the ship that have included specialty dining.

Article was on point. Once you try the Suite, it’s hard to go back.

Our last cruise was the Mediterranean on Silhouette, Celebrity suite which did not include specialty dining. We paid extra for this package.

Planning on a new cruise by April 2023 and from what’s noted on the celebrity cruises website, specialty dining is still not included in the price. Even without the specialty dining package. Luminae is amazing and did not disappoint!

Specialty dining is included in suites Royal Suite and above–so Celebrity and Sky Suites don’t include it. But you’re right: Luminae is as good as any of the specialty restaurants on board…and with advanced notice they can make you about anything you want.

What do you mean by retreat…If you are on a veranda or a concierge suite can you join the retreat…?

The Retreat is an area reserved only for passengers who have booked in a suite category stateroom, so a Sky Suite or above. Aqua or Concierge verandas do not have access to The Retreat.

Thank you for this amazing post and all the wonderful information regarding the Retreat experience. I recently cruised with Celebrity with my mother without the Retreat experience and swore I would splurge on my next vacation. I kept debating whether or not if it it was worth the price difference. This article helped settle my dilemma. We are sailing out of Seaward Alaska to Vancouver on June 16th with my husband’s family. My husband and I booked a Celebrity Suite. I am so excited to have access to the Retreat lounge. That alone makes the expense worth it. Plus the size of the suite is also roomier. It is like the old saying “You get what you pay for” and this trip we have being waiting a lifetime to take.

We’re so glad our article helped you make up your mind! We absolutely LOVE The Retreat and think you will, too. On what ship will you be sailing? Please let us know what you think.

In Sept- we’ve got a aft corner sky suite booked on the Eclipse- for a back to back – Vancouver to Sydney- can’t wait. We love Celebrity. Have waited 2 years for this cruise. We know it’s not revolutionized yet- but we love the Celebrity Suite life.

We sailed on the Reflection in April–which has also not been revolutionized–and had a wonderful time. The ship was still beautiful and the service top notch! We loved it. Enjoy your cruise…it sounds wonderful!

I enjoyed this comprehensive article-nicely done!

Thank you so much, Elizabeth! We’re glad you liked it and hope you found it useful.

I full heartedly agree with everything stated in this article. Once you go Retreat it’s hard to go back to anything lesser, especially Luminae.

We feel the same way, Earl. We love The Retreat and the experience we have there.

We are looking forward to our first time on Celebrity Edge in September enjoying the Retreat! It sounds like it will be similar to the Haven on Norwegian (I can’t go back to regular state rooms on that line)

We have not sailed in the Haven, yet, but our understanding is they are comparable. We do like that on Celebrity in The Retreat all the bottled water, coffee, etc. all over the ship are included in the cost.

We’re taking a transatlantic cruise next month. We usually stay in aqua class but decided to treat ourselves on this trip. We’re sailing on a silhouette class ship-what perks are there for the spa? We love the tile chaises and are used to access being included. Is spa access included with the retreat?

We’ve never done a transatlantic but would love to do that someday! You are going to love The Retreat! While spa access is not included with The Retreat, you can purchase a day or full cruise pass. You can also still eat in Blu as there is availability. We are hosting a Facebook LIVE tonight (Sunday, Aug. 7) to answer questions about cruising. If you have additional questions, we’d love to have you join our live event tonight @postcardjar on Facebook at 7 p.m. CDT.

Have a wonderful time on your transatlantic and let us know what you think of The Retreat.

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Celebrity Cruises – The Retreat Suite Experience – Review

I recently had the opportunity to sail the suite life on the revolutionised Celebrity Silhouette from Southampton. Silhouette was already a fabulous ship (one of my favourites in fact), as with the rest of the Solstice Class of the line, but she’s been given an extra zhuzh through the Celebrity Revolution.

As part of the revolution, a lot of attention was given to reimagining the suite experience on board, as part of The Retreat sub-brand first seen on Celebrity Edge (you can read all about Celebrity Edge here ).

You can also watch my Instagram IGTV of our suite experience here.

What is The Retreat?

The Retreat is an exclusive, all-inclusive suite experience that extends to all parts of your time on board the ship. Whether that’s the reimagined accommodations, private dining and exclusive bar and sundeck.

Accommodations

Centre to The Retreat experience is of course the suites themselves, all reimagined by Kelly Hoppen. Expect chic accommodation, with cashmere mattresses and premium amenities. You can read all about the range of suites here in my wider guide to Celebrity Cruises accommodation.

On our recent adventure with Celebrity, we stayed in one of the reimagined Celebrity Suites.  This sits in between the Sky Suite and the new Sunset Suite, with a size equivalent to twice a standard balcony room.

What’s even better is that these are two-room suites featuring a large living area, veranda and separate bedroom.  There is also a large ensuite bathroom with jack and jill doors and a walk-in wardrobe.  I found this to be arguably a perfect size suite for me, allowing us enough space to stretch out.  I particularly liked the two-room approach allowing for additional privacy – being an early morning person it was perfect to be able to get up without disturbing my partner.

On top of this, expect afternoon deliveries of treats, complimentary 24-hour room service and other amenities.

Retreat Sundeck

A new addition to Celebrity Silhouette is the expansive Retreat Sundeck.  Situated right at the front and top of the ship, this is a two-deck space with a variety of seating and views.  We ended up spending and enjoying a lot of time here, even on a brisk day in the Irish Sea

There’s also a bar, alongside a constant supply of offerings, and a jacuzzi which overlooks the bow of the ship – the perfect spot to enjoy the suite life.  During the day staff will come round and offer a variety of drinks, fresh fruit and other food such as burgers, wraps and sandwiches all delivered to you.

The Retreat Lounge

Situated just off of the Ensemble Lounge, you will find The Retreat Lounge.  This space has been totally redesigned by Kelly Hoppen with contemporary seating and lighting and features a large bar and food area.  One highlight for me was the afternoon tea, served here daily by The Retreat staff and hosts.  It’s also a great spot to enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail with fellow guests.

The private restaurant at The Retreat is situated just off of the main Atrium on board Silhouette. This space was created a few years ago and was very much the first step of enhancing the suite experience on board for guests.

Dinner here was truly superb, with a huge variety of cuisine on offer. On top of this, you can opt to choose anything from the main dining room as well.  The cherries on top for me are the new signature dishes created by Celebrity Cruises’ Global Culinary Ambassador, two-Michelin starred chef Daniel Boulud – they were truly out of this world and I kept going back to try them each time I stepped foot into Luminae.  You can see a taster of these dishes above and in my IGTV video above.

Retreat hosts and concierge

The real heart of The Retreat is of course the dedicated team of attendants, concierges and Personal Retreat Hosts – and on this occasion special thanks have to go out to Joanne, Andreea and Joey.  Our experience on board was exceptional, with The Retreat Concierges going over and above seeing to our every need.  Whether it was offering guests drinks on the Retreat Sundeck, the exceptional afternoon tea in The Retreat Lounge or organising an impromptu drinks party in the suite.  It was impeccable.

Benefits of staying in a suite

So, why would you stay in a suite on board?  This was my first experience of The Retreat, and I can honestly say I was totally bought into the product and offering.  And this boils down to the overall value – from the upgraded accommodation to extra venues and amenities on board.  Of course, this varies depending on the ship and cruise, but overall, it is exceptionally good value for what you get and something I would consider again in a heartbeat – I’m a total convert.

In addition to this, suite guests also enjoy a long list of other benefits including on board credit, premium drinks packages, upgraded Wi-Fi, tips and other offerings.  When you consider everything that’s included and what it could be used for, the suite experience definitely starts to look better value for money.  And then, don’t forget that you benefit from everything else found on the ship as well.

So, would you stay in a suite on board Celebrity Cruises? Let me know in the comments and on social media.

3 thoughts on “Celebrity Cruises – The Retreat Suite Experience – Review”

I’d like a quote to stay in a retreat suite in January 2024

Hi – you can get a quote from here – https://sparkx.org/book-a-cruise/

Spent 10 days this November on celebrity Silhouette Aqua class state room. Put a bid in for Horizon but was unavailable. The staff in Blu was wonderful. The menu listed everything. Planning to do a cruise to Alaska soon.

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Cruising the Celebrity Beyond Review: The Retreat Experience

When you cruise on one of the most beautiful cruise ships, the Celebrity Beyond, and stay in The Retreat’s Sky Suite, you expect to be treated like royalty and eat like one. While we had a lovely cruise on our Mediterranean itinerary,  royalty  is not a word I’d use to describe our Retreat experience in this Celebrity Beyond review.

And we were expecting it for a 10k suite.

Our Celebrity Beyond review of our Retreat experience is our own. We will share what we loved and didn’t love about Celebrity Beyond’s The Retreat. We encourage you to share your own thoughts and experiences in the comments.

Let’s start immediately with what everyone is wondering: Is the Retreat worth it?

[ Please note: The amenities that were removed from Sky Suites for a limited time when we sailed on Celebrity Beyond were eventually reinstated several months later after many complaints. We hope to be able to experience The Retreat at a later time. ]

Table of Contents

Is The Retreat on Celebrity Cruises Worth It?

With the lackluster personalized service and the changes Celebrity Cruises recently made to the lower-level suites, we have to say that it’s NOT worth it—not for $10,000+ suites. The value is no longer there.

We are not usually suite dwellers. Although we enjoy the extra amenities, our pockets usually can’t afford $10,000+ suites.

While we are a travel site sharing content and tips, sponsors do not fund these trips (and I don’t want them to). We pay for everything out of pocket. It’s just a fact we want to share and keep at the forefront as we continue with our honest Celebrity Beyond review of our Retreat experience.

Not to be quick to make comparisons, but once upon a time, we bid $500 per person to upgrade from a balcony to a Haven suite on the Norwegian Getaway and won. THAT suite experience was unforgettable, and to this day, we still talk about it. I crown that Haven experience a true luxury experience. Royalty is a word I’d used to describe our Haven experience, which we won on a move-up bid. And I would pay 10k for that experience again.

Let me not continue rambling about another cruise line, as this is a Celebrity Beyond Retreat review.

The Retreat on Celebrity Beyond Review

You probably think we should feel blessed to have taken a cruise like this in the first place—we do. In all, we had a lovely cruise. We just expected more from The Retreat. 

Celebrity calls it “the ultimate luxury vacation experience.”

They have a good product with so much potential, yet it failed to wow us. It all came down to the non-existent personalized service and the amenities they continue taking away that you can get on other cruise lines for less or about the same cost.

The big picture is that as you read this, it will seem fantastic. But without the personalized details, the experience falls short of expectations. The little things make a big difference, and unfortunately, The Retreat didn’t quite deliver on that front. Despite the overall positive experience, the lack of personalized service left us feeling like we just booked a Deluxe Balcony with some added amenities.

What are the benefits of the Retreat? 

Before we get down to what we love and didn’t love about The Retreat, it’s important to understand the included benefits.

• Access to the Retreat Lounge
• Access to the Retreat’s Private Sundeck (Edge Class Ships & Revolutionized Ships)
• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner at The Luminae (lunch only on sea days)
• Priority Embarkation and Debarkation
• Priority Tendering
• Retreat Concierge
• Retreat Butler–they are back! (When we cruised, they had taken away the Butler service to test a “Retreat Host & Team” instead, which failed.)
• Premium Beverage Package Included
• Premium Wi-Fi Included

Note 1:  If you booked before October 4th, 2023, the benefits included Prepaid Gratuities and a Significant amount of Onboard Credits. (We took advantage of this.)

Note 2:  On August 14th, 2023, Dedicated Butlers were removed to benefit the lower-tier Sky Suites, including Aqua Class. Celebrity Cruises did not announce this change, and the affected passengers arrived onboard on cruise day only to be surprised by their new retreat host and team. So, on our cruise, we had no butler but a Retreat Host & Team.

As of Spring of 2024, Butlers were returned to Sky Suites.

Our Review of the Celebrity Beyond Retreat Breakdown

Priority embarkation.

Priority Embarkation at Civitavecchia Cruise Port was a breeze. It was nice to arrive at the terminal, go through security, and be escorted into a nice lounge area to check in and have coffee, drink, or snacks before embarking.

However, I was surprised we weren’t escorted onto the ship or to our cabin. We may have left through a separate exit towards the gangway but soon merged with everyone else. It felt almost like the rest of the embarkations I had with Celebrity.

There was no separate embarkation at ports throughout the rest of the cruise. When you got back, you stood in line with everyone else . Once, we saw the sign for Retreat guests, and it didn’t matter; they shuffled everyone into it.

Sky Suite Cabin

We loved our Sky Suite Cabin on Celebrity Beyond. It was one of the best cabins we ever stayed in. The cabin’s layout is fantastic, with the bed facing the balcony. We loved getting up in the mornings and waking up to that balcony view.

Our Sky Suite Cabin was 10211 . It was spacious and modern, with plenty of closet space. The bathroom was so nice, with a rain shower, an enclosed tub, a double sink, and a separate toilet.

The balcony was big! However, there was a small obstruction in the balcony view that we didn’t mind at all. The narrow column couldn’t even be seen from inside the cabin when looking out as it was strategically placed.

We would stay in a Sky Suite Cabin again without the Retreat benefits.

The biggest downside of these cabins is no coffee machine. The highest-level suites have coffee machines, but not the lowly Sky Suite cabins.

Also, you must pay for the drinks in your mini-fridge set up in your Sky Suite. We advise having the Retreat Host remove everything from the fridge so you can fill it up with included canned drinks and bottled waters from the Lounge. Ours was kind enough to bring us water daily, but he couldn’t bring us premium bottled water or canned soda.

Retreat Host and Team

Update Spring 2024: Butlers have returned to Sky Suite Cabins on Celebrity Beyond. When we cruised in October of 2023, Butlers were removed as a benefit. The review shared is from our experience at the time we cruised.

The Retreat Host is the cabin attendant. They have taken on this new role of keeping your cabin clean, attending to your needs (laundry, etc.), and sometimes being assigned to other non-suite cabins around them. 

They aren’t your butler. Based on our experience, if you request something beyond a typical cabin attendant’s duties, they instructed us to call room service or visit The Retreat Lounge. Sometimes, they apologetically told us they couldn’t fulfill our request.

That’s not to say that our Retreat Host wasn’t great. He was as good as any other cabin attendant we had ever had. He quickly assisted with anything we asked of him that fell under his responsibilities.

The Butler, part of the Retreat Team, did come by to introduce himself on the first day. He said he was in charge of suites from decks 10-12. He was not a dedicated butler. We never saw him again.

Another Retreat cruiser told us they called him for something, and he told them that’s not his job; he does office work now.

We found out about the no-butler after we had upgraded to a Sky Suite after reading it on a Facebook Group. We were not informed or told differently while on the phone upgrading. On the website, when booking, it said Dedicated Butler, and a few days later, it was changed to Retreat Team and Host.

To us, the whole thing seemed shady. We weren’t upset since we didn’t know what to do with a butler. However, while on the ship, we realized we couldn’t have a butler bring us lattes to our room in the mornings and snacks throughout the day, amongst other things.

Butlers do take care of personalized details you wouldn’t get otherwise, which made us see why other Celebrity cruisers were upset.

Specialty coffee is not part of room service. So it would have been nice to have a butler deliver lattes first thing in the morning.

You may ask, am I that lazy and can’t get the latte myself? No. Usually, that’s what I do. But you’re missing the point.

If you paid 10k or more for The Retreat, anticipating exclusive luxuries, and were instead told to get things yourself, it’s another reason to reconsider its value.

The Luminae

The Luminae on Celebrity Beyond is open for breakfast and dinner every night. It’s also open for lunch on embarkation day and sea days. We loved that the dinner menu changed daily.

If you want to feel like royalty anytime throughout your Retreat stay, go to the Luminae. The staff at the Luminae are excellent. Our head waiter, Gary, and his team cared for us daily – they went above and beyond, even when we didn’t ask them to. The sommelier always had the best mocktails made for hubby for dinner, which was a nice added touch.

We tried to make it to The Luminae often to take advantage of it as it was supposed to be some of the best food on the ship. We failed to see that consistently throughout our ten nights aboard.

You can’t blame the front of the house for the pitfalls of the back of the house. The food that was served was hit-and-miss. Sometimes, meals would take a long time to come out, depending on how busy it was. The food seemed never to come out hot, but more times than not, it was lukewarm. Many times, the dishes were just edible or just fine. But we were expecting outstanding, and that only happened with a few dishes. Chef Daniel Boulud’s signature dishes weren’t that great either.

If you didn’t like something, they’d happily take it back and give you something else. We don’t send things back unless something isn’t cooked or truly disgusting.

We enjoyed breakfast at the Luminae, which included delicious pastries and a few signature dishes. They once even made my husband a breakfast sandwich he was craving. The Luminae burger is delicious for lunch. When they served sashimi, that was always a winner. You could never go wrong with the Filet Mignon.

Overall, we were expecting more from The Luminae. They missed the mark. The food wasn’t any better than in other main dining rooms on other Celebrity Cruises. Sometimes, it felt like they were trying too hard.

Without a doubt, though, the service in the Luminae was exemplary.

Our best dinner on the Celebrity Beyond was at EDEN, a specialty restaurant.

Tip: As a Retreat guest, you are also welcome to dine at Blu if space is available. Aqua Class does take priority at Blu, but if they can, they will seat another Retreat guest. 

The Retreat Lounge

We spent the least time in The Retreat Lounge on Celebrity Beyond. The few times we did go in there were to speak to the Concierge, get drinks from the mini-fridges, or use the bathroom.

It is a lovely and quiet area of The Retreat where you can get drinks, sit, and converse with other cruisers. We preferred exploring the ship and mingling in other parts, like the Martini Bar. However, if you’re traveling with friends, this is a great spot to meet up for pre-dinner drinks or escape the noise.

Our favorite part of The Retreat Lounge was the mini-fridges filled with sodas and bottled water. You could take as many back to your cabin as needed—super convenient! However, it would be even more convenient if the drinks in the mini-fridge in your cabin were included.

Throughout the day, you’ll find a variety of small bites in the lounge to nibble on.

We wished all parts of the Retreat were connected and had more of a ship within a ship feel.

The Retreat Concierge

While we only spoke to the Retreat Concierge on Celebrity Beyond a few times, they were always available in the Retreat Lounge. They answered our questions and even fixed a billing issue on our last night.

Having a dedicated concierge rather than standing online at the guests’ service is convenient and an added benefit. You can also use the Concierge to help with dinner reservations at specialty restaurants and make shore excursions.

One night, for one of the big production shows, they reserved seats in the theater for Retreat guests. It was nice, but it is not a regular perk and should be for the most popular shows in the theater.

The only thing that we wished was that they weren’t tucked away in the Lounge. If you don’t seek them, then you never see them. However, they contacted us several times to update us on Retreat events.

The Retreat Sundeck

Not all Celebrity Cruise ships have a Retreat Sundeck. Edge-class ships and Revolutionized Ships are the only ones with Retreat Sundecks. Only the Edge Class Ships have some water features, like a pool or a hot tub.

The Retreat Sundeck on Celebrity Beyond has a small pool, big enough for a dip, and two hot tubs.

This area was a nice escape from the rest of the ship. There was plenty of seating throughout the two decks of this area. It was almost always empty, probably because it was windy and chilly at sea on some days. The sunniest day at sea, it wasn’t even that busy.

Plenty of towels and blankets are available. Drink service from the pool bar. They even had a small lunch menu so you can order food straight from where you’re sitting. Sometimes, they brought out fruits on a stick.

All-Inclusive Amenities

We booked before October 4th, 2023, so we took full advantage of the all-inclusive package: Premium Drinks, Premium Wi-Fi, Prepaid Gratuities, and $1,000 onboard credit. (*Prepaid gratuities and onboard credits are no longer available for new bookings.)

With all of this included, the cost of the Sky Suite didn’t seem so bad. You’re getting all of that plus the other Retreat Benefits. Especially after you do the math, it’s not too bad.

We used the onboard credit to go to the Spa, get laundry sent out (a 10-night cruise, and then we had five days in Rome after that), and book two shore excursions with Celebrity. 

These additional perks made it feel like a real all-inclusive cruise vacation. It was nice to include the prepaid gratuities (we did tip extra onboard). It was extra nice not to worry about purchasing an internet package or running a tab on drinks.

One negative aspect of the Premium Drinks is the $17 per drink cap. Why be so stingy? When you have a Premium Drink Package, it should all be included.

Would we book The Retreat again?

Never say never. There would have to be a great deal for us to consider the Retreat again on another ship. We love certain conveniences and will pay for them if the price is right, maybe on a Move-Up Bid.

From what we hear and see, what we paid for on this cruise is about 30% more than what the cost used to be. Rates are only going up for The Retreat, and amenities are only being removed.

What did we think of the Celebrity Beyond cruise ship?

The Celebrity Beyond is one of the most beautiful ships we’ve ever sailed on. For a mega-ship of its size, its max capacity is 3500, so we were surprised that only 3300 passengers were on our sailing—it never felt crowded. The Celebrity Beyond is a classy, modern ship with plenty of beautiful outdoor and indoor seating areas.

BEFORE YOU SET SAIL, HERE ARE SOME RELATED ARTICLES YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS:

• Celebrity Solstice Cruise Ship Review
• Celebrity Equinox Cruise Ship Review

Meet Kathy Ava, a food, travel, and cruise writer based in Los Angeles/Pasadena, and the owner and main writer of Tasty Itinerary. With over 20 years of experience planning trips and logistics at her full-time job and for herself, she's become a pro at crafting unforgettable tasty itineraries. She's always on the hunt for delicious, fun travel destinations and cruise itineraries. She firmly believes that life is short and we must make the most of it, so always say yes to dessert.

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The Retreat on Board Celebrity Beyond

Those staying within The Retreat have access to all-inclusive premium drinks, complimentary WiFi, butler service, priority check-in at the port and priority tender and boarding at the different ports of call.

Celebrity Beyond Differences

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The Fabulous Retreat on Celebrity Apex: Cruising in Style

DISCLOSURE: Stylish Cruising contains affiliate links and is a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, as well as affiliate programs with other companies. If you make a purchase using one of these links, we may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. To learn more, please see our  Privacy Policy .

If you’re about to sail in The Retreat on Celebrity Apex, prepare to be impressed. From its spacious, contemporary staterooms to its luxurious sundeck, The Retreat on Apex is amazing.

Celebrity Apex is one of the newest ships in Celebrity Cruises ‘ fleet, with its first sailing in June 2021. It is bright and new, designed to appeal to all your senses with unrivaled luxury, culinary delights, awe-inspiring entertainment, and breathtaking scenery. A cruise on the Apex, especially in The Retreat, is an experience to be remembered. 

Not sure what to expect from The Retreat? Let’s dive into its staterooms, restaurant, lounge, sundeck, and bar, as well as the extra amenities you can expect as a Retreat guest.

Celebrity Apex has nine types of suites that can be found on Decks 6 through 12, with the highest number of suites located on Deck 10. These suite types include:

• Magic Carpet Sky Suite: Studio, one bath, larger veranda, 400 square feet.
• Sky Suite: Studio, one bath, 397 square feet.
• Aqua Sky Suite: Studio, one bath, 397 square feet.
• Sunset Sky Suite: Studio, one bath, 296 to 575 square feet.
• Celebrity Suite: One bedroom, one bath, large veranda, 501 square feet.
• Royal Suite: One bedroom, one and a half baths, sun room, dining for four, 759 square feet.
• Edge Villa: One bedroom, two baths, two stories, large terrace with plunge pool, 950 square feet.
• Penthouse Suite: Two bedrooms, two baths, large veranda, dining for six, 1,575 square feet.
• Iconic Suite: Two bedrooms, two baths, sundeck with hot tub, dining for six, 2,581 square feet.

Each suite level has various amenities that come with it, which we have addressed in a separate post .

Ultimate Cruise Planner

Need a little assistance organizing and planning your cruise? Our Ultimate Cruise Planner can help!

Luminae Restaurant

Luminae , the suites restaurant on Celebrity Apex, is lovely, delivering delicious meals and outstanding service. Located on Deck 12, it serves three meals a day, unless the ship is in port, and stimulates the taste buds with exquisite global cuisine. The service is stellar, as your waiter, assistant waiter, sommelier, and maître d’ all tend to your every need.

And the food? It is delicious, served quickly, and just as you like it.

The menu changes each day, offering you new delights to choose from. And if you don’t see something to your taste, ask your waiter about the classic menu that is always available, which includes appetizers, entrees, and desserts that you won’t find on your regular menu.

If you are still not satisfied, ask for what you want. You might be surprised that the chef can accommodate you, especially if you give them a day’s notice of your special request so they can procure the ingredients needed.

The Retreat Lounge

The Retreat Lounge is an oasis on the Apex found on Deck 15, a quiet place to relax, have a cocktail, get a quick bite during the afternoon buffet, or get a little work done on the peaceful patio. The views are expansive and mesmerizing.

The Retreat Bar is located in the Retreat Lounge, staffed with an experienced bartender who will remember your favorite cocktail in no time.

A concierge or two are always on duty here, so this is where you can come to get any issues resolved or to ask questions. Have trouble with your Wi-Fi? They can help. Lost your keycard? No problem. Just have a question about an upcoming port? The concierges will have answers for you.

Each afternoon, afternoon tea is set out buffet-style with scones, mini sandwiches, fruit, cheese, sweets, and other mini-bites. Be sure to stop by each day to see what they have to offer.

There are also mini fridges here stocked with your favorite sodas or bottled water, which you can take back to your cabin. This is one of my husband’s favorite reasons to stop by the Retreat Lounge.

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The retreat sundeck.

The Retreat sundeck on Deck 16 on the Apex is full service with a plunge pool, abundant seating, and a hot tub. Whether you want to relax on a couch and socialize with other passengers, recline on a lounger and work on your tan, or catch up on the book you are reading while lounging in a sunbed, you will find what you’re looking for on the Retreat sundeck. The seating is so plentiful, you should never have to go without.

The Retreat Pool Bar

The Retreat Pool Bar is outside on the Retreat deck, serviced by experienced bartenders who can whip up whatever your heart desires. Hungry? Order a bite such as a turkey BLT wrap or a Luminae signature burger from the bar’s menu, and have it delivered to you wherever you are lounging, or you can eat at the tables and chairs provided.

Other Benefits of The Retreat

Of course, as a guest of The Retreat, you are entitled to perks such as:

• Priority check-in and departure
• Priority tendering
• Premium beverage package
• Premium WiFi package
• Concierge service
• Butler service
• Reserved theater seating on evening chic night
• Complimentary 24-hour in-suite dining
• Complimentary welcome bottle of champagne or sparkling wine
• Complimentary in-suite espresso and cappuccino
• Fresh fruit delivered upon request
• Little in-suite extras such as plush bathrobes and slippers

Final Thoughts on the Exclusive Retreat on Celebrity Apex

Staying as a guest in The Retreat on Celebrity Apex is an experience not to be missed. You will be spoiled and pampered to the point that you may not want to go home. Which is always tempting…

Happy cruising!

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Celebrity Cruises Classes Explained: AquaClass vs The Retreat vs Concierge

Once you’ve decided to go on a Celebrity Cruise, you’re faced with deciding what type of class you want to book, if any. You can book a regular stateroom or choose to book one of Celebrity Cruises’ higher-level classes, including AquaClass, The Retreat, Concierge, or an Aqua SkySuite. 

But what perks do they come with? And are they worth the investment? We will compare and contrast the classes in this vs that points along with a helpful table comparing all the info at the end of the post. 

Disclosure: This post has affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission if you click the link and proceed with a purchase  at no cost to you . We were hosted by Celebrity Cruises for this review. We only recommend cruises, experiences, products, and services we personally use and enjoy. As Amazon Associates, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Ranking Celebrity Cruises Three Class Options

Wondering which class has the least perks and which has the most? Here’s the order from least to most: 

• The Retreat

All three options are available on all Celebrity Cruise ships, even though the look and feel of The Retreat Sundeck may vary from ship to ship, and the spas vary as well, depending on the ship series. (Celebrity currently has three ship classes: Edge, Solstice, and Millenium.)

For example, we were on Celebrity Apex and enjoyed a yellow color as an accent in The Retreat. We noticed the accent color is red on Celebrity Beyond .

Important Distinction: What is an Aqua Sky Suite with Celebrity Cruises? 

There are three upgraded class options with Celebrity Cruises that we mentioned above. However, there’s an additional “fourth” class you can book that gets you the perks of AquaClass while also allowing you to be a guest of The Retreat. 

Being in an Aqua SkySuite will reward you with this dual-perk situation.

You’ll be able to enjoy dining at Luminae and Blu (The Retreat’s private restaurant and AquaClass’s private dining), have workout gear in your room, and special spa access. 

Guests of one or the other (The Retreat or AquaClass, not both) only enjoy some of these benefits. Guests in Aqua SkySuites enjoy the best of both worlds and enjoy all of the perks of both class types.

In summation, if you want to enjoy two classes during your Celebrity Cruises vacation – AquaClass and The Retreat – book an “Aqua SkySuite.” 

AquaClass vs. The Retreat vs. Concierge: Suite Perks and Amenities

How many different suite/cabin options are in each class .

The Retreat has a whopping 10 different options of suites. On the other hand, AquaClass and Concierge simply have one option. That makes booking a suite in AquaClass and Concierge simple!

A Concierge suite is essentially the same type of cabin as an infinite veranda it's just called Concierge when you upgrade to the class to get the perks. The suite looks the same you just have added benefits. 

All AquaClass suites are the same suite (just one option) and all Concierge suites are the same. 

The Retreat Suites 

Here are some of the suites you can book that are part of The Retreat (in order from least square footage to the most): 

• Sky Suite: this is an entry-level suite and the most affordable way to be in The Retreat (319 sq. ft.)
• Aqua Sky Suite (319 sq. ft.) – same square footage as the Sky Suite, just different perks
• Celebrity Suite (401 sq. ft.) 
• Royal Suite (687 sq. ft.) 
• Edge Villa (739 sq. ft.) 
• Penthouse (1,378 sq. ft.) 
• Iconic Suite (1,892 sq. ft.) 

Celebrity, Royal, Edge, Penthouse, and Iconic are considered upper suites of the suites listed above. 

Priority Location of Suites

All three classes enjoy desirable locations of suites on the ship. (You’re on a Celebrity Cruise – is there a bad stateroom location? We think not!) 

You will never get an inside stateroom with any of these upgraded classes. You can even request a specific room upon booking, based on availability. 

Premium Bedding

All three classes, Aquaclass, The Retreat, and Concierge, have upgraded premium bedding. 

Pillow Menu

Yes, you read that correctly! When you sail with Celebrity Cruises in a Concierge, AquaClass, or The Retreat suite, you get a pillow menu to order your preferred pillow type! 

In-Room Workout Gear

Many people who sign up to be included in AquaClass are fitness-focused. As such, Celebrity accommodates their fitness-forward lifestyle by providing a menu of workout gear that they can have in their room. 

This was delivered to our stateroom on our first day aboard the ship. You can choose from various things like a kettlebell, yoga mat, yoga block, strengthening equipment, and a meditation pack. 

Guests of AquaClass and Aqua Sky Suites can take advantage of this perk.

Beach Towels

All three classes take beach towels provided in the suite to offshore excursions for use during the cruise. 

They are delivered to your suite in a lovely Nate Burkus tote bag; the bag is yours to keep after the cruise. 

In-room binoculars are provided for all three classes: The Retreat, Concierge, and AquaClass. 

You don’t need them while you’re at sea in a place like the Caribbean, but they are useful during sea days on an Alaskan cruise. Additionally, they're helpful during select excursions; just don’t forget to return them to your suite closest (where they're stored) when you’re done!

Personally, we always bring our binoculars because there's never been a time when the cruise line-provided binoculars have been as solid or as high-quality as our own.

Daily Canapés

All three classes enjoy canapés delivered to their suite throughout the cruise. It’s a nice little in-room snack if you’re hungry. If you find they're not being delivered, simply request them.

Suite Water Service

With AquaClass and Concierge, only, you will receive a complimentary bottle of water upon arrival. 

That said, we also saw bottles of water that guests could take to go in the disembarkation area when leaving the ship for excursions or to explore a port. (We appreciated that the bottles were aluminum, in line with Celebrity’s commitment to sustainability .) 

Additionally, AquaClass and Aqua Sky Suite guests have daily bottled water service in the room.

Suite Welcome Gifts/Drinks

If you are a guest of AquaClass or Concierge, you can receive sparkling wine and fruit when you arrive to your suite upon request. 

We had this in our room and couldn’t wait to toast to a great cruise, which we promptly did after getting situated. 

Don't Delay Your Celebrity Cruises Vacation!

Celebrity Cruises is one of our favorite cruise lines, thanks to the sophistication and beauty of the ships and staterooms, friendly crew, shopping, entertainment, and delicious food + drinks.

AquaClass vs. The Retreat vs. Concierge: Relaxation Areas on the Ship 

Dedicated pool .

There is a special top-deck lounge and pool area for guests of The Retreat, called The Retreat Sundeck. While the environment of the Sundeck has an adults-only vibe, The Retreat pool and Sundeck areas are not adults-only. It's open to all ages as long as the guest is part of The Retreat.

It was very nice to enjoy this area on Celebrity Apex. It’s much more intimate than the “public” pool areas. Retreat guests access the area with their key cards, which opens the Sundeck door. Here, guests find various lounge chairs and couches, a small pool area, and a dedicated bar. 

There was also poolside food available to order for a few hours for lunch and assorted treats served by surprise other times. For example, we were offered ice cream cups one afternoon, while another afternoon, we were served colorful, refreshing fruit skewers.  

AquaClass and Concierge guests do not have a dedicated Sundeck. 

We also want to note that The Retreat Sundeck is a perk on Edge-class ships and Revolutionized ships. It’s unavailable on the following Celebrity Cruises ships: Solstice, Eclipse, Reflection, Infinity, and Constellation.  

Special Spa Access

AquaClass and Aqua Sky Suites guests enjoy passes to the SEA Thermal Spa on Edge class ships for the duration of their cruise. This includes a steam room, sauna, Crystallarium, salt room, float room, and more. AquaClass guests have complimentary access to the Persian Garden/Spa on non-Edge ships. 

Spa Concierge helps take care of any spa requests AquaClass guests have.

Concierge guests and Retreat guests do not have special spa access. An additional fee applies for all non-AquaClass guests. 

Anyone on the ship can book a spa appointment; we recommend doing so before your cruise to secure a preferred appointment spot. 

AquaClass vs. The Retreat vs. Concierge: Drinks/Beverages and Restaurants (Beyond your Suite)

Exclusive restaurants.

Two classes of the three get you access to exclusive restaurants with Celebrity Cruises. The Retreat has Luminae for its guests, while AquaClass guests get access to Blu. 

Luminae is focused on elevated food, flavors from around the globe, and a superior dining experience. Blu is focused on some healthier dining options and sustainability. (Even though we want to reiterate that Celebrity Cruises, as a whole, keeps sustainability at the forefront of its brand, ship-wide.) 

Though it’s not particularly a “restaurant,” The Retreat Sundeck has food available for lunch. 

We compare Luminae and Blu here .

You do not have to dine at these restaurants if you're in AquaClass or The Retreat; it's simply only an option if you are a part of these Celebrity Cruises suite classes. In other words, guests who are not a part of either class cannot dine in these restaurants. Only guests who are have that option.

Exclusive Lounge Area

The Retreat Lounge is special for Retreat guests. On non-revolutionized Celebrity ships, it’s called “Michael’s Club.” AquaClass and Concierge guests have no such lounge. 

The Retreat Lounge is a beautiful area to have continental breakfast if you want another option besides the ship’s many restaurants and dedicated Luminae restaurant. 

The lounge is open all day for beverages, from coffee drinks to tea and cocktails. They also have self-serve mini-fridges where you can grab a drink like sparkling or still water.

The Retreat Lounge offers guests some lite bites if you want to have yourself a little cocktail hour and collect a cheese plate and some charcuterie before dinner. They host afternoon tea some days, complete with scones and pastries. 

You can also ask a dedicated concierge team that’s there any questions you may have about the ship or excursions. 

The lounge is open 24/7; service times vary, but we generally found someone from the crew/concierge team there from early morning to late at night. It's simply a lovely place to relax.

Premium Drinks 

Premium beverages, including cafe drinks like lattes and espressos, cocktails, and wine, are included with The Retreat at The Retreat Lounge and all over the ship. AquaClass and Concierge classes do not have a space like this with premium beverages and it's not automatically added to the class type reservation. 

However, you can inquire about drinks packages or All-Included rates (which includes a Classic Drink Package) when you book your cruise, giving you the luxury of not having to pay per drink. 

Dining Invitations

You may have heard about things like a Chef’s Table for a special dinner on some cruise ships. For example, river cruises usually have a “Captain’s Dinner” evening, and barge cruises do too. Princess Cruises has a version of this on steroids with its Chef’s Table experience. 

Celebrity Cruises doesn’t have that. However, they extend an invitation to Concierge guests to join a welcome lunch. The Retreat and AquaClass do not have this (but they do have their exclusive restaurants, Luminae and Blu.) 

AquaClass vs. The Retreat vs. Concierge: Getting On and Off the Ship

Priority boarding on embarkation day.

The embarkation hours of big ocean cruise ships (and the thousands of people trying to board the ship) are rarely someone’s favorite activity, minus the excitement of getting on the ship at the end of the process. 

This is why you may appreciate that being part of The Retreat will get you an additional perk: early boarding! 

AquaClass and Concierge do not enjoy this benefit; only The Retreat does.

Priority Disembarkation and Tendering in Ports During the Cruise 

None of the classes will get you this perk. However, we did have our suite Host escort us to the front of the line one day when we were disembarking at Grand Cayman. 

Priority Disembarkation (at the End of the Cruise)

The same rule applies for disembarkation as embarkation: The Retreat guests get priority disembarkation. 

This means you get your first choice of time to leave the ship on the last day. In many cases, because people want to prolong their cruise, you can choose to be one of the last to disembark. 

AquaClass vs. The Retreat vs. Concierge: Dedicated Service and Crew Members

Butler/host.

All three classes enjoy some sort of butler or host service: 

• Concierge Class has concierge team members at their assistance
• The Retreat has a dedicated Personal Retreat Host per suite (same for Aqua Sky Suites)
• AquaClass has a dedicated Spa Concierge and stateroom attendant

Guests of The Retreat can also direct their questions to a dedicated concierge team in The Retreat Lounge. 

Pre-Cruise Concierge

Only The Retreat guests can take advantage of a pre-cruise concierge service to assist with booking onboard experiences, activities, and port excursions before they board. 

AquaClass vs. The Retreat vs. Concierge: Additional Perks 

Anyone who books a cruise with Celebrity needs to choose whether they want to purchase the Cruise-Only or Always Included rate. 

As expected, the Cruise-Only rate does not include Wi-Fi or drinks. 

In contrast, the Always-Included rate includes internet (Unlimited Basic WiFi Package), gratuities, and a Classic Drinks package for the entirety of your cruise.

The exception is for The Retreat guests because all perks – like WiFi and premium drinks – are already included. Retreat guests enjoy a Premium Package for drinks, tips included, On Board Credit (OBC), and the Unlimited Premium WiFi Package. 

Included WiFi

WiFi is included with The Retreat. It is not included with AquaClass or Concierge, though any guest can either add on wifi or take advantage of a promotion to include Wi-Fi when booking. (Such as if AquaClass/Concierge guests are booking an “All Included” rate.) 

Shoe shining is included for all three classes upon request. 

Special Theater Seating During Shows

Celebrity Cruises has premium evening entertainment . The Retreat guests can sit in a special, premium reserved area of the theater during performances on Evening Chic nights. 

(“Evening Chic” is Celebrity Cruises’ term for formal nights, which are less formal than gowns and tuxedos like Cunard Cruises have. Evening Chic calls for elevated, elegant evening attire, whichever way you interpret it in what you wear. They are fun evenings designated to be a little fancier than others if you want to get dressed up.) 

We never used this reserved seating perk because we always found available seating. However, we imagine it’s a nice option for times when the theater is packed. 

Guests of AquaClass and Concierge do not have reserved seating. 

AquaClass vs. The Retreat vs. Concierge: Cost

It may not be the answer you’re looking for, but we recommend looking up the current cost of the Celebrity Cruises vacation you’re considering to understand the price. This is to ensure you’re getting the most accurate numbers. 

Perhaps it’s hyperbole, but you can find hundreds of combinations of packages and rates for cruises. You may look up cruise rates today and then look next month and find different options.  

Factors that affect cost include: 

• Cruise location/ports
• Time of year 
• Availability 
• What class you’re looking to book 
• Current promotions

If you are lucky, prices may be such that it's a no-brainer to book AquaClass with an All-Included rate or to be in The Retreat in a suite you didn’t think you could afford. 

It all depends on when you look and when you book. If you find a great rate, grab it!

Is Upgrading to One of These Classes Worth It on a Celebrity Cruise? 

Overall, we think it is. However, it depends on what’s important to you during your cruise vacation.

For example, we really like small, exclusive experiences. This is especially true onboard a huge cruise ship. Small experiences and venues (dining and pool areas included) make a huge ship feel cozier to us. 

And sure, we’ll say it: we like feeling a little more special when we travel. It helps us unwind and relax more to know we’re in the hands of a select team.  

However, if you don’t need more than the main dining and specialty dining options on the ship and the main pool area that everyone can use is a-okay with you (heck, maybe you don’t even care about the pool at all and you prefer spending time in the casino) then booking a regular stateroom and getting the already included amenities may work for you. 

An additional example is if wellness is paramount to you. If so, AquaClass could be just the cruise experience you’ve been searching for, with special spa access, in-room fitness equipment, a dedicated restaurant focused on lower-calorie ingredients and sustainability.

Another thing to consider, especially with The Retreat, with premium drinks included, is whether “free” cocktails, smoothies, and coffee drinks are even important to you. If they are, The Retreat has great perks. But you won't find value in included drinks if it’s unimportant to you. 

Understandably, most guests will not want to pay for perks they won’t use.

To answer the question of “Is it worth the upgrade?” you first need to lay out your cruise priorities, then review this post again to see if your priorities align with the offerings in one of the upgraded classes. 

Is AquaClass Worth It? 

AquaClass is good for guests who want wellness to be a vacation focus or it's simply a lifestyle value they want to emphasize during vacation. The in-room workout gear, special spa passes, and overall attention to health in AquaClass is certainly a special offering from Celebrity Cruises. 

If you’re not that into wellness or fitness, but you love the idea of a dedicated restaurant and some extra special attention, spring for The Retreat instead.

Is The Retreat on Celebrity Cruise Ships Worth It?

Having sailed onboard Celebrity Apex in The Retreat class, we cannot imagine sailing with Celebrity again and not being in The Retreat. 

We felt special, loved that we could go to Luminae as our home base/default dining experience, and really enjoyed The Retreat Lounge for pre-dinner cocktails every day. The Sundeck was great for avoiding crowds at the main pool. 

We recommend The Retreat!

Is Concierge with Celebrity Cruises Worth It? 

Concierge certainly doesn’t have all the perks of The Retreat, and it does not have as many bonuses enjoyed in AquaClass. Still, it’s a nice entry-level way to get a taste of what a higher level of service will be like with Celebrity Cruises if you’ve never experienced it.

While you won’t have a dedicated restaurant like Luminae or Blu, you will enjoy a special welcome lunch, an in-room welcome treat, daily canapés, premium bedding, shoe-shining, binoculars, and a dedicated concierge.

➜ Check Cruise Prices on Celebrity Cruises

Helpful Chart Comparing all the Class Types on Celebrity Cruises

If visual charts help explain things (they do for us!), we created the chart below so you can see the Celebrity Cruises class types. It's very easy to compare AquaClass vs The Retreat vs Concierge at a glance this way.

Conclusion of Celebrity Cruises Class Types

The Retreat may be the ultimate way to enjoy all the perks Celebrity Cruises has to offer, while AquaClass is ideal for wellness-focused cruisers. If you want to dip a toe into upgraded class waters to try it out, a Concierge-level suite could be the perfect fit.

Read this next:

• 11 Memorable Surprise Cruise Reveal Ideas
• Helpful Info about Luminae in The Retreat on Celebrity Cruises
• Celebrity Cruises The Retreat Review: a Ship-Within-a-Ship Worth the Cost

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12 comments.

I went searching for the compare/contrast for these 3 elevated options. Your page gave me just what I was looking for, and I especially appreciate noting the differences on the newer vs older ships. Thank you for your effort!

Your comment means so much to us, Gayle! We work hard to produce the most helpful content for our readers and reading your message brought such smiles to our faces and warmed our hearts! We appreciate you and hope you’ll continue to come back to Sometimes Sailing for more helpful cruise content! – Mikkel + Dan

Thank you for this detailed, helpful review!

Thank you so much for your note of appreciation, Linda. It means a lot to us! We create this content for readers like you! – Mikkel and Dan

You have a great comparison with a few incorrect details. The Retreat Class does get a welcome gift/wine upon arrival. Along with the Upper Suites of Royal & Above receiving 2 Full bottles of Liquor of your choice & Mixers complimentary. You also receive water and refreshments daily from your butler. Additionally The Retreat guests do get priority disembark on tours if you go to the Retreat lounge. Some other additional information is that there are private parties and Speciality Restaurants is included for Breakfast, Lunch , & Dinner for Royal Suites & Above. Just some new information from a guest who has travelled in these accommodations

Thanks, John! We appreciate the insight. Our info came from Celebrity Cruises directly, so we’ll be sure to reach out to them to say, “Heyyyy are these new perks?!” 🙂

Thanks for the comparisons between those 3 class cabins. I was specifically looking for the value between an SV cabin and a Concierge cabin which I usually book if not Retreat. If only losing a dedicated concierge and a lunch (not ever attended), is there any justification for the rather large difference in cruise cost IYO?

Hi Carole! To clarify, do you mean “Sunset Veranda” when you say SV? If so, you’re not missing out on anything if you book an SV cabin compared to concierge if you aren’t attending the lunch and aren’t using the concierge service.

Thanks for the comparison. It is most helpful. Just wonder if you tip the retreat team in addition to the prepaid gratitude and if so how much is a reasonable amount and do you tip everyone who served you in Luminae?

Hi Lee! It’s entirely up to you. They always welcome extra gratuity and are allowed to accept it. Just bring some extra cash for that. It depends on the length of your sailing but an extra $2 per day even equates to a good amount of extra money in their pocket at the end of a 7-day+ cruise. It’s entirely up to you though.

Love how you defined each class. Very good information. We love the retreat suites. Would love if it included Blu and spa. A great comparison. Thank you

Thanks, Robyn!

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The Retreat on Celebrity Edge – suite paradise

Access to this new private lounge and pool area is restricted through the use of a suites guest’s stateroom card.

Now in addition to the suites only upscale Luminae restaurant, suites guests also gain access a bright and spacious lounge complete with complimentary cocktails, coffees, teas and sodas. The lounge is perfect getaway for reading a book, having drinks with friends, or catching up on business (yes it is a vacation, but some of us have to work even while on vacation and appreciate a comfortable area to work).

Behind the bar and pool area is an expansive sunbathing area, with plenty of lounges. Calm and relaxing music plays in the background. There is even a secret area which blasts cool air onto guests – great for those hot humid Caribbean days.

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Here, the world really does revolve around you

You’d think a suite like one of ours would be enough. Not to us. All suites at The Retreat come with a dedicated butler who’s just a message away. You get access to an exclusive sundeck and lounge that make you feel like you have the ship to yourself. Your table awaits at Luminae, your private, suites-only restaurant. And, you’ll enjoy more perks and amenities than ever before. The Retreat isn’t just a suite. It’s the most elevated experience at sea, period.

*The Retreat Sundeck available on Edge Series and Revolutionized ships. Currently not available on Celebrity Solstice, Eclipse, Reflection, Constellation, Infinity.

What's new at The Retreat

How do you improve on perfection? Oh, we can always think of something, and these exciting new suite perks are the proof.

• Contact your butler wherever you are with Butler Chat
• Destination Experience Specialist to assist with your excursions
• Suite-to-car escort by your butler for Private Journeys
• Shore excursion departure lounge just for suite guests
• Premium Celebrity bath amenities
• Updated Luminae menu with new Daniel Boulud signature dishes
• Complimentary stocked minibar

Royal Suites and Above

• Complimentary Extend Your Stay program*
• Complimentary access to SEA Thermal Suite and Persian Garden
• Complimentary daily laundry and unlimited pressing
• Personalize your complimentary minibar
• Exclusive sleepwear
• Complimentary specialty dining, including lunch

Luminae at The Retreat

This is the kind of restaurant that’s so good, you have to be somebody to get in. Luckily, as a guest of The Retreat, you are somebody. Your private restaurant serves up exclusive menus you won’t find anywhere else on board, including new complimentary signature dishes designed by our Global Culinary Ambassador Daniel Boulud.

The Retreat Sundeck

We’ve elevated relaxing and restoring at your exclusive sundeck.* Kick back on a comfy shaded lounger and let your Retreat Attendants bring you anything you need, like towels, drinks, snacks, you name it. Take a dip in the pool or the hot tub*. Get together with friends for a round of drinks at the bar.* This is your outdoor escape for doing as much—or as little—as you want.

*The Retreat Sundeck available on Edge Series and Revolutionized ships. Currently not available on Celebrity Solstice, Eclipse, Reflection, Constellation, Infinity. Features may vary by ship.

The Retreat Lounge*

Think of this as your secret clubhouse—all grown up. It’s a place you can drop in anytime for some coffee or drinks on us, a bite to eat, and a spot to curl up with a book or catch up with friends.

*Michael’s Club on Celebrity Solstice, Eclipse, and Reflection.

Unrivaled Hospitality

Let us take care of absolutely everything. All suites come with a dedicated butler who’s always just a quick message away with our Butler Chat. Your Destination Experience Specialist is your key to unlocking the best experiences around the world and getting you seamlessly from ship to shore and back. And, a team of concierges and attendants are working to make sure you never have to lift a finger at The Retreat.

Your home oceans away from home

It’s almost impossible to tell which is better—the views outside your suite or the views inside. But who cares? It’s all yours to enjoy. From roomy living areas and oversized verandas to Cashmere mattresses and plush robes, this is living large down to the smallest detail.

The largest, most luxurious suite in our entire fleet offers panoramic views from above the captain’s bridge.

The luxurious interior was designed by Kelly Hoppen, CBE, who brings her unique design aesthetic to The Retreat. East meets West on our Edge ® series ships.

Unwind on another level in these two-story suites complete with a private terrace and plunge pool.

With two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and walk-in closets, you’ll have plenty of room to roam the world.

View all suites at The Retreat

Exclusively on Celebrity Reflection, this suite surrounds you in panoramic views—even from the all-glass, cantilevered shower.

With separate living, dining, and sleeping areas, the name of this suite says it all.

These airy escapes exclusive to Celebrity Reflection boast higher ceilings and designer details.

This spacious suite includes a separate lounge area, so you have plenty of room to relax and restore.

We’ve combined our well-being inspired AquaClass experience with the exclusive spaces, services, and amenities of The Retreat® to help you restore like never before.

Your dream vacation is on the horizon with your own private veranda and separate seating area.

We’ll keep the new views coming all vacation long in these perfectly positioned suites.

As if this stylish suite weren’t enough, you’ll also enjoy all the exclusive perks that come with being a guest of The Retreat.

Services & Amenities

The difference is in the details

Your suite and exclusive places as a guest of The Retreat set your vacation apart from all the rest, but the thoughtful services and amenities you’ll discover elevate your experience to levels you never imagined.

Services & amenities for guests of The Retreat

• Dedicated butler service to assist with everything you need, including packing and unpacking, making spa appointments, and dining and shore excursion reservations
• Butler Chat: Conveniently contact your butler from anywhere on board using your personal device
• Destination Experience Specialist: Dedicated expert to help you make the most of your time ashore, from planning activities to ensuring smooth transfers to your excursions
• Suite-to-car escort by your butler on Private Journeys excursions
• Premium bath and body products crafted exclusively for The Retreat
• Priority departure and embarkation at most destinations, including those that require tendering
• Reserved theater seating on evening chic nights
• Complimentary beach towel service, shoeshine service, use of an umbrella, and binoculars
• Dedicated spa concierge and personal consultant*
• Complimentary fitness classes*
• Complimentary laundry service and unlimited pressing service†
• Extend Your Stay: on debarkation day, stay on board to relax until mid-afternoon and enjoy lunch at Luminae, before you depart (available in select ports of call)†

Food & Drink

• Unlimited Premium Drink Package: Featuring award-winning portfolio of red, white, and bubbly wines representing vineyards from around the world**
• Complimentary minibar stocked with soda and beer on embarkation day and water restocked daily
• Full in-suite breakfast, lunch, dinner service, and daily delights
• Afternoon tea event hosted in The Retreat Lounge or Michael’s Club
• Option to dine in Blu restaurant*
• Unlimited Specialty Dining Package. Includes dinner each night and lunch on sea days†**
• Two complimentary bottles of premium spirits or wine†
• Personalized minibar stocked daily with water, soda, and beer†
• Premium in-suite coffee set-up†

• Welcome bottle of bubbles
• Premium Wi-Fi package**
• Premium Celebrity king size Cashmere Mattress™ with exclusive Retreat bedding
• Premium 100% cotton bath towels and bathrobes
• Pillow menu
• Exclusive complimentary sleepwear†
• Access to The Spa’s SEA Thermal Suite or Persian Garden.*†

A day in The Retreat

It's anything but ordinary

9:00am Wake up in total comfort

You’ve just had one of the best night’s sleep ever thanks to our king-size Cashmere mattress and exclusive bedding.

Now, wrap yourself from head to toe in luxury with plush robes, towels, and slippers and enjoy our premium bathroom products as you get ready for the day.

10:00am Do you take sea views with your coffee?

11:30am Chat with your Retreat Concierge

Plan your Private Journeys excursions, book a spa treatment, and sneak in a quick workout on your interactive fitness bike, personally delivered to your Iconic suite.

*Peloton on Celebrity Edge, Celebrity Apex, and Celebrity Beyond. Technogym Bike on Celebrity Ascent.

2:00pm Time for a soak and a drink

Take in the 360-degree view from The Retreat Sundeck hot tub. Order a bite at the bar or ask your dedicated attendant for another cocktail, since premium drinks are included.

7:00pm Tonight’s menu: one of a kind

Only guests of The Retreat can experience Luminae at The Retreat, our private restaurant offering exclusive menus with Signature Dishes from chef Daniel Boulud.

9:00pm Unwind with friends and a martini—or two

Available to you 24/7, it’s the perfect space for unwinding after the day’s activities. Grab a cocktail at The Retreat Lounge before the night’s show.

Plan your experience at The Retreat

Celebrity provides nothing but a top notch vacation. If you're looking for high-class and luxury, you won't go wrong here!

Suite was the perfect size for 2. Wonderful staff! There are no complaints. Izzy, our butler, the 2 cabin stewards and the Cafe Baccio staff were always most attentive. The reason we cruise was all there. We’ll be back!

This was our first cruise and we chose a Sky Suite (9204) and were extremely happy. The bathroom was just as described. The attention to detail that our Butler, Dino, gave us was beyond my expectations. He led us up to our cabana and handled my tailoring job.

We have taken several cruises in a suite. None of them compared to the treatment of the suite guests on this trip. We felt that we received value for what we paid for. We also liked being able to interact with the officers at any given moment.

If people are wanting to experience a phenomenal cruising experience, then I would highly recommend that they should seriously consider a quality holiday with Celebrity. Everything from the incredible Ships, the absolutely amazing Crew Members, the high standard and wide selection of Food, the outstanding and diverse onboard Entertainment, will truly ensure the most astounding and immersible exciting and memorable holiday!!

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Celebrity Retreat vs MSC Yacht Club - reviews?

By go.without.you , January 12, 2023 in Celebrity Cruises

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go.without.you

I've sailed Celebrity Retreat several times but was wondering how MSC's Yacht Club compares. Does anyone have any reviews for me?

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If you go into MSC, you'll find lots and lots of YC reviews.

1 hour ago, go.without.you said: I've sailed Celebrity Retreat several times but was wondering how MSC's Yacht Club compares. Does anyone have any reviews for me?

Funny, I just mentioned MSC to my wife during lunch today. Yacht Club is now firmly on my radar screen and I'm also curious how it compares to Retreat.

Here's one tip. MSC's frequent cruiser program is not that generous, but they do offer a status match from hotels and other cruise loyalty programs. My Azamara status, obtained via only Celebrity cruises, matched to MSC's highest tier, where my Celebrity status wouldn't have. I just did the match yesterday. It only took them a few hours and I'm Diamond!

Hi, GenerationX, who is on Celebrity now and currently posting her trip, will be on MSC in YC right after her current cruise and doing a comparison review.

4 minutes ago, STLCRUISIN said: Hi, GenerationX, who is on Celebrity now and currently posting her trip, will be on MSC in YC right after her current cruise and doing a comparison review.

I'm also looking forward to her Comparison but will definitely enjoy her Celebrity RS experience first.

We have celebrity retreat several times including very recently on Beyond and also Edge , in general I give a edge to MSc yacht club, love the truly ship within a ship , on yacht club all your cabins , restaurants and bars are in this area you can’t enter without being in a yacht club cabin, the inside suite lounge is beautiful and much larger and nicer than celebrity with a baby grand piano and live music from about 5 to 11 , there will be a solo artist or a duo playing that whole time. Also loved the outdoor area with pools and hot tubs never saw a crowd or had any issues getting a chair plus more food options outside including breakfast and lunch . They also match your status and can get a free specialty restaurant if you are elite on celebrity or diamond on rccl. Another plus was there private island has a yacht club area with lots of waiters and they will serve your lunch , had a very nice lobster roll there.  

9 minutes ago, RichYak said: Funny, I just mentioned MSC to my wife during lunch today. Yacht Club is now firmly on my radar screen and I'm also curious how it compares to Retreat.   Here's one tip. MSC's frequent cruiser program is not that generous, but they do offer a status match from hotels and other cruise loyalty programs. My Azamara status, obtained via only Celebrity cruises, matched to MSC's highest tier, where my Celebrity status wouldn't have. I just did the match yesterday. It only took them a few hours and I'm Diamond!

Good to know! I just hit Elite Plus.

I want to do a Thanksgiving cruise this year but not liking the options on Celebrity. I did it last year on a ship without a Retreat deck and I won't make that mistake again. Way too peopley.

2 minutes ago, go.without.you said: Good to know! I just hit Elite Plus. I want to do a Thanksgiving cruise this year but not liking the options on Celebrity. I did it last year on a ship without a Retreat deck and I won't make that mistake again. Way too peopley.

Outdoor retreat is a joke except for edge class. Yacht club has inside cabins also , basic balcony cabin is a little smaller than edge class sky suites. Yacht club also gives veterans a ten percent discount.

9 minutes ago, go.without.you said: Good to know! I just hit Elite Plus.

CC Elite and Elite Plus match to Gold on MSC. I am Elite on X but Discoverer on Azamara because of all my Celebrity cruises (never sailed Azamara). Discoverer got me Diamond on MSC.

2 hours ago, RichYak said: Funny, I just mentioned MSC to my wife during lunch today. Yacht Club is now firmly on my radar screen and I'm also curious how it compares to Retreat.   Here's one tip. MSC's frequent cruiser program is not that generous, but they do offer a status match from hotels and other cruise loyalty programs. My Azamara status, obtained via only Celebrity cruises, matched to MSC's highest tier, where my Celebrity status wouldn't have. I just did the match yesterday. It only took them a few hours and I'm Diamond!

I wouldn't bother. I did two cruises on two different MSC ships in Yacht Club. While the YC space itself is definitely better than the Retreat (all contained in one area, indoor and outdoor food venues, large indoor bar) the food was largely terrible and vastly inferior to Celebrity and the service was very uneven with some of the worst staff members I've ever encountered in cruising; we had to have one of our butlers replaced for being surly, bartenders and servers didn't recognize basic cocktails, we saw several instances of staff members verbally abusing other staff members. And once you leave the YC, while the MSC ships are very nice they are very crowded with a pretty rowdy crowd. It was basically a European version of NCL except that NCL has better food and service in The Haven. I couldn't wait to get back to Celebrity after trying MSC.

7 minutes ago, WonderMan3 said: I wouldn't bother. I did two cruises on two different MSC ships in Yacht Club. While the YC space itself is definitely better than the Retreat (all contained in one area, indoor and outdoor food venues, large indoor bar) the food was largely terrible and vastly inferior to Celebrity and the service was very uneven with some of the worst staff members I've ever encountered in cruising; we had to have one of our butlers replaced for being surly, bartenders and servers didn't recognize basic cocktails, we saw several instances of staff members verbally abusing other staff members. And once you leave the YC, while the MSC ships are very nice they are very crowded with a pretty rowdy crowd. It was basically a European version of NCL except that NCL has better food and service in The Haven. I couldn't wait to get back to Celebrity after trying MSC.

Thanks I do value your opinion. I’d be more concerned with MSC’s food if I didn’t think Celebrity’s food has become vastly inferior to it’s own offerings from just last year. I am considering a low effort sailing out of Brooklyn as I live a short drive away just to try the product. 

14 minutes ago, RichYak said: Thanks I do value your opinion. I’d be more concerned with MSC’s food if I didn’t think Celebrity’s food has become vastly inferior to it’s own offerings from just last year. I am considering a low effort sailing out of Brooklyn as I live a short drive away just to try the product. 

If you can get a price that is significantly less than Celebrity then maybe try it out. Wasn't my cup of tea but some others here seem to like it. The specialty restaurants were pretty good although still not as good as Celebrity but much better than the YC dining room.

We've done both - and doing both again this year. 

They are quite different from each other. MSC does the ship within a ship concept much better. The YC lounge is larger than the retreat lounge on S-class ships. We've had good service in both. The food in YC on Preziosa was perhaps not as quite as good as on Celebrity, but it was fine in the YC and we enjoyed it. Perhaps the difference is that outside of the YC, as others have said, the ship is more crowded and rowdy. We vowed we wouldn't sail MSC outside the YC - non YC MSC doesn't compare to non-retreat X.

We've met lovely people on both lines (and that's important to us).

A Deluxe balcony stateroom in YC on Virtuosa is about the same size as a sky suite (but has a shower rather than bath, but also has a walk in wardrobe), and unlike the sky suite, comes with an included minibar and a bottle of spirits and daily newspapers. We will miss the laundry that would come with our Elite+ status. However, MSC YC is MUCH cheaper than the Retreat, so it doesn't matter.  You get premium drinks, wifi and gratuities included in both retreat and YC. We compared a week in the retreat with a fortnight in YC, and MSC was still cheaper - it also has a great itinerary. So, we're sailing MSC YC in the Summer to Iceland and Norway.

Georgia_Peaches

Love, love, love MSC YC and personally feel as though they have Celebrity beat in amenities and value. Having said that, if I had to cruise outside of a suite category, I’d definitely go with celebrity where there seems to be less of a class division as it relates to service and amenities. 

We have a few more cruises on X this year and will be trying Yacht Club on MSC.  Prices for a Deluxe Veranda in the YC are outstanding compared to a SkySuite which was s ridiculously overpriced.  

On a whim, I just priced 2 different 7-night Norwegian Fjord cruises in August 2024. Apex in an S2 and the brand new MSC Euribia in a YC balcony cabin. Very similar itineraries embarking 1 day apart. It was $10,400 (which comes with $600 OBC) for Apex and $6,300 for Euribia (before including any 5% discounts for Voyagers Club and early booking). I'll be reading the live from MSC YC thread by @GenerationX very closely.

On 1/12/2023 at 3:25 PM, RichYak said: CC Elite and Elite Plus match to Gold on MSC. I am Elite on X but Discoverer on Azamara because of all my Celebrity cruises (never sailed Azamara). Discoverer got me Diamond on MSC.

Would Zenith also match at Gold or a different level?

11 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:   Would Zenith also match at Gold or a different level?

Zenith matches to top tier Diamond. You would need to sail MSC at least once every 3 years to maintain the status and matching is a one time courtesy. So time your match accordingly.

Shiba_Lover

Here is some info on the status match -  MSC status match: How status with another cruise line got me perks with MSC - The Points Guy    If you click "this chart" in there, it looks like you'll get diamond

On 1/16/2023 at 5:21 PM, Jim_Iain said:   Would Zenith also match at Gold or a different level?

I can confirm that Zenith matches to Diamond.  I did the status match last week.  Note that when you book an MSC cruise using your Voyager Number, you do get a discounted rate (as opposed to Celebrity who does not offer discounted rates for Zenith members).  So definitely do that status match (some have reported that they had difficulty doing this via the MSC website but keep at it if it gives you trouble!  I am lucky I guess because I had no trouble - and I did the status match for myself and my two cruise buddies)

On 1/12/2023 at 7:49 PM, RichYak said: Thanks I do value your opinion. I’d be more concerned with MSC’s food if I didn’t think Celebrity’s food has become vastly inferior to it’s own offerings from just last year. I am considering a low effort sailing out of Brooklyn as I live a short drive away just to try the product. 

I love leaving out of New York either Manhattan or Brooklyn since we visit there every year it saves us a lot on airfare. We are sailing celebrity again in 2 months if Luminae continues to decline we will be happy to go back to yacht club, MSc gives us a ten percent discount since I am a vet . Also I got a much better price on rccl this November and we can easily add UDP like we did last cruise and still way cheaper in a grand suite bs the smaller sky suite.

19 minutes ago, George C said: I love leaving out of New York either Manhattan or Brooklyn since we visit there every year it saves us a lot on airfare. We are sailing celebrity again in 2 months if Luminae continues to decline we will be happy to go back to yacht club, MSc gives us a ten percent discount since I am a vet . Also I got a much better price on rccl this November and we can easily add UDP like we did last cruise and still way cheaper in a grand suite bs the smaller sky suite.

My cruise calendar is booked up for 2023. A Southern Caribbean itinerary in a RS on Millennium in March (that was booked before X went insane with Retreat prices) and a regular balcony cabin on Summit's Greenland/Iceland cruise in August. Celebrity wants $800pp/pn for a SS for this cruise. The Retreat product just isn't worth that price. I nearly booked Oceania instead, but the X itinerary is better.

All that to say, I'm looking at probably March 2024 for MSC YC to the Bahamas on Merviglia. I hate that it's so far off, but it is what it is. My wife and I both matched to MSC Diamond in anticipation of booking. I look forward to trying out the product.

52 minutes ago, RichYak said: My cruise calendar is booked up for 2023. A Southern Caribbean itinerary in a RS on Millennium in March (that was booked before X went insane with Retreat prices) and a regular balcony cabin on Summit's Greenland/Iceland cruise in August. Celebrity wants $800pp/pn for a SS for this cruise. The Retreat product just isn't worth that price. I nearly booked Oceania instead, but the X itinerary is better.   All that to say, I'm looking at probably March 2024 for MSC YC to the Bahamas on Merviglia. I hate that it's so far off, but it is what it is. My wife and I both matched to MSC Diamond in anticipation of booking. I look forward to trying out the product.

What really surprised us was the music in suite lounge from approx 5pm to 11, a few small combos or solo acts would continuously play , it also had a baby grand . Celebrity disappointed me when they removed the piano from Michaels when they changed it to retreat . 

On 1/16/2023 at 2:35 PM, ehall said: Here is some info on the status match -  MSC status match: How status with another cruise line got me perks with MSC - The Points Guy    If you click "this chart" in there, it looks like you'll get diamond  

Thanks --- time will tell.   Charla's experience left me on the boarder.    Not sure the Mega's ships are our forte even in the Yacht Club.   Time will tell.  Our first non-Celebrity cruise will be on Ponant (ultra small ships).

1 hour ago, George C said: What really surprised us was the music in suite lounge from approx 5pm to 11, a few small combos or solo acts would continuously play , it also had a baby grand . Celebrity disappointed me when they removed the piano from Michaels when they changed it to retreat . 

I agree with you, George C.  Pre-Covid, the Retreat Lounge (formerly Michael's Club) had solo or duo musicians playing in there from about 5pm to 7:00/7:30 pm, but post covid, there has been zero live entertainment.  Now it is just 3 flat screen TV's for "entertainment": zero comparison.

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