Topic: Concierge Class

OK, I know this has come up before but I've gone back through 15 pages of listings and couldn't find it so thought another airing wouldn't hurt.

We loved Eclipse so much that we are considering a return voyage next year (rare for us to return to a ship but Eclipse was special). Our dilemma is whether to go for a 1a balcony like last time (biggest balcony ever!) or whether to upgrade to concierge class.

The brochure and website make a big fuss of aqua class but don't really mention concierge class. Can someone please tell me what the benefits are of concierge class in detail and whether, in your opinion, the upgrade from balcony is worthwhile. As I understand it, the room is the same size but on an upper deck but the real difference is in the extras.

we have book concierge class for our cruise with Celebrity Eclipse 30/07/2011, so I would be interested, I have search many sites but have found no reviews in regards to this class of Cabin. Booked a class c1 cabin on the penthouse deck. This will be our first cruise, so very excited.

We have had Concierge class cabins on our last 3 Celebrity cruises, the last being Equinox. For the extra, you get a bottle of champagne on arrival, canapes every afternoon and a bowl of fruit topped up as needed. There are other benefits such as flowers, better bathrobes and towels, choice of pillows and footstools on the balcony.

We enjoyed the little extras but became fed up with the canapes. As the price has now increased, we have opted for a 1B on Eclipse next year. The cabins are the same.

What you need to remember is that the cabin size and balcony size are all exactly the same on the deluxe balcony cabins right through from the 2D's up to all the Concierge class.

The only exceptions being if you choose a cabin on the corner of one of the mini humps (where it starts to stick out on the side) because the balconies are angled they are bigger.

With Concierge class the only extra you have on your balcony is a little footstool which slides out from under the balcony chair so you can put your feet up.

As for the extras in the cabin, well you get a bottle of sparkly on arrival. Fresh fruit which is replenished daily, Canapes for whcih you will get a card left daily and you have to tick what time you would like them delivered. Between 4 and 6.30 at half hourly intervals. You get single stem fresh flowers which arrive at various intervals and are placed here and there - one on dressing table, one on coffee table, one in bathroom.

You do get priority embarkation/debarkation and Priority check in. But to be honest this was so slick and when I said we were Elite/Concierge class we were still herded in with the rest of them.

Other benefits are
• Main and specialty restaurant seating preferences
• Expanded room service breakfast menu
• Pillow menu, Plush Frette® bathrobes
• Hansgrohe® massaging showerhead
• Extra handheld hair dryer
• Celebrity tote bag
• 100% Egyptian cotton oversized bath towels
• Complimentary shoeshine service, use of golf umbrella and high quality binoculars

When you weigh it up if its costing £200-£250 pp more is it worth it?

You can pre order a bottle of bubbly with a plate of choc dipped strawberries for around £35. You can pick up some fruit daily from the buffet. Is it worth it for fluffier towels and fluffier bathrobes. Sorry I'm a bit of a realist. We were upgraded to Concierge class on our last cruise and to be honest you really could not tell the difference - the incidentals were almost insignificant.

Hi

We've just been through the same dilemma , currently the uplift in cost is minimal, but so are the benefits as far as I can tell - aside from getting double captains club points, we finally decided that the hump oversize balcony (Deck 7) we got lucky into on our first g'tee sailing was so good we've stuck with the 1A cabin there - even though AQ upgrade was also priced quite reasonably.

David

Thanks, all. I think that confirms my thoughts that the extra money isn't worth it and I will look for a good position 1A cabin.

I'd second the recommendation for the first 1A cabin angled off the hump. We had a cabin in exactly this position earlier this year and the balcony was huge, which was great as we were a little out of season and it meant we got the spring sunshine but were able to stay out of the wind.

QUOTE:

Hi

We've just been through the same dilemma , currently the uplift in cost is minimal, but so are the benefits as far as I can tell - aside from getting double captains club points, we finally decided that the hump oversize balcony (Deck 7) we got lucky into on our first g'tee sailing was so good we've stuck with the 1A cabin there - even though AQ upgrade was also priced quite reasonably.

David

It can help get you upgraded to a Sky suite, this has happened on two occasions, but certainly lately it has not, but you never know. Someone commented on being herded in with the rest we have never had that. When you arrive there are different queues so make sure you look out for the Concierge and Suites one. On departure we have always been invited to the lounge where you can get tea/coffee eats whilst you await the call for you to leave, so yes we think it is worth it for these little extras.

Having used all 3 cabin classes we would go if the price was right for an Aqua class cabin rather than a Concierge but on Eclipse as all balcony cabins are the same square footage with broadly the same fittings you get what Bradbury says plus eating in Blu and use of the spa better shower and 2 bottles of water as required,as they its your money?

Guys, many thanks for the responses, though we have paid extra, I am sure that it will be a great experience and an enjoyment as this is our first cruise. Will let you all know what we thought, counting down the days, just 374 days:D

I have to say I like all the little extras but next time we will also look into a bit more now I have found this forum.