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Latest News...She's the next in a fine line for Cunard, and today (April 19), Queen Anne officially joined the luxury cruise line's iconic fleet during a historic handover ceremony in Italy. Cunard took ownership of their stunning 3,000-guest ship during a traditional handover ceremony at the Fincantieri Marghera shipyard in Venice – where master shipbuilders have been constructing the...
Latest News...Princess Cruises and ship builder Fincantieri today announced the mutual decision to postpone the delivery of the next Sphere Class ship, Star Princess. Following a comprehensive review of the remaining construction milestones, both parties have elected to adjust the ship's delivery date from July 29, 2025 to September 26, 2025, which will result in the cancellation of the nine...
Latest News...Seabourn announced this week that the Wunambal Gaambera Traditional Owners as godparents of Seabourn Pursuit, the line's newest ultra-luxury, purpose-built expedition ship. >Seabourn is the first cruise line to appoint Traditional Owners as godparents of a ship. The naming of Wunambal Gaambera Traditional Owners as godparents of Seabourn Pursuit serves as a symbolic gesture...
Discerning guests who desire the very best in modern luxury vacations will soon be able to indulge in Celebrity Cruises' new 'Suite Class' experience. This will be fully introduced on Celebrity's state-of-the-art ships during April 2015. With exclusive new benefits including a suites-only restaurant, VIP lounge, complimentary premium beverages, plus more, the newly launched Suite Class is designed to create the ultimate luxurious experience. Guests will enjoy incredible service from the moment they arrive with their personal butler taking care of every detail. This is the only way to travel. From the one-of-a-kind Reflection Suite, with its jaw-dropping ocean views and unique cantilevered shower, to the stylish Sky Suites, Celebrity's exceptional Suite Class experience is designed to set the standard in modern luxury vacations around the world.
The new Suite Class will include:
Private dining - A dedicated private restaurant reserved exclusively for all Suite Class guests will be available morning, noon and night. Each meal will feature unique menus that offer sumptuous dishes not available anywhere else onboard. Guests can truly immerse themselves in the local culture with specially crafted menus inspired by the local destination, and enjoy the world's best ingredients. Memorable and inspiring dishes will be served, from locally caught seafood, to the freshest pasta. The Suite Class chef can provide a tailor-made experience to suite guests and prepare a dish to their liking, and the Cellar Master - Celebrity's head sommelier - will select from more than 450 wines to provide the perfect pairing.
Premium 'all in' benefits - Premium beverages, dining across all specialty restaurants, unlimited internet access and a private bar with water, sodas and beers will all be complimentary for guests staying in Royal, Penthouse and Reflection suites.
VIP lounge - A private VIP lounge, Michael's Club, will be available to guests staying in Celebrity, Signature, Royal, Penthouse and Reflection suites. A dedicated Concierge service and unique food and beverage experiences by Celebrity's James Beard-featured chef will be provided to guests.
"Our guests are accustomed to exceptional quality and service, and for those wishing to further indulge in the very best while on vacation we have launched 'Suite Class', specially designed to appeal to the most discerning vacationer,” said Michael Bayley, President and CEO, Celebrity Cruises. "We know that suite guests value privacy, personalized service, exclusive access and flexibility, and providing them with their own unique benefits, such as a dedicated restaurant with a dining experience like no other, is just another way that we are significantly elevating the guest's vacation with us."
Suite guests will also continue to enjoy a large number of benefits including:
The Celebrity 'Suite Class' welcome - Guests will receive priority check-in and embarkation
Legendary butler service - From unpacking guests' luggage to booking the best destination experiences on land, the Suite Class butler will be on hand 24 hours a day to ensure seamless, dedicated and personalized service.
The Suite Class experience will also include a daily high-end afternoon tea service served in the guest's spacious and beautifully-designed suite.
Luxurious stateroom amenities and benefits – As well as enjoying spacious suites with verandas that showcase sweeping ocean views, guests can indulge in a variety of luxury amenities including deluxe Bulgari bathroom amenities, plush robes, premium bedding and an indulgent pillow menu. A host of other extras will also be provided during the guest's vacation including reserved theater seating for all Suite Class guests.
quote:Originally posted by Celebrity PR:With exclusive new benefits including a suites-only restaurant ...
Passengers moan about having more and more taken away, yet no one seems to want to pay for it, cruising has become so cheap as a vacation option vs "The good old days".
quote:Originally posted by avalon1025:[...]Passengers moan about having more and more taken away, yet no one seems to want to pay for it, cruising has become so cheap as a vacation option vs "The good old days".
There are still many 'luxury' ships that offer a similar experience to 'the good old days' - and that segment is actually not that small compared to the cruise ship fleet of 'the good old days'.
quote:Originally posted by Globaliser:I wonder whether we'll catch anyone anywhere who habitually criticises Cunard for perpetuating the "British class system" yet welcomes the new benefits on Celebrity.
Excatly!
Ship-within-a-ship is the latest fad, even on mass-market ships.
I hear that the next NCL ship, 'Norwegian Escape' will have an expanded 'Haven' (private) complex.
quote:Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:Excatly!Ship-within-a-ship is the latest fad, even on mass-market ships. I hear that the next NCL ship, 'Norwegian Escape' will have an expanded 'Haven' (private) complex.
Class System ?
quote:Originally posted by Atlcruiser:This is not a class system. Simple. You want more, you pay more.
quote:Originally posted by Globaliser:I thought that was exactly the Cunard "class system" that attracts so many complaints!
You are never going to make everyone happy. You want something pay for it.
All food in all dining rooms would be the same too!
quote:Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:Maybe there is a need for a 'Communist' style ship where all the cabins are exactly the same, including size and fare .All food in all dining rooms would be the same too!
Many luxury ships are actually very much like that.
Malcolm, just turn the clock back 20 years and that is where the industry was at - everyone had the same cabin and same food etc. Heck, even the most mass-market of lines are upping their game with the suites. I don't consider it snobbery or class segmentation, I consider it a choice. If I choose to pay three, four, five times more, I better get something for it.
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