We just came back from a 10 night sailing on the Celebrity Summit living the suite life in The Retreat(The suite only areas on the ship).
We stayed in a Sky Suite and got really lucky to get a suite with an extended balcony. Having a larger, nicer room was actually the least important benefit of staying in a suite. See below for details on why the Celebrity Retreat is a MUST DO experience!
The VIP Experience
From the moment you arrive at the pier the VIP experience starts. There is a separate check in line for Retreat guests. The whole check in process took less than 5 minutes. After checking in, Retreat guests are offered refreshments and are given a nice area to relax before boarding the ship. The chairs are plush leather chairs which were quite comfortable. As soon as the ship is cleared the Retreat guests get to board first.
Retreat guests get a full lunch in Luminae as soon as they get onboard. Guests staying in standard cabins are only able to go to the buffet which quickly gets overcrowded. Having lunch in Luminae really gets the trip off to a great start!
Retreat guests enjoy the services of the Retreat concierge as well as a personal Retreat host(a.k.a Butler). They will invite you to many special experiences while onboard like a senior officer soiree, cocktail parties, sailaway on the helipad and much much more. On "evening chic" they even save the best seats available in the theater for you to watch the show.
Every step of the way you feel the VIP touches from the Retreat experience. On our sailing my wife and I were celebrating our 12th anniversary. Our Retreat hosts(the Butler and Concierge) decorated our room while we were at dinner and left a nice card for us. This was a really nice touch that made our anniversary celebration even more special.
Luminae Restaurant
Having access to Luminae instead of the main dining room was a really great benefit. We were able to go when we wanted without having to worry about crowds or lines. The service level within Luminae was a high as possible with every need and request handled. We were even able to request a custom menu, made just for us, to celebrate our anniversary. They even brought us out a cake to help celebrate. Between the Maitre D, our head waiter, and our assistant waiter we were well taken care of. The menu in Luminae offers higher quality meals and fancier preparations. You do get the choice to order off of the Luminae menu or the main dining room menu.
The Retreat Sundeck
Your luxurious outdoor sanctuary features a spacious lounge area and plush, stylish furniture. With an inviting pool on Celebrity Edge class ships and a relaxing hot tub or water feature on select ships, this outdoor area rivals any high-end resort.
At The Retreat Sundeck, your Retreat Attendants will help with towels, beverages, snacks—whatever you need to completely enjoy this incredible space. There is no fighting for chairs or uncomfortable loungers. This is the best outdoor space on the ship!
The Retreat Lounge
Your exclusive lounge is warm and inviting. Enjoy complimentary beverages, gourmet bites, and a stylish place to unwind in style, along with the services of a dedicated concierge. Whether you just want to read the latest best-seller, catch up on current events, watch the big game, or just kick your feet up and relax. The lounge also hosts afternoon tea daily.
CLICK HERE to contact me about booking your stay in The Retreat on Celebrity Cruises so you can experience the suite life!