Sweet Sixteen special balcony rooms?

T

tammigirl

Guest
In a Frommer's article an expert recommends we "Book one of the Sweet Sixteen special balcony staterooms on Celebrity's Millennium-class ships; you can't see them in the brochure diagram."

I can't find any information about this. Can anyone tell me what these are, and what makes them so special?


Thanks.
 
C

Conniemc

Guest
Hi Tammi, Welcome.

I think someone's pulling your leg. I checked the article you refer to, and that comment came from an anonymous poster on the Fromms site. The only other possibility is perhaps they mean (in their opinion) there are 16 balcony cabins that are the best. But that's all a matter of personal preference. There is no such thing as a "Sweet Sixteen" cabin.

What are your preferences for a cabin? Perhaps we can help you out with that.

Connie
 
T

tammigirl

Guest
Hi Connie, thanks.

I've read around here a bit over the last week or two and see you have a lot of knowledge about the Celebrity ships. I actually saw it in this article, which was an interview of multiple agents. It's in Kennedy's answer to the question "What insider tip would you share with your best friend?" (Article title was "Going to the Source: Expert Tips from Top Cruise Travel Agents" written by Heidi Sarna May 21, 2008.)

We enjoy a nice balcony in a quiet area, but I'm not too proud to grab an inside cabin if the moment feels right - being on a ship is better than not being on a ship, right? Ideally I'd be near the stairs and on the same end of the ship as the 24 hour buffet. :D

I've been on Princess and RC. Of the two I very much prefer Princess. Then again, it's Grand Princess vs. Enchantment. Maybe if it were different ships I'd prefer RC. (Although, from what I hear, I doubt it.) We can be food snobs. We found RC to be edible, but there was no meal on RC which had us saying "Wow!" (Their tiramisu was so plastic-like everyone at our table sent it back) Princess food options were better for us, especially the 24 hour buffet. It was not a good surprise to find nothing to eat in the evenings after dinner on RC. Some people booze cruise, we food tour. We thought Celebrity would have a more mature crowd, possibly better food, and hopefully be more professional than some of the staff on the Enchantment.
 
C

Conniemc

Guest
"We thought Celebrity would have a more mature crowd, possibly better food, and hopefully be more professional than some of the staff on the Enchantment."

It will be all of those things Tammi. And not too mature, mostly 35-65, well seasoned travelers. RCL is nasty, IMO. I'm trying my first Princess next month on the Ruby and I only hope it's not too much of a let down from Celeb. I also, judge lines on the quality of the food, service, passengers, etc.

Which ship are you sailing? All M class are great, but some have gone into dry dock more recently than others. I believe Millenium was at the bottom, but THINK she just got overhauled. Constellation, Infinity, Summit, great.

General rule of thumb, stay away from Sky Deck on all the ships - noisy and huge overhang that blocks the view. Other decks are all fine, depending upon what amenities you wish to be close to. If you like to walk one flight down to nightlife, restaurants, Penthouse deck is excellent. Specifically cabins 6110-6114. I've always done the other balcony decks. Don't pay for Concierge Class unless it is very close in price to regular balcony. Same exact cabin. You get fruit,a pillow menu and stale canapes each night. Not worth more than $100 extra.

Ask away....
 
T

Ted_D

Guest
Tammi,

I have no idea which 16 cabins the Frommers site is talking about, but I will tell you that there are a
number of cabins on Celebrity's M-class ships that either are larger or have larger balconies (or both)
than other cabins in the same category and price. Examples include CC category rooms 6135/36/43/44.
They are all a foot wider than the other CC class rooms, and their balconies are about three times
larger, and have teak planking. Another example in the Sky Suites are rooms 6131/6132. They are
about three feet deeper than other SS's and the balconies are huge -- probably five or six times larger
than thier peers. All of the rooms 7173-7180 have balconies larger than the other rooms in that category.
And, all of the handicap accessible rooms have larger bathrooms than the other cabins in their category.

So, it really pays to choose carefully, ask others who have used a room what it is like, and to avail yourself
of a TA who has cruised the line themselves. There are hidden little gems on these ships.

Having said that, I think Connie is right. What I might think of as a real bargain with extra space, etc might
have huge negatives for someone else.

Good luck.

Ted
 
C

Conniemc

Guest
If all those cabin numbers are making your head spin, just go here and you can see the cabins Ted is referring to, and all the decks. As Ted says, everyone has reasons for choosing a particular cabin. Some for space, some for convenience, some for access to better stewards. For the M Class, I always prefer to be midship. Why? Because you have two sets of elevators - 4 regular and 4 glass elevators - so no waiting for elevators (which is more likely if you on the ends - bow and aft/stern - they only have the one set of elevators). Also, being on the "ends" means a long walk down the corridor to get to the other side. I like the middle because no matter where I want to go, it's easier access. You'll also notice the midship cabins sell out first. Most people's first choice. However, again, if you want a larger room or balcony, you can see on this diagram where they are. I always say research the cruise line's website. Another little tip - the best stewards "work their way up" on the ship, literally. They are found on the top decks, and near the suites. The cabins Ted pointed out would have excellent stewards (a big deal IMO), stewards generally work about 1/3 of the deck on one side. My stewards in 6112 area were Penthouse stewards. Basically, that just means they have more experience and again, IMO, give far better service.

http://www.celebritycruises.com/pla...bdrn?shipCode=IN&deckCode=PH&sailDate=1081102
 
R

Ryne08Rich47

Guest
Conniemc: In your comments you said that the only deck you would avoid is the sky deck because of noises and the huge overhang that blocks the view. When Celebrity launches their new ship the Solstice the resort deck is directly under the ocean view bar and ocean view cafe. Would you avoid this deck maybe because of the same reasons.
 
C

Conniemc

Guest
No, I am only referring to M CLASS SHIPS ONLY- as they are all identical, and I've stayed in so many of their cabins.

I have no knowledge of Soltice's layout or cabins, other than this photo, which seems to indicate the center span has an overhang on Sky and Penthouse (whole different layout). I won't be booking the Soltice, not keen on the design or passenger size, but I think Bob is going to book at some point, and you can ask the Roll Call Soltice people. It's not the restaurants on top of you that create noise issues, so much as the POOL AND JOGGING AREAS....that span the ship. Some runners begin at 5am and all you hear is THUMP THUMP with every round they do....=sleep

http://www.celebritycruises.com/pla...iGFbLbAaeePSkWe32i9hN0q:12hdebdrn?shipCode=SL
 
C

Conniemc

Guest
[quote tammigirl]Hi Connie, thanks.
Ideally I'd be near the stairs and on the same end of the ship as the 24 hour buffet. :D.[/quote]

OOPS - forgot to mention, sorry, no 24 hour buffet. But you won't miss it. They have excellent 24 hour room service (you can order from your tv) REAL FOOD - not just sandwiches, etc. - also there is a sushi bar open until 11pm - and an AMAZING pasta station open from noon until 10pm - DO NOT MISS THAT - ignore the lunch buffet completely (last night's leftovers) :(- and go to the PASTA STATION - all fresh prepared pasta with choices of 5-6 sauces and dozens of items you choose to add in your meal, as they cook it fresh. For example, you have have them add peas, shrimp, bacon, onions, scallops, the list goes on and on....just follow the smell of the garlic being sauteed. My first M Class, I missed this station entirely, along with the sushi, because they weren't so easy to see. Once I found it, I fell madly in love, and ONLY eat my lunch there every day (unless they have barbeque ribs by the pool). The sushi is excellent quality - RARELY used - so you have the whole place to yourself each night - open from 7-11pm I believe. It's located in the same place as the lunch buffet - turns into sushi at night. DO NOT (as on every crusie ship) waste your time on the pizza station. Like all ships, they can't make pizza.:chef
 
T

Ted_D

Guest
Tammi,

I may have found the answer to your original question about "sweet 16" cabins on the M class ships.
Though I never heard of it, and cannot positively tell you it is correct, apparently the first 8 Class 2C
cabins on the Penthouse deck (deck six 6021-6035 and 6016-6030) have balconies twice as large as
the other comparable cabins. They do not show on the deck plans. That may be what Frommers was
talking about.

The source of this information is http://www.cruiseclues.com. Go to "deck plans" and you will find a
series of threads, by cruise line, on special secrets. The Celebrity thread has lots of information on
different cabins, including this info. Hope it helps.



Ted
 
C

Conniemc

Guest
Hi Ted!
:daisy
I agree that cruiseclues is an excellent resource. Just want to point out that the deck plans simply refer you to the cruiselines website. So for deck plans, I would go directly to celebrity.com....

The one thing cruiseclues has you CANNOT find anywhere else, is daily planners and menus....wonderful to be able to know what a "typical" day on any given ship is before you book. I'll never know why the lines don't allow you to download planners and menus....guess they don't want to be liable for the frequent changes....but at least you get the general idea of what kind of "entertainment" the ship offers, and what they consider a good dinner menu.
 
K

Karin

Guest
What about the aft cabins on the sports deck 12? Are they any good? Never did an aft and want to try.
 
T

Ted_D

Guest
Karin,

You must be talking about Century, rather than the M Class ships which don't have cabins on
Deck 12. I have not stayed in the newly added rear facing cabins on Century's Deck 12. I have
stayed in other ship's rear facing cabins and find them delightful. You do get a little more
vibration from the engines when the ship is under full power or just beginning to pull away. And,
you have the maximum possible walk to forward attractions on the ship and usually no elevators
nearby. But the views off the back are really nice, and the 180 degree vistas are special. You also
have very few people walking by your room, for obvious reasons.

It's all a matter of personal choice.

Welcome to the boards!

Ted
 
B

BSeabob

Guest
I have never stayed in an Aft cabin but we have friends that refer to themselves aas "Aft BAlcony Snobs" and just love them. They have sailed M class several times and also the Century.
 
R

ricnpala

Guest
Thought I'd make a quick comment about the "sweet sixteen" rooms. They are indeed referring to rooms 6016 - 6030, and 6021- 6035. These 16 rooms are laid out just like any other standard balcony room on any of the M-class ships. I have taken 8 cruises on Celebrity M- class ships and book one of these rooms each time because of the larger depth balcony. If you look at the layout of the ship on the Celebrity website you won't see the difference because they don't show it. I've stayed in rooms 6027, 6025, 6016, 6020, and 6024. My personal favority is 6027 on the Millenium because that is the first room I stayed in on my very first cruise back in 2002. After getting the larger deck, I was hooked on the rooms. 2 times Celebrity has bumped me up to a CC class and a Sky Suite class and I really would have preferred my old standard room back. It's nice having all that room out on the deck to relax with your family or friends that may have come along. If you can get ahold of a pictue of the front of any of the M-Class ships and look at deck 6 level forward, you will see that those 8 rooms on each side stick out more than the others on the same deck.

I've got 6027 booked on Infinity next year for another Alaskan cruise. And I make it a point to call Celebrity after booking it online and requesting that they not bump me up to anything else, because I have chosen that room for a reason. They have honored my request each time.
 
BSeabob

BSeabob

Forum Manager
Staff member
Top