The Retreat Experience: Simply Beyond Expectations
The big cruise lines developed the “ship within a ship” concept a few years back. More luxurious cabins, extra service, and private areas give passengers the big ship feel to provide privacy, exclusivity, and relaxation.
Celebrity calls their version The Retreat, and this is on the Celebrity Beyond and 13 of their other ships. Besides the significantly upgraded cabins, The Retreat includes a separate lounge, sun decks, restaurants, bars, and pools for Retreat passengers.
In Fort Lauderdale, we chose the Diplomat Resort for our pre-boarding stopover. The suite option was perfect for an ocean-view expresso at sunrise. Eighty steps, we were on their beach with cabanas next to the massive outdoor pool. The Diplomat Prime Steakhouse features an Australian Wagyu Fillet Mignon, in case you don’t think there will be a steak on the ship.
The Retreat boarding process was a breeze with the private check-in area. The express check-in was via pad at a unique lounge, then luggage and keys at the cabin. Seventeen minutes from getting out of the shuttle to entering our cabin is faster than the standard boarding time. Fruit, wine, and welcome goodies greeted our entrance— then introductions from our housekeeping attendant and butler within three minutes of entering the cabin. The first stop was the Retreat Lounge, where our concierge acquainted us with crucial information and the specialty libations.
On the Celebrity Beyond, they make every structural nuance and hallway artistically enjoyable. The Rooftop Garden is a botanical display with a forest sense of serenity at sea. The illuminated sculpture walk takes you to the cosmos as you transport.
The Retreat cabins and suites range from 319 to 1892 square feet and include verandas, which increase in size with the suite. Compare this with the standard cabin, just under 200 square feet. The Retreat ups the luxe with specialty coffees, extra thread count bedding, linens, premium soaps, and lotions. The Retreat has an actual work area in each cabin, plus a separate vanity area with proper seating and excellent illumination.
Your key card is your Retreat ticket during your voyage. The staff knew our food preferences and requests when we arrived at any restaurant. That saves time and expands the experience more than you think.
No matter which cabin or deck we were on, it was just a few minutes to our private restaurant, Luminae. Daniel Boulud, their culinary head, also supervises this eatery. There is a special menu daily, with at least three of the features from the specialty dining rooms. A sense of artistic placement of the tables and decor combines exceptional food for a total experience. How much so? I met people who only dined in Luminae and were more than satisfied.
The 20 included and specialty restaurants hit different culinary themes and ambiance buttons. Eden is a stunning garden-themed restaurant/bar/club combo on land, let alone on a cruise ship. The cuisine at Fine Cut Steakhouse includes the expected great rib eye paired with unique sides like Gruyere tater tots.
The Le Voyage restaurant showcases the French-themed creations of Boulud. The decor feels like a low-key, soft-lit Cirque du Soleil set with private seating areas. We found the tasting menu to hit all his culinary twists and flavors. It was the finest meal I have had on a cruise ship and top ten in all my travels.
The ship has twelve bars and lounges in addition to the Retreat. The World Class bar gives you that cosmopolitan feel. The Sunset bar is perfect for a relaxing evening libation. The Martini Bar, one level down, shakes and stirs with a giant chandelier for nightly light shows and a front stage band area that is always hopping.
On the Beyond, whether at sea or in a port, there are 80+ activities daily, from silent disco to mind games to yoga and meditation. Celebrity has curated excursions in each port, or you can disembark and wander with a shopping or exploration bent.
Entertainment uses the 500-seat, techno-laden theatre. Shows range from Broadway hits to individual acts. These aren’t regular crew pulled into entertainment service. These are professional performers, so expect something extraordinary. We experienced Stage Door, the Uke Box Band, and Elements shows on our voyage. Retreat guests get special seating and a bar service area on the upper level.
The Retreat Sundeck has a 320-degree view as this deck is on the ship’s top. More super comfortable chairs combined with an upscale bar and food options. Rather than one area, the Retreat Sun Deck has separate cabanas, water options, and partitions, so even during full occupancy, you feel a sense of personal space.
The well-equipped fitness center (enough gear for a rainy day) and the massive spa were just two decks below our cabin. The couple’s massage got us on the same wellness and rejuvenation page. Daily trips to the multi-faceted thermal suite didn’t hurt either.
The Beyond boasts the first female sovereign of the mega-ship helm, Captain Kate McCue. Her sidekick feline, Bug, is the first-ever live-aboard, hairless cat mascot on a cruise ship. And Bug is the first cat with a trivia show at sea.
It was easy to chat here and there and in The Retreat environment as people were much more open to connecting in this low-key setting. In the post-social-distancing world, that level of interaction was more than welcome.
The Retreat combined the extensive large ship options with a plush, kick-back oasis when needed for a different kind of cruise.
I will go again.