Celebrity Concierge Class Just Changed a Major Perk: Is the New Benefit Better?
Celebrity Cruises has quietly changed one of the benefits included with Concierge Class—and while cruisers are losing the afternoon canapés, they’re gaining something I think many guests may actually use more.
Celebrity Cruises has removed Daily Delights, the afternoon canapés previously delivered to Concierge Class staterooms, and replaced them with complimentary room service with the standard delivery fee waived, along with two complimentary bottled waters on embarkation day.
The change took effect September 21, 2026, according to Celebrity Cruises.
And there’s an interesting timing issue here.
Celebrity also increased its daily gratuities earlier this year.
So, if you’re paying more in gratuities for a Concierge Class stateroom, what exactly are you getting for that money?
Let’s look at what changed—and whether the new Concierge Class benefit could actually be more useful than what Celebrity took away.
What Changed With Celebrity Concierge Class?
Previously, Concierge Class guests received Daily Delights, which included afternoon canapés delivered to the stateroom.
Celebrity has now removed that benefit.
Under the new Concierge Class benefits, guests receive:
- Complimentary room service with the delivery fee waived
- Two complimentary welcome waters on embarkation day
- Personalized Concierge service
- An exclusive Welcome Aboard Concierge Class lunch
- An exclusive destination seminar
- A bottle of sparkling wine upon request
- Pillow selection upon request
- Other Concierge Class amenities and services
Celebrity’s current Concierge Class information confirms that complimentary room service with the delivery fee waived is now included.
The important distinction here is that Celebrity hasn’t eliminated room service itself. Concierge Class guests now get the room-service delivery charge waived.
For other guests, Celebrity currently lists a $9.95 room-service fee for orders from the regular room-service menu, with a 20% gratuity added. Continental breakfast remains complimentary.
That makes this change more interesting than simply saying Celebrity “cut a perk.”
Celebrity Also Increased Gratuities
Here’s where I think this story gets more interesting.
Celebrity increased its daily gratuity rates effective July 29, 2026.
The current rates are:
- Inside, Oceanview and Veranda: $19.50 per person, per day
- Concierge Class and AquaClass: $20.50 per person, per day
- The Retreat: $24.50 per person, per day
Celebrity says the gratuities are distributed among crew members including dining, bar and culinary staff, stateroom attendants and other hotel services teams.
For a couple in Concierge Class, that’s $41 per day in gratuities, or $287 for a seven-day cruise.
So when you’re looking at the overall cost of a Celebrity cruise, it’s reasonable to ask what benefits you’re receiving at each cabin level.
And that brings us back to the canapés.
Are Complimentary Room Service and Welcome Waters Better Than the Canapés?
I’ll admit it: I’m not particularly sad to see the canapés go.
For me, having the room-service delivery fee waived is a more useful benefit.
I would much rather have the flexibility to order a meal or breakfast to my room when it works for my schedule than have a small afternoon snack automatically delivered.
And I especially like the idea for port mornings.
If you’re getting up early for an excursion, having breakfast delivered while you’re getting ready could be a very nice convenience. Especially when you are trying to get off the ship early.
Of course, that’s my preference—not necessarily yours.
And it isn’t limited to breakfast.
With the room-service delivery fee waived, Concierge Class guests have the flexibility to use the benefit when they want it—whether that’s breakfast before an excursion, a meal when they don’t feel like going to a restaurant, or something delivered to the room during the day.
That’s a fundamentally different type of perk from a tray of afternoon snacks arriving at your door.
There’s One Important Detail About Breakfast
Celebrity already offers complimentary continental breakfast room service from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m., so Concierge Class isn’t suddenly getting free breakfast for the first time.
The difference is that Concierge Class guests now have the room-service delivery fee waived, which can make ordering from the broader room-service menu more useful.
That’s an important distinction when comparing the benefit.
Why Celebrity May Have Made This Change
Celebrity hasn’t said that the change was made specifically because the canapés weren’t popular or because of food waste.
So I wouldn’t assume a reason that Celebrity hasn’t given.
What we do know is that Celebrity describes the updated Concierge Class benefits as providing “added convenience and flexibility.”
And I can see the logic.
An afternoon snack is something you either want at that particular time—or you don’t.
A waived room-service delivery fee is something you can use when it fits your vacation.
That gives the benefit a different kind of flexibility.
What Does This Mean If You’re Considering Concierge Class?
I wouldn’t choose Concierge Class solely because of the room-service benefit.
The value of upgrading depends on the price difference between the cabin categories and which amenities you personally care about.
But if you’re already comparing a Veranda stateroom with Concierge Class, this is one more benefit to put on the list.
And I would look at the entire package rather than focusing on one perk.
You’re also getting benefits such as the Welcome Aboard Concierge Class lunch, personalized Concierge service, destination seminar and other amenities.
That’s why I always recommend comparing the actual fare and inclusions for your specific sailing rather than assuming that a higher cabin category automatically represents a better value.
The Bigger Question for Celebrity Cruisers
With Celebrity’s gratuity increase now in effect and Concierge Class benefits changing, this is a good reminder to look beyond the cabin’s name when deciding what to book.
Don’t just ask, “Is Concierge Class worth it?”
Ask:
“What am I paying extra for, and will I actually use those benefits?”
That’s the question that matters.
And now, with complimentary room service delivery included for Concierge Class guests, you have one more benefit to consider.
Would you rather have the afternoon canapés—or the room-service delivery fee waived?