Sometimes it's better not to know exactly what you're missing in travel. I learned this lesson the first time when I flew Business Class , bemoaning all those years I had spent folded up like origami in Economy. And now it seems I'll be confronting that feeling all over again in cruising as I arrive at Piraeus Cruise Terminal in Athens for our family holiday with my husband and two daughters (15 and 10) in tow.
We've booked a seven-night Best of Greece cruise aboard Celebrity Infinity , a 2170-guest beauty set to take us around Santorini, the Turkish beach resort town of Kuşadası, Rhodes, Mykonos and Hydra. My paperwork tells me we're in the stateroom we've booked and paid for: a Verandah Stateroom to sleep a family of four, which is how we usually sail. READ MORE: Travel expert shares number one must-have item for trip to Japan "Good morning, Ms Yasa," a Celebrity Cruises Guest Relations representative says as she greets us the moment I set foot out of the taxi and gently leads me by the arm - confused children and husband trailing behind me - towards a VIP refreshments section of the Terminal.
"We have some good news for you today - we have upgraded you to a suite in The Retreat." And with that she leaves me to scoff my arrival Champagne and fruit platter in shock as I take in the long lines of "regular" passengers trying to board. I won't be joining them, I am told; The Retreat guests are fast-tracked onto the ship via a separate line, every last step into the onboard private lounge.
READ MORE: Flight attendant shares top 'icks' when it comes to couples travelling together For those unfamiliar with The Retreat , it's essentially an exclusive resort for VIP members aboard Celebrity Cruises. A quick look at my app tells me that the suites come with a dedicated butler who is always on hand to help me with anything I may require, from unpacking my bags and ironing my clothes or organising any special events or arrangements. I, like all guests of The Retreat, have access to my own Concierge service, a table at suites-only restaurant Luminae, the option to dine at Blu (usually reserved for Aquaclass guests) as well as Michael's Lounge where we can enjoy complimentary beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), snacks and fun traditions such as an afternoon tea loaded with scones and pretty cakes.
On newer ships such as Celebrity Beyond and the soon-to-be-launched Celebrity Ascent, for example, there's also access to an exclusive sundeck but this isn't the case with Celebrity Infinity a recently refurbished vessel, which at 24 years of age, is one of the senior beauties of the cruise line. What else does The Retreat offer? We're about to find out. My 'room', I quickly discover, isn't just any stateroom, but the ridiculously spacious Sunset Suite, located in the aft of the ship and offering expansive views with its sensationally large private veranda to take advantage of those Greek Island sunsets.
The space - I'm happy to report - is considerably larger than most inner city apartments, offering a separate living space which converts into a double bed for the girls, plentiful storage, a fully stocked minibar, a sumptuous king-sized bed, that magnificent verandah which is almost has large as the suite itself and Al, a cheerful gentleman who introduces himself as our butler. He has already placed the Champagne on ice, laid out the chocolate-covered strawberries but would we like him to unpack our suitcases? Nope, Al can rest easy. It's no accident that I've chosen Celebrity Cruise Lines for this, the holiday we've all been dreaming about; I've cruised solo with them a couple of times and knew that when it came to spending my own money for a personal holiday, there was no better cruise line for the job.
I appreciate its slick aesthetic, focus on quality food, and the entertainment options available for kids of all ages without marketing itself as a family cruise (you won't find any kids' water play areas or bumper cars, for example, but they have age-appropriate clubs for everyone, including teens). The Retreat, as it turns out, displays its worth the first night before we pull into Santorini. Not only do we discover we get priority departure and embarkation at each destination, but our concierge has already secured our cable car passes so we don't have to worry about a thing Unbelievably - for July in Santorini - this means we're able to have the Oia to ourselves for 20 whole minutes before everyone else catches up.
In Hydra, a picturesque island largely off the mega-cruise circuit, early bird access means we're some of the only guests who are able to tender off the ship and visit, departing just before the captain makes the call that waters are too choppy to continue to do so. We make the most of The Retreat services while we're on board: reserved theatre seating, a daily delivery of in-room treats and when our daughter turns 11 halfway through the cruise, we enlist Al's assistance to decorate the suite and deliver a birthday cake. He goes above and beyond, also stocking up an ice bucket with the drinks he's noticed our younger daughter enjoys most.
Luminae is great, but to be fair, the food is consistently good throughout each space (yes, even the buffet) that we only visit it twice during our voyage. Michael's Lounge? We're there CONSTANTLY. Now that we're off the ship and delivered back to a life sans butler, we're faced with a problem.
We would like to book another cruise for 2025, and while we all agree it will be another Celebrity Cruise (my girls love the friends they made in their kids' clubs, but give high praise for the food as well), we now know The Retreat exists. "Maybe I could take on extra shifts?" ponders my eldest. "I could put my Christmas money towards it?" adds my youngest.
You see, now we know The Retreat exists, cruising for our family will never be the same again. The writer and her family travelled at their own expense..
