FastandFurious

The internet issue was a one off satellite ship connection. Other than that it has been fine. Fun fact there are more crew on the ship than passengers. 1200 versus 1100. This is the first time In my memory the main dining room restaurant has been closed for second seating. Cruise is very nice. No issues. Weather good. Pool area packed even with reduced passenger count.

Approximately 1200 guests which makes it enjoyable. Previous 2 cruises 2K +.

Apex Jan. 8th Cancelled this morning via Celebrity site eg. Manage reservation. No rebooking yet. I could deal with all the hoops and hassles except for a non voluntary quarantine in a separate cabin for ??? days. Just going to fire up the RV and with DW trek out to California to visit family.

This thread is more addicting than watching Dallas. Yes I’m old! My wife would REALLY enjoy a cruise with me locked in a cabin for the duration. She would probably try to start an ad hoc “ widow/widowers “ group for the rest of the cruise. “Honey I tried to visit you but they wouldn’t let me”. “ Im sorry I got out of control in the casino because I was so depressed about you being locked up” etc. etc. I’m not taking that chance. Very regretfully canceling next weeks Apex cruise 

Is there a Celebrity email address to which a message could be sent now and the time stamp associated with the message could be used later IF Celebrity for some reason where to deny a full positive Covid test refund?

Whether it is 10% or 20% I still upgrade onboard because as noted earlier the staff really appreciates the gesture and I have thereafter received very special treatment. But upgrade at a venue you intend to frequent regularly.

No use in calling again. I’ve tried several arguments over several cruises. eg. Lost revenue to no avail.

Dollydish Thanxs for posting the benefits tier chart but I do not think it is accurate. VIP lounge access is currently being denied and I am not aware of any hosted events taking place ( 3 cruises since June ). I wrote previously on my tragic initial  🥶denial of access to the Michael’s Club/Retreat. The only reason I was able to get in on the June Millennium cruise was the fact I could show the chart you posted. I have not tried on cruises #2 or #3. Next cruise is January. I hope my understanding is incorrect and someone more knowledgeable can post here.

I believe BCC is actually based upon the game of craps. Sometimes you role the number/point and other times a 7 out. Or sometimes the dice end up on the casino floor. BTW with a comped Concierge cabin paid $40pp ( 4 night cruise ) to move to a nice stern facing ( M class ) C1 cabin. Congrats to the cruiser who moved up from a comped cabin. Not enamored with AC so only have experience with other classes eg. CC and Veranda. For an Edge cruise in January took a comped CC. Called the other day and for the heck of it asked for the cost of a SS. Response:$3K+ . No Thanxs . I’ve tried for a long time with no luck to move up from a comped cabin. I’m a Sapphire. Cheers.

My experience is that if it is a comped cruise no move up bid option.

To Winslow050 I would not rely upon any point totals that the on board staff estimate. After a cruise wait about 2 weeks and call a BCC rep who will report to you on what has been reported to them. It sounds like you are pretty active in the casino and I hope you are given recognition by being given Sapphire Plus status. I have talked to “Jacob” at BCC. He is some kind of supervisor. Ask the BCC phone rep how you can be put in touch with him. He can review your history. On two occasions he has favorably resolved issues for me.  I do not have a clear memory on the 6 month extension you referenced for earning a higher tier status but having gone through this C19 nightmare I agree with you that it was highly probable it was in effect. But since there where no cruises occurring in that early C19 period you should certainly inquire. Good luck.

I have been fortunate to have sailed on the first Millennium cruise out of St. Marteen in June ( I’m still in therapy for the airport experience) and a Summit cruise in September. According to BCC rep I earned about 22K tier points on first cruise and 15K tier points on Summit. No points for any previous cruises but that makes sense because my last pre C19 cruise was December 2019. Will be interesting to see how much $$$ in “ promotional” gambling benefits ( chips or slot credits ) I receive in 2 days when I board the Edge. I agree with an earlier poster that BCC benefits have been significantly reduced. However the casino staff continue to be very welcoming.

As a Sapphire for several years I am still flummoxed by the program. Sometimes I get more future cruise credits and sometimes less than I expect. Recently a telephone agent remarked that it would be beneficial to have more status/benefits information on line. I know my land based casino has it available . All I can say is you currently have to call and speak to an agent. Now the phone holds range from 35 minutes to 3 hours. I can recite verbatim the recording. Also do not go nuts if you are disconnected somewhere along there. In other words plan ahead for a time when you can be on hold for on average 2+ hours. The agents are very friendly and if you treat them with kindness they will reciprocate. You can ask questions about the program with the on board staff but I have found the telephone agents to be the definitive resource. Your past cruise activity takes about 2+ weeks to get into the system. Good Luck.

The points meter did reset but starting with the Millennium in June and the Summit earlier this month the earnings are accumulating again.

This is certainly good news. March of 23 is pretty generous. But obviously makes sense with very few opportunities to earn. I’m glad I made the effort to retain my status on the last Infinity cruise of 2019. Hopefully we will know soon. I’m booked on September 16th Summit. IF we still don’t know I will ask casino staff but if past experience is any guide they will say they do not know what “Miami” has decided.

I may get flamed here but slot technology has progressed beyond the set factory % chip in the machine itself. The newer machines are linked via a “back room” system to real time manipulation. Now whether Celebrity or any other cruise line actively monitors or changes the pay out percentages during the cruise is beyond my knowledge. Ask them next time you are in a casino. I’m sure they will immediately confess 😂.I would be surprised if slot payouts on cruise ships is higher than 80% if not lower. Keep in mind jackpots can be re set between cruises and I don’t mean upwards.

The BCC agents both in Wichita and Miami are very good. Call them. I have learned of offers that I was never informed of via e mail. Now the BIG question is whether they will extend status beyond the end of the year. Not a lot of earning opportunities to n this tough environment.

Have not had the same problem but this why I make a point of introducing myself to the Casino Host both at the beginning and end of the cruise. Plus the CH has some comp authority during the actual cruise. Remember rule #1 Tip the staff in the casino. They keep a “file” on you. Good luck resolving your concerns. I would ask to speak to a BCC supervisor/manager. The call folks in Wichita and Miami are wonderful but they are essentially reservation clerks.

I just reread the chart and the reference to the current extension until the end of this year. But what I noticed for the first time was the “ earn a level up” language. Maybe our current status will continue for some period…. Thank you to PT Cruizer for the confirmation on no Retreat access. Using C19 as the excuse is BS. I agree with another poster that the more likely rationale is to keep the lounges an “ exclusive “ experience for the Suite guests.

I was on the inaugural Millennium cruise and specifically asked about the tier “ deadline “. Of course no update. I certainly agree you would have to be a big whale…whoops Ruby to be able to requailify by the end of the year. And why did a cruise line pick rocks to signify tiers. How about Sea horse, Sea cucumber, urchin, shark, octopus, whale etc. NO imagination!

Celebrity’s casino program is called “ Blue Chip Club “. There is a chart on line that sets out the tiers and benefits. But be aware the program is in flux.  I think the official chart is “ this page is not available “. On the other hand older web sites still have it. 

Yes but see my earlier post on hoops. The tier benefits page is no longer up so be careful about any expectations. One last whine. I think a Sapphire must put 100K through the tables/machines in whatever qualification period is then applicable. To take a benefit away such as access to the Retreat makes no economic sense but is merely to make the Suite experience more “ exclusive “ IMO.

Sorry I did not but there was a lot of whooping it up at the card tables. They were packed every night. 

Oh on craps the pass line unless you bet $25 you can only do double odds behind the line.

I had to show the Casino Manager ( Danella ) the real time tier benefits on my IPAD . Once she saw that benefit was still posted she contacted Miami for one time /last time admittance. She was great but the regular Retreat folks then resented our entry so we were treated like we had rabies. Was pretty uncomfortable. But I got pissed so I kept  going in. The server however was great. She did not know we were the “untouchables”. STAY AWAY from the slot machines. I could have just tossed $100 notes off the fantail and had more fun. Retreat was largely empty the whole time even though all the Suites were occupied. IMO very stupid change in policy. Earlier today canceled 4 future cruises. Folks at tables were having fun. Drinks were free but for the first time server asked for cabin # ???? even though I was actively losing $$$$$$. Any other questions let me know. Good luck