Live from Constellation - Changes to Onboard Bookings Program

"Perhaps you could cash out the OBC and compensate your friends directly for their share. This might be a bit more work, but would it not work?"

But this incurs a fee of 5% at the casino.

Wonder how this will work for UK cruisers since we already pay non refundable deposits which are £300 per stateroom (whatever the cruise length or inside/OV/balcony) :confused:

Celebrity, can you please post the entire flyer in a format so we can see it -- complete with all the terms and conditions, and what the deposit amount would be for all categories/all cruise lengths. Your example was a start, but we would like to know all about the entire program. Thank you.

Celebrity, can you please post the entire flyer in a format so we can see it -- complete with all the terms and conditions, and what the deposit amount would be for all categories/all cruise lengths. Your example was a start, but we would like to know all about the entire program. Thank you.

Good idea :)

I'm really interested in the t&c's because, if I remember correctly, some recent obc's have specifically excluded the casino. I might be ok if I could get my deposit covered 95% in cash but it don't want/need an additional non refundable OBC. If I can do that cash in, then I can still cancel and rebook on a new booking only fare essentially with a very small penalty if the new booking offering is financially interesting.

We generally book and don't change cabin class so for us this seems clear.

If we book a veranda cabin for a 12night cruise (from trying to read the flyer OP posted) the deposit for our cabin would be $200. We pay the $200 & immediately get $200 OBC for the cruise we are on. Then we also get to choose 1 of the 1,2 3 offers- for us beverage package.

I can see where if you upgrade or downgrade your cabin after booking it could get complicated, T & C's which we haven't seen probably cover how that works.

In comparing this pilot offering to the offer when we booked earlier this month it works out to be the same in the end. Booked a 12 night cruise- paid $200 deposit, received $200 OBC on the future cruise and

choice of 1 from the 1,2 3 offer. Only difference is that in the pilot we would have gotten the OBC to use on our cruise this month rather than waiting til our cruise next year for the OBC.

And the big difference...the deposit is now non refundable

And the big difference...the deposit is now non refundable

Isn't a future cruise credit non refundable now? You can move it, but not get a refund? Is that right? So they're making the book onboard and the FCC the same terms

No, current Future Cruise Credits are refundable. The Open Passages are not, but the ones where you make an actual booking are refundable up until the date of Final Payment for that cruise.

No, current Future Cruise Credits are refundable. The Open Passages are not, but the ones where you make an actual booking are refundable up until the date of Final Payment for that cruise.

Right, sorry, that's what I meant. So they've just made the terms the same

Nobody's mentioned the category upgrades yet. I believe that it was up to three categories. Is that gone?

It seems to me that there used to be three good reasons to book on board:

lower deposit amount ($100 instead of $450 on regular verandahs, suites had a higher deposit I think)

three category upgrade

fully refundable deposit

and sometimes there were other special promotions for booking on board, like Pick 2 for Europe, etc.

I would really like to see how this new pilot program matches up, point for point.

 

It's truly amazing how Celebrity FINALLY had a program, that everyone was excited about, and... was quite difficult to book cruises onboard, due to the HUGE demand. Now, they've found a way to kill their golden goose.

 

As I said earlier, unless I'm missing something key to this pilot program - IMO, it's too complicated - especially for future changes. This is one of the reasons why the existing programs make FAR more sense... the promotion adjusts, as YOU make adjustments. To me, that's logical. With this pilot program, all I see is illogical... and plenty of headaches ahead - for both Celebrity, and for their Guests.

Andy, as you know I'm a big fan of yours and appreciate all the time in effort you put into this forum. However, I suspect this change is driven by sound accounting issues, not trying to complicate the future cruise process.

The current system has been quite popular but it does leave a large future financial liability on Celebrity books. With the change, OBCs are paid immediately and those who book onboard are really going to take a cruise.

I'm just speculating on Celebrity's motive. Would love to hear your thoughts, thanks.

Another question --

Can it be confirmed that the OBC granted for "THIS cruise" can, in fact be used as the deposit for the future cruise?

OBC has never been able to be used that way in the past.

We have always needed to provide a credit card for the deposit, and OBC specifically could not be used to book a new cruise.

Andy, as you know I'm a big fan of yours and appreciate all the time in effort you put into this forum. However, I suspect this change is driven by sound accounting issues, not trying to complicate the future cruise process.

 

The current system has been quite popular but it does leave a large future financial liability on Celebrity books. With the change, OBCs are paid immediately and those who book onboard are really going to take a cruise.

 

I'm just speculating on Celebrity's motive. Would love to hear your thoughts, thanks.

Hi Oville,

Thank you for your very kind comments. I'm not a CPA, so I wouldn't get into specifics on financial accounting methods. However, you've raised some interesting points, and you may be right, in that a non-refundable deposit may put such issues to rest. However, I must ask... at what cost ? If the pilot becomes permanent, and if they were to lose significant amounts of future onboard bookings, is this a wise business decision ? I'd surely think not. Another item to consider... what about the additional onboard cruise sales folks they've just added and/or moved from other positions ? If onboard sales were to drop, won't they be affected ? Why bolster the staff, and then change the program to something which may not be as consumer friendly ? It reverts to wondering if they've thought this out thoroughly.

As Celebrity is apparently focused on the bottom line, (and I certainly want them to be highly profitable), I agree that financial considerations are likely driving this pilot program. With that said, I also suspect it's driven to get folks to commit to cruising with Celebrity. Unfortunately, with Mom's age, (and that we usually travel with family members whose deposits would also be lost if we had to cancel) the non-refundable deposit is probably a deal breaker for us. Believe me, I'm not upset, but I am puzzled, and eager to learn more about this program.

If I may suggest - before people go bonkers over this <smile>, I agree that it would be ideal if we can see the entire promotion in print, along with the terms and conditions, in order to compare apples to apples. Hopefully, Celebrity will provide the document, or a current guest will scan it for us.

Hope this is helpful !

Andy, as you know I'm a big fan of yours and appreciate all the time in effort you put into this forum.

It's funny you mention it at this moment, as you'd be amazed that I'm able to sit at a computer right now. Might as well share it with my dear community friends. I took one heck of a fall last night - Just a freak accident. This is probably the first time in my life that I'm happy to be on the heavier side, as I have some meat on the bones :).

Thankfully, nothing seems to be broken... but as my head was headed right for a wall, I had the split second foresight to avoid it from taking the hit.... but the rest of my body suffered for it, as I fell onto a tiled floor. I'm as sore as can be - neck, arms, shoulder, ribs, back, hiney, knees, legs - you name it. This is only my 2nd time out of bed, since last night. The doctor urged me to spend this weekend in bed, but you know me - you cant keep me away from the boards LOL. I've even set my tablet and cell phone for member alerts, so I can handle any issues. How's that for dediciation ? Thankfully, my sense of humor remains intact, so that must be a good thing !

Hopefully, tomorrow will be a better day !

Oh Andy, how terrible, but I'm glad to hear it wasn't worse. You are probably going to be uncomfortable for a while. Dedication indeed! Hoping you feel better soon.

Joanie

Is the 123go programme only now available with bookings for FCC on board a ship and through regular bookings not on board a ship? I think this makes sense?? A neighbour has booked a FCC and got a really deal, but I cannot match it through booking with Celebrity. We would join them on the cruise if we could get the same package deal.

It's funny you mention it at this moment, as you'd be amazed that I'm able to sit at a computer right now. Might as well share it with my dear community friends. I took one heck of a fall last night - Just a freak accident. This is probably the first time in my life that I'm happy to be on the heavier side, as I have some meat on the bones :).

 

Thankfully, nothing seems to be broken... but as my head was headed right for a wall, I had the split second foresight to avoid it from taking the hit.... but the rest of my body suffered for it, as I fell onto a tiled floor. I'm as sore as can be - neck, arms, shoulder, ribs, back, hiney, knees, legs - you name it. This is only my 2nd time out of bed, since last night. The doctor urged me to spend this weekend in bed, but you know me - you cant keep me away from the boards LOL. I've even set my tablet and cell phone for member alerts, so I can handle any issues. How's that for dediciation ? Thankfully, my sense of humor remains intact, so that must be a good thing !

 

Hopefully, tomorrow will be a better day !

Ouch Andy! I do hope you are ok, take it easy for a few days :)

Andy,

as one "small" man to another... Get Well Soon!

It seems the older you get the father away the floor is, and when the inevitable happens the thud sure does hurt.

Take a bit of time off!

My B-I-L is on a cruise now. He just booked 3 cabins for himself,us,and our cousins. We all got the OBC and 123 promo. We and our cousins chose the drink pkg and bro took the $300 price reduction. We have it all in writing for 2/15 cruise.

Hope this answers some questions.

Judie

Just so you know - your cruise departs February 14 NOT the 15th!

It's funny you mention it at this moment, as you'd be amazed that I'm able to sit at a computer right now. Might as well share it with my dear community friends. I took one heck of a fall last night - Just a freak accident. This is probably the first time in my life that I'm happy to be on the heavier side, as I have some meat on the bones :).

 

Thankfully, nothing seems to be broken... but as my head was headed right for a wall, I had the split second foresight to avoid it from taking the hit.... but the rest of my body suffered for it, as I fell onto a tiled floor. I'm as sore as can be - neck, arms, shoulder, ribs, back, hiney, knees, legs - you name it. This is only my 2nd time out of bed, since last night. The doctor urged me to spend this weekend in bed, but you know me - you cant keep me away from the boards LOL. I've even set my tablet and cell phone for member alerts, so I can handle any issues. How's that for dediciation ? Thankfully, my sense of humor remains intact, so that must be a good thing !

 

Hopefully, tomorrow will be a better day !

Andy

SO sorry!

I tripped over an uneven sidewalk a couple of years ago but didn't have the foresight to protect my face and I looked like I had been in a serious fight for a couple of weeks.

Plus the rest of me was sore for weeks.

Feel better!!!!!

Thanks to the official Celebrity poster for their comments, but I think that Host Andy has made some excellent observations in his post #50. Am I the only person who ever wonders if the "suits" in Miami just have too much time on their hands?

PS: Andy -- hope you have a speedy recovery.

Is the 123go programme only now available with bookings for FCC on board a ship and through regular bookings not on board a ship? I think this makes sense?? A neighbour has booked a FCC and got a really deal, but I cannot match it through booking with Celebrity. We would join them on the cruise if we could get the same package deal.

Hi Boards,

Currently, the only way to obtain 123GO, is to book onboard. However, have you looked at the current promo, "take 2 +" ? While it does not offer the drink package, it offers a price reduction, and an OBC. If your sailing is applicable, there are some great deals out there, and lMO, worth taking a look.

Hope this is helpful !

Just so I am understanding- we book open bookings on board so these have non refundable deposits and then an on board credit. My question is what is the credit based on, sailing lenght or room? Also is there a time limit to use them?

Then can these be combined with other offers such as third or fourth free?

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So many questions, so few answers