Elite and The Not

[gonecruising]

Having sailed on almost 30 cruises we became Diamond members on RCCL and Elite members on Celebrity many year ago. When we traveled with friends awhile back, we would get two of the concierge club or Diamond club cards and my friends would use one. But recently, on both RCCL and Celebrity, there have been concierge personnel in attendence at the door to make sure that those who have access the "clubs" are actually members.

 

That causes me to ask what to do about traveling with friends who are not members. This is an awkward situation for me..I would like to use the club pre-dinner or breakfast, but I find it difficult to tell my friends, "See ya later."

 

Years ago the concierge clubs had more lenient rules...they would let you in with friends if you spoke to them privately, or if there was room...but now there seems to be so many of us, that is not possible, as we found out on our last cruise.

 

I want to travel with my friends but would like to take advantage of the perks I have acquired over the years....

 

Any thoughts or previous recent experience with this?

[curtdesilets]

The Captains Club Concierge person should be able to assist you. We just got back from the Infinity and we are "Select" members. We were travelling with our elderly parents on their first Celebrity Cruise on the infinity. We just asked politely and they were able to attend all the Captains Club functions with us, no questions asked.

[C 2 C]

Years ago the concierge clubs had more lenient rules...they would let you in with friends if you spoke to them privately, or if there was room...but now there seems to be so many of us, that is not possible, as we found out on our last cruise.

 

I want to travel with my friends but would like to take advantage of the perks I have acquired over the years....

 

Any thoughts or previous recent experience with this?

 

I think you have answered your own question. If everyone were to take a friend along to the lounge, people who have earned the rewards might suffer the results of overcrowding.

I think that if your friends were to cruise more often then they would also be rewarded for doing so.

Some sailings with low demand might allow an occasional visit however.

[EmJakeBubbie]

gonecruising - You might want to keep a flame retardant suit handy, just in case, but it doesn't look as if your thread is taking off:rolleyes:

If you have perks to get special treatment, you earned it. If that excludes any traveling companions who don't have those same perks, they are excluded from enjoying what you have earned. Facts is facts. Keeps the loyalty program(s) honest and in reserve for all who have earned perks. You need to determine whether your friendship or perks mean the most to you? Unless you have to hold your friend's hand the entire cruise, nothing says you can't say "see ya later", go enjoy your special lounge or activity, and meet up later. I know some folks have broken the rules and perhaps that has contributed to what we now experience with restrictions. The speciality lounges, reserved for loyalty pax, should be respected. just IMHO.

[Guest maddycat]

gonecruising - You might want to keep a flame retardant suit handy' date=' just in case, but it doesn't look as if your thread is taking off:rolleyes:

If you have perks to get special treatment, you earned it. If that excludes any traveling companions who don't have those same perks, they are excluded from enjoying what you have earned. Facts is facts. Keeps the loyalty program(s) honest and in reserve for all who have earned perks. You need to determine whether your friendship or perks mean the most to you? Unless you have to hold your friend's hand the entire cruise, nothing says you can't say "see ya later", go enjoy your special lounge or activity, and meet up later. I know some folks have broken the rules and perhaps that has contributed to what we now experience with restrictions. The speciality lounges, reserved for loyalty pax, should be respected. just IMHO.[/quote']

 

I'm in complete agreement.

[Denny01]

I know the Elite Rewards are not the End-All to Be-All, but they do get people to add on in order to get the benefits.

 

Example: Our friends are joining us on a TA - they then signed up for the previous E Med cruise and talked us into that one, so off we all go for two cruises. We are Elite and they are Select. We'd talked on if they'd be able to join us in Michaels, and a previous thread had stated we could bring a friend along. But I think it really meant a cabin-sharing non-Elite friend. We'll see. Sounds more restricted now. And I do plan on using the Rewards. We aren't the type of traveling couples that have to be with each other all the time. We've joined new friends for dinner on a cruise and so on - that's why we love to travel with them. We are all grown up and can be out of sight of each other.

 

But after our friends heard about (or really me gloating about - well, I would never do such a thing!) the Elite rewards, they upgraded to a Concierge room when the last price drop occured, instead of taking the price drop. Gets them a toal of 2 points on one cruise and 3 on the TA. They'd signed up for a European River Cruise in 2010, and are now talking about going on another Celebrity TA across prior to that cruise. With those points, they become Elite! Of course they are doing all this to cruise, but they suddently went from cruising an Inside cabin a few years ago to these upgrades. Funny how it works, and how businesses know how to get you hooked.

 

We are dedicated Celebrity Cruisers - have gone on other lines, but with the Rewards, it will take a major reason for my wife to even consider another line.

 

Denny

[Smoke Fan]

gonecruising - You might want to keep a flame retardant suit handy' date=' just in case, but it doesn't look as if your thread is taking off:rolleyes:

If you have perks to get special treatment, you earned it. If that excludes any traveling companions who don't have those same perks, they are excluded from enjoying what you have earned. Facts is facts. Keeps the loyalty program(s) honest and in reserve for all who have earned perks. You need to determine whether your friendship or perks mean the most to you? Unless you have to hold your friend's hand the entire cruise, nothing says you can't say "see ya later", go enjoy your special lounge or activity, and meet up later. I know some folks have broken the rules and perhaps that has contributed to what we now experience with restrictions. The speciality lounges, reserved for loyalty pax, should be respected. just IMHO.[/quote']

Well said!

Patty

[cruizinEllen]

We have always gone to the diamond lounge (on RCI) for a drink, then met up with our friends in a public lounge for another drink. We haven't had a problem.

[raudacruise]

I'm on a Role Call thread with 70 new friends. Would be hard to squeeze them all into Michaels Club :). There has been some ribbing on the thread about things, there is even a Niner's group (those that are one point from making Elite:p).

 

=X= does have to make this manageable or its really not going to be much of a perk.

[LeftcoastBC]

You do your time.... you get your "Just deserts" :D

[FinelyCruising]

That causes me to ask what to do about traveling with friends who are not members. This is an awkward situation for me..I would like to use the club pre-dinner or breakfast, but I find it difficult to tell my friends, "See ya later."

 

 

It is awkward I am sure. Here you want to enjoy the benefits and still be with your friends too, and still don't want them to feel left out. I like that you care about their feelings and that they might feel jilted. :)

 

How long is the cruise? Will you want to use MC everyday both times of the day? Will you be comfortable enough to let them know that you are setting aside some time to enjoy the venue, but place importance on spending time with them too and meeting them say in MC for an after dinner drink at a perk neutral time so they can enjoy the room with you too?

 

As for breakfast...I have not heard much about this, but its not as though there are dining tables, so I could see a continental breakfast and and a coffee with the side tables or the cocktail tables, but full breakfast would find me at a dining table and chairs more often than not.

[dkjretired]

Simple solution, take them on more cruises so they get elite...

 

Personally, I don't get it since I don't see the new benefits as anything great. I'm also spoiled by going to the Diamond Clubs at the Harrahs casinos which puts Michaels club to shame...Probably just a matter of degree....

[raudacruise]

Simple solution, take them on more cruises so they get elite...

 

Personally, I don't get it since I don't see the new benefits as anything great. I'm also spoiled by going to the Diamond Clubs at the Harrahs casinos which puts Michaels club to shame...Probably just a matter of degree....

 

Thanks for rubbing it in Don :). Still only Platinum in Total Rewards and probably will never be Diamond. But really, who pays more than $1 tip in Vegas for a drink :p.

 

Big difference though, you have to requalify annually for Total Rewards vs. accruing points for Captains Club.

 

I would say the Michaels club stuff is something we are going to use very frequently, the free internet minutes and laundry is worth some actual dollars. Better than those match play coupons Celebrity used to have.

[warmwinds]

When we've traveled with friends the only obligation we had was to meet for dinner (well, drinks before dinner then dinner). I don't see a problem with going to breakfast at a different time. Believe me, you'll have a much more fun cruise if you're not joined at the hip.

[FinelyCruising]

Simple solution, take them on more cruises so they get elite...

 

Personally, I don't get it since I don't see the new benefits as anything great. I'm also spoiled by going to the Diamond Clubs at the Harrahs casinos which puts Michaels club to shame...Probably just a matter of degree....

 

Wynn's just sent me a really nice offer for October, which is my B'day month. If I were not leaving Nov 1st for Rome and the Equinox I tell you I'd be on the plane. :D

[raudacruise]

Thanks for rubbing it in Don :). Still only Platinum in Total Rewards and probably will never be Diamond. But really, who pays more than $1 tip in Vegas for a drink :p.

 

Big difference though, you have to requalify annually for Total Rewards vs. accruing points for Captains Club.

 

I would say the Michaels club stuff is something we are going to use very frequently, the free internet minutes and laundry is worth some actual dollars. Better than those match play coupons Celebrity used to have.

 

Oops, I meant to say Michaels club stuff is some that were are NOT going to use very frequently.

[FinelyCruising]

Oops, I meant to say Michaels club stuff is some that were are NOT going to use very frequently.

 

Really?

 

Without offending, may I ask why? Please feel free to suggest this is NOMB.;)

[raudacruise]

Really?

 

Without offending, may I ask why? Please feel free to suggest this is NOMB.;)

 

The timing is just not right. We have a RS so will be having breakfast there. Going down just to get a Mimosa or Bloody Mary not worth it.

 

The 4-6 time is also not that great. We have late seating. Works out for those with main that want to get drink prior to dinner but its also the time we do our pre-dinner nap :D most days.

 

We'll probably go a few times but its hard to consider it a big perk.

[FinelyCruising]

The timing is just not right. We have a RS so will be having breakfast there. Going down just to get a Mimosa or Bloody Mary not worth it.

 

The 4-6 time is also not that great. We have late seating. Works out for those with main that want to get drink prior to dinner but its also the time we do our pre-dinner nap :D most days.

 

We'll probably go a few times but its hard to consider it a big perk.

 

Thanks. I follow.

[raudacruise]

There have been a lot of threads on the Michaels Club thing. Hopefully =X= will "tune" it so its a better perk for all. We don't cruise again until two days after Thanksgiving so I wouldn't be surprised to see a few more twists before then.

[cat616]

.... That causes me to ask what to do about traveling with friends who are not members. This is an awkward situation for me..I would like to use the club pre-dinner or breakfast, but I find it difficult to tell my friends, "See ya later."...

 

I was thinking about this same situation a few weeks ago in anticipation of making Elite after my next cruise and I came to the conclusion that spending time with my friends is more rewarding than a few free drinks. I can buy drinks but I would not buy a friend.

[Denny01]

I was thinking about this same situation a few weeks ago in anticipation of making Elite after my next cruise and I came to the conclusion that spending time with my friends is more rewarding than a few free drinks. I can buy drinks but I would not buy a friend.

 

Most don't really plan on spending the entire 2 hrs in the Club, I would think. So stopping in for a drink to talk and maybe meet up with new friends isn't exactly like picking that over our traveling friends. We plan to do both, and there are other things we plan to do that do not include our friends which doesn't mean we are picking that Over them.

 

Ex: our friends will visit Florence before the cruise - we don't. When we pull into Livorno, we are taking the bus (On Your Own) to Florence and they will pick another venue. We will then enjoy sharing our different experiences. Should they not do anything that might be something we'd do together? Think not.

 

We sailed with some friends who were upset when we didn't do everything together. We still are friends and will enjoy their company, but not on a cruise again.

 

But what is so nice, is we all have choices. If we have late dining, we can step into the club for a free drink early on, then have a drink before dining just as we always did. Not sure what other option people want on Michaels timing, except for adding more hours to the benefit, which always seems to be our response - thanks for the free benefit, now give me more of it.

 

The more time the Club is open for Elites only (and suites), the less time those that also paid for the cruise have access to a nice and maybe favorite venue, and we'll then get the threads about those 'special people' crowding out 'us common folk'. And we certainly don't want to have to read that, oh no.

 

By the way, with Select Dining, you have even more options to dine that allow you to use the Elite benefits. win-win unless you insist each benefit meet your personal specifics.

 

Denny

[TomTN]

When we've traveled with friends the only obligation we had was to meet for dinner (well, drinks before dinner then dinner). I don't see a problem with going to breakfast at a different time. Believe me, you'll have a much more fun cruise if you're not joined at the hip.

 

A little space please! Friends, relatives, others. there is such a thing as too much togetherness.

[cat616]

Most don't really plan on spending the entire 2 hrs in the Club, I would think. So stopping in for a drink to talk and maybe meet up with new friends isn't exactly like picking that over our traveling friends. We plan to do both, and there are other things we plan to do that do not include our friends which doesn't mean we are picking that Over them.

 

Ex: our friends will visit Florence before the cruise - we don't. When we pull into Livorno, we are taking the bus (On Your Own) to Florence and they will pick another venue. We will then enjoy sharing our different experiences. Should they not do anything that might be something we'd do together? Think not.

 

We sailed with some friends who were upset when we didn't do everything together. We still are friends and will enjoy their company, but not on a cruise again.

 

But what is so nice, is we all have choices. If we have late dining, we can step into the club for a free drink early on, then have a drink before dining just as we always did. Not sure what other option people want on Michaels timing, except for adding more hours to the benefit, which always seems to be our response - thanks for the free benefit, now give me more of it.

 

The more time the Club is open for Elites only (and suites), the less time those that also paid for the cruise have access to a nice and maybe favorite venue, and we'll then get the threads about those 'special people' crowding out 'us common folk'. And we certainly don't want to have to read that, oh no.

 

By the way, with Select Dining, you have even more options to dine that allow you to use the Elite benefits. win-win unless you insist each benefit meet your personal specifics.

 

Denny

I agree with you Denny on every point except the 2 hour one. I was keeping my post "on topic" so did not elaborate any further.

[Xcruiser]

To the OP, I think you can understand that if Celebrity stated in writing that Elites and upper suites could take advantage of Michaels Club along with their friends the venue would likely be overcrowded. I think by not stating it that they would have the ability to make exceptions on a case by case basis depending on the number of guests in Michaels on a given morning or evening.

 

As to the hours that Michaels is open for the Elite perks, I think it's just fine. I'm not sure I would use it that much in the morning but if we feel like being hobbits we'll stop by for a sparking wine or bloody mary and croissant for 2nd breakfast:).

 

I think for the evening (or late afternoon) it's a great time early cocktail hour(s) and saves us from using some of our limited in cabin sprits for that purpose . This also gives us a chance to enjoy regular cocktail hour for late seating with some of our best friends…the Club Niners in a venue of choice:cool:.

 

In a day when most cruise lines are cutting back on perks like this I think it's a bold step forward and one that is much overdue for Celebrity. I think based on the feedback it's having the intended effect but you'll never please everyone.

 

I think some of the complaining about these welcome additions to the Captains Club loyalty program is sort of like….

 

Joel