Is one of the most popular new Elite perks being Chopped!

[jcpc]

This is why Celebrity Cruisers need an Elite Plus level. This level would make the reciprocal programs more equitable. So many people that we have met at the Elite Lounge came over from Royal Carribean and have one or two Celebrity cruises. Believe me, they are loving the benefits. It is too bad we have no incentive to cruise Royal.

 

Of course, they are loving the benefits. When the Celebrity Elite benefits were announced, many of the Royal Caribbean Diamond-level cruisers admitted that they were "jumping ship" (so to speak) because of the discontinuation of the Concierge Lounge on Royal Caribbean and the addition of the new Elite benefits (most specifically the free cocktails from 4 to 6!) on Celebrity.

 

I enjoy the Elite Lounge in the afternoon but the Elite Lounge is NOT the reason I sail Celebrity!

[jcpc]

elena7seas - thanks for the info. I'm sailing Mercury on October 29th (I believe that is the day Anne Maria disembarks) and reading your post made me even more excited about sailing Mercury!! It sounds like you had a wonderful cruise.

[CruisingChick]

elena7seas - thanks for the info. I'm sailing Mercury on October 29th (I believe that is the day Anne Maria disembarks) and reading your post made me even more excited about sailing Mercury!! It sounds like you had a wonderful cruise.

 

Unfortuantely, yes I disembark on October 29th. I would love to do a B2B but we don't have the time or the money.

 

Elena, thanks again for going into more detail on your Mercury cruise. Glad you had such a good time.

 

Anne Maria

[jcpc]

deleted post - sorry!

[CruisingChick]

Elena, do you know if Bruno was on your sailing of Mercury. He was the International Host when I sailed in March.

 

Thanks.

[elena7seas]

Elena, do you know if Bruno was on your sailing of Mercury. He was the International Host when I sailed in March.

 

Thanks.

 

Sorry, I don't remember hearing the name Bruno, and actually, did not know there was a position called "International Host".

 

I took a quick look through my "Celebrity Today" planners, but don't see any reference to a staffer named Bruno, or a "international host".

[CruisingChick]

He was very close to the Captain's Club Hostess we had on our sailing - Juliana Charles and he works mostly down at the Customer Service Desk. I did not know of this position either until that sailing. He was very visible and always making sure you were having a good time.

 

He was also in Dancing with the Stripes - did they do this on your sailing?

 

Anne Maria

[elena7seas]

He was very close to the Captain's Club Hostess we had on our sailing - Juliana Charles and he works mostly down at the Customer Service Desk. I did not know of this position either until that sailing. He was very visible and always making sure you were having a good time.

 

He was also in Dancing with the Stripes - did they do this on your sailing?

 

Anne Maria

 

Yes, they did have Dancing with the Stripes. It was held on Wednesday, September 1st, and was a dance competition featuring 12 officers and 12 guests. Unfortunately, I had another event that evening, and couldn't attend, but I saw the video that was shown the next day, and it certainly looked like fun.

 

We had two Captain Club hostesses, Tanushka D'Souza and Mellissa Snow...perhaps one was in training?

 

The officers were out in force at quite a few events, but I don't remember meeting a "Bruno" in any of the receiving lines.

 

I have to say, Captain Patsoulas was charming, and very funny, and the rest of the officers were all very personable.

[DgBg100106]

He was very close to the Captain's Club Hostess we had on our sailing - Juliana Charles and he works mostly down at the Customer Service Desk. I did not know of this position either until that sailing. He was very visible and always making sure you were having a good time.

 

He was also in Dancing with the Stripes - did they do this on your sailing?

 

Anne Maria

Juliana Charles was on Mercury in Feb with us, she is wonderful

[Oxo]

Originally Posted by Oxo

Just look at this for example.

1. Hours 4 - 6PM True

2. Not available or open on 1st night True and last night.False

3. No shorts - it is 4 -6PM not dinner time. They enforce the no shorts for this but not the dress code for the MDR. Not true on the Equinox and Century, true on the summit

Just like extension cords. They don't want you to bring them onboard. False, we've had extension cords on our last 3 cruises.

Dress code - they don't want to enforce dress code because it will maybe cause a guest to get mad. LOL True

Either enforce rules or don't have them. Either give us Elite benefits or don't have them. Don't tease us with them for a while then let them go away. Not sure a whole lot has changed. If so it was prior to March 2010, why the beef now? JMHO!

 

Please see my red comments above. I'm getting the feeling there's a lot of misinformation being passed along here and it is whooping up the naysayers.

 

Host Andy, I'm with you all the way. Stop complaiing, the new benefits are great.

 

In response to your comments. You have verified the disparities that really cause dissatisfaction amongst the guests. Why have rules that differ between ships? Either the Cruise Line enforces a rule or it doesn't. Why should a guest have to learn or question whether to wear shorts, take an extension cord or whatever based upon the ship?

 

Why is it people are complaining when they address these issues? Yes, X has new benefits. It is about time. They were almost last in updating the benefits. Other cruise lines have much more such as free dry cleaning and laundry, free Internet, etc. X has improved but it is still short in many benefit areas. JMHO!

[SeaCod]

I thought maybe I was losing it. It's been this way on every cruise we've taken since the new benefits began.

 

Dear Elite Captain’s Club Member:

 

On behalf of the Master of the Vessel, Captain Konstantinos Patsoulas, and our Hotel Director, Ugo Vaccalluzzo, I would like to welcome you aboard the beautiful Celebrity Mercury.

 

In your stateroom, please find your Premium Offers to enjoy during your cruise. We have designed the following special events exclusively for our members. Please keep this letter to use as your official invitation, as no private invitations will be sent in an effort to help Save the Waves.

 

Captain’s Club Events

 

Wine Tasting Seminar, Select & Elite Mon. Aug 30 11:15 am

 

Future Cruise Presentation Mon. Aug 30 11:00 am

 

New: Captain’s Club Celebration, all members Tues. Aug 31 11:00 am – 12:30 pm Smart Casual

Join us at this unique and exciting social, entertainment, and gourmet tasting event held for all members

 

Backstage Tour, Select and Elite Tues. Aug 31 1:30 pm

 

Galley Tour, Select and Elite Wed. Sep 1 4:15 pm

 

Senior Officers’ Gathering, Select and Elite Wed. Sep 1 7:45 pm Smart Casual

** Kindly note the Captain’s Club Lounge will be closed this evening**

 

Casino Double Jackpot, all members Fri. Sep 3 10:30 am -

11:00 am

 

Elite Elegant Tea Sat. Sep 4 3:30 pm Smart Casual

 

Elite Private Departure Lounge Sun. Sep 5 7:45 am

 

Smart Casual: no flip-flops or bathing attire please

Smart Casual & Above: no jeans, shorts, flip-flops, or bathing attire please

 

Exclusive Access to the Captain’s Club Lounge

 

v The Captain’s Club Coffee Break, 8:00 am – 10:00 am (Michael’s Club)

Enjoy a delicious continental breakfast and frothy cappuccinos in a relaxing coffeehouse environment

 

v The Captain’s Club Social Hour, 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm (Michael’s Club)

After a day at port or relaxing onboard, join us for a selection of complimentary wines and cocktails.

v Please kindly note:

v Open daily except embarkation and the evening of the Senior Officers’ Coctail Party, Wed. Sep 1

v All Elite members, their spouses and/or stateroom companions over 21 years old are welcome

v Your SeaPass Card is required for entry to these events (if your Seapass card says “Elite Member”. You are also given a Captain’s Club Exclusive Lounge Access Card, which is a separate card. Both cards will gain access to the Captain’s Club)

v We kindly ask complimentary offerings not be removed from the Lounge.

v Attire: Smart Casual

 

For Captain’s Club assistance or to see your Cruise Sales Manager, Lisa, for booking inquiries, please stop by The Grand Foyer, located on deck 5 Midship Starboard Side. Kindly refer to Celebrity Today for our official desk hours. I look forward to meeting you during your cruise.

 

While onboard, please use your SeaPass card to help ensure you’re recognized as a member of the Captain’s Club. Thank you for choosing to sail with Celebrity Cruises.

 

Kind Regards,

 

Tanushka D’Souza and Mellissa Snow

Captain’s Club Hostess

 

Thanks MaBell and elena7seas for your posts, I too was beginning to think I was "losing it". Glad to see my memory is well in tact(or a least some of it;)).

 

Just a note on the RCI and Celebrity programs being(or not)reciprocal. Until RCI changed their program a few years ago, Elite Celebrity members were included in the Concierge Lounge and I met quite a few of them. Interestingly, I've been on 3 Celebrity cruises and took advantage of the 4-6pm social and never met anyone who was not an actual Elite member,but I do realize there are RCI Gold members who switched lines due to the change.

[Oxo]

Just read this from one of the other postings.

'Smart Casual: no flip-flops or bathing attire please

Smart Casual & Above: no jeans, shorts, flip-flops, or bathing attire please'

This was in the letter that was provided on a previous cruise. So, I would assume that it should be Cruise Line applicable, not just ship.

[tomnmary2]

I notice you said, "sip my red wine." Does Celebrity allow us to bring our own wine onboard? I had heard, someplace, that we could, but I can't find where I saw it (or was it my wishful thinking).

[DgBg100106]

I notice you said, "sip my red wine." Does Celebrity allow us to bring our own wine onboard? I had heard, someplace, that we could, but I can't find where I saw it (or was it my wishful thinking).

I believe that you are allowed 2 bottles per person.

[DgBg100106]

I believe that you are allowed 2 bottles per person.

 

 

I was wrong it is 2 bottle per stateroom

 

Does Celebrity charge a corkage fee? No beer or hard liquor may be brought onboard for consumption. Guests wishing to bring personal wine onboard with them at the beginning of the cruise may do so, limited to two (2) bottles per stateroom , but when consumed in any shipboard restaurant, bar or dining venue, each bottle shall be subject to a corkage fee of $25.00. If a guest receives a bottle of wine (in their stateroom) from a family member of friend, and that bottle(s) was purchased from our Bon Voyage Gift selection, then no corkage fee will apply if they wish to consume the bottle in the dining room or any public area.

[KidsAtSea]

Ok, here are my two cents and back to the original subject. I am a true Elite, 14 cruise credits, on Celebrity and soon to be Diamond Plus, 22 cruise credits, on RCCL. I started to look into the loyalty programs on the other cruise lines to see if we wanted to spend more time on the other cruise lines. None of the other loyalty programs can come close to the benefits that we receive from RCI. Princess is fair and HAL is anemic. Consider me elitist, pun intended, but I would not even consider Carnival and NCL regardless of their loyalty programs. So if I had to pick a cruise solely based on the loyalty programs I would stick with RCI.

Now if I had to pick a cruise sole based on my past cruise experience hand downs I would pick Celebrity first and RCCL second. If there was a great cruise bargain, say less than $90 pp/pd before taxes, ocean view or better, I would ignore the loyalty programs all together and book Celebrity, RCCL, Princess or HAL.

After all that said, the cost of a couple of drinks for a couple of nights during the cruise would not change my opinion about the value of the loyalty program, but I am in agreement with the OP that Celebrity should have truth in their online advertising and make the program benefits clear.

[elena7seas]

Just read this from one of the other postings.

'Smart Casual: no flip-flops or bathing attire please

Smart Casual & Above: no jeans, shorts, flip-flops, or bathing attire please'

This was in the letter that was provided on a previous cruise. So, I would assume that it should be Cruise Line applicable, not just ship.

 

In regards to the Dress Code, the Captain has the final say as to how the Dress Code is interpreted on his ship.

 

The first time I ever noticed a dress code of "Smart Casual" was on my recent cruise on the Mercury (Aug. 29 to Sept. 5). "Smart Casual" permits shorts and jeans to be worn in the Captain's Club (Elite) Lounge, as well as the three Captain's Club Events as noted in my long post above.

 

As far as the Elite Lounge is concerned, this addition of "Smart Casual" is actually more permissive than "Smart Casual and Above", so should not cause a problem for cruisers once on board.

 

On the Mercury last week, the Captain exercised his option over the Dress Code, and each evening that was not a Formal Night was identified as "Smart Casual" in the "Celebrity Today".

 

In the Celebrity Today on our first day aboard, an insert was included called "Useful Celebrity Mercury Information". The following was stated:

 

Evening Dress Codes:

 

Celebrity Cruises honors this grand sailing tradition and all guests are asked to follow the dress codes as indicated in Celebrity Today. Dress codes are in effect from 6:00 pm in all restaurants and in the theatre during evening performances. Beachwear, flip flops/bare feet and baseball caps are not permitted in shipboard restaurants at any time.

 

There were lots of jeans in the MDR on Casual Nights, and almost everyone was dressed according to Celebrity's guidelines on Formal Nights. There were VERY few sports coats in sight. I would say that over 90% were in suits, mostly dark. I saw no tuxes in the MDR at late seating nor afterwards in the theatre, although I was looking (you can do this when you are cruising solo ;)). Some young men (almost all were teens) wore white shirts and ties, without jackets. There were lots of children and young teens on this cruise, and all of them looked very nice on formal nights, even the two-year-olds. They were also very nicely behaved.:)

[JEDIKNIGHT]

I'm not an Elite, but sorry they might be ending something you valued.

 

Basically, they know that most pax will allow it to go away.

[gadaboutgal]

......The first time I ever noticed a dress code of "Smart Casual" was on my recent cruise on the Mercury (Aug. 29 to Sept. 5). "Smart Casual" permits shorts and jeans to be worn in the Captain's Club (Elite) Lounge, as well as the three Captain's Club Events as noted in my long post above......:)

This is the first time I have ever seen that Smart Casual includes shorts and jeans on Celebrity or any other line!!:confused: Celebrity definition from their site on what to pack: "Smart Casual and Above

 

Ladies: Skirt or pants (no holes, rips or tears) complemented by sweater or blouse.

 

Gentlemen: Pants (no holes, rips or tears) with sports shirt or sweater. Shirts must have sleeves."

[elena7seas]

This is the first time I have ever seen that Smart Casual includes shorts and jeans on Celebrity or any other line!!:confused: Celebrity definition from their site on what to pack: "Smart Casual and Above

 

Ladies: Skirt or pants (no holes, rips or tears) complemented by sweater or blouse.

 

Gentlemen: Pants (no holes, rips or tears) with sports shirt or sweater. Shirts must have sleeves."

 

The Captain of a ship has the final word on the Dress Code for his ship.

 

On this last cruise on the Celebrity Mercury (Aug. 29 to Sept. 5), in a letter that I received onboard, outlining my Elite Premium Offers for the cruise, there was a portion of the letter that said the following:

 

Smart Casual: no flip-flops or bathing attire please

Smart Casual & Above: no jeans, shorts, flip-flops, or bathing attire please

 

This is the first time that I have seen "Smart Casual" listed as a separate dress code on a Celebrity ship. Clearly you can see, from the fact that both codes were listed together, that "Smart Casual" does not rule out "jeans and shorts" whereas "Smart Casual and Above" does.

 

My guess is that the "Smart Casual" dress code was added to accommodate the 'extra casual' ambience that I found on my first Alaska cruise.

 

While this seems to be logical for daytime events, I was a little surprised to read that the dress code for the Senior Officers' Gathering, held at 7:45 pm, was also Smart Casual.

 

On every Celebrity Today that was not for a Formal Night, the dress code line at the top of the first page always said Evening Attire: Smart Casual (not Smart Casual and Above).

[elena7seas]

Here are photos of the documents that refer to Smart Casual (vs. Smart Casual and Above). My apologies for the quality (or lack thereof) of the photos. :p

 

In the first photo, please note the "Smart Casual" designation on the right hand side, for three of the Captain's Club Events. In the bottom third of the first photo, you will see the definitions for both "Smart Casual" and "Smart Casual and Above" dress codes.

 

 

 

In the second photo, you can see the information about "Exclusive Access to the Captain's Club Lounge", and the last bullet, which says "Attire: Smart Casual".

 

 

The third photo shows that the Evening Attire for non-Formal nights is "Smart Casual".

 

[tuggers]

Bruno's official title is International Host. He was brand new in March. And such a sweetie!!:D

[Oxo]

Back to the dress code issues! This is a subject that will never be resolved. If the Captain has the say, then we must know what Captain is in charge before we go on that cruise. I have seen Captains change on the ship from 1 cruise to the next. So, what happens then?

Either we have a Corp Policy or not. What a Joke. LOL

[Trude]

While it is very nice to have drinks free as eilte members the timing is not good for anyone on second seating dinning, the eclipse unfortunately didnt seem to have atmosphere in the sky lounge.

May be it is not intimate enough. Enjoyed it better in Micheals Club.

 

:)

[Infi]

Exactly my point, Don. The Celebrity loyalists (and I believe both you and I and others can be classified as that) didn't become "Elite" because of the benefits.......we became "elite" because we love the Celebrity product. Maybe these new "Elite benefits" should be offered only to "true" Celebrity Elite passengers. I mean it really says something when you cannot find a seat in the "Elite Lounge", yet half the people you speak to in the Lounge are on their first Celebrity cruise!

 

I noticed the same thing the last time we experienced the elite lounge. It's all well and good for RCI passengers, but I don't think it's fair to the X-loyal cruisers. I might get flamed for this, but I think a lot of RCI cruisers do cruise just for the perks. I remember the huge outcry when they took away the Diamond lounges, and how many said they would jump ship for the Celebrity perks. While not all have done that, it's clear a lot of them have. At least on Celebrity, you always knew people were cruising for the X experience, because for so many years the perks were nothing. Elite status on X and $2 could buy you a cup of coffee - that's about it.

 

I also don't believe that the benefits should be reciprocal on X and RCI. Yes, it's a nice idea in theory, but will only lead to the crowding of the lounges and possible dilution of benefits. (I say "possible" because I don't really see the subtraction of two nights in the lounge as trouble - yet.) Unfortunately, the crowding of the lounges seems like it's getting to be a real problem. There's a reason Carnival corp doesn't offer reciprocal status among its brands - look into it, Celebrity.

I just hope X finds a way to fix this before it gets out of hand. Maybe they could recognize other brands' guests as past passengers. Invite them to the Captain's Club celebration, allow them some of the classic level perks. This shows appreciation without going overboard, IMHO.