End of Elite cocktail party?

[BCHappyGal]

I will be very disappointed if the Elite Cocktail Hour is eliminated. I enjoy the social atmosphere even more than the cocktails. I find it much easier to meet and make lasting friendships in this social event than in any lounge/bar. Yes the Elite status perks keep me loyal to Celebrity and if the Cocktail Hour is replaced by coupons I will find it much easier to look at other cruise lines.

 

Will it stop me crusing NO but will make me less loyal to X...

[jerry kincanon]

I will happily "join the lemming line" if that means being optimistic about something I like. Of course, if they give me 1,2,3, or 0 drink coupons in exchange of the elite party, I will still be happily cruising aboard Celebrity.

 

And that why they get away with taking away the perks that they promised when we spent all the money getting to Elite status. Move to the line on the left.

[spearmint]

I will be very disappointed if the Elite Cocktail Hour is eliminated. I enjoy the social atmosphere even more than the cocktails. I find it much easier to meet and make lasting friendships in this social event than in any lounge/bar. Yes the Elite status perks keep me loyal to Celebrity and if the Cocktail Hour is replaced by coupons I will find it much easier to look at other cruise lines.

 

Will it stop me crusing NO but will make me less loyal to X ...

 

Yes, I also would be less loyal to X. When I consider trying another cruise line, I don't follow through, as I like and have gotten so used to the Elite perks.

 

One of the things I like about the gathering in one place as opposed to the coupon idea, is that at that time of day, we don't find a lot that we wish to do on board while waiting for late seating dining.

[helen haywood]

So, there will also be no Senior Officer's party? Because the same number of people who now cannot be contained in one room would be invited to that.

 

So the coupons/vouchers would be for 6 nights out of a 7 night cruise, just to illustrate. It used to be the Elite Lounge was open 5 nights out of a 7 night cruise. But if the Sky Lounge cannot accomodate the numbers on board to have the Elite Cocktail Party then the Senior Officer's Party would also be off....so since drinks were served at that party then the coupons/vouchers would be good for 6 nights? Correct?

[6andy6]

As they say......never stand between a rampant hippo and his/her free food. Maybe we can add drink to that saying....

 

It's like someone yelling out 'free pretzels' at Disneyworld and watching the stampede...only substitute the fanny packs for mothers pearls.....

[johhnnyt]

As they say......never stand between a rampant hippo and his/her free food. Maybe we can add drink to that saying....

 

It's like someone yelling out 'free pretzels' at Disneyworld and watching the stampede...only substitute the fanny packs for mothers pearls.....

 

 

And so true. Life is pretty damn good aboard Celebrity if this is one of a major complaint issue with some

 

I don't buy the "I just like it for the social aspect" argument either. What is there 12 lounges onboard, and only the one that provides free drinks is the one to be social in

 

The argument about not being notified doesn't fly either, your not paying for a Captains Club benefit, its a perk and its clearly stated that terms are subject to change

[Bobblsc]

As stated earlier, we are elite but have not sailed Celebrity since the social hour was created. But this was one small reason for booking a Celebrity trans-pacific for April, 2013. The substitution of drink vouchers for a true social time would be disappointing, but not critical. We have sailed three Royal Caribbean TA’s and enjoyed the social hours as a perk and the ability to meet others. We had transferred Celebrity points to RCI and thereby been given Diamond status, but we also had suites, so Diamond itself had no extra benefit. But we did enjoy the opportunity to meet and talk with others.

 

Now I have a different issue with Celebrity. We booked a small suite for our April Celebrity trans-pacific. The location was not as good as we would have desired, but was just OK. Then the other evening I found a significantly better location on the same deck. I grabbed a courtesy hold and phoned my web travel agent the next day. I have used this agent for several years and found her to be with great integrity. She phoned Celebrity and was told that the transfer would be made without any additional charge. Then I had her check again and verify that there was no additional charge. The answer came back “no additional charge.” I said OK, move us.

 

The next day, October 30, I again checked with my TA. Why? Because I had previous difficulties with Celebrity regarding their promises and responses. Those were resolved satisfactory, but left a general doubt in my mind. And my doubt was confirmed. Celebrity now claimed they had never said there would be no additional cost, but that there was an additional $200.00 fee.

 

Now $200.00 will not be at all significant to our net worth, but he lack of honesty is extremely disturbing to me. Our TA has even offered to compensate for he $200.00.

 

Some out there may not understand this, but to me honesty and integrity are very important. And there may have been various Celebrity representatives involved, but the total organization has a responsibility for honesty. Celebrity management must be responsible for the actions and honesty of all its representatives.

 

So we may cancel our Celebrity cruise and go with Silversea at a greater cost. We had determined that the larger Celebrity ship would have more activities during the many sea days, but the thought of the previous Celebrity dishonesty during our cruise has pushed me to cancel.

 

So this is off topic, But it is indicative of the lack of management skill exhibited in this thread.

 

Some out there may not understand, but that is your problem.

 

Bob :cool:

[warmwinds]

Was my cruise's Elite social time unusual? I said upstream in this thread we were Elite for the first time on our last cruise, to Alaska. Elite party was held in the big lounge up front (sorry, each ship it has a different name).

 

To hear everyone talk about this party as a social time to mix and mingle has me confused. Something like that, with everyone standing about, like at a cocktail party, allowing you to flow around and have conversations sounds very nice.

 

However, this was not the case.

 

When we walked in (shortly after the start time), everyone was seated. Large groups had pulled their chairs all together into several circles. Are you telling me that if you (now think back to your first time), had walked into that room, you would have gone over to a seated circle of talking people and just joined them? (pulled 2 more chairs over)?

 

We sat by ourselves, and except for striking up a conversation with the table next to us, were alone. And the same thing happened the second time we went.

 

Maybe when it's held in Michael's Club it's more a mix and mingle, circulate around with drink in hand affair, but that was not our experience at the larger venue.

 

Was our experience unique?

[pomgo]

No in diamond lounge on RCI we had the same experience when a group night after night kept a cirle to themsleves and consumed many many free champers and still there till the end. So is that friendship ????

[little britain]

• 4-6 was too early
  
• 5-7 is still too early but we managed to get there around 6;30 some evenings to meet friends
  
• Mixing with cheapskates who proudly boast that they 'drink as much as possible during these 2 hours and then drink iced tea with dinner and do not spend a cent on board' is not my idea of fun.
  
• Elites and Selects together is a claustrophobic bun fight.
  
• When on Reflection and seeing the Sky Lounge cut in half it became apparent that some changes were going to happen
  
• Just give me a few drinks vouchers I can use at leisure (preferably not just between 5-7 please) and I can arrange to meet the people I want to meet with at another venue which suits me just fine.
  
• This may make people spread out and go to bars that are never used like the Passport Bar to spread their trade, and give the barstaff some business:rolleyes:
  

[swigso]

If all the Elites who moan and groan about this

just decide to meet in the Sky Lounge with their

Group of shipmates who they were going to meet anyway

What is the problem?

As stated many abuse the hospitality,last week on the Equinox

Elites were throwing up and some I am told were escorted from the Ship

For Fisticuffs.

If a free drink is the only way you can socialise then please

Do as you say and find another cruiseline.

We cruise with Celebrity because .......

And will continue to cruise with them because.......

I think it's because we just like the ships,staff and all the other

Things that make our vacation special.

:D

[harz99]

If all the Elites who moan and groan about this

just decide to meet in the Sky Lounge with their

Group of shipmates who they were going to meet anyway

What is the problem?

 

If all the Elites meet up in the Sky Lounge, the same logistical problem exists whether the drinks are complimentary or paid for................

As it would in any of the other bars if a large group chose to meet there between 5 and 7.

 

This is beginning to look as much like an excuse to penny pinch, as a genuine solution to a logistics problem, and will continue to do so until Celebrity address people's concerns (they do read these threads),and give a clear, plain english and full explanation of what is going on both for the TAs and all other cruises now and in the future.

[Can'tstopcruising]

Was my cruise's Elite social time unusual? I said upstream in this thread we were Elite for the first time on our last cruise, to Alaska. Elite party was held in the big lounge up front (sorry, each ship it has a different name).

 

To hear everyone talk about this party as a social time to mix and mingle has me confused. Something like that, with everyone standing about, like at a cocktail party, allowing you to flow around and have conversations sounds very nice.

 

However, this was not the case.

 

When we walked in (shortly after the start time), everyone was seated. Large groups had pulled their chairs all together into several circles. Are you telling me that if you (now think back to your first time), had walked into that room, you would have gone over to a seated circle of talking people and just joined them? (pulled 2 more chairs over)?

 

We sat by ourselves, and except for striking up a conversation with the table next to us, were alone. And the same thing happened the second time we went.

 

Maybe when it's held in Michael's Club it's more a mix and mingle, circulate around with drink in hand affair, but that was not our experience at the larger venue.

 

Was our experience unique?

 

You have posted this a few times. Don't let it bother you. We have experienced the same on many cruises. There are those who like to be in groups and others who are more independent. Somehow (like you) we manage to meet others who are not in groups. Of course not in every instant and not in every venue. but enough to make it interesting.

[Ex-Airbalancer]

There the difference between elite happy hour and the party on rest of the ship

Always more funny when a party just happens :D

 

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=THphATy5ji4&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DTHphATy5ji4

[cruisegirl1]

Was my cruise's Elite social time unusual? I said upstream in this thread we were Elite for the first time on our last cruise, to Alaska. Elite party was held in the big lounge up front (sorry, each ship it has a different name).

 

To hear everyone talk about this party as a social time to mix and mingle has me confused. Something like that, with everyone standing about, like at a cocktail party, allowing you to flow around and have conversations sounds very nice.

 

However, this was not the case.

 

When we walked in (shortly after the start time), everyone was seated. Large groups had pulled their chairs all together into several circles. Are you telling me that if you (now think back to your first time), had walked into that room, you would have gone over to a seated circle of talking people and just joined them? (pulled 2 more chairs over)?

 

We sat by ourselves, and except for striking up a conversation with the table next to us, were alone. And the same thing happened the second time we went.

 

Maybe when it's held in Michael's Club it's more a mix and mingle, circulate around with drink in hand affair, but that was not our experience at the larger venue.

 

Was our experience unique?

 

We’ve had a very similar experience. We would arrive usually “mid event” time. We never stayed for more than one drink. We were somewhat lonely and found a more congenial atmosphere at other ship venues.

 

Our event was held in the Sky Lounge. So if there is no event the first night where do all the regulars go?

M

[harz99]

So if there is no event the first night where do all the regulars go?

M

 

Unpacking, dinner, resting after a long flight - take your pick.

[teajak]

Unpacking, dinner, resting after a long flight - take your pick.

Plus open one of our allowed bottles of wine and enjoy sail away on the balcony, smile because you have a party to go to the next night to meet old and new friends. Thank you Celebrity for being our favorite cruise line.:cool:

[Ex-Airbalancer]

Plus open one of our allowed bottles of wine and enjoy sail away on the balcony, smile because you have a party to go to the next night to meet old and new friends. Thank you Celebrity for being our favorite cruise line.:cool:

What you not meeting all your new steerage friends from your rolll call :D

[Azulann]

Airbalance,

An elite poster on our roll call has announced that they will be at the Mast bar and look forward to meeting anyone from our roll call for the first sailaway.

I plan to be there.

I think there are a variety of elite cruisers with different ways to spend their time on while on the ship.

[C 2 C]

I will be very disappointed if the Elite Cocktail Hour is eliminated. I enjoy the social atmosphere even more than the cocktails. I find it much easier to meet and make lasting friendships in this social event than in any lounge/bar. Yes the Elite status perks keep me loyal to Celebrity and if the Cocktail Hour is replaced by coupons I will find it much easier to look at other cruise lines.

 

Will it stop me crusing NO but will make me less loyal to X...

 

Without a home for cruisenuts in my favourite lounge I will seriously look at alternatives just for a change of scenery and the chance to bring my own wine onboard without a hassle...

[teajak]

What you not meeting all your new steerage friends from your rolll call :D

Will get back to you,thinking of an answer.;)

[shipshape sam]

My random thoughts and 2 cents.

 

Celebrity has known of this growing issue for many months, so I am sure they have been thinking and working through issues and possible solutions. Not saying they have a perfect solution for everyone as it is clear Elite members have a broad spectrum of preferences

 

Program has, to my knowledge, always displayed disclaimer about subject to change at any time. That does not mean that we haven't booked/show preference to Celebrity to reach Elite to enjoy those Elite status perks, as many of us have. Nor does it mean that anyone would think they would be eliminated. Evolved, but not eliminated and at this point they have not been eliminated to my understanding.

 

Celebrity is in business of generating a great profit today/tomorrow for its shareholders. It does this by offering a great product/service and for sure understands that concept of great product/service will generate better profits than NOT offering a great product/service. I also think they understand the concept of 'perception' becoming facts by passengers and that any change they make has consequences. They for sure also have in the past and will do for this issue and future issues done/do an analysis of the effect this will have on both the 'perception' of their targeted passengers (Elites) and of their financial impact to the company.

 

Celebrity has known for years the effect/benefit of the crossover of customers from Royal Caribbean and from Celebrity to Royal Caribbean and thus the huge success of their respective Crown & Anchor and Captain's Club program.

 

We were Diamond under Royal and sailed our first Celebrity in 2005 as Elite. It was a nice perk. We are now Elite on Celebrity by virtue of our sailings with just Celebrity. For sure, this crossover/upward migration of customers is still a goal of overall corporation and thus must be considered in future changes. Not sure eliminating reciprocal status helps Celebrity. May help us in short term, but I for one want them to be making lots of money so they can provide lots of great service/perks. I still want a GOOD cruise deal price and also to NOT be nickeled and dimed once on board, thus I am not fully embracing all the changes being made. When they start to segregate public spaces (based on fees/status) then I will have to reconsider my loyalty. They are doing some of this already via cabanas. I don't care what they provide certain suites/classes out of sight/in private. If there are pool chairs I can't sit in as they are reserved for suite guests as a quick example, then I will again rethink my cruise choices.

 

I like flexibility and as much as we have enjoyed Captain's Club gatherings, I can meet people elsewhere and for sure struggle with concept of having to go to a specific room at a specific time most days to be able to get a free drink. That is not my idea of my perfect vacation time. We have been cheerleaders for Celebrity and have traveled with others who are not Elite and many times choose to miss the evening event to spend time with our traveling partners that we have helped to sail Celebrity and then miss the Elite perk, thus flexibility for most nights would be appreciated.

 

Celebrity has to keep the perks 'top of mind' to continue to get the benefit of the cost, so maybe have a night or two depending on cruise length as a more formal gathering even breaking it up into sessions if needed, then offering the free drinks elsewhere on other nights.

 

I believe the Captain's Club is a marketing program. It has to have as one of its goals the the decision by customers to cruise/book with Celebrity to attain a higher tier and thus the perks of that tier.

 

Finally, I do think Celebrity could/should do a better job of communication. Absent accurate/timely information, this thread is the result with emotions far ahead of facts.

 

We are looking forward to our next Celebrity cruise in 2013 along with our return to Allure of the Seas in 2013.

 

For Celebrity, please be forward thinking and anticipate your target markets needs and thus respond as you would want to be treated. Just compare in your own experiences those companies that treated you like you were special and know that those customers (us) will respond by being cheerleaders for Celebrity, actually spending more money to book with Celebrity or at least justify the extra few hundred of dollars as I have in the past vs Princess because I felt the food/service/perks/passengers/ships were of a higher value and thus actually cheaper. WE all like to pay for value. WE all hate to overpay. That is Celebrity's challenge. Celebrity do NOT be better than the competition. BE the BEST! :)

[harz99]

Without a home for cruisenuts in my favourite lounge I will seriously look at alternatives just for a change of scenery and the chance to bring my own wine onboard without a hassle...

 

Xellent; thank you for expressing your view both here and on your "50 night" thread. I am sure many will agree with you, I for one do.

 

It would be nice to think that when Celebrity monitor this thread and your other, they take note of what such an experienced cruiser and respected CC member has to say!

[Promisekeeper]

We really enjoy the Elite benefits including the nightly Elite event. However, because we have shared our wonderful experiences with friends when we return home, they have started joining us on cruises. This causes a dilemma for us, because we have to excuse ourselves from predinner drinks with them in order to take advantage of the elite event. Usually we just stay with our new cruising buddies, pay for our drinks and forego the elite event. Now, we get the benefits AND enjoy the company of our friends. So, in this regard, I see this as a helpful change in this situation.

Just another point of view...

[CHEZMARYLOU]

Was my cruise's Elite social time unusual? I said upstream in this thread we were Elite for the first time on our last cruise, to Alaska. Elite party was held in the big lounge up front (sorry, each ship it has a different name).

 

To hear everyone talk about this party as a social time to mix and mingle has me confused. Something like that, with everyone standing about, like at a cocktail party, allowing you to flow around and have conversations sounds very nice.

 

However, this was not the case.

 

When we walked in (shortly after the start time), everyone was seated. Large groups had pulled their chairs all together into several circles. Are you telling me that if you (now think back to your first time), had walked into that room, you would have gone over to a seated circle of talking people and just joined them? (pulled 2 more chairs over)?

 

We sat by ourselves, and except for striking up a conversation with the table next to us, were alone. And the same thing happened the second time we went.

 

Maybe when it's held in Michael's Club it's more a mix and mingle, circulate around with drink in hand affair, but that was not our experience at the larger venue.

 

Was our experience unique?

 

No, this is not unique. We very seldom go to the Elite social hour for this reason. The only cruise where the event was in Michael's Club was last year on our Alaska cruise. We don't care one way or the other -party vs coupon- because we seldom attend and the coupon cannot be used in Cellar Masters, our venue of choice.

 

Mary Lou