End of Elite cocktail party?

[excitedofharpenden]

My guess is they are limiting the time to 5-7 as the Social Hour is billed as a time to meet other frequent cruises and chat. In fact I believe there were quite a few on this thread that mentioned this as the best part of the perk. If you can use the vouchers anytime during the day or evening, it defeats the purpose of meeting other Elites.

 

Having followed this thread, anyone reading this at Celebrity in Miami has to be scratching their heads. They had a capacity problem on the Eclipse, came up with a solution, tweaked it after getting passenger feedback, and still there are 600+ post here, many of them complaints, mostly from folks who were not on the Eclipse. At this point I have to think there has been some discussion that no matter what they do to try to be fair, they will still receive a ton of negative feedback.

Missed that post and like teajak I totally agree also.

 

Phil

[BridgeMates]

Our recent cruise on the Solstice was made more enjoyable due to the reciprocal arrangement between Royal Caribbean and Celebrity. Although we have six cruises on Celebrity we've focused on other cruise lines because of the benefits for which we have qualified. Over time we have taken many RCCL cruises with our family, kids, and now grandkids and recently reached their Diamond level.

 

We were very happy to receive elite benefits on our Solstice cruise and are now looking at Celebrity through new eyes. The ship was absolutely beautiful and we thoroughly enjoyed the cocktails in the Sky Lounge each evening as there were over 500 elites on this cruise (Suez Canal). Most of all we loved meeting new people from all over the world every night. We are now actively searching for Celebrity cruises and have already booked one for February.

 

Than you Celebrity for making benefits available to those of us who have qualified for them on your sister cruise line. We have traveled primarily with other cruise lines because of the status we have achieved on them, but now look forward to enjoying new ships and itineraries with Celebrity.

[Oxo]

My guess is they are limiting the time to 5-7 as the Social Hour is billed as a time to meet other frequent cruises and chat. In fact I believe there were quite a few on this thread that mentioned this as the best part of the perk. If you can use the vouchers anytime during the day or evening, it defeats the purpose of meeting other Elites.

 

Not true: ' If you can use the vouchers anytime during the day or evening, it defeats the purpose of meeting other Elites.' If you are in the bar area, regardless if the others there are Elite or not, we will talk to them without knowing they are Elite.

[Oxo]

The news on Reflection today.. we have not seen the voucher, will arrive tonite.. but I tink vouchers will be dated.

 

“Dear Elite Member,

We’re glad to welcome you aboard Celebrity Reflection’s first transatlantic voyage. Due to the extraordinary popularity of this sailing with our Elite members, we will be offering you the choice to enjoy your evening cocktail around various bars and lounges across the ship. We hope you take this opportunity to experience each location’s unique ambiance.

Elite Beverage Vouchers:

· Valid from 5:00pm – 7:00pm daily, excluding the evening of embarkation

· For use in bars or lounges, excluding Molecular Bar, Michael’s Club, Cellar Masters and Cafe al Bacio

· Not valid in the main Dining Room or Specialty Restaurants

· Beverages not on the menu will be charged to your Seapass account

· Kindly present your Voucher and Seapass card at the time of ordering

· Vouchers will be delivered on embarkation day and cannot be replaced if lost

· Vouchers are not transferable or redeemable for cash

Please enjoy the selection offered on the Captain’s Club Cocktail Menu:

 

 

 

We value your loyalty and thank you for choosing Celebrity Cruises.”

So, they will have a menu identifying what drinks are for Elite? I can see someone removing the Elite drink menu, an Elite orders a drink and then gets charged for it because it was not on the Elite drink menu. OMG, select the correct drink. LOL

[tserface]

I bet they are limiting it because it will also limit the number of coupons that will get used. If they could be used anywhere/anytime that would mean more would get used and everyone one of them costs Celebrity something. I'd guess they are counting on a certain number of them to go unused in their cost estimates.

 

Tom

 

My guess is they are limiting the time to 5-7 as the Social Hour is billed as a time to meet other frequent cruises and chat. In fact I believe there were quite a few on this thread that mentioned this as the best part of the perk. If you can use the vouchers anytime during the day or evening, it defeats the purpose of meeting other Elites.

 

Having followed this thread, anyone reading this at Celebrity in Miami has to be scratching their heads. They had a capacity problem on the Eclipse, came up with a solution, tweaked it after getting passenger feedback, and still there are 600+ post here, many of them complaints, mostly from folks who were not on the Eclipse. At this point I have to think there has been some discussion that no matter what they do to try to be fair, they will still receive a ton of negative feedback.

[ghstudio]

So, they will have a menu identifying what drinks are for Elite? I can see someone removing the Elite drink menu, an Elite orders a drink and then gets charged for it because it was not on the Elite drink menu. OMG, select the correct drink. LOL

 

Stop imagining the worst....most elites know what's on the menu anyway. This is no different than it was before...you could order something in the elite party that wasn't on the menu and you would be charged for it.

 

Before you (continue to) panic....first get to the elite level, then see how this works, if you find yourself on a transatlantic cruise.

[ghstudio]

I bet they are limiting it because it will also limit the number of coupons that will get used. If they could be used anywhere/anytime that would mean more would get used and everyone one of them costs Celebrity something. I'd guess they are counting on a certain number of them to go unused in their cost estimates.

 

Tom

 

Of course they are....free drinks from 5-7 is a nice perk. I am sure there are some here that feel they should get unlimited free drinks all day of any type because they are elite....or they should be able to order drinks from room service from 5-7 etc. It is what it is....free drinks off a limited menu using bar liquor for 2 hours most evenings.

 

I didn't see anyone on the eclipse transatlantic running out of coupons....if you are sitting with someone, they probably would offer you one of theirs...most don't drink three drinks during the time they are there.

 

Perhaps we should limit this thread to those who have been on the eclipse...and have another thread for those that are finding every possible issue/problem that might happen.

[Wine-O]

Good gosh, it is what it is. With 657 posts, we're certainly making a meal out of this thread. :rolleyes:

[teajak]

Good gosh, it is what it is. With 657 posts, we're certainly making a meal out of this thread. :rolleyes:

All repetitive at this point,time to shut it down.JMHO.:p

[Kellie Poodle]

Our recent cruise on the Solstice was made more enjoyable due to the reciprocal arrangement between Royal Caribbean and Celebrity. Although we have six cruises on Celebrity we've focused on other cruise lines because of the benefits for which we have qualified. Over time we have taken many RCCL cruises with our family, kids, and now grandkids and recently reached their Diamond level.

 

We were very happy to receive elite benefits on our Solstice cruise and are now looking at Celebrity through new eyes. The ship was absolutely beautiful and we thoroughly enjoyed the cocktails in the Sky Lounge each evening as there were over 500 elites on this cruise (Suez Canal). Most of all we loved meeting new people from all over the world every night. We are now actively searching for Celebrity cruises and have already booked one for February.

 

Than you Celebrity for making benefits available to those of us who have qualified for them on your sister cruise line. We have traveled primarily with other cruise lines because of the status we have achieved on them, but now look forward to enjoying new ships and itineraries with Celebrity.

 

 

I wholeheartedly agree with your excellent post. When one can take their first Celebrity cruise as an Elite and experience the higher perks, it does make one more open to more Celebrity cruises in the future.

 

We sail both Celebrity and Royal Caribbean and the better treatment for the same level of loyalty on Celebrity will have us choosing X over RCI for a similar itinerary and priced cruise every time.

[ORV]

I bet they are limiting it because it will also limit the number of coupons that will get used. If they could be used anywhere/anytime that would mean more would get used and everyone one of them costs Celebrity something. I'd guess they are counting on a certain number of them to go unused in their cost estimates.

 

Tom

 

Ding! Ding! Ding!

[Schplinky]

I bet they are limiting it because it will also limit the number of coupons that will get used. If they could be used anywhere/anytime that would mean more would get used and everyone one of them costs Celebrity something. I'd guess they are counting on a certain number of them to go unused in their cost estimates.

 

Tom

 

This is no different than the fact that with the current lounge set-up, many who could attend do not (perhaps because of overcrowding) so their free drinks go undrunk as well. If anything, the coupon scheme will likely increase usage of the perk since those traveling with non-Elite friends will now not need to choose between attending the party of abandoning their travel mates.

[Oxo]

Stop imagining the worst....most elites know what's on the menu anyway. This is no different than it was before...you could order something in the elite party that wasn't on the menu and you would be charged for it.

 

Before you (continue to) panic....first get to the elite level, then see how this works, if you find yourself on a transatlantic cruise.

 

Most Elites know what's on the menu? I'm sure that many do not. They have a favorite drink and that is what they order. Have you been on X since they changed it? If you have will it stay that way for the next cruise, too? You seems to Assume a lot without knowing others.

 

FYI - I am Elite and even paid to become a CC member back in the ole days.

 

I do appreciate your concern for me in regards to 'panic.' LOL

[Carolwesterly]

Our experience on B2Bs is that each leg is a new cruise and comes with a new package of benefits: Internet, laundry, casino vouchers, etc. If you are not treated this way, have a chat with the CC Host/Hostess to make it right. Bill

 

We actually did get two separate sets of Elite benefits for each of the B2B legs of the trip and they don't roll over to the next leg. If you don't use all your internet minutes on the first leg, you forfeit them and get a new 90-minute voucher for the second leg - even when we were on a 17-day trip we got the exact same set of benefits as a 5-day trip. Just seems odd to me.:confused:

[upwarduk]

I'm sure they are non-transferable, but bring them home and put them on eBay. Someone will buy them! ;)

 

Phil

 

Someone mentioned the coupons were dated, I imagine you will also have to show your cruise card if challenged!

Personally, I will save my money and try the Elite perks. I have wondered about purchasing a package in the past, but have always thought they were too expensive- they have to pay for the elite perks somehow! Now I am elite, have paid my way on my way up, so am now going to make the most of the perks.

[excitedofharpenden]

Someone mentioned the coupons were dated, I imagine you will also have to show your cruise card if challenged!

Personally, I will save my money and try the Elite perks. I have wondered about purchasing a package in the past, but have always thought they were too expensive- they have to pay for the elite perks somehow! Now I am elite, have paid my way on my way up, so am now going to make the most of the perks.

I was being tongue in cheek hence the ;) in my post. I realise they will have restrictions on them and rightly so.

 

BTW, I am not knocking taking advantage of the Elite perks, just that there seems to be such a furore here about a few cruises with high numbers of Elites where they are trying vouchers for drinks instead of a lounge. I don't buy the package either because I don't drink enough to make it worthwhile, but equally it's no big deal if I have to go and buy my own to enjoy it when and where I want.

 

Phil

[jackdiamond]

It would appear that common sense would dictate a closure of this thread.

[Christine Frances]

But Host Andy is on a cruise:D

[Arizona Cruz Chic]

We will be on the Eclipse in April for our first X cruise as an Elite member from our D+ status with RC.

 

I started reading this thread, it is way too long, and too much of one said this while they said that...too confusing! :confused:

 

So what is the bottom line here? Can someone please help me understand what is happening here?

 

***

[Wine-O]

We will be on the Eclipse in April for our first X cruise as an Elite member from our D+ status with RC.

 

I started reading this thread, it is way too long, and too much of one said this while they said that...too confusing! :confused:

 

So what is the bottom line here? Can someone please help me understand what is happening here?

 

***

 

You mean you didn't read the 669 post to this thread? :eek:

 

Bottom line, most cruises with a normal amount of Elites -- nothing changes. Cruises with an extraordinary amount of Elites such as TA's, they can't accommodate everyone in the Sky Lounge so they are giving each Elite 3 coupons to use at most venues/bars on board between the hours of 5-7 (same as the Elite function).

 

Bottom line -- don't worry about it and go with the flow.

[fleckle]

We will be on the Eclipse in April for our first X cruise as an Elite member from our D+ status with RC.

 

I started reading this thread, it is way too long, and too much of one said this while they said that...too confusing! :confused:

 

So what is the bottom line here? Can someone please help me understand what is happening here?

 

***

In a nutshell, the bottom line is that most likely your cruise will have the regular daily Elite get together in a lounge.

 

But if they should have an excessively high number of Elites on board, to avoid overcrowding they may give you vouchers for drinks at bars instead.

 

[bobnjeff]

As to the elite drink coupons BOOO on Celebrity!!! A big part of being Elite is the special attention we receive at these events. Please do not take that away and just give a coupon!!! I hope you are reading this. One of the main reasons for returning to Celebrity is the special attention we get once we become Elite. If you take that away we might as well sail on any other line. I just made a booking on the Century for next Dec. but...... I can just as easily go on HAL. I have also converted a lot of friend to Celebrity because of the wonderful perks but if Celebrity takes them away we may all move on.

[teajak]

In a nutshell, the bottom line is that most likely your cruise will have the regular daily Elite get together in a lounge.

 

But if they should have an excessively high number of Elites on board, to avoid overcrowding they may give you vouchers for drinks at bars instead.

 

 

You get the gold star for the best and only answer needed. Go to the head of the class.:D:D

[teajak]

As to the elite drink coupons BOOO on Celebrity!!! A big part of being Elite is the special attention we receive at these events. Please do not take that away and just give a coupon!!! I hope you are reading this. One of the main reasons for returning to Celebrity is the special attention we get once we become Elite. If you take that away we might as well sail on any other line. I just made a booking on the Century for next Dec. but...... I can just as easily go on HAL. I have also converted a lot of friend to Celebrity because of the wonderful perks but if Celebrity takes them away we may all move on.

Goodbye and safe travels and may your next choice of cruise lines do everything just the way YOU desire:rolleyes:.

[Wine-O]

As to the elite drink coupons BOOO on Celebrity!!! A big part of being Elite is the special attention we receive at these events. Please do not take that away and just give a coupon!!! I hope you are reading this. One of the main reasons for returning to Celebrity is the special attention we get once we become Elite. If you take that away we might as well sail on any other line. I just made a booking on the Century for next Dec. but...... I can just as easily go on HAL. I have also converted a lot of friend to Celebrity because of the wonderful perks but if Celebrity takes them away we may all move on.

 

Geeeez, give us a break -- did you read the thread as it only happens when there are an extraordinary number of Elites on board? Maybe you should just move on and sail with HAL. :rolleyes: