123Go and underage cruisers ...

[acadian_dad]

Just found out that =X= will not offer a non-alcoholic drink package on the 123Go promo in lieu of an alcoholic package for an upcoming trip in Aug.

 

Eg for an adult sharing room with teen - would like to get Bev package for both. Adult can get it but they will not extend the Bev package to the teen because (s)he is underage and they will not substitute a non-alcoholic package. If teen is 18-20 and itinerary is Europe one can get the regular classic Bev pkg if parent signs a waiver. But my teen is 17 (& I'd just as soon not have the alcohol as an option there anyway).

 

The OBC promo doesn't come close to covering even the single Bev package for the adult let alone teen as well.

 

I don't think I'm being unreasonable to expect substitution of a lower valued package in this case. Am I ? The teen is paying exact same fare as adult and these promos aren't "gifts" - they are built into pricing. This seems very unfair and more than a little bureaucratic.

 

I plan to complain to X (and asked my TA to do so as well) but maybe I'm missing something ? Can someone tell me what I am missing ? Any ideas ?

 

I really like this cruiseline and itinerary so frankly am not going to "vote with my money" but it's a little irksome.

 

:confused:

[surreymum]

That sounds ridiculous but here in the UK we are not eligible for the 123go promotion at all. Would another adult be allowed the non alcohol package? As the cost is the same for an adult and a child it seems particularly unfair. Are you CC members? If so try talking to them as it is possible that the customer services person dealing with this has made a mistake.

[Lynnees]

What is unreasonable about it. It is a perk they are giving for booking. You have a choice of other perks, take one of them. Rules are rules.

 

I guess I just do not understand the demands being made when the program does not suit some people.

[CruisingTheWaves]

I agree with the poster who recommended speaking with CC about it, I too think its unfair that you would like to take advantage of the promotion they are offering and will allow an upgrade to premium beverage, but not a substitution of classic non-alcohol package for someone who is not eligible for an alcohol package when paying the same fare. For someone who just doesn't drink alcohol that would work fine, they can just ask for all non alcoholic drinks, but not for a passenger who is a minor.

 

I don't blame you for not wanting the OBC option, the value of the drink packages are much better.

[K.T.B.]

I understand what the OP is trying to say because Celebrity will allow you to upgrade the beverage package as long as you pay the difference. So it would make sense that they should be able to "downgrade" it to the non-alcoholic version as well. In that particular case, Celebrity would be coming out ahead in terms of price.

 

If I were the OP, I would calmly point that out, rather than making a huge stink out of it.

[acadian_dad]

What is unreasonable about it. It is a perk they are giving for booking. You have a choice of other perks, take one of them. Rules are rules.

 

I guess I just do not understand the demands being made when the program does not suit some people.

 

Hi Lynnees - yup the program is the program. But it's not a perk per se - it's all part of the pricing - they offer these packages instead of a discount vs competitive cruise lines. It's all business - believe me I get it. And I've done the spreadsheets up considering all different ways of doing the promo and decided on a rational choice that in the end I will be happy with.

 

What seems silly to me is that if this teen was 9 months older - but paying exact same fare - they (X) would happily offer a more expensive promo option. It just makes no sense other than they don't have a way to code it in to their booking system - so it's not available.

[acadian_dad]

I understand what the OP is trying to say because Celebrity will allow you to upgrade the beverage package as long as you pay the difference. So it would make sense that they should be able to "downgrade" it to the non-alcoholic version as well. In that particular case, Celebrity would be coming out ahead in terms of price.

 

If I were the OP, I would calmly point that out, rather than making a huge stink out of it.

 

LOL - yeah I'm venting here but intend to be a little more soft-touched when I call them. Just need to remind myself before I call ! ;)

[cherylroslyn]

Just found out that =X= will not offer a non-alcoholic drink package on the 123Go promo in lieu of an alcoholic package for an upcoming trip in Aug.

 

Eg for an adult sharing room with teen - would like to get Bev package for both. Adult can get it but they will not extend the Bev package to the teen because (s)he is underage and they will not substitute a non-alcoholic package. If teen is 18-20 and itinerary is Europe one can get the regular classic Bev pkg if parent signs a waiver. But my teen is 17 (& I'd just as soon not have the alcohol as an option there anyway).

 

The OBC promo doesn't come close to covering even the single Bev package for the adult let alone teen as well.

 

I don't think I'm being unreasonable to expect substitution of a lower valued package in this case. Am I ? The teen is paying exact same fare as adult and these promos aren't "gifts" - they are built into pricing. This seems very unfair and more than a little bureaucratic.

 

I plan to complain to X (and asked my TA to do so as well) but maybe I'm missing something ? Can someone tell me what I am missing ? Any ideas ?

 

I really like this cruiseline and itinerary so frankly am not going to "vote with my money" but it's a little irksome.

 

:confused:

I think you are right. You are paying full berth for your teen and the non-alch should be given to a full paying berth. I am a solo and I pay for two berths and I actually wanted free gratuities for one and beverqge package for one. My sailing was not europe so I was only entitled to one perk (i.e. beverage package for two, gratuities for two or obc) Since I am one I thought I should have been abkle to get beverages and tips.....

 

It got so complicated.....and I gave up.

[6andy6]

That sounds ridiculous but here in the UK we are not eligible for the 123go promotion at all. Would another adult be allowed the non alcohol package? As the cost is the same for an adult and a child it seems particularly unfair. Are you CC members? If so try talking to them as it is possible that the customer services person dealing with this has made a mistake.

 

No...but you do have other packages that we don't have as well....soooooo.???

[SNJCruisers]

It all comes down to discrimination. The full paying teen can't get a non alcohol package, but if or she was a bit older, then they could consume the non alcoholic portion of the full Classic package. Just like the solo traveler who is paying double and can only get one perk of the 123 promo, when in fact, they really should be entitled to two. If a couple is paying 2500 and they choose 2 alcohol packages, then a solo traveler that is paying the same 2500 should be entitled to an alcohol package and a free grat package, which in fact is cheaper.

[hansolosmom]

That seems screwy to me! It doesn't cost them anything to downgrade the package. Unless of course they're worried you want a discount to downgrade.

[acadian_dad]

Well I can only think of 3 reasons why they would run the promo this way ...

 

1) while a teen pays a full fare, they don't see them to be as much of a potential revenue source once on board c/w a regular adult (photos, spa, casino, etc) - so they don't want the promo to "encourage" this type of pax - they make more money if that pax is an adult even with fare paid same

 

2) their booking systems just can't handle the concept of booking a non-alc Bev pkg with the 123Go promo (eg. the SW just wasn't written with that idea in mind) - if they can't put the right "code" in the system they can't book it

 

3) people are far more likely to pay the non-alc Bev pkg out of their pocket than the alc Bev pkg - esp. for a kid - so if they refuse to offer the pkg, chances are you are going to buy it on board anyway

 

I'm honestly interested in hearing their reasoning.

[bbappel]

Well I can only think of 3 reasons why they would run the promo this way ...

 

1) while a teen pays a full fare, they don't see them to be as much of a potential revenue source once on board c/w a regular adult (photos, spa, casino, etc) - so they don't want the promo to "encourage" this type of pax - they make more money if that pax is an adult even with fare paid same

 

2) their booking systems just can't handle the concept of booking a non-alc Bev pkg with the 123Go promo (eg. the SW just wasn't written with that idea in mind) - if they can't put the right "code" in the system they can't book it

 

3) people are far more likely to pay the non-alc Bev pkg out of their pocket than the alc Bev pkg - esp. for a kid - so if they refuse to offer the pkg, chances are you are going to buy it on board anyway

 

I'm honestly interested in hearing their reasoning.

 

I think your #2 hit on the problem. You used the word "code" - I think it is probably the programmers of the computer system being used by Celebrity. Consider the website - and its flaws - I'm thinking the same flaws exist in the regular system, so there isn't a way to do it. That said, you (or your TA) should keep going up the line until you get someone with the power and the reason to make an exception for you. I think it is a little silly that they won't substitute the non-alcohol package for the alcohol package, particularly when they have the Friends of Bill meetings onboard the ship. Seems like it is an insult to alcoholics who are in recovery.

[CPT Trips]

PP is right on target with the comments about coding. At the. Risk of offending another poster yet again, Celebrity's computer system seem to be designed and programmed by Luddites.

[Ahhh]

Well I can only think of 3 reasons why they would run the promo this way ...

 

1) while a teen pays a full fare, they don't see them to be as much of a potential revenue source once on board c/w a regular adult (photos, spa, casino, etc) - so they don't want the promo to "encourage" this type of pax - they make more money if that pax is an adult even with fare paid same

 

2) their booking systems just can't handle the concept of booking a non-alc Bev pkg with the 123Go promo (eg. the SW just wasn't written with that idea in mind) - if they can't put the right "code" in the system they can't book it

 

3) people are far more likely to pay the non-alc Bev pkg out of their pocket than the alc Bev pkg - esp. for a kid - so if they refuse to offer the pkg, chances are you are going to buy it on board anyway

 

I'm honestly interested in hearing their reasoning.

 

All good points! Another one that has not been mentioned, is that the they have control over the alcohol package in a way that they wouldn't with the non. By this I mean, I believe there is a time limit between drink orders, and they can track your drinking pattern. You can't for instance go to four bars within 10 minutes and order four drinks. Also, if you do drink to excess, your behavoir can be monitored by staff. A non alcohol package does not offer them these options, so theoretically, you could supply all your friends with free soft drinks. Just a thought.

[Gig103]

What is unreasonable about it. It is a perk they are giving for booking. You have a choice of other perks, take one of them. Rules are rules.

 

I guess I just do not understand the demands being made when the program does not suit some people.

 

Considering the drink package includes non alcoholic drinks, it does seem silly that they wouldn't offer a downgrade. It isn't as if the OP wants a downgrade plus $30/day discount!

[drarill]

All good points! Another one that has not been mentioned, is that the they have control over the alcohol package in a way that they wouldn't with the non. By this I mean, I believe there is a time limit between drink orders, and they can track your drinking pattern. You can't for instance go to four bars within 10 minutes and order four drinks. Also, if you do drink to excess, your behavoir can be monitored by staff. A non alcohol package does not offer them these options, so theoretically, you could supply all your friends with free soft drinks. Just a thought.

Hi!! I usually buy the non-alcoholic drink package and they do keep track of your orders when they scan your card every time you use it. It is an honor system with any package. Our friends booked connecting rooms with one parent in each room for booking purposes and had the same problem than the OP. They were told that if they take the drinking package only the adults will be provided with it. Don't know why they can't downgrade the second person in the room (the minor) to the non-alcoholic classic package. It doesn't make sense.

[Lsimon]

.... Our friends booked connecting rooms with one parent in each room for booking purposes and had the same problem than the OP. They were told that if they take the drinking package only the adults will be provided with it. Don't know why they can't downgrade the second person in the room (the minor) to the non-alcoholic classic package. It doesn't make sense.

I've read that Celebrity no longer has the requirement that a booking has to be an adult in each room when the cabin with the minors are adjacent or near the parent's cabin. Your friends should check this out and see if they can book both adults in one cabin in order to get the package for themselves and some other perk for the kids' cabin. Some TA's might not be aware of this change, which took place a few years ago and might be different from some other cruise lines.

 

Here is the exact wording included in Celebrity's current brochures. Note the second sentence:

UNACCOMPANIED MINORS

No guest under the age of 21 will be booked in a stateroom

unless accompanied by an adult 21 years or older. This

age limit will be waived for: minor children sailing with

their parents or guardians in adjacent staterooms; for

underage married couples; and for active duty members

of the United States or Canadian military. Certain other

restrictions may apply, such as proof of marriage or

proof of active duty military status.

[Algebralovr]

The only reason to book a parent in each room is for some other perk. For example, we booked my DH and I in rooms with our kids for our Med cruise next year to get the CC deployment discount on two rooms, which saved us $225. It also meant we had enough friends and family codes for our entire party with our open passages. If we had both been in the same room, we would have paid an extra $100.

[Karen@Steve]

I think it all comes down to the usual Celebrity lack of customer focus or understanding the customer. It would cost them nothing and would promote good will. Why wouldn't you do it, because either they aren't listening (i hope) or don't care (I despair).

 

Some day they'll figure it out.

[Big_G]

The only reason to book a parent in each room is for some other perk. For example, we booked my DH and I in rooms with our kids for our Med cruise next year to get the CC deployment discount on two rooms, which saved us $225. It also meant we had enough friends and family codes for our entire party with our open passages. If we had both been in the same room, we would have paid an extra $100.

 

I'm not trying to hijack this thread but what is the CC deployment discount?

[Big_G]

Well I can only think of 3 reasons why they would run the promo this way ...

 

1) while a teen pays a full fare, they don't see them to be as much of a potential revenue source once on board c/w a regular adult (photos, spa, casino, etc) - so they don't want the promo to "encourage" this type of pax - they make more money if that pax is an adult even with fare paid same

 

2) their booking systems just can't handle the concept of booking a non-alc Bev pkg with the 123Go promo (eg. the SW just wasn't written with that idea in mind) - if they can't put the right "code" in the system they can't book it

 

3) people are far more likely to pay the non-alc Bev pkg out of their pocket than the alc Bev pkg - esp. for a kid - so if they refuse to offer the pkg, chances are you are going to buy it on board anyway

 

I'm honestly interested in hearing their reasoning.

 

OP,

 

Did you intentionally split the cabins between your children hoping to get the drink package for all four of you under the 123GO?

[acadian_dad]

OP,

 

Did you intentionally split the cabins between your children hoping to get the drink package for all four of you under the 123GO?

 

Hi - fair question.

 

No, we did not split the cabins in this way to try to get the 123Go Bev Pkg promo for all 4. The details get into personal family dynamics I don't intend to discuss on a forum, but suffice to say we booked this way solely because that is how we actually will be using the rooms ... Mom & daughter in one, Dad and son in other.

 

@LSimon (and others) pointed out that we can put parents in one room and teens in other and have the teens get OBC rather than bevs - that's true - but the OBC for the teens will not cover their non-alc bev packages. And keeping in mind that the seapass cards are your cabin keys, we'd have to beg the purser's desk to rearrange us once on board. Which they might do or they might not (this BTW was the TA's suggestion).

 

Thanks all for the suggestions - I guess I was most interested in whether I was missing some obvious reason they would do things this way. Next step will be to ask them.

[Gig103]

Hi - fair question.

 

No, we did not split the cabins in this way to try to get the 123Go Bev Pkg promo for all 4. The details get into personal family dynamics I don't intend to discuss on a forum, but suffice to say we booked this way solely because that is how we actually will be using the rooms ... Mom & daughter in one, Dad and son in other.

 

@LSimon (and others) pointed out that we can put parents in one room and teens in other and have the teens get OBC rather than bevs - that's true - but the OBC for the teens will not cover their non-alc bev packages. And keeping in mind that the seapass cards are your cabin keys, we'd have to beg the purser's desk to rearrange us once on board. Which they might do or they might not (this BTW was the TA's suggestion).

 

Thanks all for the suggestions - I guess I was most interested in whether I was missing some obvious reason they would do things this way. Next step will be to ask them.

 

Honestly, for the value of a drink package for two adults, I'd book it with the two kids in one room and go to guest services upon arrival.

[enginerd314159]

Honestly, for the value of a drink package for two adults, I'd book it with the two kids in one room and go to guest services upon arrival.

 

This. Further to that, the free grats promo (at $12/pax/day) is only just slightly less than a classic NA beverage package. So, put the two adults in one room with the beverage package promo, and the two kids in the other with the free grats and then switch once on board. That is, of course, assuming you don't already have free grats from your TA. If you have connecting rooms it's even easier because then you don't even need to bother switching the kids around; they can sleep in whichever room they want.

 

Let it be said however that I do agree with you on this point.