Is Celebrity actually trying to run off us its loyal customers?

[bplazo]

Celebrity by far has the better smoking policy!! No smoking anywhere inside the ship. Princess still allows smoking in the interior of their ships - biggest turn off for me is the Casino where the smoke travels to other areas - same with Hal.

 

I honestly do not see how anyone smoking on a balcony would bother anyone. I was on our first Celebrity cruise and I felt that they was so much blocking you from other balconies that the smoke should not be an issue. No, I am not a smoker and never have been but I did not see the big deal about someone smoing on their balcony.

[Christine Frances]

I honestly do not see how anyone smoking on a balcony would bother anyone. I was on our first Celebrity cruise and I felt that they was so much blocking you from other balconies that the smoke should not be an issue. No, I am not a smoker and never have been but I did not see the big deal about someone smoing on their balcony.

 

We have been "smoked" off our balcony twice:eek: Never again! It doesn't blow out to sea, it travels down the side of the ship to the next cabins and heaven help you if you have your balcony door open because the A/C just sucks it into your cabin. I don't think other than NCL (may be others) no ships allow smoking on the balcony's and don't even think about the fire hazard.

[PhotoPete]

Its all about the money. Last cruise my DW and I took on RCCL we spent zero on the ship. Now, compare that to one of my sons who had a $500 bar tab for himself and his honey. If you were a business who would you rather have on your ship?

[librarylady19]

Well said!

 

I totally agree. If youmdont feel that X is meeting your vacation needs move on.

[richstowe]

Every cruise line has had the same compliants. The line is trying to appeal to younger cruisers and alineating the past cruisers....

 

RCI, HAL, etc.... they all evolve. The only constant is change....

This is the first thread of this sort that I've read on CC's Celebrity site .

However I've read lots and lots of this sort about Carnival (especially), NCL and RC.

My earth shattering conclusion is that people don't like change - any change.

Things ain't like they used to be and never were.:p

 

Come on guys....

 

Celebrity has it figured out. They know very well that the grumpy old fogies with Double-Secret Elite status don't spend a dime once on board (other than buying a few bingo tickets).

 

Based on the W Hotel model, I can guarantee that the prior group is a lot less tightfisted than the latter group.

Great points. They could do a lot worse then following the W Hotel model

[hughdm]

After Princess for several cruises, we tried our first Celebrity cruise on Solstice last spring. We will cruise Princess again, but for us 60-somethings, Celebrity blew Princess out of the water in every category. Those of you who are considering Princess will NOT find the grass greener!

[wallie5446]

WOW! Our 1st X cruise was in 1992 and we dragged along our 8 yr old DD and 13 yr old DS. I can not begin to think what the 'old hats' ( like we are classified as today ) thought about us then. We have been on HAL, Princess, Cunard, NCL, and a bunch with RCCL. Whine away and Try them if you want but you will be back, we are.

[C 2 C]

We have been "smoked" off our balcony twice:eek: Never again! It doesn't blow out to sea, it travels down the side of the ship to the next cabins and heaven help you if you have your balcony door open because the A/C just sucks it into your cabin. I don't think other than NCL (may be others) no ships allow smoking on the balcony's and don't even think about the fire hazard.

 

This happened to us on Reflection AQ class in February. We had smokers all along the corridor, including cigar smokers. We were told by guest relations that if they could not be caught in the act there is nothing they could do after they were warned.

[wvufan]

Come on guys....

 

Celebrity has it figured out. They know very well that the grumpy old fogies with Double-Secret Elite status don't spend a dime once on board (other than buying a few bingo tickets).

 

They don't buy booze (Elite vouchers/happy hours ensure that). They don't drop huge loads in the casino (except at the penny slots). They don't go on excursions (been there, done that). They couldn't imagine dropping $45 extra on the specialty restaurants. And, they certainly don't spend $20 on dirty pay-per-view movies in their rooms.

 

At the same time, they're constantly griping about how food, service, and entertainment have declined since the days when they started cruising (back when Love Boat was still on Saturday night during prime time). I'm sure it gets tiresome listening to endless complaints about loud music, missing escargot, obnoxious children, and their fellow passengers' attire.

 

They would much rather replace the crotchety I-have-been-on-84-cruises crowd with a younger, free-spending, less cantankerous crowd.

 

They've seen the success of W Hotels and are trying to replicate it.

 

They want a crowd that drinks (see the 1,2,3 promotions or the Sam Adams Craft Beer cruise). They want a crowd that likes louder techno mood music. They want a crowd that isn't going to be offended by a little foul language (see Sin City Comedy). They want the LGBT crowd and those that welcoming towards them.

 

And, I imagine this isn't as much of an age thing as implied by my post. Just look at this thread; there are plenty of older folks that are still fun, hip, and not quick to complain. At the same time, there are plenty of Gen X'ers that think a little loud techno is going to burst their eardrums. Based on the W Hotel model, I can guarantee that the prior group is a lot less tightfisted than the latter group.

 

Essentially supported the point I was trying to make in my original post.

 

Thanks to all who have posted on this thread-there have been interesting perspectives. :)

 

Happy Sails to You

 

OOOEEE :D:D Bob and Phyl

 

PS, Leftcoast, I'd love to have the Zenith back.

[richstowe]

This happened to us on Reflection AQ class in February. We had smokers all along the corridor, including cigar smokers. We were told by guest relations that if they could not be caught in the act there is nothing they could do after they were warned.

This stinks! (No pun intended).

My Summit cruise was chosen so that we could enjoy a balcony on a cruise line where smoking was not permitted there.

We did smell smoke once but only once.

I have vowed not to make myself crazy by getting a balcony on a cruise line that allows balcony smoking.

 

This is a bit off-topic but I feel we anti smokers are a good source of new loyal X customers, but only if they enforce their own policies.

[Sandy1975]

I agree with those that say that maybe is not Celebrity but you?. People in general don't like change. If they want to stay competitive they need to remain current and that includes music. I think they do a good job as I consider this line classier than others out there but that also has a "young vibe"

 

I also don't see how a package that gives the "all inclusive feel" can try to run off the long term loyals.

 

We don't have much experience sailing but we are going on our 4th cruise this year and we chose Celebrity. I think we will remain loyal to this line as it meets our needs. Maybe in 20-25 years I will be complaining about the music too as I would start to move out of the "desirable demographic". You can always vote with your wallet if you don't like your experience.

[Sandy1975]

This stinks! (No pun intended).

My Summit cruise was chosen so that we could enjoy a balcony on a cruise line where smoking was not permitted there.

We did smell smoke once but only once.

I have vowed not to make myself crazy by getting a balcony on a cruise line that allows balcony smoking.

 

This is a bit off-topic but I feel we anti smokers are a good source of new loyal X customers, but only if they enforce their own policies.

 

I was on Summit last December and I wondered about the smoking policy because I was surprised that I didn't smell any cigarettes! I wasn't aware that their cruise ships are supposed to be non-smoking. Another plus in my book!

[Germancruiser]

Interessting what the OP states- well I did not think of it until then- maybe he is right- well at least it looks that way! My last Eclipse cruise made me jump ship - to Cunard- for a change- don´t get me wrong has been wonderful two weeks- but with some issues- MOST OF ALL the constand blaring music! ( L O U D !!!!) Anyway since X was my favorite cruise line for more then 10 years- I don´t give up- so I booked a Infinity TA next April. I so love TA- Cruises. Maybe they corect their curse a little ! They can´t please everyone sure, but after so many complaints- they at least should consider it!

[NLH Arizona]

I agree with those that say that maybe is not Celebrity but you?. People in general don't like change. If they want to stay competitive they need to remain current and that includes music. I think they do a good job as I consider this line classier than others out there but that also has a "young vibe"

 

I also don't see how a package that gives the "all inclusive feel" can try to run off the long term loyals.

 

We don't have much experience sailing but we are going on our 4th cruise this year and we chose Celebrity. I think we will remain loyal to this line as it meets our needs. Maybe in 20-25 years I will be complaining about the music too as I would start to move out of the "desirable demographic". You can always vote with your wallet if you don't like your experience.

Very well said!

[4cats4me]

After Princess for several cruises, we tried our first Celebrity cruise on Solstice last spring. We will cruise Princess again, but for us 60-somethings, Celebrity blew Princess out of the water in every category. Those of you who are considering Princess will NOT find the grass greener!

 

This was our experience, too, after 13 Princess cruises. While I liked Princess, I LOVED Celebrity.

[kitty9]

I don't agree with those who say we're the ones who are changing, and here are my arguments to that point:

 

1. Techno music in places like the Martini Bar and even Cafe Al Baccio. That stuff was recently introduced so its a change by Celebrity and not a change by us.

 

2. Music in the Grand Foyer. Well again, that's something Celebrity has done because their ship designers screwed up and did not put a dance/music venue like the Rendezvous Lounge like on the M Class. So, this is not a passenger change.

 

3. Loud music everywhere isn't just a Celebrity issue. On Crystal, who's average age can be 70, passengers have been complaining for years that the music is too loud, and they refuse to do anything about it. And like Crystal, this is a real change made by Celebrity and has nothing to do with passengers changing tastes.

 

4. Changes in dress codes is again something done by the cruise line itself and has absolutely nothing to do with passengers changing.

 

I'm sure we can find a lot of other things, but my point is, it's Celebrity introducing all these changes and we passengers are expected to just go along and accept those changes. It has nothing to do with their long time passengers changing their preferences.

 

Now, I want to tell everyone that things are not necessarily better on other lines. We decided to give HAL a try after a less than great cruise on Summit. We really wanted to love HAL, but it wasn't to be. After taking 72 cruises, on nearly every line out there, and after cruising HAL a number of years ago, I never, ever heard myself saying, "I can't wait for this cruise to be over.", but I found myself saying that after the third day on Eurodam. So believe me, the ocean isn't any bluer on other lines.

 

I have absolutely no idea why the powers that be at Celebrity think that loud music, or techno music is going to bring the 20- somethings to their ships. It makes no sense. Sure, dumping the dress code and going to a more casual atmosphere might attract new passengers of every age who hate dressing up, but it's not going to attract younger cruisers because nearly every line has gone casual.

 

What bothers me is that Celebrity is selling their soul by becoming a line that looks no different than any other (cheaper) line. What attracted me to X was that it wasn't Carnival, or RCI or NCl. They sold themselves as a luxury experience without having to pay Crystal/Seabourn/ Silversea prices. But now, Celebrity is no longer, IMHO, the top of the line experience they were just a few short years ago. When you see the cutbacks in food and entertainment, the CDC failures, the increasing numbers of full or partial charters, when you introduce the same policies that were part and parcel of lines that weren't considered premium (like Celebrity has touted themselves), you might as well just chuck it, accept what they've done or vote with your wallet and try and find something better. Good luck in doing that.

 

I'm not at all happy with Celebrity right now, and I really hate the direction that this CEO is taking the line, consequently I'm not going to take the three or four cruises a year like I used to. Will Celebrity give a rat's patootie that I won't cruise as often? HeLL no they won't care because they're obviously filling their ships with their charters/groups and their new "recruits" that they hope to attract with these changes.

[NLH Arizona]

Kitty9 and others, a question.

 

If your business depended on getting new customers, wouldn't you do everything you could to attract them? Could your business just depend on the old guard (those on here have said that they spend very little on drinks, shore excursions, etc.). What would you suggest that Celebrity do to keep their revenue stream up and be a profitable company?

 

The last few years have been very hard economically on virtually all businesses. I don't know one business that has not cut back; be it on staff, service, quality of products, etc., and the cruise line business is no exception.

[wwcruisers]

Darcie (kitty9) -- I think you hit the nail right on the head! Back when RC started changing its demographic marketing, at least they had something real to offer: Flowriders, ice rinks, Boardwalk, Central Park, Broadway shows, animation characters, etc, etc. :rolleyes:

 

So, what is this "modern luxury" that represents the new X demographic? Loud canned (not even live) music? Substandard food in the MDR? Declining service, due to cutbacks in staff? Sales pitches, everywhere you turn, for: over-priced jewelry, bad art, and food/beverage upsell packages? That's it?? :confused:

 

Sorry to hear that there aren't any better options out there. I was hoping that Princess or HAL might be a suitable alternative. But, like you, we tend to vote with our feet (or at least our wallets). Some of our good friends still cruise RC, and we're all talking about a future booking on Quantum of the Seas. It won't have the same level of food and service that we used to expect on X. But at least with RC, what you see is what you get. Just my $.02.

[CABINET]

Well this thread has made for some very interesting reading, there have been some very informative and eye opening threads.

 

I am beginning to understand more of what seems to be Celebritys aim for the future.

 

My only comment is that Celebrity has some very large new ships to fill and I am not sure that chasing off the grey pound will result in them being able to sell enough staterooms to younger passengers.

 

I think they might be alienating one group before the other group is ready to cruise in such large numbers.

 

As I have said before, in the UK anyway, most young people do not cruise and shudder when it is suggested to them.

 

I love everything about Celebrity apart from the very loud music but if I have to go then it will be back to land based vacations for us. Two weeks of my OH being grumpy is no way to spend a holiday.

 

One other thing that has occurred to both my OH and myself is that the ships are pretty dead after dinner. The shows don't seem to be aimed at the younger demographic, Quasar is nearly always empty (and has been removed from Reflection). I am not sure what these young people are supposed to do until the early hours.

[uktog]

Well this thread has made for some very interesting reading, there have been some very informative and eye opening threads.

 

I am beginning to understand more of what seems to be Celebritys aim for the future.

 

My only comment is that Celebrity has some very large new ships to fill and I am not sure that chasing off the grey pound will result in them being able to sell enough staterooms to younger passengers.

 

I think they might be alienating one group before the other group is ready to cruise in such large numbers.

 

As I have said before, in the UK anyway, most young people do not cruise and shudder when it is suggested to them.

 

I love everything about Celebrity apart from the very loud music but if I have to go then it will be back to land based vacations for us. Two weeks of my OH being grumpy is no way to spend a holiday.

 

One other thing that has occurred to both my OH and myself is that the ships are pretty dead after dinner. The shows don't seem to be aimed at the younger demographic, Quasar is nearly always empty (and has been removed from Reflection). I am not sure what these young people are supposed to do until the early hours.

 

Interesting post.

 

I have been surprised speaking with professional young people I come into contact with the number who this year are trying cruises for the first time. It is also clear that whilst some want lively Quasar type places, others are saying, night life does not matter, just the chance to be somewhere away from it all, with my OH and have time for a meal and a drink. And many of the young ladies are so looking forward to dressing up, now that may not be dressing up as you and I define it, but that is what they are looking forward to.

 

Celebrity have to look ahead and plan where there income market will be in 5 and 10 years time and lay the foundations now. Of course, they cannot turn off completely every current cruiser but, if the bottom line additional revenue from one group of cruisers is very marginal (push for the bottom price, spend little or nothing on board) they will happily lose four, six, eight of them to get two new higher spenders who whilst they might not return, if they have a good time will tell many others in this new target market

[Esprit]

We introduced our kids to cruising when they were barely teenagers. They love it.

 

My son is planning a cruise post graduation with his mates and my daughter enjoyed her times at sea so much she now works on board (currently Constellation and then Reflection this August).

 

I'd rather be on a ship with youngsters than a floating nursing home.

[CABINET]

We introduced our kids to cruising when they were barely teenagers. They love it.

 

My son is planning a cruise post graduation with his mates and my daughter enjoyed her times at sea so much she now works on board (currently Constellation and then Reflection this August).

 

I'd rather be on a ship with youngsters than a floating nursing home.

 

I couldn't agree more. I think a mix of ages is great. I certainly don't want to be on board with mostly elderly people.

 

I still however want to be able to converse with some of these younger people and shouting all evening sets off my poor old asthmatic chest :(.

 

I'm all for having music, just at a volume which allows conversation not lip reading :D. The bars near us seem to be able to provide that ambience. It might get much louder later but by then I will have toddled off to bed :D.

[City_Woman]

I don't agree with those who say we're the ones who are changing, and here are my arguments to that point:

 

1. Techno music in places like the Martini Bar and even Cafe Al Baccio. That stuff was recently introduced so its a change by Celebrity and not a change by us.

 

2. Music in the Grand Foyer. Well again, that's something Celebrity has done because their ship designers screwed up and did not put a dance/music venue like the Rendezvous Lounge like on the M Class. So, this is not a passenger change.

 

3. Loud music everywhere isn't just a Celebrity issue. On Crystal, who's average age can be 70, passengers have been complaining for years that the music is too loud, and they refuse to do anything about it. And like Crystal, this is a real change made by Celebrity and has nothing to do with passengers changing tastes.

 

4. Changes in dress codes is again something done by the cruise line itself and has absolutely nothing to do with passengers changing.

 

I'm sure we can find a lot of other things, but my point is, it's Celebrity introducing all these changes and we passengers are expected to just go along and accept those changes. It has nothing to do with their long time passengers changing their preferences.

 

Now, I want to tell everyone that things are not necessarily better on other lines. We decided to give HAL a try after a less than great cruise on Summit. We really wanted to love HAL, but it wasn't to be. After taking 72 cruises, on nearly every line out there, and after cruising HAL a number of years ago, I never, ever heard myself saying, "I can't wait for this cruise to be over.", but I found myself saying that after the third day on Eurodam. So believe me, the ocean isn't any bluer on other lines.

 

I have absolutely no idea why the powers that be at Celebrity think that loud music, or techno music is going to bring the 20- somethings to their ships. It makes no sense. Sure, dumping the dress code and going to a more casual atmosphere might attract new passengers of every age who hate dressing up, but it's not going to attract younger cruisers because nearly every line has gone casual.

 

What bothers me is that Celebrity is selling their soul by becoming a line that looks no different than any other (cheaper) line. What attracted me to X was that it wasn't Carnival, or RCI or NCl. They sold themselves as a luxury experience without having to pay Crystal/Seabourn/ Silversea prices. But now, Celebrity is no longer, IMHO, the top of the line experience they were just a few short years ago. When you see the cutbacks in food and entertainment, the CDC failures, the increasing numbers of full or partial charters, when you introduce the same policies that were part and parcel of lines that weren't considered premium (like Celebrity has touted themselves), you might as well just chuck it, accept what they've done or vote with your wallet and try and find something better. Good luck in doing that.

 

I'm not at all happy with Celebrity right now, and I really hate the direction that this CEO is taking the line, consequently I'm not going to take the three or four cruises a year like I used to. Will Celebrity give a rat's patootie that I won't cruise as often? HeLL no they won't care because they're obviously filling their ships with their charters/groups and their new "recruits" that they hope to attract with these changes.

 

Respectfully, I think you missed the point people were making.

 

They weren't suggesting passengers made the changes at all.

 

Change is hard. Most of us don't like it. In any circumstances.

 

Times change. We change. But our comfort is always in what we know.

 

The business / corporate world has to change. We know it has to. The cruise industry also has to change and I'm glad it is because it brought us Solstice class.

 

Enjoy life because we all know it's way too short!

 

J

[helpthejuggler]

Hot off the press today....RCCL are setting up a new cruise brand between X and AZ. It will have no music, empty bars and focus upon cruise nostalgia. It will be called Zzzz.

;)

 

I wonder if price rises that X are trying for 2014 could be an attempt to re-instate some of the better dining, service etc that we repeatedly hear has been sacrificed over recent years. Could be a strategy to distinguish themselves in a crowded mainstream market?

[Banana Bread]

How does one tell if Europe sailings are not doing well for 2013?