Did Celebrity get it right - Captain's Club

[maxsales]

You do understand that the number of points (1-18) per cruise is also multiplied by the number of nights? In other words 14 nights in an inside would get you 28 points and so on. So your not much further away from Zenith than before.

 

I believe he stated he was four old points short of the one hundred needed for Zenith. Therefore he would now need 120 new point. So 60 nights in an inside ect ect.

[richsea]

Am I the only person who thinks that it is wonderful to get any perks at all? We are Elite and Diamond Plus. All gained by taking cruises over the past 24 years. We also have 10 cruises with NCL who give you just about nothing for that, a repeaters party is about all you get, but if the itinerary and price is right we would still book with them. So as you can see I am not an X cheerleader. I am though very happy that they have changed to nights sailed as we tend to do B2B to make the most of increasingly expensive air fares. So overall, yes, they got it right.. Never going to make Zenith or Pinnacle but then I'm never going to fly first class either.

 

No, you are not.

[harz99]

I do not think Celebrity got it right, since loyalty programs are to encourage repeat business and reward those that do. Some of the best cruisers by day-count are probably inside/OV cruisers, but going forward they are getting less credit for their loyalty for not spending enough. Why not name the new CC levels "Steerage" "Cabin" and "First"?

 

But to me I think the worst part of the rollout is how they changed the program without any grace period. Carnival, who so many like to mock, gave folks more than a year of accumulation under the old system. We got rumors, and an unexpected rollout with (as of now) no mercy for those close to a tier transition.

 

 

This is a very good point.

 

It's very rare, if not unique, to announce a change once the change has occurred.

 

It's understandable how they came up with some elements. However, to say they 'got it right' is overbaked. Definitely things they got wrong.

 

Have to agree with all the above.

 

For me the Captain's Club changes together with the double whammy of recent vastly reduced OBC available to the lower grade cabins on the Future Cruise Certificates are going to work against brand loyalty.

 

The gap from Elite to Elite+ is just too much for the few additional benefits to be worth taking into account, we would need 8 more cruises of the type we normally take to get from Elite to that level as opposed to 4 under the old system, that's around £4500 more each to get not a lot, so it's back to comparing Itineraries versus base costs on different lines and probably less early bookings and more late offers.

 

FWIW, with the additional benefits as published I would have thought 600 points for Elite+, a further tier at 1200 points and Zenith at around 2500 would be more equitable. All still higher than the RCL equivalents but with mostly better perks at each tier.

 

And of course none of these changes are going to reduce the fundamental problem of there still being too many Elite's on certain sailings.

Edited November 26, 2013 by harz99

[harz99]

I believe he stated he was four old points short of the one hundred needed for Zenith. Therefore he would now need 120 new point. So 60 nights in an inside ect ect.

 

Agreed, but he seems to think he would need 40 more cruises which is clearly not the case.

[wallie5446]

We are just back from the Reflection and bottom line, Celebrity got the most important thing very right, the overall on board Ship cruise experience.

 

There is no way we give up that for getting a drink coupon, socks washed, checking our email free, for the product on another line. And yes we have sailed some of the others.

 

This is all so silly, yes silly. The Corporate marketing dept knows, try the others, you will not like the product, you will be back, or you would not have the number of points you have now.

[ECCruise]

We also have 10 cruises with NCL who give you just about nothing for that, a repeaters party is about all you get, but if the itinerary and price is right we would still book with them.

 

If you have 10 cruises on NCL, you might want to check your Latitudes account. You should be Platinum, which means:

Free laundry

Free dinner for 2 in a specialty restaurant (2 dinners if you and your cabin mate are both platinum) with a bottle of wine at each dinner

Sparkling wine in the stateroom

Behind the scenes tour (which on Dawn last month was the best we'd ever seen--better than what Princess charges $150 pp for)

Chocolate covered strawberries

 

We are Elite+ on X and Platinum on NCL and both of the programs are pretty darn good, but I don't feel that these are a "gift" from the cruise lines. They were earned by putting lots of money in their pockets. It is a win-win for both the company and us, which is the way American business used to be structured.

[Redtravel]

Too many elites is a testimony to how much people like sailing on Celebrity. Instead of trying to downgrade people or get them annoyed, Celebrity should use the large number of elites as a selling feature to get new cruisers. An ad campaign stating that Celebrity has a truly loyal following would be a great way to get new guests. It might include a video from an elite reception showing how much fun it is to be included in the loyalty program....and how easy it is to become part of the loyal group. Everyone loves a good time. The elite receptions are fun.

[TommyD3]

Sign into your Celebrity account and read what is outlined under the Zenith benefits. That press release is wrong.

 

SDT

 

Sent from my SCH-I405 using Forums mobile app

 

I was told by the loyalty hostess onboard the Century less than a week ago that Zenith includes your choice of ANY beverage package. She had been "trained" by the head of the loyalty program from Miami (who was recently onboard the ship) regarding ALL the new benefits.

 

Also the listed benefits on the web site just say "beverage package". It does not specify which one.

 

Plus we all know about how great the Celebrity web site is!!!

[harz99]

Plus we all know about how great the Celebrity web site is!!!

 

Yep, I can't even see the list of tier benefits on the Captain's Club page now. I hope it's just because they are working on getting it right!

[TommyD3]

Sign into your Celebrity account and read what is outlined under the Zenith benefits. That press release is wrong.

 

SDT

 

Sent from my SCH-I405 using Forums mobile app

 

If you look at the Zenith benefits on the US web site using Firefox 25.0.1 (IE 11 does not work) at the top it says:

 

Zenith Member Benefits

 

The height of Captain's Club membership—Zenith—is designed exclusively for our most loyal guests, offering the quality benefits and perks befitting this ultimate level of membership, such as access to Michael’s Club Lounge, a beverage package of your choice, complimentary laundry, and a 1600-minute Internet package.

 

Please note it says "a beverage package of your choice".

[SHill64]

I was told by the loyalty hostess onboard the Century less than a week ago that Zenith includes your choice of ANY beverage package. She had been "trained" by the head of the loyalty program from Miami (who was recently onboard the ship) regarding ALL the new benefits.

 

Also the listed benefits on the web site just say "beverage package". It does not specify which one.

 

Plus we all know about how great the Celebrity web site is!!!

 

Tommy, I'm a gambler and a member of Celebrity's Blue Chip Club (free drinks in the casino and free cruises twice a year) and I'd bet anything Zenith members will not be receiving free premium alcohol packages. Feel free to email me after your first sailing as a Zenith member and let me know how you liked you alcohol package.:D

 

 

Sent from my SCH-I405 using Forums mobile app

[NLH Arizona]

Have to agree with all the above.

 

For me the Captain's Club changes together with the double whammy of recent vastly reduced OBC available to the lower grade cabins on the Future Cruise Certificates are going to work against brand loyalty.

 

The gap from Elite to Elite+ is just too much for the few additional benefits to be worth taking into account, we would need 8 more cruises of the type we normally take to get from Elite to that level as opposed to 4 under the old system, that's around £4500 more each to get not a lot, so it's back to comparing Itineraries versus base costs on different lines and probably less early bookings and more late offers.

 

FWIW, with the additional benefits as published I would have thought 600 points for Elite+, a further tier at 1200 points and Zenith at around 2500 would be more equitable. All still higher than the RCL equivalents but with mostly better perks at each tier.

 

And of course none of these changes are going to reduce the fundamental problem of there still being too many Elite's on certain sailings.

How could you only need 4 more cruises to get to Elite+ under the old system, there was no Elite+.

[NLH Arizona]

Why are the same posters saying over and over how everyone should be satisfied with the new changes to the Celebrity tiers? I I feel the loyal customers have a right to feel they are NOT valued by Celebrity. AND I'm not just talking about bonus points...the new elite plus benefits...really? How many at 300 points can't wait to get to 750 points? I'll bet few to none.

 

Hey Celebrity, just a heads up...

 

Satisfaction allows you to be in the game. LOYALITY allows you to continually win game.

Probably for the same reason the same posters are saying over and over how bad the program is. Everyone has a right to voice their opinion, not just those that are against something. You can certainly feel anyway you want, we just don't have to agree with it.

[Cruising89143]

Why are the same posters saying over and over how everyone should be satisfied with the new changes to the Celebrity tiers? I I feel the loyal customers have a right to feel they are NOT valued by Celebrity. AND I'm not just talking about bonus points...the new elite plus benefits...really? How many at 300 points can't wait to get to 750 points? I'll bet few to none.

 

Hey Celebrity, just a heads up...

 

Satisfaction allows you to be in the game. LOYALITY allows you to continually win game.

 

How is this different than the same posters posting over and over who dissatisfied they are with the new program?:rolleyes:

Edited November 26, 2013 by cruisingator2

[Cruising89143]

I cruise on Celebrity because of the outstanding service, the excellent dining, and the atmosphere Celebrity strives for is what we look for when cruising.

 

But since they have a loyalty program, I'll take the points and the Tier. Yes, I did upgrade to Concierge on a cruise in order to gain enough points to reach Elite, just as the Line is shooting for.

 

We have enjoyed all our cruises of other Lines and will take others to join friends or for a specific itinerary, but will always use Celebrity as our starting point.

 

With that said, I think the Loyalty program is excellent in comparison with the other Lines. I won't be signing up for PS or CS suites in order to build more points, but I know, just as I did, others will upgrade when they get close to the next tier. The benefits are nice and enticing. We can cut down on what we pack with the free laundry; we think the Elite breakfasts and Social Hr is a great venue to meet others and talk; the free internet makes it nice staying in touch; now the free special coffees will make my day!

 

I probably get at least one Latte or so a day at El Bacio which means it costs me about $50. No big deal, but just nice to now have. Heck, I'll probably order a couple at a seating, or do exactly what Celebrity is hoping for which is order an Irish Coffee as the second and end up spending more.

 

And instead of complaining and knit-picking just a few days after Celebrity adds two new Tiers and more benefits, I'll just enjoy them for a while.

 

It's kind of like when Celebrity initiated the Elite Social Hr. All kinds of complaints before anyone had even tried it out.

 

If you have reached Elite or Elite Plus and don't like the benefits, I'll post my SR number and you can drop off your drink tickets, laundry cards, free internet and I'll use them....I know, they aren't transferable. Just trying to make a point.

 

Den

 

Very nice post and spot on. I did not know that there were so many people cruising to gain status and for perks only. Whatever happened to cruising for the sake of actually enjoying the cruise?

[Cruising89143]

On Silhouette and haven't read other posts. Sorry, can't be positive about the program as it has been designed to cut cost rather than rewarding frequent cruisers. Given my booked and fully paid cruises I only needed 4 points to reach the 100 point leve. Now I need at leat 40 additional cruises to move up. Basically wherever most are under the new program they will remain there for a very long time. The idea seems to be to make it so difficult to reach the Zenith level that no one will ever reach it. At least Celebrity could use the conversion formula for cruises completely paid for that were paid in full before the announcement of e new program. A good marketing strategy would be to allow for at least three months to book and pay in full for cruises that could help one to reach a new level. My booking pattern will certainly change. Doubt if I'll take more than 1 or2 Cruises with Celebrity a year. Currently take 14. Means noing to Celebrity since they can always fill my slots.

 

I'm trying to understand your post. If you're only 4 points away from 100 points then I assume that you had 96 points under the old system. With the 30 point multiplier that Celebrity used for the conversion that should give you 2880 cruise points. That is only 120 points needed to reach Zenith. I apologize if I missed something in your post.

Edited November 26, 2013 by cruisingator2

[mferranti]

I think Celebrity should let people count their future cruises by the old rules if they prefer. But the cruisers who choose the old rules have to agree to cap their level at Elite.

 

New rules or old, take your pick. But be consistent!

Edited November 26, 2013 by mferranti

[dln929]

On Silhouette and haven't read other posts. Sorry, can't be positive about the program as it has been designed to cut cost rather than rewarding frequent cruisers. Given my booked and fully paid cruises I only needed 4 points to reach the 100 point leve. Now I need at leat 40 additional cruises to move up. Basically wherever most are under the new program they will remain there for a very long time. The idea seems to be to make it so difficult to reach the Zenith level that no one will ever reach it. At least Celebrity could use the conversion formula for cruises completely paid for that were paid in full before the announcement of e new program. A good marketing strategy would be to allow for at least three months to book and pay in full for cruises that could help one to reach a new level. My booking pattern will certainly change. Doubt if I'll take more than 1 or2 Cruises with Celebrity a year. Currently take 14. Means noing to Celebrity since they can always fill my slots.

 

Are you done sulking yet? Your math is skewed. If you're short 4 points (120 points in the new system) then one simple transatlantic--which we know you've sailed before--could garner you that 120 points in one fell swoop. Book a 15 nighter in a sky suite which, given frequent TA price drops, may not even cost you $2000, and voila! you've gained your precious points. End of temper tantrum and you've done it in less than the two yearly Celebrity cruises you've vowed to take. Heck, take it in the spring and that will give you the rest of the year to rest on your laurels. ;)

[NLH Arizona]

I'm trying to understand your post. If you're only 4 points away from 100 points then I assume that you had 96 points under the old system. With the 30 point multiplier that Celebrity used for the conversion that should give you 2880 cruise points. That is only 120 points needed to reach Zenith. I apologize if I missed something in your post.

I think there is a lot of confusion with regard to the conversion and points for many that have not gone to the website and looked at their points and the program details.

 

I was reading some of the posts on fb and I couldn't believe what some were complaining about. One posters said that because of her cruises, she should be Elite, but she only had 168 points and that Celebrity was wrong. Celebrity answered back and said they checked her account and her calculations were incorrect and she should go to the website and check again. She came back and said she still had 168 points. First off, I can't figure out how she got 168 points, since all points were times 30. What I think she might have done was take her old cruising days total and times them time the new program points (something some on here are doing to show that they got screwed) to get to her "imagined" Elite status or she just made everything up.

[CRUZBUDS]

How could you only need 4 more cruises to get to Elite+ under the old system, there was no Elite+.

 

Most of us knew it would come eventually -- there have been more than a few threads in the subject the last year or so. The consensus was it would likely be around 25 of the old credits to make Elite + and it was correct -- (even the name was correctly guessed ;))

 

We paid just a bit more to go in a CC cabin over regular balcony in order to add to our points on our last several cruises. It worked out for us, we'll wind up in Elite + after our next cruise. Although on the old system we would have earned the equivalent of 90 points and now it is 75. That is irrelevant since Zenith will be realistically unattainable for many, if not most of us.

 

We have no incentive to pay anything more for a CC any longer, since most of the perks that go with it are meaningless to us.

 

If the Elite+ perks were better -- we'd be thrilled. We prefer the itineraries of the two RCI cruises we have booked. The few additional + perks don't interest us enough to reconsider a Celebrity cruise in those times. We are open to fall of 2015 though ;)

Edited November 26, 2013 by CRUZBUDS

[deelastcre]

In my humble opinion, Celebrity continues to do it right. I sail with them for the service and the quality of the total vacation experience. After the change, I am still one cruise shy of the next level. The change was not a surprise to anyone. There's been discussions on this medium concerning the number of Elite Members and that change would come. The results....Celebrity moved the Cheese and some are happy and some are not.

 

The perks that everyone is striving for are just icing on the cake. I presently pay for internet when I want it, drinks, and laundry on a long cruise.

 

My concern relates to the number of points given for The Galapagos Islands Cruisetour. I think that two points a night is not enough because of the cost, limited number of cabins and the category that I normally book is not offered. It's not a deal breaker, but it seems that more points would be awarded to this sailing. I did notice that points would not be awarded for Seminar at Sea sailings and solo passengers would not get double points. This is another area that Celebrity might need to reconsider.

[NLH Arizona]

Many of knew it would come eventually -- there have been more than a few threads in the subject the last year or so. The consensus was it would likely be around 25 of the old credits to make Elite + and it was correct -- (even the name was correctly guessed ;))

 

We paid just a bit more to go in a CC cabin over regular balcony in order to add to our points on our last several cruises. It worked out for us, we'll wind up in Elite + after our next cruise. Although on the old system we would have earned the equivalent of 90 points and now it is 75. That is irrelevant since Zenith will be realistically unattainable for many, if not most of us.

 

We have no incentive to pay anything more for a CC any longer, since most of the perks that go with it are meaningless to us.

 

If the Elite+ perks were better -- we'd be thrilled. We prefer the itineraries of the two RCI cruises we have booked. The few additional + perks don't interest us enough to reconsider a Celebrity cruise in those times. We are open to fall of 2015 though ;)

So you guessed? How can you say you were X amount of points away from a guess figure? There was no 25 points to get to Elite+ and to say that you were 4 points away from this Elite+ figure, is distorting the facts. Do you think, since they have a team that monitors this site, that they might have seen someone post Elite+ and decided to go with the name? My guess was that the new tier should have been 50 points, but I didn't act on my guess.

 

Sorry that you guessed wrong and sorry you don't like concierge class, that is my favorite class.

 

Hope your future cruises are wonderful, no matter which cruise line you go on. After all, it is not about the tiers, the points or the perks, it is about the cruise experience, isn't it.

Edited November 26, 2013 by NLH Arizona

[ghstudio]

On Silhouette and haven't read other posts. Sorry, can't be positive about the program as it has been designed to cut cost rather than rewarding frequent cruisers. Given my booked and fully paid cruises I only needed 4 points to reach the 100 point leve. Now I need at leat 40 additional cruises to move up. Basically wherever most are under the new program they will remain there for a very long time. The idea seems to be to make it so difficult to reach the Zenith level that no one will ever reach it. At least Celebrity could use the conversion formula for cruises completely paid for that were paid in full before the announcement of e new program. A good marketing strategy would be to allow for at least three months to book and pay in full for cruises that could help one to reach a new level. My booking pattern will certainly change. Doubt if I'll take more than 1 or2 Cruises with Celebrity a year. Currently take 14. Means noing to Celebrity since they can always fill my slots.

 

Why not find a deal on a 14 night cruise in a suite and use the 25 pt bonus with 1-2-3....and you'll be zenith and get a free cruise. I'd do that in a second if I was that close to zenith. It's far easier to work with the system than to fume about how close you were. Just get it over with and continue to enjoy celebrity with more perks than you had in the old system where 100 points got you a bottle of cheap sparkling wine....

[drarill]

I think Celebrity should let people count their future cruises by the old rules if they prefer. But the cruisers who choose the old rules have to agree to cap their level at Elite.

 

New rules or old, take your pick. But be consistent!

With the conversion my eight points + bonus got me 265 points. Under the new rules the same cruises will translate to 360 points.:confused::confused: I'm not complaining, still an Elite thanks to the reciprocity with Crown & Anchor. I appreciate the perks but I sail with Celebrity for their amazing itineraries, service, smoking policy, quality of food and overall experience. :):)

[CRUZBUDS]

So you guessed? How can you say you were X amount of points away from a guess figure? There was no 25 points to get to Elite+ and to say that you were 4 points away from this Elite+ figure, is distorting the facts. Do you think, since they have a team that monitors this site, that they might have seen someone post Elite+ and decided to go with the name? My guess was that the new tier should have been 50 points, but I didn't act on my guess.

 

Sorry that you guessed wrong and sorry you don't like concierge class, that is my favorite class.

 

Hope your future cruises are wonderful, no matter which cruise line you go on. After all, it is not about the tiers, the points or the perks, it is about the cruise experience, isn't it.

 

You're confusing your posters I never said I was 4 cruises away. You may want to read my post more carefully.

 

My calculator says 25 x 30 is 750 (Elite +) I think you're confused, my assumption along with the majority was right on. Most people figured it would likely have been similar to the old Diamond + number and it was. I guessed correctly.

 

I dont dislike CC, but an inexpensive bottle of sparkling wine and a fruitbasket have limited value to us.

Edited November 26, 2013 by CRUZBUDS