Maybe Celebrity is right to run us off.

[wvufan]

A little background. We are Elite Plus, and Celebrity has always been our line of choice. We sailed for 28 nights on Celebrity in the last 6 months. The only other ships we have sailed are RCL and that is mainly due to the proximity of Baltimore. We are in our mid 60s and very active.

 

Well, you would think that Celebrity would love us-but maybe not and maybe they are justified. We consider ourselves savvy and usually take advantage of special pricing or promotions. We always transfer our booking to a TA. Usually prefer ocean view, but are happy with an inside depending on pricing. Occasionally balcony if the price is great. We always research excursions and almost always go independent. Due to our status, we enjoy happy hour each evening and our bar bill otherwise is rarely over $20. Most of that is pop. I might risk $20 in casino-wife none. Never buy more than a few bucks worth at on board shops. Haven't bought photos since our first cruise many years ago. Usually go to specialty once per cruise if there is a "deal." We like my time dining and don't usually do much after dinner. Maybe listen to karaoke or a good entertainer such as Perry. Don't go to clubs and buy drinks often at all. Never use up all our obc.

 

So, although we are loyalists, we may not be making Celebrity happy. I suspect our profile is fairly common. People who love Celebrity but who don't spend a lot. Ironically, it seems that the more that people cruise, the more they learn how to minimize their costs through independent excursions, TAs, etc.

 

It has become obvious that Celebrity is trying to shift to a different demographic. As much as I like traditional Celebrity, I really can't blame them. I don't know if that is an economic necessity or if they are just trying to increase their profits. Many of us have commented that we hope they can attract new customers without radically changing what has drawn us to Celebrity to begin with. I think that is going to be very difficult. One area that has generated a lot of controversy is noise level. Most of us would at least grudgingly go along with loudness at the Martini bar and disco. But, it seems that they have discovered that the Martini bar is their biggest source of revenue and have concluded that they need to spread the party boat all over the ship. That, of course, irritates those who prefer a quiet atmosphere, and we have seen hundreds of posts on that topic alone.

 

It seems to me that they are probably justified in trying to attract new and younger customers and that they hope to do so without alienating the people who have built their business.

 

But, I also think they are really just trying to reinvent themselves and are not quite ready yet to risk losing their loyalists. We're sort of necessary evils.

 

I will still sail Celebrity-at least for now. But I no longer feel as wanted and valued as I once was. Maybe the fact that I have learned how to cruise economically has something to do with that. ;) Maybe we have gotten too smart for our own good.

 

Happy Sails to You

 

OOOEEE :D:D Bob and Phyl

[memory-minus]

Not to be rude but, quite frankly, a customer who books the lowest margin cabin categories, transfer to a TA (and the commission cost that comes with that) and has zero on-board spend is a customer I wouldn't want either, regardless of loyalty.

 

If X thinks they can replace customers like yourself with, say, customers like myself, middle-aged dual-income earners with no kids who only go on vacation once a year and, as a result, are much looser with the purse strings when it comes to suite upgrades, speciality dining, casino spend and shore excursions, which we absolutely are, why wouldn't they?

[Duanerice1]

I'm not going to say they don't value me as I really haven't seen anything that would dissuade me from staying with Celebrity. Decent price, good food, OK entertainment and nice cabin. That's about all I need.

 

But I do agree that we are not big money makers for them. We too hardly ever buy anything and rarely if ever drink. We do take the free champagne and the drinks during the Elite events but that is more than enough for us, actually for my wife as I don't drink. Heck, I can even put up with their coffee. We've been to one specialty restaurant in the last 6 years. Now my wife does like the casino but is a real low roller. Like you, anything off the ship is independent.

 

So other than the cruise fare we really do not spend anything. It is still an all inclusive to me. And know what, we still have a blast!

 

So I'm with you, I can see why they are trying to get some others on board but they aren't chasing me away.

[We're The Groupnors]

A little background. We are Elite Plus, and Celebrity has always been our line of choice. We sailed for 28 nights on Celebrity in the last 6 months. The only other ships we have sailed are RCL and that is mainly due to the proximity of Baltimore. We are in our mid 60s and very active.

 

Well, you would think that Celebrity would love us-but maybe not and maybe they are justified. We consider ourselves savvy and usually take advantage of special pricing or promotions. We always transfer our booking to a TA. Usually prefer ocean view, but are happy with an inside depending on pricing. Occasionally balcony if the price is great. We always research excursions and almost always go independent. Due to our status, we enjoy happy hour each evening and our bar bill otherwise is rarely over $20. Most of that is pop. I might risk $20 in casino-wife none. Never buy more than a few bucks worth at on board shops. Haven't bought photos since our first cruise many years ago. Usually go to specialty once per cruise if there is a "deal." We like my time dining and don't usually do much after dinner. Maybe listen to karaoke or a good entertainer such as Perry. Don't go to clubs and buy drinks often at all. Never use up all our obc.

 

So, although we are loyalists, we may not be making Celebrity happy. I suspect our profile is fairly common. People who love Celebrity but who don't spend a lot. Ironically, it seems that the more that people cruise, the more they learn how to minimize their costs through independent excursions, TAs, etc.

 

It has become obvious that Celebrity is trying to shift to a different demographic. As much as I like traditional Celebrity, I really can't blame them. I don't know if that is an economic necessity or if they are just trying to increase their profits. Many of us have commented that we hope they can attract new customers without radically changing what has drawn us to Celebrity to begin with. I think that is going to be very difficult. One area that has generated a lot of controversy is noise level. Most of us would at least grudgingly go along with loudness at the Martini bar and disco. But, it seems that they have discovered that the Martini bar is their biggest source of revenue and have concluded that they need to spread the party boat all over the ship. That, of course, irritates those who prefer a quiet atmosphere, and we have seen hundreds of posts on that topic alone.

 

It seems to me that they are probably justified in trying to attract new and younger customers and that they hope to do so without alienating the people who have built their business.

 

But, I also think they are really just trying to reinvent themselves and are not quite ready yet to risk losing their loyalists. We're sort of necessary evils.

 

I will still sail Celebrity-at least for now. But I no longer feel as wanted and valued as I once was. Maybe the fact that I have learned how to cruise economically has something to do with that. ;) Maybe we have gotten too smart for our own good.

 

Happy Sails to You

 

OOOEEE :D:D Bob and Phyl

 

We're a mix of your profile for spending, and the other poster's profile for age and the fact that we are childless double-income earners. I don't think Celebrity can afford to lose any of us! Like every other business it's easier to keep a client you have by treating them well, than to find a new one.

 

We'd be happy to sail with "your kind" any day! But can I have that extra OBC you aren't using?

[Jaddy]

A little background. We are Elite Plus, and Celebrity has always been our line of choice. We sailed for 28 nights on Celebrity in the last 6 months. The only other ships we have sailed are RCL and that is mainly due to the proximity of Baltimore. We are in our mid 60s and very active.

 

Well, you would think that Celebrity would love us-but maybe not and maybe they are justified. We consider ourselves savvy and usually take advantage of special pricing or promotions. We always transfer our booking to a TA. Usually prefer ocean view, but are happy with an inside depending on pricing. Occasionally balcony if the price is great. We always research excursions and almost always go independent. Due to our status, we enjoy happy hour each evening and our bar bill otherwise is rarely over $20. Most of that is pop. I might risk $20 in casino-wife none. Never buy more than a few bucks worth at on board shops. Haven't bought photos since our first cruise many years ago. Usually go to specialty once per cruise if there is a "deal." We like my time dining and don't usually do much after dinner. Maybe listen to karaoke or a good entertainer such as Perry. Don't go to clubs and buy drinks often at all. Never use up all our obc.

 

So, although we are loyalists, we may not be making Celebrity happy. I suspect our profile is fairly common. People who love Celebrity but who don't spend a lot. Ironically, it seems that the more that people cruise, the more they learn how to minimize their costs through independent excursions, TAs, etc.

 

It has become obvious that Celebrity is trying to shift to a different demographic. As much as I like traditional Celebrity, I really can't blame them. I don't know if that is an economic necessity or if they are just trying to increase their profits. Many of us have commented that we hope they can attract new customers without radically changing what has drawn us to Celebrity to begin with. I think that is going to be very difficult. One area that has generated a lot of controversy is noise level. Most of us would at least grudgingly go along with loudness at the Martini bar and disco. But, it seems that they have discovered that the Martini bar is their biggest source of revenue and have concluded that they need to spread the party boat all over the ship. That, of course, irritates those who prefer a quiet atmosphere, and we have seen hundreds of posts on that topic alone.

 

It seems to me that they are probably justified in trying to attract new and younger customers and that they hope to do so without alienating the people who have built their business.

 

But, I also think they are really just trying to reinvent themselves and are not quite ready yet to risk losing their loyalists. We're sort of necessary evils.

 

I will still sail Celebrity-at least for now. But I no longer feel as wanted and valued as I once was. Maybe the fact that I have learned how to cruise economically has something to do with that. ;) Maybe we have gotten too smart for our own good.

 

Happy Sails to You

 

OOOEEE :D:D Bob and Phyl

 

If I were you I wouldn't apologize for being a value shopper. Celebrity is in the business to make money and you are within your rights to take advantage of their pricing structure. If they figure out they can't make a buck from you they will develop a pricing strategy where they can. You can then decide whether to jump ship (pun intended).

 

Your complaint is about noise level. If it is too high you can't say that it is directed against you on the basis of your spending habits. I certainly don't have the number of cruises under my belt that many of you have, but we just got off the Equinox on Friday after an 11 day cruise. I suppose every cruise and every ship is a little different, but noise was never a problem for us and I am noise sensitive. My wife and I are 68. It sometimes got a little noisy in the pool area on at sea day, but there were plenty of seniors that seemed to be enjoying themselves poolside. We just stayed in the solarium area and there was virtually no adverse noise to contend with.

 

There was never any music playing in the Martini Bar. On the Equinox, the Martini Bar is immediately adjacent to an open atrium and there was music playing very often on 3 deck. By the time it got up to the deck where the Martini Bar is (gosh, I've already forgotten if it was on 4 or 5 deck) the music was muted and very enjoyable.

 

Sometimes when music was playing in our favorite bar and we didn't feel like music, we simply moved to another bar. There are 15 bars on the S class ships, after all.

 

So I say go out and have a blast! You are in control of your own destiny. When Celebrity doesn't want you any more, you will know it. That time is not now, thank God, since I am a value shopper, just like you.

[wvufan]

Not to be rude but, quite frankly, a customer who books the lowest margin cabin categories, transfer to a TA (and the commission cost that comes with that) and has zero on-board spend is a customer I wouldn't want either, regardless of loyalty.

 

If X thinks they can replace customers like yourself with, say, customers like myself, middle-aged dual-income earners with no kids who only go on vacation once a year and, as a result, are much looser with the purse strings when it comes to suite upgrades, speciality dining, casino spend and shore excursions, which we absolutely are, why wouldn't they?

 

That is basically my point and you essentially understood and agreed with what I was saying, but I was able to express that without putting down those who do economize.

 

Happy Sails to You

 

OOOEEE :D:D Bob and Phyl

[maxsales]

A little background. We are Elite Plus, and Celebrity has always been our line of choice. We sailed for 28 nights on Celebrity in the last 6 months. The only other ships we have sailed are RCL and that is mainly due to the proximity of Baltimore. We are in our mid 60s and very active.

 

Well, you would think that Celebrity would love us-but maybe not and maybe they are justified. We consider ourselves savvy and usually take advantage of special pricing or promotions. We always transfer our booking to a TA. Usually prefer ocean view, but are happy with an inside depending on pricing. Occasionally balcony if the price is great. We always research excursions and almost always go independent. Due to our status, we enjoy happy hour each evening and our bar bill otherwise is rarely over $20. Most of that is pop. I might risk $20 in casino-wife none. Never buy more than a few bucks worth at on board shops. Haven't bought photos since our first cruise many years ago. Usually go to specialty once per cruise if there is a "deal." We like my time dining and don't usually do much after dinner. Maybe listen to karaoke or a good entertainer such as Perry. Don't go to clubs and buy drinks often at all. Never use up all our obc.

 

So, although we are loyalists, we may not be making Celebrity happy. I suspect our profile is fairly common. People who love Celebrity but who don't spend a lot. Ironically, it seems that the more that people cruise, the more they learn how to minimize their costs through independent excursions, TAs, etc.

 

It has become obvious that Celebrity is trying to shift to a different demographic. As much as I like traditional Celebrity, I really can't blame them. I don't know if that is an economic necessity or if they are just trying to increase their profits. Many of us have commented that we hope they can attract new customers without radically changing what has drawn us to Celebrity to begin with. I think that is going to be very difficult. One area that has generated a lot of controversy is noise level. Most of us would at least grudgingly go along with loudness at the Martini bar and disco. But, it seems that they have discovered that the Martini bar is their biggest source of revenue and have concluded that they need to spread the party boat all over the ship. That, of course, irritates those who prefer a quiet atmosphere, and we have seen hundreds of posts on that topic alone.

 

It seems to me that they are probably justified in trying to attract new and younger customers and that they hope to do so without alienating the people who have built their business.

 

But, I also think they are really just trying to reinvent themselves and are not quite ready yet to risk losing their loyalists. We're sort of necessary evils.

 

I will still sail Celebrity-at least for now. But I no longer feel as wanted and valued as I once was. Maybe the fact that I have learned how to cruise economically has something to do with that. ;) Maybe we have gotten too smart for our own good.

 

Happy Sails to You

 

OOOEEE :D:D Bob and Phyl

 

They may not love you or hate you but I bet that you and similar cruisers are the reason for the recent Captains Club changes!

 

You state your loyalty to X then describe in detail every way possible that you avoid using Celebrity products and services. Everyone wants Celebrity to provide a great product basically for free. Somewhere in this equation it has to make sense for Celebrity the business.

Edited March 18, 2014 by maxsales

[constantcruiser]

Our on-board spending habits are similar to the OP's, although we don't transfer our bookings to a TA and prefer balcony cabins. And I can understand why X would want to attract customers who are willing to spend more money when they cruise.

 

But we "loyalists" are the best advertising Celebrity's money can buy. Everyone we meet knows we're frequent cruisers and asks for our recommendations. Even those who typically sail on other lines ask us about Celebrity. What's the difference? Does Celebrity have this or that?

 

Who doesn't give more credit to a personal recommendation than to a corporation's multi-million-dollar advertising campaign? Word of mouth can be any company's best friend or its worst enemy. And so can its long-time customers!

[DavidYYC]

Well your vacation sounds a bit joyless, but maybe thats just me.

 

We (decent-income, empty nesters) like to have fun on our vacation, without turning over every penny twice. We book the much maligned CC because we like the little perks. We buy a booze package so we can relax and order what we want. We purchase in the shops if there is something we like there. Do ship-organised excursions because its easy. Go to Bingo. Tip generously. Buy pictures because they are a fun memento. Enjoy the Speciality restaurants.

 

IMO my vacation is not a competition between Celebrity and I to see who can extract the most money, or save the most money. I don't care what Celebrity things of my demographic. I cruse to enjoy myself, not fret about corporate politics and planning.

 

Funnily enough - this is our 4th cruise with CCL and I have zero clue as to what or any status I have - so I obviously a Cruise Critic weirdo - and thats just fine.

[patty1955]

OP could be speaking for us with with few exceptions. We book our excursions through Celebrity and prefer balcony cabins. We too have learned to spend less and less each cruise. Our last cruise we came home with a credit. We certainly understand that Celebrity might be more interested in younger people who might be more inclined to spend money. Why would Celebrity be interested in us? Maybe because over the years we have talked several couples to take up cruising as their preferred vacation. We praise Celebrity whenever given a chance.

We are their best publicity and I'll bet most of Celebrity current regulars are too.

[wvufan]

If I were you I wouldn't apologize for being a value shopper. Celebrity is in the business to make money and you are within your rights to take advantage of their pricing structure. If they figure out they can't make a buck from you they will develop a pricing strategy where they can. You can then decide whether to jump ship (pun intended).

 

Your complaint is about noise level. If it is too high you can't say that it is directed against you on the basis of your spending habits. I certainly don't have the number of cruises under my belt that many of you have, but we just got off the Equinox on Friday after an 11 day cruise. I suppose every cruise and every ship is a little different, but noise was never a problem for us and I am noise sensitive. My wife and I are 68. It sometimes got a little noisy in the pool area on at sea day, but there were plenty of seniors that seemed to be enjoying themselves poolside. We just stayed in the solarium area and there was virtually no adverse noise to contend with.

 

There was never any music playing in the Martini Bar. On the Equinox, the Martini Bar is immediately adjacent to an open atrium and there was music playing very often on 3 deck. By the time it got up to the deck where the Martini Bar is (gosh, I've already forgotten if it was on 4 or 5 deck) the music was muted and very enjoyable.

 

Sometimes when music was playing in our favorite bar and we didn't feel like music, we simply moved to another bar. There are 15 bars on the S class ships, after all.

 

So I say go out and have a blast! You are in control of your own destiny. When Celebrity doesn't want you any more, you will know it. That time is not now, thank God, since I am a value shopper, just like you.

 

I wish I hadn't mentioned the noise level :eek: There have been way too many posts on that. I only referred to it as an example of how a shift in emphasis, presumable to appeal to a different demographic, has created dissention and controversy.

 

Maxsales, I am not intending to start a heated thread or asking for a lecture. I am simply stating that many of us long time Celebrity customers do not feed their profit margin and that they may be right in not worrying if they lose us. I don't avoid using Celebrity products and services as a matter of policy-I simply find better value elsewhere. For example, their excursions are typically overpriced, overcrowded, and more susceptible to cancellations. Maybe the solution is for Celebrity to make their products and services more appealing so that more people would use them. Not sure what you meant about Captain's Club changes and "people like you." On our last Celebrity sailing, which was on the Eclipse, there were 16 of us sailing together in cabins ranging from insides to suites. All were at least Elite. We all ate at QSine one night and many at a specialty on another night. None of us took a ship tour. It's not about spending money-it's about spending money wisely.

 

Happy Sails to You

 

OOOEEE :D:D Bob and Phyl

[welshfamily]

I don't usually bother replying to these sort of posts as we are happy to sail with Celebrity and usually come off the ship either having booked our next cruise or certainly intending to book soon, however Celebrity will this year be making less money from us.

We travel AQ, are willing to pay for cabin location therefore usually an A1 midship, would buy a AQ suite if they were on ships other than the reflections and always have up to 4 cabins. We buy premium non alcoholic drinks packages and prefer to buy good bottles of wine with dinner. We certainly come away with quite a large onboard bill even discounting our pre dinner drinks in Michael's club.

This year we ware anticipating our smallest bill ever......why .....because this year UK passengers have the 123 go offer. We will have hardly any bar bill , no gratuities bill and will only have any onboard shopping to pay and extra laundry.

 

To be fair, we do a mixture of independent and Celebrity excursions but we always pay in advance.

Captains Club has changed its point system, this again is good for us as we tend to do at least 12 day cruises and we are now getting points which match our spending.

We aren't Elite plus yet but I think we are worth keeping and I haven't seen anything from Celebrity which has suggested we are not.

Please don't think I am being rude as this is not my intention, neither am I a Celebrity cheerleader, I am however an informed adult who chooses a holiday based on the given facts when I book. I am looking forward to our next cruise and realise that I am fortunate to be able to afford it. Every business needs to evolve in order to keep its market share.

[ohiorob63]

A little background. We are Elite Plus, and Celebrity has always been our line of choice. We sailed for 28 nights on Celebrity in the last 6 months. The only other ships we have sailed are RCL and that is mainly due to the proximity of Baltimore. We are in our mid 60s and very active.

 

Well, you would think that Celebrity would love us-but maybe not and maybe they are justified. We consider ourselves savvy and usually take advantage of special pricing or promotions. We always transfer our booking to a TA. Usually prefer ocean view, but are happy with an inside depending on pricing. Occasionally balcony if the price is great. We always research excursions and almost always go independent. Due to our status, we enjoy happy hour each evening and our bar bill otherwise is rarely over $20. Most of that is pop. I might risk $20 in casino-wife none. Never buy more than a few bucks worth at on board shops. Haven't bought photos since our first cruise many years ago. Usually go to specialty once per cruise if there is a "deal." We like my time dining and don't usually do much after dinner. Maybe listen to karaoke or a good entertainer such as Perry. Don't go to clubs and buy drinks often at all. Never use up all our obc.

 

So, although we are loyalists, we may not be making Celebrity happy. I suspect our profile is fairly common. People who love Celebrity but who don't spend a lot. Ironically, it seems that the more that people cruise, the more they learn how to minimize their costs through independent excursions, TAs, etc.

 

It has become obvious that Celebrity is trying to shift to a different demographic. As much as I like traditional Celebrity, I really can't blame them. I don't know if that is an economic necessity or if they are just trying to increase their profits. Many of us have commented that we hope they can attract new customers without radically changing what has drawn us to Celebrity to begin with. I think that is going to be very difficult. One area that has generated a lot of controversy is noise level. Most of us would at least grudgingly go along with loudness at the Martini bar and disco. But, it seems that they have discovered that the Martini bar is their biggest source of revenue and have concluded that they need to spread the party boat all over the ship. That, of course, irritates those who prefer a quiet atmosphere, and we have seen hundreds of posts on that topic alone.

 

It seems to me that they are probably justified in trying to attract new and younger customers and that they hope to do so without alienating the people who have built their business.

 

But, I also think they are really just trying to reinvent themselves and are not quite ready yet to risk losing their loyalists. We're sort of necessary evils.

 

I will still sail Celebrity-at least for now. But I no longer feel as wanted and valued as I once was. Maybe the fact that I have learned how to cruise economically has something to do with that. ;) Maybe we have gotten too smart for our own good.

 

Happy Sails to You

 

OOOEEE :D:D Bob and Phyl

 

Thank you for your post. I agree with you 100%.

[shipshape sam]

I agree that Celebrity has to be looking and think they have slotted their passengers/customers for years.

 

We prefer Celebrity (all things equal)

 

We do donate money to casino (entertainment fee donation)

We do buy in cabin liquor package

We do eat 1-3 times in speciality restaurants depending on cruise length

We do book a balance between ship excursions and private excursions

We do buy in shops if there IS something we like

We do like balconies and CC category, but with price creep, will look at OV and Inside cabins

We do like the bars and do run up a tab over the length of cruise

 

Any smart company will capture info about repeat customers and try to encourage/reward repeat cruisers and do so by a number of perks. Are we more profitable to them vs a first timer or a suite guest? Maybe not, but I think the marketing costs besides perks are much less to get us over hump and to try Celebrity.

 

They could save all their print/TV/internet $ spent for me. I cannot say any ad from any source has moved me to book a cruise and then book the cruise with Celebrity. May not be true for other repeat cruisers though.

 

OP is correct that they may make a decision to look for more profits somewhere else, but then they also have to calculate the cost to hopefully get those profits.

 

I worked for a company that acquired us and learned after being acquired, some of the calculations used to come up with purchase price offer. One was how many customers would leave once they were the new owners and how long over time would it take. They factored it is to their offer price. I KNOW celebrity has smart people doing similar analysis. Whether they act on the analysis is different.

 

I am onboard with Celebrity. When they and I don't agree enough in the future, I will sail on another companies ship OR not sail at all if I do not find a good fit. We have been taking more land based trips/vacations lately anyway because of our grandkids.

Edited March 18, 2014 by shipshape sam

[MJB1437]

Don't want to add fuel to the fire, but as a fairly regular older cruiser, I would be willing to buy more on board if they didn't still have the stuff that I've already bought on my previous cruises. Haven't seen new stuff in a while.

Myrna

[AZ Stan (FKA Stan in Chicago)]

Bob and Phyl,

 

We agree with most of your feelings, and spend just a little while on board. We do prefer a nice balcony cabin, but are willing to spend more for that luxury.

 

As far as booze goes, we drink little. As Elite pax, the happy hour drinks are more than enough, and have little need for more, but will pop for a few diet cokes along the way.

 

Ships excursions are expensive for what you get, and we have learned to plan activities ashore without the cruise lines markups.

 

We do understand that onboard revenue is extremely important, and the profitability of any cruise is largely dependendent on how much onboard revenue is produced. Cruiselines work very hard to fill every cabin on a ship, simply because they can collect more onboard revenue.

 

If all of us did not drink, buy souvenirs, purchase photos, go on ship's excursions, etc. the cruise prices would be higher. Many years ago, and I go back a whole bunch, cruise lines didn't make much money besides the cruise fare, drinks were dirt cheap, excursions were reasonably priced, and there were much fewer ways to spend money onboard. But comparing fares in constant dollars, the cruise fares back then were MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE!

 

And yes, lots of folks ask about our favorite cruise line. I hope all of those folks will sail on our favorites, and spend lots of money onboard. It will keep our fares lower.

 

Thanks for reading.

 

Stan

[Stateroom_Sailor]

We're in our mid 30's, budget cruisers (or at least moving in that direction... won't talk about our first cruise :eek:). In February on RCL, we spent $200 on board, $40 in the casino, $600 5 pieces of art, all excursions through the cruise line, $100 in port that would generate a commission. In North America, I would rather do private excursions unless the price is the same. Inside or OV, unless the balcony is cheap, same as OP.

 

We're sailing our first Celebrity cruise in August, and chose it's "quiet" ambiance to match the Alaskan scenery. Adding fun ship elements is not what I would do, at least not to the extent where it alters the experience or atmosphere. Why not downsize the focus on Celebrity, have it be Royal's Holland America, and create a 3rd Premium Line? There's probably plenty of demand for cruising to be redefined with a fun/relaxing hybrid line.

[ghstudio]

One of the most important reasons Celebrity should care was mentioned, but glossed over here IMHO.....that's word of mouth advertising. We have been responsible for at least 8 couples booking multiple celebrity cruises...even though we are pretty similar to the OP....we do book Aqua most of the time, although our next cruise will be concierge because we're just tired of the unchanging blu menu. That doesn't mean that I don't recommend Aqua...I do unless you've been on multiple cruises like us. The advertising value should make us valuable and I almost think that Celebrity has figured out that they may have gone too far trying to appeal to the "young affluent" who aren't swarming to fill their ships....and remember they have to board over 800,000 people a year to fill their ships.l

 

I think the music situation is now in hand...and understood by Celebrity HQ. I do wish they would focus a bit on food quality and bring back some of the service....I think they've cut back too much to continue to use the word "luxury" in their tag line.

 

We're now booking on other cruise lines as well...,partially because of the change in Celebrity and partially because we're not finding new exciting cruises...I had hopes for the Century, but fear that they will be dismantling it all the way to Rome with a crew that knows it's end of job for them.

 

So I don't think we're forgotten but I'm hopeful that some of that focus on the new younger high spender has noticed that their base of customers isn't quite there....and there are all those cabins to fill....,

[cbr663]

I think that the OP has hit on what has become an unfortunate fact of cruising today - the mainstream cruise lines are not making any profits on selling passenger tickets. Profits are now revenue that is generated on the ship. The key for the cruise line is to attract the passengers that will spend money on the ships.

[teecee60]

Well, you would think that Celebrity would love us-but maybe not and maybe they are justified. We consider ourselves savvy and usually take advantage of special pricing or promotions. We always transfer our booking to a TA. Usually prefer ocean view, but are happy with an inside depending on pricing. Occasionally balcony if the price is great. We always research excursions and almost always go independent. Due to our status, we enjoy happy hour each evening and our bar bill otherwise is rarely over $20. Most of that is pop. I might risk $20 in casino-wife none. Never buy more than a few bucks worth at on board shops. Haven't bought photos since our first cruise many years ago. Usually go to specialty once per cruise if there is a "deal." We like my time dining and don't usually do much after dinner. Maybe listen to karaoke or a good entertainer such as Perry. Don't go to clubs and buy drinks often at all. Never use up all our obc.

 

So, although we are loyalists, we may not be making Celebrity happy. I suspect our profile is fairly common. People who love Celebrity but who don't spend a lot. Ironically, it seems that the more that people cruise, the more they learn how to minimize their costs through independent excursions, TAs, etc.

 

It has become obvious that Celebrity is trying to shift to a different demographic. As much as I like traditional Celebrity, I really can't blame them. I don't know if that is an economic necessity or if they are just trying to increase their profits. Many of us have commented that we hope they can attract new customers without radically changing what has drawn us to Celebrity to begin with. I think that is going to be very difficult. One area that has generated a lot of controversy is noise level. Most of us would at least grudgingly go along with loudness at the Martini bar and disco. But, it seems that they have discovered that the Martini bar is their biggest source of revenue and have concluded that they need to spread the party boat all over the ship. That, of course, irritates those who prefer a quiet atmosphere, and we have seen hundreds of posts on that topic alone.

 

It seems to me that they are probably justified in trying to attract new and younger customers and that they hope to do so without alienating the people who have built their business.

 

But, I also think they are really just trying to reinvent themselves and are not quite ready yet to risk losing their loyalists. We're sort of necessary evils.

 

I will still sail Celebrity-at least for now. But I no longer feel as wanted and valued as I once was. Maybe the fact that I have learned how to cruise economically has something to do with that. ;) Maybe we have gotten too smart for our own good.

 

 

I understand and agree with all of your points...except for the last one.

 

I really couldn't possibly care any less, if Celebrity "wants" or "values" me.

 

I want and value THEM! :)

 

Bob and Phyl,

 

We agree with most of your feelings, and spend just a little while on board.

 

As far as booze goes, we drink little. As Elite pax, the happy hour drinks are more than enough, and have little need for more, but will pop for a few diet cokes along the way.

 

Cruiselines work very hard to fill every cabin on a ship, simply because they can collect more onboard revenue.

 

But comparing fares in constant dollars, the cruise fares back then were MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE!

 

And yes, lots of folks ask about our favorite cruise line. I hope all of those folks will sail on our favorites, and spend lots of money onboard. It will keep our fares lower.

 

Stan

 

I agree COMPLETELY and am VERY supportive of those who book CC/AQ and suites! ;)

 

I am newly "ELITE" on Celebrity (5 cruises covering 73 days) and my total cost for ALL FIVE cruises is less than what some wonderful person spent to book a single 10 day cruise in a Penthouse Suite! :eek:

 

I will continue to THOROUGHLY enjoy my "joyless" Celebrity cruises for $40/day! :D

Edited March 18, 2014 by teecee60

[buzzybuzzbuzz]

Perhaps people would take ships excursions if they were a reasonable price, we were offered a trip to Rome for $220 and did exactly the same itinerary independently for 25 Euros.

 

Everyone needs to make a profit but that is profiteering IMHO.

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

[Dunelm]

Thanks for your honesty, WUVFAN! I am glad to read that so many people on board Celebrity ships have such diverse needs and spending habits. I think that is a healthy phenomenon. I imagine that those cruisers who spend less on each cruise simply cruise a lot more than those who are younger, need to work, perhaps have more disposable income, and have less time. So, essentially, all passengers are keeping the ships afloat. Hurrah!

[turning46]

You can only be "run off" if you allow it to be so. I honestly don't see how your habits correspond to the changes that you perceive as designed to run you off. What changes correlate to booking a less expensive cabin, or not taking ship excursions?

 

I just don't see it. Unless you are using your characteristics as proxy for "older" and the changes you see (which are what, exactly, besides teh volume of music which you say you wish you hadn't brought up) as proxy for "younger"? I think there are LOT of older folks with wallets that are much looser than they were when they had young families to raise and there are a lot of younger people who sail frugally (by choice or by necessity).

[patty1955]

I think there are LOT of older folks with wallets that are much looser than they were when they had young families to raise and there are a lot of younger people who sail frugally (by choice or by necessity).

When I had kids at home, I couldn't afford to cruise. A couple of years ago, my daughter asked why we didn't do these fun things when they were at home. I just gave her the "mom look"

[NJ Fred]

If the OP chooses to spend modestly - so what? Where in the contract of passage does it mandate any expenditures above and beyond the cruise fare?

 

The OP is an "X" loyalist. It is the OP, and many like him/her who funded Celebrity's growth. And while that doesn't mean Mr. Bayley should name a lounge after him, it does muster the good business sense that a few others allude to - protect your core customer base.

 

The love affair here is with cruising. The love affair here is spending time on a ship at a price and pace and ambiance that is appealing for many reasons.

 

Cruising is no longer the bailiwick of family-owned steamship lines. Today's cruise lines are, mostly, owned by conglomerates. Service has fallen to the underling to spreadsheets. Bean counters seem more important than the ship's master.

 

I, too, am a Celebrity aficionado with two lengthy (and pricey) voyages booked for this year alone. However, I spend as I choose on what I choose - not caring about whose business model I please or offend.

 

If they don't like the final total on your shipboard account do you really care? If you choose an independent tour instead of a ship-sponsored tour do you really care? If you patronize an on-land store not on the ships; "preferred shops" list do you really care?

 

To the OP: keep doing what is right for you. Like me and every other passenger you are merely a source of revenue to Celebrity or whatever other line you might come to sail.

 

And half a loaf always has and always be better than no loaf at all. Even to "X."

 

Smooth Sailing to All!

Edited March 18, 2014 by NJ Fred