Celebrity Cruises, what will it be like in 3 years?

[wpgcycler]

Too many accidents created by free liquor resulting in bad PR

 

1. Nothing's free.

 

2. All inclusive resorts have been around for eons without such issues. Are you saying cruisers are irresponsible?

[wpgcycler]

I'm from the tail end of the boom (1958). I don't agree with much of what you think I want.

 

Celebrity would be insane not to target the Baby Boomer market. It's strange that some of the recent rumoured changes seem focussed on other demographics. At the moment I think Celebrity are a perfect fit for child-free Boomers and once they realise this I expect to see:

 

* More classic rock, disco and possible 80's music. Boomers love nostalgia. No thanks - cutting edge for me, but I'll settle for newer mainstream.

* The retention of free activities such as trivia. Boomers love free stuff. Not interested.

* Standard drinks packages included in price. Boomers love to drink (in moderation). Thank you - like.

* Celebrity will make their money from drink package upgrades. Boomers love cocktails I will upgrade - every time.

* More focus on selling health, beauty and anti-ageing related services. Boomers are getting old. No deal - I AM getting old, cruising WON'T change that.

* Fewer, older and more laid-back activities staff. Boomers hate those young over-enthusiastic whippersnappers. Who are the activities staff? I want a cruise, not a summer camp.

* More gay entertainers. Boomers love gays Fail. I love good entertainers - I don't care who they love.

[NLH Arizona]

I'm from the tail end of the boom (1958). I don't agree with much of what you think I want.

I think that people generalize (like the poster did) that all baby boomers like the same things and they forget that the baby boomers go from age 50 to 68.

[marco]

No just Celebrity, but all cruise lines don't and won't raise prices. They want to attract more "newbies' and low prices attract them. I posted this a while back, but..... I have a LOT of cruise memorabilia up in the attic. I was going through some stuff on a rainy day and came across an old cruise ticket. At the time, was from a cruise 30 years prior and we were gettin ready to go on a cruise in a couple of months. Both were winter Caribbean cruises, same number of days, same cabin category. The price difference was THIRTY DOLLARS!!!!!!! What else has pretty much not changed in price over the past 30 years? To keep the prices where they are they have to cut back things that there was no charge for, as well as staff, food and amenities and add as many revenue producing things they can think of. And it's going to be more and more of this in the coming years. As an aside.....I also found a bar guide from that cruise 30 years ago. A mixed drink was $1.10 and an after dinner liquore was 65 cents! The base price of the cruise hadn't changed over the 30 years, but the drink prices sure have! Like I said....on board revenue producing is the name of the game, now.

[We're The Groupnors]

We are now 60, and sailed X the first time in 1993 at 39. Yes we have seen changes to the product, some we think are OK, some not quite to our line of thinking. But none enought off base to make us quit sailing with Celebrity.

 

If our sailing on the Reflection last Nov was an indication of the direction X is going, we like it, and will continue to look first at booking with Celebrity.

 

Amen to that! We are in our mid-40's, but have been cruising X for many years, and even with the changes their product still fits our likes and dislikes better than the other lines we've tried. We've never been much for trivia, Zumba, etc. Just give us a balcony, a gym, good MDR food and staff, and access to some interesting ports and we're all set. What will X be for us in 3 years? A vacation we can afford, and which provides us with a needed break at good value for the things we like to do.

[USVI-4-me]

Hi Marisa;

You are describing the Reflection Suite that's about $35000 per week on average.There is a market for this since it books very quickly.

 

Build more. If one is empty Celebrity can use it as a Zenith Lounge with Butler Service.

 

I was posting as I recall the pleasure of staying in 2bed/2bath timeshares.

We've never booked a Celebrity Suite. $35,000 is over budget for us.

 

Do any other Celebrity Suites have 2 bathrooms? Or 1 and a half bathrooms?

Is there a wet bar in the living room of some Suites?

 

-Marisa

[Ma Bell]

Build more. If one is empty Celebrity can use it as a Zenith Lounge with Butler Service.

 

I was posting as I recall the pleasure of staying in 2bed/2bath timeshares.

We've never booked a Celebrity Suite. $35,000 is over budget for us.

 

Do any other Celebrity Suites have 2 bathrooms? Or 1 and a half bathrooms?

Is there a wet bar in the living room of some Suites?

 

-Marisa

 

Penthouse has two and Royal one and a half on Solstice Class. Both have wet bars.

[USVI-4-me]

Penthouse has two and Royal one and a half on Solstice Class. Both have wet bars.

 

Add sinks and/or bathrooms to other suites on new builds.

In 3 years, more convenience will attract higher end bookings.

 

Thank you Ma Bell.

 

-Marisa

[RDC1]

I think that Celebrity will be following a Las Vegas resort approach. They will have multiple dining venues, multiple lounges, a main show, and the casino. Nighttime entertainment will be focused on the lounges and the main show. The historic cruise style entertainment such as trivia will fade away. During the day you will have the pool area, spa and the ports. Very similar to the Las Vegas Casino Resort model (except for the ports). In such a model revenue focus on the high roller (suites) with VIP enhancements at a price. Low enough rates on interior and lower verandas to keep the ship full. I think you will see their investments and changes move in this direction.

 

With changes in this direction you might see some of the drink packages get included in the cabin rates (with a corresponding increase in those rates). The current incentives may be as much of a test run as an incentive to fill cabins.

Edited April 30, 2014 by RDC1

[Ma Bell]

I guess I'll just go to Las Vegas then because they do that much better. I spend plenty of time there but when the cruise experience becomes the same as the Las Vegas experience, I'll be making my traveling trips on land.

Edited April 30, 2014 by Ma Bell

[RDC1]

I guess I'll just go to Las Vegas then because they do that much better. I spend plenty of time there but when the cruise experience becomes the same as the Las Vegas experience, I'll be making my traveling trips on land.

 

Yes, but Las Vegas doesn't move around between different ports. I think a lot of people would go for a Vegas resort type experience that is not stuck in Vegas. Not my first choice, but when I was recently on the Solstice that is the comparison that first came to mind.

[Ma Bell]

When there's nothing to do on the ship except the pool and spa, I'll be gone. It would be interesting to see the lounge chair fights then.

 

Realistically, they have to have a variety of things for people to do on a cruise ship because they can't get off and go somewhere else.

 

I'm well aware of the joys of cruising. Then again, I'm one of the old dogs who started cruising in 1973 but can probably still run rings around most of the "young" people.

Edited May 1, 2014 by Ma Bell

[shipshape sam]

In general there will be more class/category public segregation based on either fees for specific products/services or as part of the cruise fee paid. It will be promoted on the concept of choice/options.

 

As long as I am not charged to view the sun and water and enjoy the breeze, I think I can adjust. Might be willing to pay an extra fee to view the ship's wake.

[WALKER1313]

Nothing will been different in five years, just like nothing has changed in the last five years.:rolleyes: Cruise and Enjoy...

[RubySohoPDX]

Yes, but Las Vegas doesn't move around between different ports. I think a lot of people would go for a Vegas resort type experience that is not stuck in Vegas. Not my first choice, but when I was recently on the Solstice that is the comparison that first came to mind.

 

This topic and comparison was just too perfect, I had to chime in as my first post.

 

I am 24 and my husband is 27, so we're that perfect millennial demographic. I grew up going to Vegas and introduced my husband to the wonders of Vegas about 4 years ago and has essentially been our go-to vacation option. However, this August we are taking our first cruise ever and are already planning on booking a Caribbean cruise for December to replace our yearly trip to Vegas. I believe when I was speaking with him about it, I said something along the lines of "cruising seems just like Vegas, but the ships will take us to magical lands!" For the first time since I can remember, I do not currently have a trip to Vegas planned...but have 2 cruises on the calendar.

 

So, while I am not familiar with the golden cruising days, if the companies (or even Celebrity in particular) are taking their notes from Vegas, I'm all in.

[gek]

[quote name='NLH Arizona']I think that people generalize (like the poster did) that all baby boomers like the same things and they forget that the baby boomers go from age 50 to 68.[/QUOTE]

I guess I should have whacked a big smiley face at the end. Boomers take tongue-in-cheek comments far too seriously........

:).....almost forgot it

[wallie5446]

[quote name='RubySohoPDX']This topic and comparison was just too perfect, I had to chime in as my first post.

I am 24 and my husband is 27, so we're that perfect millennial demographic. I grew up going to Vegas and introduced my husband to the wonders of Vegas about 4 years ago and has essentially been our go-to vacation option. However, this August we are taking our first cruise ever and are already planning on booking a Caribbean cruise for December to replace our yearly trip to Vegas. I believe when I was speaking with him about it, I said something along the lines of "cruising seems just like Vegas, but the ships will take us to magical lands!" For the first time since I can remember, I do not currently have a trip to Vegas planned...but have 2 cruises on the calendar.

So, while I am not familiar with the golden cruising days, if the companies (or even Celebrity in particular) are taking their notes from Vegas, I'm all in.[/QUOTE]

Nice outlook. Welcome to Cruise Critic!
Ya do know you will be faced with some more very hard decisions in the future, right? Which ship and line to try next!:D

[LilMsFoodie]

in complete agreement with the red comments. I'm the oldest boomer. Edited May 1, 2014 by LilMsFoodie
forgot something

[AZ ParrotHead]

[quote name='gek']Celebrity would be insane not to target the Baby Boomer market. It's strange that some of the recent rumoured changes seem focussed on other demographics. At the moment I think Celebrity are a perfect fit for child-free Boomers and once they realise this I expect to see:



* More classic rock, disco and possible 80's music. Boomers love nostalgia.

* The retention of free activities such as trivia. Boomers love free stuff.

* Standard drinks packages included in price. Boomers love to drink (in moderation).

* Celebrity will make their money from drink package upgrades. Boomers love cocktails

* More focus on selling health, beauty and anti-ageing related services. Boomers are getting old.

* Fewer, older and more laid-back activities staff. Boomers hate those young over-enthusiastic whippersnappers.

* More gay entertainers. Boomers love gays[/QUOTE]


Mods--please delete and censor the poster as this is a clear violation of cruise critic's posting rules


Sent from my iPad using Forums

[aquaclass]

First I want to say that “change” is a reality in the cruise industry as well as every other industry. While some might say they long for the “good old days” of cruising, my guess is they are not longing for the cruising industry of the Love Boat, spending $$$$ to take a cruise, and having almost no choices. The industry will continue to evolve.

I will try to give input in a different way. In the cruise industry (3 years) future I see ……..

1. Celebrity looks to market to “first time” and younger demographic. If Celebrity has a “modern luxury” product and delivers, then there will continue to be “repeat” customers …… getting the new customers will be the challenge and where the emphasis will continue to be. This of course if already the case but will become more so with success.

2. Better internet and cell phone connections – If Celebrity is looking to increase its share to include first time and non-traditional cruisers, they will realize that increasingly vacations have become “working” vacations in the sense of at least keeping up with email, and being connected with family via FB etc. Internet will have to become faster.

3. More emphasis on Global traveling. New countries, new ports, new markets. As I look into my “crystal ball” I can see Celebrity with an “African home port”. How interesting would it be to take a 10-14 day cruise with “excursions” which were really “day safaris”. I would say the same for additional far-east, and middle east cruises

4. More bookings of cabins in the 90 days prior to departure. Gone are the days of booking a cruise a year out. This is both good and bad. It is more difficult to plan for operations 8 months out, yet it is easier to sell cabins at the last minute and virtually ensure nearly every cruise to be over 100% capacity.

4. My guess if we have all seen the show on cable travel channels on “The World” or “ResidenSea” (I am not sure if those are the right names) where permanent residences are set up on a ship ….. or a floating city …….. or said another way “a floating country”. Many ships today are not subject to national laws when it comes to minimum wage, taxes, gambling, etc.

How far will the industry push this idea of being “outside the law” while in international waters? Will ships begin to offer a small outdoor “smoking” area complete with an assortment of marijuana brand cigarettes? How about a late night bar or late night “spa” with a variety of “adult entertainment”? How about a pharmacy on board where someone could purchase just about anything?

[patty1955]

[quote name='aquaclass']

2. Better internet and cell phone connections – If Celebrity is looking to increase its share to include first time and non-traditional cruisers, they will realize that increasingly vacations have become “working” vacations in the sense of at least keeping up with email, and being connected with family via FB etc. Internet will have to become faster.[/quote]
Forget the working vacation aspect, people sometime want to be connected because they like it. I NEVER work on vacation but I do want to read my email, see local news, etc. And I'm an older woman! Some younger people are connected 24/7 and can't imagine anything else. They wouldn't book a cruise unless they were sure to have their connections.

[boingy300]

I'm never in my room and thought Vegas was the absolute disappointment and the armpit of society (Sorry as I'm sure that's offensive to some! I will never return- jmho). If we trend in either of these directions- I'm out. Looking for a floating hotel- cool, unique ports and to learn as I go. I don't need a cheap cruise and am willing to pay for my education and adventure. If the ship is the adventure (Like Oasis on a transatlantic...cool) or if the place is the adventure (like a small ship that doesn't overwhelm an island) I would like that. But blinky lights, drunks, hard selling(Tag Hauer chicks in the promenade get away from me!) and noise? I'll just go to Vegas (or not).
Karen

[shipshape sam]

It will be a shame if cruise lines conform to land based vacations. They have a unique product and opportunity to be different.

[gek]

[quote name='AZ ParrotHead']Mods--please delete and censor the poster as this is a clear violation of cruise critic's posting rules


Sent from my iPad using Forums[/QUOTE]

Huh?

I'll just assume you either haven't worked out that my post was a joke or that you forgot to add the smiley face to that post.

:) Edited May 2, 2014 by gek

[PinotBlanc]

Copy more of what works on the other cruise lines.

Fun with flights: wine, martini, beer, margarita, pina coladas, mixed samplings, tequila shots, rum shots, and more.

Penny