Celebrity Sostice Concierge vs. Elite question

[Orator]

I have spoken to suite guests a couple of years ago (while at the evening coctail event who were given the whte Elite card for their cruise. First time on Celebrity. I don't think this happens often but when the exceptions are made normally we are just not aware of it. You would only know if they post or if you are chatting with them and it comes up.

 

The Suite guests must have been in a top Suite. Now they are basically Zenith for the length of the cruise I know a Celebrity top cruiser who was greeted when they boarded Oasis and given higher tier benefits. This is pretty standard practice as you are trying to target them. I was once at a Captain's Table with a couple who were friends of the RCL CEO. They had a card, not white, that said VIP. They were given all Elite benefits although this was their first Celebrity cruise. This extra treatment is rare and I would bet that the OP, unless a heavy cruiser on another line or has a friend high up in Corporate was not offered Elite benefits. If they were is VIP they would most likely receive Zenith benefits. The Zenith card is black and says "Zenith" in place of the cabin category.

[Lois R]

Cruisenut is correct, this comes up everyonce in awhile and receives pretty much the same reaction as it has this time. I can see them doing it for one of the higher suites but not a Concierge cabin. I suspect it is one of the three reasons Orator gave. If it is true, find me that TA.

 

Hi Don, I remember reading about it on here....had to be a few years

back. I thought it was some sort of promo being run and recall

people saying they had Elite perks for their particular cruise. I could

be wrong of course:rolleyes:...but I do remember reading about it.

[dkjretired]

Hi Don, I remember reading about it on here....had to be a few years

back. I thought it was some sort of promo being run and recall

people saying they had Elite perks for their particular cruise. I could

be wrong of course:rolleyes:...but I do remember reading about it.

 

Hi Lois:

 

I would bet that this happens more often than is reported on Cruise Critic, probably every ship and every cruise, we just don't hear about it.

[dz9yvr]

Can the post a cabin number so we can determine if the upgraded you to Aqua Class? Please check with your TA top confirm youer cabin.

[PSCruiser]

Unless verified by actually getting the Elite benefits while on the cruise, I'm guessing all these posts are due to a TA that doesn't properly understand the nomenclature used by Celebrity, most probably a confusion of "Elite" and "Aqua".

From a TA benefit standpoint, the first makes no sense, then second perfect sense. I think that certain priviledges allowed to some suite guests, like entry for evening cocktails, happens on the ship based on number of Elites sailing, and is a different animal.

[dkjretired]

Unless verified by actually getting the Elite benefits while on the cruise, I'm guessing all these posts are due to a TA that doesn't properly understand the nomenclature used by Celebrity, most probably a confusion of "Elite" and "Aqua".

From a TA benefit standpoint, the first makes no sense, then second perfect sense. I think that certain priviledges allowed to some suite guests, like entry for evening cocktails, happens on the ship based on number of Elites sailing, and is a different animal.

 

I would agree with you except this has been reported in the past.

[TeaBag]

I agree with Cruisenut (I hope he finds the thread) and others. This does happen. I have also read where people get invited to the Captains table on a first cruise while in a regular cabin. There was a couple at the table the night we were there and it was their first time on Celebrity. They were not in a suite. It creates an awesome first impression!

[C 2 C]

I would agree with you except this has been reported in the past.

 

I remember reading about it on here....had to be a few years

back. I thought it was some sort of promo being run and recall

people saying they had Elite perks for their particular cruise. I could

be wrong of course...but I do remember reading about it.

 

I did a number of searches but I could not find the link.

 

It's horrible when newbies question our failing memories. ;)

[Lois R]

I did a number of searches but I could not find the link.

 

It's horrible when newbies question our failing memories. ;)

 

Arno, it is the infamous CRS syndrome:eek:....but I do know the topic

has been "discussed" over the years.....;)

[WestLakeGirl]

Yes, TA's sometimes tell passengers information which is simply not true. I met a couple who were told that they had to book a certain deck in order to be able to arrange for babysitting. Another family were told that they could open the windows of their ocean view rooms. However, it isn't unheard of that first time cruisers get some special benefits, even invitations to the Officers Table

[Christine Frances]

Arno, it is the infamous CRS syndrome:eek:....but I do know the topic

has been "discussed" over the years.....;)

 

Here is one but I know there is more lol

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=29656427&highlight=suite+elite#post29656427

[Lois R]

Here is one but I know there is more lol

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=29656427&highlight=suite+elite#post29656427

 

From 2011......so 3 years ago. I knew there was something;)

[dkjretired]

From 2011......so 3 years ago. I knew there was something;)

 

I still think there was something from about that time that did not involve just suites and did involve number of people. Almost like a promo going on at the time.

[Lois R]

I still think there was something from about that time that did not involve just suites and did involve number of people. Almost like a promo going on at the time.

 

That was my line;).......I remember the exact same thing.

[rucruisn2]

Our first cruise we were bumped up to a suite. Now that we are loyal Celebrity cruisers, never bumped up again. I'm sure a Celebrity rep did this for these folks.

[skibyrd]

Our first cruise we were bumped up to a suite. Now that we are loyal Celebrity cruisers, never bumped up again. I'm sure a Celebrity rep did this for these folks.

 

I think it is better PR to bump them to a suite! Makes more sense to me (esp since I finally made elite;))!!

[Shake]

At this point I think a little logic, fun and sarcasm might be a good thing.

 

Since OP really stepped up for Concierge Class and that he is SO Very Special to this TA, naturally Celebrity said only because we like you and you happened to be the One Millionth customer we are going to pass along Elite Status just this time for your cruise.

 

NO we are not just talking about a guest in the Royal Suite or any suite or even a high ranking RCCL Board member but since your so very special with Concierge Class we feel compelled to make your cruise one to remember forever until the next time.

 

Fast forward to reality. How about we suggest to the OP that since he's this very lucky customer he go directly to the closest RCCL Casino and Kick Some Major Booty on the Nickel Slots. :D :D

[Christine Frances]

Welcome to the Celebrity Board:D Bit of a rough welcome:cool:

 

What ever you end up with, Aqua or Elite, you are going to have a great cruise on a beautiful ship and meet lots of nice people.

 

Cheers

[wallie5446]

Customer service TA's have a reputation for pretty much confusing everything associated with cruising terms. Just a bit like a car salesman, they will tell you anything. Kinda like the old joke of how you know when a salesman is lying to you ........ their lips are moving. :D

 

Maybe if you were in a royal suite this gratis might occur but highly unlikely with just concierge class.

I have been in the Sales side of the auto business for over 30 years. And of course that is what we say about a customer that says, 'I'll be back' their lips are moving too.

[Shake]

I have been in the Sales side of the auto business for over 30 years. And of course that is what we say about a customer that says, 'I'll be back' their lips are moving too.

 

+1. So true. :cool:

[ginak1112]

We met a couple on the Infinity who were only Select level with X. They were given the Zenith status for the cruise and were unsure why. They found out that they were target as "high rollers," lol as they had booked a Royal Suite on their last X cruise and had bought $3000 worth of art. We are Elite and were not allowed in Michael's club as that has changed to Elite plus/Zenith. They had access to that and everything else that came with Zenith. They found it funny because they had no intentions of buying any art and were only in an AQ room.

[cle-guy]

Airlines do it all the time. So do hotels.

 

I'm Marriott loyal, but spent a year in a city with no Marriott's, so mailed Hilton asking for elite reciprocity. They had me send them proof of my status at Marriott and gave me Diamond status for a year.

 

American Airlines, I sent them proof of Platinum with Continental, they gave me status. I had only 1 flight I had to make with American that year.

 

A colleague who books with a large travel agency, had the travel agency grant him gold status with United, even though they rarely fly united.

 

I'd assume Cruise lines do it occasionally as well as part of marketing efforts.

[Cruise a holic]

Hi guys, just joined the forum and i have a question for you. my wife and i are taking an Alaska cruise on the Celebrity Solstice in August. we originally booked the Concierge class. our travel agent told us she is buping us up to the "Elite" class for free. we are wondering what we get extra with the Elite package that we didn't get with the Concierge. thanks in advance for your help:o

 

Not possible based on what you are saying. "Dosen't sound Kosher". You become Elite based on a point system. Depending upon your stateroom and lenght of cruise- you will get a designated number of points necessary to become Elite. I believe you need a minimum of 300 points under the new system to become Elite. You will get more points for CC vs. a regular balcony cabin, and you get CC perks- early boarding, etc. You can go on the Celebrity website, Captains club section for all of the specific details- are you sure your TA isn't bumping you up from a balcony cabin to CC?-you will get more points and will reach Elite status faster. That is what the TA's can do as far as I know, and have researched a lot regarding Celebrity.

 

Enjoy your cruise.

Edited June 2, 2014 by Cruise a holic

[ginak1112]

It is very good marketing for X. What does it cost them to make an impression on a targeted audience? A few cocktails, a tour of the bridge? The couple I spoke with had already bought the premium beverage package so they weren't even taking advantage of those freebies.

[C 2 C]

Not possible based on what you are saying. "Dosen't sound Kosher". You become Elite based on a point system.

 

Enjoy your cruise.

 

A person can have elite perks on board without becoming elite for future cruises.

Non-elite passengers sharing a cabin with an elite can be given elite perks for the duration of the voyage.

 

There is a lot more flexibility in the system than card-carrying elites (etc) realize.