Big announcement from Michael Bayley -- double captains club points for singles!!!

[cherylroslyn]

[quote name='dodger1964']If I traveled solo I would appreciate the extra points. I'm sure in a perfect world for X nobody would travel solo. They make less revenue from a single paying 200% than a double paying 100%.

I hope people don't complain about the point system too much. I don't want it changed to a revenue based program like airlines are switching to.

And I think the X poster made it crystal clear that 200% gets the extra points...nothing less.[/QUOTE]
Wrong....my seapass account is about three times that of most couples I know. Please don't make assumptions about the spending habits of solos. I but the premium drinks package, I eat almost exclusively in specialty dinning, I get treatments at the spa, I buy classes at the gym, and I gamble a lot. So my bill can be enormous..... Edited August 4, 2014 by cherylroslyn

[Ma Bell]

I rest my case.

[Orator]

[quote name='cherylroslyn']Wrong....my seapass account is about three times that of most couples I know. Please don't make assumptions about the spending habits of solos. I but the premium drinks package, I eat almost exclusively in specialty dinning, I get treatments at the spa, I buy classes at the gym, and I gamble a lot. So my bill can be enormous.....[/QUOTE]

I've never seen a study comparing spending habits of individual vs. couples on a cruise ship. My guess would be that those who are spenders are spenders whether they are alone or with someone else. Those who are not spenders are not spenders no matter what their cabin arrangements. In the end Celebrity makes decisions based on their analysis of the market with an eye to improving their bottom line. I can only speculate that they reached the conclusion that awarding double points is a relatively inexpensive way to attract and keep the single cruiser and that would be good for business. We see solo cruisers on this thread now saying that they can see themselves moving to a higher level. This gives them the motivation to cruise more. The idea seems to be working as Celebrity wants it to work.

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

[quote name='cruisestitch']As the originator of this post, let me chime in to say that we do not yet know the terms and conditions, as I said. Maybe the points will only be doubled if certain fares or staterooms are involved. Maybe there will be extra coupon sheets. Maybe not. Nobody yet knows. Perhaps we should wait to see the actual press release or announcement come from Captain's Club before jumping to too many conclusions.:p[/QUOTE]

[FONT="Verdana"][SIZE="3"]What, no jumping to conclusions? No rampant speculation? Isn't that what Cruise Critic is all about? :D

I think an interesting experiment would be to see if solos would prefer double points or a 150% single supplement. My guess is that the 150% single supplement would win hands down. It certainly would for me. I have no hope of ever reaching Zenith.

I also agree that those who have paid 200% for their single cabin should get two sets of coupons. That's what happens when there are two people occupying the cabin paying the same rate.

Linda

[/SIZE][/FONT]

[cle-guy]

My Travel agent emailed his clients saying that the double points only applies to 200% supplements, not any specials for solo travelers. He books several large groups a year with X for several years and is well aware of the changes that happen often prior to the formal announcements.

It makes sense the double points is only for full 200% paid single supplement and not on solo specials.

I briefly looked, but not being too familiar with the RCI website, didn't locate, their single supplant points rules. I believe they also give double points? I did locate that the Diamond Plus tier (i believe that was the level) did get 150% supplement, excluding summer months and holiday cruises, but could not see if they still got double points when using that benefit or not.

It's clear X and RCI are working are to align their various programs and systems over the least year or so, I would fully believe that the rules related to double solo points would be the same as well.

As a solo, I've always gotten 2 elite coupon sets in my cabin, (4 when in suites). Maybe it's a suite thing...? Edited August 4, 2014 by cle-guy

[cle-guy]

[quote name='Orator']I've never seen a study comparing spending habits of individual vs. couples on a cruise ship. My guess would be that those who are spenders are spenders whether they are alone or with someone else. Those who are not spenders are not spenders no matter what their cabin arrangements. In the end Celebrity makes decisions based on their analysis of the market with an eye to improving their bottom line. I can only speculate that they reached the conclusion that awarding double points is a relatively inexpensive way to attract and keep the single cruiser and that would be good for business. We see solo cruisers on this thread now saying that they can see themselves moving to a higher level. This gives them the motivation to cruise more. The idea seems to be working as Celebrity wants it to work.[/QUOTE]

This is quite well said. Spenders spend, non spenders don't, regardless of how many share a cabin. Some suite guests spend a lot more on board, others find the suite benefits themselves included make it almost difficult to spend more while on board.

It takes a "mixed bag" of spending habits to fill cheap cabins (that some will then spend lots on board) and expensive ones. If everyone spent the same, they would have to rebuild the spa to accommodate 2000 people at any one time!

[dodger1964]

[quote name='gimletgal']Totally agree! I sometimes travel with couples who spend NOTHING on a cruise other than their fare + gratuities. I purchase drinks (when not on a package), go to specialty restaurants, gamble in the casino, make purchases in the shops, take Celebrity excursions and leave healthy tips in addition to the mandatory gratuities. So for those saying Celebrity makes more money from couples sharing a room, I say rubbish. In some cases perhaps, yes. But as a rule, no.[/QUOTE]

I don't know how "sometimes travel with couples that spend nothing" can translate to couples spend nothing and singles spend to the moon.

There obviously will be both spendy and thrifty sailors in both categories.

do you tip double if traveling single...do you pay for two excursions when you book one.


I think in a perfect world (from X's standpoint...and i suppose all cruise lines for that matter) they would have at least two people per room.


We always have traveled as a couple and do most of the same things you do, only we pay double.

But also obviously they want to meet everyones needs and will gladly sell to singles.

[cle-guy]

Also, let's not forget, the solo traveler frees capacity for the families of 3 and 4 who share cabins with pullmans and sofa beds, thus making up the shortfall of tipping and excursion booking lacking form the solo, AND the line gets cabin fare form the 3rd and 4th persons in those cabins as well as the full 2 person fare form the solo.

Almost a "double" win for the cruise lines. And all 4 passengers in a quad cabin collect captains club points.

[Guern69]

For some people travelling alone is their only option..

[Xport]

[quote name='dodger1964']We always have traveled as a couple and do most of the same things you do, only we pay double.[/QUOTE]

If that is your choice and life cooperates...

Some choose to travel solo [clearly, it's the emerging demographic] and, for others, circumstances inevitably change... In either case, life goes on and we ought do--or continue to do--that which fulfills us...

I could get into the debate here--with rather compelling personal examples--about relative ancillary discretionary spending but choose not to do so because there are, as you note, "high spenders" and "low spenders" [just as there are "high tippers" and "low tippers"] in both groups... And I could get into the debate here about the relative cost advantages to Celebrity of providing cruise inclusions to solos versus non-solos; I choose not to do that either... Because at the end of the day, accumulation of Captain's Club Cruise Points is--given their current loyalty program--based solely upon cruise duration and level of accommodation... Period...

Equal Cruise Point accrual for equal time and equal spend on cruise fare is--well--equitable unless X were to develop a loyalty scheme so complex that it is difficult to understand from a guest perspective and difficult to administer from a Company perspective... For now, it is what it is and I suspect that its simplicity will endure until the current design is no longer meeting Celebrity's desired outcomes in terms of helping to attract/retain customers...

The dynamic is sort of tough to understand until one lives it; many who haven't--yet--someday will... Edited August 5, 2014 by Xport

[gimletgal]

[quote name='dodger1964']I don't know how "sometimes travel with couples that spend nothing" can translate to couples spend nothing and singles spend to the moon. [B][COLOR="Red"]That is your translation, not mine.[/COLOR][/B]

There obviously will be both spendy and thrifty sailors in both categories. [B][COLOR="red"]Always.[/COLOR][/B]

do you tip double if traveling single...do you pay for two excursions when you book one. [B] [COLOR="red"]Nope. I also don't eat 2 meals at each sitting, don't use 2 drink packages during cruise, don't use 2 sets of coupons during cruise. Hmmm.....[/COLOR][/B]


I think in a perfect world (from X's standpoint...and i suppose all cruise lines for that matter) they would have at least two people per room. [B][COLOR="red"]There will probably never be a perfect world.[/COLOR]
[/B]

We always have traveled as a couple and do most of the same things you do, only we pay double. [B] [COLOR="red"]How fortunate that you can travel as a couple. [/COLOR][/B]

But also obviously they want to meet everyones needs and will gladly sell to singles.[/QUOTE] [COLOR="Blue"][B] [COLOR="red"]I think they will pretty much gladly sell cabins to anyone.[/COLOR][/B][/COLOR]

[cle-guy]

[quote name='Xport']For now, it is what it is and I suspect that its simplicity will endure until the [B]current design is no longer meeting Celebrity's desired outcomes in terms of helping to attract/retain customers[/B]...

The dynamic is sort of tough to understand until one lives it; many who haven't--yet--someday will...[/QUOTE]

The Current Captain's Club is not designed to attract and retain customers. It's now designed to reward spending.

The lines (like airline) no longer need to [B][I]attract[/I][/B] customers to fill cabins, they sail full and over capacity regularly enough, they can no longer gain any additional revenues or benefits by attracting and retaining customers. They can only gain revenues by [B][I]enticing spend[/I][/B], thus the push now to sell premium cabins and award points for those, versus allowing cheap paid upgrades to premium cabins.

Selling some more single cabins frees capacity to allow for additional 3 and 4 person cabins to be sold, and charge for those extra people, having already collected for 2 from the solo traveler. Extra cabin revenues generated. Extra people to spend more on board to make up for the lack of 2nd in the solo cabin, and perhaps 1 additional person if a quad cabin.

It's no longer a "loyalty program" but a "rewards program".

Look at how Airlines are changing their points systems next year (Delta and United for example) Giving points now based on spend, not just for sitting in a chair. Same thing X is starting to do. And double Captain club bonus points of railing un a suite, clearly trying to push people to buy a t standard suite fare the suites, rather than guarantees at lower prices.

[cle-guy]

Here's a great example of how Solo's get screwed by more than double fares.

I'm watching the Summit 8/31/14 Bermuda sailing looking for a dirt cheap fare to join a couple friends son the sailing, at last minute. I'm watching Insides.

An Inside Guarantee fare has appeared today for $549 per person. I book as 2 people, it lets me book for $1096 plus taxes and fees.

If I change to 1 person, the Guarantee disappears, and I have to pay $1618 for the lowest fared cabin, plus taxes and fees. Just short of 3 times the lowest available fare, basically a 300% single supplement, not a 200% supplement!

Double points is the least they can offer...!

[Orator]

[quote name='cle-guy']Here's a great example of how Solo's get screwed by more than double fares.

I'm watching the Summit 8/31/14 Bermuda sailing looking for a dirt cheap fare to join a couple friends son the sailing, at last minute. I'm watching Insides.

An Inside Guarantee fare has appeared today for $549 per person. I book as 2 people, it lets me book for $1096 plus taxes and fees.

If I change to 1 person, the Guarantee disappears, and I have to pay $1618 for the lowest fared cabin, plus taxes and fees. Just short of 3 times the lowest available fare, basically a 300% single supplement, not a 200% supplement!

Double points is the least they can offer...![/QUOTE]

Hey, you also get double the closer space (if someone like my DW was with you at least triple). More square footage (when calculated per person). More storage space in bath for YOUR things. On your own schedule since you don't need to wait for another person to get ready. Heck, you are getting lots of desirable extras that may be well worth the money.
Of course I'm just kidding. Get your point and it is valid.

[Compass Rose Monica]

[quote name='Happy Cruiser 6143'][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=3]What, no jumping to conclusions? No rampant speculation? Isn't that what Cruise Critic is all about? :D[/SIZE][/FONT]

[SIZE=3][FONT=Verdana]I think an interesting experiment would be to see if solos would prefer double points or a 150% single supplement. My guess is that the 150% single supplement would win hands down. It certainly would for me. I have no hope of ever reaching Zenith.[/FONT][/SIZE]

[SIZE=3][FONT=Verdana]I also agree that those who have paid 200% for their single cabin should get two sets of coupons. That's what happens when there are two people occupying the cabin paying the same rate.[/FONT][/SIZE]

[SIZE=3][FONT=Verdana]Linda[/FONT][/SIZE]

[/quote]

I don't cruise solo all the time but when I do, I would prefer to have a reduced single supplement rate.

And in my past solo cruises, it would have been appreciated to get a second set of coupons since I paid double.

The extra cruise points are great, thanks Celebrity, but I personally would appreciate a reduced single supplement.

Monica

[Compass Rose Monica]

[quote name='Orator']Hey, you also get double the closer space (if someone like my DW was with you at least triple). More square footage (when calculated per person). More storage space in bath for YOUR things. On your own schedule since you don't need to wait for another person to get ready. Heck, you are getting lots of desirable extras that may be well worth the money.
Of course I'm just kidding. Get your point and it is valid.[/quote]

And your comments are also valid. When I do travel solo, I get to use all the closet hangers, all the drawers, have my own schedule, yada, yada, yada. :)

Monica

[cle-guy]

[quote name='Orator']Hey, you also get double the closer space (if someone like my DW was with you at least triple). More square footage (when calculated per person). More storage space in bath for YOUR things. On your own schedule since you don't need to wait for another person to get ready. Heck, you are getting lots of desirable extras that may be well worth the money.
Of course I'm just kidding. Get your point and it is valid.[/QUOTE]

Great points! Love the glass half full attitude. :D

I'm tempted to book for two using my dog Tyler as passenger 2 who just forgets to show up and board. Or maybe dress him up in a dogie tuxedo and bow tie and see if he passes the check in as just a well dressed, very short passenger. I got him a "doggie passport" for a trip to Canada recently I can use.... :D

[Montreal Marc]

I wrote a letter to Bayley about this exact issue on March 1st. I'm glad to see that my plea was finally heard.

 

I was actually sailing on Infinity when the announcement was made, so I didn't hear about it until I received the e-mail this morning.

 

I've done about 25 cruises with Celebrity as a solo traveller since 1997. For most of that time, I paid almost as much as 2 people did travelling in the same cabin category. So why shouldn't I get the same number of points as they do (combined)?

 

Anyway, all's well that ends well.

 

Marc

[cherylroslyn]

[quote name='Montreal Marc']I wrote a letter to Bayley about this exact issue on March 1st. I'm glad to see that my plea was finally heard.

I was actually sailing on Infinity when the announcement was made, so I didn't hear about it until I received the e-mail this morning.

I've done about 25 cruises with Celebrity as a solo traveller since 1997. For most of that time, I paid almost as much as 2 people did travelling in the same cabin category. So why shouldn't I get the same number of points as they do (combined)?

Anyway, all's well that ends well.

Marc[/QUOTE]
Many of us wrote letters, and many participated in the on-line discussion with Bayley facilitated through this site when he was named CEO, he said he would consider it....but it took a really long time.

For most of us who travel solo there is another issue that I'm sure will never be resolved, but those who think we shouldn't get the points should be aware of it.

When I book a full fare 200% solo room, like I have for my upcoming cruise. I get the pick your perk (drinks package), but even though I am paying a full additional fare, they do not give me free tips or OBC....... That is a huge savings for the cruise line.

The beverage package is worth over $300.00 on a seven day cruise, but for solos there are no additional perks allowed....so the 200% we pay is even more costly because we do not reap the benefits of one of the additional perks to be credited against the additional fare.......

[Lois R]

[quote name='Montreal Marc']I wrote a letter to Bayley about this exact issue on March 1st. I'm glad to see that my plea was finally heard.

I was actually sailing on Infinity when the announcement was made, so I didn't hear about it until I received the e-mail this morning.

I've done about 25 cruises with Celebrity as a solo traveller since 1997. For most of that time, I paid almost as much as 2 people did travelling in the same cabin category. So why shouldn't I get the same number of points as they do (combined)?

Anyway, all's well that ends well.

Marc[/quote]

Hi Marc, I have close to 40 cruises as a solo. I guess we all have
different views. If we had a choice between double points and a lower
SS, I would choose the latter. I will never reach the ZENITH cagetory
(Elite Plus now) so a lower price would be my preference but that
is not going to happen either. Edited August 7, 2014 by Lois R

[Montreal Marc]

Hi Marc, I have close to 40 cruises as a solo. I guess we all have

different views. If we had a choice between double points and a lower

SS, I would choose the latter. I will never reach the ZENITH cagetory

(Elite Plus now) so a lower price would be my preference but that

is not going to happen either.

 

Lois, I agree completely with your point about preferring a lower SS to double points.

 

But since there is not a snowball's chance that X will lower their SS when most voyages sail at full capacity, double points (and double coupons) is the least they can do. Again, we don't eat the same amount of food as 2 people (or use the same amount of consumables like towels, shampoo, toilet paper, etc), but we still pay for that food.

 

Marc

[Xport]

Hi Celebrity,

 

I'd like to ask about Captains Club point promotions. When you offer them, you receive 25 points, and 50 points when booking a Suite. If I were to book as a Solo, would I then receive double on the promo points ?

 

Thought that this was a great question when you raised/discussed it back in July but didn't recall--and looking back, I was correct--that Celebrity ever responded...

 

While waiting [and waiting] to speak with a Captain's Club Rep this evening in an entirely different context--they've suddenly started to send snail mail to one or the other of my primary or secondary addresses with no apparent pattern--I decided to ask the follow-up question too as I have a sailing next summer that includes the Bonus Points promo...

 

Bonus Cruise points are not being doubled for solos paying the 200% single supplement though they are awarded per person to two [and perhaps more; didn't ask] sharing a cabin... Seems inconsistent with the spirit of Mr. Bayley's July announcement about the "Double Up" and--though not an enormous deal; five more nights in an AquaClass or Concierge Class cabin to get to the next membership tier--the response [delivered professionally and with understanding] struck me as being equally trivial from Celebrity's perspective...

 

Perhaps--and just perhaps--I'll "Ask Michael" if/when time allows...

 

Just to close the loop...