It's gonna happen, so let's suggest our own ideas...

[cle-guy]

FWIW, Unlimited internet was available on the Equinox cruise we just got off of. The cost was $280 for a 10 day cruise. This is right in line with what Oceania charges for their Unlimited Internet.

 

 

 

Absolutely, let's see, I don't use the pool, pool area, hot tub, spa, gym, Aqua Spa cafe, library, card room, Lawn, Enrichment lectures, Solarium, and I'm sure a few others. Like you, I'd rather not subsidize my fellow travelers that use those areas and services. Let them pay extra for all that stuff. :rolleyes:

 

I'm same as you. But some things like these remain as is. Its not big deal to charge for extra things or rope off some spaces and leave majority at no extra cost.

 

Add cooking classes, for fee, leave "enrichment" lecture alone. etc.

[YYC F/A]

There will always be lines with no such perks, and there will be liens that add the perks, and lines in the middle. People who are truly value conscious, truly don;t belong on X due to the cost of onboard amenities. They belong on another line who include more things or offer less luxury, thats why so many lines exist, to provide a nice for each type of consumer, luxury or value conscious. Sometimes the luxury lines can accommodate both, sometimes not. Its why Carnival has no true premium suites on their ships, but their sister brand Cunard is high end and charges a premium for sailing and has several grandiose choices.

 

Cunard really is a product that is very class divided. I would opine that standard staterooms on Cunard provide a middle of the road experience that is certainly not superior to Holland, Celebrity or even Princess. Douglas Ward also makes this distinction in the Berlitz Guide to Cruising, largely seen as the authoritative independent review guide.

 

If you book Grills Class accommodations on Cunard, you'll have access to different dining venues (with superior standards of service and cuisine) and even private sun deck and open deck areas that are out of bounds to steerage, oops - I meant "non Grill class" guests.

 

Ironically, cruising in it's inception largely did away with the old class distinctions of the ocean liner era.

 

Now we're largely coming back full circle, with certain areas of the ship and certain venues and dining experiences only being accessible to those whom book certain classes of travel.

 

Celebrity has and is adopting many of these concepts. AquaClass, and now SuiteClass will further delineate the experience for those guests that pay those premiums.

 

For some time now Celebrity has made clear that guests looking for the cheapest price point (Interior Staterooms) will get the least perks (123go! etc) and now has gone one step further with the differentiation in perks for ConciergeClass and higher.

 

Ultimately, it's probably smart business to offer choices. Those on a budget can get onboard at the lowest price point - albeit with few perks. Those with more disposable income can elect to buy-up and enjoy more inclusions.

 

That said, I personally draw the line when a cruise line starts making open deck areas "off limits" for those in "lower classes". This is purely a personal opinion, and I respect that the opinions of others may differ. However Norwegian has already followed Cunard with The Haven and the "ship within a ship" concept, and now one has to make a decision whether to pay for Haven accommodations (with even fairly modest sq. footage suites at a price point equal to buying 5 or 6 oceanview staterooms) - or whether to buy "day passes" for things like Vibe Beach Club in order to ensure that you can access an area where you can get a lounger and a spot in the hot tub without a bun fight. Yet even the passes fly off the shelf quickly, leading to people turning up at the pier at 10am so they can stand in line and then "rush" to grab one of the coveted passes before they sell out. This is not really my idea of a vacation :rolleyes:

 

By all means, offer options for guests whom want to pay more, but not at the cost of the base cruise experience so that other guests have a degraded experience or find significant parts of the ship "off limits".

Edited January 17, 2015 by YYC F/A

[happy 2 b cruising]

Where is the LIKE button? :D

 

Yes, things always do change and many of the changes have been great. Up until recently, there have only been additions that could be purchased to enhance your cruise without really affecting what was offered as a basic amenity for everyone.

 

I'm a very fortunate person in that it's possible for me to afford to do what I like so charging for things wouldn't affect me financially. I'm also one cruise from Celebrity's highest Captain's Club level which will offer some very nice benefits. Paying for a suite is not a problem, paying for specialty restaurants is not a problem and buying packages is not a problem for those who can afford them.

 

Including upgrades for people who are spending a lot more money to sail in a suite is one thing and perfectly understandable but the problem that I have with some of these suggestions is now we are talking about basic amenities that should be available to everyone. Paying for a cabin or any of the non-visible amenities is one thing, but selling upgrades to what should be public areas for all is another.

 

The one great thing about modern cruising has been that regardless of your accommodation, most of the ship's amenities are available to everyone. I really detest the idea of making it more difficult for people, who may not be as fortunate, to have the same basic experience as everyone else. That seems to be where we are headed with these kinds of suggestions.

 

Thank - You for this post, I am sure many CC's totally agree with you!

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

This is a great idea; however, it's not possible to implement with current hot glass show they have onboard.

 

On both the Equinox and Solstice the glass blowers mentioned they are not permitted to sell the glass they make onboard because the Corning Museum (who supplies the glass blowers) is a not for profit organization.

 

That is why the glass is either given away in raffles or auctioned off for the two charities.

 

The glass blowers I've talked to said they liked that their product is not for sale because then they would have to make things that somebody else thought would sell. This way they get to make what they're inspired to make.

 

[Seabourn Pearls]

Weigh ins at the entrance to the buffet and MDR. A little fat shaming should help the bottom line.

[Algebralovr]

If you're not going to get rid of the lawn can we at least use it?

 

This pertains mostly to Reflection and Silhouette with the presence of LCG. I'm thinking $20 per person for an ethnic BBQ lunch with regional wines.

 

Limit it to, say, 200 people. 20 tables of 10.

 

The obvious would be a Greek lamb roast. Mix in a few officers and you've got a nice party. OPA!

 

On another day perhaps an Indonesian BBQ. You get the idea. I suspect many of the staff would enjoy showcasing the cuisine from their homeland and it would be a nice way for passengers and crew to interact. Perhaps turn it into a cooking class, too. Lots of possibilities.

I love the BBQ suggestion! We enjoyed the LCG on Reflection and would love to have lunch there!

[LabGuy64]

I think they should be making pieces for sale...having said that i also think that they should make pieces that would sell in a resonable price range for the most part....If they want to do some "Masterworks' something really extraordinary that would be fine.....but mostly in the range people would be comfortable paying for a nice souvenier of the cruise......but, like I said..the design would be ther artist's choice...small art pieces rather than just nic nacks

 

 

The glass blowers I've talked to said they liked that their product is not for sale because then they would have to make things that somebody else thought would sell. This way they get to make what they're inspired to make.

 

[LabGuy64]

I agree,

 

Some princess cruises are like 3/4 elite.....the Suite venues would be terribly congested if it happened on Celebrity and ther had the same access.....or could buy it cheaply.....I am not snobby but if I pay 20K+ for a Penthouse I don't want all the venues choaked......maybe "some" access ..paid...but limited numbers of packages available.

 

 

There are way too many Elite/Elite plus members for them to be able to do this.

[LabGuy64]

In it's current state ...yes but we are discussing changes. Perhaps they counf simply hire Master glass blowers and have them working when not doing exebitions making pieces for sale.....I thought of Celebrity setting up a little studio on land to furnish pieces...but, I really like the idea of the pieces actually being made during cruises

 

This is a great idea; however, it's not possible to implement with current hot glass show they have onboard.

 

On both the Equinox and Solstice the glass blowers mentioned they are not permitted to sell the glass they make onboard because the Corning Museum (who supplies the glass blowers) is a not for profit organization.

 

That is why the glass is either given away in raffles or auctioned off for the two charities.

[LabGuy64]

No....the reserve the right to ad a surcharge if it above a certain point...now I am not POSITIVE about this....but i believe the lines contract for fuel to cover a period of time...perhaps at some point future cruises will reflect the lower prices but there will never be any refunds....

 

 

There is an increase to the cruise fare if the price of oil per barrel goes over a certain level.

So my question is, where is the refund because the price of oil has recently come down.

[need2bespoiled]

I have been away, and I'm just getting caught up on thread. I appreciate this one even if some people don't see it as an opportunity to get NEW services without removing anything that anyone already receives. I see it as a way for us to pay for what we actually want to make our cruise vacations even better.

 

Another thought I have, is set up a "cabin upgrade desk" in the check in area.

 

Post on it any cabin categories with open cabins, and people can swing by there AFTER doing there normal check in, but before embarking on ship. This will stop the endless lines at guest relations "do you have any open cabins" leaving them to other matters shortening the lines and let people handle it all on shore. I also think it may work better in that many people who wouldn't even think pf upgrading their cabin would see it while standing in line, and go visit it thus broadening the potential cabin upgrade audience.

 

Of course charge a fee for upgrading, perhaps even post the fees up front and not "dicker" on the prices, kind of like United airlines now does for first class, at the kiosk, it pops us "For $200 you can upgrade to 1st class".

 

Or for some cabins, auction them off, place sealed bids, and let Celebrity choose which bid they take? It's worth up to "X $$" to me...Airlines do this a bit, without you knowing it, tracking what you've paid previously, offering different deals to different people, etc. This could be a bit more "open".

 

We don't cruise on Celebrity, often in suites, to be nickeled & dimed to death. Just give us a good product with frills at price cruisers are willing to pay. What is that price? I think you'll know when your ships no longer sail full.

 

Mary Lou

 

I think you'll find the new suite benefits FAR from nickel and dime cruisers for a fairly premium level of service. Have you sailed since Michael's club was opened as a suite lounge? It will be more so, but it is pretty inclusive with a high level service and will be even more so come April.

 

SNIP

 

HIGH END Specialty: Model a restaurant after some of the best in the world. Bring in some of the best, most influential chefs in the world to design not only a menu but a restaurant concept (I'm thinking along the lines of Thomas Keller, etc). This is something I would definitely pay extra for as it is a rare experience. Steak houses, nice Italian, most of us all have that in our current towns. So as long as our regular dinner (MDR, Blu, Suite Restaurant, etc.) is good, there is little incentive to book a specialty...or there is at least a certain price ceiling which I think they've already hit. But an incredible WOW restaurant...we would definitely pay a great deal extra for a once in a lifetime type of experience.

 

SNIP

 

Cheers and Happy Sailing!

 

Paul, you have lots of great ideas, but I wanted to specifically comment on this one. I think the idea is GREAT, and hope they do it, but I am doubtful :( We would Love it and think it well worth it!

 

Even on land, the amount of people who can afford or are willing to spend $150-$200 per person without drinks is pretty small. Filling restaurants like Daniel, French Laundry/Per Se, Moto, Alinea, etc etc is not easy and I doubt can be matched at sea with only 2000-3000 people to market to. Even at $75/person Remy (Disney) which is the at sea version of Victoria and Albert's does not come close to the above. This doesn't even account for the extra disproportionate kitchen and prep space restaurants would take. Finally, what makes these restaurants aweomse is they buy products in the morning, prep them fresh. A frozen fish or steak can't compare to one freshly broken down.

 

Well,

 

I can think of one way right off......the travel agents won't like it but...if Celebrity kicked back OBC directly to the passengers to book with Celebrity directly instead of getting a portion of a travel agents commission. So say Celebrity is paying 15% to the TA give 10% in OBC and retain the other 5%.

 

SNIP

 

Actually, there have been some reports of CVP (Celebrity Certified Vacation Planners) who you reach when you call Celebrity's 800 number doing JUST this (offering additional OBC for booking direct).

 

And for one idea of my own, that could be done without paying ANY money, and actually may save money for Celebrity in the long run (if they went to RFID seapass cards instead of bar codes and magnetic strips).

 

Completely mobile check-in. Marriott is doing some versions of this where you just stop to pick-up keys. If required by local law, you have to show your idea, but it is a very fast process. Starwood https://www.spgpromos.com/keyless/ has far surpassed other hotel chains in this regard. Check-in on a mobile device, head right to your room, where your phone can unlock the door. You can add the required picture and have it approved in advance (United does this with passports for international mobile check-in). The pictures are NOT stored on seapass cards, but brought up on the Celebrity security system when your seapass bar code is scanned. You can also answer any questions such as the health questionnaire online or on your mobile app. With near field communication, your phone becomes your key to your stateroom where your seapass cards are waiting. Phones can also put up bar codes JUST as a key card and can be scanned.

 

The only issue is that ID will need to be checked, but that's it, it could be much faster for those that don't need to stop at a line or be handed a ship map.

 

I'm surprised that Quantum of the Seas actually wasn't launched with this, given the other innovations but it may be a few years, before technology like this will be completely standard at hotels, and eventually cruise ships.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

[Project_gal]

Actually, there have been some reports of CVP (Celebrity Certified Vacation Planners) who you reach when you call Celebrity's 800 number doing JUST this (offering additional OBC for booking direct).

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

 

Wow, this is just what USED to happen in the UK - the OBC given was combinable with Shareholder OBC as well. But that was in the days when we could call Celebrity for free and have our own PCS [Personal Cruise Consultant] as well.

 

I have always argued back against Brits that complain that it is always better for those in the USA but it seems like it now really is. I have to contact Celebrity about each of our three cruises currently booked [each for a different reason] and I am actually dreading it. It should not be like this.

Edited January 24, 2015 by Project_gal

[CHEZMARYLOU]

I think you'll find the new suite benefits FAR from nickel and dime cruisers for a fairly premium level of service. Have you sailed since Michael's club was opened as a suite lounge? It will be more so, but it is pretty inclusive with a high level service and will be even more so come April.

 

Jenna

 

Jenna, no we haven't. Our last cruise was a land tour cruise to Alaska and we chose an Aqua cabin because we spent a lot of time off the ship. Our next 3 are in CS or RS and we are really looking forward to the new benefits. I don't feel the new benefits will nickel & dime us but some of the suggested changes on this thread would.

 

We've had Celebrity CVP offer us additional specialty dining but no on board credit.

 

Mary Lou

Edited January 24, 2015 by CHEZMARYLOU

[renaroo]

Here's my idea-- offer an embarkation day package that might include escorted or dedicated access to a (Bistro on 5 type) lunch and another dedicated space (Revelations or Sky Lounge type) with libations, live music and/or some other sort of entertainment-- casual, unscripted speaker or ship officer milling about.

 

 

I love that idea! I would pay for an embarkation day package like that. Something that would allow a calmer and more relaxing start to the vacation. Skipping the lines, having something to eat and drink without searching for a chair ... feeling a little extra pampered and taken care of. Take away my stress, make sure I don't have to do any work at all. That's worth some $.

Edited January 24, 2015 by renaroo

[Texed]

I love that idea! I would pay for an embarkation day package like that. Something that would allow a calmer and more relaxing start to the vacation. Skipping the lines, having something to eat and drink without searching for a chair ... feeling a little extra pampered and taken care of. Take away my stress, make sure I don't have to do any work at all. That's worth some $.

 

I believe this is the experience that Jenna, Arno, and some of the others were talking about that is already offered to CS and above and Zenith members when they are escorted around the lines to Michael's Club.

[tnfcruise]

 

 

 

I believe this is the experience that Jenna, Arno, and some of the others were talking about that is already offered to CS and above and Zenith members when they are escorted around the lines to Michael's Club.

 

 

That may be so but it was my suggestion, early in this thread, and I was aiming it at those of us who sail in "lower" categories. And, it was directed at the topic...enhanced revenue for X (but it would also enhance, for some of us willing to pay, our embarkation day experience.)

 

 

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[lisiamc]

Here's my idea-- offer an embarkation day package that might include escorted or dedicated access to a (Bistro on 5 type) lunch and another dedicated space (Revelations or Sky Lounge type) with libations, live music and/or some other sort of entertainment-- casual, unscripted speaker or ship officer milling about.

 

 

I love that idea! I would pay for an embarkation day package like that. Something that would allow a calmer and more relaxing start to the vacation. Skipping the lines, having something to eat and drink without searching for a chair ... feeling a little extra pampered and taken care of. Take away my stress, make sure I don't have to do any work at all. That's worth some $.

 

 

I believe this is the experience that Jenna, Arno, and some of the others were talking about that is already offered to CS and above and Zenith members when they are escorted around the lines to Michael's Club.

 

I'm not interested enough in the suites on Celebrity to book them, but I like this particular idea a lot. It would be nice to buy an "embarkation special", sort of like buying a pass to the business class lounge at the airport. As a one-off, I'd do it!

[villauk]

 

 

I'm not interested enough in the suites on Celebrity to book them, but I like this particular idea a lot. It would be nice to buy an "embarkation special", sort of like buying a pass to the business class lounge at the airport. As a one-off, I'd do it!

 

It would be a great idea, especially if they opened it up to the first 800 pax to pay the extra fee and take advantage of the 'welcome aboard special lounge experience'. Then the buffet area would be lovely and quiet for the rest of the embarking passengers to enjoy 'freely' :rolleyes: :p.

 

Sorry, couldn't resist :D.

[tnfcruise]

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm not interested enough in the suites on Celebrity to book them, but I like this particular idea a lot. It would be nice to buy an "embarkation special", sort of like buying a pass to the business class lounge at the airport. As a one-off, I'd do it!

 

 

I'm glad a few folks have 👍 my idea...I posted it over a week ago and thought it had "plopped".

 

 

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[WonderMan3]

The cruise lines need to go full force with tiered pricing. Airlines are already doing it. Count me in as one of those who is tired of all the nickel-and-diming. I just want to pay one price and be done with it. I won't really do it with an airline as I just don't see the value in paying hundreds of dollars more for a 3-6 hour experience. But a 7-14 night cruise...yes, I will pay more to get more.

 

We are seeing it happening with Celebrity already in the high-end suite categories which now give all specialty restaurants, all alcohol, and unlimited internet so they appear to be moving in this direction already.

 

Maybe offer 3 tiers (regardless of category). Tier #1 would be essentially all-inclusive - all alcohol, all restaurants, all ala carte food items (gelato, etc.), all gratuities, one free excursion in every port, admission to all areas of the spa (maybe give one free treatment too to encourage people to buy more), free photo package, unlimited internet, etc. Tier #3 would be bare-bones - basically you would get your cabin, main dining room and buffet, main pool area and not much else. Then I'm sure they could come up with something in between.

 

By offering in all categories it would take away from the exclusive benefits that suites are now experiencing but maybe then prices could come down a bit on those cabins to be off-set by people paying for tier #1 in other categories. Then maybe suites can get a different group of benefits (transport to/from the ship, private club, reserved deck chair area, butler, etc.)

 

Customers want to have a choice. By being up-front with pricing like this it gives them that clear choice and allows them to create the cruise experience that's right for them.

[SeaWatch]

So we know the reality of today's business world is profits matter. This means raising revenues and cutting costs to remain competitive.

 

So instead of complaining about what has been cut or what has increased in price, I thought let's approach this from an informed consumer standpoint, and make suggestions ourselves as to what Celebrity can do to enhance revenues and profits, instead of just letting them determine it.

 

One thing that comes to my mind, is Luggage Tags. If people want them, charge a $20 fee to mail them out, and in that include a coupon booklet to entice spending on board to help make up for the cost. No one NEEDS mailed luggage tags, they can print the one in E-DOcs, or simply have a porter affix one. So this truly wouldn't cost most consumers a dime, but for those who want the special service. Luggage tags seem to be a real nuisance, as they aren't available to all countries, the link often doesn't work leading to calls to Captain's club taking staff time, they look to be printed on a relatively expensive material and most postage.

 

Another is let people with a Beverage package get a discount on buckets of beer, make it same as the wine bottle discount. The bottle of wine can be bought and shared at discount, let the buckets of beer be bought and shared, at discount.

 

Add a "reserved" section at the pool deck, letting people pay for the privilege of reserving deck chairs for long periods of time. Actually charge for the service. Include wait staff/butlering as part of it.

 

I would like to see RCL and X combine their loyalty programs!

[tnfcruise]

I would like to see RCL and X combine their loyalty programs!

 

 

Don't know how this fits into the topic, but I love the idea.

 

 

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[TrulyBlonde]

I have only cruised X once and it was enjoyable. Generally, we choose smaller luxury ships but after reviewing itineraries on X and prices (Aqua) it is very enticing. We have a b2b OZ/NZ booked with X for 2015 and 2 European cruises for 2016. I am all for paying for deck chair or also would like to see Cabanas and a daily rate or discount if you choose to purchase pre cruise. Princess has a private area Sanctuary that we enjoyed a few years ago and gladly paid extra for the peace and privacy. That would be nice too.

[LabGuy64]

I think 800 is WAY too many....it would have to be a realatively small number....it would not be fair to the Suite and Zenith cruisers to dump 800 others into a service made to normally handle a much smaller group....the servise would suffer...and it would lose any special allure it may have had....and everyone would be unhappy.

 

 

 

 

 

It would be a great idea, especially if they opened it up to the first 800 pax to pay the extra fee and take advantage of the 'welcome aboard special lounge experience'. Then the buffet area would be lovely and quiet for the rest of the embarking passengers to enjoy 'freely' :rolleyes: :p.

 

Sorry, couldn't resist :D.

[LabGuy64]

Not me.....

 

Don't know how this fits into the topic, but I love the idea.

 

 

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