Interesting phone call with a X Rep

[need2bespoiled]

Did she just say the TA's will fight for you, but your Celebrity reps won't?

 

There are agencies that offer this frequently, but they have very big cancelation fees and switch your booking fees. It's an awesome choice for those who rarely have work or family related changes.

 

I am waiting for someone who booked on board to say they lost or kept their benefits. We were told bookimgs on board would always keep them even when moving categories or ships, as long as it is a standard rate.

 

We booked 2 sailings with the intention of moving them to a different sailing that was not yet open for booking. As soon as the sailing we wanted opened, we transferred.

 

One transfer was to a canal cruise from is standard Europe cruise, so we lost the benefits of 1,2,3 because it doesn't apply to repo cruises.

 

The other one transferred fine.

 

The cruises we transferred to were shorter than what we booked, but all of the "free" deposit was appllied (we had received it all back in OBC which was cashed out to our credit card). If we had booked the actual cruises onboard the deposits would have been slightly less.

 

Regardless of the cruise you want, book the longest cruise you can for the most "free" deposit.

 

No extra deposit was needed either when we transferred as we paid a lot less deposit than had we booked off the ship.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

[happyscmom]

The OP just points out one reason (of many) why we have often suggested that folks shop around among reputable cruise/travel agents for the best deal. The only time, in recent memory, that we booked direct with any cruise line was about 2 years ago when w did a future cruise booking on a Celebrity Cruise. Our motivation was they had the 1-2-3 promotion and we had the ability to grab a "hump" balcony. When we booked we only had the choice between the amenities and opted for the drink package. We then immediately had our booking transferred to one of our favorite cruise agencies and e-mailed the agency that they were getting our booking...but we wanted pre-paid gratuities added to the mix (paid by the cruise agency). Not only did our cruise agent tack on the gratuities, but they added a few hundred additional OBCs. Bottom line is that one can almost always do a lot better by using agencies.

 

Hank

 

This is great information for my future cruising! Thanks.

[chamima]

It is VERY easy to upgrade one drink package and not the other. It can be done at ANY bar onboard, guest services, etc. the fill out a slip and stick a sticker on the seapass card. $11.50 per person, per day from the day you to it until the end of the cruise. This has been the price since day one.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

 

On this note (but slightly off topic - SORRY) does anyone know if the bartender you buy the upgrade from gets any "credit" for it.

We're about to sail on the Equinox and have heard that our favorite Molecular Bar bartender (Jelena) is on board. If she'll get any credit, we'll hold off upgrading until Molecular opens. If not, we'll just upgrade when we board.

Thanks!

[hulamoon]

I had no idea there was a celebrity Experience desk for concierge Class or higher! Is this new?

 

Thanks Jenna for sharing your experience.

[swigso]

Why not have one last try and call Captains Club,

(have your Number at Hand)

Explain that it seems others have had the benefit of the promotion

,and you you feel a little aggrieved that it seem you

are being penalised for booking directly and not through a TA.

Add politely, that booking direct means more Profit for the

Company as they have no Commissions to pay to the TA.

Might work might not but as you are happy with whats happened

you have nothing to lose.

:D

[Sapphire723]

I don't know if I have the same TA as you but ours also has gotten things done for us when the cruise line says no.

She also charges NO extra fees and always gives us a nice OBC when sailing (not a bottle of wine or something small like that ).

I got her name from another very frequent cruiser at a Meet and Greet years ago. She's available by phone and/or email and seems to work 25 hours a day.

 

She is constantly winning awards from the cruise lines for being a top agent .

 

I think we may have different TAs, but I am glad to see you've found one who is very good to you! I think TAs are wonderful to have, but I do know that there are some out there who aren't as good as ours. Because of that and because of some of the OTAs that are just booking tools, I think TAs sometimes get a bad rep.

[CathyCruises]

Here's my story. Five or six years ago I saw a promotion on a large Internet travel agency for an inexpensive upgrade to business class air if one booked a sky suite or higher.

 

At that time I had a friend in my home town who was a travel agent who I have used many times in the past. I contacted her and asked if she could match that deal and she said that she could. This ended up being a $10,000 plus Mediterranean cruise. The perk that I got from the travel agent was one bottle of wine.

 

Subsequent to that cruise, I discovered Cruise Critic and realize that I had probably left an awful lot on the table. I have not use the travel agent since and I admit to being a huge bargain hunter. If she had given me anything a little bit more substantial, say a complementary dinner in a specialty restaurant, I would probably have continued to use her but a bottle of wine for a $10,000 cruise seemed to be a bit lacking to me.

[elena7seas]

I'm very sorry to hear about your experience so far :( I don't know if this will actually help you or not, but if you'd like to give it one more shot I can tell you that we were able to adjust my mom and dad's reservation in a fashion similar to what you'd like to do by calling the Celebrity Experience Desk for Concierge Class and higher at 1-800-590-6221.

 

We had tried several times to adjust her reservation with similar results to yours, but when we called that number we were able to speak with a representative who was courteous and able to resolve ALL of our points of concern in a timely fashion. My mom and dad got the whole 123 Go deal by paying a $100/pp fare increase for Concierge Class and they even allowed her to upgrade one of the drink packages without upgrading the other, which to my understanding is a VERY hit or miss thing to attempt.

 

Like I said, I can't promise anything and I know from your previous posts that you are content with your vacation no matter what, but this was the way that we were able to get a really nice resolution to a similar situation.

 

On Celebrity, you can always upgrade one beverage package without upgrading the other passenger in the cabin.

[Iamthesea]

If cruise is booked onboard, I realize that you only have 60 days to transfer booking to a TA.. But what if you book directly with celebrity...can you transfer to a TA anytime before final payment, or is that "60 days" still a rule?

[Celebrity Cruises]

This is great information for my future cruising! Thanks.

 

Hi there,

 

Can you please send us an email to concerns@celebrity.com with your reservation number so we can look into this?

[ailetoile]

It is VERY easy to upgrade one drink package and not the other. It can be done at ANY bar onboard, guest services, etc. the fill out a slip and stick a sticker on the seapass card. $11.50 per person, per day from the day you to it until the end of the cruise. This has been the price since day one.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

 

Yes, I agree that it is easy enough to do this once you are actually on the ship. I have, however, heard conflicting reports about people having to upgrade BOTH of the 123 Go recipients if it is done over the phone prior to embarkation. That is what I am talking about, which is why I mentioned it at all.

[happyscmom]

Hi there,

 

 

 

Can you please send us an email to concerns@celebrity.com with your reservation number so we can look into this?

 

 

Thank you. I just did that.

 

 

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[chamima]

Thank you. I just did that.

 

 

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happyscmom - please come back and let us know if you get resolution to this.

[Tricia724]

If cruise is booked onboard, I realize that you only have 60 days to transfer booking to a TA.. But what if you book directly with celebrity...can you transfer to a TA anytime before final payment, or is that "60 days" still a rule?

 

It's 60 days no matter how the booking is made.

[Jetswdo]

there are a few things that do drive me crazy, in regards to o.p. for example:

 

A couple of years ago, a very good, t.a. booked deposit for the Reflection for us. Two weeks later the price went down $200 per person (aqua class) this was before 123 packages--- I listened in as several times, the t.a. tried to rebook it at new lower price. Celebrity absolutely refused, stating "new bookings only"--

I then had t.a. cancel the cruise. She called back again to book under the cheaper rate. As soon as my name was given, the supervisor at customer service said my name is in the computer, and I will absolutely not be given the cheaper rate- (I listened in on phone call) so I reluctantly had the reservation restored at the origional rate- (same cabin)

 

A few weeks later the 123 go or pick your perk, forget which- was introduced. The rate of the cruise was now much more per person than the rate that booked. I purchased the non alcohol package- I should mention that gratuities was included in the rate that I paid for cabin. I was still cheaper off at the rate that I paid than going with the promotion at the time. But it sure would have been nice to have saved the $200 per person had we just booked two weeks later.

 

Now fast forward 2 years later: I have had absolutely no problem, switiching my booking to get overall cheaper price for up coming Bermuda cruise. (And yes one of the times that I rebooked, it did say "new bookings only")

 

So using a t/a or not, Celebrity customer service seems to be a crap shoot in getting things straightened out to customer satisfaction. Most of the reps are certainly pleasant enough, but I agree with the consensus on this board- keep calling, or have your hardworking t/a keep calling and maybe the person you speak with can resolve things to your liking. If not, oh well, (I loved that Reflection cruise) and just look at it, that you were willing to pay what you did in the first place, and as the song says, "let it go, let it go".....

[happyscmom]

 

 

 

So using a t/a or not, Celebrity customer service seems to be a crap shoot in getting things straightened out to customer satisfaction. Most of the reps are certainly pleasant enough, but I agree with the consensus on this board- keep calling, or have your hardworking t/a keep calling and maybe the person you speak with can resolve things to your liking. If not, oh well, (I loved that Reflection cruise) and just look at it, that you were willing to pay what you did in the first place, and as the song says, "let it go, let it go".....

 

 

 

Ha!! Ok, I am channeling some Frozen here. :)

 

 

 

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[stipmom]

Interesting that OP were told it would have been easier if you had used a travel agent. I wanted to upgrade but my TA was told I could not

[Iamthesea]

It's 60 days no matter how the booking is made.

 

 

Thank you. Well, I can move 1 of my 4 currently booked cruises to a TA if I wish.:) I have until February 4th to do so.

 

We are booking 2 more onboard the Equinox in a few days. I will be able to move those, as well. Now to find a good TA. :rolleyes:

[muffin]

I see people speaking with very high regard about their TAs, as you did on this thread. Mine is at a big box TA online, and is only adequate. I would LOVE to switch to someone like yours. Of course we are not allowed to print such info on cc, but that leaves some of us wondering how we can ever get lucky and find one of the greats.

And so I ask if you would send me the contact info to me at parkeronthebeach@yahoo.ca

This is our "hidden" email...one we only use for cruise connections on public forums. None us us would be putting our major email on such a public forum!

I would be forever grateful if you can share your good fortune. I can even tell her who told me if you would like.....maybe an extra goody in your next stateroom. Thanks for considering my request . Marg

 

Sorry chamima,, it won't let me change your name .... Darn autocorrect on my iPad

Edited January 24, 2015 by muffin
Spellinerror

[rioigo]

That's probably true. The big difference being that a TA will do the numerous calls to get you to a yes so you don't have to!

 

I tried to do the same thing and got the same answer. Tried it three times. This is my 32 cruise . Never had this problem before.

[wallysdtr]

While onboard the Connie March 2014, we booked the Reflection March 2015. They gave us $250 onboard credit and only one of the items in the 1-2-3 Go.

Then the 1-2-3 Go package offered for balconies. 1st call to Celebrity useless. 2nd call said we could upgrade to AquaClass but no 1-2-3 Go. Then the 3rd time must have been a charm. They offered the 1-2-3 Go for aqua class and the upgrade of $400 was reduced by $175 because she said we had a gratuity credit in that amount.

So we now have an A2 cabin with the entire 1-2-3 Go and kept the $250 onboard credit for booking while on the ship.

Not sure how this happened but it worked out perfectly for us.

AND the changes occurred after the final payment day. True!

So now I am watching the reductions and hoping they will give us an upgrade to an A1 extended balcony that is still available. Might just give celebrity a call and see if they will move us! It's worth the call.

Like other posters said, if you don't like the answer call back. And I will say for me and DH the third time is the charm.

[chamima]

While onboard the Connie March 2014, we booked the Reflection March 2015. They gave us $250 onboard credit and only one of the items in the 1-2-3 Go.

Then the 1-2-3 Go package offered for balconies. 1st call to Celebrity useless. 2nd call said we could upgrade to AquaClass but no 1-2-3 Go. Then the 3rd time must have been a charm. They offered the 1-2-3 Go for aqua class and the upgrade of $400 was reduced by $175 because she said we had a gratuity credit in that amount.

So we now have an A2 cabin with the entire 1-2-3 Go and kept the $250 onboard credit for booking while on the ship.

Not sure how this happened but it worked out perfectly for us.

AND the changes occurred after the final payment day. True!

So now I am watching the reductions and hoping they will give us an upgrade to an A1 extended balcony that is still available. Might just give celebrity a call and see if they will move us! It's worth the call.

Like other posters said, if you don't like the answer call back. And I will say for me and DH the third time is the charm.

 

If you've already sailed with Celebrity you're a Captain's Club member and, as far as I know, entitled to a free upgrade from A2 to A1. It might need to have been done at booking, though.

[happyscmom]

While onboard the Connie March 2014, we booked the Reflection March 2015. They gave us $250 onboard credit and only one of the items in the 1-2-3 Go.

Then the 1-2-3 Go package offered for balconies. 1st call to Celebrity useless. 2nd call said we could upgrade to AquaClass but no 1-2-3 Go. Then the 3rd time must have been a charm. They offered the 1-2-3 Go for aqua class and the upgrade of $400 was reduced by $175 because she said we had a gratuity credit in that amount.

So we now have an A2 cabin with the entire 1-2-3 Go and kept the $250 onboard credit for booking while on the ship.

Not sure how this happened but it worked out perfectly for us.

AND the changes occurred after the final payment day. True!

So now I am watching the reductions and hoping they will give us an upgrade to an A1 extended balcony that is still available. Might just give celebrity a call and see if they will move us! It's worth the call.

Like other posters said, if you don't like the answer call back. And I will say for me and DH the third time is the charm.

 

 

I've called multiple times, and, since the official rep here told me to email, I did that too. I got a "so sorry we couldn't help you" email. I got a voicemail too. She said, "I see you've called multiple times and always been told you cannot get all three offers since it is after the final payment.." So, they are obviously documenting calls. I'm glad you were successful, and it seems random that some are and some aren't.

 

 

 

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