Between Elite+...and Zenith

[Orator]

We have been cruising on Celebrity for 18 years and have 1065. I believe most of the people that are Zenith and above accrued their points under the old system when it was easier.

 

We do buy lotto tickets but unfortunately we aren't winning.

My last 250 points to become Zenith were under the old system. It is indeed more difficult unless you take PH or RS under the current system. Actually the "Top Cruiser" should be now be called "Top Spending Cruiset", inspite.of the difficulty many have recently joined the Zenith ranks

[CruisingChick]

My last 250 points to become Zenith were under the old system. It is indeed more difficult unless you take PH or RS under the current system. Actually the "Top Cruiser" should be now be called "Top Spending Cruiset", inspite.of the difficulty many have recently joined the Zenith ranks

 

My DH always says that it's no longer a loyalty program but a "who can spend the most money" program. I would love to book suites but we just cannot spend that kind of money on vacations.

 

Having said that I do feel they needed to change the program, it was easy to gain points to become Elite. Now they have made it hard unless you have money. If we started cruising today, we most likely would never make Elite + so I guess I should be happy that we made it that far.

[Orator]

My DH always says that it's no longer a loyalty program but a "who can spend the most money" program. I would love to book suites but we just cannot spend that kind of money on vacations.

 

Having said that I do feel they needed to change the program, it was easy to gain points to become Elite. Now they have made it hard unless you have money. If we started cruising today, we most likely would never make Elite + so I guess I should be happy that we made it that far.

Your DH is a wise man. One couple needed more than 130 cruises to become Zenith. One single woman made it in 14 cruises. X slowed down for some and sped up for others. Easier for singles now, but that's because X corrected a wrong. Double fare should mean double points.

[Bruin Steve]

I just don’t worry about it...

I got to Elite in record time...then got to Elite Plus fairly quickly as well...

But I seriously doubt I’ll ever get to Zenith...and most people tell me I cruise a lot...

I do go on different lines because I base what I book on the itinerary, the timing and the price...I don’t cruise to chase loyalty points.

I am happy with whatever perks each cruise line gives me...but I don’t see great value in cruising to get to the next level...especially with what it takes to get there. It’s just not worth caring about...

[excitedofharpenden]

I just don’t worry about it...

I got to Elite in record time...then got to Elite Plus fairly quickly as well...

But I seriously doubt I’ll ever get to Zenith...and most people tell me I cruise a lot...

I do go on different lines because I base what I book on the itinerary, the timing and the price...I don’t cruise to chase loyalty points.

I am happy with whatever perks each cruise line gives me...but I don’t see great value in cruising to get to the next level...especially with what it takes to get there. It’s just not worth caring about...

To be honest, under the old scheme it was very easy to get to Elite. You could do it in 5 or 6 cruises staying in the right cabin.

 

Phil

[harz99]

We are Elite+, and Platinum+ on NCL, and will be Diamond+ on Royal by this time next year. We have no chance (and thus no incentive) of reaching the next level on any of these 3 lines. In fact next year we take our first Princess and Crystal cruises.

 

The combination of no incentive, same old itineraries, and reduced perks value, causes customers to look at pastures new - well these ones anyway.

 

Sent from my SM-J530F using Forums mobile app

[Redtravel]

I started this thread in 2015. That is more than 3 years ago. I haven't seen any changes in the loyalty program. As elite plus, I enjoy the laundry, extra internet time, and complimentary specialty coffee/teas. Several cruise lines include laundry, unlimited wifi, and beverages in their basic fare. My favorite loyalty perks are free upgrades and discounts. I belong to loyalty programs on cruises, airlines, and hotels. I have had free airline seats and hotel rooms. Free night on a cruise? I am getting closer. All I need is 2000+ points.

[TeeRick]

We have been cruising on Celebrity for 18 years and have 1065. I believe most of the people that are Zenith and above accrued their points under the old system when it was easier.

 

We do buy lotto tickets but unfortunately we aren't winning.

 

You could actually win the lottery so you would have the money- but still not the time! It would still take a lot of cruises and time to reach Zenith. But if I won the mega lottery I would buy my own yacht and crew so I would not worry about it. I might even name my yacht BYE BYE ZENITH.

[CruisingChick]

but still not the time! It would still take a lot of cruises and time to reach Zenith.

 

What do you mean I wouldn't have the time? If I won the lottery I would sail in a Penthouse Suite. It would only take me 112 days of sailing to reach Zenith.

[sginva]

What do you mean I wouldn't have the time? If I won the lottery I would sail in a Penthouse Suite. It would only take me 112 days of sailing to reach Zenith.

We have about 1800 points but will never reach Zenith.

It is freeing actually since we now are more apt to cruise on other cruise lines as we are no longer in search of the big Z.

[teecee60]

To be honest, under the old scheme it was very easy to get to Elite. You could do it in 5 or 6 cruises staying in the right cabin.

 

AGREED! Celebrity made us an offer we simply couldn't refuse... we made "Elite" in five cruises covering 74 nights. An inside cabin was the right cabin... the base fare for all five cruises was under $3,500pp with over $1500 OBC :cool:

 

And just think how many cruises those of us who book inside cabins must take to make Zenith. I would have to be 10 years old in order to make it. Basically 150 - one week cruises.

 

150 one week cruises can be accomplished in less than three years... the sooner you start... ;)

[JFontaine]

What do you mean I wouldn't have the time? If I won the lottery I would sail in a Penthouse Suite. It would only take me 112 days of sailing to reach Zenith.

And that’s the rub. Being in the top suites make the Zenith benefits useless. You get it all anyway - and more.

[TeeRick]

And that’s the rub. Being in the top suites make the Zenith benefits useless. You get it all anyway - and more.

 

Yeah but at least you would get a cheap little Zenith pin to impress everybody!

[BosoxI]

We're more than half way to Zenith but aside from the fact we'll never get there, I really believe that the level to shoot for is Elite. Elite+ and Zenith really don't offer that much more and the cost in time and money is considerable. Twenty some years ago we switched from X to other lines. Had we stayed with Celebrity, we surely would be Zenith now. But to what end?

 

As others have noted, being in the middle of nowhere allows us to try other cruise ships, and Regent is now our first choice. Thanks, Celebrity, for steering us to a better situation.

[ChinoRican]

JFontaine. That may be true only if one continues to sail in suites. If I reach Zenith, I would not continue to travel in suites but in Aqua. Why? Cuz Zenith gives u unlimited internet and premium package 2/4 perk. The only thing I have to pay are the gratuities. This will definitely come in handy once I retire, as finances are a fixed income. From my point of view, it is more of a future financial standpoint. Also, when I hand my seapass to a staff member, I make sure my seapass is facing down. That way no one knows what status I am and which stateroom I am in. For some reason, when the staff member hands me back my card, its always facing up. I notice prying eyes looking at my seapass. I have no idea why. I don't really care if you are Zenith or in a Sky Suite and above, as long as we enjoy each other's company, that's all that matters. I am on vacation, not comparing each other's status or stateroom.

[excitedofharpenden]

Yeah but at least you would get a cheap little Zenith pin to impress everybody!

Royal Caribbean Pinnacles seem prouder of their pins than Celebrity Zeniths it seems! Haha

 

Phil

[excitedofharpenden]

JFontaine. That may be true only if one continues to sail in suites. If I reach Zenith, I would not continue to travel in suites but in Aqua. Why? Cuz Zenith gives u unlimited internet and premium package 2/4 perk. The only thing I have to pay are the gratuities. This will definitely come in handy once I retire, as finances are a fixed income. From my point of view, it is more of a future financial standpoint. Also, when I hand my seapass to a staff member, I make sure my seapass is facing down. That way no one knows what status I am and which stateroom I am in. For some reason, when the staff member hands me back my card, its always facing up. I notice prying eyes looking at my seapass. I have no idea why. I don't really care if you are Zenith or in a Sky Suite and above, as long as we enjoy each other's company, that's all that matters. I am on vacation, not comparing each other's status or stateroom.

You'd have Blu, but might miss Luminae. I guess with the money you save you could dine in the Specialties each night. I just don't think I could do that for the whole cruise, but some do. And then of course your real estate is bigger at the moment and you get a butler if that is your thing. Oh and you'd really need a lanyard to proudly wave your black card around in. Get with the program! LOL

 

Phil

Edited June 3, 2018 by excitedofharpenden

[excitedofharpenden]

AGREED! Celebrity made us an offer we simply couldn't refuse... we made "Elite" in five cruises covering 74 nights.

I think I got to elite in 7 or 8 cruises. I clearly remember going to my first "Elite Happy Hour" for the drinks on Constellation and thinking to myself that it was nice, but I really didn't feel like I'd earned my place to be there at the time. No loyalty program should be like that and of course it's now more difficult, which is the way it should be in my view. You give benefits to lots of people and for those who get them they don't seem to be benefits if the world and his wife are there.

 

Phil

[Hlitner]

Funny thing about Elite Plus. Once we got to that level we decided we had earned the right to skip just about every Elite/Elite Plus event :). The cocktail hours no longer mattered since we now have drink packages and we have reached a point in our lives where standing in line to bump elbows with the hired help is not our idea of fun. Our X cruises are generally on the Solstice Class ships and we are normally happy as clams when at the Martini Bar where we have made plenty of other Elite/Elite Plus friends who also have little interest in the functions.

 

As to Zenith, since we are equal opportunity cruisers (upcoming cruise will be on our 15th cruise line) so we will never get to that level. We are at the upper end of the Loyalty Clubs on multiple cruise lines and it honestly has zero influence on what cruises or lines we book.

 

Hank

[floridatravelersforlife]

Funny thing about Elite Plus. Once we got to that level we decided we had earned the right to skip just about every Elite/Elite Plus event :). The cocktail hours no longer mattered since we now have drink packages and we have reached a point in our lives where standing in line to bump elbows with the hired help is not our idea of fun. Our X cruises are generally on the Solstice Class ships and we are normally happy as clams when at the Martini Bar where we have made plenty of other Elite/Elite Plus friends who also have little interest in the functions.

 

As to Zenith, since we are equal opportunity cruisers (upcoming cruise will be on our 15th cruise line) so we will never get to that level. We are at the upper end of the Loyalty Clubs on multiple cruise lines and it honestly has zero influence on what cruises or lines we book.

 

Hank

 

I'd add that after 6 years of Elite Plus and a couple sailings of 600 plus pax with Elite Plus, the program lost its luster and Celebrity is our 2nd tier Cruiseline of choice after two other lines. WE'll never make Zenith except sailing on that wonderful ship years ago.

[TeeRick]

Funny thing about Elite Plus. Once we got to that level we decided we had earned the right to skip just about every Elite/Elite Plus event :). The cocktail hours no longer mattered since we now have drink packages and we have reached a point in our lives where standing in line to bump elbows with the hired help is not our idea of fun. Our X cruises are generally on the Solstice Class ships and we are normally happy as clams when at the Martini Bar where we have made plenty of other Elite/Elite Plus friends who also have little interest in the functions.

 

As to Zenith, since we are equal opportunity cruisers (upcoming cruise will be on our 15th cruise line) so we will never get to that level. We are at the upper end of the Loyalty Clubs on multiple cruise lines and it honestly has zero influence on what cruises or lines we book.

 

Hank

 

Hank- thanks for the comments. My wife and I pretty much feel the same way. We will never make Zenith and really could care less about it. We hardly ever attend Loyalty events and we never go to the Elite cocktail nightly event. We always have a beverage package and have made a lot of friends at the bars, especially the World Class Bar and Martini Bar (if we can get a seat!). On nice days it is the Sunset Bar before dinner. The Sky Lounge is huge and actually hard to mingle. On RCCL the more intimate Diamond Lounge is much easier to mingle.

[chamima]

[/font]

Princess are far more generous with the allocation of free internet minutes-250 free minutes for a 14 night cruise, when you reach Platinum ( Gold Ruby, Platinum, Elite)

 

We are Elite Plus on Celebrity and we get 240 minutes on a seven day cruise.

 

We tend to take longer cruises and the difference is that on Princess we get 500 minutes on those because the minutes are tied to the length of the cruise. So I guess if one takes short cruises the Celebrity internet benefit works better for them,.

Also, Princess gives us unlimited laundry AND dry cleaning and that REALLY comes in handy on the longer cruises (and they also iron and hang up our laundry - they don't return it wrinkled and folded as Celebrity does.)

[hcat]

No way we'll ever make Zenith .E plus is enough with laundry and internet perks being the most useful to us.. We have no real interest or incentive to make Zenith because most of the special benefits go to suite guests rather than Celeb loyalty cruisers, so why bother?

 

We stopped attending the regular Cap Club party when it became less of a cocktail party with food and opportunities to socialize. Seems more like a sales event nowadays, And every Royal C Crown and Anchor Member also attend making it more crowded.

 

We usually enjoyed the Elite Sr Officers Party but on our last cruise they included all Cap Club levels anyhow... Although there was food, music etc, it was very crowed, not very special.

 

We still enjoy our cruises but do not rely on X to create special monents or events anymore for our level..AQ class, E +.

[cruisegoal100]

We are Elite Plus (almost half way to Zenith) and Diamond Plus (2/3 of the way to Pinnacle) and we don't expect to ever reach Zenith because we usually travel in an ocean view balcony, but we do have a shot at Pinnacle. As far as we know nobody has ever made Zenith and Pinnacle. Most of the Pinnacles we know have basically cruised only Royal (with possibly a small number of cruises on other lines). We don't know any Zeniths so don't know if that also is true for them.

[Mynki]

We were Elite on our fifth cruise. Despite cruising with Celebrity a few times after that we have never attended the happy hour event. We always have a beverage package and the free booze is not what I'd choose to order.

 

I can socialise and mingle with people anywhere. So have we missed out? :)

 

It's most unlikely we'll ever reach Zenith unless we fall in love with Azamara and even then it's highly unlikely. I'm not sure a new tier will be introduced though. Surely that would cheapen the Zenith level?