You Asked. We Answered

[miched]

You asked. We answered.

 

This has to be the biggest joke, scam, or lie since Modern Luxury.

 

Who has ever asked for their itinerary to be change or for one port to be canceled and staying over in another?

 

Who has ever asked for overnights and who did you ask?

 

And when did Celebrity start answering questions? :confused:

 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌞

 

:D:D:D

 

.

Edited June 3, 2015 by miched

[ghstudio]

The phrase "perfuming the pig" comes to mind...but there are various other phrases as well.

 

When making a change, marketing (not just celebrity) always asserts that it is a great improvement and will greatly enhance the customer experience, irrespective of facts, surveys, etc.

 

Marketing 101

[K.T.B.]

Just because overnights work great in Europe, that doesn't mean they'll work great in the Caribbean. And based on everyone's reaction, positive and negative, NO ONE was asked if they wanted it. Celebrity assumed the passengers would be all in for it!

 

Look, I love pizza and ice cream, but that doesn't mean I want my pizza topped with rocky road! They really need to reverse themselves here and put things BACK to how they were. Either that or allow people to cancel without consequence, as well as allowing people to re-book another cruise with the exact same perks that they might lose from cancelling.

[CruisingChick]

And when did Celebrity start answering questions? :confused:

 

 

This made me chuckle. Thanks. I needed that this morning.

[Bo1953]

I believe we in the U.S. can cancel without any penalty if it is before final payment. With the possible exception of those who booked with a TA that charges a fee for any deviation/change/cancellation from the original booking.

 

The freebies, another issue, they come with the booking one made, change the booking and run the risk of losing the freebies. It is like purchasing a specific model auto with pricing incentives, once you get to the dealership and decide that you do not want that model, the incentives do not follow the buyer, but the auto, the buyer gives up the incentives for a 'better/different' model they desire.

 

We all do it in way or another from time to time, or at least I have.

[CathyCruises]

Someone sounds pretty bitter to me. Just cancel and rebook with a different cruise line! Don't let this eat at you, it's supposed to be a vacation.

 

OTOH I'm sure you'd still have a great time if you just went with the flow.

[WpgCruise]

You asked. We answered.

 

This has to be the biggest joke, scam, or lie since Modern Luxury.

 

Who has ever asked for their itinerary to be change or for one port to be canceled and staying over in another?

 

Who has ever asked for overnights and who did you ask?

 

And when did Celebrity start answering questions? :confused:

 

Happy cruising

 

:D:D:D

 

.

 

I was one of the people surveyed by Celebrity about overnights in the Caribbean.

 

I think it's a great idea and said so. I'm really looking forward to the opportunity.

 

I'm going to give it a try because I was one of the complainers who asked Celebrity to change up their Caribbean offers. It gets pretty dull going to the same places every year.

 

And yes indeed, we're on one of the cruises (Feb 1 2016) that as had a port cancelled, and an overnight now on the schedule.

Edited June 3, 2015 by WpgCruise

[ORV]

The phrase "perfuming the pig" comes to mind...but there are various other phrases as well.

 

When making a change, marketing (not just celebrity) always asserts that it is a great improvement and will greatly enhance the customer experience, irrespective of facts, surveys, etc.

 

Marketing 101

 

Where I come from we call it peeing on your leg and telling you it's raining.

[cb at sea]

When you bought your ticket, you agreed that Celebrity could change, replace, rearrange or cancel any port, for any reason, at any time.....

 

That's why you should never cruise for the ports.....they have no obligation to take you to any of them! Read the Cruise Contract!

[K.T.B.]

When you bought your ticket, you agreed that Celebrity could change, replace, rearrange or cancel any port, for any reason, at any time.....

 

That's why you should never cruise for the ports.....they have no obligation to take you to any of them! Read the Cruise Contract!

 

Not according to the documentation I received. There's nothing in there about port changes. There is a section entitled "Documentation and Immigration Requirements" though, as well as "Enhance Your Onboard Experience" and "Travel Tips". (Believe me, I just checked every email I received from Celebrity for my cruise for next year, including the Cruise Care documentation.)

 

It's once you do the online check-in that you finally see the rules about port changes, etc. Something I doubt people have done since they're year or more out from their cruise and because you need to have made your final payment as well.

[hypercafe]

If I really want to see a place I do not do it on a cruise. I take a cruise to get away and have the experence of the ship. The ports are just fun. If you are in the Crib the ports are very much the same, sand, ocean, and stores.

 

Sent from my SM-T320 using Forums mobile app

[richsea]

The phrase "perfuming the pig" comes to mind...but there are various other phrases as well.

 

When making a change, marketing (not just celebrity) always asserts that it is a great improvement and will greatly enhance the customer experience, irrespective of facts, surveys, etc.

 

Marketing 101

 

Kind of like the companies who respond "our research shows that our customers WANT the new improved smaller packaging at the former larger packaging price".

(OJ, ice. Cream, Yogurt, etc.)

[omeinv]

Really? How many threads have been right here on the Celebrity section, let alone the rest of Cruise Critic, saying cruisers were "bored with the same old offerings". Again Celebrity tries to expand a concept that's been popular in other parts of the world, and before the first cruise sails with the new offering, people are saying "I didn't ask for this". Despite that, I suspect that plenty of people did.

 

I've been on cruises with overnights in various ports, and they add a dimension to cruising that otherwise isn't there.

 

Be like Mikey, try it you might like it.

 

Harris

Denver, CO

[chamima]

. If you are in the Crib the ports are very much the same, sand, ocean, and stores.

 

Sent from my SM-T320 using Forums mobile app

 

 

 

Except that the port eliminated from our cruise is Bonaire , which has the best snorkeling in the Caribbean. :mad:

We now have 2 days in Curacao (where we were already scheduled to stay in port until 11pm). :mad:

 

 

We have 3 cruises currently scheduled with Celebrity. One in 2016 and two in 2017.

I wasn't that upset about the changes for 2017 because I have plenty of time to find something else - .

I just think they should have at least left the 2016 cruise alone.

 

I have noticed that Princess does alternating 10 cruises that go to all of the islands we were scheduled to visit on the Eclipse so we may now have 20 days at sea to look forward to rather than the 14.

Edited June 3, 2015 by chamima

[dodger1964]

Really? How many threads have been right here on the Celebrity section, let alone the rest of Cruise Critic, saying cruisers were "bored with the same old offerings". Again Celebrity tries to expand a concept that's been popular in other parts of the world, and before the first cruise sails with the new offering, people are saying "I didn't ask for this". Despite that, I suspect that plenty of people did.

 

I've been on cruises with overnights in various ports, and they add a dimension to cruising that otherwise isn't there.

 

Be like Mikey, try it you might like it.

 

Harris

Denver, CO

 

I think many of the complaints had to do with when they changed the port stops...people had already booked and then their itinerary changed...if they would have waited until the cruises were released for new bookings then people could have made informed choices.

 

The other reason is many people just like to complain!

[4774Papa]

If I really want to see a place I do not do it on a cruise. I take a cruise to get away and have the experence of the ship. The ports are just fun. If you are in the Crib the ports are very much the same, sand, ocean, and stores.

 

Sent from my SM-T320 using Forums mobile app

I disagree, we take cruises primarily for the ports.

We have traveled a lot and lived overseas as well. We have found the cruising allows us to visit many more places than we would visit on a land trip.

 

We have already spent many trips going to the main cities like London, Paris, Rome, etc. Many cruises go to ports that a one day stop is perfect for a visit.

 

We also normally do an extensive pre-cruise or post-cruise visit to places that we want to spend more time in detail.

 

I understand some people go on cruises and never get off the ship. We would never do that.

 

Different strokes.

[LMKohler]

I booked two cruises, one because we wanted to go back to Bonaire and the other because we had never been to Belize - both Bonaire and Belize have been eliminated. It is annoying because I don't care about overnights in the Caribbean. Europe is a different story. I know I can change these cruises and have plenty of time to do so if we decide to do that.

[Andy]

Hi Everyone,

 

If you ask me, this whole port overnight thing has a different gameplan in mind. What the cruise lines wont say - is that they will save a ton of money on fuel, by skipping a port, and having the ship in port overnight. That has to be a huge add to the bottom line. Of course, they are going to tell you that it's about a great overnight port experience - and it probably is ! But, at the end of the day... it's all about $$$ and profits.

 

Just my .02 cents.

[HokiePoq]

Hi Everyone,

 

If you ask me, this whole port overnight thing has a different gameplan in mind. What the cruise lines wont say - is that they will save a ton of money on fuel, by skipping a port, and having the ship in port overnight. That has to be a huge add to the bottom line. Of course, they are going to tell you that it's about a great overnight port experience - and it probably is ! But, at the end of the day... it's all about $$$ and profits.

 

Just my .02 cents.

 

Absolutely. I can't imagine any line doing this if it were going to cost them money as someone who replied to a message of mine suggested (due to having to close casino, etc.)

[Hlitner]

Have to agree with Andy on them saving fuel costs, although not sure that is an issue when it comes to staying in Curacao and skipping Bonaire since they are only 50 miles apart. It would be interesting to hear from somebody at Celebrity as to why they made this change. As to overnights in the Caribbean, the problem is that very few islands are worth spending an overnight. And the cruise lines lose the onboard revenue they would normally get from having the Casino and shops open.

 

In the Caribbean about the only islands we would want to overnight on would be Aruba and St Maarten (we have regularly vacationed on those two islands). San Juan would also be OK for an overnight although it is not among our favorite islands. But and overnight on Curacao does nothing to make me run and book that cruise.

 

Hank

[WpgCruise]

Hi Everyone,

 

If you ask me, this whole port overnight thing has a different gameplan in mind. What the cruise lines wont say - is that they will save a ton of money on fuel, by skipping a port, and having the ship in port overnight. That has to be a huge add to the bottom line. Of course, they are going to tell you that it's about a great overnight port experience - and it probably is ! But, at the end of the day... it's all about $$$ and profits.

 

Just my .02 cents.

 

 

 

I don't agree and here's why.

 

Our itinerary was Fort Lauderdale, Grand Cayman, Cartagena, Colon, Puerto Limon Costa Maya, Cozumel, Fort Lauderdale

 

The new itinerary is Fort Lauderdale, Cozumel, Puerto Limon, Colon, Cartagena (overnight) Grand Cayman, Fort Lauderdale.

 

When I look at a map, there is no significant difference (+/- 100 miles) in not stopping in Costa Maya, so to argue fuel savings by deleting Costa Maya as a port just does not hold water.

 

Same thing with dropping Bonaire from an itinerary that includes Aruba and Curacao. I can pretty much throw a rock from Curacao to Bonaire so to argue fuel savings by dropping Bonaire, once again look at a map. It just isn't a valid assumption.

 

We don't know what arrangements if any have been made for the overnight ports, but can we agree the shops and casino will be closed in port ? If so this is a revenue loss to Celebrity.

 

I would expect port fees are a wash, neither an additional cost nor a savings, and as has been pointed out these costs are passed along to the passenger.

 

I have seen nothing that would make me think the itinerary changes represent a "ton of savings" for Celebrity, and would appreciate anyone sharing how this assumption is reached ?

Edited June 3, 2015 by WpgCruise

[emileg]

We have always wanted to go to Cartagena, Columbia on a cruise, but hesitated because one day there would not do the city justice. Therefore, we have refrained from taking a cruise that stops in Cartagena. Celebrity's new plan to overnight in Cartagena is encouraging us to book such a cruise. Thank you, Celebrity.

 

However, there are other ports in the Caribbean where we have no desire to overnight. We can choose not to book such itineraries. If the itinerary was changed after I booked non-refundable airfare, and one island was omitted, I would view it as a minor inconvenience and still enjoy the cruise. We have always wanted to get to Costa Rica. On two such cruises, the port was cancelled due to sea conditions. We were disappointed, but enjoyed our extra day at sea.

[SantaFeFan]

I don't agree and here's why.

 

Our itinerary was Fort Lauderdale, Grand Cayman, Cartagena, Colon, Puerto Limon Costa Maya, Cozumel, Fort Lauderdale

 

The new itinerary is Fort Lauderdale, Cozumel, Puerto Limon, Colon, Cartagena (overnight) Grand Cayman, Fort Lauderdale.

 

When I look at a map, there is no significant difference (+/- 100 miles) in not stopping in Costa Maya, so to argue fuel savings by deleting Costa Maya as a port just does not hold water.

 

Same thing with dropping Bonaire from an itinerary that includes Aruba and Curacao. I can pretty much throw a rock from Curacao to Bonaire so to argue fuel savings by dropping Bonaire, once again look at a map. It just isn't a valid assumption.

 

We don't know what arrangements if any have been made for the overnight ports, but can we agree the shops and casino will be closed in port ? If so this is a revenue loss to Celebrity.

 

I would expect port fees are a wash, neither an additional cost nor a savings, and as has been pointed out these costs are passed along to the passenger.

 

I have seen nothing that would make me think the itinerary changes represent a "ton of savings" for Celebrity, and would appreciate anyone sharing how this assumption is reached ?

 

I have to agree. Yes, some people are disappointed in the changes if it affects a cruise they already booked, but to claim imaginary reasons why the changes have been made is just more noise from people who are angry that they aren't getting their way.

[gimletgal]

 

When I look at a map, there is no significant difference (+/- 100 miles) in not stopping in Costa Maya, so to argue fuel savings by deleting Costa Maya as a port just does not hold water.

 

Same thing with dropping Bonaire from an itinerary that includes Aruba and Curacao. I can pretty much throw a rock from Curacao to Bonaire so to argue fuel savings by dropping Bonaire, once again look at a map. It just isn't a valid assumption.

 

I have seen nothing that would make me think the itinerary changes represent a "ton of savings" for Celebrity, and would appreciate anyone sharing how this assumption is reached ?

 

Be it 50 miles or 100 miles, the ship is still going to be sailing overnight and burning fuel. If they go 5 knots all night or go in circles, they will still be moving. They cannot just drop anchor out in the middle of the ocean.

 

I agree with Andy and Hiltner. Fuel savings will be huge by overnighting and skipping the next nearby (originally scheduled) port.

[C 2 C]

When you bought your ticket, you agreed that Celebrity could change, replace, rearrange or cancel any port, for any reason, at any time.....

 

That's why you should never cruise for the ports.....they have no obligation to take you to any of them! Read the Cruise Contract!

The contract also tells you the ship might not be seaworthy and the food may not be edible..

 

What Celebrity sells is modern luxury that suggests a better experience than the competition.

 

If I order a red car I don't want a yellow one.

The cruises were selling well as originally scheduled.

It is the reason they say they changed: because we asked. BS!!

 

I don't want WpgCruise determining where my cruise goes. He can go anywhere he wants to go, live anywhere he does without making me move... ;)