Is it worth the work to Elite Plus, or time to try other cruise lines?

[Beanb41]

Its taken us a little over 2 years and 7 cruises to reach Elite status. To go to Elite plus we have to accumulate more points than we currently have and I am not sure that I can be bothered. We are not suite passengers so don't accumulate extra points. We did a Mediterranean cruise last year an upgraded to Concierge for the extra points to get to Elite status but with drinks packages now included as a perk, the cocktail parties are not important. We always arrive early to board and we get on board as early as suites, concierge or Elite passengers any way. The internet is nice but not important but the laundry option is a great benefit. We will probably try Royal Caribbean next as the Elite status is transferrable across from Celebrity.

[Lois R]

We absolutely loved the Windstar experience. Significantly better food than X. Great cabin. Small ship means hundreds, not thousands of folks in the smaller ports. Great shore excursions. The only downside is the lack of large entertainment venues, so don't expect a 'Broadway:cool:' style show.

 

Thanks:)....having a Broadway show is not important to me so it is not

a downside;)

[silkismom]

I may have missed this somewhere in the thread--but AZAMARA steps up from X but your points count and increase.

[warmwinds]

We like, and use most of our Elite benefits. We know we will never get to Elite Plus. We sail Celebrity because we like their product (despite some grumblings we do). It just FITS us.

 

Is it WOW? No.

 

The only truly WOW cruise we had was so many years ago on Sitmar...that was SO wow. They were then bought by Princess who we sailed for many years, but it was never the same fun wow as Sitmar.

 

Now that we're older we appreciate the class and calmness of Celebrity. We still have fun, but it's not manic fun like when were were in our 20s, 30s, 40s...that's why I'm so upset that Celebrity wants to leave us behind, but so far that has been the perception from reading these boards, not the reality.

 

We do not want to spend a lot more to sail anyone else (Oceania, Crystal, even Azamara)...until the reality truly changes for us on X, we're quite happy to plod along as just Elite forever.

[Beanb41]

I may have missed this somewhere in the thread--but AZAMARA steps up from X but your points count and increase.

 

Correct but not with RCCL. One's status is reciprocated but points have to be accumulated from scratch

[beentothere]

I've been reading many recent posts about how X isn't the same as it was 5 years ago or more (unless you are in the suite staterooms, perhaps).

 

I have been traveling with celebrity for just over 6 years, and generally travel in a concierge stateroom. I've never been in a suite :(

 

I love points, I collect so many from so many places - air miles, drug stores, ...You name it!

 

I'm a loyalty client, and was so happy to reach Elite status with celebrity. I look forward to one day achieving Elite Plus although I have a long way to go (and can't even imagine how I'll ever get to zenith!).

 

I was on Equinox for the holiday sailing and I noticed many minor changes - most notably the quality of food and service in the MDR has decreased dramatically, the selection of items in Ocienview has been reduced, and removal of sushi in ocean view was a huge disappointment.

 

Did I love the cruise - yes! I feel so fortunate to be able to get away and relax on the ocean on such a beautiful ship. I had a wonderful time.

 

Do I love celebrity - yes!

 

But the little changes did disappoint me - not because they were problems, but I had been spoiled by X over the years and came to expect each cruise to get better.

 

So I don't have 1 'real' complaint. Had this been my first cruise with X, I would have been exceptionally happy. I could go on and on actually about all the positives. I thought the staff were phenomenal this cruise, even the stateroom attendant who was dealing with being on his own now for the first real time. The housekeeping staff throughout the ship were spectacular -always greeting all passengers with a smile. The bar staff throughout the ship also did a fantastic job of remembering people's drinks from one location on the shop to another. CD Damian and the activity manager were hilarious, visible, and approachable.

 

So I find myself wondering what to do??? Is it worth cruising solely with X so I can one day achieve Elite Plus (I'm lucky to go one cruise per year). Are the additional benefits worth it? Will these little declines add up so I one day I am not happy? I fear trying other lines because I did a B2B once with princess and was so disappointed with Princess.

 

I've thought about trying Crystal, but the costs seem substantially higher.

 

Apologies for the length of this post - thank you for reading and I look forward to your suggestions and comments.

 

Thank you for your post. Confirms what I experienced last year (2015)

 

Suggest that you choose more often based on price as the elite status brings some, but limited value. Other cruise lines may be experiencing

similar cuts, but may not be as deep as the X. No sushi ocean view...now

that's a low blow.

 

don ..sailed since the early 50's. Best cruise ship = The France

[bigbenboys]

We have cruised other lines. Seems we always come back to Celebrity. Suite Life is great. As we had all 4 perks. Michael's Club and the concierge service. Our concierge hostess Lucy booked small group excursions for suite guests. Our Butler bring our passports to our suite. Departing the cruise from Michael's Club out the side door (m class) to a separate line to exit the ship.

We have not cruised with Hal in awhile. I just don't think we will go back. The smoking on HAL is an issue. Thought it has gotten better. We have tried Azamara. Smaller cruise ships just are not our thing yet.

 

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[markeb]

Honestly, I don't think it is, and I'm also a point hound.

 

My wife and I are Diamond on RCI, which puts us at Elite on Celebrity. Both of those are currently for life.

 

I travel a LOT for business, and choose to use the same airline and hotel for personal travel. That means I'm Platinum with United and Marriott (and Starwood at least through the merger) this year. That status is worth something to me. I get free internet, club access, and breakfast at Marriott essentially worldwide. I get two regional upgrades on United, club access when traveling international, priority for domestic upgrades, free bags, priority boarding, etc. I've been 1K once, which was beyond amazing, with far more bennies, to include global upgrades. So I'll go out of my way (within reason) to stay at Marriott and fly United.

 

While I see advantages to status on cruiselines, you can buy most of those bennies, and they frankly are giving away drink packages, which offset the value of the lounges (we're in a suite on our next Celebrity cruise, so we'll see how we like Michael's Club).

 

We cruised HAL years ago. Loved the service. Felt really young. We're older now, but have a hard time admitting it to try again. Who knows...

[Lastdance]

We have sailed only 2 other cruises since first boarding Meridian in 1994. The rest have been exclusively Celebrity and we also are Elite+ but don't see ever making Zenith:(. We are sailing on AMA this summer and looking very carefully at replacing our Constellation cruise in 2018 with Azamara.

 

 

That sounds like two very good ideas...giving lots of ideas fair play. Will most likely do the TA in April and Europe again in2018, but I am looking at other options as of today. I had a defining moment...

 

 

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[Shadow9612]

No sushi ocean view...now

that's a low blow.

 

The loss of sushi was so disappointing - but I think what made it worse was it was moved to where bistro on 5 was (I think) and they were charging for sushi a la carte (per item)... I sincerely hope X reverses this and brings it back to the Ocienview. Even if it's not every day,I feel it should be available some of the time.

[north29]

I'm not one who worries about food or drink, it will always be acceptable, maybe as not great, but eatable. We are elite on X and D+ on RC. I see no need to worry about making the next loyalty level, which for many people is a goal. We cruise to see the world and have almost exhausted RCCL for cruises to new places. Azamara might be different with smaller ships in the same cruising areas.

We are now looking at other cruise lines that have itineraries or cruise different/same area but different ports of call or entirely new itineraries, Like the MSC cruise from South Africa. The only draw back is a drink package as part of the reservation LOL. If they offer one at a reasonable price we are BOOKED.

[TeeRick]

Cruise on Celebrity if you love the experience and not just for points to Elite+ like others have advised. Another option to use your current Elite or Diamond status is MSC which has been offering equivalent status if you email them documentation of your status. We did this but have not tried them yet.

[sanger727]

Reference the issue about zenith. We went on a celebrity cruise a few years ago and met a woman. She was older and her husband was disabled and they chose to spend a large chuck of the year on cruise ships. When they are home they have to have in home help to cook and clean anyway so it makes cruising more affordable in comparison and gives them accessible activities and entertainment. People in that category will probably make zenith and feel rewarded for their loyalty and the [emoji383][emoji383] they spend with celebrity. The once or twice a year cruiser won't ever make it.

 

 

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[Shadow9612]

Cruise on Celebrity if you love the experience and not just for points to Elite+ like others have advised. Another option to use your current Elite or Diamond status is MSC which has been offering equivalent status if you email them documentation of your status. We did this but have not tried them yet.

 

Thank you for this information. I didn't know another cruise line would grant equivalency. That in itself strikes me as interesting.

 

I realize it's a 2 sided argument - it gives people like me an incentive to try a new line and not start at the bottom of the loyalty ladder... BUT, conceptually, if all cruise lines start doing this, doesn't it defeat the purpose of a 'loyalty program'?

 

As someone who's worked so hard to become Elite on X, is it fair for a newbee to access the same benefits?..... not complaining, just putting it out there... would be interested to see what others think...

[Papa T]

Interesting thread . . . can't help but hope that X is monitoring the thoughts of experienced X cruisers. I'm seems clear to me that the "fine tuning" of the product (read cuts) are not from strain on their $$ bottom line. Check the price of RCI stock that I bought and sold around $40 and is now more than double that. There is a fine line between making cruisers happy enough to return for another cruise and making additional profit. I still enjoy the X experience and will happily board Eclipse next week (X number 28) for 14 days in the sun. But I too have lost some of the feeling of loyalty that I once had. Frankly, I can't decide if the problem is X or just my reaction to the sameness of the X experience. Maybe it's time for a change. Who knows . . . maybe I'll see some of you on Harmony in June.

[Germancruiser]

I am Elite+ and never will make it to Zenith- which is just as well! I enjoy the internet minutes one get´s ! I do not need any packages anymore with my free tea and stuff. Laundry- oh well- may come in usefull. All the other stuff- just buy something - then you get something.Over a year now since I cruised X- and the next will be on board the Egde. My next cruises for 2017 and 2018 are all booked with Cunard!

I might come back to X then and again- but for the time beeing I am done with their cuttings and stuff, which mentioned a zillion times here already!

[warmwinds]

Thank you for this information. I didn't know another cruise line would grant equivalency. That in itself strikes me as interesting.

 

I realize it's a 2 sided argument - it gives people like me an incentive to try a new line and not start at the bottom of the loyalty ladder... BUT, conceptually, if all cruise lines start doing this, doesn't it defeat the purpose of a 'loyalty program'?

 

As someone who's worked so hard to become Elite on X, is it fair for a newbee to access the same benefits?..... not complaining, just putting it out there... would be interested to see what others think...

 

I also have a hard time with this. But I think it depends on what side you are on - if you're getting the stuff, you love it. We've had this issue recently with airlines and hotels "status matching" their competition. I DO feel that the new people are getting something that I worked hard and loyally to earn...but I can go to a different airline or hotel chain (or cruise line) and do the same thing. (oh, and casinos, too...take your card from Total Rewards and get matched to MGM or anyone else).

 

It's not so bad for a cruise line or hotel, because while they are getting the perks, so are you...it's bad on an airline because there are only so many seats, and if the perk you want is a free or discounted upgrade, with so many more people competing for the same few seats you can be shut out.

Edited January 28, 2017 by warmwinds

[Traveling Fools]

 

I travel a LOT for business, and choose to use the same airline and hotel for personal travel. That means I'm Platinum with United and Marriott (and Starwood at least through the merger) this year. That status is worth something to me. I get free internet, club access, and breakfast at Marriott essentially worldwide. I get two regional upgrades on United, club access when traveling international, priority for domestic upgrades, free bags, priority boarding, etc. I've been 1K once, which was beyond amazing, with far more bennies, to include global upgrades. So I'll go out of my way (within reason) to stay at Marriott and fly United.

 

While I see advantages to status on cruiselines, you can buy most of those bennies, and they frankly are giving away drink packages, which offset the value of the lounges (we're in a suite on our next Celebrity cruise, so we'll see how we like Michael's Club).

 

I totally agree with your assessment. Before retiring, I too performed a lot of business related travel, mostly international. Brand loyalty with United payed off in spades for me and my family! Like cruise lines, airlines are modifying loyalty perks that, in effect, is diminishing the value of loyalty programs for all, but the upper tiers.

 

X and the other lines focus more on your total cruising summary at time of final payment and before you board than just the number of points you have earned in their loyalty program. I personally think that many cruisers "wear" or express their tier level for ego.

 

Cruise lines already know the profile of previous passengers who are members of their respective loyalty program. It is based on the class of stateroom generally booked, any letters of praise or complaint written, on-board spending history, pre-paid gratuity history, casino activity, etc. You can bet the Ship's and Hotel's Department Heads, at a minimum, are given heads up about former passengers to whom they need to extend an extra degree of courtesy or caution (whiners).

 

For you pay for a cruise, be it with X or another line, the perks brand loyalty programs generate are really slim. The WiFi and Happy Hour benefits with X could be an exception, but as markeb points out many, to most, cruise promos offer relative packages.

 

In total relevant terms, if you are an ardent gambler on X you might actually end receiving more perks than the rest of us who don't gamble.:D:D

[MVPinBoynton]

We have cruised Celebrity for 19 years and are Elite +. I do appreciate the benefits, especially 240 internet minutes; but like others, I will never be Zenith in my lifetime. In my opinion, once you get to Elite, it is good enough. You get enough benefits and you get a similar status with RCCL.

 

We just got off a most enjoyable cruise on the Eclipse. We had a great time; but did not book another cruise. Our biggest problem is finding an itinerary we haven't done. The Celebrity experience is also changing a lot. The cost cutting and food quality quality declines are becoming more obvious. I am also bored with the same MDR menus for so many years. We tried Blu a couple cruises ago and it was a nice change. I am sure that we would enjoy Luminae and might try a suite some day; but I don't know that it is worth the price.

 

We really enjoyed Oceania. It was more like X used to be in many ways. It was particularly nice not to constantly having people trying to sell us art, photos, jewelry, etc. Like another poster recommended, get a lower class cabin on Oceania and try it out. I think you will notice a big difference. We prefer their larger ships, since they are newer and just gorgeous.

 

We also liked HAL, but have only cruised on them once. While on the Eclipse, I told my wife that we really need to start going on other lines, since we were getting bored with X. We had the same problem many years ago, when we cruised with Princess too many times in a row. We will be mixing up cruise lines more in the future.

 

OP, I am sorry for rambling; but I wouldn't focus too much energy on reaching Elite +. You are already at a good enough status level.

Edited January 28, 2017 by MVPinBoynton

[Oceangoer2]

Thank you for your post. Confirms what I experienced last year (2015)

 

Suggest that you choose more often based on price as the elite status brings some, but limited value. Other cruise lines may be experiencing

similar cuts, but may not be as deep as the X. No sushi ocean view...now

that's a low blow.

 

don ..sailed since the early 50's. Best cruise ship = The France

OT...but, didn't the France become 'The Norway'? Sailed it in '93 and yes, it was a very classy ship. Of course, cabins and amenities were different, but public rooms, inside shopping experience, dining, etc were absolutely first class. Just looked at our pics and we enjoyed table side prep in the MDR! Shows were better than anything offered now (Jean Ann Ryan choreography still is 1st rate). Great but outdated ship...wonder if it's still sailing?

[Shadow9612]

We have cruised Celebrity for 19 years and are Elite +. I do appreciate the benefits, especially 240 internet minutes; but like others, I will never be Zenith in my lifetime. In my opinion, once you get to Elite, it is good enough. You get enough benefits and you get a similar status with RCCL.

 

Very good point. I'll have to 'let go' of my fascination with points accumulation [emoji6]

 

 

We just got off a most enjoyable cruise on the Eclipse. We had a great time; but did not book another cruise. Our biggest problem is finding an itinerary we haven't done. The Celebrity experience is also changing a lot. The cost cutting and food quality quality declines are becoming more obvious. I am also bored with the same MDR menus for so many years. We tried Blu a couple cruises ago and it was a nice change. I am sure that we would enjoy Luminae and might try a suite some day; but I don't know that it is worth the price.

 

My feeling exactly - I think Celebrity is fantastic and I always enjoy my experience. The food quality decline and cost cutting are increasing as well as the pressure to 'buy' things. I would also like to try a suite since suite passengers seem to have access to those little things I'm now missing, but the suite costs are slightly too high for me (given my limitations of when I can cruise).

 

We really enjoyed Oceania. It was more like X used to be in many ways. It was particularly nice not to constantly having people trying to sell us art, photos, jewelry, etc. Like another poster recommended, get a lower class cabin on Oceania and try it out. I think you will notice a big difference. We prefer their larger ships, since they are newer and just gorgeous.

 

We also liked HAL, but have only cruised on them once. While on the Eclipse, I told my wife that we really need to start going on other lines, since we were getting bored with X. We had the same problem many years ago, when we cruised with Princess too many times in a row. We will be mixing up cruise lines more in the future.

 

OP, I am sorry for rambling; but I wouldn't focus too much energy on reaching Elite +. You are already at a good enough status level.

 

MVPinBoynton: thank you so much for this insight and I didn't think you were rambling :)

 

You, and the other responding posters have offered so much valuable insight and opinions. I've been cruising for many years now but never spent much time on these forums - so I'm now appreciating all the feedback.

 

I would be very interested to hear more about Oceana from you, and anyone else. I will look for any threads that compare oceana and X, but I'd be most interested in hearing how other celebrity cruisers who have tried Oceana feel.

[MVPinBoynton]

 

I would be very interested to hear more about Oceana from you, and anyone else. I will look for any threads that compare oceana and X, but I'd be most interested in hearing how other celebrity cruisers who have tried Oceana feel.

 

If you go to my review website http://www.thepreismans.com, there are reviews of our Oceania cruises with lots of photos of the ships, entertainment, menus, etc. I think they will show you more than you want to know about Oceania. :D

[Papa T]

OT...but, didn't the France become 'The Norway'? Sailed it in '93 and yes, it was a very classy ship. Of course, cabins and amenities were different, but public rooms, inside shopping experience, dining, etc were absolutely first class. Just looked at our pics and we enjoyed table side prep in the MDR! Shows were better than anything offered now (Jean Ann Ryan choreography still is 1st rate). Great but outdated ship...wonder if it's still sailing?

 

I toured the France in '62 while it was docked in New York and sailed on the Norway in the '90s. Unfortunately it was a deep draft ocean liner that needed to tender in most Caribbean ports like St. Thomas. It was sold for scrap and sent to Asia where I think (not sure) that it burned and sunk before it could be scrapped. What a terrible end to a great lady.

[Shadow9612]

If you go to my review website www.thepreismans.com, there are reviews of our Oceania cruises with lots of photos of the ships, entertainment, menus, etc. I think they will show you more than you want to know about Oceania. :D

 

Wow, I had come across your website from another source before - thank you for all of your hard work to help fellow travelers!!! I will certainly look at your Oceania cruise reviews. Thank you.

[Ken the cruiser]

We're in our mid 60s and even though we enjoy moving up levels, the itinerary is the most important part to us when selecting a cruise. But we're also finding variety has its pluses when it comes to cruising. Right now we have cruises booked on HAL, X, Crystal, Pearlsea, Azamara and NCL and are looking forward to going on each one because of the unique itineraries they offer. We also tried Disney this past May and have cruised twice on Oceania and once on RCL. We've been on great cruises, a norovirus cruise, and some cruises that were just OK. But trying different cruise lines that have itineraries that take us to unique places at a fair price is much more rewarding than sticking with just one cruise line to collect points to get to the next level.