Pricing concerns on Celebrity Edge

[kelmac]

Next November my wife and I are chaining together several cruises.  One of these cruises is on the Edge, and if we we're to book an OV cabin with two addition perks the cost is $1841 per person.  Well, the week before we are on the Crystal Symphony, which is all-inclusive and a luxury line, is running $1782 per person in an OV cabin.  Both of these cruises are 7 nights out of south Florida.  The Edge is new and the Symphony has been around a while, but after our Edge cruise we are on the Nieuw Statendam, and it runs $806 per person OV (no perks) and it's a new ship.  I can mix the dates up and sequences up, but the pricing is the same.

 

We have 30 cruises with Celebrity and love the brand, but........,

Kel

 

 

[Orator]

. You can bet that prices will continue to go up on all lines until the prices result in fewer bookings. I can only speak for myself, but as the price difference between the true luxury lines and Celebrity narrow I'm beginning to consider alternatives to Celebrity. This includes Crystal.

[ecslady]

Thanks for posting that comparison.  I love Celebrity, too, but may be it's time to research other lines as well.

[kelmac]

12 minutes ago, Orator said:

. You can bet that prices will continue to go up on all lines until the prices result in fewer bookings. I can only speak for myself, but as the price difference between the true luxury lines and Celebrity narrow I'm beginning to consider alternatives to Celebrity. This includes Crystal.

O,

 

I agree with you 100%.  HAL is a real bargain now and things are improving, including their smoking policy.  We are doing MSC's new Meraviglia ship in the Yacht Club (all-inclusive, including a lounge, restaurant, pool area, buffet and butler services) for $1564 per person in an inside cabin.  We did the YC experience last spring on the Seaside and it was outstanding.  Hope Celebrity does not lose their Edge (sic).

 

Kel

[iSailor]

Life is too short to nickel and dime.You can't bring with you any way.

[tallnthensome]

There's nothing on the Edge that is a nickel or a dime ....... Seems to be Benjamins at a minimum. Everyone likes to feel like that got a deal when they book a cruise no matter which line it's with. The last thing I would want to feel is ripped off or taken advantage of and that would happen if I even considered the Edge right now. 

[yorky]

1 hour ago, iSailor said:

Life is too short to nickel and dime.You can't bring with you any way.

Celebrity must absolutely love you my friend, you are exactly the cruiser they are aiming for these days with Edge ,)

[keesar]

3 hours ago, kelmac said:

Next November my wife and I are chaining together several cruises.  One of these cruises is on the Edge, and if we we're to book an OV cabin with two addition perks the cost is $1841 per person.  Well, the week before we are on the Crystal Symphony, which is all-inclusive and a luxury line, is running $1782 per person in an OV cabin.  Both of these cruises are 7 nights out of south Florida.  The Edge is new and the Symphony has been around a while, but after our Edge cruise we are on the Nieuw Statendam, and it runs $806 per person OV (no perks) and it's a new ship.  I can mix the dates up and sequences up, but the pricing is the same.

 

We have 30 cruises with Celebrity and love the brand, but........,

Kel

 

 

 

I have bookings on Equinox in Aqua Class for $1500 which includes 2 perks.  I am not going to pay those exorbitant prices for the Edge.

[Pennstateman]

1 hour ago, iSailor said:

Life is too short to nickel and dime.You can't bring with you any way.

actually, I think you can

[Stateroom_Sailor]

3 hours ago, kelmac said:

O,

 

I agree with you 100%.  HAL is a real bargain now and things are improving, including their smoking policy.  We are doing MSC's new Meraviglia ship in the Yacht Club (all-inclusive, including a lounge, restaurant, pool area, buffet and butler services) for $1564 per person in an inside cabin.  We did the YC experience last spring on the Seaside and it was outstanding.  Hope Celebrity does not lose their Edge (sic).

 

Kel

 

We went on HAL in June for a cruise tour, and I went into it with low expectations, only to be pleasantly surprised.  Their new decor, focus on destinations, and entertainment is moving in our direction.  If I had to choose between Edge or Crystal, are you kidding me???  I would love to try Crystal, if the price were right.  We're currently eyeballing reposition cruises on Windstar, Oceania, Cunard, and Azamara.

[Stateroom_Sailor]

2 hours ago, iSailor said:

Life is too short to nickel and dime.You can't bring with you any way.

 

Anyone remember the uproar a few years ago about the fresh squeezed OJ not being served in the buffet?  I figured if and when something much more controversial and impacting were to ever take place, the real cheerleaders and naysayers would come out in force, and part ways.

[TFLG]

I too am avoiding the Edge for now.  I can nearly book 2 cruises for the price of one edge cruise.  I don't mind a small premium to sail a new ship but I can't see the value in the prices of the Edge.  Plus the reviews are not very good.  Still only getting 3 stars out of 5 which for a new ship is pretty bad.

[hcat]

We took a diff approach with EDGE...book early ...2 and done!

 

We  have one AQ class booking...booked early on at a good price....Then we booked  a Sunset Veranda to ABC Islands for 9 nights.....moderate  upcharge ...for next Nov

 

After that we are back to Summit and will hope  that they do not ruin M and S Class ships which we have enjoyed...a nice update is in order but hope not EDEN!

Edited January 15, 2019 by hcat

[Tapi]

I keep pricing Edge and i just can’t justify the pricing. A bare bones oceanview stateroom costs more than a suite with a long list of perks on pretty much any mainstream cruise line. Heck, we did a loft style Aurea Duplex Suite on the MSC Meraviglia in the Mediterranean with priority embarkation, drink package, access to the Aurea Spa’s thermal suite, complimentary massages, access to private solarium deck and reserved section in the MDR with open seating for less than a standard oceanview stateroom on Edge!

 

Edge is definitely in my radar, but just like with tickets for Hamilton, I’m going to wait until the newness and the hooplah wears off.

[Shadow9612]

9 hours ago, kelmac said:

HAL is a real bargain now and things are improving, including their smoking policy.

 Could you comment on what improvements there have been to there smoking policy

[kelmac]

10 hours ago, Shadow9612 said:

 Could you comment on what improvements there have been to there smoking policy

 

Hi S,

HAL's new smoking policy:

--No smoking in cabins.

--No smoking on balconies.

--Some ships have non-smoking casinos; others have non-smoking evenings; some have a smoking section of the casino.

--Limited outdoor smoking areas.

 

We were on the Eurodam last month and there was no smoking on the promenade deck.  We experienced more smoking areas on Royal Caribbean and NCL compared to Holland America.  Considerable improvement in just a couple of years!

 

Enjoy!

Kel

[TeeRick]

Good deal on Crystal that you got.  Congrats.  I am not falling into the trap of assuming Edge pricing in the first year equals Celebrity overall pricing going forward or post Revolution.  Celebrity has a premium mass market business model.  I personally don’t see that changing to premium luxury pricing with Crystal.  But it is good to explore other ships and options always.  If you don’t like Celebrity prices for the value you get, vote with your pocket book. I like Celebrity but I’m not tied to it.  I’m currently on a RCCL ship.

[kearney]

We were on Edge in Dec... paid $1999/pp for E3 cabin.(prices went up to $2479 a few weeks later on this sailing and more on later trips) While I loved the ship and am one of the few who like the IV cabin (except for the size of the veranda).... I would not sail her again unless I could get it for about half what I paid.... I actually like the S class a bit more... so why pay double for a ship I like but not as much as I like the cheaper alternative. I just hope I will after the 'revolution'.

[kelmac]

11 minutes ago, TeeRick said:

Good deal on Crystal that you got.  Congrats.  I am not falling into the trap of assuming Edge pricing in the first year equals Celebrity overall pricing going forward or post Revolution.  Celebrity has a premium mass market business model.  I personally don’t see that changing to premium luxury pricing with Crystal.  But it is good to explore other ships and options always.  If you don’t like Celebrity prices for the value you get, vote with your pocket book. I like Celebrity but I’m not tied to it.  I’m currently on a RCCL ship.

I agree with you Rick!

We have eight cruises booked, but only one on Celebrity and that's still tentative (Edge Nov. 24th).  I still tell people that Celebrity is our "go-to" cruise line, as we have cruised with them 30 times.  Can't believe we scored a Crystal cruise cheaper than Celebrity and a new ship on HAL is half as expensive as a new ship on Celebrity.

 

Enjoy!

Kel😀

[FM]

23 hours ago, kelmac said:

Next November my wife and I are chaining together several cruises.  One of these cruises is on the Edge, and if we we're to book an OV cabin with two addition perks the cost is $1841 per person.  Well, the week before we are on the Crystal Symphony, which is all-inclusive and a luxury line, is running $1782 per person in an OV cabin.  Both of these cruises are 7 nights out of south Florida.  The Edge is new and the Symphony has been around a while, but after our Edge cruise we are on the Nieuw Statendam, and it runs $806 per person OV (no perks) and it's a new ship.  I can mix the dates up and sequences up, but the pricing is the same.

 

We have 30 cruises with Celebrity and love the brand, but........,

Kel

 

 

Almost made the switch to the Nieuw Statendam from the Edge on our upcoming cruise later this year due to the significant cost savings.  The Statendam would offer a regular balcony vs an IV cabin, more 'in our wheelhouse' entertainment options such the Rolling Stone Rock Room and Billboard Onboard vs Eden, a thalassotherapy pool etc.  One concern though is the angle of the toilet so close to the shower stall in the Statendam verandah staterooms.  In the end, decided to go with the Edge and experience it ourselves.  :)

[MisterBill99]

I took a look at Edge pricing for my upcoming sailings this Sunday and next and was shocked to see that they had not dropped them significantly and that cabins were still available (I even checked for senior and Florida resident rates). I read in another thread that their recent sailing was 500 below capacity. It seems like they are going to keep prices high and sail with empty cabins rather than "cheapen" the brand by dropping fares close to sailing to fill the ship like they typically do.  I guess it also improves service since you had less passengers (unless they also lower the number of staff to match the reduced load).

Edited January 17, 2019 by MisterBill99

[MisterBill99]

11 hours ago, FM said:

Almost made the switch to the Nieuw Statendam from the Edge on our upcoming cruise later this year due to the significant cost savings.  The Statendam would offer a regular balcony vs an IV cabin, more 'in our wheelhouse' entertainment options such the Rolling Stone Rock Room and Billboard Onboard vs Eden, a thalassotherapy pool etc.  One concern though is the angle of the toilet so close to the shower stall in the Statendam verandah staterooms.  In the end, decided to go with the Edge and experience it ourselves.  :)

 

We sailed 2 weeks on Koningsdam in June and really enjoyed it. I'd definitely go back on HAL, especially with the new Rolling Stone room (and Billboard Online with the two singers/piano players is excellent). Agreed the toilet angles are bad, I actually saw a negative review from someone I had met on our cruise complaining about that (he was a big guy). MSC Seaside had the same angled toilet issue. Happy to hear that Edge got it right.

[Shadow9612]

17 hours ago, kelmac said:

 

Hi S,

HAL's new smoking policy:

--No smoking in cabins.

--No smoking on balconies.

--Some ships have non-smoking casinos; others have non-smoking evenings; some have a smoking section of the casino.

--Limited outdoor smoking areas.

 

We were on the Eurodam last month and there was no smoking on the promenade deck.  We experienced more smoking areas on Royal Caribbean and NCL compared to Holland America.  Considerable improvement in just a couple of years!

 

Enjoy!

Kel

Thank you Kel!  One of the things I love about X, is the non smoking policy.  I'm glad to hear about an improvement in HALs.

[MisterBill99]

BTW, while the Edge prices seem (and are) high, they currently have a promotion where the price includes all 4 perks, including the Premium Beverage Package. So while they are not lowering the prices to what many would consider reasonable (or to fill the ship), they are offering a more all inclusive experience for that price.

Edited January 18, 2019 by MisterBill99

[kelmac]

50 minutes ago, MisterBill99 said:

BTW, while the Edge prices seem (and are) high, they currently have a promotion where the price includes all 4 perks, including the Premium Beverage Package. So while they are not lowering the prices to what many would consider reasonable (or to fill the ship), they are offering a more all inclusive experience for that price.

November 24, 7 night cruise in the cheapest 1B balcony cabin is $2,582 per person w/two of the four perks.  I guess the OBC + the drink package would bring it down some.  You only get all four perks with a suite.

I think Celebrity will come to their senses and start offering better deals as the demand wanes.

 

Kel