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Ever increasing sales pressure?


lisiamc
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6 hours ago, MisterBill99 said:

 

Yes, your key card will be a different color if you're in a suite (also different for Aqua and Concierge).

Yes but it does not signify that you are in one of the suites that gets free speciality restaurants. There are only 10 suites that have this on S Class suites (ignoring the Reflection and the impact of Revolutioning)

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I don’t like high pressure sales tactics either but I recognize mass market cruise lines rely on upcharges such as drink packages, specialty restaurants, casino, photos, spa treatments, etc to make profit forecasts. Every inch of real estate on a ship is viewed as a potential profit center or operating cost. 

 

I spent $3,000 total for our 7 night Aqua class Equinox cruise next month including the classic beverage package and WiFi. (2 ppl) plus I got an decent OBC. 

I WANT to upgrade my beverage package so we can drink what we want and not have to be price conscious on board. We also already prepaid for 2 specialty restaurants because we want to experience Tuscan Grille and Murano. It’s all part of our vacation and we want to enjoy as much as we can. I consider it part of the overall cost. But that’s me. I know everyone is in a different frame of mind and financial considerations come into play. 

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Thinking about this again and reading some of the comments I wonder if Celebrity is pushing them to do this or are the employees doing it on their own?

 

I think the employees get a “commission” for each booking so it is a sales job for them.  They may be doing it during their free time as a way to earn a little extra and wouldn’t do it unless it was profitable.  So indirectly the cruise line does promote it by offering a commission.   It is the same for those hawking drink packs during the first couple of days.  They see a opportunity and take it. 

 

As a previous poster said he reported one because of his persistance.   I think that would eliminate a few of those that over bearing as they might be banned from selling

 

We had a porter at the dock that made us stand in line after getting off the shuttle while he guarded our luggage and then demanded to see our travel documents and passports.   He then want us to ID our luggage and told us how much it was per bag.  I told him it was necessary to see our passport or documents.   I took his picture, and got his badge number. and then called the port authority and reported him.   They said that they would sent someone over to replace him and have him removed as they couldn’t do that.  The agent said they do sometimes have employees  over exceed their authority and abuse their position, when they find out they get rid of them because they dont want the visitors to be hassled or threatened.  She also told me that they belong to a union and are very well paid and don’t need to do that.  

 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

 

 

 

 

Edited by miched
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1 hour ago, mfs2k said:

I don’t like high pressure sales tactics either but I recognize mass market cruise lines rely on upcharges such as drink packages, specialty restaurants, casino, photos, spa treatments, etc to make profit forecasts. Every inch of real estate on a ship is viewed as a potential profit center or operating cost. 

 

I spent $3,000 total for our 7 night Aqua class Equinox cruise next month including the classic beverage package and WiFi. (2 ppl) plus I got an decent OBC. 

I WANT to upgrade my beverage package so we can drink what we want and not have to be price conscious on board. We also already prepaid for 2 specialty restaurants because we want to experience Tuscan Grille and Murano. It’s all part of our vacation and we want to enjoy as much as we can. I consider it part of the overall cost. But that’s me. I know everyone is in a different frame of mind and financial considerations come into play. 

You can upgrade your beverage package before boarding at a discount during one of the many pre-cruise sales, or even at regular price, and you've already purchased two specialty dinners. Now picture finally boarding your ship to begin that vacation and being badgered to upgrade your beverage package, book dinners you've already booked incessantly for 2 or three days of your 7 days. I'm not talking about a casual inquiry, I'm talking about being chased the length of the ship after you've firmly said no. I'm talking about being awakened while sleeping poolside,  dining at every venue, including the ones you've paid extra for and in Blu, the OVC, and enjoying a cup of coffee and quiet time ar Cafe al Bacio, and going through security when re-boarding the ship after a long hot day in port. All those things happened to us on our last Silhouette cruise in December. DH was in commissioned sales for many years, so we appreciate and understand the benefits of the profession and are immune to sales pressure, but this was having our path blocked, being chased and yelled at, not just a series of casual polite inquiries.

Edited by Luvcrusn
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On 2/17/2019 at 7:36 PM, tallnthensome said:

Yea, they could start by charging half of what they do normally if they want to fill specialty restaurants. I'm not paying six thousand dollars for a cruise and then paying another $30 per person to eat. They can kiss my rear end ...... Glad to hear they have to beg. Maybe they'll buy a clue. 

 

Do you pay $30 US for a specialty meal online or is that what they're offering in front of the elevators..LOL?  In Canadian $$s it's $62 pp for Murano.  Why would we have to pay double? Difference in $ between US and Canada isn't double.  Actual 3 ni pkg is $345.72 Cdn...which is $57.62 pp a meal.  Looks like we pay about $27 pp more than Americans.  I think I'll cancel my 3 night pkg and book onboard if they're that anxious for customers.  Hopefully someone will clear this up and prove me wrong in my math.

Edited by oceangoer2
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53 minutes ago, oceangoer2 said:

Do you pay $30 US for a specialty meal online or is that what they're offering in front of the elevators..LOL?  In Canadian $$s it's $62 pp for Murano. 

Murano is $50 US per person in advance.  So $62 CA sounds right.  Tuscan Grill is $45pp US. (Edited:  I made a mistake and originally posted $35pp for Tuscan) 

Edited by mfs2k
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36 minutes ago, oceangoer2 said:

Do you pay $30 US for a specialty meal online or is that what they're offering in front of the elevators..LOL?  In Canadian $$s it's $62 pp for Murano.

 

The first night of the cruise, the cost for specialty restaurants is usually cheaper and often discounted because that night has the lowest demand..  

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47 minutes ago, Luvcrusn said:

I'm talking about being chased the length of the ship after you've firmly said no. I'm talking about being awakened while sleeping poolside,  dining at every venue, including the ones you've paid extra for and in Blu, the OVC, and enjoying a cup of coffee and quiet time ar Cafe al Bacio, and going through security when re-boarding the ship after a long hot day in port. All those things happened to us on our last Silhouette cruise in December.

 

I agree this sounds horrendous.  I hope this won't be our experience on Equinox next month.  I think you should write a letter directly to Celebrity Cruises corporate (someone high up the food chain) to tell them about your experience and displeasure.  My only suggestion is not to ask for compensation.  Just tell them what you think.  Letters like that tend to be taken more seriously when you voice your opinion directly, without asking for anything and when you bypass social media which turns your issue into a b*tchfest.

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7 minutes ago, mfs2k said:

 

I agree this sounds horrendous.  I hope this won't be our experience on Equinox next month.  I think you should write a letter directly to Celebrity Cruises corporate (someone high up the food chain) to tell them about your experience and displeasure.  My only suggestion is not to ask for compensation.  Just tell them what you think.  Letters like that tend to be taken more seriously when you voice your opinion directly, without asking for anything and when you bypass social media which turns your issue into a b*tchfest.

I've already done that and addressed it to the attention of a manager of OneTouch I have contacted before. I also included it in my post cruise survey and review as well as contacting the Hotel Manager while still on the ship. I asked for and wanted nothing more than the badgering to stop. I guess I'll see on my next cruise if any of that had an effect. Based on the experiences of OP on Solstice, I'd say it didn't...but I can hope! 

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24 minutes ago, Luvcrusn said:

Tuscan, pre-cruise without discounts is listed as $45 US.

 

So we pay Cdn about $54 for Tuscan...US $45 seems the right exchange.  However, cheaper $$s onboard is even better.  Longstanding I've booked pre-cruise.  There's been times we've not felt like dining at a certain time or certain date but go anyway because it's reserved.  Now we'll just take a chance on our preferred time/date being available at a discounted price.  Thanks to all for helping with your experiences and info.

Edited by oceangoer2
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5 minutes ago, oceangoer2 said:

 

So we pay Cdn about $54 for Tuscan...US $45 seems the right exchange.  However, cheaper $$s onboard is even better.  Longstanding I've booked pre-cruise.  There's been times we've not felt like dining at a certain time or certain date but go anyway because it's reserved.  Now we'll just take a chance on our preferred time/date being available at a discounted price.  Thanks to all for helping with your experiences and info.

 

I think prime times fill up first.  That's why I prebooked.  I reserved 8pm for Tuscan one night, and our friends decided to join us.  They could only book 830.  8pm was no longer available. (we sail in 4 1/2 weeks)  I'm sure we'll be able to straighten it out when we board but the early bird catches the worm, as they say. 

Edited by mfs2k
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Sales pressure?  Increasing prices?  Declining quality?  Cut backs?  If the shoe fits :(.  But as potential customers we still have the ability to vote with our dollars.  In our case it has meant severely cutting our  Celebrity cruise schedule while quickly increasing cruises with other lines where we find much better value, quality, etc.   The thing about "price elasticity" in economics is you can push folks only so far..and then many simply find other alternatives.

 

Hank

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1 hour ago, mfs2k said:

 

I think prime times fill up first.  That's why I prebooked.  I reserved 8pm for Tuscan one night, and our friends decided to join us.  They could only book 830.  8pm was no longer available. (we sail in 4 1/2 weeks)  I'm sure we'll be able to straighten it out when we board but the early bird catches the worm, as they say. 

 Re timing....so agree.  We like to book 6pm to attend the 9pm show...apparently that time isn't as popular as between 7-8.  We've noticed the restaurants are NOT full even during the preferred times you mentioned.  I'm thinking it's the numbers the kitchen can handle on any given night.  As you say, it may be that onboard you may get the time that works for you.

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The thing with the speciality restaurants is enough people are willing to pay the price, if they were not the prices would drop. We book a restaurant package in advance and are happy to pay the £26pp per meal for Murano, we think for the whole experience it’s worth it, many others agree. Supply and demand and it’s clearly working for Celebrity.

Edited by yorky
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19 minutes ago, oceangoer2 said:

 Re timing....so agree.  We like to book 6pm to attend the 9pm show...apparently that time isn't as popular as between 7-8.  We've noticed the restaurants are NOT full even during the preferred times you mentioned.  I'm thinking it's the numbers the kitchen can handle on any given night.  As you say, it may be that onboard you may get the time that works for you.

You are correct, they will only take numbers they can manage which will still allow them to give the service expected when you pay the extra, my favourite restaurant in Glasgow does exactly the same thing.

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11 minutes ago, yorky said:

The thing with the speciality restaurants is enough people are willing to pay the price, if they were not the prices would drop. We book a restaurant package in advance and are happy to pay the £26pp per meal for Murano, we think for the whole experience it’s worth it, many others agree. Supply and demand and it’s clearly working for Celebrity.

 

If they're begging people to come & offering discounts to make that happen, then that's not exactly supply & demand.  They have put themselves into the situation where the initial price is so high that most people are actively waiting for a discount.  The high asking price commands a higher "discount" price.  The quality of what you get does not support their asking prices (much like the rooms on Edge). 

 

As others have noted, they'd probably fill up every night if the initial asking price was simply lower from the outset AND you could book in advance for your preferred night/time.  

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We are taking our first Celebrity cruise in September. We are going on the Edge, so we are already paying a pretty penny for an oceanview room with the go best package. The itinerary is what woo'd us to this ship. We don't book spa packages, specialty restaurants, pay for workout classes, or ship sponsored shore excursions unless we have onboard credit to burn. Since this will only be our 4th cruise ever (we have done a lot of land-based vacations), this kind of behavior will keep us from booking any other celebrity cruise in the future. I am generally a laid-back, go with the flow person. However, if I am interrupted while I am relaxing by the pool, or having a nice quiet dinner, I will get in their face. When I get home, I will craft a well-worded letter and direct it as high as I can possibly direct it. I understand commissions, but I feel like with the extreme high-pressure some people are experiencing, that they are actually being threatened by their managers, which is not cool. It's one thing to earn a little extra money. It is entirely something different to be told money will be taken away if you don't perform X. If I want to purchase something, a well-placed sign announcing specials will do for me. 

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9 minutes ago, cruisin_123 said:

We are taking our first Celebrity cruise in September. We are going on the Edge, so we are already paying a pretty penny for an oceanview room with the go best package. The itinerary is what woo'd us to this ship. We don't book spa packages, specialty restaurants, pay for workout classes, or ship sponsored shore excursions unless we have onboard credit to burn. Since this will only be our 4th cruise ever (we have done a lot of land-based vacations), this kind of behavior will keep us from booking any other celebrity cruise in the future. I am generally a laid-back, go with the flow person. However, if I am interrupted while I am relaxing by the pool, or having a nice quiet dinner, I will get in their face. When I get home, I will craft a well-worded letter and direct it as high as I can possibly direct it. I understand commissions, but I feel like with the extreme high-pressure some people are experiencing, that they are actually being threatened by their managers, which is not cool. It's one thing to earn a little extra money. It is entirely something different to be told money will be taken away if you don't perform X. If I want to purchase something, a well-placed sign announcing specials will do for me. 

 

It sounds like this is already ruining your vacation, 7 months in advance, and it hasn't even happened to you.  If you get yourself worked up in advance, you're going to react to any sales technique you're on guard to.  You're going to be in an environment where selling is the norm, whether it's dining, excursions, special events and tastings, or spa treatments.  Let it go, breathe, don't let it get to you, and have a good vacation.  Life is too short.  

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1 minute ago, mfs2k said:

 

It sounds like this is already ruining your vacation, 7 months in advance, and it hasn't even happened to you.  If you get yourself worked up in advance, you're going to react to any sales technique you're on guard to.  You're going to be in an environment where selling is the norm, whether it's dining, excursions, special events and tastings, or spa treatments.  Let it go, breathe, don't let it get to you, and have a good vacation.  Life is too short.  

LOL! I am a planner. I booked this cruise last August, right before the price shot up by $1k per person. I actually read these boards quite often, but rarely have anything worth posting about. I like to be aware of potential problems so I can prepare myself (and more importantly, my spouse). And believe me, I do enjoy life to its fullest, even with lemons!

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9 minutes ago, mfs2k said:

 

It sounds like this is already ruining your vacation, 7 months in advance, and it hasn't even happened to you.  If you get yourself worked up in advance, you're going to react to any sales technique you're on guard to.  You're going to be in an environment where selling is the norm, whether it's dining, excursions, special events and tastings, or spa treatments.  Let it go, breathe, don't let it get to you, and have a good vacation.  Life is too short.  

 

Perhaps Celebrity could start offering pre-cruise classes at local hotel reception hall?  "Relaxation Revolution, 8 Techniques to surviving Sales pressures during your upcoming cruise."

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1 hour ago, bEwAbG said:

 

If they're begging people to come & offering discounts to make that happen, then that's not exactly supply & demand.  They have put themselves into the situation where the initial price is so high that most people are actively waiting for a discount.  The high asking price commands a higher "discount" price.  The quality of what you get does not support their asking prices (much like the rooms on Edge). 

 

As others have noted, they'd probably fill up every night if the initial asking price was simply lower from the outset AND you could book in advance for your preferred night/time.  

Celebrity are not daft, this model has been running for years. Sell a percentage at full price and get the prime times and the rest at a discount, if it was not working and they could make more at half the price they would change it. They don’t just guess at these things, everything is calculated to maximise profits. Anyone waiting for Celebrity to half the cost of speciality dining is going to have a very long wait, if anything it’s only going to go up. The sales pressure also continues because it’s shown to work, i’ve certainly purchased after being approached as have many others. If no one purchased they would also stop that. Honestly I don’t really know why anyone is that bothered. If they are happy with the MDR and think the speciality dining is a rip off just enjoy the MDR and leave the specialities to those of us that think it’s good value and enjoy the more refined ambience, better food, and service. By all means complain to Celebrity if an approach around the ship is not welcome, if enough complain they may listen and wind it back a bit, but end of the day Celebrity is all about the money.

Edited by yorky
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