Met head of Loyalty for Celebrity

[jcpc]

On 3/28/2019 at 7:53 PM, Silkroad said:

I was making an attempt at humor, but apparently one emoji was insufficient.

Sorry Silkroad, but the emoji did not display on my laptop.  Therefore I mistook your post as a serious comment.

[crusinthrough]

9 hours ago, cruiseflyer38 said:

On our last cruise (Feb 17) I was told there were app. 230 Total Zenith members. When we gained Zenith in 2015 we were told we were 87/88. That number spread over 12 ships would not imply any overload that would make the suite guests suffer.

 On RC 230 would cause an impact to the suite experience.  If there is currently an issue (perceived or otherwise)  on RC with the number of Pinnacle with access to lounge,  adding any additional guest would add to the issue.This being said, overcrowding in the lounge seems to only be during happy hour and with early seating times in CK. 

[Ray in NH]

7 hours ago, crusinthrough said:

 On RC 230 would cause an impact to the suite experience.  If there is currently an issue (perceived or otherwise)  on RC with the number of Pinnacle with access to lounge,  adding any additional guest would add to the issue.This being said, overcrowding in the lounge seems to only be during happy hour and with early seating times in CK. 

 

There seems to be something of an "Apples vs Oranges" case here. 230 Zenith Members (circa Feb , 2017) versus how many Pinnacles?  When we reached Pinnacle (May 2013) we were told we were #337 and #338.  I believe I recently saw that those numbers are now well over 1000.

However, I do agree that "Suites Benefits" should be only for those who book (and presumably pay for) for suites accommodations.  If one wants the perks, they should pay the price.

Of course, the cruise lines are always going to do what they wish, no matter what gets posted here.

 

NRayH

[crusinthrough]

11 hours ago, Ray in NH said:

 

There seems to be something of an "Apples vs Oranges" case here. 230 Zenith Members (circa Feb , 2017) versus how many Pinnacles?  When we reached Pinnacle (May 2013) we were told we were #337 and #338.  I believe I recently saw that those numbers are now well over 1000.

However, I do agree that "Suites Benefits" should be only for those who book (and presumably pay for) for suites accommodations.  If one wants the perks, they should pay the price.

Of course, the cruise lines are always going to do what they wish, no matter what gets posted here.

 

NRayH

 

Is it easier to reach Pinnacle than Zenith?  Not that either is an easy task.  Just curious as to why there are so many more Pinnacles members vs Zenith members.  As for the lounge, today it's 230 members.   Two years from now it could be double (or not).  Once the perk is given it's difficult to take away.  

 

I don't believe the two programs should merge but as you said the cruise lines are always going o make their own decisions. I just go with the flow.  

[varoo]

37 minutes ago, crusinthrough said:

 

Is it easier to reach Pinnacle than Zenith?  Not that either is an easy task.  Just curious as to why there are so many more Pinnacles members vs Zenith members.  

 

Just compare the size of the Royal Caribbean fleet to the size of the Celebrity fleet and you will easily have your answer.

 

Royal Caribbean has not only many more ships than Celebrity, but much larger ships; therefore many more passengers enrolled and advancing through the ranks in their Crown & Anchor Society loyalty program than in Celebrity's Captain's Club.

 

[TommyD3]

2 hours ago, crusinthrough said:

 

Is it easier to reach Pinnacle than Zenith?  Not that either is an easy task.  Just curious as to why there are so many more Pinnacles members vs Zenith members.  As for the lounge, today it's 230 members.   Two years from now it could be double (or not).  Once the perk is given it's difficult to take away. 

Celebrity only initiated the Zenith program in late 2013. Royal had a Pinnacle level MANY years before.

There are MANY passengers turning Zenith currently. Two on the current Eclipse cruise and two the previous cruise.

[Oville]

2 minutes ago, TommyD3 said:

Celebrity only initiated the Zenith program in late 2013. Royal had a Pinnacle level MANY years before.

There are MANY passengers turning Zenith currently. Two on the current Eclipse cruise and two the previous cruise.

How wonderful for those who will be Zenith, not easy to get there.

[Magik Bee]

2 hours ago, TommyD3 said:

Celebrity only initiated the Zenith program in late 2013. Royal had a Pinnacle level MANY years before.

There are MANY passengers turning Zenith currently. Two on the current Eclipse cruise and two the previous cruise.

 

Not crazy at all! Super fun that X made this level too!!

[crusinthrough]

2 hours ago, TommyD3 said:

Celebrity only initiated the Zenith program in late 2013. Royal had a Pinnacle level MANY years before.

There are MANY passengers turning Zenith currently. Two on the current Eclipse cruise and two the previous cruise.

 

I thought Pinnacle level was added in Jan 2011 when RC changed the C&A program?

[TommyD3]

6 hours ago, crusinthrough said:

 

I thought Pinnacle level was added in Jan 2011 when RC changed the C&A program?

Not sure when only been on Royal a handful of times.

Remember standing in line (Jan 2012) for security waiting to board the Eclipse for our free cruise for crossing what would be Zenith in 2013. The terminal manager was calling for any suite or Pinnacle members to come forward and skip the line. On a Celebrity cruise !!! We just stayed in line and got a chuckle how messed up terminal check-in is !!!

[Ray in NH]

11 hours ago, crusinthrough said:

 

Is it easier to reach Pinnacle than Zenith?  Not that either is an easy task.  Just curious as to why there are so many more Pinnacles members vs Zenith members.  As for the lounge, today it's 230 members.   Two years from now it could be double (or not).  Once the perk is given it's difficult to take away.  

 

I don't believe the two programs should merge but as you said the cruise lines are always going o make their own decisions. I just go with the flow.  

 

To reach Pinnacle one has to garner 700 points -- To reach Zenith, one needs to garner 3,000 points.

Granted the points are garnered differently on the two lines, which in itself is an argument, or point of contention, as to whether the program's benefits should be interchangeable.

 

NRayH

[verizon]

Last night was the Chic night on Solstice.i was rejected to sit on the upper deck for suites guests,made me really feel like an IDIOT after showing my status.

She told me this section is for suite guests only.

Edited April 15, 2019 by verizon

[Oville]

3 minutes ago, verizon said:

Last night was the Chic night on Solstice.i was rejected to sit on the upper deck for suites guests,made me really feel like an IDIOT.

I think a more precise explanation is needed.

 

[TommyD3]

3 minutes ago, verizon said:

Last night was the Chic night on Solstice.i was rejected to sit on the upper deck for suites guests,made me really feel like an IDIOT.

Was this the reserved section upstairs in the theater?

Zeniths are no longer allowed to sit in the reserved section?

 

[Ginger Pop]

With 1700 captain’s club points, I too would like to see a break at 1500,2000, and 2500 points. I see the same cruisers get flowers on cruises for 137 cruises etc. , but there are are many more of us who are loyal and will never in our lifetime get to zenith. Extra OBC at intervals nice, more menu varieties, and a perk of our choice added at different levels. 

[hcat]

20 hours ago, verizon said:

Last night was the Chic night on Solstice.i was rejected to sit on the upper deck for suites guests,made me really feel like an IDIOT after showing my status.

She told me this section is for suite guests only.

That would be rude....

[verizon]

20 minutes ago, hcat said:

That would be rude....

Can’t blame her either.She just not properly instructed who are entitled to be in that reserved section.

Edited April 15, 2019 by verizon

[Welland]

21 hours ago, verizon said:

Last night was the Chic night on Solstice.i was rejected to sit on the upper deck for suites guests,made me really feel like an IDIOT after showing my status.

She told me this section is for suite guests only.

The "upper deck" for suite guests only.  Did you mean the Retreat Sun Deck?  Yes that is for suite guests only.   However if you mean the theatre where Zenith members were allowed to sit on chic nights this is something new.  Perhaps you can clarify exactly where you were seated.

 

Just last week I saw Zenith members being escorted on chic night to the reserved seating area for the production number.  Would find it strange for this to have changed in one week.

[cruising teacher]

1 hour ago, verizon said:

Can’t blame her either.She just not properly instructed who are entitled to be in that reserved section.

This is exactly the problem! On the Reflection I was told that Zenith were not entitled to complimentary luggage valet. Guest Relations also told me this. It required a call to Miami from the CC Hostess to resolve. I believe that it is the responsibility of Andrea Shea to inform staff of Zenith benefits to avoid uncomfortable situations.

[Welland]

1 minute ago, cruising teacher said:

This is exactly the problem! On the Reflection I was told that Zenith were not entitled to complimentary luggage valet. Guest Relations also told me this. It required a call to Miami from the CC Hostess to resolve. I believe that it is the responsibility of Andrea Shea to inform staff of Zenith benefits to avoid uncomfortable situations.

Are you saying the Zenith members have complimentary luggage valet?   

[verizon]

2 minutes ago, cruising teacher said:

This is exactly the problem! On the Reflection I was told that Zenith were not entitled to complimentary luggage valet. Guest Relations also told me this. It required a call to Miami from the CC Hostess to resolve. I believe that it is the responsibility of Andrea Shea to inform staff of Zenith benefits to avoid uncomfortable situations.

I agreed 

[cruising teacher]

9 minutes ago, Welland said:

Are you saying the Zenith members have complimentary luggage valet?   

We have enjoyed this benefit since we became Zenith when the program began. It was amazing to me that the MCC on the Reflection was unaware of this.

[Welland]

1 minute ago, cruising teacher said:

We have enjoyed this benefit since we became Zenith when the program began. It was amazing to me that the MCC on the Reflection was unaware of this.

Thanks for the clarification.

I wish that all Captain's Club benefits from Select to Elite would be available in printed form for all to see.  That way all staff/crew who may not be aware of benefits such as this could see it in "black and white".

 

[JFontaine]

On 3/28/2019 at 4:39 PM, cruiseflyer38 said:

These high end suites are often filled with high end gamblers.  I have often checked Edge cruises and found that only a week before departure there is often 20+ suites available including the Iconic Suite.  As of this time the Edge sailing on April 7 has 23 suites available including 4 Edge Villas.  They may well be filled on departure with up-sold clients who love to gamble. (Certainly not non-suite Zeniths.)

 

I was on the Edge April 7 cruise.  My offer of $5K plus from a Sky Suite to an Edge Villa was rejected exactly 48 hours before sailing. Many of the empty suites went to cruisers from the cancelled Royal Caribbean cruise.  I met two big gamblers, one on a free first cruise. Both in Sky Suites.  

[wrk2cruise]

55 minutes ago, Welland said:

Thanks for the clarification.

I wish that all Captain's Club benefits from Select to Elite would be available in printed form for all to see.  That way all staff/crew who may not be aware of benefits such as this could see it in "black and white".

 

 

There is a chart here https://www.celebritycruises.com/captains-club/tiers-and-benefits.

 

Priority seating in theater is still listed.  I don't see any mention of Luggage Valet or Extend Your Stay both were where available.

 

Are they silently taking these things away?  I know both were listed a couple of months ago as I reached Zenith level.  I'm thinking I printed the list and am still hunting for it.

 

Edit:

I did find the list from Feb and they weren't mentioned there either.  I'm searching for the other document I found which did reference them.

Edited April 16, 2019 by wrk2cruise