True Modern Luxury

[villauk]

20 hours ago, tallnthensome said:

If I saw my wife smiling at a plate of fruit like the woman in the pic I'd throw my shoe at her from across the cabin and ask her what the hell was wrong with her ......

 

 

Well, it appears she’s got her eye on that banana 🤣!

[Jeremiah1212]

2 hours ago, bEwAbG said:

The complaint is about how X is going off the deep end to appeal to one demographic to the detriment of the people who are actually booking and taking cruises.  People who are giving them money with an expectation that they can have room service and not have to take turns at the one suitable eating surface.  This would include the same young people who they are trying to get on the ship.  It's incredibly tone deaf on X's part.

 

You're countering your own argument here. If the 'more mature' people are continuing to flock to Celebrity, why would they spend a great deal of money advertising to them? How is it detrimental? That makes no sense. I promise you still get targeted ads (which cost a lot of money), you get a loyalty program and frequent emails among other things. Specifically, Instagram has a user base of 70%+ who are under 35, it's inexpensive to use, and the engagement conversion (people who actually click links to research/buy/take action) is massively higher than any other platform. What business can create long term longevity with an aging population while ignoring incoming new business?  It's almost like some people here are offended that certain advertising isn't directed specifically toward themselves. Quite baffling really...

Edited May 7, 2019 by Jeremiah1212

[WonderMan3]

52 minutes ago, Jeremiah1212 said:

 

You're countering your own argument here. If the 'more mature' people are continuing to flock to Celebrity, why would they spend a great deal of money advertising to them? How is it detrimental? That makes no sense. I promise you still get targeted ads (which cost a lot of money), you get a loyalty program and frequent emails among other things. Specifically, Instagram has a user base of 70%+ who are under 35, it's inexpensive to use, and the engagement conversion (people who actually click links to research/buy/take action) is massively higher than any other platform. What business can create long term longevity with an aging population while ignoring incoming new business?  It's almost like some people here are offended that certain advertising isn't directed specifically toward themselves. Quite baffling really...

 

Speaking for myself, I'm not "offended". I just think that Celebrity is wasting time chasing down a demographic that they will garner very little traction with while at the same time alienating their core customer base. Now that alienation has less to do with how they're advertising and more with how they're raising prices, reducing services, making design choices that make little sense, etc. but they aren't going to gain NEW ground within the older demographics that have been filling these ships for decades if they continue to shift their ad focus away from them. If this focus on a younger demographic was such a rousing success then Celebrity would not be having a struggle to fill its BRAND NEW ship, the one that they have been focusing on the most to that demographic.

 

I worked for a cruise line for well over a decade in marketing and revenue management and our focus was always on the market segments that were consistently booking. Anytime we strayed from that and tried to boost new segments it almost always was a negative return on investment. Now perhaps Celebrity is playing a long game here and has pockets deep enough to afford to wait for this younger demographic to come around. I guess time will tell.

Edited May 7, 2019 by WonderMan3

[tallnthensome]

3 hours ago, villauk said:

 

 

Well, it appears she’s got her eye on that banana 🤣!

LOL! I would prefer her eyes and smiles stay on mine but what can you do!? You win some, you lose some. 

[UnorigionalName]

27 minutes ago, WonderMan3 said:

 

Speaking for myself, I'm not "offended". I just think that Celebrity is wasting time chasing down a demographic that they will garner very little traction with while at the same time alienating their core customer base. Now that alienation has less to do with how they're advertising and more with how they're raising prices, reducing services, making design choices that make little sense, etc. but they aren't going to gain NEW ground within the older demographics that have been filling these ships for decades if they continue to shift their ad focus away from them. If this focus on a younger demographic was such a rousing success then Celebrity would not be having a struggle to fill its BRAND NEW ship, the one that they have been focusing on the most to that demographic.

 

I worked for a cruise line for well over a decade in marketing and revenue management and our focus was always on the market segments that were consistently booking. Anytime we strayed from that and tried to boost new segments it almost always was a negative return on investment. Now perhaps Celebrity is playing a long game here and has pockets deep enough to afford to wait for this younger demographic to come around. I guess time will tell.

 

https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/20800-celebrity-edge-performing-at-exceptional-level.html

 

[DebInAntigua]

8 minutes ago, UnorigionalName said:

 

https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/20800-celebrity-edge-performing-at-exceptional-level.html

 

 

I do find it odd that they say the EDGE is performing very well financially, but then there are constant sales and offers to fill the cabins on many itineraries. I guess that means, in spite of many cabins sailing empty, X is still raking it in on the inflated fares the booked people are paying, plus the expensive upsells like specialty dining.

The only reason we're sailing EDGE this fall is we can afford it because we booked way early, back in March of last year before she debuted. The same exact cabin class now is selling for over $3000 *more* than we paid. Absolutely ridiculous. We would never book at that pricing.

[WonderMan3]

30 minutes ago, DebInAntigua said:

 

I do find it odd that they say the EDGE is performing very well financially, but then there are constant sales and offers to fill the cabins on many itineraries. I guess that means, in spite of many cabins sailing empty, X is still raking it in on the inflated fares the booked people are paying, plus the expensive upsells like specialty dining.

The only reason we're sailing EDGE this fall is we can afford it because we booked way early, back in March of last year before she debuted. The same exact cabin class now is selling for over $3000 *more* than we paid. Absolutely ridiculous. We would never book at that pricing.

 

It’s just called PR spin. You are spot on with your observations about sales.

[bEwAbG]

2 hours ago, Jeremiah1212 said:

You're countering your own argument here. If the 'more mature' people are continuing to flock to Celebrity, why would they spend a great deal of money advertising to them? How is it detrimental? That makes no sense. I promise you still get targeted ads (which cost a lot of money), you get a loyalty program and frequent emails among other things. Specifically, Instagram has a user base of 70%+ who are under 35, it's inexpensive to use, and the engagement conversion (people who actually click links to research/buy/take action) is massively higher than any other platform. What business can create long term longevity with an aging population while ignoring incoming new business?  It's almost like some people here are offended that certain advertising isn't directed specifically toward themselves. Quite baffling really...

 

I said nothing about advertising specifically.  My argument is that they're actively chasing away lots of people by making fundamental changes to their product that many people do not like.  This isn't about who they're advertising to; it's about what those advertisements show.  I don't really care about the advertising at all but about the onboard experience.  Because of their pricing games and poor design choices in their new builds & redesigns, I don't have any cruises booked with Celebrity for the future.  I'm in a "wait and see" mode but 1) am not liking what I'm seeing; 2) actively exploring & booking with competing brands instead of automatically booking with X.  It's fine if they want to alienate the average & loyal cruiser in a bid to seem hip, but it's to the detriment of the company to let the low-hanging fruit go so easily, which is what it appears they're doing. We're early & mid-40s, btw. I'll likely be sailing for several more decades & always in suites.

[UnorigionalName]

42 minutes ago, WonderMan3 said:

 

It’s just called PR spin. You are spot on with your observations about sales.

 

It was during RCL's 2019 Q1 earnings call.  Spinning to that degree would be called securities fraud.

 

“If you look at Celebrity, especially with the Celebrity Edge, the yield growth associated with that, or the overall demand for the Edge, has really been exceptional,” said Liberty. [CFO]

 

I know some people want it to fail, but consider there might be people out there who aren't you who like things differently from you.

 

For example, I don't like watching football (soccer), but that doesn't make it so that it's going to fail.

 

 

Edited May 7, 2019 by UnorigionalName

[WonderMan3]

21 minutes ago, bEwAbG said:

 

I said nothing about advertising specifically.  My argument is that they're actively chasing away lots of people by making fundamental changes to their product that many people do not like.  This isn't about who they're advertising to; it's about what those advertisements show.  I don't really care about the advertising at all but about the onboard experience.  Because of their pricing games and poor design choices in their new builds & redesigns, I don't have any cruises booked with Celebrity for the future.  I'm in a "wait and see" mode but 1) am not liking what I'm seeing; 2) actively exploring & booking with competing brands instead of automatically booking with X.  It's fine if they want to alienate the average & loyal cruiser in a bid to seem hip, but it's to the detriment of the company to let the low-hanging fruit go so easily, which is what it appears they're doing. We're early & mid-40s, btw. I'll likely be sailing for several more decades & always in suites.

 

I’m in the same boat. Cancelled my two future Celebrity cruises on Equinox for next year and am going to wait and see for any future Celebrity cruises . The pricing was just not worth it.  I’ve got two cruises coming up on MSC in September in their Yacht Club. Got a deal through a local casino so figured I’d check them out. If I like their product then they may become my preferred cruise line for the foreseeable future. 

[Germancruiser]

As for Celebrity trying to get in more of the younger generation- i don´t if that strategie works out. There were almost 1000 Elit´s and Elite+ on board on my Silhouette Transatlantic that just ended! Among a few others we were the youngest- and we just turned 50. I heard a lot of them complaning about the changes X went through! ,

Wonderman I am quite quite sure you will like the MSC Yacht Club experience- BUT ONLY THEIR YACHT CLUB experience.

I never sailed with them- i just heard that they are  similar to the Costa experience- and one Costa cruise ( steerage) was enough - quite quite enough!

[Blazerboy]

Well, when I started sailing with Celebrity, I WAS that younger demographic!😁

 

A few thoughts:

 

1. The cruisers who were their bread and butter back then...are likely dead. The 30-something now will be a future customer a lot longer than you or I will...🙄

 

2. The most profitable cruiser is the first time cruiser, as they want to try everything, including shore excursions, specialty restaurants shipboard shopping and spa treatments, and have yet to experience the lovely shock of the final bill.🤣

 

3. IF we have room service, it's for convenience.  Except for the one suite with a dining table, there has never been a great place for room service in state rooms.  The table they used to have was more of an ankle/shin biter than an appropriate place for fine dining.  And if it was for romance, why not feed eachother strawberries in bed and be done with it.🥰

 

4. I liked the new decor- even thought I wouldn't, but was pleasantly surprised.😎 But I also like a little change in my life.

 

5. Influencers- the concept is lost on me.  But it's really just a micro Madison Avenue.  Just in a format that makes me utter phrases like "whippersnapper" and "get off my lawn."

 

Carry on.

 

 

 

 

[Oville]

On 5/6/2019 at 5:15 PM, WonderMan3 said:

Nothing says “Modern Luxury” to me more than dining at a desk...

 

 

 

11 hours ago, coldweathergirl said:

I prefer to think of this as modern luxury when dining in a suite on the Edge.  🤦🏼‍♀️

You two just gave us the longest good chuckle we’ve had in awhile on CC, funny and clever.🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[Germancruiser]

Hi Blazerboy- long time no read! LOL! I agree- I was 30 something when I first sailed on board the then new Millenium!

Now i just turned 50- and still sail with X- I stray to Cunard and HAL sometimes- and really really love Cunard!

I agree- except for the suite life - a regular balcony cabin for example was never the place to have dinner- breakfast or the like. When sailing alone and in Concierge Class I ordered breakfast and took it mostly on the balcony- but a full scale dinner- never ever! Not very comfortable!

I, too like the new decor- i just don´t like the Edge- from the pictures I saw- to much in doors- i prefer a connection with the sea in the lounges!

 

[JonnyCT81]

My partner and I are in our mid-30's now and started sailing X when we were 29.  We've been very loyal and will be Elite Plus after our next cruise this month.  That being said, just get a normal table already - either in the room, or on the balcony. We're going on Summit on the 19th to Bermuda, and we just want to have somewhere for us to enjoy some breakfast in the morning, or late night munchies before bed.  It's common sense to have a table in a room where people are going to sit, converse, or just hang out.  While a desk/vanity might be fine to work on an iPad or put makeup on, it's not a one-stop place for all food/beverage/snacks in the room.  I believe it to be a major design flaw with these "revolutionized" rooms, and I hope they fix the issue soon.  #tableplease 

[Mynki]

On 5/7/2019 at 12:52 PM, WonderMan3 said:

 

Not an ad per se. It was a post on their Instagram account and the woman in the photo is apparently one of those social media “influencers” who is traveling on Millennium right now.

 

Celebrity is beyond desperate at trying to reach that younger mid-20’s to mid-30’s audience that is actually “influenced” by this Insta-nonsense. 

I'm currently aboard the Silhouette. Within minutes of boarding I thought about all of the posts I've read on Cruise Critic about 'millennials' being their target market. I'm 44 and think I've seen around 3 people onboard who may be younger. The average age on this sailing must be 60+ 

I'd be interested to know what percentage of cruisers on this ship right now actually even follow instagram. 

[cricketgirl]

34 minutes ago, Mynki said:

I'm currently aboard the Silhouette. Within minutes of boarding I thought about all of the posts I've read on Cruise Critic about 'millennials' being their target market. I'm 44 and think I've seen around 3 people onboard who may be younger. The average age on this sailing must be 60+ 

I'd be interested to know what percentage of cruisers on this ship right now actually even follow instagram. 

 

I don't think they are aiming their advertisements at the cruisers who are already cruising on X, but trying to aim their advertisements to those who don't yet sail X (or don't sail at all).  Hence Instagram, etc.  If I wanted to reach those in their 20s and 30s Instagram would be one of my first places to advertise.  Now why they think sitting at a desk for a meal is modern luxury is a little odd to me...

[Loracpin2]

We have been loyal Celebrity cruisers since our first voyage to Bermuda in 1993 on the Horizon in a basic Oceanview cabin since the ship had no balcony cabins. Yet, back then without Specialty Restaurants and up to our 2017 Med sailing on the Silhouette, dining in the MDR was a LUXURY experience!!!!!  After 26 years and 39 Celebrity cruises ranging from our first Oceanview to AQ since it was introduced, I can verify with absolute certainty....there is now "NO" Luxury in "Modern".  Based on the recent BLU reviews,  we're back to a regular balcony for our upcoming Bermuda cruise and will instead using the fare difference in the limited Specialty restaurants on the Summit.

[Mynki]

50 minutes ago, cricketgirl said:

 

I don't think they are aiming their advertisements at the cruisers who are already cruising on X, but trying to aim their advertisements to those who don't yet sail X (or don't sail at all).  Hence Instagram, etc.  If I wanted to reach those in their 20s and 30s Instagram would be one of my first places to advertise.  Now why they think sitting at a desk for a meal is modern luxury is a little odd to me...

Apologies I've re read my post and it is badly written!

What I meant was that there Instagram campaign doesn't seem to be working too well.....

Then again does anyone really pay attention to 'Social Media Influencers' aka Freebie Seeking Parasites? 

[coldweathergirl]

1 hour ago, Mynki said:

I'm currently aboard the Silhouette. Within minutes of boarding I thought about all of the posts I've read on Cruise Critic about 'millennials' being their target market. I'm 44 and think I've seen around 3 people onboard who may be younger. The average age on this sailing must be 60+ 

I'd be interested to know what percentage of cruisers on this ship right now actually even follow instagram. 

We’ve sailed a lot on Celebrity and the only time I’ve seen a lot of the younger Instagram demographic they are now targeting was this past winter on a one week Caribbean cruise.   It was over spring break out of Florida and there was definitely a different feel to the cruise.  Many were first time cruisers probably early to mid twenties. 

We were sailing with a bunch of friends and that was the only time they could sail.   After that cruise I felt that if this is the is the future demographic on board I think I’ll be looking elsewhere as it definitely didn’t have a modern luxury feel.  It felt like a spring break cruise or that I somehow got transported to a Carnival ship.  At dinner the women were dressed fairly well but lots of guys were in shorts and backward baseball caps wandering around.  Not sure if they got in the MDR like that or were turned away.  

 

I’m sure the reason why Celebrity is scheduling a lot shorter cruises now is to get the younger group on board.  They can’t afford longer cruises plus don’t have sufficient vacation time.  

 

 

 

[UnorigionalName]

 

51 minutes ago, cricketgirl said:

 

I don't think they are aiming their advertisements at the cruisers who are already cruising on X, but trying to aim their advertisements to those who don't yet sail X (or don't sail at all).  Hence Instagram, etc.  If I wanted to reach those in their 20s and 30s Instagram would be one of my first places to advertise.  Now why they think sitting at a desk for a meal is modern luxury is a little odd to me...

 

It's because they aren't trying to sell the meal that you have to sit at a desk to eat.

 

They are trying to sell a glamorous experience.  The photo is trying to show glamour, bathrobe on to try to show casualness, beautiful spread of food, champagne, like the whole experience.  They aren't trying to sell look how delicious the food is and how you can eat it, they are selling you too could be this woman in this pampered setting.

 

Like honestly, if you showed that picture to a bunch of millenials, I bet they would like the picture, and they would acknowledge that actually eating like that is silly and impractical.  You can have both you know.

 

[coldweathergirl]

2 minutes ago, Mynki said:

Apologies I've re read my post and it is badly written!

What I meant was that there Instagram campaign doesn't seem to be working too well.....

Then again does anyone really pay attention to 'Social Media Influencers' aka Freebie Seeking Parasites? 

Yes!  I’ve got kids in their mid to late twenties and they follow Instagram a lot!   These posters that Celebrity have coming on are making the cruise look very luxurious and tempting to them.  Captain Kate is nonstop posting on Instagram and has a huge following.  

I swear the captain on the Edge had some “enhancements” done as he looked younger, more plastic and a bit different from last time we’d sailed with him and his announcements certainly made it sound like he’d had a lot of voice coaching.  Celebrity seems to be more concerned about perception now.  

[happy cruzer]

Many younger women nibble and sip away at pretty food and beverages.  Totally hate formal or traditional settings.  Love the idea of sitting around in a robe.  Celebrity is probably trying to appeal to all of the demographics.  None of it is right or wrong.

 

P.S.  I agree with others that there has never been a comfortable way to dine from room service in the lower cost cabins.

[hcat]

Bleach blonde w dark roots, showing some leg.....perhaps sexy sells?

 

 

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

20 hours ago, WonderMan3 said:

 

I’m in the same boat. Cancelled my two future Celebrity cruises on Equinox for next year and am going to wait and see for any future Celebrity cruises . The pricing was just not worth it.  I’ve got two cruises coming up on MSC in September in their Yacht Club. Got a deal through a local casino so figured I’d check them out. If I like their product then they may become my preferred cruise line for the foreseeable future. 

 

I think you'll love Yacht Club.  They do ship within a ship better than Celebrity.  I'm going on my second YC cruise in November.  Got a suite with no single supplement.  Can't beat that.

 

I still have 38 days booked on Summit next year.  Will see if what they did to the PH is as bad as it looks in pictures.  If so, that will probably be my last dance in the PH.  At least they didn't screw up the butler's pantry.