New "fee" of $14/day on Perks Drink Package to be added?

[chamima]

1 hour ago, K.T.B. said:

I haven't read through the entire thread to see if this was answered or not, but does anyone know, for those of us who booked BEFORE this charge was implemented, that we'll be charged this fee if we wanted to upgrade to the higher drink package?  So basically the $10 pp per day, plus the additional gratuities, PLUS this fee to upgrade?

 

If so, that will really and truly suck.  

 

1 hour ago, hiccups said:

According the link provided earlier in the thread, bookings made before 10/10/19 are not impacted by this change.

 

 

But the notice also said that if you make any changes to your booking you would have to pay the $14. 

I think they meant things like price adjustments but many of us decided to play it safe and add the Premium now.  (And some of us discovered that OBC covered most or all of the upgrade)

[PTC DAWG]

3 hours ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

Exactly!  In fact, we did just that a few months ago in an all inclusive resort in Mexico.  We secured a suite in the resort (because that's what we would do on the ship) and spent 5 nights (instead of 7) but the daily rate was less than the going daily rate on a cruise that coincided with our timeline.  All things being equal in terms of food, beverage, resort amenities, the price was better for the land vacay.  But by day three we were bored with the same scene.  Evening entertainment was lacking:  no casino, no production show, none of the things we would normally have at our disposal if we were on a cruise.  We missed it!  I thought the price adjustment would be enough to offset what I love so much about cruising: different ports, variety of entertainment venues, casino, vacation vibe etc.   Maybe we picked the wrong resort but the lesson for us was it's not just about the money.  I just don't know how to put a price tag on the enjoyment factor.  We just love to cruise and will always default to that mode of vacationing even if it means looking beyond Celebrity.

I feel the same way...

[Straughn]

On Monday, I called Celebrity and upgraded my Nov. 2020 cruise. I wanted to upgrade my April 2021 cruise, but was not able to because it was not set up for that this early. I quizzed the nice man, Jason, who helped me. He “assured” me that if I made not other changes to the reservation, I would be able to upgrade after tomorrow without incurring the additional $14 per day charge. I will believe it when it happens...

[WrittenOnYourHeart]

3 hours ago, K.T.B. said:

I haven't read through the entire thread to see if this was answered or not, but does anyone know, for those of us who booked BEFORE this charge was implemented, that we'll be charged this fee if we wanted to upgrade to the higher drink package?  So basically the $10 pp per day, plus the additional gratuities, PLUS this fee to upgrade?

 

If so, that will really and truly suck.  

I don’t know, but I opted to go ahead and upgrade today just in case.

[K.T.B.]

23 minutes ago, WrittenOnYourHeart said:

I don’t know, but I opted to go ahead and upgrade today just in case.

 

I'm doing that right now.  Not going to take the chance.

 

And thanks to all who answered!  

[chamima]

53 minutes ago, Straughn said:

On Monday, I called Celebrity and upgraded my Nov. 2020 cruise. I wanted to upgrade my April 2021 cruise, but was not able to because it was not set up for that this early. I quizzed the nice man, Jason, who helped me. He “assured” me that if I made not other changes to the reservation, I would be able to upgrade after tomorrow without incurring the additional $14 per day charge. I will believe it when it happens...

 

 

I would call back and see if a different rep can do it for you. 

The cruises I upgraded were  for Feb. 2021. 

Edited October 9, 2019 by chamima

[Oville]

1 hour ago, K.T.B. said:

 

I'm doing that right now.  Not going to take the chance.

 

And thanks to all who answered!  

Safe decision, I did the same a week ago for the one cruise we had the Classic Pkg.

[mikkelhansen]

The price increase is now live in Australia - a price increase of 142AUD pp for a 7-day cruise, converts to ~95,50USD pp.

[K.T.B.]

1 hour ago, Oville said:

Safe decision, I did the same a week ago for the one cruise we had the Classic Pkg.

 

And I was able to finally get mine done.  I remained on hold for over 45 minutes before giving up, but I was able to chat online with someone on Celebrity website and they got it done for me.  I suspect I wasn't the only one calling today...

[Oville]

1 minute ago, K.T.B. said:

 

And I was able to finally get mine done.  I remained on hold for over 45 minutes before giving up, but I was able to chat online with someone on Celebrity website and they got it done for me.  I suspect I wasn't the only one calling today...

👍Better safe than sorry.

Edited October 10, 2019 by Oville

[mikkelhansen]

3 hours ago, mikkelhansen said:

The price increase is now live in Australia - a price increase of 142AUD pp for a 7-day cruise, converts to ~95,50USD pp.

 

 

And the price increase is now also live on Celebrity's US website:

 

I checked a few online TAs, and they currently only show "Sail" fares without any perks. They might need to reload prices before being able to show the new "Sail Plus" and "Sail All Included" fares.

[goofysmom99]

To add insult to injury, if you're solo, they charge you DOUBLE for the bev package.  So on a 14 day cruise, it's $392 additional for one.  Guess who'll never be taking a beverage package again.  

[villauk]

34 minutes ago, goofysmom99 said:

To add insult to injury, if you're solo, they charge you DOUBLE for the bev package.  So on a 14 day cruise, it's $392 additional for one.  Guess who'll never be taking a beverage package again.  

 

 

Did I read somewhere that it’s the same charge when it’s a minor in the cabin too, so they are paying the $14 per day extra for a non-alcoholic classic package?

[angelhelly]

15 hours ago, Straughn said:

On Monday, I called Celebrity and upgraded my Nov. 2020 cruise. I wanted to upgrade my April 2021 cruise, but was not able to because it was not set up for that this early. I quizzed the nice man, Jason, who helped me. He “assured” me that if I made not other changes to the reservation, I would be able to upgrade after tomorrow without incurring the additional $14 per day charge. I will believe it when it happens...

I was able to upgrade for our April 2021 cruise..

 

Call the captain club and ask them to add the Beverage package to your cruise planner. Then you can go in and do it yourself.

 

Granted, we are already 10/10... 

[fstuff1]

9 hours ago, mikkelhansen said:

 

And the price increase is now also live on Celebrity's US website:

 

I checked a few online TAs, and they currently only show "Sail" fares without any perks. They might need to reload prices before being able to show the new "Sail Plus" and "Sail All Included" fares.

 

ahh..thx for the info.

 

so a sail plus is $210 more for 2 perks for a 7day cruise, so avg of $105 more per perk.

105/7 = $15/day per perk

alcohol surcharge = $14/day

thus $29/day more for alcohol.

 

so that 'free' $59/day classic beverage package is actually a 59 - 29 = $30/day discount.

so basically a 1/2 price discount

 

but another way to look at it is do you drink MORE THAN $29/day worth of alcohol vs the no perks cabin price.

$29= 3 drinks a day, so to be ahead you need to have 4 drinks a day. :o

Else it's cheaper to get the no perks cabin and paying for each drink

 

Edited October 10, 2019 by fstuff1

[wrk2cruise]

13 hours ago, mikkelhansen said:

The price increase is now live in Australia - a price increase of 142AUD pp for a 7-day cruise, converts to ~95,50USD pp.

 

Wouldn't it be nice if Celebrity's booking site listed all the pricing combinations like this for easy comparison.  I also use a TA site which lists pricing like this for doing my research.

[rimmit]

43 minutes ago, fstuff1 said:

 

ahh..thx for the info.

 

so a sail plus is $210 more for 2 perks for a 7day cruise, so avg of $105 more per perk.

105/7 = $15/day per perk

alcohol surcharge = $14/day

thus $29/day more for alcohol.

 

so that 'free' $59/day classic beverage package is actually a 59 - 29 = $30/day discount.

so basically a 1/2 price discount

 

but another way to look at it is do you drink MORE THAN $29/day worth of alcohol vs the no perks cabin price.

$29= 3 drinks a day, so to be ahead you need to have 4 drinks a day. 😮

Else it's cheaper to get the no perks cabin and paying for each drink

 

 

This math actually changes based on the perk.  With 300 OBC,  it is just $110 for 7 days of BP. 110/7/2= 7.14 per package per day.  Plus 14,  so really $21/day if you pick the $300 OBC as the OBC is straight cash back in your pocket rather than $29.  

[Angua]

16 hours ago, K.T.B. said:

 

I'm doing that right now.  Not going to take the chance.

 

And thanks to all who answered!  

I did this last night as well.  We booked through the big box store with one of their Buyer's choice plans, and the cruise is still about 50 days out so my package wasn't listed on the celebrity site yet.  I had to call the big box agent and they had to call celebrity, and a lot of people must have been calling because we were on hold for at least 30 minutes, but I was able to do it.

 

My husband thought i was overreacting, but i asked him if he would be ok paying $240 (upgrade cost for 10 day cruise) +$280 (new fee for 2 peeps) if he was wrong when we could just pay the $240.  I can hope they wouldn't have charged us extra but would rather have been safe on this cruise.

I don't necessarily mind that they will be adding the charge for the bev package to new cruises, i do understand the value of that perk (won't say free because i know it isn't) is more than the other perks, but i would not want to pay it for something i already feel is paid in full. Careful examination of fares in the future will determine if we sail on celebrity with a bev package again.  Coming from mostly Carnival cruises, we appreciated the service and atmosphere on our first X cruise last year and would like to continue on the line, but it almost always comes down to price, so time will tell.

 

[Georgia_Peaches]

3 hours ago, fstuff1 said:

$29= 3 drinks a day, so to be ahead you need to have 4 drinks a day. 😮

Between specialty water and coffee, smoothie after a workout, poolside cocktails, predinner cocktail, wine at dinner, casino cocktail (or 2), it's pretty easy to see how having the package is more cost effective than not.  This is an example of a typical sea day for DH and me. Port days are a little different in that the poolside cocktails are likely eliminated, assuming we get off the ship.  I also think it depends on the itinerary.  There are some Caribbean ports for which we never leave the ship.  But in the Med., where I am less traveled and experienced, I'd likely get off at every port.  IDK...either way, I'd rather just have the package a part of the cruise bottom line so I can board and forget about it.

[weregoingcruising]

On 10/8/2019 at 10:36 AM, Georgeny said:

 

Said do well, or asI would call it the " magic " of sales. In the early 90's the cruise sales marketing was simple. Put out a gorgeous brochure, list prices at TWICE what you actually charge. Then simply have a 1/2 off price sale. Never ceased to amaze me, one person would say NO to 50% off each person YET jump in joy at receiving BUY ONE GET ONE FREE. As you say the perception rules!

 

Brochure price $5000 per person, 2 cruisers costs $10,000 ( if someone paid retail sales person would have a heart attack ) 

 

But wait big sale Each fare half price, 2 cruisers cost $5,000

 

Don't like it, tell ya what I'm going to do. You pay full fare for yours and the second person is FREE!!!! Cost 2 cruisers, $5000.

 

So many ways to enhance drink package perception I just can't type that much. Let's not even get into New Car Sales. A great marketing person doesn't give you a great deal. They make you THINK you got a great deal. Perception is a wonderful thing.

 

George in NY

A good deal is a state of mind.

[weregoingcruising]

On 10/9/2019 at 9:04 AM, miched said:

There is a little clause about paying extra if the price of fuel increases to over $XXX per barrel.   I don’t think it has ever been put into effect but is a “hidden” possible add on.

 

How long before they start charging a service fee for processing our tickets like many venues are doing?  

 

I think that the straw for many will be charging a resort fee.  

 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

 

Quiet! Don't give them anymore ideas.

[miched]

2 hours ago, weregoingcruising said:

Quiet! Don't give them anymore ideas.

 

Why should I be any different that other posters on this forums that are always giving “secrets”,  other advise, and tips that beat the system or a loop hole.

 

I  seen stuff posted about ways convert non refundable  SBC in the casino and shortly after that was changed.  Seen info about a loophole in the drink package and it was shortly after changed and etc.....

 

People on here need to realize that there is nothing to be gained by making public learned information that benefits them.  

 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

[Spender Nui]

Seems to me that payment for a perque is a contradiction.

 

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perk#synonyms

[cb at sea]

If you have to PAY for a perk, it's no long a "perk".  Sounds like it's the tip, so you don't have to worry about tipping when on a package...

 

[Mauidiver]

I guess I’ve looked at these “perks” differently than many others.  To me they’re simply bundled discounts that you can pre-purchase to get a lower price than purchasing separately.  When we were presented with the option to buy perks, we added the cost of items we were going to purchase anyway to see if pre-purchasing was worth the money, then decided based on savings and perceived value.

 

Celebrity’s decision to add a premium to the drink package when purchased as part of a bundle won’t make a difference to me.  I’ll continue to do the math, including the premium amount and if it makes sense and I want it, I’ll spend the extra money.  Does it make me “happy?”  No, but I can always vote with my wallet.