If There was a Level Between Elite Plus and Zenith.....

[chrismakris]

I know it’s been asked but after reading another post about how many Zeniths there could be I started to calculate where I would be in 10 years. My best guess was that I would be at approximately 1100 points at my current pace.(1 sailing a year in a Concierge/Aqua cabin) 

It made me realize unless Lady Luck comes my way and I am able to afford suites, Zenith is out of the question. So what would my motivation to keep sailing Celebrity consistency after I reach Elite +.
 

Because of the reciprocated levels between Celebrity and Royal I would be less inclined to sail Celebrity. 
 

So I’m hoping Celebrity starts rewarding those customers that continue to support them but can’t afford those suite prices. 
 

I would put the new level at 2000 points and I would like to see:

 

1) 1 Complimentary specialty restaurant dinner for 2

2) Complimentary non alcoholic beverage package.

3) Complimentary dry cleaning

4) Complimentary upgrade to next cabin category up to Concierge class. (Not applicable to guarantee rooms). Also available for Zeniths.

5) 10-20% discount on shore excursions.  Also available for Zeniths. 
 

 

[Moby Jones]

Currently E + and technically Zenith is a possibility if we were to accrue the same number of points per year that we have been doing. 

That said, this would mean sacrificing other great vacations and other cruise lines just to achieve Zenith status. Whilst the perks are definitely desirable, I think the real cost of tying yourself to one line with limited itineraries would not be worth it for me personally. 

As for a level between E+ and Zenith I'd ask where will Celebrity recoup the costs from for Whatever additional perks they were to offer? I believe that in reality all other cruisers would be subsidising this. 

[RICCruisers]

Your question about “What would my motivation be to keep sailing Celebrity?”

 

Hopefully the answer would be “Because I enjoy the experience that Celebrity provides me for what I am paying”

 

Isn’t that the reason you started sailing Celebrity?  Perks are nice, but shouldn’t be the main reason to sail Celebrity. 

 

[miched]

3 hours ago, RICCruisers said:

Your question about “What would my motivation be to keep sailing Celebrity?”

 

Hopefully the answer would be “Because I enjoy the experience that Celebrity provides me for what I am paying”

 

Isn’t that the reason you started sailing Celebrity?  Perks are nice, but shouldn’t be the main reason to sail Celebrity. 

 

That is how I would have answered.   The added perks aren’t enough to make me continue to waste my time and money on something I don’t like, or doing.  
 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅
 

[jjsnonna]

Agree, would never cruise for the points and frankly don't understand those that do.  There are no perks at any level that I consider that enticing.  Drinks between 5 and 7?  I want to drink what I want when I want when I'm on vacation.  See posts regarding a level between the two highest often, it doesn't appear its going to happen so just accept it.  Those little freebies they toss loyal customers way would never influence me

[davekathy]

3 hours ago, RICCruisers said:

Your question about “What would my motivation be to keep sailing Celebrity?”

 

Hopefully the answer would be “Because I enjoy the experience that Celebrity provides me for what I am paying”

 

Isn’t that the reason you started sailing Celebrity?  Perks are nice, but shouldn’t be the main reason to sail Celebrity. 

 

Agree. Enjoy the ride and all else just falls in place. One cruise at a time. 

[Moby Jones]

17 minutes ago, jjsnonna said:

Agree, would never cruise for the points and frankly don't understand those that do.  There are no perks at any level that I consider that enticing.  Drinks between 5 and 7?  I want to drink what I want when I want when I'm on vacation.  See posts regarding a level between the two highest often, it doesn't appear its going to happen so just accept it.  Those little freebies they toss loyal customers way would never influence me

 

I concur. 

I do think that the whole loyalty program could do with a major revamp though. With the evolution of suite class and the way Celebrity bundle perks these days many of the Elite and Elite + perks have become less useful. 

Suite pax also loose out IMHO. So if it were my project to revamp it all I'd look at a loyalty scheme where all members were rewarded equally. To do that is really very simple. All you need to do is introduce a cash discount for Elites, a slightly larger cash discount for Elite + and the largest cash discount to zenith members. Everyone benefits, who's not going to appreciate a cash discount on any future cruises they book? 

OBC is also another option but I think a straight token discount would be preferred by  most passengers. That way your not creating any logistical problems with specialty dining etc. 

The only real challenge would be accounting for the lost revenues from giving discounts and recouping it elsewhere. But that's why it's very easy for us all to sit about and post online what we'd like to see from a loyalty program but we don't know and understand the financials behind it all. 

 

[bEwAbG]

Loyalty programs only need to be generous when the company is in a slump.  They'll probably revamp the program when the next recession rolls around, if it's affecting bookings.  Otherwise, there is no real incentive for them to do anything extra for now. 

[miched]

Another answer  to your question would be to enjoy the perks that you get by becoming Elite Plus.    Why even bother with continuing to cruise on X if you aren’t planning on it after reaching Elite + because the next level is not reachable? 
 

I am currently Elite Plus and honestly it doesn’t entice me to chase after Zenith.  I don’t see it as reachable and basically don’t use many of the perks in Elite Plus.  
 

Lately we have been getting all 4 perks thru promos.   That only leaves the laundry as a perk.   We very rarely if ever attend the morning break but sometimes do pass by when going into Blu depending on where it is.    HH isn't needed as we have a drink pack.   
 

I learned a long time ago not to chase after loyalty points in any program because they  will keep changing to keep that carrot dangling out there for those that think the status and benefits  are worth it.  
 

A friend of mine is a Casino Host in Vegas.  He told me not to chase after the points and just keep playing the way that we did.  He then told me about how much people have lost that are in the top level.   Those  levels need to be reached  on a yearly basis and the qualification keeps getting higher and perks lower and they also add more levels.  
 

The Elite Plus could be moved up to 2000 and a mid level between Elite and Elite Plus could be added with a few additional menial perks.     So don’t wish for something as you might get it
 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[DrKoob]

I do like the OP's plan. We also are Elite Plus and know that we will never get too Zenith even though we are now doing five cruises a year. The biggest reason we won't is that we are leaving X to try some other lines. But they really hook you in with the benefits we get that we can't get on other lines (and yes, I know that some other lines will do a match, but many won't). For instance, HAL won't do it every time and they don't do the four perk sales so we end up back where we were when we started with X. 

 

But, we are trying two on Viking in the next 18 months (one river, one ocean) and it looks like just paying for the cruise (which is more) gets us just about everything we get being Elite Plus with X other than the cocktail hour and laundry. But they have self-serve laundry and free wine and  beer and a very inexpensive drink package for cocktails. But the other benefits far outweigh the difference in price for us: no one on board under 18, no casino, no ship photographers, no art auctions, no corkage for your own wine in the MDR, you can bring as much alcohol onboard as you want, free specialty restaurants, one free shore excursion in every port. All of that is better than my Elite Plus perks. 

 

So, never a Zenith. 

[Quo Vadis?]

9 hours ago, chrismakris said:

I would put the new level at 2000 points and I would like to see:

 

1) 1 Complimentary specialty restaurant dinner for 2

2) Complimentary non alcoholic beverage package.

3) Complimentary dry cleaning

4) Complimentary upgrade to next cabin category up to Concierge class. (Not applicable to guarantee rooms). Also available for Zeniths.

5) 10-20% discount on shore excursions.  Also available for Zeniths. 
 

Zeniths do not get 1)

Zeniths do not get 4) upgrades other than what any Captain's Club member gets.

"

Classic

 

Featured Benefits

 

• Exclusive Captain's Club Celebration Event
• Use of the Loyalty Desk service center between cruises
• 10% off any one internet package (restrictions may apply)
• One category upgrade through AquaClass® (prior to sailing, when available, restrictions apply)***"

Zenith

 

Featured Benefits

 

• Access to Michael's Club or The Retreat Lounge
• Priority Seating in Theater (on formal and production show nights, seats released 10 minutes prior to curtain call)
• Upon reaching the Zenith tier, receive a complimentary 7-night Caribbean or Bermuda cruise (in a Veranda stateroom only)+++
• 25% off Specialty Dining

 

[TommyD3]

17 hours ago, chrismakris said:

I would put the new level at 2000 points and I would like to see:

 

1) 1 Complimentary specialty restaurant dinner for 2

 

 

This will never happen.

Zeniths do not receive any complementary specialty dining.

Celebrity eliminated the one free visit for the high cruisers last year.

Cutbacks galore !!!

[gcorgain]

I think they could add some benefits that wouldn't cost them, would add value (at least to me), and might even generate more revenue. An example would be an extra device on Wi-Fi per person if both cabin mates had at least one device. The shore excursion discount also might get me to actually book shore excursions through celebrity. Free ship transfer if you use Choice Air, etc.

[Oville]

8 hours ago, DrKoob said:

I do like the OP's plan. We also are Elite Plus and know that we will never get too Zenith even though we are now doing five cruises a year. The biggest reason we won't is that we are leaving X to try some other lines. But they real

 

But, we are trying two on Viking in the next 18 months (one river, one ocean) and it looks like just paying for the cruise (which is more) gets us just about everything we get being Elite Plus with X other than the cocktail hour and laundry. But they have self-serve laundry and free wine and  beer and a very inexpensive drink package for cocktails. But the other benefits far outweigh the difference in price for us: no one on board under 18, no casino, no ship photographers, no art auctions, no corkage for your own wine in the MDR, you can bring as much alcohol onboard as you want, free specialty restaurants, one free shore excursion in every port. All of that is better than my Elite Plus perks. 

 

So, never a Zenith. 

We are also never Zenith😔. Although we take 3 to 5 X cruises a year in AQ or suites we’ll never be Zenith though we converted at 1020 in 2013.  We’ve tried Oceania, HAL and Viking Ocean in the last 5 years and our favorite and the only one we would return to is Viking.  Hope you enjoy both your River and Ocean cruises.  Katie

Edited January 12, 2020 by Oville

[Shadow9612]

1 hour ago, gcorgain said:

I think they could add some benefits that wouldn't cost them, would add value (at least to me), and might even generate more revenue. An example would be an extra device on Wi-Fi per person if both cabin mates had at least one device. The shore excursion discount also might get me to actually book shore excursions through celebrity. Free ship transfer if you use Choice Air, etc.

I would also like to see a new level between E+ and Z, as I can't see ever being able to reach Z.

 

Will I stop sailing X, if they don't add a new level?  - no.  

 

I continue to sail X because I love their product and I am still comfortable with the value.

 

However, I still think another level would be a 'gesture/token' of appreciation from Celebrity for my loyalty that doesn't need to cut into X's bottom line. The idea of a 2nd device on my WiFi plan is a great idea! Does that even cost X anything?? 

 

On my last cruise, I was continually switching between my laptop and phone (so I could use WhatsApp to keep in touch with others on the cruise) so it would have been nice to be able to be connected on both devices. Again, not a requirement (as I could have paid to achieve this),...but a nice "perk" for loyalty status.

 

Here's to dreaming ...

[Gordoncruickshank]

We are currently E+ and are will be within 650 points of reaching Zenith after the cruises we do next month but over the 8 years we have cruised with Celebrity, other than internet discounts if we don’t have it play a perk, we do not use the Benefits. Even reaching Zenith won’t change what we do. When you get the internet and premium drinks with the cabin , you don’t really need the rest. 

[chemmo]

We are also E+ with no chance of Zenith, although  our son may get there. 

 

Although most of the perks we get with E+ are fairly valueless as we book suites with drinks, laundry, WiFi included we still enjoy somethings. The evening cocktail event is always pleasant once or twice per cruise, lovely views and invariably good company! We also enjoy watching the highest cruisers get their flowers. Then there is the Elite breakfast, once or twice per cruise we will enjoy a Bellini, a light bite and a very restful start to the day...

 

If you count perks as money savers we save nothing but if you look at the events as part of the package then we do get pleasure from our status.

 

There have been many previous debates about an additional level and what it could possibly include...perhaps simply a small amount of OBC that guests could use as they wish.

 

As others have said our ‘Loyalty’ to Celebrity is based on their product and price...

[grandgeezer]

We've been Elite Plus ever since it was added. We sailed mostly on Celebrity because we thought it was the best cruise available, not because of the perks, they were just icing on the cake. The perks have value to us. The loyalty drinks, along with the free cappuccino all day saves us the cost of any drink package as it is more than we normally drink. We do mostly seven day B2Bs so the 240 minutes, p.p per week eliminates the internet cost. The two bags of laundry, per week saves us the cost of checking one piece of luggage which is $25 each way.

Having said that, it does not overcome the sliding of quality of the product, or ever increasing cost. The "deals" on perks saves us $0 as we basically don't need them.

Our only option now is the MSC Yacht Club suite and it's becoming a non option as the popularity has soared and the pricing is more than we care to pay. We have a friend, who is a realtor, and she says "It's not what you house is worth, it's what people are willing to pay", and that's the way we feel. 

[Orator]

Those who post on this thread ought to be more concerned about cutbacks in the loyalty program rather than possible additions. Additions cost money and even the slightest impact on profits apparently won't be tolerated.