How we can help Celebrity

[Bo1953]

6 hours ago, Mojogurued said:

Booking Celebrity Silhouette for March 2022 in Aquaclass. I say stop worrying and calling about refunds and put your next sailings on the map, and show these shareholders that we're here and ready to sail after this lockdown. I'm not going anywhere and that's how Celebrity will bounce back quicker for refunds and get the ships back and running without more loans. Even a couple of excursions or a drink package could go a long way.

 

Cheers to our Fall 2020 return to sea and beyond!  🥂

I have booked two (2) for 2021, but darn just darn....

 

A poster tries to be positive in their thread and voila others try to take it down quickly...

 

I do understand the angst and hand wrenching and upset at not yet getting deposits or full payments back and prognostications concerning how 'healthy' physically or financially the cruise world will be during and after this and etc...

 

There are quite a number of threads already where we can vent and prognosticate and berate those of us who choose to want to move forward with X and support it...

 

Some of us want our own little corner in which we can support each other in this quest to get back to sailing, ASAP and not have to read about not sailing unless .... or will not sail unless .... or can't sail because.... or what if????

 

Soon (no time frame) maybe, just maybe all of us can look back and laugh and say "maybe I was just a bit over reactive and all is fine now" ...  if not, then posters will have bragging rights "hey, I told you so!!!"

 

I consider this, cruising currently, to be a potential long term economic disaster, one from which most lines will recover and emerge from in a different manner, to some degree, than what we were accustomed to.

 

I, along with others, welcome this and look forward to hitting the ships again regardless of the form it takes, for the most part.

 

Former or soon to be former passengers have to do what they believe is in their best interest and most support that... many of us welcome the support to sail again once CLIA, CDC and other industry and health organizations indicate it is okay to do so.

 

Many of us who want to sail again ASAP will not be taken down by those who do not, we will not!

 

bon voyage

 

 

Edited April 13, 2020 by Bo1953

[Georgia_Peaches]

I completely understand the OP's sentiment.  I already have a cruise booked for 2021 and if the ship sails, we will be on it.  While we would normally schedule several cruises for any given year, my concern about putting a deposit down for anything right now, especially for 2022, is that the posted itineraries and scheduled ships is likely to change, IMO based on how things shake out after this pandemic.  I hesitate to book a Silhouette something or other, only to have it become Equinox, this and that instead.  

 

@Bo1953 as always, spoken with such poise and wisdom!  Thank you for articulating exactly how I am feeling.

[WrittenOnYourHeart]

29 minutes ago, Bo1953 said:

I have booked two (2) for 2021, but darn just darn....

 

A poster tries to be positive in their thread and voila others try to take it down quickly...

 

I do understand the angst and hand wrenching and upset at not yet getting deposits or full payments back and prognostications concerning how 'healthy' physically or financially the cruise world will be during and after this and etc...

 

There are quite a number of threads already where we can vent and prognosticate and berate those of us who choose to want to move forward with X and support it...

 

Some of us want our own little corner in which we can support each other in this quest to get back to sailing, ASAP and not have to read about not sailing unless .... or will not sail unless .... or can't sail because.... or what if????

 

Soon (no time frame) maybe, just maybe all of us can look back and laugh and say "maybe I was just a bit over reactive and all is fine now" ...  if not, then posters will have bragging rights "hey, I told you so!!!"

 

I consider this, cruising currently, to be a potential long term economic disaster, one from which most lines will recover and emerge from in a different manner, to some degree, than what we were accustomed to.

 

I, along with others, welcome this and look forward to hitting the ships again regardless of the form it takes, for the most part.

 

Former or soon to be former passengers have to do what they believe is in their best interest and most support that... many of us welcome the support to sail again once CLIA, CDC and other industry and health organizations indicate it is okay to do so.

 

Many of us who want to sail again ASAP will not be taken down by those who do not, we will not!

 

bon voyage

 

 

 

Amen!!!

[HxFx]

3 minutes ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

 

@Bo1953 as always, spoken with such poise and wisdom!  Thank you for articulating exactly how I am feeling.

 

What she said! I always enjoy your posts and they are spot on. As a new cruiser, one of the things I really appreciated about being on a cruise were so many great attitudes and folks just wanting to enjoy themselves. I've seen a lot of posts on here that lead me to believe I was not running into those folks. I would hang out with Bo (or Georgia Peaches) on a cruise any day!

[TeeRick]

I think there are quite a few different scenarios in the pandemic consequences and financial crisis within the cruise industry.  Yes it is likely that some cruise lines will declare bankruptcy. Maybe even most?  So is that an end to cruising as some here think?  No- the remaining enormous assets of bankrupt companies get reorganized and go forward.  Or get purchased by other companies.  Or get merged.  Maybe Carnival pulls back to a fewer number of lines.  Maybe Royal Caribbean absorbs Celebrity and rebrands it.  Just like General Motors - even with a bailout- cut its bloated number of automobile lines.  So many examples out there of what companies do in bankruptcies and in severe economic downturns.  They adapt and change and mostly survive when they do.  Cruising was extremely popular pre-pandemic.  There will still be a market for it.  

Edited April 13, 2020 by TeeRick

[HxFx]

3 minutes ago, HxFx said:

 

I've seen a lot of posts on here that lead me to believe I was not running into those folks. 

 

Quoting myself! When I refer to a lot of posts, I'm not talking about this particular string, just Cruise Critic boards in general. Lots of folks trying to provide realistic information which is appreciated, but some are just downright rude and condescending.

[ECCruise]

Wow.

Thanks, but no thanks.  Celebrity has received well over $150,000 from us during our sailing history (which doesn't include lots spent on RCL and Azamara).  Meanwhile, they kept raising prices to meet the "demand."  They kept building ships, never thinking that things could change.  RCCL never found a debt vehicle that they didn't like.  Now I am supposed to drop more $$$ in their coffers, possibly a bottomless well, so their shareholders will be happy?

Rather, I will continue to invest in doing whatever I can to save local businesses.  You know, the ones where a couple and a few employees have always worked hard to make a living and are now in dire straits.  

No way I am "altruistically" sending more money their way, so that Richard Fain can have another $12 million payday.  Or to prop up their stock price.

[Pinboy]

Just now, HxFx said:

some are just downright rude and condescending.

I see you are new to CC as I was a few months ago.

Your comment is '' Bang On " because people can hide behind their pseudo ( ?? ) name.

You will learn very quickly who's who.

If you post something that is not within the accepted guidelines of CC , you will be " corrected " , 99.9%  in a most positive manner.  I learned so much from several long time posters. 

My best advice, Please don't fall into the " trap " of the folks you refer to by trying to " reason " with them.

Enjoy CC as I do -- it's great fun.

 

 

[alwaysonaship]

8 minutes ago, ECCruise said:

Wow.

Thanks, but no thanks.  Celebrity has received well over $150,000 from us during our sailing history (which doesn't include lots spent on RCL and Azamara).  Meanwhile, they kept raising prices to meet the "demand."  They kept building ships, never thinking that things could change.  RCCL never found a debt vehicle that they didn't like.  Now I am supposed to drop more $$$ in their coffers, possibly a bottomless well, so their shareholders will be happy?

Rather, I will continue to invest in doing whatever I can to save local businesses.  You know, the ones where a couple and a few employees have always worked hard to make a living and are now in dire straits.  

No way I am "altruistically" sending more money their way, so that Richard Fain can have another $12 million payday.  Or to prop up their stock price.

Exactly. 

[Georgia_Peaches]

I mean, the great thing is we are free to altruistically support whomever we choose during this crisis.  It will not be a one-size-fits-all undertaking for any of us.  And that's okay.

[WrittenOnYourHeart]

2 minutes ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

I mean, the great thing is we are free to altruistically support whomever we choose during this crisis.  It will not be a one-size-fits-all undertaking for any of us.  And that's okay.

 

Yep!

 

And it is possible to have cruises booked AND still support the local businesses. It's all about personal choices and preferences.

 

ETA: And by going ahead and booking the cruise I did for July, I'm helping my travel agent (who is NOT at a big box place) because even if the cruise is cancelled, I can take the FCC and she will get her commission still. See? Helping one is also helping the other!

Edited April 13, 2020 by WrittenOnYourHeart

[PTC DAWG]

1 hour ago, DWhit said:

History shows that life went on and returned back to normal after the last big pandemic of the 1919 Spanish Flu. I doubt this one will be much different.

Agree...

[davekathy]

We currently have 2 cruises booked with Celebrity (2020 & 2021) and 2 cruises booked with RC (2021). At this time we aren't even looking into 2022 cruises. We aren't cancelling and plan on going on the booked future cruises. But we'll wait for Celebrity and RC to make the final decision for us. If they cancel the cruises I'll take the cash refund again like I did for our cancelled March and April cruises. 

Edited April 13, 2020 by davekathy

[ECCruise]

BTW, we have 4 cruises booked with =X=, not including one that was cancelled that we are patiently waiting for our refund that has no signs of arriving.  And 2 booked with RCCL.  And 5 booked with Azamara.  Just not adding more to their till at the present time.  That would be fiscal foolishness.

 

And "altruism" and "$multi-billion corporation"  is an oxymoron.

Edited April 13, 2020 by ECCruise

[OuiOnboard]

Our last few cruises were purchased with payment in full. I think this might be one of the best ways to give Celebrity real and meaningful support.

[marieps]

Here's a bit more "reality."  Delta went bankrupt after 9/11.  American went bankrupt too.  Each became wildly profitable after consolidating with other airlines.  They never stopped flying (after the skies opened) and tickets were honored.  Chapter 11 offers corporate protection, not liquidation.     

 

I have three cruises booked.  My cancelled March cruise now replaced with November.  I cancelled July 5 Summit and booked June 2021.   That's really because of NYC, not X.  I also have Feb 2021 on Connie, booked 6 months ago.  I also bought 115 shares of RCI.  That investment is at risk should they need to file.

 

None of this is because I "owe" X anything.  I choose to support my favorite vendors, as I do with local restaurants from whom we order take out and tip generously.  It's just about giving folks a fighting chance.   Nothing is owed.  MHO.  

 

 

[dandee2]

Helping a Corporation that pays no taxes? OK they have employees in the US, hires tons of local firm but as a whole, the money is hidden in some tax heaven.

X will be back but not yet.

[yorky]

2 hours ago, DWhit said:

History shows that life went on and returned back to normal after the last big pandemic of the 1919 Spanish Flu. I doubt this one will be much different.

Exactly, this is huge but we will all move on as will the cruise lines

 

2 hours ago, RickT said:

My view towards Celebrity is similar to my view on local businesses that are struggling during this pandemic.  If I supported them prior to the pandemic I'll try to support them now.  For local restaurants I order take out if available and gift cards if not.  Will I lose some $ if they go under, yes.  IMHO it's worth it to risk a little to help out businesses that I liked.

 

Same for Celebrity. 

 

And for those who think they will go bankrupt, while that's possible given the measures they took at the start of this pandemic I suspect it's unlikely unless this goes for 6-9 months more.

https://gcaptain.com/royal-caribbean-borrows-2-2-billion-to-shore-up-liquidity/

 

I would be amazed if Celebrity went bankrupt.

[Pinboy]

We love Celebrity - never had a bad cruise experience -- Can't wait to sail again and looking forward to not cancelling " another " cruise we have scheduled for November 2020. 

That said---- this  post reminds me of a gentleman we met on a cruise who made a comment about the casino:

Tipping the dealer in the casino .  " Why the H--- should we tip the dealer ??  All they do is turn the cards . And besides, do they tip you when you lose ??? " 

 

 

 

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

I love cruising on Celebrity.  I had 60 nights booked this year.  As soon as Celebrity refunds the $14,000 or so of my money it is currently sitting on, I will happily reserve some cruises for 2021.  Not before.  I think I'm currently propping them up enough, thank you.

[phoenix_dream]

We talk about recovering from bankruptcy by quoting US companies and how they did.  These are not US companies.  I don't know what happens when foreign companies go through the same thing.  Is it that same?  Maybe some of you know, but I am not knowledgeable in that regard.  If you know, I would be interested in hearing how it works - perhaps it is the same, I don't know.

 

As to booking future cruises, personally I am holding off.  As luck would have it, this year was going to be our most cruised year ever.  All in all we had 9 cruises booked, 3 of which we have already taken, 3 cancelled so far, and 3 who knows.  And that is not counting the 11/10 night B2B we have for January 2021.  I have already invested way too much in Celebrity right now to take a chance with future bookings until this plays out a little more.  For one of our cancellations we asked for a refund (which we have yet to receive several weeks later), for the other two we went with FCC but the way prices look next year (not to mention the fact that there may not be a vaccine by then), I am not sure we made the right call.  If any others are cancelled, we are going to ask for a refund.   Two of my cruises are past the 9/1 current deadline and I have non-refundable deposits on them so I am waiting it out.

 

Obviously I love cruising but as I am in my late 60's I wonder if I will be able to continue.  I have no underlying health issues at this time, but at 68  I am more vulnerable.  Seeing the horror of what happened to people stuck on ships with Covid-19 I would want to know that the cruise lines have seriously upped their game plan for how to handle something like this in the future.  The CDC requirements posted were pretty significant - things like (and I know I am not quoting exactly) actual mini-hospitals rather than just sick bays, chartered flights home for passengers, and so on.  I honestly don't know how the cruise lines can afford to satisfy those requirements, and I am not sure I would sail them until they did.  Tough times.  I am hoping for the best but anticipate it may take a long time to get there.

[yorky]

1 hour ago, HxFx said:

 

Quoting myself! When I refer to a lot of posts, I'm not talking about this particular string, just Cruise Critic boards in general. Lots of folks trying to provide realistic information which is appreciated, but some are just downright rude and condescending.

Yep, you try to feel positive and are accused of “ living in fairy land” and  “Many cannot understand what's going on” Sorry but yes that is downright rude. We are all allowed to think positively, that does not make us deluded fools who can’t see what’s going on around us. We love cruising, we love Celebrity and all the wonderful crew and we will be returning to what’s in our opinion the best holiday out there. If we make our cruise in February we will both sit in the martini bar with those who feel the same way and raise a glass to everyone including the doubters. 

[BP99]

I find these posts for "How can we help Celebrity" unusual.

Next thing you know, some cruiser will set up a "Go Fund Me Page"

for them. Yes, if they ever refund me I may take a cruise with them

again (we are Elite). This will also greatly depends on a vaccine

or treatment for the virus. 

[OuiOnboard]

6 minutes ago, phoenix_dream said:

Obviously I love cruising but as I am in my late 60's I wonder if I will be able to continue.  I have no underlying health issues at this time, but at 68  I am more vulnerable.  Seeing the horror of what happened to people stuck on ships with Covid-19 I would want to know that the cruise lines have seriously upped their game plan for how to handle something like this in the future.  The CDC requirements posted were pretty significant - things like (and I know I am not quoting exactly) actual mini-hospitals rather than just sick bays, chartered flights home for passengers, and so on.  I honestly don't know how the cruise lines can afford to satisfy those requirements, and I am not sure I would sail them until they did.  Tough times.  I am hoping for the best but anticipate it may take a long time to get there.

That is why it is really important to step up in support to get over this bump.

[LMaxwell]

I've read someone suggest not calling for price drops as a way to help the cruise lines.  When asked why they wouldn't take the price drop and donate it to a local foodbank or medical facility they said "Why would I do that?" 

 

Tone deaf.  

 

If you want to throw money at booking cruises, by all means go right ahead, but advising others that this is a pragmatic course of action in this uncertain economic climate is not very good advice.