Amenities

[sheila1947]

Now that drinks and internet are included in the cruise price, what happens to the CC amenities we had prior to the change?

[TeaBag]

I guess we don't need them because we are now paying for them!

[sheila1947]

So basically, CC status means nothing?

[wrk2cruise]

They marginally increased discounts on extra cost items.  With the removal of priority embarkation etc yes they devalued the program significantly.

[ipeeinthepool]

You still have priority tendering.  That's priceless on some itineraries.

[jelayne]

And laundry perks are still there and for those that do long cruises and B2Bs discounts for dry cleaning & wash & press laundry.  

[jg51]

2 hours ago, sheila1947 said:

Now that drinks and internet are included in the cruise price, what happens to the CC amenities we had prior to the change?

.

Hello, "sheila1947." 

There has been a lot of discussion of this.   Please be aware of the fact that at least several people will execute merciless attacks on people who are unhappy about certain changes to Captain's Club members' benefits.

 

Extremely important to us, in recent years, were the daily Captain's Club Breakfast (in S-class Tuscan) and the daily Cocktail Hours (whether in the Sky Lounge or via all bars).  Those benefits will be taken away from you and us.  To a certain significant extent, Elites and Elite-Pluses have been abandoned (their/our loyalty being ignored).  We ourselves never used to need a beverage package nor unlimited Internet, but now we will have both of them forced down our throats (at our expense).

 

"X" has not yet been wise/fair enough to grant to Elites (or at least Elite Pluses) an automatic upgrade on the included beverage packages from "Classic" to "Premium."  Instead, E/E+ people will get only a discount (no more than 25%?) if they request such an upgrade.

 

Why are loyalists being treated in this way?

 

(1)  "X" never promised that the benefits ("amenities," you called them) would last forever; they were instead "subject to change."

 

(2)  "X" is obviously hurting big-time for money, so -- for more than half a year -- they have been doing some questionable things to get some cash flowing into their bank accounts ASAP, such as ...

.......... (a) letting the public book fall/winter 2020 cruises that had next to 0% chance of actually setting sail,

.......... (b) letting the public book longer cruises than CDC has allowed (7 days),

.......... (c) letting people book  back-to-back cruises that go beyond CDC's limit,

.......... (d) forcing the public [even people who never drink alcohol or seldom/never use the Internet] to purchase packages that they don't need and don't want -- if they want to cruise on an "X" ship, and

.......... (e) taking the risk of offending numerous Elites/Elite-Pluses sufficiently to cause them to abandon cruising or to switch to some other cruise line.

 

Regarding (2)(d), we think that "X" may have analyzed the numbers, from recent years, and may have found that a high percentage of E/E+ people are very wealthy -- and that, despite the CC benefits/amenities, they have bought beverage packages and/or unlimited Internet, because they want to ... (1) drink alcohol, specialty coffees, smoothies, etc., all day long (not just at the special Breakfast and during the Cocktail Hours) ... and/or they want to ... (2) use the Internet a lot more than the number of minutes (90?) provided by the CC benefit/amenity.

 

In other words, we think that "X" may have decided to gamble that they will not lose a lot of customers by being disloyal to loyalists!  Some folks think that they are so desperate for money and so focused on cash (rather than on being compassionate to fellow human beings) that they actually want to get rid of Elites/Elite-Pluses who never buy beverage packages and never buy unlimited Internet! 

 

"X" could go a long way toward dispelling such negative thoughts by restoring some of their former loyalty to us loyalists.  At the end of a recent webinar (concerning the Apex), an "X" loyalty specialist said that she and others were looking into new ways to enhance existing amenities/benefits (and/or to add new ones) in the near future.  We look forward to seeing the new list, but we are not exactly optimistic yet.  In our opinion, any such list should definitely include the automatic ("free," not just discounted) upgrade from Classic to Premium (beverage package) for Elite-Pluses (and at least a 50% discount for that upgrade for Elites).

 

The "X" FAQs concerning "Always Included" point out that it will be possible - on "selected cruises," within 90 days of sailing -- to get a lower fare (called "Simply Sail") that does NOT force a guest to pay for a beverage package or Internet.  We think that Elite/Elite-Plus loyalists should be offered the Simply-Sail fare as an option whenever they book (and on all cruises, not just some) -- not just within the final 90 days!  That would be an excellent enhancement for Captain's Club officials to implement, in our opinion.

 

Thank you.

.

Edited December 21, 2020 by jg51

[ChucktownSteve]

LLP's mandate has been to cut costs and increase profits. Period.  That's how she's kept her job. Refer back a couple of years ago to the Double/Double program. I believe she has other agendas as well however those are just icing on her cake.

 

If you continue to enjoy Celebrity after the changes to your loyalty benefits, you will continue to cruise with them.  If not, you will seek comfort on other cruise lines that give you what you desire at a price you're willing to pay. It's really that simple.

 

I believe they have calculated how many customers they plan on losing by the latest move.  Celebrity probably believes those can be replaced by the higher paying Millennials they're targeting.  If Celebrity is proven wrong, they will adjust their marketing again to try to offset the exodus. 

 

 

 

Edited December 21, 2020 by ChucktownSteve

[LGW59]

20 minutes ago, jg51 said:

.

Hello, "sheila1947." 

There has been a lot of discussion of this.   Please be aware of the fact that at least several people will execute merciless attacks on people who are unhappy about certain changes to Captain's Club members' benefits.

 

Extremely important to us, in recent years, were the daily Captain's Club Breakfast (in S-class Tuscan) and the daily Cocktail Hours (whether in the Sky Lounge or via all bars).  Those benefits will be taken away from you and us.  To a certain significant extent, Elites and Elite-Pluses have been abandoned (their/our loyalty being ignored).  We ourselves never used to need a beverage package nor unlimited Internet, but now we will have both of them forced down our throats (at our expense).

 

"X" has not yet been wise/fair enough to grant to Elites (or at least Elite Pluses) an automatic upgrade on the included beverage packages from "Classic" to "Premium."  Instead, E/E+ people will get only a discount (no more than 25%?) if they request such an upgrade.

 

Why are loyalists being treated in this way?

 

(1)  "X" never promised that the benefits ("amenities," you called them) would last forever; they were instead "subject to change."

 

(2)  "X" is obviously hurting big-time for money, so -- for more than half a year -- they have been doing some questionable things to get some cash flowing into their bank accounts ASAP, such as ...

.......... (a) letting the public book fall/winter 2020 cruises that had next to 0% chance of actually setting sail,

.......... (b) letting the public book longer cruises than CDC has allowed (7 days),

.......... (c) letting people book  back-to-back cruises that go beyond CDC's limit,

.......... (d) forcing the public [even people who never drink alcohol or seldom/never use the Internet] to purchase packages that they don't need and don't want -- if they want to cruise on an "X" ship, and

.......... (e) taking the risk of offending numerous Elites/Elite-Pluses sufficiently to cause them to abandon cruising or to switch to some other cruise line.

 

Regarding (2)(d), we think that "X" may have analyzed the numbers, from recent years, and may have found that a high percentage of E/E+ people are very wealthy -- and that, despite the CC benefits/amenities, they have bought beverage packages and/or unlimited Internet, because they want to ... (1) drink alcohol, specialty coffees, smoothies, etc., all day long (not just at the special Breakfast and during the Cocktail Hours) ... and/or they want to ... (2) use the Internet a lot more than the number of minutes (90?) provided by the CC benefit/amenity.

 

In other words, we think that "X" may have decided to gamble that they will not lose a lot of customers by being disloyal to loyalists!  Some folks think that they are so desperate for money and so focused on cash (rather than on being compassionate to fellow human beings) that they actually want to get rid of Elites/Elite-Pluses who never buy beverage packages and never buy unlimited Internet! 

 

"X" could go a long way toward dispelling such negative thoughts by restoring some of their former loyalty to us loyalists.  At the end of a recent webinar (concerning the Apex), an "X" loyalty specialist said that she and others were looking into new ways to enhance existing amenities/benefits (and/or to add new ones) in the near future.  We look forward to seeing the new list, but we are not exactly optimistic yet.  In our opinion, any such list should definitely include the automatic ("free," not just discounted) upgrade from Classic to Premium (beverage package) for Elite-Pluses (and at least a 50% discount for that upgrade for Elites).

 

The "X" FAQs concerning "Always Included" point out that it will be possible - on "selected cruises," within 90 days of sailing -- to get a lower fare (called "Simply Sail") that does NOT force a guest to pay for a beverage package or Internet.  We think that Elite/Elite-Plus loyalists should be offered the Simply-Sail fare as an option whenever they book (and on all cruises, not just some) -- not just within the final 90 days!  That would be an excellent enhancement for Captain's Club officials to implement, in our opinion.

 

Thank you.

.

Are you an attorney, because this reads like an appelate court brief.  Many many of your posts here refer to being "cheated", Eand E+ derserving of what you loyalists have earned.  You gloss over when anyone points out the obvious, the program can be changed at anytime, and they changed it.  You do not like it and that is perfectly OK, you do not have to, but why would you ever consider sailing on Celebrity again if this is how you feel?

[jelayne]

Loyalty programs have changed on cruise lines, airlines, hotels, car rentals, etc.

For some free drinks at breakfast and between 5-7 were the big deal for others not important. 
 

At this point many business both large and small are just trying to stay afloat, if the only reason anyone chooses to book a particular cruise line, airline. hotel chain, Is to get a free drink, group 4 boarding, or a faster wi-fi connection  then  so be it.  Personally for us it is more about the past experiences we have had, and when things get tough giving a little to hopefully keep our favorite restaurant, cruise line, airline or hotel stay afloat.  

[ipeeinthepool]

5 hours ago, ChucktownSteve said:

LLP's mandate has been to cut costs and increase profits. Period.  That's how she's kept her job. 

 

I'm not a big LLP fan but why single her out on this issue.  Cutting costs and increasing profit is the goal of every CEO.  Any CEO that doesn't look to increase profits should be gone.  Period.

[ChucktownSteve]

24 minutes ago, ipeeinthepool said:

 

I'm not a big LLP fan but why single her out on this issue.  Cutting costs and increasing profit is the goal of every CEO.  Any CEO that doesn't look to increase profits should be gone.  Period.

 

That was her job at RCL and why she was transferred to head Celebrity.  The cuts accelerated shortly after that. Then the Double/Double program came from the top at RCG; although I don't believe they were named that at the time.  So it's not just her.  But as CEO she developed the procedures and cuts at Celebrity.

[cruisestitch]

I haven’t seen that the Elite Coffee House breakfast is gone.  Is that for sure?

[bikerunner]

10 minutes ago, cruisestitch said:

I haven’t seen that the Elite Coffee House breakfast is gone.  Is that for sure?

It still shows as one of the benefits for Elite and above.  Until they start sailing no one knows what is happening just can make assumptions.  I am not sold on the vaccine yet and feeling less hopeful with sailings anytime soon.  The perks are nice to have but that is one of the least important things I look at when i sail.  I look at first the itinerary, the ship/reputation/cleanliness and service.  The little extra perks are a nice bonus but in no way will they drive my decision.  

 

[TeeRick]

11 hours ago, jg51 said:

.

Hello, "sheila1947." 

There has been a lot of discussion of this.   Please be aware of the fact that at least several people will execute merciless attacks on people who are unhappy about certain changes to Captain's Club members' benefits.

 

 

Kind of a bit dramatic don't you think?  Or is this considered a merciless attack in your opinion?  🙂

[ipeeinthepool]

49 minutes ago, TeeRick said:

Kind of a bit dramatic don't you think?  Or is this considered a merciless attack in your opinion?  🙂

 

Maybe if you're criticizing me, it's a merciless attack.  😉

[paulh84]

Isn't the plan to still offer the 'base' fare at <90 days out? I would assume there are a decent number of higher level CC members who do chase deals and book within final payment. Essentially this makes their internet and drink/happy hour perks just as lucrative as before.

 

To me (others obviously will not agree) chasing cruise line loyal is not worth the expense. At all. Airline perks? Sure. That 8-10hr flight in business vs. coach is huge. For free cocktails and laundry? Nah. If you read about airline loyalty programs, these devaluation complaints are nearly identical when changes occur. At least cruise line program don't have a monetary or nights-on-board requirement. Yet anyway. 

[sanger727]

4 minutes ago, paulh84 said:

Isn't the plan to still offer the 'base' fare at <90 days out? I would assume there are a decent number of higher level CC members who do chase deals and book within final payment. Essentially this makes their internet and drink/happy hour perks just as lucrative as before.

 

To me (others obviously will not agree) chasing cruise line loyal is not worth the expense. At all. Airline perks? Sure. That 8-10hr flight in business vs. coach is huge. For free cocktails and laundry? Nah. If you read about airline loyalty programs, these devaluation complaints are nearly identical when changes occur. At least cruise line program don't have a monetary or nights-on-board requirement. Yet anyway. 

 

Completely agree. So tired of the loyalty whining. Presumably you cruised celebrity for many years because you enjoyed the product. Now that your perks haven't vanished (they still exist) but the booking terms and options have changed suddenly, you are so offended that you no longer enjoy the product? The cruise and line hasn't change. Apparently people at just upset that they can get drinks all day now instead of just 2 hours during happy hour??

[Fouremco]

31 minutes ago, paulh84 said:

Isn't the plan to still offer the 'base' fare at <90 days out? I would assume there are a decent number of higher level CC members who do chase deals and book within final payment. Essentially this makes their internet and drink/happy hour perks just as lucrative as before.

 

To me (others obviously will not agree) chasing cruise line loyal is not worth the expense. At all. Airline perks? Sure. That 8-10hr flight in business vs. coach is huge. For free cocktails and laundry? Nah. If you read about airline loyalty programs, these devaluation complaints are nearly identical when changes occur. At least cruise line program don't have a monetary or nights-on-board requirement. Yet anyway. 

Celebrity plans to make that offer on select cruises, not all. How many, and what criteria will be used to determine which cruises has not been published AFAIK.

[Ray in NH]

10 hours ago, jelayne said:

Loyalty programs have changed on cruise lines, airlines, hotels, car rentals, etc.

For some free drinks at breakfast and between 5-7 were the big deal for others not important. 
 

At this point many business both large and small are just trying to stay afloat, if the only reason anyone chooses to book a particular cruise line, airline. hotel chain, Is to get a free drink, group 4 boarding, or a faster wi-fi connection  then  so be it.  Personally for us it is more about the past experiences we have had, and when things get tough giving a little to hopefully keep our favorite restaurant, cruise line, airline or hotel stay afloat.  

I'd drink to that, even if I did not have a beverage package 😇.

Cruise lines are going to do whatever they can to maintain/increase profitability.  If that is so upsetting to you, perhaps looking at different cruise lines (or different vacation options) is in your best interests?

 

NRayH

[Denny01]

Being an E+, I’ve enjoyed the various bene’s provided and appreciated them.....but I cruised Celebrity Not because of those goodies, but got them because I picked ‘X’ as my primary large Line. Been on others and haven’t disliked any cruise but always go to ‘X’ on first shot/look and will continue to do so. I go with others for an itinerary or join friends. 

 

So if I’m now getting drinks whenever I want instead of a 2hr period, unlimited Wi-FI and don’t pay gratuites which isn’t a minor benefit, and I’m paying more unknown increase because everybody else gets it, I’ll somehow survive. 

 

And if ‘X’ decides to add some benefit to E/E+, even better. 

 

At least we don’t have the never ending threads about the E/E+ HH was too early because ‘I drink later’, or I dine during the HH (which I do) and lose time sloshing more down, and all the other complaints about goodies provided not meeting my very specific needs. 

 

Den

[grandgeezer]

1 hour ago, sanger727 said:

 

Completely agree. So tired of the loyalty whining. Presumably you cruised celebrity for many years because you enjoyed the product. Now that your perks haven't vanished (they still exist) but the booking terms and options have changed suddenly, you are so offended that you no longer enjoy the product? The cruise and line hasn't change. Apparently people at just upset that they can get drinks all day now instead of just 2 hours during happy hour??

No, people are upset because now they have to pay hundreds of dollars more for things the don't want or need.

[wrk2cruise]

1 hour ago, sanger727 said:

 

Completely agree. So tired of the loyalty whining. Presumably you cruised celebrity for many years because you enjoyed the product. Now that your perks haven't vanished (they still exist) but the booking terms and options have changed suddenly, you are so offended that you no longer enjoy the product? The cruise and line hasn't change. Apparently people at just upset that they can get drinks all day now instead of just 2 hours during happy hour??

 

I enjoyed the product at 1/2 of what they want to charge now.   We'll see if "the cruise line hasn't changed".

[C-Dragons]

1 hour ago, sanger727 said:

 

Completely agree. So tired of the loyalty whining. Presumably you cruised celebrity for many years because you enjoyed the product. Now that your perks haven't vanished (they still exist) but the booking terms and options have changed suddenly, you are so offended that you no longer enjoy the product? The cruise and line hasn't change. Apparently people at just upset that they can get drinks all day now instead of just 2 hours during happy hour??

Thank you. I haven’t seen anything from X confirming that CC perks have been eliminated. Perhaps they will, at some point, announce changes/modifications, but until then, Imo, a lot of this is speculation.

We have been with X since 2003. Never once have I booked a cruise with them for the “perks”. We enjoy their ships, food, crew and service, and that is what has kept us loyal. 

[Orator]

29 minutes ago, C-Dragons said:

Thank you. I haven’t seen anything from X confirming that CC perks have been eliminated. Perhaps they will, at some point, announce changes/modifications, but until then, Imo, a lot of this is speculation.

We have been with X since 2003. Never once have I booked a cruise with them for the “perks”. We enjoy their ships, food, crew and service, and that is what has kept us loyal. 

They have confirmed a loss of benefits for the Zenith level and the "Top Cruiser" recognition. Celebrity can modify their loyalty program as they wish. Hopefully, some of the decisions will be reviewed when things get back to almost normal.