All inclusive. Not really. Expensive, YES!

[LGW59]

54 minutes ago, Ride-The-Waves said:

Do not want to hijack this thread since I agree with most of the discussion that AI is mostly over-priced hype.  However, since you specifically requested an answer.  The phrase originated with those who do not want to serve country, do not want to give anything back to their country (which ever country) and who are most comfortable with others serving to protect them from foreign (or domestic) attack.  Those of us in service would never have thought to offer "thanks" to a comrade in uniform.  We serve for different personal reasons, no "thanks" required.  If you really believe in gratitude to those who have or are serving, then do something for them: donate to the USO or similar, stuff packages for those overseas, help service families, lobby your representative to improve benefits for service men and women (many are on food stamps).

 

FYI, I come from a service family:  mother was a Navy nurse in WWII, grandfather served in WWI, uncle in Korea, son career medical in the USAF, BIL career Navy lawyer, FIL career Provost Marshall in the Army.  Father was colorblind and medically restricted from serving, but was in the field as a technical expert during WWII.  None of us needed or welcomed "thanks."

 

Now back to the topic at hand:  Celebrity's effort to squeeze more money out of us for fewer benefits.

My dad served and was injured in Korea.  He proudly marched, in uniform, in our towns Veterans Day parade every year, and he truly appreciated every single person who approached him, thanking him for his service.   

[jmhlin]

I found out I could not lift and shift and I took the full refund option. I am happy to shop around and book with another cruise line. It is fair market. If you don't like the price, shop around and sail with others. A lot of rebooking and FCC which will drive the demand up, high price is expected.

[TrulyBlonde]

11 minutes ago, LGW59 said:

us too, Luminae or specialty

Ditto. 

[Host Jazzbeau]

I would hate to be looking behind every statement for a hidden motive.  I prefer to think that the people who say 'Have a nice day' really want me to have a nice day, and even that the people who 'Bless my little heart' are really saying a prayer for me.  Maybe I'm naive, but it makes life more pleasant.  😉

[Oceangoer2]

13 minutes ago, TrulyBlonde said:

Ditto. 

Hate to say this, but we found L menu lacking and just a slight upgrade from MDR.  I hear some really like Blu but DH wouldn't.  Specialty better especially Murano and their service.  MDR was okay and not faulting it.  Most nights couldn't find anything I preferred, but I'm very picky so not their fault.

[Oceangoer2]

16 minutes ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

I would hate to be looking behind every statement for a hidden motive.  I prefer to think that the people who say 'Have a nice day' really want me to have a nice day, and even that the people who 'Bless my little heart' are really saying a prayer for me.  Maybe I'm naive, but it makes life more pleasant.  😉

Awww!  Bless your heart for believing people really are wishing you a nice day.  I'm with you.

[TrulyBlonde]

5 minutes ago, Oceangoer2 said:

Hate to say this, but we found L menu lacking and just a slight upgrade from MDR.  I hear some really like Blu but DH wouldn't.  Specialty better especially Murano and their service.  MDR was okay and not faulting it.  Most nights couldn't find anything I preferred, but I'm very picky so not their fault.

I typically only have breakfast in Luminae and find it very peaceful. We mainly go to the Specialties and will occasionally grab a slice of pizza from the buffet area and sit on the back deck at lunch time.

Best is to be on our own in a beautiful town and enjoy lunch at one of the places we are visiting for the day.

[Host Jazzbeau]

I found Luminae very adventuresome and appealing.  DW ordered off the MDR menu several nights [available in Luminae on M- and S- class ships which have the two galleys adjacent and easy for the waiters].  Plus we learned that with 24 hours notice they would prepare off-menu items for us.  But if you are a picky eater, Luminae is probably not a good choice because their strength is in the regular Luminae menu which has only a few choices each day.  This where an upgrade to a line like Azamara or Oceania [or even Silversea] might work better:  the MDR combines Luminae quality [or better] with a wider selection each night – and the prices are often comparable to Celebrity's suite prices.

[TrulyBlonde]

21 minutes ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

I found Luminae very adventuresome and appealing.  DW ordered off the MDR menu several nights [available in Luminae on M- and S- class ships which have the two galleys adjacent and easy for the waiters].  Plus we learned that with 24 hours notice they would prepare off-menu items for us.  But if you are a picky eater, Luminae is probably not a good choice because their strength is in the regular Luminae menu which has only a few choices each day.  This where an upgrade to a line like Azamara or Oceania [or even Silversea] might work better:  the MDR combines Luminae quality [or better] with a wider selection each night – and the prices are often comparable to Celebrity's suite prices.

+1

[George C]

We love Luminae, service is amazing, we eat most meals there , since we have just sailed on millennium class we can order off mdr menu also. We do check with concierge to see what dinner menu looks like and occasionally book specialty restaurants, even with a royal suite that gives us free specialty restaurants we eat most dinners in Luminae. 

[Pinboy]

1 hour ago, Oceangoer2 said:

😄  You are trying to MISS meeting us?

Absolutely not- I’d like to buy both of you a drink any time—since it’s included in the AI pkg .

LOL—Since I can’t remember what I had for breakfast today, I can’t remember if you ever “ cut me down “ on any of my posts .For sure I will like you treating us for dinner in Murano .

 

 

 

[ipeeinthepool]

54 minutes ago, peacefulOR said:

Why not? Same TP: 

 Because there is are a lot of FCCs out there looking for cruises before the FCCs expire.  The result is inflated prices.  

[rch3]

I didn’t read every post here but wonder if the drink package inclusion is intended to compensate for reduced staff and to remove the back and forth of receipt signing and collecting. Seems post-Covid smart except for those who wouldn’t encounter it in the first place. Fewer bartenders bogged down by printing, distributing and collecting receipts?

[Oceangoer2]

38 minutes ago, Pinboy said:

Absolutely not- I’d like to buy both of you a drink any time—since it’s included in the AI pkg .

LOL—Since I can’t remember what I had for breakfast today, I can’t remember if you ever “ cut me down “ on any of my posts .For sure I will like you treating us for dinner in Murano .

 

 

 

I think we had our 'moments'...but like everything, being mature adults and kind, we forgot about it.  Murano isn't included in AI, so you're on your own there - as such, I'd treat you to dinner in the MDR?

[jelayne]

52 minutes ago, rch3 said:

I didn’t read every post here but wonder if the drink package inclusion is intended to compensate for reduced staff and to remove the back and forth of receipt signing and collecting. Seems post-Covid smart except for those who wouldn’t encounter it in the first place. Fewer bartenders bogged down by printing, distributing and collecting receipts?

In our experience most passengers had selected the beverage package as a booking perk.  It was unusual to see anyone signing a receipt at a bar.  

[rch3]

13 minutes ago, jelayne said:

In our experience most passengers had selected the beverage package as a booking perk.  It was unusual to see anyone signing a receipt at a bar.  

Ours too, except bottles of wine. Just thinking out loud.......... trying to rationalize the new marketing hook beyond just enhancing revenue.

 

[Pinboy]

1 hour ago, Oceangoer2 said:

I think we had our 'moments

Really ?? Can’t remember— no worries anyway.
Hope one day to meet both of you.

Isn’t it fun to imagine what people on CC would be like in person based on their posts ?

 

 

Edited April 27, 2021 by Pinboy
Spelling mistake

[Host Jazzbeau]

36 minutes ago, rch3 said:

Ours too, except bottles of wine. Just thinking out loud.......... trying to rationalize the new marketing hook beyond just enhancing revenue.

 

My guess is that most passengers took one or two of the optionals but few took all four.  Making it mandatory does raise revenue.  I have read that most large-ship cruise lines lose money on the cabin fares and depend on making a profit with onboard spend – this insures that every cabin is profitable.  Can't blame them as they try to pay off all those loans that have been keeping them afloat.

[cheeseheads4ever]

Jelayne,

I mentioned it about signing slips but agree with you I’ve only seen a handful of people ever signing a slip. 
I look at it this way I don’t want to take a cruise and have to count cocktails and every dime I spend. I know not everyone feels like this. But I’m on vacation and we really do save for it. It’s more convenient just to have what ever you want to eat and drink.

 

Edited April 27, 2021 by cheeseheads4ever

[NantahalaCruiser]

22 hours ago, FlyerTalker said:

As a regular cruiser on Crystal, and used to the all inclusive process, one aspect of all inclusive/all included that gets overlooked is:

 

You don't have to keep signing for anything or everything throughout the day.  Your room key gets used to go into your room and off/on the ship.  So no lanyards, no digging in your pockets.  Convenience.

Actually, even though there is nothing to sign if you stay under the ceiling price, you still have to show them your card on Celebrity.

[Sailaway1706]

For me „always included“ is fine. But I can understand that not everyone is happy with the new pricing system. If you don't drink alcohol and don't use the internet,  you're naturally wondering why you should pay for it. On top of that, Celebrity has drastically changed its prices compared to other providers. I'm on APEX for a week this summer and I'm paying €5,500 for it. If I booked the trip today, I would have to pay 8,200 €. With all the understanding of the situation of the industry, that is already a violent price increase. Also against the background that the benefits have been reduced for years. At the same time, Celebrity is drastically restricting the performance of its loyalty program. Now I'm just curious if there are still discounts for onboard bookings? We will see. Celebrity has been always and always will be my favorite cruise line. But other mothers have also beautiful daughters 😉.

[gold1953]

On 4/25/2021 at 11:56 PM, FlyerTalker said:

As a regular cruiser on Crystal, and used to the all inclusive process, one aspect of all inclusive/all included that gets overlooked is:

 

You don't have to keep signing for anything or everything throughout the day.  Your room key gets used to go into your room and off/on the ship.  So no lanyards, no digging in your pockets.  Convenience.

except for those of us who were already doing this without perks. Now it will cost a lot more for the same product!!  not happy

[tfred]

11 hours ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

My guess is that most passengers took one or two of the optionals but few took all four.  Making it mandatory does raise revenue.  I have read that most large-ship cruise lines lose money on the cabin fares and depend on making a profit with onboard spend – this insures that every cabin is profitable.  Can't blame them as they try to pay off all those loans that have been keeping them afloat.

Ships have always been marginally profitable with only the cruise fare.  It was casino, drinks, spa, excursions and photo that made money.

 

These days EVERYONE is on their phone all the time - even at land resorts.  It was the top complaint at hotels that there was a fee for internet access.  Some (not many) want to unplug on vacation, or just don't use a computer, but that number is very low.  I think that the profile for "digitally adverse" pax is not what X is looking for.  

[tfred]

11 hours ago, rch3 said:

Ours too, except bottles of wine. Just thinking out loud.......... trying to rationalize the new marketing hook beyond just enhancing revenue.

 

We took a few Crystal River cruises in the last couple of years. Their concept is the same as AI for X and we loved it.  Except for specialty dining (separate room) everything was included.  Drinks, tips, internet - you never had to sign anything  except for spa services.  It was great and I would do it again.  Didn't have to fumble for a card and sign a receipt, wonder what the bar tab looked like at the end.  No surprises to discuss with Guest Services at the end 

[Bo1953]

17 hours ago, LGW59 said:

I totally get that long time cruisers (elite and whatever status) with Celebrity do not like the changes.  But times change, it is what it is, a loaf of bread used to cost 79 cents.  Just because you have taken xxxxxx number of cruises and you know what's what because of it, you need to accept that Celebrity is also marketing to folks who may only cruise 1 or 2x per year.  I'll not get into the if you don't like the prices, because they are what they are, just understand and accept, they do not and cannot run their business model on only us over 60 folks.  

Technically, they could at least once or twice per year, then there would be outrage over the type of service and food received and the 'I remember when...' LOL

 

bon voyage