Slight Change to Captain's Club statement, internet benefit

[HskrCrsr]

On 7/28/2021, X posted a new Captain's Club benefits brochure:

https://www.celebritycruises.com/content/dam/celebrity/new-images/Captain's Club Benefit Brochure_072821.pdf

 

At first I did not notice anything new or different. Today I noticed that they changed the wording on the complimentary stream minutes to suggest that these minutes for Elite and higher are included even when you have Always Included rather than what was suggested previously: "Discount on internet packages and upgrades—and complimentary stream minutes for those without internet included".

 

And I believe they also changed the wording on the Program Updates page (https://www.celebritycruises.com/captains-club/program-changes😞

"We’ve adjusted the previous Captain’s Club internet discount of 10%-35% to reflect these changes and provide exclusive value. Now,  if you sail with Always Included, you can apply this discount to upgrade from the Surf to Stream package. If you do not sail with Always Included, you can apply the 10% - 35% discount to any internet package. And if you book pre-cruise, your discount is combinable with the additional 10% pre-cruise advantage.  Elite and Elite Plus members will receive 90 and 240 complimentary stream minutes respectively in both scenarios. Zenith members will continue to enjoy a complimentary Stream internet package for one device in both scenarios. Zenith members sailing with the Indulge rate will enjoy a complimentary stream internet package for two devices."

 

Perhaps there were other changes I failed to notice?

 

I hope this helps some of us to enjoy Captain's Club a little more.

[the penguins]

3 minutes ago, HskrCrsr said:

On 7/28/2021, X posted a new Captain's Club benefits brochure:

https://www.celebritycruises.com/content/dam/celebrity/new-images/Captain's Club Benefit Brochure_072821.pdf

 

At first I did not notice anything new or different. Today I noticed that they changed the wording on the complimentary stream minutes to suggest that these minutes for Elite and higher are included even when you have Always Included rather than what was suggested previously: "Discount on internet packages and upgrades—and complimentary stream minutes for those without internet included".

 

And I believe they also changed the wording on the Program Updates page (https://www.celebritycruises.com/captains-club/program-changes😞

"We’ve adjusted the previous Captain’s Club internet discount of 10%-35% to reflect these changes and provide exclusive value. Now,  if you sail with Always Included, you can apply this discount to upgrade from the Surf to Stream package. If you do not sail with Always Included, you can apply the 10% - 35% discount to any internet package. And if you book pre-cruise, your discount is combinable with the additional 10% pre-cruise advantage.  Elite and Elite Plus members will receive 90 and 240 complimentary stream minutes respectively in both scenarios. Zenith members will continue to enjoy a complimentary Stream internet package for one device in both scenarios. Zenith members sailing with the Indulge rate will enjoy a complimentary stream internet package for two devices."

 

Perhaps there were other changes I failed to notice?

 

I hope this helps some of us to enjoy Captain's Club a little more.

To put it another way. As Elite and above we used to get free minutes which were way more than we needed. If we wanted a larger package we could buy it at a discount. Now we are paying for a package that we don't need and if we pay extra we can get an even bigger package that we don't need. The old system was perfect and offered real choice and value to loyal passengers. Basically if you don't drink alcohol and don't need unlimited Internet then all Elite+ and above get for their loyalty is 1 free bag of laundry.

[WestLakeGirl]

Are there not discounts on specialty dining? Free spa days while the ship is in port? Discounts in the spa? Priority tendering?  Casino match plays?  I think the Penguins are forgetting a few things…..

[hcat]

Free spa days???  

Spa discount is same as port day discount..and limited to hrs ship is in port.

 

When we tried to use our dining discount on Coastal Ca cruise,, maitre d in Tuscan  had a hissie fit and DEMANDED quite loudly to see our proof of said benefit..which I happened  to have with me..He made a huge scene and many phone calls , and still would not relent.  Pretty much ruined our special dinner !  Guest Rel fixed it the next day! We of  course avoided Tuscan from that point on...

 

No priority boarding right now,.folks are asigned a time slot regardless of levels.

 

Best perks were the  internet minutes..now part of all included so no savings there

And  the laundry bag!

[loerie]

26 minutes ago, the penguins said:

To put it another way. As Elite and above we used to get free minutes which were way more than we needed. If we wanted a larger package we could buy it at a discount. Now we are paying for a package that we don't need and if we pay extra we can get an even bigger package that we don't need. The old system was perfect and offered real choice and value to loyal passengers. Basically if you don't drink alcohol and don't need unlimited Internet then all Elite+ and above get for their loyalty is 1 free bag of laundry.

Agree !

[Fly and Sail]

To be frank: CC is a complete joke. Even C&A with Royal is much better. You're spending thousands (until you reach a tier probably 10-20k) going on several Celebrity Cruises to end up saving what, like 20 bucks!? Nuts!

[WestLakeGirl]

Are there not discounts on specialty dining?

 

sorry hcat had such a bad experience.  We have never had any difficulty with the Captains Club discount in the specialty dining venues

 

Casino match plays? 
 

we always use these, too!

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

1 hour ago, hcat said:

 

 

When we tried to use our dining discount on Coastal Ca cruise,, maitre d in Tuscan  had a hissie fit and DEMANDED quite loudly to see our proof of said benefit..which I happened  to have with me..He made a huge scene and many phone calls , and still would not relent.  Pretty much ruined our special dinner !  Guest Rel fixed it the next day! We of  course avoided Tuscan from that point on...

 

Sounds like a typical Tuscan experience which is why I no longer go there aside from the mediocre food.  Murano, on the other hand, automatically offers the discount without my having to ask.

[cruisestitch]

I had a little trouble getting my spa discount once but Guest Relations fixed it.  Never had an issue with the specialty restaurant discount.

[hcat]

1 hour ago, WestLakeGirl said:

Are there not discounts on specialty dining?

 

sorry hcat had such a bad experience.  We have never had any difficulty with the Captains Club discount in the specialty dining venues

 

Casino match plays? 
 

we always use these, too!

The man was a zero!   Isolated  incident but  he should have been better informed and more gracious!

 

We don,t gamble so do not use that  Casino perk

We do like the gelato! And Specialty Coffee ( Also now All included, I suspect)

[hcat]

43 minutes ago, Happy Cruiser 6143 said:

 

Sounds like a typical Tuscan experience which is why I no longer go there aside from the mediocre food.  Murano, on the other hand, automatically offers the discount without my having to ask.

Agree

[HskrCrsr]

My point in starting this thread was that there was a change for the positive. Other than a few posts, the reaction to this is complaints ... odd. I guess I expected that from some but not in this proportion.

 

🤷‍♂️

[the penguins]

2 hours ago, WestLakeGirl said:

Are there not discounts on specialty dining? Free spa days while the ship is in port? Discounts in the spa? Priority tendering?  Casino match plays?  I think the Penguins are forgetting a few things…..

All for Elite so spend another 150 days in a balcony to get to Elite + and the extra benefit is 1 bag of laundry)

[the penguins]

10 minutes ago, HskrCrsr said:

My point in starting this thread was that there was a change for the positive. Other than a few posts, the reaction to this is complaints ... odd. I guess I expected that from some but not in this proportion.

 

🤷‍♂️

Just shows what a terrible mistake Celebrity has made. In addition they have increased prices on some cruises by 80%. The Captains Club are aware that the new system gives better value to new passengers than to regular ones and the benefits are being reviewed. If any one wants the old system restored contact the club and make your views known.

[wrk2cruise]

I don't think anything has changed since November but I do think they have worked on the wording to better explain things.  AI is supposed to be simple but it really complicates how to determine individual value.

[jshli]

So if we have “Always Included”,  to upgrade from “surf” to “stream” and the price for “surf” is 15.00 per day and the price for “stream” is $35.00 per day, as an elite member, to upgrade to “stream” I would pay the difference minus 30% which would cost an extra $14.00 a day?

Interesting that on my Royal Caribbean cruise, I purchased the “stream package”

at $15.99 per day without any credit or perk. What a joke!
 

 

[the penguins]

8 hours ago, jshli said:

So if we have “Always Included”,  to upgrade from “surf” to “stream” and the price for “surf” is 15.00 per day and the price for “stream” is $35.00 per day, as an elite member, to upgrade to “stream” I would pay the difference minus 30% which would cost an extra $14.00 a day?

Interesting that on my Royal Caribbean cruise, I purchased the “stream package”

at $15.99 per day without any credit or perk. What a joke!
 

 

Exactly. The new system has almost totally destroyed the Captains Club benefits. It was probably the best loyalty programme going now it's basically worthless. Hello Celebrity wake up and listen to your loyal passengers.

[ipeeinthepool]

Ok, what is the best way to get the discount applied to an internet upgrade?

[bigbeergut]

2 hours ago, ipeeinthepool said:

Ok, what is the best way to get the discount applied to an internet upgrade?

 

Farewell Pee  R.I.P.

[HskrCrsr]

5 hours ago, ipeeinthepool said:

Ok, what is the best way to get the discount applied to an internet upgrade?

The only info I see is "If a guest books their cruise with Always Included package pricing and would like to upgrade their Surf Wi-Fi to Stream Wi-Fi, they may do so via our Cruise Planner platform once their booking is within final payment. The upgrade charge will be $20 per person per day.  Guests may not purchase a Wi-Fi upgrade before final payment when they book Always Included. Alternatively, guests may also upgrade their Surf Wi-fi to Stream Wi-Fi once onboard the ship."

 

Unlike upgrading the beverage package, I see nothing about the discount being applied pre-cruise only.

 

Hmmm. If you upgrade onboard with the IT guy, maybe he/she would be grateful and you'll get better internet service? 🤡

[kevanmia]

On 7/31/2021 at 3:00 PM, Fly and Sail said:

To be frank: CC is a complete joke. Even C&A with Royal is much better. You're spending thousands (until you reach a tier probably 10-20k) going on several Celebrity Cruises to end up saving what, like 20 bucks!? Nuts!

 

Mostly agree.  The benefits are nothing to write home about.  I don't need my laundry done.  I don't purchase photo packages (like who doesn't have a smartphone?).  With AI, small discounts on drinks or internet no longer matter.

 

X seems to be happy with the amount of loyalty they already have and are clearly not handing out much to grow the loyalty base.  They've also concluded that many people will keep sailing and sailing with them even if the loyalty program is worth pennies.  So maybe people need to start voting with their feet!

[goofysmom99]

I'm on Equinox now.  I upgraded to streaming by calling Captains Club last week.  They applied 10% precruise discount making the basis for tier discount $18 rather than the $20/day it is onboard.  Then they applied my 35% discount to the $18 = $11.70/day or $81.90 for the week.  Streaming is no prize and can be slow or drop altogether.  If streaming is not included, I'll always pay for the upgrade.  I keep phone in airplane mode but turn on wifi calling (ringer on mute) so family can leave VM, text, or email.  Heck, I might even answer if I'm in my cabin.  🤓

Edited August 4, 2021 by goofysmom99

[HskrCrsr]

3 hours ago, goofysmom99 said:

I'm on Equinox now.  I upgraded to streaming by calling Captains Club last week.  They applied 10% precruise discount making the basis for tier discount $18 rather than the $20/day it is onboard.  Then they applied my 35% discount to the $18 = $11.70/day or $81.90 for the week.  Streaming is no prize and can be slow or drop altogether.  If streaming is not included, I'll always pay for the upgrade.  I keep phone in airplane mode but turn on wifi calling (ringer on mute) so family can leave VM, text, or email.  Heck, I might even answer if I'm in my cabin.  🤓

Thanks for the report! Have a great cruise!

[the penguins]

12 hours ago, kevanmia said:

 

Mostly agree.  The benefits are nothing to write home about.  I don't need my laundry done.  I don't purchase photo packages (like who doesn't have a smartphone?).  With AI, small discounts on drinks or internet no longer matter.

 

X seems to be happy with the amount of loyalty they already have and are clearly not handing out much to grow the loyalty base.  They've also concluded that many people will keep sailing and sailing with them even if the loyalty program is worth pennies.  So maybe people need to start voting with their feet!

The system is currently under review contact Andrea Shey, Director of Loyalty to make your views known. Celebrity has changed course before when faced with negative feedback and hopefully they will do do again. The answer is simply to revert to the old system of a basic price plus packages for those that want them. Personally I would be happy if the basic price included the tips.

[kjwent]

Do you have an email address for Andrea Shey?  I'd love to make her aware of how I feel about the changes.