Details of Celebrity's Next "Sale" Starting March 2

[NorthStarStateCruiser]

Didn't see this posted yet, so I thought I'd share.  Looks like X is continuing with the BOGO 75% offer, but there are some changes starting tomorrow.  This modified sale is running through May 2.

 

Starting tomorrow, if you book refundable, the savings on the second person's fare is only 50% rather than 60% as it is right now.  Whether that will truly result in an increase in price is yet to be seen.  My guess is that there is going to be a slightly higher price for folks booking refundable deposit fares versus today.

 

The other change is that they've modified the savings offer based on sailing length and occupancy.  Instead of a max of $800 OBC and $800 savings, it's just going to be a max of $1600 savings.

 

The $50 bonus OBC for verandas and above is running March 2-6.  This will likely be on and off for the next couple of months as it has been.

 

Here's the link and snapshot of the sale starting tomorrow.

https://creative.rccl.com/Sales/Celebrity/General_Info/Special_Offers/CEL_5_26_23_MARCH_2023_Trade_BONUS-OBC_Offer.pdf

[gerelmx]

It seems that the offer was advanced for today

Edited March 1, 2023 by gerelmx

[NorthStarStateCruiser]

21 minutes ago, gerelmx said:

It seems that the offer was advanced for today

I think that was a mistake on their end.  If you go to the cruise search page on the site, you'll still see the banners for the semi-annual sale.

[mahdnc]

1 hour ago, NorthStarStateCruiser said:

Didn't see this posted yet, so I thought I'd share.  Looks like X is continuing with the BOGO 75% offer, but there are some changes starting tomorrow.  This modified sale is running through May 2.

 

Starting tomorrow, if you book refundable, the savings on the second person's fare is only 50% rather than 60% as it is right now.  Whether that will truly result in an increase in price is yet to be seen.  My guess is that there is going to be a slightly higher price for folks booking refundable deposit fares versus today.

 

While Celebrity is reducing the incentive to book refundable cruise fares, they are also tightening their penalty policy on cancellations/changes to non-refundable bookings.  Beginning tomorrow, Celebrity will no longer issue FCCs for NRD bookings that are cancelled or have their ship/sail date changed.  I posted this announcement as a separate topic but thought it was worth mentioning here.  NRD bookings made prior to tomorrow are grandfathered under the old policy.

[miched]

Booking a cruise is getting too confusing.  
 

They need to KISS it.   Here is the rate.   This is what you get.  Get rid of the difference between refundable and refundable rates.  
 

 If you book a cruise and cancel you forfeit x amount.   Plain and simple. 
 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

 

 

 

[gerelmx]

Up to $800 off + up to $800 onboard credit is the same as $1,600 off, they just pass the money from one bag to the other

[Jim_Iain]

It might be important for those booking that starting tomorrow and the the Non-Refundable terms have changed to NO FCC for a cancelled cruise.   Evidently if you change ships or date you will only be penalized $100 per person but if you cancel you loose the complete deposit .

 

 

[Bill Miller]

Hasn't this semi-annual "Sale," been going on since November?

[mahdnc]

23 minutes ago, Bill Miller said:

Hasn't this semi-annual "Sale," been going on since November?

 

Yes, the "semi-annual" descriptor apparently refers to the length of the sale and not the frequency!

[Lastdance]

Advertising, games and just toying with everything gets real old after awhile, but the game plan just changes.  We still have choices to play, or not play, but need to understand the new gambling policies to book a future cruise.  More reasons for insurance, but those costs keeps rising along with age!

[RickT]

2 hours ago, gerelmx said:

Up to $800 off + up to $800 onboard credit is the same as $1,600 off, they just pass the money from one bag to the other

Agree…. But I’d rather $1,600 off and I’ll decide how much to spend onboard.  

[rjrpar]

4 hours ago, miched said:

Booking a cruise is getting too confusing.  
 

They need to KISS it.   Here is the rate.   This is what you get.  Get rid of the difference between refundable and refundable rates.  
 

 If you book a cruise and cancel you forfeit x amount.   Plain and simple. 
 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

 

 

 

What is so confusing?

[LMHSRN]

On 3/1/2023 at 12:04 PM, gerelmx said:

Up to $800 off + up to $800 onboard credit is the same as $1,600 off, they just pass the money from one bag to the other

BUT-none of the fares have been reduced.  My cruise is still the same price as it was with $800.00 onboard credit.  What a racket.

 

Edited March 2, 2023 by LMHSRN

[phoenix_dream]

These 'sales' are very interesting.  Just booked a b2b on Equinox and had to pay more for an Aqua Class cabin per day than any of the suite class bookings I've sailed this year or last. I love Celebrity and love cruising but these prices are forcing us to cruise less in the future.  But we also noticed most of the suites were already sold out or close to it for the January and February cruises we considered, so I guess some are willing and able to pay these much higher prices. 

[Mr. Click]

On 3/1/2023 at 7:34 AM, miched said:

Booking a cruise is getting too confusing.  
 

They need to KISS it.   Here is the rate.   This is what you get.  Get rid of the difference between refundable and refundable rates.  
 

 If you book a cruise and cancel you forfeit x amount.   Plain and simple. 
 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

 

 

 

But if they did that then it would be too easy for us to look for price drops and ask for refunds, OBC or upgrades......It used to be easy to check every week or so but now it is just a nightmare to try and compare.

[Ken the cruiser]

Just think, on the bright side we could be having to pay retail prices if it wasn't for these awesome sales! 😂

 

[upwarduk]

This does not apply to UK, as we do not have refundable deposits.

 

 The long time offer with 75% off for the 2nd guest and OBC has been slightly redesigned today. Yesterday, the offer was OBC  per person, today it’s per cabin.

Just redesigned and creative Maths.

Edited March 2, 2023 by upwarduk

[jelayne]

The difference between yesterdays sale and todays sale is the price of April 24 our cruise went up $71 and the OBC dropped by $350.  

[Cruising89143]

As soon as the “daily” emails arrive in my inbox, they go to the trash. It’s just more of the same old garbage. 

[cdn_tbird]

Personally, I couldn't care less about the "sales" or other banners, as long as it's the itinerary, cabin, and "perks" that I want at a price that I'm comfortable with.

Edited March 3, 2023 by cdn_tbird

[Salt Lifer]

I really wish Celebrity and other cruise lines would keep it simple.  They are starting to come off like used car salesmen (no offense to any used car salesmen reading this).  

 

Why not just publish the price for the cruise.  As it gets closer to the cruise date offer discounts as needed to fill the ship.  Also offer OBC for things such as loyalty, special sales (like Black Friday), and to entice last minute bookings to fill the ship.  If you want a discounted cruise wait until close to the cruise to book and hope something is available, otherwise pay fair market value.  Hey, that approach works well for Broadway shows!  

 

Add-ons should also be simple and not gimmicky.  If you want wifi and drinks, you pay a fair price for it upfront.  If you don't, you pay as you go.  Tips for all should be included to ensure fairness for the staff.  

 

You shouldn't need a PhD in order to book a cruise and make sure you are getting what you want.  I know they think these sales create a sense of urgency, but I think they may scare off as many people as they lure in.

 

LLC, call me if you want more common sense advice to attract middle-aged, middle-class cruisers.  😉

[ISABELLA]

On 3/1/2023 at 10:34 AM, miched said:

Booking a cruise is getting too confusing.  
 

They need to KISS it.   Here is the rate.   This is what you get.  Get rid of the difference between refundable and refundable rates.  
 

 If you book a cruise and cancel you forfeit x amount.   Plain and simple. 
 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

 

 

 

That will be too easy 😉 and logical.

[Fortunatefew]

On 3/2/2023 at 6:04 AM, gerelmx said:

Up to $800 off + up to $800 onboard credit is the same as $1,600 off, they just pass the money from one bag to the other

Up to…….

[wrk2cruise]

10 hours ago, Salt Lifer said:

LLC, call me if you want more common sense advice to attract middle-aged, middle-class cruisers.

 

LPP wants young affluent cruisers so I wouldn't expect a call.

[drakes2]

On 3/1/2023 at 2:38 PM, RickT said:

Agree…. But I’d rather $1,600 off and I’ll decide how much to spend onboard.  

In our case the 11 night Europe cruise which I plan to book onboard Apex next month has dropped in price by the amount of OBC previously given. I even factoted in the FX rate. Rather have the cheaper price than obc. I have $600 on Apex which will be used for gratuities, wifi and the odd drink in cafe el bacio. What's left, if any will be used at the casino.