Doesn't Celebrity offer any perks?

[hotvwchick]

I'm looking to book 2 cabins on the Galaxy(I think) departing January 22,2006 for 11 days out of San Juan. I've been watching the online sites for a while and haven't seen any perks lately. No onboard account credits, no upgrades, no rebates......nothing. Do they have any sales or perks? If so, when? I'm not booking until I get something......or should I say I don't want to book until I get something. Lastly, I really don't want to wait until 90 days out to see if they start discounting our cruise as logistically 4 adults have booked the time off to go on this particular cruise and we need 2 cabins, one that accepts 3 adults and one that accepts 2 adults, one child, and one souvenir from our January 2005 Zenith cruise(Natalie born October 7th, 2005):rolleyes: . Bring on the advice please!

[hotvwchick]

OOPS! Departure date is January 22, 2007.

[usha]

If you wait, I think you're more likely to see the price go up than you are to see perks or upgrades. We booked the Feb 12, 2007 Galaxy sailing while we were on a cruise last month, and the price has already gone up $140 pp in that time. We also got the $200 onboard credit. I'm glad we booked it when we did!

[Lois R]

Hi, the only perks would be what you mentioned.....if you can

wait until the last minute and possibly see if something goes on

"Happy Hour".

The other perk is to book a cruise while onboard another cruise.

You will get an "on board credit" for the new cruise you booked.

 

As to other "perks" they don't usually offer them. Not to say

they never do but it is unlikely.

[superjerryw]

You either want to go on the cruise or you don't. If you are going to wait to book until some perk is offered you will likely not sail at all as most cruises are sold without the benefit of any perks. As mentioned, the price will probably go up so if you wait for a perk you will probably not get the perk anyway and you will pay more just to book the cruise. Last minute bookings with potential price reductions are only suitable for people that have no job and can travel on a moments notice.

[Lois R]

Hi Jerry, I have to disagree with your last minute cruise comment:)

 

I work a full time job and luckly, I can take a cruise at the last

minute.....well, if 4-6 weeks notice is last minute!;)

 

"Last minute bookings with potential price reductions are only

suitable for people that have no jobs and can travel on a moments

notice".

[rjg41]

Book with a good agent and you'll get perks. That far out X will be offering nothing and even if they do you would get it from the TA as well plus whatever the TA offers.

[ocngypz]

Cruiselines don't offer perks, travel agents do!

[Danno]

This is the trap the cruiselines are laying for themselves...just quote a fair price and stick to it!!! This coupon, perk, discount, foolishness creates nothing but hard feelings and grief.

[bububr]

Are the ones offered by the Captains club once you've cruised and become a repeat cruiser.

 

They aren't much, but you do get spa and casino perks, a couple of free parties on board depending on your level of membership.

 

Also they do offer a coupon for a price reduction , per cabin, in their online and paper magazines ( usually $150.00, 100.00, and 50.00 ).

 

We have also recieved additional discounts for anniversaries, and birthdays.

 

I do agree about the prices. We book a year to a year and a half early to get the cabins we enjoy and the cheaper prices. If the prices do happen to drop lower we call Captains club and they adjust them. If the prices go up, we are locked in to the original. If you do book onboard for your next trip you will recieve a cabin credit, and if you onw stock in RCCL you can also get cabin credits.

 

I also started using a MBNA credit card that accrues world points that are redeemable for cabin credits, spa credits, and other things with X.

 

so IMHO, there are SOME perks, just maybe not as many as other lines, or what we would like in our minds.

 

Dave:eek:

[rjg41]

Cruiselines don't offer perks, travel agents do!

 

YES they do. Although I would only book with a TA, cruise lines, while some are minor, do offer perks and good TA's know about them. You get those perks even if you book with a TA.

 

1) Ship board credit for booking on the ship.

2) Right now Celebrity is offering a Celebrity fleece blanket and pair of Celebrity coffee mugs for any Alaska booking, OV and above.

3) Holland America right now is offering up to three of the following depending on itinerary booked:

a) Pinnacle Grill dinner for two

b) Two bottles of wine at dinner

c) Complimentary on board photo

d) Plush Holand America Line bathrobe

 

.......and these are just a few of what are always out there.

[Longboysfan]

Book now. The price will only go up.

The perks will come with taking a few cruises on one line.

Plus there will be some things the TA can get you.

[poetic license]

Book your cruise now, but check out different travel agents for price and perks. I always get shipboard credit from mine, and there is usually some surprise in my cabin when I board. By waiting, the price will only go up as the ship fills. The best perk of all is a low price and a great cabin. :D I don't need another bathrobe, fleecey blanket, etc. But I do need a great getaway at a great price. Good luck finding yours! :)

 

Cheers~

[C 2 C]

There is a stockholder's credit worth up to $200 for oning 100 shares of RCL stock.

 

I'm one of the lucky ones who get to travel whenever (gloat:D)

 

Only the transatlantics seem to drop in price with time.

There have also been price reductions in Mexican Riviera cruises out of San Diego.

 

You can try the website ------compete to see what agencies are willing to offer. You can also book directly with the cruiselines and some agencies will then give you value for switching a booking.... up to a $100 in one example.

[Danno]

...If so, when? I'm not booking until I get something......or should I say I don't want to book until I get something.

 

In all honesty, I would worry more about getting a great cruise than a few trinkets...after one cruise on X, do you really think you are entitled to "perks"...if so, what am I entitled to?? Or Lois?? Or Tatka??

 

Pick a good cruise, pay the going rate, don't worry about free things...and have a good time.

[excitedofharpenden]

I agree with Danno and others. Find the price you are happy with and go with it unless you are prepared to wait until the final couple of months to see if there is a bargain to be had (which may never happen).

 

I don't honestly know what the bookings will be like as it will be a new itinerary for Galaxy at that time after her trip back from Europe. She certainly seemed pretty well filled when I was looking at her current Panama Canal run, but who knows what it will be like then. The way of it seems to be that the supply and demand curve slants against the bargains at the moment.

 

As for the credits and rebates, if the front end price is good then I really can't be bothered. Some think that having a special Captains Club Reunion Cruise with a few freebies is a good deal. I've been on one (by accident) and it did nothing for me.

 

Phil

[TEXASMUNK]

As little weights....the more they add to one side of the scale, the more it tips the scale.

 

Those Perks come from somewhere. Maybe it is $100 less spent on the quality of hamburger meat on every cruise, or smaller eggs for your Eggs Benedict.

 

Me, I will gladly play a fair price for a quality product. For example, I choose to spend my $$$ on Celebrity and not NCL or Carnival. They are wonderful companies that offer tons of perks...but the product is not the same as a Celebrity product.

 

Buyer's choice. Not alot of discount on BMW's or Mercedes...lots of discounts on Chevy's and Dodge's. Great cars all of them, but folks make choices.

[lysolqn]

Booking a cruise is like buying a plane ticket - everyone's going from the same Point A to the same Point B, but you'd be hard pressed to find two people on the very same flight (or cruise)who paid the same fare. That being a given, do some comparison shopping for the cruise and accommodations you're interested in and when you find a fare you're happy with, go with it. IMHO, don't concern yourself with perks and incentives 'cause in the long run, they don't amount to very much and won't make a bit of difference to your cruise.

[lysolqn]

Sorry - double post!

[hotvwchick]

Thanks for all your feedback. I've read somewhere in the posts that Celebrity has a very high exchange rate when you book directly with them. Being Canadian, I am worried about this. Any suggestions for a good TA who will take good care of us?

We need 2 cabins....one for 2 adults, a small child and a baby

....the other for 1 adult, and 2 seniors

Does the Galaxy have a normal cabins with 3 lower berths(suites are out of the financial picture). Maybe connecting??

I think I belong to the Captain's Club. How helpful are they?

Any info would be appreciated!

[ocngypz]

Thanks for all your feedback. I've read somewhere in the posts that Celebrity has a very high exchange rate when you book directly with them. Being Canadian, I am worried about this. Any suggestions for a good TA who will take good care of us?

We need 2 cabins....one for 2 adults, a small child and a baby

....the other for 1 adult, and 2 seniors

Does the Galaxy have a normal cabins with 3 lower berths(suites are out of the financial picture). Maybe connecting??

I think I belong to the Captain's Club. How helpful are they?

Any info would be appreciated!

 

Don't book direct. My Canadian clients pay in US dollars.

[girlcruiser]

Hotvwchic, I am also Canadian and do not use Canadian agents but also do not book directly with the cruise line. I prefer to pay in US$ and take my chance on the credit card exchange rate. The only place I find a acceptable exchange when converting is most of the airlines. i guess it depends how much help you need booking what kind of agent you need I am pretty low maintainance and do my research so basically I just need them to do the actual booking.

[Buckeye Geo]

hotvwchick: Being a Captain's Club member gives you two important perks,,,,1) A one category upgrade and 2)Custom Air when booked through Celebrity. Other then that you will fined the price of a Celebrity Cruise to be uniform thoughout the industry. Remember the longer you wait, your choice of good located cabins decrease. Good Luck.

[spearmint]

Hotvwchic, I am also Canadian and do not use Canadian agents but also do not book directly with the cruise line. I prefer to pay in US$ and take my chance on the credit card exchange rate. The only place I find a acceptable exchange when converting is most of the airlines. i guess it depends how much help you need booking what kind of agent you need I am pretty low maintainance and do my research so basically I just need them to do the actual booking.

 

Can we Canadians book with a Canadian TA, but have Celebrity give them the cost in $US, rather than $CN?