Celebrity Error - Build a "Class System" into Your Ships

[retiredtraveler70]

On 10/14/2024 at 7:50 AM, kirtihk said:

It's strange: a. there are a lot of people booked (or had) Retreat who complain about it for multiple reasons (not good enough overall, price, not the best food), and b. there many "non-Retreat" individuals who complain about Retreat ones (part of which are complainers from part a.).  As result, not many happy cruisers left on both sides of this "elite" vs "ordinary" discussion.

I'm the OP on this thread and I love to cruise. I am a happy cruiser, and even love to cruise on Ships that I will later complain about . . . that's OK. Celebrity needs to hear the feedback. Just putting it into the emailed survey afterwards is not enough.  I agree with posters who say that you get what you pay for, and if you pay more, you should get more. My comment remains -- Don't take those "extra perks" out of my pocket, please. If you're going to give someone premiums because they paid for it (as a Capitalist I think that's just fine) make sure you don't set up a system where you are punishing a lower fare passenger by taking something away from them. My theater seat, for example (recent BEYOND cruise was "every night roped off" and not only on Chic evenings).

 

My suggestion is to let everyone sit wherever they want, but bring them something special if they are a Premium passenger or Suite passenger. For example, a special exotic drink in a fancy glass that they get to keep, or a set of chocolate truffles on a plate along with it, or a beautiful printed program for the show that only the "special" passengers get. Everyone else will notice it and be jealous, but no one could ever get mad about it because they paid less.   

[retiredtraveler70]

On 10/15/2024 at 3:45 AM, hcat said:

One size fits all not the best plan!

 

I don't think I saw anyone professing that "one size fits all" should be the cruising policy. Instead, anyone who griped about the way things are done now was urging Celebrity (or others) to add NEW perks for those who pay more, and not to take away existing benefits from other paying customers.   

[zitsky]

46 minutes ago, retiredtraveler70 said:

I'm the OP on this thread and I love to cruise. I am a happy cruiser, and even love to cruise on Ships that I will later complain about . . . that's OK. Celebrity needs to hear the feedback. Just putting it into the emailed survey afterwards is not enough.  I agree with posters who say that you get what you pay for, and if you pay more, you should get more. My comment remains -- Don't take those "extra perks" out of my pocket, please. If you're going to give someone premiums because they paid for it (as a Capitalist I think that's just fine) make sure you don't set up a system where you are punishing a lower fare passenger by taking something away from them. My theater seat, for example (recent BEYOND cruise was "every night roped off" and not only on Chic evenings).

 

My suggestion is to let everyone sit wherever they want, but bring them something special if they are a Premium passenger or Suite passenger. For example, a special exotic drink in a fancy glass that they get to keep, or a set of chocolate truffles on a plate along with it, or a beautiful printed program for the show that only the "special" passengers get. Everyone else will notice it and be jealous, but no one could ever get mad about it because they paid less.   

I was in Aqua class then tried SS once and booked again.  There is no secret.  I knew exactly what I get in 15 minutes.

 

What if I don’t want chocolates?  What if I want a reserved seat?  Am I stopping someone from getting to the theater early and picking a seat?

 

The only legitimate complaint is reserving the Sky Lounge for Retreat.  I don’t see anyone suggesting we end the elite events I can’t get into.

[gold1953]

the world is a class system..  airlines, hotel, trains, cruise ships. I don't let it bother me.; I choose to pay less and travel more often with less perks . I earned my Elite Plus perks and it took 13 years. All via choices I made

[chemmo]

13 minutes ago, gold1953 said:

the world is a class system..  airlines, hotel, trains, cruise ships. I don't let it bother me.; I choose to pay less and travel more often with less perks . I earned my Elite Plus perks and it took 13 years. All via choices I made

Agree….Choices are what it is all about. Like yourselves, when we were younger we didn’t need more comfortable seating on aircraft nor did we pay a lot for hotel rooms as we would be out and about wherever we were staying.

 

Now I do find air travel less comfortable and I am willing to pay more for more comfort. As I tend to spend more time relaxing in my hotel accommodation I am happy to pay more for a central location to reduce walking and a nice view to enjoy. 
 

Exactly the same applies to our cruise wants and needs. Years ago it was all about the destinations and excursions now some cruises are more about the on ship experience. I will spend more on my room to have a nice balcony and I am happy to pay more for extended dining options. 
 

At different times in our lives different things are important to us. As you so rightly said “all about choices I made”…

[Lena11033]

11 hours ago, zitsky said:

What if I don’t want chocolates?  What if I want a reserved seat?  Am I stopping someone from getting to the theater early and picking a seat?

 

This.

 

Basically they were put out there was reserved seating, it wasn't taken away people who pay more got first pick. They didn't want to wait 5-10 mins for it to open and seems like didn't go there early enough to get good seats downstairs.

 

I didn't have an issue because I actually knew what I was getting and went early, the one time I wasn't early I waited for the reserved seating to open. 

I made my choice with my room and I know what I get and don't get with it.

 

[zitsky]

40 minutes ago, chemmo said:

Agree….Choices are what it is all about. Like yourselves, when we were younger we didn’t need more comfortable seating on aircraft nor did we pay a lot for hotel rooms as we would be out and about wherever we were staying.

 

Now I do find air travel less comfortable and I am willing to pay more for more comfort. As I tend to spend more time relaxing in my hotel accommodation I am happy to pay more for a central location to reduce walking and a nice view to enjoy. 
 

Exactly the same applies to our cruise wants and needs. Years ago it was all about the destinations and excursions now some cruises are more about the on ship experience. I will spend more on my room to have a nice balcony and I am happy to pay more for extended dining options. 
 

At different times in our lives different things are important to us. As you so rightly said “all about choices I made”…

“Class system”?

 

Celebrity doesn’t care if you are a plumber or CEO.  They just care about the size of your bank account or your credit card limit.  

If anyone is worried about a class system on Celebrity, they are welcome to pay so that my poor relatives can cruise in a suite.

 

Most companies segregate their customers by offering different products at different price points.  

 

[zitsky]

2 minutes ago, Lena11033 said:

 

This.

 

Basically they were put out there was reserved seating, it wasn't taken away people who pay more got first pick. They didn't want to wait 5-10 mins for it to open and seems like didn't go there early enough to get good seats downstairs.

 

I didn't have an issue because I actually knew what I was getting and went early, the one time I wasn't early I waited for the reserved seating to open. 

I made my choice with my room and I know what I get and don't get with it.

 

I know, let’s reserve seats for people who can’t bother to get to the theater on time?!  😂

[bbtondo]

Recently returned from a 10 day greece cruise on the Infinity in a veranda cabin. Very understaffed cruise.  Felt bad asking for anything. Don't want to feel bad on a vacation.  Way too much cost cutting too.  I don't like the "class" system at all!  By the time you pay for a suite and get all the perks you can cruise a much better line.

 

I won't be cruising Celebrity again.  

[kirtihk]

15 hours ago, retiredtraveler70 said:

I'm the OP on this thread and I love to cruise. I am a happy cruiser, and even love to cruise on Ships that I will later complain about . . . that's OK. Celebrity needs to hear the feedback. Just putting it into the emailed survey afterwards is not enough.  I agree with posters who say that you get what you pay for, and if you pay more, you should get more. My comment remains -- Don't take those "extra perks" out of my pocket, please. If you're going to give someone premiums because they paid for it (as a Capitalist I think that's just fine) make sure you don't set up a system where you are punishing a lower fare passenger by taking something away from them. My theater seat, for example (recent BEYOND cruise was "every night roped off" and not only on Chic evenings).

 

My suggestion is to let everyone sit wherever they want, but bring them something special if they are a Premium passenger or Suite passenger. For example, a special exotic drink in a fancy glass that they get to keep, or a set of chocolate truffles on a plate along with it, or a beautiful printed program for the show that only the "special" passengers get. Everyone else will notice it and be jealous, but no one could ever get mad about it because they paid less.   

I understand your concept and a way of thinking in general.  The only actual matter (regardless of what anyone thinks about it) is everyone is (or at least might be by researching the ship algorithm on the internet or in a brochure) aware of the Edge class ships' design ahead of time (prior to booking and most specifically prior to boarding); so, it is not something taken away (all of a sudden) from any person during cruising.  So, if one doesn't like the design if thinking of booking non-Retreat category cabin, it's better to book a cruise on non-Edge class Celebrity ship or a different cruise line altogether where this concept doesn't exist.

[zitsky]

3 minutes ago, bbtondo said:

Recently returned from a 10 day greece cruise on the Infinity in a veranda cabin. Very understaffed cruise.  Felt bad asking for anything. Don't want to feel bad on a vacation.  Way too much cost cutting too.  I don't like the "class" system at all!  By the time you pay for a suite and get all the perks you can cruise a much better line.

 

I won't be cruising Celebrity again.  

I see people say random cruise on Celebrity is more expensive.  I haven’t seen anyone do a comparison of several cruises.  I get that people say luxury lines are all included.

 

I just compared Azamara veranda Japan to Celebrity  More ports than Celebrity.  A few more days. Also about $5,000 “more expensive” even looking at pp/pd.  Someone will jump up and say but $600 pp/pd Azamara is cheaper than $500 pp/pd Celebrity.  I ask what does Azamara include and I got maybe 1-2 restaurants which don’t seem too exciting.

 

See the thing for me is I have a mental limit.  It may be the nicest cruise ship ever but our average cruise budget for two is $20K including airfare for 14 days.  I can’t see spending $50K (Regent) on a cruise.  My money would be better spent on scholarships for poor kids.  

[mickeysgal]

On 10/4/2024 at 8:54 PM, Georgia_Peaches said:

I believe the area of which you speak has been designated for those who purchase the Premium Access pass which, among other things, includes reserved seating in the theater. Those who purchase the pass also get premium wifi, early embarkation, and other things I can’t remember. I view it no differently than those who get canapés delivered to the room in concierge or yoga mats in Aqua or priority everything in suites. It’s a privilege that comes with a price, just like the other things you mentioned. Not sure I’d call it a class system. It’s just another way to chase a dollar. 
 

We had a “free” casino cruise on Equinox last year. It was a run of the mill veranda stateroom. Aside from Elite status we had No perks, no special restaurant, no priority of anything and I went in with a certain level of dread thinking I would miss all the extras we had paid for in the past. I was completely wrong. Celebrity did a great job making us feel as special as we always had in the past. Made me realize what a great marketing campaign Celebrity had done in convincing me that I  needed all those extras in order to have a great cruise. Bottom line, I can understand how that roped off area may have been off putting but realizing that people who sat there actually paid more to do so hopefully makes it an easier pill to swallow. 😊

I'm not sure this is entirely correct.  That roped off area was for Retreat guests.  Not sure if it also included Premium Access guests.  This was our first (and only time I think due to price) we were able to try Retreat and we had to show our card.  Other cruise lines do this too...we were in Haven on NCL and they had a similar reserved section for Haven guests.  The spaces did open up I believe once the show started.  Right or wrong, that's what the cruise lines are doing to give perks due to the higher costs of those cabins.  There were plenty of good seats to choose otherwise.  Get there early as those production shows get packed!

[canderson]

10 minutes ago, zitsky said:

See the thing for me is I have a mental limit.  It may be the nicest cruise ship ever but our average cruise budget for two is $20K including airfare for 14 days.  I can’t see spending $50K (Regent) on a cruise.  My money would be better spent on scholarships for poor kids.  

I do see one thing up there that I agree with, but just one.

 

For our Fall cruise last year:

 

We spent $28.8K all-in for 16 night cruise, private car service for transfers, international business class airfare add-on, three extra hotel nights in Lisbon at the Tivoli Avenida Liberdade, in the equivalent of a Celebrity Royal Suite (Silver Suite) -- on Silversea's Silver Dawn.  Inclusions built into the price:  WiFi, Drinks, Laundry, Gratuities, Shorex, specialty restaurant dining.

 

Not a prayer we could have touched a Celebrity equivalent at that price.

[kirtihk]

27 minutes ago, zitsky said:

I see people say random cruise on Celebrity is more expensive.  I haven’t seen anyone do a comparison of several cruises.  I get that people say luxury lines are all included.

 

I just compared Azamara veranda Japan to Celebrity  More ports than Celebrity.  A few more days. Also about $5,000 “more expensive” even looking at pp/pd.  Someone will jump up and say but $600 pp/pd Azamara is cheaper than $500 pp/pd Celebrity.  I ask what does Azamara include and I got maybe 1-2 restaurants which don’t seem too exciting.

 

See the thing for me is I have a mental limit.  It may be the nicest cruise ship ever but our average cruise budget for two is $20K including airfare for 14 days.  I can’t see spending $50K (Regent) on a cruise.  My money would be better spent on scholarships for poor kids.  

Similar to the post # 364, there are currently 12-day SilverSea cruises on sail ($1,500 discount) for $5,300 (and additional 10% off of the original $6,800 for SilverSea Venetian Society members) with the same (Inclusions built into the price:  WiFi, Drinks, Laundry, Gratuities, Shorex, specialty restaurant dining) extras as in the post # 364 and also unlimited (24/7) Black caviar.

 

My favorite mantra stays as "Everything is relative".

Voyage, Voyage!

[retiredtraveler70]

1 hour ago, kirtihk said:

I understand your concept and a way of thinking in general.  The only actual matter (regardless of what anyone thinks about it) is everyone is (or at least might be by researching the ship algorithm on the internet or in a brochure) aware of the Edge class ships' design ahead of time (prior to booking and most specifically prior to boarding); so, it is not something taken away (all of a sudden) from any person during cruising.  So, if one doesn't like the design if thinking of booking non-Retreat category cabin, it's better to book a cruise on non-Edge class Celebrity ship or a different cruise line altogether where this concept doesn't exist.

 

Hi Kirtihk,

 

The brochures say nothing about roping off seats. That was a total surprise.

 

[zitsky]

19 minutes ago, kirtihk said:

Similar to the post # 364, there are currently 12-day SilverSea cruises on sail ($1,500 discount) for $5,300 (and additional 10% off of the original $6,800 for SilverSea Venetian Society members) with the same (Inclusions built into the price:  WiFi, Drinks, Laundry, Gratuities, Shorex, specialty restaurant dining) extras as in the post # 364 and also unlimited (24/7) Black caviar.

 

My favorite mantra stays as "Everything is relative".

Voyage, Voyage!

Thanks.  Beluga caviar?  

[zitsky]

4 minutes ago, retiredtraveler70 said:

 

Hi Kirtihk,

 

The brochures say nothing about roping off seats. That was a total surprise.

 

Does roping off seats prevent you from sitting in the theater?  Those seats are released 5-10 minutes before.  Will you refuse to sit there out of principal?  I’d really like to know.

[kirtihk]

5 minutes ago, retiredtraveler70 said:

 

Hi Kirtihk,

 

The brochures say nothing about roping off seats. That was a total surprise.

 

I was writing mostly in regard of the ship design (not having inside and outside front ocean view available for everyone).

[kirtihk]

5 minutes ago, zitsky said:

Thanks.  Beluga caviar?  

yes, not a fake (Iceland lumpfish or whatever else) one.

[billc23]

3 hours ago, kirtihk said:

Similar to the post # 364, there are currently 12-day SilverSea cruises on sail ($1,500 discount) for $5,300 (and additional 10% off of the original $6,800 for SilverSea Venetian Society members) with the same (Inclusions built into the price:  WiFi, Drinks, Laundry, Gratuities, Shorex, specialty restaurant dining) extras as in the post # 364 and also unlimited (24/7) Black caviar.

 

My favorite mantra stays as "Everything is relative".

Voyage, Voyage!

I just locked in a 28 day sailing PR - FLL - Lisbon, on Silversea, at a nice price. Caviar and real champaign almost every afternoon pre dinner delivered by the butler. All included in the cruise fare.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[kirtihk]

17 minutes ago, billc23 said:

I just locked in a 28 day sailing PR - FLL - Lisbon, on Silversea, at a nice price. Caviar and real champaign almost every afternoon pre dinner delivered by the butler. All included in the cruise fare.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes, with a correction - not "almost every afternoon pre dinner" but (I think) as I wrote it is 24/7 (the same is on Seabourn). 

[kirtihk]

24 minutes ago, billc23 said:

I just locked in a 28 day sailing PR - FLL - Lisbon, on Silversea, at a nice price. Caviar and real champaign almost every afternoon pre dinner delivered by the butler. All included in the cruise fare.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Is it 1 cruise or back-to-back?  Did you get $1,500 pp current promotion discount? 

Edited October 18 by kirtihk

[zitsky]

21 minutes ago, billc23 said:

I just locked in a 28 day sailing PR - FLL - Lisbon, on Silversea, at a nice price. Caviar and real champaign almost every afternoon pre dinner delivered by the butler. All included in the cruise fare.

 

 

 

 

 

I’m considering it.  Please tell me the champagne is Gruet?!  I just requested a quote for Japan but the itinerary is pretty limited.

[billc23]

2 minutes ago, kirtihk said:

Yes, with a correction - not "almost every afternoon pre dinner" but (I think) as I wrote it is 24/7 (the same is on Seabourn). 

My bad. It is 24/7 and what I meant to say was I personally... pre dinner.

[kirtihk]

Just now, billc23 said:

My bad. It is 24/7 and what I meant to say was I personally... pre dinner.

We do it in the morning around 7-8 am and then more during day.