Go Stupid, Stupid-er, Stupid-est. My offer to you...

What are these "Exciting Deals" that I see mentioned here from time to time? Is it for US only? Or customers who book directly with them?

I am a regular X cruiser, Captain's Club Member, they have my e-mail address and they send me ads from time to time but I don't receive these Exciting Deals or Tuesday Specials.

Same here and I don't receive anything either. :confused:

Jan 3rd Silly Eastern Caribbean is $899 as well.

 

I've already seen a few online TA's (including a big box TA) that are offering "base" prices for some (but not all) of their cruises, with the GoBBB delta prices being anywhere from $200-600+ per same category stateroom. So an opportunity to book without being forced to get a perk that you don't want.

 

And please correct me if I'm wrong, but can't you get cash out from the casino for the 5% charge using ANY type of OBC? After the usual onboard purchases of t-shirts, sunscreen, and maybe an excursion that's not available on our own, I'll gladly pay the 5% to not be forced to purchase something onboard that I don't want.

You are correct. The strategy is of course, spend the OBN-Nonrefundable and then any OBR-refundable just comes back to your credit card, no 5% fee. But if you have extra OBN left, your only option is 5% out in casino. Your Seapass account automatically uses the OBN first.

My Bermuda cruise in May on Summit was $499 per person for an inside which we booked April 22nd for May 24th cruise. My upcoming cruise on Summit for 14 nights to Canada/New England which I just booked Monday 7/27 for 9/6 was $1,499. How is that not discounting? Prices are lower than when they initially opened for booking.

 

I just checked next week's Exciting Deals. 10/4/2015 New England/Canada cruise on Summit $1,099 per person for an inside.

This is more about supply and demand, than discounting. Demand for the May 24 cruise is not strong, it's still cold out, kids still in school water in Bermuda barely warm enough to swim in.

Canada cruises, they only have what like 3 or 4 of them, slim supply high demand.

What are these "Exciting Deals" that I see mentioned here from time to time? Is it for US only? Or customers who book directly with them?

I am a regular X cruiser, Captain's Club Member, they have my e-mail address and they send me ads from time to time but I don't receive these Exciting Deals or Tuesday Specials.

Same here and I don't receive anything either. :confused:

I have just started receiving them within the last 2 months although X has had my email since early 2012.

Same here and I don't receive anything either. :confused:

I believe they send the Xciting deals to TAs. They don't send it to me. I keep it bookmarked and just visit the page when I want to look.

You aren't missing much. The email with Exciting Deals doesn't arrive until Tuesday morning, usually features four or so available itineraries with pretty photos but without details on all the prices and classes offered.

It's a reminder to look at the full list... which is often updated the Friday before, and gives all the available sailings. But if you want it, go to your CC account profile and check the 'Communication Preferences' to be your Email and include any that mention "special offers" or discounts. Best under "set up the way we communicate" check the All box.

As a single cruiser the BBB is a no-brainer for me. I am resigned to the fact that I pay the single supplement (200%), so the lowest price is the choice. There have been price drops on a few of my booked cruises, but in order to take them (it would have to be huge drop) it would be a new booking and I would lose my 123 All in. (which Celebrity saves money off of me as I only use ONE drink package, ONE gratuity)

As I book new cruises I will still take the lowest price.

http://www.creative.rccl.com/Sales/Exciting_Deals/XcitingDeals_cel_tues.pdf

I don't count on X to e-mail me anything -- so, I use the link above to check on the Tuesday deals. :cool:

Obviously, there are many variables. But for me this is a good deal. I'm pretty good at math and know my way around a spreadsheet, so for a 7 day:

cost to go best for me and my wife is $630.

cost to upgrade from Classic to Premium: $11.80 pp/per day or $165.20 (planned on upgrading anyway)

cost of tips for 2: $181.30 (must pay anyway)

OBC for 2: $300 (we like to have OBC, and always find ways to use it)

TOTAL = $300+$165.20+181.30 = $646.50

So I'm $16.50 ahead and then get unlimited internet for both of us ($299) for free!!!! So its not Stupid for me!!

http://www.creative.rccl.com/Sales/Exciting_Deals/XcitingDeals_cel_tues.pdf

 

I don't count on X to e-mail me anything -- so, I use the link above to check on the Tuesday deals. :cool:

Thank you Tangocherie, Janet987, Wwcruisers and the others who replied.

Obviously, there are many variables. But for me this is a good deal. I'm pretty good at math and know my way around a spreadsheet, so for a 7 day:

 

cost to go best for me and my wife is $630.

 

cost to upgrade from Classic to Premium: $11.80 pp/per day or $165.20 (planned on upgrading anyway)

 

cost of tips for 2: $181.30 (must pay anyway)

 

OBC for 2: $300 (we like to have OBC, and always find ways to use it)

 

TOTAL = $300+$165.20+181.30 = $646.50

 

So I'm $16.50 ahead and then get unlimited internet for both of us ($299) for free!!!! So its not Stupid for me!!

The thing is, it's been stated over & over again that it works out for people who take short cruises, 9 days or less your'e ahead, any more & you're lining up to get ripped off, especially with the "better" option. :)

We're about to take our shortest cruise ever, only 10 days, but bookended with a week in Barcelona & a week in Rome. We have the lovely option of handing Celebrity $150 each only to have them hand it back to us in OBC. Or we can pay them $150 each for $134.50 worth of gratuities! Such a bargain!

This is going to completely change the way we book with X, no longer will they have our money to play with for a couple of years because we book & pay a couple of years ahead, we'll be booking our airfare to Europe ahead as always, but book the cruise for the Tuesday specials only or other discount offers, we travel shoulder season, & there are always cabins available, if not, we can take a land trip instead.

Obviously, there are many variables. But for me this is a good deal. I'm pretty good at math and know my way around a spreadsheet, so for a 7 day:

 

cost to go best for me and my wife is $630.

 

cost to upgrade from Classic to Premium: $11.80 pp/per day or $165.20 (planned on upgrading anyway)

 

cost of tips for 2: $181.30 (must pay anyway)

 

OBC for 2: $300 (we like to have OBC, and always find ways to use it)

 

TOTAL = $300+$165.20+181.30 = $646.50

 

So I'm $16.50 ahead and then get unlimited internet for both of us ($299) for free!!!! So its not Stupid for me!!

Except as I also forgot in my calculation, you forgot that BEST! INCLUDES PREMIUM beverage, so you can remove the $165.20 cost to upgrade from your analysis, so you are actually $181.70 ahead!

http://www.creative.rccl.com/Sales/Exciting_Deals/XcitingDeals_cel_tues.pdf

 

I don't count on X to e-mail me anything -- so, I use the link above to check on the Tuesday deals. :cool:

We booked the Oct 12 11 night Eastern Mediterranean with our TA last week. Guaranteed Concierge for $1949-$300 Resident Discount for total of $1649. No Big Better Best though.

This latest deal looks better though. $1599 and I assume it includes Big? Does anyone know for sure if the deal at this link includes Big? I sent this to my TA to see what she thinks.

Thanks for posting this link!

Obviously, there are many variables. But for me this is a good deal. I'm pretty good at math and know my way around a spreadsheet, so for a 7 day:

 

cost to go best for me and my wife is $630.

 

cost to upgrade from Classic to Premium: $11.80 pp/per day or $165.20 (planned on upgrading anyway)

 

cost of tips for 2: $181.30 (must pay anyway)

 

OBC for 2: $300 (we like to have OBC, and always find ways to use it)

 

TOTAL = $300+$165.20+181.30 = $646.50

 

So I'm $16.50 ahead and then get unlimited internet for both of us ($299) for free!!!! So its not Stupid for me!!

Except as I also forgot in my calculation, you forgot that BEST! INCLUDES PREMIUM beverage, so you can remove the $165.20 cost to upgrade from your analysis, so you are actually $181.70 ahead!

Actually, ULCajunCruiser's figures are correct. He is calculating how much he would have to pay from a base of a Big! fare with the Classic beverage pakage selected in additional charges for an upgrade to a Premium beverage package, tips and OBC which is what he would get in a Best! fare plus internet. The upgrade to a Best! fare costs $630 for two compared to $646.50 in additional charges if a Big! fare is selected.

Hopefully, this is not as clear as mud. :D

Dave

This latest deal looks better though. $1599 and I assume it includes Big? Does anyone know for sure if the deal at this link includes Big?

Thanks for posting this link!

Exciting Deals include Nothing, zip...they are specifically listed in the BBB exclusions.

"Offers exclude interior staterooms, are not combinable with any other offer, promotion or discounted rate, including, but not limited to, Book & Go, Exciting Deals, Celebrity’s ChoiceAir, Interline, Senior, resident, net rates, travel agent, and employee rates. "

On the investor call, they stated that the all-in 123 and BBB are growing sales, people are using them. They said the real benefit for the company comes in that many guests prepay all this stuff, then when they get on board, they spend even more, as they have already put behind them the expense of the packages.

Bearing in mind that only 60% of cruisers are repeaters, 40% of people aren't micro-analyzing this as we do, many just hear free premium drinks and never even consider that they can buy that package outright. Many of the 60% probably do the same. In any case, it's working, well.

It's perfect example of Caveat emptor - Buyer beware. Be an educated consumer, do the math, or pay for the lack of researching before buying. Or accept that buying the convenience of the prepaid packages can come at a premium.

Also, they stated that TA's are getting commissioned on the full value with this program, so TA's are likely looking to sell the BEST program, and then provide their own perks to clients using the extra commissions earned, so people reporting getting deals already from their TA's this is part of the reason why, they have some more commission money to play with.

I was on the Summit a couple of weeks ago and wanted to book our next cruise onboard. Luckily I researched the base price online because when I went to book, the cruise consultant told me all of the perks were included. I thought great! When she presented the price, I realized she charged me for all of them and it would cost an additional $1,200! I questioned and she flat out lied and said the Internet price was not up to date. When I pushed harder she admitted that only one of the perks was actually included. Seems very deceitful if you ask me. I booked anyway and took the onboard credits.

I overheard some other passengers talking about the great deal they are getting with all of the perks. They don't realize they are paying for it. Very bad form.

I was on the Summit a couple of weeks ago and wanted to book our next cruise onboard. Luckily I researched the base price online because when I went to book, the cruise consultant told me all of the perks were included. I thought great! When she presented the price, I realized she charged me for all of them and it would cost an additional $1,200! I questioned and she flat out lied and said the Internet price was not up to date. When I pushed harder she admitted that only one of the perks was actually included. Seems very deceitful if you ask me. I booked anyway and took the onboard credits.

I overheard some other passengers talking about the great deal they are getting with all of the perks. They don't realize they are paying for it. Very bad form.

They are really turning into con artists if this is how they are presenting the product. I bet he/she was taken back by your questioning. Did you receive anything additional for booking on board?

Yes, she had all the math written out on how I was 'saving'. I received $250 onboard credit for the cruise I was on, plus took the $300 for the next one.

I was on the Summit a couple of weeks ago and wanted to book our next cruise onboard. Luckily I researched the base price online because when I went to book, the cruise consultant told me all of the perks were included. I thought great! When she presented the price, I realized she charged me for all of them and it would cost an additional $1,200! I questioned and she flat out lied and said the Internet price was not up to date. When I pushed harder she admitted that only one of the perks was actually included. Seems very deceitful if you ask me. I booked anyway and took the onboard credits.

I overheard some other passengers talking about the great deal they are getting with all of the perks. They don't realize they are paying for it. Very bad form.

That is just so not right. I've made it a practice not to do business with deceitful companies. If this is what X is lowering their standards to, I find it appalling, to say the least. :mad: :mad: :mad:

Yes, she had all the math written out on how I was 'saving'. I received $250 onboard credit for the cruise I was on, plus took the $300 for the next one.

Oh dear

had a similar unpleasant experience on Connie (obviously a diff salesperson) when we were trying to see if we might find a better deal on an already booked cruise..

The sales rep outright lied...left off items from the comparisons we were making and got very sour when we said whoa & took out the calculator!

Another area to exercise caution, it seems!

Wonder where the official Celebrity poster is????;)

Wonder where the official Celebrity poster is????;)

You read my mind. I'm so tempted to call and book a dummy cruise just to see how they handle it over the phone.

On the investor call, they stated that the all-in 123 and BBB are growing sales, people are using them. They said the real benefit for the company comes in that many guests prepay all this stuff, then when they get on board, they spend even more, as they have already put behind them the expense of the packages.

 

Bearing in mind that only 60% of cruisers are repeaters, 40% of people aren't micro-analyzing this as we do, many just hear free premium drinks and never even consider that they can buy that package outright. Many of the 60% probably do the same. In any case, it's working, well.

 

It's perfect example of Caveat emptor - Buyer beware. Be an educated consumer, do the math, or pay for the lack of researching before buying. Or accept that buying the convenience of the prepaid packages can come at a premium.

 

Also, they stated that TA's are getting commissioned on the full value with this program, so TA's are likely looking to sell the BEST program, and then provide their own perks to clients using the extra commissions earned, so people reporting getting deals already from their TA's this is part of the reason why, they have some more commission money to play with.

Take a look at the 10Q page 29. Ticket revenue is down and on board spending per passenger cruise day (using passenger cruise days, not APCD) is up slightly compared to the same quarter last year.

ticket 2015 159.26 2014 161.09

on board 2015 58.20 2014 58.11

Based on their programs I would have expected ticket to be up more and on board to be down more

Now depending upon how much you believe the constant currency figures they throw in (if the currency level were unchanged compared to last quarter). Those show ticket at 167.83 and on board at 59.55. Of course those represent calculated what if, not actual numbers.

Occupancy percentage is down at bit this year vs. last with current at 104.7% of 2 berth capacity vs 104.9% last year.

What is interesting is their cost reductions in onboard and other spend category. That dropped from 16.67 per passenger day last year to 15.54 this year. Even in constant dollars you have a drop from 16.67 to 16.18.

The only area with a greater reduction was fuel.

Love how the original poster put his point of view across, with facts.

Celebrity, knows it can fool some of the people most of the time. They are counting on fooling most of the people most of the time. But it is posters like Bruin Steve that has called their jig.

Apparently Travel Agents are part of a contest with Celebrity to see who can fool more clients with stupid, stupider, stupidest. Love that renaming by Steve, because that it exactly what it is.

Seems they are not doing that well with the roll out. Instead of offering a contest for agents, just bring the prices down and dont assume all your clients are stupid.