cruising teacher

11 minutes ago, cruising teacher said:

 

I am also confused about Zenith benefits on Simply Sail. It says “upgrade” to premium on the drink package. What if you don’t have the AI package?
Very disappointed to lose the Retreat Lounge. The excuse is COVID but Celebrity has wanted to reduce this benefit for a while! Apparently Celebrity does not subscribe to the theory that it is easier to keep a loyal customer than get a new customer.

When will Andrea Shey make the changes clear?

29 minutes ago, Orator said:

Wish I could be as optimistic as you. 

40 minutes ago, wrk2cruise said:

I keep copies, there are wording differences on the beverage packages.  The Zenith laundry seemed to go to wash and fold in the Nov changes.   I called Zenith desk to check on bev/wifi as I booked a Simply Sale rate yesterday.  Rep said they had no email regarding Captains Club changes.

 

I can understand them removing the Retreat from the list while it is suspended.  I know we are all skeptical but I "expect" them to return it when they get to full capacity.

 

I believe all the priority boarding stuff has been removed for all tiers as well, again hopefully temporary measures.

 

I am also confused about Zenith benefits on Simply Sail. It says “upgrade” to premium on the drink package. What if you don’t have the AI package?
Very disappointed to lose the Retreat Lounge. The excuse is COVID but Celebrity has wanted to reduce this benefit for a while! Apparently Celebrity does not subscribe to the theory that it is easier to keep a loyal customer than get a new customer.

I really believe that Andrea Shey should respond to Elite, Elite Plus and Zenith questions. Where do we stand? 

On 5/21/2021 at 8:09 AM, Orator said:

There are lots on TA,s but I would say that there are under 8 on the average cruise. Many times my DW and I were the only ones aboard. We not only lost MC/Retreat but the services of the MC/Retreat Concierge and priority boarding. I'll believe that they will restore the benefit when I see it! I have 4 cruises booked. One with Celebrity and 3 with Crystal. My Celebrity cruise is a TA that will be transportation to a Crystal cruise. I have voted with my dollars and notice many formally Celebrity loyalists on the Crystal board. It's their program and they can revise it at any time. My time and money and I can use it as a choose.

 

I normally have eight cruises on the horizon. I have two in November and none in 2022. I would really appreciate Andrea Shey providing clarity on the Zenith changes. I believe that is part of her job. I could then weigh my options for 2022.

4 hours ago, excitedofharpenden said:

With regards to the news of the Retreat Lounge usage for Zeniths I spoke to Kathleen Barbrooke who is the Director of Sales and Trade Services for UK and Ireland (and therefore near the top of the tree here) to voice my concerns for its future use for us. I was told that there were no plans to make this a permanent change, but that the decision had been made in light of Covid.

 

Like others here I'm dubious about it returning. I hope I'm wrong as this for me was a major benefit. I'm no longer a fan of the music or musak that permeates the ship these days and Retreat was a nice haven. 

 

There has been a gradual erosion of all Captain's Club benefits for many with the advent of special offers, pricing structures and now Always Included. This could be another. 

 

Oh and finally, there is no way they will wheel me up in front of the camera to chat to the Cruise Director. No way José!

 

Phil

Celebrity is using COVID as a convenient excuse to take away benefits!!!!
I agree with Orator that we are the only ones in the Lounge much of the time just looking for a quiet place to relax. I also agree that we will not do an interview with the Cruise Director advertising their product.

Excellent Thanks very much!

Thank you for the link. I did not find this on the Celebrity site. What I saw is that the drink package and the internet package could be upgraded at no  charge. What happens if we do not have the AI pricing.

It seems we are getting closer to sailing again. How have the Zenith benefits changed? Don’t want any unpleasant surprises when we board in November. I understand that we are no longer welcome in the Retreat. COVID is the convenient excuse. We booked our cruises before AI. Do we still get the alcohol and internet packages? Would appreciate any informed opinions.

Does anyone know the match for Celebrity Zenith?

1 minute ago, Orator said:

No MC/Retreat.  No special boarding. No longer can use services of MC/Retreat host. You now pay AI for things you received as a benefit. I spoke to a Shoreside Concierge on Monday and they confirmed the information

Zeniths paying more for less! 

Message to Elite Plus: Don’t bother chasing Zenith! Not worth it unfortunately🥺

2 hours ago, Orator said:

Being a Zenith ain't what it used to be.

No It ain’t 😥

Thanks Jelayne

I hadn’t seen this post. So my transatlantic has been cancelled. Not surprised. My Caribbean on November 13 is not looking good either as they cancelled the longer cruises on the Equinox.

I had a B2B in late October with 2 different travel agents. Final payment was due in July. 
I didn’t cancel because I wanted a refund not a FCC. Neither agent processed the final payment. Does this mean Celebrity knows it’s going to cancel?

Has anyone had experience with airlines and cruise lines refunding purchases because of the EU not allowing Americans to travel to their countries. If we can’t travel to an EU country how can they provide the service. Tomorrow I begin cancelling a land trip to Poland and a Transatlantic cruise from Italy.

When Celebrity cancelled my March 15 and March 27 cruise I asked for a refund. Until today there was no help from Celebrity or my TA. This morning I disputed charges with my credit card. This afternoon I got a call that my first cruise was being processed and I should see it on my credit card in a few days. Coincidence? If I actually get something I will share info.

2 minutes ago, davekathy said:

Did you call the Captains Club? 1-800-760-0654. I did concerning our 28 March and 4 April Summit cruises that Celebrity cancelled and I requests cash refunds for both cruises thru my useless TA. The CC rep.I spoke with gave me the info I was trying to get from my useless TA.  

Thank you! I will try again on Monday.

On 4/8/2020 at 10:46 AM, Grandmaanne7 said:

I use the same TA.  Yup, absolutely nothing!

I use the same travel agent.  Celebrity cancelled my March 15 and March  27 sailings on the Silhouette. Celebrity will give me no information at all. So much for being Zenith😥

Zero response from the TA. How do they think they will stay in business when this is over.

Celebrity canceled my B2B Cruises two weeks ago. No refund not even my move up bid. Funny how they can charge quickly but they can’t refund in a timely manner. Not good business in my opinion!

Move up bid accepted. Ship didn’t sail. Do I get a refund?

Lou Holtz

He was at ND when our daughter was there. My husband was thrilled!!!!

All the time! The ship is the destination. Shh! Don't tell anyone⛴

On 4/27/2019 at 2:33 PM, WestLakeGirl said:

There are chocolates on the pillows so I’m not sure why that made someone’s list?

They used to be GOOD chocolates that my grandkids still remember that I brought home for them🎁

58 minutes ago, jalves said:

We sailed from Sydney to Honolulu several years ago on Royal.  We crossed the International Date Line on April 15th and did indeed have two April 15th's.  

 

We experienced this and the fun part was there was a little who had a birthday on that date. His parents brought two sets of presents 🎁 

2 minutes ago, C-Dragons said:

Zeniths have access to the Retreat Lounges.

Yes. Which is the old Michaels Club just redecorated. Again they really do value our loyalty🥺

2 minutes ago, C-Dragons said:

Yes, the Retreat Lounge occupies the space where the original Michael's Club was. No, it doesn’t open to the outside like the lounges on the Millennium class ships.

So Zeniths are totally screwed! They really do value our loyalty😥