Paulras

1 hour ago, cruisestitch said:

That’s where the retreat concierge is for one thing

One of the best perks of being in there. Especially for the priority tenders, disembarkation, etc. and restaurant reservations.

3 hours ago, cruising teacher said:

All Zenith members should be voicing their displeasure at being excluded from  this amenity. Or an alternative option should be available 

They should too. There are usually just as few (if any) on the cruises I've been on who aren't already in a suite. 

I think all Sapphire and above should be emailing their complaints to BCC and Captains Club. There are usually only a couple of us on each (full) cruise so it's not like we're going to fill up the lounge.  This is an important benefit of keeping our loyalty with Celebrity, in my opinion. Considering the other perks for Sapphire and above are less valuable with everything included, it's like a double smack in the face, and honestly costs them nothing.

Email your complaints: bluechipclub@celebrity.com to let them know your feelings.

She needs a new doctor. One who follows evidence-based medicine.

2 minutes ago, grandgeezer said:

There are nine female captains of cruise ships, including one minority lady. Maybe you should get the facts before chastising someone without doing due diligence on the subject.

 

You're correct. Though, it's "there have been nine" over the decades, not currently nine running ships. But all the more reason why someone saying she only got it because of her gender makes no sense if she's far from the only one out there.

13 minutes ago, wrk2cruise said:

 

Not true.  She was the first "American Female Captain of a cruise liner".   I'm not a cheerleader but I'm sure it's because she is a social media marketing machine for Celebrity who is trying to attract the demographic that is influenced by this type of marketing.

You're correct on both points.

6 minutes ago, Ipeeinthepools said:

 

Here's the problem for me and probably many others.   I spent nearly 40 years working for a large corporation that was focused on eliminating any discrimination based on race, sex, age, etc.  The corporate message was only to judge people on their job performance and capabilities and all of these other characteristics were supposed to be invisible.  For the most part this worked and there was very little discussion about these other characteristics when someone was promoted or given a new assignment.  Suddenly in today's society these other characteristics are front and center and promotions and new assignments seem to concentrate on these side characteristics and not a person's capabilities and experience.  The result is people are going to question why someone got the job and are they really qualified.

 

I honestly don't know anything about Captain Kate's qualifications, but perhaps this entire discussion would be better served if some of these press releases mentioned some of her experience and qualifications instead of focusing on the first female Captain.  Show the public how she really is the best person for the job.  This is really the best approach for Celebrity, Captain Kate and any other females that desire to follow in her footsteps.

 

 

 

The official video didn't make any mention of her gender, just her face and name. The press released mentioned plenty about her experience including her helming the Summit, Equinox and Edge since 2015 and her father telling her that she could be a ship captain when she grew up.  And lots about her charisma that has made her extremely popular which is why her name connected with a ship is a headline. Did you actually read the press release? Apparently not!

To me, it seems that you're the one doubting her capabilities. Maybe instead, you should be questioning why she's still the only female captain in the entire industry almost 6 years later, instead of questioning her qualifications.

26 minutes ago, mistertheg said:

everything celebrity does is about gender now. on the edge they played a video of all that goes into the ships design,etc.  surprise surprise all female.

Are you saying designer Nate Berkus is female? He's in those videos. Or are you trying to make a point about him being gay??

How would you have felt a decade ago if they did the same video with all of the men that designed previous ships, and no women involved??

30 minutes ago, Pinboy said:

Same here -- and, I don't mean to be rude.

I've said over and over, it really doesn't matter who the Captain of the vessel is or who any of the other staff members are. We never had bad service and enjoyed every cruise.

I just don't understand " why "  so many people " care "  who the staff members are. 

Yes, there are those whom we remember and are happy to see again, but, that's it -- until we meet again on a future cruise. 

 

 

 

 

 

Ask the passengers on the Costa Concordia if it mattered who the captain was.

29 minutes ago, travelwide said:

Does anyone think perhaps seniority and not gender should get first choice at the new ship. With LLP at the helm I guess gender rules. This has no judgement on Kate's abilities.

You literally wouldn't know or care who was taking over on Beyond if it wasn't her or if they had 1 year seniority or 100 years. She'll have 7 years of being fully in charge of Celebrity ships when she takes over Beyond and she had 4 years of being second in command before that. Personally, I'd call that very senior. And she's been captain of Edge for a couple years now which is the same ship class making her the most qualified to be in charge of Beyond.

Sorry that she's not a white haired old man like you think is needed for a modern cruise ship. Maybe those guys should use hair dye.

2 hours ago, CruisingBrian said:

 

Yes - me too!

Reny reached out to me directly on her last day. No word about future plans or if she was furloughed or laid-off.

She was the best. 

Second only to Macie Dominguez, who also wrote me to tell me of her last day. Her position was eliminated so she was laid-off.  It was suggested that she could return when business picks up. I'm not sure she will want too after being summarily let go after so many years of service.

Sad.

It's a different world.

Brian

Nooo! Macie helped me so many times when the other reps screwed up my comps. Not good

23 minutes ago, Alabaster Cruiser said:

Paulrus and others...I finally found the email and it did say that the period to earn tier levels has been extended to December 31, 2021.  Thanks...Susan

Cool. Is it from Blue Chip? I haven't gotten any emails from them since February 

29 minutes ago, Alabaster Cruiser said:

Question....I thought that I had gotten an email that stated the earning period for tier levels had been extended past June2021.  I can't find anything about it now and must have deleted that email.  Today someone in the Kansas Blue Chip call center said the period is from January 1,2020 until June 2021.  Does anyone know about an extension?.....thanks

I never saw an email but they certainly better extend it. I had one cruise canceled that would have gotten me at least halfway to keeping Sapphire. And who knows when they'll actually be sailing again. If it was a month or two of no sailings, I could see them leaving it. But it's now 3+ months of canceled cruises and everything is turned upside down. I think they should just extend it to the end of 2021. Only seems fair. 

7 hours ago, fourfigg said:

Hey another question. Our April 1st cruise out of Dubai is iffy now.  Celebrity has changed our debarkation port from Rome to Barcelona which I am fine with.  We are given the option to cancel the cruise and get future cruise credit. If we choose to cancel the cruise will we be able to go back to Blue Chip Club and request another annual cruise chip benefit. Since we will lose the annual cruise chip benefit on this cruise. I hope this makes sense.   Leesa

Good question. I would think so but as with everything with BCC, it's a crapshoot. Let us know the outcome if you call them. 

It's petrossian. No, it's beluga! 

On 2/19/2020 at 6:50 AM, slotmomma3 said:

Can anyone confirm this??

 

Probably only MSC can confirm for sure. Or the casino staff when you board.

But now I have to ask it. Why are you asking? 

3 hours ago, WonderMan3 said:

 

 I have been inundated with email offers from Froom. I have no idea how he got my email address. Sounds like he's on the up and up though since you all are using him. What info did you give him to get you a free cabin?

Nothing. I'm assuming they got the info they needed from BCC. 

On 2/10/2020 at 10:54 AM, t00thpix said:

Can anyone suggest tipping amount per day to the room steward for a veranda room. Will give as a lump sum at end of cruise. Thank you!

Not necessarily accusing you of purposely bringing up a sore subject like tipping, but you posted in January of 2019 saying you're experienced cruisers with many cruises on Celebrity. I'm not understanding why you're asking a question like this now. And on a topic that's on these boards almost weekly, when you've been on Cruise Critic since 2012.

Rub my leg against his romantically

1 hour ago, jmdlv1 said:

Similar thing happened to me on my last BCC cruise.

They  did not refer me to anyone though.

Upcoming trip was booked by Ken Froom tours..Comped to SS .

i paid small up charge to upgrade to CS

 

Very nice. That's who I used too

12 minutes ago, jmdlv1 said:

Sailed 3 times on Celebrity cruises booked by BCC.

The deals varied and sometimes it was sometimes confusing dealing with them.

I booked my upcoming cruise on the Edge through an independent casino rep.

The deal was surprisingly, way better than ever offered by BCC and included all 4 perks.

Doesn't surprise me. I had a casino manager on one of the ships a year or two ago sit me down and tell me that he can't give me anything near what I should be getting because Corporate has his hands tied. He suggested I use a 3rd party host. He even took my info to give to one he said would get me what I deserve. Unfortunately, the guy never contacted me and I don't remember what his name was. But I since hooked up with a different one. Got me a free Alaska cruise in AQ. 

17 minutes ago, fourfigg said:

Another question how does a casino know how much we gamble?    I know they swipe our  sea  pass.

 

Thanks.  

Leesa

Same as land casinos, you give your players card (sea pass card) at the tables or put in the slot machines and they track your play. 

Just remembered one more thing. If you're playing slots, you'll accumulate redeemable points that you can convert to free play. Do it before the casino closes on the last night as it doesn't transfer to the next cruise. Only tier points follow you during the 18 month earning period. The casino people can explain how to redeem them right on the machine. 

20 minutes ago, fourfigg said:

I just had a thought!.  I did not get anything in writing that I am receiving a comp  on my cruse.  I. didn't. even get the representatives name.  UGH.  Should I be worried or in your experience they follow through on what they say!.  Also I asked if she had my credit. card. on file and she said yes but I booked through Costco (hope I am allowed to say that). However have been on 6 prior cruises with Celebrity so they should have the credit cards we used for charges. on the ship etc.   Anything to be worried about?

 

Thanks Leesa

Regardless of your travel agent, it all gets charged by Celebrity so they should have the card on file that was used for your final payment. But do keep an eye on it to make sure you get the refund. Shouldn't be more than a week. 

Don't forget to get your free play at the cashier when the casino opens. Oh. One more thing. On the last day of the cruise (not too late), ask the casino host to check your play to see if he/she can comp anything off of your bill. They'll look at the play and look at your bill. They're more stingy now. They used to take 5% off based on your actual or theoretical loss. Now it's only 2%. I remember when they'd tell me to buy stuff at the gift shop so they can credit me for that. Now I'm like "that's it??". But hey, freebie. Doesn't hurt to ask. 

1 hour ago, fourfigg said:

 

 

 OMG. thank you so much Paulras.  I called back and at first she said since it is after payment it may be to late but she put me on hold and came back and said yes!   $3000. going back on my credit card.  I am in shock.  LOL

THANK. YOU SO. MUCH Paulras again!!!!!  I will buy you a drink if we are ever on the same cruise. 

 

 

That's awesome!

Though now I want to know why I don't get more having 10 times the tier points as you! 

Congrats. Now don't lose it all in the casino!