leaveitallbehind

I am not criticizing your view, as it is as valid as anyone's. But I don't think that suddenly because of this change that hordes of Pinnacles are going to start swarming Celebrity ships in droves simply to take advantage of the drink package, or wifi, or the lunch, or any other benefit you fear is now in jeopardy. They will likely cruise Celebrity for the experience. And more than likely they have been doing so already for years prior to this change. Speaking for ourselves, although we're not Pinnacle, we certainly have. First of all, Pinnacles, just as yourself, are people. They, just as yourselves, are avid cruisers who have invested a lot of time and money enjoying cruising and who, as a result, have earned the same loyalty tier level with RCCL as those cruisers who, with Celebrity, have earned Zenith in the same manner. Just because they did so with a different cruise line than yours doesn't mean they are of a different caliber of cruising individual that is somehow going to lessen the quality of cruising for others by joining them on the same ships. Chances are you won't even know who they are unless you ask. They certainly won't look any different and I doubt they will act any different. As mentioned on other similar threads, we have been cruising for 32 years, with 50+ cruises in a mix of both RCCL and Celebrity. Although our D+ tier level was earned through RCCL, we also have a earned Elite on Celebrity. Frankly, we're underwhelmed with the loyalty benefits provided by Celebrity for us. I guess now with our parity to Elite+ that will improve somewhat. But the reciprocal benefits have nothing to do with our choice to cruise with Celebrity. Maybe if we ever reach Pinnacle we will celebrate quietly on Celebrity with a drink from our included drink package. Who knows? But we promise not to ruin the Zenith lunch.

I am happy in the sense that since I now prefer Celebrity, I can enjoy improved Celebrity benefits that, although not as robust as RCCL at that level, are more in line based on the parity between my earned tier and the reciprocal tier. Prior to the change, the reciprocity was at a lower level. That's all. I think, specifically at the Elite and Elite+ tiers, Celebrity cruisers who sail with RCCL will enjoy the stronger tier level benefits offered by RCCL. But clearly those who are Pinnacle with RCCL will benefit greater with the Zenith tier reciprocity than visa versa.

You still do. In order to share, as example, Diamond+ with Elite+ benefits, you need to have reached at least one of them on your own cruise point merits. I share Celebrity Elite+ benefits because I earned Diamond+ on RCCL. Not sure I see what difference it makes from before when with the same RCCL tier level I could only share Elite benefits. I still earned that right based on my RCCL earned tier of Diamond+. The only difference is now there is tier parity.

Agree. Can't hurt to call followed up with an early trip to talk with the maître d.

Yes. For non-suite bookings, the difference between refundable and non-refundable deposits is in the total fare, not the deposit. The same reduced deposit will apply to both fare bases.

Sailing full wouldn't make a difference. Not all cruisers only cruise on one line - many cruisers cruise multiple lines. Unless you book late in the process there are always staterooms available and the stateroom you are not booking on one line would be available for someone else. As mentioned we typically primarily cruise with Celebrity, but we still from time to time cruise RCCL. We have never had any issue with stateroom availability with either line. BTW with the exception of the interruption from the pandemic, ships typically have always sailed full. Its good to see what looks like a full industry recovery from that.

To a lesser degree it is similar with RCCL in that suites carry more points (double) than standard staterooms, therefore more money spent. Its just not scaled within that.

@39august, one of the reasons I can think of is to offer more symmetry in the reciprocity. Perhaps those with higher tiers felt as though they were giving up some perk benefits when cruising on the other since prior to the change, the tier reciprocity for each was capped at Diamond and Elite, regardless of actual higher tier status achieved with their primary line. I realize the benefits are different with each line, but perhaps being able to share in the comparable level was seen as beneficial by the cruise lines to remain more attractive to each other's clientele. In other words, maybe also it will provide more of an incentive for cruisers with each to cruise with the other. A way to keep it all in the "family". I also know this has been in the works between the two lines for some time. From a personal standpoint, we primarily cruise Celebrity in recent years, but our tier level was earned through RCCL. (Although we will be Elite on our own merit after our June cruise). Providing for us to now enjoy the Elite+ benefits when on Celebrity is seen by us as an improvement. We still cruise RCCL occasionally, but it is nice to have equal reciprocity when cruising Celebrity. I think those who are Elite+ will also enjoy what is at that level, the better perks as Diamond + should they cruise with RCCL.

Yes. That is what the recent change provided. They now match reciprocity with all of the upper tiers. (There is some consolidation with the lower tiers). So cruising on both cruise lines will allow you the benefits of your highest tier level on either one. However points still remain with the cruise line on which you sail at the time, and you have to reach the next tier by points accrued with either line.

No apologies necessary. As you may be aware I've had one or two of those in my illustrious CC career as well - LOL. Enjoy your cruise! ....and the Decoy,

If you booked directly you should be able pay the gratuities through the planner that would have been created from your reservation number. If you booked over the phone with a Celebrity rep, or cannot find a way to make the payment on the planner, call Celebrity and ask them to process it for you. If you booked through a travel agent, they can do it for you. Not familiar with the gift card terms to which you are referring but it sounds like if there is not a specified amount provided for the dinner, then it will cover the cost of the dinner. But each specialty restaurant has their own pricing and they are not all the same. I would suspect there is an amount they will provide towards the cost of the dinner, with you paying for the rest. Also can't help with the Amex question. The terms and conditions would be set by them and you would have to check with Celebrity to confirm. If it is $150 that can be issued as an OBC, nothing (other than future cruise deposits) would be excluded.

If you purchase OBC directly, that will be a refundable OBC which will, if not spent in full, be credited back to you. There are also no fees deducted from it. If you have both a cruise line non refundable OBC and your own purchased OBC, the cruise line credit is charged first to make sure it is used up first, and then your refundable OBC is charged second to provide you with a credit if not all is used. To add, any pre-cruise OBC provided by Celebrity is non-refundable. However if you make a purchase through the planner and later change your mind or see a better price, you can cancel the purchase up to two days before the cruise and the OBC is reinstated to your stateroom account to be used against other charges. (Not given to you in cash). Also, OBC cannot be specified for a purchase. Whatever you purchase is credited to the OBC at the time the transaction is made. Prepaying gratuities is typically done with your credit card. But if you wait until you are on board as they are charged to your stateroom account daily, any remaining OBC will be applied to them in the manner mentioned. If the dining is shown as $45, that is the price, and that is what you will pay. There is no separate cover, or other, charge. Gratuities will be added to that charge when processed at check out from your cruise planner cart.

LOL. Trying to figure it out, I actually googled Souza and several derivatives with Celebrity before I gave up! Forget coffee - maybe less Decoy? Or maybe more?? Thanks for clarifying😉

Yeah that's kind of the concept I meant where points accrued on either go into a common pool that would benefit either or both equally. Rationalizing the current points differential between the two would be the challenge. Probably have to come up with a whole new point system and tier ratio to do it. May not be feasible - or desirable by the cruise lines - to do it.

Where we live Duckhorn 2021 Cab. is $70 / bottle. Onboard it would be probably double that.

...and so it was. Nicely disguised to my rapidly aging untrained eyes....LOL

I understand that seeing is believing. But that doesn't necessarily mean that it isn't happening or won't make the 2025 target. Maybe the groundbreaking was just a photo op and the logistics of that which you are referring is still being arranged to follow. Time will tell. Interesting - if you go to google maps satellite overlay of Paradise Island there is a pin marker for Royal Beach club at the location with pictures attached of the proposed development.

RCCL also has similar plans for 2026 in Cozumel. I had also heard at one time thoughts for a Fiji based location as well. Here is a link to information regarding Cozumel (and Paradise Island) : https://www.royalcaribbean.com/royal-private-destinations

No problem. There also is this website link with more information about the resort: https://royalbeachclubatparadiseisland.com/

Fortunately in he US we have a refundable deposit fare option which, in a case as you present, we would use to secure the cruise while allowing the option to cancel without penalty. We also typically can convert that to the prevailing non-refundable fare base closer to final payment if that is attractive then.

Whenever there are people waiting for something further down the line and we only want something at that point, we just excuse ourselves and wait for them to open a space. Simple courtesy and most times the response is favorable. If not we just wait. Otherwise we just kick them in the shins and grab....LOL. (Just kidding - really!)

Not sure why it wouldn't. They broke ground in April and it is scheduled for a 2025 opening. Here is a link to the press release: https://www.royalcaribbeanpresscenter.com/press-release/1716/construction-begins-on-royal-caribbeans-first-royal-beach-club/

That might be a bit too premium....LOL

Agreed. We have been cruising for 32 years and started with RCCL back in its early years. The loyalty program was an additional incentive, but not the reason, we stayed with them. For us it was because our family was young and the venues and atmosphere on board were nicely oriented towards families, and as they pushed to grow that market, the booking incentives with kids were very attractive. Over time the loyalty tiers followed and be benefited from that as well. IMO RCCL's loyalty program is the strongest in the industry and we enjoy the perks we've earned over the years as a result. An additional originally unintended benefit is now the reciprocity with Celebrity, which is now our primary choice. It just dovetails nicely. That being said, were are not shackled with either cruise line and Oceana, Viking, and others certainly hold appeal for future consideration.

No problem. It can be confusing, especially since the parent company also uses Royal Caribbean in their name. I'm only trying to sort it out with you. It is a somewhat common misunderstanding.