yorkyred

Can't find the so called fabulous deals - we have 2 Eclipse Caribbean cruises booked at substantially less than current offerings both with drinks pkg. and sizeable obc ( Nov 15 & Feb 16)

Looking at Eclipse for Nov.16 - prices are over $1000 more for the identical cruise we paid for this year. Prices variation between US, UK and EU are negligible, the UK is about $150 cheaper (total for 2people/2B cabin). Intend to check again in January, if they drop to less than $4500 will book otherwise will go to Tenerife for the sun.

Yep, we are in a 2c balcony on the hump on the sailing 16th November and paid £2770 and received the classic drinks package and $100 onboard credit and it's now £3100 for the closest balcony without taking a guarantee which includes nothing. Think that's a difference of around £1200, and I thought Caribbean sailing always had last minute bargains.

I have just cancelled and rebooked our cruise for October 16 on the Silhouette ans saved around £1,500. RS for £8,000 including gratuities for 2 weeks!!!

I want your life, we live close, can we swap ?

I'm afraid it's been like that for a while, a few of us have had the same experience which is why more people are now using an American TA.

I just don't understand what the hubbub is about formal wear. It is a cruising tradition that should be expected and enjoyed. And I have seen people turned away if not properly attired.

Because there are a percentage of people that don't want to dress up and regardless of the actual cruise line policy won't let it go. I think if the policy dropped down to shorts and a tee shirt there would still be some stating they should be allowed into a formal nigh in a pair of speedos.

People are paying a hefty extra charge for booking an Aqua cabin and that's mostly for Blue. If you started allowing anyone in at a cost it's suddenly not so special and most folk would just book a straight balcony and save the money paying a supplement for Blue. Never going to happen.

Thanks for the posting. I'm still going to use the dreaded words " no brainer" for many. My wife loves cocktails and will always have a couple per day and likes to try new things. We always have a bottle of wine at dinner and prefer a better quality example. I also like to try different beers and the premium package allows us to do this without running up a big bill. So for many like us the classic package simply does not make sence.

Thanks for the posting. I'm still going to use the dreaded words " no brainer" for many. My wife loves cocktails and will always have a couple per day and likes to try new things. We always have a bottle of wine at dinner and prefer a better quality example. I also like to try different beers and the premium package allows us to do this without running up a big bill. So for many like us the classic package simply does not make sence.

So can anyone explain why celebrity are knocking 25% of peak time cruises in summer 2016 and including a drinks package? Are they really that desperate for sales? I can understand them doing this nearer the time and then perhaps making money on drink sales (which is what keeps many restaurants going). It just seems a very risky step to me? Are they in trouble and if this is the future then are more cost savings agoing to have to be made on board?

Celebrity prices are still fairly high, even with the so called discounts. I doubt very much they are in trouble, looking at cruises going out over the next few months they seem to have plenty of cats of cabin already sold out.

But are not Celebrity's policy's due to the laws written over there by the people you elected into office to protect you? Kick the rogues out, and put others into office and re-write the consumer protection laws.

 

This policy is not the fault of any of the Companies that are required to follow the law of the land.

That's an often stated fact on here but is it actually true that a company can't rebook an individual without them having to lose their deposit ? When we owned a small hotel we allowed people to change their holiday with us at no cost. I've had plenty of experiences of other companies in the UK allowing changes without penalty and its stated on here that Celebrity were fine with it up to recent times. I'm not aware the law suddenly changed.

Surely Celebrity's policy is simply the one they chose to write up ?

I booked a 10 day med cruise to celebrate my 50th birthday and as there was a sale on bought it before the sale ended. 2 days after it ended a new sale started with a far better deal.The new deal is one guest half price. my total cost for the cruise was £4315 includes premium drinks, $300 OBC and free wi-fi. The new deal is £1008 cheaper and includes only classic drinks. I called Celebrity to change and they say I need to give up my £300 deposit to change. If I do that it is still about £450 cheaper to buy everything else and lose my deposit.

 

I am not happy it went down 25% as I don't need wi-fi. I am in negotiation with X to try and sort something, they promised a call back but it never came today. Customer relations are not looking too good!!!

 

I have 2 booked but feel like I was played with the latest booking. I booked direct with X, anyone had any luck with not losing their deposit or do I a) suck it and lose the £300 or b) sulk, cancel and find a new cruise line?? I'm on the fence

We had to cancel and rebook for a better deal, Celebrity would not budge. Dont hold your breath regarding customer relations, they really have been very poor in our experience.

That video looks more like the obstruction on an average 2c balcony. The 2d cat usually have a lifeboat up close to the hight of the railings.

Still think it's a no brainer for just about anyone that has the classic package as part of a deal. Given the overall cost of a cruise including flights the upgrade cost of the drinks package is tiny and covered by one extra drink a day that's not in the classic package.

Hogwash! The early date is the agent not Celebrity. The one we use required final a full month ahead of Celebrity. Celebrity will not cancel unless the agent does not send it to them by the 28th. The agent is where I would worry about the 'disaster'. Especially if your price is lower than what is being offered currently. They could kick you out of their group and sell it to someone else for a higher cost.

Think that's about right, our agent does the same thing a full month before and it's obviously not going straight to Celebrity.

I am sorry but I still do not understand why posters see wanting a small experience on a larger, Celebrity ship involves someone shutting themselves up in their suite. It is certainly not our experience.

 

By "small ship experience" I am assuming no crowds, personal service, complimentary alcohol and quality food. In our experience, crowds are more of an issue on smaller ships because they are less able to absorb groups. Being in a higher-end suite, eating in Luminae and having access to Michael's Club does NOT mean that guests in those suites do not experience the rest of the ship any more than those who are in other rooms.

As you say I guess it depends on what the individual wants from their cruise. What I would say is we have found the cruise experience on a small ship totally different to a large one. Our first ship was 29000 tons and biggest the QM2. Different atmosphere, noise levels, more intimate, to us it was the difference between a town and a large city, just a different feel. We were not on a six star line so all the things you mentioned above did not come into the equation, I've had better food and service on the QM2. I would agree you can go upmarket on a suite if you can afford it, but I still doubt very much you will get a true small ship experience.

It may be head-in-the sand thinking, but after final payment, I stop looking at pricing. Chances are it'll just put me in a bad mood.

Me to, certainly in the UK if you were happy with the price you paid just don't look.

Simple answer is if you want a small ship feel cruise on a small ship. The cabin is not going to make a massive difference because as soon as you leave it you want to actually spend time around the ship with everyone else. You are sharing all these public spaces with everyone else, Theatre, most of the bars, shops, reception area, gym,. Can't see the point of paying big money to restrict yourself to 10% of the ship.

For us no, just don't see where the value is.

I am a UK cruiser who has booked a cruise for next year through a travel agent.

 

I received the classic drinks package plus 300 USD OBS.

 

Todays offer appears to be drinks package plus second guest goes half price which financially would be much cheaper even without the OBS.

 

It is widely known that US cruisers would be able to take advantage of this price drop but as I am in the UK and have gone through an agent would I?

 

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

Many thanks.

You can try but it's very doubtful.

It sets expectations...and I think it's misaligned as a tag line.

 

I think Celebrity works well for a lot of people...I am just pointing out what to expect and not expect. Don't expect luxury: don't expect super comfortable beds, fine linens and fluffy towels, food that makes you go wow, or even hair dryers that function effectively. Also, don't expect a pool chair on the main pool deck unless you get up and put your stuff on one by approx 7:30 on cruise days. Don't expect to go anywhere fast, because the elevators will be full and stop at every floor, often with long waits to just arrive...expect to take the stairs...frankly, I think the M class ships are too small/tight for 2500 people.

 

Do expect a staff that tries to go out of it's way to please you and decent, if not distinctive food. I do think a cruise is a good option for a family or a family re-union...sort of something for everyone...just set your expectations accordingly.

 

We did travel on Reflection this winter in a RS and obviously it's a very different experience: the ship itself is much better/nicer, and eating in a specialty restaurant every night makes a big difference, and of course the room itself, the service, and amenities are not comparable -- perhaps the hair dryer was the same ineffective item...

 

But at $65/night per person for a specialty restaurant, plus tip...not something most people are going to want to do x 6 people ($450/night)...especially with small children and grandparents who really won't/don't appreciate the difference...so, there's no practical option for dinner meals, except Blu, which is blase at best, although acceptable for breakfasts (slow and often not served hot, but acceptable...and great OJ).

 

So, for us, it worked and we had a good time, but I wouldn't call it luxury and some things could and should have been better, which I have identified....obviously, a lot of people love the core product that Celebrity provides...the ships are full and the company is making a lot of money...some people love the food in Blu and think it's amazing (generally a minority opinion)...so, there's naturally a range of opinions.

Would it not have been better just to point out a list of things you were not happy with in the one thread ? Just makes for easier reading than having to switch between multiple threads.

I think the op pretty much sums up how I feel about most of the so called benefits, upgraded this and that, which are probably of little real value to most people if they are being honest. Blue is the obvious benefit, it does get good reviews but with a very sizeable price mark up on the average cruise you could purchase a good few meals in a specialist restaurant with plenty left over. Having said all that Aqua class is proving to be very popular and even looking past the cruise hype many are obviously trying it and returning to it again, so what do I know.

I would pick the cabin I wanted and NOT ask for GTY.

Not a fan of guaranteed simply because we prefer a near midship location and read too many stories of noisy cabins above or below locations that are busy lat at night/ early morning.

Ends on 01/09/15.

 

Just had a look at the UK site and prices for some cruises are considerably cheaper than our usual US travel agent. I've mailed them and they've admitted that they just can't compete on price (£550 less per person on the cruise we're interested in) or perks :-

 

Free premium beverage pack

Free Internet

$300 OBC

 

In AQ or above etc.

 

What are other peoples thoughts on this? Worth booking or will deals on 2016 prices drop further if we wait a while?

If it's that good get it booked.

Captains Club is worth joining just for the one category upgrade (upto Aquaclass) alone, so I would sign up if you think you'll be sailing with Celebrity again.

 

If you've booked through a US travel agent and the prices come down you might be able to switch from a regular to an AQ balcony for less than the cost currently if you get a bit of luck. Without the loss of your deposit too.

 

Alternatively the cost of an AQ room may decrease and you can rebook as long as it's before final payment day.

 

No guarantees either way though.

Many thanks, I've signed up just now. We have a Caribbean cruise on Eclipse booked for this November and intend booking the Isreal cruise for next year. Our pre cruise experience with Celebrity has been poor and I started another thread about this. However it seems the actual experience when on board is better and as such I would hope Celebrity will now become our cruise line of choice.

So you're looking at £35.71 per person per night extra. For that you'll get :-

 

An improved bathroom with better toiletries and shower.

 

Free bottled water and tea.

 

All of the 'fluff' associated with Concierge Class rooms.

 

Access to Blu, quite possibly AQ's biggest benefit. Personally I prefer it over the MDR, especially at breakfast time. I find the food and service better too.

 

Access to the Persian Gardens.

 

An extra 28 Captains Club points each. Remember if you're already a CC member you can pay for an A2 and get an upgrade to an A1 cabin if available. This seems to be worth around £30 to £80 depending on individual sailing. :D

 

So it's upto you to determine if it's worth it or not. :) Having the option to use Blu or the MDR is nice, remember you're not stuck in Blu every day as some people seem to think .

 

How much time you'd spend in the Persian Gardens is also a big factor.

Looking at the list only Blue and the Persian gardens would have any value to us. We would usually only book a low cat balcony, we have a drinks package anyway, not bothered about the fluff or toiletries or captain club points( I've not even signed up at this point).

So I guess it's just a case of is Blue and the Persian Gardens worth £70 a day.

Thanks for the input.

It's all subjective. What cruise are you sailing on? I probably wouldn't pay an additional £1000 if it was over 7 nights or less, if it was longer with a lot of sea days I probably would.

Hi, it's a 14 night Israel and med cruise. I do get that it's subjective and I know people seem to love Blue. Just seems quite a jump in price.