20pluscruises

There is a simple solution for you - just stop reading it. Many of us have waited for the new Captains Club changes for a long time. It is only natural that people would want to express their opinions, both pros and cons. Most of us appreciate the perks, but more so, we want to feel appreciated. I for one am very grateful for any free perks, and do not necessarily book a cruise because of them.

 

At the same time, some of the perks (like the social hour) save us a considerable amount of money, which makes a difference between cruising once a year or twice a year, or between being able to afford an inside cabin versus a balcony. As a long time (20+ years) Celebrity cruiser, and now Elite+ member, I was pretty disappointed at the "perks" for the new level. Don't see the point of wanting to spend even more time on a computer while supposedly on vacation, and DH doesn't even drink coffee (although I like that perk:D). We don't drink enough to purchase liquor packages, so that perk is useless, and there are usually discounts on Specialty dining anyway so that is no big deal. Extra laundry is nice on a long cruise, but until retirement the longest we can handle is 10 days, so that perk is of no benefit to us either. I was hoping for something better - maybe one free Specialty dinner, or a free bottle of wine or something. The main point is that it takes quite a bit to achieve that level and the perks added do not feel very special to me.

 

I am also very dismayed to see the highest level so insanely unattainable for us mortal folks. Based on my cruising history over 20+ years, I would need to cruise another 40 years to hit that level. Not a particular incentive for sure. I suspect everyone at that level was already getting those kind of perks anyway - they were just under the table.

 

So once again, happy for any freebies and don't make a final cruising decision because of them. But the purpose of this thread is to discuss our thoughts on them, so there are mine.:)

Well said!

Well, you can always take your business elsewhere and that's what I'm considering doing.

ditto

If a company doesn't feel that a 24 year employee doesn't deserve a bonus, they dont' have to give it to them. The company makes the rules.

That's exactly my point

I have no issues.

 

Change is the hardest thing for people to cope with.

 

There are going to be happy people.

 

There are going to be people who don't care either way.

 

There are going to be unhappy people.

 

I can only imagine the challenges associate with Celebrity's decision making process around the changes.

 

I work for a very large corporation who deals with big change.

 

Celebrity - you're not perfect. But neither am I.

 

Congratulation on making the decision to finally implement the changes that have been rumoured for a couple years now.

 

Judy

Hmmm.... so, the guy/gal who has worked for the big corporation for 6 years gets a bonus, and the guy/gal who has worked for the same big corporation for 24 years gets nada?

I was once bumped from a stateroom after final payment. I didn't find out until I checked in at the terminal. I believe that what happened was that my original stateroom, which was adjacent to the Family Verandah with a connecting door, got taken by a large family which booked both the FV and my OV, and I was bumped up to a verandah. So yes, it can happen that you get moved after final payment. It was a surprise to both me and my travel agent.

 

Guest Relations claimed that it was in the record that Reservations had sent a fax to my travel agent a few days before the cruise started, which was impossible as his fax machine had broken about a week before. No one from Celebrity ever phoned me or the agent. It was a complete surprise to me, and caused a bit of a delay for my suitcase which had the original room on the luggage tag, so they had to chase around looking for the bag, since the people in that room told the steward that the suitcase didn't belong to them and he took it away. A few hours' delay and a verandah, neither of which I would have chosen if asked.:)

So, never book a connecting room, right?

There are pencil pushers that have already factored in a certain percentage of customers that will leave Celebrity after changes to anything are made. You will be missed, but you and the others will not hurt the bottomline.

 

I agree that none of the speciality restaurants are worth the $30-$45 additional to our original cruise fare. Our favorite is one of the cheapest, The Lawn Club, and even when it's 50% off, it's not worth $40 per couple. JMHO

 

 

Sent from my SCH-I405 using Forums mobile app

Ahhh..so they already got 24 cruises out me...I am no longer needed.

I think a few people are getting a bit confused about tiers and marketing.

 

Zenith may seem unattainable because if you are Elite + you are highly likely to have committed yourself to the cruise line anyway.

 

Admittedly, there will be a few that would work towards an intermediate tier, but the number would be so small, it will not be worth Celebrity altering what is already a highly beneficial perk system for all regular customers.

Not in my case. Just shy of 700 points with an AQ class booked. Why would I want to stay committed to a cruise line that doesn't seem to value my loyaty? Pretty sure I'm not alone.....

It has nothing to do with being able to afford it. I'm sure the majority of us cruising can afford to book specialty restaurants at least once a sailing, it's the fact that DH and I don't believe $45 per person is worth it. $30 per person yes, but that would be it.

ITA!!! Use to be worth it but they have also cut back on the Murano items, too. Anyone remeber the goat cheese in the pulled suger bowl? The foie gras that was so delicious!

I simply miss the elegence that once was.

Our next cruise will be the determining factor on doing two Celebrity cruises a year, or just one upscale (Regent, Crystal, etc.) a year and a couple of mini weekend holiday/vacations.

Originally Posted by 20pluscruises

I for one don't want the free crap. What I do want is for them to bring back what they have taken away

 

Ice sculpture artists

Evening pool paries

Soda/Pop with dinner

After late seating theater shows every night

Gourmet bites at night

Pool side horse races

The Chocolate buffet

The once great shows in the Theater

Daily lunch in the dining room

Maitre D who would do his best to match guests at large tables

Real coffee

Pool side trivia

Sorbet at dinner

Carved watermellon parade

The nice Celebrity stationary

Canadian Bacon on my eggs benedict...not spam

Cova chocolates on my pillow

Full lobster tails

Flaming deserts made table side

The nice extra large sturdy leathette zipper close tote with inside zipper pockets

Your choice of cheese course at dinner

Trays and waiters ready to to take your tray and find an empty seat at the buffet

Michael Roux

 

And last but not least...

Being treated as a guest and not a cash cow.

 

I believe all of these items were available BEFORE Captain Club Loyalty Program

 

I'd much rather have these things that once made Celebrity truly special.

 

 

 

Sounds a lot like Spaulding in Caddyshack... :confused:

 

I want a hot dog...I want a milkshake...I want potato chips...

 

 

And I want a PONY... right NOW!!! :rolleyes:

Well, if they were available to him before they shouldn't be taken away.

Thanks. pssst...I like that line!

I love Judge Judy! :)

I thought about getting paper cups from Cafe al Bacio and pouring them into one, but thought better of that.

Hmmmmmm

LOL! I'm going to try that and tell them I'm Elite minus plus divided by Zenith so it's okay.

Sorry, I guess I don't have a right to comment here. :confused:

 

I wasn't complaining. I was simply pointing out that I don't see the logic of this supposed loyalty program. But obviously only those who have proved their loyalty can understand it.

I know, right?

pssst....I just keep posting away. Nobody is going to pee on my leg and try to tell me it's raining.

you are right...one by one over the years they took them away. Not even fancy folded napkins in the MDR on the Summit last month, just folded in a square on the table.

I remember way back in the early days they would be folded in a different style every night. It's the small touches I miss. :(

Great question! On the Reflection TA we just got off of, there were two hostesses in the Tuscan Grille each morning. One in traning and the one training her. The trainer told me going into Tuscan one morning I could. On the way out the trainee told me I could not! :confused: We decided not to make waves and had our lattes before breakfast in Blu.

I may just pack my aerolatte and bring it with me to Blu :D

9233 and 8273 are very similar location and same category of cabin. I did notice that 9233 was a quad with both a convertible sofa and an upper birth where as the other two cabins only have the standard bed for 2. I wonder if this has anything to do with it. I've read some debate in the past over whether they can or would move a couple from a triple or quad room if it was needed by a larger group.

Can they do this if you are paid in full? Now I'm getting worried :confused:

9233 and 8273 are very similar location and same category of cabin. I did notice that 9233 was a quad with both a convertible sofa and an upper birth where as the other two cabins only have the standard bed for 2. I wonder if this has anything to do with it. I've read some debate in the past over whether they can or would move a couple from a triple or quad room if it was needed by a larger group.

It should be...who ever booked first gets first choice.

I am presently on the phone with celebrity, called them because when I went on-line to make our final payment the balance owing was almost $200.00 more then my confirmation. Then she is also telling me that we have been moved into another cabin ! We booked this almost a year ago......not happy ! She has me on hold while she checks it's out, she's telling me there was a system change ? Any one else have this happen? cruise is Feb 21 equinox 10 day. Thanks ,

Wait. What? So what everyone is saying...they can actually change your room and you have no recourse? There is a cabin spreadsheet here on cc. You may want to take a peek at the room review

Looks like you need to book Aqua Class cabins. All of that is available in Blu except free soda and lunch....

Also, when you make Elite, you get all the free speciality coffees you want during the Elite breakfast at the Tuscan Grille. REAL latte and espresso!

We always book aqua class. If they bring back the good lobster I'd go the the MDR that night. :)

I enjoy Blu for breakfast. Can I take a latte from Tuscan with me to the Blu dining room?

I'd love the chocolate buffet again, but early in the cruise so we can store the goodies in our fridge! I hate it when they lock the fridge the last night with the chocolate melting!

 

 

I couldn't agree more! :)

I for one don't want the free crap. What I do want is for them to bring back what they have taken away

 

Ice sculpture artists

Evening pool paries

Soda/Pop with dinner

After late seating theater shows every night

Gourmet bites at night

Pool side horse races

The Chocolate buffet

The once great shows in the Theater

Daily lunch in the dining room

Maitre D who would do his best to match guests at large tables

Real coffee

Pool side trivia

Sorbet at dinner

Carved watermellon parade

The nice Celebrity stationary

Canadian Bacon on my eggs benedict...not spam

Cova chocolates on my pillow

Full lobster tails

Flaming deserts made table side

The nice extra large sturdy leathette zipper close tote with inside zipper pockets

Your choice of cheese course at dinner

Trays and waiters ready to to take your tray and find an empty seat at the buffet

Michael Roux

 

And last but not least...

Being treated as a guest and not a cash cow.

 

I believe all of these items were available BEFORE Captain Club Loyalty Program

 

I'd much rather have these things that once made Celebrity truly special.

I wouldn't call that coffee

Cherries jubilee and flaming bananas ...not baked alsaka

No lunch in dining room on port days

Soda / Pop was free with dinner and lunch in dining room

Lobster tails are now baby tails not full lobster tails with drawn butter

That is NOT canadian bacon!!!

Ok my mom and i are just about to book the reflection for next september. Im the planner, so she told me to watch for a sale. I think she was referring to a price drop. Currently the price for the 9/26 sailing in an inside is 1,449. Ive heard about 123 Go coming back. I am really interrested in this and think this is the sale Ive been watitng for. So if I book with that sale, does Celebrity offer a lowest price guarentee like Carnival does where if our cruise price drops we can call in to perhaps get that new rate?

 

:confused: I usualy do all my planing on my own but would a TA be better for this kind of thing? So confused.

 

Thanks so much for any help or suggestions!:D

Google ...cosumer affairs / cruise. This site will give reviews on my online cruise sites....the good and the bad

Thank you; this has been duly noted. I see that a ton of people on this board have positive experiences with TAs. I actually took the recommendation to go with a TA from here because so many have received great perks in addition to what Celebrity offers.

 

I had no indication throughout the transaction that this agent's behavior was at all questionable - and usually, I'm pretty shrewd. :eek:

FYI...google consumer affairs / cruises...There are many reviews for travel agency sites onlines

I booked our upcoming sailing several months ago and received all applicable confirmations. Jump to this week and I wanted to ask just a few final questions. After days and days of no calls/emails back, reading some particularly concerning Yelp reviews, and calling everyone I could think of, I find out that the TA I booked through no longer works for the agency. To boot, that particular franchise (of a large and well known cruise agency) is now under corporate handling due to the misconduct of several of its agents.

 

First of all, no one bothered to notify me. Secondly, other passengers are complaining they didn't get the perks (prepaid grats or onboard credit etc) they were offered at the time of booking. I am waiting on a resolution from corporate - they profess to be well-aware of the issues with this franchise and committed to making right by all customers - but this is turning out to be a nightmare.

 

I'm less concerned about our actual booking, because it is showing on the Celebrity website correctly. I am, however, concerned that a. I could have booked through Celebrity itself or a more responsible and reputable agency where I could be assured I would get what I was promised and b. that this agent has my credit card and other personal information and was clearly fired from the company due to misconduct. Ugh! Does anyone else have experience with this sort of issue? I'm so tempted to transfer my booking back to Celebrity directly but I have no idea how that really works or if it is advisable at this point.

YIKES!!! Another reason I always book through Celebrity...plus I found when all is said and done I save more $$$ or at the very least s equal in price even with the OBC.

I would keep an eye on credit charges to your card. Best of luck with this horrible situation

Ok my mom and i are just about to book the reflection for next september. Im the planner, so she told me to watch for a sale. I think she was referring to a price drop. Currently the price for the 9/26 sailing in an inside is 1,449. Ive heard about 123 Go coming back. I am really interrested in this and think this is the sale Ive been watitng for. So if I book with that sale, does Celebrity offer a lowest price guarentee like Carnival does where if our cruise price drops we can call in to perhaps get that new rate?

 

:confused: I usualy do all my planing on my own but would a TA be better for this kind of thing? So confused.

 

Thanks so much for any help or suggestions!:D

I would book directly through Celebrity...better savings through their own site

I remember receiving several Celebrity vouchers (worth hundreds of dollars) due to a lawsuit someone else had filed against Celebrity. It does happen.

It was from overcharging their customers