Celebrity denies any Upper Elite.

[fleckle]

The idea of attracting thousands of RCI passengers to fill Celebrity ships by handing them Elite status may have seemed like a great idea from a $ point of view, but it appears that they failed to consider the resulting overcrowding it would cause, or else they simply didn't care.

[boogs]

Besides, I find the manner in which Elite points are earned to be a bit unbalanced. A person can sail the cheapest stateroom on several 3-day cruises and earn points faster than a person taking 12-day cruises in the highest price suite costing many thousands of dollars more. Ten 3-day cruises (30 days) to earn Elite status vs four 12-day cruises in suites (48 days) to earn Elite status. This favors people who live close to a port, which makes it much easier for them to earn the points than someone who must endure the added cost and time of flying across country to board the ship. A person who spends the absolute minimum can earn benefits faster than a person who spends many, many thousand dollars more on their cruises. Seems odd to me that loyalty program isn't based on the income Celebrity makes, only on how many times a person is on their ships. That seems contrary to most other rewards programs.

 

I can't afford to travel in suites if I want to cruise more than once a every five or six hears, so it's even worse for me. If I book 12-day or longer cruises (to maximize the value of my airfare costs and hotel expenses), I have to take FIVE cruises for a total of 60 days minimum to reach the same level that someone who lives close to a port and goes on ten 3-day cruises. That's twice the amount of time away from work, and probably much more than twice the cost since they are longer cruises. Seems a bit off balance to me. Since I live on the west coast, there are few opportunities for me to take those quick adding up short cruises.

[Waterlily777]

The idea of attracting thousands of RCI passengers to fill Celebrity ships by handing them Elite status may have seemed like a great idea from a $ point of view, but it appears that they failed to consider the resulting overcrowding it would cause, or else they simply didn't care.

 

I think the RCI Diamond Plus cruisers should get Elite status, and the Diamond cruisers should get Select Status.

 

I have way over the number of points on Celebrity that Royal Caribbean passengers would need to be Diamond Plus, but I can't get reciprocal benefits on Royal at that Diamond Plus level, and the Diamond benefits are not equal to what you get through Elite status on Celebrity.

 

I don't see why Celebrity Elite lounges should be crowded out by RCI Diamond Passengers when Celebrity passengers who would qualify can't get Diamond Plus status on Royal ships.

[fleckle]

.....I have to take FIVE cruises for a total of 60 days minimum to reach the same level that someone who lives close to a port and goes on ten 3-day cruises. That's twice the amount of time away from work, and probably much more than twice the cost since they are longer cruises.

Yes indeed. That is why people keep saying that they should count number of days instead of number of cruises.

 

The same applies to Captain's Club coupons.

You can book a 14 day Caribbean cruise and get one set of coupons.

Or book 3 of the short cruises B2B2B and get 3 sets of coupons!

 

It would be nice if they gave an extra set of coupons on cruises longer than 10 days, or even 12 days.

But we are grateful to get any coupons at all. Just wish the distribution would be more equitable.

[PartyAllDaTyme]

I think the RCI Diamond Plus cruisers should get Elite status, and the Diamond cruisers should get Select Status.

 

Does anyone else think there'd be a problem with grandfathering in any Diamond cruisers that have already been registered as Elite, any Platinum cruisers that are already Select, then change the requirements as Waterlily suggested to limit the future proliferation? I sure don't.

[Bridge Maven]

Perhaps! But speaking from someone who has enough points on most major cruise lines to be at top tier levels in each, I find the clamoring for even more benefits to be a bit in the 'entitlement' realm. These are freebies, folk. Instead of complaining about not being recognized enough by being given even more free stuff, people should just be grateful that they are given some recognition at all and be satisfied that they are on a cruise.

 

Besides, I find the manner in which Elite points are earned to be a bit unbalanced. A person can sail the cheapest stateroom on several 3-day cruises and earn points faster than a person taking 12-day cruises in the highest price suite costing many thousands of dollars more. Ten 3-day cruises (30 days) to earn Elite status vs four 12-day cruises in suites (48 days) to earn Elite status. This favors people who live close to a port, which makes it much easier for them to earn the points than someone who must endure the added cost and time of flying across country to board the ship. A person who spends the absolute minimum can earn benefits faster than a person who spends many, many thousand dollars more on their cruises. Seems odd to me that loyalty program isn't based on the income Celebrity makes, only on how many times a person is on their ships. That seems contrary to most other rewards programs.

 

Like I said, I qualify for top tier levels on most cruise lines. I just don't feel a need to complain that they should be improved. To me that feels like being greedy. I am satisfied with a sincere "Welcome back" when I board.

 

I agree with you.

 

There are a number of people, who only take a few cruises a year, but spend a lot more money than those who take ten or more cruises a year, because they stay in suites and book more expensive itineraries during prime season.

[reedprincess]

It is interesting though that when needed, the split is based upon # of Captain Club's credits vs:

 

booking date

last name

deck/cabin #

 

 

It would be interesting to know if there were any differences in the amenities provided the two groups when there has been the need to split Elites into 2 groups. quote]

 

That would be an interesting way to do it with myself and my husband - both Elites with over 50 cruise credits, we would have the same booking dates and cabin numbers but wildly different last names - one at the beginning of the alphabet and one at the end - so we would be then sent to 2 different lounges as our last names were so far apart.

There is no - as yet - Upper Elite status. I think the OP was just mi-interpreting "upper" Elite as "Upper" Elite - the first meaning those with the upper amounts of credits vs those with lesser amounts of credits for the same service and drinks, food etc. We have been on several cruises with so many Elites they have had to split the lounges - you simply cannot fit 800 people in michael's club or the sky lounge - it doesn't work. How else would you split it? As noted - some of us have same cabin and booking date but different last name. Not by nationality as captain's club is not available to all nationalities.

I was kind of partial to the height and weight idea - but then, hubby and I would still end up in different lounges! At 5'2 and 6'2, that's a wide range!!

It may be time for Celebrity to re-evaluate the idea of another tier of loyalty - but that's up to them. As of now - only the 3 tiers.

[PartyAllDaTyme]

I agree with you. That is why I think the best cruise loyalty program would be a point for every dollar spent like the hotel programs.

 

There are a number of people, who only take a few cruises a year, but spend a lot more money than those who take ten or more cruises a year because they stay in suites and book more expensive itineraries during prime season.

 

I suggested basing it on dollars spent many moons ago and was assailed with objections-- do dollars spent on CruiseAir count? Trip insurance purchased through X? Shore excursions? Spa treatments? Gratuities? How about the high rollers in the casino who drop ten grand? What should count as a dollar spent?

 

Let me offer my thoughts-- money that goes directly to the cruise line, such as basic cruise fare, a dollar spent is a dollar credited. Money that's shared with outside companies, such as X's cut for a shore excursion, calls for a split. This could be problematic since I imagine they wouldn't want to reveal how much goes to the tour operator and how much they keep, so call it 50/50. Gratuities are (or should be) between you and your steward/waitstaff, so leave them off, since Celebrity reaps no profit from this, albeit indirectly by paying low wages and having us subsidize the labor cost (but that's another thread). Gamblers to be taken care of separately through the Blue Chip Club.

 

For anyone who thinks this is complicated-- that's what computers are for. For X's purposes, customer loyalty should be measured in dollars.

[Bridge Maven]

I suggested basing it on dollars spent many moons ago and was assailed with objections-- do dollars spent on CruiseAir count? Trip insurance purchased through X? Shore excursions? Spa treatments? Gratuities? How about the high rollers in the casino who drop ten grand? What should count as a dollar spent?

 

Let me offer my thoughts-- money that goes directly to the cruise line, such as basic cruise fare, a dollar spent is a dollar credited. Money that's shared with outside companies, such as X's cut for a shore excursion, calls for a split. This could be problematic since I imagine they wouldn't want to reveal how much goes to the tour operator and how much they keep, so call it 50/50. Gratuities are (or should be) between you and your steward/waitstaff, so leave them off, since Celebrity reaps no profit from this, albeit indirectly by paying low wages and having us subsidize the labor cost (but that's another thread). Gamblers to be taken care of separately through the Blue Chip Club.

 

For anyone who thinks this is complicated-- that's what computers are for. For X's purposes, customer loyalty should be measured in dollars.

 

Party - I agree with you.

[seasearider]

Perhaps!

 

Besides, I find the manner in which Elite points are earned to be a bit unbalanced. A person can sail the cheapest stateroom on several 3-day cruises and earn points faster than a person taking 12-day cruises in the highest price suite costing many thousands of dollars more.

 

I'm not aware that Celebrity has three day cruises. Royal does, but they fixed the inequity by changing their point system.

 

To whine about too many Royal cruisers crowding the Elite event is silly. When an Elite cruises on many Royal ships they are entitled to the Diamond Lounge which offers cocktails from 5 to 8:30 each and every night. Though some ships don't have this lounge, Royal is adding it as they upgrade their ships.

 

The bigger issue, as many have stated, is to upgrade the Captain's Club program by converting to days not cruises or some other system that truly recognizes loyalty.

[Jade13]

I suggested basing it on dollars spent many moons ago and was assailed with objections-- do dollars spent on CruiseAir count? Trip insurance purchased through X? Shore excursions? Spa treatments? Gratuities? How about the high rollers in the casino who drop ten grand? What should count as a dollar spent?

 

Let me offer my thoughts-- money that goes directly to the cruise line, such as basic cruise fare, a dollar spent is a dollar credited. Money that's shared with outside companies, such as X's cut for a shore excursion, calls for a split. This could be problematic since I imagine they wouldn't want to reveal how much goes to the tour operator and how much they keep, so call it 50/50. Gratuities are (or should be) between you and your steward/waitstaff, so leave them off, since Celebrity reaps no profit from this, albeit indirectly by paying low wages and having us subsidize the labor cost (but that's another thread). Gamblers to be taken care of separately through the Blue Chip Club.

 

For anyone who thinks this is complicated-- that's what computers are for. For X's purposes, customer loyalty should be measured in dollars.

 

HAL adds dollars spent. For every $300 spent (including pre-cruise) in the folio both passengers in the cabin get an additional point which maxes out at the number of nights of the cruise. So if one is on a 7 night cruise the maximum additional points one can earn is 7. There are double days for Suites. But, their top tier is 200 days/points. Everything counts (Shore Excursions, hotel charges, specialty restaurant, shop purchases, Spa), with the exception of the casino.

[WELSH WIZARDS]

[quote name='reedprincess;33755845

There is no - as yet - Upper Elite status. I think the OP was just interpreting "upper" Elite as "Upper" Elite - the first meaning those with the upper amounts of credits vs those with lesser amounts of credits for the same service and drinks' date=' food etc. We have been on several cruises with so many Elites they have had to split the lounges - you simply cannot fit 800 people in michael's club or the sky lounge - it doesn't work. How else would you split it? . [/quote']

I am sorry reedpriness, but could you possibly clarify this for me ...I don't understand what you mean by those with upper amounts and those with lesser amounts.

[PartyAllDaTyme]

I am sorry reedpriness, but could you possibly clarify this for me ...I don't understand what you mean by those with upper amounts and those with lesser amounts.

 

I believe the reference is to your use of the term "Upper Elite", as if this were an official category, as opposed to just plain "upper Elite", meaning a segment of those with Elite status who happen to have more cruise credits than others, and whose higher total of cruise credits are being used only for the purpose of deciding which of the Elites gets to use the more desirable venue for the cocktail hours. In other words, there is no such thing as "Upper Elite", just Elites who fall into the upper portion of the group, with total cruise credits used as the discerning criterium. That would be those with an "upper amount", with the others being the ones with a "lesser amount", obviously.

 

So the response from Celebrity that there is no "Upper Elite" level is completely accurate. It's merely an unofficial designation for the purposes of determining who gets to use Michael's Club as opposed to another venue, such as the Sky Observation Lounge. There is no hard and fast number of cruise credits that makes one an upper Elite. It's just where they need to draw the cutoff line for that cruise, depending on how many Elites they have and the relative number of cruise credits each has.

[helpthejuggler]

How about the reciprocal benefit being just a catgeory bump instead of a direct equivalent.

e.g. An Elite on X who is also Diamond on RCI could get a bump to D+ when on RCI.

A Diamond on RCI would get a bump up to Classic benefits on their first X cruise.

Sure some D+ and Elite people will see no further bump, but they don't need much encouragement for repeat business.

[WELSH WIZARDS]

.....It's merely an unofficial designation for the purposes of determining who gets to use Michael's Club as opposed to another venue, such as the Sky Observation Lounge. There is no hard and fast number of cruise credits that makes one an upper Elite. It's just where they need to draw the cutoff line for that cruise, depending on how many Elites they have and the relative number of cruise credits each has.

I completely understand what you are saying, and for the most part concur with you. I know it's getting into the area of semantics but how can Celebrity instruct employees to apply procedures and then say that no such thing exists. ? It exists.. as they impliment it... they just don't admit it.

 

They really need to get to grips with the numbers of elites on TAs and make a decision about the OFFICAL way to handle things.

[Orator]

I don't think we need to reinvent the wheel. We have a receprocity with RCL. They changed their program switching to days cruised and added new levels. They grandfathered people intoi the program. X could simply follow that model. Additional benefits would need to be cost effective to X. Might include things like reserved theater seating and priority dining reservations which would add no cost to Celebrity. The changes might appear to be symbolic, but it would allow a matching of levels so that X cruisers would have access to D+ and Pinnacle benefits. Once that it established and the cruise industry becomes more profitable we could argue increasing benefits. I just don't believe that X would want to add anything that would adversely impact their bottom line at this point.

[Azulann]

They really need to get to grips with the numbers of elites on TAs and make a decision about the OFFICAL way to handle things.

 

 

Solution:

 

Make a Transatlantic a reunion cruise for the elite level of Celebrity's loyality program.:)

The free drinks happy hour can be in every bar.:D

[johhnnyt]

Maybe I'm just missing something here, but it sounds as if you are disappointed employees don't know about a program that doesn't really exist upper elite

[shipshape sam]

Yes indeed. That is why people keep saying that they should count number of days instead of number of cruises.

 

The same applies to Captain's Club coupons.

You can book a 14 day Caribbean cruise and get one set of coupons.

Or book 3 of the short cruises B2B2B and get 3 sets of coupons!

 

It would be nice if they gave an extra set of coupons on cruises longer than 10 days, or even 12 days.

But we are grateful to get any coupons at all. Just wish the distribution would be more equitable.

 

Royal Caribbean does count days sailed as the criteria for their Crown and Anchor loyality progam levels.

 

I am not aware that Celebrity offers a standard/repeating 3 day cruise to allow someone to take 10 3-day cruises to reach Elite. I have heard that Constellation will be on a 4/5 day (I am not exact about this) itinerary out of Miami or Fort Lauderdale next year as Eclipse will take over Constellation's current Southern Caribbean itinerary in 2013.

[Project_gal]

I completely understand what you are saying, and for the most part concur with you. I know it's getting into the area of semantics but how can Celebrity instruct employees to apply procedures and then say that no such thing exists. ? It exists.. as they impliment it... they just don't admit it.

 

They really need to get to grips with the numbers of elites on TAs and make a decision about the OFFICAL way to handle things.

 

The deployment of venues for the Elite Breakfast/Cocktails is purely a logistical exercise on board ship and nothing to do with Celebrity shore-side. It is similar to why those on shore cannot say which nights will be formal on any cruise. This, like many other things on board, is also a logistical decision depending on all the circumstances for an individual cruise.

 

Shore-side Celebrity management says "there will be an Elite Breakfast/Cocktails". The Hotel Director on a particulr cruise says in which venue thes ewill be held.

 

Sue

[mo&fran]

This an interesting thread. We did 4 TA’s on X in a suite to become Elite. We then switched to RC , joined C&A as Diamonds , and did a TA on Navigator of the Seas. The concierge lounge was saturated. I don’t think that we went more than once or twice. RC did nothing to relive the crowding. Afterwards , RC changed the rules and the CL could only be accessed by D+ and suite guests. Then a Diamond event was introduced, with free wine and discounts on mixed drinks. Freedom class ships added a diamond lounge with the same perks as the CL. In addition, they monitored the number of D+ and D guests onboard and added overflow venues as appropriate. I see now that X has taken the same approach. Since they do not have a official higher level Elite, it looks like on occasion there is a de facto new level as required. BTW, RC is now in a program to add diamond lounges to the older ships during dry dock, so most will eventually have those lounges as well.

[Bridge Maven]

In my opinion, the main advantage of a special lounge for elite members is that it provides an opportunity to meet other passengers in a less crowded environment. So once it becomes crowded it is just like every other venue on the ship to me.

 

The free liquor is not a big deal to me. After all, I stopped going to Captain's club parties years ago, when they become too crowded.

 

I personally would rather see Celebrity focus on providing the best overall cruise experience possible for everyone on the ship, than on perks for its Captain's Club members. Of course when I say best cruise possible, I am considering the fact that Celebrity is a mass market cruise line and don't expect it to ever be as good as a luxury cruise line.

 

I am not in favor of creating a new level for the Captain's club, because unless it is based on actual dollars spent it will never be equitable. It is one thing to cruise on Celebrity exclusively if you think it has the best product at sea, but I think too many people limit themselves because of loyalty programs.

[Denny01]

In my opinion, the advantage of a special lounge for elite members is that it provides an opportunity to meet other passengers in a less crowded environment. So once it becomes crowded it is just like every other venue on the ship to me.

 

The free liquor is not a big deal to me. After all, I stopped going to Captain's club parties years ago, when they become too crowded.

 

I personally would rather see Celebrity focus on providing the best overall cruise experience possible for everyone on the ship, than on perks for its Captain's Club members.

 

Agreed. we use the venue to meet new people, and it is set up so people mingle much better. You can walk over and say 'hi' to a complete stranger in this venue, which may not work well in the general common areas.....but I do like a freebe, so I won't pretend that isn't a nice thing.

 

Don't want to turn Celebrity into a class-based experience, not matter what criteria is used to define it. But it does take some type of definition to set up a smaller more meet-new-people atmosphere to engender this.

 

Den

[USVI-4-me]

Agreed. we use the venue to meet new people, and it is set up so people mingle much better. You can walk over and say 'hi' to a complete stranger in this venue, which may not work well in the general common areas.....but I do like a freebe, so I won't pretend that isn't a nice thing.

 

Don't want to turn Celebrity into a class-based experience, not matter what criteria is used to define it. But it does take some type of definition to set up a smaller more meet-new-people atmosphere to engender this.

 

Den

 

 

Why not give the "Elites" coupons for free drinks to use at the other "tons" of bars on the ships rather than causing an exclusive Elite crowd in lounges (Sky and/or Michaels) that should be open to all passengers from 5-7pm.

 

The coupons are good ways to meet new friends -- use a coupon to "buy" your new friend a drink? ! Getting together with an old friend is still possible.

 

Those coupons make low cost drinks available on a high profit item for the cruise line. The cruiseline and the Elites will make a happier cruise for everybody by not blocking lounges but also by mingling around the ship and encouraging new cruisers as well as oldies like myself to enjoy the high profit cocktails.

 

By giving coupons to Elites to go to any of the other bars on the ships at any time, it leaves the Sky Lounge (with a bar area open for selling high profit or providing coupon (low cost) drinks to all comers) uncrowded and available for passengers during sailaways (meaning: any time the ship sails away from a port -- usually 5-7pm).

 

I'm okay with all other Elite perks but the 5-7pm cocktail perk needs change.

 

Now flame away.......

 

Maris (95 nights on Celebrity:)

[Denny01]

......Now flame away.......

 

Maris (95 nights on Celebrity:)

Flame away? Whats to flame. But I don't see how a coupon helps us meet new people. Those Elite lounge socials do, just as a ton of other socials of various groups are set up to get people to mix...helps people break the ice, beyond the 'ice' in their drinks. For many of those that have posted on the two recent threads on this subject, the point of this is to meet and as a social event, not necessarily as just the free drinks.

 

I'm outgoing/extrovert and don't mind striking up conversations with strangers, but many do, so I see this a way of people getting out of their comfort zone...just a different view. I don't see it as an exclusivity (yup, the name is Elite, which connotates excusitivity) and yes, it restricts others from a venue for 2 hrs 4 times on a 7N cruise (other nights they don't have it).

 

I agreed with Bridge Maven in that I don't see any need to increase to another level, just to get more 'perks', although I'll accept them, but more of how to manage the large number of loyalty program people. Initially, most of the socials were in the Michaels Club which didn't impact everyone since it wasn't open anyway during the Elite use hrs, but now we've moved to the Sky Lounge because of the size of the group, which impacts more since it is a nice place to relax even when that bar isn't open.

 

Maris - I believe you said you just made Elite. Give it a go and see what you think of it as a social meeting/ice breaking hr, not as a free-drink benefit time. People don't stand there in their own small crowd sucking down max number of drinks and then leaving.

 

Den