New Celebrity Promotion (1, 2, 3 Go !) Returns March 15, 2013

[Jade13]

I understand that fully Tony. I'm sure that is why folks are being told no.

 

I wish Celebrity would consider allowing guests to pay the difference on the passage amount paid and the required deposit, so they would then be considered "fully deposited", thereby meeting the requirement. This would make many of their guests happier.

 

I agree. It's the same issue with group bookings that require a full deposit.

[Andy]

does Celebrity allow you to book a cruise while onboard with a different TA than the one you used for the current cruise? I'm sure we have done that in the past, but while on the Eclipse in November, I think the Future Cruise consultant told us "no" that we could only book with the TA for the current cruise or through Celebrity and that she could not switch to a different TA for a future booking. In this case it was for a Passages certificate. This would make a difference for using the current 1-2-3 promo as some of the TAs are offering different promos/incentives of their own, and we would likely want to use this 1-2-3 promo for another cruise but not with the TA that we are booked with for this upcoming Equinox cruise.

 

Kathy

 

Hi Kathy,

 

I've never heard this before. I'm not sure why this would apply, as you would not be purchasing a Passages cert, if you want the 123 offer. What I would do, is make an actual booking, obtain the 123 offer, and then switch it to the TA of your choice, after you return home. I believe there's a 60 day time limit on that - so be careful.

 

I hope this helps. If not, please let me know. Have a wonderful time on Equinox !

[Andy]

Hello...We are already booked in an Aqua Class cabin on the Reflection next November 16th. Our final payment isn't due for another month.

 

With this in mind, our travel agent contacted Celebrity about the possibility of us being able to take advantage of the new promo offer.

 

We already had a $75 on board credit coming from a group booking. Then, we were indeed allowed to take advantage of the new promotion. The price of our AQ cabin was the same as when we originally booked, so we kept the same cabin, and the price remained the same. And, we were able to get the $200 additional onboard credit for a total of $275.00 onboard credit.

 

What a great promotion, and, we were so happy we were able to take advantage of this, even though we weren't sure if we could.

 

Hi Dave,

 

Thanks for sharing with us. That's why I *always* say - "it never hurts to ask". BTW - if you are sailing in November 2013, your final payment shouldnt be due for several months. You may wish to check on that.

[Dave4120]

You are correct Andy...I was thinking of our May 2nd cruise on RCCL Explorer where our final payment is due early in February. I guess my wife and I are so excited at the additional on-board credit, I wasn't thinking clearly.

[Andy]

You are correct Andy...I was thinking of our May 2nd cruise on RCCL Explorer where our final payment is due early in February. I guess my wife and I are so excited at the additional on-board credit, I wasn't thinking clearly.

 

That's ok Dave - it's easy to get excited talking cruises. I have a bad case of that :). Enjoy your Cruise !

[TourDeCruise]

Hi Kathy,

 

I've never heard this before. I'm not sure why this would apply, as you would not be purchasing a Passages cert, if you want the 123 offer. What I would do, is make an actual booking, obtain the 123 offer, and then switch it to the TA of your choice, after you return home. I believe there's a 60 day time limit on that - so be careful.

 

I hope this helps. If not, please let me know. Have a wonderful time on Equinox !

 

Hi Kathy,

 

From what I'm hearing, you should be eligible for the cabin upgrade if booking onboard in addition to 123, but I'm not 100% certain. What I was advised, is that you can get either the 123 offer, OR the booking onboard OBC, not both. They wont let you double dip on that.

 

It is VERY tough to comment on whether you should wait the 2 weeks to book onboard, as I suspect this promotion will generate a large amount of bookings, so you might risk a price increase in the interim.

 

I hope this helps !

 

Thanks, Andy, I didn't think about price increases! If I booked while onboard but waited to transfer to a TA after we return home, that would be after 1/27/2013 when the 1-2-3 promo expires, so TA may not give us the same offer they are offering today. We will have to check before we go or email from the cruise.

 

Kathy

[robsmom]

I came to the same conclusion. While the value of the drink package plus gratuities for our 12 night cruise is well over $1,500, the $1,000 OBC is still better for us since we would not have considered the drink package to begin with. Our decision is also easier since we are Elite members and do the majority of our drinking in the evenings anyway. You are also correct as to the lack of sea days, our Med sailing will only have 3 sea days and there will be several very long days in the ports. Our OBC will go to cover our gratuities and a couple of tours.:)

 

Thanks for helping me think out loud. I was pretty happy with the $1000 OBC for our 12 night cruise. We are doing the Venice Overnight on the Equinox. I think we have 3 sea days as well. I am going to stick with what I have.

[robsmom]

Robsmom,

 

I just called today and gave up our $1000 OBC for the drink package and OBC of $300. Worked out to be a value of $1450 and it cost me $100 in a price increase. When we got the $1000 we came out ahead $400 so since our July booking I have saved $750.

 

We had no doubt we'd buy the drink package - we got our money's worth on the last cruise with fresh squeezed OJ and specialty coffees with breakfast, large bottles of water as we left the ship and again when we got back, pre dinner drinks, wine pairings with dinner and a night cap (or two) at the casino.

 

We also like convenience of not signing for everything. We are considering booking private excursions this time so having a huge OBC was not really a big deal for us and we had planned on using it for drink pkgs anyway.

 

But if you're not sold on the package to start with its definately worth thinking about before you switch!

 

Melissa

 

Thanks. I have gone back and forth and decided that I am happy with what I have. Will use the 1000 OBC to pay gratuities for 3 people ($414) and use the $586 that is left to make our own drink package. 2 soda packages (for ds and dh), a few bottles of wine, 3 or 4 frozen drinks, and 5 or 6 lattes should cover us.

[flparalegal]

Does any know if I book a cruise using the 1-2-3 promo, can I still get my Stockholders Credit?

[Andy]

Does any know if I book a cruise using the 1-2-3 promo, can I still get my Stockholders Credit?

 

Hi Flparalegal,

 

As with most promotions, the shareholder OBC is not combinable.

[ariawoman]

I want to make sure I have this straight.

 

I booked on board and am getting 300 OBC from celebrity. So - I could NOT have them add the bev package as part of the 1-2-3 program?

 

Last night I attended a meeting at which there was a celebrity rep and he seemed to think i'd be able to - however when my TA contacted X today he was told no - so now I'm really wondering what the deal is.

 

If i get any update I'll certainly provide it here! Looking unlikely but hey, it's worth a shot since you never know unless you try! :-) (though honestly it seems way too good to be true to get both on a non-Europe sailing! lol)

[Andy]

I want to make sure I have this straight.

 

I booked on board and am getting 300 OBC from celebrity. So - I could NOT have them add the bev package as part of the 1-2-3 program?

 

Last night I attended a meeting at which there was a celebrity rep and he seemed to think i'd be able to - however when my TA contacted X today he was told no - so now I'm really wondering what the deal is.

 

If i get any update I'll certainly provide it here! Looking unlikely but hey, it's worth a shot since you never know unless you try! :-) (though honestly it seems way too good to be true to get both on a non-Europe sailing! lol)

 

Hi Ariawoman,

 

You should be able to add the 123 promotion to your booking, but you would lose the $300 booking onboard OBC, and you must pay the prevailing rate. I suspect you are on a 14 night sailing. I believe it would only make sense if you wanted the drink package, and even that would depend if the price of the sailing is much higher. It's all about doing the math, and seeing what works best for you. I hope this helps !

Edited January 9, 2013 by Host Andy

[Roxymax]

Hi Ariawoman,

 

You should be able to add the 123 promotion to your booking, but you would lose the $300 booking onboard OBC, and you must pay the prevailing rate. I suspect you are on a 14 night sailing. I believe it would only make sense if you wanted the drink package, and even that would depend if the price of the sailing is much higher. It's all about doing the math, and seeing what works best for you. I hope this helps !

 

I double checked my current booking and promo against the 123 and the math said I was better to stay with the promos I already had.

[Quincy126]

Does anyone know if senior rate booking qualify for the promotion. We originally booked A2 which has gone up $450 but I have seen that there is a senior offer on A1 which makes it the same price that we paid for our A2. T/A has eventually said we could have the offer if we pay the additional €900 price increase.

 

 

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[fninsn]

Mine was an existing booking to which I added the promotion. I was emailed a new invoice immediately. I had booked directly through Celebrity over the phone.

 

Hi Willman,

 

I also had an existing booking directly through Celebrity and I received an invoice. I suppose it might be a bit different if booked through a TA.

[If only]

Does anyone know if senior rate booking qualify for the promotion. We originally booked A2 which has gone up $450 but I have seen that there is a senior offer on A1 which makes it the same price that we paid for our A2. T/A has eventually said we could have the offer if we pay the additional €900 price increase.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

It has to say Five star booking, the senior rate would not qualify.

[Quincy126]

It has to say Five star booking, the senior rate would not qualify.

 

Thanks for clarifying that.

 

 

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[omarchs]

Everyone better check their reservations. I have been waiting for our beverage packages to be posted to our reservation. I just checked our reservation and found that the amount we owe increased by $704 due to $352 apiece in 'other charges' with no explanation.

 

Sounds like they charged us $44 x 8 days for beverage packages rather than adding them for free!

 

Not looking forward waiting on hold forever again trying to get this one fixed!

[koolforkatz]

Everyone better check their reservations.

 

Interesting. Yesterday in My Celebrity I was shown the option of upgrading to premium for a small amount - $11.50 a day. Now I'm showing it as full price just as if I didn't have a standard beverage package attached to it.

 

Must be a hiccup in the system. My invoice shows I have the package so I"m not going to worry too much about it just yet.

[JJPacer]

What is Fivestar or Group X price program rate? How do you know if you have it. Haven't booked yet. I understand this promo much better after reading this thread. Just can't figure out what Fivestar or Group X price program rate means. Thanks.

[Andy]

Hi Everyone,

 

I've noticed several questions about Five Star Rates. I hope you enjoy this Celebrity Press Release from November 1994. At least it offers an explanation of the Five Star origin :)

 

====================================================================================

 

Miami, Nov. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Keeping pace with Celebrity Cruises' rapidly growing inventory and fleet size, the company announced today the introduction of its "FIVE STAR RATES" program, a new level of advance purchase pricing. Now, all travel agents can offer their clients substantial savings of up to 50% and more by booking early with "FIVE STAR RATES."

 

Effective immediately for 1995 departures, Celebrity will offer specially reduced rates for cruise-only, advance purchases for all ships. Upgrades from minimum accommodations will be available for a supplement. The new "FIVE STAR RATES" will replace the cruise line's current "Plan Ahead and Save" and "Early Booking" rates for 1995.

 

"Now that we have actively begun the sales and marketing of the CENTURY, the first ship in our fleet expansion program, it is appropriate that we expand our advance booking program to the entire travel agency community and their clients. With the addition of the CENTURY, our inventory will grow to 5,500 berths, and by the end of 1997 will reach more than 9,000," said Al Wallack, senior vice president of marketing and passenger services.

 

"FIVE STAR RATES" for seven-night cruises range from $799 per person for inside cabins to $899 per person for outside cabins at minimum categories. Ten- and 11-night cruises range from $1,149 per person for inside cabins to $1,299 per person for outside cabins. All "FIVE STAR RATES" are cruise only, per person, double occupancy.

 

Upgrades are available for $20 per person, per category, above the base minimum rates for seven-night cruises; while upgrades for 10- and 11-night cruises are $30 per person per category. Deluxe accommodations and suites are not included in the "FIVE STAR RATES" program.

 

Celebrity has designed a simplified air add-on program in conjunction with the "FIVE STAR RATES" program featuring air add-ons based on geographical regions. Add-ons range from $279-$459 per person for Caribbean cruises from Ft. Lauderdale and San Juan.

 

Celebrity's advance purchase "FIVE STAR RATES" are capacity controlled by category and are subject to increase without notice.

 

Celebrity Cruises currently operates three luxury ships: MERIDIAN, HORIZON and ZENITH. The first of three new 70,000-ton ships, CENTURY, will debut in December 1995. Year round Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries depart from Fort Lauderdale. During the fall and winter, deep Caribbean and 10- and 11-night Caribbean itineraries depart from San Juan. In the spring and summer, Celebrity cruises to Bermuda from New York and other East Coast cities.

 

For more information, reservations or a brochure, contact your travel agent or Celebrity Cruises, -0- 11/4/94

Edited January 10, 2013 by Host Andy

[Benjo8]

Perhaps they post the bev package to your res but will credit that amount once you get on board or in final invoice.

[Andy]

Perhaps they post the bev package to your res but will credit that amount once you get on board or in final invoice.

 

I dont think so. That would make folks very confused. I suspect it's in error, and will be corrected.

[Bytor62]

This question has been asked so thought I would chime in. Me and my 17yo son are booked on the Reflection leaving Miami on March 30th so my final payment is due next week. The current published price for a 1A Veranda is the same as when I booked and I had no other incentives. I just called Celebrity and it was no hassle to add the promotion. I had wanted to add the Beverage package but since both of us cannot because my son is under-age, I could not add the package either (both passengers have to add the same promotion). Therefore, I added the $200 OBC. I immediately received an email with the promotion listed (WAV3-WAVE OBC) but a 0 value. The rep said the $200 amount will be posted on my account in 7-10 days. I will be keeping an eye out for any changes to this as the Rep said she has already received emails regarding the promotion rules.

[Justprettynpink]

Just added the classic package to my reservation for a five night on the Constellation in April.

 

I had booked through Celebrity over the phone. I did lose my $100 teachers discount and paid the difference in price since the cruise had gone up $9 pp.

 

Net cost to me was $118. Not bad.

 

Teachers discount???