Elite...no Social hour, just drink vouchers

[Arizona Cruz Chic]

Just received an email telling us there are too many Elites on our cruise and we will be given drink 3 vouchers each day to be used at any bar instead of the Captains Club Social Hour.

 

How was your experience using the vouchers?

 

TIA!

 

***

[cruisestitch]

Generally very good. The first night some bar servers look askance at the voucher, especially if they are new employees. But it soon gets sorted out.

 

The downside: no more munchies at the Sky Lounge.

[js1357]

We loved the voucher system -- much more freedom! I think they should give "elites" the choice of vouchers or lounge on every cruise.

[Arizona Cruz Chic]

Generally very good. The first night some bar servers look askance at the voucher, especially if they are new employees. But it soon gets sorted out.

 

The downside: no more munchies at the Sky Lounge.

 

LOL about the munchies......think we'll be OK without them!!!

 

 

***

Edited April 1, 2013 by Arizona Cruz Chic

[2theship]

The munchies are generally a "plate o' fried stuff" - you won't miss them. The great thing about the vouchers is that you can stop at a bar on your way to dinner and pick up a glass of wine to take to the dining room with you.

[warmwinds]

What ship are you on and how far in advance of sailing did you get this e-mail?

[Arizona Cruz Chic]

What ship are you on and how far in advance of sailing did you get this e-mail?

 

 

We are on the Eclipse just a few days notice for sailing this Saturday.

 

***

[icemanoneaatl]

I would much rather have vouchers - gives more flexibility versus being tied down to one location.

[A Sixth?]

There was numberof Elites selling their coupons on our cruise at discounted rates. Seems many don't drink and it became a profit center of sorts I guess.

 

It was always very orginised and for the first few days set prices ment short lines of non Elites buying the coupons.

 

 

But as it was a 14 day cruise things started to get more competitive.

 

On the second week Elites started setting up tables not only sell their coupons, but also the other freebies they get. Like laundry and internet coupons, free bingo cards, casino match plays, and the nice tote bags they give out with the free walking shoes. The shoes sold very well.

 

 

By the end of the cruise Celebrity went digital and allowed sellers and buyer to meet on the in cabin room service system.

 

 

If I ever get coupons again on an April 1st cruise I will also tyake part in the free market system. :p

[thephillykid]

Where do you come up with this stuff??

The Guys on late night need a new writer.

The funniest thing i heard all week.

Howard

There was numberof Elites selling their coupons on our cruise at discounted rates. Seems many don't drink and it became a profit center of sorts I guess.

 

It was always very orginised and for the first few days set prices ment short lines of non Elites buying the coupons.

 

 

But as it was a 14 day cruise things started to get more competitive.

 

On the second week Elites started setting up tables not only sell their coupons, but also the other freebies they get. Like laundry and internet coupons, free bingo cards, casino match plays, and the nice tote bags they give out with the free walking shoes. The shoes sold very well.

 

 

By the end of the cruise Celebrity went digital and allowed sellers and buyer to meet on the in cabin room service system.

 

 

If I ever get coupons again on an April 1st cruise I will also tyake part in the free market system. :p

[thephillykid]

With all the free drinks with the 123 deal, who needs the vouchers. Imho, that is.

[neverbeenhere]

the vouchers taste terrible.:)

[tserface]

We've found that you can always ask your waiter for "some crunchies" and they'll bring you a bottle of munchies to have with your drinks. This works for us in just about every bar on the ship. Some of the snacks at the party were better of course and we always enjoy the parties, but we can always find some munchies... and I'd guess you can still go to the Sky Lounge.

 

:)

 

Tom

 

Generally very good. The first night some bar servers look askance at the voucher, especially if they are new employees. But it soon gets sorted out.

 

The downside: no more munchies at the Sky Lounge.

[City_Woman]

With all the free drinks with the 123 deal, who needs the vouchers. Imho, that is.

 

The ones who don't get the 123 deal.

 

J

[PEIpair]

You are HILARIOUS !

Laughing out loud here !!

 

 

 

There was numberof Elites selling their coupons on our cruise at discounted rates. Seems many don't drink and it became a profit center of sorts I guess.

 

It was always very orginised and for the first few days set prices ment short lines of non Elites buying the coupons.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But as it was a 14 day cruise things started to get more competitive.

 

On the second week Elites started setting up tables not only sell their coupons, but also the other freebies they get. Like laundry and internet coupons, free bingo cards, casino match plays, and the nice tote bags they give out with the free walking shoes. The shoes sold very well.

 

 

By the end of the cruise Celebrity went digital and allowed sellers and buyer to meet on the in cabin room service system.

 

 

If I ever get coupons again on an April 1st cruise I will also tyake part in the free market system. :p

[Can'tstopcruising]

The munchies are generally a "plate o' fried stuff" - you won't miss them. The great thing about the vouchers is that you can stop at a bar on your way to dinner and pick up a glass of wine to take to the dining room with you.

 

What did you think of the wine?

[Happy2cruise]

I would much rather have vouchers - gives more flexibility versus being tied down to one location.

 

Totally agree with you. Hopefully this will be done on all ships.

[PEIpair]

Seriously though, we had the drink vouchers on the Eclipse in Feb. and really enjoyed the experience. We especially liked having our pre-dinner cocktails while sitting outdoors in the warm breeze at the Sunset Bar and often ordered a glass of wine for our last drink to take to dinner with us.

[Lsimon]

We are on the Eclipse just a few days notice for sailing this Saturday.

 

***

 

We had no advance notice for our March 9 Eclipse cruise.

 

Funny how over the past few months, as Cruise Critic members have had experiance with the vouchers, the sentiment has changed on these boards from one of dread and upset with the voucher system to one where many cruisers are hoping for it.

Edited April 1, 2013 by Lsimon

[2theship]

What did you think of the wine?

 

Frankly, the experience turned me on chardonnay. I used to drink it all the time. Now, not so much. The red was okay - I'm no conniseur when it comes to wine.

[neverbeenhere]

The wine is not fine wine. But you might be fine with the wine.

[Ruthk]

We were on the Eclipse in January and absolutely loved the voucher system. Our bar of choice was the Martini Bar where we met so many wonderful, fun people to share stories and laughs with - it made for a great cruise. We prefered it to the lounge upstairs where we never met anyone and just sat there people watching with everyone else. I hope they don't get rid of the vouchers. Many others went to the Passport Bar and said it was fun also. The bartending staff got to know you and made things fun also.

[cruisestitch]

I think that the key was that they didn't take away the Sky Lounge venue for those who really liked being up there, they added to the experience, by giving options. It was a good move after all, IMO.

[Charles4515]

We had no advance notice for our March 9 Eclipse cruise.

 

Funny how over the past few months, as Cruise Critic members have had experiance with the vouchers, the sentiment has changed on these boards from one of dread and upset with the voucher system to one where many cruisers are hoping for it.

 

The reason I don't care for vouchers is that I like the social aspect of the social hour with other Elite members.

[cruisestitch]

Then head up to the Sky Lounge as usual -- lots of Elites still go there, while others choose other venues.