VIP Program

[Kellie Poodle]

As long as I don't lose anything being 'only' Elite, I'm not disturbed by any new programs. I just want my free pre-dinner grown up beverage. I could even deal with a few less internet minutes and even paying for a load of laundry, but that drink is my "reward". I hope they don't take that away.

[AstridSJ]

I have looked back only a few posts and see the thread has drifted off topic. I didn't see any other reports with actual details so I will share what I have found out.

 

I am on the Infinity now and can tell you a little about the new VIP program test that is underway. It is NOT related to potential changes on the Captain's Club. The eligibility for it (last week and this week - but it may be modified slightly) is upper suites (Celebrity, Royal and Penthouse) and the top cruisers (one or two couples). Since we don't qualify, I can't get much detail, but it seems to be just about what was in the press release. According to the Captain's CLub Hostess, it will be a way to recognize the top suite guests without adding to the numbers in the Elite lounge. She also used a couple of terms in our discussion that indicate at least two new levels. She said there would be Elite Plus (ot possibly Tope Elite and Captain's CLub Zenith. She also said she was getting an assistant on board in October and thought that might be when the roll out would be, but she was guessing about that.

 

Thanks for the update Bob. I know we can always rely on you to give us accurate reports :cool:

We are keeping our fingers crossed that they get the new levels in place by the end of November and we can put this topic to rest and go back to talking about dress codes and smoking policies:D

 

Enjoy your cruise

 

Astrid

[PORT ROYAL]

As long as I don't lose anything being 'only' Elite, I'm not disturbed by any new programs. I just want my free pre-dinner grown up beverage. I could even deal with a few less internet minutes and even paying for a load of laundry, but that drink is my "reward". I hope they don't take that away.

 

There may be winners and losers!

IMHO - there may be three levels

Elite - Without a minimum of 70 Celebrity sea days - Zero

Elite + - With minimum 70 Celebrity sea days - A voucher, possible two

Zenith - With minimum 274 Celebrity sea days - The Lounge with hours 17.00 to 20.30 [As RCCL]

Pinnacle - with say minimum 500 Celebrity Sea Days - A Private Lounge with hours 17.00 to 20.30

Suites - A Private Lounge with hours 17.00 to 20.30

S's & P's can use the Lounge if required.

[C 2 C]

Oh I thought it would be a nice idea to use historic celebrity ship names for captains club levels. At least it would get us away from that select and elite argument!

 

Mercury, Galaxy and Zenith!!

 

Angie

 

There are ship names with much more significance...

 

Horizon, Zenith (A point just above the horizon), Century, Millennium, Summit, Infinity.. There so many from which to choose. ;)

[Dave85]

There are ship names with much more significance...

 

Horizon, Zenith (A point just above the horizon), Century, Millennium, Summit, Infinity.. There so many from which to choose. ;)

 

How about calling the lowest level Meridian... :p

 

X's Meridian was my very first cruise and oh boy that ship represented a different era of cruising! I was sad to hear that she sunk after being sold.

[C 2 C]

How about calling the lowest level Meridian... :p

 

X's Meridian was my very first cruise and oh boy that ship represented a different era of cruising! I was sad to hear that she sunk after being sold.

 

Meridian preferred a burial at sea to the scrap heap.

 

Whatever levels Celebrity chooses, it would be a nice to get away from present terminology which seems to upset so many.

[smtcan]

There are ship names with much more significance...

 

Horizon, Zenith (A point just above the horizon), Century, Millennium, Summit, Infinity.. There so many from which to choose. ;)

 

But please not Silhouette, although there may be some who would qualify for the 'Silly' level.

 

Sheila

[Karynanne]

If it is the names of the levels that seem to offend some passengers, then use numbers.

 

Level 1

Level 2, etc.

 

Plain and simple.

 

Subsequently, whatever Celebrity decides to call their loyalty levels, someone isn't going to like it.

[warmwinds]

I must be so dense, but I don't get why anyone would be offended by any program that rewards their top users, or be offended by what it was named. Elite, Select...how is that any better/worse/different than the silver/gold/platinum/diamond, etc. used by hotels and airlines? Unless you don't travel much except to cruise, and this is the first time you've encountered such a hierarchy, it is just something that is commonly accepted.

[Miss SeaBee]

Not in my experience. We had a Royal Suite on the Infinity recently. We were not met in the terminal. We did not get invited to dine at the captain's table. What we did get was a royal stink of sewage on our veranda rendering it uninhabitable which the guest relations manager didn't seem to think was a big deal. I've never been treated so poorly in my life. I won't be in any hurry to book a royal suite in the near future.

 

I have only been in CS or RS on X in the past, but have never been met in the terminal or invited to dine at the captain's table. I did not really expect any "extra" perks. I did receive all of the advertised perks for the suite, and I was very, very happy with my choice. Did you expect personal special treatment above and beyond what you are guaranteed for the purchase of a suite? That would be unrealistic, I think.

[Miss SeaBee]

What i've discovered or this treatment, is at checkin, use the suite check in lines. They give you a red rose. Be sure as you embark the red rose is visible to those admitting guests thru the line - it's the symbol to them you're a suite guest and to grab you and offer the extra assistance.

 

One cruise I put the rose in bag and got no acknowledgement, next time I had it in hand, and a guest service associate grabbed me and asked me my name and welcomed me and escorted me to the Michael's lounge to await my room.

 

This is confusing to me. Are you talking about Celebrity? I have never cruised any category except cs or above, check in at the suite line, and I have never received a red rose. Was this recent? My cruises have all been since about 2010.

[Miss SeaBee]

I am willing to wait and see what the final changes/improvements are but I do have one comment for Celebrity.

 

We always book AQ because of Blu. If you want us to upgrade to a suite then provide a dining room just for suite passengers with plenty of tables for 2. I am not going to pay more then the cost of an AQ and have to eat in the main dining room.

 

Just my opinion.

 

Agree! I am kind of on the other side of this issue, but want the same thing. I have always cruised suites in the past. My husband has finally agreed to come with me, has never wanted to cruise before, and I put us in an Aqua Suite, because I don't think he will like the MDR, would prefer the tables for 2 in Blu and the food I think will appeal more to him. I would have preferred a larger suite, we are usually in CS or RS, but the Aqua suite is only one size. Would have done a higher level suite if I thought dining would be something like you suggested.

 

I know specialty dining each night is an option, but I don't really like the idea of that either, prefer to have a good "home" dining room. I usually do 2 specialty dinings per week.

[Miss SeaBee]

The MDR is hardly like eating at the high school cafeteria:D. If it makes you feel any better, the suite passengers tend to get the tables in the best places in the dining room. I can't prove the point, but I suspect they also get the better waiters. As I mentioned earlier (was it on this thread or another, I'm losing track), the AQ category was developed specifically as a particular, spa-like experience. it was not developed per se as a level in-between CC and SS. As such, the perks designed for it were in keeping with the destination spa concept. Suites are higher priced, yes, but they also come with a whole lot of other perks not available to lower levels. Your vacation, your choice which room to pick. Based on your comments, it is clear that you value the Blu atmosphere. So Celebrity definitely pleased you with their AQ concept I guess:)

 

 

I don't think that is true, about special location in MDR. I don't know what would be considered premium location, we have always been seated in the middle of the main level, which I kind of consider average. I requested window seating for one cruise, but did not receive it, so I don't ask for anything special anymore.

[Despegue]

Off topic but...the opposite of Zenith is Nadir in Astronomy and Celestial Navigation.

[Christine Frances]

I don't think that is true, about special location in MDR. I don't know what would be considered premium location, we have always been seated in the middle of the main level, which I kind of consider average. I requested window seating for one cruise, but did not receive it, so I don't ask for anything special anymore.

 

I love the middle of the MDR:) I love the extra height above us. We have had a window seating a few times and except for one sailing, it was dark outside and it was like being next to a black mirror:eek: Also did not like the low ceiling under the 2nd floor as the "chatter" seems amplified. It's great that we all like different things!

[lightning bolt]

Calling the highest level Zenith, is very possible as it not only reminds longer history cruisers of a fond friend from the past but also the word Zenith is sometimes used to refer to the highest point reached by a celestial body during its orbit around a given point. I will leave you all to think what that celestial body might be in Celebrity's case, but it does align as an appropriate word

 

I would love if they used Zenith as one of the levels. Have never cared for the Elite name. People think we are elitist and I just don't like that reference. The Zenith was my first X ship and we did love sailing on her.:)

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

I have only been in CS or RS on X in the past, but have never been met in the terminal or invited to dine at the captain's table. I did not really expect any "extra" perks. I did receive all of the advertised perks for the suite, and I was very, very happy with my choice. Did you expect personal special treatment above and beyond what you are guaranteed for the purchase of a suite? That would be unrealistic, I think.

 

No, we just expected to be able to use our balcony that we had paid a lot of money for.

[DiamondSuiteCruiser]

This is confusing to me. Are you talking about Celebrity? I have never cruised any category except cs or above, check in at the suite line, and I have never received a red rose. Was this recent? My cruises have all been since about 2010.

 

Same here, last may on the Infinity we were in one of the PH suites, and I did not receive a rose. We were told before boarding to go to Michaels club, so we did, had a drink while the host called our butler (Jose) and he came down to escort us to our suite. He also pointed out different areas on the ship. Who knows maybe we will get a rose on our up coming cruise, but really could care less.

[Miss SeaBee]

No, we just expected to be able to use our balcony that we had paid a lot of money for.

 

Oh, I totally agree about that! And the sewage smell! I meant about the greeting at check in, dining with the captain, the things you mentioned that you expected, but aren't officially offered as suite perks. I was just saying none of that rose at check in, etc, has ever occured for me, and we've always been in premium suites.

[phoenix_dream]

I don't think that is true, about special location in MDR. I don't know what would be considered premium location, we have always been seated in the middle of the main level, which I kind of consider average. I requested window seating for one cruise, but did not receive it, so I don't ask for anything special anymore.

It seems I was making an assumption that was incorrect. A few cruises ago we had an awful table and were working with a fairly nasty maître 'd who was trying to pacify us by moving us to a table near the Captains table. He said something about needing to move suite passengers somewhere else to put us there. I erroneously drew the conclusion that suite passengers were given prime spots (not that I believed he was really moving a suite passenger to accommodate us:)). He did consider that a prime spot, though, as it was near the Captains table. I understand part of the issue is what constitutes a prime spot to someone is not good for someone else. I like being in the middle of the room on the main floor. Others prefer a window (which I used to when I used to eat early dining). Still others like being in a corner because it is more quiet, while I feel like a naughty child being punished. There are a few decidedly bad spots (and I think I have had them all:D) but I guess prime spots are luck of the draw as well as sometimes matters of opinion.

[Christine Frances]

If the middle of the room is considered primo maybe that's why I have to beg the Maitre d' to move us there:D

[NLH Arizona]

As long as I have good tablemates, good food, etc., I could care less where my table is.

 

Reminds me of when I was working and a lot of the guys would run to get a table where they thought the chairman of our company would sit (in the middle of the room). Everyone knew what they were doing, even the chairman and many times he would sit at a table next to the wall just to make them look stupid. My work friends and I always sat on one of the tables by the wall (we only cared about being with fun folks) and had some great meals and a lot of fun with the chairman, much to the angst of the brown-nosers.

[Kellie Poodle]

There may be winners and losers!

IMHO - there may be three levels

Elite - Without a minimum of 70 Celebrity sea days - Zero

Elite + - With minimum 70 Celebrity sea days - A voucher, possible two

Zenith - With minimum 274 Celebrity sea days - The Lounge with hours 17.00 to 20.30 [As RCCL]

Pinnacle - with say minimum 500 Celebrity Sea Days - A Private Lounge with hours 17.00 to 20.30

Suites - A Private Lounge with hours 17.00 to 20.30

S's & P's can use the Lounge if required.

 

 

You have to be joking, yet I seem to have missed the smiley-face.

 

If I get zero perks for being Elite, why would I continue to sail with Celebrity?

 

Why would those people who are on the levels below Elite even try for status when the sea day count is so high.

 

I'd get my free drink and some coupons on Royal Caribbean and Azamara and wave goodbye to Celebrity. I will be loyal to the company who appreciates my business. Take away the perks I've enjoyed on many voyages and you forfeit my business.

[Lois R]

Quote by NLH:

 

"As long as I have good tablemates, good food, etc., I could care less where my table is."

 

Hi Nancy:D you would have enjoyed the table I just had on Summit....

We had alot of fun:)...table was on the upper level....portside, about

4 tables in after the entrance..... And I so agree with your post.:)

[NLH Arizona]

Quote by NLH:

 

"As long as I have good tablemates, good food, etc., I could care less where my table is."

 

Hi Nancy:D you would have enjoyed the table I just had on Summit....

We had alot of fun:)...table was on the upper level....portside, about

4 tables in after the entrance..... And I so agree with your post.:)

Hey Lois, I'm sure I would have had lots of laughs. Hopefully we will be on the same cruise together one day and can have some more laughs together.