why do so many seem so greedy? Not Every benefit will be of value to Every cruiser

[Oville]

You get to have the same level as your spouse but your points are your own. For example, if I had 300 points and my husband had 250, we'd both be Elite but if he sailed alone and earned 35 points, he'd be at 285 and I wouldn't get any points. Same if I sailed- I'd be at 335 and he'd still be at 250.

 

Thanks Susie.

[TourDeCruise]

DW enjoys the benefit and it's working well. Available everywhere except room service. You are limited to the free items listed, no exceptions. Some have complained, but they didn't read their. Coupon. Very clear.

 

Nice to read that you are enjoying the new Elite+ benefits. We look forward to enjoying ours for the 1st time on the b2b February 2014 Century cruises. We were on the Eclipse (Nov. 16th sailing) when the change was announced, but the new levels & benefits did not go into effect until cruises beginning Nov. 25th & after.

 

Like Linda, we are looking forward to the cappuccinos & lattes in Cova Cafe (Century) or Cafe al Baccio. Do the "free" items include the premium teas in Cafe al Baccio? Or just coffees, such as lattes & cappuccinos? Are you getting "coffee" coupons for each day or do they recognize it based on the "Elite" or above designation on the sea pass card? Did you get a gelato coupon too (at Classic level & assumed to carry forward to other statuses)?

 

Are you getting Elite drink vouchers on your cruise? Or just the Elite lounge?

 

Continue enjoying your new benefits!

 

Kathy

[Orator]

Nice to read that you are enjoying the new Elite+ benefits. We look forward to enjoying ours for the 1st time on the b2b February 2014 Century cruises. We were on the Eclipse (Nov. 16th sailing) when the change was announced, but the new levels & benefits did not go into effect until cruises beginning Nov. 25th & after.

 

Like Linda, we are looking forward to the cappuccinos & lattes in Cova Cafe (Century) or Cafe al Baccio. Do the "free" items include the premium teas in Cafe al Baccio? Or just coffees, such as lattes & cappuccinos? Are you getting "coffee" coupons for each day or do they recognize it based on the "Elite" or above designation on the sea pass card? Did you get a gelato coupon too (at Classic level & assumed to carry forward to other statuses)?

 

Are you getting Elite drink vouchers on your cruise? Or just the Elite lounge?

 

Continue enjoying your new benefits!

 

Free items only include the basic latte,expresso and cappuccino. No teas included. Available anywhere except room service. Sorry, no teas included. Vouchers used on this cruise and working out quite well.

[Orator]

Last and final post on this subject. I was told by someone in authority that Celebrity wanted to speak to me after a call from the ship to Miami made by someone in authority on board. The goal of the changeover was to maintain everyone in the same position and make certain that no one lost benefits. What was done was fair and worked well for the vast majority, but there were some statistical flaws that placed some who were near a new level in a lesser position.My suggestion could be a remedy for that flaw. No one would lose anything and some people might have what they lost restored. Really difficult to explain here. Many jumped on my suggestion not really understanding the motivation and that is partially my fault. The benefits are great and most appreciated. No more to say now and in the future.

[NLH Arizona]

Last and final post on this subject. I was told by someone in authority that Celebrity wanted to speak to me after a call from the ship to Miami made by someone in authority on board. The goal of the changeover was to maintain everyone in the same position and make certain that no one lost benefits. What was done was fair and worked well for the vast majority, but there were some statistical flaws that placed some who were near a new level in a lesser position.My suggestion could be a remedy for that flaw. No one would lose anything and some people might have what they lost restored. Really difficult to explain here. Many jumped on my suggestion not really understanding the motivation and that is partially my fault. The benefits are great and most appreciated. No more to say now and in the future.

I know you feel that those with paid cruises should get those points times 30, but Celebrity should know that if they do that, they will have many, many more customers who have booked cruises that feel that they should get the same thing. If they do it for paid cruises, they should do it for booked ones or I'm afraid that they will then lose customers. Both those with paid and booked cruises had the same expectations with regard to the old program. Celebrity would be making a huge mistake only giving some the points, since they would then be saying that you are only a loyal customer if you pay for your cruise in full before it is due.

 

Celebrity needs to keep the program the way it is, no exceptions. When you start making exceptions, you open up a whole new can of worms.

[playadelwes]

The OP is spot on.

 

What do you expect from parents of Gen Y Millennials. The entitled generation learned from someone.

Edited December 5, 2013 by playadelwes

[JonnyCT81]

The OP is spot on.

 

What do you expect from parents of Gen Y Millennials. The entitled generation learned from someone.

 

As a Gen Y'er myself, I totally agree with your statement. Being born in 81' (thereby being on the cusp) I can see now that I am older how WHINY some of these people are in my generation....and don't even get me started about their work ethics.

 

My partner and I are new to Celebrity, having gone on three last year and have 6 planned this year - we were planning on being Elite after our next one but it's not going to happen....oh well. I am more about wanting to spend time with my friends and have fun on the ship anyways; sure the extra perks are nice, but they are just tokens that Celebrity gives you as THANKS for using them. Celebrity is amazing and based on the ships, service, food, and drinks we plan on using them forever. Keep up the great work guys!!!!

[TourDeCruise]

Free items only include the basic latte,expresso and cappuccino. No teas included. Available anywhere except room service. Sorry, no teas included. Vouchers used on this cruise and working out quite well.

 

Thank you for your response. We'll be happy to have latte, expresso, or cappuccino as a benefit. When we get drink vouchers on our cruises, we can use them for the "premium" tea, bottled water, and wine. Looking forward to 200 Internet minutes, the "coffee" benefit, and a gelato (not on Century) on our upcoming cruises!

 

Kathy

[squadron]

Cruisegirl, I will agree with everything you say! And it IS sad. We first sailed Celebrity at the Select level, which entitled us to a $20 bag of laundry and free pressing for 2 clothing items and one or two other miscellaneous goodies. Nothing much compared to what the Elites were entitled to. And you know what? We had a wonderful time on that cruise. Did the lack of benefits diminish our enjoyment? NOOOOO. I look at benefits as icing on the cake. All these people who have complained about the new loyalty scheme and how they feel cheated--hey? what about cruising with Celebrity because you like the cruise. Anything that comes your way because of your loyalty level is an extra thing; it's not THE thing.

 

Agreed. I have read many of the comments on this topic and am impressed about how "nice" and "appreciative" the posters are. Check RCI board and read the comments about the drink vouchers vs the lounges.

[Gerko]

I am not a Celebrity cheerleader and have only handful of Celebrity cruises. I am in the bottom of the Elite category, but have combined over 65 cruises on other lines.

 

 

The Capitan's Club is FREE (I know there was a small fee in the beginning but I believe anyone who paid for membership has been reimbursed by Celebrity in some sort of way). Further, the number of cruises to reach certain levels was not that high ( for us it was only 4 cruises to reach Elite).

 

Thanks for the rant

M

 

You are very lucky. After the latest changes it will take a lot more than 4 cruises to reach Elite.

[TommyD3]

Free items only include the basic latte,expresso and cappuccino. No teas included. Available anywhere except room service. Sorry, no teas included. Vouchers used on this cruise and working out quite well.

 

So how many latte/expresso/cappuccino vouchers do you get? One per person per day? Just wondering:confused:

[Orator]

 

So how many latte/expresso/cappuccino vouchers do you get? One per person per day? Just wondering:confused:

 

Hi Tommy:

Unlimited. No vouchers, just show sea pass card.

[NLH Arizona]

Last and final post on this subject. I was told by someone in authority that Celebrity wanted to speak to me after a call from the ship to Miami made by someone in authority on board. The goal of the changeover was to maintain everyone in the same position and make certain that no one lost benefits. What was done was fair and worked well for the vast majority, but there were some statistical flaws that placed some who were near a new level in a lesser position.My suggestion could be a remedy for that flaw. No one would lose anything and some people might have what they lost restored. Really difficult to explain here. Many jumped on my suggestion not really understanding the motivation and that is partially my fault. The benefits are great and most appreciated. No more to say now and in the future.

Wondering how your call with that person in authority at Celebrity went?

[cle-guy]

My most recent cruise as elite...

 

Never used the breakfast or drinks/lounge meets. Lots of places to meet people elsewhere and I had a drink package. Don't like he sub-par offerings either.

 

Didn't bother with a shoe shine

 

Used the tote bag for a day, left it onboard. Hope they reuse/recycle

 

Didn't buy a photo with the coupon

 

Used no internet coupons

 

Gave away the casino coupons

 

Ice cream at buffet was fine, no use for gelato coupon either

 

Priority embarkation, bug whoop, the checkin lines are all the same. Give me priority security screening and a side door to the ship entry then it's useful.

 

And I still think it's a good program and I'm not gonna complain about any of it. :D I did have some garments pressed with the coupons.

 

If I want to use the perks, I know they are there waiting for me though and am happy they do provide them. We're only a year from being the same as Crown and Anchor anyway I think....they will fully merge at some point given how they are already starting to pre-align the programs (michael's becoming VIP/Concierge lounge...)

[Chicago Boy]

I am not a Celebrity cheerleader and have only handful of Celebrity cruises. I am in the bottom of the Elite category, but have combined over 65 cruises on other lines. I only state this stat as I am not a cruise newbie and am a seasoned traveler.

 

 

I am overwhelmed by the greediness of so many posters on CC. How much more do you think the company needs to provide?

 

 

The Capitan's Club is FREE (I know there was a small fee in the beginning but I believe anyone who paid for membership has been reimbursed by Celebrity in some sort of way). Further, the number of cruises to reach certain levels was not that high ( for us it was only 4 cruises to reach Elite).

 

 

Not EVERY benefit will be of value to EVERY cruiser

 

The company is giving lots of benefits to cruisers (Celebrity, Azamara and RCCL) already yet it is not enough. Many are complaining that they won't want have a high enough status on reciprocity. As a RCCL D+( near to pinnacle) I am happy to get the Elite benefit.

 

Some are complaining that they will now qualify for complementary coffee, but they don't drink coffee. (So don't drink the coffee). Some are complaining that the venue to get free coffee will be too crowded, Hmmm - let me see, .....the free specialty coffee on the luxury cruise line will be too long. Seems like a First World problem to me.

 

Some complain that they don't like the venue where a FREE drink is offered. (so give up the free drink and use a venue you prefer)

 

I recall a thread that the FREE tote bags were not "nice enough" My thoughts - if you don't like the FREE bag, don't use it.

 

Honestly, I wonder what the Celebrity suits are thinking if they read CC posts. They can't win. They offer some terrific perks, yet it fosters more complaints.

 

Thanks for the rant

M

 

 

In part I think it is human nature to want all you can get. That being said, I agree with you. We sail Celebrity frequently and have achived Elite status. We enjoy some of the perks but not all. For instance we pay for our drinks in the Martini bar rather than join other Elite members for complimentary cocktails. As far as we are concerned, Celebrity provides a great cruise experience and excellent value. We have just returned from the trans atlantic crossing from Barcelona to Fort Lauderdale and while on board we booked our next trans atlantic from Rome to Fort Lauderdale for November of 2014. We really enjoyed one and are looking forward to the next cruise. Happy Holidays!

[Orator]

Wondering how your call with that person in authority at Celebrity went?

 

Still can Silhouette. Supposed to hear next week prior to boarding Connie.

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

I've pretty much quit reading these threads because of all the negativity, but here is one last comment.

 

To the folks who have upcoming cruises (paid or not paid, makes no difference): does your airline frequent flyer program give you points BEFORE you fly? Nope. Does your hotel frequent stay program give you points BEFORE you stay? Nope. Then why should Celebrity?????

 

'Tis the season to be grateful. I'm grateful for the benefits freely bestowed on us by Celebrity. Would I have liked a few more dry cleaning coupons? Yes. Is that a make or break deal for me? Certainly not. I will enjoy what is on offer.

 

Linda

[C 2 C]

[NLH Arizona]

How true, some feel that they are so important the rules should be changed for them. Just be happy with what you have and that you are able to cruise. So what if it takes a couple more cruises to make the next tier. There are millions of families that would love to be able to go on a cruise, but can't afford to and I bet they wouldn't complain about what tier they are or what anyone else is getting, they would just be thankful for a vacation.

[rn1414]

Kudos to all the folks here who appreciate what perks they get and don't complain about what they believe they should get. Like many on this thread, we cruise with Celebrity because we like them. We started with Celebrity, and we have stayed with them. I've watched the perks get better and better over the past few years. Some of the things we use, some we don't.

We were lucky enough to get elevated to Elite+ in the new program. We get more stuff! Maybe we're too easy to please, but, I'm pretty happy about it. Then again, we've never had a bad cruise, never had poor service, never had a horrible meal. Or maybe we did but we only remember all the terrific things we see and do on every cruise.

Should loyalty be rewarded? Sure. Is Celebrity doing that? When I don't worry about how much internet I'm using, or get my free laundry on my February cruise, I'll let you know.

We had the rare pleasure of being top cruisers on an Alaska cruise. Celebrity treated us like King and Queen. We only had about 20 points (under the old system) at the time so never considered it could happen. I guess my message is, it's not all about those little coupons...

[Full90]

You've got to be kidding me!! Darn it... I got to go look in the mirror. This can't be true.;)