Feedback from Elite plus and Zenith members

[Andy]

Hi Cruisenut, TommyD, RMSeadog & All Zenith Members,

 

I'd love your take on this thought : From what I'm hearing, there will be very few Zenith members on many sailings. I've heard there's been a couple of sailings with no Zenith's onboard since the introduction.

 

Do you think it makes sense to have Michael's as a dedicated lounge for Zenith members only ? While I hope to attain Zenith level soon, I wonder how enjoyable a lounge would be, that's virtually empty most of the time. For me, I'd rather have greater interaction with Guests, though everyone might not agree. Perhaps Michaels could also be used a benefit for Elite Plus members in the future ?

 

Before I share this suggestion this with Celebrity, would current Zenith members be unhappy with this idea ? Thanks very much !

Edited December 17, 2013 by Host Andy

[C 2 C]

Hi Cruisenut, TommyD, RMSeadog & All Zenith Members,

Before I share this suggestion this with Celebrity, would current Zenith members be unhappy with this idea ? Thanks very much !

 

We had the drink package for 4 of our Connie cruises and could get our drinks wherever our friends were having theirs. Unless there were some food offerings I can't see Michaels being a place to hang out.

We loved our drinks in Rendezvous with the band playing or Reflections lounge for sail away.

Celebrity has a lounge that just does not seem to work with what has been tried so far. Unfortunately, Michaels does not have windows through which cruisers can view either the sea nor ports. Now if other lounges were overflowing with Elites and those enjoying drink packages, Michaels might be the only place with an underworked bar tender ready to fill our glasses.

Our Century cruise will have a bunch of Zs.

[Wine-O]

Hi Cruisenut, TommyD, RMSeadog & All Zenith Members,

 

I'd love your take on this thought : From what I'm hearing, there will be very few Zenith members on many sailings. I've heard there's been a couple of sailings with no Zenith's onboard since the introduction.

 

Do you think it makes sense to have Michael's as a dedicated lounge for Zenith members only ? While I hope to attain Zenith level soon, I wonder how enjoyable a lounge would be, that's virtually empty most of the time. For me, I'd rather have greater interaction with Guests, though everyone might not agree. Perhaps Michaels could also be used a benefit for Elite Plus members in the future ?

 

Before I share this suggestion this with Celebrity, would current Zenith members be unhappy with this idea ? Thanks very much !

 

Ti-Ann mentioned to me that the intension was to use Michael's not only for just Zenith members (which would make no sense), but for all the Suites that are Celebrity Suites and above.

[Ma Bell]

Hi Anne,

 

Instead of the black Zenith card automatically getting us the premium beverage package drinks, the TA has to go into the Celebrity computer system and sign us up for the desired beverage package - just as if we were actually buying it - but there is zero cost.

 

I guess there system needed this so the bartender could process all the free drinks the same way they do for the premium beverage package.

 

I would have though they could have trained everyone that just showing the black Zenith card allowed them to give you the free drinks.

 

Does that help?

 

Tom

 

I would imagine they would like to do that for inventory purposes and budget control.

[bigbenboys]

It sounds very good! I am glad you are happy with the new benefits. I am trying to calculate how long will I need to get there:)

 

I did the calculations for myself. I'm turning 55 this month. I might work 2 more years. I'm currently Elite Plus. If I continue to cruise at the same rate it will take me 7 years to get to Zenith level. I thought that is not to bad.

 

My thought on Michael Club for Zenith only. That is fine with me, but I hope that Zenith's would not be turned away from a Elite event in the Sky Lounge. Like most cruises it all depends on the numbers of members at each level. On one of our Alaska cruises we only had about 26 Elite members and only about 10showed up in Michaels Club for drinks. Richard

Edited December 17, 2013 by bigbenboys
add info

[maggie.1008]

The first time I was on the Solstice (2010) the Elite happy hour was in Michaels club. There were about 30 guests and it was lovely. I would not want to be in there with just a few guests. Would be nice if top Elite + could join in if space available.

[ecslady]

Perhaps, Elite+ should be included. Some will probably opt for the Elite Lounge, some for Michael's, and then there are the ones that don't attend at all.

 

On previous cruises, when there weren't many Elite onboard and it was held in Michaels Club, it was kind of cozy, intimate and nice. But, we all go to socialize (or at least I think we do), so being in an empty Michael's Club, regardless of your Captain's Club level, is not what I or probably most people would enjoy.

[TommyD3]

Originally only the top cruiser was to be honored with no mention of other Zenith members on board. After I complained the CCH mentioned the other couple at the Party. Miami has since changed that policy.

 

Hello Richard,

 

What do you mean by "Miami has since changed that policy"?

Is the new policy to honor ALL Zenith members onboard?

 

Happy sailing, Tom

[TommyD3]

Hi Cruisenut, TommyD, RMSeadog & All Zenith Members,

 

I'd love your take on this thought : From what I'm hearing, there will be very few Zenith members on many sailings. I've heard there's been a couple of sailings with no Zenith's onboard since the introduction.

 

Do you think it makes sense to have Michael's as a dedicated lounge for Zenith members only ? While I hope to attain Zenith level soon, I wonder how enjoyable a lounge would be, that's virtually empty most of the time. For me, I'd rather have greater interaction with Guests, though everyone might not agree. Perhaps Michaels could also be used a benefit for Elite Plus members in the future ?

 

Before I share this suggestion this with Celebrity, would current Zenith members be unhappy with this idea ? Thanks very much !

 

Host Andy,

 

Celebrity will not implement the new VIP Michaels Club fleet wide until January. They have to staff a new position (VIP concierge). From what we hear they will be promoting staff from Guest Relations.

 

Since the lounge has not yet been implemented I do not know what it will offer. I would hope that it offers breakfast offerings in the AM and Hors d'oeuvres in the late afternoon / evening. Right now I find the ability to get drinks anywhere / anytime a GREAT improvement over the Elite lounge. It would be a plus to be able to get Hors d'oeuvres also, but live music would trump that. I would only use the VIP lounge if it offered something above and beyond the other lounges.

 

The lounge is an outgrowth of the trial run on the Infinity. Apparently Celebrity considered that trial run successful or they would not be rolling it out fleet wide. I did not experience the VIP lounge on the Infinity so I cannot comment.

 

In my mind attendance by the invited guests will depend on what is offered. I think it is a GREAT idea long term when the number of Zenith members swells. Right now invitation of Elite+ would depend on the number of Elite+ onboard. If there were over 100 Elite+ onboard their inclusion could completely overcrowd the lounge.

 

The best thing would be to see how it works as is before we try to get it changed:)

[SSFrance69]

Does anyone know if Elite will no longer have a social hour? Will we just be issued tickets instead? I enjoyed the social aspect more so than the free drinks. In the little brochure it listed a social hour in the benefits table that broke down the different levels. I wonder if they plan to continue the social hour for elite and elite + combined and issue the tickets to alleviate the crowding issues in the sky lounge.

[C 2 C]

Does anyone know if Elite will no longer have a social hour? Will we just be issued tickets instead? I wonder if they plan to continue the social hour for elite and elite + combined and issue the tickets to alleviate the crowding issues in the sky lounge.

 

From the CC site:

 

Elite Member Benefits*

(300-749 earned Club Points**)

Many of the benefits of Select membership plus:

• Access to the Captain's Club Lounge for daily coffee house style breakfast

• Evening Cocktail hour (excludes embarkation and evening of Senior Officers' Party)

[Wine-O]

From the CC site:

Elite Member Benefits*

(300-749 earned Club Points**)

Many of the benefits of Select membership plus:

• Access to the Captain's Club Lounge for daily coffee house style breakfast

• Evening Cocktail hour (excludes embarkation and evening of Senior Officers' Party)

On Reflection last week, and the Senior Officers' Party was packed. I'm sure there had to be more than just Elite Plus folks there. It could be if there are not a whole bunch of Elites on board, all Elites were invited. I guess this could be the case on a cruise-by-cruise basis.

[Hlitner]

On Reflection last week, and the Senior Officers' Party was packed. I'm sure there had to be more than just Elite Plus folks there. It could be if there are not a whole bunch of Elites on board, all Elites were invited. I guess this could be the case on a cruise-by-cruise basis.

 

The "Seniors Officers Party" is for Elite, Elite Plus and Zenith. It is a specified Elite benefit and the general policy is still that on the day when they have the Senior Officers Party there will be no Elite (of above) cocktail hour. This was the case on our Eclipse cruise (last week) and the Captain's Club Host told me that there are no anticipated changes in that policy.

 

Hank

[bigbenboys]

Does anyone know if Elite will no longer have a social hour? Will we just be issued tickets instead? I enjoyed the social aspect more so than the free drinks. In the little brochure it listed a social hour in the benefits table that broke down the different levels. I wonder if they plan to continue the social hour for elite and elite + combined and issue the tickets to alleviate the crowding issues in the sky lounge.

 

This got me thinking. Might Celebrity on cruises with large numbers of Elites. Give the Elites vouchers and open the Sky lounge for Elite Plus. I've only done 1 cruise with vouchers and I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. We would get a table at the Oveanveiw Bar. Have our drinks wearing our shorts. Then go change for dinner and stop at the bar near Blu and get a glass of wine with our voucher for dinner. Richard

[Wine-O]

The "Seniors Officers Party" is for Elite, Elite Plus and Zenith. It is a specified Elite benefit and the general policy is still that on the day when they have the Senior Officers Party there will be no Elite (of above) cocktail hour. This was the case on our Eclipse cruise (last week) and the Captain's Club Host told me that there are no anticipated changes in that policy.

 

Hank

 

I hear you, and I believe it was the case on our Reflection cruise based on the number of folks at the function, but the quote from Cruisenut's cut/paste from the Celebrity website (I suppose) says: • Evening Cocktail hour (excludes embarkation and evening of Senior Officers' Party)

 

That leads me to believe the Senior Officers' Party is for just Elite + and Zenith.

[C 2 C]

I hear you, and I believe it was the case on our Reflection cruise based on the number of folks at the function, but the quote from Cruisenut's cut/paste from the Celebrity website (I suppose) says: • Evening Cocktail hour (excludes embarkation and evening of Senior Officers' Party)

 

That leads me to believe the Senior Officers' Party is for just Elite + and Zenith.

 

No, the Senior Officers party is more inclusive and Selects are also invited. Because of the long lines, large numbers and limited seating, it is not high on our lists of things to do in the evening.

[robtulipe]

The "Seniors Officers Party" is for Elite, Elite Plus and Zenith. It is a specified Elite benefit and the general policy is still that on the day when they have the Senior Officers Party there will be no Elite (of above) cocktail hour. This was the case on our Eclipse cruise (last week) and the Captain's Club Host told me that there are no anticipated changes in that policy.

 

Hank

The Senior Officers Party also includes Select Capt's Club members which explains the more limited drink menu that event offered on our recent Century Hawaii cruise and the fact that the Hemisphere Lounge, where it was held, was packed with a lot more people that the regular Elite nightly social event in that same venue.

Edited December 17, 2013 by robtulipe

[bob278]

I hear you, and I believe it was the case on our Reflection cruise based on the number of folks at the function, but the quote from Cruisenut's cut/paste from the Celebrity website (I suppose) says: • Evening Cocktail hour (excludes embarkation and evening of Senior Officers' Party)

 

That leads me to believe the Senior Officers' Party is for just Elite + and Zenith.

That same bullet point is listed under Elite benefits. And I tried to update a matrix similar to what was sent out in the brochures mailed out to most Captain's Club members in this post.

 

I would be very interested in getting feedback on any obvious errors in it.

[SSFrance69]

This got me thinking. Might Celebrity on cruises with large numbers of Elites. Give the Elites vouchers and open the Sky lounge for Elite Plus. I've only done 1 cruise with vouchers and I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. We would get a table at the Oveanveiw Bar. Have our drinks wearing our shorts. Then go change for dinner and stop at the bar near Blu and get a glass of wine with our voucher for dinner. Richard

 

My hope is that the lounge will not be closed to Elite (I don't want to loose what I've come to enjoy so much) and that the drink vouchers will be enough to prevent overcrowding, as many people like yourself prefer to use them at other venues. I'm just curious if X intends to combine the Elite and Elite + cocktail gathering or have them in two separate lounges. I'm fine with either. I just enjoy the little nibbles and meeting other seasoned travelers.

[PORT ROYAL]

This got me thinking. Might Celebrity on cruises with large numbers of Elites. Give the Elites vouchers and open the Sky lounge for Elite Plus. I've only done 1 cruise with vouchers and I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. We would get a table at the Oveanveiw Bar. Have our drinks wearing our shorts. Then go change for dinner and stop at the bar near Blu and get a glass of wine with our voucher for dinner. Richard

 

You may be not far from the mark - If the rumbles in the jungle are true, then Elites get Vouchers [valid 17.00 to 19.00], Elite Plus get the Lounge with hours increased [17.00 to 20.30 as per RCL]. :D

[kk99]

Hi everyone,

First of all, early Happy Holidays to everyone. Second congrats to all the Zenith members. I'm glad that finally your are getting the benefits and recognitionthat you are all entitled to for your loyalty to Celebrity.

 

We are on with 20 family members and friends. All of us are elite or elite plus.

I'm elite plus and the cards have elite plus on them. We were all given a sheet of printed drink coupons ( 3 per day) which have our last name and the date they are valid on. Lots of elites and higher onboard. We are also staying in a Royal Suite, so we got some extra benefits as well. We aslo had the premium drink packages that we had previously purchased.

 

The extra internet minutes are nice as the internet has been slow most of the time. Have the 2 bags of laundry coupons for 30 items each. The gelato coupon is for one time only. The coffee coupon is good for the whole cruise for lattes etc. from Cafe al Bacio. Specialty dining coupon, I was told it is one time use for the 15% off, but we already had some free meals for the suite ,plus a dining package, so not using that one. The other usual coupons fro dry cleaning one item, pressing of an item, bingo, casino match play, wine discount coupon, spa discount coupon, free pass to Persian Garden for one day while in port.

 

The Captain's Club breakfast has been in Normandie, and empty most mornings. Now if they could bring the waffle machine down there, they would get a lot more interest from my family!

 

Michael's Club isn't really being used much. When we embarked, and we got to wait there before they opened the cabins up, there were a total of 4 other people besides us.

 

I personally think the drink tickets is the way they are going except for the Zenith members separate lounge access coming next year.. They did actually look at the sea pass card to match the name to the coupon most of the time. Instead of a drink, you can also get a big bottle of Evian or Pellegrino for a ticket so you can use it in your room if you like.

 

The Captain's Club host, Ashley Walker, a lovely young woman from Missouri, said they are still working things out. We have had the usual invites for the bridge, backstage, wine, elegant tea events.

 

I appreciate all of the benefits, and if we ever make Zenith, it would be great, but if not, it is a nice program the way it is, as far as I am concerned.

 

Off to Antigua tomorrow, and hopefully another beautiful day on holiday.

 

Kelcie

[Can'tstopcruising]

For me, the best news is about the Evian water for a voucher! Most of our vouchers ended up in the wastebasket, but if we could get a big bottle of Evian, that would be lovely.

[Hlitner]

No, the Senior Officers party is more inclusive and Selects are also invited. Because of the long lines, large numbers and limited seating, it is not high on our lists of things to do in the evening.

 

Yeah, forgot about the Selects. Like you, we seldom to ever attend these over crowded functions. In fact, now that we have taken advantage of the 1-2-3 Classic Drink option (on our last cruise and on our next booking) we have also been staying away from the daily Elite parties. We did try to go to the daily party on our recent Eclipse cruise but it was just too darn crowded. And besides, I could get my Glenfiddich with the drink package in any bar...but at the Elite cocktail party they only were pouring Dewars.

 

For those that might be curious, on the 11/30 Eclipse Cruise (14 days)they did not give the Elites any drink vouchers. They just had the usual daily parties (except the first night and Senior Officers Party day) which were packed with Elites and Eiite Plus folks (no Zenith's on the ship).

 

Hank

[SSFrance69]

I just found a definitive answer to my own question on the Celebrity website. I'm happy to have confirmed this for myself. The lounge will be open to elite and elite +, and my guess is that on sailings where there are too many of them on board, vouchers will be issued in addition to the lounge. They could be used in the lounge or elsewhere... and that will alleviate the crowing issues, as many prefer to get drinks in other lounges and only use the lounge because of the free drinks.

Elite Member Benefits

 

Our aim is to ensure that each and every cruise experience offers you all the recognition and rewards you so richly deserve. That means unprecedented levels of service, access and perks. Celebrity is pleased to offer the Captains Club Coffee Break experience and Cocktail Hour exclusively for Elite/Elite Plus members and their stateroom/suite companions. The casual coffee house style experience available most mornings offers complimentary espresso, teas and other menu items. The cocktail hour available most evenings offers a wide selection of beverages and the ability to enjoy socializing with fellow Elite/Elite Plus members and relaxing with a complimentary drink before dinner.

[Denny01]

I just found a definitive answer to my own question on the Celebrity website. I'm happy to have confirmed this for myself. The lounge will be open to elite and elite +,.........

Very glad to see this. That was how I read it, and was assuming it would remain basically an Elite event with Elite+ joining.

 

We are Elite+ and would like to have more there. We also travel w good friends who are Elite.......I know, the other Elite+ may frown on our socializing with 'just Elites' but we are soooo open minded.

 

Kind if like that Dr Seuss story The Sneetches, and those with Stars on Thars and those that didn't.

 

Den