New "class" system on Celebrity

[GaryT-UK]

[quote name='shipshape sam']As much I also do not like reductions is public areas (new cruisers have no comparison to compare) Celebrity like all cruise lines needs to review operations/services and adjust.[/QUOTE]

It sounds like Celebrity have reviewed their operations. They have realised they aren't adding enough profit and so have created a premium product. Like it or not the people who spend big money on a ship will be those who can afford a suite, not the thrifty inside cabin guys who pride themselves in organising cheaper private excursions and not spending a penny extra on board. It's the same reason solo passengers pay 100% supplements, as they don't want to lose the revenue from a 2nd passenger. It's nothing personal, just business!

[Lastdance]

I think that many people need to learn their place.(just kidding).. or just be thankful if you're healthy...that is certainly more important than wealth. Some of the wealthiest people I know do not show their wealth at all! If you flaunt it, you certainly aren't that happy- just conceited! Although, I had an aunt who who did flaunt it just a little and it looked great on her. Think about all the kids who learned the class system in school; some wanted everything that someone else had and to this day they are not happy! They never learned delay gratification!;) They never learned to be truly thankful for what they had! Edited May 10, 2014 by Lastdance

[richstowe]

[quote name='GaryT-UK'] Like it or not the people who spend big money on a ship will be those who can afford a suite, not the thrifty inside cabin guys who pride themselves in organising cheaper private excursions and not spending a penny extra on board.[/QUOTE]I am not sure that this is true. The largest bar tabs I have actually seen belonged to insides and OV's.
No it was not high end wine but lots a lots of drinks.
I haven't notices any correlation of casino spending and purchasing of pictures with cabin level either.
Perhaps there is some relationship with on-board spending to cabin level but I'm not as convinced as you.
There is a better correlation between spending and total cruises [B]and it's an inverse one.[/B];)
I actually think this is part of Carnival's strategy.

One more point. I believe cruise-lines overvalue the profits of suite class when you consider the extra expenses.
On a per foot basis, given larger cabins and special reserved areas and extra staff and more expensive everything,
its not so obvious to me that this is a untapped gold mine . Edited May 10, 2014 by richstowe

[baldercash]

[quote name='richstowe']And what is the limit ?

I understand those life-boats are kinda crowded .
Based on your logic , shouldn't the upper class have better more luxurious boats ?
All boats would be equally seaworthy (at least initially) but perhaps they should have a concierge to get to the boat faster and safer.
After all they paid more

Oh is this silly ? So this is a bridge too far . It's hard to tell what is too much based on the arguments of some.

What about increased security on board ? How about that. Should suite quests have the right to better safety.
After all they paid more .

What about childrens programs. God forbid these perfect children mix with the "others".
After all they paid more .

and on and on[/QUOTE]

They already have, the boarding, disembarkation and tenders give preferential treatment for Elites and above and to those in CC, Aqua Class and Suites.

People on this board are confusing "Class" with money spent.
Anyone can book a suite regardless of " Social Class" it is based on how much you are willing to spend not your education, birth heritage and accent!

I am not sure but would not be surprised if Suite cruisers were gathered in Micheal's club for life boat drill.

[Cruising89143]

[quote name='baldercash']It is very simple and it works. By paying more you get more it is so simple.
In the past we were happy to cruise inside, OV or a balcony depending on the itinerary and price .
We never thought Concierge as much value so we have never cruised it but with the introduction of Aqua class we have opened our wallets.
We enjoy AC on S class and on M class we sail A1 so 11th deck and try for the aft cabins.
Many will not see the value in it but we do and we will spend to get what we want.

I understand that those who don't or cannot afford to spend more may be peeved that they are excluded from some ship board perks but such is life.
Move on and as others have stated enjoy what you have.

I believe the more options available the better, we pay for private excursions and tours and when we cruised Oceania they offered a service where they would set up a private tour for you or groups you organized. If X offered that we would use them and pay a premium. But we book on line as we don't like doing tours with 60 other people loaded on a bus with no control of what we see or how much time we have to stay at each spot.
But I guess there would be those that feel that is unfair as well?[/QUOTE]

Nice post and spot on.

[keithm]

[quote name='FL1stLady']I'm concerned about what appears to be a class system beginning on Celebrity. First, there was Aqua Class and Blu. Only available to those booked in Aqua Class staterooms. Now! Michaels Club for suites. I have no problems with "bennies" for different classes...priority boarding and priority spa and restaurant reservations, etc. nor do I have a problem with perks for loyalty members. I, however, do resent not being able to go certain places on the ships simply because my room is different. That is exactly what I disliked about Cunard! This seems to be a trend. Are they going to restrict certain decks soon? Goodness, what on earth could happen if all the classes mingled?!! Are we not good enough to enjoy the entire ship? In this age, I'm really surprised that this is tolerated. Am I out of line?


Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app[/QUOTE]
Really! It's only small parts of the ships that are reserved for suite pax. It's the same on Cunard. You really want to see exclusion try the Big NCL ships where the entire top of the ship is reserved for the villas.

[junetraveler2014]

[quote name='SPacificbound']Sounds like much adieu about nothing. :rolleyes:[/QUOTE]

oh I am sooo with you!:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

[shipshape sam]

[quote name='richstowe']I am not sure that this is true. The largest bar tabs I have actually seen belonged to insides and OV's.
No it was not high end wine but lots a lots of drinks.
I haven't notices any correlation of casino spending and purchasing of pictures with cabin level either.
Perhaps there is some relationship with on-board spending to cabin level but I'm not as convinced as you.
There is a better correlation between spending and total cruises [B]and it's an inverse one.[/B];)
I actually think this is part of Carnival's strategy.

One more point. I believe cruise-lines overvalue the profits of suite class when you consider the extra expenses.
On a per foot basis, given larger cabins and special reserved areas and extra staff and more expensive everything,
its not so obvious to me that this is a untapped gold mine .[/QUOTE]

Not sure I can see your point. If it were true, then you would think the cruise lines would be trending more towards more standard cabins. To me the best thing cruise lines did was to move towards balcony cabins, which were upgrades/added value to the previous majority of inside/oceanview cabins. The ROI is huge when compared to the added cost of the balcony. Remember, they sell the balcony cabin for about 75 to 100% of the price of an ocean view cabin and do so 52 weeks a year for say 20 years. I would think they, the cruise lines have done a lot of analysis of the ROI of suites before making a decision to move forward.

[richstowe]

[quote name='shipshape sam']Not sure I can see your point. If it were true, then you would think the cruise lines would be trending more towards more standard cabins. To me the best thing cruise lines did was to move towards balcony cabins, which were upgrades/added value to the previous majority of inside/oceanview cabins. The ROI is huge when compared to the added cost of the balcony. Remember, they sell the balcony cabin for about 75 to 100% of the price of an ocean view cabin and do so 52 weeks a year for say 20 years. I would think they, the cruise lines have done a lot of analysis of the ROI of suites before making a decision to move forward.[/QUOTE]I agree with your analysis of balcony cabins vs. OV's. I was referring to suites.
I was also responding to the assumption that those in cheaper cabins spend less.

[shipshape sam]

[quote name='richstowe']I agree with your analysis of balcony cabins vs. OV's. I was referring to suites.
I was also responding to the assumption that those in cheaper cabins spend less.[/QUOTE]
Agree Suites are not as clear cut in ROI superiority.

[Lastdance]

I think that many people need to learn their place.(just kidding).. or just be thankful if you're healthy...that is certainly more important than wealth. Some of the wealthiest people I know do not show their wealth at all! If you flaunt it, you certainly aren't that happy- just conceited! Although, I had an aunt who who did flaunt it just a little and it looked great on her. Think about all the kids who learn the class system in school; some wanted everything that someone else had and to this day they are not happy! They never learned delayed gratification!;) They never learned to be truly thankful for what they had!

[BayAreaBC]

Oh well, at least it's not as bad as on the Titanic where steerage passengers couldn't get out of the locked exit doors and on to the lifeboats (yet).

[Aquahound]

[quote name='richstowe']I am not sure that this is true. The largest bar tabs I have actually seen belonged to insides and OV's.
No it was not high end wine but lots a lots of drinks .[/QUOTE]

And that is exactly why a private lounge is appealing as a perk to the folks who dish out the money for a suite. They don't want to be stuck around those who choose to maintain a .2 BAC the entire cruise.

[NLH Arizona]

[quote name='baldercash']They already have, the boarding, disembarkation and tenders give preferential treatment for Elites and above and to those in CC, Aqua Class and Suites.

People on this board are confusing "Class" with money spent.
Anyone can book a suite regardless of " Social Class" it is based on how much you are willing to spend not your education, birth heritage and accent!

I am not sure but would not be surprised if Suite cruisers were gathered in Micheal's club for life boat drill.[/quote]
I would bet that if those complaining were booked in a suite and got the new suite perks, there would be no complaining at all, just as they are not complaining about what they get as Elite, Elite+, Zenith and other Captain's Club members. I think it really all boils down to the green eyed monster rearing it's head!

How about Celebrity scrap the new suite perks and then cancel all the other perks that are given to the Captain's Club (no more Elite breakfast, and we know all the complaining there was when one person said the way food was served changed, and no more Elite cocktail party, oh no can't you just hear the screaming now), because let's face it, it must be class distinction, because after all not everyone can attend those events. Why do I get the feeling that those getting these perks will say that they should continue because they deserve them???????

[richstowe]

[quote name='Aquahound']And that is exactly why a private lounge is appealing as a perk to the folks who dish out the money for a suite. They don't want to be stuck around those who choose to maintain a .2 BAC the entire cruise.[/QUOTE]
Nothing like the drunken behavior I've witnessed on Duval St. ;)

[Cruising89143]

[quote name='aquahound']and that is exactly why a private lounge is appealing as a perk to the folks who dish out the money for a suite. They don't want to be stuck around those who choose to maintain a .2 bac the entire cruise.[/quote]

lol.......

[Aquahound]

[quote name='richstowe']Nothing like the drunken behavior I've witnessed on Duval St. ;)[/QUOTE]

Nope. It's May. The Quebecers have gone home. Peace and quiet has been restored.


;)

[DiamondSuiteCruiser]

[quote name='NLH Arizona']I would bet that if those complaining were booked in a suite and got the new suite perks, there would be no complaining at all, just as they are not complaining about what they get as Elite, Elite+, Zenith and other Captain's Club members. I think it really all boils down to the green eyed monster rearing it's head!

How about Celebrity scrap the new suite perks and then cancel all the other perks that are given to the Captain's Club (no more Elite breakfast, and we know all the complaining there was when one person said the way food was served changed, and no more Elite cocktail party, oh no can't you just hear the screaming now), because let's face it, it must be class distinction, because after all not everyone can attend those events. Why do I get the feeling that those getting these perks will say that they should continue because they deserve them???????[/QUOTE]
Oh and don't forget Aqua class shouldn't get their own dinning room or anything more than a sky suite. Maybe they should also be in with the general population. Really people do you even hear your selves??? This is why I can't waist my time posting on CC. Too many know it alls or as some of you call yourselves seasoned cruisers. Let's just agree to disagree and move on. Edited May 11, 2014 by DiamondSuiteCruiser

[Cruising89143]

[quote name='Aquahound']Nope. It's May. The Quebecers have gone home. Peace and quiet has been restored.


;)[/QUOTE]

LOL.... Paul we will be missing KW this year for the first time in three years. Heading to Vegas and California this year. We will miss the great people of Key West. :)

[Aquahound]

[quote name='cruisingator2']LOL.... Paul we will be missing KW this year for the first time in three years. Heading to Vegas and California this year. We will miss the great people of Key West. :)[/QUOTE]

Enjoy your time out west Gordon. Be sure to give me a shout next time you're in town. :)

[Cruising89143]

[quote name='Aquahound']Enjoy your time out west Gordon. Be sure to give me a shout next time you're in town. :)[/QUOTE]

Will do.

[hihilo]

You 2 are the ones with REAL CLASS and I hope I have the opportunity to meet both of you, and enjoy your refreshing + marvelous attitudes. :-)

[deise17311]

[quote name='Aquahound']And that is exactly why a private lounge is appealing as a perk to the folks who dish out the money for a suite. They don't want to be stuck around those who choose to maintain a .2 BAC the entire cruise.[/QUOTE]


So true!!!!!


Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

[BayAreaBC]

[quote name='Aquahound']And that is exactly why a private lounge is appealing as a perk to the folks who dish out the money for a suite. They don't want to be stuck around those who choose to maintain a .2 BAC the entire cruise.[/QUOTE]

Yes, there is an easy solution to that potential horrid experience. Did you know that you can actually travel on your own? One can actually charter their own private jet, yacht, tour guide, and even rent your own private island.

Only low class plebians travel on mass market cruises and are exposed to drunkards other than themselves (and that includes mass market "suites").

[richstowe]

[quote name='BayAreaBC']Yes, there is an easy solution to that potential horrid experience. Did you know that you can actually travel on your own? One can actually charter their own private jet, yacht, tour guide, and even rent your own private island.

Only low class plebians travel on mass market cruises and are exposed to drunkards other than themselves (and that includes mass market "suites").[/QUOTE]lol... So true!!!!! ;)
Perhaps it's more fun to exclude others from "special " spaces then to have an entire ship for oneself . :D