Elite Status: What is the big deal?

[parallax]

On our recent cruise to the Adriatic, my wife sailed, for the first time at the Elite level. I am still at the lowly Select level. For some members on the board, reaching Elite status is such a treasured event and they love the perks that come with the status. We just don't get it. My wife is very blase when it comes to the fact that she is an Elite.

 

On the cruise, we only used one or two of the perks. We had the Elite breakfeast in the morning on a few occassions at the Tuscan Grille and we attended the evening cocktail reception once when heading out of Kotor. We enjoyed the breakfest because of the view but we found the reception lacking energy. We rather use our drink package and go to a bar we want to visit.

 

On our upcoming cruise in April, we will probably only take limited advantage of my wife's Elite status. Since we been to the Caribbean times, we will likely skip the breakfeasts and will probably not attend the cocktail receptions.

 

Does anyone feel the same way we do? Maybe we have a warped perception because when we go Vegas we feel we get more out of the loyalty programs. We get free rooms, dining credits etc.

[CruisingChick]

Nope, sorry.

 

We love the Elite Cocktail time, the free internet, free laundry, free dry cleaning, priority tendering, etc. While we don't use all of the perks we use many and they have greatly added to our cruising experience.

[warmwinds]

In addition to those mentioned above, and more I'm not remembering right now: match play in the casino, free scoop of gelato, discounts on wine (we don't get the drink package - with that and the Elite cocktails we're covered) - how can you be blasé about saving money? If the question is about having the "status" - I agree, who cares, call me Bub status and I'll still be happy with my freebies.

Edited October 27, 2014 by warmwinds

[Lsimon]

The elite status has some nice perks and these perks have different values to different people. We use some of the perks and not others. The most significant perk discussed often here is the nightly cocktail hour but this has different importance to different passengers depending on whether one has a beverage package, the amount of drinks they consume and if they appreciate the social aspect of the cocktail hour or not (which does vary considerably from cruise to cruise). We attend that rarely but do use some of the other complimentary perks such as laundry and internet.

 

You really can't compare the Elite perks to perks given out as comps to gamblers which is what I presume you're thinking of in terms of Vegas. Celebrity actually has a different club for gamblers who spend a fair amount of time in the casino. That program does have some more "Vegas like" perks. It isn't talked about much on these boards as I believe it is more by invitation. I'm not too familiar with it as we do not gamble that much but if you're interested ask about it in the casino on your next cruise. I believe that program is called the "Blue Chip Club" and if you search this forum for those words you'll find a few threads discussing it.

Edited October 27, 2014 by Lsimon

[richsea]

The Elite perks can be found on Celebrity's site. The most popular perks are the free laundry, Internet, cocktail hour, & breakfast. Everyone has their likes & dislikes. There are many elite perks that we do not use, but appreciate the fact that Celebrity offered them.

 

Las Vegas has better perks for their frequent guests for the simple reason that they want MORE of your money, & they know that as long as you keep going, they are going to get it, & more of it.

 

By the way, if gambling is your thing, look into Celebrity's gambling club; don't know what it's called. A friend of ours got a free NCL cruise through Foxwoods.

Edited October 27, 2014 by richsea
Added last sentence.

[steveweese]

We are Elite...............but as I have said in the past, I have cruised with many different lines and none of the programs would make me be loyal to them just for the perks. But there are times I will enjoy the perks and times I will ignore them!

[dz9yvr]

If the OP's wife is Elite, isn't he Elite by marriage? I'm not an expert on Celebrity but that's the way it work s on RCL.

[hulamoon]

I like the benefits. I think the drink package changed the feel of the cocktail party some and I always use the laundry and Internet.

[CruisingChick]

In addition to those mentioned above, and more I'm not remembering right now: match play in the casino, free scoop of gelato, discounts on wine (we don't get the drink package - with that and the Elite cocktails we're covered) - how can you be blasé about saving money? If the question is about having the "status" - I agree, who cares, call me Bub status and I'll still be happy with my freebies.

 

How could I have forgotten the discount on wines.

 

As for the gelato, all Captain's Club members receive this coupon, so it's not just for Elite. But we love and use that one too.

[Lsimon]

If the OP's wife is Elite, isn't he Elite by marriage? I'm not an expert on Celebrity but that's the way it work s on RCL.

 

A non-elite guest traveling in the same cabin as an Elite guest can attend any of the elite functions with the elite guest. Sometimes they'll get the Elite coupons and sometimes not.

 

I also believe that there have been times when Celebrity's granted the status to everyone in the same household as an Elite guest but don't know if that is official policy or how frequently this is the case. I do recall reading about it years ago on Cruise Critic. Also, my son only cruised once without us and that was 8 years ago. He was on an RCL cruise and we'd all cruised RCL once before that. He was surprised to find that he had Diamond status when he boarded. I believe that might have been due to my own Elite status on Celebrity but was never sure if that was the reason why. He didn't live with us at the time but RCL still had our address associated with their loyalty club program for him.

[royalcruz]

It's not about the status, it's about the perks. We've never had the drinks package. We find the happy hour to be too early so we only go once or twice per cruise, but it's still nice to be invited. You also have a better chance of being invited to dine at the Captain's table if you attend and schmooze with the hostess. We love the free internet. We only used the laundry coupons a couple of times but it was great. We love going to Tuscan Grill in the morning and sipping cappucinos while looking out the window; the service is very nice there.:)

[stones902]

Cruising Celebrity for the first time in 15 years (prior to RCI) next month. We are registered as Elite by virtue of our reciprocal status with RCI (D+).

 

Am I correct in reading that Celebrity still issues the match play coupons? RCI did away with this perk a while back. It was one of the better coupons you received (3 x $5) and I was a disappointed in seeing them go.

 

Finally, are the perks still delivered in the form of a coupon or is it somehow recorded on your cruise card?

 

Thanks for your replies.

[CruisingChick]

Cruising Celebrity for the first time in 15 years (prior to RCI) next month. We are registered as Elite by virtue of our reciprocal status with RCI (D+).

 

Am I correct in reading that Celebrity still issues the match play coupons? RCI did away with this perk a while back. It was one of the better coupons you received (3 x $5) and I was a disappointed in seeing them go.

 

Finally, are the perks still delivered in the form of a coupon or is it somehow recorded on your cruise card?

 

Thanks for your replies.

 

Most are still coupons (as of my September 21-October 5 sailing). The free Internet is loaded on your card. They said they are slowly working towards having all perks loaded on the card. Not sure when this will happen.

Edited October 27, 2014 by CruisingChick

[wallie5446]

"Maybe we have a warped perception".

 

That about reads right:D

[cruisestitch]

To each his/her own. I have happily used most of the Elite perks over the years, favoring the Internet, the breakfast, the cocktail hour, the gelato, and the laundry. Never used the Persian Gardens pass, or the bingo offer. But for me, they have been not only useful and convenient but have saved me a lot of money over the years.

[stones902]

Most are still coupons (as of my September 21-October 5 sailing). The free Internet is loaded on your card. They said they are slowly working towards having all perks loaded on the card. Not sure when this will happen.

 

Good to know. Thanks.

[CRUZBUDS]

The perks work for us -- we're probably switching to Princess because Celebrity and RCI have pretty much abandoned the west coast.

 

The Elite perks are very nice and we'll miss not having them on Princess. It took a while to earn them, and it will be a while before we earn meaningful perks on Princess.

[Xport]

The free Internet is loaded on your card.

 

But per the iLounge Manager on Summit earlier this month, this practice has apparently not yet been implemented on all ships... As such, the Captain's Club coupon sheet still features an internet voucher even though you may get alternate instructions for electronic package sign-up--as was the case on Summit [and on Constellation back in April]--with your Captain's Club welcome letter...

 

If electronic sign-up has been implemented on the ship you are sailing, the coupon is unnecessary... But don't throw it away until you are certain!

[cruisingsfun]

In addition to all the above posted perks, getting priority tendering is a huge benefit when the ships are unable to dock. It saves so much time and takes away lots of the tendering pain.

[Duanerice1]

Agree, don't really care about the status but the internet, cocktail hour and the laundry are worthwhile.

 

We probably won't go to the cocktail hour this trip because we have the drink package. But, on trips without the package the cocktail hour is just enough for my wife to get 1 or 2 drinks.

 

No interest in the breakfast but maybe I should try it first :) Always have breakfast on my balcony.

 

enjoy

[tserface]

We really enjoy the Elite benefits. The nightly parties are really nice and get get a few free drinks included. We don't drink much so this pretty much takes care of our pre-dinner drinking experience. We also like the laundry benefit and it means we don't have to bring as many heavy items, like underwear, or can get something pressed if we need to.

 

The breakfasts we've been to have been in the Tuscan and the setting was very nice and a great place to have an after breakfast coffee in the morning; especially on sea days.

 

We've almost found that a lot of the staff say "welcome back" which always makes us feel very much at home.

 

We were recently on a Princess cruise, we are no where near Elite, and had to pay for all of our drinks. Even though we don't drink much we figured it cost us between $300-$400 more on a 10 day cruise. Each drink + tip came to around $11-$12 so it adds up quickly. It's not a lot in the overall cost of the cruise, but it is a nice perk.

 

On RCI we get a balcony discount of around $225 and the free drinks and other perks. That's a great perk that Celebrity should think about adding.

 

Tom

[ECCruise]

We enjoy the perks on all the lines and find Celebrity's pretty much the best. The evening social is great (we still attend even if there are vouchers) where we have met some very nice people who have become good friends over the years. Laundry is a big boon on the cruises we take (almost all 14+ days). Between the evening social and wine we bring on we would never think of buying a liquor package (and trust me, the liquor package has never been even remotely "free" on the cruises we take). All in all, the perks are a nice gesture.

 

And if you wonder how important they are to the vast majority of those that have earned them, look what happened with Azamara when they tried to dial them back....

[patty1955]

We love our Elite perks. I've been pushing my husband to try other cruise lines but he doesn't want to go without. Our last cruise, the service was so bad at the Elite party that I may be able to talk him into trying Princess so we can cruise here on the west coast.

[uktog]

I like the internet benefits and the laundry. Drinks well often we have a package and we now much prefer the voucher system, we rather have our drinks with all cruisers and have found the elitism of some elites to be nauseating to say the least. Really cant be bothered with the opening gambits "so how many cruises have you sailed or how many points to you have" that was so prevalent on Summit last month.

[Nachosdelux]

We really enjoy the Elite benefits. The nightly parties are really nice and get get a few free drinks included. We don't drink much so this pretty much takes care of our pre-dinner drinking experience. We also like the laundry benefit and it means we don't have to bring as many heavy items, like underwear, or can get something pressed if we need to.

 

 

Tom

 

Agree 100%, but I'm curious what type of underwear do you have that is so heavy? Chain mail????