New Celebrity Bundle Pricing (Go! Big, Go! Better, Go! Best)

[chamima]

I'm going to wait for the JustGo! promotion. :)

 

I also agree with everyone who say that this "brilliant" marketing scheme is designed to appeal to those who like to have everything prepaid (which is actually us) and don't check that the numbers add up (which is where they lose us. :( )

Edited July 4, 2015 by chamima

[jerseyaxn]

yes go big is the bare bones you pick from for amenities and choose 1

[JaneStarr]

Celebrity has been offering 2 choices for Europe in the 123 program. So, if the price remains the same, the perks will be reduced at the start of the new pricing plan!!!!!!! We are on the same cruise and received 2 perks on the lower price. No benefit for the new plan.

 

Were the 2 perks offered for OceanView stateroom, or did it need to be a higher category?

[FireEater]

Sounds like they are copying MSC Cruise line, just different words for the packages.

 

MSC has 4 levels (Bella, Fantastica, Alura, plus the Yacht Club (MSC Yacht Club).

 

Will be trying out the Yacht Club next April...just to try different lines, plus the price, service, and bennies sound great to me for Yacht Club Suites.

[Calebo]

I'm just trying to figure out the costs of the perks, whether it would be worth while to upgrade a package to the Big or Best feature.

Does anyone know what an ultimate Internet package is worth for an 11 day Caribbean cruise, I have looked on the website and can't find prices listed.

Edited July 4, 2015 by Calebo

[FireEater]

Currently, this new structure will not affect me. I already have $300 OBC booking through the 123 program. Same options will be offered, just different name with the new structure. I am guessing I got it at a better rate then what it will be coming Monday too. :)

[JaneStarr]

I'm just trying to figure out the costs of the perks, whether it would be worth while to upgrade a package to the Big or Best feature.

Does anyone know what an ultimate Internet package is worth for an 11 day Caribbean cruise, I have looked on the website and can't find prices listed.

 

The website is very difficult to search, but here is your answer:

From:

http://www.celebritycruises.com/frequently-asked-questions#faq515

 

Internet:

Unlimited: $299 / 6-9 Day Voyage:

$349 / 10-14 Day Voyage

 

Jane

Edited July 4, 2015 by JaneStarr
To add source

[Calebo]

The website is very difficult to search, but here is your answer:

From:

http://www.celebritycruises.com/frequently-asked-questions#faq515

 

Internet:

Unlimited:$299 / 6-9 Day Voyage:

$349 / 10-14 Day Voyage

 

Jane

 

 

Thank You Very Much !!!!

[junetraveler2014]

So let's say I book a five day cruise and pick the Go!Better option, choosing the Classic Beverage Package and the $150 OBC for the two perks. So I pay the extra $75 ($15 x 5 days), use $59 ($11.80 x 5) of the $150 OBC to upgrade to the Premium Beverage Package, and then have $91 left over in OBC. So for an extra $16 ($75-$59) over what I'd pay anyway to upgrade, I'll get $91 in OBC! Not bad! A similar deal (but not quite as good) to be had on 7 day cruises as well.

 

I've got to be missing something??? It can't be that simple. The fixed $150 OBC regardless of cruise length just doesn't make sense.

 

I know, I know. I'll probably be paying more for the base cruise because of this "ingenious" new pricing structure (Celebrity's words, not mine).

 

Thx.

 

Bruce

 

 

Six of one, half dozen of another choices. Cruise or don't cruise. you will soon know if it is worthwhile. Remember you can always get an inside stateroom and then pay for what you need/want.

 

Victoria

[Oxo]

I am comparing my price for the Eclipse in Nov 15 that I bought in Oct 14 to:

Price dated 7/3/2015 (all categories)

Price dated 7/8/2015

 

Will post after 7/8 prices are posted on Celebrity and TAs.

Can't wait to see what the difference is and what you get in the way of the Big, Better, Best.

I am sure others are doing the same thing.

Happy 4th of July!!!!

[vkb2751]

Were the 2 perks offered for OceanView stateroom, or did it need to be a higher category?

 

Ocean view and higher

[6502programmer]

I think it's a good idea all around. It increases the per diem spend for Celebrity as well as moves the line up the scale in poaching the lower-end customers of the luxury lines. It makes the TA's happy because they get commission on something that was once the domain of onboard spending. It benefits customers because we can decide whether we want to just have one perk or splurge and not really worry about what we will spend on the ship.

 

I'm price conscious, but if I'm spending $5k on a vacation, I'll spend a little more to go mostly inclusive. If I were looking for the cheapest way of cruising, I don't know that Celebrity would be my first choice. Now if only we could convince them to plow some of that pile of cash they'll be taking in back into activities.

[Iamcruzin]

Six of one, half dozen of another choices. Cruise or don't cruise. you will soon know if it is worthwhile. Remember you can always get an inside stateroom and then pay for what you need/want.

 

Victoria

 

Unfortunately this may be the driving force that makes insides more desirable and maybe more popular than in the past. I can see the price going up just based on supply and demand.

[Iamcruzin]

As I understand it, no....in fact the entire (business) reason for the change is to increase the average revenue per day by (marketing) including a package with every booking.

 

Having said that (poorly), there will undoubtedly be promotions and sales and some of them might offer a bare bones package...(BTW...you can pretty much ignore any statements by celebrity of the parent company that they won't drop prices to fill unsold cabins or they won't hold sales, etc. They'll do what they have to to fill the ships on every sailing).

 

This reminds me of the AD campaign JC Penney tried to run a few years ago. They claimed to do away with sales, coupons and even rounded prices up a penny $9.99 to $10.00. They based the campaign on no gimmicks easy shopping experience, shop anytime because no need to wait for a sale. Well not surprisingly it failed miserably. I don't know what it's like across the pond or down under but here in the U.S. nobody buys anything unless they believe they are getting some kind of deal. And yes we do the math. You can't even conceive how long the check out line can get while a customer tries to google a coupon on their smart phone. Many stores here take competitor coupons as well. If Celebrity's new pricing turns out to be smoke and mirrors you know CC members will be calling out the man or woman behind the curtain.

Edited July 4, 2015 by Iamcruzin

[jerseyaxn]

I think other lines are going to follow celebrity s lead .Msc already has something similiar.Ncl is flirting with bundling.I think this pricing is here to stay

[Issyalex]

I've already booked next years cruise. The perk was $600 OBC but my TA gave me three prices for the same cabin with flights included £1995pp or £1890 pp both with $600 OBC or £1590 without OBC. No brainier, I booked the cheapest as the difference in price is more than $600 (approx £400).

 

You pay top $$ for the 'free' perks. People should be given the choice, perk or no perk.

[bob278]

I think it's getting close to time for me to sell my stock. Since I bought it (at $30/share :D) quite a few years ago, I have recovered the cost (and a couple of hundred more) in OBC. The last time I checked, it was going for $78.78

 

Since we always book at least a balcony and it is no longer going to be possible to get a fare that doesn't include some kind of promotion, we'll never get any more OBC. I don't know how much higher the stock can realistically go. As it is, the stock will now pay for a pretty nice cruise (or possibly 2 if I don't go crazy) and, since the stock has paid for itself, that cruise would be effectively free.

 

I'm with MizDemeanor - I'd like to see a JustGo! fare with no perks. The shareholder OBC benefit is tied to length of cruise and is $200 for 10-14 nights and $250 for 15+ nights). Elite and Elite Plus benefits for drinks and internet are quite sufficient so many of us would come out ahead with a no-frills fare. But since Celebrity admitted (and this surprised me as most of us understand that but most companies don't say it so clearly) that the goal is to increase the per-diem revenue, I am not going to hold my breath.

 

This program effectively decreases the value of the loyalty perks as we will often now be paying for something that we used to get for free.

Edited July 4, 2015 by bob278

[4774Papa]

I think it's getting close to time for me to sell my stock. Since I bought it (at $30/share :D) quite a few years ago, I have recovered the cost (and a couple of hundred more) in OBC. The last time I checked, it was going for $78.78

 

Since we always book at least a balcony and it is no longer going to be possible to get a fare that doesn't include some kind of promotion, we'll never get any more OBC. I don't know how much higher the stock can realistically go. As it is, the stock will now pay for a pretty nice cruise (or possibly 2 if I don't go crazy) and, since the stock has paid for itself, that cruise would be effectively free.

 

I'm with MizDemeanor - I'd like to see a JustGo! fare with no perks. The shareholder OBC benefit is tied to length of cruise and is $200 for 10-14 nights and $250 for 15+ nights). Elite and Elite Plus benefits for drinks and internet are quite sufficient so many of us would come out ahead with a no-frills fare. But since Celebrity admitted (and this surprised me as most of us understand that but most companies don't say it so clearly) that the goal is to increase the per-diem revenue, I am not going to hold my breath.

 

This program effectively decreases the value of the loyalty perks as we will often now be paying for something that we used to get for free.

Bob, you nailed it. The new program decreases the value of elite benefits.

 

Further, it helps people that are too lazy to do the math on so called bennies like the beverage packages that most people won't maximize.

 

Also, it may hurt people like me more that book early, not late.

 

I will still compare Celebrity with other cruise lines, but if X is too pricey, I will go elsewhere.

[ghstudio]

 

Since we always book at least a balcony and it is no longer going to be possible to get a fare that doesn't include some kind of promotion, we'll never get any more OBC.

 

This program effectively decreases the value of the loyalty perks as we will often now be paying for something that we used to get for free.

 

The stockholder benefit is probably something Celebrity/RCI (the holding co) may have forgotten to revisit. My guess is that if you buy good, better, best you aren't getting a promotion at all...you are buying packages.....so you may always get the stockholder benefit. From what I've read, these are not promotional packages...they are just fare options. Interesting????

 

1-2-3 already decreased the elite/elite + benefits. That's a problem for Celebrity because there's no value in a loyalty program that doesn't have enough benefits to matter. I don't even have a guess on this one...it may be something else they didn't focus on. Also interesting????

 

We'll know more in a few days.....

[drafterdw]

Since this will be a new pricing structure as opposed to a limited-time promotion, I wonder if reservations booked/deposited prior to July 6 will be "grandfathered" in with your choice of selecting one perk come July 6?

 

For example, if I book and deposit a future sailing today (oceanview or above) that does not currently offer the 123GO, once July 6 comes will I then be entitled to select one perk?

 

Called to book today....they are offering 123go until the 6th. Would not give me any info on new rates. Deposit only $25 so went ahead and booked and will do a dummy reservation on the 6th to see if any difference.

[ghstudio]

Called to book today....they are offering 123go until the 6th. Would not give me any info on new rates. Deposit only $25 so went ahead and booked and will do a dummy reservation on the 6th to see if any difference.

 

It seems that it almost doesn't matter if you book today vs after Monday....unless you want the unlimited internet which isn't offered on 123go. However, I'd book today and lock in one option. If the deal next week is better, then just cancel this one and rebook the cruise under the new program.

(does not apply if you can't cancel without charge (UK/Germany/...).

[yorkyred]

Unfortunately this may be the driving force that makes insides more desirable and maybe more popular than in the past. I can see the price going up just based on supply and demand.

 

Given the fairly limited amount of insides and the fact there are a percentage of cruisers who are not drinkers or internet users I would agree. We've actually just cancelled our inside, lost our £100 deposit, and booked a specific 2C Balcony and paid £100 less than the inside was.

 

Which given its not even a guarantee but a specific hump cabin while we had the cheapest inside cabin on deck 3 under the casino is crazy.

Edited July 4, 2015 by yorkyred

[bob278]

The stockholder benefit is probably something Celebrity/RCI (the holding co) may have forgotten to revisit. My guess is that if you buy good, better, best you aren't getting a promotion at all...you are buying packages.....so you may always get the stockholder benefit. From what I've read, these are not promotional packages...they are just fare options. Interesting????

 

1-2-3 already decreased the elite/elite + benefits. That's a problem for Celebrity because there's no value in a loyalty program that doesn't have enough benefits to matter. I don't even have a guess on this one...it may be something else they didn't focus on. Also interesting????

 

We'll know more in a few days.....

 

I agree the 123Go impacted the perks for Elite and Elite +. With the pre-dinner drinks and internet provided, I always had to consider which perk to take and gratuities usually worked out better on longer cruises. In this new program, none of the benefits are worth a lot to us. Only the gratuities on longer cruises may be beneficial. The beverage pkg is particularly useless as I don't drink and we don't drink coffee so we'd be paying $30/day for fresh-squeezed juice and maybe 2 glasses of wine with lunch/dinner. Clearly for our cruising profile, the shareholder OBC coupled with a no-frills fare would be our best bet.

 

Based on these selected FAQs from the link provided earlier, it seems clear that Celebrity considers this an "offer" which voids the shareholder benefit for OV and higher cabins.

 

Is the offer combinable with the Shareholder or other Offers?

No, it is only combinable with standard pricing, under the correct promo name.

Is this offer combinable with Cruise Later OBC?

Yes, if the offer is still open at the time they confirm their ship and sail date.

Is this offer combinable with Cruise Now OBC?

Yes, if the offer is still open at the time they confirm their ship and sail date.

[Christine Frances]

OK to me this "seems" great. Please check my math lol Going from the link from X example posted previously

 

base OV price 1,649

 

Value if bought separately (pp)

 

Unlimited Internet 349 (cost for 10-14 nts as posted by Jane Starr)

Gratuities 156 ($13 nt)

OBC 75

Upgrade to 141.6

Prem Pkg

 

Total cost if

purchased separate $721.6

 

Actual increase in fare $2189 - $1649 = $540!! A savings of $181.6 pp

[ghstudio]

 

Based on these selected FAQs from the link provided earlier, it seems clear that Celebrity considers this an "offer" which voids the shareholder benefit for OV and higher cabins.

 

Is the offer combinable with the Shareholder or other Offers?

No, it is only combinable with standard pricing, under the correct promo name.

Is this offer combinable with Cruise Later OBC?

Yes, if the offer is still open at the time they confirm their ship and sail date.

Is this offer combinable with Cruise Now OBC?

Yes, if the offer is still open at the time they confirm their ship and sail date.

 

If the only way you can book a cabin is with an offer, it is, by definition, their standard price. That one won't fly. They have to redefine the stockholder benefit program...I don't think they can or even want to just deny every (non-inside) celebrity passenger the benefit.