Onboard booking perks for transatlantics still offered?

[cadburysmom]

Does anyone know if both the free gratuities and OBC are still being offered for an onboard booking of a transatlantic cruise?

 

I was able to book my next transatlantic with both these perks while on the Silhouette last May. Before that, Celebrity had stopped allowing 123go perks for transatlantics, only a small OBC. Being able to get free gratuities as well was a definite plus.

 

Thanks!

[jelayne]

Hi, we were on the Constellation in May and asked about the OBC perk for TAs that some had reported getting by booking onboard. We were told that was only offered on ships during the transatlantic sailing this year and once the TAs were over no perks:(.

 

What TA did you book? Greg & I are booked on the westbound Reflection in both 2015 & 2016. We would love to see you again.

Joan

[ClaudiaB]

Check with one of the big online TA's and maybe they'll throw in some perks. We got some last year on our TA.

[Oxo]

Booked a TA in Feb 2015 on-board Equinox and only got a $100 OBC. Canceled that one then book with a Big Agency in US and they said BBB does not apply to TA due to reduced cost of cruise. Only got a $75 OBC.

[jelayne]

Booked a TA in Feb 2015 on-board Equinox and only got a $100 OBC. Canceled that one then book with a Big Agency in US and they said BBB does not apply to TA due to reduced cost of cruise. Only got a $75 OBC.

 

We did a bit better, but not much. Got $215 from one of the large TAs.

[cruise kitty]

The big box stores offer a decent amount of OBC for the TA's, depending on your cabin category, for example, a C1 gets you $405 on the Reflection April 2016 cruise :)

[Ken1359]

My first TA with Celebrity was on the Equinox several years ago when 123Go was in its early days. I got a good price plus all the goodies. I haven't seen anything like that in recent years.

 

My take on this is that the cost for a CC balcony is so reasonable on my 2016 TA that I can easily forgo the perks and just pay as I go. My agent throws in prepaid gratuities, so I am still in pig heaven.

 

Truth be told (if Celebrity actually reads this) is that I'd probably pay a reasonable amount more just to feel that I'd gotten A sweet deal. We all want "bargains", but isn't the bottom line what really matters?

[lienf]

Does anyone know if both the free gratuities and OBC are still being offered for an onboard booking of a transatlantic cruise?

 

I was able to book my next transatlantic with both these perks while on the Silhouette last May. Before that, Celebrity had stopped allowing 123go perks for transatlantics, only a small OBC. Being able to get free gratuities as well was a definite plus.

 

Thanks!

 

Got pre-paid gratuities and $100 OBC when booking on Eclipse TA this past April for our 2016 Westbound Reflection TA.

[Oxo]

I have found that it all depends on what the price of the cruise/category is as to what a TA will give in the way of OBC, Prepaid Grats, etc.

 

Big variance when going from a Veranda to C to A categories. Especially if going into a Suite.

[LabGuy64]

True.....

 

I got $1935.00 from my TA and 100.00 from Celebrity booking the Penthouse

on a 15 night TA....thought it was pretty sweet

 

 

I have found that it all depends on what the price of the cruise/category is as to what a TA will give in the way of OBC, Prepaid Grats, etc.

 

Big variance when going from a Veranda to C to A categories. Especially if going into a Suite.

[teecee60]

Does anyone know if both the free gratuities and OBC are still being offered for an onboard booking of a transatlantic cruise?

 

I was able to book my next transatlantic with both these perks while on the Silhouette last May. Before that, Celebrity had stopped allowing 123go perks for transatlantics, only a small OBC. Being able to get free gratuities as well was a definite plus.

 

Thanks!

 

We just booked an Ocean View cabin for Constellation's 15 night fall transatlantic for only $799pp, and got $250 shareholder OBC...along with another $275 OBC from the on line agency. :eek: :D :rolleyes:

 

I don't think you will find a deal that good booking directly with X. ;)

 

Choice Air flights to Rome were LESS than $500pp! :)

[Oxo]

True.....

 

I got $1935.00 from my TA and 100.00 from Celebrity booking the Penthouse

on a 15 night TA....thought it was pretty sweet

 

Fantastic deal! How in the world can any TA give anyone a $1,935 OBC? I hate to ask, but I must. What did that cabin cost per passenger?

[cardcrafter]

The big box stores offer a decent amount of OBC for the TA's, depending on your cabin category, for example, a C1 gets you $405 on the Reflection April 2016 cruise :)

 

Can you explain please,what a 'Big Box Store' is?

[Wine-O]

Fantastic deal! How in the world can any TA give anyone a $1,935 OBC? I hate to ask, but I must. What did that cabin cost per passenger?

 

If you spend $20,000 for the Penthouse, a great travel agent will give you roughly 8-10% in OBC. If he had shareholder stock, he could get $250 instead of the $100 from Celebrity.

 

I just can't figure out how he is going to spend all that OBC since he gets free Premium beverage package and unlimited internet. Maybe a message every day or pay the 5% and get cash from the Casino.

[Wine-O]

Can you explain please,what a 'Big Box Store' is?

 

A wholesale warehouse where you have to buy a 200 oz bottle of ketchup to get a good deal. :D

[jsf]

We booked on board for T/A next spring and got pre-paid grats and $100. OBC from Celebrity plus a good price on a 1A cabin. When we got home we rebooked with a larger travel agent and got an addtional $200. OBC.

J.

[jelayne]

We booked on board for T/A next spring and got pre-paid grats and $100. OBC from Celebrity plus a good price on a 1A cabin. When we got home we rebooked with a larger travel agent and got an addtional $200. OBC.

J.

 

Were you on a TA when you booked? They were offering that to passengers on TAs this spring but it wasn't available once the transatlantic cruise ended. We were on a ship right after its crossing and were told that promo ended and no perks other than reduced deposit.

[cadburysmom]

Hi, we were on the Constellation in May and asked about the OBC perk for TAs that some had reported getting by booking onboard. We were told that was only offered on ships during the transatlantic sailing this year and once the TAs were over no perks:(.

 

What TA did you book? Greg & I are booked on the westbound Reflection in both 2015 & 2016. We would love to see you again.

Joan

Hi Joan!:D Yep, that sounds right. I booked the eastbound Silhouette TA for next spring. Kicking myself for not making more bookings as Celebrity has practically done away with all perks for TA lovers like us.:(

 

Can't do the Reflection TA this fall but will definitely keep fall 2016 in mind...tell Greg I really miss having a good dance partner!;)

[wrk2cruise]

Just to be clear, don't rebook with a on-line agent but rather transfer your existing reservation if you want to retain the perks from Celebrity for booking on-board.

[cadburysmom]

We just booked an Ocean View cabin for Constellation's 15 night fall transatlantic for only $799pp, and got $250 shareholder OBC...along with another $275 OBC from the on line agency.

 

I don't think you will find a deal that good booking directly with X. ;)

 

Choice Air flights to Rome were LESS than $500pp! :)

...but then again, we can't all be you...;)

 

All hail Fred...undisputed king of cruise deals!!:D

 

 

but here's what I did get for booking onboard...

 

 

Free gratuities on 15 night cruise....$200 (rounded up)

OBC...........................................$100

 

So with roughly $300 towards a TA, I think I did "ok". Still kicking myself for not buying shares back in the day. :(

 

..and who gives $275 OBC for a $1600 cruise? Somebody musta done some mighty good sweet talking to get that! ;)

Edited July 22, 2015 by cadburysmom

[maxsales]

True.....

 

I got $1935.00 from my TA and 100.00 from Celebrity booking the Penthouse

on a 15 night TA....thought it was pretty sweet

 

What category cabin?

[jsf]

Were you on a TA when you booked? They were offering that to passengers on TAs this spring but it wasn't available once the transatlantic cruise ended. We were on a ship right after its crossing and were told that promo ended and no perks other than reduced deposit.

 

Yes we were on a T/A when we booked, then transfered to a larger agency when we returned home.

J.

[jagoffee]

If you spend $20,000 for the Penthouse, a great travel agent will give you roughly 8-10% in OBC. If he had shareholder stock, he could get $250 instead of the $100 from Celebrity.

 

I just can't figure out how he is going to spend all that OBC since he gets free Premium beverage package and unlimited internet. Maybe a message every day or pay the 5% and get cash from the Casino.

Since the OBC is from a Travel Agent i believe any unused OBC will be refunded.

[Oxo]

Just to be clear, don't rebook with a on-line agent but rather transfer your existing reservation if you want to retain the perks from Celebrity for booking on-board.

 

Remember, you must transfer within 60 days or else they will not let you transfer to a TA. I personally believe that is ridiculous. I could not even transfer my deposit and had to get a refund.

[Oxo]

Just checked our TA cruise on Silly in April 2016. Could not find price on Penthouse so I will use other categories.

Gty Veranda $1,625.91 per person

Cx $ 450 more per person

Ax $ 600 more per person

Skyx $1,729 more per person

 

So, yes I can see where a TA would give you more OBC based on category of cabin. However, you are getting some of the extra money you paid for that category back.

 

That is like the BBB now. Compared our original price for our Nov 2015 Eclipse Veranda without the BBB and with BBB.

 

We are Elite+ so some of the BBB perks are not worth the extra costs. The difference is $$1,770 higher for the BBB. However, when I add my OBC of $600 that we got originally, it increases the cost for the BBB as I don't think you can get an OBC from Celebrity of $600.

 

Each cruise and TA is not a true comparison when trying to figure what is the best deal. The best deal is the one you are going on or else you would not have booked. LOL