Big GAP-Elite Plus at 750, then Zenith at 3,000.

[Oxo]

Regardless of the level - GET RID of those STUPID COUPONS!!!!! Put that on our Cruise Card!!!

[Texed]

I hope some of you realize that you are asking for some things that even Zeniths do not receive. :)

[hulamoon]

Of course our wish list would allow Zeniths to get the imaginary benefits as well.:)

[DennisAndJudy]

I agree with this statement. We will reach Elite Plus in 2016, but I've noticed there isn't much difference in the perks. I fact, I'm not really sure what extra we will get when we reach the exalted level of Elite Plus that we aren't enjoying right now at Elite.

 

 

Elite plus gets free drinks (coffee, tea, hot chocolate) in Cafe Al Bacio. This has changed our onboard habits immensely. Of course if you have the upgraded drink package you already have this perk.

[hulamoon]

Elite plus gets free drinks (coffee, tea, hot chocolate) in Cafe Al Bacio. This has changed our onboard habits immensely. Of course if you have the upgraded drink package you already have this perk.

 

Even the classic ben pkg has this perk.

[bigbenboys]

We have been Elite for 6 years, Elite Plus once added. Most regular X cruisers have done the Elite Tea, back stage tour, wine tasting many times. Maybe just a change of offerings. We no longer go to any of these events. We do enjoy Elite happy Hour, laundry and internet minutes.

 

We feel about the same as maggie.1008. We have 5 cruises booked and 4 of them on Celebrity. We do like Celebrity very much. As the prices seem to be going up we have started to mix things up. Last March and again the coming March we are doing a 7 night cruise instead of 14 nights. Last year we went to Orlando to see the new things added to Harry Potter at universal studios. This coming March we will go to Key West. I have not been to Key West in just about 40 years. I'm planning to retire at the end of 2016 at 58. Will we make Zenith. I think so. I'm happy with the perks I get now.

[need2bespoiled]

On my second Disney cruise, I received a nice beach bag, use i tall the time, there were some other items like a door mounted dry erase board that were not worth much to me.

 

What about a free picture? They could even email use each a high resolution picture and we'd be pretty happy, cost would be almost nothing, and since we don't buy them anyway, no lost revenue.

 

 

When I check-in to hotels, I often get to choose a welcome amenity, and I can choose what it is, they could do a menu of options.

 

Lunch at Bistro on 5 once on a sailing.

 

Get creative, there are options here that could have value, even for those of us who books suites.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

[Kevnzworld]

It would be beneficial to Celebrity to add an additional category to give the average cruiser something to strive for. I'm Elite plus, but I'm never going enough Celeb cruises to be Zenith. There's too many other good cruise lines to experience.

[Project_gal]

What I;m asking is for a realistic idea....Realistic meaning we have to accept that the lower level won't have all the the perks a zenith gets, and certainly not perks better than a zenith, and since Zenith don't get Specialty dining (just 25% off), OBC or Bistro, that makes them impractical suggestions.

 

So do we say 300 internet minutes? 3 bags of laundry? 10% off Specialty Dining?

 

Internet, I see it coming down to $15 a day with a year or so like RCL's mega ships as they expand capacity, so I look for a real overhaul on internet rates and perks.

 

What would be a Practical perk for the mid level.

 

It looks like Celebrity have beaten you to it. I received this email this morning:

 

I am excited to announce the new Celebrity Cruises Reduced Rate Upgrade Program we have designed based on the feedback from our amazing Loyalty members. We look forward to implementing this program over the next several weeks starting with testing in the North American market, and then expanding this to other regions of the world.

 

What is it?

The Celebrity Cruises Reduced Rate Upgrade Program offers Captain's Club members the opportunity to upgrade their Stateroom or Suite at the "last minute" (within 45 days of sailing) based on availability. To be clear, these upgrades will not be presented for every sailing, or even most sailings. Instead, this is a new way for us to adjust our inventory as we get closer to individual sail dates while giving you the chance to upgrade your stateroom or Suite at a great rate.

 

How does it work?

When these Reduced Rate Upgrades are made available, our valuable Captain's Club members will be given a one-day advanced notice to take advantage of the offer. The notification will be made only by email and sent to you or your travel agent. Should you be the lucky recipient of one of these offers, please call us immediately for details and to check on remaining inventory, as the upgrades are provided on a first-come, first-served basis and are reliant on availability.

 

What can I do?

If you haven't already done so, please make sure to check your email permissions on file with us. If you have "opted out" from receiving promotional emails from Celebrity Cruises, then you will unfortunately not receive these Reduced Rate Upgrade offers, as they are only available to those guests who have "opted in" to receive special promotions from Celebrity Cruises by email. Also make sure that you or your travel agent have added your Captain's Club number to all reservations. Further, it is important that your email address is included on your reservation. Doing these things will ensure that you receive these offers before non-loyalty members and also enable you to receive all your loyalty benefits while on board. If you book through a travel agency, it is essential that your agent is aware of your interest in obtaining an upgrade at a discounted cost if/when they are offered.

 

To check: celebritycruises.com/login > Sign In > Click on 'Profile' > 'Communication Preferences'

 

Important note:

Should you choose to take advantage of a Reduced Rate Upgrade, you will not be awarded Club Points for the higher category of stateroom or suite. Rather, Club Points will be awarded based on the original stateroom or suite category you purchased at the time of booking, as the benefit received is the reduced rate itself.

 

As an example, if you initially booked a 10-night cruise in an AquaClass® stateroom—earning 5 Club Points per night—and then opt to take advantage of a Reduced Rate Upgrade Offer to a Sky Suite—that would normally earn 8 Club Points per night, you will earn 5 Club Points per night for those 10 nights, for a total of 50 Club Points.

 

You asked, and we listened!

Captain's Club members have been asking us to formalize our last-minute upgrade process, and we are excited to announce that it is finally here! Again, Reduced Rate Upgrades will not be available on all sailings, but when they are offered, be sure to contact us right away to improve your chance of securing an upgrade before they are gone.

 

As always, we realize that you have a choice when making your vacation plans, and we greatly value your loyalty to Celebrity Cruises! We are always eager to hear your feedback—that is how we continue to evolve as a company, make program changes such as this, and provide our guests with the best loyalty program at sea.

 

Looking forward to seeing you back on board soon!

 

OK, this is not for a new level of member but it does show that they are looking for different perks to offer.

[WestLakeGirl]

Two or three years ago there was a long thread discussing some perks which would be at low cost to the cruise line but would be appreciated by frequent cruisers. I can't find it now but maybe someone can find it and see if any are still of interest. The only one I recall had to do with ship tours.

[cle-guy]

I could see a lot of the ideas here being reasonable if the level required annual requalification tied to an annual spend. The free dinners, the free movies, the free photos (the range of suggestions that even Zenith's don't get).

 

That is, once you get to 1500 points, you could retain ZEN status so long as you have a minimum of 4 cruises/28 nights in a veranda better cabin in a calendar year or something like that, kind of like how United Airlines has their Global Services tier, reserved for the best revenue and profit generating customers (NOT just best revenue generators they actually look to profitability, basically ensuring people are not buying bottom of the barrel fares) and they limit the number of GS members each year.

 

Otherwise we just have to accept that Elite Plus is the top tier, and Zenith is just something super extra special, and not intended for the masses.

 

What did we have before the Captain's Club changes?

 

As a loyalty program, having an annual requalification tier, would help to ensure LOYALTY, in that it'd be tough for many to cruise with anyone BUT Celebrity in order to maintain the required annual spend and number of cruises.

[CruisingChick]

Otherwise we just have to accept that Elite Plus is the top tier, and Zenith is just something super extra special, and not intended for the masses.

 

 

I am totally fine with this. I just think Elite+ should have one or two more "special" items added to that tier or just increase the coupon percentages. A 15% off speciality restaurant coupon (especially when you can get better disounts onboard) and 10% off drink pacakage coupon are almost insulting.

[Redtravel]

No way in my lifetime will I ever get to Zenith level. I view Zenith level out of range. I enjoy the elite plus perks. Free coffee and tea is my favorite perk. Free laundry is nice when you can use it. My last cruise(14 nights) had exclusion the last 3 nights. Extending free laundry for the entire cruise would let me go home with clean clothes. For me that would be devine.

[CRUZBUDS]

Two or three years ago there was a long thread discussing some perks which would be at low cost to the cruise line but would be appreciated by frequent cruisers. I can't find it now but maybe someone can find it and see if any are still of interest. The only one I recall had to do with ship tours.

 

One that I have suggested is a perk we enjoy on Carnival -- As Platinum (= to Elite) We have real priority boarding. Our cabins are open to us upon boarding and our bags are truly expedited. The two times we've used it, our bags were delivered before 1:00. It is really nice and costs the line next to nothing

[maggie.1008]

Any time I have been on Princess our rooms have been ready by noon. That would be a nice perk for Elite Plus. A Zen party would be fun.

[kelmac]

We will hit 999 points after our December cruise. No way will we ever reach Zenith, so we will explore other lines to see what they offer. I must say, Celebrity's Captain's Club seems like a much better program than all the other lines I've cruised on. We use the internet minutes, the laundry, casino coupons, and the Elite Happy Hour is great. :)

 

Perhaps, 1,500 points maybe achievable? What could be added the this new

Zenaelite Level:

 

--a three night alternative restaurant package for two at 1/2 off.

 

--unlimited internet (I'm sure the new technology being added to newer ships will allow high speed access -- e.g. RCL's Quantum, Anthem)

 

--Free standard laundry (not the wash and fold) coupons.

 

Dollar for dollar, Celebrity is still our number one choice!

Enjoy!

Kel:D

[Gordoncruickshank]

We will hit 999 points after our December cruise. No way will we ever reach Zenith, so we will explore other lines to see what they offer. I must say, Celebrity's Captain's Club seems like a much better program than all the other lines I've cruised on. We use the internet minutes, the laundry, casino coupons, and the Elite Happy Hour is great. :)

 

Perhaps, 1,500 points maybe achievable? What could be added the this new

Zenaelite Level:

 

--a three night alternative restaurant package for two at 1/2 off.

 

--unlimited internet (I'm sure the new technology being added to newer ships will allow high speed access -- e.g. RCL's Quantum, Anthem)

 

--Free standard laundry (not the wash and fold) coupons.

 

Dollar for dollar, Celebrity is still our number one choice!

Enjoy!

Kel:D

We have got to around the same point level as you over the past 4 years and with what we have currently booked it will take us to over 1,500 by March 17 so as long as we have our health we hope that we will reach 3,000 around 5-6 year after that. It is still a very long time for there to be no other stages in the middle.

[A Sixth?]

If one was starting from scratch and always booked a balcony cabin after you 143rd week you'd be Zenith. :eek:

 

At say, $ 1,000.00 a week average..... well you do the math.

 

After I complete my seven weeks cruises B2B2B2B2B2B2B this January/February I'll still be shy 92 weeks in a balcony cabin with a measly 1080 pts. :(

[Kevnzworld]

If one was starting from scratch and always booked a balcony cabin after you 143rd week you'd be Zenith. :eek:

 

At say, $ 1,000.00 a week average..... well you do the math.

 

After I complete my seven weeks cruises B2B2B2B2B2B2B this January/February I'll still be shy 92 weeks in a balcony cabin with a measly 1080 pts. :(

 

It's definitely tougher to impossible to get to Zenith if you're not sailing in suites...

But as has been previously mentioned, the perks aren't THAT great anyway

[A Sixth?]

It's definitely tougher to impossible to get to Zenith if you're not sailing in suites...

But as has been previously mentioned, the perks aren't THAT great anyway

 

Wait! I forgot two of my weeks I booked during a captains points promotion!

 

So I'll have 1130 points! Almost there! :p

 

Special 123Go! offer for

Captain's Club members

Enjoy 25 Bonus Club Points and 50% Reduced Deposits.

 

Now, for the first time ever, we're offering our valued Captain's Club members the chance to earn 25 bonus Club Points when you book your vacation nine months or more in advance of your sail date. If you book a suite nine months or more in advance, we'll double the number to 50 bonus Club Points.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1954147

[CruisingChick]

Wait! I forgot two of my weeks I booked during a captains points promotion!

 

So I'll have 1130 points! Almost there!

 

 

Lucky you. I doubt we will even get to 1500 points at the rate and category we sail. We have been sailing Celebrity since 2002 and did 19 straight cruises on them. We have 21 total cruises with them and even doing 2 or 3 cruises a year in 10 years will still not be close to the top loyalty tier. I think that's kind of sad. :(

Edited November 5, 2015 by CruisingChick

[cle-guy]

I've been sailing since 2013, 13th cruise coming up.

 

Had Captains Club points worked all along as they do today, solo doubles etc. I'd be at 2288 points, but my real points are 1401, and I found I am missing 156 bonus for a solo cabin, and another 35 bonus for another solo cabin, so my real total should be 1592.

[shipshape sam]

Clearly Celebrity does a great job with Captain's Club. And, I am sure they have thought through the Club Points needed for advancement to a higher level quite carefully. From my admittedly biased standpoint, the gap between Elite Plus and Zenith seems huge. I understand that the Zenith benefits are generous and the number of Zeniths should be limited. But should there be an Elite Plus Plus somewhere in between 750 and 3,000 points? Even a firm handshake at let's say 2,000?

To review: Classic requires 2-149 Club Points, Select 150-299, Elite 300-749, Elite Plus 750-2,999 then Zenith.

 

Maybe they don't want to have to continue to create more and more levels. They maybe want the 'whales' to really feel 'loved'

 

We will never get there and I don't have any issue with someone who lives on a ship or sails in a suite to get some special treatment.

 

I do think they have created some special things for cruisers who do get to higher point levels between Elite Plus and Zenith, but just have not created a formal category. I doubt many Elite Plus cruisers would sail other lines too often and forego the Elite Plus benefits.

 

I don't and we are not Elite Plus yet.

[Oxo]

I doubt many Elite Plus cruisers would sail other lines too often and forego the Elite Plus benefits.

 

We are Elite+ on X, Diamond+ on RCI and Elite on Princess. We cruise all 3 lines annually and each have something to offer in the way of their benefits. In fact, this year (2015) we have cruised on X 2x, Princess 3x, RCI 1x. Next year booked cruises so far: 1 on X, 1 on RCI 1 on NCL.

Examples of benefits that we think are very good on the other lines:

RCI - Happy hour much better than X since you get to go every night and still get 3 drinks on your Cruise Card. You get a free 8x10 photo.

Princess - Free unlimited laundry (pressed on put on hangers if applicable) and free unlimited dry cleaning.

 

One other big plus is that RCI and Princess are much more reasonably priced on their Specialty Restaurants than X. X gives you a % off, but not everyone gets it. JMHO!

[kelmac]

Maybe they don't want to have to continue to create more and more levels. They maybe want the 'whales' to really feel 'loved'

 

 

 

I think most of the Zenith level cruisers live in Florida and did many short off-season cruises to build up their numbers back before the point system was installed. We started cruising Celebrity back in 1993 and we are hitting cruise number 29 this December. We have 975 points.

 

If I lived in Florida and averaged five to six cruises a year, some five day cruises, most seven day cruises from 1993 to the present, I would have well over 3,500 points and would be Zenith. This could have been in all inside cabins.

 

I'm not saying the system is not fair, just realize how many Zeniths were early Celebrity fans that lived near the ports and could cruise at off-peak times. I'm happy with being an Elite Plus, but no way will I ever become Zenith.

 

Enjoy!

Kel:)