Booking on Board - "Repositioning" Cruise

[sandyss]

Normally Celebrity does not give perks for cruises that they classify as Repositioning Cruises.

 

Are there perks available for these cruises if booked on board?

[emmas gran]

We have had perks but not drinks packages on Transatlantic or Transpacific

[lienf]

Normally Celebrity does not give perks for cruises that they classify as Repositioning Cruises.

 

Are there perks available for these cruises if booked on board?

 

Yes. Got gratuities paid and $100 OBC for 2 2017 TA's booked on our last Oct. TA.

[TeaBag]

We booked a B2B on board Millennium in March, Singapore to AbuDhabi and then on to Rome and got as measly $100 OBC on each segment. I wouldn't mind that, if the prices were reflective of it being a repositioning but they are not!

[sandyss]

We booked a B2B on board Millennium in March, Singapore to AbuDhabi and then on to Rome and got as measly $100 OBC on each segment. I wouldn't mind that, if the prices were reflective of it being a repositioning but they are not!

 

We're doing the Abu Dhabi to Singapore cruise, which Celebrity classifies as "repositioning". We'll be on the Millennium in September, and IF we can get perks (and if the pricing has not increased), we could rebook our cruise and then cancel our original reservation. That's why I asked the question. I'd like to find out what other people have experienced.

[Xport]

Don't want to hijack your thread--and unfortunately, I have nothing to add to the topic at hand--but wanted to say that it's so good to "see" you... It's been way too long!

 

Hope that you, Shel, and family are well, happy, and having fun!

 

All my best! Wishing you fulfilling and safe travels!

--M

[gizmodog]

Have taken 4 repositioning cruises with celebrity, no perks, this year I found a repositioning on princess, got drink package, shipboard credit, and a specialty dinner, we go in October, I'm excited yet hesitate because of the happenings in the world

 

 

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[blizzardboy]

Normally Celebrity does not give perks for cruises that they classify as Repositioning Cruises.

 

Are there perks available for these cruises if booked on board?

They are very liberal and inconsistent in what cruises they define as "repositioning". Celebrity says if a cruise starts and ends in a different port it is a "repositioning" cruise, even if it stays in the same market, i.e., Asia. The one-way Asian cruises don't leave Asia, but they use the classification to exempt the promo perks, even though they run the itineraries back and forth between the same two ports repeatedly during the season, i.e., Abu Dhabi and Singapore. However, in markets where there is a lot of competition, i.e., Alaska and Europe, they don't do it. I don't have an issue with cruises that change markets, like a move from Asia to the Med, or Europe to the Caribbean, being classified as repositioning, but when they cruise in the same market, it doesn't pass the ethical "smell test" to label them as "repositioning".

[d4m]

Have taken 4 repositioning cruises with celebrity, no perks, this year I found a repositioning on princess, got drink package, shipboard credit, and a specialty dinner, we go in October, I'm excited yet hesitate because of the happenings in the world

 

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How many months in advance did you book? Just asking as we have booked a TA next Spring and Celebrity prices were very expensive, about $400-$500 more than last year.

 

Looking to try another line Like Princess, as have sailed exclusively with Celebrity and don't like some changes and the prices this time around. In addition, we only have about 20 people on the roll call and the trip is in less than 9 months. Our last TA's have basically been booked solid early.

[gizmodog]

It was awhile ago and if they ever have the sip and sale promo again, grab it....I'm thinking they will offer it again because of all the upheaval going on in Europe, it's the first time I've seen it offered on repositioning cruises

 

 

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[koolforkatz]

Princess currently has their sip and sail promotion running until end of August.

[bayonnejoe]

They are very liberal and inconsistent in what cruises they define as "repositioning". Celebrity says if a cruise starts and ends in a different port it is a "repositioning" cruise, even if it stays in the same market, i.e., Asia. The one-way Asian cruises don't leave Asia, but they use the classification to exempt the promo perks, even though they run the itineraries back and forth between the same two ports repeatedly during the season, i.e., Abu Dhabi and Singapore. However, in markets where there is a lot of competition, i.e., Alaska and Europe, they don't do it. I don't have an issue with cruises that change markets, like a move from Asia to the Med, or Europe to the Caribbean, being classified as repositioning, but when they cruise in the same market, it doesn't pass the ethical "smell test" to label them as "repositioning".

DW and I have taken the north and southbound repo on the Summit for five straight years. We booked 2016 very early while perks were still being offered. Celebrity reclassified these cruises as repos mid year 2015. We will not book 2017 unless Celebrity sees the error of their ways. The prices with no beverage package are not appreciably cheaper than any other cruise. If you check the availability on the repos for 2017 you will see they are not selling well at all. The northbound repo would almost always have been sold out by now. They will probably have to offer a resident and/or senior rate for peanuts to sell these cruises. If they put the perks back on for these sailings, they would sell the majority of the cabins in a few weeks. Maybe with Princess now offering Sip and Sail (repos included), hopefully Celebrity will rethink things.

[azcruiser89]

They are very liberal and inconsistent in what cruises they define as "repositioning". Celebrity says if a cruise starts and ends in a different port it is a "repositioning" cruise, even if it stays in the same market, i.e., Asia. The one-way Asian cruises don't leave Asia, but they use the classification to exempt the promo perks, even though they run the itineraries back and forth between the same two ports repeatedly during the season, i.e., Abu Dhabi and Singapore. However, in markets where there is a lot of competition, i.e., Alaska and Europe, they don't do it. I don't have an issue with cruises that change markets, like a move from Asia to the Med, or Europe to the Caribbean, being classified as repositioning, but when they cruise in the same market, it doesn't pass the ethical "smell test" to label them as "repositioning".

 

Anyone know if a Pacific coastal from Vancouver to LA would be considered a repositioning cruise? I was considering booking a 2017 cruise while on board this October.

 

They do a very similar cruise the next week that is round trip to and from LA but the timing won't work for me.

 

Thanks for any info.

[Ox Fan Cruiser]

I've just book a TransAlantic thru a travel agent. Is final payments now due 90 days before sailing? Didn't it used to be 60 days? With 90 days they can hold the price and only lower it in the 90 day window and still have plenty of time to sell out.

[Eloise4Ever]

How many months in advance did you book? Just asking as we have booked a TA next Spring and Celebrity prices were very expensive, about $400-$500 more than last year.

 

Looking to try another line Like Princess, as have sailed exclusively with Celebrity and don't like some changes and the prices this time around. In addition, we only have about 20 people on the roll call and the trip is in less than 9 months. Our last TA's have basically been booked solid early.

 

Now that our Equinox TA for next April has been cancelled by Celebrity we are looking at alternatives. HAL are offering drink packages as a perk on TAs at the moment and their new ship Koningsdam appears sufficiently like Solstice to keep us happy. Celebrity is our "go-to" cruise line but this seems like a good opportunity to try out an alternative. It's always good to have a wider pool to choose from when planning a cruise and Celebrity's prices have been increasing significantly. We can get the HAL TA for the same price as the one we had booked on Equinox but with a drinks package thrown in! Seems like an offer we can't refuse :)

[blizzardboy]

Now that our Equinox TA for next April has been cancelled by Celebrity we are looking at alternatives. HAL are offering drink packages as a perk on TAs at the moment and their new ship Koningsdam appears sufficiently like Solstice to keep us happy. Celebrity is our "go-to" cruise line but this seems like a good opportunity to try out an alternative. It's always good to have a wider pool to choose from when planning a cruise and Celebrity's prices have been increasing significantly. We can get the HAL TA for the same price as the one we had booked on Equinox but with a drinks package thrown in! Seems like an offer we can't refuse :)

I'm a loyal HAL cruiser. I think you'll really enjoy your TA.

[Eloise4Ever]

I'm a loyal HAL cruiser. I think you'll really enjoy your TA.

 

Thanks blizzardboy, good to hear that. I will be nervous stepping away from Celebrity as our last experiment on another line was not a happy one. However that cruise line is not in the same league as Celebrity and HAL and I knew we were taking a risk.

 

Funny to hear from you also as I've just been reading some of your posts on the HAL boards. I was sorry to hear you're having difficulties with Celebrity shore side customer service. I was going to post over there to say, stick with it as I'm sure you'll have a wonderful experience onboard, but now I can say it here instead :).

[blizzardboy]

Thanks blizzardboy, good to hear that. I will be nervous stepping away from Celebrity as our last experiment on another line was not a happy one. However that cruise line is not in the same league as Celebrity and HAL and I knew we were taking a risk.

 

Funny to hear from you also as I've just been reading some of your posts on the HAL boards. I was sorry to hear you're having difficulties with Celebrity shore side customer service. I was going to post over there to say, stick with it as I'm sure you'll have a wonderful experience onboard, but now I can say it here instead :).

The only complaint about HAL that I read with any consistency relates to it's smoking policy. They are very vocal with their complaints. I find that some folks are far more sensitive to smoke than others, but I often wonder how they survived when people smoked absolutely everywhere. HAL does allow it on verandas and in the casino. I'm a reformed smoker since the early 90's so though I notice smoke, I have never had it bother me on our verandas, and although there were a few smokers in the casino, I didn't have a problem with it.

I am staying the course for now with the X cruise we booked for Jan 2018, primarily due to the Asian itinerary. I know I will always have a good time wherever I go, on whatever line I sail.

Edited July 24, 2016 by blizzardboy

[ORV]

Anyone know if a Pacific coastal from Vancouver to LA would be considered a repositioning cruise? I was considering booking a 2017 cruise while on board this October.

 

They do a very similar cruise the next week that is round trip to and from LA but the timing won't work for me.

 

Thanks for any info.

 

I am on a Pacific Coastal, San Diego to Vancouver in 2017, and it has the drink package as a perk, as well as some OBC. You should be fine.

 

Just do a dummy booking on the X site and you should easily see what is available.