Upsell! Upsell! Upsell!

[richsea]

First time ever on a cruise, 15+ years ago with Carnival. We dump the bags, go out on deck for a look at this new world of wonder and a waiter comes up with some big plastic glasses full of coloured jollop with an umbrella on top. So we take two, he waits for us to take a sip then asks for the sea pass card.

 

I learnt a lesson that day.

 

 

,

 

What's jollop? Is it tasty?

 

Seriously, Celebrity did that when we first started cruising with them 20 years ago. They served a fruity drink in a souvenir glass on embarkation day for $6.95. They stopped the practice a few years later. Actually, the glasses were nice souvenirs & @ $6.95, not a bad price. Today I am sure it would cost around $24.95!

 

We had the classic package on our last Celebrity cruise & not once were we asked to upgrade.

Edited August 28, 2016 by richsea

[Duanerice1]

I don't really see the issue. I just say no or keep walking and all is good. Really never gave it much thought honestly.

 

But like most of us, on my first cruise a while back my wife and I did take the "offered" drink when we boarded. We learned quickly - lol

[Karynanne]

What's jollop? Is it tasty?

 

Seriously, Celebrity did that when we first started cruising with them 20 years ago. They served a fruity drink in a souvenir glass on embarkation day for $6.95. They stopped the practice a few years later. Actually, the glasses were nice souvenirs & @ $6.95, not a bad price. Today I am sure it would cost around $24.95!

 

We had the classic package on our last Celebrity cruise & not once were we asked to upgrade.

 

 

I can remember the pool staff walking around with a tray of "Bahama Mama's".

 

I'm glad they stopped that practice.

 

 

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[Sandtrap328]

Yes, upon embarkation, there is a line of waiters asking if you wish to upgrade your drink package or to eat at a specialty restaurant. Just smile and walk past if you are not interested.

 

If a waiter at breakfast would ask me about a restaurant, I would just ask him to please get me a cup of coffee.

 

It is not an imposition on any guest to just say no thanks. Or, offer a 50 percent price. You might just get a wonderful dinner at half price. I do it at least twice each cruise.

[Chunky2219]

What's jollop? Is it tasty?

Jollop - a predominantly north of England term for any form of alcohol of unknown provenance but which nevertheless, will make the eyeballs want to gently kiss after a few libations.

Come to think of it, your memory is better than mine. The drink was offered as free, but we were charged for the plastic glasses. They too stayed in the kitchen cupboard until last time we remodelled.

 

 

.

[claudiniusmaximus]

We were on Reflection in June and had read about the upselling in reviews on this site and was ready for the onslaught. But it turned out not to really happen.

 

It was a bit in your face for the first couple of hours but then nothing really.

 

That first evening in the Rendesvous lounge we weren't asked to upgrade our drinks package but decided to anyway and asked the waiter to do it. We got amazing service from him the rest of the trip.

 

Thinking back there were the odd places on the ship where people were doing a "soft sell" but they were more just standing there behind a placard rather than hassling on being aggressive e.g there was someone stood outside the buffet each day offering speciality dining packages but not obtrusively or in your face. I just smiled and said no thanks. It was easy.

 

I'd been expecting to be constantly hassled based on what i had read. Maybe our expectations were raised but we barely noticed it. I think if we hadn't been forewarned it might have bugged us more.

Edited August 28, 2016 by claudiniusmaximus

[richsea]

I can remember the pool staff walking around with a tray of "Bahama Mama's".

 

I'm glad they stopped that practice.

 

 

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That's what they were called!....couln't remember the name. We have some of those glasses with the old =X= logo, & some with the new X. Nice for summer pool parties!

[richsea]

Jollop - a predominantly north of England term for any form of alcohol of unknown provenance but which nevertheless, will make the eyeballs want to gently kiss after a few libations.

Come to think of it, your memory is better than mine. The drink was offered as free, but we were charged for the plastic glasses. They too stayed in the kitchen cupboard until last time we remodelled.

 

 

.

 

Jollop, I have to remember that. Love to learnwords & terms from elsewhere.

 

Yes, the drink was "free", but you paid for the glass. Of course, Celebrity's were made of glass; premium, you know:rolleyes:.

Edited August 28, 2016 by richsea

[chemmo]

Jollop - a predominantly north of England term for any form of alcohol of unknown provenance but which nevertheless, will make the eyeballs want to gently kiss after a few libations.

Come to think of it, your memory is better than mine. The drink was offered as free, but we were charged for the plastic glasses. They too stayed in the kitchen cupboard until last time we remodelled.

 

 

.

 

Thanks for the memory...not only of our first cruise but the word 'Jollop' - haven't heard it for years!

[ClaudiaB]

In 13 Celebrity cruises I honestly don't remember it being a big deal. I smile and say no thank you, and just turn my head the other direction when I come upon the shops or just smile and shake my head no. The shop people are contract employees, not Celebrity employees, they're just doing what they're told to do.

 

I either say no thank you, or I'm good, or I just smile and move along and forget about it. No one has ever followed me or grabbed my arm or tried to get me to change my mind. Maybe we're just lucky, but I have not had that experience nor have I seen it at any time.

 

We have only taken ONE photo in all those cruises. It was our very first cruise on Century and it was the silly one they take in front of a photo of the ship before you even get on board. Since that photo, we just step aside or smile and say no thank you. It seems like every time we get off the ship we play the "dodge the photographer" game, but we kind of laugh to ourselves about what kind of silly get-up the guy is wearing - is he in a pirate costume or is he a rabbit or a whale? What kind of silliness do they want people to take pictures with?!!! We just smile and say no thank you but then we're on to our business on shore and we forget about the photographers. It has not ruined our day if a guy asks if we want a photo taken!! On what used to be formal nights when the guys come around the tables - nope, we've always just said no thank you. Only ONE photo have we ever taken on a cruise. Yep. We ask people to take one with our own camera on occasion but that's the extent of it.

 

We have not had any unpleasant experiences at all. I'm on vacation ready to enjoy a cruise, and I do!! The fact that someone may approach me or ask me a question, doesn't even hit my radar. Not one single person has ever asked me a question twice. I don't give a snarky answer either, I just give a polite smile and a no thank you and move on and it's a done deal.

 

To think that someone would change a cruise line for something like people asking - I can't even wrap my mind around.

 

Maybe I'm just more easy-going than some. I'm grateful I'm on a cruise and can sail in my beautiful corner aft cabin and I'm not at all concerned about little things. I'm there to relax and nothing anyone can do or say is going to change my relaxing.

[Islandgirl4242]

We really aren't bothered much on cruises by upsells...maybe that's because I don't hear all that well.:p Does the crew receive $$ for the upsells they complete? ~~Judy

[pullen0]

We really aren't bothered much on cruises by upsells...maybe that's because I don't hear all that well.:p Does the crew receive $$ for the upsells they complete? ~~Judy

 

 

One of the few benefits of hearing aids. Just give them the look like you can't hear them and keep going. I actually got a navy blue set this time hoping they'd be easier for people to see.

 

 

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[cheeseheads4ever]

I agree. I politely say no thank you or if I already bought the specialty restuarant i just say we already are dining in specialty restaurants.

I dont let these little things ruin my cruise. I make the best of what ever and enjoy the sunshine with a cocktail in my hand.

We were on Constellation in February and noticed up selling but never felt pressured.they were always polite.

[ORV]

I do one of two things when someone tries to upsell me on board. I either say no (or sometimes just walk by saying nothing) or I say "make me a deal I can't refuse". That has worked on specialty restaurant prices....I offered 1/2 price (BOGO) and was refused. The next day, the guy remembered me and said...OK, I can do that deal.

 

As long as they aren't in my face or blocking my path and I don't hear a PA announcing the special of the minute...I'm OK.

 

This

 

Personally I ignore it and enjoy my cruise.:)

 

and this.

[cirpi]

Hi All,

 

Currently on my 3rd Celebrity Cruise. 1st was Alaskan Cruise about 5 years ago. 2nd was Caribbean last year and my current one is 14 night Baltic/Russian Cruise. The one thing I've noticed progressively getting worse is the amount of upselling Celebrity is doing.

 

Here are some examples:

 

1. Quietly eating breakfast with DW. Waiter comes up and starts chatting us up and asked if have been on Sushi on 5. We said not yet. He started telling us about that night's special dinner. We said we weren't interested and he kept insisting we should try it.

2. I'm on the treadmill and as I'm running and pop-up message comes up on the treadmill screen trying to upsell therapy services! I just want to run man.

3. As soon as the nightly shows are over I notices all of the shop sales people hurry out into the main hall telling people they should come in and see their stuff.

4. Just getting on the ship, not 5 minutes after we are relaxing on the benches by the pool, a waiter comes up and asks us if we want to upgrade our beverage package. I have had no less than 4 other waiters ask me this since.

5. I am enjoying some quiet time in the casino with the DW and a gentleman comes over 4 times!! asking us if we want to buy lotto tickets.

 

 

Now I know they are a business and they are looking to make $$, but it seems to be getting ridiculous. They seem desperate at times.

 

Anyone else noticing this?

 

Paul

 

Annoying? Absolutely, but a firm, stern ``No Thank You'' usually redirects the pitch to someone else.

[Kevnzworld]

The phone calls and messages from the Captains club hostess!

The junk mail !

The photo guys corralling you when you get off the ship!

The bartenders trying to sell you a beverage package!

 

Stop!!!

[Ma Bell]

I agree that it is easy to say "no thank you", I also agree that there is much more of this going on recently. It is a definite change in ambience on the ship.

[hcat]

We experienced the same thing on the Reflection last fall.

 

This constant upselling was the main reason we stopped cruising with Royal Caribbean in 2011 and were saddened to see that Celebrity is now doing the same thing.

 

One of the sad changes now that Celebrity is being Royalized...& not in a good way.....

[lovevacadays]

I'm sorry to hear about the constant upsell you experienced. It seems that cruise lines are really counting on the extra revenue these upsell features provide. I guess I am fortunate in that I have sailed to the Mexican Riviera 10 times so I am use to being in ports where every few minutes someone is trying to sell you something. I have learned to say no thanks and just go about my business without it upsetting me. But, I do understand your pain.

[lovevacadays]

I'm sorry to hear about the constant upsell you experienced. It seems that cruise lines are really counting on the extra revenue these upsell features provide. I guess I am fortunate in that I have sailed to the Mexican Riviera 10 times so I am use to being in ports where every few minutes someone is trying to sell you something. I have learned to say no thanks and just go about my business without it upsetting me. But, I do understand your pain.

 

Oops double post.

Edited August 29, 2016 by lovevacadays

[varoo]

I don't really see the issue. I just say no or keep walking and all is good. Really never gave it much thought honestly.

 

But like most of us, on my first cruise a while back my wife and I did take the "offered" drink when we boarded. We learned quickly - lol

 

The confusing part for newcomers is that upon boarding the ship when you are greeted with a "Welcome Aboard" and offered a drink, it is complimentary.

 

But then when you go up to the pool deck and are again greeted with a "Welcome Aboard" and offered another drink,

you quickly find out that you are expected to pay for this one.

 

 

We also do not find the people hawking stuff on the ship to be much of a problem.

We just say "no thank you" and move on.

Although for a cruise line that claims to pride itself on providing modern luxury, it instead provides more of a tacky flea market vibe at times.

 

But one way to look at it is that the passengers who are spending their money at the art auctions, jewelry stores, spas, bingo, acupuncture, etc. are probably helping to subsidize the cost of our cruise.

 

 

Edited August 29, 2016 by varoo

[Muushka]

In the scheme of things, upsells on a X cruise are towards the bottom of my list.

 

I walk by and say "No thank you".

[Cruisin4beaches]

Its here to stay. And will probably get worse. When the 3 major U.S. based cruise lines released their 2016 Q2 earnings report a few weeks ago RCI/ X had the lowest on board revenue of all U.S. lines. Carnival brands were in the middle and NCL the highest (I'm guessing NCL regulars are used to paying extra for things). Anyway stockholders look at on board revenue closely as its more important than net ticket revenue.

I'm lucky that I have one of those "don't even try it faces" but just relax, say no and let it go.

[El Crucero]

The one thing I've noticed progressively getting worse is the amount of upselling Celebrity is doing.

 

I think you should change cruise lines.

[hcat]

We also got suckered into the Bahama Mama on our very first cruise..Royal Sovereign of the Seas..lesson learned.

 

On X we try to avoid the atrium lobby first day where bar waiters swarm to upsell drink packages,.very annoying. Folks who want to book them, special dining and spa know where to access .....

 

Our worst experience was on Royal C Oasis in Chops.We were enjoying a family birthday dinner for my husband. While we waited for the cake to be presented our waiter appeared instead with a cookbook and wine aerator, and attempts to start a sales pitch...my dtr knew by the expression on our faces he had just lost his extra tip...really tacky!

 

Celeb is including alcohol in its basic offer of 1 perk so it should not expect all takers to upgrade, assume prices cover the perks.,..Those that want more, will pay without being cajoled.

Edited August 29, 2016 by hcat