Friction. Tension. Disruption. Why?

[Loreni]

DH and I are Princess cruisers but we are looking for alternatives so that we have more options. Until yesterday, HAL was not an option due to smoking policy. Also, we are maybe a bit young for HAL.

 

Yet, I wonder if we are too old for Celebrity, based on their new marketing direction. I have read that on transatlantic sailings, where most passengers are retirement age or older, the bands are not allowed to play classic rock. Also, there is loud thumping music and they say Miami will not allow them to lower the volume.

 

Now, I have found a Skift article about how Celebrity marketing seeks to be disruptive to the cruise industry (although not as disruptive as Airbnb has been to hotels). Also, they want more friction or at least tension in how they attract consumers. Will this spill into the onboard atmosphere?

 

We don't vacation for friction, tension, or disruption. I know being blasted with loud music would provide all those things for me. I wonder if more changes are in store to make Celebrity less attractive to older cruisers.

 

P.S. We like the idea of Evening Chic.

Edited October 3, 2016 by Loreni

[DirtyDawg]

Airbnb has been disruptive to the hotel industry yet every time I have used them there has been no tension, disruption or friction in the actual service. Marketing and reality are two very different things. As for load music, if your volume threshold is lower try another cruise line.

Edited October 3, 2016 by DirtyDawg

[killsport]

If it is just noise the you are concerned with regarding Celebrity, perhaps some simple earplugs might help... I now bring a set pretty much any time I leave the house and go to a loud location (football game, pool party, etc). If everything else matches, this is a simple fix. If you are concerned with the upsell pressure, drink prices, food quality, itineraries, etc, then perhaps a other line would suit you.

Having said that, we are reconsidering our future cruises with Celebrity (even though we will be Elite) between the fake sales promos, odd advertising, and reduced food quality.

[helen haywood]

I wouldn't worry at all about the advertising campaigns! I have stock in companies that have hired advertising agencies to put shlock on the air....I cringe...the companies are still doing fine. Celebrity's S-Class ships are beautiful. Read this review from a loyal Princess cruiser who tried Celebrity for the first time: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2306122

[Bo1953]

I wouldn't worry at all about the advertising campaigns! I have stock in companies that have hired advertising agencies to put shlock on the air....I cringe...the companies are still doing fine. Celebrity's S-Class ships are beautiful. Read this review from a loyal Princess cruiser who tried Celebrity for the first time: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2306122

 

hh - thank you for pointing out B0's terrific posting... he is a great person, photographer, travel writer, and etc...

 

It is quite possible that the OP does not realize that the passenger demographic is not the same as portrayed, here on CC...

 

bon voyage

[Loreni]

I remember a few years back there was a failed marketing campaign, "X the Rules." I believe the intention was to be edgy and attract younger cruisers. The result was that many thought the slogan was vulgar and that "X," in this case, was intended to suggest a four letter word.

 

I doubt the overall goal of attracting younger cruisers has diminished. Perhaps it has actually intensified, but now different approaches will be used. I just hope the onboard atmosphere is inclusive of a diversity of passenger ages and that all would feel equally welcome.

[upwarduk]

---- I wonder if we are too old for Celebrity, based on their new marketing direction. I have read that on transatlantic sailings, where most passengers are retirement age or older, the bands are not allowed to play classic rock. Also, there is loud thumping music and they say Miami will not allow them to lower the volume.

 

Try Azamara.

We have just returned from a TA on Quest and there was no loud piped music. Everyone was very friendly.

There was no up sell for Speciality restaurants or drinks packages. Everything was included including tips and we came away with a £0.00 bill.

I thoroughly enjoyed my cruise and will certainly look at Azamara again when booking our next cruise ( they are part of the RCCL group)

[El Crucero]

I cruise on both Celebrity and Princess although my preferred line is Celebrity by far. I don't find much difference between the lines in food diversity and quality, entertainment in variety and noise levels, and the age demographics of the passengers. Some things Princess does better but on the whole Celebrity does more things better in my opinion. I don't find any friction, tension, or disruption on any of my numerous Celebrity cruises, and for that matter on Princess either.

 

The only friction, tension, and disruption I find is on the CC Celebrity Forum where people complain about the darnedest things or bring up non-existent issues.

[Fish Lover]

"Friction. Tension. Disruption" ???? Those are all negative words. I can't imagine a marketing campaign that promotes these things. Is it possible you have misunderstood the message?

 

My experiences on Celebrity could not be further from these concepts.

 

Also, Celebrity should embrace the older passenger community. They have the discretionary money to cruise frequently.

[patty1955]

 

Now, I have found a Skift article about how Celebrity marketing seeks to be disruptive to the cruise industry (although not as disruptive as Airbnb has been to hotels). Also, they want more friction or at least tension in how they attract consumers. Will this spill into the onboard atmosphere?

.

The only Skift article I can find that mentions "distruptive" says "Giorgi said he doesn’t see any upheaval in store for the cruise industry that would be comparable to Airbnb’s effect on hotels or Uber’s impact on taxis."

 

https://skift.com/2016/04/05/celebrity-cruises-is-turning-to-airbnb-for-a-cmo/

 

Did we read the same article? It's six months old and I haven't seen any disruption.

Edited October 3, 2016 by patty1955

[cynbar]

We are loyal Celebrity cruisers, but I do have to say that I have found the piped in music and the DJs to be disruptive at times. I was on Reflection and thinking to myself that all the talk of loud music was overblown ---- and then it started. Techno rock or whatever it is called started blaring around the main pool. We had to get up and leave. But even saying that, it wasn't all the time. Our next cruise will be on Celebrity, but I do feel that they are looking for a younger demographic.

[Loreni]

The only Skift article I can find that mentions "distruptive" says "Giorgi said he doesn’t see any upheaval in store for the cruise industry that would be comparable to Airbnb’s effect on hotels or Uber’s impact on taxis."

 

https://skift.com/2016/04/05/celebrity-cruises-is-turning-to-airbnb-for-a-cmo/

 

Did we read the same article? It's six months old and I haven't seen any disruption.

 

Yes. This is the exact article. I encourage everyone to read it very carefully.

 

It is open to a number of interpretations, one of which is that Celebrity is not very content with their current demographic. This would be consistent with prior ad campaigns and the loud music. I also think management may be annoyed by passengers who cancel over concerns about Zika or terrorism. They would probably like to attract a more intrepid passenger. People tend to become more risk averse with age.

 

Nothing wrong with having a target market. I just want to feel comfortable that I am part of this target market, but I'm not so sure. If the loud music hasn't been sufficient to bring about the desired demographic shift, what's next?

[SusieV]

I'm not so sure. If they are really looking for a younger demographic, then why roll up the carpets so early?

 

I sailed in Dec last year on a 5 night cruise with a friend (a party cruise if ever there was one!) and we went to the late night (10 pm!) deck parties but they literally lasted less than 45 minutes before reverting to the canned poolside music. We would have been happy to spend a few hours up there and were disappointed that the singers and dancers only did one set. At least they could have left the band.

[bigbenboys]

We have been on many of the other United States cruise lines. I still love Celebrity the best. I might try Azamara again. Azamara is just ok in my book.

 

I have look at Regent and Oceania. We are just not that formal of a family. From one or both Regent and Oceania want you to stay in your evening attire all evening. At list that is what I read on the website. If I want to walk the ship in the evening in shorts I should be able too. We will try Paul Gauguin some time after next year. All booked up for cruises in 2017. Starting to look at 2018.

 

The music on the ship is great. While I do like music in the 1990's. I'd be ok with them not playing anything older than 2000. Why do I want to listen to music from so many years ago that I have heard 100's of times. I'm going to be 58 soon and retiring.

[wallie5446]

DH and I are Princess cruisers but we are looking for alternatives so that we have more options. Until yesterday, HAL was not an option due to smoking policy. Also, we are maybe a bit young for HAL.

 

Yet, I wonder if we are too old for Celebrity, based on their new marketing direction. I have read that on transatlantic sailings, where most passengers are retirement age or older, the bands are not allowed to play classic rock. Also, there is loud thumping music and they say Miami will not allow them to lower the volume.

 

Now, I have found a Skift article about how Celebrity marketing seeks to be disruptive to the cruise industry (although not as disruptive as Airbnb has been to hotels). Also, they want more friction or at least tension in how they attract consumers. Will this spill into the onboard atmosphere?

 

We don't vacation for friction, tension, or disruption. I know being blasted with loud music would provide all those things for me. I wonder if more changes are in store to make Celebrity less attractive to older cruisers.

 

P.S. We like the idea of Evening Chic.

 

I am 62 and the wifester is 59, we have been sailing Celebrity since 1994 and find it the most perfect fit at the current time. What is 'Skift"? Never heard of it. Our 1st Princess was in 1992, our last was the Ruby in 2012, and for the foreseeable future. It is no longer a quality fit.

 

The onboard atmosphere on Celebrity is wonderful! Last Nov there was a Beatles tribute band that had us and 200 others dancing till way past midnight! We could not remember the last time we had that much fun!

We have yet to experience the blasting or blaring thumping music some whine about. Guess we have just been lucky, or it has been blown out of proportion.

 

Last cruise was the first time in 25+ years over 7 diff lines, I did not take a tux, jacket, nor tie! :eek:

Edited October 3, 2016 by wallie5446

[hcat]

The only ship where we had issues was Reflection... they had the awful Miami djs around the ship..drowning out any other performers, they played the endless loop of wierd music and had very loud music at the pool.

 

That whole ship had a Miami party vibe.. and was just not for us. Would not go back to that ship...but all the others have been fine for us...better djs, varied music and a less frenzied vibe

[El Crucero]

The only ship where we had issues was Reflection... they had the awful Miami djs around the ship..drowning out any other performers, they played the endless loop of wierd music and had very loud music at the pool.

 

That whole ship had a Miami party vibe.. and was just not for us. Would not go back to that ship...but all the others have been fine for us...better djs, varied music and a less frenzied vibe

 

That cruise must have been a Caribbean cruise. ALL cruise lines try to cater to the crowd and itinerary of that particular cruise. I have cruised on Reflection twice (not in the Caribbean) and it was the same both times, refined but lively; friendly but plenty of room to find your own quiet space when desired; top notch staff, officers, cuisine, and presentation. The Reflection is one of our favorite ships but we avoid Caribbean cruises on any ship for the reasons stated above.

[patty1955]

Yes. This is the exact article. I encourage everyone to read it very carefully.

 

It is open to a number of interpretations, one of which is that Celebrity is not very content with their current demographic. This would be consistent with prior ad campaigns and the loud music. I also think management may be annoyed by passengers who cancel over concerns about Zika or terrorism. They would probably like to attract a more intrepid passenger. People tend to become more risk averse with age.

 

Nothing wrong with having a target market. I just want to feel comfortable that I am part of this target market, but I'm not so sure. If the loud music hasn't been sufficient to bring about the desired demographic shift, what's next?

The disruption in the article was regarding the marketing not the cruise experience. There was no reason to think it would impact the ships atmosphere. The "cola wars" didn't change the taste of the drinks.

As to Celebrity looking for a younger demographic, read the boards. That conversation has been going on for a long time. Of course they're marketing to the younger crowds, the older crowd is thinning. For all the gloom and doom on the boards, we've only had one bad experience on Celebrity and I think that had more to do with the ship itself.

[hcat]

That cruise must have been a Caribbean cruise. ALL cruise lines try to cater to the crowd and itinerary of that particular cruise. I have cruised on Reflection twice (not in the Caribbean) and it was the same both times, refined but lively; friendly but plenty of room to find your own quiet space when desired; top notch staff, officers, cuisine, and presentation. The Reflection is one of our favorite ships but we avoid Caribbean cruises on any ship for the reasons stated above.

 

Yes it was a Carib cruise...we do them frequently as well as other itins, but none have had a loud a Miami party theme indoors and out..the CD on that one also contributed to the frenzied tone...nothing about it was "refined". We prefer a more laid back Jimmy Buffet & Island music theme in the Caribbean. Of course we found our quiet spaces, enjoyed BLU and Cafe Baccio....

 

I know the ship has many fans but we also did not care for the ship's layout in spots....too crowded most places;(except BLU); the Canyon Ranch spa ( which was very nice) and solarium are on different levels--less convenient to enjoy both; truncated nightclub on solarium level felt cramped & no longer has wrap around views. The aft circular bar cut that area in half making it hard to enjoy music...too many bar stool hogs were noticeably intoxicated and loud...while the guitarists played. Very crowded area

 

It was right about the time when X wanted to take a different turn in demographics and cruise experience...so maybe they have corrected course on the Reflection...but once was enough for us!

.

[kitty9]

We have been on many of the other United States cruise lines. I still love Celebrity the best. I might try Azamara again. Azamara is just ok in my book.

 

I have look at Regent and Oceania. We are just not that formal of a family. From one or both Regent and Oceania want you to stay in your evening attire all evening. At list that is what I read on the website. If I want to walk the ship in the evening in shorts I should be able too. We will try Paul Gauguin some time after next year. All booked up for cruises in 2017. Starting to look at 2018.

 

Oceania has gotten all our business since we decided to leave Celebrity due to what we feel is a complete downgrade of the product. We had more than 35 cruises on Celebrity, mostly in the RS or PH, and even then, we just don't like the direction that Celebrity has taken in the last two years.

 

BUT, Oceania is NOT formal by any stretch of the imagination. There are NO formal nights and the evening clothing is dressier casual. We rarely see a sport coat, and never have seen a tux or gown. Even their most fancy restaurants don't require a coat and tie and we see women wearing capri pants and slacks at night in all the restaurants. The only thing is you can't wear shorts in the dining rooms except the buffet, at night. But, there are plenty who wear shorts after dinner.

[DonRobertoSanJuan]

I have no problem with most kinds of music in concert halls, dancing venues and the like. But when I go out for dinner, I walk out of any restaurant with loud music, no matter what kind. I go to a restaurant to eat and hopefully have a nice conversation with my partners. One of the reasons I didn't like Princess (to Alaska), was the obnoxiously loud "one man band" at night in the bar area. You couldn't carry a conversation without having to shout. Never had that problem with Celebrity.

Edited October 3, 2016 by DonRobertoSanJuan

[2theship]

We primarily sail Celebrity and Princess and chose based on itinerary. When we cruise with our adult children, it's only for a week so it's generally a cruise with a younger passenger base. We've never had an issue with too much noise overall. If a venue annoys us, we'll leave.

 

On longer cruises, we find the passenger base to be the same between the lines.

[Luvcrusn]

DH and I have been cruising on X for many years and as on all other cruise lines, we have seen a "watering down" of the experience. That being said, we have found that we still prefer X for many reasons. Regardless of their marketing campaign we enjoy the air of refinement offered, enjoy the level of service, appreciate the no smoking policies so that we can actually enjoy the casino and not run through it holding our breath (or detour around it). We have found a variety of music offered in varying places around the ships. There was a Miami DJ aboard the Connie in Feb. who played lively music near the martini bar in the center of the ship at night, but we rather enjoyed his selection and found him personable and fun. We were celebrating our 46th anniversary, so although we still feel young we're not kids! We haven't seen a change in the demographics aboard the ships, but we tend to select longer itineraries, and those do attract a more senior crowd than the 3-7 day choices.

[Duanerice1]

I can't tell you how many times I've been in a meeting/situation only to read about if afterward and have to ask "was I really there?" because my take is so different. Same with some reviews, I often have to ask if I was on the same cruise. My point is you can't read into or believe everything you read.

 

I've been on about 7 Celebrity cruises. Loved them all. I never understood the comments about loud music because I've never heard it but, I don't hang by the pool. Maybe that's where the issue is. Just not my thing, I have a pool at home :)

 

But if Celebrity is not for you then don't go. Unlike other's, I can't afford to go on the top notch lines and that's OK. I don't even cruise in suites but still manage to have a good time :)

 

We are 63 and 59 and have been sailing Celebrity from our early 50's

[Luvcrusn]

I can't tell you how many times I've been in a meeting/situation only to read about if afterward and have to ask "was I really there?" because my take is so different. Same with some reviews, I often have to ask if I was on the same cruise. My point is you can't read into or believe everything you read.

 

I've been on about 7 Celebrity cruises. Loved them all. I never understood the comments about loud music because I've never heard it but, I don't hang by the pool. Maybe that's where the issue is. Just not my thing, I have a pool at home :)

 

But if Celebrity is not for you then don't go. Unlike other's, I can't afford to go on the top notch lines and that's OK. I don't even cruise in suites but still manage to have a good time :)

 

We are 63 and 59 and have been sailing Celebrity from our early 50's

 

We do hang by the pool and commented on our last cruise on Connie in Feb. that there was less music by the pool than ever (10 day Caribbean). Only about and hour a day, so can't figure what the uproar is about! Like you said, we all have our own tolerance levels. We too are not suite travelers, Concierge Class is just fine and we're not willing to pay what the more upscale lines charge. Their all inclusive is not worth it to us, because when you compare apples and apples, the costs are coming out of our pocket one way or another! We've always been happier on X than any other of the lines we've travelled.