Captains Club rip off?

[stephencarr5]

Hi there

 

 

Is there anyone out there who is feeling a little “hackedoff” with the Celebrity Captains Club as much as we are?

We have sailed with Celebrity for a few years now, but haveonly just reached “Select Status”

 

 

Firstly issue – Emailed the UK email address on the 28thJuly – and still no reply as of 9th August…

 

 

Second issue – Tried to upgrade to C3 cabin, but informedthat this would not attract the C2 Price the only upgrades in C class are fromC1 to C2 – Could not find this clause on the Advertising.

 

 

Third issue – Internet Discount – The web site claims 30%off first Internet package. Tried to get the discount on the current internetpackage for 2 Devices. Were informed that the discount only applies to the 1device price! Therefore the cost of the internet without discount for 2 Devicesworks out cheaper than the discounted price for 2 x Single internet packages.

 

 

With all this misleading and unclear info – thinking ofcomplaining to ASA or Trading Standards! It has become more and more difficult toplan the cruise and keep within budget with all these “exceptions”

Thinking of returning to HA!

[bigbeergut]

I'm not sure how it can be a rip-off because it's free.

[wendychloecruiser]

?? WORTH IT??? It doesn’t cost you anything! Celebrity doesn’t have to give us squat. Personally, I appreciate any little bonuses.

 

The 240 minutes, laundry and breakfast location are my favs.

Edited August 9, 2018 by wendychloecruiser

[CruisingChick]

We like our Elite Plus perks. The ones we use every or almost every cruise:

 

240 free internet minutes for each of us

Free drink lounge from 5-7

Senior Officer's Cocktail Pary

Elegant Tea

Free laundry coupon / dry cleaning / pressing of an item

Free tea, latte, espresso, cappuccino at Cafe al Bacio

Free scoop of gelato

Captain's Club breakfast

 

We don't visit the casino any longer but we use to use the match play back when we did.

 

As we have been basically booking guarantee cabins we have not be able to take advantage of the one category upgrade but have done so in the past.

[drew69]

Hi there

 

 

Is there anyone out there who is feeling a little “hackedoff” with the Celebrity Captains Club as much as we are?

We have sailed with Celebrity for a few years now, but haveonly just reached “Select Status”

 

 

Firstly issue – Emailed the UK email address on the 28thJuly – and still no reply as of 9th August…

 

 

Second issue – Tried to upgrade to C3 cabin, but informedthat this would not attract the C2 Price the only upgrades in C class are fromC1 to C2 – Could not find this clause on the Advertising.

 

 

Third issue – Internet Discount – The web site claims 30%off first Internet package. Tried to get the discount on the current internetpackage for 2 Devices. Were informed that the discount only applies to the 1device price! Therefore the cost of the internet without discount for 2 Devicesworks out cheaper than the discounted price for 2 x Single internet packages.

 

 

With all this misleading and unclear info – thinking ofcomplaining to ASA or Trading Standards! It has become more and more difficult toplan the cruise and keep within budget with all these “exceptions”

Thinking of returning to HA!

 

no, as they don't owe you anything at all and anything you get is a bonus. Too many people who feel their butts should be kissed for sailing frequently.

[stephencarr5]

Sorry all - its more around trying to plan the cruise around our budget, and what they are adverting on their website, I do appreciate its free, but it is there for a reason for its existence, and that is to keep us all traveling with Celebrity and rewards our loyalty to the line. Just think they need to be clearer around how they advertise it... Agreed I think the question I asked may be wrong! Also find it strange they offer "Celebrity Cruises Best Price Guarantee" to customer in the US, but not in the UK. All round feeling is they are trying to get every last penny out of us any way they can...

[oneputt18]

Rip off? Why do you think they should give you more free stuff? Can't be a ripoff if it is free, they don't have to give you anything.

[oneputt18]

Sorry all - its more around trying to plan the cruise around our budget, and what they are adverting on their website, I do appreciate its free, but it is there for a reason for its existence, and that is to keep us all traveling with Celebrity and rewards our loyalty to the line. Just think they need to be clearer around how they advertise it... Agreed I think the question I asked may be wrong! Also find it strange they offer "Celebrity Cruises Best Price Guarantee" to customer in the US, but not in the UK. All round feeling is they are trying to get every last penny out of us any way they can...

 

"Best Price Guarantee" has nothing to do with the Captains Club. Do any cruise lines offer it in the UK or does it violate some kind of British pricing regulations.

How are they advertising the CC in the UK that you find deceiving?

[stephencarr5]

Rip off? Why do you think they should give you more free stuff? Can't be a ripoff if it is free, they don't have to give you anything.

 

Because they are not providing or being clear what they are providing... (with specific reference to the UK website)

[stephencarr5]

"Best Price Guarantee" has nothing to do with the Captains Club. Do any cruise lines offer it in the UK or does it violate some kind of British pricing regulations.

How are they advertising the CC in the UK that you find deceiving?

 

No but its all about how they treat their customers... They heavily promote the captains club on the UK website and list the benifits, but do not make it clear what the restrictions are ( A requirement of UK law)

[stephencarr5]

?? WORTH IT??? It doesn’t cost you anything! Celebrity doesn’t have to give us squat. Personally, I appreciate any little bonuses.

 

The 240 minutes, laundry and breakfast location are my favs.

 

Yep , but if your not careful, you it can cost you more - Ie Internet - Cheaper to buy 2 device package than 2 x 1 Device packages with discount...

[Lady Arwen]

This is just so silly. Of course, it's not a "rip off"! Your issue is with the UK regulations, not with Captains Club. We receive excellent benefits (Elite+) and appreciate it very much.

[stephencarr5]

This is just so silly. Of course, it's not a "rip off"! Your issue is with the UK regulations, not with Captains Club. We receive excellent benefits (Elite+) and appreciate it very much.

Guessing there are some cultural differences of opinion here, and we are lucky in the UK to have consumer protection and some great loyalty programs with many companies. If I email the captains club - no response, the it costs 15p per minute to call them...

Again - how can you make a claim there is a saving, but even with the saving, it can cost you more?

[miched]

It is a rip off. I tried to use my CC status to make a reservation at our local diner and told them that I was a member of the Captains Club and they said thanks for the info but it doesn’t mean anything to them. 😱 🤗

 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

[helen haywood]

Guessing there are some cultural differences of opinion here, and we are lucky in the UK to have consumer protection and some great loyalty programs with many companies. If I email the captains club - no response, the it costs 15p per minute to call them...

Again - how can you make a claim there is a saving, but even with the saving, it can cost you more?

 

These aren't "cultural differences of opinion;" they are law unique to the UK versus the USA.

 

There may not be a savings to you in every aspect of the Captain's Club. But there certainly are savings to be had. And as an Elite Plus member I'm very grateful for them.

[TeeRick]

This is a very weird poll and thread.

[ScubesDad]

Yep , but if your not careful, you it can cost you more - Ie Internet - Cheaper to buy 2 device package than 2 x 1 Device packages with discount...

 

This is nothing more than wise shopping and exploring all the options. just because a discount is offered it may not be the best option.

 

The program is free, and some benefits are more relevant than others to some people.

 

 

An argument could be made that the program is less beneficial today than it was 5 years ago because of the "bundling" of perks into the price.

[4774Papa]

We like our Elite Plus perks. The ones we use every or almost every cruise:

 

240 free internet minutes for each of us

Free drink lounge from 5-7

Senior Officer's Cocktail Pary

Elegant Tea

Free laundry coupon / dry cleaning / pressing of an item

Free tea, latte, espresso, cappuccino at Cafe al Bacio

Free scoop of gelato

Captain's Club breakfast

 

We don't visit the casino any longer but we use to use the match play back when we did.

 

As we have been basically booking guarantee cabins we have not be able to take advantage of the one category upgrade but have done so in the past.

Elite benefits are excellent. We also cruise on NCL and are Platinum and those benefits are no were near as good as Celebrity's. Also, once Elite you can become Diamond on Royal C and Diamond benefits are even better.

[ghstudio]

Hi there

 

 

Is there anyone out there who is feeling a little “hackedoff” with the Celebrity Captains Club as much as we are?

We have sailed with Celebrity for a few years now, but haveonly just reached “Select Status”

 

 

Firstly issue – Emailed the UK email address on the 28thJuly – and still no reply as of 9th August…

 

 

Second issue – Tried to upgrade to C3 cabin, but informedthat this would not attract the C2 Price the only upgrades in C class are fromC1 to C2 – Could not find this clause on the Advertising.

 

 

Third issue – Internet Discount – The web site claims 30%off first Internet package. Tried to get the discount on the current internetpackage for 2 Devices. Were informed that the discount only applies to the 1device price! Therefore the cost of the internet without discount for 2 Devicesworks out cheaper than the discounted price for 2 x Single internet packages.

 

Issue 1) not sure why you are emailing...just pick up the phone and call them to discuss whatever you are trying to do.

 

Issue 2) The "captain's club upgrade" is pay for a C3 and get a C2 cabin. There is no upgrade to or from C1.

 

Issue 3) I can't address this specifically, but if you buy the 1 device price..it really means that you can use 1 device at a time. You can actually use that account on multiple devices, just not at the same time. If you really need two devices at the same time, then I guess you need 2 ID's and you need to find the least expensive way to do that. Many only buy the 1 device package and share with their travelling companion.

 

As far as the captain's club, it's free and we've never had a problem getting the perks that go along with each level.

[Charles4515]

Calling something the cruise line gives us free for loyalty a rip off is a unique way of thinking. They don't have to give us squat.......

 

Grow up.

[Mynki]

This is a very weird poll and thread.

 

I concur.

 

OP - I've read the Captains Club benefits stated on the website and find them well clear and defined. Even the small print...

 

It's absolutely not a rip off. Rip off means you are not receiving what you paid for. The poll is pointless.

 

For the record if you compare Celebrity's loyalty program to that of other lines I think you'll find it really quite good. It lasts for life for starters not just three years. I've also been offered discounts from our US based TA just for being Elite at the point of booking what I didn't even ask for, or know about for that matter! It's certainly not a rip off.

[Orator]

Hi there

 

 

Is there anyone out there who is feeling a little “hackedoff” with the Celebrity Captains Club as much as we are?

We have sailed with Celebrity for a few years now, but haveonly just reached “Select Status”

 

 

Firstly issue – Emailed the UK email address on the 28thJuly – and still no reply as of 9th August…

 

 

Second issue – Tried to upgrade to C3 cabin, but informedthat this would not attract the C2 Price the only upgrades in C class are fromC1 to C2 – Could not find this clause on the Advertising.

 

 

Third issue – Internet Discount – The web site claims 30%off first Internet package. Tried to get the discount on the current internetpackage for 2 Devices. Were informed that the discount only applies to the 1device price! Therefore the cost of the internet without discount for 2 Devicesworks out cheaper than the discounted price for 2 x Single internet packages.

 

 

With all this misleading and unclear info – thinking ofcomplaining to ASA or Trading Standards! It has become more and more difficult toplan the cruise and keep within budget with all these “exceptions”

Thinking of returning to HA!

How many Celebrity cruises have you taken and when did you take them? Your comments seem to indicate that you are not really familiar with the program.

The lowest Concierge cabin © is a C3 not a C1. You might not be able to get a one category upgrade if you have other perks such as a free drink package, OBC, Internet or gratuities. The upgrade is considered to be a perk.

The internet program is explained in the letter you receive in your cabin.

I find the program outstanding for me and have many more perks than I did 5 years ago prior to the addition of Loyalty levels. As others have said it cost nothing to join. "Cruise more, get more" is common in the travel industry. Enjoy cruising no matter what line you take.

[Sascol]

I was going to post something similar to what everyone else has already stated. Thanks for saving me time.

[JBare]

Personally I’m not seeing the problems here, I’m Elite Plus and enjoy the benefits, especially the 240 minutes internet. Wife also gets 240 mins so that’s basically 480 for me :) I’m from the UK and there’s no cultural difference, although the offers vary depending on time of year as to what’s included and its take it or leave it in the UK. There is no Best Price Guarantee and that’s fine in UK law and of course has nothing to do with Captains Club.

The current cruise price offer in the UK includes free unlimited WiFi and Classic drinks package which does of course negate the best Captains Club benefits, and that is a little annoying but as others have said the benefits are free.

 

As to Terms and Conditions on the UK web site, they are here and an extract re the cabin upgrade is clear.

 

 

https://www.celebritycruises.co.uk/terms-and-conditions/captains-club-terms/

 

One-Category Upgrade

 

One-category upgrade requests must be made at the time of booking and apply only for upgrades within the supercategory, depending on availability. Example of a supercategory upgrade in AquaClass: A2 to A1. Captain's Club one category upgrade excludes category 12, FV, SV, C1 and guarantee categories, Z, Y, X, XC, XA, W. This offer cannot be used with certain restricted fares including but not limited to travel agent and employee rates. Upgrades apply for one stateroom per cruise. Stateroom assignments only. Not valid on holiday sailings. Upgrades available from categories 11- A1 (subject to exclusions above) on all Celebrity ships except Celebrity Xpedition®, Celebrity Xperience℠ and Celebrity Xploration℠. Offer valid for members who are Classic Level or higher at the time of booking.

[cruisestitch]

What a goofy whinge:o