Stateroom free movies eliminated

[rimmit]

If enough complain they have reversed things in the past.  March of 2018 they tried to take away the Diamond 24 hour internet benefit and only give you a coupon on RCI so you effectively got no free internet at Diamond status and they course corrected in less than a week so many people complained.   When they shut diamonds out of the concierge lounge so many went crazy they made Diamond lounges and in the meantime had their nightly Diamond event until all ships had a diamond lounge.  

 

If enough people yell yell and scream they sometimes listen.

 

 

9 hours ago, wpgcycler said:

Not a frequent cruiser but just someone who has thoroughly enjoyed my 2 X cruises and found them to be remarkable value. I've often spoken highly to my friends about the experience and have convinced 3 other couples (all first time cruisers) to join us for our 3rd cruise, next January. With the removal of free movies I'm now realizing they'll have to make do with only a dozen bars, several dining venues, nightly theatre productions, a couple of pools, the sound and sight of the sea, a thermal lounge, a fitness centre, a library, unlimited premium drinks and a few Caribbean islands. WHAT HAVE I DONE???

While to some this seems like such a small thing,  it’s the small things like this that people remember and causes your vacation to be special.   If you looked forward to a Mickey Ice cream bar every time you went to Disney world and then it just disappeared, while there hundreds of entertainment options at Disney it’s the attention to detail that makes it extra special.  Having the ability to relax and watch something on the TV (not your iPad or laptop that requires preplanning) was just so nice and something our family loved about Celebrity and as ridiculous as it sounds actually was part of the reason we are booking more X now than RCI.  And to the poster above that says X has the worst programming they clearly have not been on RCI recently.

[Georgia_Peaches]

9 hours ago, wpgcycler said:

Not a frequent cruiser but just someone who has thoroughly enjoyed my 2 X cruises and found them to be remarkable value. I've often spoken highly to my friends about the experience and have convinced 3 other couples (all first time cruisers) to join us for our 3rd cruise, next January. With the removal of free movies I'm now realizing they'll have to make do with only a dozen bars, several dining venues, nightly theatre productions, a couple of pools, the sound and sight of the sea, a thermal lounge, a fitness centre, a library, unlimited premium drinks and a few Caribbean islands. WHAT HAVE I DONE???

Congratulations on booking your third cruise!  And you convinced another couple to join you as well!  That's awesome.  We've been trying to get our friends to cruise with us for years!  They prefer terra firma.  But I must say that judging from your tongue and cheek response, I am guessing that you didn't read the thread from the beginning.  If you had, I think you would recognize the many reasons that cruisers rely on free movies being available in the stateroom.  So I won't repeat them.  But I will say, that my DH and I do not to have mobility issues, we have no young children or grandchildren (currently), have only had great weather on our sailings, and don't yet have enough flexibility in our schedules to enjoy a prolonged cruise with many sea days.  We partake of the casino, production shows, window shop, enjoy the ports of call, visit the bars, etc...and we still love and appreciate free movies while on our cruise.  Is it a deal breaker without them?  No, not in isolation.  But what might be a deal breaker is the continued diminishment of a product that so many have known and loved.  I hope your friends, whom you've convinced to cruise with you don't get disappointed should they wish to top off their evening with a movie while they snuggle up in bed.  But, unlike Celebrity did with their guests, you have plenty of time to warn them so that they can prepare.  I really do wish you a great trip with many fond memories.

[rimmit]

Also while we may believe the days of them caring about the comment cards are over and it’s just about the bottom line, RCI recently revamped their pizza.  The reason for it being that there scores on their food were low, and a big complaint from the pax was the pizza.  On one of their recent stockholder quarterly calls they mentioned they got a 5 point boost on the surveys by improving the pizza.   This is a rare instance where they realized they had cut so much that it was impacting guest satisfaction and decided to change the pizza as it was made fun of universally on the forums and guest surveys.  I had thought we were past the days of the cruise lines caring about what we wrote on the surveys but this proved me wrong.  

 

Either way way if you go on a cruise MAKE SURE to complain about the movies and recruit others to do the same.  If enough people complain while a long shot it is a possibility to bring it back.

Edited September 12, 2019 by rimmit

[TeeRick]

10 hours ago, rjhelmes said:

Has Celebrity thought about the unintended consequences of this move? For us, we enjoy Celebrity because it seems less crowded because people are in their staterooms. If this move pushes people to the pool (the ships will need more pool loungers) or to other places our enjoyment level will probably go down. While I can't say we won't sail with Celebrity next time but it'll certainly be taken into consideration. And who knows we may try another brand and like it and not return to Celebrity, that's a risk they're taking by making this move. It might be cheaper to keep the movies than trying to attract new (not yet loyal) customers.

Interesting point but I really wonder how much this will add to crowding on other areas of the ship during the day?  My guess is not much.  I don't think there were a lot of folks staying in their stateroom during the day and watching movies, either free or paid.  Sure there are some, but not a large number of people.  Maybe a few more on Sea Days perhaps?  But with free movies eliminated, will there be a lot more people by the pool on Sea Days?  That would presume a large number of people who previously watched free movies now invade the pool areas.  

Edited September 12, 2019 by TeeRick

[Blazerboy]

To follow up on the olive story from American Airlines,  it's true that the elimination of one small cost per passenger amounts to a relatively large number when multiplied across all passengers, the opposite calculation would also be true: 

 

(Using very simplified numbers here) Assuming that there are currently 10 ships, sailing mostly 7 day cruises, with an average of 2500 passengers, that's 1.3 million passengers a year.  If they are spending $1.00 per passenger to show a movie in room, that is only one tenth of one percent of my (very low estimate) cruise price. Am I not woth a $1 movie?  They provide other included items that cost significantly more.  Tacky bean counter move.  Complaint forthwith.

 

Perhaps next they will say "Cruisng is more special if you treat every day like Sundays.  Going forward, there will be only "Sunday Brunch" and a "Sunday Supper."  No unnecessary third meal!  Oh, and once a week the supper menu will be breakfast of pancakes and eggs to make you nostalgic for those (far off)days of your youth. Bacon and Sausage available for an upcharge, and to get maple syrup instead of Log Cabin, you have to have the Premium Maple Syrup Package.

 

🙄 Perhaps I should be careful- LLP might co-opt my idea

[Georgia_Peaches]

Just sent my email to celebrityonetouch@celebrity.com.   I'm hoping their inbox is flooded.  

[Nymich]

53 minutes ago, rimmit said:

  And to the poster above that says X has the worst programming they clearly have not been on RCI recently.

Correct …..20 plus cruises and NEVER on Royal.  What a coincidence the two worst are sisters.

[Nymich]

28 minutes ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

Just sent my email to celebrityonetouch@celebrity.com.   I'm hoping their inbox is flooded.  

I agree!  Do not just post here.  Call and write that dropping the movies is a cheap move by X.

[rimmit]

16 minutes ago, Nymich said:

Correct …..20 plus cruises and NEVER on Royal.  What a coincidence the two worst are sisters.

 

There is no worse programming.  They used to have first run movies playing continuously on several channels throughout the day, and gave you a schedule at the beginning of the trip.  I used to always get excited about seeing what they had to watch. Now they have all the RCI advert channels about a news channel or two a kids channel playing the same 4 to 5 episodes of different shows such that after a day you have seen them all after a day or two and about 5 channels of movies that are all in different languages. It is miserable.  After going on Celebrity for the first time since 2010 one of the biggest upgrades was their media programming.  Not as good as Disney but a massive upgrade over RCI.  It really woke us up to just how badly RCI has cut things over the last 10 years. 

Edited September 12, 2019 by rimmit

[Iamcruzin]

11 hours ago, wpgcycler said:

Not a frequent cruiser but just someone who has thoroughly enjoyed my 2 X cruises and found them to be remarkable value. I've often spoken highly to my friends about the experience and have convinced 3 other couples (all first time cruisers) to join us for our 3rd cruise, next January. With the removal of free movies I'm now realizing they'll have to make do with only a dozen bars, several dining venues, nightly theatre productions, a couple of pools, the sound and sight of the sea, a thermal lounge, a fitness centre, a library, unlimited premium drinks and a few Caribbean islands. WHAT HAVE I DONE???

I have been trying to get my friends to join us on a cruise for years. They are finally considering it.

WHAT HAVE I DONE???

It seems you a new to cruising. You are exactly what the cruise line wants as you don't miss what you never had. I'm not loyal to one line as I knew that would be a mistake as they years went by so I have seen a lot of change across the major cruise lines. It's to the point that we may be joining our friends on one of their all inclusive land vacations. Also my sons who we took on cruises when they were children are even starting to complain about the food and service when they cruise.  My youngest who is 24 has been switching off between cruising with Airbnb land vacations. 

  

[Nymich]

9 minutes ago, rimmit said:

 

There is no worse programming.  They used to have first run movies playing continuously on several channels throughout the day, and gave you a schedule at the beginning of the trip.  I used to always get excited about seeing what they had to watch. Now they have all the RCI advert channels about a news channel or two a kids channel playing the same 4 to 5 episodes of different shows such that after a day you have seen them all after a day or two and about 5 channels of movies that are all in different languages. It is miserable.  After going on Celebrity for the first time since 2010 one of the biggest upgrades was their media programming.  Not as good as Disney but a massive upgrade over RCI.  It really woke us up to just how badly RCI has cut things over the last 10 years. 

I understand now that Royal is awful as well.  

[kathynorth]

10 hours ago, kathynorth said:

 

Thanks for your update. I emailed CelebrityOneTouch yesterday and will post if I receive a call. I'd encourage others to do the same. 

 

I received an emailed response from CelebrityOneTouch@celebrity.com this morning that says she'll forward my message down the line and will let me know if there is any change. 

 

[CulverCityCruisers]

Wel, here is the response I got from X.  Granted I did mention issues on Equinox regarding dress code in the dinning room as well and THAT they seem interested in.  As far as the movies in the room go, well just a corporate response.

Thank you for contacting Celebrity Cruises. We are delighted you will be sailing with our cruise line. I am pleased to have this opportunity to respond to your inquiry.

 

Dear......

I am so sorry to hear about your experience with other guest in the public areas. I know that this could make you feel uncomfortable, which is understandable. I will be forwarding over your email to the ship, that way better actions, training and enforcements of dress codes can be handled appropriately and accurately. Also, I thank you for voicing your opinion/ concern for the movie removal decision. This will also help let our company understand this benefit is appreciated and very well liked. 

 

Mr. ...., you have my sincere gratitude for your honest evaluation. We are passionate about providing the best cruise experience possible, and we will continue to make the most of your insights. We sincerely value your continued patronage and would be honored to welcome you aboard in the near future.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

 

Tasha Gaines

Celebrity Cruises

[goofysmom99]

Thank you OP for starting this thread.  Last year's Silhouette TA had 7 consecutive days when you couldn't use outdoor spaces due to weather/wind (our balcony furniture was lashed down).  In room movies were a welcome distraction.  So in addition to sending an email and making a call to X voicing dissatisfaction with their new cost-cutting measure, I'll be loading extra stuff onto my tablet for this year's TA.  I do prefer watching a larger screen occasionally, though. Keeping my fingers crossed the weather will be better this year at least.

[Mr Sea Gull]

She did say that if a guest was under quarantine via medical, the 14.99 fee per movie would be waived.  I guess that is something.

 

I wonder if that will work like when LLP suggested asking the stateroom attendant for a foot-stall to fob people off.

 

We have just endured a cruise on the Silhouette with 600 children on-board without adequate facilities for them.  Celebrity are actively marketing Family Cruises during school holidays so is it really a wise move removing something that could be suitable for them.

[twodjs]

Interesting that I posted my disappointment on the Celebrity Captain's Club Facebook page - 225 comments in less than 12 hours. The moderator is not allowing any more comments. Do we have Celebrity's attention?

[twodjs]

Or are they trying to stop negative comments and hope the problem just goes away?

[DYKWIA]

If there is no going back on the free movies, the ability to plug a USB stick in to the TV (virtually every TV has a media player in these days) would, in our case, go a long way to improving the situation.

 

My wife likes going to bed early and watching 30 mins of a movie. On our previous cruises on an S class ship it wasn't unusual for her to take 3-4 nights to get through a movie

[Nymich]

4 hours ago, goofysmom99 said:

Thank you OP for starting this thread.  Last year's Silhouette TA had 7 consecutive days when you couldn't use outdoor spaces due to weather/wind (our balcony furniture was lashed down).  In room movies were a welcome distraction.  So in addition to sending an email and making a call to X voicing dissatisfaction with their new cost-cutting measure, I'll be loading extra stuff onto my tablet for this year's TA.  I do prefer watching a larger screen occasionally, though. Keeping my fingers crossed the weather will be better this year at least.

You are very welcome.  I started the thread because I thought it was cheap to pull these movies mid cruise on people who were avoiding a Hurricane at the same time.  In addition many of us were lucky enough to help prepare $10,000 meals for the poor people in the Bahamas on this cruise.  Human assembly lines were formed and everyone worked together like clockwork!  At the same time X was taking away the few free movies.  

 

Since the thread has started I see MANY are not happy and X is trying to run away from it.  I say keep the pressure up call, write!!!

[rimmit]

7 hours ago, Nymich said:

I understand now that Royal is awful as well.  

 

The programming is pretty bad.  The ship maintenance is questionable unless you are on a newer ship as well. The Enchantment and Grandeur are pretty much rust buckets these day.  We still enjoy it, cuz it's very convenient for us to get to the Grandeur, and it tends to be REALLY cheap.  However, after experiencing Celebrity, we believe the cost difference is worth it, it's just that Celebrity is tougher for us to get to.  However, for our more exotic cruises, we will definitely be primarily doing X in the future.

 

3 hours ago, DYKWIA said:

If there is no going back on the free movies, the ability to plug a USB stick in to the TV (virtually every TV has a media player in these days) would, in our case, go a long way to improving the situation.

 

 

I agree.  I just got an email and a call from X about this.  I told them, they need to enable the HDMI ports on the TVs if this is going to be the future.

 

The girl on the phone, Ashley Sandy, was very apologetic of the situation.  She said she took her FIRST cruise this august on X and loved it, and one of things she loved and was shocked about was that the movies were free.  She stated she was very upset to find out they cut them as she just learned about it last week she said.  She said she has received a lot of complaints regarding the matter, and categorizes complaints into categories.  She stated she prioritizes each one of these, and on top of that states that it is adversely effecting the guest experience.  (from how she was talking about the categories, it seems as though there is some for not legitimate complaints, one time issues, and a category for things that are reasonable and truly effecting the guests, among others).  She genuinely seemed upset about losing the free movies as well.

 

If enough people complain there is hope.  She hopes they will go back to drawing board and cut something else back instead as well.  It's not common for companies to go back on changes, but like i said before, RCI has had several where they responded to guest feedback. Sometimes almost immediately in the case where they got rid of the free 24 hours of internet for Diamond and 2 free days for Diamond Plus on RCI. They got SOOO many complaints about that, that within a week they had reversed the decision to get rid of the coupon.  I was on the sailing where they instigated the change mid sailing, and by the end of the 12 night cruise it was reversed.  The Loyalty Ambassador was SOOOO tired of hearing complaints, that when I went to ask what happened to the coupon (it disappeared mid cruise.  about two days in.) You could see the exhaustion in her eyes, and was just like "We are changing it back.  Until then go to guest services and they will credit your account." and she said it with much exhaustion and distain and eye rolling.

 

Our best bet is to have EVERYONE who is going on a cruise now and in the immediate future write on the comment cards how cheap this is, and RECRUIT as many people on board to do the same.  Enough people complain, and it's not worth the endless headache.

 

Let's see what happens. 

[Fouremco]

4 hours ago, DYKWIA said:

If there is no going back on the free movies, the ability to plug a USB stick in to the TV (virtually every TV has a media player in these days) would, in our case, go a long way to improving the situation.

A hotel we stayed in recently had lovely large flat screen TV's mounted to the wall, making access to any of the input ports impossible. However, they also had a panel on the wall with all the same ports, wired to the TV. There you could have popped your USB stick into the panel, or connected a device using an HDMI cable, and watched movies to your heat's content.

 

I'd be quite content to see Celebrity drop free movies if they would enable use of the various TV inputs in a similar fashion, but I'm not holding my breathe.

 

[hcat]

Just sent our e mail to the one touch address posted....

 

We will also note unhappiness to officers and staff on our Nov Edge cruise...

[hulamoon]

I am willing to give up free chocolate at night on my pillow. I love them but free movies are better. Then I remember my goodness, we have given up a lot over the years. Things to do, shows, better food, I remember when the dailies were overwhelming with choices and now its mostly about buying more and more. It's not even a complaint, its a fact.

[shirazcruiser]

On ‎9‎/‎8‎/‎2019 at 8:32 PM, Iamthesea said:

The last time we were on Celebrity (May), there were only a hand full of free movies playing.  We download Amazon Prime movies onto my iPad and watch those should we need to.  Is there a way to hook an iPad up to the stateroom TV's so that we can watch on a larger screen?

I use the Apple Lightning to Digital AV Adapter (Apple $50) and an 10' long ultra-slimline HDMI cable along with my personal Samsung remote which allows me to change the input to the HDMI port I'm connected. When I sail on Princess, I bring a cheap RCA universal remote that has an INPUT button so I can code it to their LG tv and then I can change the HDMI source. If you bring a universal remote, don't forget the instructions and the codes for Samsung tv's.

 

HDMI Cable 10ft HDMI Cord Ultra-Slim with 90 Degree HDMI Adapter & Cable Ties, 4K HDMI Cable High Speed for Ethernet, PS4, 1080P, Xbox One, 3D, PC-2 Pack by PERLESMITH (Amazon $8.99)

[Georgia_Peaches]

If you are a member of a roll call for an upcoming cruise, I think it might be a good idea to post about this in that forum as well.  There are lots of roll call members out there who may not regularly tune in to CC boards for issues such as these.  I just posted in my 11/22 roll call making a plea to contact Celebrity regarding this issue...