X serves up another change to Free In Stateroom Movies

[Nymich]

Not sure if this has been reported but here is the latest.  First a little background...….

 

Back in early September we reported that X had killed all free in stateroom movies and everything was now $14.95 per movie.  Because of 

the negative response X put some free movies back in.

 

Just got off the Infinity this morning and X is alternating two movies daily on Chanel 18.  You can't pause the movies as they are on a set 

schedule that X determines.  There are 76 pay movies as well as porn pay movies.  Looks like X found a way to say "hey we provide free movies".

The movies did change daily.  I only saw one child movie being shown which was Lion King.  

 

Not sure how long this has been going on or whether it is fleet wide but on Infinity is you will watch them when we say so!

 

Edited December 22, 2019 by Nymich

[Georgia_Peaches]

Well I followed your thread back in Sept and even got pretty involved in the campaign. Alas, our cruise on Silhouette over thanksgiving yielded about 5 free movies and a few documentaries on the making of Celebrity ships. We watched “The Mule” with Clint Eastwood. The rest were of no interest to us. I had high hopes but really, I would say that free movies are essentially gone just like they had intended in the first place. 

[Fouremco]

Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow and the Celebrity bean counters know!

[Nymich]

10 minutes ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

Well I followed your thread back in Sept and even got pretty involved in the campaign. Alas, our cruise on Silhouette over thanksgiving yielded about 5 free movies and a few documentaries on the making of Celebrity ships. We watched “The Mule” with Clint Eastwood. The rest were of no interest to us. I had high hopes but really, I would say that free movies are essentially gone just like they had intended in the first place. 

yep I agree once they felt the heat they regrouped and came up with this.   

[Jim_Iain]

Wondering if you actually clicked on the movies that appeared to be Pay per View.   We were on Edge in October for a B2B and found that they have about 20-30 free movies.   They appear to be pay per view but when you select it and go to the pay screen they say Free.   
 

Here are a couple screen shots.  If you look at top line it says General Free. 
 

You go to the Confirm and it says free.  
 

 

Edited December 22, 2019 by Jim_Iain

[Nymich]

Yes Jim I spoke with Guest Relations as well as Michaels Club Concierge those are gone from Infinity and I am not sure as I stated about the rest of the fleet.   I got the standard "that is our new contract" speech. The setup is entirely different now and all those movies are Pay per View and clearly state on the opening page $14.95..  Unfortunately October was two months ago after we all banded together and voiced our displeasure but I am happy that helped you enjoy some free flicks on YOUR schedule.  lol

2 Free movies are rotated on Channel 18 as I explained in the OP.

[mcrcruiser]

Hmmm so X charging for in cabin movies .  Holland America  has all free movies  & they are all excellent  .  Their new ships Koningsdam ,Nieuw Statendam & the new Ryndam coming  next year have large TV screens on the wall facing the bed  . Beds are very comfy  & so are the cabins & new shower stalls with glass that shows no water marks 

 

 We have done over 40 cruises with Celebrity ,20 with HAL ,some with Princess ,Royal Caribbean & Carnival .

   We love the share holder credits we can get with owning 100 shares of Carnival stock ,symbol CCL  .under 7 day cruise $50 ,7 to 14 day cruise $100 & 14 days & over $250 in on board credits  .  Combining with all fares ok

[Nymich]

7 minutes ago, mcrcruiser said:

Hmmm so X charging for in cabin movies .  Holland America  has all free movies  & they are all excellent  .  Their new ships Koningsdam ,Nieuw Statendam & the new Ryndam coming  next year have large TV screens on the wall facing the bed  . Beds are very comfy  & so are the cabins & new shower stalls with glass that shows no water marks 

 

 We have done over 40 cruises with Celebrity ,20 with HAL ,some with Princess ,Royal Caribbean & Carnival .

   We love the share holder credits we can get with owning 100 shares of Carnival stock ,symbol CCL  .under 7 day cruise $50 ,7 to 14 day cruise $100 & 14 days & over $250 in on board credits  .  Combining with all fares ok

Well said we will be on HAL in March and have done equal cruises with both X and HAL.  Just got off Oceania three weeks ago and great food with plenty of movies free in the stateroom.  X seems to think they know what they are doing with this but if it comes down to who we choose between lines they stand a better chance to lose next time.

[Jim_Iain]

39 minutes ago, Nymich said:

Yes Jim I spoke with Guest Relations as well as Michaels Club Concierge those are gone from Infinity and I am not sure as I stated about the rest of the fleet.   I got the standard "that is our new contract" speech. The setup is entirely different now and all those movies are Pay per View and clearly state on the opening page $14.95..  Unfortunately October was two months ago after we all banded together and voiced our displeasure but I am happy that helped you enjoy some free flicks on YOUR schedule.  lol

2 Free movies are rotated on Channel 18 as I explained in the OP.

 

Thanks for confirming.   Will be interesting to hear if it is the same on the other ships.  Celebrity is consistently inconsistent.  

 

I was just noticing on the screen shot that when I looked at them free menus was Nov 12 -  Wonder when they cut the free movies.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 22, 2019 by Jim_Iain

[NMTraveller]

So this is an issue?  Who goes on a cruise to watch a movie on a small screen?

 

Never mind... 

[Nymich]

11 minutes ago, NMTraveller said:

So this is an issue?  Who goes on a cruise to watch a movie on a small screen?

 

Never mind... 

People cruise for different reasons this obviously isn't one of yours.

[Nymich]

16 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

Thanks for confirming.   Will be interesting to hear if it is the same on the other ships.  Celebrity is consistently inconsistent.  

 

I was just noticing on the screen shot that when I looked at them free menus was Nov 12 -  Wonder when they cut the free movies.

 

 

 

 

 

X loves to do things and see what kind of reaction they get.  Kind of like a kid who steals a cookie to see if anyone saw them.   Not sure when just know I got off Infinity today and this is the "new contract".(on that ship anyways others will have to chime in if they disembarked recently from the others)

[mikkelhansen]

"General Free" had several movies listed on Edge on the December 1-8 sailing. So this has changed within the last 14 days, or it could be different between each ship.

[isdoo]

Download a few to a computer or tablet before you go. Problem sorted.... 

[The_Big_M]

1 hour ago, isdoo said:

Download a few to a computer or tablet before you go. Problem sorted.... 

 

Only if 

a) you know this in advance

b) you are bringing a computer or table with you, and

c) you find watching them on a laptop or tablet screen the same quality and convenience as watching on the in room tv

[JLBellaCC]

8 hours ago, Nymich said:

Yes Jim I spoke with Guest Relations as well as Michaels Club Concierge those are gone from Infinity and I am not sure as I stated about the rest of the fleet.   I got the standard "that is our new contract" speech. The setup is entirely different now and all those movies are Pay per View and clearly state on the opening page $14.95..  Unfortunately October was two months ago after we all banded together and voiced our displeasure but I am happy that helped you enjoy some free flicks on YOUR schedule.  lol

2 Free movies are rotated on Channel 18 as I explained in the OP.

And paying a bit is one thing, but $14.95 is outrageous!  

[Gracie115]

It really is ridiculous that Celebrity finds it necessary to charge for movies and provide nearly nothing in the way of "free" movies.  With the MUCH higher prices that Celebrity generally charges surely there is someone who can figure out how Princess, HAL, Seabourn and others are able to show a quite large variety of current FREE movies.  We were on the Princess Regal in November and I became ill and it was great to be able to click on any of 50 PLUS movies for free, nearly all 2019 and 2018 releases.  If these less expensive lines can do it why is Celebrity unable to do the same?  

[wrk2cruise]

9 hours ago, mcrcruiser said:

We love the share holder credits we can get with owning 100 shares of Carnival stock ,symbol CCL  .under 7 day cruise $50 ,7 to 14 day cruise $100 & 14 days & over $250 in on board credits  .  Combining with all fares ok

 

RCl (Celebrity) share holder credits work much the same way now.  On  bookings made after 6/1/2019 they are now combineable with other promos.  I know most people have given up submitting them in the past but for newer booking I've received the credit on every one submitted.

[ECCruise]

10 hours ago, NMTraveller said:

So this is an issue?  Who goes on a cruise to watch a movie on a small screen?

 

Never mind... 

Well you asked so....

Since we cruise well over 100 days per year there are times that it is nice to relax in the cabin and watch a movie.  Or read a book.  Or simply stare out at the sea.  To each their own.

We wouldn't think of doing the activities onboard that we have seen hundreds of times, so different strokes.

[Nymich]

Here is a Today from a couple days ago showing the new free movies in cabin schedule.  The movies change each day but you must build your schedule around the schedule X has for the movies.  No pausing to go to the casino or a show and resuming or changing to another free movie.  

 

The cruise we were on had bad weather and they could not do the outdoor activities for most of the cruise and we got to see what a lousy change this is.  Once again Guest Relations verified that these are the only free movies per the contract.  Obviously we looked also and on the first page of ALL the movies is $14.95.

 

Not sure how this always happens but we cruised X 3 times this year with 3 different free movie policies.

1)  Reflection Old Policy with many free movie choice   April 2019

 

2) Equinox X  eliminate all free movies mid cruise unannounced and as we were fleeing a hurricane and left early barely getting out of the port. .(nice touch there)  Later we prepared meals for the Bahamas and X enjoyed and pumped up the positive media about it..   September 2019

 

3) Infinity new policy 2 free movies daily on Channel 18.  No stopping or resuming etc.....December 2019

[Gracie115]

51 minutes ago, Nymich said:

Here is a Today from a couple days ago showing the new free movies in cabin schedule.  The movies change each day but you must build your schedule around the schedule X has for the movies.  No pausing to go to the casino or a show and resuming or changing to another free movie.  

 

The cruise we were on had bad weather and they could not do the outdoor activities for most of the cruise and we got to see what a lousy change this is.  Once again Guest Relations verified that these are the only free movies per the contract.  Obviously we looked also and on the first page of ALL the movies is $14.95.

 

Not sure how this always happens but we cruised X 3 times this year with 3 different free movie policies.

1)  Reflection Old Policy with many free movie choice   April 2019

 

2) Equinox X  eliminate all free movies mid cruise unannounced and as we were fleeing a hurricane and left early barely getting out of the port. .(nice touch there)  Later we prepared meals for the Bahamas and X enjoyed and pumped up the positive media about it..   September 2019

 

3) Infinity new policy 2 free movies daily on Channel 18.  No stopping or resuming etc.....December 2019

 

 

Sad isn't it....?

[ECCruise]

6 hours ago, isdoo said:

Download a few to a computer or tablet before you go. Problem sorted.... 

Once again a suggestion that YOU the customer do something to replace something taken away by the company.

Like bringing a beach ball for a footstool on the balcony.

 

[DrKoob]

11 hours ago, NMTraveller said:

So this is an issue?  Who goes on a cruise to watch a movie on a small screen?

 

Never mind... 

 

I was kind of looking for your comment. Whenever this comes up, someone asks that. I used to think that way...until I got sick on Summit. Stuck three days in the cabin watching DIY channel reruns over and over and over again. Just wanted something to take my mind off how lousy I felt. If this happens to you (illness or injury on board) you will totally get who watches movies (or any TV) on a cruise ship.

 

Jim

[VitaminSea53]

12 hours ago, NMTraveller said:

So this is an issue?  Who goes on a cruise to watch a movie on a small screen?

 

Never mind... 

I was on a cruise with a Noro virus breakout. Anyone who went to the medic for meds was QUARANTINED to their cabin even once they were symptom free.  That cabin gets to feeling “real small real fast” so you need a movie to take you mind off your predicament.  

[phoenix_dream]

40 minutes ago, VitaminSea53 said:

I was on a cruise with a Noro virus breakout. Anyone who went to the medic for meds was QUARANTINED to their cabin even once they were symptom free.  That cabin gets to feeling “real small real fast” so you need a movie to take you mind off your predicament.  

I believe people have said that if you are quarantined they will allow you to watch the movies for free.  But this was before - not sure if that is possible now.

 

I get very annoyed with trolls who need to shame those who do not share the same opinions or activities as they do.  I cruised 8 times on Celebrity in the past year, and have just as many cruises booked upcoming (and these are often 10 or 11 night cruises).  I get tired of seeing the same production shows over and over, I am not a big drinker, and I am not a big gambler, so yes I am in my cabin early most nights.  I've also over the years had a number of occasions where I came down with a cold or something similar and just did not feel up to staying out late. Spending a few hours relaxing in my cabin watching a movie is a real treat, as in my personal life I rarely have time to do that.  In addition, as someone on the far side of 60 years old, I just do not have the stamina to be up partying all night :-).  The channels offered on the television are so very, very limited (if you don't like European sports, news, or HGTV you are out of luck!) so movies are a nice option.  $14.95 is a ridiculously high amount to charge people for the privilege.  

 

I feel like Celebrity is playing head games with us these days, changing policies regularly trying to see what they can get away with.  I understand it is a business, and I understand the objective is to make a profit, but as the prices keep rising the benefits keep falling.  I really, really dislike how Celebrity is running the company since the current CEO took over.