How we can help Celebrity

[phoenix_dream]

4 minutes ago, OuiOnboard said:

That is why it is really important to step up in support to get over this bump.

They are holding tens of thousands of my $$ right now.  I cannot afford to take the risk to invest more until I feel more secure.  It's a personal decision, and that is mine.

[Redtravel]

Over 70 and cannot get a doctor certification. Even if we have the time, money and desire to cruise, we will be excluded by any Royal Caribbean subsituary.  Booking any future cruise is not a good idea for us at this time.  If you are younger, your cruising future may be better than ours.  With all the uncertainty now,  booking any vacation may be wishful thinking.  Be safe, enjoy memories of past travel, and stay home.

[HxFx]

15 minutes ago, BP99 said:

I find these posts for "How can we help Celebrity" unusual.

Maybe it is a matter of a semantics disagreement. When I read that, I think more of just trying to preserve the cruise industry. If they go under, no more cruising. It takes a pretty big corporation to cruise in the manner of Celebrity, Carnival, RCI, etc. and they are bleeding money right now. For me "helping" is not to pull out my money for a refund (as long as I can afford it). I'm not going to put any more money in but for now I will leave my cancelled cruise money with the cruise line in order to support my desire for future cruising. I can understand others have much more money tied up than I do (just one two person cruise) and also may be in a different financial circumstance. Fortunately, I have been able to work from home (though clearly not as productively!) so I haven't yet been hit financially.

[OuiOnboard]

9 minutes ago, phoenix_dream said:

They are holding tens of thousands of my $$ right now.  I cannot afford to take the risk to invest more until I feel more secure.  It's a personal decision, and that is mine.

I understand. I am over 70 and I am standing back from cruising for a bit. I am encouraging those who can do more and want to to do more to do more so =X=  is there in some form in the future.

[Bo1953]

4 minutes ago, HxFx said:

Maybe it is a matter of a semantics disagreement. When I read that, I think more of just trying to preserve the cruise industry. If they go under, no more cruising. It takes a pretty big corporation to cruise in the manner of Celebrity, Carnival, RCI, etc. and they are bleeding money right now. For me "helping" is not to pull out my money for a refund (as long as I can afford it). I'm not going to put any more money in but for now I will leave my cancelled cruise money with the cruise line in order to support my desire for future cruising. I can understand others have much more money tied up than I do (just one two person cruise) and also may be in a different financial circumstance. Fortunately, I have been able to work from home (though clearly not as productively!) so I haven't yet been hit financially.

LOL, is that due to posting on CC???

 

I have to be in the office daily and the powers above me wonder who is in charge here... LOL

 

As comments fly from time to time about my being on CC, often, when clearly I Am not!

 

bon voyage

[hcat]

10 minutes ago, OuiOnboard said:

That is why it is really important to step up in support to get over this bump.

 

They are a  "for profit business"  not a charity or  my bffs.   Sorry their business has been hit hard like so many others...but they will recoup and regroup in time. Those who are allowed  to  still cruise will keep them afloat...when they start up again.  Paying ahead is  hopeful but also speculative.

 

They have given me good cruise value for many thousands of  dollars spent annually for several decades, but I see no further obigation on my part. Spending money at local stores, and donating generously locally for equip and food for nurses, drs,  transit workers, emts,  police, ( everyone on double shifts) etc, are on our radar...not saving a cruise line..

 

Still waiting for my refunds

 

[ldubs]

1 hour ago, Pinboy said:

I see you are new to CC as I was a few months ago.

Your comment is '' Bang On " because people can hide behind their pseudo ( ?? ) name.

You will learn very quickly who's who.

If you post something that is not within the accepted guidelines of CC , you will be " corrected " , 99.9%  in a most positive manner.  I learned so much from several long time posters. 

My best advice, Please don't fall into the " trap " of the folks you refer to by trying to " reason " with them.

Enjoy CC as I do -- it's great fun.

 

 

 

Well said, thanks.  I think sometimes posts come across stronger than intended, but agree that many are intentionally harsh because, as you say, folks can hide behind the keyboard.   Anyway, I might agree with some of the counter points made, but sure don't like the way some are stated.   

 

 

[davekathy]

55 minutes ago, Pinboy said:

We love Celebrity - never had a bad cruise experience -- Can't wait to sail again and looking forward to not cancelling " another " cruise we have scheduled for November 2020. 

That said---- this  post reminds me of a gentleman we met on a cruise who made a comment about the casino:

Tipping the dealer in the casino .  " Why the H--- should we tip the dealer ??  All they do is turn the cards . And besides, do they tip you when you lose ??? " 

 

 

 

This thread isn't about liking/loving Celebrity or a bad experience with Celebrity. It's about continually supporting ("How can we help Celebrity")Celebrity. Have you currently booked any future cruises past November 2020 to continue to help Celebrity? We aren't cancelling any of our future cruises but also not booking any new ones at this time. We are taking it one day at a time. Today is 30 days from when Celebrity cancelled (13 March) our 28 March and 4 April cruises and when I requested (13 March) cash refunds for both cruises. No refund yet. Show me the love! 

Edited April 13, 2020 by davekathy

[Lindypops]

2 hours ago, upwarduk said:

 

 

Is the OP a TA? It’s just the attitude expressed by my TA when I contacted her when I read that Silhouette was not coming to Southampton on 17th April, but I assumed that she was trying to protect her commission.

At age 78, it would be foolish to book another cruise for 2022. I do hope I will still be around and if I am, I will look at a late booking. 

Who knows how long Celebrity will keep the restriction of the Drs note for the over 70’s. At the moment I won’t get one, as I have had notification from my Drs to Self Shield, due to multiple long term conditions. I feel well but am not prepared to pay for a cruise which might not go ahead on 1st August, just to be issued with a FCC which I might be unable to use.

 

Totally agree with what you say.

mt TA has said it will be 90 days before we get a refund

 

another thought is how much will  cruise cover cost when you buy travel insurance

Edited April 13, 2020 by Lindypops

[HxFx]

23 minutes ago, Bo1953 said:

LOL, is that due to posting on CC???

 

I have to be in the office daily and the powers above me wonder who is in charge here... LOL

 

As comments fly from time to time about my being on CC, often, when clearly I Am not!

 

bon voyage

Yes, exactly! Of course I don’t really take a lunch so I guess I’ll count my time on CC cumulatively as lunch. I am quasi-essential so at least I go into the office one day week (rotating so not too many folks). I am much more productive on those days! 

 

I have to admit I am a bit distracted since I was supposed to be on a cruise next week to celebrate a milestone birthday. Not to mention my busiest time is Jan-early March (working many weekends in a row) so was especially looking forward to that vacation. It’s just nice to fantasize when we can all get back out there (safely of course!) and part of that is having a cruise to go back to.

[Orator]

I have been a loyal Celebrity cruiser since 1999. I have more than 100 cruises with Celebrity. For a few years I've said that Celbrity has changed it's focus from "loyalty" to the high margin cruiser. I have said that this is a high risk, high reward strategy and that some day they will need he past loyal cruisers to return. That day is here! It's really up to those in Miami to decide if they really want to improve their bottom line by raising prices to recoup as much as they can quickly, or by reaching out to loyal past passengers and enticing them to once again see Celebrity as a company that really appreciates them. I believe that approach will in the long run improve the bottom line more than just raising prices that are close to the truly luxury lines.

[Pinboy]

18 minutes ago, davekathy said:

This thread isn't about liking/loving Celebrity or a bad experience with Celebrity

My point was being " Positive " toward Celebrity, however, at this time we have not booked any cruises past November 2020.

We are currently waiting for a refund on one cruise and a FCC on another.

For the time being, planning future cruises is not a priority in our lives .

 

[davekathy]

1 minute ago, Pinboy said:

We are currently waiting for a refund on one cruise and a FCC on another.

The line forms behind me. 😎

[ECCruise]

5 minutes ago, Orator said:

I have been a loyal Celebrity cruiser since 1999. I have more than 100 cruises with Celebrity. For a few years I've said that Celbrity has changed it's focus from "loyalty" to the high margin cruiser. I have said that this is a high risk, high reward strategy and that some day they will need he past loyal cruisers to return. That day is here! It's really up to those in Miami to decide if they really want to improve their bottom line by raising prices to recoup as much as they can quickly, or by reaching out to loyal past passengers and enticing them to once again see Celebrity as a company that really appreciates them. I believe that approach will in the long run improve the bottom line more than just raising prices that are close to the truly luxury lines.

This.

Word for word.  Watching for years as they bent over backwards to court the people willing to pay $1000-1500 or more per day(!!) to sail on one of their ships.  And now that the market is likely going to contract quickly, I am supposed to step up and support them?  They have many thousands of our money tied up in deposits and full payments and I will not be told by some that I am supposed to invest more? 

Americans so love to talk about "personal responsibility" when it comes to individual behavior.  That goes for corporations, also. They made the bed and feathered it with tons of debt.  Many corporations took the long view and retained cash, and are much better prepared to weather this storm.  No way we should be adding additional monies to the maelstrom. 

[Pinboy]

Just now, davekathy said:

The line forms behind me. 😎

15,590 posts deserves to be ahead of 159 posts , and I respect that.

 

[davekathy]

2 minutes ago, Pinboy said:

15,590 posts deserves to be ahead of 159 posts , and I respect that.

 

Now only if Celebrity thought the way you do...😉

[marieps]

For those asking about foreign companies filing Ch. 11 in the USA:  

 

From WSJ in 2013:

 

Global shipping company TMT Group opened an office in Houston days before filing for Chapter 11 protection there, a move a lender challenged but which the bankruptcy court upheld this week. Mexican phone company Maxcom Telecomunicaciones S.A.B. on Tuesday filed for Chapter 11 protection with the support of its creditors. And The Wall Street Journal recently reported that the Spanish media giant Prisa, which publishes the El País newspaper, has considered Chapter 11 to address some $3 billion in debt.

 

RCI already has an office in Miami.  BTW, RCI may not pay a corporate income tax, but they pay payroll (FICA) on their USA employees.  7 1/2 percent of Fain's base is plenty to start.

[OuiOnboard]

50 minutes ago, hcat said:

Those who are allowed  to  still cruise will keep them afloat...when they start up again.  Paying ahead is  hopeful but also speculative

With the CDC requirements in mind (mini-hospital, charter flights,etc), it may well be that the fares we see now will be seen as real deals when cruises start again. This may be a great time to help  =X= and get a great deal at the same time.

[cgolf1]

We have only deposits on two cruises. If Celebrity goes away we will find another line or do other vacations. I would rather pay down the house and support local stores and restaurants than a cruise line. My thoughts are impact locally, and yeh save some money now that we aren't out spending like we were before.

[OuiOnboard]

38 minutes ago, Orator said:

I have been a loyal Celebrity cruiser since 1999. I have more than 100 cruises with Celebrity. For a few years I've said that Celbrity has changed it's focus from "loyalty" to the high margin cruiser. I have said that this is a high risk, high reward strategy and that some day they will need he past loyal cruisers to return. That day is here! It's really up to those in Miami to decide if they really want to improve their bottom line by raising prices to recoup as much as they can quickly, or by reaching out to loyal past passengers and enticing them to once again see Celebrity as a company that really appreciates them. I believe that approach will in the long run improve the bottom line more than just raising prices that are close to the truly luxury lines.

Yes, we were there during this whole transition. The time has come for these  =X= supporters to step up. The future of Celebrity requires it. 

[radarcruiser]

2 hours ago, marieps said:

Here's a bit more "reality."  Delta went bankrupt after 9/11.  American went bankrupt too.  Each became wildly profitable after consolidating with other airlines.  They never stopped flying (after the skies opened) and tickets were honored.  Chapter 11 offers corporate protection, not liquidation.     

 

I have three cruises booked.  My cancelled March cruise now replaced with November.  I cancelled July 5 Summit and booked June 2021.   That's really because of NYC, not X.  I also have Feb 2021 on Connie, booked 6 months ago.  I also bought 115 shares of RCI.  That investment is at risk should they need to file.

 

None of this is because I "owe" X anything.  I choose to support my favorite vendors, as I do with local restaurants from whom we order take out and tip generously.  It's just about giving folks a fighting chance.   Nothing is owed.  MHO.  

 

 

I'm opting for the FCC for my canceled cruise on Edge this week.  Also looking into booking either an Alaska or Baltic late summer this year.  We love to cruise and are long loyal to Celebrity and Royal.

 

I went back and did some (admittedly shallow) research on the airlines bankruptcies of the 2000's.  As far as I can tell, these Chapter 11 restructures did not wipe away pre-paid tickets, nor did they cancel any airfare credits due to passengers.  Most of the frequent flyers kept their status and miles.

 

I expect IF RCL does reorganize under Chapter 11, they would seek to restructure long term debt and lines of credit.  I suspect FCC and deposits would NOT be wiped as doing so would drive loyal customers away and dramatically hinder recovery prospects.

 

Different story for those of us who are shareholders, though.  Chapter 11 could be ugly for that.

Edited April 13, 2020 by radarcruiser

[marieps]

8 minutes ago, radarcruiser said:

I'm opting for the FCC for my canceled cruise on Epic this week.  Also looking into booking either an Alaska or Baltic late summer this year.  We love to cruise and are long loyal to Celebrity and Royal.

 

I went back and did some (admittedly shallow) research on the airlines bankruptcies of the 2000's.  As far as I can tell, these Chapter 11 restructures did not wipe away pre-paid tickets, nor did they cancel any airfare credits due to passengers.  Most of the frequent flyers kept their status and miles.

 

I expect IF RCL does reorganize under Chapter 11, they would seek to restructure long term debt and lines of credit.  I suspect FCC and deposits would NOT be wiped as doing so would drive loyal customers away and dramatically hinder recovery prospects.

 

Different story for those of us who are shareholders, though.  Chapter 11 could be ugly for that.

Did you mean Edge, or are you dipping your toe with NCL?

Edited April 13, 2020 by marieps

[Ride-The-Waves]

Celebrity Cruises is a business, a very big business.  Its in the business of making money.  Period.  It offers a product and if the cruising public doesn't like that product then it has to change or go out of business.

 

Celebrity's CEO has not done loyal customers any favors over the last several years.  Celebrity used to cater to a bit upscale cruiser offering good value on really good ships.  Then they changed and became more profit oriented and prices soared while value declined.  Edge a perfect example.  Prices were very high when it first came out, and then prices doubled as many wanted to try the new concept.  No favors for long time clientele.  Its a business.  Now with the current challenge Celebrity is holding refunds and converting what should be refunds to FCC over the objections of their loyal clientele. 

 

Its a business and its not in the business of making friends these days, or for the past two-three years.  Sadly, since we have enjoyed Celebrity's ships and crews for decades.  Like with Viking (river and ocean), the ships are great, crews are great, but corporate only has one objective: separate you from your money for the least amount of return effort they can provide.

[radarcruiser]

13 minutes ago, marieps said:

Did you mean Edge, or are you dipping your toe with NCL?

Yes I did mean Edge.  But we did dip our toe with NCL this January with a Panama Canal cruise on NCL Gem.  Meh, at best.

[marieps]

3 minutes ago, radarcruiser said:

Yes I did mean Edge.  But we did dip our toe with NCL this January with a Panama Canal cruise on NCL Gem.  Meh, at best.

We did bite the bullet and try Edge in AQ 13 months ago.  7 nights for the price of 11.  Not again, price or not.  Didn't like the IV at all.