IMSYDNEYAUS Posted November 10, 2020 #1 Share Posted November 10, 2020 Interesting news this morning that Celebrity Cruises is going "Always Included" meaning all cruises, excluding Galapagos, will include Service Charges, the Classic Beverage Package and 'surf' WiFi. Options to upgrade to Premium Beverage Package and additional shore ex and OBC are available. Interesting move. As a non-drinker it doesn't really worry me as it now includes the specialty coffees, smoothies etc and it will mean a more relaxed atmosphere on board without the crew having to constantly promote the various packages and on board offers! Obviously the pricing will increase however they are still, in my mind, the best of the contemporary premium lines. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare OzKiwiJJ Posted November 10, 2020 #2 Share Posted November 10, 2020 Included drinks packages are only good value if you can get the drinks. On our last Celebrity cruise, in March last year, it regularly took half an hour to get a cocktail before dinner, and getting an after dinner drink was almost impossible unless you actually sat at the bar. Even the coffee service was slower than usual which had the flow-on effect of makng it hard to get a seat in the cafe. However the wine service with dinner was excellent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi_cruiser Posted November 11, 2020 #3 Share Posted November 11, 2020 Very Interesting! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eamondzhang Posted November 11, 2020 #4 Share Posted November 11, 2020 Emmmm just did a dummy booking on their AUS website - still doesn't seem to be the case I have seem some bargaining prices and are even more tempted to do them if they can offer some good deals like this Cheers, Michael Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Big_M Posted November 11, 2020 #5 Share Posted November 11, 2020 Hasn't started yet. Starts in a week's time. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaseyoz Posted November 11, 2020 #6 Share Posted November 11, 2020 But probably work like NCL. one price with everything included and another cheaper base fare Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eamondzhang Posted November 12, 2020 #7 Share Posted November 12, 2020 10 hours ago, The_Big_M said: Hasn't started yet. Starts in a week's time. Ta Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackduck59 Posted November 15, 2020 #8 Share Posted November 15, 2020 There is a feeling that Celebrity is going after "Generation X" which is all well and good except there is the whole family dynamic of that group. Simply said there isn't a lot on a Celebrity ship to keep the junior part of the Family amused. It will be a fine line to get the GenX on X without driving their already loyal clients off the ships by changing the product from what made them loyal in the first place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MicCanberra Posted November 18, 2020 #9 Share Posted November 18, 2020 Not sure I am in favour of this approach, or that it is really new for x, as for most cruises in Australia, Gratuities and such were already included and most cabins attracted at least 2 perks with choices being- internet, drinks, or some OBC. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Realrunner Posted November 18, 2020 #10 Share Posted November 18, 2020 Lower the standards ie: all inclusive drinks, you’ll take it down to carnival standards concept of being a party ship. It won’t feel special by going the extra mile for an occasion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi Kruzer Posted November 18, 2020 #11 Share Posted November 18, 2020 Looks like NCL are making offers as well Take all five FREE offers onboard ALL ships to ALL destinations thanks to Norwegian Cruise Line! Enjoy up to US $2,900 in total value:o Free Beverage Packageo Free Specialty Dining Packageo Free Shore Excursion Credito Free Wi-Fi o Family & Friends Sail at a reduced rateExplore the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Asia, Hawaii, Africa, Australia, New Zealand and more onboard Norwegian Cruise Line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chiliburn Posted November 18, 2020 #12 Share Posted November 18, 2020 Wonder about the loyalty programs? Maybe a couple of premium drinks for members? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbenjo Posted November 18, 2020 #13 Share Posted November 18, 2020 1 hour ago, Kiwi Kruzer said: Looks like NCL are making offers as well Take all five FREE offers onboard ALL ships to ALL destinations thanks to Norwegian Cruise Line! Enjoy up to US $2,900 in total value:o Free Beverage Packageo Free Specialty Dining Packageo Free Shore Excursion Credito Free Wi-Fi o Family & Friends Sail at a reduced rateExplore the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Asia, Hawaii, Africa, Australia, New Zealand and more onboard Norwegian Cruise Line. FREE ????????? nothing is for free. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NSWP Posted November 19, 2020 #14 Share Posted November 19, 2020 31 minutes ago, gbenjo said: FREE ????????? nothing is for free. They probably doubled the fares then put on the 'offers', lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NSWP Posted November 19, 2020 #15 Share Posted November 19, 2020 2 hours ago, Realrunner said: Lower the standards ie: all inclusive drinks, you’ll take it down to carnival standards concept of being a party ship. It won’t feel special by going the extra mile for an occasion Will be full of your Chavs and our Bogans. Drinking themselves blotto, what would the Cunarders say? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi Kruzer Posted November 19, 2020 #16 Share Posted November 19, 2020 33 minutes ago, NSWP said: They probably doubled the fares then put on the 'offers', lol. 32 minutes ago, NSWP said: Will be full of your Chavs and our Bogans. Drinking themselves blotto, what would the Cunarders say? I’m sure there will be some limits Uncle Les .🍷🥃🍺🍺🍺🍺🍷🥃🍺 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MicCanberra Posted November 19, 2020 #17 Share Posted November 19, 2020 Bogans have to stay at least 2m away from the bar? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Big_M Posted November 19, 2020 #18 Share Posted November 19, 2020 2 hours ago, Chiliburn said: Wonder about the loyalty programs? Maybe a couple of premium drinks for members? More lost than gained with the Celebrity loyalty program changes. No extras like the above. The extras are mostly just chances to upsell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NSWP Posted November 19, 2020 #19 Share Posted November 19, 2020 (edited) 1 hour ago, Kiwi Kruzer said: I’m sure there will be some limits Uncle Les .🍷🥃🍺🍺🍺🍺🍷🥃🍺 On the drink package on Princess it is a max of 15 alcoholic drinks per day, I would be sozzled on that. Not sure what the daily drink limit with Celebrity package is. I am a pay as you go cruiser re drinks. Edited November 19, 2020 by NSWP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chiliburn Posted November 19, 2020 #20 Share Posted November 19, 2020 28 minutes ago, The_Big_M said: More lost than gained with the Celebrity loyalty program changes. No extras like the above. The extras are mostly just chances to upsell. Not really paying much attention but I thought I read premium drinks for upper tier members? But I think the loyalty benefits will be eroded away after all this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chiliburn Posted November 19, 2020 #21 Share Posted November 19, 2020 35 minutes ago, NSWP said: On the drink package on Princess it is a max of 15 alcoholic drinks per day, I would be sozzled on that. Not sure what the daily drink limit with Celebrity package is. I am a pay as you go cruiser re drinks. There’s no limit as long as you are behaving yourself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MicCanberra Posted November 19, 2020 #22 Share Posted November 19, 2020 The happy hour drinks lounge for Elite members is being discarded for unlimited drinks between 5-7pm in any bar. I think that is better for both the members and the freeing up of space, never really cared for the food that came around anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackduck59 Posted November 19, 2020 #23 Share Posted November 19, 2020 It feels like Celebrity has had a couple of perks included in the fare for some time. Choose 2 of 4 "Perks". Classic Drinks, Gratuities, Internet, and varying amounts OBC. Of course suites get all 4 and the drinks package is Premium. We always choose the drinks and gratuities, sometimes there is a 3rd choice available. Our cruise in New Zealand scheduled for January 2022 already had Classic drinks, internet and gratuities included in the fare. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MicCanberra Posted November 19, 2020 #24 Share Posted November 19, 2020 9 minutes ago, Blackduck59 said: It feels like Celebrity has had a couple of perks included in the fare for some time. Choose 2 of 4 "Perks". Classic Drinks, Gratuities, Internet, and varying amounts OBC. Of course suites get all 4 and the drinks package is Premium. We always choose the drinks and gratuities, sometimes there is a 3rd choice available. Our cruise in New Zealand scheduled for January 2022 already had Classic drinks, internet and gratuities included in the fare. Yes, that is what I was thinking, I suppose this makes it one or the other, gives a choice still but perhaps not as flexible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chiliburn Posted November 19, 2020 #25 Share Posted November 19, 2020 23 minutes ago, Blackduck59 said: It feels like Celebrity has had a couple of perks included in the fare for some time. Choose 2 of 4 "Perks". Classic Drinks, Gratuities, Internet, and varying amounts OBC. Of course suites get all 4 and the drinks package is Premium. We always choose the drinks and gratuities, sometimes there is a 3rd choice available. Our cruise in New Zealand scheduled for January 2022 already had Classic drinks, internet and gratuities included in the fare. A couple of agents here used to discount the fare without the extras . My agent used to do that,just a rock bottom price and you could add things on. Not everyone drinks and wants the internet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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