"Perks" packages in cruise planner?

[lorimay]

 just went into the cruise planner for my November cruise and noticed that they are offering "Perks Extra" and "Perks Ultra" packages I have not seen before. I'm not being sarcastic when I say that the math for these packages just doesn't add up for me. 

 

The Perks Extra package is $59.95 per person per day. For that you get a $225 excursion credit, one dinner in a specialty restaurant, upgraded internet for one device, and one bag of laundry. The Perks Ultra gives you a bigger excursion credit, three specialty dinners and unlimited digital photos, but it's $99.95 per person per day.

 

When I price out the Extra package I can't see where it gets me any advantage over paying things separately except they get my money in advance. You can't even book your specialty restaurant in advance. Am I missing something?

[jelayne]

Probably not missing anything.   They has similar packages before with a slightly different name.  On short cruises the math is more favorable. A 5 night cruise at $60 pd is $300 after using the $225 excursion credit the $75 isn’t to bad for 1 dinner, internet upgrade and 1 bag of laundry.

[ChucktownSteve]

On 3/5/2021 at 9:54 AM, lorimay said:

 just went into the cruise planner for my November cruise and noticed that they are offering "Perks Extra" and "Perks Ultra" packages I have not seen before. I'm not being sarcastic when I say that the math for these packages just doesn't add up for me. 

 

The Perks Extra package is $59.95 per person per day. For that you get a $225 excursion credit, one dinner in a specialty restaurant, upgraded internet for one device, and one bag of laundry. The Perks Ultra gives you a bigger excursion credit, three specialty dinners and unlimited digital photos, but it's $99.95 per person per day.

 

When I price out the Extra package I can't see where it gets me any advantage over paying things separately except they get my money in advance. You can't even book your specialty restaurant in advance. Am I missing something?

 

Good for you figuring out their fuzzy math.  XX is probably hoping most won't be able to calculate as you did so the passengers will overpay for what they get thinking they're getting a deal.  I'll bet at least one regular cheerleader on this board will think it's a good deal.

[4774Papa]

On 3/5/2021 at 9:54 AM, lorimay said:

 just went into the cruise planner for my November cruise and noticed that they are offering "Perks Extra" and "Perks Ultra" packages I have not seen before. I'm not being sarcastic when I say that the math for these packages just doesn't add up for me. 

 

The Perks Extra package is $59.95 per person per day. For that you get a $225 excursion credit, one dinner in a specialty restaurant, upgraded internet for one device, and one bag of laundry. The Perks Ultra gives you a bigger excursion credit, three specialty dinners and unlimited digital photos, but it's $99.95 per person per day.

 

When I price out the Extra package I can't see where it gets me any advantage over paying things separately except they get my money in advance. You can't even book your specialty restaurant in advance. Am I missing something?

So X is now pushing an additional layer of perks on top of the perks that some don't want.   X's all inclusive perks mean very little to us and it is pricing X out of the competition when we compare with Royal C. or Princess.

[Loracpin2]

After almost 40 cruises with Celebrity over the last 22 years, their new "smoke and mirrors" marketing strategy will ultimately put them at the bottom of our list for cruise line choices!!!  

[cachouonacruise]

If I am not mistaken, I believe that one additional difference between the standard perk and the next level (Elevate) is the upgraded drink package from standard to premium. (nicer wines, wider range of cocktails, specialty coffees and bottle water) .... It still may not be worth the cost difference for all passengers.

[cruisestitch]

Ah yes, Celebrity is counting on people’s gullibility and math deficiencies.  Nice.

[jelayne]

4 hours ago, cachouonacruise said:

If I am not mistaken, I believe that one additional difference between the standard perk and the next level (Elevate) is the upgraded drink package from standard to premium. (nicer wines, wider range of cocktails, specialty coffees and bottle water) .... It still may not be worth the cost difference for all passengers.

The packages the OP is referring to are not Elevate or Indulge.  The are Perks Extra & Perks Ultra without beverage package & Perks U,tea with the beverage package. These  include shore excursion credit, multiple speciality restaurant dinners,  bag of laundry, upgraded wi-fi and photo package. 

[4774Papa]

2 hours ago, cruisestitch said:

Ah yes, Celebrity is counting on people’s gullibility and math deficiencies.  Nice.

When we started cruising, at the end of each cruise we received a print out of all our cruise charges.   I always did a short analysis after each cruise to see how much we spent on alcohol, shore excursions, internet, other charges.    I kept track of these areas for future cruises.  

 

One thing that I noticed was after we became elite and enjoyed the free happy hour, our typical 14 day cruise (we do a lot of long cruises) prior to elite we spent from $500-$600 on alcohol (all alcohol).  After become elite, our average spending for alcohol dropped to about $300-$350.

 

On shore excursions, we learned that booking your own private tours saved over the ship's excursions.

On internet use, we rarely used all the minutes that elite status gave us.

 

All this required was doing a little math at the end of the cruise.  Clearly, no beverage package of any kind would benefit our modest alcohol expenditures.   We don't drink until happy hour and don't drink heavy.

 

I know some people like exotic mixed drinks, we stopped that, except for a rare martini once in a while, since most mixed drinks have a lot of calories.   Read the other day that a mudslide has 850 calories.  Don't need that.

 

So when X jack up the cruise prices with these all inclusive, it just pushed them out of the competition.  I hate it because we prefer Celebrity, but when we can do Royal Caribbean for almost half of X, it is not even close.

[poffles]

13 hours ago, 4774Papa said:

.....

 

So when X jack up the cruise prices with these all inclusive, it just pushed them out of the competition.  I hate it because we prefer Celebrity, but when we can do Royal Caribbean for almost half of X, it is not even close.

 

This is what hurts the most.

[paulh84]

21 hours ago, cruisestitch said:

Ah yes, Celebrity is counting on people’s gullibility and math deficiencies.  Nice.

 

If you actually want, or would otherwise purchase, each included item separetly, the "Perks Ultra" in my case would cost $1,431 but total value including the excursion credit is $1,993. So it's not all bad. 

 

[4774Papa]

23 minutes ago, paulh84 said:

 

If you actually want, or would otherwise purchase, each included item separetly, the "Perks Ultra" in my case would cost $1,431 but total value including the excursion credit is $1,993. So it's not all bad. 

 

Each person has their own desires and needs during a cruise.   I seriously doubt if many cruises ever exercise the full $1,992 credit.   For one thing, private tours are always with fewer persons and cost way less than X's excursions.

[bikerunner]

21 hours ago, cruisestitch said:

Ah yes, Celebrity is counting on people’s gullibility and math deficiencies.  Nice.

Basic Marketing strategy 101.  Most dont even figure out the true value of the perks etc.  Many just dont want to worry about any costs etc.  They just see a value in it.  All companies do Fuzzy math in different ways.  

[Bo1953]

To address

On 3/7/2021 at 2:54 PM, cruisestitch said:

Ah yes, Celebrity is counting on people’s gullibility and math deficiencies.  Nice.

Actually, I respectfully disagree with this observation.

 

Many of us may do the math in comparison to other lines and compare the value of the 'known' entity and decide that the price of sailing on X is worth it.

 

Then there are many of us who look at the former equations and decide that the value is not worth it to sail X.

 

Both results of each equation is just as valid for those who use them, as there is no one equation that is better than any other, even if one uses a different value proposition to determine if X is their line of choice or not.

 

Bottom lines are personal decisions and determinations and budgets, accordingly.

 

bon voyage

[silviaeaston]

On 3/5/2021 at 9:54 AM, lorimay said:

 just went into the cruise planner for my November cruise and noticed that they are offering "Perks Extra" and "Perks Ultra" packages I have not seen before. I'm not being sarcastic when I say that the math for these packages just doesn't add up for me. 

 

The Perks Extra package is $59.95 per person per day. For that you get a $225 excursion credit, one dinner in a specialty restaurant, upgraded internet for one device, and one bag of laundry. The Perks Ultra gives you a bigger excursion credit, three specialty dinners and unlimited digital photos, but it's $99.95 per person per day.

 

When I price out the Extra package I can't see where it gets me any advantage over paying things separately except they get my money in advance. You can't even book your specialty restaurant in advance. Am I missing something?

I'm an ELITE PLUS.... and not getting any perks now and WORST: since I cruise "SOLO",  would have to pay double for the "ghost partner" who is guaranteed not to use any of the 3 perks currently offered for "free"..... I'm looking into other travel options! BYE, Celebrity!

 

[davekathy]

3 hours ago, silviaeaston said:

I'm an ELITE PLUS.... and not getting any perks now and WORST: since I cruise "SOLO",  would have to pay double for the "ghost partner" who is guaranteed not to use any of the 3 perks currently offered for "free"..... I'm looking into other travel options! BYE, Celebrity!

 

You (we/all) are too still getting perks/benefits from the CC. All the CC perks/benefits haven't been eliminated, especially for the top 3 tier levels with the AI program. Your complaint as a solo cruiser, I'll agree. 

[4774Papa]

Interesting, what is your standard for selection a higher priced Celebrity cruise over essentially the same cruise with Royal Caribbean, NCL or Princess?

 

Hypothetical #1,    You found a TA cruise from Europe for two weeks ending in Florida on  Celebrity with the  total fare plus taxes, etc. for $6000.  That includes perks for beverage, internet and excursions.

 

Princess has essentially the same cruise with similar perks for $4000.   Royal C. has the same cruise for $2500 with no perks (yet if Diamond you still get the great Happy Hour from 5pm-8:30pm).

 

Which one would you pick?    I would go with Royal.

 

If Royal's price was $5500 and Celebrity's $6000 I might consider Celebrity.

 

[silviaeaston]

On 3/10/2021 at 2:31 PM, davekathy said:

You (we/all) are too still getting perks/benefits from the CC. All the CC perks/benefits haven't been eliminated, especially for the top 3 tier levels with the AI program. Your complaint as a solo cruiser, I'll agree. 

I should have been more detailed.  If the perks that I used to get with the Elite Plus program (ie. all drinks at happy hour and morning breakfast... all internet for myself...) are now considered "included in the fare to all guests" then, what is/was called PERKS are no longer "perks" but "standard included to all" therefore the perks (that are still offered) no longer have value/relevance, since ALL will be getting it.  AND of course, there will be longer lines to get the drinks, since ALL will be waiting in line.  I have now booked with a competitor's line.... BYE Celebrity!

 

[LGW59]

3 hours ago, silviaeaston said:

I should have been more detailed.  If the perks that I used to get with the Elite Plus program (ie. all drinks at happy hour and morning breakfast... all internet for myself...) are now considered "included in the fare to all guests" then, what is/was called PERKS are no longer "perks" but "standard included to all" therefore the perks (that are still offered) no longer have value/relevance, since ALL will be getting it.  AND of course, there will be longer lines to get the drinks, since ALL will be waiting in line.  I have now booked with a competitor's line.... BYE Celebrity!

 

This makes zero sense, your issue "seems" to be since you alone as elite used to get these "perks" and you can STILL get them, but now that AI cruisers can as well, you are done.  Obviously your free choice, but yes BYE, I will be in the AI line at the bar, it will now move quicker.

[foggyphils]

This one is in my planner. It's called Drinks & More and costs $9 pp per day. So $126 for two. We have the premium beverage package through Elevate already. 

We would probably spend at least $50 each in the casino whether we got the package or not. So for $26 ( If I'm reading right) we would get 4 bottles of wine, a wine tasting experience, and the mini bar is included. 

Upgrade and Save time and money when you purchase our new Drinks & More beverage package. Enjoy all of the benefits of the classic and premium beverage package, which includes all the top-shelf spirits (89 options), wide variety of wines (161 options)*, liqueurs & cognacs (24 options), beer (44 options) and champagne, plus the following: Two bottles of wine $50 in casino free play Wine tasting experience If both adults in your stateroom purchase the Drinks & More package, the mini bar will be included and replenished once a day for your entire vacation.

 

*Select vintage wines may require additional fee.

[HskrCrsr]

4 hours ago, foggyphils said:

This one is in my planner. It's called Drinks & More and costs $9 pp per day. So $126 for two. We have the premium beverage package through Elevate already. 

We would probably spend at least $50 each in the casino whether we got the package or not. So for $26 ( If I'm reading right) we would get 4 bottles of wine, a wine tasting experience, and the mini bar is included. 

Upgrade and Save time and money when you purchase our new Drinks & More beverage package. Enjoy all of the benefits of the classic and premium beverage package, which includes all the top-shelf spirits (89 options), wide variety of wines (161 options)*, liqueurs & cognacs (24 options), beer (44 options) and champagne, plus the following: Two bottles of wine $50 in casino free play Wine tasting experience If both adults in your stateroom purchase the Drinks & More package, the mini bar will be included and replenished once a day for your entire vacation.

 

*Select vintage wines may require additional fee.

 

That is interesting. The graphic looks like zero packages were included, so I am not sure if the numbers work. This package is also described in the upper right-hand corner of the drinks package brochure (https://www.celebritycruises.com/content/dam/celebrity/pdf/beverage-package-flyer-optimized.pdf) so I think you're reading it right. In my cruise planner, it's $76.50 pp per day, but that's based on the standard AI starting point. Yours is clearly an upgrade from Elevate, as you said, so I would say this is a good deal. I hope it works out exactly as it appears!

[ipeeinthepool]

12 hours ago, silviaeaston said:

I should have been more detailed.  If the perks that I used to get with the Elite Plus program (ie. all drinks at happy hour and morning breakfast... all internet for myself...) are now considered "included in the fare to all guests" then, what is/was called PERKS are no longer "perks" but "standard included to all" therefore the perks (that are still offered) no longer have value/relevance, since ALL will be getting it.  AND of course, there will be longer lines to get the drinks, since ALL will be waiting in line.  I have now booked with a competitor's line.... BYE Celebrity!

 

 

Bye,  sorry we'll never meet.  Please let us know where you find a better value.

[ipeeinthepool]

8 hours ago, LGW59 said:

... Obviously your free choice, but yes BYE, I will be in the AI line at the bar, it will now move quicker.

 

Are you sure?  Buying AI drinks for all of your friends may slow down the AI drink line.

[leck57]

On 3/7/2021 at 5:31 AM, ChucktownSteve said:

 

I'll bet at least one regular cheerleader on this board will think it's a good deal.

 

The Cheerleaders have surfaced. God I hate the comments such as the queues will be quicker or let us know where you find a better deal. I like X but I don't take offence on their behalf if someone offers what they think is a valid criticism.

[ipeeinthepool]

23 minutes ago, leck57 said:

 

The Cheerleaders have surfaced. God I hate the comments such as the queues will be quicker or let us know where you find a better deal. I like X but I don't take offence on their behalf if someone offers what they think is a valid criticism.

 

You know what I hate?  I hate it when someone posts that they are upset with Celebrity and they will never sail Celebrity again.  Great don't sail with Celebrity again. There concerns may or may not be valid, it really doesn't matter if they have made their decision. Does it make the person feel better to tell the Celebrity Board that they are never sailing Celebrity again?  If so great, I'm glad we could help.  I can't do anything else except to be pleasant and say goodbye.  I'm more interested in helping people that are looking for a solution with Celebrity.

Edited April 28, 2021 by ipeeinthepool