Just got an e-mail from Blue Chip.....free cruise ??

[zdad59]

I called the Blue Chip club today and here is some of the info I got....

• They are calling back folks that have replied, in order.   They have been swamped though, as Celebrity has sent out 5 different Blue Chip offers last week.
• The offer I received is for a free Veranda stateroom on Summit, for one of the dates in the e-mail (there are many).
• Its is STATEROOM ONLY.    Drinks, wifi, tips, etc. are all going to be extra.
• It is based on availability....when they call.   He couldn't do a booking while we talked.

At prevailing, non sale rates, the cost for this offer then looks like for a 5 day sailing.....

-- Room.....  FREE

-- Classic Drink Pkg... $59pp/pd + Gratuity = $696   (Deluxe pkg = $814)

-- Tips....~$15pp/pd  =  $150

-- Basic Wifi.... $12.99per device/pd = $130 (2 devices)

-- Port fees & Taxes  =  $276.90  (for 2)

TOTAL COST  =  $1253

 

Still not a a bad deal for a Veranda room for a 5 day sailing.   Probably can save a few bucks on the packages if I can catch a sale pre cruise.   Some kind of "All IN" bundle, if available may save a few bucks too.   Need to discuss with the Mrs. as this is a 3rd cruise in a 6 month period.    May want to use the ~$1200 to do something different.

 

All in all, an intriguing offer.    Nice of Celebrity to entice folks with deals.     Still debating if its the right deal for us.

[micruiser2002]

zdad59, you also have to consider that depending on your Captains club status there are discounts on both the drink package and the internet.  

[NutsAboutGolf]

My BCC rep told me they sell alcohol packages half off, not sure if that's universal for BCC offers or if its tied to the offer.

 

One thing I've been trying to determine is with X resuming sailings, if X is providing free drinks while playing.  Seems both ship and sailing specific as my 2019 Solstice cruise didn't offer it. 

[zdad59]

I chatted with the Mrs. about this at dinner.    Her view was..."If we want to go spend a week at the beach, we'd spend way more than $1200 in hotels and food to do that.   So let's go !!"     If I don't get a call tomorrow from BCC, I'll ring them up again and see if I can book something.

Edited June 13, 2021 by zdad59

[Alabaster Cruiser]

4 hours ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

My BCC rep told me they sell alcohol packages half off, not sure if that's universal for BCC offers or if its tied to the offer.

 

One thing I've been trying to determine is with X resuming sailings, if X is providing free drinks while playing.  Seems both ship and sailing specific as my 2019 Solstice cruise didn't offer it. 

Must be associated with an offer.  We have a compted veranda but just talked with Blue Chip regarding premium package and 15% off is all we were offered.

[Ballhank]

Hi all. We also received the BCC offer for the complimentary veranda on the Summit. Our only required payment for the 5 day repositioning cruise was $192 in taxes. The rep stated the BCC an Captains Club (Pearl) offer a 10% discount on beverage packages and at times, have a 15% discount. We are looking forward to the Aug 28 repositioning cruise on the Summit.   

[Janthere]

On 6/13/2021 at 9:04 AM, NutsAboutGolf said:

BTW, when making a BCC booking if you're MLife Gold or above, give the booking agent your MLife number as it needs to be added to each sailing to get the OBC.

 

MLife is very generous matching with other casino's loyalty programs and if you're Captain Club Select or higher, MLife will give you Gold, worth reaching out to them because if you can get MLife Gold, X will give you a $125 OBC (for Gold) and will waive the 3% credit card fee

what is the 3% credit card fee for? 

[NutsAboutGolf]

19 minutes ago, janbear said:

what is the 3% credit card fee for? 

 

Gambling money, if you charge it to your sign and sail account they'll charge a 3% fee but is waived if you link your MLife #

[Wanderlost]

My husband received this offer but we have not heard from Blue chip despite requesting dates. Does anyone have the phone number for Blue chip? I can't seem to access Celebrity's web site. 

[tompeter]

1 minute ago, Wanderlost said:

My husband received this offer but we have not heard from Blue chip despite requesting dates. Does anyone have the phone number for Blue chip? I can't seem to access Celebrity's web site. 

866 461 7170

[Wanderlost]

thanks

[kathynorth]

zdad59, thank you for the first post that started this thread! I haven't received any emails from BCC in quite awhile, so I called and found out my DH was eligible for a discounted room. We were able to book a bucket list cruise at a great rate that includes AI. 

Edited June 15, 2021 by kathynorth

[zdad59]

OK.....BIG NEWS !!!...........We booked a cruise using this Blue Chip Club offer

 

Details

• Sailing November 13, 2021...5 nights...Celebrity Summit out of Miami.
• The offer was a free veranda stateroom, no perks included.....BUT...
  • The BCC club rep asked what perks we ere interested in.   We told her Classic Drink pkg, wifi, tips.    As noted in an earlier post, those plus port fees and taxes were ~$1253 at prevailing rates.    The rep was able to find a concierge class room with the perks and port fees and taxes for an upcharge of $1074.      So we moved up to Concierge Class and got all the perks we wanted for $180 less than expected.
• Room availability was good and we were able to book an aft balcony on deck 8....Cabin 8170.    This will be our first time sailing in an aft balcony.

All in all a very good deal we think.   Love the ship.    Love the room location.   Tough to beat the price.    

 

Edited June 15, 2021 by zdad59

[kathynorth]

11 minutes ago, zdad59 said:

OK.....BIG NEWS !!!...........We booked a cruise using this Blue Chip Club offer

 

Details

• Sailing November 13, 2021...5 nights...Celebrity Summit out of Miami.
• The offer was a free veranda stateroom, no perks included.....BUT...
  • The BCC club rep asked what perks we ere interested in.   We told her Classic Drink pkg, wifi, tips.    As noted in an earlier post, those plus port fees and taxes were ~$1253 at prevailing rates.    The rep was able to find a concierge class room with the perks and port fees and taxes for an upcharge of $1074.      So we moved up to Concierge Class and got all the perks we wanted for $180 less than expected.
• Room availability was good and we were able to book an aft balcony on deck 8....Cabin 8170.    This will be our first time sailing in an aft balcony.

All in all a very good deal we think.   Love the ship.    Love the room location.   Tough to beat the price.    

 

 

Wow, you snagged a cabin with a really big balcony. You'll be very happy there. Enjoy your cruise and thanks again for the tip!

[kwokpot]

1 hour ago, zdad59 said:

OK.....BIG NEWS !!!...........We booked a cruise using this Blue Chip Club offer

 

Details

• Sailing November 13, 2021...5 nights...Celebrity Summit out of Miami.
• The offer was a free veranda stateroom, no perks included.....BUT...
  • The BCC club rep asked what perks we ere interested in.   We told her Classic Drink pkg, wifi, tips.    As noted in an earlier post, those plus port fees and taxes were ~$1253 at prevailing rates.    The rep was able to find a concierge class room with the perks and port fees and taxes for an upcharge of $1074.      So we moved up to Concierge Class and got all the perks we wanted for $180 less than expected.
• Room availability was good and we were able to book an aft balcony on deck 8....Cabin 8170.    This will be our first time sailing in an aft balcony.

All in all a very good deal we think.   Love the ship.    Love the room location.   Tough to beat the price.    

 

Interesting. We are also booked on a BCC offer for the Summit on November 22, a Thanksgiving Cruise, but our original comped cabin was for Concierge Class (We chose #8185). Our offer doesn't include any extras. All we are paying is Port Fees and Taxes ($248.68 total cabin cost). So it looks like if you're paying for an upgrade in Cabin Class Always Included DOES come with the booking. 

[poffles]

8 hours ago, kwokpot said:

Interesting. We are also booked on a BCC offer for the Summit on November 22, a Thanksgiving Cruise, but our original comped cabin was for Concierge Class (We chose #8185). Our offer doesn't include any extras. All we are paying is Port Fees and Taxes ($248.68 total cabin cost). So it looks like if you're paying for an upgrade in Cabin Class Always Included DOES come with the booking. 

Hmmm ... perhaps they can interest you in Aqua Class upgrade 😉  Pretty good deal if one can get more for less. 

 

On BBC/Celebrity end it's a smart move since it's really just a cabin move and they get someone locked into paying for extras even though the person was going to pay for them anyway.  The cost is lower but for them it's still more money coming in so win win for everyone.  Not sure I ever asked about this option to upgrade but you can bet I will going forward.

   

[Cdresser]

Does anyone know if the extra OBC for MLife gold applies if you don't use bcc offer for your booking?

[wrk2cruise]

I know others have had a different experience but I was denied the M-Life OBC since my M-Life membership came via my Captains Club status.  It was not a BCC booking.   I'm not surprised that it wasn't allowed.   Others claim they get it every time.   Call and ask for it to be applied.

[dleahy4444]

On 6/14/2021 at 12:37 PM, janbear said:

what is the 3% credit card fee for? 

Hi I booked the 7/10 sailing on the edge through the Blue Chip Club. I haven’t been on Celebrity in years so I didn't qualify for a comped cruise, but I did get a discounted casino rate. I’m interested on your reference to Mlife gold card (which I have). Are you saying I may qualify for OBC in addition to the OBC I received for booking a suite?  

[NutsAboutGolf]

19 minutes ago, dleahy4444 said:

Hi I booked the 7/10 sailing on the edge through the Blue Chip Club. I haven’t been on Celebrity in years so I didn't qualify for a comped cruise, but I did get a discounted casino rate. I’m interested on your reference to Mlife gold card (which I have). Are you saying I may qualify for OBC in addition to the OBC I received for booking a suite?  

 

Yes, call BCC and have your MLife number handy

[dleahy4444]

2 minutes ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

 

Yes, call BCC and have your MLife number handy

Wow that is a nice surprise! I will call first thing tomorrow. Thanks to you and others that posted on this topic

[highway180]

On 6/14/2021 at 10:02 PM, kwokpot said:

Interesting. We are also booked on a BCC offer for the Summit on November 22, a Thanksgiving Cruise, but our original comped cabin was for Concierge Class (We chose #8185). Our offer doesn't include any extras. All we are paying is Port Fees and Taxes ($248.68 total cabin cost). So it looks like if you're paying for an upgrade in Cabin Class Always Included DOES come with the booking. 

this is not entirely true. It depends on how much you pay for the upgrade. we have a comped balcony cabin on a 7 night Reflection sailing, like you, paying only taxes and port fees. Upgrade to AQ was only $10/per person, per day....an additional $140...which we accepted. It does NOT come with AI.

Our total cost was $446.76.

 

OP deal was a comped cruise changed to a discounted cruise, therefore AI comes into play

either way.....not a bad deal in the end, especially given some of the crazy pricing right now.

 

side note:

i have been told at times that no upgrades are available....only to call back a day later and get the offer i was looking for. It pays to call

 

Happy sailing!!

[dazey]

We were offered a comp veranda cruise quite a while ago for Apex in November and Edge in January and we accepted and had to pay the tax portion.  I then emailed and talked to Blue Chip rep and was told I could add gratuity/wifi/drink package for $420/each cruise.  Later called to make dinner reservations and inquired about price to upgrade to premium drink package and was told we already had it.  While we could do with WIFI the $420 fee was a deal compared to purchasing it separately.

 

As others have said, try calling several times - never know what will become available. The women I deal with at Blue Chip always returns my request for a phone call promptly and always helpful.

 

Maybe I should ask what an upgrade would cost....  Honestly, just hoping the ships sail with us onboard.

[poffles]

On 7/7/2021 at 9:14 AM, dazey said:

We were offered a comp veranda cruise quite a while ago for Apex in November and Edge in January and we accepted and had to pay the tax portion. 

 

I wish the offers I've received went out to next year, furthest date on my offers were September and that is just too soon with all the travel requirements and overhead right now ... so envious.  I keep hoping I will get something else.

 

 

[kathynorth]

14 hours ago, poffles said:

 

I wish the offers I've received went out to next year, furthest date on my offers were September and that is just too soon with all the travel requirements and overhead right now ... so envious.  I keep hoping I will get something else.

 

 

Call them.and ask what’s available to you. I was able to book a discounted cruise for 2023.