Currently on the Edge in the Retreat and being told we do not have a drinks package?

[Fly and Sail]

The short answer is: Not every booking has "Always Included" no matter the cabin type, even if it's Suites/Retreat.

 

As soon as you book under a discounted offer such as Military, Resident, EMT, **Casino Bookings** your reservation is usually without the Always Inclusive.

[hiccups]

6 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Don't know if this helps. Mistakes do happen. Called our TA before ship left dock. Found out we had no perks when we ordered a water in Oceanview Cafe and had to sign receipt for $6.50. Thought we had all the perks. Please notice we booked July 3 2021 cruise on July 1, 2021 48 hours before sailing a CS cabin became available. Invoice does not reflect any perks. Retreat concierges could only add the perks for up charges to our account which we did (long line first day at concierge station Retreat Lounge). Decided an hour later to go to guest services to confirm TA's text that perks were included and shoreside Celebrity would contact ship. Our butler/host was a 'gem', suggesting we allow her to escort us to guest services (and around the long line to her personal purser) who confirmed our NOT listed perks and reversed all charges on our account and issued new key cards.

I think someone posted earlier that the “RETREAT” code means the perks are included.  If you had to fight to get them, again, might be a mistake on X’s part.  Glad you got it sorted out.

[morpheusofthesea]

1 minute ago, hiccups said:

I think someone posted earlier that the “RETREAT” code means the perks are included.  If you had to fight to get them, again, might be a mistake on X’s part.  Glad you got it sorted out.

Yes, thank you, I see the "RETREAT" at the bottom left. If OP knew that "RETREAT" code means the perks are included, shouldn't the Retreat Lounge Concierges know the same thing?

[wrk2cruise]

I think the issue on the above invoice is that it WAS a Retreat promo booking where perks are included.  But what happens after that is the accounting department or somewhere in the back office applies the actual codes for the perks with charges which are then backed out with a corresponding negative charge.   Since this booking was done 2 days before sailing this didn't happen.   A byproduct of Celebrity's prehistoric accounting system I think.

[wrk2cruise]

2 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Yes, thank you, I see the "RETREAT" at the bottom left. If OP knew that "RETREAT" code means the perks are included, shouldn't the Retreat Lounge Concierges know the same thing?

 

You would think, but like I said above there is generally additional codes added for the individual perks which must be what triggers things in the system.

[graphicguy]

4 minutes ago, hiccups said:

I think someone posted earlier that the “RETREAT” code means the perks are included.  If you had to fight to get them, again, might be a mistake on X’s part.  Glad you got it sorted out.

Getting a cabin in the Retreat DOES NOT automatically mean you get all the perks.  You have to book a cabin that doesn't have the "guarantee" or "Simply Sail" in order to get the perks.

 

Just did a random phantom booking for the Retreat and there were several cabin categories.  The least expensive ones have a block that says this if you try to book it...

 

GUARANTEE ROOM

Cruise-only rate. Drinks, Wi-Fi, and other amenities are not included.

 

That's straight from the Celebrity booking site.

[WonderMan3]

OP seems to have gone silent on this. Perhaps he read his invoice and realized he indeed did not have the package included? Hope we hear a final update on this issue seeing as Celebrity is being slightly implicated as having denied the passenger something which will be an unfair allegation if that turns out to not be the case.

[JamieLogical]

Just now, graphicguy said:

Getting a cabin in the Retreat DOES NOT automatically mean you get all the perks.  You have to book a cabin that doesn't have the "guarantee" or "Simply Sail" in order to get the perks.

 

Just did a random phantom booking for the Retreat and there were several cabin categories.  The least expensive ones have a block that says this if you try to book it...

 

GUARANTEE ROOM

Cruise-only rate. Drinks, Wi-Fi, and other amenities are not included.

 

That's straight from the Celebrity booking site.

 

The problem for the OP, I suspect, is that at one point there was a Captain's Club promo that, when applied by entering your CC number on the website, did not in any way indicate that AI was not included and, in fact did not give you the choice for an AI booking. The only way to get an AI booking when that promo was running was to NOT enter your Captain's Club number when booking. It was SUPER confusing. Usually, when a Guarantee or Sail Only rate is available, that is listed in addition to the normal AI booking options. In the case of this specific promo, there was no mention of this being a Sail Only rate and was the only available booking option.

[PTC DAWG]

3 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

Getting a cabin in the Retreat DOES NOT automatically mean you get all the perks.  You have to book a cabin that doesn't have the "guarantee" or "Simply Sail" in order to get the perks.

 

Just did a random phantom booking for the Retreat and there were several cabin categories.  The least expensive ones have a block that says this if you try to book it...

 

GUARANTEE ROOM

Cruise-only rate. Drinks, Wi-Fi, and other amenities are not included.

 

That's straight from the Celebrity booking site.

Correct, very straightforward to me. 

[gold1953]

4 hours ago, mikewomb said:

If you booked under other offers…like military discount…it removed the packages. I found out in time and celebrity corrected it 

I have both military and all included on mine

[PTC DAWG]

3 minutes ago, JamieLogical said:

 

The problem for the OP, I suspect, is that at one point there was a Captain's Club promo that, when applied by entering your CC number on the website, did not in any way indicate that AI was not included and, in fact did not give you the choice for an AI booking. The only way to get an AI booking when that promo was running was to NOT enter your Captain's Club number when booking. It was SUPER confusing. Usually, when a Guarantee or Sail Only rate is available, that is listed in addition to the normal AI booking options. In the case of this specific promo, there was no mention of this being a Sail Only rate and was the only available booking option.

I did some mock bookings during this, I remember when it came to the final bill page, no perks were mentioned..so I assumed none were offered, which is not how I would choose to sail..once CC# was removed, the AI rates came up, no doubt. 

Edited February 21, 2022 by PTC DAWG

[graphicguy]

Just now, JamieLogical said:

 

The problem for the OP, I suspect, is that at one point there was a Captain's Club promo that, when applied by entering your CC number on the website, did not in any way indicate that AI was not included and, in fact did not give you the choice for an AI booking. The only way to get an AI booking when that promo was running was to NOT enter your Captain's Club number when booking. It was SUPER confusing. Usually, when a Guarantee or Sail Only rate is available, that is listed in addition to the normal AI booking options. In the case of this specific promo, there was no mention of this being a Sail Only rate and was the only available booking option.

Good point.  

 

I went around and around and had my TA get it taken care of when I had issues this past summer when I booked using my Captain's Club promo.   I had a different issue, not the perks issue the OP has alluded to, though.  

 

If I had booked directly with Celebrity, I'd have my PCC involved to figure it out.

[JamieLogical]

2 minutes ago, PTC DAWG said:

I did some mock bookings during this, I remember when it came to the final bill page, no perks were mentioned..so I assumed none were offered, which is not how I would choose to sail..once CC# was removed, the AI rates came up, no doubt. 

 

Right, but why would you even think to look if the perks were listed on the final page when all of the branding everywhere on the Celebrity site says "Always Included" and you hadn't specifically chosen a sail only or guarantee rate?

 

Edited February 21, 2022 by JamieLogical

[GW248]

2 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

My agent had it applied at time of booking.    I would definitely ask about the Military Discount as it often triggers a repricing.   With Celebrity you never can tell until you have your agent or celebrity check.

I got worried about our perks after booking with a military discount.  Two agents said we did indeed have classic, surf and tips, which we are fine with.  Booking confirmation shows the following.  I hope "ALWAYS INC NRD"  means exactly that.  But is it strange that every other example on this thread had the perks broken down:  drinks, Internet, tips (and OBC if applicable)?

 

[hiccups]

21 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

Getting a cabin in the Retreat DOES NOT automatically mean you get all the perks.  You have to book a cabin that doesn't have the "guarantee" or "Simply Sail" in order to get the perks.

 

Just did a random phantom booking for the Retreat and there were several cabin categories.  The least expensive ones have a block that says this if you try to book it...

 

GUARANTEE ROOM

Cruise-only rate. Drinks, Wi-Fi, and other amenities are not included.

 

That's straight from the Celebrity booking site.

I know that—I mentioned the suite guarantee cabin to OP in one of the first replies on this thread.  I’m  speaking of the code “RETREAT” on the invoice, that poster wrk2cruise said means perks are included.

[jelayne]

There may be some instances of the Military discount no being available but I haven’t run into it.

 

Here are 2 bookings recently made with the Military
discounts, $ 600pp on 1 and $100 pp on another and both include the perks for the Retreat

 

[PTC DAWG]

22 minutes ago, JamieLogical said:

 

Right, but why would you even think to look if the perks were listed on the final page when all of the branding everywhere on the Celebrity site says "Always Included" and you hadn't specifically chosen a sail only or guarantee rate?

 

The good thing is, it seems much clearer now in the cabin selection area..AI or no perks…I hope the OP gets things worked out..

[graphicguy]

This is how it looks from Celebrity's WEB site if you book the Retreat with all the perks (mock booking)....

 

Sky Suite

First Guest

$3,084.00

Second Guest

$3,084.00

Discounts

SAVE 6TO8N NRD

-$1,770.00

CARIBOBC NRD ($100.00 to spend Onboard)

The Retreat 

 

Premium Wi-Fi

$300 per person in onboard credit to use however you choose, including shore excursions

Premium drinks

Tips

Dining

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included at select venues 

Exclusive Access to Luminae

Taxes & Fees

Taxes, Fees, and Port Expenses

$366.32

---

Trip Total

$4,764.32 USD

 

You guys made me go check my invoice the TA sent me for my cruise leaving this Saturday.  All good, as it's spelled out.  That's actually why I like my TA.  I get everything in writing from them...

 

Internet Package  Note: Streaming

Premium Beverage Package

Pre-paid Gratuities

$300 USD Rebate Check

$1759 USD Onboard Credit Note: $300 Amex Platinum card perk $600 Retreat OBC $859 Best Price GTY OBC

Bottle of Wine (Per Cabin)   Note: Bottle of Red Wine

Edited February 21, 2022 by graphicguy

[Bo1953]

2 hours ago, Salt Lifer said:

I have been worried about this myself. The Always Included is included in my invoice but it is not showing up anywhere online or in the app.  I discovered this a couple days ago when I decided to upgrade my drinks package to the Premium, however was only given the option of Classic ($59) or Premium ($69) as if I did not already have the AI.  Has anyone else experienced this and, if so, how did you handle the upgrade in advance without paying the full amount?

 

I will for sure be bringing a paper copy of my invoice with me when I board just to be on the safe side, but I would rather make sure it is all resolved prior to boarding.

Have you tried calling your point of reservation (i.e. X or TA) to clarify or confirm what you believe is booked?

 

Also, while you might not be able to upgrade to PBP at $12/day pp, you most certainly can do it over the phone with X or have your TA take care of it for you.

 

Good starting point.

 

Cheers and bon voyage

[JamieLogical]

29 minutes ago, PTC DAWG said:

The good thing is, it seems much clearer now in the cabin selection area..AI or no perks…I hope the OP gets things worked out..

 

Yes, now that the loyalty promo is no longer being offered, there is no longer such confusion on the web site.

[markeb]

Doesn't necessarily help the OP, but looking at some of the posts, and the info my own TA sent me (I'd rebooked a rebooked cruise; long story) after the last round of package confusion, it looks like there's a RETREAT package, and then there's "The Retreat". Great marketing and accounting. I believe her exact words were "you've got the Retreat package; premium drinks, Wi-Fi, gratuities, and OBC", and listed out the codes included. Which match the codes others have posted that don't show RETREAT on their booking.

 

It reminds me a lot of buying a car. BMW has packages, but each package has a bunch of codes. So this year's Premium package may not have the same elements as last year's, but you can generally compare them on the included build codes. If you look at the quote graphicguy posted, it just says "The Retreat" and lists elements. There were some earlier folks who posted from their booking confirmation and it showed "RETREAT" without any obvious subelements. If you hadn't done this a dozen times, and hung out on a cruise board, you'd never see the difference!

 

The first time we cruised Celebrity, we booked with a drink package promotion. It was on the original shipboard booking confirmation. We got a price break or something at some point in time. There was never anything on the booking about the package, and the cruise planner was happy to sell me a package "I had". Turned out, it had gotten dropped on a transcription error on the price break. Not a condition of the price break, but they apparently had to manually recreate the booking, and it just disappeared. Folks on this board gave me the yeah, that's not right, sign, and I checked with the TA. The TA and Celebrity had to manually override. I was thinking it would end up being like OBC which on RCL you never saw until you got on board. Luckily we asked or we would have been just as irritated as the OP.

[Ferry_Watcher]

What does NRD stand for?

 

[LGW59]

Just now, Ferry_Watcher said:

What does NRD stand for?

 

Non refundable deposit

[Ferry_Watcher]

1 minute ago, LGW59 said:

Non refundable deposit

Thanks!  I could have sworn that I booked a refundable deposit, but apparently I didn't.  :  (

Oh, well.

[Jim_Iain]

I think that Celebrity is again showing they are consistently inconsistent.     I just paid final payment on a cruise today via an agent and received an immediate email from Celebrity with all the invoice details and final payment made.    I noticed somehow I got a good rate without having to pay extra for a Drink Package I already get as a perk.  Luckily on this one I got PPD gratuities.