New charges for suite room service.

[terrydtx]

21 minutes ago, mfs2k said:

 

Don't you pay extra to have food delivered by instacart, DoorDash, UberEats or GrubHub?   I'm surprised they didn't do this sooner.

If Celebrity goes too far they will be more like HAL, which believe me is not a good thing. HAL charges extra for a shrimp cocktail ($8.50), 5oz lobster tail and 5 oz beef fillet ($30) in the MDR. HAL charges extra for a hamburger or hot dog from Dive-in ($4.95 each item) delivered with room service.

[mfs2k]

1 hour ago, terrydtx said:

If Celebrity goes too far they will be more like HAL, which believe me is not a good thing. HAL charges extra for a shrimp cocktail ($8.50), 5oz lobster tail and 5 oz beef fillet ($30) in the MDR. HAL charges extra for a hamburger or hot dog from Dive-in ($4.95 each item) delivered with room service.

 

Honestly, 

With all the added costs Celebrity has had to absorb in the past few years including sick pay, quarantine expenses, fuel, higher labor costs, higher supply costs, etc etc etc, in addition to lower occupancies, refunds for covid cases, etc etc etc, it's really not surprissing they're trying to increase revenues wherever they can.  I expect to see more and more of this and I understand it. 

[phoenix_dream]

10 minutes ago, mfs2k said:

 

Honestly, 

With all the added costs Celebrity has had to absorb in the past few years including sick pay, quarantine expenses, fuel, higher labor costs, higher supply costs, etc etc etc, in addition to lower occupancies, refunds for covid cases, etc etc etc, it's really not surprissing they're trying to increase revenues wherever they can.  I expect to see more and more of this and I understand it. 

I don't disagree as to the reasoning.  What I don't like is the continued nickel and diming approach.  One of the nice things about Celebrity was always that it was more classy than many of the other mid-stream lines.  This was particularly true in suite class especially since LLP took over.  To me some of the little (and not so little) extra charges are just plain tacky.  Suite prices are already sky high on most sailings and have been completely booked on most sailings since re-start even when other capacities were much lower.  I may be alone in this but I would rather they just add a few $$ to cabin prices than take a piece by piece approach.

[phoenix_dream]

1 hour ago, mfs2k said:

 

Don't you pay extra to have food delivered by instacart, DoorDash, UberEats or GrubHub?   I'm surprised they didn't do this sooner.

The point is that these items were always included as a part of what you pay for in suites, which is a considerable amount of $$.  People booked suites on future cruises expecting this to be included and now it is not.  At home I also have to pay if I want someone to come to my home and clean.  Should I now be having to pay the room steward an extra charge for cleaning my suite?  If I had a pool, I'd likely be paying someone to come clean and maintain that as well.  Should I be charged for that onboard?  Just a couple of examples.  It always was, and should remain, included in the price of the fare.  That's my opinion.  We are free to disagree.

[wrk2cruise]

I seem to remember there were always some premium items on the room service menu at extra cost.   As we don't use room service other than the occasional breakfast I can't say if this applied to suites or not.

[CharlieCharlieCharlie]

1 hour ago, phoenix_dream said:

The point is that these items were always included as a part of what you pay for in suites, which is a considerable amount of $$.  People booked suites on future cruises expecting this to be included and now it is not.  At home I also have to pay if I want someone to come to my home and clean.  Should I now be having to pay the room steward an extra charge for cleaning my suite?  If I had a pool, I'd likely be paying someone to come clean and maintain that as well.  Should I be charged for that onboard?  Just a couple of examples.  It always was, and should remain, included in the price of the fare.  That's my opinion.  We are free to disagree.

Exactly!  Most of the time, and the extra all-included food, alcohol and extra service items are a big part of selecting the upper suites.

[Hlitner]

5 hours ago, phoenix_dream said:

I agree.  The suite prices are usually very steep to begin with.  To charge extra, let alone that much extra, for those items is out of line IMHO.

If true, I am not at all surprised.  When LLP took over X she implemented a program I called (here on CC) "death by a thousand cut-backs."   Extending her policy to the most expensive suites sounds like par for the course.  Very sad. 

 

Hank

[Beamafar]

3 minutes ago, Hlitner said:

If true, I am not at all surprised.  When LLP took over X she implemented a program I called (here on CC) "death by a thousand cut-backs."   Extending her policy to the most expensive suites sounds like par for the course.  Very sad. 

 

Hank

Seems that it applies across all the lines, now.  Methinks they’re trying to recoup the losses made during the pandemic.  IMHO they’re going to hit those who spend more the hardest in the belief that they’re the ones with the most disposable income. 

[mfs2k]

I think these times are different. Cruise lines are trying to survive. Some have already gone bankrupt. 

[mfs2k]

I also think we have no clue what the conversations are like behind the scenes. 
im sure every department has been asked to cut expenses and find ways to increase revenues. 

[islabahia]

LLP may find that Oceania and Regent are looking better and better to Celebrity suite pax. We have 2 X cruises booked and 2024 we will be booking Oceania or Regent.

[asnaleah]

I agree with Phoenix about the nickel and dime-ing. We choose a suite in order to have a premium experience. There is a lot of competition for our cruise dollars and I will certainly look around rather than automatically booking another Celebrity cruise as I usually do while on board. I read on another thread that there is a charge for small bites at a bar on E class ships. 

[Beamafar]

19 minutes ago, islabahia said:

LLP may find that Oceania and Regent are looking better and better to Celebrity suite pax. We have 2 X cruises booked and 2024 we will be booking Oceania or Regent.

Never thought we’d be considering Oceania (enjoyed several MSC Yacht Club cruises.  Now trying Azamara and giving X another chance with the Retreat experience after a disappointing cruise in an SS on Millie at the time Luminae had just been introduced).  If neither live up to our expectations, we will definitely be prepared to pay the extra for the experience we’re looking for. 

[mfs2k]

More room on the retreat   Deck for me. 

[mahasamatman]

8 hours ago, mfs2k said:

Why would I want to go on a cruise and eat dinner in my sky suite?

 

For the same reason we've only gone to restaurants with outdoor seating since the onset of COVID.

[CHEZMARYLOU]

I agree with the posts re nickel and diming, trying to make up for lost revenue, etc. However why is this only, so far based on app menus, an option for suites? If trying to make up for lost revenue why aren't these menu items offered to any cabin class via room service? And, having already paid for free specialty dining by booking a higher level suite, why are we now being asked to pay for items through room service.  I get paying for the Chef's Table, Champagne Dinner, up charge items in Tuscan (not sure I agree with this or think they are worth it) 5 Senses Menu (since you can order the same food and comparable wine with a beverage package).

 

If Celebrity wants to make up for lost revenue, offer these items across all cabin classes.  On our cruise boarding on New Years Eve, I can see a lot of guests wanting room service the next day. 

[LGW59]

1 hour ago, Beamafar said:

Never thought we’d be considering Oceania (enjoyed several MSC Yacht Club cruises.  Now trying Azamara and giving X another chance with the Retreat experience after a disappointing cruise in an SS on Millie at the time Luminae had just been introduced).  If neither live up to our expectations, we will definitely be prepared to pay the extra for the experience we’re looking for. 

While I am very happy with Celebrity, esp the E-class ships, love them!  Just to mix it up, we thought we might try Azamara but when we looked into their few ships, they all seem very tired and a bit outdated.  I guess I am not exactly the supposed target demographic (I'm 60+) Celebrity markets to, but they did hit the target with me and the E-class design.

[takemewithyou]

1 hour ago, LGW59 said:

While I am very happy with Celebrity, esp the E-class ships, love them!  Just to mix it up, we thought we might try Azamara but when we looked into their few ships, they all seem very tired and a bit outdated.  I guess I am not exactly the supposed target demographic (I'm 60+) Celebrity markets to, but they did hit the target with me and the E-class design.

LOVE Azamara!! 

[floridatravelersforlife]

2 hours ago, Beamafar said:

Never thought we’d be considering Oceania (enjoyed several MSC Yacht Club cruises.  Now trying Azamara and giving X another chance with the Retreat experience after a disappointing cruise in an SS on Millie at the time Luminae had just been introduced).  If neither live up to our expectations, we will definitely be prepared to pay the extra for the experience we’re looking for. 

We made the transition to Oceania suites in 2015.  We do Celebrity when family members get together for holiday cruises.    

[MamaFej]

4 hours ago, mfs2k said:

I also think we have no clue what the conversations are like behind the scenes. 
im sure every department has been asked to cut expenses and find ways to increase revenues. 

I kind of doubt that top executive bonuses are an expense being cut.

I could be wrong.

[LMaxwell]

I feel like premium positioned companies need to be very careful about getting into too far into nickle/dime fees on their most expensive fares. Anyone that can drop $10K+ on Celebrity can do the same elsewhere and find a more inclusive experience. Many individuals that can afford these kinds of vacations are faced with decisioning, cost analysis, budgeting in their professional and personal lives constantly. When I go on vacation I don't want to manage it or be presented with additional costs (excursions, spa, casino, specialty dining, shopping, OK but those aren't as in my face). I think premium branded resort companies need to maintain that "dreamlike" and "carefree" illusion. That's something that appeals to me.  For example, that's one reason I just plain don't like NCL.  It ALWAYS feels like something being sold to me. I just want a tropical resort and don't have to think about anything. 

[thebutlerdidit]

A ribeye steak is very appealing to me. As it’s on the room service menu, will it also be available in Murano every night? Will there be a $20 up-charge in Murano? I would really hate to see up-charge items appearing on the Murano menus nightly. 

[asnaleah]

I’ve been thinking about this and trying to decide how I’d feel about a fee being charged to all. What if room service cost $10-20?  You could order anything you want, but there would be a delivery charge. Hmmm.

[LMaxwell]

31 minutes ago, asnaleah said:

 What if room service cost $10-20?  You could order anything you want, but there would be a delivery charge. Hmmm.

I'd rather they up my cruise fare per day ever so slightly and stop presenting me with purchasing opportunities constantly throughout the day.  

[Ipeeinthepools]

17 hours ago, LGW59 said:

While I am very happy with Celebrity, esp the E-class ships, love them!  Just to mix it up, we thought we might try Azamara but when we looked into their few ships, they all seem very tired and a bit outdated.  I guess I am not exactly the supposed target demographic (I'm 60+) Celebrity markets to, but they did hit the target with me and the E-class design.

 

Maybe you should take a look at some of the newer HAL ships if you want to mix it up.   In addition to a new ship design, you should be able to mix up the itinerary a bit by visiting some different ports.