Blue chip email? Is it a scam?

[CaroleSS]

12 minutes ago, kwokpot said:

Not always true. As I stated earlier when doing the math on my February Solstice cruise if you take the comped veranda and add in always included components and compare the cost of the same cabin with always included you're saving over $1,500.

Your situation is very different......comped cabins are not always the same as the "free" cabins those of us who are not huge gamblers are offered. Earlier you mentioned that on one cruise, everything.....all the AI components were comped as well. *I* would never be offered such.
 

please provide the math you did for your comped cabin.....as I did earlier so we can see where your math isnt as fuzzy as mine.

Edited December 24, 2022 by CaroleSS

[CaroleSS]

At this point, I will simply say that everyone's situation is different. Each cruise is different. What everyone wants out of a cruise is different.

 

We all need to do a little research on the "true" cost of a "free" cruise and weigh the pros and cons. After all is said and done, if you are happy with the cost....go for it! 

[Rtowncruiser]

We booked 3 offered cruises. Paid port fees. Will pay gratuity charges like everyone else. Everything else is at our discretion. Lowly Pearl status. (Really low!) Don't need to fly. That's a win in our book!

 

[kwokpot]

2 hours ago, CaroleSS said:

Your situation is very different......comped cabins are not always the same as the "free" cabins those of us who are not huge gamblers are offered. Earlier you mentioned that on one cruise, everything.....all the AI components were comped as well. *I* would never be offered such.
 

please provide the math you did for your comped cabin.....as I did earlier so we can see where your math isnt as fuzzy as mine.

So the B1 cabin on the 2/18/23 Solstice costs me $279 The same cabin if I had to pay now cost $2,787 but comes with $250 OBC, so if you reduced it by that amount the cabin would cost me $2,537.  So without the extras in either case the comped cabin saved me $2,258

Let's compare always included. If I go into the cruise planner and add Grats, basic wifi, and classic drink package to my existing comped cabin, it would add an additional $1,617 for a total of $1,896.

If I price a cabin to buy now with always included, it would be a total of $3,361 with $250 OBC, so a net cost of $3,111 for a savings of $1,215 going with my comped cabin. Yes a lower savings but still $600/pp less. And to top it off the always included cabin was a lower price cabin too, by $200 (for some reason a similar cabin wouldn't show an always included option, while a lower deck cabin would). 

So in my situation, anyway you cut it it's a tremendous savings. Whatsmore, a BCC cabin offer doesn't REQUIRE a minimum amount of play whatsoever. You don't have to ever step into the casino if you don't want to. You just won't be offered future comped cruise offers. 

There are very few situations where a fully comped cabin won't save you a substantial amount unless the base retail price of the cabin was substantially reduced due to very low sales on that sailing. This could happen which would also account for BCC offers on that particular sailing.

 

 

 

[retird]

4 minutes ago, kwokpot said:

So the B1 cabin on the 2/18/23 Solstice costs me $279 The same cabin if I had to pay now cost $2,787 but comes with $250 OBC, so if you reduced it by that amount the cabin would cost me $2,537.  So without the extras in either case the comped cabin saved me $2,258

Let's compare always included. If I go into the cruise planner and add Grats, basic wifi, and classic drink package to my existing comped cabin, it would add an additional $1,617 for a total of $1,896.

If I price a cabin to buy now with always included, it would be a total of $3,361 with $250 OBC, so a net cost of $3,111 for a savings of $1,215 going with my comped cabin. Yes a lower savings but still $600/pp less. And to top it off the always included cabin was a lower price cabin too, by $200 (for some reason a similar cabin wouldn't show an always included option, while a lower deck cabin would). 

So in my situation, anyway you cut it it's a tremendous savings. Whatsmore, a BCC cabin offer doesn't REQUIRE a minimum amount of play whatsoever. You don't have to ever step into the casino if you don't want to. You just won't be offered future comped cruise offers. 

There are very few situations where a fully comped cabin won't save you a substantial amount unless the base retail price of the cabin was substantially reduced due to very low sales on that sailing. This could happen which would also account for BCC offers on that particular sailing.

 

I agree.   In my case neither me or my spouse drink.   When we book and pay ourselves for a cruise we always purchase wifi and of course port tax and gratuities we also pay.    So , when I get a BCC free veranda offer, i check online for the cruise I’m interested in and verify what a cruise only ,my choice veranda , costs considering my elite status on Celebrity.   The base cost of the cabin before tax and gratuities is my savings.    I am very appreciative of the offers and i do spend a few dollars in the casino to keep my Blue chip club number active.    So it is a win win i get the base price of the cabin free, and celebrity gets their port tax paid, gratuities paid and wife and I each contribute a couple hundred to the casino.   I love cruising.   Everyone enjoy your cruises and Merry Christmas from my home to yours

 

 

[CaroleSS]

@kwokpot, yes you got a good deal at todays prices direct with Celebrity.....and although not the $2003.28 (comped room + AI with the current $386.56 port fees), through a good TA, I found you the same room for $3161 and $875 OBC (for a total of $2286) which is only a savings of $283.

 

Again, if you are looking for a "bare bones" cruise, the BCC offerings are a great deal. If you are looking for more, they might not be as much so.

 

I second @retird's sentiments.....to my CCfamily, Happy Holidays.....and May all your cruises be bright!

Edited December 24, 2022 by CaroleSS

[NutsAboutGolf]

5 hours ago, CaroleSS said:

Your situation is very different......comped cabins are not always the same as the "free" cabins those of us who are not huge gamblers are offered. Earlier you mentioned that on one cruise, everything.....all the AI components were comped as well. *I* would never be offered such.
 

please provide the math you did for your comped cabin.....as I did earlier so we can see where your math isnt as fuzzy as mine.

Question, the non-gambler “free” cabins, is it only the Mexican Riviera?  I believe the comped offers have a lot more options including ten nighters on the Edge

[SFCAcruiser]

2 hours ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

Question, the non-gambler “free” cabins, is it only the Mexican Riviera?  I believe the comped offers have a lot more options including ten nighters on the Edge

BCC free cruises also included some cruises in Caribbean, and a few 10 and 11- night Edge cruises, which "sold out" quickly. 

[sdnich]

7 hours ago, SFCAcruiser said:

BCC free cruises also included some cruises in Caribbean, and a few 10 and 11- night Edge cruises, which "sold out" quickly. 

I got lucky and was able to book a 10 night IV veranda on the edge right before Thanksgiving for March 17! Then a Sunset veranda came available and I called and was able to switch to that for no extra charge also. I was fine with trying out the infinite veranda but when the sunset veranda came open I thought I would call and see if I could switch before it got booked. 😉

[Luvtoeat]

Was on the Reflection recently in a BCC free veranda with a twice as large as regular balcony. Had a really great cruise. Have a 10 night BCC coming up on the Equinox for under $300.00. Went to the future cruise people to see the regular cost with no perks $3200.00 if booked on the ship with $400.00 OBC and all included was over $5000.00. We did spend some time in the casino so hope these offers keep coming.

[CTSandy]

I have a 10 night and a 9 night b2b coming up on Equinox from BCC.  Because of my level in the casino, I get a comped classic beverage package and free internet.  I primarily use the beverage package for specialty coffees and water - some days a drink or glass of wine with dinner.  The cost of my flight and hotel for the night before the cruise is more expensive than the cruise, so for me the comped concierge cabin is a real bargain!

[Luvtoeat]

13 hours ago, CTSandy said:

I have a 10 night and a 9 night b2b coming up on Equinox from BCC.  Because of my level in the casino, I get a comped classic beverage package and free internet.  I primarily use the beverage package for specialty coffees and water - some days a drink or glass of wine with dinner.  The cost of my flight and hotel for the night before the cruise is more expensive than the cruise, so for me the comped concierge cabin is a real bargain!

What level are you to be getting the drinks and wi-fi along with the free room? We are happy just to have the free room but I will ask my wife to spend more time in the casino when we are on the Equinox.

[CTSandy]

10 hours ago, Luvtoeat said:

What level are you to be getting the drinks and wi-fi along with the free room? We are happy just to have the free room but I will ask my wife to spend more time in the casino when we are on the Equinox.

I am currently Sapphire, although I understand they will be making some changes in the program as of January 1, 2023 so who knows what next year brings.  

[sixpackeddie]

We have been able to take advantage of 60% off suites and free aqua class cabins on Celebrity. Does anyone know if the offers are valid on Royal Caribbean or does RCCL have their own casino program.

[kwokpot]

18 hours ago, sixpackeddie said:

We have been able to take advantage of 60% off suites and free aqua class cabins on Celebrity. Does anyone know if the offers are valid on Royal Caribbean or does RCCL have their own casino program.

Royal has their own casino program called Club Royale and isn't connected to Blue Chip Club in any way, shape, or form. 

[kannna]

We got the offer and were so surprised! I called. I booked. Huzzah! We are going on a 10 night cruise. 

[poffles]

On 12/26/2022 at 12:37 AM, CTSandy said:

I am currently Sapphire, although I understand they will be making some changes in the program as of January 1, 2023 so who knows what next year brings.  

 

Oh really ... I hadn't heard about changes coming.  Be interesting to see.  I notice they extended the earning period again to December 31, 2023, so another year.

[NutsAboutGolf]

On 12/26/2022 at 10:56 PM, kwokpot said:

Royal has their own casino program called Club Royale and isn't connected to Blue Chip Club in any way, shape, or form. 

Yup and to my understanding, RCI awards you a discounted/comped offer on the last day based on your current sailing play.  X bases it on your last sailings play.  Perhaps if there are changes to X’s BCC program it will follow RCI’s path

[kwokpot]

37 minutes ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

Yup and to my understanding, RCI awards you a discounted/comped offer on the last day based on your current sailing play.  X bases it on your last sailings play.  Perhaps if there are changes to X’s BCC program it will follow RCI’s path

My biggest gripe about BCC is the inconsistences and their polices that aren't friendly to gamblers. Royal's program is more straightforward and isn't subject to the whims of the onboard casino host. 

[NutsAboutGolf]

33 minutes ago, kwokpot said:

My biggest gripe about BCC is the inconsistences and their polices that aren't friendly to gamblers. Royal's program is more straightforward and isn't subject to the whims of the onboard casino host. 

Totally agree, they also seem to underrate you on the tables, either that or they’ve fudged the theo’s “game played” number

[aggiejd2000]

On 12/31/2022 at 9:12 AM, NutsAboutGolf said:

Totally agree, they also seem to underrate you on the tables, either that or they’ve fudged the theo’s “game played” number

And they don't care about the people who play at the poker cash game.  We played there every night on the last two cruises and the table was always full.  X took a 10% rake per hand up to $25 and we probably averaged 20-25 hands an hour.  The casino host on Solstice was super friendly and apologetic about the fact that X didn't care about us but the host on Reflection never even acknowledged our existence. 

[Xyla]

On 12/23/2022 at 8:01 PM, CaroleSS said:

@kwokpot, yes you got a good deal at todays prices direct with Celebrity.....and although not the $2003.28 (comped room + AI with the current $386.56 port fees), through a good TA, I found you the same room for $3161 and $875 OBC (for a total of $2286) which is only a savings of $283.

 

Again, if you are looking for a "bare bones" cruise, the BCC offerings are a great deal. If you are looking for more, they might not be as much so.

 

I second @retird's sentiments.....to my CCfamily, Happy Holidays.....and May all your cruises be bright!

Wow good TA indeed with 28% of the fare back as OBC! Highest I’ve seen has generally been 10-15%. 

That said, I cruised on the Solstice a few weeks ago, solo in a Concierge cabin and paid port/fees taxes for myself only. My final bill at the end of the cruise was ~$800 hence under $1k total for the 8 day cruise, gratuities, premium internet, 1-2 drinks a day. 

[AstoriaPreppy]

Does anyone know if Blue Chip offers are MoveUp eligible? Or is calling the Blue Chip desk for my booking the only way to figure out upgrade options? 

[NutsAboutGolf]

6 minutes ago, AstoriaPreppy said:

Does anyone know if Blue Chip offers are MoveUp eligible? Or is calling the Blue Chip desk for my booking the only way to figure out upgrade options? 

 

BCC will tell you no but if you email your booking number to celebritymoveup@celebrity.com they CAN activate for you; they have activated it every time I asked but they often at 1-1.5 week to do so and reply

[RichYak]

14 hours ago, Xyla said:

Wow good TA indeed with 28% of the fare back as OBC!

You're assuming 100% of that OBC was from the TA and none was from Celebrity.