HAS CELEBRITY GOTTEN SMARTER, AND MORE CONSIDERATE OF ITS CUSTOMERS?

[Spif Barwunkel]

You will notice that Celebrity’s new advertising now includes two obvious options for cabin choice. “Cruise-Only” or “All-Included” may be selected for cabin categories Inside, Ocean View, Verandah and Concierge. If choosing Aqua Class, you will automatically get the All-Included option of drinks, tips and WIFI. Why would Aqua Class cruisers not have a choice?

 

It seems that X has listened to cruisers who did not appreciate being charged for something they did not use. There were certainly plenty of threads criticizing the automatic “Always Included” and that is totally understandable.

 

This is quite a significant change to Celebrity’s promotions. Is it a notable step in the right direction to customer satisfaction?

 

Edited August 8, 2022 by Spif Barwunkel

[jagoffee]

IMO, generally yes.  
It is certainly clear and easy to understand.

 

Celebrity feels that the Aqua Class offers enough extra  benefits (Blu mostly), that it can command a higher price. (Always having All Included increases the price point).  Consequently it eliminates the limited or unlimited bottled water debate.  
 

The Retreat can also not be cruise only, driving up Retreat prices.  (Or not lowering the price).

 

Eliminating the upgrade bundles (Indulge and ?) makes it simpler, but also more expensive/profitable.  

 

 

[Islandbuoy]

2 hours ago, Spif Barwunkel said:

You will notice that Celebrity’s new advertising now includes two obvious options for cabin choice. “Cruise-Only” or “All-Included” may be selected for cabin categories Inside, Ocean View, Verandah and Concierge. If choosing Aqua Class, you will automatically get the All-Included option of drinks, tips and WIFI. Why would Aqua Class cruisers not have a choice?

 

It seems that X has listened to cruisers who did not appreciate being charged for something they did not use. There were certainly plenty of threads criticizing the automatic “Always Included” and that is totally understandable.

 

This is quite a significant change to Celebrity’s promotions. Is it a notable step in the right direction to customer satisfaction?

 

A return to sanity? 2nd go round for me.When AI didn't work b4, Azamara was created.

[wrk2cruise]

They feel they can fill the AQ and Retreat cabins with the profit laden AI fares.   Once bookings return to the point where they can demand AI pricing for the rest of the inventory you will for sure see the cruise only fares only on poorly selling itineraries.

[jagoffee]

2 hours ago, wrk2cruise said:

They feel they can fill the AQ and Retreat cabins with the profit laden AI fares.   Once bookings return to the point where they can demand AI pricing for the rest of the inventory you will for sure see the cruise only fares only on poorly selling itineraries.

Interesting theory about reducing the availability of cruise only fares. We will know in a few years.,

 

 

[PTC DAWG]

AI works for me…math is easy..I do think it is nice they are offering cruise only rates for those interested, it makes sense to me. 

Edited August 8, 2022 by PTC DAWG

[Jeremiah1212]

The point was so they could advertise a low bare bones rate to compete with other cruise lines offering a similar striped down rate, then upsell on the value in All Included. The vast majority of new bookings are still AI. 

 

Aqua guests and obviously Retreat guests are not nearly as price sensitive and will pay more for the extras from the beginning. 

[D. B.]

I agree with Jeremiah 1212.

 I do know people who did Not like the Always Included because they don't use the ships WiFi .

   I liked  the Perks Extra when it was offered and I'm glad I took advantage of it Before it disappeared.

[the penguins]

3 hours ago, wrk2cruise said:

They feel they can fill the AQ and Retreat cabins with the profit laden AI fares.   Once bookings return to the point where they can demand AI pricing for the rest of the inventory you will for sure see the cruise only fares only on poorly selling itineraries.

Hopefully not as they tried that and rapidly changed to offering cruise only rates on every cruise.

I believe X has finally accepted that the passengers most affected by compolsary AI were amongst their most loyal customers particularly:

Elite + who don't drink alcohol and didn't need unlimited WiFi.

Zenith who had their free Classic drinks package changed to just the cost of an upgrade to the Premium - again useless if you don't drink alcohol

and the very worst affected

All solo passengers who had to pay 2 lots of tips, 2 internet packages (ok some used this by having 2 devices) 2 drinks packages - how can anyone use 2 drinks packages?

We moved one cruise to Royal, booked another on  Princess( our first) and were about to book a second Princess when the new system was introduced enabling us to come back to X with a saving of around £740 after allowing for the tips.

We and many others now have what we campaigned for which was simply choice. AI for those who want it and cruise only for thevrest