Need some help navigating the Elite perks...

[Islander500]

2 hours ago, bigbenboys said:

You do have other benefits all Classic through Elite Plus. One complimentary scoop of gelato under Classic for example. The PDF is dated Aug 2022.

Awww.  See I forgot that.  Thank you!  

[drakes2]

36 minutes ago, Islander500 said:

Awww.  See I forgot that.  Thank you!  

The Gelato is pretty good and sometimes a nice change from dessert in the MDR.  A couple times I was given a complimentary scoop and was told to keep my free scoop for another time. 

[Islander500]

3 hours ago, Islander500 said:

Awww.  See I forgot that.  Thank you!  

On more question, I noted on the Membership Benefits PDF that one of the benefits of Elite Plus are complementary cappuccino, latte, espresso and tea throughout sailing.  Does that mean I can order those drinks for free at Al Bacio?  I don't recall that benefit pre-Covid and certainly worth considering when calculating the cost/value of Beverage Packages.  Thanx!

 

[SFCAcruiser]

20 minutes ago, Islander500 said:

... I don't recall that benefit pre-Covid and certainly worth considering when calculating the cost/value of Beverage Packages.  Thanx!

 

 

Complimentary coffees (non-alcoholic) have been available long before we knew the word Covid. No need to include the special coffees in your Bev package calculations.  Also do not forget about the morning Captain's Club breakfast for E and higher tiers. A few alcohol beverages (Bloody Mary, Screwdriver, Bellini)  are free at that venue, 8-10am.

There will be a list in your cabin providing the locations and times of various E+ events.

Edited November 29, 2022 by SFCAcruiser
more information

[drakes2]

8 hours ago, SFCAcruiser said:

 

Complimentary coffees (non-alcoholic) have been available long before we knew the word Covid. No need to include the special coffees in your Bev package calculations.  Also do not forget about the morning Captain's Club breakfast for E and higher tiers. A few alcohol beverages (Bloody Mary, Screwdriver, Bellini)  are free at that venue, 8-10am.

There will be a list in your cabin providing the locations and times of various E+ events.

I usually show up around 800 a. m  for a Bellini or  mimosa then take a second one to the MDR to enjoy with breakfast. If ordered at mdr with no AI the cost is around $11 plus gratuities on a 10 night cruise that's around $120 or so convert to 🇨🇦 exchange rate = a lot of cash. No flack please just trying to save a few bucks. Of course there are times I have purchased the drinks package. 🍸

[wrk2cruise]

On 11/26/2022 at 11:13 AM, watcher_62 said:

and I've never seen "freeplay" sold on the planner? Is that something we should do?

 

My understanding is the "freeplay" that comes with the 10% bonus sold on cruise planner doesn't count toward your casino points.   Not just the 10% but the entire amount is considered promotional.  If casino status is important to you it may not be what you want to do.

[Hlitner]

Just a caution to some folks (those who are Elite should already be aware).  Calling or dealing direct with X will not necessarily save you money.  A discounted price for Elites may actually cost significantly more than just doing the same transaction through a decent cruise agency who adds various perks such as generous On Board Credits.  

 

When I see the word "SALE" or "DISCOUNT" it simply puts me on alert to carefully look at the bottom line.  Let the buyer beware is advisable in the cruise/travel world.

 

Hank

[drakes2]

22 minutes ago, Hlitner said:

Just a caution to some folks (those who are Elite should already be aware).  Calling or dealing direct with X will not necessarily save you money.  A discounted price for Elites may actually cost significantly more than just doing the same transaction through a decent cruise agency who adds various perks such as generous On Board Credits.  

 

When I see the word "SALE" or "DISCOUNT" it simply puts me on alert to carefully look at the bottom line.  Let the buyer beware is advisable in the cruise/travel world.

 

Hank

Before I book a cruise with Celebrity I always check various online TA's to compare pricing and perks then I have to convert to CAD to see what the final price will be. In most cases Celebrity's pricing comes out ahead and they price in CAD.  The only exception was my May Hawaii cruise when the online agency put me in a group rate.  I spend a lot of time doing the math before committing. 

[Hlitner]

1 hour ago, drakes2 said:

Before I book a cruise with Celebrity I always check various online TA's to compare pricing and perks then I have to convert to CAD to see what the final price will be. In most cases Celebrity's pricing comes out ahead and they price in CAD.  The only exception was my May Hawaii cruise when the online agency put me in a group rate.  I spend a lot of time doing the math before committing. 

Your post got me looking :).  So I just picked, at random, the April 25 Apex transatlantic cruise (15 days) and did a quick comparison of Celebrity's web site to one of our favored cruise agencies.  Both sites offer exactly the same cruise pricing and amenities.  However, the cruise agency adds $325 of On Board Credit for the lowest category P2 balcony.  This is all in US Dollars.  That $325 is a little more than 6% of the cruise price.  I than looked at a different cruise agency (another of our favored agencies) for the same cruise at a P2 category and that agency tosses in an OBC of $425 which is about 8% of the cruise price.  I priced out with two of our long-trusted agencies to point out that it usually pays to shop around among several reputable high volume cruise agencies.    We know of another cruise agency that would likely offer even more OBC on that cruise, but we have some issues with that 3rd agency.  That particular agency normally offers 10% of the cruise fare as an OBC.  

 

With Celebrity you will not generally find price differences since the cruise line imposes price restrictions on their authorized agencies.  But they do allow the agencies to add OBCs and sometimes some additional amenities.  While many cruise lines do impose price controls, they have no problem with the agencies offering other enchancements such as on board credits.  The agencies can do this by sacrificing some of their commissions and overrides to be more competitive.  And there are also deals made with some agencies and consortiums (who represent many agencies) to encourage the agencies to promote certain cruise lines and cruises.  We once talked to a senior executive (with Princess) about all of this and asked why the cruise lines are not willing to match the deals offered by some agencies.  He explained that the cruise lines really need these agencies and the agencies do handle the bookings which saves some money for the cruise lines since the agencies are doing the marketing and labor.

 

Hank

[drakes2]

4 hours ago, Hlitner said:

Your post got me looking :).  So I just picked, at random, the April 25 Apex transatlantic cruise (15 days) and did a quick comparison of Celebrity's web site to one of our favored cruise agencies.  Both sites offer exactly the same cruise pricing and amenities.  However, the cruise agency adds $325 of On Board Credit for the lowest category P2 balcony.  This is all in US Dollars.  That $325 is a little more than 6% of the cruise price.  I than looked at a different cruise agency (another of our favored agencies) for the same cruise at a P2 category and that agency tosses in an OBC of $425 which is about 8% of the cruise price.  I priced out with two of our long-trusted agencies to point out that it usually pays to shop around among several reputable high volume cruise agencies.    We know of another cruise agency that would likely offer even more OBC on that cruise, but we have some issues with that 3rd agency.  That particular agency normally offers 10% of the cruise fare as an OBC.  

 

With Celebrity you will not generally find price differences since the cruise line imposes price restrictions on their authorized agencies.  But they do allow the agencies to add OBCs and sometimes some additional amenities.  While many cruise lines do impose price controls, they have no problem with the agencies offering other enchancements such as on board credits.  The agencies can do this by sacrificing some of their commissions and overrides to be more competitive.  And there are also deals made with some agencies and consortiums (who represent many agencies) to encourage the agencies to promote certain cruise lines and cruises.  We once talked to a senior executive (with Princess) about all of this and asked why the cruise lines are not willing to match the deals offered by some agencies.  He explained that the cruise lines really need these agencies and the agencies do handle the bookings which saves some money for the cruise lines since the agencies are doing the marketing and labor.

 

Hank

The April 23 3023 TA cruise is currently offering $400 US onboard credit plus an extra 50 bucks for cyber Monday.  This is with Celebrity.   The advantage for me booking with cruise line is as stated in Canadian currency so no surprises with FX rate plus my CVP corresponds with me on his days off last night I got an e mail at midnight plus I get a couple bottles of quite expensive wine sent to my cabin. 

[dazey]

In response to Hiltner's comment I have tried calling Blue Chip to confirm that if I purchase $500 slot play and receive a 10% promotional amount then all played(the $550) does not count towards casino points.  I did this a few months ago and was going to purchase some $'s for our December 12 cruise.  Do not understand why the amount paid(in this case $500) when played does not count toward points.  I will get a confirmation of what the Blue Chip rep tells me when I finally get to speak to someone(and hope they know what the correct answer is).  Seems unfair and not right but then again so many things are that way.  

[BMT]

I am Elite+ and now, sadly, a solo cruiser.  Is it my imagination, or do I receive a discount on my solo occupancy?

[dazey]

You were correct, Hiltner, about not getting points when one purchases the slot play promotional and receive 10% bonus.  I still think that is totally unfair not getting points for what you actually paid for and play.  Will not do that again(did in May).  Thanks for the warning.

[WestLakeGirl]

3 hours ago, BMT said:

I am Elite+ and now, sadly, a solo cruiser.  Is it my imagination, or do I receive a discount on my solo occupancy?

There may be some discounts for solo occupancy but not because of Captains Club. They would be available to anyone who books.

[sdnich]

On 11/28/2022 at 1:27 PM, Islander500 said:

Thanks so much for posting.  After Covid interrupted our more frequent cruising, I've lost track of all benefits of Elite Plus. Is this PDF still accurate? I just checked on the Celebrity website and this is all that it showed under Elite Plus benefits.

 

Benefits

• Two complimentary bags of laundry
• 15% discount on Specialty Dining cover charge
• 15% discount at The Spa
• 35% off internet package or internet upgrade
• 10% off beverage package upgrade to Premium pre-cruise
• 40% discount on any digital or print photo package at the Photo Gallery

 

Am I missing something?  

Also if you book a cruise only you can get 20% off of your beverage package for elite plus

Edited December 1, 2022 by sdnich