Cookies now cost $2 plus 20%

[TeeRick]

Just now, terrydtx said:

I think part of the uproar is during the test on Equinox, there were not any "free" cookies in the Cafe Al Bacio and Gelato area like before the test. This has been confirmed by a very well known and respected forum moderator on another social media site who is currently on the Equinox with his sister. If this continues the perception by passengers will be that the free cookies were taken away in favor of pay for cookies.

Yes that is the other side of the shoe.  They did not say that in the comments you just posted from them.  Eliminating cookies - bah humbug.

[TeeRick]

2 minutes ago, terrydtx said:

We actually prefer Oreos, I just hope I do not end up in the naughty room when I smuggle them in my checked bags.

Its a cruise.  Treat yourself to the chocolate covered oreos.

[terrydtx]

1 minute ago, TeeRick said:

Yes that is the other side of the shoe.  They did not say that in the comments you just posted from them.  Eliminating cookies - bah humbug.

The same person on the Equinox did say there were still free cookies at the OVC but only during the dining hours they are open, On most ships the OVC is 5 or more decks away from Cafe Al Bacio.

[terrydtx]

1 minute ago, TeeRick said:

Its a cruise.  Treat yourself to the chocolate covered oreos.

Actually I was thinking double creme variety,

[kirtihk]

13 hours ago, Covepointcruiser said:

 

Segments of World Cruises are always inexpensive.   

Not exactly: 3 segments of 10 total (that we booked) priced individually cost more if totaling and divided by a total number of days - $110 more per day vs my price.  By the way, this 2016 world cruise is sold out as of 3 days ago.

[terrydtx]

48 minutes ago, LMaxwell said:

No, I get no medal because I don't work for the cruise line and I am not trying to justify cutbacks and cost increases. 

 

Actually, many people are reporting that cookies are removed from the ice cream bar now.  Maybe you want to stop with assumptions and pay attention to what is actually occurring. Claiming the old product is free and no change is categorically false 

The Celebrity Cheerleaders sometimes wear blinders and will be the last to complain until it is too late, and the ship totally sinks. I know, I was once, one of those Cheerleaders until my blinders were removed.

Edited August 26, 2023 by terrydtx

[LMaxwell]

They are going to do exactly what Royal Caribbean did; create an uproar over a cheap item, rescind the charge, say "We listened to our valued guests" and then raise specialty dining 20-40% costs 

[deliver42]

LMaxwell, you might be onto something. I'm waiting for them to up the service charge to 25% for the comfort of our passengers.

[hcat]

for those ships with Lawn Club Grill, the warm dessert cookies ARE the best..But u have to pay for the Specialty Dining!

 

we are briging our containers for  foraging!

[terrydtx]

14 minutes ago, LMaxwell said:

They are going to do exactly what Royal Caribbean did; create an uproar over a cheap item, rescind the charge, say "We listened to our valued guests" and then raise specialty dining 20-40% costs 

Since apparently Celebrity after their Vaping test decide not to move forward with this, I am surprised they haven't sent out a press release, " Our valued customers have spoken, we will not allow vaping in our casinos"

[Turtles06]

12 minutes ago, hcat said:

for those ships with Lawn Club Grill, the warm dessert cookies ARE the best.

Absolutely! Leave room for them! 

[Orator]

20 hours ago, mayleeman said:

News release from Celebrity: 

 

"We have noted the overwhelming response by our veteran passengers to a varriety of small fees and changes to certain amenities. This level of enthusiasm demonstrates our passengers' unqualified support for our revenue raising efforts designed to enhance our reknowned quality.

 

"To thank our passengers, we will soon (at an undisclosed time with no notice) begin adding a 10% surcharge to all payments made when passengers complete Final Payment.  We believe the anticipation of this surcharge, to be called "Special - Charge - Randomly -  Enhancing- Wonderfulness," will eliminate the boredom in waiting 90 more days with nothing to get excited about until embarking. To make it even more fun, the amounts to be charged, and the passengers paying it, will be completely random. (We do suggest pax using credit cards ensure a csafe cushion in their  credit lines.

 

"We are so excited about S-C-R-E-W!"

I have Type2 diabetes so I only eat no sugar added items. Will they charge for these or only the sugar added chocolate chip cookies? Will the no sugar added continue to be offered?

[NutsAboutGolf]

16 minutes ago, hcat said:

for those ships with Lawn Club Grill, the warm dessert cookies ARE the best..But u have to pay for the Specialty Dining!

 

we are briging our containers for  foraging!

 

I wasn't a huge fan mainly because it tasted like they use the same cookie dough as the free buffet cookies and just regular buffet ice cream

 

[publicpersona]

26 minutes ago, deliver42 said:

I'm waiting for them to up the service charge to 25% for the comfort of our passengers.

 

Yeah, whenever you read something like "For your convenience .." or "We've made some exciting changes!" you know you are about to get screwed.

[Squire5000]

On 8/24/2023 at 2:04 PM, Veinless said:

I saw! It'll be our first Princess cruise so I'm hoping the MDR is comparable to Celebrity's.

Dream on😂

[terrydtx]

20 minutes ago, publicpersona said:

 

Yeah, whenever you read something like "For your convenience .." or "We've made some exciting changes!" you know you are about to get screwed.

This year that has the case for sure. Maybe they could hire the fired marketing manager from Bud Light. LOL

[sunonfire]

https://www.cruisehive.com/celebrity-cruises-responds-to-cookie-charge-controversy/109436

[HMR74]

To me the strangest part of this is that before covid, Celebrity RCL had a pretty good product and was showing a profit of 20% on sales. Now with higher rates interest cost will eat that up, assuming it can roll that debt at higher rates. 
 

yes, covid cost aspect was a killer, but why tinker with something that was working well??
 

l think we all knew the cost of cruising was going to increase, and most all of us were okay with that to a point. 
 

that point included a roughly doubling of the pricing, and devalued aspects of cruising across the industry.

 

part of this big issue is managements of all cruise lines went on a competitive spree to build bigger ships with more amenities  to imho, try to bring in more customers with specific desires.

 

unfortunately, the industry took on too much leverage at the wrong time. and thats  biting them in the rear now. One would think that somebody on the Boards or Officer level, like a Treasurer, CFO or CEO would have opened discussion about taking on too much risks.

 

but heck look, the banks and brokerages, which give investment advice are in deep trouble over leverage now. They took on too much risk.

 

meanwhile the talk of this board,  is over a $2 cookie because the company threw it out as a test. 
 

just suggesting to mgt to get its act together and focus on the bigger issues and picture. Cause if a $2 item is important enough to test,  the company is in real trouble.

 

 

[Luvcrusn]

1 hour ago, LMaxwell said:

They are going to do exactly what Royal Caribbean did; create an uproar over a cheap item, rescind the charge, say "We listened to our valued guests" and then raise specialty dining 20-40% costs 

This!

[kenb]

I guess all these years I've been making hand-crafted cookies!

[hcat]

1 hour ago, Orator said:

I have Type2 diabetes so I only eat no sugar added items. Will they charge for these or only the sugar added chocolate chip cookies? Will the no sugar added continue to be offered?

I am type 2 also..but allow 1 splurge a day..like 1 good cookie!)

[hcat]

12 minutes ago, HMR74 said:

To me the strangest part of this is that before covid, Celebrity RCL had a pretty good product and was showing a profit of 20% on sales. Now with higher rates interest cost will eat that up, assuming it can roll that debt at higher rates. 
 

yes, covid cost aspect was a killer, but why tinker with something that was working well??
 

l think we all knew the cost of cruising was going to increase, and most all of us were okay with that to a point. 
 

that point included a roughly doubling of the pricing, and devalued aspects of cruising across the industry.

 

part of this big issue is managements of all cruise lines went on a competitive spree to build bigger ships with more amenities  to imho, try to bring in more customers with specific desires.

 

unfortunately, the industry took on too much leverage at the wrong time. and thats  biting them in the rear now. One would think that somebody on the Boards or Officer level, like a Treasurer, CFO or CEO would have opened discussion about taking on too much risks.

 

but heck look, the banks and brokerages, which give investment advice are in deep trouble over leverage now. They took on too much risk.

 

meanwhile the talk of this board,  is over a $2 cookie because the company threw it out as a test. 
 

just suggesting to mgt to get its act together and focus on the bigger issues and picture. Cause if a $2 item is important enough to test,  the company is in real trouble.

 

 

maybe the overpaid Board can "chip in some dough" to help them out!

[Robert de Beaumont]

2 hours ago, LMaxwell said:

No, I get no medal because I don't work for the cruise line and I am not trying to justify cutbacks and cost increases. 

 

Actually, many people are reporting that cookies are removed from the ice cream bar now.  Maybe you want to stop with assumptions and pay attention to what is actually occurring. Claiming the old product is free and no change is categorically false 

I must agree with you!
 

Also, it’s not just the cookie.  It’s the cumulative effect of that with all the prior new charges. I do still hold out hope that X reverses itself.  They did with dinner cutbacks in the Oceanview.  But the proof will be in the pudding, and meanwhile I’ve made my new bookings with different lines.  I do plan to enjoy my sailing on Beyond (13 days to go!) to the full.  Hopefully this stupid cookie thing will still be in its pilot phase on the Equinox! 

[HMR74]

25 minutes ago, hcat said:

maybe the overpaid Board can "chip in some dough" to help them out!

lol, ya know, these people get paid huge "dough" to screw up companies with their expertise. .

 

In good times its actually fairly easy to run a company.

 

Do the people actually know how to solve problems o just compound the problems.

[NutsAboutGolf]

My WAG (Wild A$$ Guess) based on them asking if RCI folks if they would pay for pizza is they have a goal to charge for nearly EVERYTHING other than the buffet, basic foods in the MDR, the use of the pool and gym.  Everything else, whether an attraction/experience or food will be for a fee