Lisa Lutoff-Perlo and X's new direction

You only wish you could be.

 

Someone who's not a lemming and not afraid to speak their mind if they don't agree with the masses.

Ever hear of the old adage "it ain't what you say, but how you say it"?

I'm a West Coaster. I'd love a Celebrity ship to be based somewhere on this coast, but it wouldn't be a good financial decision for the company. I accept that.

 

 

Either customers like the change, or move on and find another company that meets their needs.

I may be wrong but one of the reasons the lines have to start with all kind of incentives and big deals is due to "Itinerary Exhaustion", were a ship remains based in one place for an extended period draining the pool of interested customers. The following was something I posted on another thread: It deals with C class ships (sadly now gone)

Profit of course comes into play however the Century sized ships could always stay in the black with full cabins and proper pricing.

Innovative thinking would prevent exhausting buyer's interest in a particular itinerary by avoiding the repeating of the same cruise over and over until it won't sell unless the freebies and deep discounts are brought out.

How about a cycle of two or three round trips from a port ((The ports are already well established and would be no problem for Celebrity)) then a repo to another base for a few cruises and so on.

Alaska for a few,

then the Pacific coast,

then Hawaii,

French Polynesia,

the Pacific coast of Central America,

the Panama Canal,

Mexico.

the Gulf coast,

Florida and the Caribbean.

up the Coast,

maybe Bermuda,

then on to New York and WOW, that sounded like fun so let's do the Reverse...

This would offer something for everyone as it would switch around from port intensive cruises to ones with more ship based R & R cruises that have a few more days at sea.

Just the ramblings of an old cruise junkie.

bosco

We love Celebrity, but we have done some NCL cruises. If RCL is equal to NCL, and I suspect it might be better, I would disagree with that statement. No way is paying almost double for a cruise worth it going on Celebrity.

Correct again, double is not worth it, but a few hundred is.

I may be wrong but one of the reasons the lines have to start with all kind of incentives and big deals is due to "Itinerary Exhaustion", were a ship remains based in one place for an extended period draining the pool of interested customers. The following was something I posted on another thread: It deals with C class ships (sadly now gone)

 

Profit of course comes into play however the Century sized ships could always stay in the black with full cabins and proper pricing.

 

Innovative thinking would prevent exhausting buyer's interest in a particular itinerary by avoiding the repeating of the same cruise over and over until it won't sell unless the freebies and deep discounts are brought out.

 

How about a cycle of two or three round trips from a port ((The ports are already well established and would be no problem for Celebrity)) then a repo to another base for a few cruises and so on.

 

Alaska for a few,

then the Pacific coast,

then Hawaii,

French Polynesia,

the Pacific coast of Central America,

the Panama Canal,

Mexico.

the Gulf coast,

Florida and the Caribbean.

up the Coast,

maybe Bermuda,

then on to New York and WOW, that sounded like fun so let's do the Reverse...

 

This would offer something for everyone as it would switch around from port intensive cruises to ones with more ship based R & R cruises that have a few more days at sea.

 

Just the ramblings of an old cruise junkie.

 

bosco

These are valid points. Holland America (and even Princess) do a good job here with various interesting and exotic itineraries that get "mixed up" quite a bit. HAL has the 1200 (and even 790) guest ships to do this though.

Conversely, Celebrity has never really been into the longer exotic itineraries such as HAL's 23-43 day voyages (you'd need to do a number of back to backs).

Princess is trying some California Coastal short day itineraries in spring and fall, but they've had mixed success (there's been some serious distressed inventory that's required a lot of opaque/casino marketing rates etc. to shift).

Oceania played around with some Atlantic Coast and Bermuda voyages (Charleston, Bermuda, Florida etc) but they also have had trouble selling these voyages.

I guess Celebrity feels that the tried and tested itineraries will fill the bigger ships, and that folks will hopefully consider sister brand Azamara (with the requisite cross-over of Captain's Club perks/status) for the more "exotic" wonderlust and unique itinerary variations.

There will always be a business decision to their plan in all aspects. They're a business after all. Do they take guests requests into that plan? Sure, so long as they feel that they will still make a decent profit off of it. They're not going to just stick ships anywhere someone asks for. They have limited resources (their ships) and will need to put them where it makes sense for the business. Remember, there are lots of guests with different needs (ask a West Coaster if they would like a ship out of California, they've been clamoring for one). Not all are going to be met, and many are not going to match yours.

 

As for Caribbean year round. Considering their parent company, and other lines (like NCL) has a number of their newest and largest ships sailing it year round, I don't think this is just "we are doing this to be the only ship sailing year round". My opinion would be more, they've had a lot of guests requesting summer sailings, and with the current outlook of Europe, it would be best to move the ship and fill those wants at the same time.

One of the questions that seems to pop up from time to time on this board and on the Princess board is why don't these cruise lines sail in the Caribbean year round. With the climate in Europe being as it is and the over saturation of ships in Europe during the summer months I think it's good business decision for Celebrity to keep a ship in the Caribbean year round. We like to sail in May and June but don't want to sail on the Mega ships. This will be a good opportunity for us and it gives us another option from Bermuda.

These are valid points. Holland America (and even Princess) do a good job here with various interesting and exotic itineraries that get "mixed up" quite a bit. HAL has the 1200 (and even 790) guest ships to do this though.

 

Conversely, Celebrity has never really been into the longer exotic itineraries such as HAL's 23-43 day voyages (you'd need to do a number of back to backs).

 

Princess is trying some California Coastal short day itineraries in spring and fall, but they've had mixed success (there's been some serious distressed inventory that's required a lot of opaque/casino marketing rates etc. to shift).

 

Oceania played around with some Atlantic Coast and Bermuda voyages (Charleston, Bermuda, Florida etc) but they also have had trouble selling these voyages.

 

I guess Celebrity feels that the tried and tested itineraries will fill the bigger ships, and that folks will hopefully consider sister brand Azamara (with the requisite cross-over of Captain's Club perks/status) for the more "exotic" wonderlust and unique itinerary variations.

Will not do HAL,

HAL= smoking

What makes you think that? Some people in that demographic are debt free and enjoy anything they want

Also the pricing isn't so different between mass market and premium. Its more a choice on the style of cruising that suits you.

I'll probably be in a interior or ocean view (perhaps the occasional balcony) but a modern luxury cruise fits the bill for me.

My perspective is. If you have the budget for a suite. Choose an all suite ship. Fewer numbers and an elevated onboard experience. By choosing a suite on a mass market/ premium ship. Your buying the mass market/ premium experience with a larger room and perhaps a couple of perks.

Also the pricing isn't so different between mass market and premium. Its more a choice on the style of cruising that suits you.

 

I'll probably be in a interior or ocean view (perhaps the occasional balcony) but a modern luxury cruise fits the bill for me.

 

My perspective is. If you have the budget for a suite. Choose an all suite ship. Fewer numbers and an elevated onboard experience. By choosing a suite on a mass market/ premium ship. Your buying the mass market/ premium experience with a larger room and perhaps a couple of perks.

I did a price comparison on the Equinox 7nt Eastern caribbean 6/25/17 and the NCL Escape 6/24/17. Minimum priced unobstruced balcony for a family of 4

Celebrity was about $6185 and included Premium Beverage package for guests 1&2, Pre-paid Gratuities for guests 1&2, $300 onboard credit for the cabin, 1 unlimited xcelerate wifi pass, Classic non alcohlic bev package for guest 3&4 plus two additional 40 minute internet passes.

NCL was about $5000 included their "Ultimate" beverage package for guest 1&2 and 3 nights specialty dining for 2.

Assuming the Beverage packages and the Dining nights on NCL are Equal in $ value (which is arguable due to NCL excluding quite a few things from their beverage package as compared to Celebrity) to the Beverage Package and pre paid gratuity promos from Celebrity, that means for $1185 MORE on Celebrity you are getting $300 onboard credit, a whole bunch of internet and the beverage packages for guests 3&4, so maybe materially worth about $700-750 total. That said it would mean Celebrity is realistically about $120pp more for the 7 day cruise for a family of 4. I think there are many families willing to pay a $500 premium for the Celebrity experience vs NCL, but time will tell

I did a price comparison on the Equinox 7nt Eastern caribbean 6/25/17 and the NCL Escape 6/24/17. Minimum priced unobstruced balcony for a family of 4

 

Celebrity was about $6185 and included Premium Beverage package for guests 1&2, Pre-paid Gratuities for guests 1&2, $300 onboard credit for the cabin, 1 unlimited xcelerate wifi pass, Classic non alcohlic bev package for guest 3&4 plus two additional 40 minute internet passes.

 

NCL was about $5000 included their "Ultimate" beverage package for guest 1&2 and 3 nights specialty dining for 2.

 

Assuming the Beverage packages and the Dining nights on NCL are Equal in $ value (which is arguable due to NCL excluding quite a few things from their beverage package as compared to Celebrity) to the Beverage Package and pre paid gratuity promos from Celebrity, that means for $1185 MORE on Celebrity you are getting $300 onboard credit, a whole bunch of internet and the beverage packages for guests 3&4, so maybe materially worth about $700-750 total. That said it would mean Celebrity is realistically about $120pp more for the 7 day cruise for a family of 4. I think there are many families willing to pay a $500 premium for the Celebrity experience vs NCL, but time will tell

Did your NCL price include the 18% for the perks?

Did your NCL price include the 18% for the perks?

Yep - would not have been a fair comparison otherwise :o

I did a price comparison on the Equinox 7nt Eastern caribbean 6/25/17 and the NCL Escape 6/24/17. Minimum priced unobstruced balcony for a family of 4

 

Celebrity was about $6185 and included Premium Beverage package for guests 1&2, Pre-paid Gratuities for guests 1&2, $300 onboard credit for the cabin, 1 unlimited xcelerate wifi pass, Classic non alcohlic bev package for guest 3&4 plus two additional 40 minute internet passes.

 

NCL was about $5000 included their "Ultimate" beverage package for guest 1&2 and 3 nights specialty dining for 2.

 

Assuming the Beverage packages and the Dining nights on NCL are Equal in $ value (which is arguable due to NCL excluding quite a few things from their beverage package as compared to Celebrity) to the Beverage Package and pre paid gratuity promos from Celebrity, that means for $1185 MORE on Celebrity you are getting $300 onboard credit, a whole bunch of internet and the beverage packages for guests 3&4, so maybe materially worth about $700-750 total. That said it would mean Celebrity is realistically about $120pp more for the 7 day cruise for a family of 4. I think there are many families willing to pay a $500 premium for the Celebrity experience vs NCL, but time will tell

I agree for the adults I would go for the Celebrity product over the NCL one. For a family though, not sure. There are a lot more things for kids to do on the Escape (4 large water slides, huge ropes course, rock climbing wall, etc) then there is on the Equinox. I know they're ramping up the Fun Factory a bit on Equinox, but it just won't match the offerings on board for kids to do.

Also, if you're into it, the entertainment on the NCL megaships is a lot better then Celebrity's packaged shows. They generally have a broadway show (or two if you count "Burn the Floor"), and the "Howl at the Moon" is so much better then the piano bar.

I go towards Celebrity when there are only adults involved, but once you include the kids NCL megaships become a lot more competitive. My daughter liked Equinox, but she had more fun on Epic & Breakaway.

I did a price comparison on the Equinox 7nt Eastern caribbean 6/25/17 and the NCL Escape 6/24/17. Minimum priced unobstruced balcony for a family of 4

 

Celebrity was about $6185 and included Premium Beverage package for guests 1&2, Pre-paid Gratuities for guests 1&2, $300 onboard credit for the cabin, 1 unlimited xcelerate wifi pass, Classic non alcohlic bev package for guest 3&4 plus two additional 40 minute internet passes.

 

NCL was about $5000 included their "Ultimate" beverage package for guest 1&2 and 3 nights specialty dining for 2.

 

Assuming the Beverage packages and the Dining nights on NCL are Equal in $ value (which is arguable due to NCL excluding quite a few things from their beverage package as compared to Celebrity) to the Beverage Package and pre paid gratuity promos from Celebrity, that means for $1185 MORE on Celebrity you are getting $300 onboard credit, a whole bunch of internet and the beverage packages for guests 3&4, so maybe materially worth about $700-750 total. That said it would mean Celebrity is realistically about $120pp more for the 7 day cruise for a family of 4. I think there are many families willing to pay a $500 premium for the Celebrity experience vs NCL, but time will tell

Very nice comparison. Thank you.

I agree for the adults I would go for the Celebrity product over the NCL one. For a family though, not sure. There are a lot more things for kids to do on the Escape (4 large water slides, huge ropes course, rock climbing wall, etc) then there is on the Equinox. I know they're ramping up the Fun Factory a bit on Equinox, but it just won't match the offerings on board for kids to do.

 

Also, if you're into it, the entertainment on the NCL megaships is a lot better then Celebrity's packaged shows. They generally have a broadway show (or two if you count "Burn the Floor"), and the "Howl at the Moon" is so much better then the piano bar.

 

I go towards Celebrity when there are only adults involved, but once you include the kids NCL megaships become a lot more competitive. My daughter liked Equinox, but she had more fun on Epic & Breakaway.

There is a family cruise market that prefers a more upmarket brand proposition like Celebrity and are not looking for the gimmick and "toys" that NCL offer. Each brand has it place, and I'm glad to be able to offer my clients another choice for Summer 2017 :D

What a pleasant change. $15 for rice and fish; no more of that dreaded valet service; 3 granny smith apples for the 2 of us; afternoon savories soggy chips and 3 olives (not the vodka); no response from the dedicated concierge concerning my questions. Yes this is Modern Luxury. Why would I want anything else?

You got chips with the olives? Who do you know?

There is a family cruise market that prefers a more upmarket brand proposition like Celebrity and are not looking for the gimmick and "toys" that NCL offer. Each brand has it place, and I'm glad to be able to offer my clients another choice for Summer 2017 :D

If people really enjoy things like ropes courses and water slides, to the extent that they line up for them, are they still "gimmicks"?

And it seems specious to derisively put the word "toys" in quotes when the subject is which cruise children will enjoy.

If people really enjoy things like ropes courses and water slides, to the extent that they line up for them, are they still "gimmicks"?

 

And it seems specious to derisively put the word "toys" in quotes when the subject is which cruise children will enjoy.

I do agree the way he used it did come off derogatory of NCL (considering how many people, especially kids, do enjoy the gimmicks and "toys"), but I also agree with his point. I would say if you ask 10 kids if they would prefer to have the waterslides, 8 or so of them would say yes. That still leaves a lot of kids and families who would prefer the Celebrity experience and gives an option for those families. Before moving a ship to the Caribbean full-time, that option wasn't there really.

The funny thing is, almost all cruise lines have their gimmicks, including Celebrity. Their's are just aimed at adults more then kids, being more an adult line. Perfect examples would be the Lawn Club and Molecular Bar (and at least people use the water slides on NCL, the lawn club is empty most of the time).

The funny thing is, almost all cruise lines have their gimmicks, including Celebrity. Their's are just aimed at adults more then kids, being more an adult line. Perfect examples would be the Lawn Club and Molecular Bar (and at least people use the water slides on NCL, the lawn club is empty most of the time).

That's because it's always resting :D - not at a problem for water slides :p.