Life Buoy

Just now, Gracie115 said:

 

We are Elite Plus.....we don't care about the perks...we just want to cruise again.

Fine, that's your choice. That's what works for you.

It is about ME! My Money, my preferences, my choices. I feel entitled to the benefits I was promised when the promise was made. I realize that a merchant may change the rules of the game anytime they want, but I have the option to either shop that merchant or take my business elsewhere. I'm relatively new to Celebrity and really have no skin in the benefits game.. But, I really do understand why those who have been loyal for many years feel the way they do. If people make their concerns loud enough and clear enough and vote with their hard earned dollars those in charge might change their approach. 

We are forced to pay for lots of things we will never use. For example, people without kids still pay school tax

1 hour ago, cantstopingcruising said:

If Celebrity wishes to be a luxury line, it will have to reinstate all the cutbacks of the last ten years (or more).  Each time we cruise, something else is missing!

And the higher  quality of the food and presentation will have to return,

The true luxury lines feature smaller ships with under 1000 passengers. Don't think that a larger ship can deliver what the luxury passengers desire.

Interesting that Celebrity is offing Power Points at a time when they are revising their loyalty program. I would think that any revisions would result in Celebrity saving money by reducing benefits. These points may be useless expect for Celebrity since they are collecting lots of information and some additional bookings. 

1 minute ago, Happy Cruiser 6143 said:

The price difference for singles is significant:  Celebrity is 200%, Crystal generally 125%.

Crystal offers dance partners  for single women which is appreciated by many. 

26 minutes ago, tfred said:

the atmosphere on the luxury lines is different - assuming that you mean Crystal and Seabourne crowd.  That is really two steps above X.  Dressier and a tad more formal.  

 

Viking et al are the next step above X.  I think that X is looking to poach these people who like the feel of Viking but are looking for a slightly larger ship

I've been on several Crystal cruises and have booked two more for 2021. They only require men to wear a jacket on formal nights and many go without a tie. The atmosphere is, as you say, quite different and I favor it. The price difference narrows as Celebrity raises prices. The reverse might be true If Crystal raises prices as well. Each will need to look at the pros and cons in terms of their own preferences, but I expect all the luxury lines to gain for Celebrity's decision to go AI. 

Do you think they'll start cruising before the double points promotion expires?

We've been waiting a long time to resume cruising, so we can wait a little while for the details of the all-inclusive program.

10 minutes ago, Bo1953 said:

Sometimes, just sometimes it is not about the money vs quality of life for those who remember what it was like way back when...

 

bon voayge

I enjoyed visiting Key West prior to the Diamonds International era. Don't know if they'll ever return to the "living free" times, but long for them. 

Just don't book if you don't like the deal!

1 minute ago, nocl said:

No it also includes volunteer passengers.  It is described on page 24 in the simulated voyage section.

 

The volunteer passengers cannot have any pre-existing conditions that will make them high risk for COVID.

At some point they need to expand the test group to those passengers at some risk so they can see if their procedures really work. 

Richard Fain said in the Conference Call and on CNBC that they would start with some free test cruises. Would you take a 2-3 cruise if was free?

It would be difficult if not impossible for them to reinstate a cruise once they cancel it. Keeping their options open is prudent. They should only cancel when they need to cancel regardless of the pressure from those booked on a particular cruise.  I just had a cruise cancelled on another line a week before final payment was due.

Several have provided "live" reports on recent cruises and I thank them for their efforts. How many cases of Covid-19 have they reported on these cruises? The problem might be with ports of call. France and Spain may announce closings soon according to CNBC. 

Heard a discussion yesterday on CNBC as the cruise line stock was falling. They concluded that the election results might have a real affect on when we can start to cruise. Originally the CDC wanted a later start date, but was overruled. I won't say more.

I really enjoy the small ship experience on Crystal. I also like the large ship experience on Celebrity. Have cruises booked on both.

3 minutes ago, jg51 said:

 

This ("all-inclusive line") is news -- and very interesting news -- to us, "Orator."  Your negative reaction is justifiable, and surely "X" is aware of this potential problem.  That is why we think that, if they do go "all-inclusive," they will grant cruise-fare discounts to Elites/Elite+s/Zeniths accordingly, so that we do not have to pay (by cash) for something that they told us we were "earning" (by loyalty).  Time will tell.

.

Other lines do offer discounts for loyalty. The more cruises you take, the larger the discount.

-8.23 @ 12;40 ET

4 minutes ago, hcat said:

Yes, we visit cabins of roll call members who host their rooms   We had so many interested for EDGE we did two groups.. had maps, name tags...saw everything including suites.. It was well organized &  awesome!

Crystal has cabins in a variety of classes set aside to visit as a part of a ship sponsored program. As I understand it on Celebrity, Celebrity doesn't have a thing to do with it. It is purely passengers who volunteer to show their cabin via the Roll Call.

Pinboy: Having fun?

14 hours ago, Arizona Wildcat said:

Just fine.  If a hurricane is about they simply avoid the storm track.  Would be fine cruising in January of 2022.  

Cruising to a private island or controlled port like Labadee - not interested.

Am guessing weather is your concern?

No hurricanes in January. I have a cruise scheduled on January 5, 2021 and plan to go. The ship normally holds under 1000 passengers and I guess that if it go will have about 500. I seriously doubt that this Panama Canal cruise will go, but if it does I will be on the ship with masks. Different strokes for different folks I guess. 

You could simply limit the number of ships to 5 or 6 and give each one a different itinerary so no more than 1 would be in a specific port at any time. I would have confidence that the lines involved can work it out.

Can't we just lighten up! Covid-19 has been discussed ad nauseum. This could be a fun thread if we limit comments where Celebrity could visit in the Caribbean.

Like the idea, but I think this would make it more attractive The lines could put all their private islands in pool and a cruise could be from one to another with a few sea days in between.