DaisyFire

300 points to reach Elite

750 points to reach Elite Plus

3000 points to reach Zenith

 

Therefore, it would take:

 

14.285 cruises to get to Elite

35.714 cruises to get to Elite Plus

142.857 cruises to get to Zenith

So are these points cumulative (3000 total points to get to Zenith for a new Captains Club member) or do they reflect the amount to get from the previous level to the next (3000 points to get from Elite Plus to Zenith)?

Thanks from a Classic level member who has a long way to go no matter which way you slice it. :D

I think you are right about the cultural differences and Celebrity strikes as being very international in their clientele. We Brits are more reserved and sometimes take longer to warm to new people. Husband has a global team and says the differences between countries and cultures can be very marked. He spends most of his professional life meeting new people and a holiday is an opportunity to switch off and ignore everyone. As our DS is away at boarding school which is also very busy (there is always something going on), going on holiday is a time to chill out and do nothing. I appreciate that some none-Brits may interpret our behaviour as stand offish but it is not intended to offend.

Hmmm... Perhaps I am a misplaced Brit? :)

They have raised the prices to compensate with these offers. Do people really fall this kind of promo which is not really a deal.

Until recently, I haven't booked a cruise in the past several years, so perhaps I am just out of touch with pricing, but I tried to price out similar cabins and itineraries on other lines - including other specials like RCCLs buy one get one at half price - and time after time found that the deal with Celebrities 123Go perks matched or beat out other cruise pricing. In same cases after counting the value of the perks but in other cases - even without subtracting the perks from the overall cruise cost.

And even comparing the cruise I took on Celebrity in 2009 (an 11 day Caribbean) with the price I am paying for a November 2015 (10 day Caribbean), I find that the 2015 cruise costs less (and that is just comparing cabin + port fees/taxes - not even counting the perks.)

Perhaps you are just better at shopping for deals than I am :)

Thanks for posting this. I have a question maybe you can help to answer. I am looking to book a balcony cabin on Summit for Southern Caribbean Feb 2016, right now I can just get one perk but if I'm reading this correctly, if I wait until next week to book I'll get all three?

Thanks, Cathy

My understanding is that there are more limitations on perks starting next week, not less. So, this week perks are available for oceanview OR HIGHER cabin category, but starting next week you have to book veranda or higher to get any of the perks. Also, perks will no longer be available for bookings after April 2016 - but prior to 2/28, perks are available for bookings after April 2016.

And unless I missed something, it really doesn't say exactly how many or which perks are available starting 3/2 - so if it were me, I would book now knowing that I can always rebook with a better price/perks later if that situation occurs.

That's the same document I linked to, that I'm sure has a typographical error.

 

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.

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In any case the document does make note that it can change at any time, so It's definitely not a definitive, contractually obligated list of covered beverages..

So I guess we will all find out when we get on the ship :-)

(Planning to upgrade to Premium anyway to get my Grey Goose martins :D)

Sorry but it is all about the dollar and we are the cause. We all look for the bargain and everyone that competes for it starts to cut services and qulaliy to keep the price low and cheap. Eventually the cuts can only go so deep and will reach the limit.

 

Consumers have driven out almost all personal service in retail stores, gas stations, grocery stores and many family store fronts businesses by patronizing those that don't offer any services to save a few dollars.

 

The cruise lines are now maybe at the level that satisfies the bargain seeker who doesn't want or cares about quality, or services that they claim they never use and don't want to pay for but is now offering it to those that want it.

 

You can say that they are now giving them the freedom of choice that they wanted.

 

happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌞

Miched - I often find myself nodding in agreement at your posts - and this is no exception.

I agree that full service and bargain prices are often mutually exclusive and this new approach to special suite level services is likely an effort by X to offer the extras to those who wish to (and can afford to) pay for them.

In trying to figure out why people find this so upsetting, I've argued both sides in my head - but in the end feel like this is not much different to belonging to a country club which is available to those who purchased homes within a certain community. So long as they don't start restricting who can or cannot purchase a home there, I am ok with that.

As for the cruise experience, I will decide whether or not I continue to sail Celebrity strictly based on my enjoyment of the cruise experience and whether I believe I am getting what I thought I was paying for. I haven't sailed with them in several years (or with anyone else for that matter) and hope that the things that made my last cruise on a Celebrity special still resonate with me.

Just my 2-cents :)

DO you have a link to this? I don'tt know how accurate or recent this one is. I believe it to have a typographical error in the last boxes, whereby they used the word Premium relative to coffee drinks (as is appropriate, as "Premium" coffees full in the Classic beverage package) in both Classic and Premium packages while the Premium Package should have indicated "Specialty" coffees.

 

It's been my understanding that Coffee drinks are in Classic package if there is no alcohol in them (called Premium Coffees). When alcohol gets added, they fall into Premium package (called Specialty Coffees).

 

It's not driven by Kailua being in classic package, or Bailey's or Frangelico, its the complete drink.

 

There was (may still be) a time where the word Premium was used in Coffee description, for drinks that were in the Classic package at Al Baccio, and coffee drinks with alcohol added were called "Specialty Coffees" on the menus and required a Premium package to consume.

 

Basically they are trying to call the coffees "premium" they serve as opposed to what's elsewhere, but with this nomenclature came confusion in that the world Premium is now shared from the top drink package, while the Premium Coffees are include in the Classic Package, and the alcohol additives consumed by themselves are also included in classic package, but when put together, they fall into the Premium Beverage Package.

I have seen others on CC make that same distinction (specialty vs premium coffee) but the details on the Celebrity site are less than clear on this. I referred to this document:

https://secure.celebritycruises.com/celebrity/media/celebrity/shared_assets/pdf/Classic-Premium-Bev-Pckgs.pdf

Oh ... And I am a simple kind of gal... Grey Goose martini - extra dirty for me :D

DW and I loved the "Aspen Coffee (Baileys, Kahlua, Frangelico and Hot Coffee)" at "Cafe al Bacio" we had a couple everyday. These were included in our Classic drink package, I can only hope the Aspen Coffee is still include with the classic drink package since we just book Solstice for June in Alaska.

Lou&Deb,

I thought I had read a comment somewhere on CC that while premium coffees are covered on the Classic Pkg, those that include alcohol are only covered on the Premium. Glad to hear the contrary may be the case.

I also just checked the Celebrity PDF on the beverage packages and Kahlua, Baileys and Frangelico are all covered under Classic - so the only thing that might push this to Premium would be if the price is greater than the per drink cap for Classic. :)

Cheers!

Marguerite

I have been doing some research on CC on this topic myself - here is an ad-lib summary of the discussions/replies that I have seen:

1) Excursions booked prior to boarding require full advance payment

2) OBC is not available for use until you have boarded the ship

3) While it MAY be possible to book/pay in advance and then cancel first day on board in the hopes of rebooking your spot with OBC, this is problematic since there could be a wait list for your excursion, and if there is, your spot will go to the cruiser at the top of the list and you will go to the bottom of the list. Of course you can always ask if the excursion had open spots before attempting this - but some have said that Celebrity agents will tell you you can't do this and you might get challenged or refused. Of course, nothing ventured, nothing gained... :D

We are currently booked in a CC cabin on our upcoming Equinox cruise. Do you think there is any possibility of us being able to convince the gate keeper at Blu to let us in for breakfast one day towards the end of service if it looks like they are not too busy? Thanks.

SNJCruisers,

I have been wondering the same thing myself. :)

We are on the same Equinox cruise in November - perhaps we should give it a try together. You know what they say, there is power in numbers. :D

I understand that the quality of the Sour Patch Kids went downhill when they started contracting them out rather than just hiring them as employees. The turnover is ridiculous.

So, now that the Sour Patch Kids are 'contracted' rather then 'employed' - that means we don't have to tip them anymore, right? ;)

Before I had transferred my booking to a TA I could see the beverage package (from 123GO promo) in the booking and payment details - but that is no longer visible. I can, however see it listed under 'Order History' (Right hand side of the page, near the FAQ section).

If you are booked into one of the Groups that the TA has set up with Celebrity, then Celebrity requires that you pay the full deposit to be enrolled in the Group and have access to the Group benefits and amenities.

 

This is Celebrity's rule, not that of the TA, but it will be the TA that has to ask you for the upgraded deposit.

 

If you refuse to pay the upgraded deposit, then the TA can still take your booking but you won't be in the Group, and won't be able to get any additional OBC etc. or other perks that are available to members of the Group.

Thanks Elena! That helps to put things into perspective!

As many have pointed out, the benefits of transferring to a travel agent far outweigh the inconvenience of paying a higher deposit. I'm sure you will figure out how to live without Starbucks for 500+ days.... and if you skip a few salon service appointments, you will have that extra deposit paid off in no time. :D

 

Enjoy your cruise!

:D LOL!! Actually, I am a pretty low maintenance kind of gal so wouldn't save much by skipping my bi-monthly hair trim and really prefer the coffee I can make with my Keurig to Starbucks. But I've got a few pennies saved up - I think I'll muddle through. ;)

Now this is the kind of thread I can get behind.

 

I am a wine "enthusiast," but I find it hard to believe that there is not a decent red by the glass for $13. Surely most of us who enjoy fine wine also enjoy less expensive wines for "every day," and recalling some of the menus that others have posted, the S-class ships have some promising by-the-glass options. I don't recall specifics, but I'm interested to hear recent reports since I will be on Reflection in April with a premium package.

Here is a post from LSimon to another similar thread about wine on the Silhouette:

You might want to check out the "Roll "Call" group for your cruise. :)

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1833081

Each travel agent has their own set of requirements and the deposit can vary from agency to agency. Ultimately you will be paying this money so I'm not sure what is "squirrelly" about this.

 

 

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Ok - perhaps squirrelly was the wrong term. And I do understand that in the end, the full amount will be paid for the booking. Given that this cruise is in 2016 it is possible that at this point I just don't have the money and was planning to save up my Starbucks money for the next 500+ days to pay for this cruise :cool:

And yes, I know that it can be placed on a credit card, but there are some of us that do not believe in carrying a balance or want to pay the interest charges. :)

Thanks all for your responses. I guess I don't really mind - except that they did not tell me this was part of the deal until after I transferred the booking.

I had transferred another booking to them not too long ago and this was not required - so it just seemed a little squirrelly.

Thanks!

We transferred our X booking to a TA to get better pricing and additional onboard credit. They told us all X perks would transfer - but now are asking for additional deposit. We put down 50% as Captains Club perk but are being told we need to make full deposit now. Does that seem right? Has anyone had this experience before?

Thanks!

Um if you paid $180/bottle for Screaming Eagle then congrats as you consumed a fraudulent bottle no matter if at Sea or Land you will never find Screaming Eagle for such a low price. Must bottles start at $1500/$2000.

 

 

 

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Indeed! Here is a related story:

http://www.nj.com/business/index.ssf/2014/11/bamboozled_what_happens_when_a_3750_bottle_of_wine_really_costs_3750.html

It's the price/ value proposition as Celebrity continues to increase fares and not improve it's product.

The menus haven't changed in five years, and are stale. The Oceanview Cafe is an uncivilized madhouse.

Prices have increased appreciably.

I now sail in suites for the most part, and having just exited a cruise on Oceania today, it's difficult for me to sail in a Sky suite for approximately the same price.

Interesting perspective - and perhaps what all the suite-level changes are all about. My pocketbook can't typically afford suite level accommodations on Celebrity and if I look at Oceana prices I would typically end up paying more for in inside or OV stateroom than for my Veranda, Concierge, or even Aqua cabin on X - so I am not likely to make the switch.

However, for those who are paying suite-level pricing on X, there is a very real possibility that they would see the options available to them and would switch - or 'jump ship' so to speak. And so perhaps Celebrity's new focus on the 'suite' experience is to try to keep this particular group of customers loyal to X.

Try the 3 night, get the discount, find the ones you like, mention to mgr that you'd be inclined to return if it was a little less expensive for 2d visit.

 

Please know there MAY be 1-2 specialty lunches during cruise that are half price of dinner - best deal, usually on a sea day. Ask on boarding what/when the lunches are offered.

Good Luck

Thanks GreyDog! I appreciate the advice. I think I will stick with the 5 night. The way I look at it, we get two more dinners for $34 - or $17 each, and we are not likely to use specialty dining for lunch since I don't like to eat 2 large meals in one day.

This link may help:

http://creative.rccl.com/Sales/Celebrity/General_Info/Flyers/11024491_CEL_SpecialtyDiningPck_Flyer2.pdf

Thanks! Very helpful. Was this information a available from the reservation site? If, so I must have missed it. :confused:

Thanks for posting these questions the details of the 3 and 5 night specialty dining packages seem unclear to me as well.

The best I can tell from the X website is that you pick the time for the first night of the cruise and they pick the restaurant, and then after you are on the ship, you make the rest of your reservations.

What is unclear to me is whether there are any limitations on which restaurants you select for the remaining reservations (i.e. Can you select the same restaurant more than once for the three night - or more than twice for the 5 night) and once on board can you move your first night reservation to another night if you want to, or does everyone who booked a multi-night specialty dining package have to dine in a specialty restaurant on night 1?