Los_Pepes

1 minute ago, WrittenOnYourHeart said:

 

IDK. I priced it as solo with and without and then as 2 with and without and it was not that for me. IDK what to tell you.

 

But still, pricing them separately (leaving off the WiFi) it literally came out vitrually the same as the AI cost difference. So I think part of the difference is actually the single supplement.

 

Then again, I like ease and not doing complicated math.

I just repriced it on my exact sailing for a solo pax in an ocean view.

1 minute ago, RichYak said:

Correct. Now add in 1 classic beverage package, 1 basic wifi, and 1 prepaid gratuities. What’s the price difference now?

Buying AI is supposed to be cheaper than buying each component A la carte.

Just now, WrittenOnYourHeart said:

 

No, I priced it out both AI and not AI and it was not that big of a difference.

For my scenario it was a couple of dollars shy of $1000. 

4 minutes ago, WrittenOnYourHeart said:

I'm finding it interesting this "double for beverages and wifi" with AI. I'm booked solo on the Summit this coming summer and have AI. Out of curiosity with all this talk, I went and priced it both ways - if I bought the beverage package and did tips separately - and I come out virtually the exact same buying each of those for one as I do getting AI. And that's not even including the internet which I could take or leave, it's not that big of a deal for me.

 

I'd say it was some kind of magic my TA was working, but I'm looking at prices without her involved and it's the same. I'm virtually the same amount as if I did cruise only and then booked beverage package and pre-paid tips.

I think you are correct if purchased separately. However think of it this way and understand that I am using round numbers here for clarity. If a no perks cabin is normally $1000pp, with a single supplement it would be $2000. That same cabin goes to $1500pp for an AI and with a single supplement it goes to $3000. The difference is $1000 for a single passenger traveling in a no perks cabin to one with AI. 

There are probably more elegant ways to express the disparity and I apologize if it still isn't very clear. 

1

52 minutes ago, Happy Cruiser 6143 said:

Look, I get that this person is ticked off that they wouldn't let him change his booking.  But he has resisted our suggestion that he escalate his complaint to the CEO's office.  And he proposes to take his anger out on the cabin attendant by canceling the tips for that person.  In my view, that is not an appropriate response.  The cabin attendant had nothing to do with the situation and will have to make up the cabin whether or not he/she is compensated for doing so.

 

I sail solo and have been subjected to this double payment regimen since they started AI.  I would never dream of stiffing a cabin attendant because of it.  I do not mind paying double gratuities.  The major problem is paying double internet and drink packages.

1) I am not ticked off that they wouldn't change my booking. I am ticked off that I am out $500. 

2) How do you know who I have and haven't contacted? Just because I don't post something on here doesn't mean I haven't done it. Don't make assumptions.

3) Take my anger out of a cabin attendant? What are you talking about? I am trying to recoup money not penalize anyone. To your own admission, tips are pooled so the burden of my proposed withheld tips would be spread amongst the entire crew. Let's do some simple math for a moment. If a sailing has 2,000 passengers and each are billed $122.50 that would be $245,000 in tips to spread among the crew. If I withhold one of the four I am expected to pay, the tip pool $244,877.50. If 1,000 employees on the boat are tipped, each employee is losing out on $.12. 

You accused me earlier of arguing and actually I feel it is a form of projection as I have gone out my way to be gracious to those making suggestions. 

31 minutes ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

I hope you'll consider bringing the others who were considering this cruise back into the fold.  It's a shame to miss out on the memories due to a knee-jerk reaction.  My lesson learned came a few months ago when I booked my first MSC cruise in the YC.  Soon after booking I realized that the dates weren't  going to work for us so I proactively rebooked a different cruise for a few weeks later.  Only problem was the deposit on my original booking wasn't refundable.  I assumed it was and was just going to let my TA work it out.  Had I not jumped the gun, I could have transferred the booking without penalty.  But because I booked a later date and cancelled my original booking, I lost my $398 deposit.  Like you, I owned the mistake because I didn't read the fine print and assumed they operated like other lines.  They offered me some OBC to make up for it and I swallowed my frustration and factored my mistake into the over all cost of the cruise and said "eff" it and moved on.  Had the time of my life and have since booked 2 additional cruises on MSC.  Not trying to be preachy at all.  Just pointing out that in the grand scheme, it's the memories you make that will mean the most.  Happy New Year! 🍾 

Agreed on all fronts. At the end of the day the sky didn't fall. I simply lost $500. Things could be worse. Happy new year to you as well. 

8 minutes ago, davekathy said:

Or just go with the flow on this cruise, have a great time and consider this cruise/booking experience a lesson learned. No matter who you book your future cruises with ask. Personally, I never book any of our cruises using a website. I always book with a live agent, tell them what itinerary, ship, deck, stateroom number, etc. concerning the cruise and ask questions even though I know the answer. Better safe than sorry. 

You are probably right that I should use this as lesson learned. The money is gone so I might as well make the best of it. I did however book this over the phone with a live agent which is what makes it a little frustrating. Thanks for the note. 

51 minutes ago, cdn_tbird said:

Personally I don't believe you were being argumentative. You have a valid point that had your cabin been booked at the cruise only rate, you would have only been billed for gratuities for 1 person.

 

If I may make the suggestion, if you're the type that tips extra, perhaps instead of removing the tips from one room just don't tip extra on this trip.

 

Just my 2 cents.

You all make good points and I appreciate everyone's concern for the hard working crew. Let me think about other ways to cut costs out of this trip. 

2 minutes ago, Happy Cruiser 6143 said:

There is no point in arguing with this guy, his mind is made up.

 

FYI, @Los_Pepes, if you remove the gratuities from your kids' room and give the cabin attendant cash, he/she is obliged to turn the cash in to the pool.

I don't think I was arguing with anyone. If I came across as pugnacious I apologize. I felt as it I was listening to people and responding to them respectfully. I even changed my proposed course of action based on feedback from the thread. 

If the room steward has to turn in his cash tips for the pool I can't help that. I guess I need someone to explain to me why I should tip employees on a ship for services not received. 

28 minutes ago, RichYak said:

The math is not debatable. Nor is the reality that you're getting screwed by Celebrity's solo passenger AI pricing. What is debatable is using those two facts as an excuse to stiff some of the staff out of their gratuities.

You make a fair point and I appreciate your position. However, the room steward, to which only a portion of the tips go to, will be tipped twice for three passengers once I remove tips from one room. Since the tips are spread out amongst the room attendant, wait staff and Maître d', what I could do it remove the tips from my kids room and give the room attendant cash. I am really not interested in paying for service no one received. 

29 minutes ago, RichYak said:

No, you're not. You're paying the same amount of gratuities that would be paid if there were 2 people in your cabin. The bathroom still needs just as much cleaning, the carpet still needs vacuuming and the bed still needs to be made. There's no less work because it's only you in there. Just give that some thought before you take out your frustration on the staff.

If I had not booked an AI I only would have paid $122.50 in gratuities as a single in that cabin and that would have been acceptable. My double AI fee generates $245 in tips so I am paying twice. It is not really a debate. 

12 minutes ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

I think I would have kept the $100 obc but I get why you didn’t. I’m sure that felt like a bit of a slap under the circumstances. 
 

You’re right, this scenario would sting a bit. Someone suggested escalating to corporate and I second that suggestion. The “rules are rules” comment is just wrong. 

Thanks for the comment and insight. I might just let this go and look elsewhere for future trips. There were other families who were considering joining us on this sailing as they shared my kids same spring break. Last night I relayed my experience and it dissuaded them from booking.  It was six total cabins that now aren't being booked. 

6 minutes ago, jelayne said:

Unfortunately removing the gratuity from the kids room only hurts the cabin attendant and the wait staff who take care of the cabin and dining.

That is a fair point but I am paying gratuities in my room twice so it makes up for a it a bit. 

Just now, Retired888 said:

Can you move one kid to your room so that at least your kid gets drinks and wifi?

I asked that and was told no. That would seem logical and fair (costing Celebrity nothing) but was told no. The supervisors "rules are rules" comment really grated on me.

I am going to strip the gratuities off of the kids room when I check out and book all of my excursions from an outside vendor.  

12 minutes ago, CruiserMickey said:

I would try to call back and see if you can reprice as cruise only and ask for the remainder in OBC. All they can say is no, but I think it’s worth a try. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Supervisor picked up after a 70 minute hold time. I tried to be polite but became less polite when the exact words of "rules are rules" were used by him and nothing would be done. They offered me a $100 OBC but I told them to keep it. If they are going to whack solo passengers $1000 for an AI package, they must need the money. I know I am the one who agreed to the pricing, but I do feel like I was duped. 

1 minute ago, CruiserMickey said:

I would try to call back and see if you can reprice as cruise only and ask for the remainder in OBC. All they can say is no, but I think it’s worth a try. 🤷🏻‍♀️

On hold with them right now waiting for a supervisor. When they pick up I will use your suggestion. Thanks!

2 minutes ago, Happy Cruiser 6143 said:

Yes, this is one of the problems for solo cruisers if they book with the AI rate.  They get the wonderful privilege of paying for two drink packages, two internet packages, and two sets of gratuities.  I have no problem with the two sets of gratuities, but I would normally tip the cabin attendant extra at a rate that would reflect that.  Celebrity could fix this if they wanted to, but clearly they do not.  So, buyer beware.  And there is no workaround if you book a suite.  Suites automatically come with AI.

 

 

I really wish I had know this prior to booking. I am in a connecting room with my two kids and I could have saved $500 and sunk it back into onboard experiences for them. This stings a bit. 

I made final payment when I booked the trip. We are only 65 days out from sailing. On the phone Celebrity said they couldn't do anything. To their credit they understood my concern/question but don't seem to be physically able to make adjustments. They were polite and empathetic at least!

37 minutes ago, davekathy said:

Yes. 

I am a moron. I feel like that should have been spelled out to me during booking but I own the decision. 

I had to book a single cabin with connecting room to my two kids on a upcoming cruise. I booked my rate as an AI and I am just now figuring out that I paid a 100% premium on an AI rate meaning that I am essentially paying for the drinks, tips and WIFI for someone not even in my room. Am I reading that correctly? 

What age range qualifies as a child when booking and paying for specialty dining on Celebrity? 

Thanks!

Thank you all for your responses. I appreciate the insights. 

Is there a way to purchase a bottle of spirits onboard a Celebrity boat to keep in my cabin?

1 minute ago, Mackdogmolly said:

😳 that would be extremely disappointing to me!!

We have another one booked and we are going to ask what is onboard prior to upgrading. 

6 minutes ago, Mackdogmolly said:

So not Whispering Angel? That retails for considerably more.

No Whispering Angel. Right after upgrading our package they told us they were out of stock. 🤷‍♀️