Can my son and his wife accompany us into captains club cocktail hour?

[Andy]

The point is probably moot given that so many cruises are now providing vouchers instead of holding the Elite cocktail hour. So if the OP is on one of the voucher cruises they will be able to bring their children, and they can all share the drink coupons. They are very precise about providing only three coupons per member, so there won't be any financial advantage.

 

Actually, Elite members are not supposed to share the coupons with Non-Elite members. On the coupon, it states for Elite Members. On last months Eclipse sailing, on a number of occasions, I was asked to show my sea pass card (which states Elite member), so they were checking to see if the Elite member was actually presenting the coupon. Doesn't happen all the time, especially after a few days, and the bartender gets to know you... but it's something to keep in mind.

[CruisersTimesThree]

On our past two cruises, we've traveled with friends or family who weren't Elite. Out of courtesy to them, we did not take advantage of the Elite cocktail hour. It was well worth the cost of any drinks to spend quality time with them elsewhere.

 

We did the same. Last year we were booked in a RS and were given Elite status for the duration of the cruise. Our friends were booked in a Sky Suite and were not entitled. We didn't feel comfortable leaving them behind and more uncomfortable asking if they could join us.

Like someone said...if everyone did it, there wouldn't be room for those who are supposed to enjoy this privilege.

[sloopsailor]

I have other similar questions:

 

My wife and I have booked our stateroom for our upcoming cruise. Since the room will be paid for by us, can my son and his wife stay in the room with us for free?

 

I plan on eating in the specialty restaurants. If my wife shares my plate, can she get in for free?

 

I'm taking a ship's excursion. If my wife doesn't ask any questions, can she go with me for free?

 

My wife will be booking a massage. If I lay right next to her, can I get massaged for free?

 

I want a professional photo taken while on board. If my wife is not in the picture, can I get it for half price?

 

Just wondering. :confused:

[NLH Arizona]

The OP has already been told on here how to get around the rule. Put her husband in the cabin with son and her in with DIL. Situation solved and they can get those highly anticipated free drinks. Wonder how many other Elites do the same thing.

[Andy]

Why even have this perk if everyone is allowed to bring family and friends? When we were on Equinox, we were not allowed to bring our Select friends to the cocktail hour as they checked room cards. I think it's very presumptuous that people feel they can bring anyone along to this perk just because.......

 

Just like those who are bringing their own beverages to public areas of the ship, if things like this continue, don't be surprised if Celebrity stops these perks especially if it hits their bottom line.

 

Totally agree Darcie, and I'm certain this extremely generous benefit is costing Celebrity big time. As Celebrity is watching every penny (and rightfully so !), I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if they eventually do away with the Elite lounge benefit, or move it up to a higher level - if & when Celebrity adds new levels to Captains Club.

 

I'm sure the OP's question was well intended, though some of the responses are puzzling. Unless the non-Elite member is staying in the same cabin as the Elite member, the answer to the OP's question is NO. Wish I could understand the need for theories on how to get around this. Sure, some of the replies are in jest - but others aren't. If Celebrity were to bend the rules and allow admission to a few uninvited guests, everyone would expect the same courtesy. Where would they draw the line ? Impossible. IMO, due to the ever expanding amount of Elite members, the lounge concept has grown into an albatross. However, Celebrity is doing the best they can, given the current rules and circumstances.

 

Case in point : Remember when Celebrity did not charge a fee to take out money, or get chips in the Casino ? Folks bragged on here, telling us how they gamed the system, and took thousands of dollars in chips from the Casino, put it on their Celebrity account to be charged to their credit cards.... then cashed out the chips, while raking up big points/benefits on their credit cards. At that time, I repeatedly stated the offenders would force changes, thereby making everyone else pay for it. So, here we are. Guests now pay 5% when taking chips or money from the casino, thanks to the offenders. Thanks for nothing :)

 

Please... let's not give Celebrity reasons to eliminate this wonderful benefit. I'm sure they'd love to cut this cost. Comments on how to get around it, or asking for exceptions, gives them reasons to consider changes... or worse. Personally, I'm thankful to Celebrity for such a valued and appreciated benefit, and can only hope it continues.

 

My apologies for being so direct, but I'm concered this may eventually lead to future disappointments.

[NLH Arizona]

But, it is about perks for frequent cruisers, isn't it??

Just wondering....if this is their first Celebrity cruise, how exactly are they frequent cruisers?

[wallie5446]

 

Wish I could understand the need for theories on how to get around this. Sure, some of the replies are in jest - but others aren't.

 

Please... let's not give Celebrity reasons to eliminate this wonderful benefit.

 

My apologies for being so direct, but I'm concered this may eventually lead to future disappointments.

 

No need to Andy, you stated what most were wanting to, but due to the nature of ourselves, something snide seems to be the point of the day.

[sasset]

But, it is about perks for frequent cruisers, isn't it??

__________________

That's right perks for frequent cruisers not family and friends, so if you want to spend some quality time with them, go to a bar and buy a drink.

 

If it were up to me everyone would get free drinks. I think the real issue here is the crowd. We have been in Captain's cocktail receptions in Cosmos that were so crowded we couldn't get to the bar and the wait staff couldn't get to us.

[JanineM]

Actually, Elite members are not supposed to share the coupons with Non-Elite members. On the coupon, it states for Elite Members. On last months Eclipse sailing, on a number of occasions, I was asked to show my sea pass card (which states Elite member), so they were checking to see if the Elite member was actually presenting the coupon. Doesn't happen all the time, especially after a few days, and the bartender gets to know you... but it's something to keep in mind.

 

I guess I didn't do a good job of being tongue in cheek. I'm not one to circumvent the system, and like you I know that all of these perks can go poof at any time.

[JanineM]

If it were up to me everyone would get free drinks. I think the real issue here is the crowd. We have been in Captain's cocktail receptions in Cosmos that were so crowded we couldn't get to the bar and the wait staff couldn't get to us.

 

You know someone has to pay for these 'free' drinks, right? There are lines where everyone gets 'free' drinks, of course the fare reflects that ;)

[PEIpair]

Thank You Host Andy! ......for saying what needed to be said.

[purduemom1]

JanineM made a good point. The drink perk is paid for by all the cruise fares...elite and not. While the elite cruisers are certainly entitled to this perk, the other cruisers are not and it is unfair of them to try and circumvent the qualifications such as rearranging cabin occupants or any other scheme, so that those who have not actually earned the perk can take advantage. Is this being done? I would guess it probably is. But that doesn't make it right. As Host Andy said, the few who try and get away with something they aren't entitled to will eventually spoil it for the rest.

[NLH Arizona]

JanineM made a good point. The drink perk is paid for by all the cruise fares...elite and not. While the elite cruisers are certainly entitled to this perk, the other cruisers are not and it is unfair of them to try and circumvent the qualifications such as rearranging cabin occupants or any other scheme, so that those who have not actually earned the perk can take advantage. Is this being done? I would guess it probably is. But that doesn't make it right. As Host Andy said, the few who try and get away with something they aren't entitled to will eventually spoil it for the rest.

But these people that circumvent the rules don't care, because unfortunately it is only about them. When the perks get taken away, these folks will be the first ones to complain, because after all they are entitled to these perks and how dare they be taken away.

[miched]

I have other similar questions:

 

I want a professional photo taken while on board. If my wife is not in the picture, can I get it for half price?

 

Just wondering. :confused:

 

No, but if she is in the photo with you they will only charged for one and not double, then take that and cut it half and have 2 individual photos for the price of 1. :D

 

There is always a way to beat the system. The OP could enter the lounge and show their cards, then one can walk out and give both of their cards to other family members. The OP walks back in and they are recognized, the other two walk in and show their cards, and etc. That is why many sporting events have no re entry because people were doing that with their tickets. One would walk out with 2 tickets and bring another in and they would keep doing that .

 

Buy one bev package and order a beer with a glass. Share the beer. Get two straws with the other drinks, or get a drink and then walk to a different bar for another drink for the other person.

 

How about 2 people going to a wine tasting and only paying for one because you both will share the wine.

 

Book a tour and pay for one because the other will sit on your lap.

 

Even better is the free loader that wants to ride in your car to the port that is 400 miles away and doesn't want to help pay for the gas or parking because you would have had to pay for it if they didn't go.

 

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[Oville]

Totally agree Darcie, and I'm certain this extremely generous benefit is costing Celebrity big time. As Celebrity is watching every penny (and rightfully so !), I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if they eventually do away with the Elite lounge benefit, or move it up to a higher level - if & when Celebrity adds new levels to Captains Club.

 

Andy, as you know I'm a big fan of yours and I think anyone trying to get free drinks for family members or friends who are not Elite and not truly sharing a cabin is at best cheaper than cheap and I'll leave it at that. I do however disagree with your assumption that Celebrity will do away with the Elite lounge benefit. I'm sure you will recall the mess Royal Caribbean got into when they tossed Diamond members out the the Concierge lounge do to overcrowding. RC happy hour is/was way more generous, therefore signicantly more costly, than Celebrity's as it is opened from 5:00-8:30. RC has made to the decision to convert all of their ships to include a Diamond Lounge where the 5-8:30 cocktails will be/are served and now most ships have this lounge. Clearly this decision was made to keep their frequent cruisers happy.

 

I just can't imagine Celebrity would want to go through what Royal did, and since the X benefit pales in comparison to RC it doesn't make any sense to yank this perk.

 

Sadly, some people will try and bilk this benefit to include those not eligible for it. It's up to the Captain's Club Host to make sure those not eligble are kept out. We did see a family removed from Michael's Club on the Constellation this winter for cheating and they left kicking and screaming. Security had to be called.

[boogs]

Even better is the free loader that wants to ride in your car to the port that is 400 miles away and doesn't want to help pay for the gas or parking because you would have had to pay for it if they didn't go.

 

So, how do you know my brother-in-law?

[jannandjohn]

Just wondering....if this is their first Celebrity cruise, how exactly are they frequent cruisers?

 

They are elite, the others are first timers.

 

 

I am an elite with my husband. We are taking son and his wife with us in a second veranda. They are first-timers on celebrity, but can they attend captain's club cocktail hours with us? Just hoping they can go to cocktail hour with us for complimentary drinks. It's not like we are bringing a hoard.

 

We had vouchers last cruise,to be used at certain bars when we first boarded, which we didnt use because my husband doesn't drink, but we couldn't even give them away because you have to show the matching keycard as the vouchers have the same number ..they gave new cards each day, so you couldnt save them up.

on days when they didnt give vouchers , The free drinkies were held in the cosmos which was packed with a few hundred elite..

Imagine if they had all been allowed to bring a friend..the whole ship would have been top heavy.

[Caribbean Chris]

Assuming that you eat your meals together, don't you think it's just possible that son and daughter-in-law might actually enjoy a little bit of private time on their own or with others their own age that they might meet? They might be too polite to bring it up, but might actually love to do something by themselves. Unless they seem REALLY anxious to accompany you to the event every night, I wouldn't even try to make it happen.

 

Exactly my thoughts. The great thing about cruising is you DON'T have to be in lock step with your traveling companions.

 

When we did a long cruise with two Elite friends, it was fun to share fresh stories at dinner of our varied experiences during the days and times we all went our own way.

 

Andy said it best, and very tactfully. As a Select cruiser now, I'd be embarrassed if a friend or relative asked and pushed me into going where I was not entitled.

And when I become an Elite, if the benefit still exists, I assure you I will hope staff decline services (tips notwithstanding) to non-elites and...their 11-year old children??? Please!

[dkjretired]

And we thought that we were just raising a herd.

What if we just rotate them one drink at a time? Each of them could stay for 30 minutes and leave. Do you think anyone checks if they take their drink out with them?

Would it help if they wear formal clothes every evening?

 

Funny you mention it, they request you do not take drinks out and have seen them make people leave them.

[NLH Arizona]

They are elite, the others are first timers.quote]

 

My question was regarding her son and DIL. If her son and his wife are going on their first Celebrity cruise, then how can they be considered frequent cruisers. If they are not frequent cruisers, then why would they be entitled to Elite benefits?

[MEcruzr]

I am an elite with my husband. We are taking son and his wife with us in a second veranda. They are first-timers on celebrity, but can they attend captain's club cocktail hours with us? Just hoping they can go to cocktail hour with us for complimentary drinks. It's not like we are bringing a hoard.

 

To answer your question... and not make comments about whether or not it's "ok" or "right" to do this (I have no issue with it, personally, since it's entirely up to X and CC, and they can say no but they don't)... the answer is, "Maybe." You'll need to speak to the CC hostess. Sometimes it's allowed. Sometimes it's not. It depends on the number of Elites on your particular cruise and whether or not that particular CC hostess wants to allow it.

[Quo Vadis?]

Funny you mention it, they request you do not take drinks out and have seen them make people leave them.

 

Just kidding... I was trying to find out how many "traditions" can be broken and at what point the number of free loading guests becomes a horde: three, four, or an extended family.

I even think it is bad form to remove drinks from a bar under the voucher system. I believe the intended social aspect with free cocktails or three was never designed to provide free wine at dinner but that is worthy of another flame-filled thread.

 

Wherever there is a tradition, a program, a suggested format or company guideline, there will be people trying to circumvent the intended purpose.

[rwr235]

To answer your question... and not make comments about whether or not it's "ok" or "right" to do this (I have no issue with it, personally, since it's entirely up to X and CC, and they can say no but they don't)... the answer is, "Maybe." You'll need to speak to the CC hostess. Sometimes it's allowed. Sometimes it's not. It depends on the number of Elites on your particular cruise and whether or not that particular CC hostess wants to allow it.

 

Not questioning whether it has/is done...but my response to this is...why put the CC Host/Hostess in the unnecessary situation/predicament where they have to make a decision to allow it or not...since it is, quite clearly, contrary to the written policy? X has already determined the parameters of the benefits...so it is quite simple to just follow them, without asking for "special" consideration.

 

The wording of the Captains Club terms are clearly stated..."exclusively for Elite members and their stateroom/suite companions each morning and early evening."

 

Enjoying cruising and traveling...such a wonderful way to see the world !!

 

Woody

[BamaD]

The great thing about cruising is you DON'T have to be in lock step with your traveling companions.

 

I second this! I think the cruise flows much better if you actively build in some "separate time."

[teajak]

If the OP checks back on all of the replies they will see an overwhelming opinion of not nice, no way, etc., etc. Hope they got the message.LOL