VIP Program

[coldweathergirl]

Has Celebrity actually said that they were removing Elite benefits? If not, perhaps they will add others for the removed ones. For example, money off a booking like RCCL does.

 

I believe in a different thread, Celebrity posted that Elite members won't lose their benefits.

 

I'm only new to the elite stuff but I do have Diamond with Hilton and the benefits that we receive for our loyalty definitely encourages us to seek out that brand. If we didn't receive any special perks when staying there, I would seek out a comparable product at a competitive price. I compare that to the loyalty that elite cruisers have to Celebrity. Now that we're elite, we have 3 more 14 night cruises booked with Celebrity in the next 6 months. I'm looking forward to the free internet, laundry and occasional cocktail on them.

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

Hi Linda,

Really sorry to hear all of your problems with the Infinity. Way too many problems for one ship.

Would you mind telling me who the Guest relations manager, hotel director and chief housekeeper (assume you met him/her due to your cabin problem) were? Just wonder if they are new to the jobs.

 

Never met or saw the hotel director. Never met the chief housekeeper either. The GRM shall remain nameless. This is not the place. Actually, I felt his staff was some of the best on the ship.

[C 2 C]

Hi Linda,

Really sorry to hear all of your problems with the Infinity. Way too many problems for one ship.

Would you mind telling me who the Guest relations manager, hotel director and chief housekeeper (assume you met him/her due to your cabin problem) were? Just wonder if they are new to the jobs.

 

The names are listed on an older posting somewhere ;)

 

I won't be cross if you check back to June 22nd.

[Dave85]

Without offending anyone, every major cruise line is out to make a profit for the shareholder. Take any cruise line and the longer they are in business providing that they give their customer what their customer believes to be a good deal then that customer continues to support that cruise line. As the Elites grow and they start to out number say first or second or third timers who do not qualify for the benefits of the Elite then the cruise line will not produce the expected dollars and they still want to encourage new cruisers so they have to keep the initial dollars low to attract the new cruiser, so with that knowledge they must rely on the many time cruisers to make up for the less than expected dollars so those that cruise more pay more up front for their benefits and it is quite well hidden. For those Elites that do not want to believe just think about the growing number of Elites that are getting "free benefits" versa some years ago and the profit cruise lines are making today. You really may not be so special but you have to understand how they attract both seasoned and new cruisers to their lines and make more money for the shareholder.

 

Thanks for responding. I mean you no disrespect, but I still don't understand your point. Specifically, the sentence bolded above.

 

If you're arguing that cruise lines are engaging in more "nickle and diming" now than they used to, that's definitely true. Just like the airlines the cruise lines are looking to generate more revenue however they can. If you're saying though that X is raising prices across the board to account for benefits afforded to Elite members I don't think that's true. I haven't done any studies to back that up but anecdotally it looks like X's base fares have, if anything, moderated in recent years as they added capacity. If you're arguing that X is secretly and nefariously singling out "Elites" with extra fees that none of us know about then I really have no response to that...

 

Regardless, everyone will agree with you that X is a business out to make a profit. To those ends, whether you're on your first X cruise or your 35th, you still have to pay your fare to board the ship... Nobody's arguing that they're "making money" by cruising on X, rather, people are saying that they're coming out ahead as Elite with the various coupons and such versus where they would be on the same sailing without the coupons. I don't see how that's controversial.

[cruiseacecat]

The names are listed on an older posting somewhere ;)

 

I won't be cross if you check back to June 22nd.

Thanks Arno. :) He is new to me.

[Welland]

Never met or saw the hotel director. Never met the chief housekeeper either. The GRM shall remain nameless. This is not the place. Actually, I felt his staff was some of the best on the ship.

 

 

Don't want to flame anyone here, be it staff or CC posters.

 

This is another example (in my opinion) of how we all have a different "take" on situations, food tastes, levels of service, etc, etc. I have to say I was on board in May and had no issues with any of the staff members that you mentioned (by title, not name). As a matter of fact, both the Hotel Director and Guest Relations Manager were extremely friendly and very visible to us. The GRM went out of his way to assist a guest whose wallet was stolen before he boarded the ship. He spent a lot of time with this guest, helping him to advise credit card companies, bank, etc, etc.

 

That being said I don't believe the treatment (or lack thereof) that you received was appropriate at all.

 

Let's hope that you have another opportunity to interact with these staff members again and perhaps see a different side of them.

[Project_gal]

Has Celebrity actually said that they were removing Elite benefits? If not, perhaps they will add others for the removed ones. For example, money off a booking like RCCL does.

 

Nope, they said nothing about any changes to Captain's Club benefits. This post started because they announced a VIP programme being tried on one ship. To quote the information posted: "Who gets to be a VIP is a bit murky. On Infinity, it's a mix of passengers in the top suites and other cruisers that Celebrity has deemed VIPs (top cruisers, big spenders, journalists, special guests, etc.)". The highlights are mine. Nothing about Captain's Club and/or Elites.

 

Sue

[cruiseerf]

If you pay more you SHOULD get more...it is as simple as that. Especially as the larger suites can be 10 times the cost of a regular room. Some free drinks, a person to talk to etc without waiting on a long line....Alot of this is just helping people to "feel" like a VIP. This is not about Elite benefits, program etc. It is about providing added services to the people who have paid the most......

 

IMHO I think that the Butlers have got to go and they need to set up something along the lines of a heavily staffed VIP "club lounge"...... Private concierges etc. This is something I would welcome! The room attendant is quite capable of dropping off canapes.

 

Safe sails to all!

[Project_gal]

If you pay more you SHOULD get more...it is as simple as that. Especially as the larger suites can be 10 times the cost of a regular room. Some free drinks, a person to talk to etc without waiting on a long line....Alot of this is just helping people to "feel" like a VIP. This is not about Elite benefits, program etc. It is about providing added services to the people who have paid the most......

 

IMHO I think that the Butlers have got to go and they need to set up something along the lines of a heavily staffed VIP "club lounge"...... Private concierges etc. This is something I would welcome! The room attendant is quite capable of dropping off canapes.

 

Safe sails to all!

 

Agree with most of what you say but have to disagree about butlers, they provide a different service to a concierge or stateroom attandant - certainly more that "dropping off canapes". It is the one thing they do well on NCL.

 

Sue

[Cote d'or]

If you pay more you SHOULD get more...it is as simple as that. Especially as the larger suites can be 10 times the cost of a regular room. Some free drinks, a person to talk to etc without waiting on a long line....Alot of this is just helping people to "feel" like a VIP. This is not about Elite benefits, program etc. It is about providing added services to the people who have paid the most......

 

When checking the prices for, let's say, Europe summer 2014, a penthouse suite is about 5 to 6 times the price of regular stateroom. Quite some frequent top cruisers can do easily up to 10 (or even much more) cruises a year. In global, most of them will spend more money in total, in the same period than someone who books one cruise a year in a PH. Just a thought without criticizing the loyalty program.

[Moeve]

Excuse me but when some of you people say someone who pays for a PH should get more than some one who pays for a standard balcony you are missings a very important point!

 

PH-ers are paying more for the most valuable comodity on a ship -PRIVATE or RESERVED SPACE. They have much more of that and THIS is the sole reason they are paying substancially more.

 

Now why should this group of people be treated differently from people who are loyal and return every year to cruise in standard cabins?

 

There is none bearing in mind that a Reflection suite has over 8 times the space of a standard balcony cabin on the Reflection. The same applies to the PH on the M class. Space THAT is what these people are paying for and rightly so! They are not paying it for the perks.

 

Although I have to say I really don't care for this new prog. As long as it does not affect me or my ability to use public pace on the ship and last but not least the bottomline (yes I am a stockholder too) let them play.

[Jane2357]

Like I've said before - I don't have a dog in the hunt - I'm not Elite and I won't be getting the Penthouse. I think the entire issue with the VIP program is that SOME Elites will make the cut for one cruise - and then may not make the cut on the next cruise without knowing the criteria used to make said cut. I can see that hard feeling will ensue.

 

I do believe that those willing to pay more - just like a first class air ticket - should get more perks. So if you pay for a PH, or spend big $ in the casino or a top cruiser - then you should get that VIP treatment. For me - I'll be having my own great time and will be too busy to notice what anyone else is getting. :D

[C 2 C]

I think the entire issue with the VIP program is that SOME Elites will make the cut for one cruise - and then may not make the cut on the next cruise without knowing the criteria used to make said cut. I can see that hard feeling will ensue.

 

:D

 

11 pages, 200+ posts and a conclusion:

What a way to summarize all these posts... ;)

[Bobal]

11 pages, 200+ posts and a conclusion:

What a way to summarize all these posts... ;)

 

Totally agree - and also love this comment

 

For me - I'll be having my own great time and will be too busy to notice what anyone else is getting. :D

 

What a pity this thread can't end with that thought - but no doubt it will rumble on.....and on....and on......

[Dave85]

Like I've said before - I don't have a dog in the hunt - I'm not Elite and I won't be getting the Penthouse. I think the entire issue with the VIP program is that SOME Elites will make the cut for one cruise - and then may not make the cut on the next cruise without knowing the criteria used to make said cut. I can see that hard feeling will ensue.

 

I do believe that those willing to pay more - just like a first class air ticket - should get more perks. So if you pay for a PH, or spend big $ in the casino or a top cruiser - then you should get that VIP treatment. For me - I'll be having my own great time and will be too busy to notice what anyone else is getting. :D

 

Well said. If they do go ahead and formalize the VIP program I hope they clarify the criteria so people know what to expect.

[Murray's Pop]

PH-ers are paying more for the most valuable comodity (sic) on a ship -PRIVATE or RESERVED SPACE. They have much more of that and THIS is the sole reason they are paying substantially more.

 

Actually no, that is NOT the sole reason we will pay more for a suite. Sure, the additional space is a factor, but if it were the ONLY factor then no, we would not be paying the additional cost.

 

When we began cruising in the late 1980's we booked nothing but inside cabins. They were tiny, and the bathroom was no bigger than a phone booth. Did that matter? No, not really. We enjoyed the itinerary and the company of good friends.

 

As the years went on we started booking cabins with a window, then cabins with a small balcony. They were a little larger than the insides, which was nice, but the "perk" here was the view, and then fresh air. Had no problem justifying the added cost. Still the same great itineraries and great friends.

 

Then finally in 1999 we booked our first suite (an aft wrap-around on HAL's Oosterdam) and are now totally spoiled and will only book suites. While the added space in the suite and the HUGE balcony were wonderful, it was the combination of all of the other "perks" (butlers, private concierge lounge, special breakfast place, priority embarkation, etc.) that keep us coming back. Are we paying for these "perks"? You bet we are, and that is our choice. If the cruise line did not provide things like this in a suite, then we would not be cruising with that particular cruise line.

 

So while the increase in space is A factor, it is only one of many that we look at when we book a cruise. The loyalty program offered by the cruise line does not really play into our decision at all. We are 3 Star on HAL (will be 4 Star on our next HAL cruise), but also belong to NCL, Princess, RCL, and soon with Celebrity.

[Moeve]

Actually no' date=' that is NOT the sole reason we will pay more for a suite. Sure, the additional space is a factor, but if it were the ONLY factor then no, we would not be paying the additional cost.

 

When we began cruising in the late 1980's we booked nothing but inside cabins. They were tiny, and the bathroom was no bigger than a phone booth. Did that matter? No, not really. We enjoyed the itinerary and the company of good friends.

 

As the years went on we started booking cabins with a window, then cabins with a small balcony. They were a little larger than the insides, which was nice, but the "perk" here was the view, and then fresh air. Had no problem justifying the added cost. Still the same great itineraries and great friends.

 

Then finally in 1999 we booked our first suite (an aft wrap-around on HAL's Oosterdam) and are now totally spoiled and will only book suites. While the added space in the suite and the HUGE balcony were wonderful, it was the combination of all of the other "perks" (butlers, private concierge lounge, special breakfast place, priority embarkation, etc.) that keep us coming back. Are we paying for these "perks"? You bet we are, and that is our choice. If the cruise line did not provide things like this in a suite, then we would not be cruising with that particular cruise line.

 

So while the increase in space is A factor, it is only one of many that we look at when we book a cruise. The loyalty program offered by the cruise line does not really play into our decision at all. We are 3 Star on HAL (will be 4 Star on our next HAL cruise), but also belong to NCL, Princess, RCL, and soon with Celebrity.[/quote']

 

Sorry I need to rephrase this some what. I don't take the butler and the other items in the broshure discription as as a "perk" you are in effect paying for that. However I do not see as to why this cabins should get even more because if you add this to the much bigger space ratio these cabins are then effectively NOT paying more than all those regular cabins are.

 

Here is an example for arguments sake:

Sailing Celebrity Reflection 17 th Jan 2015

€ pricing for Reflections suite = € 17874,00 or 8937,00 per person

€ pricing for a cat 2D (obstructed balcony) = 1758,00 or 879,00 per cabin

 

The size of the reflection suite without the balcony is approx. 147m² while the 2D is approx. 18m². The suite is a little over 8 times the size of the 2D.

 

When you work that out and take all those extra perks a Reflections suite has into account. the suite is not paying much more than that lowly 2D.

 

That is the reason I really do not see any reason why these cabins should get even more perks than the little guys because they are getting what they are paying for - namely 8 times the space and things like the butler etc.

 

 

I hope that makes sense.

[Crazy Cruzer]

....That is the reason I really do not see any reason why these cabins should get even more perks than the little guys because they are getting what they are paying for - namely 8 times the space and things like the butler etc.

 

 

I hope that makes sense.

 

Well it may make sense but that isn't the way Celebrity does things, nor the way any other cruise line does it. Every cruise line gives their high end suite passengers extra perks and extra attention.

 

I guess when you're running a cruise line you can decide whether to give the big suite passengers extra perks or not.

 

Not that I like it. I've never sailed in a big suite and doubt that I ever will. So from my perspective I'd prefer that all passengers were on equal footing. Except of course that past cruisers who have at least the number of loyalty club credits that I have deserve way more than everyone else on board.

[Murray's Pop]

Sorry I need to rephrase this some what. I don't take the butler and the other items in the broshure discription as as a "perk" you are in effect paying for that. However I do not see as to why this cabins should get even more because if you add this to the much bigger space ratio these cabins are then effectively NOT paying more than all those regular cabins are.

 

Here is an example for arguments sake:

Sailing Celebrity Reflection 17 th Jan 2015

€ pricing for Reflections suite = € 17874,00 or 8937,00 per person

€ pricing for a cat 2D (obstructed balcony) = 1758,00 or 879,00 per cabin

 

The size of the reflection suite without the balcony is approx. 147m² while the 2D is approx. 18m². The suite is a little over 8 times the size of the 2D.

 

When you work that out and take all those extra perks a Reflections suite has into account. the suite is not paying much more than that lowly 2D.

 

That is the reason I really do not see any reason why these cabins should get even more perks than the little guys because they are getting what they are paying for - namely 8 times the space and things like the butler etc.

 

 

I hope that makes sense.

 

 

I kind of see what you are thinking, but lets see if this helps.

 

Looking at the pricing for the cruise you referenced above, if you look at the cost per square foot you find the following:

 

• The most expensive is an Aqua Suite which at $2200 per person with square footage (cabin and balcony combined) at 308 Sq ft, you have a cost of $7.14 per square foot.
  
• The largest (Reflection Suite) at a total of 1830 sq ft and a cost of $11,700 per person comes in at a cost of $6.39 per square foot.
  
• The smallest cabin (Inside) with a total of 183 sq ft and a cost of $750 per person is $4.10 per person.
  
• The most cost effective per square foot is a Veranda with total sq ft at 248, and total cost of $1000 per person, comes in at $4.03 per sq ft.
  

I tend to look at cruise pricing on a cost per day basis, so given the same cruise based on cost/day we see the following:

 

• The Reflection Suite has a cost of $1,671 per person per day.
  
• An Inside cabin has a cost of $107 per person per day.
  

So, a person staying in a Reflection Suite is paying a little over 15 times per day more that what a person in an Inside cabin pays, BUT that same person staying in a Reflection Suite is paying 1.5 times more per square foot than a person in an Inside cabin.

 

 

Sorry, didn't intend to highjack this thread:o. Just my thoughts on this, I'll shut up now.:D

[Orator]

I wonder if their is an air travelers version of Cruise Critic?

I wonder if they have the same types of discussions of Loyalty Programs?

I wonder if there is a credit card users version of Cruise Critic?

I wonder if they have the same types of discussions of Loyalty Programs?

I wonder if there is a hotel guest version of Cruise Critic?

I wonder if they have the same type of discussions of Loyalty programs?

 

So much to wonder about. So little time!

[uktog]

I wonder if their is an air travelers version of Cruise Critic? YES (flyertalk)

I wonder if they have the same types of discussions of Loyalty Programs? YES (all the time)

I wonder if there is a credit card users version of Cruise Critic? probably certainly the cards issued by airlines are regularly discussed

I wonder if they have the same types of discussions of Loyalty Programs?

I wonder if there is a hotel guest version of Cruise Critic? YES (flyertalk)

I wonder if they have the same type of discussions of Loyalty programs? YES all the time

 

So much to wonder about. So little time!

 

Hopefully this helps - you can now use that precious time for something else on the to do list

[phoenix_dream]

Could not agree with you more and what I find even more interesting is that those who believe they are saving 300 to 400 dollars more for being Elite makes me smile. Celebrity along with every other cruise line do not give without taking and the taking comes from those who think they are getting huge benefits. They believe and so Celebrity wants them to believe they are special.

I guess I am one of the posters who you find interesting. Here is my calculation: I book on Celebrity primarily because I love the cruise line and it would be my first (but not necessarily only) choice with or without extra perks. The prices I pay are comparable to the Princess and RCI's etc. I book a cruise because I enjoy the vacation, not because of saving money with the perks. My family and I go to most of the Elite and Captains Club events as well as the evening social hours. DH and DS have 2-4 drinks total at these events, and I have 1-2. We use all three of our laundry coupons. We use most if not all of our internet time. If we were to pay out of pocket for these things we would be spending $500+ per cruise. Allowing that we may not spend quite so much on them if they were not free, I cut some $$ off my estimate to get to $300-$400. I certainly understand that the benefits do not cost Celebrity that much, but they most definitely save me that much. How does Celebrity benefit from this? Continued loyalty, and continued good word of mouth. I have brought many family members to the Celebrity brand as well as recommended the brand to many of my friends. I do not believe this makes me 'special'. I do not believe Celebrity is doing this out of the goodness of their hearts. I do believe it is a win-win situation for both parties.

 

I know I risk being accused of being one of the onerous 'Elitists' by defending my calculations and my comments, but so be it. I have met dozens (if not more) Elite passengers in my socializing through the Captains Club events. I can honestly say that by far, the VAST majority of them are intelligent, friendly, normal, decent, considerate people who do not feel 'entitled' nor would they ever rub their status in anyone's face. It is frustrating that because there are always a few (and for sure there are a few on both sides of the fence), the majority get painted with a bad rep. So sad.

[Orator]

Hopefully this helps - you can now use that precious time for something else on the to do list

 

Thanks :) Now I have more time to plan cruises. You are a lifesaver!

[Chunky2219]

Excuse me but when some of you people say someone who pays for a PH should get more than some one who pays for a standard balcony you are missings a very important point!

 

PH-ers are paying more for the most valuable comodity on a ship -PRIVATE or RESERVED SPACE. They have much more of that and THIS is the sole reason they are paying substancially more.

 

Now why should this group of people be treated differently from people who are loyal and return every year to cruise in standard cabins? .................

 

.

Excuse me for saying this, but you are missing a very important point.

 

By and large, if people in the PH aren't getting all that's possible aboard ship then the PH will be empty and they'll be spending their travel dollars with Cunard, or Seabourne or any of half a dozen other lines who treat big spenders well. They expect priority boarding and tender priorities - they've paid for it. The line isn't making much money from people who aren't buying wine, eating speciality or taking tours. There's no profit in people who sit at a bar and ask for a World Cruise Cocktail.

 

There is big profit in the people in the premium cabins. Even if they never venture outside the door.

 

Last year we did two cruises in RS. We got the full set of Elite perks and more. We've only once ventured to a Captain's Club party for a glass of cheap fizz and a canape - there were more interesting things to do. We never bothered with happy hour - why drink for the sake of it when we're going to have a bottle of wine with dinner? We did appreciate the free laundry. We weren't always there when the butler pitched up with coffee and cakes in the afternoon, because we didn't feel any need to wedge our snouts deep in the trough. We even turned down the invite to dinner with the Captain because we already had a speciality booking that night.

 

But do you know what really made my spit fizz? Having to pay $2.40 (I think) + 15% for sodas in the suite and $4 for a bottle of water. They cost Celebrity peanuts and come for free in every other suite I've sailed in on other lines. It was a tiny, tiny proportion of the big wedge we'd paid for our cabin but it was penny pinching and profiteering. So we carted a couple of dozen bottles of soda on board and filled the wine fridge with them. You can keep happy hour and Captain's Club parties, just give me free soda.

 

If you want your repeat business rewarded with something that big spenders don't get then the best you can hope for is a loyalty card from your petrol station. Or else you could always try sailing on a refugee boat in the Pacific - they don't have a PH. Even then, I bet someone is paying extra to get first use of the sun loungers.

.

.

[Dave85]

I wonder if their is an air travelers version of Cruise Critic?

I wonder if they have the same types of discussions of Loyalty Programs?

I wonder if there is a credit card users version of Cruise Critic?

I wonder if they have the same types of discussions of Loyalty Programs?

I wonder if there is a hotel guest version of Cruise Critic?

I wonder if they have the same type of discussions of Loyalty programs?

 

So much to wonder about. So little time!

 

Haha too funny, I was actually just wondering to myself yesterday whether ...that board about flying (not sure if we're supposed to use the name?) has these same types of threads where people accuse those with airline status of snobbery. :p Anywho... I have no status of significance on any airline and only moderate status with one hotel family, but I occasionally lurk on that other site and have found it and many of its frequent posters to be an excellent resource, as I hope new cruisers will continue to find CC to be an excellent resource.