New Captain's Club Program

[NLH Arizona]

I believe that there was only one poster (perhaps from ROYAL?) who repeatedly wanted to "cull" the herd, so to speak, & admitted that they would be happy if it happened; which thankfully, it didn't.

I didn't see where they wanted them culled, just that a lot of Elite posters wanted it to be harder for people to become Elite (they said it was too easy and was harder when they became Elite), because the cocktail hours were too crowded and it wasn't elite enough for them.

[Ma Bell]

Yes I do believe that - the complaining from Elites is documented VERY well here on CC - "it's too crowed" - "I hate vouchers" - "they need to make it harder". It is all in past threads. Me - I could care less other than I always book too early to get the promos - so yes - a couple of drink vouchers will be appreciated :D But I have tons of compassion for those that have booked cruises that would have gotten them to a certain level and now won't. I personally got lucky - I'll still make Elite after only 5 cruises and after only 45 days. I think we all should try to put ourselves in others shoes. They should be able to express their disappointment.

 

Is this really something that needs tons of compassion? As I said, I could be Zenith if they had counted my cruises under the new rules. Even with three 14 day cruises booked for 2014 in Sky Suites, I still won't make the next level. That level actually has some fairly significant rewards. I've played by the rules since 1993 and the rules have changed a couple of times since then. I can't count what was not available at the time. We all are subject to things the way they are as time goes by so there is no need to feel sorry for anyone. How about all the years that many of us sailed without any rewards whatsoever? Please, it's just not a big deal.

Edited November 24, 2013 by Ma Bell

[TommyD3]

In many cases, they will get none of the points. Most 3rd/4th passengers are under 18. On Celebrity, children don't earn any points, unlike many other cruise lines.

 

Maybe Celebrity changed their policy at some point but my "kids" (who are now 27 & 31) have been sailing Celebrity for 20 years and are now both Zenith.

 

They even got credit when we all sailed in the same cabin.

 

We will see if the new program continues to reward the 3rd & 4th in a cabin.

[neverbeenhere]

Adults kids or not, anyone traveling with 4 in a stateroom deserves double credits, not half.

[jerseygirl3]

Yes it will and that is what many of the Elites under the old program asked for. They complained that it was too easy to become Elite and wished that it was more difficult - well sometimes they get what they wished for, but still are not happy.

 

I'm not sure of your rationale. It's still just as easy to reach Elite. Since 10 pts got you to Elite in the past it still does (10 x 30=300).

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

[Jane2357]

Is this really something that needs tons of compassion? As I said, I could be Zenith if they had counted my cruises under the new rules. Even with three 14 day cruises booked for 2014 in Sky Suites, I still won't make the next level. That level actually has some fairly significant rewards. I've played by the rules since 1993 and the rules have changed a couple of times since then. I can't count what was not available at the time. We all are subject to things the way they are as time goes by so there is no need to feel sorry for anyone. How about all the years that many of us sailed without any rewards whatsoever? Please, it's just not a big deal.

 

Well I'm glad that to you it isn't a big deal :D but to others it was and is - so now some people are disappointed and I have no problem having compassion - I too would have been disappointed - oh and to some of us - the rewards are "fairly significant" in Elite. Perhaps it is just the dismissive tone. :cool:

[neverbeenhere]

Not as "easy", if one books short, inside stateroom cruises. But very easy to become Zenith for a couple, just bring $ 340,000 with you.(approx $ 1,000 a day per)

[richsea]

I didn't see where they wanted them culled, just that a lot of Elite posters wanted it to be harder for people to become Elite (they said it was too easy and was harder when they became Elite), because the cocktail hours were too crowded and it wasn't elite enough for them.

 

 

Join Date: Jan 2009

Location: England

Posts: 602

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by dorisis

It will be interesting to see how we will be affected by any changes.

If Celebrity are counting days then this could be the end of Elites with zero or less than 70 points - The long overdue CULL has commenced ?!

Last edited by PORT ROYAL; November 18th, 2013 at 08:27 AM.

 

 

This poster has preached this on numerous occasions, but I believe he is the only one to do so.

[TeaBag]

We have just gotten home today from a TA on the Eclipse. I have to say the cruise was wonderful even if we hadn't received any of the perks. I, for one, as a loyal Celebrity cruiser, am very happy with the proposed new system and look forward to trying it out in April. And yes, in the old days we sailed 18 day cruises for one point so this is so much better. Those who spend big $ on suites and the penthouse will get rewarded as they should. We will not be among them as we would rather go twice than pay for suites.:)

[tbtraveler]

My cruise(s) leave in 11 days...I will only get 1/2 the credit under the new system that I would have under the old, but I'm glad to still have laundry, internet and cocktails...and would I have cancelled my cruises if it had been further out?...no way...I'm not cruising for the perks...I'm cruising to enjoy a stressless and fun filled holiday season! Happy Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years to all! Fair skies and following seas, everyone!

[tbtraveler]

We have just gotten home today from a TA on the Eclipse. I have to say the cruise was wonderful even if we hadn't received any of the perks. I, for one, as a loyal Celebrity cruiser, am very happy with the proposed new system and look forward to trying it out in April. And yes, in the old days we sailed 18 day cruises for one point so this is so much better. Those who spend big $ on suites and the penthouse will get rewarded as they should. We will not be among them as we would rather go twice than pay for suites.:)

 

We are from Boise and love YVR!!! We drive up often and love staying at the Sylvia Hotel! Thanks for sharing your lovely city with us Americans!! Happy sailing to you!

[Ma Bell]

Well I'm glad that to you it isn't a big deal :D but to others it was and is - so now some people are disappointed and I have no problem having compassion - I too would have been disappointed - oh and to some of us - the rewards are "fairly significant" in Elite. Perhaps it is just the dismissive tone. :cool:

 

Now you can hear my tone too. It must be magic. It's not like we are never gong to make the next level. If people are that close it will be just a matter of a little more time. I've said my piece and I'll leave you to continue the diatribe.

[djc4410]

New program looks quite good. Was concerned that "lower level" Elites might lose some perks in the conversion, but it appears current benefits will remain. We made Elite last year and sailed in Elite status for the first time last month from Hawaii to Sydney on the Solstice. Quite an upgrade from Select! The free laundry really came in handy on this 19 night cruise, and the daily Elite afternoon gatherings became a highlight of the trip. We're in no hurry to go up another rung on the ladder. "Basic" Elite is fine for us.

 

For those in the lower brackets, just take a few short cruises over to the Bahamas in Concierge or higher and the points will add up quickly.

Edited November 24, 2013 by djc4410

[TeaBag]

We are from Boise and love YVR!!! We drive up often and love staying at the Sylvia Hotel! Thanks for sharing your lovely city with us Americans!! Happy sailing to you!

Thank you. Happy Thanksgiving and travels to you. Sorry you only get half the points. Eat twice as much.:D

[neverbeenhere]

Eat twice as much

 

 

A plan to maximize cruise point value.

[Northern Aurora]

Eat twice as much

 

 

A plan to maximize cruise point value.

 

Thanks for the smile!

[bob278]

Possibly the confusion over kids getting credits is that everyone who lives in a household get the status (maybe even show the same number of points???) while living there. Kids who travel with their families get credits. If you cruise, you get credits. If you have them because of where you live, not because you cruised, when you move you lose them. At least that's how I understand it to work.

[mac_tlc]

That would be my guess too - because of your Diamond status with RCCL you are "automatically" Elite w/Celebrity! :)

 

I'm getting the impression that the reciprocity only goes as far as Elite/Diamond status - same as the old program.

 

Great that you were given bonus points, but I'm not sure how/why because they really didn't affect your status. Maybe just to help to get you to Elite + sooner???? :D

 

 

I'm not sure why I got the bonus 25 points either. So now I'm only 435 points short of Elite +, instead of 460 points short. Since we usually always sail in a verandah, I'll accumulate 21 points a week -- need 22 more week-long cruises to get to Elite +.

 

Given where I am on the path to D+ on RCCL, if I were to choose a cruise to move up, I'd go RCCL -- only need 73 points there -- or 11 week-long cruises.

 

Hence my question on the reciprocity -- I'll probably get to D+, but may never make Elite + , unless I start staying in CC/AQ or higher.

 

mac_tlc

[jagoffee]

For those in the lower brackets, just take a few short cruises over to the Bahamas in Concierge or higher and the points will add up quickly.

 

I am not sure that is good advice. You get the same number of points in a Concierge or higher from 4 3 day cruises as you would on a 12 day cruise, therefore the points will add up at the same speed. Of course the assumption is that you have the time. I have never really compared the cost between the two options as I prefer the longer cruises.

[maxsales]

I'm not sure why I got the bonus 25 points either. So now I'm only 435 points short of Elite +, instead of 460 points short. Since we usually always sail in a verandah, I'll accumulate 21 points a week -- need 22 more week-long cruises to get to Elite +.

 

Given where I am on the path to D+ on RCCL, if I were to choose a cruise to move up, I'd go RCCL -- only need 73 points there -- or 11 week-long cruises.

 

Hence my question on the reciprocity -- I'll probably get to D+, but may never make Elite + , unless I start staying in CC/AQ or higher.

 

mac_tlc

 

We were given the bonus points to put you within one cruise of being Elite on your own right with Celebrity. With 265 points you are still technically select on celebrity but sail as zeolite using your RCL reciprocity.

 

One seven night cruise in a verandah will earn you Celebrity Elite, which really doesn't matter much to you so it really just becomes semantics.

[gimletgal]

Thank you for the break down

 

You're welcome! Unfortunately, like many threads on CC, this one has taken on a "life of it's own".....I was hoping to separate this one from the other two threads. I guess it didn't work.

 

Anyway, here's to tomorrow when Celebrity answers everyone's questions and concerns and fixes our status on the website!

 

Happy cruising to all!

Edited November 25, 2013 by gimletgal

[maxsales]

I am not sure that is good advice. You get the same number of points in a Concierge or higher from 4 3 day cruises as you would on a 12 day cruise, therefore the points will add up at the same speed. Of course the assumption is that you have the time. I have never really compared the cost between the two options as I prefer the longer cruises.

 

That's not correct under the new accrual system it's five points per day sailed in a concierge category. So a four night cruise would produce 20 points while a twelve night cruise would produce 60 points.

[CruisingChick]

That's good to know -- at dinner one evening on my last cruise we had a big discussion about how the Captains Club rep told one of my friends that they would not give them credit for a cruise they went on when they were under 18.

 

I was surprised, because on most other cruise lines children can earn credits, even if they don't go into "effect" until they are over 18.

 

I'll be sure to pass along this info, so that he can call and try to get credit for that cruise again.

 

Thanks!

 

Make sure they keep a list of their booking ID numbers and as soon as their child turns 18 fill out the membership form.

 

Of course now with such a change in the program I have no idea how they award points for past cruises.

[CleoChase]

While I don't feel "cheated", I would have done things differently if I had know they were going to change the program after I made final payment. If I had cruised a month earlier my cruise would have been worth 60 points, because I am cruising next month my cruise is worth 35. And it will take me 3 more cruise to make the next level instead of one. I am not upset, it just would have weighed into my cabin choice. I think I still would have chosen the cruise we are taking.

 

I probably would have booked a cheaper cabin and probably will in the future. There has to be some benefits to booking Concierge and they just took one reason for me away. There are still a couple perks I like, but honestly I don't have to have them and the point difference is not enough to make the cost difference worth it. I don't really want to be in the location that AC gets you, so we will probably book the cheapest balcony room we can get. I have no intention of booking suites just to get ahead faster. I can book almost twice as often in a cheaper cabin and the vacation days are worth more to me then the loyalty rewards. They will lose money on me every time I book a cabin. Not a huge deal to them, but a great budget saver for me. :D Maybe I should send them a thank you note for saving me money. :D Princess should probably send them one, as well, because I do have status there and that will also weigh in on my future decisions.

 

They make little to no money on me on board. We got free classic and upgraded it to premium. We don't shop on the ship, we don't gamble in the casino. We do sometimes go to specialty restaurants. My tips are prepaid. So my cruise card may have a charge on it, but probably won't. It is in my favor to do the drink package so they are not making as much off me there either. So really, if they are not getting more form me from cabin choice they are leaving money on the table that I would have spent.

 

I kind of wonder how this will play out on their bottom line. There are some people that are like me and they will make less money on and some people that will book suites for the rewards points. They are banking on the idea that people will pay more for those points.

[Ma Bell]

I doubt people are booking suites for reward points. The price difference is too great. Most people would book suites for the size of the cabin and the service. I can see why some would book Concierge if the price was close.