What next?

[Chitown12562]

"Luxurious Staterooms. Well-appointed and graciously sumptuous" Celebrity iOS app.

 

Now I'm going to make a few statements that should not be viewed as trying to be negative, but just to share some thoughts as a customer.

 

I just watched an old show TV program called Cruise Inc. It reminded me that the cruise industry needs to make every cruise profitable. I get that, as it's just common sense.

 

Celebrity should decide if they are offering "Modern Luxury", Affordable Luxury, Some Luxury, Luxury Every Now And Then, whatever. I'm paying $6000 plus for a cruise and it is my hope that they can provide cotton balls, swabs, and the occasional chocolate.

 

However if they want to turn it down, ok let's do it. I like what they offer and I can work with Affordable Luxury... as long as I don't have to hear announcements every day. If I have to pay another $50 for chocolates that I'll just give to my GF, that works too. They just need to decide who they want to be and want to offer.

 

But hey, maybe this was just a one time or temporary issue with the cotton balls. It won't ruin my vacation.

 

Now if we're going to talk about fewer English puddings and fancy desserts in the buffet that's another story. I needs my sweets!:D

[20pluscruises]

"Luxurious Staterooms. Well-appointed and graciously sumptuous" Celebrity iOS app.

 

Now I'm going to make a few statements that should not be viewed as trying to be negative, but just to share some thoughts as a customer.

 

I just watched an old show TV program called Cruise Inc. It reminded me that the cruise industry needs to make every cruise profitable. I get that, as it's just common sense.

 

Celebrity should decide if they are offering "Modern Luxury", Affordable Luxury, Some Luxury, Luxury Every Now And Then, whatever. I'm paying $6000 plus for a cruise and it is my hope that they can provide cotton balls, swabs, and the occasional chocolate.

 

However if they want to turn it down, ok let's do it. I like what they offer and I can work with Affordable Luxury... as long as I don't have to hear announcements every day. If I have to pay another $50 for chocolates that I'll just give to my GF, that works too. They just need to decide who they want to be and want to offer.

 

But hey, maybe this was just a one time or temporary issue with the cotton balls. It won't ruin my vacation.

 

Now if we're going to talk about fewer English puddings and fancy desserts in the buffet that's another story. I needs my sweets!:D

 

Sorry, chocolates are a thing of the past, they told us in December they would be no more and in August they were gone...not a make or break for me, but I did appreciate a little chocolate after losing every night in the casino.

Edited August 20, 2014 by 20pluscruises

[CruisingChick]

Does it ruin my cruise.....no, but I still don't like the pattern I'm seeing of every time we cruise increases in drinks/specialty restaurants prices and we lose some little touch, like the chocolates, or decreased service.

 

Less is not always "more."

[20pluscruises]

Does it ruin my cruise.....no, but I still don't like the pattern I'm seeing of every time we cruise increases in drinks/specialty restaurants prices and we lose some little touch, like the chocolates, or decreased service.

 

Less is not always "more."

 

I agree!

 

Even the veggie with hummus you had to request the last several nights in Blu

[C 2 C]

Sorry, chocolates are a thing of the past, they told us in December they would be no more and in August they were gone...not a make or break for me, but I did appreciate a little chocolate after losing every night in the casino.

 

Years ago we were welcomed with a small package of cova chocolates in our cabin. Over the years the quality of the pillow chocolates deteriorated so much that we did not bother to eat them nor take them home for later consumption. Now if the cut had happened years ago when the chocolates were eagerly consumed, I would have complained. Now Celebrity can say they were cut because many people did not eat them.

 

About increasing food costs: At one time we learned that food cost per passenger was a bit over $20 per day. If the cost of food were to increase 50% the cost per passenger per day would only go up about $10 per person. Food costs are not the driving force in increased fares. Offering "free" perks such as 1,2,3 should have a greater impact.

 

The "little" things for some people were major characteristics of the image in the past. At a certain point all those missing little things would make the difference in separating luxury from ho hum. Cruising isn't just about eating well. It's the whole package that has to match the advertised product.

[Onessa]

This is not reserved to cruises - it is a trend across all business and all of society. Save money and cutting costs is all that really matters. We will talk about Customer Service, but if making our CS better is going to cost even ten cents a day, forget it.

 

Case in point, the building in which I work has over 2000 employees -- the coffee shop (which had been run independently) got contracted out to a big food service organization. You used to be able to buy 1 or 2 postage stamps if you needed one down there, but the new management determined that the "cost to carry a stock of stamps was prohibative" (by stock they are talking about a roll of standard US postage stamps - the forever stamps -- a roll is less than $50. The carry cost was estimated by the company to be $27.55 a year). Maybe twice a year I bought a stamp - it is no big deal - I'm not going to quit my job, but does it make this a little bit less of a nice place to work -- yes.

 

And to those of you who have bought into the idea that "little things add up" -- I agree, but business needs to understand that the Little things that they cut may add up to something "big" for the business; the sum of those little things that the customers are now missing will also add up to become something "big".

 

No chocolates, fewer towel animals, lower quality of cuts of meats, fewer staff members at the main desk, one less trivia game, lower quality of towels, extending the time between replacing old linens with new, etc. No one of them may be a "big thing" but together it becomes a big thing for many people.

[Honeybearhollow]

I never travel any place without taking all of my own bathroom/beauty items - o.k. except for the t.p. - ;) Packing qtips or cotton balls takes no space at all and while I've always had a wash cloth in the cabin - I also take the disposable kinds just in case. Check out Walgreens or CVS - they offer several brands that feel great and smell yummy.

 

 

Thanks. I always use a washcloth and only hope they have been sterilized. Glad to know about disposable ones! (Dh will not thank you. One more thing to carry.):rolleyes:

[WpgCruise]

Here's how I look at this.

 

I haven't been on a Celebrity cruise in the last few years they haven't given me a nice O.B.C. for booking on board plus a free beverage package, a gratuities package, or O.B.C

 

In the "Good Old Days" they gave me chocolates and no OBC, and no beverage package, and I paid my own gratuities.

 

I can buy a lot of chocolates with the OBC they give me, and probably still have cash left over.

 

Sometimes maybe some of us focus a little too much on the negative, and overlook the positives. A bit of balance can be a good thing.

[richstowe]

Years ago we were welcomed with a small package of cova chocolates in our cabin. Over the years the quality of the pillow chocolates deteriorated so much that we did not bother to eat them nor take them home for later consumption. Now if the cut had happened years ago when the chocolates were eagerly consumed, I would have complained. Now Celebrity can say they were cut because many people did not eat them.

 

The "little" things for some people were major characteristics of the image in the past. At a certain point all those missing little things would make the difference in separating luxury from ho hum. Cruising isn't just about eating well. It's the whole package that has to match the advertised product.

 

This is not reserved to cruises - it is a trend across all business and all of society. Save money and cutting costs is all that really matters. We will talk about Customer Service, but if making our CS better is going to cost even ten cents a day, forget it.

 

And to those of you who have bought into the idea that "little things add up" -- I agree, but business needs to understand that the Little things that they cut may add up to something "big" for the business; the sum of those little things that the customers are now missing will also add up to become something "big".

 

No chocolates, fewer towel animals, lower quality of cuts of meats, fewer staff members at the main desk, one less trivia game, lower quality of towels, extending the time between replacing old linens with new, etc. No one of them may be a "big thing" but together it becomes a big thing for many people.

Great great points. In fairness, these issues are not just about Celebrity.

I get the feeling there are hordes of newly minted VP's of God knows what figuring out how to save a nickle

here and a dime there or devising some new revenue producer by replacing an existing amenity.

If they want to keep costs in line, keep head office costs in line. Get rid of all these office drones.

They add nothing to the cruise experience except unnecessary expenses. :mad:

[20pluscruises]

Here's how I look at this.

 

I haven't been on a Celebrity cruise in the last few years they haven't given me a nice O.B.C. for booking on board plus a free beverage package, a gratuities package, or O.B.C

 

In the "Good Old Days" they gave me chocolates and no OBC, and no beverage package, and I paid my own gratuities.

 

I can buy a lot of chocolates with the OBC they give me, and probably still have cash left over.

 

Sometimes maybe some of us focus a little too much on the negative, and overlook the positives. A bit of balance can be a good thing.

 

Hmmm...I just returned from a Summit cruise and I did NOT get a free beverage package, had to pay for my gratuities and no OBC. Oh, and no chocolates. WTH!

[CruisingChick]

Hmmm...I just returned from a Summit cruise and I did NOT get a free beverage package, had to pay for my gratuities and no OBC. Oh, and no chocolates. WTH!

 

I will be going on Summit in 4 weeks and we are also not getting any perks, there won't be any chocolates and I will have to beg for a face cloth! Plus we've paid more for an inside 11 than we did last year for an inside 10.

 

Sent from my Nexus 7

[NLH Arizona]

Here's how I look at this.

 

I haven't been on a Celebrity cruise in the last few years they haven't given me a nice O.B.C. for booking on board plus a free beverage package, a gratuities package, or O.B.C

 

In the "Good Old Days" they gave me chocolates and no OBC, and no beverage package, and I paid my own gratuities.

 

I can buy a lot of chocolates with the OBC they give me, and probably still have cash left over.

 

Sometimes maybe some of us focus a little too much on the negative, and overlook the positives. A bit of balance can be a good thing.

Very well said! On all three of my booked cruises, I get OBC. Edited August 21, 2014 by NLH Arizona

[The_Big_M]

Years ago we were welcomed with a small package of cova chocolates in our cabin. Over the years the quality of the pillow chocolates deteriorated so much that we did not bother to eat them nor take them home for later consumption. Now if the cut had happened years ago when the chocolates were eagerly consumed, I would have complained. Now Celebrity can say they were cut because many people did not eat them.

 

Very true.

 

I still got them in Jan and April this year, but neglected them as they weren't very nice, especially with all the other sweet food on board.

[need2bespoiled]

Here's how I look at this.

 

I haven't been on a Celebrity cruise in the last few years they haven't given me a nice O.B.C. for booking on board plus a free beverage package, a gratuities package, or O.B.C

 

In the "Good Old Days" they gave me chocolates and no OBC, and no beverage package, and I paid my own gratuities.

 

I can buy a lot of chocolates with the OBC they give me, and probably still have cash left over.

 

Sometimes maybe some of us focus a little too much on the negative, and overlook the positives. A bit of balance can be a good thing.

 

I agree, we'll said. I think I've made similar points in other posts regarding the costs to cruises.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

[need2bespoiled]

Great great points. In fairness, these issues are not just about Celebrity.

I get the feeling there are hordes of newly minted VP's of God knows what figuring out how to save a nickle

here and a dime there or devising some new revenue producer by replacing an existing amenity.

If they want to keep costs in line, keep head office costs in line. Get rid of all these office drones.

They add nothing to the cruise experience except unnecessary expenses. :mad:

 

Oh, the problem with companies not just being profitible, but increasing profit every year just to keep the street off their backs.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

[need2bespoiled]

Hmmm...I just returned from a Summit cruise and I did NOT get a free beverage package, had to pay for my gratuities and no OBC. Oh, and no chocolates. WTH!

 

I thnk you're using the wrong TA?

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

[herbanrenewal]

Originally Posted by 20pluscruises View Post

Hmmm...I just returned from a Summit cruise and I did NOT get a free beverage package, had to pay for my gratuities and no OBC. Oh, and no chocolates. WTH!

 

I thnk you're using the wrong TA?

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

 

The inside cabins do not get 123 or pick your perks. Sometimes its not because of which TA but what promotions you are eligible for.

There is a much greater price differential between insides and ocean views while these incentive packages are going on.

 

That said, if bottom line is the most important factor, if you book an inside, wait until the "sale" is over, the ocean views and sometimes even balconies are cheaper and you can upgrade.

[need2bespoiled]

Originally Posted by 20pluscruises View Post

Hmmm...I just returned from a Summit cruise and I did NOT get a free beverage package, had to pay for my gratuities and no OBC. Oh, and no chocolates. WTH!

 

 

 

The inside cabins do not get 123 or pick your perks. Sometimes its not because of which TA but what promotions you are eligible for.

There is a much greater price differential between insides and ocean views while these incentive packages are going on.

 

That said, if bottom line is the most important factor, if you book an inside, wait until the "sale" is over, the ocean views and sometimes even balconies are cheaper and you can upgrade.

 

This may be so, but our TA always pays at least gratuity plus OBC on top of what Celebrity offers bit yes, it is less for insides.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

[Iamcruzin]

I thnk you're using the wrong TA?

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

 

What does a TA giving you OBC or other perks have to do with the cut backs that the cruise lines are making? Any offerings from a TA comes from their profit not the cruise lines. If Celebrity is offering something than that's a different story.

[Iamcruzin]

My next cruise I will be checking to see if they have converted to for pay toilets in the public areas. LOL.

 

They will probably start providing cheap toilet paper claiming that it's better for the ships plumbing system and the environment before they charge to use the toilet. No doubt a thread will be started to inform us of this cut back and some loyalist will state," I always bring toilet paper from home or we don't use toilet paper anyway".

[20pluscruises]

Originally Posted by 20pluscruises View Post

Hmmm...I just returned from a Summit cruise and I did NOT get a free beverage package, had to pay for my gratuities and no OBC. Oh, and no chocolates. WTH!

 

 

 

The inside cabins do not get 123 or pick your perks. Sometimes its not because of which TA but what promotions you are eligible for.

There is a much greater price differential between insides and ocean views while these incentive packages are going on.

 

That said, if bottom line is the most important factor, if you book an inside, wait until the "sale" is over, the ocean views and sometimes even balconies are cheaper and you can upgrade.

 

I was in Aqua Class...

[20pluscruises]

They will probably start providing cheap toilet paper claiming that it's better for the ships plumbing system and the environment before they charge to use the toilet. No doubt a thread will be started to inform us of this cut back and some loyalist will state," I always bring toilet paper from home or we don't use toilet paper anyway".

 

LOL! Sadly, you are spot on. "they use their hands and water" :eek:

[richstowe]

LOL! Sadly, you are spot on. "they use their hands and water" :eek:

What about the upcoming hot water upgrade fee ?:eek:

[C 2 C]

They will probably start providing cheap toilet paper claiming that it's better for the ships plumbing system and the environment

 

They already do this... I've thought of bringing some home to use as sandpaper. ;)

[20pluscruises]

What about the upcoming hot water upgrade fee ?:eek:

 

I'll pay for hot water IF they bring back the little tea sandwiches they cut from the afternoon buffet...and yes, Aqua spa offers afternoon tea...bit it's not even close to what it use to be. :(