It's gonna happen, so let's suggest our own ideas...

[parallax]

There''s no line in the 10k about photographs, or the stores, or even shore excursion revenues either, so certainly chair rentals wouldn't get there either. All rolls to "on board revenue".

 

Or letting Travel agents handle it all. Lille;y costs to pay commissions to TA;'s offsets the call center costs, Costs to update a website like this one, and then properly maintain it are enormous, when you consider the various databases that need linked together etc. It is a big undertaking. I have no doubt there has been a cost-benefit analysis done someplace and it has been determined its not a priority, as the issues are so long on and well known, and given that there is a huge push to find revenues and cost savings. If they determined there were costs to be saved or revenues to be generated, they would certainly be all over it. And RCI's site is as buggy I'm finding out as I research my October cruise on Anthem.

 

Casual and new cruisers are going to roll with it and never know any different, and book excursions once on board. And theres a good amount of folks who get OBC from various places, that want to wait and spend it on excursions, which can't be done till on board.

 

You give corporate America too much credit. Too many companies look at the short term and are more worried about stock prices then making capital investments. The benefits to these investments do not happen immediately. I have worked in the IT field for years and it amazes how Fortune 500 companies hold on to computer systems that are 20 years old. With shared services, application outsourcing and the like, companies can achieve incredible long term benefits. You are just not going to see instant returns.

[bccolaman]

I've just finished packing for a cruise so I'll keep this short.

 

My suggestion is to raise cruise prices (they've been SO reasonable for so long) and keep service, food and activity levels up. Cuts drive away loyal cruisers and while low pricing may attract new, younger cruisers in the short term, they aren't going to stick around. Always looking for the next 'deal.'

 

That's all I have to say on the subject.

 

Agreed

[ratacake]

Boy, you Yanks are having a good whinge about your precious luggage tags!! (LOL)

 

Here in Oz, we don't get anything mailed to us - our E-Tickets come from the Website (when we can get through) - our Cruise Ticket (all 15 pages of it) comes again from the Website - and our paper luggage tags are attached to the Cruise Ticket.

 

No fancy mailing for us...... :confused:

 

Just another example of Australians getting more expensive fares and less care from Celebrity. :rolleyes:

 

My suggestion to Celebrity is PLEASE, try and fix the website, so more people can compare prices as against TA's, and us poor second-grade cruisers can enjoy MODERN LUXURY.

 

(Actually, I'm not qualified to comment - only 2 Celebrity cruises so far but gee they're good!) :D

 

ratacake

[B1G]

I've just finished packing for a cruise so I'll keep this short.

 

My suggestion is to raise cruise prices (they've been SO reasonable for so long) and keep service, food and activity levels up. Cuts drive away loyal cruisers and while low pricing may attract new, younger cruisers in the short term, they aren't going to stick around. Always looking for the next 'deal.'

 

That's all I have to say on the subject.

 

Nooooooooooooooooo!

[Djesca]

I'm in the 'charge me what you will and stop being cheap about it' camp.

 

Also, the way I see it, supporting reserve pool seating is supporting chair hogging. Hogs pay with an early morning claim or hogs pay with cash. They're both distasteful to me.

Edited January 17, 2015 by Djesca

[Project_gal]

Wow! I cannot believe how many posts in such a short time. Consequently, I have not read every post BUT ...

 

As far as I am unaware, no one has ever explained what the bar code on the luggage labels is used for. Until they have, I do not feel qualified to comment on how necessary the pre-printed luggage labels are.

 

Perhaps Celebrity Cruises can come back with an answer on this one?

 

If the "system" depends on the majority of bags have the correct barcode, then it would be a huge problem to make guests use those at the pier or print their own. [With no control over this, you could not stop guests duplicating old labels or using someone else's labels as a template.]

Edited January 17, 2015 by Project_gal

[LabGuy64]

Well,

 

I can think of one way right off......the travel agents won't like it but...if Celebrity kicked back OBC directly to the passengers to book with Celebrity directly instead of getting a portion of a travel agents comission. So say Celebrity is paying 15% to the TA give 10% in OBC and retain the other 5%.

Another thing, aside from the "auction" of glass pieces for the Hot Glass exibition they should have the artists making NICE....not cheesy crap pieces in the 100.00 to 300.00 range to be sold as Signature Celebrity cruise souveniers.....something you would be proud to display in your home. and the glass blowers would become a real revenue source as well as lending Celebrity the cache of an exclusive high end type of art for sale. Who knows.....they might even become true collectables in years to come. Wouldn't hurt the artists either as some might attract a following with repeat cruisers.

Princess does a Chefs table.....tour plus nice exclusive meal plus a cook book of the things served on the ship. they charge 100.00 per person. if it was a VERY exceptional meal the foodies would really get into it....and on Celebrity they might charge a bit more for it than Princess.

[LabGuy64]

How about some specialty cruises with a small premimum ....like with some celebrity performers? ones popular with the normal demographic of the itinarary.....as the passengers tend to be a bit younger on the shorter Caribbean cruises etc.....but true celebrities. If not charging more for the cruise then doing some entertainment venues like they do specialty restaurants. a few exceptional shows with a charge.

 

That is one thing Celebrity cruises has been a bit blah with...entertainment

[Project_gal]

Now my suggestion:rolleyes:

 

Why not make customers in North America pay to telephone Celebrity as they do in the UK:rolleyes:

 

In the UK, Celebrity want us to call 0844 numbers. In the US you have 1-800 numbers. It is free to call the 1-800 numbers in the US. Most people in the UK have 'phone packages which include "regular" numbers and 0800 numbers are free but charge for 0844 numbers. Celebrity actually receive a portion of charge so we are paying them for the privilege of telephoning them.:(

[Seabourn Pearls]

It is expensive to maintain. Indeed, each solstice class ship has a dedicated lawnkeeper. A marine environment is tough enough. But moving around to different continents adds a ton of additional stress to the grass.

 

Consequently, barely anybody on the cruise gets to use it. Even the bocce plots are scheduled for limited play so as to baby the grass.

 

The side plots should be converted to crushed shell bocce on one side and shuffleboard on the other. High stakes games managed by the ship should be encouraged with a vig for the house -- now that's entertainment.

[Kevnzworld]

Thank you Curt for starting this thread. I think it is great for us to suggest ideas. Here are our ideas and thoughts based on what we would personally pay extra for and what we think others may pay extra for. I have no problem paying extra for certain things, as long as the value is there.

 

Reserved Pool Chairs: I love this idea. We would definitely pay extra for this especially on a sea day when we know the weather is going to be very nice. We typically sleep in and the chair hogs have taken all the good seats and have gone off to other parts of the ship.

 

Unlimited Internet: Once they're able to increase their bandwidth on the ships, I would like to see an unlimited internet package where you pay by the day. Similar to the beverage package. For those of us that are self-employed, work from home, etc. this can allow us to travel more!

 

Someone already mentioned unlimited laundry for a price per day, another great idea.

 

Higher End Liquor: There are plenty of highly expensive scotches, but some are upwards to $250/300 per glass. I'd like to see some more mid-priced items that are around $20 to $40 per glass. Those of us who always purchase the premium package would get a little discount but would start spending extra to try some better drinks. The same would be great for wine as well.

 

HIGH END Specialty: Model a restaurant after some of the best in the world. Bring in some of the best, most influential chefs in the world to design not only a menu but a restaurant concept (I'm thinking along the lines of Thomas Keller, etc). This is something I would definitely pay extra for as it is a rare experience. Steak houses, nice Italian, most of us all have that in our current towns. So as long as our regular dinner (MDR, Blu, Suite Restaurant, etc.) is good, there is little incentive to book a specialty...or there is at least a certain price ceiling which I think they've already hit. But an incredible WOW restaurant...we would definitely pay a great deal extra for a once in a lifetime type of experience.

 

Wine Tasting / Liquor Tasting / Cooking: While Celebrity has done some of these, I think these areas can be expanded on greatly. What about a workshop about Whiskey, Bourbon and Scotch? What about a proper wine tasting class that teaches you how to identify flavors in wine, tannins, etc. What about advanced wine tasting for those experienced with wine (whether professionally or just because they know it so well from their everyday lives). These are great options because if there is no interest, there is nothing lost. But if there is interest, there is extra revenue that can be gained.

 

We have lots of small companies here in Chicago that host cooking classes. We have not been to one in some time, but we love them. We get to interact with chefs, we get to meet new people, learn lots and have a great time. We then eat what we cooked. What about doing this on the ship? It could be great for foodies but also for families too. Kids can learn how to make cupcakes and basic foods and those of us more experienced with cooking can learn french cooking techniques or something more adventurous such as exotic asian foods, etc. This could be great on sea days and on TAs.

 

 

I'm sure I will think of some others, but these are my ideas for now.

 

Cheers and Happy Sailing!

 

Yes yes and yes!

These are things that are traditionally offered on premium lines like Seabourn or Oceania . It would be difficult, but possible for a large mass market middle market cruiseline like Celebrity to pull off.

Maybe with the expansion of the Suite class and the new Edge ships...let's hope so

Edited January 17, 2015 by Kevnzworld

[Seabourn Pearls]

If you're not going to get rid of the lawn can we at least use it?

 

This pertains mostly to Reflection and Silhouette with the presence of LCG. I'm thinking $20 per person for an ethnic BBQ lunch with regional wines.

 

Limit it to, say, 200 people. 20 tables of 10.

 

The obvious would be a Greek lamb roast. Mix in a few officers and you've got a nice party. OPA!

 

On another day perhaps an Indonesian BBQ. You get the idea. I suspect many of the staff would enjoy showcasing the cuisine from their homeland and it would be a nice way for passengers and crew to interact. Perhaps turn it into a cooking class, too. Lots of possibilities.

[LabGuy64]

Hmmm....No I don't think so, How about the UK gets a better telecommunication system so you don't have to pay either? I don't think Celebrity is collecting enough from phone calls to make a blip on the bottom line......:)

 

 

Now my suggestion:rolleyes:

 

Why not make customers in North America pay to telephone Celebrity as they do in the UK:rolleyes:

 

In the UK, Celebrity want us to call 0844 numbers. In the US you have 1-800 numbers. It is free to call the 1-800 numbers in the US. Most people in the UK have 'phone packages which include "regular" numbers and 0800 numbers are free but charge for 0844 numbers. Celebrity actually receive a portion of charge so we are paying them for the privilege of telephoning them.:(

[LabGuy64]

Hey!

 

I agree with some more physical amusments onboard...and even some kind of tournements with OBC for the winners should be looked into. even for the more sedentary something like a Dominoes tournement, whatever most appeals .....But DON'T mention........shuffel board....nasty game....lol

 

It is expensive to maintain. Indeed, each solstice class ship has a dedicated lawnkeeper. A marine environment is tough enough. But moving around to different continents adds a ton of additional stress to the grass.

 

Consequently, barely anybody on the cruise gets to use it. Even the bocce plots are scheduled for limited play so as to baby the grass.

 

The side plots should be converted to crushed shell bocce on one side and shuffleboard on the other. High stakes games managed by the ship should be encouraged with a vig for the house -- now that's entertainment.

[LabGuy64]

Kevin.....do you really want to see everyone staring at their phones on the ship the way they do at home?...I say keep internet expensive....and slow.

 

Yes yes and yes!

These are things that are traditionally offered on premium lines like Seabourn or Oceania . It would be difficult, but possible for a large mass market middle market cruiseline like Celebrity to pull off.

Maybe with the expansion of the Suite class and the new Edge ships...let's hope so

[tnfcruise]

CleGuy, thanks for an interesting, thought-provoking thread and thanks to those who have added other intriguing suggestions. Here's my idea-- offer an embarkation day package that might include escorted or dedicated access to a (Bistro on 5 type) lunch and another dedicated space (Revelations or Sky Lounge type) with libations, live music and/or some other sort of entertainment-- casual, unscripted speaker or ship officer milling about. I'd be willing to pay $30-50 for something like that.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

[LabGuy64]

Kevin,

 

I like your Idea about the cooking and liquor tasting...but would suggest that the day before hitting a port that they break out liquor frrom the region we will be visiting....making it a bit more out of the ordinary. Also with cooking....a well done taste of local treats...street foods, regional specialties....done well and without the time spent in the bathroom at the end of the day. There have been numerous times I have seen interesting street foods but was afraid to try them for health reasons......would be especially leary of places like India or Thailand but would love get a REAL taste of the food...not just the Americanized stuff we normally get at home

 

 

Yes yes and yes!

These are things that are traditionally offered on premium lines like Seabourn or Oceania . It would be difficult, but possible for a large mass market middle market cruiseline like Celebrity to pull off.

Maybe with the expansion of the Suite class and the new Edge ships...let's hope so

[LabGuy64]

Yes Curt....

 

Well done on the thread

[Xport]

All the suggestions will only generate small revenue streams. I don't seek Celebrity's 10K have a line for pool chair rentals. The real savings is creating a highly functional website that thereby reduces the personnel needed to staff the 1-800 numbers.

 

You give corporate America too much credit. Too many companies look at the short term and are more worried about stock prices then making capital investments. The benefits to these investments do not happen immediately. I have worked in the IT field for years and it amazes how Fortune 500 companies hold on to computer systems that are 20 years old. With shared services, application outsourcing and the like, companies can achieve incredible long term benefits. You are just not going to see instant returns.

 

To my mind, yours is the ultimate voice of reason here... Over the years, it would seem that Celebrity has taken many measures, large and small, to reduce operational costs and increase revenues on board--and for the most part, have not alienated their clientele on an enduring basis for having done so--but has not yet made investments [at least successful ones; obvious to and appreciated by the customer while supporting their self-sufficiency] in the systems infrastructure/technology to significantly reduce administrative costs landside and aboard ship in virtually every function...

 

As pricing structures have become more complex, creative promotions have proliferated, and new revenue opportunities--even those require the support of robust purchase/accounting capability [that was already lacking in support of longer-standing revenue sources]--are identified, existing systems--and a less than stellar website as to functionality/content/accuracy--have been stretched far beyond the limits for which they were initially built/to which they have been maintained... The result of such short-sightedness is an increase in the number and complexity of calls to landside service centers/Captain's Club and onboard visits to Guest Relations--who also use similarly inadequate systems internally to their sometimes obvious frustration--for far too many tasks that should be easy if not unnecessary... It's a very expensive way to operate and--without creativity [beyond administrative outsourcing] and a willingness to devote significant financial/human resources to the task--will only serve to exacerbate the pressures placed upon the bottom line at an accelerating pace... In a short-term world the bottom line is never large enough but there needs to be recognition that a business must spend money--in this case, new ships builds are nice but they need capable, well-priced administrative capability to support the entire business--in order to make money over the long-term and then--just perhaps--influence cruise prices...

 

I'm not of the opinion that any of the "gesture items" mentioned in this post begin to offset--either by tangible cost reduction or new revenue stream--the fundamental need for quantum administrative reduction that is--I believe--at the core of meeting long-term financial goals, keeping pricing stable, and providing a continuing experience that is generally acceptable to all...

[LabGuy64]

I like that star treatment idea.....like buying zenith level or Suite level perks for a price.....some people..even cruisers that would normally get a lower level cabin might on occasion ..(a special occasion) like to indulge

 

 

There's lots of variances between brands that wouldn't be easily standardized in such a way. Furnishings, decor, cabin size, staff to guest ratio, specialty dining options, types of shows and entertainment. I don't really think at any time we will see all lies become exactly the same like a fleet of greyhound busses. Celebrity ships just don't really have space for wave pools and bumper cars, at least not till it turns its fleet over in 20 years or so. So I have no concerns about such a thing happening.

 

Cold towels aren't costing them anything, so I see those staying for a long time. Same with the fruit punch and water. Drink it there or at the buffet, the cost remains the same.

 

Champagne at embarkation seems to be one of Celebrity's "things" it's known for, so like butlers, I assume it isn't going anyplace. It puts a face to Celebrity, where luggage tags being mailed on request, isn't part of that public 'face".

 

I do also hope X keeps its butlers, something that differentiates it, and as such adds to cost most of suite cabins.

 

I've read RCI has a 3 course MDR menu, X has 4 course, that differentiates them. For me, I hope the 4 courses stay. For me, I don't need luggage tags mailed, but remember as a new cruiser they sounded awesome, so I see that as a way to nab an extra $20 out of a newcomer, while not affecting me at all. That extra $20 in turn, allows X to maintain 4 course MDR meals without raising cabin fares for just a little bit longer in time. Another win for me.

 

I would like to see some sort of "star treatment" package people could buy, like airlines sell, where for $50 a person, you can buy priority boarding etc. even in lower class cabins. Again, something new comers may latch onto, something seasoned cruisers would laugh about being worthless (i.e. concierge cabins versus verandas) in most cases. Include in this a NEW service, direct luggage delivery, where a porter would take your bags straight to Xray and your cabin, as soon as you arrive. But charge a fee for the service, generate revenues in new ways, keep the standard fares down. This needs to be more than the current advertised "priority luggage delivery" where luggage arrives over course of several hours, but still sooner than the last bags delivered, I am talking immediate delivery.

 

So let's stay ON TOPIC and add things we would suggest change, rather than going off topic and discussing things we want to stay - there's plenty of those threads already.

[LabGuy64]

Yes! let us do reduce to whoo ha and falderol!!!.........lol

 

Lord, alcohol is so reddily available that I can't believe that you are suggesting that the 40 to 60+ men and women are going to go on a drunken rampage, projectile vomiting and flashing their breasts.....the people sailing Celebrity are not the people and age group (the ones that might indulge in that type behavior)that are on Carnival and are not looking for the same experiances.

 

 

 

 

 

Sorry but none of the suggestions are appealing to us.

 

The mailed luggage tags are much sturdier than self printed ones with a better chance of not getting detached . We are NOt looking for a craft project laminating, taping and affixing the tag. The mailed ones are color coded...much better odds at getting prompt delivery of one's bags,. Lost or misguided luggage is not a happy way to begin a cruise! We do not mind printing out salient parts of the cruise docs and contract, but hope Celebrity does not eliminate this service of mailing our tags!

 

In our opinion, Buckets of Beer would encourage even more drinking to excess as noted recently with the packages and create a frat party, bachanalia atmosphere on board. Seems inconsistent with Modern Luxury

 

Royal has a reserved section for suites...often empty on a very sunny day. Buying a reserved lounger would require more staff and tie up unused seating....already in short supply. First come first served is best with enforcement of no day long seat saving....

 

Sorry...none of these makes the cut!

[LabGuy64]

All those seemingly small revenue streams time 2000 people times the number of cruises per year add up very fast...taking out 5 or 10 operators at 35,000 a year is not going to make that much impact.....having said that...I still think the website should be improved not only to reduce the number of operators needed....every bit helps....but just to make it easier for potential customers to access it in full.

 

All the suggestions will only generate small revenue streams. I don't seek Celebrity's 10K have a line for pool chair rentals. The real savings is creating a highly functional website that thereby reduces the personnel needed to staff the 1-800 numbers.

[LabGuy64]

The thing is to make available more options if we are willing to pay for them. Not to make it more expensive to get what we are already getting. would you rather people paid to go to the specialty restaurants if they choose....or make them free to all and add 10 dollars a day to EVERYONES cabin price?

 

 

 

 

Hey Cle. Interesting thread. I'm thinking you might be the guy that suggested the airlines could make a lot more money by charging separately for baggage and carry-on. If so, thanks. I really enjoy my air travel more.

 

Really? We need to cook up items for the cruise line to tack on extra charges for? Then how about a service charge for using the public restrooms. That could be a huge profit center for them given the large numbers of imbibers who can't make it back from the bars or dining rooms to their staterooms to use the facilities. Or how about maybe napkin service and soda straw charges. Anyway, when the day comes that I have to pay an add on fee for the privilege of sitting on the deck in the sun then that's day I either change cruise lines or quit cruising.

 

If the cruise line needs to make more money then they should identify completely new revenue opportunities that passengers might willing elect to participate in, rather than stripping out previously included benefits and then charging for them. If they aren't sufficiently profitable then they should simply raise their base prices. There's already enough carping on these boards about the nickel and dime mentality creeping into the cruise experience and I for one don't feel a need to encourage the cruise lines to get more creative in that regard.

[LabGuy64]

Until the baby boomers with all this disposable income die out......then you will see a a bid downward slope until things stabilize at the lower level....alot of lines are going to be pressed at that point.....but, that's for another day

 

 

i think if you look at some of the suggestions, they will enhance the cruising experience, as well as drive additional revenue. It is funny, folks want more, but want cheaper fares and that isn't going to happen. Changes might drive some away, but according CLIA, in 2013 there were 21.7 million passengers who took a cruise and they expect that figure to raise to 24.1 by 2018...in other words, there will be cruisers to take the place of those customers they might lose.

[TinaPerth_Australia]

I would like to thank Curt for this thread. We cruised Celebrity 5 years ago and will be cruising this year, so I will let you know what is different. We cruised on Equinox then and the cruise we have chosen just happens to be the Equinox. For old time sakes we decided to pick the same stateroom. I think we will be well placed to comment on changes and will let you know our thoughts.

Maybe you guys are spoilt for choice and so find more fault with Celebrity. Since our original cruise Celebrity now cruise In Oz, but when we did our cruise Celebrity were not part of the scene here. Our main Princess ship was Sun Princess, check that one out!!:eek: Other than that we had to go to Singapore for a Star cruise, which we have done, or maybe a Cunard would make it down under. When we arrived on the Equinox my hubby and I nearly kissed the deck with joy. Showing pics to our friends they were in awe, many have since been on Celebrity. We have even changed people from Princess who are the equivalent of Elite etc to now cruise Celebrity.

We do like the idea of unlimited internet for a fee - need to keep in touch with the kids & the olds. The laundry idea is great also, we travel so far we tend to be away for a while & do need the washing done.

I think making too many things "for fee only" seems so elitist and a bit snobby. I have always liked the fact that nobody knew who was in what grade of cabin on the other cruises I have been on. One couple we have introduced to Celebrity could afford the most expensive cabin (suite) but choose a basic cabin and MDR, because they are down to earth and love a chat with all. Aren't you afraid that if only Suite customers & those that pay extra are catered for then there will be nobody else on the cruise, which equals no cruise. Be very careful not to alienate the other cruisers and I'm sure head office do not want to do that. An interesting topic though.