Elites and above: do the perks keep you enticed?

[iandjm]

I’m elite plus and if I was honest the extras over and above elite are minimal. I tend to go to the evening cocktails because I like the Sky lounge. I always have a drinks package as part of the booking promotion so don’t actually need the free drinks kindly offered. I do enjoy the elite breakfast in the Tuscan grill. It’s a nice calm way to start the day.

It would be a nice gesture if elite plus gave you a free upgrade to the premium package if you already have the classic. This would be an incentive to stay loyal and achieve elite plus. Also maybe it would be a good idea to have a captains club level between elite plus and zenith [emoji3]

 

 

 

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[Xport]

Not sure what you mean by traveling solo so if they had given you credit for all those cruises, you’d already be Elite. We travel as a couple but only get individual points which would be the same as a solo. Do you think couples get more points? Or am I missing your point, which is quite possible...Im a bit dense.

 

Den

 

Denny, they didn't start giving double points for traveling solo until a year or two ago. I think that's what she is saying -- if way back then when traveling solo she got double points credit, she would be Elite. That's my take.

 

Celebrity adopted the practice of awarding double Cruise Points to solos--if paying full single supplement [the same as a couple]--effective with cruises embarking on or after 1 July 2014... There was no retroactivity...

 

While that change did address the disparity that had existed in Cruise Point accrual for equal cruise fare spend, it remains the case that solos receive one allotment of onboard Captain's Club benefits--with internet minutes and laundry being the most measurable; one can't attend the Cocktail Hour or Morning Coffee House twice as often and it's unrealistic to expect that discounts be doubled--versus the two allotments granted to a couple having equal cruise fare spend and equal membership tier...

 

For those who typically cruise solo/travel frequently/are highly loyal, the current arrangement does serve to accelerate the movement between membership tiers so as to ultimately equalize the benefit cost disparity [solo vs couple] that exists as equal spenders climb the membership ladder...

Edited April 28, 2018 by Xport

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

Celebrity very clearly spelled out to solo travelers that double points would not be retroactive.

 

I'm happy to receive double points but I still think I ought to get double minutes and double laundry.

 

I really don't care about double laundry as I get more than enough as Elite+, but definitely think I should get double internet minutes which is what Celebrity would give to a couple paying the same as I do.

[Denny01]

No matter how many cruises you take, or how long you are on Cruise Critic, or post, you learn good stuff. I didn’t know about the double point for Solos, and think its a great idea. My wife and I teach a class on traveling and a number of participants asked about solo travel, and I’ll add that info.

 

Thanks!

 

Den

[Cruise a holic]

No matter how many cruises you take, or how long you are on Cruise Critic, or post, you learn good stuff. I didn’t know about the double point for Solos, and think its a great idea. My wife and I teach a class on traveling and a number of participants asked about solo travel, and I’ll add that info.

 

Thanks!

 

Den

 

FYI the Edge will have solo rooms-

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

FYI the Edge will have solo rooms-

 

Yes it will. Have you checked them out? Believe me, all the solo cruisers I know have. They're tiny and cost almost as much as paying a full single supplement. Consensus of everyone I heard from is they would rather pay a few dollars more and have a real stateroom.

[Constance331]

Yes it will. Have you checked them out? Believe me, all the solo cruisers I know have. They're tiny and cost almost as much as paying a full single supplement. Consensus of everyone I heard from is they would rather pay a few dollars more and have a real stateroom.

 

I concur.:D

[Xport]

No matter how many cruises you take, or how long you are on Cruise Critic, or post, you learn good stuff. I didn’t know about the double point for Solos, and think its a great idea. My wife and I teach a class on traveling and a number of participants asked about solo travel, and I’ll add that info.

 

 

 

More related "solo cruiser" information for your curriculum if interested...

• As of 1 January 2015, Azamara also awards double loyalty points in Le Club Voyage to solo cruisers...
  
  • Unlike Celebrity, the double up is not contingent upon payment of a 100% single supplement... Though reduced single supplement opportunities have become increasingly rare in recent years, they are occasionally offered on select sailings...
    
  • Though each loyalty program's Terms & Conditions have long suggested an impending end to the practice, Cruise Points earned on Celebrity and Azamara [but not Royal Caribbean though there is some limited reciprocity between membership tiers across all three programs] continue to cross-accumulate between Captain's Club and Le Club Voyage...
    

  [*]Though I don't have an effective date, Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Society implemented a variation on the award of double Cruise Points to solo cruisers--paying full single supplement--several months before Captain's Club [and later, Le Club Voyage] followed suit...

  • Royal awards one Cruise Point per day per member but doubles those points for qualifying solos regardless of cabin category... They also award an additional point per day per member for those who book a suite [ie; a solo suite occupant--who pays full single supplement--earns three Cruise Points per day (couples booking a suite earn a combined four Cruise Points per day split equally between the two members)]
    
  • Though not tied to movement between Royal Caribbean's two highest membership tiers [Diamond Plus--starting at 175 Cruise Points--is roughly equivalent to Captain's Club Elite Plus; Pinnacle--starting at 700 Cruise Points--is roughly equivalent to Captain's Club Zenith], Royal does offer a reduced single supplement [150%]--subject to availability [whatever that means] and with certain black-out periods during July/August and at holidays--once a member has attained 340 Cruise Points [about half way to Pinnacle]...
    

[goofysmom99]

Definitely agree about the Edge solo cabins.

 

The mention of Royal Caribbean prompted me to look up my points. I'd totally forgotten I'm exactly one cruise shy of D+. Since my last two cruises on Royal were indescribable (not in a good way), D+ won't be happening. So, do cruise perks keep me enticed? No. The overall cruise experience is what keeps me coming back. Well, that and maybe the gratis Cafe al Bacio. ;)

[bigbenboys]

We are elite plus and dont see any reason that we wont make zenith. In the past we have booked inside, balcony, concierge, aqua and sky suites. The last couple of years we have booked mostly sky suites. We are enjoying the suite life. It seems calm and peaceful in Michael's Club and Luminae.

[Shadow9612]

Interesting thread, but I would agree that for me Celebrity's smoking policy is a major reason we cruise Celebrity as noted by this post and some others as well.

I would say this is also the major reason for me.

[AliceS]

I really don't care about double laundry as I get more than enough as Elite+, but definitely think I should get double internet minutes which is what Celebrity would give to a couple paying the same as I do.

 

Solo travelers should receive double internet minutes. I agree!

[yvrdave]

As Elite plus now, we try to enjoy all the perks, right down to the single scoop of gelato ice cream. :D Having just done a Princess cruise we missed the happy hours and morning breakfast events the most.

Wouldn't it be fun if everyone on this thread could go on the same cruise and have a fabulous happy hour together. Nice chatting with you all. :)

[woody14h]

Smoking policy is a big factor. We just completed the TA on HAL Koningsdam. Smoking in the casino was so pervasive it permeated the surrounding areas as well. Had to pass through to eat. We are 3 star with HAL but this will probably be our last with them. Looking forward to our elite + status this fall on the Reflection. Laundry and internet.

[jsf]

We don't use much of the benefits so no deal breaker

[TMLAalum]

We use the following Elite benefits:

Laundry

Internet

Pressing

Dry Clean

Happy Hour (even when we have a package since we sail with other Elites who do not have a package but enjoy a drink or two)

Wine bottle discounts (when we don't have a drink package)

 

If you've ever sailed on a Reunion cruise, being Elite results in some wonderful opportunities. We sailed on the Reflection Reunion cruise last October when we were treated to a wonderful evening at the Codorniu Winery outside Barcelona- wine, tapas and flamenco! Plus there was a little treat on our beds at turndown every other night

 

Love the one category upgrade for all CC members!

 

Don't know if we will get to Elite Plus- currently at 531 points with 35 cruise days ahead in regular veranda cabins.

[rmalbers]

It's the Laundry and internet for us, next trip in Sept we are E+ so I want to check the breakfast out. We always sail with the drink package. I want to add something that I haven't seen mentioned: Right now there is a promotion on for all CC statuses but the $ savings amount varies, check it out if you've booked within the required window and save some $. The code is: CCSPRING2018

It's hidden under captains club/Exclusive Offers.

[Wine-O]

It's the Laundry and internet for us, next trip in Sept we are E+ so I want to check the breakfast out. We always sail with the drink package. I want to add something that I haven't seen mentioned: Right now there is a promotion on for all CC statuses but the $ savings amount varies, check it out if you've booked within the required window and save some $. The code is: CCSPRING2018

It's hidden under captains club/Exclusive Offers.

 

The Elite and Elite+ breakfast is the same. It's continental.

[pumpkin 11]

Wow what a range of opinions about the benefits! Thanks to all who participated in this conversation. It was a very polite and informative one.

 

I guess it all depends on choice! After doing so many celebrity cruises we just seem to fall into a set routine onboard, which is OK.

We’ve been in everything from an Ocean view to a suite so I can understand the benefits of Luminae and Michaels club probably over rule the Elite + benefits.

 

 

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[davekathy]

The Elite and Elite+ breakfast is the same. It's continental.

That's a perk we elect not to use.

[smtcan]

That's a perk we elect not to use.

 

We often go to the breakfast. It is more relaxed than the Oceanview and quicker than the MDR. Fruit and a pastry is our breakfast of. choice and the better juice and coffee are a bonus.

[davekathy]

We often go to the breakfast. It is more relaxed than the Oceanview and quicker than the MDR. Fruit and a pastry is our breakfast of. choice and the better juice and coffee are a bonus.

We find the service and the selections in the MDR in the morning great and prefer a cook to order breakfast over a continental style breakfast any day. No complaints concerning my grapefruit juice and my wife likes the coffee in the MDR. We always have the BP so sometimes we get a mimosa or a blood mary in the MDR. Having the option to have those in the MDR vs having them with the elite continental breakfast isn't a draw for us. We never eat in the OVC for any of our meals.

Edited April 29, 2018 by davekathy

[smtcan]

That explains our differing opinions. We are not cooked breakfast eaters and have only once had a drink package. We found it didn’t make economic sense for us. I’m glad Celebrity has choices for everyone.

[Cruise a holic]

Yes it will. Have you checked them out? Believe me, all the solo cruisers I know have. They're tiny and cost almost as much as paying a full single supplement. Consensus of everyone I heard from is they would rather pay a few dollars more and have a real stateroom.

Sorry to learn that the solo cabins on the edge are small. have friends who were interested in them Where did you see the dimensions?

[jagoffee]

Yes it will. Have you checked them out? Believe me, all the solo cruisers I know have. They're tiny and cost almost as much as paying a full single supplement. Consensus of everyone I heard from is they would rather pay a few dollars more and have a real stateroom.

 

It is very strange that the smaller solo cabins would cost almost twice as much as a regular cabin on a Per Person basis. Must be some kind of error.