X serves up another change to Free In Stateroom Movies

[Nymich]

8 minutes ago, wpgcycler said:

Then I suggest you vote with your money and choose a line which more closely caters to your requirements.

That's a great idea!  Thanks for the tip.

[Nymich]

hmmm noticed celebrityonetouch@celebrity.com did not respond yet.  If anyone else gets a response let us know.  Can't wait to see the Houdini on this one.

[Fouremco]

While Celebrity continues to change its mind and reverse directions, there is no guarantee that free on demand movies will be available over the coming weeks or months. The fact that they reacted to the initial outcry on social media, but subsequently changed course, suggests to me that similar protests now have much less chance of success. Consequently, it seems to me that the only guaranteed way to have access to movies is to bring your own, as suggested by @isdoo, @mayleeman and others. I fully understand and support the arguments in favour of Celebrity going back to its practice of past years, but I'm not holding my breath. 

 

Even when cruising on lines with a good selection of free movies, or travelling on other types of holidays, my iPad always has a good selection of current movies and ebooks, as does my DW's. As we don't always have the same tastes, we can each be reading different books or watching different movies, something that you can't do with the cabin TV. 

[rimmit]

5 hours ago, wpgcycler said:

Ah, so you do demand they include free luggage allowance, meals, pillows...  all things that were "always" supplied in the past?

At the time of booking I FULLY expect everything that I was promised when booking with an airline.   I expect that 31 or 32 inch pitch seat, or lay flat in business.   I expect In flight entertainment if it was advertised.  I expect a 787 or A380 if that’s the plane I picked.  I expect the two meals and snack and complimentary alcohol if it was listed in the booking.  I expect USB or 110v outlets if advertised.  You clearly do not do much long haul flying but airlines are VERY  sensitive to the amenities they list that will be available on the flight they are selling, right down to the exact number of inches of seat pitch. 
 

While airplanes and routes may change due to weather,without offering compensation IF it is the airlines fault (I.e. mechanical issues) they will compensate you if you complain that you experienced a downgrade.  If the IFE is malfunctioning on a long haul flight you better bet I am complaining and getting compensation.  At the time of booking I look at ALL the aspects of the journey from seat pitch, IFE, outlets, plane type, number of connections, etc.   If due to airline error and not weather I will complain and I will get compensation.

 

The airlines will DARE not downgrade your plane flight,  and if there are changes for operational reasons that can impact the quality of your flight I have always been offered the ability to obtain a refund without penalty.  Something the cruiselines rarely do.

 

 

[Nymich]

11 minutes ago, Fouremco said:

While Celebrity continues to change its mind and reverse directions, there is no guarantee that free on demand movies will be available over the coming weeks or months. The fact that they reacted to the initial outcry on social media, but subsequently changed course, suggests to me that similar protests now have much less chance of success. Consequently, it seems to me that the only guaranteed way to have access to movies is to bring your own, as suggested by @isdoo, @mayleeman and others. I fully understand and support the arguments in favour of Celebrity going back to its practice of past years, but I'm not holding my breath. 

 

 

The other way to guarantee access is to cruise with others who do offer full service of this in the cabin. I could list the ones I have found but a little research will get one there. This is exactly the reason why I have never been too loyal to any of them! 

 

That being said this yanking around brings out the worst as many who have sailed way more on X then I have are seeking out other lines.  This will impact the bottom line to X and drive prices up to those who stay.

 

You do bring out some great points I agree with.

[wpgcycler]

10 minutes ago, rimmit said:

 

The airlines will DARE not downgrade your plane flight.

 

 

Mmmmmm... best read the fine print. I think you'll be rather surprised.

[Nymich]

7 minutes ago, rimmit said:

At the time of booking I FULLY expect everything that I was promised when booking with an airline.   I expect that 31 or 32 inch pitch seat, or lay flat in business.   I expect In flight entertainment if it was advertised.  I expect a 787 or A380 if that’s the plane I picked.  I expect the two meals and snack and complimentary alcohol if it was listed in the booking.  I expect USB or 110v outlets if advertised.  You clearly do not do much long haul flying but airlines are VERY  sensitive to the amenities they list that will be available on the flight they are selling, right down to the exact number of inches of seat pitch. 
 

While airplanes and routes may change due to weather,without offering compensation IF it is the airlines fault (I.e. mechanical issues) they will compensate you if you complain that you experienced a downgrade.  If the IFE is malfunctioning on a long haul flight you better bet I am complaining and getting compensation.  At the time of booking I look at ALL the aspects of the journey from seat pitch, IFE, outlets, plane type, number of connections, etc.   If due to airline error and not weather I will complain and I will get compensation.

 

The airlines will DARE not downgrade your plane flight,  and if there are changes for operational reasons that can impact the quality of your flight I have always been offered the ability to obtain a refund without penalty.  Something the cruiselines rarely do.

 

 

Well said.  As someone who worked many years in the airline industry it is comical to watch the nickel and diming in this industry and think they have much in common.  So we have another X booked and we have a window to shoot it and book away...…..again.

[wpgcycler]

38 minutes ago, Nymich said:

That's a great idea!  Thanks for the tip.

Always happy to help! 

[ECCruise]

54 minutes ago, wpgcycler said:

Then I suggest you vote with your money and choose a line which more closely caters to your requirements.

Honestly, you've been on 2 cruises and are going to tell people who've been on 50 or more that because they have a comment or complaint about something they have enjoyed in the past that they should find another cruise line?

Thanks, but I think we will continue to try to improve (or maintain) the cruise line standards that we've enjoyed in the past.

 

 

[Nymich]

9 minutes ago, wpgcycler said:

Always happy to help! 

Flame throwing and helping are different things I think.

[Nymich]

1 minute ago, ECCruise said:

Honestly, you've been on 2 cruises and are going to tell people who've been on 50 or more that because they have a comment or complaint about something they have enjoyed in the past that they should find another cruise line?

Thanks, but I think we will continue to try to improve (or maintain) the cruise line standards that we've enjoyed in the past.

 

 

Two cruises?  Oh my.   When I had two cruises I was begging for information because I knew very little.  My how things have changed.

[rimmit]

26 minutes ago, wpgcycler said:

Mmmmmm... best read the fine print. I think you'll be rather surprised.

I have been downgraded.  The point more being is that they don’t do it without thought as they know they will be getting complaints and filing out compensation.   The cruiselines will downgrade or pull sold benefits and typically refuse to compensate.  The point is that airlines are VERY cognizant of the experience they are selling, and if what they give you is different from what you paid for they know they will hear about it and then have to compensate you.

Edited December 23, 2019 by rimmit

[VitaminSea53]

I dare say most of  the cruise lines are looking for ways to nickel and dime their customers. I know that on Holland America, this past Spring, they instituted a fee for ordering  a 2nd entree in the main dining room on a few ships as a trial.  BOY, the S- - t hit the fan on CC and they walked that back pretty quick.  The “all inclusive” (no nickel and dining) idea is attractive and is why we liked Viking Ocean but you pay the price up front.  Who knows what the future will bring. 

Cheers!

[The_Big_M]

8 hours ago, wpgcycler said:

Well, you appear to be cherry picking certain types of flights to defend your position, ok, whatever. Personally I couldn't care less whether they supplied them in the past or not. They don't now and that's a cost I'd just as soon not pay for somewhere hidden in the cruise fare. My wife watches movies and downloads her own - easy peasy. When our kids were young, they loved to watch kids movies - so we always carried clunky DVD players with us and a small bag crammed with DVD's. There's a cost to everything and, with the TV/Movie/Video industry as badly broken as it is, I suspect that cost is not trivial to Celebrity. I applaud them for making the decision to cut that cost - individuals have relatively low cost access to consumer oriented media services and cheap, effective devices to play that content. 

 

So something's taken away from your ever increasing cost cruise fare and you're happy about it. Interesting stance.

 

The shareholders are the only ones that gain from such a move, not the customers, so I'm guessing you're viewing from a shareholder perspective.

[NMTraveller]

12 hours ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

While watching movies on a cruise may not be for everyone, the September thread on Celebrity's movie charge revealed many reasons that lots of people do rely on movies...here's a recap of some of them for those who may not understand to draw...

 

• my small children need some downtime in the cabin
• my special needs child decompresses from the day with a movie
• my elderly father/mother likes to turn in early and catch a movie
• my work schedule is such that i never get to see a movie at home so when I cruise, I like to catch up on some of them in my cabin
• movies in the cabin help break up back to back to back sea days
• it gives us an opportunity to sit together as a family and watch a movie...something our hectic lives don't allow for when we are at home
• when I have "over vacationed" the night before, I like to stay in and catch a movie
• when bad weather brings everyone in from outside and crowds the indoor spaces, its nice to retreat to the cabin for a movie
• I like to lay in bed and watch a movie to wind down from the day.  Sometimes I watch the same movie over several nights thanks to the pause feature
• Sometimes I get a cold/sick while on a cruise and stay in to watch a movie
• sometimes we just don't feel like getting ready for the evening so we order room service and watch a movie in our cabin

As one can see from the list, the reasons for watching free movies on a cruise are as wide and varied as cruising itself.  I don't care to attend the art auction that Celebrity holds on every cruise.  But there are lots of people who really enjoy it.  I bet if Celebrity started charging an entrance fee, there would be an uproar from those who have grown to love and enjoy the once complimentary attraction.  Hope this helps to provide some perspective.  😉

Thanks.  That is a great compilation.

 

I hope that X brings the free movies back!

 

Now in 10 cruises I have never watched a movie on TV on a cruise.  However I suppose that that frees up some of the public spaces onboard.

 

Bring the free movies back!

 

This seems like an X money grab.

Edited December 24, 2019 by NMTraveller

[Gracie115]

17 hours ago, GateGuardian said:

 

True, but I can see HAL copying them sooner or later.

Nope they are adding to their free selections as each ship goes into dry dock, now have well over 50 Current movies ...as does Princess 

[wpgcycler]

15 hours ago, ECCruise said:

Honestly, you've been on 2 cruises and are going to tell people who've been on 50 or more that because they have a comment or complaint about something they have enjoyed in the past that they should find another cruise line?

Thanks, but I think we will continue to try to improve (or maintain) the cruise line standards that we've enjoyed in the past.

 

 

You bet! I like cruising and expect to do it more - and I'll advocate for the removal of any items which add to the cost but not to my enjoyment. 

[wpgcycler]

14 hours ago, rimmit said:

I have been downgraded.  The point more being is that they don’t do it without thought as they know they will be getting complaints and filing out compensation.   The cruiselines will downgrade or pull sold benefits and typically refuse to compensate.  The point is that airlines are VERY cognizant of the experience they are selling, and if what they give you is different from what you paid for they know they will hear about it and then have to compensate you.

As I was a frequent flyer prior to retirement, I can state with full confidence that I've seen airlines remove all sorts of benefits over the years. Your contract with the airline extends about as far as getting you to your destination in the class for which you purchased a ticket. Many of the specific benefits provided for that class are not guaranteed. As an example, the airline I most often flew used to include sparkling wine as an amenity in the front cabin on domestic flights. When that option was removed there was no announcement or change to the ticket T's and C's. They still provide free alcoholic beverages as the T's and C's state. I think you'll find that, while X may advertise certain amenities, these are not specifically specified in the contract you mutually agree to.

[wpgcycler]

12 hours ago, The_Big_M said:

 

So something's taken away from your ever increasing cost cruise fare and you're happy about it. Interesting stance.

 

 

Not happy - but not disappointed either. It's not an amenity I give a hoot about. I'll also make the assumption that as the cost to provide that amenity has also been taken away, X enjoys (slightly) improved flexibility in fare management. 

[ECCruise]

15 minutes ago, wpgcycler said:

You bet! I like cruising and expect to do it more - and I'll advocate for the removal of any items which add to the cost but not to my enjoyment. 

Wow. Just wow. 

[wpgcycler]

2 hours ago, Gracie115 said:

Nope they are adding to their free selections as each ship goes into dry dock, now have well over 50 Current movies ...as does Princess 

Sounds like a terrific option for the cruising movie watchers.

[wpgcycler]

15 hours ago, Nymich said:

Two cruises?  Oh my.   When I had two cruises I was begging for information because I knew very little.  My how things have changed.

Yeah, I tend to over-research even the activities I pursue infrequently. Spent a huge amount of time on here prior to my first cruise and it paid off nicely - no begging required.

[txflood33]

This whole thread is simply whining.

 

X took free movies away. Everyone complained. They said they would put free movies back...and they did...just not the same as they were. When you book and it said you get free in room movies, that's what you are getting. 2 free movies meets that criteria.

 

X is a business and wants to make money. They make no money when you are in your room. Getting you out of your room increases the opportunity of you buying a cocktail, a soft drink, a coffee, or maybe visiting the casino or the shops.

 

There are fixes to this but the choice here seems to be yell at X until they cater to you. When you step back and look at it, it's pretty selfish. 

[rimmit]

23 minutes ago, wpgcycler said:

As I was a frequent flyer prior to retirement, I can state with full confidence that I've seen airlines remove all sorts of benefits over the years. Your contract with the airline extends about as far as getting you to your destination in the class for which you purchased a ticket. Many of the specific benefits provided for that class are not guaranteed. As an example, the airline I most often flew used to include sparkling wine as an amenity in the front cabin on domestic flights. When that option was removed there was no announcement or change to the ticket T's and C's. They still provide free alcoholic beverages as the T's and C's state. I think you'll find that, while X may advertise certain amenities, these are not specifically specified in the contract you mutually agree to.

I agree 100 percent that all they have to do is get you there in the class that you paid for.  I am not arguing that at all.  What I am arguing is that airlines are MUCH better at compensating when there is a loss of a benefit IF you complain.  I have gotten compensation in miles, travel vouchers, coupons, free meals, free drink tickets, etc. Any time I write customer service for what I believe to be a downgrade in original service that was sold at the time of ticketing.  The airlines understand you expect what you are sold at time of booking.
 

On my most recent flight to Sydney, due to mechanical error instead of going from LEX to DFW to SYD on an A380 due to mechanical failure they routed us from LEX to ORD to YYZ to SYD with the long haul segment being a triple 7 on Air Canada instead of Qantas.  We gained 4 hours of flight time and about 7 hours total on our journey.   I complained and they compensated us 5000 miles a piece for a family of four.  This is not the only instance.  I have been compensated when my IFE is not working in my seat for a long haul flight.  While I have an IPad and a Nintendo switch to keep me occupied so I still have movies,  I complained and was comped for that as well.  X and other cruiselines would say too bad,  it’s in our contract.  While contracts are great and give flexibility to the cruise and airlines they understand customer service is key in retaining business.  The airlines seem to understand this more so than the cruise lines.

 

I have been doing long hauls since the mid 80s and have seen the service change dramatically as well.  Long hauls compared to short hauls however, still have maintained a decent level of service, despite cut backs.  The airlines have even started going the other way in economy as I think they have noticed that they can command more revenue if the service is better.  Just look at Delta.  They are enhancing their economy long haul product with towels after take off, larger meal sizes and one or two other things that I can’t remember. 

Edited December 24, 2019 by rimmit

[Nymich]

3 hours ago, rimmit said:

I agree 100 percent that all they have to do is get you there in the class that you paid for.  I am not arguing that at all.  What I am arguing is that airlines are MUCH better at compensating when there is a loss of a benefit IF you complain.  I have gotten compensation in miles, travel vouchers, coupons, free meals, free drink tickets, etc. Any time I write customer service for what I believe to be a downgrade in original service that was sold at the time of ticketing.  The airlines understand you expect what you are sold at time of booking.
 

On my most recent flight to Sydney, due to mechanical error instead of going from LEX to DFW to SYD on an A380 due to mechanical failure they routed us from LEX to ORD to YYZ to SYD with the long haul segment being a triple 7 on Air Canada instead of Qantas.  We gained 4 hours of flight time and about 7 hours total on our journey.   I complained and they compensated us 5000 miles a piece for a family of four.  This is not the only instance.  I have been compensated when my IFE is not working in my seat for a long haul flight.  While I have an IPad and a Nintendo switch to keep me occupied so I still have movies,  I complained and was comped for that as well.  X and other cruiselines would say too bad,  it’s in our contract.  While contracts are great and give flexibility to the cruise and airlines they understand customer service is key in retaining business.  The airlines seem to understand this more so than the cruise lines.

 

I have been doing long hauls since the mid 80s and have seen the service change dramatically as well.  Long hauls compared to short hauls however, still have maintained a decent level of service, despite cut backs.  The airlines have even started going the other way in economy as I think they have noticed that they can command more revenue if the service is better.  Just look at Delta.  They are enhancing their economy long haul product with towels after take off, larger meal sizes and one or two other things that I can’t remember. 

Good points.  It's always difficult to reason when one has an answer for everything.  Your posts are full of insight and experience!