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If the rumours are true that Celebrity will become an all inclusive cruiseline...


Quo Vadis?
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1 minute ago, Ken the cruiser said:

Just a totally uninformed guess, but maybe X will add some nonrefundable OBC at the Elite, Elite+ and Zenith levels to offset the loss from losing the Happy Hour drinks and Internet loyalty perks when booked under the AI fare. We like the idea, but it's probably just wishful thinking.

If they do it at all, will probably be to retreat guests

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Just now, Ken the cruiser said:

I don't know about that. Hopefully, it would apply to ALL Elites and above regardless of which type of cabin you book. But, again, it's just wishful thinking at this point.

Agree that it "should" reward super loyal guests, but look what they are doing now.  I just don't feel it is likely.

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On 10/22/2020 at 1:35 PM, Airbalancer said:

Gratuities and port tax should always be included in the base price

drink package, 🤔, it nice to have if the price is right 

Sorry, but I'm not for it.  Cruise insurance is always calculated on the base price and once they start increasing that because of extras, it means insurance will also cost more.

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Nothing about this interest us. No use for the drink package, the drinks for being Elite Plus is more than enough. Internet package is a waste, we each get 240. minutes because of our status and normally don’t use them all. OBC saves nothing as we have 0 spend now. Gratuities, we always get more than enough refundable obc from the travel agent that pays for them with enough left over to be refunded to our credit card at the end.

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21 minutes ago, grandgeezer said:

Nothing about this interest us. No use for the drink package, the drinks for being Elite Plus is more than enough. Internet package is a waste, we each get 240. minutes because of our status and normally don’t use them all. OBC saves nothing as we have 0 spend now. Gratuities, we always get more than enough refundable obc from the travel agent that pays for them with enough left over to be refunded to our credit card at the end.


Not to sound harsh but Celebrity are making it clear that you, and others like you, are not the kind of customer they want to retain or attract. They want those who are willing to pay a premium to sail an all inclusive brand AND spend extra on Specialty Dining, Shore Excursions, Spa, Casino, etc, etc, etc.  Those who spend little no no extra beyond a base room rate are simply not the consumer they wish to attract going forward. 

Edited by AtlantaCruiser72
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3 minutes ago, AtlantaCruiser72 said:


Not to sound harsh but Celebrity are making it clear that you, and others like you, are not the kind of customer they want to retain or attract. They want those who are willing to pay a premium to sail an all inclusive brand AND spend extra on Specialty Dining, Shore Excursions, Spa, Casino, etc, etc, etc.  Those who spend little no no extra beyond a base room rate are simply not the consumer they wish to attract going forward. 

It is not harsh, simply true.  When Celebrity introduced Edge class of ships, this was their intention.  They clearly did multiple market studies, spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in doing so, and determined the direction they felt those studies are now moving them in.  I for one, totally love Edge and am sure I will feel the same about Apex.  That said, they have many many long time loyal customers who disagree.  I would think they would keep a few ships in their fleet dedicated to folks that fall in that category.  Clearly, if this CC group is any indication, their remains a solid market for that business.

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23 minutes ago, AtlantaCruiser72 said:


Not to sound harsh but Celebrity are making it clear that you, and others like you, are not the kind of customer they want to retain or attract. They want those who are willing to pay a premium to sail an all inclusive brand AND spend extra on Specialty Dining, Shore Excursions, Spa, Casino, etc, etc, etc.  Those who spend little no no extra beyond a base room rate are simply not the consumer they wish to attract going forward. 

As one who is not interested in the extras and is Elite, if going forward they don't want me as a customer, no problem.  I will sail on  another line or perhaps even start doing more land vacations.

 

I think all cruise lines are going to have a rough time the next few years and should be careful to not alienate loyal customers.

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17 minutes ago, mek said:

As one who is not interested in the extras and is Elite, if going forward they don't want me as a customer, no problem.  I will sail on  another line or perhaps even start doing more land vacations.

 

I think all cruise lines are going to have a rough time the next few years and should be careful to not alienate loyal customers.

It is not that they don't want you, they do, they are just changing the experience.  One can agree with it and move forward, one can also disagree with it and also move forward by selecting another cruise line, thus it will be those individuals who do not want Celebrity.  There is no right or wrong, only personal choice.

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30 minutes ago, LGW59 said:

It is not that they don't want you, they do, they are just changing the experience.  One can agree with it and move forward, one can also disagree with it and also move forward by selecting another cruise line, thus it will be those individuals who do not want Celebrity.  There is no right or wrong, only personal choice.

I think we will just have to wait and see what actually is offered when we come out on the other side of the mess we are in.  I don't have anything booked until Nov 2021 and even if cruising starts back up I probably won't be in any rush to book anything else.  It will be interesting to see how it all unfolds. 

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2 minutes ago, mek said:

I think we will just have to wait and see what actually is offered when we come out on the other side of the mess we are in.  I don't have anything booked until Nov 2021 and even if cruising starts back up I probably won't be in any rush to book anything else.  It will be interesting to see how it all unfolds. 

Indeed, the other side, bless us one and all!!  I've got 2 booked for May 2021...not holding my breath on either, but regardless I will need to make a decision, or Celebrity will make it for me.  Good luck!!!

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For us the All Inclusive is a positive.  We are Elite+ and the Happy Hour drinks never went to the Happy Hour or used the coupons for a number of reasons (too early, didn’t like choices,  etc). When we didn’t get a beverage package as a perk we purchased it.  240 minutes of internet was fine for a short cruise but 7 days + we would purchase internet & the discount was beneficial.   We  normally do 12+ Night cruises & B2Bs so the laundry perks are the ones we appreciate the most followed by priority tendering.  Hopefully any changes will retain or enhance the laundry perks

 

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14 minutes ago, jelayne said:

For us the All Inclusive is a positive.  We are Elite+ and the Happy Hour drinks never went to the Happy Hour or used the coupons for a number of reasons (too early, didn’t like choices,  etc). When we didn’t get a beverage package as a perk we purchased it.  240 minutes of internet was fine for a short cruise but 7 days + we would purchase internet & the discount was beneficial.   We  normally do 12+ Night cruises & B2Bs so the laundry perks are the ones we appreciate the most followed by priority tendering.  Hopefully any changes will retain or enhance the laundry perks

 

While I have no way of knowing, I see them keeping these perks for Zenith, which I think is fair.  

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3 hours ago, AtlantaCruiser72 said:


Not to sound harsh but Celebrity are making it clear that you, and others like you, are not the kind of customer they want to retain or attract. They want those who are willing to pay a premium to sail an all inclusive brand AND spend extra on Specialty Dining, Shore Excursions, Spa, Casino, etc, etc, etc.  Those who spend little no no extra beyond a base room rate are simply not the consumer they wish to attract going forward. 

 

How many people take all four perks now, not counting suites? I’d bet it’s a fairly small number. Now you expect everyone to take it? Dream on.

They’ll miss me more than I’ll miss them. This point might become moot by summer if this virus isn’t under control by spring. The vaccine sounds promising but who knows? They get these petri dishes infected and cruising will be just a memory. Even if it survives it’ll be years before it returns to normal, if it ever does.

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13 minutes ago, grandgeezer said:

 

How many people take all four perks now, not counting suites? I’d bet it’s a fairly small number. Now you expect everyone to take it? Dream on.

They’ll miss me more than I’ll miss them. This point might become moot by summer if this virus isn’t under control by spring. The vaccine sounds promising but who knows? They get these petri dishes infected and cruising will be just a memory. Even if it survives it’ll be years before it returns to normal, if it ever does.

Like it or not, have to count suites, there are many many of them= $$$.  If they are petri dishes, why would you even consider getting on board??  They will not miss you, or anyone who decides it is not for them.  Cruise industry will survive, be different for a while, but will def survive.  

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42 minutes ago, grandgeezer said:

 

How many people take all four perks now, not counting suites? I’d bet it’s a fairly small number. Now you expect everyone to take it? Dream on.


Based on current pricing tier the sweet spot is the 2 perk pricing., though I do have a good number of clients who book with all 4 perks. To compare a similar offer my Princess sales have increased significantly since they introduced “Princess Plus” which includes drinks, tips and WiFi. Very few of my customers are booking the Princess Saver (room only) Fare ($40 Less pp/day).  Princess and Celebrity are very similar with similar demographics.  The consumer base on a site like Cruise Critic does not resemble the majority of a cruise lines consumers by any stretch, it is far more diverse than what see here.
 

There is a market for all inclusive pricing, and clearly the cruise lines see this.  If it’s not for you go to another cruise line that provides you with a price point /structure you prefer, or wait to see if Celebrity offer a “Simply Sail” room only rate for your preferred room type and sailing within 90 days of departure.

Edited by AtlantaCruiser72
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The much-discussed webinar can be viewed by anyone here (37 minutes): https://www.gotostage.com/channel/69b0d74ffeb14d6f8fa69d0d13b87437/recording/90541c7e90ba463585d4e8f6ab239c0d/watch?source=CHANNEL

Just enter any random first and last name, and a random e-mail (or use your actual e-mail address). It doesn't matter. After that, enjoy the show.

PS: MUCH better sound this time, compared to the Captain's Club webinar last month!

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That webinar was interesting to watch. I know it is for travel agents but useful for anyone

 

I think. It was a bit 'fluffy' about current bookings and I can see that it could be something that will be confusing and may be interpreted differently, so hopefully there will be clear guidelines. I envisage a future thread on this forum concerning how current bookings have been dealt with.

 

I hope it will still be possible is to upgrade the beverage package from Classic to Premium, which I always do,  but I expect it may be necessary to pay 30$ a day to move to 'Elevate' for this and have to accept Shore-ex credit along with it??

 

Hopefully this will arrive in the U.K. and the rest of the Celebrity world at the same time as in the U.S., which is next week.

 

I hope the prices do not jump massively next week.

 

 

 

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Service in the bars with a drink package was always mediocre. This strategy will result in even poorer service - why should they hurry to get you a beverage with no incremental benefit? Bartenders will forego ad hoc gratuities on individually purchased drinks. It will provide a better and more consistent revenue stream for Celebrity but hurt their wait staffs tremendously.

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3 hours ago, laslomas said:

I hope it will still be possible is to upgrade the beverage package from Classic to Premium, which I always do,

 

FAQ says you can still just upgrade from Classic to Premium for $11 pp/pd but can only be done after final payment or on the ship.

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