Zenith back in the Retreat

[tfred]

Business 101 is never discount or give away your best and very popular product.  Zeniths will get some value aded package  e.g. anything that has a $ amount tied to it but is very low cost to X to offer.  premium drinks, laundry, priority theater seating.   X knows the profitability of the Zeniths in every way possible - they aren't doing this "just because".  They love loyal cruisers, but they aren't going to give any profit when they dont have to                                                                                                      

[the penguins]

2 hours ago, mfs2k said:

Perhaps the bean counters will keep Celebrity solvent. 
 

In order to sell suites for so much more than a regular cabin, Celebrity has to add value to the purchase. The retreat deck and lounge adds value. Giving access to Zeniths does not add any additional revenue.

 

You’re not leaving Celebrity any time soon but maybe you’ll upgrade to a suite.

 

Perhaps a Zenith perk can be a 20% suite upgrade discount. Or Move-up priority. Hmmm…

apart from using our FCC's we haven't booked a cruise on X since the introduction of AI. We have 2 more cruises booked neither with X. Before I get attacked I have nothing against AI as an option (see Princess) only against it being compulsory. X acknowledged in an email that "we appreciate that not everyone wants or needs a full beverage package or wifi access, so we are working to address that! The email was from Marie Kirk, celebrityengagementcenter@celebrity.com. Regrettably to date there has been no movement on this issue.

[cublet]

Hello,

 

Omnibus posting.

 

I count myself fortunate in having missed Perry Grant both on X and P&O having heard his CD being played in one of the shops. Unless the CD player was very faulty?

 

I miss Michael's Club as a piano bar but can understand it morphing into something else as it had very few patrons whenever I was there.

 

In terms of repaying loyalty, I get a discount on on-board spend from P&O and a discount on the cruise cost from MSC. But the real biggie is I get (roughly) 25% discount on the cruise cost from RCI by virtue of the reduced single supplement. Apart from bags of laundry (at E+), I'm not sure what else I get from X given their current pricing/benefits offers/policies.

 

Regards,

 

Cublet

[Spif Barwunkel]

I suggest re-naming the Michaels/Retreat space to "The Zenith Bar at Michael's Retreat Lounge." It shall be a convivial space where Suite guests and high-ranking X cruisers can gather to discuss the more important aspects of cruising and determine how best to co-exist in the future. Occasionally, other non-biased passengers may be invited to join the discussion in order to add a more logical and creative perspective. 

[TeeRick]

1 minute ago, Spif Barwunkel said:

I suggest re-naming the Michaels/Retreat space to "The Zenith Bar at Michael's Retreat Lounge." It shall be a convivial space where Suite guests and high-ranking X cruisers can gather to discuss the more important aspects of cruising and determine how best to co-exist in the future. Occasionally, other non-biased passengers may be invited to join the discussion in order to add a more logical and creative perspective. 

Or just do this at the Martini Bar, World Class Bar, wherever you want to go on the ship.  I find all this discussion (primarily by non-Zenith members) about Zenith members in The Retreat a bit of a manufactured problem.  Not enough Zenith members (other than those in suites) actually frequent the Retreat/Michael's Club to create an overcrowding problem.  I pretty much only sail suites and I have never experienced overcrowding due to Zenith members.

[Orator]

9 minutes ago, TeeRick said:

Or just do this at the Martini Bar, World Class Bar, wherever you want to go on the ship.  I find all this discussion (primarily by non-Zenith members) about Zenith members in The Retreat a bit of a manufactured problem.  Not enough Zenith members (other than those in suites) actually frequent the Retreat/Michael's Club to create an overcrowding problem.  I pretty much only sail suites and I have never experienced overcrowding due to Zenith members.

I have been a Zenith within 3 months of the program start and I rarely see what might be described as overcrowding. The exception might be TA’s and on special events such as the Senior Officers Party. I believe that the best way to deal with the situation is on a cruise to cruise basis. If the HD determines that there is space, let them in. Many Zeniths book Suites so the impact would be minimal in most cases. Some on both sides of the issue are thinking of it as “their private retreat”. 

[jagoffee]

7 hours ago, verizon said:

Before the AI ZENITHS get free premium drink package and stream WIFI 

With the AI I would consider that as a discount or free upgrade..

Very true.

 Some form of the 123 or BBB with 1-4 perks has been around a very long time, but I understand your point.  It was preciously possible for a Zenith member to book a barebones cruise without any perks and receive those benefits.  The same thing with the Elite HH 2 hour benefit.  
I am not sure if the continueD rapid growth of people with higher Captain Club benefits is sustainable as a Celebrity Business model.  Since I always book with all the perks, I have not received a significant benefit from the Captain Club program features for a long time.  I now cruise in suites only, so I have a slightly different perspective. The Zenith members may be able to find some no AI benefit cruises at times. 

 

 I have tried Regent and Oceania recently and I still prefer a suite on Celebrity.  seems to fit my priorities and life style better.  But it will not stop me from trying other cruise options in the future.

 

When  I met you on our recent Apex TA, I did not realize you were at the Zenith level, I know you were staying in a suite.  You and I could have had an interesting discussion.
 

 Instead of our usual Fall Celebrity TA, we are doing a B2B on the Silhouette (14 days in the Caribbean).  We do not find the TA’s to be much of a bargain any longer.  Also we enjoy our “sea days” in port more that the full ship sea days.  I also love arriving and departing from ports.  
 

Perhaps, I will see you on another cruise.  
 

 

 

 

[Beachin2]

Before AI came along, how much of the access was about the free booze?

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

2 minutes ago, Beachin2 said:

Before AI came along, how much of the access was about the free booze?

 

In our case - on Royal, in a suite - the allure of the suite lounge is most certainly the "free booze", as well as the often tasty appetizers.

 

Tom

[verizon]

1 hour ago, jagoffee said:

Very true.

 Some form of the 123 or BBB with 1-4 perks has been around a very long time, but I understand your point.  It was preciously possible for a Zenith member to book a barebones cruise without any perks and receive those benefits.  The same thing with the Elite HH 2 hour benefit.  
I am not sure if the continueD rapid growth of people with higher Captain Club benefits is sustainable as a Celebrity Business model.  Since I always book with all the perks, I have not received a significant benefit from the Captain Club program features for a long time.  I now cruise in suites only, so I have a slightly different perspective. The Zenith members may be able to find some no AI benefit cruises at times. 

 

 I have tried Regent and Oceania recently and I still prefer a suite on Celebrity.  seems to fit my priorities and life style better.  But it will not stop me from trying other cruise options in the future.

 

When  I met you on our recent Apex TA, I did not realize you were at the Zenith level, I know you were staying in a suite.  You and I could have had an interesting discussion.
 

 Instead of our usual Fall Celebrity TA, we are doing a B2B on the Silhouette (14 days in the Caribbean).  We do not find the TA’s to be much of a bargain any longer.  Also we enjoy our “sea days” in port more that the full ship sea days.  I also love arriving and departing from ports.  
 

Perhaps, I will see you on another cruise.  
 

Sorry double post.

 

 

 

Edited April 11, 2022 by verizon

[verizon]

1 hour ago, jagoffee said:

Very true.

 Some form of the 123 or BBB with 1-4 perks has been around a very long time, but I understand your point.  It was preciously possible for a Zenith member to book a barebones cruise without any perks and receive those benefits.  The same thing with the Elite HH 2 hour benefit.  
I am not sure if the continueD rapid growth of people with higher Captain Club benefits is sustainable as a Celebrity Business model.  Since I always book with all the perks, I have not received a significant benefit from the Captain Club program features for a long time.  I now cruise in suites only, so I have a slightly different perspective. The Zenith members may be able to find some no AI benefit cruises at times. 

 

 I have tried Regent and Oceania recently and I still prefer a suite on Celebrity.  seems to fit my priorities and life style better.  But it will not stop me from trying other cruise options in the future.

 

When  I met you on our recent Apex TA, I did not realize you were at the Zenith level, I know you were staying in a suite.  You and I could have had an interesting discussion.
 

 Instead of our usual Fall Celebrity TA, we are doing a B2B on the Silhouette (14 days in the Caribbean).  We do not find the TA’s to be much of a bargain any longer.  Also we enjoy our “sea days” in port more that the full ship sea days.  I also love arriving and departing from ports.  
 

Perhaps, I will see you on another cruise.  
 

 

 

 

Wow Wow Wow

Just from my post you already found out who I am.

Have to admit that was the Solo Cruiser that you met at the Retreat.

Hope everything goes well with you.

 

Edited April 11, 2022 by verizon

[wrk2cruise]

7 hours ago, mfs2k said:

Perhaps a Zenith perk can be a 20% suite upgrade discount. Or Move-up priority. Hmmm…

 

That would have made the change a bit more palatable.

 

The big disappointment is the manner they did it, reaching out publicly to all affected members multiple times stressing the restriction was temporary.  Then the reversal siting a justification using data that was well known before covid. (increasing members etc....).  Just demonstrates you can't trust a word they say.

[fstuff1]

On 4/10/2022 at 2:59 PM, C-Dragons said:

I agree that X needs to provide a place (Zenith Lounge) for loyal guests to socialize. But the “Retreat” lounge  was designed for paying Suite guests and in reality isn’t large enough to accommodate all of them, at certain times, let alone other groups on board.

 

then why were Zeniths included on Day1 when the Retreat/Michael's Club was created?

[fstuff1]

6 hours ago, the penguins said:

AI against it being compulsory.

X acknowledged in an email that "we appreciate that not everyone wants or needs a full beverage package or wifi access, so we are working to address that! The email was from Marie Kirk, celebrityengagementcenter@celebrity.com. Regrettably to date there has been no movement on this issue.

 

wait.. you cant turn down the drinks package?!?

 

You HAVE to pay the tips, even though you dont when it's a perk because of status?

(as a casino Sapphire, i dont pay the mandatory tips on my free drinks package.)

 

[mfs2k]

18 minutes ago, fstuff1 said:

 

wait.. you cant turn down the drinks package?!?

 

You HAVE to pay the tips, even though you dont when it's a perk because of status?

(as a casino Sapphire, i dont pay the mandatory tips on my free drinks package.)

 

You’re buying an all inclusive vacation now. 
simple yet elegant. 

[fstuff1]

11 minutes ago, mfs2k said:

You’re buying an all inclusive vacation now. 
simple yet elegant. 

 

interesting.

AI was not offered to me for my free casinos cruises.

(I already get free wifi and drinks anywhere on ship because of my casino status.)

 

I booked in March 2022.

 

But if i had to pay mandatory tips for the drinks package in AI, then i'm glad i didnt have to get it. 

I would be paying for a benefit which is usually free to me.

Those drink tips wipe out the savings for pre-paid cabin tips. 

 

Edited April 11, 2022 by fstuff1

[LGW59]

43 minutes ago, fstuff1 said:

 

then why were Zeniths included on Day1 when the Retreat/Michael's Club was created?

The times they are a changing...

[fstuff1]

11 minutes ago, LGW59 said:

The times they are a changing...

 

indeed.

shows that X doesnt value loyalty.

they didnt offer something in return for taking away Z's benefit.

 

at least for me, X is giving me $100 free casino play for EVERY cruise i sail that i cant access the Retreat.

(i've gotten $400 so far since cruises re-started last year).

 

i'd rather have the Retreat though since i try to take 10+ day cruises. it's a relaxing place to chill

 

Edited April 11, 2022 by fstuff1

[mfs2k]

16 minutes ago, fstuff1 said:

 

interesting.

AI was not offered to me for my free casinos cruises.

(I already get free wifi and drinks anywhere on ship because of my casino status.)

 

I booked in March 2022.

 

But if i had to pay mandatory tips for the drinks package in AI, then i'm glad i didnt have to get it. 

I would be paying for a benefit which is usually free to me.

Those drink tips wipe out the savings for pre-paid cabin tips. 

 

I got AI for my 50% off casino suite rate. 
I booked in October 2021. 

[fstuff1]

2 minutes ago, mfs2k said:

I got AI for my 50% off casino suite rate. 
I booked in October 2021. 

 

did you have to pay the drink tips for AI?

or was it completely free?

 

[LGW59]

3 minutes ago, fstuff1 said:

 

did you have to pay the drink tips for AI?

or was it completely free?

 

By default, tips are included in the beverage package with AI.  Clearly you have not had to do that with your casino rate that does not include AI?

[mfs2k]

4 minutes ago, fstuff1 said:

 

did you have to pay the drink tips for AI?

or was it completely free?

 

All gratuities included 

[wrk2cruise]

From what I read here is that it is pretty typical for those getting a casino discount % off to get AI included.   Pretty typical that totally comp'ed cruises through the casino are not AI.

 

[fstuff1]

7 minutes ago, LGW59 said:

By default, tips are included in the beverage package with AI. 

Clearly you have not had to do that with your casino rate that does not include AI?

 

i never had AI on any of my cruises since they re-started last year.

*shrug*

 

would have been nice to have cabin tips thrown in but no biggie.

 

edit:

wrk2cruise's post above (1 min before this post) explained it

 

Edited April 11, 2022 by fstuff1

[fstuff1]

4 minutes ago, wrk2cruise said:

From what I read here is that it is pretty typical for those getting a casino discount % off to get AI included.  

Pretty typical that totally comp'ed cruises through the casino are not AI.

 

 

thx!

 

how does AI work now since there's no option to NOT have it?

Do you not even see the additional charge for AI on your invoice? or it's just part of the cruise fare?

 

Edited April 11, 2022 by fstuff1