New Silversea Royal Caribbean/Celebrity Status Match Announced

[bethtex]

On 6/2/2024 at 9:06 AM, Lois R said:

I agree with you on that last paragraph for sure. I just sailed Eclipse to Bermuda and can tell you there are many, many guests that would never sail with SS. Not just because of work schedule but other factors too. This was my first cruise back on Celebrity in 7 years and although there were not many kids on board the overall demographic was just way different than SS.

 

my parents were on that trip also.  They cruise Celebrity often - did 30 day cruise last fall and transatlantic last spring.  They said it was not a normal Celebrity crowd - a lot of families celebrating graduations, end of school year, etc.  Also not as diverse - lots driving from near the port whereas their other Celebrity cruises come from all over.  They live near Jax too (were in Fernandina Beach and recently moved south of Jax).  So don't write off Celebrity based on that cruise.  

That said, we have SSea booked in July(expedition to Svalbard) and Celebrity in October (Greece & Turkey).  We have done 2 other SSea and about 5 Celebrity.  Will hopefully be able to do more SSea with our new discount from status matching.  Will try to book on board - can stack 10% discount with on board booking discount and VS sailing discount, plus refundable OBC from our TA.  Makes a lot of SSea cruises a lot more appealing.  We do like the entertainment on Celebrity a little better, but the small ship itineraries look great.  

With the status match, my parents are even considering a SSea cruise now.

[bethtex]

On 6/3/2024 at 8:35 PM, Host Jazzbeau said:

Galapagos was so great (we did it on Celebrity Xpedition back when that ship had 100 pax) that it is the main place DW wants to revisit.  This time I'd like to add Machu Picchu, which Celebrity offers – but I don't see it on the Silversea website?  

 

[Tauck does offer Galapagos on SS Origin + Machu Picchu – but we will probably do their other version on Isabella II since that ship has a glass-bottom boat and we don't snorkel]

we did Galapagos on Xpedition in 2022.  It holds 48 pax and we only had 20 on board.  It was a great experience.  We thought fairly comparable to our Antarctica trip on Cloud, given a much smaller ship with fewer amenities.  Definitely compare Flora to SSea in Galapagos.  I think you would find the experiences very similar.  But we would do  Xpedition again - we loved the small ship experience.

[mahasamatman]

3 minutes ago, bethtex said:

But we would do Xpedition again - we loved the small ship experience.

 

Xpedition is deinitely the way to go since the ship was designed for twice as many passengers as they're allowed to carry. After speaking with the guides, they do not recommend Flora because everything takes so much longer.

[bethtex]

On 6/5/2024 at 4:30 PM, Homebruu said:

I'm just curious, if you were in retreat, what would posses you to visit the buffet? I don't do suites and do everything to avoid it.

 

we really enjoy the Indian food on the buffet on Celebrity.  And the ice cream - all homemade.  We don't usually have problems with the crowds.  

[MJfromCA]

For those wondering about laundry turnaround, it is only a sample of one, but our butler picked up our four shirts this morning before 9 AM, and they were hanging in our closet at 5:30 PM this evening when we returned from the Alhambra, with the linen shirt nicely pressed. So no issues with laundry yet, at least not on Silver Whisper.

 

The new Whisper public areas like the Arts Cafe/Atrium and card room etc look great. The casino is tiny on Deck 8, but being my first Silversea cruise, I'm not sure how large it used to be before. There are some scratches and dents in elevators, suites, etc that were not addressed in dry dock - they must have concentrated on the reconfiguration of the new public areas. But overall a nice ship, and the service and food have been good (except for service in The Grill, but it has been improving a little).

[mahasamatman]

3 minutes ago, MJfromCA said:

The casino is tiny on Deck 8, but being my first Silversea cruise, I'm not sure how large it used to be before.

 

The only thing better would be to eliminate it entirely. Luxury lines should not have casinos.

[Lois R]

13 hours ago, bethtex said:

my parents were on that trip also.  They cruise Celebrity often - did 30 day cruise last fall and transatlantic last spring.  They said it was not a normal Celebrity crowd - a lot of families celebrating graduations, end of school year, etc.  Also not as diverse - lots driving from near the port whereas their other Celebrity cruises come from all over.  They live near Jax too (were in Fernandina Beach and recently moved south of Jax).  So don't write off Celebrity based on that cruise.  

That said, we have SSea booked in July(expedition to Svalbard) and Celebrity in October (Greece & Turkey).  We have done 2 other SSea and about 5 Celebrity.  Will hopefully be able to do more SSea with our new discount from status matching.  Will try to book on board - can stack 10% discount with on board booking discount and VS sailing discount, plus refundable OBC from our TA.  Makes a lot of SSea cruises a lot more appealing.  We do like the entertainment on Celebrity a little better, but the small ship itineraries look great.  

With the status match, my parents are even considering a SSea cruise now.

Hi Beth, writing Celebrity off is not part of my thought process really.......at one point in my life, I sailed with them at least 3 times a year....I have nearly 50 cruises on the books with them. But once I found SS? For me, there is no comparison. I am not saying I would never sail X again but it is way on the back burner. I realized after a day or 2......the noise and crowds on the ship made me miss the intimacy of a SS ship. I would probably choose an M class ship over S or E but my next  2 are on Silversea so unless something fantastic happens with X, I won't be going on them again anytime soon.

 

[DavyWavey70]

7 hours ago, mahasamatman said:

 

The only thing better would be to eliminate it entirely. Luxury lines should not have casinos.

Speak for yourself. I Don’t use the Casino often but it’s nice to have it there. There’s nothing to stop you walking on by whilst others enjoy themselves in there. Why would you want it eliminated entirely?

[mahasamatman]

42 minutes ago, DavyWavey70 said:

Why would you want it eliminated entirely?

 

It wastes space that could be better used for other purposes. On the Silver Moon last year, I can't recall ever seeing a single person in there, which is why I believe it's a waste.

 

 

 

Edited June 12 by mahasamatman

[Texas Tillie]

10 hours ago, mahasamatman said:

 

It wastes space that could be better used for other purposes. On the Silver Moon last year, I can't recall ever seeing a single person in there, which is why I believe it's a waste.

 

 

 

 

What do you think needs to be added or is in need of more space? I have no interest whatsoever in a gym, but why would I mind there being one for those who are interested?

[tipsygirl]

On 5/30/2024 at 3:58 PM, bethtex said:

excited about this!  I am Elite on Celebrity, and will get benefits for a 250 day cruiser on SSea.  I have 28 days on SSea and 20 more booked.  May book more with the discount, especially if stackable with the on board booking discount.  

This is a good business move to keep folks sailing "in the family" as they look to upgrade their experience.  It will incentivize us to keep sailing SSea rather than look at other similar lines. And maybe SSea cruisers taking grandkids might consider Celebrity with the perks available now.  

 

On 5/30/2024 at 6:17 PM, late2cruisin said:

Not just a Zenith- an Elite/Elite Plus will get it also! Since I'm going on my second SS cruise in a couple of weeks, I'm very happy about this!

We are Elite Plus on  Celebrity, already booked on a Silversea M cruise in August. have not yet received my welcome letter. My TA was told by Silversea that I would not receive benefits , Because you have to complete a SilverSea cruise before you are eligible for the Venetian Society. Since I have not receive "the letter" I don't know whether this is true or not.

[Emdee]

I have not been able to get my status match as well. 
Silversea keeps telling me that I have to join the crown and anchor society when I am already a diamond plus member. Rccl says they have requested a status match of Silversea but I am getting the run around from Silversea.

 

The email from Bert Hernandez said that if you are already a member of the various societies which we are the match is automatic and we are to do nothing. To compound this I am the only one who received the email from Silversea though my husband and daughter are VS members as well. 
 

Silversea has no problem in sending us realms of brochures every other week but they cannot complete a simple task. When Seabourn status matched our Crystal days it was seamless. The same when Celebrity matched our Rccl status. 
 

[tfred]

Just received my SSea e mail with status match. Included was a VS number. I am Elite on X. 

 

We have an upcoming June 2024 cruise 

 

Congratulations! Your Loyalty Status Match is complete, and we are thrilled that you are now enrolled in the Silversea^® Venetian Society^®. As the leader in ultra-luxury and expedition cruises, we are eager to share the world’s authentic beauty with you.

Your new Loyalty Status Match 250 VS DAYS level rewards you with exclusive savings and benefits on Silversea’s rich roster of global voyages. Enjoy Venetian Society onboard benefits on sailings departing 5 June 2024, and onward. Venetian Society Member Savings are applicable on new voyages booked on or after 30 May 2024. For complete details see  Terms and Conditions.  

Known for immersive discovery ashore and indulgent experiences on board, our sophisticated fleet of small, all-suite ships navigates the seven continents visiting iconic cities and lesser-known ports in extraordinary all-inclusive comfort. 

We look forward to welcoming you aboard Silversea!

[Jim_Iain]

We also received our Confirmation e-mail today with our # on it.    I notice that mine shows up on our reservation but Iain's doesn't show.   Not really worried about it.

 

They sure do hide your number --- how to really look for it after reading here that it was somewhere  in the middle. 

[ropomo]

On 6/12/2024 at 12:14 PM, tipsygirl said:

We are Elite Plus on  Celebrity, already booked on a Silversea M cruise in August. have not yet received my welcome letter. My TA was told by Silversea that I would not receive benefits , Because you have to complete a SilverSea cruise before you are eligible for the Venetian Society. Since I have not receive "the letter" I don't know whether this is true or not.

This reply from SS is incorrect. I have no SS days, but now have status through the match program and have a VS number, etc. My welcome email also indicates that I have the benefits. To say you have to sail with them before the benefits take effect makes no sense if RCI is trying to migrate RCL or X passengers to SS. There would no immediate benefit to them. It took a while for SS to catch up with my match request. I'm sure it will be coming.

[silkismom]

I was notified that my status match went thru to SS, where do I find it on My Silversea?

[ropomo]

see post #53 here 

 

[admranger]

On 6/10/2024 at 9:01 PM, mahasamatman said:

 

Xpedition is deinitely the way to go since the ship was designed for twice as many passengers as they're allowed to carry. After speaking with the guides, they do not recommend Flora because everything takes so much longer.

Celebrity just announced that it is selling the Expedition and the other Galapagos small ship, only retaining Flora.

 

Also received my SS welcome email.  Just in time for our first SS cruise on Monday!

Edited June 14 by admranger

[tinaincc]

13 hours ago, silkismom said:

I was notified that my status match went thru to SS, where do I find it on My Silversea?

Look under the Venetian Society tab after you log in

[ropomo]

9 minutes ago, tinaincc said:

Look under the Venetian Society tab after you log in

See post 167 two above this post

[silkismom]

Found it, thanks!!  What a deal 38 days to 350, thanks to mainly Azamara cruises.

[anthNY]

14 hours ago, ropomo said:

see post #53 here 

 

Most interested in the 10% savings on future bookings.

[Dolcevita Diva]

On 6/7/2024 at 2:44 PM, dawntrdr said:

I'm sitting in the Panorama on the Muse with time to do a little more bean counting on the new status match program.   In the RCI Crown and Anchor Society, 30 nights in the minimum cost room gets you to Platinum level.  Platinum level is matched to 100 VS days.  In what universe does 30 days loyalty to a midlevel cruise line equate to 100 days loyalty to a luxury line? Eighty (80) nights on Royal gets you Diamond status. Diamond on RCI matches to, and gets you the benefit of, 250 VS days.  I thought the purpose of a loyalty program was to reward loyalty, not make you feel taken advantage of for being loyal.  Even without adjusting for the perdiem , this program is upside down and backwards.

 

If my interpretation of the loyalty charts is incorrect, please feel free to correct me; I promise not to be upset.

 

 

 

The approach they have taken to the match also doesn't take into consideration the point multiples that Celebrity (and I assume Royal Caribbean) provide based on the cabin category you book - nor that you can earn points in Celebrity programs by taking a survey or watching a webinar. 

 

[Observer]

Was it too much to hope that there might be some enhancement of VS benefits for long-standing SS guests with hundreds of nights and clear loyalty to SS?

[dawntrdr]

1 hour ago, Observer said:

Was it too much to hope that there might be some enhancement of VS benefits for long-standing SS guests with hundreds of nights and clear loyalty to SS?

I don't mind that they didn't sweeten my VS benefits for SS cruises -we all know the parable of the workers in the vineyard - but I don't feel incentivized to try any other RCI brand by this program, especially not at the high end suite level.