Laura Hodges Bethage responses to Questions are an insult !!!!

[Pennstatedj]

Well said APAD. Amen. 

Happy Cruising To All. 

[NutsAboutGolf]

1 hour ago, pete_coach said:

Lots of complaints about the responses from the CEO.
Fact is,I am sure the questions have been noted and the things brought up will be investigated and actions can and may happen.

It is not like she has a magic wand and waves it to make everyone instantly happy. The reason for the Q and +A is as much to find out what th issues are and to allow the clients to vent.

Also, it cannot be fact that all the complaints are accurate. Things need to be checked out so saying anything other than "we will look at this," is all that can be done at this time..

I am in no way defending, just being very realistic. She has been with the parent company for a long time and should be aware of the issues with her brand.

 

Laura isn't the CEO, she's only the President.  For whatever reason, they stripped the CEO title once LLP departed.  Based on how X has become more Royalized, the speculation was the parent company wanted more control

[pete_coach]

24 minutes ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

 

Laura isn't the CEO, she's only the President.  For whatever reason, they stripped the CEO title once LLP departed.  Based on how X has become more Royalized, the speculation was the parent company wanted more control

Potatoes Potaaaoes, tomatoes tomaatoes. LOL

 

Celebrity has always (almost) been a Royal subsidiary. The parent company has every right to control the child. 🙂

 

Point was and  is, she does not have a magic wand and cannot and should not give off the cuff promises.

Edited July 31 by pete_coach

[The_Big_M]

22 hours ago, Orator said:

"Celebrity Cruiser" is back! Good for Celebrity. I suggested to Laura when I first saw her on Equinox that someone to answer questions and complaints would be helpful.

 

I'm not sure that is the celebrity cruiser you are looking for.

[NutsAboutGolf]

4 minutes ago, pete_coach said:

Potatoes Potaaaoes, tomatoes tomaatoes. LOL

 

Celebrity has always (almost) been a Royal subsidiary. The parent company has every right to control the child. 🙂

 

Point was and  is, she does not have a magic wand and cannot and should not give off the cuff promises.

 

The removal of CEO was intentional, that's a pretty big item to "forget".  Sure, X has always been under the parent company's control but only with the most recent X leadership change have we seen changes on X that mirror RCI; as I pointed out previously, more short itineraries, CoCo Cay which is mostly a kids port and Port Canaveral which often attracts families visiting parks in Orlando

[The_Big_M]

12 minutes ago, pete_coach said:

Potatoes Potaaaoes, tomatoes tomaatoes. LOL

 

Celebrity has always (almost) been a Royal subsidiary. The parent company has every right to control the child. 🙂

 

Point was and  is, she does not have a magic wand and cannot and should not give off the cuff promises.

 

Then that wasn't the right format.

 

Just say you want to gather feedback, have a thread for that, and leave it at that.

 

Instead they consciously said they wanted to answer points raised. They're experienced enough to not do something like that if they don't want to give any significant or relevant answer.

[pete_coach]

8 minutes ago, The_Big_M said:

 

Then that wasn't the right format.

 

Just say you want to gather feedback, have a thread for that, and leave it at that.

 

Instead they consciously said they wanted to answer points raised.They're experienced enough to not do something like that if they don't want to give any significant or relevant answer.

What wasn't the right format?  it was a Q&A session. They responded to some and not to others.

156 posts of complaints and I hope you are not wondering if they will ever do this again LOL

I think they tried it respond but some of the questions were quite generic and could not easily give answers.

[pete_coach]

19 minutes ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

 

The removal of CEO was intentional, that's a pretty big item to "forget".  Sure, X has always been under the parent company's control but only with the most recent X leadership change have we seen changes on X that mirror RCI; as I pointed out previously, more short itineraries, CoCo Cay which is mostly a kids port and Port Canaveral which often attracts families visiting parks in Orlando

Geez, mellow out.

Take your tourist dollars elsewhere if unsatisfied LOL

[doghog]

Royal + Celebrity = Royalbrity

 

[leaveitallbehind]

1 minute ago, doghog said:

Royal + Celebrity = Royalbrity

 

Or Celebrity + Royal = Celoyal.

[NutsAboutGolf]

3 minutes ago, pete_coach said:

Geez, mellow out.

Take your tourist dollars elsewhere if unsatisfied LOL

 

No thanks and I'm way ahead of you, I do other things with my tourist dollar 🙂

[doghog]

8 minutes ago, leaveitallbehind said:

Or Celebrity + Royal = Celoyal.

The RCG will be changing the meaning from RCI (Royal Caribbean International) to, Royal Celebrity International. 

[canderson]

37 minutes ago, pete_coach said:

Potatoes Potaaaoes, tomatoes tomaatoes. LOL

No, not potato/tomato.  The removal of the CEO post at the top of the Celebrity org chart sends a message that shouldn't be ignored. 

 

A CEO is usually tasked with carrying out a company's mission statement, managing its overall strategy, and ensuring its strong financial performance.  A president is primarily responsible for the operational management of a company.  HUGE difference.

 

Also, a CEO can normally only be fired/replaced by the BOD.  Celebrity's new President can be fired by RCCG CEO.

 

[leaveitallbehind]

I may be repeating previous commentary but frankly, I didn't read the previous 7 pages of posts, so if this has been said, I apologize.

 

But regarding Celebrity and Perfect day. IMO the only reason Celebrity is now calling on Perfect day is to help with the RCG goals for ROI on the $250 million 2019 investment in rebranding CocoCay to Perfect Day that was significantly interrupted by the 15 month pandemic cruise hold.  I would question any other motive such as blending the two cruise lines as their distinctions are their success. 

 

My guess is if the feedback from Celebrity cruisers reaches a negative tipping point with that port of call, it may ultimately be dropped.  But in the meantime it is all about the $$$$.  Again, JMO.

[NutsAboutGolf]

12 minutes ago, leaveitallbehind said:

Or Celebrity + Royal = Celoyal.

 

We will get a "taste" of what the new leadership wants to do with the Xcel but Laura said she was only given a few white spaces.  Will really need to wait until the next class of ships to see what direction X wants to go

[PTC DAWG]

1 minute ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

 

We will get a "taste" of what the new leadership wants to do with the Xcel but Laura said she was only given a few white spaces.  Will really need to wait until the next class of ships to see what direction X wants to go

Exactly, Xcel is pretty well set in stone…

[NutsAboutGolf]

3 minutes ago, leaveitallbehind said:

I may be repeating previous commentary but frankly, I didn't read the previous 7 pages of posts, so if this has been said, I apologize.

 

But regarding Celebrity and Perfect day. IMO the only reason Celebrity is now calling on Perfect day is to help with the RCG goals for ROI on the $250 million 2019 investment in rebranding CocoCay to Perfect Day that was significantly interrupted by the 15 month pandemic cruise hold.  I would question any other motive such as blending the two cruise lines as their distinctions are their success. 

 

My guess is if the feedback from Celebrity cruisers reaches a negative tipping point with that port of call, it may ultimately be dropped.  But in the meantime it is all about the $$$$.  Again, JMO.

 

X like most if not all other cruise lines are for-profit companies, everything they do is to make a profit and there's nothing wrong with that.  Royal is building another private island by Nassau, no idea if X has plans to stop there but would imagine it's inevitable they do https://www.royalbeachclubatparadiseisland.com/

[leaveitallbehind]

2 minutes ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

 

X like most if not all other cruise lines are for-profit companies, everything they do is to make a profit and there's nothing wrong with that.  Royal is building another private island by Nassau, no idea if X has plans to stop there but would imagine it's inevitable they do https://www.royalbeachclubatparadiseisland.com/

I am aware of that as well as the plans for one in Cozumel.  It would be very likely that both would use all.  But Perfect Day is a bit unique in that it is really just a huge family waterpark.  As I understand it, the others would be intended more as a beach day.

Edited July 31 by leaveitallbehind

[PTC DAWG]

12 minutes ago, leaveitallbehind said:

I am aware of that as well as the plans for one in Cozumel.  It would be very likely that both would use all.  But Perfect Day is a bit unique in that it is really just a huge family waterpark.  As I understand it, the others would be intended more as a beach day.

Lots of free beaches at Coco Cay…

[Baron Barracuda]

I don't expect the X Coco Cay experiment to be permanent.  Once the next Icon and Oasis class ships are delivered they will be a much better fit than smaller X vessels.  The Royal mega ships carry more families willing to pay up for the water park.  Nassau will only have capacity of 2k and is entirely extra charge without a lot of stated amenities.  Cozumel will presumably have a similar setup.  

[leaveitallbehind]

1 hour ago, PTC DAWG said:

Lots of free beaches at Coco Cay…

True, and no argument.  But all of the infrastructure, massive poos, and water park features @ $250 million set it somewhat apart from the others. And lots of not free stuff as well.  Add in the 15 month zero revenue time. Just saying the ROI goals for that investment have been well published.  The more ships there -regardless of RCG line - the better for that.

Edited July 31 by leaveitallbehind

[dabear]

Royal Beach Club looks a lot like the Virgin beach club & pool on Bimini. It must be successful.We enjoyed it.

[PTC DAWG]

8 minutes ago, leaveitallbehind said:

True, and no argument.  But all of the infrastructure, massive poos, and water park features @ $250 million set it somewhat apart from the others. And lots of not free stuff as well.  Add in the 15 month zero revenue time. Just saying the ROI goals for that investment have been well published.  The more ships there -regardless of RCG line - the better for that.

No doubt, the goal is to make money, just like any excursion they sell..

[pete_coach]

2 hours ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

 

No thanks and I'm way ahead of you, I do other things with my tourist dollar 🙂

Then move to that forum:)

[NutsAboutGolf]

29 minutes ago, pete_coach said:

Then move to that forum:)

 

Too simplistic, like it or not, I'm where I belong as I have more X sailings booked than any other...No cruise line is perfect, they all have their pros and cons...Without us critics, cutbacks wouldn't have been reversed and there would be vaping in the casino...Cheers