Reduced/Changes in onboard credits

[C 2 C]

Celebrity will be introducing a new program for onboard booking credits, based not on length of cruise but on $$$$ spent. This might make more sense to some but I believe the net effect will be fewer onboard bookings.

 

The reservation will require a smaller deposit, perhaps as low as $100 pp, will be non-transferrable to RCL ships and have no sailing date attached.

 

Only three bookings can be made!

 

If the cruise costs (less commissions) $0 to $2000, only $50 per stateroom will be credited... upto $3500: $100. Only by spending $5,500 to $6999 will the credit amount to $200 and amounts over $7,000 will benefit by getting $300.

 

Presently people booking longer cruises such as Transatlantics have a benefit of $200. I'd rather gamble on a last minute happy hour sale than trying to save only $50 to a $100 on preplanning a cruise.

I'm sure the purpose is to bring credits in line with other cruise lines... but others also provide a few perks to elites other than a free bingo card...:cool:

[Lois R]

Hi,:) before I reply to that...is there a way you can put your

2 clocks up and down?

It makes it extremely difficult to read your post:( ...the

page seems to go the full length of the screen.

Thanks:)

 

As for the credits..when is this new procedure

starting? You are right, not very customer friendly:(

I sail solo and don't spend that much~I was planning

to book Galaxy for next year. Its a 10 nighter..was thinking

I was getting 200.00:) ...now only 50.00?

[C 2 C]

As for the credits..when is this new procedure

starting? ...now only 50.00?

 

I believe it will start within a week.

it will be very interesting if all present bookings are grandfathered... but perhaps without allowing changes.

[richsea]

When will this new policy go into effect? You're right; there will be less on-board bookings as a result. It will hardly pay to book onboard. We too, will probably wind up waiting for the happy hour specials.

[Host Kewlguy]

Royal Caribbean will be instituting a similar program. Also the deposit will be non refundable.

[greeneg]

Interesting, Arno. My initial reaction is that they would be "cutting off their nose to spite their face" as the old saying goes. Anecdotally, it seems like the future cruise specialist usually has someone with her when she is at her desk, so it would seem that any number of people are taking advantage of the on-board credit. Given the fact that Celebrity gets the use of the deposited money for a relatively long period of time in most cases, I would think that this change would tend to significantly reduce the number of on board bookings, and would be revenue negative rather than positive for the company. Perhaps they feel that a lower deposit would strengthen sales by broadening their appeal to potential cruisers who have less disposeable income; if so, I would argue that this is short term thinking. Most of the people who cruise Celebrity would appear to be able to afford the deposits. I, for one, would also probably not book on board in the future, but rather than dealing directly with Celebrity, look at discounters, "sales", not to mention, Competitors. AND, please correct me if I am wrong, direct booking saves Celebrity the cost of an agent's commission. I have always looked at the on board booking credit in that way: I was receiving the commission for booking direct and while on board. (BTW, no offense intended towards our fellow cruisers out there who happen to be travel agents.)

 

I have to wonder if this is another of those changes such as the reduced Captain's Club perks, coupon booklets, etc, those things which have encouraged Celebrity's tradition base to stay with the line. I frequently wonder where the assumptions on which these changes seem to be based come from, and whether or not anyone is doing any reality checks as part of the processs. Or plans to...I sometimes even occasionally wonder if someone in Miami really wants the "Traditional Base" to go elsewhere.

 

Perhaps we are too demanding......or have been "spoiled"....or had our expectations "MET" ( past tense emphasis intended) :)

 

Good Post. It will be interesting to see it play out.

 

Ed

[keela1eva2]

Whilst I am sad to hear that there will be a change in policy regarding the OBC for booking on board. I have personally benefited from this and will do on my upcoming Millennium cruise.

I am however glad to see that the situation with deposited being changed in that we in the UK always lose our deposit if we should cancel. I have no objection to this in principle as it is the case with all travel companies in the UK. If we have to cancel because of illness or some genuine similar situation then we can claim our deposit back from our holiday insurance. The deposit would be refunded minus the excess which would normally be £35-£50.

I have also realised that some people will book several cruises but not intending to take them all and this closes out the availibility to other people. eg someone recently said on these boards that they had booked both the Galaxy or Century T/A and I think the Millennium and then cancelled one of them.

I realise that my opinion will not be a popular one but I stand by what I say in that we should be treated equally. If X wish to continue refunding the deposits then it should apply across the board. There have many ships now sailing in Europe and all over the world and they could be leaving themselves open to discrimination should they allow the current situation to continue.

PLEASE don't be too hard on me. I agree that there may be less bookings made on board but at the end of the day I don't think it will reduce the no of people cruising. They may need to reduce prices if they are not fully sold but they can take that decision when and if it is needed.

 

Sue

[Charles4515]

Royal Caribbean will be instituting a similar program. Also the deposit will be non refundable.

 

Non-refundable! Heck with that. I will stop booking onboard.

 

I currently have $450 on deposit with Celebrity for a $200 credit in March of 2008. I have been booking onboard with that size deposit every year. If they make them non-refundable that will be the last one.

[Lois R]

Arno, thank you for the updated screen:)

I enjoy reading your posts and now it now is much

easier to do it.

[Charles4515]

Charles4515: If Celebrity does not grandfather-in previous bookings and just says "read your new contract", you may have to take 4 cruises to use your $200 in credits.

I would not book any future cruise on any cruise line if they were non-refundable. It is a shame, but once again we all all have to wait and see what happens. Without these boards each of us would have wait even longer and find out for ourselves.

 

I very much doubt the change will affect previous bookings. But if they don't allow changes I will cancel and get my deposit back since I intended to change that 2008 booking to a 2007 sailing.

 

It seems like all the mainsteam cruise lines are looking to find ways to cut costs but in the doing so they are taking away the reasons I have cruised on them. I went on four cruises last year, I usually do three or four but they seem to be taking away my incentive to cruise on them. I have seriously been thinking of taking one cruise but on one of the more lux lines for ten days and using my other vacation weeks on land vacations. Fewer cruises but better cruises.

[Andy]

Hi Arno !

 

Sorry to hear the news. It looks like another step in the wrong direction for Celebrity. About the only positive is the reduced deposit, but I would rather pay a larger deposit, and keep it the current way !

 

This is exactly what happens when the bean counters work their calculators too much :). While the idea may look good on paper, it begs their loyal passengers to try other Cruise lines. If this plan comes to pass, I cannot see any reason to book a Cruise onboard, unless you are spending very big money on that booking.

 

As you said, this is an idea that might backfire on Celebrity, as it gives you strong incentive NOT to book ahead, and gamble on Happy Hours, especially if your schedule is flexible.

 

I also wonder how this will affect booked Cruises. If Celebrity does not grandfather existing bookings, they will make a lot of their passengers unhappy.

 

I have a funny feeling that the Future Cruise Consultant's job is about to become a very lonely position. Let's hope Celebrity reconsiders, and this change does not happen.

[two rabbits]

Host Andy, Congrats, on your 3,000 post!!!!!!!

 

I agree with you 100%. I too think that Celebrity is being run by the "bean counters", who are only looking toward the next quarter's earnings report. As you said in the long run it will probably come back to bite them on their South side, if they were heading North.

[Andy]

Host Andy, Congrats, on your 3,000 post!!!!!!!

 

I agree with you 100%. I too think that Celebrity is being run by the "bean counters", who are only looking toward the next quarter's earnings report. As you said in the long run it will probably come back to bite them on their South side, if they were heading North.

 

Hi Two Rabbits !

 

Thanks ! Had you not mentioned it, I doubt I would have noticed it !

 

In all honesty, I think I probably have a lot more than 3,000 posts, as our older members lost a post count in a conversion/update a while ago. Anyway, its a nice milestone :)

[Host Anne]

I can say that if Celebrity doesn't honor the on-board credit we have for a cruise already booked, it will be our last Celebrity cruise. There are far too many other options out there. :o

[greeneg]

Hi Anne. I feel the same way also. If they do not grandfather currently booked cruise credits, then there will be an additional stateroom available on the Quest next January for one thing.......

 

The more I think about this, the dumber I think it is......

[Host Kewlguy]

I can say that if Celebrity doesn't honor the on-board credit we have for a cruise already booked, it will be our last Celebrity cruise. There are far too many other options out there. :o

 

Hello Anne. I doubt Celebrity would make any changes to existing reservations. They aren't that crazy, are they?

[Andy]

Hi Anne. I feel the same way also. If they do not grandfather currently booked cruise credits, then there will be an additional stateroom available on the Quest next January for one thing.......

 

The more I think about this, the dumber I think it is......

 

Hi Ed !

 

I agree. The more I think about this, the more I feel we should all call Captains Club, and let them know how we feel. While it may not change anything, I strongly feel we should let them know that we are unhappy. Perhaps they will reconsider if they hear the backlash.

 

I can also say, that if they do not grandfather deposited bookings, that I will cancel ALL of my current bookings. As Host Anne said, there are other options out there, and perhaps it is time to look to Princess and Oceania. Some of Princess new itineraries are very exciting, and this might be one of the reasons to look at the competition. With that said, I surely hope it does not come to that.

 

I plan on calling Captains Club tomorrow morning. If anything interesting is said (and I doubt it), I will post it here.

[Andy]

Hello Anne. I doubt Celebrity would make any changes to existing reservations. They aren't that crazy, are they?

 

Hi Kewlguy !

 

I cant imagine Celebrity would cancel the OB credits of deposited bookings. I cant imagine what kind of uproar they would have if they did that !

 

Still, one has to wonder, at least a little. I will ask Captains Club about it in the morning. If I get any firm answer, I will post it here.

[sweetair]

sorry andy but i dont have any confidence in any answersyou will get from the captains club! celebrity's back office sucks..call 4 times and get 6 different answers! I think we will have to wait until its actually printed..not rumors

 

i will try to find out in 2 weeks if the future consultant on the millennium knows anything.

From what i have read in brief from a travel agent: you can transfer the booking to RCL. It has no expiration date.

*sweet*

[TourDeCruise]

Not good news. I'm wondering if they will reduce the amount of the shipboard credit for being a shareholder too. I also wonder that if we transfer a booking, where we already have the $200 shipboard credit, to another itinerary if we will lose the credit or it will be reduced.

[AnDeNo.UK]

Royal Caribbean will be instituting a similar program. Also the deposit will be non refundable.

 

 

DH and myself booked last week for Explorer of the Seas 2008, (9nts Caribbean). We are Platinum on RCI. Thro' these boards I was told to contact C & A for any discounts (early booking etc), I did....... nothing. :( When we made the res', we were given $50 OBC. :(

[Lois R]

Oh wow, I have $100.00 obc for Mercury next month:eek: I certainly

hope it is still available:confused:

 

Lets see what Capt's Club tells me when I call them

later today too.

[grandsix]

The worst thing you can do in business is to have a TAKE AWAY. Can you imagine lowering your pay or comissions or benefits. THIS IS NOT GOOD. Advanced booking is a major business planning tool. So if Celebrity wants to generate advanced bookings they are going to have to make it more attractive rather than what seems to be the new trend. MANAGEMENT IS MAKING A BIG MISTAKE....

[Charles4515]

The worst thing you can do in business is to have a TAKE AWAY. Can you imagine lowering your pay or comissions or benefits. THIS IS NOT GOOD. Advanced booking is a major business planning tool. So if Celebrity wants to generate advanced bookings they are going to have to make it more attractive rather than what seems to be the new trend. MANAGEMENT IS MAKING A BIG MISTAKE....

 

I don't know about. That this is a big mistake. With the reduced deposits they may get more future bookings. I had to think hard before I decided to tie up $450 the first time I did it. $100 is a lot easier to put down.

 

This really sounds like a copy of the Princess onboard bookings which have a low deposit and lower credits. The deposit is so low $100, that some people forget about it since they have open booking and lose the deposit that way, since you don't have to book a sailing, you just have to book one within three or four years. You only lose it though if you don't use it in that long time period. The Princess deposit is fully refundable whithin that period so if you put a $100 depost it is still worthwhile if you cruise often. Just not as nice as the Celebrity credit has been, so this changed Celebrity credit will still be worthwhile for many and they probably will get more bookings from the reduced deposit.

 

What would be a BIG MISTAKE would be if they make it non-refundable as someone posted. That would be really dumb. I would not and I hope others would not put down a non-refundable deposit on a cruise.

[Bradiego]

Wow. great information from everyone, but I am a little upset reading it. I have a 14 day booked on Summit this fall and I have onboard credits and shareholder credits too. I will have to call on Monday and make sure nothing has changed. If it has, I might have to cancel and sail someone else.