Reduced/Changes in onboard credits

[Andy]

Does anybody know if the price ranges above ($0-$2000) above are per person, or totals for stateroom? I know the credit is per stateroom.

 

Thanks.

 

Hi Darren !

 

From everything I have read, the amounts are the total per stateroom.

 

This leads to another question. I wonder if 3rd and 4th passengers in the same cabin would be included in the calculation. My guess is yes, but I am not 100% certain on that.

[Sky Sweet]

I have a feeling the original philosophy behind giving an OBC to people who book a cruise while on another one might have been the money they thought they would save by not having to pay a commission to a travel agent. However, since so many people who book on board subsequently transfer that booking to their TA, the cruise line might have decided they lose more than they save.

[Guienevere_Arianette]

I'll try to give you the straight answer (though could be confused myself). Celebrity (X) used to give you an On Board Credit (OBC) if you booked a future cruise while on the ship during your current sailing. It wasn't just early booking...you had to do it on the ship. The amount was based on the length of your cruise (7 night cruise = $100OBC per cabin). If you later changed your mind, you could transfer the booking number to a different cruise, and the OBC would transfer along with the OBC. Some of us would use this to book "phantom cruises."

 

Under the new system, the initial deposit amount is much less (I think they said $100). The OBC is based on the price of your cruise, not the length. They are substantially less for those who book insides. I believe the deposit is now non-refundable.

 

I think that you can transfer the booking to a different cruise, but lose your OBC if you do (is that true everybody?).

 

Thanks so much for your time and answer; I get the picture now, and I can see why there are some angry folks b/c of it.

[cruisintwinsmom]

I have a feeling the original philosophy behind giving an OBC to people who book a cruise while on another one might have been the money they thought they would save by not having to pay a commission to a travel agent. However, since so many people who book on board subsequently transfer that booking to their TA, the cruise line might have decided they lose more than they save.

 

 

Great point! I just received a questionaire from X/RCL regarding just that. One of the questions was to the effect "Did you intend to switch to a TA when making your original booking with X?" On this past cruise I wasn't sure which TA I wanted to book, so just had X hold the booking. Now, in retrospect, on previous cruises, they immediately booked my cruise with the travel agent I used to book the sailing I was presently on; thus, it seemed they could careless that an agent would be getting the booking.

[ISABELLA]

Here what I just received from the X:

Thank you for your e-mail. Effective March of 2007, Celebrity Cruises will

enhance the onboard cruise sales program. The onboard credit that is offered

for new Celebrity cruises booked by guests while onboard a Celebrity cruise will

be based on the cost of the new cruise. The onboard credit will no longer be

based on the length of the cruise.

 

Bookings made onboard under the previous structure will not be affected unless

the ship and/or sail date is changed. If the ship and/or sail date is changed

the onboard credit will be adjusted using the length of the cruise structure.

 

Celebrity Passages is an Onboard Cruise Program that allows guest to place a

minimal deposit on a future cruise with out choosing an actual ship and sail

date. By placing a deposit, the guest will receive an Onboard Credit on the

future cruise that is chosen. Price is determined when the guest chooses the

ship and sail date of their desired voyage. This program is currently only

available for U.S. guests.

 

For further details and information please contact us directly at

1-800-760-0654. You can also contact the Captain's Club Hostess while onboard

an upcoming cruise for additional information.

 

 

Sincerely,

 

Tara

Celebrity Cruises Captains Club

 

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS? COMMENTS?

 

Call: 1-800-760-0654, 9 AM-11 PM EST, Monday-Friday; 10 AM-8 PM EST

Saturday-Sunday

(Outside the United States or Canada: +1-316-554-5961)

[whm]

I guess that the questions are answered!

[Dick in Falls Church]

When certain models of cars were in short supply, some dealers added several thousand dollars to the prices. Imagine how surprised they were when their old customers never came back.

 

We can only wait and see. As a cruiser who likes TAs, and got great OBCs by booking on board, I will strongly reconsider the future cruising.

As a stockholder, I have mixed feelings. But then, it's only 100 shares<g>

[Katie H]

We were on the Summit from 3/3 t0 3/17. On the first or second night, there was a flyer in our daily about future cruise bookings. I still have it and will type the info in here. This is exactly as printed on the "Onboard Request for Cruise Price Quote" form.

 

BENEFITS OF BOOKING YOUR NEXT CELEBRITY CRUISE WHILE ONBOARD

ONBOARD CREDITS

By booking your next Celebrity Cruise onboard you'll receive a shipboard credit in the amount of:

On Board Credit Amount (USD) For Cruisefares from (USD)

$50 per stateroom $1 to $2000

$100 per stateroom $2001 to $3499

$150 per stateroom $3500 to $5499

$200 per stateroom $5500 to $6999

$300 per stateroom $7000+

- On Board Credits are valid only for your own new individual reservations made onboard

-Note: On Board Credits will no longer be valid if the booking is changed to a different ship or sale date.

- Onboard credits do not apply to Galapagos Xpeditions as Xpedition cruises are all inclusive.

- On Board Credits for Royal Caribbean International bookins are $50-$200 per stateroom and vary by length of sailing.

ENSURE AVAILABILITY

By booking early, you will find the best availability of preferred staterooms or suites. We have direct access to Celebrity's reservation system and van view all available staterooms and suites on any sailing. Itineraries are booking up fast. Secure your stateroom and price now.

FULLY REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT

A minimal deposit is required to secure a reservation. Should you wish to cancel your reservation, the deposit is fully refundable until 70 days prior to sailing (90 days prior to sailing for Holiday Sailings).

Deposits for residents outside of the U.S. and Canada are handled through your travel agent as the policy for Non-US/Canadian guests will differ and may incur cancellation penalties.

TRAVEL AGENT CREDIT

All bookings can be credited to and finalized by your preferred Travel Agent. Pricing is the same whether you choose to book directly with Celebrity or through a travel agent.

That is it. Bold and Caps are as printed on the form. Hope this helps. As a result, we didn't book while on board as planned.

[ISABELLA]

Don't you just love when they call it ENHANCED program. HA! What is true definition of the word enhanced?? Something better? Better for whom?

[C 2 C]

Don't you just love when they call it ENHANCED program. HA! What is true definition of the word enhanced?? Something better? Better for whom?

 

The new Enhanced "Celebrity Treatment":

the enhanced benefits to frequent cruisers came first, nicely outlined in a coupon book, complete with a free bingo card coupon.

"enhanced on board cruise sales program" gives an additional $100.00 to those spending over $7,000.

Next:

Enhanced menus:

enhanced dining options?

enhanced corkage fees?

enhanced dress codes?

enhanced Caribbean itineraries?

enhanced, shorter comment cards..

[Karynanne]

It sure look like Celebrity's definition of enhanced IS more...more of Celebrity taking away what they had previously offered. It gives a whole new meaning to the phase...less is more.

 

Karyn

[Andy]

Hi Everyone !

 

If that Celebrity's definition of enhanced, they need to get a new dictionary :)

 

It reminds me of when I get a letter in the mail that starts with the words "To Serve You Better" .... I always know a price increase is coming :)

[EmJakeBubbie]

Our $400 OBC still beats the best offer in the new ENHANCED program:D I will advocate shopping for DEALS and STEALS rather than to book on board. Think of the time I will save by not having to sit and discuss a future cruise of which I was never certain. Now I can go spend that $aving$ in the casino, at the bar.......:D

[ISABELLA]

I guess X changed the definition of the "loyal client". Does Loyal means beeing with somebody all the time thru thin and thick? or because you spend a lot of money. So it doesn't matter how many days or cruises you cruised with them, it matters how much money you will spend. I think next thing for them will be to introduce is "class" dining. How do you feel about that? Do you still loyal to X? Think about it.

[Dr. Cocktail]

In order to make it easier for Celebrity's Marketing Department, I have forwarded the details of the Brand New and Improved Captain's Club Reward Progream

 

Levels of Membership

 

1 to 5 Sailings: You came back?

 

Complimentary coupon "roll" conveniently attached to chrome fixture in bathroom

1-for-2 cocktail credit - pay for 2 cocktails but receive only one!

One extra "push" in cabin shower shampoo dispenser (note: excessive use of "quality" shampoo may cause hair loss)

 

2 to 10 Sailings: You Just Don't Get It

 

One free dinner in Specialty Restaurant on Galaxy or Mercury

Complimentary towel animal on Formal Night

Five extra chocolate spinkles on ice-cream-sort-of-wierd-frozen-yogurty-like-typoid-product

 

10 to Whatever sailings: Perhaps You Should Have Your Head Examined

 

Priority Embarkation (after 4:00 PM only)

Luggage tag with enhanced bar code

Cabin number on door enhanced with hi-liter

Enhanced toilet flush on m-class ships when toilet actually works

Souvenir bearing actully used in propulsion system (lots available!)

[shoreless]

In order to make it easier for Celebrity's Marketing Department, I have forwarded the details of the Brand New and Improved Captain's Club Reward Progream

 

Levels of Membership

 

1 to 5 Sailings: You came back?

 

Complimentary coupon "roll" conveniently attached to chrome fixture in bathroom

1-for-2 cocktail credit - pay for 2 cocktails but receive only one!

One extra "push" in cabin shower shampoo dispenser (note: excessive use of "quality" shampoo may cause hair loss)

 

2 to 10 Sailings: You Just Don't Get It

 

One free dinner in Specialty Restaurant on Galaxy or Mercury

Complimentary towel animal on Formal Night

Five extra chocolate spinkles on ice-cream-sort-of-wierd-frozen-yogurty-like-typoid-product

 

10 to Whatever sailings: Perhaps You Should Have Your Head Examined

 

Priority Embarkation (after 4:00 PM only)

Luggage tag with enhanced bar code

Cabin number on door enhanced with hi-liter

Enhanced toilet flush on m-class ships when toilet actually works

Souvenir bearing actully used in propulsion system (lots available!)

 

That's great.:D :D

[Karynanne]

Let's pray that Celebrity doesn't enhance it's "Announcement" policy....meaning MORE onboard announcements. That would be a huge negative for my cruising experience.

 

Karyn

[EmJakeBubbie]

Dr. Cocktail - too funny! DH & I both LOL:D Thanks a zillion! just hope those pods don't decide to crap out whilst on the SUMMIT in June!!! I'm hoping our cruise will be everything we hope for and more.

[dmk]

 

 

Celebrity Passages is an Onboard Cruise Program that allows guest to place a

minimal deposit on a future cruise with out choosing an actual ship and sail

date. By placing a deposit, the guest will receive an Onboard Credit on the

future cruise that is chosen. Price is determined when the guest chooses the

ship and sail date of their desired voyage. This program is currently only

available for U.S. guests.

 

 

 

Does this mean that Canadians will not be able to get any OBC's?? :( :confused:

[Andy]

 

 

Celebrity Passages is an Onboard Cruise Program that allows guest to place a

minimal deposit on a future cruise with out choosing an actual ship and sail

date. By placing a deposit, the guest will receive an Onboard Credit on the

future cruise that is chosen. Price is determined when the guest chooses the

ship and sail date of their desired voyage. This program is currently only

available for U.S. guests.

 

 

 

Does this mean that Canadians will not be able to get any OBC's?? :( :confused:

 

 

Hi Dmk !

 

I cannot answer your question, but with the new program, the OB credits have been reduced to a point, where it isnt worth the trouble any longer to book onboard... UNLESS you are spending a great deal of money on your Cruise.

 

Perhaps someone else can answer your question. Good luck !

[goofysmom99]

It's hard to believe that X and Royal Caribbean are owned by the same company sometimes. If I read all of this correctly, I can book a future cruise on X for a Royal Caribbean cruise and still get the "old" OBC. Also, at the Diamond level on RC, I would get $300 off a the balcony cabin, which I consider a "real" benefit, unlike the silly X Elite bennies.

 

Our dining room service on the Jewel OTS in 12/05 (not holiday) was dreadful, but the service on our 9/06 Radiance OTS cruise was excellent. The food had improved noticeably, too. So, although we have been stalwart X cruisers for several years, if the itinerary and rack price are similar, I think I'll be booking future cruises on RC. An added plus is the RC ships are lovely and don't seem to have as many propulsion issues.

 

The parent company will benefit from my dollars regardless. I just can't figure out why they're screwing around with one of the very few tangible bennies that X had. I imagine the bean counters will eventually fiddle with the onboard booking credit from RC sometime down the road.

[c-legs]

In order to make it easier for Celebrity's Marketing Department, I have forwarded the details of the Brand New and Improved Captain's Club Reward Progream

 

Levels of Membership

 

1 to 5 Sailings: You came back?

 

Complimentary coupon "roll" conveniently attached to chrome fixture in bathroom

1-for-2 cocktail credit - pay for 2 cocktails but receive only one!

One extra "push" in cabin shower shampoo dispenser (note: excessive use of "quality" shampoo may cause hair loss)

 

2 to 10 Sailings: You Just Don't Get It

 

One free dinner in Specialty Restaurant on Galaxy or Mercury

Complimentary towel animal on Formal Night

Five extra chocolate spinkles on ice-cream-sort-of-wierd-frozen-yogurty-like-typoid-product

 

10 to Whatever sailings: Perhaps You Should Have Your Head Examined

 

Priority Embarkation (after 4:00 PM only)

Luggage tag with enhanced bar code

Cabin number on door enhanced with hi-liter

Enhanced toilet flush on m-class ships when toilet actually works

Souvenir bearing actully used in propulsion system (lots available!)

:D :D Good evening,

 

L O L .....Good stuff !! Thanks for sharing that exquisitely caustic bit of humour. Right ON !!

 

Cheers

:cool:

[elena7seas]

FULLY REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT

A minimal deposit is required to secure a reservation. Should you wish to cancel your reservation, the deposit is fully refundable until 70 days prior to sailing (90 days prior to sailing for Holiday Sailings).

Deposits for residents outside of the U.S. and Canada are handled through your travel agent as the policy for Non-US/Canadian guests will differ and may incur cancellation penalties.

 

And what if you are Canadian and don't use a travel agent, and book direct with Celebrity...? Or does this mean Celebrity isn't going to deal directly with Canadians any more, "as the policy for ... Canadian guests will differ"? It's certainly quite clear that the "Passages" programs will not be available to Canadians.

 

Until now, I have been able to access the benefits of cruising with Celebrity in the much same way as my American friends.

 

But now, in addition to the reduced OBC that is affecting everyone, my options for future cruise bookings have been reduced because I'm Canadian? Did we do something to offend Celebrity?

[EGG]

So let me see if I understand this. You are on the cruise ship and there are not nearly enough catalogs or lists of upcoming cruises to go around. You wait around for an hour to speak to the agent. The computer is slow and the printer is not working. There is a line of people behind you. You are lucky if you can get a price for one cruise, let alone a few cruises and dates. The computer is slow (did I say that already?) so forget about finding out what cabins are really available or comparing the prices on different cruises. You have to come back and wait another hour because you have to be sure of you date - if you make a reservation and change the cruise date you lose the measley credit. NO THANK YOU!

[Susan-M]

Deposits for residents outside of the U.S. and Canada are handled through your travel agent as the policy for Non-US/Canadian guests will differ and may incur cancellation penalties.

 

And what if you are Canadian and don't use a travel agent, and book direct with Celebrity...? Or does this mean Celebrity isn't going to deal directly with Canadians any more, "as the policy for ... Canadian guests will differ"?

 

Elena: From the info that you quote, it appears that the policy differs for guests outside of U.S. & Canada .... and that we can still book directly with Celebrity.