Change to Shareholder Policy Credit Email

[billscruiser]

While I too find this very disappointing, I can say I will no longer book onboard a cruise. Most times I end up changing because I plan so far out, tie up $900 on my cash for a year or more and something comes up to change the date. There is simply no monetary incentive. I, too, am an accountant involved in food and beverage and a $100 sale (in beverage) has probably a $30 cost to them (less if they buy dutyfree). They lost $70 in profit. Out of pocket to them $30, goodwill to stockholders "priceless". Other uses probably have a lesser profit margin. My guess beverage sales probably top their on board charges. (At least on my statements).

 

All kidding aside, we use that credit by trying new things. Martini bar, wine tasting, special night in specialty restaurant or spa treatment. Even though the spa is an outside concession, I can't imagine that there isn't a percentage that reverts to the ship. You can't always put a price on goodwill.

 

In fairness their stockholder information has always said they were offering those incentives until a specific date (usually a year). They aren't taking that away, only making it less attractive to either book on board or own stock. They have lowered their minority stockholders to a level of those passengers not investing a sizable sum of money and unworthy of the special treatment we've been used to. (Sorry for the rambling)

Kathryn

[Andy]

Hi Everyone !

 

I agree with those who say the benefit of (as an example 100.00), in some cases costs Celebrity far less than 100.00. For example, when you purchase a drink or an internet package, its costing them pennies on the dollar. In other cases, its costs them 97.00 when you take cash from the Casino.

 

If this decision were up to me, I would have retained the benefit, but restrict it to non-cash onboard items, not to be used for anything that can be turned into cash, such as Casino cash or tips. Several other lines do it this way, and it would have made far more sense, as opposed to simply elimimating it, and anger many passengers who happen to be shareholders as well.

 

What concerns me the most, is that while every cruise line is working feverishly to cut costs, and while I can understand this happening in such crazy economic times.... you must draw a very fine line, and not step over the line, to the point where it ticks off your best customers. They may choose to look elsewhere. I feel that customer loyalty should mean everything, more now than ever. I would never want to risk losing it.

[TRadle]

If loyalty is what the debate is about then I think Celebrity would do better if they had perks equal to our better than Royal Caribbean. After all it is the same company and not all loyal cruises are shareholders.

 

It is very important in these economic times to keep investors happy. How many customers own lots of shares? I'd rather see a balcony discount on Celebrity and the nice concierge lounge than get an OBC for tying up money for a year by booking onboard. Just a thought.:)

[jerseygirl3]

I guess I better get my email over. I have a few bookings that I didn't submit yet.

 

Do you actually have to have your OBC applied for being a shareholder before October 15 or does the fact that we've made deposit before that date count? I have a cruise fully deposited on the Oasis for October 16, 2010 (made deposit last week). Do I have to apply for my shareholder credit now, or will the fact that I made deposit be grandfathered in?

 

Jo-Ann

[Lsimon]

Do you actually have to have your OBC applied for being a shareholder before October 15 or does the fact that we've made deposit before that date count? I have a cruise fully deposited on the Oasis for October 16, 2010 (made deposit last week). Do I have to apply for my shareholder credit now, or will the fact that I made deposit be grandfathered in?

 

Jo-Ann

 

I'm not sure there is a clear and definite answer to this - if you are a shareholder and have a booking, and coressponding booking ID, why don't you just email them the info now and not worry about it?

[jerseygirl3]

We will have $500 OBC for our upcoming Connie cruise. $300 is in Celebrity Rewards American Express and $200 is from shareholder OBC. Are you saying that if we don't use the entire $500 (which is pretty improbable), we can get money back?

 

Jo-Ann

[pamkev]

We will have $500 OBC for our upcoming Connie cruise. $300 is in Celebrity Rewards American Express and $200 is from shareholder OBC. Are you saying that if we don't use the entire $500 (which is pretty improbable), we can get money back?

 

Jo-Ann

 

From what I understand the answer is yes and could be just a very small reason Celebrity is doing what it is doing now.

[DC2OC]

Hi Everyone !

 

 

If this decision were up to me, I would have retained the benefit, but restrict it to non-cash onboard items, not to be used for anything that can be turned into cash, such as Casino cash or tips. Several other lines do it this way, and it would have made far more sense, as opposed to simply elimimating it, and anger many passengers who happen to be shareholders as well.

 

/quote]

 

I never understood why they have not handled onboard credit that way.The elimination of perks will only encourage me to try other lines and who knows I might find something I like as much or better

[jerseygirl3]

Hi Everyone !

 

 

If this decision were up to me, I would have retained the benefit, but restrict it to non-cash onboard items, not to be used for anything that can be turned into cash, such as Casino cash or tips. Several other lines do it this way, and it would have made far more sense, as opposed to simply elimimating it, and anger many passengers who happen to be shareholders as well.

 

/quote]

 

I never understood why they have not handled onboard credit that way.The elimination of perks will only encourage me to try other lines and who knows I might find something I like as much or better

 

I agree. It would never even occur to me to get back any of my OBC in cash. I wouldn't mind if I could roll it over to another cruise down the road if I had any OBC left, but I just figured I'd lose whatever I didn't use.

 

I've been thinking a bit more about this. And I have a hunch. If RCI/Celebrity sees that they are losing a lot of business by people not doing any onboard bookings in order to use the shareholder credit, they'll probably just do away with the shareholder credit altogether, to get people to book onboard again. Either way, it seems like a lose/lose situation for the passenger.

 

And to think, I bought high....

[RJL58]

We will have $500 OBC for our upcoming Connie cruise. $300 is in Celebrity Rewards American Express and $200 is from shareholder OBC. Are you saying that if we don't use the entire $500 (which is pretty improbable), we can get money back?

 

Jo-Ann

 

Your two OBC`s you have will still be combinable under the new rules, its putting shareholders with booking on board OBC and Celeb Capt Club $ off Vouchers that will be a no no :eek: .

 

Its been posted earlier that some passengers cash there OBC for cash at the casino, -minus3% charge for doing so, so I guess you could do this with your unused OBC on last night of the cruise.

Hope that helps........... RICH

[Oville]

We will have $500 OBC for our upcoming Connie cruise. $300 is in Celebrity Rewards American Express and $200 is from shareholder OBC. Are you saying that if we don't use the entire $500 (which is pretty improbable), we can get money back?

 

Jo-Ann

 

Absolutely!!! On our last cruise which was on RCcL we had $200 left and had to take it as cash. On issue we ran into is we prepaid for excursions and specialty restaurants. Onboard we decide to cancel one dinner and one excursion and got back quite a bit if money. Instead to crediting back to our charge card they add it to your Seapass account.

[Oville]

Your two OBC`s you have will still be combinable under the new rules, its putting shareholders with booking on board OBC and Celeb Capt Club $ off Vouchers that will be a no no :eek: .

 

Its been posted earlier that some passengers cash there OBC for cash at the casino, -minus3% charge for doing so, so I guess you could do this with your unused OBC on last night of the cruise.

Hope that helps........... RICH

 

Go to the purser and save 3%.

[Oceans&Rivers]

Hi Everyone !

 

I agree with those who say the benefit of (as an example 100.00), in some cases costs Celebrity far less than 100.00. For example, when you purchase a drink or an internet package, its costing them pennies on the dollar. In other cases, its costs them 97.00 when you take cash from the Casino.

 

If this decision were up to me, I would have retained the benefit, but restrict it to non-cash onboard items, not to be used for anything that can be turned into cash, such as Casino cash or tips. Several other lines do it this way, and it would have made far more sense, as opposed to simply elimimating it, and anger many passengers who happen to be shareholders as well.

 

What concerns me the most, is that while every cruise line is working feverishly to cut costs, and while I can understand this happening in such crazy economic times.... you must draw a very fine line, and not step over the line, to the point where it ticks off your best customers. They may choose to look elsewhere. I feel that customer loyalty should mean everything, more now than ever. I would never want to risk losing it.

 

Each company defines "best customer" differently, and what was yesterday's or yesteryear's best customer may not be today's best customer.

 

I bought 100 shares of RCL just last week when the price dipped below my own target to purchase because of the shareholder credits and because we intend to cruise Celebrity and Azamara (when we like the itinerary) since they are largely non-smoking lines and that is extremely important to us.

 

Although Carnival Corporation had a similar drop in price, I made no purchase there, because the product they offer—across the board—is smoky.

 

I have never booked a future cruise onboard any cruise line in more than twenty years of cruising, so future cruise credits play no part whatsoever in our bookings. What matters to us is the onboard service, maintenance of quality in food and furnishings, interesting activities, and that we can enjoy ourselves without smelling smoke.

 

I am not saying that I want the future cruise credit to go away for those of you that use it, only that it is not a credit that makes a difference to us or causes us to be more or less "loyal" to any line. However, as a shareholder, I would frown on any benefit that could be turned into cash.

[SandyR5]

Kathryn - Please explain about going to the purser to change your OBC to cash. We usually use our OBC from our TA for tips/drinks. We do donate in the casino nightly also :( , and on our last cruise we had extra OBC since we booked all our excursions prior to cruising. We cashed out at the casino...before the 3% charge and just used the money in the casino. Are you saying you can go to the purser and cash out OBC? :rolleyes:

[trilind]

I understand costs are always going up and with fuel costs I am sure all cruise lines are having to look for ways to cut costs but this is a risky move. We always "book" on board but if I interpret correctly those days are over. They are not dumb, well, so they knew the impact this would have with on board bookings. That may be a goal to reduce the need for the person on board to handle these. Maybe I am fishing but is is puzzling as we are longtime stockholders.

[Oville]

Kathryn - Please explain about going to the purser to change your OBC to cash. We usually use our OBC from our TA for tips/drinks. We do donate in the casino nightly also :( , and on our last cruise we had extra OBC since we booked all our excursions prior to cruising. We cashed out at the casino...before the 3% charge and just used the money in the casino. Are you saying you can go to the purser and cash out OBC? :rolleyes:

 

Sandy, that is the case on RCCL. On the last evening we went to guest relations and got the remainder of our obc. We don't gamble, are diamond C&A members so pre dinner cockails are free in the consierge lounge. We spend plenty, but as I said before we cancelled an excursion and dinner so we had $200 left on our Seapass account.

[SandyR5]

Kathryn - Thanks. As I said, we always seem to "use up" our onboard credit between tips and drinks, but its good to know there's another alternative. :)

[Hypo]

Sandy, that is the case on RCCL. On the last evening we went to guest relations and got the remainder of our obc. We don't gamble, are diamond C&A members so pre dinner cockails are free in the consierge lounge. We spend plenty, but as I said before we cancelled an excursion and dinner so we had $200 left on our Seapass account.

 

On RCCL, they will also automatically refund excess OBC back to the credit card that you registered.

 

Hypo

[SandyR5]

Hmmm., What is the X equivilent of Diamond? Elite?? Free cocktails??? Sounds pretty good to me. We've cruised on RCCL 4x but they were early on.

[nicaphile]

Is there a way to know, before boarding the ship, that your OBC has been credited to your account?

[RMSeadog]

Well, that will kill off the booking onboard program for any shareholders.

 

Why would someone tie up a non-refundable deposit to get $100 OBC (for a cruise that costs 2,500 - 3,999) when I can get $200 - 250 for the cruises I typically book?

 

What really ticks me off is I booked 2 Celebrity Passages last month and now it appears I will get absolutely nothing for them since I have my cruises booked for next year.

 

I will call and see if I can at least get the $100 applied to the price of the cruise. If not, that is a terrible turn of events.

 

I read on another Thread that bookings before 15 Oct where grandfathered in. ~ Rick

[Longboysfan]

Does this restriction apply only to other credits or OBC provided by Celebrity? How about OBC provided by a TA?

 

I think this is a seperat issue.

 

They are talking about OBC's straight from Royal Caribbean.

You get one - not two.

Either from Credit Card or Stock not both.

[ginagirl]

I just sent my email of complaint to Stockholder Benefits. We all need to do this. There really isn't much more to do.:confused:

[Janet987]

If anyone still wants these shareholder benefits, appears RCL is trading near $17 at this moment, at least a five year low.

[Hypo]

Is there a way to know, before boarding the ship, that your OBC has been credited to your account?

 

 

For RCCL, you can call Crown & Anchor service line and they will tell you what OBC is posted to your account. They will not have listed any OBC that you receive from your TA. TA OBC will be shown on a "gift card" that should be in your cabin on boarding. It will post to your account a couple of days into the cruise.

 

Hypo