Celebrity Cruises announced a number of changes, including eliminating benefits, to their Captain’s Club loyalty program, in conjunction with their shift to Always Included fares on November 17, 2020.
Always Included fares are meant to emulate an all-inclusive cruising experience. All Always Included fares include a classic drink package, Surf Internet package (slower unlimited browsing which does not support streaming), and gratuities. You can also upgrade an Always Included fare for fancier beverages, faster Internet, and additional credit.
The introduction of Always Included fares has severely reduced the value of discounted/free drinks, beverage packages, and Internet packages that remain available as benefits to Captain’s Club members, especially at the Elite level or higher.
It technically remains possible to book a lower-cost non-inclusive Simply Sail fare with Celebrity, but availability of such fares may be extremely limited and are not made available until 90 days before departure. Senior and resident rates have been eliminated.
While it’s also possible some of the eliminated benefits may be restored after the COVID-19 pandemic subsides, there’s no guarantee that these benefits will return.
Jump ahead to see the benefits changes for each Captain’s Club tier:
Preview Tier Changes (0-1 points)
There have been no changes for Preview members, which is made up of those who have yet to cruise with Celebrity.
Classic Tier Changes (2-149 points)
Classic members benefited from Captain’s Club program changes, although these changes are most attractive to those who purchase photo packages or wines by the bottle.
Those who purchase photo packages will benefit the most from the changes.
Classic members now receive a token 5% discount on beverage packages (only useful if not sailing on the new Always Included fare) and on premium beverage package upgrades.
Beverage packages and upgrades must be purchased pre-cruise to receive discount.
Photo package discounts have also increased.
While the Internet package discount and free specialty coffee when dining in a specialty restaurant remain, the inclusion of a classic beverage package and Surf Wi-Fi in the new Always Included fare, severely diminishes the value of these benefits.
| Classic Benefit Changes | Now | Previously |
|---|---|---|
| Beverage Package Discount must be purchased pre-cruise | 5% | None |
| Premium Beverage Package Upgrade Discount must be purchased pre-cruise | 5% | None |
| Digital or Print Photo Package Discount | 25% | 10% |
| The Studio Photo Package Discount | $100 | $50 |
| Wine by the Bottle Discount does not stack with 15%-20% discount included with classic/premium beverage package | 10% on all | 10% but only for bottles $40+ |
| Captain’s Club Sneak Peak of Wonder at Eden only on Celebrity Apex | Yes | Not Offered |
The following benefits have also changed:
- Captain’s Club Celebration Night is now Captain’s Club Welcome Celebration
The following benefits have remained the same:
- 10% discount on Internet packages and upgrades
- 10% off laundry services (1x per cruise)
- Free scoop of gelato (1x per cruise)
- One category upgrade applicable through AquaClass
- Match Plays for Roulette or Blackjack (1x)
- Bingo Card Bonus with purchase of 3-card bingo session (3-card bonus)
- Loyalty status match to Azamara Circle
The following Classic benefits remain but their value is severely diminished by the introduction of Always Included fares:
- 10% discount on Internet packages and upgrades
- Free specialty coffee when dining in specialty restaurant
Select Tier Changes (150-299 points)
Select members received some improvements but also saw a number of benefits eliminated, including: priority embarkation, Backstage Tour, and the Senior Officers’ Party.
Those who purchase spa services or photo packages will benefit the most from the changes.
Select members now receive a small 10% discount on beverage packages (only useful if not sailing on the new Always Included fare) and a token 5% discount on premium beverage package upgrades (same as Classic).
Beverage packages and upgrades must be purchased pre-cruise to receive discount.
Photo package discounts have also increased.
While the Internet package discount and free specialty coffee when dining in a specialty restaurant remain, the inclusion of a classic beverage package and Surf Wi-Fi in the new Always Included fare, severely diminishes the value of these benefits.
| Select Benefit Changes | Now | Previously |
|---|---|---|
| Priority Embarkation | Eliminated | Yes |
| Captain’s Club Backstage Tour Technology Tour on Edge-class ships | Eliminated | Yes |
| Captain’s Club Senior Officers’ Party | Eliminated | Yes |
| Spa Discount | 10% multi-use anytime | 10% 1x per cruise and only when in port, except for Edge |
| Beverage Package Discount must be purchased pre-cruise | 10% | None |
| Premium Beverage Package Upgrade Discount must be purchased pre-cruise | 5% | None |
| Digital or Print Photo Package Discount | 30% | 15% |
| The Studio Photo Package Discount | $150 | $75 |
| Wine by the Bottle Discount does not stack with 15%-20% discount included with classic/premium beverage package | 15% on all | 15% but only for bottles $40+ |
| Captain’s Club Sneak Peak of Wonder at Eden only on Celebrity Apex | Yes | Not Offered |
The following Select benefits also changed:
- Captain’s Club Celebration Night is now Captain’s Club Welcome Celebration
The following Select benefits remain the same:
- Free complimentary pressings (2 items per cruise)
- Discounted bag of laundry on 12+ night cruises (1x per cruise)
- Captain’s Club Wine Tasting
- Free scoop of gelato (1x per cruise)
- One category upgrade applicable through AquaClass
- Match Plays for Roulette or Blackjack (2x)
- Bingo Card Bonus with purchase of 3-card bingo session (6-card bonus)
- Loyalty status match to Azamara Circle
- Loyalty status match to Royal Caribbean Crown & Anchor Society
The following Select benefits remain but their value is severely diminished by the introduction of Always Included fares:
- 25% discount on Internet packages and upgrades
- Free specialty coffee when dining in specialty restaurant
Elite Tier Changes (300-749 points)
Elite members saw the elimination of many benefits, including: Elegant Tea, priority embarkation, Backstage Tour, and the Senior Officers’ Party.
Those who purchase spa services, dry cleaning or laundry pressing services, or photo packages will benefit the most from the changes.
Elite members now receive a small 15% discount on beverage packages (only useful if not sailing on the new Always Included fare) and a small 10% discount on premium beverage package upgrades.
Beverage packages and upgrades must be purchased pre-cruise to receive discount.
Photo package discounts have also increased.
While the Internet package discount, daily Coffee Lounge, and free specialty coffee when dining in a specialty restaurant remain, the inclusion of a classic beverage package and Surf Wi-Fi in the new Always Included fare, severely diminishes the value of these benefits.
| Elite Benefit Changes | Now | Previously |
|---|---|---|
| Captain’s Club Elegant Tea | Eliminated | Yes |
| Priority Embarkation | Eliminated | Yes |
| Captain’s Club Backstage Tour Technology Tour on Edge-class ships | Eliminated | Yes |
| Captain’s Club Senior Officers’ Party | Eliminated | Yes |
| Feeling Chic Laundry Package dry cleaning for up to 8 items | $35 | Not Offered |
| Pressed to Impress Laundry Package add pressing to free laundry bag | $20 | Not Offered |
| Captain’s Club Create and Pour only on Edge-class ships | Yes | Not Offered |
| Spa Discount | 15% multi-use anytime | 15% 1x per cruise and only when in port, except for Edge |
| Beverage Package Discount must be purchased pre-cruise | 15% | None |
| Premium Beverage Package Upgrade Discount must be purchased pre-cruise | 10% | None |
| Digital or Print Photo Package Discount | 40% | 20% |
| The Studio Photo Package Discount | $200 | $100 |
| Wine by the Bottle Discount does not stack with 15%-20% discount included with classic/premium beverage package | 20% on all | 20% but only for bottles $40+ |
| Captain’s Club Sneak Peak of Wonder at Eden only on Celebrity Apex | Yes | Not Offered |
The following Elite benefits have also changed:
- Captain’s Club Celebration Night is now Captain’s Club Welcome Celebration
- Captain’s Club daily Elite Cocktail Hour replaced with unlimited drinks from the Cocktail Hour Menu between 5-7pm, excluding embarkation day
- Value of this benefit severely diminished by the introduction of Always Included fares
The following Elite benefits have remained the same:
- Priority tender service
- Priority shipboard departure lounge
- Free complimentary dry cleaning (1 item per cruise)
- Free bag of laundry (1x per cruise)
- Free complimentary pressings (2 items per cruise)
- Discounted bag of laundry on 12+ night cruises (1x per cruise)
- Complimentary access to Persian Garden while in port (1x per cruise)
- Captain’s Club Wine Tasting
- Free scoop of gelato (1x per cruise)
- Match Plays for Roulette or Blackjack (3x)
- Bingo Card Bonus with purchase of 3-card bingo session (6-card bonus)
- Loyalty status match to Royal Caribbean Crown & Anchor Society
- Loyalty status match to Azamara Circle
The following Elite benefits remain but their value is severely diminished by the introduction of Always Included fares:
- 30% discount on Internet packages and upgrades, or 90 free minutes (at higher Stream level)
- Daily Coffee Lounge
- Free specialty coffee when dining in specialty restaurant
Elite Plus Tier Changes (750-2,999 points)
Elite Plus members saw the elimination of many benefits, including: Free Fitness Class, Elegant Tea, priority embarkation, Backstage Tour, and the Senior Officers’ Party.
Those who purchase spa services, dry cleaning or laundry pressing services, or photo packages will benefit the most from the changes.
Elite members now receive a modest 20% discount on beverage packages (only useful if not sailing on the new Always Included fare) and a small 10% discount on premium beverage package upgrades.
Beverage packages and upgrades must be purchased pre-cruise to receive discount.
Photo package discounts have also increased.
While the Internet package discount, daily Coffee Lounge, and free specialty coffee when dining in a specialty restaurant as well as free unlimited cappuccino, latte, tea, espresso benefits remain, the inclusion of a classic beverage package and Surf Wi-Fi in the new Always Included fare, severely diminishes the value of these benefits.
| Elite Plus Benefit Changes | Now | Previously |
|---|---|---|
| Free Fitness Class | Eliminated | Yes |
| Captain’s Club Elegant Tea | Eliminated | Yes |
| Priority Embarkation | Eliminated | Yes |
| Captain’s Club Backstage Tour Technology Tour on Edge-class ships | Eliminated | Yes |
| Captain’s Club Senior Officers’ Party | Eliminated | Yes |
| Feeling Chic Laundry Package dry cleaning for up to 8 items | $35 | Not Offered |
| Pressed to Impress Laundry Package add pressing to free laundry bags | $20 | Not Offered |
| Captain’s Club Create and Pour only on Edge-class ships | Yes | Not Offered |
| Spa Discount | 15% multi-use anytime | 15% 1x per cruise and only when in port, except for Edge |
| Beverage Package Discount must be purchased pre-cruise | 20% | None |
| Premium Beverage Package Upgrade Discount must be purchased pre-cruise | 10% | None |
| Digital or Print Photo Package Discount | 40% | 20% |
| The Studio Photo Package Discount | $250 | $100 |
| Wine by the Bottle Discount does not stack with 15%-20% discount included with classic/premium beverage package | 20% on all | 20% but only for bottles $40+ |
| Captain’s Club Sneak Peak of Wonder at Eden only on Celebrity Apex | Yes | Not Offered |
The following Elite Plus benefits have also changed:
- Captain’s Club Celebration Night is now Captain’s Club Welcome Celebration
- Captain’s Club daily Elite Cocktail Hour replaced with unlimited drinks from the Cocktail Hour Menu between 5-7pm, excluding embarkation day
- Value of this benefit severely diminished by the introduction of Always Included fares
The following Elite Plus benefits have remained the same:
- Priority tender service
- Priority shipboard departure lounge
- 15% discount on specialty restaurant cover charge
- Free complimentary dry cleaning (1 item per cruise)
- Free bags of laundry (2 bags per cruise)
- Free complimentary pressings (2 items per cruise)
- Discounted bag of laundry on 12+ night cruises (1x per cruise)
- Complimentary access to Persian Garden while in port (1x per cruise)
- Captain’s Club Wine Tasting
- Free scoop of gelato (1x per cruise)
- Match Plays for Roulette or Blackjack (3x)
- Bingo Card Bonus with purchase of 3-card bingo session (6-card bonus)
- Loyalty status match to Royal Caribbean Crown & Anchor Society
- Loyalty status match to Azamara Circle
The following Elite Plus benefits remain but their value is severely diminished by the introduction of Always Included fares:
- Free cappuccino, latte, tea, espresso (unlimited)
- 35% discount on Internet packages and upgrades, or 240 free minutes (at higher Stream level)
- Daily Coffee Lounge
- Free specialty coffee when dining in specialty restaurant
Zenith Tier Changes (3,000+ points)
Zenith members saw the elimination of many benefits, including: access to the Retreat (or Michaels Club), Elegant Tea, priority embarkation, Backstage Tour, and the Senior Officers’ Party.
Those who purchase spa services and photo packages will benefit the most from the changes.
Photo package discounts have also increased.
While the free Stream-level Wi-Fi and premium beverage package benefits remain, the inclusion of a classic beverage package and Surf Wi-Fi in the new Always Included fare, severely diminishes the value of these benefits.
| Zenith Benefit Changes | Now | Previously |
|---|---|---|
| Retreat or Michaels Club Access when not staying in a suite | Eliminated | Yes |
| Captain’s Club Elegant Tea | Eliminated | Yes |
| Priority Embarkation | Eliminated | Yes |
| Captain’s Club Backstage Tour Technology Tour on Edge-class ships | Eliminated | Yes |
| Captain’s Club Senior Officers’ Party | Eliminated | Yes |
| Captain’s Club Create and Pour only on Edge-class ships | Yes | Not Offered |
| Spa Discount | 20% multi-use anytime | 15% 1x per cruise and only when in port, except for Edge |
| Beverage Package Discount must be purchased pre-cruise | 20% | None |
| Premium Beverage Package Upgrade Discount must be purchased pre-cruise | 10% | None |
| Digital or Print Photo Package Discount | 50% | 20% |
| The Studio Photo Package Discount | $300 | $100 |
| Captain’s Club Sneak Peak of Wonder at Eden only on Celebrity Apex | Yes | Not Offered |
The following Zenith benefits have also changed:
- Captain’s Club Celebration Night is now Captain’s Club Welcome Celebration
- Captain’s Club daily Elite Cocktail Hour replaced with unlimited drinks from the Cocktail Hour Menu between 5-7pm, excluding embarkation day
- Value of this benefit eliminated by the fact that Zenith members continue to receive a free premium beverage package
The following Zenith benefits have remained the same:
- Free seven-night Caribbean or Bermuda cruise at every 3,000 points (Veranda stateroom for first free cruise and AquaClass stateroom thereafter)
- Priority tender service
- Priority shipboard departure lounge
- Priority boarding when returning to ship in port
- Priority theatre seating
- Concierge Lunch
- 25% discount on specialty restaurant cover charge
- Free laundry
- Complimentary access to Persian Garden while in port (1x per cruise)
- Captain’s Club Wine Tasting
- Free scoop of gelato (1x per cruise)
- Match Plays for Roulette or Blackjack (3x)
- Bingo Card Bonus with purchase of 3-card bingo session (6-card bonus)
- Loyalty status match to Royal Caribbean Crown & Anchor Society
- Loyalty status match to Azamara Circle
The following Zenith benefits remain but their value is severely diminished by the introduction of Always Included fares:
- Free premium beverage package
- Free Internet (at higher Stream level)
