Celestyal simplifies pricing, introduces prepaid F&B wallet

Celestyal is replacing its fare packages with the simplified 'Celestyal One' pricing and its beverage packages with a prepaid food and beverage wallet.

Celestyal One includes the cruise fare, basic Wi-Fi; filtered coffee, tea, water and juice throughout the day; unlimited free soft drinks (not fountain drinks but cans) in the main restaurants with meals, port fees/taxes and crew gratuities.

Celestyal Pay for non-included F&B

Instead of beverage packages, the new 'Celestyal Pay' will be used for any non-included food and drink purchases. Passengers can either add the charges to their account as they go or preload money to their Celestyal Pay prior to sailing and receive bonus credits in various increments. For example, prepurchasing a €100 (US $106) tab will get the traveler a €15 bonus (US $16).

Celestyal Pay sales are commissionable (at 10%) to travel advisors.

Stateroom cards will be used for purchases involving Celestyal Pay, and passengers can check their balance throughout the cruise online or via guest services. In time, Celestyal plans to have an app with a more comprehensive Celestyal Pay function.

More inclusions, greater choice and value

Celestyal Chief Commercial Officer Lee Haslett said the changes spring from customer and advisor feedback that the 'Experience,' 'Experience Plus' and varous beverage packages created 'mass confusion.'

Related:Celestyal Discovery to add 47 cabins, mostly suites

The new pricing and food and beverage wallet provide enhanced inclusions, greater choice and more flexibility. And, if prepaid, the Celestyal Pay adds value.

Unlike the prior beverage packages, both passengers in the stateroom don't have to buy the same thing.

Additional complimentary dining

The changes are coupled with an increase in complimentary eateries onboard. In addition to the main restaurant Thalassa and buffet-style Taverna across the two-ship fleet, passengers can now dine at the Greek Deli or Pizza Oven (found only on Celestyal Discovery) as additional complimentary informal eateries available in the afternoons.

The changes will take effect for all bookings starting Dec. 11 for cruises departing from March 21.

What about shore excursions?

Shore excursions aren't included in Celestyal One pricing, nor are they payable — for now — as part of Celestyal Pay. But that's the plan, eventually.

Brandon Townsley, VP and managing director, North America. noted tours are priced in a range from about $80 up to $500 for a private deluxe experience for two. He said mid-range excursions cost about $120 and include lunch.

Travel advisors earn 10% commission on shore excursion sales.

Celestyal Pay increments and bonuses

Celestyal Pay increments and bonus credits (if loaded before sailing) above the starting €100 are €200 (US $211) for a €35 bonus (US $37), €300 (US $317) for a €55 bonus (US $58), €500 (US $530) for a €100 bonus (US $105), €750 (US $793) for a €175 bonus (US $185) and €1,000 (US $1,057) for a €250 bonus (US $268).

The amounts are nonrefundable.

AI tool coming soon

Haslett said Celestyal is working on a an AI-driven tool to support Celestyal Pay and help travel advisors in their conversations with clients. They'll be able to ask travelers about beverage, dining and tour preferences, and feed this information into the tool which will generate advice on the level of Celestyal Pay to preload and explain the related bonuses, leading to greater guest satisfaction and commissionable sales.

The Wi-Fi included in the Cruise One fare allows web browsing, emails and select messaging apps. There's an up-charge for streaming.