Unpleasant Mariner Surprise

We are 4* Mariners who recently came off the Zandaam ( which was excellent -a very well run ship) to Britain and Baltic. We had accepted a paid upgrade to a Signature Suite.

When I got home I checked our Mariner status, which was missing the suite double points. It turns out that we do not receive double point credit for the Suite since we took it as a paid upgrade.

Not only that, but the recent HAL nickel and dime-ing (I could rattle off a list of new 'changes' since Jan that head office bean-counters have implemented to squeeze passengers for more $) also was applied to our casino spend for Mariner onboard spend. Even though the casino spend goes directly to the bottom line profit margin of HAL, we were refused Mariner spend credit for those funds.

I don't think HAL should punish loyal passengers who spend more to upgrade to a suite or 'donate' to the casino.

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We are 4* Mariners who recently came off the Zandaam ( which was excellent -a very well run ship) to Britain and Baltic. We had accepted a paid upgrade to a Signature Suite.

 

When I got home I checked our Mariner status, which was missing the suite double points. It turns out that we do not receive double point credit for the Suite since we took it as a paid upgrade.

 

Not only that, but the recent HAL nickel and dime-ing (I could rattle off a list of new 'changes' since Jan that head office bean-counters have implemented to squeeze passengers for more $) also was applied to our casino spend for Mariner onboard spend. Even though the casino spend goes directly to the bottom line profit margin of HAL, we were refused Mariner spend credit for those funds.

 

I don't think HAL should punish loyal passengers who spend more to upgrade to a suite or 'donate' to the casino.

 

 

 

 

 

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Sorry you are disappointed but the rules are quite clear.

Casino spending does not count towards your Mariner status (one of the few things that doesn't). It's spelled out quite clearly.

Double points for suites only count if you were booked in a Suite originally.

If you were booked in a Signature and were upsold/upgraded to a Neptune you would get the double points.

If you originally booked a verandah and were upsold to a Signature, you don't.

You have to keep in mind that those of us that take upsells are NOT paying the same price as those that originally booked usually.

It has nothing to do with not rewarding loyal passengers - i'ts just part of the Mariner program rules.

Were you on the Zuiderdam? A lovely ship and I'm glad you enjoyed your cruise.

It is unfortunate that your TA did not explain how the point system works with upsells. What a disappointment for you.

I would love to read a review of your cruise!

You p You wrere not heated for Mariner days on your low cost upsell. The rules are no secret and we' v e discussed them on this forum many times.

The category cabin you originallybooked and from which you moved due to an upserll, would not earch bonsus dayhs. Thus you didn'gt earn or buy bthem. You migbht be appreciative HAL sold you a nice cabin for lower than thyr 'hoing pRICE :) How about GEE, HAL, thanks so much vor GVivinG us the oppohunity for a better cabin than we originally were willing to book sn nd pay full price for? A BIT UNGBRATEUL, MAYB E? :d

When I got home I checked our Mariner status, which was missing the suite double points. It turns out that we do not receive double point credit for the Suite since we took it as a paid upgrade.

 

...

 

I don't think HAL should punish loyal passengers who spend more to upgrade to a suite ...

There's no question of "punishment". You ended up in a suite for a lower price than the full fare for it, and part of the deal is only getting the Mariner credit for the fare that you originally paid.

Airlines are also changing the way they award frequent flyer miles - on the price paid for the ticket, not just miles flown.

Considering how many upper star Mariners we are now hearing about and this impacting what they can reasonably offer as perks - like even priority tendering now at stake -- I assume we will be seeing more changes along with strict interpretations applied.

EeezyCruiser, this is the way it has been for as long as I can remember. Casino spend didn't qualify for spending points, and paid upsells earned only the points that the original cabin earned. I can't see it as nickel and diming. These are the rules. We know before we spend what counts and what doesn't count.

Airlines are also changing the way they award frequent flyer miles - on the price paid for the ticket, not just miles flown.

 

Considering how many upper star Mariners we are now hearing about and this impacting what they can reasonably offer as perks - like even priority tendering now at stake -- I assume we will be seeing more changes along with strict interpretations applied.

So is there currently NOT strict interpretation? Because if some interpretation is open to interpretation, and someone can give me some concrete examples, I may request a review of my Mariner status. I'd be happy to be a four star, not just really really close to being a four star :)

So is there currently NOT strict interpretation? Because if some interpretation is open to interpretation, and someone can give me some concrete examples, I may request a review of my Mariner status. I'd be happy to be a four star, not just really really close to being a four star :)

If they wrote it up front, this is what you get. You apparently thought it said something else. I am truly sorry about your disappointment in thinking one thing and getting something else.

Casino spending may not count toward earning Mariner status, but there exists a casino discount for those who make 'contributions'.

We are not by any means big spenders in the casino but have received numerous offers of free cruise opportunities and currently are enjoying a wonderful discount on our next cruise in 2017. I'll happily take the casino rate on my cruise instead of the mariner credit.

ou p You wrere not cheated for Mariner days on your low cost upsell. The rules are no secret and we' v e discussed them on this forum many times.

You were not cheater The category cabin you originallybooked and from which you moved due to an upsrll, would not eah bonsus das. Thus you didn'yt earn or buy bthem. You migbht be appreciative HAL sold you a nice cabin for lower than thyr 'hoing pRICE :) How about GEE, HAL, thanks so much for gViving us the opprtunity for a better cabin than we originally were willing to pay for

Casino spending may not count toward earning Mariner status, but there exists a casino discount for those who make 'contributions'.

 

We are not by any means big spenders in the casino but have received numerous offers of free cruise opportunities and currently are enjoying a wonderful discount on our next cruise in 2017. I'll happily take the casino rate on my cruise instead of the mariner credit.

A very good point :) We got one for our cruise next year and that discount is MOST welcome :).

So is there currently NOT strict interpretation? Because if some interpretation is open to interpretation, and someone can give me some concrete examples, I may request a review of my Mariner status. I'd be happy to be a four star, not just really really close to being a four star :)

then b er Four star.

Ok, from the responses it appears I am simply unaware of the rules which have been in existence for quite some time. I accept that, and thank you (most of you) for your polite responses.

We did have a previous cruise which was handled differently (I do not know why) by Mariner, which is why I thought this was a new policy.

Msmayor, I would be delighted to use a casino rate on a future cruise. Could you possible give a range of your contribution (not trying to be nosy and too specific). Do you have to contact any one specifically in Hal to find out your discount or what offers are available?

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IF you want to experience some REAL nickle and diming try NCL sometime...they have taken it to a whole new level called twenty and thirtying charging $20-30 +++ for MOST of their restaurants, some of the entertainment and just about anything you want to do...

After sailing on NCL i will be most happy to be back dealing with HAL version of "nickle and diming" which while irritating is NOTHING compared to NCL.

If they wrote it up front, this is what you get. You apparently thought it said something else. I am truly sorry about your disappointment in thinking one thing and getting something else.

I didn't think one thing and get something else. I got exactly what I expected. But you did say

I assume we will be seeing more changes along with strict interpretations applied

so I thought that, given how you expressed that you expect "strict interpretations (will be) applied" that you are saying that currently, the interpretations are not strict.

Sorry, but it looks like HAL is correct.

I didn't think one thing and get something else. I got exactly what I expected. But you did say

 

 

 

so I thought that, given how you expressed that you expect "strict interpretations (will be) applied" that you are saying that currently, the interpretations are not strict.

My apologies for my verbal overkill left you hanging there. I can see your confusion. I was thinking about the changes we high star mariners are also seeing in perks we also assumed we would be getting. Like priority tendering. We too will get what we get. Not what we expected to get in the past.

We all need to pay strict attention so we can avoid hassles and disappointments. This whole Mariner reward system appears to be an evolving work in progress. It was certainly a motivator for us ...mainly for free laundry -- sheepishly acknowledging our "free laundry" cost us well more than had we signed up for unlimited laundry packages on each and every cruise, from now until eternity.

Ok, from the responses it appears I am simply unaware of the rules which have been in existence for quite some time. I accept that, and thank you (most of you) for your polite responses.

 

We did have a previous cruise which was handled differently (I do not know why) by Mariner, which is why I thought this was a new policy.

 

Msmayor, I would be delighted to use a casino rate on a future cruise. Could you possible give a range of your contribution (not trying to be nosy and too specific). Do you have to contact any one specifically in Hal to find out your discount or what offers are available?

 

 

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I'm happy to share...and based on how my husband and I gamble I truly don't know that it matters how much you lose, but really how much you 'play'.

We treat gambling as pure entertainment, and always expect to lose every dollar we budget on every trip. Its simple, really...we each have $100 per day as our 'kitty'. We set it up in daily envelopes and truly segregate this casino money.

The key is we continually cash out at the end of a casino session. For example, we may go before dinner and I'll decide to play 10 spins of the roulette wheel at $5 per spin. I'll put my $100 bill down on the table, collect $100 in chips. The dealer takes my room key, swipes it to collect my name information and punches in $100. I play, then cash out. Maybe I'm up, maybe I'm down...but I color up and then go to the cashier to cash out the chips.

After dinner, I go back to the casino. Maybe I had $75 left from earlier, so that goes down on the table with my card. Now they've recorded that I put another $75 down along with the $100 I put down on a table earlier in the day. This session, I do better and end up back to $100. I cash out, even for the day...but to the casino I've 'gambled' with $175.

That $100 goes into my "Pay the final bill" envelope and the next day, I start with a fresh kitty. This method has worked well for us on every trip and on just about every single trip we have left the ship with no on board bill thanks to the "Pay the final bill" envelope which had all our end-of-day casino money. And to give you an idea of what that bill would normally be, we spend about $600 on drinks and I've always got three spa treatments (massage, facial, one or two visits to the salon) on the bill. We'll usually do a few of the other activities that have fees such as wine tastings, and our on-board gratuities are also on that bill. That should tell you we usually end up breaking even.

Let me add that the only slot play we do is video poker, $20/day. It never generates a lot of points for us, its just another fun game we enjoy and usually do well with (and by well, I mean stay about even).

My husband and I also play the blackjack tournaments (actually won on my Westerdam cruise...$500 prize!) and that gets your name into their records as a casino patron.

When the casino offers started coming in they were for free inside staterooms or extremely low cost on higher categories (suites for $400 for a 7 day cruise). Many of those trips are for dates only weeks away, tougher for us to take advantage of because we both still work. We're hoping to take advantage of those types of deals when we retire.

For now, I just ask my PCC to check if a casino rate is attached to my name for a cruise I might want to take. Sure enough, one was there for the March 2017 cruise we booked. Between the casino rate and the Explore4 promotion, we are getting a wonderful deal on a suite, free beverage package and prepaid gratuities.

Bummer. Considering we spend a lot more than that on HAL shore excursions almost every day in port, no "shorex" offers have ever come our way. :(

But shore excursions have their own costs up front - profit margin is a lot lower than gambling profit margin when the house wins. Except when the house loses.

You have a great system with your envelopes - good for you for your discipline and the of fun "earning" your benefits. Though those cruise offers are very enticing. Do you think if I play that pushy-pushy thing in the casino I can start getting some $400 suite offers too?

Bummer. Considering we spend a lot more than that on HAL shore excursions almost every day in port, no "shorex" offers have ever come our way. :(

 

But shore excursions have their own costs up front - profit margin is a lot lower than gambling profit margin when the house wins. Except when the house loses.

 

You have a great system with your envelopes - good for you for your discipline and the of fun "earning" your benefits. Though those cruise offers are very enticing. Do you think if I play that pushy-pushy thing in the casino I can start getting some $400 suite offers too?

Well, I suppose its possible....if you play long enough :grin:

Earning points on the account in my opinion requires a long amount of time sitting at a slot machine. I'm not sure how much money and time one spends at the slots to gather up the 150 or so point minimum, but playing the video poker (which gives us points) we get to maybe 50-75 over the course of the whole trip. We love the tables more...even though its all about the odds we feel a little more in control of our fate and love the interaction with others/the dealer at the table.

This whole Mariner reward system appears to be an evolving work in progress.

Other than expanding from 4 stars to 5 (with the additional perqs that 5* get), I don't recall many changes to the new Mariner reward system. One change was the addition of the Vista cabins on the S- & R-ships to the "double days" suites group, but that's it.

There's been no "evolving work in progress" that I'm aware of.

What else are you referring to?

Other than expanding from 4 stars to 5 (with the additional perqs that 5* get), I don't recall many changes to the new Mariner reward system. One change was the addition of the Vista cabins on the S- & R-ships to the "double days" suites group, but that's it.

There's been no "evolving work in progress" that I'm aware of.

 

What else are you referring to?

The tendering priority appears to be evolving from the "free pass, do not go to the show lounge to pick up your ticket" past. And like you point out, the new 5 star status and the verandah cabins now being renamed getting the suite double bonus. Evolving over the past few years.

Our last few medallion ceremonies were also quite a departure from past experiences too. Don't know if this is individual choice made by each guest relations person or CD or if there is a standard protocol.

We were caught by total surprise on the Zuiderdam when we asked to come forward, and not even sure what was the basis for the recognition - they claimed some outlandish number of "something" to the cheers and applause of all. We tried to confirm this must have been some mistake with the Guest Relations, but they did it again on the second cruise segment.

So again we smiled and had our photo taken with the captain. At least I dressed up a bit more for the second occasion. We got our Silver Medallion a few cruises ago so that was not it. I think it was for five star something, but not sure what the "awesome" number of that something was they now associated with our names.

Certainly not anything close to the President Club members who are sea days only. So the Medallion award ceremony seems to be "evolving" too. Most have been done in small settings in the past. But our Silver Medallion ceremony was done in a very full show lounge -everyone was invited, not just high star mariners as we have experienced in the past. In fact the lines were so long to get into the showroom (free drinks and appetizers too), we barely found a spot way in the back and it was a struggle to even come forward. We came expecting the normal small ceremony. What a surprise that much larger one was too.

The tendering priority appears to be evolving from the "free pass, do not go to the show lounge to pick up your ticket" past. And like you point out, the new 5 star status and the verandah cabins now being renamed getting the suite double bonus. Evolving over the past few years.

Other than a recent report of this on the Prinsendam, where (let's face it) everyone is 5*, where else is this "evolving"?

Expanding to 5* could hardly be termed "evolving" since the lower star levels maintained the exact same perqs. At that, the 5th star level has now been around a long time.

Adjusting the Vista cabins on the S- & R-ships happened early on in the new reward system, so not exactly "evolving". Those ships have nothing equivalent to Signature Suites on the larger ships, so it was also the fair thing to do.

Were you on the Zuiderdam? A lovely ship and I'm glad you enjoyed your cruise.

 

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Yep; I'm sure the OP has her "Z's" mixed up ;); Zaandam spends her year divided between South America in the winter and Alaska in the summer. Zuiderdam however, does the Carib in the winter and Europe/Canada/New England in the summer/fall