OnTheJourney

Surely will next time around.

This exact same thing has been stated relative to other cruise lines here on CC! So much nicer. I'm going to buy one on eBay - that's the only way I'll get one for the 140 points. Then for 210 (when and if) it'll probably be the newer style, which I really don't care for as much. Chintzy looking in comparison IMHO.

Finally called C&A. Wow…trying to get to talk someone there was more frustrating then not getting our block! Anyway, I’m told that had we called within the 12-month timeframe and said we never received it, we could likely have gotten one; however, nowhere was it ever stated to us that this policy even existed, making it still unfair. How were we to know? Either way, I was told it’s definitely too late to request an exception. The agent I talked with indicated that she spoke with a supervisor and asked, but it was denied. Case closed. They assure me I’ll get one if we reach 210. I’ll believe it when I see the block either in the room or in the mail. She did say that there was indeed a shortage of blocks during and following the pandemic. Then, there were some sort of issues with the supplier so they switched to a different one. Sounds like the newest blocks aren’t the same crystal engraving but rather a picture of the ship on the water - much like what you see on their backgrounds for personal photos. ebayI actually have no interest in one if that’s how it looks. Maybe I’ll buy a nice one on eBay. So is this what they're doing now? If so, they can keep it. https://www.ebay.com/itm/126462825943?itmmeta=01HXF6B9CS1FW0HV37HG1Y5B26&hash=item1d71c595d7:g:1kQAAOSwni5mKynw&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA0CLxITD0vkXW9OqTW%2FzNK53sW2V7b9gtkkBo4zFaX%2Fa5eofy7euqoMrHwy2CiznQiFZ0V6qXoViRtVfygh2DrcXTP4QabFmBfcvdjTNz8mLV6Krju2BbmGcLvZU0KSkUoXGlBWPextcNmKWzh9me0a67TJbkre5j%2BoAE6Kn3PpsmWC7lpMib9AdAv6YYBjGP9IF%2BY%2BY8DNJhBz2MbrN%2BIZtfR%2FlIoMyJmWJmlHQhdeoVgyCFlx8zUgr5Ija1%2F19nRBVQjPYwJO053AanR59O7t4%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR7yWrebrYw

Letter #3 and 4 from C&A..variations on a theme... Thank you for contacting Royal Caribbean International. I am sorry for your disappointment, and I understand your frustration with regard to your Crystal Block. I want to thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us. I will be making sure to share your feedback and comments with our management team. We appreciate your loyalty and we do apologize for any inconvenience this might cause. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thank you for contacting Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society. I completely understand how disappointed and frustrated you must feel about not receiving your Crystal Block from your 140 milestone. I can see that you reached this milestone back in 2022, and unfortunately, our 12-month policy prevents us from fulfilling your request. However, please know that we truly value your loyalty, and we are committed to making things right. You will still be eligible to receive your 210 milestone Crystal Block when you reach 210 Cruise points, and we will make sure that you receive it onboard the ship. We appreciate your understanding and apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you. My question to them remains: WHY can they not still send these blocks if it's beyond the 12 month timeframe? I can see if the guest failed to request it and then comes back a year or so later asking for it, but we filled out the form on the ship. It's their goof.

By making offers, I'm sure.

Got a 2nd email reply from C&A: "After reviewing your profile again, I regret to inform you that no notes indicate that an agent had previously advised about the unavailability of Crystal Blocks. It appears there was a miscommunication, and for that, we sincerely apologize. We understand the frustration this may cause. We are afraid we cannot request a Crystal Block award on your behalf. This decision is based on criteria beyond our control, and we sincerely apologize for any disappointment this may cause. We value your contributions and are grateful for your understanding in this matter. Please let us know if there is any other way we can assist you or recognize your efforts." I should write back: You can assist me by still mailing me a block. I did respond and indicated that regardless of whatever miscommunication may have taken place, we did what we were told to in completing the form and handing it in while onboard. Beyond that, it's their failure to not have gotten one to us. At this point, if they ever do get one to us I'll probably just list it on eBay for $75 or best offer. 😆

I'll take a recession over another pandemic.

This does not come as any sort of surprise.

Well, just on a matter of principle I'm going to pursue it a bit further by calling them. I can surely live without this thing, but on the other hand feel like I earned it and should have it. OR, I can buy one on eBay. There are loads of them on there. Guess people maybe got tired of dusting them!

Well, the letter I got is attempting to do just that it would seem. It didn't invite further correspondence regarding it.

Exactly, which is why I think what they're saying in the letter is a weak excuse to still not issue one.

Just got this from C&A: "Thank you for reaching out to our Crown & Anchor department. Commemorative Crystal Blocks are earned when reaching the 140 Cruise Points milestone, and every 70 Cruise Points. We are afraid that the fulfillment of Crystal Blocks is exclusively available for those acquired during cruises taken within the previous 12 months. Our records show that you reached the 140 Cruise Points milestone during your March 17, 2022, sailing onboard Enchantment of the Seas. Unfortunately, we cannot request this award to be mailed to you since you are outside the 12 months. We understand that this policy may be disappointing to some, and we sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. We aim to ensure a fair and equitable distribution of rewards, and we appreciate your understanding in this matter. Thank you for choosing our services, and we look forward to welcoming you aboard in the future. Thank you for choosing Royal Caribbean. To book your next sailing, please get in touch with your preferred travel agency, go to www.royalcaribbean.com, or call our sales department at (800) 205-9812. We are currently running a Buy One Get One 60% off sale! Kindly note that prices and availability are subject to change at any time." I responded by saying that is THEY, not us, who failed to "ensure a fair and equitable distribution of rewards" by not mailing us one as promised during the cruise. This letter doesn't satisfy me in the least. I think they should make one and give it to us, along with a 2nd one - when (and if) we do another cruise with RCL. How cheap can they get??

yes...as already answered in post #11, but thanks anyway!

Next time we cruise with RCL I'm definitely going to. A 12-day cruise would take us to 212 points (using a suite) so it should qualify. I should already have gotten one for hitting 140.

We definitely would have been on a ship when crossing over the 140 mark. I had messaged RCL yesterday but never heard back yet. I'll have to call C&A.

I will. Never opposed to bugging these cruise line people about stuff if I think it's something they should have given me. Worth a try.

We might have done that also. Not sure anymore. Not going to lose any sleep over it, and haven't. Just came to mind now having read the other thread about D+ pins. Just thought it'd be cool to have. Nice addition to one of our bookshelves dedicated to travel.

what does this refer to? The "A" for attendant?

I'm sure they said they were out of them and would mail it. That was almost 3 years ago.

Hi, Not that to deny that this is something we can easily live without, but we were promised one and never got it. I'm reading that it's initially obtained when reaching 140 points? We're now at 188. I just sent a message to them about it. We attained 152 points on the Enchantment on a cruise that started March 17, 2022. Perhaps after that sailing is when we got notice that we'd be sent a block. It'd be cool to have. See if I hear anything back. I see the following: "Once you reach 140 cruise points, you will receive your first crystal block delivery during your sailing. One crystal block is awarded per relationship. It will be delivered to your cabin, often on the exact night you reach the 140 points." Well...none was ever delivered to our room. I'd remember that. Then, however we may be out of luck since I also find the following info: "Royal Caribbean states in their terms and conditions they will only honor requests for Crystal blocks that have been verified as missing for a maximum of 12 months from the date of claim submission. Any requests for missing blocks after the 12-month period cannot be accommodated." Man, that's cheap of them! So I guess no point pursuing it 2 years post-sailing. I seem to recall, however, them specifically them saying they were out of them but that it'd be mailed to us. Should have followed up on it a few weeks after we got home but there was so much going on at the time. So, according to their math, we'd be entitled to a second one at 210 points (every 70), which is doable on the next cruise if it's still 2 daily points for a suite (nothing booked at present though) but I should make a note of it. Still think I should get the first one if they promised to send it back in '22.

Don't recall ever getting one but if so no idea where it is and likely wouldn't wear it anyway. Never got our crystal block either. That was promised years ago.

LOL. Over the years I've signed up for and have membership cards for several of those and then have often forgotten which ones I'm members of cause most of the time the cards are in an envelope in a desk drawer. I don't think to take them along on a trip. Lots of hotel chains are under the same company. If the hotel asks, when checking in, if we're members - and I'm not sure - they can easily look it up. Just more different passwords to keep track of.

Ah, c'mon Jim...do tell. We're big enough to take it. This is true, and I like them for that. Having one, though, such as RCL, surely entices people to keep booking. 'One more cruise till I'm Diamond, or Diamond Plus, or (top) Pinnacle' It worked for DW and I at least. We were anxious to get to D+. Not fully sure why looking back on it!

LOL I did figure out, though, that to do 1,000,000 cruises over a 10-year period would require doing 274 cruises per day. Now THAT's some major traveling. Should be enough to arrive at the top tier level of just about any cruise line. Over a 30 year period, however, is only 91 cruises per day. Much easier I'd think.

Yeah but my 1.1 million (plus another 2500 upcoming) has you beat by a bunch 😉