TWO RCCL Cruises within the next month!!!

[EggDropErin]

After not cruising since November of 2008 (and really not being on CC since then), I am fortunate to be going on two cruises in the upcomining 30ish days. I guess my question is:

 

What can I expect to be different?

 

We are Diamond members, and I heard there are changes there.

 

I also hear the coupon books have changed.

 

What has changed for the better? For the worse?

[Papa T]

After not cruising since November of 2008 (and really not being on CC since then), I am fortunate to be going on two cruises in the upcomining 30ish days. I guess my question is:

 

What can I expect to be different?

 

We are Diamond members, and I heard there are changes there.

 

I also hear the coupon books have changed.

 

What has changed for the better? For the worse?

 

Welcome back! The coupon book for Diamond members has been seriously downgraded. No free drink, photo, JR, Casino money, etc. In the grand scheme of things it's no big deal . . . I don't cruise for the coupons, and we had more than enough cruise photos. Perhaps more importantly, the CL is now reserved for suite and D+ cruisers. From 4:30 to 8:30 there is a Diamond event (except on ships with a diamond lounge - Freedom, Oasis class) where free wine, champaign, and soda are served with 20 or 25% off of other drinks but no food. RCI is still a good value for the money and I continue to sail with them, but . . . Celebrity has recently upgraded their benefits and I'm looking forward to experiencing these upgrades soon.

[sunnydaysmile]

but . . . Celebrity has recently upgraded their benefits and I'm looking forward to experiencing these upgrades soon.

We are Diamond and sailed on Celebrity for the 1st time this year - loved the perks. The concierge class breakfast choices were wonderful. Enjoy!

[yogimax]

Please give us the details of your two cruises!

[Down South Cruiser]

Welcome back! The coupon book for Diamond members has been seriously downgraded. No free drink, photo, JR, Casino money, etc. In the grand scheme of things it's no big deal . . . I don't cruise for the coupons, and we had more than enough cruise photos. Perhaps more importantly, the CL is now reserved for suite and D+ cruisers. From 4:30 to 8:30 there is a Diamond event (except on ships with a diamond lounge - Freedom, Oasis class) where free wine, champagne, and soda are served with 20 or 25% off of other drinks but no food. RCI is still a good value for the money and I continue to sail with them, but . . . Celebrity has recently upgraded their benefits and I'm looking forward to experiencing these upgrades soon.

Papa T you are absolutely correct about all the changes however in Erin's case, I think the changes actually go in her favor if she likes evening drinks. Losing access to the Concierge Lounge is irrelevant in this case since neither the Monarch or the Grandeur have one. Having the free wine & champagne at the nightly diamond event is a bonus that was not there before the changes. On the smaller ships this is gaining without losing. Neither ship has a Johnny Rockets so that coupon is irrelevant, the free drink coupon & the $19.95 photo coupon can be offset pretty quickly with the free wine & champagne. If she were sailing on a radiance or voyager class, my opinion would be different.

 

I do feel that diamonds have been de-valued in favor of suite guests. Also, we didn't get the usual free gift in the cabin last month & there are no more mints on the pillow. I didn't need another picture frame or canvas tote bag but I did miss those little mints. :)

 

Have a great cruise Erin!!!!!

 

p.s. I have assumed you ment 2010 under your upcoming cruises instead of 09.

[Papa T]

Papa T you are absolutely correct about all the changes however in Erin's case, I think the changes actually go in her favor if she likes evening drinks. Losing access to the Concierge Lounge is irrelevant in this case since neither the Monarch or the Grandeur have one. Having the free wine & champagne at the nightly diamond event is a bonus that was not there before the changes. On the smaller ships this is gaining without losing. Neither ship has a Johnny Rockets so that coupon is irrelevant, the free drink coupon & the $19.95 photo coupon can be offset pretty quickly with the free wine & champagne. If she were sailing on a radiance or voyager class, my opinion would be different.

 

I do feel that diamonds have been de-valued in favor of suite guests. Also, we didn't get the usual free gift in the cabin last month & there are no more mints on the pillow. I didn't need another picture frame or canvas tote bag but I did miss those little mints. :)

 

Good post . . . I actually found that I preferred to go to the diamond venue rather than the D+ event each evening on our recent VOS TA. Better atmosphere and at least one of the ship's officers dropped by each evening to "chat" with guests. These were officers you would not usually meet, and we looked forward to our conversations with them. Sure didn't miss the food as we usually went just before dinner. Happy cruising!!!

 

PS: As a D+ traveling with 3 other couples: 2 D's and one RCI newbe, the pre-dinner activities were complicated.

[EggDropErin]

Thanks everyone for the info and the well wishes. We'll be D+ before we know it, but not soon enough for me! :)

[Missmadge]

We were on the Enchantment in Nov./Dec. (repositioning cruise) and they did have snacks in the Diamond area.

[Down South Cruiser]

Good post . . . I actually found that I preferred to go to the diamond venue rather than the D+ event each evening on our recent VOS TA. Better atmosphere and at least one of the ship's officers dropped by each evening to "chat" with guests. These were officers you would not usually meet, and we looked forward to our conversations with them. Sure didn't miss the food as we usually went just before dinner. Happy cruising!!!

 

PS: As a D+ traveling with 3 other couples: 2 D's and one RCI newbe, the pre-dinner activities were complicated.

I haven't been to any of the new "nightly events" as I have only sailed freedom class since the changes. The Diamond Lounge is a hard act to follow & we always look forward to going there each & every evening.

 

It's great to introduce new people to cruising but it does force you to make some decisions when they don't have the perks that you do. I know where you are coming from.

[Down South Cruiser]

Thanks everyone for the info and the well wishes. We'll be D+ before we know it, but not soon enough for me! :)

Well if you are like me, all of my cruises have been good ones & you just have to think of D+ as icing on the cake when you get there.

 

Happy cruising to all!!!! :)

[crusinmama06]

Welcome back Erin!!!! :D

 

You'll have to give us a little review when you get back. ;) The other changes, not diamond related - no more chocolates on the pillows -- unless you are traveling in a suite.

 

And if you ARE traveling in a suite, there are some changes there too. Reserved pool seating and theatre seats on some ships. Reserved beach on Labadee.

[Sugar*Magnolia]

Hey, Im back too! Its been awhile and boy does it feel good to be back!

We're on Explorer in June and booking Explorer Holiday cruise (yup, we called today not realizing they would be closed, duh, lol)

 

 

We're Diamond, I know most perks are gone (we wont miss much really) but...

 

@Michele (Hi!) Do you know where the preferred pool seating is? What makes it a 'preferred' location to RCI? Just curious!

[cruiserbryce]

what has changed for the better or worse is all based on personal opinion...but have a blast on the cruises

[mjyanne]

Hey, Im back too! Its been awhile and boy does it feel good to be back!

We're on Explorer in June and booking Explorer Holiday cruise (yup, we called today not realizing they would be closed, duh, lol)

 

 

We're Diamond, I know most perks are gone (we wont miss much really) but...

 

@Michele (Hi!) Do you know where the preferred pool seating is? What makes it a 'preferred' location to RCI? Just curious!

 

On Adventure (and I believe this to be the case on most Voyager Class ships) the roped off area for the reserved pool deck chairs is the level between deck 11 and deck in front of the bars. The nice thing is that you don't have to look for chairs. The bad thing is a longer walk to the pool. And on Adventure this was strictly enforced (you MUST show your sea pass card identifying you as a suite guest).