status: days at sea vs number of cruises

[Aquahound]

Speaking of loyalty, who is more loyal to the cruise line, people that take 1 maybe 2 longer cruises a year or people that take 3-5 cruises a year? Who is to say? I totally agree with you.

 

Exactly. I did a 3 nighter last month as a getaway with my DW after I was travelling for work for 2 weeks. I'm looking at doing the same thing next month. I have a choice between RCI, NCL and Carnival for weekend cruise getaways. Which do I choose? RCI. Why should I be penalized by the cruise line just because I can drive to the port? That's just dumb.

[melbur]

So you cruise to get the perks?

 

Are you that person in the casino that plays and bets $500 to get the comped $15 buffet too? :cool:

 

Enjoy cruising - I know I do. :cool:

 

Exactly. I did a 3 nighter last month as a getaway with my DW after I was travelling for work for 2 weeks. I'm looking at doing the same thing next month. I have a choice between RCI, NCL and Carnival for weekend cruise getaways. Which do I choose? RCI. Why should I be penalized by the cruise line just because I can drive to the port? That's just dumb.

 

Although I don't cruise just for the perks, if I was near a port like Paul, and was going to cruise anyway, why wouldn't I go with the line that also provides me with perks I can enjoy? No brainer

[centurycruiser]

So instead of nights substitute the word $10,000 maybe?

 

Does air $ count? If it doesn't then they'll get the same credit as Floridians. What about people who book their air separately? Do they get credit?

 

I want to be clear BEFORE getting flamed; I do NOT advocate switching the system as it currently exists. That was just an EXAMPLE.

 

Life isn't fair but to be honest if you get to be a Diamond on 10 3-night cruises and I get to be a Diamond on 10 7-night cruises and Mary gets to be a Diamond on 5 14-night cruises does it really matter? :confused:

 

I'm just thankful that RCCL even has a loyalty program in the first place.

 

Personally, I think you and Mary are luckier because you cruised for 40 days more, but, that's just me.

 

How about getting to D on 5 3-night cruises in a suite? Then lucky Mary will have cruised for 55 days more.

 

How many remember when the only frequent cruisers program was Holland America and all they gave was medallions? We should be thankful for what we have. I am sure with all the griping, sometimes the cruise lines are sorry they started their programs.

 

I agree whole heartedly about being thankful. Does "gift horse" sound familiar?

 

I cruised for 30 years before it even occurred to me to write down what I did. Fortunately at that point my memory was still pretty good. By the time the cruise lines started to worry about it, I had a pretty decent list and got credit for almost all my cruises. The point is I cruised for a long time before there were any perks in addition to the cruise itself.

[Mr. Luckytoo]

Does air $ count? If it doesn't then they'll get the same credit as Floridians. What about people who book their air separately? Do they get credit? Only if they book their air thru the cruise lines...and if you get cruise credits for it you can't claim the frequent flyer miles so choose one or the other... ;)

 

Personally, I think you and Mary are luckier because you cruised for 40 days more, but, that's just me.

 

How about getting to D on 5 3-night cruises in a suite? Then lucky Mary will have cruised for 55 days more.

 

How many remember when the only frequent cruisers program was Holland America and all they gave was medallions? We should be thankful for what we have. I am sure with all the griping, sometimes the cruise lines are sorry they started their programs.

 

I agree whole heartedly about being thankful. Does "gift horse" sound familiar?

 

I cruised for 30 years before it even occurred to me to write down what I did. Fortunately at that point my memory was still pretty good. By the time the cruise lines started to worry about it, I had a pretty decent list and got credit for almost all my cruises. The point is I cruised for a long time before there were any perks in addition to the cruise itself.

 

Sounds like you've got lots of cruises under the belt - lucky you!!! :D

 

I have to agree with you that if I were the CEO at RCCL I'd probably just eliminate the who rewards program and be done with it - too many headaches...:eek:

 

Of course that won't happen as it would be a PR nightmare but they COULD.

 

I have to LAUGH at those who say they've EARNED their Diamond (and above status) because when I shop at my Publix I don't earn squat. When I get gasoline every week I don't earn squat either.

 

C&A is a PERK. I have 9 credits and have 1 more to get to Diamond Status and right now I'm booked on RCL, NCL & X and looking to make another X cruise.

 

Guess I'm just an idiot!

[centurycruiser]

Sounds like you've got lots of cruises under the belt - lucky you!!! :D

 

I have to agree with you that if I were the CEO at RCCL I'd probably just eliminate the who rewards program and be done with it - too many headaches...:eek:

 

Of course that won't happen as it would be a PR nightmare but they COULD.

 

I have to LAUGH at those who say they've EARNED their Diamond (and above status) because when I shop at my Publix I don't earn squat. When I get gasoline every week I don't earn squat either.

 

C&A is a PERK. I have 9 credits and have 1 more to get to Diamond Status and right now I'm booked on RCL, NCL & X and looking to make another X cruise.

 

Guess I'm just an idiot!

 

Our first cruise was '71. Needless to say we enjoyed it.

 

You sound like you must pick them the way I do. Timing, price, ship, itinerary....

 

I am D+, but I've only been on one Royal cruise this year. Last year I did 6 Royal cruises.

 

I've been on two Princess this year with one booked for August and I've been on one Carnival with one booked for Nov. Hadn't been on Princess since 2007 and will have done 4 now since Dec 2009. So, the perks are nice, but, not the driving force. Of course I get perks on which ever line I sail, now.

[thomarvin]

to Mr Luckytoo:

 

Yes I know most of I-95 is toll free. Have you ever driven from Boston to Miami? With 3 kids? I haven't and won't. At this time in my life we get one vacation a year. Maybe none next year with college for the next 6 years. We make the most out of that week. We enjoy cruiseing and will do it whether I get the perks or not. We enjoy it and so do my kids. Maybe someday I will be able to take 3 cruises a year like you. But not yet. And the comment about the casino? No I dont gamble. Sorry.

 

I know when I started this thread there would be alot of response. But this is alot more than I thought and some of you are getting way off topic. People wanting to add in price of airfare, how much spent in casinos, excurtions, bars etcc. It was a simple question: Number of cruises or Sea days.

[pancakegfc]

I love going on cruises. I usually choose cruises according to the price and where the cruise is going. I really do prefer Royal Caribbean cruises, but sometimes another cruise line has a better deal for me or a better time, and I take it. I don't go on cruises to get reward points. Yeah, sometimes the benefits are good and I can't take advantage of them, but that does not ruin my cruising experience. What can make me crazy though are the people who insist on telling me that they are diamond + or how many cruises they've been on. Being on 70 cruises does not make a person better than the one who has been on 2. Tell me about where you've been and that is interesting, but the number of cruises does nothing for me.

[Mr. Luckytoo]

to Mr Luckytoo:

 

Yes I know most of I-95 is toll free. Have you ever driven from Boston to Miami? With 3 kids? I haven't and won't. At this time in my life we get one vacation a year. Maybe none next year with college for the next 6 years. We make the most out of that week. We enjoy cruiseing and will do it whether I get the perks or not. We enjoy it and so do my kids. Maybe someday I will be able to take 3 cruises a year like you. But not yet. And the comment about the casino? No I dont gamble. Sorry.

 

I know when I started this thread there would be alot of response. But this is alot more than I thought and some of you are getting way off topic. People wanting to add in price of airfare, how much spent in casinos, excurtions, bars etcc. It was a simple question: Number of cruises or Sea days.

 

I've driven from Boston to Miami on I-95 and it WASN'T fun. With three kids in there as well - no way :eek:.

 

I'm sorry if you felt that some of my responses were off topic but in reality they really weren't. I was trying to expose you to a different way that a company could use to reward their customers - by how much they spend rather than the number of cruises or the number of days cruised.

 

The current system, as it exists, may be more favorable to some than others. Is it fair? Depends upon whom you talk to. Does it need to be fair? No. It's RCCL's company and they can do what they want.

 

Since you only get 1 vacation a year you probably look for much different things than what my wife and I look for as we try and take 4 weeks or more a year. Thankfully we both have lots of options.

 

Since you only get a single opportunity to vacation a year I would recommend that you not worry about the perks because that limits your choices, but that's just my opinion.

 

No matter what you decide I hope you have great sailing weather and a wonderful time :cool:

[printingchick]

If I book two or three cabins under my name, I only get credit for the one I'm staying in. They have to make a rule. They've made it. I'm okay with it.

[Puffinater]

Am I able to wear a nice pair of plaid shorts into the dining room on my seven night cruise?

[melbur]

to Mr Luckytoo:

 

Yes I know most of I-95 is toll free. Have you ever driven from Boston to Miami? With 3 kids? I haven't and won't. At this time in my life we get one vacation a year. Maybe none next year with college for the next 6 years. We make the most out of that week. We enjoy cruiseing and will do it whether I get the perks or not. We enjoy it and so do my kids. Maybe someday I will be able to take 3 cruises a year like you. But not yet. And the comment about the casino? No I dont gamble. Sorry.

 

I know when I started this thread there would be alot of response. But this is alot more than I thought and some of you are getting way off topic. People wanting to add in price of airfare, how much spent in casinos, excurtions, bars etcc. It was a simple question: Number of cruises or Sea days.

 

You are kidding, right - there is no such thing on CC.

People are just voicing their thoughts, it is not so black and white as

sea days vs cruises.

[Don Pedro]

Certainly nearly every suggestion has merit including using the number of cruises, the number of sea days, the cost of airfare, parking fees, amount spent in the bars and casino, pet care when you are away, and practically everything else you can think of. I guess if we could determine a weight factor for each element we could come up with a truly fair program.

 

But essential to any program is its understandability and easy of administering. So, unfortunately that elements most of this thread.

 

Rumors and speculations about the program being changed have been floating about for quite a while. We've heard rumblings about a move to sea days and also changes to the tier levels. When will it happen? Who knows, some sources say January 2011.

 

But when and if it happens some people will be elated and others will feel that RCCL has abandoned them. It's RCCL's program so I guess we'll just have to wait and see what happens.

[booze brothers]

Am I able to wear a nice pair of plaid shorts into the dining room on my seven night cruise?

 

Only if you bring the smuggled booze with you. LOL

[negc]

to Mr Luckytoo:

 

I know when I started this thread there would be alot of response. But this is alot more than I thought and some of you are getting way off topic. People wanting to add in price of airfare, how much spent in casinos, excurtions, bars etcc. It was a simple question: Number of cruises or Sea days.

 

It was a simple question, but as is the case with most simple questions, there really isn't a simple answer. That is where the law of unintended consequences comes in. Changing the system from number of cruises to number of days on the ship opens up a whole host of new problems and consequences. :eek:

[Don Pedro]

It was a simple question, but as is the case with most simple questions, there really isn't a simple answer. That is where the law of unintended consequences comes in. Changing the system from number of cruises to number of days on the ship opens up a whole host of new problems and consequences. :eek:

 

Absolutely true! Any change to get rid of of what many people perceive as system inequities would also create some new challenges. You are right there is no simple solution. However, with the rapidly increasing number of D+ guests, we suspect that changes to the program are a topic in the Miami boardroom.

 

Hopefully what ever is settled on will be the fairest system for the greatest number of people.

[centurycruiser]

The only mass market cruise line operating in the US that doesn't use cruises is Holland America. Princess uses both cruises and cruise days. But, they use for 2nd tier 6 to 15 cruises or 51 to 150 cruise days.

 

Most of Princess' cruises are 7 days or more so if you have 6 cruises on Princess you will be likely to have at least 42 days. But, Princess does offer some shorter cruises from time to time and some of the Captain's Circle people were doing short back to backs on the Ruby last year to try and fulfill their requirement to get to the next level.

 

Is short, most cruise lines do not agree with OP that cruise days should be used.

 

As Don Pedro said, easy to understand, easy to administer. KISS!

[MidLothian]

This seems a very silly complaint to make.

 

There's nothing stopping you from getting to Diamond level on 3 night cruises.

 

This way is simple and intuitive.

 

And even fair. Your cost per night for short cruises is higher than your cost per night for long cruises. In general, a 12 night cruise is not twice the price of a 6 night cruise.

 

So giving a person going on a 12 night cruise twice the credits for someone going on a 6 night cruise is UNFAIR!

 

But we couldn't just give them credits proportional to the total amount spent, because then those evil people who live in the ports of departure could rack up cruises quickly while the rest of us have to fork over money for airfare..UNFAIR!

 

Life is far too short to worry about this. Spend less time worrying about which things might be 'unfair' in some esoteric context and instead concentrate on having fun.

 

A credit per cruise is simple, quick, easy, and fair.

[Aquahound]

Changing the system from number of cruises to number of days on the ship opens up a whole host of new problems and consequences. :eek:

 

..and still keeps some of the same. If there really are people out there who are upset with the advantage to Floridians, they are also going to complain that we have an unfair access to increasing our days at sea by taking multiple short cruises. It'll be the same gripe.

[Don Pedro]

..and still keeps some of the same. If there really are people out there who are upset with the advantage to Floridians, they are also going to complain that we have an unfair access to increasing our days at sea by taking multiple short cruises. It'll be the same gripe.

 

We personally don't see any problem with Floridians being able to take multiple short cruises. The three and four-nighters make a nice get aways and we envy our Florida friends who have the ability easily hop onboard. We do, however, question the logic of giving the same cruise points for an eleven-night cruise as for a three-night cruise.

 

The system probably needs a little adjusting to make it more equitable but that's the fault of RCCL's policy and not the Floridians..

[stretch44]

Am I able to wear a nice pair of plaid shorts into the dining room on my seven night cruise?

 

 

I believe wearing a nice pair of plaid shorts earns you double cruise credits as long as you reside in Florida (discount applies only to them), are a Diamond ++++ member and cruise in a suite!

[Ginnylou]

I believe wearing a nice pair of plaid shorts earns you double cruise credits as long as you reside in Florida (discount applies only to them), are a Diamond ++++ member and cruise in a suite!

 

However they must wear flipflops! :D

[Annieeee]

I,am one of those who no doubt became DP because of all those darn 3 night cruises:eek::eek::eek: I have been harassed on these boards,esp by one person because of it.........

 

Hey~~first of all,I didn't make the rules...RCCL did........

 

and second(Believe it or not:rolleyes:),we don't cruise just to get more credits........we cruise to get away for a weekend....It really can be cheaper than a hotel on the beach or Disney for 3 nights.....

 

and lastly~~ we take those 3 nighters cuz right now in our stage of life,my husband can't take time off from work and we really don't have the extra money required for a lot of 7 nighters......

 

This argument has been rehashed on here over and over.:rolleyes:.......gets kinda old......

 

 

No explanation is necessary as far as I am concerned. A D+ member is a D+ member is a D+ member, no matter how many cruises they took or didn't take to get to that level. In my world there are usually a lot of other more important things I worry about.

 

Now get a D or a D+ or even a Platinum member that wants to take his whole entourage in the CL or through the priority line, then I will get all riled up. Oops but that is a whloe nuther can of worms.

 

Annieeee

[rubrrick]

The Californians had the same advantage..........until it was taken away from them.

 

That was before RCCL said that West Coast was not making the kind of money they needed. It was sad to see the Monarch leave, as, from time to time, when a group of friends wanted a quick "sea fix" we would fly over to LAX and join them for a weekend.

 

Those were good times!!:D

 

Rick

[Gon2hwe]

So, take more shorter cruises to get the credits you want cheaply. It is not like you cannot do it. Anyone can. So

Actually not, vacation time doesn't come in 3 day sets. But maybe a fairer way would be like credit card companys do it. Points per dollar spent.

[jmraggs]

..and still keeps some of the same. If there really are people out there who are upset with the advantage to Floridians, they are also going to complain that we have an unfair access to increasing our days at sea by taking multiple short cruises. It'll be the same gripe.

 

Yep, people will complain no matter what. Maybe they'll start complaining because we have better weather down here .....:D That's not fair either! I lived in Indiana for too long before moving down here and I will never leave.

 

These types of complainers will never be happy and I "try" to ignore them. On our Liberty cruise right after the picture was removed from our coupon book several years ago, there was a group of ladies in the DL and all they did the entire time was complain that the picture was removed and that they didn't get a free one anymore. Good grief, it wasn't that big of a deal to sit and complain all night every night about it. We moved away from them!