RCI Crystal Blocks

[Ashland]

When we got ours while aboard the LOS our wonderful cabin steward left it in our cabin..what a surprise..her attention to detail was AMAZING..:D

[constantcruiser]

The things probably cost RCI far less than I donate to their casino in an hour! So why wouldn't C&A just verify that we had more than 140 cruise points and then just drop it in the mail, instead of taking one more opportunity to make a long-time customer unhappy? Just doesn't make sense to me.

[FLASHINGLIGHTS83]

After reading about the crystal "milestone recognition" here on these boards, I e-mailed C&A about it. DH & I have been on 23 RCI cruises and after a 7-nt.cruise in November, we'll be 1 measly point away from Diamond+. However, we'd never heard about a crystal block. Here's their response...just one more way to endear a loyal customer!

 

"Thank you for your e-mail. We apologize for any delay in our response. You

will be eligible to receive your first crystal block for the cruise upon which

you earn your 210th cruise point. You may have noticed that the current list of

Crown & Anchor Society member benefits mentions that you are eligible for your

first milestone gift when you have reached 140 cruise points; this would have

been equivalent to 20 cruise credits in the past. You earned your 20th cruise

credit after sailing on the Rhapsody of the Seas, June 3, 2007. The benefit of

receiving a crystal block beginning at 20 cruise credits, now 140 cruise points,

was not offered until June 1, 2010. We look forward to welcoming you onboard again soon."

 

Your title "Apparently if you missed it, forget it!" makes it sound like you forgot to remind them or didnt know about it at the time and they told you to go kick rocks. But after reading the e-mail, if they didnt offer it yet, what do you exactly want them to do? I'm a bit confused by this post....

[critterchick]

After reading about the crystal "milestone recognition" here on these boards, I e-mailed C&A about it. DH & I have been on 23 RCI cruises and after a 7-nt.cruise in November, we'll be 1 measly point away from Diamond+. However, we'd never heard about a crystal block. Here's their response...just one more way to endear a loyal customer!

 

"Thank you for your e-mail. We apologize for any delay in our response. You

will be eligible to receive your first crystal block for the cruise upon which

you earn your 210th cruise point. You may have noticed that the current list of

Crown & Anchor Society member benefits mentions that you are eligible for your

first milestone gift when you have reached 140 cruise points; this would have

been equivalent to 20 cruise credits in the past. You earned your 20th cruise

credit after sailing on the Rhapsody of the Seas, June 3, 2007. The benefit of

receiving a crystal block beginning at 20 cruise credits, now 140 cruise points,

was not offered until June 1, 2010. We look forward to welcoming you onboard again soon."

 

I'm not sure what you expect. At the time you got to your 20th credit, RCI wasn't offering the block at that milestone - you needed 30 credits to get your first. I can't imagine that they'd go back and give them to all of use who were already past that level.

[DiamondSuiteCruiser]

good idea to call C&A just prior to your cruise and advise them you are eligible for the crystal block so they have it available for you on the ship. we did this. on the ship we went to the loyalty ambassador to retrive it.

 

Excellent idea! They had to mail me mine and it took about 8 months. Nice paper weight!

[insulationbabe]

Just found out that you get them at 140 points, 210,280,350, and 70 points thereafter - hope this helps:)

[Cliftoncruz]

On our 26 November Voyager Cruise we reached the 140 day mark. We contacted the LA and requested the Crystal Block. We were told the crystal block now starts at 210 days, and were not eligible.

 

We happened to make Diamond Plus on the second leg of the B2B on Voyager (3 December). On our 12 December Monarch cruise we met we the LA to have the new Diamond Plus level applied to this cruise, and asked him about the Crystal Block being given at 140 days. LA told us the blocks start at 140 days and every 70 days after that. We were told to contact C&A when we arrived home for the crystal block, which we did. The crystal block will be shipped to us.

[parr0thead]

We cruised on the Oasis this past Nov. That brought my total of points to 209. I have never received any blocks. I politely asked the LA about it and he was very (I won't say rude exactly) but very short and impatient answering my question and he wasn't busy at the time. I don't remember his name, but I wasn't impressed with him at all. Maybe I will try calling the C & A now and see if I can get anywhere. They never gave me credit for a few of my old cruises. I have been cruising with RCI since 1981 at least once a year a couple of times twice a year. My C & A records don't show all of them and I can't prove a few of them. We'll see what happens. I would love to have the crystal blocks, but if they won't give me any Oh well. I'll still cruise!

[ckrobyn]

I will reach the 280 mark while on my b2b which is coming up next month. We are sailing in a suite and will therefore get 28 cruise points. I already have a Freedom crystal block - is there something else they will substitute? Has this happened to anyone else before, where they already had the block for that particular ship and were about to receive a second one? :rolleyes:

[cruisenfever]

I will reach the 280 mark while on my b2b which is coming up next month. We are sailing in a suite and will therefore get 28 cruise points. I already have a Freedom crystal block - is there something else they will substitute? Has this happened to anyone else before, where they already had the block for that particular ship and were about to receive a second one? :rolleyes:

Unfortunately they will not. You will be given the crystal block of the ship you have earned your milestone credit on. I've tried, believe me. Do you know how many Radiance blocks I have? Just earned two on our on our last b2b2b on Radiance.:eek:

[Tucker in Texas]

On our 26 November Voyager Cruise we reached the 140 day mark. We contacted the LA and requested the Crystal Block. We were told the crystal block now starts at 210 days, and were not eligible.

 

We happened to make Diamond Plus on the second leg of the B2B on Voyager (3 December). On our 12 December Monarch cruise we met we the LA to have the new Diamond Plus level applied to this cruise, and asked him about the Crystal Block being given at 140 days. LA told us the blocks start at 140 days and every 70 days after that. We were told to contact C&A when we arrived home for the crystal block, which we did. The crystal block will be shipped to us.

 

I called C&A as we became eligible at 140 days in April 2010 while on the Navigator during a trans-Atlantic cruise. They told me I had to have 210 even though the web site says differently and it is the latest FAQ posted on their site.

 

I think I'll try the old " keep calling them until you get the answer you like" routine (lol).

 

Like the OP, we will be eligible for another one in 2012 during our Mariner cruise. I already have a Mariner one (someone gave it to me) and would like a different one, preferably the VOS as we have cruised on that ship the most. But, I'd be just as happy with one from the NOS since that is when we made it.

 

I'm going on the Mariner at the end of this month and planned to see the LA to pick up my Diamond Plus pin so I'll ask about the block at the same time. Figure the LA won't be too happy with me, though, as I will make an appointment and not be booking a cruise like they would expect. Otherwise, you can't get in to see them.

 

Tucker in Texas

[cruisenfever]

I called C&A as we became eligible at 140 days in April 2010 while on the Navigator during a trans-Atlantic cruise. They told me I had to have 210 even though the web site says differently and it is the latest FAQ posted on their site.

 

I think I'll try the old " keep calling them until you get the answer you like" routine (lol).

 

Like the OP, we will be eligible for another one in 2012 during our Mariner cruise. I already have a Mariner one (someone gave it to me) and would like a different one, preferably the VOS as we have cruised on that ship the most. But, I'd be just as happy with one from the NOS since that is when we made it.

 

I'm going on the Mariner at the end of this month and planned to see the LA to pick up my Diamond Plus pin so I'll ask about the block at the same time. Figure the LA won't be too happy with me, though, as I will make an appointment and not be booking a cruise like they would expect. Otherwise, you can't get in to see them.

 

Tucker in Texas

I don't believe that the LA's have the D+ pins on board. You have to call the D+ desk and request one be sent to you.

[cruisenfever]

On our 26 November Voyager Cruise we reached the 140 day mark. We contacted the LA and requested the Crystal Block. We were told the crystal block now starts at 210 days, and were not eligible.

I called C&A as we became eligible at 140 days in April 2010 while on the Navigator during a trans-Atlantic cruise. They told me I had to have 210 even though the web site says differently and it is the latest FAQ posted on their site.

Tucker in Texas

If they are now giving the blocks out at 210 cruise points, then they have gone back to how it was handled when you earned cruise credits.

 

Used to be that when you reached your 30th cruise credit (now it would be 210 cruise points) you got a crystal block and then as your credits increased by 10 you got another block.

[Coralc]

We cruised on the Oasis this past Nov. That brought my total of points to 209. I have never received any blocks. I politely asked the LA about it and he was very (I won't say rude exactly) but very short and impatient answering my question and he wasn't busy at the time. I don't remember his name, but I wasn't impressed with him at all. Maybe I will try calling the C & A now and see if I can get anywhere. They never gave me credit for a few of my old cruises. I have been cruising with RCI since 1981 at least once a year a couple of times twice a year. My C & A records don't show all of them and I can't prove a few of them. We'll see what happens. I would love to have the crystal blocks, but if they won't give me any Oh well. I'll still cruise!

 

You will receive a block on your next cruise.

[crazy 4 cruising]

We were advised by TSA to put our crystal block on the belt with your keys, change, etc. in the little bowl or the Rubbermaid type tub that goes thru the x-ray. It makes the whole process easier for everyone.

Rick and Deirdra

 

That works very well. I guess they can't tell what it is in the xray machine. In San Juan recently our travelling buddy had to take her block out of her carry on and show them and then they re ran her bag. She left the week before us and emailed that to us and so we were prepared and put them in the bin in the box, nothing was even said. They are indeed heavy. We were also fortunate to be top cruisers and received special diamond crystals commemorating Diamond December. I have never had such heavy carry on. We always talk to the LA early on whenever we know we are suppopsed to get a block. This past time they didn't have our travelling buddy "on the list" and so emailed Miami and sure enough... Patti is right, different ships handle the "presentation" differently. We've had it left on our beds, been handed it by the LA, received it at the repeaters party & even had a presentation where we had our pictures taken with the captain.

[oceanbabe]

Dear Patti & Jim: We went on the Radiance to Alaska a few years ago. We will be going on the Radiance this April to Hawaii. After this sailing we will be Diamond. Does this mean i should get the block for the Radiance after this cruise? If not, if u have a few, i would be more than happy to pay for shipping if you would be so kind as to send us one. Thanks so much, elaine

[cruisenfever]

Dear Patti & Jim: We went on the Radiance to Alaska a few years ago. We will be going on the Radiance this April to Hawaii. After this sailing we will be Diamond. Does this mean i should get the block for the Radiance after this cruise? If not, if u have a few, i would be more than happy to pay for shipping if you would be so kind as to send us one. Thanks so much, elaine

Elaine, you only receive the crystal block when you have earned the number of points required. C&A says you should get your first block on the ship that has earned you your 140th cruise point. Some are saying the total is 210 points. Unfortunately, reaching Diamond Level has nothing to do with earning the crystal block.

[betsyl]

I got mine on the Liberty this past November - I was at 139 points before the cruise, so I hit the 140 mark while sailing. I really like it. Looks pretty in my kitchen window!:)

[SpekiTrout]

I will reach the 280 mark while on my b2b which is coming up next month. We are sailing in a suite and will therefore get 28 cruise points. I already have a Freedom crystal block - is there something else they will substitute? Has this happened to anyone else before, where they already had the block for that particular ship and were about to receive a second one? :rolleyes:

CKROBYN ... we too will be receiving a "double" crystal block of which we already have on our sailing on the Explorer next month . I .. like you was hoping we could substitute another block in place of it. Looks like that will be a "no go" after reading these posts. HOWEVER .. I'm now wondering if you would like to trade your block of the Freedom for ours from the Explorer .

[Motleu]

Can someone post a pic of these blocks. I have never seen one and it will be some time before I get one! Thanks!

[Merion_Mom]

Can someone post a pic of these blocks. I have never seen one and it will be some time before I get one! Thanks!

 

[IBookHePays]

CKROBYN ... we too will be receiving a "double" crystal block of which we already have on our sailing on the Explorer next month . I .. like you was hoping we could substitute another block in place of it. Looks like that will be a "no go" after reading these posts. HOWEVER .. I'm now wondering if you would like to trade your block of the Freedom for ours from the Explorer .

 

 

I think we should start a "block swap" thread!:D

[cruisenfever]

I think we should start a "block swap" thread!:D

Now that's an idea.:p

[cruisegirl1]

I never understood (and still don’t get) the fascination with the blocks. I have received several over the years and in fact, gave one back to the LA as we already had one of that particular ship. Some friends were anxious to see the one I received while on the Allure - as they put it “as the ship is so big”. Naturally – the actual ship size in proportion to the block is the same for the Allure as the Sovereign! (The Allure does look a bit "taller”).

 

I wish I had realized the interest and I might have brought them all home and given them away. I guess I'll accept any new ones and recycle to cruising friends.

 

M

[PH8]

I will reach the 280 mark while on my b2b which is coming up next month. We are sailing in a suite and will therefore get 28 cruise points. I already have a Freedom crystal block - is there something else they will substitute? Has this happened to anyone else before, where they already had the block for that particular ship and were about to receive a second one? :rolleyes:

Maybe if you ask Willy.......hahahahahah;)

 

But no,I have several duplicates.......( have been given them for hitting the milestones and other various reasons)