Diamond Questions

[Clarea]

Maybe just to consolidate some clarification on CL & DL. We were on Freedom last Oct for two weeks in a GS. We had access to both the Cl & DL. The CL on Freedom is in the center of the ship and has no windows, while the DL was on Deck 13? and did have windows. Consequently we usually went to the DL.

 

Just got off of Brilliance for two weeks and it does not have a DL. Diamond level cruisers can go to the Starquest lounge on Deck 13 and get free wine and champagne (don't believe it includes beer) but a discount for all other drinks - I think 20 or 25%. Don't know if the Radiance Class gets a DL when they go through refurb.

Every ship except Monarch and Majesty are getting a CL and DL.

[cruisegirl1]

I am taking my first cruise on Royal after nearly 20 on Celebrity. Can someone please explain in better detail that the RCCL website the Diamond level benefits?

 

Is there any free laundry or dry cleaning?

Is there any any amount of free internet?

What lounge are Diamond level able to use? I am confused between the Diamond and Concierge. Also, what drinks are free during the nightly happy hour?

 

Thanks to all.

 

The Celebrity Elite benefits are a tad better than RCCL’s Diamond in several areas. The cocktail menu at the Celebrity cocktail hours is a bit more extensive but RCCL’ s evening cocktail are for longer hours than Celebrity.

 

The RCCL Diamond Lounge will have a continental breakfast but there are no complimentary mimosas or bloody mary’s.

 

Celebrity offers more internet minutes.

 

The Diamond Lounge or event is offered on all the nights of the cruise, whereas on Celebrity is not offered on the first night or the special Captains reception night.

 

The D lounge has self-serve specialty coffee (latte’s, cappuccinos, etc. ) If your ship does not have a D Lounge you may show your sea pass card and ask to be seated in a special areas of the dining room and you may request a complimentary nonalcoholic specialty coffee . This is not offered on ships with a Diamond Lounge.

 

You will receive a variety of coupons for free items or a % off – similar to Celebrity. RCCL is moving from a paper coupon book to a voucher system embedded in the sea pass card.

 

There is no RCCL equivalent to the Elite High Tea, although you will likely be invited to an “Upper Tier” event, generally a brunch, cocktail party etc.

 

It is great to have the reciprocal program.

[Clarea]

Just one addition to Marci's extensive list above. Royal's Diamond status will give a significant discount on balcony staterooms. Offhand I think it's about $200 per stateroom for a 7 day cruise.

[cruisegirl1]

Thanks Bob –

 

Yes - OP make sure you get any applicable balcony discount

 

 

M

[cruisinfanatic]

Unless things have changed since December, the Diamond Event includes free wine, champagne, fountain soft drinks, and 25% of anything else. Beer was not provided free to us in December at Explorer Diamond Event.

 

Mike

Depends on if the ship has a real diamond lounge. Freedom and Oasis do as well as others that have or will be added. You can get pretty much anything you want to drink in them free

[Bobbie John]

We are also Diamond by way of Celebrity Elite and have a question about the Diamonds in December promotion. Assuming that RCCL will do the same double points offer in 2013, do those of us who are only classified as Diamond due to our Celebrity status (and not RCCL points) qualify for double points on December 2013 cruises?

 

Linda, There is no guarantee that there will be a Diamonds in December 2013 promotion. But if RC does Diamonds in December, as a Diamond member you should be given double points (or triple points for certain suites) for December 2013 cruises. We participated in 2011 and 2012 and that is what happened.

[sfcook]

Does Jewel or the other Radiance class ships have a Diamond Lounge?

[cruisenfever]

Does Jewel or the other Radiance class ships have a Diamond Lounge?

Jewel does not go in for enhancements until sometime in 2014. Radiance and Serenade have Diamond Lounges. Brilliance will be getting one when she goes in for her enhancements in April of this year.

[sfcook]

Jewel does not go in for enhancements until sometime in 2014. Radiance and Serenade have Diamond Lounges. Brilliance will be getting one when she goes in for her enhancements in April of this year.

 

 

Thank you. We are booked on Jewel later this year and are so looking forward to sailing on her.

[lauraapp]

On the Mariner, they made all sorts of Martini's....they got very creative!

[Merion_Mom]

Just harking back to the questions about free wine, why not free beer?

 

Because they can bring in bottles of wine - very cheap.

 

If they bring in bottles or cans of beer - not so cheap.

 

They are not going to install a KEG in the Concierge or Diamond Lounge, therefore they would have to give cans or bottles.

 

It is the same reasoning behind the soda package. You can only get "fountain sodas" not cans.

 

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[travelbug11]

Just one addition to Marci's extensive list above. Royal's Diamond status will give a significant discount on balcony staterooms. Offhand I think it's about $200 per stateroom for a 7 day cruise.

 

Compares to Celebrity's one cabin upgrade within the same category.

[Aussieflyer]

Question about access

 

I am thinking of taking a cruise with a friend, sharing a cabin. I am Elite (Celebrity) so am Diamond. My friend has never sailed before. My question: on Celebrity as she is sharing with me she is able to accompany me to Elite events. Is it the same situation on RCI?

[Motorman23]

Question about access

 

I am thinking of taking a cruise with a friend, sharing a cabin. I am Elite (Celebrity) so am Diamond. My friend has never sailed before. My question: on Celebrity as she is sharing with me she is able to accompany me to Elite events. Is it the same situation on RCI?

 

Sadly no for the Diamond events, according to the rules.

 

Mike

[cruisegirl1]

Question about access

 

I am thinking of taking a cruise with a friend, sharing a cabin. I am Elite (Celebrity) so am Diamond. My friend has never sailed before. My question: on Celebrity as she is sharing with me she is able to accompany me to Elite events. Is it the same situation on RCI?

 

Sadly no for the Diamond events, according to the rules.

 

Mike

 

No for the events as well as for entrance to the Diamond lounge. Some have asked for special permission and been granted it, some have been denied. It seems the person in charge is more lenient if the non-diamond person is a partner or a significant other.

 

M

[Iluvcruising2]

I posted some pictures of the Diamond Club Lounge on our March 2013 Legend of the Seas sailing, in my review of that sailing entitled Legend of the Seas Borneo Cruise March 2013.

 

I am re-posting some of the pictures from the Diamond Lounge on this thread.

 

As newly minted Diamond C&A members, we were looking forward to using the Diamond Club Lounge. We thoroughly enjoyed this experience and I think we will not cruise on a Royal ship again if there isn’t a Diamond Club onboard! Here was the entrance, on Deck 9.

 

 

This was during breakfast hours, Day 2 of the cruise.

 

[Iluvcruising2]

Breakfast drinks and the coffee machine. Oh, what a wonderful machine. It was available round-the-clock. They also had cups to-go.

 

 

Continental breakfast offerings. Same every day.

 

 

This is the Diamond Concierge desk. His name was Andrew Finegold, an American.

 

[Iluvcruising2]

Bar service during dinner. On top of Andrew, they had 2 bar-tenders serving us during evening hours.

 

 

The bartenders would mix you any drink you want, using the drinks available. Most of the time I had a red and beers. They had Heineken, Bud and Miller Lite.

 

 

This was during evening hours. The cold food is the same every day. The warm food changes.

 

 

[Iluvcruising2]

This is typical of what I get at the Diamond Lounge. A glass of red, with some savoury food plus lots and lots of salad sticks. I love those cucumber, carrot and celery sticks.

 

 

The hot selection, from a different evening.

 

 

Trying out the Espresso from the coffee machine.

 

 

Having a coffee with some desserts in the Diamond Club. In case you’re wondering, those desserts were from the Park Café.

 

[Iluvcruising2]

I can’t find Miller Lite in Singapore. It was good.

 

 

Cranberry Vodka. Very good too.

 

[Sunny AZ Girl]

Thank you for the pictures! I will be Diamond after my cruise later this month. I can't wait to try out the new Diamond Lounge on the Rhapsody next year.:)

[MAHA]

With the coupon books, there has been one free bag of laundry on a 7 day or longer cruise,if I remember correctly. The "stuff a bag" is good for undies, socks, etc.

[Candleonwater]

I happen to have my Diamond booklet in front of me... I'll have to go from memory on the parts I used.

 

Beverage Discount (Buy any wine, beer or soda by the glass get a second free)

Glass of Wine, Beer or Soda Discount (20%)

Complimentary Non-Alcoholic Coffee Beverage (in Chops, Portofino, etc...)

Johnny Rockets (2 for 1 Milkshake)

Photo Discount (10% off a Digital photo package or custom created Photobook)

Internet Discount (20%)

Stateroom Phone Discount ($2 per minute - 75% discount)

Wash & Fold Laundry Service ($10 off one $25 bag of laundry on Wash & Fold Day - 4+ night sailings only)

Wash & Fold Laundry Service ($10 off one $25 bag of laundry on Wash & Fold Day - 8+ night sailings only)

Dry Cleaning & Pressing Discount ($5 off)

Bingo Credit (Buy a bingo package get one free strip of six cards)

Gift Shop Discount (15% off RCI logo product purchase $25 or more)

Art on Royal (20% off custom framing)

Fine Jewelry Discount (Spend $1000 and get 15% discount)

Airbrushed Temporary Tattoos (10% off)

Pets at Sea (15% off Pets @ Sea package)

Tuxedo Rental Discount (15% off)

Cookbook Discount (25% off)

Spa Credit (20% off)

Britto Collectible (15% off Allure/Freedom/Splendor)

 

Now, for what I remember using...

 

Spin to win (3 of these)

30 minutes free internet

Casino table coupon, can't remember what it was for...

[skandls]

Question about access

 

I am thinking of taking a cruise with a friend, sharing a cabin. I am Elite (Celebrity) so am Diamond. My friend has never sailed before. My question: on Celebrity as she is sharing with me she is able to accompany me to Elite events. Is it the same situation on RCI?

 

Sometimes it is allowed (not official policy). You will have a better chance if you don't need to start your happy hours until after the early seating diners are gone (usually 6:30). And it depends on where the event is held - larger venue - better chance. Try going in when it is not so busy and asking the concierge (in private).

[Iluvcruising2]

Thank you for the pictures! I will be Diamond after my cruise later this month. I can't wait to try out the new Diamond Lounge on the Rhapsody next year.:)

 

You will love the lounge.

 

In terms of points, would you cross the 80 point mark during your next cruise? How many points are you away at the moment?