Diamond Drinks Trial?

[JohnSnowGOT]

How intriguing the responses are

 

On celebrity they are starting to remove the elite lounge and give out vouchers instead and it has been met so far on CC with a negative response based on the people wanting to meet other elites

 

yet they go to launch it on RCCL and it's met so much more positively

 

I wonder why

 

 

REALLY? you think a few people who said they'd like it is a positive reaction?

All this point its all speculation. Nothing past a rumor of a trial. Save for a few cheerleaders.......if it is ever rolled out, what ever it is, people will realize that RCI, in the name of answering a call, will take away, and give way less. People will start to fuss then. The issue is not ripe for any real response.

[RoamingRetirees]

It could also be this: On Celebrity the vouchers are not good for all night, only up to 7:00 PM, which is usually the time we go the CL to have a couple of drinks before late dinner seating. Would be fine with it if they allowed drinks purchased up till late seating, but don't.... yet.

tnt

 

On Summit it was until at least 8. We did early dining and still had time some times to get another drink after dinner.

[Big_G]

How intriguing the responses are

 

On celebrity they are starting to remove the elite lounge and give out vouchers instead and it has been met so far on CC with a negative response based on the people wanting to meet other elites

 

yet they go to launch it on RCCL and it's met so much more positively

 

I wonder why

 

The difference being that one is a trial and one has been implemented. My reading is there were both positive and negative feed back on the Celebrity boards. You won't get a good gauge of acceptance until implemented on more than one ship and/or itinerary.

Edited November 11, 2013 by Big_G

[wolfganghowell]

In some ways we are lucky since we are D+ we should be safe for either lounge if there are indeed future changes. But since we often cruise with friends that are not yet Diamond but stay in a GS, we choose the CL. We've never really seen crowding issues in the CL but have seen it in the DL. BUT - my interpretation from some of these posts is that the crowding issue seems more prevalent on transatlantic crossing. Perhaps the "trial" is only going to be implemented on these "problem" cruises.

 

I'm with jc, I don't care what lounge I'm in. I'm good to drink my freebies anywhere.

[JillLovesTravel]

The idea of giving a discount on the package is intriguing. What do you think would be a fair amount?

 

I think there should be a discount of up to 3 Diamond Lounge type drinks for Diamond level, 4 for D+ and 5 for Pinnacle.

 

At a fairly low price of $5 per drink that would be discounts as follows:

 

Diamond Level $15 off per day the current Premium package of $55 per day.

 

Diamond Plus $20 off per day. " "

 

Pinnacle $25 off per day. " "

 

That should leave some empty chairs in the lounges.

 

I loved the package. I only signed a receipt once and the waiters treated us very well.

 

If the information coming out about the new packages proves to be correct, all the better. The only negatives at all were the wine limitation and no bottled water included. Looks like that might be about to change. Thank you for listening Royal Caribbean. Now add a discount for your most Loyal guests and.............Perfection!

[Merion_Mom]

MM, I feel like Alice the Wonderland. Didn't John report that you can have three drinks using the vouchers in any bar, and then go to the DL or CL and get additional drinks?

 

Off with their heads.... said the Red Queen.

 

So, not being able to have more than three drinks is a reason to be upset. Being able to have 3 in general bars (a new addition aka perk) for free, and then being able to cram into an overloaded DL and get another drink doesn't sound like the end of the world.... unless the reason for being upset is not about the free drinks.

 

Enlighten me O great one for I am surely confused.

 

jc

 

You:

Many (definitely not most) people go to the diamond lounge because they are special and want to be seen there holding court. I just like a free drink. So, I don't have a problem going to any bar, but if the reason to go is not to get a free drink, but to have the need to be special resolved....

 

Me, finishing your sentence:

.....or to have more than three drinks...............

 

:D

[Merion_Mom]

I think there should be a discount of up to 3 Diamond Lounge type drinks for Diamond level, 4 for D+ and 5 for Pinnacle.

 

At a fairly low price of $5 per drink that would be discounts as follows:

 

Diamond Level $15 off per day the current Premium package of $55 per day.

 

Diamond Plus $20 off per day. " "

 

Pinnacle $25 off per day. " "

 

That should leave some empty chairs in the lounges.

 

I loved the package. I only signed a receipt once and the waiters treated us very well.

 

If the information coming out about the new packages proves to be correct, all the better. The only negatives at all were the wine limitation and no bottled water included. Looks like that might be about to change. Thank you for listening Royal Caribbean. Now add a discount for your most Loyal guests and.............Perfection!

 

That would be a generous discount! I, for one, would finally contemplate buying a package. And it definitely would thin the ranks in the lounges. (I think that anyone with the package would have to give up the right to drink in the Lounges during booze hours, don't you think?)

[JillLovesTravel]

That would be a generous discount! I, for one, would finally contemplate buying a package. And it definitely would thin the ranks in the lounges. (I think that anyone with the package would have to give up the right to drink in the Lounges during booze hours, don't you think?)

 

Absolutely! I would give that right up in a nanosecond. The premium drink package is awesome and in ANY Bar or restaurant. The lounge is very limited. We often sail with friends not Diamond so it is a no brainer for us.

 

(oh and for the record I would go along with a lesser discount.....I bought it at full price and still loved it!)

[Folk Singer]

As far as I can tell, we still don't know this from this single trial cruise. We know a lot of hyperbole, and we know a lot of people's opinions about lots of other matters, but the facts of this simple question do not seem to have been answered, despite 300 + posts...

 

 

just sayin'

 

jc

 

 

yes a lot of chatter but no real answers.

[Folk Singer]

The idea of giving a discount on the package is intriguing. What do you think would be a fair amount?

 

 

Would be interesting to speculate about this as well. :rolleyes:

[jamon]

Hope someone who is Diamond or above who are on this cruise will clarify the 3 drink issue and whether you could also use the Diamond/Concierge lounge to get drinks as before. In addition, it seems like there were still issues with overcrowding in the lounges...maybe they can explain....

[xpcdoojk]

Hope someone who is Diamond or above who are on this cruise will clarify the 3 drink issue and whether you could also use the Diamond/Concierge lounge to get drinks as before. In addition, it seems like there were still issues with overcrowding in the lounges...maybe they can explain....

 

One Diamond member on the Indy did. You can go to the bars order 3 drinks during the time, and then go to the Diamond lounge and get additional drinks there. The reason why it is crowded is because it is a transatlantic sailing, and there are probably a minimum of 700 and possibly well over a thousand Diamond, Diamond Plus and Pinnacle on board. This happens on these transatlantic sailings.

 

Many folks from the UK summer in the UK and winter in Florida, and these cruises are a great way to get from here to there.

 

jc

[6MonthsHere6MonthsThere]

One Diamond member on the Indy did. You can go to the bars order 3 drinks during the time, and then go to the Diamond lounge and get additional drinks there. The reason why it is crowded is because it is a transatlantic sailing, and there are probably a minimum of 700 and possibly well over a thousand Diamond, Diamond Plus and Pinnacle on board. This happens on these transatlantic sailings.

 

Many folks from the UK summer in the UK and winter in Florida, and these cruises are a great way to get from here to there.

 

jc

 

jc, well it got better as the cruise went on, we could get a seat in the Concierge Lounge most nights after 6pm but mostly stayed up in the Diamond Lounge where it was busy but did manage to get seats after the first few nights. They did open up the Card Room & Cloud Nine for D+ and Pinnicle from about day 7 but looked in a few nights and most we saw in there were about 8 people.

As stated before, the drinks in Diamond/Concierge lounge were as usual with the limited variation of drinks but if guests wanted, for an example, a Baileys, they went out into the Olive&Twist bar using their vouchers and then brought them back into the lounge.

It was also nice that you could take your drink with you to the dining room rather than having to rush to drink it before you left for dinner.

All in all I think with a few tweaks the system will work.

Missed Coco Cay on last day due to high swells.

Back now at the villa and guess what, greeted with what we left behind in the UK, RAIN, but at least it is warm:)

John.

Edited November 15, 2013 by 6MonthsHere6MonthsThere

[xpcdoojk]

jc, well it got better as the cruise went on, we could get a seat in the Concierge Lounge most nights after 6pm but mostly stayed up in the Diamond Lounge where it was busy but did manage to get seats after the first few nights. They did open up the Card Room & Cloud Nine for D+ and Pinnicle from about day 7 but looked in a few nights and most we saw in there were about 8 people.

As stated before, the drinks in Diamond/Concierge lounge were as usual with the limited variation of drinks but if guests wanted, for an example, a Baileys, they went out into the Olive&Twist bar using their vouchers and then brought them back into the lounge.

It was also nice that you could take your drink with you to the dining room rather than having to rush to drink it before you left for dinner.

All in all I think with a few tweaks the system will work.

Missed Coco Cay on last day due to high swells.

Back now at the villa and guess what, greeted with what we left behind in the UK, RAIN, but at least it is warm:)

John.

 

Thanks for the reports. Sorry I missed your original report initially.

 

I like Coco Cay, but missing it would not be a big deal to me.

 

Do you think one reason why the system went so badly initially was because people were expecting to have one or more of the big lounges available? Personally, it sounds to me like the best way to do the nightly cocktail 3 hours.

 

Enjoy your winter in Florida!!!!

 

jc

[beachnative]

We disembarked the Independence this morning and have mixed feelings about the Trial Policy.

 

The Diamond Lounge was always packed and the service would have been adequate except for people who were not visiting/chatting in the DL formed a line that often extended out the door and into the Viking Crown. This used up the time for two of the bartenders leaving only one to serve those seated.

 

Mel (the concierge) worked constantly taking drink orders, mixing, and serving them. I have never seen such a valiant effort to make the situation palatable. She is a joy.

 

We also visited the other bars during the 5-8:30 period but were often unable to find a vacant seat.

 

Our enjoyment of the DL or CL is based on making/continuing friendships and having great conversations. We accomplished this in the DL and sometimes in the under visited Pyramid Lounge (which was unexpectedly closed to us for a private function once and used as Trivia venue starting at 7:15 on others.

 

Please, these are just reflections on our experience and not a recommendation or condemnation of the Trial Program.

 

It would have been nice to have been given a chance to comment on the program while on the ship, but none was offered. There was a stack of "Mid-Cruise" comment sheets placed off to the side on a small table in the Promenade but we didn't run across them until 3 days after the deadline for turning them in.

 

Final note: tipping the servers helped us get drinks in a timely fashion.

 

If you have questions I'll be glad to answer them.

 

P.S.: the trial is also being used for the current sailing.

[At Sea 4Ever]

Was this trial only happening on the Indy for that sailing ?

[maxs mom]

Were D+ C&A members able to use the Concierge Lounge like usual? We actually prefer to go there. We'll be on the Dec. 1st and 7th sailings......wonder if they will keep this up? And can you tell me what the CL/DL hours were....did they close at 8:00 or 8:30? Thanks!

[connes1]

I think most diamond level and above enjoy going to the diamond lounge for the "schmooze" factor. Free drinks are for sure a perk but not the only perk. Sometimes the DL resembles a zoo rather than a schmooze fest. Hopefully royal Caribbean can figure out a way to accommodate everybody without taking perks away from people.

 

Sent from my XT1030 using Tapatalk

[cruisenfever]

Was this trial only happening on the Indy for that sailing ?

Yes, it was being tested on the Indy TA that just concluded today and has been extended to the following cruise as well.

[Folk Singer]

jc, well it got better as the cruise went on, we could get a seat in the Concierge Lounge most nights after 6pm but mostly stayed up in the Diamond Lounge where it was busy but did manage to get seats after the first few nights. They did open up the Card Room & Cloud Nine for D+ and Pinnicle from about day 7 but looked in a few nights and most we saw in there were about 8 people.

As stated before, the drinks in Diamond/Concierge lounge were as usual with the limited variation of drinks but if guests wanted, for an example, a Baileys, they went out into the Olive&Twist bar using their vouchers and then brought them back into the lounge.

It was also nice that you could take your drink with you to the dining room rather than having to rush to drink it before you left for dinner.

All in all I think with a few tweaks the system will work.

Missed Coco Cay on last day due to high swells.

Back now at the villa and guess what, greeted with what we left behind in the UK, RAIN, but at least it is warm:)

John.

 

 

it sounds like they are trying to sort everything out.:):)

[Merly]

Have just got off Indy. We were looking forward to seeing how the 3 drinks worked but when we boarded found that we had been given the premium drinks package. We don't have a clue why, but hey, we made the most of it. We looked into both the concierge lounge and the diamond lounge and found them bit lacking. Both were small and crowded. We occasionally went in the concierge lounge for coffee and to read the papers as it was convenient as we were on deck 10. Having the drinks package meant that we could drink anywhere any time. Our conclusion was that whilst it was great to have as a freebie we wouldn't buy it as we wouldn't do it justice. To return to the 3 drinks. Our d+ friends could drink in the lounges and then go to the bars. After the first couple of nights the waiters stopped swiping their cards so they could have as many drinks as they liked between the hours of 5 and 8.30. We are on the Allure in 8 weeks and whilst we don't expect to get a free bonus again of the drinks package we hope they roll out the drinks in any bars. We enjoyed the freedom it brings. Just my opinion.

[heatherb1958]

We just recently completed the Liberty TA.

The Concierge lounge on deck 10 was closed at night , Olive and Twist became the evening Concierge lounge for D+,P and suite guests. Deck 5 Sphinx lounge became the Diamond lounge, there were bar servers walking the floor of the Sphinx,if you couldn't wait 5-10 mins. there was a bar set up in the corner where you could walk over and get your own drink from a bartender,no queue except for final orders at 8.30pm.

I believe there were 1000 'free drink' eligible C&A guests onboard. We never had a problem getting a seat in either venue from 7pm( one drink each half hour on the basis of 3 per night;)) although when we were on deck 14 we did use the DL room with it's propped open door as it was quieter and cooler.

Noise levels increased when 1st seating guests returned to catch 'last orders'.

We thought the organisation was so much better than April 2011 and have no complaints about the service in either venue.

 

 

I wonder how many eligible guests were on Indie. This is what I would have done.:)

They should have closed the Concierge lounge at night like Liberty did and combined the cloud 9 rooms to make a larger venue for CL guests with added seating. Adventure has done a good job doing this.

I would have closed the DL and have guests use the vouchers in ALL the bars . The voucher system works on Celebrity within a shorter evening time frame, Indie management should have grown some and just put the voucher system in place and reviewed it after a few days.

The only thing missing from this scenario is the nibbles, easy , have staff walk around the bars with trays like they do at the parties and like they used to do in the Casino many moons ago.

Flame away.

Edited November 16, 2013 by heatherb1953

[cruiselover04]

We have also just returned from this cruise. We sat in the Pyramid lounge for our evening drinks. They checked that you were Diamond or above when ordering your drinks. No one standing at the door. They did not swipe the cards, but when ordering drinks at the pub or Vintages they did to record you had had a drink. Not sure what they did at other bars as we did not use them. They also had the hot and cold appetizers in the Pyramid lounge. Every night there was always a large group of Diamond + people sitting in the lounge as they found the DL and CL overcrowded.

When speaking with a bar manager he felt the number of drinks should be increased from 3 to maybe 5.

We wish they had had this system in effect for the 4 day cruise prior to the TA. We were travelling with my DS and BIL who had never cruised before so we were not able to enjoy the DL if we all wanted to sit together. If this had been in effect we could have sat at any bar and enjoyed our complimentary drinks while still being able to enjoy their company.

 

Jenni

PS Hi Heather!

[PAFC]

We just recently completed the Liberty TA.

The Concierge lounge on deck 10 was closed at night , Olive and Twist became the evening Concierge lounge for D+,P and suite guests. Deck 5 Sphinx lounge became the Diamond lounge, there were bar servers walking the floor of the Sphinx,if you couldn't wait 5-10 mins. there was a bar set up in the corner where you could walk over and get your own drink from a bartender,no queue except for final orders at 8.30pm.

I believe there were 1000 'free drink' eligible C&A guests onboard. We never had a problem getting a seat in either venue from 7pm( one drink each half hour on the basis of 3 per night;)) although when we were on deck 14 we did use the DL room with it's propped open door as it was quieter and cooler.

Noise levels increased when 1st seating guests returned to catch 'last orders'.

We thought the organisation was so much better than April 2011 and have no complaints about the service in either venue.

 

 

I wonder how many eligible guests were on Indie. This is what I would have done.:)

They should have closed the Concierge lounge at night like Liberty did and combined the cloud 9 rooms to make a larger venue for CL guests with added seating. Adventure has done a good job doing this.

I would have closed the DL and have guests use the vouchers in ALL the bars . The voucher system works on Celebrity within a shorter evening time frame, Indie management should have grown some and just put the voucher system in place and reviewed it after a few days.

The only thing missing from this scenario is the nibbles, easy , have staff walk around the bars with trays like they do at the parties and like they used to do in the Casino many moons ago.

Flame away.

.

 

Hi Heather if you shut the CL what would happen to the suite guests?

[tnt10]

On Summit it was until at least 8. We did early dining and still had time some times to get another drink after dinner.

 

Thanks for your reply, nice to hear.

Emailed Celebrity C&A and was told emphatically that they were unable to change the voucher cut off time from 7:00 pm, which I explained was very inconvenient since late seating MDR didn't start until at least 8:30 or 8:45 PM, and our pre-dinner drink time didn't even start until approximately 7:00 PM.

Time will tell as we are booked on the Infinity TA next Fall Harwich to FLL.

(We are not only Elite, but are booked in one of the PS, so we shall see how that works out as well!!)

Happy Cruising,

tnt