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Rumors about January C&A changes

Karter

By Karter,
in Royal Caribbean International

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cruisenfever

cruisenfever

Posted
Posted
[quote name='JillLovesTravel']Oh[B] so now we can't repeat something we are told by a ship's employee[/B]? Ha…there are quite a few old time, know everything posters on here who better hang up their keyboards then.[/quote]
Of course you can come here to CC and repeat anything and everything you've heard on a ship. BUT, you'd better be prepared to take the heat. :D
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skandls

skandls

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I have an easy fix for the over crowding in the lounges. Let people pick early or late happy hour and then make the 'earlies' leave. We have late dinner and have had a crowd issue only a few times as we don't go for drinks until after first seating starts. If there are that many people who park their behinds and drink for 4 hours - a new policy will empty the seats and let others in for booze and smooze.

Of course those gold card holders should be entitled to stay the entire time.
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Lilyrosemum

Lilyrosemum

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[quote name='skandls']I have an easy fix for the over crowding in the lounges. Let people pick early or late happy hour and then make the 'earlies' leave. We have late dinner and have had a crowd issue only a few times as we don't go for drinks until after first seating starts. If there are that many people who park their behinds and drink for 4 hours - a new policy will empty the seats and let others in for booze and smooze.

Of course those gold card holders should be entitled to stay the entire time.[/QUOTE]

Wasn't that how it was originally intended when they started letting in the Loyalty members to the Concierge Lounge? I think it even said it on the website, maybe it still does.

It was a cocktail hour not a "I'm going to drink as many drinks as I can and I'm not giving my seat up to anyone because I earned this" atmosphere. Some people have taken a perk and consider it an entitlement.

Ruins it for the rest.
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slk230red

slk230red

Posted
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[quote name='Lilyrosemum']Wasn't that how it was originally intended when they started letting in the Loyalty members to the Concierge Lounge? I think it even said it on the website, maybe it still does.

It was a cocktail hour not a "I'm going to drink as many drinks as I can and I'm not giving my seat up to anyone because I earned this" atmosphere. Some people have taken a perk and consider it an entitlement.

Ruins it for the rest.[/quote]

You must have sat there a long time watching this behavior go on.:rolleyes:
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Oville

Oville

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Oh my goodness, we are on a Royal cruise in December and this bickering is a bit alarming. I forgot how heated discussions on this board can be.

 

We will enjoy our D+ invitation to the CL on Oasis next month. I promise we will only arrive shortly before our 8-8:30 dining schedule for a drink or two, and will respect all suite guests in said lounge. Our lunch stop will be short and we won't hog spots for breakfast.

 

There is angst on the Celebrity boards about rumors (probably facts) about upcoming changes to its loyalty program, but it is a bit less off putting.

 

Looking forward to the Oasis and not the least bit worried about our future status with Royal or Celebrity. We just love to cruise.

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campbell51

campbell51

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I have an easy fix for the over crowding in the lounges. Let people pick early or late happy hour and then make the 'earlies' leave. We have late dinner and have had a crowd issue only a few times as we don't go for drinks until after first seating starts. If there are that many people who park their behinds and drink for 4 hours - a new policy will empty the seats and let others in for booze and smooze.

 

Of course those gold card holders should be entitled to stay the entire time.

 

Gold card users can go in at anytime but as a suite guest on my last two cruises we have never been able to get a seat in CL

from as early as 4.45pm.

In the end we just gave up trying. The CL on Independence is far too small to accommodate all the people that are entitled to use it.

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xxHadleyxx

xxHadleyxx

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I realize it is all just speculation at this point. Nonetheless, it seems something needs to change, so we might as well think about what would work an hope for the best, right?

 

I think it would make sense to use the coupons in place of serving alcohol in the lounge (with, if they can keep track of it, possibly the exception of people actually booked in suites).

 

Everyone in the loyalty program (D or D+ level) get their three coupons to use at just about any bar. If what they are truly interested in is the place to sit and speak with other frequent cruisers, and some appetizers, they can pick up their drink at the bar and take it to the lounge to sit. If they just want the drinks, or are travelling with others who do not have lounge access, etc then they can happily have the drink at a bar, poolside, take it to their room to enjoy on their balcony or whatever.

 

In this way, I would bet the overcrowding would go away, no one has to police who is allowed in at certain hours versus others, and no one would lose lounge access altogether. RCI would also be able to predict a maximum amount of free alcohol that a group of cruisers would go through and it would likely save them a bit of money.

 

I think the only people who would really lose in this scenario would be those who are really taking advantage and drinking large amounts anyway.

 

I suppose some may not want to get up and o out to a bar for a second or third drink, but that is not really a HUGE issue for most, especially if RCI allows one member of a party to run and pick up 2-3 drinks for their group so long as they take all the seapass cards.

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Mark_K

Mark_K

Posted
Posted
Oh so now we can't repeat something we are told by a ship's employee? Ha…there are quite a few old time, know everything posters on here who better hang up their keyboards then.
Anyone can post whatever they want. I was suggesting that sometimes using some discretion about whether you should post it might be a good idea. Particularly when it's something as vague as 'a lot of discussion in the CL'.

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

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Debde

Debde

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Posted
Wasn't that how it was originally intended when they started letting in the Loyalty members to the Concierge Lounge? I think it even said it on the website, maybe it still does.

 

It was a cocktail hour not a "I'm going to drink as many drinks as I can and I'm not giving my seat up to anyone because I earned this" atmosphere. Some people have taken a perk and consider it an entitlement.

 

Ruins it for the rest.

 

Many, many people right here on CC brag about picking MTD for the sole reason to spend every minute in the lounge drinking. I do believe Royal never intended it to be that. Yes, it ruined it for many if these changes we speculate about come true.

 

I think it would make sense to use the coupons in place of serving alcohol in the lounge (with, if they can keep track of it, possibly the exception of people actually booked in suites).

 

Everyone in the loyalty program (D or D+ level) get their three coupons to use at just about any bar. If what they are truly interested in is the place to sit and speak with other frequent cruisers, and some appetizers, they can pick up their drink at the bar and take it to the lounge to sit. If they just want the drinks, or are travelling with others who do not have lounge access, etc then they can happily have the drink at a bar, poolside, take it to their room to enjoy on their balcony or whatever.

 

In this way, I would bet the overcrowding would go away, no one has to police who is allowed in at certain hours versus others, and no one would lose lounge access altogether. RCI would also be able to predict a maximum amount of free alcohol that a group of cruisers would go through and it would likely save them a bit of money.

 

I think the only people who would really lose in this scenario would be those who are really taking advantage and drinking large amounts anyway.

 

I suppose some may not want to get up and o out to a bar for a second or third drink, but that is not really a HUGE issue for most, especially if RCI allows one member of a party to run and pick up 2-3 drinks for their group so long as they take all the seapass cards.

 

I think you hit the nail on the head with this post. CL will be for gold seas pass only. Or-it will be the D's getting the vouchers and the D+ and P's getting the lounge. As for the sign that says Diamond lounge-I don't think that hold any bearing to who Royal can say has access.

Funny story on signs. More then one person told me when Brilliance relocated back to the states/Puerto Rico they would not bring the Seaview café back as it would stay that Panini station thingy due to changing signs and not wanting to change the menu. These were the CC and Royal cruise specialists as I like to call them.:rolleyes: Let me tell you, I enjoyed my onion rings, fries and chicken feathers big time!!:D

 

Heck-some ships have a Pinnacle lounge that to my knowledge is wasted space. Why not speculate on the rumors as to the future of that lounge!!:eek:

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Debde

Debde

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I wasn't aware that they created a special lounge for PC Members. Which ships would they be on?

 

Patti-check on Oasis and Allure deck plans. I admit-I have never sailed on either ship but for sure it says Pinnacle lounge. Maybe someone could tell me what that is??? Someone asked about this a while ago and got no real answer which read to me-no one knew what it was!!

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Clarea

Clarea

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Posted
I wasn't aware that they created a special lounge for PC Members. Which ships would they be on?

 

Patti-check on Oasis and Allure deck plans. I admit-I have never sailed on either ship but for sure it says Pinnacle lounge. Maybe someone could tell me what that is??? Someone asked about this a while ago and got no real answer which read to me-no one knew what it was!!

There is a lounge on Oasis and Allure on deck 17 called Pinnacle Lounge, and they also call the chapel Pinnacle Chapel. However, I don't believe these venues have any relation to Pinnacle C&A members.

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Debde

Debde

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Posted
The Pinnacle Lounge is a meeting space that is most often empty. It is not a lounge for Pinnacle members.

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

 

Ahhhhhh See- if we want to speculate-here is a good one for future plans for this meeting space!!;)

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cruisenfever

cruisenfever

Posted
Posted
Patti-check on Oasis and Allure deck plans. I admit-I have never sailed on either ship but for sure it says Pinnacle lounge. Maybe someone could tell me what that is??? Someone asked about this a while ago and got no real answer which read to me-no one knew what it was!!
There is a lounge on Oasis and Allure on deck 17 called Pinnacle Lounge, and they also call the chapel Pinnacle Chapel. However, I don't believe these venues have any relation to Pinnacle C&A members.

Seems that the 2 lounges compliment each other. You get married in one and then party in the other!!:D

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oneputt18

oneputt18

Posted
Posted
Patti-check on Oasis and Allure deck plans. I admit-I have never sailed on either ship but for sure it says Pinnacle lounge. Maybe someone could tell me what that is??? Someone asked about this a while ago and got no real answer which read to me-no one knew what it was!!

 

You get married in the Pinnacle Chapel and have the reception in the Pinnacle Lounge.

I asked when I was on board and was told it was for private parties and receptions.

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Debde

Debde

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Seems that the 2 lounges compliment each other. You get married in one and then party in the other!!:D

 

It very well could but come on-let's doing some heavy duty speculation here!!!:p;)

 

Really the point being, what's in a sign? Just because it says diamond lounge-it does not guarantee, for life, it is for Diamond members! :eek:

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Paulette3028

Paulette3028

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We will be Diamond after our next cruise and truthfully both DH and I think the way they give points should not only depend on length and/or suite but also for the amount of $$$ spend aboard ship. We have met many who spend nothing once aboard and who took 3 and 4 day cruises to reach Diamond. So why not give points for X amount of $$$ spent IMHO??

 

I have to disagree. DH and I have cruised on RCCL for all of our cruises, soon to be taking our 14th and our 15th is booked for next summer. It was more unfair when they used # of cruises as the criteria, because then a short 3 day weekender, counted equally to a 7 day cruise. At least using # of nights you do get more credit for going on a longer cruise; of course if you book a suite you get double points (as it should be, considering the additional expense).

 

It should not depend on the amount of $$ you spend on board. Someone may not have the same disposable revenue who chooses to stay in an OV or Inside cabin rather than a balcony or suite. RCL is rewarding loyalty for your 'choice of cruise line' -- having status depend, even partially, on onboard spending would probably have people make different choices for their cruises.

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Ocean Boy

Ocean Boy

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Ocean Boy-would you like to join myself and family for a drink with you and yours in the Pinnacle lounge?? We could even get some snacks from the jammer!! ;) lol

 

I'd love it. And there will be more space for the real cruisers where ever it is that they are hanging out.

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