Rumors about January C&A changes

[steveru621]

Don't know if this has been discussed yet or not - couldn't find it by searching. We just returned from a cruise on the Freedom of the Seas and there was a lot of discussion in the concierge lounge about an announcement in January involving the C&A levels. I have heard the speculation on a new level between D+ and Pinnacle but the rumors suggested that the levels required to enter the diamond and concierge lounge would be changing also. Evidently there are just too many diamonds (over 650 on some cruises in December) to adequately serve in the venues available. I also know they are experimenting with coupons you can use at any bar so maybe that is the solution.

 

Does anybody have any real information on what is planned?

 

No one has any real information. But it's been a fun thread nevertheless.

 

I would kick the P's and suite guests out of the Concierge Club and reserve it just for us Diamonds. :) Just sayin', it's not as through it impacts me in any favorable way. :D

 

I remember a few years back on ONE cruise Platinum and up were allowed in the Concierge Club. Apparently there weren't too many high status C&A members on board. Ahhhh the good old days!

[KarinaGW]

As it is PC gets very little more than D+. All I can think of is gold card seating by the pool on the few ships that have it. And a free formal night pressing if one remembers to ask. Is there anything else I can't think of?

 

According to the website, a free cruise at a couple of point points.

[cello56]

One thing that many of you are forgetting when extrapolating the future Pinnacle Club members. Many of the current Pinnacles achieved this status in part, due to the way RCI distributed credits on the last conversion. Anyone who did a lot of short cruises certainly benefited from that. For new cruisers like DH and I (all but one of our cruises have been post conversion), achieving Pinnacle is going to take a LOT longer! So in theory, the rate of guests achieving Pinnacle is going to start slowing down in the future. There is also attrition to consider since many ( not all ) PC members are up there in years. This will of course apply to all the levels as each one now takes longer to achieve.

[mommabean]

According to the website, a free cruise at a couple of point points.

 

Yes, there is the free cruise at 700 and every 350 points there after. Those free cruises take a while to reach each time. Mainly I'm thinking of on board benefits - per cruise. There must be something but I can't think of it. Maybe gold card seating for breakfast and lunch in a specialty restaurant but it seems most ships don't have that either.

 

Gina

[cruisenfever]

Yes, there is the free cruise at 700 and every 350 points there after. Those free cruises take a while to reach each time. Mainly I'm thinking of on board benefits - per cruise. There must be something but I can't think of it. Maybe gold card seating for breakfast and lunch in a specialty restaurant but it seems most ships don't have that either.

 

Gina

I listed the PC Gold Card benefits in my post #341. You may want to make a copy and keep it with you when you cruise. I know others that have.

Edited November 20, 2013 by cruisenfever

[cruisenfever]

I would kick the P's and suite guests out of the Concierge Club and reserve it just for us Diamonds. :) Just sayin', it's not as through it impacts me in any favorable way. :D

You're not serious are you? You want to "kick" out the people from the lounge that was specifically developed for them!! Oh that won't go over very well, I can guarantee you that.

[mommabean]

From a letter sent out to all PC Members on November 11, 2011 from Betsy O'Rourke

 

On more than one occasion in the past months since we launched the Pinnacle Club, I have been asked why the Gold SeaPass card is for Suites only. I am pleased to announce that after careful analysis and consideration, for cruises beginning on or after November 19th, Pinnacle Club members will receive Gold SeaPass cards - even those of you not sailing in a Suite. With this Gold SeaPass card you will now enjoy a few more benefits, including:

• Priority tender on select cruises
  
• VIP pool deck seating where available
  
• Private seating for breakfast and lunch in specialty restaurants on Voyager and Freedom class ships (also can be found on some Vision, Radiance and Voyager class now)
  
  
• Mattel board games available to order from the Concierge
  
• Access to Labadee Cabanas+
  
• Personalized Port & Shopping Guide referrals
  
• Complimentary luggage valet and onboard checking service with select airlines*
  
• Personalized departure escort when visiting our ports-of-call**
  
• Complimentary pressing service on formal night***
  

* Only ship fees are waived - this is available in select port and with select airline carriers .

**Available for tendering ports only. Guests will be escorted off the ship only. This isn't available all the time and up to the discretion of the concierge.

***Only Formal Wear outfit will be pressed for Formal night only.

+ Rental Fee applies

 

 

 

I think this sort of confirms what I thought. There aren't many benefits - at least normally offered on all cruises.

 

Board games - LOL.

 

Labadee cabanas at a high cost.

 

Special seating which isn't available on most of the ships I've been on.

 

Any time we've had tendered ports, if priorty tendering is offered, it's for D+, too, so it's not an increased benefit.

 

Luggage valet was never offered on my cruises

 

The only thing usable on every cruise is the formal night pressing. Some people don't do formal night which is fine. I've gotten good at bringing something that doesn't need pressing.

 

It would be nice if there were some usable benefits available on every cruise. Like maybe my pet peeve - a souvenir logo pen. ;) Or shampoo and conditioner without asking. :eek: It's funny that these things could now be thought of as a desired benefit.

 

Oh I know ONE thing PC gets. Pre-printed luggage tags. That one slipped my mind.

 

Gina

[mommabean]

I listed the PC Gold Card benefits in my post #341. You may want to make a copy and keep it with you when you cruise. I know others that have.

 

I do know of all those things. They just aren't generally available or usable and not of real benefit from cruise to cruise for most people. I couldn't even bring myself to comment on the port and shopping guide benefit. :rolleyes: ( And this rolling eyes is directed at RCI for even offering that one as a "benefit".)

 

Gina

Edited November 20, 2013 by mommabean

[Lilyrosemum]

You're not serious are you? You want to "kick" out the people from the lounge that was specifically developed for them!! Oh that won't go over very well, I can guarantee you that.

 

OMG! I think it is pretty clear the poster was stating this tongue in cheek. People need to chill and get a sense of humor around here.

[mommabean]

[quote name='Lilyrosemum']OMG! I think it is pretty clear the poster was stating this tongue in cheek. People need to chill and get a sense of humor around here.[/QUOTE]

Agreed. It was an obvious joke. The poster's use of a big smiley face was a major tip off.

Gina

[cruisenfever]

[quote name='Lilyrosemum']OMG! I think it is pretty clear the poster was stating this tongue in cheek. People need to chill and get a sense of humor around here.[/quote]
My apologies. Yes, I knew that Steve was joking, I forgot to insert a smiley face after my response.:o

[cruisenfever]

[quote name='mommabean']I do know of all those things. They just aren't generally available or usable and not of real benefit from cruise to cruise for most people. I couldn't even bring myself to comment on the port and shopping guide benefit. :rolleyes: ( And this rolling eyes is directed at RCI for even offering that one as a "benefit".)

Gina[/quote]
I guess we've been lucky in so far as the ships we've been on since making PC have enable us to take advantage of the Gold Card benefits. It would be nice if it were consistently offered on all ships........oh wait........there's that word "consistency" which we all know is really inconsistency.:D

I agree, the Port and Shopping Guide Benefit is a joke.

[mommabean]

[quote name='cruisenfever']I guess we've been lucky in so far as the ships we've been on since making PC have enable us to take advantage of the Gold Card benefits. It would be nice if it were consistently offered on all ships........oh wait........there's that word "consistency" which we all know is really inconsistency.:D

[COLOR="Red"]I agree, the Port and Shopping Guide Benefit is a joke.[/COLOR][/QUOTE]

After all this time, I need guidance about where to buy a diamond ring. :p

The benefits I think that could be of value to more people are increased internet time especially on cruises of over a week. A larger balcony discount or some sort of discount on non-balcony rooms. Or how about greater laundry benefits that include pressing? At least offer a load of wash and press when doing B2B cruises. Things like that would be a benefit on every ship no matter the size of the ship or the location around the world.

Maybe one half price spa treatment would be nice. :) It just would be nice if they offered some real increased benefits at the PC level.

I wouldn't mind having a free Cafe Lattetudes coffee like the lower levels get rather than the "free" specialty coffee with purchase of a specialty restaurant meal. I don't really like decaf and can't drink regular coffee at night. I realize I can get coffee out of the CL but sometimes it's not as convenient. And it's different coffee.

Gina Edited November 21, 2013 by mommabean

[cruisenfever]

[quote name='mommabean']After all this time, I need guidance about where to buy a diamond ring. :p

The benefits I think that could be of value to more people are increased internet time especially on cruises of over a week. A larger balcony discount or some sort of discount on non-balcony rooms. Or how about greater laundry benefits that include pressing? At least offer a load of wash and press when doing B2B cruises. Things like that would be a benefit on every ship no matter the size of the ship or the location around the world.

Maybe one half price spa treatment would be nice. :) It just would be nice if they offered some real increased benefits at the PC level.

I wouldn't mind having a free Cafe Lattetudes coffee like the lower levels get rather than the "free" specialty coffee with purchase of a specialty restaurant meal. I don't really like decaf and can't drink regular coffee at night. I realize I can get coffee out of the CL but sometimes it's not as convenient. And it's different coffee.

Gina[/quote]
Great points. I hope you included them in your survey!:D

[steveru621]

[quote name='cruisenfever']You're not serious are you? You want to "kick" out the people from the lounge that was specifically developed for them!! Oh that won't go over very well, I can guarantee you that. :D[/quote]

Patti, I can guarantee I'll like it! :cool:

[mommabean]

[quote name='cruisenfever']Great points. I hope you included them in your survey!:D[/QUOTE]

I couldn't come up with them all at the time. I missed the spa and coffee suggestions. But I covered a few other suggestions. Come to think of it, I didn't think to suggest a larger balcony discount.

It was one of those things - I didn't know what they would ask, and I couldn't save it for later once I saw the question. I didn't want to time out either. But I did come up with plenty.

The bad part was that the form was one of those one liner forms that just keeps scrolling by so you can't see what you wrote and it's hard to go back to see. All you can see is the short one line as you type and it goes into hiding on the left. I don't know why they couldn't design the suggestion form better. Oh wait. That's IT.

Gina

[CVU]

[quote name='mommabean']I couldn't come up with them all at the time. I missed the spa and coffee suggestions. But I covered a few other suggestions. Come to think of it, I didn't think to suggest a larger balcony discount.

It was one of those things - I didn't know what they would ask, and I couldn't save it for later once I saw the question. I didn't want to time out either. But I did come up with plenty.

The bad part was that the form was one of those one liner forms that just keeps scrolling by so you can't see what you wrote and it's hard to go back to see. All you can see is the short one line as you type and it goes into hiding on the left. I don't know why they couldn't design the suggestion form better. Oh wait. That's IT.

Gina[/QUOTE]
When???......we get our survey I will try to remember what you left off.:D
Maybe the suggestion of a better IT dept. is one suggestion????:rolleyes:
Dayle

[cruisenfever]

[quote name='steveru621']Patti, I can guarantee I'll like it! :cool:[/quote]
LOL I know you will.:D

[mommabean]

[quote name='CVU']When???......we get our survey I will try to remember what you left off.:D
Maybe the suggestion of a better IT dept. is one suggestion????:rolleyes:
Dayle[/QUOTE]

The survey was about their loyalty program. They asked about ways it could be improved along asking for info about my cruise history, level, other cruise lines, land travel, and hotels. The emphasis was on C&A and the email came from C&A - which was shocking in itself since I have a history of getting nothing from them no matter how many times I signed up for email.

Gina

[foxgoodrich]

[quote name='steveru621']
I would kick the P's and suite guests out of the Concierge Club and reserve it just for us Diamonds. :) Just sayin', it's not as through it impacts me in any favorable way. :D [/QUOTE]

I think you've forgotten the whole reason for the existence of the Concierge Club! It was originally created for suite guests, one of the perks offered to those booking full suites. After awhile it was clear that the CL could accommodate more people, so it became an additional perk for D/D+. Then it became too crowded and D members were disinvited. Suite guests will not be kicked out. They are the reason the CL exists in the first place.

So, following your logic, if I invited you to stay at my home and use my guest suite and included food and drink for you, if you felt my home was too crowded…would you kick me out?:eek:

Just saying'…;)
Judy

[suzyluvs2cruise]

[quote name='critterchick']Interesting. The 2012 TA was the first or second cruise offering the breakfast in Chops and only the full suite guests had received the invitation. We went in as Pinnacles as did another couple, and then they coordinated with the Concierge. There would never have been room for all of the D+. That was before her refurbishment, though, so there was still a Diamond breakfast area. Was that still offered?[/quote]

There was no Diamond breakfast area on any of the 4 cruises we were on starting with the Aug 31 TA. I think that has been eliminated on ships with a Diamond Lounge.

The breakfast for D+/Pinnacle on the Oct 27 repo cruise was initially offered in both Chops and Giovannis but, after the 1st day, Chops was the only venue used. I'm sure, if more utilized this great benefit, they would have used Giovannis too. Most days it wasn't crowded and with the fast service people were in and out quickly. Many days we had our order within 5 mins. Only once did we have to wait for a table and the wait was only a few minutes.

After the crowds on the Aug 31 TA I think staff wanted to do more for D/D+/Pinnacle and Suite guests.....and all their efforts were greatly appreciated. :)

There was a section in the small room off the front of the Windjammer that had a sign saying "Gold Card only". Even with the sign it was used by anyone who wanted to come in. ;) Edited November 21, 2013 by suzyluvs2cruise

[steveru621]

[quote name='foxgoodrich']I think you've forgotten the whole reason for the existence of the Concierge Club! It was originally created for suite guests, one of the perks offered to those booking full suites. After awhile it was clear that the CL could accommodate more people, so it became an additional perk for D/D+. Then it became too crowded and D members were disinvited. Suite guests will not be kicked out. They are the reason the CL exists in the first place.

So, following your logic, if I invited you to stay at my home and use my guest suite and included food and drink for you, if you felt my home was too crowded…would you kick me out?:eek:

Just saying'…;)
Judy[/quote]

It was just a joke Judy.

[phish tales]

[quote name='steveru621']It was just a joke Judy.[/QUOTE]


if that was a joke, we all are waiting for the punch line.:confused:

[mommabean]

[quote name='suzyluvs2cruise']There was no Diamond breakfast area on any of the 4 cruises we were on starting with the Aug 31 TA. I think that has been eliminated on ships with a Diamond Lounge. [/QUOTE]

Now for the continuing inconsistency. This is what I also thought. I was on both Enchantment and Vision in the past month. Both have diamond lounges. And both still have the Diamond breakfast. I wish all the ships continued with this nice perk. I like getting my latte at breakfast, with a refill, and not having to carry one down from the CL.

[teddie]

Just turned Diamond today. I thought I'd feel kind of excited, but this thread is one big party pooper :(

Thanks.

Teddie