Platinum to Elite is a Huge Leap

[abbydancer2003]

Maybe I should have made my point clearer. I would not be opposed to 2x credit for suites for cruises of 7 days or longer. I don't think it should be applied to anything less. I still firmly believe those who take the one or two day cruises to bump their totals closer to the 150 mark are gaming the system. Just my humble opinion.....:):):)

 

Bob

 

How is that "gaming the system"? Until 2007, that was the system.

 

And there is absolutely nothing stopping anyone taking the 1-3 day cruises to get the credits. I get that it's not time/financially feasible for some, but taking long cruises isn't feasible for others for the same reason.

 

In 2007, when we were Platinum and well on our way to Elite with 2 10 day cruises, 1 7 day and several coastals, they announced the new qualification policy. My thought wasn't "oh, I had to do all these embark/disembark not fun processes, and now people who do 30 day cruises can do it in 5 - it's not fair". Rather it was "this is great that they can reward those of us who cruise frequently but not for long cruises and those who can do the long cruises that we can't".

 

And, while I'm sure this wasn't your intention, I find your implying that we "gamed the system" insulting. We take the short cruises because when at least one of us is working, a 12-16 day cruise isn't in the cards more often then once every 3 years or so. We really enjoy the quick getaways. That's why we take them. It was never to get the status.

 

And maybe this thread should be closed now, since it seems to be getting close to being personal.

[Lovetocruiseprincess]

Do Elites actually take 3 & 4 day cruises to boost they count quicker? There's no where to go after attaining Elite except loyalty credit and after hitting 50 there's no advantage at all? ;)

[abbydancer2003]

Do Elites actually take 3 & 4 day cruises to boost they count quicker? There's no where to go after attaining Elite except loyalty credit and after hitting 50 there's no advantage at all? ;)

 

I sure don't. If you think about it, it would be extremely cost ineffective. You'd have to spend about 500-1500 dollars in cruise fare alone to get 25.00, and you'd then have to take another 20 cruises to make it pay off at which point you'd have the credit anyway.

 

Honestly, I think the only time I see people taking the cruise to get the credit is when it's the last one and they're doing a big cruise soon after and want the laundry benefit for that. And sometimes it's people who generally take long cruises, and just do the one short one

Edited July 26, 2014 by abbydancer
I know how to spell fair and fare.

[By The Bay]

Maybe I should have made my point clearer. I would not be opposed to 2x credit for suites for cruises of 7 days or longer. I don't think it should be applied to anything less. I still firmly believe those who take the one or two day cruises to bump their totals closer to the 150 mark are gaming the system. Just my humble opinion.....:):):)

 

Bob

How are they "gaming the system" when "the system" allows the number of cruises to count?:confused:

Edited July 27, 2014 by By The Bay

[Lovetocruiseprincess]

I sure don't. If you think about it, it would be extremely cost ineffective. You'd have to spend about 500-1500 dollars in cruise fare alone to get 25.00, and you'd then have to take another 20 cruises to make it pay off at which point you'd have the credit anyway.

 

Honestly, I think the only time I see people taking the cruise to get the credit is when it's the last one and they're doing a big cruise soon after and want the laundry benefit for that. And sometimes it's people who generally take long cruises, and just do the one short one

 

That's about the only way it could make sense unless you live very close to a port where it's being offered. To me doing a short cruise even attached to a longer one means another turn around day wasted in port. :(

[FlynnRider78]

Princess should really have made 3 and 4 night cruises 1/2 a credit, that being said there would be uproar if they started doing that now!!

 

I made it to Elite last year after sailing exclusively with Princess since the 1990's, yes it's taken years but I was so excited to become Elite because it had taken years not because of all the perks, most of which we don't even use!! If I had done it over a few years with just 3 day'ers there wouldn't have been that sense of achievement!!

 

I think Princess really needs to add another level after Elite, so many cruisers now have an amazing number of days and that really should be recognised.

[Lovetocruiseprincess]

I think Princess really needs to add another level after Elite, so many cruisers now have an amazing number of days and that really should be recognised.

 

Even if there were no additional perks associated with a new level it would be nice to be recognized & another goal to shoot for. :) It won't be to far in the future where 3/4 of the ship will be Elite. They could even hold a separate repeaters party with upgraded horderves & non watered down drinks.

Edited July 27, 2014 by Lovetocruiseprincess

[Iamcruzin]

There actually is one perk of Ruby that is worthwhile. If you purchase the Standard Vacation Protection from Princess you are automagically upgraded to the Platinum Vacation Protection. A small monetary perk but the only one that helps with something you (probably) are buying anyway.

That depends on your age. As Platinum I found it less expensive to purchase from an outside source like travel guard. You get more coverage plus it covers your flight and hotel stays. Its even less expensive for families as one child under the age of 18 is covered for free with each adult purchase. Since I only have two children it was a win win for me. If you are a senior the Princess coverage is more cost effective because their rates aren't based on age.

 

Celebrity changed their program by only calculating points by days sailed. You can obtain more points by booking higher categories. Their program wouldn't compel me to look at their sailings before Princess for the same itinerary. For me even the second level is unattainable and honestly they really don't offer anything of value to me.

[FlynnRider78]

There actually is one perk of Ruby that is worthwhile. If you purchase the Standard Vacation Protection from Princess you are automagically upgraded to the Platinum Vacation Protection. A small monetary perk but the only one that helps with something you (probably) are buying anyway.

 

 

Also not good in the UK as you can't purchase Princes Insurance here!!!!

[geoherb]

To me doing a short cruise even attached to a longer one means another turn around day wasted in port.

I think I'd enjoy another turn-around day in Fort Lauderdale if we ever do another b2b. Next time, I'll know to get off the ship early instead of waiting to go with the group. Even with the wait, though, we had a leisurely morning, a nice lunch in the dining room, time to walk to Total Wine to restock, and a relaxing time in the Oasis Pool while everyone else had to go to the muster drill.

[Woobstr112G]

My apologies for my poor choice of words in implying that people were gaming the system. I did not intend to imply that people were bending the rules for there own good. They were simply making use of policies that Princess has in place to suit their cruising plans. What I should have simply said is it was my personal opinion that I didn't think that Cruises under 7 days should count for # of days but not for an individual cruise credit. I have been guilty of letting my cynical sense of humor get the best of me at times and this was indeed one of those times.

 

Again, I am sorry.....:):):)

 

Bob

Edited July 27, 2014 by Woobstr112G

[Lovetocruiseprincess]

I think I'd enjoy another turn-around day in Fort Lauderdale if we ever do another b2b. Next time, I'll know to get off the ship early instead of waiting to go with the group. Even with the wait, though, we had a leisurely morning, a nice lunch in the dining room, time to walk to Total Wine to restock, and a relaxing time in the Oasis Pool while everyone else had to go to the muster drill.

 

The only thing I hate about going through customs is that they schedule it for 10:30 AM which to me is to early to do anything in the morning & late enough just to have lunch when you get back on the ship. Of course having the pool almost to yourself after eating is a benefit but I'd still rather be somewhere else but in Ft Lauderdale waiting to leave again.

On out last cruise we were the only couple doing a B2B. It felt a little strange being personally escorted off & back on the ship. It was the quickest turn around we've ever had. Usually the numbers are in the hundreds with 8 or 10 people always late for the walk though to begin. :(

[PrincessLuver]

Do Elites actually take 3 & 4 day cruises to boost they count quicker? There's no where to go after attaining Elite except loyalty credit and after hitting 50 there's no advantage at all? ;)

 

It is not uncommon for people who use travel programs to find the least expensive way to gain the maximum benefits.

 

Flyers do "mileage runs" where they buy cheap tickets and fly long distances or many segments for no other reason then to get miles or segments to get to a higher level.

 

People who want to maximize hotel points will often take advantage of special point offers where they will stay in local hotels in their area at cheap prices to earn, ie. HHonors points or status. These are called "mattress runs."

 

The same goes for rental car rewards programs.

 

I am sure that there is a segment of the cruising public that does the shortest and cheapest cruises to pad their Captain Circle program or other cruise program. :cool:

[Lovetocruiseprincess]

It is not uncommon for people who use travel programs to find the least expensive way to gain the maximum benefits.

 

Flyers do "mileage runs" where they buy cheap tickets and fly long distances or many segments for no other reason then to get miles or segments to get to a higher level.

 

People who want to maximize hotel points will often take advantage of special point offers where they will stay in local hotels in their area at cheap prices to earn, ie. HHonors points or status. These are called "mattress runs."

 

The same goes for rental car rewards programs.

 

I am sure that there is a segment of the cruising public that does the shortest and cheapest cruises to pad their Captain Circle program or other cruise program. :cool:

 

Not that I know from past experience but My guess is that there will be very, very few Elites on 3, 4 or 5 day cruises. We're considering booking one only because of the fact that we'll be on the ship from a previous trip & the port stop is one we haven't been to in a long time. Not that we need the cruise number or days.

[Dreamer333]

I wish I lived near a port. I'd definitely be elite by now. I would love to be able to take advantage of those short cruises!

[shredie]

LOL. This topic always gets crazy

 

 

 

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[caribill]

The only thing I hate about going through customs is that they schedule it for 10:30 AM which to me is to early to do anything in the morning & late enough just to have lunch when you get back on the ship.

 

You only need to wait for the "group" going through immigration if you do not want to get off the ship earlier.

 

You can leave the ship for whatever reason you want once disembarkation has started for passengers whose cruise is over.

 

But if you do not want to otherwise leave the ship, the "group" must do so at around 10 AM so that immigration can be certain that 100% of the passengers have left the ship.

[Lovetocruiseprincess]

You only need to wait for the "group" going through immigration if you do not want to get off the ship earlier.

 

You can leave the ship for whatever reason you want once disembarkation has started for passengers whose cruise is over.

 

But if you do not want to otherwise leave the ship, the "group" must do so at around 10 AM so that immigration can be certain that 100% of the passengers have left the ship.

 

Yes I know. I also keep saying customs when I should say immigration. The times I did leave early to get items I got back to the ship before general boarding & had to stand around for over an hour just waiting. Not to much fun. :( Maybe I'll wait next cruise to leave for shopping just prior to the general call for all B2B people.

[paul929207]

Yes I know. I also keep saying customs when I should say immigration. The times I did leave early to get items I got back to the ship before general boarding & had to stand around for over an hour just waiting. Not to much fun. :( Maybe I'll wait next cruise to leave for shopping just prior to the general call for all B2B people.

Its a tough life. :)

[geoherb]

Our b2b cruises in December were four nights each. They're what got us to Elite on our next cruise, but I did not book them for that reason. I booked them because it was the best option for us--worked better with DH's break schedule plus we got to go for eight nights instead of seven.

 

Just walking through the corridors showed that there were plenty of Elites on our two cruises. Since there weren't parties for past passengers, I never heard the count. On our five-night Ruby cruise this spring--once again, taken because it fit DH's schedule best--there were plenty as well. We had the good fortune to be sitting at the table with the most-travelled passenger. She and her husband invited us to join them at the party. I think she had more than 1,700 days on Princess. The second place couple had a bunch. Third place, though, was a couple with fewer than a thousand. That's an attainable goal for us.

[By The Bay]

My apologies for my poor choice of words in implying that people were gaming the system.

Again, I am sorry.....:):):)

 

Bob

Apologies accepted. :)

[Wehwalt]

I took a pair of short repositionings, Vancouver to San Francisco and back in May, with one day in San Francisco. They looked like fun, I could still do a round trip airfare, the whole thing added up to 7 days onboard. Yes, I picked up some cruise credits, but that was not a major consideration.

 

There looked to be plenty of elites aboard, as I was not invited to the most traveled luncheon. Lots of people did the round trip as I did, from what I heard.

[abbydancer2003]

I took a pair of short repositionings, Vancouver to San Francisco and back in May, with one day in San Francisco. They looked like fun, I could still do a round trip airfare, the whole thing added up to 7 days onboard. Yes, I picked up some cruise credits, but that was not a major consideration.

 

There looked to be plenty of elites aboard, as I was not invited to the most traveled luncheon. Lots of people did the round trip as I did, from what I heard.

 

Was that the Star/Grand combo? We did the Star portion, and our friends did both.

[Wehwalt]

Was that the Star/Grand combo? We did the Star portion, and our friends did both.

 

Yup, hadn't been on the Grand before. Thought the Star was a bit chaotic, preferred the Grand. I mostly go on the small ships, 153 of my 188 nights are on the Ocean or Pacific, so the chance to do a couple of short cruises on the bigger ships was a no brainer.

[Love.II.Cruise]

Crazy thread! I have family that think they should be elite because they paid for many other family members' cruises! I guess you can't please everyone.