Erosion of Diamond Plus benefits?

[Cigar King]

The length of the benefit appears to be the same. The dollar amount may be different. It only makes a difference when you apply the dollars to an unlimited package.

 

A few weeks ago on our TA we got 2 - 24 hour 'coupons' EACH. They were worth $59.90 x 4 towards an unlimited plan.

 

That's interesting. Thanks for sharing.

[Cigar King]

Who counts more - someone who sails five times a year in a balcony, or someone who sails once in a suite. If I drop $12K a year and a suite guest drops $12K for one cruise, why should I be treated less than them?

 

Because, you spent less than them. Sure, you both spent 12k in a year, but, the suite guest spent 12k AND RCI was able to sell that suite 4 additional times. That's a lot of extra profit.

[NightOne]

Because, you spent less than them. Sure, you both spent 12k in a year, but, the suite guest spent 12k AND RCI was able to sell that suite 4 additional times. That's a lot of extra profit.

 

I agree with you on this.

 

Although I would add: it is not merely about cabin price or category. Sure the suites go for more but lets flip the coin and look at it yet another way.

 

Couple A: Owner's Suite - Drinks free in CL - Eats only in MDR & Room - No Onboard spending - No ship excursions

 

Couple B: Inside with 2 Kids - Both adults buy drink packages - Kids have soda package - Wife spends $250 in shops - Husband buys $400 watch - They lose $1000 in the casino during the week - Kids spend $80 in Arcade for the week - They buy the $300 photo package - They book excursions for every port with cruise line

 

Who you want back on the ship again from a pure profit perspective if you are RCCL?

[tserface]

Just goes to show you how tastes vary. My wife loves the shortbread cookies and even took a bag home with her to enjoy after the cruise.

 

I think you can use the voucher for sodas as well. Also, the Diamond Club is a pretty special place even if you don't drink. We had conversations with people drinking Diet Coke and eating the great appetizers. It isn't all about drinking. It's really fun, for us, to talk to others who are also passionate about cruising. It's kind of like any other hobby where you like to get together with like-minded people. I agree that not everyone will enjoy it the same way we do.

 

Tom

 

You call those goodies?:eek:;) I was also annoyed at people who complained about the baskets, which we greatly enjoyed, but those bags of tasteless cookies and stale almonds are just awful. I wonder how many times they recycle those to the next guests?

 

I do like the vouchers, but it turned out that we didn't use many of them on Jewel last week because we had a great group in the DL/CL overflow (they kept switching the signs around, so it really didn't matter). We got a few sodas, tried some Pinot Grigio in the Schooner Bar and decided that we'd rather spend money on the good stuff in the Champagne Bar instead.

 

 

 

Not if you don't drink. Just sayin'.

[tserface]

Indeed!

 

We even did the free slot pulls and won a few key chains. We gave them to a guy who was have a "cruise party" and would use them for raffle giveaways. But, it was still a fun extra thing to get to do. We don't gamble so don't spend much time in the casino otherwise.

 

Tom

 

We like the robes and the free internet.:)

 

We like the coupon drinks for when we want to sit with others or the D/C Lounge is busy.

 

There are some perks that many may like and some think are useless. We are happy for any perks!!:D

[orville99]

Because, you spent less than them. Sure, you both spent 12k in a year, but, the suite guest spent 12k AND RCI was able to sell that suite 4 additional times. That's a lot of extra profit.

 

 

Not really. While RCL may be able to sell that suite over and over, if it is always to a different guest, then the math is a wash. The suite perks that currently exist cover the delta in cost, but the tie goes to the more frequent cruiser. Now, if they started eliminating suite benefits, you'd have a case. BTW, RCL can resell my cabin 47 more times as well

Edited May 27, 2015 by orville99

[Cigar King]

The posed hypothetical was that a cruiser who cruised 5 times and spent 12k was equal to the cruiser who spent 12k in one cruise in a suite. This is obviously false, since it neglects to account for the other 4 suite sales.

[orville99]

The posed hypothetical was that a cruiser who cruised 5 times and spent 12k was equal to the cruiser who spent 12k in one cruise in a suite. This is obviously false, since it neglects to account for the other 4 suite sales.

 

The other four suite sales (or the other 47 balcony sales) are irrelevant to the hypothetical, since we are talking about the accrual process for determining loyalty perks for an individual customer, not for someone else who may eventually stay in a particular cabin. If you wish to reward the individual customer for $$ spent rather than for nights cruised, you cannot then introduce a specious codicil by attaching $$ spent by someone other than the cruiser to that cruiser.

[John&LaLa]

The other four suite sales (or the other 47 balcony sales) are irrelevant to the hypothetical, since we are talking about the accrual process for determining loyalty perks for an individual customer, not for someone else who may eventually stay in a particular cabin. If you wish to reward the individual customer for $$ spent rather than for nights cruised, you cannot then introduce a specious codicil by attaching $$ spent by someone other than the cruiser to that cruiser.

 

What if the same suite customer books those other weeks. Plenty of folks on here say they only sail in suites.

[orville99]

What if the same suite customer books those other weeks. Plenty of folks on here say they only sail in suites.

 

That was not the hypothetical I posed. Feel free to pose your own hypothetical with whatever metrics you choose to use.;)

[Cigar King]

The other four suite sales (or the other 47 balcony sales) are irrelevant to the hypothetical, since we are talking about the accrual process for determining loyalty perks for an individual customer, not for someone else who may eventually stay in a particular cabin.

 

We are talking about why it makes more sense for Royal to reward those who spend more money. Someone who spends 12k on a single trip, is worth more to the company than someone who spends 12k in 5 trips.

[sjb317]

Just goes to show you how tastes vary. My wife loves the shortbread cookies and even took a bag home with her to enjoy after the cruise.

 

Tom

 

I rarely eat cookies but for some reason, I love those little cookies, too!:D

 

Sherri:)

[tserface]

I think a combination of benefits is pretty fair. For example, if you pay $12K for a suite you should be entitled to some additional perks like the place in the theater, pool, Concierge or Diamond Lounge entry, special restaurant status or freebies, etc. The Suite guest has obviously paid for extra. They also get extra cruise day points towards their C&A status.

 

Frequent cruisers earn some of those benefits more slowly.

 

If a Suite guest decides on the next cruise to do an inside room they lose the benefits until they catch up via C&A.

 

I have no problem with someone who pays 6 times what I do for the same cruise (albeit they get a nicer room) getting special treatment for their extra payment. I think RCI should allow Suite guests to dine in specialty restaurants (included) for every dinner if they want. That might be a good incentive for some to purchase suites.

 

I appreciate the perks we get as repeat cruisers, but I don't feel entitled to them. I just think I'm lucky that RCI considers us special and gives us special treatment for being loyal.

 

Tom

 

We are talking about why it makes more sense for Royal to reward those who spend more money. Someone who spends 12k on a single trip, is worth more to the company than someone who spends 12k in 5 trips.

[orville99]

We are talking about why it makes more sense for Royal to reward those who spend more money. Someone who spends 12k on a single trip, is worth more to the company than someone who spends 12k in 5 trips.

 

 

On what planet does that math work? You spent $12,000 - I spent $12,000. Revenue to RCL is exactly equal.

[John&LaLa]

That was not the hypothetical I posed. Feel free to pose your own hypothetical with whatever metrics you choose to use.;)

 

To much effort, I'll just agree with Cigar King. Apparently, Royal is as well it would appear

Edited May 27, 2015 by John&LaLa

[critterchick]

I think a combination of benefits is pretty fair. For example, if you pay $12K for a suite you should be entitled to some additional perks like the place in the theater, pool, Concierge or Diamond Lounge entry, special restaurant status or freebies, etc. The Suite guest has obviously paid for extra. They also get extra cruise day points towards their C&A status.

 

Frequent cruisers earn some of those benefits more slowly.

 

If a Suite guest decides on the next cruise to do an inside room they lose the benefits until they catch up via C&A.

 

I have no problem with someone who pays 6 times what I do for the same cruise (albeit they get a nicer room) getting special treatment for their extra payment. I think RCI should allow Suite guests to dine in specialty restaurants (included) for every dinner if they want. That might be a good incentive for some to purchase suites.

 

I appreciate the perks we get as repeat cruisers, but I don't feel entitled to them. I just think I'm lucky that RCI considers us special and gives us special treatment for being loyal.

 

Tom

 

Historically, I don't think that RCI have needed to entice people to sail in suites - they seem to sell out, or close to it, on every sailing we've been on recently. However, I also suspect (just speculating) that a lot of suite dwellers are first time cruisers who didn't know that they could have gotten better amenities on other lines (I hear that NCL have a great suite package; haven't tried it myself). So if they want to retain their suite guests, then they will need to up the ante; otherwise, those cruisers will move one.

 

As for the cookies, maybe I got one of the recycled bags. I haven't tried one since but will do so and report back (because I know you all want to know:rolleyes:).

[Cigar King]

On what planet does that math work? You spent $12,000 - I spent $12,000. Revenue to RCL is exactly equal.

 

On my planet 12k in 5 chucks is not worth as much as 12k in 1 chunk.

[Ocean Boy]

We are talking about why it makes more sense for Royal to reward those who spend more money. Someone who spends 12k on a single trip, is worth more to the company than someone who spends 12k in 5 trips.

 

It would make no difference to me if someone dropped 12K in my office all at once or by making 5 trips in. Both scenarios are quite beneficial to the bottom line at the end of the year. I am tempted to believe the 5 timer might be of more value as the repeat visits indicate they may be back for more in the future rather than being a one time wonder.;)

Edited May 28, 2015 by Ocean Boy

[davy jones]

On your last cruise a d+ member must have canceled last minute. We got upgraded at the pier and we had his chocolate covered strawberries and champagne waiting for us. We got those two more times that week

 

I don't know your status, but it sounds like a "bank error in your favor"

[NightOne]

It would make no difference to me if someone dropped 12K in my office all at once or by making 5 trips in. Both scenarios are quite beneficial to the bottom line at the end of the year. I am tempted to believe the 5 timer might be of more value as the repeat visits indicate they may be back for more in the future rather than being a one time wonder.;)

 

I would just add that we seem to be ignoring Cost of Goods/Services (COGS I think is what the bean counters call it) in the equation.

 

For example, $400 in photos does not have the same cost as $400 in drinks or a $400 loss in casino.

 

Revenue and profit are obviously 2 very different things. :)

[CaribSailor]

It would make no difference to me if someone dropped 12K in my office all at once or by making 5 trips in. Both scenarios are quite beneficial to the bottom line at the end of the year. I am tempted to believe the 5 timer might be of more value as the repeat visits indicate they may be back for more in the future rather than being a one time wonder.;)

 

What is the timeframe?

 

Would you rather have that 12k in 1 year or over 5?. Too many variables in the 5 year span. Revenue today is what counts... Not tomorrow. Tomorrow never comes as it is always today.

 

Diamond/+ will always complain not all but most. We can care less about any loyalty program.. We cruise because we enjoy it and book the appropriate room for the experience we want not what we are hoping for or feel entitled to.

Edited May 28, 2015 by CaribSailor

[John&LaLa]

What is the timeframe?

 

Would you rather have that 12k in 1 year or over 5?. Too many variables in the 5 year span. Revenue today is what counts... Not tomorrow. Tomorrow never comes as it is always today.

 

Diamond/+ will always complain not all but most. We can care less about any loyalty program.. We cruise because we enjoy it and book the appropriate room for the experience we want not what we are hoping for or feel entitled to.

 

I believe the 5 trips was all in 1 year

[Chip and Dale]

You call those goodies? I was also annoyed at people who complained about the baskets, which we greatly enjoyed, but those bags of tasteless cookies and stale almonds are just awful. I wonder how many times they recycle those to the next guests?

 

I do like the vouchers, but it turned out that we didn't use many of them on Jewel last week because we had a great group in the DL/CL overflow (they kept switching the signs around, so it really didn't matter). We got a few sodas, tried some Pinot Grigio in the Schooner Bar and decided that we'd rather spend money on the good stuff in the Champagne Bar instead.

 

 

 

Not if you don't drink. Just sayin'.

 

 

We did have a fabulous group in the DL now didn't we:D!!!!!!! Didn't spend too much time in the CL since my presence was requested in the DL each evening, however, the 1 time I was there it was fabulous....mind you I do recall seeing you in there that night:D

 

I agree about the little baskets, I loved them and used them to keep things in. I find the almonds are stale at times, and other times very good. So far the cookies have made me happy since they are kind of "shorbread-ish" when I have eaten them OR perhaps I was desperate for cookies!

 

We did not use the drink vouchers on this cruise, we just did our fun in the DL and had our bottle that we brought on with us along with our freebie bottle of champagne (actually we had that in Vancouver) and two mini bottles of wine:eek:. We also enjoyed the buy one get one free dinners in Chops and Portofinos....that is excellent!

 

All in all, we were pretty happy with the D+ benefits on the Jewel that we experienced. But I think that it had the most to do with all of the NUTS that we were with:). That is the best perk of all and if we hadn't done a Royal cruise years ago and found CC, then we wouldn't know so many very NUTTY people who are so much fun!

Dee:)

[Ocean Boy]

What is the timeframe?

 

Would you rather have that 12k in 1 year or over 5?. Too many variables in the 5 year span. Revenue today is what counts... Not tomorrow. Tomorrow never comes as it is always today.

 

Diamond/+ will always complain not all but most. We can care less about any loyalty program.. We cruise because we enjoy it and book the appropriate room for the experience we want not what we are hoping for or feel entitled to.

 

The scenario was one year not over 5. As for revenue today being all that counts, in my mind that is just plain sort sighted. And considering the years that I have run a successful private practice I think I will just keep doing things my way and the rest of you can all argue about how RCI should be doing things as I have zero control over any of that.

 

I completely agree with you as to why we cruise and how we book. I don't feel entitled to anything from a program that could have its plug pulled tomorrow.

[CaribSailor]

The scenario was one year not over 5. As for revenue today being all that counts, in my mind that is just plain sort sighted. And considering the years that I have run a successful private practice I think I will just keep doing things my way and the rest of you can all argue about how RCI should be doing things as I have zero control over any of that.

 

 

 

I completely agree with you as to why we cruise and how we book. I don't feel entitled to anything from a program that could have its plug pulled tomorrow.

 

 

So you would rather have a client say "I am going to spend 12k with you in 5 visits over the next year" then walk out of your office after paying only 1/5 of that amount....That client a month later gets hit by a bus..

 

Or would you rather have a client that's spends the 12k in a single visit?

 

I think we all know which client most would prefer.

 

Of course this is from a business perspective only. Run your business as you see fit, it's made you successful... Clearly others will as well. Business models evolve and adapt to unique environments and the complexity there of.

Edited May 29, 2015 by CaribSailor