How Are People Feeling about C&A Benefits?

[roseshayit]

I've read a lot of people complaining how their benefits don't mean what they used to. I'm only a gold member and would like to chip my way higher, but am not thrilled with prices currently. I've read what the benefits are, of course, but practically speaking, how much do they matter? Are C&A benefits really worth it? Do I need to at least be diamond for them to mean anything?

[Langley Cruisers]

In my opinion, the balcony discount is the first benefit that really means something. The other things are really quite minimal, but the balcony discount can be very substantial depending on when you book and length of cruise. :)

[Paulxyz2004]

I book a cruise to go on a cruise. So to me it´s about ship, itinerary, Timing, Overall product and pricing.

 

I do not book a cruise because of some loyalty Programm.

 

I am a C&A members and I´m happy about the perks they give me, but it´s not the reason for booking with them. Only if every other aspect would be the same, the loyalty scheme would sway me, but then there´s no two ships the same and with that no two Cruises will ever be the same.

[iluvit!]

In my opinion, the balcony discount is the first benefit that really means something. The other things are really quite minimal, but the balcony discount can be very substantial depending on when you book and length of cruise. :)

 

 

At what level does the balcony discount begin?

[Retired LEO]

At what level does the balcony discount begin?

 

Platinum

[George C]

I enjoy the diamond perks, diamond lounge is very nice on most ships, plus the discount of balcony and above, you get double points towards diamond if you book a suite, which is great .

[TheTruthCanHurt]

So, In my opinion here is the deal

 

1. The benefits of crown and anchor have not substantially changed since I have been sailing with them. ( lets call it ten years) .. Although they did change from 1 point per cruise ( or double for suites) to 1 point per day ( or double per suites)

 

I will say that I did not really feel there were any benefits until I reached diamond status. And truthfully, the only diamond thing that is very good is the diamond lounge and the 3 drinks they put on your seapass every night.

 

As for the discounts. The problem is... So many discounts from crown and anchor are not combinable with all the hocus pocus bogo junk that in all honestly, even with your status. In many cases you can book the cruise cheaper through a reseller with OBC at a better rate than with your status discount.

 

That being said, I agree with the other posts, I sail RCCL because I like the class of ships and the overall experience. but... again, I did not really find any benefit until I got to the diamond level... ( of course there are some perks at platinum and emerald, I just did not find those benefits alone significant enough to make me exclusively sail royal)

 

just my thoughts. everyone has a different experience and opinion. This is just mine.

[cruisenfever]

At what level does the balcony discount begin?

Platinum~Emerald~Diamond~Diamond Plus~Pinnacle Balcony Discounts as of Jan. 21, 2011

 

Plus

 

Current Listing of Exclusive Onboard Offers by C&A Level (Note: the Johnny Rockets BOGO is not included and the internet benefit has changed also)

[TheTruthCanHurt]

Is that List still accurate? that post is over 1 year old?

It looks similiar to my allure sailing in march of this year?

Just wondering?

[Clarea]

... Are C&A benefits really worth it? ...

Considering that there is no extra charge for C&A benefits, how can they not be "worth it"?.

Edited July 18, 2015 by clarea

[cruisenfever]

Is that List still accurate? that post is over 1 year old?

It looks similiar to my allure sailing in march of this year?

Just wondering?

Yes, the list is accurate except for the 2 for 1 at JR's that is missing (Rhapsody did not have a JR's). Internet discounts have changed also and there is no longer a Pet's at Sea Discount.

Edited July 18, 2015 by cruisenfever

[TheTruthCanHurt]

I've read a lot of people complaining how their benefits don't mean what they used to. I'm only a gold member and would like to chip my way higher, but am not thrilled with prices currently. I've read what the benefits are, of course, but practically speaking, how much do they matter? Are C&A benefits really worth it? Do I need to at least be diamond for them to mean anything?

 

 

Are you solely cruising based on your benefits, or do you truly prefer RCCL?

If you are really looking for benefits, you might explore the other cruise line forums to see how their benefits compare? Since you are only gold, you really have nothing invested in RCCL ( unless of course you truly prefer the ships)

but again, in my opinion, it's not really worth it until you get to diamond.

[rudeney]

Here's my opinion. We have taken one cruise on RCCL which was 8 years ago, and we never bothered to sign-up for C&A. I was pleasantly surprised to find that when I did sign-up for C&A last week, I was easily able to add the points from our prior cruise. So we are Gold and we'll get a few perks while onboard. 10% off Internet service is worth $14, which is a lot more that I ever got from any other rewards program after just one encounter.

[Baron Barracuda]

As diamonds the perqs dw and I enjoy most are our free pictures each sailing and the evening cocktails and all day specialty coffees in the diamond lounge. Too bad the casino match play vouchers disappeared when they switched from paper coupons to loading them on the seapass card.

[roseshayit]

Are you solely cruising based on your benefits, or do you truly prefer RCCL?

If you are really looking for benefits, you might explore the other cruise line forums to see how their benefits compare? Since you are only gold, you really have nothing invested in RCCL ( unless of course you truly prefer the ships)

but again, in my opinion, it's not really worth it until you get to diamond.

 

I think it's unfair to say we aren't invested to RCCL. Of course we aren't compared to several people on this forum, but we've certainly put our money into Royal now for 3 cruises and 2 on the way. I'm not complaining about this at all; we've had great experiences thus far and would love to continue.

 

Since we are so close to platinum, it certainly is a factor when planning a cruise. Go for cheaper, try something new or work toward the next tier level while knowing you will have a good time at a higher price? That's why I asked this question.

[kalliekae]

Since we are so close to platinum, it certainly is a factor when planning a cruise. Go for cheaper, try something new or work toward the next tier level while knowing you will have a good time at a higher price? That's why I asked this question.

 

I can tell you that we feel RCCL offers better perks than HAL. We have 8 cruises under our belt with HAL and have received nothing of value in their Mariner program. After our RCCL cruise in November, we will achieve Platinum and will have far more perks than HAL every gave us. I think you need to check out all the programs on other cruise lines in order to decide which one gives you the most for your money. We really enjoy the large RC ships so we will continue to cruise with Royal and accrue points.

[2CatsInFlorida]

Priority check in (gold member) saved about 20 minutes in line. Worth it to me.

[TheTruthCanHurt]

I think it's unfair to say we aren't invested to RCCL. Of course we aren't compared to several people on this forum, but we've certainly put our money into Royal now for 3 cruises and 2 on the way. I'm not complaining about this at all; we've had great experiences thus far and would love to continue.

 

Since we are so close to platinum, it certainly is a factor when planning a cruise. Go for cheaper, try something new or work toward the next tier level while knowing you will have a good time at a higher price? That's why I asked this question.

 

 

I did not mean it disrespectfully.

I just meant that. some people are so deep diamond + that they may not want to start over with another cruise line.

that's what I meant. :)

[Aus ATC]

A recent Platinum member here. We recently booked another cruise and a discount was applied to the booking, but it also removed $USD100 OBC that was available if we didn't quote out C&A number. Actually worse off by a few dollars with the discount given the AUD/USD exchange rate.

[LisaAtlCruiser]

So I never reached enough status on any other cruise line to get any benefits. So to me, I just enjoy ANY benefit. It is all gravy to me once I pay for my cruise. Since I travel solo I have managed to move up pretty fast. I am currently Platinum. Being at that level I was able to check in a bit faster on my last cruise, was invited to a top tier event (which was nice) and had I not done "walk off" I could have gone to a designated area to wait for disembarkment, oh - and a robe in the room. And finally, I received a balcony discount on an upcoming cruise.

 

I am very much looking forward to being Diamond when I think the real benefits kick in.

[PattyW]

I think diamond is when the quality perks begin - meaning the drinks and the lounge mostly.

 

We're emerald and get basically nothing unless you book a balcony cabin, which we don't anymore due to wanting all 5 of us in the same cabin. We book family cabins and simply can't afford a family cabin with a balcony.

 

At one cruise a year, we're within 2 cruises of diamond (with one booked for 2016) and we'll probably book RCCL in order to get to that point, but that's when our pure loyalty will end because, frankly, diamond plus seems unattainable at the rate at which we cruise.

[1ParticularHbr]

I've read a lot of people complaining how their benefits don't mean what they used to. I'm only a gold member and would like to chip my way higher, but am not thrilled with prices currently. I've read what the benefits are, of course, but practically speaking, how much do they matter? Are C&A benefits really worth it? Do I need to at least be diamond for them to mean anything?

 

Stick with Royal and it will pay off. Gold and Platinum benefits are minimal; balcony discounts get good at Emerald, and life gets pretty good at Diamond with balcony discounts, 3 drink vouchers daily, free photos, internet discount, etc.

[pcur]

I can tell you that we feel RCCL offers better perks than HAL. We have 8 cruises under our belt with HAL and have received nothing of value in their Mariner program. After our RCCL cruise in November, we will achieve Platinum and will have far more perks than HAL every gave us. I think you need to check out all the programs on other cruise lines in order to decide which one gives you the most for your money. We really enjoy the large RC ships so we will continue to cruise with Royal and accrue points.

 

I agree, and feel the same way about Princess. Another cruise on each of these lines and we will move up to another level, but they offer so little in the way of perks that we only sail with HAL and Princess if the itinerary and price isn't available on RCCL.

 

I love the C&A perks on Royal. The priority lines at check-in are still great, the balcony discount, and when you reach Diamond the vouchered or lounge drinks in the evening are fantastic. If you don't drink a lot of alcohol this benefit really saves a lot of money with the drink prices the way they are now. We find the laundry benefit very nice, too, as well as the internet.

 

These are all benefits we actually use, and the rest we don't. I know when I sail on HAL or Princess I do miss them. Our cruise this year on Celebrity was a near-equal experience.

[yj_eugene]

I can tell you that we feel RCCL offers better perks than HAL. We have 8 cruises under our belt with HAL and have received nothing of value in their Mariner program.

 

HAL perks aren't much until you get to their 3* level, except for the Embarkation Lunch in the dining room which allows you to avoid the buffet zoo. Once you reach 4*, one of the best benefits, free laundry and pressing, kick in, which is great for reducing the amount of clothing you need to bring. For the most part we stick with RCCL for shorter trips and HAL for longer ones and enjoy whatever perks we get on both.

[Beachammo]

One of the best benefits is that Diamond = Elite on Celebrity. When I get older and by law must move to Celebrity (lol) I will have the same perks.