Extra Points

[Ray in NH]

I agree. On HAL, you get an extra point for every $300 spent. You also get an extra point for every specialty restaurant booking. It's just an incentive to spend money on board. Someone else does it too....I think, MSC.

 

Where did you find information that HAL gives an additional point for each specialty restaurant booking? We have cruised with them many times over the years (great itineraries :cool:) and never heard of this perk. However, already being 5 Star Mariners, it would not make any difference.

 

Ray in NH

[rudeney]

I wonder if spending OBC given from a TA will count toward this?

[Clarea]

I wonder if spending OBC given from a TA will count toward this?

Just a guess because Royal's terms do not cover that situation, but if the TAs OBC comes from Royal (as part of a group booking) then that would not count. If the TAs OBC comes from them calling Royal and giving you OBC out of the TAs funds, then I would think that would count.

Edited August 28, 2015 by clarea

[tserface]

In the old system 3 points would have meant 3 cruises, but now it's like a 3 day cruise. Even so, if your cruise leaves in 10 days it likely won't do anything for you this time. That's like $150 per point. But, if you're going to spend the money anyway you might as well get something extra (now or future) for it.

 

Tom

[Aquahound]

Where did you find information that HAL gives an additional point for each specialty restaurant booking? We have cruised with them many times over the years (great itineraries :cool:) and never heard of this perk. However, already being 5 Star Mariners, it would not make any difference.

 

Ray in NH

 

Good question. It's possble it was a one-time promotion. During my 12 night Nieuw Amsterdam cruise in 2012, we earned 5 credits for onboard spending. I know we didn't spend that much on board so when I asked, I was told it was due to specialty restaurants.

[Doug S]

I was also thinking that beverage packages would be the easiest way to get to $450 each. But from the wording provided above, I would not be surprised to find that you just get credit for the base cost, and not the cost with gratuities rolled in. Likely have to back 18% out of the package total.

 

I can see it now how everyone will be calculating $$$$ spent based on what they understand, and buying some little doodad to push them over the top. Hate to come up a few bucks short cuz you counted something that wasn't allowed like those tips. Apparently they will sum it all up and award points post cruise. Like said above, I foresee a major can of worms with lots of calls and disputes.

[OfTheSeasCruiser]

In the old system 3 points would have meant 3 cruises, but now it's like a 3 day cruise. Even so, if your cruise leaves in 10 days it likely won't do anything for you this time. That's like $150 per point. But, if you're going to spend the money anyway you might as well get something extra (now or future) for it.

 

Tom

 

That's how I feel. We buy PP drink package and they run about $400pp. Two of us get them. That's $800 right there. We also book Royal excursions, and go to the occasional specialty dining venue. We could easily get over the $900 mark. Now personally, I would never spend that much just for points, but if we're going to spend that much, I'd be glad to receive the extra points!

[travelgoddess1]

JMO -- beware of unintended consequences. When the airlines began giving extra miles for shopping/dining/purchases made with affinity credit cards, they also raised the award levels for redeeming those miles.

[TempusFugit]

I was also thinking that beverage packages would be the easiest way to get to $450 each. But from the wording provided above, I would not be surprised to find that you just get credit for the base cost, and not the cost with gratuities rolled in. Likely have to back 18% out of the package total.

 

I can see it now how everyone will be calculating $$$$ spent based on what they understand, and buying some little doodad to push them over the top. Hate to come up a few bucks short cuz you counted something that wasn't allowed like those tips. Apparently they will sum it all up and award points post cruise. Like said above, I foresee a major can of worms with lots of calls and disputes.

 

That is exactly what was explained to me this morning in a phone call to C&A. The base cost counts, the 18% grat does not.

[Merion_Mom]

I guess I should have read the terms and conditions:

 

TERMS & CONDITIONS

Offer applies to Freedom of the Seas Sept. 6, 13, 20, and 27, 2015 sailings. Gold status and higher Crown & Anchor members over the age of 18 will receive an additional three cruise points per sailing when each member in the stateroom makes $450 USD or more in purchases during the sailing and after all credit and refunds have been applied, if any. All adults in the stateroom must meet the minimum amount independently. Purchases and charges made prior to the sailing, such as but limited to air, hotel, dining booked through the call center, items purchased through our Gifts & Gear website, promotional onboard credits, and onboard charges for casino and stateroom gratuities are excluded from the calculation of the minimum amount. Amount of guest's purchases will be calculated upon the end of the cruise. Points will be added to eligible Crown & Anchor member's account 60 days after cruise completion.

 

To everyone saying that it doesn't address the issue of solo cruisers.

 

I believe that it does.

 

"each member in the stateroom makes $450 USD or more in purchases during the sailing and after all credit and refunds have been applied, if any. All adults in the stateroom must meet the minimum amount independently."

 

Each member = one, two, three, four.................

 

All adults = if there is only one, then that is all the adults in the stateroom

[The Sunset Glow]

I like this idea. We always spend money on board so why not get rewarded for that? To me it's no different than getting extra points for booking a JS or above - if you spend more money for a suite then you get an extra point, hence buying your points.:cool:

[WrittenOnYourHeart]

It may have changed since last summer, but I did like that Holland America gives an extra point for every I believe $300 in spending for excursions, drinks, etc. Even if purchased before the cruise. And at some point over $300 into the next one (maybe half? I can't remember and don't have the info anymore) they give you another so you'd get 2 if you were somewhere between $300 and $600 (obviously not like $301, but somewhere in there it triggers the next point). One of the few things I liked about them,

[SteelMagnolia9]

My feeling is: Don't chase points. Cruising is about having a great vacation. Any benefits one currently receives is because that individual paid for them by the amount of money spent on previous cruises. And when you total up all of the actual benefits in $$$ (and not the spending incentives that are called benefits), it's really very little that cruiselines give you - a bag of laundry or some drinks or a party - for the total amount you've spent.

 

Enjoy the benefits you receive and spend within your budget. It's all about having fun on your cruise. It surprises me the number of people on CC that seem to get their sense of identity from their cruiseline loyalty status. So many posts begin with: I am "X" and...

Edited August 28, 2015 by SteelMagnolia9

[WrittenOnYourHeart]

My feeling is: Don't chase points. Cruising is about having a great vacation. Any benefits one currently receives is because that individual paid for them by the amount of money spent on previous cruises. And when you total up all of the actual benefits in $$$ (and not the spending incentives that are called benefits), it's really very little that cruiselines give you - a bag of laundry or some drinks or a party - for the total amount you've spent.

 

Enjoy the benefits you receive and spend within your budget. It's all about having fun on your cruise. It surprises me the number of people on CC that seem to get their sense of identity from their cruiseline loyalty status. So many posts begin with: I am "X" and...

 

I agree. I was just stating what Holland America did - and for an Alaskan cruise it was fairly easy to spend over $300 (particularly if you're like me and prefer the security of ship-based excursions as a general rule).

[rudeney]

Just a guess because Royal's terms do not cover that situation, but if the TAs OBC comes from Royal (as part of a group booking) then that would not count. If the TAs OBC comes from them calling Royal and giving you OBC out of the TAs funds, then I would think that would count.

 

I noticed in the terms posted above it states, "...after all credit and refunds have been applied, if any." I would think (hope!) that the word "credit" here just means "credit issued by RCCL", such as with a "guest recovery" situation. I'm with you in thinking that OBC from a TA should count when spent. I would also think that anyone who pre-paid their own OBC would have that count as well. Basically, if the OBC being spent is not RCCL's money, then I would think it would count.

 

Of course this complicates things. They already keep OBC in two buckets - refundable vs. non-refundable, and they draw from the non-refundable first. In this case, for the best benefit to the guest to earn points, they would need to draw from the refundable bucket first, and non-refundable last. That would not be difficult to handle form a software standpoint, but explaining it to guests, well, that's a different story!

[TempusFugit]

My feeling is: Don't chase points. Cruising is about having a great vacation. Any benefits one currently receives is because that individual paid for them by the amount of money spent on previous cruises. And when you total up all of the actual benefits in $$$ (and not the spending incentives that are called benefits), it's really very little that cruiselines give you - a bag of laundry or some drinks or a party - for the total amount you've spent.

 

Enjoy the benefits you receive and spend within your budget. It's all about having fun on your cruise. It surprises me the number of people on CC that seem to get their sense of identity from their cruiseline loyalty status. So many posts begin with: I am "X" and...

 

Excellent advice.:)

[cruisenfever]

Where did you find information that HAL gives an additional point for each specialty restaurant booking? We have cruised with them many times over the years (great itineraries :cool:) and never heard of this perk. However, already being 5 Star Mariners, it would not make any difference.

 

Ray in NH

[/url]

This post might explain it http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=47579805&postcount=3069

[nelblu]

I wonder if spending OBC given from a TA will count toward this?

 

Ditto, that was going to be my exact question. I want to understand the concept behind this e-mail/discussion: You still get I point per night per sail, unless a suite is booked, and additional 3 points for spending $900 for 2, not counting solos. Some exclusion, eg: gratuities and some other incidentals not eligible. I don't understand why they did not assign a value per bonus point instead of group of 3's.

[nelblu]

Addendum: It really does not matter to me as I'll never reach the next point level unless they add an intermediate (here we go again) tier between D+ and Pinnacle.

[MNfamilycruiser]

Ditto, that was going to be my exact question. I want to understand the concept behind this e-mail/discussion: You still get I point per night per sail, unless a suite is booked, and additional 3 points for spending $900 for 2, not counting solos. Some exclusion, eg: gratuities and some other incidentals not eligible. I don't understand why they did not assign a value per bonus point instead of group of 3's.

Because they want you to spend more...

[Ray in NH]

[/url]

This post might explain it http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=47579805&postcount=3069

 

 

Hi Patti, Thank you for the quote on HAL's policy. I am fully aware of that. What I was questioning, is the part in post #74 of this thread, where the poster stated that HAL also gives one additional point for each specialty restaurant booking. The added points for booking specialty dining is what I had never heard of, from any HAL source. We have also never experienced that facet of their Mariner Awards Program.

 

The original poster of that comment, later replied that he got three extra points on his HAL cruise and when he asked why, he was told "because of specialty dining". That is the only time I had ever heard of that "policy".

 

Ray in NH

[Colorado Babe]

When they say OBC doesn't count I am pretty sure they mean from the TA as well. Even when we just started sailing on RC and were gold members and used to purchase our wine package and drinks, we never had more than $700 on our On Board Account. $900 is not going to happen with us. If anything, we'll be cashing out and getting all the remainder of our OBC on the last sea day. It's a sure thing. :)

[joandian]

As far as airline points go, United do sell you miles that can be applied to status, they just cost twice as much as regular purchased miles. I do admit to doing that once or twice to keep my status :D

 

There really isn't much point in us worrying about this. We are D+ but have a long way to go to get to Pinnacle but one thought I did have. Would they classify money spent in the Casino towards the $450 per person? If someone had a mind to and they needed to top up to the magic $450 number, they could get cash on their seapass card for 'gambling' but pocket the cash. Ok, so it's going to cost you $3? per $100 but it's a cheap option if it works.

 

J

[CVU]

JMO -- beware of unintended consequences. When the airlines began giving extra miles for shopping/dining/purchases made with affinity credit cards, they also raised the award levels for redeeming those miles.

I see changes coming.......just the toe testing the water with this? My toe:D is telling me I feel something is underground and not decided on yet.:eek:

 

Maybe INside gets less than OV or a Balcony E or Ds........?? If they count what you spend on board-- then why not what you spend on your cabin first? One credit now for inside and a D cabin but a bigger spread in money spent.

 

The new fellow from Carnival Jim Berra is head of C&A now, so maybe he is switching it all up.

 

Jim Berra, who was Carnival’s senior vice president and chief marketing officer since late 2008, will become CMO for Royal Caribbean at month’s end, assuming responsibility for brand strategy and positioning, consumer and trade advertising, web and loyalty marketing, research, brand development and communications. He will report to Michael Bayley, who became president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International in December.

 

Maybe tweaks are lurking.... Felt it for some time something is going to change, we were in on the C&A change before, when we were Ds...... That was a big change then and not for the better for those like us caught in it.

Edited August 28, 2015 by CVU

[ARCruisinNana]

That's scary!!! A friend just got back from a Carnival cruise. (The port is 9 minutes from her house. No RCI ships.) She was in a suite and was shocked that there were no perks, other than priority boarding and departure.