Elite Level Changing

[Jojiboy]

You are way off. There is an elite line at guest services so elite passengers use their own special line.

Elite are suppposed to go to the tenders not wait in the general line with those that got numbers.

I hear many passengers wish they had a window table and can't tell if they are on their first cruise or are elite status. How do you know?

 

 

I don't think he's way off at all. I've seen the tendering example too. You can usually tell a passenger's status by the color of their cruise card, if you see it.

[cruzsnooze]

No, he is not way off. Passenger Services has a Suite/Elite line and Elites do not get priority over suites.

 

As for tendering, that is exactly what he said. Elites go to the end of the line in the tender area. They do not get to push their way to the front of the tender line.

 

You are right, one line for suite/elites and you get in line regardless of which you are.

Edited September 18, 2015 by cruzsnooze

[shredie]

have never waited on any line for the elite/platinum cocktail reception.

Nor me. Occasionally there will be a bit of line at the food table, but not at the door to get in.

Boring ... Boring

...

The bottom line is that, if Princess were unhappy about folks using one day cruises to help them progress up the loyalty tiers then, they would change the system.

 

As they have not, then one must assume they are content with the system. End of...

 

Yes. It's their marketing tool. It must work or it wouldn't exist.

[notentirelynormal]

If it is like the airlines, the miles go to who takes the flight, not who pays for it.

 

Of course, but if we are going to get status by amount spent then I want it all LOL. I was definitely joking.

Edited September 18, 2015 by notentirelynormal

[Bruin Steve]

I find the whole subject a bit of much ado about nothing...

Rewards programs are at the whim of the cruise line anyway...They can change the program at any time--not only the point levels but also as to what the perks may be...

And, you have to realize that most perks are "purchasable" anyway...Free laundry? Free internet? They are not giving it away, they just blend the expense into the balance sheet--those that don't use it or don't get it subsidize the ones that do...But, if they did away with the perk--which they could do at any time, you could easily replace it yourself merely by paying for it...

And I never understood why anyone cares much about the cocktail hour thing...On Princess, you're still paying for the drink. Okay, you get a slight discount, but, really, big deal!

At least on Royal Caribbean and Celebrity, they actually give you FREE drinks...

 

But, okay, assuming the levels are actually worth anything...

I am Platinum on Princess...and I really couldn't care less about reaching Elite...I'm not going to book more or longer cruises just to chase the points. The cruise I take, I book simply because it's a cruise that I want to go on...

 

Funny thing is that it was already much harder to get to Elite on Princess--15 cruises--than on other lines!

On RCCL, Diamond (roughly the equivalent) used to take only 10 cruises...

On Celebrity, Elite was reached by 10 cruises...

 

But, on those lines, you didn't even need that, because, for the past ten years or so, up until they changed the system a couple of years back, you could get double points or even triple points depending on how long the cruise was or what category you were in. I actually got to Elite on Celebrity in a record (and impossible) 3 cruises--thanks to an accounting error (not that I would have been there in four anyway--due to suites and long cruises).

 

But, a couple of years back, both RCCL and Celebrity made it a little bit harder to get there--basing the systems on category and number of days--which is exactly what was brought up here...Shouldn't a 14 night cruise bring you more status than a 3 nighter?

 

OTOH, our upcoming Star Princess 5-nighter is now selling starting at $899 for an inside and $1149 for a balcony. Why should that be worth less than one of those off-season hard-to-fill 7-nighters that regularly go for "starting at $549"?

 

Truth is that ANY point system loyalty program will be arbitrary in some way or another. Same people on the same cruise don't drop the same amounts into the cruise line coffers. One passenger books on a last minute fire sale, doesn't drink or gamble or buy shore excursions or patronize the gift shop...Guy in the cabin next door buys at the top of the market and never renegotiates, buys a shorex in every port, gambles at the casino, buys in the onboard shops and runs up a BIG bar tab...For the Captain's Circle, they get the exact same credit...

 

It will never be fair...no matter what system they use...

So, why worry about it...Just cruise purely for the enjoyment of cruising...whatever perks there are will take care of themselves...

[Corfe Mixture]

You are way off. There is an elite line at guest services so elite passengers use their own special line.

 

Wrong: There is a combined suite/elite part of guest services which is roped off. Suites do not have their own line and neither does Elite. Check out the suite benefits if you don't believe me.

 

EDIT:

Oops I see that you have already acknowledged that there is only one line for Elite and suites

 

Elite are suppposed to go to the tenders not wait in the general line with those that got numbers.

 

Wrong again: People with numbers can not join the line until their group number is called. Elite and Suite passengers do not need to wait to join the line. Access to the stairway is controlled by a crew member and it is at this point that priority exists. Once we are in the final line waiting to board the tender, which is never more than one and a half tenders in length, most people wait patiently in line irrespective of the basis on which they joined the final line. Pushing one's way to the front of this final line waving a black card, is exactly the bad behaviour I was referring to.

 

I hear many passengers wish they had a window table and can't tell if they are on their first cruise or are elite status. How do you know?

 

Because they told us. We were sitting at a window table and an elderly couple who were placed on the table next to us complained to the Maitre d' that they were Elite and did not have a window table. After he had left they interrogated us about whether or not we were Elite. The story had an amusing end when, at an later event, we were sitting with someone we know and who they also knew. They joined us and when our friends went to introduce us they recognised us and asked how we had managed to get an invitation if we were not Elite. When our other friends explained we were in a suite, the lady very disparagingly asked how someone like me could afford a suite. I just smiled.

 

Your response has simply reinforced my view.

Edited September 18, 2015 by Corfe Mixture

[notentirelynormal]

In all my cruises I have never heard anyone, not a single person, tell someone else that they were Elite. Heck both my kids are Elite and have been for many years. They were around 30 YO and didn't even know they had internet access or could launder their clothes. None of us have ever used the benefits. We are on a cruise to be at sea not to sit at a laptop. If I need something washed I'll just do it myself. I come on board with clean clothes so unless we fall in the mud there is no reason to use that service. My grandson is 10 YO and will be Platinum on his next cruise. He will probably be Elite before he is 18 and will still not get one single benefit.

 

The perks are nice to have as anything extra is nice, but like others have said, I cruise to cruise. Getting priority boarding is nice because you start your cruise quicker but you can also just arrive first and get in line. That extra 10 minutes to load others in front of me won't change my life at all.

 

I do like the discount in the store though :D.

Edited September 18, 2015 by notentirelynormal

[PrincessMelody]

For me the critical factor is not a question of how you become Elite, but more a question of how you behave when you are 'Elite'. I'm only Platinum, but I will shortly become Elite and I have seen so much aggressive behaviour from Elites, towards other passengers, that I am not sure I will wish anyone to know when I get to Elite.

 

 

 

By bad behaviour, I include:

 

 

 

a) pushing past non-Elite suite passengers in the Elite / Suite line at the reception desk on the basis that they have priority over the suite passenger.

 

 

 

b) pushing to the very front of the line for tendering, rather than accepting that priority tendering merely gives them the right to join the end of the line without a tender group card.

 

 

 

c) complaining directly to non-Elite passengers sitting by a window in the main dining room, that they wanted a window seat and should have been given priority for that table.

 

 

I'm wondering how these entitled Elite passengers can spot us lowly non-elites? [emoji23]

[dtb55]

I'm wondering how these entitled Elite passengers can spot us lowly non-elites? [emoji23]

 

 

Because we're not waving our cards.

[PrincessMelody]

Because we're not waving our cards.

 

 

LOL! Exactly!

But I will be Elite on my next cruise, and I have no intention of waving my card around or acting entitled! [emoji28][emoji28][emoji28]

[Thrak]

I'm not elite - we embark as Platinum for the first time on Monday - but I bet I have more fun on my cruises than people who are worried about their status and how special and cool they are while waving their black cards and demanding special privileges. They demand respect but ensure they will get none due to their behavior. I like to treat everyone with respect and it seems to work out well for me. I do find it hard though when dealing with self-important boors. I've found that the majority people I meet on my cruises are really quite nice if given a chance. Those who aren't I try to ignore the best I can. I always think it must be a drag to be those people.

[RocketMan275]

I don't think he's way off at all. I've seen the tendering example too. You can usually tell a passenger's status by the color of their cruise card, if you see it.

 

I've seen some say that people wear the cruise cards around their necks in order to flout their status.

[RocketMan275]

 

Because they told us. We were sitting at a window table and an elderly couple who were placed on the table next to us complained to the Maitre d' that they were Elite and did not have a window table. After he had left they interrogated us about whether or not we were Elite. The story had an amusing end when, at an later event, we were sitting with someone we know and who they also knew. They joined us and when our friends went to introduce us they recognised us and asked how we had managed to get an invitation if we were not Elite. When our other friends explained we were in a suite, the lady very disparagingly asked how someone like me could afford a suite. I just smiled.

 

You handled that far better than I would have. I probably would have asked how someone like her could afford to reach elite status? Or, perhaps, I might ask if she doesn't feel badly about spending her grandchildren's inheritance on cruises? My wife would probably not be nearly as nice as I.

[dtb55]

I don't think he's way off at all. I've seen the tendering example too. You can usually tell a passenger's status by the color of their cruise card, if you see it.

 

 

The one and only time I've run into someone flaunting their card was at the tender in Maui. There were five of us in line and a woman came through with 3 others waving her black card and asking if we were elite saying she and her group got on first. Whatever, lady!

Edited September 18, 2015 by dtb55
mistake

[CRUZGAL53]

I've seen some say that people wear the cruise cards around their necks in order to flout their status.

 

We wear our cards around our necks on lanyards because it is easier and we don't lose them...it has nothing to do with our status on the ship...our kids and grandkids also wear lanyards too (and they have Platinum and Blue cards).

[RocketMan275]

I'm not elite - we embark as Platinum for the first time on Monday - but I bet I have more fun on my cruises than people who are worried about their status and how special and cool they are while waving their black cards and demanding special privileges. They demand respect but ensure they will get none due to their behavior. I like to treat everyone with respect and it seems to work out well for me. I do find it hard though when dealing with self-important boors. I've found that the majority people I meet on my cruises are really quite nice if given a chance. Those who aren't I try to ignore the best I can. I always think it must be a drag to be those people.

 

There was a fascinating thread about a year ago on the outrageous behavior of some elites. Can't remember if it was Royal or Celebrity, but the thread had many, many examples of black card waving elites demanding special privileges.

 

One of my favorites. One night a couple walked into a bar. They were the only ones there and had just given the bartender their order when a woman entered, waved her black card, and told the bartender that he had to serve her first because she was elite.

 

Had I been there I would have insisted that the bartender serve her first and would have told him to put her drink on my tab. More than one way to ice a puck.

[shredie]

I've seen some say that people wear the cruise cards around their necks in order to flout their status.

 

I've often heard that, too, and I was curious if it were true. Certainly not scientific in any way, but on our South America cruise earlier this year, I tried to note the color of cards I saw on lanyards. Frankly, it seemed to me there were more blue ones visible than any other color. I might repeat that research on my cruise coming up in October.

[beg3yrs]

I've seen some say that people wear the cruise cards around their necks in order to flout their status.

 

We wear our cards around our necks on lanyards because it is easier and we don't lose them...it has nothing to do with our status on the ship...our kids and grandkids also wear lanyards too (and they have Platinum and Blue cards).

 

Of course RocketMan275 is only saying other folks have made the statement about wearing cruise cards on lanyards to flout status, but I've got to go with CRUZGAL53.

 

Even though I personally don't wear my card on a lanyard, the only thing that keeps me from doing it is I had to wear a company ID badge on a lanyard for 35 years and I don't want to do that anymore.

 

DW wears her cruise card on a lanyard and I'm often jealous as I'm fumbling for mine, trying to figure out which pocket my card is in.

[RocketMan275]

We wear our cards around our necks on lanyards because it is easier and we don't lose them...it has nothing to do with our status on the ship...our kids and grandkids also wear lanyards too (and they have Platinum and Blue cards).

 

We do too but there are many who think that lanyards are silly. One said the ONLY reason one would wear a lanyard was to flout their status. Wife and I worked all our lives where badges were required and wearing a lanyard just seem to work for us. BTW, we've also found that lanyards make it easy to find the cards. Just hang them on a spot near the door.

[RocketMan275]

I've often heard that, too, and I was curious if it were true. Certainly not scientific in any way, but on our South America cruise earlier this year, I tried to note the color of cards I saw on lanyards. Frankly, it seemed to me there were more blue ones visible than any other color. I might repeat that research on my cruise coming up in October.

 

Look forward to hearing your conclusions. But, be advised, threads on lanyards can become very contentious. Who would have thought that something like lanyards could stir emotional responses.

[Jojiboy]

I've seen some say that people wear the cruise cards around their necks in order to flout their status.

 

 

We've always had our cruise cards on lanyards because it's convenient. I don't always wear something with pockets. Definitely not because of status since we're currently only gold.

[TracieABD]

I am not in the lanyard camp, simply because I don't like anything dangling from my neck. I have spent most of my life working with students with disabilities, and I had quite a few students who would (not maliciously) yank the lanyard. Not a fan. I know that they have "break-away" lanyards, but those can cause a bruise. I am with the gentleman before me, I pocket mine or carry a wristlet and then rumage...

[notentirelynormal]

I guess I have to wonder why so many people seem to be watching what everyone else is doing. Checking them out and what they are wearing. When I'm on a cruise I focus on me and mine. I treat people the same way on a ship as I do at home. I had a friend wear his Rolex watch one day and this other guy joined our group for drinks. He went on and on about the watch so much that to this day he doesn't wear it anymore.

 

I don't think people wear lanyards to show status but for easy access. Of course there is always THOSE people but isn't that what those of you who are checking out the lanyard people are doing as well. Why are you looking? What does it accomplish? When I get on a plane and people are sitting in first class - you met I want to be them. Are they flaunting it and acting rude because they were allowed to board first and already have a drink in their hand.

 

If someone barges in front and tells me that they are more special than me than I politely tell them no, if that doesn't help I get a bit louder to see if I can embarrass them with their behavior and if that doesn't work - well, an idiot is an idiot. Why play the game? Sometimes I might go "wow! me too! How cool is that you and all the rest of us are Elite."

[Griller]

I do usually keep my key card on a lanyard but tuck the card into my shirt pocket out of sight.

I fish it out when needed.

I find the magnetic strip lasts better if the card is not put in a pocket or purse with devices which may demagnetize it.

I once had a card last less than one hour as I put it on my lanyard after boarding then went to lifeboat muster and clasped my Kindle to my chest while seated during the drill, and the cover's magnetic clasp killed my keycard.

Embarassing.

[shredie]

 

I don't think people wear lanyards to show status but for easy access. Of course there is always THOSE people but isn't that what those of you who are checking out the lanyard people are doing as well. Why are you looking? What does it accomplish?

 

I don't think most people go around "checking out lanyards." :rolleyes: I think what people here have been complaining about are the few who wave their black card at the end of the lanyard in order to get attention. I'm kind of short, and on many men, the lanyard hangs right at my eye level. In fact, it was after a couple of these encounters in an elevator that I decided to do my little card-color survey. Boy, RocketMan was right. People get downright silly on the topic of lanyards.