Breaking News - C&A Changes/Enhancements

[RoamingRetirees]

RR - I agree that in the last year, RCCL has decided to go all in on their marketing to suite guests... That is absolutely true. The problem for them is that in solving one problem, they are worsening another.

 

Yes, but they obviously don't care about that one. :rolleyes:

[avalon007]

If they remove D's for DL I will feel like I am chasing the dragon I can never catch. Always just out reach and then they change it

 

I understand how you feel.

 

We set out with a plan to 'catch the dragon' by taking only cruise holidays & only with Royal over just 3 short years (at inflated Australia prices with little of the OBC benefits etc US passengers get & in balcony cabins) to obtain Diamond Level, as it offered the perks we valued most & also gave us good reciprocal perks on Celebrity.

 

We even paid more for our only suite cruise to date to get there without having to do an extra cruise, as we would have been just 4 points short of Diamond if taking a balcony cabin as we usually do.

 

For us getting to Diamond wasn't serendipity but a conscious decision, so we will feel annoyed & frustrated if they do strip away what we see as hard won benefits.

 

Removing already attained benefits from people is a sure fire way to reduce loyalty rather than encourage it, nobody likes feeling ripped off regardless of if it's the cruise lines right to do what they want or not.

 

If it does occur that Diamonds lose DL access we will then have to decide if it's worth sticking with Royal for what for us will be most likely be another 5+ years of cruising with them only, unless we can afford a suite every cruise but that would most likely be a JS so no access to the CL either.

 

We will probably decide to not bother & just cruise more with Celebrity etc as the social opportunities to get to know people will be the same for us without access to the DL.

 

Meeting new friends in the DL has enriched our last few cruises way more than 3 drink vouchers ever can. :(

[yogimax]

when the CL is SRO FOURTY FIVE MINUTES before cocktail hour begins and does not empty out until just before it ends, something needs to be done.

 

Huh? We have never, never experienced this. The lounge always empties before the first dinner service. Come at 6PM and you will certainly get a seat. The claim that the lounge is totally full from 5-8:30 implies that everyone in the lounge never eats dinner. That is simply nonsense!

[avalon007]

Yes, but they obviously don't care about that one. :rolleyes:

 

They should care more about the loyal Diamond & above members before suite guests who potentially may cruise with them as a one off & thus spend way less money all up than we have on balcony cabins on multiple cruises for example!

 

If they paid attention to how much money passengers spend with Royal all up & not just about how much is spent on any single cruise then many suite guests would be low on the list of deserved benefits.

 

But I don't begrudge suite guests getting extra perks, just don't take away perks from loyal Diamond & above members.

[kevink]

RR - I agree that in the last year, RCCL has decided to go all in on their marketing to suite guests... That is absolutely true. The problem for them is that in solving one problem, they are worsening another.

 

I think this is exceptionally true. RCCL seems to be focusing on milking the whales who will book the expensive suites, without considering the perception it leaves with the bulk of their passengers who will start feeling like steerage passengers the way things are going. I think people are very understanding of frequent buyer programs, I've never resented anyone using a special airline lounge or the diamond lounge. I do start to resent seeing whole sections of the ship which used to be public allocated to suite-only, as well as sections of the entertainment venues. As a consumer, it's turn-off to see this new class-system being put in place.

[Langley Cruisers]

We will see how this plays out, but it might be time for us to consider Celebrity from now on. With this new RCI news (if it is true) X's non-smoking casino and great food and service tip the scales. *just musing*

[kevink]

We will see how this plays out, but it might be time for us to consider Celebrity from now on. With this new RCI news (if it is true) X's non-smoking casino and great food and service tip the scales. *just musing*

 

X has an actual non-smoking casino? Not just a non-smoking section of a 100%-smokey casino?

 

- Kevin

[Langley Cruisers]

X has an actual non-smoking casino? Not just a non-smoking section of a 100%-smokey casino?

 

Completely non-smoking, Kevin. It is glorious - what a difference! :D

[Charles4515]

X has an actual non-smoking casino? Not just a non-smoking section of a 100%-smokey casino?

 

 

 

- Kevin

 

 

 

Celebrity has had 100% non-smoking casinos for a number of years.

[kevink]

Completely non-smoking, Kevin. It is glorious - what a difference! :D

 

Cool. I keep wanting to try Celebrity but their Caribbean schedule and my travel schedule haven't aligned yet. That definitely is a plus for them.

[riclop]

Thanks for the info.

[Big_G]

I can't get too outraged about these changes. The drinks menus in the CL and DL are so limited, if they're discounting the package, I'll be buying. We too have been sailing Celebrity and with packages being included in the promotional pricing, we haven't been to the nightly cocktail hour in a long time.

[skiiergirl]

Remember, they are not kicking you out of anywhere. No benefits are being changed. (They are just removing the CL.)

 

I usually agree with 99.99% of what you post but I don't necessarily agree with this. Currently DP has a choice of CL or DL on most ships. If they change the CL to SL (and allow suites and Pinnacles only) then that limits the DP folks to the DL. So in essence DP are being kicked out of a lounge....whatever you want to call it. Currently DP can go to DL but if it is too crowded they can go to CL...this probably spreads the occupancy somewhat. When DP no longer have a choice of lounges and are limited to the DL along with the D folks...that is going to cause more crowding since they do not have a 2nd lounge as an alternate. So the benefit of lounge option is being terminated.

 

==================================================

 

Such a cliche. You spoiled your argument with your generalizations. Most of it is just plain wrong. How would you know, anyway, since apparently, you never took the opportunity to talk to any of the people you are maligning.

 

I have to tell you that most people do not spend their time in the lounge talking about their status, whether it is C&A, suite, whatever. And even on the most crowded cruises, we have managed to go at a time when there was room to sit down. And sorry (not sorry!) for wanting to sit and chat with my friends in the lounge. If I want to spend an hour having drinks with them, who are you to criticize?

 

 

 

Thank you.

 

As usual, very well spoken!

Edited April 18, 2016 by skiiergirl

[Clarea]

I usually agree with 99.99% of what you post but I don't necessarily agree with this....

I should have used the rolling eyes emoticon because I was being sarcastic.:)

[yogimax]

I usually agree with 99.99% of what you post but I don't necessarily agree with this. Currently DP has a choice of CL or DL on most ships. If they change the CL to SL (and allow suites and Pinnacles only) then that limits the DP folks to the DL. So in essence DP are being kicked out of a lounge....whatever you want to call it. Currently DP can go to DL but if it is too crowded they can go to CL...this probably spreads the occupancy somewhat. When DP no longer have a choice of lounges and are limited to the DL along with the D folks...that is going to cause more crowding since they do not have a 2nd lounge as an alternate. So the benefit of lounge option is being terminated.

 

 

Yes, this is precisely my point. When the DL lounge is full, we simply go to the fairly empty CL. If this rumor is true, it's a slap in the face to D+

[yogimax]

I do start to resent seeing whole sections of the ship which used to be public allocated to suite-only, as well as sections of the entertainment venues. As a consumer, it's turn-off to see this new class-system being put in place.

 

This is precisely what happened on Oasis as the Viking Crown Lounge, a wonderful public venue, was converted to a suite venue only.

[Tagsalong]

I started this thread because I was told of some impending changes. But that did not include any ouster of Diamonds from the Diamond Lounge. I do not believe this will happen.

 

The vouchers on the sea pass card was meant to help solve the over crowding and obviate the expense of overflow lounges. Some ships still use overflow areas and others refuse to, at the discretion of the HD and/or Captain. Maybe this will be soon be mandated from shoreside, maybe not.

 

The changes will be positive not pejorative. Diamonds will not be kicked out of the Diamond Lounges, IMHO.

[A&L_Ont]

I started this thread because I was told of some impending changes. But that did not include any ouster of Diamonds from the Diamond Lounge. I do not believe this will happen.

 

The vouchers on the sea pass card was meant to help solve the over crowding and obviate the expense of overflow lounges. Some ships still use overflow areas and others refuse to, at the discretion of the HD and/or Captain. Maybe this will be soon be mandated from shoreside, maybe not.

 

The changes will be positive not pejorative. Diamonds will not be kicked out of the Diamond Lounges, IMHO.

 

Someone, not you, opened the can of worms in this thread about who stays or goes. It will happen one day, and I can imagine the reactions, as this is only a rumour.

 

It is like removing a band aid... Is a slow pull or a quick rip the better way to go. At the end of the day it is all the same.

[Tagsalong]

I will also state that my source is not the second cousin, twice removed, of the assistant dish washer.

[yogimax]

I started this thread because I was told of some impending changes. But that did not include any ouster of Diamonds from the Diamond Lounge. I do not believe this will happen.

 

 

But you did say (correct me if I am wrong) that D+ will be kicked out of the CL.

 

Is this what you have said?

[robandana]

I'm going to miss the CL....:(

[lawgirl]

As I am D+ and cruising in less than 2 weeks, I am watching this thread with interest. I wonder, if changes are implemented during a cruise, do they change rules mid-cruise? This is my first cruise in a while in a non-suite cabin, so it will be interesting to see if, as a D+, the CL is still open to us.

 

I joined this same debate years back... We made D, got the lounge access exactly once, then they changed the program to have only suites, D+ and P in lounges. This was before Diamond lounges or 3 drink coupons existed....

 

So, I griped along with others, disappointed I sailed on Royal in part to achieve status only to lose the perks. Our solution was to sail more on X or to book a suite.... Which I guess benefits Royal anyhow. They own X and clearly I paid way more for the GS and OS cabins.

 

Cruising, in general, has changed a lot in 14 years... discussed a ton on the boards.... so we now consider all inclusives and other land vacations as well. Ultimately the changes probably dishearten some loyal passengers, like us, but there are always new cruisers who don't know how cruising and perks used to be. And of course, even for us "veterans" cruising is still an enticing option to see new places.

 

For now, I will HOPEFULLY enjoy the CL for one last cruise in 2 weeks... Or I guess at least the DL and 3 free drinks! :). the lounge really is one of my favorite parts of cruising... So I do hope it remains around at least in some form.

[Ashland]

Yes, this is precisely my point. When the DL lounge is full, we simply go to the fairly empty CL. If this rumor is true, it's a slap in the face to D+

 

^^^This...slap slap slap :mad:

[knittinggirl]

And those ships that might have 20 or 30 (sometimes more)Pinnacles onboard?

 

That'll be one BIG table. :eek:

On one recent cruise, we had almost 100 pinnacles.

[robandana]

I think the SL that don't have Coastal Kitchen will end up being empty...

 

This is how it all started in the first place, the CL were suite only and always empty....long long ago...Someone at RC head office decided to add the D's to the CL lounge as a perk and to make use of a very unused lounge....now its grown to a point that it may be out of control.

 

There is one thing for sure every time there is chatter about these changes people spend a lot of money trying to get to the next level...

 

We did it when we were bumped from the CL as Diamonds....we rushed to get to D+.....I wonder how may D+ and rushing to get to P??