Breaking News - C&A Changes/Enhancements

[Merion_Mom]

On one recent cruise, we had almost 100 pinnacles.

 

If you mean the Snowbird Migration cruise, there were 76.

[avalon007]

On one recent cruise, we had almost 100 pinnacles.

 

Never happens here in Australia - lucky to see a few Pinnacles let alone 100! :eek:

 

None at all on our last VOS cruise a few weeks ago, only 98 D's & 12 D+.

 

The Americans we met on that cruise in the DL I think enjoyed the difference.

[springaussie]

Interesting at a time I will reach Diamond Plus!

[Miamia65]

On, or around, May 1, Royal Caribbean will announce and/or implement the changes in the Crown and Anchor program.

 

No more Welcome Back (repeaters) Party on any ship. The Trials with this, on two ships back in February (?), was considered a success. Top Tier will continue.

 

Meal with an Officer will be for D+ (340) only and Pinnacles will have a meal at the Captain's Table or Specialty Rest. with the Capt. or HD.

 

No change in Tiers or Points structure.

 

Some other benefits for D+ and Pinnacles that I could not get the precise details.

 

All ships were notified two days ago so that they could prepare for the changes.

 

Sorry, but I will not reveal my source. Believe it or not. I'm still trying to find additional details, but combine this info with that from CruisenGrandmom

on Liberty and I think the CL-->SL on all ships is imminent.

 

The Captain will be lonely at Captain's Table on Australia/NZ cruises because there are currently not very many Pinnacles yet. On our last cruise there was only 1 on board for the cruise and he had just reached that milestone. The numbers of D and D+ are increasing now.

 

Also on Explorer and Voyager recently, suite guests (grand and above) and pinnacles dined in chops grille for breakfast AND pinnacles had access to the CL/SL (which is not as good a location or fit out as the DL).

[cruising grandma]

Since I have been quoted here, I decided to respond....I just returned home tonight from b2b(consecutive cruises) on Liberty. The changes have already taken place on Liberty with the lounges. There is no longer a concierge lounge....the old location is now a card room. There is a new suite lounge, and it is only for Suite guests and pinnacle club members. The diamond lounge is available for Diamond and Diamond plus and pinnacle club members. We were told these same changes will take place on all other Royal Caribbean ships. There was no specific date for the changes on other ships, and Liberty added the suite lounge during dry dock in January. I would not be concerned at being "kicked out" of the concierge lounge on other ships in the near future. It will take time to do the conversions, unless they just change the name of the concierge lounge to a suite lounge.

 

As far as the Welcome back party(repeater's party), unless I missed an invitation, there was none. There was an upper tier party each week......first week in the Star Lounge and second week in the Studio B, including a nice, brief show from the ice skaters onboard. There was a new pinnacle couple announced both weeks. I have all the compasses, so if anyone would like info from them, I'll be happy to share.

 

Nightmare was today's disembarkation.....:(

Edited April 18, 2016 by cruising grandma

[Oak Hill Cruisers]

We really should be ejected from the DL & DL because we're drinking too many cappuccinos. ;-)

[Zou Bisou Bisou]

I gotta laugh, if this is true it will be the second time I have been kicked out of the CL. Once as Diamond and now as Diamond + ....

 

Hahaha! Yes, you and me both. Although I must say, this time around I don't really care. We get the drink package and rarely go into the lounges anymore.

[Zou Bisou Bisou]

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*

 

After over 25 Royal Caribbean cruises in balcony cabins, JS cabins and full suites we tried Celebrity last year. We had the drink package as did almost everyone on the cruise. I expected the food to be better than Royal but it was about the same. So for the extra money to cruise celebrity I hope you won't be as disappointed as we were. We will probably give them another try at some point but not in a big rush.

[Powersboyee2]

On one recent cruise, we had almost 100 pinnacles.

 

 

 

They will die off soon enough [emoji33]

[Zou Bisou Bisou]

Seems to me, that there can never be an ending to this subject or conversation until there is silence, or, we are no longer on the face of the earth.

 

As I said before, we are not huge drinkers. Yes, the CL lounge is nice, but, we were fine when it wasn't an option for us in our early cruise days.

 

One question I will bring up because friends of ours have discussed it with us many times. Again, I don't think there is a good answer to the following because everyone will probably have a different opinion, and, we don't know the answer to part of:

 

Our friends have told us, that they are approaching 40 cruises. They have paid close to $120,000 total for those cruises, in addition to spending even more between ship tours, shops, etc.

 

They are D+. They mentioned with this new policy a Suite guest could get more benefits than they do as D+. However, if a person buys a suite, say, even for $8,000, but is only a casual, or one time cruiser, and, spends far less in total dollars than a D, D+ and Pinnacle member who has already spent over 6 figures, how is that fair??

 

Obviously if a couple gets a suite every time and cruises a lot, all of this is a mute point. Maybe it should by dollars spent on the cruise portion itself since many people with the old system moved up the ladder by getting $400 inside cabins, while a balcony person got the same amount of points paying double or more for a sane cruise. Even more descrepency if you had a suite.

 

I have always wished it would be for dollars spent. We have definitely spent well over a $150,000 with Royal Caribbean over the past 13 years. We get the drink packages now and only sporadically enter the lounges. Give me a nice discount on my drink package and my balcony and above and I will be happy. I don't need a lounge. On our airline of choice we have lifetime benefits of free baggage and other perks but we know that can change at a moments notice. Same with the cruise lines.

[Bobal]

After over 25 Royal Caribbean cruises in balcony cabins, JS cabins and full suites we tried Celebrity last year. We had the drink package as did almost everyone on the cruise. I expected the food to be better than Royal but it was about the same. So for the extra money to cruise celebrity I hope you won't be as disappointed as we were. We will probably give them another try at some point but not in a big rush.

 

I agree on this. We do cruise Celebrity sometimes but only if they have an itinerary which Royal don't do - and only with a drinks package. The food is marginally better (but that may be because we are so used to the Royal menus) but the lounge experience is way below Royal. They don't have a dedicated lounge - so no cappuccinos etc. They have an 'elite drinks' between 5 and 7 which is no use for us late diners - particularly since they have (and enforce) a dress code so no popping in for an early drink before getting changed for dinner. And if you think Royal drinks are cliquey wait till you go to elite drinks on Celebrity :rolleyes:

 

Btw what happened to the letter which Rockfordcruiser posted - did it get taken down or am I looking in the wrong place :confused: Perhaps he realised the indiscretion at posting such a thing

Edited April 18, 2016 by Bobal

[Charles4515]

I agree on this. We do cruise Celebrity sometimes but only if they have an itinerary which Royal don't do - and only with a drinks package. The food is marginally better (but that may be because we are so used to the Royal menus) but the lounge experience is way below Royal. They don't have a dedicated lounge - so no cappuccinos etc. They have an 'elite drinks' between 5 and 7 which is no use for us late diners - particularly since they have (and enforce) a dress code so no popping in for an early drink before getting changed for dinner. And if you think Royal drinks are cliquey wait till you go to elite drinks on Celebrity :rolleyes:

 

 

 

Btw what happened to the letter which Rockfordcruiser posted - did it get taken down or am I looking in the wrong place :confused: Perhaps he realised the indiscretion at posting such a thing

 

 

 

Celebrity has a Captain Club lounge for a light breakfast for Elite and above in the morning that serves cappuccino. Elite Plus get free cappuccinos everywhere.

[grayjay]

I agree on this. We do cruise Celebrity sometimes but only if they have an itinerary which Royal don't do - and only with a drinks package. The food is marginally better (but that may be because we are so used to the Royal menus) but the lounge experience is way below Royal. They don't have a dedicated lounge - so no cappuccinos etc. They have an 'elite drinks' between 5 and 7 which is no use for us late diners - particularly since they have (and enforce) a dress code so no popping in for an early drink before getting changed for dinner. And if you think Royal drinks are cliquey wait till you go to elite drinks on Celebrity :rolleyes:

 

Btw what happened to the letter which Rockfordcruiser posted - did it get taken down or am I looking in the wrong place :confused: Perhaps he realised the indiscretion at posting such a thing

 

Elite plus passengers on Celebrity get free cappucinos anywhere on the ship which is a nice perk - unfortunately the reciprocity programme only goes up to Diamond/Elite. So you're Elite Plus on Celebrity, but Diamond on RCL ( or vice versa).

[MaritimeR&R]

 

Btw what happened to the letter which Rockfordcruiser posted - did it get taken down or am I looking in the wrong place :confused: Perhaps he realised the indiscretion at posting such a thing

 

No idea where it went, but it is likely that some people copied it before it was taken down realizing (even if the OP initially didn't) that what looked like an internal memo being released to the public was likely to have consequences for the person who leaked it (and [i am not a lawyer, so I don't know] possibly consequences for the person and website that releases it to the general public.

[Bobal]

Celebrity has a Captain Club lounge for a light breakfast for Elite and above in the morning that serves cappuccino. Elite Plus get free cappuccinos everywhere.

 

Elite plus passengers on Celebrity get free cappucinos anywhere on the ship which is a nice perk - unfortunately the reciprocity programme only goes up to Diamond/Elite. So you're Elite Plus on Celebrity, but Diamond on RCL ( or vice versa).

 

Yes, I'm aware of the breakfast - which is actually in one of the speciality restaurants and involves being seated and served, whereas I would rather serve myself with a small amount of breakfast. And since there is no reciprocity beyond Diamond/Elite (and quite rightly) as a D+ (but not Elite +) I cannot get myself a cappuccino any time of day, as I can on RC (and as could Celebrity Elites if they were sailing on RC)

 

Sorry, but I stand by my opinion that Celebrity offers an inferior lounge experience to RC ;)

Edited April 18, 2016 by Bobal

[Bobal]

No idea where it went, but it is likely that some people copied it before it was taken down realizing (even if the OP initially didn't) that what looked like an internal memo being released to the public was likely to have consequences for the person who leaked it (and [i am not a lawyer, so I don't know] possibly consequences for the person and website that releases it to the general public.

 

That's why I looked for it - I wanted to copy it in case I wanted to buy a drinks package on a future cruise. Oh well, too late :)

[A&L_Ont]

That's why I looked for it - I wanted to copy it in case I wanted to buy a drinks package on a future cruise. Oh well, too late :)

 

We might just cancel our packages for August cruise and buy them on the ship. Hopefully it will be rolled out by then, not like it is a difficult program to start.;)

[SA Traveler]

We were on the Liberty in March when Diamond Plus could still access the SL. There was no decaf coffee in the SL then. We only went there because DIL was in the Ben and Jerry Sweet and could go there but not into the DL. IMO on Liberty the Diamond Lounge is better.

 

Sorry about your debarkation Cruisin Grandma. Ours was a breeze. We didn't expect it to be since we did the Belize itinerary.

[SULROSS]

Since I have been quoted here, I decided to respond....I just returned home tonight from b2b(consecutive cruises) on Liberty. The changes have already taken place on Liberty with the lounges. There is no longer a concierge lounge....the old location is now a card room. There is a new suite lounge, and it is only for Suite guests and pinnacle club members. The diamond lounge is available for Diamond and Diamond plus and pinnacle club members. We were told these same changes will take place on all other Royal Caribbean ships. There was no specific date for the changes on other ships, and Liberty added the suite lounge during dry dock in January. I would not be concerned at being "kicked out" of the concierge lounge on other ships in the near future. It will take time to do the conversions, unless they just change the name of the concierge lounge to a suite lounge.

 

As far as the Welcome back party(repeater's party), unless I missed an invitation, there was none. There was an upper tier party each week......first week in the Star Lounge and second week in the Studio B, including a nice, brief show from the ice skaters onboard. There was a new pinnacle couple announced both weeks. I have all the compasses, so if anyone would like info from them, I'll be happy to share.

 

Nightmare was today's disembarkation.....:(

 

Hello Kay. This is Denise and Bill. I am glad we were the couple to make Pinnacle last week on the Liberty with the rumored upcoming changes. Not sure exactly what the changes may be, but hopefully we will be good. We rushed to get there by May as we heard rumors. Enjoy your next upcoming cruise.

[BecciBoo]

 

I have said it many times before: give the D+ the lounge exclusively and let Ds get their drinks via voucher., I'll even be nice and give them one free specialty coffee per day to forestall the inevitable b!tching about the loss of the coffee machine access.

 

Well quit saying it!

 

Yeah, that would be a real beotch for me! I really don't care where we drink as long as we get what we were told, 3 coupons will do us.

[cruising grandma]

Hello Kay. This is Denise and Bill. I am glad we were the couple to make Pinnacle last week on the Liberty with the rumored upcoming changes. Not sure exactly what the changes may be, but hopefully we will be good. We rushed to get there by May as we heard rumors. Enjoy your next upcoming cruise.

 

Hi, Denice and Bill. It was a pleasure meeting you and cruising with you! Hope to see you again (after four months:)). I'm drinking my coffee relaxed, now, but have a week of busy days before I leave again.:) My husband, son, and his dogs were thrilled to see me last night!:D

[Paulette3028]

RUMOR: "a currently circulating story or report of uncertain or doubtful truth."

There is confirmation from many sources as cited by several people on this and other threads. Most of us do not consider this a story of uncertain or doubtful truth. We've known from Royal that there are changes coming as of May 1. Hardly just fuel "for a rumor mill."

But ah....to each his own

 

I value the knowledge that people share on CC and when info comes from several different people it can give it more credence, but until Royal makes some official announcement, NO ONE really can be sure. May 1 is just around the corner.

 

I was told several weeks ago about Empress plans for putting out the deployment schedule by someone incredibly high in the food chain, and that person keeps apologizing to me, about the continued delay in release. She knows I want to know to personally book a cruise on the ship.

 

I won't release the information I get, because it would be unfair to do. Right now I believe Royal just wants to get Empress on the seas with cruisers on board, and then some more deployment announcements will come out -- but this is my personal speculation, based on my conversations. I won't say it is anything more.

[JaniceB]

I think most cruise lines are doing away with the welcome back party. When I first starting cruising it was a highlight.

[Iluvcruising2]

I have always wished it would be for dollars spent. We have definitely spent well over a $150,000 with Royal Caribbean over the past 13 years. We get the drink packages now and only sporadically enter the lounges. Give me a nice discount on my drink package and my balcony and above and I will be happy. I don't need a lounge. On our airline of choice we have lifetime benefits of free baggage and other perks but we know that can change at a moments notice. Same with the cruise lines.

 

Why not try other cruise lines, say MSC Yacht Club?

[Cindy]

I'm glad the letter was taken down. It was clearly an internal memo obviously not intended for customers' eyes.

 

While the contents/tone may have angered some people, why should we be surprised that a business is trying to figure out how to generate more revenue from its most frequent customers?