Liberty diamond and suite lounge

[twirlgirl]

The new suite lounge is beautiful and has a lovely outdoor balcony. What a disappointment sailing these last two weeks and only have the diamond lounge available. The 1st week we have Jorge and he did make an announcement the 1st night and last night. This week Carlos only talks with suite guest. You can see the trend. RCCL is only interested in suite guest. We have been diamond plus for 5 years and now the option to use the suite lounge was taken away. What next. The bar staff comes in sets up and does their own thing. Same thing with breakfast. Have not seen either concierge do a thing and neither Has gone out of their way to mingle except to suite guests. We have sailed on the Freedom many times and at least an acknowledgement was given when you cane in the door. What happened to loyal and making you feel welcome.

Waiting 3 hours for tender just to go ashore. No concierge around. :

[rkd1]

The new suite lounge is beautiful and has a lovely outdoor balcony. What a disappointment sailing these last two weeks and only have the diamond lounge available. The 1st week we have Jorge and he did make an announcement the 1st night and last night. This week Carlos only talks with suite guest. You can see the trend. RCCL is only interested in suite guest. We have been diamond plus for 5 years and now the option to use the suite lounge was taken away. What next. The bar staff comes in sets up and does their own thing. Same thing with breakfast. Have not seen either concierge do a thing and neither Has gone out of their way to mingle except to suite guests. We have sailed on the Freedom many times and at least an acknowledgement was given when you cane in the door. What happened to loyal and making you feel welcome.

Waiting 3 hours for tender just to go ashore. No concierge around. :

 

 

It seems as tho we no longer matter. Loyal to Royal for over 20 years, but no more.

[ATC cruiser]

I'm diamond, and until I pay the price of a suite, I don't expect the added services that suite guests pay for. I can go on 5 cruises for what many of them are paying for 1. Just because your diamond, diamond+, or pinnacle doesn't mean you get the same services of someone that paid ten grand or more for their cabin. You just get extra perks, and I'm sure soon to be less and less of those.

[mylove]

The new suite lounge is beautiful and has a lovely outdoor balcony. What a disappointment sailing these last two weeks and only have the diamond lounge available. The 1st week we have Jorge and he did make an announcement the 1st night and last night. This week Carlos only talks with suite guest. You can see the trend. RCCL is only interested in suite guest. We have been diamond plus for 5 years and now the option to use the suite lounge was taken away. What next. The bar staff comes in sets up and does their own thing. Same thing with breakfast. Have not seen either concierge do a thing and neither Has gone out of their way to mingle except to suite guests. We have sailed on the Freedom many times and at least an acknowledgement was given when you cane in the door. What happened to loyal and making you feel welcome.

Waiting 3 hours for tender just to go ashore. No concierge around. :

 

Wow this is very disturbing.We have a b2b on the Liberty next April,might have to rethink this.Thank you for keeping us up to date.

 

Kimberley

[George C]

I really do not care if concierge talks to me, we did love new suite lounge , I think problem is amount of Diamond plus, not enough chairs for them along with suite guests (we get to diamond plus next year ), we stayed on ship on the one tender port Belize ( could have gotten priority) they were announcing tenders leaving for over 2 hours

[wolfganghowell]

We have a b2b on the Liberty next April,might have to rethink this.

 

You would rethink a cruise based on access to a suite lounge? You still have access to a lovely Diamond lounge.

 

ATC - not all suites are $10K. We've gotten GS for as little as $3500. But yes, we will still take all those perks. :)

[mylove]

You would rethink a cruise based on access to a suite lounge? You still have access to a lovely Diamond lounge.

 

ATC - not all suites are $10K. We've gotten GS for as little as $3500. But yes, we will still take all those perks. :)

 

NO,not just based on having access to the suite lounge,the fact that she was totally ignored by both suite and diamond hosts is a little troubling.We just got off the Splendour and had a Grand suite and enjoyed every perk,was very spoiled.We have a Jr suite booked for our b2b on the Liberty,hoping a suite becomes available.

 

Kimberley

[Merion_Mom]

The new suite lounge is beautiful and has a lovely outdoor balcony. What a disappointment sailing these last two weeks and only have the diamond lounge available. The 1st week we have Jorge and he did make an announcement the 1st night and last night. This week Carlos only talks with suite guest. You can see the trend. RCCL is only interested in suite guest. We have been diamond plus for 5 years and now the option to use the suite lounge was taken away. What next. The bar staff comes in sets up and does their own thing. Same thing with breakfast. Have not seen either concierge do a thing and neither Has gone out of their way to mingle except to suite guests. We have sailed on the Freedom many times and at least an acknowledgement was given when you cane in the door. What happened to loyal and making you feel welcome.

Waiting 3 hours for tender just to go ashore. No concierge around. :

 

I am confused. You are NOT in a suite. You ARE D+. For two weeks you only had access to the Diamond Lounge.

 

How do you know what was going on in the Suite Lounge?

 

Not all concierges "mingle". That has always been my observation. Some do, some don't. Has nothing to do with "which lounge".

 

You got your free drinks. You had your "special lounge".

 

D+ do not get priority tendering, IME.

 

The sense of entitlement here (not on all threads about the changes, but here) stinks.

 

 

Footnote: Here is the list of D+ benefits from the RC website.

 

1. Crown & Anchor Society Onboard Offers
   
2. Priority check-in
   
3. Private departure lounge with continental breakfast
   
4. Exclusive Trivia
   
5. Exclusive Top Tier Event
   
6. Robes for use onboard
   
7. Signature lapel pin
   
8. Welcome Gift/Amenity including choice of beverage
   
9. Milestone recognition
   
10. Chef's Choice Gift/Amenity
    
11. Priority wait list for Shore Excursions/VitalitySM Day Spa services
    
12. Diamond Lounge (on select ships)
    
13. Priority departure
    
14. Exclusive Nightly Diamond Event6
    
15. Daily breakfast with specialty coffee
    
16. Entertainment Tour
    
17. Behind the Scenes Tours
    
18. Personalized Gift/Amenity
    
19. Concierge Lounge Access (on select ships)
    
20. Priority seating at theater, ice show and AquaTheater events
    
21. Meal with an Officer for members with 340 or more cruise points
    
22. Upgraded bathroom amenities for members with 340 or more cruise points
    
23. Bonus Gift for members with 340 or more cruise points
    
24. Bonus Gift for members with 525 or more cruise points
    

[blackshirt]

This week Carlos only talks with suite guest. You can see the trend. RCCL is only interested in suite guest. :

 

I'm not sure how you can come to that conclusion for the entire fleet based on your experience with one concierge. I'm just diamond and have only been on 2 cruises as a diamond and only have diamond lounge experience, but I've had totally different concierge experiences on those cruises. The diamond concierge on the first cruise pretty much just sat at his desk but the diamond concierge on my last cruise was fantastic and very helpful. He regularly engaged folks in conversation and helped the bar staff deliver drinks when they were swamped. Based on my limited experience with concierge's, like any service provider, some are better than others.

[39august]

I also wondered how the OP knew what was going on the the Suite Lounge since he is D+. It is simply not true that the Suite concierge, Anis, only talks to suites guests. He talked with Pinnacles also and was eager to handle a slight concern we had. He is not a chatty Kathy, however. And as noted above, D+ do not get tender escorts. Anis asked us if we wanted this perk, but we never take tenders anymore. Our friends were D+ and after 6 PM, the D lounge was not overcrowded on the 4 or 5 nights we joined them there after early dinner. We much enjoyed the beautiful Suite Lounge and its quiet balcony. Service was outstanding.

[wolfganghowell]

I do agree - all concierge are different. On Oasis, they never spoke to anyone or mingled. They sat at their desk. Now, they would speak if you went up to them but that's it. And they did fulfill our few requests.

 

We've had very friendly and outgoing ones and some that were real stick in the muds. It has not and will not impact my cruise.

 

I get that Liberty is confusing since they changed it from Concierge to Suite Lounge. The SL concierge is there only for suite and pinnacles. Not sure how the concierge in the DL would single out people in suites.

 

Having seen firsthand how some of the concierge are treated, not matter how grouchy they are, if I make eye contact with them, they will always get a smile from me.

[vettecruiser1]

I recall a balcony area outside the diamond lounge on freedom and voyager class ships. Is it off limits on liberty? If so for how long?

[mylove]

I also wondered how the OP knew what was going on the the Suite Lounge since he is D+. It is simply not true that the Suite concierge, Anis, only talks to suites guests. He talked with Pinnacles also and was eager to handle a slight concern we had. He is not a chatty Kathy, however. And as noted above, D+ do not get tender escorts. Anis asked us if we wanted this perk, but we never take tenders anymore. Our friends were D+ and after 6 PM, the D lounge was not overcrowded on the 4 or 5 nights we joined them there after early dinner. We much enjoyed the beautiful Suite Lounge and its quiet balcony. Service was outstanding.

 

Awesome,this is great to hear.....keeping fingers crossed a suite becomes available for our sailing.Would love to experience the new SL.

 

Kimberley

[topnole]

I am confused. You are NOT in a suite. You ARE D+. For two weeks you only had access to the Diamond Lounge.

 

How do you know what was going on in the Suite Lounge?

 

Not all concierges "mingle". That has always been my observation. Some do, some don't. Has nothing to do with "which lounge".

 

You got your free drinks. You had your "special lounge".

 

D+ do not get priority tendering, IME.

 

The sense of entitlement here (not on all threads about the changes, but here) stinks

 

Footnote: Here is the list of D+ benefits from the RC website.

 

1. Crown & Anchor Society Onboard Offers
   
2. Priority check-in
   
3. Private departure lounge with continental breakfast
   
4. Exclusive Trivia
   
5. Exclusive Top Tier Event
   
6. Robes for use onboard
   
7. Signature lapel pin
   
8. Welcome Gift/Amenity including choice of beverage
   
9. Milestone recognition
   
10. Chef's Choice Gift/Amenity
    
11. Priority wait list for Shore Excursions/VitalitySM Day Spa services
    
12. Diamond Lounge (on select ships)
    
13. Priority departure
    
14. Exclusive Nightly Diamond Event6
    
15. Daily breakfast with specialty coffee
    
16. Entertainment Tour
    
17. Behind the Scenes Tours
    
18. Personalized Gift/Amenity
    
19. Concierge Lounge Access (on select ships)
    
20. Priority seating at theater, ice show and AquaTheater events
    
21. Meal with an Officer for members with 340 or more cruise points
    
22. Upgraded bathroom amenities for members with 340 or more cruise points
    
23. Bonus Gift for members with 340 or more cruise points
    
24. Bonus Gift for members with 525 or more cruise points
    

 

I have to agree with this!! How can someone complain about having a lounge that serves free drinks for 3.5 hours a night (and three drinks at almost anywhere on the ship) not to mention the other benefits listed? The complaint is that I don't have two lounges to choose from for all these free benefits? Geez come on now. Perhaps you should switch to another cruise line that gives you 2 or more lounges to drink free in each night. Oh wait, that doesn't exist. Other mass lines don't even give you one lounge with free drinks (not counting Celebrity owned by Royal). The lines do face competition and do have to find ways to generate revenue and profit so RCIs changes seem logical to me. Do I really need two lounges to choose from to get my free drinks. It really is just kind of silly.

 

We did Liberty TA a couple years ago (as Diamond but we are now D+). Couldn't use the Crown room bar because it was used for D+ and above. We were a bit bummed as were many others we met but it is their rules. I have to say I thought it was stupid to take away the best spot on the ship for 3.5 hours during prime drinking time from paying customers. So instead we went to the big lounge (Pharaohs) they used for diamond hour and had free drinks.

Edited May 12, 2016 by topnole

[George C]

You would rethink a cruise based on access to a suite lounge? You still have access to a lovely Diamond lounge.

 

ATC - not all suites are $10K. We've gotten GS for as little as $3500. But yes, we will still take all those perks. :)

 

WE just had our 3rd GS did 2014 and 2015 on Navigator and Liberty 2 weeks ago, they all were about 3200 total including taxs port fees etc per couple, booked 2 more for 2017 at about same price, I have gotten addicted to these perks. almost booked Allure but that was 1,000 more, rather have suite on older ship

[Bobal]

We are D+ and got tender perks on radiance in march. The Diamond concierge had priority tender tickets ready to hand out on his desk.

 

Perhaps it's a recent change - or varies from ship to ship

[wolfganghowell]

The outside area from the DL was closed due to some work on the ship. It seemed to be temporary though. Hopefully someone can post when it is open. I'll be sure to look on my sailing and report back.

[RFerrington]

I read somewhere that D+ are no longer getting access to the reserved seating area in the theater on Liberty. Can anyone confirm ?

[George C]

I read somewhere that D+ are no longer getting access to the reserved seating area in the theater on Liberty. Can anyone confirm ?

 

Can not confirm but there were plenty of seats better than suite sections seats for all the shows, was surprised that Ice show was not even packed, 1st time I ever have seen that many empty seats

[Merion_Mom]

The outside area from the DL was closed due to some work on the ship. It seemed to be temporary though. Hopefully someone can post when it is open. I'll be sure to look on my sailing and report back.

 

My understanding is that the construction materials from the new slides are out on that porch. :eek: ;)

[SonicShip]

I'm diamond, and until I pay the price of a suite, I don't expect the added services that suite guests pay for. I can go on 5 cruises for what many of them are paying for 1. Just because your diamond, diamond+, or pinnacle doesn't mean you get the same services of someone that paid ten grand or more for their cabin. You just get extra perks, and I'm sure soon to be less and less of those.

 

People seem to think that only first time cruisers are suite guests. I don't think many suite guest are first time cruisers. Many of the suite guest are Crown and Anchor members.

[wolfganghowell]

People seem to think that only first time cruisers are suite guests.

 

This misperception is rampant on this site. Almost every single person we have ever met in a concierge lounge has been (a) in a suite and (b) an experienced cruiser, most are platinum or above.

 

It's the reverse of the "all D+ and pinnacles" are in inside cabins. :D There are a LOT of D's, D+ and P's that are in suites.

[golfpccc]

The outside area from the DL was closed due to some work on the ship. It seemed to be temporary though. Hopefully someone can post when it is open. I'll be sure to look on my sailing and report back.

 

Have been told the DL outside patio will be closed until at least Jan 2017. They are using the area to install scrubbers or something like that and is the only access to the area where they are working. Also being used to store their needed equipment.

 

Carla

[golfpccc]

I read somewhere that D+ are no longer getting access to the reserved seating area in the theater on Liberty. Can anyone confirm ?

 

This is not true! Have access to theater and ice rink reserved seating - the sign says Gold Card Only, but Concierge told us it is also for D+. Also, starting last week there is an area in the MDR at breakfast and lunch for D & D+ and you can bypass the long lines by entering the left door. However, have noticed the reserved area (to left & front) is usually full of anyone, so not really a designated area. Today they told us it was to full and seated us in the middle of the dining room where the view was great, according to the Head Waiter! LOL!!

 

Carla

[karena1]

The new suite lounge is beautiful and has a lovely outdoor balcony. What a disappointment sailing these last two weeks and only have the diamond lounge available. The 1st week we have Jorge and he did make an announcement the 1st night and last night. This week Carlos only talks with suite guest. You can see the trend. RCCL is only interested in suite guest. We have been diamond plus for 5 years and now the option to use the suite lounge was taken away. What next. The bar staff comes in sets up and does their own thing. Same thing with breakfast. Have not seen either concierge do a thing and neither Has gone out of their way to mingle except to suite guests. We have sailed on the Freedom many times and at least an acknowledgement was given when you cane in the door. What happened to loyal and making you feel welcome.

Waiting 3 hours for tender just to go ashore. No concierge around. :

 

So agree with you, nothing matters anymore except Suite Guests - not those of us that have spent THOUSANDS of dollars on Royal to get to D+. We are kicked to the curb and they could care less about us anymore. Really a shame. So now we look at other lines for who gives us the best bang for the buck - Royal/Celebrity/Princess/MSC and decide who to do our business with. Back in the day we did nothing but Royal, not anymore.