Diamond vs. Diamond Plus

[davekathy]

No attitude here just old fashion common sense. Lounges are not playgrounds.

 

Agree...(y)

[Milwaukee Eight]

Troy married right to get his D status. Just like my wife did too. Doesn't mean it would be right to relegate Diamonds to vouchers only. Wouldn't it be odd to go on Celebrity as an RCI Diamond and be treated better there than on Royal Caribbean? But with earnings going so well, they might as well chop the reciprocity out to sister lines.

 

 

 

Troy??

 

Actually, I made Diamond on my own points our MJ cruise last month. It doesn't take long getting double pts.

 

That wasn't my suggestion to relegate D to vouchers. I just agreed that was a possible solution to the overcrowding in the Lounge cruisers are complaining about. What would be your suggestion to fix the Lounge situation? Personally, I think it is unwise for Royal to downgrade the Suite experience for those Guest booking Suites.

 

Thanks for the debate. Ideas are welcome.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[grapau27]

Pretty much agree! Showing my age/general knowledge! Didn't know about the Harley!

 

You are fortunate to live close to ports. That's what been tough over the years - spend as much on airfare as cruises! Shouldn't complain though, my husband was a very, very frequent flyer and used a lot of miles. Now I am solo (he died 3 years ago), single cabins and air fares are a bigger consideration.

 

Nice talking with people on the boards. I try to be objective and helpful

We are so sorry to hear about your husband,your views are the same as ours and it has been lovely chatting with you through this thread.

 

Sent from my Kestrel using Forums mobile app

[LMaxwell]

Troy??

 

Actually, I made Diamond on my own points our MJ cruise last month. It doesn't take long getting double pts.

 

That wasn't my suggestion to relegate D to vouchers. I just agreed that was a possible solution to the overcrowding in the Lounge cruisers are complaining about. What would be your suggestion to fix the Lounge situation? Personally, I think it is unwise for Royal to downgrade the Suite experience for those Guest booking Suites.

 

Thanks for the debate. Ideas are welcome.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

I'm not in favor of anything that lessens the experience. I'm a paying guest, not a company employee. Royal has for years now repurposed otherwise public space into suites/ultra high tier lounges and it is not a practice I agree with (See Viking Crown Lounge on Oasis-class).

 

Do you remember the original lounges on Voyager-class? Very small, very intimate, no windows, no bar tenders (honor bar). Most people did not WANT to stay long in them. It was SRO if more than 25 people in there.

 

I don't know if these are solutions, but they are ideas; increase time frame for voucher usage (longer than 3-4 hours per night and only certain venues; allow usage in dining room and restaurants). Another idea, and this was done on a cruise or two, is to use areas that otherwise were not scheduled for usage in the early evening hours. I've had cocktail hour in the Solarium (this was pre-vouchers) one night when they decided to "mix" things up. That was a nice experience.

[Grandma Dazzles]

So sorry for your loss.

 

Yes, airfare is expensive. Flying RT to Barcelona for our Med trip is about as much as cruise fare.

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

Thank you. Cruising friends from other states and cruise critic have been very helpful and supportive. Two or three have let me know their cruising plans and I have booked accordingly. Last cruise on the Navigator in March of this year I met friends from a previous cruise. Met with them each evening in the diamond lounge. We didn't spend a lot of time together but was nice to see them each evening. They were in a suite but are also diamond plus - one example of how the lines get blurred!

 

Just grateful and happy to still be able to cruise.

[Milwaukee Eight]

I'm not in favor of anything that lessens the experience.

 

 

Neither are we.

 

These are good times for the cruise industry. I don't see any line doing anything extra for those long time frequent customers until times change. Then there will be new cruisers to drink the kool aid.

 

The SL/CK is a great experience and as long as it remains as is, will continue be a draw for Suite Guests to book Oasis Class ships.

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[grapau27]

Troy??

 

Actually, I made Diamond on my own points our MJ cruise last month. It doesn't take long getting double pts.

 

That wasn't my suggestion to relegate D to vouchers. I just agreed that was a possible solution to the overcrowding in the Lounge cruisers are complaining about. What would be your suggestion to fix the Lounge situation? Personally, I think it is unwise for Royal to downgrade the Suite experience for those Guest booking Suites.

 

Thanks for the debate. Ideas are welcome.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

It would be interesting if they gave 5 drinks vouchers during lounge hours to see if that helped overcrowding in the lounges.

 

Sent from my Kestrel using Forums mobile app

[davekathy]

It would be interesting if they gave 5 drinks vouchers during lounge hours to see if that helped overcrowding in the lounges.

 

Sent from my Kestrel using Forums mobile app

 

That would work for us as we prefer a lounge/bar over the DL.

[grapau27]

That would work for us as we prefer a lounge/bar over the DL.

We used ours on Harmony at the Trellis bar on Central park because the DL on deck 4 was unappealing.

We went in DL at 5 pm for a few snacks and a couple of drinks for 30 minutes.

 

Sent from my Kestrel using Forums mobile app

[Milwaukee Eight]

It would be interesting if they gave 5 drinks vouchers during lounge hours to see if that helped overcrowding in the lounges.

 

Sent from my Kestrel using Forums mobile app

 

 

 

I really don't think they will give more of anything to those chasing status. I can always be wrong.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Biker19]

It would be interesting if they gave 5 drinks vouchers during lounge hours to see if that helped overcrowding in the lounges.

You start approaching shareable territory (many won't drink 5 but could get one for their friend at the bar) and that means a loss for RCI.

[Milwaukee Eight]

You start approaching shareable territory (many won't drink 5 but could get one for their friend at the bar) and that means a loss for RCI.

 

This..... was thinking the same thing.......

[cruisegirl1]

It would be interesting if they gave 5 drinks vouchers during lounge hours to see if that helped overcrowding in the lounges.

 

Sent from my Kestrel using Forums mobile app

 

Seriously FIVE? It is only a 3hour period. That practically fits the definition of Binge Drinking.

 

FYI - The National Institute Of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, defines binge drinking as a pattern of drinking that brings blood alcohol concentration levels to 0.08 g/dL. This typically occurs after 4 drinks for women and 5 drinks for men—in about 2 hours.

 

 

I like a drink or two - but Five???

 

 

M

[grapau27]

I really don't think they will give more of anything to those chasing status. I can always be wrong.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Its a suggestion to ease the overcrowding in DL and CL that would probably cost them less than the volume of alcohol consumed in those lounges.We only go in the DL for an hour or so and have at least 4 glasses of champagne.

 

Sent from my Kestrel using Forums mobile app

[grapau27]

Seriously FIVE? It is only a 3hour period. That practically fits the definition of Binge Drinking.

 

FYI - The National Institute Of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, defines binge drinking as a pattern of drinking that brings blood alcohol concentration levels to 0.08 g/dL. This typically occurs after 4 drinks for women and 5 drinks for men—in about 2 hours.

 

 

I like a drink or two - but Five???

 

 

M

We might have 2 glasses a week at home but you are on holiday.

I tip $1 a drink in the DL and they keep topping us up so 5 glasses of champagne is hardly excessive and a lot of people might drink in other bars which will ease the pressure on the DL and CL.

 

Sent from my Kestrel using Forums mobile app

[grapau27]

This..... was thinking the same thing.......

The bar staff watch out for this but then you could say the same about sharing drinks with friends with the Drinks Packages.

 

Sent from my Kestrel using Forums mobile app

[reallyitsmema]

Seriously FIVE? It is only a 3hour period. That practically fits the definition of Binge Drinking.

 

FYI - The National Institute Of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, defines binge drinking as a pattern of drinking that brings blood alcohol concentration levels to 0.08 g/dL. This typically occurs after 4 drinks for women and 5 drinks for men—in about 2 hours.

 

 

I like a drink or two - but Five???

 

 

M

 

I don't even use all 3, no way I would use 5.

[grapau27]

I don't even use all 3, no way I would use 5.

If you could use them in the dining room as well it would help.People are asking for a solution to lounge overcrowding and when i suggest a sensible one that would encourage people from overcrowding the lounges you put up objections ? Then everybody suddenly wants to save RC money.

 

Sent from my Kestrel using Forums mobile app

[Ocean Boy]

I'm not in favor of anything that lessens the experience. I'm a paying guest, not a company employee. Royal has for years now repurposed otherwise public space into suites/ultra high tier lounges and it is not a practice I agree with (See Viking Crown Lounge on Oasis-class).

 

Do you remember the original lounges on Voyager-class? Very small, very intimate, no windows, no bar tenders (honor bar). Most people did not WANT to stay long in them. It was SRO if more than 25 people in there.

 

I don't know if these are solutions, but they are ideas; increase time frame for voucher usage (longer than 3-4 hours per night and only certain venues; allow usage in dining room and restaurants). Another idea, and this was done on a cruise or two, is to use areas that otherwise were not scheduled for usage in the early evening hours. I've had cocktail hour in the Solarium (this was pre-vouchers) one night when they decided to "mix" things up. That was a nice experience.

I don't see what is accomplished by limiting voucher use to certain venues?

[reallyitsmema]

If you could use them in the dining room as well it would help.People are asking for a solution to lounge overcrowding and when i suggest a sensible one that would encourage people from overcrowding the lounges you put up objections ? Then everybody suddenly wants to save RC money.

 

Sent from my Kestrel using Forums mobile app

 

What objection? I said there was no way I would use 5 and that I don't even use all 3 of the ones I get now.

[grapau27]

I don't see what is accomplished by limiting voucher use to certain venues?

Totally agree.

 

Sent from my Kestrel using Forums mobile app

[Milwaukee Eight]

Giving Diamonds two more vouchers will not fly with Royal. That is revenue to them. If they are experimenting with drink packages, requiring both in cabin to have them if one chooses to do so, then I can't see them giving two more.

[grapau27]

What objection? I said there was no way I would use 5 and that I don't even use all 3 of the ones I get now.

It was an observation of several replies.

At home we can't drink because mother in law who lives with Paulines brother is 95 with mixed dementia and we can get several phone calls at night on top of spending 4 hours a day looking after her and often have to go back down there so 5 glasses of champagne when we get away we feel we need and deserve it.

 

Sent from my Kestrel using Forums mobile app

[wolfganghowell]

Ah well, I see where the bickering has been the last few days.

 

A note since someone mentioned that SL's are only on Oasis class. Liberty has one. And suite guests are not allowed in the DL unless they are Diamond or above. We have no idea who is a suite guest and who is D or D+ because we don't care. It's interesting to me how so many of you seem to know! I think a lot of assumptions are being made. However - We can always tell the P's because most sailings, they converge and take over an area in the SL. Just an observation - not a condemnation. ;)

[Lady Hudson]

No attitude here just old fashion common sense. Lounges are not playgrounds.

 

Couldn't agree more. Whatever the lounge, IMHO, the concierge should have said something to the mom.

 

My/our situation: since retiring 3 years ago I have advanced to D++ (450points). I am not a big drinker -- if I have more than 2 drinks per cruise it is a lot. DH might have 2 a night. We also get free drinks in the casino so if the lounges disappeared we still would have free drinks -- until they change that program.

 

I like the lounges when I travel solo because there always seems to be someone I know. Nice place to chat.

 

As I said before, RC will do whatever it feels like and we all will either accept it or go to another line.

 

Good discussion/debate! Katherine