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RCCL new Diamond Lounge Policy?

seeyakids

By seeyakids,
in Royal Caribbean International

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John&LaLa "Live from...." Rare

John&LaLa

Posted
Posted
Doesn’t Royal offer something similar with Star Class? MB did say it was Royals goal to get all ships as possible over to Star/Sky/Sea class. I know not all ships are setup for this.

 

 

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You can get YC with an inside cabin. 😉

 

I doubt the cabin to butler/genie ratio is the same

 

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2CruzAddicts

2CruzAddicts

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I'd rather they just give me 40% off the Deluxe drink package.

Especially since they seem to think those drinks are worth $12. The 40% discount would be

less than the supposed value of 3 sea pass drinks. Plus I won't be crowding the DL.

 

Seems like a win/win.

 

Not a win if you don't buy the drink package. So again forcing us to buy something we don't want when we've spent tens of thousands already.

:o

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tonygcharles

tonygcharles

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We been a diamond member for a couple of years now and done at least 6 cruises at that status. Soon to be diamond +

We have never found the lounge to get that busy . In between 7pm / 8pm it gets pretty full at times and they opened a door and taken a little area to overflow in to the bar next door

I hope that it not going be so busy as what some of you have experienced. As I fear that Royal might take away this facility. And replace it with something less in our favour

The free drinks save us a lot and love meeting new people in the lounge how regularly attend

 

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Powersboyee2

Powersboyee2

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I have figured that with 119 cruise credits, it would take me between 6-$10,000 to become a D+ and I am not sure it is worth it to me. Being bored with Royals reductions in overall quality, I decided to try MSC. While I found serious issues as stated below, I did find that their top end service experience, the Yacht Club, seem much better than anything Royal offers, at a much reduced price.

 

While aboard, I found that their were many problems on the MSC Divina; but being inside Yacht Club on Seaside in October, may change things for me. Yacht Club status gets you a deluxe drink package and the MSC Black Card gets you comped specialty dining, which on Seaside could be worth upwards of $100 per dinner, for a couple. It should be noted that drinks, snacks, gratuities, are much less on MSC and that the drinks menus are simply amazing!

 

I do believe eventually Royal will make Diamonds just use the three comped drink vouchers. The Club will be for D+, but I am seeing a lessening of benefits for them as well. If MSC YC goes well, I think I will just remain diamond. There are rumors that MSC is going to come out with a level above Black. The prior program had, dinner with the captain, 20% bookings, cabin upgrades, casino cash, etc. So perhaps it is worth booking with them.

 

My problem with Royal Caribbean, is that I feel the product quality continues to slide, while the prices continue to rise. Also the their drink menus bore me and everything aboard seems so expensive.

Also I resent the 18% bar gratuity!!! My report on Divina said that "MSC was totally lacking in Service & Hospitality"; but this was for the general ship, NOT the Yacht Club.

 

If your paying Suite Money on Royal, in many instances MSC Yacht Club, is LESS money! As well, it is basically an all inclusive experience. What I am saying is, Royal needs to seriously up their game NOW, the second MSC mega-ship is coming at year's end.

 

The MSC Meraviglia will be a strong competitor in both the New York & Miami markets. The ship has a indoor "Royal promenade" like a mall, but with a large LCD roof, like Down Town Las Vegas. Again, serious threat to Royal, at a time that they seem to want to cut benefits and reduce service & standards aboard.

 

 

 

When did Seaside debut??

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4774Papa

4774Papa

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We have our first RCI cruises coming up this April and we are diamond due to transfer from Celebrity elite. We very much enjoy meeting our new cruise friends (usually from the roll call on cc) at the sky lounge for the happy hour. I hope the diamond lounge on Radiance and Explorer will have enough room.

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nralstin

nralstin

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That was the worst I've ever been in. Cramped, about 1/3rd the size it should be, and not even a window.

 

 

 

Worst appetizers too!

 

 

 

Totally agree. Harmony Diamond Lounge was the worst in 40+ cruises. Will not go back on that ship.

 

 

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irenesolo

irenesolo

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We,be all experienced all kinds of cutbacks which have accelerated in the past several years. I think that the popularity of the drink package has had a huge negative effect on the “cocktail hour experience. We now see overcrowded bars and lounges, decreasing alcohol selections and decreasing bar staff trying to deal with too many passengers. IMHO this is not an accident. It is a planed way to increase revenue. Uncomfortable bars and lounges and agonizingly slow service translate to less drinks served. With most people having drink packages it means more money for the cruise line. We diamond and above “loyalists” who use the DL for our cocktails are spending less and therefore are not a priority for the cruise line.

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grapau27

grapau27

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Doesn’t the value of money spent onboard mean anything? I think Royal would say yes.

 

Aren’t you glad Royal hasn’t asked us what we think. Lol

 

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Thats why i said 3 C&A points for GS and above to acknowledge a higher spend.

The suites are a win win for RC and yourself. You get more luxurious cabins and perks and RC get more money from the cabin cost.

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Tagsalong

Tagsalong

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Fake News. That 3-4 grand is for an inside cabin. Price out a comparable one. 😱

 

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Alternate Facts. We just did 14 days on Divina with inside room for $1650 total. That's $825 per week East/West Caribbean including taxes/port fees. Three drink vouchers books for $267 equals 54 drinks for $5.00 each, which were more than we really needed.

 

This was substantially less than any Royal ship price, even with their free drinks, and we didn't have to wait till 4:30 or 5:00 pm to drink low quality brands, we got the brands/mixes we wanted.

 

Not all is perfect on MSC, as not all is perfect on Royal, but they (MSC) have many things better/different than Royal, especially entertainment..

 

Don't do suites, so will not comment on differences there.

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ChipLondon

ChipLondon

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If really fail to understand why “some” people believe they can only socialize if in a dedicated lounge. Sure it is nice to meet fellow cruisers that you might have sailed with before, or new friends that have a similar passion for cruising. Your true friends will be happy to enjoy your company in other areas if the seats are full.

However we were all once first time cruisers and for many the reason we returned evolved around the new friends we made as well as the general cruise experience. So as they used to say Get Out There” and meet new people in all areas of the ship. Share your experience with new cruisers, and enjoy the stories of others.

The people you sit next to in The Concierge Lounge may be first time cruise guests, or Pinnacle members, who cares as long as they are polite, interesting and not rude to the crew.

Yes I am lucky to have cruised many times and have access to all lounges, but if the people in there come across as entitled then I am happy to move on, my drink tastes better with good company

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spunks

spunks

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Posted

This very topic has been debated ad nausium for years and years now. The crux of the debate is simple.....so many strive to achieve diamond status, but as soon as they are in, secretly hope against hope that no more will be allowed in to crowd them. Nothing new here.

 

Doug

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ChipLondon

ChipLondon

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Posted

Bingo.....and we have a winner !!!

 

 

This very topic has been debated ad nausium for years and years now. The crux of the debate is simple.....so many strive to achieve diamond status, but as soon as they are in, secretly hope against hope that no more will be allowed in to crowd them. Nothing new here.

 

Doug

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BNBR

BNBR

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If your paying Suite Money on Royal, in many instances MSC Yacht Club, is LESS money! As well, it is basically an all inclusive experience. What I am saying is, Royal needs to seriously up their game NOW, the second MSC mega-ship is coming at year's end.

 

The MSC Meraviglia will be a strong competitor in both the New York & Miami markets. The ship has a indoor "Royal promenade" like a mall, but with a large LCD roof, like Down Town Las Vegas. Again, serious threat to Royal, at a time that they seem to want to cut benefits and reduce service & standards aboard.

 

Same reason we booked NCL Haven. It's basically all inclusive, offers more than Royal suites, for less money, and we could care less about status. In my opinion, the status is for the cheapest cruisers to feel special, nothing more. Who cares about free drinks when you have a drink package? And why would anyone want to pile in to a crowded bar when there is uncrowded bars all over the ship? It's insane to me. But brilliant marketing, apparently. Make people feel a little important and they go nuts over it.

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John&LaLa "Live from...." Rare

John&LaLa

Posted
Posted (edited)
Alternate Facts. We just did 14 days on Divina with inside room for $1650 total. That's $825 per week East/West Caribbean including taxes/port fees. Three drink vouchers books for $267 equals 54 drinks for $5.00 each, which were more than we really needed.

 

This was substantially less than any Royal ship price, even with their free drinks, and we didn't have to wait till 4:30 or 5:00 pm to drink low quality brands, we got the brands/mixes we wanted.

 

Not all is perfect on MSC, as not all is perfect on Royal, but they (MSC) have many things better/different than Royal, especially entertainment..

 

Don't do suites, so will not comment on differences there.

 

Good price

We have Oasis next week in a hump balcony with $150 OBC for under $1,400. Plus due to our C&A level we eat in CK, more than enough alcohol for no cost, free internet, free photos, priority everything, speciality lunch, etc...

 

Not ready to bail just yet. 😉

 

Forgot to ask, can you use the leftover drink coupons on your next cruise?

 

I used a RCL 10 punch card over three weeks on Oasis this fall. Still have one punch left.

 

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Edited by John&LaLa
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4774Papa

4774Papa

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Same reason we booked NCL Haven. It's basically all inclusive, offers more than Royal suites, for less money, and we could care less about status. In my opinion, the status is for the cheapest cruisers to feel special, nothing more. Who cares about free drinks when you have a drink package? And why would anyone want to pile in to a crowded bar when there is uncrowded bars all over the ship? It's insane to me. But brilliant marketing, apparently. Make people feel a little important and they go nuts over it.

Not everyone wants a drinks package. My wife and I are moderate drinkers, mostly drinking wine. We are elite on Celebrity and rarely spend more than $300 on alcohol for a two week cruise.

 

We also cruise NCL and decline their drink packages, since the 20% gratuity is charged on the over priced package and the red wine selections are very poor.

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