RCCL new Diamond Lounge Policy?

[mafig]

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

 

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We're in a balcony in the YC for $3990 for two.

That's with the 5% off everyone gets for their status match.

 

Also the drink package that comes with the YC is for Premium, it's all over the ship (used to be only in the YC) and it includes the mini bar which is stocked daily. The lunch buffet in the pool area of the YC has steak every day and jumbo prawns and lobster tails on alternating days.

[John&LaLa]

We're in a balcony in the YC for $3990 for two.

That's with the 5% off everyone gets for their status match.

 

Also the drink package that comes with the YC is for Premium, it's all over the ship (used to be only in the YC) and it includes the mini bar which is stocked daily. The lunch buffet in the pool area of the YC has steak every day and jumbo prawns and lobster tails on alternating days.

Sounds nice. Is it about the same layout as a Royal JS?

 

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[mafig]

Sounds nice. Is it about the same layout as a Royal JS?

 

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You mean the "suite."? No, the Yacht Club balconies are just a little larger than regular balconies. They're very nice, though.

What makes up for that is the entire YC area....private restaurant, private lounge, private pool area. I've been on Divina, Seaside no, that's in July.

 

There are suites on Seaside that are larger .... they are priced less than the YC, but do not have access to the Yacht Club. There are only a few large suites in the YC proper.

[John&LaLa]

Seaside deluxe suite in YC is about same as JS, but obviously more perks.

 

I'm in a large balcony on Oasis next week. I could do a lot of extras with $2,600 obc. 😁

 

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[Goodtime Cruizin]

I like the idea of unlimited drinks for the 3.5 hours at any lounge and dining venue.

 

I never looked at this way but it sounds like one of the perks of being a Diamond is sitting in a room w/o windows (and that is if you can find a seat), eating lame appetizers and binge drinking for 3 hours w/ others that have like interests in doing the same.

 

I look forward to joining you all soon one day!

[John&LaLa]

I never looked at this way but it sounds like one of the perks of being a Diamond is sitting in a room w/o windows (and that is if you can find a seat), eating lame appetizers and binge drinking for 3 hours w/ others that have like interests in doing the same.

 

I look forward to joining you all soon one day!

 

Depends on the ship I guess, only Harmony and Symphony are missing windows.

 

How do you know the app's are lame?

 

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[frank808]

I never looked at this way but it sounds like one of the perks of being a Diamond is sitting in a room w/o windows (and that is if you can find a seat), eating lame appetizers and binge drinking for 3 hours w/ others that have like interests in doing the same.

 

I look forward to joining you all soon one day!

Actually on most ships the dl is pretty spectacular. It isnusually up in the viking crown lounge so very nice views. Or on grandeur you have a nice view of the wake of the ship. If it is very crowded with d members they usually open up the area around the d lounge as overflow to add more seats.

 

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[frank808]

Seaside deluxe suite in YC is about same as JS, but obviously more perks.

 

I'm in a large balcony on Oasis next week. I could do a lot of extras with $2,600 obc. [emoji16]

 

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My family and I will be on seaside for 14 days this july. From what i gather the balcony rooms on yacht club are a little bigger than ocean view rooms on rccl. We got 2 weeks on seaside balcony YC vs what it would cost for 1 week in a junior suite on oasis.

 

We shall see how the old proverb of "you pay for what you get" plays out. We are game to give it a try.

 

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[davekathy]

I never looked at this way but it sounds like one of the perks of being a Diamond is sitting in a room w/o windows (and that is if you can find a seat), eating lame appetizers and binge drinking for 3 hours w/ others that have like interests in doing the same.

 

I look forward to joining you all soon one day!

 

One size doesn't fit all. We've never had a problem finding a seat in the DL on the ships we've sailed on. The DLs we've been in have windows. You also have the option of going to other bars to enjoy the drinks ( 3 each hardly binge drinking) during the 3.5 hours. Not restricted just to alcohol. You're choice if you want to have an appetizer. Don't knock it until you've tried it.

[mafig]

My family and I will be on seaside for 14 days this july. From what i gather the balcony rooms on yacht club are a little bigger than ocean view rooms on rccl. We got 2 weeks on seaside balcony YC vs what it would cost for 1 week in a junior suite on oasis.

 

We shall see how the old proverb of "you pay for what you get" plays out. We are game to give it a try.

 

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Aside from your room, you'll have your own pool where you can go any time and not have to worry about finding a lounger.

We're going in July too. Don't like to go then, but I did want to try Seaside and I had a hard time finding any YC balconies ..... they were sold out.

[cruisegirl1]

I know were are in the minority as we rarely use the lounges at night but rather use the Diamond (or CL on other ships) most mornings for a specialty coffee and often a light breakfast. There is NEVER a crowd.

 

We might stop in one or two evenings during a week long cruise, just to see what is going on. We prefer to use a drink vouchers around the ship and have never needed more than 1 or 2.

 

M

[John&LaLa]

I know were are in the minority as we rarely use the lounges at night but rather use the Diamond (or CL on other ships) most mornings for a specialty coffee and often a light breakfast. There is NEVER a crowd.

 

We might stop in one or two evenings during a week long cruise, just to see what is going on. We prefer to use a drink vouchers around the ship and have never needed more than 1 or 2.

 

M

You ever been on a TA where both lounges have lines 10 deep waiting for the espresso machine.

 

And then it quits working. 😱😱

 

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[cruisegirl1]

You ever been on a TA where both lounges have lines 10 deep waiting for the espresso machine.

 

And then it quits working. 😱😱

 

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Looking forward to a TA this April. I am an early riser - maybe I'll beat the crowds.

 

One cruise a few years ago, the machine was down all week in the DL and CL ( When there was a CL). The concierge gave ONE voucher per day to get a coffee at café latitudes.

 

M

[YlangYlangF9PB3E]

Unlimited drinks between 1 hr before the start of early MDR seating and start of late MDR seating.

Unlimited drinks in DL for 3-1/2 hours.

[Missusdubbya]

I never looked at this way but it sounds like one of the perks of being a Diamond is sitting in a room w/o windows (and that is if you can find a seat), eating lame appetizers and binge drinking for 3 hours w/ others that have like interests in doing the same.

 

 

 

I look forward to joining you all soon one day!

 

 

 

The apps aren’t always lame; Radiance in Alaska last September included beef short ribs, grilled scallops, shrimp and many other delicious treats.

 

However Vision last October & November had a prevalence of mystery meat balls!

 

 

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[YlangYlangF9PB3E]

I remember it well.

Some people don't like change and some can't see what going to happen in the future.

Now reality is beginning to set in. It will give people a higher goal to make D+

THen they'll change D+.

[YlangYlangF9PB3E]

[emoji3] agree with you JC.

 

I hesitated to contribute to this thread, as I disagree with the majority of opinions and think some of the suggestions are absurd - and usually people get flamed for that.

 

Nice to see all the Diamond Plus/Pinnacles weighing in with their opinions about reducing benefits to Diamonds.

 

I imagine you all would have had a different opinion about this issue when you were Diamond.

 

I am a Diamond, and I do enjoy access to the Diamond lounge for breakfast and the free drinks. I DO drink more than 3 drinks in happy hour.

 

I think some of the sanctimonious comments (from people who are above Diamond status) providing ‘solutions’ to overcrowding of the Diamond Lounge by limiting benefits to Diamonds are offensive.

 

I think the use of overflow areas is fine to address the overcrowding issue.

 

 

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Agree; agree; and agree. And I love the word sanctimonious to describe these people. Good post.

[Milwaukee Eight]

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.

 

 

 

But what about the money we spend on Royal excursions, in the Casino, on Speciality Dinning, Chefs Table, Drink Packages, wine by the bottle, Ships Tours , Spa, and Park West? Shouldn’t these be taken into consideration?

 

A GS May cost x but the above may equal or exceed x.

 

 

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[Milwaukee Eight]

Depends on the ship I guess, only Harmony and Symphony are missing windows.

 

How do you know the app's are lame?

 

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I am guessing But Wonderland May replace the DL on Oasis???

 

 

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[John&LaLa]

I am guessing But Wonderland May replace the DL on Oasis???

 

 

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Fairly accurate guess. However, when they originally planned to put Wonderland in the CL space, they put the DL in deck 4 MDR.

 

Will they leave Comedy Club as is and just put DL in Blaze?

 

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[BNBR]

I think they should just get rid of the diamond lounge. I'm kind of curious if royal would make more money without the diamonds. They usually book cheap cabins, don't get drink packages and just consume free drinks in the lounge, etc. If royal is sailing full all the time anyways, getting these people out may seem like good business. Considering how busy the diamond lounge is, that's a lot of discounted cabins, free drinks, "we don't do excursions", and no drink packages. There would also be a substantial drop in smug on board as well.

[mafig]

I know were are in the minority as we rarely use the lounges at night but rather use the Diamond (or CL on other ships) most mornings for a specialty coffee and often a light breakfast. There is NEVER a crowd.

 

 

 

M

 

 

What kind of light breakfast do they serve? Danishes like they have already in the buffet and DR, or something nicer?

[Powersboyee2]

I think they should just get rid of the diamond lounge. I'm kind of curious if royal would make more money without the diamonds. They usually book cheap cabins, don't get drink packages and just consume free drinks in the lounge, etc. If royal is sailing full all the time anyways, getting these people out may seem like good business. Considering how busy the diamond lounge is, that's a lot of discounted cabins, free drinks and no drink packages. There would also be a substantial drop in smug on board as well.

 

 

 

lol. You are special. We ALWAYS get the drink package. Eat in specialty restaurants. Book excursions. Stay in at least a balcony.

 

So.... the reason people become diamond is because they have enough money to go on that many cruises. And I can’t speak for everyone, but that also means you have money to spend on everything else cruises entail. I’m 100% positive royals keeps track of that stuff too (who spends what and when and where)

 

So for them to give people a few drinks and snacks is a drop in the bucket compared to home much money is spent by that clientele.

 

[emoji849][emoji849][emoji849][emoji849][emoji849][emoji849] to you

[4774Papa]

I think they should just get rid of the diamond lounge. I'm kind of curious if royal would make more money without the diamonds. They usually book cheap cabins, don't get drink packages and just consume free drinks in the lounge, etc. If royal is sailing full all the time anyways, getting these people out may seem like good business. Considering how busy the diamond lounge is, that's a lot of discounted cabins, free drinks, "we don't do excursions", and no drink packages. There would also be a substantial drop in smug on board as well.

You just described us. We are elite on Celebrity and will be Diamond on our first two RCI cruises in April.

If Royal or Celebrity stiffed its loyal cruisers it is doubtful if they would remain loyal to the cruise lines. Also, it would be terrible PR. Further, with no loyalty program, little incentive to book more cruises.

 

As for drink packages, not everyone drinks all day or sets out to max their alcohol content.

As for ship's excursions that frequently are double or triple the cost of private tours, the cruise lines are just not being competitive.

It is not being smug, it is just making the best business judgment. We want to travel and cruise as much as possible.

[grapau27]

But what about the money we spend on Royal excursions, in the Casino, on Speciality Dinning, Chefs Table, Drink Packages, wine by the bottle, Ships Tours , Spa, and Park West? Shouldn’t these be taken into consideration?

 

A GS May cost x but the above may equal or exceed x.

 

 

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Take 1 step at a time.

C&A is loyalty status and as JS get 2 points a natural progression would be 3 points for GS and above.

We get 7.5% discount off our seapass account with P&O for our loyalty.

To answer your high spend on extras a graded discount for the more you spend might be an option.