Is this fair?

[mbtaz]

My husband and I are diamond members. We have taken our now 4 year old son on 7 cruises of which 4 of them were in suites therefore, he has 11 cruise credits. RCL will not allow him to join crown and anchor until he is 18 so therefore he is not diamond status and in order for us to take him with us on the diamond member excursion they want us to pay $62.00. My argument is that my stepson, who has only cruised ONCE with RCL is automatically a diamond because he is able to link to our account yet my 4 year old who we have actually paid for the appropriate number of cruises is not allowed to be a diamond. Isn't that some type of age discrimination? No flaming, just needed a place to vent.

[Merion_Mom]

Their club, their rules. And their rules state that to be a member of the Crown and Anchor club, you must be 18 years of age. Be happy knowing that the instant he turns 18, he will have all rights and privileges thereof.

[sas80]

I'll agree :)

IT SUCKS! :mad:

Unfortunately - their club their rules...... :confused:

 

:cool:

[LoveTheDeepBlue]

Who's dumb idea was it to exclude those under 18. Didnt it occur to RCI that anyone under 18 obviously cant book and pay for their own cruise?

Why not let them join under their parents account? This isnt rocket science.

 

I guess if RCI wants to maintain a family image and keep its loyal customers they should listen to their customers on this.

 

PARENTS UNITE!

[Cruising89143]

I would suggest to the ones that want to see this policy changed, write to RCI and express your feelings. You never know they may change it if enough people let them know how they feel.

[Lewdog]

Didnt it occur to RCI that anyone under 18 obviously cant book and pay for their own cruise?

 

I'd say it did occur to them and that's the whole point, it is a customer loyalty program after all.

 

Let's apply the OP's logic to this. Your stepson has only cruised once, ok, fair enough he doesn't qualify, we give the diamond status to your son. You now have to pay for your step son to go. Wow, works out the same.

 

Pay the $62 and be happy with the discount!

[superjerryw]

I would guess that they simply don't want C&A members under the age of 18 for legal reasons. If you stop and think about it, some of the benefits that are given to C&A members require you to be an adult. If you are a Diamond member you will be invited to cocktail parties, wine tastings and given various coupons for use in the casino. All of these are activities that a minor should not be allowed to participate in. I can just see some parents complaining that their child was given an invitation with their name on it to attend a cocktail party. When they deliver those coupon books to your cabin they would also have to deliver a special coupon book tailored to a minor with all the objectionable coupons removed. It's probably just easier for them to exclude minors from C&A.

[ORANGEinINDY]

Didnt it occur to RCI that anyone under 18 obviously cant book and pay for their own cruise?

I'd say it did occur to them and that's the whole point, it is a customer loyalty program after all.

 

Let's apply the OP's logic to this. Your stepson has only cruised once, ok, fair enough he doesn't qualify, we give the diamond status to your son. You now have to pay for your step son to go. Wow, works out the same.

 

Pay the $62 and be happy with the discount!

I thought anyone under 21 can't book and pay for their own cruise. where did they come up with the 18 barrier?

OP is right it sucks. But as said, their club, their rules... grab the free stuff and run.

BTW I don't think the OP said they were not happy with the discount.

Cruise on Wayne.... Cruise on Garth.......

[canucks4]

MBTAZ - are you sure your step son is automatically diamond?

 

My understanding is that the children get credit for their cruises, not their parents. My two have enjoyed four cruises so far, but their points are not reflective of our points i.e. we get extra for purchasing junior suite, they don't, we get extra for 12 day cruise, they don't (I don't think). Upon reaching age of majority, they will slide into their own status whether it be platinum, diamond, whatever. Your step son only has one cruise. If he is 18 and over, he gets his own status, therefore, he should be gold.

[CruisinCouple]

We are in the same "Boat" so to speak. What does age have to do with it? I do not get it but like every one has said above Their club their rules!

 

Yes it stinks!

[dad son team]

I agree that it is not fair. C&A could make minors C&A members and make a "junior" edition of the coupon book. Maybe some coupons tailored just for minors. $5 in arcade, free milkshake from JR's, etc.

 

As far as kids getting status on their 18th birthday, I was understanding it to be that thay get their parents status while they are still living at the same address. Once they move out and change address, their status goes to what they have earned.

[FJTinSC]

MBTAZ - are you sure your step son is automatically diamond?

 

My understanding is that the children get credit for their cruises, not their parents. My two have enjoyed four cruises so far, but their points are not reflective of our points i.e. we get extra for purchasing junior suite, they don't, we get extra for 12 day cruise, they don't (I don't think). Upon reaching age of majority, they will slide into their own status whether it be platinum, diamond, whatever. Your step son only has one cruise. If he is 18 and over, he gets his own status, therefore, he should be gold.

 

As long as he resides at the same address as the OP, he shares their status. Once he becomes independent, he reverts to actual status!

[canucks4]

Flip side hypothetical - if my 28-year old son who has cruised 5 time with friends is still living under my roof (yikes!), and we go on a cruise, we both, as parents, get the benefit of his cruises - i.e. walk into platinum?

[cruislovin]

mbtaz,

 

What is a diamond member exursion? From your OP: "and in order for us to take him with us on the diamond member excursion they want us to pay $62.00"

 

We have been diamond for the past few cruises and I have not yet heard of a "diamond member excursion". Are these offered on all ships and itineraries? How do I book one of these diamond member excursions? I don't want to "miss the boat" here...

[chotton]

mbtaz,

 

What is a diamond member exursion? From your OP: "and in order for us to take him with us on the diamond member excursion they want us to pay $62.00"

 

We have been diamond for the past few cruises and I have not yet heard of a "diamond member excursion". Are these offered on all ships and itineraries? How do I book one of these diamond member excursions? I don't want to "miss the boat" here...

 

The OP must be going on a C&A members cruise. On those cruises they do a special free excursion for Diamond and Diamond + members.

[FunCruiser56]

From what we can tell, all family members living at the same address get the same level of C&A status. The highest level.

My husband and I have cruised 6 times with RCI and are plat. members. Our son who turned 18 has cruised once. When I registered him online for C&A membership he was also listed as plat.member even though he has only cruised 1 time.

By the time our 10 year old turns 18 he will be Diamond plus!

 

Funcruiser

[mbtaz]

Thanks for all the input. You are correct, their club, their rules.

 

The excursion is a deluxe beach break in Cozumel, transportation, lunch and open bar is what the fee covers. They also have a beach break for I think 19.00 for kids which includes use of the beach/pools without transportation (strangely, even for kids it includes open bar) Anyway, we are traveling with 11 other people. Friends will take our son by cab to the same place we will go by bus to.

 

These member excursions are only on member cruises. We loved all the prior member cruises and as recently as October bringing my son with us was no problem and that was a 99.00 Acapulco cliff diving dinner cruise.

 

I have written to RCI several times regarding this issue, they just don't care, that's the bottom line.

[MariTenor1]

I agree with the OP on this one. I don't care who has actually "paid" for the cruise, the point is that my son has taken the requisite number of cruises to reach a certain level of the crown & anchor society. If RCI wants to keep promoting the cruise line as being for families....then make it for families! Giving a child the same status as their parents just because they turned 18 is ridiculous! They certainly didn't earn it. Why should they be given all the extras. In the OP's case (as well as mine), RCI has certainly received more money from us for that 3rd person in the cabin than the child who has only sailed with their parents once, if at all!

 

I can get frequent flyer miles for my minor son, even though I paid for it. For that matter, my mother can get frequent flyer miles even if I paid for it. Who paid shouldn't matter. The point is, a ticket was paid for...so give the credit.

 

As for the invitations to the cocktail party...big deal! I'm certainly not leaving my 3 year old son alone in the cabin when we go. He comes with and they serve him a fruit punch. No big deal!

 

As for the coupon books....there is no reason (except for laziness or apathy) that RCI can't have a separate coupon book for minor members. Give them a few free sodas, disounts on Adventure Ocean gear, a couple of free video games, etc. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure it out.

 

It may be their club, their rules. But it is MY money and it may just have to start going elsewhere if that's what they thing about us FAMILIES.

 

I, too, will be writing to RCI after reading this thread. I can certainly cancel the next 2 cruises I have booked.

[SPARKLE10]

Hi:

 

I'm a Diamond Member also with RCI and I was just wondering what a Diamond Member excursion was?

 

Sparkle 10

[Texas_Diver]

Pay the $62 and focus your energy on the truly important things in life...like enjoying your vacation!

 

:)

[1corona4u]

My husband and I are diamond members. We have taken our now 4 year old son on 7 cruises of which 4 of them were in suites therefore, he has 11 cruise credits. RCL will not allow him to join crown and anchor until he is 18 so therefore he is not diamond status and in order for us to take him with us on the diamond member excursion they want us to pay $62.00. My argument is that my stepson, who has only cruised ONCE with RCL is automatically a diamond because he is able to link to our account yet my 4 year old who we have actually paid for the appropriate number of cruises is not allowed to be a diamond. Isn't that some type of age discrimination? No flaming, just needed a place to vent.

 

It's their policy, and it's in writing. Not much you can do about it.

[katiel53]

Marilyn, I think you should cancel your two cruises booked with RCI and when they ask you why, tell them. They make their rules for their reasons and if you don't want to follow them, and I am not saying you are wrong, you have the right to cancel and go elsewhere. Good luck.

[MGoBlue2]

I thought anyone under 21 can't book and pay for their own cruise. where did they come up with the 18 barrier?

 

OP is right it sucks. But as said, their club, their rules... grab the free stuff and run.

 

BTW I don't think the OP said they were not happy with the discount.

 

Cruise on Wayne.... Cruise on Garth.......

Married couples younger than 21 can book cruises for themselves.

[ORANGEinINDY]

Married couples younger than 21 can book cruises for themselves.

Includin' my redneck 14 year ol' cuzins?:D

[TonyaJune]

Includin' my redneck 14 year ol' cuzins?:D

 

LOL....That is hilarious!

 

I'm a diamond member as well and have a daughter that isn't old enough to receive the benefits, but it's their club and their rules. No big deal. Enjoy your cruise.