Crown & Anchor Diamond Plus cutbacks continue!

[island lady]

With the elimination of the CL happening slowly ship wide, Pinnacles still have access to two lounges (DL/SL).

 

Diamonds still have the same access to the DL.  

 

Status quo for those two levels.  

 

Diamond Plus?  Kicked back to the DL...back to when they were 80 point + Diamond.  Hello crowded lounge.  

 

Who took the hit here?  

 

 

 

 

 

  

[rimmit]

31 minutes ago, Ourusualbeach said:

I do see Royal giving the boot to the Pinnacles from the suite lounge however I fail to see any benefit at all to Royal kicking D out of the DL.  Unless there were to be a positive outcome that benefits Royal I don’t see them doing a thing about it.  They have provided an alternative in the 3 drinks anywhere if there are no seats available.  I am actually quite surprised that they still do the overflow lounges.

 

Royal provided the sandbox, now it’s up to the D, D+ and P to play nicely.  Many here are acting like it’s a huge issue.  Maybe it is for them but from Royals point of view I doubt it is at all.

 

I can see a benefit.  Less alcohol consumption and elimination of overflow plus reestablishing the DL as an exclusive area.

 

A lot of what makes the DL, CL, and SL special is the exclusivity.  Just the idea that it’s a place that you can go onboard that many on the ship can’t.  With half the ship D and above these days that “exclusivity” is gone.  But realistically all that matters is the bottom line.  The exclusivity only matters if it enhances RCI’s bottom line. 

 

 The DL is unlimited alcohol and based on the number of D and above onboard can consume resources that they can allocate elsewhere if overflow is required.   If the Diamonds are kicked out then they free up several servers to go elsewhere and they reduce the number of bottles they go through every night.  While many do not drink more than 3 a night,  limiting the access to D+ and above can definitely reduce the amount of alcohol they are giving out.  Anything that can reduce their cost is definitely to RCI’s benefit.

 

It is only a matter of time till RCI likely does one of two things,  move the stick for Diamond and Diamond Plus or kick the D out of the DL.   Or they can go for a true long term plan and do both at the same time.

 

The elimination of the free alcohol benefit is likely not an option, though.  While RCI tends to have a slightly higher price than other mainstream cruise lines it compensates in the loyalty program.

Edited February 20, 2019 by rimmit

[betty barnacle]

On 2/16/2019 at 9:41 PM, MichaelinME said:

What's with the drooling over Suite guests, that may only cruise once a year or two. All this catering to them, when Diamond/Diamond Plus and Pinnacles cruise much more often and keep there ships pretty full with repeaters.

 

Royal needs to stop this nonsense!! They are going to start alienating and losing the "bread and butter" cruisers on there ships in my opinion. 

 

 

I am thankful they drool over the suite guests given the final bills we receive on our suite cabins.  

[Ourusualbeach]

10 minutes ago, rimmit said:

 

I can see a benefit.  Less alcohol consumption and elimination of overflow plus reestablishing the DL as an exclusive area.

 

A lot of what makes the DL, CL, and SL special is the exclusivity.  Just the idea that it’s a place that you can go onboard that many on the ship can’t.  With half the ship D and above these days that “exclusivity” is gone.  But realistically all that matters is the bottom line.  The exclusivity only matters if it enhances RCI’s bottom line. 

 

 The DL is unlimited alcohol and based on the number of D and above onboard can consume resources that they can allocate elsewhere if overflow is required.   If the Diamonds are kicked out then they free up several servers to go elsewhere and they reduce the number of bottles they go through every night.  While many do not drink more than 3 a night,  limiting the access to D+ and above can definitely reduce the amount of alcohol they are giving out.  Anything that can reduce their cost is definitely to RCI’s benefit.

 

It is only a matter of time till RCI likely does one of two things,  move the stick for Diamond and Diamond Plus or kick the D out of the DL.   Or they can go for a true long term plan and do both at the same time.

 

The elimination of the free alcohol benefit is likely not an option, though.  While RCI tends to have a slightly higher price than other mainstream cruise lines it compensates in the loyalty program.

I don’t see it giving an effect on alcohol consumption at all.  There are only so many seats in the lounge, who fills them doesn’t matter.  In most cases the lounge is still going to be full and require the same number of servers, serving the same amount of booze whether it’s to D, D+ or P.

[Ocean Boy]

55 minutes ago, gatorskin76 said:

 

It's all part of the equation, so certainly it has some impact.  They will charge as much as they can for each cabin, but they are also going to look at the entire revenue they need to generate shipwide to pay the bills and meet profit expectations.  If you had a ship full of regular cabins the prices would likely be higher for those cabins or they would need to cut somewhere else.

So ships like Empress and Majesty with fewer suites should sell their regular cabins at a premium...not happening unless it is a very unique itinerary like Cuba. No one in their right mind is going to book an inside on Empress at a premium over an inside on Oasis to go to the Caribbean.

[rimmit]

4 minutes ago, Ourusualbeach said:

I don’t see it giving an effect on alcohol consumption at all.  There are only so many seats in the lounge, who fills them doesn’t matter.  In most cases the lounge is still going to be full and require the same number of servers, serving the same amount of booze whether it’s to D, D+ or P.

 

The more people that have access the more people that can abuse the system.  

 

For example:

Lets say 100 people have access to the DL.  The chances that there are 30 people who will camp out a chair and drink for 3.5 hours straight is low.  There is less likely to be a TON of heavy drinkers with just 100.  Many enjoy the 1-2 drink and socialize for a bit.

 

Now let’s say you have 2000 D and up.  Well....  the chances of 30 heavy drinkers has just increased dramatically especially the groups that just camp out chairs.

 

And the lounge isn’t always full.   Many nights I have been up there on even heavy D cruises such as the Repos and TAs and it has been quiet once first seating starts.  Definitely the last hour before second seating.  Most people start using vouchers after they go to dinner.

 

Restricting access further eliminates the number of people drinking.  It is not always “full” from 4:30-8:00 or 5:00-8:30.  Many cases not even close, and we only cruise in the off season when D is most prevalent on all classes of RCI ships from the Vision Class to Oasis Class.  

 

Traditionally the D lounge is slammed most for the hour before main seating dinner.   After that the waiters get a breather.

 

No matter how you slice it,  restricting D access will improve RCI’s bottom line.  Less hors d’oevres, less staffing, less alcohol.

[gatorskin76]

22 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

So ships like Empress and Majesty with fewer suites should sell their regular cabins at a premium...not happening unless it is a very unique itinerary like Cuba. No one in their right mind is going to book an inside on Empress at a premium over an inside on Oasis to go to the Caribbean.

 

I'll try to swing back by when I have more time, but I am not sure how you can use a straight line comparison between the Empress/Majesty and the Oasis of the Seas.  A lot of additional variables involved there that would skew your results and you mentioned a few.  

[Paulette3028]

1 hour ago, island lady said:

 

Casino has a lot to do with it.  😉 

I have friends that do a lot of spending in the casino.....and get balcony cabins at significantly discounted rates or free.....but the cash they drop in the casino.....more than makes up for it.  The wife, says even taking into consideration 'paying very little or nothing' for the cabin the overall cruise still costs them THOUSANDS, because of the gambling they do....and NO they never have come out really ahead (she says).

[CRUISEFAN0001]

1 minute ago, Paulette3028 said:

I have friends that do a lot of spending in the casino.....and get balcony cabins at significantly discounted rates or free.....but the cash they drop in the casino.....more than makes up for it.  The wife, says even taking into consideration 'paying very little or nothing' for the cabin the overall cruise still costs them THOUSANDS, because of the gambling they do....and NO they never have come out really ahead (she says).

Ah yes...the old "pay me now or pay me later...but pay me" approach.

[rimmit]

2 minutes ago, Paulette3028 said:

I have friends that do a lot of spending in the casino.....and get balcony cabins at significantly discounted rates or free.....but the cash they drop in the casino.....more than makes up for it.  The wife, says even taking into consideration 'paying very little or nothing' for the cabin the overall cruise still costs them THOUSANDS, because of the gambling they do....and NO they never have come out really ahead (she says).

Agree.

We have friends that get those comped cruises. They are in NO WAY coming out ahead getting comped.  The cruise line I am sure loves it when they cruise, whether comped or not. LOL

[nelblu]

I've been reading some of these posts and it's mostly wishful thinking by some.  We've been talking about Ds being kicked out of the DL over the last 5+ years and nothing has happened.  Now kids are allowed in the various lounges when accompanied by adults.  Why would RCL allow this if it's such a huge problem.

 

Still waiting for new tiers to be announced eg; Diamond Black (between D+ & Pinnacles) or something of that nature that was mentioned some years ago.  IMHO, yes the population of D-P has increased, but also the size and number of ship, and the overall cruising RCL population.  I've been on many cruises recently and the DL has been able to accommodate everyone, albeit with the overflow rooms.

 

Just wondering what the ratio of of D-P population to the overall RCL cruising population now as compared to say 15 years ago.

 

Ps.  This topic, chair hogs and the grats topics gets everyone so unnerved.

[BND]

5 minutes ago, nelblu said:

I've been reading some of these posts and it's mostly wishful thinking by some.  We've been talking about Ds being kicked out of the DL over the last 5+ years and nothing has happened.  Now kids are allowed in the various lounges when accompanied by adults.  Why would RCL allow this if it's such a huge problem.

 

Still waiting for new tiers to be announced eg; Diamond Black (between D+ & Pinnacles) or something of that nature that was mentioned some years ago.  IMHO, yes the population of D-P has increased, but also the size and number of ship, and the overall cruising RCL population.  I've been on many cruises recently and the DL has been able to accommodate everyone, albeit with the overflow rooms.

 

Just wondering what the ratio of of D-P population to the overall RCL cruising population now as compared to say 15 years ago.

 

Ps.  This topic, chair hogs and the grats topics gets everyone so unnerved.

The difference now is that the CL's are all starting to become SL's.  So, changes are happening. D's were kicked out of the CL (before we became D) so why is it such a stretch to believe that there is a real possibility that the next step is turning the DL into the D+L?  

[rimmit]

22 minutes ago, nelblu said:

IPs.  This topic, chair hogs and the grats topics gets everyone so unnerved.

 

I thought the Dress Code was the most controversial. Lol.

[Scotty G]

15 hours ago, John&LaLa said:

 

No need on Oasis, we get beer all day long in SL

 

John, what does this have to do with Diamond Plus cutbacks?

[davekathy]

23 hours ago, blackshirt said:

Celebrity recently tried to impose a 3 drink limit even in the nightly event. That apparently went over like a lead baloon since they now have unlimited drinks at any bar during the nightly event hours. I don’t think many Diamonds would object to losing access to the Diamond Lounge if it was replaced by unlimited drinks at any bar during the nightly event hours.

The drinks in Celebrity's Sky Lounge for the Captains Club HH are unlimited. Not the CC voucher drinks. Like RC Celebrity loads three CC HH drinks on your Sea Pass Card to have at various bars and lounges. This is from a January 2019 Reflection cruise. 

 

 

 

Edited February 20, 2019 by davekathy

[grapau27]

44 minutes ago, BND said:

The difference now is that the CL's are all starting to become SL's.  So, changes are happening. D's were kicked out of the CL (before we became D) so why is it such a stretch to believe that there is a real possibility that the next step is turning the DL into the D+L?  

We experienced the same just before we became D.

We had the nightly D event on our first D sailing on Adventure on our 30th wedding anniversary in 2011.

The following year the DL on various ships was introduced.

RCI have just ordered a sixth Oasis class ship which started the SL concept with the emphasis on Suite class.

It is only a matter of time before a LL ( Loyalty Lounge) for P and D+ is introduced and the advent of the 3 drinks were a precursor for this.

 

[akcruz]

7 minutes ago, davekathy said:

The drinks in Celebrity's Sky Lounge for the Captains Club HH are unlimited. Not the CC voucher drinks. Like RC Celebrity loads three CC HH drinks on your Sea Pass Card to have at various bars and lounges. This is from a January 2019 Reflection cruise. 

 

 

 

 

I thought Celebrity changed to unlimited everywhere as of Feb 1 sailings?  Of course only for the 2 hrs a nights on all but 2 nights of a sailing.

[davekathy]

4 minutes ago, akcruz said:

 

I thought Celebrity changed to unlimited everywhere as of Feb 1 sailings?  Of course only for the 2 hrs a nights on all but 2 nights of a sailing.

My CC search only came up with this January 2019 CC Elite letter. Where did you read/see 1 February? 

Edited February 20, 2019 by davekathy

[akcruz]

10 minutes ago, davekathy said:

My CC search only came up with this January 2019 CC Elite letter. Where did you read/see 1 February? 

 

From the January Captains Club newsletter

[grapau27]

8 minutes ago, akcruz said:

 

From the January Captains Club newsletter

This is very interesting unlimited drinks in any bar even though it's only for 2 hours.

5-8pm on RC would be fantastic.

 

[bajathree]

43 minutes ago, davekathy said:

The drinks in Celebrity's Sky Lounge for the Captains Club HH are unlimited. Not the CC voucher drinks. Like RC Celebrity loads three CC HH drinks on your Sea Pass Card to have at various bars and lounges. This is from a January 2019 Reflection cruise. 

 

 

 

The big difference on the Celebrity side is that they basically give away the classic alcohol package. I always book X with the go best package with usually cost an additional $150-$225 for a 7 night sailing and includes a $150 OBC...so after the OBC it's costing usually no more than $75 for a drink package for 7 nights.

[molly361]

Is the Capt's Club menu the same as the menu on Royal?

[nelblu]

2 hours ago, rimmit said:

 

I thought the Dress Code was the most controversial. Lol.

 

You are right, forgot about the dress code.

[Seville2Cabo]

We  don't really go to the lounge.  We just use our drink coupons at other bars.  Personally I would rather they close the lounges and give D, D+, and P a credit to spend as we want.  Assume between drinks and internet it saves us $35 per day per person.  Giving us the credit would let everyone spend it as they wish (not everyone drinks) and RC would save a lot of $$ they spend on the lounge.  

This is happening everywhere.  It used to be on American Air, as Exec Platinum I could board with first class.  Now they added a group before first class (concierge class), and make exec plt wait and now we board as group 3.  And when group 3 is called, have the plane boards. Used to get auto upgrades.  No more.  At least on American, you have to earn it every year.  RC's problem is you keep your points forever.  

[rimmit]

4 minutes ago, Seville2Cabo said:

We  don't really go to the lounge.  We just use our drink coupons at other bars.  Personally I would rather they close the lounges and give D, D+, and P a credit to spend as we want.  Assume between drinks and internet it saves us $35 per day per person.  Giving us the credit would let everyone spend it as they wish (not everyone drinks) and RC would save a lot of $$ they spend on the lounge.  

This is happening everywhere.  It used to be on American Air, as Exec Platinum I could board with first class.  Now they added a group before first class (concierge class), and make exec plt wait and now we board as group 3.  And when group 3 is called, have the plane boards. Used to get auto upgrades.  No more.  At least on American, you have to earn it every year.  RC's problem is you keep your points forever.  

This is a great Idea.  Basically certain perks are worth points.  You have so many points per cruise that could be divided between internet, shopping, drinks, etc.

 

Unfortunately RCI’s IT department would die given such a task.