Elite Benefits

[CruiseVA]

2 hours ago, neverbeenhere said:

Super-elite is not an accurate or sufficient status title. I prefer Double Ultimate Magical Members of the Year Society.  Sometimes we are referred to under our acronym. 

I believe that Marriott created an "Ambassador" level 🙂 Maybe that's the next level, unless it already exists...

 

[kywildcatfanone]

🙂

[MissP22]

13 hours ago, MGAfhc said:

As I recall, in February at Princess Cays, there was a separate Elite line for the return trip. I may not be remembering correctly. Can anyone else confirm this?

I was there in Feb/Mar & the only thing I saw was the normal line that formed under the pavilion walkway they they added last year.

Possibly you saw some handicapped people in a separate line being escorted to the tender?

[MGAfhc]

2 hours ago, MissP22 said:

I was there in Feb/Mar & the only thing I saw was the normal line that formed under the pavilion walkway they they added last year.

Possibly you saw some handicapped people in a separate line being escorted to the tender?

As I recall, at the end of the pavilion where you show your card, we were separated out and able to join the first available tender line.

[MissP22]

16 minutes ago, MGAfhc said:

As I recall, at the end of the pavilion where you show your card, we were separated out and able to join the first available tender line.

Great! 👍

Well that does indicate that they may very well have changed things after all.

At least for Princess Cays where the boarding line is sometimes extremely long right after lunch.

[PescadoAmarillo]

On 7/15/2019 at 5:14 AM, kywildcatfanone said:

I can't see them adding a level above Elite.  Will infuriate their most loyal customers.  Not that they aren't doing that now with the removal of some benefits.

 

I used to (and still might) say the same. Why introduce a new level when those people who would qualify are clearly in Princess’s court already and aren’t going anywhere (well, at least not to another cruise line 😉)?  We were told by a senior officer a year and a half ago that a “super elite” category was definitely in the works, and I kind of dismissed it as rumor.

 

But then I recalled that, at least five years ago, a Captains Circle host told us the MTG crystals would be discontinued and replaced with something else (we were asked what we thought would be an appropriate replacement, and I said to keep the crystals because I couldn’t imagine anything else would be as nice). I forgot about that until two years ago when the crystals were gone and the cheap boxes were brought in as Most Traveled Guest awards. 

 

My point is that it seems to take a long time within Princess for these kinds of changes to be made (three years to replace the crystals?), especially when the repercussions are as large as introducing a Super Elite category.  And I still firmly believe that, if one is rolled out, the SE’s will be lucky to hold on to the current Elite perks and all other Elite perks will be downgraded. I guess I won’t be surprised if that is what happens. 

Edited July 16, 2019 by PescadoAmarillo

[MissP22]

5 minutes ago, PescadoAmarillo said:

 

I used to (and still might) say the same. Why introduce a new level when those people who would qualify are clearly in Princess’s court already and aren’t going anywhere (well, at least not to another cruise line 😉)?  We were told by a senior officer a year and a half ago that a “super elite” category was definitely in the works, and I kind of dismissed it as rumor.

 

But then I recalled that, at least five years ago, a Captains Circle host told us the MTG crystals would be discontinued and replaced with something else (we were asked what we thought would be an appropriate replacement, and I said to keep the crystals because I couldn’t imagine anything else would be as nice). I forgot about that until two years ago when the crystals were gone and the cheap boxes were brought in as Most Traveled Guest awards. 

 

My point is that it seems to take a long time within Princess for these kinds of changes to be made (three years to replace the crystals?), especially when the repercussions are as large as introducing a Super Elite category.  And I still firmly believe that, if one is rolled out, the SE’s will be lucky to hold on to the current Elite perks and all other Elite perks will be downgraded. I guess I won’t be surprised if that is what happens. 

I can't quite understand why they would consider reducing any perks for the current Elites if the did introduce a new upper level. If it did evolve someday they might only include people with over 500, 750 or 1,000 sailing days & that certainly wouldn't make much difference to the overall cost of the program.

 

btw- I saw one of the boxes last year & if I ever received one I wouldn't even make room for it in my curio cabinet. 

[PescadoAmarillo]

3 hours ago, MissP22 said:

I can't quite understand why they would consider reducing any perks for the current Elites if the did introduce a new upper level. If it did evolve someday they might only include people with over 500, 750 or 1,000 sailing days & that certainly wouldn't make much difference to the overall cost of the program.

I can’t understand why Princess would introduce a new highest level if they didn’t simultaneously reduce perks for Elites. How does it enhance CCL earnings per share to do so? I don’t believe they would do it “just to be nice”.

[MissP22]

4 minutes ago, PescadoAmarillo said:

I can’t understand why Princess would introduce a new highest level if they didn’t simultaneously reduce perks for Elites. How does it enhance CCL earnings per share to do so? I don’t believe they would do it “just to be nice”.

They can certainly offer those higher Elites things that don't cost they all that much money. Like preferred boarding returning to the ship, possibly Club Class dining or even reserved seating for the Show lounge.

None of these would cost Princess a dime. 

After all, how many people would have over 750 or 1,000 days to qualify for such special perks? Possibly 8 or 10 people on a particular sailing? 

 

[Rudy888]

We are Elite with Celebrity. They have 2 categories about us which were instituted a few years ago. We did not lose any of our Elite benefits they just added benefits to Elite + and Zenith. The benefits for the Elite+ and Zenith are nice but nothing to get excited about. We are Elite with Princess as well. Pick the cruise based on where they are going for the most part.

[1emerald1]

5 hours ago, PescadoAmarillo said:

 

I used to (and still might) say the same. Why introduce a new level when those people who would qualify are clearly in Princess’s court already and aren’t going anywhere (well, at least not to another cruise line 😉)?  We were told by a senior officer a year and a half ago that a “super elite” category was definitely in the works, and I kind of dismissed it as rumor.

 

But then I recalled that, at least five years ago, a Captains Circle host told us the MTG crystals would be discontinued and replaced with something else (we were asked what we thought would be an appropriate replacement, and I said to keep the crystals because I couldn’t imagine anything else would be as nice). I forgot about that until two years ago when the crystals were gone and the cheap boxes were brought in as Most Traveled Guest awards. 

 

My point is that it seems to take a long time within Princess for these kinds of changes to be made (three years to replace the crystals?), especially when the repercussions are as large as introducing a Super Elite category.  And I still firmly believe that, if one is rolled out, the SE’s will be lucky to hold on to the current Elite perks and all other Elite perks will be downgraded. I guess I won’t be surprised if that is what happens. 

I called Princess a few months ago with a question on a booking and was congratulated on being "super elite".  I had no idea what the rep was talking about and just figured she was blowing smoke.  So maybe there is something in the works for a new category.  BTW I have 29 cruises sailed, so the standard to reach "super elite" isn't that high.  If that's the case anyway.

[CruiseVA]

Actually Marriott did do some downgrading recently. It used to be that 'Gold' had access to their Lounge, now you need to be Elite for access. Gold has been downgraded.  There were a lot of unhappy people, but, I doubt many people changed loyalties. Companies can do whatever they want.

[memoak]

7 hours ago, MissP22 said:

They can certainly offer those higher Elites things that don't cost they all that much money. Like preferred boarding returning to the ship, possibly Club Class dining or even reserved seating for the Show lounge.

None of these would cost Princess a dime. 

After all, how many people would have over 750 or 1,000 days to qualify for such special perks? Possibly 8 or 10 people on a particular sailing? 

 

If you were to give super elite club class dining it would mean allocating more space to club class. Otherwise it could mean waits for club class diners which would not go over well with some of us

[jagoffee]

8 hours ago, Rudy888 said:

We are Elite with Celebrity. They have 2 categories about us which were instituted a few years ago. We did not lose any of our Elite benefits they just added benefits to Elite + and Zenith. The benefits for the Elite+ and Zenith are nice but nothing to get excited about. We are Elite with Princess as well. Pick the cruise based on where they are going for the most part.

Although out of reach for most cruisers, the Celebrity Zenith has some really nice additional benefits. You must have a high bar for excitement.

[UpcountryTravelers]

14 hours ago, MissP22 said:

Great! 👍

Well that does indicate that they may very well have changed things after all.

At least for Princess Cays where the boarding line is sometimes extremely long right after lunch.

We have never seen anything different for Elite (or any other class) on returning from Princess Cays.  There is ONE line for everyone.

 

[MissP22]

7 hours ago, memoak said:

If you were to give super elite club class dining it would mean allocating more space to club class. Otherwise it could mean waits for club class diners which would not go over well with some of us

That would be true if if the perk were given to dozens of people, but if the level required only those who had over say 750 days, how many do you think it would be? Maybe 5 or 6 couples at most?

The way thing go on Princess I doubt if they'll be any delays in eating for your Club Class seating unless they decide to sell more cabins which is more likely anyway. It's all about the $$.

4 hours ago, UpcountryTravelers said:

We have never seen anything different for Elite (or any other class) on returning from Princess Cays.  There is ONE line for everyone.

 

Nor have I.....but it's wishful thinking.  

[janina]

6 hours ago, UpcountryTravelers said:

We have never seen anything different for Elite (or any other class) on returning from Princess Cays.  There is ONE line for everyone.

 

We've never seen an Elite line either:(

[skynight]

If Princess does anything I see them adjusting the entire loyalty program. Some levels would gain benefits and some would lose. I envision a measuring program that eliminates cruises and cruise credits and counts by days, something like 1 day = 1 credit, 1 day in a full suite = an additional full or partial credit. I am not in favor of really exclusive visible benefits, such as special theater seating nor benefits that take away access to others. Benefits should be more personal in nature. I also think that first time Princess customers should receive some sort of benefit that says wow, Princess treats us really nice.

Edited July 17, 2019 by skynight

[Rudy888]

11 hours ago, jagoffee said:

Although out of reach for most cruisers, the Celebrity Zenith has some really nice additional benefits. You must have a high bar for excitement.

Point well taken, didn't give much thought to Zenith since it is out of oiur reach.

[ellenb23]

An odd question for you all... as a solo traveler, my 15th and 16th cruise credits will be earned simultaneously on a cruise next year. Do you think I'll get Elite benefits on that cruise, or not until my 17th cruise? It's not hugely important to me but I am curious. 

[skynight]

5 minutes ago, ellenb23 said:

An odd question for you all... as a solo traveler, my 15th and 16th cruise credits will be earned simultaneously on a cruise next year. Do you think I'll get Elite benefits on that cruise, or not until my 17th cruise? It's not hugely important to me but I am curious. 

In your case not until after you completed the mentioned cruise when you already will have 16 credits.

[polmcs]

1 hour ago, ellenb23 said:

An odd question for you all... as a solo traveler, my 15th and 16th cruise credits will be earned simultaneously on a cruise next year. Do you think I'll get Elite benefits on that cruise, or not until my 17th cruise? It's not hugely important to me but I am curious. 

We are in the same boat here (so to speak!)

 

We had planned it so that our 14th and 15th cruise credits would be earned on a single voyage this November as we were in a suite. Princess “messed” that up by offering an upsell on cruise number 13 in May, so we ended up at 14 cruise credits after that cruise. As we only now needed 1 more cruise credit to make Elite, we opted to switch our upcoming cruise suite down to a balcony to land on 15. Shortly after we did that, the suite prices dropped dramatically, so we decided to go back into the suite and we’ll end up on 16 credits and make Elite, but only after the cruise. 

 

We’ll make use of the Elite benefits on our Thanksgiving Cruise on the Royal later in the month. 😉 

[cruze610]

On 6/23/2019 at 3:02 PM, Kingofcool1947 said:

 

Elite status does give you entitlement.   You will be escorted to the front of the tender line simply by waving your Black cruise card.

Also another  good reason to attach your Black cruise card on a lanyard and have it visually displayed around your neck is for ships officers, service staff, and other PAXs to recognize you are Elite, and afford you respect and extra perks.   For example, receiving extra carafes of bar nuts at Crooners and other bars, without asking. 👍

Good luck,  and enjoy your Elite status.   😀

On one of my last couple cruises we were in sky walkers and it was mobbed by the bar. I went to get a couple drinks and I thought I’d be waiting forever for a bartender to help me. I held up my black card and immediately one of the bar tenders saw me and apologized for keeping me waiting and I had my drinks in a couple minutes. That was nice. 

[Go-Bucks!]

On 7/16/2019 at 9:33 AM, PescadoAmarillo said:

I still firmly believe that, if one is rolled out, the SE’s will be lucky to hold on to the current Elite perks and all other Elite perks will be downgraded. I guess I won’t be surprised if that is what happens. 

 

In the past year or two, Oceania decided to downgrade their loyalty benefits in most categories starting next month (11/19/19). They added silly stuff (tote bag, hat, etc.) but decreased valuable things like onboard credit and spa treatments. They still have one of the better loyalty programs but are offering fewer valuable perks than before. I wouldn't be surprised if other cruiselines follow suit.

[voljeep]

33 minutes ago, cruze610 said:

On one of my last couple cruises we were in sky walkers and it was mobbed by the bar. I went to get a couple drinks and I thought I’d be waiting forever for a bartender to help me. I held up my black card and immediately one of the bar tenders saw me and apologized for keeping me waiting and I had my drinks in a couple minutes. That was nice. 

amazing ...