Diamond for Dummies

[Sobro]

The second best Diamond perk is the Diamond Concierge. The concierge can keep you from standing in line at guest services for most issues that come up.

 

There is continental breakfast in the DL every morning and the DL is a nice quiet place to hang out during the day.

[Clarea]

1 hour ago, Suzyq52 said:

Thank you all for responding. Helps a lot! An additional question...is the diamond lounge only open during the “free drink” time? 

The lounge is accessible via your SeaPass card 24 hours.  But it is not attended except for limited hours during a morning and afternoon/evening period.

[John&LaLa]

2 hours ago, FionaMG said:

 

And there's a coffee machine too, although I am not sure what the operating hours of that are.

 

Reports of this are happening more and more

 

 

They literally hide the grounds container. 🤣

[neverbeenhere]

40 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:

 

Reports of this are happening more and more

 

 

They literally hide the grounds container. 🤣

If I get up at 4am for some reason, I need my coffee. I might have to rip the lounge apart to find the container, 

[sjpsoccer14]

I recently made Diamond on my last cruise so my upcoming cruise on Freedom in September will be the first chance to use the Diamond Lounge. My gf has not reached Diamond yet. We are obviously in the same stateroom. Will she be able to access the lounge? Is the policy the same as Celebrity? 

[Clarea]

3 minutes ago, sjpsoccer14 said:

I recently made Diamond on my last cruise so my upcoming cruise on Freedom in September will be the first chance to use the Diamond Lounge. My gf has not reached Diamond yet. We are obviously in the same stateroom. Will she be able to access the lounge? Is the policy the same as Celebrity? 

 

No, the policy is different than Celebrity, stateroom mates on Royal do not get perks uness they themselves are entitled by their C&A level.

 

However, if you both have the same residence address, you can call C&A and declare her your significant other, and Royal will give her the same C&A level as you.

 

 

[sjpsoccer14]

11 minutes ago, Host Clarea said:

 

No, the policy is different than Celebrity, stateroom mates on Royal do not get perks uness they themselves are entitled by their C&A level.

 

However, if you both have the same residence address, you can call C&A and declare her your significant other, and Royal will give her the same C&A level as you.

 

 

Thank you, Bob!

[John&LaLa]

2 hours ago, neverbeenhere said:

If I get up at 4am for some reason, I need my coffee. I might have to rip the lounge apart to find the container, 

 

It might be locked up.  This was Adventure SL in January.  Same thing in the DL. 

 

Your new best friend

 

[chrismch]

On our Brilliance cruise earlier this year, the evening cocktail hour included champagne even though it wasn't on their list. They also had hot and cold appetizers to go with the drinks. That lounge I think had seating for a max of 40 people and we usually had an average of 8 - 16 people. We'd usually leave about 6:30 to meet others for dinner. 

 

In the morning the coffee machine is available and makes specialty coffees and has hot water for tea and hot cocoa that are also available with a continental breakfast.

 

Tried to bring in another couple as guests, but they were not permitted. The concierge there requested to see all sea pass cards at entry.  

 

You're also offered a welcome snack in your stateroom and the option of a free tour of the galley or back stage. We didn't go on either as they conflicted with other things we were doing. There is also a special cocktail party - where you can get more specialty drinks. 

Edited July 5, 2019 by chrismch

[Ashland]

3 hours ago, chrismch said:

On our Brilliance cruise earlier this year, the evening cocktail hour included champagne even though it wasn't on their list. They also had hot and cold appetizers to go with the drinks. That lounge I think had seating for a max of 40 people and we usually had an average of 8 - 16 people. We'd usually leave about 6:30 to meet others for dinner. 

 

In the morning the coffee machine is available and makes specialty coffees and has hot water for tea and hot cocoa that are also available with a continental breakfast.

 

Tried to bring in another couple as guests, but they were not permitted. The concierge there requested to see all sea pass cards at entry.  

 

You're also offered a welcome snack in your stateroom and the option of a free tour of the galley or back stage. We didn't go on either as they conflicted with other things we were doing. There is also a special cocktail party - where you can get more specialty drinks. 

As a D member you should know guests aren't allowed....You earned this they didn't...and the reason the 3 drink voucher on your  SeaPass should have made it easy for you to stay with your friends.

 

I'm actually glad the concierge's are asking for SeaPass cards until they get to know you on each cruise....the lounge's are getting so crowded.

[Merion_Mom]

3 hours ago, chrismch said:

On our Brilliance cruise earlier this year, the evening cocktail hour included champagne even though it wasn't on their list. They also had hot and cold appetizers to go with the drinks. That lounge I think had seating for a max of 40 people and we usually had an average of 8 - 16 people. We'd usually leave about 6:30 to meet others for dinner. 

 

In the morning the coffee machine is available and makes specialty coffees and has hot water for tea and hot cocoa that are also available with a continental breakfast.

 

Tried to bring in another couple as guests, but they were not permitted. The concierge there requested to see all sea pass cards at entry.  

 

You're also offered a welcome snack in your stateroom and the option of a free tour of the galley or back stage. We didn't go on either as they conflicted with other things we were doing. There is also a special cocktail party - where you can get more specialty drinks. 

 

I believe that you must be D+.  Diamonds are not offered galley tours or backstage tours, unless the backstage tour is open to the general public, which it sometimes is.  (and is listed in the Cruise Compass).

[FionaMG]

7 hours ago, John&LaLa said:

 

Reports of this are happening more and more

 

 

They literally hide the grounds container. 🤣

Ooh, I hope that's not the case on our next cruise, when we will be sailing as newbie diamonds. The coffee machine is the perk we are most looking forward to, for espressos after meals. And we have late seating dinner. 😕

[rusty nut]

17 hours ago, Merion_Mom said:

 

Diamond drinks are limited to the posted happy hours, which generally align with traditional dining times.  Typically it begins one hour before first seating and ends at the time of second seating, thus most ships are either 4:30 to 8 or 5 to 8:30.

 

Diamond drinks are limited to the list of permitted booze.  No frozen or blender drinks.

 

 

Typically, this is true. Last time, on Adventure, we had the premium beverage package, and because we were taking very good care of our server in DL, she would step out into the VCL and bring us anything we wanted. 

[davekathy]

11 hours ago, Ashland said:

As a D member you should know guests aren't allowed....You earned this they didn't...and the reason the 3 drink voucher on your  SeaPass should have made it easy for you to stay with your friends.

 

I'm actually glad the concierge's are asking for SeaPass cards until they get to know you on each cruise....the lounge's are getting so crowded.

Agree. 

[chrismch]

On 7/5/2019 at 5:29 AM, rusty nut said:

Typically, this is true. Last time, on Adventure, we had the premium beverage package, and because we were taking very good care of our server in DL, she would step out into the VCL and bring us anything we wanted. 

Smooth move!

 

[biomedbob]

On several occasion I've repaired the Non-Functioning coffee machine in the D lounge.  There is a trouble shooting manual in one of the many drawers in the lounge.  Most folks who run the lounge are not mechanical/electronic literate.  Usually a simple fix like a reset.

[Thorben-Hendrik]

On 7/5/2019 at 2:05 AM, John&LaLa said:

 

Reports of this are happening more and more

 

 

They literally hide the grounds container. 🤣

For the past year or so the coffee machine was always out at night....🙄👎

[frank808]

On 7/4/2019 at 5:59 PM, John&LaLa said:

Former Diamond member here, we eventually moved up, and we never got the drink pkg until the 'glitch'

 

It does appear that many Diamond and up do get the pkg, though

 

Welcome to Diamond status. Just a few more years to Pinnacle😀

So you are booking cruises far put and not doing the book closer to sail date strategy?  

 

I only have cruises booked to end of Jan 2020 so did not have any cruises that qualified for the glitch.  Checked our 6 cruises and none had that $18 a day deluxe pricing.  

 

One D cruiser that does not buy any drink package.  Happy hour is enough for me.  Only bought the drink package for our first two cruises and then I couldn't justify buying all you can drink.  Cheaper for me to pay out of pocket when I want a drink outside of happy hour.

[John&LaLa]

1 hour ago, frank808 said:

So you are booking cruises far put and not doing the book closer to sail date strategy?  

 

I only have cruises booked to end of Jan 2020 so did not have any cruises that qualified for the glitch.  Checked our 6 cruises and none had that $18 a day deluxe pricing.  

 

One D cruiser that does not buy any drink package.  Happy hour is enough for me.  Only bought the drink package for our first two cruises and then I couldn't justify buying all you can drink.  Cheaper for me to pay out of pocket when I want a drink outside of happy hour.

 

The Jewel Suez was booked quite a while ago. November and December.  I had just booked the Liberty B2B because my new TA found me a great group rate. January Mariner shortie was booked way out. It didnt qualify.

 

So I am still holding out for late bookings in the late summer and fall of 2020. 

 

This year it was a sweet deal on a Harmony GS, our free cruise for 1050 pts and a whole bunch of casino cruises 😉

 

 

[molly361]

7 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:

 

The Jewel Suez was booked quite a while ago. November and December.  I had just booked the Liberty B2B because my new TA found me a great group rate. January Mariner shortie was booked way out. It didnt qualify.

 

So I am still holding out for late bookings in the late summer and fall of 2020. 

 

This year it was a sweet deal on a Harmony GS, our free cruise for 1050 pts and a whole bunch of casino cruises 😉

 

 

I am thinking of doing the same thing

Edited July 7, 2019 by molly361

[frank808]

37 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:

 

The Jewel Suez was booked quite a while ago. November and December.  I had just booked the Liberty B2B because my new TA found me a great group rate. January Mariner shortie was booked way out. It didnt qualify.

 

So I am still holding out for late bookings in the late summer and fall of 2020. 

 

This year it was a sweet deal on a Harmony GS, our free cruise for 1050 pts and a whole bunch of casino cruises 😉

 

 

When will you two be on liberty?  We are on her Oct 20-Nov 3.  Booked it a couple years ago for the panoramic ocean view cabins (now that these cabins are classified as suites is a bonus). We were lucky to get one when freedom returned to port Canaveral after adding those cabins about 3 years ago.  Love the floor to ceiling windows and staying in nice cool AC watching the ocean float by.   My idea of relaxation.

[karena1]

On 7/4/2019 at 3:24 PM, CHolliwood said:

 

I am one of those Diamond's who do still get the package..... sometimes.   I find it is only worth it if there are 3 or 4 sea days depending on cruise length and itinerary (such as Labadee or Coco Cay, as the package works there too).   Also need to factor in dining time, if you dine late then you probably will get enough freebies from the DL and then at dinner.  

 

If you dine early, or chose to dine early through mytime you will miss out on a good chunk of DL time.   

We are Diamond Plus and still always get the package.  We like to have a few drinks during the day, like to drink what we want at night and not be restricted to the Diamond Plus drink menu.  We don't always go to the lounge.  For us, the package is still totally worth it.

 

[frank808]

On 7/5/2019 at 12:47 AM, neverbeenhere said:

If I get up at 4am for some reason, I need my coffee. I might have to rip the lounge apart to find the container, 

Ovation cappuccino machine is working this morning at 5am in CL and DL.  Way before the crew came in to set up breakfast.

[John&LaLa]

53 minutes ago, frank808 said:

When will you two be on liberty?  We are on her Oct 20-Nov 3.  Booked it a couple years ago for the panoramic ocean view cabins (now that these cabins are classified as suites is a bonus). We were lucky to get one when freedom returned to port Canaveral after adding those cabins about 3 years ago.  Love the floor to ceiling windows and staying in nice cool AC watching the ocean float by.   My idea of relaxation.

 

April/May

We have Adventure 1854 this coming December. Looking forward to the view and space. I doubt I'll miss the balcony.  Big fan of AC

Edited July 7, 2019 by John&LaLa

[island lady]

Ahh...limiting to not open until 6 am on the coffee machine now eh?  Oh well, that is about the time I usually go up for our coffees, so it would work for me anyway.  Worst one was EN some years ago, they would disconnect the milk line (and locked it up) for the Latte I like, and would not reconnect until they set up at 8 am.  😡