Priority boarding taken away from Diamond and Diamond plus members on Liberty of the Seas Royal Caribbean ship

[grapau27]

2 minutes ago, Milwaukee Eight said:

Let me disagree with you on this politely. 
 

We were on a 11 night Serenade cruise to the Southern Caribbean in November 2017. The CL was packed with all three parties trying to complete for space, Suites, Pinnacle’s, and D+. Each evening, someone in a party of P’s and D+, would reserve seats and tables. They seemed to prefer the stage area for their gatherings. It wasn’t manageable. Serenade still has a CL but we haven’t sailed on her sense.  

Reserving tables should not be allowed.

On Explorer in October out of Southampton we went into the CL most nights and it was rarely over 70% full.

[Milwaukee Eight]

2 minutes ago, grapau27 said:

Reserving tables should not be allowed.

On Explorer in October out of Southampton we went into the CL most nights and it was rarely over 70% full.

I think their are much higher numbers of D+ and Pins that sail out of PC, Ft Lauderdale, and Miami than do out of the UK. 

[grapau27]

Just now, Milwaukee Eight said:

I think their are much higher numbers of D+ and Pins that sail out of PC, Ft Lauderdale, and Miami than do out of the UK. 

That's absolutely correct although numbers are creeping up in the UK.

Suite guests should always get priority seating in a CL/SL  unless they are offered the free drinks in other bars if they are not Diamond members and can't go into the DL.

[Grandma Dazzles]

1 hour ago, Milwaukee Eight said:

On what ship was the CL converted to an SL?  I’m pretty sure on Freedom Class ships the CL’s are being converted to cabins. 

 

On the Navigator the DL was converted into a concierge/suite lounge - I am referring to the one with the beautiful windows and outdoor area on deck 13 - Viking Lounge are.  The cigar lounge is now the DL on deck 5 - small - no windows etc.  Star lounge was used as an overflow lounge some nights, but definitely not as nice to sit in during the day.   Access was for Pinnacle and suite guests only - diamond plus was not allowed access.  Old CL lounge appeared to be used by loyalty ambassador, and people booking cruises, but not sure if this is permanent. 

[rimmit]

12 minutes ago, Milwaukee Eight said:

I think their are much higher numbers of D+ and Pins that sail out of PC, Ft Lauderdale, and Miami than do out of the UK. 

Don’t forget Bayonne and Baltimore and Galveston.  I’d say pretty much any US port in the non peak is diamond loaded at this point.

 

we just sailed out of Sydney on the Ovation in Nov.  not even 200 P,D+, and D.  The lounges were pretty empty even during happy hour.

[grapau27]

1 hour ago, cured said:

First of all, it is insulting to lump all new cruisers together that they cancel their tips. I am a relatively new cruiser and I would never dream of cancelling my prepaid tips. In fact, until I started reading here and had a few cruises under my belt, I didn't even know you could remove tips.  In my experience as a relatively new cruiser, the new cruiser doesn't really even know they are allowed to remove tips. It is the more experienced cruisers that remove tips.  And tips really have no bearing on changing perks because tips are not revenue bearing for Royal. 

 

To keep the growing population of higher status customers happy, Royal needs to find a way to pay for all those free drinks, more expensive amenities, and other perks that affect the bottom line.  Yes, you are valuable to Royal Caribbean which is why those free drinks and other amenities need to paid for somehow.  The alcohol companies are not donating the alcohol to Royal Caribbean.  

 

Makes sense that they would offer a perk for revenue to those that won't achieve that particular perk for a few years.  It is also likely to bring them back as repeat customers as they got a taste of what fun some perks can be.  It worked for us. We won our RoyalUp to a CL suite on our last cruise and loved it so much, we immediately turned around and booked another cruise in 2 suites rather than gambling on RoyalUp again.

 

A company's first and foremost loyalty is to their shareholders and their shareholders care about the bottom line.  It is a fine dance they need to play because ticking off good customers will affect the bottom line but so will giving costly perks to high status customers.  If revenue goes down, the first thing that will be cut is freebies. So be glad Royal is finding more and more ways to satisfy the bottom line and still give their loyal customers "free" perks.

I would never insult fellow tippers and I'm glad you are pro tipping.

A lot of people have said the free drinks is of an inferior quality so cost will be minimal.

I like a Sauvignon Blanc but it is not now included in the free drinks.

I only speak from experience of what I have seen and heard and in the UK to my knowledge almost all cruiselines include tips now as standard as will Royal in 2020 for a reason.

Edited December 15, 2019 by grapau27

[Milwaukee Eight]

9 minutes ago, Grandma Dazzles said:

 

On the Navigator the DL was converted into a concierge/suite lounge - I am referring to the one with the beautiful windows and outdoor area on deck 13 - Viking Lounge are.  The cigar lounge is now the DL on deck 5 - small - no windows etc.  Star lounge was used as an overflow lounge some nights, but definitely not as nice to sit in during the day.   Access was for Pinnacle and suite guests only - diamond plus was not allowed access.  Old CL lounge appeared to be used by loyalty ambassador, and people booking cruises, but not sure if this is permanent. 

Ok, so we can say a DL was actually converted to a SL but not the CL on Navigator. 

[Milwaukee Eight]

12 minutes ago, grapau27 said:

That's absolutely correct although numbers are creeping up in the UK.

Suite guests should always get priority seating in a CL/SL  unless they are offered the free drinks in other bars if they are not Diamond members and can't go into the DL.

How would you recommend Suite guests get priority seating in the CL/SL?  Good idea by the way. 

[island lady]

2 hours ago, Blondiemomm said:

I purchased the key for our January 2020 sailing, I also purchased it for the last cruise we went on. I am PAYING for the perks I receive. Quite a lot actually. I am guaranteed these perks because there is a dollar value attached. You are part of a loyalty program that does not have any monetary value. RCL OWES you nothing. 

 

Really???!!   Would you like to guess how much we Loyal Royals have spent over the years?  I book nothing but suites...and have been cruising Royal since 2005.  Don't even go there.  

[island lady]

1 hour ago, John&LaLa said:

 

Spent entire evening in DL Overflow tonight. Everyone seemed happy 

 

We floated down to DL with overflow here on Harmony a few times as well.  Was quite nice, and no crowding just after first seating.  Was nice to pop in for a drink just before we wondered into the Ice Show.  

 

You were right John, Harmony is wonderful...sad to have to leave tomorrow.  Love CK on this ship.  🙂 

[Grandma Dazzles]

11 minutes ago, Milwaukee Eight said:

Ok, so we can say a DL was actually converted to a SL but not the CL on Navigator. 

 

Yes, but there is no CL any more.  It’s DL and Suite lounge. 

[grapau27]

7 minutes ago, Milwaukee Eight said:

How would you recommend Suite guests get priority seating in the CL/SL?  Good idea by the way. 

The concierge should set aside half the CL for Suite and the other half for P and D+.and for the SL split equally between pins and Suite guests.

If a Suite guest cannot get a seat the concierge should give them for that night access to the DL or 3 free drinks in any bar to compensate them.

[grapau27]

7 minutes ago, island lady said:

 

We floated down to DL with overflow here on Harmony a few times as well.  Was quite nice, and no crowding just after first seating.  Was nice to pop in for a drink just before we wondered into the Ice Show.  

 

You were right John, Harmony is wonderful...sad to have to leave tomorrow.  Love CK on this ship.  🙂 

Pleased you have had a great cruise.

We got off Grand Princess last week after cruising from San Francisco-Hawaii- San Francisco.

[John&LaLa]

20 minutes ago, Milwaukee Eight said:

Ok, so we can say a DL was actually converted to a SL but not the CL on Navigator. 

 

DL got moved to the old Cigar Lounge.

 

Pretty sure that was because the old card room, which many ships used for the new SL, was already turned into Izumi.

Edited December 15, 2019 by John&LaLa

[twangster]

22 minutes ago, Grandma Dazzles said:

 

On the Navigator the DL was converted into a concierge/suite lounge - I am referring to the one with the beautiful windows and outdoor area on deck 13 - Viking Lounge are.  The cigar lounge is now the DL on deck 5 - small - no windows etc.  Star lounge was used as an overflow lounge some nights, but definitely not as nice to sit in during the day.   Access was for Pinnacle and suite guests only - diamond plus was not allowed access.  Old CL lounge appeared to be used by loyalty ambassador, and people booking cruises, but not sure if this is permanent. 

Number of seats remains the same in the new DL but Star Lounge for overflow is bigger.  I was on the first sailing post Amp and I counted seating.  
 

The Navigator DL works quite well now.  Plus the one set of elevators that service the VCL aren’t jammed full every night now.  
 

So the complaint boils down to a matter of the view.  You still get the same service and beverages minus VCL views.  

[grapau27]

18 minutes ago, island lady said:

 

Really???!!   Would you like to guess how much we Loyal Royals have spent over the years?  I book nothing but suites...and have been cruising Royal since 2005.  Don't even go there.  

+1.

Best response yet.

[island lady]

2 minutes ago, grapau27 said:

Pleased you have had a great cruise.

We got off Grand Princess last week after cruising from San Francisco-Hawaii- San Francisco.

 

Sweet!  Bet you had a nice time! 

We are on our way back to PC...laundry will be going by 10 am tomorrow.  And then the dreaded ironing.  Uggh!!  

But need to get ready for Mariner and B2B2B Vision next month.  🙂 

[John&LaLa]

13 minutes ago, island lady said:

 

We floated down to DL with overflow here on Harmony a few times as well.  Was quite nice, and no crowding just after first seating.  Was nice to pop in for a drink just before we wondered into the Ice Show.  

 

You were right John, Harmony is wonderful...sad to have to leave tomorrow.  Love CK on this ship.  🙂 

 

I like having the DL down on 4 for pre show drinks. 

 

However, i obviously have access to both lounges 

[John&LaLa]

3 minutes ago, twangster said:

Number of seats remains the same in the new DL but Star Lounge for overflow is bigger.  I was on the first sailing post Amp and I counted seating.  
 

The Navigator DL works quite well now.  Plus the one set of elevators that service the VCL aren’t jammed full every night now.  
 

So the complaint boils down to a matter of the view.  You still get the same service and beverages minus VCL views.  

 

Easy walk outside from Star lounge

[John&LaLa]

1 minute ago, island lady said:

 

Sweet!  Bet you had a nice time! 

We are on our way back to PC...laundry will be going by 10 am tomorrow.  And then the dreaded ironing.  Uggh!!  

But need to get ready for Mariner and B2B2B Vision next month.  🙂 

 

We get off in the morning as well.

Long drive home for us though

[grapau27]

1 minute ago, island lady said:

 

Sweet!  Bet you had a nice time! 

We are on our way back to PC...laundry will be going by 10 am tomorrow.  And then the dreaded ironing.  Uggh!!  

But need to get ready for Mariner and B2B2B Vision next month.  🙂 

Thanks,it was fantastic.

Your cruises sound wonderful and I hope you both have a fabulous time.

[island lady]

3 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:

 

DL got moved to the old Cigar Lounge.

 

Pretty sure that was because the old card room, which many ships used for the new SL, was already turned into Izumi.

 

That's funny...all the Radiance sisters had a cigar bar up in the VCL....that was turned into the CL later.    Years ago it was a cigar bar by day, and then a DL (new concept at that time) by night.  Still had that stink at night.  😮 

[island lady]

6 minutes ago, grapau27 said:

+1.

Best response yet.

 

Awww...thanks my DS friend. 🙂 

[bigeck]

9 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:

 

DL got moved to the old Cigar Lounge

I thought it was the SL that got moved up there on Nav. and Izumi got the DL

 

Edited December 15, 2019 by bigeck

[island lady]

6 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:

 

I like having the DL down on 4 for pre show drinks. 

 

However, i obviously have access to both lounges 

 

Yes, you do....and so do I.  😉