Is it time to introduce a new loyalty tier?

[Ken the cruiser]

2 minutes ago, Cruise Raider said:

 

They did the same for me on Celebrity.  They added another 45 points to my account so it would only take a 7 night sailing in a balcony to attain my elite status. I think they added it based on how far away you were to that magic number to the next level.  I was happy because right after my next sailing, I would attain elite status ....  so it worked out well for us.  

But, I read about others that were mad because they had booked several 3 or 4 day sailings in CC and then it just wouldn't get them to elite as they had once planned.  Ohhhh the outrage on the Celebrity boards was palpable ... do you remember that???  

 

 

LOL!! No, I wasn't really active in CC back then.

[Cruise Raider]

Just now, Ken the cruiser said:

LOL!! No, I wasn't really active in CC back then.

 

 

I was afraid for people's lives ... anybody that worked down at Celebrity.  I wanted to warn them all to take cover!!  

[Ken the cruiser]

5 minutes ago, Cruise Raider said:

 

 

I was afraid for people's lives ... anybody that worked down at Celebrity.  I wanted to warn them all to take cover!!  

I bet, although I do remember we got very lucky back when X changed the rules on Dec 1, 2015 where you would only get the cruise points associated with the cabin you originally booked if you took one of their upgrade offers.

 

We had originally booked an OV on a 10 day Galapagos cruise which was worth 50 points because you got 5 points instead of 2 for a OV on a Galapagos cruise. But 3 weeks before our late Nov 2015 cruise, we got an offer to move up to the RS for $650 total! Of course we took the upgrade, but since the old rule was in place, we got 180 points because a RS was rated at 18 points per day!

 

Needless to say that cruise shot us up the loyalty list in a super fast way and it has been paying dividends ever since. But I'm sure that Dec 2015 rule has depressed quite a few folks once they found out they were stuck with their originally booked cabin's points, especially if they paid a significant amount to get that upgrade.

 

For us we got lucky that time. On Princess since we don't do short cruises, it's a much longer road to get to Elite. But we'll get there because one of our main goals with any cruise line is to get to the "free laundry" level! On Princess it's Elite. On X it's Elite+. On HAL it's 4*. Everything else to us is gravy.

[DrivesLikeMario]

I wish they'd add more levels to the Captain's Circle.  There are just way too many elites now and priority tendering is becoming too crowded and it's taking longer and longer to get laundry back.  I think they should move those perks to a higher level - like 30 or 35 cruises.  It just doesn't make much sense to stop at 15 cruises when the other cruise lines have many more levels.  Like RCI, for example.  We'll probably never reach the Pinnacle level (700 pts.) but it's a great goal to have!

[Cruise Raider]

2 minutes ago, Ken the cruiser said:

I bet, although I do remember we got very lucky back when X changed the rules on Dec 1, 2015 where you would only get the cruise points associated with the cabin you originally booked if you took one of their upgrade offers.

 

We had originally booked an OV on a 10 day Galapagos cruise which was worth 50 points because you got 5 points instead of 2 for a OV on a Galapagos cruise. But 3 weeks before our late Nov 2015 cruise, we got an offer to move up to the RS for $650 total! Of course we took the upgrade, but since the old rule was in place, we got 180 points because a RS was rated at 18 points per day!

 

Needless to say that cruise shot us up the loyalty list in a super fast way and it has been paying dividends ever since. But I'm sure that Dec 2015 rule has depressed quite a few folks once they found out they were stuck with their originally booked cabin's points, especially if they paid a significant amount to get that upgrade.

 

For us we got lucky that time. On Princess since we don't do short cruises, it's a much longer road to get to Elite. But we'll get there because one of our main goals with any cruise line is to get to the "free laundry" level! On Princess it's Elite. On X it's Elite+. On HAL it's 4*. Everything else to us is gravy.

 

I love it!!!  

We have 2 dozen sailings on Princess ... because some were longer cruises and some were shorter ones, we got to elite level based on the number of sailings (15) at the same time we met the number of days (150) requirement.  

It's easy for us to sail more on Princess because they have a ship ported just a hop skip and a jump from our home ... so no air travel to contend with.  We much prefer Celebrity but they aren't so convenient for us ... but, no cruise is a bad cruise in my book.  It is hard for us to sail without these status benefits since we have it on 3 different lines.  I usually book for a deal, first and foremost, but the cruiseline, along with the embarkation port are a pretty close second, whereas the itinerary is a factor, but not always nearly as important. 

 

[Ken the cruiser]

4 minutes ago, Cruise Raider said:

 

I love it!!!  

We have 2 dozen sailings on Princess ... because some were longer cruises and some were shorter ones, we got to elite level based on the number of sailings (15) at the same time we met the number of days (150) requirement.  

It's easy for us to sail more on Princess because they have a ship ported just a hop skip and a jump from our home ... so no air travel to contend with.  We much prefer Celebrity but they aren't so convenient for us ... but, no cruise is a bad cruise in my book.  It is hard for us to sail without these status benefits since we have it on 3 different lines.  I usually book for a deal, first and foremost, but the cruiseline, along with the embarkation port are a pretty close second, whereas the itinerary is a factor, but not always nearly as important. 

 

Making Elite will be nice, but another factor that motivates us to consider Princess' longer itineraries first is the military OBC. Since both my DW and I are retired military, we both get the military perk. That is a perk that is only offered by Princess and is combinable with all other promotions and would be sadly missed if they ever decided to stop offering it.

[Cruise Raider]

2 minutes ago, Ken the cruiser said:

Making Elite will be nice, but another factor that motivates us to consider Princess' longer itineraries first is the military OBC. Since both my DW and I are retired military, we both get the military perk. That is a perk that is only offered by Princess and is combinable with all other promotions and would be sadly missed if they ever decided to stop offering it.

 

Yes ... I do love how Princess allows you to stack the OBC.  Although you cannot double it up, that CCL stock obc perk is a nice one as well.  We always have plenty of FCDs on hand as well.  Our last sailing, we got so much OBC (unexpected) from our travel agent that we couldn't even spend it all ... and that was after we purchased a wine bottle package, ate a couple of times in a specialty restaurant, played in the casino and bought all the photos we wanted.  I was so happy to see a check in the mail a couple weeks later that covered our refundable OBC we didn't use.  

I don't ever use the free laundry but I do love how Princess allows us to stack our savings.  

Oh ... after you've gotten 20 cruise credits, they give you some additional OBC for loyalty.  It goes up incrementally after that, too.  

[Ombud]

3 hours ago, triple7tahoe said:

Many years ago British P&O offered their upper level a 10% discount on all purchases including bar--We had reached that level and then P&O decided to add a provision that one had to cruise more often to maintain the level--In other  words "Use it or lose it" 🙂

 

Princess gives elites a 10% discount in the stores

[elliair]

1 hour ago, cruzsnooze said:

Not true, I'm a Diamond Plus on RCL and I do compare all things, perks, price and ports when I decide which ship to sail on. 

I've looked at other cruise lines for cruises such as Celebrity and RCL.  I look for destinations/amenities/price and I haven't found one that suits me.  I don't want to give up the Princess perks, and the sales Princess has is hard to beat.  There's certain Princess ships I wouldn't cruise on again, but for the most part we'll stick with Princess.

[paul929207]

I don't think Princess is likely to offer significant financial awards to a new category. Perks 

might include things like:

Priority seating for shows.

Priority boarding for tendering back to ship.

Priority seating for dining room with Anytime Dining or

Priority table assignment for Traditional.

Priority embarkation

 

Note that none of them cost Princess any money

 

New category should require at least 500 days.

[Colo Cruiser]

No way should they take up more seats in the theater with any type of reserved seats or area.  🙁

[Times Prince]

I'll be in the minority here, but we are well satisfied with the Captain's Circle benefits we get with Princess.   The extra OBC for more cruises is both welcome and nice, and I would wish it to be per person.

 

Whatever system is in place, there will always be someone who learns how to game the system.  I do not begrudge those who get benefits because they play in a casino, or take shorter cruises - that is their choice.  There is no system that is totally equitable to everyone.   Personally we found the dual measurement, cruise days / number of cruises compensated for much of the apparent inequity in determining loyalty.

 

Even the benefits we have will have differing personal value.  One poster above would gladly trade away their laundry benefit, which to us is the most useful of the Elite benefits.  To each his/her own.

 

Princess will add benefits that promote better business return, with loyalty being the best return.

[Daniel A]

44 minutes ago, paul929207 said:

I don't think Princess is likely to offer significant financial awards to a new category. Perks 

might include things like:

Priority seating for shows.

Priority boarding for tendering back to ship.

Priority seating for dining room with Anytime Dining or

Priority table assignment for Traditional.

Priority embarkation

 

Note that none of them cost Princess any money

 

New category should require at least 500 days.

No extra money but you're suggesting that the rest of the PAX at lower CC levels pay the price by giving up their theater seats, seats in tenders, a nice table in MDR and whatever else we might have that you would want.  And you may wonder why sometimes other PAX react poorly to elites who think they're something special.

 

Here's a suggestion for additional perks for new Elite Plus PAX.  Free white luggage stickers with big red lettering that say "ELITE" and Priority access to Ubers at disembarkation.   

[Ombud]

3 hours ago, Times Prince said:

I'll be in the minority here, but we are well satisfied with the Captain's Circle benefits we get with Princess.   The extra OBC for more cruises is both welcome and nice, and I would wish it to be per person.

 

Whatever system is in place, there will always be someone who learns how to game the system.  I do not begrudge those who get benefits because they play in a casino, or take shorter cruises - that is their choice.  There is no system that is totally equitable to everyone.   Personally we found the dual measurement, cruise days / number of cruises compensated for much of the apparent inequity in determining loyalty.

 

Even the benefits we have will have differing personal value.  One poster above would gladly trade away their laundry benefit, which to us is the most useful of the Elite benefits.  To each his/her own.

 

Princess will add benefits that promote better business return, with loyalty being the best return.

You're not in the minority. To short change lower Captain Circle member categories by:

- Restricting seating for shows

- Lousy seating for dining room

- Obvious favoritism on return tenders (there's already not-so-obvious tenders out)

- 2 tier elite embarkation

Would cost Princess money as new cruisers would jump ship / less revenue per passengers. It's just bad business. Extra nonrefundable OBC is already gifted as is a special Captains Circle Party. Perhaps OBC beyond the current upper loyalty system 

 

[geoherb]

One of the things I dislike about the way the loyalty level works is you never know for sure how a ship is handling things. There were not a ton of Elites (207) on my cruise earlier this month, but it still took two days for laundry (and even three days once). It would be nice if Princess offered Elites a discount on drinks and wine. Or even add free drink vouchers like Royal Caribbean does for its Diamond and higher members.

[getting older slowly]

56 minutes ago, geoherb said:

One of the things I dislike about the way the loyalty level works is you never know for sure how a ship is handling things. There were not a ton of Elites (207) on my cruise earlier this month, but it still took two days for laundry (and even three days once). It would be nice if Princess offered Elites a discount on drinks and wine. Or even add free drink vouchers like Royal Caribbean does for its Diamond and higher members.

 

 On our last cruise B2B 26 nights.... Laundry was slow at least 3 full days ++++......  I enquired about is there priority on Laundry for elite or suite  answer NO......

 

To use the old line ......when everybody is elite... nobody is....

 

I do not think there is a easy answer.......    chill pill and another glass of wine

 

Cheers Don

[Kenswing]

Between the Elite perks, the Shareholder OBC and the Veterans OBC I feel I get plenty from Princess.

[MrPantsOz]

So people who have been enjoying the benefits of being elite are upset now that us plebs are joining them, making them feel less special? You get extras the more you cruise, extra OBC, invites to most traveled passengers etc.

[grapau27]

17 hours ago, ian441672 said:

Hi

 

Been pondering this for a while now, and think with the apparent saturation of Elite's on many cruises and some comments from people that this makes it feel devalued, is it time to introduce an 'Elite Plus' tier? I know Celebrity have such a thing with a better offering for their very top tier, but what could ours be called? Also, what benefits could/should they add (on top of Elite, or devalue the existing Elite and add these and more on to the 'new' tier); what could the qualification be for it?

 

Has/Is this being deliberated by the powers that be right now do you think; is it a priority for Princess at all?

 

Just interested in peoples views, opinions, thoughts and ideas really!

 

Thanks and best wishes for a happy holiday season to you all!

Good question.

Elite+ is a suggestion I gave on a previous thread as we are Diamond+ on RCCL.

RCCL have loyalty lounges where we can have free drinks every night for 3 hours and if we don't like the lounge we can have 3 free drinks in any bar or restaurant during cocktail hours.This is a big USP for RCCL because their food and service is no where as good as Princess.

We are Elite and had a fantastic 15 night Hawaii cruise on Grand leaving SF 11-18 and the Elite lounge was nice but almost empty every night.

I think if they gave a couple of free drinks the lounge would have been full and people would probably still buy extra drinks.

[grapau27]

9 hours ago, Ombud said:

Princess gives elites a 10% discount in the stores

With P&O your loyalty discount only kicks in after you have used up your OBC.

On Princess recently we got 10% discount instantly in all the shops.

[grapau27]

17 hours ago, ian441672 said:

Hi

 

Been pondering this for a while now, and think with the apparent saturation of Elite's on many cruises and some comments from people that this makes it feel devalued, is it time to introduce an 'Elite Plus' tier? I know Celebrity have such a thing with a better offering for their very top tier, but what could ours be called? Also, what benefits could/should they add (on top of Elite, or devalue the existing Elite and add these and more on to the 'new' tier); what could the qualification be for it?

 

Has/Is this being deliberated by the powers that be right now do you think; is it a priority for Princess at all?

 

Just interested in peoples views, opinions, thoughts and ideas really!

 

Thanks and best wishes for a happy holiday season to you all!

Good question.

Elite+ is a suggestion I gave on a previous thread as we are Diamond+ on RCCL.

RCCL have loyalty lounges where we can have free drinks every night for 3 hours and if we don't like the lounge we can have 3 free drinks in any bar or restaurant during cocktail hours.This is a big USP for RCCL because their food and service is no where as good as Princess.

We are Elite and had a fantastic 15 night Hawaii cruise on Grand leaving SF 11-18 and the Elite lounge was nice but almost empty every night.

I think if they gave a couple of free drinks the lounge would have been full and people would probably still buy extra drinks.

[grapau27]

17 hours ago, ian441672 said:

Hi

 

Been pondering this for a while now, and think with the apparent saturation of Elite's on many cruises and some comments from people that this makes it feel devalued, is it time to introduce an 'Elite Plus' tier? I know Celebrity have such a thing with a better offering for their very top tier, but what could ours be called? Also, what benefits could/should they add (on top of Elite, or devalue the existing Elite and add these and more on to the 'new' tier); what could the qualification be for it?

 

Has/Is this being deliberated by the powers that be right now do you think; is it a priority for Princess at all?

 

Just interested in peoples views, opinions, thoughts and ideas really!

 

Thanks and best wishes for a happy holiday season to you all!

Additional to a 3 hour free drinks cocktail hour RCCL offer this to us.

Princess could cherry pick potential benefits from this list.

[MissP22]

9 hours ago, Daniel A said:

No extra money but you're suggesting that the rest of the PAX at lower CC levels pay the price by giving up their theater seats, seats in tenders, a nice table in MDR and whatever else we might have that you would want.  And you may wonder why sometimes other PAX react poorly to elites who think they're something special.

Why not? They've earned it over the years by sailing Princess more than the others. Who really cares what the lower class people think if an Elite get preference to tender seat? 

Let them earn their way just like the rest of us.

[Wehwalt]

11 hours ago, paul929207 said:

I don't think Princess is likely to offer significant financial awards to a new category. Perks 

might include things like:

Priority seating for shows.

Priority boarding for tendering back to ship.

Priority seating for dining room with Anytime Dining or

Priority table assignment for Traditional.

Priority embarkation

 

Note that none of them cost Princess any money

 

New category should require at least 500 days.

The difficulty is that these are mostly very public things. The Elite perks as they stand are more or less out of sight of the non-Elite, excluding priority check-in, in which you aren't on the ship yet. They don't really see the priority tendering, minibar, etc. That might not be the atmosphere Princess wants to see.

Edited December 23, 2019 by Wehwalt

[disneyochem]

2 hours ago, MissP22 said:

Why not? They've earned it over the years by sailing Princess more than the others. Who really cares what the lower class people think if an Elite get preference to tender seat? 

Let them earn their way just like the rest of us.

Wow.  Just, wow.