Diamond Lounge

[SherriZ366]

The RCCL blog posted some good drink recipes.  

[Smiles1984]

Please don't take this as in any way an attack, I'm simply curious, but what exactly is the attraction of the Diamond Lounge? All I ever see on here are complaints that it's either too small, too crowded, or in a poor position on the ship, and there are so many other places one can sit and get a drink/snack, usually with a better view as well. In my experience there's always a decent spot to go to, if 1 is crowded there's bound to be another that isn't. Based purely on the posts I see on here, the only logical reasons to go there are the free drinks (which if I understand correctly you can now get anywhere on the ship), and that it's exclusive, which if the lounge is always so crowded isn't much of a draw.

 

I've seen the lounges on Oasis and Quantum class, and in my opinion they're not all that. What's the attraction?

 

Again, this is in no way an attack on anyone who does like them, I'm genuinely interested!

[Ocean Boy]

17 minutes ago, Smiles1984 said:

 

Again, this is in no way an attack on anyone who does like them, I'm genuinely interested!

Outside of happy hour they are a very nice quiet place to get away from the commorion of the ship. And on many ships, Freedom and Voyager class for example, they have a great location with ocean views.

[Smiles1984]

1 hour ago, Ocean Boy said:

Outside of happy hour they are a very nice quiet place to get away from the commorion of the ship. And on many ships, Freedom and Voyager class for example, they have a great location with ocean views.

Thanks for the explanation, makes sense. 

[taglovestocruise]

The last two story DL is still on Allure. 24 ft tall windows and a great view.  Hope it stays if the refurb is curtailed.  Not to mention great appetizers in the DL for 3+ hours, best chicken wings at sea.

[Milwaukee Eight]

On 3/30/2020 at 4:53 PM, homedepot124 said:

When we were on Harmony the Diamond Lounge was standing room only every night.  The Diamond Lounge is very small for such a large ship.  The Concierge was terrible - it took him three days and much complaining from the passengers before he realized he needed an overflow lounge.   This was by far the worst Diamond Lounge experience we have had on any RCCL ship.  

Why complain?  Don’t you have 3 drinks loaded on your SeaPass?

[Milwaukee Eight]

16 minutes ago, taglovestocruise said:

The last two story DL is still on Allure. 24 ft tall windows and a great view.  Hope it stays if the refurb is curtailed.  Not to mention great appetizers in the DL for 3+ hours, best chicken wings at sea.

They should make it a Pinnacle lounge. 

[Ocean Boy]

32 minutes ago, Milwaukee Eight said:

They should make it a Pinnacle lounge. 

<SIGH>

[BillieJeanKaraokeKing]

Maybe as a result of the current pandemic, they will end up rejigging the qualifying system, meaning it'll become less crowded 😀

[taglovestocruise]

1 hour ago, Milwaukee Eight said:

Why complain?  Don’t you have 3 drinks loaded on your SeaPass?

That would only get you through the first 30 minutes, then off to a even more crowded DL.  If you think I am joking you have never seen the DL power drinkers.  6+ cocktails would not be uncommon, and then leave with a armful of water to stock up the cabin. 

Edited April 7, 2020 by taglovestocruise

[Milwaukee Eight]

22 minutes ago, taglovestocruise said:

That would only get you through the first 30 minutes, then off to a even more crowded DL.  If you think I am joking you have never seen the DL power drinkers.  6+ cocktails would not be uncommon, and then leave with a armful of water to stock up the cabin. 

And there in is the issue. Power drinkers. That’s a new one for me. 

[Ocean Boy]

2 minutes ago, Milwaukee Eight said:

And there in is the issue. Power drinkers. That’s a new one for me. 

Well I balance it out at the other end of the spectrum. I seldom use all three of my vouchers in the evening and have never been in the lounge during happy hour.

[MrCruzdoggie]

On 3/30/2020 at 10:13 PM, cruisegirl1 said:

If you don't use mixers, the vodka is pretty harsh.  I know they say,  ( who ever they is) vodka has no flavor, but that is not the case with  New Amsterdam.   I drink vodka martinis and can't drink one in the lounge.  So I'll  order a lemon drop or cosmo  and  the mixers make it drinkable.    If I order a lemon drop in the lounge, then get one  later, on my dime and my choice of vodka, the drink tastes  completely different. 

 

Cheers 

M

 

 

I did like Finlander though 

[ZiggaZagga17]

15 hours ago, Ocean Boy said:

<SIGH>

Yeah it's got to be at least the 8th thread this same 'idea' has been posted! ha ha ha ha

[ZiggaZagga17]

14 hours ago, BillieJeanKaraokeKing said:

Maybe as a result of the current pandemic, they will end up rejigging the qualifying system, meaning it'll become less crowded 😀

They won't take away something people have already got - they'll just add more 'free' drinks on the SPC and close down the lounges!

[Milwaukee Eight]

Just now, ZiggaZagga17 said:

They won't take away something people have already got - they'll just add more 'free' drinks on the SPC and close down the lounges!

Why would you think they would add more drinks to SeaPass card?  3 is not enough in the limited time of happy hour?

[Ocean Boy]

4 minutes ago, ZiggaZagga17 said:

They won't take away something people have already got - they'll just add more 'free' drinks on the SPC and close down the lounges!

That is not a bit contradictory?

[molly361]

Diamond Lounge- What's that??  Oh yeah I vaguely remember them😇

[ZiggaZagga17]

On 4/7/2020 at 12:31 PM, Smiles1984 said:

Please don't take this as in any way an attack, I'm simply curious, but what exactly is the attraction of the Diamond Lounge? All I ever see on here are complaints that it's either too small, too crowded, or in a poor position on the ship, and there are so many other places one can sit and get a drink/snack, usually with a better view as well. In my experience there's always a decent spot to go to, if 1 is crowded there's bound to be another that isn't. Based purely on the posts I see on here, the only logical reasons to go there are the free drinks (which if I understand correctly you can now get anywhere on the ship), and that it's exclusive, which if the lounge is always so crowded isn't much of a draw.

 

I've seen the lounges on Oasis and Quantum class, and in my opinion they're not all that. What's the attraction?

 

Again, this is in no way an attack on anyone who does like them, I'm genuinely interested!

The concept of a lounge to 'qualifying' passengers was in its infancy a good idea, but the 'happy hour' (3 hrs or so - our last cruise was 4:30 - 8:00pm) is vastly over subscribed as the numbers of qualifying passengers increases by the day!

The 'tag' of being a Diamond or above gives you several other perks, including free photographs, free internet, cheaper washing n pressing, and various 2 for 1 offers etc etc ... 

Most people will see the drinks as the 'important' perk as such, but this is where for me it becomes unstuck! The Allure TA had 3 lounges on the go everyday ( the D+'s are now back with the oiks ) and if you include the Suite lounge (anybody in a suite can get in these - they kicked the +'s to make room ) then that's a 4th lounge!

The major reasons why people get upset about them like you've noticed is the (sometimes) absolute nightmare they are during the HH ... and gripes you'll see about people ask whether their friends can join them etc - obviously 95% of the time there's no room, but I have known it to happen on 'quieter' cruises!

They recently added 3 free drinks on your SPC to use in other area's of the ship to alleviate the crush loading, which to some are more than acceptable and happy to get on with it, but as someone has mentioned the term 'power drinker' (?) then that simply isn't enough as they generally go in there as the door opens and leave when the free drinks stop - and then take back to their cabin, water and soda! 

When you think of the logistics, this is quite a sensible way to go about your cruise if you don't want the added expenditure of a drinks package etc - if you have a package then really, the lounge is somewhere you may as well avoid as most ships have countless other bars as you probably well know.

In my opinion, the Happy Hours must cost the cruise lines a small fortune, they use up space (getting smaller by each refit/new build) that they could use for revenue making (cabins/bars/restaurants) and they little if no $ back for their effort (see power drinker) .. there's a lot of people in there that don't spend 1 $ more once they've booked their cruise and they're getting more numerous by the cruise - as the power drinkers 'way to do it' is easy and very simple to achieve - especially if you feed the waiter a few $'s each round of drinks (this also increases the measures)  

Personally speaking, I've believed for a while now, and cruising post Covid19 will add to the mix, they'll simply wean the ships away from all but the Suite lounges as ship real estate is very valuable - that and the only cruiser they're really interested in is the young family member, hence more and more ships getting water slides to keep the kiddy winks happy!

That said, the lounges are a great way to socialise, to 'network' and to meet past cruise mates - all of which I did on my last one a few weeks ago .. in fact a lot of 'wisely' cruises carry cards with addresses etc on them for this very reason. It can also be a very deep font of knowledge for newer cruisers to gather up information and tips n tricks and the like!

I say, make hay whilst the sun shines - you'll either love them or hate them, but each to their own really! 

Like I say I think their day is numbered, but the added bonus will be an increase of free drinks and/or discounted drinks packages like +'s get 

I'm sure some puritans will be along soon to correct this, but for someone coming through the door for the first time it can be a weird place full of weird people ha ha ha .. ie if you're gonna enter the lions cage, make sure you've got your big boy pants on!

Have fun! ... and remember it's YOUR cruise, no one else's! 

 

 

[ZiggaZagga17]

22 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

That is not a bit contradictory?

14 hours ago, BillieJeanKaraokeKing said:

Maybe as a result of the current pandemic, they will end up rejigging the qualifying system, meaning it'll become less crowded 😀

 

- if you've qualified - you've qualified!  Wherever they reset the 'number' at, people will already be there!

[ZiggaZagga17]

29 minutes ago, Milwaukee Eight said:

Why would you think they would add more drinks to SeaPass card?  3 is not enough in the limited time of happy hour?

How could anyone sit and be 'Happy' during a 3hr/3.5hr 'Happy Hour' with only 3 drinks?? ha ha ha 

[Milwaukee Eight]

6 minutes ago, ZiggaZagga17 said:

How could anyone sit and be 'Happy' during a 3hr/3.5hr 'Happy Hour' with only 3 drinks?? ha ha ha 

You can always buy additional drinks if the need arises. With DP you can drink quality alcohol not on the Diamond list. 

[Ocean Boy]

43 minutes ago, ZiggaZagga17 said:

 

In my opinion, the Happy Hours must cost the cruise lines a small fortune, they use up space (getting smaller by each refit/new build) that they could use for revenue making (cabins/bars/restaurants) and they little if no $ back for their effort (see power drinker) 

 

I understand your point about the space being valuable. However, maybe now the cruise lines will re-think this trend of jambing more cabins, and people, onto the ships. Too many people who are too close together definetely has its issues.

[DaniDanielle]

I guess we have been lucky.  Other than the first night, the Diamond Lounge on our Anthem cruises was quite enjoyable.  They use the Music Hall for  overflow and after people leave for first seating it empties out.

On  Harmony it was a little bit busier but still not horrible.

[firefly333]

18 hours ago, Milwaukee Eight said:

Why complain?  Don’t you have 3 drinks loaded on your SeaPass?

Can I use the 3 drinks at dinner? Or only certain places outside the dining room you have to order.

 

I've never used the 3 drinks. I went into the DL once and nothing listed I liked and left. Now that i heard you can order a margarita i will, just curious if i can order during dinner any of the 3 drinks.