Revamped Tier Levels Coming Soon

[Lucky TGO]

Just now, CarelessAndConfused said:

 

Just out of curiosity, is it that you book back to back 10 day cruises?  Because I don't know that I've ever seen a 20 day cruise for sale.

Yes I always book 10 day B2B. You can book the same cruise as a 20 day cruise also. 
I get 2 booking numbers so I don’t have any problems getting more elite perks.

My friend booked the same cruise as a 20 day cruise and had problems getting them. 
Tony

[geocruiser]

Only once did I have my shoes cleaned while on board Tahitian Princess.  It was a 14 day Alaskan cruise.  I was walking in port and stepped on dog Poo.  I tried to clean it up on the grass/ground while walking back to the ship.  When I got closed to the gangway, (no where near the ramp) I took my shoes  off to walk the last part to to gangway and on to the ship.  I walked on board with the shoes in my hand and a officer saw me and came over to me and ask me what happened.  I told him and he took my shoes and said he would get the clean and have them returned to my cabin.   He was happy that I did not want to track it on board.  That was the one and only time I had my shoes cleaned while on board.

[abbydancer2003]

I think, on the boards for both lines I sail, this topic comes up regularly that somebody knows somebody and the tiers are changing.

 

To paraphrase Richard O'Brien (Rocky Horror Picture Show). "I grow weary of this topic"

 

[Bruin Steve]

First, for the record, I've done a lot of cruises...on nine different cruise lines...

I'm Platinum on Princess...Diamond on Royal Caribbean and Elite Plus on Celebrity...

In fact, I made it to Elite n Celebrity in just four cruises.  Under their old system, it was ten cruises to get to Elite, but you got an extra point for a cruise over 10 nights and an extra point for a suite...making it possible to get there in four cruises.  They since changed the system to award points for each night cruising with a different multiplier for different cabin categories...BUT, however it's worked, it's been much easier to attain higher status on Celebrity than on Princess.

 

And, for many years now, I've appreciated Celebrity's Elite/Elite Plus perks...The Internet free minutes are similar... so is the laundry, in a way, with Elite Plus getting us 2 loads of laundry EACH per cruise...always more than enough for us...But, the BIG difference between Celebrity AND Royal Caribbean versus Princess has been the FREE pre-dinner drinks...something that was always lacking on Princess...

 

However, things are changing...First, Celebrity started marketing cruises with "perks"--drink package, tips, internet.  Now, they are making those perks mostly mandatory.  This pretty much makes the drinking hours and internet perks completely moot...About the only Celebrity Elite/Elite Plus perk worth anything now is the free laundry...

 

But Princess is not far behind.  For our upcoming Majestic Princess cruise, Princess marketed it with a "too good to pass up" perk package--Drinks, gratuities, WiFi and a specialty restaurant night for $40 per night...

 

This appears to be the future of cruising on these cruise lines...

 

So, ask yourself:  What is the point of any of these perks as loyalty program perks?

 

And, for anyone thinking the cruise lines should give away things like Business Class Air or upgrades to Suites or Free cruises or other expensive freebies....remember, NOTHING IS REALLY EVER FREE.  The cruise lines are in this to MAKE MONEY...not to give way large profit items.  When they give away ANYTHING to ANYONE, they need to blend it into the cost somewhere.  So, expect any changes in any of the loyalty programs to be minimal at best...Maybe onboard "events" that don't cost them that much.  They are cool with things like priority boarding or priority tendering or advance restaurant reservations--those don't really cost the anything.

 

Will any of that sort of thing make you go out of your way to book with one cruise line or another?  Well, minimal stuff has worked in the past.  People like thinking they're getting something...anything...

 

Fo me, as always, I will book my cruises for the cruise itself...for the itinerary, the timing, the ship and the deal I get on THAT cruise.  Drinks...Laundry...WiFi...I can BUY any of that...on any cruise.  And on many cruises now, I'm forced to buy those as part of the "deal"...

[caribill]

On 6/8/2021 at 10:15 AM, CarelessAndConfused said:

First off, I think the only fair thing to do is as DanielA suggested and make it a revenue based system, which would make most sense.

 

I can see the future posts on Cruise Critic:

 

"Can anyone give me the name of a full priced Travel Agent? All I can find are discount TAs, but I want to pay as much as I can for the cabin so I can get to the next loyalty level."

 

"When is the best time to book a cruise at the highest price? If I wait too long, they may be discounting the cabins to fill up the ship and I would miss out on loyalty points I could have earned."

 

"If Princess raises the price for my cabin type, can I be refared so I can get more loyalty credits?"

[2 cruises a year]

3 hours ago, CarelessAndConfused said:

 

Just out of curiosity, is it that you book back to back 10 day cruises?  Because I don't know that I've ever seen a 20 day cruise for sale.

There are a lot of 20+ day cruises.  There are several segments of World Cruises that can be booked.  There are Grand Adventures, and Circle "several options here" cruises.  Trans Oceans also.  Admittedly, some can be booked as shorter segments as well as a single cruise.

Our longest was booked as 64 days, part of a World Cruise.  It could be booked as one segment or any combination of the three segments.

When I retired my wife said "all I ask is for 2 cruises a year".  She made out pretty well that year with one of those 2 cruises being 64 days. 🙂

Just select 16+ days in Find a Cruise on Princess.com

Edited June 10, 2021 by 2 cruises a year

[ericfromri]

I think the fairest is to count cruise days , if you’re in a certain level suite or above then you get double points, same as if you are a solo paying 200%

Edited June 10, 2021 by ericfromri

[skynight]

12 hours ago, Thrak said:

How many here have used the Elite Shoe Polishing Perk?

One time. Fell in mud before boarding. Asked the cabin steward if he could clean my shoes. Shoes returned very quickly. Most of the shoes I wear on board are not the kind you shine.

Edited June 10, 2021 by skynight

[skynight]

13 hours ago, davemorton said:

• Pacific Tier:
  150-500 points
  Benefits: Telephone hotline on board, member cruises, loyalty manager, Peninsular Club Magazine | 5% onboard discount
• Atlantic Tier:
  501-1000 points
  Benefits: All benefits of the Pacific Tier plus a complimentary glass of champagne | 7,5% onboard discount
• Mediterranean Tier:
  1001- 2000 points
  Benefits: All benefits of the Atlantic Tier plus an invitation to a cocktail party (8+ nights) | 8,5% onboard discount
• Caribbean Tier:
  From 2001 points
  Benefits: All benefits of the Mediterranean Tier plus priority embarkation, welcome reception, a complimentary bottle of champagne, a special dining event and an annual gift | 10% onboard discount
• Baltic Tier:
  From 2501 points and 80-200 nights on board within the last three years
  Benefits: All benefits of the Caribbean Tier, priority booking for flights and 50% discount on machine washable laundry | 10% onboard discount
• Ligurian Tier:
  from 2501 points and at least 201 nights on board within the last three years
  Benefits: All benefits of the Baltic Tier plus invitations to events, access to our Hospitality Lounge within the cruise terminal, complimentary pressing service | 10% onboard discount

These benefits would not provide us any special encouragement to return to their brand. The set up with the real benefits requiring average days on board over 3 years also doesn't seem to fit our thoughts of how a cruise loyalty system should work. P&O has a limited UK market, maybe it works for them.

[pompeii]

9 hours ago, dreaminofcruisin said:

I'm still trying to figure out why so many people think it's 'easy' to get to Elite? Maybe for those of you who are in driving distance from a port, but those of us in the midwest, each cruise is expensive. It's a bit easier since we've retired, but Elite still seems pretty far away. We are Platinum and took our first cruise in 2006. While raising kids, it wasn't an affordable thing to do every year. My guess is that even though it sounds like you often see a lot of Elites on cruises....the majority of people never even reach Platinum. I would think those are the people Princess would want to keep encouraging to come back....

but that's just my 2 cents worth. 

🤷‍♀️

Very true.  We live in Cleveland and it  took us about 10 years to get to Elite.  Getting to Platinum was pretty quick, but it seemed that on to Elite took forever.  No quick weekend getaways for us - flights are too expensive!

[davemorton]

46 minutes ago, skynight said:

These benefits would not provide us any special encouragement to return to their brand. The set up with the real benefits requiring average days on board over 3 years also doesn't seem to fit our thoughts of how a cruise loyalty system should work. P&O has a limited UK market, maybe it works for them.

I totally agree.  I used it as an example of how much better Princess is, and also a way to stop everyone gaining access to the top tier. 

[beg3yrs]

16 hours ago, Thrak said:

How many here have used the Elite Shoe Polishing Perk?

Used it once and couldn't tell anything had been done. It almost seemed like the steward might have ran over the shoes with one of those sponges saturated with some kind of a silicon fluid to just touch them up.

 

To me, a polish involves a good scrubbing to clean the shoe and then multiple applications of a shoe shine polish (like Kiwi), buffing the shoes between each coat. Not quite a spit-shine but it should have a nice result. Anyway, I won't bother using that service again.

[abbydancer2003]

8 hours ago, ericfromri said:

I think the fairest is to count cruise days , if you’re in a certain level suite or above then you get double points, same as if you are a solo paying 200%

Unless you woork at a job with little vacation tome and can only do one cruise a year.   It would take you much longer than a retired person who can do long cruises.  So  days only is not “fair” either.  
 

I think it’s great that there are two paths.   And I’m really sorry that many of you feel thst makes you less special.    

[Iamcruzin]

On 6/7/2021 at 1:54 PM, pms4104 said:

Yep, taking away free internet minutes is crazy. 

 

 

I don't even consider free internet minutes a perk when the price of unlimited has come down in price. As a matter of fact there is nothing in the Princess loyalty program that would compel me to book a cruise with them.  The all inclusive offers that they have had is more of an enticement than free laundry or bar set up in the cabin.  

[ericfromri]

2 hours ago, abbydancer said:

Unless you woork at a job with little vacation tome and can only do one cruise a year.   It would take you much longer than a retired person who can do long cruises.  So  days only is not “fair” either.  
 

I think it’s great that there are two paths.   And I’m really sorry that many of you feel thst makes you less special.    

Nothing special about it     I retired when I was 37 and I enjoy my 200 cruise days a year.

[MissP22]

51 minutes ago, ericfromri said:

Nothing special about it     I retired when I was 37 and I enjoy my 200 cruise days a year.

Very few people can say the same.

[memoak]

1 hour ago, ericfromri said:

Nothing special about it     I retired when I was 37 and I enjoy my 200 cruise days a year.

Good for you I am just now getting ready to retire at the age of 71

[JF - retired RRT]

21 hours ago, Thrak said:

How many here have used the Elite Shoe Polishing Perk?

On my tennies or my sandals? 🤣

[nocl]

18 hours ago, Lucky TGO said:

Yes I always book 10 day B2B. You can book the same cruise as a 20 day cruise also. 
I get 2 booking numbers so I don’t have any problems getting more elite perks.

My friend booked the same cruise as a 20 day cruise and had problems getting them. 
Tony

In 2019 did several long cruises. In each case the Elite perks such as minibar was granted based upon the most segments sold. For example I booked a 14 day from Barcelona to Athens that was also sold  as 2 7 days. We booked the 14. but got minibar refresh every 7. That happened also on the others where we booked the longer options, instead of shorter segments.

 

The only one we have seen treated erratically is the internet minutes. Have seen that handled differently from on cruise to another when it comes to segments, on some gave gotten it by segment on others the whole cruise.

[memoak]

19 minutes ago, nocl said:

In 2019 did several long cruises. In each case the Elite perks such as minibar was granted based upon the most segments sold. For example I booked a 14 day from Barcelona to Athens that was also sold  as 2 7 days. We booked the 14. but got minibar refresh every 7. That happened also on the others where we booked the longer options, instead of shorter segments.

 

The only one we have seen treated erratically is the internet minutes. Have seen that handled differently from on cruise to another when it comes to segments, on some gave gotten it by segment on others the whole cruise.

The minibar is filled by room service. All they know is that an elite member is in that cabin they don’t know how you booked it

[ReligBookFreak]

On 6/7/2021 at 12:23 PM, ceilidh1 said:

This was sent to TAs last week....

 

 

New exclusive benefits for Elite and Platinum members If Dine My Way dining perks weren’t enough, we’re also excited to announce new benefits for clients who are Elite and Platinum members: • 10% off spa treatments and photo offerings • An exclusive 50% discount on MedallionNet® Wi-Fi (With this fast, reliable internet now offered on all our ships, no need to limit your time worrying about minutes anymore!) • 10% off shore excursions for Elite members

Who cares? I never take cruise line excursions and with their "value" plan, you already get unlimited Wifi (and Premium drinks and prepaid gratuities). I have never used the spa, nor do I plan to, and photo offerings are just for cruising newbies (IMHO). So, where are the "exclusive benefits'? I don't see any.

Alan

[MishelleMcc]

On 6/7/2021 at 9:29 AM, geocruiser said:

Barrel Chairs!!! 🪑 On no, don't get me started on that.  My last two booked cruises were with HAL and not Princess because of that!!😀

FYI, they still have them...  Just ask "Stewart" once you are onboard...  Also, I was able to ask for & received a handheld shower from my PVP in Dec 2019... 

 

But I agree... lets not start on this again...🤣  Happy Cruising!!

[beg3yrs]

1 hour ago, ReligBookFreak said:

Who cares? I never take cruise line excursions and with their "value" plan, you already get unlimited Wifi (and Premium drinks and prepaid gratuities). I have never used the spa, nor do I plan to, and photo offerings are just for cruising newbies (IMHO). So, where are the "exclusive benefits'? I don't see any.

Alan

We care! It's fine if you don't care, that's up to you but ... there are other people who cruise that have different tastes and preferences.

[Thrak]

2 hours ago, ReligBookFreak said:

Who cares? I never take cruise line excursions and with their "value" plan, you already get unlimited Wifi (and Premium drinks and prepaid gratuities). I have never used the spa, nor do I plan to, and photo offerings are just for cruising newbies (IMHO). So, where are the "exclusive benefits'? I don't see any.

Alan

 

Actually, I appreciate the benefit of the separate boarding area (when available of course) where there are snacks and drinks. I also enjoy the disembarkation lounge where there is seating and drinks such as water, coffee, and juice. When we are on the way to the disembarkation lounge and I pass the myriad of passengers huddled on the floor and along the walls in the photo area or in the casino I am extremely happy that we are not among them.

[Bgwest]

On 6/7/2021 at 6:25 PM, getting older slowly said:

the basic problem with the current tier system is it is too easy to get to top... and as a lot of people have found     when everybody is elite... nobody is elite....

 

Also number of days is more important than number of cruises, in my way of thinking...

 

Question is it the perks or the status level or you really don't care  and go with the flow??

 

To us on our first cruise, got free laundry, mini bar, access to pre-dinner canapes

plus a great breakfast.. front of the tender line...... all on a blue card..... In a suite

 

you can pay for what you want 

Us as well plus an escort to our suite.