AC Stew Posted November 18, 2021 #1 Share Posted November 18, 2021 A friend on the current November 18 Serenade out of Tampa has advised that Diamonds are going to be restricted from accessing the Diamond Lounge. Only Diamond+ and Pinnacles are allowed! This is an entirely separate issue from vouchers, capacity monitoring, and no more "self-serve" from the coffee machine. If true, Diamonds will no longer be able to sit in the Diamond when it's quiet and enjoy a cappuccino. (Subjective of course, but I think that the machine coffee is decent.) For me, this is one of the benefits that I truly appreciate. I haven't noticed any "official" changes to benefits. Could this be an arbitrary "ship specific" ruling? Seems like a real slap in the face to an awful lot of loyal Diamond customers. Can anyone confirm or comment on any repercussions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bajathree Posted November 18, 2021 #2 Share Posted November 18, 2021 (edited) But are they going to change the name to the Diamond Plus Lounge!?!?!?!😁 Edited November 18, 2021 by bajathree 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coaster Posted November 18, 2021 #3 Share Posted November 18, 2021 (edited) Turned Diamond on our b2b on Serenade. We were welcomed into the lounge on November 4th on our last leg. Really enjoyed this area. Seems strange if Serenade is operating under different protocols than the rest of the fleet. Is this happening now our maybe a rumor for future sailings? Edited November 18, 2021 by coaster 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Another_Critic Posted November 18, 2021 #4 Share Posted November 18, 2021 On Oasis from Bayonne, they had a Pinnacle only lounge in Jazz on 4 (next to the D Lounge). The result was ... Jazz on 4 was empty and the D lounge was always full. The should have kicked the Pinns out of the D lounge. 😄 Actually, they should have used Jazz on 4 as D lounge overflow, as they did pre-Covid. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Another_Critic Posted November 18, 2021 #5 Share Posted November 18, 2021 31 minutes ago, bajathree said: But are they going to change the name to the Diamond Plus Lounge!?!?!?!😁 Works for me ... I turned D+ after my last cruise. 🙂 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Another_Critic Posted November 18, 2021 #6 Share Posted November 18, 2021 20 minutes ago, Heymarco said: I think Royal should do away with the entire loyalty based program and just go for surprise and delight model instead. It would be a breath of fresh air for a cruise line. It seems like they're actually going to a "pay to play" model. The Key, Suite only lounge, etc. You now can pretty much just buy the loyalty benefits, rather than earn them. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AC Stew Posted November 18, 2021 Author #7 Share Posted November 18, 2021 It was announced today on the November 18 Serenade sailing. To the ruffled feathers of a commenter: After 20 cruises with Royal, we've earned the benefits that their program offers. No more ... no less. And we remain patient with any changes due to Covid protocols. And we always, always appreciate those benefits. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Another_Critic Posted November 18, 2021 #8 Share Posted November 18, 2021 Not really a surprise. Many had predicted this for a while. D lounges were overcrowded and they still seem to be even with the voucher system. Now, they just need to bring back the free happy hour drinks for D+ & Pinns. 😄 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HicksRA Posted November 18, 2021 #9 Share Posted November 18, 2021 Would definitely be a slap in the face for those who have been scrambling with the double points incentive to get to Diamond. Maybe it’s just a sailing specific action based on C&A numbers. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare DaKahuna Posted November 18, 2021 #10 Share Posted November 18, 2021 That would be a great start. Pre-covid they started the conversion of Concierge Lounge to Suite Lounges and eliminated Diamond + from having access to most of them. I settle for 1100-2300 beer, wine, and cocktails in the suite lounge on ALL ships. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cigar King Posted November 18, 2021 #11 Share Posted November 18, 2021 11 minutes ago, Another_Critic said: You now can pretty much just buy the loyalty benefits, rather than earn them. And just how do you "earn them"? I had to pay for mine...one cruise at a time. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Venice Cruising Posted November 18, 2021 #12 Share Posted November 18, 2021 (edited) From past experience on Serenade, I cruise her quite frequently, my guess is they will make the Safari Lounge into a diamond lounge. There is no way all of the D, D+ and Pinnacles will fit into the regular diamond lounge. They have used the Safari Lounge quite frequently for that purpose. Edited November 18, 2021 by Venice Cruising 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coaster Posted November 18, 2021 #13 Share Posted November 18, 2021 Is there anything in writing that this change has taken place? Just seems unusual that Serenade is operating differently than the rest of the Royal fleet in regards to the Diamond lounge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captainrobert Posted November 18, 2021 #14 Share Posted November 18, 2021 1 hour ago, bajathree said: But are they going to change the name to the Diamond Plus Lounge!?!?!?!😁 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captainrobert Posted November 18, 2021 #15 Share Posted November 18, 2021 Yes, I took 40 plus cruises to get to a high Diamond Plus Status and with the pre double points program many climbed to the status with little number of days, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjb317 Posted November 19, 2021 #16 Share Posted November 19, 2021 We just got off Serenade today and heard no rumors about this. I wonder if it is a temporary change as perhaps they were expecting a large number of Diamonds? The DL is very small, the area that we have seen used for overflow into the Viking Lounge was blocked off as a Pinnacle Lounge for the10 Pinnacles on board.🙄 When the door was open as we walked past, we noticed the Suite Lounge never had more than a table or two occupied. Sherri🙂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neverbeenhere Posted November 19, 2021 #17 Share Posted November 19, 2021 (edited) Is it April 1st? please get someone to confirm. Edited November 19, 2021 by neverbeenhere But we would be happy with this change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AustinCruise Posted November 19, 2021 #18 Share Posted November 19, 2021 1 hour ago, HicksRA said: Would definitely be a slap in the face for those who have been scrambling with the double points incentive to get to Diamond. Maybe it’s just a sailing specific action based on C&A numbers. Ahh - but a pat on the back for these scrambling with double points to get to Diamond Plus 🙂 (kidding) (Well, kinda kidding - diamond plus next week) 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zekekelso Posted November 19, 2021 #19 Share Posted November 19, 2021 2 hours ago, DaKahuna said: settle for 1100-2300 beer, wine, and cocktails Are those times or quantities? 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robandana Posted November 19, 2021 #20 Share Posted November 19, 2021 Can anyone confirm this info? Just because in the past there have been some mistakes made.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare DaKahuna Posted November 19, 2021 #21 Share Posted November 19, 2021 1 hour ago, zekekelso said: Are those times or quantities? Either one works for me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunshine3601 Posted November 19, 2021 #22 Share Posted November 19, 2021 3 hours ago, Venice Cruising said: From past experience on Serenade, I cruise her quite frequently, my guess is they will make the Safari Lounge into a diamond lounge. There is no way all of the D, D+ and Pinnacles will fit into the regular diamond lounge. They have used the Safari Lounge quite frequently for that purpose. Just started reading this thread and was going to say exactly what you said as we sailed on Serenade many times, shes one of our favorites. Have seen safari lounge used for overflow many times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LilBlackDress Posted November 19, 2021 #23 Share Posted November 19, 2021 5 hours ago, Heymarco said: Why would it be a slap in the face? Barrier for entry is so low compare to other travel industry loyalty programs. Not sure why diamonds feel so entitled. I think Royal should do away with the entire loyalty based program and just go for surprise and delight model instead. It would be a breath of fresh air for a cruise line. What is Surprise and Delight?? I am not sure what you think would be a breath of fresh air... People are excited when they make Platinum!! Now you want them to scrap it all 🤣😂🤣 RC would be dodging bullets from all sides!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LilBlackDress Posted November 19, 2021 #24 Share Posted November 19, 2021 3 minutes ago, Heymarco said: It’s a marketing strategy that builds up big brand hype and “rewards” customers with new and exciting products. Think Apple or Tesla; do they have a formal loyalty program? No. However, they have some of the strongest loyalty fan bases on the planet. I know know what it is... I just don't see how you think it would work. I can't see a company scrapping a loyalty program they had in place for decades Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare twangster Posted November 19, 2021 #25 Share Posted November 19, 2021 7 hours ago, Heymarco said: It’s a marketing strategy that builds up big brand hype and “rewards” customers with new and exciting products. Think Apple or Tesla; do they have a formal loyalty program? No. However, they have some of the strongest loyalty fan bases on the planet. I get no love from Apple despite owning several products from different portfolios. I only get increasingly inferior products and increasing terrible operating systems. They don't even give existing owners access to new products 10 minutes the public. Are those my rewards? C&A is hugely successful. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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