WHY the big goal to become Pinacle ?? ..

[little britain]

12 minutes ago, twangster said:

 

DP340 is a trap.  Once you get the reduced solo supplement it makes it hard to sail other cruise lines solo.  

 

You'll be surprised how quickly the second 350 points racks up once you get DP340.  Even with the double points promo the road to Pinnacle before the shut down and the double points promo occurred a lot faster compared to the first 350.  

Agree!

I started 2022 with 448 and will end with 758 if all goes to plan! 

[BND]

14 hours ago, little britain said:

Lol; you and me both this year!!

The actual day I turned diamond ( March 2009)  they announced “ no diamonds in the DL”….. can you believe it?!?🤷‍♀️  So I’d like to predict the day of the next downsizing announcement will be in October ….!

I know you meant the CL, not the DL lol.  As D we only ever had the D event and then the DL.  As D+, we've had CL on Vision class and still did on EN this past Apr and July, but the CL isn't any different than the DL except it's smaller.  But, by the time we made D+ several years ago, a lot had changed.  I honestly don't remember when we hit D or D+, except I know we were D on our last couple of Explorer cruises out of NJ because of the D event held up in the game room off the VCL which was all glass and hot.

[Norwich Cruiser]

13 hours ago, Merion_Mom said:

 

 

The adulation of the masses.

And to wear a badge.

[Norwich Cruiser]

2 minutes ago, little britain said:

Agree!

I started 2022 with 448 and will end with 758 if all goes to plan! 

Good grief are you ever at home 😀

[BND]

1 minute ago, little britain said:

Agree!

I started 2022 with 448 and will end with 758 if all goes to plan! 

We started in Nov 2021 with 399 points and should end 2022 with 543.  We should (with what we have booked) end 2023 with 607.

[SargassoPirate]

22 minutes ago, twangster said:

 

DP340 is a trap.  Once you get the reduced solo supplement it makes it hard to sail other cruise lines solo.  

 

You'll be surprised how quickly the second 350 points racks up once you get DP340.  Even with the double points promo the road to Pinnacle before the shut down and the double points promo occurred a lot faster compared to the first 350.  

A trap is one way to look at it and one that I hadn't thought about. When I shop for a cruise, it's generally for the destination and itinerary.  I use a popular online TA whereby I can search across multiple cruise lines.  For example, if I want a transatlantic to get me to Europe,  I find one that fits my needs.  If I looked only at RCI my choices are more limited.  If I do select RCI, the DP340 discount is a nice plus.

 

Loyalty perks work, but it's tough to expand your horizons wearing RCI goggles.  

[twangster]

1 minute ago, SargassoPirate said:

A trap is one way to look at it and one that I hadn't thought about. When I shop for a cruise, it's generally for the destination and itinerary.  I use a popular online TA whereby I can search across multiple cruise lines.  For example, if I want a transatlantic to get me to Europe,  I find one that fits my needs.  If I looked only at RCI my choices are more limited.  If I do select RCI, the DP340 discount is a nice plus.

 

Loyalty perks work, but it's tough to expand your horizons wearing RCI goggles.  

 

That's why I sail other lines in the summer when DP340 is blacked out.  

 

I've sailed five lines since the restart although mostly on Royal.  It's just hard to swallow the additional cost to sail other lines when DP340 is available.  It's not a matter of wearing Royal goggles, it's a matter of wearing "wallet goggles" saving hundreds of dollars on cruise fare while also getting six free drinks and free internet quickly turns that into savings hundreds more.  Sometimes that's a matter of spending $2,500 on one line or $1,750 on Royal for a similar cruise.  You may see that as Royal Goggles, I see it as for what it is - saving $750.  

[PhillyFan33579]

13 hours ago, topnole said:

Yes.  That is about 56 in cost.  Not that much.  
 

But the real cost is the opportunity cost of them not buying a drink package or additional drinks.  If they just gave a discount (pre cruise) I suspect a lot more Diamond would buy it.  For many 4 drinks isn’t gonna be enough each day, but there is essentially no reward for being diamond or higher if you buy the package.  
 

Only D+ and up get a discount and it can’t be used pre cruise.  So if you wait to buy it on board and use the discount it is about the same price as anyone else paid pre cruise.  If they have a discount for D or D+ pre cruise they could make a lot more revenue.  It surprising they don’t do this with so many D and higher.   

Most of the Diamonds and Diamond + I know still get the drink package. As others have stated countless times on this site, the drink package includes a lot more than just alcohol (water, soda, speciality coffees, etc.). I know I would spend a lot more money on a cruise if I didn’t get the drink package just based on all the Pellagrino I drink every day. Ok, that might be a slight exaggeration but reinforces that the drink package is a lot more that just being about drinking alcohol. 

[little britain]

34 minutes ago, Norwich Cruiser said:

Good grief are you ever at home 😀

3 weeks on solo grandeur got me 98 and b2b on voyager got me 78. It quickly adds up! 

I keep telling DH that he will reap the rewards of my selfless hard work in November.

 

Edited August 8, 2022 by little britain

[twangster]

Free Voom is huge for folks like me that always buy Voom.  On the road to Pinnieville I spent over $4k on Voom.  Now it's always free.  The only "problem" with free Voom is not being to able complain when Voom sucks.  

 

Before the six free drinks the 40% off the DX on board meant never having to shop the DX in the cruise planner.  Cruise planner discounts usually top out at 30%, sometime but rarely above that.  Knowing you have 40% off means you can board and decide if you feel like getting the DX for that cruise.  Now with six free drinks it means never needing the DX, the math is just impossible to make work.  Six free drinks is just about perfect for my needs, it's basically a free drink package.

 

I'm not one to live in the suite lounge every night but it is nice to be able to drop by the SL off peak and enjoy a quiet area.  Access to the suite sun deck is great especially on Quantum class (before Odyssey).  In places like Alaska, Hawaii and New Zealand the suite sun deck is a great place to take in the sights as it's easy to go from port to starboard to watch for marine wildlife or take pictures in the Sounds of New Zealand.  

 

Coastal Kitchen for filet night can be better than Chops and zero cost.  I don't do CK every night but when I do the service is better than the MDR even if the food isn't much different so it is nice to have CK as a fallback when the MDR menu isn't that enticing either.  MDR service takes more time.  CK is very efficient so while the food may not be all that different than the MDR, service in CK always is.

 

Some of the best Pin benefits are not the hard perks but the soft perks like how you interact with the crew.  Once crew see you are a nice pin they generally treat you like you are one of them.  They open up and treat you like a long lost friend.  It's not the "kiss a pin's butt" like some people assume, they know you've been around and you know the routine so they relax and interact more like you are a trusted friend.  Generally speaking when crew learn you are Pin it results in a smile and "welcome back".  It's a good thing in a positive way. It's an instant ice breaker.

 

The guest service experience is better.  Many GS staff make up stuff as excuses or make up policy.    When they know you are a pin they cut the crap and know that you know better.  

 

It's hard to explain the soft benefits of being Pin. From terminal contractors to crew they all are more appreciative and warm in ways that is hard to explain.  

 

As far as wearing the Pin there are times when it does make life easier.  Terminal contractors watch for it and instantly let you access the Suites/Pinnacle queue rather than needing to be shown a set sail pass to get access to the queue.   It's just easier and I've had terminal contractors suggest I wear the pin next time to make it easier.   I wear it for top tier events at the suggesting from many different LA's over time.  Sometimes I wear the pin knowing it drives some people crazy.  It's just a piece of jewelry the cruise line gave me yet it drives some people absolutely bonkers.  PE is very real for some people.  Who am I to deny driving them nuts over it? 🙂 

[Norwich Cruiser]

40 minutes ago, little britain said:

3 weeks on solo grandeur got me 98 and b2b on voyager got me 78. It quickly adds up! 

I keep telling DH that he will reap the rewards of my selfless hard work in November.

 

It certainly is hard work I’m sure you’ll manage but it as you say has its perks.

[island lady]

30 minutes ago, twangster said:

Free Voom is huge for folks like me that always buy Voom.  On the road to Pinnieville I spent over $4k on Voom.  Now it's always free.  The only "problem" with free Voom is not being to able complain when Voom sucks.  

 

Before the six free drinks the 40% off the DX on board meant never having to shop the DX in the cruise planner.  Cruise planner discounts usually top out at 30%, sometime but rarely above that.  Knowing you have 40% off means you can board and decide if you feel like getting the DX for that cruise.  Now with six free drinks it means never needing the DX, the math is just impossible to make work.  Six free drinks is just about perfect for my needs, it's basically a free drink package.

 

I'm not one to live in the suite lounge every night but it is nice to be able to drop by the SL off peak and enjoy a quiet area.  Access to the suite sun deck is great especially on Quantum class (before Odyssey).  In places like Alaska, Hawaii and New Zealand the suite sun deck is a great place to take in the sights as it's easy to go from port to starboard to watch for marine wildlife or take pictures in the Sounds of New Zealand.  

 

Coastal Kitchen for filet night can be better than Chops and zero cost.  I don't do CK every night but when I do the service is better than the MDR even if the food isn't much different so it is nice to have CK as a fallback when the MDR menu isn't that enticing either.  MDR service takes more time.  CK is very efficient so while the food may not be all that different than the MDR, service in CK always is.

 

Some of the best Pin benefits are not the hard perks but the soft perks like how you interact with the crew.  Once crew see you are a nice pin they generally treat you like you are one of them.  They open up and treat you like a long lost friend.  It's not the "kiss a pin's butt" like some people assume, they know you've been around and you know the routine so they relax and interact more like you are a trusted friend.  Generally speaking when crew learn you are Pin it results in a smile and "welcome back".  It's a good thing in a positive way. It's an instant ice breaker.

 

The guest service experience is better.  Many GS staff make up stuff as excuses or make up policy.    When they know you are a pin they cut the crap and know that you know better.  

 

It's hard to explain the soft benefits of being Pin. From terminal contractors to crew they all are more appreciative and warm in ways that is hard to explain.  

 

As far as wearing the Pin there are times when it does make life easier.  Terminal contractors watch for it and instantly let you access the Suites/Pinnacle queue rather than needing to be shown a set sail pass to get access to the queue.   It's just easier and I've had terminal contractors suggest I wear the pin next time to make it easier.   I wear it for top tier events at the suggesting from many different LA's over time.  Sometimes I wear the pin knowing it drives some people crazy.  It's just a piece of jewelry the cruise line gave me yet it drives some people absolutely bonkers.  PE is very real for some people.  Who am I to deny driving them nuts over it? 🙂 

 

Love it, well said!  🤗

[LMaxwell]

Some people think reaching a tier at a resort/casino/cruise line is a lifetime achievement or personal accomplishment.  Congratulations; you made some smart choices in life and had disposbable income to enjoy. But it's not really a personal accomplishment in the classic sense. They are just marketing programs that have worked very succesfully.  Why do some race for it? The need to achieve a top tier, the desire for recognition, the maximization of perks/benefits. I've never met anyone OFF a cruise that has told me their cruise line status or casino status, but on a ship I have had entire resumes of ships and trips to the Caribbean recited to me.  I think the only ones more hardcore about it, possibly, are some of the airport warriors that fly constantly.  They make cruise mavens look like newbies.  

[moposh]

I have 40 points so I have a long way to go.  I never received my Platinum lapel pin, which I should have gotten on my last cruise.  

[dada2199cc]

1 hour ago, twangster said:

 

That's why I sail other lines in the summer when DP340 is blacked out.  

what does this mean?

 

I might barely cross over DP340 this year and am super excited because I cruise solo enough to make a difference towards Pinnacle.

 

To be honest, DP340 is way more important to me than Pinnacle.  Free internet would be nice but isn’t a big deal.  150% solo is massive!

[moposh]

What is DP340?

[twangster]

7 minutes ago, dada2199cc said:

what does this mean?

 

I might barely cross over DP340 this year and am super excited because I cruise solo enough to make a difference towards Pinnacle.

 

To be honest, DP340 is way more important to me than Pinnacle.  Free internet would be nice but isn’t a big deal.  150% solo is massive!

 

The reduced single supplement for 340+ points is not available in July or August plus holiday cruises like Christmas and US Thanksgiving.  

 

 

[dada2199cc]

Just now, twangster said:

 

The reduced single supplement for 340+ points is not available in July or August plus holiday cruises like Christmas and US Thanksgiving.  

 

 

Thanks for the info, I had no clue!

 

Im a low revenue solo cruise so I love the weeks nobody wants to cruise: December 4, January 9, etc, haha.

 

Gimme cheap rooms, empty ships and more sea days!

[twangster]

9 minutes ago, moposh said:

What is DP340?

 

For members with more than 340 points when booking solo there is a reduced single supplement.  The discount to use when booking is DP340 (DiamondPlus340).  It won't work if you don't have 340 or more points.  

[twangster]

3 minutes ago, dada2199cc said:

Thanks for the info, I had no clue!

 

Im a low revenue solo cruise so I love the weeks nobody wants to cruise: December 4, January 9, etc, haha.

 

Gimme cheap rooms, empty ships and more sea days!

 

Historical Caribbean pricing trends pre-pandemic.  While not perfect it does show the the common historical price trends over 12 months.  Applies more to cheaper cabins, suites have their price trends.

 

 

Edited August 8, 2022 by twangster

[dada2199cc]

3 minutes ago, twangster said:

 

Historical Caribbean pricing trends pre-pandemic.  While not perfect it does show the the common historical price trends over 12 months.  Applies more to cheaper cabins, suites have their price trends.

 

 

love this, thanks!

 

I used to have access to the cruise booking API (not Amadeus, the other one) so I generated a lot of my own data based on when I knew I could cruise.  This closely correlated with what I found (minus January where my data differs but they could be port or day of week variance).

 

I love me that first week of December!

[twangster]

23 minutes ago, moposh said:

I have 40 points so I have a long way to go.  I never received my Platinum lapel pin, which I should have gotten on my last cruise.  

 

Visit the Loyalty Ambassador on your next cruise.  They are usually more than happy to provide lapel pins for all levels as they are earned. 

[twangster]

1 minute ago, dada2199cc said:

love this, thanks!

 

I used to have access to the cruise booking API (not Amadeus, the other one) so I generated a lot of my own data based on when I knew I could cruise.  This closely correlated with what I found (minus January where my data differs but they could be port or day of week variance).

 

I love me that first week of December!

 

The pandemic and the restart threw a wrench in historical price trends but there are sign it's beginning to fall back in line with old ways.  Right after Labor day and early December/January are falling into old ways.  Alaska remains low compared to pre pandemic times.  It's still a great time to cruise to Alaska in 2023.

[twangster]

Another nice Pin perk is the flexible arrival time one hour plus or minus from the schedule arrival time.  

 

As arrival appointments are enforced more now compared to the past it's nice having a one hour grace so I don't have to scramble to try to get the earliest arrival times.  

 

Plus being the first board when waiting in the terminal after check in.  Get on early, booking things on board, find a place to eat and relax before the masses come on board.

 

It's the small things like this that make a huge difference.  

[Husky1987]

19 minutes ago, dada2199cc said:

I love me that first week of December!

That's so funny....my mom and dad started cruising in 1984ish.  The first two weeks of December was their time every year due to pricing.  My birthday is Dec. 11th.  I got phone calls every year on my birthday....it became a running joke...."This is costing us $15/minute, so happy birthday, we love you, bye!"