New "crown lounge" rule

[sgmn]

4 hours ago, doghog said:

Correct. My concern is where dose it stop. We lost the CL. Not a biggie for us. For some reason we felt out of place in the CLs and right at home in the DLs. Just hate to see the cuts. Fighting for the diamonds. 😉 BTW, I've expressed my concerns up the chain about this possible fleetwide change.  Even on Celebrity. As the great Buffalo Springfield sang, "For what it's worth". ✌️

Thanks Dave, it's nice that some on here don't have the 'I'm alright Jack' attitude .

Feel for those who are almost at Diamond and looking forward to ALL the full diamond perks.

Sue

 

[sgmn]

3 hours ago, doghog said:

 When I spoke to the shoreside CAS this morning I told her the whole thing stinks. Just because the numbers might be high on that cruise doesn't mean the CL is going to be maxed out. I suggested if this continues the CL should be first come, first serve, no matter if D, D+ or P. Let the CL concierge decide room capacity.   

Agree, capacity is capacity, it works like that anyway. On Serenade last month we would usually visit around 6.30 and most time there were no spare seats.  No big deal,  we would grab a few snacks and take them next door to the VC lounge. 

 

[trippen texan]

Most CL have around 36 chairs some a little more some less. You have 200 or 300 diamond and 150 200 D+ or more 150 or more pins for 36 chairs? I think it will be D++ 500 points and pins in there because 30 top pins in SL pins alot of them 1400 points 2100 points 2800 points 700 points are hard to get i think he will change all this point stuff

[island lady]

9 hours ago, doghog said:

Correct. My concern is where dose it stop. We lost the CL. Not a biggie for us. For some reason we felt out of place in the CLs and right at home in the DLs. Just hate to see the cuts. Fighting for the diamonds. 😉 BTW, I've expressed my concerns up the chain about this possible fleetwide change.  Even on Celebrity. As the great Buffalo Springfield sang, "For what it's worth". ✌️

 

LOL...I did worse than that.   I started booking with other lines for the first time in 20 years since being loyal to Royal.  😉 

 

Just back from 3 week Viking cruise...wow...what a difference!  Back to great service and a ship that cares about you.  🙂  

[Jimbo]

26 minutes ago, island lady said:

 

LOL...I did worse than that.   I started booking with other lines for the first time in 20 years since being loyal to Royal.  😉 

 

Just back from 3 week Viking cruise...wow...what a difference!  Back to great service and a ship that cares about you.  🙂  

Nice to hear about Viking, we are thinking of booking a Viking Cruise..

[island lady]

12 hours ago, Ocean Boy said:

Best time of day on a ship as far as I'm concerned. Fortunately for people like us most folks in the ship never experience it.🙂

 

See you around at that time.  😉  Coffee run after "walkies" on the track for me.  Coffee to wake up "Mr. Sleepy head".   

[island lady]

12 hours ago, Ocean Boy said:

If they were losing out on drinks I could see the problem. I don't see the snacks as a big deal requiring a replacement. Finding something to eat on a cruise ship doesn't take much effort.

 

That is exactly what I always said.  Foraging for food on the cruise ships is a no brainer.  😄 

[cruisegirl1]

I guess if Royal eliminated the happy hour snacks, then the issue would correct itself. They’ve already eliminated happy hour complementary drinks. There would be no reason for the majority of folks to want to use the lounge during that time.
Cost savings for no food and few if any staff needed during the happy hour time.
 

No more infighting among passengers regarding who should have access to the lounge, and who should not as overcrowding would likely not be an issue.

 

Then after that, they can tackle the other issue that causes negative responses and and eliminate the coffee machine. Many people complain about the lines to get coffee, broken machines,  machine not available at the time of day they want coffee, etc. With no machine, there’s no issues.  

 

Problems solved.

M

ps-i’m sure many of you remember when Royal used to give  welcome back gifts to most passengers like tote bags, hats  picture frames, toiletry bags, etc. Lots of customers complained that they “already had that same gift,  didn’t like the gift, wanted a different kind of gift,”  etc. Royal solved the problem by eliminating the gifts all together.

If  I ran the company and customers were complaining about something I was giving away for free, I would simply illuminate the item. Why give people something to complain about.

 

[livingonthebeach]

Taking away a benefit (no matter how small or insignificant) with no replacement is not a good strategy for RCI. Personally, I was never fond of those appetizers so no big loss for me. However, if I really liked them and lived for the 5 o'clock snacks, I'd be more than PO'ed. 

[island lady]

25 minutes ago, cruisegirl1 said:

I guess if Royal eliminated the happy hour snacks, then the issue would correct itself. They’ve already eliminated happy hour complementary drinks. There would be no reason for the majority of folks to want to use the lounge during that time.
Cost savings for no food and few if any staff needed during the happy hour time.
 

No more infighting among passengers regarding who should have access to the lounge, and who should not as overcrowding would likely not be an issue.

 

Then after that, they can tackle the other issue that causes negative responses and and eliminate the coffee machine. Many people complain about the lines to get coffee, broken machines,  machine not available at the time of day they want coffee, etc. With no machine, there’s no issues.  

 

Problems solved.

M

ps-i’m sure many of you remember when Royal used to give  welcome back gifts to most passengers like tote bags, hats  picture frames, toiletry bags, etc. Lots of customers complained that they “already had that same gift,  didn’t like the gift, wanted a different kind of gift,”  etc. Royal solved the problem by eliminating the gifts all together.

If  I ran the company and customers were complaining about something I was giving away for free, I would simply illuminate the item. Why give people something to complain about.

 

 

Indeed "the times they are a changin' ".   

 

We are just back from a Viking 3 week cruise...there are no loyalty lounges...we are all the same.  Coffee machines with all the fancy fixings are in an open area with no restrictions.  Beer and wine complimentary with lunch and dinner...other drinks on a pay per basis (and not expensive) or on a prepurchase package deal.  Was quite refreshing.  

[torpeedo]

41 minutes ago, island lady said:

 

Indeed "the times they are a changin' ".   

 

We are just back from a Viking 3 week cruise...there are no loyalty lounges...we are all the same.  Coffee machines with all the fancy fixings are in an open area with no restrictions.  Beer and wine complimentary with lunch and dinner...other drinks on a pay per basis (and not expensive) or on a prepurchase package deal.  Was quite refreshing.  

And no children or casino?  I get their brochures all the time. 

[nelblu]

1 hour ago, cruisegirl1 said:

I guess if Royal eliminated the happy hour snacks, then the issue would correct itself. They’ve already eliminated happy hour complementary drinks. There would be no reason for the majority of folks to want to use the lounge during that time.
Cost savings for no food and few if any staff needed during the happy hour time.
 

No more infighting among passengers regarding who should have access to the lounge, and who should not as overcrowding would likely not be an issue.

 

Then after that, they can tackle the other issue that causes negative responses and and eliminate the coffee machine. Many people complain about the lines to get coffee, broken machines,  machine not available at the time of day they want coffee, etc. With no machine, there’s no issues.  

 

Problems solved.

M

ps-i’m sure many of you remember when Royal used to give  welcome back gifts to most passengers like tote bags, hats  picture frames, toiletry bags, etc. Lots of customers complained that they “already had that same gift,  didn’t like the gift, wanted a different kind of gift,”  etc. Royal solved the problem by eliminating the gifts all together.

If  I ran the company and customers were complaining about something I was giving away for free, I would simply illuminate the item. Why give people something to complain about.

 

I guess we could go back to the Stone Age of cruising.  That's the way it was when there were no established lounges. 

 

Hey, I still have some Royal swag from trading for Shipshape $s.🤣

[doghog]

We enjoy having a couple of drinks and a snack (cheese) in the CL before supper. If the snacks were discontinued we would still go to to the CL for pre supper drinks. I'd mention our displeasure to the CL concierge and on my PCS. I like cheese with my whine.  I'm not a sentimentalist but we consider going to the CL a tradition we still enjoy. 🍻 We enjoy the company, staff and other cruisers. I don't drink coffee or eat the continental style breakfast in the CL. But I would hate to see that disappear as a perk/benefit for those that do enjoy it. We do enjoy going to the CL after being in port for a glass of ice water and chilling for a few minutes. 

Edited October 22, 2023 by doghog

[Ocean Boy]

46 minutes ago, doghog said:

 I don't drink coffee or eat the continental style breakfast in the CL. But I would hate to see that disappear as a perk/benefit for those that do enjoy it. 

It is really nice to see you say that. More times than not around here a typical response would be something like.... I don't have breakfast or coffee in the lounge so I don't care if they get rid of it. Doesn't affect me.

[doghog]

6 hours ago, island lady said:

 

LOL...I did worse than that.   I started booking with other lines for the first time in 20 years since being loyal to Royal.  😉 

 

Just back from 3 week Viking cruise...wow...what a difference!  Back to great service and a ship that cares about you.  🙂  

Pat, I respect your decision. Have you contacted the CAS and voiced your concerns, complaints as to why your are moving on?  FWIW. 

[c-leg5]

19 hours ago, PompeySailor said:

I know I’m currently on Grandeur 

in at 5:16 all done by 6:15

 

 

Is that a dedicated dining floor for MTD or are they still mixing  with traditional?

[FishOn55]

16 hours ago, doghog said:

We've only been D+ since March of 2017. For us making D was way better than making D+. I don't think we'll ever grow tired of the DL, I mean CL. United we stand, divided we fall. 

 

Start voicing your concerns to Royal. The shoreside CAS (1-800-526-9723) is a start. I also emailed  mbayley@rccl.com. Hopefully it gets forwarded to the correct people and not deleted. Anyone know the email address for the executive office? I have had good results from the Celebrity executive office with questions and concerns about some of the recent Captains Club changes. 

Again, thank you so much for your Diamond support and phone number and email address you provided. I plan to follow-up with with both. Please let us know if you receive a response to any of your correspondence.

[cruisegirl1]

3 hours ago, nelblu said:

 

Hey, I still have some Royal swag from trading for Shipshape $s.🤣

Me too. The wonderful mesh expandable nylon bucket beach bag. Use it for my snorkel gear on most all  cruises. 
m

Edited October 22, 2023 by cruisegirl1

[FishOn55]

3 hours ago, doghog said:

We enjoy having a couple of drinks and a snack (cheese) in the CL before supper. If the snacks were discontinued we would still go to to the CL for pre supper drinks. I'd mention our displeasure to the CL concierge and on my PCS. I like cheese with my whine.  I'm not a sentimentalist but we consider going to the CL a tradition we still enjoy. 🍻 We enjoy the company, staff and other cruisers. I don't drink coffee or eat the continental style breakfast in the CL. But I would hate to see that disappear as a perk/benefit for those that do enjoy it. We do enjoy going to the CL after being in port for a glass of ice water and chilling for a few minutes. 

Totally agree.

[PompeySailor]

1 hour ago, c-leg5 said:

Is that a dedicated dining floor for MTD or are they still mixing  with traditional?

Deck 5 is MTD

Deck 4 is traditional 

As far as I am aware 

 

For clarity, photo was taken on Deck 4 and other photo from App was for Deck 4 - so as not to confuse 😉

Edited October 22, 2023 by PompeySailor

[doghog]

53 minutes ago, FishOn55 said:

Again, thank you so much for your Diamond support and phone number and email address you provided. I plan to follow-up with with both. Please let us know if you receive a response to any of your correspondence.

You are welcome.

 

So far just the conversation I had with the shoreside CAS and she documented everything I said and would forward it on. To who, I'm not sure. Hopefully someone at the RCG level in charge of the CAS. From what I took away from our conversation, not many complaints have been called or emailed in concerning the Diamonds on cruises with D+ and P high numbers and not allowed in the CL during the evening HH. Of course she said she understood my concerns but quickly reminded me as a D+ this would not effect us. Not my point. 

[island lady]

5 hours ago, torpeedo said:

And no children or casino?  I get their brochures all the time. 

 

LOL...they do promote what "they are not" indeed.   No children, no casino, no belly flop mentality, no art auctions, no "nickle and dime" sales promos, no umbrella drinks, no charge for specialty restaurants (including Chef's table) no charge for WIFI.   Of course you pay a bit extra up front..but wow....nice to relax again. 😉   Oh...and the laundry service...OMG!  Best I have ever seen.  

[doghog]

1 minute ago, island lady said:

 

LOL...they do promote what "they are not" indeed.   No children, no casino, no belly flop mentality, no art auctions, no "nickle and dime" sales promos, no umbrella drinks, no charge for specialty restaurants (including Chef's table) no charge for WIFI.   Of course you pay a bit extra up front..but wow....nice to relax again. 😉   Oh...and the laundry service...OMG!  Best I have ever seen.  

Sounds all inclusive. Is the daily gratuity also included? 

[island lady]

2 hours ago, doghog said:

Pat, I respect your decision. Have you contacted the CAS and voiced your concerns, complaints as to why your are moving on?  FWIW. 

 

Sorry my friend...I did not.   Actually we have so many other cruises booked now with other lines (mostly Viking)...I guess I just gave it up.  

[island lady]

3 hours ago, Ocean Boy said:

It is really nice to see you say that. More times than not around here a typical response would be something like.... I don't have breakfast or coffee in the lounge so I don't care if they get rid of it. Doesn't affect me.

 

NO...NOO!!   Don't take away my fancy coffee machine!!!   The horrors!! 😨