New "crown lounge" rule

[doghog]

45 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

 

It seems to vary by sailing based on top tier numbers... maybe. Not sure we fully know yet.

 

I'll find out soon enough.

It's based on numbers of D+ and Ps. The decision is made prior to the cruise. I totally disagree with this. Just because the numbers are high doesn't mean the CL is going to to packed during the HH. It should be first come first serve. No matter if you are D, D+ or P. The CL concierge can monitor (crowd control) the numbers going in and out of the lounge.  

[island lady]

Just now, Starry Eyes said:

OK I looked at your signature.  I note a substantial increase in the number of Royal Caribbean cruises per year (roughly 4-6 per year in 2011-2019; about 10-13 per year in 2022-2023).  

 

 

Our beloved fur babies passed away in 2018.  Miss them still so much.  😞  Then decided to book more, and longer cruises we had been putting off before that, since I hated leaving them so much.  

 

Then 2020 brought Covid cancellations, including two Aussie/NZ/SP cruises we lost with RCI.  We are now making up for lost time as quickly as possible.  The clock is ticking and we are not getting any younger.  Going to do it while we still can, even with the Covid set back...and I know I am not alone.

 

Since I book very far in advance...more than 2 years in advance...I still have quite a few RCI cruises in the works.  The other cruise line bookings have been coming on as additional during that last two years.  

[OCSC Mike]

7 minutes ago, doghog said:

It's based on numbers of D+ and Ps. The decision is made prior to the cruise. I totally disagree with this. Just because the numbers are high doesn't mean the CL is going to to packed during the HH. It should be first come first serve. No matter if you are D, D+ or P. The lCL concierge can monitor (crowd control) the numbers going in and out of the lounge.

 

Yes, I've seen your posts and mostly agree with you.

 

It seems clear that the top tier numbers are driving it; I'm just not fully convinced we know exactly how it's decided. Is there leeway? Is there an exact cutoff number? Does it vary by ship? Etc...

[Starry Eyes]

4 minutes ago, island lady said:

 

 

Our beloved fur babies passed away in 2018.  Miss them still so much.  😞  Then decided to book more, and longer cruises we had been putting off before that, since I hated leaving them so much.  

 

Then 2020 brought Covid cancellations, including two Aussie/NZ/SP cruises we lost with RCI.  We are now making up for lost time as quickly as possible.  The clock is ticking and we are not getting any younger.  Going to do it while we still can, even with the Covid set back...and I know I am not alone.

 

Since I book very far in advance...more than 2 years in advance...I still have quite a few RCI cruises in the works.  The other cruise line bookings have been coming on as additional during that last two years.  

You are not alone and I’m glad you are able to enjoy traveling extensively.  I am glad that you have found another line that is taking you to new ports in a style you enjoy and can afford.  I do tend to wonder, though, if your perception of Royal’s deficiencies (I am not denying deficiencies, LOL) is more acute because you have recently taken so many more and longer cruises.  Almost a “familiarity breeds contempt” situation.  Plus occasional or young cruisers might be more apt enjoy an over enthusiastic CD, the belly flop contest, the on board sales, art auction, etc that a mature, highly experienced cruiser might not.  

[island lady]

13 minutes ago, Starry Eyes said:

Plus occasional or young cruisers might be more apt enjoy an over enthusiastic CD, the belly flop contest, the on board sales, art auction, etc that a mature, highly experienced cruiser might not.  

 

Oh most definitely I am sure they do!  RCI seems to be really targeting the young families market.  But those items are not high on my old fart's wish list.  Thus...branching out to something that more fits our interests now.  🙂 

 

Want to see more of the world...before we are unable to travel any longer.  Will still fit in an occasional local cruise in the blank spaces...but "filling up our dance card" over the next few years quite a bit now.  🥰

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 23, 2023 by island lady

[grapau27]

2 hours ago, island lady said:

 

Yes, I am.  Just take a look at my signature of booked cruises...it used to be all 100% RCI for the last 20 years.  What do you see now.  😉  

Good afternoon Pat.

I hope you and Bucky are well.

Cruises cost more in Europe compared to the US so another reason Viking is more expensive.

Royal seems quite expensive in Europe too.

Our last Royal cruise was Oasis in  January 2023 out of Miami.

Since then we were on MSC in April and P&O in June.

Our next few cruises are on P&O too.

We have just got home after a week's hotel stay in Orlando.

What is happening now with the DL is something I suggested might be a solution to DL overcrowding a few years ago.

Our 5 vouchers each as D+ per day at any time including Sauvignon blanc is much better for us especially since unlimited drinks in the DL stopped.

Just my opinion but I think eventually the Suite lounge will be for Suite passengers only and the 

Crown lounge will be for Pinnacles only with possibly an extra voucher per day for a speciality coffee elsewhere on board for Diamond and Diamond+ member's.

 

[OCSC Mike]

7 minutes ago, grapau27 said:

Crown lounge will be for Pinnacles only

 

That would be an awfully empty lounge on many sailings. It can be empty with Diamond and up on some cruises. There were single digit Pinnacles on several Wonder cruises this summer.

[grapau27]

1 minute ago, OCSC Mike said:

 

That would be an awfully empty lounge on many sailings. It can be empty with Diamond and up on some cruises. There were single digit Pinnacles on several Wonder cruises this summer.

TBH we have only went into the DL for a coffee during the day on our last several Royal cruises and the DL has almost been empty or almost empty during the day.

The novelty of our drinks being continually topped up in the DL and CL during happy hours enticed us in but now we prefer using other lounges and speciality restaurants for our 5 each free vouchers.

[OCSC Mike]

5 minutes ago, grapau27 said:

TBH we have only went into the DL for a coffee during the day on our last several Royal cruises and the DL has almost been empty or almost empty during the day.

The novelty of our drinks being continually topped up in the DL and CL during happy hours enticed us in but now we prefer using other lounges and speciality restaurants for our 5 each free vouchers.

 

If you don't like going there for the evening happy hour snacks (or the view on ships that have a nice CL location I guess), I agree there's not much reason to. I really like some of the hors d'ouvres otherwise I'd only be there for my morning coffee.

[nelblu]

8 minutes ago, grapau27 said:

Crown lounge will be for Pinnacles only with possibly an extra voucher per day for a speciality coffee elsewhere on board for Diamond and Diamond+ member's

You might as well just get rid of the CL as there's very little attendance based on my most recent experiences.  Since the end of the pandemic Oasis (4), Anthem (3), Allure (2) & Mariner.  On Mariner, they used the library and on Oasis the Jazz (before converting it to non-smoking casino) room for the Pinns.

 

[grapau27]

31 minutes ago, nelblu said:

You might as well just get rid of the CL as there's very little attendance based on my most recent experiences.  Since the end of the pandemic Oasis (4), Anthem (3), Allure (2) & Mariner.  On Mariner, they used the library and on Oasis the Jazz (before converting it to non-smoking casino) room for the Pinns.

 

A possibility might be a new level at 500 points who could join the pinnacle members on a night time in the Crown lounge reverting back to unlimited drinks and improved snacks to encourage attendance by the highest loyalty members.

We are 200 points below this so it would not benefit us.

As I suggested on a previous post the Suite lounge would be for Suite passengers only.

Edited October 23, 2023 by grapau27

[Ocean Boy]

23 minutes ago, grapau27 said:

A possibility might be a new level at 500 points who could join the pinnacle members on a night time in the Crown lounge reverting back to unlimited drinks and improved snacks to encourage attendance by the highest loyalty members.

We are 200 points below this so it would not benefit us.

As I suggested on a previous post the Suite lounge would be for Suite passengers only.

You seem pretty open to changes that might bar you from the DL. As I remember it you were not very happy when the old CL became a SL and you lost access.

[grapau27]

23 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

You seem pretty open to changes that might bar you from the DL. As I remember it you were not very happy when the old CL became a SL and you lost access.

We preferred the DL to the CL TBH.

Looking at the bigger picture I think we can all see the direction the lounges are going.

We only popped in the DL for a short time for a coffee during the day on our previous several cruises and didn't go in during HH and never had breakfast in the DL.

Most D+s were against the loss of the CL and although it didn't bother us I agreed with the consensus then that it was another loss of benefits.

[island lady]

3 hours ago, grapau27 said:

Good afternoon Pat.

I hope you and Bucky are well.

Cruises cost more in Europe compared to the US so another reason Viking is more expensive.

Royal seems quite expensive in Europe too.

Our last Royal cruise was Oasis in  January 2023 out of Miami.

Since then we were on MSC in April and P&O in June.

Our next few cruises are on P&O too.

We have just got home after a week's hotel stay in Orlando.

What is happening now with the DL is something I suggested might be a solution to DL overcrowding a few years ago.

Our 5 vouchers each as D+ per day at any time including Sauvignon blanc is much better for us especially since unlimited drinks in the DL stopped.

Just my opinion but I think eventually the Suite lounge will be for Suite passengers only and the 

Crown lounge will be for Pinnacles only with possibly an extra voucher per day for a speciality coffee elsewhere on board for Diamond and Diamond+ member's.

 

 

Well hello my friend!  Long time no talk.  Hope you and your beautiful bride Pauline are doing well also!  

 

We totally did enjoy our first Viking cruise, and are looking forward to the next four we have booked.  After two cancellations from RCI on our Aussie adventure, we are hoping the Viking cruise we booked in replacement will be as nice.  

 

Totally agree with your assessment of the lounge situation.  I am actually surprised it did not happen sooner, but could have been Covid set back timing.  Who knows.  

 

We board Wonder B2B next Sunday.  Loved the ship for our B2B Med tour and following TA last year.  Even booked the same cabin.  Then we are on Serenade to start the World Cruise.  🙂 

 

Will especially be interesting how the new Crown Lounge works on Serenade for that extended time. 

[grapau27]

1 hour ago, island lady said:

 

Well hello my friend!  Long time no talk.  Hope you and your beautiful bride Pauline are doing well also!  

 

We totally did enjoy our first Viking cruise, and are looking forward to the next four we have booked.  After two cancellations from RCI on our Aussie adventure, we are hoping the Viking cruise we booked in replacement will be as nice.  

 

Totally agree with your assessment of the lounge situation.  I am actually surprised it did not happen sooner, but could have been Covid set back timing.  Who knows.  

 

We board Wonder B2B next Sunday.  Loved the ship for our B2B Med tour and following TA last year.  Even booked the same cabin.  Then we are on Serenade to start the World Cruise.  🙂 

 

Will especially be interesting how the new Crown Lounge works on Serenade for that extended time. 

Your cruises sound amazing and I'm so happy for the two of you.

I hope you both have a fantastic cruise on Wonder and Serenade and also your Viking cruises.

We sailed on Serenade around the Baltic in May 2015 and loved the ship and the DL.

We had a great 7 nights in Orlando at Lake Buenavista village resort and spa and got back home on Sunday November 15th.

Best wishes to you both.

 

[sgmn]

5 hours ago, grapau27 said:

 

What is happening now with the DL is something I suggested might be a solution to DL overcrowding a few years ago.

Our 5 vouchers each as D+ per day at any time including Sauvignon blanc is much better for us especially since unlimited drinks in the DL stopped.

Just my opinion but I think eventually the Suite lounge will be for Suite passengers only and the 

Crown lounge will be for Pinnacles only with possibly an extra voucher per day for a speciality coffee elsewhere on board for Diamond and Diamond+ member's.

 

Graham, on Symphony in May there were only a handful of passengers in the DL during happy hour, it certainly wasn't full. If it was restricted to just Pins I don't think there will be anyone in there. 

Serenade in the Caribbean was busier but we often found a seat during HH,  if not we just went next door to the lovely Viking Crown Lounge

[grapau27]

57 minutes ago, sgmn said:

Graham, on Symphony in May there were only a handful of passengers in the DL during happy hour, it certainly wasn't full. If it was restricted to just Pins I don't think there will be anyone in there. 

Serenade in the Caribbean was busier but we often found a seat during HH,  if not we just went next door to the lovely Viking Crown Lounge

Thank you Sue.

I wasn't aware how quiet the DLs were now.

When we were on Oasis in January we never went into the DL at all.

A lot of DLs main attraction was the daily unlimited drinks HH and your experience confirms people are going elsewhere.

We prefer to use our voucher's when and where we want including the Viking Crown Lounge.

[doghog]

9 hours ago, grapau27 said:

Good afternoon Pat.

I hope you and Bucky are well.

Cruises cost more in Europe compared to the US so another reason Viking is more expensive.

Royal seems quite expensive in Europe too.

Our last Royal cruise was Oasis in  January 2023 out of Miami.

Since then we were on MSC in April and P&O in June.

Our next few cruises are on P&O too.

We have just got home after a week's hotel stay in Orlando.

What is happening now with the DL is something I suggested might be a solution to DL overcrowding a few years ago.

Our 5 vouchers each as D+ per day at any time including Sauvignon blanc is much better for us especially since unlimited drinks in the DL stopped.

Just my opinion but I think eventually the Suite lounge will be for Suite passengers only and the 

Crown lounge will be for Pinnacles only with possibly an extra voucher per day for a speciality coffee elsewhere on board for Diamond and Diamond+ member's.

 

I hate coffee! 🤢

[doghog]

10 hours ago, OCSC Mike said:

 

Yes, I've seen your posts and mostly agree with you.

 

It seems clear that the top tier numbers are driving it; I'm just not fully convinced we know exactly how it's decided. Is there leeway? Is there an exact cutoff number? Does it vary by ship? Etc...

FWIW, I was told this past Saturday by the shoreside CAS that it will very from ship to ship, and is based on D+ and P numbers (cutoff, I didn't think to ask) for that specific cruise before the sail date. 

 

We would hate the assumption @grapau27 came up with! I also believe anyone concerned about this should contact the CAS and voice their concerns. Sometimes the squeaky wheel gets the grease and other times...  

Edited October 24, 2023 by doghog

[RFerrington]

The cut-off number for Mariner (right now, anyway) is 50 Pinnacles.  Last week there were 50+ so the Pinns were not invited into the SL.  They set up a Pinnacle lounge in the Library and there was also Diamond overflow set up in the VCL.  
 

This week, only 39 Pinns so the Pinns are allowed in the SL.  No separate Pinn lounge nor an overflow Diamond set-up in the VCL.

 

I suspect that each ship is setting up its own parameters -at least for now.

[island lady]

13 hours ago, doghog said:

I hate coffee! 🤢

 

LOL...I think we should petition to have a beer tap available next to the coffee machine in the lounge for you.  😄 Cheers!  🍺

[doghog]

1 minute ago, island lady said:

 

LOL...I think we should petition to have a beer tap available next to the coffee machine in the lounge for you.  😄 Cheers!  🍺

I love you Pat. 😉

[island lady]

11 minutes ago, doghog said:

I love you Pat. 😉

 

Just looking out for my friend's best interest.  😄 

[BND]

18 hours ago, pinnacleguy2023 said:

so diamonds can only use it during certain times.. what a head ache for the workers just make the lounge for pinnacles only cut and dry simple 

Diamonds can use it anytime outside of happy hour. On Jewel that is currently 5-8 pm.  They changed the sign onboard to Crown Lounge in the last day or two. I just noticed it.

[bonsai3s]

Symphony still Diamond Lounge.