Harmony - No more separate event invites

[BND]

11 minutes ago, cruisegirl1 said:

Thanks. Were you offered a tour based upon your accommodations (suite) or C&A  status? Upper tier diamond plus (340+) and pinnacles used to receive tours, but have not since return after Covid.

M

We're D+ (607 pts now, 567 prior to our b2b on Jewel) and we were in a JS.  No idea why.  We just had an invite appear in our cabin.

[firefly333]

I finally had dinner in the MDR with a single guy who wondered why there were no events this week. Hes also D+. I told him it was on a piece of paper about 25 years with RCL and he went back to look for it. He would have liked the lunch and tier party. With all the hoopla about diamonds cant get into the crown lounge and pinnacles in the old diamond lounge. .. and other stuff. We boarded late. We didnt leave out of Galveston until I think after 7:30 pm. The announcement said documentation but I've read 10 other theories why including someone died and waiting for JP.  Way late.

 

This is the first time I've ever been in the crown lounge during happy hour and you do feel not worthy. The pinnacles onboard form a big circle nightly now to visit. Each in the circle is wearing their pin. It's not like they say to others come join us. If you want to say hello to a friend they leave their chair in the circle and come over to say hi and chat and then return to their big circle. I've never encountered anything quit so obvious where this is our pinnacle friends, lowly D+ stay out not welcome. There are 2 couple right when you walk in sit together who are pinns I've sat with for short times, most comfortable seating. Once I was already there when they came in so I stayed there until I was done.

 

Just observing and saying how I see it. I'm off after sunday and my dinner is at 5 pm and tonight is lobster anyway. Ive just been in a few times over the 3 weeks onboard. Hopefully communication gets better about the invites. Like the guy at my table thinking ok just no events or he would have gotten invites. He says he cruises a lot, did 8 last year. First time on harmony. Odd I've been seated with other D+ in the Mdr several weeks now and the D+ lunch of course if other D+ so I've been eating with others exactly my level. Never diamonds, always D +. We apparently have another couple at our table who didnt come last night so idk about them. Everyone has been great to meet. Just seems odd always D+ same as me.

 

I feel like the pinnacles feel like they paid their dues and this is their circle. Though they smile and say hello back no other conversation. But the other D+ are all where you from and that sort of thing. Doesnt bother me. I am always busy around 5 pm, but if you walk into the crown lounge this huge circle of chairs is obvious. Each person is wearing a gold pin. ..my parting thoughts. I hope the invites get communicated more clearly. Lots missed top tier who wanted to go.

[nelblu]

On 12/14/2023 at 3:05 AM, firefly333 said:

Idk if this has been covered as I'm at sea. Last 2 weeks we had the usual little invites to top tier, lunch, whatever. This week we have one piece of paper with the backside covering the online benefits. The front up in the left hand corner is a "You're Invited" SEPARATE INVITATIONS WILL NOT BE SENT FOR THESE EVENTS.

 

I missed it. Under the dry cleaning prices paper. Turn around day the thing that you ding your new card back in broke and we were stuck in a conference room until just after 10:30 am turn around morning, customs was long gone, b2b lunch at 11:30 etc is my excuse, busy meeting friends. My friends boarding from the terminal texted they were onboard before I was able to ding my new card to get to my new cabin and unpack. So it's not like I was sitting in my cabin turnaround morning and day. 

 

Just talked to a diamond who said she called and was told she wasnt a high enough level for anything including top tier, and didnt have this paper. I asked my cabin steward who didnt know why no invite pieces of paper as usual. I swung by after izumi dinner boarding day and asked the loyalty ambassador who said "didnt you read your letter".

 

This is how you now get your 340 pt D+ lunch invite, top tier and a tour invite.

 

 

 

I was on Harmony December 3 sail and got individual invites to the top tier, lunch with Officers and any other events.  They were easily spotted as my cabin was clean when I entered.🤣

 

However, on my August Oasis sail, all events invites were done via phone messages.🤣

[lovesthebeach2]

On our Odyssey B2B we never received any papers for any invites in our cabin. We missed the C&A party in the Solarium that they had for the Transatlantic cruise. Others said later that they had the invite papers in their cabin….. we also didn’t get the invite for the Cheers with an Officer lunch, but I knew about it because I had spoken to the LA and she gave me all the events and I just put them in my phone. In the past we had always received SOME kind of paperwork to let us know what was going on, but not last time.

 

The LA did say to me that all papers from them are supposed to be given to us by Housekeeping. Ours although she was very sweet, never gave us anything.

[lovesthebeach2]

23 hours ago, BND said:

Interesting.  On Jewel last month they collected our invites to Cheers with an Officer when we arrived.  They also checked us off a list.    We're on Wonder in Jan so we'll see if they're doing the same.  I'm sure it's going to be fleet wide, if it isn't already.

Since we received no invites at all on or last cruise, I was wondering if we wouldn’t have been let in for the Cheers lunch, but the LA was at the door and recognized me since I had gone to her to ask why I never received any invites…. No checkoff list on Odyssey.

[firefly333]

Just my opinion but if I was rcl and one group, pinnacles, was taking 15 to 20 chairs and moving them into a circle, I'd want to move them out of the suite lounge too. Just taking up too much of the available seating. 

 

Went up to watch the sun rise, its pouring rain. Miserable this morning. No sun. WJ time. Last port day. Feel bad for those this week wanting to do things. Been overly cool, very windy and rain. I had 2 nice weeks, but some just got on this week. I did my stingless bee excursion 2 weeks ago, thank goodness. Hopefully the rain today will stop so they can enjoy costa maya. 

[BND]

25 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

Just my opinion but if I was rcl and one group, pinnacles, was taking 15 to 20 chairs and moving them into a circle, I'd want to move them out of the suite lounge too. Just taking up too much of the available seating. 

 

Went up to watch the sun rise, its pouring rain. Miserable this morning. No sun. WJ time. Last port day. Feel bad for those this week wanting to do things. Been overly cool, very windy and rain. I had 2 nice weeks, but some just got on this week. I did my stingless bee excursion 2 weeks ago, thank goodness. Hopefully the rain today will stop so they can enjoy costa maya. 

On Jewel, we had a lot of Pinns in the CL.  I can't remember exactly how many but over 50 onboard each week.  In fact, the couple we lowly D+ traveled with were Pinns.  We saw the normal 4-6 people sitting together in groups and other than a few that were Pinns only, there was a real mix for the most part.   

Edited December 15, 2023 by BND

[firefly333]

2 minutes ago, BND said:

On Jewel, we had a lot of Pinns in the CL.  I can't remember exactly how many but over 50 onboard each week.  In fact, the couple we lowly D+ traveled with were Pinns.  We saw the normal 4-6 people sitting together in groups and other than a few that were Pinns only, there was a real mix for the most part.   

Last week we had 181 pinns but this week only 116 I think. Numbers dropped dramatically. I was thinking maybe low enough to go back to normal, but nope. I've heard next week same thing, only top 30 get into suite lounge. If they are doing this elsewhere, moving 3/4 of available chairs and so obviously forming a circle saying this is ours, dont sit here, I'd be moving them out of the suite lounge too. Intimidating to those in suites. On here they just obviously have their inner circle group. It's good they have the crown lounge to do this in. Suites deserve to have a place without this going on. Let the pinns have their group elsewhere. 

[Ozzie26]

The single sheet of paper with all the events lists is very similar to how Celebrity does it. On embarkation day there  is a list of events for the week. Some of the events are open to all who qualify based on level. Many require an RSVP and if you don’t respond quickly you will not be able to attend. 

[Starry Eyes]

Assuming Royal Caribbean sticks with this system, over time more people will adjust to the new system announcing events.  They will know to look for the list in the welcome aboard flyer.  Fewer will throw away the flyer on day one, mistakenly thinking it is a generic list of C&A benefits.  If delivery failed (or they lose it), they will know to pick one up from LA.  They know the schedule on day 1, so they can plan their cruise or fix conflicts.

 

 

[Mum2Mercury]

They left the information about these events in your cabin on Day 1.  It's clear and concise -- says no additional invitations will be sent, shares location of Loyalty Desk for those who have questions.  I see no reason for complaint.  

 

While I still want a paper Compass each day, I get that they're trying to minimize paper.  This is consistent with that goal.  

 

 

[Mum2Mercury]

They left the information about these events in your cabin on Day 1.  It's clear and concise -- says no additional invitations will be sent, shares location of Loyalty Desk for those who have questions.  I see no reason for complaint.  If you didn't read it, that's not their fault.  

 

While I still want a paper Compass each day, I get that they're trying to minimize paper.  This is consistent with that goal.  

16 hours ago, Starry Eyes said:

There was an obvious mail delivery problem as items (shore ex) with a different, nearby cabin number and dissimilar name was in our cabin…oops.

Yes, delivering to the wrong cabin IS a big problem.  

 

[Mum2Mercury]

They left the information about these events in your cabin on Day 1.  It's clear and concise -- says no additional invitations will be sent, shares location of Loyalty Desk for those who have questions.  I see no reason for complaint.  If you didn't read it, that's not their fault.  

 

While I still want a paper Compass each day, I get that they're trying to minimize paper.  This is consistent with that goal.  

16 hours ago, Starry Eyes said:

There was an obvious mail delivery problem as items (shore ex) with a different, nearby cabin number and dissimilar name was in our cabin…oops.

Yes, delivering to the wrong cabin IS a big problem.  

 

[firefly333]

Another example of the lack of communication this week. My friend went to guest services to get a copy of names behind the faces or whatever it's called. She said sure sounds like captain James but it says our captain is canadian. Nope that was last week.

 

Last night my alone tablemate says to me captain James has a fake accent. I curiously asked why? He said he asked a crew member who told him our captain was from canada. I again explained that was last week. This week he is for sure not canadian. If any of you know him, he has a obvious southern drawl and much loved here in texas. ..even the crew doesnt know who the captain is it seems. Kind of like me asking my steward about the invites, she didnt know. 

 

I was reminded of this as he was just on the loud speaker saying we are probably going right thru a storm tonight, might be rain or a thunderstorm. He said we are going 22 knots and the storm could be 25 knots or more .. didnt understand all he said except it might get rough tonight. The storm has more wind knots than our speed. I saw him walking by and mentioned to him he might let guest services know as the crew doesnt seem to know who the captain is or their hand out. He was 2 feet away, it's not that important I would go looking he just happened to pass by me. 

[cruisegirl1]

21 hours ago, BND said:

We're D+ (607 pts now, 567 prior to our b2b on Jewel) and we were in a JS.  No idea why.  We just had an invite appear in our cabin.

Nice. Neither the points nor the accommodations would qualify you for a tour over other passengers with more points (pinnacles) or higher accommodations (full suites). We have not been offered any tours since the return to sailing. 
 

Hope  you e joyed it. 
m
 

 

 

 

[cruisegirl1]

10 hours ago, firefly333 said:

Just my opinion but if I was rcl and one group, pinnacles, was taking 15 to 20 chairs and moving them into a circle, I'd want to move them out of the suite lounge too. Just taking up too much of the available seating. 

 

Went up to watch the sun rise, its pouring rain. Miserable this morning. No sun. WJ time. Last port day. Feel bad for those this week wanting to do things. Been overly cool, very windy and rain. I had 2 nice weeks, but some just got on this week. I did my stingless bee excursion 2 weeks ago, thank goodness. Hopefully the rain today will stop so they can enjoy costa maya. 

I hate that circle pinnacle circle.  Funny-on a recent Mariner cruise, when they still had the Pinnacle evening event, the chairs were already placed all in a big circle. We left the room just after we walked in. I hate that circle.

m

Edited December 15, 2023 by cruisegirl1

[Ret MP]

On 12/14/2023 at 5:35 AM, crazyank said:

since when is Diamond not enough for Top Tier??

I don't know but, apparently, Diamond can no longer go into the "Diamond" (Yes, I know the name has/is changing) lounge, anymore.  This after the CEO (or whatever his title is) and/or his sycophants/underlings said that the name change wouldn't change a thing, hah, and so many people believed him.  

[cruisegirl1]

38 minutes ago, Ret MP said:

I don't know but, apparently, Diamond can no longer go into the "Diamond" (Yes, I know the name has/is changing) lounge, anymore.  This after the CEO (or whatever his title is) and/or his sycophants/underlings said that the name change wouldn't change a thing, hah, and so many people believed him.  

Not necessarily accurate.

Diamonds are ONLY restricted from the lounge for certain evening  hours  and only on certain sailings.  Most sailings there is NO restriction. 

M

[BND]

On 12/15/2023 at 5:42 PM, cruisegirl1 said:

Nice. Neither the points nor the accommodations would qualify you for a tour over other passengers with more points (pinnacles) or higher accommodations (full suites). We have not been offered any tours since the return to sailing. 
 

Hope  you e joyed it. 
m
 

 

 

 

We don't do galley tours anymore.  We've done a couple over the years.  We  prefer a bridge tour.  The only thing I can think of is we had an issue at dinner with my fried chicken being underdone one night.  We were sent a plate of macarons a day later.  The invite showed up within a day after that if I remember correctly.  We used to get invites all the time prior to covid.  I've met people who have been given tours randomly.  Also, I watched a group heading to the bridge when we were on Jewel last month. They had security escorting them and one was carrying the wand.  We were on deck 10 where the bridge is located and they were heading that way.  I assume it was suite guests.  

[BND]

17 hours ago, cruisegirl1 said:

Not necessarily accurate.

Diamonds are ONLY restricted from the lounge for certain evening  hours  and only on certain sailings.  Most sailings there is NO restriction. 

M

On Jewel for our 20 night b2b in Oct/Nov, D were restricted from 5-8 pm.  They were allowed in the first half hour of happy hour at 430-5.  No idea how it was enforced as we showed up at 6-630.   We had so many top tiers onboard.  We were doing the 10 night NJ to Quebec and 10 night back to NJ which isn't offered much so we had lots of Pinns and D and D+ onboard.  If they hadn't restricted it, the D's alone would have taken up all the seating.  As it was, if we got there before 6 or so, there was sometime no seating in the CL or overflow which was the entire VCL.  We're on Wonder in just over 3 weeks so we'll see how that is.  

Edited December 17, 2023 by BND

[nelblu]

On 12/15/2023 at 5:40 AM, firefly333 said:

Hes also D+.

Isn't lunch with Officers for those with 340+ nights.

[firefly333]

23 minutes ago, nelblu said:

Isn't lunch with Officers for those with 340+ nights.

Since you only quoted a partial sentence I'm not sure who I was referring to being D+. I'm getting off harmony this morning. Many didnt go to top tier that would have but didnt know about, dont know how many D+ missed the lunch, but yes I'm sure you know it for 340 pts. And above. I knew the lunch was day 2 because it was my 3rd week onboard. Or I'd have missed it. Always had it day 3. 

 

Imo the print could be bigger. I cant read it without my reading glasses. 

[nelblu]

2 hours ago, firefly333 said:

Since you only quoted a partial sentence I'm not sure who I was referring to being D+. I'm getting off harmony this morning. Many didnt go to top tier that would have but didnt know about, dont know how many D+ missed the lunch, but yes I'm sure you know it for 340 pts. And above. I knew the lunch was day 2 because it was my 3rd week onboard. Or I'd have missed it. Always had it day 3. 

 

Imo the print could be bigger. I cant read it without my reading glasses. 

My reference was to your quote that the D+ individual would have loved the lunch with Officers, etc.  Wanted confirmation that this benefit accrues to those D+ C & A members with 340+ nights.

 

Ps. Must be your computer as my print size is the same as yours as I'm reading both your response and my posting.🤣

[RFerrington]

1 minute ago, nelblu said:

Wanted confirmation that this benefit accrues to those D+ C & A members with 340+ nights.

Yes, the Cheers with An Officer is for 340+

[Seville2Cabo]

We had the opposite problem of no paperwork.  Came off a Navigator B2B (4 / 7 nights).  Got into the cabin and there were about 8 waters on the desk, a cooler bag full of water, and beach bag full of water and a bottle of white wine (our C&A selection is red).  Thought the water could be from our TA, but no note.  

 

On the second leg, we got more water, a bottle of red wine and a bottle of champaign.  We also got invitations to the Cheers with an Officer and the C&A top tier event.  We usually don't go to these events so through the papers away.  I was surprised as we only have 300 points.

 

The next day the phone rings and it is the loyality ambassador and she un-invites us to the Cheers with an Officer.  Said we got it by mistake.  I assume the extra white wine, champaign and maybe some of the bags of water was a mistake too, but she did not ask for those back.  I am more surprised the figured out the mistake then I am that they made the mistake.