Concierge Service - enforced restrictions

[Lynnees]

sorry

[Lynnees]

Will this never end!!!

[Lynnees]

DH & I are D+. On our upcoming Independence cruise we are taking friends with us. Because of circumstances I won't go into here, we are set-up at two cabins with DH and friend in one and me and friend in the other.

 

Our friends are gold with 2 credits each so neither are entitled to CL. DH and I will use the CL lounge (or overflow) but we have no intention of inviting our friends in with us and I know we probably could. Last year when we sailed with friends, the same thing and it just didn't dawn on us to ask our friends who were on their second cruise, to come with us.

 

It is not in the least bit fair to allow friends and family who have not earned this perk to be allowed in. It doesn't matter in the least who is sailing with whom and who is in who'se room. This is an EARNED perk.

 

If this kind of thing continues, this perk will go the way of the dodo bird. Let's not forget that RCL is looking for ways to trim the costs. As this is a perk it could go in the same direction as the "free" steak.

[Lynnees]

DH & I are D+. On our upcoming Independence cruise we are taking friends with us. Because of circumstances I won't go into here, we are set-up at two cabins with DH and friend in one and me and friend in the other.

 

Our friends are gold with 2 credits each so neither are entitled to CL. DH and I will use the CL lounge (or overflow) but we have no intention of inviting our friends in with us and I know we probably could. Last year when we sailed with friends, the same thing and it just didn't dawn on us to ask our friends who were on their second cruise, to come with us.

 

It is not in the least bit fair to allow friends and family who have not earned this perk to be allowed in. It doesn't matter in the least who is sailing with whom and who is in who'se room. This is an EARNED perk.

 

If this kind of thing continues, this perk will go the way of the dodo bird. Let's not forget that RCL is looking for ways to trim the costs. As this is a perk it could go in the same direction as the "free" steak.

[Lynnees]

DH & I are D+. On our upcoming Independence cruise we are taking friends with us. Because of circumstances I won't go into here, we are set-up at two cabins with DH and friend in one and me and friend in the other.

 

Our friends are gold with 2 credits each so neither are entitled to CL. DH and I will use the CL lounge (or overflow) but we have no intention of inviting our friends in with us and I know we probably could. Last year when we sailed with friends, the same thing and it just didn't dawn on us to ask our friends who were on their second cruise, to come with us.

 

It is not in the least bit fair to allow friends and family who have not earned this perk to be allowed in. It doesn't matter in the least who is sailing with whom and who is in who'se room. This is an EARNED perk.

 

If this kind of thing continues, this perk will go the way of the dodo bird. Let's not forget that RCL is looking for ways to trim the costs. As this is a perk it could go in the same direction as the "free" steak.

[Lynnees]

My apologize for the multiple posts. I tried to at least reduce them but cc seemed to be having a problem and I was booted out for longer than the time allowed to make changes.

 

Sorry.

[Elizanessie]

Good news...if you are diamond then your DH is automatically diamond...but that only applies to spouces, not children or other family members.

 

Sorry but this is incorrect.

 

It does apply to children/family members who live at the same address as you,as long as they are C&A members :D

 

Say if for example your in-laws moved in with you and you were Platinum member and they were Diamond members, you can actually have your accounts linked and then you would become a Diamond member also. I had this confirmed by C&A just recently.

 

Some people wont like that but that is the way it is.

[kyriecat]

I don't consider it a cutback and the rule has always been enforced on the Explorer in both the CL and the overflow lounge. I can't speak for other ships but on the Ex. its really about space. As someone else posted the CL is packed and so is the overflow in the evening as well. Alcohol and soda is only served from 5-830pm. Coffee, tea, cappachino, and expresso is 24/7. To the person that said the letter from the concierge said Dear Mr. and Mrs, but only gave one CL key that is common on the Ex. You just get another key from the concierge if you want one but you are only given one with the letter. I can definitely understand if you are traveling in the same cabin with someone and would like them to join you in the CL or overflow if you are diamond but there's just not enough room anymore with so many diamonds and suite guests. If you really want to have all guests in your cabin use the CL amenity you can always book a suite and then everyone in the suite gets that perk.

 

If the letter had been address to only Mrs instead Mr & Mrs, I would have skipped the concierge lounge on Legend because I would have realized that hubby was not included. By addressing it to both of us, we assumed that even though he had not completed 10 cruises, he was allowed in. I don't remember what status was shown on his seapass card. I know mine was diamond. I have more cruises than he does but my previous ones as a diamond were with my mom on ships that did not offer concierge services. Hubby and I were in a JS so I know the concierge lounge was due to my diamond status.

 

I was not trying to screw RC out of a few pre-dinner cocktails by bringing hubby into the lounge. I really thought he was allowed as my guest since we were in the same cabin and the letter mentioned both of us. If RC did not want me to bring him as a guest, they should not have included Mr on the letter. The lounge was never full so hubby didn't bump anyone out by taking up "thier" space.

 

I guess it's a moot point now. He had 9 credits pre-cruise and that one counted for 3 so he will really be a diamond next time (assuming we cruise RC again) unless RC bumps up the number of credits needed to be diamond. His status online currently shows diamond.

[PH8]

If the letter had been address to only Mrs instead Mr & Mrs, I would have skipped the concierge lounge on Legend because I would have realized that hubby was not included. By addressing it to both of us, we assumed that even though he had not completed 10 cruises, he was allowed in. I don't remember what status was shown on his seapass card. I know mine was diamond. I have more cruises than he does but my previous ones as a diamond were with my mom on ships that did not offer concierge services. Hubby and I were in a JS so I know the concierge lounge was due to my diamond status.

 

I was not trying to screw RC out of a few pre-dinner cocktails by bringing hubby into the lounge. I really thought he was allowed as my guest since we were in the same cabin and the letter mentioned both of us. If RC did not want me to bring him as a guest, they should not have included Mr on the letter. The lounge was never full so hubby didn't bump anyone out by taking up "thier" space.

 

I guess it's a moot point now. He had 9 credits pre-cruise and that one counted for 3 so he will really be a diamond next time (assuming we cruise RC again) unless RC bumps up the number of credits needed to be diamond. His status online currently shows diamond.

Your husband is diamond,assuming he has taken at least 1 RCCL cruise................he gets your status..........so yea,he was allowed in the CL and he has all the same D perks as you........

[Don Pedro]

On the Freedom class ships does the Diamond Lounge get as crowded since there are both the CL and the DL? I guess it would depend on the sailing but saying its just a standard 7 day Caribbean....

 

We have always noted in the past that on the Voyager class the CL could never handle the crowd and they always had to open a satellite location.

 

We were on a recent Liberty sailing and the diamond lounge was very crowded on most evenings.

 

On the Freedom class ships the concierge lounge is only for suite guests so there is usually a manageable number of guests using that lounge. In the diamond lounge the degree of crowding just depends on the number of D/D+ members on that particular sailing.

 

It is not unusual to have several hundred D/D+ members onboard and we can't help but wonder how long the perks are going to last. While we have not heard anything concrete there are certainly rumors of upcoming changes.

 

The Crown & Anchor Society is not really a society. It is an incredibly successful marketing tool. Several years ago, many passengers felt discouraged because they thought the road to platinum or diamond status was far too long.

 

RCCL altered the program, creating a fast track to advance thru the C & A status levels. In fact, the track is so fast that a person with 15 days at sea can become a diamond member. Taking five three-day cruise in a junior suite will do the trick.

 

Now with the ever increasing numbers of diamond members the perks, as we know them, are probably about to be derailed.

[kyriecat]

Like I said, it's a moot point since he has 12 credits now and will be diamond for next time. I didn't want people to think I was trying to be sneaky and get special services for my husband that he was not entitled to have.

[Lynnees]

Like I said, it's a moot point since he has 12 credits now and will be diamond for next time. I didn't want people to think I was trying to be sneaky and get special services for my husband that he was not entitled to have.

 

 

Don't worry - your DH was entitled.

[PH8]

Like I said, it's a moot point since he has 12 credits now and will be diamond for next time. I didn't want people to think I was trying to be sneaky and get special services for my husband that he was not entitled to have.

I dont know why people dont think he was entitled................he was!

[Lynnees]

I was just on the voyager 3 weeks ago and didnt have any problem at all, the person staying in my cabin had only been on one rccl cruise, and I was also travelling with my sister and her husband and she told me it was ok to bring them in too. What I think it probably has to do with is how many diamond and diamond plus members are on the cruise. I had talked to the concierge and she told me there was only 35 total, 5 diamond plus and 30 diamond, which is probably why they didnt care. But I have also been on ships where the lounge is packed every night and that is probably when they put more restrictions on the lounge.

 

It is up to each individual concierge to decide. It is hard when you are the diamond/diamond plus member and the person travelling with you is not. I agree people should not get so uptight about it...if the concierge is ok with it then it should be ok.

 

It really isn't up to the individual concierges. There are rules that even they have to follow. However, there is no one policing them and now they are dependent on tips since they cut their wages.

 

The restrictions are in place on every cruise, it's just a matter of the concierge doing the job they are suppose to be doing.

[Don Pedro]

It really isn't up to the individual concierges. There are rules that even they have to follow. However, there is no one policing them and now they are dependent on tips since they cut their wages.

 

The restrictions are in place on every cruise, it's just a matter of the concierge doing the job they are suppose to be doing.

 

We agree, it really doesn't matter if the lounge is crowded or not. Someone who hasn't either payed for or earned the privilege doesn't belong in there.

 

Even with only 35 diamonds onboard there are still passengers from the 23 grand suites, 10 owner's suites and the royal suite entitled to the lounge. That could easily add another 60 entitled people to the mix.

 

The concierge lounges have a rather limited seating capacity. Some evenings, on the Liberty, it was stretched to capicity just accommodating the suite passengers. We are reasonably sure that most of the "invited guests" wouldn't bother relinquishing their seats to someone who is actually entitled to them.

[cruisinmamma]

Are soft drinks available in the lounge? This w/e will be our first cruise as Diamond members:)

[kyriecat]

On Legend there were only soft drinks (coke, sprite, diet coke) from 5-8:30 during the cocktail time. They were not available at any other times.

[PH8]

On Legend there were only soft drinks (coke, sprite, diet coke) from 5-8:30 during the cocktail time. They were not available at any other times.

Thats pretty much the norm on the other ships as well...........

[aloha43]

I personally think that this "perk" should be enforced. If EVERYONE brought cabin mates & family members, the CL would be even more overcrowded than it already is! I don't ask to bring extra guests....I consider it something that I earned & they didn't!

 

Just another example of some people ruining it for the rest of us!:mad:

 

I agree.

 

My DH and I had a grand suite on Radiance in March. We had 2 other couples with us. We never once asked for anyone to join us, nor did they expect to. Rules are rules.

 

Actually, it was kind of nice for the 2 of us to spend some quality time alone....:)

[jackdiamond]

No sympathy here! If your not a Diamond/Diamond Plus or paid for a suite too bad! I have cruised with a lot of friends and never tried to sneak them in. All these issues come up because someone is always trying to do something they know is not right. In fact I think they should spot check all guests that are in the concierge, many times I have gone to an overcrowded concierge and have seen guests that I know don’t have access but a friend brought them in there leaving no room for me. I remember back in the day before I earned access traveling with friends who were Diamond and I couldn’t go in, rules are there for a reason. Everyone has the same opportunity to earn or pay for a suite to access the concierge lounge and that’s the way in should remain.

I like your style. By the way, as I recall, they only issue one key per room. Perhaps, if they issued one key to each person who is entitled, this would simplify the concierge's task. Simply stated, if more than one person attempted entry then the folks without keys would be denied access. Additionally, the concierge should check each person against his or her manifest. The latter endeavor was performed by Willy on the Radiance.

[jmraggs]

I like your style. By the way, as I recall, they only issue one key per room. Perhaps, if they issued one key to each person who is entitled, this would simplify the concierge's task. Simply stated, if more than one person attempted entry then the folks without keys would be denied access. Additionally, the concierge should check each person against his or her manifest. The latter endeavor was performed by Willy on the Radiance.

 

Yes, Willie checked us too when we entered the lounge against the manifest which is a great way to do it when the lounge is small.

 

Maybe give us all "Diamond" name tags to wear when we are given the access key and don't let anyone in without wearing one!:D

[sandancer]

"Taking 3, 5 day cruises in a Junior Suite will do the trick"

I thought I heard somewhere that RCI were going to follow the Princess system where moving up the status ladder would be based on the number of nights cruised and not on the number of cruises taken as so many people were becoming Diamond by doing lots of short cruises. I also heard that they were considering making the requirement for Diamond membership 25 cruises. Anyone heard either of the above?

[bgsimp]

:( I haven't heard that, but I think 25 cruises would be a bit too much. We cruise alot, but that is unrealistic for the majority of cruisers. I don't think I'll ever get to that status. We have 13 with Celebrity & 11 with Royal Caribbean. I hope if they ever do that we get grandfathered in !!! :D

[Don Pedro]

"Taking 3, 5 day cruises in a Junior Suite will do the trick"

I thought I heard somewhere that RCI were going to follow the Princess system where moving up the status ladder would be based on the number of nights cruised and not on the number of cruises taken as so many people were becoming Diamond by doing lots of short cruises. I also heard that they were considering making the requirement for Diamond membership 25 cruises. Anyone heard either of the above?

 

There have been many rumors circulating including the ones you just mentioned. We also heard that they are considering revising some more of the diamond benefits.

 

The diamond booklet's 3 two dollar casino coupons have vanished and Version 12 of the coupon booklet no longer has free photos.

[Mocorobabe]

I am diamond plus and I just got married - we are cruising in a few weeks - our honeymoon cruise. Can I bring DH into the lounge?

 

Kathy

 

You should have no problem. The CL key will be in your room when you get there. Go in show your key and intro. YOUR NEW Hubby. Nuf. said.