Gold Seapass Card?

[critterchick]

And, as Merion Mom will attest, if you demagnetize your Seapass, it will be replaceed with a plain white one. So would the crew stop treating you as well? Let's hope not!

[Aquahound]

My Seapass card says "Diamond Member" on it. Other than the occasional "Welcome back," I am treated no different than the guy next to me with nothing written on his card.....and that's the way it should be, even pertaining to suites.

 

As for the gold cards, is it possible they combined the CL key with the room key....finally?

Edited January 15, 2009 by Aquahound

[rubrrick]

My Seapass card says "Diamond Member" on it. Other than the occasional "Welcome back," I am treated no different than the guy next to me with nothing written on his card.....and that's the way it should be, even pertaining to suites.

 

As for the gold cards, is it possible they combined the CL key with the room key....finally?

 

Combining the CL key with the card makes sense to me as well, so what good does the Jr Suite key being silver. that seems out of place. It would be better if the silver were for Diamond and above.

 

Going back to the original premise........I too, think that all cards should be the same color. Any officer looking at the old cards could tell whether you were in a suite...........and the card stated whether you were Platinum, Diamond or Diamond Plus.

 

Of course, what Jean was mentioning about Carol...........she got her 5th white one today. Something about being to close to something.......keeps demagnetizing her card!!:D:D

 

Rick

[byteofram]

On the Mariner they started with the Dec 14th sailing. My wife and I were in a Grand Suite and had the gold card. The CL key card is still separate, at least on the Mariner.

 

Did we get special treatment? Not really except at the bar where our drinks were made stronger (yes, I witnessed it first hand) and at the casino once the pit bosses noticed the card when I handed it to one of the waiters mid week a couple of them started coming around and talking to me and my wife a lot more. Not sure where else you use your card where staff would be seeing it and giving anyone special treatment. I did have a bunch of fellow passengers ask about it and joke that they were with me to the bartender. It was pretty funny but also was a little uncomfortable. Not sure it's totally necessary. When we first got them I thought it was neat, but now I have mixed feelings. I don't think anyone can say that because they didn't have the gold or silver card that they got treated different, so don't worry about it.

[Rancher Dave]

Our training states that all guests are to get superior service, regardless of stateroom. The only difference is returning passengers should get a "welcome back"

 

While that may be true, its a lot easier for those guarding the reserved seats in the theater, etc...where Suite passengers get priority seating etc... No having to look at cabin number and trying to figure out.

 

Even though everyone should get equal treatment, I saw where Gold Seapasses got a bit more attention than those without the Gold seapass. I won't get into specific situations but saw it in more than one place on Voyager. That said everyone was getting very good service, some just got over the top service.

[mechcc]

The only value I see in this is for those in OS and above for the CL use. Frankly we will be in a JS on the 1st and I don't really want every passenger and bartender to see that information everytime we pull out our seapass.

At the same time, maybe I will do a mini experiement. Use the marked card the first few days and then manage to demagnitize it and get it replaced with a plain white one and see if there is a difference in service. :rolleyes:

[ClipperMiami]

All passengers should recieve the same gold anchor service regardless of their stateroom accomodations so they shouldn't need a special card to indentify special guests when all their guests should get superior service.

 

Yes indeed, we are all equal, just some of us are more equal than others :-)

[jaspercat]

I agree that if I am in an inside stateroom I don't expect the same perks (in that stateroom) that the guy down the hall in the Royal Suite gets, but when I am outside that room I expect to be treated with the same respect and receive the same excellent service.

 

I think this is what cruiseloverandagent was saying -- each and every passenger should be treated with the same respect, level of service No Matter what color their card is or what C&A status is on their card.

It's what I expect. I've paid good money too -- I don't expect the same perks as Diamond or Suite passengers, but I should receive the same service outside the stateroom.

I'm Platinum - on the Enchantment in Dec 06 my card was 'silver' and marked at the bottom Platinum Member -- as this was my first cruise since the late '90's I just assumed they had matched the color to your C&A status. On the Jewel in Dec '07, it was the standard white one as it was on the Grandeur this past Dec.

Do I get better or different treatment from bar staff or from any other staff than the person next to me? At times I would say yes, at times no. As far as getting stronger pours 'cause your card was gold -- don't think that was the only reason. I've seen (and gotten myself) stronger pours by bartenders with the lowly white card! Sometimes it's all about how you treat them too.

Personally, I'd be embarrassed to have a very visible different card than anyone else.

Sorry RancherDave, but I've gotten (as of others) "over the top" treatment just having a boring white card. Again, you can receive gold star treatment without having to flash the gold star.

[buckanear]

Dave, that's exactly why I don't like the differentiation between the cards. What someone pays for a room onboard shouldn't have any affect on service in the bar or the casino.

 

I hope it wasn't you that wasn't treated as well as the suite passengers. I would be very disappointed. But that goes along with my issue with Martin last season.

Edited January 15, 2009 by cruiseloverandagent

[FreewayFortune]

Yes I've always had the lowly white card and I've gotten excellent service. I just smile a lot and that works for me. I don't think I'd want a different card either and I can barely afford the balcony forget the suite.:)

[Host Kewlguy]

Sorry, Anthony, I agree that if I am in an inside stateroom I don't expect the same perks (in that stateroom) that the guy down the hall in the Royal Suite gets, but when I am outside that room I expect to be treated with the same respect and receive the same excellent service. That is how it has always been and I regret this trend towards doing otherwise. It seems to me that the concierge lounge access is sufficient recognition and reward for those suite guests, but in the greater scheme of things the guests who are in those non-suite staterooms probably generate more total revenue per cruise than the few who book and pay for suites. :)

 

Actually I agree with your comment Bill. But I've spoken to many suite passengers recently on Royal who complain about the lack of special treatment they receive compared to what they receive on other cruise lines. I'm sure Royal is aware of this complaint and searching for ways to rectify it. My guess is the gold cards are a step in that direction. I would expect more of these types of small perks/recognition to follow in the future.

[Pumbaamd]

Dave, that's exactly why I don't like the differentiation between the cards. What someone pays for a room onboard shouldn't have any affect on service in the bar or the casino.

I hope it wasn't you that wasn't treated as well as the suite passengers. I would be very disappointed. But that goes along with my issue with Martin last season.

CLA: We are on Voyager Feb. 22, as part of a group of 125+- celebrating Mardi Gras. We are Diamond, staying in a JS and have no idea what color our seapass will be. Nor do we care.

We guess that the new style seapass will impress some guests and make them happy. OK, if it makes them feel good, and they continue to sail RCCL, that's a plus for our cruise line (we are shareholders as well).

As far as we are concerned, the old style seapass is fine. We've never had a problem using our seapass at any bar or venue. We've been treated very nicely everywhere. That's why we continue to sail RCCL exclusivelly.

Sea you in Galveston. Are you located at the Diamond check in area?

Rick and Deirdra

[MrsCorL]

got mine right here.....adventure in 05 was gold and we had a balcony....our granduer, for grand suite was silver and last april on the explorer, in a grand was gold....nothing on the last 2 saying it was a suite

[buckanear]

Pumba, your keys will be silver with your C&A status at the bottom. I'm not in the priority area, but you can find me in the pier coordinator spot ;)

[rubrrick]

Actually I agree with your comment Bill. But I've spoken to many suite passengers recently on Royal who complain about the lack of special treatment they receive compared to what they receive on other cruise lines. I'm sure Royal is aware of this complaint and searching for ways to rectify it. My guess is the gold cards are a step in that direction. I would expect more of these types of small perks/recognition to follow in the future.

 

 

Interesting comment Tony. I, for one, have always felt that we were and are treated very well.........with our plain white cards. But then again, I have always felt if my DW and I treat the officers and crew right, they will treat us right.

 

I'll get a feel of what my DW feels about the new card when I next email her and pass on her feelings and reaction. It will be interesting to see if she feels that she is being treated differently..........than Carol (Merion_Mom).....who has a plain white one.

 

Rick

[Pumbaamd]

Pumba, your keys will be silver with your C&A status at the bottom. I'm not in the priority area, but you can find me in the pier coordinator spot ;)

 

You may want to change your signature to Pier Coordinator. "Agent" can no longer work, if you are now in the coordinator area. How do you expect us to visit you, if we are looking for an agent? Just kiddin'. We'll find you one way or another. Especially if the fog sets in. What kinda weather can we expect? We know that it is questionable, but can you arrange to keep the fog away for our cruise?

Have you seen our 2/22 Krewe thread on CC? There are a whole lot of us in our group boarding on 2/22.

Have a good night.

Rick and Deirdra

 

 

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Pumba, your keys will be silver with your C&A status at the bottom. I'm not in the priority area, but you can find me in the pier coordinator

[buckanear]

LoL, what are you guys doing the saturday before your cruise?

[Pumbaamd]

Many of us are staying at the Quality Inn on Seaview at 59th St. We will try to find the best way to view the parades.

R&D

[Rancher Dave]

Interesting comment Tony. I, for one, have always felt that we were and are treated very well.........with our plain white cards. But then again, I have always felt if my DW and I treat the officers and crew right, they will treat us right.

 

I'll get a feel of what my DW feels about the new card when I next email her and pass on her feelings and reaction. It will be interesting to see if she feels that she is being treated differently..........than Carol (Merion_Mom).....who has a plain white one.

 

Rick

 

Generally we have always been treated well on our cruises. Only a couple exceptions out of our cruises.

 

The only way to really know for sure is cruise about a month apart on the same ship once in a suite and once in other than a suite. Then see if you are treated differently.

 

Voyager impressed me overall in how the crew treated passengers over all of the other ships not that any have been bad. If all falls in place I will go check out Voyager again, with some of the same officers and some still on vacation...so will see how different leadership has the ship running. I'd have a white card then, unless the upgrade fairy decides to visit...not sure I can get my pal to convince his wife to let him go in a suite with a professional colleague instead of with her. (Not sure if open bar of CL, single women and he would be a good mix...his DW likely would demand I keep that mix from happening...)

 

I'd say being a suite pax didn't make any difference in the Casino...I still choked on the smoke like the rest of us who have issues with the smell down there...

 

RCCL as a whole has friendly to very friendly crew...numerous hotels need to take a lesson...even some Disney employees could use a lesson from RCCL crew.

 

Kewlguy is right some folks in those cabins expect more service...I saw in some cabins < OS > as they were being cleaned and I walked by...clearly some pax expect a lot out of their cabin attendant. Who thows all their clothes all over the cabin every day? :eek:

[rubrrick]

Generally we have always been treated well on our cruises. Only a couple exceptions out of our cruises.

 

Kewlguy is right some folks in those cabins expect more service...I saw in some cabins < OS > as they were being cleaned and I walked by...clearly some pax expect a lot out of their cabin attendant. Who thows all their clothes all over the cabin every day? :eek:

 

Dave.........doesn't it make you wonder how they live at home?? It's crazy, but we make sure that everything is cleaned up and put away before our cabin attendent arrives to clean. Some people are just different than others.

 

And if that is what they are complaining about........who needs a different colored card to show to your attendent!!:D:D Sorry.......small pun;)

 

Rick

[Ladylouwho]

Dave, that's exactly why I don't like the differentiation between the cards. What someone pays for a room onboard shouldn't have any affect on service in the bar or the casino.

 

I hope it wasn't you that wasn't treated as well as the suite passengers. I would be very disappointed. But that goes along with my issue with Martin last season.

 

Hi cruiseloverandagent,

 

Are you talking about Martin the Concierge? We were on the Voyager over Thanksgiving in the Med and then again sailed the Voyager over New Years Eve out of Galveston (didn't see you, looked for you, we checked in priority). We had a lot of dealings with Martin. Did I miss something, what were your issues with him?

Thanks,

Colleen

[Rancher Dave]

Hi cruiseloverandagent,

 

Are you talking about Martin the Concierge? We were on the Voyager over Thanksgiving in the Med and then again sailed the Voyager over New Years Eve out of Galveston (didn't see you, looked for you, we checked in priority). We had a lot of dealings with Martin. Did I miss something, what were your issues with him?

Thanks,

Colleen

 

 

I think Martin pretty much treated everyone I saw pretty well. I am waiting for Erica to tell us about the big oops last week. Maybe he didn't let her and Jeff in CL...:eek:

[Ladylouwho]

All I know is my card is the basic white and says Diamond on the bottom. I never really thought about how I was treated based on that one word on my Seapass Card. Now they have Gold for Suites and Silver for JS??? Okay. So those of us dumb Diamond members (or non-CA member first cruisers for that matter) who are paying for 3 or 4 cabins (or more) and 8-12 people,including all charges, drinks, casino, tips, you name it, MIGHT be treated in a lessor manner than a couple who pay for a Grand Suite or an Owners Suite for only 2 people???? Hello, exactly who is buttering whose bread?????? I have been in Suites, Balcony Cabins and in between, Never an inside, But I have paid for them (kids)! Why would a couple spending 10K for an Owners Suite expect to get better treatment (outside of their cabin) than a couple such as my husband and I paying for 4 cabins, 9 passengers (many of whom, drink, gamble, etc.) paying 20K++? That is how you tee off people. Obviously, if we weren't PAYING the others wouldn't be SAILING!!!!!!

 

My understanding was that if you paid for a Suite you received the additional treatment and amenities due a Suite passenger. I have NO problem with that. I am sure you receive better MDR seating. Again, I have No Problem with that. But much past that, the one thing about a Mass Market Cruise Line is its Egalitarian feel, ONCE YOU LEAVE YOUR CABIN!!!!! If the Cruise Line wants to add additional Suite Amenities and/or discounts by all means go for it! The incentive for a Suite Guest to spend more money will be enhanced by the discounts/coupons, etc.

 

But please, like others have said on this thread before me, don't treat passengers differently in the common ares (outside CL) based on their cabin category or C & A level. RCL is Mass Market. I like getting my extras for being Diamond, discounts, Diamond/CL lounge, concierge service, etc. Just as if one books a Suite they should enjoy similar amenities. But there should not be an obvious Mark Of Distinction, meaning all should be treated with Top Notch Service regardless of C & A status or Cabin Level, once they leave their cabin or the CL.

 

RCL seems to be going in the direction of eliminating some perks from Long term, loyal repeat customers. Some say they are going after "new"customers who have never sailed before. Why would they want their "New" customers to come on board a ship for the first time only to be "possibly" treated as second class citizens because they did not book a suite? Maybe "Grandpa" shelled out 50K to take his big family on a cruise, only nobody booked a suite. Should Grandpa be treated in a lessor manor than "Barbie & Ken" who ONLY paid 10K for an Owners Suite?

[Ladylouwho]

I think Martin pretty much treated everyone I saw pretty well. I am waiting for Erica to tell us about the big oops last week. Maybe he didn't let her and Jeff in CL...:eek:

 

Dave, Martin was great! My husband had some long faxes from work needing ASAP attention. Martin delivered them himself. He did many favors for us. He was great with all the families from Mexico and treated all us Texans right. He was obviously very busy with a full ship and many Diamond passengers. No Complaints here. I was just curious from her comments?

[buckanear]

When we sailed last time, he was very cold to us which is disappointing because at that time he wanted the agents to notify him when the suite guests arrived so he could personally escort them on the ship. The day we sailed I personally escorted 3 suites worth of guests to him and he didn't say 3 words to me despite chatting up everyone else in the lounge. I just thought that was crappy of him to treat someone like that after doing something that is not only not in our job description, but something that I didn't have time to do in the first place.

 

We just felt like the step children of the lounge because of our "status" at the pier.

 

And I'm just teasin' about last week ;)

Edited January 15, 2009 by cruiseloverandagent