Royal Champions

[BayStateguppy]

Well, Royal Caribbean has spoken about their take on the Royal Champions: “We are 100 percent committed to continuing the program because we believe in it,” said Hayden.

 

Here's a new article on this whole ordeal:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29685207/

 

So Royal Caribbean still intends on business as usual with their viral marketing campaign on Cruise Critic.

 

Trip Advisor/Cruise Critic, your move now.

 

Joe

 

So we now know RCL's position.

I am waiting to hear what the RC's and CC positions will be.

I think we deserve that much.

[Catnip]

i would like to address the "jealousy" issue since it has been used for pages here to discredit folks objecting to a viral marketing program.

 

Save your breath.........I tried to get that exact point across a couple of days ago. :rolleyes:

It must be very hard for some posters here to believe that some of us are NOT jealous that we were not invited to be in their little group. They can't believe that we are NOT jealous of not having been invited to a free 2-day cruise.

I guess they can't understand that we are not jealous of them, but we DO have a problem with the shady marketing ploy by RCCL. I don't have anything against the individual members of the RCer club, but I do have a problem with the RC program itself.

It seems simple and easy to understand.

[Catnip]

Why can you not accept that there are some people who simply...object to the marketing program at a cruise corporation?

 

We are discussing a Marketing program.

 

Please.

 

 

You're exactly correct. I don't understand why some posters here can't understand that simple concept.

[sea-cruise]

Hi everyone! I just returned from a vacation at Branson, MO, and I had a great time! :D

I have a few minutes before unpacking, and thought I'd stop in and check out what's been going on. Mercy, I can see it's been a long arguement.

I just want to say that I can see both sides of the coins here. Everyone has legitimate questions. I just hope we can all get along and not be nasty with each other, because life is way too short for that, and you all know that if one of us needed help, another of us would put aside the bickering and lend a hand.

My husband and I have been married for 47 years and we take each other with a "Grain of Salt" so that's what I would advise all of us to do here.

I'll take you with a grain and you take me with a grain, and we'll all be fine.

If Royal Caribbean takes away the Royal Champions or leaves it in place, it's no big deal either way to me.

It's your right to not believe me if I say I enjoyed a cruise. It's your right not to believe me if I say something was wrong with it as well.

Let's just try to get along and not be vile towards each other. :)

[cruzendude]

i would like to address the "jealousy" issue since it has been used for pages here to discredit folks objecting to a viral marketing program. The charge assumes that the title of Royal Champion on the CC message board carries such prestige and clout wherever it might be mentioned in the whole WIDE WORLD that legions of the rest of us are consumed with envy...trying to destroy what we are too inferior to ever possess.

 

Is that the point?

 

Let's remember this an an anonymous message Board on the Internet. Isn't there the TINIEST chance that a few of us "objectors" have a title or position in our real lives that might carry just the TINIEST prestige as well? Maybe...maybe even close to the knock-out title of being a Royal Champ for a cruise line corporation....

 

Could it be possible that some come here for unbiased information (we thought) and not with the wistful longing to be "important" on a website?

 

Perhaps not all of us would swoon over meeting CEO Goldberg or whatever his name is...because to us he is no more than a man with a good job providing a SERVICE we pay for!

 

Perhaps some of us are just content to be ourselves and rejoice in our own blessings and not feel we have to be a VIP on an Internet message Board to feel good about ourselves!

 

Could this be remotely possible?

 

How presumptious and how ridiculous for anyone to presume without knowing WHO WE ARE or our values or our individual achievements...that some special status on an Internet opinion Board would drive ANYTHING we might do.

 

But since this is the internet there is an even more likelyhood that you might be that dude sitting in his mother's basement in his underwear that JC always refers to! :eek: :D

[Ocean Boy]

Why can you not accept that there are some people who simply...object to the marketing program at a cruise corporation?

 

At the supermarket, if you are a Tide user and someone in line opines that they don't like Tide but like Cheer...do you begin accusing them of being jealous of Proctor and Gamble...of working for Ivory soap? Does this agitate you to the point where you accuse that shopper of jealousy of how clean other people's wash is?

 

We are discussing a Marketing program.

 

Please.

 

Actually, I'd be more likely to look at them and say something like...."And I should care why?" Unless, of course, I was in a chatty mood. But that is not likely to be the case knowing how aggrevated I get with lines in the grocery store.

[Islandbear]

I for one am thankful for the posts of people that have brought this un-ethical marketing campaigne to light and continue to discuss it.

 

You may call it "Throwing Stones" but I see it as disclosing a dirty little secret.

[Catnip]

I just want to say that I can see both sides of the coins here.

 

My husband and I have been married for 47 years and we take each other with a "Grain of Salt" so that's what I would advise all of us to do here.

I'll take you with a grain and you take me with a grain, and we'll all be fine.

 

If Royal Caribbean takes away the Royal Champions or leaves it in place, it's no big deal either way to me.

 

 

You are a very wise woman and I agree 100% with your post. In my opinion, you should get the post-of-the-day award! :)

[FireIce0010]

Incidently, also like others, I won't cruise with RCI cos their ships are too big, they are expensive compared to other lines and they don't go where I want to go (which is the out of the way parts of the world that are fairly untouched by commercialism).

 

Which brings the question as to why are you here? You don't care about Royal Caribbean but yet you spend all of this time discussing what is going on. If I won't cruise on a line, I sure as heck am not going to spend time on their board talking about it. A hidden agenda maybe?:rolleyes:

[Ocean Boy]

Save your breath.........I tried to get that exact point across a couple of days ago. :rolleyes:

It must be very hard for some posters here to believe that some of us are NOT jealous that we were not invited to be in their little group. They can't believe that we are NOT jealous of not having been invited to a free 2-day cruise.

I guess they can't understand that we are not jealous of them, but we DO have a problem with the shady marketing ploy by RCCL. I don't have anything against the individual members of the RCer club, but I do have a problem with the RC program itself.It seems simple and easy to understand.

 

Just as it is just as hard for some here to believe that this whole RC program means very little to some of us.

 

It is, however, very nice to read that you can separate out the individual members from the program. You must realize that it is difficult for some of us to read statements like "I will never believe anything that an RCer writes on these boards." I never came here to do anything but get and give information and find a little entertainment here and there.

 

It does seem simple and easy to understand.

[Ship's Wake]

I for one am thankful for the posts of people that have brought this un-ethical marketing campaigne to light and continue to discuss it.

 

You may call it "Throwing Stones" but I see it as disclosing a dirty little secret.

 

For some it's situational ethics. As long as they are involved, they consider it ethical. I do think that some RCs realize that they have been involved in something they would never have signed up for if they were aware of Royal Caribbean's plans for them in this viral marketing program.

 

Fortunately, there are many posters here, bloggers on the internet, and a few journalists who are seeing the whole Royal Champions program as not passing the smell test and more than questionable now that more details are coming to light.

 

Joe

[Dorene1]

I was very proud of being on CC, I booked many cruises on what other cruisers said on this site. I spoke about it...to others ......and though I didnt believe everything people said, I felt that what they were saying is how they felt at the moment. I think if RCCL really wanted to locate those people they wanted as their Chamipions they should have mangaged to contact them direct. My feelings toward CC is not the same, the respect for this site is just not there..........but........it's a site.........and take it as that.

 

I guess my problem is I'm too honest, I look forward to returning home from a cruise to write my review. I wish this didn't happen because people now look at RCCL, & CC differently.

 

Dorene

[emdia43]

I just referred some potential new cruisers to this website, and promoted Royal Caribbean as a good place to start,based on what they expressed .

They planned to start researching - now I feel awkward having referred them to a site where someone's good opinion on a review or a thread may have been elicited by reimbursement.... :rolleyes:

[Aquahound]

What does bother me is that CC makes such a big deal about their 'no advertising' policy. Sometimes, I would like to ask someone about their travel agent but it's a huge no-no. So in that respect, the RC thing is kind of hypocritical.

 

Am I the only one who doesn't see a problem with this? :confused:

 

This is a cruise website. All one has to do is look at the top of the page to see that cruise lines are allowed to advertise on this site. This isn't a T/A site. Without the cruise line advertisements, how would this site be funded?

 

Would you rather that CC members pay for their memberships to make it completely fair?

 

Besides, we are just a bunch of Joe's (actually, I'm Paul ;)). If anyone relies too heavily on anything posted on these forums, that's their own problem.

 

Up until a few weeks ago, I didn't even know what Royal Champion meant. Now that I know, I still don't care. I know many of these people from Roll Calls, past cruises, etc. They're self-admitted cheerleaders. So what? And as far as the RCI marketing....again....so what? JMO, of course!!!

 

Sorry if I added fuel to the fire. :rolleyes:

[emdia43]

Am I the only one who doesn't see a problem with this? :confused:

 

This is a cruise website. All one has to do is look at the top of the page to see that cruise lines are allowed to advertise on this site. This isn't a T/A site. Without the cruise line advertisements, how would this site be funded?

 

Would you rather that CC members pay for their memberships to make it completely fair?

 

Besides, we are just a bunch of Joe's (actually, I'm Paul ;)). If anyone relies too heavily on anything posted on these forums, that's their own problem.

 

Up until a few weeks ago, I didn't even know what Royal Champion meant. Now that I know, I still don't care. I know many of these people from Roll Calls, past cruises, etc. They're self-admitted cheerleaders. So what? And as far as the RCI marketing....again....so what? JMO, of course.

 

Sorry if I added fuel to the fire. :rolleyes:

 

When I see an advert on this site I know it is an advert.....

When I see a glowing report on a RCCL cruise/ship I shall now wonder... are they being reimbursed for that opinion or not?

[Ship's Wake]

Am I the only one who doesn't see a problem with this? :confused:

 

This is a cruise website. All one has to do is look at the top of the page to see that cruise lines are allowed to advertise on this site. This isn't a T/A site. Without the cruise line advertisements, how would this site be funded?

 

Would you rather that CC members pay for their memberships to make it completely fair?

 

Besides, we are just a bunch of Joe's (actually, I'm Paul ;)). If anyone relies too heavily on anything posted on these forums, that's their own problem.

 

Up until a few weeks ago, I didn't even know what Royal Champion meant. Now that I know, I still don't care. I know many of these people from Roll Calls, past cruises, etc. They're self-admitted cheerleaders. So what? And as far as the RCI marketing....again....so what? JMO, of course!!!

 

Sorry if I added fuel to the fire. :rolleyes:

 

Paul, let me ask you this. Let's assume you want to take a cruise up the Amazon. Since neither RCCL or Celebrity cruise there, you'll need to take another line. So you look at your options - HAL, Oceania, and Princess. Assume you've never sailed on these lines - how are you going to decide?

 

You'll probably look for customer reviews to see what others thought of the particular ships that are your options. If you don't seek out feedback, how will you decide? If you're not deciding only on price, then how will you know what is the best choice for your wants and needs?

 

That's why accurate and truthful reviews are important. What's the point of having reviews on this website if they cannot be trusted to be accurate?

 

Joe

[hazence]

Now if everyone else would see the light we would be all good......anyone can be a shill for whomever they want here..I could care less..but one of the many arguments here was how horrible it was for a RC to be a shill for RCCL and how they were taken advantage of therefore no review of theirs should ever be taken seriously.....see my point???? Don't point fingers for being a schill when you are one yourself (now you personally but MANY others here)....Whats good for the goose is good for the gander.....and as I said about 30 pages ago..there is NO review posted anywhere that is unbiasd..its human nature...every review is tainted by ones own personal views, opinions and experiences...

 

I am still....:rolleyes:

 

No that is NOT my point. My pint was that you did not like her OPINION so you tried to discredit her personally.

 

I have not tried to discredit any CHAMP.

 

I am discrediting this viral internet scheme that Champs, Chumps at al. were unaware of...and the effects it has had on posting here on this Board.

 

No one is completely unbiased...but a scheme to award special status...invitations...free cruises...to a few posters..corrupts a Board like this. It sets up a "pecking order" and encourages behaviors that make the positive REVIEWS ARTIFICIAL.

 

RCCL has made their own positive reviews suspect.

[xpcdoojk]

Anyone notice the the Champs and their minions never want to address the effect of the program on the Board, the swarming, the driving off of unwelcome opinion...the sycophantic behavior.

 

Not one has addressed this.

 

Maybe because they know many reading hereare "victims" of it (probably afraid to post truthfully again)....and are out there in cyberspace nodding agreement.

 

Maybe because we have all seen it way too much.

 

That's why this viral marketing program affects the type of posts you will read here...the slant goes way over to cheerleading.

 

 

Well, just my little ole opinion, but the angst the CHUMPS express over the RCs, loses all credibility when they have no angst for the cruiseline buying travel agents opinions by giving them free cruises, or of buying media types, like Samantha Brown. I am sure she spent her own money making those cruise videos that show up on the travel channel. Wonder if those things affect people wanting to go on a cruise or specifically with a cruise line?

 

In an anonymous forum you always have to suspect every post you read. Making a big deal of this is sort of like say when the sun shines it is bright outside. DUH.

 

CC has never been void of bias, and just because you know who some of the RCs are doesn't mean you have identified all of the bias. Many of the CHUMPS are known pot stirrers who have historically posted very negative posts about RCI management and practices. So, please continue to add Chump to your signature so that the uninformed can discount your posts in the future.

 

jc

[Aquahound]

Paul, let me ask you this. Let's assume you want to take a cruise up the Amazon. Since neither RCCL or Celebrity cruise there, you'll need to take another line. So you look at your options - HAL, Oceania, and Princess. Assume you've never sailed on these lines - how are you going to decide?

 

Actually, I agree with you. But for me, I research the actual cruise lines first. I know what I like and don't like, so I can get a pretty good idea just from the individual lines' websites, advertisements, etc.

 

As for reviews....I may be a little different than others. I actually skim through and read the bad reviews first. I would rather know what people have complained about than what people raved about. I can judge things better this way.

 

Believe me, I'm not disputing anyone else's opinion....and I don't blame anyone for thinking it's wrong. It's just my opinion that it isn't that big of a deal.......but then again, that's just based on how I judge things.

[LauraS]

Once again we must insist that you all remain civil to one another in this thread.

[cassieroll]

I was wondering if the Royal Champions feel used in any way? Or CC? From where I stand, you were all used and I think it's sneaky and deceitful.

[Bakincakes]

I thought off topic posts were a no no:confused:;)

 

This is almost like dialing the 800 number to get the name of a "great" dentist.

 

Of course those on the switchboard at the 800 number are paid to hawk dentists who have paid to have their names on that list.:p

 

So now anyone who has an issue with this deal that RCI cooked up are being accused of being shills for other boards???:p:p

 

Way back when someone pointed out why this kind of scheme is called "viral". Seems as if a good many CC members have caught that particular virus. And it would make sense that RCI would be more than happy to have those who aren't gushing about their product run off this board. Amazing how being able to put two words in your siggie makes one rabid.:D

 

 

 

When you can't come up with an excuse for stealing the bread, blame the baker.

[critterchick]

Anyone notice the the Champs and their minions never want to address the effect of the program on the Board, the swarming, the driving off of unwelcome opinion...the sycophantic behavior.

 

Not one has addressed this.

 

Maybe because they know many reading hereare "victims" of it (probably afraid to post truthfully again)....and are out there in cyberspace nodding agreement.

 

Maybe because we have all seen it way too much.

 

That's why this viral marketing program affects the type of posts you will read here...the slant goes way over to cheerleading.

 

OK, I'll address it. As I've said before, when I post a review I point out the good, the bad, the ugly and the weird. And I have posted links to a few reviews for you to review, including the Liberty pre-inaugural. It wasn't all glowing.

 

When I see a short review that in essence says, "I hated the the cruise and will never sail RCI again," I will sometimes ask the poster to elaborate. I don't think that's "swarming."

 

Also, everybody has things that bother them, and it's not up to me or anybody else to criticize them for their idiosyncracies - I certainly have plenty of my own not to cast that first stone. Every now and then I do find something to be utterly absurd and I can't help myself. But I try not to let it happen too often. Do unto others and all. I do see that a lot, but it doesn't come exclusively from RCs. As for our "minions," do you really think we have that kind of power to get people to pile on? (rhetorical question; it appears that you do).

 

All in all, I find that RCI cheerleaders are amateurs when compared to the Princess and Azamara lot. I've posted what I think is a positive review only to have somebody rip into me because I didn't care for the dining room on the Journey. Or that I found the Island Princess to be dirty. But when I wrote a despondent review of Mariner, most people simply thanked me. I was told "good riddance" by one idiot when I posted a comparative review of Paradise and Monarch and found that I could happly sail on Paradise now that RCI has abandoned the 3/4 day market. Turned out he had only read the title, not the actual review. I lost no sleep over that one.

 

I just want to say that I can see both sides of the coins here. Everyone has legitimate questions. I just hope we can all get along and not be nasty with each other, because life is way too short for that, and you all know that if one of us needed help, another of us would put aside the bickering and lend a hand.

My husband and I have been married for 47 years and we take each other with a "Grain of Salt" so that's what I would advise all of us to do here.

I'll take you with a grain and you take me with a grain, and we'll all be fine.

If Royal Caribbean takes away the Royal Champions or leaves it in place, it's no big deal either way to me.

It's your right to not believe me if I say I enjoyed a cruise. It's your right not to believe me if I say something was wrong with it as well.

Let's just try to get along and not be vile towards each other. :)

 

I'm on a low salt diet...:D But well said!

 

You are so right..I am no victim of anybody. I will not be bullied. That is one rason I have stayed with this thread.

 

But there are others out there that HAVE been bullied here...run off with the same kind of personal attack we see here...unable to just post an honest opinion. The same types that try to find a reason to discredit a poster PERSONALLY..."you are from a competing Board"..."you are too new"..."you are jealous"..."you are a plant"....have bullied many another on this Board.

 

This BOARD is lessened by that behavior. I rarely see ANY Royal Champ defend anyone in that position....unfortunately.

 

It suits RCCL's purpose in this campaign...it drives off anyone they do not want posting. So some here have become the Internet "muscle" for RCCL.

 

Don't try to deny...it's being done right now. When you cannot argue the issue...you flame the poster. Probably in hopes of getting that CHAMP status..

 

But you are correct. I stand my ground. No victim here...especially from a few rabid posters on a cruise opinion Board for some corporation.

 

I don't think I'm foaming at the mouth, and I am certain that I have not flamed you or any of the other posters here (although I did "shout" at one). As for being "Internet muscle," no, I don't think so.

 

Yes, there are people who are over the top crazy about RCI and will argue with anybody who dares to say something less than positive about their favorite cruise line. I have never been one of those people. I will argue with pax who think that paying 2-3x retail for wine is outrageous, because I don't think that it is. I will argue with people who think that they should be able to cruise without tipping, because I think that's just wrong. I tend to side with people who don't want to get dressed up for formal night, but I do think they should shower or bathe before they come to the dining room.

 

I like the RCI product. I used to love the RCI product, but they've whittled away at it, have positioned themselves as a family line and have been pushing me out the door for a couple of years now. Which I have expressed on CC more than once.

 

So (as I've also said before), I probably wasn't a good choice for RC status. But here I am, and I just can't get exercised enough over it to care that there are some souls out there who think that I am a pawn or a shill or some other nefarious being for having this dubious title bestowed upon me. I just can't.

[Copper Lanterns]

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Haven't been on these boards for awhile.

We are going on a cruise in July with our grandchildren.

Wouldn't mention Cruise Critic to anyone under any circumstances. I used to be so proud of this site.:confused::confused:

I will be retiring my lanyard for awhile. I would rather nor get attacked in person from some of these people.

 

I feel there are still a lot of good people and information here but am sad to see what CC has become.

 

Connie

[coxswain]

Laura do you think RCI or CC will make a statement on this at some stage ?

 

 

 

 

 

 

jj.......