Crown & Anchor Program Revisions - join the merged discussions here

[cruisenfever]

Patti probably won't answer for a while, she'll be too busy watching the NASCAR.:D Go #14.

Hey now.........watch it. Your boy came in 3rd..........but MY BOY came in 1st!!

 

BTW, have you changed the number on your tractor yet?

[lady of the seas]

we had the same experience with suite pax on our last cruise on freedom.

in th cl they were awful and then later were thrown out of the casino for their behavior.

they felt they were entitled to things. i am not saying that all suite passangers are like that and i wish people would stop calling diamond members freeloaders. there are all kinds of people in every group.

 

Unfortunately there are some people with more money than brains and act accordingly, I think we've all seen examples.:mad:

[CruisesOnMyMind]

Talk about rewarding credits for sea days, or draining the CC by drinking too much. I say lets go toe to toe with invoice amounts onboard at the end the cruise. Yes we might have drank the CL dry (I doubt it) but when we were finished with the lounge we went to "Buy" drinks in another lounge. Those that went in for a coffee or a glass of wine to be sociable before dinner (baby finger crooked},,,what did you do after to contribute to the "cash flow"?

Trying to figure out if it was really a "crowding problem",,,,I doubt! If it was really to many folks indulging in the CL then they got rid of the wrong folks,,,,,take at look at the cruise invoice at then apply perks..like the casino does....tea tottlers do not make money....sorry.

I still enjoy RCCL

[lady of the seas]

we had the same experience with suite pax on our last cruise on freedom.

in th cl they were awful and then later were thrown out of the casino for their behavior.

they felt they were entitled to things. i am not saying that all suite passangers are like that and i wish people would stop calling diamond members freeloaders. there are all kinds of people in every group.

 

Mahya, we're going to have to just agree to disagree. When people become more obsessed about their level of loyalty membership over the simple pleasure of cruising, then yes, it is about status. I, for one, was not stupid enough to spend thousands of dollars in order to be able to get a free drink before dinner. I spent the money because I love cruising. My reservations are not based on C&A benefits, free drinks, whatever. If RCI announced that due to the recession, they were going to stop giving out the Ultimate Value booklets, I would still go. Nuff said about that.

 

And about $7.50 a drink, that is less than what the bars charge in my hometown, so it does not bother me.

 

 

Since the cruise lines don't pay tax on liquor $7.50 is one heck of a lot of profit. I wouldn't mind paying that but the drinks are a joke, tiny and watered down. Where we live a martini is $10 and up but for that you get a decent drink with a name brand gin.

[lady of the seas]

We just finished the 46 day repositioning of the Mariner. There was some rumor of this happening then. First was the issue of not allowing combining shareholder benfits with credits. How this issue with my Diamond status being elimaneted. My answer, just booked Oct 24 30 days on the Star Princess and cancelled my Brilliance of the Sea in January of 2010. WAVTAM

 

There is nothing business understands more than customers putting their money where they mouth is.....way to go;)

[CruisesOnMyMind]

I was on that TA also, yes it was extremely busy, but RCCL handle it very well. This was not the usual cruise amount of folks for diamond and upward. Transatlantics always attract more seasoned travellors because of the time they have to do it.

[CRUISEMAMI]

Patti,

My BOY came in 1st, too.........Go #24

[PhoenixCruiser]

Yes, I'm sure.

14 day cruise on Nordic Prince 1980 1 credit

12 day cruise on Nordic Prince 1983 1 credit

Etc etc.

The multiple credits and suite credit didn't start until sometime after 2000 (I believe). Not that it makes any difference now, but it gets boring listening to complaints about the system. We all knew the rules and we could leave the party anytime we wished.

One thing I've learned from this thread is the gross amount of sour grapes that exist in the cruising world.:mad:

 

I thought it was 2003!

 

You've been a member of CC for 9 years, please, please learn how to use the Quote feature so we can tell who you are quoting! :p:D

 

###

[sealord]

Mahya, we're going to have to just agree to disagree. When people become more obsessed about their level of loyalty membership over the simple pleasure of cruising, then yes, it is about status. I, for one, was not stupid enough to spend thousands of dollars in order to be able to get a free drink before dinner. I spent the money because I love cruising. My reservations are not based on C&A benefits, free drinks, whatever. If RCI announced that due to the recession, they were going to stop giving out the Ultimate Value booklets, I would still go. Nuff said about that.

 

And about $7.50 a drink, that is less than what the bars charge in my hometown, so it does not bother me.

 

As you so delicately put it, many of us were "stupid enough" to spend thousands of dollars on Royal Caribbean instead of Princess or (add your own cruise line) because we had clearly made a deal with the 'devil'. Or so it now appears. The C&A Society was a loyalty program that had certain defined benefits. It was clearly a good program ... at least 'head' if not 'head and shoulders' above even their 'sister' line Celebrity. I suspect that is part of the problem. When they gave the Celebrity Captain's Club Elite the same benefits of C&A Diamond, and vice versa, I'm sure many Captain's Club members who 'knew' the difference between a good program that included the CL, and 'something' else', started sailing RCCL instead of Celebrity. RCI may have been able to solve their "overcrowding" issue by simply stating that henceforth C&A is C&A, and Captain's Club is Captain's Club. But, back to the point, I didn't spend thousands of dollars to get the CL benefit. I spent thousands of dollars because I love cruising. I spent those thousands of dollars on RCCL instead of 'someone else' because the C&A benefits, including the CL at the Diamond Level, was clearly a better program than the others. We had a deal ... my 'loyalty' in exchange for 'these' benefits. And along the way I am embarrassed to say that I recruited a number of people to RCCL because of these benefits. Disclaimers are for the dishonest and the lawyers, not for "loyalty" programs.

 

And by the way, I enjoyed the breakfast, the coffee machine, the concierge, the daytime 'quiet', and the happy hour in addition to the many purchases that I made at the Schooner Bar, the Pool Bar, the Theater, Chops, etc. My onboard account I'm sure was at least as big or bigger than many who did not have access to the CL. But then again, I guess RCCL does not that money either.:confused:

[lady of the seas]

I would be happy with any solution RCI would come up with in lieu of stipping away all benefits in the lounge.

 

I think offering suggestions to RCI is a great idea.

 

And frankly, if they dont' respond, I suspect many of us will "jump ship" to another line over time. While I have been told on these boards that such threats are idol bluffing, I don't think so. Just in the past few months

 

1. RCI has tried to charge a retroactive fuel surcharge to those who already paid for cruises.

 

2. Is charging $14.99 for filet mignon in the dining room (can lobster be far behind???)

 

 

 

3. Took away the ability to combine a C and A credit and a stockholder credit onboard.

 

4. Took away Daimond privileges

 

5. They will be charging for drinks at the welcome aboard party.

 

6. Apparently even at the Platinum/Diamond party, you will only get beer and wine (not other alcoholic drinks as before)

 

7. No mints on pillows

 

For all of those who think we are whining, I think the writing is on the wall -- RCI is cutting corners left and right and if you think they will continue to offer a "superior product" I think that is foolish. There will be more and more nickle and diming unless we speak up, and speak up loudly. Even those who aren't Diamond should realize that you are next in line to suffer from the new attitude at RCI. They need to wake up soon, or they will be losing more and more customers to less expensvie lines who offer more bang for the buck.

 

 

 

Why is everyone offering suggestions to RCCL when it's obvious that they chose a solution that benefits them with no concern for their loyal repeaters and they are not interested in hearing what we say.

 

And speaking of Lobster, last time we would have needed a magnifying glass to see it and it was combined with steak so it wouldn't look so puny on the plate. Next they may try to emulate "Easycruise" and charge for all food.

 

Incidentally I just looked at their website and noticed they they are now offering Botox and Restalyne in some of their spas....good grief what's next to squeeze more money from the passengers, plastic surgery?

[lady of the seas]

They can't. Hand sanitizer has been eliminated from the dining rooms.

 

This is not a joke.

 

No it certainly isn't a joke I'm disgusted:(, I not only use it when entering the dining room but before eating after I've touched the utensils on the buffet line.

 

On our cruise in Feb the sanitizer wasn't even available as we re-boarded after port visits. Guess they would rather cut back on that also and risk having a ship of sick passengers.:eek:

[texlatin1]

Why is everyone offering suggestions to RCCL when it's obvious that they chose a solution that benefits them with no concern for their loyal repeaters and they are not interested in hearing what we say.

 

And speaking of Lobster, last time we would have needed a magnifying glass to see it and it was combined with steak so it wouldn't look so puny on the plate. Next they may try to emulate "Easycruise" and charge for all food.

 

Incidentally I just looked at their website and noticed they they are now offering Botox and Restalyne in some of their spas....good grief what's next to squeeze more money from the passengers, plastic surgery?

 

 

...and this is where you have a CHOICE to say "no more"!!! You criticize their decisions and their food service yet you go to their web site to get more ammo to complain about! Have we gotten to a point now where EVERYTHING with RCCL is wrong???

 

The last time I cruised with RCCL or Carnival or Princess, spa services were not a requirement to purchase during a cruise Yet you chose to log into RCI web site and read what new features they now offer in the spa and you complain about that too! How can you say they're squeezing money out of the passengers if its a choice to purchase that service? If people want it, they get it, if they don't they don't! If you want to sail with RCI again, sail, if you don't, don't!:cool:

[GEORGET]

Losing the CL lounge for Diamonds is all my fault, you know. I just made it last cruise.

 

 

2) The $50 concierge tip plus tips to the bartenders that I had budgeted in my upcoming cruise budget that I won't be spending will go towards a wine and dine package for wine with dinner.

 

3) The suite and Diamond plus passengers can sit in the CL lounge in solitary splendor listening to the one upmanship practiced by others and I don't have to listen to it. Been there, done that enough while sitting in public lounges.

 

4) Suite and Diamond plus passengers are getting the sub-par food in the main dining room I'm getting.

 

5) I may not be the sharpest pencil in the box but I am certainly not going to spend an additional $60,000 after dropping $40,000 to try and achieve Diamond plus to have the goal post moved again which. . .

 

6) Gives me motivation to look around at other lines. This is not because of the loss of the CL lounge totally. Never had it, so don't know what I am missing. It is because of losing OBC with balcony discount usage, which I have taken advantage of being Platinum, it is the loss of other loyalty benefits, and the general decline of the cruising product.

 

Tucker in Texas[/quote

 

Nicely put

 

We gave a tip of $150 dollars at Christmas and February (Brilliance)because we liked the company and the bar staff on the overflow bar for diamond members. this is far more than the drinks we consumed. Just liked the atmosphere fellow travellers etc.

Just recieved an email from one of my TA's Costa offering a drinks package for $10 dollars A Day for drinks while you are dinning spirits etc and there cabin prices are lower than RCCL Has Costa been reading these threads? P&O lowered prices NCL Offers all cheaper.

 

I enjoy RCCL BUT with beer now costing $7 .49 dollars a pint and all the cut backs us UK drinkers and gamblers have a great choice of Cruise lines that are giving better deals

 

RCCL should remember Loyalty works both ways. I paid more than other cruise line offers to travel on the Independance this month, because of the CL and the perks of being a Crown and Anchor member. RCCL will have to rethink its policy or we will no longer treat them as number one choice.

Remember UK does not offically know of these changes yet so please keep the thread to the original point re cut backs or how you feel about them. Or is RCCL flooding this thread with trivia to put first time viewers off?

[mojitodiva]

Incidentally I just looked at their website and noticed they they are now offering Botox and Restalyne in some of their spas....good grief what's next to squeeze more money from the passengers, plastic surgery?

 

What a great idea!! I just might consider getting some Botex done on my next Royal cruise!! :eek::eek:

 

Return from cruising with a tan and fewer lines!! :rolleyes::cool:

[PSCruiser]

As you so delicately put it, many of us were "stupid enough" to spend thousands of dollars on Royal Caribbean instead of Princess or (add your own cruise line) because we had clearly made a deal with the 'devil'. Or so it now appears. The C&A Society was a loyalty program that had certain defined benefits. It was clearly a good program ... at least 'head' if not 'head and shoulders' above even their 'sister' line Celebrity. I suspect that is part of the problem. When they gave the Celebrity Captain's Club Elite the same benefits of C&A Diamond, and vice versa, I'm sure many Captain's Club members who 'knew' the difference between a good program that included the CL, and 'something' else', started sailing RCCL instead of Celebrity. RCI may have been able to solve their "overcrowding" issue by simply stating that henceforth C&A is C&A, and Captain's Club is Captain's Club. But, back to the point, I didn't spend thousands of dollars to get the CL benefit. I spent thousands of dollars because I love cruising. I spent those thousands of dollars on RCCL instead of 'someone else' because the C&A benefits, including the CL at the Diamond Level, was clearly a better program than the others. We had a deal ... my 'loyalty' in exchange for 'these' benefits. And along the way I am embarrassed to say that I recruited a number of people to RCCL because of these benefits. Disclaimers are for the dishonest and the lawyers, not for "loyalty" programs.

 

And by the way, I enjoyed the breakfast, the coffee machine, the concierge, the daytime 'quiet', and the happy hour in addition to the many purchases that I made at the Schooner Bar, the Pool Bar, the Theater, Chops, etc. My onboard account I'm sure was at least as big or bigger than many who did not have access to the CL. But then again, I guess RCCL does not that money either.:confused:

 

Stated exactly correct - I can't understand why some on this thread can't get the concept that along with the enjoyment of cruising, there were certain expectations from C&A. Yes, there might have been a need for adjustments, but it could have been handled with TACT. Don't worry, you be labeled as a whiner.

[Andy C]

I'm diamond and when I get on my next freedom class cruise I am going to milk the diamond lounge and the free booze for everything its worth. Additionally, I earned diamond status the easy way, by having my Crap and Anchor Society number pegged to the address of two (relatives) who are diamonds. I love having achieved this status with minimal effort. Keep whining folks - I'll just keep drinking the booze in the DL lounge for free!

[lady of the seas]

A lot of people have been known to have a BYOB party. Especially when they are young. Now THIS might reduce some of the uproar if RCI would once again allow wine to be brought on board and to allow liquor to go to the cabin for a surcharge as they used to do.

 

Gina

 

 

After reading so many angry emails I would imagine there will be a lot more booze brought on board....they may have won the battle but perhaps not the war.......

 

Diamond + but still angry

[beachbuddy]

Yes, I'm sure.

14 day cruise on Nordic Prince 1980 1 credit

12 day cruise on Nordic Prince 1983 1 credit

Etc etc.

The multiple credits and suite credit didn't start until sometime after 2000 (I believe). Not that it makes any difference now, but it gets boring listening to complaints about the system. We all knew the rules and we could leave the party anytime we wished.

One thing I've learned from this thread is the gross amount of sour grapes that exist in the cruising world.:mad:

 

It must have been after 2002 because we were in a suite on an 11 night cruise and only got 1 credit for that sailing as well.

 

Patty

[GEORGET]

Stated exactly correct - I can't understand why some on this thread can't get the concept that along with the enjoyment of cruising, there were certain expectations from C&A. Yes, there might have been a need for adjustments, but it could have been handled with TACT. Don't worry, you be labeled as a whiner.

 

Am i a whiner too or just upset at being told they do not need my custom as it may

costs them to much?

[rubrrick]

It must have been after 2002 because we were in a suite on an 11 night cruise and only got 1 credit for that sailing as well.

 

Patty

 

 

Patty............we did not get an extra credit for sailing in a suite in 2003.

 

What I have learned......is that suite passengers started getting double credits in 2004. I believe that someone said that it started on Jan 1st of '04. We received 2 credits for sailing in an OS in 2004. That was our first "double or more credit".

 

Rick

[beachbuddy]

Hey Patty:) You were lucky Cloud Nine was not that crowded. On the 11/30 they had to post 3-4 guys toward the end of cruise from Guest Relations to card everyone using seapasses not CL cards and it was still packed but many brought friends in or people just walked in themselves before they started carding people. What a zoo that cruise was in CL and the overflow. People were just so rude and mad it wasn't worth it. Enjoyed the peace in Dizzy's instead:D One thing we did notice on that cruise that Ricky never did was Ricardo gave every member in a cabin that was D/Dplus/suite a card of their own. Ricky would only give one card per cabin, if you needed another one he'd give it to you in the CL. But there were a ton of CL cards floating around that Dec. cruise. We heard a couple people say they gave extra cards to friends. I think there was more control with just giving the one card and giving an extra if people needed it.

I really do not know how Freedom class handles it with the D lounge. I thought both D plus and diamonds shared diamond lounge on Freedom class ships and CL was for suite guests. I don't know for sure. I'm just meeting my D friends on the EX. in Dizzy's or wherever they want before dinner. I'd rather be with friends then in CL without them. The he.ll with it:D

 

Hey Suzanne,

 

We had 2 cards in our cabin for the CL doors so Ricardo is still giving 2 cards. Like I said, I only went in there maybe twice during the afternoon for a cappacino and it was completly empty. They checked seapass cards in the overflow lounge. We were really surprised how empty it was there - maybe we hit it just right. I don't know if it was crowded earlier before 1st seating because we would usually go around 7:30 since we had late seating.

 

Patty

[beachbuddy]

Patty............we did not get an extra credit for sailing in a suite in 2003.

 

What I have learned......is that suite passengers started getting double credits in 2004. I believe that someone said that it started on Jan 1st of '04. We received 2 credits for sailing in an OS in 2004. That was our first "double or more credit".

 

Rick

 

Rick, I knew it started after 2002, I just didn't know when they started counting it as 2 credits.

 

Thanks,

Patty

[alcpa1]

I guess it's time for me to chime in.

Tomorrow I am booking our first Holland America cruise. I will be cancelling an RCI cruise we booked onboard in November.

The reasons are many but I cannot ignore the loss of credits, OBC's, and Diamond perks. If RCI would have counted our cruise credits correctly we would have been Diamond Plus many cruises ago. It was a long fought battle just to be "granted" Diamond. Our status has changed, our credits vanish and then reappear usually incorrectly and the frustration has never really ebbed. We never know when we board how we will be treated.

We have not given up on RCI. We favor Celebrity for some reason but sail both and will be booking a 2010 Baltic hopefully on Azamara before the end of May depending on itineraries.

I share everyone's frustrations. I recall all the chatter about combining Celebrity and RCI points years ago and can only imagine just how much angst this new C & A decision would have impacted the most loyal cruisers.

We still have not received either an e mail or a letter about the changes.

My RCI stock truly paid for itself. Now it's value is questionable. I hope I live long enough to see it at par. I hope I live long enough to see a company respond with gratitude to those of us who thought their best cruise was their first on the Song of Norway.

[royalcruz]

What a great idea!! I just might consider getting some Botex done on my next Royal cruise!! :eek::eek:

 

Return from cruising with a tan and fewer lines!! :rolleyes::cool:

 

This calls for a smiley with frown lines! (couldn't find one here).

[savva0122]

. And along the way I am embarrassed to say that I recruited a number of people to RCCL because of these benefits.

 

We are also feeling somewhat guily/shamed about this.

 

Our plans are certainly not to cruise RCI in the near future (just cancelled our IOS cruise in October), and when we do we will ensure our on board spend is reduced by not indulging in some of the little treats we have whilst on boards (wasting money in the shops, chops, portofinos, photos etc)