Crown & Anchor Program Revisions - join the merged discussions here

[cruisenfever]

Yip i've seen that but the C can throw them out - as for greed maybe i'm wrong but is there not a limit on the number of drinks ?

 

 

 

 

jj......

jj, I do not believe there is a limit. The CL and overflow lounge are opened from 5-8:30. I have not experienced the Diamond Lounge on the Freedom Class ships yet.

 

As far as the C throwing someone out.........yes, that's a possibility, if they are doing their job and looking at the overall picture instead of the tips they may or may not receive at the end of the cruise.

[beachbuddy]

I'm sorry if you feel I misunderstood your post but the RC's have been under attack for awhile and have been called cheerleaders for RCCL over and over again and it is frustrating for those of us who have been honest in our posts about the good and the bad of RCCL. Yes, there are waaaay worse names to be called but many have implied the RC's are PAID cheerleaders. Many of us knew a change was coming, one person even posted that several months ago and was jumped on as someone just spreading rumors to upset people. Well he was right about the change coming as many of us had been told by concierge's and others onboard the ships there would be a change in 2009. No one knew what the change would be exactly just that it would be a change in who could use the CL. We knew it was a given for suite guests but I had hoped RCCL would go to using the amount of days at sea as I really thought it was the fair way to do it for everyone in the C & A program. If you cruised X amount of days a year you would get rewarded for basically the money you spent with the company not unlike how the major hotel chains do it.

 

Now it's also been said Diamond Plus members do not understand how Diamonds feel about the change and that's unfair because we do understand. This could have happened when we were still diamond, we have friends that are impacted by this now, and for all we know next year we could get the boot too from the CL and yes we do understand. People also have to understand that there are many of us that will still cruise RCCL simply because we enjoy the ships despite the CL being there or not for us. Yes, I am D plus and you can say that's easy for me to say but I know many diamonds I cruise with that are remaining with RCCL and I will meet them in Dizzy's or wherever instead of the CL until they make D plus. Like me they just enjoy the ships and I rather enjoy my friend's company anywhere then sit in the CL just because I can.

 

Some people that have posted on this thread just do not seem to understand the loss of the CL is not a deal breaker for many of us and when someone posts they still like RCCL or the loss of the CL is not that big of an issue for them they get jumped on and are accused of being a cheerleader whether they are an RC or not. Gold and Plat. members have been jumped on also accused of not understanding because they never had the CL so how could they possibly understand? They get it, they now have to make it to D plus instead of Diamond and it will take them a lot longer to do so but many just like the ships and will continue to cruise RCCL anyway but it doesn't make them cheerleaders for a company just because they enjoy the ships or whatever it is they like about RCCL.

 

Like I said before I see a lot of other cruiselines in sigs other then RCCL on this thread so people do enjoy other cruiselines and will continue to do so regardless of the perks because if they cruised other lines before they'll still do so now. Perks won't keep them loyal to RCCL anyway and there is nothing wrong with that either and they have that choice to sail any line they choose. Who says anyone has to be loyal to only one cruiseline? IMO they should cruise a line because they enjoy it not because of loyalty.

 

It's obvious by reading the posts some are very angry over this change and yes, they do all have the right to vent and state their opinions but why do so many take it out on fellow CC members, CC members didn't make the rule no matter what our level is.

I sincerly hope everyone finds one or several cruiselines that suits them best. We all love to cruise and that's one thing we do agree with.

 

Hi Suzanne,

 

We just made Diamond and were able to use the CL on our cruise a few weeks ago. We really didn't use the main CL because we preferred the overflow on deck 14. I have to tell you that the overflow was crowded the very first night with a line for drinks (during sailaway), but the rest of the 2 weeks it was practically empty. I can't say how the main CL was because I only went in there twice in the afternoon for a coffee to take back to my cabin and it was empty then. We preferred deck 14 because of the windows. It was nice to meet our friends there before dinner (2nd seating) and have a drink. I think there were no crowds because the concierge guy checked cards so there were no sneak ins, etc.

 

We have friends that are D+, so my question now is............if we're on a ship with a D lounge, does that mean the D+ people can't come in the D lounge with us for a drink? Do they have to use the CL?? I know some of my friends prefer the overflow lounge because of the windows. It would be a shame if they had to go into the CL and not able to join us. I know we wouldn't be able to join them.

 

Patty

[gemcam1]

So, this is what I said I would do and have now done. I have booked a cruise with another line that has better ports for me than RCI, which is something I would have never done before they kicked me out of the CL. But, I am also looking at an RCI cruise for later in the year, which fits my needs better than other lines. How many others is this category?

[cruisenfever]

Hi Suzanne,

 

We just made Diamond and were able to use the CL on our cruise a few weeks ago. We really didn't use the main CL because we preferred the overflow on deck 14. I have to tell you that the overflow was crowded the very first night with a line for drinks (during sailaway), but the rest of the 2 weeks it was practically empty. I can't say how the main CL was because I only went in there twice in the afternoon for a coffee to take back to my cabin and it was empty then. We preferred deck 14 because of the windows. It was nice to meet our friends there before dinner (2nd seating) and have a drink. I think there were no crowds because the concierge guy checked cards so there were no sneak ins, etc.

 

We have friends that are D+, so my question now is............if we're on a ship with a D lounge, does that mean the D+ people can't come in the D lounge with us for a drink? Do they have to use the CL?? I know some of my friends prefer the overflow lounge because of the windows. It would be a shame if they had to go into the CL and not able to join us. I know we wouldn't be able to join them.

 

Patty

Patty, if you are sailing on a Freedom class ship that has a Diamond Lounge in addition to a CL, the DL would be available to both D and D+ guests.

 

Folks staying in suites who are not D/D+ must use the CL only. Folks staying in suites who are D/D+ have the choice of either lounge. Or that's how I understand it.

[coxswain]

jj, I do not believe there is a limit. The CL and overflow lounge are opened from 5-8:30. I have not experienced the Diamond Lounge on the Freedom Class ships yet.

 

As far as the C throwing someone out.........yes, that's a possibility, if they are doing their job and looking at the overall picture instead of the tips they may or may not receive at the end of the cruise.

 

 

 

Yes this is were the problem is - does the C throw them out and lose tips

 

I never saw anything on the IOS apart from one guy who pushed the C to the limit with his demands.

 

 

 

 

jj....

[jillybabes]

Patty, if you are sailing on a Freedom class ship that has a Diamond Lounge in addition to a CL, the DL would be available to both D and D+ guests.

 

Folks staying in suites who are not D/D+ must use the CL only. Folks staying in suites who are D/D+ have the choice of either lounge. Or that's how I understand it.

 

That is my understanding too Patti :p, I believe that D+ has the option of either CL or Diamond Lounge regardless of cabin category...IMHO the Diamond Lounge views on the Freedom class ships are lovely and the outside seating is a plus too...

[beachbuddy]

Patty, if you are sailing on a Freedom class ship that has a Diamond Lounge in addition to a CL, the DL would be available to both D and D+ guests.

 

Folks staying in suites who are not D/D+ must use the CL only. Folks staying in suites who are D/D+ have the choice of either lounge. Or that's how I understand it.

 

 

 

Thanks Patti, that makes sense. At least I'd be able to be with friends on those ships that have a DL, but I'm still not real happy about them taking it away on the Voyager ships. I think a lot of the overcrowding problems they've had on the Explorer were because they weren't checking cards at the door. There were only about a hundred and something D/D+ on our cruise last month and there were no problems, but the CL in the overflow checked everyones' card before even giving them a drink. Of course, once he got to know us he didn't ask to see the card anymore. I really enjoyed meeting up with our friends there before going to dinner.

 

Patty

[mjyanne]

So, this is what I said I would do and have now done. I have booked a cruise with another line that has better ports for me than RCI, which is something I would have never done before they kicked me out of the CL. But, I am also looking at an RCI cruise for later in the year, which fits my needs better than other lines. How many others is this category?

 

Me. I, too, will now look at other lines that better fit my needs. I will also cost compare (bottom line, apples to apples comparison as much as possible). I booked the Grandeur knowing it didn't have a CL (hoping they would a one before we sailed:() so I did factor that into my decision.

 

However, I will now look at Princess and seriously consider them for future vacations (even after I become D+).

 

For me, it's not just the loss of the CL but of all the little changes that are adding up. And, before those who jump in and say it's no better on another line, I won't know that until I sail that particular line and see if it is right for me (sailed Carnival once, not for me. Sailed Celebrity (Century) and again not for me). I will also look at All Inclusives more closely as an alternate option.

 

By removing the CL perk, RCI has leveled the playing field when comparing costs. I think this is what most people are saying when they talk of no longer being loyal to Royal.

 

Also, has anyone noticed the hugh jump (in general) between Balcony and Suite prices. Other than a larger room, I don't think the suite benefits or access to the CL are going to worth the several hundred dollars more for me to book one.

[kaylorcc]

Me. I, too, will now look at other lines that better fit my needs. I will also cost compare (bottom line, apples to apples comparison as much as possible). I booked the Grandeur knowing it didn't have a CL (hoping they would a one before we sailed:() so I did factor that into my decision.

 

However, I will now look at Princess and seriously consider them for future vacations (even after I become D+).

 

For me, it's not just the loss of the CL but of all the little changes that are adding up. And, before those who jump in and say it's no better on another line, I won't know that until I sail that particular line and see if it is right for me (sailed Carnival once, not for me. Sailed Celebrity (Century) and again not for me). I will also look at All Inclusives more closely as an alternate option.

 

By removing the CL perk, RCI has leveled the playing field when comparing costs. I think this is what most people are saying when they talk of no longer being loyal to Royal.

 

Also, has anyone noticed the hugh jump (in general) between Balcony and Suite prices. Other than a larger room, I don't think the suite benefits or access to the CL are going to worth the several hundred dollars more for me to book one.

 

That's pretty much how I feel. I'll cruise with RCI again, no doubt. But now that I know the perks for cruising exclusively with them won't be so great 10 or 15 cruises down the road, it just makes me feel like I'll give other lines a try and see if that extra $500 that seems to be tacked onto the price of every one of RCI's cruises is really worth it. Maybe it is! :D Who knows. But I feel that at this point, it's economically prudent for me to explore my options. I have an upcoming cruise on the Liberty, and I'm interested to see if the changes will be that noticeable. I'm trying to go into it with an open mind.

[cruisenfever]

 

For me, it's not just the loss of the CL but of all the little changes that are adding up. And, before those who jump in and say it's no better on another line, I won't know that until I sail that particular line and see if it is right for me (sailed Carnival once, not for me. Sailed Celebrity (Century) and again not for me). I will also look at All Inclusives more closely as an alternate option.

 

You've summed it up perfectly........eliminating one benefit after the other and the removal of the CL for the Diamond folks was just the icing on the cake.:(

[rogicoco]

Personally - the few times I've noted rude behavior in the lounge - it was from SUITE PAX - generally, the D and D+ pax know the rules and regs and act accordingly. I recall a group of suite passengers who brought their ipod speakers and played music, I've seen kids under 5, people in shorts, etc. I am sure we all have our experiences, however.

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.

[truffles2]

That is my understanding too Patti :p, I believe that D+ has the option of either CL or Diamond Lounge regardless of cabin category...IMHO the Diamond Lounge views on the Freedom class ships are lovely and the outside seating is a plus too...

 

We have only been on Independence and the CL was closed the entire time of the TA because there were so many D/D+. I did get a chance to peek inside one day and it seemed very small. Did not notice the outside area....it was only a quick peek.

[texlatin1]

So has anyone who wrote to RCI to complain about the changes in the loyalty program ever get a response? As I suspect in a couple of weeks everyone will forget about the changes and RCI will continue as they always have. I will miss the coffee in the conceirge lounge the most but will now save on tipping the Conceirge and his minion bartender.

 

Oh and since I have read that RCI guarrantees a minimum amount for tips recieved by crew and tops up any short falls, I will now only tip the time I use the dinning room and will not tip the head waiter if he doesn't show his face at my table at least 2 of the 7 evenings. Flame me if you want but times are tough and unfortunately I have to cut back somewhere.

 

I believe the gratuity fees on any cruise line are recommendations and not requirements or "guaranteed" to any person working on a ship. RCI actually still has the envelopes at the end of the cruise to apply any amount of gratuities at your own discretion. Of course, if you pre-pay your gratuities before the cruise then you are paying for your stateroom attendant, waiter, asst. waiter and your head waiter up front and that is each guests option to do so when making their reservation. Carnival automatically takes these fees out of your Sail and Sign account up front at the beginning of the cruise regardless if you want to pay for them or not. Then it is up to the guest to go and re-adjust their gratuities IF they choose to do so. In MY experience, taking out fees up front has lowered service on some Carnival ships I've sailed on because service staff already know they're getting paid. Paying out gratuities at the end of the cruise with the discretion of envelopes and your own amount, IMO, makes me feel like the service staff really want to work for those gratuities and therefore give you better service.

 

I totally agree with you on the fact that if you don't utilize a certain dining room but on certain nights or do not receive a particular service i.e. the Head Waiter only coming over a couple of times, then you shouldn't have to tip out but for that day or service. I will however say that I've never felt I had to pay due to a "guaranteed" policy.

 

Peace,

Ace:cool:

[djmutters]

Funnily enough the only time I felt uncomfortable in the CL was when a couple who were in a suite said to me they didnt like the fact that those in "cheap" inside cabins were allowed in the CL. They thought it should only be for those who paid lots of money for suites :eek: I did reply that I was a Diamond member in an inside cabin (14 night sailng on the Med and not cheap!!) their faces were a picture :rolleyes:

 

Gees that is such sad snobbery Liz:eek: wish I had seen there faces:)

 

It's so sad that we all come in this world with nothing and we all leave with nothing,judging by all the snobbery of some D & D+ (Not all) I think I would rather share a drink downstairs with the cabin crew at least they would be real down to earth people.

[jbond]

but will now save on tipping the Conceirge and his minion bartender.

Wow..according to Webster's ..

minion - a lowgrade assistant who flatters his boss.

I'll bet the minions won't miss you.

[rogicoco]

I believe the gratuity fees on any cruise line are recommendations and not requirements or "guaranteed" to any person working on a ship. RCI actually still has the envelopes at the end of the cruise to apply any amount of gratuities at your own discretion. Of course, if you pre-pay your gratuities before the cruise then you are paying for your stateroom attendant, waiter, asst. waiter and your head waiter up front and that is each guests option to do so when making their reservation. Carnival automatically takes these fees out of your Sail and Sign account up front at the beginning of the cruise regardless if you want to pay for them or not. Then it is up to the guest to go and re-adjust their gratuities IF they choose to do so. In MY experience, taking out fees up front has lowered service on some Carnival ships I've sailed on because service staff already know they're getting paid. Paying out gratuities at the end of the cruise with the discretion of envelopes and your own amount, IMO, makes me feel like the service staff really want to work for those gratuities and therefore give you better service.

 

I totally agree with you on the fact that if you don't utilize a certain dining room but on certain nights or do not receive a particular service i.e. the Head Waiter only coming over a couple of times, then you shouldn't have to tip out but for that day or service. I will however say that I've never felt I had to pay due to a "guaranteed" policy.

 

Peace,

Ace:cool:

i totally agree. this has been our experience on all ships under a carnival umbrella. gratuaty is given for satisfaction of service and many times we tip much higher than the recommended amount if the person went above and beyond. i hate it when it's added automatically. there is no incentive to provide great sevice if it gets split among everyone. they get gratuities regardless. i also enjoy giving the envelope at the end of the cruise and thank the person for a wonderful service they provided. i am in a service industry myself and also rely on tips,but it is not expected automatically. i just try to provide the best service i possibly can and the rest is up to the person.

service is what rccl has still going for them i hope they don't change that.

[Cahroozer]

Our first cruise was in an Owner's Suite, and I recall someone asking me if I were in the CL because I had sailed many times. As a newbie, I didn't realize then what a snobbish question that was. Apparently I passed muster and I was one of the "good people" as opposed to the unwashed masses.

 

If RCI were so concerned about the "wrong people" using the CL, perhaps they shouldn't have made it so easy for customers to rack up C&A points with very short cruises, sometimes obtained at steep discounts because they live near a port.

 

A search on the RCI website shows that a 3-day cruise out of Port Canaveral in an interior cabin can be had for $219 base price and it would count the same as a $2,799 8-night cruise in a D1.

 

As I've said in other postings, this problem was caused by RCI, and they could have easily tweaked the system in a fair way to avoid it. It's a shame their inept fix has caused so much resentment.

[mohavemommy]

I sent my concern emails off 6 days ago... and have yet to receive a response. :(

[Tagsalong]

Patty, if you are sailing on a Freedom class ship that has a Diamond Lounge in addition to a CL, the DL would be available to both D and D+ guests.

 

Folks staying in suites who are not D/D+ must use the CL only. Folks staying in suites who are D/D+ have the choice of either lounge. Or that's how I understand it.

 

With the old (pre-July) policy, D/D+ were not allowed in the CL on Freedom class when not in a suite. With the new ploicy, it implies that D+ will be allowed in the CL even though a DL is available on the ship.

 

Quote the E-mail: Due to limited capacity, the Concierge Lounge has not been able to accommodate our growing membership, challenging our ability to provide the optimum experience for our guests. Therefore the Concierge Lounge will now be accessible to our suite and Diamond Plus guests only. Diamond Members cruising on Freedom class, Oasis of the SeasSM, and Allure of the SeasSM will continue to be able to experience exclusive access to a dedicated Diamond Lounge on these ships, which feature a complimentary 'happy hour' from 5:00-8:30pm daily.

 

And their web site published benefits:

 

Member Benefits (in addition to above): Diamond Plus

Onboard Benefits

Personalized amenity

Concierge Lounge Access +++

Behind-the-scenes tours *****

 

So I ask once again, will we have access to the CL on Freedom class when not staying in a suite? I too prefer the DL but like the convenience of the CL in the morning when our room is on deck nine, which is most of the time.

[jbond]

If RCI were so concerned about the "wrong people" using the CL, perhaps they shouldn't have made it so easy for customers to rack up C&A points with very short cruises, sometimes obtained at steep discounts because they live near a port.

I'm confused, but where has RCI stated anything about the "wrong people" using the CL? I've only seen statements regarding overcrowding and enhancing the experience for suites. I was a Diamond once and certainly never considered myself among the "wrong people".:rolleyes:

[jbond]

Quote the E-mail: Due to limited capacity, the Concierge Lounge has not been able to accommodate our growing membership, challenging our ability to provide the optimum experience for our guests. Therefore the Concierge Lounge will now be accessible to our suite and Diamond Plus guests only. Diamond Members cruising on Freedom class, Oasis of the SeasSM, and Allure of the SeasSM will continue to be able to experience exclusive access to a dedicated Diamond Lounge on these ships, which feature a complimentary 'happy hour' from 5:00-8:30pm daily.

I think Patti is correct. I believe that you are reading between the lines, but in reality the Freedom class ship's policy has not changed. The Diamond Lounge on Freedom class is very large with lots of glass and a small out side area, really nice.

[coxswain]

I sent my concern emails off 6 days ago... and have yet to receive a response. :(

 

 

 

Resend them !!

 

 

 

 

jj.......

[As the ship sails]

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.

 

Rudeness has nothing to do with sailing in a suite or being a diamond/+ member. IF a person is rude they are that way because of bad manners and it has nothing to do with C&A status or cabin category.:rolleyes:

 

I've travelled in both suites and non suites and am a diamond plus member and I am the same friendly person regardless of where I am. To be honest I've seen more rude diamond/+ members during my cruising life than suite guests. Many of the people that I've witnessed with bad behavior are the repeat cruisers that feels that they have part ownership in the company because they sail X amount of times. Pretty much the same attitude that you see on these threads.....if I can't have the CL then I'm not sailing with RCI again.:eek: However these folks are simply rude and using their C&A status to bolster their self esteem. The same could be said for some suite guests. IMO these people will find problems with whatever lines they choose to sail because of their "entitlement" attitude. I enjoy the CL and would be disappointed with the loss of it but I would still continue to cruise with RCI with or without CL access. I sailed with RCI before CL access and will continue to sail if my benefits change because I ENJOY RCI ships.

 

On the Freedom diamond/+ passengers are not allowed in the CL so I don't see how you could experience this in the CL on the Freedom unless you are one of the "suite" guests that you are also complaining about. Suite guests that are diamond/+ and also sailing in a suite can use both lounges but if thats the case..........then.......how do you know if their attitude is from being a diamond/+ guest or because they are sailing in a suite???:p:D Seriously if they are rude its due to manners and nothing else.

[SherriZ366]

I think Patti is correct. I believe that you are reading between the lines, but in reality the Freedom class ship's policy has not changed. The Diamond Lounge on Freedom class is very large with lots of glass and a small out side area, really nice.

The DL is reallly nice with all the windows. FOS does not have the dedicated outside area (you can go out to the deck but cannot come back in through the door). IOS and Liberty do have this outside area.

[savva0122]

We've always stayed loyal to Royal. We've recently become diamond members, and have about 15 points now I think. To get to diamond plus is a huge slog to get this perk back.

 

We're doing our first NCL sailing next month, and quite frankly, I will no longer automatically be choosing RCI. I will be looking at other option, and cancelling our cruise in October.

 

I shall be writing to the CEO presently (I will post here)

 

VERY, very disgruntled.

 

Edit - 17 points, I've just added them up

 

Edit 2 - This may have been mentioned in the whole thread (I am not reading them all!) but there's no excuse for cancelling th "happy hour". In the past they've opened up secondary lounges where necessary and if they want to stop D members going in the CL, fine, but to scrap the happy hour (which is a very nice perk which makes one feel rather recognised and important as a guest) for their loyal customers is beyond comprehension. I CAN see that some people add up points by doing 3- and 4-night cruises ex- Miami etc, but we've done it the hard way from the UK and it's a real kick in the teeth for us.