Crown & Anchor Program Revisions - join the merged discussions here

[lady of the seas]

I think that JS were only called suites so that when they put in the little chart of prices in the brochure it could say "Suites starting at $1299". Then, when it comes to benefits they say that they aren't really suites, just larger balcony rooms.

 

 

Then that would appear to be false advertising!!!!!!!!:mad:

[Bobblsc]

And, if you had any doubt about 'when' you landed, just check your watch to see what time it 'stopped'.:D

 

By the way, just to stay on 'point' a little bit ... Navy pilots 'know' about 'loyalty'!

 

CDR USNR-R Retired

Captain (major carrier) Retired

Captain, or Commander, you must have been the pilot on those flights I have had when there was a "hard" landing. I prefer that landing. I want to know when I can relax my clinched teeth and white knuckles. :D And yes, indeed, if one learns nothing else in the armed forces, it is clear that loyalty is both up and down the hierarchy.

 

This thread has been addictive. :rolleyes: Fortunately, for the most part posters have posted with civility.There seems to be about an equal division between those who think Royal Caribbean has made the correct decision and those who think not.

 

I am a member of the latter group. By far, my principal concern is the Royal Caribbean management has made a suboptimal decision. That is, they have decided that what they are doing will result in greater net revenues. I think the great amount of dissatisfaction exhibited here indicates that decision made will result in a net loss.

 

I really hope not, because my present concern is predominately about my RCL stock price. We may or may not take another cruise on any line.

 

Perhaps it is because we have lived in Europe, and I have experienced Korea and Japan, but we realize that there are many other travel options in addition to cruising. For us, cruising's main benefit is that one does not have to pack and unpack much. But the cost is that one is unable to experience inland pleasures during a cruise, at least not for several days.

 

It is probably because of this disadvantage of cruising that I have some dismay about comments of those who just have a "love of cruising." I too have always liked the ocean. On troopships to and from Japan I recall often looking over the rail at the waves during an evening. But the cruise ships hardly feel the motion until the seas are 10 or 12 feet or more.

 

After several Celebrity cruises, we took two on Royal. While the Royal's were OK, we thought Celebrity had been better. We then booked and sailed on a Celebrity cruise and found it wanting. We thought the general quality of the food to be sub-standard. There were also other problems on the Summit.

 

So the message here is, at least for us, that we may not take another ocean cruise. There are many other travel options, such as river cruises and independent travel. I fear the cruise lines do not understand this as an option for many others.

 

So my conclusion is that cruise lines which change their benefit programs do so at their own peril.

 

Bob :cool:

[Brad1185]

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)

 

If you helped bring people to RCI, now is the time to turn them away. You can be equally successful in getting them on something else.

[kauppias]

Originally Posted by sealord

And, if you had any doubt about 'when' you landed, just check your watch to see what time it 'stopped'.:D

 

By the way, just to stay on 'point' a little bit ... Navy pilots 'know' about 'loyalty'!

 

CDR USNR-R Retired

Captain (major carrier) Retired

 

 

 

omg I feel so stupid now I read that post tons of times till I realized now that someone else commented on that :) I read it as a captain of a MAJOR CARRIER( ie aircraft carrier not airline :P)

 

boy thats what I get for reading this thread so often :)

[sharktoothdiver]

:confused::confused: You wouldn't be missing anything on the LOS. The Liberty OTS has a diamond lounge so you would have a diamond conceirge and happy hour on this ship.

Actually you would be missing something. You would have a lounge on the Liberty but no Concierge! I talked to Royal res and the Crown & Anchor about it for my clients and myself. NO CONCIERGE. For many this may or may not be a big deal. For myself and my clients it IS a big deal. We really enjoy the concierge and the ability to get or move shore excursions without waiting in a tremendous line downstairs. I don't drink, many of my fellow cruisers don't drink. What's our benefit? Did RCL ever think that it is not all about the ability to get a free drink?

[truffles2]

So, now you are calling me a liar.:rolleyes:

The

Isn't that special.

 

On the Navigator of the Seas there were well over 700 diamonds and diamond plus sailing on the transatlantic fall 2007 sailing.

 

On the Splendour in Feb 2006 there was only 25 platinum or higher. Some itineraries lend themselves to people who cruise a lot. Others are more geared to first time cruisers.

 

Yawn... another false statement from the malcontented sector.

 

jc

 

The fall transatlantic on Independence was about the same.

[beachbuddy]

The fall transatlantic on Independence was about the same.

 

So maybe they should have just stopped Diamond use of the CL on the transatlantics!!! So many days at sea would most likely cause peoople to congregate there and drink and if there's so many D and D+ on those cruises then I can understand them stopping it on those particular cruises. On other cruises, poeople are off the ship and busy in ports - we would never come back and go right to the CL. We need a nap before dinner so we can stay up late in the casino so it's usually a nap, shower and a drink in the CL before dinner.

[Ocean Boy]

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!

 

Andy, I think that you have had some reasonable things to say on this thread and made some good points. But, what are you really trying to do with the above post of yours?

[jmraggs]

I am D Plus and I DO understand that you are upset. I would be upset also but I never cruised RCCL just for the CL or the drinks so it would not have impacted me as it seemed to do for many here but for those that it did I can certainly see why you are mad.

 

I went thru all the levels also to become D plus and I paid for my cruises to get there so I can understand. If I had a say in RCCL's decision I would have said go by the amount of sea days or book a suite. Cruise 10 or more days a year ( as an example ) get the CL as a perk. I think that system would be fair to the company and to the non suite passengers. Reward those that cruise several days a year. I've read a lot of posts that name many different cruiselines in the sigs which is fine, people should cruise any line they like, but those people shouldn't be upset that they are not D plus now. They made their choice of what line to sail and they chose not to sail RCCL at the time for whatever reasons they had.

A lot of people fall short by a few credits which they will get soon and it will no longer be an issue for them or they can just choose to cruise another line. It remains their choice.

So yes I rolled with the punches a long time too as did all D plus members and for all we know as more diamonds become D plus, once again there will be too many of us and more changes will most likely be made and only time will tell how that will play out.

 

BTW I WAS D plus before being selected as a RC so you can forget the cheerleader name calling when it comes to me and I never received a dime or anything else from RCCL. If I didn't enjoy my cruises on RCCL and kept sailing with them I wouldn't be D plus but we cruised with them because we had a great time not because of credits. No amount of credits/perks would get us on any ship unless we enjoyed it to begin with.

 

We too are both D+ and don't like the recent changes to C&A including the Diamonds removal from the CL. We personally don't think it will stop there once Royal gets the taste of fresh blood!;)

[Ocean Boy]

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

 

So people have an obligation to spend money while on the ship? People's rewards should be based on that instead of booking cruises? Someone who books one cruise and spends on the ship is a more valuable customer than someone who books a cruise every year but spends less on board?

 

I think RCI should only allow the "perfect" passenger on board. That would be the compulsive gambler with a drinking problem who doesn't qualify for any discounts or OBCs. And while we are at it, through in a touch of narcissism so that they can't help but buy every picture that they see of themselves.

 

"Tea tottalers do not make money." I guess the only thing to spend money on while on a ship is alcohol.:rolleyes: Yeah, lets encourage more drinking to boost RCI's income. It has such wonderful health benefits.

[coxswain]

C&A in the UK are refusing to take calls on the issue now - they are redirecting calls to customers service.

 

Why can't they answer some of the questions ?

 

 

 

 

 

jj.......

[jmraggs]

If this forum is the "negativity center of the universe" - you are the KING! You clearly take great pleasure in calling "jilted diamonds" freeloaders and cheapos... of making such sweeping generalizations that somehow anyone who has a complaint about the change in loyalty benefits must be against capatailsm, and that people in Europe don't bathe - and following these statments with a smiley face, does not make your comments funny. I wonder how many D+ passengers enjoy the CL perk and the complimentary drinks that come with it? Perhaps you included? :D

 

We are two of them that enjoy it (for now at least:eek:) I can understand why Diamonds are upset as I would be too!

[jmraggs]

Many on that cruise suggested drink coupons or just showing diamond card at bars during specific hours to solve the space problem.

 

 

Unfortunately this wouldn't work either. People would sell the drink coupons on E-bay and it's not fair to the bartenders not receiving any form of tips for the drinks. The other problem would be someone going to a bar for a free drink by showing their card, giving that drink to someone else and then going to another bar for another drink. This is why the Concierge doesn't let you leave the lounge with your drink.

[kauppias]

Whats funny in a way is that they took away our free drink coupons and then added to insult with the loss of the CL... maybe they could have added 3-4 drink coupons to the diamond coupon book and that would have made the sting slightly less evil :) to some atleast.... personally to me the most important part of the CONCIERGE LOUNGE IS THE CONCIERGE... I cant count the ways he/she has helped me over the past cruises get things resolved that guest services were struggling with... BUT alas what can I do...

[jmraggs]

...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:

 

Yeah, and if they didn't offer these new services, they would complain about that! I would rather have more options, and then I choose what I like and don't like to do or pay for!

[beachbuzzard]

Unfortunately this wouldn't work either. People would sell the drink coupons on E-bay and it's not fair to the bartenders not receiving any form of tips for the drinks. The other problem would be someone going to a bar for a free drink by showing their card, giving that drink to someone else and then going to another bar for another drink. This is why the Concierge doesn't let you leave the lounge with your drink.

 

That's why I liked the idea of half-price drinks for Diamonds at any bar during happy hour, and limit it 3 drinks (for example). That way there is still a gratuity involved for the bartender, selling on ebay isn't possible, and not too much sharing can go on. If someone wants to share one of their half priced drinks with a friend, so be it. They can still only buy 3 on their card, no matter who eventually drinks it.

 

In addition, by charging half price RCCL is still making a little bit on the drink (or at the very least covering most of their costs).

[booze brothers]

Ya know Alex, your suggestion makes a lot of sence. As long as the drink card can only be used for 3 drinks, there isn't much chance of people abusing it. Fine, if someone doesn't drink, they can still give it away and it will be "legal".

[xpcdoojk]

Jim & Patti........I believe that what Jbond is saying could be true......if they travelled prior to 2004 for extra suite credit, and before 1998 for length of sailing credit.

 

So, if they sailed on a 14 night sailing, in a suite, in 1996, I believe that they would have received 1 credit!

 

Rick

Yeah, I would be diamond if the rules were always as they are now, instead of becoming diamond after my next cruise.

 

I liked the way they count credits now, but obvioulsy they set the target too low.

 

jc

[jensenbeach]

I don't think these decisions are based on a "guess". I believe RC most likely did a business case regarding cost of having a CL, how many customers they would lose by discontinuing it for Diamond and then decided they would save more expense than the loss of loyal Diamond customers. The decision is based on this kind of a business case and unfortunately it usually does not include accuracy in customer loyalty. I for one went to some additional effort to be Diamond only to be informed that it was a sort of "ruse" to get customers. They were not sincere in their desire for rewarding regular customers. We are planning a cruse in Sept. or Oct either a TA of European and it will not be on RC. We can get better ports from some other lines and since there are no advantages for being a "good customer" of RC why would we ever pick them again. Not only is there no advantage in being a good customer but they produce a "business case" which states your not important.

This is really what is wrong with business today. I am betting that RC has already looked at how they can fill a ship without any loyalty considerations.

[cruzendude]

C&A in the UK are refusing to take calls on the issue now - they are redirecting calls to customers service.

 

Why can't they answer some of the questions ?

 

 

 

 

 

jj.......

 

 

My guess would be that if you call them as much as you whine here they are probably tired of hearing you say the same thing...over.....and over.....and over.....:rolleyes:

 

AND, I can't understand why you have any questions on this in the first place since you have not received your notification and you stated here that until you do you will assume it does not pertain to you....hmmmmm..:eek:

[wblynch]

 

So the message here is, at least for us, that we may not take another ocean cruise. There are many other travel options, such as river cruises and independent travel. I fear the cruise lines do not understand this as an option for many others.

 

So my conclusion is that cruise lines which change their benefit programs do so at their own peril.

 

Bob :cool:

 

You are exactly right, Bob.

 

RCCL is not only in competition with other cruise lines, they are in competition with every other type of vacation as well.

 

So, due to the economy, the entire pie is smaller and RCCL has now chosen to lessen their slice.

[petercal]

Unfortunately this wouldn't work either. People would sell the drink coupons on E-bay and it's not fair to the bartenders not receiving any form of tips for the drinks. The other problem would be someone going to a bar for a free drink by showing their card, giving that drink to someone else and then going to another bar for another drink. This is why the Concierge doesn't let you leave the lounge with your drink.

 

Not to be disagreeable with what you have said, except on our last two cruises the Concierge let you take drinks out of the lounge. (I was a Diamond only on those cruises so I do not know the policy before that) I left a drink on the bar one night and the bartender told me I should take it rather than having him throw it out. I walked by the Concierge and he said, "Goodnight". That was that.

[Puffinater]

My guess would be that if you call them as much as you whine here they are probably tired of hearing you say the same thing...over.....and over.....and over.....:rolleyes:

 

AND, I can't understand why you have any questions on this in the first place since you have not received your notification and you stated here that until you do you will assume it does not pertain to you....hmmmmm..:eek:

 

Well put agree 100%

[Cruising Forever!]

There will no longer be a Concierge Lounge for Diamond members in the Crown and Anchor Society! Only members in Diamond Plus (those with 25 or more completed cruises) will be able to use this lounge on RCI ships! RCI states that they have "too many Diamond members" to accomodate them all in their ship concierge lounges (although this has never been a problem on any of my cruises) and so now only Diamond Plus and those booking suites will have access to the lounges aboard. There will be a special area for Diamond members with a happy hour from 5pm to 8:30pm on Freedom class and Oasis class ships. People with far less of an investment then us in Royal Caribbean will be able to use the Concierge Lounge just by buying a suite? That's anti-customer service and anti-loyalty.

 

Having just gotten off the BEST cruise in my life aboard Celebrity Solstice, I was already rethinking my relationship with RCI. (yes, of course I'm aware that RCI owns Celebrity) True, Celebrity doesn't have a Concierge Lounge for it's Elite members- but the Celebrity experience is so much higher in quality that the only thing keeping me interested in RCI cruises was the extra perks of the Crown and Anchor Society membership. With this loss (which took so long for Diane and I to earn), it makes RCI seem less important to me.

 

We will probably still do Oasis as planned next year- we have too huge a group going (although I still might put it out there that we should cancel). But this is looking more and more like the end of the line for our relationship with the Royal Caribbean part of RCI's fleet.

 

This is a terrible, terrible decision on Royal Caribbean's part! It's a kick in the stomach to it's most loyal guests. Whoever made this decision should be fired. Any RCI apologists on this thread should think again... there's no reason to agree with this "policy change" no matter what your level of Crown and Anchor membership.

[Driftwoodgal]

Don't have a good enough internet connection to stay on line to read all of the pages on this thread. I do how ever have some questions. For the record I am not fond of RCCL's change, but will live with it. I have only sailed with RCCL in the past, but will now look at other lines. The reason for this change is not the free drinks, but rather what I think I am losing. Please let me know if this is correct.

 

I will lose coffee in the CL?

I will lose priority booking for the wait list on excursions?

No ice rink tickets?

No tender tickets in ports of call?

No help with booking Chops or Portifino's?

 

These will now only be for suite passengers?

 

I have not received an email from RCCL advising me that they have changed their policy on Diamond cruisers. I am not fool enough to think that the changes won't apply to my sailings. I do know that they have my correct email address as they sent me information about my two cruises that I have booked with them right now.