Crown & Anchor Program Revisions - join the merged discussions here

[truffles2]

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' date=' 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.[/size']

 

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.

 

You really should have your facts straight before posting. The enlarged statement is not true. Also, D+ is 24 cruises, not 25. I just hate to see misinformation passed along.;)

If you read the release and previous posts you will see that Diamond will have access on certain ships.

[Puffinater]

. I just hate to see misinformation passed along.;)

If you read the release and previous posts you will see that Diamond will have access on certain ships.

 

Seems I have read that the concierge lounge will be for suite and diamond+ guest only.

Diamond will not have access to the concierge lounge but will have a "diamond lounge" on the Freedom class ships along with the Oasis and Allure.

[Elizanessie]

Seems I have read that the concierge lounge will be for suite and diamond+ guest only.

Diamond will not have access to the concierge lounge but will have a "diamond lounge" on the Freedom class ships along with the Oasis and Allure.

 

The Diamond Lounge(Club) on Freedom class and Oasis class is the same as the Concierge lounge, same things available in both places, just different people can use them. One Concierge in each room.

[ranchingal]

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.

 

Hi Colleen.

Looks like we will also be looking at other cruiselines and all inclusive vacations. Just back from the Voyager yesterday. No mention of the changes although I'm not surprised. Our next cruise would have made us Diamond. I'm very dissapointed to say the least. Email me sometime!!

 

Angie

[kauppias]

The Diamond Lounge(Club) on Freedom class and Oasis class is the same as the Concierge lounge, same things available in both places, just different people can use them. One Concierge in each room.

 

 

Thats good to know as most people are posting on this forum that there is NO CONCIERGE in the DL... of course since I hardly ever travel on the biggies it wont benefit me but maybe once :P but many people will propably be a bit happier with this bit of news :)

[sealord]

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?

 

Clients? Are you a travel agent by chance? Anyway, I've been thinking about trying to get my "book on board" money back. I did the book on board routine with an "open" booking to get the ship board credit an an unspecified 'future' cruise. At this point, it would have to be a "Back to the Future" cruise, because I don't plan on using RCCL again until I check out the cruising experience on Princess, Oceana, Costa and perhaps some others.:D Has anyone tried to get a refund of the 'book on board' deposit yet? My only 'booked' cruise is on my "Bucket List" so it will not be cancelled ... that would be the Galapogos on Celebrity Xpedition. But that is an "all inclusive" cruise anyway so Captain's Elite nor C&A Diamond do not apply ... there is no Concierge Lounge on Celebrity nor Xpedition anyway.:rolleyes:

[jmraggs]

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.

 

Ok, maybe I should have said "The concierge usually doesn't let you take a drink out of the lounge":D Is that better? The official policy is no drinks allowed out of the lounge, but we too have experienced Concierges letting you take them out of the lounge, and some NOT. Doesn't sound like you have ever had DeDe on AOS? She has been the most strictest yet.

[GEORGET]

for new viewers epecially from the UK who will we hope recieve an email regarding what

RCCL have taken away before they sail after July 1st 2009.

 

I am stil waiting

 

i have copied this of a previous contributor. the last is the most inportant to myself

 

No more newspapers

No more mints

no more late night buffet

No more shipshape / vitality program

No more stock dividend

No more daily lunches in the MDR (sea days only)

No more daily or gala midnight buffets

Johnny Rockets fee increase

Late nite room service fee

No more in-cabin liquor purchase w/ fee

No more bringing wine onboard

No more morning ice service

No in-room beach towel service

New fee for drinks at the Captain’s “cocktail” reception

No more C&A welcome back party

Beer and wine (only) at the new Diamond reception

Cutbacks in food quality

Dinnig Room steak fee

No more free photo coupon

No C&A gifts below D+

No combining stockholder / diamond discounts, even though one has absolutely nothing to do with the other

no overflow Diamond bar (see below)

Of course, last but not least: No CL access for diamonds

 

__________________

There will be a Diamond bar but ONLY on there largest ships.

 

IN OTHER WORDS Diamond members are not wanted anymore on the other ships as we were cluttering up the Concierge Lounge.

I used to visit the CL for a coffee after the casino closed.

 

Please let C&A / RCCL know how you feel about this as they may change there mind if everybody writes.

Hope you all recieve the call i did.

Gentleman was very polite, very professional and a pleasure to talk to. He still said they would not change the policy but they have recieved a lot of complaints. So keep writting we may wear them down.

he rang from Miami which was a suprise.

[jmraggs]

You really should have your facts straight before posting. The enlarged statement is not true. Also, D+ is 24 cruises, not 25. I just hate to see misinformation passed along.;)

If you read the release and previous posts you will see that Diamond will have access on certain ships.

This happens too much on this board, people post with mis-information and all the rumors start flying around.

[Puffinater]

The Diamond Lounge(Club) on Freedom class and Oasis class is the same as the Concierge lounge, same things available in both places, just different people can use them. One Concierge in each room.

 

Agree they serve the same purpose and both are attended to by a concierge. But the fact remains that Diamond will not be allowed in the "Concierge Lounge" they will in fact be allowed in the "Diamond Lounge". Two seperate venues.

[hellosailer]

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.

 

We were on a B2B on the Brilliance a few weeks ago, from Barcelona - the CL was jammed full at free drink time. Very uncomfortable - had to go upstairs and I know some Suite passengers were annoyed that they couldn't get in!!

 

I don't like the action of RCCL, but I can understand why it has taken place. You can blame those who took advantage and abused the privilege!!

 

As I stated previously - nothing is forever - vent and get on with your life - it is only an irritation - and to those who abused the privilege and drank 'till the cows came home - serves you right!!!!

[Going Coastal]

I am trying to catch up with this long thread, but would appreciate someone posting where on the Freedom class ships the Diamond Lounge is located. Thanks so much for the info.

[techdiver]

On the subject of Freedom OTS, I can only state that from our experience the CC is on deck 10 and only available to GS and above. The DC is on deck 14 and the concierge was available there. If this has changed since '07 I can't say for certain.

[coxswain]

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:

 

 

 

Today was the first time i called them - i asked why U.S members had recieved an email about the changes and not UK members ( put on hold ) answer because of the number of complaints from loyal members in the UK and the U.S they were re-wording the email !!

 

 

 

Happy enough !!

 

 

 

 

 

 

JJ.......

[FireIce0010]

We were on a B2B on the Brilliance a few weeks ago, from Barcelona - the CL was jammed full at free drink time. Very uncomfortable - had to go upstairs and I know some Suite passengers were annoyed that they couldn't get in!!

 

I don't like the action of RCCL, but I can understand why it has taken place. You can blame those who took advantage and abused the privilege!!

 

As I stated previously - nothing is forever - vent and get on with your life - it is only an irritation - and to those who abused the privilege and drank 'till the cows came home - serves you right!!!!

 

Right. I am happy about the recent changes. It was about time that something was done. I'm sure that Royal Caribbean has worked the numbers and feel that they can lose some of the whiners to the other cruise lines. YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Let them move to Princess.:D

[Going Coastal]

Thanks, Techdiver.

[CruiseKeeper]

We were on a B2B on the Brilliance a few weeks ago, from Barcelona - the CL was jammed full at free drink time. Very uncomfortable - had to go upstairs and I know some Suite passengers were annoyed that they couldn't get in!!

 

I don't like the action of RCCL, but I can understand why it has taken place. You can blame those who took advantage and abused the privilege!!

 

As I stated previously - nothing is forever - vent and get on with your life - it is only an irritation - and to those who abused the privilege and drank 'till the cows came home - serves you right!!!!

 

Not that I ever drank in the CL till the cows came home or even know what that is....:rolleyes:

 

I often read people being accused of abuse in the lounge, do tell. What is the abuse? I don't ever remember seeing anywhere in the welcome to the CL folder where abuse was defined. Is your definition of abuse directed at the Diamonds that you are "serving right" for losing the privilege? What about the suite guests and Diamond plus folks, could they have abused this privilige? The rules, whatever they are, are not defined by cc users.

 

I would just like to see some fair commenting when it comes to comparing Diamonds to Diamond/+ and suite people. Diamond plus folks are just Diamonds that have more experience in CL's, good or bad.

[pierces]

Bad post.

[Karter]

Most people here seem to think that Royal Diamond benefits are far superior to other cruise line loyalty program benefits. Since I am Diamond on RCCL and Platinum on Carnival (Diamond equivalent) for me the main advantage of the Royal diamond package was the concierge lounge.

 

Carnival benefits are as follows with comments:

 

Usefull items from Carnival's program:

 

• Priority embarkation – On the last cruise (after security check) we were escorted to a special room where the paper work was completed then had a Carnival representative escort us to the ship by passing all lines.

• Your personal Guest Service staff – Very attentive – Treat platinum guests extremely well for any issues that crop up – no waiting.

• Complimentary Wash and Fold service – Free laundry service – very nice

• Complimentary $20 dollar entrance to Blackjack or Slot Tournament – Won $1,000 so far

• Petit fours delivered to your stateroom one evening – Very good

 

The rest of carnival's stuff:

 

• Personalized Stationery – Nice but not used

• Canapes delivered to your stateroom one evening – Nice touch but nothing great

• A special Carnival logo item – Similar to C&A gifts

• Guaranteed dining times (Platinum guest and immediate family, up to a maximum of two staterooms) – Never a problem getting one of the best servers

• Guaranteed supper club reservations – No real benefit

• Exclusive "Behind the Scenes galley tour" – Been there done that

• Spa Carnival services priority booking – No real benefit

• Priority tender boarding – Go right to the front of the line.

• Priority debarkation – Special priority tags and first to debark the ship.

Since the key cards are color coded - once any Carnival employee sees the card you get treated special.

 

Royal Caribbean benefits are as follows with comments:

 

Usefull items from RCCL's program:

 

• Discounts on balcony and suites – Unique to RCCL but given the price difference not sure how valuable

• Diamond Lounge on Freedom-Class ships and Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas – When it was all ships this was the one benefit that really interested me – Nothing like this on carnival

 

The rest of RCCL's stuff:

 

• Ultimate Value Booklet – Use one or two of the coupons – Nice touch

• SeaPass Card recognition – Never noticed anything unique

• Recognition at Captains Cocktail/Welcome Party – Same as Carnival

• Quarterly Saving certificates online – Nice but never have used one

• Extra Cruise Credits for suites – Usually book Balcony

• Member Cruises – Never tried – Schedule issues

• Extra cruise credit for a 12-night or longer cruise/cruisetour – nice touch

• Member contests – No idea what this is

• Crown & Anchor Society Desk for membership inquiries – Same as Carnival

• Member-only section on our website – Same as Carnival

• Private departure lounge – Similar to carnival but at Ft Lauderdale waited in same holding area as everybody else

• Priority check-in (where available) – Never seems to help

• Platinum and Diamond Event – Same as carnival

• Robes for use onboard (subject to availability) – Same as Carnival

• A special number to call for pre-cruise benefits, (888) 437-1953 – Same as Carnival

• Receive matching Captain's Club member recognition when you sail our sister lines, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Cruises – Unique to RCCL – Very nice benefit

• Complimentary custom air fee – Similar to Carnival program

• Priority wait list for shore excursions/spa services – Same as Carnival

• Priority departure – Same as carnival

• Diamond Event hosted once per cruise on ships without a Diamond Lounge – Now same as Carnival

• Priority wait list for dining room seating – Same as carnival

 

The point to all this being that with the CL being eliminated the Carnival program is very similar to the Royal program and for me the Blackjack entries, concierge service, and free laundry now tip the balance to Carnival.

 

I sailed several cruises on RCCl just to get to diamond when I would have preferred a different cruise on Princess or Carnival. So the loyalty program worked to get them more business but now I they eliminated the one benefit that I really used.

 

So even though I like the Royal ships better I prefer the special treatment I get on Carnival and Princess. They seem to really value their past cruisers. I will cruise Royal again in the future if the price is competitive but I will no longer pay a premium to sail on their ships. Having sailed both lines multiple times over the past two years they are more similar than different.

 

Eliminating the CL seems like a short sighted business decision that will ultimately alienate their core constituency.

[seasearider]

This happens too much on this board, people post with mis-information and all the rumors start flying around.

 

The only fact that was incorrect was 25 vs 24 cruise points. Big deal!!:rolleyes:

[berwyn]

I'm a lowly gold member and would be platinum after my next cruise which would get me a better coupon book and robes in the stateroom plus other stuff I would not use. But I booked a 5 day Carnival cruise[Destiny balcony] for almost $400.00 less per person on RCI [Enchantment] and the robes are included. After 3 RCI cruises in the 1980's I noticed a big drop in service on the Majesty 2 years ago.

[lady of the seas]

My wife and I are booked on the 13 day April 26th Explorer cruise. Our goal is to have a $0.00 bill at the end of the cruise. We have already pre-paid the tips which means we won't stiff the servers and attendants.

On this cruise we won't be buying any of the following.

 

Souvenirs

Soda

Liquor

Pictures

Shore Excursions

Specialty restaurants

 

Let THEM eat cake.

 

 

 

I suspect you won't be the only ones thinking along those lines. Yes, there is more than one way to skin a cruise line.:)

[wblynch]

9/1/69 - 6/28/83 USS Wasp, Intrepid, Hancock, Oriskany, Enterprise, Constellation, Enterprise, Kitty Hawk, Ranger, Forrestal, Kennedy, and USS Eisenhower ...

 

Hello from a former Oriskany sailor. I sailed her last WestPac and decommissioned her in 1976.

 

Sad to watch her go to the bottom.

[trafficlaw]

I think the writing is on the wall. RCCL is telling us by all their recent cutbacks that they are going to have some serious cash flow problems on the horizon. I think they are in this position because of Oasis and Allure, with tight credit I am not sure how they can cash flow these, I hope I am wrong.

 

Every move they have been making has been to try to generate as much cash flow as possible. In a recent article it questioned RCCL cash flow and now I can see why.

 

I can't blame them for making serious changes, but there are ways to give something back to the customer that do not cost a lot of money. I am not sure that pissing off your best customer is the right formula.

 

Now if RCCL had given this as their reason for cutting back -- they might have garnered some sympathy and understanding from the jilted Diamonds. But their blatant spinning of the message (ie. enhancements to benefits and eliminating CL for manufactured reasons) is what I find most objectionable.

[trafficlaw]

It's about the bottom line, economics. They need all the on board revenue they can generate. The common denominator between charging for Johnny Rockets, non combinable OBC's, no D access to the CL, charging for a "better" steak in the MDR, no photo coupon in the coupon book etc is more onboard revenue. It's a tough economic climate.

 

This brings to mind another issue. If they have to 'toss the Diamonds overboard', and employ all these other 'money saving' measures on what 'was' a very luxurious way to travel, one would have to assume that they are in serious financial difficulty. As a retired airline pilot, I always told my friends to 'never travel on a bankrupt airline.' The 'first' thing that goes overboard is the maintenance program. When it comes to throwing your most 'loyal' customers 'overboard' ... well, there is something serious afoot. The C&A program is basicly 'toast'. And I have additional reluctance to cough up thousands of dollars, months in advance, when there are at least some signs that the operator is in some danger of having to 'fold up the tent.' If this happens to not be the case, then these 'money saving' measures are quite simply going to make their current situation worse. I may start buying 'cruise insurance' from an independent operator that covers the possible loss due to the operator ceasing their operations.:confused:

 

Insightful post -- the price cutting does suggest a certain amount desperation on the part of RCCL. I understand cutting costs in a difficult economy, but their cuts do not seem well thought out. I guess only time will tell, but I would put my money on the failure rather than success of the policies of RCCL.