Crown & Anchor Program Revisions - join the merged discussions here

[Ladylouwho]

As I prefaced in my post - as the program currently stands. I made no reference, as he didn't, to any systematic changes. The program's benefits increase as more cruises are taken.

 

Apparently you're not the only one who received the letter because I believe someone who didn't sail on her received one as well.

 

Well as it was addressed to us personally then if he is not lying then he doesn't know what is going on in his own company, which is what I said to begin with in my original comment regarding the issue we are discussing. Anyone who sends out personalized letters like that under his signature after just dropping the benfits for a large group of loyal, long term customers has no idea how to run a business. And if RCI is too large for him to handle he should resign and let someone take charge who can handle the position.

 

Belieive me, I would love to continue to get my benefits and sail on the Voyager over the holidays, we loved sailing her. But RCI made the changes and didn't give a hoot about people like me. So now I am mulling over our holiday trip. We will either sail the Carnival Conquest (only other ship out of Galveston) fly to another port and get on a Princess ship, or go to an all-inclusive or maybe a trip to NYC. So the $20k I spent for the New Years Eve Cruise last year on the Voyager (9 people, 3 cabins, lots of excursions for 9 people, drinks, casino, specialty rest., etc.) will NOT be going to RCI. Because to my husband and I it is the principle of the thing. And that may seem quaint to some but not to us.

 

The other change in our behavior will be to check out other lines first, then check RCI and if RCI has a rock bottom price we might consider booking with that Line. If not, too bad for RCI. This is apparently what they want people like me to do. They sent us the message loud and clear.

 

We are keeping our sailing on the Mariner of the Seas in May (paid in full and pre-July 1st changes) and on the Liberty in July (Diamond Lounge) and on the Oasis 2010( Diamond Lounge). But as far as the Ship in my nearest port, NO THANK YOU. I certainly believe there are other Texans who feel the same.

 

Colleen

[RetireeWannabee]

Was the letter more personalized than a simple mail merge could accomplish? It's pretty simple to automatically address a letter to a specific person without a muckety-muck actually having to type it.

 

What specific-to-you info did it reference?

[Ladylouwho]

Colleen i think these ae the welcome back letters

 

 

 

We'd like to welcome back are loyal customers - feel free to try our back to basics perks !!

 

 

Times are hard but we've got to keep the perks in the boardroom i do hope you'll understand.

 

 

 

 

jj........

 

Yes jj,

 

Welcome back to the NATION OF WHY NOT with our NEW and improved LOWER BENEFITS!!!

 

signed, A.G.

 

LOL!!!!!!!!

[Ladylouwho]

Was the letter more personalized than a simple mail merge could accomplish? It's pretty simple to automatically address a letter to a specific person without a muckety-muck actually having to type it.

 

What specific-to-you info did it reference?

 

Well it referenced our trips on the Voyager AND the name of the Travel Agency we used. How specific does it have to be? Do you have the same name, address, booking #'s and Travel Agency as me?

 

Obviously it is a form letter with our info inserted but c'mon, either run the company properly or resign. Several members of our family own stock in this company (much more than 100 shares each), do you think we like to see this?

 

Colleen

[grand isle joe]

Well it referenced our trips on the Voyager AND the name of the Travel Agency we used. How specific does it have to be? Do you have the same name, address, booking #'s and Travel Agency as me?

 

Obviously it is a form letter with our info inserted but c'mon, either run the company properly or resign. Several members of our family own stock in this company (much more than 100 shares each), do you think we like to see this?

 

Colleen

 

Boy it seems like you would want the company to succeed especially if you own so much stock. It would behoove you to sell the positive about the company to raise the stock price to enhance the value. Then you could sell when you go to another company to cruise.:confused:

[missbogota]

I can't believe you all are still Crying!!! Grow up, change lines if you want to, but let us get back to real RCL issues PLEASE!!!!

[coxswain]

Have RCI hoiked Diamond members in

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

jj......

[cruzendude]

Well it referenced our trips on the Voyager AND the name of the Travel Agency we used. How specific does it have to be? Do you have the same name, address, booking #'s and Travel Agency as me?

 

Obviously it is a form letter with our info inserted but c'mon, either run the company properly or resign. Several members of our family own stock in this company (much more than 100 shares each), do you think we like to see this?

 

Colleen

 

 

Just a few posts ago you stated that it was a "personalized" letter to you...now its "obviously a form letter" doesn't sound like I would like you to decide who can "run a company properly" when you can't figure out a form letter from an actual letter without a bunch of members of a cruise forum to "draw you a picture! :rolleyes:

[tugboat]

I can't believe you all are still Crying!!! Grow up, change lines if you want to, but let us get back to real RCL issues PLEASE!!!!

 

Admit it you like it, that's why you and the others just want let this thread dye. The web site is cruise critic not cruise goodie two shoes. I am not going anywhere.:D

[txbear]

I can't believe you all are still Crying!!! Grow up, change lines if you want to, but let us get back to real RCL issues PLEASE!!!!

 

Will you please tell me what are the real RCL issues, Not being smart, just wanna now what you think they are ???

[dutchess43]

Have RCI hoiked Diamond members in

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

jj......

 

Yep & we bought it hook, line, & sinker!

[txbear]

:D

Yep & we bought it hook, line, & sinker!

 

:D LOL. THANK YOU for injecting a little into this thread !!!!!

[NavarreCruiser]

I can't believe you all are still Crying!!! Grow up, change lines if you want to, but let us get back to real RCL issues PLEASE!!!!

 

 

Just curious, if this board disgusts you so much, why are you reading and posting here? There are tons of other RCCL boards addressing totally unrelated issues.

[DavidM64Cruiser]

I just cancelled my Europe cruise this Fall. The RCI agent apologized and apologized over and over again for this decision and said it came from corporate. She was very nice. However, she appeared very overwhelmed by the number of calls, complaints and cancellations.

 

She also said that they are logging all calls and cancellations related to this "diamond issue".

 

As I've stated before in prior logs and emails to RCI. We should have been grandfathered in. This is a terrible dis-service to all loyal members.

 

RCI should be embracing the fact that their loyal lounges are getting overcrowded, which is success for them. Not kicking us out for coming back over and over again. Do you think RCI Corpt employees just came over from AIG? You know how good of decision they make.

 

There is an easy answer, create bigger lounges! Even the oldest ships have unused lounges and rooms to house the diamond members. The overcrowding simply isn't an excuse. These are HUGE ships, not a small sail boat. This is no excuse.

 

I told the customer service rep to make it very clear to upper mgt that my cancellation was totally due to this issue and retaliation to their terrible decision. I have 2 more reservations booked within the next 8 months. While my group is too large to cancel one of them, I am working on canceling my Mariner reservation in Jan 2010.

 

Let's all cancel our reservations and show them the cost of not being loyal.

[dutchess43]

:D

 

:D LOL. THANK YOU for injecting a little into this thread !!!!!

 

txbear it seems a lot of us has bought the same fish. Starting to stink now!

[mojitodiva]

Let's all cancel our reservations and show them the cost of not being loyal.

 

No thanks I'm keeping my reservation and also will be booking another one (Royal) this week. :D:rolleyes::cool:

[Cancunense]

YOU WERE ON THE MARDI GRAS !!!?? That is one of the most famous ships, well, it was really the very start of the cruise industry as we know it today! That was Ted Arisons ship that he got from a crazy shipyard in Europe that was just a mess...that ended up on the sandbar leaving Miami on its first trip...! incredible.

Did you try a Mardi Gras on the rocks ??

How was it !!? (the cruise, not the drink)

 

Wow ... really amazing:)

[ws1965]

Well said. Same here. I have enough ill-fitting Crap and Anchor hats and cheap picture frames anyway. RCCL has leveled the playing field to the point that I can now see all the other cruise lines out there.

 

Father Guido Sarducci's Five Minute University course in Business 101 stated: It's always cheaper to KEEP a customer than to FIND a new one. And, never give your customers a reason to try your competition.

 

Knowledge that seems to be lacking at RCCL.

 

 

 

:D

 

 

Chevy, Excellent point!!

[ws1965]

Just got back from a short trip to West Palm and Boca for spring break and had a very interesting experience at our hotel........

When we checked in, the woman behind the desk handed my husband an envelope and it was an invitation to the manager's welcome reception for that night. My husband stays in this hotel often(once a month) for business and the woman said that the reception was a new perk for Marriott Elite members. We go to the reception and the hotel manager and sales staff are there greeting everyone, there is a great spread of food and an open bar!:eek: It was a wonderful way to feel appreciated and it is nice to see that not everyone is cutting back on their perks to their loyal customers.

My husbands comment was that Royal Caribbean needs to take a lesson from this hotel!:DLol!

 

 

Funny that you say this. My husband is top tier with two major hotel chains and he said the EXACT same thing. These hotels know how to keep a loyal customer and with all the stays my husband does a year..these hotels certainly arent losing money with the few generous benefits they provide.

[Andy C]

My Daddy used to tell me that when it comes to dealing with your customers, it's much easier to change a NO to a YES, than it is to change a YES to a NO!

 

RCCL changed their YES to a NO when they revoked my access to the Concierge Lounge. Change my YES to a NO, and I say WHY NOT move my bookings to a line that shows me some respect?

 

 

 

 

:p

 

Brilliant! In the past couple of weeks I've bad mouthed Royal Cheapribbean to a number of people. I cancelled my Liberty OTS July 18 cruise in a D2 balcony and booked a trip to Paris instead. Since I am now a cubic zirconia member of the CRAP and Anchor Society, cruising with RCCL is no longer a priority for me.

[ws1965]

You do need to call the C&A desk after making your reservation to get the balcony discount; it is not automatic.

 

 

We have never called the C&A desk for our balcony credit. Our RCCL Vacation Planner does everything for us.....our discount, our special dietary needs, booking the best cabin, etc. We dont have to do anything. If anyone wants a fantastic RC Vacation Planner, let me know. We have been using him for about 2 years and he is awesome!

[twirlgirl]

If they tracked, then you wouldn't have to send anything in, they would already know.

 

I guess each business has their own version of tracking, Sorry I just misundertood you. They do ask for current proof.

[Ladylouwho]

Boy it seems like you would want the company to succeed especially if you own so much stock. It would behoove you to sell the positive about the company to raise the stock price to enhance the value. Then you could sell when you go to another company to cruise.:confused:

 

Actually I do want the company to do well. That is why I am working on trying to reverse this inane decision. If necessary CHANGE the program for the future or count # of days at sea or overall $'s spent, drink coupons,etc. There are numerous options that were available to the powers that be. But taking away the combineability of stockholder OBC, diamond balcony discount, and other OBC's and then ON TOP OF THAT kicking the Diamonds out of the overflow lounge at pre-dinner time and CL during the day and access to concierge service at ANY time on Brilliance & Voyager Class, well that was just plain DUMB. It could have been handeled in a myriad of ways, but it was not.

 

The interesting thing is the overflow lounges work fine and the suite dwellers and plussers can have the CL. I don't necessarily want to sit in the CL room, the overflow area was fine. Actually, they could make a Diamond Lounge similar to the ones on the Freedom Class out of the area up there if they wanted. And if the one concierge is understaffed, hire another one just for the Diamonds. We tipped the Concierge well, others do too. Those that don't tip if services are used, well I am sure that are plenty of Suite dwellers who use the concierge service and don't tip. That is a whole other ball of wax.

 

They chose this course of action and the excuse was lack of space not money. They have the space and it has worked fine. So to me they are not being HONEST with their long term, loyal customers and they sent a final message to Diamonds that we really could care less what you do. Not good management in my opinion. So in order to get the stock price up they need to manage the company well and if they can't or won't they should resign and go elsewhere.

 

JMO,

Colleen

[Ladylouwho]

I can't believe you all are still Crying!!! Grow up, change lines if you want to, but let us get back to real RCL issues PLEASE!!!!

 

If you are so bothered, you know what this thread is about, why do you read it and why do you post here? This IS a REAL RCL issue. I am not crying and I AM grown up. Your insults to those of us who want to discuss this issue on a thread SPECIFICALLY for this issue are really uncalled for.

[DHADEN]

........

..... I am a stockholder, which is why I am posting on here - so the Company's side can be heard (hopefully, I am interpreting the Corporate actions and reasoning correctly). blah, blah blah blah.............

 

And as a stockholder, I support them in cost-cutting in this deep recession. Their loyalty is to the Company and their stockholders, not to individual cruisers. These are not normal times guys. The good times are gone for the time being!!

.................

The response to your (and all the others who think RCI is making the right decision) post is what I said on another thread; and I said it because I'm not only a stockholder, but also have a little business sense:

 

Ok, "Stockholder";

How do you think the stock is going to go anywhere but down (AGAIN) when the ships are sailiing with 150 cabins empty (at an average of $1500 per cabin per week - why don't you do the math)!!!

 

Take a look at these numbers and tell us all again what a GREAT DECISION RCI IS MAKING:

Average cost of a drink given in the CL = about 63cents.

Figure 100 Diamond Members having a couple of drinks per night

(that's a very high number compared to what we've actually seen on our last 5 cruises), but that comes to $126 per night.

On a 7-night cruise that would be a whopping $882 in savings by KICKING OUT THE DIAMONDS (whoop-Di-doo)

 

Here's the other side (the actual real life)

When ONLY ONE Diamond Member family decides to cancel their $2,500 (average price)balcony cabin and give the money to Princess, HAL, Carnival, etc.

$2,500 lost in bookings

$ $300 (average) in lost On Board Sales

$ 200 in lost Casino Revenue (a very conservative estimate)

$ 200 in lost Excursions

$xx,xxx in lost Future Bookings and GOD ONLY KNOWS how many other people they told to go elsewhere!!:confused:

)From what we're seeeing here, it will be a lot more than ONE per cruise that will be cancelling.)

 

Why don't you add those numbers up and kiss your stock value goodbye.

 

I can't believe you all are still Crying!!! Grow up, change lines if you want to, but let us get back to real RCL issues PLEASE!!!!

 

First, I haven't heard a single sob, whimper, or tear fall on the keyboards in this thread - -Peple are MAD because RCI is renigging on a promise and they are destroying RCI by making very BAD business decisions.

Second, Who is the "us" in the "let us get back" and who is keeping you tied to this thread???????? Why don't you "get back to your real issues"!!!!!:rolleyes: