Crown & Anchor Program Revisions - join the merged discussions here

[sealord]

Thanks cruiser ... but I think I have a better point to make. It came to me like an epiphany while walking the dogs ... actually right in front of the San Francisco Theological Seminary ... hmm.

 

We have all been assuming or viewing the facts in chronological order. But, as of necessity, the 'plan' had to be executed somewhat in reverse. I'm not sure it is good to have a sufficiently 'devious' mind to figure this out ... finally ... but it probably stems from my military planning experience.

 

Here's my hypothosis.

 

1. RCCL decided that the Crown & Anchor 'Diamond' program had 'succeeded' beyond their expectations, and they now had too many Diamonds to accomodate easily in the CL. So instead of 'expanding', like any 'successful' enterprise might do they did the following.

 

2. Solution: The decision was made to renege on the Diamond benefits deal. That is, take the CL away from the Diamonds.

 

3. Dilemma: To simply take that benefit away from all of C&A would be too blatent and too obvious, and would really annoy all of their C&A people. They might lose business.

 

4. Solution to the Dilemma: We will create Diamond Plus 'in order to give recognition to our 'really' frequent cruisers'. This of course would be a substantially smaller number of people than the Diamonds. (Some might notice that the additional benefits of Diamond Plus {until now} were far from 'earthshaking'.)

 

5. Allow a short period of time to pass with the Diamonds and Diamond Plus commingling in the CL with the suite people, and others (Golds and Platinums) still striving to achieve that level so they can get the only 'substantial' benefit of the C&A program ... the CL. The utilization of overflow lounges will give the appearance that all is well.

 

6. Execution: After the Diamond Plus 'program' has had some time to sink in we announce ... ta da ... 'new enhanced C&A benefits', and the Diamonds are 'enhanced' right out of the CL. Problem solved ... just toss out honesty and integrity, and replace them with expediency.

 

So, if you were to accept this hypothesis, it would become apparent that the Diamond Plus level was created 'specifically' to provide a vehicle for taking the CL away from the Diamonds and providing incentive (I don't think so) to the Diamonds to cruise like crazy and become 'Plus'. And this plan allows them to not expand the CL, get rid of the overflow lounges, and yes improve the bottom line a 'little'.

 

So the 'appearance' was that this decision was made two weeks ago. I don't think so ... the 'plan' happened 'before' Diamond Plus was announced. The timing of the plan was all that had to be determined. Just my opinion.;)

 

Sorry ... I'm adding a P.S. to my own posting.

 

If you look at the D+ benefits as of three weeks ago, it might add a little 'weight' to my hypothosis.

 

Diamond Plus, Onboard benefits, Personalized Amenity, Behind the scenes tours, Additional (unspecified) benefits at 50, 75, and 100 credits. Cruise Planning Benefits, Exclusive access to Loyalty Specialist for you and your travel agent, Preferred seating in main dining room, Membership card, luggage tags, and lapel pin.

 

Sorry, there is nothing here that is going to get my props spinning. Most certainly not enough "there, there" to squeeze an additional 14 cruises out of me. Just my opinion.:cool:

[TRadle]

Yes, I had noticed that the js had tub/shower combo. Really surprised that there isn't a walk-in shower in GS. Americans are so big on showers, I am surprised they don't complain. And considering how many elderly people are in suites, I don't know how they manage getting in and out of the baths easily.

 

But I thought there was a js handicapped - is that two credits?

 

As far as I know all JS receive 2 cruise credits and there are a couple of h/c cabins on Voyager and Freedom class ships. I don't know about the other ships.

[NCMtnBoys]

There are some who feel the Corporation had offered something of value if they were loyal and then yanked it off the table after some actually went out of their way to qualify for that value. If someone doesn't care either way then they have not lost anything and therefore it would be interesting to know the motive for attacking those who felt let down by RCL? Or even participating in the thread? We are ones who did go out of our way to qualify for Diamond and felt let down.

 

5. Allow a short period of time to pass with the Diamonds and Diamond Plus commingling in the CL with the suite people, and others (Golds and Platinums) still striving to achieve that level so they can get the only 'substantial' benefit of the C&A program ... the CL.

 

I've not yet attained Diamond, but will in September. So I've not yet 'lost' anything from that benefit level. However, I am participating in this thread because I have anticipated that level since I began cruising with them, and now will lose at least one perk from that level - the CL.

 

However, for me, access to the CL wasn't the reason for wanting to qualify for Diamond. As a non-drinker and someone who can do things for himself (make specialty dining reservations, get ice show tickets, etc.), the CL benefit would be of little use. If it was a question of a place to socialize, there are plenty of other areas on the ship to do that. The 'substantial' perk that will benefit me the most at the Diamond level is the additional dollars off a balcony cabin. That perk is not really an onboard perk, so the 'substantial' onboard perk that's being lost was the CL - the 'perk of all perks' - for a lot of people.

 

I won't say I've gone out of my way to cruise with them, because that sounds like a chore. I will say that I've chosen to cruise with only RC, as I've never had a bad experience and am completely satisfied with their product. I'm grateful they have perks to reward loyalty - even if on some reduced level. Do I feel let down, now that I'm going to be Diamond in September and the changes come right before I get there? No - I wouldn't have missed that onboard perk anyway. I know a lot of people will though. Yes, I may have gone to the CL for a pre-dinner snack, however, the CL wouldn't define my cruise. And even if I had already been Diamond, my thought on the matter would have been "oh...well, it was good while it lasted", and not given it another thought.

 

I do hope something amicable comes of it though, there are a lot of good people who have been loyal to RC that will be jumping ship, so to speak. It's never good to alienate even a portion of your customer base.

[Nerina]

Sorry ... I'm adding a P.S. to my own posting.

 

If you look at the D+ benefits as of three weeks ago, it might add a little 'weight' to my hypothosis.

 

Diamond Plus, Onboard benefits, Personalized Amenity, Behind the scenes tours, Additional (unspecified) benefits at 50, 75, and 100 credits. Cruise Planning Benefits, Exclusive access to Loyalty Specialist for you and your travel agent, Preferred seating in main dining room, Membership card, luggage tags, and lapel pin.

 

Sorry, there is nothing here that is going to get my props spinning. Most certainly not enough "there, there" to squeeze an additional 14 cruises out of me. Just my opinion.:cool:

 

I think you put it very well! Royal is just not LOYAL! :( So maybe now is the time to find a cruise line that is! :)

 

Past Cruises:

2003 Serenade of the Seas – Canada 5 Nights – Sept 6

2004 Voyager of the Seas – Western Caribbean 9 Nights – Oct 10

2005 Jewel of the Seas – Westbound Transatlantic 12 Nights – Aug 31

2006 Explorer of the Seas – Bermuda 5 Nights – May 14

2006 Explorer of the Seas – Bermuda 5 Nights – Sept 3

2007 Radiance of the Seas – Hawaii Circle 14 Nights – April 28

2008 Explorer of the Seas – Southern Caribbean 12 Nights – Mar 16

2008 Eurodam – NYC Introduction Cruise 3 Nights – Aug 29

2009 Explorer of the Seas – Eastern Caribbean 9 Nights – Mar 27

 

Future Cruises:

2009 Norwegian Jewel – New England & Canada 10 Nights – Oct 10

[Benita]

As far as I know all JS receive 2 cruise credits and there are a couple of h/c cabins on Voyager and Freedom class ships. I don't know about the other ships.

 

Tradle, you will get 2 cruise credits if you take a junior suite on any of the RCL ships. I had to use a handicapped cabin on the Radiance class a couple of years ago (temporarily wheelchair bound after a bad ankle fracture). I was able to get an E2 balcony, handicapped cabin and it was as large as a non-handicapped JS. You could do wheelies in the shower in a wheelchair and there was no lip on the doorway to interfere with balcony access. The closet rod had a cord attached which would bring clothing to eye level. Granted you only get one cruise credit, but the price is way more reasonable then a JS.

There is a disabled cruise board on cruise critic, under special interest cruising, where I found lots of great advice.

[beachbuddy]

Well Said!!! All the whiners need to find a NEW cruiseline and go to their boards and complain... Once a Whiner, Always a Whiner!!

 

Missbogata, Maybe all of you that are so annoyed by us so called "whiners" should go to another board and find someone else to annoy.

[ECCruise]

As someone else posted recently, it is amazing the Schadenfreude that is being exhibited here by a couple of posters.

 

Enjoy your cruise(s).

[TRadle]

Tradle, you will get 2 cruise credits if you take a junior suite on any of the RCL ships. I had to use a handicapped cabin on the Radiance class a couple of years ago (temporarily wheelchair bound after a bad ankle fracture). I was able to get an E2 balcony, handicapped cabin and it was as large as a non-handicapped JS. You could do wheelies in the shower in a wheelchair and there was no lip on the doorway to interfere with balcony access. The closet rod had a cord attached which would bring clothing to eye level. Granted you only get one cruise credit, but the price is way more reasonable then a JS.

There is a disabled cruise board on cruise critic, under special interest cruising, where I found lots of great advice.

 

On RCL ships I think there needs to be special elevator access as well. For the life of me I don't understand why these mega ships don't have a bank of elevators in the center of the ships!:eek:

[Benita]

On RCL ships I think there needs to be special elevator access as well. For the life of me I don't understand why these mega ships don't have a bank of elevators in the center of the ships!:eek:

 

Elevator access was horrible on the Radiance. They were stretched out in a long row and people would crowd in front of the wheelchair to get on, leaving me in the hallway. (I guess they were rushing to that Concierge Lounge - LOL). It would have been much better to have several areas of fewer elevators - kind of like they have on the Freedom class, which is also well equiped for handicapped access.

[deb154]

I have read a lot of this thread but not all posts.

When I heard about the changes DH and I were on EOS in the CL from other Diamond Members who were not pleased. They proceeded to complain every day multiple times and bring up the subject throughout the remainder of the cruise, and it was quite annoying. I don't know if the reason I'm not quite upset about the change has anything to do with that or not, but I have to tell you I agree with the people that have posted the writing was on the wall.

We have cruised other RCI ships that don't have a CL and did so willingly and now if we want to use the lounge we'll have to sail a large ship until such time that we get to Diamond Plus. I just don't see a problem with that.

[beachbuddy]

I read reviews and study the cruise line websites. Then if I am interested in trying them, then I would read their boards and ask questions. That is if I'm thinking about cruising with them. But if I have stated I'm not cruising on that line I've no reason to remain on the board. I think of this as a community. You ask questions, answer questions, provide your own humble opinion and partake in the community. If oh the other hand your only purpose is to post the same blinking complaint ad infinitum then you really have no reason to be here.

 

I see nothing new from these folks. Please, you lost some perks, you are not happy you lost some perks, you wrote very compelling emails and made phone calls about your lost perks, some of you have posted on here 35 - 105 times each about your lost perks.

 

We are not stupid, we understand you and your friends are not happy with RCI right now. That is cool with me and I'm sure with everyone else. Quite a few have made the statement (over and over again) that you are cancelling all cruises with RCI and are moving on. That is great also. Now, it is time. Move on. Go to Princess, Carnival, NCL, Holland, where ever, make new friends, learn all about their ships and cruises and leave us poor fools behind crying and wailing at the loss of your words of wisdom.

 

I'm really curious why you are on this post???? I don't get it. This post is about the C&A changes that evidently don't bother you so why are you here. If the loss of the CL bothers some D members, then it's fine for them to post about it and if you don't like it and it's getting your BP up, I don't understand why your here telling them to leave. Just don't read the posts here!!!!

[beachbuddy]

I actually try to get as far away from the main pool as possible. There is way too much noise and commotion there for me.

 

Ocean Boy,

 

Same here.......we never sit down by the pool. Actually we prefer deck 12......LOL

[lady of the seas]

It is quite a shame that after attaining Diamond status in just 20 months time, Royal Caribbean does not even have the decency to contact me regarding my disgust expressed to them via email on the cuts in the Diamond program. Oh well. Since then I have canceled two trips with Royal and even reduced my cost of my sailing in Europe next summer by surrendering a Royal Family suite which would have cost 8600 dollars to a Balcony and Inside room which will cost about 4600 hundred dollars. I figure if Royal Caribbean needs to cut costs then I need to cut drastically the money I spend on Royal Caribbean. Maybe that will help alleviate further the "Concierge Club Overcrowding". BTW, we have sailed Regent Seven Seas instead recently and it is wonderful. We are booked on Norwegian in the fall. It was nice of Royal Caribbean to force me to try other lines. Previous to them slapping me in the face I had only sailed on Royal Exclusively! Now I know there are others who appreciate my business more and I am all too happy to spread my business around seeing as Royal doesn't seem to care if Diamond members come back or not.

 

 

Can't say I blame you, if RCCL feels they need to cut costs they have to assume that others do too.

[beachbuddy]

OK, well it is getting very close to us booking a all-inclusive in place of the Bermuda cruise in August. We would never have looked prior to this change. And the honest truth is that we looked at other cruises and were going to stay with RCCL if we stayed with a cruise (it was the best time fit). But if there had been another line with a similar length, we would have been interested in that too.

 

Yes, we only have three cabins booked (one balcony and two interiors), but we are only a small part of the puzzle. How many more like us are there? How many other vacations that you could have written down RCCL in stone that we now decide to try something else will there be?

 

IF RCCL sells out the August 15 cruise to Bermuda, then I guess they won't miss us. But if they don't, then our $6k plus drinks/casino/excursions is gone.

 

 

Alex,

 

Same here.....I'm cancelling our Sept Bermuda cruise too. Not sure if I'm going to move it to something else or just cancel it.

[LisiK&Rojo]

We just got off of the Voyager today and, just as a matter of interest, we wandered by the lounge several times during the cruise.

We noticed that whenever we passed by there were very few people in there. Not that we staked the place out or anything but there never seemed to be the glut of people that this thread has mentioned as the main reason for dumping the diamond members.

[lady of the seas]

Diamond Membership Proposed Changes

 

We have just returned from a very successful 11 day cruise on the Brilliance, where we met many people in the "Diamond Lounge" on Deck 13. The talk was all about the Diamond changes and how RCI had in effect screwed up or dismantled their loyalty programme.

 

AS a retired advisor to several mutli million / billion dollar companies, I advised on how to increase profits through customer focus and service. It is clear those at RCI have lost the plot. However they can redeem themselves and regain diamond loyalty along the following lines:

1. Think customer not finance

2. Fight being driven by finance people as long term they tend to forget the customer and only focus on cost cutting and short term revenue. History shows this leads a company into decline.

3. Change the Diamond criteria from number of cruise to number of nights cruised. This shall minimise the Florida bias to the detriment of the rest of the world. My 11 day cruise is classed as one cruise, whilst out of Florida I could accumulate 3 cruises for the same number of nights. This cannot be right.

4. Make diamond membership 10 x 7 nights or 70 nights instead of 10 cruises.

5. Make diamond plus 25 x 7 nights or 175 nights and so on.

6. This makes it fairer to all worldwide customers and the company.

7. Most of us spend a large portion of our trip travelling 3-5000 miles so it difficult to do the 6-10 cruises of a few days per year the Florida customers undertake.

8. RCI has set us all free with this screw up, now we can chose any company without guilt. Which is a shame because I like the Cruise Line.

9. I accept there should be different lounges for those with loads of money in the suites and diamond members who may also have loads of money but choose to spend it differently.

10.The people at RCI who thought up this change need to reconsider their position because the financial well being of a company historically is against them with this sort of strategy.

11.I said enough on this, come on RCI revisit this before disaster strike. You still have time...........

 

For the record are you all aware that the London Sunday Times reported 22 March 2009 this site is owned by Expedia and that RCI monitors a select group of people to ensure they wriite positive things on this site. I had hoped this was not true but if its in the Times it must be>>>>>!!!!!

 

Happy cruising.

 

 

Thanks for your well written post. I agree that the way they allowed point accumulation was not well thought out....that being said it WAS their decision, and taking away benefits at this point was bound to cause bad feelings, and people who feel they've been slighted are going to talk about.

 

Many will make their voices known by cancelling cruises and booking with other lines, others may just decide to spend less on board. Others won't bother to stay loyal to one line and certainly won't book cruises just to get a higher status when it may change at any time in the future.

 

For a few posters to suggest that the rest of us are whiners is ridiculous and does indeed seem to indicate that some of them may indeed be supported by the cruise line.

 

Although a D+ I still feel that RCCL made a very unwise decision so if I'm whining so be it.

[lady of the seas]

As a Plusser, I fully expect to lose the use of the CL in the future, when the rules change again. I shall then possibly use another cruise line - but I won't write to complain, go on and on about it here - getting on for 300 pages guys!!! I certainly complained and took action when the Brilliance banned Diamonds (except me:D), because that was not Company Policy at that time. Now it is!!

QUOTE]

 

 

Well then why are you a major contributer (go on and on about it, as you put it) to the 300 pages here? You don't find ridiculing us about that a bit hypocritical?

 

 

TOUCHE!

[lady of the seas]

:eek:

True.

 

I've anticipated the Diamond level though and am almost there. New perks are on the horizon. One fewer now, though. Have even used the CL before, when we were in a GS, but won't miss having it as a perk. And I realize the CL was the ULTIMATE perk for some people, and I'm sorry that's being taken away from them. Unfortunately, I'm sure there are even more changes down the road that we're not yet aware of (as more people become D+ - they may create an even higher level of rewards and reduce from the D+ level).

 

 

 

If the elimination of diamonds from the CL has caused an uproar, you can just imagine what would happen if they decided to take that perk away from the D+'s:eek:

[Scoobydobe7]

Its obvious that there are two schools of thought posting here. Group #1, that ones that want to document their frustation and vent, are labelled the WHINERS by group #2. These posters have accepted their fate, but for some reason can't do the obvious - just stop posting to this thread. Although sure of their position and right to post, I'm just as tired of hearing their position -i.e. that they are willing to be walked all over, as they are of hearing the whiner's position. For the sake of brevity, it would be nice if the whiners had a label for this 2nd group - I would suggest the SHEEP. I would also suggest that they abandon this thread to the whiners, and start a new thread. How about - "Happy with the Diamond Changes"?

 

 

I'll second that!!

[GEORGET]

QUOTE=Scotland01;19047784]Diamond Membership Proposed Changes

 

We have just returned from a very successful 11 day cruise on the Brilliance, where we met many people in the "Diamond Lounge" on Deck 13. The talk was all about the Diamond changes and how RCI had in effect screwed up or dismantled their loyalty programme.

 

AS a retired advisor to several mutli million / billion dollar companies, I advised on how to increase profits through customer focus and service. It is clear those at RCI have lost the plot. However they can redeem themselves and regain diamond loyalty along the following lines:

1. Think customer not finance

2. Fight being driven by finance people as long term they tend to forget the customer and only focus on cost cutting and short term revenue. History shows this leads a company into decline.

3. Change the Diamond criteria from number of cruise to number of nights cruised. This shall minimise the Florida bias to the detriment of the rest of the world. My 11 day cruise is classed as one cruise, whilst out of Florida I could accumulate 3 cruises for the same number of nights. This cannot be right.

4. Make diamond membership 10 x 7 nights or 70 nights instead of 10 cruises.

5. Make diamond plus 25 x 7 nights or 175 nights and so on.

6. This makes it fairer to all worldwide customers and the company.

7. Most of us spend a large portion of our trip travelling 3-5000 miles so it difficult to do the 6-10 cruises of a few days per year the Florida customers undertake.

8. RCI has set us all free with this screw up, now we can chose any company without guilt. Which is a shame because I like the Cruise Line.

9. I accept there should be different lounges for those with loads of money in the suites and diamond members who may also have loads of money but choose to spend it differently.

10.The people at RCI who thought up this change need to reconsider their position because the financial well being of a company historically is against them with this sort of strategy.

11.I said enough on this, come on RCI revisit this before disaster strike. You still have time...........

 

For the record are you all aware that the London Sunday Times reported 22 March 2009 this site is owned by Expedia and that RCI monitors a select group of people to ensure they wriite positive things on this site. I had hoped this was not true but if its in the Times it must be>>>>>!!!!!

 

Happy cruising.

 

THANK YOU SCOTLAND I AGREE

As a customer who likes RCCL and enjoys the perks earned with 10 ,11, 12, 14 day cruises.

If it was based on days at sea or onboard or onboard spend I too would be diamond plus by now.

What RCCL has done by changing its Loyalty Programme, reduced onboard standards and perks to all C&A Members is proof that they no longer feel that they need us to fill there ships.

There are plenty of Cruise lines, just as good out there and cheaper.

 

So if RCCL does no longer wish to show me there appreciation of my loyalty i am free to return to these lines.

RCCL, was over the last 8 months was our number one choice (5 cruises) now it down to the level of all other lines. The shareholders must be fuming at this decision to alienate there regular customers and themselves.

Please write or EMAIL to RCCL to try and have this decision altered or they will lose a lot of repeaters.

If you want to see what has been lost between Jan 2009 and now look at my list on page 179.

On the Brilliance they opened an overflow bar for Diamond, diamond plus and suite guests and restricted the CL during Happy hours to D+ and Suite guests only. This worked well and could be applied to all there ships.

 

STILL WAITING FOR THAT EMAIL FROM RCCL ABOUT THE CHANGES!!!

[sealord]

I have read a lot of this thread but not all posts.

When I heard about the changes DH and I were on EOS in the CL from other Diamond Members who were not pleased. They proceeded to complain every day multiple times and bring up the subject throughout the remainder of the cruise, and it was quite annoying. I don't know if the reason I'm not quite upset about the change has anything to do with that or not, but I have to tell you I agree with the people that have posted the writing was on the wall.

We have cruised other RCI ships that don't have a CL and did so willingly and now if we want to use the lounge we'll have to sail a large ship until such time that we get to Diamond Plus. I just don't see a problem with that.

 

You don't see a problem. No problem. Bernie Madoff had lots of clients who apparently had no problem with being cheated ... until they looked at the bottom line. If you are a Diamond, and believed the advertised benefit list ... you are being cheated. If you don't mind being cheated, I don't know what to say. I don't understand that way of thinking.:confused:

[texlatin1]

If "sheep" is the title for the folks who have accepted the change then an appropriate name for those that have not would be "whining sheep" or maybe "kool-aid drinking sheep" because as MANY of you have posted you have been "fooled" or "lied to" or several other adjectives posted here into believing that you should only sail with RC so as to attain this holier than thou title of Diamond which now is basicly worthless....

 

So now lets here it....all together now ...baaaaaa whine, whine...baaaaaaaa :p

 

[texlatin1]

Yes, I had noticed that the js had tub/shower combo. Really surprised that there isn't a walk-in shower in GS. Americans are so big on showers, I am surprised they don't complain. And considering how many elderly people are in suites, I don't know how they manage getting in and out of the baths easily.

 

But I thought there was a js handicapped - is that two credits?

 

I sailed in a GS on the Voyager last January. There is in fact a walk in/glass enclosed shower and a jacuzzi tub separate from each other. Although the bathroom is quite big enough to accommodate a w/c, the walk in shower may prove problematic as it does have a stepover to get in (keeps the water inside). I've also seen the bathrooms on the Owners Suites and they're quite large as well. Just FYI.;)

[texlatin1]

For a few posters to suggest that the rest of us are whiners is ridiculous and does indeed seem to indicate that some of them may indeed be supported by the cruise line.

 

.

 

Would it be fair to say then that there is an indication that those who do not agree with the new C&A policies and have so adamantly mentioned they will not cruise, refer or feel jilted by RCI are supported by another cruise line?

 

I can't wait to see what you come up with now. Perhaps that I'm still angry? LOL!!!:eek:

[jan_de_bouff]

Took me a while to read all the posts. This is shameful treatment by royal caribbean of loyal customers.