Join My letter writing campaign to RCI

[jbond]

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

 

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

Take a look at the numbers one more time...here's another side to actual real life.

If your 100 D's didn't get their free drinks in the CL, but paid for them in a ship's bar, it would amount to approx $15 X !00 X 7 = $10,500 in revenue. That, times the 11 ships that D's will no longer have Cl access, times 52 weeks in a year comes to just over $6m.

tell us all again what a GREAT DECISION RCI IS MAKING:

The numbers speak for themselves.:D

[cruizinmimi]

I've given it a lot of thought as to why the Diamond Plus members were allowed to stay in the Concierge Lounge and from a business perspective it makes perfect sense. By keeping the Diamond Plus in the lounge you give the Diamond members a reason to keep cruising with Royal. With the reward being eventual access to the Concierge Lounge. Had Diamond Plus members also been banned this would not be the case. In other words there would be nothing to shoot for and no reason to be a repeat cruiser. Therefore, I doubt Diamond Plus will be kicked out. What I do think is a strong possibility is that the amount of cruises needed to attain Diamond and Diamond Plus will be increased. I feel that will be part 2 of these major changes to Crown & Anchor.

 

BINGO!!!!! It still does make it right (the changes to D), but I feel exactly like you do and I think your spot-on with upcoming changes.

[coxswain]

Okay "Yip", :D I think that's a conservative number; I have cruised 2-4 times a year on RCI, and we are talking Diamonds here. They too cruise more often that first timers.

 

 

 

So you can see the mess they've caused - maybe someone should resign !!

 

 

 

 

 

jj......

[DHADEN]

........

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

 

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

2 Diamond Member families decide to cancel their $2,500 (average price)balcony cabin and give the money to Princess, HAL, Carnival, etc.

$5000 lost in bookings

$ 600 ($300 average) in lost On Board Sales

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

$ 200 in lost Excursions

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

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

 

.........maybe you could tell me why the cruise we're on in July - the busiest time of the year!! still has over 150 cabins available.

 

Ok, 2 diamonds 2 drinks a night each as example at 7.00 each they now have to pay for x 4 28.00 x 7 nights 196 x 100 diamonds 19,600 x 22 ships 431,200 for 7 nights. Just an example and it would be lower as not all ships have a CL unless people had more then 2 drinks each a night but you get the point.

What the heck was that??? :confused:

I don't mean to sound harsh or rude (this time;)) but I'm a math teacher, and I can't figure out what you are trying to say or where you're getting these numbers.

There are approx. 225-250 diamonds on my 9-12 night cruises so 100 seems pretty low but possible.

What ship have you been sailing on????? Maybe this many Platinum and Diamonds together, but I have NEVER seen this many Diamond on one cruise. Even the Mariner with 3600 pax only had about 100 to 120 "Diamond and D+ together.

The Radiance class ships will average about 70 to 80 (or less) Diamonds on any given sailing.

Why are there still cabins for your cruise? Number one reason is the economy in general. However you can expect prices to drop as you get closer to sail date and they will fill the ship....

 

The price has ALREADY DROPPED $840 PER CABIN!! Now it's close to final payment and there are still over 150 cabins available, and my point was, with RCI's new policy in effect, there will probably be MORE cabins available as people CANCEL.

 

Take a look at the numbers one more time...here's another side to actual real life.

If your 100 D's didn't get their free drinks in the CL, but paid for them in a ship's bar, it would amount to approx $15 X !00 X 7 = $10,500 in revenue. That, times the 11 ships that D's will no longer have Cl access, times 52 weeks in a year comes to just over $6m.

The numbers speak for themselves.:D

 

I thought you wanted to talk about "actual real life".

Sorry, but those numbers are bogus. I remember when I was in sales, we would inflate and pump-up any stats to make it sound a lot bigger than it really is.

Your numbers are nowhere near "Real Life". The point I was making was that these Diamonds are more likely to NOT SAIL WITH RCI, so how could they go and pay for the drinks instead???

And even if SOME of them did, where in the world did you get $15 per drink?? Trying to inflate the #'s there a bit, aren't you?

Real life would be maybe 50 of them buying one drink at $4.50 each.

 

For each Cabin-Booking they lose, they also loose all of the possible "On Board Spending" (those drinks you were just adding up).

And RCI is making the wrong decisions that will end up costing them in Cabin-Bookings!! THAT'S THE BOTTOM LINE.:cool:

[wblynch]

On each of our RCCL cruises our on board spending progressively switched from $10 and $20 portraits to $$$ jewelry, cameras and gifts. Our onboard charges average over $2000 per cruise. 14 cocktails per cruise is a cheap bribe for our loyalty.

 

But seriously, once more, it's not the loss of the Concierge Lounge that prompted us to shop elsewhere. That was just the final straw on top of all the other "cost saving measures".

 

My largest complaint is with the decline in dining quality and reduction of Cabin Attendant staff. We never see our attendant anymore and just to get a few clean towels had become a frustrating exercise.

 

Maybe in trade for our lost happy hour cocktails they could bring the food and service back to 1999 levels?

[GaryfmCol]

Take a look at the numbers one more time...here's another side to actual real life.

If your 100 D's didn't get their free drinks in the CL, but paid for them in a ship's bar, it would amount to approx $15 X !00 X 7 = $10,500 in revenue. That, times the 11 ships that D's will no longer have Cl access, times 52 weeks in a year comes to just over $6m.

 

The numbers speak for themselves.:D

 

 

ANSWER this for me Bond..

 

Do you REALLY think all the CL drinks and, appetizers were REALLY FREE?

 

I don't have an MBA, but, I can tell you, SOMEBODY paid for those drinks and, appetizers.

 

You know WHO I think paid for all those drinks and, appetizers?

 

You and, I. Every Diamond on those ships PAID for those drinks and, appetizers. Not only that, but, every GOLD MEMBER, PLATINUM member and, even the folks who are NOT a member of the Crown and, Anchor Society. They all paid for those drinks and, appetizers.

 

Now, since assuming we all paid...and, it is now NOT going to be availible

to us any longer....the cruises I bought for 2010 the CL will not be

availible to the group of 6 we are cruising in January 2010.

Do you think R.C.C.L. will say to us..."we are going to upgrade you"

or, "we will send you a check because you purchased your b-2-b

cruise before we decided NOT to admit you to the CL anymore".

Ha! Ha! Ha!

 

That will prove it right there what I am saying here...

Paying more, for less in "The Nation of WHY NOT"

 

"NEVER GIVE ANYBODY REASON FOR CHECKING OUT THE COMPETITION". :rolleyes:

[Ladylouwho]

Take a look at the numbers one more time...here's another side to actual real life.

If your 100 D's didn't get their free drinks in the CL, but paid for them in a ship's bar, it would amount to approx $15 X !00 X 7 = $10,500 in revenue. That, times the 11 ships that D's will no longer have Cl access, times 52 weeks in a year comes to just over $6m.

 

The numbers speak for themselves.:D

 

Well your assumption that those 100 Diamond Members would all go to a bar to buy their 2 free drinks is just that, an assumption.

 

I think some of the pissed off Diamonds who may never have taken the BYOB route, just might change their minds about that now that Royal Caribbean has shown their true colors with regard to "loyalty".

 

Also some of those 100 Diamond Members just might be cruising with RCI less frequently, if at all.

 

So your numbers might speak for themselves but I don't think they are necessarily saying what you think they are.

[Ladylouwho]

I also wrote emails thanking them for alleviating the crowding. It takes very little to reach diamond status and a lot to reach diamond plus and there needed to be a higher reward of benefits for reaching diamond plus.

 

That was very sweet of you. Would you like us Diamonds to do the same for you when they announce the CL will be strictly for Suite Guests and the Diamond Lounges on the newer ships become Suite Lounges?

[Ladylouwho]

I also sent an email thanking Royal Caribbean for cleaning up the lounge. It was way passed due. Royal Caribbean has made changes in the past and will continue to make changes. They will also continue to survive with or without the whiners on board. Actually I guess Princess and Holland America had better get ready for an influx of new cruisers. Would not want to be a passenger or crew member on those ships. They will have to hand out ear plugs to keep the noise down.

 

There is that word again, "whiners". Used on every thread that is in any way critical of the changes. If someone wants to discuss the changes then they are whiners. Coalitions are formed to "Stamp out Whiners". Why is there a need to try and silence?

 

Oh, and thanks for sending the e-mail. That was so sweet of you to go out of your way to do such a nice thing like that.

[Ladylouwho]

OK - in the spirit of the RCI e-mail to Diamonds, I thought I'd andticipate what RCI will send to D+ in a few months:

 

Dear D+ member: At RCI, we listen to our valued Crown and Anchor members. Here in the land of "Why Not," we are proud to announce exciting new changes to the benefits you will receive as our most important cruisers, Diamond Plus!*

 

Beginning next Monday, all Diamond Plus* members will receive:

 

1. A newly designed upgraded lapel pin!

 

2. A newly designed RCI totebag so you can advertise our great line!

 

3. A great Diamond Plus Party where you can purcahse drinks at a 10% discount**

 

4. Pool chairs reserved just for Diamond Plus members!***

 

5. Free admission to the Schooner Bar!

 

6. An RCI amenity****

 

7. Dinner in the Windjammer with a crew member to be chosen at RCIs discretion!!

 

8. Did we mention the new lapel pin????

 

 

(In fine print: Due to overcrowding, we will no longer be able to offer Diamond Plus members access to the priority embarkation line, concierge lounge, priorty departure lounge, priority excursions, priority tenders, preferred dining room seating, maid service, or free entertainment. Guests are reminded that RCI will no longer provide drinking water, bathroom amenities or pool towels [and don't expect those animal towels in your room either].)

 

WE CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU, OUR VALUED DIAMOND PLUS MEMBER, ONBOARD VERY SOON!

 

 

* To maintain Diamond Plus level, passengers must have completed 135 or more cruises.

 

** 10% Discount only applies to first 15 minutes of party.

 

*** Pool chair reservation requests must be made 6 months in advance of sailing and are availalbe only from 2 am to 3 am.

 

**** Amenity will be either RCI keychain or luggage tag, at discretion of RCI

 

Very funny and probably not far from the truth.

 

If I can suggest one more:

 

For those very special Diamond Plussers who went out of your way to really "give it to" the Diamond Members when they lost this benefit, you get the "added" benefit of surrendering ALL your cruise points and starting over again. Do Not Pass Go, Do Not Collect $200.

[cliffday]

This is what happens when you let the bean counters sit at the big table. PO 50% of your customer base is not the way to make your business succesfull. Happy customers tell three people about their experience and unhappy customers tell ten people - and some tell everyone they see.

 

I cancelled two cruises today and am shopping around. Looks like any replacement line I choose for about the same itinerary is around $40 per day cheaper per person.

 

Now I really feel like a royal chump!

 

I'm a bean counter...and as a bean counter, I always look for value in every dollar I spend. The perks provided to Diamond members were a part of the value I seek. Think I will try Princess next time.

[Ladylouwho]

If you are a stockholder like I am, then the changes going into effect are exactly what you want to see. Royal is a struggling company with too much debt. Expense reductions are necessary and perks such as a free happy hour for Diamond members is just the beginning of changes that need to be made in tough times. If I was running the show I would shut down the CL to everyone until the time the company returns to profitability.

 

I am going to write the powers that be and suggest that they close the CL and remove all perks. The dividend was recently eliminated and similarly all perks need to be stopped. If this includes the stockholder OBC then so be it.

 

All the whiners remind me of Wall Street execs and AIG employees crying about their bonuses.

 

If you want your cruise line to return to greatness then you need to bite the bullet as they work through these difficult times.

 

Well I am a stockholder and so is my husband and so is my daughter. I would like to see the stock price rise and the company do well. I am fearful that decisions to alienate many of your most loyal and longtime customers are going to cause so much damage to RCI's bottom line that it will only be a shadow of its former self. The product of RCI has been declining and the decision to actually try and get loyal customers to go elsewhere, well that will most likely increase the decline as folks that would otherwise cruise multiple times per year decide to book elsewhere. Empty cabins don't tip and employees seeing their tips decline even more tend to be unhappy. Unhappy employees contribute to further decline in the product.

 

Oh, and thanks for using that word "whiners" to describe posters who want to discuss this issue on a thread specifically meant for that discussion. So original!

[PhoenixCruiser]

 

The numbers speak for themselves.:D

 

What numbers :confused::confused: We have no idea who you are quoting :mad:

 

###

[Cruise Junky]

If you are a stockholder like I am, then the changes going into effect are exactly what you want to see. Royal is a struggling company with too much debt. Expense reductions are necessary and perks such as a free happy hour for Diamond members is just the beginning of changes that need to be made in tough times. If I was running the show I would shut down the CL to everyone until the time the company returns to profitability.

 

I am going to write the powers that be and suggest that they close the CL and remove all perks. The dividend was recently eliminated and similarly all perks need to be stopped. If this includes the stockholder OBC then so be it.

 

All the whiners remind me of Wall Street execs and AIG employees crying about their bonuses.

 

If you want your cruise line to return to greatness then you need to bite the bullet as they work through these difficult times.

 

Whaaaaa Haaaaaa.... do you work for Carnival? You really should be on their payroll for suggesting this! hilarious.

[Ladylouwho]

Thank you for the voice of reason. As a person who has cruised well over 50 times with Royal Caribbean, I think it's amazing they can stil fill ships in these rough economic times and pull off the consistent level of service and entertainment that makes them so special. As a matter of fact, I think they are suffering from a "multitude of riches," with such a huge repeater population. Over the Holidays when I was on, out of 4300 guests, fully 2600 of them were repeat guests - and the concierge lounge can barely hold 100. Whiners need to pull up their socks, suck it up, and smell the flowers!

 

Well, I see that for your first post you already have the lingo down. "Whiners". Where have I heard that before?

[EmJakeBubbie]

it was great being loyal to Royal, but now I've got an excuse to try the RUBY Princess - saw it being built on TV - tis alleged to have the latest state-of-the-art safety features .... IMHO, no incentive to attain Diamond + ....someone said that they expect the # of cruises to get to the plus level will probably change ...and, at some point, I expect the CL to be reserved only for Suites and VIP cruisers - someone else pointed out the loss in gratuities to the Concierge who hosts the lounge - (maybe RCI compensated them with a salary increase (they Are salary, I believe, and a very nice one at that) ... It is noteworthy, to read all these many points-of-view - for sometime, it has been my thought that too much was being lost, overall, on the RCI experience - I remember the 1990 glory days when the Sovereign and Majesty were new - now, that was when cruising was really very first class! and there was no CL and Everyone dressed appropriately for the evening, and we still thought it was grand - and you know what? It was! Bigger does not guarantee better!

[berwyn]

Well, I see that for your first post you already have the lingo down. "Whiners". Where have I heard that before?

A champ in disguise.

[Ladylouwho]

A champ in disguise.

 

You said it, I didn't, lol!

[rcclgirl]

I hope that everyone like myself is complaining to rccl. We are diamond members with 17 cruise credits. We just stepped off the voyager the same day we got the e-mail.

 

We have the adventure booked in september and we are cancelling it.

 

I cannot believe that all our loyalty and this is happening. I know that other cruiselines would appreciate loyalty!

 

Sharon

used to be rcclgirl!

[ChevyCruiser]

I hope that everyone like myself is complaining to rccl. We are diamond members with 17 cruise credits. We just stepped off the voyager the same day we got the e-mail.

 

We have the adventure booked in september and we are cancelling it.

 

I cannot believe that all our loyalty and this is happening. I know that other cruiselines would appreciate loyalty!

 

Sharon

used to be rcclgirl!

 

RCCL has certainly leveled the field to the point that I can see all the other lines out there now. We've already moved our 2009 bookings to Princess and are working on doping the same for 2010.

 

It's not the perks, it's the lack of respect that RCCL has demonstrated to their most loyal customers, and my lack of confidence that they won't do this again just as I reach D+, IF I continued to sail with them.

 

Not saying I'll never sail with RCCL again, but they are no longer my first choice as they were until they yanked the rug right out from under us just as we reached Diamond.

 

 

 

:p

[Lyncruiser]

We, too, are Diamond cruisers having spent many thousands on family cruises to reach that level. We also only had one cruise after achieving Diamond status during which we enjoyed the concierge service.

 

Easy answer for us is we're simply going to other cruise lines now. Nothing to keep us with RCCL. As a matter of fact, we recently tried a small ship cruise with 400 passengers and loved, loved, loved it!

[mojitodiva]

In this rough economy I would not count on any business (cruiseline) being loyal.

 

Cruiselines must do what they have to do in these difficult times.

 

I would not be surprised if other lines start cutbacks also. It is a great opportunity for them now to cut since Royal opened the door. You know what they say Monkey see monkey do. :eek:

 

I hope cruisers are not picking cruiselines just for perks. :rolleyes:

 

Also no cruiser has to be loyal to any one cruiseline unless the cruiser really enjoys a certain cruiseline and could not care less about perks.

 

:cool:

[elsje]

In this rough economy I would not count on any business (cruiseline) being loyal.

 

Cruiselines must do what they have to do in these difficult times.

 

I would not be surprised if other lines start cutbacks also. It is a great opportunity for them now to cut since Royal opened the door. You know what they say Monkey see monkey do. :eek:

 

I hope cruisers are not picking cruiselines just for perks. :rolleyes:

 

Also no cruiser has to be loyal to any one cruiseline unless the cruiser really enjoys a certain cruiseline and could not care less about perks.

 

:cool:

 

Very interesting what you quote. I have sailed 4x times with Carnical (#5 will be in May), just completed #2 with Princess in March and sailed 1x on X and going on my 2nd RCCL cruise this month. I have not attained any status and that's OK with me. I pick my cruise based on itinerary, availability on short notice and price. I understand that some people really like the perks that come with frequent cruising just like some of us like with airlines.

 

Interestingly on my last Princess cruise I heard "die hard" Princess guests stating that the food quality has gone down and that the service is not as good as what it was before and that they were going to try other cruiselines. So it looks like a lot of people are going to check other cruise lines. May be none of the cruiselines will miss any of their loyal cruisers. (just a thought) :rolleyes:.

[Cruisin-Family]

Thanks for the motivation, I just sent in my letter with my 2 cents.

[knight2096]

If you are a stockholder like I am, then the changes going into effect are exactly what you want to see. Royal is a struggling company with too much debt. Expense reductions are necessary and perks such as a free happy hour for Diamond members is just the beginning of changes that need to be made in tough times. If I was running the show I would shut down the CL to everyone until the time the company returns to profitability.

 

I am going to write the powers that be and suggest that they close the CL and remove all perks. The dividend was recently eliminated and similarly all perks need to be stopped. If this includes the stockholder OBC then so be it.

 

All the whiners remind me of Wall Street execs and AIG employees crying about their bonuses.

 

If you want your cruise line to return to greatness then you need to bite the bullet as they work through these difficult times.

 

 

What's funny about your post is, YOU are the one that acts like an AIG employee. Screwing loyal customers is your answer! Thank god you don't run RCI because you would sink it overnight.