Diamond/D+ C&A Ultimate value booklet dated 04/09, version 13

[tocanada]

Hi Heather,

Thanks for posting this.

On the Independence transatlantic crossing, we had the previous edition so got the casino free pulls and free drink etc.

 

However, during the cruise, they were selling all the "souvenir" glasses in the Promenade and it made me wonder if they were doing away with this coupon.

 

I am going on Splendour next week so perhaps should try and use up all of these coupons that I have accumulated.

andrew

[Sailfish]

uh....I hate to be the bearer of bad news....

 

I guess that means no more past guest gifts. I have quite a collection of totebags, picture frames, etc. The best ones, IMO were the toiletry bags, of which I have about 5. Not that I miss this, but was mostly curious, as I have not been cruising lately with Royal Caribbean.

 

Thanks.

[cruislovin]

Do other ships still have the souvenir glasses? Some of mine need to be replaced ;)

 

Also, are they taking the old coupons left from prior sailings? Maybe I can buy some more on eBay???

[macd4]

How was the cruise?

I board Navigator on Saturday!:D

[Missus Makkem]

We are lowly Gold Members and were on that same Navigator Transatlantic in April. We had the free pull coupons and the Johnny Rockets cover charge coupons and used them all no questions asked.

 

I don't really know the difference between the new and old, so I don't know what we got, but figured I'd let you guys know!

 

And yes, Johnny Rockets was VERY dead the vast majority of the cruise. (Although it was a VERY different crowd than most other cruises)

 

There was a short supply of the new style Gold member books on the Nav crossing, Loyalty Ambassador issued some members, like yourself with old ones .

[Ladylouwho]

Well, well, well. They sure know how to cheapen their product don't they? Slippery slope indeed. So last Fall they start to test drive implementing charges for a better grade of food in the Dining Room on a few ships. Quite an outcry but most are eventually drowned out by the cheerleaders who insist it is a choice and actually an enhancement to the MDR.

 

Within a month or two word gets out that RCI will no longer accept the combining of benefits earned or awarded. Huge outcry by loyal, long term customers so then customers are allowed to combine if they get all their ducks in a row by 12/31/08. After that, sorry! Again complaints are drowned out by cheers of "RCI still offers the best perks in the business. Quit complaining!"

 

Later word gets out that the photo coupon in the Diamond coupon book is gone. What? That one didn't even make sense. No coupons, no trip to the photo shop for a lot of folks.

 

The JR price increase. Again complainers are drowned out by chants of "Just use the Free Coupon!"

 

Finally, the Diamond members get a big shock and a bit of a bruise on the head from the RCI foot that just hit them when word gets out that starting July 1st (since changed I know) the Diamonds on Voyager Class and smaller ships were basically cut off. People who object are labeled "Whiners" and generally mocked that all they wanted was free booze.

 

So now the new and improved Diamond coupon books come out and lo and behold, no Johnny Rockets Free Coupon, no free drink in the souvenir glass. No this...no that. There have been many other cuts and up-charges, actually too many to mention.

 

All this was happening while the quality of food and service was on a decline. The CEO of RCI claims they won't discount and would rather sail under capacity than cut their prices.

 

Yeah right, anyone check some of the last minute prices on RCI cruises lately? Steep discounts on many.

 

I believe that in another year or two the RCI Crown and Anchor benefits will basically be gone for all but a few, if anyone.

 

There is little reason to book out ahead anymore on any cruise that isn't in the high season (holiday and summer).

 

I believe that any future cruise I book with RCI will only be last minute, cut rate. At the rate they are cheapening their product, these should be in ample supply.

 

JMO,

Colleen

[Clamett]

Sorry Clamett, forgot about those, on purpose maybe;):D.

 

There were 3 coupons in the booklet for the "Red Hot " free slot pull.

 

I have already got 2 keychains in the shape of a slot pull machine and 2 tshirts that say I am a jackpot winner !!!:rolleyes:. I won again but I just binned the ticket as It was for yet another keychain.

 

We also won the keychain on the last cruise. I had it in my pocket when some children, on a treasure hunt, came by asking for a keychain. I was glad to give it up.

[alexkrn46]

Colleen,

 

If you listen to the radio show it is all geared for first time cruisers. I don't think Diamond Members and non Diamond Plus are valued. Perhaps that is their plan replace C&A with first time cruisers .

[Sailfish]

Well, well, well. They sure know how to cheapen their product don't they? Slippery slope indeed. So last Fall they start to test drive implementing charges for a better grade of food in the Dining Room on a few ships. Quite an outcry but most are eventually drowned out by the cheerleaders who insist it is a choice and actually an enhancement to the MDR.

 

Within a month or two word gets out that RCI will no longer accept the combining of benefits earned or awarded. Huge outcry by loyal, long term customers so then customers are allowed to combine if they get all their ducks in a row by 12/31/08. After that, sorry! Again complaints are drowned out by cheers of "RCI still offers the best perks in the business. Quit complaining!"

 

Later word gets out that the photo coupon in the Diamond coupon book is gone. What? That one didn't even make sense. No coupons, no trip to the photo shop for a lot of folks.

 

The JR price increase. Again complainers are drowned out by chants of "Just use the Free Coupon!"

 

Finally, the Diamond members get a big shock and a bit of a bruise on the head from the RCI foot that just hit them when word gets out that starting July 1st (since changed I know) the Diamonds on Voyager Class and smaller ships were basically cut off. People who object are labeled "Whiners" and generally mocked that all they wanted was free booze.

 

So now the new and improved Diamond coupon books come out and lo and behold, no Johnny Rockets Free Coupon, no free drink in the souvenir glass. No this...no that. There have been many other cuts and up-charges, actually too many to mention.

 

All this was happening while the quality of food and service was on a decline. The CEO of RCI claims they won't discount and would rather sail under capacity than cut their prices.

 

Yeah right, anyone check some of the last minute prices on RCI cruises lately? Steep discounts on many.

 

I believe that in another year or two the RCI Crown and Anchor benefits will basically be gone for all but a few, if anyone.

 

There is little reason to book out ahead anymore on any cruise that isn't in the high season (holiday and summer).

 

I believe that any future cruise I book with RCI will only be last minute, cut rate. At the rate they are cheapening their product, these should be in ample supply.

 

JMO,

Colleen

 

We began to see big changes at RCCL a couple of years ago, when we began cruising more with Princess - most notably the decline in food quality. Too bad, as I still feel Royal Caribbean's ships are the best in design, and they offer more as to activities and entertainment than any of the other mass marketed cruise lines. But decent food, good service and past guest amenities are also important factors for us. As Diamond past guests, we always appreciated the concierge and the other perks.

 

I still plan to cruise with Royal Caribbean, but it's no longer our first choice - it used to be our Diamond perks would tip the scales somewhat infavor of Royal Caribbean.

[seatraveler24]

Well, well, well. They sure know how to cheapen their product don't they? Slippery slope indeed. So last Fall they start to test drive implementing charges for a better grade of food in the Dining Room on a few ships. Quite an outcry but most are eventually drowned out by the cheerleaders who insist it is a choice and actually an enhancement to the MDR.

 

Within a month or two word gets out that RCI will no longer accept the combining of benefits earned or awarded. Huge outcry by loyal, long term customers so then customers are allowed to combine if they get all their ducks in a row by 12/31/08. After that, sorry! Again complaints are drowned out by cheers of "RCI still offers the best perks in the business. Quit complaining!"

 

Later word gets out that the photo coupon in the Diamond coupon book is gone. What? That one didn't even make sense. No coupons, no trip to the photo shop for a lot of folks.

 

The JR price increase. Again complainers are drowned out by chants of "Just use the Free Coupon!"

 

Finally, the Diamond members get a big shock and a bit of a bruise on the head from the RCI foot that just hit them when word gets out that starting July 1st (since changed I know) the Diamonds on Voyager Class and smaller ships were basically cut off. People who object are labeled "Whiners" and generally mocked that all they wanted was free booze.

 

So now the new and improved Diamond coupon books come out and lo and behold, no Johnny Rockets Free Coupon, no free drink in the souvenir glass. No this...no that. There have been many other cuts and up-charges, actually too many to mention.

 

All this was happening while the quality of food and service was on a decline. The CEO of RCI claims they won't discount and would rather sail under capacity than cut their prices.

 

Yeah right, anyone check some of the last minute prices on RCI cruises lately? Steep discounts on many.

 

I believe that in another year or two the RCI Crown and Anchor benefits will basically be gone for all but a few, if anyone.

 

There is little reason to book out ahead anymore on any cruise that isn't in the high season (holiday and summer).

 

I believe that any future cruise I book with RCI will only be last minute, cut rate. At the rate they are cheapening their product, these should be in ample supply.

 

JMO,

Colleen

LadyLouwho, I couldn't have said it better myself. The cuts that rccl have made are over and above what I think is reasonable. It is very apparent that long time customers are not valued. The C&A program

might as well be discontinued. By the looks of things the books are just about useless. It seems that all that they are interested in are giving so- called coupons to increase revenue. I think that we could see it coming,except for the cheerleaders who choose to keep the blinders on and label anyone who dare point out the truth as "Whiners or Complainers"

After 20 rccl cruises, i think that the other lines are looking better. I'm sure I'll here a few say "nobody offer a better perks program". Well, with this latest group of cuts and declines,I'm left wondering "what perks"???

I am truly and deeply disappointed in what RCCL has chosen to do to it's most loyal customers. What perks are taken away will never be reinstated.

I just don't understand who is making such bad business decisions. Their attempt to lure new customers to replace the loyal customers that have been lost will be a huge failure.Anyone in business knows that you do the most to keep loyal customers, not have the leave in disgust.:confused::(:mad:

[Ladylouwho]

Colleen,

 

If you listen to the radio show it is all geared for first time cruisers. I don't think Diamond Members and non Diamond Plus are valued. Perhaps that is their plan replace C&A with first time cruisers .

 

alexkrn,

Oh yes, I think the writing is definitely on the wall, especially after the announcement that Diamond members would no longer be welcome in the Concierge Program due to lack of "Space". What a joke.

 

RCI could care less about its past cruisers and they have made that abundantly clear. For now, they will still cater (a little) to the Diamond Plussers but really, every month more and more Diamonds turn plus and soon the carrot for plussers will be moved or REmoved.

 

They came out with a New Ad campaign that literally stinks just to cater to new cruisers even though the old campaign "Get Out There" worked like a charm. So many of us got out there over and over and over and over and over again that we became a problem for them. I always thought if it wasn't broken you weren't supposed to "fix" it.

 

Well they can go out and get all the NEW cruisers they want to get. I used to help them get New Cruisers (for free). Not anymore. I will give any new cruisers the same advice I am giving myself. Book last minute and you will save yourself a lot of money.

 

As far as Loyalty. Well, they had me at Hello, but it was RCI who turned away from me.

 

Colleen

[Ladylouwho]

We began to see big changes at RCCL a couple of years ago, when we began cruising more with Princess - most notably the decline in food quality. Too bad, as I still feel Royal Caribbean's ships are the best in design, and they offer more as to activities and entertainment than any of the other mass marketed cruise lines. But decent food, good service and past guest amenities are also important factors for us. As Diamond past guests, we always appreciated the concierge and the other perks.

 

I still plan to cruise with Royal Caribbean, but it's no longer our first choice - it used to be our Diamond perks would tip the scales somewhat infavor of Royal Caribbean.

 

Sailfish,

 

I agree, I love RCI's ships and the product was generally good. But they are slipping and while doing so are turning off their most loyal "guests" by treating them as old news. Really haven't figured out yet how they think this is going to work out for them long term.

 

I can't remember ever reading or learning that it was good business practice to dismiss your most loyal customers in the hopes of finding "new" customers.

 

And yes, I will still cruise RCI when the price is low and it is an itinerary I want, but it is no longer my first choice because those Diamond perks that definitely tipped the scale as you said are certainly fewer and fewer as the months go by.

 

 

Colleen

[DeepWaterMariner]

It has been two years since our last RCI cruise. We are booked for another in the fall so I'm glad the OP reset our expectations for the Diamond coupon book. It sounds as if they have moved to what is given by Celebrity which is a useless coupon book intended to boost onboard revenue. We may use the $5 laundry coupon unless they have a special deal onboard that is better since we are booked on a 14 day cruise. RCI had already been replaced as our favorite cruise line by Princess and this probably slips them another rung or two down the ladder.

[sevenseassailor]

Why even bother with the new coupon book? Barely worth paper it is printed on. I get free internet on Regent and Princess now. Tell me why I have 30 cruises on RCL??? Just hope they have some old books next week on the Mariner.

[Ladylouwho]

LadyLouwho, I couldn't have said it better myself. The cuts that rccl have made are over and above what I think is reasonable. It is very apparent that long time customers are not valued. The C&A program

might as well be discontinued. By the looks of things the books are just about useless. It seems that all that they are interested in are giving so- called coupons to increase revenue. I think that we could see it coming,except for the cheerleaders who choose to keep the blinders on and label anyone who dare point out the truth as "Whiners or Complainers"

After 20 rccl cruises, i think that the other lines are looking better. I'm sure I'll here a few say "nobody offer a better perks program". Well, with this latest group of cuts and declines,I'm left wondering "what perks"???

I am truly and deeply disappointed in what RCCL has chosen to do to it's most loyal customers. What perks are taken away will never be reinstated.

I just don't understand who is making such bad business decisions. Their attempt to lure new customers to replace the loyal customers that have been lost will be a huge failure.Anyone in business knows that you do the most to keep loyal customers, not have the leave in disgust.:confused::(:mad:

 

Seatraveler24,

 

You are absolutely right of course. Not only are they making such horrendous business decisions but the way they are going about instituting the changes, ESPECIALLY the changes that affect their most loyal and long term "guests" is down right insulting.

 

How dumb do they think we are? Apparently they think we are pretty dumb.

 

It first hit me with the introduction of charging for "decent" food in the Main Dining Room last fall. After that it was one thing after another. But of course anytime I or anyone else said even one thing remotely critical of RCI there was a parade of cheerleaders front and center berating, ridiculing, etc.

 

Well, now after ALL the changes, that parade is much shorter and less vocal. But they are still there. Soon even more and more changes,( i.e cutbacks, reduction of service, up-charges, C&A policy changes) will come and the parade will get shorter and shorter and the complaints will be fewer because long time loyal "guests" will have gotten the message and either moved on or just cruise on RCI at the last minute for a cut rate price.

 

And the LOYALTY program? Ah...an historical oddity no doubt.

 

Colleen

[gramtofive]

We are Diamond members and sailed on the Mariner on April 19. Our coupon books had one free any size photo, the Johnny Rocket coupon, a free drink in a souvenir glass or sports bottle, free Ben and Jerry's ice cream bar, etc. Maybe we got old coupon books. We were hopeing they had started giving back some of the coupons they had removed from the books. We must have just been lucky to get the coupon books we received.

[Merion_Mom]

We are Diamond members and sailed on the Mariner on April 19. Our coupon books had one free any size photo, the Johnny Rocket coupon, a free drink in a souvenir glass or sports bottle, free Ben and Jerry's ice cream bar, etc. Maybe we got old coupon books. We were hopeing they had started giving back some of the coupons they had removed from the books. We must have just been lucky to get the coupon books we received.

 

Linda, we just got old books. That's all. No good hope for the future - just clearing out stock. :)

[Ladylouwho]

Linda, we just got old books. That's all. No good hope for the future - just clearing out stock. :)

 

Well, I'll be clearing out stock too on the Mariner. I have quite a few leftover coupons from our three previous cruises from the past 10 months. Have a couple JR free coupons, a lot of casino coupons, and some free wine tasting and wine discounts. No photo coupons or free drinks left tho. This will be the first time I take coupons on board from a previous cruise. I always used to toss them. But hey, may as well play the game the way RCI does, right? They have the right to change, so do I, lol.

 

I think they are making a big mistake here. But then, I have been saying this for awhile with regard to the cuts to the C&A program. If I am even an average cruiser with RCI, then they are making a BIG mistake here with the C & A cutbacks and the insulting way they are being implemented. But somehow, with the amount of cabins/suites we book in a year on RCI, I think I spend way over the average. So that leads me to believe they are in real trouble here for their long term outlook.

 

But then again, with these brilliant decisions of theirs, I may be able to continue to book just as many cabins/suites per year and spend a heck of a lot less money. They say they won't discount, but they sure as well have been discounting of late. Who knows?

 

JMO,

Colleen

[berwyn]

Linda, we just got old books. That's all. No good hope for the future - just clearing out stock. :)

If a customer can't use old books,how can rci?

Sorry I guess the cruise contract says thay can do anything they want.

[Sailfish]

I believe that Royal Caribbean's budget is going towards marketing the cruise to people who would not have thought about booking a cruise vacation. They aren't interested in loyalty. They are looking to expand the number of cruise virgins, knowing well that their clientele will still plan more land based trips than cruises. Listen to their adds - they are not stressing good service or great food; the emphasis is on entertainment, unique activities and ports of call.

 

From a business stand point, they probably generate more revenue from newbies than from experienced cruisers. The avarage past guest probably spends less money while on the ship compared to someone who has never cruised - I know I do! So, we as a group do not matter.

 

The vast majority of our friends prefer land based vacations to cruises, but all have cruised at least once. They are in their early 40's, have older kids and are still very active. Though all have said they would cruise again someday, most still prefer land based trips. We do a scuba cruise once a year, and though we are in the minority when it comes to our social group, we also enjoy cruises. To us, it's an inexpensive alternative to a land based vacation - this is what cruising has turned into, and I think Royal Caribbean wants to change that.

 

Cruising according to Royal Caribbean is no longer about great food and service. It's about adventure, being young and active; this is the message you get from their marketing campaign. I have come to accept the fact that we as a group of past guests don't matter much. Royal Caribbean, like all the others, will always have a past guest program. But it won't be as attractive as it once was.

 

Royal Caribbean used to tip the scales in their favor - not any more. I don't book a cruise based on loyalty anymore. I look for value and itinerary.

[cmich068]

It's quite clear that Royal no longer values loyalty.

 

It's also quite clear that many cruisers recognize this fact.

 

We're booked on Royal for our next few cruises... but only because their product was much more reasonably priced compared to the competition (Princess)- not because of our loyalty. That ship has long sailed.

[GEORGET]

Well, well, well. They sure know how to cheapen their product don't they? Slippery slope indeed. So last Fall they start to test drive implementing charges for a better grade of food in the Dining Room on a few ships. Quite an outcry but most are eventually drowned out by the cheerleaders who insist it is a choice and actually an enhancement to the MDR.

 

Within a month or two word gets out that RCI will no longer accept the combining of benefits earned or awarded. Huge outcry by loyal, long term customers so then customers are allowed to combine if they get all their ducks in a row by 12/31/08. After that, sorry! Again complaints are drowned out by cheers of "RCI still offers the best perks in the business. Quit complaining!"

 

Later word gets out that the photo coupon in the Diamond coupon book is gone. What? That one didn't even make sense. No coupons, no trip to the photo shop for a lot of folks.

 

The JR price increase. Again complainers are drowned out by chants of "Just use the Free Coupon!"

 

Finally, the Diamond members get a big shock and a bit of a bruise on the head from the RCI foot that just hit them when word gets out that starting July 1st (since changed I know) the Diamonds on Voyager Class and smaller ships were basically cut off. People who object are labeled "Whiners" and generally mocked that all they wanted was free booze.

 

So now the new and improved Diamond coupon books come out and lo and behold, no Johnny Rockets Free Coupon, no free drink in the souvenir glass. No this...no that. There have been many other cuts and up-charges, actually too many to mention.

 

All this was happening while the quality of food and service was on a decline. The CEO of RCI claims they won't discount and would rather sail under capacity than cut their prices.

 

Yeah right, anyone check some of the last minute prices on RCI cruises lately? Steep discounts on many.

 

I believe that in another year or two the RCI Crown and Anchor benefits will basically be gone for all but a few, if anyone.

 

There is little reason to book out ahead anymore on any cruise that isn't in the high season (holiday and summer).

 

I believe that any future cruise I book with RCI will only be last minute, cut rate. At the rate they are cheapening their product, these should be in ample supply.

 

JMO,

Colleen

 

hI Collen

 

I agree with everything you say, we are going on the Brilliance next month before the last Diamond perk (drink) is pulled in September. We are not wine or champagne drinkers and other cruise lines are cheaper both in bar prices and cruises. Just got off the IOS and was not impressed with the MDR food, average entertainment nor queueing.

You are right lot of last minute bargains out there now.

Watch out though you may be banned again for speaking out, had a few of my observations pulled.

Cannot wait till after September 1st when the Diamond members realise what has really been lost.

G

[gagirl7143]

In Apr. on TA Nav had an internet coupon which was the only one we used. Did this version not have the internet one?

[cruisegirl1]

I understand the new books still have the internet coupon. Shhh, don't tell RCCL that they gave folks with MANY cruises free 20 minutes on the SLOW internet as they will take that away too.

 

M

[klingoncruiser]

hummmmmm..... will I quit cruising RCL? Nope. Does this make me wonder what they are up to with what was once a very nice loyalty program? Yup.