Freebies.... gift, coupon book, pillow chocolate

[fridaythe13th]

What do you prefer? Since the C&A gift and pillow chocolates are part of our past and the coupon book is not like it used to be, what one thing would you like RC to bring back. I'm sure I'm missing something here. I know these are all something that RC doesn't HAVE to do but I thought it would be fun to see what we all miss and why.

I personally don't like carrying coupons around. I never got a duplicate gift so I was always excited about what I got. I haven't sailed without my pillow chocolate yet so that might put me over the edge.....

[swanlady2000]

Well it will be my first cruise with RCCL in just over 2 weeks and I was gutted when I learnt they didn't do the chocolate on the pillow like Princess do. Don't particularly want daft freebies and coupons, but the bed turned down and a chocolate on my pillow every night made me feel special!

[madforcruising]

Originally Posted by swanlady2000

Well it will be my first cruise with RCCL in just over 2 weeks and I was gutted when I learnt they didn't do the chocolate on the pillow like Princess do. Don't particularly want daft freebies and coupons, but the bed turned down and a chocolate on my pillow every night made me feel special!

You can still have your chocolate on the pillow on RCI, just need to book a suite (GS or higher).

[weliketocruise86]

Originally Posted by madforcruising

You can still have your chocolate on the pillow on RCI, just need to book a suite (GS or higher).

Cheaper to take your own chocolates !!

[amybeth4]

The BOGO drink coupon that was recently discontinued completely made up for any chocolate or baseball caps I used to get. I'd like THAT coupon back!

[lcyccruiser]

I think it would be nice, since there are no more gifts for repeaters, that RC should put a bottle of wine in our cabins upon arrival. Any thoughts?

Chris from FLA

[yogimax]

The free picture coupon and the free drink coupon

[bionicman97]

Originally Posted by amybeth4

The BOGO drink coupon that was recently discontinued completely made up for any chocolate or baseball caps I used to get. I'd like THAT coupon back!

I agree. I liked the Johnny Rocket's coupon too.

[jlbkty]

I miss the live music at dinner.

[amybeth4]

Originally Posted by bionicman97

I agree. I liked the Johnny Rocket's coupon too.

Yeah! Without that coupon, JRs is never crowded anymore.

Originally Posted by jlbkty

I miss the live music at dinner.

We had live music on the Liberty...a violinist and pianist, set up on the staircase. We could hear them but never see them since we were sitting in the kitchen. But if you mean the people who used to stroll around from table to table, that's gone. That was also really nice. I also miss the guy who did nothing but bring you drinks.

[digital_curator]

The last time I sailed all three were still included and, I must admit, I enjoyed them all.

While the chocolates weren't the best, it was a cute touch and I often liked a little something sweet at the end of the day.

The C&A gifts were also appreciated and it was fun to see the different things that were distributed (some more appreciated than others- caps and totes especially). If we didn't think we would use it, we just gave it back so that they wouldn't go to waste.

However, the thing we will miss most is the coupon book. We always used the Johnny Rockets coupon (don't know if we will go without it), the BOGO drink (mojitos!), the casino coupons (encouraged me to try the tables), and the picture coupon (the only time we bought a photo), and coffee coupon (the only time I bought a coffee).

While I can understand that RCI is trying to save costs, many of these coupons actually had us spending in areas we wouldn't have, so not only am I not missing out but so is RCI if CC lack of interest in the new coupons is any indication of C&A members' reactions.

[TBSCruiser]

Hubby used the BOGO wine coupon as I don't drink wine and we used both of the internet. I used the casino ones, didn't win a nickel. Didn't miss the chocolate as they were not that great in my opinion. Liked some of the little freebies but not that big a deal.

[BroncosFan2010]

Honestly, I really miss the pillow chocolates. I would save them and eat them when I got home. It made the cruise spirit last a little longer. The C&A gifts were nice, until I started getting only hats.... No thanks! I love my tote bag though. The only thing I liked about the coupon book was the buy one get one drinks. We always used that coupon!

[CruisingCatherine]

I returned recently from a cruise on the FOS. I have to say that this is the first time I did not feel really special as a Diamond Member. I did really enjoy the Diamond Breakfast. That was a nice suprise. While I did appreciate the Diamond Lounge and not having to get an Ice Show Ticket, I still felt a little let down.

I miss the Crown and Anchor gift. I miss the excitement of never knowing when the gift would show up and what it would be. Kinda like a little kid at Christmas.

I was also VERY dissapointed in the coupon book. Most of the coupons are useless unless you are spending huge amounts of money. I loved my buy one get one free drink, the free wine tasting, the Johnny Rockets, and the buy one 8X10 get one 5X7 free coupons. I used many more of the coupons in the old book. HATE the new coupon books.

Now to answer the OP question. Besides the coupon books, I would also like to see the live music at dinner and the pool side buffet back.

[ASeaPrincess1]

Originally Posted by Mokaheena

Honestly, I really miss the pillow chocolates. I would save them and eat them when I got home. It made the cruise spirit last a little longer. The C&A gifts were nice, until I started getting only hats.... No thanks! I love my tote bag though. The only thing I liked about the coupon book was the buy one get one drinks. We always used that coupon!

I got Ghirardelli chocolates on my recent cruise, but I was in a suite.
Last year, on Vision, even though I was in a suite, I did not get chocolates, and they hadn't even stopped the program at that point......
I do agree about the totes, I only have one, and that was from Monarch.
I was hoping to get ones from Vision and Mariner, but got the hats.
Did not get anything this last time, however....

[niko40]

LOL if you want the chocolates i think we have a bag full of them in the kitchen cupboard somewhere i will post them to you you must admit it wasnt the best lol happy memories

[PhoenixCruiser]

I wish they would reinstate the Diamond Benefits....but I digress

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[webprinter]

I wish they would bring back the C&A gifts. We never used the coupons and the chocolates were not that great. I can bring my own chocolate and put it on my pillow. Although, since our next trip is on the Voyager, I would love the JR coupon. That one we would use.

[Janice M]

Originally Posted by lcyccruiser

I think it would be nice, since there are no more gifts for repeaters, that RC should put a bottle of wine in our cabins upon arrival. Any thoughts?

Chris from FLA

That's been my thought for a long time..
Jan

[mickym]

A bottle of wine would be great for sure but if they can't afford the chocolates they surely wouldn't go that route. I don't miss the chocolates as I was always to full to eat them anyway. I can do without the coupons and the gift if it means the amazing travel pricing we are getting right now plus the nice saving coupon from C&A. I can use that extra money to buy what I really want.