Should C&A change the way status is earned?

I was just thinking about the C&A program and how my three three night cruises and my one seven night cruises have put me on the brink of "diamond" status. I've also heard others mention that they often take the short cruises to upgrade their status. As a result, I was wondering if the cruise lines should base loyalty status on the number of nights cruised. It be like the airlines using miles for frequent flier status rather than flight segments.

Just curious as to what others thought about this. I suppose it could also be done on a dollar spent system, room category, etc.

I'm not advocating the change, but I was curious why they do it the way they do as there is no distinction between someone who reaches diamond status cruising 35 or more nights (assuming 7 night or longer cruises), versus someone who has cruised less than half that (15 nights if they were all three nighters).

KLC

UPCOMING CRUISES:

---------------------

MONARCH OF THE SEAS (04/04)

PRIDE OF ???????-HAWAII (01/05)

PREVIOUS CRUISES

-------------------------

RCI's Monarch of the Seas (01/04)

Star Princess (6/03)

RCI's Rhapsody of the Seas (4/01)

Carnival's Ecstasy (6/96)

RCI's Viking Serenade (1/94)

You are not on the verge of Diamond, but on the verge of Platinum (after 5 cruises). To become Diamond, you need to complete 10 cruises.

Ought to be based on DOLLARS spent.

They've made a couple of changes lately. 2 credits for 12 nights and over and 2 credits for js and up. If you take 12 night and js or higher you get 3 credits.

I don't have a problem with the way they're doing it.

Marilyn

Cunard - various ships over many years

Song of America

Grandeur of the Seas

Dreamward

Infinity

Azur

Sovereign of the Seas

Serenade of the Seas

 Til the Brilliance in the Med.!!!

 Nordic Empress

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I think that is a wonderful idea.

Diane

Legend of the Sea 9/12/04

Voyager of the Sea 8/24/03

Sovereign of the Sea 07/01

Personally, I like it the way it is. Not because I plan on taking a bunch of 3 night cruises in JS cabins for double credit. We have taken two 7 night cruises to Alaska, have a 7 night planned in a JS cabin for the caribbean, have a 3 nighter planned in January and are awaiting announcement of pricing for an 11 or 12 night cruise for September of next year.

I'm not cruising to collect credits, I'm cruising for vacation and relaxation. I don't care if one of the couples dining with us would be diamond members just because they took 5 back to back 3 and 4 night cruises (10 total) to get there, while I'm taking a variety of 3, 7, and 12 night cruises to achieve the same benefits. I like the simplicity of the plan as it is.

I find the airline programs can get confusing at times. Airline FF miles aren't completely based on $$ spent. I might pay $250 for my economy seat while the guy two rows up spends $350. But in economy, we both get the same miles IF we're both the same status in the FF club. If I'm in an elevated catagory, I pick up bonus miles BUT the bonus miles may or may not apply towards elite, premier or whatever catagory for next year. Each year I have to earn status with the airline all over again. And the rules go on and on and tend to get so complicated they have to send out a book to explain them.

No, I prefer that RCI keeps it simple. X # of cruises and you get XYZ benefits. Simple, easy to understand and for the most part straight forward. I like that.

Future cruises

Monarch OTS - Mexico Baja 1/05

Explorer OTS - Eastern Caribbean 11/04

Past cruises

Vision OTS - Alaska 7/03

Legend OTS - Alaska 7/02

Agree with Gene, we like the $$$ spent idea

Navigator of the Seas 6/26/04

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<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by BaumD:

You are not on the verge of Diamond, but on the verge of Platinum (after 5 cruises). To become Diamond, you need to complete 10 cruises.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thanks for the correction. I always get the two confused as they have the same coupon booklet onboard.

KLC

UPCOMING CRUISES:

---------------------

MONARCH OF THE SEAS (04/04)

PRIDE OF ???????-HAWAII (01/05)

PREVIOUS CRUISES

-------------------------

RCI's Monarch of the Seas (01/04)

Star Princess (6/03)

RCI's Rhapsody of the Seas (4/01)

Carnival's Ecstasy (6/96)

RCI's Viking Serenade (1/94)

Nights or dollars spent. We have been on two 7 nights, and 11, and 12 night cruises, (one 7 night and the 11 night a suite) and still are in the lower catergory. Don't really think it is fair for 3-4 nighter cruising 5 times should get bumped up before us.

I think it should stay based on the number of cruises, not days or $$$$..It's a loyalty program. Folks who take lots of 3-4 day cruises could just as easily take those 3-4 day cruises with Carnival. The purpose of C&A is to build and reward loyalty and encourage folks, regardless of length of cruise, to come back to RCI.

Mariner of the Seas

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> I always get the two confused as they have the same coupon booklet onboard. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

No,they are different.................they do both get the same C&A coupons in the magazine mailed to you,but onboard,Diamond coupons are different...

 RCCL Serenade--5/30--Alaska

 RCCL Jewel--10/28--repositioning

**RCCL SOS-8/27/04** Carnival Miracle-2/13/05**

The only change I would like to see made is to combine our C&A with our Celebrity cruises.

I like the new recent changes made.

<MARQUEE>Are you sailing on the Mariner 7/18/04?...Click here!

or HERE!

</MARQUEE>

Disney Wonder 3/2000 ~ Disney Magic 9/2000 ~ RCI Vision 2/2001 ~ Carnival Victory 12/2001 ~ Celebrity Millennium 3/2003 ~ RCI Adventure OTS 9/2003 ~ RCI Mariner OTS 7/18/2004 ~ RCI Serenade OTS 9/26/2004

Holland America's credit is earned by number of days cruised.

What exactly does C&A get for you?

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Family of 14:

The only change I would like to see made is to combine our C&A with our Celebrity cruises.

I like the new recent changes made.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

If they'd do that, I'd be looking at Celebrity cruises as well as RCI cruises. I'm with you and wish they would combine the two programs or at least have them be recipricol with each other.

Future cruises

Monarch OTS - Mexico Baja 1/05

Explorer OTS - Eastern Caribbean 11/04

Past cruises

Vision OTS - Alaska 7/03

Legend OTS - Alaska 7/02

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> I always get the two confused as they have the same coupon booklet onboard. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

No,they are different.................they do both get the same C&A coupons in the magazine mailed to you,but onboard,Diamond coupons are different...

On the shorter cruises, they must be the same as we were accidently given the wrong booklet which said it was for diamond and platinum members.

KLC

UPCOMING CRUISES:

---------------------

MONARCH OF THE SEAS (04/04)

PRIDE OF ???????-HAWAII (01/05)

PREVIOUS CRUISES

-------------------------

RCI's Monarch of the Seas (01/04)

Star Princess (6/03)

RCI's Rhapsody of the Seas (4/01)

Carnival's Ecstasy (6/96)

RCI's Viking Serenade (1/94)

I personally like the nights cruised idea, additionally some sort of combination with Celebrity would be nice.

I recently sent an email to RCCL on this topic. I wondered if they should change the levels to add more as it is very easy now to reach 10 cruise. Saddly they did NOT respond. I have sent a second one, so we will see. I had not thought of the nights cruised, but do like the idea. I have taken two 12 night cruises so that works.

ARE YOU LISTENING RCCL? LOOK AT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE WONDERING WHEN THE C&A PROGRAM WILL BE UPGRADED.

I wrestled with reality for years, Doctor, and I'm happy to state, I finally won out over it. (Harvey 1950)

Next cruise- Serenade of the Sea to Alaska- July 25. Roll call started!

I have been Diamond for a long time and, IMO, RCI has a lot to learn about loyalty programs. They are incredibly stingy with the most important perk - upgrades! I have never been upgraded free unless I book a GTY and then not by more a category.

I like the nights vs # of cruises and don't agree with the dollars spent idea. Not everyone can afford a balcony or suite but if they spend their $$ loyally with RCI, they should get the benefit.

The coupon book and a mediocre cocktail party are not my idea of customer appreciation. I have been saying this to RCI for years but they do not seem to care.

RCI(36),NCL(10),Princess(1),HAL(2),Celebrity(3), Carnival(2), Eastern Cruise Lines(13),Radisson(2), Star Clippers(1),Home Lines(2), Costa(5),Others (20)

I personally like the number of nights myself, but also suggested dollars spent to get feedback. With the $$$ issue, I was thinking about those who almost always cruise during peak season, during the holidays, etc. who may spend 2-3x more for the cruise than a few weeks before or after.

KLC

UPCOMING CRUISES:

---------------------

MONARCH OF THE SEAS (04/04)

PRIDE OF ???????-HAWAII (01/05)

PREVIOUS CRUISES

-------------------------

RCI's Monarch of the Seas (01/04)

Star Princess (6/03)

RCI's Rhapsody of the Seas (4/01)

Carnival's Ecstasy (6/96)

RCI's Viking Serenade (1/94)

I concur that C&A points should be somehow combined with Celebrity points. After all, they really are the same company. This would encourage cruisers to cruise with either RCI or Celebrity -- all bases would be covered. We wouldn't have to try the other lines.

KLC~~very interesting..............the coupon book said platinum and diamond on it????????? I have never seen that and I have been on a number of short 3 and 4 nighters on the Sovereign,Majesty and Monarch..........

 RCCL Serenade--5/30--Alaska

 RCCL Jewel--10/28--repositioning

**RCCL SOS-8/27/04** Carnival Miracle-2/13/05**

Parrothead,

Yeah, I thought it was wierd too, but that's how they did it then. Maybe it was a fluke. Unfortunately, we only got Gold this most recent time.

KLC

UPCOMING CRUISES:

---------------------

MONARCH OF THE SEAS (04/04)

PRIDE OF ???????-HAWAII (01/05)

PREVIOUS CRUISES

-------------------------

RCI's Monarch of the Seas (01/04)

Star Princess (6/03)

RCI's Rhapsody of the Seas (4/01)

Carnival's Ecstasy (6/96)

RCI's Viking Serenade (1/94)

jkrislc,

If you don't mind me asking, what coupons do they give you in the Gold book?

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by goodml:

jkrislc,

If you don't mind me asking, what coupons do they give you in the Gold book?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Free stock (ship) photo w/ purchase of a photo, 2 for 1 drink coupon, free single jackpot bingo card with bingo purchase, $5 match play for casino table games, $12 for $10 slot play (they just give you the $2 when you redeem the coupon), and 5% off a regularly priced logo product.

KLC

UPCOMING CRUISES:

---------------------

MONARCH OF THE SEAS (04/04)

PRIDE OF ???????-HAWAII (01/05)

PREVIOUS CRUISES

-------------------------

RCI's Monarch of the Seas (01/04)

Star Princess (6/03)

RCI's Rhapsody of the Seas (4/01)

Carnival's Ecstasy (6/96)

RCI's Viking Serenade (1/94)

NAAAHHH...should definately be on dollars spent...as I am paying for 4 travelors everytime I cruise...I've paid for 12 cruises when you add it all up...some people have platinum status after only paying for 5...definately dollars spent.

I'm glad someone brought this up...not that RCCL is going to change there policy but this erks me...I just booked 4 people on the Serenade for next year in the top category balcony...but it is not a suite so I don't get the 2 credits.

RCCL go by money spent!!!!

Serenade of the Seas - April 2005 - Our first balcony!!!

RCCL Majesty of the Seas - April 2004

Carnival Inspiration - June 2003

RCCL Monarch of the Seas - July 2002