North of 60

I fail to understand why the extra Perks are so highly valued by many, and in reality are so few. When Pinnacle was introduced, it was clearly stated as being a recognition of Loyalty rather than a perk driven incentive. In fact the onboard benefits are very similar to that of D+.

Sure the main benefit is the “free” cruise, but hey a lot of dollars have been paid over to get that. For me the one occasional perk is being invited onto ship events, but even now with so many Pinnacle members that is not a given. I do consider it a privilege and am very grateful....Symphony here we come.

I have several friends that still chase points, i say to them simple Please cruise because you like the ship or. Its destination. Stay with Royal because you enjoy the experience, and consider if you had great value for money, do not stay loyal for points. Stay Loyal because the brand values your dollar on each cruise, because if they do then that is benefit enough and the perks will come. It took us 18 years to reach Pinnacle, and along the way we had some amazing experiences and made lots of new friends, for us that is the perk of regular cruising.

Well said.

I don't cruise a lot because I get perks, I get perks because I cruise a lot.

MSC's idea of status matching is a very smart move on their part. You can continue to cruise and enjoy most of the perks you would get with your usual line. If the price is right, the itinerary is right, the ship is right (not too big, not too small), and the timing is right, I would sail on MSC in a heartbeat.

Standard discalimers: Your mileage may vary, not available in all areas, batteries not included, some assembly required, some restrictions apply, keep away from small children and other animals.

You sure about this? My experience on here, very few people participate regularly on these things. They wait for unlimited FREE drinks during cocktail hours. Take a Royal excursion, nah. Maybe once in a while Speciality dinner.

I would disagree with the specialty dinner once in a while. From what I have seen here, people who have been on the ships a lot tend to have most of their meals in the specialty restaurants - be it chops, coastal kitchen or whatever.

Just my observation.

And for the third time in the past week, my C&A account has been reset from D+ to Gold, with a different C&A number. It's pretty sad that I have to keep the 'workaround' screenshot on my desktop in order to get my account recovered.

When is your next cruise?

I received this email in response to my question about changes to the internet plan.

 

 

Crown & Anchor Society # xxxxxxxxx

 

RE: Crown & Anchor Society Onboard Offers

 

Dear xxxxxx:

 

...

Remember that your benefits get better the more you sail with us. Check them out at http://www.royalcaribbean.com/cas/benefitsLoggedout.do. You can learn more about your benefits by logging into the Crown & Anchor Society secure section of the Royal Caribbean website.

...

 

Austin CaslerCrown & Anchor Society Customer Support

Funny how that link doesn't work and there is no "Crown and Anchor Society secure section" on the site.

Nice to know everyone at RCL is on the same page, huh?

\

Remember what those few drinks are costing them - and how much money they are making on the drinks that aren't given away free.

Picking a state and a liquor at random, I looked up the price of a bottle of Captain Morgan Spiced Rum.

A 26 oz bottle (750 ml, sometimes referred to as a "fifth") will run you and I about $13 in California.

If the retail markup is a very modest 25%, the cruiseline is paying about $10 for that bottle of booze.

At 1.5 ounces per drink, that means about 17 drinks per bottle, or about $0.60 a drink.

Add the cost of the mix and you come up with, being generous, $0.75 a drink.

Heck, let's be really generous and assume they aren't getting a discount for wholesale, duty free, or large quantities of either the booze or the mix and we'll give them $1 a drink. That allows some costs for the server, the ice, cleaning the glasses, etc etc.

Considering that in 2017, a Spiced Rum and Coke was $7 - $9, depending on where you look, that means they are making $6 to $8 per drink.

And let's not forget the 18% gratuity on top of that. The gratuity essentially covers RCL's cost for a drink.

So, your 3 free drinks on your card save you $20 to $30 a day, but cost them about $3 a day. Let's be real generous and call it $10 a day, for those people that order them fancy foo-foo drinks with the fruit and umbrellas and stuff. Of course, ordering those drinks will save you a little more, but some of them aren't available as your C&A benefit.

All in all, I am not crying over the amount of money I might have to spend if I go over my 3 drinks. Nor am I complaining about how much RCL is making on the drinks. The drink prices are high, yes. But they have a captive market, and I am used to ridiculous drink prices - I live in the Canadian Arctic, where it costs me $6.50 Canadian for a beer.

Finally, I know someone out there is thinking "they are actually losing $30 a day, because they aren't getting the revenue from those 3 foo-foo drinks". I'll give you that, but remember that if they give you a drink, you are much more likely to buy another one. If you have to buy all your drinks, you will inevitably drink less.

Standard disclaimers: You mileage may vary, depending on the drink(s) you order and/or buy. Some assembly required. Batteries not included. Keep away from children and other small animals. Lather, rinse, repeat.

Looking at all this, and the way they are changing things around with the loyalty program, I would not be surprised if they merge Royal, Celebrity and Azamara into one line. I think this is just the prelude to that happening. When they bought out Celebrity, they said it would continue to operate as its own brand. But they have also said in the past they are not changing the loyalty program, they would improve the website, and that they valued our continued loyalty. All of these have been proven to be wrong.

I give it a year, tops, before they announce they are combining at least two of the lines ... probably Royal and Celebrity.

Sent from my SM-T530NU using Forums mobile app

So you don't pay for internet in your business? It's FREE?

If it is, I'll pay for your Internet package on your next cruise. If it isn't, you pay for mine on my next cruise.

Deal?

Sent from my SM-T530NU using Forums mobile app

The pessimist in me says "until April 5"; the optimist in me says "and the D and D+ discount being tested is in addition to the existing perk".

Sent from my SM-T530NU using Forums mobile app

This was on another thread.

I love it. I'm just upset because a)He never mentions his apparently vaunted status, b) he actually tips his butler and c) I never thought of it.

 

 

Sent from my SM-T530NU using Forums mobile app

Seems some people can't see the link I failed to include.

I should receive compensation for having to edit my post.

Post from Thread "Bad Butler" on NCL board:

I was smoking on my balcony, drinking a Pepsi, (read no coke)because they took the water I wanted to bring on board away when I boarded. I would have preferred a Rebellious Fish but I was too trashed, it being spring break and all, to go the bar. Well the butler walked in and told me I could not smoke on the balcony because my obnoxious neighbor could smell it, oh well. So I asked him if he would take my towel and at 6:00am put it on a pool chair right in front of the pool for me so I would have it when I woke at about 10:00. He refused. You guessed it no tip for him.

(take that washy washy)

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=55703017

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=55703017

This was on another thread.

I love it. I'm just upset because a)He never mentions his apparently vaunted status, b) he actually tips his butler and c) I never thought of it.

Sent from my SM-T530NU using Forums mobile app

How about we have one entire SHIP, that Diamond and above are REQUIRED to sail on.

Then, the cabins, amenities, perks and lounges can all be based on status.

D+ get Oceanview, D+ with 350 or more get balconies, P's get suites - but only JS's for new P's.

Gold can be the crew and would get the insides. But they would only get half points for the cruise, because they are working on it and earning tips (not pooled, of course).

C&A members D and above would ONLY be allowed to sail on that ship, and it would be periodically cancelled due to a charter, with no compensation offered, even for those with refundable deposits.

Sent from my SM-T530NU using Forums mobile app

Now go away you silly English Kaniggits... or I shall taunt you a 2nd time!

And your mother was a hamster.

Sent from my SM-T530NU using Forums mobile app

I just found a way into the gift and upgrade preferences.

I have no idea if they actually get sent to RCCL or C&A or anywhere, but it is at least worth a try!

Process:

1) Login to your RCCL account - remember to use your email and new password.

2) In a separate tab, go to "www.rccl.com/GiftPreferences" or "www.rccl.com/UpgradePreferences"

I used "rccl.com" and it worked for me, but you may have to use "www.royalcaribbean.com"

3) You should then be able to change your preferences.

I was going to attach a screenshot, but can't seem to figure out how to attach an image now.

Hope this helps some people.

Chris in Inuvik

I think Royal Caribbean should devote one entire deck for giving away free drinks and food. Each C & A tier should have their own lounge and the quality of the alcohol and food should served there correspond with its status. Pinnacles would get caviar and opus one while gold members would get canned sardines and ripple.

How about we have one entire SHIP, that Diamond and above are REQUIRED to sail on.

Then, the cabins, amenities, perks and lounges can all be based on status.

D+ get Oceanview, D+ with 350 or more get balconies, P's get suites - but only JS's for new P's.

Gold can be the crew and would get the insides. But they would only get half points for the cruise, because they are working on it and earning tips (not pooled, of course).

C&A members D and above would ONLY be allowed to sail on that ship, and it would be periodically cancelled due to a charter, with no compensation offered, even for those with refundable deposits.

They do look nice.

Almost like a block of flats. Same can be said about Oasis Class though

Now that's the thing I DON'T like about the new ships ... too big and they look too much like floating apartment buildings.

Of course, this is coming from someone who hasn't sailed on any of the mega ships yet.

I live in a town of less than 3,500 people - do I really want to get on a ship that has more passengers than my town?

I agree there are advantages, but I am just not sure.

Looking at this again, I realise that the main problem is attention to detail.

RCCL used to be so good at making sure everything was right. Now, so much of it (including onboard experience)is accepted as "good enough".

When I am paying good money for a cruise, I would expect to have a good experience - from the time I start thinking aboout booking it to the time I get off the ship.

In too many cases, that just isn't happening with RCCL anymore.

I just do not, for the life of me do not understand how such a large corporation could have so many issues with their website. I mean dead links, and just a poor design. I just tried to click "search by ship" and its a dead link. I have used this search a billion times but now its just dead. I do not understand how a company that can design and build the finest, and largest ships in the world, get thousands upon thousands of guests to destinations and back again safely but can't design a website that works Works ALL THE TIME! Sorry about the rant but man it annoys me.

I have been saying for years that the onboard experience with RCCL is great, but their back-end is awful.

If you link B2B cruises together, suddenly you can't change anything and have to go through your travel agent.

They have had shore excursions for a "night tour in Singapore" when the ship has been sailing at 5:00 pm.

They don't seem to know how to handle the international date line - the number of days is ALWAYS messed up if you cross the date line, and they have even had people disembarking the ship on the wrong date when it came to North America from Australia.

The list goes on and on.

My advise : Work with and through a good travel agent for EVERYTHING with RCCL.

On another note - has anyone been able to find an actual working Crown and Anchor members page or members area?

And finally - if you look at some of the splash images that come up, you willl notice that in some cases, the program has changed to the "Crow and Anchor Society".

Proofreading might be an idea, RCCL!

Not sure about Canada but it's still available here. Online might be a good vet.

Watch your luggage allowance with the kilt.

As for the kilt - the weight of the kilt, plus various accoutrements (fancy word for dangle bits you add on), it sure does push the weight limits for flying.

But I proposed in my kilt, got married in my kilt, and this is our 20th anniversary, so I am truly torn.

Lots of time to decide, though.

Sent from my SM-T530NU using Forums mobile app

Visiting Scotland some 30+ years ago, I remember Sheep Dip being an interesting blend. :cool:

I have been trying to get my hands on some Sheep Dip Scotch for a while.

Anyone know where it might be available?

Chris in Inuvik --> Who is still trying to decide whether to bring my kilt on my next cruise.

You think it might be better if 1400 was the Pinnacle, 700 D+, and Diamond 175? Expand Emerald 80-175. Platinum from current base to 80.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Wouldn't it be more appropriate to have Pinnacles at 666?

On the main page where 1 line says replies and the other says views,

Click the number of views. 3121 at the moment

Thanks - I was trying to find out who posted how many messages in a thread.

Clicking on the 3121 brought it right up.

Chris in Inuvik, NWT, Canada

I used to know how to do this, but it was a long time ago ---

How do you get the post counts for a thread?

Thanks!

I've managed to get into my calendar (through the already booked drop down). All my dining reservations, shore excursions and on ship activities are missing...

 

Did a dummy book of one of the activities and no dates come up, so there is some kind of glitch going on there.

 

Thankfully we don't sail till November and have confirmation emails of everything we booked.

Why would you go to a site that you KNOW is having problems, just to see if you can have problems too?

And then get upset when you have the same problems as everybody else?

And then take the time to post your ridiculous experiment here?

Really, unless you have a really good reason to go to the site (print docs, fill out docs for a cruise in a couple of weeks, etc), why not let the IT guys try and fix their screw ups in peace?

I was going to say that if people keep trying to login for no apparent reason, they will shut it down until they can get it fixed, but it looks like they have already tried that.

If you DO HAVE to go in, clear yiur cache and cookies shut down your browser and go back in

Experience has shown that trying to be logged in from two systems at the same time just screws it up. Even the RCCL or C&A desk can't get into your reservation if you are logged in (one of the things I hope they fix in this "upgrade").

Incidentally, I had to change to an email address about 3 years ago. But I'm in Canada, and that confuses them too.

And I follow security suggestions and change my password more than once every 2 years.

Sent from my SM-T530NU using Forums mobile app

As a retired systems analyst (45 years) I have a feel for what is going on behind the scenes. They are trying to roll 2 old systems RCI and Celebrity into 1 totally new system with 2 VERY large data bases, which are probably totally different in construction. The peons trying to do this have probably told pointy-haired management for weeks that they system is not ready, but pointy-haired management, who thinks they are gods, think all they have to do is decree a finish date and it will happen. The peons have worked their butts off for weeks of 60-hour weeks with no overtime pay but it is still going to take the time it takes--no words will change that. For pete's sake, Royal Caribbean, take us back to a system that works and let the peons do their jobs. It will be good when they finish--not before. (Is it 5 o'clock yet???)

Well said, and makes sense.

It looks to me like they are trying to merge the closest sailings first, and working backwards from there.

For the people posting on here ... do a little due diligence and read this (and about 8 gazillion other threads) saying the same thing.

Is it REALLY the end of the world if you can't check if they got your points right from 2 months ago (or even 2 days ago, realistically).

All the whiners and complainers should take a day, and if it isn't above your reading level, take the time to read "The Subtle Art of not Giving a F#@&".

If you want a really short summary, just think about whether, in the grand scheme of things, it really matters if you know that piece of information "Right Frigging Now", or at all.

I am not defending RCL or their IT department ... I think their sites are bloody awful, but give the peons a break.

Ask yourself whether YOU could program an international site, serving thousands of people, all with different requests, and all thinking they should pay the lowest amount of anyone else on the ship for their annual 7 day caribbean jaunt.

Now, go get that drink, slug it back, and respond if you wish. I am about to don my volcano walking suit.

Sent from my SM-T530NU using Forums mobile app

I can still only see one reservation of 3, and that is my upcoming one, I can't buy drink packages or any excursion or dining, glad I have that done.

Sent from my SM-T530NU using Forums mobile app