Loyalty Levels bypassed

I just had a friend return from a Princess cruise, both him and his wife have been on 3 Princess cruises. When they arrived at check-in (San Pedro) they were upgraded to ELITE (to build brand loyalty is what was said to them). They were also told to keep it on the "down-low". Of course it was awesome for them, but being a loyal Princess cruiser myself, who is working on building to Elite was shocked to hear this.

So I called Princess up...was told this doesn't happen. Didn't believe their answer so I had my husband call. He got the truth. Yes to build brand loyalty they upgrade folks to Elite. So why be a loyal customer?

I've heard that before on a one-off basis - for that cruise only...

OUCH!!

I hope voljeep is right and it was for "that cruise only". Totally not cool, if it's permanent.

I can see how that would work - "elevate" someone to Elite for one cruise and they may be encouraged to stay loyal and buy more cruises so they can become Elite permanently.

I don't think that does anything to diminish the elite status of anyone else. Their cruise as "elite for a cruise" counted the same in their quest for elite as yours did.

They give this away on some ships to one person who is 1st timer and one person in the gold and ruby club. We meet a man on our last cruise who was upgraded to elite for that cruise.

Yeah, they aren't permanently Elite, just for that cruise. I don't really see what the problem with that is.

They were giving the impression the upgrade was for good. would love to confirm this.

That's new one to me.

I've never gotten so much as a cabin upgrade after many, many cruises. :(

I guess they know they've got me hooked. :rolleyes:

They were giving the impression the upgrade was for good. would love to confirm this.

Tell them to log on and see what is noted as their Captains Circle Level.

We met a couple last August on the Caribbean Princess who won "Elite for the Cruise" at the first-timers party. Since it was a 12-day cruise, this was a great perk for them.

Tell them to log on and see what is noted as their Captains Circle Level.

Yes, check their Capt.Circle level.(y)

There was a thread on here a couple of years ago started by a woman who had been given Platinum status for a cruise 10 years prior on her first Princess cruise. She was upset, that, after 10 years and never cruising Princess since then, she wasn't Platinum for her second ever Princess cruise. The replies got pretty contentious and the mods finally deleted the thread. I'm guessing that the loyalty level single cruise upgrades may happen more often than we hear about around here.

This happened to my DH about a year ago. He got a notice in the cabin stating he is permanently Elite, and it mentioned "keeping it on the down low".

Now, he gambles (slots) in the casino, a lot and he loses a lot. Last cruise he lost $2500. :o

They want him coming back and back and back again so I'm positive that's why they did it, in his case.

guess i will have to do it old fashioned way, get to 150 days.

I believe that if a new-to-Princess guest has Elite status on another line, then they get upgraded to elite for this one cruise. I think Celebrity does this as well.

I just had a friend return from a Princess cruise, both him and his wife have been on 3 Princess cruises. When they arrived at check-in (San Pedro) they were upgraded to ELITE (to build brand loyalty is what was said to them). They were also told to keep it on the "down-low".

So good of you to keep it on the "down-low" by posting here on CC.

I believe that if a new-to-Princess guest has Elite status on another line, then they get upgraded to elite for this one cruise. I think Celebrity does this as well.

Prior to the very significant upgrades to Celebrity’s Suite Class benefits a few years ago, Celebrity did—on occasion—provide Elite loyalty benefits (middle tier of their five tier program) to those who occupied one of the few topmost suites (ie; Penthouse or Royal)... Best I know, that discretionary practice has been discontinued for quite some time...

I have heard of the prizes awarded to a few passengers of an upgrade in status for the cruise. That gets them things like free laundry and access to the Elite "lounge" and the Captain's Party and the free wine tasting, and internet minutes. It costs Princess virtually nothing.

I got my Elite the old fashioned way -- lots of cruises! As all the readers here know, that was such a burden to cruise so much!! But I forced myself to do it.

On land-based casinos, I was given a free upgrade to Diamond tier status by Caesars Entertainment for three months, to match my (earned) Noir status with MLife. This was to lure me into Caesars properties from the MGM properties. If I earned a certain number of points during the three month upgrade period, I would be able to keep my Diamond status.

I did go to Caesars properties a couple of times during the three month elevated period, but I much prefer MGM properties, so my Diamond status is going to expire in a couple of weeks. In my case, the tier matching program did not work, but it also did not cost Caesars anything, since I have not availed myself of their Diamond benefits.

I have never heard of Princess doing a tier match, but it does make sense if they do. After all, if someone had to chose between two cruises, one on Princess and one on Celebrity, maybe that potential passenger's tier status would be the deciding factor.

I would not worry about this. Princess does not want to give away Elite status. Princess wants us to earn it by cruising and cruising and cruising!!

This happened to my DH about a year ago. He got a notice in the cabin stating he is permanently Elite, and it mentioned "keeping it on the down low".

Now, he gambles (slots) in the casino, a lot and he loses a lot. Last cruise he lost $2500. :o

They want him coming back and back and back again so I'm positive that's why they did it, in his case.

Maybe it was based on money spent over the life of your cruises. On the plus side, at least you get to different places in between your husband's forays to the casino.... If that's what it takes to get to elite, I guess it will take me a few more cruises....

I believe that if a new-to-Princess guest has Elite status on another line, then they get upgraded to elite for this one cruise. I think Celebrity does this as well.

I am long time Elite on Princess and went on my first - and last - Celebrity cruise last October.

No status upgrade, I was firmly in Cattle Class and they rubbed it in frequently.

So that was Celebrity, next tryout for a new favorite cruise line is Windstar next month.

It happens and yes, it's permanent.

Prior to the very significant upgrades to Celebrity’s Suite Class benefits a few years ago, Celebrity did—on occasion—provide Elite loyalty benefits (middle tier of their five tier program) to those who occupied one of the few topmost suites (ie; Penthouse or Royal)... Best I know, that discretionary practice has been discontinued for quite some time...

Celebrity will match status on its sister lines (RCI, Azamara) if you have higher status there.

MSC will match status on non-associated lines.

Princess does not match status with any other line.

I believe that if a new-to-Princess guest has Elite status on another line, then they get upgraded to elite for this one cruise. I think Celebrity does this as well.

Wonder how they supposedly know that. We have top tier status on another line....didn't get anything when we tried Princess or any cruise since then. Yes, at the "meet and greet" meeting, they awarded one cabin "elite for this cruise" status. Never heard of it at check in though. Maybe I'll be lucky next time......

This happened to my DH about a year ago. He got a notice in the cabin stating he is permanently Elite, and it mentioned "keeping it on the down low".

 

Now, he gambles (slots) in the casino, a lot and he loses a lot. Last cruise he lost $2500. :o

 

They want him coming back and back and back again so I'm positive that's why they did it, in his case.

The casino department does do this. And it’s permanent.

That's new one to me.

I've never gotten so much as a cabin upgrade after many, many cruises. :(

I guess they know they've got me hooked. :rolleyes:

Just guessing, but based upon your numerous posts, did you ever think that it may be because Princess reads your posts too? If you were Princess, would you provide niceties to someone who:

- views "Dress Code" as a suggestion and feels they can wear what they want?

- doesn't follow beverage rules, avoiding the safekeeping policy, smuggling liquor back to their room?

- has stated in posts here that they will do what they want despite Princess policy?

These are all things you've posted. So I simply ask the question: if you were running a cruise line, would you want someone with these tendencies on board your ships?

I'm asking this nicely, with all due respect, and without being rude. I surely hope you do not take offense, but rather take a look at your attitude expressed in your posts, perhaps in a different light.