Time to put this rumor to rest - Tier level requirement changes to C&A

[Ocean Boy]

There will be another level added between Platinum and Diamond. Called Platinum Plus. I have no information about a level being added higher than Diamond Plus. Just that the credits will be raised to achieve that status.

 

.....and that elusive diamond level just keeps getting further and further away form me....:(

[negc]

Switching to days or nights at sea would overload the system and I am sure some people would get lost in the shuffle. We here on CC are just a fraction of the number of people that sail with RCCL.

 

I can still see the cruise credits staying as they are but with a few changes.

 

Everything will be based on 7 night cruises.

JS or above will still receive an extra credit.

 

However the changes I see would be

 

3 night cruise - .5 cruise credit

4 night cruise - .6 cruise credit

5 night cruise - .7 cruise credit

6 night cruise - .9 cruise credit

 

8 night cruise - 1.2 cruise credit

9 night cruise- 1.3 cruise credit

10 night cruise - 1.4 cruise credit

11 night cruise - 1.6 cruise credit

12 night cruise - 1.7 cruise credit

13 night cruise - 1.8 cruise credit

14 night cruise - 2.0 cruise credit

 

And besides seeing that RCCL is a business out to make a profit versus losing money. What they do is in there best interest. Thats what I tell my employees everyday.

 

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. has the right to terminate the Crown & Anchor Society Program ("the Program") or to change the Terms and Conditions of participation and benefits, in whole or in part; at any time without notice. Membership may be terminated at our sole discretion for anyone appearing to be utilizing the Program in a manner inconsistent with its terms, conditions, or intent.

Based on our past experience with RCI's IT department is there anyone who is the slightest bit confident that they could handle as complex a system as this? They have a history of having problems keeping track of our past cruises as it is (though in recent months they seem to have improved considerably). I doubt that they could handle a program that involves fractional points and can only imagine the problems if they had to convert everyone's cruise history to such a system.

[Host Kewlguy]

First I am glad that you can now combine next cruise credit with the balcony discount I really missed that so am glad they are putting that back. I will take advantage of that when we are on our next cruise in November.

 

Did the announce when the change for the next tier will be made I did not see that in the article? We have two cruises booked in November and will finally become diamond I hope the changes are after that. We will never make diamond plus the old way or the new way so that is not a big deal to us.

 

According to my source the changes come in January. At least that's the current plan.

[RevSmith]

I'll believe it when I see it...

but thanks for the heads up.

[Host Kewlguy]

Based on our past experience with RCI's IT department is there anyone who is the slightest bit confident that they could handle as complex a system as this? They have a history of having problems keeping track of our past cruises as it is (though in recent months they seem to have improved considerably). I doubt that they could handle a program that involves fractional points and can only imagine the problems if they had to convert everyone's cruise history to such a system.

 

I agree Bill. Most of the theories here are way too complicated for Royal. But I guess it's fun to speculate.

[Host Kewlguy]

I'll believe it when I see it...

but thanks for the heads up.

 

Did you read the article quoting Betsy O'Rourke? Based on her quotes why is this so hard to believe?

[caripoo]

We are diamond on RC, and were left out of the last set of changes. I hope we are at least grandfathered into the next changes. We always book a Jr. suite and NEVER get the perks of a suite, so last year not only did we not get the perks from the Diamond level, we get knocked out because we ONLY book a JR. Suite!!!

 

I LOVE that Celebrity not only has raised their Elite perks, but they recognize the SKY Suites we book are suites and are acknowledged as such.

 

I have no problem cruising on Celebrity more often then not. :cool::cool:

[orville99]

According to my source the changes come in January. At least that's the current plan.

 

 

As long as they don't come before 1/3/11, I'm cool with whatever they decide to do.

[gadaboutgal]

Every system will have ways to "cheat" it.

 

If you got a days credit for $300 spent on board, a "classier" person might take $3000 in nightly cash advances in the casino for a 7 night cruise. They would have a $21,000 sea pass bill.

 

They might pay $630 for the advance fees, but then they would get 77 credits. ( 70for the $ spent +7 for the days) That is more than what others would get for going on ten 7 night cruises.

 

If they did that 3 times, they would have 221 credits for $1890.00, plus the cost of the cruises.

 

How many people would spend $2000 for instant inclusion to the Diamond plus level? (now or in hind sight)

 

At Diamond Plus now, I would never have considered just forking over $2000 for entry into the level. Royal does not provide anything of that value at any level! And as Royal keeps changing what they offer as amenities to every one of their levels-you never know what it will be from one sailing to the next. Diamond changes last year is a case in point. Buying into any level would be a very poor investment!

[gemcam1]

What she didn't mention in the article which I know will be part of the restructuring is that cruise credits will be based on days sailed. So the days of fattening your cruise credit totals with 3-4 day cruises on Majesty and Monarch for instance will soon be coming to an end. And to be honest I think that change is long overdue. Why should someone who sails an 11 night cruise receive the same amount of credit as someone who sailed a three night cruise. It never made any sense to me.

 

 

Hey Kewlguy - Did you here when this change would take place?

[stompy]

What she didn't mention in the article which I know will be part of the restructuring is that cruise credits will be based on days sailed. So the days of fattening your cruise credit totals with 3-4 day cruises on Majesty and Monarch for instance will soon be coming to an end. And to be honest I think that change is long overdue. Why should someone who sails an 11 night cruise receive the same amount of credit as someone who sailed a three night cruise. It never made any sense to me.

 

The cruise credits are staying the same

 

one cruise credit for each completed sailing and an extra cruise credit when you purchase and sail in a suite (categories R L, RS, PS, SL, A1, A2, A3, CL, OS, FS, GS, JS) or when you sail on a 12-night or longer cruise/Cruisetour.

 

The only thing that is related to the # of nights you sail is the amount of discount you get (which is how it's always been)

[shipshape sam]

I think you were quite clear and you have demonstrated what I have said many times: No matter what system is established someone will find that it is not totally fair and some people will find ways to game the system. Will those who get a complimentary upgrade to a junior suite or higher be credited at the higher rate or will it only be applied if you pay for that upgrade? Will the amount I paid for my room get me more credit than my friend who books the same category at a lower price? We have seen occasions when the rate for a junior suite was actually less than for an outside room. How will that be treated?

I think that we are pretty safe no matter what formula is used to place people in the various tiers since we are approaching 60 cruise credits and nearly 300 cruise nights, and since they will grandfather everyone no one's current status will be lowered. Hopefully they will have considered all the possible permutations over the five or so years that they have supposedly been working on this revision and will have good answers for all our questions. Based on their past performance, I'm not willing to bet the ranch that they will.:rolleyes:

 

 

I can answer your question of free upgrade from the past if that is portent to the future. We were credited with the upgraded cabin's credits, not what we paid for (but for what cabin category we sailed in).

 

I like the idea of # days vs # cruises. It will be an interesting conversion. For example, we are Diamond with 16 cruises, many of the 3 day variety. So, grandfathering us as Diamonds is great (and I believe the correct response). Taking what will be the scale to reach the next level, Diamond +, and using # days will make it for us not attainable in any reasonable timeframe.

 

We love the fact that we have reached a level of cruising where we do get some small perks. We like Princess and HAL, but are on the low rungs of their loyality clubs so we tend to sail RCL and for us more so now Celebrity.

 

RCL created a marketing program that was extremely successful and now the program is a victum of its success. RCL got what it wanted: repeat, loyal customers! They need to honor that contract with those customers ( and yes I know the Crown and Anchor rules/regs says it can change without notice, but RCL should be very careful if they reduce/eliminate benefits). I think they are trying to honor the original intent!

[SliderNc]

All of the speculation and educated guess are pretty realistic. Personally, being the lowly gold level with one cruise and one coming up, I would like to see something that reflects number of days on board or amount of money spent. As a shareholder, amount of money spent is what I would want because more revenue means possibly better profits and maybe the return of the dividends. :) Either way, what was a great program has come to bite RCCL in the ass, but they will get it fixed to their liking, so that their bottom line isn't affected as much as possible.

 

Although I have no insight as to how good or bad RCCL's IT department is, I

don't see how hard it can be to convert people from a credit based system to a number of days based system if their database is in decent form. If it isn't, well that's another story. I've worked with databases and as a DBA for 10 years now and nothing is impossible unless you're not willing to spend time and or money to make it work. Then, it can be.

[Don Pedro]

I agree Bill. Most of the theories here are way too complicated for Royal. But I guess it's fun to speculate.

 

We agree! But still think this would be a fair plan and would easily be doable. You evidently have excellent sources so perhaps what is now Diamond would become Platinum Plus and everything else shifted accordingly.

 

1. Everyone will be grandfathered in their present status. No one will be demoted.

 

2. A new tier called Diamond Royal or Diamond Elite will be created. Probably at what is now 50 cruise points.

 

3. Computation will change from cruises to cruise days. Double points will be given for full suites. Juniors Suites will get 1 1/2 points. Solo cruises paying the full rate will get double points.

 

4. The new criteria will be Platinum 35 points, Diamond 84 points, Diamond Plus 175 points and Diamond Royal 350 points. Looking at this criteria in seven day cruises Platinum would require 5 seven day cruises, Diamond 12, Diamond Plus 25 and Diamond Royal 50.

 

4. All future advancement will be made under the new criteria. Cruisers who gained Diamond status based on 10 three-day cruises, would be grandfathered as Diamonds, but would only have 30 points. A long way from the 175 required for Diamond Plus.

[Puffinater]

What she didn't mention in the article which I know will be part of the restructuring is that cruise credits will be based on days sailed. So the days of fattening your cruise credit totals with 3-4 day cruises on Majesty and Monarch for instance will soon be coming to an end. And to be honest I think that change is long overdue. Why should someone who sails an 11 night cruise receive the same amount of credit as someone who sailed a three night cruise. It never made any sense to me.

 

Could not agree with you more. This is good info. Now we will wait and see what that magic number will be.

[isujim]

What she didn't mention in the article which I know will be part of the restructuring is that cruise credits will be based on days sailed. So the days of fattening your cruise credit totals with 3-4 day cruises on Majesty and Monarch for instance will soon be coming to an end. And to be honest I think that change is long overdue. Why should someone who sails an 11 night cruise receive the same amount of credit as someone who sailed a three night cruise. It never made any sense to me.

 

I have no problem with counting number of days. I've always thought that was more fair to those that take 14 day or longer cruises. If I'm not mistaken, Princess has both days and number of cruises as criteria. We have sailed them a couple of times and have another one booked. There are so many days or so many cruises which gets you to the next level. Whichever is most beneficial to you is how they add it up. Someone who sails Princess regularly can correct me on their program.......but I do think it is counted both ways.

[isujim]

I just hope in the next 7 months before January........they are ready for whatever conversion they are going to, grandfather in people if they are going to do that and have their IT department tested and ready so the website will CORRECTLY reflect whatever changes they make.:rolleyes:

[Peter Of The Seas]

We agree! We don't have any inside information but what we anticipate is that -

1. Everyone will be grandfathered in their present status. No one will be demoted.

 

2. A new tier called Diamond Royal or Diamond Elite will be created. Probably at what is now 50 cruise points.

 

3. Computation will change from cruises to cruise days. Double points will be given for full suites. Juniors Suites will get 1 1/2 points. Solo cruises paying the full rate will get double points.

 

4. The new criteria will be Platinum 35 points, Diamond 84 points, Diamond Plus 175 points and Diamond Royal 350 points. Looking at this criteria in seven day cruises Platinum would require 5 seven day cruises, Diamond 12, Diamond Plus 25 and Diamond Royal 50.

 

4. All future advancement will be made under the new criteria. Cruisers who gained Diamond status based on 10 three-day cruises, would be grandfathered as Diamonds, but would only have 30 points. A long way from the 175 required for Diamond Plus.

 

Again we don't have any inside information but think this would be fair plan.

 

I think the points should be as follows

 

Inside 0.5 points

Outside 0.75 points

balcony 1 point

JS 1.5 points

GS 2 points

OS 3 points

RS 5 points

 

all per day, and all 3rd and 4th pax should only earn 1/2 of the main pax points:o

[isujim]

IF:)..........they raise the days, cruises whatever, and don't grandfather anybody, and that drops me from Diamond Plus back to Gold......do I have to give back my Diamond Pin that I never got?:D As Kevin Costner said in Bull Durham.........we're dealing with some serious s*** here:p

[marci22]

I just hope in the next 7 months before January........they are ready for whatever conversion they are going to, grandfather in people if they are going to do that and have their IT department tested and ready so the website will CORRECTLY reflect whatever changes they make.:rolleyes:

 

Don't make me laugh.

[isujim]

Don't make me laugh.

 

I said HOPE:D Better than crying:p

[PrincesScuba]

Switching to days or nights at sea would overload the system and I am sure some people would get lost in the shuffle. We here on CC are just a fraction of the number of people that sail with RCCL.

 

I can still see the cruise credits staying as they are but with a few changes.

 

Everything will be based on 7 night cruises.

JS or above will still receive an extra credit.

 

However the changes I see would be

 

3 night cruise - .5 cruise credit

4 night cruise - .6 cruise credit

5 night cruise - .7 cruise credit

6 night cruise - .9 cruise credit

 

8 night cruise - 1.2 cruise credit

9 night cruise- 1.3 cruise credit

10 night cruise - 1.4 cruise credit

11 night cruise - 1.6 cruise credit

12 night cruise - 1.7 cruise credit

13 night cruise - 1.8 cruise credit

14 night cruise - 2.0 cruise credit

 

And besides seeing that RCCL is a business out to make a profit versus losing money. What they do is in there best interest. Thats what I tell my employees everyday.

 

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. has the right to terminate the Crown & Anchor Society Program ("the Program") or to change the Terms and Conditions of participation and benefits, in whole or in part; at any time without notice. Membership may be terminated at our sole discretion for anyone appearing to be utilizing the Program in a manner inconsistent with its terms, conditions, or intent.

 

I think the points should be as follows

 

Inside 0.5 points

Outside 0.75 points

balcony 1 point

JS 1.5 points

GS 2 points

OS 3 points

RS 5 points

 

all per day, and all 3rd and 4th pax should only earn 1/2 of the main pax points:o

 

My head just exploded!!!!!!! :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

[PrincesScuba]

As for me?

 

I don't care.

 

I'm already Enriched Uranium.

 

My half-life is longer than your regular life! :D

[Host Kewlguy]

Hey Kewlguy - Did you here when this change would take place?

 

January, 2011. That's as specific as I was told.

[negc]

My head just exploded!!!!!!! :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

After reading some of the suggested revisions, I'm beginning to understand why it is taking RCI so long to come up with a feasible solution and a workable new system.:D

 

Can I complicate things further by suggesting that to encourage people to book at less busy times,they need to include an adjustment to the credits that rewards those who help them fill their ships during the off seasons? ;)