The Death of the Coupon Books (Ultimate Value Booklets)?

[griffy116]

I always thought using the coupons were generally a pain in the neck. Especially the visits to the 'desk' to use the internet coupons. Also had that vague feeling of being cheap (or thrifty). But a good point was to use them as a reminder to do something.

 

I don't know how much the administrative and printing costs are, but does it offset the 100% usage? There were times when a coupon went unused because it was left in my cabin.

 

I think it's a great idea, as long as doesn't ultimately impact the number and dollar value of future offerings. Something we'll probably never know.

 

I totally agree. We would end the cruise with almost no coupons used. We would forget the booklet in our cabin and honestly for the little amount of value, would just say, "forget it"...this would be a nice improvement!!!

[AZAficionado]

I got to experience the new system on the second week of my B2B on Freedom. It was the first week the ship was doing it, so not everything went as planned. Here is how it worked:

 

Instead of a booklet, we got a letter listing the benefits that were loaded onto each Sea Pass card. I don't remember all the benefits that were in the letter, but laundry, free spin, BOGO and 20% off beer, wine were there. I don't think Match Play was part of it. On a B2B, you get a new Sea Pass, so you get a new set of benefits.

 

The letter said the coupons would be applied automatically the first time an appropriate situation came up, unless the guest says otherwise. That didn't happen, but it was the first week. I'm sure the crew will remember after it has been in place for a while.

 

They also gave us three photo copied coupons (can't remember what they were) that I'm guessing were benefits that hadn't been implemented yet.

 

Each benefit was tied to the individual's Sea Pass card, despite the credit card situation. In my case, I used one credit card for both myself and my wife. To use her benefits, her Sea Pass had to be swiped and they were checking that the Sea Pass matched the individual.

 

If you used to adhere strictly to the rules, not much has changed. However, if you did not, expect to get fewer benefits. Just one example: my wife will no longer enjoy two Spa credits each week (she used to use my coupon).

[yogimax]

Shhhhh. Too many people catch on to this and they will eliminate it (lol).

 

Tucker in Texas

 

Yeah, you may be right. When Mrs. Yogimax and I do it, we always joke about it with the dealer (is that the right expression for roulette?) who doesn't seem to care a bit.

 

Actually, I have never covered the 0/00. Too much trouble!:)

[Merion_Mom]

I know that when I have used the "free bag of laundry" coupon, I physically had to put the coupon in the laundry bag.

 

Now?

 

Maybe I will have to go down to the Purser's Desk and have them swipe my SeaPass card after I am erroneously charged for the laundry. :(

[Clarea]

I know that when I have used the "free bag of laundry" coupon, I physically had to put the coupon in the laundry bag.

 

Now?

 

Maybe I will have to go down to the Purser's Desk and have them swipe my SeaPass card after I am erroneously charged for the laundry. :(

Now you have to put a note in the bag requesting them to use your free electronic coupon.:(

 

I used to save those coupons for the long cruises, when we really needed them. Not any more.:(:(

[Morecruisesplz]

Heck, I would have bought you a drink even with no coupon. We were on Indy this past March for an 8 nighter. But I don't have anything booked right now for the next one.

 

Anything over 7 nights is a bonus IMHO. Our next booking after the one next week is the Oasis transatlantic in Sept 2014 going from Lauderdale to Barcelona. But I'm sure we'll cruise at Thanksgiving/early December like we usually do.

 

I was just joking about helping you use your coupon but it would be nice to catch up with you on cruise one of these times.

[B-52]

Keep in mind...not everyone uses the coupons, and the booklets wind up in the trash....

We're Diamond Plus, and very rarely use any coupons.....maybe one here and there...

And if we are that way, I'm sure their are others....and I'm sure they got tired of seeing so many booklets get thrown out each week....

Sometimes, we may find ourselves at Johnny Rockets, on the spur of the moment and remember here was a coupon we could have used....now maybe we will be taking advantage of the coupons more often, not having to "Plan" and bring a coupon with us....

[Paulxyz2004]

I like the idea of having the coupons electronically. If it works it Safes keeping track of them, it´s less waste of paper and if it reduces / eliminates the use of them by Folks not entitled to them all the better.

[Ocean Boy]

If it works as described above then I suppose you have to bring both seapasses from the cabin to get the internet benefits off of both cards. That is a PITA.

[Fran&Tom]

If it works as described above then I suppose you have to bring both seapasses from the cabin to get the internet benefits off of both cards. That is a PITA.

 

That is true I imagine!

[orville99]

If it works as described above then I suppose you have to bring both seapasses from the cabin to get the internet benefits off of both cards. That is a PITA.

 

We had the concierge in the DL process both of them on my account.

[Ocean Boy]

We had the concierge in the DL process both of them on my account.

 

Thanks!

[Tucker in Texas]

Yeah, you may be right. When Mrs. Yogimax and I do it, we always joke about it with the dealer (is that the right expression for roulette?) who doesn't seem to care a bit.

 

Actually, I have never covered the 0/00. Too much trouble!:)

 

We don't cover it either and probably only been stung two, maybe three, times using about 30 of the coupons.

 

Once we did get the "stink eye" an arrogant croupier who said something along the lines (looking at me) that I couldn't bet against myself. I informed him I was betting against "HIM" pointing toward DH. That was one of the times we hit 00/000. The croupier smirked!

 

Ironically, I had a "system" that worked in Vegas one time. I would put a chip on both red and black. Whichever one won, I let it ride and put a chip on the losing color. If the "winning" color won three times, then I started over. I actually won a few dollars with it (was only betting 50 cents which tells you how long ago that was).

 

Tucker in Texas

[Annefran]

Good Morning All,

 

I told you I would stop back after our cruise on FOS to tell you about the Coupon Books. We were in a GS and loved it. There weren't any cruise coupon books in our cabin. There was a printed list of all the coupons that were associated with our being Diamond Plus C&A members. When I went to the Spa they automatically took the discount. That's pretty much how it worked throughout the ship when I was entitled to a discount. I just kept track on the list they gave us. It worked out really well and wasn't any issue at all. So no worries, you will get all your discounts minus the coupon books. If you have any questions, please let me know. Happy cruising!

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Good Morning All,

 

I told you I would stop back after our cruise on FOS to tell you about the Coupon Books. We were in a GS and loved it. There weren't any cruise coupon books in our cabin. There was a printed list of all the coupons that were associated with our being Diamond Plus C&A members. When I went to the Spa they automatically took the discount. That's pretty much how it worked throughout the ship when I was entitled to a discount. I just kept track on the list they gave us. It worked out really well and wasn't any issue at all. So no worries, you will get all your discounts minus the coupon books. If you have any questions, please let me know. Happy cruising!

 

Thanks for the update!

 

Any complications using the match play "coupons" in the casino? (assuming you attempted to use them)

 

Tom

[Annefran]

Thanks for the update!

 

Any complications using the match play "coupons" in the casino? (assuming you attempted to use them)

 

Tom

 

Tom, they no longer have the match play coupons. I was very disappointed because I loved using those coupons too.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Tom, they no longer have the match play coupons. I was very disappointed because I loved using those coupons too.

 

OUCH....

 

So, they save money (and possible unauthorized use) by going to e-coupons AND they eliminate the ones I looked forward to the most! :rolleyes:

 

I suppose now, if someone has not already addressed this, we need to compare what coupons were in there vs. what's now offered - just to see what else has been trimmed (I'm guessing no additions).

 

Tom

[Annefran]

OUCH....

 

So, they save money (and possible unauthorized use) by going to e-coupons AND they eliminate the ones I looked forward to the most! :rolleyes:

 

I suppose now, if someone has not already addressed this, we need to compare what coupons were in there vs. what's now offered - just to see what else has been trimmed (I'm guessing no additions).

 

Tom

 

I would say from memory majority of all the normal coupons were listed. Don't remember if there was a buy one get one soda or beer/wine? They gave us separate printable coupons for the internet packages too. We were in a Grand Suite and that may have been why we got those. I was really disappointed about the match point ones. We did get the spin to win, wooopie....:rolleyes:

[Clarea]

OUCH....

 

So, they save money (and possible unauthorized use) by going to e-coupons AND they eliminate the ones I looked forward to the most! :rolleyes:

 

I suppose now, if someone has not already addressed this, we need to compare what coupons were in there vs. what's now offered - just to see what else has been trimmed (I'm guessing no additions).

Tom

This is a good idea. If Anne could scan the list she got, I'd be happy to compare to the list of the paper V17 coupons Patti made a while back.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

...We did get the spin to win, wooopie....:rolleyes:

 

Yes, that one is a joke (as far as my experiences go). At least you stood half a chance of winning $5 with each of the match play coupons... no doubt the reason they are HISTORY! ;)

 

Tom

[Annefran]

This is a good idea. If Anne could scan the list she got, I'd be happy to compare to the list of the paper V17 coupons Patti made a while back.

 

Bob, so sorry I didn't keep the list. My bad :o! I try not to come home with too much paperwork.

[Clarea]

Bob, so sorry I didn't keep the list. My bad :o! I try not to come home with too much paperwork.

No problem, I'm sure someone will post the list soon. :)

[ahecht]

Tom, they no longer have the match play coupons. I was very disappointed because I loved using those coupons too.

 

I'm surprised they removed it. On Jewel they had a match play coupon printed right in the compass that you could cut out even if you weren't a C&A member.

[John&LaLa]

we may have sailed the first non coupon week and i was not impressed. miss the match play most of all. got coffee in Portofino's and they only took one off, i had to say something to waiter and they fixed it. also getting the free picture was a hassle as well, lots of swiping card and typing in computer. did i say i miss the match play

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

we may have sailed the first non coupon week and i was not impressed. miss the match play most of all. got coffee in Portofino's and they only took one off, i had to say something to waiter and they fixed it. also getting the free picture was a hassle as well, lots of swiping card and typing in computer. did i say i miss the match play

 

What would you say you missed most with the new system?

 

;)

 

(right there with ya!)

 

Tom