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

[cruisenfever]

Freedom of the Seas 5th May sailing is meant to be the first sailing with the C&A coupons loaded into the sea pass.

 

The next ship then to get them is the Grandeur on the 19th May.

 

All ships should have them by October.

 

Don't know why they are not doing it all at one time but the above info is what I was given this week.

Liz, we are talking RCI IT department remember!! ;) On Enchantment last month every time I used any computer on the ship to research RCI info, I kept getting the UK website!:eek:

[poncho1973]

Version 17 on the Enchantment last weekend.

[QBall37]

Freedom of the Seas 5th May sailing is meant to be the first sailing with the C&A coupons loaded into the sea pass.

 

The next ship then to get them is the Grandeur on the 19th May.

 

All ships should have them by October.

 

Don't know why they are not doing it all at one time but the above info is what I was given this week.

 

With a major change like this, that has the potential to result in a LOT of unhappy customers, it makes sense that they're doing a slow rollout to allow them to work out the kinks

[Daghis]

The next ship then to get them is the Grandeur on the 19th May.

Hubby is sailing on the Grandeur later this month. I told him that he's likely to see the new electronic coupons.

 

I wanted to double-check with you, though. There isn't a sailing on May 19; there are the 17th and the 24th (which he's on).

 

In any case, I look forward to hearing how they went for him.

[Elizanessie]

Hubby is sailing on the Grandeur later this month. I told him that he's likely to see the new electronic coupons.

 

I wanted to double-check with you, though. There isn't a sailing on May 19; there are the 17th and the 24th (which he's on).

 

In any case, I look forward to hearing how they went for him.

 

The info I was given just said the coupons are going live on 19th May for Grandeur...sorry I don't know if that will mean during the 17th May sailing or the 24th sailing :o

[SportsFanatic]

A letter will be left in each stateroom according to C&A Level listing the coupons that have been loaded.

 

Thanks for info!

[cruisenfever]

A first hand report from somebody currently on Freedom http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=38308877&postcount=1735

[Annefran]

A first hand report from somebody currently on Freedom http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=38308877&postcount=1735

 

Thanks Patti for the link. We are sailing on the Freedom of the Seas May 26th. Will stop back and let everyone know how it works out for us too. We usually use the Spa coupons and a few of the others. :D

[beej]

Annefran, can't wait to hear what you think about the electronic coupons.

[Annefran]

Annefran, can't wait to hear what you think about the electronic coupons.

 

Will definitely stop back for sure and give my opinion plus any helpful hints that I learned. ;)

[julesbeara]

Is the Allure currently Paper or Electronic Coupons?

[Clarea]

Is the Allure currently Paper or Electronic Coupons?

So far, I've only heard of Freedom testing the electronic coupons starting last Sunday.

[cruisenfever]

Is the Allure currently Paper or Electronic Coupons?

Grandeur is the next ship to get electronic coupons.

[Daghis]

Just FYI... Grandeur still has paper coupon booklets as of today's sailing (as reported by DH who set sail on her today).

[shipshape sam]

Perhaps this is not new news but it was to me. Awesome!

 

From the link below:

 

Our Crown & Anchor Society members are in line for technological benefits in the new year. Crown & Anchor Savings Certificates are already available exclusively online, enabling them to be up to date at all times. And soon the Ultimate Value Booklet of onboard savings will evolve to a paperless format where the offers will be loaded right on to our loyal guests’ Seapass cards for automatic application.

 

http://www.answeritroyally.com/blog/?p=5264

 

GREAT! I hate tearing up the book and carrying the coupons around. :)

[Morecruisesplz]

Now the will be pretty much limited to the person who RCI intended them for. If they do not get used RCI comes out ahead.

 

Sorry but I've never understood this way of thinking. A coupon is generated and distributed to increase business. A BOGO or dollor off amount intended to entice the customer to 1.) try a new product they have not previously purchased or might not otherwise purchase without the incentive or 2.) to buy more than they otherwise would have purchased.

 

So a coupon that does not get used (especially in the case of the costly paper coupons previously used) becomes an expense to the cruise line rather than saving them money and/or increasing sales as intended.

 

The reason they are switching to placing coupons on you seapass card is because of 1.) the increasing high cost of printing coupon booklets and 2.) the increased variations in books required with new ships with different venues than the rest of the fleet. Not because some people might have "shared" their coupons. Believe me, the cruise lines benefited much more from the additional, add-on sales of a coupon passed on to fellow cruiser than they might have saved if the coupon had not been used.

[Ocean Boy]

Sorry but I've never understood this way of thinking. A coupon is generated and distributed to increase business. A BOGO or dollor off amount intended to entice the customer to 1.) try a new product they have not previously purchased or might not otherwise purchase without the incentive or 2.) to buy more than they otherwise would have purchased.

 

So a coupon that does not get used (especially in the case of the costly paper coupons previously used) becomes an expense to the cruise line rather than saving them money and/or increasing sales as intended.

 

The reason they are switching to placing coupons on you seapass card is because of 1.) the increasing high cost of printing coupon booklets and 2.) the increased variations in books required with new ships with different venues than the rest of the fleet. Not because some people might have "shared" their coupons. Believe me, the cruise lines benefited much more from the additional, add-on sales of a coupon passed on to fellow cruiser than they might have saved if the coupon had not been used.

 

If that is RCI's intent then why don't they just give a coupon book to everyone who books instead of limiting it to C&A members? There are plenty of first time cruisers on the ships who are so awestruck by everything that they would probably spend a lot more with the enticements.

 

Personally, I don't really like BOGO offers. If they want to give me a something then either give me one item for free or half price. There are plenty of times when I would like a drink when no one else is interested and I don't feel like having two. On our last cruise I even had drink coupons left over.

 

Where have you been. I haven't seen you around here much?

[Morecruisesplz]

Personally, I don't really like BOGO offers. If they want to give me a something then either give me one item for free or half price. There are plenty of times when I would like a drink when no one else is interested and I don't feel like having two. On our last cruise I even had drink coupons left over.

 

Where have you been. I haven't seen you around here much?

 

I guess having been in the restaurant business for 30+ years I might view couponing differently than others. But I think if you would ask those responsible for profit instead of those responsible for deciding who receives coupons at Royal you might get two different answers.

 

I wish you would have called me when you needed someone to share the BOGO coupon. I would have been happy to drink the free one!

 

I've been lurking some but also tend to visit more prior to a cruise to see what is new. Have you been on any cruises lately?

[Ocean Boy]

I guess having been in the restaurant business for 30+ years I might view couponing differently than others. But I think if you would ask those responsible for profit instead of those responsible for deciding who receives coupons at Royal you might get two different answers.

 

I wish you would have called me when you needed someone to share the BOGO coupon. I would have been happy to drink the free one!

 

I've been lurking some but also tend to visit more prior to a cruise to see what is new. Have you been on any cruises lately?

 

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.

[mikeydoo]

HI.. I am still confused how this paperless coupons are going to work. Can anyone explain it. What about the match plays for the casino?

 

Thanks

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

HI.. I am still confused how this paperless coupons are going to work. Can anyone explain it. What about the match plays for the casino?

 

Thanks

 

I guessing that, for the match plays, they'll have you go to the cage (cashier) and present your card - at which point they will issue some type of card/token/chip for use at the tables.

 

On the Oasis a couple of weeks ago I won FOUR of SIX of my hands using our match play coupons. Usually slipping one of those under your chips has been the kiss of death for me! :)

 

Tom

[yogimax]

I guessing that, for the match plays, they'll have you go to the cage (cashier) and present your card - at which point they will issue some type of card/token/chip for use at the tables.

 

On the Oasis a couple of weeks ago I won FOUR of SIX of my hands using our match play coupons. Usually slipping one of those under your chips has been the kiss of death for me! :)

 

Tom

 

There is a way to GUARANTEE winning if you have someone traveing with you!

 

Play offsetting roulette bets (black/red, odd/even, high/low).

 

This, in itself almost guarantees a profit (you could still hit multiple 0/00 though).

 

To guarantee winning, place the offsetting $5 bets with the coupons and an additional $1 bet on 0/00.

 

Voila - a profit!

[skiiergirl]

On Jewel today....still have paper coupons...version 17

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

There is a way to GUARANTEE winning if you have someone traveing with you!

 

Play offsetting roulette bets (black/red, odd/even, high/low).

 

This, in itself almost guarantees a profit (you could still hit multiple 0/00 though).

 

To guarantee winning, place the offsetting $5 bets with the coupons and an additional $1 bet on 0/00.

 

Voila - a profit!

 

I've thought about the roulette approach, but not covering the 0/00's... Nice!

 

Still, I'm stuck with BJ - and for some reason I always think I've a good chance (albeit not 50%) to win... so I'll just see if I can extend my "coupon streak"! :D

 

Tom

[Tucker in Texas]

There is a way to GUARANTEE winning if you have someone traveing with you!

 

Play offsetting roulette bets (black/red, odd/even, high/low).

 

This, in itself almost guarantees a profit (you could still hit multiple 0/00 though).

 

To guarantee winning, place the offsetting $5 bets with the coupons and an additional $1 bet on 0/00.

 

Voila - a profit!

 

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

 

Tucker in Texas