Lost the faith

[styxfire]

I've been on a few cruises with RCCL, I'm still just Gold, but getting close to Platinum. After looking at the RCCL rewards chart, and looking at prices on other cruise lines, I'm wondering why I should stay with Royal Caribbean.

 

The biggest benefit to graduating from Gold to Platinum is that you'll get robes. But, on Carnival, you get robes without any status at all! And Carnival is lower cost. The entertainment on Carnival is lower quality than Royal, but the pricing corrects for that.

 

I looked at the Crown & Anchor Society benefits chart, and it appears that I need to collect 175 nights before I ever get anything of value. I wish there was a better reward for being loyal to Royal. Essentially there is no reward.

[yolanda1]

I've been on a few cruises with RCCL, I'm still just Gold, but getting close to Platinum. After looking at the RCCL rewards chart, and looking at prices on other cruise lines, I'm wondering why I should stay with Royal Caribbean.

 

The biggest benefit to graduating from Gold to Platinum is that you'll get robes. But, on Carnival, you get robes without any status at all! And Carnival is lower cost. The entertainment on Carnival is lower quality than Royal, but the pricing corrects for that.

 

I looked at the Crown & Anchor Society benefits chart, and it appears that I need to collect 175 nights before I ever get anything of value. I wish there was a better reward for being loyal to Royal. Essentially there is no reward.

 

 

 

I agree that the rewards aren't worth much until you get to the upper end of the scale. However, I don't think any loyalty programmes are a factor for me when I book a cruise. We're not loyal to royal at all, but we enjoy the on board experience generally.

 

The C&A perks are a welcome bonus of course, but as you say, they're not great. We shop around, go for the cruise line, itinerary and price that suits our needs at the time, regardless of the small rewards offered. They are just a bonus, not the carrot to entice us to ignore the competition.

 

 

 

.

[Merion_Mom]

The "reward" is the cruise that you take.

 

I can't imagine any other reason for taking a cruise.

 

:confused:

[phoenix1181]

Take the cruise on whatever line gives you what you want now. Cruising for a few perks that can change anytime, is crazy.

[MrsMTC]

I look for the best deal I can find on any cruise for the time I want to go. Reward programs can change or disappear I want a GREAT vacation at the time not the potential for something later down the road.

[Clarea]

I've been on a few cruises with RCCL, I'm still just Gold, but getting close to Platinum. After looking at the RCCL rewards chart, and looking at prices on other cruise lines, I'm wondering why I should stay with Royal Caribbean.

 

The biggest benefit to graduating from Gold to Platinum is that you'll get robes. But, on Carnival, you get robes without any status at all! And Carnival is lower cost. The entertainment on Carnival is lower quality than Royal, but the pricing corrects for that.

 

I looked at the Crown & Anchor Society benefits chart, and it appears that I need to collect 175 nights before I ever get anything of value. I wish there was a better reward for being loyal to Royal. Essentially there is no reward.

I'd say the biggest benefit you get at Platinum is the balcony discount.

[emeraldcity]

I agree with Clarea ... the biggest benefit from the rewards program is the balcony discount. But that's not why I cruise with RCI. I select them because I love the total experience I get when I'm on board.

 

If you feel that you can get a great vacation for less on another line, it's probably worth a try, because you'll never know if you don't check it out.

[bouhunter]

We cruise Royal because we like their product, no decision to sail with them has or ever will be made to get points toward a C&A level. As Diamond now we like the balcony discount (as we did with platinum and emerald), but that is secondary to our choices.

 

Robes? We don't need no stinking robes!:D

[Wilda]

I cruise RCI because I like the overall product, not because of perks. We've done a few other lines and keep going back to Royal because the ships are a good fit for our family.

 

It never occurred to me to look at a vacation in terms of whether I could get a robe to use on the ship. If those types of perks are really important then you could get them by booking a suite...or trying out Carnival.

[PORT ROYAL]

I've been on a few cruises with RCCL, I'm still just Gold, but getting close to Platinum. After looking at the RCCL rewards chart, and looking at prices on other cruise lines, I'm wondering why I should stay with Royal Caribbean.

 

The biggest benefit to graduating from Gold to Platinum is that you'll get robes. But, on Carnival, you get robes without any status at all! And Carnival is lower cost. The entertainment on Carnival is lower quality than Royal, but the pricing corrects for that.

 

I looked at the Crown & Anchor Society benefits chart, and it appears that I need to collect 175 nights before I ever get anything of value. I wish there was a better reward for being loyal to Royal. Essentially there is no reward.

 

It would appear the love is being diminished. May I suggest Cunard, they are offering some good "saver deals" right now, plus, if it is of interest, bathrobes and slippers are supplied.

 

Have a look at their site, you may find something to fall in love with;)

http://www.cunard.co.uk/cruise-ships/cunard-experience/

[EbayCruiser]

We have been loyal Holland America cruisers, as you can see from my signature, most of our cruises have been with HAL.

 

We do not get any benefits (worth anything) from HAL. We pay the same amount for our cabin as anyone else who books their first cruise.

 

We are Gold with RCI (we are one point away from platinum) and we are looking forward to getting the balcony discount on future cruises.

[Fla Mike]

We cruise Royal because we like their product, no decision to sail with them has or ever will be made to get points toward a C&A level. As Diamond now we like the balcony discount (as we did with platinum and emerald), but that is secondary to our choices.

 

Robes? We don't need no stinking robes!:D

 

Agreed!

 

Of all the times we have sailed Carnival not once have we ever used the robe.

 

If it looks unused, do you really think the steward(ess) replaces it when he (she) turns the room? :eek:

[cruisebabe50]

We got for the best bang for the buck! We like Royal better but have cruise quite a few on the newer Carnival ships because we got such a good deal. We also love the balcony cabins so we spend a little more anyway because of our balcony obsession. But , yes go for the best bang for your buck.

[CRUISEFAN0001]

The "reward" is the cruise that you take.

 

I can't imagine any other reason for taking a cruise.

 

:confused:

Bravo Bravo!

 

Well said!

 

I'll add that if someone spends just a little bit of time and research...one can easily find value, benefits, and other pluses on cruises with RCI. Deals are everywhere for RCI cruises if one looks for them.

 

Our next cruise on the biggest RCI ship to multiple nice ports in Europe in a D2 hump cabin with all the onboard goodies...and food...at <$190/day is a steal of a deal. Seeing those places with hotels, meals, and the like would cost exponentially more...and in this case...somebody else is doing most of the work and we simply have to show up to enjoy it.

[nbsjcruiser]

I've been on a few cruises with RCCL, I'm still just Gold, but getting close to Platinum. After looking at the RCCL rewards chart, and looking at prices on other cruise lines, I'm wondering why I should stay with Royal Caribbean.

 

The biggest benefit to graduating from Gold to Platinum is that you'll get robes. But, on Carnival, you get robes without any status at all! And Carnival is lower cost. The entertainment on Carnival is lower quality than Royal, but the pricing corrects for that.

 

I looked at the Crown & Anchor Society benefits chart, and it appears that I need to collect 175 nights before I ever get anything of value. I wish there was a better reward for being loyal to Royal. Essentially there is no reward.

 

I'm a big fan of RCI. They are my favourite line but anyone who cruises with one cruise line just because of the perks is nuts. Look around, try different lines and most importantly, comparison shop. If I can get a cruise on NCI for a comparable trip for $500 less then to heck with the RCI rewards. The only thing I am truly loyal to when it comes to cruising is my wallet. The rewards are simply not good enough to warrant sticking to one line only; to me they are simply an add on that I don't think of too much. All things being equal however, I'm picking RCI just because I prefer their ships and how they do things.

Edited June 8, 2014 by nbsjcruiser

[Starry Eyes]

I have cruised six different lines. I could see positive features about each one. some lines suit DH and I well, others did not seem like such a great fit. Those lines are the perfect fit for somebody.

 

If Carnival suits you, the itineraries appeal to you and the pricing is attractive, that is wonderful....happy sails. If you also like Royal Caribbean's cruises, throw in the occasional cruise with them for variety or when price, timing itinerary appeal to you.

 

Do not make the decision based upon loyalty programs. Enjoy each and every journey; if one gets loyalty benefits, consider them a bonus.

[matj2000]

I still cannot believe that people only sail on just one cruise line.

It's nice to try different things once in a while.

I like RC but all the trips are very similar and after a few in a row it gets to be a little stale.

Especially when you know what the menu before you look at it.

[impatientlywaiting]

I still cannot believe that people only sail on just one cruise line.

It's nice to try different things once in a while.

I like RC but all the trips are very similar and after a few in a row it gets to be a little stale.

Especially when you know what the menu before you look at it.[/quote

 

Believe it or not, there are thousands of people who only sail on just one cruise line. In the 8 cruises we've taken, we've never done the same itinerary twice so none of our trips are even remotely similar. IMO, cruising is the best way to see the world. We are loyal to Royal (except we'll probably try Celebrity sometimes in the future) because we like what they have to offer and have never been disappointed.

[boulders]

We have been loyal Holland America cruisers, as you can see from my signature, most of our cruises have been with HAL.

 

We do not get any benefits (worth anything) from HAL. We pay the same amount for our cabin as anyone else who books their first cruise.

 

We are Gold with RCI (we are one point away from platinum) and we are looking forward to getting the balcony discount on future cruises.

 

HAL has excellent 3rd and 4th pax rates which are cut in half at certain mariner levels. They also have excellent private sales for mariners. You have to log into their website to see them. I save a lot more money with HAL as a mariner than I do with RCCL as diamond.

[rubrrick]

It would appear the love is being diminished. May I suggest Cunard, they are offering some good "saver deals" right now, plus, if it is of interest, bathrobes and slippers are supplied.

 

Have a look at their site, you may find something to fall in love with;)

http://www.cunard.co.uk/cruise-ships/cunard-experience/

 

If you enjoy wearing a tux on formal nights, and a suit and tie on informal nights, this could be a cruise line to consider.

 

We did a 7 night crossing on the QM2, and would do it again, as we don't mind their dress code, and adhere to it. Those that don't, find themselves turned away from the MDR, and off to the cafeteria. Most of the rest of the ship is also off limits, after 5 PM, to those that refuse to follow their dress code.

 

Just a word to the wise!;)

 

Rick

[JasonV1]

Have you seen those robes on Carnival? I've been on many CCL boats and unless the boat is newer the robes are (usually) quite worn compared to new.

 

With Royal unless you buy balconies the perks are limited until you reach diamond, at which point you do get some free drinks in the diamond lounge.

 

But yes, D+ is what perks lovers shoot for, unless they can conceivably reach Pinnacle.

 

With Carnival the perks of Platinum are somewhat diminished with FTTF since people can essentially buy most of those perks for not too much money. We're I not Platinum myself I'd buy it just to get early access to my room and priority tender tickets.

 

Of the mass market lines, I think C&A is the best program. Carnival seems to do good casino promotions, but if you gamble a lot at MGM properties their partnership with Royal may be even better by comparison.

[Cruisegirl6]

I cruise on different cruise lines but RC is my favorite and always come back, actually my main cruise usually is a RC ship, and my getaway cruises are other cruise lines. I am platinum and getting close to emerald but I can tell you there are other benefits being platinum besides just the robes, I get on the ship faster than the gold and non members which is really nice. I also find crown and anchor awards (now not as certificates but it is factored in the cruise rate when you book online or with an agent) and this gives us an extra $100 off the price of the stateroom, I believe emerald may give $150 off (depends on the sailings but most sailings offer something), as a result, being platinum does give you more than just the robes.

[Desert Cruizers]

DH & I value our cruises from the Ports we visit and people we have met. We have gained a couple tiers during our last cruises recently but we get more from the cruise itself and people then what tier we are at.

[loubetti]

Here's a thought:

 

Why not call up RCI's sister line, Celebrity, and see if you can transfer your RCI C&A status to their Captains Club, and see what level you get.

 

I did just the reverse with RCI and was made Diamond, and I've never sailed on RCI!

 

Granted, Celebrity is more upscale than RCI, and is intended to be that way. It's sort of like RCI's version of Cunard, but without all the British heritage, formality and such.

 

However, if you need rock climbing walls, flow riders, and constant announcements, or care who the cruise director is, Celebrity probably will not work for you.

 

Don't worry about your "status" and what you get from it, just go to enjoy

the cruise, and it never hurts to try something different! :)

[squadron]

I've been on a few cruises with RCCL, I'm still just Gold, but getting close to Platinum. After looking at the RCCL rewards chart, and looking at prices on other cruise lines, I'm wondering why I should stay with Royal Caribbean.

 

The biggest benefit to graduating from Gold to Platinum is that you'll get robes. But, on Carnival, you get robes without any status at all! And Carnival is lower cost. The entertainment on Carnival is lower quality than Royal, but the pricing corrects for that.

 

I looked at the Crown & Anchor Society benefits chart, and it appears that I need to collect 175 nights before I ever get anything of value. I wish there was a better reward for being loyal to Royal. Essentially there is no reward.

 

Actually Platinum and Emerald do have worthwhile perks. Diamond much more so you don't need Diamond Plus for worthwhile benefits. As for robes - I never use them because they are so heavy and huge in size I find them uncomfortable.