RCCL's new internet policy for crown and anchor members....not good!!

[Robinhill]

Just found out from our daughter who's presently on Liberty that RCCL has changed their internet policy for crown and anchor members. Diamond members use to get 30 free minutes to use how they pleased throughout the cruise....well now it's gone!!!!!!!!!! Instead someone came up with this crazy plan to give a one time 24 hours of unlimited internet. Don't know about others but I don't plan on sitting at the computer while on a cruise for most of my one day of free internet nor do I plan to use it during the midnight hours. We used the 30 minutes during our cruises just to keep in touch with family members back home and that amount of time was sufficient and we got to use it during the whole cruise so it was enough to check in especially with an elderly parent. Now the new plan is if I understood it correctly $15.00 per day for unlimited internet and there is no per minute plans nor any plans except for unlimited so for those of us who need to keep in touch with family members or wish to use the computer for a short period of time we are now going to have to add $15.00 per day even if you use it for just a few minutes per day.:( I believe if you don't want the free 24 hours Diamond members can get a credit of $29.99 but remember there is no per minute charge anymore and no packages just unlimited per day at a cost of $15.00. So if you do the math and take the credit it still will cost you close to $120 for a ten day cruise no matter if you use it for a short period of time. Don't know how others feel but we feel like RCCL is nickle and diming us once again. They know people need to keep in touch with family or require the internet for short periods and they also know most people aren't going to sit at the computer for hours on end while cruising but yet they offer this ridiculous plan and take away another perk to loyal customers. Hopefully they'll come to their senses on this like they did when Dynamic Dining upset a lot of customers and they'll end up offering an alternative or reinstate the 30 free anytime minutes. I have NO intention of spending $120.00 (150.00 minus discount) for a ten day cruise or more on longer cruises in order to be able to use the internet for less than 5 minutes per day. Unlimited internet is great for those that spend a long amount of time on the computer and can be an option but it's unfair of RCCL to take away our perk of 30 minutes free throughout the cruise and make purchasing unlimited internet mandatory because you need the internet for a few minutes. This is also true for Diamond Plus and Pinnacle but not sure of their discount amount. I called RCCL today and there representatives didn't even know about this new change. I had to get transferred to another dept. where they confirmed this. Was planning on booking one of their ships for our Europe cruise again but may switch to another line where they honor their loyal passengers and still give them the choice when to use their free minutes. Just thought others should know about this new policy.

 

This was not true for me on the April 10 cruise on the Grandeur- i am diamond and they loaded one hour free and i used it the entire cruise and had 3 minutes left! LOL

[SF]

This was not true for me on the April 10 cruise on the Grandeur- i am diamond and they loaded one hour free and i used it the entire cruise and had 3 minutes left! LOL

 

That's great for you but if you read the entire thread you would see that's not the case on all their ships. Thats part of the confusion as it seems lately that you won't know what internet perks you get until you embark. Prior to all this every Crown and Anchor member knew what internet credits to expect based on their level. This doesn't seem to hold true anymore as so many people have reported different experiences on various ships.

[cruisenfever]

This was not true for me on the April 10 cruise on the Grandeur- i am diamond and they loaded one hour free and i used it the entire cruise and had 3 minutes left! LOL

The new Internet Benefit for C&A D, D+ and PC Members went into effect the first week of April on Quantum, Allure and Oasis. Other ships are slowly following suite.

 

We were on Legend for a b2b. On our March 30th cruise we each received 2 hours of free internet. On our April 14th cruise we each received complimentary internet. Those C&A Members Diamond Members on our pril 14th cruise each received 1 consecutive hour and Diamond Plus each received 2 consecutive hours.

Edited April 30, 2015 by cruisenfever

[Familygoboston]

Seems like inconsistency between ships basically rules the day ;)

On Adventure last week- there is an Internet hourly plan of 60 minutes to be used throughout the cruise = 29.95

 

There was a list of Diamond benefits in my stateroom that says

1 free day OR 29.95 of (sic) any internet purchase (valid for 24 consecutive hours of use on one device only)

 

But since you can buy an hourly plan, and apply the Diamond benefit, it was still effectively the free 60 minutes to use whenever you like throughout the cruise! We were able to get 29.95 off of a larger package we chose. But my reading is that (at least on Adventure) you choose the 60 mins anytime plan and apply the discount = free 60 minutes to use anytime. I think the "valid for 24 consecutive hours" applies to the free 24 hours, so pax don't think they actually have 1440 minutes to use throughout the cruise.

 

Ill post the docs in my review next week!

[TOM CRUIZES]

Don't you mean Explorer and not Freedom?

 

Yes you are right I do mean Explorer and not Freedom, guess the AI package must be having an effect.;)

[robandana]

I think this has to do with the Internet upgrade that some ships (soon all ships) are getting. The new system offers a faster connection and unlimited use so this will be the new way of the Internet.

 

No more per min. charges... you will have packages for the whole cruise or daily but always in 24 hour increments.

 

On the plus side the new system is much faster...you can even Skype.

[American Bear]

As someone who's willing to point out that changes in the last couple years seem to have been mostly against the loyal cruiser, I'd like to add,,,,

 

We came off several cruises last year on different lines that offered no free internet to their loyalty club members. They did offer excellent high speed internet in our cabin, and it was a god price, but not free.:)

 

So RCL's something is still better then nothing.

Thank you for those who tell us of some of the differences between each ship.

Edited May 1, 2015 by American Bear

[baldercash]

Just got off Serenade and the plan was in effect, a $30.00 Diamond discount off a $60.00 for 24 hour package plus a generic $30.00 coupon discount.

We spoke to Guest Relations to clarify it. Since there are 2 of us in the cabin we got 2 days of internet on a 13 day cruise.

In the past we have managed well with 30 minutes each by just down loading emails signing off writing responses then signing in after a few days sending and down loading again then signing off.

We usually can grab wifi while in port but were not motivated to do that this trip, just too busy while ashore.

 

We actually enjoyed having the kids email asking why we were off the grid for so long and was everything all right?

If you start the package at noon you can email in the afternoon and clear responses and email again the next morning so in theory 2 different days of access in 24 hours.

 

The problem I encountered with the 24 hour continuous package was I sat on the computer in the evening and read news for a few hours which is something I have never done on a trip before.

 

I learned a long time ago that the only constant in life is change,

 

"The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails."

 

William Arthur Ward

Edited May 1, 2015 by baldercash

[SF]

 

I learned a long time ago that the only constant in life is change,

 

"The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails."

 

William Arthur Ward

 

Yes, but change can go both ways....how about RCCL adding a "positive change" once in a while as it seems recently all the changes have been to take away perks.

 

By expressing opinions on changes even when the views are not in favor of said change does not mean those people are pessimists. Nor does it mean they look at everything in a negative way. Rather they understand the need for RCCL to hear ALL view points. In the past when new policies have not been accepted in a positive way RCCL has sometimes re-adapted that program. Example with the Dynamic Dining when they added an alternative rotation dining with same table and waiter for those that prefer more traditional service.

 

I as well as others realize nothing stays the same. However, now if two ships one from RCCL and one from another company are offering the same itinerary and price I will book the other ship if it includes internet and their perks are better. Perks are what help keep passengers loyal to one line.

 

We all have to accept change not only in regards to this internet policy but in various avenues of life but to just accept change and "go along with the ride" isn't what I'd call a realist. A realist accepts change but only after they have tried and voiced an opinion and then realized nothing will be done.

[negc]

Not sure if it was unique to the Serenade repositioning cruise from New Orleans, but, as new Pinnacle members, we each received free internet service for the entire 13 night cruise, a $300 value for each of us. I had some problems staying connected but my wife had fewer problems. It was a great, and completely unexpected perk and I will be interested to see whether or not a similar offer is provided on this month's Jewel Pacific Coastal cruise.:)

[Nanannjen]

Yes, but change can go both ways....how about RCCL adding a "positive change" once in a while as it seems recently all the changes have been to take away perks.

 

By expressing opinions on changes even when the views are not in favor of said change does not mean those people are pessimists. Nor does it mean they look at everything in a negative way. Rather they understand the need for RCCL to hear ALL view points. In the past when new policies have not been accepted in a positive way RCCL has sometimes re-adapted that program. Example with the Dynamic Dining when they added an alternative rotation dining with same table and waiter for those that prefer more traditional service.

 

I as well as others realize nothing stays the same. However, now if two ships one from RCCL and one from another company are offering the same itinerary and price I will book the other ship if it includes internet and their perks are better. Perks are what help keep passengers loyal to one line.

 

We all have to accept change not only in regards to this internet policy but in various avenues of life but to just accept change and "go along with the ride" isn't what I'd call a realist. A realist accepts change but only after they have tried and voiced an opinion and then realized nothing will be done.

 

Hear, hear! Very well put!

[Clarea]

Not sure if it was unique to the Serenade repositioning cruise from New Orleans, but, as new Pinnacle members, we each received free internet service for the entire 13 night cruise, a $300 value for each of us. I had some problems staying connected but my wife had fewer problems. It was a great, and completely unexpected perk and I will be interested to see whether or not a similar offer is provided on this month's Jewel Pacific Coastal cruise.:)

Free internet for Pinnacle seems to have started rolling out about a month ago. It might take a while before it's fleetwide.

Edited May 1, 2015 by clarea

[cruisenfever]

Free internet for Pinnacle seems to have started rolling out about a month ago. It might take a while before it's fleetwide.

That's correct. It started the first week of April on Quantum, Allure and Oasis and is slowly being introduced to other ships. We had it for our 15 days on Legend which began April 14th.

[Clarea]

That's correct. It started the first week of April on Quantum, Allure and Oasis and is slowly being introduced to other ships. We had it for our 15 days on Legend which began April 14th.

I heard it was on Liberty on the 3/23 cruise.

[cruisenfever]

I heard it was on Liberty on the 3/23 cruise.

PC friends that were on the April 5th cruise on Allure emailed me about the new perk. It's very possible that it started earlier than what I was told.

[Cheryl H]

So if I'm understanding this right.....we (husband, me, and son) are all three diamond level....so we'll get 3 coupons, each for 1 24 hour day of internet? So we just turn in the coupons on the days we want free internet and we're free for those 3 days?

 

We're on the Radiance in September.

[Nanannjen]

So if I'm understanding this right.....we (husband, me, and son) are all three diamond level....so we'll get 3 coupons, each for 1 24 hour day of internet? So we just turn in the coupons on the days we want free internet and we're free for those 3 days?

 

We're on the Radiance in September.

 

I think it still varies - on Navigator, Diamonds got a $29.95 credit, but one day cost $59.90. So the credit didn't cover one day's worth. Other ships have been wildly different.

Edited May 1, 2015 by Nanannjen

[Paulxyz2004]

So if I'm understanding this right.....we (husband, me, and son) are all three diamond level....so we'll get 3 coupons, each for 1 24 hour day of internet? So we just turn in the coupons on the days we want free internet and we're free for those 3 days?

 

We're on the Radiance in September.

 

 

If your son is an adult then yes, if he is still a minor I´m not sure, but think the Kids perks are different and don´t include free Internet.

 

There´s no coupons to be turned in, all electronic.

[Clarea]

If your son is an adult then yes, if he is still a minor I´m not sure, but think the Kids perks are different and don´t include free Internet...

Correct, the son has to be 18 to get adult coupons.

[Cheryl H]

If your son is an adult then yes, if he is still a minor I´m not sure, but think the Kids perks are different and don´t include free Internet.

 

There´s no coupons to be turned in, all electronic.

 

Thanks! He's 10.

 

In the past, when it was coupon books, his coupon book was the same as ours....he even had the free spins in the casino, except that we didn't allow him in the casino so we used his. I guess we'll wait until we are onboard to see if his perks are the same as ours. I hope they are. We have 3 at sea days so 3 free 24 hours days would be perfect. It was nice logging on once per day to load messages, but I think I can wait until our at sea days.

 

Wonder why minors wouldn't get internet time? Surely tweens and teens use the internet at home. He's always gotten internet time before. Hope that is still the case.

Edited May 1, 2015 by Cheryl H

[Clarea]

Thanks! He's 10.

 

In the past, when it was coupon books, his coupon book was the same as ours....he even had the free spins in the casino, except that we didn't allow him in the casino so we used his. I guess we'll wait until we are onboard to see if his perks are the same as ours. I hope they are. We have 3 at sea days so 3 free 24 hours days would be perfect. It was nice logging on once per day to load messages, but I think I can wait until our at sea days.

Kids coupons have looked like this lately:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=43238756&postcount=21

 

I noticed there is a 10% discount for an internet package.

Edited May 1, 2015 by clarea

[Cheryl H]

Kids coupons have looked like this lately:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=43238756&postcount=21

 

I noticed there is a 10% discount for an internet package.

 

Shoot. That stinks. So our son is diamond and now his coupons allow him to purchase a discounted coffee or a discounted spa treatment, but the laundry discount and free internet coupon is gone. Sheesh. He's not getting any coffee or a spa treatment. Wonder why at diamond level, it's just a 10% discount instead of free.

 

Thanks for posting the link though. For some reason, on all his past cruises, he's always gotten coupons matching ours. Maybe we were just lucky?

[American Bear]

Yes, but change can go both ways....how about RCCL adding a "positive change" once in a while as it seems recently all the changes have been to take away perks.

 

By expressing opinions on changes even when the views are not in favor of said change does not mean those people are pessimists. Nor does it mean they look at everything in a negative way. Rather they understand the need for RCCL to hear ALL view points. In the past when new policies have not been accepted in a positive way RCCL has sometimes re-adapted that program. Example with the Dynamic Dining when they added an alternative rotation dining with same table and waiter for those that prefer more traditional service.

 

I as well as others realize nothing stays the same. However, now if two ships one from RCCL and one from another company are offering the same itinerary and price I will book the other ship if it includes internet and their perks are better. Perks are what help keep passengers loyal to one line.

 

We all have to accept change not only in regards to this internet policy but in various avenues of life but to just accept change and "go along with the ride" isn't what I'd call a realist. A realist accepts change but only after they have tried and voiced an opinion and then realized nothing will be done.

 

 

 

Agree with a lot of what you say, but be warned, the cheerleaders on the RCL threads will start calling you a negative person, or a glass half full type.:eek:

Happy cruising!

[cruissett]

We're Diamond Plus and just got off Legend, we received 2 - 24 hour internet uses each. They could start anytime of day, carried over to the next. We would start at around 3 in the afternoon which would end 3 the next day making it like getting 2 days for one. It was a 15 night cruise and by splitting our time between the two of us it was like getting 8 - half days of free internet. Plus it was wireless so could use it anywhere on the boat. We loved it!

[EricJ]

Can someone tell me how the "single device" limitation works? Does that mean one device at a time (using login+password or similar scheme), or is the 24-hour period locked to a device's MAC address? I'd prefer use my tablet for some things (reading) and my laptop for others (writing), at different times.

 

This change in the Diamond perk is very disappointing to me, as I tend to prefer longer cruises, and can make an hour of "minutes" last a week or more to stay in touch.