Breaking News - C&A Changes/Enhancements

[skiiergirl]

Rosita has posted lots of pictures on FB. Definitely Suite Lounge area. :)

 

I don't see them on her page. Am I looking in the wring spot?

[Hoopster95]

For those who booked on the pretext of actually having dual lounge access, is having this access removed not a significant change in the terms/conditions/essence of the contract under which the cruise was sold to you? Do Royal get away with withdrawing this as its a 'perk'?

The cruise contract states nothing about Crown and Anchor benefits, which includes the policies for the CL and DL. I reviewed a contract from 2015, and there is no reference to "lounge" or "Crown and Anchor"....All Crown and Anchor policies are purely discretionary.

 

Note the very first sentence on the Royal Caribbean home website explaining CAS benefits, this has been on all of our own profile members pages for years:

"General Terms & Conditions

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."

https://secure.royalcaribbean.com/cas/benefits.do

[ckfred]

If you read the terms and conditions of any loyalty program, there will be language that says that the program can be changed or discontinued at the discretion of the program operator.

 

BP used to give out cents discounts based on the number of gallons of gas purchased. Then it went to discounts based on dollars spent. Needless to say, with cheap gas, I'm not ringing up the discounts that I used to. In the time that I used to ring up $.25 to $.35 in discounts, now I'm lucky if I can get $.10 in discounts.

 

The airlines are famous for increasing the number of miles needed to get a free ticket, and now they are going to issuing miles based on dollars spent, instead of solely on miles flown.

 

So, should be be surprised that RC is making changes to Crown & Anchor? As more and more guests move up the ladder to higher levels, changes have to be made.

 

Personally, Platinum was great. At Hawich, we got the red pass, which allowed us to cut to the front of the line for boarding. Supposedly, red passes were only for suite guests.

 

On our last cruise on the Majesty, we got to wait in separate room, rather than stand in line. Then, a staff member got us and escorted us ahead of the crowd, when the ship was ready for boarding.

 

And one morning in the Windjammer, a staff member saw my wife's Sea Pass and immediately found a empty table and got it cleaned ASAP.

[tallcva3344]

Actually was looking at the Norwegian Escape for my next cruise.....may need to check out MSC, if they give many perks for my RCI points. RCI for the week I want is way too expensive! :( If all the loyal to Royal's go somewhere else with our money for six months, maybe they would have a tough time filling all their ships, and come to their senses. I was hoping to reach Pinnacle Club by the end of the year, but not paying double prices to get kicked out of lounges.

 

This is the way I am thinking. I will not pay almost double to cruise on RCI just to get a few points so I can watch them reduce the benefits. Kay, as you know we enjoyed the CL, and meeting some of the people we met on the Freedom cruise we were on in Jan with you. You could see we were being social with many folks including yourself. I do not have as many points as you do, as my total is around 450. I do hope you reach PC, and they price cruises for you to do that, and you will continue to enjoy the upper tier benefits. I am rooting for you. I now have 6 weeks planned this winter on other companies and 6 weeks on RCI.

 

We all cruise for reasons that give each of us enjoyment, and I enjoy socializing. We also use ships as our winter home (9 weeks this past winter). Visiting favorite places on the islands (like Trunk Bay). Drinks only mean something to me if I am enjoying them in the right setting, or what has become my favorite setting. It is almost like RCI is saying; "OK, we know you loved this, but we want you to settle for...... I mostly drink around 3 to 4 drinks a day, and do not go on cruises to just get free drinks. H

[Nellingen]

The challenge cruise lines have is the way their loyalty programs are structured. Most if not all airlines and major hotel chains require you to achieve status every year or you lose your benefits. One resort we visit keeps points for up to four years; after that they drop off. So if you don't continue to frequent the resort, you eventually lose your status.

 

Cruise lines allow you to continue to accrue points without every losing any. Thus, the number of people attaining every level keeps increasing and never decreases other than through death or disenchantment with the cruise line. For RCCL, this causes lounges to become so overcrowded that they cease to be much fun for anyone. And then there's the issue of how to give perks to the suite passengers who are paying top dollar for their cabins.

 

RCCL has to do something and, whatever they do, it's going to make at least some people unhappy. They either make it harder to earn points (e.g., don't give double points for JS); raise points required for tier levels; reduce lounge access; build huge lounges; or have points "drop off" after a certain period of inactivity. And probably a few other options I haven't thought of.

 

Everyone wants the status quo in that they can go to the lounge and at the same time we all want less crowded lounges. Unless they start building mega-lounges, something has to give, sad as it may be.

 

 

This is what Carnival just started to "test" on their Costa Brand. Since January this year all points only last three years anymore and then you start with zero points again. The same with the tier. So to achieve the highest tier you have to cruise about 260 days in an inside cabin to carry on your tier within three years.

I guess that they will then expanding it to their other brands and RCI and NCL will follow!

[Merion_Mom]

Having points expire might not be a great way to go for cruise lines. No matter how infrequently you cruise, when you do cruise they want you to have some reason to not pick a different cruise line. The way it is now you at least have some incentive to not look elsewhere.

 

Airlines are simply mass transportation. They fill their seats up and can get away with expiring points and making it very difficult to use whatever points you do have. We are talking two very different industries. All they really have in common is that they both operate very expensive pieces of machinery that move.

 

[Merion_Mom]

I don't see them on her page. Am I looking in the wring spot?

 

I don't know what to tell you. I think that she only has one FB page. She has posted dozens and dozens of pictures as the Jewel refurb went on.

 

I can't link to that site on this one, though. :(

[ARCruisinNana]

I don't know what to tell you. I think that she only has one FB page. She has posted dozens and dozens of pictures as the Jewel refurb went on.

 

 

 

I can't link to that site on this one, though. :(

 

 

I also looked and couldn't see the pictures. She may have it set up that only her friends can see her pictures.

[psupa]

This has always been my thought - why do the points carry on infinitum?

They should expire if not 'topped up' every 3/5 years. That way the true number of C & A members, particularly at 'top tier' level would be known and automatically reduced.

If they don't introduce something like that, the numbers will get so enormous that everyone is likely to loose a lot of useful perks. Just MHO :)

 

What about people who work and may only be able to take a cruise every few years. This would not be fair to them. We are now retired, but when we worked we were only able to cruise once maybe twice a year and it took us 26 years to get to D+ one cruise at a time and not on someone else's apron strings. Royal needs to take a good look at household members who are registered and maybe only grant them that status when they cruise with the D or D+ family member, otherwise they only get the status they earned.

[John&LaLa]

Seriously, has anyone seen a large influx of 20 something D's and D+'s that 'earned' their status via mommy and daddy?

 

I haven't.

[Biker19]

 

RCCL has to do something and, whatever they do, it's going to make at least some people unhappy. They either make it harder to earn points (e.g., don't give double points for JS); raise points required for tier levels; reduce lounge access; build huge lounges; or have points "drop off" after a certain period of inactivity.

 

It depends on which issue they are trying to fix. For too many people already in the program, expiring points would thin out the ranks. If it's too many people coming in, they could make it more difficult to attain the level (via point system based on $ spent or simply raise the points needed). I thought for sure by now RCI would have implemented some sort of $ spent point system Celebrity has had for 3 years.

[harz99]

This is what Carnival just started to "test" on their Costa Brand. Since January this year all points only last three years anymore and then you start with zero points again. The same with the tier. So to achieve the highest tier you have to cruise about 260 days in an inside cabin to carry on your tier within three years.

I guess that they will then expanding it to their other brands and RCI and NCL will follow!

 

Don't like the sound of that! We've just loyalty matched with MSC to their top tier. They have a system whereby to keep your status you have to cruise at least once in the three years after attaining your level. Much better idea.

 

In general terms, maybe it's time to stop the RCL/X/AZ reciprocal arrangements as they can't help but increase Diamond/Elite member numbers.

[Paulette3028]

This has always been my thought - why do the points carry on infinitum?

They should expire if not 'topped up' every 3/5 years. That way the true number of C & A members, particularly at 'top tier' level would be known and automatically reduced.

If they don't introduce something like that, the numbers will get so enormous that everyone is likely to loose a lot of useful perks. Just MHO :)

 

My guess is that needing to go on a cruise every 3-5 years (your concept of 'topped up' -- I imagine) would probably cause little thinning out of the upper tiers -- they probably do that already, if not cruise at least once a year.

 

It wouldn't even affect those that need to save over a long period of time before they have the revenue for a cruise -- when you say, 3-5 years.....so in theory your proposal would do nothing really. Plenty of people say they cruise every other year because of economics or mixing in land vacations that they also want to go on.

[Ray in NH]

Seriously, has anyone seen a large influx of 20 something D's and D+'s that 'earned' their status via mommy and daddy?

 

I haven't.

 

Hmmm ??? Never thought to ask anyone how they got their points, and I would wonder why anyone would bother to be asking me that same question.

 

N Ray H

[SULROSS]

Hmmm ??? Never thought to ask anyone how they got their points, and I would wonder why anyone would bother to be asking me that same question.

 

N Ray H

 

You are correct. How ever you get them and Royal counts them, then that should be enough.

[Ray in NH]

Don't like the sound of that! We've just loyalty matched with MSC to their top tier. They have a system whereby to keep your status you have to cruise at least once in the three years after attaining your level. Much better idea.

 

In general terms, maybe it's time to stop the RCL/X/AZ reciprocal arrangements as they can't help but increase Diamond/Elite member numbers.

 

And advancement beyond "Diamond" or "Elite", gained through reciprocity is based solely on points actually earned on each cruise line. Only really effects Diamond and Elite levels.

 

N Ray H

[BillB48]

Seriously, has anyone seen a large influx of 20 something D's and D+'s that 'earned' their status via mommy and daddy?

 

I haven't.

 

I really think if there is a large cadre of 20 somethings that have inherited status, that they are not a significant source of D/CL overcrowding. "Children" in this age bracket are usually out trying to establish themselves in a career and don't have an abundance of vacation time to cruise.

[Bobal]

I really think if there is a large cadre of 20 somethings that have inherited status, that they are not a significant source of D/CL overcrowding. "Children" in this age bracket are usually out trying to establish themselves in a career and don't have an abundance of vacation time to cruise.

 

And as the parent of two twenty-somethings who are Diamond in their own right the lounge isn't really the sort of place they would choose to hang out ;)

[ggo85]

i wish I had the best answer. Obviously, people don't cruise with the frequency they fly or stay in hotels. However, if points ONLY accrue and never drop off, the crowding situation will only worsen.

 

I think an approach such as the resort I mentioned may be the best compromise. Your points accrue. However, after X years (let's say 5), points prior to that time drop off. So, you could be D or D+ based on 5 years of cruising. However, if you don't cruise at all for a year, you would lose the points from historical year 6 (i.e., only the last 5 years count). Cruise again, and start earning points. If you cruise a lot in a year, you could jump up several levels. Don't cruise for a few years and you drop down.

 

5 years may not be the right number for cruising. But my DH and I have credits from 20+ years ago. Is that really fair? I don't think so. I'd give them up for a revised program.

 

I would add that, if points don't accumulate forever, tiers would need to be reduced. Also, RCL could do what some airlines/hotels do -- lifetime points would count toward lifetime levels. So, for example, if you accrue 500 points, you would be lifetime Emerald (or whatever). If you accrued enough lifetime points, you would be D or D+ forever. But it would be at a much higher level than it is today in order to have lifetime benefits.

 

The above is what I would do (and take the flak). But I'm not running RCL.:)

[Merion_Mom]

I also looked and couldn't see the pictures. She may have it set up that only her friends can see her pictures.

 

Could be. I have your email address...........want me to send you some pictures?

[ARCruisinNana]

Could be. I have your email address...........want me to send you some pictures?

 

 

That would be great, Carol. Thanks!

[John&LaLa]

Hmmm ??? Never thought to ask anyone how they got their points, and I would wonder why anyone would bother to be asking me that same question.

 

N Ray H

 

Ray, I can't imagine you got your points through your parents.

 

You are correct. How ever you get them and Royal counts them, then that should be enough.

 

Sorry, you missed the point. People on the boards have been stating for quite a while that the children of Diamond and Diamond plus members are swelling the ranks, which leads to crowding. I don't think that's the case.

 

I really don't care how any one earns their status. ;)

 

I for one am flying up the status rank because Royal decided to award double points for solos in 2013. :D

Edited April 24, 2016 by John&LaLa

[CVU]

For those that say the points should drop off after ? years.....that would not apply very well to those with Medical problems that can not go for years.

Surgeries and cancer treatments etc. can keep one home against their will to travel.

 

Or if they are needed to care for family members which hinders their travel plans. They want to go on a cruise but maybe not this year or the next?

 

I think that is a very touchy subject if they tried to apply that to keeping the amount of C&A members down. That is all this is about.

 

Just let the people have their free drinks as now and they could limit the Lounges--- not penalize the Loyal passenger by taking away their Points--they would LOVE to travel if only they could go or get away.

 

RCL would be getting Many Dr. letters to cover these medical reasons for not travelling . That would just add to their paper work:eek:

Edited April 24, 2016 by CVU

[John&LaLa]

And as the parent of two twenty-somethings who are Diamond in their own right the lounge isn't really the sort of place they would choose to hang out ;)

 

In their own right? :confused:

 

Did they pay for their cruises? :rolleyes:

 

Just kidding, I can't help myself. ;)

 

So why do you think the lounges are crowded.

[Don Pedro]

For those that say the points should drop off after ? years.....that would not apply very well to those with Medical problems that can not go for years.

Surgeries and cancer treatments etc. can keep one home against their will to travel.

 

Or if they are needed to care for family members which hinders their travel plans. They want to go on a cruise but maybe not this year or the next?

 

I think that is a very touchy subject if they tried to apply that to keeping the amount of C&A members down. That is all this is about.

 

Just let the people have their free drinks as now and they could limit the Lounges--- not penalize the Loyal passenger by taking away their Points--they would LOVE to travel if only they could go or get away.

 

RCL would be getting Many Dr. letters to cover these medical reasons for not travelling . That would just add to their paper work:eek:

 

Quite true. I didn't sail for several years when my wife was terminally ill. Had RCCL taken away points or reduced my status I most likely would be sailing on different cruise lines or exercising other vacation options.

 

It seems that several posters view the intent of the C & A society as rewarding loyalty when in fact it is an enormously effective marketing tool. Dropping off points after x years is quite probably beyond the capacity of their IT department and more importantly it is negative marketing.