Presidents Cruise in September, C&A program changes?

[land lover]

Based on past practice by Royal, there will be no changing of points required to reach any level and as such no grandfathering anyone in which is way to complicated.

 

Royal will just simply reduce the benefits associated with each level and possibly create a new level. Not really all that different that when D's were booted out of the CL lounge. Yes there will be some that are upset but most will soon get over it and life will continue on and Royal's ships will continue to sail full.

 

As far as giving status to children this is a brilliant Move by Royal's marketing department (one of a very few). This costs them nothing when the kids are young, as the kids go out on their own most do not have the money to cruise often but when they do get to a stage in life where they can afford to cruise where do they go...right back to Royal instead of potentially trying out a competitor.

 

Royal does not care that the lounges are full and some high level C&A member can't get a seat...they only care that you have paid your money and are on the ship.

 

 

Could not have said it better Ken...but I would add something else RCI really does not care about their "loyal cruisers" that only care about free benefits, they care about their NEW cruisers.....who spend the money......always have....my first cruise with RCI was in 1992 with my parents.

 

 

I was a diamond who was just 4 cruises away from attaining D+ when the benefits changed in 2009??? So I was "booted"..... Did 2 more cruises, but stopped cruising with RCI in 2011. Had already done most of their itineraries.

 

Fast forward Nov. 2015...did a B2B out of Venice on Splendour

returned to the RCI forum too...shocked to see so many using their status as an intro when they first post on a roll call, just sayin' Funny thing is now I am D+ and I am sure things will change...;) Just happy to have all the past benefits.

Edited June 4, 2016 by land lover

[land lover]

Not another thread like this...

 

You failed to take into consideration that the space problem only occurs mostly in US and TA sailings. Perhaps you are only confined in the US or TA sailings where there is only DL and Suite lounge.

 

Have you ever sailed Asia? Australia? I've sailed in all continents from Alaska to Caribbean to Norway to Asia to New Zealand, except South America. Well, was supposed to sail that continent too but RCCL just pulled out from that market starting next year.

 

Europe, for example is not that bad as the lounge only gets full before the first seating, after that, there is a lot of room.

 

 

 

Speaking Global what a difference a few years make......When we cruised the Med on RCI 7 years ago almost everyone in the CL was American, few English or Europeans had gained status. This last Nov. of course it was a RT out of Venice very few Americans and as another

 

Australia, even less, it's very tolerable.. (I know the Aussies agree with me)

 

Asia.. heck!!! Have you been to sailing in a Voyager class where there are only 2 Diamonds from the entire 3,000? Many times they cannot even do a top tier party as there are not much platinums and up members.

 

So before you make a suggestion, broaden your horizon first. RCCL is a global international cruise line and not merely in Florida sailing to the Caribbean where you are in.

 

And one more thing, not all continents have a drinking culture... so even if you put thousands of non existent Chinese diamond members (as most of them are still gold)... you won't find them in the lounges drinking, they rather be in the casino or in the ship's shopping area snapping up goods.

 

Judging from you whining about capacity problems, looks like you are just thinking local, not global.

 

Speaking Global what a difference a few years make......When we cruised the Med on RCI 7 years ago almost everyone in the CL was American, few English or Europeans had gained status. This last Nov. of course it was a RT out of Venice, but very few Americans in the small CL.

 

BTW...Princess has some nice Itineraries out of SA, I just booked one for January.

Edited June 4, 2016 by land lover

[Mitey]

Not another thread like this...

 

You failed to take into consideration that the space problem only occurs mostly in US and TA sailings. Perhaps you are only confined in the US or TA sailings where there is only DL and Suite lounge.

 

Have you ever sailed Asia? Australia? I've sailed in all continents from Alaska to Caribbean to Norway to Asia to New Zealand, except South America. Well, was supposed to sail that continent too but RCCL just pulled out from that market starting next year.

 

Europe, for example is not that bad as the lounge only gets full before the first seating, after that, there is a lot of room.

 

Australia, even less, it's very tolerable.. (I know the Aussies agree with me)

 

Asia.. heck!!! Have you been to sailing in a Voyager class where there are only 2 Diamonds from the entire 3,000? Many times they cannot even do a top tier party as there are not much platinums and up members.

 

So before you make a suggestion, broaden your horizon first. RCCL is a global international cruise line and not merely in Florida sailing to the Caribbean where you are in.

 

And one more thing, not all continents have a drinking culture... so even if you put thousands of non existent Chinese diamond members (as most of them are still gold)... you won't find them in the lounges drinking, they rather be in the casino or in the ship's shopping area snapping up goods.

 

Judging from you whining about capacity problems, looks like you are just thinking local, not global.

 

Agree!

Last month on Asian itinerary DL was empty...I don't think I ever saw more than 8 people in there at one time.

In contrast, Suez transit last year...DL was packed, even with an overflow lounge.

[Mitey]

Agree!

Last month on Asian itinerary DL was empty...I don't think I ever saw more than 8 people in there at one time.

In contrast, Suez transit last year...DL was packed, even with an overflow lounge.

 

On the Asian itinerary there was also a Top Tier event...not crowded at all.

There were Emerald in attendance.

[Sfr1959]

I think RCI have got their program right for Mr & Mrs General Cruiser, but for people who do solo and suite cruises it is out of whack.

With general cruises it take 10-12 cruises to get to Diamond, which is a very loyal cruiser.

We just got of an Alaskan cruise on Radiance, where a well to do lady from the states, is Diamond after 2 cruise. She did the B2B relocation of Explorer of the Seas from Australia. 11 night New Zealand cruise (33 points) then 24 night Transpacific cruise ( 72 point).

That give her a total of 105 points in 2 cruises, my question to RCI, who is the more loyal cruiser to their brand ??????? (Not hard)

 

If people book suites give them extra benefits, give them priority seating, and their own CL, seating by the pool, they have paid for them.

But don't take the loyalty rewards away from Mr & Mrs General Cruise . Crown and Anchor Loyalty program, Is to reward Loyalty to the RCI brand. not a suite and gold card reward system.

 

How do they fix it ?????

Probably the best way is to go to a 1 point per night across the board. If you book a suite you get all the benefits which you have paid for, but only 1 point per night.

Personally I think the same for solo traveler's

The system they have now is influenced by money, not loyalty

 

This will probability put a few noses out of joint, but just my view.

 

PS: By the way my wife and I are D+ and never been in a suite or had any cruises less then 7 days.

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Edited June 6, 2016 by Sfr1959

[Ocean Boy]

 

Personally I think the same for solo traveler's

The system they have now is influenced by money, not loyalty

 

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

Personally, I don't begrudge solo travelers the extra points. They pay the same amount as a couple and don't get any more for their money unlike someone who pays more for a suite. And though I don't know the statistics I suspect solo cruisers don't make up that large of a percentage of the cruising population so they are not contributing that much to the problems attempting to be addressed. I think the points are a nice benefit for them and there is little cost to RCI or impact on the other cruisers aboard the ships.

Edited June 6, 2016 by Ocean Boy

[Biker19]

The system they have now is influenced by money, not loyalty

 

There seems to be a misunderstanding in this, it is a reward (based on spending), not a loyalty program - most other industries are going to this model (hotels and airlines are already there).

[John&LaLa]

Personally, I don't begrudge solo travelers the extra points. They pay the same amount as a couple and don't get any more for their money unlike someone who pays more for a suite. And though I don't know the statistics I suspect solo cruisers don't make up that large of a percentage of the cruising population so they are not contributing that much to the problems attempting to be addressed. I think the points are a nice benefit for them and there is little cost to RCI or impact on the other cruisers aboard the ships.

 

I think you'd be surprised how many there are.

[Biker19]

I think you'd be surprised how many there are.

 

and the ones that are, will likely have high C&A status.:cool:

[TC1957]

There seems to be a misunderstanding in this, it is a reward (based on spending), not a loyalty program - most other industries are going to this model (hotels and airlines are already there).

 

According to Royal Caribbean's web site the misunderstanding is yours. The first sentence describing the C&A:

 

"The Crown & Anchor Society is our way of recognizing and rewarding our most loyal quests." emphasis added

[John&LaLa]

and the ones that are, will likely have high C&A status.:cool:

 

The highest. ;)

[MaritimeR&R]

Please be aware that many solo cruisers, like myself, paid double occupancy fees for many years (until October of 2013.) 98% of my cruises were 9 nights or more in balconies and the occasional junior suite. I have yet to stay in an inside or ocean view cabin.

 

In addition, being solo, I do not get the use of two coupons for various things, ie, internet, dinners, etc. Oftentimes, my balcony discount is reduced as a solo traveler. In light of these inequities, awarding one point per night to a solo traveler who is paying for two people but getting the perks for one would be very unfair.

 

Sure, there are couples who take advantage of getting 2 points per night (3 for a suite) booking two cabins and staying in one, each getting double points, but the true solo traveler should not be made to suffer as a result of this kind of point manipulation.

[Scotty G]

I think you'd be surprised how many there are.

 

Agree, we know quite a number of solo cruisers on RCI and see many of them on different ships in the course of a year.

[land lover]

And solo travelers r rewarded once they earn 340 pts by only having to pay 150%, which I think is a nice perk.

[Biker19]

According to Royal Caribbean's web site the misunderstanding is yours. The first sentence describing the C&A:

 

 

 

"The Crown & Anchor Society is our way of recognizing and rewarding our most loyal quests." emphasis added

 

 

Probably most airline and hotel chain's reward programs say the same thing - yet most of them reward their customers based on what they spend - RCI is no different. You can glom onto marketing spin, or accept the reality on the ship ( and most others in related industries).

 

 

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