Jump to content
Cruise Critic Community

C&A program outdated?

leisuretraveler223
 Share

Recommended Posts

grapau27

grapau27

Posted
Posted
You may be right but a Radiance concierge, very recently, told us that it would be going to the suite lounge concept. That said, we've received several tidbits of information from various concierges that never happened. Nonetheless, the Radiance class would be a relatively easy change.
It was or he was hoping it was?
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Ocean Boy

Ocean Boy

Posted
Posted
Interesting thread, OP!! (And even more interesting to see how personally folks take your brainstorm question. ;))

 

 

Someone said "They are giving stuff that they think is valuable to their long term customers- and most appreciate it." That's correct. It's just that right now, their long-term customers are the older generation who have different appreciation standards/values than those 20- and 30- somethings who have been sailing with their parents all their life and are D already, or will be soon.

 

When the lounge predominately empties of that older generation and they're on that cruise ship in the sky, RCI will either 1) realize the current D/D+ population doesn't want the current "stuff" and change to new "stuff" they value more, which I agree will include some things on your list....or, 2) as some folks have already mentioned, RCI will determine the ships fill up anyway, and do away with the valuable "stuff" altogether. Oh, they'll still CALL it a VIP program :rolleyes:, but it'll be a substantial decrease in quality and quantity of offers.

 

Just like with any other business, they'll have to evaluate if it's beneficial for them to change the offers to suit the values of the current D/D+ cruisers. With the trend we've seen in changes on board, I'm also voting the majority of those effected won't be too happy with the changes!

And maybe that will be the perfect way for RCI to unofficially end the program. Just keep it as it is and as the older people drop out, and the younger people have no interest in the present benefits, RCI gets to stop handing out the benefits and no one complains. The older folks get them for as long as they are around and the younger people don't want them. Seems like a win for everyone.;)

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Milwaukee Eight

Milwaukee Eight

Posted
Posted
I assume "TS" is thread starter (me). I don't necessarily think my view is the majority view. I was honestly kind of thinking out loud when I started this thread. I think the majority of high status members (D+ and Pinnacle) are probably actually very happy with the program. I was just wondering if there might be a way to modernize it a bit.

 

 

 

I think, and it’s only my opinion, that many D+ are upset with current direction they see Royal headed. The number of D+ are increasing.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Link to comment
Share on other sites
John&LaLa "Live from...." Rare

John&LaLa

Posted
Posted
And maybe that will be the perfect way for RCI to unofficially end the program. Just keep it as it is and as the older people drop out, and the younger people have no interest in the present benefits, RCI gets to stop handing out the benefits and no one complains. The older folks get them for as long as they are around and the younger people don't want them. Seems like a win for everyone.;)
I should have 25 - 30 years still. [emoji16]

 

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Bobal

Bobal

Posted
Posted
Depends on the ship and how well the specialty restaurants are booking. We've had some luck on several cruises in using the D+ bogo on other nights during the week as long as we do the booking on the first day as soon as we board.

 

Us too, particularly on longer cruises. We always ask if it's possible. On the Explorer TP in April we were able to use them any night during the first week.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Milwaukee Eight

Milwaukee Eight

Posted
Posted
True. We have 10 cruises booked between now and February 2020, and at ~$400 not spent on alcohol for each of those cruises, we save ~$4,000 (~two more cruises worth) over the next 18 months. When we get on Oasis in September, we will probably book those two additional cruises on the savings from RCL's loyalty program - nothing better than cruising on house money:)

 

 

 

I just don’t get how some can drink those Diamond Liquors, especially if your a Vodka drinker. Do you drink the same brands at home? The Wine as well.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Link to comment
Share on other sites
John&LaLa "Live from...." Rare

John&LaLa

Posted
Posted
I just don’t get how some can drink those Diamond Liquors, especially if your a Vodka drinker. Do you drink the same brands at home? The Wine as well.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

We drink the exact same wine. [emoji16]

No problem with vodka when mixed with something. The beer could be better.

 

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

Link to comment
Share on other sites
PhoenixCruiser

PhoenixCruiser

Posted
Posted
I know of a person that I have seen on a number of cruises that brings a very nicely printed "reserved" sign that he places on a table in the CL.

 

The Concierge actually allows this BS?

 

That wouldn't stop me from sitting there. In fact, I think it would motivate me to do exactly that...

 

Same here!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
grapau27

grapau27

Posted
Posted
Your holiday might revolve around alcohol, you can not speak for everyone.
So all the full bars on the ships and in the land based tourist areas and all the restaurants where people have wine on their table is a

Figment of my Imagination!!!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
grapau27

grapau27

Posted
Posted
We drink the exact same wine. [emoji16]

No problem with vodka when mixed with something. The beer could be better.

 

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

If I have a beer in the DL it is a can of Heineken which I could buy in any bar.
Link to comment
Share on other sites
reallyitsmema

reallyitsmema

Posted
Posted
So all the full bars on the ships and in the land based tourist areas and all the restaurants where people have wine on their table is a

Figment of my Imagination!!!!

 

You hang out in bars, you are going to see people drinking. There are actually other people who aren't hanging out in the bars and are doing other activities that do not involve drinking. Try it sometime.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
John&LaLa "Live from...." Rare

John&LaLa

Posted
Posted
So all the full bars on the ships and in the land based tourist areas and all the restaurants where people have wine on their table is a

Figment of my Imagination!!!!

Don't you know, the folks in the DL are there for the camaraderie, not the booze.

 

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

Link to comment
Share on other sites
hellsop

hellsop

Posted
Posted
True, but I think the demographic is changing. Younger top tier travelers are not going to find a crowded lounge and well drinks to be a reason to maintain any sort of brand loyalty. I certainly don't feel any brand loyalty for that. I just wonder if it's a missed opportunity.

 

If that's true, then your problem with the lounges will be self-solving. The people that don't care for crowded lounges will simply go elsewhere.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Tatka

Tatka

Posted
Posted
Wait, you're actually admitting your vacation plans are solely and entirely predicated on a couple free drinks....

 

Wow.

 

 

 

Mine don’t, but we sail with 8 lines (well minus Carnival now) and more or less like all. Approaching D status made us choose RCCL last 4 times since Thanksgiving, we also have 2 more this year with RCCL.

It’s a loyalty program, in some ways it supposed to make us cruisers more loyal to this cruiseline.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
John&LaLa "Live from...." Rare

John&LaLa

Posted
Posted
And I thought you were a Caymus person.

 

The vodka could be used in place of acetone.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

You can get better vodka in several of the bars is my experience.

 

Caymus is a rarity for us. Beringer is the table wine

 

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing
  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Cruise Critic News & Features
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...