Spectrum of the Seas, Suites-only class and/or Pinnacles

[Andy C]

Researching Spectrum of the Seas and stumbled across the following comment in response to a story on the RCI blog in re: whether pinnacles would be allowed in suite class in Asia:

 

KEN  Kathy Constantine • 9 months ago

I doubt it. The current trend amongst cruises in Asian and particularly Chinese markets is to fully segregate the suites enclaves even to those who have reached the top loyalty tiers, because Asian customers tend to holiday in large family groups and have a tendency to fully maximise their membership privileges, which put together can lead to some rather unpleasant crowds in a supposedly secluded area. Dream Cruises and Norwegian Cruises don't do it, and given RCI is following their lead in implementing a suites-only area, I doubt they would deviate from that model.

 

Royal is going to the suite-only model because market forces dictate it does.  The only surprising thing is that it has taken this long for them to learn that premium paying passengers have no patience for a cheap un-exclusive experience.  Asians don't put up with what we put up with in the West - a Royal Suite class overrun by people who aren't actually paying to stay in a suite.  

Edited March 23, 2019 by Andy C

[cruisegirl1]

Very few upper tier passengers travel the Asian market. Often the ships cater to high end casino players. Perhaps rather than a few pinnacle cruisers, the suite area may also include high end casino patrons.

 

Not to worry. It is different from a pinnacle cruiser  paying for balcony cabin  who can enjoy the suite restaurant privilege, many high end casino patrons are not paying for a cruise at all. That would make them NPCPUSL or non-paying casino patrons using the suite lounge. 

 

M

 

 

Edited March 23, 2019 by cruisegirl1

[LXA350]

You will probably find 0 to 0.0000001 Pinnacles on Asian cruises, unless they can somewhoe connect it with a repositioning cruise back to the USA. Should the one or the other Pinnacle be found on a Asia cruise not connected to any repositioning deal, I wouldn't even worry to let them use the Suite only facilities as this hand full that really earned this status by traveling the world and not living in the Fox news bubble on 0 IQ level surely would know how to behave in such environment and not be a pain to the paying suite guests

[Andy C]

It seems Spectrum is going to have very impressive suite facilities with gold being the highest and silver being the second tier.  A lot of talk about how they are moving to the ship within a ship model with highly restrictive access and even private elevators.  

[cruisegirl1]

 Suite lounge and dining access is already a benefit of those in the Master level of Club Royale. I suspect that the benefit will transfer to the Asian country cruises.

M

Edited March 24, 2019 by cruisegirl1

[sandebeach]

Sounds a bit like the MSC Yacht Club experience. It is not a private elevator but your can use your Yacht Club room card in the forward elevators and they become an Express elevator to the Yacht Club. 

[gkbiiii]

I have been in YC and I bet they will soon have a ship in Miami to challenge MSC.  I wonder what the difference between Gold & Silver is, being that the price difference is huge.

[Milwaukee Eight]

On 3/22/2019 at 10:20 PM, Andy C said:

Researching Spectrum of the Seas and stumbled across the following comment in response to a story on the RCI blog in re: whether pinnacles would be allowed in suite class in Asia:

 

KEN  Kathy Constantine • 9 months ago

I doubt it. The current trend amongst cruises in Asian and particularly Chinese markets is to fully segregate the suites enclaves even to those who have reached the top loyalty tiers, because Asian customers tend to holiday in large family groups and have a tendency to fully maximise their membership privileges, which put together can lead to some rather unpleasant crowds in a supposedly secluded area. Dream Cruises and Norwegian Cruises don't do it, and given RCI is following their lead in implementing a suites-only area, I doubt they would deviate from that model.

 

Royal is going to the suite-only model because market forces dictate it does.  The only surprising thing is that it has taken this long for them to learn that premium paying passengers have no patience for a cheap un-exclusive experience.  Asians don't put up with what we put up with in the West - a Royal Suite class overrun by people who aren't actually paying to stay in a suite.  

Good news. Hopefully implemented soon in US. 

[sisocialworker]

sounds great to me..since we always sail in a suite..suite snobs rule 😉 ......pop corn time....

[Milwaukee Eight]

@Andy C

 

Any word when this will be implemented in the States?

[ashleyriley]

Sounds like MSC Yacht Club or NCL Haven concept, which we enjoy. We like the service, amenities, and peace of the ship within the ship concept but also have the great entertainment options for a younger family. 

[Andy C]

On RCI the ship within a ship concept is interrupted by NSPPs.  Pinnacles have access to the suite only areas even if they are not staying in a suite.  If there are many onboard the suite only areas can't accommodate all.  And the best part of all of this is that the Royal Suite Class marketing materials make ZERO mention of this boondoggle.