Revamped Tier Levels Coming Soon

[nocl]

1 hour ago, scottca075 said:

 

I was disappointed that Princess didn't take the opportunity to completely gut the old benefits plan and tiers and start over. They could have placed existing Captain's Circle members in the new tiers based on the new criteria. And the new criteria in my ideal world would not be based on cruises or days, but points, like Celebrity does.

 

The people that Princess should be rewarding and trying to get back on board are those who are the most profitable for the cruise line. THAT is the point of a loyalty program. If you've been on 100, 7 day Princess cruises in an Inside Cabin and not spent a dime more than you had to you aren't as valuable to Princess as a person who has taken 10, 7 day Princess cruises in a Suite, done multiple specialty dining nights, taken excursions, bought alcohol, specially coffee several times a day, etc.

 

My ideal benefits plan would be based on points earned through cabin level commiserate with cost of the cabin and bonus points for total spend.

The problem with that is while you change how the status is earned it still has the same fundamental problem that results in devaluation over time. That is due to status being based upon lifetime points with no expiration.  That means that the number in any high status level will grow over time, until the program breaks, unless you structure the program to be independent of the percentage of passengers in that status on that cruise. Which general means minimizing the value at the start of the program.

[Sea Hag]

15 minutes ago, LACruiser88 said:

We were also disappointed that Princess did not do a more comprehensive overhaul of their CC program.  There are too many Elites and there should be more separation between the Platinum and Elite levels.  Here come the Haters!

Well, I don't think I'm being a hater, and I doubt you'll think so either. But here it is. We're at present two points shy of being Elite. Loyalty club benefits never have been my main criteria for choosing a cruise, but reasonably enough over the last years it's definitely become a factor when picking between two or three pretty much identical cruises. All things being equal, Princess would get the nod over another company where we weren't as far along on the loyalty tier. I was fully aware that Princess could, and probably would, change benefits. These things happen, even if we don't like them. However, I'd surely hate it if they changed the Platinum/Elite counts such that Elite is still far down the road for us. I wouldn't like that at all, and I doubt anybody else would either. Hypothetically, they could decide to agree with you that are are too many Elites and set the bar such that many current Elites would be dumped back down to lowly Platinum. Unlikely, but possible. 

[suzyed]

1 hour ago, AtlantaCruiser72 said:

Which I noted in my second bullet point when I wrote "Viking has self-serve launderettes and full wraparound promenade decks on all Ocean ships.  Same with Cunard and Crystal Ocean."

 

not trying to be snarky, but just wanted you to know that I know 🙂 LOL

Ok, didn't see that....

Edited July 3, 2021 by suzyed

[LACruiser88]

13 minutes ago, Sea Hag said:

However, I'd surely hate it if they changed the Platinum/Elite counts such that Elite is still far down the road for us. I wouldn't like that at all, and I doubt anybody else would either.

You state a very reasonable fear and I totally understand your position.  I'm not sure what the perfect solution would be or if there is a perfect solution? 

[Sea Hag]

1 minute ago, LACruiser88 said:

You state a very reasonable fear and I totally understand your position.  I'm not sure what the perfect solution would be or if there is a perfect solution? 

Nothing's perfect in this imperfect world.  🙂

[Daniel A]

2 minutes ago, LACruiser88 said:

You state a very reasonable fear and I totally understand your position.  I'm not sure what the perfect solution would be or if there is a perfect solution? 

It is what it is and the fat lady has sung.  No total revamp or extra separation between levels or addition of a higher tier.  27 pages of speculation and complaining should just about do it.  

 

The posters who want to "jump ship" because their high status at Princess is being diluted probably won't be much happier starting at the bottom at another cruise line.  Although I like the perks at Platinum, that's not why I cruise Princess although some are nice bonuses but not enough to entice me to never go on another line.

[Thrak]

11 minutes ago, Daniel A said:

It is what it is and the fat lady has sung.  No total revamp or extra separation between levels or addition of a higher tier.  27 pages of speculation and complaining should just about do it.  

 

The posters who want to "jump ship" because their high status at Princess is being diluted probably won't be much happier starting at the bottom at another cruise line.  Although I like the perks at Platinum, that's not why I cruise Princess although some are nice bonuses but not enough to entice me to never go on another line.

 

YES!  So much angst. Princess has decided and I don't believe any amount of gnashing of teeth or complaining to management will have the slightest effect on their decisions.

[Steelers36]

3 hours ago, scottca075 said:

That is why I WILL book an RCL ship in the near future because I will taking grandkids, 15 down to 5 on an Oasis Class ship and book a PCL cruise the next week for Gramma and me to recover from the RCL ship.

Good one!!

[Steelers36]

1 hour ago, nocl said:

The problem with that is while you change how the status is earned it still has the same fundamental problem that results in devaluation over time. That is due to status being based upon lifetime points with no expiration.

Good point.  Using an airline example, status is earned each year.  I was pretty much Super Elite with AC for 10 years and then the final year was like a swan song when I retired (you get most of the benefit year after earning it).  Used up FF miles when I could still book with priority.  Lost the status with flights cut back to personal only. 

 

Perhaps the cruise lines should require at least one voyage of a week or 10 nights each calendar year in order to maintain current status , or you drop down one level.  Next year, same thing.  That way, a customer doesn't go away for 5/6 years and then come back sailing still as Elite, for example.  Something along this line would not be unreasonable.  Same thing happens with hotel status.  A cruise ship is like a floating hotel in many respects.

 

ETA - Perhaps one or more cruise operators are thinking this, but waiting for the other guy to make the first move.

Edited July 3, 2021 by Steelers36

[caribill]

12 minutes ago, Steelers36 said:

 

 

Perhaps the cruise lines should require at least one voyage of a week or 10 nights each calendar year in order to maintain current status , or you drop down one level.  Next year, same thing.  That way, a customer doesn't go away for 5/6 years and then come back sailing still as Elite, for example.  Something along this line would not be unreasonable.  Same thing happens with hotel status.  A cruise ship is like a floating hotel in many respects.

 

That would certain eliminate all the elites since no one took a Princess cruise in over a year.

 

One cruise line did have that requirement to retain status. I do not remember which one it was and do not know if they still have it.

[nocl]

14 minutes ago, Steelers36 said:

Good point.  Using an airline example, status is earned each year.  I was pretty much Super Elite with AC for 10 years and then the final year was like a swan song when I retired (you get most of the benefit year after earning it).  Used up FF miles when I could still book with priority.  Lost the status with flights cut back to personal only. 

 

Perhaps the cruise lines should require at least one voyage of a week or 10 nights each calendar year in order to maintain current status , or you drop down one level.  Next year, same thing.  That way, a customer doesn't go away for 5/6 years and then come back sailing still as Elite, for example.  Something along this line would not be unreasonable.  Same thing happens with hotel status.  A cruise ship is like a floating hotel in many respects.

 

ETA - Perhaps one or more cruise operators are thinking this, but waiting for the other guy to make the first move.

If I was designing the system I would turn it into a point system where the points could be traded in for whatever the person wanted from the cruise line.  Maybe at a 3% return per dollar spent on fares or on board.  In addition I would set up annual status at 10, 25, 50, and 75 day level with some benefits at each level. During the first year I would give the annual status based upon the existing programs status independent of days cruised during the previous year.  In addition, just like the airlines do with their programs I would have a lifetime level (for airlines they are at 1 million miles) at 1000 days  that would give someone the first 25 days credit  automatically, even if they have not cruised during the previous year.

 

That way people get flexibility from the points.  The frequent cruisers still get some status levels.  And there is a lifetime reward, though at a very high level.  Such a program should remain stable without many changes for quite a while.

 

Probably will not see it, but maybe because the move of the lines to more all inclusive pricing packages are devaluing the loyalty programs more than just the removal of one or two features.

[abbydancer2003]

13 minutes ago, caribill said:

 

Put the blame on Grey Line for that. Princess does not run the buses.

But CCL owns all the pieces, including Gray Line.  If I decide I want to push it, I'd contact Gray Line.

[Steelers36]

15 minutes ago, caribill said:

 

That would certain eliminate all the elites since no one took a Princess cruise in over a year.

 

One cruise line did have that requirement to retain status. I do not remember which one it was and do not know if they still have it.

Well of course the Pause would be an exception.  Didn't think it necessary to state that.  

[majortom10]

6 hours ago, dog said:

Contact Princess and ask them what you can do. 

Easier said than done you cannot direct message them on their Facebook site and in the UK trying to phone Princess to ask a query is an impossible task when they dont answer the phones.

[dog]

44 minutes ago, majortom10 said:

Easier said than done you cannot direct message them on their Facebook site and in the UK trying to phone Princess to ask a query is an impossible task when they dont answer the phones.

 

36 minutes ago, CarelessAndConfused said:

 

And when they do answer, as with virtually all CSRs in most all companies, you're lucky if you can get any kind of a resolution less than even half the time.  CSRs have an average life of about 2 months.  And the vast majority hardly travel let alone go cruising.  These are the folks "resolving" our issues.

Guess I was lucky. I contacted them and received a reply in 2 days 

I was told to complete what I could in the Personalizer, print out the Travel Summary and they would have agents at the terminal to help complete the rest at check in for those who do not use app 

others in this board have posted the same  

 

customerrelations@princesscruises.com

 

answered my email

Edited July 3, 2021 by dog

[wallyj]

49 minutes ago, caribill said:

 

That would certain eliminate all the elites since no one took a Princess cruise in over a year.

 

One cruise line did have that requirement to retain status. I do not remember which one it was and do not know if they still have it.

MSC requires you to take 1 cruise at least every 3 years to maintain your ‘status’, else you drop back to ‘newbie’. 
 

Airline programs started with earning status/points by the how many miles you flew then changed to how much your ‘ticket’ cost. I think most Hotel programs still require number of ‘stays’. I can see evolution to having to ‘maintain’ status and the coveted ‘lifetime’ status by reaching a ‘milestone’. I think this number previously was considered around 100 cruises or 700 days as some of the cruise lines recognize this accomplishment.

[RRFan]

49 minutes ago, caribill said:

 

That would certain eliminate all the elites since no one took a Princess cruise in over a year.

 

One cruise line did have that requirement to retain status. I do not remember which one it was and do not know if they still have it.

I think it would be each calendar year.  We had one cruise in 2020 and next one is 2021, so that would qualify even though they will technically be 19 months apart.  This suggestion makes sense to me.  You must cruise at least 7 days or more with Princes within each calendar year in order to maintain current loyalty level.  It would encourage loyal cruisers to do at least one cruise with PCL and although it doesn't fix the basic problem of too many elites, it might reduce a few each year.

[Steelers36]

7 hours ago, Tedferg said:

Will this lead to another 'Sharing' dilemma ? Pax with Plus can sell / share access to those who only need to print Boarding Pass for flight home 🙂 🙂 

Oh you know my plan.  I am going to setup daily internet hours at our cabin and even provide the computer for a modest fee per minute.  

[PescadoAmarillo]

2 hours ago, nocl said:

If I was designing the system I would turn it into a point system where the points could be traded in for whatever the person wanted from the cruise line.  Maybe at a 3% return per dollar spent on fares or on board. 

Funny you chose that return rate. I’ve just done the math.  With 121 Princess cruises, the former Captains Circle OBC “saved” us $8500, or about 2.8% of the revenue Princess earned by having us as guests. Furthermore, because of where we live, and because we’ve done B2B(2B…) cruises without wanting to change cabins between them, there were only 2 or 3 times we were able to take advantage of last minute deals, which would have saved us far more than 2.8%. Princess, I’m sure, will still be willing to cut fares to fill ships.
 

I said “saved” because we decided early on that every $ we saved with that OBC would be given to the cruise as tips over and above the standard. We’ve had such amazing service that it wasn’t hard to do that. 

[darkpelagic]

5 hours ago, LACruiser88 said:

We were also disappointed that Princess did not do a more comprehensive overhaul of their CC program.  There are too many Elites and there should be more separation between the Platinum and Elite levels.  Here come the Haters!

Bet you weren’t complaining when you reached elite. I think you may be the hater. 

[darkpelagic]

3 hours ago, nocl said:

 

 

Probably will not see it, but maybe because the move of the lines to more all inclusive pricing packages are devaluing the loyalty programs more than just the removal of one or two features.

That’s how I see it. They may as well pull everyone back to zero if people don’t cruise. It’s effectively what they’re doing anyway. In a way it’s a freedom - can now book other cruise lines and cruises without thinking of whether I will make a tier or not. I cruise with Celebrity and Princess but Princess had the best perks (and the best ships with Sun and Sea). Not anymore. 

Edited July 4, 2021 by darkpelagic

[Wichenford Wolf]

On 7/3/2021 at 1:39 AM, scottca075 said:

 

If everyone is Elite, then no one is Elite.

 

 

Agreed.

 

As WS Gilbert wrote; When everyone is somebody, then no-one’s anybody!

[CruisinFinsUp]

18 hours ago, scottca075 said:

 

Anyone who knows anything about the economics of cruise ships knows that a cruise line like Princess (or HAL, RCCI, NCl, Celebrity, et al) makes very, very little profit on the room if it sells for book rate. If it is a discounted room, it might be break even or even a small loss. They count on people buying extras on board to make the voyage profitable.

 

Elites are NOT their bread and butter if they are not spending money on extras like specialty restaurants, specialty coffee, bottles of wine, pictures, in the casino, trinkets and clothing, etc.

 

If they can afford to cruise "5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or more times a year" then they can afford the cruise being $100 more. They may not LIKE paying $100, and if it really is an affordability issue, drop the 9th cruise and that will pay for the extra $100 on the other EIGHT cruises they take.

 

 

 

THIS! 
 

We can argue about the decision being wrong, but the pricing model that is currently in place is that the cabin price DOES NOT BREAK EVEN.  On board spending is where profits are made.   If you don't spend onboard, Princess doesn't want you.  The loyalty rewards of xx% off a purchase PROVE this.  
 

Demand is greater than supply.  Cruising is the new thing.  more and more big ships are being built.  The bigger the better in terms of economies of scale and profits.  They believe that they can fill the ships with new cruisers that spend onboard.   Repeat cruisers who spend nothing are currently detrimental to the bottom line under the current pricing model.    Again, we can argue that we disagree, but THIS IS THE CURRENT MODEL.  And all departments are acting within that model.  
 

I'm sure the "plus" fare is priced in a way that it meets minimum profitability.  
 

I read an article yesterday - marketing study showed cruisers don't think about what they've ALREADY SPENT before the trip when they are onboard. So if drinks, tips, wifi are paid already, they'll be more inclined to spend more onboard without concern ---> hence the Plus fare! 
 

Agree or not, this is the current economic model.  Cabin only fares would be much higher if the economic model were different.  
 

 

[skynight]

Back on topic. Princess has decided that the previous loyalty tier system and the ways to obtain them remain in place. Suppose they feel this is their best marketing approach. Sadly they removed two of the most popular benefits, the free internet minutes, platinum+ and the loyalty OBC for their most travelled guests. I do think after they removed the loyalty OBC they should have added an additional tier. Princess did add for elites 10% off most ship tours and spa bookings. For us a cruise is about being on board and maybe walking around familiar ports that we have been to so many times. We never visit the spa. While nice, they have little value for us. While elites can make up 1/3 or so of the passengers, reducing the benefits, those with 400+ sailing days are a small percentage of the passenger load. I think they should re-visit this issue. 

[vjmatty]

17 hours ago, Daniel A said:

It is what it is and the fat lady has sung.  No total revamp or extra separation between levels or addition of a higher tier.  27 pages of speculation and complaining should just about do it.  

 

The posters who want to "jump ship" because their high status at Princess is being diluted probably won't be much happier starting at the bottom at another cruise line.  Although I like the perks at Platinum, that's not why I cruise Princess although some are nice bonuses but not enough to entice me to never go on another line.

It's not about jumping ship over the loss of benefits.  It is about Princess, by removing or watering down benefits, leveling the playing field to its disadvantage by cutting its own competitive edge as it relates to past passengers. This removing of benefits is also combined with what I call the "Oasization" of the line, meaning bigger and bigger ships sailing more restrictive itineraries which past cruisers have already sailed ad nauseum.  These two trends are going to cause their customer base to shop more broadly and compare with other cruise lines. So, rather than leaving Princess in a huff and slamming the door as you leave, it's more like opening more doors before walking through the one offered by Princess, and possibly finding something better.