Looks like the loyalty OBC may also be a thing of the past

[MissP22]

Just one more reason to try one of the other cruise lines at this time. 

Perhaps we'll return some day when they re-introduce the perks that kept us coming back year after year. 

[antsp]

20 hours ago, kitty2264 said:

It is hard for me to understand why Princess would cut Loyalty OBC.  I don't know how many persons on a cruise would have 50+ sailings thus saving Princess $100 each, but that number doesn't seem like it would be worth the bad PR.  We only have half that many cruises so we will lose $25 each.  

 

We have been loyal to Princess for many reasons and gaining an additional perk at 21st cruise was nice but hardly a deal maker and for future cruises it won't be a deal breaker either.  They earned our loyalty thru good courteous service, friendly smiles, and providing a generally welcoming atmosphere.  We'll make the most of the benefits that we are provided.

It was per cabin, not each

[antsp]

17 hours ago, cruzsnooze said:

They took away some valuable perks and simultaneously raised the "crew incentive". All around disadvantage to consumers.

You can adjust the crew incentive to the older rate if you wish too

[dog]

On 7/1/2021 at 8:47 PM, franktown said:

I'm afraid wishful thinking.  Once gone will never come back at least that's my opinion.

Tend to agree, sadly 

[Drews_Cruise]

As I stated in another similar thread,  It appears that the loyalty programs really don't offer that much anymore and I would prefer to book the ship and itinerary that I really want rather than staying with Princess like we have in the past.  I have to admit that I always checked Princess first but have recently stopped that.  We plan to try out all the other companies now to see what we've been missing.  The weaker the loyalty offers from Princess are the easier it is for us to make that decision.  After our rescheduled booking to Hawaii next year, were off to try the new Norwegian ship Prima.  After that....anybody but Princess.  (It's not that I don't like Princess because we do.  It's just time for something new, and the lack of really good loyalty benefits makes it easier for us to say goodbye. (for now) 

[vjmatty]

On 7/2/2021 at 3:31 PM, Sincity said:

Our last cruise prior to Covid was on Celebrity and we felt that the food was better and the cabin was much nicer, even over the newest Princess ships. It now broadens our choices whereas in the past, it was Princess without any questions asked. 

This my feeling as well... hubby and I both have some dietary limits and Celebrity is much more accommodating in that regard.  Also on Celebrity, you don't have to pay deluxe prices for places to sit in your cabin.  Not saying I will ditch Princess over the latest revisions, they will always be a primary consideration, but it does make me feel a bit more free to look at other options.  

Edited July 7, 2021 by vjmatty

[vjmatty]

44 minutes ago, gardening_guy said:

 I have to admit that I always checked Princess first but have recently stopped that.  We plan to try out all the other companies now to see what we've been missing.  The weaker the loyalty offers from Princess are the easier it is for us to make that decision. 

Same here.... and having been raised in a country where retailers have to end all prices in .99 to make consumers think they are getting a deal, it should be no surprise that when two nearly identical products have a slight advantage to the consumer, shoppers will take notice.  As the advantage in switching becomes bigger, it is harder to justify a more narrow vision.

 

Now don't get me wrong, there are issues with cruise lines other than Princess that also drive me nuts.  No self-serve laundry or 2-bottle wine allowance on RCCL products, including Celebrity.  Seriously? That seems just as petty as removing the sitting furniture on Princess ships. 

Edited July 7, 2021 by vjmatty

[san diego sue]

My husband was probably more upset that the  chair and small table were removed from cabins than losing $100 OBC  . Has made us move up to Mini suites on longer cruises.

Wonder how passengers will feel that get the Casino rates having that totally removed.For those lucky passengers , a huge amount would be lost.We never have gotten the casino offers.

[vjmatty]

7 minutes ago, san diego sue said:

My husband was probably more upset that the  chair and small table were removed from cabins than losing $100 OBC  . Has made us move up to Mini suites on longer cruises.

 

Same here..... I think they need an indoor location to wait while we get ready and the bed is just not comfortable for extended sitting 🙂

[dog]

20 minutes ago, san diego sue said:

My husband was probably more upset that the  chair and small table were removed from cabins than losing $100 OBC  . Has made us move up to Mini suites on longer cruises.

Wonder how passengers will feel that get the Casino rates having that totally removed.For those lucky passengers , a huge amount would be lost.We never have gotten the casino offers.

Funny you shou mention casino offer. On another thread as irdmom just got one. 

[Fat Albert]

I think the CC Loyalty program will continue with new tiers of cruise levels. I think the OBC will show up at maybe 50 cruises gets 25 bucks and every 10 after it goes up another 25 bucks. The new change will be 50 gets 25 bucks, 60 gets 50 bucks ,70 gets 75 and 80  will be for 100 dollars.

[dog]

3 minutes ago, Fat Albert said:

I think the CC Loyalty program will continue with new tiers of cruise levels. I think the OBC will show up at maybe 50 cruises gets 25 bucks and every 10 after it goes up another 25 bucks. The new change will be 50 gets 25 bucks, 60 gets 50 bucks ,70 gets 75 and 80  will be for 100 dollars.

Do you have a source?

[maggie777]

1 hour ago, vjmatty said:

Same here.... and having been raised in a country where retailers have to end all prices in .99 to make consumers think they are getting a deal, it should be no surprise that when two nearly identical products have a slight advantage to the consumer, shoppers will take notice.  As the advantage in switching becomes bigger, it is harder to justify a more narrow vision.

 

Now don't get me wrong, there are issues with cruise lines other than Princess that also drive me nuts.  No self-serve laundry or 2-bottle wine allowance on RCCL products, including Celebrity.  Seriously? That seems just as petty as removing the sitting furniture on Princess ships. 

Still missing the barrel chair. It's now time to go "furniture" shopping!

[coo359a2]

We haven't sailed but once on both RCL and Carnival but with people talking about no longer cruising with Princess due to losing the Loyalty OBC, can someone post what OBC other cruise lines offer.  Is there military and shareholder OBC on other lines?    I guessing that other cruise lines have the equivalent of OBC from  TAs and FCDs.  Can all the OBCs be combined when cruising on the other cruise lines?  It would be nice to have a comparison chart showing what is offered by each cruise line to help decide which best suits you.  I like having washers and dryers available when on longer cruises.

[Cruise Raider]

On 7/2/2021 at 9:57 AM, blubberwon said:

I don't believe they will be getting many Elite passenger to part-take in the new benefits.

 

You may be right, however, we are finding great value in the new discounts that are offered.  We always purchased the unlimited WiFi package and now, it's at a bigger savings.  We always purchase a photo or two from the gallery and I already am planning on a nice massage, which is something I rarely do.  And the excursion discount is wonderful.  So, for this elite passenger, I'm probably coming out ahead and so is the cruiseline.  

It is true, though, first time cruisers do oftentimes spend more money on the ship than people that have been around to learn all the tricks.  I have people commenting all the time that we must get great deals on sailings because we go so often.  I actually think that the cruiselines would actually rather attract a new generation of passengers, those without expectations so, less griping about the way things 'used to be'.  That's not a criticism pointed at anyone in particular, it just seems like those that have the most complaints have set their expectations based on previous experiences that are no longer being met.  

 

[dog]

11 hours ago, Cruise Raider said:

 

You may be right, however, we are finding great value in the new discounts that are offered.  We always purchased the unlimited WiFi package and now, it's at a bigger savings.  We always purchase a photo or two from the gallery and I already am planning on a nice massage, which is something I rarely do.  And the excursion discount is wonderful.  So, for this elite passenger, I'm probably coming out ahead and so is the cruiseline.  

It is true, though, first time cruisers do oftentimes spend more money on the ship than people that have been around to learn all the tricks.  I have people commenting all the time that we must get great deals on sailings because we go so often.  I actually think that the cruiselines would actually rather attract a new generation of passengers, those without expectations so, less griping about the way things 'used to be'.  That's not a criticism pointed at anyone in particular, it just seems like those that have the most complaints have set their expectations based on previous experiences that are no longer being met.  

 

Agree. 

[Pink-belle]

13 hours ago, Cruise Raider said:

 

You may be right, however, we are finding great value in the new discounts that are offered.  We always purchased the unlimited WiFi package and now, it's at a bigger savings.  We always purchase a photo or two from the gallery and I already am planning on a nice massage, which is something I rarely do.  And the excursion discount is wonderful.  So, for this elite passenger, I'm probably coming out ahead and so is the cruiseline.  

It is true, though, first time cruisers do oftentimes spend more money on the ship than people that have been around to learn all the tricks.  I have people commenting all the time that we must get great deals on sailings because we go so often.  I actually think that the cruiselines would actually rather attract a new generation of passengers, those without expectations so, less griping about the way things 'used to be'.  That's not a criticism pointed at anyone in particular, it just seems like those that have the most complaints have set their expectations based on previous experiences that are no longer being met.  

 

I agree, I was disappointed to read that we would lose the Loyalty bonus, but in reality the % discounts off excursions and photo purchases will more often than not work out in my favour. 
The loss of free internet minutes will make the Princess Plus option more attractive. 

[caribill]

On 7/7/2021 at 2:01 PM, Cruise Raider said:

 

We always purchased the unlimited WiFi package and now, it's at a bigger savings. 

 

 

Old pricing after discount on first day (which resulted in the lowest available price) was essentially $10/day.

 

So if the new 50% discount is based on the onboard price of $14.99/day, then the price will essentially be $7.50 a day/person, a savings of $2.50/day/person over the old rates. On a 7-day cruise that will give you a bigger savings of $35 total for two people over pre-covid pricing.

[dog]

2 hours ago, caribill said:

 

Old pricing after discount on first day (which resulted in the lowest available price) was essentially $10/day.

 

So if the new 50% discount is based on the onboard price of $14.99/day, then the price will essentially be $7.50 a day/person, a savings of $2.50/day/person over the old rates. On a 7-day cruise that will give you a bigger savings of $35 total for two people over pre-covid pricing.

This sounds good 

[Iamcruzin]

On 7/7/2021 at 12:51 PM, vjmatty said:

Same here..... I think they need an indoor location to wait while we get ready and the bed is just not comfortable for extended sitting 🙂

Maybe a 50 plus cruises a barrel chair can be added as a loyalty benefit.  

[Iamcruzin]

On 7/7/2021 at 2:32 PM, coo359a2 said:

We haven't sailed but once on both RCL and Carnival but with people talking about no longer cruising with Princess due to losing the Loyalty OBC, can someone post what OBC other cruise lines offer.  Is there military and shareholder OBC on other lines?    I guessing that other cruise lines have the equivalent of OBC from  TAs and FCDs.  Can all the OBCs be combined when cruising on the other cruise lines?  It would be nice to have a comparison chart showing what is offered by each cruise line to help decide which best suits you.  I like having washers and dryers available when on longer cruises.

On Royal Caribbean and Celebrity you can't even use the shareholder credit if you book a sale price. Royal Caribbean has a sale running 24/7 which is just a discount for the second guest on a fare they keep raising.  Also you can't stack discounts like they allow on Princess. 

Edited July 9, 2021 by Iamcruzin

[Cruise Raider]

5 hours ago, caribill said:

 

Old pricing after discount on first day (which resulted in the lowest available price) was essentially $10/day.

 

So if the new 50% discount is based on the onboard price of $14.99/day, then the price will essentially be $7.50 a day/person, a savings of $2.50/day/person over the old rates. On a 7-day cruise that will give you a bigger savings of $35 total for two people over pre-covid pricing.

On my last cruise where I purchased the unlimited value on the first day of a seven night sailing, it came to approximately $9 per night.  I don’t know what the price will be onboard now but, my PVP stated it would be $5 a day for elite passengers that didn’t get the Princess Best package.  Good deal for me as I always purchase the unlimited WiFi one way or another.  

[coo359a2]

1 hour ago, Iamcruzin said:

On Royal Caribbean and Celebrity you can't even use the shareholder credit if you book a sale price. Royal Caribbean has a sale running 24/7 which is just a discount for the second guest on a fare they keep raising.  Also you can't stack discounts like they allow on Princess. 

Thanks for the info. At least with Princess for now, we get sale prices, TA OBC and  some large amounts of OBC on 14 day plus cruises. When OBC goes to same as RCL we might think of starting off at minimal OBC given from other lines. But would miss doing our own laundry that we don’t send to princess laundry

[vjmatty]

10 hours ago, Iamcruzin said:

On Royal Caribbean and Celebrity you can't even use the shareholder credit if you book a sale price. Royal Caribbean has a sale running 24/7 which is just a discount for the second guest on a fare they keep raising.  Also you can't stack discounts like they allow on Princess. 

I’m not sure if this is what you mean by stacking, but I have an RCL cruise in October and it did included multiple discounts… 2nd person at 60% off, military discount, law enforcement discount and one other I can’t recall. 

[geoherb]

On 7/3/2021 at 5:36 AM, antsp said:

It was per cabin, not each

 

It depended on your Captains Circle numbers. Married couples who had numbers that differed only by the letter at the end (A and B) received one loyalty OBC per cabin. Couples and unrelated people who had different Captains Circle numbers each received the loyalty credit when sharing a cabin. We always both received it. And the loyalty amount was based on cruise credits not the number of cruises sailed. We had two credits for the one cruise we sailed in a suite, and I had two credits each for the cruises I sailed solo.