Diamond Plus - No More Concierge/Suite Lounge Access

[bilyclub]

Only had one voyage in the CL as a Diamond before they kicked diamonds out and now can only recall one trip with CL access as a D+.    Without the happy hour drinks, doesn't make much difference.

[leisuretraveler223]

I think it's funny that all these people have shown absolute fanatical devotion to a particular cruise line, and then act shocked when that line accepts that fact and doesn't unnecessarily kiss their feet.

[klfrodo]

Frankly, I'm happy about this. We normally book suites and have found the Concierges lounge and Suite lounge to be overcrowded on many occasions.

[sergeant655]

The only difference i found between the cl and dl comes with the new drink card system. The concierge lounge, has the classic happy hour unlimited drinks  while the diamond lounge uses the current vouchers. I have been using the diamond lounge  as I found no difference between the 2 and sometimes if there’s a lot of diamonds on board a ship, for example a transatlantic or transpacific they would have the happy hour in a bigger venue , on the voyager or freedom class, they would use the star lounge on deck five or the entire Viking crown lounge. Some ships now put the diamond lounge on deck 5 instead of 14

[Colibri51]

Not happy that Diamond Plus can no longer access the Concierge Lounge because of too many top tier members. If that is true and Diamond Plus can no longer access the Concierge lounge due to high volume, then why not prohibit Pinnacle to access the Diamond lounge as that also is impacted by large numbers of top tier members.  

[leisuretraveler223]

3 minutes ago, Colibri51 said:

Not happy that Diamond Plus can no longer access the Concierge Lounge because of too many top tier members. If that is true and Diamond Plus can no longer access the Concierge lounge due to high volume, then why not prohibit Pinnacle to access the Diamond lounge as that also is impacted by large numbers of top tier members.  

 

Because while Diamon Plus members are loyal and dedicated cruisers, Pinnacles are insanely fanatical Royal fetishists worth FAR more $$$ to them.

[st5310]

I've been reading these posts and I can't say I'm surprised at the vitriol.  I disagree with most, as I believe the perks are fine.  However, for those of you who are complaining that the perks "suck," perhaps you can tell me what perks you SHOULD be getting, in addition to the laundry bag, vouchers, etc.  And how do the perks we DO get compare with other similar lines, e.g. Carnival, HAL, NCL, et al.?

DW and I are both D+, but we LOVE the lounge which is why we book Grand Suites. 

 

It is always bad business to remove benefits.  Royal could have made this announcement with an advanced date, say "starting March 1, 2023" or something like it, then just deal with the overages until the new policy kicks in.  

[cruiseguy1016]

57 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

I think the over/under for the number of threads about this is 4.

 

2 so far. Halfway there.

[Tatka]

With 5 drinks a day and no Happy Hour Diamond Lounge is never really crowded, so it is completely fine to be there.

 

After this change (5 drinks) CL was never needed or benefited anyone.

Edited December 12, 2022 by Tatka

[Tatka]

12 minutes ago, Colibri51 said:

Not happy that Diamond Plus can no longer access the Concierge Lounge because of too many top tier members. If that is true and Diamond Plus can no longer access the Concierge lounge due to high volume, then why not prohibit Pinnacle to access the Diamond lounge as that also is impacted by large numbers of top tier members.  

 

Because there are WAY less Pinnacles than Diamond Plus(es).

And it will most likely to stay this way for a long time.

 

700 points is a lot in comparison to 185.

Edited December 12, 2022 by Tatka

[island lady]

47 minutes ago, yogimax said:

How many points to get to Diamond and 4 free drinks? - 80

How many points to get to get to Diamond Plus and 5 free drinks? - 175

How many points to get to Pinnacle and 6 free drinks? - 700

 

Anyone see anthing wrong here?

 

And Pinnies get 6 comped drinks, three bottles of wine (on 7 night and above)....no matter how many points they have over 700.  

[MedalDog]

13 minutes ago, Colibri51 said:

Not happy that Diamond Plus can no longer access the Concierge Lounge because of too many top tier members. If that is true and Diamond Plus can no longer access the Concierge lounge due to high volume, then why not prohibit Pinnacle to access the Diamond lounge as that also is impacted by large numbers of top tier members.  

this is a remarkably stupid take

[Georgeny]

1 hour ago, TBurr said:

The latest in RCCL downgrading its produced. First they no longer have the evening cabin cleaning so they can fire half their housekeeping staff, now their elite members lose another benefit.  I think they are learning from the airlines how to alienate their best customers. I recently sailed on Celebrity and found a far superior service, food, product and as an Elite member there they offered a great benefit.  I suggest you consider leaving RCCL since they have left us, and going to Celebrity. I am done with RCCL since they are done with me.

you do know RCL owned Celebrity yes?

[Tatka]

26 minutes ago, leisuretraveler223 said:

I think it's funny that all these people have shown absolute fanatical devotion to a particular cruise line, and then act shocked when that line accepts that fact and doesn't unnecessarily kiss their feet.

 

We never had fanatical devotion, but even with this change other lines do not have anything similar.

[davekathy]

We prefer the DL over the CL on the class of ships (Radiance class, Voyager class and Freedom class we sail on.  2019 was the first year our Seapass cards wouldn't open the CL door on the freedom. No prior notice. But the LA politely advice us. 🍷

[island lady]

38 minutes ago, DaKahuna said:

 I am inclined to agree that this announcement eases my mind to some extent.  As others have said above, now that the decision is made and is consistent across all ships, the footnote for Lounge access no longer becomes an issue.  Not Pinnacle, not in a suite == no Suite/Concierge lounge access.  No longer any ambiguity or waiting until onboard to see if you have access or not. 

 

 

Being Pinnacle and having access to CL/SL is not a given either....with no way to know if you do or not.....until after you board. 

[smokeybandit]

16 minutes ago, Colibri51 said:

Not happy that Diamond Plus can no longer access the Concierge Lounge because of too many top tier members. If that is true and Diamond Plus can no longer access the Concierge lounge due to high volume, then why not prohibit Pinnacle to access the Diamond lounge as that also is impacted by large numbers of top tier members.  

What would a Pinnacle want to go to the Diamond Lounge when they can go to the Suite Lounge?

[Tatka]

51 minutes ago, yogimax said:

How many points to get to Diamond and 4 free drinks? - 80

How many points to get to get to Diamond Plus and 5 free drinks? - 175

How many points to get to Pinnacle and 6 free drinks? - 700

 

Anyone see anthing wrong here?

 

Nothing really.

These are benefits line chooses to provide at their discretion.

[Another_Critic]

6 minutes ago, Tatka said:

With 5 drinks a day and no Happy Hour Diamond Lounge is never really crowded, so it is completely fine to be there.

 

After this change (5 drinks) CL was never needed or benefited anyone.

Apparently you only sail on low volume top-tier sailings.  In my experience, the D lounge (and the bars) all packed.  And to add insult, the CL is "empty".

[Ashland]

1 minute ago, smokeybandit said:

What would a Pinnacle want to go to the Diamond Lounge when they can go to the Suite Lounge?

The DL on many ships are a nicer venue. They can bring their SL drinks with them 

[Another_Critic]

3 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

What would a Pinnacle want to go to the Diamond Lounge when they can go to the Suite Lounge?

To hang out with the low-life D and D+.  😄

[island lady]

3 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

What would a Pinnacle want to go to the Diamond Lounge when they can go to the Suite Lounge?

 

Only a guarantee if that Pinnacle is in a full suite.  

[nelblu]

1 hour ago, TBurr said:

The latest in RCCL downgrading its produced. First they no longer have the evening cabin cleaning so they can fire half their housekeeping staff, now their elite members lose another benefit.  I think they are learning from the airlines how to alienate their best customers. I recently sailed on Celebrity and found a far superior service, food, product and as an Elite member there they offered a great benefit.  I suggest you consider leaving RCCL since they have left us, and going to Celebrity. I am done with RCCL since they are done with me.

WOW, good luck.

 

Not a big deal for me.  Over the last few years, it has not been available anyway.  Only opportunity to get the inviite was on Anthem and not a big deal.

[Tatka]

4 minutes ago, Another_Critic said:

Apparently you only sail on low volume top-tier sailings.  In my experience, the D lounge (and the bars) all packed.  And to add insult, the CL is "empty".

 

I sail 5 times a year for number of years. I see a large drop of pax in DL from before. Before DLs were literally packed. Now not at all. Maybe aside from some odd sailings.

 

Also number of D+ grows, so maybe it makes sense to leave CL lounge to people who really pay for it.

 

And honestly we could not be there on any cruises this year. Enchantment, Allure, Adventure and Anthem anyway.

Edited December 12, 2022 by Tatka

[island lady]

2 minutes ago, Another_Critic said:

Apparently you only sail on low volume top-tier sailings.  In my experience, the D lounge (and the bars) all packed.  And to add insult, the CL is "empty".

 

D+ AND Pinnacle banned from CL last 3 weeks here on Serenade.   Indeed...the CL is empty every night.  I feel sorry for the waiters and especially the concierge in that lounge....tips are not lining their pockets.  😞