Never got a crystal block!

[OnTheJourney]

1 hour ago, lovesthebeach2 said:

Loyalty Ambassador 

yes...as already answered in post #11, but thanks anyway!

[OnTheJourney]

Just got this from C&A:

 

"Thank you for reaching out to our Crown & Anchor department. 

Commemorative Crystal Blocks are earned when reaching the 140 Cruise Points milestone, and every 70 Cruise Points. We are afraid that the fulfillment of Crystal Blocks is exclusively available for those acquired during cruises taken within the previous 12 months. 

Our records show that you reached the 140 Cruise Points milestone during your March 17, 2022, sailing onboard Enchantment of the Seas. Unfortunately, we cannot request this award to be mailed to you since you are outside the 12 months.

We understand that this policy may be disappointing to some, and we sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. We aim to ensure a fair and equitable distribution of rewards, and we appreciate your understanding in this matter. Thank you for choosing our services, and we look forward to welcoming you aboard in the future.

Thank you for choosing Royal Caribbean. To book your next sailing, please get in touch with your preferred travel agency, go to www.royalcaribbean.com, or call our sales department at (800) 205-9812. We are currently running a Buy One Get One 60% off sale! Kindly note that prices and availability are subject to change at any time."

 

I responded by saying that is THEY, not us, who failed to "ensure a fair and equitable distribution of rewards" by not mailing us one as promised during the cruise. This letter doesn't satisfy me in the least. I think they should make one and give it to us, along with a 2nd one - when (and if) we do another cruise with RCL.  How cheap can they get??

Edited May 7 by OnTheJourney

[OnTheJourney]

On 5/6/2024 at 4:00 PM, smokeybandit said:

And that was after that ship's LA contacted shore side and was told too much time had passed and we were out of luck to get a block for the ship we were on when we earned it.

Exactly, which is why I think what they're saying in the letter is a weak excuse to still not issue one.

[OnTheJourney]

19 hours ago, IndyCapt said:

I sure had never heard about them denying requests past 12 months. For anyone due a block from past sailings, it may be worth continuing to try to get it.

Well, the letter I got is attempting to do just that it would seem. It didn't invite further correspondence regarding it.

[IndyCapt]

6 hours ago, OnTheJourney said:

Well, the letter I got is attempting to do just that it would seem. It didn't invite further correspondence regarding it.

Maybe we were just lucky that they actually did send us the one from Odyssey (sent Mar 2024) even though it had been 18 months since we had earned it... Or perhaps the LA on Serenade was able to cut through some red tape on our behalf (?)🤷‍♂️

[Ocean Boy]

I really like the blocks. I visit the LA on every cruise that I am supposed to get one on to be sure I'm on the list.

[bilyclub]

Never got the first one when they started giving them out at 140 with the points to days conversion. They said too bad and wouldn't budge.  Now with the amount of people willing to spend big money keeping the ships full customer service is really lacking.

[OnTheJourney]

9 hours ago, IndyCapt said:

Maybe we were just lucky that they actually did send us the one from Odyssey (sent Mar 2024) even though it had been 18 months since we had earned it... Or perhaps the LA on Serenade was able to cut through some red tape on our behalf (?)🤷‍♂️

Well, just on a matter of principle I'm going to pursue it a bit further by calling them. I can surely live without this thing, but on the other hand feel like I earned it and should have it. OR, I can buy one on eBay. There are loads of them on there. Guess people maybe got tired of dusting them!

Edited May 8 by OnTheJourney

[OnTheJourney]

1 hour ago, bilyclub said:

Now with the amount of people willing to spend big money keeping the ships full customer service is really lacking.

This does not come as any sort of surprise.

[Ocean Boy]

1 hour ago, bilyclub said:

Never got the first one when they started giving them out at 140 with the points to days conversion. They said too bad and wouldn't budge.  Now with the amount of people willing to spend big money keeping the ships full customer service is really lacking.

 

16 hours ago, OnTheJourney said:

Exactly, which is why I think what they're saying in the letter is a weak excuse to still not issue one.

Wait until the next recession or pandemic hits. Customer service will be stellar.

[OnTheJourney]

58 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

pandemic

I'll take a recession over another pandemic.

[OnTheJourney]

Got a 2nd email reply from C&A: 

 

"After reviewing your profile again, I regret to inform you that no notes indicate that an agent had previously advised about the unavailability of Crystal Blocks. It appears there was a miscommunication, and for that, we sincerely apologize. We understand the frustration this may cause. 

We are afraid we cannot request a Crystal Block award on your behalf. This decision is based on criteria beyond our control, and we sincerely apologize for any disappointment this may cause. We value your contributions and are grateful for your understanding in this matter. Please let us know if there is any other way we can assist you or recognize your efforts."

 

I should write back: You can assist me by still mailing me a block. I did respond and indicated that regardless of whatever miscommunication may have taken place, we did what we were told to in completing the form and handing it in while onboard. Beyond that, it's their failure to not have gotten one to us. At this point, if they ever do get one to us I'll probably just list it on eBay for $75 or best offer. 😆

 

Edited May 8 by OnTheJourney

[Biker19]

1 hour ago, OnTheJourney said:

At this point, if they ever do get one to us I'll probably just list it on eBay for $75 or best offer.

Most usually sell for less.

[OnTheJourney]

4 hours ago, Biker19 said:

Most usually sell for less.

By making offers, I'm sure.

[OnTheJourney]

Letter #3 and 4 from C&A..variations on a theme...

Thank you for contacting Royal Caribbean International. 

I am sorry for your disappointment, and I understand your frustration with regard to your Crystal Block. I want to thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us. I will be making sure to share your feedback and comments with our management team. 

We appreciate your loyalty and we do apologize for any inconvenience this might cause.

 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Thank you for contacting Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society.  

I completely understand how disappointed and frustrated you must feel about not receiving your Crystal Block from your 140 milestone. I can see that you reached this milestone back in 2022, and unfortunately, our 12-month policy prevents us from fulfilling your request. However, please know that we truly value your loyalty, and we are committed to making things right. You will still be eligible to receive your 210 milestone Crystal Block when you reach 210 Cruise points, and we will make sure that you receive it onboard the ship. 

We appreciate your understanding and apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you. 

 

My question to them remains:  WHY can they not still send these blocks if it's beyond the 12 month timeframe? I can see if the guest failed to request it and then comes back a year or so later asking for it, but we filled out the form on the ship. It's their goof. 

[OnTheJourney]

 

Finally called C&A. Wow…trying to get to talk someone there was more frustrating then not getting our block! Anyway, I’m told that had we called within the 12-month timeframe and said we never received it, we could likely have gotten one; however, nowhere was it ever stated to us that this policy even existed, making it still unfair. How were we to know? Either way, I was told it’s definitely too late to request an exception. The agent I talked with indicated that she spoke with a supervisor and asked, but it was denied. Case closed. They assure me I’ll get one if we reach 210. I’ll believe it when I see the block either in the room or in the mail. She did say that there was indeed a shortage of blocks during and following the pandemic. Then, there were some sort of issues with the supplier so they switched to a different one.

 

Sounds like the newest blocks aren’t the same crystal engraving but rather a picture of the ship on the water - much like what you see on their backgrounds for personal photos. ebayI actually have no interest in one if that’s how it looks. Maybe I’ll buy a nice one on eBay.

 

So is this what they're doing now? If so, they can keep it.  https://www.ebay.com/itm/126462825943?itmmeta=01HXF6B9CS1FW0HV37HG1Y5B26&hash=item1d71c595d7:g:1kQAAOSwni5mKynw&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA0CLxITD0vkXW9OqTW%2FzNK53sW2V7b9gtkkBo4zFaX%2Fa5eofy7euqoMrHwy2CiznQiFZ0V6qXoViRtVfygh2DrcXTP4QabFmBfcvdjTNz8mLV6Krju2BbmGcLvZU0KSkUoXGlBWPextcNmKWzh9me0a67TJbkre5j%2BoAE6Kn3PpsmWC7lpMib9AdAv6YYBjGP9IF%2BY%2BY8DNJhBz2MbrN%2BIZtfR%2FlIoMyJmWJmlHQhdeoVgyCFlx8zUgr5Ija1%2F19nRBVQjPYwJO053AanR59O7t4%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR7yWrebrYw

[Ocean Boy]

32 minutes ago, OnTheJourney said:

 

Finally called C&A. Wow…trying to get to talk someone there was more frustrating then not getting our block! Anyway, I’m told that had we called within the 12-month timeframe and said we never received it, we could likely have gotten one; however, nowhere was it ever stated to us that this policy even existed, making it still unfair. How were we to know? Either way, I was told it’s definitely too late to request an exception. The agent I talked with indicated that she spoke with a supervisor and asked, but it was denied. Case closed. They assure me I’ll get one if we reach 210. I’ll believe it when I see the block either in the room or in the mail. She did say that there was indeed a shortage of blocks during and following the pandemic. Then, there were some sort of issues with the supplier so they switched to a different one.

 

Sounds like the newest blocks aren’t the same crystal engraving but rather a picture of the ship on the water - much like what you see on their backgrounds for personal photos. ebayI actually have no interest in one if that’s how it looks. Maybe I’ll buy a nice one on eBay.

 

So is this what they're doing now? If so, they can keep it.  https://www.ebay.com/itm/126462825943?itmmeta=01HXF6B9CS1FW0HV37HG1Y5B26&hash=item1d71c595d7:g:1kQAAOSwni5mKynw&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA0CLxITD0vkXW9OqTW%2FzNK53sW2V7b9gtkkBo4zFaX%2Fa5eofy7euqoMrHwy2CiznQiFZ0V6qXoViRtVfygh2DrcXTP4QabFmBfcvdjTNz8mLV6Krju2BbmGcLvZU0KSkUoXGlBWPextcNmKWzh9me0a67TJbkre5j%2BoAE6Kn3PpsmWC7lpMib9AdAv6YYBjGP9IF%2BY%2BY8DNJhBz2MbrN%2BIZtfR%2FlIoMyJmWJmlHQhdeoVgyCFlx8zUgr5Ija1%2F19nRBVQjPYwJO053AanR59O7t4%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR7yWrebrYw

There comes a time when they have to stop blaming the pandemic for everything that goes wrong. I received a block on Odyssey after the reopening., one of the nice old style ones. As I've stated before, if I am due for a block I make sure to visit the LA.

[OnTheJourney]

3 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

There comes a time when they have to stop blaming the pandemic for everything that goes wrong

This exact same thing has been stated relative to other cruise lines here on CC! 

 

4 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

one of the nice old style ones.

So much nicer. I'm going to buy one on eBay - that's the only way I'll get one for the 140 points. Then for 210 (when and if) it'll probably be the newer style, which I really don't care for as much. Chintzy looking in comparison IMHO.

[OnTheJourney]

6 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

if I am due for a block I make sure to visit the LA.

Surely will next time around.

[Biker19]

1 hour ago, OnTheJourney said:

So is this what they're doing now? If so, they can keep it. 

Some say it looks pretty good in person and prefer it over the old design.

 

Biker, who only cares what it's worth on eBay.

Edited May 9 by Biker19

[OnTheJourney]

Just picked one up on eBay. Looks terrific in the pictures. The guy never even had it out of the original box. RCL wasn't going to give me one for reaching 140 points on the Enchantment, so I found one a different way. Case closed.

Edited May 10 by OnTheJourney

[Tatka]

We got 2 onboard and for one we filled a request and followed with a call after return. Several calls. Received it after 8 months

[Another_Critic]

Have my 420 point block from last week’s Oasis TA in my carry-on waiting to board my flight at BCN.

[OnTheJourney]

13 hours ago, Tatka said:

Received it after 8 months

This is why I didn't think to even call them. Figured it could take quite awhile and never spoke to anyone else about it so as to find out what the approximate wait time actually is. I don't foresee getting more than one more of these quite honestly since we don't always cruise with RCL, and if it's the new design with the color picture of the ship, not really sure I want it.

 

By 8 months following the cruise where we earned the block, there were a good number of trips in the meantime and so totally forgot about the block. If there was some sort of 12-month time limitation, we should have been notified of that. It's all good. I'm going to get the one I just bought, and I'll enjoy having it.

 

Talked to at least one eBay seller who realized that after awhile he simply got tired of these blocks, figured their kids wouldn't want them some day either, and so decided to sell them!  He said that each one he sells helps to pay for a specialty dining meal onboard! He'd sell the stratums also except that they're personalized. All in the interest, he said, of reducing clutter. I get it, and something I should do as well.

Edited May 10 by OnTheJourney

[OnTheJourney]

13 hours ago, Tatka said:

for one we filled a request and followed with a call after return.

I'll do that for our next cruise. If we do 12 nights we're at the 210 point level and so qualify for another block. Then, IF we actually get one (I'll be frankly surprised), and I don't care for it, I'll list it on my eBay site. No problem selling these. Only a small box needed to make things easier. Some sell with or without the original box. Doesn't seem to matter. People snap them up. Prices are often a bit high but most accept a decent offer.