Royal Champions Vereses the rest of us

[cruisinMike]

My jaw dropped to the floor when I read this thread. I did not even know that a "royal champion" program existed.

 

I just spent my entire lunch hour reading through this thread, and some of the posts of people in this thread on other topics. It was a very interesting read.

 

I've come to respect a lot of opinions on this board, and a lot of people have been very helpful to me in the past. But, sadly, I must admit that now, after reading this thread, whenever I see a "RC" or "Royal Champion" in the signature, I will now take a different look at their opinions. Perhaps it's the cynic in me. Perhaps this is a human flaw that I have that makes me think that people are naturally greedy and will change their behaviour when a reward is on the line. I'm sure there are psych studies that prove this to be true, but that's not my point...

 

A lot of forums on the internet are just people sharing ideas with other people.. for the fun of it, and because it feels good to help people with your knowledge and experience. This I get. This I understand. And, this I LOVE about CC.. or so I thought. NOW.. as soon as I know that there are people being rewarded in some way because of their opinions and helpfulness, it now puts their opinions in a different light. I'm not keen enough to detect tone and intent in an internet posting, so I will from now on, struggle to see the "real picture" in future RC posters only because of that human flaw that I have. This saddens me because I want to believe that this opinion is driven by nothing other than their desire to help me. I believe a lot of that will still be there... but now I am forced to look at these opinions differently. I guess that's the downside of this program. You can argue blue in the face that my thought process is flawed, but it's how I see it. A few other people seem to feel the same way. I have NOTHING agaisnt RCs, and I congratulate them for having this recognition, but I gotta say, your posts now will mean less to me, and that upsets me.

 

I know.. the rewards are not great. (No group hugs with the captain.) And it sounds like some of the newer RCs have not yet received a perk or benefit, but it will probably come in one way or another, at one time or another.

 

Sheesh I tend to ramble... :cool:

 

Actually Todd, I commend you for your brutal honesty about yourself and expressing and recognizing your own human weaknesses. I am not going to agree or disagree because these are your feelings. I hope you're not trashed for being honest about your feelings, but I think that will be wishful thinking on my part.

 

I think what you may be trying to say is what I expressed a couple of pages back when I posted this,

 

"Although I say it somewhat tongue-in-cheek, it kind of reminds me of the senator that would say that his decision to aid a company with grants was not influenced by his willingnes to accept free transportation around the world on their corporate jets. It's not [that] there is any conflict of interest, it can be just the appearance of it that can be a concern. Therefore, as with any public internet site, buyer beware"

 

The only thing I can recommend is to look at each post individually and try not to paint with such a broad brush.

 

With that all the best and have a great day.

[Annieeee]

For those of you upset at being excluded, I have added a new club to my signature. I invite anyone who wants to join to do so. There will be annual meetings at the pool bar of an RCL ship and I will buy you a drink (all other travel-related expenses are your responsibility - just like with Royal Champions). Better hurry though, you have to join by April to be considered a founding member.

 

 

But I joined because I don't like the whining, (is that me whining?) I hope that by joining that it will NOT give the impression that all who joined are "upset". I am very happy for my friends and cruising buddies that have been invited to be Royal Champions.

 

Annieeee

[dgwags]

First let me say, I have no problem with you or the program, I say Congrats to you and hope you enjoy it.

 

I am wondering though, what exactly do you get for being a Royal Champion?

 

Thanks

[JSQ01]

What is Royal Champion?

[wolfganghowell]

I am not greeted at the gang-plank and hugged.

Gosh, the crew knock little old ladies over to hug me and welcome me back.

 

There is no private party for Champions that you do not know about.

I get a private tour of the Captains suite.

 

There is no VIP cuddle with the Captain.

I end every night with a cuddle.

 

:D :D :D

 

Sorry - just having fun. I totally get what you are saying. This is much ado about nothing. Never heard of it til now, sure would accept if offered but my opinions will still remain consistent - it's a personality trait ingrained in me and my bluntness is world renowned. This is like a kindergarten version of "Get out of my sandbox". It appears that Laura Sterling described the situation quite clearly a few pages back.

 

And if RCI is monitoring this thread, I have a message. Please for the love of *** change your advertising campaign. The Nation of Why Not stinks and your current commercials are hideous. Other than that - ;) - I'm a happy cruiser. :D

[cruisePRN]

I agree that a rewards program should be based on discrete criteria. RCL is always touted as having the best reward program so yours is an interesting perception to me. Certainly, I think all those free cocktails that Diamond and up are drinking nightly are not found on other lines. Nonetheless you're perceptiosn are yours.

 

 

.

 

The inaugural sailing of the Liberty is an example of what RC'ers got that D+ people did not. I'm told the RC'ers got parties and wined and dined and gifts of filled tot bags.

 

The D+ benefit of free booze doesn't interest me, I don't drink more then a glass of wine or two the whole week. As for your statement that RCL has the best rewards program I disagree. I can disagee right? I prefer free laundry, pressing, dry cleaning, mini bar set up and free internet on Princess BUT I still sail more on RCL for the product. My pointis that RCL is no longer my #1 choice because of their lack of loyalty to me so i look at many cruises now, not just RCL.

[DireMongoose]

Its a marketing program that is likely on the tip of a wave of new marketing we will see in years to come, not just from RCCL but in other areas of our lives as well. I saw an email in the past couple days with some stats and projected stats related to computers...and the changing dynamics of life with them. So as goes the new world of computers, RCCL is tapping into that realm to market their product.

 

IMHO, this is dead on. A lot of companies are doing this kind of marketing now, including, I guarantee, some you would never imagine (and that I can't mention due to non-disclosure agreements -- this isn't the kind of work I do, but I do technical work that on some projects has been related to these kinds of efforts).

 

Essentially, a company will look for people who are as seen as leaders or influencers within the online communities it sees as important to their product, and try to cultivate special relationships with these people and keep them feeling positive about their product.

 

It's not that RC values the 3 cruises that a hypothetical gold member Royal Champion has bought over the 50 cruises a non-RC diamond plus member has bought, exactly -- but they see the first person as someone who is influential in this or other communities and who will help drive business their way, essentially for the relatively low cost of keeping them happy. Why hire people to blog and post and answer questions on their behalf, when there are people who genuinely like their product and want to do these things already?

[sea-cruise]

This is really strange...All of a sudden I realize that people probably don't want my help anymore, and I can understand where they're coming from when they say they don't trust me anymore.

I just became a royal champion a few weeks ago. For those of you who have known me since 2004, I've always hit the SEARCH button for many of you, and posted photos of cabins, ports, etc., and I've always enjoyed looking things up for you, because I'm that way.

Even these past weeks, after having an artificial joint installed in my thumb, I was posting pictures of aft balconies on the All Things Explorer thread.

As many of you know, I always say I've cruised 8 different lines and I like them ALL. :)

I just want to post that I won't be searching for information to try and help anymore. Don't take me the wrong way, I'm not upset with you who don't trust me, I'm upset with myself for wasting my time in the past, and I do realize that you have a right to not want my help.

Hey....I'll get a well deserved rest, and just post for the fun of it when I'm bored. :)

Royal Caribbean, If you're reading this, I'm officially going to be a lazy old 65 year old slug. :D

[rubrrick]

This is really strange...All of a sudden I realize that people probably don't want my help anymore, and I can understand where they're coming from when they say they don't trust me anymore.

I just became a royal champion a few weeks ago. For those of you who have known me since 2004, I've always hit the SEARCH button for many of you, and posted photos of cabins, ports, etc., and I've always enjoyed looking things up for you, because I'm that way.

Even these past weeks, with my hand in a hard cast, I was posting pictures of aft balconies on the All Things Explorer thread.

As many of you know, I always say I've cruised 8 different lines and I like them ALL. :)

I just want to post that I won't be searching for information to try and help anymore. Don't take me the wrong way, I'm not upset with you who don't trust me, I'm upset with myself for wasting my time in the past, and I do realize that you have a right to not want my help.

Hey....I'll get a well deserved rest, and just post for the fun of it when I'm bored. :)

Royal Caribbean, If you're reading this, I'm officially going to be a lazy old 65 year old slug. :D

 

 

Yep.........all of us RC's can stop helping others now. Too bad that they think that we slant everything for the cruiselines.

 

Frankly, many times I have spoken out against new rules that RCCL has put into place.....but now I'll just keep my mouth shut! (maybe not):D

 

There are a few lines that I have not cruised on.......as of yet. Carnival, Crystal, Radisson, Regency to name a few. Outside of Carnival, I have been on all other mass market lines, so I have something to compare RCCL with.

 

And here is what I have received for being a RC. 0, nothing, nada, zilch!:eek:

 

Rick

[cruisinMike]

[/color][/b]

 

.....................I just became a royal champion a few weeks ago........

 

So this means you're not a "Charter Member" of the Royal Champions as I've seen some further segregate the haves and have nots. ;) :D

[Bazzito]

Exactly. They are different marketing strategies. They have different aims and goals. Just like other corporations, not all advertisements and marketing ideas follow the same path. Branching out is key, especially in a travel industry that is struggling to stay afloat!

 

NOTICE: Due to the rules of the program, you will NEVER achieve "Champion" status if you continue to use phrases such as "struggling to stay afloat!"

 

Please cease and desist immediately.

[sea-cruise]

Hi Rick and Mike,

I honestly do feel good. I think I needed this thread in order to stop knocking myself out like a nitwit, looking for information. :o

Rick I followed Paul's thread about your 46 day cruise and I saw that Bobbi was sick. :(I hope she decided to go to the doctor. I never met any of you, but I was worried about her being so sick.

Mike, yeah...I'm a "newbie" RC. :)

[xpcdoojk]

Mike, tisk tisk.:rolleyes:

 

Sea-Cruise, thanks for all of your help.:cool: Does this mean I am going to get punished because of the others bad behavior? I believe I have heard that refrain by some folks complaining about RCI changes in programs and the like. They didn't seem to think it was fair that they be punished for other's bad behavior. :D

 

Rick, I just read on another thread that a very long time CC poster (I don't know if he was a RC or not) who was on your cruise died:( this week from complications of the crud you all had on the sailing. So, make Bobbi go to the doctor, as I don't want to lose anymore friends.

 

jc<---- not a RC and thinks RCI needs a new programmer to fix their broken viral program because they forgot to give me my free cruise!:D

[DireMongoose]

I just want to post that I won't be searching for information to try and help anymore. Don't take me the wrong way, I'm not upset with you who don't trust me, I'm upset with myself for wasting my time in the past, and I do realize that you have a right to not want my help.

 

Hey, don't stop doing something you seem to enjoy because some people are bozos about it.

 

I'm sure most of the people you've helped in the past still appreciate whatever help you've given them. If they do, and you had fun doing it, that's what's important. If anyone doesn't like it, screw their canoes.

[cruisenfever]

The inaugural sailing of the Liberty is an example of what RC'ers got that D+ people did not. I'm told the RC'ers got parties and wined and dined and gifts of filled tot bags.

 

My information was just the opposite of yours. There were many D+ members on board the Liberty Pre-inaugural both out of NJ and out of Florida and they were invited to all the parties, were wined and dined and also received gifts.

[cruisinMike]

jc, I know, couldn't help myself. Rest assured, I slapped myself silly after that. I'm glad sea-cruise took it in the jest it was meant.

[rubrrick]

Mike, tisk tisk.:rolleyes:

 

Rick, I just read on another thread that a very long time CC poster (I don't know if he was a RC or not) who was on your cruise died:( this week from complications of the crud you all had on the sailing. So, make Bobbi go to the doctor, as I don't want to lose anymore friends.

 

jc<---- not a RC and thinks RCI needs a new programmer to fix their broken viral program because they forgot to give me my free cruise!:D

 

jc........yes, unfortunately Mexico Ken passed away in his sleep on February 18th...........just one day before we got into San Pedro. However, he also had a bad heart. Bobbie is on cipro........we won't lose her!!:)

 

Thanks for your thoughts!!;)

 

Rick

[setsail]

The inaugural sailing of the Liberty is an example of what RC'ers got that D+ people did not. I'm told the RC'ers got parties and wined and dined and gifts of filled tot bags.

 

The D+ benefit of free booze doesn't interest me, I don't drink more then a glass of wine or two the whole week. As for your statement that RCL has the best rewards program I disagree. I can disagee right? I prefer free laundry, pressing, dry cleaning, mini bar set up and free internet on Princess BUT I still sail more on RCL for the product. My pointis that RCL is no longer my #1 choice because of their lack of loyalty to me so i look at many cruises now, not just RCL.

 

And the facts are? Went back and read that other thread thru, you posted 21 times, and the POLICY was stated many times but sad to say NO proof RCCL is not followering their policy.

[hcat]

I am very close to achieving Diamond Plus. I feel the criteria for achieving is posted. I have felt the Royal Champion Program is rewarding people on internet usage not dollars or number of cruises.

 

There has secrecy according to RCCL we were quoted by a loyalty specialist via email. This response was after the person told my husband via phone that selection was random.

 

"Royal Champions are selected based on a proprietary methodology to recognize influential online contributors, however, not all online posters will be named Royal Champions. The Royal Champions program is completely separate from the Crown & Anchor Society. Perks received by Royal Champions do not duplicate or replace benefits received by Crown & Anchor Society members. Membership tier and/or number of cruises in Crown & Anchor are not selection factors for Royal Champions. We continue to provide exclusive invitations and benefits to our most loyal Crown & Anchor Society members. "

 

I find this disturbing, since I found this online today

 

http://www.customerinsightgroup.com/loyaltyblog/

 

"Royal Carribean Case Study

Identifying Brand Advocates: Royal Caribbean worked with Nielsen Buzz Metrics to identify enthusiastic online supporters of Royal Caribbean. Using a combination of automated and manual techniques, they identified online communities that discuss Royal Caribbean Cruises. Relying on data mining software and human expertise in word-of-mouth analysis, they measured awareness, identifying emergent qualitative themes of discussion on blogs, travel forums, usernets to gain a better understanding of how consumers discuss Royal Caribbean cruises. Fifty Royal Caribbean Champions were chosen for both quality and quantity of posts with many having over 10,000 message board posts on various Royal Caribbean topics. While Champions were primarily found on Cruise Critic, they also posted on travel communities, usenet groups, travel blogs and personal journals."

 

 

This marketing champaign has negative impact on my family.

The program rewards people who have hours to spend on the internet, I have to work during the day. Our last cruise was on NCL and was great, my kids shocked when I told them we were going on another cruise line. I now tell everyone not to be loyal to one cruise line since the dollars I have spent don't seem to matter.

 

My issues are:

 

One what is the secret about the "Royal Champion " program why was I told one thing in an email and another posted on the internet.

 

Why is Royal rewarding people for postings not dollars spent?

 

One is one cruiser more important than another?

 

I know I will get flack from the Royal Champions, but my interest is how other RCCL cruisers feel about not being a champion.

 

WOW--this is quite enlightening & disturbing..do all cruise lines do this on various boards? What perks do they recive? I must be naive.....I thought people posted (like me) because they enjoyed sharing info about cruising..not to promote a particular line... The inquiry has more to do with how one gets favored status but I question the favored status program to begin with...

 

-How do I know that people are posting true opinions rather than sucking up to the ones who give them Champion status-? People always used to wonder about so called "Cheerleaders" & now it seems we know why.... Really lends a taint to the process... maybe Champions should have to disclose their atatus like lobbyists--

 

took some of the enjoyment out of my day! Think I'll play a word game or read a book!

[sea-cruise]

 

Sea-Cruise, thanks for all of your help.:cool: Does this mean I am going to get punished because of the others bad behavior? :D

 

You will be brutally punished, and furthermore, you will enjoy it! :D:D(if you do not enjoy it you might want to at least ACT like you do...to throw bloodhounds off your scent so your butt isn't chewed off) LMAO. :)

[sea-cruise]

Hey, don't stop doing something you seem to enjoy because some people are bozos about it.

 

I'm sure most of the people you've helped in the past still appreciate whatever help you've given them. If they do, and you had fun doing it, that's what's important. If anyone doesn't like it, screw their canoes.

I love that last sentence! I hope we're tablemates sometime in the future! I always cross my fingers and hope for mates with a sense of humor. So far I've had good luck getting nice ones.

[Toddcan]

This is really strange...All of a sudden I realize that people probably don't want my help anymore, and I can understand where they're coming from when they say they don't trust me anymore.

I just became a royal champion a few weeks ago. For those of you who have known me since 2004, I've always hit the SEARCH button for many of you, and posted photos of cabins, ports, etc., and I've always enjoyed looking things up for you, because I'm that way.

Even these past weeks, after having an artificial joint installed in my thumb, I was posting pictures of aft balconies on the All Things Explorer thread.

As many of you know, I always say I've cruised 8 different lines and I like them ALL. :)

I just want to post that I won't be searching for information to try and help anymore. Don't take me the wrong way, I'm not upset with you who don't trust me, I'm upset with myself for wasting my time in the past, and I do realize that you have a right to not want my help.

Hey....I'll get a well deserved rest, and just post for the fun of it when I'm bored. :)

Royal Caribbean, If you're reading this, I'm officially going to be a lazy old 65 year old slug. :D

 

Sigh...

I suppose that's one reaction you can take. But, I hope that you don't stop posting.

 

When it comes to reporting facts (pictures, and data), they carry on, and thank you! But, I'm glad you can understand the perspective that says a person's opinion about something is changed if he/she is being rewarded (or conversely, punished, for that matter - which does not apply here, obviously). I hope that you DO post opinions, I will just have to do my best to put it in perspective now that I know what an RC is.

[DireMongoose]

WOW--this is quite enlightening & disturbing..do all cruise lines do this on various boards?

 

You should be, simultaneously, more and less paranoid about this:

 

First, the more: not just cruise lines, but most companies with products to sell do something like this now. This is the nature of marketing in the 21st century. If you post on another board asking how to get gunk off your bathroom tile and someone posts saying that S.O.S. pads work great, the thought should be in the back of your mind that maybe they were shipped a bunch of free samples or in some other way have a special relationship with the company that makes them.

 

Second, the less: Ask yourself, why RCCL picked the people they did? Probably, it's because they're people who already posted a lot, were generally helpful, and were generally positive about their RCCL cruise experiences. I wouldn't worry too much about the objectivity of people who had already made up their minds one way or another.

 

Judge people individually based on their posts. If someone usually has helpful ideas of fun excursions to do when people ask, and you need an excursion idea that might be fun, does it really matter whether or not they're a RC if their advise for you is good?

[sea-cruise]

I know, couldn't help myself. Rest assured, I slapped myself silly after that. I'm glad sea-cruise took it in the jest it was meant\

I knew you were joking...That's what I like about you. You're not all doom and gloom. Life is too short for that.

Bobbie is on cipro........we won't lose her!!:)

Rick, I'm glad to hear she's on Cipro. It'll do the job.

[cruisinMike]

 

You should be, simultaneously, more and less paranoid about this:.........

 

Absolutely this phrase had me wiping the screen off without reading further into your comment. Struck me funny as heck.