Crown & Anchor Program Revisions - join the merged discussions here

[LMZinSC]

[quote name=alphakitty;18825885

 

ONBOARD BENEFITS (Effective July 1st' date=' 2009)

 

GOLD

After 1st

completed cruise

PLATINUM

After 5th completed

cruise credits

DIAMOND

After 10th completed

cruise credits

DIAMOND PLUS

After 24th completed

cruise credits

 

GOLD

 

• Ultimate Value Booklet*

• SeaPass Card

recognition

Recognition at the combined Captain's Cocktail Party/Welcome Party**

 

 

* Savings certificates to use in our spas, casinos, bars, and more – delivered to your stateroom first evening of cruise.

** Beverages available for purchase

 

So I guess it really is about the cost of the alcohol. Not just about giving the Suite Guests better perks. Not that the drinks served at the Captains Cocktail party were all that great, but they were available to everyone no matter what status.

[ommboz]

Maybe they should call it Cubic Zirconia status now.

 

LOL!! Yes, I now have the prestigious Cubic Zirconia status!

[Arizona Cruz Chic]

maybe they should call it cubic zirconia status now.

 

 

rofl

 

***

[mjyanne]

Maybe they should call it Cubic Zirconia status now.

 

How about "Cubic Tanzinite"!:rolleyes:

[seabreeze0389]

The reasons we fell in love crusing with RCCL have diminished over the past several years; cabin categories have changed, the headliners for shows are no longer mainstream celebrities, the night theme parties are no longer, as well as the midnight buffets and the chocolate buffet. The Wine Steward is no longer, the food has become of less quality, time docked at many ports have shortened, less value in the C&A coupon booklet, and not being able to combine discounts.

And now, taking away a benefit that we have earned through our loyalty to RCCL is just unconscionable. What is next, changing our own linens, using the same towel all week, swiming from the ship to Coco Cay. Will the dining room become one big Windjammer and we will have to bus our own tables, LOL.:)

[rogicoco]

Maybe they should call it Cubic Zirconia status now.

That's exactly what it is now a CZ. They fool us into thinking that diamond status is something special but in the end it's a fake diamond. we are got tossed so easily.

[Arizona Cruz Chic]

We (diamonds) opened our wallets to pay for cruises to reach a level and receive benefits RCI promised to us. They took them away.

 

 

Very well said!

 

We've paid our dues but they have locked us out!

 

***

[ommboz]

The reasons we fell in love crusing with RCCL have diminished over the past several years; cabin categories have changed, the headliners for shows are no longer mainstream celebrities, the night theme parties are no longer, as well as the midnight buffets and the chocolate buffet. The Wine Steward is no longer, the food has become of less quality, time docked at many ports have shortened, less value in the C&A coupon booklet, and not being able to combine discounts.

 

And now, taking away a benefit that we have earned through our loyalty to RCCL is just unconscionable. What is next, changing our own linens, using the same towel all week, swiming from the ship to Coco Cay. Will the dining room become one big Windjammer and we will have to bus our own tables, LOL.:)

 

LOL! Who knows whats next? Cleaning our own rooms? Cleaning our bathrooms (they just give us the materials to do it, and we take care of it ourselves!) I am just disappointed in the diminished quality over the years.

[Laffsaho]

it's not that we are upset about not getting a few "free drinks". it's the loyalty issue. in this economy, most businesses respect and reward customer loyalty, especially when there is much competition for your business. when you show loyalty to a certain company, it's nice to be rewarded and appreciated and it makes you want to come back and use them again and again. every business from grocery stores to shoe stores to hair cutting shops have incentive programs to reward loyal customers. at amc movie theaters, loyal customers get discounts at the snack bar, free snacks and an occassional free movie for being "loyal" to them and not going to see flicks at other theaters like edwards, manns, or ua. and this type of reward system is wide spread in almost all aspects of commerce where companies are striving to get YOUR business. to treat repeat customers like they aren't important, makes customers want to try other brands or stores, or in this case, other cruise lines. it was more that the cl lounge made you feel appreciated and special. aside from that, the majority of the c & a benefits are meaningless. ANYONE can get priorty disembarking from ship. and now that you can't combine any discounts, those are pretty useless as well. ANYONE can book ON the ship and get the same "value" of discounts a diamond plus member gets booking with their diamond plus benefits. to run a successful business, you need to show your repeat customers that you appreciate their loyality, so it comes down to a matter of whether you want repeat customers or not in my mind...

[T2C]

When the passengers that do not sail in suites lost deck chairs, seating at the ice rink show just to mention a few perks that were lost due to the changes, it was mentioned on these boards that if we wanted these perks to just open the wallet and pay for them, I now say to those that are complaining about their loss of the CL lounge if you want these things open the wallet and pay for it now. :eek:

I was thinking the same thing. Too dang bad for the same people who didn't care about these other things.

Someone posted that D members were told for years that once they reached this level it was theirs, well, all the years I've been sailing I've been told that the class system was no more, that everything was available, including first come first served for theater and pool side seating. STOP your whining, if you don't like it cruise with another line you blue nosers.

[Cruising89143]

Very well said!

 

We've paid our dues but they have locked us out!

 

***

 

Something tells me that after they open their email accounts that they may take a second look at this new change.:) You do have to question some of the changes that upper management is allowing. Especially the timing.

[horric29]

I just want to chime in here... I'm not even platinum yet (getting close)... The only reason my next two cruises to get me there are booked with RCCL was to get me closer to that Diamond status... Taking away these benefits is ludacris... I guess in the future I will open my eyes to more cruise lines... I would try just about anything but Carnival but havn't because of the Perks... I guess that really dosn't matter anymore... :cool:

[CGTNORMANDIE]

The loyalty issue: Why can't RCI give credit for all cruises taken with Azamara, Celebrity and RCI in order for a person to achieve Diamond+ status??? It would seem to me that all cruises taken under the RCI umbrella should be applicable to all three lines: Azamara, Celebrity as well as RCI. That would inspire loyalty.

[T2C]

Greed begets Greed. I have no problem with the change...those paying the big dollars for suites + deserve the perk....It is all part of the price.

 

Diamond Plus is purely recognition by RCI that folks have frequented their product. If free booze is the deal breaker, then so let it be....

 

The day I cannot afford to purchase my own beverage is the day I should reconsider how I am spending my money.

 

And, just to focus on one small point, I do believe that Diamond and Diamond Plus do not constitute 95% the total attendance. Additionally if you want to be angry, then focus on the clowns that threaten the Consierge over who comes in, or sneak folks in, etc.....I do believe that is called killing the Golden Goose.

Well said TexasMunk, well said and I am not D+

[SargassoPirate]

I am a Diamond Level, RCI Shareholder, Royal Chump.

 

I've currently have deposits on three 2010 RCCL reservations that total 32 nights and two 2010 Celebrity reservations that total 21 nights.

 

I have no regrets canceling all five reservations and moving my bookings to other lines that DEMONSTRATE that they care about repeat/loyal cruisers.

[OHCruisin]

Between their out of this stratosphere pricing and now the loss of benefits as a Diamond member, I'll be looking at other lines going forward. If the cruises I have booked for 2/10 & 4/10 weren't with friends, I'd cancel them. RCI has been making some really bone-headed decisions lately.

[Magicat]

VmcG: It's not about the free drinks in the CL. It's about customer appreciation. With these removal of perks like the conceirge lounge, combining coupons with diamond discounts, adding prices to once free events like wine tasting, not allowing Gold members to attend the welcome back party and the rest. Right now I do not free my choice of selecting Royal Caribbean as my cruiseline of choice is appreciated by Royal Caribbean.

[coxswain]

I am a Diamond Level, RCI Shareholder, Royal Chump.

 

I've currently have deposits on three 2010 RCCL reservations that total 32 nights and two 2010 Celebrity reservations that total 21 nights.

 

I have no regrets canceling all five reservations and moving my bookings to other lines that DEMONSTRATE that they care about repeat/loyal cruisers.

 

 

 

Here here !!

 

 

 

 

jj......

[T2C]

it's not that we are upset about not getting a few "free drinks". it's the loyalty issue. in this economy, most businesses respect and reward customer loyalty, especially when there is much competition for your business. when you show loyalty to a certain company, it's nice to be rewarded and appreciated and it makes you want to come back and use them again and again. every business from grocery stores to shoe stores to hair cutting shops have incentive programs to reward loyal customers. at amc movie theaters, loyal customers get discounts at the snack bar, free snacks and an occassional free movie for being "loyal" to them and not going to see flicks at other theaters like edwards, manns, or ua. and this type of reward system is wide spread in almost all aspects of commerce where companies are striving to get YOUR business. to treat repeat customers like they aren't important, makes customers want to try other brands or stores, or in this case, other cruise lines. it was more that the cl lounge made you feel appreciated and special. aside from that, the majority of the c & a benefits are meaningless. ANYONE can get priorty disembarking from ship. and now that you can't combine any discounts, those are pretty useless as well. ANYONE can book ON the ship and get the same "value" of discounts a diamond plus member gets booking with their diamond plus benefits. to run a successful business, you need to show your repeat customers that you appreciate their loyality, so it comes down to a matter of whether you want repeat customers or not in my mind...

I don't think anyone knows what will be in the new coupon books yet so maybe they will compensate some through them. An over crowded lounge just doesn't seem a great perk. If the coupon book allows 2-3 drinks at a lounge of your choice per night (except the CL of course) would that at least help some?

[wrp96]

I'm another diamond member that has NOT received an email about this.

 

 

 

One thing I want to remind you guys that are writing into RCCL to express your displeasure, make sure to keep your tone even and reasonable when you write as that is more likely to be read and get a response than some of the ones I've seen people post on these boards. If you write in yelling and screaming it's more likely to get ignored or dismissed as something not worth reading. But if you write in with reasonable comments (like Liz who booked a 12 night transatlantic on the expectation of concierge lounge access and other benefits and because she is in the UK cannot cancel for a full refund), your words are more likely to have an effect on the reader.

 

Those of you that are cancelling because of this, please write a letter saying you cancelled x bookings because of the changes. But please be reasonable with your words otherwise you will most likely be taken as a reactionary fool instead of a smart person that is expressing your displeasure in the best way you can - with your wallet.

[coxswain]

Good points Wrp96.

 

 

 

 

 

jj.....

[T2C]

The loyalty issue: Why can't RCI give credit for all cruises taken with Azamara, Celebrity and RCI in order for a person to achieve Diamond+ status??? It would seem to me that all cruises taken under the RCI umbrella should be applicable to all three lines: Azamara, Celebrity as well as RCI. That would inspire loyalty.

I've allows thought of that also.

 

Something people seem to be forgetting is the coupon books are a loyalty perk also since it's a different book for each level and we don't know exactly what will be in the new coupon books yet. Maybe they'll give D members 2 drinks at a lounge of their choice (not the CL though) per night and that way they can still enjoy the company of friends without being in a crowded lounge.

[Alexis]

I'm another diamond member that has NOT received an email about this.

 

 

 

One thing I want to remind you guys that are writing into RCCL to express your displeasure, make sure to keep your tone even and reasonable when you write as that is more likely to be read and get a response than some of the ones I've seen people post on these boards. If you write in yelling and screaming it's more likely to get ignored or dismissed as something not worth reading. But if you write in with reasonable comments (like Liz who booked a 12 night transatlantic on the expectation of concierge lounge access and other benefits and because she is in the UK cannot cancel for a full refund), your words are more likely to have an effect on the reader.

 

Those of you that are cancelling because of this, please write a letter saying you cancelled x bookings because of the changes. But please be reasonable with your words otherwise you will most likely be taken as a reactionary fool instead of a smart person that is expressing your displeasure in the best way you can - with your wallet.

 

Neither have I. I keep checking my email boxes for both my addresses and nothing in either of them?

Your words are so true. Kill them with kindness. :D

[julesbeara]

I have yet to get an e-mailing sharing the "news". I know RCCL has my e-mail since we get our Weekly Hot Deals e-mails. We love sailing on the Voyager & Radiance class ships, and aren't interested in trying the Freedom Class or larger at this time. Visiting the Concierge Lounge in the morning & evenings has become a part of the RCCL cruising experience. We earned our Diamond privileges one cruise at a time. Now that RCCL has our $50,000 dollars, we get to be demoted so they can safe a few bucks. So going forward if we don't cruise on the right ship we get to remember how we had Concierge Lounge/Diamond perks. Makes me really excited about cruising on RCCL again.

 

Along with writing to Adam Goldstein I sent and e-mail to the Travel Editor at USA today sharing the news. Maybe a little national exposure will help them to rethink their decision.

[49holding]

It seems most of the loyal non elite royal cruisers are unhappy with these changes, while the loyal elite royal cruisers are undisturbed..

 

RCL has made many black marks in less than a month..

I hope they have their marketing/PR people reading cruise critic now