Demongear Posted March 27, 2009 #1 Share Posted March 27, 2009 I am just wondering how many more bad PR moves can make to offend Loyal Cruisers(plat. and dia.),Shareholders who are either one of the above. Or anybody else who would book onboard or with a next cruise certificate? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cb at sea Posted March 27, 2009 #2 Share Posted March 27, 2009 Did they do something to offend you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ken_nyc Posted March 27, 2009 #3 Share Posted March 27, 2009 Please explain?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Demongear Posted March 27, 2009 Author #4 Share Posted March 27, 2009 Yes, I am offended that I played by their rules.Went on 10 cruises to reach diamond, bought the stock (my choice I know.),bought next Cruise Certificates and booked onboard their ships to attain perks that they said were OK. Then is a matter of a few months the whole Loyalty Program is changed around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crusinmama06 Posted March 27, 2009 #5 Share Posted March 27, 2009 I am just wondering how many more bad PR moves can make to offend Loyal Cruisers(plat. and dia.),Shareholders who are either one of the above. Or anybody else who would book onboard or with a next cruise certificate? Please explain?? Find the 15 page threads on the C&A changes. That's what the OP is referring to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhoenixCruiser Posted March 27, 2009 #6 Share Posted March 27, 2009 Things change but never badly enough to lower my standards to Carnival. Is this based on personal experience? My one and only (SO FAR) cruise on Carnival was great. ### Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhoenixCruiser Posted March 27, 2009 #7 Share Posted March 27, 2009 I am just wondering how many more bad PR moves can make to offend Loyal Cruisers(plat. and dia.),Shareholders who are either one of the above. Or anybody else who would book onboard or with a next cruise certificate? I'm not sure we want to stick around to see what is next on their agenda... ### Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hcat Posted March 28, 2009 #8 Share Posted March 28, 2009 Things change but never badly enough to lower my standards to Carnival. Try Celebrity S class--- the ships are classy, elegant & modern .You get much better food & service & ambiance plus the free cocktail party for being Elite/Diamond & the same cheesy coupons! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrPete Posted March 28, 2009 #9 Share Posted March 28, 2009 I'm not sure we want to stick around to see what is next on their agenda... ### I'm not going to. I'm about to cancel my next RCCL cruise and move back up to Carnival. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaylorcc Posted March 28, 2009 #10 Share Posted March 28, 2009 I think RCI has found themselves in a tight spot. When you're a cruise line, you're basically marketing opulence. The draw of your product is the "you can have whatever your heart desires" type of experience. This has worked very well for them in the past. Along comes a recession, and all of the sudden, RCI becomes painfully aware of every wasted plate of food, every discarded cheese sculpture on the midnight buffet, every free drink they give away at the welcome back party. What used to be a core part of the product now just starts to seem like a big fat dollar amount in the Operating Expenses portion of the income statement. Now they're in emergency cost-cutting mode, which works well for a lot of industries, but gets a lot trickier when your only "costs" are things that you're doing for the customer. I think they just went overboard (pun intended :)). When it's just one thing after another, it makes it easier for people to forget how enjoyable the product is, ultimately. I agree with the OP-- these issues could have been handled much better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hcat Posted March 28, 2009 #11 Share Posted March 28, 2009 lets list all the bad PR moves: reduced stockholder discounts immersion cruises on short notice moving ships around & messing up schedules.. reserved pool (& theater?) seating for only suites... The Royal Champions room service fees Extra charge for "better" steaks in the MDR (really tacky!) giving the shaft to Diamonds.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Demongear Posted March 28, 2009 Author #12 Share Posted March 28, 2009 lets list all the bad PR moves: reduced stockholder discounts immersion cruises on short notice moving ships around & messing up schedules.. reserved pool (& theater?) seating for only suites... The Royal Champions Extra charge for "better" steaks in the MDR (really tacky!) giving the shaft to Diamonds.... Our 1/14/2010 cruise on Explorer being listed as N/A with several different reasons from RCL as to being why. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Host Kewlguy Posted March 28, 2009 #13 Share Posted March 28, 2009 I'm not going to. I'm about to cancel my next RCCL cruise and move back up to Carnival. Yea, just can't beat those Carnival repeat perks. What were they again? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrPete Posted March 28, 2009 #14 Share Posted March 28, 2009 Yea, just can't beat those Carnival repeat perks. What were they again? Must be the petit fours that you can throw in the garbage and the stationary on faux paper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davey Interweb Posted March 28, 2009 #15 Share Posted March 28, 2009 Things change but never badly enough to lower my standards to Carnival. It's unlikely that you'll find me on (another) Carnival cruise either. They do have many brands under their umbrella, though, including a few that I've enjoyed in the past. Being that I fully understand just how problematic the global economy is, I sympathize with their plight when it comes to cutting costs and staying alive in an environment where their target base is now considerably poorer than it was only a year or two ago. This will be very difficult to overcome, regardless of what they do. Problem is, they seem to be doing an outstanding job of alienating their existing customer base at the same time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruise-Nut Posted March 28, 2009 #16 Share Posted March 28, 2009 People read the fine print - All programs have fine print that says they have the right to change or delete any program at any time. It is like when you used to get a box for your hamburger at McDonalds, now they wrap it in paper because it saves money. They used to pump gas for you, now you have to do it. .... Be happy that we can go on a cruise and enjoy ourselves. Lets be thankful that we had the opportunities to go into the CL lounge in the past or we were able to combine discounts. I am a diamond member and can understand where RCCL is coming from. Be happy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jumbiecruiser Posted March 28, 2009 #17 Share Posted March 28, 2009 Things change but never badly enough to lower my standards to Carnival. I agree. No way for Carnival again. Not my cup of tea. There is a thread on the Carnival board about all the people stating that they were moving from Royal Caribbean to Carnival. Some state that they did not notice a difference. Those are the same ones that think eating at Golden Corral is fine dining.:rolleyes: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=956165 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms Belvedere Posted March 28, 2009 #18 Share Posted March 28, 2009 I'm not going to. I'm about to cancel my next RCCL cruise and move back up to Carnival. I'm with you, Corporate RCCL has lost their minds and a lot of customers. I'll be watching over the next year to see how their marketing tactics of not lowering prices, trying to finance this new ship, and cutting perks for their long time fans works for them. Time will tell, but I don't think I'll be eating crow for dinner. Ms B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wraithe Posted March 28, 2009 #19 Share Posted March 28, 2009 Hmm, okay, so I can't use the CL. Seeing as how I've never been in a CL, can't really sweat that load. My Mother has never sailed anything except Carnival in recent years, and after talking to her about their service, I have no desire to sail Carnival. I will one day sail Cunard, but not soon. Currently scheduled for Freedom, Grandeur and Oasis. Will very soon be scheduled for Liberty and Enchantment in between Grandeur and Oasis. When something works for you, you stick with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
margord Posted March 28, 2009 #20 Share Posted March 28, 2009 I feel like it should have been grandfathered in. Those already Diamond keep the perks those not yet Diamond have to wait. It is one thing to remove perks for someone who is not there yet. It is another thing to take away what some already have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davey Interweb Posted March 28, 2009 #21 Share Posted March 28, 2009 People read the fine print - All programs have fine print that says they have the right to change or delete any program at any time. It is like when you used to get a box for your hamburger at McDonalds, now they wrap it in paper because it saves money. They used to pump gas for you, now you have to do it. .... Be happy that we can go on a cruise and enjoy ourselves. Lets be thankful that we had the opportunities to go into the CL lounge in the past or we were able to combine discounts. I am a diamond member and can understand where RCCL is coming from. Be happy! Yes, there is fine print and I haven't seen anyone post that they're about to launch a class-action lawsuit. I am indeed happy and thankful not only that I can cruise, but that I have a choice when it comes to who I cruise with. EDIT: okay, I humbly take back the first bit of what I posted just above. For a moment I neglected to take into account the demographics of these forums, and there's always at least one person like this. I agree. No way for Carnival again. Not my cup of tea. There is a thread on the Carnival board about all the people stating that they were moving from Royal Caribbean to Carnival. Some state that they did not notice a difference. Those are the same ones that think eating at Golden Corral is fine dining. ...and there are just as many threads where the RCI crowd discuss moving to Carnival. I don't know what Golden Corral is, but this is all relative in my eyes. If I'm on a Royal Caribbean ship, I've made the conscious choice to "step down" from what I'm accustomed to myself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruise-Nut Posted March 28, 2009 #22 Share Posted March 28, 2009 Of course you have a choice and RCCL knows that. I wonder why they keep filling the ship taking away a free drink or letting you use a coupon to take an extra $100 off. All coupons I have ever read in the past for other places always say cannot be combined with any other offer. I am glad I was able to do it in the past. RCCL is my choice even though i don't get all the same benefits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rummenroman Posted March 28, 2009 #23 Share Posted March 28, 2009 Those are the same ones that think eating at Golden Corral is fine dining.:rolleyes: What Golden Corral isn't fine dining....so now i bet your gunna tell me burger king isn't either.....:eek::D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kooljamming Posted March 28, 2009 #24 Share Posted March 28, 2009 I'm with you, Corporate RCCL has lost their minds and a lot of customers. I'll be watching over the next year to see how their marketing tactics of not lowering prices, trying to finance this new ship, and cutting perks for their long time fans works for them. Time will tell, but I don't think I'll be eating crow for dinner.Ms B RCCL don't have to lower prices. They have done on sea what Butch Steward has done with Sandals/Beaches resorts on land. They have created a fan club, some with more money than common sense and others who define their standard and sense of class by where they vacation. RCCL has to sell a certain amount to these $uckers and the rest is gravy. There was a time when these vacations were clearly better but others have up their game. Many keep buying and paying for what was, not what is. People talk about these 4 star at best joints as if they were heaven on earth. Princess, a comparable line in most sense of the word, has responded to the ecomony and reduced price. Look at certain land resorts and you will see the same pattern. The ever present comments about who they are, by where they vacation is always present:eek: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubbadog Posted March 28, 2009 #25 Share Posted March 28, 2009 Our next two cruises are on princess,and carnival,cause rci is asking way to much for their cruises,seen the prices for the oasis yet???:rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.