How many more bad PR moves?

[setsail]

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

 

And do you speak for ALL customers. NOT, I see only a handful whining. Its like culling out crabs, the best are left.

[madforcruising]

Why should I trust RCCL for a future vacation???

 

 

I don´t know, so I think you shouldn´t.

[hcat]

And do you speak for ALL customers. NOT, I see only a handful whining. Its like culling out crabs, the best are left.

 

How insulting!

[hcat]

Here are the new changes to the C & A program excluding diamonds from the CL from the RCCL website under C & A benefits

 

 

Member Benefits Changes effective July 1, 2009

Starting July 1st there will be some changes to our Crown & Anchor Society benefits. Crown & Anchor members will continue to receive their most valued benefits such as discounts on cruises, savings certificates and priority embarkation and debarkation. Our Platinum and Diamond members also will continue to receive discounts on suite category staterooms including the recently introduced upgraded services and amenities for suite guests.

 

The changes include:

A new Ultimate Value Booklet with coupons for various onboard amenities.An upgraded wine tasting event at a special priceA new special event, hosted by our ship officers for Diamond and above members to meet and mingle with other fellow members, will feature complimentary wine, champagne and hors d'oeuvres.

Due to limited capacity, the Concierge Lounge has not been able to accommodate our growing membership, challenging our ability to provide the optimum experience for our guests. Therefore the Concierge Lounge will now be accessible to our suite and Diamond Plus guests only. Diamond Members cruising on Freedom Class ships, Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas will continue to be able to experience exclusive access to a dedicated Diamond Lounge on these ships, which feature a complimentary 'happy hour' from 5-8:30pm daily.

 

Thank you for your continued loyalty to Royal Caribbean. For the convenience of all our Crown &Anchor members, the following chart outlines all benefits, starting July 1. If you are cruising between now and July 1 and have questions about your benefits please contact the Crown & Anchor Society at 1-800-526-9723

 

Just curious: how do the Royal Champions feel about this move?

At least one is posting neg over on the X Board

[setsail]

Did you try that shoe on. I bet it fit.

[Cruiser Forever]

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!

 

 

Well said and I happen to agree. These days not everyone can cruise. And I see on these boards some posters take 3 or 4 cruises a year. Consider yourselves lucky that you have the means to cruise. Do you know how many people are suffering and can't even afford a weekend vacation? Be happy and enjoy your cruise. It is still a value. If you don't like the perks that are being taken away with RCI there are a dozen other cruise lines can can go with. Try them you never know you may just be happy with them. JMHO.

[hcat]

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....

 

 

Here's a new "nickel & dime" service. RCCL now charging kids to eat at camp? Posted on another thread:

 

I received this in an email ad from a TA. Since when did they start charging for kids to eat lunch at camp? Or has lunch not been an option to start with?

 

* * * (other content deleted to save space) * * *

 

Available immediately, Royal Caribbean has also launched a "Lunch and Play" option for days at sea. The program provides children ages 3 to 11 a meal with other kids in the middle of the day, for a service charge of $7.95 per child.

[cruzinhuskers]

While RCCL is well within their right to change the loyalty system, it is now wrecked for those not in the top tier. Any motivation that there might have been to achieve higher tiers is gone with the recent memory of changing rules. With a stripped loyalty program, more emphasis is now being placed on the product, which has also been stripped.

 

I've cruised Carnival many times and had great cruises. What got me over to Royal? It wasn't the food. It wasn't because I liked the passenger base more. It wasn't because of unique itineraries. It wasn't really the service either (I've had great and mediocre on both lines). I chose Royal because of a combination of the nice ships, onboard booking discount, frequent coupons, loyalty program, and believe it or not, the ShipShape program because it helped me to get involved.

 

Hmmm ... let's look at this. The ships are still nice, though I guess there are growing pieces of them I will no longer have access to. Next Cruise is moving towards worthless as restrictions on its uses pile up. Three times last year I couldn't use a NC booking because bookings were for "new bookings only" and an un-converted NC counted as an old booking ... except when it came to add the fuel surcharge, of course, in which case it was a new booking in order to collect the highest amount of fuel charges per person. Coupons are of course now non-combinable with anything else. The loyalty program is broken and RCCL has decided to strip privelages rather than re-evaluate their own rules that has led to the horrible problem of too many valued guests. ShipShape/Vitality is also gone, with excuse being that people were earning points for silly activities, once again under Royal's control.

 

Now, having actually written that all out, I can see how my cruise experience with Royal has slowly been gutted, and to be honest, through the 36 nights I cruised last year with the company, my onboard exprience on day 1 was definitely different than my experience on day 36 after the implementation of the cutbacks. I know everyone's experience is different and I make no claim to speak for anyone else, but for me, it's a shame.

 

Well said SilentBob! My sentiments exactly!

[setsail]

"OPTION"

 

Think that means YOU DON'T have to do it.

[ikelmay]

We have a number of cruises under our belts with just about every mainstream line except RCCL - it's been itinerary, port and time that governed our choices. As we are about to transfer over into what would have been Diamond from the equivalent Celebrity status, it's really difficult to get a handle on RCCL as a brand.

 

It seems to be struggling, refusing to acknowledge economic realities - how is it that Celebrity is very sensibly moderating prices to fill the ships but RCCL somehow thinks that refusing to lower its base price makes sense? Is it superior to its other mainstream competitors? The impression I get, is that it's a similar but slightly superior product to Carnival but with a few more bells and whistles. Every time I research, I get the feeling that they are cutting corners and downgrading - meanwhile Carnival Corp. rolls out positive results which at least shows they are doing something right.

 

You can only run so far on the loyalty of current cruisers, and interfering with loyalty programs will alienate your core market. Here we are wanting to enjoy a cruise with RCCL and having second thoughts as our perception oftheir product and image is just mush.

[Ms Belvedere]

Fine dining for me is about good company and any meal I don't have to make which is not wrapped in paper and served with fries. My meals on RRCL very good, nice, banquet offerings, which I enjoyed:p

Nicely said, Pauline. We enjoyed the food and cruising on Royal Carib as well as Carnival. I'm disappointed that Royal Caribbean management chose a path that causes them to lose loyal customers as well as potential cruisers like my family. We were looking forward to trying the Oasis but HAL and Princess are the options we're eyeing, instead.

Ms B

[realblonde]

Here's my question. What are these cutbacks paying for ??????? Are they paying for increases in food, fuel etc. or like AIG are we paying for upper level bonuses with cutbacks for their loyal members?:mad::mad:

[Hlitner]

Yea, just can't beat those Carnival repeat perks. What were they again?

 

 

Tony Tony Tony. Perhaps you need to get out of the CL long enough to try Carnival, Princess, HA, etc. On Carnival, you might be surprised to be greeted with a free glass of Champagne, happy hour prices at some bars (we know you prefer the free stuff in the CL as do we), darn good entertainment, and passengers who actually stay awake past 11 pm. As I stated in another longer post, many of us long-time cruisers make our decisions based on multiple factors. RCI has been working hard at taking away benefits, cutting back on-board budgets, increasing prices of drinks and wine on-board, etc etc. It almost seems like that they are doing everything possible to drive away their best customers. Meanwhile, some of their competitors have managed to maintain or even improve quality. The good news for you is that the CL Lounge will now be less crowded. The other news (good or bad) is that you are unlikely to find a lot of your old RCI friends (including this one) in that lounge. Will we be on Carnival? Not too likely since, like RCI, Canival's emphasis on shorter cruises does not fit our life style (we seldom book anything shorter than 12 days). But, the latest RCI policies will drive many to try Princess, HA, Celebrity (a good think for RCI) and some of the other options. I wonder how many younger cruisers with 2 -20 RCI cruises under their belt will now try other lines...especially when the other lines are using more agressive pricing tactics. We both have met many cruisers who were crusing RCI to get to Diamond, and now many of them will go elsewhere out of curiosity, some anger, and for better pricing.

 

Oh, and the competition is not sitting still. Princess, perhaps seeing the writing on the wall with RCI, has recently enhanced some of their bookings by offering "Elite" benefits to those not even Elite. So, instead of eliminating benefits (as in RCI) they are actually offering a taste of additional amenties to those that jump at these offers. My concern regarding RCI is will the company survive the latest cut-backs in amenities and quality coupled with price increases. We are stockholders and want to see RCI succeed, but with their huge debt and bad managment decision-making I sure would not increase my stock holdings in this company.

 

Hank

 

Hank

[cruiserbryce]

am I missing something? Is the only change that D members arent getting concierge access...I know its significant to some but are there other changes?

[realblonde]

I would like to know where the money gained from all the cutbacks is going? Does RCCL need it for legitamite expenses or are they funding bonuses by cutting back services 2 loyal customers????? WE will be watching RCCL and if things get worse will try another line. P.S. when we booked on LOS july 2009 we got $100 credit onboard per cabin. as of yesterday still on the invoice. Let's see:mad::mad:

[grand isle joe]

Well said and I happen to agree. These days not everyone can cruise. And I see on these boards some posters take 3 or 4 cruises a year. Consider yourselves lucky that you have the means to cruise. Do you know how many people are suffering and can't even afford a weekend vacation? Be happy and enjoy your cruise. It is still a value. If you don't like the perks that are being taken away with RCI there are a dozen other cruise lines can can go with. Try them you never know you may just be happy with them. JMHO.

 

Spoken like a true New Yorker...straight and to the point. Right on JMHO.

[Demongear]

Nicely said, Pauline. We enjoyed the food and cruising on Royal Carib as well as Carnival. I'm disappointed that Royal Caribbean management chose a path that causes them to lose loyal customers as well as potential cruisers like my family. We were looking forward to trying the Oasis but HAL and Princess are the options we're eyeing, instead.

Ms B

 

With all that has been going on here with RCL recently I for the first time looked at Princess' website. What I found was some different locales than what Royal offers. Suite prices close to what I pay for balcony cabins on Royal. I'm diamond with 4 cruises booked and I'm not rushing to cancel them just yet,but after those 4 are done I'm going to be more open to trying other lines.(If I can get my other half to go along. lol)

[BroncosFan2010]

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.

 

Agreed, I am not yet diamond, but would not mind if others were grandfathered in.

I was all excited to book more RCCL cruises to reach diamond for the perks. Now, I am not afraid to try other lines because apparently the perks don't really matter much anymore!

[SargassoPirate]

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!

 

Good point, their fine print states that they can change or delete programs at any time.

 

My personal BOLD PRINT states that I can delete deposits and change cruise lines at any time.

 

I currently hold three 2010 reservations on RCCL for a total of 32 nights and two reservations on Celebrity for 21 nights.

 

RCCL has once again demonstrated what they think of my loyalty to them. Since they have more than leveled the playing field, I'm considering moving my deposit money and bookings to another line.

 

It's be nice to deal with a cruise line that doesn't make me grab my ankles while they whisper in my ear and tell me how much they appreciate having me for a customer:eek:.

[Mikew0805]

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

 

Anyone that thinks RCI offers "fine dining" in the MDR, must only be eating out at home, at Golden Corral!

[crischickie]

Seeing how many people cram the cl some evenings, I knew something needed to be done. This has been a topic of conversation in the cl and dl for at least 6 months.

 

When I heard changes were in the wind, I thought they might scale back to wine and beer from full cocktails. I am surprised RCI didn't change the way they determined d and d+. I think they've been very generous by counting even 2 day cruises as a full credit. I thought it would be reasonable to make it something like 75 days at sea for d and 150 days for d+. I didn't expect the changes to be as significant as this and I can understand why d's and people close to that might be a little upset. But, think how close you would be if they did change to days at sea as a qualifier. You can still qualify with as few as 30 days for d and 72 days for d+! Toss in a couple of 2 day cruises and it is even less.

 

d's, you can still cruise Freedom class and the new ships when they come out and have access to the dl. Or, cruise in a suite, get 2 credits and access to the cl.

 

I am d+ but I don't whine when I cruise on the Majesty or Monarch because I don't have access to cl. That's just how it is.

 

If you decide to cruise someone else because of the change in the program, you will never get to be d+. Even with the changes RCI still has the best frequent cruisers program. You could switch to HAL, and with enough cruises you might earn a red ribbon!

 

I am sure all the cruise lines have been evaluating costs over the past year. I noticed Princess cutting portions in the dining room. Think about the effect of the ethanol program on your food budget. If the cruise lines weren't evaluating operations, then you can expect with increasing food prices, the oil prices the way they were last year and the way the economy is this year we might be seeing more Premiers, Renaissance, Olympus, Cape Canaveral, Regal, Flagship, French line, Greek line, etc.

 

Or, much higher cruise prices. My first cruise was $195 for an ocean view state room for 7 nights. That's inflation adjusted to $1022 for 2009. How much are ocean view state rooms this year? Cruising still offers a great value vacation.

 

Which would you prefer? Fewer cruise lines or higher prices.

 

That being said, I think the amenities of the frequent cruisers programs are an attraction but, not the final decision. My two favorite cruise lines are RCI and Princess. But, I will sail on everyone. I am Elite, d+, VIP, platinum, etc, etc. I like RCI food, but, think that Carnival, Princess and Holland America are better. However, I love the Voyager and Freedom class ships of RCL and the evolution of the Grand class ships of Princess. They are the attraction to me. The absolute best service I had was on Carnival. But, the worst service I had was also on Carnival. The ships are the constant.

[kaylorcc]

Why so much hate for Golden Corral? I love their mac & cheese and fried chicken. :D

[crisndeefromde]

This all really really sucks. We have a ways to go to become D+ but we do enjoy the or did enjoy the Diamond benefits. We love the Explorer but with these economic days we can't always afford to be in a grand suite or higher just to enjoy the CL. Maybe these suits in charge should put the JS back into the suite category it belongs in also....

[Mikew0805]

Why so much hate for Golden Corral? I love their mac & cheese and fried chicken. :D

 

Never been there, but I must say I am now tempted to try them!

[ChevyCruiser]

Fine dining can be a matter of location, circumstances, and companions. Some of the most memorable meals I've had were in some of the nastiest looking BBQ joints - but it was after a week on the road, the food was good, the beer was cold, and I was surrounded by good friends.

 

Some of the worst was on formal nights on a cruise when the food was slow in coming, the ankle biters at the adjacent table were out of control, the other people at the table were complaining about everything.

 

JMHO