Letter to Diamond Members (Merged Threads)

[Ocean Boy]

Thanks Ocean Boy for your snide remarks and assuming that I know nothing about the layout of a Radiance Class Ship or any ship for that matter.

 

Yes I can go to the Windjammer and get coffee which I do many mornings.

And if it's nice weather I'll sit outside by the Seaview Cafe where there is no bouncy music being played at 630a.

 

I like the Concierge Lounge on some mornings when the weather is not great.

I can make a latte, cappucino, or regular coffee and have a light breakfast at 730a when the cart is rolled in.

 

And yes, I do know where every quiet area on the ship is located!

Geeze Alan, I gave you a wink because I was just playing around with you. I wasn't trying to be snide.

[Ocean Boy]

Not all CL's have the coffee machines, so this "omission" would be in line with those CL's.

 

Maybe the 25% discount is part of the "overcrowding" solution. Charging for Johnny Rockets certainly worked to alleviate the crowds there.

 

In the CL the free liquor was limited to very simple drinks. In many CL's it was just "rocks" drinks. I also think that the real reason is obvious, but it's not that they don't want to spend the money, it's that they want you to spend the money.

You hit that nail pretty solid on the head!:D

[mrchips14]

I don't think some of you get the point.

 

My last cruise (OCT 08) was my first as a diamond member. We have cruised RCCL for our last 7 cruises and looked forward to reaching the diamond level. ( For the free drinks and other services offered). We did not cruise with RCCL for the diamond level, but that was an added bonus to some great cruises.

 

When we look at cruises, we look at the entire cost. (Cruise, Air, Hotel, excursions, casino, bingo, bar bill, shopping etc etc). This is the overall cost of the cruise for us. We have done some not to expensive and other very expensive. Whatever we feel is right at the time. Knowing that I would save a few hundred dollars on drinks (1 or 2 each, pre-dinner @ $7.00+ each X the number of nights). Why wouldn't I want to save this amount. Would you rather pay $7.00 a drink or $10.00. I can afford to pay for them but why pay more than I have to. I thought this was a perk that I have earned by giving them my money over the years. Now they say NOT SO FAST. So now we will compare the prices of other lines when shopping and go with the best overall cruise. Royal will now be one of them, not the one.

 

As for meeting people in the Diamond lounge. I have met wonderful people all over the ship and never cared what level they are. I fact there is nothing more fun than speaking with first time cruisers, who are so excited about everything as we all were at one time.

 

I also feel that this give in was well planned. Like the gas prices, bring it up to $4.00 a gallon, everyone goes nuts. Then bring it down to $2.50 and everyone is happy again. It was still $1.50 before. I'm not sure if I will trust RCCL with my money in the future. But that is my decision.

[CruisinNole]

As silly as this sounds, because the world is like this ( those that can pay get the most) your comment is so true! It is difficult to watch a one timer who may never cruise again, get more perks then those of us that have cruised over 15 times. That is the way of the world...unfortunately. The concierge on my last cruise I felt was nicer to the suite guests over the Diamond members.

 

I hate to say it but I agree with you regarding the suite guests taking priority over previous cruisers. We certainly felt that way last year on the Radiance. The Concierge spent a huge amount of time with the suite children passengers. They were like vultures waiting for the hors d'oeuvres to be delivered. They came into the CL each evening during happy hour in swimsuits and shoeless, filled plates with food and then either ate in their cabin or right outside the CL. The Concierge would then be running back and forth bringing back plates of uneaten or half eaten food and drinks. Some nights there were more children in the CL than adults. The Concierge seemed afraid to tell the parents that children weren't allowed in the CL during happy hour. I told my husband then, a year ago, that we'd better face the fact that the only thing RCI cared about was the suite passengers and not the Diamond/Diamond+.

[jensenbeach]

Are there no business people on this thread that understand that first it is possible that RC buys the alcohol at less than normal cost because of the volume and second that what they give away is part of a write off. So before anyone feels so sorry for RC's Diamond, D+ expense remember what is given away is a write off. If you add up the cost of fuel, labor (although the tips offset a lot of that), food, entertainment, port docking expenses, etc.etc.etc.etc. I am betting that the allocation that was made to the Diamond and D+ members was a small blip on the P&L.

[rednancy1]

Maybe for the 25% discount, we can all bring in the 64 oz BIG GULP CUP from 7/11.

So Royal Blinked this time, keep up the hard work and more changes will happen. I trully beleive the changes will be Free Soda and Coffee and I will guarantee Appitizers will be served.

Bill and I just turned Diamond + and for us the CL is like going to a Funeral Home. No Atmosphere what so ever. This is disappointing. Our home ship is going to be the Mariner for the next few years so going to the CL is not that big of a deal. We enjoy the overflow areas where you can mingle and have a much better time.

I will say for all of the Boozers, We will do our best in drinking the ship dry to make sure RCCL needs to know we are a family of cruisers and do not tick us off. Hopefully everything will work it's self out, Could be worse, we could all be sailing to Somalia.

 

Mike

 

Hi Mike and Bill,

 

Yours is the best post yet. :D

 

No cruise to Somalia and bring in the Big Gulps. :eek:

[Ocean Boy]

Larry, you can certainly bring your own soda/water on board if you wanted to at check in. There are no restrictions on that and in MY experience (before everyone chimes in that it can't and hasn't been done), there have actually been guests who have brought in cases of their own water and sodas through the security check line and it was not confiscated. We usually bring a small luggage piece with wheels and place a 12 pack Dr. Pepper (hard to come by on most cruise lines) and a 12 pack water. We have the room steward remove all the items in the mini-fridge and load our supplies in. The leftover empty luggage piece works out well for souvenirs or clothing used during the sailing. Just FYI

 

(now back to our regularly scheduled program)....

 

We were recently on a cruise on Adventure. When we were on St. Thomas and returning to the ship they made my mother dump the can of coke that she was drinking. They told her she was not allowed to bring ANY drink on board the ship. And she was annoyed to say the least.:mad: And if I had heard it happen I might have had a few choice things to say myself.

[texlatin1]

Texlatin1

I have a question I never sailed on Carnival & see that you have how would you compare it to RCI? I have sailed on Princess, Hal, RCI, Celebrity & NCL.

 

Carnival's mantra is "The Fun Ships" and that they certainly are! I don't see it as a step down from RC but they are definitely different in styles and amenities. RC is more of a contemporary line as opposed to Carnival.

Carnival's shows are IMO a slight better in production than RC because of the Las Vegas(y) revues! Now the shows on the Liberty and Freedom of the Seas are magnificent as they have newer technological advanced theaters! RC of course offers more innovative activities i.e. ice rinks, rock climbing, flowrider etc. Carnival can still hold their own and if you're planning to possibly book a future cruise with them, I say go for it and experience it for yourself! I know you will be pleasantly surprised. I am on the Conquest this Sunday and will certainly have a great time but I am an avid RC cruiser as I enjoy the ships, their itineraries, the crew of which I've made friends with so many and of course, the price. Hope this was ok for you.

 

Peace!:cool:

[rednancy1]

I was just responding to the person who said that they would probably offer only the same thing that was offered in the Windjammer. My only point was that the Windjammer offers an amazing breakfast... in my opinion. That person made it sound like they were dumbing down the breakfast to match the Windjammer. I in no way was trying to indicate that I thought RCI should be offereing more in the CL than what they do now or that they were taking something away. I had no idea that they even had any type of breakfast in the CL at all.

 

It sounds like you and I are coming from the same place on this issue. I think you just didn't get my intent.

 

Ocean Boy,

Thanks kind of what I thought but wasn't very articulate at the time. :o

Yes we are on the same sheet of music. :)

 

Yes

[Ocean Boy]

First, that would not be an either/or proposition. It would be an "and". I cruise for the cruise experience first, and the perks second. And the perks became a part of the cruise experience that made it better. And once I 'earned' the access to the Concierge Lounge, the cruise experience became a lot better.

 

 

Second, I've visited this question before, so I will try another approach. If you read your cruise contract carefully, you will also find that the cruise line can change your itinerary, omitting the advertised destinations anytime at their discretion. (I know that this would be primarily due to weather conditions.) But the contract says they can do it, so why not avoid all those expensive port fees by just pulling out of Miami and floating around for a week? Look at all the fuel they would save also.

 

Just because the fine print says they can do it, does not mean that it's the "right" thing to do!

Actually, a very nice way to make your point.

[texlatin1]

When I really looked at your pic, I just knew it was you!! Just in case, I was the one in the blue dress that your darlin SO fixed for me.

 

 

 

I figured I would get slammed for my comments but hey, it's how I feel. Glad to see there were others that understood my comments!

 

Oh I certainly do remember you and your DH as well! You guys took that awesome photo with the champagne glass (I hope you bought it!). I do remember you mentioning that you were part of the CC members on the sailing. Hope you're doing well, it was great sailing with you all (especially the other lady who was so hilarious!!!) Hope all is well!

[dutchess43]

Carnival's mantra is "The Fun Ships" and that they certainly are! I don't see it as a step down from RC but they are definitely different in styles and amenities. RC is more of a contemporary line as opposed to Carnival.

Carnival's shows are IMO a slight better in production than RC because of the Las Vegas(y) revues! Now the shows on the Liberty and Freedom of the Seas are magnificent as they have newer technological advanced theaters! RC of course offers more innovative activities i.e. ice rinks, rock climbing, flowrider etc. Carnival can still hold their own and if you're planning to possibly book a future cruise with them, I say go for it and experience it for yourself! I know you will be pleasantly surprised. I am on the Conquest this Sunday and will certainly have a great time but I am an avid RC cruiser as I enjoy the ships, their itineraries, the crew of which I've made friends with so many and of course, the price. Hope this was ok for you.

 

Peace!:cool:

 

Thx for your honest opinon. Have a great time on your cruise.

[royal29]

I don't think some of you get the point.

 

My last cruise (OCT 08) was my first as a diamond member. We have cruised RCCL for our last 7 cruises and looked forward to reaching the diamond level. ( For the free drinks and other services offered). We did not cruise with RCCL for the diamond level, but that was an added bonus to some great cruises.

 

When we look at cruises, we look at the entire cost. (Cruise, Air, Hotel, excursions, casino, bingo, bar bill, shopping etc etc). This is the overall cost of the cruise for us. We have done some not to expensive and other very expensive. Whatever we feel is right at the time. Knowing that I would save a few hundred dollars on drinks (1 or 2 each, pre-dinner @ $7.00+ each X the number of nights). Why wouldn't I want to save this amount. Would you rather pay $7.00 a drink or $10.00. I can afford to pay for them but why pay more than I have to. I thought this was a perk that I have earned by giving them my money over the years. Now they say NOT SO FAST. So now we will compare the prices of other lines when shopping and go with the best overall cruise. Royal will now be one of them, not the one.

 

As for meeting people in the Diamond lounge. I have met wonderful people all over the ship and never cared what level they are. I fact there is nothing more fun than speaking with first time cruisers, who are so excited about everything as we all were at one time.

 

I also feel that this give in was well planned. Like the gas prices, bring it up to $4.00 a gallon, everyone goes nuts. Then bring it down to $2.50 and everyone is happy again. It was still $1.50 before. I'm not sure if I will trust RCCL with my money in the future. But that is my decision.

 

Mr. Chips: You've summed up my thoughts exactly, particularly your final comment that this well well planned all along.

Our other cruising "colleagues" on this board: Mr. Chips' remarks are calm, logical and not whining. It's his opinion (and mine as well). We did cancel one RCCL cruise and booked our very first Princess in its place next year based on the way changes were handled. We will never rule RCCL out, but thanks to their unwise moves here, we will explore other options. We may discover Princess is a great alternative; we'll see.

[Alamogirl]

Oh I certainly do remember you and your DH as well! You guys took that awesome photo with the champagne glass (I hope you bought it!). I do remember you mentioning that you were part of the CC members on the sailing. Hope you're doing well, it was great sailing with you all (especially the other lady who was so hilarious!!!) Hope all is well!

Yes we did get and we also had it done in one of the glass cubes that they were showing. I have it on my desk!

 

Yes, Ann was a trip. We so enjoyed this cruise. Our M&M group was great .

 

I have your card and will be emailing you. If you are ever in SA, would love to buy you a drink on the Riverwalk!

 

Don't ever get rid of the red coat!

 

VIVA FIESTA!

[rednancy1]

If I book a Grand Suite on the Enchantment 4 d cruise do I get 2 cruise credits? I drink a lot of wine from 5-8pm and could use Diamond status Pronto. (LOL)

 

Yes and the more you drink for free the more more cruise credits you will get. :eek::eek::eek: LOL:D

[texlatin1]

Yes we did get and we also had it done in one of the glass cubes that they were showing. I have it on my desk!

 

Yes, Ann was a trip. We so enjoyed this cruise. Our M&M group was great .

 

I have your card and will be emailing you. If you are ever in SA, would love to buy you a drink on the Riverwalk!

 

Don't ever get rid of the red coat!

 

VIVA FIESTA!

 

LOL!!! Wait til you see me in the Blue one! LOL!!! I'll be looking forward to your email!:D

[laseiber]

I finally got thru all the posts, as for being loyal, I recently looked at reviews for Carnival, Princess etc, comments on other cruise critic lines, to see if we were missing anything other the maybe saving some money, and RCCL best fits our tastes, but the price on the other lines would allow me to cruise in a suite, while only being able to have an ocean view on RCCL, or maybe a balcony which we really do like. But first and foremost the ship has to have full court basketball for my DH to cruise. next is ports of call, and next is convenient departure point. The extra perks for being a loyal RCCL cruise, is just icing on the cake.

[Desert Cruizers]

Even though my husband & I are not Diamond and may never get therewith our limited Cruising, I am very happy for all of you who are Diamond & Diamond +, who it appears have spoken, and RCL is valuing the loyalty of it passengers.

[Cruise_Couple]

The overflows lounges for the D/D+s have already been occuring. They take over the card room in the Viking Crown or the disco (which is closed at that time) or one of the Viking Crown lounges on the Radiance class ships that is not used pre-dinner like Hollywood Odessy (might be a cigar bar after dinner). So lounges that people go to pre-dinner like the Schooner Bar, Boleros, Vintages etc. Olive or Twist are not closed off. We were in the disco on IOS as there were 200+ D/D+s in Jan. Some IOS cruises had as many as 700 D/

D+s.

 

I would point out that Adam Goldstein specifically stated the following...

 

In order to address the first two interests for Diamond members, outside the Concierge Lounge, effective September 1 we will offer them a dedicated VIP private party in one of our bars or lounges. This may be held in the Viking Crown Lounge, or any other bar or lounge designated by the ship.

 

Do not think for a minute that the non-diamond members will not be displaced somehow.

[mbsbailey]

In January 2009 I booked a NE cruise on Explorer. At that time my decision was based on the fact that I am a Diamond Member and therefore eligible for benefit of the CL. Now the effective date has changed from July 1st to Sept 1st, I said on Sept 3rd. To be fair to all I feel that RC should take into account booking date not sail date. I'm still not satisfied :mad:

[xpcdoojk]

Are there no business people on this thread that understand that first it is possible that RC buys the alcohol at less than normal cost because of the volume and second that what they give away is part of a write off. So before anyone feels so sorry for RC's Diamond, D+ expense remember what is given away is a write off. If you add up the cost of fuel, labor (although the tips offset a lot of that), food, entertainment, port docking expenses, etc.etc.etc.etc. I am betting that the allocation that was made to the Diamond and D+ members was a small blip on the P&L.

 

Write off? Booze is a simple cost. There is no line on their tax forms that says booze giveaway amount.

 

Profit is why the cruiseline exists. Profit simply defined is revenue minus costs. If the number is a positive one they make a profit. I think last quarter they made a microscopic amount of profit. Therefore giveaways may actually be a cost and could lead to a loss.

 

Are there any people with a clue reading this thread, would have been a better question.

 

jc<---- feels sorry for people who are so invested in the concept that they are being ripped off going on a cruise:rolleyes:

[constantcruiser]

I may not be impressed with RCI management, but I must say I'm in awe of their shipbuilders. Frankly I'm amazed that they will be able to add another lounge to 20 ships by Sept. 1. Surely that must be Goldstein's new plan...because he already told us the issue is overcrowding and it's impossible to use current space as an overflow diamond lounge. Gosh, now I really feel appreciated...even after spending millions on this new construction, RCI is going to discount my drinks, too!

[rednancy1]

Write off? Booze is a simple cost. There is no line on their tax forms that says booze giveaway amount.

 

:rolleyes:

 

 

<snort> Good one jc. :cool::cool::cool:

 

I agree. :)

[rednancy1]

I may not be impressed with RCI management, but I must say I'm in awe of their shipbuilders. Frankly I'm amazed that they will be able to add another lounge to 20 ships by Sept. 1. Surely that must be Goldstein's new plan...because he already told us the issue is overcrowding and it's impossible to use current space as an overflow diamond lounge. Gosh, now I really feel appreciated...even after spending millions on this new construction, RCI is going to discount my drinks, too!

 

 

I don't believe RCI will be adding more lounges, just utilizing the ones they already have. Each ship has maybe 10+ bars and lounges. They are not all open at the same time. The Viking Lounge is a perfect example of this as it is under-used many times. :)

 

Highly unlikely they would dedicate the Schooner Bar or Boleros or a pub on the promanade to be a new D lounge. :rolleyes: In the past they have always chosen a less crowded venue for the D or overflow lounge. :cool:

[sculptress]

RCI didn't please the Diamond members with their second letter!

I just received Mr. Goldstein's email today regarding the updated changes for the Diamond Members. He must think we are all children and are trying to hand us a cream donut with no cream in it!!!! By giving us 25% off on drinks during a special cocktail hour and serving wine and cheese each day, you obviously don’t get it!

One of the most wonderful things about Royal Caribbean is that after you reach the status of becoming a Diamond Member you look forward to every cruise with them....the wonderful concierge service, you can have an espresso, cappuccino, coffee, watch t.v. in your own lounge, mingle with fellow diamond members because you have alot more in common with Diamond Members then you do with suite owners.

The Diamond Members have been around alot longer, know alot more, and appreciate the cruise line more than the cruisline obviously knows. And because of that this is what Royal Caribbean fails to understand.

We have been loyal, we have been the backbone, and at one time you did appreciate us by giving us concierge service, and of course, the cocktail hour from 5 to 8 every night of the cruise. Also, a lot of diamond members don't even drink, they shared sodas and talked about past cruises and new cruises. This is what you’re screwing around with. It has nothing to do with wine and cheese tasting and 25% off cocktails. It has to deal with good loyal people who have come back year after year. If these people were smart, they would do what I'm doing, by staying far away from a cruise line whose only thought is the bottom line.

If the diamond members would stay away even for one cruise, I think Royal Caribbean would then see the light and surely reverse itself from its petty ways that are going to be taken place in September 2009.

Why doesn't Royal Caribbean GET IT! It seems they don't even realize there are more competitive cruiselines and pricing out there then ever before!

Even though I feel these postings on CC are helpful, I think it would be more beneficial if we write directy to Mr. Goldstein with our remarks on how we feel. Below is the information where you can send your information to him and reach RCI.:cool:

Adam Goldstein (President and CEO of Royal Caribbean International)

Royal Caribbean International

1050 Caribbean Way

Miami, FL 33132-2096

800-398-9819

305-539-6000