Letter to Diamond Members (Merged Threads)

[jensenbeach]

You know what is cool? That we will fly back from the UK first class becaue of recognition from the airline. What is cool is that we can use their lounges as recognition for being loyal. What is cool is that when we asked for similar ships as the ones in the Radiance line we received a great note which gave us great comparisions from someone who sailed on both RC ad Princess and gave us good input. What is cool is that we are now emotionally free to start spreading the wealth around to other lines. What is cool is that we hold no anomosity with RC. We actually thank them for pushing us to new horizons. That was cool. What is not cool is the infighting on this thread between those who feel they were harmed in some way and those who attack them for speaking up regardless of whether the slight is real or not.

[Kaboochi]

I have sailed on all of the major lines and some that are no longer sailing. I have sailed inside, outside, balcony, JR suites and suites. I have sailed on 49 cruises. Loved everyone of them. I go for the cruise. Some ships and lines offer perks and others do not. I am a Diamond member with RCI. RCI is the only line that I can sail on and receive special perks and not book a suite.

 

I just recently sailed on The Voyager with 11 family members. I was in a suite so I was able to use the CL. I could not use it because it was too crowded. It was only too crowded when the drinks were free. I went up to the Diamond Lounge and it was crowded as well. Here again the drinks were free. I feel that by having to pay for some of the cost these lounges will no longer be too crowded to use.

 

From my experience I would say that 99 percent of the people who go into these lounges go to meet people and share their experiences. There is that 1 percent that go in there to do nothing but get a free drink. So I am happy that Diamond members still have a place to go and mingle and have a social drink and I'm also happy that the suite people will get their place to do the same.

 

So thank-you RCI for listening to your devoted past passengers.

 

Bandit

Diamond Club cruisers want the lounge, the free drinks and the time to spend with other loyal cruisers. RCI is not listening. Your post, honestly, does not address the issue. With respect, Kaboochi

[Illmaxict]

boo hoo i mean really. enjoy the cruise like it was your first, before you knew about the "perks" just like all the other first timers. no need for preferential treatment.

[missbogota]

boo hoo i mean really. enjoy the cruise like it was your first, before you knew about the "perks" just like all the other first timers. no need for preferential treatment.

 

Don't we wish they all could enjoy and appreciate just how fortunate we all are..just to able to afford a cruise and experience what so many others won't ever be able to experience. However, this world has become a "what is in for ME" world. I am so glad to say I am not apart of this selfish group! There are so many people without homes or jobs, and this Diamond group is mad because they lost some perk.

 

At first they said they didn't have a place to gather to converse with other passengers. Now it is they aren't able to get a cappacino. I really feel sorry for them.....

[GEORGET]

boo hoo i mean really. enjoy the cruise like it was your first, before you knew about the "perks" just like all the other first timers. no need for preferential treatment.

 

Should i not enjoy it like my last cruise with the perks?

[Charles4515]

boo hoo i mean really. enjoy the cruise like it was your first, before you knew about the "perks" just like all the other first timers. no need for preferential treatment.

 

Ah, but you can't go back. Royal Caribbean spoiled us. And led us to expect the perks. They made a boo boo.

[lady of the seas]

Although I applaud RCCL for conceding defeat, I hardly think the title of "RCI COMES THROUGH FOR DIAMOND MEMBERS" is an apt title for this new thread.

 

 

You are correct in your interpretation, the only reason they made any concession was because they received so many cancellations....people hit them where it hurts.

[Illmaxict]

thank you missbogota, so true. And George, you should enjoy it just the same. The perks don't make the cruise.

[GEORGET]

thank you missbogota, so true. And George, you should enjoy it just the same. The perks don't make the cruise.

 

you are wrong the perks were the icing on the cake and were the reason for paying more for the cruise than other lines.

[texlatin1]

In actuality, whether you like it or not, you are treated better as a Platinum then a Gold, or as a Diamond then a Platinum, and as a Diamond Plus to a Diamond.

 

 

SIMPLY NOT TRUE! You are seriously mistaking the C&A Points Status (Gold, Platinum, Diamond and Diamond +) as Class status and it is wrong for you to think that certain people are treated better because they've cruised more than others! Gold members are treated just the same as Diamond +'s but the only difference is that they don't have access to the same "perks". IMO, I have never felt anything but welcome on ANY RC ship and for that matter, on any other cruise line no regardless if it was my 1st cruise with them or my 10th!

[lady of the seas]

Check the dictionary... gullible isn't in there anymore. It's been removed.

 

So no access to the CL, instead you get a cold breakfast (no cost to RCL) in a private area (no cost to RCL) and have a representative to give you tickets and book shore excursions (no cost to RCL).

 

Instead of a party once per trip you get one every night, but you have to go there to pay 3/4 of the price of a regular drink. You get wine and "chumpagne" (because t's not champagne... champagne is from the champagne region of France and is made in the méthode Champagnois. This is cheap wine carbonated artificially in the méthode Coca-Cola.)

 

Can someone give us a guess on what brand of boxed wine they will be using? Let's see, in any supermarket in Spain or Italy you can buy swill for €0.50 a liter (white or red, your choice.) Yes, folks, it's cheaper to buy wine than bottled water or Coca-Cola.

 

So, over 3500 messages with complaints and this is what people settle for? This is enough to placate most people? Anyone want to buy a bridge? I have a beautiful one available for sale....

 

 

 

O.K. I've stopped laughing now, you have made my day....I'm always up for something really amusing.....congratulations.:)

[lephysteria]

you are wrong the perks were the icing on the cake and were the reason for paying more for the cruise than other lines.

 

Exactly!! So if RCCL is just the same as any other cruise line because RCCL doesn't have the perks for the diamonds anymore, then we might as well save hundreds per person per cruise, and sail some other line.

[SAAdds1]

You will never ever know the wonderful treatment that was received in the Concierge Lounge, not only the free drinks, the snacks, atmosphere, etc. was just wonderful.

 

Sure they will...they can book a suite and know all of that.

[beachbuddy]

LOL...........I just noticed that they changed the name of this thread!! I didn't think the other name was appropriate so I'm glad they changed the name.

[MAHA]

I know that the changes that affect the Diamond Crown & AAnchor members will now take effect in September. Does anyone know whether the rest of the changes take place on July 1 still? Such as the welcome back party for anyone Gold and above, the commemorative gift, etc.

Thanks!

[pcur]

Just to set the record straight on a few things:

 

THIS WAS ON THE LAST BOARD

 

I AM A WHINER

 

have copied this of a previous contributor. the last is the most inportant to myself

 

No more newspapers they have news bulletins daily at noon by the Customer Service Desk

No more mints We had chocolates every night on our Majesty cruise last week.

no more late night buffet

No more shipshape / vitality program

No more stock dividend

No more daily lunches in the MDR (sea days only)

No more daily or gala midnight buffets

Johnny Rockets fee increase If this comment is in regards to Diamond members, they get a free pass, so the increase is a moot point.

Late nite room service fee

No more in-cabin liquor purchase w/ fee

No more bringing wine onboard

No more morning ice service We got ice every morning when I room was made up last week.

No in-room beach towel service We had towels in our cabin and they were replaced if used during the cruise last week.

New fee for drinks at the Captain’s “cocktail” reception

No more C&A welcome back partyWe had one last week on the Majesty.

Beer and wine (only) at the new Diamond receptionThis is nightly instead of a one time event during the cruise; that's a good trade-off IMO

Cutbacks in food quality I was just on a Celebrity and RCCL b2b and the food was just as good on the Majesty as the Constellation. We thought the food was great on both ships.

Dinnig Room steak fee

No more free photo coupon

No C&A gifts below D+ The gifts sucked, anyway.

No combining stockholder / diamond discounts, even though one has absolutely nothing to do with the other

no overflow Diamond bar (see below)

Of course, last but not least: No CL access for diamonds

 

__________________

There will be a Diamond bar but ONLY on there largest ships.( This has changed)

 

IN OTHER WORDS Diamond members are not wanted anymore on the other ships as we were cluttering up the Concierge Lounge.

 

I used to visit the CL for a coffee after the casino closed.

WHAT THEY HAVE GIVEN

DELAYED IN CHANGE TO SEPTEMBER

AN OVERFLOW BAR THAT THEY HAD ALREADY ON SHIPS WE HAVE BEEN ON

 

AND NOW WE HAVE 25% OFF DRINKS THAT WERE FREE?

AM I MISSING SOMETHING

[Illmaxict]

you are wrong the perks were the icing on the cake and were the reason for paying more for the cruise than other lines.

 

ok, here's your logic, perks are icing on the cake. so what exactly is the cake? icing doesn't make the cake pal. That's why they call it icing on the cake. The cake is the cruise, icing (perks) makes it a little sweeter, but the bulk of it is the cake. If all you eat is icing, all you get is a stomach ache. The cake (cruise) is what you people are all forgetting about here.

[Illmaxict]

and honestly, for all you who say these "perks" are the reason you pay more for Royal, and without them there is no reason to stay with Royal, I say, and I know I am not the only one, GOOD RIDDANCE! Because sure as hell wouldn't want to hear all the complaining while I'm on board, maybe Royal is on to something here, they noticed people getting waaaay to snobby, so they took away their "perks." It's a little process, first they complain non stop while they continue to book with them, and eventually they all leave, leaving more customers, like myself and the many other ones out there who are sick of hearing it, to become the new regulars, who don't complain, who are happy to be on a nice ship with nice employees, and who don't give a damn about 1 lounge and free drinks and mints.

[gagirl7143]

THIS WAS ON THE LAST BOARD

 

I AM A WHINER

 

have copied this of a previous contributor. the last is the most inportant to myself

 

No more newspapers

No more mints

no more late night buffet

No more shipshape / vitality program

No more stock dividend

No more daily lunches in the MDR (sea days only)

No more daily or gala midnight buffets

Johnny Rockets fee increase

Late nite room service fee

No more in-cabin liquor purchase w/ fee

No more bringing wine onboard

No more morning ice service

No in-room beach towel service

New fee for drinks at the Captain’s “cocktail” reception

No more C&A welcome back party

Beer and wine (only) at the new Diamond reception

Cutbacks in food quality

Dinnig Room steak fee

No more free photo coupon

No C&A gifts below D+

No combining stockholder / diamond discounts, even though one has absolutely nothing to do with the other

no overflow Diamond bar (see below)

Of course, last but not least: No CL access for diamonds

 

__________________

There will be a Diamond bar but ONLY on there largest ships.( This has changed)

 

IN OTHER WORDS Diamond members are not wanted anymore on the other ships as we were cluttering up the Concierge Lounge.

 

I used to visit the CL for a coffee after the casino closed.

WHAT THEY HAVE GIVEN

DELAYED IN CHANGE TO SEPTEMBER

AN OVERFLOW BAR THAT THEY HAD ALREADY ON SHIPS WE HAVE BEEN ON

 

AND NOW WE HAVE 25% OFF DRINKS THAT WERE FREE?

AM I MISSING SOMETHING

 

think you said it all very well!!!!

[texlatin1]

Just to set the record straight on a few things:

 

Excellent recap pcur!!!

[texlatin1]

and honestly, for all you who say these "perks" are the reason you pay more for royal, and without them there is no reason to stay with royal, i say, and i know i am not the only one, good riddance! Because sure as hell wouldn't want to hear all the complaining while i'm on board, maybe royal is on to something here, they noticed people getting waaaay to snobby, so they took away their "perks." it's a little process, first they complain non stop while they continue to book with them, and eventually they all leave, leaving more customers, like myself and the many other ones out there who are sick of hearing it, to become the new regulars, who don't complain, who are happy to be on a nice ship with nice employees, and who don't give a damn about 1 lounge and free drinks and mints.

 

here here!!!

[skandls]

As a Diamond cruiser who has had C&A benefits changed these last few weeks. I feel OK with being angry about having perks taken away.

 

So for those of your who are grateful for the 'new perks' I am glad you are OK with what Royal Caribbean has done with its program. But I do not need to read the sarcasm and the 'Better than You or Richer than You' posts that dismiss the validity of the complaints of long time RCI cruisers.

 

We have had something that was a reward for our loyalty to RCI and it has been taken away.

 

I am OK with the onboard, stockholder, coupon changes because those perks were never stated as being combined just for being a C&A member.

[rednancy1]

Royal Caribbean is doing the best they can.

 

These are hard economic times. :(

 

Every company is cutting back and abolishing jobs. :(

 

I applaud RCI for listening to the Diamonds and restoring some perks.:)

 

They are perks.....not entitlements. :)

 

I want RCI to flourish and provide great cruising for many years ahead.

 

I've cruised the competition and I don't like it as well as RCI.

 

Well, maybe Crystal or Oceania or Regent, but that's another story.

[Bobblsc]

Well, not exactly. You are conveniently forgetting that if the 300 cruisers didn't get their free drinks they just might buy them in a ship's bar. Two drinks at $7.50 each times seven days times 300 cruisers come out to be $31,500. It's not the cost of the free drinks, it's also the cost of the lost revenue. Using your numbers, that could be a total cost of $33,600, It mounts up over a year, like over $1.5M.

 

Surprising how on the original, now closed, post, many people claimed that they enjoyed the CL for the atmosphere and the opportunity to share a glass of wine or champagne with fellow cruisers. Now it's just pig swill wine and rot gut champagne. I guess you can't please everyone.

 

This post has been quoted by another once. And that poster was in disagreement. This is the type of discourse that should prevail here.

 

I have a different take than jbond here, but I must say something else first. This thread has now degenerated to the level of the previous closed one. Several are now once again stooping to the level of comments such as "good riddance", "bye bye", etc., etc. These types of comments are ridiculous and show a total lack of regard for opposing views. They should stop for the sake of civility.

 

First, I seems to me that a cruise line must be a very complex organization to manage. Both Carnival and Royal Caribbean Corporation have probably done a good job overall in managing. They are helped in doing so by being exempt from U. S. income taxes.

 

But even though they generally make good decisions does not mean they always do so. I believe RC has not made the proper decision regarding the Concierge Lounge changes. I don't know when we will take our next RC cruise, if ever. But I am, because of investment in RCL stock, interested in the maximizing of profits or minimizing of losses for RCL. I don't care if cruisers are upset because of RC Concierge benefits or not. I only care about the impact of this decision on RCL profits or losses.

 

Now back to jbond's analysis. I really doubt that cruisers will buy two drinks in other bars if they are denied former Concierge benefits, but let's accept this as a good estimate. I have looked at European and Caribbean cruises by RC and it looks as though an average(mean) fare for a seven day cruise is about $1200 per person, that is $2400 per cabin. No, I did not do all the calculations , but looked at the least expensive balcony cabin as about average.

 

Using jbond's $33,600 estimate, if 14 cabins are empty because people have cancelled or not booked, RC has broken even per their decision. That is, $33600/$2400= 14. If more than 14 cabins are empty because of the Concierge decision, RC will lose money. Be aware that this does not include on-board spending by these 14 cabins.

 

From anecdotal evidence on these threads, I believe more than 14 cabins will remain empty because of the Concierge decision. Others may have different thoughts.

 

I believe this is what the current discussion should be about, not "whiners", "bye bye", etc.

 

Bob :cool:

[aqhacruiser]

But wasn't the reason the free drinks were stopped was because of over crowding in the lounge? I did not receive an email so I can't quote the reason why, other than what is on the website. I feel the reason for the change was for money reasons and money alone. I wonder how many people will drink the wine or the champagne? Most people that I've seen in the CL were drinking hard liquor. I won't be drinking the wine or the champagne, or buying a drink, just searching for a good cup of coffee in the morning. If the cruise line is charging $5.63 a drink ($7.50 less 25%) they will be making $3,378 every night for a profit of $3,078 for a Diamond happy hour, or $21,546 per cruise. This is based on two drinks a night for the 300 cruisers. I picked the 300 number out of the air because some have posted that is why the CL was over crowded on their sailing. I think the number could easily be higher or lower. Either way RCCL will make a tidy sum on the change, I would think more than their welcome back party that they had planned for just one night charging for drinks.

 

As for pleasing everyone, I think they were happy before the change. Most people become creatures of habit. They get used to something, like it and they return. Make changes and they start paying closer attention to the details. I think everyone, including lower C & A levels, are paying attention to the details. Some have made reference to sheep, maybe they are correct maybe not. Time will tell, still want my coffee and my cruise booked under the old guidelines grandfathered.

 

I know the CL on the Ex AND the overflow lounge was packed solid so from what I've witnessed they were definitely out of space on that ship. Yes, they could have opened yet another lounge and another but how many spaces were they suppose to dedicate to us? However, that may not be the same experience you've had on ships you cruise. It's my opinion that money had a lot to do with the decision especially in this economy and I think RCCL made a good compromise. It's certainly better then the first change they came up with:)