Letter to Diamond Members (Merged Threads)

[sealord]

Great story........................:D:D

 

What happened to "yo ho ho and a bottle of rum"? I daresay nowadays they smuggle booze in their luggage, just like on RCCL!!! Did you get airmiles on those flights by the way!!! ROTFL!!!

 

Well ... the daily grog on US ships went away with the 'arrival' of John Paul Jones. It remained a 'big deal' on British ships to this day. They kept their daily 'grog' ... keeping most of the crew pretty much drunk ... to help prevent mutinees. Many of their sailors were basicly kidnapped (impressed) off the streets ... US sailors were volunteers. The rest of the story ... British naval vessels have a Concierge Lounge. There are 'bars' on board today. No such thing on our ships.

[elleluv]

I have been told by my cruise agent that RCL has reduced the amount of discounts and shipboard credits that apply to each new reservation. Following is for a 7 night cruise.

 

Last year as a Diamond Member you could receive a balcony discount of 100 dollars per person. In my case a 200 dollar discount for my wife and I.

 

Also for a future booking on ship you received 100 dollars shipboard credit.

 

If you owned 100 shares of RCL stock, which we do, you received an additional 100 dollars shipboard credit.

 

You were also allowed to apply any coupons you received from RCL. These usually ranged between 50 to 150 dollars.

 

From now on you can only use the largest of the 4 credits I have mentioned. Which in a case such as mine I will receive 200 dollars in the balcony credit only and not the additional 250 dollar credits I received in past years.

 

This has not been mentioned in the E-mails from RCL, but was confirmed when I spoke to the Crown and Anchor Society customer rep.

 

However, they are honoring the credits for our cruises that were booked before these changes became effective in late 2008 and early 2009.

 

Please check with your travel agents and let me know if any of my information is incorrect.

 

Thank you

 

 

That's all accurate... RCCL initially set a date for that change to be effective the end of October, I believe... Then they postponed it to the end of December... so we've all known about those particular changes for quite a while.

 

Any bookings made prior to 12/31/2008 still qualify for the combining of discounts and if you have any NextCruise reservations that you made prior to 12/31/2008, those also qualify.

[aqhacruiser]

Excellent analysis, IMHO. :)

 

To many that are coming over to Carnival (for example), one of their first observations when they look into the pricing is how much more expensive their beloved RCI is. I'm sure many knew this and "lovingly" tolerated the higher pricing because they felt they were getting a better product and they were enjoying or looking forward to great perks. Having never cruised RCI, I'm not debating this point, as RCI might produce a product well worthy of this additional cost.

 

Many of the posters that have jumped ship are furious over the loss of perks or future perks but seem to be even more dismayed at the pricing difference. This difference will most likely become even more prominent as RCI deals with its debt on its megaships and Carnival continues to pay cash for its ships, thus carrying no debt load on new builds and continuing to provide "loyalty perks" (although they be very minimal by comparison :() for its loyal cruisers.

 

I think, to those that can tolerate the "Joe Farcus" effect :rolleyes:, a very small percentage will be back.

 

Not to bash Carnie:) but they also use financing when they build new ships however it seems like a hold is put on their ship building for awhile according to this

http://www.expertcruiser.com/advice/is-the-cruise-ship-building-party-over/

I can't compare Carnival with RCCL in other locations but I have compared RCCL out of Bayonne with Carnival out of NY and I do not see Carnival being less money as RCCL does 9 night cruises and Carnival does 7 nights. I can't believe anyone "lovingly tolerated" paying a higher price for any cruiseline unless they really enjoyed that cruiseline. To me, if you enjoy something you are not " tolerating it" If they find Carnie is cheaper then they shouldn't be dismayed and just book a cruise if that's what they choose to do:) Everyone always has the choice of which cruiseline to sail and some people enjoy sailing the same cruiseline and others enjoy sailing several different cruiselines. All that matters is that people pick the cruiseline that works best for them:)

[TRadle]

I have been told by my cruise agent that RCL has reduced the amount of discounts and shipboard credits that apply to each new reservation. Following is for a 7 night cruise.

 

Last year as a Diamond Member you could receive a balcony discount of 100 dollars per person. In my case a 200 dollar discount for my wife and I.

 

Also for a future booking on ship you received 100 dollars shipboard credit.

 

If you owned 100 shares of RCL stock, which we do, you received an additional 100 dollars shipboard credit.

 

You were also allowed to apply any coupons you received from RCL. These usually ranged between 50 to 150 dollars.

 

From now on you can only use the largest of the 4 credits I have mentioned. Which in a case such as mine I will receive 200 dollars in the balcony credit only and not the additional 250 dollar credits I received in past years.

 

This has not been mentioned in the E-mails from RCL, but was confirmed when I spoke to the Crown and Anchor Society customer rep.

 

However, they are honoring the credits for our cruises that were booked before these changes became effective in late 2008 and early 2009.

 

Please check with your travel agents and let me know if any of my information is incorrect.

 

Thank you

 

It has been communicated and is on the website.

 

If you do the math here you'll see that RCL never should have been combining those credits. They were giving cruises away. No wonder there are way too many Diamond members!:D

[slk300]

Based on your signature,I do not see any indication that you know anything about what you are opining on.

 

Pretty typical, sadly.:rolleyes:

 

Excellent analysis, IMHO. :)

 

To many that are coming over to Carnival (for example), one of their first observations when they look into the pricing is how much more expensive their beloved RCI is. I'm sure many knew this and "lovingly" tolerated the higher pricing because they felt they were getting a better product and they were enjoying or looking forward to great perks. Having never cruised RCI, I'm not debating this point, as RCI might produce a product well worthy of this additional cost.

 

Many of the posters that have jumped ship are furious over the loss of perks or future perks but seem to be even more dismayed at the pricing difference. This difference

• 
  

will most likely become even more prominent as RCI deals with its debt on its megaships and Carnival continues to pay cash for its ships, thus carrying no debt load on new builds and continuing to provide "loyalty perks" (although they be very minimal by comparison :() for its loyal cruisers.

 

I think, to those that can tolerate the "Joe Farcus" effect :rolleyes:, a very small percentage will be back.

[Spender Nui]

If all you complainers jump from RCCL to other cruise lines like CELEBRITY or HAL you are in for a great surprize, you will get nothing on these lines.

 

JIM

 

 

You forgot Princess where I get a lot.

[SpekiTrout]

See ya..........sorry you have to leave so soon!!:rolleyes::rolleyes:

 

Actually, if you go away and stay away you won't have to deal with any of us!:D:D:D

 

 

Hi Beachbuddy ! Nice to see you again .... you wouldn't be "baiting" me for a reply now would ya ?? Hmmmmmmmmm ... to respond or not to respond ... .. that IS the question !! Nah ... it's not worth my time .

[james j feller]

SPENDER,

 

No i didn't forget PRINCESS, right now they have the best perks if you are elite.

 

I just wanted to point out to the people out there, that there are cruise lines that have no real perks.

 

I have sailed on SEABOURN and CRYSTAL and they are great cruise lines but hardly any so called perks.

 

JIM

[Rala]

SPENDER,

 

No i didn't forget PRINCESS, right now they have the best perks if you are elite.

 

I just wanted to point out to the people out there, that there are cruise lines that have no real perks.

 

I have sailed on SEABOURN and CRYSTAL and they are great cruise lines but hardly any so called perks.

 

JIM

 

Jim, isn't alcohol and tips and just about everything else included in your cruise fare on these luxury lines. Their fares are higher than the mass market lines, but I was under the impression that pretty much everything was included along with excellent food and service. So what perks would you need? Just curious.........

[james j feller]

RALA,

 

You are correct ,eveything is included, i guess i just wanted to point out that not all cruise lines give you something for so called "free".

 

Times are hard right now and i can see how the major cruise lines have to cut back on certain things, if they were to raise the price of the cruises to justify drinks etc. most everyone would complain.

 

I have cruised since early 70's on almost all the lines (80) cruises so far and the price of a cruise now is really low compared to cruises in the past.

 

 

JIM

[Rala]

JIM...Thanks for your reply. I am one of the now "cubic zirconia" C&A members. While I am not happy about the cutbacks, it is a sign of the times. I like others here will be checking out other cruise lines for future cruises, but will still consider Royal as well. And you are right, relatively speaking, cruising was more expensive years ago than it is now. Hope you continue to cruise happily for many years to come!

[sealord]

Aren't you forgetting free wine and champagne, also a private spot for a continental breakfast with concierge.

 

Come on, diamonds complained and got a big chunk of what they were going to miss. Clearly, this has become all about the free booze.

 

You can 'chant that mantra' as long as 'many' of the 'loyal' cruisers would like, ... but that 'dog don't hunt'. It's about getting the 'benefits' that were advertised as due after 10 cruises and whatever number of years that took to accomplish. If RCI had decided to ratchet up the number of cruises necessary by a 'reasonable' number' for those who had not already 'earned' those benefits, there would probably have been greater understanding and acceptance. But, to take those benefits away from those who already earned them, give them to new status that did not even exist when the game started, and then say effectively that you are now farther away from the 'carrot' than you were when you began ... significantly farther away ... is just not acceptable to people with normal powers of logic and reason. Their second 'revision' was simply stating, "now we're are going to cheat you less than before, so you should be happy".:rolleyes:

 

(time for another diatribe)

[hellosailer]

Sealord - still banging on?............And on............And on...........and on!!:D:D:D

 

Honestly, you've had your say - over and over again - let's hear from others who may have something new to contribute!!

[berwyn]

You can 'chant that mantra' as long as 'many' of the 'loyal' cruisers would like, ... but that 'dog don't hunt'. It's about getting the 'benefits' that were advertised as due after 10 cruises and whatever number of years that took to accomplish. If RCI had decided to ratchet up the number of cruises necessary by a 'reasonable' number' for those who had not already 'earned' those benefits, there would probably have been greater understanding and acceptance. But, to take those benefits away from those who already earned them, give them to new status that did not even exist when the game started, and then say effectively that you are now farther away from the 'carrot' than you were when you began ... significantly farther away ... is just not acceptable to people with normal powers of logic and reason. Their second 'revision' was simply stating, "now we're are going to cheat you less than before, so you should be happy".:rolleyes:

 

(time for another diatribe)

Your last sentence says it all.

[Richard Stein]

On 11/1/08 we sailed on the Splendor of the Sea to Greece. I was happy to find they had a Concierge lounge on board which never had more than 2 or 3 other couples there before dinner at the second seating. Have sailed RCCL since the Song of America days and find the dining is getting worse each year we cruise. No Lobster in Europe on our last cruise for as much as we paid, while you get it on 2 nights with NCL. The MSC Poesia was in Venice when we were and it looked like a fine ship. While RCCL is cutting benefits MSC is adding them. One of the new benefits is free laundry up to 10 items per cruise for all repeaters. I booked my 10/24/09, Explorer of the Sea more than 3 months before the new policy for the Concierge lounge was announced and sent a letter saying I feel I should be grand fathered in with the old policy for this cruise. I am still waiting for a response. I do get to use the lounge on my 5/11/09 Radiance of the Sea cruise. No response from RCCL yet to my 2 letters. I do have elite status with Princess and will return to them next year. The free laundry and dry cleaning are worth it by itself.

[Ocean Boy]

JIM...Thanks for your reply. I am one of the now "cubic zirconia" C&A members. While I am not happy about the cutbacks, it is a sign of the times. I like others here will be checking out other cruise lines for future cruises, but will still consider Royal as well. And you are right, relatively speaking, cruising was more expensive years ago than it is now. Hope you continue to cruise happily for many years to come!

 

Whenever I read posts (and I don't mean from you) about how cruising was more expensive in the past than it is now I can't help but wonder what present day pricing would look like if the supply available now was the same as it was years ago. It is all about the cruise lines charging what the market will bear. If present supply was at the levels where it was years ago when the lines were getting higher prices and can only imagine what pricing would look like now. Cruising might still be something that many of us could only dream about.

[Bobblsc]

Sealord - still banging on?............And on............And on...........and on!!:D:D:D

 

Honestly, you've had your say - over and over again - let's hear from others who may have something new to contribute!!

 

Are you still here to respond with the same....the same....the same unreasoned support of all the mistakes Royal Caribbean management has made. :D (I need only one smiley face to get my point across.)

 

Hey, note Richard Stein's post. He reports another cruise line adding perks to increase bookings. That is real marketing.:rolleyes:

[CruiseKeeper]

Goodness, why would anyone want to respond at all? People that are still disappointed are met with the same mantra ad nauseum. "We all knew something had to happen, those CL's were a zoo, it's all about the free drinkies." Blah de blah blah. Honestly, after you've stated your opinion once, twice, perhaps 30 times, that should be enough for anyone.:p No matter how many times you repeat the same tired old jabber, some people are going to still be disappointed and have the right to be so.

[hellosailer]

Of course he has a right to be disappointed. I am disappointed that because we book balcony cabins, we can no longer use our stockholder obc. But I have never even mentioned it previously - sugar happens!!

 

But does that account for so many posts of his saying the same thing over and over!!!??

 

Its just a free drink - not life and death. People are losing jobs, their homes etc. and he bangs on and on about a few drinks. Oh, sorry - its not about the free drinks....its socialising - but RCCL have put on a special Lounge for socialising. Ditto breakfast, ditto use of Concierge.

 

There are still free drinks on the Freedom class and Oasis. Wine and champers will be free at the new Lounge on the other ships.

 

So what is he still banging on about?

 

For goodness' sake, its a Corporate Programme - and the Corporation didn't sign a marriage contract with its customers!!!

 

It changed its offerings, just as it is entitled to do. And as a shareholder, I am pleased to see that they are not only attempting to ensure that the big spenders, i.e. suite guests, have an upscale amenity which doesn't become a zoo in the evening, but also cutting costs and increasing revenue.

 

Its not pleasant - but most companies are cost cutting in this economic situation - we all have to get over it!! Even Sealord!!!

[ScarboroughCruiser]

Does anyone know the ratio of D+ to D's? Is there any real material change for D's on Freedom and up class ships?....are they not continuing the complementary pre-dinner drinks in the Freedom Lounges? Are D+'s encouraged or limited to use the Diamond Concierge over the CL on Freedom and up?

[GEORGET]

Sealord - still banging on?............And on............And on...........and on!!:D:D:D

 

Honestly, you've had your say - over and over again - let's hear from others who may have something new to contribute!!

 

Hi hellosailer

I thnk Sealord could say the same about you.

 

 

QUOTE=hellosailer;19223227]Because the Diamonds were crammed into the CL:D:D:D!! Seriously, having a bottle in your hand and pouring trays of drinks takes no time at all. On the busy cruises, to take individual orders would probably be impossible with 200-300 people to serve.

 

HI

 

I did not see this happen on the last three cruises as i used the Overflow bar put on for Diamond members. the most in there were 30 people usually between 10 and 20.

 

Why would anybody refer an overcrowded CL When a comfortable lounge is open.

The last two cruises on the Brilliance had this bar so was RCCL using it as a test.

They also tried to stop D using the CL by refusing to give access cards.

 

Can you tell me which cruises had 200-300 trying to obtain entry into the CL lounge so that I can avoid that ship, or ships?

 

As I said before, and according to some English TA blogs, the CL for Suites only is already in the pipeline.

 

Let the Suites and JS have the CL lounge during Breakfast and Happy hours.

As long as they open it to Diamonds at all other times.

 

Regarding the drinks as I have never witnessed 200 people in an overflow bar only max 30

so the bar staff had plenty of time to pour any drink asked for.

Including Wine and Champagne.

Which are more expensive than my tipple

 

I admit I overpaid for my last cruise on the Brilliance because the Overflow bar staff and fellow Diamond passengers were so friendly. Also the free drinks.

Now it is 25% off drinks and the other OB loses, I am afraid that after September I will again chose cruises on price and itinerary.

 

I like RCCL but now unless they match the prices of their competitors what incentive have I now to chose them above other lines?

Please dont say loyalty

As a heavy drinker and Gambler the three drinks max I had in the lounge before dinner is small beer compared to the amount I and my DW spend on board.

 

We have been lucky to afford 60+ cruises since 95 and every ship/cruise line has its good points and bad.

At the moment RCCL is our flavour of the month, But with ALL the changes that has happened over the last six months and what is going to happen in September we will base our next cruise on price not loyalty.

 

 

Anyway trying the Independance tomorrow so keep this thread going

 

Thought the Navigator just a little to big, but got to try this one.

 

RccL have got themselves into a no win situation unless they withdraw the changes and have a complete rethink.

The C&A has been to successful, maybe they should move the goalposts and do away with d+ grade and base all levels to days at sea or $ SPENT on board.

This will mean that they would have to grandfather the current members for PR reasons.

They could also reduce the grade if you do not cruise with them say every two years on a 6 nighter or above

But the 25% off something that used to be free is an insult to some including myself. especially when they have coped serving all drinks on the last 4 cruises i have been on.

 

 

 

by the way does D D D mean what Homer Simpson says If so you are doing it a lot in your replies

[xpcdoojk]

There were 700 diamond diamond plus on my last cruise.

 

Hellosailor... you deserve a free drink for continuing to try to talk sense to the BMW crowd. If you ever sail with me I am buying!:cool:

 

jc

[attitudeda]

When the Oasis of the Sea's is ready with the CEO's of RCI use private jets to fly or are they flying coach to save money. They must be using private jets since they are cutting Diamond member benefits.

 

JMHO

[xpcdoojk]

O lord...

 

jc:rolleyes:

[Aquahound]

O lord...

 

It just keeps getting better and better, doesn't it? :cool:

 

:rolleyes: