yogimax

keep the CL only for suite guests. (grand and above)

Great idea - not!

Over three and a half hours, you will have a concierge (or two) and five or ten people.

You will also have a multitude of angry D+ members who are now paying for their drinks and with no place to socialize.

Glad you don't work in customer relations!:rolleyes:

The 'why' is what puzzles me. 'Why' would you like to see perks removed from others? Just to enhance your own?

Exactly! Seems to be a selfish suggestion with some sense of wanting to "punish" those who are of a "lesser" status.:mad:

We live in NYC, are D+, and were not invited!

Happy for you though, and hope you have a wonderful experience!!!

Me also

Suggest you check Weather Underground or one of the numerous internet weather sites.

yes yes the cl and dl is a place to share and feel a commonality with other frequent cruises.

I see the bashers and flamers negating the perks and claiming folk shouldn't act "entitled" like its the new word for "liberal" or something.

Well i have cruised exclusively on rc because its a great vacation and expressly for the perks and i have relied on the promises rc made to its frequent cruisers. I continue to cruise and hope to get to pinnacle one day soon and sorry...i have been enjoying the cl now for years and i do feel entitled to be in there while still being very great full and appreciative of rc's continuation of the loyalty program and its benefits.

great post!

JC I think this has more to do with the drinks than anything else. Many will deny that but the truth is you can meet people anywhere on the ship. You don't need a designated lounge. ;)

Sure you can meet people in the casino or the Windjammer or at the Art Auction. That's a given. The vast majority of new friends we have made, however, have been made in the Concierge Lounge, Diamond Lounge or at the Diamond Event. It's much more conducive to conversation and sharing.

Conclusion: It's BOTH about the drinks AND the atmosphere of the lounge!

Three drink vouchers are not equivalent to the Lounge Experence! We have made many, many new friends in the lounge. Simply getting a drink at some bar is not the same!

Bingo! Sorry for those who are so wrapped up in a loyalty program that nothing else is of interest to them.

Why so judgmental?

For the vast majority of us who are D+, it's a combination of the loyalty program and the joys of cruising in general. My educated guess is also that the loyalty program is much more important to those with advanced status than newbies. One has to ask if there's a bit of jealousy in the critcism leveled!

As far as the new Celebrity program, I really don't care that I'm not given a higher level than Elite. The benefits there are fine!

You'll probably get your wish someday... just probably not for the next 5-10 years. There doesn't seem to be enough incentive ($$$) for RCI to head back to the left coast right now.

It's not just the $$$. A Carnival sponsored tourbus was held up by robbers in Puerto Vallarta. I don't think RCCL wants that sort of publicity!

(Carnival is used to it by now:))

So what level on Celebrity will RCCL's Diamond Plus have?

O good grief.... after all these years and still drivel...

 

jc

Thanks for your snarky response... How was it helpful?

Bottom Line...

D+ spend much more with RCCL than a one time Suitie.

If anyone should be banned from the CL, it should be the suite guests!

Just visit Guest Services once you board and ask them to disconnect the tip auto-pay.....then you can pay in cash. We've done so a few times without a question or problem......

I have to say that I am befuddled by all those who wish to pay in cash. Really.. why? For me, it is so much easier to let it go on my credit card. No worries about bringing extra cash... or having the money available the last night... etc., etc..

The staff even says they prefer that it is prepaid.

So I don't just don't get why the desire to remove the tips and cause more hassle???

We love trivia but wish the prizes were a little better...

C'mon, a pen or cheap luggage tag!

We will be on Brilliance next month and see they have a Rita's Cantina.

What is the cost? For lunch? For dinner?

Are any drinks included? (I read something about Margaritas but it wasn't clear)

Can you use the BOGO coupon the first night?

Thanks in advance!

Yogi

We will be on Summit in January and last year had the pleasure of speaking with the Staff Captain at length.

Does anyone know who is currently aboard Summit? Also anyone know who the Loyalty Ambassador is on the ship?

Thanks!

Another vote for City View.

Definitely cheaper than Old Town.

Looks like they also automatically apply senior and residential discounts

Do you follow trends? If so, you would find that

1. Carnival has been trending downward in the last few years, from safety issues, to loyalty rewards to terrible entertainment.

2. Royal has (at least) been holding its own.

Considering that RCCL had a better product three years ago and Carnival is in a downward spiral, the recommendation is obvious!

o.k., so I was checking prices last night and it seemed like my D+ discount was automatically applied to the pricing of balcony cabins. When did this change take place?

We always dress for formal nights, my DH brings his tux and I bring long formals. It makes for special nights;)

That's nice, but how do or your DH feel to be seated next to folks who are dressed casually?.. You took the time and trouble to pack responsibly. Please don't say that you don't care because it may be true for you, but not for your husband! I know!

RCCL need to take a leaf from NCLs book - if there is a queue for the dining room - issue a pager and a voucher for a drink and all is sweetness and light - it is not rocket science.

 

NO. NO. NO... We have been on NCL and it is ridiculous to be given a pager and wait around for a half an hour or more!

Voucher for a drink???? Never heard of that!

So, which part do you disagree with? My estimate, based on my cruises, of 10-20% dressed casually (vs. your estimate, based on your cruise, of 30-40%)? Maybe that's a real difference on the Oasis vs the ships I've been on recently (Voyager/Navigator), or maybe it's a difference of perception. :cool:

I think your 10-20% figure is way low. In addition, the fact that tuxedos are almost non-existant shos that "formal" is almost dead.

I should say that I bring and wear a black suit on formal night, but what's the point if almost half the dining room couldn't care less?

I think the ones reporting it is dead or dying are those who just wish that to be so. All of my cruises have been in the Caribbean, with primarily US passengers aboard, and there has been no sign of the formal nights being dead or on life-support. I will say that the average dress is a bit less formal than what you describe, though - more suits and fewer tuxes, plus maybe 10 - 20% of people dressed casually.

Disagree! Just back from Oasis and did not see one tuxedo on formal night. In addition, I would estimate 30-40% of the men did not wear suits or sport jackets. The women were typically much more dressed up than the men!