A recent change to the Mariner Society Rewards program has, in my opinion, all but eliminated the value of the “up to 30$ credit toward any internet package.” On my last cruise I was doing a 7-day back to back with a 21-day. The non Mariner pre-purchase prices were 129$ for the 7-day and 291$ for the 21-day. If I had purchased onboard it was 159$ for the 7-day and 364$ for the 21-day. If the 5 Star reward is to be of any value for me it must save me some money. The very best that it could do is break even if on the 7-day. If I wait until I am onboard to make the purchase (159$) and then apply my discount (159$-30$=129$) I break even. For the 21-day if I wait until I am onboard (364$) and apply my discount (364$-30$=334$) I lose a lot more versus prepaying. A 43$ loss. I did pre-purchase the internet package and I was told by HAL at the time that I would get an onboard credit for the discount, but apparently that is not true., as when I asked I was told such only applies to an onboard purchase. I hope that HAL will reconsider this change and reinstate the internet reward for it’s most loyal customers.
