status: days at sea vs number of cruises

[cruisenfever]

Kathy did you relocate out of the state of FLORIDA!:D

[PH8]

I think the point was that you DON'T need permission to move to FL, so if you're complaining that people from FL have more chances to cruise, get off your midwestern bum and move down there. The only thing stopping you from moving to FL is you.

 

Maybe? :)

OH,I guess it was supposed to be funny:rolleyes:

[PH8]

Kathy did you relocate out of the state of FLORIDA!:D

Noooooooo,not that i know of:eek: besides how will I ever make it to DP++++++ without the easy access of all those 3 night cruises which I get so dirt cheap:rolleyes::rolleyes:

[rubrrick]

Like you we didn't start cruising to get cruise credits and if we were still relatively new cruisers we would not be concerned with how cruise credits are calculated.

 

There are however many of us who have accrued several very nice perks based on our cruise histories so now we have a vested interest in what happens.

 

Recently diamond member lost access to the concierge lounge. With the increasing ranks of D+ members, some cruises are again experiencing crowding in the lounges. There have been many rumors about more changes to the program.

 

Although none of us have an inside track as to what will happen it is just natural that we would be concerned.

 

 

Great point!

 

We have gotten used to some nice perks. We are very fortunate that we are able to stay in full suites, but we know many cruising friends that don't and we enjoy being with them, as they get to enjoy the perks of being D+.

 

And if we could not afford to stay in suites, and we were not allowed in the CL, would that stop us from sailing on Royal Caribbean. The answer is no, but at the same time, we might look around at what other lines offer.

 

We used to cruise on many lines, and I don't know how we got stuck sailing Royal Caribbean and Celebrity, but since '06 or '07 it seems that we have put other lines in the back of our mind.

 

We will see what next year brings.:rolleyes:

 

Rick

[brmoqueen]

All I know is that it's hard to change a program once it has been implemented without making somebody angry. There's always somebody going to be complaining that it's not fair.

 

I have a lowly 20 cruises/credits with RCL......and doubt I will be able to get 4 more in before Jan and the 'big change"......sooooo undoubtedly I'll be "screwed out" of getting to DPlus easily(well, easily for me 1 cruise at a time since I live in the midwest and there aren't any ports out of Missouri!)...I do have four cruises booked by the end of March but I don't think it's going to help..unfortunately.

 

The only part I hate is that I cruise typically with all Dplus people (some that will come down to the D lounge)....I hate that when I became D we started meeting a lot of people in the D lounge and now we're split up...but if that's the least of my worries then I'm in good shape. There's a whole lot more to stress over in life.

 

I just came off the Mariner and NEVER once went into the nightly D event at all since I was cruising with a firsttimer on RCL....hence we paid in full for every drink we bought....

 

I'm not going to stress over something as little as how people should get credits and what perks there are.....I'm going to cruise when I can ....

[Schooner Bar Girl]

Noooooooo,not that i know of:eek: besides how will I ever make it to DP++++++ without the easy access of all those 3 night cruises which I get so dirt cheap:rolleyes::rolleyes:

 

Well Kathy.....I have an idea to help get those "easy" credits for you.:p:p Book the Monarch in early Sept and we can have a few drinks.:D

[PH8]

Well Kathy.....I have an idea to help get those "easy" credits for you.:p:p Book the Monarch in early Sept and we can have a few drinks.:D

Just booked it for late Aug(27th)..:p

[Ginnylou]

Now as a solo cruiser I must chime in and state that I want double cruise points for all the cruises I paid for two people in the cabin when only occupied by me. Gee I might be close to 100 credits now if that was the case. I just know that someone is going to say that hotels go by cost for two, blah, blah blah. I don't eat for two, I keep my cabin very neat and hang up my clothes put my shoes back in the closet etc. etc. so that should count for something..............:rolleyes:

[Ocean Boy]

Now as a solo cruiser I must chime in and state that I want double cruise points for all the cruises I paid for two people in the cabin when only occupied by me. Gee I might be close to 100 credits now if that was the case. I just know that someone is going to say that hotels go by cost for two, blah, blah blah. I don't eat for two, I keep my cabin very neat and hang up my clothes put my shoes back in the closet etc. etc. so that should count for something..............:rolleyes:

 

And I wish that I got all the credits for the family members that I pay for when we cruise. Unfortunately, they each get their own credit without paying a dime!:D

[melbur]

IMHO

 

The $$ thing couldn't work - there are those that do not drink or gamble and therefore will not be spending $ in these areas. I don't buy into the days at sea either as some are restricted to 2 wks vacation a year and others who are say, retired or seasonal workers, have much more flexibility in the time they can cruise.

 

I don't see a big problem in leaving it a "credit per cruise system", with a little tweaking, i.e. make 3-5 cruises a half point, 6-9 1pt, 10+ 1.5pt, etc.

THEN > raise the achievement level - 12pts for Platinum, 25 for Diamond, 40 for Diamond Plus, etc as an example.

 

The problem in my mind came from making achievement tiers too low to start with.

[lovemylab]

And PH8, I think the poster's point was that ANYONE can move to Florida, so we shouldn't single the folks from Florida out...If that's your concern, just move to Florida. Pretty simple! ;)

 

Actually, not ANYONE can move to Florida. I am pretty sure that if I was to try to move to Florida the US Government would have something to say about that ;)

 

Personally, I am in favor of having it based on nights onboard vs. number of cruises. However, to be perfectly honest, I don't really care either way. I don't cruise with RCCL to build up my C&A status or because they give me a discount book onboard. I cruise with them because I enjoy the product and feel that I get value for my money.

[melbur]

Actually, not ANYONE can move to Florida. I am pretty sure that if I was to try to move to Florida the US Government would have something to say about that ;)

.

 

LOL -;)I was thinking the same thing.

[PH8]

Actually, not ANYONE can move to Florida. I am pretty sure that if I was to try to move to Florida the US Government would have something to say about that ;)

.

Not really,you can be like 1/2 the snowbirds here.......live here 6 months and the rest go back to Canada,Michigan,NY,etc:p

[melbur]

Not really,you can be like 1/2 the snowbirds here.......live here 6 months and the rest go back to Canada,Michigan,NY,etc:p

 

Let's see, if I lived there 6 months can I use that money to add up the $ spent to cruise?:eek:

[Mr. Luckytoo]

It should totally be nights at sea. It really isn't fair that an 11 day cruise gets the same credit as a 3 day cruise.

 

that way it would be fair to all because it is all based on nights. Suite guests could still get an extra point but 12 nighters wouldn't need the extra point since it is based on nights anyways.

 

To TRUELY be fair I think it should be based on how much $ on spends and that includes fare, on-board spending, excursions, drinks and casino spending.

 

So instead of nights substitute the word $10,000 maybe?

 

I mean doesn't a company want to cater to those who are spending the most on their ships to return? That's how Vegas does it.

[Mr. Luckytoo]

To TRUELY be fair I think it should be based on how much $ on spends and that includes fare, on-board spending, excursions, drinks and casino spending.

 

So instead of nights substitute the word $10,000 maybe?

 

I mean doesn't a company want to cater to those who are spending the most on their ships to return? That's how Vegas does it.

 

I want to be clear BEFORE getting flamed; I do NOT advocate switching the system as it currently exists. That was just an EXAMPLE.

 

Life isn't fair but to be honest if you get to be a Diamond on 10 3-night cruises and I get to be a Diamond on 10 7-night cruises and Mary gets to be a Diamond on 5 14-night cruises does it really matter? :confused:

 

I'm just thankful that RCCL even has a loyalty program in the first place.

[PH8]

 

Life isn't fair but to be honest if you get to be a Diamond on 10 3-night cruises and I get to be a Diamond on 10 7-night cruises and Mary gets to be a Diamond on 5 14-night cruises does it really matter? :confused:

Apparently to some,by reading some of these posts:rolleyes:.......(but not to me)

[Mr. Luckytoo]

I could do the cruises, its the air fare to get to do the cruises that would break the bank.

 

Actually most of I-95 is still toll free:p

[lovemylab]

My reference was to this statement...."1 point for every dollar spent on past cruises. Everything included, price of cruise, bar , shops, excusions, specialty resaurants".

 

If we have to fly to a port our airfare is not included in "dollars spent" nor is the gas we would have to buy if we drove. And airfare can get pretty expensive last time I checked.

 

While I agree that airfare can be expensive, you do realize that you are paying far less for airfare than Canadians or Europeans, right?

 

I priced what I would have to pay to fly to Miami next April. Cheapest I could find was just over $600 return for one ticket.

 

When I price a flight out of Cleveland (for the same week), it's $340. When I price a flight out of Portland, Oregon (which would be twice the distance that I would be flying), it's around $370.

 

So while you may view the residents of Florida as having the advantage due to not having to drive to a port...I actually feel that YOU have an advantage as well since you pay half of what I do for airfare.

[Mr. Luckytoo]

I do enjoy the cruises that I take. But I would also like the perks of Diamond status. However living in the northeast, it is harder (but i know not impossible) to get to the ports to take the 3 or 4 day to get to this status. Where as those that live on the FL coast could take that week-end get-away. And so are able to get to Diamond or above quicker than I am able to. I could do the cruises, its the air fare to get to do the cruises that would break the bank.

 

So you cruise to get the perks?

 

Are you that person in the casino that plays and bets $500 to get the comped $15 buffet too? :cool:

 

Enjoy cruising - I know I do. :cool:

[lovemylab]

Not really,you can be like 1/2 the snowbirds here.......live here 6 months and the rest go back to Canada,Michigan,NY,etc:p

 

I am pretty sure my employer would have problems with me taking 6 months of the year off to spend in Florida every winter ;)

[jmraggs]

Geez If you want to really make it fair, then why not just just have C&A levels based on prior spending. 1 point for every dollar spent on past cruises. Everything included, price of cruise, bar , shops, excusions, specialty resaurants. Exclude the cash advances at the casino, since they have their own high roller deal.

Just because someone takes a 3 or 4 day cruise, does not mean they spend less than someone on a 7 nighter, or more.

Right now the rules are what they are. why should you knock or penalize someone who can go on short cruises. everyone has the same opportunity. If one does not take advantage of it, whose fault is it??

Find something more worthwhile to complain about.

 

You're totally correct. It's all about jealously and what someone else can get easier than me type of attitude. I have seen a 14 night transatlantic crossing cheaper than a 5 night cruise in the past. I don't know why they should care about what someone else does.

 

 

.

 

How does one determine that a person that goes on 7 night cruises is more loyal than the person that can only go on 3 or 4 night cruises? Maybe they are just as devoted to RCI as the other person but they just can not get the days away from work. These are cruise credits, not per night credits.

 

Annieeee

 

Speaking of loyalty, who is more loyal to the cruise line, people that take 1 maybe 2 longer cruises a year or people that take 3-5 cruises a year? Who is to say? I totally agree with you.

 

Would you also make adjustments for when the cruise is taken,given that the price you pay on a per diem basis will vary considerably depending on the dates you sail? In other words will you award the same value to someone who cruises during the peak season that you award to someone who sails when prices and demand are lower. Will you give the same credits to someone who books an 11 night cruise and pays full fare as someone who books that same 11 night cruise during a sale and gets a discounted rate, or someone who books early when the price is relatively low as opposed to a person who books later when the price for the same category room has risen significantly. How about the suite guest who books when prices are at their lowest and the suite ends up costing less than an outside room with verandah?:confused:

Things aren't necessarily as simple as you might like to portray them. In the final analysis, determining what system to use is the sole prerogative of RCI and we can complain all we want, can suggest all sorts of alternative methods, but only they can and will decide.

 

There you go again with that foolishly intelligent response!:D

[Mr. Luckytoo]

While I agree that airfare can be expensive, you do realize that you are paying far less for airfare than Canadians or Europeans, right?

 

I priced what I would have to pay to fly to Miami next April. Cheapest I could find was just over $600 return for one ticket.

 

When I price a flight out of Cleveland (for the same week), it's $340. When I price a flight out of Portland, Oregon (which would be twice the distance that I would be flying), it's around $370.

 

So while you may view the residents of Florida as having the advantage due to not having to drive to a port...I actually feel that YOU have an advantage as well since you pay half of what I do for airfare.

 

This is one of my pet peeves - AIRFARE. How come the airlines charge me for a few hours of transportation what I can book a cruise ship for several days? Plus no matter how much people complain about the dinner rolls in the MDR it's STILL better than those losey peanuts on the plane!

[melbur]

While I agree that airfare can be expensive, you do realize that you are paying far less for airfare than Canadians or Europeans, right?

 

I priced what I would have to pay to fly to Miami next April. Cheapest I could find was just over $600 return for one ticket.

 

When I price a flight out of Cleveland (for the same week), it's $340. When I price a flight out of Portland, Oregon (which would be twice the distance that I would be flying), it's around $370.

 

So while you may view the residents of Florida as having the advantage due to not having to drive to a port...I actually feel that YOU have an advantage as well since you pay half of what I do for airfare.

 

I agree with you on this one - on occasion we have made the 1 1/2 hr drive to fly out of Buffalo. Cost is about a 1/3 or a bit more of what it would cost to fly out of Toronto.

[Mr. Luckytoo]

Great point!

 

We have gotten used to some nice perks. We are very fortunate that we are able to stay in full suites, but we know many cruising friends that don't and we enjoy being with them, as they get to enjoy the perks of being D+.

 

And if we could not afford to stay in suites, and we were not allowed in the CL, would that stop us from sailing on Royal Caribbean. The answer is no, but at the same time, we might look around at what other lines offer.

 

We used to cruise on many lines, and I don't know how we got stuck sailing Royal Caribbean and Celebrity, but since '06 or '07 it seems that we have put other lines in the back of our mind.

 

We will see what next year brings.:rolleyes:

 

Rick

 

Hey Rick, just to let you know how some "other lines" treat their past loyality members on NCL they cancelled their sailaway party for their members on the Epic. Brand spanking new ship and no loyalty party for their Lattitudes members...:mad: