CAS Changes

[BND]

according to the rumors, yes, suites will get double the days/nights just like suites would get an extra credit under the old plan.

 

We still wouldn't make Diamond at the time we previously would have. Oh well, it was too good to be true. With double days for suites, we'll have 45 days as of our Oct 11 cruise.

[darkauf]

It is now all making sense. We were talking to Crown and Anchor before our recent Serenade cruise regarding "stock" credit and how we have emailed RCL several times and they have not answered us. We were told that Royal just hired a lot of new employees to handle the backup of email that they have. I think they hired all these new employees to handle the amount of email that will be showing up on their computers once this change takes place. The person from C & A indicated that the new employees were to start this week, or maybe it was last week, and that they were all headed for training. The C & A employee led us to believe that all these new employees would be getting to all that outstanding email immediately. Glad to know that so many people have found jobs. That is good for the economy.

 

Darlene

[alexkrn46]

I would agree if both spouses attained the 20th, 30th, etc. together. But, we sailed separately for our 20th cruises. Why does not the spouse get a crystal block if it was earned independently on a separate cruise? I am just asking why that is logical? This is really not a big deal to us, but am simply wondering how RCI comes to their decisions in these matters.

 

Considering we never got one crystal block in our 29 cruieses I would consider yourself lucky, last year during the Diamonds in December we got on pen.

[thelion]

It's not likely that will happen. People will go nuts and their email box will be jammed probably way more than when they made the D changes. They know how all their other changes have gone over....they aren't dumb enough to just drop that on everyone effective the date of the announcement. Are they? NO! I don't believe they are.

 

Gina

 

They did it for the June 1 changes. They did it for the cancel policy and price protection policy changes. They do it all the time. I believe they will do it again this time.

 

We are currently Platinum as of our last cruise (7 credits-26 actual sea days total). Our 5 day in a balcony in July and our 7 day in a GS in Oct WOULD have made us Diamond under the current plan. Now, we'll still be Platinum at that point, so I see more losses than gains. We've never taken less than 5 day with RCI and we have had only JS and GS so far. Do suites gain anything extra or not under the new plan?

 

Suites get "double days" so 26 days (if all in suites) would actually be 52.

[BND]

I'm confused. :rolleyes: Looks like we have a 5 day in a JS-so that's "10 days", 12 days in a JS so "24 days", 9 days in a GS so "18 days) which would give us 52, so our 5 day July cruise in a balcony would give us 57-"Emerald" and our 7 days in a GS in Oct would be "14 days" so 71 total, which is 9 from Diamond. Is that right if all the info we have is correct? Still not where we thought we'd be after Oct 2011. But, soooooo close.

[cruisesR4me]

If the change is implemented on 1/12 and one is in the middle of a cruise on that date, will the credits for that cruise be counted? I have 9 credits now and after the 1/9 cruise in a JS will have 11 credits. I really don't know which way it will go. It really sucks if we don't make Diamond as we were excited that this cruise would do the trick.

[thelion]

I'm confused. :rolleyes: Looks like we have a 5 day in a JS-so that's "10 days", 12 days in a JS so "24 days", 9 days in a GS so "18 days) which would give us 52, so our 5 day July cruise in a balcony would give us 57-"Emerald" and our 7 days in a GS in Oct would be "14 days" so 71 total, which is 9 from Diamond. Is that right if all the info we have is correct? Still not where we thought we'd be after Oct 2011.

 

That is correct.

[alexkrn46]

Sure is..........hmmmm, looks like there's some truth to the rumor mill this time.

 

pc

 

Thanks for the photo.....pic worth 1000 words

[beachbuddy]

Thanks for the photo.....pic worth 1000 words

 

Oh, the picture wasn't from me...........LOL

[Host Kewlguy]

Very interesting sign.

[CptSticky]

This is the original letter from the last big change dated March 28, 2009. You will note that the original implementation date was July 1 -- more than 3 months away:

 

 

With 20 ships currently in service around the globe and two magnificent ships under construction, Royal Caribbean International® has always regarded the optimum enjoyment of all our guests worldwide as a top priority. We consistently review valuable guest feedback to ensure that we are able to continuously improve our services while keeping the base price of a Royal Caribbean International cruise essentially the same for nearly a decade. In that process, we constantly measure and evaluate the satisfaction of our guests.

 

To enhance the onboard experience, Royal Caribbean International has recently initiated a variety of programs including:

 

MyTime DiningSM, which allows guests more flexibility to dine according to their own schedule, and My Family Time DiningSM, which provides young children an expedited 40 minute dinner experience and an escorted return to the Adventure Ocean youth programming facility so that parents can continue to enjoy dinner at a leisurely pace.

 

Pre-cruise booking of shore excursions and beverage packages and advance reservations for specialty restaurants.

 

Upgraded suite services and amenities including preferred seating and reservations, exclusive in-stateroom culinary treats, concierge lounge access, upgraded furniture and more.

 

An enhanced departure process which provides a quicker and more seamless experience for guests at the conclusion of the cruise, while extending access to their staterooms on the morning of departure.

 

New programming for kids and families, such as Crayola® Beginnings art, Sitters at Sea, Babies 2 Go!, Fisher Price® toy lending, Stroll & Roll, and more.

 

Pool-side towel service which eliminates the need for a guest to remember to bring towels from their stateroom.

Starting July 1st there will be some changes to our Crown & Anchor® Society benefits based on member feedback and our recent enhancements. Crown & Anchor® Society members will continue to receive their most valued benefits such as discounts on cruises, savings certificates and priority embarkation and debarkation. Our Platinum and Diamond members also will continue to receive discounts on suite category staterooms including the recently introduced upgraded services and amenities for suite guests.

 

Keeping your feedback and cruise experience in mind, some of the changes that will occur include:

 

A new Ultimate Value Booklet with coupons for various onboard amenities.

An upgraded wine tasting event at a special price.

A new special event, hosted by our ship officers, for Diamond and above members to meet and mingle with other fellow members, and featuring complimentary wine, champagne and hors d'oeuvres.

Due to limited capacity, the Concierge Lounge has not been able to accommodate our growing membership, challenging our ability to provide the optimum experience for our guests. Therefore the Concierge Lounge will now be accessible to our suite and Diamond Plus guests only. Diamond Members cruising on Freedom class, Oasis of the SeasSM, and Allure of the SeasSM will continue to be able to experience exclusive access to a dedicated Diamond Lounge on these ships, which feature a complimentary 'happy hour' from 5:00-8:30pm daily.

 

The chart below outlines the new Crown & Anchor Society benefits, starting July 1st. You may also visit the Crown & Anchor benefits section of our website to view the updated list of benefits.

 

Thank you for your ongoing loyalty to Royal Caribbean International. We hope to see you onboard very soon.

Funny, I don't seem to remember hors d'oeuvres in the diamond lounges. Maybe on the larger ships that we don't sail.

[rascalious]

Very interesting sign.

Talk about "letting the cat out of the bag" - LOL. You would think someone will get in a lot of trouble for "leaking" this sign before any announcement.

[Host Kewlguy]

Talk about "letting the cat out of the bag" - LOL. You would think someone will get in a lot of trouble for "leaking" this sign before any announcement.

 

I'm sure heads will be rolling in the AM. ;)

[beachbuddy]

Very interesting sign.

 

LOL........Tony, they even made it easier to become Platinum if the nights are correct as reported on this thread. If they use 7 nights as an average 7X5 cruises is 35 but now platinum is reached by just 30 nights. I think there's going to be a lot of empty lines at the normal check in..........LOL

 

Patty

[detroitautocruisers]

If the change is implemented on 1/12 and one is in the middle of a cruise on that date, will the credits for that cruise be counted? I have 9 credits now and after the 1/9 cruise in a JS will have 11 credits. I really don't know which way it will go. It really sucks if we don't make Diamond as we were excited that this cruise would do the trick.

 

the "change" isn't implemented on 1-12-11, the 'announcement' is. so, in other words, what your status is on 12-31-10 is what you will be, come the announcement (or so the rumor is going), and the 'change' is in effect on 1-1-11. they're just announcing the 1-1-11 change on 1-12-11 (that's my theory and i'm stickin' to it). hope that makes helps.

[beachbuddy]

Funny, I don't seem to remember hors d'oeuvres in the diamond lounges. Maybe on the larger ships that we don't sail.

 

Don't know if there are any in the Diamond Lounges on the larger ships but there certainly is nothing at the Diamond Event on the smaller and Voyager class ships. Absolutely nothing to pick on.......we had peanuts or trail mix the first 2 nights and then they said they ran out of them. We were going to go make a few platters from the WJ and bring them to the event for everyone but then we chickened out.....LOL Actually, there weren't many people in there.......it really was a sad event! We didn't even go every night because it was so empty.

[thelion]

the "change" isn't implemented on 1-12-11, the 'announcement' is. so, in other words, what your status is on 12-31-10 is what you will be, come the announcement (or so the rumor is going), and the 'change' is in effect on 1-1-11. they're just announcing the 1-1-11 change on 1-12-11 (that's my theory and i'm stickin' to it). hope that makes helps.

 

There is no way they are back dating this change to 1/1/11. I will eat my hat if they do. Besides, I stand firm that they will announce it RIGHT before the change takes place - or the same day. After all, there really is no negative effect. You will keep your same status or go up.

[Host Kewlguy]

LOL........Tony, they even made it easier to become Platinum if the nights are correct as reported on this thread. If they use 7 nights as an average 7X5 cruises is 35 but now platinum is reached by just 30 nights. I think there's going to be a lot of empty lines at the normal check in..........LOL

 

Patty

 

Kudos to the person who had the thought process to snap the photo. Great job.

 

I was aware of the entire system being revamped quite a while ago but I wasn't aware of the additional level above Diamond Plus. They've really kept this information close to the vest and I was told this change has been in the works for years. The main goal being angering the least amount of customers. Apparently this is the final product.

[detroitautocruisers]

There is no way they are back dating this change to 1/1/11. I will eat my hat if they do. Besides, I stand firm that they will announce it RIGHT before the change takes place - or the same day. After all, there really is no negative effect. You will keep your same status or go up.

 

i'm just guessing, because they have to pick some date after all, so that 12-31-10 is the cutoff, and the "change" takes affect 1-1-11, and the "announcement" will come 1-12-11. not sure what you meant by "backdating" since 1-1-11 hasn't happened yet.

 

and as for the 1-12-11 date??? that is what the rumor is but noone seems to know why that date has been arbitrarily (?) picked. they could certainly make the announcement any time they wish, and the 12-31-10 date just seems to make sense cuz it's at the end of the diamond celebration month, the end of the year, and they need a cutoff date.

[mommabean]

Several times in the past I have stated that my company deals very closely with the financial side of RCI. I will tell you this, under their old price protection policy (pre-May 17, 2010) they were losing money hand over fist. We are talking tens of thousands per DAY. They had no choice but to change.

 

The fact is, I doubt they will ever go back. They cannot afford to. Not without more major cutbacks, which no one wants.

 

I didn't say go back. I said give a future cruise certificate for a future cruise. That pretty much just locks in one more booking since no one will want to let their certificate go to waste. Also, it would make a lot of people happy to get the FCC and then some would lose it, forget to use it and at least they'd feel like they didn't have their price lowered by a whole lot of money 3 days after booking.

 

They are also having to lower prices a lot more lately and a lot lower with all the people who aren't booking so far out now. I've noticed a lot more upgrades going out to people this past half year. I've even been the recipient of one. :eek: Do they make more money by lowering prices lower than ever?

 

Businesses that do best, set themselves apart and don't do what everyone else is doing.

 

Gina

[SherriZ366]

Funny, I don't seem to remember hors d'oeuvres in the diamond lounges. Maybe on the larger ships that we don't sail.

I think the same hors d"oeuvres in DL as in CL -- hot and cold and some sweets -- on Freedom class ship. I remember our great concierge on our Nov. 28 4 nighter bringing in tray after tray (had a huge amount of D and D+ on board as cruise was marketed to area close to Port Canaveral.

[SherriZ366]

Does anyone know if D+ would still be allowed to go to Diamond Lounge (as well as CL)?

[mommabean]

If they are going to completely revamp the C&A levels, I wish they would do it for EVERYONE exactly the same. Easiest way would be to take everyone's credit history, multiply the credit(s) received by the nights for ea cruise and get the NEW total that way. From there, everyones level would be decided. Some will win and some will lose but it would certainly be the fairest way and then everyone will go forward, equally. These are perks after all and can be given and taken away as RCCL sees fit. We appreciate all RCCL has given us in the past and will continue to sail with them regardless of what happens with the C&A program. Just don't feel those with 100 cruises and say 300 nights should be given highest level when others with less cruises would have twice as many nights - that's what's not fair. Let's level the playing field, imho. Won't we all be surprised when and if the new program comes out it and it is totally different, lol. Not worth worrying about, imho. Happy New Year!

 

I agree with these thoughts.

 

Especially - if they don't get the new totals the way you suggest (and I suspect they won't do it that way) then the extra credits for longer cruises and the extra credit for cruising this month are basically worthless, being taken away. The one ones who would have benefited from the Diamonds in December promotion are the ones who moved up a level because of the extra credit. For the rest of us, it was not a gift.

 

Gina

[detroitautocruisers]

Does anyone know if D+ would still be allowed to go to Diamond Lounge (as well as CL)?

 

i think it's really a question of whether the CL will be allowable (becuase the DL is pretty much a given, based on size of ship that it's already on, and that's why allure and oasis are pretty much the only choices left out of FL for caribbean)

[rubrrick]

Several times in the past I have stated that my company deals very closely with the financial side of RCI. I will tell you this, under their old price protection policy (pre-May 17, 2010) they were losing money hand over fist. We are talking tens of thousands per DAY. They had no choice but to change.

 

The fact is, I doubt they will ever go back. They cannot afford to. Not without more major cutbacks, which no one wants.

 

So, if you deal so closely with them.......how are you going to get them out of trouble with the Oasis Class ships.......that are financially drowning them??

 

The are even keeping that from their shareholders.. Too bad that they could not understand that the smaller ships that did the 3/4 night run, were cash cows........at least under the last President.

 

This CEO, cannot even keep track of who is in the third position and the forth position.......as the top cruisers!

 

After giving out his BS about how many accountant firms keep track of the cruisers.............he had the 3rd and 4th backward.

 

Small FU..........but both parties were really pissed. This is the kind of company Goldstein runs.......and it's only thanks to so many of his corporate Vice Presidents........that he has not put the company under.

 

Someday..........his incompetence will finally come out.:rolleyes:

 

Rick