Captains Circle Status, should there be a time limit?

[Hlitner]

It appears that people expect Princess to maintain benefits at the status quo infornitum but they are unwilling to make the same commitment to maintaining a cruise history.

 

Geez. You got me thinking. Perhaps I could go back and figure out the more then 65 cruises we have taken (with 12 cruise lines) and list every one of them every time we do a post! No way would I even want to type all that garbage much less read my own post. But since you seem to care....yes we are Elite with Princess (also Elite with Celebrity, Diamond with RCI, 4 Star Mariners with HA, etc etc. So what!) On the other hand, we know a lady that has only 5 cruises with HA. Now in your world that would not mean much. However each of those 4 cruises were World Cruises and that lady has nearly 500 days with HA! So how would you compare her to somebody who had 4 cruises of which each was only 4 days in length?

My only comment is please save me from folks that try to impress with their history. We do appreciate that it might be helpful to give some folks an indication of cruise experience so we reluctantly will often mention that we have spent more then 2 1/2 years (might be about 3 now) on cruise ships. But so what. The reality is that if that experience is not recent it is not worth much since the industry has been undergoing huge changes. And for your info only (please do not repeat this) we have 101 days of cruising in 2012 (we only say this for your eyes).

 

As to some of the "Elit...est" comments we find it amusing. The last time we cruised out of FLL on a Princess crusie the line (queue) for Elites was much longer then the regular lines so we switched lines and were quickly processed. Meanwhile, many others stayed in the Elite line! When we suggested to one lady that she change lines she said that she had "worked hard to become Elite" and was going to wait in the "Elite" line. Oh my!

 

Hank

[Putterdude]

Apparently P&O does, but it is primarily for UK passengers who have more vacation time.

 

I thought is was P&O but was to lazy to look it up again. However, here is a link to their programe.

http://www.pocruises.com/about-po-cruises/peninsular-club/peninsular-club-introduction/

[Pam in CA]

Or instead do you reward the (new or repeat) cruiser who books a suite, spends 4 hours a day at the casino, averages 5 drinks a day, takes a ships excursion in every port, and eats 80% of their meals in speciality restaurants?

HAL has something like what you're proposing in that they award a credit for every $300 spent onboard.

[GHDPeter]

Thank you all for your views and comments, very much appreciate the discussions and the sharing of views and ideas on this site.

[paul929207]

The number of cruises only matters up to that 16th cruise. After that it is all about days at sea. The main thing is the top three for the most sailed passenger aboard and the top 20 getting to go to the lunch with the Captain and officers. To think that they would take away what you earned by being loyal to a cruiseline is just silly. To compare it to frequent flyer miles is apples and oranges. Just because you did not cruise for any period does not take away that you did travel. You do not get any free cruises because you have 50 cruises unless we speaking about what Carnival does. Princess does not do that. I believe RCL might do it as well. I think the people complaining are envious of those that cruised and would like to leap frog them. If you sailed them when they were P & O does not take away that you sailed on a Princess line. You earned them and congratulations and thank you for being loyal patrons of Princess. I do not disparage those ahead of me. You earned it and deserve praise and appreciation.

Cruises are also used to give the Loyalty OBC, which starts with your 21st cruise.

[Beopthtuh]

no is my answer .6 cruises in last 2 years and 3 more next year so cruise regular

spent over $200,000 dollars over last 14 years so cant see why i should loose my status if i cant cruise for one reason or other for a couple of years .

[JLC@SD]

.....should they deserve to retain their status even though they are threatening to be disloyal by cruising on another line?

So .....who is going to be the ones to vote them off the "Princess" island. And what criteria is used .....a two year gap in bookings .....or, two disloyal posts on Cruise Critic.

[Sea Hag]

My opinion is definitely no.

[Sailingpeace]

Firm NO ! :mad:

Also, I do have to admit that I wonder why bring that up? Is the OP testing the waters for Princess to see if such an awful idea could deserve a try? If it ain't broke, don't fix it ... And as for comparing to airlines and hotels benefit programs, there is no way I can cruise as often as I fly or spend nights in hotels ! So just to make sure, the answer was NO. Princess has a nice programm, we enjoy it, it keeps us coming back, thanks for leaving it as it is.

[YaddaBest]

Cruises are also used to give the Loyalty OBC, which starts with your 21st cruise.

 

With the 20th they give you $25 through Captains Circle and $25 more for every 10 more cruises. At your 51st cruise you top out at $100 which is a nice little bonus. Thanks Princess.

[Pam in CA]

...should they deserve to retain their status even though they are threatening to be disloyal by cruising on another line?

It's no one's business, least of all the cruise line's, which line one chooses to cruise with or what type of vacation one chooses to take. The Captain's Circle program is designed to reward passengers for cruising with Princess and incent them to cruise again.

[Pmorton3360]

With airlines, you just have to have some activity over a certain time. That can mean anything from credit card use to a hotel or buying something on line from them. Much easier to do than cruise. We are still gold and really didn't think about it til we are about to go to platinum. Even that seemed good to me. This is only our 5th cruise with Princess, but 10th overall. 2 have been 10 days. We take land based vacation more than we cruise. Thankfully the airlines is easier to make points so we can fly again with our points. Anyway no. I think everyone likes to feel special and Princess does this for us.

[jpthomas27]

I'm not sure I like the idea of this. It sounds like a very elitest attitude. As if those that travel less are somehow not as good as those that can afford (financially or otherwise) to travel more often.

 

On this board, we encounter many who lead privledged lives and can afford to cruise every year or even several times a year. I'm certainly not judging, I don't mean that in a "Paris Hilton, I'm a spoiled brat and never did anything to deserve my money" kind of way, I would do exactly the same if I had the means. But the truth is that there are many of us who save for long periods of time in order take these type of vacations and can only do it every couple years and if something interupts that saving cycle, such as employment change, kids going to college or other events that could change the financial picture and prolong the next cruise for an extended period of time I don't think thier loyalty should be thrown out the window.

 

I have every intention on continuing to sail with Princess. With three under my belt and the fourth booked the fifth one is not too far off. In my life I have to make decissions about my money. I don't have the luxury of buying new cars, going on vacation and paying for school all at the same time. So when my wife needs a new car after 15 years, vacations get pushed back a year. When I need a new car, also 15 years old, vacations again get pushed back a year in order to afford it. I'm still loyal to Princess, my loyalty has nothing to do with the frequency of my bookings.

[kruisey]

I'm not sure I like the idea of this. It sounds like a very elitest attitude. As if those that travel less are somehow not as good as those that can afford (financially or otherwise) to travel more often.

 

On this board, we encounter many who lead privledged lives and can afford to cruise every year or even several times a year. I'm certainly not judging, I don't mean that in a "Paris Hilton, I'm a spoiled brat and never did anything to deserve my money" kind of way, I would do exactly the same if I had the means. But the truth is that there are many of us who save for long periods of time in order take these type of vacations and can only do it every couple years and if something interupts that saving cycle, such as employment change, kids going to college or other events that could change the financial picture and prolong the next cruise for an extended period of time I don't think thier loyalty should be thrown out the window.

 

I have every intention on continuing to sail with Princess. With three under my belt and the fourth booked the fifth one is not too far off. In my life I have to make decissions about my money. I don't have the luxury of buying new cars, going on vacation and paying for school all at the same time. So when my wife needs a new car after 15 years, vacations get pushed back a year. When I need a new car, also 15 years old, vacations again get pushed back a year in order to afford it. I'm still loyal to Princess, my loyalty has nothing to do with the frequency of my bookings.

 

Cruising is a luxury for me. I have to save surplus money to indulge in even one a year.If something else turns up that surplus is spent that way and I forgo the cruise.

It must be a wonderful life for the few that can take frequent cruises.I truly envy them.

[caribill]

With the 20th they give you $25 through Captains Circle and $25 more for every 10 more cruises. At your 51st cruise you top out at $100 which is a nice little bonus. Thanks Princess.

 

21st