C&A Savings certificates being replaced

[Spurschick]

Ok here's my two cents worth.

 

Never used certificates since they were not combinable with balcony / suite discount and don't come close to be being comparable.

 

What intrigues me is given the amount of time and effort put in to next cruise overhaul and a very recent conversation I had with C&A desk, balcony discounts etc were not being changed. That being said it is interesting that it says the discounts will be automatically applied (which I interpret as at time of booking) how they will deal with sailings a long time out will be interesting to see, and also how to chose between the offer that works best.

I do assume that we would need to log in to see which cruises quailify:confused:

 

One thing that does strike me as odd is the timing, in the sense of why this would be the last thing to be announced instead of announcing before the ncc announcements or announce both at once!

I was speaking to club royale the other week about a rebate earned from my last cruise.

They informed me as of the start of this year I could now book direct through club royale as I could get between 15% and 20% off total cost if I booked through them. (Not that I had received any communication of such offer being available now! We have been club royale program since program inception). They recommended I get a quote for each cruise I was looking at through them to see if it worked out cheaper than using balcony discount and obc offers I could get elsewhere.

Just speculating but if CR guests can get up to 20% off, maybe there was backlash from higher lever tier guests thinking this slightly unfair:confused:

 

I wish when they made an announcement they'd just announce it rather than make us speculate for weeks on what might or might not happen:rolleyes:

The first we heard of new ncc program was from people onboard, why not let us know last minute as well. They've already made their minds up - just tell us what's happening please:D

Edited March 29, 2014 by Spurschick
Spelling

[FLACRUISER99]

Ok email title is "NEW! Crown & Anchor Exclusive Rates‏" But I think it will be NEW! Crown & Anchor Elusive Rates‏.:rolleyes:

[Ken at the beach]

Excellent question. I care, because I found it particularly offensive that they would release "savings certificates" with discounts that did not exceed the already available balcony discount. Why even offer something that has less value? They should have only listed the discount for the inside and ocean view rooms.

 

They have listed them for balconies for the Gold C&A members who do not qualify for the balcony discounts.

[Cigar King]

You're probably right. ..it's still sloppy though.

 

Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

[cruisenfever]

when I read my email, I interpreted it as saying RCI was increasing their prices 25% on April 15....

I don't see anything from what I have copied from our email below that says there is going to be an increase:confused::confused:

 

Being a Crown & Anchor Society member just keeps getting better. Royal Caribbean

is rewarding you, our most loyal guests, with an upgraded savings program to replace

the Savings Certificates starting April 15th. Now known as Crown & Anchor Society Exclusive Rates, it features these exciting new benefits.

 

SAVE UP TO 25%!

More savings on more sailings means more ways to plan the perfect getaway.

 

NEW SAILINGS ADDED REGULARLY

No more waiting for quarterly discounts. Simply check out the Crown & Anchor Society website to see what cruises are included.

 

INSTANT SAVINGS

Discounts are applied automatically when you book - no codes, no hassles.

 

CROWN & ANCHOR EXCLUSIVE RATES BEGIN APRIL 15TH

 

[Debde]

I don't see anything from what I have copied from our email below that says there is going to be an increase:confused::confused:

 

 

SAVE UP TO 25%!

More savings on more sailings means more ways to plan the perfect getaway.

 

 

Same here-the phrase 'up to' is key. I did not take it as 'increased by'.

[debshomespun]

Here are my thoughts on this benefit to us. Of course, we will have to wait and see.

 

OK, I do not know how to state this, but I will try. I compare the new change to the "free" drink package for TA's. Anybody think it was actually free is missing the fact that they raised the normal TA prices by around $500 each. Thus you are actually paying $500pp for the package. So RCCL gives you about $200 to $300 of liquor cost making a profit of around $700. Big drinkers they will still make about $400 to $500 dollars. This gets a ship booked easier, that they almost have to give away the rooms in the past.

 

Sooo, the new program might get them to "hold" prices at a higher tier and where you would normally get even a better discount by prices falling normally, you will get a discount under the new program and actually end up paying more. This is the RCCL's thought for this promotion . H

__________________

 

Hey Harry, Hi to Joyce too! I am agreeing with you, this was my take on the whole idea from RC too! We will have to wait and see. I think RC is looking to increase their bottom profit, and with doing things this way, they can change the amount of discount daily, or hourly, (as in if a sailing has a large discount offered, can take it away just a quickly as they gave it.) Whereas, with the C&A certificates, the certificate would be available for the whole quarter.

 

BTW Harry, as you see in my signature, we are doing our trip to Australia, 12 nights on land, and 23 nights on ships, and 2/3 nights in airplanes! :eek: This will get us out of the cold too! :D

[molly361]

To me this sounds the same as what they now call Hot deals or Limited time offers.

[Spurschick]

Same here-the phrase 'up to' is key. I did not take it as 'increased by'.

 

Agree.

 

That's why I'm thinking the "up to" May reflect % representative of C&A level.

[molly361]

Funny how many different ways everybody can read the same thing.

 

I am reading it as they will offer up to 25% with the % off varying according to how well a sailing is selling. It may be 5%, 10%, 20% or even 25% off the current rate. (which hopefully they won't increase to offset our SAVINGS!!:eek:

 

Like others have said, I also think it will be for new bookings.

Edited March 29, 2014 by molly361

[nelblu]

Ok here's my two cents worth.

 

Never used certificates since they were not combinable with balcony / suite discount and don't come close to be being comparable.

 

What intrigues me is given the amount of time and effort put in to next cruise overhaul and a very recent conversation I had with C&A desk, balcony discounts etc were not being changed. That being said it is interesting that it says the discounts will be automatically applied (which I interpret as at time of booking) how they will deal with sailings a long time out will be interesting to see, and also how to chose between the offer that works best.

I do assume that we would need to log in to see which cruises quailify:confused:

 

One thing that does strike me as odd is the timing, in the sense of why this would be the last thing to be announced instead of announcing before the ncc announcements or announce both at once!

I was speaking to club royale the other week about a rebate earned from my last cruise.

They informed me as of the start of this year I could now book direct through club royale as I could get between 15% and 20% off total cost if I booked through them. (Not that I had received any communication of such offer being available now! We have been club royale program since program inception). They recommended I get a quote for each cruise I was looking at through them to see if it worked out cheaper than using balcony discount and obc offers I could get elsewhere.

Just speculating but if CR guests can get up to 20% off, maybe there was backlash from higher lever tier guests thinking this slightly unfair:confused:

 

I wish when they made an announcement they'd just announce it rather than make us speculate for weeks on what might or might not happen:rolleyes:

The first we heard of new ncc program was from people onboard, why not let us know last minute as well. They've already made their minds up - just tell us what's happening please:D

 

Pardon my ignorance, but what is Club Royale. Do you join or is it applicable to upper tiers. Any explanations would be appreciated.

[orville99]

I don't see anything from what I have copied from our email below that says there is going to be an increase:confused::confused:

 

Being a Crown & Anchor Society member just keeps getting better. Royal Caribbean

is rewarding you, our most loyal guests, with an upgraded savings program to replace

the Savings Certificates starting April 15th. Now known as Crown & Anchor Society Exclusive Rates, it features these exciting new benefits.

 

SAVE UP TO 25%!

More savings on more sailings means more ways to plan the perfect getaway.

 

NEW SAILINGS ADDED REGULARLY

No more waiting for quarterly discounts. Simply check out the Crown & Anchor Society website to see what cruises are included.

 

INSTANT SAVINGS

Discounts are applied automatically when you book - no codes, no hassles.

 

CROWN & ANCHOR EXCLUSIVE RATES BEGIN APRIL 15TH

 

 

This part isn't new, its been in place for several months now.

[Spurschick]

Pardon my ignorance, but what is Club Royale. Do you join or is it applicable to upper tiers. Any explanations would be appreciated.

 

No problem. It is the gamblers club on board. Anyone any level can join if you gambler enough. Can be on slots or tables. Minimum bets/$ per spin apply and there is a minimum length of time they like you to stay in casino (roughly 2 hours per day) if you think you gamble enough/big enough just ask the casino host for info and ask if you can be tracked to see if you qualify.

 

Worse they can do is say no. They will also comp your drinks in the casino as well. I have seen several hosts still comp players drinks if they are regulars but don't necessarily qualify for the full benefits.

 

If you qualify you get a card with your name and casino number on that they use to track you. It also allows you to avoid the 5% fee for cash advances in the casino, so if you are a big gambler benefits from that alone can be pretty good:D

[nelblu]

No problem. It is the gamblers club on board. Anyone any level can join if you gambler enough. Can be on slots or tables. Minimum bets/$ per spin apply and there is a minimum length of time they like you to stay in casino (roughly 2 hours per day) if you think you gamble enough/big enough just ask the casino host for info and ask if you can be tracked to see if you qualify.

 

Worse they can do is say no. They will also comp your drinks in the casino as well. I have seen several hosts still comp players drinks if they are regulars but don't necessarily qualify for the full benefits.

 

If you qualify you get a card with your name and casino number on that they use to track you. It also allows you to avoid the 5% fee for cash advances in the casino, so if you are a big gambler benefits from that alone can be pretty good:D

 

Thanks,

[Spurschick]

Funny how many different ways everybody can read the same thing.

 

I am reading it as they will offer up to 25% with the % off varying according to how well a sailing is selling. It may be 5%, 10%, 20% or even 25% off the current rate. (which hopefully they won't increase to offset our SAVINGS!!:eek:

 

Like others have said, I also think it will be for new bookings.

 

Or maybe they will offer the bigger discounts to those cruises booked further out:confused:

 

I got to that decision based on backlash from ncc overhaul but also if they offer large discounts on cruises booked 1 year + out! that deposit money is sat in their banks earning nice interest and also keeps their asset liquidity high. That way it's not actually costing them 25% to offer that, and they may fill up ships to a higher capacity quicker.

 

All I'm saying is with quantum, anthem and oasis 3 all in the works, just enticing deposit payments for cruises a long way away helps with cash flow, amount needed to be borrowed for financing etc. looking at the overall picture it may just be a quick cash injection strategy.

 

There again I could be way off base and overthinking:D

[Spurschick]

Thanks,

 

Your welcome:) anytime

[Spurschick]

This part isn't new, its been in place for several months now.

 

Whilst I agree the part in red you highlight ended isn't new, i.e. balcony discounts were automatically applied, if you were in a lower category cabin or a lower C&A level you had the choice which you wanted to use. I think that was the point they were trying to make.

[franl24fan]

I have always been loyal to royal, gave them the benefit of the doubt. But in the past year one announcement after another has me automatically assuming there is a "hidden" agenda, and that agenda it not favorable to me but rather to RCL

 

This really came clear to me when they made the big announcement last October about solos now getting double points, yoohoo, happy dance. Then about 6 weeks later solos noticed that cruises were almost always pricing out at 200%, even last minute short cruises. No big announcement about that change. Email to Adam and call from his office told me "oh well, that is the way it will be, except for a very few cruises that we can't fill".

 

Changes to next cruise certificate program, not good for me.

 

Big email about the podcast to hear Adam talk about the Quantum, tuned in, saw only young cruisers on the panel, no one included that wanted to keep traditional dining --- oh that's right I can make a reservation 7 months out for one of 4 dining rooms for the same time every night, that should make me happy. Quantum, big hoopla about dynamic dining, still not sure how that will be better for me, but I doubt it will be.

 

So put me down as cynical, this new program will only benefit me by accident, not by RCL intending to help me. And I still pay 200%.

[Debde]

Pardon my ignorance, but what is Club Royale. Do you join or is it applicable to upper tiers. Any explanations would be appreciated.

 

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/emailLinks/newsletter.do?newsletterStyle=style2&EVENT_TYPE=newsletter&event_date=06-01-2007&sequence_code=a

 

http://media.royalcaribbean.com/content/en_US/pdf/Casino_Cruises_Itinerary.pdf

Edited March 29, 2014 by Debde

[DragonOfTheSeas]

I think RCL is making a mistake by releasing so many changes. the announcements are not very far apart.

 

If they wanted to make this many changes they should have done them at once. People do not like change and they will complain because it is unknown how it will affect them. But, they seem to be following the "change of the month" plan. It is never good from a PR standpoint.

Edited March 30, 2014 by DragonOfTheSeas

[kruzerci]

I have always been loyal to royal, gave them the benefit of the doubt. But in the past year one announcement after another has me automatically assuming there is a "hidden" agenda, and that agenda it not favorable to me but rather to RCL

 

This really came clear to me when they made the big announcement last October about solos now getting double points, yoohoo, happy dance. Then about 6 weeks later solos noticed that cruises were almost always pricing out at 200%, even last minute short cruises. No big announcement about that change. Email to Adam and call from his office told me "oh well, that is the way it will be, except for a very few cruises that we can't fill".

 

Changes to next cruise certificate program, not good for me.

 

Big email about the podcast to hear Adam talk about the Quantum, tuned in, saw only young cruisers on the panel, no one included that wanted to keep traditional dining --- oh that's right I can make a reservation 7 months out for one of 4 dining rooms for the same time every night, that should make me happy. Quantum, big hoopla about dynamic dining, still not sure how that will be better for me, but I doubt it will be.

 

So put me down as cynical, this new program will only benefit me by accident, not by RCL intending to help me. And I still pay 200%.

 

I agree with your scepticism. Seeing that their sole concern lately seems to be maximizing profit and cutting discounts/perks, I see this no reason to expect this new change to be anything but a cutback :(. I hope I'm wrong, but I have a strong feeling they are hiding a cutback behind an exciting sounding new program.

[Cigar King]

While I am sure that maximizing profit is usually at the head of the list of most things RCI does, they also know they need to keep the customers happy so they continue to have a large loyal base to draw from. It will be interesting to see how they thread the needle this time.

[LSSloves]

While I am sure that maximizing profit is usually at the head of the list of most things RCI does, they also know they need to keep the customers happy so they continue to have a large loyal base to draw from. It will be interesting to see how they thread the needle this time.

 

I keep reading their target market is new cruisers and they are trying to wean off the high level loyalty members because they maximize benefits and don't spend onboard.

[Sea Turtle]

The statement on the email 'Discounts are applied automatically when you book …' reads as new booking to me.

 

I book insides so was hopeful of a savings certificate during 2nd quarter to apply to my Nov14 booking. I'll kiss that notion goodbye. :( Oh well, it would have been found money anyway.

[Ocean Boy]

I keep reading their target market is new cruisers and they are trying to wean off the high level loyalty members because they maximize benefits and don't spend onboard.

 

Just because people keep writing that opinion on these boards does not necessarily make it so.