Captain's Circle change?

[dickinson]

That's the main reason they might change it. We also booked a 9 day trip (a 4 & a 5 day) but for different reasons. No matter what they do in the long run there are some people who will be annoyed by the change but IMO they have to sooner or later & at the rate people are making new tiers in might not be long.

 

We will get there based on points and not on number of days. That is because we were in suites on our last two cruises and got double points. If they were to change things then the double credit we got would amount to nothing as those double points counted as cruises and not days. Don't think that is fair. I hope this is all just rumor at this point and not something they will act on before the end of February.

[Thrak]

I doubt this is coming any time soon but I certainly won't lose any sleep over it no matter what they decide. If they changed it today I wouldn't worry about it. I'm cruising because I love it - not to gain some status or advantages. I was happy as a first time cruiser. If they give me "extras" for cruising more that's fine. If they don't I'll still cruise when I can.

[helenb]

This is something that was recently done on Celebrity (changing from cruise credits to number of days sailed, among other things, to arrive at status level in the past passenger program) which is why the rumor might be circulating for Princess.

 

There have been rumors that Princess is going to add 'higher levels' to Elite for years, since the system is 'overloaded with Elites'. (That comment comes from many CC posts, not from any official source.) I suppose it's *possible* that Princess might do as Celebrity did: change the system of how points are earned and then also add 1 or 2 new levels to the system.

[Lovetocruiseprincess]

It would be nice to have a newer upper level. Something to shoot for even if it didn't include any perks. :)

As it stands now almost everyone will be Elite very soon.

[weedpindle]

I heard from a friend who heard from someone who saw a post somewhere that said Princess is going to turn all their ships over to Carnival and all Captains Circle credits will be merged into Carnivals program. No more OBC at all. Insttant coffee everywhere. Going to charge a bag fee like the airlines. All Carnival fares then will be non-inclusive, everything will be a separate fee, even water. A tender fee when used, all buffet dining. Really.

[seacruise9]

Hi,

 

I recently became Elite based on number of cruises (and the fact that Princess provides a double credit for solo cruisers). I am looking forward to the additional benefits during my next Princess cruise. I wouldn't be surprised if Princess adds a new higher lever above Elite. This is fine with me provided they don't take away any of the current Elite benefits.

 

Chuck

[Captiva]

Hi,

 

I recently became Elite based on number of cruises (and the fact that Princess provides a double credit for solo cruisers). I am looking forward to the additional benefits during my next Princess cruise. I wouldn't be surprised if Princess adds a new higher lever above Elite. This is fine with me provided they don't take away any of the current Elite benefits.

 

Chuck

 

Hi Chuck,

 

Greetings from Jean and Walter --we cruised with you on Crystal many years ago !

Perhaps we'll see you on a Princess cruise 1

[Putterdude]

I heard from a friend who heard from someone who saw a post somewhere that said Princess is going to turn all their ships over to Carnival and all Captains Circle credits will be merged into Carnivals program. No more OBC at all. Insttant coffee everywhere. Going to charge a bag fee like the airlines. All Carnival fares then will be non-inclusive, everything will be a separate fee, even water. A tender fee when used, all buffet dining. Really.

 

Did I miss something....is it April 1st?:)

[PunkiC]

We became Elite on our number of cruises and yes, we did a lot of short little cruises to get there. In the end, however, Princess wins because once we achieved Elite we started taking a lot longer cruises and, now that we are retired, we continue to do so.

 

Once you are hooked with all of the perks, it is pretty difficult to look elsewhere.

[shredie]

I heard from a friend who heard from someone who saw a post somewhere that said Princess is going to turn all their ships over to Carnival and all Captains Circle credits will be merged into Carnivals program. No more OBC at all. Insttant coffee everywhere. Going to charge a bag fee like the airlines. All Carnival fares then will be non-inclusive, everything will be a separate fee, even water. A tender fee when used, all buffet dining. Really.

 

Was the post made by my hairdresser's cousin who knows Jan Swatrz's aunt's Zumba instructor's friend? If not, I don't think that's very reliable. :):p;)

[Putterdude]

Once you are hooked with all of the perks, it is pretty difficult to look elsewhere.

 

We are certainly up to cruising with other lines....but no question that free laundry is a huge boon when flying and or for longer cruises and is a major motivator to cruise with Princess.

[ar1950]

Did I miss something....is it April 1st?:)

 

Probably. :cool:

 

Although, my friend who knew a guy who worked with someone whose cousin was dating ..........:p

[KruzPrincess]

I wouldn't be surprised if a change is coming. Carnival and Holland America both go by days if I'm not mistaken. Other cruise lines are changing their loyalty programs. The big downside for me of going with days is that I won't get double credit for cruising solo. On Holland America you can earn extra days by spending money on board, and that includes gratuities, but not casino. There are a lot of changes they could make.

[4cats4me]

We just completed our 14th and might not ever make it to elite, choosing to sail on other lines in the interim. It is immaterial to us if we ever reach the next level just to get free laundry and a liquor setup for free.

We have sailed Princess for 11 years, have taken no short cruises and have purchased full suites, before they started giving extra credits for suites; yet we still have not attained elite status. But that's okay, because we choose to cruise for the cruise itself, not for the perks due to status.

Celebrity changed their perks not quite a year ago and there was a lot of hostility, too. The problem there is that all the Royal Caribbean cruisers were automatically grandfathered in at Celebrity, so highest tier attained at RCCL gave you automatic Elite status on Celebrity.

[TravelingEA]

Was the post made by my hairdresser's cousin who knows Jan Swatrz's aunt's Zumba instructor's friend? If not, I don't think that's very reliable. :):p;)

They probably give tax advise as well.

[CCFC]

P&O UK changed to counting sea days only fairly recently.

[Iamcruzin]

[quote name='Thrak']Yeah, Ruby is a bit weird. It does get you Platinum insurance for the price of the regular insurance though. Other than that I don't see a benefit. It was obviously some marketing person's idea. It might have been a better idea to do something for the ultra elite who have a zillion Princess cruises instead of creating the (mostly) pointless Ruby class.[/quote]

The object of the loyalty program is to create loyalty and generate business.Giving elites more would cost them money and have no financial benefit for them. They have already sucked the elite passengers in. It's very unlikely that they are going to leave and start all over with another cruise line unless they are unhappy with the product. By creating Ruby they probably sell more insurance and it also gives the illusion that you are getting closer to the next level. What they need to do is create something between platinum and elite, maybe after the 10th cruise. It will have to generate income but also make the passenger feel like they are getting something and closer to elite. The 10% discount that you get in the shops when you become elite may work. The more you sail the less you spend on board. This could generate sales for them. I'm at platinum and happy staying there because I don't see how I will ever be able to make it to elite. At this point I have no loyalty and I haven't bought into their program or any other lines program. If the passenger feels that the goals are unattainable they won't buy into the program.

[dickinson]

Everyone talks about making Elite but I'm just trying to make Platinum in February so I'll have some free internet minutes! If they make this change before then it will be a long time before I make Platinum because of the double points I got for being in a Window Suite won't count anymore as they don't double the cruise days just the number of cruises :(

[geoherb]

[quote name='dickinson']Everyone talks about making Elite but I'm just trying to make Platinum in February so I'll have some free internet minutes! If they make this change before then it will be a long time before I make Platinum because of the double points I got for being in a Window Suite won't count anymore as they don't double the cruise days just the number of cruises :([/QUOTE]Holland America gives double cruise day credits for sailing in a suite. Princess could do the same. Celebrity now bases its program on different credits per day per category of cabin. It ranges from 2 points per day for sailing in an inside or oceanview to 18 points per day for sailing in the best suite with varying numbers of points per day for other classes of cabin. Solo travelers on Celebrity get double points. When Celebrity converted to this way of counting, we ended up with more credits than we deserved, but I'm not complaining. And we'll probably still end up taking more cruises on HAL and Princess than on Celebrity.

There's no need to worry until Princess officially announces any changes, which may or may not be forthcoming.

[dickinson]

[quote name='geoherb']Holland America gives double cruise day credits for sailing in a suite. Princess could do the same. Celebrity now bases its program on different credits per day per category of cabin. It ranges from 2 points per day for sailing in an inside or oceanview to 18 points per day for sailing in the best suite with varying numbers of points per day for other classes of cabin. Solo travelers on Celebrity get double points. When Celebrity converted to this way of counting, we ended up with more credits than we deserved, but I'm not complaining. And we'll probably still end up taking more cruises on HAL and Princess than on Celebrity.

There's no need to worry until Princess officially announces any changes, which may or may not be forthcoming.[/QUOTE]

Thank you. I'm not "worried". It would just be ironic that the main reason we booked the 4 day cruise in February is so that when we take our 15 day to Hawaii a few days later we would be Platinum. If it changes we probably would not be Platinum for that cruise. Anyways… I have no control over what happens so will have to go with the flow.

[Boats07]

Holland America has been giving the credits by days sailed for a very long time. I personally agree with that method, how fair is it giving Elite to people that just take 1-4 day cruises? We only take 7+ day cruises and it takes longer to reach a higher level. On Holland America we are able to reach the higher levels much quicker.

[ggprincess2004]

I really doubt they will make any changes that impact Ruby, Platinum and the existing Elite levels. The Elite level is so full, I think they need to go to a category above Elite, and/or be more public concerning the additional benefits that are given as one hits milestones beyond elite.

[waltd]

Princess does not need to add any more levels. All they have to do is change to number of sea days. Levels could stay the same for quite a bit longer with no additional perks /levels added.

[toledo_cruiser]

[quote name='Lovetocruiseprincess'][FONT=Comic Sans MS]It wouldn't surprise me one bit since lately they're offering all those short cruises. Soon, everybody will be at least Platinum.
How did Carnival handle the tiers of people who had already made it using cruises? Were they also knocked down a notch or two of grandfathered in? [/FONT][/QUOTE]

I thought Carnival handled the change in a reasonable manner. Carnival allowed those who were within striking distance of Platinum under the old system a full year (2013) to take the required number of cruises to qualify. I was able to take a second cruise in 2013 to ensure I hit the Platinum mark.

(59 VIFP Points 10 Total cruises since 2000)

And to directly answer your question... if you were Platinum, even if based on number of cruises, rather than days sailed, you were not downgraded.
Jim

[BrandiGreg]

[quote name='ggprincess2004']I really doubt they will make any changes that impact Ruby, Platinum and the existing Elite levels. The Elite level is so full, I think they need to go to a category above Elite, and/or be more public concerning the additional benefits that are given as one hits milestones beyond elite.[/quote]
Yes, I agree they should have a level higher than Elite. There will be too much ill will created if they changed the rules for those who have not yet reached Elite to sea days instead of cruises, unless they grandfather past cruisers in by letting them continue with the old rules. I suggest a new level at 300 sea days, call it Diamond Level and make the cards hologram looking. Perks could be choices among specialty restaurant passes, free port tour of choice, drink coupons, portrait credit, casino credit, or some others. Continue with the loyalty cabin credit that they currently have for after 20 cruises.