Captain's Circle change?

[Putterdude]

[SIZE="3"]Well when Celebrity changed their loyalty program last fall, we like a lot of others had been allowed to slip through the cracks and found ourselves 200% behind where we expected to be after booking and paying for 2 cruises in Concierge....needless to say we are no longer happy Celebrity cruisers.

As for changes to Princess CC, my guess would be that there will be a lot of canvasing of focus groups before any changes are made and there will be leaks about this that we will read about here on Cruise Critic. The rumours that we read about almost monthly are exactly that .... rumours.....and nothing that I have read would lead me to believe that changes are imminent. [/SIZE]

[waltd]

[quote name='BrandiGreg']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.[/QUOTE]

300 sea days? Ha! that's a good one. Try about 600 sea days if there is going to be a new level. Most folks I know are already at 300 or more sea days.

[Phyljim]

[quote name='waltd']300 sea days? Ha! that's a good one. Try about 600 sea days if there is going to be a new level. Most folks I know are already at 300 or more sea days.[/QUOTE]
waltd, agree with you. We also think it will be over 600 days, maybe 750 for the super elite, if it happens.
Also would like the Elite cards to be all black again. The ones we have received the last couple of years look like platinum with a black border along the top side. Feel like we have been demoted. Edited September 18, 2014 by Phyljim

[rockdoctor]

Celebrity did this last November. It caused such a tremendous disturbance in the The Force as to give Princess pause. I personally like it, my cruises tend to be longer.

[waltd]

[quote name='Phyljim']waltd, agree with you. We also think it will be over 600 days, maybe 750 for the super elite, if it happens.
Also would like the Elite cards to be all black again. The ones we have received the last couple of years look like platinum with a black border along the top side. Feel like we have been demoted.[/QUOTE]

Agreed. It would have to be some number that very few would make easily. Too low then we would be talking about this again in a few years. :)

[Astro Flyer]

[quote name='waltd']300 sea days? Ha! that's a good one. Try about 600 sea days if there is going to be a new level. Most folks I know are already at 300 or more sea days.[/QUOTE]

[quote name='Phyljim']waltd, agree with you. We also think it will be over 600 days, maybe 750 for the super elite, if it happens.[/QUOTE]

[quote name='waltd']Agreed. It would have to be some number that very few would make easily. Too low then we would be talking about this again in a few years. :)[/QUOTE]
Joe & Phyllis, I feel the same way & that a new level would begin at those much higher levels. We're in the mid-300 day range & I no longer ask the onboard Captain's Circle rep if we made the MTP cutoff...their laughter is too much for me to bear & I'm developing a rejection complex. :p

I would never attain a top level of 600-750 days but think that those who have sailed Princess that much should receive a few more "thanks" from Princess. Benefits for a new top level doesn't need to cost Princess much by adding things such as a soda sticker, brewed coffee, specialty dinner or if possible to be included in the Sabatini's breakfast for suite passengers. Princess would loose some [I]income[/I] "if" those passengers were planing to purchase such things however the true [I]cost[/I] for them would be much lower.

Days vs. cruise credits...I can see both sides of the issue. I feel that using days is more equitable but if any change is made should be grandfathered. How that could be accomplished would not be desirable for everyone but possibly doing it like Carnival having a year would be equitable. I don't think that anyone should loose any benefits & when RCI tried that there was a big outcry from passengers resulting in them rescinding many proposed changes.

I am grateful for the elite benefits but having the ability to combine various types of OBC is a big consideration for me. I enjoy the Princess experience more than other mid level cruise lines & those combinable OBCs help to keep us happily sailing with Princess. :D

[bingo queen]

[quote name='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.[/quote]


Well said.:) People should just cruise because they love to cruise.

[Lovetocruiseprincess]

[quote name='Astro Flyer']Joe & Phyllis, I feel the same way & that a new level would begin at those much higher levels. We're in the mid-300 day range & I no longer ask the onboard Captain's Circle rep if we made the MTP cutoff...their laughter is too much for me to bear & I'm developing a rejection complex. :p

I would never attain a top level of 600-750 days but think that those who have sailed Princess that much should receive a few more "thanks" from Princess.[COLOR=Red] Benefits for a new top level doesn't need to cost Princess much by adding things such as a soda sticker, brewed coffee, specialty dinner or if possible to be included in the Sabatini's breakfast for suite passengers.[/COLOR] Princess would loose some [I]income[/I] "if" those passengers were planing to purchase such things however the true [I]cost[/I] for them would be much lower.

Days vs. cruise credits...I can see both sides of the issue. I feel that using days is more equitable but if any change is made should be grandfathered. How that could be accomplished would not be desirable for everyone but possibly doing it like Carnival having a year would be equitable. I don't think that anyone should loose any benefits & when RCI tried that there was a big outcry from passengers resulting in them rescinding many proposed changes.

I am grateful for the elite benefits but having the ability to combine various types of OBC is a big consideration for me. I enjoy the Princess experience more than other mid level cruise lines & those combinable OBCs help to keep us happily sailing with Princess. :D[/quote]

[FONT=Comic Sans MS]Just having a new level to shoot for with something like you mentioned would go a long way in keeping the upper Elite happy as they tried to reach the new goal. After all how much would it cost them in dollars for a soda card, coffee card or admission the Sabatini's.....perhaps a few dollars for the soda & maybe 5 or 6 for the coffee.[/FONT]

[Astro Flyer]

[quote name='Lovetocruiseprincess'][FONT=Comic Sans MS]Just having a new level to shoot for with something like you mentioned would go a long way in keeping the upper Elite happy as they tried to reach the new goal. After all how much would it cost them in dollars for a soda card, coffee card or admission the Sabatini's.....perhaps a few dollars for the soda & maybe 5 or 6 for the coffee.[/FONT][/QUOTE]
Decades ago when doing fundraisers the paper cup cost more than the soda but even if that's no longer true it still would probably cost them pennies per cup of fountain soda or brewed coffee in a reusable container. I'd guess that a specialty dinner would maybe cost an extra $10 over the cost to provide a meal in the MDR. Whatever the cost, it seems to be an appropriate benefit for those who have lived years onboard a Princess ship. :) Edited September 18, 2014 by Astro Flyer

[waltd]

[quote name='Astro Flyer']Decades ago when doing fundraisers the paper cup cost more than the soda but even if that's no longer true it still would probably cost them pennies per cup of fountain soda or brewed coffee in a reusable container. I'd guess that a specialty dinner would maybe cost an extra $10 over the cost to provide a meal in the MDR. Whatever the cost, it seems to be an appropriate benefit for those who have lived years onboard a Princess ship. :)[/QUOTE]

Frank I think it will take more then a coffee card or soda sticker to impress the Elite of the Elite on CC. :) If Princess continues with the benefits package maybe the next step would be to have some sort of lounge on board just for the top tier.

[Disconnections]

[quote name='toledo_cruiser']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[/QUOTE]

However, those who were Gold ended up being downgraded to Red if they did not meet the new qualification requirements. In addition, for three years, the brand ambassador promised that Milestone guests would be grandfathered into the highest tier, which eventually became known as Diamond. When the VIFP program launched, it was decided that Carnival would not honor grandfathering Milestone guests as Diamond. Edited September 18, 2014 by Disconnections

[ggprincess2004]

For a tier above Elite, I think they should up the internet time....and perhaps provide a menu of options from which to choose. Right now, at Elite, we use all the perks that are offered. We wouldn't use a soda sticker - don't drink soda - and that would not make us start drinking it. Breakfast in Sabatini's would be great, but on some voyages even at a higher level, Sabatini's could be swamped for breakfast. Perhaps they could extend the full menu room service perk to that higher level. And I think at that level they should offer a guaranteed turn-around time on laundry service, if not 24 hours, then perhaps 36 hours. Discounted wine packages, discounted shore excursions, discounts, discounts, discounts, and a menu of them to choose from....options would most likely be appreciated at that level. By then, (well we already are) people are probably pretty set in their cruising habits and know what they will find most attractive and worthwhile.

Frankly, at 700 days or more to qualify, most of the group would be on the MTP list.

[bhopal21]

I think you may be onto something with the full menu room service perk (since Sabatini's could not handle the amount of elites) and maybe a free cocktail hour for the super elites.

Mike:)

[DebJ14]

[quote name='toledo_cruiser']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[/QUOTE]

No, Platinums were not downgraded, but those who were Milestone (25 cruises or more) were originally told they would be in the highest level under the new scheme, which would have made them Diamond. Instead, they were platinum in the new plan unless they had sailed 200 days on those 25 cruises. There were lots of unhappy campers who felt they had been lied to. Many of those who were gold found themselves holding red cards on their next cruises. Both my sons were downgraded from gold to red and you have to be at least gold to get invited to the past passenger party. Then, after adjusting levels they took away perks from the Platinum level. It was very poorly handled.

RCCL made the conversion from number of cruises to number of days. They give double points for a Junior suites and above. They have a past guest party for all and then a top tier party for platinum, emerald, diamond and up, but the best part is the balcony discount that is automatically applied. Their conversion was not without its critics. We came out quite well and were Platinum after the dust settled thanks to the double points for suites. It only took us 2 more 7 day cruises in a suite to make Diamond thanks to getting 14 points per cruise. Best part is we will be Elite when we sail Celebrity.

[AtlantaCruiser72]

I fully anticipate that Princess will make a change at some point soon. The fact that they are offering so many 3-5 day sailings where cruisers can do b2b2b2b ...... means that folks can rack up cruise points quickly and VERY cheaply, especially with some of the onboard credit promos they have been running recently!

I just did a 12nt b2b on the Caribbean Princess that netted me 4 cruise points (solo booking) bumping me to Platinum, and am going again on an 18nt b2b2b2b in October to rack up 8 more points and make Elite. On the October cruise the total OBC's I have from Princess' promo, FCC and Shareholder benefit are MORE than the total cruise fare including port charges and taxes. If I cash all the OBC out I will be making money and Princess will in effect be paying me to cruise and become Elite. I know many others are doing the same type of thing as I am. Edited September 19, 2014 by scottamiller

[cvpends]

I was really surprised last November when Princess gave me 100% of the cost of my getaway back in the form of a future cruise credit -- AND gave me Captain's Circle credit for that cruise. Very generous! But I wondered whether I really deserved to be advanced towards platinum so quickly.

[shredie]

[quote name='scottamiller']I fully anticipate that Princess will make a change at some point soon. The fact that they are offering so many 3-5 day sailings where cruisers can do b2b2b2b ...... means that folks can rack up cruise points quickly and VERY cheaply, especially with some of the onboard credit promos they have been running recently!

[/QUOTE]

Since Princess advertises these short cruises partly on the fact that they take a person to Elite faster, I don't see why they would find that a problem.

[quote name='cvpends']But I wondered whether I really deserved to be advanced towards platinum so quickly.[/QUOTE]

Princess decides what the policies are, so when you get something from them, you "deserve" it. It's not like divine absolution or something. LOL.

[rdsqrl]

[quote name='shredie']Since Princess advertises these short cruises partly on the fact that they take a person to Elite faster, I don't see why they would find that a problem.



Princess decides what the policies are, so when you get something from them, you "deserve" it. It's not like divine absolution or something. LOL.[/quote]
[COLOR=Indigo][FONT=Comic Sans MS]Right. It's not Princess who finds it a problem to have "too many" Elites; it's the Elites who anticipate longer waits for tenders or longer laundry turnaround. The minute it costs Princess one extra penny is the minute they change the system to days or institute a new "super" level.

Meanwhile, I have to admit I, too, feel guilty about getting so quickly to the verge of Elite thanks to the double credits. Of course, Princess doesn't feel guilty about charging me 200% as a penalty for not sailing with a roommate, so I guess there's that. But it'll be kind of bittersweet leaving behind Platinum, a status I earned all by myself with sea days and pre the boon of double credits.
[/FONT][/COLOR]

[mysaddlebred000]

I usually don't get into discussions like this but I truly don't know why Princess would add a tier above Elite. Look at all the talk here about how people save money. A good percentage of Elites only book insides and hope for an upgrade or upsell. I did not say all of them!!!! They tell you everything they do not purchase, especially excursions. They book early and then take advantage of sales. They know how to get OBC's and many end up cashing out when they leave and take several hundred dollars home. Why would Princess want to give them extras. They are already hooked.

What Princess wants is new younger cruisers. That is why they are offering so many short cruises. New people aren't sure if a cruise is the vacation they would enjoy and like the idea of the shorter cruises and are starting to book them. Great for reunions and family getaways. They don't have a lot of vacation time but can manage a day or two here and there. If they like it, they will continue to book in the future. Many of the Elites are starting to age - I am one of them and we need to be replaced.

I'd love to see the loyalty program go to "total spending". I remember at a Captain's Circle party years ago, the hostess said that a man told her " it only took me $25,000 to get free laundry". I wanted to stand up and say that I paid that much for my wife and I to stay that cruise in the grand suite. We always book suites so elite doesn't help us because we already are getting all the perks.

Lets stop trying to guess what Princess is going to do and just enjoy the time we have left.

[shredie]

[quote name='mysaddlebred000']
I'd love to see the loyalty program go to "total spending". I remember at a Captain's Circle party years ago, the hostess said that a man told her " it only took me $25,000 to get free laundry". I wanted to stand up and say that I paid that much for my wife and I to stay that cruise in the grand suite. We always book suites so elite doesn't help us because we already are getting all the perks.
[/QUOTE]

What you would have in that case would be an Elite class (literally) made up of suite passengers, morning drunks and compulsive gamblers. The unwashed masses would be left sucking the mop. The reason the loyalty program exists in the first place is to give regular old working people the chance to progress to the Elite level. There would be no incentive for them to do that if they thought they would never achieve the status simply on dollars spent alone. I don't think the idea was to create a caste system in cruising, but your post here indicates perhaps that's a side effect.

[Gwendy]

[quote name='Disconnections']However, those who were Gold ended up being downgraded to Red if they did not meet the new qualification requirements. In addition, for three years, the brand ambassador promised that Milestone guests would be grandfathered into the highest tier, which eventually became known as Diamond. When the VIFP program launched, it was decided that Carnival would not honor grandfathering Milestone guests as Diamond.[/QUOTE]

former or current teacher????

From one to another. LOL

[Ethel5]

[quote name='shredie']What you would have in that case would be an Elite class (literally) made up of suite passengers, morning drunks and compulsive gamblers. The unwashed masses would be left sucking the mop. The reason the loyalty program exists in the first place is to give regular old working people the chance to progress to the Elite level. There would be no incentive for them to do that if they thought they would never achieve the status simply on dollars spent alone. I don't think the idea was to create a caste system in cruising, but your post here indicates perhaps that's a side effect.[/QUOTE]

I agree with you 110%. It is great that there are those who can afford suites, but that doesn't mean that those who can only afford insides are any less loyal. I think the only fair way is to go by days alone and nothing else. Princess has it's reasons for giving away cheap, short cruises but they need to keep in mind that the loyal Elites they already have got there the "hard" way. We are not liking 5 day turnaround for laundry and long lines for tenders etc. A new level must be implemented and soon.

[Woobstr112G]

[quote name='Ethel5']I agree with you 110%. It is great that there are those who can afford suites, but that doesn't mean that those who can only afford insides are any less loyal. I think the only fair way is to go by days alone and nothing else. Princess has it's reasons for giving away cheap, short cruises but they need to keep in mind that the loyal Elites they already have got there the "hard" way. We are not liking 5 day turnaround for laundry and long lines for tenders etc. A new level must be implemented and soon.[/QUOTE]

[I][SIZE="4"]Donna;

Very we'll stated.....:):):)

Bob[/SIZE][/I]

[Disconnections]

[quote name='Gwendy']former or current teacher????

From one to another. LOL[/QUOTE]

Neither and thanks. I'm glad you enjoyed it. ;)

[Lovetocruiseprincess]

[quote name='shredie']What you would have in that case would be an Elite class (literally) made up of suite passengers, morning drunks and compulsive gamblers. The unwashed masses would be left sucking the mop. The reason the loyalty program exists in the first place is to give regular old working people the chance to progress to the Elite level. There would be no incentive for them to do that if they thought they would never achieve the status simply on dollars spent alone. I don't think the idea was to create a caste system in cruising, but your post here indicates perhaps that's a side effect.[/quote]

[FONT=Comic Sans MS]I don't think some of the people who book suites see it in the same light as the middle class cruisers do and without the majority booking inside, OV cabins and plain old balconies Princess wouldn't be nearly as profitable. Give me the carrot any day.[/FONT]