Better price without balcony discount

[tserface]

I suspect they are doing this on purpose. My guess is that the OBC is a better deal from them since they get it back on the ship and they are training people to spend money while cruising. There are so many Diamonds sailing these days that I'd guess this gets them back in the stores. I could imagine them having this discussion in meetings.

 

I think the drink coupons are a similar idea. It gets the Diamonds (and above) back into the bars again and spreads them out over the ship. Perhaps some people do not stop at 3 drinks and some will upgrade to brands they prefer causing some revenue to be made.

 

When there were just a few C&A members it wasn't likely a big deal, but the economies of scale seem to be pushing them to make some changes even if subtly. All conjecture on my part of course.

 

Tom

 

They did not let me use it with BOGOHO. They said it was not combinable with special pricing. I then asked them to list the cruises that I could use it with. That was 6 months ago, and I'm still waiting for an answer.

[Clarea]

Not nice of them not to respond.;) Wish we had some now but we got rid of them a long time ago. Since we mostly book balconies (which might be changing due to price increases) we could never use it for the perks

Funny you should mention the price of balconies. We booked a cruise for March in an OV because I thought the price of a balcony was way too high.

[molly361]

Funny you should mention the price of balconies. We booked a cruise for March in an OV because I thought the price of a balcony was way too high.

 

We also did the same. We have a couple of short cruises booked for the beginning of 2017 in an OV as we also thought the balcony prices too high:)

 

I am very interested in seeing how pricing is going to be when the new sailings get released.

Edited January 4, 2016 by molly361

[Beachammo]

We also did the same. We have a couple of short cruises booked for the beginning of 2017 in an OV as we also thought the balcony prices too high:)

 

I am very interested in seeing how pricing is going to be when the new sailings get released.

 

I think we may all be disappointed....

 

We booked the Only TA offered in 2017 on day one (Rhapsody). We paid more than we've ever paid for a TA JS cabin thinking it will go down at some point over the next two years.

 

WRONG!!

 

Kept going up. They are only offering "guarantee cabins" in that category now. We may switch to another TA when the new itineraries are announced. Maybe they'll have some great prices like when they released the Harmony itineraries???

[wblynch]

They started these games back when they would mail coupons and you couldn't use the diamond coupon and get your diamond balcony credit.

 

I am finding that Princess offers better pricing even though we're not any status at all over there. Royal Caribbean is getting too gimmicky with the new ships too.

 

Funny they invent their loyalty program to keep you coming back but then play these games to make you angry and leave.

 

I still love cruising on Royal Caribbean but their management approach is driving me elsewhere. ( and it isn't to Celebrity )

[papaflamingo]

Yes, this has been going on for some time now. Making being a loyalist useless in most situations as they are giving better discounts to the masses which are not combinable with any CAS discounts. RCI is pretty much telling loyalists we are no longer a priority. Which has actually been the case for some time now.

 

Being a "loyalist" is hardly useless. There are numbers of cruises without an OBC as good as the C & A Discount. In fact most cruises I go on, I seem to get a better deal without the OBC. But more importantly, the discount is only one of the "perks" of loyalty. We are D+. We did a 10 night Greek Isle cruise in Sep. I bought my wife and I a drink at boarding, then after the first dinner I had an after dinner drink. I bought a 7 bottle wine package. Other than that I didn't pay for another drink in 10 nights. Reason? We met every night around 6 pm (we had 9:00 dining) in the Viking Crown, outside the Concierge lounge and I would just get my wife and I our drinks from the lounge and use our 3 free drinks. On such a port intensive cruise with early mornings, that about did it for us. Also I we were escorted off the ship by the Concierge and I was in a shuttle to the airport in time to make an early flight. So, there are still lot's of perks available to the "loyalists." :)

[nelblu]

Because it is not combinable with the CA discount, they at least should allow the difference as OBC. eg. $50 in OBC {300-250 D+}. Also, is the OBC combinable with the NCC OBC.

[Clarea]

Because it is not combinable with the CA discount, they at least should allow the difference as OBC. eg. $50 in OBC {300-250 D+}. Also, is the OBC combinable with the NCC OBC.

Yes, the Next Cruise OBC can be combined with the BOGO OBC.

Edited January 5, 2016 by clarea

[nelblu]

Yes, the Next Cruise OBC can be combined with the BOGO OBC.

 

Thanks, something to consider for next time. The only problem, I've got 4 cruises booked and when the OBC promo is offered--I examine and come away disappointed as it would cost much more due to re-pricing. I'm hoping that the OBC promo is available when the Mediterranean itinerary is posted in March/April. Also, the taking the OBC vs the balcony discount gives me better perks from my TA.

[John&LaLa]

I think we may all be disappointed....

 

We booked the Only TA offered in 2017 on day one (Rhapsody). We paid more than we've ever paid for a TA JS cabin thinking it will go down at some point over the next two years.

 

WRONG!!

 

Kept going up. They are only offering "guarantee cabins" in that category now. We may switch to another TA when the new itineraries are announced. Maybe they'll have some great prices like when they released the Harmony itineraries???

 

We are on that TA. Originally had both of us in a JS with $250 OBC. When Laura became eligible for the 150% supplement we changed it to a better JS and an inside for less total money and 16 extra C&A points. So there are benefits to being a frequent repeater