Breaking News - C&A Changes/Enhancements

[foxgoodrich]

One more idea that could help a little. Create a new level between D+ and Pinnacle say at the half way point to 700 and allow that group to access the SL in addition to Pinnacles and suite guests.

 

Funny you should mention that! The scuttlebutt years ago when the Emerald level was created between Platinum and Diamond was that adding an intermediate level on the lower end of the loyalty program really didn't make much sense. And it didn't. So...the story I heard was that Emerald was actually intended to be a level between D+ and P at 550 points. This actually does make a certain amount of sense. And Emeralds are rarer and more expensive than Diamonds, right? Hmmm...could it be?

 

Why did this happen? What I heard was...it was a typo. A simple typo that nobody caught. Instead of 550, 55 was typed, published, posted, printed and distributed. And the Emerald level forever got stuck between Platinum and Diamond. (I'm just repeating a rumor and I don't KNOW that this really happened. It's not outside the realm of possibility, though!)

 

Judy

[Garavar]

Diamond (80)

 

Diamond Plus (170)

 

Blood Diamond (340) - Same Perks Already Listed + CL/SL access

 

Pinnacle (700) - Same Perks Already Listed

 

Pinnacle Plus (2100) - Free Speciality Dinning, Drink Package, Unlimited Internet etc BUT you have to book a Balcony or above.

Edited April 25, 2016 by Garavar

[avalon007]

One more idea that could help a little. Create a new level between D+ and Pinnacle say at the half way point to 700 and allow that group to access the SL in addition to Pinnacles and suite guests. If you have accumulated 350 points or ~50 cruises you would have paid a minimum of $100K and depending on room and cabin maybe closer to $300K that should deserve some form of recognition. It would also reduce some of the crowding and not dramatically impact the SL. This would also provide some motivation to get to the 350 point level and fulfill the marketing strategy to keep customers loyal via C&A.

 

If not then I go with the suggestion that Pinnacles and suite guests get the SL, D+ gets the diamond lounge and the diamonds get the vouchers to get 3 drinks wherever they want.

There is no good solution that will not irritate some portion of the D/D+ members. You need to reward/motivate your loyal RCCL cruisers that have spent $$$ in the past with a good lounge experience while providing a relaxing uncrowded SL for the suite guests that are spending $$$ now. The real question is what approach will limit the damage and provide maximum revenue while fixing the overcrowding in the lounges. There is no easy solution that I can see.

 

As it so happens - many of us Diamonds WANT to sit in the DL as it's not about drinks or snacks - it's about socialising for me. I rarely drink more than 3 drinks in there anyway.

 

Also, your suggestion wold never work in Australia - we have on most cruises over here very few Diamond+ or above, the DL would be a ghost town & a waste of space.

 

If Royal wants loyalty they would be wise not to strip away a perk already granted to Diamonds, as they are the largest group in the Diamond & above categories & probably overall the youngest with many years cruising ahead of them. This could impact Royals bottom dollar more than asking D+ to use one perfectly fine lounge rather than having access to 2 lounges. Sounds like the CL & DL on US cruises are both packed out during happy hours so no major difference.

 

They would be better off doing something to encourage Diamonds & Diamond+ who only use the DL for drinks rather than the socialising aspect, to use bars around the ship by offering extra drink vouchers instead of just three so they better match what the drinkers could get in the DL.

 

It's highly unlikely that if the offered say 5 or 6 vouchers instead of the 3 that everyone would use them all anyway, but it would mean those who just want the DL to get extra drinks will probably stay away from the DL more often.

[LMaxwell]

That is my point, there already are things in place so 'adding' something else would need to 'affect the cruisers' pocketbook in some way - additional financial incentive, perhaps.

 

IMO they should offer discounts starting with Oceanview rooms.

 

I also think they should offer tiered discounts on excursions starting at Diamond; 10%, D+; 20%, P; 30%. That may entice some "been there, done that" types to book excursions and generate a bit more revenue for Royal as well.

Edited April 25, 2016 by LMaxwell

[SherriZ366]

Funny you should mention that! The scuttlebutt years ago when the Emerald level was created between Platinum and Diamond was that adding an intermediate level on the lower end of the loyalty program really didn't make much sense. And it didn't. So...the story I heard was that Emerald was actually intended to be a level between D+ and P at 550 points. This actually does make a certain amount of sense. And Emeralds are rarer and more expensive than Diamonds, right? Hmmm...could it be?

 

Why did this happen? What I heard was...it was a typo. A simple typo that nobody caught. Instead of 550, 55 was typed, published, posted, printed and distributed. And the Emerald level forever got stuck between Platinum and Diamond. (I'm just repeating a rumor and I don't KNOW that this really happened. It's not outside the realm of possibility, though!)

 

Judy

I heard the same thing on FR during the 340 cruise credits and up Breakfast with the Officers. Most of the people at my table who were talking about it were Pinnacles.

[LMaxwell]

 

They would be better off doing something to encourage Diamonds & Diamond+ who only use the DL for drinks rather than the socialising aspect, to use bars around the ship by offering extra drink vouchers instead of just three so they better match what the drinkers could get in the DL.

 

It's highly unlikely that if the offered say 5 or 6 vouchers instead of the 3 that everyone would use them all anyway, but it would mean those who just want the DL to get extra drinks will probably stay away from the DL more often.

 

Increase the hours of use on vouchers and allow them to be used in windjammer, MDR, and specialty dining and you will see the DL have tumbleweeds blow through.

 

In fact, if they changed NOTHING at all but allowed them to be used in dining venues I think you'd see lounges a lot emptier.

[Ken at the beach]

That is my point, there already are things in place so 'adding' something else would need to 'affect the cruisers' pocketbook in some way - additional financial incentive, perhaps.

 

How about this...

 

The new level (at 350 points for argument sake) will get half of the extra balcony discount that Pinnacles get over D+...oh wait a second, Pinnacles get the same discount as D+. Looks like the new level will get half of nothing.:D

[John&LaLa]

I dont know which way he is talking! When acrewing points they will not expires for 5 years in your BOA account.

 

Now If you have sent a chunk of points to a designated cruise you are going to be on and go but don't use them all. Not sure if they stay in account on board and expire in a year or get sent back! I know they said refundable. I ended up using mine.

 

I again will mention watch your account like a hawk, because it took almost the whole cruise for the points to show up in my account.

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

 

Mine have never expired to the best of my knowledge. I was just saying they can expire.

[LMaxwell]

How about this...

 

The new level (at 350 points for argument sake) will get half of the extra balcony discount that Pinnacles get over D+...oh wait a second, Pinnacles get the same discount as D+. Looks like the new level will get half of nothing.:D

 

[John&LaLa]

It's worth a try. Depends on how strict they want to be.

 

What ship was it

[RoamingRetirees]

What ship was it

 

It's next year on Liberty.

[Ken at the beach]

 

LOL.

 

I also like this one.

 

[RoamingRetirees]

Increase the hours of use on vouchers and allow them to be used in windjammer, MDR, and specialty dining and you will see the DL have tumbleweeds blow through.

 

In fact, if they changed NOTHING at all but allowed them to be used in dining venues I think you'd see lounges a lot emptier.

 

You forget that almost everyone has said it isn't the drinks they covet but the socializing in the lounges. ;) Anyway, we always get a free glass of wine and take into the dining room with us. Quantum allowed us to use our vouchers in any dining room.

[John&LaLa]

Adding another level between D+ and Pinnacle would mean 'giving different perks' at that level.....the only perk I would care about would be an increase in the balcony discount.....the cruiser deserved a little extra incentive to book those balconies if they made it to 350 nights. As you point out they have spent a plenty cruising with Royal. Maybe a few of those in inside cabins would up their game and try a balcony.

 

I could care less what cabin type someone cruises in. But it is awfully hard to 'stretch out the perks', IMO.

 

You should probably aquaint yourself with the existing system of balcony discounts. Pinnacles currently get the same discount as D+. Long time sore spot. Can't see them upping it for a new Pinnacle Light tier.

[John&LaLa]

I heard the same thing on FR during the 340 cruise credits and up Breakfast with the Officers. Most of the people at my table who were talking about it were Pinnacles.

 

Urban myth.

[LMaxwell]

You should probably aquaint yourself with the existing system of balcony discounts. Pinnacles currently get the same discount as D+. Long time sore spot. Can't see them upping it for a new Pinnacle Light tier.

 

"I'm a Plight member"

 

:D

[LMaxwell]

LOL.

 

I also like this one.

 

 

LOL that is terrific.

[3CatsInMA]

LOL.

 

I also like this one.

 

 

Very good! :D:D

[John&LaLa]

 

It's next year on Liberty.

 

Sorry, I don't know about that one other than both lounges on deck 14

[John&LaLa]

"I'm a Plight member"

 

:D

 

Isn't it grand. :D

[Merion_Mom]

As it so happens - many of us Diamonds WANT to sit in the DL as it's not about drinks or snacks - it's about socialising for me. I rarely drink more than 3 drinks in there anyway.

 

Also, your suggestion wold never work in Australia - we have on most cruises over here very few Diamond+ or above, the DL would be a ghost town & a waste of space.

 

If Royal wants loyalty they would be wise not to strip away a perk already granted to Diamonds, as they are the largest group in the Diamond & above categories & probably overall the youngest with many years cruising ahead of them. This could impact Royals bottom dollar more than asking D+ to use one perfectly fine lounge rather than having access to 2 lounges. Sounds like the CL & DL on US cruises are both packed out during happy hours so no major difference.

 

They would be better off doing something to encourage Diamonds & Diamond+ who only use the DL for drinks rather than the socialising aspect, to use bars around the ship by offering extra drink vouchers instead of just three so they better match what the drinkers could get in the DL.

 

It's highly unlikely that if the offered say 5 or 6 vouchers instead of the 3 that everyone would use them all anyway, but it would mean those who just want the DL to get extra drinks will probably stay away from the DL more often.

 

I agree that RC needs to see the Australian market as different.

[Merion_Mom]

How about this...

 

The new level (at 350 points for argument sake) will get half of the extra balcony discount that Pinnacles get over D+...oh wait a second, Pinnacles get the same discount as D+. Looks like the new level will get half of nothing.:D

 

Thank you for posting what I was thinking. ;)

 

[Merion_Mom]

You forget that almost everyone has said it isn't the drinks they covet but the socializing in the lounges. ;) Anyway, we always get a free glass of wine and take into the dining room with us. Quantum allowed us to use our vouchers in any dining room.

 

But that stopped. And it is now not allowed on any ship, AFAIK.

[Hoopster95]

As it so happens - many of us Diamonds WANT to sit in the DL as it's not about drinks or snacks - it's about socialising for me. I rarely drink more than 3 drinks in there anyway.

 

How did any one of us socialize before we attained Diamond status?

[Spurschick]

John,

I was pretty sure that your point was that there does not seem to be a large number of young "coat-tailers" in the lounges. I am in agreement, there does not seem to be many folks that we have met that would even appear to be in the category.

 

Actually, on a cruise last year, at the "Meal With An Officer" there was a young lady, and her grand-mother at our table. The young woman was in a Masters Program in college (probably early/mid twenties), but mentioned that she had been on over twenty cruises. We never did see her in the Lounge any evening, but did see her around the ship quite often.

 

I had just not ever given that type situation much thought, until this thread. :D

 

N Ray H

 

 

It depends on the ship and when you sail. On a recent sailing there was a 13 year old on her 60th cruise. Trust me you will find plenty of young D's and D+'s under 20 if you pick the right ship/sail date:D