Breaking News - C&A Changes/Enhancements

[Videophile]

At Rhenium Level, they still let me pop up and take the boat for a spin while I'm on board.

 

I live the big life, what can I say?

 

Lol! I wanted to let you know that someone got it and thought it was funny. :D

[island lady]

FWIW, cargo port and cruise port are totally different animals. ;)

 

Not to mention the "real" cattle boats in those ports!

 

Living in Florida you are elevated enough to stand off those alligators without too

much trouble. I have "swamp" frontage. They really do take a stroll past my

back yard sometimes! :p :p

[ckfred]

Could someone write a list of the changes that RC has made to C&A? There seems to me a lot of speculation mixed with actual changes, such that it's hard to keep track of the changes.

 

I've read a number of posts in which people in high tiers, Diamond and higher, have said that the changes are unacceptable, and they will now cruise elsewhere.

 

To me, that begs the question, are the changes so bad, that it pays to start at the bottom of another cruise line's loyalty program? I know that some cruise lines will honor your status, such as MSC. But others don't.

 

It's like airlines. I know people who are second or third-tier with a frequent flyer program. An airline makes changes, and there is a tendency to say, "I quit."

 

But, if another airline won't immediately match your status, then it means no upgrades, going through regular security, being at the bottom of the stand-by list, and so on.

 

I just made Emerald after my last cruise. But, it was nice to wait in a secluded room at the Miami cruise terminal, until someone came and got us, rather than stand in the line waiting to board. Last year at Harwich, as Platinum, we got the red suite cards that let us jump the line for security screening.

 

Even at breakfast in the WJ, my wife had her SeaPass on a lanyard, making sure that the word "Platinum" was visible. When a crew member saw we had difficulty finding a table, he got a table that had just been vacated cleaned ASAP.

 

Our in-laws are always suggesting that we take a cruise that they read about, usually on a different cruise line. My wife always responds that we only have status on RC, so we wouldn't get any special treatment.

[CptSticky]

For DH's birthday, we did Chops too. No fancy cake, but I'd pre-ordered a cake for the room. It cost more than $25 though.

 

In a few decades, we've gone from getting a free cake at restaurants to nothing, and now we get a cake, but at our expense.

 

On Star Princess, they sang happy birthday, and the birthday boy got a nice cake, probably two servings. Didn't mention if they got charged for it.

On my birthday last March I was invited to the table and they surprised me by having a whole bunch of officers and also waiters come up behind me and start singing. They gave me a cake (no charge). Unfortunately I don't eat chocolate cake so I gave it to my room steward.

[John&LaLa]

Not to mention the "real" cattle boats in those ports!

 

Living in Florida you are elevated enough to stand off those alligators without too

much trouble. I have "swamp" frontage. They really do take a stroll past my

back yard sometimes! :p :p

 

We live on 6th floor. When we replaced a window, we were asked if we wanted turtle glass. I looked at the salesman and asked why he thought turtles would be able to climb 70' up our building.

 

Turns out, it is a feature to reduce light during nesting season. :eek:

[yogimax]

 

Could someone write a list of the changes that RC has made to C&A? There seems to me a lot of speculation mixed with actual changes, such that it's hard to keep track of the changes.

 

 

The only one I know of was that the points required for the second amenity gift was lowered to 340 from 350.

[Ray in NH]

There are river cruises, but they are pricey. Having lived here all our lives and driven most of it, it doesn't hold a lot of appeal for us, but I have heard they are very nice cruises. :)

 

We will be happy to share our impressions after we complete our cruise in late March of 2017. Would really like to do the St. Paul to New Orleans itinerary, but thought it prudent to try a shorter trip first. It appears to be sort of a cross between European river cruising and blue water (ocean) cruising.

N Ray H

[RoamingRetirees]

We will be happy to share our impressions after we complete our cruise in late March of 2017. Would really like to do the St. Paul to New Orleans itinerary, but thought it prudent to try a shorter trip first. It appears to be sort of a cross between European river cruising and blue water (ocean) cruising.

N Ray H

 

St. Paul to New Orleans would be a long cruise. Which portion did you decide on? Coming to St. Louis?

[Ray in NH]

St. Paul to New Orleans would be a long cruise. Which portion did you decide on? Coming to St. Louis?

 

No, not St. Louis. We opoted for the eight nighter, round trip from/to New Orleans (probably add some "extra" time there. We'll have stops in St. Francisville, Natchez, Vicksburg, Baton Rouge, and Nottoway.

I understand that they do not actually dock in St. Louis (port reconstruction?), but instead at Alton, at least temporarily.

Cruising in mid-March, we decided to keep to the southern end of the river. Then we will be ahead of the "skeeter" season. It may still be "chilly", but probably warmer than here at home. :)

N Ray H

Edited May 24, 2016 by Ray in NH
spelling

[RoamingRetirees]

No, not St. Louis. We opoted for the eight nighter, round trip from/to New Orleans (probably add some "extra" time there. We'll have stops in St. Francisville, Natchez, Vicksburg, Baton Rouge, and Nottoway.

I understand that they do not actually dock in St. Louis (port reconstruction?), but instead at Alton, at least temporarily.

Cruising in mid-March, we decided to keep to the southern end of the river. Then we will be ahead of the "skeeter" season. It may still be "chilly", but probably warmer than here at home. :)

N Ray H

 

Nice ports. You won't have to go through all the locks either like on the upper Mississippi.

[island lady]

We live on 6th floor. When we replaced a window, we were asked if we wanted turtle glass. I looked at the salesman and asked why he thought turtles would be able to climb 70' up our building.

 

Turns out, it is a feature to reduce light during nesting season. :eek:

 

LOL!! And you have to worry about those climbing monster turtles now!! :eek: :p

[SherriZ366]

Thanks for posting this, as I board Explorer this week. Looking forward to it! This is the first week for EX to be sailing in Alaska, so this is a brand new event. :)

Karen -- you are welcome. You are right -- EX started the regular 7 day itinerary this week (the 5-20-2016 cruise). Last week, there was a short itinerary stopping in Victoria, British Columbia and Nanaimo, Vancouver Island, Canada. I think they had the Pinnacle lunch for that sailing too but the Lobster Thermidor may have just been added this week. Edited May 25, 2016 by SherriZ366

[jonbgd]

Even at breakfast in the WJ, my wife had her SeaPass on a lanyard, making sure that the word "Platinum" was visible. When a crew member saw we had difficulty finding a table, he got a table that had just been vacated cleaned ASAP.

 

 

 

I think the only 2 crew members, that would ever know my status, is the DL concierge/bar tenders and my room steward.:rolleyes:

[John&LaLa]

I think the only 2 crew members, that would ever know my status, is the DL concierge/bar tenders and my room steward.:rolleyes:

 

Casino staff, gift shop, guest services, wait staff, maitre d, spa team, way more than two bartenders. ;)

[LMaxwell]

 

Even at breakfast in the WJ, my wife had her SeaPass on a lanyard, making sure that the word "Platinum" was visible. When a crew member saw we had difficulty finding a table, he got a table that had just been vacated cleaned ASAP.

 

 

"Status" has nothing to do with it. They will do that for absolutely anyone, and Platinum isn't that high up anyways. You are selling yourself short and missing great experiences if you're married to RCI for the "perks".

[SherriZ366]

Yes I did!! :eek: We used Park n Cruise which got really, really backed up. We were told was due to previous cruisers not wanting to get off the ship to see the launch. Was not a problem being in a different terminal on disembarkation since we were off terminal parking.

 

With the success of the nine night cruise itinerary, I can't believe Royal let that opportunity

slip by as to not put a third ship in for the longer cruises on a permanent basis. Shame on you RCI! :(

I heard it was the Feds who kept EX passengers from disembarking and also held traffic in various areas. We got there before they closed off roads but stood in line for 2 hours outside.

[SherriZ366]

I know many are happy Oasis is coming, but I would still rather keep the Freedom

instead. Plus she can go to Grand Cayman, and Coco Cay....which Oasis cannot. :(

Totally agree.

[SherriZ366]

Sherri...we have not made the big "P" yet, and are still in the "unnamed level" D+

over 350 tier. Are we still doing meal with an officer in Alaska? Or is that gone

now too? We will be B2B on Radiance.

We aren't big "P" either and are about where you are -- between 350 and 525. Some ships are going to two meals for Officers -- one for Pinnacles and one for 340 points and up. We are on FR on June 19 and I will let you know whether they have split high level D+ and Pinnacles. I always like the breakfast that they do on FR -- the menu and small group. I think the last one I went to had 3 tables of 340 and up D+ and P's. I think P's were seated with the Captain.

[jonbgd]

Casino staff, gift shop, guest services, wait staff, maitre d, spa team, way more than two bartenders. ;)

 

There was way more than 2 bartenders:D

[John&LaLa]

We aren't big "P" either and are about where you are -- between 350 and 525. Some ships are going to two meals for Officers -- one for Pinnacles and one for 340 points and up. We are on FR on June 19 and I will let you know whether they have split high level D+ and Pinnacles. I always like the breakfast that they do on FR -- the menu and small group. I think the last one I went to had 3 tables of 340 and up D+ and P's. I think P's were seated with the Captain.

 

Our Freedom breakfast in March was sit where you want. We had around 3 tables as well

[poncho1973]

Lol! I wanted to let you know that someone got it and thought it was funny. :D

 

Thanks. I'm glad someone out there is still laughing in this mess of a thread.

[Ocean Boy]

I think the only 2 crew members, that would ever know my status, is the DL concierge/bar tenders and my room steward.:rolleyes:

 

I agree. If I carried my seapass in a visible area, which I don't, I would have it positioned with the back showing so none of my information was visible. I certainly wouldn't "make sure" that my C&A level was visible.

[island lady]

I heard it was the Feds who kept EX passengers from disembarking and also held traffic in various areas. We got there before they closed off roads but stood in line for 2 hours outside.

 

Those pesky Feds....just as bad as the TSA and port authority agents!! ;)

[island lady]

We aren't big "P" either and are about where you are -- between 350 and 525. Some ships are going to two meals for Officers -- one for Pinnacles and one for 340 points and up. We are on FR on June 19 and I will let you know whether they have split high level D+ and Pinnacles. I always like the breakfast that they do on FR -- the menu and small group. I think the last one I went to had 3 tables of 340 and up D+ and P's. I think P's were seated with the Captain.

 

On our Serenade cruise last February, there were a LOT of D+ higher tier and Pinnacles.

They did a lunch on one of the sea days. Must have been close to a hundred of us in

there! :eek:

 

Will be interesting to see what they do on Alaska Radiance cruise. Won't be nearly as

many D, D+, and P's on that one.

[RM]

We aren't big "P" either and are about where you are -- between 350 and 525. Some ships are going to two meals for Officers -- one for Pinnacles and one for 340 points and up. We are on FR on June 19 and I will let you know whether they have split high level D+ and Pinnacles. I always like the breakfast that they do on FR -- the menu and small group. I think the last one I went to had 3 tables of 340 and up D+ and P's. I think P's were seated with the Captain.

 

They were split in May on the Eastern Caribbean. Pinnacle had lunch with Captain and his upper officers. Diamond + lunch the next day with hotel staff including the HD.