ATC cruiser Posted December 14, 2016 #1 Share Posted December 14, 2016 I received a survey today from Royal Caribbean asking if I would be willing to join a loyalty program at a cost of $150 per person, per year. This program would give me access to reduced rates on cruises and discounts on excursions. It would also give me access to the Diamond lounge. My response was, I'd find another cruise line. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken at the beach Posted December 15, 2016 #2 Share Posted December 15, 2016 And people thought the DL was crowded now.:rolleyes::eek: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travelgoddess1 Posted December 15, 2016 #3 Share Posted December 15, 2016 (edited) I received a survey today from Royal Caribbean asking if I would be willing to join a loyalty program at a cost of $150 per person, per year. This program would give me access to reduced rates on cruises and discounts on excursions. It would also give me access to the Diamond lounge. My response was, I'd find another cruise line. Sent from my iPad using Forums What a terrible idea. If that were imposed on every C&A member, the crowding in the lounges would disappear. RCI is putting a price tag on everything. Edited December 15, 2016 by travelgoddess1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashland Posted December 15, 2016 #4 Share Posted December 15, 2016 I received a survey today from Royal Caribbean asking if I would be willing to join a loyalty program at a cost of $150 per person, per year. This program would give me access to reduced rates on cruises and discounts on excursions. It would also give me access to the Diamond lounge. My response was, I'd find another cruise line. Sent from my iPad using Forums Oh dear God...what next :rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhoenixCruiser Posted December 15, 2016 #5 Share Posted December 15, 2016 Good gravy! ### Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agavegirl1 Posted December 15, 2016 #6 Share Posted December 15, 2016 Am I on a Disney World Forum? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Queenzena Posted December 15, 2016 #7 Share Posted December 15, 2016 Stupidest idea by RCCL I've ever heard. Loyalty means they reward US, not vice versa when we reward them by paying. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheTruthCanHurt Posted December 15, 2016 #8 Share Posted December 15, 2016 What a terrible idea. If that were imposed on every C&A member, the crowding in the lounges would disappear. RCI is putting a price tag on everything. This is an interesting idea and NOT a new idea. Airlines constantly sell upgrades to first class or business class at a reduced rate. Hotel chains will sell their status Airport lounges sell a day pass if you are not a frequent flyer so that you can have access. When you get a credit card "with travel perks" many give you priority boarding on certain airlines. And yes. When you buy a suite on a cruise ship, part of what the price is , is your access to the lounge. Some people are willing to pay for this benefit, others are not... I think the Pay to play plan is much better then upgrading one tier of status as they are reporting was an option on the UAE cruises.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
traveler279 Posted December 15, 2016 #9 Share Posted December 15, 2016 For a variety of reasons this does not sound like an authentic Royal offer. If I received it and was interested I would call Royal (not using any number in the email) and verify the offer. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riclop Posted December 15, 2016 #10 Share Posted December 15, 2016 I received a survey today from Royal Caribbean asking if I would be willing to join a loyalty program at a cost of $150 per person, per year. This program would give me access to reduced rates on cruises and discounts on excursions. It would also give me access to the Diamond lounge. My response was, I'd find another cruise line. Sent from my iPad using Forums We have not, they just are hungry for $$$$. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluecookies Posted December 15, 2016 #11 Share Posted December 15, 2016 Am I on a Disney World Forum? As Disney World Annual Passholders, this is exactly what I thought! They are notorious for this sort of thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcc1025 Posted December 15, 2016 #12 Share Posted December 15, 2016 I am Diamond, got the survey also except mine was for $250 a year with some example of savings. Since I already get Diamond lounge access they didn't offer anything else and you would need to take two cruises a year for it to work. While we have done 2 a year a couple of times I don't want to be forced into it. In sort I told them it was a bad idea. As a stockholder I don't mind them making money buy this was a dumb idea. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColoradoGurl Posted December 15, 2016 #13 Share Posted December 15, 2016 Did they also mention they'd be highly likely to increase the base price of the cruises by the same % as the discount offered. [emoji849] Maybe they should just offer people an option to pay a specific $ amount to get a pass in the lounge instead. They'd probably make more money that way. I think NCL has something like that, where they offer a limited # of passes to a secluded lounge area. If RC did that it would be a more believable offer. I wouldn't take it either way though. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiguypaul Posted December 15, 2016 #14 Share Posted December 15, 2016 When you get a credit card "with travel perks" many give you priority boarding on certain airlines. I immediately thought of this as well. On United, it seems like everybody is now in Group 2 because they have the United card. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
easyboy Posted December 15, 2016 #15 Share Posted December 15, 2016 I received a survey today from Royal Caribbean asking if I would be willing to join a loyalty program at a cost of $150 per person, per year. This program would give me access to reduced rates on cruises and discounts on excursions. It would also give me access to the Diamond lounge. My response was, I'd find another cruise line. Very discouraging. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thetrail Posted December 15, 2016 #16 Share Posted December 15, 2016 This is an interesting idea and NOT a new idea.Airlines constantly sell upgrades to first class or business class at a reduced rate. Hotel chains will sell their status Airport lounges sell a day pass if you are not a frequent flyer so that you can have access. When you get a credit card "with travel perks" many give you priority boarding on certain airlines. And yes. When you buy a suite on a cruise ship, part of what the price is , is your access to the lounge. Some people are willing to pay for this benefit, others are not... I think the Pay to play plan is much better then upgrading one tier of status as they are reporting was an option on the UAE cruises.. "AN INTERESTING IDEA", give us all a break, please.....:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travelgoddess1 Posted December 15, 2016 #17 Share Posted December 15, 2016 Chip. Chip. Chip. to C&A benefits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nelblu Posted December 15, 2016 #18 Share Posted December 15, 2016 I immediately thought of this as well. On United, it seems like everybody is now in Group 2 because they have the United card. Their lounge at Newark Intl is crap & not worth paying for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dasi11 Posted December 15, 2016 #19 Share Posted December 15, 2016 Did you confirm this email with RCCL by phone? It just does not sound for real. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LorraineP Posted December 15, 2016 #20 Share Posted December 15, 2016 Chip. Chip. Chip. to C&A benefits. Agree, what next? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beachgoddess Posted December 15, 2016 #21 Share Posted December 15, 2016 Got the email. Deleted it. Sent from my SM-G920V using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franl24fan Posted December 15, 2016 #22 Share Posted December 15, 2016 Carnival offers Faster to the Fun, for a fee you get priority embark, earlier cabin availability. Seems to be pretty popular. Although I would like early cabin to go along with my priority embark I can see that being hard on the cabin stewards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jebl Posted December 15, 2016 #23 Share Posted December 15, 2016 I got the email also. As a D + it would cost me $325. Not worth it to me . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheTruthCanHurt Posted December 15, 2016 #24 Share Posted December 15, 2016 "AN INTERESTING IDEA", give us all a break, please.....:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes: Yes, I do think it's an interesting idea. ( I did not say it was a good idea) I have not received the letter and would like to read it. What most of the people in here seem to be focusing on is when the op said "access to the lounge" OH MY GOD NOT MY LOUNGE LOL what you are not focusing on is the "costco" part of this. You are essentially paying an upfront fee to get discounts on cruises and excursions. Like buying the big coupon book they sell in the states. I would like to see more information, I assume this fee is an annual fee? if you buy "one" upgrade does it apply to a family of four, or is it one upgrade thing per person.. so yes... While I am not sure it is a good idea, and it does not make sense for me personally, Like the other poster said where you can buy early boarding for carnival. I do think it's an interesting idea. I dont think it takes any status or perks away from any one else, necessarily. It's just another revenue stream for the cruise line. (yes people , it's a business.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare John&LaLa Posted December 15, 2016 #25 Share Posted December 15, 2016 Yes, I do think it's an interesting idea. ( I did not say it was a good idea) I have not received the letter and would like to read it. What most of the people in here seem to be focusing on is when the op said "access to the lounge" OH MY GOD NOT MY LOUNGE LOL what you are not focusing on is the "costco" part of this. You are essentially paying an upfront fee to get discounts on cruises and excursions. Like buying the big coupon book they sell in the states. I would like to see more information, I assume this fee is an annual fee? if you buy "one" upgrade does it apply to a family of four, or is it one upgrade thing per person.. so yes... While I am not sure it is a good idea, and it does not make sense for me personally, Like the other poster said where you can buy early boarding for carnival. I do think it's an interesting idea. I dont think it takes any status or perks away from any one else, necessarily. It's just another revenue stream for the cruise line. (yes people , it's a business.) I've always thought that the true reason for the member fee at Costco, Sam's, etc. was to force you to shop at one or the other since it makes little sense to pay for more than one card. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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