Wow but not in a good way

[lucymorgan]

I think a lot of the anger, epecially on CC, is a result of some sort of feeling entitled. Next to changes in mass market cruising, IMO a lot has to do with the loyalty programms, especially Crown & Anchor.

 

In the past on RCI the best perks onboard were given to top level C&A members. You could not buy into them with staying in a suite. Everytime they started some sort of suite perk it was quickly extended to their top tier C&A members, like CL access. In the more recent past RCI has decided to up their game in regards to suites and while C&A members still get some of it, there is things they won´t get without staying in a suite. We all know the outcry about nanning D´s from CL after inventing a DL and finally moving from CL to SL and with this eliminating CL access from D+.

 

 

Certainly the game has changed from best perks for C&A to best perks for suites. This causes anger and envy, especially from some frequent cruisers.

 

I agree and understand. However unlike c&a, the airline loyalty programs are organised so that most people have to earn a certain amount of credits each year with their airline to retain their status. I have lifetime gold status (oneworld sapphire) with my favourite airline but that took about 30 years to earn and isn't the highest level of perks. My mother had the highest level (not mentioned anywhere on the airline's website and the lounges have no signage except 'private') courtesy of my dad's position. They let her keep it for 8 years after he passed. Last year they had a 'cleanout' and were very apologetic when they advised that she would be losing it. She was completely understanding but they told her that there were many ex CEOs and others who were very upset about losing the status. Human nature I guess. Some of us in Australia take the status game seriously because of the distances we travel :) :) :)

Edited July 22, 2017 by lucymorgan

[Thetrail]

As others have said, because that's what comes with the class. :)

 

 

 

 

There's a difference between "I took this picture 5 minutes before the show started" and "5 minutes before seats were available" then a picture. You're reading into the words and the picture, but the words and picture are totally separate.

 

And....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Good way to look at it. :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why companies do that to themselves I'll never know. Don't call something gold if you already have another thing that's called gold!

 

Even hubby got confused. "That area is for Gold; we're Gold, right?" Nope. Different gold. And he's a smart guy, too.

Apparently he's not that smart.:)

[Thetrail]

Currently Sailing on Allure of the Seas - aka Sales of the Seas.

 

Many good things and good times but really disappointed in the constant up selling and pushing of EVERYTHING. Most of the activities are either sales driven (try to sell you something) or cost extra. Trivia is the exception.

 

My parents bought 7 ocean view balcony cabins for the family to celebrate their 55th anniversary. They are platinum and the Rest of us are gold - just not the priority for RC

 

We had reservations for every show.

But made to feel like 2nd class citizens by the "Star Class police"at every show. Rows upon rows of seats reserved for Star Class. Snotty RC staff unless you are Star Class. 75% of The Star Class People don't show up and seats are not used but us lowly folks with ocean view cabins and reserved seats can't sit there.

 

Definitely having a good time other than these few bumps, But my parents are disappointed and the rest of us are as well. We celebrated their 50th on Oasis and felt WOW.

 

Feel Wow Here but not in a good way 3 rows for Star Class - 5 min before show start - empty but reserved for Star of RC

 

 

 

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Jealousy is an ugly trait.:rolleyes:

[grapau27]

Jealousy is an ugly trait.:rolleyes:

Just enjoy what you have,many people will never get the opportunity to cruise.

 

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[TonyL128]

I don't have a problem with the reserved seats. I do, however, have a problem with people saving rows of seats for friends and family. You see empty seats, sit down, and somebody stands up at the end of the row and is snarky and tells you this row is saved. The staff just took us to the reserved section and had us wait then told us we could have a seat. Funny thing, the held seats didn't all show up. Doesn't matter. I saw the show, had a good time, and went on my way. Lesson learned was get there earlier next time.

 

 

 

On our July cruise on Harmony, there was announcements in the Royal Theater, by the crew, telling people they cannot save more than 3 seats.

 

 

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[constable145]

On our July cruise on Harmony, there was announcements in the Royal Theater, by the crew, telling people they cannot save more than 3 seats.

 

 

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Unless it is a cabin of 8 in a star class suite.

 

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[TonyL128]

You can still get Suite Perks if you are Pinnacle. So either pay or cruise.

 

 

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[TonyL128]

Unless it is a cabin of 8 in a star class suite.

 

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If you are in Star Class, the Genie saves your front row seats!

 

 

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[constable145]

You can still get Suite Perks if you are Pinnacle. So either pay or cruise.

 

 

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You get many perks if you are pinnacle but not all of the Star class perks.

 

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[TonyL128]

You get many perks if you are pinnacle but not all of the Star class perks.

 

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But you do get reserved seating which was what the original poster was complaining about.

 

 

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[Spurschick]

I think a lot of the anger, epecially on CC, is a result of some sort of feeling entitled. Next to changes in mass market cruising, IMO a lot has to do with the loyalty programms, especially Crown & Anchor.

 

In the past on RCI the best perks onboard were given to top level C&A members. You could not buy into them with staying in a suite. Everytime they started some sort of suite perk it was quickly extended to their top tier C&A members, like CL access. In the more recent past RCI has decided to up their game in regards to suites and while C&A members still get some of it, there is things they won´t get without staying in a suite. We all know the outcry about nanning D´s from CL after inventing a DL and finally moving from CL to SL and with this eliminating CL access from D+.

 

 

Certainly the game has changed from best perks for C&A to best perks for suites. This causes anger and envy, especially from some frequent cruisers.

 

Sorry but I disagree. You state they have upped their game when it comes to suites. On Oasis and Quantum class yes. On the rest of the fleet no. There is absolutely nothing that I get (other than being escorted on when in an RS) when I stay in a GS or higher on the rest of the fleet that I don't already get for being D+. Oh I forgot the free room service. Please explain to me how that is upping their game with suites and what other benefits I am getting.

[John&LaLa]

Suite party

In room dining

Priority departure

Luggage valet

Breakfast in chops

Gold Card

Priority pool seating

Suite Lounge

Priority departure

Priority boarding

Priority tendering

Barefoot beach

 

 

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Edited July 23, 2017 by John&LaLa

[Spurschick]

Suite party

Free room service

In room dining

Priority departure

Luggage valet

Breakfast in chops

Gold Card

Priority pool seating

 

 

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Not a party thrower ;).

Free room service - may use once but at $7.95 over the course of a week and what you'd save not a huge benefit. Would rather have free specialty dining like Oasis class star class.

Priority departure, on the ships that still have CL you get that as D+ anyway.

Luggage valet, flights need to be later in the day we get straight off and fly early or drive so don't use.

Breakfast in chops, may use once a week.

Gold card - reserved seating which you get at shows as D+ anyway. Not interested in the poor locations of the reserved "poolside" seating. Normally nowhere near the pool with no shade.

 

Now if the suites got free internet, beverage packages and free specialty dining and a butler or genie I might feel like I was actually getting something :)

 

I agree they have upped the game Oasis/Quantum class but the rest of the fleet it is still pretty poor benefits in comparison.

[TonyL128]

Not a party thrower ;).

Free room service - may use once but at $7.95 over the course of a week and what you'd save not a huge benefit. Would rather have free specialty dining like Oasis class star class.

Priority departure, on the ships that still have CL you get that as D+ anyway.

Luggage valet, flights need to be later in the day we get straight off and fly early or drive so don't use.

Breakfast in chops, may use once a week.

Gold card - reserved seating which you get at shows as D+ anyway. Not interested in the poor locations of the reserved "poolside" seating. Normally nowhere near the pool with no shade.

 

Now if the suites got free internet, beverage packages and free specialty dining and a butler or genie I might feel like I was actually getting something :)

 

I agree they have upped the game Oasis/Quantum class but the rest of the fleet it is still pretty poor benefits in comparison.

 

 

 

But the suites on the other classes don't cost nearly as much.

 

 

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[Spurschick]

But the suites on the other classes don't cost nearly as much.

 

 

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I can get star class on oasis class for very little difference than what I am paying for RS on some of the other ships. The problem is we are pretty bored of those repetitive itineraries which means we are left with sailing ships that don't offer the same perks. There are plenty of other cruise lines that the suite perks are fleet wide, not class specific. We feel that RC should bring it more in line across the fleet. If that increases the price of higher end suites that's fine. At least you are getting the same product across the fleet.

Edited July 23, 2017 by Spurschick

[John&LaLa]

My RS on Serenade 10 day over Easter this year was just over 8 grand total. Nowhere near Star Class on a 7 day trip.

 

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[LMaxwell]

Some of the "Loyals" would do themselves a major service trying a competitor line and see how hard they are working to win over converts with their perks and benefits; often at lower rates. I often blame those that won't try other lines for the constant chiseling of the Royal product; when Royal knows they can offer less they will do so.

[grapau27]

My RS on Serenade 10 day over Easter this year was just over 8 grand total. Nowhere near Star Class on a 7 day trip.

 

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Sorry to ask but,How much was the star class?.

Thanks.

 

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[John&LaLa]

Some of the "Loyals" would do themselves a major service trying a competitor line and see how hard they are working to win over converts with their perks and benefits; often at lower rates. I often blame those that won't try other lines for the constant chiseling of the Royal product; when Royal knows they can offer less they will do so.

We likely will in 2019. We did our testing the waters between 1989 and 2008. Royal ended up the winner. But things change, I know. I see some trips on Princess and Carnival. Princess because we liked them and Carnival because they are here. NCL will be a hard sell for Laura. She absolutely hated her last trip on them

 

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[Spurschick]

My RS on Serenade 10 day over Easter this year was just over 8 grand total. Nowhere near Star Class on a 7 day trip.

 

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Whilst there are some good deals on RS, our RS next summer is within $1000 of a 2 bed Aqua suite the same week on Oasis class. Also RS to Alaska is near on $12,000. It depends on itinerary but at $12,000 for a one week cruise then yes it is comparable. I know you pay more for itinerary, but my point is some itineraries yes you are paying similarly high prices. At those prices yes I think the perks could be better. I am not saying there aren't some good deals out there especially if you have date flexibility. But a suite program should be consistent across the fleet.

[Milwaukee Eight]

Sorry to ask but,How much was the star class?.

Thanks.

 

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Serenade doesn't have Star Class. Only on Oasis and Quantum Class.

 

 

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[John&LaLa]

Sorry to ask but,How much was the star class?.

Thanks.

 

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Not really sure, I just know it was less than the prices I had seen in the past.

 

FWIW, we booked our RS at release, and before Suite Class was announced. I was hoping some of the perks would flow over, but it didn't happen.

 

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[Spurschick]

Some of the "Loyals" would do themselves a major service trying a competitor line and see how hard they are working to win over converts with their perks and benefits; often at lower rates. I often blame those that won't try other lines for the constant chiseling of the Royal product; when Royal knows they can offer less they will do so.

 

We are. We have 4 RC cruises booked, 1 Princess and 1 MSC. We got black card matched and booked YC Royal suite on Seaside for less than the OS same week on Liberty, with a load more perks that are pretty much Star class equivalent. We might throw in another RC in the mix but will be doing the EDGE 2019

[Spurschick]

Not really sure, I just know it was less than the prices I had seen in the past.

 

FWIW, we booked our RS at release, and before Suite Class was announced. I was hoping some of the perks would flow over, but it didn't happen.

 

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Agree in the old days before these new refundable/non refundable pricing if you booked early there were some great deals but now the RS on some of the Freedom/Voyager ships are not much different price wise. Especially if you deduct the cost of the gratuities, specialty dining and drinks package from the Star class (more so if you have more than 2 guests) you can get much better value on Star class.

[Big_G]

Never did Liberty, every trip on Indy or Freedom had always been above Sky Bar

 

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Same on our two cruises on LB.

 

Others have reported varying experiences too. I don't understand what they're thinking having it above the Sky Bar. Maybe I'd go up there on a port day but at sea, you'd have to strap yourself down.