RCCL new Diamond Lounge Policy?

[sailing bears]

I'm sure that all of what y'all have been saying is true (about changes coming) but I will mention that when we were on the November 5 Rhapsody TA Barcelona to Tampa with 250 D&D+ they turned over the entire Shall We Dance Lounge for the Diamond hours so it wasn't horrible. Still pretty crowded but not bad.

[John&LaLa]

I'm sure that all of what y'all have been saying is true (about changes coming) but I will mention that when we were on the November 5 Rhapsody TA Barcelona to Tampa with 250 D&D+ they turned over the entire Shall We Dance Lounge for the Diamond hours so it wasn't horrible. Still pretty crowded but not bad.

Same thing for the May TA Tampa to Barcelona. Always a seat, and much better seating for joining a group.

 

Never went to CL

 

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Forums mobile app

[Milwaukee Eight]

Just back from 10 day Serenade cruise. With over 350 D&D+, total available seating in DL was 34. Long waits for drinks each night as well as almost zero seating. We all asked why the door connecting the Vortex lounge with DL was not opened to create a normal overflow area (this was done each night on this same ship back in 2015 NE cruise).

 

The diamond concierge said it was "corporate decision to keep this door shut".

 

I have never experienced such an overcrowded DL in all the cruises we have taken as diamonds. Most others we talked to agreed.

 

Needless to say, there were a lot of pissed off guests each night. Most of them got so frustrated they left and used their sea pass drinks elsewhere.

 

Now I don't have a problem with the 3 free sea pass drinks.....however, as diamonds, the DL experience is important for meeting old friends and socializing in your own private lounge. This is what loyal customers pay their money on and expect a consistent corp. policy (providing adequate overflow areas with proper personnel).

 

Please, chime in diamond members if you have had similar recent DL issues.

 

I would hate to think corporate is modifying their DL policy to put profit over loyalty.

 

 

 

I believe it has always been profit over loyalty and the stockholders would raise heck if it was the other way around.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[grapau27]

Now you're dreaming.

I have previously suggested they make it 4 free drinks in other bars.

My reasoning is as a couple you can each use your cards twice wheras when it is 3 you have to hand both cards over once.

With the high number of Diamonds on some sailings the extra drink might just tip the scales towards members using other bars instead of a crowded lounge.

[Milwaukee Eight]

I'll be emerald after upcoming cruise and have been hell bent on getting to Diamond. But the more I think about it, really.. whats the point? The drinks are a great benefit but I always buy the drink package so that negates any benefit there. I once ducked a rope (on accident?) and boarded with the Diamond +'s and that was pretty sweet. Still I think we boarded after the suite guests.

 

 

 

So I don't mean this in a negative way, I do want to get to Diamond, but what makes this level so special for people? From what I see priority boarding and free drinks. But if you're boarding after Suite guests and buying the drink package, is it just a status thing? More pull at guest services?

 

 

 

Really just curious..

 

 

 

Why would you even think Diamonds should board before Suite Guests?

 

Personally, I believe the ongoing points system should be rated on $ spent for cabin, any dollars spent onboard (Speciality Dining, Casino, Spa, Ships Tours, Park West) and $ spent on Royal Excursions. Set a yearly minimum and if not reached, drop peoples points and Status back each year.

 

[emoji3]

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Clarea]

I have previously suggested they make it 4 free drinks in other bars.

My reasoning is as a couple you can each use your cards twice wheras when it is 3 you have to hand both cards over once.

With the high number of Diamonds on some sailings the extra drink might just tip the scales towards members using other bars instead of a crowded lounge.

Another nice feature would be if they standardize the ability to use the vouchers in the MDR and specialty restaurants across the fleet.

[grapau27]

I'd say that Diamond Lounge becomes Diamond Plus Lounge. Concierge Lounge implies suite guest access.

That makes sense.

[Milwaukee Eight]

My husband and I will be cruising for the 1st time on RC this November (Mariner of the Seas) in a Grand Suite. Are you saying that as Suite guests (even though we will be 1st timers on RC) we board before Diamonds??

 

 

 

I sure hope that’s not the case. I read their post the same way.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[davekathy]

Another nice feature would be if they standardize the ability to use the vouchers in the MDR and specialty restaurants across the fleet.

Agree. Something I'm going to start annotating on the PCSs.

[island lady]

Easy fix. Concierge Lounge becomes Suite Lounge, Diamond Lounge becomes Concierge Lounge.

 

Really no real need to up the number of drink vouchers or make it unlimited.

 

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Forums mobile app

 

Totally agree. And I think that may be why they have such a tiny little DL in "the bilge" on deck four on Harmony. :o:eek: Trying to get the D's to just go elsewhere to use their drink vouchers.

[SilkySal]

I'd say that Diamond Lounge becomes Diamond Plus Lounge. Concierge Lounge implies suite guest access.

 

Just hoping we get to D+ before any changes take place!:eek: We have a few cruises to go, and I feel like they are dangling a treat in front of me, that just keeps getting farther and farther away!:loudcry: We really enjoy socializing in the D lounge and sometimes have the Deluxe package as well, which depends on who may be cruising with us.:rolleyes: We're just blessed with being able to cruise at all and hope we can continue cruising for a few more years! CHEERS ALL!!:*

[island lady]

I'd say that Diamond Lounge becomes Diamond Plus Lounge. Concierge Lounge implies suite guest access.

 

Same thing...and also a sensible idea. :cool: Concierge lounge becomes full Suites only Lounge as on Oasis class, and make the DL indeed renamed the concierge lounge (or simply the C&A lounge) for both D+ and Pinnacle, with no suites guests allowed unless at least D+.

 

Diamonds get their three drink vouchers. Actually thought it was going to that when they introduced those vouchers.

 

Was not that long ago that Ds were kicked out of the concierge lounges. Now comes Phase two with the obvious overcrowding.

Edited January 18, 2018 by island lady

[adenough]

So can someone please clarify Diamond status in the diamond lounge re drinks , does this mean its unlimited drinks between certain times and if so what are those times,

Sorry for asking this but we will become diamond on our next cruise.

 

Thanks

[Milwaukee Eight]

I have previously suggested they make it 4 free drinks in other bars.

My reasoning is as a couple you can each use your cards twice wheras when it is 3 you have to hand both cards over once.

With the high number of Diamonds on some sailings the extra drink might just tip the scales towards members using other bars instead of a crowded lounge.

 

 

 

Using same logic, you could limit FREE drinks to two in the DL and keep the 3 loaded on SeaPass. Drinks in DL count towards you 3 FREE drinks. This too would likely have an impact on the number of people in the DL. If you have used up your FREE drink quota, your card is done for the night, including MDR and any Dinning area.

 

So you have 2 FREE drinks in DL, you may have one more in any other Lounge during cocktail hours. However, once you have had your two in DL, you can’t use it for Dinning.

 

If you want to utilize your FREE drinks in MDR, just use in MDR or save one from DL.

 

[emoji33]

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[cruisinfanatic]

Totally agree. And I think that may be why they have such a tiny little DL in "the bilge" on deck four on Harmony. :o:eek: Trying to get the D's to just go elsewhere to use their drink vouchers.

That was the worst I've ever been in. Cramped, about 1/3rd the size it should be, and not even a window.

 

Worst appetizers too!

[island lady]

Another nice feature would be if they standardize the ability to use the vouchers in the MDR and specialty restaurants across the fleet.

 

Totally agree. :cool:

[davekathy]

I like the idea of unlimited drinks for the 3.5 hours at any lounge and dining venue.

[Biker19]

So can someone please clarify Diamond status in the diamond lounge re drinks , does this mean its unlimited drinks between certain times and if so what are those times,

Unlimited drinks between 1 hr before the start of early MDR seating and start of late MDR seating.

[island lady]

That was the worst I've ever been in. Cramped, about 1/3rd the size it should be, and not even a window.

 

Worst appetizers too!

 

Yeah, the only thing I will use it for is my favorite Lattes in the morning. :o:(

[island lady]

I like the idea of unlimited drinks for the 3.5 hours at any lounge and dining venue.

 

Even better! :D

[SilkySal]

So can someone please clarify Diamond status in the diamond lounge re drinks , does this mean its unlimited drinks between certain times and if so what are those times,

Sorry for asking this but we will become diamond on our next cruise.

 

Thanks

 

Drinks in the DL are currently unlimited between the designated happy hours. The 3 drink vouchers on your sea pass are able to be used at most (but not all) other venues but only during the designated happy hours (usually 4:30 or 5:00 to 8:00 or 8:30pm). Enjoy!!;p

[island lady]

Unlimited drinks between 1 hr before the start of early MDR seating and start of late MDR seating.

 

We are on a roll here!! Another fantabulous idea!! :D

[Milwaukee Eight]

I like the idea of unlimited drinks for the 3.5 hours at any lounge and dining venue.

 

 

 

Normally we agree but Alcohol sales are one of Royals profit margins. Giving away more FREE drinks will decrease that margin.

 

Set fixed number of FREE drinks period. Limit it too two in DL. That would free up seats. If your two are used up in DL, then you can’t use in Dinning areas.

 

If you drink outside of DL, set to 3 on Pass But drinks in DL count towards the 3.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[JBSteelerfan]

On our Serenade cruise last fall, similar situation with the numbers onboard. What they did was keep the DL for Pinnacles, and D+, and Diamond members were in the Safari Club on deck 6 for the evening drinks. Seemed to work out quite well.

[Biker19]

We are on a roll here!! Another fantabulous idea!! :D

That's already reality, not a new idea - I was responding to a question about DL policy.