Crown & Anchor Diamond Plus cutbacks continue!

[nelblu]

4 hours ago, Ocean Boy said:

We all pay to get on the ship just like you do. What RCI chooses to provide for each of us individually is between Royal and the customer. Royal chose to provide suite customers with access to a suite lounge and has also chosen to provide access to that very same lounge to the Pinnacles. I think the choice is to either accept it or move on. Just as I must accept that at times the DL is overcrowded and there might not be room for me. No offense, but you seem to have an issue with the options.

 

 

Like.

[Big Feet]

380 days on RCI- 225 on Cele, 89 on NCL and 200+ on carnival-- folks there all cutting corners-- they're all nickel and diming.

We're on Oasis now and have a group of 8.  2 are D+ 2 are D 2 are emerald and 2 newbies.  It's totlly unacceptable to be treating repeat customers this way.  RCI built this line on customer base.  It's gone to heck in a hand bag.

I'll tell it like it is: they- crew lie right to your face, lie on the phone. The crew handleing of food and general sanitation is terrible-- hence the noro outbreaks-- EX Labadee-- food wasn't cooked through- theres power carts everywhere-- kicking up sand and dirt right where your eating-- next day noro hits!! gee thats a shocker.  

I will say the general contact employees are well trained-- steward- waiter and assit.  General crew-- guest services stink.

Heres a good example: sister h ad noro and was quarenteended. when she was released they said "I'm doing it now your good to go". went to get off the ship= nope your not cleared. Here's another got a credit for her not coming to chops-- which was prepaid-- took 3 days to get the refund back. Here's the kicker. I prepaid for this on MYCC.  They wouldn't give me the crdit back-- it had to go to her (who didn't pay for it) and she had to go down to G services to say it's OK to give me my money back!!!!!!!!!! 

The casino and gaming--- the US gov't needs to look into this scam-- bingo at 80PP 200 people and the pay out jackpot s 400.00??????????????  seriously.

[Big Feet]

58 minutes ago, nelblu said:

 

 

Like.

When you offer perks-- whether an airline cruise ship or renatl car or hotel group-- when there offered they should be followed. Second these perks should be expanding not contracting. You dedicate your loyalty from day one it has to be a 2 way street.

[island lady]

5 hours ago, John&LaLa said:

 

We all wonder why you're here.

 

You were more fun back when you were trying to join the Balcony Club and giggling about hump cabins.  

 

 

I am confused about his "Well traveled" statement.   🤔

Edited March 9, 2019 by island lady

[RazorbackIslandGirl]

I have been in the SL & have not been able to find a seat. I assume it is because, on that particular cruise, there are more people that want to enjoy it. I have seen large groups sailing together that take up lots of real estate in there. I don't naturally assume its pinnacles. My family has cruised together, sometimes as many as 12, all in suites. We're a large group huddled together. I've been in the SL when there are children running around screaming. I've seen children very well behaved. I've seen suite guests that are so obnoxious I choose not to be around them. I more often than not can find a seat & enjoy being in there. But, when life doesn't go my way, I just choose to go & enjoy some other spot on the ship! I certainly don't let someone else have the power to ruin my cruise! In all my cruising, I can honestly say I've never been on a bad one! I've had exceptional ones but, never bad ones. I have the power to control my perceptions. I choose to remove myself from bothersome situations & go where the fun is! That's what vacations are all about for me. To choose to stay when you are miserable & bothered is, IMHO, is your fault. If the SL is the only place you enjoy on a cruise you have no idea what you're missing!

[nelblu]

25 minutes ago, Big Feet said:

When you offer perks-- whether an airline cruise ship or renatl car or hotel group-- when there offered they should be followed. Second these perks should be expanding not contracting. You dedicate your loyalty from day one it has to be a 2 way street.

 

You're kidding right.  You want ever expansion of perks to what level and when do they stop.  The overall perks have expanded over the last 15 years.  When I made diamond some 10 years ago, there was no dedicated DL and only got some cheap wine plus pretzels and nuts. 

 

By the way, have you noticed the shrinking benefits offered by the airlines.

[island lady]

4 hours ago, Ocean Boy said:

I have never complained about the overcrowding. There are times when the DL is crowded. RCI recognized that and put vouchers on my seapass just in case I couldn't get into the lounge to get a drink. I see it as a great gesture on their part. I'm happy.

 

And for the record, I got all my points on seven day or longer cruises. So "Royal's Rules", including sticking Emerald level in front of me at the last minute, got me where I am by taking the long route.

 

Drats...I never made Emerald.  Went from Platinum to Diamond on one longer cruise.  Kind of strange/short level anyway.  😉 

[island lady]

3 hours ago, Snowbird_in_training said:

I disagree with posting a photo of anyone unless it’s your own photo.    There are people on every cruise one can find peculiar, offensive, interesting.  Posting a photo to get others to negatively comment, I don’t know...where I come from it’s just poor taste. 

 

We will reach diamond after our next cruise (first time in a full suite).  That means I’m gonna be VERY IMPORTANT.  If I ever become snobby like I’m seeing here, someone please kick me in the butt. 

 

So you have never seen the photos on the net of the "Walmartians"?  😉 

[Captain Billy Bob]

7 minutes ago, island lady said:

 

Drats...I never made Emerald.  Went from Platinum to Diamond on one longer cruise.  Kind of strange/short level anyway.  😉 

I think Emerald was meant to go between D+ and Pineapple but some knucklehead in IT screwed up and typed 55 instead of 550.

 

[John&LaLa]

2 hours ago, sisocialworker said:

yep..good pic of Mohammed in SL too.....he has all the stats.......if not you can tell by how they look and talk..with their pin on .....@Andy C taught me his trick too

 

Good luck, not sure he will share that info.

[Paulette3028]

3 hours ago, LMaxwell said:

I'm neither proud, nor do I feel guilty.  I consider it like using my credit card rewards program.  The credit card sets the terms and conditions, I use their product.  If I get a benefit from using it, that they told me I'd get, I am "pleased".  Not proud.  Not guilty.  You do realize this is ALL marketing with the goal being to get consumers to part with money and spend it at company A instead of company B. 

 

I am not complaining that anyone else did the same thing.  Where did you get that idea? 

 

I have no proof RCI is trying to remedy overcrowding.  I view all corporate decisions as revenue and profit driven, not to enhance customer experience.  

 

I do think losing benefits is unfair.  I have a fully functioning brain and can also read and write, amazing, so I understand programs can change.  Does not mean I would not be disappointed or think it is unfair if the program changes to a way which disadvantages me.  Understanding something doesn't mean having to be a doormat for it either.  

 

I actually see *ALL* C&A status levels, except for Pinnacle, losing benefits and I'll challenge you to find any posting or thread I participated in where I blamed this loss at the success of the C&A program or other paying guests.  Let me help save you time; you won't find a single one.  

 

 

Hi there LMaxwell, hope all is well with you!  As you I am surely not going to feel 'guilty' of attaining the 'benefits' I have achieved and use because I have reached a certain loyalty level.  And rightly so to compare it to a credit card reward program that I use the benefits of.

 

I know you have never blamed the loss of benefits on the success of the C&A program....so then lay out what you blame the loss of benefits to?  

 

 

[island lady]

4 minutes ago, Captain Billy Bob said:

I think Emerald was meant to go between D+ and Pineapple but some knucklehead in IT screwed up and typed 55 instead of 550.

 

 

Totally agree something like that happened.  Though, I had heard that they were going to name the "nameless level" of 350 (half way to Pinnie) as the Emerald level.  The way a few crew members and officers talk about it (including many here on CC) was that they made a mistake when they printed the new signs at the terminals when they came out with the new Pinnie and Emerald levels.  They put Emerald in the wrong place.  Pretty much a worthless level the way it is right now.  😉 

[Andy C]

6 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:

 

Good luck, not sure he will share that info.

 

I wouldn't be so sure.  We have plenty of info.  You think I got back a 50% future cruise credit on a GS solely because I whined?

[Ocean Boy]

17 minutes ago, island lady said:

 

Drats...I never made Emerald.  Went from Platinum to Diamond on one longer cruise.  Kind of strange/short level anyway.  😉 

I would have happily bypassed the level and not feel that something spectacular was missing from my life experiences.

[Andy C]

2 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

I would have happily bypassed the level and not feel that something spectacular was missing from my life experiences.

 

But to her, her status means the world.  

[Ocean Boy]

3 minutes ago, island lady said:

 They put Emerald in the wrong place.  Pretty much a worthless level the way it is right now.  😉 

I have never thought of an emerald as being a more valuable jewel than a diamond...... just sayn'.

[island lady]

2 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

I would have happily bypassed the level and not feel that something spectacular was missing from my life experiences.

 

I finally did get to see one of the pins....really pretty "Emerald" piece of green glass versus the clear glass on the Diamond pins.....Oooooo....ahhhh!!   

 

Funny story on the elevator one day, (can't remember which ship) but a rather loud lady boarded boasting she had just made Emerald.  I congratulated her and told her I never made it to that level.  She quipped back at me "Oh...you might make it someday" as she stepped back out later.  It was hard to suppress the giggles when the DH gave me that look.  🤣

[island lady]

 

 

Fine words of wisdom from the C man "But to her, her status means the world."  

 

Pretty funny,...so since I book suites...that means nothing to me?    Good to know....did not realize I was supposed to see status as my world.  Thanks for showing me the error of my way of thinking.  😂

Edited March 9, 2019 by island lady

[island lady]

12 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

I have never thought of an emerald as being a more valuable jewel than a diamond...... just sayn'.

 

Awww...it's a pretty piece of glass...much prettier than the clear glass on the diamond pin!!  😉

[sisocialworker]

20 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:

 

Good luck, not sure he will share that info.

kill em with kindness...make friends with staff, be polite and friendly, cruise often, the concierges see what is going on...they want you(me) to be happy ....yes mention stuff, that is stopping you from being happy....in your cabin, around the ship-etc-not picky little stuff, but real problem stuff...like the TV in the room is broken and despite 2 phone calls no one has responded, mold in the room, rooms not cleaned, food from restaurants is cold not up to par, no seats in SL....not only will the concierge make it right..but they and the hotel director, loyalty  ambassador start sending gifts to your room-comp specialty restaurants..but also credit your trip....not looking for wrong stuff to get free stuff..but when you pay for things they should be right, or RCI makes it right  

[CRUISEFAN0001]

21 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

I have never thought of an emerald as being a more valuable jewel than a diamond...... just sayn'.

To the Pinnacle Status folks - WOW - congrats - an amazing amount of sailing that we'll likely never attain.

To the Diamond+ people - FANTASTIC - your days at sea are many, and you couldn't help but have experienced amazing sights.

To the Diamond achievers - CONGRATS - no small undertaking to get to that, regardless of the promos, and we'll be there soon.

To the Emerald sailers - NICE - you're on your way to more great cruise days, sights, and memories. 

To the Platinum group - ENJOY THE RIDE - before you know it, you'll join other status groups and a good time along the way.

 

So all these Status Tiers have three things in common:

 

1) Reaching those levels means you have learned to appreciate cruising for the joy it is, beyond just "trying it out".

2) You've gained some nice perks for your loyalty along the way, saving some money for the next experience.

3) Your status means something to only 2 parties - yourself and Royal Caribbean. Both of you win with that relationship.

 

Wear your status as a badge of accomplishment and great life experiences - when we sail, we usually can't tell apart the Gold from the Pinnacles (except may a bit by age). Status is rarely even brought up or flaunted in any way. That's the way is should be.

 

Edited March 9, 2019 by CRUISEFAN0001

[island lady]

2 minutes ago, CRUISEFAN0001 said:

To the Pinnacle Status folks - WOW - congrats - an amazing amount of sailing that we'll likely never attain.

To the Diamond+ people - FANTASTIC - your days at sea are many, and you couldn't help but have experienced amazing sights.

To the Diamond achievers - CONGRATS - no small undertaking to get to that, regardless of the promos, and we'll be there soon.

To the Emerald sailers - NICE - you're on your way to more great cruise days, sights, and memories. 

To the Platinum group - ENJOY THE RIDE - before you know it, you'll join other status groups and a good time along the way.

 

So all these Status Tiers have two things in common:

 

1) Reaching those levels means you have learned to appreciate cruising for the joy it is, beyond just "trying it out".

2) You've gained some nice perks for your loyalty along the way, saving some money for the next experience.

3) Your status means something to only 2 parties - yourself and Royal Caribbean. Both of you win with that relationship.

 

Wear your status as a badge of accomplishment and great life experiences - when we sail, we usually can't tell apart the Gold from the Pinnacles (except may a bit by age). Status is rarely even brought up or flaunted in any way. That's the way is should be.

 

 

Nicely posted!  🙂  

Edited March 9, 2019 by island lady

[John&LaLa]

54 minutes ago, island lady said:

 

I am confused about his "Well traveled" statement.   🤔

 

Google People of WalMart

Edited March 9, 2019 by John&LaLa

[John&LaLa]

32 minutes ago, Andy C said:

 

I wouldn't be so sure.  We have plenty of info.  You think I got back a 50% future cruise credit on a GS solely because I whined?

 

Ok, so why did you?

 

Lots of big talk lately

[island lady]

 

3 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:

 

Google People of WalMart

 

LOL...I get those "Walmartians" joke photos from friends.   OMG...I hope the real martians are not offended by that term! 😆