Crown & Anchor Diamond Plus cutbacks continue!

[Ocean Boy]

2 minutes ago, TeeRick said:

When you go to a movie on land the popcorn is at least $6.  

I don't pay several thousand dollars to get into the building showing the movie.

[Ocean Boy]

5 minutes ago, twangster said:

 

That's just an idiot tax.  Source: Me, the idiot who paid it on Indy after skipping JR for a few years.

I wonder how much it will cost next year to keep the popcorn out of the hot tubs.😉

[Nashna]

13 hours ago, frank808 said:

Well I can assure you will not have long lines except to board(even then it is relaxing).  No chair hogs or needing to reserve a lounger as there are more than enough loungers available.  Also the pool attendants will set up the chairs and bring you pool towels for your use.  Then butler will bring you your preferred drink if they know you or ask what you would like to drink.  Bar and buffet are steps away on the pool deck.  

 

We went to what MSC calls their windjammer a few times and loved the pizza.  Service was also very good for drinks in buffet.  What surprised me is that MSC did not confiscate any liquor you brought onboard from port shopping.  Make sure to tell your room steward to stock your mini bar with what you like to snack and drink.  We loved the pringles, peanuts, water and vodka for myself.

 

Enjoy your adventure in the yacht club.

It was posts such as yours that made me look at MSC and the Yacht Club.  I was ready to put down a deposit on a Celebrity sailing in Aqua Class.  The pricing was much higher on Celebrity and the perks were so much better in the Yacht Club.  We are sailing on the Allure in June with family in a Grand Suite.  The Allure sailing cost is actually higher than 11 days on the Divina in YC.    

[frank808]

2 hours ago, Nashna said:

It was posts such as yours that made me look at MSC and the Yacht Club.  I was ready to put down a deposit on a Celebrity sailing in Aqua Class.  The pricing was much higher on Celebrity and the perks were so much better in the Yacht Club.  We are sailing on the Allure in June with family in a Grand Suite.  The Allure sailing cost is actually higher than 11 days on the Divina in YC.    

The YC deluxe suite is about the size of a junior suite on royal without the walk in closet. But the shower was second only to crown loft master bath on oasis and allure.

 

You will also get one bottle of bubbly for sailing YC and one bottle for being black card.  Since champagne is included in YC, I gave our bottles to waiter, asst waiter, butler and jr butler (room steward).  I asked first if they were allowed to accept them and they said yes and were happy to get the bottles.   The butler will get to know you and spoil you in the top sail lounge.  Great part is no waiting in line to get on or off ship in ports.  Sometimes the people waiting in line would get nasty as the butler took you past the line.  Also the priority elevator service was useful a few times.  

 

The spa is the best I have ever experienced at sea.  Hydrotherapy pool, heated loungers, Himalayan salt room, snow room, scented rain showers, geyser shower room, two different steam rooms and sauna.  There is also spa hot tubs but there are two private yc hot tubs on seaside on deck 18 anyway.

 

Go to the MSC sub forum and there are lots of posters there that will tell you more.  Please come back after your cruise with your experience.

 

Here is a pic of the shower

Edited February 18, 2019 by frank808

[cruisegirl1]

Something to add to the list.  Not really a cut back for D+, but for all passengers...on Mariner, I understand that Chops is no longer open to all  for lunch.  It  is only  available for Key passengers. 

 

Seems some  D+ offerings are being transferred to the Key program.   Priority boarding, perhaps priority seating to name a few.   Now a restaurant  open only to that group.    Although contrary to what I read here, D+ seating has been available on EVERY ship I've been on in the past year.  ( 4 different ships, 9 cruises).  Except for the skating rink, we rarely use the reserved seating section.  

 

Whoever  thought of the Key program, deserves a raise from RCCL?  

 

M

   

Edited February 18, 2019 by cruisegirl1

[Big_G]

14 minutes ago, frank808 said:

The YC deluxe suite is about the size of a junior suite on royal without the walk in closet. But the shower was second only to crown loft master bath on oasis and allure.

 

 

Thanks for the photos. We just got our red card so I need to book something and was looking at YC.

[cruisegirl1]

For those who want 5 drinks for happy hour,   see the below from the CDC.  

 

 .........The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines binge drinking as a pattern of drinking that brings a person’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to 0.08 grams percent or above. This typically happens when men consume 5 or more drinks or women consume 4 or more drinks in about 2 hours. 

 

Yes, I know Happy hours  are 3 1/2 hours and not two, but  we often hear of heavy drinking.    We are not  generally  evening lounge users so I can't comment.    I have been there in occasion but  maybe for 45 minutes, to have one drink.  I have  no  idea how long anyone of the patrons have been there, or of they stay there  after we leave.    But,  on a recent Enchantment  cruise we did go to the  C lounge the last evening and  one man proudly  told us he had at least 5-7   drinks each night.   I hope that is not the norm, but since one poster spoke of the lounge drinking as a college frat party, I thought it might be interesting to look up the definition of binge drinking.

 

 

M 

 

 

Edited February 18, 2019 by cruisegirl1

[BND]

18 minutes ago, cruisegirl1 said:

For those who want 5 drinks for happy hour,   see the below from the CDC.  

 

 .........The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines binge drinking as a pattern of drinking that brings a person’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to 0.08 grams percent or above. This typically happens when men consume 5 or more drinks or women consume 4 or more drinks in about 2 hours. 

 

Yes, I know Happy hours  are 3 1/2 hours and not two, but  we often hear of heavy drinking.    We are not  generally  evening lounge users so I can't comment.    I have been there in occasion but  maybe for 45 minutes, to have one drink.  I have  no  idea how long anyone of the patrons have been there, or of they stay there  after we leave.    But,  on a recent Enchantment  cruise we did go to the  C lounge the last evening and  one man proudly  told us he had at least 5-7   drinks each night.   I hope that is not the norm, but since one poster spoke of the lounge drinking as a college frat party, I thought it might be interesting to look up the definition of binge drinking.

 

 

M 

 

 

Having been in the lounges many times, most people do not drink more than 2 drinks during happy hour.  And, then, maybe take one more to dinner with them like we do for late seating.  The people who drink as much as they guy you mentioned, would do it even if it wasn't free.  That's not a result of the free drinks. It's a result of someone who overdoes it and possibly has a problem.  The lounge is not a college frat party.  The vast majority of people have 1-2 drinks, sometimes 3 and don't slam them back.  I've watched people come and go during the 1.5  hours we are usually there, before our late seating and very few are overdoing it.  In fact, I might have seen 1 or 2 people really tipsy in the lounge on all our cruises.  But, that's not even the point.  The happy hour is a perk that D and above have.  People should police themselves, but the reality is, so what if someone has that many drinks?  Not like they're driving.  And, if it doesn't cause a problem for anyone else, it's entirely their personal issue and life.

 

As far as "priority seating" goes we have rarely used it. To us, it's not great seating anyway in most venues and isn't a perk that most will miss.  

[Ocean Boy]

49 minutes ago, cruisegirl1 said:

For those who want 5 drinks for happy hour,   see the below from the CDC.  

 

 .........The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines binge drinking as a pattern of drinking that brings a person’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to 0.08 grams percent or above. This typically happens when men consume 5 or more drinks or women consume 4 or more drinks in about 2 hours. 

 

Yes, I know Happy hours  are 3 1/2 hours and not two, but  we often hear of heavy drinking.    We are not  generally  evening lounge users so I can't comment.    I have been there in occasion but  maybe for 45 minutes, to have one drink.  I have  no  idea how long anyone of the patrons have been there, or of they stay there  after we leave.    But,  on a recent Enchantment  cruise we did go to the  C lounge the last evening and  one man proudly  told us he had at least 5-7   drinks each night.   I hope that is not the norm, but since one poster spoke of the lounge drinking as a college frat party, I thought it might be interesting to look up the definition of binge drinking.

 

 

M 

 

 

People over indulge in plenty of things when on vacation. Some eat too much, eat foods that are not good for them, drink more than they should, don't get proper amounts of sleep, get too much sleep, don't exercise, etc. I hardly think that one week's worth of behaviors are going to have that great of an impact on the over all health of most people unless they have some pre-existing conditions. And I certainly would not extrapolate vacation behaviors to being someone's norm for when they are living their everday lives. So if someone's alcohol level is over 0.8 on a ship that he/she is not driving so what? Just don't get obnoxious or out of control or impact other people's lives and it is all good.

[parrotfeathers]

5 hours ago, island lady said:

They are left over cookies from the WJ on the previous cruise, I think a couple of nice slices of spam would be much preferred.

 

At least one can fry spam and put a slice of cheese with lots of mayo and mustard on it to made it palatable.  I remember buying SPAM when I was watching pennies.  And Dinty Moore Beef Stew over rice was considered "stretching" an entree.  Oh well unrelated to the topic.

[Nashna]

1 hour ago, frank808 said:

The YC deluxe suite is about the size of a junior suite on royal without the walk in closet. But the shower was second only to crown loft master bath on oasis and allure.

 

You will also get one bottle of bubbly for sailing YC and one bottle for being black card.  Since champagne is included in YC, I gave our bottles to waiter, asst waiter, butler and jr butler (room steward).  I asked first if they were allowed to accept them and they said yes and were happy to get the bottles.   The butler will get to know you and spoil you in the top sail lounge.  Great part is no waiting in line to get on or off ship in ports.  Sometimes the people waiting in line would get nasty as the butler took you past the line.  Also the priority elevator service was useful a few times.  

 

The spa is the best I have ever experienced at sea.  Hydrotherapy pool, heated loungers, Himalayan salt room, snow room, scented rain showers, geyser shower room, two different steam rooms and sauna.  There is also spa hot tubs but there are two private yc hot tubs on seaside on deck 18 anyway.

 

Go to the MSC sub forum and there are lots of posters there that will tell you more.  Please come back after your cruise with your experience.

 

Here is a pic of the shower

 

[Nashna]

Just now, Nashna said:

 

That looks great.  That is similar to the Koningsdam shower which we loved.  

[island lady]

4 hours ago, Ocean Boy said:

That is why it is not cheaper for you to cruise than to stay home.😉😁

 

Hmmm...could have something to do with it.  😉  

 

But actually, even if we sailed in an inside cabin, cruising is still extra expense over what bills the house still generates sitting all by it's lonesome.  When we travel the country in the land yacht...that little house still likes to present bills for me to pay online.  😮 

[island lady]

14 minutes ago, parrotfeathers said:

 

At least one can fry spam and put a slice of cheese with lots of mayo and mustard on it to made it palatable.  I remember buying SPAM when I was watching pennies.  And Dinty Moore Beef Stew over rice was considered "stretching" an entree.  Oh well unrelated to the topic.

 

Hmmm...another use for all the ways to consume Spam.  😉

 

Actually my quote was an inside joke to Frank, my friend from Hawaii.  They really love their Spam there...more than complimentary C&A cookies.  😄 

[Ocean Boy]

6 minutes ago, island lady said:

 

Hmmm...could have something to do with it.  😉  

 

But actually, even if we sailed in an inside cabin, cruising is still extra expense over what bills the house still generates sitting all by it's lonesome.  When we travel the country in the land yacht...that little house still likes to present bills for me to pay online.  😮 

I was just joking. I can't figure out how it could possibly be cheaper for me to go on vacation than to stay home. Maybe if I could pick up some tips bussing tables in the Windjammer....

[island lady]

13 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

I was just joking. I can't figure out how it could possibly be cheaper for me to go on vacation than to stay home. Maybe if I could pick up some tips bussing tables in the Windjammer....

 

Yeah, I know you were.  We pretty much have the same sense of humor. 😉 I think we were both posting in reference to those that actually DO believe some of us cruise due to being cheaper than living at home.  Ummm...huh??!!   🤔

 

Will be looking for you in the WJ.  😄 

[Ocean Boy]

3 hours ago, island lady said:

 

Yeah, I know you were.  We pretty much have the same sense of humor. 😉 I think we were both posting in reference to those that actually DO believe some of us cruise due to being cheaper than living at home.  Ummm...huh??!!   🤔

 

Will be looking for you in the WJ.  😄 

Right, cause I still gotta pay that New England heating bill even if it is 80 degrees in the Caribbean.

[katiel53]

On 2/17/2019 at 4:10 PM, rimmit said:

 

All luck runs out eventually.  The casinos in Vegas are not built by odds favoring the player. The house always wins. It just may take a while.

 

It didn't take a long time for me!   l lose every time I go to Vegas.

 

[island lady]

17 hours ago, Ocean Boy said:

Right, cause I still gotta pay that New England heating bill even if it is 80 degrees in the Caribbean.

 

Hope the tips are good $$$...ouch!  I remember those heating bills when I lived in Michigan many years ago.  

 

It was 89 degrees here in "the swamp" near PC yesterday.  Ugh...way too warm too early, my A/C is now cranking out bills from my wallet. 😲  Will try to send some heat up there.  😎

[TeeRick]

On 2/17/2019 at 3:54 PM, twangster said:

Recently on Vision.  The CL is being restricted to Pinnacle and Suites based on how many are booked for each cruise.  Despite CL access being listed as a benefit of D+ they will refuse D+ entry to the CL at their discretion.  I had a polite conversation with CL Concierge regarding this and he informed I'll be okay since I'm solo and Pinnacles were down on that sailing but he was refusing D+ on the previous sailing.  

 

If D+ can be denied access to the CL (stated benefit), then there is no reason why D can't also be denied access to the DL when the numbers of higher elite warrant it.  

then why would they call it the Diamond Lounge?

[twangster]

2 minutes ago, TeeRick said:

then why would they call it the Diamond Lounge?

 

you think a name is going to stop them?  hahahahaha  this is royal we are talking about.

[TeeRick]

Just now, twangster said:

 

you think a name is going to stop them?  hahahahaha  this is royal we are talking about.

I know it is Royal and I do understand your concern.   But I think they do a nice job with their Loyalty program overall. There really are a lot of D and D+ cruisers now and the number is ever increasing.  As are Pinnacles.  But the only way to continue to give benefits in this situation and maximize the limited loyalty lounge space on ships is to convert to a voucher-only program.  Perhaps in the near future RCCL will need to change the Diamond Lounge to the Pinnacle Lounge.  And use the Suite Lounge (or Concierge Lounge) only for suite guests.  For some long time RCCL cruisers, it is not an easy task to separate the concept of paid suite benefits from given loyalty perks.  Celebrity does not have a dedicated Elite/Elite+ Lounge on any ship but uses vouchers and holds an evening E/E+ cocktail event in one of the bars.  Even this is changing on the new ships (Edge-class) which only uses vouchers for E/E+ and has an entirely separate Suite Lounge and space called the Retreat.

[Paulette3028]

4 minutes ago, TeeRick said:

I know it is Royal and I do understand your concern.   But I think they do a nice job with their Loyalty program overall. There really are a lot of D and D+ cruisers now and the number is ever increasing.  As are Pinnacles.  But the only way to continue to give benefits in this situation and maximize the limited loyalty lounge space on ships is to convert to a voucher-only program.  Perhaps in the near future RCCL will need to change the Diamond Lounge to the Pinnacle Lounge.  And use the Suite Lounge (or Concierge Lounge) only for suite guests.  For some long time RCCL cruisers, it is not an easy task to separate the concept of paid suite benefits from given loyalty perks.  Celebrity does not have a dedicated Elite/Elite+ Lounge on any ship but uses vouchers and holds an evening E/E+ cocktail event in one of the bars.  Even this is changing on the new ships (Edge-class) which only uses vouchers for E/E+ and has an entirely separate Suite Lounge and space called the Retreat.

Change, any change is difficult for ALL people.  What you are describing, would IMO turn off people from becoming loyal cruises.  We did not start out to 'gain loyalty status' -- we enjoyed the experience onboard and continued to do it.  But once you DO get to a certain level, you want to retain what you have already earned.   I do believe things could change and maybe for the better.  One change I would love to see, is use of the 3 drink coupons ANY TIME during the day, not just during lounge open hours.  Another change would be for D and above to be able to get specialty coffees any place available onboard (at no addtional cost), not just by using the DIY machine in the Lounge. Another change could be a higher discount on future bookings once you do reach D+.....rather than it being just an additional nominal.  Add another monetary discount level between D+ and Pinnacle.  

[molly361]

2 minutes ago, Paulette3028 said:

Change, any change is difficult for ALL people.  What you are describing, would IMO turn off people from becoming loyal cruises.  We did not start out to 'gain loyalty status' -- we enjoyed the experience onboard and continued to do it.  But once you DO get to a certain level, you want to retain what you have already earned.   I do believe things could change and maybe for the better.  One change I would love to see, is use of the 3 drink coupons ANY TIME during the day, not just during lounge open hours.  Another change would be for D and above to be able to get specialty coffees any place available onboard (at no addtional cost), not just by using the DIY machine in the Lounge. Another change could be a higher discount on future bookings once you do reach D+.....rather than it being just an additional nominal.  Add another monetary discount level between D+ and Pinnacle.  

People have totally lost track of why the 3 drink coupons started.  It was so folks could have their drinks elsewhere and hopefully alleviate some of the crowding in the lounges.  Being able to use them anytime will not help with that

[SkaterJasp]

On 2/18/2019 at 8:39 AM, cruisegirl1 said:

“...on Mariner, I understand that Chops is no longer open to all  for lunch.  It  is only  available for Key passengers. “

 

Chops should only be open for Key on embarkation day only. If the Key guest missed the Key lunch, they can go on another sea day for lunch. It shouldn’t be open for Key every day for lunch.. unless it’s Royal “testing” out another feature before they roll it out fleet wide. 

 

Edited February 19, 2019 by SkaterJasp