Bean Counters vs Diamonds

[grapau27]

6 minutes ago, Tulsacoker said:

and its not even high quality liquor 

Pinot Grigio,or Prosecco are what we drink,we never touch spirits.

Now you can have your free drinks in the Speciality Restaurants or the main Restaurants as well as other bars so it's not mandatory to sit in the DL or CL and as D+ this is our preferred option.

I always give $1 a drink tip wherever we get our free drinks.

Edited November 4, 2019 by grapau27

[ptf2009]

1 hour ago, matj2000 said:

Do you really want to go on a cruise

 

Just to sit in a isolated room with a bunch of people bragging on how many RC trips they have been on?

Totally agree! I go to the D lounge to please my DH. We order a drink (both are for him), look over the appetizers and then walk out and go to dinner with drink in hand. The room is way too crowded and we rarely find seats for two.

[Tulsacoker]

1 minute ago, ptf2009 said:

Totally agree! I go to the D lounge to please my DH. We order a drink (both are for him), look over the appetizers and then walk out and go to dinner with drink in hand. The room is way too crowded and we rarely find seats for two.

I would just use your three drink vouchers at any place or restaurant during the happy hour time and not have to visit the DL /CL

Edited November 4, 2019 by Tulsacoker

[ptf2009]

57 minutes ago, Saab4444 said:

Why are 3 free drinks per night and person not enough?

Agree....but then this is from a person who does not drink (don't like the taste or the weird feeling I get from 2 sips of wine:) I have and am a lot of fun without it:)

Edited November 4, 2019 by ptf2009
typo

[ptf2009]

2 minutes ago, Tulsacoker said:

I would just use your three drink vouchers at any place or restaurant during the happy hour time and not have to visit the DL /CL

That's what I've tried to talk my DH into:) But he likes "getting" to go into the D lounge. I have NO desire to go and would rather stay at the pool longer or have a longer nap before getting ready for dinner:) I just want to make him happy, so I go with him. If there is a seat, I sit there while he is finishing a gin and tonic, and we each order a glass of wine for him to have at dinner and then we walk out.

[seeyakids]

On the first night at 4:30 there were probably 150 people in line for the DL (by the way, there were well over 800 diamonds on board). At 4:35 all seats (maybe 50 or 60) were occupied. Fortunately, right around the corner was the overflow room (jazz club)....so everyone was happy during HH. If no overflow.....I wouldn't want to be the DL host that had to tell hundreds of diamonds to move elsewhere.

And I agree this is a profit driven decision. Lets say, average 3-4 drinks at $10 plus 20% service charge in the DL and average 1-2 sea pass drinks elsewhere, we have $40 to $60 bucks plus the 20%. And lets say half of the diamonds would drink this much, we now have 400 times $40 to $60 plus 20% times 4 to 7 days (one cruise and we might be closing in on $130K to $150K.....I can see bean counter's head exploding). All of this coming from cruisers who are loyal and spent a ton on cruises to get this pretty neat perk.

Now I have heard the arguments on the other side....."I don't drink that much, 3 sea pass drinks are plenty, overflow areas are not a perk, the real problem is too many diamonds and not enough DL areas". To that I say everyone has their own habits and drink limits and no one should dictate how many drinks one should have (as long as they are responsible). And yes, the 3 sea pass drinks are great if you choose not to attend DL. But DL is a social event and most will say friendships have been started and maintained in those little venues. 

I will partially agree overflow areas are not considered a "perk"  . However, the benefits of unlimited drinks in the DL was a driving point by RCL. If these venues fill up in 5 minutes the unlucky ones will have to sit this one out, change their plans for the night or simply use some or all of the sea pass drinks. Sorry, RCL did not understand the monster they created. At some point they should have seen that demand exceeded supply. The simple answer is create enough space for all diamonds or don't advertise it to future loyalty customers. Current diamonds are not responsible for this monster. But don't con future diamonds with this unlimited DL drink perk......it may not be entirely true if this new rule is enforced.

I will now step off the soapbox.

[cruisegirl1]

We have been eligible for diamond/concierge lounges for years and rarely use them in the evenings.

 

We never seem to have any problem when we use our vouchers in one of the venues around the ship.   We’ve meet some very nice people and get to see more than the inside of a lounge. Now, as long as the timing works, you can use them in the dining room. The 3 vouchers are a much better perk  than the lounge drinks. 

 

m

[grapau27]

8 minutes ago, Grandma Dazzles said:

Something has to give!  Program needs a total revamp. Been cruising with RC since the 90s.  Many times airfare cost more than the cruise.  I am now  widow and last few cruises have been solo. I enjoy the lounge, not so much for the free drinks, but just a place to sit and visit, make new friends and socialize. Sometimes the bars are too noisy to hold a conversation.

 

Met a nice young couple on a recent cruise.  They were a classic example of what’s wrong with the program.  They were in their twenties.  He explained he was diamond - had taken one cruise with his parents as a high school graduation present. His parents were diamond, so after one cruise he was diamond. Fast forward several years - now has a serious live in girlfriend.  They are at the same address - therefore on her first cruise she was diamond.

 

Something  is seriously wrong with the program.   I won’t make a Pinnacle - not even going to try - diamond plus is my cutoff. 

Sorry to hear you are now a widow but pleased you still cruise.

I totally agree with you that the program needs changing.

Diamond should be 175 points and Diamond+ 350 points to reward loyalty.

Current Diamonds 3 free drinks during HH should still be honoured but Lounge access should start at the new level of 175 points.

Husband and wife should stay the same but children's future points should be in line with how many points they have earned.

[taglovestocruise]

1 hour ago, Saab4444 said:

Why are 3 free drinks per night and person not enough?

I usually get a gin and tonic or two out by the pool bar at 4:30. Get another at Schooners and head to the cabin to pick up my wife and head to the Dl by 5:30.  Have a couple of Martinis in the DL  Then head to the Showroom and have 1 cocktail. Get to a specialty restaurant  a little before 8pm and wife and I have wine using her vouchers. Not a heavy drinker at all but it is easy to have 6+. 

[Tulsacoker]

4 minutes ago, taglovestocruise said:

 Not a heavy drinker at all but it is easy to have 6+. 

LOL

[taglovestocruise]

7 minutes ago, grapau27 said:

Sorry to hear you are now a widow but pleased you still cruise.

I totally agree with you that the program needs changing.

Diamond should be 175 points and Diamond+ 350 points to reward loyalty.

Current Diamonds 3 free drinks during HH should still be honoured but Lounge access should start at the new level of 175 points.

Husband and wife should stay the same but children's future points should be in line with how many points they have earned.

Dose not seem long until the D lounge becomes the D+ lounge.  That alone could shave off 75% of the crowd.

[Tulsacoker]

that would help but you would an uprising of biblical proportions 

Edited November 4, 2019 by Tulsacoker

[grapau27]

1 minute ago, taglovestocruise said:

Dose not seem long until the D lounge becomes the D+ lounge.  That alone could shave off 75% of the crowd.

I agree.

Now a lot of CLs are changing to SLs where D+ are not allowed it seems natural that a D+ lounge will become a reality.

[NateUpNorth]

It's pretty clear that the majority of the Diamond rewards and DL discussion centres around the free drinks.

Just watch RCL eliminate the free drinks to every tier and start providing a "Diamond Discount" (AKA another fake sale) on drink packages. They'd then eliminate the lounges in favor of staterooms, or restrict them to higher tiers. (discount not combinable with any other sale or offer - of course)

Edited November 4, 2019 by NateUpNorth

[grapau27]

4 minutes ago, Tulsacoker said:

that would help but you would an uprising of biblical proportions 

The 3 free drinks was to alleviate overcrowding in the DL.

We have went into the DL once over our last 4 cruises as they were overcrowded and used our 3 vouchers elsewhere.

Last cruise on Explorer we went into the CL most nights for an hour.

[Retired LEO]

The program needs a complete revamp.

 

Diamond - 200 points

Diamond Plus - 500 points

Pinnacle - 1000 points

 

[NateUpNorth]

3 minutes ago, Retired LEO said:

The program needs a complete revamp.

 

Diamond - 200 points

Diamond Plus - 500 points

Pinnacle - 1000 points

 

 

Whilst I'd agree with the complete revamp I think your points totals might actually discourage loyalty.....

 

I'd think the numbers associated with the tiers are pretty good, and heck, the incentive at the Diamond level seems pretty decent. I think the real issue is they haven't forced customers to earn every single point. The free upgrades/matching programs/ bestowing of levels is likely a big culprit.

Edited November 4, 2019 by NateUpNorth

[grapau27]

6 minutes ago, NateUpNorth said:

It's pretty clear that the majority of the Diamond rewards and DL discussion centres around the free drinks.

Just watch RCL eliminate the free drinks to every tier and start providing a "Diamond Discount" (AKA another fake sale) on drink packages. They'd then eliminate the lounges in favor of staterooms, or restrict them to higher tiers. (discount not combinable with any other sale or offer - of course)

Take away the free drinks and this would cause mass protests,emails and phone calls to Mr Bayley.

[LMaxwell]

1 hour ago, HBE4 said:

 

I get the spouse matching rule. That makes sense.

 

But the children?  I'd say any cruise before they turned 12....or 16...or 18 (however Royal defines kids) shouldn't count.

 

Have you ever paid for a triple room?  Quite often it is DOUBLE the price of double occupancy room.  Why shouldn't they count? 

[ownedbypets]

2 minutes ago, Retired LEO said:

The program needs a complete revamp.

 

Diamond - 200 points

Diamond Plus - 500 points

Pinnacle - 1000 points

 

 

What happens to everyone that has already reached their status with their existing points? I currently have 170 points. Does this mean I wouldn't be Diamond anymore or close to Diamond Plus? Your system is going to make the majority of people upset.

[NateUpNorth]

4 minutes ago, grapau27 said:

Take away the free drinks and this would cause mass protests,emails and phone calls to Mr Bayley.

 

Oh I agree completely, but you can bet there's an excel sheet somewhere putting forth a convincing presentation.

And I'm sure Mr. Bayley has capable people to screen out the burning torches and pitchfork carrying visitors.........

[Another_Critic]

2 minutes ago, ownedbypets said:

 

What happens to everyone that has already reached their status with their existing points? I currently have 170 points. Does this mean I wouldn't be Diamond anymore or close to Diamond Plus? Your system is going to make the majority of people upset.

 

Grandfathered ... maybe until the next level.

 

Current Diamond -> Diamond Plus at 175 points.  Then would need new tier points to move up.

 

Current D+ -> Pinnacle at 700 points.  Then would need new tier points to move up.  

[seeyakids]

14 minutes ago, NateUpNorth said:

It's pretty clear that the majority of the Diamond rewards and DL discussion centres around the free drinks.

Just watch RCL eliminate the free drinks to every tier and start providing a "Diamond Discount" (AKA another fake sale) on drink packages. They'd then eliminate the lounges in favor of staterooms, or restrict them to higher tiers. (discount not combinable with any other sale or offer - of course)

Harmony Wonderland Restaurant (old diamond lounge).......money maker

Harmony old diamond lounge.............not money maker

[Retired LEO]

They're having a similar issue currently with the casino program. The way it stands now you only need 2500 points to make prime and get free drinks in the casino for up to 2 years. That's any drink. Not the cheap drinks from a list. Nearly the whole casino is prime or above.

They'll be raising it to 4000 points next year

[alfaeric]

Man, some of you need to cruise when the prices are high- like during holidays.  Those are the times the lounges are empty.

 

BTW, to repeat a thing I've pointed out before- the reason that there are so many people are because there are SO MANY SHIPS and 4 of those ships currently hold 6000 people/week.  Those new ships have lots of JS and above, and with so many people doing B2Bs to really enjoy each ship- that's 28 points in one vacation.  With so many berths around the world, it does not take much time for the levels to really add up.

 

Heck, we were just on a 4th of July cruise on the Freedom, and at D+, we were the second highest points on the ship.  Lounges were largely empty.

 

The only time this really matters is TAs, hurricane season out of Florida and Puerto Rico, and the first part of December.

 

Otherwise, the lounge crowding isn't a massive issue.