Diamond Club Theory when we return

[Ashland]

1 hour ago, cruisegirl1 said:

Seems this thread is heading south.  I'm  seeing lots of fighting on message boards and face book pages. Perhaps we are all on edge.  

I think I'll take a time out for a few days.

 

Stay well 

Yes.....very sad indeed...Some just can't avoid starting or getting in on a feeding frenzy 

[tserface]

Seems to me that this would be a logical time for the cruise lines to start re imagining their loyalty programs.  They could easily use the crowding thing as an excuse to drop some benefits saying that it's temporary, but ... we know how that goes.

 

It would affect whether or not we'd go cruising, but we'd miss the Diamond Club experience and meeting people there for drinks before dinner.  I don't care if it's one or 3 or whatever.  The experience was a lot of fun and we'll miss it.

 

Still, it would be a really easy time for RCCL to make some changes to the program without people being able to complain too much.

Tom

[SherriZ366]

3 hours ago, tserface said:

Seems to me that this would be a logical time for the cruise lines to start re imagining their loyalty programs.  They could easily use the crowding thing as an excuse to drop some benefits saying that it's temporary, but ... we know how that goes.

 

It would affect whether or not we'd go cruising, but we'd miss the Diamond Club experience and meeting people there for drinks before dinner.  I don't care if it's one or 3 or whatever.  The experience was a lot of fun and we'll miss it.

 

Still, it would be a really easy time for RCCL to make some changes to the program without people being able to complain too much.

Tom

Hope the RCI doesn't cut back our benefits.  

[Milwaukee Eight]

4 hours ago, Ashland said:

Yes.....very sad indeed...Some just can't avoid starting or getting in on a feeding frenzy 

I call it hysteria. 

[yogimax]

4 hours ago, tserface said:

Seems to me that this would be a logical time for the cruise lines to start re imagining their loyalty programs.  They could easily use the crowding thing as an excuse to drop some benefits saying that it's temporary, but ... we know how that goes.

 

It would affect whether or not we'd go cruising, but we'd miss the Diamond Club experience and meeting people there for drinks before dinner.  I don't care if it's one or 3 or whatever.  The experience was a lot of fun and we'll miss it.

 

Still, it would be a really easy time for RCCL to make some changes to the program without people being able to complain too much.

Tom

I wish everyone would stop giving RCCL excuses to cut benefits.  Why even say "we'll miss it" and give the well paid corporate execs an excuse to cut our benefits and give themselves raises?  RCCL needs us more than we need RCCL.  They have to convince folks that they should come back to a floating hotel in an era of a virus that is contagious.  To do that, they need to ADD benefits, not reduce them!  Please be more positive and demanding!

[yogimax]

47 minutes ago, SherriZ366 said:

Hope the RCI doesn't cut back our benefits.  

Don't just "hope."  If people are just "hoping" that RCCL will act in our interests it will never happen.  We need to be proactive and inform RCCL that any cut to benefits will result in our reduction in loyalty to RCCL.  

[zekekelso]

15 minutes ago, yogimax said:

We need to be proactive and inform RCCL that any cut to benefits will result in our reduction in loyalty to RCCL.  

I can help on the flip side. I tend to spread my cruising out, so have no status with anybody. To you RCL suits reading this (/waves) make the program better and it’ll be worth my effort to only sail RCL. 

[yogimax]

30 minutes ago, zekekelso said:

I can help on the flip side. I tend to spread my cruising out, so have no status with anybody. To you RCL suits reading this (/waves) make the program better and it’ll be worth my effort to only sail RCL. 

Precisely!  Well said!  Royal needs to know that to fill the ships, they need to add benefits not reduce them.  The old days of ships automatically filling up are over and RCCL will need to win both new and old customers with attractive promotions (that are real) and benefits!

[twangster]

15 hours ago, John&LaLa said:

More like maximizing the benefit😇

 

We've both benefited from the policy of the program so we both get it.

 

The casino program also motivates people to cruise more so they gamble more.  More cruising equates to more points.  Out of context one might argue this is also a method to abuse the "purity" of the CAS system except...  they want people to do it, just like the other avenues they offer to maximize CAS earning.  

 

At the end of that day the company has made these accelerators available for years.  If they were not accomplishing what the company wanted they would have been eliminated yet they remain.    

 

The CAS program is working exactly as the company wants it to.  They have no problem banning D+ from the CL so what makes anyone think they fear upsetting the more loyal? 

 

If CAS point multipliers were a problem there would no longer be multipliers.  As long as they exist no one is at fault for earning with them.  

[tomworldwidewaftage]

While on Explorer OTS, April  2017 a 24 night Sydney to Seattle.

There were over 1000 D & D+ members,

During HH besides in the DL it was also in the Star Lounge.

 

During HH on the second to the last night the Beverage Manager gave a talk.

He said

" He was proud of us because.

So far during the first 22 evenings during HH.

They served 180,000 drinks soft drinks, beer, wine, cocktails, etc...

At a cost of $90,000.00 USD

He knew the cost because it went against his budget."

 

When he said 180,000 drinks at a cost of $90,000.00 USD

I turn to my DW and said "that's only 50 cents per drink, look at what the markup is."

She just rolled her eyes and shook her head at me. 

 

[grapau27]

9 hours ago, tserface said:

Seems to me that this would be a logical time for the cruise lines to start re imagining their loyalty programs.  They could easily use the crowding thing as an excuse to drop some benefits saying that it's temporary, but ... we know how that goes.

 

It would affect whether or not we'd go cruising, but we'd miss the Diamond Club experience and meeting people there for drinks before dinner.  I don't care if it's one or 3 or whatever.  The experience was a lot of fun and we'll miss it.

 

Still, it would be a really easy time for RCCL to make some changes to the program without people being able to complain too much.

Tom

If they read some comments on here/social media they will think people don't want the DL.

[grapau27]

5 hours ago, Milwaukee Eight said:

I call it hysteria. 

Until cruising is back Who Knows.

There are so many great cruiselines out there and Royal are up there with the best but their

Loyalty Program is a massive USP for them which makes them first choice at the moment and gives them an edge over the others.

After Covid19 this could make all the difference.

[grapau27]

5 hours ago, yogimax said:

I wish everyone would stop giving RCCL excuses to cut benefits.  Why even say "we'll miss it" and give the well paid corporate execs an excuse to cut our benefits and give themselves raises?  RCCL needs us more than we need RCCL.  They have to convince folks that they should come back to a floating hotel in an era of a virus that is contagious.  To do that, they need to ADD benefits, not reduce them!  Please be more positive and demanding!

Excellent description.

[grapau27]

4 hours ago, yogimax said:

Precisely!  Well said!  Royal needs to know that to fill the ships, they need to add benefits not reduce them.  The old days of ships automatically filling up are over and RCCL will need to win both new and old customers with attractive promotions (that are real) and benefits!

+1.

[grapau27]

1 hour ago, tomworldwidewaftage said:

While on Explorer OTS, April  2017 a 24 night Sydney to Seattle.

There were over 1000 D & D+ members,

During HH besides in the DL it was also in the Star Lounge.

 

During HH on the second to the last night the Beverage Manager gave a talk.

He said

" He was proud of us because.

So far during the first 22 evenings during HH.

They served 180,000 drinks soft drinks, beer, wine, cocktails, etc...

At a cost of $90,000.00 USD

He knew the cost because it went against his budget."

 

When he said 180,000 drinks at a cost of $90,000.00 USD

I turn to my DW and said "that's only 50 cents per drink, look at what the markup is."

She just rolled her eyes and shook her head at me. 

 

Thanks for posting this.

Indeed the profit margin on drinks is huge and the other 2000 passengers who were not high loyalty would be boosting Royals bottom line.

On most voyages the number's of high loyalty are much lower than on your cruise especially in Europe.

Graham.

[twangster]

5 hours ago, tomworldwidewaftage said:

During HH on the second to the last night the Beverage Manager gave a talk.

He said

" He was proud of us because.

So far during the first 22 evenings during HH.

They served 180,000 drinks soft drinks, beer, wine, cocktails, etc...

At a cost of $90,000.00 USD

He knew the cost because it went against his budget."

 

Interesting.  More than one HD and an FBM have told me the costs of HH are charged back to the Crown and Anchor Society, the ship doesn't pay for it.  Even the cost of the three crew that perform the service in the DL are charged back to the CAS, or so I was told.

[compman9]

On 7/13/2020 at 4:14 PM, yogimax said:

It's not about feeling better.

 

It's also not about ego, if that's what you imply.  Even if I reached Pinnacle (now pretty unlikely) I would never wear one of those gold pins.  Besides, who wants to be stopped by passengers asking "Where's the nearest bathroom?"

 

It's about basic fairness.

 

DW and I are Diamond Plus. We have never worn a pin

 

Like most, we have discussed the Pinnacle gold bar thing (we call them 'Look at Me' badges), because we expect to get there at some stage, and the consensus is. No. NO. HELL NO

 

😁

[compman9]

1 hour ago, twangster said:

 

Interesting.  More than one HD and an FBM have told me the costs of HH are charged back to the Crown and Anchor Society, the ship doesn't pay for it.  Even the cost of the three crew that perform the service in the DL are charged back to the CAS, or so I was told.

 

Interesting - I have something that puts that in perspective

 

We were told by the captain that the charge for the Brilliance (I' going back a few years now) was $500,000 to go through the Suez Canal

[spunks]

How about this scenario.....all the cruise lines declare bankruptcy..... The courts stipulate as part of the reorganization that all loyalty programs are done away with.....the new reorganized lines start business again with no Penacles, Diamonds, Elites, Emeralds, Golds etc......everyone with a Blue card.....what would everyone think of that? This is more possible than one might imagine. If the CDC ban on cruising continues well into next year, The highly leverages cruise lines might have no option but to enter the bankruptcy process....

 

I personally would not know what to think....

 

Doug

[elsie3939]

I've been wondering about keeping the 3 drinks during Happy Hour time on the Diamond's Sea Pass Card and having the Diamond (Plus) Lounge for D+ and Above.  That would eliminate 1/2 the folks in the Lounges for distancing but still allow Diamonds to get their free drinks at any bar.   Just mentally trying to solve Royal's crowding issue.

[DaniDanielle]

It will get people to try a different cruise line for sure!

[John&LaLa]

13 hours ago, yogimax said:

Don't just "hope."  If people are just "hoping" that RCCL will act in our interests it will never happen.  We need to be proactive and inform RCCL that any cut to benefits will result in our reduction in loyalty to RCCL.  

 

Mbayley@rccl.com 

[Milwaukee Eight]

1 hour ago, spunks said:

How about this scenario.....all the cruise lines declare bankruptcy..... The courts stipulate as part of the reorganization that all loyalty programs are done away with.....the new reorganized lines start business again with no Penacles, Diamonds, Elites, Emeralds, Golds etc......everyone with a Blue card.....what would everyone think of that? This is more possible than one might imagine. If the CDC ban on cruising continues well into next year, The highly leverages cruise lines might have no option but to enter the bankruptcy process....

 

I personally would not know what to think....

 

Doug

Molly is already gone and one of the first to go. 

[DaniDanielle]

Maybe Molly needed to go!

[bouhunter]

1 hour ago, spunks said:

How about this scenario.....all the cruise lines declare bankruptcy..... The courts stipulate as part of the reorganization that all loyalty programs are done away with.....the new reorganized lines start business again with no Penacles, Diamonds, Elites, Emeralds, Golds etc......everyone with a Blue card.....what would everyone think of that? This is more possible than one might imagine. If the CDC ban on cruising continues well into next year, The highly leverages cruise lines might have no option but to enter the bankruptcy process....

 

I personally would not know what to think....

 

Doug

A bankruptcy court is not going to get into that.