Diamond Club Theory when we return

[Milwaukee Eight]

8 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

I highly doubt that three C&A Diamond drinks, made from some very cheap liquor,  is the determining factor as to whether or not RCI makes money off of those said cruisers.

But if Royal got $8 for each of those cheap shots instead of giving it away for free, would make a difference. Not to mention we would see fewer loud mouth drunks  comparing their cruise points. 
 

M8

[livingonthebeach]

7 hours ago, badvector said:

 

Yeah, already said I used the wrong word there, my bad.  I appreciate that argument and agree to a point.  Wasn't the addition of the 3 drinks to the seapass a sign of goodwill because the DL was overcrowded?  Where did that get them?  They now give unlimited drinks at the DL and allow the 3 drinks elsewhere.  Personally, I do not see them increasing it and believe they will just close the lounge if necessary and leave it at 3... 

 

3, 4, or 5 rotgut drinks will not make a difference.  Eliminating the DL HH might not make a significant improvement to their bottom line either.  Making loyal clients dissatisfied by taking away perks, in the long term will cause more harm than good.  If they do decide take away the unlimited HH drinks, I'm sure they will balance it with some additional perk that will make sense for both Royal and their loyal passengers. 

[Milwaukee Eight]

Loyalty - it’s similar to smoking years back. People said banning smoking from restaurants and indoor areas would cause many to go out of business. Just didn’t happen. 
 

“Perks” have changed. Look at the airlines. So much different today than in the past. Even hotels. Pay more for less. 
 

All the complaining really doesn’t help your cause.  3 drinks, 5 drinks, unlimited, Blah 

 

M8

[parrotfeathers]

30 minutes ago, Milwaukee Eight said:

It’s almost always been about drinks during HH and coffee in the AM. Take those away a the DL will be mostly empty. 

M8

 

For some it's about the "status" of a card being able to access the room, not what is in there.   

I for one sure don't see RCL/RCG (or whatever the proper name is) making lounges bigger so people can be at a greater distance.   It appears for years their master plan has been to fade them out and I don't believe it's going to revert now.

[livingonthebeach]

Perks definitely have changed / evolved through time.  No more chocolates on pillows at turn down, no more midnight buffets. The point system was changed by adding an additional tier and the way points are calculated.   

 

Now you have to ask for slippers if you can even get them.  Towel animals are becoming more extinct.  Quality of food in the MDR and WJ has declined (according to some). 

 

These changes did not affect the banner years cruise lines have had up until Covid-19.  

 

When cruising resumes, it will come with a lot of changes, not just drinks.   Cruise lines need to survive while still making passengers happy -- not going to be an easy formula IMHO. 

[Ocean Boy]

57 minutes ago, Milwaukee Eight said:

But if Royal got $8 for each of those cheap shots instead of giving it away for free, would make a difference. Not to mention we would see fewer loud mouth drunks  comparing their cruise points. 
 

M8

It didn't take long for these same old discussions to start up and the first ship with passengers has not even left the dock yet.🙄

[Milwaukee Eight]

2 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

It didn't take long for these same old discussions to start up and the first ship with passengers has not even left the dock yet.🙄

Better than COVID19 posts. 😇
 

Everyone is an “expert “ on DL/CL/SL vs CV19. 

Edited July 11, 2020 by Milwaukee Eight

[Ocean Boy]

6 minutes ago, Couple-Somerset said:

Id like to see a complete overhaul of C&A.

 

Remove the free drinks and that will make plenty of room in the lounge.

 

Depending on loyalty level, offer a free meal in a speciality restaurant.

 

Lower tier get a free lunch and higher up you get a free meal in a better (more expensive) dining venue.

 

That would also spread out diners.

 

There's then room to add loyalty tiers (perhaps at 400 and 600) between D+ and Pinnacle. Perhaps have a 50% chefs table discount at 400 and free chefs table for pinnacle.

I just think they can do much, much more with C&A without the need for free booze

 

You think those meals are less cost to RCI  than a drink?

[Milwaukee Eight]

Just now, Ocean Boy said:

You think those meals are less cost RCI  than a drink?

Based on what is charged from drinks, the margin on alcohol sales is great. Not sure about the food. 

[Lady Hudson]

My opinion.  Drinks cost RC a very minimal amount based on their buying power according to my sister in the restaurant business.  The free drinks are a big draw for many people and one of the reasons cruisers stay with RC after reaching a certain loyalty level. If Royal begins to take away a significant amount of the benefits that people have achieved there will be a greater incentive to try others lines.

 

I personally feel that Royal would be foolish to make any changes to their loyalty program at this time.  Why stir the pot when all the company should be concentrating on is getting cruisers back on their ships?  Katherine

[Ocean Boy]

Just now, Milwaukee Eight said:

Based on what is charged from drinks, the margin on alcohol sales is great. Not sure about the food. 

I am pretty sure that any plate of food in a specialty restaurant probably represents more up front cost to RCI than whatever is in the glass of a diamond drink. So if the option is to give away one of the two which is likely the better option for RCI?

 

Also, assuming 100% occupancy, every seat given away in a specialty restaurant is the loss of a revenue seat. A drink given away at a bar does not displace anyone else from buying a drink.

[twangster]

4 minutes ago, Lady Hudson said:

I personally feel that Royal would be foolish to make any changes to their loyalty program at this time.  Why stir the pot when all the company should be concentrating on is getting cruisers back on their ships?

 

I agree.  If it ain't broke, don't fix it.  

 

It's doing what it's supposed to be doing, don't mess with success.  If the DL was empty ALL the time it would be prove CAS unsuccessful.  A packed DL during HH is a good sign (from Royal's perspective).  Some cruisers may think a crowded DL is a problem but I don't think Royal does.

 

Unfortunately during a pandemic a packed DL isn't a good thing.  Royal doesn't want to see their most loyal cruisers killed away so anything that's packed on the ship will need to change during a pandemic. 

 

The easiest course of action is doing what they did on Majesty, no nightly Diamond event, just drink your 3 free anywhere during HH.  Temporarily halting unlimited booze during HH is compatible with 10/10 health care professionals who will warn that excessive alcohol consumption weakens the immune system - the last thing anyone should want to do during a pandemic while in a public setting with strangers.  

[CSHS1979]

6 hours ago, Yorkvillain said:

I’m sensing a Costco-BJ’s brawl about to break out here.

 

SAMS will emerge victorious in the end anyway

[Lady Hudson]

40 minutes ago, twangster said:

 

I agree.  If it ain't broke, don't fix it.  

 

It's doing what it's supposed to be doing, don't mess with success.  If the DL was empty ALL the time it would be prove CAS unsuccessful.  A packed DL during HH is a good sign (from Royal's perspective).  Some cruisers may think a crowded DL is a problem but I don't think Royal does.

 

Unfortunately during a pandemic a packed DL isn't a good thing.  Royal doesn't want to see their most loyal cruisers killed away so anything that's packed on the ship will need to change during a pandemic. 

 

The easiest course of action is doing what they did on Majesty, no nightly Diamond event, just drink your 3 free anywhere during HH.  Temporarily halting unlimited booze during HH is compatible with 10/10 health care professionals who will warn that excessive alcohol consumption weakens the immune system - the last thing anyone should want to do during a pandemic while in a public setting with strangers.  

I agree that ‘temporary’ changes might be warranted for health reasons.  Praying for betters ways to treat those affected with Covid as well as a vaccine.  Katherine

[islandwannabee]

For me, I don't care about the free drinks, it's more about getting together with old friends and making new ones.

[Billy Baltic]

9 minutes ago, Couple-Somerset said:

 

3 x drinks x 7 nights = probably $10-$15 total COST to Royal

 

Yes, I'm willing to bet that the COST of a meal in a speciality restaurant will be less than $10.

 

Then, guests will probably be paying top $$ to buy the drinks they got for free before.

I haven’t read all this thread but in general I don’t think HH is about 3 drinks ..... it’s about getting as many drinks as possible. Otherwise people wouldn’t cram into the DL. They could get the 3 at another bar.

I agree with the concept but I’d guess the total cost to Royal for drink is a multiple of that due to the volume consumed.
And yes, this won’t be true of everyone in the DL. I’m generalising. 

[davekathy]

21 hours ago, davekathy said:

We'll just wait and see if there are any changes once we are onboard. We'll adjust accordingly. Whenever that may be. My Magic 8 Ball said, "cannot predict now". 🎱🍻

 We'll just wait and see if there are any changes once we are onboard. We'll adjust accordingly. Whenever that may be. My Magic 8 Ball said, "cannot predict now". 🎱🍻

[Milwaukee Eight]

25 minutes ago, Couple-Somerset said:

 

3 x drinks x 7 nights = probably $10-$15 total COST to Royal

 

Yes, I'm willing to bet that the COST of a meal in a speciality restaurant will be less than $10.

 

Then, guests will probably be paying top $$ to buy the drinks they got for free before.

 

It's also a great way to get people trying the alternative dining venues.

 

25% off, 50% off or 100% off one venue per sailing depending on loyalty tier.

We’ve almost always got a good deal onboard for specialty dinning. We hold out for BOGO, 50% off each. Doesn’t matter status. 

[spunks]

when I was a kid my cousin was visiting. We got some ice cream and he just wanted a little in a bowl. I filled my bowl up. He went running to my mother and told her that I got twice as much as he did. My Mom asked if he wanted more and he said no....he just didn't want me to have that much.....

 

This thread reminds me of that. We sail RCCL pretty much exclusively now even though we have over 500 days with Princess. Both have perks that are valuable. We enjoy the DL and we also like that the Casino rates us and we get many perks there> We have felt appreciated more by Royal. If they make the DL go away, that reduces that feeling of appreciation. It isn't the drinks so much as we can get as many free drinks as we want in the Casino.

 

Princess gives a small bar set up to Elites with virtually unlimited internet and unlimited laundry. They also let one "stack" all onboard credits which RCCL does not. We will often board a Princess TA with over $1000.00 OBC. That would buy a few drinks if one was so inclined.

 

My point in this ramble is that there is  not so much difference in what all lines offer that any line can safely change their policies and expect the loyalty to continue. For the record, we have been D+ for quite a while.

 

Doug

[compman9]

34 minutes ago, islandwannabee said:

For me, I don't care about the free drinks, it's more about getting together with old friends and making new ones.

 

Possibly the sweetest comment I have read on Cruise Critic

 

My experience of the Lounge would suggest you are very much in the minority

[Lady Hudson]

17 minutes ago, compman9 said:

 

Possibly the sweetest comment I have read on Cruise Critic

 

My experience of the Lounge would suggest you are very much in the minority

I am with islandwannabee.  I don’t drink alcohol but still frequent the lounges everyday.  Passengers who cruise often enjoy getting together with friends.  I also love the lattes during the day.  Not everyone in the lounges drinks excessively.  😀

[HBE4]

1 hour ago, davekathy said:

23 hours ago, davekathy said:

We'll just wait and see if there are any changes once we are onboard. We'll adjust accordingly. Whenever that may be. My Magic 8 Ball said, "cannot predict now". 🎱🍻

 We'll just wait and see if there are any changes once we are onboard. We'll adjust accordingly. Whenever that may be. My Magic 8 Ball said, "cannot predict now". 🎱🍻

 

You should think about getting a new magic 8 ball.

 

Your old one keeps giving the same non-answer. 😉

[Wine-O]

9 hours ago, Ashland said:

FYI...You can go in to buy liquor at Costco without being a member.

No, but here in Myrtle Beach, you can at SAMS Club.  🍷

[Wine-O]

7 hours ago, TravelerThom said:

The US Federal government regulates allowed sizes of containers of liquor, all being in metric sizes. 1.5 liters  is not an allowed container, but 1.75 liters is. Someone has apparently been sipping out a quarter liter of vodka from your bottles 😳

 

in related news I know people who take pride in their ignorance and claim that the metric system is WAY to difficult for them to learn at their age, but have no answer as to how they somehow manage to buy liquor in metric units. 

Oh, for crying out loud.  😲 🍷

[Dennis#1]

2 hours ago, islandwannabee said:

For me, I don't care about the free drinks, it's more about getting together with old friends and making new ones.

Such a positive thing to say.  Love your post.  I agree 100% with you.