Pinnacles back to Suite lounges Mar. 15 and other questions

[topnole]

4 hours ago, island lady said:

 

And yet they are still allowing newbies in a JS into CK for dinner.  

It comes with the suite so of course.  Newbie has nothing to do with it.  Plus, JS don’t get in for anything else.  Just dinner and it is on a space available basis so it is easily managed for not over crowding.  That is a very different scenario than pinnacle having access to all meals and the bar.  Although I imagine if the bar situation still involves only six drinks with vouchers it will never get crowded from pinnacles.  

Edited March 1, 2022 by topnole

[mac_tlc]

5 hours ago, topnole said:

Thanks.  We are D+, but started doing suites more regularly 6-7 years ago.  I quite enjoy a lively SL and I’ve met many pins who are nice to chat with.  But when the restaurant or bar is over crowded it destroys the experience.  Particularly if you’re in a CLS and expecting that to be your go to spot for meals (as is pretty common).   Luckily I haven’t had a repeat of that experience again.  But if I did,

that would probably be the last time I’d book a suite for the premium they charge on Oasis class.  I did start researching out other line’s suite set ups after that experience (ex. The Haven on NCL) and might have tried one out had Covid not

hit.  
 

 

 

I agree, that was an excellent, non-emotional summary.

 

We have started gravitating towards Celebrity and their suites, especially E-class. Luminae, the suite restaurant, does not allow Zenith members to dine unless they are in a suite. Same with the Retreat Sundeck and Retreat Lounge --- which on E-class is far superior to the SL on Oasis class. As far as our cruises this year and in the past 6 months, Celebrity in a suite is cheaper than a GS on any Oasis class, and it includes gratuities and premium drink package and $600 OBC. There are viable options around. 

 

mac_tlc

[topnole]

13 minutes ago, mac_tlc said:

I agree, that was an excellent, non-emotional summary.

 

We have started gravitating towards Celebrity and their suites, especially E-class. Luminae, the suite restaurant, does not allow Zenith members to dine unless they are in a suite. Same with the Retreat Sundeck and Retreat Lounge --- which on E-class is far superior to the SL on Oasis class. As far as our cruises this year and in the past 6 months, Celebrity in a suite is cheaper than a GS on any Oasis class, and it includes gratuities and premium drink package and $600 OBC. There are viable options around. 

 

mac_tlc

I’ve considered celebrity.  But we like a fun ship type of atmosphere so we worry it will be a little to reserved for us.  Plus we have kids.  So Royal has a nice balance for that.  Carnival doesn’t have anything on the others with suites (but they are much cheaper) so I’ve avoided that.   I thought NCL might be an option too.  

[cruisegirl1]

5 hours ago, island lady said:

 

We never used the DL even once for HH on the two weeks on Odyssey last month (except for morning coffee).  Too crowded, no real atmosphere.  A few times early in the Pinnie lounge, but ended up being too noisy with bingo games, music checks etc.  

 

Our favorite HH spot?   Sitting at Giovanni's wine bar before dinner.  They had our drinks going as we walked up...and a good selection of wine!  🙂   We still never used all our vouchers, but I really love the voucher program.  I hope it is not going away.  😳

 

 

 

 

 

 

5 hours ago, island lady said:

 

I am worried the six vouchers are going away...hope it stays.  I think it has helped with the crowding in the lounges.  

The vouchers are our favorite perk by far! ( Shhh - don't tell anyone but even better than the suite lounge)😀 

 

 We too hope the vouchers  are here to stay.  

M

[mac_tlc]

8 minutes ago, topnole said:

I’ve considered celebrity.  But we like a fun ship type of atmosphere so we worry it will be a little to reserved for us.  Plus we have kids.  So Royal has a nice balance for that.  Carnival doesn’t have anything on the others with suites (but they are much cheaper) so I’ve avoided that.   I thought NCL might be an option too.  

Valid points. We do Celebrity if it's just the DW and me. We have considered the Mardi Gras since it has a separate suite area.

 

mac_tlc

[topnole]

1 hour ago, mac_tlc said:

Valid points. We do Celebrity if it's just the DW and me. We have considered the Mardi Gras since it has a separate suite area.

 

mac_tlc

I don’t know much about the new Mardi Gras. I’ll have to check that out. I’ve been on the old Mardi Gras however.  😂

[island lady]

3 hours ago, topnole said:

It comes with the suite so of course.  Newbie has nothing to do with it.  Plus, JS don’t get in for anything else.  Just dinner and it is on a space available basis so it is easily managed for not over crowding.  That is a very different scenario than pinnacle having access to all meals and the bar.  Although I imagine if the bar situation still involves only six drinks with vouchers it will never get crowded from pinnacles.  

 

My point...which may have gone unnoticed...was that if RCI thought that CK was too overcrowded at dinner...why are they still letting non full suite guests still be able to dine there?   

 

Want to get rid of Pinnacles not in a full suite?  Get rid of ALL pax not in a full suite.  JS is not a full suite.  Changes can be made at the whim of RCI.  

[island lady]

2 hours ago, cruisegirl1 said:

 

The vouchers are our favorite perk by far! ( Shhh - don't tell anyone but even better than the suite lounge)😀 

 

 We too hope the vouchers  are here to stay.  

M

 

You and me girl...you and me.  😉 

[twangster]

For any restaurant having to turn away guests is a good problem.  That shows demand is present.  Only Royal knows how oversubscribed CK is. 

 

While for us guests having to pick an off peak dinner time may be less desired but that's the restaurant business - no restaurant can accommodate an unlimited demand at peak times.

 

The CK "problem" is only a problem on Oasis class.  CK works well on Quantum class including for Juniors on most cruises.  Wonder should be interesting.  CK looks tiny.  Cue the complaint threads starting next week.  

[John&LaLa]

3 hours ago, topnole said:

I don’t know much about the new Mardi Gras. I’ll have to check that out. I’ve been on the old Mardi Gras however.  😂

 

I sailed her sister, Carnivale in 1989

 

This is from 1993 in Pt Canaveral 

 

[topnole]

10 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:

 

I sailed her sister, Carnivale in 1989

 

This is from 1993 in Pt Canaveral 

 

I sailed all of the originals.  I have a few old photos I’ll have to find.  It’s crazy how low they seem to sit in the water.  The top deck might come up to the lifeboats on oasis?   At least that is how it seems.  At the time though they seemed pretty incredible to me.  What I love about them and the older ships in general was the aft pools.  Such amazing views all day by the pool.  

[topnole]

2 hours ago, twangster said:

For any restaurant having to turn away guests is a good problem.  That shows demand is present.  Only Royal knows how oversubscribed CK is. 

 

While for us guests having to pick an off peak dinner time may be less desired but that's the restaurant business - no restaurant can accommodate an unlimited demand at peak times.

 

The CK "problem" is only a problem on Oasis class.  CK works well on Quantum class including for Juniors on most cruises.  Wonder should be interesting.  CK looks tiny.  Cue the complaint threads starting next week.  

Not when the customer already paid for the meal.  Try turning away a customer that prepaid a fortune and you’ll have some upset customers very quickly.  
 

Your argument works for a land based restaurant, not an all inclusive model.  

[psupa]

On 2/28/2022 at 5:59 PM, island lady said:

 

Would you like to hazard a guess as to how many of us Pesky Pinnacles actually sail in full suites.  If you were to strike up a conversation with me...not wearing a pin...would you be horrified if you found out I was a Pinnacle?  😉 

Nope and I have made some new friends who are Pins

[jamon]

thanks for the info.....

[topnole]

2 hours ago, island lady said:

 

My point...which may have gone unnoticed...was that if RCI thought that CK was too overcrowded at dinner...why are they still letting non full suite guests still be able to dine there?   

 

Want to get rid of Pinnacles not in a full suite?  Get rid of ALL pax not in a full suite.  JS is not a full suite.  Changes can be made at the whim of RCI.  

They can control the crowds at dinner because it requires reservations.  They will prioritize full suites, I’ve experienced that myself without even asking (just hearing them talk when I went to make a reservation clued me in on that).   It’s the other meals where they have no control if there a large number of pinnacles.  
 

Like I said, they can easily deny a JS guests due to availability.  I guess if they axe that benefit they would likely need to reduce the price of JS.  I doubt they want to do that.  If anything I could see them adding a few perks (like internet) to JS and charging more.  It would be smart IMO.  

[psupa]

5 hours ago, cruisegirl1 said:

 

The vouchers are our favorite perk by far! ( Shhh - don't tell anyone but even better than the suite lounge)😀 

 

 We too hope the vouchers  are here to stay.  

M

Same here and the best thing Royal did. I like the convenience of getting a drink anytime and not just happy hour in a lounge

[twangster]

Just now, topnole said:

They can control the crowds at dinner because it requires reservations.  They will prioritize full suites, I’ve experienced that myself without even asking (just hearing them talk when I went to make a reservation clued me in on that).   It’s the other meals where they have no control if there a large number of pinnacles.  
 

Like I said, they can easily deny a JS guests due to availability.  I guess if they axe that benefit they would likely need to reduce the price of JS.  I doubt they want to do that.  If anything I could see them adding a few perks (like internet) to JS and charging more.  It would be smart IMO.  

 

Even before the shutdown on the 2020 Allure TA to Barcelona for example Pins had Chops for breakfast.

 

Yes, there was an ugly time before they started giving Pins dedicated venues when thresholds were crossed.  The point is that Royal saw this problem years ago and began trying to address it even before the shutdown.  It has helped.  Breakfast in the CK on the Allure TA March 2020 was lightly attended because Pins were eating in Chops.  Many Pins actually liked it in Chops.  Not perfect.  Some breakfast items didn't make the trip down from deck 17 so it wasn't perfect for some, but for many it worked well.  When cruising restarted that's where they put us (or Giovanni's).  That's where they'll put us any time the numbers justify it.

 

Sometimes I think suite guests who complain had a bad experience once on their annual cruise and are convinced that is was it is like it's forever.  I get that, most suite guests don't sail 5, 10 or 20 twenty a years (unless they are already Pins).  

 

Royal is making adjustments.  Those adjustments started before the pandemic and they continue through and after the pandemic.  

[twangster]

25 minutes ago, topnole said:

Not when the customer already paid for the meal.  Try turning away a customer that prepaid a fortune and you’ll have some upset customers very quickly.  
 

Your argument works for a land based restaurant, not an all inclusive model.  

 

Royal isn't all inclusive, not even with the Sky Class model.  

[topnole]

12 minutes ago, twangster said:

 

Royal isn't all inclusive, not even with the Sky Class model.  

Ck certainly is when sky class. 

[twangster]

6 minutes ago, topnole said:

Ck certainly is when sky class. 

Not everyone in Sky at 6pm.   Even Sky guests oversubscribe CK at peak.  Then they get mad when Star class trumps them 🤣

[topnole]

1 hour ago, twangster said:

 

Even before the shutdown on the 2020 Allure TA to Barcelona for example Pins had Chops for breakfast.

 

Yes, there was an ugly time before they started giving Pins dedicated venues when thresholds were crossed.  The point is that Royal saw this problem years ago and began trying to address it even before the shutdown.  It has helped.  Breakfast in the CK on the Allure TA March 2020 was lightly attended because Pins were eating in Chops.  Many Pins actually liked it in Chops.  Not perfect.  Some breakfast items didn't make the trip down from deck 17 so it wasn't perfect for some, but for many it worked well.  When cruising restarted that's where they put us (or Giovanni's).  That's where they'll put us any time the numbers justify it.

 

Sometimes I think suite guests who complain had a bad experience once on their annual cruise and are convinced that is was it is like it's forever.  I get that, most suite guests don't sail 5, 10 or 20 twenty a years (unless they are already Pins).  

 

Royal is making adjustments.  Those adjustments started before the pandemic and they continue through and after the pandemic.  

I agree.  And I think that is the reason they left themselves the out with regard to pinnacles in the CK/SL.  It simply sets up expectations they can manage.  Now you would expect on an oasis class TA that you may not get to use the CK/SL if there are 200-300 pinnacles onboard.  It just makes it easier for them to cut that perk back when needed on occasion. 

[topnole]

50 minutes ago, twangster said:

Not everyone in Sky at 6pm.   Even Sky guests oversubscribe CK at peak.  Then they get mad when Star class trumps them 🤣

Yeah.  But my point still stands.  When In a suite you have prepaid for the full use of the CK for all three meals all cruise.  So the restaurant turning folks away being a good thing isn’t really a good analogy.  

[SG65CB]

1 hour ago, twangster said:

Not everyone in Sky at 6pm.   Even Sky guests oversubscribe CK at peak.  Then they get mad when Star class trumps them 🤣

 

Star class have UDP so there is little demand for CK for them. That is helpful for CK availability. 

 

But I agree with Topnole, if I pay extra for a suite, and pay even more for an Oasis-class suite, I'm expecting to eat meals in CK. Not when they can squeeze me in, but every night. 

[twangster]

As someone who had my first cruise on Royal in a loft suite as a pre-Gold member then my second Royal cruise in a loft suite as a newly minted Gold member in Sky Class using full published rates for both (with no casino discounts or any other discounts) to book them I fully understand the concerns of Suite guests.  

 

Having since climbed the ladder (motivated by my love of cruising over the perks of the program) in a variety of cabins and suites and as someone who has Sea, Sky and Star class bookings in my future (without any casino discounts) I think I can see the concerns from both sides.  

 

I literally could have bought a house with what I have contributed to Royal from the start to where we are today.  So believe me when I state I get it.  I think Royal also gets it.  

 

They are adapting and changing.  That is good for all of us. 

 

This is an ongoing process.  Royal will continue to evolve.  

 

Bottom line - their ships, their rules.  Having said that and now as a shareholder, I think they are doing a good job of balancing the needs of all sides.  If that wasn't the case I wouldn't be a shareholder with well over the required minimum to get a shareholder perk and still without ever getting a casino discount (it's too smoky in there, except on my favorite ship... Empress, that never had an SL or CK) 🙂.  

[chill6x6]

8 hours ago, topnole said:

I’ve considered celebrity.  But we like a fun ship type of atmosphere so we worry it will be a little to reserved for us.  Plus we have kids.  So Royal has a nice balance for that.  Carnival doesn’t have anything on the others with suites (but they are much cheaper) so I’ve avoided that.   I thought NCL might be an option too.  

The Haven is EXCELLENT! Only thing...price of admission has increased to pretty close to Star Class which as you know fixes the CK issues.... You probably should do The Haven at least once though!