Anyone expecting changes to Diamond, Diamond + and Pinnacle drink vouchers?

[Ocean Boy]

44 minutes ago, Wineaux007 said:

You don't know what you are drinking if you order from a venue where they make the drinks in the back room.  I go to venues where I can watch them make the pours.  Some bartenders are more generous than those who use the little shot jiggers.  

And sometimes once a bartender sees that you treat them nicely the drinks improve. And I am not just referring to tipping, I mean just be nice.

[Ocean Boy]

8 hours ago, AlohaLivin said:

Not to be insulting, truly, but looking at some of the CC threads I have to wonder if people are just sitting around dreaming up minute and unlikely issues about which they can focus their anxiety. It’s not far from wondering if Martians will land in your backyard tomorrow - it could happen but it’s extremely unlikely.

I have to agree with you. It is a running theme on these boards. I wonder if some people start these threads just looking to rile people up. Let's see what topic I can think up that will produce 10 pages of speculation.

[cargopilot]

If RC is so worried about perk expenses to their C&A members, then don't make it so easy for newbies to get to those levels!

[Billy Baltic]

1 hour ago, cargopilot said:

If RC is so worried about perk expenses to their C&A members, then don't make it so easy for newbies to get to those levels!

Or for existing members to retain for no reason. A loyalty program should require use. I’m a member of hotel group loyalty programs and they drop you back down levels when you don’t use them within a set time, like annually. 
 

[grapau27]

Personally I think the vouchers are a smart move by RC to alleviate overcrowding in the DL.

For us it means we can get Sauvignon Blanc instead of Pinot Grigio.

 

[Joseph2017China]

drink packages are based on averages and if the average goes up, profit goes down.  So raise the price.  Individual prices are the same.  The price of the drink.  Now if the individual price of the drink is the same, than it stays the same price.  I don't see prices going up anytime soon.

[John&LaLa]

3 hours ago, Wineaux007 said:

You don't know what you are drinking if you order from a venue where they make the drinks in the back room.  I go to venues where I can watch them make the pours.  Some bartenders are more generous than those who use the little shot jiggers.  

 

Rarely in a position to audit my drink assembly. Usually sitting in a chair and order from waiter. Exception might be casino bar or Harmony SL

[twangster]

Reports of "weak drinks" usually means people are making their drinks too strong at home 🙂 

 

I've always managed to feel my drinks on board so if isn't the alcohol it's something else they're adding.  

[SlightDraw]

12 hours ago, Cigar King said:

I'm not expecting any changes.  That being said, assuming the Royal bean counters are more informed than you, and they already know that not everyone drinks alcohol and that many of the vouchers go unused.  I'd be quite surprised if they did not have an accurate total of the cost of this program.

 

They hopefully are also balancing its benefits when it comes to other areas like reducing the overcrowding on the lounges.  Space on the ships is a real premium.  Not to mention that the program has generally been well received by the community.

 

 

You are so correct King plus, Think about how many diamond and above purchase DBP. Vouchers are no benefit and are not used.

[Margaretealexander]

4 hours ago, twangster said:

Reports of "weak drinks" usually means people are making their drinks too strong at home 🙂 

 

I've always managed to feel my drinks on board so if isn't the alcohol it's something else they're adding.  

My husband is a bourbon on the rocks drinker and knows his bourbons. He said they were watered down. Just saying.. we aren’t heavy drinkers. This question was raised as to cutting costs with the drink perks. I was just sharing my experience. 

[RFerrington]

3 hours ago, SlightDraw said:

Think about how many diamond and above purchase DBP.

That may well change with the prices I am seeing right now.  We have ALWAYS purchased the DBP but I will not pay what they are asking right now.  I will just have to get by with my D+ and casino drinks.

[Plum Happy]

Don't forget that not all Diamond or Diamond plus drink alcohol.  They offset those that do drink alcohol.

[island lady]

17 hours ago, John&LaLa said:

If anything, I guess they could remove lounge coffee machines and force you into using vouchers for morning coffee 

 

Noooooooo!!!   😲  It's the only thing I use the lounge for now!!  😨

[island lady]

16 hours ago, Sunshine3601 said:

Did Laura see your post😁

 

 

Hope not...she would be out of a job early in the morning.  😉 

[island lady]

Drink vouchers, for example...as four per day for Diamonds, even having to be used inside the lounge.   Versus spending the evening drinking non-stop in the lounge in the past.   Makes a difference, I should think?  

 

And indeed has cut down on overcrowding in the tiny DLs.   

 

Plus so nice to make Happy Hour...any hour....anywhere.  

 

Obviously a huge fan of the vouchers.  🥰

 

[bucfan2]

Nope, none, nada.

Edited April 28, 2022 by bucfan2

[bonsai3s]

20 minutes ago, island lady said:

 

 

Plus so nice to make Happy Hour...any hour....anywhere.  

 

Obviously a huge fan of the vouchers.  🥰

 

👍🥰

[Longhorn Cruiser]

6 hours ago, Margaretealexander said:

My husband is a bourbon on the rocks drinker and knows his bourbons. He said they were watered down. Just saying.. we aren’t heavy drinkers. This question was raised as to cutting costs with the drink perks. I was just sharing my experience. 

 

Ummm, if he's ordering bourbon on the rocks, then it can't be watered down.   There  is no water in it.   They can put as much ice as they want in it but you are getting a shot of bourbon and ice.   Take the ice out if you'd like.   But the shot of bourbon is not being watered down.

[Don'tNeedAName]

6 hours ago, Margaretealexander said:

My husband is a bourbon on the rocks drinker and knows his bourbons. He said they were watered down. Just saying.. we aren’t heavy drinkers. This question was raised as to cutting costs with the drink perks. I was just sharing my experience. 

 

How is bourbon rocks watered down, unless you let the ice melt?  Is the suggestion that they short-poured?  Or are you/he actually suggesting that Royal Caribbean is topping off its liquor bottles with water?

 

The amount they charge for a single drink is so far and above the cost of the shot of liquor they are pouring, that the benefit of watering down the bottle would be so small compared to the absolute public relations nightmare of that practice. Of course it's also illegal to do that in the u.s., but obviously the foreign flagged nature of these ships makes a difference (although I suspect there would be some applicable law).

 

It's not to say no bar has ever done it, but it would be a whole new level of insane for Royal Caribbean to get caught up in that.

 

Edit: Longhorn said it much more succinctly than I did...

Edited April 28, 2022 by Don'tNeedAName

[la_croisiere_s'amuse]

6 hours ago, Plum Happy said:

Don't forget that not all Diamond or Diamond plus drink alcohol.  They offset those that do drink alcohol.

Quite true. I doubt my water bottles and occasional mocktail are denting the budget much. 😉 

[neverbeenhere]

8 minutes ago, la_croisiere_s'amuse said:

Quite true. I doubt my water bottles and occasional mocktail are denting the budget much. 😉 

But it is possible they cost the line more than 5 Rum and cokes a day. 😊

[Margaretealexander]

18 hours ago, Don'tNeedAName said:

 

How is bourbon rocks watered down, unless you let the ice melt?  Is the suggestion that they short-poured?  Or are you/he actually suggesting that Royal Caribbean is topping off its liquor bottles with water?

 

The amount they charge for a single drink is so far and above the cost of the shot of liquor they are pouring, that the benefit of watering down the bottle would be so small compared to the absolute public relations nightmare of that practice. Of course it's also illegal to do that in the u.s., but obviously the foreign flagged nature of these ships makes a difference (although I suspect there would be some applicable law).

 

It's not to say no bar has ever done it, but it would be a whole new level of insane for Royal Caribbean to get caught up in that.

 

Edit: Longhorn said it much more succinctly than I did...

Why is it when someone shares an opinion that they get blasted on these boards. Some of you make commenting on these boards not welcoming 

[John&LaLa]

21 minutes ago, Margaretealexander said:

Why is it when someone shares an opinion that they get blasted on these boards. Some of you make commenting on these boards not welcoming 

 

It was an outrageous statement 

[Cigar King]

1 hour ago, Margaretealexander said:

Why is it when someone shares an opinion that they get blasted on these boards.

It doesn't happen enough for me.  I'd like to see the mods just delete these ridiculous threads.  

[SWFL Cruisers]

On 4/27/2022 at 10:31 PM, AlohaLivin said:

Mine were way too strong on symphony last week, let’s trade!

There is no such thing as "way too strong", just say'n.