Rare EricJ Posted September 7 #1 Share Posted September 7 I just spent 50 minutes on the phone with RCI to select my Diamond Plus Amenity. What a nuisance for a cheap bag or bottle of wine or snack! And if you don't call, you get nothing. How do I know? I was on several cruises as D+ before realizing we were entitled to this amenity. While onboard on my last cruise, I asked the loyalty person about it, and he scolded me for not requesting the perk in advance, and said he couldn't do anything about it. I think they should have a default selection, so at least you get something when you become eligible. If they normally provide some sort of "welcome to D+" message with instructions, we did not get it. It's also hard to understand why they can't allow a selection to be made online. An intern could write that code: Pick one and only one of these items. Done. I can't imagine this is a good use of their phone reps' time. But alas, on to the phones. The amenities flyer / PDF says "To update or change your amenity preferences, please call your dedicated Crown & Anchor Society team." I called the number provided, and they warned me of a 20 minute hold time. Without hanging up, I called the main RCI number from another phone. Same prompts, same wait time. The first rep to answer said she couldn't handle the request because I'm in a group booking (I booked one cabin through a travel agent), so she would transfer me to C&A. But I called the C&A number! After another ~20 minute wait, someone answered who had been given no context for the call. I provided my info again, and she did seem to understand the request quickly and said she recorded it. The whole process seems terribly inefficient and unnecessary. In the old days, they picked a perk and left it in your room. Most of the items we got in the early 2000s as a lower-tier cruiser were nicer than what you get now, and you would get one per person. Advice: If you need to select an amenity, make sure to make a selection for everyone in your home. The C&A rep informed me that they go by the preferences of the "lead passenger," which may change on each booking if you (or your TA) are not consistent, or if you sail separately. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefly333 Posted September 7 #2 Share Posted September 7 There might be a default. My D+ friend got a fruit basket he knew nothing about and thought that's why he got it. Fruit from the buffet oh boy. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fpcruiser Posted September 7 #3 Share Posted September 7 We received bottles of wine before I called to change my selection. I don't like wine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tatka Posted September 7 #4 Share Posted September 7 (edited) We became D+ in 2022 and my husband called, waited maybe 5 minutes on hold.. and that was it. How do you know how it was in the old days if you weren’t D+ till recently? Edited September 7 by Tatka 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare EricJ Posted September 7 Author #5 Share Posted September 7 Interesting that some people got default selections. The on-board loyalty person I spoke to acted as if I asked for a free car and was very dismissive since I had not made a request in advance. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare EricJ Posted September 7 Author #6 Share Posted September 7 2 minutes ago, Tatka said: We became D+ in 2022 and my husband called, waited maybe 5 minutes on hold.. and that was it. How do you know how it was in the old days if you weren’t D+ till recently? Yeah, the irony is that there were loyalty gifts to levels below D+, like ball caps, hanging toiletry bags, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tatka Posted September 7 #7 Share Posted September 7 1 minute ago, EricJ said: Yeah, the irony is that there were loyalty gifts to levels below D+, like ball caps, hanging toiletry bags, etc. Those are not benefits, but random gifts. This amenity is for a guest to pick. BTW, don’t forget - at 340 points you can pick 2 - at 525 points you can pick 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken at the beach Posted September 7 #8 Share Posted September 7 42 minutes ago, EricJ said: I just spent 50 minutes on the phone with RCI to select my Diamond Plus Amenity. What a nuisance for a cheap bag or bottle of wine or snack! And if you don't call, you get nothing. How do I know? I was on several cruises as D+ before realizing we were entitled to this amenity. While onboard on my last cruise, I asked the loyalty person about it, and he scolded me for not requesting the perk in advance, and said he couldn't do anything about it. I think they should have a default selection, so at least you get something when you become eligible. If they normally provide some sort of "welcome to D+" message with instructions, we did not get it. It's also hard to understand why they can't allow a selection to be made online. An intern could write that code: Pick one and only one of these items. Done. I can't imagine this is a good use of their phone reps' time. But alas, on to the phones. The amenities flyer / PDF says "To update or change your amenity preferences, please call your dedicated Crown & Anchor Society team." I called the number provided, and they warned me of a 20 minute hold time. Without hanging up, I called the main RCI number from another phone. Same prompts, same wait time. The first rep to answer said she couldn't handle the request because I'm in a group booking (I booked one cabin through a travel agent), so she would transfer me to C&A. But I called the C&A number! After another ~20 minute wait, someone answered who had been given no context for the call. I provided my info again, and she did seem to understand the request quickly and said she recorded it. The whole process seems terribly inefficient and unnecessary. In the old days, they picked a perk and left it in your room. Most of the items we got in the early 2000s as a lower-tier cruiser were nicer than what you get now, and you would get one per person. Advice: If you need to select an amenity, make sure to make a selection for everyone in your home. The C&A rep informed me that they go by the preferences of the "lead passenger," which may change on each booking if you (or your TA) are not consistent, or if you sail separately. It's too late now but in the future if you ever want to change your amenity just have the LA do it on board. They can't change your current sailing but they can easily change your preference for future sailings 7 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nelblu Posted September 7 #9 Share Posted September 7 Even if you select, you still may not get what you selected. I selected 2 bottles of either pinot grigio or chardonnay, however, I get either a bottle of red and a white. Sometimes my 2nd is champagne. And sometimes I only get 1 and have to chase down the 2nd.😁 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swoopy2110 Posted September 7 #10 Share Posted September 7 Agreed. This sort or thing should be online in 2024 ! 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken at the beach Posted September 8 #11 Share Posted September 8 9 minutes ago, swoopy2110 said: Agreed. This sort or thing should be online in 2024 ! Funny thing is that it used to be on line about 10 years ago but they removed it. 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhillyFan33579 Posted September 8 #12 Share Posted September 8 I have called to select/change my wine selection a few times without any issues and with very little to no wait on the phone. I still have a few dozen bottles of wine I got on a ship at home that I have not drank yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patattack Posted September 8 #13 Share Posted September 8 Is there a list for the Amenity to choose from? I am just now Diamond Plus Pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare rrraydon Posted September 8 #14 Share Posted September 8 1 hour ago, PhillyFan33579 said: I have called to select/change my wine selection a few times without any issues and with very little to no wait on the phone. I still have a few dozen bottles of wine I got on a ship at home that I have not drank yet. That's because they're not drinkable! 🤣😉 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karma5 Posted September 8 #15 Share Posted September 8 It was a lot easier in the old system. I wish they would change it back................... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Another_Critic Posted September 8 #16 Share Posted September 8 5 hours ago, Ken at the beach said: They can't change your current sailing but they can easily change your preference for future sailings Did an amenity swap on Symphony last night. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neverbeenhere Posted September 8 #17 Share Posted September 8 (edited) 2 hours ago, patattack said: Is there a list for the Amenity to choose from? I am just now Diamond Plus Pat https://dlxffu6hwewxp.cloudfront.net/cas/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/18063159_CAS_MemberBonus_Amenity_List_v3.pdf 175 plus points Edited September 8 by neverbeenhere 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare JamesEM Posted September 8 #18 Share Posted September 8 On my last cruise I was able to switch a bottle of wine for a six pack of beer. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merion_Mom Posted September 8 #19 Share Posted September 8 How about not complaining about free gifts? 9 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sergeant655 Posted September 8 #20 Share Posted September 8 I am D+ and they deliver fruit baskets multiple times during a cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kbonner Posted September 8 #21 Share Posted September 8 3 hours ago, Merion_Mom said: How about not complaining about free gifts? How about RCI switch back to the old hassle-free procedure? You could change your amenities ONLINE 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare island lady Posted September 8 #22 Share Posted September 8 12 hours ago, Ken at the beach said: It's too late now but in the future if you ever want to change your amenity just have the LA do it on board. They can't change your current sailing but they can easily change your preference for future sailings That is exactly what I do. And in fact am about to find Diego on Serenade to change my selection again today before we disembark on Tuesday. They are always very happy to help. Never had a problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merion_Mom Posted September 8 #23 Share Posted September 8 4 hours ago, Kbonner said: How about RCI switch back to the old hassle-free procedure? You could change your amenities ONLINE That would be nice. But ranting for four paragraphs and multiple posts is just over the top. IMO, of course. YMMV. 3 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UKWLDCruise Posted September 8 #24 Share Posted September 8 7 hours ago, neverbeenhere said: https://dlxffu6hwewxp.cloudfront.net/cas/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/18063159_CAS_MemberBonus_Amenity_List_v3.pdf 175 plus points that is the old list, this is the current one and as usual it is a down grade. https://www.royalcaribbean.com/content/dam/royal/resources/pdf/cas-amenities-jan-2024-final.pdf 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nelblu Posted September 8 #25 Share Posted September 8 57 minutes ago, UKWLDCruise said: that is the old list, this is the current one and as usual it is a down grade. https://www.royalcaribbean.com/content/dam/royal/resources/pdf/cas-amenities-jan-2024-final.pdf What is the downgrade? I'm just glad that I'm able to get something as appreciation for the loyalty. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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