When does it become "pushy"???

[TEXASMUNK]

of interesting points of view!

We turn Diamond on our May cruise. We choose RCI, not becuase of the perks, but because of the ships, the crew the passenger mix and the ports.

 

Thanks for the comments!

[caviargal]

I'm not sure why this rumor keeps floating around that rccl is going to change all the perks for their C&A loyalty cruisers. I really don't see any reason for them to change it especially for profit reasons. They are not losing any big profits by giving their loyalty cruisers perks. Rccl will continue to get our business (loyalty business) if they do not take away.

 

Do the math. Ever increasing #s of Diamond members cost the company more. They are the only line to have a CL and these are becoming overcrowded. As critterchick points out, sometimes these perks are then not available to all and cause a problem, which I understand.

 

RCI will continue to get business because they offer a good value for families that cruise. They have already begun to restructure the C& A levels, adding a premiere level of plus with enhanced perks.

 

They have also announced changes in the wings. They will not be adding to what they give away as that is illogical and impractical. They will add to the higher levels and reduce the overall benefits to Diamond as this is where the issue lies. I also predict a change in the levels themselves.

 

This is in line with their competition.

[Sally Forth]

Oh my gosh, not just a sandwich on an airplane.... I remember when first class had a full "carvery" cart that gave you your meat directly onto your plate. That was only 20 years ago!

 

Viv

[Tasha999]

Do the math. Ever increasing #s of Diamond members cost the company more. They are the only line to have a CL and these are becoming overcrowded. As critterchick points out, sometimes these perks are then not available to all and cause a problem, which I understand.

 

RCI will continue to get business because they offer a good value for families that cruise. They have already begun to restructure the C& A levels, adding a premiere level of plus with enhanced perks.

 

They have also announced changes in the wings. They will not be adding to what they give away as that is illogical and impractical. They will add to the higher levels and reduce the overall benefits to Diamond as this is where the issue lies. I also predict a change in the levels themselves.

 

This is in line with their competition.

I bet somewhere in the fine print it says the CL is open at certain times when available or at the ships discretion. There are also fire laws regarding maximum occupancy of a public room. When the cruiseline started giving all these perks, I don't think they planned for the long term.

[CruiseKeeper]

RCI will continue to get business because they offer a good value for families that cruise. They have already begun to restructure the C& A levels, adding a premiere level of plus with enhanced perks.

 

This is in line with their competition.

 

Why would they want to be in line with their competition? So far, they've only added to the C&A and only ran short on a C&A cruise due to the huge amount of Diamonds/+ onboard.

 

It doesn’t do a company any good to alienate their repeat customers. (Remember new coke back in ‘85??) I can’t imagine RCI wants to chance losing even a portion of their loyal customers to other lines. Thanks to these boards, I’m a savvy shopper. I’m saving $300 with my balcony discount in May and another $150 with a C&A coupon for just my first cruise of the year, plus I’ll be enjoying a $200 OBC for booking while on another cruise. If it weren’t so important to them to keep their customers loyal, why would they go to so much expense to keep us coming back??

 

With all of that, why would I even think about looking at the other lines? Without all of that, I will be looking at other lines and who knows, I may grow to prefer them.

 

Does anyone have any official notice that the C&A is going to reduce their benefits?

[suzyluvs2cruise]

Not a burden at all, but a basic and prudent marketing decision. It is a known fact that attracting new customers has a much higher cost than it does to retain a current customer. So, as a business decision, it only makes sense to continue to cater to those who keep returning to you. A Platinum, Diamond or Diamond + member has proven that they enjoy the product, and continue to utilize it.

 

For those that feel that the overall quality has gone down, it has, but a proportional ratio to the dollar spent. We have heard so many times here at CC how much the industry has changed, yet, it seems to be generally accepted that it is so much more cost effective now (exception being directly after 9/11 when it was down right cheap to cruise) than at any other time in history. The only way the industry can continue to offer low cost cruises is the cut in certain areas of cost, and increase revenue generation in other areas, "the nickel and diming" effect. It really does become basic business. As a stockholder, I want to see the company profitable, get a yearly divident, and yet, as a satisfied customer, continue to enjoy the product.

 

I, for one, keep coming back, taking our tenth cruise this weekend. I like the product, they treat me well, and continue to give me incentives to return.

 

They may revamp the program, but they will continue to cater to returning customers and will do so at a cost effective adjunct tp attracting new cruisers. Just my humble Cape Cod opinion.

 

I agree 110%.

 

I have to travel for my new job, I just recently returned and was shocked when the airline, a major carrier, charges now for snacks! Good thing I take my own most of the time.

 

I liked wrapped butter, they use Land O lakes which is one of my favs, and it is much more sanitary. Do I care if I use stainless steel or real silver, not really, does not make the food taste different. I have been cruising for 10 yrs and have never seen more than a couple of salads offered, but I do miss the dressing options, it does not make the cruise worse for me because of these things, nah not really. I have noticed NOTHING, on land, air or sea is how it used to be. Everyone is cutting back in order to save money. People complain about how much things cost, so they cut costs and reduce fares, the people complain about small things being cut. If they left out the pats of butter and the baskets of bread on the table, someone would complain about how sanitary that was or how wasteful it is when they have to toss out food for sanitary reasons.

 

I would rather not have the extras, enjoy an affordable cruise.

 

Well said.

[Former Goalie]

We usually take 2 or 3 cruises per year, and always book a suite. This is our first time on RCCL, and I have to say I was shocked at the nearly total lack of amenities for suite guests compared to other lines, even in the same price bracket- NCL had a bar stocked with free booze and sodas, HAL had free drinks available in the CL all the time.

I don't consider Special boarding much of a benefit, especially when they include so many diamond members that the line isn't much different than regular boarding. It sure doesn't cost Rccl much. Robes and shampoo I would consider bare minimum, and I couldn't believe the k-mart TV's in the pictured suites. And if the CL is as overrun as it sounds to be on these boards, what is the point of having it?

We booked this cruise because we are looking for a teen friendly line, that our daughter and girlfriend would enjoy. If we like it, we will be back.

RCI's perks in suite needed to be upgraded to remain competitive. Don't get me wrong, the CL is a GREAT perk (and a nice competitive feather in the cap of RCI), but the suite offerings are (were) pretty slim IMHO in comparison to other lines.

NCL's new courtyard concept I feel has the most wow factor, and is the best of the mass market lines IMHO. There are some who might balk at NCL because it is a more "casual" line, with the "freestyle" concept, but we like it.

[Straughn]

There are too many comments that I agree with to be able to quote them all. Like several of you have said, we don't cruise for perks we receive in a GS or OS. We cruise because we like RCCL's ships, itineraries, and ambiance.

 

When we began to cruise in the early-mid 90's, we were paying anywhere from $300-600 more per person for a GS than we are now. At that time, unless you were a senior level cruiser with RCCL, there were no perks for cruising in a suite, other than the robes and the possibility of dinner with the captain. In those days, the ships had far fewer suites than they have now. If you were in a suite, it cost significantly more $$$ than a regular or balcony cabin. We wanted the space, so we paid the price, as we still do.

 

RCI is charging less now for more now than 10-15 years ago. I am sure that they are trying to stay competitive and are offering perks to do so. For us, the complimentary cocktails in the CL or wherever they are serving them make absolutely no difference. As someone else said, we prefer to order and pay for better wine and cocktails elsewhere on the ship. The continental breakfast is nice, but not in a small lounge with too many people and far too much noise. We are quite capable of making our own spa, shore tour and alternative dining reservations-so I don't need the concierge service. Obviously, many people use that service or they wouldn't offer it.

 

The benefits I do take advantage of are the coupon books provided to D level cruisers. However, I would still book the same spa services, buy the same photos, and spend the same amount of $$ in the casino if I didn't have those coupons.

 

I would happily give up all of the "perks" for suites and C&A if they would just go back to the quality of food they had 10-15 years ago, bring the wine stewards back, enforce the dress code and other "policies" and improve the quality of the wine list. I prefer my perks in the form of service and quality, not in a free drink or discount on something I would buy anyway.

[caviargal]

 

I would happily give up all of the "perks" for suites and C&A if they would just go back to the quality of food they had 10-15 years ago, bring the wine stewards back, enforce the dress code and other "policies" and improve the quality of the wine list. I prefer my perks in the form of service and quality, not in a free drink or discount on something I would buy anyway.

 

AMEN!

[Cruising89143]

Not a burden at all, but a basic and prudent marketing decision. It is a known fact that attracting new customers has a much higher cost than it does to retain a current customer. So, as a business decision, it only makes sense to continue to cater to those who keep returning to you. A Platinum, Diamond or Diamond + member has proven that they enjoy the product, and continue to utilize it.

 

For those that feel that the overall quality has gone down, it has, but a proportional ratio to the dollar spent. We have heard so many times here at CC how much the industry has changed, yet, it seems to be generally accepted that it is so much more cost effective now (exception being directly after 9/11 when it was down right cheap to cruise) than at any other time in history. The only way the industry can continue to offer low cost cruises is the cut in certain areas of cost, and increase revenue generation in other areas, "the nickel and diming" effect. It really does become basic business. As a stockholder, I want to see the company profitable, get a yearly divident, and yet, as a satisfied customer, continue to enjoy the product.

 

I, for one, keep coming back, taking our tenth cruise this weekend. I like the product, they treat me well, and continue to give me incentives to return.

 

They may revamp the program, but they will continue to cater to returning customers and will do so at a cost effective adjunct tp attracting new cruisers. Just my humble Cape Cod opinion.

 

Very well said. I also don't get the ones that keep referring to the Royal Caribbean of 15 years ago. RCI is now a full fledged MASS market line. The introduction of the Voyager class ships brought RCI fully into the mass market arena. That was not case 15 years ago. Now they are in competition with the Carnival Cruise Lines of the world. If you want the quality of food that was served years ago then dine in Portofino's or Chop's or cruise on lines like Crystal or Seabourn where you pay for that type of food. RCI is no longer your mom and dad's cruise line of the 1980's. I know that I am not paying the prices that I paid for a cruise 15 years ago. Mass market cruising continues to be one of the best vacation values out there.

 

As far as the perks that RCI give, they are better than what I was receiving at the former line of choice. As long as they make me happy I will continue to give them my business.