Past guest status worth it?

[sunflower girl]

I am seriously thinking of booking the 10 Eastern out of Tampa Nov 2008. Would love to have a balcony on that long of a trip. I am wondering since I want to do something for our anniversary this year (considering lots of options), if I should book a short cruise with RCCI inorder to get past guest specials for the longer cruise next year?

 

I am also a FL resident now and was not the last time I cruised. Carnival has offered some great deals and I have been happy with my experiences with them, but I have had several people tell me I should try RCCI.

 

Thanks!

[familycruzer]

You wont get a discount off a balcony until you hit platinum with C&A.

 

You could take a short cruise and book on board for 2008 and then get an OBC of $200 per cabin.

Then if you are lucky get a coupon from C&A.

Then a coupon book on board the November 08 cruise.

[39august]

You don't get much after just one cruise. A free wine tasting coupon, some picture discounts and casino credits, and maybe a percent off coupon for logo gear. Nothing to write home about. However, after 5 cruise credits(you get 1 extra credit if you cruise in a jr. suite or above, or you get 2 cruise credits if the cruise is 12 nites or longer) you begin to get some goodies, like $$ off of balcony and suite cabins. After 10 cruise credits you get more $$ off and access to a concierge lounge for free drinks and hors d' ouvres from 5-8:30 each evening, 24 hr access to specialty coffee machine, extensive continental breakfast each morning, and coupons for free drinks, free Ben and Jerrys ice cream, % off bottles of wine, etc. If I lived in Fl. I'd take some short cruises so I was Platinum (5 credits) before a longer cruise.

[Inshape]

You will just have a crown and anchor gift( sign up after your first cruise) and you will be invited to a party for past members. That is it until you have more cruise credits.

[cb at sea]

If this is the cruiseline you want to sail with, then do it! I mean, the "perks" for repeat passengers are ok, but shouldn't really affect your entire vacation plans!

[katiel53]

If this is the cruiseline you want to sail with, then do it! I mean, the "perks" for repeat passengers are ok, but shouldn't really affect your entire vacation plans!

 

 

I guess it depends on what you think is ok. For us, as Diamonds, we get $200off the price of a balcony cabin. That's more than Ok. The use of the Concierge lounge nightly is also more than OK. Then the coupons for money off as Diamond cruisers of $150 usually is more than ok. These savings do influence my vacation.

 

 

I guess you have far more money than we have or you are not Diamond. Either way, then I could understand how the "perks are ok."

 

I would encourage, rather than discourage the OP to keep booking RCI. But, I guess that's another thing where we have differences of opinion.:D

[Inshape]

No one is discouraging, but the OP said she wants to book a short cruise first to ONLY get the past cruise incentives for her long cruise. SHe will only have one credit. No need to go on a short cruise unless it will bump you to the next level. ENjoy!

[Merion_Mom]

No one is discouraging, but the OP said she wants to book a short cruise first to ONLY get the past cruise incentives for her long cruise. SHe will only have one credit. No need to go on a short cruise unless it will bump you to the next level. ENjoy!

Sure there is - it's a cruise!

 

(you make it sound like a punishment! ;) :D )

[Inshape]

Well sure you are right for that reason.But the op said is it worth going on another short one just to get the credit for the second.

[louanne93]

You wont get a discount off a balcony until you hit platinum with C&A.

 

You could take a short cruise and book on board for 2008 and then get an OBC of $200 per cabin.

Then if you are lucky get a coupon from C&A.

Then a coupon book on board the November 08 cruise.

 

So if you book another cruise, while your on a cruise, you get $200 OBC?

If we cancelled our upcoming cruise on the Mariner in Feb. 2009 just before we leave for our Jan. 08 cruise what do you think the chances of getting our cabin back (it's 9692...aft)?

[charlesjoy]

You wont get a discount off a balcony until you hit platinum with C&A.

 

You could take a short cruise and book on board for 2008 and then get an OBC of $200 per cabin.

Then if you are lucky get a coupon from C&A.

Then a coupon book on board the November 08 cruise.

 

 

We are only Gold C&A and we received $200 C&A coupon off our next cruise for a balcony. (upcoming December cruise) so I think there are some coupons available before you hit platinum.

[Sue L]

So if you book another cruise, while your on a cruise, you get $200 OBC?

If we cancelled our upcoming cruise on the Mariner in Feb. 2009 just before we leave for our Jan. 08 cruise what do you think the chances of getting our cabin back (it's 9692...aft)?

 

 

don't cancel it before you leave the loyalty ambassador will do it for you and hopefully in that couple of minutes to switch it it won't disappear but it could so be warned. Also make sure you double check the price before you leave because if you cancel the first one and the price has gone up you will pay the current rate at that point. Sometimes the OBC is not worth it if the price of the cruise has gone up. Also you get 200$ OBC if the length of the cruise is 9+ days, otherwise 6-8 days is 100$ and 3-5 days are 50$

[aqhacruiser]

We are only Gold C&A and we received $200 C&A coupon off our next cruise for a balcony. (upcoming December cruise) so I think there are some coupons available before you hit platinum.

 

Yes there are good coupons for all C & A levels on selected cruises:) There are also discounts off balcony cabins and up for Platinum and Diamond/Diamond Plus C & A members in addition to any coupons that may also be available. I think the RCCL loyalty program ( C & A ) is great. I love getting 300.00 off my cabin for a 9 night as Diamond and there are a lot of other perks but we really like the discount:)

[Pootle]

You wont get a discount off a balcony until you hit platinum with C&A.

 

You could take a short cruise and book on board for 2008 and then get an OBC of $200 per cabin.

Then if you are lucky get a coupon from C&A.

Then a coupon book on board the November 08 cruise.

 

Well I’m a gold C&A member and I just got £70 ($140) off each week of my next back to back through printing off the coupons on the C&A web page. It’s not a huge amount, but it’ll help with the bar bill!

[raffles]

Also you get 200$ OBC if the length of the cruise is 9+ days, otherwise 6-8 days is 100$ and 3-5 days are 50$

 

Can you enlighten me regarding the above please. I have one RCI cruise under my belt and another 2 booked - one short 4 night and one 12 nights. Am I entitled to OBC or discount and if so how and from where do I get them? My cruises have been booked through travel agents, different ones and despite my asking them about OBC I have not been fortunate enough to be given any :( Sorry for being a bit dim :o but does the above apply only if you book another cruise while on board?

 

A couple more questions please - I know I get 2 cruise credits for a JS but do you get any extra credits depending on how many nights the cruise lasts? ie if I am in a standard cabin for 12-14 nights do I get 2 cruise credits. In the UK we don't have many options for short cruises so one long cruise a year means it takes a long time to gain any benefits.

I will have 4 (I think) cruise credits before I cruise with Celebrity in Jan 2009, will these be recognised by Celebrity?

 

Sorry for going slightly of topic. Thank you in advance for any information.

 

Cheerie

Faye

[KelJ]

Can you enlighten me regarding the above please. I have one RCI cruise under my belt and another 2 booked - one short 4 night and one 12 nights. Am I entitled to OBC or discount and if so how and from where do I get them? My cruises have been booked through travel agents, different ones and despite my asking them about OBC I have not been fortunate enough to be given any :( Sorry for being a bit dim :o but does the above apply only if you book another cruise while on board?

 

A couple more questions please - I know I get 2 cruise credits for a JS but do you get any extra credits depending on how many nights the cruise lasts? ie if I am in a standard cabin for 12-14 nights do I get 2 cruise credits. In the UK we don't have many options for short cruises so one long cruise a year means it takes a long time to gain any benefits.

I will have 4 (I think) cruise credits before I cruise with Celebrity in Jan 2009, will these be recognised by Celebrity?

 

Sorry for going slightly of topic. Thank you in advance for any information.

 

Cheerie

Faye

 

You would only be entitled to the OBC if you booked a cruise while on a cruise.

You can get up to three cruise credits on any cruise. You get one just for sailing, and then the following is from the RCI website:

Receive an extra cruise credit when you purchase and sail in a suite (categories RS, OS, FS, GS, JS) for sailings beginning on or after January 1, 2004. Receive two cruise credits for a 12-night or longer cruise/cruisetour on or after January 1, 2003. Receive matching Captain's Club member recognition when you sail our sister line, Celebrity Cruises.

[raffles]

Thank you for that information. I have never booked a cruise whilst onboard but I think it would be worth my while next time.

 

You say you can get up to 3 credits while onboard - am I clear in thinking that I will get 2 for being in a JS and one for a 12 night cruise? Wow that would really bump me up :D. I have still to find out where I look on the RCI website to see if I have received a credit for my June cruise :o . C&A emailed my membership number (in July) but have not received any other info yet.

 

I think from looking at the Celebrity website that even if I did have 5 RCI credits these would only be counted after I had sailed with Celebrity so it wouldn't make any difference to my Feb 2009 cruise.

 

I do appreciate all the information I get from these boards (even if I do show myself up to being a dope!)

 

Thanks again

 

Faye

[awhittin]

So.... as I understand it... I will get 2 credits for my upcoming cruise 'cause I'll be in a suite. Will I receive additional credit(s) for the same cruise if I have booked and paid for another reservation on the same cruise? (other people) Or just a pat on the back for being a nice mom? :)

 

 

Alison

[Sue L]

So.... as I understand it... I will get 2 credits for my upcoming cruise 'cause I'll be in a suite. Will I receive additional credit(s) for the same cruise if I have booked and paid for another reservation on the same cruise? (other people) Or just a pat on the back for being a nice mom? :)

 

 

Alison

 

 

Sorry everyone gets there own credits, the only thing you get is the pat on the back.!:D And you will really get kudos, because those kids living at your address will automatically go to the highest level of the parents after their first cruise. So if mom and dad are platinum, AFTER the kids complete their first cruise then they will be platinum.

[awhittin]

Sorry everyone gets there own credits, the only thing you get is the pat on the back.!:D And you will really get kudos, because those kids living at your address will automatically go to the highest level of the parents after their first cruise. So if mom and dad are platinum, AFTER the kids complete their first cruise then they will be platinum.

 

 

Thanks! That's what I thought, but it never hurts to ask!:)

[sunflower girl]

thanks everyone...I always get so much information from these boards. I am not sure if I want to "continue" booking with RCI - but I sure want to give them a try. I will probably book the short cruise (as some said) because it is a cruise and then do the longer one when they start going out of Tampa next year (I am only 1 hour away). Thanks again!!

[KelJ]

Thank you for that information. I have never booked a cruise whilst onboard but I think it would be worth my while next time.

 

You say you can get up to 3 credits while onboard - am I clear in thinking that I will get 2 for being in a JS and one for a 12 night cruise? Wow that would really bump me up :D. I have still to find out where I look on the RCI website to see if I have received a credit for my June cruise :o . C&A emailed my membership number (in July) but have not received any other info yet.

 

I think from looking at the Celebrity website that even if I did have 5 RCI credits these would only be counted after I had sailed with Celebrity so it wouldn't make any difference to my Feb 2009 cruise.

 

I do appreciate all the information I get from these boards (even if I do show myself up to being a dope!)

 

Thanks again

 

Faye

 

Yes, Faye, you will get three cruise credits. Congratulations!:)

[cruiserbryce]

You could take a short cruise and book on board for 2008 and then get an OBC of $200 per cabin

 

this would probably be the best part of doing the short cruise...booking your 2008 10 nighter while you're onthe other ship gets you a $200 on board credit...but other than that the savings aren't huge after one cruise, but there are some small perks