Loyalty Programs: Give me $ discount vs. give me "stuff"

[ancldaca]

Ok. Here's the question. All the loyalty programs out there are different with different number of cruises to qualify with different types of benefits.

 

But by and large, benefits fall into two categories: discounts on future cruises and extra "stuff". By "stuff", I mean anything tangible (like the presents on RCCL, the $75 internet usage credit on Princess, etc.)

 

So, what do you prefer? A price reduction "on top off" or the trinkets?

[pris993]

Price discounts must we worth something, i.e., $50-$150 off is not good enough.

 

$75+ free internet, I don't consider a trinket.

 

I really think cruiselines need to do both i.e., discounts and gifts. :)

[beth4652]

Price discounts must we worth something, i.e., $50-$150 off is not good enough.

 

$75+ free internet, I don't consider a trinket.

 

I really think cruiselines need to do both i.e., discounts and gifts. :)

 

 

I would consider $75+ free internet less than a trinket, since we never use the internet while onboard. We rarely use the spa services, either --- just not our cup of tea.

 

Onboard credit or price reduction, imho, is beneficial to all. The "trinkets" are useful only to those who wish to use them.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Definitely would like the discount!!!

[Philip217]

There is at least one more very important option you did not list - and probably didn't even consider: "None of the Above"

 

Cruise Line loyalty programs - as we know them - are quickly dying.

Very few cruisers have any brand loyalty anymore.

Middle America always goes with the lowest bidder.

 

At the same time, the cruise lines are going with the highest bidder.

Why pay you money or give you gifts to buy a cruise when there are a dozen new cruisers ready to take your place at a higher per diem?

 

The only ones who will get any recognition in future are the "Business Class" and "First Class" cruisers, Just like the airlines, we know where our profits are coming from. The Economy Class flyers and cruisers are just paying for the cost of fuel and food.

 

Sorry for the bad news, but it is simple economics.

[AWED23]

We are long time cruisers who are able to cruise often...Over 50 cruises and I still get suprised from time to time. In Sept./Oct. we took a Med cruise of 21 days on the Regent Navigator and because of previous cruises with them we were entitled to their 20 day award level...I have already forgot what they call it but the Perks were: Free and unlimited internet usage as well as, I believe, 10 minutes of telephone usage..And the kicker was a 5% discount off the price of the cruise...On HAL We get a medallion and a magazine....WHEEEEEEEEE !!!!!!! :) :rolleyes:

[wrp96]

I like RCCL's combination of discounts and trinkets. You get coupons for discounts on certain cruises, then once you reach platinum you get discounts on balcony staterooms and higher, for my next cruise it's $200 off the cruise. PLUS you get the coupons for onboard use which if you use them can be worth lots of money, once you get to higher levels you get concierge lounge access (good for free drinks if you drink), etc.

[chasetf]

The only ones who will get any recognition in future are the "Business Class" and "First Class" cruisers, Just like the airlines, we know where our profits are coming from. The Economy Class flyers and cruisers are just paying for the cost of fuel and food.

 

Sorry for the bad news, but it is simple economics.

I'm happy with that. Gives me the option to pay for the perks or go with the mass.

[Spikesgirl]

I prefer the perks over the discounts. There is something about free laundry that really appeals to me, especially on vacation. We have never used the Internet service that Princess provides because my DH is a sys asmin for AT&T and vacation means that to him. If he needs to check in, he uses his own laptop and the wireless service (which we have to pay for - his choice). There are other perks that we use or don't depending upon the cruise. It's nice to know that they are there if we want them.

 

We do have cruise line loyality and only cruise with one company, but it's because we enjoy the services, the itineraries and ships, not because of the perks offered. We'd sail with them without a loyality program.

 

Charlie

[Rouge Wave]

There is at least one more very important option you did not list - and probably didn't even consider: "None of the Above"

 

Cruise Line loyalty programs - as we know them - are quickly dying.

Very few cruisers have any brand loyalty anymore.

Middle America always goes with the lowest bidder.

 

At the same time, the cruise lines are going with the highest bidder.

Why pay you money or give you gifts to buy a cruise when there are a dozen new cruisers ready to take your place at a higher per diem?

 

The only ones who will get any recognition in future are the "Business Class" and "First Class" cruisers, Just like the airlines, we know where our profits are coming from. The Economy Class flyers and cruisers are just paying for the cost of fuel and food.

 

Sorry for the bad news, but it is simple economics.

 

Hmmm.. really? Then why did Maxijet just file for bankruptcy? Their target demographic was nothing BUT 1st and Biz class (you know the “good” customers). It seems without "Middle America" going after the lowest bidder, you know, to do nothing more then pay for the food and fuel, the airlines can't afford to make a profit on the clients they are going after. I am sure you understand, you know, basic economics……….

[firefly333]

discounts!!!! i dont want strangers washing my underwear, free casino poker entrance??!! carnival offers nothing but petite fours i would use, hard card cash everyone can use, its a universal gift. $$

[AWED23]

Hmmm.. really? Then why did Maxijet just file for bankruptcy? Their target demographic was nothing BUT 1st and Biz class (you know the “good” customers). It seems without "Middle America" going after the lowest bidder, you know, to do nothing more then pay for the food and fuel, the airlines can't afford to make a profit on the clients they are going after. I am sure you understand, you know, basic economics……….

:D You are right on...Virgen Atlantic and Southwest both do well due to their superior management, not the targeted demographic...Curious re your name "Rouge Wave"...Is that Rouge as in the French for red or just a new way to spell Rogue?:)

[Philip217]

Rouge / Rogue Wave,

 

You have already answered your own question - and so have I.

 

I'm not saying that we do not want the discount cruiser to keep coming back. They are the poeple who pay for the fuel and food. But the great news (for cruise lines) is that - for the forseeable future - there are more discount cruisers than we need. It is definitely a "Sellers Market" for us. Like the airlines, we have no need to encourage even more discount travelers to come with us when we cannot even handle present demand. And every indicator tells us that this trend will continue for several decades. 2008 already is showing the strongest advance sales we have seen in many years.

 

But the Business and First Class Traveler is the one that gives us profit - after the Economy traveler has paid for our basic operating costs. For the airlines and cruise lines to remain profitable, we will continue to gladly carry the Economy travelers, while we pay more and more special attention to the upscale travelers who "show us the money".

[Rouge Wave]

:D You are right on...Virgen Atlantic and Southwest both do well due to their superior management, not the targeted demographic...Curious re your name "Rouge Wave"...Is that Rouge as in the French for red or just a new way to spell Rogue?:)

 

Well, I could say I cheer on the Crimson tide… or, perhaps I am a Marine biologist and theorize a red tide bloom is connected to wave action, and it could be something to do with a salutation while applying makeup. Or it could be a typo, such as ahve, ahd or my favorite of late, crusie and I did not catch it until AFTER I hit the register button when I signed up on CC.

Oh well. J

[Rouge Wave]

Rouge / Rogue Wave,

 

You have already answered your own question - and so have I.

 

I'm not saying that we do not want the discount cruiser to keep coming back. They are the poeple who pay for the fuel and food. But the great news (for cruise lines) is that - for the forseeable future - there are more discount cruisers than we need. It is definitely a "Sellers Market" for us. Like the airlines, we have no need to encourage even more discount travelers to come with us when we cannot even handle present demand. And every indicator tells us that this trend will continue for several decades. 2008 already is showing the strongest advance sales we have seen in many years.

 

But the Business and First Class Traveler is the one that gives us profit - after the Economy traveler has paid for our basic operating costs. For the airlines and cruise lines to remain profitable, we will continue to gladly carry the Economy travelers, while we pay more and more special attention to the upscale travelers who "show us the money".

 

 

Time will tell what 2008 holds. Most of the advanced sales I would suspect are bookings held with a deposit, a fully refundable deposit. If the economy continues to sour, the dollar continues its freefall, the advanced sales could turn into empty cabins. Since it is a safe bet the price of oil will continue to rise, how much more of a fuel surcharge will the market support?

The falling dollar is a big deal I would think. The mass exodus of experienced skilled and trained crew from the service departments of the cruise ships (read housekeeping, food service) is I think, a looming problem. I have been told many times over the last year by crew members with 5/8/10 years that this will be their last contract. I ask why, and over and over it is the current status of the dollar being on life-support and the poor exchange rate with the Euro and the Pound. I have seen the effect of the exodus in the quality of service I have received while cruising over the last year. No matter the enthusiasm or motivation of the new hires, replacing those who are leaving and their experience and skills will not be achieved without some pain.

So what will the industry do? Over haul the pay system? That will also up the fares which will reduce the number of people who will book a cruise. Will the industry do nothing and let the service slip? If so, that path will chase people away. Perhaps the industry will step up the training programs. The learning curve is long and there is no replacement for time and experience. So 2008 may be looking good now (as did the start of Christmas 2007 for retailers…..) but 2008 has just begun.

[AWED23]

:D

Well, I could say I cheer on the Crimson tide… or, perhaps I am a Marine biologist and theorize a red tide bloom is connected to wave action, and it could be something to do with a salutation while applying makeup. Or it could be a typo, such as ahve, ahd or my favorite of late, crusie and I did not catch it until AFTER I hit the register button when I signed up on CC.

 

Oh well. J

:D Thanks for the comeback....:cool: The Crimson Tide part did hurt this very, very old Trojan.. Tell me it aint so, OJ.....

[MrsPete]

BY FAR I'd rather have discounts.

 

Why? Because the "trinkets" that I value are not the same "trinkets" that you value. Personally, even if I had free internet on the ship, I wouldn't use it -- but I'd love free laundry! Casino credit? I don't care about it, nor do I want logo beach towels, but I would like a couple free drinks or a no-fee Johnny Rocket's meal.

 

The one thing upon which we can all agree, however, is MONEY. We all like a discount. As a customer, I say let us choose our own extras.

 

However, if I look at it from a BUSINESS point of view, the trinkets are cheaper to give than discounts. Consider . . . if RC gives you $50 off your cruise, they have $50 less income . . . on the other hand, if they give you a free Coke cup, they're probably "out of pocket" $2 for the mug and .50 for the actual soda you'll drink all week long. They can SAY that they gave you a $50 item, but in reality it only cost them $2.50 (obviously I'm making some numerical assumptions here, but the point is valid). A logo polo shirt probably costs them about $5, but they sell it for $30 -- so they can SAY that they're giving you a $30 item. So if I were RC, I'd be handing out trinkets left and right -- and keeping prices just where they started.

 

All the stores use a similar technique to make us feel good about spending in their establishments: "You "saved" $5 by shopping with us today". No, I didn't. I spent money on an item that I judged worth the price. I didn't SAVE a penny by spending.

[mx121]

This is why I (usuallly) stay loyal to RCCL. as a diamond+ member, and in conjuntion with my RCCL (Bank of America) credit card, I get upgrades, and discounts galore! I get services too! concierege service, custom air with discount packages, priority check-in & debarkation, and welcome back parties! I get goodies in my cabin, and when your sea-pass card reflects that you are a frequent cruiser, you get treated very well. The discount cruisers help fill the ship, and the lines rely on them more than you know. Take it from one who worked there.

[Jade13]

We are long time cruisers who are able to cruise often...Over 50 cruises and I still get suprised from time to time. In Sept./Oct. we took a Med cruise of 21 days on the Regent Navigator and because of previous cruises with them we were entitled to their 20 day award level...I have already forgot what they call it but the Perks were: Free and unlimited internet usage as well as, I believe, 10 minutes of telephone usage..And the kicker was a 5% discount off the price of the cruise...On HAL We get a medallion and a magazine....WHEEEEEEEEE !!!!!!! :) :rolleyes:

 

But, HAL gives almost all the same benefits in all cabins (including inside) that you have to pay extra for CC class on Celebrity to get including fruit baskets, Elemis spa products in all cabins, full (hot) room service (only continental on Princess), free shoe shine...Hal also allows discounting by TA's.

[AWED23]

But, HAL gives almost all the same benefits in all cabins (including inside) that you have to pay extra for CC class on Celebrity to get including fruit baskets, Elemis spa products in all cabins, full (hot) room service (only continental on Princess), free shoe shine...Hal also allows discounting by TA's.

:) I am not sure what you mean. I related a recent experience I had on Regent's Navigator...Said nothing about Celebrity..??? I have never been on Celebrity and do not know what CC class is.