Royal Champions Vereses the rest of us

[glgolfer]

In one breath, you say that it's opinion and so there is no right or wrong but in the other, you say she shouldn't post if she doesn't like the topic. interesting leap.

 

 

Excellent observation.

[Morecruisesplz]

I just think any time you single out a few who do much the same as many and reward them separately and unusually, you almost certainly put into question their objectivity. I am not trying to be rude to those of you who are and who state here that you remain entirely objective concerning the brand, but on some level don't you think you might lean a certain way when you either have been or are looking forward to being treated to perks previously reserved for those who take on the job of selling the company's product for a living?

[pcur]

It seems like a very clever program -- give some nice perks to those willing to be your otherwise unpaid champion on your behalf. We (the non-Champions) to however need to be cautious about the objectivity of postings by the Champions. People aren't too likely to "bite the hand that feeds them."

 

I'm a Royal Champion, also, but it has no bearing on my posts. I just tend to be a "glass half full" type of person about everything. I'm also a HUGE researcher, so I love to gather extra information, and CC is a great place to study up on ports, ships, etc. that I have experienced recently. I also tend to look at RCCL as a business, and keep that in mind when I evaluate my cruises.

 

But, of course, it could all be a result of our length of time cruising with RCCL: 36 years this October. If something else ever came along that we liked better, we would have jumped ship, so to speak. But, nothing ever did!

 

So far, we've received one invite to the Mariner one-nighter that we had to cancel because DH was still recuperating from surgery. So, being a RC is not much of an influence on my posting, either.

[glgolfer]

I just think any time you single out a few who do much the same as many and reward them separately and unusually, you almost certainly put into question their objectivity. I am not trying to be rude to those of you who are and who state here that you remain entirely objective concerning the brand, but on some level don't you think you might lean a certain way when you either have been or are looking forward to being treated to perks previously reserved for those who take on the job of selling the company's product for a living?

 

In a word, no. I'm 67 years old and tend to say what I think. I started with Royal Caribbean in 1987 on the Song of Norway. I've cruised on Crystal, NCL, HAL, QM2, Celebrity and Hurtigruten.

I've seen the changes in RCIs product over the last 23 years and feel they've made many wrong decisions and expressed that opinion here.

 

One of the biggest fiasco's was the ranch steak which they finally got rid of.

 

That being said, RCI still has a good product for the money. Their ships are the best designed, their staff, overall, is the equal to any in terms of service and friendliness and their itineraries are becoming global and varied.

 

I'll continue to praise them when they deserve it, express my dismay when they do something I consider wrong and defend both RCI and the cruise industry as a whole when they are attacked with no good reason.

 

One other point is that I think you'll find that the Royal Champions are advocates of the total cruise industry, not just RCI.

[FL_Cruiser64]

OMG!!! I can't believe these threads about being a Royal Champion. Why are we such cry babies? Thread after thread of crying about C & A perks being taken away or downgraded. About not being an RC. About being D/D+ and not being treated special. When I took my first cruise there were no loyalty programs and I loved cruising anyway.

 

I cruise 99% on Royal, but if they gave me nothing and never recognized anything I would still cruise with them. I don't know about you all but I cruise because I enjoy it. I cruise Royal because in my mind they have the best ships and crew in the water. I have talked several of my co working anti cruisers and friends into taking cruises because I want them to love it too. People think I'm a travel agent...I don't post that here I don't talk about it here...I do it because I like Royal. If they have ticked you off because you weren't selected then take your business elsewhere, spend your money where you feel appreciated, but stop complaining...

 

Throw darts, flames whatever...I really don't care...

 

Now I'm stepping down of my soapbox...

 

What a beautiful post. Outstanding.

[madforcruising]

The Royal Champion program has influenced me, it has made me start to look at other cruise lines.

 

According to the link they have not been able to measure the success of the program, from what I have read here on Cruise Critic this program alienates loyal cruisers. I can speak for my family for my family it has a sour taste in my mouth for RCCL.

 

The majority of the favorable comments are from the Royal Champions.

 

I will continue to cruise but now the Royal Champion Program and the way Royal Caribbean Corporate has handle this program I view RCCL in a new light. And considering their stock is down and bookings are down, most business professionals would not say this is a success.

 

You are taking yourself way too serious and important. I´m sorry if this might offend you as it is not meant as an offend, but you can´t really think that something like the RC´s has any impact on stock performance and / or bookings.

 

People reading and posting on online forums are only a very very small percentage of the overall cruising people. And even of the members of the online communities probably only a very very small percentage is even aware of the existance of the RC´s. Now from this handful people (compared to the cruising population) take those that feel alienated, and it´s obvious that not everybody feels like you that is not an RC, and how many people do you get in the count?

Do you really think this amount of people will have any measurable affect on booking numbers and/or stock performance?

Sorry, but this is certainly not a method to determine the success of the programm.

 

Also don´t forget that the stock price is not determined by anyone cruiser buying 100 shares or selling them. It´s the big institutional investors to influence the price that hold large percentages of the stock.

 

Sure the RCL stock has gone down, but so has the stock of almost every single company. Or why do you think the stock took a hit now, with the RC´s being around for how long? A year? Or two?

 

I´m not arguing your feelings regarding this, because with a feeling there´s no right or wrong and if you feel like this there´s not that much to change that feeling, but your arguments regarding the impact on the whole company is more than questionable IMO.

 

As for your comment about "The majority of the favorable comments are from the Royal Champions." Well yeah I might agree about that with you, but then how many people are there on this thread at all and how many of these see a real bad impact by this? My observation to this quesiton is you are right the majority in favor of it are RC´s and the number of complainers against it is somewhat insignificant (as is the number of choosen RC´s in the whole scheme;)).

[English_in_Spain]

This is the first I have heard of 'Royal Champions'. I never knew such a thing existed. Can I just ask..

 

1. What perks/rewards do these people get?

 

2. Do they all put 'Royal Champion' in their signatures?

 

I would prefer to know, when someone is giving me advice or an opinion, whether they are being rewarded or not. I can then decide whether I need to 'weight down' their answers. I am not saying I would ignore what they say but I would certainly bear it in mind.

[madforcruising]

This is the first I have heard of 'Royal Champions'. I never knew such a thing existed. Can I just ask..

 

1. What perks/rewards do these people get?

 

I got asked my name, Address, email and phone number;)

 

2. Do they all put 'Royal Champion' in their signatures?

 

It´s up to each CC member what to put in their signature.

 

I would prefer to know, when someone is giving me advice or an opinion, whether they are being rewarded or not. I can then decide whether I need to 'weight down' their answers. I am not saying I would ignore what they say but I would certainly bear it in mind.

 

If you start reading a bit about it you´ll discover that nobody is rewarded for anything.

You need to read everything - RC or not - with a grain of salt and build your own opinion. D/D+ C&A members would get way more, or should I say anything at all;), for their loyalty.

 

RC is not a loyalty programm and not a reward for anything.

[alexkrn46]

This is the first I have heard of 'Royal Champions'. I never knew such a thing existed. Can I just ask..

 

1. What perks/rewards do these people get?

 

2. Do they all put 'Royal Champion' in their signatures?

 

I would prefer to know, when someone is giving me advice or an opinion, whether they are being rewarded or not. I can then decide whether I need to 'weight down' their answers. I am not saying I would ignore what they say but I would certainly bear it in mind.

 

It is a program where RC rewards these people with FREE cruises ( although short 1-2 days), treated like VIPS, great access to a special Royal Connect, and are told by the company they are "Champions".

 

Most not all put RC on their signature. According to the link that I first posted they are monitored by RC for their positive and frequent posts.

[hmsdos]

I am very close to achieving Diamond Plus. I feel the criteria for achieving is posted. I have felt the Royal Champion Program is rewarding people on internet usage not dollars or number of cruises.

 

There has secrecy according to RCCL we were quoted by a loyalty specialist via email. This response was after the person told my husband via phone that selection was random.

 

"Royal Champions are selected based on a proprietary methodology to recognize influential online contributors, however, not all online posters will be named Royal Champions. The Royal Champions program is completely separate from the Crown & Anchor Society. Perks received by Royal Champions do not duplicate or replace benefits received by Crown & Anchor Society members. Membership tier and/or number of cruises in Crown & Anchor are not selection factors for Royal Champions. We continue to provide exclusive invitations and benefits to our most loyal Crown & Anchor Society members. "

 

I find this disturbing, since I found this online today

 

http://www.customerinsightgroup.com/loyaltyblog/

 

"Royal Carribean Case Study

Identifying Brand Advocates: Royal Caribbean worked with Nielsen Buzz Metrics to identify enthusiastic online supporters of Royal Caribbean. Using a combination of automated and manual techniques, they identified online communities that discuss Royal Caribbean Cruises. Relying on data mining software and human expertise in word-of-mouth analysis, they measured awareness, identifying emergent qualitative themes of discussion on blogs, travel forums, usernets to gain a better understanding of how consumers discuss Royal Caribbean cruises. Fifty Royal Caribbean Champions were chosen for both quality and quantity of posts with many having over 10,000 message board posts on various Royal Caribbean topics. While Champions were primarily found on Cruise Critic, they also posted on travel communities, usenet groups, travel blogs and personal journals."

 

 

This marketing champaign has negative impact on my family.

The program rewards people who have hours to spend on the internet, I have to work during the day. Our last cruise was on NCL and was great, my kids shocked when I told them we were going on another cruise line. I now tell everyone not to be loyal to one cruise line since the dollars I have spent don't seem to matter.

 

My issues are:

 

One what is the secret about the "Royal Champion " program why was I told one thing in an email and another posted on the internet.

 

Why is Royal rewarding people for postings not dollars spent?

 

One is one cruiser more important than another?

 

I know I will get flack from the Royal Champions, but my interest is how other RCCL cruisers feel about not being a champion.

 

From the link you provided.... found this quote very interesting...:D

Influencing Brand Advocates

 

Posted on February 4th, 2009 by Sallie Burnett

In my previous posts, I sited the recent study by Colloquy that found that customers who participate in loyalty-building efforts are 70 percent more likely to actively recommend a product, service or brand than the general population. I thought you might want to see this strategy in action with the Royal Caribbean Cruises’ efforts. Rachel Hannock, Manager Loyalty Marketing and Royal Caribbean Cruises shared there story at a recent loyalty marketing conference. Hannock noted, “The key to success in viral marketing is to subtly influence the influencers without them overtly realizing they are being influenced.”

[alexkrn46]

From the link you provided.... found this quote very interesting...:D

Influencing Brand Advocates

 

Posted on February 4th, 2009 by Sallie Burnett

In my previous posts, I sited the recent study by Colloquy that found that customers who participate in loyalty-building efforts are 70 percent more likely to actively recommend a product, service or brand than the general population. I thought you might want to see this strategy in action with the Royal Caribbean Cruises’ efforts. Rachel Hannock, Manager Loyalty Marketing and Royal Caribbean Cruises shared there story at a recent loyalty marketing conference. Hannock noted, “The key to success in viral marketing is to subtly influence the influencers without them overtly realizing they are being influenced.”

 

 

Of course Rachel Hancock, not Hannock is going to say this, her job is on the line.

 

According to what I read,

 

"Measuring Success: While difficult to measure precisely, based on observation and anecdotal evidence we are confident that the Royal Champions produce ample word of mouth and exert sufficient influence to make the investment worthwhile. Posts from Royal Champions are carefully monitored during events and on a regular basis to ensure that posts remain positive and frequent."

 

This is not a measure program. For example if RCCL gave a $50 credit for every C&A member who got a new person to cruise this would be track able.

 

So remember Royal Champions are being monitored and rewarded.

 

Influencing Brand Advocates: "In May 2007, the Royal Champions community of online enthusiasts was invited to their first big event, the pre-inaugural sailings of our newest ship Liberty of the Seas in New York and Miami. This was the first time in the company’s history that invitees to pre-inaugural sailings were “ordinary people” i.e. not VIP’s, corporate executives, or top producing travel agent. Royal Caribbean hosted ship and stateroom tours and cocktail parties with executives. President Adam Goldstein hosted the New York party and CEO Richard Fain hosted the Miami party. The events generated abundant positive word-of-mouth on various sites and created a cohesive community of Royal Caribbean online enthusiasts that are regularly leveraged for ongoing marketing initiatives"

 

I had to pay for the passage to go on the first Solstice precruise.

[alexkrn46]

You are taking yourself way too serious and important. I´m sorry if this might offend you as it is not meant as an offend, but you can´t really think that something like the RC´s has any impact on stock performance and / or bookings.

 

People reading and posting on online forums are only a very very small percentage of the overall cruising people. And even of the members of the online communities probably only a very very small percentage is even aware of the existance of the RC´s. Now from this handful people (compared to the cruising population) take those that feel alienated, and it´s obvious that not everybody feels like you that is not an RC, and how many people do you get in the count?

 

 

 

Do you really think this amount of people will have any measurable affect on booking numbers and/or stock performance?

 

That is what Rachel Hancock of RCI thinks according to here resume on linked in.

 

Manager, Loyalty Marketing

Royal Caribbean International

(Public Company; 10,001 or more employees; Leisure, Travel & Tourism industry)

2007 — Present (2 years)

Manager of top cruise industry loyalty program. Responsible for entire retention marketing strategy. Tactical deployment of program communications through EM, DM, web and print channels. Oversee call center support. Manage shipboard loyalty events worldwide. Leverage key influencers in online communities through social networking initiatives. Strategic direction of $1B+ co-branded credit card program

 

 

on´t forget that the stock price is not determined by anyone cruiser buying 100 shares or selling them. It´s the big institutional investors to influence the price that hold large percentages of the stock.

 

Sure the RCL stock has gone down, but so has the stock of almost every single company. Or why do you think the stock took a hit now, with the RC´s being around for how long? A year? Or two?

 

RCI has been trading since 1994 it opened at $8.94 now under $6. Carnival is trading at $19/

 

I´m not arguing your feelings regarding this, because with a feeling there´s no right or wrong and if you feel like this there´s not that much to change that feeling, but your arguments regarding the impact on the whole company is more than questionable IMO.

 

I agree.

 

As for your comment about "The majority of the favorable comments are from the Royal Champions." Well yeah I might agree about that with you, but then how many people are there on this thread at all and how many of these see a real bad impact by this? My observation to this quesiton is you are right the majority in favor of it are RC´s and the number of complainers against it is somewhat insignificant (as is the number of choosen RC´s in the whole scheme;)).

 

I differ with you on this , RCI is looking for market share, their bookings are down, their stock is down, the Loyalty Program is administered in an uneven fashion. And the way corporate has responded to me, one denying the program existed until I provide evidence. Second told us their was no formula and then posted it on the internet. This is not good customer service. If this was a privately traded company they could do whatever they want, but it is public and they have to show their stock holders they are making money.

[madforcruising]

 

I had to pay for the passage to go on the first Solstice precruise.

 

How many Royal Champions were there for free?

[HorrorFan]

This is an interesting thread. I didn't realize this 'group' existed.

On the one hand, some of the RC's saying the whole thing is no big deal, others saying what an honour it is. Those that aren't RC's wanna be. Those that are RC's saying there are no perks anyway so there is no advantage.

One thing I have taken away from it is that I would take RC's advice with two grains of salt instead of the single for others on the board.

Posts from Royal Champions are carefully monitored during events and on a regular basis to ensure that posts remain positive and frequent."

I suspect that means that you could be stripped of the 'honour' if you aren't careful what you say.

[mohavemommy]

I also don't see how the above information differs that much from what they C&A Loyalty person stated to the OP. Being asked to be a RC is not a loyalty program at all. They specifically looked for those who are INFLUENCING OTHERS WHO ARE NOT CUSTOMERS TO SAIL ON ROYAL CARIBBEAN. They'll invite the RC's to events and pre-inaugurals to experience the new product in the hopes that they will return and share the experience almost until the point of exhaustion.

 

This makes sense to me. I give out advice based upon what I know when I can. Whereas I have not cruised a great number of Royal Caribbean's ships I do spread word of mouth here as well as around town and work. I have to laugh since even yesterday afternoon I called RCI about my reservation. I was at a sporting event and there were a few people within earshot of me. Even while I was STILL ON THE PHONE they were asking me questions about the cruise. One teenager even went and brought her mother over to ask more about RCI. As I stated to them I have sailed two cruiselines Carnival and RCI... Carnival is 'eh' ok, but RCI is SO much better! I finished my conversation with the RCI rep and hung up. I then talked to three different families about RCI and their cruises being virtually all-inclusive, etc... I am also 'trying' to get a group together from work to sail in November. I have even overheard people in the front office telling others that if they need any information on cruises to come to me and ask.

With all that said, I am a Diamond member with RCI. At the rate I am going now, I would expect to be D+ in a few years. I have not been asked to be a Royal Champion by name here, but that makes no difference. I will continue to sail with them and give my highest recommendation.

[masterbaker]

 

My issues are:

 

One what is the secret about the "Royal Champion " program why was I told one thing in an email and another posted on the internet.

 

Why is Royal rewarding people for postings not dollars spent?

 

One is one cruiser more important than another?

 

I know I will get flack from the Royal Champions, but my interest is how other RCCL cruisers feel about not being a champion.

 

When I was chosen with the first group of RC's we all tried to find some common factor within the group and we couldn't find one. Yes, some had a lot of posts here on CC but others (like me) didn't. At the time I was chosen, I had less than 1000 posts here. So post counts were definitely not the criteria for choice. I don't know a single RC who feels more important than anyone else here either. What I do know is that if anyone needs help here on CC with a question about RCI, someone from the Royal Champions usually has an answer and is kind enough to help them.

 

I don't feel the need to be "rewarded" for that. The real reward is the huge advantage we have as members of this website. The information sharing here gives all members of Cruise Critic the opportunity to know much more about cruising than the general public. It's a great research tool, and a chance to meet people you will be sailing with.

[Elizanessie]

I suspect that means that you could be stripped of the 'honour' if you aren't careful what you say.

 

 

What a load of twaddle ..sorry but that is just so ridiculous.

Lets see....since being invited to be a RC what have I done.......oh yea raised holy heck with the company quite a few times on subjects like the Wine Package issue for UK Cruisers, told them what I really think of "Why Not", blasted them due to Fuel Supplement rules being different here, chased them about getting the websites updated with new rules & changes that came into effect 1/1/09 etc and many other things both here & over the pond.

Before I was invited to become a RC...oh much of the same thing ...oh yea except I did do two Pre-Inaugurals :eek: and I am only Diamond :eek:

So as you can see I have been pretty vocal all the time and I dont mince my words with the cruiseline but I also give them credit & congrats when I think they deserve it.

If I am invited to an Oasis Pre-Inaugural it is going to cost me an arm and a leg to get over there but oh man it will be sooooo worth it ..oh wait maybe I should change my name so the Execs dont recognise me....oh pants that wont work cause they know my voice and face :eek::D

Guess I will just have to be myself ....after all thats maybe why they invited me to be a RC. :D

[petesweet]

Me I AM a Royal Champaign whether they call me that or not!

 

That's me too!! In fact, on our recent cruise, my tablemates thought I was a secret RCCL employee because I was such a champion.

 

I love RCCL, and I love helping others to love RCCL. I sometimes cruise other lines because of group tours, but when I make the arrangements, it's RCCL all the way. They are not perfect, but they're a perfect fit for me.

 

I don't need any recognition. If it comes, it comes; if not, I don't begrudge others the designation.

 

And, Patti, you're the best. Whenever I see your beautiful picture, I know something good and kind and helpful is coming.:)

[petesweet]

According to the link they have not been able to measure the success of the program, from what I have read here on Cruise Critic this program alienates loyal cruisers. I can speak for my family for my family it has a sour taste in my mouth for RCCL.

 

Seems to me that if something this inconsequential alienates you, then you and I have a different definition of "loyal cruisers." Sorry if you think this is a rude comment, but some of the posters here sound like little children.

[HorrorFan]

Quote:

Posts from Royal Champions are carefully monitored during events and on a regular basis to ensure that posts remain positive and frequent."

 

Ok Liz, you have all the inside knowledge and connections at RCI. You tell me exactlty what that quote from the RCI marketing guru means please. Why do they monitor the posts to ensure they are frequent AND POSITIVE?

 

What a load of twaddle ..sorry but that is just so ridiculous.

 

Oh and your post wasn't particlarly charitable was it? After all, it was just my interpretation and opinion. I'm sorry you felt it was personal attack on you. A tad sensitive about the whole RC thing are we?

[emmy]

 

Most not all put RC on their signature. According to the link that I first posted they are monitored by RC for their positive and frequent posts.

 

As a RC I did not know that our posts were monitored how closely who knows. I do not think anyone has been stripped of this designation for any criticism or less than favourable comments of RCI. Not to my knowledge anyway.

 

I post exactly the same way about RCI experiences as I did long before being selected and named

"royal champion'. The designation has not changed that for me. Like another poster stated I forget about the RC title when posting and it is not front and centre when composing a post. I have been championing RCI for years even beforethe RC honour came about. Do I consider it an honour yes I do. I believe in their product and always have and will continue to spread the good news about this cruise line...WHY NOT :)

[Elizanessie]

Quote:

Posts from Royal Champions are carefully monitored during events and on a regular basis to ensure that posts remain positive and frequent."

 

Ok Liz, you have all the inside knowledge and connections at RCI. You tell me exactlty what that quote from the RCI marketing guru means please. Why do they monitor the posts to ensure they are frequent AND POSITIVE?

 

 

 

Oh and your post wasn't particlarly charitable was it? After all, it was just my interpretation and opinion. I'm sorry you felt it was personal attack on you. A tad sensitive about the whole RC thing are we?

 

 

Hahaha sorry but how the heck would I know what that quote meant I am here because I love cruising, not to understand marketing gurus :)

 

I am not at all sensitive about the whole RC thing...geez my life hasnt changed one little bit because I am now a RC.

 

I accepted the invite to be a RC in the hope that perhaps somehow someday I can help in particular UK Cruisers, better than what I can now. As I said before I got invited to events before I became a RC.

 

But being able to give input/feedback whatever now as a RC in some small way, might help those on this side of the pond be heard with regard to leveling the playing field so to speak.

[madforcruising]

I agree Emmy, besides threads like this the whole RC thing just not even crosses my mind.

 

It seems to me this is all blown way out of proportion by some. I don´t know why that´s like it is and the only reason that crosses my mind is they are green with envy, though I really don´t know why. It´s not that big of a perk to get an e being asked for contact information.

[meansun]

Everyone sing!

 

We aren't the champions, my friends.

 

And we'll keep on whining till the end.

[HorrorFan]

Hahaha sorry but how the heck would I know what that quote meant I am here because I love cruising, not to understand marketing gurus :)

 

Ok then that means your post is a complete load of twaddle as well.

Welcome to the twaddle club.:D