Royal Champions Vereses the rest of us

[Schplinky]

Cruise critic has so many Travel Agents, Royal Champions and Cheer leaders it's hard to get a really neutral opinion or review of Cruising. When people express their feelings and it isn't all warm and fuzzy to RCL they get attacked as jealous or whiny or worse.

 

 

There's no such thing as a neutral review. Any review is informed by your previous experience, your expectations and your perceptions. This is true for a travel agent, a Diamond Plus, a Champion or a first-time cruiser. A well-traveled person might see something one way while others see it entirely in another light. You see this a lot on TripAdvisor where some people think a 4 star hotel should accommodate their every whim while others have different expectations.

 

I've met a lot of very nice people through Cruise Critic and I've also encountered some people online with whom who I hope never to sail. What makes someone's travel advice useful to me over time is that their reviews or posts have expressed the same priorities and approach to travel as mine. People whose expectations and approach to dealing with the speed-bumps along the way have proved invaluable because their writing informs me on whether I might enjoy a particular ship or itinerary. At the same time, there are other posters who seem to value things I don't care even a little about ( anything from the quality of the pizza to the quality of the welcome-back gift or having an escort to my room upon boarding) and when their reviews and posts center on these issues, it tells me I can move on. I honestly don't know why some people sail a second (or tenth) time, given the tone of their posts. I suspect it reflects their overall approach to life but I'm not a psychiatrist.

 

Anyone who posts that everything is great or everything is awful should be ruled out immediately (much like skating judges drop the low and the high score). I like people who describe and compare things and I don't like words like "classy" because that means a whole lot of things to different people.

 

A lot of people are very generous with their time and experience on CC and I'm not going to rule anyone out because they are a travel professional, a Diamond Plus or a member of any other group.

[xpcdoojk]

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.

 

Seriously?:confused: You actually are going to base your vacation and cruising decisions because you feel you have been slighted or disrespected by RCI? Seriously?

 

I remember when I went to college many years ago, I really wanted to be in a particular fraternity because it was the "in" fraternity. After about a year of being in the fraternity I couldn't remember why I cared.:D This seems to be a whole lot less than a cool fraternity. The only thing I am truly jealous of the Royal Champions is that they have in some cases been invited on some pre-inaugural cruises. That I probably wouldn't have been able to to take and certainly couldn't justify plane tickets from here to there for a two day cruise. In other words big whoop de do.:D

 

jc

[Schplinky]

Read some of those posts again that get attacked and see if most of the criticism they evoke isn't pretty much justified by their one-sided and frequently inaccurate and unfair statements. Very frequently, those posts which are attacked as "jealous or whiny" are exactly that. There are plenty of well-presented and well thought out complaints about RCI and other cruiselines and when they are posted, you will find far more agreement on these boards than knee-jerk dismissals. TAs, RCs, and even die-hard RCI enthusiasts don't automatically give up their ability to see things objectively and if you read these boards carefully you will see that this is more often true than not. To dismiss their opinions arbitrarily simply because you believe that their objectivity is compromised by their status in life will cause you to miss out on some very valuable information and insights. :)

 

I agree. When we sailed HAL's Westerdam, I didn't much like it and wrote a very lengthy review about what I liked (food, best cabins ever) and what I didn't (dull ship in decor and activity level). By aiming to be balanced, I was struck by how positively the HAL loyalists approached the review. I think the same is true on this board.

[shaggyofwv]

Cruise critic has so many Travel Agents, Royal Champions and Cheer leaders it's hard to get a really neutral opinion or review of Cruising. When people express their feelings and it isn't all warm and fuzzy to RCL they get attacked as jealous or whiny or worse.

 

 

This is true, but once you have been around here for a while you tend to recognize who the RCI cheerleaders are and tune them out so that you can get to the real truth.

[Ocean Boy]

Hey, Ocean Boy I have always been meaning to ask what part of Rhode Island you are from? I am on the east bay side, Tiverton:)

Ok, looks like I need to get my posting count up;) What’s the big deal as far as I am concerned I am a Royal champion in my mind:) Ten years of Loyal Royal crusing and counting with RCL and a Diamond + C&A member what more does one need:confused::D

 

South Shore. As for the East Bay, I'd have to pack an overnight bag to get to the part of the State!:D

[Morecruisesplz]

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.

 

And I think you just proved my point. If you believe the part you wrote about RCCL staff you either 1.) are not cruising other lines or 2.) are not being objective. (Maybe because you are a RC?)

[pcur]

And I think you just proved my point. If you believe the part you wrote about RCCL staff you either 1.) are not cruising other lines or 2.) are not being objective. (Maybe because you are a RC?)

 

I've been on 3 RCCL cruises in 2008, and the only staff member that wasn't top notch was the coffee shop lady on the Enchantment who had a 'tude. The rest of them were fabulous.

 

I'm not a cheerleader, either. I tell it as I see it.

 

People, why all the hoola over FIFTY people????? :confused:

 

It's a marketing focus group, plain and simple.

[Morecruisesplz]

=

 

People, why all the hoola over FIFTY people????? :confused:

 

It's a marketing focus group, plain and simple.

 

A marketing focus group is used to bounce new ideas off of to see what will fly. That is absolutely not the case with this group as it is described. They are picked mostly for helping others make the decision to cruise RCCL and have nothing to do with marketing decisions, their focus or planning. (That can be proven by the fact that many of them didn't even care for the new advertising program.)

[Rancher Dave]

I just got off of the one night pre inaugural on the Mariner of the Seas. It was mostly TA's..........but there were D+ members, and only one Royal Champion that I know of that was on the one nighter.

 

I was asked to be a Royal Champion some months ago. The invite for the one night pre inaugural.......came to my DW. She is not an RC, but we are both D+.

 

I don't know how many points you might have......we are just at 60. I know for a fact that the invite came bacause of our D+ status.

 

Rick

 

I thought there was more than one RC on MOTS...

 

Think I may go get a z-pack for sinus issues tomorrow. That and I didn't even go near any who were sick from the RTH cruise. :eek:

 

 

To OP...as others have said wouldn't worry about the RC program. It like one said is a mix of different backgrounds which from an advertising stanpoint helps them reach more folks.

 

Many not yet invited into the RC program who are great people that offer excellent advice.

 

As Rick said 95% or more of those on Mariner were TAs many who have not ever set foot on a cruise ship before. It was interesting to see and speak with some who knew so little first hand about RCCL...some say at lunch with us, others we met in the elevator etc...one was even directed to the top deck to find the ice rink. Glad I knew exactly where it was and was able to quickly redirect them...we were going to same deck to MDR so virtually escorted them to Studio B.

[Rancher Dave]

Hey, Ocean Boy I have always been meaning

to ask what part of Rhode Island you are from? I am on the east bay side, Tiverton

 

Ok, looks like I need to get my posting count up;) What’s the big deal as far as I am concerned I am a Royal champion in my mind:) Ten years of Loyal Royal crusing and counting with RCL and a Diamond + C&A member what more does one need:confused::D

 

South Shore. As for the East Bay, I'd have to pack an overnight bag to get to the part of the State!:D

 

Funny...when we go to my parents place in Charlestown, almost on the Westerly line, I gladly drive up to Warwick fro dinner and think nothing of it. Of course the metro area here is larger than all of RI...

 

If we end up visiting in June, maybe the RCs and Non RCs can take a cruise via Kayak around one of the ponds, bays, etc...maybe I can snag my dad's Boston Whaler and we can cruise to Block Island and back...not as nice as say on any RCCL ship, no WJ or MDR, but fun in the sun just the same...:D

[glgolfer]

And I think you just proved my point. If you believe the part you wrote about RCCL staff you either 1.) are not cruising other lines or 2.) are not being objective. (Maybe because you are a RC?)

 

I started cruising in 1987. I've cruised on Crystal, NCL (Norway), HAL, QM2, Celebrity and Hurtigruten. I sailed all of those except Celebrity long before I was a RC and formed my opinions then.

 

1. Crystal: Wait staff was very good, but not any better than most of the RC staff we have had. The cabin steward (a lady from Sweden) was only adequate. The one thing much better than RCI was the food.

 

2. NCL: Staff OK. No better than RCI.

 

3. HAL: No assistant waiter, only a waiter. We were lucky to get 2 glasses of water any evening. Don't remember anyone outstanding.

 

4. QM2: Outstanding dining room service and food because we were in a Princess Grill cabin and the Princess Grill restaurant. 3 servers for 4 tables and 12 people. Cabin steward adequate. Barely spoke to us. Took all the bathroom amenities away immediately the penultimate morning.

 

5. Hurtigruten: Mostly self serve. Not really service oriented.

 

6. Celebrity: See review and comparison. (After becoming RC)

 

Recommend you get your facts right before saying I proved your point.

I believe that statement only proves your bias against the RCs.

Otherwise you would take the time to read some of our posts over the last few years before passing judgement.

 

Don't know why I'm wasting my time responding to an obvious closed mind. Just didn't have anything else to do right now.

[Rancher Dave]

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

 

Perhaps you could ride her over to Miami on a TA-PreI cruise...:D

 

RCCL needs Champions in Europe as well. Have a great week...looks like by my clock like it has already started there.

[PhoenixCruiser]

To OP...as others have said wouldn't worry about the RC program. It like one said is a mix of different backgrounds which from an advertising stanpoint helps them reach more folks.

 

Dave, I'm not sure what you meant by this post?

 

OP - I agree...

 

###

[dfishner]

There's no such thing as a neutral review. Any review is informed by your previous experience, your expectations and your perceptions. This is true for a travel agent, a Diamond Plus, a Champion or a first-time cruiser. A well-traveled person might see something one way while others see it entirely in another light. You see this a lot on TripAdvisor where some people think a 4 star hotel should accommodate their every whim while others have different expectations.

 

I've met a lot of very nice people through Cruise Critic and I've also encountered some people online with whom who I hope never to sail. What makes someone's travel advice useful to me over time is that their reviews or posts have expressed the same priorities and approach to travel as mine. People whose expectations and approach to dealing with the speed-bumps along the way have proved invaluable because their writing informs me on whether I might enjoy a particular ship or itinerary. At the same time, there are other posters who seem to value things I don't care even a little about ( anything from the quality of the pizza to the quality of the welcome-back gift or having an escort to my room upon boarding) and when their reviews and posts center on these issues, it tells me I can move on. I honestly don't know why some people sail a second (or tenth) time, given the tone of their posts. I suspect it reflects their overall approach to life but I'm not a psychiatrist.

 

Anyone who posts that everything is great or everything is awful should be ruled out immediately (much like skating judges drop the low and the high score). I like people who describe and compare things and I don't like words like "classy" because that means a whole lot of things to different people.

 

A lot of people are very generous with their time and experience on CC and I'm not going to rule anyone out because they are a travel professional, a Diamond Plus or a member of any other group.

 

Like yours which I enjoy reading and the pictures you attach make me feel as if I am on the cruise with you. I find them insightful and well thought out. I appreciate the time it takes you to put them together....:)

 

Now I have to admit I just do not get this thread at all. It makes no difference who is a Royal Champion or not to me and frankly I do not care one way or another. I read many reviews on line it helps give me some balance on a ship I have never been on. I use it as a gauge but in the end it is my decision on which cruiseline and which cruise ship I sail on. I have not read any review that has ever swayed me to say I must take this, some help validate what I was feeling but in the end it is my decision. I just do not understand what all the furor is about. Any review is based upon someone elses experience and it is not going to be the same as yours regardless if they are a Royal Champion or not.

[firefly333]

While I agree with you that there are many here who have a vested interest in one form or another, you will pay heck to try to get anyone that could possibly admit to being influenced one way or another by membership. Although I say it somewhat tongue-in-cheek, it kind of reminds me of the senator that would say that his decision to aid a company with grants was not influenced by his willingnes to accept free transportation around the world on their corporate jets.

 

It's not there is any conflict of interest, it can be just the appearance of it that can be a concern. Therefore, as with any public internet site, buyer beware..

 

These people were picked because they were very pro RCL to start off with. I am really surprised that anyone thinks that now that they are part of a focus group that they would be more or less biased. They were already biased .... that's why they were picked.

[Ocean Boy]

If we end up visiting in June, maybe the RCs and Non RCs can take a cruise via Kayak around one of the ponds, bays, etc...maybe I can snag my dad's Boston Whaler and we can cruise to Block Island and back...not as nice as say on any RCCL ship, no WJ or MDR, but fun in the sun just the same...:D

The last time that I was on the Block Island ferry I spent the whole hour looking for the Windjammer. It was very disorienting. All of the decks above the third were missing....:eek:

[petesweet]

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.

 

Sounds as though you and a few others don't need to be rehearsing your "I thank the Academy" speeches!:D (You can tell what I did last night!) You should probably pick up your little toys and go play in someone else's yard.

[Morecruisesplz]

And I think you just proved my point. If you believe the part you wrote about RCCL staff you either 1.) are not cruising other lines or 2.) are not being objective. (Maybe because you are a RC?)

 

I started cruising in 1987. I've cruised on Crystal, NCL (Norway), HAL, QM2, Celebrity and Hurtigruten. I sailed all of those except Celebrity long before I was a RC and formed my opinions then.

 

Recommend you get your facts right before saying I proved your point.

I believe that statement only proves your bias against the RCs.

Otherwise you would take the time to read some of our posts over the last few years before passing judgement.

 

Don't know why I'm wasting my time responding to an obvious closed mind. Just didn't have anything else to do right now.

 

If you would calm down long enough to read and try to understand the point you would realize that my only complaint is about your generalization: about RCL staff being the best. Try Disney and you'll be amazed at the professionalism of the wait staff. The service is outstanding, they know their menu and are proud of the product the serve. (Many RCL wait staff on our most cruises apologized for the cruise. I know one of the head waiters from seeing him so often on one ship and I even talked to him about how the waiters were apologizing ahead of time if anyone at the table ordered steak and some other items.)

 

That's all I'm saying -- is that as an RC you should try to be more objective and not make statements that can put your objectivity into question.

 

I have no bias again RC's -- again you are having trouble comprehending. (Maybe you are confusing me with the op?_ I simply pointed out that any time some customers are singled out to receive perks in return for positive reviews the resulting comments can certainly be considered suspect by some.

[Happy ks]

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.

 

I've been on 3 RCCL cruises in 2008, and the only staff member that wasn't top notch was the coffee shop lady on the Enchantment who had a 'tude. The rest of them were fabulous.

 

I'm not a cheerleader, either. I tell it as I see it.

 

People, why all the hoola over FIFTY people????? :confused:

 

It's a marketing focus group, plain and simple.

 

 

This is what I've been wondering all the while I read this thread.

 

Some regular posters here would be surprised that I am an RC. I don't put it on my signature, I don't post to the RC thread.

 

The funny thing is, they chose me when I was a gold member and I rarely posted on the RCI board back then. This was 2 years ago and I probably do favor them more now than I had, so I suppose it worked ;)

 

We were invited to the Liberty pre-inaugural and we went. We spent over $400 to fly there, rented a car, rented a hotel room...so it wasn't a cheap trip for a 2 day cruise, but we did feel honored to be invited.

 

Many of us at that time questioned why we were chosen and no one had any idea. RCI has never let me know why they chose me. Reading this thread makes me feel like some people expect us to give it up because they weren't invited. If it were up to me, many more would be a part of the group, but it is not up to me, or anyone at CC to make any part of the choice.

[Rancher Dave]

I agree with everything you said Bill.

 

Let´s face it and get real for those that are so pi$$ed off because of this. What are you missing. Since I got the invitation as was asked if I would like to share my contact information I heard nothing from them for month, until last night when I got an e that asmed me to update my contact information for their database. Well yeah you missed out a whole lot:rolleyes:

 

The email last night asked for more details than the prior request. Either way, I suspect that everything about the program is not as obvious as the email you receive asking for your updated contact info.

 

Its a marketing program that is likely on the tip of a wave of new marketing we will see in years to come, not just from RCCL but in other areas of our lives as well. I saw an email in the past couple days with some stats and projected stats related to computers...and the changing dynamics of life with them. So as goes the new world of computers, RCCL is tapping into that realm to market their product.

[Rancher Dave]

The last time that I was on the Block Island ferry I spent the whole hour looking for the Windjammer. It was very disorienting. All of the decks above the third were missing....:eek:

 

That made me smile, despite not being fully well (resp infection or something). I hadn't even thought about the ferry. I went part way to BI with some cousins, maybe 3 decks if we push the count, inboard with engine room below, main deck, and fly bridge.

 

It amazes me to see the number of RI folks posting on here given the small size of the state, although as is pointed out at PRI, "The Ocean State" so I can see why so many cruise.

[Rancher Dave]

Dave, I'm not sure what you meant by this post?

 

OP - I agree...

 

###

 

Too bad I couldn't edit when I saw you comment. I missed a couple letters on a couple of words that would have made it more clear.

 

Generally, the more variety of RCs they have, the broader audience RCCL gets out of the RC program. Good marketing strategy!

[scayuga]

Based on all the info I have read on various boards like this one ....I think the Royal Champions is a great recognition program and perhaps, sometime I will qualitfy. :)

[scayuga]

I would relish the opportunity to attend some of the inaugural events the Royal Champions qualify for and hope RCI continues this recognition program.

[English_in_Spain]

This is what I've been wondering all the while I read this thread.

 

Some regular posters here would be surprised that I am an RC. I don't put it on my signature, I don't post to the RC thread.

 

The funny thing is, they chose me when I was a gold member and I rarely posted on the RCI board back then. This was 2 years ago and I probably do favor them more now than I had, so I suppose it worked ;)

 

We were invited to the Liberty pre-inaugural and we went. We spent over $400 to fly there, rented a car, rented a hotel room...so it wasn't a cheap trip for a 2 day cruise, but we did feel honored to be invited.

 

Many of us at that time questioned why we were chosen and no one had any idea. RCI has never let me know why they chose me. Reading this thread makes me feel like some people expect us to give it up because they weren't invited. If it were up to me, many more would be a part of the group, but it is not up to me, or anyone at CC to make any part of the choice.

 

I think all Royal Champions should put it in their signature. That should be compulsory.