Crown & Anchor Program Revisions - join the merged discussions here

[Ladylouwho]

Just a few posts ago you stated that it was a "personalized" letter to you...now its "obviously a form letter" doesn't sound like I would like you to decide who can "run a company properly" when you can't figure out a form letter from an actual letter without a bunch of members of a cruise forum to "draw you a picture! :rolleyes:

 

Ya know, you really like to insult people don't you? Is it a game? Do you get pleasure out of it? Very strange behavior for an Adult (I am making an assumption here I know) to make a game out of insulting people on a cruise forum.

 

You say you always travel in suites on RCI. Great. Good for you. Enjoy the CL and all the perks that go with paying for that suite. But why do you keep coming back here to try and insult and intimidate those of us who are trying to have a discussion?

 

So Sir, you can attack me all you want, but I do believe it is against CC rules to do so. So keep it up and maybe you won't be around here much longer.

[Retired LEO]

Let's all cancel our reservations and show them the cost of not being loyal.

 

I'll just keep my reservations and book many more with RCI when they become available.

[ECCruise]

I can't believe you all are still Crying!!! Grow up, change lines if you want to, but let us get back to real RCL issues PLEASE!!!!

 

Take your pick from the 30+ threads on just the first page with everything from general questions to rah-rah.

[missbogota]

Ya know, you really like to insult people don't you? Is it a game? Do you get pleasure out of it? Very strange behavior for an Adult (I am making an assumption here I know) to make a game out of insulting people on a cruise forum.

 

You say you always travel in suites on RCI. Great. Good for you. Enjoy the CL and all the perks that go with paying for that suite. But why do you keep coming back here to try and insult and intimidate those of us who are trying to have a discussion?

 

So Sir, you can attack me all you want, but I do believe it is against CC rules to do so. So keep it up and maybe you won't be around here much longer.

 

Boo Hoo...

[Ladylouwho]

Have RCI hoiked Diamond members in

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

jj......

 

jj,

That is hilarious and so on point. You should really e-mail that to A.G.

 

Colleen

[Ladylouwho]

Boo Hoo...

 

Right, now that is REALLY grown up behavior, geesh!

[txbear]

Right, now that is REALLY grown up behavior, geesh!

 

We still havent got a answer to the question. I agree with you Ladylouwho

[Oville]

Funny that you say this. My husband is top tier with two major hotel chains and he said the EXACT same thing. These hotels know how to keep a loyal customer and with all the stays my husband does a year..these hotels certainly arent losing money with the few generous benefits they provide.

 

But you can't compare a major hotel program to a cruise line one. The hotels are going after the business traveler, not those on vacation. I am a Starwood member and we get great perks, not from vacation stays, but for my repeated business stays. To compare these hotel programs to cruising is like comparing apples to giraffes, they're simply are unrelated.

 

Sorry, but it's just a fact.

[Aquahound]

Paul, you just pipped me and spoilt the record!!

 

Darn it! And it wasn't even an on-topic post! ;)

[txbear]

But you can't compare a major hotel program to a cruise line one. The hotels are going after the business traveler, not those on vacation. I am a Starwood member and we get great perks, not from vacation stays, but for my repeated business stays. To compare these hotel programs to cruising is like comparing apples to giraffes, they're simply are unrelated.

 

Sorry, but it's just a fact.

 

I disagree, hotels depend on vacationers as well , maybe not as much it depends on where the hotel is located. You would still miss your perks if they were removed . just a thought not being pushy

[cruzendude]

Ya know, you really like to insult people don't you? Is it a game? Do you get pleasure out of it? Very strange behavior for an Adult (I am making an assumption here I know) to make a game out of insulting people on a cruise forum.

 

You say you always travel in suites on RCI. Great. Good for you. Enjoy the CL and all the perks that go with paying for that suite. But why do you keep coming back here to try and insult and intimidate those of us who are trying to have a discussion?

 

So Sir, you can attack me all you want, but I do believe it is against CC rules to do so. So keep it up and maybe you won't be around here much longer.

 

Sorry if my pointing out the inacuracies and nonsensicle points you try to make makes you feel insecure...:p and this thread is FARRRR from a discussion! :rolleyes: But IT IS entertaining! :D

[missbogota]

First, I haven't heard a single sob, whimper, or tear fall on the keyboards in this thread - -Peple are MAD because RCI is renigging on a promise and they are destroying RCI by making very BAD business decisions.

Second, Who is the "us" in the "let us get back" and who is keeping you tied to this thread???????? Why don't you "get back to your real issues"!!!!!:rolleyes:

 

:eek::eek:Sounds like you need a "Cruise" to chill out!!!!:D:D:D

[DHADEN]

First, I haven't heard a single sob, whimper, or tear fall on the keyboards in this thread - -Peple are MAD because RCI is renigging on a promise and they are destroying RCI by making very BAD business decisions.

Second, Who is the "us" in the "let us get back" and who is keeping you tied to this thread???????? Why don't you "get back to your real issues"!!!!!

 

Sounds like you need a "Cruise" to chill out!!!!

 

WELL, I'LL BE!!!!! THERE YOU ARE AGAIN!! or should I say "STILL".

Can't leave this alone can you.:p

 

Oh, and, by the way - - you're right - - I do need a cruise WITH A CONCIERGE LOUNGE! ;)

[CruiseKeeper]

We have never called the C&A desk for our balcony credit. Our RCCL Vacation Planner does everything for us.....our discount, our special dietary needs, booking the best cabin, etc. We dont have to do anything. If anyone wants a fantastic RC Vacation Planner, let me know. We have been using him for about 2 years and he is awesome!

 

 

I didn't know we could pick one. Luis seems to have adopted me. :rolleyes:

[Ladylouwho]

Sorry if my pointing out the inacuracies and nonsensicle points you try to make makes you feel insecure...:p and this thread is FARRRR from a discussion! :rolleyes: But IT IS entertaining! :D

 

Well then we are LOL together. Insecure, about you? Hardly. I stand by my perception of the letter and do not believe I am inaccurate with regard to how that particular letter affects me. Nonsensicle, yeah right.

 

Hey in the end it is RCI who will be out the future bookings from me (unless they are rock bottom prices). The money will still be spent on vacation either on land or sea. So it is no skin off my nose. But I am trying to get the decision reversed or at least adjusted to a more reasonable way of treating current long term loyal customers. Why? Because I and my family and quite a few of our friends enjoy sailing on RCI and hate to see it on such a decline. I am also a stockholder as is my husband and daughter. I AM a Diamond member and these changes affected me. I have a vested interest on many counts to see the policy reversed.

 

You on the other hand are NOT Diamond so you don't care. Cool. It was a pretty rare ship on RCI that didn't have an overflow lounge anyway so actually being in the CL, not really a big deal. On the Voyager Class and Freedom Class it is actually a small inside room, no windows.

 

So enjoy your entertainment. Have at it. Wow, I can think of a lot of better ways to be entertained, but whatever.

 

Colleen

[Ladylouwho]

WELL, I'LL BE!!!!! THERE YOU ARE AGAIN!! or should I say "STILL".

Can't leave this alone can you.:p

 

Oh, and, by the way - - you're right - - I do need a cruise WITH A CONCIERGE LOUNGE! ;)

 

Apparently we are entertaining to some. They just can't resist and have nothing better to do. We Whiners on the other hand have an agenda, get that DUMB decision reversed!

 

So keep it up and the others? Well one would hope they would eventually get bored or find something constructive to do.

 

Colleen

[cruzendude]

Apparently we are entertaining to some. They just can't resist and have nothing better to do. We Whiners on the other hand have an agenda, get that DUMB decision reversed!

 

So keep it up and the others? Well one would hope they would eventually get bored or find something constructive to do.

 

Colleen

 

And MANY of us think it is an EXCELLENT decision and will lobby for it to be kept as it is! If you don't like it either get over it or move on to Carnival! :D

[missbogota]

WELL, I'LL BE!!!!! THERE YOU ARE AGAIN!! or should I say "STILL".

Can't leave this alone can you.:p

 

Oh, and, by the way - - you're right - - I do need a cruise WITH A CONCIERGE LOUNGE! ;)

 

Easy fix...book a suite:D:D:D

[Oville]

I disagree, hotels depend on vacationers as well , maybe not as much it depends on where the hotel is located. You would still miss your perks if they were removed . just a thought not being pushy

 

But I think you are very wrong. Hotel programs are geared to the business traveler. The hotel chains do have their resorts, but their bread and butter is the business traveler and their programs are geared for that.

 

There have been two and maybe three people who referenced their husband's points, aka, business points. Yes, as I know, they treat you well, but you can't begin to compare this to cruise line programs. I don't think any cruise line expects you to cruise 10, 20 or 30 times a year as the hotels expect you to stay. Again I'll say, apples to giraffes.

[sealord]

Sounds like you need to find another cruise line. Let us know how good the others are. I am keeping a list from this thread of all the whiners that are moving on down the road. Let's see how long before they make a return to Royal Caribbean. ;) (...) So people now expect to cruise cheap and still maintain the loyalty benefits. Sounds like some were educated at Wal-Mart University. I for one am glad that Royal has decided to make the change. It will affect me if I don't cruise in a suite but who cares. It's only a few drinks.

 

Well "thermite", keep the list. But many of us have uttered similar words about our new "loyalty" program, and it is not that we will forever steer clear of RCI ... I currently have two "bookings" with RCI. One on Xpedition, and one book on-board "open" booking on RCCL. The book on board one is going to 'wait' a while, and Xpedition is "all inclusive". But my new 'loyalty' program will consist of determining the best cruise based on other factors not related to the C&A program. I did enjoy the 'coffee machine' and breakfast in the morning, the "quiet place" during the day, and the 'happy hour' in the evening ... I enjoyed it enough to keep me exclusively on the Radiance class ships in recent times. But my DW and I decided that this is actually an opportunity to explore other cruise lines, and enjoy other experiences. The RCCL product is such a "consistent" experience, that DW now thinks it a little bit like Bill Murray's "Goundhog Day". We also are going to smaller ships ... we don't like "big" ships, shopping malls, and casts of thousands. It's a big cruising world out there, and if RCCL is taking away our Diamond benefits, we are going to see more of it.

 

By the way, do you remember when we used to get Baked Alaska, Cherries Jubilee, and Steak Diane, all prepared flambe' at your table? I think if we were thrust over night from the 1992 cruising experience into the 2009 cruising experience, it would truly be shocking! Give me back the 1992 experience, and they might not need Concierge Lounges! Really looking forward to the Galapagos though ... and it ain't "cheap" ... but it is "bang for the buck". Cruise tickets are not at all like airline tickets, so shopping price only makes no sense. Cruising is more than getting from point A to point B safely. Take away the "perks", and it's just a ride on the ocean.:rolleyes:

[dutchess43]

Sealord very well put! Yes I do remember all that you asked & more been cruising since the 80's.

[Aquahound]

But I think you are very wrong. Hotel programs are geared to the business traveler. The hotel chains do have their resorts, but their bread and butter is the business traveler and their programs are geared for that.

 

I agree with this statement. Hotels cater to a much larger business clientèle than cruise lines. Not to mention, there are the one night passers by, etc.

 

A cruise line loyalty program can not be compared to a hotel chain's. It's a whole different animal.

[rascalious]

Easy fix...book a suite:D:D:D

Gee, that sounds so "easy". Could you please forward me the additional $2200 to do the upgrade from my JS to a GS (Enchantment and Mariner)? I will you supply you my Paypal info. :rolleyes:

[curley23]

The response to your (and all the others who think RCI is making the right decision) post is what I said on another thread; and I said it because I'm not only a stockholder, but also have a little business sense:

 

Ok, "Stockholder";

How do you think the stock is going to go anywhere but down (AGAIN) when the ships are sailiing with 150 cabins empty (at an average of $1500 per cabin per week - why don't you do the math)!!!

 

Take a look at these numbers and tell us all again what a GREAT DECISION RCI IS MAKING:

 

Average cost of a drink given in the CL = about 63cents.

Figure 100 Diamond Members having a couple of drinks per night

(that's a very high number compared to what we've actually seen on our last 5 cruises), but that comes to $126 per night.

On a 7-night cruise that would be a whopping $882 in savings by KICKING OUT THE DIAMONDS (whoop-Di-doo)

 

Here's the other side (the actual real life)

When ONLY ONE Diamond Member family decides to cancel their $2,500 (average price)balcony cabin and give the money to Princess, HAL, Carnival, etc.

$2,500 lost in bookings

$ $300 (average) in lost On Board Sales

$ 200 in lost Casino Revenue (a very conservative estimate)

$ 200 in lost Excursions

$xx,xxx in lost Future Bookings and GOD ONLY KNOWS how many other people they told to go elsewhere!!:confused:

)From what we're seeeing here, it will be a lot more than ONE per cruise that will be cancelling.)

 

Why don't you add those numbers up and kiss your stock value goodbye.

 

 

 

First, I haven't heard a single sob, whimper, or tear fall on the keyboards in this thread - -Peple are MAD because RCI is renigging on a promise and they are destroying RCI by making very BAD business decisions.

Second, Who is the "us" in the "let us get back" and who is keeping you tied to this thread???????? Why don't you "get back to your real issues"!!!!!:rolleyes:

 

I see another business genius here. First of all it is not about just an expense, and when did RC ever say it was? ( They will still be giving Free Drinks on the ships that will carry about 40% of the fleets pax with in the next 18 months). I'll give you the benefit of the doubt, though. A company like RC or any other looks at revenues, and how they can generate them, while controlling it's expenses.

Let's see if the 100 Ds buy 2 drinks each instead at an ave of 6.50 that is $1300 in revenue generated per day. For 7 days it is about $9200, with the same $882 cost. Take $9200 net x 10 ships for 52 weeks. Over 4.5MIL, not a bad increase in revenue.

 

I've read about a lot of pax saying they will go elsewhere but most have made other excuses why they can't cancel just yet. Actually very few have cancelled. Let's say 20% actually cancel, and I think I am over estimating it. That's 20 cabins, using your 100 D person analogy, no matter what type. RC will fill those cabins, or come fairly close to it, and probably generate more revenue again, with on board purchases , excursions etc.

 

Most new pax or some 2 or 3 timers, or even more, aren't worrying about the free drinks it may take them 5 or 10 yrs to get. They are there for the other things RC has to offer, which is more appealing to a younger pax now, and even families, which is what RC, Carnival, NCL are opting for.

No company intentionally tries to p_ss off its customers. Business plans have to constantly change with the industry and competition.

 

All of a sudden we have all these "Loyal" pax turning on RC because of a few free drinks, and now also coming up with other things to complain about as well. If the only reason someone kept cruising with RC was the perks, but thought everything else was crap, and was unhappy with RC, as seems to be some sentiments now, then who is the fool here. There's also no loyalty either if you can be swayed that easily. Was there no other reason to sail with RC? There was never a guarantee the C/A programs wouldn't change. No one promised anything. Companies change their loyalty programs all the time. Maybe people need to stop being so naive.

 

RC will come out of this just fine. Btw, the stock closed over $10 today, and has been over $9 for a cpl of weeks now. I doubt that any one buying feels RC is going to fall on their face here.

 

I am one who has always been for, if you ain't happy, don't give em your dough. I am sure there may be another line for you somewhere, and thats ok, you won't be missed.

[Coralc]

Gee, that sounds so "easy". Could you please forward me the additional $2200 to do the upgrade from my JS to a GS (Enchantment and Mariner). I will you supply you the routing number to my bank account (Paypal also accepted).:rolleyes:

 

Us too, us too...please! We have Junior Suites booked on Radiance and Navigator. We are --->this<--- close to D+. Ooh, there's an idea. I really hope that Royal Caribbean will reconsider the exclusion and total disregard of their Diamond members. If they don't correct this in the near future, maybe they should consider letting Junior Suites have access to concierge instead? :D

What a wonderful surprise that would be! I'm sure it would result in more positive feedback than all the negatives they have been providing lately. Wishful thinking is still allowed!