Check This Out - Princess INCREASES Perks For Loyal Cruisers!

[Cruise Junky]

I enjoy the ice rinks, royal promenade, in line skating ect. Princess cant give me that! :D

 

You're 14, you'll change :)

[bakechef]

I think what some are missing with the $5 drink offer is that it is supposedly made with top shelf liquor which would make this a pretty good deal, not like the hooch that the drink of the day is made with!:D

 

Some companies seem to be upping their game, Princess is adding to the perks offered while RCI is keeping their prices quite high and offering less and less every day. Where I live many of the grocery stores are making knee jerk cutbacks when it comes to service to save money, while another company that is very well positioned for this type of economy is continuing to invest money in their stores adding staff and improving the experience for their customers, this company is beating last years sales numbers believe it or not (I have inside info on this industry).

 

In this economy people will go where they feel that they are getting the most value for their money, plain and simple. This economy will weed out the weak companies.

 

I hope that RCI continues to thrive, it was and is still a very nice cruise line, I just hope that the powers that be don't run it into the ground.

[Cruiserccl]

You're 14, you'll change :)

I know! Soon ill like the relaxing sea days sitting by the pool! :D

[Cruiserccl]

Have you ever sailed on Princess, Chris? I bet if that's the only line you sailed on and enjoyed, you would be a cheerleader over on the Princess boards. ;)

 

?

No i have not sailed on Princess. I dont think so. I enjoy being able to ice skate, in line skate, and take a stroll down the Royal Promenade! :D At least for now!

[Cruise Junky]

I know! Soon ill like the relaxing sea days sitting by the pool! :D

 

Exactly :) But as much as I love Princess, at 14, you're better off on RCL.

[GoodAsGold]

Chris, you've got to broaden your horizons. Even I, who resists change, will be trying my 4th cruiseline. It does give you a better perspective. And, I think they all have their positives, as well as some things I didn't care for.

 

Variety is the spice of life, Chris. It's fun to venture out and try something new. ;) And as was mentioned, there's more to a cruise aside from rock climbing walls and ice rinks for some folks.

 

 

I enjoy the ice rinks, royal promenade, in line skating ect. Princess cant give me that! :D

[sanjoseca]

Seeing as many are in a letter writing mood this week, perhaps some could ask that RCI consider doing the same type of thing for Diamonds that Princess is doing for Elites.

 

Who knows, after all the negative letters, maybe they will appreciate a constructive one and actually read it.

[Lyncruiser]

We're Diamond cruisers, but we're looking elsewhere. We don't want to go on the Freedom/Oasis megaships.

 

Princess looks appealing. We've already booked a European cruise aboard Oceania.

 

I actually wish we'd given our loyalty to another line, in hindsight. With 15 cruises on RCCL, I hate to start over earning benefits. But, with benefits on RCCL cut back, we don't really have a choice!

 

So be it. We've recently realized that we like smaller ships better, after an amazing cruise aboard the American Queen on the Mississippi. So, the Pacific Princess may be in the cards. We'll see.

[Cruiserccl]

Chris, you've got to broaden your horizons. Even I, who resists change, will be trying my 4th cruiseline. It does give you a better perspective. And, I think they all have their positives, as well as some things I didn't care for.

 

Variety is the spice of life, Chris. It's fun to venture out and try something new. ;) And as was mentioned, there's more to a cruise aside from rock climbing walls and ice rinks for some folks.

I understand that but once you've been with RCCL for so long its so hard to change!

[50cruiser]

I was on grand princess last year and I have to admit princess did have better perks for return guests . As an example they had one day for guests having 5 or more cruises free drinks and apatisers. Every few days they had something for returning guests but you had to meet the requiements not everyone was invited to all of them Not just one but 5 diferent drinks and no limit . I had 3 pineapple dakeries that were excellent as well as finger sandwiches and chocklet covered strawberries. All was in the theater and was invitation only and you had to show invitation. Im going on RCCL Jewell in may but its because of price and I like the itenery . Going to D day Normanady Beach 65th anaversery. I was on celebrity Constelation a month ago. Ive been on almost all the cruise lines and to me they are all good except Ill never go back on NCL Ive been on them 4 times and each time was worse than the one before. I thought maybe they get better but I was wrong. I even liked Costa beter than NCL but I think all cruises are better than no cruises Iv found most cruise lines are perty good today but I like Celebrity personally better than all so far . CARL

[negc]

I don't think that I have cruised on any ship or line where I didn't have a good time and didn't find some features that I liked. However, RCI best matches my tastes and as long as they offer itineraries that appeal to me on ship's that I find comfortable and attractive and service that I find superior to what I have experienced on most other lines, I guess I will consider RCI ahead of others for most of my future cruises. When we sailed on Sapphire Princess I can't say I especially enjoyed the fact that the layout required me to go up a deck and over then down again to get from the forward section of the ship to my dining room, and I found the Wake View (I think that was its name) Lounge to have no view of the wake whatsoever unless you stood on a table and looked out the windows located near the ceiling. Carnival's decor is just too gaudy and outlandish for me to be relaxing. HAL too subdued, and Celebrity a bit too pretentious at times. Doesn't mean I would automatically veto a proposed cruise on any of them given the proper circumstances, and I certainly don't think my tastes and opinions are valid for everyone, but despite some misgivings about RCI's recent decisions, it still best suits us and continues to be our cruiseline of choice. I know that when they are sailing and all of my grandchildren are of an age where they can enjoy the Oasis and/or Allure I look forward to sailing on those ships with them.

Allowing me to pay even a discounted price that is limited to a specific drink of the day does not,to my mind at least, qualify as a great perk, and our stateroom with balcony on Sapphire Princess was definitely smaller and less comfortable than a similar category room on a Radiance, Voyager,or Freedom class ship.

[Cruiserccl]

Out of curiousity, have you ever sailed on a princess cruise? I don't see any listed.

I've already answered this question no. What i was referring to is when i cruise i enjoy ice skating, in-line skating and taking a stroll down the RP. Princess can offer me this and thats why i dont sail with them. I have nothing against those who do.

[Cruise Junky]

Out of curiousity, have you ever sailed on a princess cruise? I don't see any listed.

 

Guys! He's 14!! I'd want RCL at 14.

[CanTex]

I dont care what Princess is now doing! The second they have ships like RCCL maybe ill care! :D

Maybe you'll care when you're old enough to have one of those drinks...:)

[bluecookies]

and thats why i dont sail with them.

 

you would if that is what your parents booked you.

[NYCRUISR]

After reading thru this thread I find many people have valid reasons for their own choices. Thats the thing I always preach....choices. The Cruise Industry gives us that. Certain companies have particular reputations that we choose to follow for our own reasons.

For quite the while now, we have chosen RCCL. While I can't say anything bad about my personal experiences so far, I feel that I have previously enjoyed the best days on RCCL in years gone by. I have witnessed changes....some of which I don't care for and some that don't mean anything to me. But certainly, RCCL has and is changing.

It is likely that the next cruise my wife and I take with just us alone, will probably be on Princess. And most likely, the next cruise we take with the entire family will be on a Voyager class or Freedom class ship on RCCL.

 

But the choice is always yours/ours. Just look at the list of cruise lines in the Cruise Critic page. Truly there is something there for everybody's taste and budget.

Bottom line...... We like to cruise and there's plenty of ships & lines to see yet.

 

Happy Cruising.

[LoraJ]

I've already answered this question no. What i was referring to is when i cruise i enjoy ice skating, in-line skating and taking a stroll down the RP. Princess can offer me this and thats why i dont sail with them. I have nothing against those who do.

 

I agree, at your age, you'd probably enjoy RCI more than Princess

 

But I also think the waterslides on the new Carnival Dream look like a lot of fun. :)

 

[aqhacruiser]

I've already answered this question no. What i was referring to is when i cruise i enjoy ice skating, in-line skating and taking a stroll down the RP. Princess can offer me this and thats why i dont sail with them. I have nothing against those who do.

 

I understand what you are saying and those are the things that you enjoy about the RCCL ships. I am a RC and I feel you are giving an honest opinion of why you like to cruise RCCL. I do not believe your age matters, you're entitled to express your opinion of why you cruise RCCL and CC welcomes teens to post here as well as adults. :)

We all have our reasons of why we like certain cruiselines and people have to just choose the ships that suit them best. If people want to sail other lines now because of recent C & A changes they have that right and I wish them the best on all their cruises. :) I never cruised RCCL for the CL, I cruise it because I like the ship, the itinerary's in spring, fall and winter and I live close to the departure port. Those are my reasons to continue sailing RCL:)

[hellosailer]

Interesting........this Princess innovation is pretty much what I have been suggesting on these boards and which has been ignored by all but one!!

 

When a Diamond gets on board, post a card on the Community Noticeboard saying that the RCCL Diamond Club will meet every evening between 5&7 in such and such a bar. Arrange it on the thread also.

 

If RCCL sees that the demand is there, they will catch on eventually and supply a room, just as they do Bill W. However, the drinks will not be free - nor are they on Princess!!

 

The point is, instead of everyone whinging, be proactive. Do something!! Most people will miss the socialising - so organise it!! Always did in the 'good ol' days'.:eek:

 

We have to accept that lately the situation in the CL has been a mess - something had to give!! I am not sure how long we Plussers will last there either!!!

[critterchick]

Today I canceled 3 cruises with Royal. Thank goodness only one was booked with a Next Cruise cert. I lost $100 for a cancellation fee!

OUCH!

When they asked WHY I was cancelling all I had to say is that we're Diamond. I take it that mine wasn't the first cancellation today.

 

I'm surprised that you lost the $100. I have cancelled several cruises made with NC certificates and have received a full refund of my deposit.

 

 

I understand that but once you've been with RCCL for so long its so hard to change!

 

You're too young to be in a rut!:D

[critterchick]

And Yes, I am Diamond Plus thanks to the Monarch in LA, Miss those weekend cruises. :)

 

Not as much as I do!:(

[pscruzinboyz]

Hey CC, why did you ax my post....................It was there at Midnight last night and now it is gone, POOF, Your dismissed.

How can we have a conversation when the post's gets zap. Please restore.

 

Thanks

[Screwbit]

Not true. It is 150 days OR 15 cruise credits.

 

Regardless, this is a change that ALL the lines should probably go to, in order to settle everyone down. I firmly believe that your loyalty level should be predicated on # of days sailed, and not number of sailings. There is, for example, a huge advantage for folks who live within sensible driving distance of a cruise port. Hence, Florida residents have the advantage of not having to deal with airfares, pre-cruise hotels, meals, etc.. We have Norfolk nearby, but, for God's sake, nothing worthwhile sails out of there.

DW and I have taken nothig but 7/8 -day sailings, 16 of them. Friends of ours do nothing but 3-5 day sailings, but rack up the same credits, and that's just not equitable. IMHO, cruise days is the way to go.

[C00lCruiser]

I think what some are missing with the $5 drink offer is that it is supposedly made with top shelf liquor which would make this a pretty good deal, not like the hooch that the drink of the day is made with!:D

 

Some companies seem to be upping their game, Princess is adding to the perks offered while RCI is keeping their prices quite high and offering less and less every day. Where I live many of the grocery stores are making knee jerk cutbacks when it comes to service to save money, while another company that is very well positioned for this type of economy is continuing to invest money in their stores adding staff and improving the experience for their customers, this company is beating last years sales numbers believe it or not (I have inside info on this industry).

 

In this economy people will go where they feel that they are getting the most value for their money, plain and simple. This economy will weed out the weak companies.

 

I hope that RCI continues to thrive, it was and is still a very nice cruise line, I just hope that the powers that be don't run it into the ground.

 

 

The crowded Concierge Lounge and the free drinks are all so silly!! I have never cruised in a suite before but if I did, I'd have my butler bring drinks or just order a bottle in MY SUITE!! So the people paying the big bucks in the suite also need the Concierge Lounge for a free drink before dinner? <Gulp!!> If they want their free drink, let them fight with everyone else!! Big deal!! Its the Diamond members who are fillilng up the CL, the the Diamond + or suite passengers! Lets wait and see what RCCL does when the CL goes empty. Cancel it all together? LOL.... Let them eat shrimp!!

[klfhngr]

No i have not sailed on Princess. I dont think so. I enjoy being able to ice skate, in line skate, and take a stroll down the Royal Promenade! :D At least for now!

 

Chris, you live in Wisconsin, you can skate on a REAL lake!