My opinion on the suite guest benefits

[bajathree]

That's a really good idea...suite guests should call ahead and reserve their seating or have the concierge do it...that way if they were not going to use the seats that day they would not have to stay empty...then others could use them. If they were going to be at the pool for only half the day, then the reserved sign could be removed to facilitate others. I don't know but it sounds like a plan to me.

 

 

With all due respect that is a really dumb idea.....the whole idea of having the reserved seating is convenience for suite guests....not to have them make more reservations and have to plan their day:rolleyes:

[Don Pedro]

Thank you for your compliment about our business.

I do agree about the diamond members and their numbers swelling BUT RCCL created the monster by giving the perks to us, don't take them away.

After reading several posts, it appears that RCCL has not kept up with the Jones' concerning the Suite perks. I can understand those that book suites (as youself) have concerns about this.

Yes, I hope the new policy concerning chair hogs continues. It did not appear to me to work on our last Liberty cruise (May 23rd) but some said they thought it did. What did bother me was there were 48 chairs reserved for suite guests but ONLY TWO were being used. This was in the afternoon (about 2:00) on our last sea day. Personally I could not find any other chairs in the sun on deck 11 at the same time, there probably was but I could not find one.

I am sure suite guests are more often than not return guests but all of us are going to have to agree to disagree on this one. You spend thousands to get a suite and I spend thousands reaching the diamond level. There has to be a line drawn somewhere and I happen to disagree with there they have drawn in. ;)

Nice post Don. There have been several posts on this thread that have been positive in my mind and I appreciate the civil way everyone is posting.

Tim

 

Tim,

We agree with Mark that this thread concerns the suite perks rather than the diamond benefits but there is little doubt that the two are intertwined.

 

You are 100% correct that this was problem of RCCL's own making. Many of us mistook the Crown & Anchor Society as sort of a club for past cruisers. When in reality it was an incredibly effective marketing tool. Unfortunately some of RCCL decisions put the Crown & Anchor Society on steroids and it ended up eating its young.

 

Several bad decisions created the problem, most notable was awarding diamond benefits, such as concierge access, that were not sustainable in the long-term. Once you give a benefit it is difficult to take away. We believe the major culprit was the fast track to diamond status created to book junior suites and entice weekend cruisers.

 

We agree that past cruisers are indeed important to the cruise line and deserve recognition via special benefits programs.

 

But we think the road to diamond and diamond plus status needs to be a little steeper. Fifteen days at sea (5 three-day cruises in a JR) should not qualify someone as a diamond member.

 

We hope that RCCL will set the bar a little highter and award the level of benefits that their true diamond members deserve. They are finally striving toward better suite perks and perhaps revisiting Crown & Anchor benefits will follow.

[retnuh281]

With all due respect that is a really dumb idea.....the whole idea of having the reserved seating is convenience for suite guests....not to have them make more reservations and have to plan their day:rolleyes:

 

Scary Baja, but i tend to agree with most of your posts. Why should I have to figure out the day before if I or anyone in my party is thinking about going to the pool the next day? Am I still at work? No!! I'm on vacation baby, don't make me think or schedule.

I'll pay someone to go put a book on a chair and mosey down when I'm ready.

[olemissreb]

 

But we think the road to diamond and diamond plus status needs to be a little steeper. Fifteen days at sea (5 three-day cruises in a JR) should not qualify someone as a diamond member.

 

 

Don Pedro -

 

Am I reading that right? If I wanted to become a diamond member, I would only need 2 7 day cruises and one 3 day cruise? This is going to be my first cruise on RCI and we are staying in an OS - not C&A members yet (can't join until after the first cruise right?). That is a mighty fast track to Diamond! We joined the Captains Club (Princess) and the one for Celebrity and both of their loyalty programs were so much more rigorous to get to a high enough level to enjoy the really good perks.

 

Thanks for the info! Sorry to get totally off topic of this thread!

[karena1]

Tim,

We agree with Mark that this thread concerns the suite perks rather than We believe the major culprit was the fast track to diamond status created to book junior suites and entice weekend cruisers.

 

But we think the road to diamond and diamond plus status needs to be a little steeper. Fifteen days at sea (5 three-day cruises in a JR) should not qualify someone as a diamond member.

 

.

 

I think much worse - b/c at least I am still paying for a cruise even if it is a 3 nighter - have never stayed in a JS - is giving D status to anyone in the house. That I think caused this issue more than anything else. You have a child who has never cruised - much less spent any money on a cruise - and they are Diamond just because you are. That is where I personally think they really went the wrong route.

[HB Cruiser]

Tim,

We agree with Mark that this thread concerns the suite perks rather than the diamond benefits but there is little doubt that the two are intertwined.

 

You are 100% correct that this was problem of RCCL's own making. Many of us mistook the Crown & Anchor Society as sort of a club for past cruisers. When in reality it was an incredibly effective marketing tool. Unfortunately some of RCCL decisions put the Crown & Anchor Society on steroids and it ended up eating its young.

 

Several bad decisions created the problem, most notable was awarding diamond benefits, such as concierge access, that were not sustainable in the long-term. Once you give a benefit it is difficult to take away. We believe the major culprit was the fast track to diamond status created to book junior suites and entice weekend cruisers.

 

We agree that past cruisers are indeed important to the cruise line and deserve recognition via special benefits programs.

 

But we think the road to diamond and diamond plus status needs to be a little steeper. Fifteen days at sea (5 three-day cruises in a JR) should not qualify someone as a diamond member.

 

We hope that RCCL will set the bar a little highter and award the level of benefits that their true diamond members deserve. They are finally striving toward better suite perks and perhaps revisiting Crown & Anchor benefits will follow.

 

GREAT POST!!! 100% agreement here.

 

Tim

[JJ2sail]

Don Pedro -

 

Am I reading that right? If I wanted to become a diamond member, I would only need 2 7 day cruises and one 3 day cruise? This is going to be my first cruise on RCI and we are staying in an OS - not C&A members yet (can't join until after the first cruise right?). That is a mighty fast track to Diamond! We joined the Captains Club (Princess) and the one for Celebrity and both of their loyalty programs were so much more rigorous to get to a high enough level to enjoy the really good perks.

 

Thanks for the info! Sorry to get totally off topic of this thread!

 

 

No, two 7 day cruises in a Junior suite or above and one 3 day cruise in a junior suite or above, would be 6 credits, you would be Platinum.

[Don Pedro]

Don Pedro -

Am I reading that right? If I wanted to become a diamond member, I would only need 2 7 day cruises and one 3 day cruise? This is going to be my first cruise on RCI and we are staying in an OS - not C&A members yet (can't join until after the first cruise right?). That is a mighty fast track to Diamond! We joined the Captains Club (Princess) and the one for Celebrity and both of their loyalty programs were so much more rigorous to get to a high enough level to enjoy the really good perks.

Thanks for the info! Sorry to get totally off topic of this thread!

 

Presently you get one cruise point for each cruise that is less than 12 days in duration, plus an additional point if you are in a junior suite or above. Two seven-day cruises and one three-day cruise would yield 3 Crown & Anchor points. Six points if they were in JS or above.

 

Five three-day cruises in a junior suite would yield 10 points and diamond status. Five points for the five cruises and five points for the junior suite. Many of us veiw this awards system as flawed and have advovated changing to a system based on actual sea days.

 

As Karena1 pointed out another major problem occurred when all household members of a cruisers automatically gained equal status without ever taking a cruise. We thought that situation had been addressed but perhaps it is still happening.

[dizzlepop]

A JS is entitled to 2 cruise credits, priority boarding (where available) and robes in room....all other perks are GS and above.

 

No priority boarding for JS (unless it's just San Pedro), but robes and coffee/tea service is a go! Whoo hoo!

 

~gigi

[scrappygirl]

This will be our first cruise and we opted for the GS for space. We were not really aware of "special perks" But that is great as long as they are given and we don't have to hunt them down KWIM?

Questions?

What are the extras in the rooms besides space and robes?

 

Do we have to reserve our seats our is it just a special section? Because If they don't have enough seats for all the suite guest wouldn't that be frustrating??? Why say you have a reserved seat if you really don't???

 

How do we get the tender passes?

 

Any explination of GS benifits would be GRAND!;)

[cavkc]

This will be our first cruise and we opted for the GS for space. We were not really aware of "special perks" But that is great as long as they are given and we don't have to hunt them down KWIM?

Questions?

What are the extras in the rooms besides space and robes?

 

Do we have to reserve our seats our is it just a special section? Because If they don't have enough seats for all the suite guest wouldn't that be frustrating??? Why say you have a reserved seat if you really don't???

 

How do we get the tender passes?

 

Any explination of GS benifits would be GRAND!;)

 

There are only 24 reserved seats for approx 80 suite guests, so it is still on a 'first come first served' basis. I can't for the life of me work out why this number of reserved seats has created such friction, I could understand it if it were one per guest, but it isn't. We were by the pool before 10am each day and not once could we get a seat in the reserved section.

[torpeedo]

We also have sailed in Suites and just about any other cabin that RCI has over the years!! We love the size of the cabins and would tend to book a suite if a longer itinerary. We are D+ also and honestly get so many perks that suite perks really don't swing our decision either. RCI has always treated us well at all levels. Suite perks don't bother me and the reserved seats are also fine with us. Actually the seats reserved are seats we would never choose anyway! We don' care to sit in the sun and bake away! Suites are great for families and give you so much breathing room so you don't step on each other! Lot to be said for that.

We cruised in S suites on the HAL ships and thought that was so over rated and we didn't enjoy any of the so called perks. Someone mentioned Carnival and yes, NO perks for suites at all. Just the larger cabins which was fine for us, but again, we prefer RCI for many reasons and other lines have missed the mark for us. Just our opinion!

[bajathree]

Surprised that no one yet has complained yet about the private cabanas Oasis is going to have for fee taking away public space:D

[B-52]

Just got back from Explorer, stayed in a GS. Used the reserved seating in the Palace Theater every show we attended. It is only one row long in the center section, and filled up fast.

Reserved seats at the Ice Show, used them also, and filled up fast.

Reserved seats at the Pool, did not use because we always hang around the solarium. But every time I went by, the reserved section was packed.

Seating in Portofino for breakfast and lunch, was explained to me that is available for Suite Guests as a overflow when the Windjammer is crowded. That never happened as far as I know.

[cruisenfever]

No priority boarding for JS (unless it's just San Pedro), but robes and coffee/tea service is a go! Whoo hoo!

 

~gigi

On Radiance we had a JS and all we had in our cabin was an electric tea kettle, cups, spoons various teas with sugar. No coffee.

 

 

Any explination of GS benifits would be GRAND!;)

 

Suite Enhancements (complete):

Royal Suite,Royal Family Suite, Presidential Family Suite,Owner’s Suite,Grand Suite

Oasis Class: Royal Loft Suite, Sky Loft Suite, AquaTheater Suite&Crown Loft Suite

• Priority check-in

• Personalized attention throughout the cruise with complimentary Concierge Club service

• Complimentary luggage valet service

• Complimentary pressing service on formal night

• Reserved prime seating in the main theater for entertainment shows (where available)

• VIP pool deck seating (Voyager and Freedom Class)

• Full breakfast, lunch and dinner dining room menus available for in-room dining

• Mattel® board games available to order for in-room entertainment for the kids

• Priority tender tickets (where available)

• Private breakfast and lunch seating in specialty restaurant (Voyager and Freedom Class)

• Priority departure with exclusive suite departure lounge - includes continental breakfast

• Luxury spa bathrobes (for use onboard)

• Gold SeaPass® Card for recognition

 

[Laoghaire]

As you can see by my signature, DH and I have been loyal RCCL/RCI cruisers since 1986. After 23 years, we finally attained Diamond Plus status, one cruise at a time ( last two in a JS). When we sail in suites, we sail (would you believe!) NCL. A year ago, we cruised on the NCL Sun for a 19 day thru the Panama Canal. We have never been treated so royally. Then, in December of "08, we were in a GS on the Explorer OTS. What a disappointment! No perks--the Cl we could already use, being Diamonds.

 

On NCL, these were some of the perks we received in a medium suite:

Proirity embarkation in a lounge with juices, pastries, etc. and escorted to our room by the conceirge.

A complimentary bottle of wine in our room.

A flower arrangement that was replenished every few days, as was the fruit basket.

Breakfast and Lunch served in a speciality restaurant, only for suite guests.

Special Private Captain's Cocktail Party, attended by other officers. We had three of these, due to the 19 days.

Complimentary Dinner in a Speciality Restaurant of our choice ( given by the Hotel Director), and any bottle of wine we selected from a long list.

Bridge tour, Backstage tour, AND an engine room tour.

A Butler and Concierge at our beck and call.

Appetizers served daily around 5pm, in our room, by the butler.

 

Need I say more? Naturally, our next Suite will be on NCL (Pearl) for another 19 day thru the Panama Canal in September. When and if RCI continues to upgrade suite amenities, we might cruise GS and above, again. We do Junior Suites now. Guess that makes us "Suite Snobs".

 

In closing, we certainly agree wholeheartedly with Don Pedro...

 

Helen

[NJCruiseGal32]

Do I will complain about the poor service for the suite guests? NO.

:)Tradam:)

 

 

hmmmm...then what brings you here' complaining' about the perks?

Not to worry, Tradam, that's why DH & I dropped our OS onboard the Oasis of the Seas on 1/2/10, for a penthouse suite on the NCL Epic for two weeks 12/09-1/11, which gives us exclusive access to the courtyard area, inclusive of a pool, hot tubs, gym, private dining room & grill, butler service, reserved seating at shows, priority tendering, etc etc.

[scrappygirl]

Thank you Patti for outlining all the Suite perks! :)

[angeljt]

There sure is a big difference in the suite perks on NCL and RC, but we were on the Grandeur which doesn't have the perks of some of RC's other ships. We loved it and had a great time.

There wasn't any reserved seating at the pool, and I didn't attend the shows. My friends went to a show, but they didn't ask about the reserved seating, so I can't help there. We were always able to get 3 chairs at the pool.

We'll be back in a suite on NCL again next, but I would also go back to RC. We also like being able to drive to NY or Boston for the NCL cruises.

 

Our suite attendant, Anthony Yearwood, was wonderful and it was like having our own butler on the Grandeur. I hope you get him, Scrappygirl! He went above and beyond and did a great job. We didn't want for anything!

Feel free to ask if you have any other Grandeur questions.

Jackie