Comments on: Anchors away: Royal Caribbean gives passenger perks the heave-ho

By: john rooney

john rooney — Tue, 05 May 2009 21:15:16 +0000

TRY PRINCESS CRUISE LINE……..THEY HAVE A LOYALTY PROGRAM THATS HARD TO BEAT.

HAPPY SAILING

By: denise g

denise g — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 01:15:04 +0000

we are one of many diamond members who now feel lost by what rccl is doing. we are cruising in may and i almost feel sad not happy. spoke to many “higher ups” and they really don’t care its all about the mighty buck. i bet the big bosses did not get their bonus cut back or as i was told we are only going to modify the diamond status not take anything away. i really liked rccl, but i think we are going to try another company. maybe rccl is just tooo big for their own good

By: Gary Owen

Gary Owen — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 04:14:26 +0000

Our first cruise was on Royal Caribbean eight years ago. At first we tried several cruise lines and found minimal differences in quality and service. Royal Caribbean became a favourite choice because of their Crown & Anchor Society loyalty program.

Having just achieved Diamond Level in Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor society last year is it disappointing to see them downgrade the benefits. Loyalty programmes should reward repeat customers, not bait them along to move upward in the programme, only to have the rewards switched or eliminated once the level is achieved.

It is very apparent Royal is not listening to loyal customers and going full steam ahead with their planned changes. We are also saying WHY NOT consider other cruise lines? When I book my future cruises on another line, I will send Royal Caribbean emails to let them know that the empty cabins are not the result of a depressed economy, but rather loss of my business due to their policy change.

When will Royal Caribbean comprehend customer loyalty is not dispensable and once lost how difficult it is to regain?

By: Royal Caribbean Scuttles Crown & Anchor Society [Loyalty Programs] - 91th Edition « debitprepaidmastercard.com

Sun, 05 Apr 2009 23:56:54 +0000

[...] to Crown & Anchor Benefits Anchors away: Royal Caribbean gives passenger perks the heave-ho [Tripso] PREVIOUSLY: Royal Caribbean To Levy Late-Night Room Service Charge Royal Caribbean Levies [...]

By: Dave Beers

Dave Beers — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 18:09:14 +0000

And that “special recognition” now means Gold C&A members get just a shout-out from the Captain at the basic welcome aboard reception and no actual repeaters party? Seems so from my reading of the new policy. Oh, and the kind gentleman behind the bar will be happy to sell you a cocktail if you are thirsty – at the combined Captain’s Cocktail Party/Welcome Party.

Lots of diamond members don’t care for the Freedom class ships, and the Oasis looks to be the priciest cruise ship to come along in quite a while for a mainstream line – regardless of the innovations. Thus a diamond member has a cubic zirconia reality on smaller ships.

I wasn’t aware the entrees were “complimentary”. I thought my cruise fare paid for them. Well, at least most of them.

By: Harrison Liu

Harrison Liu — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 14:51:22 +0000

Hi, this is Harrison Liu of Royal Caribbean International. Please let me clear up a point of confusion. Diamond Plus level Crown & Anchor Society members will still have access to the Concierge Lounge aboard ships that offer this amenity. Through the life of our Crown & Anchor Society program, the increased membership has affected the Concierge Lounge experience. We consistently review valuable guest feedback to ensure that we are able to continuously improve our services while keeping the base price of a Royal Caribbean International cruise essentially the same for nearly a decade. Diamond level Members cruising on Freedom- and Oasis-class ships will continue to be able to experience all current amenities in the dedicated Diamond Lounge on these ships, which features a complimentary happy hour from 5-8:30pm daily. All Crown & Anchor Society members will continue to receive their most valued benefits such as discounts on cruises, special recognition, priority embarkation and debarkation. Additionally, Royal Caribbean does offer a NY Sirloin steak as part of the 10 complimentary dinner entree choices in our main dining room. Guests have an 11th option for a Chops Grille Filet Mignon for $14.95.

By: why god hates me » Royal Caribbean Scuttles Crown & Anchor Society [Loyalty Programs]

Sun, 05 Apr 2009 13:20:40 +0000

By: Henry

Henry — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 03:47:51 +0000

This is a flat-out stupid move by RCCL. It was probably led by the company’s Finance department which is, as you hypothesize, likely looking for ways to grwo passenger revenue beyond ticket sales.

The Royal Champions fiasco was enough to have warranted a shake-up in the line’s marketing leadership. And now this? Bad news all around. Unless the Crown & Anchor members vote with their wallets, though, RCCL will do nothing.

By: Skip

Skip — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 17:18:01 +0000

After reading about this, Anita, coupled with how RCL handled the recent “Secret RCL Cheerleaders Society” and declining passenger bookings, makes me wonder if the top RCL execs got multi-million dollar bonuses again this year.