Weloveships Posted January 11, 2020 Report Share Posted January 11, 2020 CROWN AND ANCHOR MEMBERS Anybody suffered disloyalty from rccl Me and my husband are diamond plus members, we booked 3 cabins, 1 for us and one each for friends who are. Are all first time cruisers we booked the same category cabin, at the same price at the same time with the same rccl staff member. He gave us individual booking reference nos. But I specifically asked for all three bookings to be linked so that what we could sit at the same table etc. Me and my husband both celebrate our birthday on next weeks dubai cruise!! On 24th dec we received email saying that diamond plus members would not be allowed into concierge due to high number of loyalty memberbers on board - ok, not the Christmas present we would expect but as all 6 of us have a drinks package we didn’t worry too much HOWEVER, this is where the DISLOYALTY really hurts. We receive an email saying there was a change to one of our friends reservation. - they have been upgraded from balcony to Grand Suite. That’s great for them, a kick in the teeth for us LOYALTY MEMBERS do you all realise that first time cruisers get upgrades over loyalty members WHAT IS THE BENEFIT OF BEING LOYAL TO RCCL? we called the office to explain our surprise and disappointment at being snubbed but were told the office who allocate cabins had left (this was 2pm USA time) so nothing they could do LOYALTY MEMBERS BEWARE OF DISLOYALTY FROM RCCL Ogilthorpe 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KathyC Posted January 11, 2020 Report Share Posted January 11, 2020 Random upgrades like that are very rare. Did they apply for the upgrade through Royal Up? It's a big jump to just be given for no reason. Baked Alaska and sk8erguy1978 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ogilthorpe Posted January 11, 2020 Report Share Posted January 11, 2020 Since you booked all three cabins, could there been some confusion on the part of RCI, and they thought they were upgrading you? Was that the first reservation numerically? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weloveships Posted January 11, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2020 NO they did not ask apparently “the company” have no control over who gets. Upgraded its computerised Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weloveships Posted January 11, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2020 I made all 3bookings and my email was on all 3 reservations when we called they said everyone in cabin allocation office had left and there is nothing they can do until Monday. The ship sails Monday and d we don’t want to embarrass either couple at the port by raising the issue at the port we are very surprised that they gave a two category upgrade to a first time cruise over a loyal cruiser Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpeedNoodles Posted January 11, 2020 Report Share Posted January 11, 2020 Are you sure they didn't do a Royal Up? sk8erguy1978 and Baked Alaska 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ogilthorpe Posted January 11, 2020 Report Share Posted January 11, 2020 I wonder if something made their original cabin unusable? And this was their solution. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weloveships Posted January 11, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2020 If you mean a mess up? Then they certainly didn’t attempt to clean up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weloveships Posted January 11, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2020 Royal Up. Is it something you can apply for. Not heard of it in the UK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpeedNoodles Posted January 11, 2020 Report Share Posted January 11, 2020 31 minutes ago, Kay evans said: Royal Up. Is it something you can apply for. Not heard of it in the UK Yes, it's a way to bid on cabin upgrades. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobroo Posted January 11, 2020 Report Share Posted January 11, 2020 I don’t understand.....what matters is that you and your colleagues are on the same boat. Not what cabin you or your friends are in. And, you are claiming that Royal Caribbean is just giving away a grand suite to someone who has effectively purchased a balcony??? As a Diamond Plus status, you don’t know Royal by now that they don’t elevate anyone by two cabin grades especially one of the big rooms without collecting big additional $$$? C’mon..... Have the DL concierge do the few keystrokes required so that have you all dine and sing Happy Birthday at the same MDR table and enjoy your time together on your holiday. Ray, Baked Alaska and RCVoyager 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted January 11, 2020 Report Share Posted January 11, 2020 To answer your question I haven’t encountered any disloyalty from Royal Caribbean. As a D+ I’ve encountered many times the concierge lounge becoming over subscribed and the need for them to accommodate D+ in an expanded Diamond area. That’s always worked very well. The result is no loss of benefits. As far as upgrades go, those are not promised to anyone. No D+ should ever get upset over a missed upgrade. If they did give out upgrades by CAS status a Pinnacle would have received the upgrade so either way you lost out on nothing. Instead be happy for your friends. Cruzinfun, Fuzzywuzzy, Baked Alaska and 5 others 7 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew72681 Posted January 11, 2020 Report Share Posted January 11, 2020 3 minutes ago, twangster said: To answer your question I haven’t encountered any disloyalty from Royal Caribbean. As a D+ I’ve encountered many times the concierge lounge becoming over subscribed and the need for them to accommodate D+ in an expanded Diamond area. That’s always worked very well. The result is no loss of benefits. As far as upgrades go, those are not promised to anyone. No D+ should ever get upset over a missed upgrade. If they did give out upgrades by CAS status a Pinnacle would have received the upgrade so either way you lost out on nothing. Instead be happy for your friends. My other thought was that perhaps the one that was upgraded was a guarantee cabin. Part of that roll of the dice is maybe one in a million you get upgraded to the last room left and it’s a good one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted January 11, 2020 Report Share Posted January 11, 2020 15 hours ago, Kay evans said: they have been upgraded from balcony to Grand Suite. That’s great for them, a kick in the teeth for us LOYALTY MEMBERS How is your friend being upgraded an insult to you? I get you think upgrades should only come down to the highest C&A members first, but that's how it works. 15 hours ago, Kay evans said: WHAT IS THE BENEFIT OF BEING LOYAL TO RCCL? Free alcohol every night in Diamond Lounge, priority boarding, free print photos. Heck, the free drinks alone are a perk unrivaled on any other cruise line. Thecatlady, RWDW1204, RCVoyager and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sbsco Posted January 11, 2020 Report Share Posted January 11, 2020 Status aside if I booked 3 cabins and someone got and upgrade besides me, I'd be mad. Especially when they are in the concierge lounge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hutcherl Posted January 11, 2020 Report Share Posted January 11, 2020 I have to admit, I’d feel a little bit upset by this. I understand how the upgrades happen so it was definitely luck of the draw. No intentional slap on Royal Carribean’s part. But if the situation is as explained, and we all are being completely honest, I think everyone would feel a little something crappy about it. No shame in admitting it would feel like a little gut punch if you’d been that loyal and a first timer in a group that you organized got that upgrade over you. Just my thought Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hutcherl Posted January 11, 2020 Report Share Posted January 11, 2020 One more point... I think you could have two feelings on the situation. One, you could still feel happy for your friends on the upgrade. Two, in the perfect world, feel like it maybe shoulda/coulda went your way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weloveships Posted January 11, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2020 I did say “it,s great that my friends have the upgrade” of course I’m happy for them. The shock came as several loyalty ambassadors on board our previous cruises have specifically told us “any available upgrades are offered to loyayalty members first “ I also said that all 6 of us have a drinks package so free drinks are not relevant. So perhaps someone can explain why They joined the loyalty program? My understanding of the loyalty program was that the company would reward loyal customers maybe some people are happy to spend many thousands on cruises so that first timers can benefit Maybe the company are cleverer than some cruisers - upgrade the first timers and hope they become “loyalty members” who will, in turn fund the next upgrade for first timers Thank you for your views and comments, very interesesting to see how people have diffferent interpretations of the loyalty program and what I wrote Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weloveships Posted January 11, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2020 21 hours ago, bobroo said: I don’t understand.....what matters is that you and your colleagues are on the same boat. Not what cabin you or your friends are in. And, you are claiming that Royal Caribbean is just giving away a grand suite to someone who has effectively purchased a balcony??? As a Diamond Plus status, you don’t know Royal by now that they don’t elevate anyone by two cabin grades especially one of the big rooms without collecting big additional $$$? C’mon..... Have the DL concierge do the few keystrokes required so that have you all dine and sing Happy Birthday at the same MDR table and enjoy your time together on your holiday. I wrote the truth. Booked balcony upgraded to grand suite - it’s a fact no dollars asked for or paid c,mon .........? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fuzzywuzzy Posted January 12, 2020 Report Share Posted January 12, 2020 dr martini, DublinFC, Ogilthorpe and 2 others 1 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BunnyHutt Posted January 12, 2020 Report Share Posted January 12, 2020 And you confirmed with your friends that they did not submit (and subsequently win) a Royal Up bid? While I can’t say for sure, outside of the Royal Up program, why you were snubbed but your initial post certainly does not exhibit happiness for your friends. You were/are clearly upset that you were ‘passed over’ for a cabin you feel you are entitled to. To answer your question... I joined C&A because I think a number was assigned to me when I booked my first cruise. Ogilthorpe, Fuzzywuzzy, SpeedNoodles and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruiseGus Posted January 12, 2020 Report Share Posted January 12, 2020 did you also complain about this on a Facebook group get over it some folks are just lucky..... personalty I'm happy when ever some or myself gets over on the system If I really want it "I pay for it" ... i.e. book a suite wish i was in the 1% but darn happy to be in the 10% most people to sail more than once are, and I'm just guessing at this are at least in the 20% basil, USCG Teacher and Ogilthorpe 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darketower Posted January 12, 2020 Report Share Posted January 12, 2020 I’m just curious why you would care how others felt about the loyalty program based on what happened to you. I don’t get the point of your question other than to cause an uproar. The loyalty program doesn’t guarantee you anything other than the perks stated on the website. Ogilthorpe 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted January 12, 2020 Report Share Posted January 12, 2020 When I used to fly a lot frequent flyer programs were a thing that I paid attention to. Top frequent fliers often get free upgrades to first class. Two years straight I received complimentary first class upgrades 99% of the time. The only time I didn't was when missing a connection due to flights delays. It was interesting to hear complaints and claims of upgrade shenanigans from folks who weren't at the top level. Claims of upgrades being given to employees or military or someone in a lesser level were commonplace. The wisdom I'll never forget was "Upgrades are not an entitlement. Book a seat in the cabin your want to fly in". If a stranger was given an upgraded cabin on a sailing 99% of guests would never know. How Royal chooses to hand out upgrades before sailing is a mystery because it rarely happens. A loyalty ambassador in days of old sometimes had unused inventory at their disposal. They might offer upgrades on board. Loyalty ambassadors have no input to a pre-cruise upgrade. Now with cruises selling out and with RoyalUp the loyalty ambassadors don't have upgrades to hand out very often. It's entirely possible someone wanted that cabin for a specific reason. They may have asked and been denied by Royal, unless they were willing to pay to upgrade those guests to a suite. We'll never know the mechanics of why that cabin was chosen to be upgraded. You were not owed an upgrade, Royal was not disloyal. You can choose to dwell on this and let it impact your cruise or you can shrug it off and let it go. With thirty two cruises under my belt at the D+ level I'm not going to waste a moment to fret that at some point someone else got an upgrade. In all those D+ cruises I was never upgraded. I cruised in the cabin I booked and I enjoyed all thirty two cruises. CruiseGus, NerdDad, SpeedNoodles and 9 others 11 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F1guynz Posted January 12, 2020 Report Share Posted January 12, 2020 The first time we sailed on Princess they upgraded us from a mini suite to a full suite so all cruise lines do it. As twangster said if they upgraded based on loyalty level it would be all the Pinnacles being upgraded so it is not something I worry to much about. Ogilthorpe and twangster 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCVoyager Posted January 12, 2020 Report Share Posted January 12, 2020 2 hours ago, twangster said: When I used to fly a lot frequent flyer programs were a thing that I paid attention to. Top frequent fliers often get free upgrades to first class. Two years straight I received complimentary first class upgrades 99% of the time. The only time I didn't was when missing a connection due to flights delays. It was interesting to hear complaints and claims of upgrade shenanigans from folks who weren't at the top level. Claims of upgrades being given to employees or military or someone in a lesser level were commonplace. The wisdom I'll never forget was "Upgrades are not an entitlement. Book a seat in the cabin your want to fly in". If a stranger was given an upgraded cabin on a sailing 99% of guests would never know. How Royal chooses to hand out upgrades before sailing is a mystery because it rarely happens. A loyalty ambassador in days of old sometimes had unused inventory at their disposal. They might offer upgrades on board. Loyalty ambassadors have no input to a pre-cruise upgrade. Now with cruises selling out and with RoyalUp the loyalty ambassadors don't have upgrades to hand out very often. It's entirely possible someone wanted that cabin for a specific reason. They may have asked and been denied by Royal, unless they were willing to pay to upgrade those guests to a suite. We'll never know the mechanics of why that cabin was chosen to be upgraded. You were not owed an upgrade, Royal was not disloyal. You can choose to dwell on this and let it impact your cruise or you can shrug it off and let it go. With thirty two cruises under my belt at the D+ level I'm not going to waste a moment to fret that at some point someone else got an upgrade. In all those D+ cruises I was never upgraded. I cruised in the cabin I booked and I enjoyed all thirty two cruises. Agree 100%. I love cruising and always want friends or family to cruise with us. On a previous RCCL cruise, when I was the point man, there were only 2 aft balconies left and we needed 3. All 3 paid the same price, but my wife and I gave up the aft balcony and took one on the same floor right beside the 2 aft balconies (without discussing it with the other two couples). Seeing the looks on their faces and enjoying the conversation about their great balconies... especially when both parties realized what we had done for them, made any sense of missing out fade to a feeling of having really done a good thing. That was 2016, and they still talk about it. It was a small gesture that made an impact on the 6 people involved. Ogilthorpe, Baked Alaska, Sweety and 9 others 8 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miller Lite Posted January 12, 2020 Report Share Posted January 12, 2020 Hey, here's an idea. Instead of relying on the company to pick you out of thousands of guests, work a little harder in life if the GRAND SUITE is soooooooo important to you. The good ole age of entitlement is getting OLD! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balsam Posted January 12, 2020 Report Share Posted January 12, 2020 Please note, I'm not saying the OP is incorrect, but I really don't see WHY RC would upgrade randomly from Balcony to GS? Surely, if they had to upgrade someone to GS, they would select someone that has paid for JS and upgrade them. They would then upgrade someone else from Balcony to JS. This would then mean two bookings would get upgraded, and they would have twice as many people who were very happy instead of one. The whole story just makes zero sense to me, especially since the advent of Royal UP... they could have at lease made a few dollars from someone willing to pay for an upgrade? SpeedNoodles 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpeedNoodles Posted January 12, 2020 Report Share Posted January 12, 2020 I don't know - it was never confirmed by the OP that they checked with them if they did get it through Royal Up. They just said they'd never heard of it - but it appears to be available in the UK. Maybe the friends did Royal up but the OP doesn't want to make it awkward to ask, so there's just lots of speculation going on? https://www.royalcaribbean.com/gbr/en/booked/cruise-room-upgrade Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Posted January 12, 2020 Report Share Posted January 12, 2020 I just hope you don't let this spoil your vacation. First time you walk into your friends upgraded suite and you think this should have been ours! Also hope those that received upgrade knowing how upset you are at missing out, don't let it spoil their vacation by feeling that you are annoyed and jealous etc that they got a bonus instead of you , you are all there to celebrate a birthday not worry about cabins Fuzzywuzzy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCVoyager Posted January 12, 2020 Report Share Posted January 12, 2020 20 hours ago, Hutcherl said: I have to admit, I’d feel a little bit upset by this. I understand how the upgrades happen so it was definitely luck of the draw. No intentional slap on Royal Carribean’s part. But if the situation is as explained, and we all are being completely honest, I think everyone would feel a little something crappy about it. No shame in admitting it would feel like a little gut punch if you’d been that loyal and a first timer in a group that you organized got that upgrade over you. Just my thought Gotta disagree. I would be very happy for my friends and have no additional concerns whatsoever. The friends will know they got it and you didn't, and if they are a good friend may buy a pre cruise or post cruise dinner for you. And they will remember what happened for a long time and see you in a better light because you were the bigger person. WAAAYTOOO and USCG Teacher 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bjstrand Posted January 12, 2020 Report Share Posted January 12, 2020 Just an aside from long ago. Our first cruise in 1997 our family of 4, mom, dad, 12 and 7 were upgraded from a lower oceanview to an upper balcony on Grandeur. Never since but started us on a pleasurable habit of cruising. RCVoyager and Ogilthorpe 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baked Alaska Posted January 12, 2020 Report Share Posted January 12, 2020 Troll? WAAAYTOOO, Fuzzywuzzy, RCVoyager and 2 others 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fuzzywuzzy Posted January 12, 2020 Report Share Posted January 12, 2020 59 minutes ago, Baked Alaska said: Troll? My thoughts too, fits the usual pattern. I'm still curious how someone who claims to be D+ has no idea how C&A actually works. BunnyHutt, USCG Teacher, RCVoyager and 4 others 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hutcherl Posted January 12, 2020 Report Share Posted January 12, 2020 4 hours ago, RCVoyager said: Gotta disagree. I would be very happy for my friends and have no additional concerns whatsoever. The friends will know they got it and you didn't, and if they are a good friend may buy a pre cruise or post cruise dinner for you. And they will remember what happened for a long time and see you in a better light because you were the bigger person. I’d never make a situation about it to make them feel some awkward or uncomfortable kind of way. That’s just a obvious way you’d handle that if they are friends. To handle it any other way would be acting as the lesser person. Like I said, I stand by thinking it’s fair to feel excited for them and yet normal to quietly feel that would’ve been great for that to fall your way since you sailed with them for so long. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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