Member Benefits Update

[Matt]

51 minutes ago, Jill said:

I don’t think this will be permanent. Depending how the summer goes, I would imagine by September it may change. Worst case until the CSO expires November 1. 
 

Then We’ll all complain that they took the extra drink away!

I completely agree.

[Matt]

59 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

So the Diamond Lounge has all but been rendered useless.

I disagree.

I don't spend much time in the DL, but I think if you were to ask most Diamond folks why Royal Caribbean shouldn't get rid of the lounge and just give you the drinks elsewhere, this is what they'd say....

1. It's about the social aspect

2. It's about having a place exclusively for Diamond members.

So by keeping the lounge open, albeit with diminished drink choices, those primary elements are still there.

[smokeybandit]

11 minutes ago, Matt said:

I disagree.

I don't spend much time in the DL, but I think if you were to ask most Diamond folks why Royal Caribbean shouldn't get rid of the lounge and just give you the drinks elsewhere, this is what they'd say....

1. It's about the social aspect

2. It's about having a place exclusively for Diamond members.

So by keeping the lounge open, albeit with diminished drink choices, those primary elements are still there.

I could buy that. But getting rid of the happy hour and in exchange only giving you an extra 1-3 drink coupons doesn't seem a fair swap.

[Linda R]

1 hour ago, MelKaps said:

I hope this will carry over to the other ships sailing this summer. From someone who doesn't purchase the drink package, it would be nice to redeem a free drink earlier in the day instead of waiting until ~4:30pm.

agree

[Matt]

11 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

But getting rid of the happy hour and in exchange only giving you an extra 1-3 drink coupons doesn't seem a fair swap.

It's certainly not the "poor man's drink package" I initially thought it was, so I agree about that.

[Linda R]

I drink maybe 2 drinks per day.  My husband does not drink (allergic).  So we mostly have  slushies, soda, water, or juices,  I love the new procedure and hope they keep it.  Especially having availability to get your drinks all day.  Very nice.  I do not always want a drink between  diamond club hours anyway. So later at a show, or by the pool works for me.

[Mar915]

So does that mean kids under 21 will get 4 non alcoholic drinks added also. I hope so since they added virgin frozen drinks to the diamond menu

[ChrisK2793]

No offense, but I can’t believe anybody would be dissatisfied with the 4 to 6 free $13 drinks per day, depending on your level.  I always have to get the drink package because my spouse does and I really have to push myself to drink at least 5 or 6 drinks a day to feel like my package is worth it, especially by the second half of a 7 day cruise.

On top of that, for anybody in a suite, there’s always free drinks in the suite lounge.

 

[smokeybandit]

7 hours ago, ChrisK2793 said:

No offense, but I can’t believe anybody would be dissatisfied with the 4 to 6 free $13 drinks per day

They wouldn't if they weren't already getting 3 free drinks plus a free happy hour (which can easily be 3 drinks)

[Matt]

9 hours ago, Mar915 said:

So does that mean kids under 21 will get 4 non alcoholic drinks added also. I hope so since they added virgin frozen drinks to the diamond menu

Nope. Even pre-covid, they weren't getting free drink vouchers

[Rory]

On 6/7/2021 at 8:55 AM, Matt said:

Great question.  Since it's on your SeaPass, I would assume so, but I do know Diamond discount doesn't apply to merch on CocoCay.  Not that that is a 1:1 analogy of what to expect.

A sail mate confirmed by phone with Royal that you can indeed use your drink vouchers on Coco Cay!

[ConstantCruiser]

Not going to lie.  I actually like this change and would be happy with it as a long term solution.

For years people have complained about diamond lounge crowding.  The ONLY time and ONLY reason it is crowded is during happy hour because of the open bar.  This problem has now been solved.  Well played Crown and Anchor.  

This approach also keeps the lounge open the rest of the day when crowding is never an issue including in the morning when the special coffee machine is available.  

[HeWhoWaits]

11 minutes ago, ConstantCruiser said:

This approach also keeps the lounge open the rest of the day when crowding is never an issue including in the morning when the special coffee machine is available.  

THAT is the biggest benefit to the Diamond Lounge, IMO.

[12thman]

Not being diamond yet, can you get wine with these voucher's? Can you use it for still bottle water? 

[AshleyDillo]

8 minutes ago, 12thman said:

Not being diamond yet, can you get wine with these voucher's? Can you use it for still bottle water? 

Yes and yes.

[12thman]

7 minutes ago, AshleyDillo said:

Yes and yes.

Cool! Thanks!

[AshleyDillo]

8 minutes ago, 12thman said:

Cool! Thanks!

No problem. The new voucher policy is a lot less restrictive than the previous happy hour. The only drinks you could get with the vouchers before were from the limited Diamond Lounge menu and only during happy hour, so glad to see it will be the typical $13 drink limit. You just have to remember to tell them when ordering that you want to use your voucher. Sometimes they will see them on your account and ask and other times they default to charging and you have to go to Guest Servicea and have the charge removed when you notice it on your account

[12thman]

9 minutes ago, AshleyDillo said:

No problem. The new voucher policy is a lot less restrictive than the previous happy hour. The only drinks you could get with the vouchers before were from the limited Diamond Lounge menu and only during happy hour, so glad to see it will be the typical $13 drink limit. You just have to remember to tell them when ordering that you want to use your voucher. Sometimes they will see them on your account and ask and other times they default to charging and you have to go to Guest Servicea and have the charge removed when you notice it on your account

This "voucher" is on my seapass card? I thought it was an actual paper voucher?

[Crusie]

10 minutes ago, 12thman said:

This "voucher" is on my seapass card? I thought it was an actual paper voucher?

Pre-covid the three drinks were just loaded on the card - I assumed it would be the same but who knows!

[AshleyDillo]

10 minutes ago, 12thman said:

This "voucher" is on my seapass card? I thought it was an actual paper voucher?

Yes, they do all the vouchers electronically now for all C&A levels. This includes all of the various discounts and other BOGO specials they offer.  The list of what's loaded to the card is in the stateroom when you board.  

[12thman]

9 minutes ago, Crusie said:

Pre-covid the three drinks were just loaded on the card - I assumed it would be the same but who knows!

Okay well it'll be end of next year before I'm at that level so things might be different then.

[12thman]

7 minutes ago, AshleyDillo said:

Yes, they do all the vouchers electronically now for all C&A levels. This includes all of the various discounts and other BOGO specials they offer.  The list of what's loaded to the card is in the stateroom when you board.  

Oh okay and this list is a paper list on my table when we first arrive? I'm just gold now so we don't get anything.

[AshleyDillo]

11 minutes ago, 12thman said:

Oh okay and this list is a paper list on my table when we first arrive? I'm just gold now so we don't get anything.

Yes.  I attached a sample of the Emerald level and Diamond Plus offers as an example of what you'll find in your stateroom and the types of offers they have.

Emerald Offers.pdf

Diamond D+ Offers.pdf

[12thman]

9 minutes ago, AshleyDillo said:

Yes.  I attached a sample of the Emerald level and Diamond Plus offers as an example of what you'll find in your stateroom and the types of offers they have.

Emerald Offers.pdf 214.54 kB · 0 downloads

Diamond D+ Offers.pdf 258.96 kB · 1 download

Thanks! Can't wait until we are D+ the bennies are pretty good!!

[johnnyfive]

Gosh I really do hate confusing emails. I received this yesterday and at first said, Great! We don't drink that much, so 4 drinks plus the one or 2 at happy hour is more than enough for us and we can save on the Deluxe package. And then someone said, "No, that means they are using the 4 vouchers IN the DL as well" 

They have never done that before, even when they went to loading the vouchers on your cards to use at any bar during HH. 

Did I mention I hate poorly worded emails?

[dswallow]

13 hours ago, ChrisK2793 said:

No offense, but I can’t believe anybody would be dissatisfied with the 4 to 6 free $13 drinks per day, depending on your level.  I always have to get the drink package because my spouse does and I really have to push myself to drink at least 5 or 6 drinks a day to feel like my package is worth it, especially by the second half of a 7 day cruise.

On top of that, for anybody in a suite, there’s always free drinks in the suite lounge.

 

I still kinda consider it a worthless benefit. If it could be traded instead for a significant discount off the Deluxe Beverage Package, not just the 30% off (Diamond Plus) onboard pricing which frankly anybody can usually get in advance anyway (or 40% for Pinnacle, which was a rare sight in advance until last year), I'd consider myself to be much more valued by Royal Caribbean than I think of myself right now.

[KJones]

3 hours ago, 12thman said:

Oh okay and this list is a paper list on my table when we first arrive? I'm just gold now so we don't get anything.

On our last sailing (Harmony) the  C&A onboard discounts sheets weren't in our staterooms. We had to go to the C&A desk on board, and they had the print-outs there. Which is not a big deal, but just an FYI that they might not automatically be in your room upon arrival.

[Jill]

So I need to save all my vouchers for chocolate martinis and not blow them on a $9 glass of wine

[wordell1]

1 hour ago, Jill said:

So I need to save all my vouchers for chocolate martinis and not blow them on a $9 glass of wine

Now that looks good!

[Jill]

55 minutes ago, wordell1 said:

Now that looks good!

Best way to end the night. A chocolate martini in Central Park 

[AlmondFarmer]

Are the five Diamond plus drinks reloaded onto card at 12:00am allowing one to keep it going late night using the following days vouchers?

Asking for a friend. 

[dswallow]

9 minutes ago, AlmondFarmer said:

Are the five Diamond plus drinks reloaded onto card at 12:00am allowing one to keep it going late night using the following days vouchers?

Asking for a friend. 

No, it happens overnight, after all possible locations that could sell you a beverage have closed.

[MaritimeR&R]

Out of concern for the following, I messaged Mr. Bayley via a group that I belong to as does he:

 

 

Michael Bayley

Typically replies within a day

Public Figure

 

 

 

You sent Yesterday at 6:50 AM

I have 33 nights coming up in Jan. on Anthem and then another 22 on Odyssey. Booked my usual Spacious Balcony on 12 for Anthem and basically the same cabin on 13 for Odyssey. I will not be happy if I have to trudge down to the DL for my 5am coffee. I don't drink nor with the exception of a piece of fruit or some cheese eat anything during the HH; the CL, which now is likely an SL, is my haven during the day and a place for me as a solo cruiser to see the same faces and make new friends. The idea of not being able to count on that amenity is really disturbing to me. Booking a GS for just myself will cut back tremendously on how often I will be able to sail and if I have to do that, I might as well catch a good sale on another line with different itineraries that I haven't done time and time again. I sincerely hope Royal does not make excluding Pinnacles from the CL/SL the new norm.

 

 

 

 

5:40 AM

 

Michael Bayley sent Today at 5:40 AM

Hello. We haven't made any changes to your Pinnacle benefits . Thank you for your loyalty .

 

 

 

[Cakemeister]

What a great benefit! I can have a glass of wine with dinner, or even two! A beer in the casino, and maybe a drink while watching the evening show. 

13 times 4 is 52 times 2 is $100 per day value. 

That'll make my Labor Day cruise even more special since it will be my first cruise as a Diamond!

On Monday morning, I'll trek up to the lounge to see if the coffee is good.

Can't wait!

[Linda R]

On 6/7/2021 at 2:14 PM, Matt said:

I disagree.

I don't spend much time in the DL, but I think if you were to ask most Diamond folks why Royal Caribbean shouldn't get rid of the lounge and just give you the drinks elsewhere, this is what they'd say....

1. It's about the social aspect

2. It's about having a place exclusively for Diamond members.

So by keeping the lounge open, albeit with diminished drink choices, those primary elements are still there.

We go to DL late at night, when no one else is there, and play cards or do crafts.  A nice quiet place to have coffee and read also.  Love the DL and access to it

[Linda R]

On 6/7/2021 at 1:13 PM, MelKaps said:

I hope this will carry over to the other ships sailing this summer. From someone who doesn't purchase the drink package, it would be nice to redeem a free drink earlier in the day instead of waiting until ~4:30pm.

I agree totally

[cookie10*]

Diamond gets 4 drink vouchers a day? Do the vouchers carry over to the next day? I can see not using all 4 vouchers the first day on broad so do they carry over so i can use them the next day? etc....

[johnnyfive]

30 minutes ago, cookie10* said:

Diamond gets 4 drink vouchers a day? Do the vouchers carry over to the next day? I can see not using all 4 vouchers the first day on broad so do they carry over so i can use them the next day? etc....

Yes, and they can be used throughout the ship anytime during the day. They do not carry over, so I suggest using them, or asking for a shot one taking it back to your room at the end of the day. 

[AshleyDillo]

1 hour ago, cookie10* said:

Diamond gets 4 drink vouchers a day? Do the vouchers carry over to the next day? I can see not using all 4 vouchers the first day on broad so do they carry over so i can use them the next day? etc....

No carry over, but they don't have to be restricted to alcoholic beverages either.  Use them on bottled water if you have leftover ones for the day.

[Jim S]

I think the drink vouchers loaded on to the Seapass is a great idea as you are able to use the vouchers at any time during the day. We are D+ and would receive up to 5 free drinks per day which is plenty for us. If we want any more than that we would be happy to pay for them.

It will also reduce the congestion in the DL in the evenings, which is also good.