Censored Posted February 5, 2022 Report Share Posted February 5, 2022 Do you think the perks and benefits for all the levels within this program need some changes? Pinnacle seems unattainable for most, unless you live to be 90 years of age and cruise every month ! I met one gentleman who was a pinnacle at age 44!!! What!? I think if you live in Florida, and go on a lot of weekend cruises, along with week cruises is how he does it. Do you think there should be a another level created between Diamond Plus and Pinnacle? I think there are internal levels of Diamond Plus and Pinnacle not posted. Super Mario is the highest of all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted February 5, 2022 Report Share Posted February 5, 2022 Years ago, Michael Bayley answered this question and said there are already more tiers in Royal's policy than any other line. Jjohnb, Censored and RCIfan1912 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCIfan1912 Posted February 5, 2022 Report Share Posted February 5, 2022 I think there are too many levels. Diamond + is ridiculous to me and Pinnacle is unattainable for almost all. Neesa 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PG Cruiser Posted February 5, 2022 Report Share Posted February 5, 2022 There is a reason why they're making Pinnacle seem unattainable. Human nature wants to "shoot for the stars." Making it easy to reach will diminish its attraction... less bookings for Royal! stevendom57, ChrisK2793, RWDW1204 and 5 others 6 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark_A Posted February 5, 2022 Report Share Posted February 5, 2022 I wonder what the average crown and anchor level is? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vancity Cruiser Posted February 5, 2022 Report Share Posted February 5, 2022 11 minutes ago, Mark_A said: I wonder what the average crown and anchor level is? I would assume gold. With the exception of us cruise crazies on this board most people probably only cruise once a year or once every 2 years Neesa and RCIfan1912 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VeronicaS1970 Posted February 5, 2022 Report Share Posted February 5, 2022 I had heard that Emerald was supposed to be between Diamond plus and pinnacle but someone made an oopsie when they released the info and made it 55 points instead of 550 points. But once it was out there they couldn't take it back. RCIfan1912 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted February 5, 2022 Report Share Posted February 5, 2022 When you normalize Crown and Anchor versus other cruise lines they are all very similar. Normalization is required since they use different points systems and the top levels vary in terms of the absolute number required. Carnival for example tops out at 200, Celebrity at 3,000, NCL and Royal at 700. What the graph does show is the weird anomaly between Platinum and Emerald for Royal. Platinum should probably be lowered slightly for a smoother transition compared to the other cruise lines. As mentioned there are incremental perks within Diamond Plus between 175 and 700. They are published so it's not a secret, just something that isn't discussed frequently. Marc, IRMO12HD, Rackham and 3 others 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dottie Posted February 28, 2022 Report Share Posted February 28, 2022 We sailed last Nov.and we’re so disappointed in crown and anchor! We are diamond plus members with over 30 cruises with Royal and very upsetting on treatment of diamond plus members. Started with boarding; as in past we had line just for us when I asked employee where line for diamond plus is he chuckled and pointed to end of the line.??? WHY does someone on FIRST cruise staying in suite get better and more benefits than us. We have so much more money$$ invested in 30 plus cruises than someone in a suite .We always cruise 2 times a year. We are now looking into other cruise lines as many other diamond and diamond plus members we spoke with and met on this cruise. Some had already signed up with Norwegian. Hopefully things will get better soon. Sad to lose the people that are so devoted to Royal. nickpants, ChrisK2793, Okgladgal and 3 others 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisK2793 Posted February 28, 2022 Report Share Posted February 28, 2022 2 hours ago, Dottie said: We sailed last Nov.and we’re so disappointed in crown and anchor! We are diamond plus members with over 30 cruises with Royal and very upsetting on treatment of diamond plus members. Started with boarding; as in past we had line just for us when I asked employee where line for diamond plus is he chuckled and pointed to end of the line.??? WHY does someone on FIRST cruise staying in suite get better and more benefits than us. We have so much more money$$ invested in 30 plus cruises than someone in a suite .We always cruise 2 times a year. We are now looking into other cruise lines as many other diamond and diamond plus members we spoke with and met on this cruise. Some had already signed up with Norwegian. Hopefully things will get better soon. Sad to lose the people that are so devoted to Royal. ‘Do you know you get FIVE FREE $13 drinks every day as a Diamond Plus? That’s $65 FREE every day! You get early access to the seating at shows, you get cabin discounts when you book your cruises, free behind the scenes tours when they start back up ($100 plus per person value), choice of amenities to be left in your room every cruise …….. even the few times we haven’t stayed in suites, it’s never takes us longer to board than 20 minutes in the regular line ………. We only just became Diamond Plus this week and are VERY HAPPY with what we’ll get on our next cruise in a couple weeks on Wonder! Okgladgal, SebagoSue, Jill and 14 others 15 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted February 28, 2022 Report Share Posted February 28, 2022 1 hour ago, Dottie said: We sailed last Nov.and we’re so disappointed in crown and anchor! We are diamond plus members with over 30 cruises with Royal and very upsetting on treatment of diamond plus members. Started with boarding; as in past we had line just for us when I asked employee where line for diamond plus is he chuckled and pointed to end of the line.??? WHY does someone on FIRST cruise staying in suite get better and more benefits than us. We have so much more money$$ invested in 30 plus cruises than someone in a suite .We always cruise 2 times a year. We are now looking into other cruise lines as many other diamond and diamond plus members we spoke with and met on this cruise. Some had already signed up with Norwegian. Hopefully things will get better soon. Sad to lose the people that are so devoted to Royal. So due to covid restrictions that all cruise lines are faced with, you're leaving Royal Caribbean because you're outraged people paying for a premium product are one of the few that still get boarding perks? WAAAYTOOO, ScottishRobbie, ChrisK2793 and 5 others 6 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jill Posted February 28, 2022 Report Share Posted February 28, 2022 1 hour ago, Dottie said: We sailed last Nov.and we’re so disappointed in crown and anchor! We are diamond plus members with over 30 cruises with Royal and very upsetting on treatment of diamond plus members. Started with boarding; as in past we had line just for us when I asked employee where line for diamond plus is he chuckled and pointed to end of the line.??? WHY does someone on FIRST cruise staying in suite get better and more benefits than us. We have so much more money$$ invested in 30 plus cruises than someone in a suite .We always cruise 2 times a year. We are now looking into other cruise lines as many other diamond and diamond plus members we spoke with and met on this cruise. Some had already signed up with Norwegian. Hopefully things will get better soon. Sad to lose the people that are so devoted to Royal. There has been no “special line” for Diamond or Diamond Plus since the re-start and that was pretty clear in what Royal has published. Suites and Pinnacles can board early and that’s it until Covid is officially over. We will be Diamond Plus end of October and personally I’m thrilled to reach this point. As @ChrisK2793pointed out, the perks are many. More than any other cruise line offers. FWIW, it’s never taken us longer than 20 minutes to get onboard pre Covid and during Covid. Swar, RCIfan1912, MTNeedsAVacay and 1 other 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted February 28, 2022 Report Share Posted February 28, 2022 Not sure if the OP is referring to the security line or the check-in line, but D+ has not received priority security privileges for quite some time now. Check-in, yes, but security ? Nope. ChessE4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted February 28, 2022 Report Share Posted February 28, 2022 They'll be back. And for the record a line outside the terminal for D+ has never been been an official perk of CAS. The priority boarding perk once checked in saved maybe 5 minutes best case back in the day. D+ were able to walk on a few minutes before the No CAS folks. All this drama over 5 minutes of time on board? SpeedNoodles, dcr50usa and JasonOasis 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rackham Posted February 28, 2022 Report Share Posted February 28, 2022 On 2/5/2022 at 10:25 AM, Vancity Cruiser said: I would assume gold. With the exception of us cruise crazies on this board most people probably only cruise once a year or once every 2 years That's my assumption too; with the majority C&A members below Diamond as the benefits aren't much before, comparatively speaking. I'd anticipate cruisers at Diamond and above are cruising frequently enough that any comps being offered, most famously those drink vouchers, are more than paid for with the amount of spend with Royal. Another thing I suspect is many people who cruise annually are jumping between lines looking for the best deal. While I haven't seen this mentioned in discussions, the amount of vacation time and mean household income in the US means most (at least for the US) aren't going to be racing up the C&A levels. Assuming earning 1 cruise point per night and 1 cruise per year, it'd take 12 years to hit Diamond. As a data point, one of Royal's automated marketing emails to my account thanked me for being one of their best customers... after having booked 3 cruises sometime in the future and currently at Pre-Gold. So I'm assuming the average number booked is 2 or less per year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonOasis Posted February 28, 2022 Report Share Posted February 28, 2022 3 hours ago, Dottie said: We sailed last Nov.and we’re so disappointed in crown and anchor! We are diamond plus members with over 30 cruises with Royal and very upsetting on treatment of diamond plus members. Started with boarding; as in past we had line just for us when I asked employee where line for diamond plus is he chuckled and pointed to end of the line.??? WHY does someone on FIRST cruise staying in suite get better and more benefits than us. We have so much more money$$ invested in 30 plus cruises than someone in a suite .We always cruise 2 times a year. We are now looking into other cruise lines as many other diamond and diamond plus members we spoke with and met on this cruise. Some had already signed up with Norwegian. Hopefully things will get better soon. Sad to lose the people that are so devoted to Royal. You now are looking into other cruise lines because you were not allowed to board before first time cruisers who actually purchased a suite. No disrespect but I don't know if I'm buying what you are trying to sell us. I'm diamond plus with Royal and the perks that come with diamond plus status far outweigh not being able to board first if I'm not staying in a suite. ChrisK2793, Neesa, TXcruzer and 4 others 5 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted February 28, 2022 Report Share Posted February 28, 2022 38 minutes ago, Rackham said: That's my assumption too; with the majority C&A members below Diamond as the benefits aren't much before, comparatively speaking. I'd anticipate cruisers at Diamond and above are cruising frequently enough that any comps being offered, most famously those drink vouchers, are more than paid for with the amount of spend with Royal. Another thing I suspect is many people who cruise annually are jumping between lines looking for the best deal. While I haven't seen this mentioned in discussions, the amount of vacation time and mean household income in the US means most (at least for the US) aren't going to be racing up the C&A levels. Assuming earning 1 cruise point per night and 1 cruise per year, it'd take 12 years to hit Diamond. As a data point, one of Royal's automated marketing emails to my account thanked me for being one of their best customers... after having booked 3 cruises sometime in the future and currently at Pre-Gold. So I'm assuming the average number booked is 2 or less per year. Thank you for being one of most frequent posters! Bazza, ChrisK2793 and fa-li 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ampurp85 Posted February 28, 2022 Report Share Posted February 28, 2022 I think some of these "negative nellies" have misread and misremembered. I recall being on Allure a diamond member was very upset she was allowed in, right away. Despite there being a line. She said "corporate" would hear about this....... I would be happy with D+ and 340 so I can get a lower solo supplement. That being said I think my biggest issue is that people focus on the benefits/perks as if it is a guarantee and not a privilege. I am going to cruise........so a loyalty program is great, it keeps me one place doing/buying something I love and would already partake in. I think the C&A tiers are the right amount. You have to have ridiculous top tiers. 700 nights is a feat. It's a goal, that not a lot will achieve but many will strive for. Diamond is the 4th tier and offers a great number of perks. It isn't hard to achieve so, it is a perfect end if you don't think you will make it farther. Loyalty programs aren't designed for the average anything, they are designed for fans. The average person who is only booking 1 cruise a year won't care about gold, platinum etc....so in truth they don't matter. In the C&A game what matters is the person who has 3+ cruises a year. The person who books a suite to maximize points. ChessE4 and ChrisK2793 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FionaMG Posted February 28, 2022 Report Share Posted February 28, 2022 We started cruising with Royal in 2001 and we hit D on Navigator in 2018, so "only" 17 years later. We got one D cruise in before Covid shut everything down and were so pleased to have got there. At that time, making D+ looked like another long "slog" but thanks to the double points promo we may actually get there in a couple of years. In the meantime we should get our first ever crystal block on Anthem in September. Living in Europe and not sailing in suites means pinnacle is a pipe dream for us unless we win the lottery but we will be happy with the D+ amenities for the foreseeable future even if we can't move any farther up the ladder. dcr50usa and KristiZ 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted February 28, 2022 Report Share Posted February 28, 2022 Thanks to suites and double points, I'll be D+ in 8 years of cruising, with only one RC cruise prior to 2015. JasonOasis and Bob_KY 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChessE4 Posted February 28, 2022 Report Share Posted February 28, 2022 15 hours ago, Dottie said: We sailed last Nov.and we’re so disappointed in crown and anchor! We are diamond plus members with over 30 cruises with Royal and very upsetting on treatment of diamond plus members. Started with boarding; as in past we had line just for us when I asked employee where line for diamond plus is he chuckled and pointed to end of the line.??? WHY does someone on FIRST cruise staying in suite get better and more benefits than us. We have so much more money$$ invested in 30 plus cruises than someone in a suite .We always cruise 2 times a year. We are now looking into other cruise lines as many other diamond and diamond plus members we spoke with and met on this cruise. Some had already signed up with Norwegian. Hopefully things will get better soon. Sad to lose the people that are so devoted to Royal. I do understand it when a loyal guest feels let down. However, I think one needs to consider the impact of Covid. I am willing to be patient for up to one year. What I miss most about boarding is not having coffee and cookies at the terminal! We have three cruises booked this year to make up for lost time, and then I will evaluate whether Crown and Anchor benefits have slipped. I think the drink voucher program was a great innovation and makes up for a lot. Whatever you choose, enjoy your cruise. BowTieBrigade and KristiZ 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RRoberts Posted February 28, 2022 Report Share Posted February 28, 2022 9 hours ago, FionaMG said: We started cruising with Royal in 2001 and we hit D on Navigator in 2018, so "only" 17 years later. We got one D cruise in before Covid shut everything down and were so pleased to have got there. At that time, making D+ looked like another long "slog" but thanks to the double points promo we may actually get there in a couple of years. In the meantime we should get our first ever crystal block on Anthem in September. Living in Europe and not sailing in suites means pinnacle is a pipe dream for us unless we win the lottery but we will be happy with the D+ amenities for the foreseeable future even if we can't move any farther up the ladder. At what level do you get the crystal Block? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CGTLH Posted February 28, 2022 Report Share Posted February 28, 2022 12 minutes ago, RRoberts said: At what level do you get the crystal Block? Diamond at 140 points, then every 70 points. Neesa 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Done Posted February 28, 2022 Report Share Posted February 28, 2022 On 2/5/2022 at 8:39 AM, Matt said: Years ago, Michael Bayley answered this question and said there are already more tiers in Royal's policy than any other line. There could be 36 tiers but how they are earned is the question. I have said several times in our personal situation we will never earn Pinnacle status so we are no longer tied to RCCL. We will try other cruise lines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobroo Posted February 28, 2022 Report Share Posted February 28, 2022 Is it true that once you attain Pinnacle there is a secret benefit of free closing costs on your move into The Villages? At first I thought it was crazy and then I started to ask Pinnacles, and I’ll be damed if they all don’t live there. Come Seek…… BowTieBrigade, Neesa, WAAAYTOOO and 4 others 1 5 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted February 28, 2022 Report Share Posted February 28, 2022 Another board is reporting that starting March 15, Pins are allowed back in the suite lounge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted February 28, 2022 Report Share Posted February 28, 2022 6 minutes ago, smokeybandit said: Another board is reporting that starting March 15, Pins are allowed back in the suite lounge They are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted February 28, 2022 Report Share Posted February 28, 2022 I guess they'll have to find where they stored the traffic cones and "pinnacle only do not cross" caution tape. I kid. Sort of. That means my March 20 on Liberty will be the first with Pins Back In for that ship. WAAAYTOOO and VirtKitty 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruiser4Life Posted March 11, 2022 Report Share Posted March 11, 2022 On 2/28/2022 at 12:58 PM, CGTLH said: Diamond at 140 points, then every 70 points. Really?? I have 238 points and I have never received a coveted crystal block! I board Oasis next week, do you think its a better bet to call C&A ask about it, or suite concierge on board? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CGTLH Posted March 11, 2022 Report Share Posted March 11, 2022 1 hour ago, Cruiser4Life said: do you think its a better bet to call C&A ask about it I'd probably call C&A and ask to have them shipped. Other alternative would be the Loyalty Ambassador onboard. Cruiser4Life 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoyTheRoyalCruiser Posted March 12, 2022 Report Share Posted March 12, 2022 I wish they would allow you to earn points from all of Royal cruise line brands. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeWhoWaits Posted March 12, 2022 Report Share Posted March 12, 2022 14 hours ago, CGTLH said: I'd probably call C&A and ask to have them shipped. Other alternative would be the Loyalty Ambassador onboard. And make sure you have booking numbers to back up your request. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hagar Posted March 12, 2022 Report Share Posted March 12, 2022 Another leaded crystal block reminder: The x-ray machine operator can't identify it easily and causes additional screening many times. Having them shipped is the best way if you fly home from the ship. Do NOT pack them in your checked luggage and even with "pre-check" at the airport, I remove "it" from my carry-on for the scan. Throwing 2 pennies in the pot >>>>>>>>>>>> VirtKitty 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moby Dick Posted March 20, 2022 Report Share Posted March 20, 2022 I currently have 49 points, on my next cruise (Ovation of the Seas, May 13, 2022, Alaska) I'll earn 24 points (double points for Suites and RCCL doubling that). So, while on that cruise I'll achieve Emerald Status. On my November cruise (Harmony, 8 day, Caribbean) I'll earn 7 points (not a suite on this cruise). That will put me into Diamond status. So, in two cruises, I've gone from Platinum to Diamond. Too bad I don't get the benefits of Diamond until my 3rd cruise which isn't booked, YET. I really don't care about Pinnacle, I'll never earn that as I'm 70 years old. But, I can sure try. I started cruising late in life (even though I'm retired from Port Everglades), thanks to my wife demanding that I start, glad I did, it's great (Thank you, Marian). But, for the first several years I was loyal to Carnival. They turned to crap and now I'm loyal to Royal. If I make it to Diamond +, I'll be very happy. But, I'm in very good shape, my wife is in very good shape and we'll give it a good go. Well, that's as long as we get inflation under control. No, I don't live in the Villages nor do I intend to. Those people are OLD! dcr50usa, Kirsten, teddy and 2 others 2 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted March 20, 2022 Report Share Posted March 20, 2022 (edited) On 3/12/2022 at 9:39 AM, Hagar said: Another leaded crystal block reminder: The x-ray machine operator can't identify it easily and causes additional screening many times. Having them shipped is the best way if you fly home from the ship. Do NOT pack them in your checked luggage and even with "pre-check" at the airport, I remove "it" from my carry-on for the scan. Throwing 2 pennies in the pot >>>>>>>>>>>> I've flown at least ten times with them in checked luggage. Never had an issue. Edited March 21, 2022 by twangster Correct confusing verbiage Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atseau Posted March 20, 2022 Report Share Posted March 20, 2022 4 hours ago, twangster said: I've flown with at least ten of them in checked luggage. Never had an issue. Just askin Why? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USCG Teacher Posted March 21, 2022 Report Share Posted March 21, 2022 1 hour ago, atseau said: Just askin Why? Fairly certain that's cumulative, not simultaneously. atseau and Pooch 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted March 21, 2022 Report Share Posted March 21, 2022 2 hours ago, atseau said: Just askin Why? Because I used to fly to all of my cruises. Pre-pandemic they didn't give you an option to have them shipped, they arrived in your cabin. With a backpack full of camera gear I didn't need the extra weight in my backpack so they went in my checked luggage. Never had an issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianB Posted March 21, 2022 Report Share Posted March 21, 2022 I see there's always one of those 'hit and run' posters here who slam Royal and swear to never cruise with them again...and then just disappear. Oh, well..... But, if you are still here...please let me share with you my opinion; I know that I am very blessed to be able to cruise quite frequently. I got hooked on cruising in 2015 and since then, I have achieved Ambassador status on Norwegian and Pinnacle status on Royal. Both require the same number of cruise points (700). I started with NCL because I had friends onboard and others who also sailed frequently. Then, I changed to Royal. I can say, based on my experiences, that Royal's Crown and Anchor loyalty program is much better than Norwegian's Lattitudes...especially as you rise in levels. Even though the amount of points are similar, Royal gives so many more...and better...benefits. Look up both programs and compare them. And no...I'm not connected to either cruise line. Just my honest opinion. Chris Fish, Moby Dick and WAAAYTOOO 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PG Cruiser Posted March 21, 2022 Report Share Posted March 21, 2022 20 hours ago, twangster said: I've flown with at least ten of them in checked luggage. Never had an issue. I initially understood this to mean that you had ALL 10 of your glass blocks in your checked luggage. I thought you wanted to display them in your cabin while sailing. After reading your other reply, I now got it. Spang1974, WAAAYTOOO and Okgladgal 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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