Cruise Talk: Cruise Line Loyalty Schemes

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Topic: Cruise Line Loyalty Schemes

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 12-06-2004 10:34 AM

I generally find the incentives offered by cruise line's Loyalty Schemes to be rather insignificant.

For example on my second RCI cruise I got invited to an ‘exclusive’ onboard party, with hundreds of other guests. I got one glass of cheap sparking wine and a vol-au-vent with indiscernible contents. I also got a free Bum-Bag (fanny-Pack) advertising RCI of course. Oh, I must not forget the book of vouchurs which allowed me onboard discount - only if I spent more money purchasing things I DID NOT WANT!

Now, these incentives are nowhere near enough to temp me back to a cruise line. Only a competitive fare and overall good quality onboard experience would could do that, not a fanny-pack!

If I had done 49 RCI cruises I would expect a free all-inclusive cruise (inc. 1st class flights), in the owners suite and a seat at the captains table – minimum!

Fred Olsen used to give 5% discount, but you had to pay to be a member of the scheme...duh! I think Cunard offer members a discount, but only on the cruises they can't sell! I don't recall any particular benifits on my second Cunard cruise? (Maybe I did get a cheap glass sparkling wine?)

It makes me laugh when the lines offer a dedicated onboard Rep. and a dedicated web site section, as if it is an advantage to the passenger. The main advantage is that it makes it easier for the cruise line to collect your deposit on a future cruises!

The member’s magazine are of course purely advertising propaganda aimed at increasing sales.

Do any cruise lines offer any REAL incentives as part of their loyalty scheme.

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 12-06-2004 10:55 AM

[QUOTIf I had done 49 RCI cruises I would expect a free all-inclusive cruise (inc. 1st class flights), in the owners suite and a seat at the captains table – minimum!

E] [/QUOTE]

Ha, ha, ha, - I'm still laughing! Maybe 449 cruises and you might get that, but I doubt it.

The only perk I got for my many HAL cruises was to have dinner with the Captain, HM and his wife in the Captain's quarters. And this was only because they are all good friends whom I have known for years. Other than that, I get NADA!

Posts: 3305 | From: Toronto, Ont. Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

Mariposa
First Class Passenger
Member # 4174

posted 12-06-2004 01:40 PM

If you want to go back 30 or more years, I remember getting some very nice "momentos" from Norwegian America & Matson/PFEL along with an invitation to have cocktails with the Captain (these were true cocktail parties with about 2 or 3 dozen guests. High quality hors d'oeuvre were served by white-gloved stewards (stewardesses on PFEL) and you could ask for any made-to-order cocktail.) I believe the Captain, or another senior officer, held several of these parties during the voyage which kept the repeaters to a sensible, convivial number. Of course the ships held between 350-650 passengers, too !! The momentos I've held onto over the years include silver trays, crystal bowls, bone china plates - all unique and personalized to the particular cruise you were sailing on. Additionally, repeaters were ALWAYS given stateroom upgrades (usually without asking) and preferencial seating in the dining room (the Maitre d' would NEVER put a repeat passenger at an undesirable table). The final distinction was the fact that these ships had career crewmembers and they actually remembered you, your name, and your personal preferences on each sailing. Now THAT was service!!

Like so many have already said here, it's not that the ships have changed so much (liner to cruiseship), but that the calibre of the entire experience has become so bland and indifferent. Speaking as an American citizen(!), I'm afraid we have the American cruise industry and corporate America to thank for that.

Ah, well. That's what memories are for...........

Posts: 101 | From: Vermont, USA | Registered: Sep 2003 | IP: Logged

jeffrossatsea
First Class Passenger
Member # 2962

posted 12-06-2004 02:43 PM

the best gift i got was from holland america for being an alumni.....on my 3rd cruise i received a delft tile with the ship's name on it (s.s. rotterdam) and a lapel pin for the total amount on days with holland america (starts at 25 days).....the worst was from royal caribbean.....yup received the stupid coupon booklet that makes you spend more to receive anything of my time and money.....and for the commemorative gift......they forgot to give it to me......i was always wondering what it would have been......bum bag.....no thanks!!......jeff

Posts: 1118 | From: vancouver | Registered: Apr 2002 | IP: Logged

chateausmith
First Class Passenger
Member # 3423

posted 12-06-2004 04:08 PM

Worlds Leading Cruise Line is probably the biggest "CON" in this respect! We are HAL ALumni, one-time Princess cruisers, P&O Portunus Ruby level members, Cunard World Club Platinum members and will shortly embark on P&O Oceana...........for Zilch!! But we still love P&O,QM2,QE2 and are looking forward to Arcadia!! Cheers!

Posts: 68 | From: Alpharetta georgia | Registered: Oct 2002 | IP: Logged

chateausmith
First Class Passenger
Member # 3423

posted 12-06-2004 04:12 PM

WHOOPS! I forgot------we also did the maiden voyage on Carnival Glory------wish we could forget it!!

Posts: 68 | From: Alpharetta georgia | Registered: Oct 2002 | IP: Logged

mec1
First Class Passenger
Member # 4287

posted 12-06-2004 04:32 PM

I know that people here love to knock Cunard, but one of the best perks is membership of their Platinum tier. You can check in with suite passengers regardless of grade you're booked in. Another cool Cunard feature is that they telephone your room as soon as you're in to welcome you back on board. Cheap but lovely.

The Portunus club seems to be a real con as you only get any benefits if you're paying full fare. Who does that any more?

Posts: 1675 | From: London, England | Registered: Nov 2003 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 12-06-2004 04:38 PM

quote:
Originally posted by mec1:
...one of the best perks is membership of their Platinum tier. You can check in with suite passengers regardless of grade you're booked in.

Hmm...yes that's better than a bum bag!

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

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