I'm in pretty good shape no matter which way DCL does it, but....I feel that the point of the program is to award LOYALTY. Being loyal means you keep returning. I don't think it is more loyal to go on a second 14 day cruise vs going on your seventh 4 day cruise (both 28 days in total). The 7 shorter cruise family still made the choice to spend their vacation dollars on DCL 7 times vs 2 times.
Jess
By the time I clicked on your post, I noticed you edited it. Although I appreciate your opinion as you've stated it above, it is an opinion so others may disagree. Not that either is right or wrong.
I looked on the DCL website and could not find the word "loyalty" anywhere under the CC program. Granted, I can see how it can be interpreted as a "loyalty" program. To me, it's a combination of a loyalty and rewards program. DCL uses words such as "benefits" or "extras" to show these rewards. Although someone who has taken two 14 day cruises may not appear loyal, perhaps they live far away and can only cruise one a year or every other year, but when they do cruise, they will take longer cruises. (BTW: Under other cruise programs, that family would still be in the first tier.)Shorter cruises don't work for everyone. I know we will probably never take a 4-night cruise or shorter again
As a combination loyalty/reward plan, many other cruise lines have found different ways to recognize repeat guests including those that book longer cruises. RCCL, Celebrity, Princess and Holland American are just a few of the other cruise lines that provide additional credit to those who book longer cruises and/or who upgrade cabins.
Even on the DCL website, it clearly states in the FAQ section that the main reason they changed their CC program in the first place was due to customer feedback. Since then, they have modified the OBC's they offer - most likely due to customer feedback. Without customer feedback, they don't know how they are doing and what customers want. If not enough customers comment about # of days (and that's probably the case as there are relatively few longer cruises), then they won't change it. I think the other cruise lines that offer extra credit for longer cruises offer a larger variety of longer cruise itineraries. That may be why DCL has chosen not to do it as the majority of their cruises are either 3, 4, 5 or 7 nights. But I argue because some will only book on the longer cruise itineraries, DCL should entice them to continue to book the longer cruises and reward them for doing so. DCL often has difficulty filling those longer cruises (i.e. the upcoming cruise that was cancelled and broken into two shorter cruises; the TA's and there is even a lot of remaining availability on the January PC cruise next month).
I am not trying to change anyone's mind. I just want to state that I think if someone doesn't like something (even if I, or others, do like it), that both sides have the right to voice their opinion without feeling like a second class citizen. I believe some feel like those who want it changed are only looking to gain "status". I don't feel that's the case - they just want to be recognized similar to how they would have been with other cruise lines.
BTW - any changes that DCL would implement would not affect me at all (well it might in 5 years). I just understand the frustration from the loyal DCL lovers who enjoy the longer cruises
I totally agree that if others dislike they system they should give their feedback to DCL. Even if they changed it I don't think I would care. Especially if it made my fellow cruisers happy!!
