I'm just wondering how Disney compares

[delo4]

so here is what I'm wondering -

How does Disney returning cruiser perks compare to other lines?

Even though we are platinum with Disney, the perks are not the reason we sail. However - I do find it a little off-putting to offer perks that are later taken away. For example, the OBC that used to be $350 for a 7 day sail, and the behind the scenes experiences that were so fun. I really miss the behind the scenes one and wonder why they stopped since it doesn't really cost them anything.

Since Disney cruises seem to be a bit higher priced than others, how does the returning cruiser benefits compare?

 

[perditax]

Disclaimer: I haven't cruised DCL yet but I read a lot. I get the sense that DCL's loyalty programs are not great. As more people cruise, loyalty programs are getting "diluted" across all lines--too many repeat cruisers, not enough perks and space to go around. That said, DCL's do seem particularly dismal.

There's an interesting conversation going on here about why that might be. Keep in mind people are just spitballing, but it's still interesting.

http://www.disboards.com/threads/i-guess-dcl-won-this-one.3445456/page-6

 

[delo4]

That's the thread that got me wondering if all cruise lines are similar in their loyalty programs. I was alway under the impression that it's easier to keep a customer than get a new one. I am not so sure that Disney has that same though process.

 

[perditax]

That's the thread that got me wondering if all cruise lines are similar in their loyalty programs. I was alway under the impression that it's easier to keep a customer than get a new one. I am not so sure that Disney has that same though process.

I think RCCL has special lounges and such. That said, I think they had so many longtime cruisers they were running out of room in the "Diamond" lounges and had to rework the tiers, or something. (I'm sure someone will come along and correct me.)

 

[Heard02]

I've sailed Carnival, Royal, Disney & NCL.......Disney wins hands down.
My opinion there is no comparison.

 

[Orukal]

I've sailed Carnival, Royal, Disney & NCL.......Disney wins hands down.
My opinion there is no comparison.

Remember, the OP is asking opinions based on return cruiser perks (Silver, gold and platinum CC), not about perks period or of the cruiselines themselves.

 

[Bree]

I am Platinum on RCCL. These are the perks for their program which calculates your status by nights spent onboard and not by how many cruises you take.

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/cas/benefitsLoggedout.do

 

[eskimoinparadise]

so here is what I'm wondering -

How does Disney returning cruiser perks compare to other lines?

Even though we are platinum with Disney, the perks are not the reason we sail. However - I do find it a little off-putting to offer perks that are later taken away. For example, the OBC that used to be $350 for a 7 day sail, and the behind the scenes experiences that were so fun. I really miss the behind the scenes one and wonder why they stopped since it doesn't really cost them anything.

Since Disney cruises seem to be a bit higher priced than others, how does the returning cruiser benefits compare?

A Gold level cruiser (after one cruise) on RCL gets more onboard perks than a Platinum member on Disney

I've sailed Carnival, Royal, Disney & NCL.......Disney wins hands down.
My opinion there is no comparison.

We're Platinum on Disney and Diamond Plus on RCL, and there is absolutely no way that this statement bears any relationship to reality.

I am Platinum on RCCL. These are the perks for their program which calculates your status by nights spent onboard and not by how many cruises you take.

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/cas/benefitsLoggedout.do

And those are just the pre-boarding perks. The onboard perks that start at the Gold level (one cruise) include discounts on drinks, specialty coffee, internet, in store purchases, and a lot more.

The cruise line that comes the closest to matching the perks on Disney (across all tiers) is probably Carnival.

 

[delo4]

Thanks for the replies. It's interesting with all the talk about how expensive Disney is, yet their returning cruiser advantages seem to be kind of paltry compared to others. Maybe Disney doesn't feel they need to offer much since their ships continue to sail pretty close to full.

it also seems that during the show when the cruise director asks how many people are returning cruisers, there is usually a great response. I also wonder how that compares to other lines.

 

[eskimoinparadise]

Thanks for the replies. It's interesting with all the talk about how expensive Disney is, yet their returning cruiser advantages seem to be kind of paltry compared to others. Maybe Disney doesn't feel they need to offer much since their ships continue to sail pretty close to full. Actually Disney sails at almost 150% of rated capacity, so they attract a lot of 3rd and 4th passengers. Families don't repeat all that frequently, which is why at the Castaway party most hands go down before they get past 10 cruises.

it also seems that during the show when the cruise director asks how many people are returning cruisers, there is usually a great response. I also wonder how that compares to other lines.

It's about the same. In our experience the % of repeat passngers across the five lines we regularly cruise is in the 30-40% range regardless of cruise length. The big difference is where Disney may have 5-10 cruisers total with more than 100 cruises, lines like RCL have hundreds. If you drop down to thr 25+ range, Disney may have hundreds, but lines like RCL, Carnival, HAL, and Princess have thousands. Drop down to 10+ (Disney's top tier) and the other lines are easily in the high five to low six figure range.

 

[mevelandry]

I am Platinum on RCCL. These are the perks for their program which calculates your status by nights spent onboard and not by how many cruises you take.

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/cas/benefitsLoggedout.do

Wow.

 

[eskimoinparadise]

Wow.

And those are just the pre-cruise perks. The on board perks on RCL (starting with GOLD - one completed cruise) may be found on this thread on Cruise Critic:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2045047

 

[eskimoinparadise]

I think RCCL has special lounges and such. That said, I think they had so many longtime cruisers they were running out of room in the "Diamond" lounges and had to rework the tiers, or something. (I'm sure someone will come along and correct me.)

They re-worked the tiers afew years ago, but the only real changes were to add a tier (emerald) between Platinum and Diamond, and they adjusted the Diaamond tier from 70 nights at sea to 80 nights. They have also added Diamond lounges to all their ships. To ease overcrowding in the lounges during the nightly happy hour (actually 3.5 hours ) they pre-load three drink coupons on your seapass (KTTW) card each day that can be used in any of the bars on board during the happy hours.

 

[Heard02]

Remember, the OP is asking opinions based on return cruiser perks (Silver, gold and platinum CC), not about perks period or of the cruiselines themselves.

And???

 

[Heard02]

We're Platinum on Disney and Diamond Plus on RCL, and there is absolutely no way that this statement bears any relationship to reality.

I am entitled to my opinion just as you are entitled to yours....
I don't understand why people on here can be so high and mighty...I was simply stating an opinion.

 

[Orukal]

And???

Just that the OP was inquiring about return cruiser perks compared to other cruise lines. You know, comparing Castaway Club to what's offered by their competetors like the Crown and Anchor Society of Royal Caribbean, the Captain's Club of Celebrity, etc.

I've sailed Carnival, Royal, Disney & NCL.......Disney wins hands down.My opinion there is no comparison.

Are you saying then that Castaway Club wins hands down as a return cruiser perk package compared to other cruise lines? OP wasn't asking about the cruises themselves.

 

[Heard02]

Are you saying then that Castaway Club wins hands down as a return cruiser perk package compared to other cruise lines? OP wasn't asking about the cruises themselves.

Yes.

 

[Bree]

Yes.

Seriously? Did you even read the list of perks on RCCL?

Perks for Disney:

Silver (after completing 1 cruise)

• Early access to reserve activities (90 days prior to sailing)
• Separate Check-in line in terminal
• Welcome Back Gift

Gold (after completing 5 cruises)

• Early access to reserve activities (120 days prior to sailing)
• Separate Check-in line in terminal
• Welcome Back Gift
• Castaway Club Reception on sailings 4+ nights
• Merchandise discount on select items

Platinum (after completing 10 cruises)

• Early access to reserve activities (105 days prior to sailing)
• Priority check-in at concierge desk
• Welcome Back Gift
• Castaway Club Reception on sailings 4+ nights
• Merchandise discount on select items
• Priority Boarding after concierge guests
• Complimentary Dinner at Palo

**************************************************************************************************
Perks for Royal Caribbean:

The lists are so long it would take forever to get them all posted here.

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/cas/benefitsLoggedout.do
http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2045047

 

[rhinodadz]

This seems to be a pretty comprehensive comparison: http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=73

 

[Orukal]

Seriously? Did you even read the list of perks on RCCL?

That's why I wanted to verify with Heard02. I've read the list of perks for each cruise and it seemed to me no contest. That Disney fell WAY short in return cruiser perks when compared to others like RCCL, NCL and others.

I had just assumed that he/she was confused with what the question actually was. That it dealt with the perks packages and not the cruise itself.