Poll - how much would you pay to "buy into" CC Platinum?

[FigmentSpark]

I don't think anyone's saying the platinum perks have 0 value. What they are saying is they are willing to earn them. They are nice to have and appreciated, but if you could buy them, they wouldn't be worth much. People might like perks, but they are happy with the procedures already in place.

It's kind of like FEs. It's nice to find something in your FE and you don't mind the price of buying for others to be part of the group. But would you buy any or all of the things you get in your FE? Maybe some, but probably not. That doesn't mean you don't appreciate them, just that you wouldn't purchase them for yourself. You're happy with what you have, but getting the gift was a nice perk.

 

[RedSox68]

You need an "other". I wouldn't pay anything.

Really the only cash value to the Platinum perk is the $30 per person for Palo. Maybe the fruit/truffle/wine option - another $20?

Agree -- the perks are not worth paying for considering the price of Disney cruises anymore! After spending that money for 10 cruises for the "privilege" of being platinum, I feel it should include more -- like at least a free drink package for your first platinum cruise, etc.

 

[Dug720]

Agree -- the perks are not worth paying for considering the price of Disney cruises anymore! After spending that money for 10 cruises for the "privilege" of being platinum, I feel it should include more -- like at least a free drink package for your first platinum cruise, etc.

But Disney doesn't have drink packages!

 

[RedSox68]

But Disney doesn't have drink packages!

Oh, but wouldn't a change up be nice on their part for loyal cruisers!

 

[squirk]

Yes, $10 is between $1 and $500. BUT I suspect there are people who would consider say up to $30 since that is the cost of a Palo meal but find $500 ridiculous. THAT was my point.

If the range had been say $1-$50 you might have seen more people saying yes. $1-$500 is too large of a range in my opinion.

I'm sorry my polling methodology did not pass muster.

 

[squirk]

I don't think anyone's saying the platinum perks have 0 value. What they are saying is they are willing to earn them.

They have value, but not enough to make them worth paying for upfront. Fair enough.

 

[Dug720]

I'm sorry my polling methodology did not pass muster.

It's ok. I know what you were trying to do.

I was just pointing out to the poster saying it was clear that people wouldn't pay anything but the range was too large to truly say that. It could be that that many people wouldn't - but it could be that up to the value of a Palo meal people would in fact pay.

 

[olookasquirrel]

See, we weren't even that impressed with Palo - and with Remy as an option, doesn't free Palo seem like a cheap dodge anyway lol? I also fail to see the value of the free fruit plate on a boat that is literally overflowing with food... Now, is it nice to feel special? Sure, but I wouldn't place a monetary value on it.

And the early booking - wouldn't be of value to us, as I am obsessive with knowing ALL my options, and their various price points, so I need to wait for open booking online anyway. I would never presume to torture a TA with needing to know every cruise broken down on a per-night cost basis with a built in "upgrade" factor vs an inside cabin!! Now, if they made the online booking dashboard available on Platinum day, mayyyyybe worth paying extra....

It also seems like early access to cabanas is useless, as more and more often they seem to be gobbled up by concierge guests. Maybe a lottery entry between concierge and platinum? (hahaha never happen I know)

I wish DCL would do some of the easy things from other lines - RCL does free drink coupons at a certain level, that would be fun on DCL since they don't have drink packages (usable on drinks for grown ups or smoothies for kids).

 

[RedSox68]

See, we weren't even that impressed with Palo - and with Remy as an option, doesn't free Palo seem like a cheap dodge anyway lol? I also fail to see the value of the free fruit plate on a boat that is literally overflowing with food... Now, is it nice to feel special? Sure, but I wouldn't place a monetary value on it.

Totally agree -- it's like the room gifts you can order that include fruits, chocolates, cakes, etc. -- why pay for any of that when I can get it free around the ship or in the MDR! I'd be must more impressed with a $25 OBC as a platinum cruiser than a fruit platter or another tote or towel LOL

 

[Chirple]

I voted Nothing. My husband and I have been on 10 DCL cruises with #11 and #12 coming up this year. Our cruises have varied in length--from one 2-night cruise to nowhere out of NY to a 12-night Mediterranean cruise. We have stayed in a standard inside cabin (no split bath) to a deluxe family verandah cabin. It's the vacations, memories, and kicking stress to the curb that we paid to get to platinum; I don't think that any additional dollar amount could replace those three things.

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

Not a big deal, but I'm not sure some of you guys are really thinking this through. According to the poll above, if DCL started offering Immediate Platinum membership on your first cruise, for $1, 85% of you would say no thanks, I'll wait until I earn it?

I see all sorts of first time cruisers on DIS boards, lamenting that they can only sign up for things 75 says out, and that some activities(or at least the best times for them) might be full. I know a good percentage of them would jump at the chance to be platinum for that reason alone.

Now, I realize, DCL will NOT offer it for $1, but once we get off the notion that it isn't worth paying ANYTHING in advance, then we can really think about what you might realistically be willing to pay. $100? $250? $500? More?

Besides, you have to remember, if they did start offering something like this, the current situation would change. Since SOME people would buy into it at any given price, suddenly, there would be a lot more Platinum cruisers: booking before you, boarding before you, booking up Palo, etc. Suddenly, paying to become Platinum sounds like an even better value. Now how much would you pay?

I'm not trying to give DCL any ideas or make an expensive cruise line cost even more, but in the spirit of the the OP's question, I do think the Platinum perks have some monetary value, and a lot of people would jump at the chance to get them sooner.

 

[RedSox68]

Not a big deal, but I'm not sure some of you guys are really thinking this through. According to the poll above, if DCL started offering Immediate Platinum membership on your first cruise, for $1, 85% of you would say no thanks, I'll wait until I earn it?

I see all sorts of first time cruisers on DIS boards, lamenting that they can only sign up for things 75 says out, and that some activities(or at least the best times for them) might be full. I know a good percentage of them would jump at the chance to be platinum for that reason alone.

Now, I realize, DCL will NOT offer it for $1, but once we get off the notion that it isn't worth paying ANYTHING in advance, then we can really think about what you might realistically be willing to pay. $100? $250? $500? More?

Besides, you have to remember, if they did start offering something like this, the current situation would change. Since SOME people would buy into it at any given price, suddenly, there would be a lot more Platinum cruisers: booking before you, boarding before you, booking up Palo, etc. Suddenly, paying to become Platinum sounds like an even better value. Now how much would you pay?

I'm not trying to give DCL any ideas or make an expensive cruise line cost even more, but in the spirit of the the OP's question, I do think the Platinum perks have some monetary value, and a lot of people would jump at the chance to get them sooner.

If Disney actually starting selling immediate Platinum levels so newbies can "jump the line", I think many cruisers who have paid lots of money to sail 10+ times would take great offense. And personally I think it would be a real cheap shot on Disney's part, so I can't see them ever getting to that point (I hope).

 

[Chirple]

If Disney actually starting selling immediate Platinum levels so newbies can "jump the line", I think many cruisers who have paid lots of money to sail 10+ times would take great offense. And personally I think it would be a real cheap shot on Disney's part, so I can't see them ever getting to that point (I hope).

We have considered trying other cruise lines just to change things up a bit; if DCL went the route that that @Anchors Away 2016 suggests, we would take our business elsewhere where the rewards are earned by cruising and not just a purchase because some need immediate gratification.

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

We have considered trying other cruise lines just to change things up a bit; if DCL went the route that that @Anchors Away 2016 suggests, we would take our business elsewhere where the rewards are earned by cruising and not just a purchase because some need immediate gratification.

I understand, and I agree. Of course, I wasn't "suggesting" anything. I was just providing some theoretical context to the original question, posed by (but not advocated by) someone else.

Even if we don't think it would happen, and don't want it to happen, we can still answer the question, as a new cruiser how much would it be worth to you?

 

[diznymom]

Nothing. Being Platinum and getting all their benefits is Earned, not bought.
As others have said.....if you want to buy the benefits, sail concierge.

 

[FigmentSpark]

This is a bit like off-site WDW guests 'buying' on-site perks, like EMH or 60 days for FPPs or free parking or use of pools. How much would you pay, if you were staying off site to be able to have on-site perks?

At what point would you have to buy the extra perk (or in this case, platinum level) just to be able to compete for the things that you want for your cruise over those that aren't willing to pay for it? And if everyone buys it, what is the real value for those that have earned it?

 

[squirk]

This is a bit like off-site WDW guests 'buying' on-site perks, like EMH or 60 days for FPPs or free parking or use of pools. How much would you pay, if you were staying off site to be able to have on-site perks?

At what point would you have to buy the extra perk (or in this case, platinum level) just to be able to compete for the things that you want for your cruise over those that aren't willing to pay for it? And if everyone buys it, what is the real value for those that have earned it?

That's an excellent question. I think we see an analogue for this with Universal Express Pass. Stay at the fancier UO resorts, the passes are included with your resort stay. But anyone can buy them.

UO has a limit on how many Express Passes can be sold per day, but they could raise that number whenever they want if they decide to push the envelope and squeeze out some more revenue.

If every UO guest started buying Express Passes, I wonder if and how that would affect bookings at Hard Rock, Portofino and Royal Pacific.

 

[steves100]

You need an "other". I wouldn't pay anything.

Really the only cash value to the Platinum perk is the $30 per person for Palo. Maybe the fruit/truffle/wine option - another $20?

It certainly isnt the ability to book a cabana early, couldnt get one for a double dip at midnight!