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

[hanscarlet]

Isn't a status meant to be a status? You don't buy status, you earn it ... it's no longer status otherwise imho

 

[Trera]

tough question because everyone puts a different value on each perk associated with Platinum status.

I think there are many that dont see any value in the Platinum status but we love to be able to board early, not have to log on at midnight for port arrival times, book cruises a day (and in some cases 3 days) before everyone else, and be the first to have a shot at getting a cabana (right after concierge) or other excursions.

The discount on merchandise is a nice perk too but since we don't buy a lot of gifts/souvenirs, it is not as high on the list for me.

 

[squirk]

I guess being first on board isn't a big priority for a lot of us?

OK. But everyone seems to love Palo. And the early booking/OLCI windows. too. I'm not judging - I am just surprised so few find so little value in any of those things that they wouldn't pay anything within the $1-$500 range.

And there is a BIG difference between "$1-$500" and "$10". That could be part of the issue as well...

Well, I didn't want to get too granular, and list too many options with too-small ranges ("$1-$25", "$26-$50", "$51-$75", "$76-$100", etc.). Maybe I went too far in the other direction.

$10 was just a number I pulled out of the air; I could have just as easily said "$50" or "$100".

All the same, I find the results interesting.

 

[squirk]

Isn't a status meant to be a status? You don't buy status, you earn it ... it's no longer status otherwise imho

Well, you can buy Platinum status - even better than Platinum status - by sailing Concierge, no?

You can buy miles on most major airlines to get status. You can buy the equivalent of status (e.g., lounge membership; Economy Plus upgrade for more legroom) as well. Granted, it usually doesn't make a lot of financial sense, but if you are willing to fork over the cash, airlines are happy to take your money today and give you status (or sell you upgrades that grant status-like benefits) rather than waiting for you to earn status over a period of months or years.

 

[squirk]

I think there are many that dont see any value in the Platinum status but we love to be able to board early, not have to log on at midnight for port arrival times, book cruises a day (and in some cases 3 days) before everyone else, and be the first to have a shot at getting a cabana (right after concierge) or other excursions.

Right - that's where I was going. The Platinum benefits are, on the whole, anemic, especially considering what you have to spend with DCL to reach that status in the first place.

But all those things you listed? I'd pony up something for those if I were a savvy first-time cruiser.

 

[jrapps]

I would TOTALLY have spent a few hundred to get straight to Platinum. Being able to check in at the 120 day alone would be worth it to me. Being first on board is nice too, and the free Palo.

As it is I am 90-days away from my 10th cruise so it's a moot point for me....

 

[Gigi22]

I voted $0. The DCL CC Platinum perks are just paltry when compared to the perks I get as a 4 star Mariner (second highest level) with Holland America. I get free laundry and pressing with HAL, and a bunch of other goodies like a free wine tasting, 50% off the fee for the upcharge restaurants, and several other useful perks. DCL really needs to up its game.

 

[cruiser21]

OK. But everyone seems to love Palo. And the early booking/OLCI windows. too. I'm not judging - I am just surprised so few find so little value in any of those things that they wouldn't pay anything within the $1-$500 range.



Well, I didn't want to get too granular, and list too many options with too-small ranges ("$1-$25", "$26-$50", "$51-$75", "$76-$100", etc.). Maybe I went too far in the other direction.

$10 was just a number I pulled out of the air; I could have just as easily said "$50" or "$100".

All the same, I find the results interesting.

I've been on 15 cruises. I've been to Palo probably 10 times. Ive spent approx. 500 dollars for those 10 visits. I honestly don't care about it anymore. I got bored with the menu and you still have to leave a pretty generous tip so it's not free. If you've been on 5 cruises Why pay 500 dollars just to get free Palo. Your going to get there eventually for less money.

 

[cruiser21]

I guess DCL could start charging a fee for people that want to board early like Carnival does. I think it's a bad idea. I won't pay it on Carnival. I'm not that impatient. Then again on Carnival I can book a suite for less then an inside room on DCL and that gets me on the ship first.

 

[JWG]

The extra 20 minutes platinum gets on board isn't worth it.

 

[tarheelz]

I think many first time cruisers would pay a few hundred dollars for the perks of Castaway Club - particularly platinum.

I suspect many on this board have already cruised with DCL. As such, you have, at the very least, a Silver membership. First-time cruisers have zip. (Even if it's not technically "worth it," a few hundred bucks more to a first-timer might seem an obvious idea for a vacation that is already costing quite a bit (and for most will be a once in a lifetime experience)).

 

[cruiser21]

I think many first time cruisers would pay a few hundred dollars for the perks of Castaway Club - particularly platinum.

I suspect many on this board have already cruised with DCL. As such, you have, at the very least, a Silver membership. First-time cruisers have zip. (Even if it's not technically "worth it," a few hundred bucks more to a first-timer might seem an obvious idea for a vacation that is already costing quite a bit (and for most will be a once in a lifetime experience)).

No cruiseline would ever let a customer buy status. They want you to earn it by being loyal to them. DCL has the worst loyalty program out there. Most cruiselines you get a lot of perks for your loyalty... Dcl not so much.

 

[jujubiee4]

I guess being first on board isn't a big priority for a lot of us?

And there is a BIG difference between "$1-$500" and "$10". That could be part of the issue as well...

You are right. Going on 10th and 11th cruises in the next few months. The first couple i couldn't wait to get
on board. Then we started going later and later. The last one we strolled in 2 or was it 230? It was so nice
to just walk onboard and go straight to the room.

We got a 10:30 am time for June cruise and i only picked that because our redeye flight arrives
630 am that morning and the sooner i get out of June heat the better.

 

[jujubiee4]

No cruiseline would ever let a customer buy status. They want you to earn it by being loyal to them. DCL has the worst loyalty program out there. Most cruiselines you get a lot of perks for your loyalty... Dcl not so much.

Can you elaborate on any of the perks other cruise lines give. I'm curious as we might try other
lines next year and might as well go with one with good loyalty perks

 

[cruiser21]

Can you elaborate on any of the perks other cruise lines give. I'm curious as we might try other
lines next year and might as well go with one with good loyalty perks

I think others that are platinum or diamond on other lines may be able to elaborate more. I have checked out the loyalty programs on other cruiselines. I've seen early boarding, free laundry, free dinners, free drinks, discounts on future cruises, free upgrades on staterooms, priority seating on shows. I'm sure there is more. Just google loyalty programs for a specific cruise line. DCL offers early boarding, early check- in, early booking, free Palo, and gift in the room like chocolate or fruit. I know DCL is way behind what others offer even Carnival.

 

[SuperDry]

And there is a BIG difference between "$1-$500" and "$10".

No, there isn't. There is no difference. $10 *IS* between $1 and $500, unless perhaps for someone that does not know that $10 is between $1 and $500.

I voted $0. The DCL CC Platinum perks are just paltry when compared to the perks I get as a 4 star Mariner (second highest level) with Holland America. I get free laundry and pressing with HAL, and a bunch of other goodies like a free wine tasting,

It's interesting that you'd compare what other cruise lines offer their high-status passengers. It would seem to me that what you'd be willing to pay DCL for its Platinum status would be unrelated to what any other cruise line offers, unless you're willing to cut your nose to spite your face.

50% off the fee for the upcharge restaurants... DCL really needs to up its game.

It's funny you mention that. DCL Platinum comes with 100% off one of the upcharge restaurants, and not only for the Platinum member but all other passengers in their cabin.

No cruiseline would ever let a customer buy status.

Nor is anyone suggesting they should or would. That wasn't the question.

I think the survey responses so far are fascinating: As of now, 83% of the people are saying they find $0 value in: first boarding, priority port check-in, early booking, and early web check-in. Those things must have *some* value, at least to most people, especially since as the question is asked, it's a one-time fee for permanent benefits. But even more unbelievable is the issue of the merchandise discount and free Palo. Those things have a hard value in cash. Unless I'm to believe that 83% of the people that said $0 never by any merchandise and never go to Palo, then it would seem that people are not answering the question honestly. It seems to me what people are really saying is that they find the idea of Disney selling Platinum status for money is distasteful to them. That may very well be the case, but that's not the question that was asked.

 

[Dug720]

No, there isn't. There is no difference. $10 *IS* between $1 and $500, unless perhaps for someone that does not know that $10 is between $1 and $500.

I think the survey responses so far are fascinating: As of now, 83% of the people are saying they find $0 value in: first boarding, priority port check-in, early booking, and early web check-in. Those things must have *some* value, at least to most people, especially since as the question is asked, it's a one-time fee for permanent benefits. But even more unbelievable is the issue of the merchandise discount and free Palo. Those things have a hard value in cash. Unless I'm to believe that 83% of the people that said $0 never by any merchandise and never go to Palo, then it would seem that people are not answering the question honestly. It seems to me what people are really saying is that they find the idea of Disney selling Platinum status for money is distasteful to them. That may very well be the case, but that's not the question that was asked.

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.

 

[tarheelz]

Target this survey to only prospective and already booked first-time cruisers. THose are the folks who will be more than happy to drop another $500 to buy a shortcut to status.

Does that make sense to DCL? Probably not. Who cares? It was a fun poll.

 

[Trera]

One of the other posts mentioned that some people do pay for platinum perks in a way (along with other benefits) when they book concierge. So it is not unreasonable to think that the platinum perks have value as a cat V room is a family style veranda room with lounge and concierge access and people pay some times a couple of thousand dollars for the perks associated with it.

I understand that concierge level rooms get a few additional perks other than early boarding, priority booking of excursions and character meets, and separate check in...................and those are perks that people are willing to pay for on every cruise. We have also cruised in concierge numerous times and love the benefits..............but there are many posts on here where others state they don't find concierge worth it.

We personally enjoy the few platinum benefits offered. Our 4 year old DD loves that she gets to check in at a "special desk", gets the black lanyard and gets to be one of the first few families on the boat. Are the freebies for platinum as much as we would like..........probably not but I will take what is given and enjoy them. If I was that hung up on getting priority seating or more discounted adult dining, then I would cruise another line. For the time being DCL is the right cruise line for us and we will continue to cruise with them until that changes.

There are always going to be some that don't find value in services and restaurants that cost a premium and that is ok..................each person evaluates what is important to them and if the cost is worth the experience. Some like cabanas and some think they are overpriced, some love Palo and Remy and others dont think it is worth it, some love concierge and others like their inside cabins.

I know end the end that this thread is hypothetical but this was just my 2 cents.

 

[OrcaPotter]

I definitely do not sail DCL for the loyalty perks. As others have stated, other lines have better perks to lure their customers back. DCL has The Mouse, so they are not hurting for loyalty when their brand works well enough alone. A few days early to book non-discounted itineraries as well as excursions and a small gift in the stateroom is nothing to get too excited over. I can't afford to sail often enough to let the early booking be a motivating factor--not to mention plan vacations that far in advance. I WAS excited to finally achieve gold, if for nothing else but the CC reception, but they slashed that benefit to sailings that I'll likely never get to do due to price as result of length. When/if I reach platinum, the early priorities aren't that big of a deal to me (I've never had to wait to check in as a silver member and my early PAT rarely had us wait to board the ship) so the only thing I'd remotely be excited over would be Palo. The cost of that compared to what it costs to reach platinum is silly IMHO.

If platinum also included discounts on sailings, guaranteed access to a cabana or even an exclusive area on CC, a dedicated lounge (RCI does this in addition to concierge), and other exclusive things not just for concierge guests... then maybe the posit of "would you be willing to pay for high status" would result in more varied responses. But right now, they already have the option to buy perks: concierge. And those people seem willing to drop prices akin to purchasing a new car just for exclusivity.