We just got back from our cruise on Freedom of the Seas. We had a new cruise director who was stepping in for Richard Spacey while he was attending a wedding, Becky (cruise director for Liberty). He usally does the Bingo while Richard is the cruise director. I must say, I really enjoyed him. He was very energetic. Could do a great impression of Austin Powers. His first name escapes me right now but his last name is Daniels. Really that is his middle name but since his last name is difficult to pronounce they used his middle name as last. Can anyone remind me of his first name?

Didn't you keep any of your Cruise Compasses?

Leigh Daniels.

That's it. Thanks. I thought he did a great job. I am hoping he gets a shot at being a permanent cruise director. However, I hear Richard Spacey is very good. As a matter of fact, Richard joined our cruise in St Marteen or St Thomas and was able to joined the Volleyball team which beat all the guest teams. They had two big guys and the others were good players.
It was a fun trip.

I was just wondering, has anyone noticed the price increase in alcohol on the ships. Not only at the Store, but also for consumption onboard. Is this something that just started?

I have a cruise coming up in July and it will be my 10th RCI cruise which will make me a Diamond member. I have heard that the rewards have changed for smaller ships. Does anyone know how exactly it works for Diamond members and the Concierge lounge?

Welcome back, Nica. Hope you had a great cruise! Have you booked another? Sure makes easing back into the real world easier. Best wishes!

You won't be a diamond member until the cruise is completed. Credits are awarded for completed cruises.

The C&A perks have changed for all ships, not just the smaller ones. But after the outcry they delayed implementation until this coming September. There are many cutbacks but the one with the biggest push back from diamond members is that we will not be able to use the concierge lounge unless we are in a Grand Suite or above. Diamond Plus members will continue to have access. As part of the damage control, RCI will have a nightly complimentary happy hour in a designated ship's bar for diamond members and above - but this only includes wine (and champagne). Beer and cocktails will be sold with a 25% discount.

Read more here

Penny,
Thank you and yes we are booked for Majesty in July. I wanted to get to be a Diamond member this year.

Dave,
You answered my question to a T. However, I had heard that the Diamond lounge will still be available at Freedom class ships and above and in smaller ships you would have wine and champagne at the designated bar and cocktails at 50% discount which is really 25% as you stated.

I just read your link and it seems like diamond lounge is still available on Freedom class ships and Oasis/Allure.

I noticed alot of cut backs. They no longer have the Vitality program where you got free tshirts, backpacks, water bottles etc in exchange for your shipshape/vitality points. I think that this is something new because when I asked at the relations desk, they were not aware of the change and they had to call someone to ask the question. Ryan, sports staff, told me they were vamping it up, but then someone else told me that they were doing away with it so I don't know what is going to happen.

Also, at the welcome back party, they only served drinks for about 20min. Enough time to grab one drink two if you are a fast drinker. I only had time for one drink.
Is Carnival having this many cut back also?

Yes, as is mentioned in the link on the Freedom class and Oasis class there will continue to be a Diamond Lounge. On the other ships they will have the nightly event with the 25% discount. As for the repeater's party...starting in September it will only be for Platinum and above. Gold members just get recognized at the Captain's welcome aboard reception - and there will be no complimentary cocktails. Just wine and champagne. Read the info at the link I provided closely. They've hidden a lot of changes in the fine print at the bottom.

Oh I forgot to mentioned. They no longer give you a Johnny Rockets cuopon for Platinum members and the price is $4.95 which is a dollar more. The wine tasting coupon is gone. Now, you only have wine tasting at the vintages at the price of $16.95.

The good thing is that the service at the windjammer was much better. You had staff members pointing you to an empty table which was great on busy port days.

Dave,
did you ever take that cruise to become a diamond member. I remember you were one short.

Yes, I became a diamond member last summer. I have since become a little remorseful about spending that money. In retrospect we would have still made diamond after the upcoming cruise, and since the Grandeur has no concierge lounge, Johnny Rockets, etc., being a diamond member has little meaning for that ship. We're returning to spreading our business around, hence next year's summer cruise being on Carnival. I'm done with trying to pile up loyalty points.

As for the Rockets coupon...it is gone from all coupon books now. For diamond and diamond plus they replaced it with a "buy one milkshake get a second one free" coupon. Most of the new coupons are only good if you buy something first. I am going to post a detailed breakdown on them when I return from the Grandeur.

I noticed that. You still have some good coupons for the casino for $5 blackjack, a free pull on a slot machine. Oh, You still get the coupon for internet access.

Thank you for all your help.