new loyalty club

Unread post by **Manoverboard** » 03 Oct 2013, 07:45

Ian ...

It is purely a discussion, nobody is moaning.

ps ... hello and welome.

Unread post by **david63** » 03 Oct 2013, 08:22

I think that whenever we are talking about any loyalty scheme we have to remember that somewhere along the way that we, as customers, are having to pay for that scheme - not only with the benefits but with the administration of the scheme, although if the scheme has been conceived correctly then its administration should be self financing.

Unlike most other loyalty schemes the P&O one is grossly unfair in that you cannot join immediately - even the previous one where you became a member after your first cruise meant that you did not receive any benefits until your second cruise. This means that there are some passengers (new cruisers) subsidising other passengers (top tier members) and that is not the way to encourage new passengers.

The best loyalty scheme is no loyalty scheme and reduce the cost of the cruise/on board prices.

Unread post by **Jan Rosser** » 03 Oct 2013, 08:28

Welcome Ian - as MOB says we are not moaning just having a bit of friendly banter

I think you will find some of us have strong opinions on topics and sometimes I sit here thinking

but mostly it's very amusing and I often laugh out loud

There are some real characters on here and a wealth of knowledge you can tap into.

I do very well out of the present loyalty scheme so I'm not moaning but it is unfair based on number of nights and not spend. It will be interesting to see what if any changes are coming. I'm all for David's suggestion of lower prices

My son and family have now done two cruises and spent almost £10,000 but still not received any discount as they only did 14 nights on their first cruise and needed 15 to qualify for the first tier of discount so having done another 12 nights they can look forward to receiving a discount on the next cruise

Unread post by **Cockers43** » 03 Oct 2013, 09:40

Thanks all for the welcome!

Maybe I was wrong accusing people of moaning, but I do remember similar discussions going on 2 years ago when the Peninsular club was being introduced, with almost identical comments being made! Then I was a poorly ruby member. Now, after 2 worldies, and in excess of £40k to P&O I have achieved Caribbean and feel justified in saying I am loyal to them.

The trouble these days is that we are conditioned to expect, nay demand, a discount for merely spending money with a company - even better if you buy by credit. (My point in the earlier posting).

As for points for pounds, the ships have a variety of cabins and its no good for P&O to fill all the suites and balcony cabins, leaving the cheap ones empty. (I sit in the middle here, generally going for the good value "obstructed view" cabins.) So the days at sea plan spreads the load for them and ensures an equal take-up of cabins.

I have flown all over the world but never been in a position to have enough air points to take advantage or their loyalty schemes so be careful what you wish for.

Ian

Unread post by **Quizzical Bob** » 03 Oct 2013, 10:13

The present scheme doesn't really cost P&O anything serious. Priority embarkation? A couple of cheap drinks? The badge and slippers must have come from a Christmas Cracker company. That only really leaves the on board discount but that doesn't kick in until you've spent your OBC and you've got to spend even more money in order to get your discount, if you see what I mean.

Unread post by **emjay45** » 03 Oct 2013, 10:16

Oh sorry Ian unlike the others I didn't see that you were new to the forum. So hello and welcome from me. Please stay and contribute to the forum more.

Unread post by **Princess** » 03 Oct 2013, 17:08

Quick question about other loyalty clubs?

Tesco's is menitoned quite often being based on money spent. Does any cruise line base their loyalty club on monies spent?
(I know some give something like a double cruise credit for a suite). But I thought most base their clubs on the number of cruises or cruise days.
So is there any cruise loyalty scheme based on money spent? If not, why not?

Unread post by **Manoverboard** » 05 Oct 2013, 07:41

Why not ... perhaps they just haven't got round to modernising their thinking yet, else they are all waiting for each other or maybe they believe that they have to wait a few more years for the Golden Oldies to sail on by.

Unread post by **john51** » 05 Oct 2013, 08:30

Surely loyalty is about repeat use of a company, coming back time and time again. In my business I consider my loyal customers to be just that, people who keep coming back regardless of how much they spend.

Those who spend more on suites etc do get additional benefits in the form of the product they purchase i.e. more space, canapes, bath robes, larger balcony etc. etc.

Plus, don't assume that all people in an inside cabin are cheapskates. We took the view a few years back that it is better to cruise more frequently in an inside cabin than less frequently in a higher grade.

J

Unread post by **Kendhni** » 05 Oct 2013, 11:44

david63 wrote:
The best loyalty scheme is no loyalty scheme and reduce the cost of the cruise/on board prices.

I agree David ... you will have paid for your free perks many times over by the time you get them.

Besides that, no matter what new scheme is put in place there will still be those that are unhappy with it .. so simply do away with it .. offer the very best value for money and let those that need extra perks such as dry cleaning, shoe polishing, internet, captains cocktail parties etc. pay for them. It is no different to paying for the bridge and other 'behind-the-scenes' tours ... and I suspect that the concept of 'select entertainment' with an extra charge (like select dining) will grow in the market.

Unread post by **Cockers43** » 05 Oct 2013, 11:51

John51: Plus, don't assume that all people in an inside cabin are cheapskates. We took the view a few years back that it is better to cruise more frequently in an inside cabin than less frequently in a higher grade.

I'm with you there John.

By the way MOB it's us Golden Oldies that keep the industry running in term time! Not that I'm that old. Mind you cruising does make me feel a lot younger

Ian

Unread post by **The Tinker** » 05 Oct 2013, 12:20

In my opinion they should scrap the whole loyalty scheme and just use the money to provide a better service and price on board.

The only thing I have ever benefitted from was a cheap useless tie pin - priority disembarkation which was a shambles, watered down drinks at the Captain's cocktail party and a percentage off spend on board which really was peanuts in the real world.

The only good thing was getting rid of the 'gold' tier which stopped the majority banging on about how they were 'goldies'!

Unread post by **emjay45** » 05 Oct 2013, 12:44

john51 wrote:
Plus , don't assume that all people in an inside cabin are cheapskates. We took the view a few years back that it is better to cruise more frequently in an inside cabin than less frequently in a higher grade.

J

Sorry no of course all people who book inside cabins aren't cheapskates. I'm afraid I was thinking about the ones we'd met on our cruises. Such as the couple we met who weren't short of a 'bob' or two but booked only ONE excursion for the whole World cruise. spent only their OBC, but expected and were, fawned all over by the staff in white. They spent most of their time at the ports looking for somewhere to buy alcohol cheaply, and of course made sure they had their share of free drinks at their lunches and cocktail parties.
What is the point of loyalty like that.

I think I agree with the others I think they should scrap the loyalty scheme altogether.

Unread post by **The Tinker** » 05 Oct 2013, 13:55

emjay45 wrote:
john51 wrote:
Plus , don't assume that all people in an inside cabin are cheapskates. We took the view a few years back that it is better to cruise more frequently in an inside cabin than less frequently in a higher grade.

J
Sorry no of course all people who book inside cabins aren't cheapskates. I'm afraid I was thinking about the ones we'd met on our cruises. Such as the couple we met who weren't short of a 'bob' or two but booked only ONE excursion for the whole World cruise. spent only their OBC, but expected and were, fawned all over by the staff in white. They spent most of their time at the ports looking for somewhere to buy alcohol cheaply, and of course made sure they had their share of free drinks at their lunches and cocktail parties.
What is the point of loyalty like that.
I think I agree with the others I think they should scrap the loyalty scheme altogether.

Find your comments interesting - I think if you dig deep enough a lot of people on cruises tend to exaggerate about their income, where they live, their jobs etc etc - sounds to me as if your 'couple' were on a tight budget and saving money where they could.
Also - the view you have of people and how they act on holiday is based on how you like to enjoy yourself.
You could put both your views eg and say I am the same as your world couple but in reality I do not drink a lot of alcohol as OH is on medication and can't drink. We also don't book many excursions - again due to his mobility. On the outside we look like a normal middle aged couple but would hate to think our table companions think we are tight with our money.

Unread post by **emjay45** » 05 Oct 2013, 14:27

The Tinker wrote:
Find your comments interesting - I think if you dig deep enough a lot of people on cruises tend to exaggerate about their income, where they live, their jobs etc etc - sounds to me as if your 'couple' were on a tight budget and saving money where they could.
Also - the view you have of people and how they act on holiday is based on how you like to enjoy yourself.
You could put both your views eg and say I am the same as your world couple but in reality I do not drink a lot of alcohol as OH is on medication and can't drink. We also don't book many excursions - again due to his mobility. On the outside we look like a normal middle aged couple but would hate to think our table companions think we are tight with our money.

They most certainly weren't exaggerating their income. They do a World cruise every year. When my husband tried a new bottle of wine he always offered them a glass which they accepted. He bought them a drink when it was their wedding anniversary, However they never once reciprocated, even when it was my birthday they didn't offer me even a glass of wine. I don't think I'm being unfair saying they were tight. On the other hand we made friends with a lovely couple on an inside cabin who were the complete opposite. They booked loads of excursions and although neither of them drank alcohol they very often would offer to buy us a pre-dinner drink. We of course didn't always accept but also bought them soft drinks when they would allow us.

Unread post by **The Tinker** » 05 Oct 2013, 14:43

emjay45 wrote:
They most certainly weren't exaggerating their income. They do a World cruise every year. When my husband tried a new bottle of wine he always offered them a glass which they accepted. He bought them a drink when it was their wedding anniversary, However they never once reciprocated, even when it was my birthday they didn't offer me even a glass of wine. I don't think I'm being unfair saying they were tight. On the other hand we made friends with a lovely couple on an inside cabin who were the complete opposite. They booked loads of excursions and although neither of them drank alcohol they very often would offer to buy us a pre-dinner drink. We of course didn't always accept but also bought them soft drinks when they would allow us.

How tight - I guess you meet allsorts - how much roughly is a world cruise in an inside cabin each year?
I'm glad you met the other couple - restores your faith in human nature.
We had a laugh on our last cruise as our table companions didn't drink much either but kept winning the quizzes and the prize was a bottle of wine which they asked if they could have with dinner and shared with me - can I just say if you win a bottle of wine onboard make sure you make a spritzer as some of them were diabolical.

Unread post by **emjay45** » 05 Oct 2013, 14:53

I think it's about £20,000 for a couple. That's if you book straight away. I don't know how much people pay for a getaway though. This couple booked next years cruise while we were on board so I think they always book fairly early.

Unread post by **Quizzical Bob** » 05 Oct 2013, 18:23

The Tinker wrote:
emjay45 wrote:
They most certainly weren't exaggerating their income. They do a World cruise every year. When my husband tried a new bottle of wine he always offered them a glass which they accepted. He bought them a drink when it was their wedding anniversary, However they never once reciprocated, even when it was my birthday they didn't offer me even a glass of wine. I don't think I'm being unfair saying they were tight. On the other hand we made friends with a lovely couple on an inside cabin who were the complete opposite. They booked loads of excursions and although neither of them drank alcohol they very often would offer to buy us a pre-dinner drink. We of course didn't always accept but also bought them soft drinks when they would allow us.
How tight - I guess you meet allsorts - how much roughly is a world cruise in an inside cabin each year?
I'm glad you met the other couple - restores your faith in human nature.
We had a laugh on our last cruise as our table companions didn't drink much either but kept winning the quizzes and the prize was a bottle of wine which they asked if they could have with dinner and shared with me - can I just say if you win a bottle of wine onboard make sure you make a spritzer as some of them were diabolical.

You get two handicaps if you win the quiz. A one point deduction for the next quiz and having to drink the house vinegar.

Unread post by **Manoverboard** » 06 Oct 2013, 07:04

Point of order ...

' IF ' there is to be a revision to the Loyalty system then I support the Tesco approach ... ie the passengers who book suites, drink like fish, eat in the select dining venues and book umpteen excursions should fare better in such a system than passengers who book an inside cabin on a Getaway deal and spend nothing.

NOWHERE did I state that those in inside cabins are cheapskates ... Ian

Unread post by **Kendhni** » 06 Oct 2013, 08:07

emjay45 wrote:
They most certainly weren't exaggerating their income. They do a World cruise every year. When my husband tried a new bottle of wine he always offered them a glass which they accepted. He bought them a drink when it was their wedding anniversary, However they never once reciprocated, even when it was my birthday they didn't offer me even a glass of wine. I don't think I'm being unfair saying they were tight. On the other hand we made friends with a lovely couple on an inside cabin who were the complete opposite. They booked loads of excursions and although neither of them drank alcohol they very often would offer to buy us a pre-dinner drink. We of course didn't always accept but also bought them soft drinks when they would allow us.

I have met that sort on several occasions. The sort that accidentally forgets their credit card or has not had time to go to the cash machine on a night out ... and then forgets to pay you, and feigns annoyance if you dare remind them. One couple I am thinking off would join in when others are buying rounds but when it comes to his turn he simply buys him and his wife ... he would even fail to contribute to the kitty but still drank out of it.

It also reminds me of an old work colleague ... he used to walk about with 2 packs of cigarettes, a full pack and a pack with only 1 cigarette in it ... if anybody asked him for a ciggie he would produce the pack with one in it and say 'sorry I have only one left' ... but yet he was always scrounging off others.

Unread post by **emjay45** » 06 Oct 2013, 11:35

Manoverboard wrote:
Point of order ...

' IF ' there is to be a revision to the Loyalty system then I support the Tesco approach ... ie the passengers who book suites, drink like fish, eat in the select dining venues and book umpteen excursions should fare better in such a system than passengers who book an inside cabin on a Getaway deal and spend nothing.

NOWHERE did I state that those in inside cabins are cheapskates ... Ian

MOB exactly

and BTW who told you I drank like a fish.

Unread post by **Dark Knight** » 07 Oct 2013, 13:11

we book insides, as I am not willing to pay the ridiculous prices for balconies and suites, as I feel pro rata they are a rip off and not really worth the extra cost, but we spend on excursions, drinks, the casino and on board shopping etc, so on a money spent loyalty scheme we would do okay
on a nights on board scheme we would do badly, as we are not loyal, not going to have every holiday with PandO and certainly not every holiday is going to be a cruise, there is too much to see and do to get stuck in a rut this early in life
so on reflection I would agree with scrap any loyalty scheme, and make the cruises better value for money, improve the offering and treat all passengers equally, all this tier nonesense just panders to snobs and is worth next to nothing in real terms

Unread post by **ItsmeAnnC** » 11 Oct 2013, 09:03

If P&O got their act together they could afford a decent loyalty scheme. We've just returned from our fifth Celebrity cruise and are already in the top tier. We had a balcony cabin that was cheaper than an equivalent one on P&O. Entertainment was superb (and anyone who knows me knows that I an hypercritical of this, being in the industry), food quality and service likewise. P&O have not come up to this standard on our cruises for a very long time, with the exception of one on Azura in the Caribbean last March, which was wonderful on all counts. But it's too hit and miss for us at the moment. Celebrity seem to be consistent. Yes, the wine is expensive, especially with 15% gratuities on top on cruises starting anywhere other than the UK. But spirits are not, because you get well in excess of a double. Having said that, in the top tier you get free drinks (sparkling wine, still wine, beers, some cocktails, soft drinks) between 5 and 7pm every night, a cocktail party, elegant tea, wine tasting seminar, theatre backstage tour, 30 items laundered, one item dry cleaned, some pressed (can't remember how many), 90 free internet minutes (so double all those for a couple), priority tendering, free access to Persian Garden on a port day, and more. Then there are other vouchers to be used which appear in your cabin - 20% off a bottle of wine costing over $40 (!), one speciality coffee in select restaurants, and 50% off select dining cover charges (any restaurant) was offered at the wine tasting. After only 5 cruises and paying a lower lead fare without compromising on quality. P&O could learn a thing or two.
Incidentally, the Cruise Director told us that they are stunned at the amount of Brits booking with them now.

Unread post by **arcadialover** » 11 Oct 2013, 15:08

We have never cruised with Princess but due to our cruises on P&O we are already in their top tier.

Unread post by **Mervyn and Trish** » 11 Oct 2013, 15:40

Dark Knight wrote:
.... moving quicker up the tiers would help

The problem with that is that if everyone gets to the top tier too quickly it stops working. For example, what good is priority booking, embarkation, disembarkation etc if everyone has got it?

I think that was one reason they changed from the old scheme. There were so many Goldies booking early that popular cruises were two thirds sold out before us peasants got a look in and the queues for the priority check in were longer than those at the normal check in.

While I like the idea of scrapping the loyalty scheme entirely and dropping prices I can see a couple of flaws with that too. First, the real cost to P&O of the present scheme is pretty low, so any cut in fares would be minimal. Secondly I can hear the bleating now. "They've ruined my life. I'll never sail with them ever again. I demand compensation." While the present scheme may not offer too much incentive to stay loyal, the ill will from scrapping it would be enormous. It was bad enough when they altered it.

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