Royal Caribbean Past-Passenger Program Changes Angers Many

In a quietly posted change on Friday, Royal Caribbean has announced that it is paring back perks earned for membership in the Crown & Anchor Society (C&A), the line's past-passenger loyalty program.

The modifications to the program -- which, depending on level, rewards past cruisers with benefits like cruise discounts, priority embarkation, coupon booklets and use of the concierge lounge with free drinks -- have sparked a firestorm with past guests. Without a doubt, the most controversial of the changes, which are scheduled to go into effect on July 1, 2009, has been the line's decision to limit "Concierge Lounge" access to only those in the highest echelon of the C&A Society, the so-called Diamond-Plus members (25 or more RCI cruises). The change is as follows:

With the exception of the line's newest ships -- Freedom of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas, Independence of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas -- Diamond members (10 - 24 cruises with RCI) will no longer have special access to the concierge lounge, from which passengers can arrange shore excursions, spa treatments and specialty dining reservations, among other things. The lounge was also the setting for a nightly happy hour with free alcohol.

Instead, a special party will be held once per cruise for Diamond members featuring complimentary wine, champagne and hors d'oeuvres. Diamond-Plus members (25-plus cruises) will continue to have access to the concierge lounges on all ships. In the e-mail sent to C&A members, the line cited capacity issues -- the lounges were becoming unsustainably crowded -- as the reason for the change.