Thread: BRILLIANCE OTS -Diamonds/+ barred from using Concierge Lounge

I have been informed that Diamonds/+ are no longer permitted to use the CL Lounge on the Brilliance of the Seas. This is apparently, according to my informant, now for the use of suite passengers only.

Does anyone know if this is now official policy?

I know that this happened previously on another ship and that RCCL Head Office denied it. They stated that the Concierge had mistakenly taken this decision.

We are on two B2B's for over three weeks and this will have a considerably affect on our cruise experience - we don't drink, but do like to use the Lounge during the day for coffees etc. and a quiet place to sit.

I have just booked on her again for February and was also considering late March, but if we are now barred from using the CL, we will have to reconsider RCCL and go back to Princess.

I am aware that they open on extra Lounge on an upper deck between 5.30pm and 8.30pm - and since the Brilliance now has early Dining at 5.30pm Diamonds/+ on main dining, won't be able to avail themselves of the free drinks anyway.

Roz, on our Radiance Hawaii cruise in September only suite passengers were allowed access to the actual lounge. Bummer! Sounds like there are getting to be too may Diamond and Diamond+ members to be accomodated in the small lounge.

Don't the newest ships have a seperate dedicated lounge for C&A members??

The Freedom, Liberty and Independence all have separate lounges. One for suite PAX and one for D/D+. The Diamond Lounge is better as it's in the Viking Crown Lounge, is bigger and one wall is windows.

Originally Posted by 2ladies

I have been informed that Diamonds/+ are no longer permitted to use the CL Lounge on the Brilliance of the Seas. This is apparently, according to my informant, now for the use of suite passengers only.

Does anyone know if this is now official policy?

I know that this happened previously on another ship and that RCCL Head Office denied it. They stated that the Concierge had mistakenly taken this decision.

We are on two B2B's for over three weeks and this will have a considerably affect on our cruise experience - we don't drink, but do like to use the Lounge during the day for coffees etc. and a quiet place to sit.

I have just booked on her again for February and was also considering late March, but if we are now barred from using the CL, we will have to reconsider RCCL and go back to Princess.

I am aware that they open on extra Lounge on an upper deck between 5.30pm and 8.30pm - and since the Brilliance now has early Dining at 5.30pm Diamonds/+ on main dining, won't be able to avail themselves of the free drinks anyway.

You might consider sending an email to RCL expressing your concerns. If you receive a reply saying that it is not the case, print it out and have it with you when you take your cruise.

Spent 1.5 hours on the 'phone and eventually convinced them to send an e-mail to the Loyalty Ambassador who said it was only when the Lounge was full, that people were refused entry and that this also goes for suite passengers.

They said it is ALWAYS OPEN TO DIAMOND/+. So Char..............??????? They said it is all rumour and that Diamonds/+ are never refused entry (excluding Freedom type facility of course, where Diamonds have a separate Lounge!).

So Char ...........your new nickname is 'rumour'!!!!! Or you are telling fibs - Or, of course, you imagined the whole thing!!! Well, I know who I believe .........and its not RCCL!!!!

I shall go to see El Capitano if they try to pull that one!!!

Its just so frustrating when they insist that Diamonds are never refused entry and you KNOW it isn't true!!!

Ha! What do they know!?

From talking and listening to various Concierges, it is my understanding that the Concierge has THE final say on what goes on in "their" lounge. For instance, some allow drinks to be taken out of the lounge, others will not.

On Radiance in September even when we knocked on the Lounge door to find out why we had not gotten a key, we were not admitted....talked to us in the doorway. The gals who were taking turns guarding the door upstairs during cocktail hour said that there was a Continental breakfast set up in the upstairs area, but no cappuccino machine. No concierge services for reservations...none of the little extras we have become accustomed to.

Lots of luck, Roz!

Princess had a revamping of its loyalty program (at least in terms of the Internet use). With more and more people sticking with a single line, are cruiselines looking to cut back on returning passenger benes?

So I should be grateful that I've got a suite booked and I'm a Diamond member, right?

Char - this is ridiculous - these Concierges are not, as far as I am aware, in a high enough position on the ship to take such decisions.

I will go first to the Hotel Director and then to the Captain, should it happen on the Brilliance.

It is actually misrepresentation to entice us to purchase a certain number of cruises on the understanding that when we reach the required number, we have access to the Concierge Lounge - and then not provide the "prize" for which we have 'paid'.

I can understand not permitting entry if it is too full - but everyone should be given their card as usual - and normally as we all know, another Lounge is provided on an upper deck for the overflow.

But Royal Caribbean is denying that this has ever happened - so there Char!! You must've been dreamin'!!!! Oh, and the many other people who claim this has happened to them must also be dreamers.

But they have assured me that I will have access to the Concierge Lounge. So we shall wait and see - I have served notice that I will not accept being 'barred' without a fight!! However, should it happen, I will immediately cancel my Feb 6th cruise and book with NCL, who will also be porting in Barcelona during the winter.

I don't think this is the time financially, for cruiselines to be antagonising their frequent customers.

HANNA - You will get access to the CL - I personally guarantee it!!! Hehehehe!!!

Char - any ideas as to how I can e-mail Adam Goldstein?

I am sure he wouldn't approve of treating guests this way. To bar you at the door is a disgrace. If they wern't giving cards for any reason, then they should have had the courtesy to leave an explanatory letter in your cabin.

Permitting or not permitting guests to take out drinks is one thing, to take an executive decision to bar guests entitled to use it, is quite another. I find it extremely difficult to believe that Concierges, who are quite low in the hierarchy on a ship, are allowed to take decisions such as this.

Possibly the Loyalty Ambassador - but even he/she should not be changing RCCL policies without a directive from Head Office.