Question from Count Florida:
When do you actually qualify for the next SSS tier (i.e., Silver, Gold, Platinum) - the cruise where you reach or pass the number of nights required, or the next time you cruise after reaching the qualifying number of nights? We may hit 199 nights on the first leg of a back-to-back cruise next year, if we book a cruise we're thinking about this fall. Do we get Platinum tier benefits on the second leg of that back-to-back? Or do we have to wait until the next cruise we take?

Answer: When you hit a new tier in a cruise the next cruise you move to the new status. You do not move status "mid cruise" However, on a back to back or segment of a longer cruise you do move to the new level at the commencement of the next segment of your back to back or long voyage.

Example - you book two 7 days cruises and get the combination credit and have a 14 day cruise.
You qualify on the first 7 days for a new tier level. At the commencement of the second 7 days of your 14 day cruise you are accorded the new tier status.

Thought this would get buried in the longer original thread and this is something that everyone may want to know.

This is great information, I think I will move it over the the Frequently asked questions forum in a week or so when it starts to get buried in this forum!

Ngaire, another rewards question: do we get the free phone time for each segment on back to back cruises or just once for the whole trip? You an bet which one I hope it is.
:)

Well let me find out for sure. Based on the fact each segment is considered a "new cruise" it would make logical sense it would be each segment but I do not know.

There is really no information written or sent out to agents about all these details so before I go back again does anyone else have any questions and I will ask them all at the same time.

If two people in the cabin have different tier levels, how do they handle that? For example on MUSH I will be silver and Suzanne will be gold.

Ah, that was my question too! On my next trip I will move (technically) to gold status on the FIRST day of the trip, but it sounds like I will remain silver until the next trip! :(

Lauri, that too is an interesting question!

I will give this a few more days to see if any more questions come in and then I will go and find out all the answers.

Most questions seem very forward. I am wondering that if Regent goes all inclusive in 2007, how will this affect Platinum members who will already be AI? Perhaps caviar, free cruises, shore excursions???

McKeever, there is no answer to that question I am sure they are still working on what they will do for Platinums in the future.

Thanks, Ngaire.

I think a nice thing for Platinum guests on a 7 day cruise would be to choose at least one thing from this list (if you're on a 14 day cruise, choose 2 from list, 21 day cruise, choose 3 from list, etc.)

Just a few ideas (I can come up with lots more :D )
complimentary pre or post cruise hotel stays
complimentary upgrade to BIZ/1st class
complimentary luggage transfer from home to ship and back again
complimentary excursions while on the cruise

These are the type things that are done for full WCers that make it really nice!
Or how about a free 7 or 14 night cruise? or make any 7 or 14 day cruise booked, regardless of itinerary or time of year an automatic 2 for 1.

These are the type things that appeal to me. What are your thoughts??

I like the ideas on your list, Marcie. Too bad I'm so far away from Platinum. How about a complimentary massage, etc. from the spa? I only splurge for them on cruises. Sounds like another way to be pampered.

Good idea Beth! Like you, I rarely do that at home but love to get a massage and/or facial while on a cruise.

Marcie, how about a free nail fill? ;)

jhp:

What is a nail fill?

Thanks,
Richzrd

Yes, Marcie, I like the idea of a cafeteria list. At each level we could choose the item or items that we prefer. The higher the tier, the more choices a person would have. I'm not into spa treatments but go wild for major upgrades in both suites and air flights and also quality land excursions. Of course, free cruises or days that can be applied to cruises would be the ideal for me.

I totally enjoy a good massage or facial while on board but will PASS on getting a nail fill (until they learn how to do it correctly...LOL Olivia). McKeever like you, Since different things appeal to different people, I think "choosing from a menu" idea would offer somthing to satisfy everyone.

Richard, don't worry about knowing what a nail fill is....trust me, you'll never need one.

Richard, ask Carole!

I like the "cafeteria" plan as well, since we all have different preferences.

I'd like to know, about the nail fill. I assume it's something to do with acrylic nails, which I have never had (but arguably need, I have terrible nails.) The most I ever get is a mani and pedi once in a while, before I go on a cruise.

Wendy, they do fine with the mani and pedi's (prices are higher than you'd pay at home but at least they know how to do them). Fills? forget it! If you're on a 2 week cruise or so you can squeek by without needing a fill but for 3 weeks or longer you need to resort to either having them done on the ship or in a port. Most people I know that need to get a fill get them done in a port for a fraction of the price and a better job. If I could only grow my own nails I wouldn't have to worry about it!

Now maybe because there were so many complaints about "fills" they sent the gals to school to learn how and it has improved?? I hope so!

And Marcie we had some fun experiences finding "fill" places - talk about meeting the locals!!! The only time it was problem for me was 34 nights on WC - I am addicted to my fake nails - you wouldn't want to look at my real ones -

It took me years to find my current manicurist after a really terrific one I had changed careers. Acrylic nails are really a specialty and products vary from salon to salon too.

I had one of the best pedicures ever on the Mariner - that'd be a really good treatment for a tier level.

Concerning tier level benefits, I DO NOT want a pedicure but haircuts, etc., would be wonderful. My hair starts at practically zero and grows to an Afro. On our 93 day trip I managed one hair cut in Sydney. I just cringe at the thought of wasting shore time in a salon. I want to see things and do things. No insult meant to those who have different needs. Just different ideas for different types of people.

But Ardis, wouldn't meeting some local people, even if it is in a salon, be as interesting as seeing & doing things?

That was our experience Betty in Asia- we met entire families (babies in back room to elderly grandparents sweeping floors) working in salons who were so sweet - there was a language problem which made it even more fun!! For me, it was simply 90 minutes of really getting to know the locals - great fun!!! Joanna

Yes, meeting people is one of the highlights of a trip. In Turkey we were invited to sit down in a shop and were presented with a "glass" of hot sweet tea. Also in Turkey the "clerk" in a hole-in-the-wall store took my package of cookies from me, climbed a ladder to the top shelf, retrieved a fresh box of cookies which he then presented to me with a big smile. What a wonderful experience. In Mexico we were invited to aa wedding in a beach village where the chickens were tied by their feet to a tree so they would not get in the way of the way of the wedding party. So many wonderful experiences they bring tears to my eyes.

Oh that brings back memories...In Turkey, EVERY shop owner makes you sit and drink tea. They want to sell you something. I love meeting the locals whether it's getting a massage, my hair cut or nails done, shopping, or just drinking a cold beer.

The people we meet in foreign lands appreciate so much if we know a few words in their language. We always try to know please and thank you at least. They may not speak English but their smile is a universal language.

Yes we try to learn a few words too - however, Tony didn't do so well getting his hair cut in Shanghai - somehow "just trim it not too short" was misunderstood - so he ended up with semi buzz - we had a few laughs at his expense but he is good sport - then he got on ship and all the staff told him he looked younger with his hair really short - took all the pain out of the haircut -

When I was on the Navigator, they didn't even have the material to do a fill. I had broken a nail and wanted to get it fixed and they couldn't.

Thanks for that info Arlene. One more thing besides nail glue to go into my cosmetics case! Acrylic Powder and liquid!

ANSWER ON THE TIER LEVEL QUESTION WITH TWO PASSENGERS AT DIFFERENT LEVELS IN THE SAME CABIN.

When traveling with a guest who is in a higher tier level, benefits default to the higher tier.

If a silver member is with a Gold Member in the same suite, for the duration of that cruise, the Silver Member is considered Gold.


Isn’t that nice?!

Woo hooooo...yes, that is great!!!! :app: :app:

Maybe I can talk Marcie into rooming with me instead of Tom on MUSH!

Kind of like the LCT version of "Wife Swap"???? :D

LOL Karen! We'd get in a whole lot less trouble than if Mark and Tom were roomies!!

WE could really confuse them on MUSH. Let's all pair up "officially" with members at the next tier and we can all be Platnium? HA HA HA

I'm in Beijing today and had an experience regarding nail fills last night and thought of you all! I knew I had so much to do in the few days to get ready for my PG cruise after I get home that I asked the pedicure ladies here last night if they do acrylic fills. This is something I never do overseas because I assume they can't do it well. Well, let me tell you, i've never had nails like this!

To begin, they did the manicure thing you never get at home: cuticles, etc, then the fill began: it was all done by hand, painstakingly, each nail filed, acrylic-ed, filed and buffed until each was a work of art! They don't use the filing machines here like at home at the "nail lady" where I'm in and out in under an hour. It went on and on...for hours, over 2 I think (I lost track because I was so tired from flying here that after a while I was drifting in and out of consciousness!)
Sometimes several ladies were working on me at once. Then my nails were lovingly and painstakingly polished. Omigosh, I have never had such perfect nails in all my life. But would I do it again? Hmm... Maybe. It cost only 12 bucks, US, but it took FOREVER! Maybe if I'm not so tired and I bring a book to read...a BIG book. LOL. Anyway, just wanted to share.

PS--a Chinese joke: If Adam and Eve were Chinese, we'd still be in Paradise. Why?

Answer: They have ignored the apple and eaten the snake! :D

~Sue, owner of Chinese Nails Of Perfection who is hoping they last through the entire cruise

Sue: Another nail convert?? - I would rather give up another "church" etc to have nice nails - fingers YES toes a MUST!!!! Mine took 90 minutes BOTH ...hate funky feet -