blog post

It's a Family Feud at the Cruise Planners Convention

Did you all do your homework?  Not a question we'd necessarily expect to hear at the Cruise Planners convention breakout session on cruise line loyalty programs.  Terri Burke, Cruise Planners senior VP of relationship marketing, wanted to make sure the room was prepared to win prizes, but not without a little work first - Cruise Planners very own version of Family Feud! 

Michelle Homoky, director of SE sales for Celebrity Cruises and Theresa Scalzitti, national account manager for Royal Caribbean International, provided an overview of their loyalty programs, including highlights of Celebrity's Captain's Club and Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Society.  Then it was time for Terri to entice the audience by displaying the grand prize - someone in the room would win a Netbook - wow!  Then things really got underway...

Michelle and Theresa were kind enough to kick things off, as they were the leaders of their respective teams - Captain's Club vs. Crown & Anchor Society.  This was a great way for everyone to get involved and learn a little something with the support of their teammates.

Q: What Crown & Anchor level allows concierge lounge access?
A: Diamond Plus
Q: What are the Captain's Club three membership levels?
A: Classic, Select and Elite
 
Tie game...next contestants are up -
 
Q: T or F - Diamond Plus members receive behind-the-scenes tour on cruises five nights or longer.
A: True
Q: How many credits are assigned to each membership level in Captain's Club?
A: Classic  - 1-4, Select  - 9-5, Elite - 10+
Q: T or F - Members cruises are offered once a year for all members?
A: F - Various cruises and destinations are offered several times throughout the year.
Q: What is the Captain's Club new tagline?
A: The center of our attention
 
Come on down next contestant, encouraged Terri.  Everyone was getting really competitive at this point...ready to prove they knew the most.
 
Q: T or F - Does every membership level offer an enhanced exclusive Captain's Club experience?
A: True
Q: T or F - Diamond and Diamond Plus members receive priority waitlist status for shore excursions and spa treatments?
A: True
Q: Which membership level will have access to the new private Captain's Club lounge?
A: Elite
Q: Cruise savings certificates are sent to members on a monthly basis.
A: F - They are sent quarterly.

Come on, who's the next contestant?

Q: Name the four levels of RC loyalty program?
A: Gold, Platinum, Diamond, Diamond Plus

Score - Crown & Anchor 50, Captain's Club 80-

Q: What two Captain's Club levels offer reciprocal Anchor & Crown benefits?
A: Select and Elite
Q: Diamond Plus Level is obtained after what number of cruises?
 A: 24

Team Crown & Anchor 70, Team Captain's Club 90 - they're catching up!

Q: Which Captain's Club level receives 90 minutes free internet?
A: Elite
Q: Membership cards, luggage tags and lapel pins are extended to guests at what level?
A: Diamond Plus
 
Terri - "We're down to the last stretch now...I've got some really good tiebreaker questions!
 
Final Question -
Q: T or F - Diamond and Diamond Plus members receive priority access for specialty restaurants?
A: True
 
Final Score, Captain's Club - 120, Crown & Anchor - 80

Everyone was told to check under their chairs and the lucky person that had a business card underneath was the winner of the Netbook!

Major takeaway - It's important to know the ins and outs of each loyalty program in order to encourage enrollment, because if you can get a loyal client, they're worth holding on to!

 - Sasha H.