''Let them take cruises. . .'' -RCI

[Carolinian Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Carolinian]

From the May ''RCI Affiliate Connection'' newsletter. . .

''Most calls for the next several months will be from RCI subscribing members interested in finalizing their summer vacation. . . The majority of summer space has already been deposited, and there are many thousands of people already on waitlists for the space that will still be coming in. . .Flexibility with location and date ranges in helpful, and seriously considering other options is important. . .Cruise vacations are becoming a more viable summer alternative. The RCI Cruise Exchange program enables members to use their exchange week for a cruise to locations with lots of sun and family fun. In fact, the theme of the June edition of 'Endless Vacation Extra' magazine is cruising. It will specifically target members who prefer summer travel but who haven't yet booked''

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

And the really awful part is that the "discounted rates" offered by RCI in exchange for your banked week are often MORE than just buying the cruise from a cruise agent or the cruise line itself. I checked this on more than one occasion, they wanted my week PLUS at least 10 -20% more than I would have to pay if I booked directly. UGH

[Icc5 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Icc5]

I would agree 100% with the above statements. We have cruised many times and never paid anywhere near what RCI charges.
Bart

[BoardGirl Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close BoardGirl]

I think it's hilarious

Look, love em or hate em, this is clever marketing. It's bandwagon before anyone has actually jumped on, but they want to make sheeple THINK everyone is doing it, what a great option, we should do this too! Don't kid yourself - some people will do it!

I can't wait to bust a gut reading the next issue!!!

[Carolinian Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Carolinian]

Look, love em or hate em, this is clever marketing. It's bandwagon before anyone has actually jumped on, but they want to make sheeple THINK everyone is doing it, what a great option, we should do this too! Don't kid yourself - some people will do it!

I can't wait to bust a gut reading the next issue!!!

You have a good point. Since it is mostly resort staff that is reading this publication, the idea is apparently to plant the idea in their minds to make this suggestion to the members at their resort when complaints come in about lack of exchanges.

The Endless Vacation Extra is the thin magazine that sometimes comes out between issues of the regular Endless Vacation, and it WILL be interesting to see how they try to push this!

Cruise exchanges are such a ripoff, that the Bunko Squad ought to shut them all down - RCI, ICE, and the lot. But they do give RCI an excuse for even more rentals. One also has to wonder if they would be so short of real exchanges for the summer if they had not been renting this ''excess'' inventory so hot and heavy!