So Platinum becomes Diamond

[kenspidey]

very funny....thanks for the laugh

Originally Posted by dclark

The CCL cheerleaders will respond that you are getting a coupon good for one drink, valid at the comedy club. They will say you are ungrateful for what CCL gives you, they are the best cruise value around, it is a fun ship, lots of fun, you are not a fun person, that they are going to give one dollar to St. Jude and if that doesn't make you happy, you must hate kids, you are not grateful,etc.

[Out to sea!]

Originally Posted by terryinal

I have been on 23 cruises and 2 more booked. I feel that people like me and the milestone are the ones who got the shaft. The free slot thing was someyhing I did because it was free. So won't miss that. Still get to do some lundry so that is OK.I feel for the milestone who been on 30- 35 cruises and only have 185 days. Why grandfather people into platinum and not the milestone to diamond

Because the milestone program has absolutely nothing to do with the Blue/Gold/Platinum (now Blue/Red/Gold/Platinum/Diamond) program. Never did. They have always been 2 completely separate programs and still are.

[djacobson]

Originally Posted by SCUBA Mark

If you are grandfathered into Diamond, would that mean you would not qualify for the one-time Diamond benefits.

That would cost Carnival a bundle to pass out all of those benefits to everyone that they grandfathered in.

I could see how they could rationalize only giving those benefits to people that earned the class. Grandfather implies you have already been there.

There are around 3,150 cruisers who have sailed with Carnival 25 times or more. If you take into account that at least seven ships in the fleet have only 3, 4 or 5 day itineraries, the ability to get to 200 days is difficult. Milestone cruisers feel they have definitely earned that designation by their loyalty. They may feel disappointed that they have to sail another 5 - 7 times in order to be recognized by Carnival once again as their most loyal cruisers. That, along with being told that until they reach 200 days, they have reduced perks (BOGO blackjack or Slot Tournament entry, no more Galley Tour, reduced laundry service, etc.) and then seeing others grandfathered in within a 12 - 18 month period to a higher level, does make them feel slighted. Knowing that life is not fair, I will continue to sail with Carnival and keep my CCL stock. It's just disappointing news that seems to be coming from CCL. I will be on the Conquest when the announcement is made.

I am hoping that Carnival will take into account that this 1% of their customer base have been among their most loyal customers.

[cruzn buckeye]

Originally Posted by Out to sea!

Because the milestone program has absolutely nothing to do with the Blue/Gold/Platinum (now Blue/Red/Gold/Platinum/Diamond) program. Never did. They have always been 2 completely separate programs and still are.

yes, this is true... but it is a "level" of sorts because it earns a perk. You have to hit that 25 cruise level to get it...
The milestone cruisers should be grandfathered to the highest tier... just as promised... instead of staying in the Platinum tier that someone with 10 cruises has. 25 is a big number to hit... and says alot about loyalty...
Lets see.. me... total 26 cruises... 25 Carnival... 1 Royal Carribbean in 2004. This loyalty should be appreciated... dontcha think??
I will continue cruising with Carnival as I have always loved to...

[kingoftheicedragons]

Originally Posted by cruzn buckeye

yes, this is true... but it is a "level" of sorts because it earns a perk. You have to hit that 25 cruise level to get it...
The milestone cruisers should be grandfathered to the highest tier... just as promised... instead of staying in the Platinum tier that someone with 10 cruises has. 25 is a big number to hit... and says alot about loyalty...
Lets see.. me... total 26 cruises... 25 Carnival... 1 Royal Carribbean in 2004. This loyalty should be appreciated... dontcha think??
I will continue cruising with Carnival as I have always loved to...

There is no "milestone tier." There never has been. Yes, milestone still exists, exactly as it did before. There is no change to anyone who has earned their milestone status.

However, I do feel the number of days required for each tier to be on the high side. I will have to take 12 cruises before I reach platinum status. I understand that platinum perks aren't that great, but still something to attain. I also think that diamond status should start at 175 days--not 200--which would be 25 7-day cruises and therefore I think people wouldn't be upset because they'd still be diamond and milestone both. But look at it this way, you still get your milestone reward at 25 cruises plus another reward level when you get your 200 days in, which for most would only be another three or four cruises.

[terryinal]

Originally Posted by cruzn buckeye

yes, this is true... but it is a "level" of sorts because it earns a perk. You have to hit that 25 cruise level to get it...
The milestone cruisers should be grandfathered to the highest tier... just as promised... instead of staying in the Platinum tier that someone with 10 cruises has. 25 is a big number to hit... and says alot about loyalty...
Lets see.. me... total 26 cruises... 25 Carnival... 1 Royal Carribbean in 2004. This loyalty should be appreciated... dontcha think??
I will continue cruising with Carnival as I have always loved to...

I'm glad a few people agree with me. I'm not going to jump ship and cruise with someone else. But I don't think they are treating the people who cruise with them the most got a fair deal. But all the details arn't out,so just have to wait and see.

[we're sailing away....]

Free Wi Fi would be nice ...

[teeredi2cruise]

Originally Posted by golfadj

Apparently you must ask your room steward for ice now. However someone has reported that the steward's job no longer has him getting you ice but must call room service. Hopefully that is not the case.

On the Freedom on May 5th sailing, we had to get our initial ice through room service. Our cabin steward refilled the ice on most nights and when he did not, we had to call room service. I obviously can't speak to every ship and sailing, but this is how it worked for us.

[BigDoug]

Originally Posted by golfadj

Apparently you must ask your room steward for ice now. However someone has reported that the steward's job no longer has him getting you ice but must call room service. Hopefully that is not the case.

Originally Posted by H82seaUgo

returning cruisers are reporting you must contact guest services now for ice. the brand ambassador is posting that you will be asked if you want ice by the room steward.

the truth is somewhere in between.

Originally Posted by teeredi2cruise

On the Freedom on May 5th sailing, we had to get our initial ice through room service. Our cabin steward refilled the ice on most nights and when he did not, we had to call room service. I obviously can't speak to every ship and sailing, but this is how it worked for us.

A quick way to fix this one - reduced service equals a reduced tip. I know that I'll be criticized for even suggesting reducing tips but if the room stewards are doing less for me, why should I be tipping more?

[Out to sea!]

Originally Posted by cruzn buckeye

yes, this is true... but it is a "level" of sorts because it earns a perk. You have to hit that 25 cruise level to get it...
The milestone cruisers should be grandfathered to the highest tier... just as promised... instead of staying in the Platinum tier that someone with 10 cruises has. 25 is a big number to hit... and says alot about loyalty...
Lets see.. me... total 26 cruises... 25 Carnival... 1 Royal Carribbean in 2004. This loyalty should be appreciated... dontcha think??
I will continue cruising with Carnival as I have always loved to...

I don't understand why you want to continue trying to smash the two programs together? The Milestone program is still the Milestone program. They still get the same Milestone benefits. If they were going to do away with the Milestone program then your argument might have plausibility (which sounds like what you want), but there is no reason to give someone with as little as 75 sea days (25-3 day cruises) the same benefits as someone who has 200+ sea days. Let the Milestone program stand on it's own as an extra benefit to those who attain it and leave the current (new) program as it is. Also, you would be taking the Milestone benefits (25, 25, 75, & 1005 off of a cruise) away from those members if you converted them to Diamond because the new Diamond category doesn't have those benefits.

[sharecruises]

Reading is fundamental

NO where does it say that Platinum becomes Diamond

Milestones may or may not be Diamonds...the two programs appear to be different

There also is another thread of misinformation where someone claims the upgrade/free 3 or 4 person is on "every diamond cruise">> and that is also wrong...Carnival site says that is a one time benefit

I am not thrilled by the new program but I am also disturbed by the way people spread all sorts of stuff that only confuses others

[martinchem]

Originally Posted by Out to sea!

I don't understand why you want to continue trying to smash the two programs together? The Milestone program is still the Milestone program. They still get the same Milestone benefits. If they were going to do away with the Milestone program then your argument might have plausibility (which sounds like what you want), but there is no reason to give someone with as little as 75 sea days (25-3 day cruises) the same benefits as someone who has 200+ sea days. Let the Milestone program stand on it's own as an extra benefit to those who attain it and leave the current (new) program as it is. Also, you would be taking the Milestone benefits (25, 25, 75, & 1005 off of a cruise) away from those members if you converted them to Diamond because the new Diamond category doesn't have those benefits.

Then why did they switch us Milestoners to white cards?? Obviously there is something special about hitting 25 cruises with one cruiseline amd I think that CCL should honor that and give us there best perks within all there companies.

[cruzn buckeye]

Originally Posted by Out to sea!

I don't understand why you want to continue trying to smash the two programs together? The Milestone program is still the Milestone program. They still get the same Milestone benefits. If they were going to do away with the Milestone program then your argument might have plausibility (which sounds like what you want), but there is no reason to give someone with as little as 75 sea days (25-3 day cruises) the same benefits as someone who has 200+ sea days. Let the Milestone program stand on it's own as an extra benefit to those who attain it and leave the current (new) program as it is. Also, you would be taking the Milestone benefits (25, 25, 75, & 1005 off of a cruise) away from those members if you converted them to Diamond because the new Diamond category doesn't have those benefits.

No one is trying to smash the two programs together. The fact is that Milestone cruisers were told they would be in the highest tier... which is Diamond...
And by the way... I have 140 sea days, including two suites , one a cat 11 wrap on the Pride, and a cat 9 premium vista balcony. Do I think I should be still at Platinum, where I was 14 cruises ago... heck no...

[djacobson]

Originally Posted by martinchem

Then why did they switch us Milestoners to white cards?? Obviously there is something special about hitting 25 cruises with one cruiseline amd I think that CCL should honor that and give us there best perks within all there companies.

I agree entirely with you. It looks like you have around 172 days for your many cruises. You should be rewarded for your loyalty. A different colored card with the word "platinum" appearing no where the card certainly indicates to me it is a different level. It is not just Platinum with a 25% OBC on a designated cruise.

Again, there are so few Milestone cruisers in relation to the thousands of past guests with Carnival. They are the most loyal of Carnival's guests. While is it theoretically possible for someone to take 25 three day cruises, there are only a couple of ships which offer such an itinerary. I have been on one three day cruise, as part of a B2B. I seriously doubt there are many who have sailed on 25 three day cruises. Most of us have sailed five or seven day cruises. For three years after Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans did not offer seven day cruises. As a stockholder, it is great to see the ships sailing out of New Orleans at full capacity. Being a stockholder certainly doesn't make me better than anyone else, but I would think it might indicate some level of loyalty.

It's uncomfortable for me to answer the question on cruises "So, how many cruises have you been on?" To me, it is irrelevant and more importantly, the important thing is that I am on a cruise and not at work! I don't like having to now be classed by how many days at sea I have, especially when certain benefits are being diminished or eliminated, while at the same time a grace period is being extended to those close to attaining a level. Nothing against those close to 75 days having a chance to reach Platinum, I just wish that the same type of opportunity be given to loyal Carnival cruisers who have sailed 25 plus cruises.


I remain hopeful that Carnival will release on June 11 a program that will offer the Milestone level passengers something that acknowledges that Milestone cruisers are among the most loyal of the loyal Carnival cruisers.

[idiebabe]

Originally Posted by djacobson

I agree entirely with you. It looks like you have around 172 days for your many cruises. You should be rewarded for your loyalty. A different colored card with the word "platinum" appearing no where the card certainly indicates to me it is a different level. It is not just Platinum with a 25% OBC on a designated cruise.

Again, there are so few Milestone cruisers in relation to the thousands of past guests with Carnival. They are the most loyal of Carnival's guests. While is it theoretically possible for someone to take 25 three day cruises, there are only a couple of ships which offer such an itinerary. I have been on one three day cruise, as part of a B2B. I seriously doubt there are many who have sailed on 25 three day cruises. Most of us have sailed five or seven day cruises. For three years after Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans did not offer seven day cruises. As a stockholder, it is great to see the ships sailing out of New Orleans at full capacity. Being a stockholder certainly doesn't make me better than anyone else, but I would think it might indicate some level of loyalty.

It's uncomfortable for me to answer the question on cruises "So, how many cruises have you been on?" To me, it is irrelevant and more importantly, the important thing is that I am on a cruise and not at work! I don't like having to now be classed by how many days at sea I have, especially when certain benefits are being diminished or eliminated, while at the same time a grace period is being extended to those close to attaining a level. Nothing against those close to 75 days having a chance to reach Platinum, I just wish that the same type of opportunity be given to loyal Carnival cruisers who have sailed 25 plus cruises.


I remain hopeful that Carnival will release on June 11 a program that will offer the Milestone level passengers something that acknowledges that Milestone cruisers are among the most loyal of the loyal Carnival cruisers.

Very well said!

I think what some just can't comprehend is from what was released Carnival is not treating the Milestoners fairly when they have a different set of rules for them and a different set of rules for those that are NOT YET Platinum. I don't even understand how anyone can argue this!!! Carnival is saying that you don't have to have the number of sail days of 75 to become Platinum...just take 1 or 2 (any # of days) cruise and you will become Platinum. Carnival is saying to Milestoners....we don't care how many cruises you have been on....you need to meet the 200 days. Again, what's so hard to understand that they are treating two groups differently!!!

Milestone is recognized as a level (until the new program is rolled out) because they did give a different card than Platinum and a perk to go along with it. Carnival and it's staff recognized it as a level different than Platinum. I don't understand why people don't get that either!

[kicia]

But there are no additional perks for being Milestone other than the OBC for the number specific cruises. Otherwise, everything was the same as Platinum. Milestone was never included in the loyalty program and it still isn't there. As far as perks go, there is only Platinum. It seems from what was leaked that the new level of Diamond will have some additional perks but basically after the few one time benefits you go back to what we have now as Platinum, without the free slot tourney entry. There is something with the Captain that will be available on every cruise.

[rellersi]

Originally Posted by idiebabe

Very well said!

I. Carnival is saying to Milestoners....we don't care how many cruises you have been on....you need to meet the 200 days. Again, what's so hard to understand that they are treating two groups differently!!!

Milestone is recognized as a level (until the new program is rolled out) because they did give a different card than Platinum and a perk to go along with it. Carnival and it's staff recognized it as a level different than Platinum. I don't understand why people don't get that either!

If what has been leaked and mentioned by JH is true, Carnival is telling everyone that it does not matter how many days you have sailed, on your 25th cruise you will be considered a Milestoner same benefit as before the loyalty program change (25% OBC) no more no less, but then when you reach 200 days you will get additional benefits, such as they may be. Yes it does appear that they are taking benefits away from Platinum, so it is the platinum group that suffer here, if it can be called suffering

[PA Dutchman]

Yep, it looks like milestone stays the same and goes by cruises, but to be Diamond you need 200+ days new program new tier. They will not give you 100 days to upgrade you to Diamond, never seen that promised. John said you will stay Platinum if you are Platinum and don't have the days. There giving a chance to do 2 cruises if you have 8 already to become Platinum. If you have 7 cruises there is the cutoff you go to the new program of useing days. If your milestone you will stay milestone till you get to 200+days, big deal really. Diamond is not being grandfathered, nor should it be, it never had a amount of cruises to be diamond, it has a amount of days, 200+. Thats why they keep milestone with amount of cruises. No matter what you are you go back to Platinum perks after 1 cruise milestone or Diamond. You can have 400 days you still go back to the perks that someone with 75 days gets.

[Dolly1952]

I will wait till June 11th and then decide how much of what has been leaked is factual.