New VIP program???

[near the beach]

I first heard about the upgraded program about a month ago on the Carnival web site. I have heard “you will be pleased” and “I think you will like it”, from Carnival employees on the web site. They have yet to give up any information other than it will be put into effect around the end of this year. I wonder how it will be announced. Will they send out an e-mail to all past guest? Or just put it on their web site and let it flow by the web site. I think that if it is going to be an improvement they would want as many people as possible to know as fast as possible. As long as they add perks and do not take any away it can’t be bad. ;)

[LHP]

I can understand being cautious.

 

Carnival certainly does not want to put itself in the position of having to take perks away like RCCL did....

 

but ... almost 2 years???

 

I have said all along that for the price of a Carnival cruise....the Platinum perks are about right....

 

but the Milestone needs some serious additions to it.....

[Mrdillion]

I sent away for, and recently received, RCCL info and it looks like they have some "VIP" perks starting at 5 cruises and it tiers from there.

 

I believe RCCL also gives 1 credit per cruise for an Inside to Balcony and

2 credits per cruise for a Suite. I would like to see that as opposed to days sailed. A suite on a 4 or 5 night cruise is equal or greater in price to an Inside or OV on a 6 or 7 night cruise.

[Litewait]

Grandfather in everybody already at platinum/milestone I'm sure I will be fine. I cant see thwm taking away a status someone has already "earned"

 

I do see where the nights are an issue. We have some milestone cruisers on here that have 15 or so 3 night cruises so they got to platinum/ milestone quickly. I believe that will change.

[golfadj]

Boring to see the talk about changes coming soon and we are still waiting.

 

I like the platinum perks and the only change I would like is a special lunch with senior officers for platinum.

 

Oh and get rid of the damn picture frames already.

 

We now give them away to people we meet on the cruise.

[BigDfromTN]

Oh and get rid of the damn picture frames already.

 

We now give them away to people we meet on the cruise.

 

LOL, We have not made Platinum yet but do have a picture frame already!! Thanks to another Plat cruiser like yourself!

[hockeyluver]

Hope they dont change anything before we hit Platinum in February!! I am looking forward to getting a picture frame :)

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

...

 

I do see where the nights are an issue. We have some milestone cruisers on here that have 15 or so 3 night cruises so they got to platinum/ milestone quickly. I believe that will change.

 

Yes - but some of those people may have spent A LOT more than your average cruiser does on a 7 night cruise. There is no one way to structure this program without some people feeling that they are getting the short end, or that someone else is getting too much credit... can't be done!

 

Tom

[cruisebabe63]

Last May; DH and I got married on the 7 day Western Caribbean Cruise on the Legend. Because of the Wedding we ended up taking along some family and friends. To make a long story short we paid for a balcony for my daughters, my son and his girlfriend, my MIL, and my two nieces, not to mention the Vista Suite we paid for ourselves. Seeing how we paid for four extra cabins would it not seem right that either me or my DH get the extra four cruise credits? Perhaps something for Jim Berra to consider as well.:)

[BigDfromTN]

Yes - but some of those people may have spent A LOT more than your average cruiser does on a 7 night cruise. There is no one way to structure this program without some people feeling that they are getting the short end, or that someone else is getting too much credit... can't be done!

 

Tom

 

I agree 100%.

 

I would like to see them have some overlap in the programs so that some of us folks that are one away can know what we are up against and have some time to survey our options.

[Wyattcruiser]

Grandfather in everybody already at platinum/milestone I'm sure I will be fine. I cant see thwm taking away a status someone has already "earned"

 

I do see where the nights are an issue. We have some milestone cruisers on here that have 15 or so 3 night cruises so they got to platinum/ milestone quickly. I believe that will change.

 

I agree! Or maybe they will give more credit for people that spend money on a balcony or suite as opposed to an inside cabin.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Last May; DH and I got married on the 7 day Western Caribbean Cruise on the Legend. Because of the Wedding we ended up taking along some family and friends. To make a long story short we paid for a balcony for my daughters, my son and his girlfriend, my MIL, and my two nieces, not to mention the Vista Suite we paid for ourselves. Seeing how we paid for four extra cabins would it not seem right that either me or my DH get the extra four cruise credits? Perhaps something for Jim Berra to consider as well.:)

 

What if I manage to lose 5 grand in the casino? That is even "purer" profit to Carnival than the same amount spent on a cabin (or cabins). As much as I would like that to count for something, I doubt it will.

 

Tom

[BigDfromTN]

Last May; DH and I got married on the 7 day Western Caribbean Cruise on the Legend. Because of the Wedding we ended up taking along some family and friends. To make a long story short we paid for a balcony for my daughters, my son and his girlfriend, my MIL, and my two nieces, not to mention the Vista Suite we paid for ourselves. Seeing how we paid for four extra cabins would it not seem right that either me or my DH get the extra four cruise credits? Perhaps something for Jim Berra to consider as well.:)

 

I understand your point. But how many people should get credit for the same sailing? Not arguing, just saying that I understand why it is limited to how many days, cruises, etc a given person is on. I too have paid for cabins on other cruises for our children. They are the ones that get the credit toward VIP, Not who paid for it.

[PA Dutchman]

I agree Tom ! We have 35 with one coming up Dec 19 and another in Feb. Maybe Feb, we will see some better perks for milestone.

 

Maybe we need to vote some of the so called beards off the island. Don't see them really doing anything great, they are all in a save money mode. That we have been seeing alot of. Its a shame that you really get nothing from Carnival for being milestone from cruise 26 thru 49. You get refered back to 10 cruises.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Celebrity gives 1 credit for the cruise to start. IF you sail >12 days, you get 1 additional credit. IF you book a suite, you get 1 additional credit.

 

Thus you can get up to THREE credits for a single sailing. That is how we managed to get to their top (Elite - 10 credits) status after 5 sailings, and if they had counted my casino losses... well.. :eek:

 

Tom

[BigDfromTN]

Maybe we need to vote some of the so called beards off the island. Don't see them really doing anything great, they are all in a save money mode. That we have been seeing alot of. Its a shame that you really get nothing from Carnival for being milestone from cruise 26 thru 49. You get refered back to 10 cruises.

 

As a stock holder, I kinda like the bottom line bean counting. BUT, Im a cruiser that happens to own a few shares for the OBC. ( I also have a nice profit in those shares)

 

As a rule I believe like you that there should be some new levels. Such as once you meet Milestone some added perks above Platinum that continue on each and every cruise.

 

I have heard that on the average sailing that 50% are "Blue Cards". That tells me at least 50% are repeat customers and should be given some additional regards.

[pnjkeith]

Maybe we need to vote some of the so called beards off the island. Don't see them really doing anything great, they are all in a save money mode. That we have been seeing alot of. Its a shame that you really get nothing from Carnival for being milestone from cruise 26 thru 49. You get refered back to 10 cruises.

 

 

Would you be happy with a bottle of Brut and a ship on a stick?

[cruisebabe63]

I understand your point. But how many people should get credit for the same sailing? Not arguing, just saying that I understand why it is limited to how many days, cruises, etc a given person is on. I too have paid for cabins on other cruises for our children. They are the ones that get the credit toward VIP, Not who paid for it.

 

I guess that was my suggestion, perhaps the kids should not get the credit until the day that they are paying their own way and we should. Not trying to take anything away from my kids but lets be honest as university students it could be several years before they have the money to spend with CCL. As a couple in our late forties and could potentially go on 10-20 cruises in the next 10-15 years who does Carnival want to cater too? As a business owner I know where I'd focus on.

[Litewait]

I am platinum as are my 2 children 22 & 16. I have paid for all their cruises and spending. No I didnt get credit, they did and thats fine. I really made sure they got to platinum a year ago when talks of change started. Just dont take that away now..

 

I dont think you can do it on $$ spent. Some of simply cant afford suites ect.

I am a single mom, I shop like a hawk for the best deals. We have cruised in everything from balconies to insides. If I didnt we couldnt cruise as often as we do. And no we dont spend a ton onboard either. Those first 2 or 3 cruises sure we did. Since then, been there, done that..

 

I dont have the answer.. Maybe thats why it's taken 2 years.. How do they make the most people happy...:rolleyes:

 

Based on number of cruises, I wont hit Milestone til 2012 and by then I'm sure it will probably be out of my reach:(

[Wyattcruiser]

I think it should be by how many cruises AND the amount you spend on board per person......that's how most VIP programs are set up........

[BigDfromTN]

Would you be happy with a bottle of Brut and a ship on a stick?

 

Are you talking about the Champagne or After shave??? LOL

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

For Milestone guests between their 25th and 49th sailing, I think that they should receive a REDUCED rate: 10% off their fare (be that military, Early Saver, Past Guest, etc..)

 

For "Double Milestone" guests (50 to 74 sailings) then give them a TWENTY % discount.

 

Now THAT will draw some attention. Sure there is a COST to it, but I would think that the POSITIVE PR would more than cover it!

 

... and that does not even start to get Milestoners (great name.. :eek:) a room service FULL HOT BREAKFAST!! :D

 

Tom

[BigDfromTN]

I guess that was my suggestion, perhaps the kids should not get the credit until the day that they are paying their own way and we should. Not trying to take anything away from my kids but lets be honest as university students it could be several years before they have the money to spend with CCL. As a couple in our late forties and could potentially go on 10-20 cruises in the next 10-15 years who does Carnival want to cater too? As a business owner I know where I'd focus on.

 

You and I are in the same boat. All the cruises My DS and DIL as well as my DD have been on were at my expense. My DD is in here Sr. year in College and my DS & DIL are expecting in March and its not likely they will be affording the cruising life very soon. We have done 3 this year and looking at 2 or more for next year. So I do feel your pain and see your point. BUT understand the other side of the coin as well.

[BigDfromTN]

For Milestone guests between their 25th and 49th sailing, I think that they should receive a REDUCED rate: 10% off their fare (be that military, Early Saver, Past Guest, etc..)

 

For "Double Milestone" guests (50 to 74 sailings) then give them a TWENTY % discount.

 

Now THAT will draw some attention. Sure there is a COST to it, but I would think that the POSITIVE PR would more than cover it!

 

... and that does not even start to get Milestoners (great name.. :eek:) a room service FULL HOT BREAKFAST!! :D

 

Tom

 

Good point Tom!

 

After all, How many "Milestoners" cruise by themselves? I imagine you are like us and many others and normally cruise with others and even encourage new cruisers to join you on occasion. What better form of advertising!!! I ask my customers to suggest us to their friends, To me that is the BEST advertising and its not for sale at any price.

[idiebabe]

Celebrity gives 1 credit for the cruise to start. IF you sail >12 days, you get 1 additional credit. IF you book a suite, you get 1 additional credit.

 

Thus you can get up to THREE credits for a single sailing. That is how we managed to get to their top (Elite - 10 credits) status after 5 sailings, and if they had counted my casino losses... well.. :eek:

 

Tom

 

I like the way X and RCCL do it as well. A Friend just received 2 credits for a shorter cruise on Monarch on RCCL for being in a Suite. It makes sense as opposed to sailing days since the OP pointed out that people in a Suite on a short cruise pay more than those in an Inside or Window on a longer cruise. Kind of makes it fairer across the board...IMO.