New VIP program???

[klmorg]

I know some people don't think folks with 10 3 days cruises have earned Platinum status. I don't understand that.

 

Are these folks assuming that someone pays more for a 7 day cruise than a 3 day cruise?

 

Because this is not the case. If someone books a suite on a 3 day cruise, they are going to pay more than someone who books an interior on a 7 day.

 

I can guarantee that someone on a 3 day cruise will spend more money onboard that I will on a 7 day cruise. We don't gamble, spa, buy jewelry, or drink that much......

 

Credit cards give you loyalty points based on the amount of money you spend. That is the only truly fair way to "get it right".

 

Airlines give you "miles" based on how many legs you fly...they don't care if you bought a First Class ticket or Coach. They don't care if you got a deal or not. The amount of money does not affect the mileage.

 

Adding the fact that Carnival has 20 years of no records....they can not tell what cruise you went on back then...much less how many days it was.....

 

I do agree that now that the singles are having to pay 200%...they should get double benefits.

 

Agree... should be based on the $$$$$ spent. I'd have been platinum long ago, with only 5 Carnival cruises. :D

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Agree... should be based on the $$$$$ spent. I'd have been platinum long ago, with only 5 Carnival cruises. :D

 

Perhaps they can make MOST people happy (have THREE different ways to achieve perk levels):

 

Track $'s spent, and set a level at which they can receive Platinum perks (and beyond)

 

Track DAYS cruised, again - set a # at which the perks are earned.

 

... and keep TEN cruises as the Platinum threshold.

 

Or they could combine it all into a PERK MATRIX... 6 cruises, 1 of which was 12 days, and $20,000 spent = Platinum (you get the idea).

 

The toughest thing, as Linda pointed out, as that there are so many cruises in the past for which a lot of this (especially $'s spent) information is not available.

 

It can be as complicated (matrix) or as simple (# of days or cruises) as they want. Already knowing how miffed the average cruiser can become over seeing people "cut line" by using the Platinum line at guest relations, my vote would be for SIMPLE! :eek:

 

:D

 

Tom

[nbsjcruiser]

I saw a reference to it here and in the Carnival.com forum. I emailed my PVP and was told it may roll out at year end. That it will possibly be a tiered program and based on days sailed not number of cruises. All Rumor at this point I say. Just wondered if anyone else had any other news.

 

Thanks Mach for any info you can come up with!!;)

 

If that's the case, it doesn't sound like an improvement to me but in this day and age I can't say I'm surprised. All companies are looking to cut costs one way or another. I can imagine there will be lots off complaining from people who do the 4 and 5 days cruise a lot.

[jimbo5544]

Perhaps they can make MOST people happy (have THREE different ways to achieve perk levels):

 

Track $'s spent, and set a level at which they can receive Platinum perks (and beyond)

 

Track DAYS cruised, again - set a # at which the perks are earned.

 

... and keep TEN cruises as the Platinum threshold.

 

Or they could combine it all into a PERK MATRIX... 6 cruises, 1 of which was 12 days, and $20,000 spent = Platinum (you get the idea).

 

The toughest thing, as Linda pointed out, as that there are so many cruises in the past for which a lot of this (especially $'s spent) information is not available.

 

It can be as complicated (matrix) or as simple (# of days or cruises) as they want. Already knowing how miffed the average cruiser can become over seeing people "cut line" by using the Platinum line at guest relations, my vote would be for SIMPLE! :eek:

 

:D

 

Tom

Perk matrix....was that the 4th movie with Keanu Reeves? :confused: You make some valid points. I think whatever they do, it would be a go forward type of thing.

[LHP]

Agree... should be based on the $$$$$ spent. I'd have been platinum long ago, with only 5 Carnival cruises. :D

 

I know what you mean.

 

There are folks that spend some serious money on suites (especially Owner's suites) ... gambling....spa....etc on 3 day cruises that we just don't do on any cruise....even 7 day ones.

 

Technically to be perfectly honest, we are NOT the typical cruiser that Carnival wants.

 

One time when we prepaid our "service surcharge" (I hate calling it tips because to me that isn't what it is...but that is for another thread) ...

 

our Sail and Sign card was literally $2.86. :eek:

[tucho]

To go off subject a little bit does anyone know the gift they are giving out now. Last cruise was this past January . Have one coming up in dec.

thanks

[jimbo5544]

To go off subject a little bit does anyone know the gift they are giving out now. Last cruise was this past January . Have one coming up in dec.

thanks

Still picture frames

[gizzie]

Im almost there :eek:

[BigDfromTN]

We recently had a problem and forwarded a note to Carnival, this is just the end of the response we got back but found this interesting. No additional information other than confirming they are working on something and they think the Platinum members will like it: Names have been removed to protect the innocent :)

 

 

 

You will be pleased to know, that we are currently in the process of revamping our loyalty program. Our goal is to develop a benefits program that recognizes our most loyal past guests. While we are not quite ready to announce the details, I am confident you’ll be very pleased with the recognition benefits of our new program.

 

Mr. ------- it is our hope that you will accept our sincere apology and allow us an opportunity to provide you and your wife another fun and memorable cruise vacation. We’d love to welcome you back soon!

 

Sincerely,

 

------- -----------

Special Advisor, Office of the President

 

So we have one more confirmation of a change coming. We just dont know what and when yet. The folks that are making the change sure seem to be trying to sell it as a good thing.

 

I hope it is a good thing and not like a meeting I went to a few years ago.

I went to a meeting of a supplier of products we sell. Their jist of the meeting was: "We have a great new twist on the products you sell. We are going to cut the price and your commission rate! BUT You can sell twice as much (work twice as hard) to make the same money you used to!!!" :eek: Needless to say, I changed suppliers!

 

Time will tell and we will see...;)

[happy cruzin]

I know what you mean.

 

There are folks that spend some serious money on suites (especially Owner's suites) ... gambling....spa....etc on 3 day cruises that we just don't do on any cruise....even 7 day ones.

 

Technically to be perfectly honest, we are NOT the typical cruiser that Carnival wants.

 

One time when we prepaid our "service surcharge" (I hate calling it tips because to me that isn't what it is...but that is for another thread) ...

 

our Sail and Sign card was literally $2.86. :eek:

 

 

Exactly! I do no think that they can go with only looking at the S&S balances. That would not take in to account anything that was "prepaid" or the cash transactions in the casino.

 

And to go one step further.....why should someone that booked and interior and ran up a huge S&S bill get more credit that someone who is in a balcony, or suite and does not have a big S&S bill.

 

I agree that it will be difficult to please everyone.....which is probably why it it taking so long to figure out what is "best". :rolleyes:

 

I am hoping that since they have dragged it out this long - that it takes a while longer since we have our platinum cruise booked for December 2011. I hope things don't change before that - which would exlude us from platinum status :o. Because if we are reach it in 2011 - I doudt they would take it away - even if the new structure does not include 10 cruises (or at least 70 days at sea) .

[gone_cruisin]

Absolutely CORRECT....

 

 

One Milestone perk I would like to see added is that Milestone members get the free upgrades before anyone else....like the airlines do.

 

 

The only time airlines upgrade for free is when the back is oversold.

[bafinegan]

We have 2 more cruises to go till we reach the present platinum status. seeing as ONE of the reasons we stay with carnival is to try and obtain platinum, extending the criteria would probably entice me to check out other lines a little more closley,(shruggs).

baf

[Ruggled]

The only time airlines upgrade for free is when the back is oversold.

 

That's not exactly correct. You get the 1st class upgrade when the FRONT is undersold and you hold a certain level of status with the airline.

 

We get first dibs at the big chair and the complimentary beverages, but only if no one is paying for that First Class fare and then they are so kind as to let the frequent fliers have the seat.

[gone_cruisin]

That's not exactly correct. You get the 1st class upgrade when the FRONT is undersold and you hold a certain level of status with the airline.

 

We get first dibs at the big chair and the complimentary beverages, but only if no one is paying for that First Class fare and then they are so kind as to let the frequent fliers have the seat.

 

Delta must be different than most of the airlines then. I know American does not do it that way. They give free upgrades to the military if there are open first class seats.

[jimbo5544]

That's not exactly correct. You get the 1st class upgrade when the FRONT is undersold and you hold a certain level of status with the airline.

 

We get first dibs at the big chair and the complimentary beverages, but only if no one is paying for that First Class fare and then they are so kind as to let the frequent fliers have the seat.

I think you have summed it up nicely. I am gold medallian in Delta, and get upgraded to first class about 75% of the time. There are other perks as well. All are nice to have. Their program is not rated as highly as others. It most def. is an incentive to book with them (for air travel) so it makes sense it would be an incentive to book cruises with certain cruise lines for loyalty program reasons.

[Bo Didly]

New VIP program???

Both my wife and I are Concierge members.

 

I think we have noticed a change in the platinum status already.

This past Miracle cruise we received our platinum membership gift.

 

One picture frame per cabin not per platinum member,

 

PER CABIN .

 

Not that we don't have enough picture frames " UH ",just the thought of not receiving a gift per platinum member, of course.

[Wyattcruiser]

Agree... should be based on the $$$$$ spent. I'd have been platinum long ago, with only 5 Carnival cruises. :D

 

I agree!

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

New VIP program???

Both my wife and I are Concierge members.

 

I think we have noticed a change in the platinum status already.

This past Miracle cruise we received our platinum membership gift.

 

One picture frame per cabin not per platinum member,

 

PER CABIN .

 

Not that we don't have enough picture frames " UH ",just the thought of not receiving a gift per platinum member, of course.

 

If they give us two, then that is just ONE MORE that we need to give away before we pack the last night.

 

Tom

[pe4all]

I am not so sure about basing a reward program on the $$$$ spent. While it would really benefit my family - we seem to sail at the most expensive holiday periods - that is MY problem that I can only sail at those times. It gets to an "I spend more than you" kind of mentality - don't like that. I definitely like the idea of using "days sailed" instead of "number of times" sailed. This seems to be one of the most fair options for all.

[KruznKel]

If they give us two, then that is just ONE MORE that we need to give away before we pack the last night.

 

Tom

 

Why cant they have different gifts when there is more then 1 platinum person per cabin.. why does someone have to get nothing..

[Wyattcruiser]

I am not so sure about basing a reward program on the $$$$ spent. While it would really benefit my family - we seem to sail at the most expensive holiday periods - that is MY problem that I can only sail at those times. It gets to an "I spend more than you" kind of mentality - don't like that. I definitely like the idea of using "days sailed" instead of "number of times" sailed. This seems to be one of the most fair options for all.

 

Shouldn't the people that spend more get more back in rewards? Every VIP program that I am involved with works that way except cruiselines.

[KruznKel]

Yes, it would be. But then you would get the people who live in Florida complaining that we (anyone who flies in) are getting more perks than they are!:p:D

 

 

LMAO exactly catch 22:p

[KruznKel]

I am not so sure about basing a reward program on the $$$$ spent. While it would really benefit my family - we seem to sail at the most expensive holiday periods - that is MY problem that I can only sail at those times. It gets to an "I spend more than you" kind of mentality - don't like that. I definitely like the idea of using "days sailed" instead of "number of times" sailed. This seems to be one of the most fair options for all.

 

I agree with that.. because there is no way in he double hockey sticks that I would pay for a 3 day cruise with the airfare... I did a B2B on the Destiny which was a 9 day total.. along with an 8 day and the rest have been 7 days to get to Platinum..

[quickrate]

New VIP program???

Both my wife and I are Concierge members.

 

I think we have noticed a change in the platinum status already.

This past Miracle cruise we received our platinum membership gift.

 

One picture frame per cabin not per platinum member,

 

PER CABIN .

 

Not that we don't have enough picture frames " UH ",just the thought of not receiving a gift per platinum member, of course.

Just got off the Legend on Sunday and we got two picture frames. Of course, we gave them both away!:D time for a new platinum gift. We sail the miracle in Jan.-hope they come up with a new gift before then.

pat

[pe4all]

Shouldn't the people that spend more get more back in rewards? Every VIP program that I am involved with works that way except cruiselines.

All my credit cards work on a money back/mileage/reward system. When I charge my cruise deposits, payments, tips, excursions, plane fare, I DO get rewarded for that. But CCL has a credit card (Sea Miles) that rewards you for charging your cruise, etc. on it. (I dont' have one, as I get more perks from some of my other cards.) I doubt CCL would go that route, as they do have their own credit card to reward those who use it. But vacations are different. I have been to many, many all-inclusives. Sometimes you get a slight discount for being a past guest, sometimes you get an upgrade - all which CCL does now. Again, days cruised seems a better way to go. Then again - if they started doing 3 day cruises out of Manhattan year round, I would reach milestone in no time with the "old system.":p:D