Platinum requirements changing

[idiebabe]

Carnival has the worst milestone program on the 7 seas. Your 25th cruise and your 50th cruise. OBC to give back. They are more interested in the blue cards.

 

Well stated...this is so true!

[firefly333]

Kind of pessimistic aren't you?

 

they have 50 cruises in with carnival .. so Im assuming they know a lot about carnival's foibles to have reached that milestone point.

[quickrate]

Kind of pessimistic aren't you?

Tom isn't being pessimistic, only realistic!;) As much as I love Carnival and have 17 cruises with them, the inconsistency from ship to ship and port to port where platinum perks are concerned can be very frustrating. As I remarked to one cruise director on a recent cruise "Carnival set the perks for platinum and therefore the expectations of your platinum and above members so whe you don't honor those perks, it leaves a bad taste and causes frustration". This particular cruise director heartily agreed and acknowledged this area one of Carnival's biggest downfalls.

Pat

[irish_scouter]

I want to Thank everyone, I was asking for information on a B2B on the Destiny when a poster siad that she was told by John H. I was a little concerned that my DW and I will hit our 10th with Carnival.

 

Thank You everyone.

 

Irish :cool:

[BallFour4]

When we were at 8 cruises our travel agent had me submit documents from my trip in 1976 aboard the Mardi Gras, I earned credit for that one.

 

My wife and I sailed the Mardi Gras in 1987, her first cruise and my second. We submitted documents from that trip as well for us to be platinum.

 

We are far past that now in cruises since the loyalty program, but didn't let past cruises go uncredited. Things they asked for were boarding documents, photos showing sailing dates, etc.

 

This made us glad we had been loyal to our travel agent for so many years and she went to bat for us.

 

Our most recent cruise aboard the Conquest was the first bad experience with using the status. We left the ship in Grand Cayman as a group for a ship sponsored excursion and returned to town to shop. We were shamed by the agent in front of other passengers with the attempt to board the tender to return to the ship via the front of the line.

 

Fellow passengers glared at us and my wife wanted to leave me at the port...

 

The little notebook and cooler bag were given away to kids on the ship we met a the dinner table on past cruises. After cleaning out two sets of parents homes I don't need to collect junk.

 

A reception or captains talk would be a great idea, but I am skeptical.

 

Royal Caribbean's program is a little snobby. Walk in the concierge lounge in shorts before your evening dinner and a fellow passenger might scold you. Recently one did, and he got an earful back.

 

I think these things are a little overrated, I'd like to see the $ spent on trinkets and strawberries spent on discounts not offered to those with ten or more cruises. The airlines have a better business model for this.

 

Just my opinion, not wrong, and perhaps you don't agree.

 

 

.

 

[firefly333]

Royal Caribbean's program is a little snobby. Walk in the concierge lounge in shorts before your evening dinner and a fellow passenger might scold you. Recently one did, and he got an earful back.

 

why are you blaming RCL for the acts of a passenger?

[Sargent_Schultz]

Carnival really owes repeat guests nothing and when I see ingrates whining about the perks, I really wish Carnival would do away with the program altogether. :mad:

[BallFour4]

why are you blaming RCL for the acts of a passenger?

 

Good (or close to good)point. I've just not been really overwhelmed with the warm and fuzzy feeling in their lounges. We did enjoy the tickets help on the Freedom but didn't get that much use.

 

I see your point.

 

 

.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Carnival really owes repeat guests nothing and when I see ingrates whining about the perks, I really wish Carnival would do away with the program altogether. :mad:

 

Your tone never changes - but I am sure you feel mine doesn't as well.

 

At least I don't SLAM others by using words like INGRATE... :mad:

 

But, then again, you "say" you have blocked me, so you won't be troubled by my words.

 

:rolleyes:

 

Tom

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

...

Our most recent cruise aboard the Conquest was the first bad experience with using the status. We left the ship in Grand Cayman as a group for a ship sponsored excursion and returned to town to shop. We were shamed by the agent in front of other passengers with the attempt to board the tender to return to the ship via the front of the line.

 

Fellow passengers glared at us and my wife wanted to leave me at the port...

 

...

 

 

 

Yep - those folks in line were no doubt tired and hot. The agent, simply another poorly trained individual. Carnival does a poor job of educating it's guests about the loyalty program and its perks... doing even less in that regard than they do in their own employee training I fear.

 

 

Tom

[golfadj]

Carnival really owes repeat guests nothing and when I see ingrates whining about the perks, I really wish Carnival would do away with the program altogether. :mad:

 

They tell us they are thanking us for our business with the platinum perks and when some of their people do not know the perks we are entitled to we are allowed to complain.

 

If you do not like it oh well.

[firefly333]

Good (or close to good)point. I've just not been really overwhelmed with the warm and fuzzy feeling in their lounges. We did enjoy the tickets help on the Freedom but didn't get that much use.

 

I see your point.

 

On RCL I feel like a small fish in a big pond. On Carnival you are made to feel like you are a big fish and that there are not so many repeat cruisers. I meet a couple of the guys who have over 300 cruises on RCL .. talk about feeling like a small fish. I know I will never have enough RCL cruises to ever be one of the top three called up to the front of the room like they did... not even close.

 

That to me is the biggest difference.

[golfadj]

Our most recent cruise aboard the Conquest was the first bad experience with using the status. We left the ship in Grand Cayman as a group for a ship sponsored excursion and returned to town to shop. We were shamed by the agent in front of other passengers with the attempt to board the tender to return to the ship via the front of the line.

 

Fellow passengers glared at us and my wife wanted to leave me at the port...

 

 

I would have gotten the name of the agent marched over to guest services with a written account of this and asked that it be forwarded to the hotel director.

 

No way would I accept that.

[BallFour4]

Carnival really owes repeat guests nothing and when I see ingrates whining about the perks, I really wish Carnival would do away with the program altogether. :mad:

 

Really, I see your point but don't agree. True, the cost of a rewards program for a few or many is absorbed by the rest of the passengers. I've also read your posts before responding to others that write about how many cruises taken and money spent. I'm neutral with you there Sarge.

 

I am in disagreement with you on the benefits of loyalty. Past cruisers must mean something to Carnival and the rest of the cruise lines based on the amount of money spent on the programs. Happy cruisers are the best salespeople the company has.

 

How many people introduce others in their family and friends to cruising? We've invited close to a dozen families to join us on a 7 day trip all the way to a 4 night Cozumel run on the Ecstasy. All had a great time and have cruised again since with us and others.

 

I get the same feeling about airlines. I fly Southwest once or twice a week. I love them. Southwest is a love 'em/hate 'em carrier. I defend and diffuse conversations in social environments from others that fly SW once, don't know their system and have a bad experience. That proves my point, or at least for me it does.

 

Same for cruises. We took a family with us on a 5 nighter from Galveston to Cozumel. Ivan wrecked the island and we got Veracruz and Progresso. Not a blue water beach in sight, rainy days and a rocking ship were the first experiences they had at sea.

 

Because we had archives of pictures of beaches, dolphin swims, Segway rides, etc they booked the trip again with us for the next two Thanksgiving weeks. We had a blast.

 

Hey, take care of the Conquest. We are headed down to putter around and watch her sail if the girls ever get finished baking today.

 

Sad to see her leave, but we stole her from you after Katrina. NOLA deserves better.

 

.

 

[BallFour4]

I would have gotten the name of the agent marched over to guest services with a written account of this and asked that it be forwarded to the hotel director.

 

No way would I accept that.

 

You and I have disagreed/agreed before, and I'm wearing out the MacBook at the breakfast table today.

 

I was right there with your idea, but this cruise was one that I had happen that was not supposed to be... I changed companies (over 50 in age) the summer before after many in my demographic got laid off and was blessed to regain a career. I promised my family this was a "Hakuna Matata" cruise for me.

 

My option was the nifty little bar next to the tender line, complete with view of the people standing in the heat. I calmly sat and nursed my drink as the girls shopped. When the line got thin I called them and we were on the tender.

 

Next time I will use the benefits, but this person staffing the gate was not a Carnival employee, and they had little interest in my story.

 

I had my first two beer experience since 1987. :)

 

 

.

 

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

...

Next time I will use the benefits, but this person staffing the gate was not a Carnival employee, and they had little interest in my story.

...

 

Carnival set you up for that one (not you in particular, just anyone who expected that promised perks would be available).

 

I am glad that was the only real issue you had, and that your cruise was a nice one!

 

Tom

[westview1]

 

I get the same feeling about airlines. I fly Southwest once or twice a week. I love them. Southwest is a love 'em/hate 'em carrier. I defend and diffuse conversations in social environments from others that fly SW once, don't know their system and have a bad experience. That proves my point, or at least for me it does.

 

 

Sounds like they are like the cruisers who don't familiarize themselves with the procedures. I love Southwest as well, mostly I like not having to pay for baggage. Since we usually fly out of a small regional airport, we have 2 choices and I hate to fly on the other one. I have learned SWA's way of doing things.

[Sargent_Schultz]

I am in disagreement with you on the benefits of loyalty. Past cruisers must mean something to Carnival and the rest of the cruise lines based on the amount of money spent on the programs. Happy cruisers are the best salespeople the company has.

 

Of course they mean something, but you don't grow the business off repeat customers, you grow by attracting new customers whether new cruisers or cruisers from other lines.

How many people introduce others in their family and friends to cruising? We've invited close to a dozen families to join us on a 7 day trip all the way to a 4 night Cozumel run on the Ecstasy. All had a great time and have cruised again since with us and others.

I see referrals/group cruises/etc as a different issue. Just as some customers are lured to Carnival by past guests, some are also lured away to other cruise lines by some of those same past guests. I have never believed that past guest perks should somehow be in any way connected with referrals. Even travel agents provide referrals, for a commission, of course.

 

Hey, take care of the Conquest. We are headed down to putter around and watch her sail if the girls ever get finished baking today.

 

Sad to see her leave, but we stole her from you after Katrina. NOLA deserves better.

 

Thank you. Already have a cruise booked on Conquest and anxious to see what kind of care Galveston took with her.

[Carnivalcruiselady]

They should have a cocktail party for just their Platinum or Milestone passengers. I wish all their crew on board or at the terminals knew what Platinum or milestone were cause some don't.

 

15 carnival cruises and counting

Fascination

Jubilee

Triumph

Pride

Destiny

Victory

Miracle

Pride

Lierty

Valor

Miracle

Freedom

Victory

Glory

Legend

 

1RCCL cruise

Explorer of the Seas

 

3 NCL cruises

Dawn

Majesty

Gem

 

 

Futrure carnival cruise

Miracle 9/11/11

[kyrisong1]

Sounds like they are like the cruisers who don't familiarize themselves with the procedures. I love Southwest as well, mostly I like not having to pay for baggage. Since we usually fly out of a small regional airport, we have 2 choices and I hate to fly on the other one. I have learned SWA's way of doing things.

I think that Carnival keeps prices low enough for those of us that have to fly from halfway accross the country no matter which coast we choose (air fare is HIGH) so I don't mind so much the smaller perks, as long as my cruise price is reasonable.

I too am a fan of Southwest, the only thing that annoys the HECK out of me is when I pay extra to get on earlier (my husband LOVES exit row) and people act like pigs cutting in line, trying to get first on without paying for it. Somehow I wish Southwest would monitor it more closely.

This usually only happens on really full flights in busy airports and it is frustrating!!

Otherwise the flight attendents are some of the friendliest and I love that you don't have to pay for your luggage!!!

Cheers, Carole

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Of course they mean something, but you don't grow the business off repeat customers, you grow by attracting new customers whether new cruisers or cruisers from other lines.

...

 

Granted, growth can only come from new blood (when it occurs at a rate higher than their loss rate).

 

Tom

[quickrate]

Carnival really owes repeat guests nothing and when I see ingrates whining about the perks, I really wish Carnival would do away with the program altogether. :mad:

I think you're missing the point, Sarge. Carnival cruisers didn't set the loyalty program, Carnival did. When they can't establish consistency with their own program, that is a problem. It's like telling the kids there are going to be presents under the tree Christmas morning but there aren't! Big disappointment! The perks Carnival provides for platinum cruisers does not make or break my cruise. but to tell me I have priority tendering to a port and I plan my departure from the ship accordingly only to arrive at the pursers desk and be told they don't know what I'm talking about-that is the inconsistency we are talking about.:mad:

Pat

[westview1]

I think that Carnival keeps prices low enough for those of us that have to fly from halfway accross the country no matter which coast we choose (air fare is HIGH) so I don't mind so much the smaller perks, as long as my cruise price is reasonable.

I too am a fan of Southwest, the only thing that annoys the HECK out of me is when I pay extra to get on earlier (my husband LOVES exit row) and people act like pigs cutting in line, trying to get first on without paying for it. Somehow I wish Southwest would monitor it more closely.

This usually only happens on really full flights in busy airports and it is frustrating!!

Otherwise the flight attendents are some of the friendliest and I love that you don't have to pay for your luggage!!!

Cheers, Carole

 

I have seen people trying to cut in line at the larger airports. Anyone who cuts in line just annoy me in general. I will never understand the me first attitude. Kind of like the people in the buffet line who have to cut in front of you for the food.

[Sargent_Schultz]

I think you're missing the point, Sarge. Carnival cruisers didn't set the loyalty program, Carnival did. When they can't establish consistency with their own program, that is a problem. It's like telling the kids there are going to be presents under the tree Christmas morning but there aren't! Big disappointment! The perks Carnival provides for platinum cruisers does not make or break my cruise. but to tell me I have priority tendering to a port and I plan my departure from the ship accordingly only to arrive at the pursers desk and be told they don't know what I'm talking about-that is the inconsistency we are talking about.:mad:

Pat

 

I have never experienced or witnessed that. In fact, on at least one cruise, Platinum tendering occurs coming and going.

 

If I have any issues while on a cruise, I deal with them on the ship. After the fact it's a little late. I can assure you that if I want priority tendering, I receive it, and don't need an escort from guest services.

[quickrate]

I have never experienced or witnessed that. In fact, on at least one cruise, Platinum tendering occurs coming and going.

 

If I have any issues while on a cruise, I deal with them on the ship. After the fact it's a little late. I can assure you that if I want priority tendering, I receive it, and don't need an escort from guest services.

 

I did address it on the cruise to the cruise director and he was extremely helpful and dismayed that this ocurred. He assured me that it would be corrected immediately. He also consented that from ship to ship,platinum perks were not consistent. He agreed that this was not acceptable and knew this was an area that Carnival failed. He was not paying me lip service-he was aware it was a problem fleetwide. This has not changed my feelings about cruising Carnival. As far as needing an escort-we were only following Carnivals guidelines that they set. Somehow, you miss this point. We only expect what they have promised. Nothing more-nothing less!

Pat