Platinum requirements changing

[Socref124]

Well, after enough trips around the block, you start to pick up on "trends"! ;)

 

I am a pessimistic optimist!

 

Tom

 

ROTFLOL, I like your sense of humor. :D

[DGP1111]

There's been talk for months and months about Plat perks being ugraded.

 

Hasn't happened yet. They keep saying "soon".

 

Hi, sweet Mona!! Happy 4th to you and your family. :)

 

As I occasionally do (and love doing it) . . . this wonderful iTunes countdown app, which I renamed "Rip Van Berra" on my screen, allows me to give the actual days since one [seemingly] pinhead executive arrived in Miami to begin several projects. He said the loyalty program was right at the top of his list.

 

965 days (aka 2 years, 7 months, 23 days)

 

That's progress I tell ya!! :rolleyes:

 

He also made a verbal 'promise' to one of the CruiseCritic moderators when those two were introduced early in his tenure, as well as his written statements (followed by numerous regrets of delay) to one of the well-known Milestone members online here.

 

None of it truly matters to me these days, but I certainly love watching the online activity (ironically due to no activity) of this loyalty program subject.

 

 

Actually there are quite a few people in guest services who do not know the current platinum benefits.

 

There was also the very top person in Guest Services onboard Carnival Destiny last September who was totally clueless about the Milestone program as well. His name was Jorge (and I'm sure he remembers mine, too.) :)

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[Tom-n-Cheryl]

...

There was also the very top person in Guest Services onboard Carnival Destiny last September who was totally clueless about the Milestone program as well. His name was Jorge (and I'm sure he remembers mine, too.) :)

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Without a doubt! :D

 

Tom

[Socref124]

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 disagree with you. Carnival spends millions of dollars to get people to try their product. They would be foolish not to take care of the guests once they get them hooked. Honoring a promise made to their customers should be easy and only makes sense. Carnival, and all other companies, realize that repeat business is less expensive and easier to maintain than new business is to obtain. Carnivals repeat business is what has helped them to be the leader in the industry. Look at the numbers at past guest party's. Also, as a poster mentioned earlier, sometime the line at the platinum guest services window is longer than the regular line. To make promises to these people and then not follow through is bad business. We have several cruise lines that are trying to get our vacation dollars. Each of them offer us something as a past guest. They must honor their commitment if they have any hope of getting us back.

[Sargent_Schultz]

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

 

The cruise director is part of the entertainment staff and has no authority over other departments. One person in need of training should not have been an obstacle.

 

I disagree with you. Carnival spends millions of dollars to get people to try their product. They would be foolish not to take care of the guests once they get them hooked. Honoring a promise made to their customers should be easy and only makes sense. Carnival, and all other companies, realize that repeat business is less expensive and easier to maintain than new business is to obtain. Carnivals repeat business is what has helped them to be the leader in the industry. Look at the numbers at past guest party's. Also, as a poster mentioned earlier, sometime the line at the platinum guest services window is longer than the regular line. To make promises to these people and then not follow through is bad business. We have several cruise lines that are trying to get our vacation dollars. Each of them offer us something as a past guest. They must honor their commitment if they have any hope of getting us back.

 

Then we agree to disagree. No customer is irreplaceable and frankly some aren't worth the cost, trouble , time or effort to try to pacify. There are plenty more fish in the ocean that understand value.

 

Carnival got to where they are by being the best value. Not by bribing past guests.

[elcuchio24]

Don't...hold...your breath....

[JerseyshoreBruce]

Source?

They are changing them and John Heald said we would be pleasantly suprised....why doesn't anyone believe anyone else on here???? somethings will never change on CC

[kyrisong1]

I disagree with you. Carnival spends millions of dollars to get people to try their product. They would be foolish not to take care of the guests once they get them hooked. Honoring a promise made to their customers should be easy and only makes sense. Carnival, and all other companies, realize that repeat business is less expensive and easier to maintain than new business is to obtain. Carnivals repeat business is what has helped them to be the leader in the industry. Look at the numbers at past guest party's. Also, as a poster mentioned earlier, sometime the line at the platinum guest services window is longer than the regular line. To make promises to these people and then not follow through is bad business. We have several cruise lines that are trying to get our vacation dollars. Each of them offer us something as a past guest. They must honor their commitment if they have any hope of getting us back.

I certainly agree with you Socref, repeat customers for the most part are happy customers. I tell people about the deals you can get on Carnival, although to be fair I also tell them about the being spoiled feeling we get on Celebrity.

I would rather cruise more often and go Carnival as I don't need too much to feel spoiled, all my meals cooked, no cleaning and beautiful places to land and snorkle and / or explore does it for me.

We travel from the middle of the country so airfare is also a factor for us (God bless SWA)

I know I listen to others when they recommend a product and I tend to think word of mouth is much more powerful than commercials or ads.

JMO, Cheers, Carole

[DGP1111]

They are changing them and John Heald said we would be pleasantly suprised....why doesn't anyone believe anyone else on here???? somethings will never change on CC

 

Bruce, I absolutely believe lots of wonderful people on CC. There is so much quality info to be gathered here. :)

I just often don't believe "They". :(

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[golfadj]

Jorge was a very funny guy and I enjoyed him as a CD and was sorry to see him leave.

 

I do not think most of the entertainment staff is well versed in a lot of what goes on in cruising.

 

John is obviously very embarrased as to how long they have been studying the platinum program. It is now kind of a joke.

[golfadj]

Jorge was a very funny guy and I enjoyed him as a CD and was sorry to see him leave.

 

I do not think most of the entertainment staff is well versed in a lot of what goes on in cruising.

 

John is obviously very embarrased as to how long they have been studying the platinum program. It is now kind of a joke.

 

Upon further thought lets make a slight change from kind of a joke to is a joke.

 

We really enjoy the product but one should not make changes about upcoming changes and not deliver in a reasonable amount of time

[leedm]

Carnival is in business to make a dollar.... Repeat cruisers don't usually spent as much money on, on board purchaes, big $ tours and "Diamond International" items. After you have cruised a few times your per cruise dollars spent on cruise extras goes down. You do not go to the Spa as much eat at the stake house as much etc, because you have already "Been there done that" so Cartnival needs new cruisers to pick up the slack. Hence most return cruisers are not the "Big Spenders". Yes Crnival needs us but they need the newbies more. So don't expect to see a lot from the "New Loyalty Program". IMO

 

leedm, 17 Carnival Cruises in 5 years.

[golfadj]

Carnival is in business to make a dollar.... Repeat cruisers don't usually spent as much money on, on board purchaes, big $ tours and "Diamond International" items. After you have cruised a few times your per cruise dollars spent on cruise extras goes down. You do not go to the Spa as much eat at the stake house as much etc, because you have already "Been there done that" so Cartnival needs new cruisers to pick up the slack. Hence most return cruisers are not the "Big Spenders". Yes Crnival needs us but they need the newbies more. So don't expect to see a lot from the "New Loyalty Program". IMO

 

leedm, 17 Carnival Cruises in 5 years.

 

Interesting post and lot of truth in what you are saying. Vast majority of repeat guests book their tour privately and probably do not "fall" for the shopping bargains on board.

[DGP1111]

Jorge was a very funny guy and I enjoyed him as a CD and was sorry to see him leave.

 

I do not think most of the entertainment staff is well versed in a lot of what goes on in cruising.

 

If that is in reference to my earlier comment, I was not speaking of a Cruise Director.

This Jorge I mentioned was the Guest Services Manager on that particular ship. A very dim bulb.

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[golfadj]

If that is in reference to my earlier comment, I was not speaking of a Cruise Director.

This Jorge I mentioned was the Guest Services Manager on that particular ship. A very dim bulb.

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oops.

[firefly333]

I dont think platinum is going to change much if anything, but I can see adding a level around 5 cruises and doing more for the 25 plus group.

[mzloolue]

Hopefully they will add something new like platinum cocktail party or lunch with the officers.

 

This is what I was told by a Carnival employee.

He said, and he may have been repeating a rumor, that there may be a change in which the cakes and appetizers that are delivered to the cabin would be replaced by a party with some officers.

 

Sounds good to me.

[GlendaleCruiser]

It would be nice to be rewarded with Platinum for days cruised. I've only taken one cruise for 4 days and the rest have been 7 with 2 of them 12 days long.

 

Since I am at 8 I would like to get to that status before the rug is pulled out from under me.

[Elmo31]

I will be 1 cruise shy of platinum.....with my luck bet I will get screwed out of something. All my cruises have been 7 days except 1 and that 1 was a 8 day cruise. So I hope this new change doesnt hurt me from making platinum on my next booked cruise:(

[jessemon]

JH has teases at better perks for Platinum but nothing definite. But is it the perks that are changing or the requirements to become Platinum like the title of this thread suggests?

Probably both....

15 cruises to get to platinum and less perks....

Just guessing since anymore they (Carnevil) takes more and gives less...

Just guessing like everyone else here...LOL...But I am probably closer to the truth...:D:eek::p

[CanWeGoYet?]

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.

 

I've seen the cutting in line big time, the worst in recent memory at Keflavik airport. Two huge lines merging together, and people barging right through the middle of the line & trying to plough their way to the front. You'd think some of these people were at a football game they are so gung ho to move forward.

[Sargent_Schultz]

It would be nice to be rewarded with Platinum for days cruised. I've only taken one cruise for 4 days and the rest have been 7 with 2 of them 12 days long.

 

Since I am at 8 I would like to get to that status before the rug is pulled out from under me.

 

I doubt they will pull the rug out from anyone.

 

I will be 1 cruise shy of platinum.....with my luck bet I will get screwed out of something. All my cruises have been 7 days except 1 and that 1 was a 8 day cruise. So I hope this new change doesnt hurt me from making platinum on my next booked cruise

 

I doubt they will pull the rug out from anyone.

 

 

Probably both....

15 cruises to get to platinum and less perks....

Just guessing since anymore they (Carnevil) takes more and gives less...

Just guessing like everyone else here...LOL...But I am probably closer to the truth...:D:eek::p

 

:confused: You are guessing and that is the truth. ;) :rolleyes:

[jessemon]

:confused: You are guessing and that is the truth. ;) :rolleyes:

So are you, me and everyone else here....

By the way...I thought you put me on your "ignoresville" list the last time you posted to me. You just find me irresistable...LOL.....:p

[Socref124]

I certainly agree with you Socref, repeat customers for the most part are happy customers. I tell people about the deals you can get on Carnival, although to be fair I also tell them about the being spoiled feeling we get on Celebrity.

I would rather cruise more often and go Carnival as I don't need too much to feel spoiled, all my meals cooked, no cleaning and beautiful places to land and snorkle and / or explore does it for me.

We travel from the middle of the country so airfare is also a factor for us (God bless SWA)

I know I listen to others when they recommend a product and I tend to think word of mouth is much more powerful than commercials or ads.

JMO, Cheers, Carole

 

Bingo, that is exactly my point. Sure there are many out there who have never cruised, but it is easier to keep a satisfied customer than to try to get a new customer. Heck, even coca cola has coke rewards for their customers. Why, to make them feel like they are getting something for just being a loyal customer.

[Socref124]

So are you, me and everyone else here....

By the way...I thought you put me on your "ignoresville" list the last time you posted to me. You just find me irresistable...LOL.....:p

 

Hiya Jeff. Where's Uncle Bob when you need him?