Platinum requirements changing

[Silverscreencruiser]

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.

 

Any business knows that it is cheaper to keep a customer than to get a new one. Carnival spends millions on advertising, the vast majority of which is seen by people who are never, ever going to go on one of their ships. It takes a good bit of convincing to get people (a) to go on a cruise, and (b) to try Carnival. People don't know if they will like cruises, or if they will like Carnival. Once they have gone on a cruise, they know they enjoyed the experience, and the effort turns to keeping them from going somewhere else. Loyalty programs are essential in any business to keep people from trying other things. If customers believe they have an "equity" in Carnival, they will be less likely to do something else

 

I do think that after a while, spending tends to go down, but, on the other hand, many people will spend as little as possible on the first cruise since they aren't sure they will like it. Later, they upgrade to balconies, the steakhouse, spa treatments, etc. And there's a lot of people who have no idea about organizing shore excursions of any kind and simply walk off the boat the first time and wander around the port area (read some of the reviews from first time cruisers). Once they realize that didn't work too well, the second time they spend the money for the excursion.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Several years ago, when we first sailed on a ship with a supper club (Pride), we were heard to say "The food we have already paid for in the dining room is good enough - we are not going to pay more for food".

 

Fast forward LOTS of Carnival cruises - now we eat almost EVERY meal in the Steakhouse!

 

Yes, I do spend A LOT less on Bingo -- but more now goes to the casino. :eek:

 

Tom

[readytotravel44]

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.

 

I agree Leedm,

Thinking of our own cruise progression. I remember on cruise one, 1988, being offered a cold, fancy, umbrella type drink (non-alcohol for me) upon departure. I took it with a smile and thank you - then realized he wanted me to pay for it! lol! I thought it was a special bon voyage treat! For the first few cruises, we went to the art auctions, shopped at the shops, and only booked ship tours. I didn't even know Cruise Critic existed!

 

Now, cruise #9 (5 w/Carnival) I've become a savvy cruiser. I rarely book ship excursions, visit the auctions, or even hit the spa. I rely on Cruise Critic for my cruise information and, frankly, am becoming obsessed with it! We have also discovered that, though the balcony is wonderful, we don't spend any time in our room other than to sleep. Hence, we generally go for the cheaper cabins. Carnival (and any other cruise line) simply does not make as much money from my family as they do from others.

 

Personally, I hoping they do not change the platinum level. I'm a teacher so our cruising schedule is limited to school breaks. We live a plane ride away from Florida, so we can't take advantage to those quick little cruises to the Bahamas for practically pennies. For us the trip needs to be planned and last some time to make it worth the expense of flight and my husband being off work. If they counted the days, great! We're pretty good there. I just hope they do not make it more difficult for us to reach that first platinum level

[Silverscreencruiser]

Carnival (and any other cruise line) simply does not make as much money from my family as they do from others.

 

Personally, I hoping they do not change the platinum level. I just hope they do not make it more difficult for us to reach that first platinum level

 

But they make more money off you than they would if you were spending your vacation on land or on RCCI.

 

It's very expensive for any business to get a new customer. It's a lot less expensive to keep them.

 

I get letters and emails all the time from businesses that I have patronized in the past or currently, with various offers to try to make sure I stay with them.

[readytotravel44]

But they make more money off you than they would if you were spending your vacation on land or on RCCI.

 

It's very expensive for any business to get a new customer. It's a lot less expensive to keep them.

 

I get letters and emails all the time from businesses that I have patronized in the past or currently, with various offers to try to make sure I stay with them.

 

Yes. . . and no. My husband and I watch an interesting documentary about cruising. They explained how much was needed to be spent by each guest to cover costs and/or hopefully make a profit. I don't remember how much they hoped each guest would spend, but I do remember that we didn't even come close to that amount. One of the biggest reasons is that we don't drink alcohol. Luckily, lots of folks spend a lot more than us because the ships do not seem to be having a problem being profitable.

 

Carnival is certainly benefiting from our "word of mouth" service. We are introducing friends to cruising on our trip leaving in 2 weeks. We've suggested Carnival to many friends and they've become hooked. Had RCCl been our usual carrier, they would have benefited from our suggestions.

[luckycruzer]

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.

 

we can count on appies of shrimp(yum), and a dessert selection, more yummmmm...I'd really like that. a sea day luncheon, lat day at sea would be nice and very low key.

 

ATTENTION: mzloolue...

I still have my door signed that you wrote on..it has been on 39 cruzes with me...so in affect, you were there with me!!!! we both had a great time, BTW. Get packed for mt Aug Elation !!!!!...judi

[Sargent_Schultz]

Any business knows that it is cheaper to keep a customer than to get a new one. Carnival spends millions on advertising, the vast majority of which is seen by people who are never, ever going to go on one of their ships. It takes a good bit of convincing to get people (a) to go on a cruise, and (b) to try Carnival. People don't know if they will like cruises, or if they will like Carnival. Once they have gone on a cruise, they know they enjoyed the experience, and the effort turns to keeping them from going somewhere else. Loyalty programs are essential in any business to keep people from trying other things. If customers believe they have an "equity" in Carnival, they will be less likely to do something else

 

 

 

You can spend your way into bankruptcy and you will never retain 100% of your customer base. If that is part of your business plan, you are doomed to failure. Each cruise would have fewer and fewer passengers.

 

The effects of advertising is cumulative. A single ad is unlikely to convince many, but over time is is absolutely effective. Ads reach far more people than individual cruisers do. On top of that, there are TV shows that help attract new business - e.g. Samantha Brown. And who can forget Love Boat?

 

Retaining customers is useful, but doesn't keep Carnival in business, much less pay for new ships. Remaining the best value is more effective at attracting new customers. Existing customers already know it - no bribery required.

[luckycruzer]

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

 

Miss "Uncle Bob".........boy do we !!!

[DebJ14]

sometimes they say be careful what you wish for .. the change from # of cruises to days isnt always for the good of everyone.

 

They will probably grandfather people in if they switch to number of days sailed to get to Platinum or Milestone. RCI grandfathered people in at their current level - just made it more difficult to move up to higher levels. I hope they do make changes. As Milestone I was greatful for the one time OBC on cruise 26, but after that nothing until 50 cruises.

I would like to see double credits for booking suites like RCI does.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Miss "Uncle Bob".........boy do we !!!

 

 

Sometimes you don't know what you've got till its gone!

 

Tom

[DebJ14]

FYI on my first Platinum cruise on the Sensation in 2005 I was the first person on that ship to ever receive a Platinum card. The entire cruise I had to explain it to the crew. They kept telling me they didn't want my Discover Card - just my Sail and Sign Card. They implemented the new Platinum card without telling the folks on the ship. And there were no perks for having it - just the different colored card. Hopefully, if they do make changes they will have better communication with the ships.

[luckycruzer]

I am still asked why my card is diff from theirs..or even worse..some employee on the ship ( their name tags are white w/same look only shrunken) Why is it white? the few times I use it on board. Blubies ( CCL new-Blu card cruzers)Particularly are inquisitive, and ask Q's, which I am pleased to answer, or direct to someone who can.

[martinchem]

Being Platinum is fun, I think being Milestone will be divine.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Being Platinum is fun, I think being Milestone will be divine.

 

There is really nothing to being Milestone -- other than a temporary benefit at 25, 50, 75, and 100 sailings!

 

Tom

[happy cruzin]

There is really nothing to being Milestone -- other than a temporary benefit at 25, 50, 75, and 100 sailings!

 

Tom

 

Which IS disappointing :(! Carnival doesn't really seem to be making an effort to encourage the Milestone or Platinum cruiser to continue.

 

We have certainly enjoyed working our way to Platinum.....but now we find ourselves asking "now what??" :o We feel like we are suffering from a bad case of "been there and done that" :cool:

[Sargent_Schultz]

Which IS disappointing :(! Carnival doesn't really seem to be making an effort to encourage the Milestone or Platinum cruiser to continue.

 

Free laundry and VIP embarkation are plenty for most.

[firefly333]

Free laundry and VIP embarkation are plenty for most.

 

Ill be happy if they keep the same for Platinum.

 

My guess is still to do more for Milestone. Maybe a new level.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Free laundry and VIP embarkation are plenty for most.

 

Is that so?

 

Carnival VIP ... isn't that an oxymoron? :)

[happy cruzin]

Free laundry and VIP embarkation are plenty for most.

 

Perhaps....but I doubt it.

In our case VIP embarkation has come with most of our cruises anyway. So....using your approach, we should look forward to the laundry :confused:??

[happy cruzin]

Ill be happy if they keep the same for Platinum.

 

My guess is still to do more for Milestone. Maybe a new level.

 

Time will tell....I guess! ;)

[CruzCrazy]

When I first cruised back in 2000, all I knew after that cruise was that I wanted to cruise again. After only 1 cruise, I wouldn't say that Carnival had fostered any loyalty in me. I could have cruised on any other line at that time, but it just so happened that Carnival did a nice 7-day cruise to Bermuda out of Norfolk which interested me since I wouldn't have to fly, so I did that cruise next. It was after that 2nd cruise that I started hearing about the past guest program, and I really do think it impacted my decision to do my next cruises on Carnival. I would love to see them give me credit for my "days" rather than my number of cruises, but either way I will remain their repeat customer unless or until they no longer meet my needs. I spend quite a bit onboard at the steakhouse, on lots of photos, at the on-board shops, some at the casino, and enough at the bars. We do not usually do ship excursions, but I think it pays them to keep me happy. It's a win-win, and that's always good business.

[kayakittyyak]

There is really nothing to being Milestone -- other than a temporary benefit at 25, 50, 75, and 100 sailings!

 

Tom

 

How about an onboard credit of $5 for each year over 10 or 15 with some kind of maximum? If they do it like the shareholder credit you can't use it for tips or casino, so basicly you will spend it on drinks that cost them next to nothing and still spend as much as you usally do on drinks.

 

Or they can give points that you can use for upgrades, onboard credits or overpriced shore excursions.

[dclark]

You can spend your way into bankruptcy and you will never retain 100% of your customer base. If that is part of your business plan, you are doomed to failure. Each cruise would have fewer and fewer passengers.

 

The effects of advertising is cumulative. A single ad is unlikely to convince many, but over time is is absolutely effective. Ads reach far more people than individual cruisers do. On top of that, there are TV shows that help attract new business - e.g. Samantha Brown. And who can forget Love Boat?

 

Retaining customers is useful, but doesn't keep Carnival in business, much less pay for new ships. Remaining the best value is more effective at attracting new customers. Existing customers already know it - no bribery required.

 

Rather than display your lack of business knowledge, your time would be better served taking a business class or two.

Ads over time are not automatically effective. Target audiences are identified and targeted. Check out market segmentation sometime.

The platinum program is not done out corporate generosity as you keep insinuating with comments like "ingrates" and "bribery".

Reward programs are intended to retain customers - that's it! I'll say it again- reward programs are intended to retain customers. They are not intended to be acts of charity, kindness, etc. The goal of a loyalty programs is to get the customer to repeat business with the company. Everyone pays to cruise a CCL ship. Whether blue, gold, plat or milestone, YOU ARE paying to cruise the line. Because YOU are paying $, it is NOT BRIBERY to offer a minor perk! Lately, I have been staying at Sheratons because I am at gold level and they give me free room upgrades and other perks. Is that "bribery"? No, it is an incentive to use them. I left a Hampton Inn yesterday and stayed there only because there was no SPG property in the area.

CCL plat benefits are weak. my "early embarcation" two weeks ago took an hour and a half (and i got there at 11:00am), the guarantee seating at the steak house isn't really (on day three, was told the only time available was after 9:00pm on one night or anytime last night!), early tendering has been hit or miss as we have had to argue with staff that we are plat and should have to wait with the other people with double digit tender tickets and as noted, the plat line at the desk is often longer than the regular line. Now, this is the point where you will same a snide remark like "If you don't like too bad" or "You are not grateful for CCL perks" or something similar but you really, really miss the point- CCL's loyalty program is supposed to encourage loyalty. Now, in view of all the cutbacks of CCL, you have the sure fire perks of the loyalty program to counterbalance them: free shirt shrinking hot laundry service, free slot entry and a plate of pork covered fruit left in the cabin. Now, believe it or not, to a lot of people, that's not much of a perk. People have been wondering if they might offer something more and Heald has been saying the same tired old line ("we'll be revamping the program!") for YEARS!.

The big question is - How many plat people feel loyal to CCL as a result of the program? My next cruise will be with Princess, then on to RCL. I have been cruising CCL since '98, just finished # 15. The cutbacks are so numerous that the only thing that they have going for them is "they are the cheapest". Sorry, but my time is too valuable to settle for that.

[StrangeBrew]

Being new to the Platinum thingy , albeit in 67 days , I am personally looking forward to free entry to the tourney as well as the Laundry :D, I only hope myself and others are grandfathered if they do change anything .

 

Although I am of the mindset that they will change nothing and leave things as is . But hey , people were saying that Carnival would never change the smoking policy .

[Sargent_Schultz]

Rather than display your lack of business knowledge, your time would be better served taking a business class or two.

 

I have and also operate a successful business, thank you very much.

 

Carnival runs a successful and profitable cruise line. They know what they are doing, unlike the backseat cruisers.

 

Seems to me you just returned from a Carnival cruise. Perks or no perks, you continue to cruise on Carnival. What does that say about YOU? :rolleyes:

 

I don't consider people influenced one way or another by perks to be among the brightest bulbs.