Milestone Cruisers that are not Diamond

[cruisercrazy69]

http://johnhealdsblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/milestone_letter.pdf?84cd58

 

 

June 15, 2012

Dear Milestone Guest,

I am writing to you to express our sincere apologies for the confusion and disappointment related to how our Milestone Rewards program is incorporated into our new VIFP Club recognition program. A number of our loyal guests who have sailed 25-plus times with Carnival have expressed their disappointment with our decision not to issue Milestone cards to everyone who has reached the 25-plus threshold on every subsequent sailing. Additionally, it has come to our attention that misinformation was provided by several of our call center associates and other Carnival employees related to how the two programs would work together in the future. On behalf of all of us at Carnival, I’m very sorry.

The changes we have announced are designed to make certain that we properly recognize members celebrating their 25th, 50th, 75th and 100th cruise while also improving the recognition elements of the Platinum level by investing more in the elite members’ party, as well as improving the quality of the gifts delivered on each sailing. While I can understand and appreciate the disappointment in no longer receiving a Milestone card, I am confident that when you experience the new elements on board, you will see that we have taken positive steps to further recognize your value to Carnival.

It is also true that we have changed some of the current benefits, including changes to laundry service and guarantees of dining times and reservations. The changes in the laundry service and dining guarantees are necessary given the growth in the number of Platinum members, and our unwillingness to promise a benefit that we know we cannot always fulfill. While we know the decision to make these changes has opened us up to some justifiable criticism, we would rather make these modifications to the program now than over-promise and under-deliver on board.

Please be assured, these changes were not made lightly. But our goal is to deliver a consistent, fun and memorable experience to our most loyal guests. We believe these changes will allow us to do just that as well as position us to continue to deliver on that promise well into the future.

Thank you so very much for your loyalty to Carnival. We greatly value your business and I look forward to seeing you on board, enjoying the new VIFP Club benefits very soon.

Sincerely,

Jim Berra

Senior V

ice President and Chief Marketing Officer

 

I e-mailed Mr Berra at Jberra at carnival dot com.....

[cruisercrazy69]

I just emailed yogi berra told him if I was in the same job at RCI & NCL I would buy him a nice dinner for all the new business he is sending him

[realtyexecdeb]

(y) :D

[jas1178]

Just my opinion, but if I were at RCCL or NCL, I would get all my exec together and see about offering a matching program...say 1/2 credit for all cruises taken with Carnival to come join their loyalty program.

[cruisercrazy69]

Just my opinion, but if I were at RCCL or NCL, I would get all my exec together and see about offering a matching program...say 1/2 credit for all cruises taken with Carnival to come join their loyalty program.

i agree 1/2 of 226 113 + 35 would give me 148 on RCI diamond

 

113 + 57 170 on NCL top status

 

If i became Diamond on RCI id be elite on Celebrity

[realtyexecdeb]

Just my opinion, but if I were at RCCL or NCL, I would get all my exec together and see about offering a matching program...say 1/2 credit for all cruises taken with Carnival to come join their loyalty program.

 

 

Heck that would put me at the silver level on NCL....I'll take it! :D

[Beth]

I still feel cheated with 32 cruises and 176 days and not diamond.

[yesaccasey]

Yeah, that letter is nice and all but to those borderline milestone guests who booked extra cruises to make milestone are not being helped here... we were told the same thing as platinum cruisers. Book cruises to get grandfathered in to DIAMOND!

 

Give me back my money or give me diamond.

[cruzn buckeye]

June 15, 2012

Dear Milestone Guest,

 

The changes we have announced are designed to make certain that we properly recognize members celebrating their 25th, 50th, 75th and 100th cruise while also improving the recognition elements of the Platinum level by investing more in the elite members’ party, as well as improving the quality of the gifts delivered on each sailing. While I can understand and appreciate the disappointment in no longer receiving a Milestone card, I am confident that when you experience the new elements on board, you will see that we have taken positive steps to further recognize your value to Carnival.

 

 

Actually there were no changes to Milestone and celebrating those number of cruises. That was already in place.

[yesaccasey]

http://johnhealdsblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/milestone_letter.pdf?84cd58

 

Wow, that letter was insulting... I replied with the following e-mail:

 

Mr. Borden,

 

While I appreciate your attempt to dismiss Milestone cruisers and their claim to be diamond, I wholeheartedly disagree and find your reasoning lacks validity. The main issue here is that Milestone cruisers were told the exact same thing as platinum. Book additional cruises to get to 25 and you will be grandfathered into the highest tier. So borderline platinum cruisers booked their extra cruises to make platinum. And borderline milestone cruisers booked their extra cruises to make the highest tier, which at the time was not known.

 

I see two options in resolving this problem. Please note that one of the options is not to simply dismiss my claim and you need to specifically address what was told to Milestone cruisers and why you feel it is appropriate to deny our claims.

 

Option 1 - Grandfather Milestone cruises into the highest tier, Diamond, as promised.

 

Option 2 - Refund the cruises I booked in order to reach 25 cruises so I could be grandfathered into Diamond.

 

Thank you for your time and I appreciate your help in resolving this as soon as possible.

[misstopgun]

I wish you and all the milestone level people who feel they were wrong good luck, but I read between the Carnival Lines. There are too many people in the platinum and milestone levels who get perks. Cost CCL to much money....so CCL re shuffles the "perk deck".... Hence the new loyalty program... move the perks across more levels that are harder to get. Good move for CCL but not for CCL long term cruisers. CCL wants the first, second cruisers more than 20, 30 cruisers, why the newbies spend more money per cruise.. I look for quality cruises that sail to different ports. I want more from my cruise that is why I'm also looking at NCL and RC and others. I'm past being WOWed by one cruise line.....Just Me

Maybe I am in the minority but I keep hearing people say that new cruisers spend more money. I don't get this. I have over the years spent more money on each subsequent cruise.

 

Don't misunderstand me, I love to cruise, but after you have cruised a few times you look for more. You have seen the shows already so you invest more in the casino. You want to add to your enjoyment so you spend more on alternate dining options such as the Chef's table and the steakhouse. (the menu in the MDR hasn't changed much with exception of the quality unless you want to count comfort foods as a "good" change.) You invest in wine packages and buy the more expensive excursions you havent done yet. Example. 12 years ago a lounger on the beach was great. Now, You pay to enhance your pampering by buying a cabana with the call button.

 

So how is it that loyal cruisers are spending less. I remember my first cruise we kept to a budget we could afford at the time of $1,000 each on our S&S for the two of us above and beyond the cost of the cruise itself. As we have aged and our finances have improved over the years, we now spend closer to $3,000 each.

 

Are we alone, or is it really true that new cruisers spend more than that?

 

If that is the case, I definatly think we should consider the cruiselines that reward more for money spent rather than the cruises taken.

[misstopgun]

I agree with you. I have said this myself on many different posts. It isn't the "perks", its the principle, and the integrity of the business I have been loyal too all these years. I understand they have the right to change their policies, but I feel changing their policies to the most loyal was a bad move.

 

Think about it, from what I have been reading, many of the so called "perks" are everyday items offered to any past guests on other cruise lines. I have yet to do compelete research, but research I will. Before sailing with Carnival I sailed two different cruise lines once so I am already a past guest.

 

With the amount of money I spend on cruises which other lines give you credit for, and balcony or better which other lines give you credit for, it shouldn't take me long to acheive all that I have with Carnival after all these years. And, I will still be cruising, which is what I love to do most.

 

I unlike some, didn't cruise more than usual to reach a certain level, but I do have a cruise booked already, and an additionl FCC that I will need to use or lose. Even that irritates me because I feel a bit trapped to take two more cruises I wouldn't have with the company that has lost my respect. I feel the pain for those that have invested much more.

 

I will take those two cruises, and yes, I will enjoy them. The "perks" are not what made my cruise in the past and will not now, regardless of cruiseline. I just want to know that those I do business with appreciate it. Carnival obviously doesn't.

[misstopgun]

Yeah, that letter is nice and all but to those borderline milestone guests who booked extra cruises to make milestone are not being helped here... we were told the same thing as platinum cruisers. Book cruises to get grandfathered in to DIAMOND!

 

Give me back my money or give me diamond.

Nice letter? I guess it was considering they responed at all. I sent a email in the "contact us button" via the home page and unlike in the past, I didn't recieve the email stateing, thank you for contacting us, we will respond in 7-10 days.

 

A letter stating "I'm sorry but" is not even an apology. They actually admitted blame in the letter but refused to accomodate compromise. That is like saying I am sorry but taking it back, kind of like they did with the loyalty program in the first place.

 

"You will lose nothing, Oops, my bad." Take it or leave it. We don't care how loyal you have been in the past or how much money was spent to reach the levels we promised.

 

It is still not about what the program offers, it's about the business practices.

[cruzn buckeye]

I have spent thousands and thousands of dollars cruising with Carnival. And also spent thousands on airfare to get there. Which of course doesnt matter to anyone but me about the airfare. Anyway, my point is... I really dont want an apology (excuse) for not giving me my white card. When I hit that number 25 in Feb. I dont care at all about the white card. Nobody does. To apologize for this is silly.

I do care about the fact that Milestone is not a "tier". Milestoners were told they would be in the highest tier.... which is Diamond. Yes, I have heard apologies for saying things wrong... but... they should make this right. After all, if you have cruised with Carnival for TWENTY FIVE TIMES OR MORE... you should certainly be in the highest tier... dontcha think??

I am going to say this has cost me between 30,000 to 40,000 bucks including the money I paid to get there, the pictures, coffee mugs, carnival coats (79 each), other items purchased in the gift shop, massages onboard, and money spent in the casino, steakhouse... and so much more.... If 30000-40000 doesnt deserve the top tier.... what does? With 25 cruises and that much cash spent... platinum... seriously?? Someone who has cruised for 30 days (10 3 days) will have the same level and benefits as myself. I am sorry Carnival.. but this is so wrong ... some say, hey change happens... accept it and move on.. but as everyone shoudl know by now... CHANGE is not always good...

I will continue my cruises on carnival... I just love cruising with them... so that wont change. I may try other lines in addition to them, to see how their product compares to Carnival...

[popsec]

I have spent thousands and thousands of dollars cruising with Carnival. And also spent thousands on airfare to get there. Which of course doesnt matter to anyone but me about the airfare. Anyway, my point is... I really dont want an apology (excuse) for not giving me my white card. When I hit that number 25 in Feb. I dont care at all about the white card. Nobody does. To apologize for this is silly.

I do care about the fact that Milestone is not a "tier". Milestoners were told they would be in the highest tier.... which is Diamond. Yes, I have heard apologies for saying things wrong... but... they should make this right. After all, if you have cruised with Carnival for TWENTY FIVE TIMES OR MORE... you should certainly be in the highest tier... dontcha think??

I am going to say this has cost me between 30,000 to 40,000 bucks including the money I paid to get there, the pictures, coffee mugs, carnival coats (79 each), other items purchased in the gift shop, massages onboard, and money spent in the casino, steakhouse... and so much more.... If 30000-40000 doesnt deserve the top tier.... what does? With 25 cruises and that much cash spent... platinum... seriously?? Someone who has cruised for 30 days (10 3 days) will have the same level and benefits as myself. I am sorry Carnival.. but this is so wrong ... some say, hey change happens... accept it and move on.. but as everyone shoudl know by now... CHANGE is not always good...

I will continue my cruises on carnival... I just love cruising with them... so that wont change. I may try other lines in addition to them, to see how their product compares to Carnival...

 

Well said and I totally agree!....Carnival did kick the "milestoners" back a level whether they want to admit it or not. An apology, without trying to rectify it in any way, is worthless.

[realtyexecdeb]

I agree with you. I have said this myself on many different posts. It isn't the "perks", its the principle, and the integrity of the business I have been loyal too all these years. I understand they have the right to change their policies, but I feel changing their policies to the most loyal was a bad move.

 

Think about it, from what I have been reading, many of the so called "perks" are everyday items offered to any past guests on other cruise lines. I have yet to do compelete research, but research I will. Before sailing with Carnival I sailed two different cruise lines once so I am already a past guest.

 

With the amount of money I spend on cruises which other lines give you credit for, and balcony or better which other lines give you credit for, it shouldn't take me long to acheive all that I have with Carnival after all these years. And, I will still be cruising, which is what I love to do most.

 

I unlike some, didn't cruise more than usual to reach a certain level, but I do have a cruise booked already, and an additionl FCC that I will need to use or lose. Even that irritates me because I feel a bit trapped to take two more cruises I wouldn't have with the company that has lost my respect. I feel the pain for those that have invested much more.

 

I will take those two cruises, and yes, I will enjoy them. The "perks" are not what made my cruise in the past and will not now, regardless of cruiseline. I just want to know that those I do business with appreciate it. Carnival obviously doesn't.

 

Misstopgun...You can mail the FCC back to Carnival for a full refund ;)

[Crugirly]

It seems that the recognition of loyalty is at issue here. I also have 25 cruises but less days than needed for Diamond. I worked for that white card and I'm bummed to go back to Platinum after only getting it once. Seems to me 75 to 200 is a long way to go. How about an "Emerald" level for those who have 25 cruises but have not reached 200 days. Give that level back their free tournament pass and the Platinum benefits. At least we would have the recognition we crave and are entitled to.

[yesaccasey]

It seems that the recognition of loyalty is at issue here. I also have 25 cruises but less days than needed for Diamond. I worked for that white card and I'm bummed to go back to Platinum after only getting it once. Seems to me 75 to 200 is a long way to go. How about an "Emerald" level for those who have 25 cruises but have not reached 200 days. Give that level back their free tournament pass and the Platinum benefits. At least we would have the recognition we crave and are entitled to.

 

Diamond doesn't even get a free tourny pass.... lol. I would rather be old platinum than new diamond.

[cruisercrazy69]

Diamond doesn't even get a free tourny pass.... lol. I would rather be old platinum than new diamond.

AMEN from a new Diamond

[Chigirlcruzin]

It seems that the recognition of loyalty is at issue here. I also have 25 cruises but less days than needed for Diamond. I worked for that white card and I'm bummed to go back to Platinum after only getting it once. Seems to me 75 to 200 is a long way to go. How about an "Emerald" level for those who have 25 cruises but have not reached 200 days. Give that level back their free tournament pass and the Platinum benefits. At least we would have the recognition we crave and are entitled to.

 

Never mind...someone beat me to it :)

[LMHSRN]

Must be a change I received the white(milestone) card on ALL my cruises starting with #25.

 

Not anymore.

[Crugirly]

I assumed Diamond gets all benefits in the levels below them - so they would also have the free tournament ticket. But it doesn't have to be that. Almost any perk would help.

[LMHSRN]

I was always under the impression that once you hit #25 you got the milestone cruise. This is the first time I am hearing that you only get the card on #25, 50, etc.

 

What I am not happy about is the fact that I was told milestone cruisers would be diamond under the new VIFP program. According to carnival.com I am platinum.

 

And therein is the problem to listening to others before anyting is officially announced. Now you are disappointed bacause of someone elses "chatter".

[LMHSRN]

I was told former milestone = new diamond. I am not asking for something that wasn't promised. I was told that my milestone level would turn into diamond under the new program.

 

In addition, the new program was touted to be 'brilliant' and that no cruisers would lose any benefits, which is clearly not the case. I don't care if it's not that big of a deal. I am upset that I was told one thing and the opposite happened.

 

Really, and who PROMISED you this?

[LMHSRN]

THANK YOU! I heard that from John and asked CCL many times and I am not making assumptions here. I was told this was going to happen.

 

I have the right to be upset. My family and I have been so loyal to CCL and for them to go back on their word is unacceptable. Maybe some don't feel this way and good for you if you don't, but if you are dedicated to a brand and are promised certain things and come to expect them then it is a real let down when those things don't come through. I understand CCL can change things and do whatever they want but that doesn't mean it is right.

 

You asked CCL - again I say - who promised anything. Not even John new what was coming (obviously). Quit listening to roumors and you won't be disappointed.