Milestone Cruisers that are not Diamond

[btrbill]

Dave (Jetskier)

 

You are missing some cruises on your list I believe. Were you not on the Ecstasy last Oct 31 for a 5 day over halloween?

 

I thought you were there with NolaGirl...

[halos]

I wonder how they could lose money. If the milestoners with the freebies left they'd be replaced with new cruisers who could in theory actually pay for the services that would have otherwise been given away. Isn't that a potential revenue increase? There cant be that many milestoners out there and with what 20,000 cabins seems like any impact would be minimal at best if not financially beneficial. How many photos do you really buy if you cruise 4 times a year? But if you cruise once a year you might be inclined to spend a little more. Just a thought.

 

You could be right...I still think the results are up in the air. Their new market target do not seem like they'd be big spenders to me. Of course this is just an absolute wild guess...CCL could wind up reaping in huge profits....who knows??

 

All I am certain of is that because of the cuts they have made over the past couple years they lost me and any recommendations I would have normally given...in fact my niece is asking me about a cruise right now and I am not steering her to CCL. I would have two years ago.

She is a first time cruiser they will not see.....not through my recommendation anyway.

 

I am one who also who took additional cruises based on what JH said and a Carnival rep on the Funville/FB sites said in order to reach Milestone prior to the program being implemented. You are missing the point, we were told we would be grandfathered into the highest tier. While Diamond as a tier did not exist, a tier above Milestone is what was implied. Even the naysayers that say Milestone was never a tier, MANY Carnival employees thought it was.

 

 

Dave

Dave, I was wondering how you fared in all of this...and haven't seen you post anything untill now....I see it isn't well.

[LHP]

Can someone tell me exactly how many people actually books cruises they would not normally have taken, just to get to milestone before the release of the new Loyalty program?

 

 

My guess would be that there are not many. It would only be those who were one cruise or two away from Carnival AND they would have had to be taken since September of last year when the chatter started. (because that is when Carnival was ethically responsible to correct the misinformation their employees had been given out for years).

 

 

I can't see how anyone could be grandfathered into Diamond if Diamond did not exist,

 

This is indeed the heart of the matter. Milestone was represented as "a level above Platinum" for all these years. So when people heard they would be grandfathered into their "current level".... Milestone folks understood that to mean "a level above Platinum"...no matter what the name was.

 

 

Those that have taken a milestone cruise are still Milestoners. And no one was bumped back down to Platinum since Milestone was originally meant as those specific 'milestone' cruises and you never got any additional benefits after that one cruise anyway, except for the white card, which was also meant to be a one time thing

 

 

Again, the heart of the problem. Carnival NEVER represented it as just an "addition to Platinum". For years, Carnival represented it (in multiple ways that has already been discussed ) as a separate tier. To the point that even Carnival employees who are paid to answer questions and assist guests, thought Milestone was a separate tier.

 

There were actually Carnival employees trying to reach that Milestone level before the new program came out.

 

 

I am taking my milestone cruise in Oct. (26th actually) but am still below the 200 days so based on the current situation I will remain Platinum, but based on the additional perks or lack there of in Diamond, I really do not care

 

 

Again, this is one of the biggest issues....you have not been Milestone for years and had this represented to you as a next level....

 

therefore I can indeed understand why you do not care....however, I can also understand why those who did have this mispresented to them, do care.

[LHP]

I wonder how they could lose money. If the milestoners with the freebies left they'd be replaced with new cruisers who could in theory actually pay for the services that would have otherwise been given away. Isn't that a potential revenue increase? There cant be that many milestoners out there and with what 20,000 cabins seems like any impact would be minimal at best if not financially beneficial. How many photos do you really buy if you cruise 4 times a year? But if you cruise once a year you might be inclined to spend a little more. Just a thought.

 

I have been very honest with the fact that this will indeed not hurt Carnival financially.

 

Carnival has made it very clear that new cruisers (or almost new cruises) who spend more money (on average) are their target.

 

And with over 70% that have never been on a ship before...there are 1,000s waiting to take the place of anyone who leaves.

 

RCCL went through the same threats when they changed their program years ago and they did just fine.....and so will Carnival.

[LHP]

It is not a perception when you are told to your face by upper management that you would be grandfathered into the top tier.

 

That is true.

 

It is not just a perception. It was a total misrepresentation

 

(albeit supposedly an unintentional one)

 

that Carnival should have corrected 10 months ago when they had the chance....

[terryinal]

Hey Dave where have you been? Like some think milestone and close to milstone got the shaft. They are looking out for platinum and close to be. Other folks can think what they want. But at the end they got the shaft and carnival don't care

[glrounds]

I have been very honest with the fact that this will indeed not hurt Carnival financially.

 

Carnival has made it very clear that new cruisers (or almost new cruisers) who spend more money (on average) are their target.

 

And with over 70% that have never been on a ship before...there are 1,000s waiting to take the place of anyone who leaves.

 

RCCL went through the same threats when they changed their program years ago and they did just fine.....and so will Carnival.

 

You hit the nail squarely on the head, LHP. I've copied my post from another thread that completely agrees with you.

 

I've contended all along that Carnival's beards/been counters/upper management (pick one) DO NOT want to fill their ships with EXPERIENCED cruisers. Carnival's cabin PRICE POINT (budget) doesn't allow for this as it relates to profitability. A cruise director once told me that 47% of the paxs on average on any given Carnival ship are FIRST TIME Carnival cruisers. With an exacting record (your Sail'n'Sign account) of the SPENDING HABITS of every cruiser along with the number of cruises they've taken on Carnival, they are perfectly setup to do some real number crunching as to profitability relating to the # of cruises. The BLUE'n'GOLD cruiser is most likely much less savvy about cruising and, therefore, much more VALUABLE to them.

 

I think they would readily see that for the first several cruises, these "Newbies", or more broadly, NON-PLATINUMS, blow inordinate amounts of loot on BOOZE (after all its not like real money, we'll just put it on the Sail'n'Sign), whereas many savvy cruisers, who have already seen that bar bill at the end of many cruises, might drink less or tend to do their heavy drinking in ports ($1 Sol beer in Puerta Vallarta and Manzanillo, FREE if you sample their high-end Tequila which is also FREE).

 

I'm guessing that the BLUE'n'GOLD CARDERS purchased a bazillion PHOTOS or the cruise video, versus the savvy cruiser who already has them all over his home.

 

They may also drop a house payment or two in the casino. Whereas, that PLATINUM cruiser knows there is no Nevada Gaming Commission OVERSEEING the slot return percentages, Bingo return, or the rake on the Poker table. They'll go much easier, probably.

 

The Newbie will most likely purchase more SHIP EXCURSIONS, whereas, armed with internet info and cruise websites, the PLATINUM cruiser gets around a lot of this.

 

That "number crunching" would also bear out more intense spending in the cruise ship's shops, shore sponsored stores, and Art Auction among Newbies.

 

When I look back on all the loot I blew on my first several cruises, I'm amazed at how friggin' stupid I could be. I know Carnival ships are the FUN SHIPS[horn sound here]. I've loved them forever (look at my history), but their main draw is and probably always will be CABIN PRICING. The Walmart of cruising as some say (they don't even realize what a compliment they're giving Carnival). They must MAXIMIZE the on board spending per cabin and one sure way, IMHO, and on a computer algorithm is to load their ships with the NON-PLATINUM cruisers.

 

I love you, Carnival, but you're pissing a lot of people off. And, yes, I understand its not PERSONAL . . . its just BUSINESS.

 

[bazarr2]

I wonder how they could lose money. If the milestoners with the freebies left they'd be replaced with new cruisers who could in theory actually pay for the services that would have otherwise been given away. Isn't that a potential revenue increase? There cant be that many milestoners out there and with what 20,000 cabins seems like any impact would be minimal at best if not financially beneficial. How many photos do you really buy if you cruise 4 times a year? But if you cruise once a year you might be inclined to spend a little more. Just a thought.

and to add to this thought, after you did a few cruises don't you cut down on pictures, DOD's, carnival shore excursions, gifts from the shops..... new cruisers are going to buy all the things that you said you don't want to buy anymore because you already have all the pics that you need...

[jetskier]

Dave (Jetskier)

 

You are missing some cruises on your list I believe. Were you not on the Ecstasy last Oct 31 for a 5 day over halloween?

 

I thought you were there with NolaGirl...

 

Didnt make that one. I have only been on the Ecstasy once and that was for a Superbowl cruise with the Crazies. It was a memorable cruise as I won $1000 playing Bingo. Steve Cassel said he heard me yell bingo from the back dressing room.

Dave

[jetskier]

Hey Dave where have you been? Like some think milestone and close to milstone got the shaft. They are looking out for platinum and close to be. Other folks can think what they want. But at the end they got the shaft and carnival don't care

 

What is also being overlooked is that those of us on the Gulf Coast that supported Carnival during the hard times after Katrina with sailing on mostly 5-night cruises as 7-nighters were not available are now being penalized with not having enough points to reach Diamond.

 

Dave

[terryinal]

What is also being overlooked is that those of us on the Gulf Coast that supported Carnival during the hard times after Katrina with sailing on mostly 5-night cruises as 7-nighters were not available are now being penalized with not having enough points to reach Diamond.

 

Dave

 

I only have 23 cruises now and 3 more booked. I almost fell in the trap and went on 2 more in may and june. But would of been solo and the cost was to much. I will miss my white card on ever cruise from 25 on. I can't even get that. I just booked my TA cruise about 3 or 4 days before the changes. If I waited I may have done something else. After about 2 or 3 cruises I think people don't spend as much not 10. So why is everythink aimed at making people platinum. But I do agree with others who say they don't care if we cruise or not. Like you dave I can't begian to tell how many people have cruise with Carnival because of me. I have been on 2 other cruise lines and feel like I might try some more if things arn't changed.

[popsec]

They may also drop a house payment or two in the casino. Whereas, that PLATINUM cruiser knows there is no Nevada Gaming Commission OVERSEEING the slot return percentages, Bingo return, or the rake on the Poker table. They'll go much easier, probably.

 

 

On the other hand we never took ship's excursions and spent very little in the casino on the first few cruises. Now we still have never taken a ship excursion but I tend to blow about $1500-$2000 in the casino every cruise. Unfortunately, the "executives" have taken over the casino division and cut-backs with those perks are extremely obvious.

[rellersi]

On the other hand we never took ship's excursions and spent very little in the casino on the first few cruises. Now we still have never taken a ship excursion but I tend to blow about $1500-$2000 in the casino every cruise. Unfortunately, the "executives" have taken over the casino division and cut-backs with those perks are extremely obvious.

 

As long as they keep their Let It Ride table, Carnival is my choice over RCL which has gotten rid of it, 'Because no one plays it', But they still had it on Monarch in April and it was packed every night. Kind of sounds like the demise of the Carnival past guest party, no? :)

[Crazy4Koko]

Hey, its thanks to Cruise Critic that Carnival has gotten limited money from me..overpriced photos, smuggled booze tips, Tight purse strings in the Casino, the ins and outs of booking your own excursions... Don't call me cheap... call me Frugal!

[Shipbound]

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

 

You have to have 200 plus sea days to be diamond that is the way the program is run.

 

Gary

[cruzn buckeye]

I am one who also who took additional cruises based on what JH said and a Carnival rep on the Funville/FB sites said in order to reach Milestone prior to the program being implemented. You are missing the point, we were told we would be grandfathered into the highest tier. While Diamond as a tier did not exist, a tier above Milestone is what was implied. Even the naysayers that say Milestone was never a tier, MANY Carnival employees thought it was.

 

Dave

So did I Dave, I booked number 25 for Feb. of next year, even though I was not sure anyone would go with me. I have never cruised alone. But my daughter will probably be added to the cabin. I booked ES. It is only a short cruise to hit that number 25. But being ES, it would cost me to cancel or change dates... I really have no intention on cancelling.. and am sure I would be cruising one or two times next year.. but I booked that on specifically as my 25th cruise to be sure and get that bump to Diamond. As JH told some on his Blog that as long as they had those cruises booked, they would have no problem reaching that level. Of course, I dont blame JH and am glad I am not him having to deal with so much... I agree with what someone else said, he is too busy, too involved with so much... it is time for him to spend time with his family... he is missing out on so much in his little girls life....

[terryinal]

I have 24th booked for sept. and 25th for jan. and 26th TA booked for nov..That may very well be my last. Take the 25 % OBC on the TA. I just give up. I do agree its not the old ones who cruises all the time they want. I don't spend a lot of money. Well about 5000 in the shops on rings and stuff. But I don't do that anymore. My wife has all she needs.

[Beth]

Thanks for the phone number. I plan on calling in the morning. We were told we would be granfathered into Diamond. We have 32 cruises and 176 days and 3 more booked this year a 5-8-&7 day cruise so will be 196 with 35 cruises. We still spend a good bit of money while on a cruise. Probably more now with steakhouses and wanting a better cabin then when we first started cruising 13 years ago.

[btrbill]

Didnt make that one. I have only been on the Ecstasy once and that was for a Superbowl cruise with the Crazies. It was a memorable cruise as I won $1000 playing Bingo. Steve Cassel said he heard me yell bingo from the back dressing room.

Dave

 

Sorry for the confusion! I am sure I will run into you on a cruise out of NOLA soon!

[idiebabe]

and to add to this thought, after you did a few cruises don't you cut down on pictures, DOD's, carnival shore excursions, gifts from the shops..... new cruisers are going to buy all the things that you said you don't want to buy anymore because you already have all the pics that you need...

 

Well, not true and that's a very broad statement and something that's been thrown around a lot lately and one my DH would definitely not agree with...LOL!

 

I have 31 cruises with Carnival and half are in Suites. Didn't book Suites when I first started cruising in 2000 because we couldn't afford them! I still book Carnival excursions as well as Independents, buy a pic or two each cruise, and the DOD's we certainly do buy as well as Wine Packages. We also eat in the Steakhouse at least once (usually twice). We buy from the Bon Voyage Dept. before we board...drink coupons, etc. Still buy in the Gift Shop and actually buy Estee Lauder ($116) on every cruise I take and have bought an Olympus camera, Citizen Watches, over the last few cruises, etc. We have done the Chef's Table three times since they rolled it out and have purchased from time to time some of the Spa Services! I won't even mention the Casino donations!

 

In addition, WE DO NOT REMOVE TIPS!!!

 

Where did everyone get the idea that the Milestoners don't spend money!!!

[djacobson]

Yes, in the case where individuals were made an offer and acted on that offer with the PROMISE of being grandfathered into Diamond (which was the ONLY reason these customers booked and sailed the cruises) .... then they have a legitimate claim to ask Carnival to honor that offer that they acted on.

 

Now, like I said before, there are not many who fit into that catagory.

 

Most of the 2,000 ish Milestone being bumped back down to Platinum did NOT specifically book cruises based on this offer. They are just Milestone because

they cruised a lot.

 

And again while disappointed....do not have a "case" to make with Carnival.

 

You are correct that I did not try to book cruises based on any offer made by Carnival. I booked cruises because I enjoy them. However, my choices to cruise for five days for the most part (exceptions are the Conquest and the Spirit) seem to have worked against me. Cruising on smaller ships such as the Holiday and the Fantasy has caused my days at sea (the new standard of loyalty) to be diminished. That is what is disappointing about all this.

[cruzn buckeye]

So, has anyone that called the number gotten a response? just wondering if it is worth the time... seems like to me, the decision has been made... it wont stop me from cruising Carnival.. but is disappointing...

[LHP]

You are correct that I did not try to book cruises based on any offer made by Carnival. I booked cruises because I enjoy them. However, my choices to cruise for five days for the most part (exceptions are the Conquest and the Spirit) seem to have worked against me. Cruising on smaller ships such as the Holiday and the Fantasy has caused my days at sea (the new standard of loyalty) to be diminished. That is what is disappointing about all this.

 

Your comment supports what Jetskier was saying..... You were the ones supporting Carnival's return to New Orleans after Katrina when they only offered shorter cruises....and supporting Carnival's Mobile port when they did short cruises.

 

Carnival seems to have forgotten that!

[glrounds]

Well, not true and that's a very broad statement and something that's been thrown around a lot lately and one my DH would definitely not agree with...LOL!

 

I have 31 cruises with Carnival and half are in Suites. Didn't book Suites when I first started cruising in 2000 because we couldn't afford them! I still book Carnival excursions as well as Independents, buy a pic or two each cruise, and the DOD's we certainly do buy as well as Wine Packages. We also eat in the Steakhouse at least once (usually twice). We buy from the Bon Voyage Dept. before we board...drink coupons, etc. Still buy in the Gift Shop and actually buy Estee Lauder ($116) on every cruise I take and have bought an Olympus camera, Citizen Watches, over the last few cruises, etc. We have done the Chef's Table three times since they rolled it out and have purchased from time to time some of the Spa Services! I won't even mention the Casino donations!

 

In addition, WE DO NOT REMOVE TIPS!!!

 

Where did everyone get the idea that the Milestoners don't spend money!!!

 

I did. I don't think "everyone" did.

 

I was only posing a "the way that I see it" kind of viewpoint. I have NO hard core facts to corroborate this viewpoint. I was mainly considering those that have reached or are about to reach PLATINUM. What cabin you booked wouldn't be a factor in the comparison I proposed. Only ONBOARD SPENDING. I would also contend that you and your husband would be an anomaly in any cruise analysis that Carnival could build comparing ONBOARD SPENDING with # of cruises. My argument was essentially, the more experience one gets at cruising, the more savvy one becomes in avoiding the "money traps" onboard cruise ships, thereby making the "Newbies" more profitable for Carnival. You two obviously enjoy these traps, so you just don't "fit the mold" so-to-speak, IMHO.:D

 

[cruzn buckeye]

Thanks for the phone number. I plan on calling in the morning. We were told we would be granfathered into Diamond. We have 32 cruises and 176 days and 3 more booked this year a 5-8-&7 day cruise so will be 196 with 35 cruises. We still spend a good bit of money while on a cruise. Probably more now with steakhouses and wanting a better cabin then when we first started cruising 13 years ago.

 

Beth, please post what the response is.