Milestone Cruisers that are not Diamond

[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.

 

Hi Beth, did you call Carnival? Has anyone else here used this number?

[terryinal]

I called the # and left a message. I didn't leave a call back number. I just said what I think and don't want to have them call me and talk the same stuff. I have posted on JH face book and carnival funville.I guess I'm done crying about it. I have cruised from new orleans and mobile 10+ times. I will make milestone in Jan. and have one more TA cruise booked. Now I wish I waited to book my TA crusie. I may be done after that.

[Beth]

Beth here I also left a message. Not happy about the new program, but will keep cruising, I love going on a cruise.

[yesaccasey]

I received a call back from an assistant or someone under her... I wasn't able to answer but hopefully we'll connect tomorrow.

[cruzn buckeye]

I received a call back from an assistant or someone under her... I wasn't able to answer but hopefully we'll connect tomorrow.

 

please post her response.

[beerman2]

Off topic but looking to contact BETH. They were on our cruise on the Freedom in 2009. Saw them in the VIFP video on Carnival website.

 

Very nice couple, so posting here to see if Beth sees it.

 

terdog920@yahoo.com Beerman2 ( Terry)

[halos]

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 agree with this statement.

We spend far more money now on board than we did when I first started cruising, because when I was a young cruiser, we were pretty broke (especially considering the fact that cruising was more expensive then). The difference is now, I will spend that money on other lines (for the most part).

(This is not due to changes in loyalty programs..it is because of the product )

 

IF CCL is marketing to the 20-something and the most frugal of 30-40 and above, I do not for the life of me see how that will work in their favor.

[LHP]

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!!![/QUOTE]

 

 

I did not mean to imply that Milestoners do not spend money. If that is the way it came across, I aplogize.

 

What I was trying to say *and obviously not very well is that Carnival is actively seeking the newbies or almost newbies.

 

According to their own words in a recent article.

 

Yes, Milestoners spend money. But we also have the system figured out a lot more than the newbies.

 

AND Carnival does not have to spend money on the newbies with perks like they do Milestoners....

 

It is the newbie (or almost newbie) that walks on the ship wild eyed and full of excitement ....and human nature being what it is....the more excited they are...the more they spend.....

[rellersi]

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!!![/QUOTE]

 

 

I did not mean to imply that Milestoners do not spend money. If that is the way it came across, I aplogize.

 

What I was trying to say *and obviously not very well is that Carnival is actively seeking the newbies or almost newbies.

 

According to their own words in a recent article.

 

Yes, Milestoners spend money. But we also have the system figured out a lot more than the newbies.

 

AND Carnival does not have to spend money on the newbies with perks like they do Milestoners....

 

It is the newbie (or almost newbie) that walks on the ship wild eyed and full of excitement ....and human nature being what it is....the more excited they are...the more they spend.....

 

I know we spend more money now then we did on our first cruise, less for gifts and pictures but more in the casino and at the bars we have only everr done 3 or 4 excursions because we can afford more, but that is us. You are right that they newbie, and what does it really cost Carnival per past guest in loyalty benefits, probably less than $10 per person per cruise, so if they are strictly targeting Newbies they are making a mistake

[cruzn buckeye]

 

I know we spend more money now then we did on our first cruise, less for gifts and pictures but more in the casino and at the bars we have only everr done 3 or 4 excursions because we can afford more, but that is us. You are right that they newbie, and what does it really cost Carnival per past guest in loyalty benefits, probably less than $10 per person per cruise, so if they are strictly targeting Newbies they are making a mistake

 

Me too, although most excursions are booked privately.

[cruzn buckeye]

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!!![/QUOTE]

 

 

I did not mean to imply that Milestoners do not spend money. If that is the way it came across, I aplogize.

 

What I was trying to say *and obviously not very well is that Carnival is actively seeking the newbies or almost newbies.

 

According to their own words in a recent article.

 

Yes, Milestoners spend money. But we also have the system figured out a lot more than the newbies.

 

AND Carnival does not have to spend money on the newbies with perks like they do Milestoners....

 

It is the newbie (or almost newbie) that walks on the ship wild eyed and full of excitement ....and human nature being what it is....the more excited they are...the more they spend.....

After 23 cruises, on my number 24, I will be walking on wild eyed and full of excitement... that is just what cruises do to me...

[LHP]

After 23 cruises, on my number 24, I will be walking on wild eyed and full of excitement... that is just what cruises do to me...

 

Love it !!!!!

 

:D

[yesaccasey]

fyi for those interested I finally received a response from CCL... Unfortunately, it is just full of air and is of absolutely no help:

 

Hi Casey,

 

I echo Jim’s words below and apologize if we misrepresented who would receive the highest tier. It was never our intention to mislead anyone. Unfortunately, we cannot grandfather Milestone guests into the Diamond tier. With the frequency that you travel, you should be there in no time.

 

Although I hope it doesn’t need to get to it, I can cancel your Freedom cruise however, since you booked under the Early Saver promotion the refund would only be in the form of a Future Cruise Credit (minus the deposit which is non-refundable). I wish I could do something more on that regard but that is a promotion with really tight rules.

 

Casey, you’ve sailed with us many times and I’m sure that you’ve had a great time which is why you keep coming back. We truly value you and hope that you can look back on those times and give us another opportunity in the future.

 

Take care,

 

Clarisa Stollenwerck

Director – Guest Care

[cruzn buckeye]

fyi for those interested I finally received a response from CCL... Unfortunately, it is just full of air and is of absolutely no help:

 

Hi Casey,

 

I echo Jim’s words below and apologize if we misrepresented who would receive the highest tier. It was never our intention to mislead anyone. Unfortunately, we cannot grandfather Milestone guests into the Diamond tier. With the frequency that you travel, you should be there in no time.

 

Although I hope it doesn’t need to get to it, I can cancel your Freedom cruise however, since you booked under the Early Saver promotion the refund would only be in the form of a Future Cruise Credit (minus the deposit which is non-refundable). I wish I could do something more on that regard but that is a promotion with really tight rules.

 

Casey, you’ve sailed with us many times and I’m sure that you’ve had a great time which is why you keep coming back. We truly value you and hope that you can look back on those times and give us another opportunity in the future.

 

Take care,

 

Clarisa Stollenwerck

Director – Guest Care

 

I have talked with Clarisa more than once by email and phone, and she is very nice and helpful. Unfortuneatly, she cannot make these changes. It is obviously out of her hands even if she wanted to.

It appears that nothing is going to change as far as the Milestone/sb diamond tier that should have been. And even though I don't understand why they cannot make the 3000 or so Milestone cruisers Diamond. when hundreds of thousands of people cruise with them each year, I guess I have to look at it another way. If they did it for us, just because they said they would, it would now set a new precedent. And every cruiser that hit 25 cruises, no matter what the days, would expect to be Diamond. While those numbers would never really hit that much, because there are those of us that will die off, they would still cost them. What they could have done was make it a one time thing. And grandfather those, who have their 25 cruises booked, and those with over 25 cruises, and make them Diamond by adjusting their cruise days to 200. A simple fix, maybe a few more dollars spent by Carnival... but could be done.

The even bigger thing is that those that did make that Diamond level, should have special perks on every cruise. That is a heck of a lot of loyalty. The perks should be changed from once a lifetime to every cruise.

Okay, now I am done even thinking about this.. I have been a very loyal customer and will continue to be... I have always loved cruising with Carnival, and believe it or not, I do not cruise for the perks.. it was just so nice to have that loyalty thing, and the extras were just a nice added touch. I cruised with Carnival before they even had the Platinum VIP level. And have cruised with them 13 times after, with the next two planned and booked.

I will continue to give them my business, because after all, it is the FUN SHIPS! And yes, I have fun! I won't hit that Diamond level, because I am still over 8 seven day cruises away.. and will probably be dead before I can get them taken... this danged economy...

[mkitchy]

fyi for those interested I finally received a response from CCL... Unfortunately, it is just full of air and is of absolutely no help:

 

Hi Casey,

 

I echo Jim’s words below and apologize if we misrepresented who would receive the highest tier. It was never our intention to mislead anyone. Unfortunately, we cannot grandfather Milestone guests into the Diamond tier. With the frequency that you travel, you should be there in no time.

 

Although I hope it doesn’t need to get to it, I can cancel your Freedom cruise however, since you booked under the Early Saver promotion the refund would only be in the form of a Future Cruise Credit (minus the deposit which is non-refundable). I wish I could do something more on that regard but that is a promotion with really tight rules.

 

Casey, you’ve sailed with us many times and I’m sure that you’ve had a great time which is why you keep coming back. We truly value you and hope that you can look back on those times and give us another opportunity in the future.

 

Take care,

 

Clarisa Stollenwerck

Director – Guest Care

 

 

 

Could you post Clarisa's e-mail please. Thanks.

 

Mike