speculation on change to the vifp program past guest party

[kona_wahine]

Hopefully removing gold members

 

Wow, rude much?

[xeroxme]

Hopefully removing gold members

 

 

Please. Platinum and Diamond are too sophisticated to drink with gold people. Lol. God save the Queen too. A little snooty don't you think?

Have fun we are sailing the Walmart Cruise Line of ships not Cunard.

Edited April 29, 2015 by xeroxme

[Gopherpharm]

Please. Platinum and Diamond are too sophisticated to drink with gold people. Lol. God save the Queen too. A little snooty don't you think?

Have fun we are sailing the Walmart Cruise Line of ships not Cunard.

 

 

I prefer to think of it as the Target of cruise lines. Affordable and fun!

[jmcancruise]

Sorry target died here in Canada. Not looking for that to happen to carnival. Don't know what the changes might be, but don't want gold eliminated until after my next cruise. Then I will be platinum.

[Frank12]

I prefer to think of it as the Target of cruise lines. Affordable and fun!

"Like"

[KatieCharlotte]

I'm not sure why anyone would want to completely exclude golds. If some parties are more crowded, just continue to make two parties when there are enough gold/plat/dia on board to justify it, either by dining times or color, as long as golds still get free drinks and appetizers.

 

Personally, I think having a joint party (where everyone claps for the ships they've sailed and the diamond member/s are introduced) makes gold members feel like they're part of a special club and encourages them to keep sailing Carnival. I would think gold members are the bread and butter for a cruise line. We're the people who have shown some loyalty, still have many ships and itineraries we haven't sailed, and are still in the enthusiastic infatuation stage in which we tell all our friends how much we love sailing Carnival. And, red members feel like gold is within their reach if they just keep sailing, unlike platinum, so why take away all the gold benefits?

[Jamman54]

I'm not sure why anyone would want to completely exclude golds. If some parties are more crowded, just continue to make two parties when there are enough gold/plat/dia on board to justify it, either by dining times or color, as long as golds still get free drinks and appetizers.

 

Personally, I think having a joint party (where everyone claps for the ships they've sailed and the diamond member/s are introduced) makes gold members feel like they're part of a special club and encourages them to keep sailing Carnival. I would think gold members are the bread and butter for a cruise line. We're the people who have shown some loyalty, still have many ships and itineraries we haven't sailed, and are still in the enthusiastic infatuation stage in which we tell all our friends how much we love sailing Carnival. And, red members feel like gold is within their reach if they just keep sailing, unlike platinum, so why take away all the gold benefits?

 

Well said and I agree completely!!

[trvlgirlmq]

I really hope they don't exclude Gold. Our upcoming cruise would be the first time we will be able to attend and my family is looking forward to it. It's the only perk left to Gold (water that is already free is not a perk).

[splintz]

I'm not sure why anyone would want to completely exclude golds. If some parties are more crowded, just continue to make two parties when there are enough gold/plat/dia on board to justify it, either by dining times or color, as long as golds still get free drinks and appetizers.

 

Personally, I think having a joint party (where everyone claps for the ships they've sailed and the diamond member/s are introduced) makes gold members feel like they're part of a special club and encourages them to keep sailing Carnival. I would think gold members are the bread and butter for a cruise line. We're the people who have shown some loyalty, still have many ships and itineraries we haven't sailed, and are still in the enthusiastic infatuation stage in which we tell all our friends how much we love sailing Carnival. And, red members feel like gold is within their reach if they just keep sailing, unlike platinum, so why take away all the gold benefits?

 

i also 100% agree with this.

[splintz]

on my last 2 cruises i feel that the VIFP party have been very good. in the past they had dj's. the last 2 i went on had a live band playing. the drinks and food were the same but it felt like is was a lot more fun.

 

the party on the glory was huge lots and lots of people in the main show lounge. there were a large amount of diamond members and their # of days sailed were very impressive.

 

the party on the pride was smaller and more intimate and was held in the butterflies lounge. on that one the gold members definitely out numbered the platinum and diamond members.

[kicia]

The amount of people varies greatly especially on the different ship classes. The Fantasy class usually holds them in the aft lounge. There was one we went to where there were more servers than guests. We always go just because it is fun. The larger ships usually hold the party in the main show lounge and it can be very crowded. I would like it better to have two parties and I guess sometimes that actually happens.

 

The ships that have the new Playlist productions do not have show bands any more so a

DJ is used for the parties too. The show band usually plays at the parties on the ships that still have them.

[tropicaledrink]

I 100% agree with KatieCharlotte. Plus, if you exclude golds, then what is the point in there being a red group and a gold group?

 

On our last cruise on the Fascination, there literally would have been ONE person at the party if you took the golds out. Jase (the CD), announced that there was only one platinum member on board and he was recognized. I'm sure this is not a super common thing, but it does make you wonder.

 

I'm a fan of ideas that break them in to smaller parties (our one on the Freedom last May was crazy huge!), better drink options (can't drink the Fun Ship Special due to an allergy), and more FUN.

 

Also, on the Fascination (which has playlist), we had the Casino area band perform for us instead of the DJ. That was probably one of the better parties we have been too.

 

Here's hoping the changes aren't too nuts. Since DH is still in school, our cruising options are pretty limited at the moment. Even after we complete the Pride next month, I'm still 25 days out from Platinum (which at this rate, is at least 2-3 more years), and DH will be 32 days out.

[crusinpsychRN]

but they kept running out by the time they reached our seating area.

 

CeleBrat

 

At one party They ran out 5 times before they got to my seat! Got one drink after walking to the back and as a server came in I was able to ask for one.

 

Maybe the announcement will be tasty, edible hors d' oeuvres!

 

I go to see the cute little movie.

Edited April 29, 2015 by crusinpsychRN

[crusinpsychRN]

:confused: but if they tatoo you red, gold etc, and then you finally get to platinum...how do they fix that?:confused: and even if you get three or four tatoos, how do they then know which tatoo is the right one?:D Ok...Im kidding, as I know you are...., but the caste system you refer to does already exist, and moreso on some other cruise lines. Just saying.:)

 

The tattoo only lasts as long as the cruise, you silly!:D

[BigB0882]

I also hope they don't exclude golds but I don't think they will. If they took away the VIFP party for golds then there is no longer a distinction between red and gold, really. I could see them doing separate parties but I would imagine the bulk of people at these parties are gold, there can't be THAT many platinum and diamond guests on every cruise.

 

I also have a selfish reason for not wanting golds to be excluded, we become gold on our next cruise. :D

 

You know what would be smart? They should offer free samples of the new hot items on the room service menu. This gives all of those repeat cruisers a free sample and they may be more apt to order and pay for those items if they know they like them. Of course, if the items aren't good then no one will order them but they wouldn't order them more than once anyway.

Edited April 29, 2015 by BigB0882

[BSUGrad]

Hopefully removing gold members

 

Wow, elitist much?

[xeroxme]

I'm not sure why anyone would want to completely exclude golds. If some parties are more crowded, just continue to make two parties when there are enough gold/plat/dia on board to justify it, either by dining times or color, as long as golds still get free drinks and appetizers.

 

Personally, I think having a joint party (where everyone claps for the ships they've sailed and the diamond member/s are introduced) makes gold members feel like they're part of a special club and encourages them to keep sailing Carnival. I would think gold members are the bread and butter for a cruise line. We're the people who have shown some loyalty, still have many ships and itineraries we haven't sailed, and are still in the enthusiastic infatuation stage in which we tell all our friends how much we love sailing Carnival. And, red members feel like gold is within their reach if they just keep sailing, unlike platinum, so why take away all the gold benefits?

 

Well said indeed! Personally I expect to have fun with others when I board a ship with 3000 other people. If I was interested in a small group I would charter a small ship. Lol. I wish they had captains parties like the old days where everyone on the ship celebrated together with some free drinks and appetizers. Telling them we want others excluded may in the long run hurt platinum and diamond. After all the bulk of the passengers filling the ship is Blue, Red and Gold. To each his own.

Edited April 29, 2015 by xeroxme
typo

[carrieluvsgreg]

I missed ours last week on the Pride - there was no way we were leaving the Serenety area to get to a cocktail party at 4:15. Wjhat an odd time.

 

Let's face it, they are giving out free booze... They are not going to make it at a convenient time. I'm just glad they don't decide to do it at 3 o'clock in the morning!

Personally- the improvements since it was the "past guest party" were huge! The room is not nearly as crowded and the drinks are full sized. Both are positive enhancements in my opinion.

[geckoaz]

In the movie titantic the fun party and dancing was in the

Third class...that is the party I want to be at. I never plan to grow old and don't want to be on a boat divided by classes.

[Budget Queen]

I also hope they don't exclude golds but I don't think they will. If they took away the VIFP party for golds then there is no longer a distinction between red and gold, really. I could see them doing separate parties but I would imagine the bulk of people at these parties are gold, there can't be THAT many platinum and diamond guests on every cruise.

 

I also have a selfish reason for not wanting golds to be excluded, we become gold on our next cruise. :D

 

You know what would be smart? They should offer free samples of the new hot items on the room service menu. This gives all of those repeat cruisers a free sample and they may be more apt to order and pay for those items if they know they like them. Of course, if the items aren't good then no one will order them but they wouldn't order them more than once anyway.

 

There are thousands of Platinums and Diamonds. :) One cruise I was on last year, had over 80 Diamonds. :) It is not that difficult to get Platinum, 11 7 day cruises as an example.

 

You have a great idea about the appetizers- why not post that to John Heald?

[trvlgirlmq]

There are thousands of Platinums and Diamonds. :) One cruise I was on last year, had over 80 Diamonds. :) It is not that difficult to get Platinum, 11 7 day cruises as an example.

 

You have a great idea about the appetizers- why not post that to John Heald?

 

Most people can only take 1 vacation a year. By your calculation it would take someone 11 years to become Platinum! Why should someone be loyal year after year with absolutely no perks and then have to wait more than a decade to reap any benefits of said loyalty? Some short-term benefits are needed if they are going to continue any type of loyalty program. A pin and water aren't going to cut it either.

[Maraprince]

Just keep it on a casual night!

 

MARAPRINCE

[Budget Queen]

Most people can only take 1 vacation a year.

 

Many cruise more as well. The response was that there are a LOT of platinums sailing, with more and more qualifying every cruise. Benefits need to have the bell curve, with lessor cruisers not qualifying. Otherwise, I'll speculate, there will have to be cuts.

[GatorGirl57]

Most people can only take 1 vacation a year.

 

I feel bad for those people. My DH and I work regular jobs, and take 2-3 week long vacations a year, and may throw in a short cruise or camping trip another 2-3 times a year. It is always wise to be careful of using the word "most".

[CC Socks]

Most people can only take 1 vacation a year. By your calculation it would take someone 11 years to become Platinum! Why should someone be loyal year after year with absolutely no perks and then have to wait more than a decade to reap any benefits of said loyalty? Some short-term benefits are needed if they are going to continue any type of loyalty program. A pin and water aren't going to cut it either.

 

Why are you "more loyal" using a product less over a longer period compared to the person who uses the product more over a shorter period? If you go to the grocery store once a year, how are you more loyal to that store than say the person that goes every two weeks?

 

Company loyalty is how much you spend with them, not how long. I go to Radio Shack once a year - should they reward my loyalty with 75% coupons and free gift cards?

Edited April 29, 2015 by CC Socks