Complete List of Promised VIFP Benefits you are Entitled to Receive

[cmukid87]

My suggestion, albeit probably silly, for the VIFP program:

 

1. Give a simple list of all benefits available. Each tier of the program awards the cruiser a certain number of points. Prior to boarding, the cruiser can use those points to redeeming a benefit. Align the type of benefit to the tier so Gold can get a drink coupon and maybe two other perks. Make priority embark/debark, etc enough points for only platinum/diamond to get etc.

...or...

2. Give an option to decline all benefits through the program, and get a small discount on your room or OBC, depending on level. If I'm Platinum and don't want any of the perks, $25 OBC or something of the like.

[eponym]

It is not always a party with drinks. On my recent Pride cruise, where there were only 3 Diamonds on board, we were invited to brunch with the Captain. Others have had tea on the bridge with the Captain. Mostly, only on cruises where there are more than 10 Diamonds aboard, will there be a cocktail party.

 

Call 'it' whatever you want.

[all_aboard]

But there will always be some people who overreact, some who underreact and some who dont react at all. CC is no different than real life. There are many different opinions, and there always will be.

 

We can be upset about things, and say it. That is the way things should be. Freedom of speech goes both ways. But just like in real life, one is blasted for just about any opinion you can have. No wonder some dont react at all, or dont want to voice their opinion.

 

Also just like in real life, you get your "higher ups" people here on CC Carnival board who have no empathy with how it feels to be told you are no longer welcome at a venue which you have always enjoyed, and yet they just feel the need to reaffirm that they are platinum and are not affected so they dont care! Now that does surprise me, especially from more than a couple of frequent posters/platinums/diamonds on this board today who I have always enjoyed posts/info and reviews from. Disappointing.:(

 

Ok, guess I will be blasted for my opinion, but just wondering what the next cut will be...sooner or later Carnival will have to start chiseling away at the platinum crowd since they have all but wiped out gold as a tier.:rolleyes:

 

Well said!

[Donh44]

Yup.

 

Personally, I think ALL the cruise lines should eliminate their loyalty programs entirely. All they do is create class systems and generate animosity and ill will between people. Just my opinion. :)

 

 

 

Absolutely right. I agree. I personally work with someone who is at the top of the line for Carnival cruises. He is always bragging about what he gets as opposed to what I get.

[SadieN]

There are tens of millions of people that do not agree with your POV, across credit cards and many other reward based perk systems, including travel.

 

 

(Rhetorical question)

Who do you think pays for those credit card points?

 

 

Not the companies but the consumer.

[Jamman54]

Call 'it' whatever you want.

 

A brunch with the Captain where no drinks were served is not a party. This cost Carnival ZERO, but sitting and chatting with the Captain is priceless in my book.

[cruizinisthebest]

I know that this probably wont change anything, but I do hope that every one who is upset over this change will contact carnival and have their say there, directly to them. Us all quibbling about it here is not doing any good but just feeding the one upmanship of the many platinum and diamond cruisers on this site who are gloating that they are happy about the change, and they get to keep all their perks and have a better party because we golds are not there!

 

Go to Carnival's website and go to contact us section and lodge your complaint there. As I say, they are not likely to change anything, but at least out discontent is being voiced to them directly! It sure cant hurt.

 

I totally agree with this. And you're right. I will send an email today that won't do a bit of good.;)

 

I'm over it at this point, but I have no shame in admitting that it did tick me off.

 

From the deceitful "pre" announcement - to the way it finally was announced, the idea itself, and now all of the wise cracks everyone has for people bothered by it.

 

No it's not a major big deal. And since I love Carnival, I let alot of stuff roll off my back. But this irritates me mostly because my sister, who doesn't even get to cruise once a year sometimes, was looking forward to going. It took her a long time to finally get to Gold this Summer. People who cruise often or sit on boards and condemn it as no big deal have already taken the whole vacation experience for granted IMO. Sometimes people are just happy to be able to get away. This little party that was already being held at an inconvenient time, should have remained in place for folks who can genuinely appreciate it.

 

No it will absolutely not ruin our cruise or stop us from patronizing Carnival, but it was a sh**y side swipe move. And I don't care who thinks I'm wrong to feel that way.

[loujerb]

So now I am going to miss the party, but it will be only one that I will miss, because I will turn platinum on my next cruise. I will then see what they will start cutting back on the platinum cruisers then. What ever they want to do, but I will still cruise because I love taking cruises and enjoy being out on the water.

[MudbugsTherapist]

None of us can change the minds of people who feel loyalty needs to be awarded in something tangible....my personal loyalty evolves if I am satisfied with my cruising experience and feel moved to try it again. Reasonable food, good service, diverse ports of call, cleanliness of my environment, activity choices...these are the things that garner my loyalty.

 

Many of us choose a cruise because it fits in with our schedules, our desires to experience different locales, the atmosphere that fits best for our traveling companions, and the logistical niceties that allow us to unpack once and settle in to a room for the duration. I would suspect that the majority of cruisers aren't even aware of the "perks" associated with frequent loyalty because, for them, a trinket, a drink, or the "honors" of a different colored card and moving up the "food chain" are of little value.

 

The only loyalty perk that would enhance my experience would be money off a cruise or a free cruise based off how much money I actually spend between fares and onboard purchases. That is a loyalty program that may bring me back...but with the caveat that my onboard experience would "always" meet my needs and expectations. Otherwise perks are just lot of inconsequential fru-fru.

 

This is the most sane post I have seen on this matter.

[eponym]

(Rhetorical question)

Who do you think pays for those credit card points?

 

 

Not the companies but the consumer.

 

What is your point?

[eponym]

A brunch with the Captain where no drinks were served is not a party. This cost Carnival ZERO, but sitting and chatting with the Captain is priceless in my book.

 

What????

 

My gosh. You said it earlier in your earlier post, sometimes for the Captains event they include drinks, sometimes they do not. The event is set aside as an additional, special loyalty perk, regardless of what minor alterations there are from event to event and is specifically always aimed at customer loyalty recognition.

[Jamman54]

What????

 

My gosh. You said it earlier in your earlier post, sometimes for the Captains event they include drinks, sometimes they do not. The event is set aside as an additional, special loyalty perk, regardless of what minor alterations there are from event to event and is specifically always aimed at customer loyalty recognition.

 

Now your wording is correct. this was not. There is already an additional, separate, party called the Captain's party highest loyalty cruisers are given. Since you occasionally like to nitpick somebody's wording, I thought I would nitpick yours. I do value your opinion though.

Edited May 7, 2015 by Jamman54

[SadieN]

What is your point?

 

 

The cost of these programs comes from somewhere, the consumer. Hence a rise in CC processing costs, hence a rise in prices.

[girlsjustwannacruise]

I don't get it. Whats the big deal about missing a party that most on here have described as dull, boring and repetitive? I don't drink much anyway so am not that worried about missing a few free drinks in the middle of the afternoon.

 

What do other lines offer that's so fantastic in comparison that so many carnival cruisers are outraged over???

[mintsugarcube]

This is just my 2 cents, but perhaps it is time for Carnival (and other lines) to base there loyalty program after grocery stores and casinos.

 

My local groceries (Kroger brand, Safeway, etc) you have a card you swipe every time you buy the groceries that gives you automatically the sale price in the weekly ad (without the card - you pay full price). But just by having the card you save $0.03 off your purchase of gas at their selected gas stations (but ever notice how this gas station is strategically $0.03 higher in fuel than the area bargain gas station anyway?). Now the more you spend in the rated period, the more $cents off of gas you get until you max out your "fuel points" OR buy certain items and get double "fuel points". Another thing about the grocery card, they track your buying and I also then get additional coupons in the mail such as free eggs or $2 off produce, etc. These "perks" of having the card and using the card, make many choose going to that store to purchase items you are going to purchase anyway. Once in their store, they hope you buy other items too, and ultimately, many of us do.

 

Now Carnival could model after this. Everyone is given a VIFP# (the grocery card = the S&S card) and just by having it, you get "member only prices". But what if the more you spend in the rated period, the more perks you get? In addition, send coupons based on your spending habits. Something along the lines of: last cruise you bought 10 pictures, send a coupon for one free picture on your next cruise. Cruisers are going to cruise - give the cruisers real benefits based on their spending in your Corporation.

 

Casinos. They send you vouchers for $$ in the mail/email to entice you into their business. Ever notice, the more you gamble during the rated period, the higher your voucher value increases for the next period? Stop going - the vouchers get lower until eventually, they stop coming all together. In addition, the more $$ you spend in the Casino with your player's card in, the more perk points you earn. Perk points get you free food, rooms, merchandise, etc.

 

Now Carnival could model after this too. The more cruises you take during a rated period and the more $$ you spend, the more $$ they give you back in benefit.

 

Many of the VIFP benefits they give are pretty nominal in cost to Carnival which are basically buried IMO in the cost of the cruise in the first place. Did they raise fares by say $5 to cover the bottles of water, loyalty pins, etc. and nobody noticed? But some of the benefits obviously cost more. Yes, IMO cutting the Golds from the Past Guest Party was necessary when some of those parties were pulling over 1000 guests. That's a lot of open bar drinks walking out of profit. How many cruisers don't spend a dime on alcohol during the cruise, but then slam 4 of those drinks down during that hour? Would make more sense to follow the above examples and give free drink coupons to cruisers based on their purchased drinks during the prior rating period.

 

edit to add: I have often heard "cruising is what you make it". Well, when the cruiser is making a choice to spend more, reward more. When the cruiser is making a choice to spend little, reward little.

 

I really like your ideas

[mintsugarcube]

I know that this probably wont change anything, but I do hope that every one who is upset over this change will contact carnival and have their say there, directly to them. Us all quibbling about it here is not doing any good but just feeding the one upmanship of the many platinum and diamond cruisers on this site who are gloating that they are happy about the change, and they get to keep all their perks and have a better party because we golds are not there!

 

Go to Carnival's website and go to contact us section and lodge your complaint there. As I say, they are not likely to change anything, but at least out discontent is being voiced to them directly! It sure cant hurt.

 

I just wanted to let you know that I am one Platinum who is highly upset that the Golds are kicked out of the party. I subscribe to JH and I have left NUMEROUS posts lately expressing my anger about this. I have gotten chewed out by many there, including some Golds, but I don't care. I too have read some idiot Plats responses. Reeks of elitism.

 

I would be highly upset if I were still Gold and they took away a party I enjoyed attending. I think that Carnival made a dumb, stupid, idiotic decision by alienating some (admittedly, not all) of it's target market (past Carnival cruisers). It takes a LOT more money to attract a new customer than it takes to retain an existing one.

 

I honestly DO care, as should all Plats and Diamonds. Just because some Golds are okay with it, doesn't mean all of them are. It doesn't make a dumb decision right because some of the people are okay with the decision. Clearly so many are not, or these threads would not be so ubiquitous.

[SMSACE6]

I thank you for understanding mintsugarcube. You are a rare representation of the platinum crowd here on the board, but I do appreciate your understanding of our frustration.

Edited May 8, 2015 by SMSACE6

[eponym]

The cost of these programs comes from somewhere, the consumer. Hence a rise in CC processing costs, hence a rise in prices.

 

Right, and Golds are consumers. In fact they have stated that Golds are a very large contingent of their income.

 

It's a formulary, that's all. That's all its ever been, and who's departmental budget its going to come out of.

Edited May 8, 2015 by eponym

[ZanziBarred]

Until then, its a lovely 1 litre water bottle (25 cents)

 

It was 20 cents last week. Did the price go up again?

[mintsugarcube]

I thank you for understanding mintsugarcube. You are a rare representation of the platinum crowd here on the board, but I do appreciate your understanding of our frustration.

 

Thank you!

[NightOne]

I think this thread a lot of other ones that have been created in the last couple of days are perfect examples of why I personally believe the loyalty program should be totally eliminated.

 

In my opinion...all this VIFP "class warfare" is ridiculous. :)

[makeda]

Yay..common sense prevails....you are not entitled to anything beyond the carriage contract!

[bruadhin]

Yay..common sense prevails....you are not entitled to anything beyond the carriage contract!

 

You should read the contract then. If you merely want Carnival to honor the letter of the contract, it isn't going to be much of a cruise.

[Matlily]

Just my opinion I like the new way just wish it were more than one drink! I never got off my sun lounger to go get dressed up to drink a few drinks in the middle of the day! but I will enjoy a bloody mary or Mimosa iwth my breakfast on the last day at sea! or a crown and coke! :D