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Couple questions on diamond status

jsscuba2

By jsscuba2,
in Carnival Cruise Lines

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FloridaGram

FloridaGram

Posted
Posted

All I can add to this conversation is you all are some LUCKY or blessed people! I will just be platinum next cruise and don't ever see getting to Diamond. We keep switching cruise lines so I guess if it was all CCL we would be closer.

 

Enjoy all your perks!

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rlkubi

rlkubi

Posted
Posted

I will be Diamond on my next cruise in Jan. We do love the laundry because we have to fly so it allows us to bring less luggage. I, too,. really wish they would allow the status across Carnival lines because we love Carnival but we want different itineraries.

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mississauga

mississauga

Posted
Posted
All I can add to this conversation is you all are some LUCKY or blessed people! I will just be platinum next cruise and don't ever see getting to Diamond. We keep switching cruise lines so I guess if it was all CCL we would be closer.

 

Enjoy all your perks!

 

 

You are absolutely right! We are lucky and blessed to be able to cruise as much as we do. We, my DH and I cruise because we love it and are fortunate that we can cruise as much as we do and we do not cruise for the perks, just for the love of cruising.

 

Carnival does not have to give us these perks to get us to cruise so we appreciate whatever they are giving to us.:D

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love my grandkids

love my grandkids

Posted
Posted
All I can add to this conversation is you all are some LUCKY or blessed people! I will just be platinum next cruise and don't ever see getting to Diamond. We keep switching cruise lines so I guess if it was all CCL we would be closer.

 

Enjoy all your perks!

 

Thanks. Hard work for many years has helped us be able to cruise as much as they have for past 5 years.:)

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Elaine515

Elaine515

Posted
Posted
Hi Elaine,

 

Those are 2 separate perks. Each Diamond guest gets 1 free cabin upgrade and 1 voucher for 2 to a specialty restaurant. We also get a Diamond event on each cruise with the captain.

 

Other than those 2 one time only perks, not much different than Platinum other than dining time is guaranteed and laundry is unlimited.

 

Hi to Doug

 

 

 

I was told by someone in the Diamond Office that each Diamond passenger got one OR the other, NOT both... Going to have to call back... I don't know whether to be angry at them for telling me the incorrect information or at myself for not knowing it ...

 

Again, every Diamond Passenger gets 1 free cabin upgrade or 3rd/4th in the cabin for free AND 1 free dinner in the Steakhouse for 2 people, right ?

 

Thanks again

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mississauga

mississauga

Posted
Posted
I was told by someone in the Diamond Office that each Diamond passenger got one OR the other, NOT both... Going to have to call back... I don't know whether to be angry at them for telling me the incorrect information or at myself for not knowing it ...

 

Again, every Diamond Passenger gets 1 free cabin upgrade or 3rd/4th in the cabin for free AND 1 free dinner in the Steakhouse for 2 people, right ?

 

Correct

Thanks again

 

 

First take a look at the Diamond benefits listed under the VIFP program. Both are listed as benefits.

 

Also, I have redeemed both perks already. Used my letter in the Steakhouse and used the upgrade from OV to balcony. Serge has also used his letter in the steakhouse and his upgrade from OV to balcony has already been booked for our upcoming cruise in November.

 

When I used my Diamond perk for the cabin upgrade, we also added my grand daughter as the 3rd guest. It was a better value to upgrade and pay for the 3rd guest but as it turned out, it was during a promo called the More the Merrier. End result was we paid under a hundred dollars with her as the 3rd guest with fees and taxes included.

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Heirloom

Heirloom

Posted
Posted
We were not really impressed with the Diamond benefits, though it's more than was offered previously (and I suppose they don't have to do anything for you)!

 

We sail in suites, so the cabin upgrade is useless. They would not allow us to book a balcony and get bumped up to a suite (a savings for us), nor book a low level suite and get upgraded to a higher level. It just seems if that's what one generally books, and how one arrived at those 200+ nights, that they'd throw you a bone.

 

Regarding the 3rd/4th person in a cabin for free. When our either of our sons come along (23 and 28), we prefer - as do they - their own cabin. We enjoy our own private space. Thus, that option was useless for us as well.

 

The free dinner in the steakhouse was nice. Though, that's where we eat every night anyway! The downside, IMO, is that it's a one time only deal - ONCE IN YOUR LIFE. On NCL those who hit platinum receive a "Complimentary Dinner for Two at Le Bistro with a Bottle of Wine" on EACH sailing. That's a gift which keeps on giving, so to speak !

 

I'll also add that Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, and NCL each give you the ability to earn additional points towards higher loyalty levels - often from booking higher level cabins or booking promotions. Carnival built in something into their program (Cruise Day Points vs. VIFP Points), but never bothered to implement it. Not sure if Jim Berra's departure (to Royal Caribbean) marks a point where something like that is now more or less likely to occur.

 

Heading out on the Sunshine on Saturday - where I'll earn 8 more VIFP points (in a GS). Then in September we're on a 3 night Royal Caribbean sailing in an OS cabin, and will earn 6 points (double for suites). For our 4-night November Celebrity sailing (in an RS) we'll earn 72 points - enough to easily get us to Elite+ : "discounts on beverages and specialty dining, unlimited complimentary cappuccinos and lattes, 200 free internet minutes and much more."

 

i-pJ2j6MV-M.jpg

 

Basically most other lines offer incentive/rewards for those who spend more with the company, which is how most loyalty programs work. Do I expect Carnival to change? Nope, I'm not holding my breath. Still, we still sail them from time to time - when the date/ship/ports are right... but everything else being equal, it's not my first choice - like it was years ago.

 

Just my $.02 ! :)

 

Tom

 

 

Tom,

 

How companies like Carnival let you go elsewhere shows how dumb they can be. Yikes. You guys buy the best rooms, and play in the casino, pay extra for food....instead of kissin' your butts, they shrug their shoulders.

 

We still owe you another thank you for the recommendation of taking the best

cabin on Spirit ships. We did it twice, the 4th floor back corner suites with

2 rooms and unbelievable balcony. Will do it again for sure !

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Tom-n-Cheryl "Live from...." Rare

Tom-n-Cheryl

Posted
Posted
Tom,

 

How companies like Carnival let you go elsewhere shows how dumb they can be. Yikes. You guys buy the best rooms, and play in the casino, pay extra for food....instead of kissin' your butts, they shrug their shoulders.

 

We still owe you another thank you for the recommendation of taking the best

cabin on Spirit ships. We did it twice, the 4th floor back corner suites with

2 rooms and unbelievable balcony. Will do it again for sure !

 

You're welcome for the cabin recommendation - always a pleasure to pass along good advice, which is what this place is all about to begin with ! :)

 

Regarding Carnival... I get that it's just the way they are. They are fully targeting the mainstream market and don't want to get caught up in perk matching of everyone else. It appears to be working for them. Frankly, I'm pleased that we spread our wings a bit. It's allowed us to enjoy other ships and experiences.

 

As others have noted on here, I sure would like it if they at least encouraged their guests to stay within the CCL sphere (if not sailing with Carnival). Thanks to our Elite level with Celebrity, we're "automatically" Diamond with Royal Caribbean - and were able to immediately enjoy those perks when we first stepped aboard the Allure a few years back. Granted, the suite perks were nicer than the Diamond benefits - but you get my point.

 

We're sailing on Holland America, no thanks to Carnival, next year. I sailed with them before at the ripe old age of 4 on a transatlantic in 1966. I thought it would be interesting to sailing with them once again, with 50 years in between my HAL experiences. I trust I'll remember a lot more this go around ! It would have been nice if some element of my Diamond status with Carnival carried over - but no worries. I'm sure we'll have a great trip. Glad I waited until their new ship (Koningsdam) came on the scene. It certainly has more going for it, from my perspective at least, than their other ships.

 

Tom

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love my grandkids

love my grandkids

Posted
Posted
You're welcome for the cabin recommendation - always a pleasure to pass along good advice, which is what this place is all about to begin with ! :)

 

Regarding Carnival... I get that it's just the way they are. They are fully targeting the mainstream market and don't want to get caught up in perk matching of everyone else. It appears to be working for them. Frankly, I'm pleased that we spread our wings a bit. It's allowed us to enjoy other ships and experiences.

 

As others have noted on here, I sure would like it if they at least encouraged their guests to stay within the CCL sphere (if not sailing with Carnival). Thanks to our Elite level with Celebrity, we're "automatically" Diamond with Royal Caribbean - and were able to immediately enjoy those perks when we first stepped aboard the Allure a few years back. Granted, the suite perks were nicer than the Diamond benefits - but you get my point.

 

We're sailing on Holland America, no thanks to Carnival, next year. I sailed with them before at the ripe old age of 4 on a transatlantic in 1966. I thought it would be interesting to sailing with them once again, with 50 years in between my HAL experiences. I trust I'll remember a lot more this go around ! It would have been nice if some element of my Diamond status with Carnival carried over - but no worries. I'm sure we'll have a great trip. Glad I waited until their new ship (Koningsdam) came on the scene. It certainly has more going for it, from my perspective at least, than their other ships.

 

Tom

 

Makes no sense to me why Carnival doesnt join CCL loyalty with at least Princess and HAL.

 

People like us start with more economical cruises and than as we get older and have more money, we want to do longer cruises to other parts of the world and no incentive to stay within the Carnival family.

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DebJ14

DebJ14

Posted
Posted (edited)

The Steakhouse letter came with the package containing the red leather luggage tags and the leather passport holder. It arrived very shortly after I reached Diamond.

 

I agree, they need to connect the Princess, HAL and Carnival loyalty programs. Because we are Diamond on RCCL, we are Elite on Celebrity and Discoverer on Azamara.

 

I love the RCCL Diamond perk - they just knocked $225.00 off our next RCCL cruise because we booked a balcony or above. Plus, we get the free cocktails every evening in the Diamond Lounge, plus priority embarkation etc.

Edited by DebJ14
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maryann2

maryann2

Posted
Posted
The Steakhouse letter came with the package containing the red leather luggage tags and the leather passport holder. It arrived very shortly after I reached Diamond.

 

I agree, they need to connect the Princess, HAL and Carnival loyalty programs. Because we are Diamond on RCCL, we are Elite on Celebrity and Discoverer on Azamara.

 

I love the RCCL Diamond perk - they just knocked $225.00 off our next RCCL cruise because we booked a balcony or above. Plus, we get the free cocktails every evening in the Diamond Lounge, plus priority embarkation etc.

 

Agree love the free cocktails every evening. Same thing Elite on Celebrity so Diamond on Royal.

 

MSC has now Status matched with any cruise line. As Diamond on Carnival I have a Black card with MSC, highest level. Not that it means much as they have downgraded their benefits but priority boarding is better than nothing.

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kicia

kicia

Posted
Posted
We're sailing on Holland America, no thanks to Carnival, next year. I sailed with them before at the ripe old age of 4 on a transatlantic in 1966. I thought it would be interesting to sailing with them once again, with 50 years in between my HAL experiences. I trust I'll remember a lot more this go around ! It would have been nice if some element of my Diamond status with Carnival carried over - but no worries. I'm sure we'll have a great trip. Glad I waited until their new ship (Koningsdam) came on the scene. It certainly has more going for it, from my perspective at least, than their other ships.

 

Tom

 

Tom - As a past Carnival cruise line passenger you are considered a One Star Mariner on HAL. You get to attend the embarkation day lunch, if there is one, or we had an embarkation social gathering the first day. You also get invited to the Mariner brunch, which was very nice, and receive a HAL tile. None of our Diamond perks carried over and we missed the laundry, but at least it was nice to get a little bit of recognition.

 

Linda

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Tom-n-Cheryl "Live from...." Rare

Tom-n-Cheryl

Posted
Posted
Tom - As a past Carnival cruise line passenger you are considered a One Star Mariner on HAL. You get to attend the embarkation day lunch, if there is one, or we had an embarkation social gathering the first day. You also get invited to the Mariner brunch, which was very nice, and receive a HAL tile. None of our Diamond perks carried over and we missed the laundry, but at least it was nice to get a little bit of recognition.

 

Linda

 

You're right - I recall that !

 

Interestingly enough, I contacted the Mariner Society at HAL about getting credit for my past sailing. I sent them the following image along with some other details and ON THAT SAME DAY received the full 7 days credit! I was super impressed with the ease of that process. :)

 

i-vNKR7L9-L.jpg

 

Note the pipe on the table in the dining room. My how times change!!

 

Tom

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love my grandkids

love my grandkids

Posted
Posted
One of the perks of Diamond is a special invitation from the captain. What all goes on with the captain.

 

Have had it two ways.

 

Visit to the bridge and tea with capt. Nice to visit bridge and sit down and talk with capt in small group (about 8 of us).

 

Other is cocktail party with capt and senior officers for an hour and we have done this one twice and think it is much better.

 

Understand they will also do a special lunch with capt and senior officers but imagine that would be when they have a small group.

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Jamman54 Great Review Rare

Jamman54

Posted
Posted
One of the perks of Diamond is a special invitation from the captain. What all goes on with the captain.

 

Most times it is a cocktail party with the Captain and Senior Officers. On my Pride cruise in April, we had brunch with the Captain and Senior Officers. There were only 3 Diamond members on that cruise.

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