Any guesses on what and when the new vifp will be?

[SadieN]

Raising hand, I'm one. 62 days. What I miss the most is not the perks, it's the attention. Prior to some cut backs, we interacted with and became more acquainted with the staff who served us, from our waiters to cabin stewards.

 

 

 

I would take less perks to have that again.

 

 

 

We haven't noticed any decline in interactions. BUT we sail only West Coast and have sailed many times with the same crew, no matter the ship.

[rmvst]

I hope they come up with a better way than straight up days. Days spent in a suite, and days spent in steerage shouldn't have the same value.

 

Steerage..... really

[hard_eight]

[Gallivanting Souls]

I personally, would like to see another tier above "Diamond", at the 400 day level, or even 500. It's getting to the point where there are a LOT of "Diamond" members aboard,,,especially on the BIG ships.

 

"SKY"

 

How about the SKY Level. :D

[Moviela]

The perks Carnival awards are really just "ice in the wintertime." Low or no cost ways to create a false sense of brand loyalty. I would like to see perks that can be chosen from a list, and tier levels determined by a combination of sea days and dollars spent with the company. For me a free drink is meaningless because I don't drink. A free steak, excursion, or activity invite means a lot more.

 

I would also like a VIP coordinator that would meet larger suite passengers and escort them aboard through a separate entrance, and be on call throughout the voyage to make the experience as enjoyable as possible. Other lines take that to mean no request too small. Suite would be filled with premium consumables, upscale toiletries, and an expanded room service menu.

 

All this needs to be paid for, other lines make a 40~50% ROI on these programs. It is included in the price of the room, can be purchased like Cheers of fttf, or bartered for a return of .5 to 1% of money previously spent.

[firemanbobswife]

The perks Carnival awards are really just "ice in the wintertime." Low or no cost ways to create a false sense of brand loyalty. I would like to see perks that can be chosen from a list, and tier levels determined by a combination of sea days and dollars spent with the company. For me a free drink is meaningless because I don't drink. A free steak, excursion, or activity invite means a lot more.

 

I would also like a VIP coordinator that would meet larger suite passengers and escort them aboard through a separate entrance, and be on call throughout the voyage to make the experience as enjoyable as possible. Other lines take that to mean no request too small. Suite would be filled with premium consumables, upscale toiletries, and an expanded room service menu.

 

All this needs to be paid for, other lines make a 40~50% ROI on these programs. It is included in the price of the room, can be purchased like Cheers of fttf, or bartered for a return of .5 to 1% of money previously spent.

 

LOL about the VIP Coordinator and the special treatment. Especially the separate entrance. This is CARNIVAL you're talking about. They aren't exactly an upscale cruise line. In order to have all these new fangled amenities, I'm sure they would price the suites right out of most of their cruiser's budgets. Since they seem to fill them on a regular basis as it stands, I don't see it changing. They are at a certain price point that is good for their target market. If you want to be waited on hand and foot, try one of the more affluent cruise lines.

[Micahs Grandad]

We haven't noticed any decline in interactions. BUT we sail only West Coast and have sailed many times with the same crew, no matter the ship.

 

Waitstaff does not have the time to interact with customers they used to have.

 

Once upon a time by the end of a cruise we would know much more about the headwaiter as he/she had time to talk. Now with an increased workload (even with two assistants) it is all they can do is keep up with the service.

 

Didnt realize so many in the crew would stick with WC. Thought they were moved thru the entire fleet as needed.

[Micahs Grandad]

I find a lot of skewed ideas here. Me, I'd rather have minimal perks and the overall cruise price lower. :) Don't people realize, chocolates, parties etc all cost MONEY?? I kind of shake my head with the claims of "loyality" looking for lowering of qualifications on already pretty minimal standards. How "loyal" do you really think you are when you cruise once/twice/three times per year? It's only a matter of time before there are thousands of Diamonds- it is NOT that hard to accomplish. Then how "special" do you think that will be?

 

Flame away, I'm a long time, frequent cruiser who sails multiple lines. I choose for the itinerary- which is my priority. Cruising is a great value. So I'd rather have minimal costs involved in any perks. I don't sail for those.

 

There will be lots of Diamonds on journey or two week cruises but on shorter ones say 7-8 days not so many.

 

About a year ago we were the only Diamonds on the ship and than another time 6 of us.

 

Think a lot of people will start with Carnival and than move on to other lines. For example these days we do more on Princess than Carnival.

[Organized Chaos]

The perks Carnival awards are really just "ice in the wintertime." Low or no cost ways to create a false sense of brand loyalty. I would like to see perks that can be chosen from a list, and tier levels determined by a combination of sea days and dollars spent with the company. For me a free drink is meaningless because I don't drink. A free steak, excursion, or activity invite means a lot more.

 

I would also like a VIP coordinator that would meet larger suite passengers and escort them aboard through a separate entrance, and be on call throughout the voyage to make the experience as enjoyable as possible. Other lines take that to mean no request too small. Suite would be filled with premium consumables, upscale toiletries, and an expanded room service menu.

 

All this needs to be paid for, other lines make a 40~50% ROI on these programs. It is included in the price of the room, can be purchased like Cheers of fttf, or bartered for a return of .5 to 1% of money previously spent.

It's not a chartered yacht, it's a family oriented cruise line designed to be affordable.

 

As far as their current perks being "low or no cost," maybe some of them, but think of the cost of the other perks. The free drink for Gold on their last night. There are a lot of Gold cruisers. Even if it's just a $6 beer, multiply that by hundreds on a single cruise, multiplied across the entire fleet, all year. Tens of thousands of dollars worth of drinks over a year's time. The platinum/diamond party with complimentary drinks & appetizers. The Carnival logo gifts (granted, those are bought in bulk at wholesale prices, but it all adds up quickly). Complimentary meal for two in a specialty restaurant for diamond. These are just a few that cost them in expenses and/or manpower. Multiply the cost of all these things by thousands every year and tell them it's low or no cost.

[OldSaltyCruiser]

My wife and I were at gold level in 2013 with 9 cruises/63 days sailed on Carnival when they were changing the requirements from 10 cruises to 75 days sailed to reach platinum level effective on 1/1/14. We opted to take a 4 day cruise on the Triumph at the end of December that year to become platinum in 2013.

 

Now hoping we can reach diamond before the rules change again.

[skiingj]

Complimentary meal for two in a specialty restaurant for diamond.

 

This is the biggest joke with obtaining diamond with Carnival. Kind of insulting that you only get one EVER. But its "Brilliant".

 

I'll work on obtaining Royal's diamond + as the benefits are substantially greater for less seas days. Its far easier to obtain diamond + with Royal when you get bonuses for certain cabin categories.

[SadieN]

Waitstaff does not have the time to interact with customers they used to have.

 

 

 

Once upon a time by the end of a cruise we would know much more about the headwaiter as he/she had time to talk. Now with an increased workload (even with two assistants) it is all they can do is keep up with the service.

 

 

 

Didnt realize so many in the crew would stick with WC. Thought they were moved thru the entire fleet as needed.

 

 

It's amazing how many have stayed on the various WC ships. Can't get on one, they'll do another. We've befriended many who have extended their contracts just to go one the Miracle Alaska cruise. Stick with us next month, Mom seems to know most of the Sr staff lol

Evidently we're friendlier ;) and the port is closer to home for the Filipino and Indonesian crew. Also, we don't have the humidity :D.

[skiingj]

It's amazing how many have stayed on the various WC ships. Can't get on one, they'll do another. We've befriended many who have extended their contracts just to go one the Miracle Alaska cruise. Stick with us next month, Mom seems to know most of the Sr staff lol

Evidently we're friendlier ;) and the port is closer to home for the Filipino and Indonesian crew. Also, we don't have the humidity :D.

 

I think you're a dawg! ;) I've heard from crew over the years that tips are better on the WC. I find that hard to believe but that's what they've said. NY'rs tip generously but they also complain the most. I'm from NY originally so I'm allowed to say that. :)

[lccruiser2006]

My wife and I were at gold level in 2013 with 9 cruises/63 days sailed on Carnival when they were changing the requirements from 10 cruises to 75 days sailed to reach platinum level effective on 1/1/14. We opted to take a 4 day cruise on the Triumph at the end of December that year to become platinum in 2013.

 

Now hoping we can reach diamond before the rules change again.

Do you remember Carnival announced the new guidelines/requirements for becoming platinum were in either 2012 or early in 2013? Plenty of time to plan new cruises if needed then, I hope this would happen the same way this time.

[bobbismith]

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[cruzn buckeye]

so, i take it that there is no new information?

[happy cruzin]

so, i take it that there is no new information?

 

 

 

Nope....not yet!

 

 

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[Naomi John]

Waitstaff does not have the time to interact with customers they used to have.

 

Once upon a time by the end of a cruise we would know much more about the headwaiter as he/she had time to talk. Now with an increased workload (even with two assistants) it is all they can do is keep up with the service.

 

Didnt realize so many in the crew would stick with WC. Thought they were moved thru the entire fleet as needed.

 

This is what I was explaining. I would give up the perks for the better service.

[volmoma]

Just hope they grandfather in the already DIAMONDS, PLATINUM ETC.

 

 

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