Disappointed

[First and Ten]

LOL!! Ok first of all I have been on 17 Carnival cruises and never seen that many Diamond/ Platinum guests . Lately the last 2 or 3 I have taken there are maybe 200-300 at the party .

Also , The so- called perks we get above except for the laundry and Private party any cruiser can now get for $50 FTTF pass for everyone in the cabin . Even if its your first cruise.

So I don't feel like being a loyal Carnival cruiser as platinum we are getting anything above and beyond what a first time cruise who pays the extra $50 is getting .

Can Carnival do something about it ABSOLUTLY . Will they NO, because they are selling cabins .

Do I whine and complain about it? No, I know the way it is and will still cruise with them because I enjoy the experience and I do have the option of other cruise lines which I have explored and taken .

I think the original poster was just stating that for some unknown reason the deals and perks ( including the casino) are all over the place . Its like they put everyone's name in a hat and choose every month what everyone will get . Some get nothing ever no matter how much the cruise, some get 2, 3 4, offers a year .

It would be nice if there were some kind of consistency to it. But again they don't have to have consistency because we all still book cruises .

 

Hockey, its curious that you brought up the FTTF crowd. While I wont say all, I am willing to bet there is a good portion of the Plats/Diamond crowd that has....how can I put this....a subtle animosity toward the idea of FTTF and there is some resentment that "newbies" can get a lot of the same perks for $70 that took the Plats/Diamonds years to earn....My question for the Plat/Dia crowd, is it more perks that only your crowd should be getting or better sale offers to cruise from Carnival?

[Sooner01]

I too have only gotten the basic offers and I've booked all of our 5 cruises. Ironically, my wife who's been with me on all 5 cruises but doesn't do the booking gets much better offers. Her last one was 50 obc, 2 upgrades, and half off deposit which we used to book our next cruise. I always look at both our VIFPs, and her's is almost always better than mine.

[firemanbobswife]

Hockey, its curious that you brought up the FTTF crowd. While I wont say all, I am willing to bet there is a good portion of the Plats/Diamond crowd that has....how can I put this....a subtle animosity toward the idea of FTTF and there is some resentment that "newbies" can get a lot of the same perks for $70 that took the Plats/Diamonds years to earn....My question for the Plat/Dia crowd, is it more perks that only your crowd should be getting or better sale offers to cruise from Carnival?

I hold no ill will towards FTTFers. I used to be one. Now I look at it as being Platinum saves me $70 right off the bat and the aggregation of possibly not having FTTF available on whatever cruise I take. Yes, those perks mean a lot to me. I realize others feel different and that's fine.

 

I would like to see the benefits pretty much the same. The water and laundry mean nothing to me personally. I do like the other things a lot and wish them to remain the same. I would like to see maybe reduced deposits that aren't tied to ES or the return of the FCC. Not necessarily only for certain statuses, but even for all. If they wanted to give a slightly reduced rate not tied to ES for D/P or whatever that would be great. Or offer a small discount on an internet package or something like that, it would be welcomed as well.

[Organized Chaos]

Hockey, its curious that you brought up the FTTF crowd. While I wont say all, I am willing to bet there is a good portion of the Plats/Diamond crowd that has....how can I put this....a subtle animosity toward the idea of FTTF and there is some resentment that "newbies" can get a lot of the same perks for $70 that took the Plats/Diamonds years to earn....My question for the Plat/Dia crowd, is it more perks that only your crowd should be getting or better sale offers to cruise from Carnival?

Yes, there are a lot of platinum/diamond who hold animosity towards people who buy FTTF. I look at it this way, we (blue-gold) have to pay for those perks. We're not getting them for free. Platinum/diamond no longer have to pay up for them. I guess you can say they paid, in a sense, by going on more cruises, but it's no longer an additional expense they need to consider. I guess I'm bias because I'm a new cruiser, but I think it's fair. I also know in my heart, because of who I am, that if I ever become platinum, I won't feel any differently about it. Those particular perks are nice and I think it's a good idea to give everyone a chance to enjoy them. It's a service offered by a company for an additional fee to those who have yet to earn it for free. It happens everywhere.

 

The ones who hold so much animosity for what they believe is not being treated special enough are the very people Carnival wants to shy away from. The ones who get a lion's share of the freebies, but still aren't happy. Carnival's spending money on these people to give them things to make them happy and keep them loyal, yet they still turn around and badmouth the brand because it's not good enough in their eyes. These aren't all platinum/diamond folks by any means, but they're the vocal ones. Carnival would much rather build loyalty with customers they don't have to essentially bribe, and that's a word they used. And yes, it would cost them less because they don't have provide as many free perks to keep people happy. That's business.

[lucky13elec]

Don't forget the little gift!

 

I don't know that it would even necessarily need to be tied to being a certain status, but when it says to "Check back often for offers" and there aren't any, then it kind of gets to be disappointing. I would like to see a reduced deposit special that's not tied to ES. And it could be for anyone. Or bring back the Future Cruise Certificate.

 

I'm with you on bringing back the Cruise Certificate. Booking on board is a PIA. Also they won't give you extra OBC cards for booking more than one room on the same cruise. I booked three cabins last time & got none for friends & family back home.

[jimbo5544]

I'm with you on bringing back the Cruise Certificate. Booking on board is a PIA. Also they won't give you extra OBC cards for booking more than one room on the same cruise. I booked three cabins last time & got none for friends & family back home.

 

 

 

Based on the latest from the chief marketing guy, booking on board is not going anywhere.

 

 

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[firemanbobswife]

Based on the latest from the chief marketing guy, booking on board is not going anywhere.

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That seems to contradict reports from cruisers who were told that their cruise was the last one where the future cruise desk would be manned. I can't remember which thread it was but it was about the change in the program. Which I would tend to believe because there is no incentive to book onboard anymore since you get the same exact "offer" in your VIFP offers for weeks after you arrive home. I think it is a very real possibility that the future cruise desks go away and I believe it's already headed that direction. There is no need for them to pay someone for that position.

[jimbo5544]

That seems to contradict reports from cruisers who were told that their cruise was the last one where the future cruise desk would be manned. I can't remember which thread it was but it was about the change in the program. Which I would tend to believe because there is no incentive to book onboard anymore since you get the same exact "offer" in your VIFP offers for weeks after you arrive home. I think it is a very real possibility that the future cruise desks go away and I believe it's already headed that direction. There is no need for them to pay someone for that position.

 

 

 

I don't disagree with the assessment of the personnel and the future desk, but the head marketing guy sent something out to TA's in regards to protecting their commissions with cruises booked on board. This leads me to think that it is not going anywhere.

 

 

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[bUU]

I don't remember which Cruise Line it was but I do remember a recent discussion that considered some recent reductions in the number of staff for certain services in the context of making room in crew quarters for more staff to be devoted to onboard sales, not for future cruises but rather for retail. I can't help wonder if it would make sense from the cruise lines standpoint to refocus some of the staff already on board in that direction perhaps taking away from onboard booking a future cruises and giving to onboard retail of other sorts.

 

This message may have been entered via voice recognition. Please excuse any typos.

[firemanbobswife]

I don't disagree with the assessment of the personnel and the future desk, but the head marketing guy sent something out to TA's in regards to protecting their commissions with cruises booked on board. This leads me to think that it is not going anywhere.

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Interesting. I wonder if they are considering/classifying the cruises booked with the offers after your cruise as "onboard" bookings.

[jimbo5544]

Interesting. I wonder if they are considering/classifying the cruises booked with the offers after your cruise as "onboard" bookings.

 

 

 

Not sure it was pretty vague which is standard operating procedure

 

 

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[Saint Greg]

That seems to contradict reports from cruisers who were told that their cruise was the last one where the future cruise desk would be manned. I can't remember which thread it was but it was about the change in the program. Which I would tend to believe because there is no incentive to book onboard anymore since you get the same exact "offer" in your VIFP offers for weeks after you arrive home. I think it is a very real possibility that the future cruise desks go away and I believe it's already headed that direction. There is no need for them to pay someone for that position.

 

Based on what I saw on my last cruise, I would disagree. There was a long line at the future cruise desk. If anything they needed more people. As long as people are wanting to buy something, I'd have someone there to sell it. If those lines disappear and the future, get rid of them. But that's not what I experienced.

[bUU]

Based on what I saw on my last cruise, I would disagree. There was a long line at the future cruise desk. If anything they needed more people. As long as people are wanting to buy something, I'd have someone there to sell it.

I suppose that would be assuredly true if these were all non-refundable deposits that are being put on account. Is that the case?

[firemanbobswife]

Based on what I saw on my last cruise, I would disagree. There was a long line at the future cruise desk. If anything they needed more people. As long as people are wanting to buy something, I'd have someone there to sell it. If those lines disappear and the future, get rid of them. But that's not what I experienced.

 

The issue is there is no more incentive for booking onboard vs doing it yourself at home. You no longer get a rate that's not tied to ES, no more Friends and Family Certificates, and decreased OBC. Once people realize this, there will be no lines and the Future Cruise Desk will be no more. Like I previously said, at least one poster was told their cruise was the last one where that desk would be manned.

 

I have to agree that they are being phased out as I was totally shocked when I went on Vista and saw the tiny podium which was the Future Cruise Desk. It was up, out of the way of really any traffic and never saw anyone there. Not even an agent. It looks like this has been in the works for sometime and I think eventually it will be gone for good.

It's the one on the right.

Also, I believe (and I could be wrong) that Freedom may have been one of the last ships to do it the "old" way. Vista and Glory (and maybe Splendor?) were the ones that started with the ES rates and OBC not tied to how many days your cruise was. So if that was the case, then yes, I can totally see that. However, that program is no more. The new program went into affect fleet wide in May.

Edited July 19, 2017 by firemanbobswife

[Saint Greg]

The issue is there is no more incentive for booking onboard vs doing it yourself at home. You no longer get a rate that's not tied to ES, no more Friends and Family Certificates, and decreased OBC. Once people realize this, there will be no lines and the Future Cruise Desk will be no more. Like I previously said, at least one poster was told their cruise was the last one where that desk would be manned.

 

I have to agree that they are being phased out as I was totally shocked when I went on Vista and saw the tiny podium which was the Future Cruise Desk. It was up, out of the way of really any traffic and never saw anyone there. Not even an agent. It looks like this has been in the works for sometime and I think eventually it will be gone for good.

It's the one on the right.

Also, I believe (and I could be wrong) that Freedom may have been one of the last ships to do it the "old" way. Vista and Glory were the ones that started with the ES rates and OBC not tied to how many days your cruise was. So if that was the case, then yes, I can totally see that. However, that program is no more.

 

Those pictures would be what I experienced on Freedom when the desk was closed. But during the open hours there were long lines.

 

I think there's a group of people who don't want to book online. I'd sell it when they want it and not count on them booking online a few weeks later.

 

I booked on board in Feb because I had an email offer onboard with a great rate and OBC. They allowed me to stack that OBC with the booking onboard OBC. I did get vouchers but I didn't care about those.

 

If they have the same deal on my next cruise I'll book 2-3 more...if not, we'll see.

[soapbxking]

I would ask the Diamond/Plats of the world, what is your expectation? What exactly do you want? I believe it was another thread, one poster claimed that out of 2100 passengers, 1900 were Dias/Plats. I would have never guessed it was close to a majority that are Dias/Plats on a cruise. So if Carnival is sailing full most if not all cruises, so there isn't a need to get people on board, I would like to know from the Dias/Plats out there what should Carnival be giving?

Without looking it up Dias/Plats get:

Priority Boarding

Priority Desembark

Priority Tendering

Priority MDR timeslots

Private Party

Laundry Service

Guest Services Line

 

I am sure there are other perks that I didn't list.

What else do you want/think you deserve that Carnival isn't offering?

 

As far as the previous poster saying 1900 of 2100 were Diamond/Plat. I call BS, huge fat BS. That is a completely idiotic statement at best!!I mean the perks would truly mean nothing. Everyone would get dibs on everything? hahaha Would be fun to watch the chaos though!!

[firemanbobswife]

Those pictures would be what I experienced on Freedom when the desk was closed. But during the open hours there were long lines.

 

 

 

I think there's a group of people who don't want to book online. I'd sell it when they want it and not count on them booking online a few weeks later.

 

 

 

I booked on board in Feb because I had an email offer onboard with a great rate and OBC. They allowed me to stack that OBC with the booking onboard OBC. I did get vouchers but I didn't care about those.

 

 

 

If they have the same deal on my next cruise I'll book 2-3 more...if not, we'll see.

 

Yeah, but the Future Cruise Desks on Conquest Class Ships are much larger. I was talking the sheer size of them. Like they didn't want to be bothered with it.

 

I don't know about if they will let you stack OBC, but it is a totally different program now and I suspect people were lined up to get the last of the vouchers, increased OBC, and rates not tied to ES.

 

I'll also check it out on my next cruise and report my findings.

Future cruise desk on Glory (and all the other Conquest Class ships I have been on). Compare to Vista. It's my opinion that they knew this when she was being built and planned accordingly. If they do away with it, it will leave no vast, wasted space and can be easily packed up, moved, or repurposed.

[Saint Greg]

Yeah, but the Future Cruise Desks on Conquest Class Ships are much larger. I was talking the sheer size of them. Like they didn't want to be bothered with it.

 

I don't know about if they will let you stack OBC, but it is a totally different program now and I suspect people were lined up to get the last of the vouchers, increased OBC, and rates not tied to ES.

 

I'll also check it out on my next cruise and report my findings.

Future cruise desk on Glory (and all the other Conquest Class ships I have been on). Compare to Vista. It's my opinion that they knew this when she was being built and planned accordingly. If they do away with it, it will leave no vast, wasted space and can be easily packed up, moved, or repurposed.

 

 

Yep..It was the bigger size...but with only 1 person behind it...the size didn't really matter. They're right to make them smaller if they're only going to staff it with one person.

[firemanbobswife]

It was larger...but with only 1 person behind it...the size doesn't really matter. They're right to make them smaller if they're only going to staff it with one person.

 

I seem to recall in our early days of cruising with Carnival they had at least 2 behind the desk. But that was a long time ago and my memory could be fuzzy.

 

I still think they will be pretty much phased out or possibly merged with another department like Shore Excursions. There just simply isn't any incentive to book onboard anymore since you can get the exact same offers weeks later at home. For those that don't want to book online, they can simply call the 800 number or their PVP or TA. Only time will tell. We shall see.

[Saint Greg]

I seem to recall in our early days of cruising with Carnival they had at least 2 behind the desk. But that was a long time ago and my memory could be fuzzy.

 

I still think they will be pretty much phased out or possibly merged with another department like Shore Excursions. There just simply isn't any incentive to book onboard anymore since you can get the exact same offers weeks later at home. For those that don't want to book online, they can simply call the 800 number or their PVP or TA. Only time will tell. We shall see.

 

There are a lot of older people who want the face to face. I would think those would also be the most likely people to book cruises early and often. It doesn't make sense to me to wait a week or two to take someone's money when they're willing to give it to me today. I'll let you know what Triumph looks like in a couple months.

[firemanbobswife]

There are a lot of older people who want the face to face. I would think those would also be the most likely people to book cruises early and often. It doesn't make sense to me to wait a week or two to take someone's money when they're willing to give it to me today. I'll let you know what Triumph looks like in a couple months.

 

Here's one of the other threads

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2502946&highlight=Onboard+booking

[SadieN]

The only special offer (aside from the normal two that are always there) was a 2 day cruise from California.

 

 

 

Yeah, like I might fly across the country for a two day cruise.

 

 

 

The special offers thing IS a joke.

 

 

That was a fun cruise! For those of us on the West Coast it was a gift. Basically, we cruised for the cost of the port fees. (IS$25pp w/ $25 OBC, OV$35pp w/$25 OBC. Also was able to apply Shareholder's OBC.)

 

Will never see that again, I've checked.

[SadieN]

Yeah, but the Future Cruise Desks on Conquest Class Ships are much larger. I was talking the sheer size of them. Like they didn't want to be bothered with it.

 

I don't know about if they will let you stack OBC, but it is a totally different program now and I suspect people were lined up to get the last of the vouchers, increased OBC, and rates not tied to ES.

 

I'll also check it out on my next cruise and report my findings.

Future cruise desk on Glory (and all the other Conquest Class ships I have been on). Compare to Vista. It's my opinion that they knew this when she was being built and planned accordingly. If they do away with it, it will leave no vast, wasted space and can be easily packed up, moved, or repurposed.

 

 

 

We were on the last Miracle sailing that offered the old program. The FCC gal was never too busy. Never saw more than one waiting at any time.

 

IMHO, they got rid of the program because too many were booking ghost cruises, knowing they'd be changing them at a later date.

[Woodfaerie]

I guess I will never get a casino offer since the only time I stepped foot into a ship casino was about 8 years ago. I tired to figure out how to play a penny slot machine and was confused! (I know, pathetic, right?) A nice young man named Stefan came to my assistance.

 

So for me no casino offers, VIFP offers are absolutely nothing to write home about but all in all, I still get the best bang for my buck on Carnival. Because I have a minimal bar tab, the deals on other lines that may offer drinking packages don't counter balance the deal I get from Carnival, which always is cheaper for when and how I cruise.

 

wow, I sound kind of boring. no drinking, no casino yet I have a BLAST each and every cruise!

[DaisyandMoe010]

I would ask the Diamond/Plats of the world, what is your expectation? What exactly do you want? I believe it was another thread, one poster claimed that out of 2100 passengers, 1900 were Dias/Plats. I would have never guessed it was close to a majority that are Dias/Plats on a cruise. So if Carnival is sailing full most if not all cruises, so there isn't a need to get people on board, I would like to know from the Dias/Plats out there what should Carnival be giving?

Without looking it up Dias/Plats get:

Priority Boarding

Priority Desembark

Priority Tendering

Priority MDR timeslots

Private Party

Laundry Service

Guest Services Line

 

I am sure there are other perks that I didn't list.

What else do you want/think you deserve that Carnival isn't offering?

 

That's a great question. I am interested in the responses!