Loyalty Levels bypassed

[Grego]

I guess I've gotten over being really upset about folks getting loyalty upgrades or getting to Elite because they did their 15 voyages......even if they were all coastal 3 or 4 days. We did our levels with the only voyages available to us and the minimum was 7 days. Now after 36 voyages with Princess we look back and think that we would have done them anyway with or without any loyalty levels.

 

Don't get me wrong, we do enjoy our "free" internet minutes and on the longer duration voyages of over 15 days we do enjoy and use the "free" laundry for a few items. The rest of the perks aren't really important. Preferred boarding is not as convenient as the non-preferred lines. Preferred tender boarding may have some advantage at certain ports, but normally it's fine to wait until the herd is done and go then.

 

Princess has earned our loyalty by providing wonderful ships, great staff, good food and entertainment and the cruise experience that keeps us coming back. Consistent good product produces loyalty.

 

I do wish there were corresponding benefits among the Carnival Corp. family so we could explore those lines and their differing itineraries while still enjoying those perks that make sense to us.

[rbt001]

I would not worry about this. Princess does not want to give away Elite status. Princess wants us to earn it by cruising and cruising and cruising!!

 

More accurately, I would tell you that Princess wants to attract revenue intensive passengers, meaning those who spend money.

 

I can tell you that it was a result of my Elite status on Princess and gambling, that when my contact at Carnival Corp knew I would be sailing on a Carnival brand ship, that --just for the cruise-- my status was elevated ... "so I could enjoy the amenities I was accustomed to on Princess..." was how it was explained. And when I booked my next one, the same thing happened. It's never a permanent status level for me, but as long as I continue to "qualify," then I would imagine that that perk would be granted. I'm smart enough to know that if I just stopped playing in the casino, the status elevation wouldn't be offered. (Nor would I get the certs for those comp cruises in suites on Carnival.)

 

I remember a thread on here awhile back where reading posts by some made me envision spoiled children kicking and screaming: "Not fair! Why didn't I get that." Apparently it was too adult a concept for some to understand that not everyone is treated the same. The benefits and perks that I receive for my casino play are granted because of my play in the casino. Anyone else who plays the same would get offered the same. And I can tell you that I KNOW there are others who get MORE than I do-- because they play MORE in the casino. They deserve it, and it doesn't bother me at all. To further illustrate that comps equate play, I was just on a 15 day Panama Canal cruise: that's a lot of gambling time. I earned about 36,000 points on slot machines and it so happened by pure coincidence that a table mate in the MDR was also a big player, earning just about the same number of points. We confired on our next cruise offers: they were the same.

 

Another real live example is NCL and their Casinos at Sea program which operates very similar to land-based casinos where there are tier levels achieved by earning points over the program's fiscal year April to March. In two cruises, I've elevated myself to a level, but there is a particular perk that I would like that is not offered until I hit the next level. So I know that I have until the end of March this year to sail and play enough to get to that level to earn that perk. No reason for me to kick and scream and cry not fair. They tell me what to do.

 

The same applies to the Princess loyalty program: 15 cruise credits or 150 days sailed, and you're Elite.

 

So what about those who get those benefits and status another way?

 

Do you begrudge Princess for handing out "Elite for this Cruise" prizes?

 

Do you begrudge Princess from making the business decision to elevate to Elite individuals who they deem to be VIP's.... or they feel can provide an ongoing profitable revenue stream?

 

Those are just good business decisions.

[antsp]

Just guessing, but based upon your numerous posts, did you ever think that it may be because Princess reads your posts too? If you were Princess, would you provide niceties to someone who:

 

- views "Dress Code" as a suggestion and feels they can wear what they want?

- doesn't follow beverage rules, avoiding the safekeeping policy, smuggling liquor back to their room?

- has stated in posts here that they will do what they want despite Princess policy?

 

These are all things you've posted. So I simply ask the question: if you were running a cruise line, would you want someone with these tendencies on board your ships?

 

I'm asking this nicely, with all due respect, and without being rude. I surely hope you do not take offense, but rather take a look at your attitude expressed in your posts, perhaps in a different light.

 

 

I can see no logic in your post,I how does Princess know who floridalover is

[rbt001]

I guess I've gotten over being really upset about folks getting loyalty upgrades or getting to Elite because they did their 15 voyages......even if they were all coastal 3 or 4 days. We did our levels with the only voyages available to us and the minimum was 7 days. Now after 36 voyages with Princess we look back and think that we would have done them anyway with or without any loyalty levels.

 

Don't get me wrong, we do enjoy our "free" internet minutes and on the longer duration voyages of over 15 days we do enjoy and use the "free" laundry for a few items. The rest of the perks aren't really important. Preferred boarding is not as convenient as the non-preferred lines. Preferred tender boarding may have some advantage at certain ports, but normally it's fine to wait until the herd is done and go then.

 

Princess has earned our loyalty by providing wonderful ships, great staff, good food and entertainment and the cruise experience that keeps us coming back. Consistent good product produces loyalty.

 

I do wish there were corresponding benefits among the Carnival Corp. family so we could explore those lines and their differing itineraries while still enjoying those perks that make sense to us.

 

 

I was one of "those" who made my Elite status in just eight physical cruises: 6 solos, one being in a suite, and two sharing a cabin. It just took 31 days of sailing. But understand that this was a time when Princess could NOT FILL THEIR SHIPS. It would have been worse for them to sail without me as a "buying unit." or at least they thought so. As for me, I would guess they were happy, considering the money I played in the casino. However, there where others that knew how to stack OBC benefits, along with generous OBC offers just to get people to sail: some individuals literally made money from going on the cruise because they figured out how to convert the OBC into cash in their pocket!

 

As for allowing loyalty levels to span across brands, that could get very dangerous as Diamonds from Carnival decided to try Princess, as an example. On that first Carnival cruise, there were so many Diamond passengers, we were told, that they would be unable to properly accommodate "Priority Disembarkation" requests.

 

I will agree with you on a very interesting point you make. The perks are yours to value-- or not. But at the end of the day, the overall Princess experience will determine if you return. Free laundry and internet aren't worth it if you're staying in a cabin you complain about, are served food you don't like, don't enjoy the entertainment, have no interest in the ports of call, and feel the service is lousy.

[Roz]

I can see no logic in your post,I how does Princess know who floridalover is

I wondered the same thing.

 

Roz

 

Sent from my SM-S820L using Forums mobile app

[rbt001]

I can see no logic in your post,I how does Princess know who floridalover is

 

There are enough elements in the profile and posts for it to be figured out. But do not ask, as I will not share how it is known.

[DrJohn]

I am long time Elite on Princess and went on my first - and last - Celebrity cruise last October.

 

No status upgrade, I was firmly in Cattle Class and they rubbed it in frequently.

 

So that was Celebrity, next tryout for a new favorite cruise line is Windstar next month.

 

Sounds familiar, we tried Celebrity last June and MSC in August in our tryouts for a new favorite cruise line and found Celebrity about the same as Princess except Celebrity had more loyalty levels than Princess and shared with Royal, and MSC was OK except for a terrible dining room. Top of our list so far is Norwegian, they have become much better than when they used to be our first choice in the 1990's, when Princess took over as first choice. But we are looking because overall quality and service have declined with all the cutbacks, Elite benefits have been degraded, and Princess offers no higher levels for those who have more cruises than 15 or days of 150, we are considerably higher than that.

Edited January 19, 2018 by DrJohn
clarity

[antsp]

There are enough elements in the profile and posts for it to be figured out. But do not ask, as I will not share how it is known.

So you know who I am

[Roz]

There are enough elements in the profile and posts for it to be figured out. But do not ask, as I will not share how it is known.

I'm going to ask anyway, you can't stop me. If this forum is being monitored by Russian hackers, don't you think we have a right to know that? [emoji32]

 

Sent from my SM-S820L using Forums mobile app

[antsp]

I'm going to ask anyway, you can't stop me. If this forum is being monitored by Russian hackers, don't you think we have a right to know that? [emoji32]

 

Sent from my SM-S820L using Forums mobile app

Princess have undercover agents operating everywhere. So be careful what you say and do. PS. They’ve asked me on your next cruise will you return those 2 pool towels you have. :o:o:o

[floridalover5623]

Just guessing, but based upon your numerous posts, did you ever think that it may be because Princess reads your posts too? If you were Princess, would you provide niceties to someone who:

 

- views "Dress Code" as a suggestion and feels they can wear what they want?

- doesn't follow beverage rules, avoiding the safekeeping policy, smuggling liquor back to their room?

- has stated in posts here that they will do what they want despite Princess policy?

 

These are all things you've posted. So I simply ask the question: if you were running a cruise line, would you want someone with these tendencies on board your ships?

 

I'm asking this nicely, with all due respect, and without being rude. I surely hope you do not take offense, but rather take a look at your attitude expressed in your posts, perhaps in a different light.

I don't view your post as rude by any means.

First of all Princess can't allociate my posts here on CC to my past history sailing with them.

Second of all although I might not follow what others wear to the DR on formal nights I certainly follow what they perscribe as acceptable if you take the time to read what they publish.

And yes, smuggling has been something that I subscribe to from time to time but again they have no way of knowing what I personally do.

 

 

If Princess could actually identify CC members by their screen name then perhaps I should become a Princess cheerleader & reap the benefits. LOL :D

Maybe I should even give my correct location other than Florida. :D:D

[nukesubsailor]

I can see no logic in your post,I how does Princess know who floridalover is

 

Wikileaks:D

[geoherb]

I guess I've gotten over being really upset about folks getting loyalty upgrades or getting to Elite because they did their 15 voyages......even if they were all coastal 3 or 4 days. We did our levels with the only voyages available to us and the minimum was 7 days. Now after 36 voyages with Princess we look back and think that we would have done them anyway with or without any loyalty levels.

That's the best attitude to have. Although I have to say that we probably would have chosen cruises on other lines if it were not for the loyalty levels. Back before we retired, we enjoyed the internet minutes after earning Platinum status in order to stay in touch with work. On other cruise lines, we sometimes purchased internet minutes. Getting them free on Princess was one thing I took into consideration when comparing cruise prices. The Carnival Corp. shareholder benefit is another thing that has steered us to Princess and HAL cruises. My brother owns RCI stock, but a lot of times he can't use it due to whatever other promo he's gotten. I'm glad Carnival Corp. allows us to stack the shareholder benefit onto whatever else we're getting.

[Shoalwater]

Sounds familiar, we tried Celebrity last June and MSC in August in our tryouts for a new favorite cruise line and found Celebrity about the same as Princess except Celebrity had more loyalty levels than Princess and shared with Royal, and MSC was OK except for a terrible dining room. Top of our list so far is Norwegian, they have become much better than when they used to be our first choice in the 1990's, when Princess took over as first choice. But we are looking because overall quality and service have declined with all the cutbacks, Elite benefits have been degraded, and Princess offers no higher levels for those who have more cruises than 15 or days of 150, we are considerably higher than that.

 

"Dr. John", It's been awhile since we enjoyed sitting with you in the Princess Art Auctions back when Princess and not Park West ran them. We have the same sentiments as you about Princess and where it's headed. Like Tessio told Tom Hagen in Godfather 1 "Tell Michael it was strictly business. I always liked him.". Princess is chasing a different demographic, so we've moved on to another line you might like and would be happy to tell you more. Email me at gebetti@yahoo.com.

[pathi]

I can see no logic in your post,I how does Princess know who floridalover is

 

Could they compare the passenger lists on princess cruises that floridalover has booked?? IE 2/18/18 2/28/18....

 

 

Also IP info is pretty easy to get. Which will show city/state. If you can get a court order you can get all the info that the ISP has.

 

Assuming Tor, with a vpn is not being used etc etc.

[Roz]

Could they compare the passenger lists on princess cruises that floridalover has booked?? IE 2/18/18 2/28/18....

 

 

Also IP info is pretty easy to get. Which will show city/state. If you can get a court order you can get all the info that the ISP has.

 

Assuming Tor, with a vpn is not being used etc etc.

 

Seems like a lot of trouble to go through, and for what?

 

Roz

[azbirdmom]

I have heard of the prizes awarded to a few passengers of an upgrade in status for the cruise. That gets them things like free laundry and access to the Elite "lounge" and the Captain's Party and the free wine tasting, and internet minutes. It costs Princess virtually nothing.

 

I got my Elite the old fashioned way -- lots of cruises! As all the readers here know, that was such a burden to cruise so much!! But I forced myself to do it.

 

On land-based casinos, I was given a free upgrade to Diamond tier status by Caesars Entertainment for three months, to match my (earned) Noir status with MLife. This was to lure me into Caesars properties from the MGM properties. If I earned a certain number of points during the three month upgrade period, I would be able to keep my Diamond status.

 

I did go to Caesars properties a couple of times during the three month elevated period, but I much prefer MGM properties, so my Diamond status is going to expire in a couple of weeks. In my case, the tier matching program did not work, but it also did not cost Caesars anything, since I have not availed myself of their Diamond benefits.

 

I have never heard of Princess doing a tier match, but it does make sense if they do. After all, if someone had to chose between two cruises, one on Princess and one on Celebrity, maybe that potential passenger's tier status would be the deciding factor.

 

I would not worry about this. Princess does not want to give away Elite status. Princess wants us to earn it by cruising and cruising and cruising!!

 

I usually do not worry about what others are getting. I earned Elite the hard way and am happy with what I get. If others are Elite and did not get it the same way I do, then it would seem the more the merrier. Princess is a business and it's not surprising that they try to fill their ships with repeat passengers who are likely to spend more than the average passenger.

 

However, there is a danger that Princess will later look at the number of Elites and what they are spending on this class and decide to cut back. That appears to be what happened in the example you gave about CET. They did the status match for MLife customers offering them Diamond cards and then after they got complaints that the Diamond Lounge was too crowded, they ended up only offering entry to the folks who attained an even higher level of tier credits. Basically they cut a benefit for Diamonds that earned status the hard way because the benefit was being "overused", even though it was CET's fault that condition occurred.

 

It doesn't seem like Princess is giving away Elite status nearly as much as CET gave away Diamond. However, I did want to point out that there can be changes made down the road if Princess decides that there are too many Elites.

[floridalover5623]

Could they compare the passenger lists on princess cruises that floridalover has booked?? IE 2/18/18 2/28/18....

 

 

Also IP info is pretty easy to get. Which will show city/state. If you can get a court order you can get all the info that the ISP has.

 

Assuming Tor, with a vpn is not being used etc etc.

Ah yes, the old VPN.:cool:

Confuses the issue every time. :D

Are you positive about 2/18 and 2/28?

It could be 3/4 & 3/11 under a different screen name. :rolleyes:

Has anyone actually seen floridlover5623 at any meet and greet?:confused:

[frugaltravel]

So good of you to keep it on the "down-low" by posting here on CC.

 

My thought exactly as soon as I read it!!! :D

[oneidealvacation]

If you can get a court order you can get all the info that the ISP has.

 

:'):'):'):') Just imagining Princess getting a court order to figure out who violated the dress code or brought some booze on board. Cheers! :beer-mug::champagne-toast:

[floridalover5623]

:'):'):'):') Just imagining Princess getting a court order to figure out who violated the dress code or brought some booze on board. Cheers! :beer-mug::champagne-toast:

Some people do live in a dream world or watched a little too much TV.

[toescat]

I believe that if a new-to-Princess guest has Elite status on another line, then they get upgraded to elite for this one cruise. I think Celebrity does this as well.

 

Not sure about that as I am Diamond status on Carnival which is equal to Elite on Princess. When I started cruising in 1984 there were no such loyalty benefits. On your second + cruises you were invited to the Captains party which was always held in the showroom. Wonderful bites of food and free drinks and that was the loyalty benefit. When I booked my first cruise with Princess in 2004 I told them that I was Diamond status with Carnival and would my status transfer over to Princess since they are owned by Carnival Corporation. I was told the loyalty status does not transfer over to any of their sister lines and would have to build mine with Princess.

[toescat]

One more thing, we met a very nice couple on our cruise last year. They have only been cruising 3 years but were elite status. I asked them how since it took us a while to become Elite. They went on their first cruise and fell in love with cruising, the wife was 30 years older than her husband and their goal was to become Elite before the wife could no longer cruise and so they could have free laundry. They started going 3 day cruises out of LA every month, then added a long cruise to Hawaii, Alaska then back to 3 day cruises. We sat there with our mouths wide open and in amazement. This couple were so wonderful we did everything together the next 9 days.

[rbt001]

I don't view your post as rude by any means.

 

And yes, smuggling has been something that I subscribe to from time to time but again they have no way of knowing what I personally do.

 

 

Maybe I should even give my correct location other than Florida. :D:D

Do you mean Canada?

[villauk]

I am long time Elite on Princess and went on my first - and last - Celebrity cruise last October.

 

No status upgrade, I was firmly in Cattle Class and they rubbed it in frequently.

 

So that was Celebrity, next tryout for a new favorite cruise line is Windstar next month.

 

We are the opposite to you: Elite on X and Diamond on Royal but lowly Gold on Princess. Wonder if they will offer us the ‘good for one cruise only’ Elite status? I’m not holding my breath ;p.