Carnival vs. Royal Caribbean Perks

[kingoftheicedragons]

First off, I don't cruise for perks. I cruise because I like to cruise, and I cruise Carnival because I'm generally happy with them, and to an extent, because I'm familiar with the cruises and it's easiest to stay with a line that I'm familiar with.

 

But, I just booked a cruise on Royal Caribbean, and just for fun, I thought I'd look at their loyalty perks. I've heard from people that Carnival has terrible perks compared to other lines.

 

I honestly have to say, Carnival's perks look to be almost identical, and even a little better than Royal Caribbean's.

 

At Platinum (30 points), you get

• Priority check-in (don't see how it's priority if everyone who has sailed with them at least once before will get this).
  
• private lounge (that again, it seems almost everyone gets)
  
• lapel pin
  
• signature top tier event.
  

 

They do have an emerald level between platinum and diamond, but let's jump to Diamond, which is the level that I would be at if I had started with RCI instead of Carnival.

 

 

• Private lounge at embarkation...it doesn't mention priority check-in for this level, but considering every other level below it has it, I don't think you'd lose it.
  
• top tier event
  
• lapel pin
  
• a bottle of water and snacks
  
• a milestone gift for every 140 points (so I wouldn't even be at that level yet)
  
• chef's amenity
  
• nightly event with complimentary drinks.
  
• Diamond lounge on select ships.
  

Once you get up to 175 points, you get some other good choices, like the ability to pick a bonus gift on cruises longer than 3 nights, etc.

 

 

 

So to me, it seems like it takes a lot longer to accrue perks on Royal Caribbean, and really very few are all that dissimilar to Carnival's. So I'm curious as to why people say that Carnival has terrible loyalty perks.

[tallnthensome]

The usual cruise lines including Carnival DO have terrible perks. I for one pay no attention to any of the perk programs when booking a cruise. For all the money spent on each and every cruise, a bottle of water, a pin, a drink, or some strawberries is ridiculously stupid and not even worth noting ..... Perhaps when you reach each of the cruise lines top levels does it become more worthy. I can dine at a local restaurant and at least get a free meal after my 5th visit. Meh ......

[mets123]

80 points in rccl gets you free nightly drinks in the DL. 80 points in carnival gets you one lunch time drink per cruise. I vote rccl hands down.

[Aquahound]

They do have an emerald level between platinum and diamond, but let's jump to Diamond, which is the level that I would be at if I had started with RCI instead of Carnival.

 

• Private lounge at embarkation...it doesn't mention priority check-in for this level, but considering every other level below it has it, I don't think you'd lose it.
  
• top tier event
  
• lapel pin
  
• a bottle of water and snacks
  
• a milestone gift for every 140 points (so I wouldn't even be at that level yet)
  
• chef's amenity
  
• nightly event with complimentary drinks.
  
• Diamond lounge on select ships.
  

 

At Diamond on RCI, you get 3 free drinks loaded on to your card every evening, plus have unlimited drinks every evening in the private Diamond Lounge. Diamond also has their own concierge. What I don't see in your list is the free specialty restaurant dinner, the $250 balcony discount, free specialty coffees in the D Lounge, additional BOGO drinks loaded on to your card, shop discounts, free photos, bridge tours. I'm sure there are others I'm not remembering.

 

You also get reciprocal perks on the other lines under the RCCL umbrella. Carnival Corp doesn't do that.

 

In the mass market industry, it's hard to compete with RCI's perks at the higher levels. This is a typical Diamond Lounge on RCI.

 

 

Edited March 5, 2018 by Aquahound

[skiingj]

RCI hands down. I'm sorry I didn't take the Carnival blinders off years ago. RCI perks are so much better. I'm Carnival Platinum and I can't wait to get the one time for life Carnival Dimond perk of one free specialty restaurant. RCI all the way not even comparable to Canirval. Plus RCCL crosses brands Carnival zipo.

[pita2]

Well I definitely prefer carnival over RCI. Just sailed 2 weeks (b2b on RCI) I am platinum on RCI and carnival. I received absolutely nothing on RCI being platinum oh sorry the free drink! On Carnival I get 2 free bags of laundry per week a platinum gift each week, priority boarding. Also carnival gave every b2b cabin a nice fruit basket and a group picture of all doing b2b. Nice touch if you ask me.

I do not sail for perks, I sail for relaxation and fun! Everyone has different opinions to what they like! So wherever it is you are having the most fun, stick with it!

[buddylover]

Well I definitely prefer carnival over RCI. Just sailed 2 weeks (b2b on RCI) I am platinum on RCI and carnival. I received absolutely nothing on RCI being platinum oh sorry the free drink! On Carnival I get 2 free bags of laundry per week a platinum gift each week, priority boarding. Also carnival gave every b2b cabin a nice fruit basket and a group picture of all doing b2b. Nice touch if you ask me.

I do not sail for perks, I sail for relaxation and fun! Everyone has different opinions to what they like! So wherever it is you are having the most fun, stick with it!

 

You are comparing 'apples' to 'oranges'. Platinum on CCL (reached after 75 cruising days) is NOT EQUAL to Platinum status on RCI (reached after 30 sea days). You need to compare how one reaches the 'title' of Platinum on each cruise lines. Although the SAME titling, it is tiered and reached by different criteria. Compare the CRITERIA!! At 30 sea days on CCL there are virtually NO perks (worthwhile at lease IMHO) and it is NOT called Platinum but GOLD on CCL at that point. RCI beats CCL in "perks" hands down (at equivalent sea day levels).

[gnocchi_mommy]

RCCL's balcony discount for crown and anchor members is really the best part of their program. The discount can be significant!

 

First off, I don't cruise for perks. I cruise because I like to cruise, and I cruise Carnival because I'm generally happy with them, and to an extent, because I'm familiar with the cruises and it's easiest to stay with a line that I'm familiar with.

 

But, I just booked a cruise on Royal Caribbean, and just for fun, I thought I'd look at their loyalty perks. I've heard from people that Carnival has terrible perks compared to other lines.

 

I honestly have to say, Carnival's perks look to be almost identical, and even a little better than Royal Caribbean's.

 

At Platinum (30 points), you get

• Priority check-in (don't see how it's priority if everyone who has sailed with them at least once before will get this).
  
• private lounge (that again, it seems almost everyone gets)
  
• lapel pin
  
• signature top tier event.
  

They do have an emerald level between platinum and diamond, but let's jump to Diamond, which is the level that I would be at if I had started with RCI instead of Carnival.

 

• Private lounge at embarkation...it doesn't mention priority check-in for this level, but considering every other level below it has it, I don't think you'd lose it.
  
• top tier event
  
• lapel pin
  
• a bottle of water and snacks
  
• a milestone gift for every 140 points (so I wouldn't even be at that level yet)
  
• chef's amenity
  
• nightly event with complimentary drinks.
  
• Diamond lounge on select ships.
  

Once you get up to 175 points, you get some other good choices, like the ability to pick a bonus gift on cruises longer than 3 nights, etc.

 

 

 

So to me, it seems like it takes a lot longer to accrue perks on Royal Caribbean, and really very few are all that dissimilar to Carnival's. So I'm curious as to why people say that Carnival has terrible loyalty perks.

[DebJ14]

We are Diamond on both RCCL and Carnival. It only took us 80 nights to get Diamond on RCCL and 200 to reach Diamond on Carnival. As others have noted we get Priority check in, that nice balcony discount upfront and the free drinks loaded on our cards and the Diamond Lounge and the top tier event on RCCL.

 

On Carnival we get the privilege of paying $20.00 more than the Early Saver fare and we get a bottle of water and a drink coupon as well as the Platinum/Diamond reunion and the Diamond event.

 

The only thing we don't get on RCCL is the Diamond event, but then again there are 2 tiers above Diamond on RCCL, so I am sure they do something similar for Pinnacle members.

 

Frankly, I'd rather have the extra couple of hundred bucks still in my pocket and have pretty much no bill for drinks- therefore RCCL wins hands down. Our next cruise is on RCCL in May.

Edited March 6, 2018 by DebJ14

[CoupleUK]

Take a look at the Status Match offered by MSC - best perks by miles - and a great cruise if you choose Yacht Club.

[cruising maniac]

I loved that RCL counted my many sailings with Celebrity toward my loyalty level. I love my laundry perk on Carnival. I cruise because of itinerary and not perks. But, after my first cruise last year on RCL, I felt that it was a higher class cruising experience than Carnival. It does pain me to say that because hands down most of my 30 cruises are on Carnival. I am a loyal Carnival cruiser and my next two cruises are booked on the Conquest and the Magic. But, I did really, really like RCL.

[Joebucks]

I would have to say RCI wins here. The free drinks benefit is a pretty good perk over Carnival. If that is the biggest difference, I wonder if the difference in fares is worth the free drinks as you generally spend more for RCI anyways. If you RCI is your preference then it becomes an easier choice.

 

Also, you can build up a loyalty and things could change for the better, or worse. For what it takes the average person to reach 75-80 nights, someone will change something. Carnival has already stated that they have interest in adding more perks for lower levels.

[2Shoes2Go]

There are some very nice perks at Diamond Plus and Pinnacle on Royal. But, we prefer Carnival for the fun atmosphere. We find it a bit snooty on Royal. We can do either one, but choose Carnival, at least for now. :D

[BlerkOne]

Does Royal still give a piece of glass for Milestones?

[Aquahound]

Does Royal still give a piece of glass for Milestones?

 

Yes. It's a glass block with an etching of the ship.

[NavarreCruiser]

Well I definitely prefer carnival over RCI. Just sailed 2 weeks (b2b on RCI) I am platinum on RCI and carnival. I received absolutely nothing on RCI being platinum oh sorry the free drink! On Carnival I get 2 free bags of laundry per week a platinum gift each week, priority boarding. Also carnival gave every b2b cabin a nice fruit basket and a group picture of all doing b2b. Nice touch if you ask me.

I do not sail for perks, I sail for relaxation and fun! Everyone has different opinions to what they like! So wherever it is you are having the most fun, stick with it!

 

Comparing names of categories is not equivalent. Platinum on Carnival takes 75 days. Diamond on RCCL is the most equivalent to Platinum on Carnival. It takes 80 days on RCCL to reach Diamond, less if you book suites (double points/night). To be fair you must compare Carnival Platinum to Royal Diamond.

[Sailor_Sally]

In the perk department Royal wins hands down . I have 41 points on Royal and I get the balcony discount and offers for buy one get one free drinks and other items on my sail & sign card . On Carnival I have 46 points and I get a bottle of water . Are you kidding me Carnival ! Offer something!They used to have the party with free drinks but now that is only for Platinum & Diamond .

[Namelocg]

You are still not comparing "apples" to "apples". On Carnival you get 1 point for each night sailed. On Royal you get 1 point per night plus 1 extra point per night if you sail solo plus 1 more point per night if you sail solo in a suite. If you don't sail solo but are in a suite you get 2 points per night. Carnival's suite perks are non-existant while Royal's are great.

 

For those that are casino players Royal wins hands down. On Carnival you never know how many points are needed for any future perks. On Royal the amount of points needed are posted right in the casino. 400, you get $100.00 off a future cruise, 800 = $200 off, 1200 = $300 off, 1600 = $400 off, 2000 = $500 off, 2400 = free inside stateroom, 2800 = free ocean view and 3200 = free balcony room. For 4 out of 5 of my last cruises I have only paid taxes, port charges and tip. The 5th cruise was on Carnival and I paid full fare for that on.

[BlerkOne]

I found the casinos on Royal smokier than Carnival, drink prices higher, gratuities higher, cruise prices higher, etc. I didn't like subsidizing the perks of the elite.

 

If Carnival ever does add a level above Diamond, I wonder what MSC has to match that?

[Namelocg]

How are the points earned.. carnival slots one point for 2.50 bet... curious

 

Points are earned the same way. $2.50 per point on slots, $5.00 per point on video poker.

 

If you play on tables instead of slots the pit boss or casino host has no problem telling you how many points you have earned.

 

I was on Freedom of the Seas last week. I knew I had enough points for something but wasn't sure what since I mostly play tables. On the last night about 8PM I went to check my points with the host. I was 11 points short of a free cabin. Since I still planned to play more that night I just went back to the host when I was finished and got my certificate. Easy peasy!!

[AmBear]

First off, I don't cruise for perks. I cruise because I like to cruise, and I cruise Carnival because I'm generally happy with them, and to an extent, because I'm familiar with the cruises and it's easiest to stay with a line that I'm familiar with.

 

But, I just booked a cruise on Royal Caribbean, and just for fun, I thought I'd look at their loyalty perks. I've heard from people that Carnival has terrible perks compared to other lines.

 

I honestly have to say, Carnival's perks look to be almost identical, and even a little better than Royal Caribbean's.

 

At Platinum (30 points), you get

• Priority check-in (don't see how it's priority if everyone who has sailed with them at least once before will get this).
  
• private lounge (that again, it seems almost everyone gets)
  
• lapel pin
  
• signature top tier event.
  

They do have an emerald level between platinum and diamond, but let's jump to Diamond, which is the level that I would be at if I had started with RCI instead of Carnival.

 

• Private lounge at embarkation...it doesn't mention priority check-in for this level, but considering every other level below it has it, I don't think you'd lose it.
  
• top tier event
  
• lapel pin
  
• a bottle of water and snacks
  
• a milestone gift for every 140 points (so I wouldn't even be at that level yet)
  
• chef's amenity
  
• nightly event with complimentary drinks.
  
• Diamond lounge on select ships.
  

Once you get up to 175 points, you get some other good choices, like the ability to pick a bonus gift on cruises longer than 3 nights, etc.

 

 

 

So to me, it seems like it takes a lot longer to accrue perks on Royal Caribbean, and really very few are all that dissimilar to Carnival's. So I'm curious as to why people say that Carnival has terrible loyalty perks.

 

 

At the highest 2 levels, RCL is better then Carnival!

Are you listening Carnival?;p

[sgttami]

I found the casinos on Royal smokier than Carnival, drink prices higher, gratuities higher, cruise prices higher, etc. I didn't like subsidizing the perks of the elite.

 

If Carnival ever does add a level above Diamond, I wonder what MSC has to match that?

 

 

MSC's highest status is Black. I sailed on Divina in October and I'm Diamond on RCL so I used that for that cruise. Made no sense to use my Carnival status, since it was gold at the time.

 

I'll be Platinum on my next Carnival but my RCL Diamond still applies to being Black on MSC...

 

MSC had nice perks.

[harry0]

To all those who state "I dont sail for perks".

Maybe not but I find it hard not to cruise with Royal with the Diamond plus perks.

Free specialty coffee 24 hours-Love my cappuccinos!

Open bar 3 hours a night and 3 drinks any place on the ship.

$250 Balcony discount

free internet

free laundry

priority embarkation-FTTF is rip-off IMO

Free gift-I get a cheap beach towell and waters

Going on Carnival soon with family and I will have a great time.

[AmBear]

MSC's highest status is Black. I sailed on Divina in October and I'm Diamond on RCL so I used that for that cruise. Made no sense to use my Carnival status, since it was gold at the time.

 

I'll be Platinum on my next Carnival but my RCL Diamond still applies to being Black on MSC...

 

MSC had nice perks.

 

The only problem with MSC is their loyalty program has a time limit, if you don't sail with them every so often, you go back to starting all over! YUK!

BTW that match you mentioned only works once!

Another YUK, is they recently changed their loyalty club, and it hurt those already in, Black got 20% off a cruise booking, now they get 5% off like everyone else, that adds up to a big price increase to your most loyal cruisers!

But, its not all YUK, they are beautiful ships, the Divina/Seaside, in Miami, and their MDR where you're offered 7(?) courses is truly Elegant European style dining!

Their Pizza to those of you who love pizza is the best at sea!