Diamond and faster to the fun

[jimbo5544]

My guess is that it will not be eliminated but the point accrual might be adjusted, such as adding a timed component such as how many days accumulated in a certain timeframe (such as a year) that will maintain the level (like airlines do).  

[Lottacruises]

1 hour ago, jimbo5544 said:

My guess is that it will not be eliminated but the point accrual might be adjusted, such as adding a timed component such as how many days accumulated in a certain timeframe (such as a year) that will maintain the level (like airlines do).  

 

 

I'm kind of hoping for that, and it seems to be the most sustainable model. 

 

[Lottacruises]

9 hours ago, Schoifmom said:

On my last cruise, Platinums and FTTF met in the restaurant and the Diamonds in a separate room off the restaurant (where they got special goodies just for them).  Diamonds were escorted off first, then Platinums, and then FTTF.  While they were all in the same room, they were separated by classification and it was all very orderly.

 

Yes, I've seen it like this many times as well. 

[LibratPDX]

On 9/22/2019 at 10:56 AM, Sean_B said:

I don't think they'll eliminate any levels, but I can certainly see Carnival limiting how the program is used. With the number of D/P/FTTF passengers increasing, it wouldn't surprise me to see Carnival saying "ok, if you want the benefits that come with being a P/D/FTTF, you have to be in a designated cabin category or above" (ie: middle, ocean view or higher). If you're a Platinum guest, but choose an interior cabin on deck 2, you don't get any of the Platinum benefits. If you choose a middle balcony cabin, then you can use your Platinum status benefits.

 

Essentially, no more D/P/FTTF guests in the cheap seats, racking up points at the lower end of the profit margin.

 

One other option is for the company to limit the points actually accumulated by passengers, based on fare category. Airlines do this quite successfully; economy airfare (interior cabin) would earn a minimum number of points (or none at all), while business class (suites) would earn a larger number of points. If you need 75 points to reach Platinum, then it may take you 150 days if you only sail in interior cabins (earning 0.5 point per day), but a middle balcony cabin may earn you 1 full point per day.

 

These things aren't outside the realm of possibility.

Hah, very much disagree!  Cabin selection should not change how benefits are earned or used.  And why am I not getting double points for paying double (being solo) in a cabin?

[jimbo5544]

42 minutes ago, LibratPDX said:

Hah, very much disagree!  Cabin selection should not change how benefits are earned or used.  And why am I not getting double points for paying double (being solo) in a cabin?

Was that a rhetorical question? 

[LibratPDX]

Ya think?  

[jimbo5544]

37 minutes ago, LibratPDX said:

Ya think?  

I have learned long ago not to take things for granted here.....

[LibratPDX]

Right?  I'm not sure why people get so brutal just because they can?   I know other cruise lines (even those associated with Carnival) give solos more points for paying double but I'm not holding my breath for Carnival to do it.  And what happened to the medallions that were in the news earlier in the year (in place of S&S cards)?  

 

It seems that Carnival is not consistent in how things are handled from one ship to the other.  Asking questions is fine but one person's experience will not match the next person's.  

Edited September 24, 2019 by LibratPDX

[jimbo5544]

Just now, LibratPDX said:

Right?  I'm not sure why people get so brutal just because they can?   I know other cruise lines (even those associated with Carnival) give solo's more points for paying double but I'm not holding my breath for Carnival to do it.  And what happened to the medallions that were in the news earlier in the year (in place of S&S cards)?  

 

It seems that Carnival is not consistent in how things are handled from one ship to the other.  Asking questions is fine but one person's experience will not match the next person's.  

I would doubt they will ever change what you are asking.  Frankly, I was shocked when I heard here that casino comps earned status.  While they can argue they “paid” for their rooms, they gambled and were awarded status do it.  Totally different than “paying” for a cabin (whether a suite or inside).

[AmBear]

On 9/22/2019 at 8:02 AM, Lottacruises said:

The last few cruises I've been on they have had diamond and fttf meeting in the same place on the morning we get off the ship. The platinum have met elsewhere. I know we are all used to seeing them all together, and I know that's how it was on YOUR cruise, but this is what I'm seeing now. 

 

How long before platinum no longer receives priority debark, in your opinion?

All has to do with who is on board!

We were on one cruise where there were 3 diamonds, another had 50, same can be said with platinums, some cruises have 50, some have a thousand!-))

[jimbo5544]

13 hours ago, AmBear said:

All has to do with who is on board!

We were on one cruise where there were 3 diamonds, another had 50, same can be said with platinums, some cruises have 50, some have a thousand!-))

The point is, is that both groups are growing, obviously plats at a higher rate.

[Lottacruises]

I was talking with someone who seemed to know or at least hear information. He seems to think they will raise the "points" to very high levels and then reward on number of days sailed, bonus points for balconies, suites, etc...

 

All speculation but we know things will change. 

 

They can't keep up as it is, much less when half the ship is priority. How many priority tenders can they load at once? How many will fit in the plat and diamond? I've been where they had two, in the theatre, because there were so many. How many fit on the gangway on turnaround day if we are all priority?

 

It will change, if you don't realize that you haven't cruised enough to understand.

 

The only thing they probably have enough of for everyone are those pitiful strawberries.... I always get happy to see them but they usually show up right after I've eaten....lol

[TNcruising02]

Maybe it's more of an issue on the smaller ships.  When I cruised on the Vista, FTTF, early flights, platinums, and diamonds all met in the dining room to walk off of the ship with their luggage.  There was plenty of room.

On the Magic, everyone met in the dining room for first tender.  All of the priority people didn't even fill up half of the tender boat.

On the Breeze, they split it up and had FTTF, early flights, and suites meet in the theater on the last day.  Diamonds and platinums met in the dining room.  I don't think space is an issue if they are organized.  I am not sure about the smaller ships.

[PhillyFan33579]

On 9/22/2019 at 8:02 AM, Lottacruises said:

The last few cruises I've been on they have had diamond and fttf meeting in the same place on the morning we get off the ship. The platinum have met elsewhere. I know we are all used to seeing them all together, and I know that's how it was on YOUR cruise, but this is what I'm seeing now. 

 

How long before platinum no longer receives priority debark, in your opinion?

 

I think you are reading too much into your experience. The morning meeting points on debarkation day are dictated by the number of passengers in each priority group.  What most likely happened on your cruises was there was a large number of Platinums, which necessitated putting them in a separate waiting area. 

 

Having said that, there is no doubt in my mind changes are coming to the VIFP Program and people are going to lose perks they previously had based on their current level. 

[PhillyFan33579]

On 9/23/2019 at 6:33 PM, jimbo5544 said:

My guess is that it will not be eliminated but the point accrual might be adjusted, such as adding a timed component such as how many days accumulated in a certain timeframe (such as a year) that will maintain the level (like airlines do).  

 

I have what I consider pretty good sources for Carnival information, but this is the first I have heard of adding a timed component. That would add a new twist to things. I am more or less thinking out loud here, but it would be a good incentive (for some people) to keep cruising on Carnival annually, using your example, which obviously would benefit Carnival. 

[jimbo5544]

8 hours ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

 

I have what I consider pretty good sources for Carnival information, but this is the first I have heard of adding a timed component. That would add a new twist to things. I am more or less thinking out loud here, but it would be a good incentive (for some people) to keep cruising on Carnival annually, using your example, which obviously would benefit Carnival. 

As do most loyalty programs.  As far as I know, there is nothing imminent, or even a decision having been made.  We will see, it sure would solve the problem, AND reward their true continually loyal clients.  That said there are many facets to any program.

Edited September 28, 2019 by jimbo5544

[CajunCruiseDreamer]

On 9/22/2019 at 7:02 AM, Lottacruises said:

The last few cruises I've been on they have had diamond and fttf meeting in the same place on the morning we get off the ship. The platinum have met elsewhere. I know we are all used to seeing them all together, and I know that's how it was on YOUR cruise, but this is what I'm seeing now. 

 

How long before platinum no longer receives priority debark, in your opinion?

I have not seen FTTF with Plat/Dia in the same area when getting off the ship.  Please do not assume that my cruise experience is like yours.

[Schoifmom]

1 hour ago, CajunCruiseDreamer said:

I have not seen FTTF with Plat/Dia in the same area when getting off the ship.  Please do not assume that my cruise experience is like yours.

 

I always see P/D and FTTF in the same waiting area.  Please do not assume that your cruise experience is normative.

[CajunCruiseDreamer]

39 minutes ago, Schoifmom said:

 

I always see P/D and FTTF in the same waiting area.  Please do not assume that your cruise experience is normative.

I do not consider it normative, nor did I assume as much, however you did with your use of the word YOUR.

[PhillyFan33579]

1 hour ago, Schoifmom said:

 

I always see P/D and FTTF in the same waiting area.  Please do not assume that your cruise experience is normative.

 

I have seen many different “configurations” over the last several years. However, the most common one I have experienced is Platinums & Diamonds waiting in the mid dining room and FTTF waiting in the fwd theater. 

[Lottacruises]

4 hours ago, CajunCruiseDreamer said:

I have not seen FTTF with Plat/Dia in the same area when getting off the ship.  Please do not assume that my cruise experience is like yours.

From my original post. I'm not assuming anything, please don't assume I'm assuming anything.  " I know we are all used to seeing them all together, and I know that's how it was on YOUR cruise, but this is what I'm seeing now. "

[Lottacruises]

3 hours ago, Schoifmom said:

 

I always see P/D and FTTF in the same waiting area.  Please do not assume that your cruise experience is normative.

 

From my original post. I'm not assuming anything, please don't assume I'm assuming anything.  " I know we are all used to seeing them all together, and I know that's how it was on YOUR cruise, but this is what I'm seeing now. "

[Schoifmom]

49 minutes ago, Lottacruises said:

 

From my original post. I'm not assuming anything, please don't assume I'm assuming anything.  " I know we are all used to seeing them all together, and I know that's how it was on YOUR cruise, but this is what I'm seeing now. "

 

Please don't respond defensively against a post that wasn't directed to you (see the quote).  

 

BTW, I never said you didn't experience what you did, I simply related MY experience, which was only a few weeks ago.

[Schoifmom]

3 hours ago, CajunCruiseDreamer said:

I do not consider it normative, nor did I assume as much, however you did with your use of the word YOUR.

 

Whose use of the word "your"???  

[glrounds]

On 9/24/2019 at 9:55 AM, LibratPDX said:

Hah, very much disagree!  Cabin selection should not change how benefits are earned or used.  And why am I not getting double points for paying double (being solo) in a cabin?

EXACTLY ! ! I almost always cruise solo and I'd appreciate DOUBLE CREDIT very much. I almost always cruise inside cabin and what I spend for that I could easily be in a shared suite ! I don't see that change coming at all.