Tiers of Appreciation

[jetsfan58]

Hello my favorite Carnival Cruise Nuts. We have all been graciously rewarded for our continued loyalty to the Carnival brand. Whether you are a long time cruiser, an avid casino patron, utilized the old "45 Day Letter" or just beginning your Cruise Nut adventures you have probably enjoyed your voyages to date. Due to the year 2020 and the financial "hits" that many Cruise Lines are experiencing, maybe the Industry needs to look at revamping their "Rewards Tier Systems".

 

In a attempt to boost loyalty, regain creditability in the Industry and increase passenger spend, maybe Carnival should consider revamping the system and "Easing" the access to the upper tier levels. I realize that some of us waited patiently for many years to attain that "Elusive" Gold, Platinum and Diamond status. However some individuals need that "Honor" to stroke those egos and to open those wallets and purses a bit more. Carnival may need to seriously investigate this issue as I wonder if any of the "Beards" (as Heald refers to the Executive Board) are listening. Maybe it's time for the "Profits" to truly be "Shared" by rewarding us Cruise Nuts with an earlier than anticipated VIFP "Power" status?

 

You know we need our daily "fix" of truth. Let us hear from the Cruise Nuts and as always "Sea You on The Seas"      

[Jasonsterling]

There haven't been many profits to share in the last year- lol. As far as benefits it could get harder and harder to extend some of them as it is- things like early boarding and priority tendering as there's only so much space to go around. Rather than extending the program to a broader group I frankly expect cut/scale backs or increased numbers of cruises to reach say Platinum especially but maybe Diamond as well due to availability of perks. In the end I'll worry about stuff like this when I can actually board a ship again, lol and for now just hope that good news is coming soon. 

[jetsfan58]

3 minutes ago, Jasonsterling said:

There haven't been many profits to share in the last year- lol. As far as benefits it could get harder and harder to extend some of them as it is- things like early boarding and priority tendering as there's only so much space to go around. Rather than extending the program to a broader group I frankly expect cut/scale backs or increased numbers of cruises to reach say Platinum especially but maybe Diamond as well due to availability of perks. In the end I'll worry about stuff like this when I can actually board a ship again, lol and for now just hope that good news is coming soon. 

Thanks for the commentary. My prayer is that we all remain "Cruise Nuts" and that our time to Sail will soon be upon us. 

[SNJCruisers]

I've been Platinum for over 10 years.  The perks were never that great at all.  Most of the free gifts that you got were crap, with a few exceptions.  The only perks worth anything to me are priority embarkation and the roped off line at guest services and this is substantially lessened by the FTTF crew that can buy this perk.  And my priority embarkation on my hopeful Halloween cruise will probably be eliminated because they will require everyone to have an assigned check in time, eliminating this precious perk for Diamonds and Plats.

 

If Carnival instituted any changes it would probably be to come up with a Platinum Plus category since there is such a disparity between the Platinum and Diamond levels. 

 

If anyone in the marketing department at Carnival had half a brain they would come up with stuff such as BOGO pictures, BOGO specialty dining or 15% off shore excursions.  All 3 of these would generate money for the cruise line and at the same time provide a perk of real value.

[firefly333]

As many know instead of obc like carnival is offering to rebook which hurts the bottom line, rcl offered 125% which many turned down, but also double pts to book in the future. The double pts has been a huge hit.

 

Myself I decided to push for the 150% solo discount. Carnival offers no discount on solo cruises any more and doesnt have it as a loyalty perk. It's a yikes 340 loyalty pts, hard to reach. But would save me a lot, so I'm pushing for it with double pts promo.

 

At diamond plus rcl gives many things mentioned like bogo pay dinners, but I think they have to be booked first 2 nights when bookings are slow. D+ perk I think.,

 

I've been at 179 pts, 3 cruises shy of diamond since covid started. Double pts to make up for cancellations would be nice.

 

Carnival has always been cheaper and relied on that, but their prices are anything but cheap right now. There are no bargains.

[IntrepidFromDC]

I like the loyalty tiers the way they are.  But I agree with you that they need to do something to attract new cruisers, while also doing something special to retain their seasoned big-spender cruisers.

[IntrepidFromDC]

2 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

Carnival has always been cheaper and relied on that, but their prices are anything but cheap right now. There are no bargains.

Have you checked your "My Offers" at carnival.com lately? 

 

We have free balcony with $200 OBC offer for a variety of 7- and 8- day cruises in August and September, plus 7 or 8 others.  

 

Only reason I haven't booked yet is I'm tired of putting down a deposit, getting it refunded four straight times.

[firefly333]

23 minutes ago, IntrepidFromDC said:

Have you checked your "My Offers" at carnival.com lately? 

 

We have free balcony with $200 OBC offer for a variety of 7- and 8- day cruises in August and September, plus 7 or 8 others.  

 

Only reason I haven't booked yet is I'm tired of putting down a deposit, getting it refunded four straight times.

If it's a casino offer I didnt get it. I dont gamble. Just not my thing. So I never get those great offers, not once in over 15 years with carnival. When I started with carnival 1A had no solo supplement, then it was 150%, but now nothing. Not only nothing but rcl and celebrity give solo double pts already. 

 

Carnival has been pushing solos out for many years unlike other lines. Let's see i get 1 pt per day on carnival, but 2 for a regular cabin, 3 for js and above, and now thru sept 30 2023 those are all doubled, or i wouldn't bother pushing for the discount for solo on rcl, plus their rates are better right now. And allure coming to Galveston. 

 

Carnival is losing people like me. Though I get it I'm sure they calculated and prefer families of 4.

[SNJCruisers]

35 minutes ago, IntrepidFromDC said:

We have free balcony with $200 OBC offer for a variety of 7- and 8- day cruises in August and September, plus 7 or 8 others. 

Another niche offer for the gamblers that the majority of cruisers don't qualify for.

[mredandchis]

I roll into tier levels and don't pay much attention.  Carnival has always offered me a great vacation.  I have loss no confidence in Carnival what so ever. Some day I will be surprised when I hit diamond and it doesnt really matter.  

 

 I doubt they will attract many new cruisers with all the hoopla going on as people are afraid in general.  But there is a lot of demand from the cruise nuts it will be ok until everything returns to normal.  I have 4 before the end of year,  and when CDC opens the door all will start up fine.  

[bury me at sea]

I think it would be nice of Carnival to offer some points for cruises cancelled by Covid that are rebooked and eventually sail.

 

I might suggest perhaps not a one to one basis, but half, rounded up, e.g. two days for a cancelled four day cruise and four days for a cancelled seven day cruise.  The bonus points would be awarded only when the replacement cruise is completed.

[IntrepidFromDC]

1 minute ago, bury me at sea said:

I think it would be nice of Carnival to offer some points for cruises cancelled by Covid that are rebooked and eventually sail.

 

I might suggest perhaps not a one to one basis, but half, rounded up, e.g. two days for a cancelled four day cruise and four days for a cancelled seven day cruise.  The bonus points would be awarded only when the replacement cruise is completed.

Good idea.  👍

[firefly333]

9 minutes ago, bury me at sea said:

The bonus points would be awarded only when the replacement cruise is completed.

This wouldnt work for me. I've rebooked at least 4 times, still only have one left booked for this sept. If it has to be rebooked, then that's 5 times, but only one theoretically that goes.

 

Be a lot of mad people. 

[hurricane0226]

I miss funship Freddy

[mondello]

I've seen posts before about the perk for your 25th cruise; it was either 25% off or 25%obc, I can't remember which. I was reviewing the VIFP and the various perks for each level. However, I didn't see anything listed for a Milestone. I recently saw posts about this so I assume they still do this for our 25th cruise, correct?

[firefly333]

51 minutes ago, mondello said:

I've seen posts before about the perk for your 25th cruise; it was either 25% off or 25%obc, I can't remember which. I was reviewing the VIFP and the various perks for each level. However, I didn't see anything listed for a Milestone. I recently saw posts about this so I assume they still do this for our 25th cruise, correct?

I got 25% obc. I've seen they still do it. 

 

Carnival does do 1 time perks. I'd rather less but all the time, like bogo pay meal. People here complain all the time about loyal to royal, but to me it's a smart marketing move to make the perks ones people want enough they say you are loyal to their brand. As a shareholder I think carnival could do a better job, but instead they have concentrated on first time or newbie cruisers. After covid this could hurt them once the 600 obc to book is gone. 

 

Anyway it is what it is, and though I'm close their isnt much incentive to hit those last pts to diamond. My last cruises were so full of gamblers I also think carnival is losing me for that too. I hit one of the biggest casino cruises, and there were over 800 priority on the cruise. 

[skrufy]

16 hours ago, SNJCruisers said:

I've been Platinum for over 10 years.  The perks were never that great at all.  Most of the free gifts that you got were crap, with a few exceptions.  The only perks worth anything to me are priority embarkation and the roped off line at guest services and this is substantially lessened by the FTTF crew that can buy this perk.  And my priority embarkation on my hopeful Halloween cruise will probably be eliminated because they will require everyone to have an assigned check in time, eliminating this precious perk for Diamonds and Plats.

 

If Carnival instituted any changes it would probably be to come up with a Platinum Plus category since there is such a disparity between the Platinum and Diamond levels. 

 

If anyone in the marketing department at Carnival had half a brain they would come up with stuff such as BOGO pictures, BOGO specialty dining or 15% off shore excursions.  All 3 of these would generate money for the cruise line and at the same time provide a perk of real value.

We have been platinum for 5 years and the only real perks we like are the priority boarding, the free cloths washing, and the priority line at guest services. Although the other perks such as the strawberries in your cabin and the priority shuttle are nice it’s not a game breaker for us. If Carnival shuts down the priority boarding I will be very disappointed. I agree that Carnival will tighten up on the levels, the platinum community is getting to large. If cruising starts back up soon and we are able to get our 5 cruises in by next February, we will be 2 cruises away from Diamond. 

[mondello]

7 hours ago, firefly333 said:

I got 25% obc. I've seen they still do it. 

 

Carnival does do 1 time perks. I'd rather less but all the time, like bogo pay meal. People here complain all the time about loyal to royal, but to me it's a smart marketing move to make the perks ones people want enough they say you are loyal to their brand. As a shareholder I think carnival could do a better job, but instead they have concentrated on first time or newbie cruisers. After covid this could hurt them once the 600 obc to book is gone. 

 

Anyway it is what it is, and though I'm close their isnt much incentive to hit those last pts to diamond. My last cruises were so full of gamblers I also think carnival is losing me for that too. I hit one of the biggest casino cruises, and there were over 800 priority on the cruise. 

FFTP(FireflyFastestToPort), uncanny how similar to FTTF. I envy your move to Florida. You won't have to pay airfare and will be able to snag Resident rate deals. I know off-season rates are really low, even paying solo. BTW, I don't think you should have posted your address with that picture of your new destination. I guess we'll be staying with you pre- and post-cruise from now on and you can stay with us if you need to evacuate.

[SNJCruisers]

9 hours ago, mondello said:

I've seen posts before about the perk for your 25th cruise; it was either 25% off or 25%obc, I can't remember which. I was reviewing the VIFP and the various perks for each level. However, I didn't see anything listed for a Milestone. I recently saw posts about this so I assume they still do this for our 25th cruise, correct?

Just to clarify, milestone achievement has nothing to do with the VIFP program.   With milestone,  you earn 25% OBC with your 25th cruise and again at 50, 75 and 100.  The OBC does not have to be used on the milestone cruise and it is based on the base cruise rate.  Once again, not a great perk since Carnival was giving out 300 and 600 in OBC like it's candy during the Pandemic.  Just another stupid move by the marketing geniuses at Carnival.   They should have given 125% FCC's like all of their competitors, it would have effected the bottom line less.

[firefly333]

30 minutes ago, mondello said:

FFTP(FireflyFastestToPort), uncanny how similar to FTTF. I envy your move to Florida. You won't have to pay airfare and will be able to snag Resident rate deals. I know off-season rates are really low, even paying solo. BTW, I don't think you should have posted your address with that picture of your new destination. I guess we'll be staying with you pre- and post-cruise from now on and you can stay with us if you need to evacuate.

As it said that was a sold unit, that alerted that day. Not my unit or my price or address. However you could see my unit in the photos for that unit. Someone did some good drone footage that I saved. ..I'm not closed yet, that unit closed. Cross your fingers I close. Actually I cant move yet as my parents live here in texas, ...I'm buying it now as I was worrying about getting priced out of the oceanfront market.

 

Lol columbus ohio, that's a far piece to evacuate. I have a friend there. I grew up in brooklyn ohio. Lots of relatives in ohio. I just thought to myself it makes more sense to retire to a beach near a port.

[mondello]

2 hours ago, SNJCruisers said:

Just to clarify, milestone achievement has nothing to do with the VIFP program.   With milestone,  you earn 25% OBC with your 25th cruise and again at 50, 75 and 100.  The OBC does not have to be used on the milestone cruise and it is based on the base cruise rate.  Once again, not a great perk since Carnival was giving out 300 and 600 in OBC like it's candy during the Pandemic.  Just another stupid move by the marketing geniuses at Carnival.   They should have given 125% FCC's like all of their competitors, it would have effected the bottom line less.

Yeah, I'm worried if Oct. 17 Glory/NOLA is cancelled, the $600 won't help for rebooking because I'll likely be facing higher fares rather than the sweet "free" cabin I booked.

[kdr69]

On 4/2/2021 at 4:53 PM, firefly333 said:

If it's a casino offer I didnt get it. I dont gamble. Just not my thing. So I never get those great offers, not once in over 15 years with carnival. When I started with carnival 1A had no solo supplement, then it was 150%, but now nothing. Not only nothing but rcl and celebrity give solo double pts already. 

 

Carnival has been pushing solos out for many years unlike other lines. Let's see i get 1 pt per day on carnival, but 2 for a regular cabin, 3 for js and above, and now thru sept 30 2023 those are all doubled, or i wouldn't bother pushing for the discount for solo on rcl, plus their rates are better right now. And allure coming to Galveston. 

 

Carnival is losing people like me. Though I get it I'm sure they calculated and prefer families of 4.

Yes i would like Carnival to come back to singles

[Djptcp]

I think the loyalty levels at Carnival are fine, but their perks are pretty nonexistent. We will probably reach Diamond next year after being Platinums for a long time. We reached Platinum fairly quickly, but even after 39 cruises, it is taking a long time to reach the 200 days because once we moved to Florida in 2005 we started taking mostly 4-5 day cruises with great casino discounts 3-5 times a year because we live so close to two major ports. On the other hand, we will reach 4 Star Mariners ( also 200 days) on Holland America in April 2022 after only 13 cruises. Why? Because on HAL we receive double days for booking suites and receive an extra day for every $300 we spend on board up to 3 days per cruise. We also receive discounts on board for things like eating in the specialty dining restaurants (25% for 3 Star and it goes up to 50% at 4 Stars). These are great perks, which Carnival doesn't give so we have done more HAL cruises lately. Although I doubt we will reach 5 Star Mariners because it will take another 300 days!! We also receive great casino rate discounts and much more casino free play than on Carnival. We have 4 HAL cruises booked right now and only 1 Carnival for the above reasons.