Platinums and Diamonds; What would you be happy giving up in return for what?

[d12j28]

11 minutes ago, BlerkOne said:

We agree to disagree. Loyalty programs, as previously mentioned, are marketing programs and they exist to generate a certain return on investment. Same as "free" rooms. The casino should have their own program and pay for it. Instead they are double dipping.

You don't think there is a return on investment in the casino? LOL

[SNJCruisers]

11 hours ago, cruizergal70 said:

That's marketing. The gambling cruisers don't believe that they are special or have special power because of their status. The gamblers aren't making demands or have attitudes.

Fully aware it's marketing, it's what I got my BS degree in 40 years ago.

Have to disagree with your statement about gamblers not making demands or having attitudes though.  No group is immune to having a percentage of them having an attitude, making demands or feeling that they are above following the rules.  

If you think that every gambler on every Carnival cruise ship is happy with and is following through with the sip and cover policy, then the next cruise you get comped should be on the great lakes.

[Guest BasicSailor]

10 hours ago, d12j28 said:

You don't think there is a return on investment in the casino? LOL

The casino?  I was thinking this to be a private company leased out through Carnival. 

[jimbo5544]

On 1/20/2022 at 8:14 PM, SNJCruisers said:

Priority embarkation and the roped off line at guest services were platinum perks long ago.  Then Carnival decided to sell these perks to any blue, red or gold cruiser that wished to buy them.  Because of the popularity and demand, Carnival was able to increase the price substantially as well as having a sliding scale depending upon the ship and cruise length.

Pretty sure you are wrong, but the point is moot.

[Guest BasicSailor]

22 minutes ago, jimbo5544 said:

Pretty sure you are wrong, but the point is moot.

If it was a moot point, why do you suggest it's wrong 😇  Carnival did sell off these perks to any blue, red or gold cruiser that wished to buy them.

[SNJCruisers]

4 hours ago, jimbo5544 said:

Pretty sure you are wrong, but the point is moot.

What am I wrong about Jimbo?  Are you saying that Platinums and Diamonds did not get priority embarkation until FTTF came along?  Or we did not have the special roped off area?  Or Carnival started FTTF at a flat rate of maybe 59.00 and now is substantially higher and on a sliding scale?

[BlerkOne]

17 minutes ago, SNJCruisers said:

What am I wrong about Jimbo?  Are you saying that Platinums and Diamonds did not get priority embarkation until FTTF came along?  Or we did not have the special roped off area?  Or Carnival started FTTF at a flat rate of maybe 59.00 and now is substantially higher and on a sliding scale?

They did not get priority luggage or early cabin availability.

 

Supply and demand determines price. Economics101.

 

[SNJCruisers]

18 minutes ago, BlerkOne said:

They did not get priority luggage or early cabin availability.

 

Supply and demand determines price. Economics101.

 

I did not say anything about luggage or cabin availability.  I mentioned priority embarkation and the roped off area, which I earned in January of 2009.  And it was and is a pure money grab by Carnival regarding FTTF.  The blues, reds and golds turned it into a high demand item and Carnival just adjusted the price accordingly to add more money to the coffers.  Well aware of econ 101, had it over 40 years ago.

[BlerkOne]

3 minutes ago, SNJCruisers said:

I did not say anything about luggage or cabin availability.  I mentioned priority embarkation and the roped off area, which I earned in January of 2009.  And it was and is a pure money grab by Carnival regarding FTTF.  The blues, reds and golds turned it into a high demand item and Carnival just adjusted the price accordingly to add more money to the coffers.  Well aware of econ 101, had it over 40 years ago.

It is not a money grab or there would be unlimited slots available. It is pure marketing. Novice cruises are Carnival's bread and butter and the program allows them a taste of what is to come. Meanwhile, the purchasers are subsidizing MY benefits. A win-win-win.

 

The only losers are those who are fooled by the marketing/loyalty program into thinking they actually earned something when they have not. Carnival owes no cruiser.

 

There is no roped off area guarantee - there is a dedicated representative, however all benefits, real or imagined, are subject to change, for any reason or no reason, with or without notice. All cruise lines have similar weasel words.

[SNJCruisers]

6 minutes ago, BlerkOne said:

It is not a money grab or there would be unlimited slots available. It is pure marketing. Novice cruises are Carnival's bread and butter and the program allows them a taste of what is to come. Meanwhile, the purchasers are subsidizing MY benefits. A win-win-win.

 

The only losers are those who are fooled by the marketing/loyalty program into thinking they actually earned something when they have not. Carnival owes no cruiser.

 

There is no roped off area guarantee - there is a dedicated representative, however all benefits, real or imagined, are subject to change, for any reason or no reason, with or without notice. All cruise lines have similar weasel words.

Just because Carnival puts a limit on the number of FTTF passes they sell does not eliminate the fact that it's a pure money grab.  It costs the company ZERO and is 100% pure profit. 

 

I earned priority embarkation by being loyal to Carnival by booking 10 cruises.  I know they don't owe me anything, but I did earn that perk.  Am also well aware that Carnival's primary targets are the blues and reds and they don't care about me at all.

[Doggielover68]

I moved up from blue to platinum within 4 years so the noticeable difference in perks was significant at the time. I wouldn't mind giving up the trinkets. I want to keep the other remaining perks. 

[d12j28]

On 1/21/2022 at 10:15 PM, BasicSailor said:

The casino?  I was thinking this to be a private company leased out through Carnival. 

https://oceanplayersclub.com/privacy-policy/

 

Ocean players club is a division of Carnival Corp.

[dandeck]

On 1/18/2022 at 9:09 AM, cruizergal70 said:

All this "loyalty " only exists in your mind. You would be better served cruising on any line that meets your needs instead of trying to feel special on Carnival. You don't have the power you think you have as diamond or whatever. 

LOL!  Your comment makes absolutely no sense.  OBVIOUSLY, Carnival exceeds our needs, thus the Diamond status.  Power?!  No one has any power on any ship of any line.  We've been on most.  However, we do get perks on Carnival we really enjoy!  Oh, and that makes us feel special vs "trying" to!  Your comment, while odd, is amusing!  Very odd. 

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Over the last (nearly) ten years I've heard that Carnival was going to be updating/making changes to their past guest program.

At this point -- I LAUGH at any such talk. I'll believe it when I see it.

 

I'm inclined to think that Carnival "ain't doing &@it" with the program. They have the weakest past guest program of all the lines we travel (NCL, Celebrity, and Royal)... WEAK I tell ya !!

 

Carnival bucks the trend, and gives no additional VIFP points for those booking higher level cabins. The other lines provide a path to higher tier levels when booking promos or different types of cabins.

 

NCL - we made Platinum (mid tier level in their program) with relatively little effort. With that the best perks: Dinner for Two at Cagney's or Le Bistro with a Bottle of Wine AND Dinner for Two at Moderno or La Cucina.  That's EVERY cruise, not just one measly steakhouse meal (for life!) upon reaching Diamond with Carnival.

 

Celebrity - 

 

Elite Plus (our current level)
Access to a coffee house-style breakfast and Evening Cocktail Hour
Two complimentary bags of laundry
15% discount off specialty dining cover charge
15% discount at The Spa
35% off internet package or internet upgrade
10% off beverage package upgrade to Premium pre-cruise

 

The highest level, admittedly a carrot on a long stick, has some real additional benefits (probably will never make this level):

Zenith
Upon reaching the Zenith tier, receive a complimentary 7-night Caribbean or Bermuda cruise (in a Veranda stateroom only)+++
25% off Specialty Dining cover charge
Complimentary Laundry
Complimentary Premium Beverage Package
Complimentary Stream Internet

 

Here's how you can earn points with Celebrity (sometimes MANY more points) on your way up the ladder:

 

 

 

Royal - 

 

Royal and Celebrity have a nice "understanding" (reciprocity) with each other. Once we hit Elite with Celebrity, we were immediately given Diamond status on Royal Caribbean, such that our first cruise with them earned us some nice perks. The best of which, in my opinion, is that on every Royal sailing and on every night, each of us receive four drink vouchers (on our card). That's nothing to sneeze at!

 

----

 

Oh, and back to Carnival.... yep... that about sums it up... LOL

 

Tom

[cruizergal70]

On 1/21/2022 at 10:08 PM, SNJCruisers said:

Fully aware it's marketing, it's what I got my BS degree in 40 years ago.

Have to disagree with your statement about gamblers not making demands or having attitudes though.  No group is immune to having a percentage of them having an attitude, making demands or feeling that they are above following the rules.  

If you think that every gambler on every Carnival cruise ship is happy with and is following through with the sip and cover policy, then the next cruise you get comped should be on the great lakes.

I meant demands as in status entitlements. Of course everyone including gamblers can be jerks in other areas.

[Guest BasicSailor]

8 minutes ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

Over the last (nearly) ten years I've heard that Carnival was going to be updating/making changes to their past guest program.

At this point -- I LAUGH at any such talk. I'll believe it when I see it.

 

I'm inclined to think that Carnival "ain't doing &@it" with the program. They have the weakest past guest program of all the lines we travel (NCL, Celebrity, and Royal)... WEAK I tell ya !!

 

Carnival bucks the trend, and gives no additional VIFP points for those booking higher level cabins. The other lines provide a path to higher tier levels when booking promos or different types of cabins.

 

 

----

 

Oh, and back to Carnival.... yep... that about sums it up... LOL

 

Tom

Well, you just made my morning 🤣

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

41 minutes ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

...

 

Celebrity - 

...

 

Here's how you can earn points with Celebrity (sometimes MANY more points) on your way up the ladder:...

 

Oh - I just remembered, Celebrity is offering a program now which gains people an EXTRA day of tier points under their "Go Green" program (LINK). In our case, that's an extra (easy) 12 points owing to the category of cabin we're in next month. Thus, for that one week, we'll be earning 96 points. Trying to chip away towards the 3,000 points needed for Zenith! We're not quite to the halfway point...  😄

 

Tom

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Oh... oh.. oh  Mr Kotter (sorry, flashback)..

 

I also just remembered something else Celebrity is offering to help guest advance through the tiers. This one is EASY PEASY, having already gained an easy FOUR tier points in the last two months (I just discovered it).

 

Power Up Points

 

Additional Link

 

Carnival, meanwhile, is sitting on the sidelines. I'm not sure about you, but I'm all in for ways to climb the ladder - especially if it's at no cost!!

 

 

Tom

[EZ1]

On 1/17/2022 at 11:25 PM, lazydayz said:

Compared to my Diamond Plus perks on Royal, my Platinum perks on Carnival are pretty weak. On both I get priority embarkation or early debarkation, but with Royal I get five free drinks each day and access to a private lounge.  So when the deals are close, I lend toward Royal. 
 

So I think Carnival should look at their program and make it more competitive.  Carnival was smart to limit it to individual cruisers, while Royal extends it to cruisers’ spouses and minor children.  So while Royal has to wrestle with how to deal with so many loyalty members, Carnival needs to figure out how to make us regular cruisers pick them.  

Us also- Diamond+ Royal (now over 340), & Diamond on Carnival. So we get the nice officer luncheon on both. But don't forget, we get the 2 days free internet on Royal (4 per couple). And for all-Royal has much better shows & Coco Cay!!

[ddavis5us]

Diamond Level - However, don't cruise or stay with Carnival for the perks.  However, as to what I would like to see would be either a Royal type drink system or a discount to Cheers.  With a discount to Cheers, Corp would still be making $$$.  Would also like to see a discount to the for pay dining.  However, not sure how that would affect Servers as isn't a large part of that charge supposed to be a gratuity?

 

We are traveling (I hope) on Celebrity for the first time in years next week.  Looking forward to comparing.  

 

Tom, hope you and Cheryl are doing well.  Enjoyed meeting you on the Mardi Gras.

 

 

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

4 hours ago, ddavis5us said:

...

 

We are traveling (I hope) on Celebrity for the first time in years next week.  Looking forward to comparing.  

 

Tom, hope you and Cheryl are doing well.  Enjoyed meeting you on the Mardi Gras.

 

 

 

Thanks - it was nice meeting guys as well! 

 

and - ENJOY Celebrity! What ship are you sailing on? Reflection for us in 20 short days!  🙂

 

Tom

[ddavis5us]

1 hour ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

 

Thanks - it was nice meeting guys as well! 

 

and - ENJOY Celebrity! What ship are you sailing on? Reflection for us in 20 short days!  🙂

 

Tom

Constellation out of Tampa.  -  11 Day ABC -  Never done them.  Not to Hi-Jack but anything but I know you must have been there.  Anything that is must do?

 

Don 

[TravelBluebird]

3 hours ago, ddavis5us said:

Constellation out of Tampa.  -  11 Day ABC -  Never done them.  Not to Hi-Jack but anything but I know you must have been there.  Anything that is must do?

 

Don 

 I’m a Carnival girl who did a Celebrity Equinox ABC cruise in September with a LIVE here on CC (lots of info there). In interest of not hijacking, I’ll keep this short...Aruba, loved the off-road  tour, Curacao walking around Willemstad (UNESCO world heritage site) and snorkeling in Bonnaire!  

 

As for Platinum//Diamond perks, I’m a gal who has cruised on nearly every major cruise line, although I usually end up back on Carnival thanks to the excellent Casino rates/offers.  Carnival’s current offerings for their loyalty program are not enough to make me strive to reach Platinum, although I’ll be close next year if I take all currently planned Carnival cruises. If the program is improved, I may well take that  extra cruise or two to reach Platinum sooner rather than later.

 

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

18 hours ago, ddavis5us said:

Constellation out of Tampa.  -  11 Day ABC -  Never done them.  Not to Hi-Jack but anything but I know you must have been there.  Anything that is must do?

 

Don 

That's interesting - I was "this close" to booking that sailing, and opted for the Reflection instead. Both were "free" balcony offerings through the Blue Chip Club. In the end, the Reflection won out (days away from work being the deciding factor)!

 

We have yet to experience Bonaire (next year on the Celebration though !!), but have been to Aruba and Curacao perhaps 3 times. Twice in Aruba we enjoyed Passions On The Beach -- a dinner on the beach around sunset. It's something that we'll probably do again if we're there late enough (funny, have not looked at that yet for next year!). In Curacao we usually just walk around, often ending up on the other side of the swinging bridge under an umbrella enjoying the view, a couple Amstel Brights, and chicken wings for lunch (simple pleasures, lol). Once we did try a dinner at a small resort - ambience was great, but service and quality was lacking. Can't recall the name of that place though - if I remember, I'll post back!

 

EDIT: The place in Curacao was Baoase

 

ENJOY !

 

Tom

 

 

[ddavis5us]

Thanks to you and Bluebird for the thoughts.  I'm going to look at what you mentioned and you have firmed up my thought about just wandering around Curacao.   This is actually a lift and post and a lift and post cruise from two years ago with my brother and some friends  Nice to be out of Tampa like you get out of Canaveral.  May be onboard within 45 minutes of walking out the door!

 

Back on the topic of the thread, I didn't say earlier, but they could drop the strawberries as they got to the point they weren't the most appetizing when delivered.  Also, the gifts have always been hit or miss. However, almost 90% of the glasses we use on a daily basis are Carnival Tervis Cups!

 

Also, (and I know I may start a firestorm) but I never minded the FTTF.  Back when you had priority boarding, the FTTF people were always behind the Diamond and Platinums.  My memory could be off, but I don't remember getting early access to the room until FTTF started it.