Changes to Carnival Loyalty Program

[jimbo5544]

1 hour ago, Earthworm Jim said:

 

Is it really that bad? You would know better than I do, but based on my one platinum experience a couple of weeks ago on Horizon, I'd say there was maybe 200 people in the platinum, diamond, and suites lounge waiting to board. Sure, there was no doubt more of them arriving later, but 1/2 the ship seems impossible.

 

On a Discovery cruise I'd guess the numbers are higher of course.

Depending on what time of year it is (and it does make a difference), and not taking into account Journey cruises, while I do not have the data to back it up, I have seen lets where there are a few hundred Diamonds and over a thousand plats.  On some Journey cruises we have done (agree they are not the norm) we have seen where only 300 (or thereabout) are NOT diamond or plat.  Again, the real point is the number grows, every, single, cruise.  On our most recent MG cruise (the ships sold out) there was 4 new diamonds and I would estimate 25 or so new plats (including 3 of my grandkids), these were just the ones that were at the (watered down diamond/plat party), who knows what the real number is.  That is one cruise, multiple that by 26 others ships (give or take) at least every week.  Something has to give.

[WhaleTailFlCruiser]

This has been talked about and rehashed every few months. All it is, is rumors. 

[jimbo5544]

2 hours ago, WhaleTailFlCruiser said:

This has been talked about and rehashed every few months. All it is, is rumors. 

There are without a doubt facts there.  Is there conjecture?  Sure.  Part of what CC is all about.

[hurricane0226]

Off the vista today, there were 57 diamonds onboard

[Elaine5715]

5 hours ago, Earthworm Jim said:

 

Is it really that bad? You would know better than I do, but based on my one platinum experience a couple of weeks ago on Horizon, I'd say there was maybe 200 people in the platinum, diamond, and suites lounge waiting to board. Sure, there was no doubt more of them arriving later, but 1/2 the ship seems impossible.

 

On a Discovery cruise I'd guess the numbers are higher of course.

That count is misleading due to the status sharing..Splitting up Diamond/Platinum guests into rooms with Blue/Red/Gold with the intent to move around once onboard.  That can double the numbers. 

[lasvegascruising]

NOW HEAR THIS...we are due to turn platinum December 2024 which happens to be our 40th anniversary cruise.  If this gets screwed up, we are going to SCREAM.  We were due to turn platinum December 2023 for our 39th anniversary cruise but the Panorama was cancelled.  Please wait until 2025 to make any changes so we can at least have one cruise with priority boarding.

[Colorado Beach Bum]

1 hour ago, Elaine5715 said:

That count is misleading due to the status sharing..Splitting up Diamond/Platinum guests into rooms with Blue/Red/Gold with the intent to move around once onboard.  That can double the numbers. 

Yes that happens but I’d bet it’s a small fraction doing this. 

[Elaine5715]

1 minute ago, Colorado Beach Bum said:

Yes that happens but I’d bet it’s a small fraction doing this. 

I would disagree.  I would guess more than a quarter especially with  Platinum or Diamond level  couples bringing along newbies couples or families.  They could easily stop this.  

[Colorado Beach Bum]

1 minute ago, Elaine5715 said:

I would disagree.  I would guess more than a quarter especially with  Platinum or Diamond level  couples bringing along newbies couples or families.  They could easily stop this.  

A quarter wouldn’t double.  The post said it doubled the count and I said a small fraction - wouldn’t 1/4 be a small fraction?

[Illbcruzn4life]

3 hours ago, lasvegascruising said:

NOW HEAR THIS...we are due to turn platinum December 2024 which happens to be our 40th anniversary cruise.  If this gets screwed up, we are going to SCREAM.  We were due to turn platinum December 2023 for our 39th anniversary cruise but the Panorama was cancelled.  Please wait until 2025 to make any changes so we can at least have one cruise with priority boarding.

Let’s hope all goes well for you. We have been platinum since 2011 but rarely use the priority boarding as we usually cruise with others who are not platinum so we wait and board with them.

[Joebucks]

10 hours ago, lasvegascruising said:

NOW HEAR THIS...we are due to turn platinum December 2024 which happens to be our 40th anniversary cruise.  If this gets screwed up, we are going to SCREAM.  We were due to turn platinum December 2023 for our 39th anniversary cruise but the Panorama was cancelled.  Please wait until 2025 to make any changes so we can at least have one cruise with priority boarding.

 

Definition of first-world problems

[mz-s]

6 minutes ago, Joebucks said:

 

Definition of first-world problems

 

Everything on this website is a first world problem. It doesn't need to be mentioned.

[Colive18]

Take away the platinum party. I reached platinum in January on Panorama.  This party was a joke.  Full of entitled **** that barged their way thru waiting people to be at the front of the bar.  Or people ordering 6 of the same scotch neat, that are clearly just planning to bring to their room and enjoy the rest of the cruise. 

[PMI1]

Maybe they will call copy the recent changes of the Disney cruise line.  For the Disney cruise your loyalty status reverts to 0 if you do not sail with them for 5 years.

[mz-s]

2 hours ago, PMI1 said:

Maybe they will call copy the recent changes of the Disney cruise line.  For the Disney cruise your loyalty status reverts to 0 if you do not sail with them for 5 years.

 

I think that is pretty much a given.

 

2 hours ago, Colive18 said:

Take away the platinum party. I reached platinum in January on Panorama.  This party was a joke.  Full of entitled **** that barged their way thru waiting people to be at the front of the bar.  Or people ordering 6 of the same scotch neat, that are clearly just planning to bring to their room and enjoy the rest of the cruise. 

 

The past guest party is as good as gone I would expect as well. At least, as we know it today.

Edited March 24 by mz-s

[Cushing985]

I caught a post on FaceBook from John Heald and he mentioned management was making some changes.  No clue what they may be.

[MtnSeaGirl]

On 3/22/2024 at 7:45 PM, 171510Cook said:

 

I turn Platinum Jan 5 2025.... I hope I get a chance to enjoy the free laundry before it changes

We turn Platinum March 2025.  We only cruise once a year due to DH's job.  We went thru the period of not making Platinum even though we were doing 7- 8 day cruises while others were making it taking weekend cruises. We walked away for a while and did land trips ( love Utah canyons ).  We did our first B2B last year and only need one more 8 day cruise to make Platinum.  That is booked for March 2025 and ironically on the same ship we began our Carnival journey with ( The Legend ).   If we lose that before we get there, we may cancel and  look at other lines.  We love Carnival but if we get that close and they change the rules again, then there are others going places we like better. We just always preferred Carnival.  Memories from our sons being with us.  Seems almost like leaving family.   Carnival has taken us to some 26 Islands as we cram a lot of ports by choosing 8 days when we can, all with different ports. At the end of the day, it is what it is. We aren't heavy drinkers nor do we make large donations to the Casino.  So, when we cruise, nothing is comped.  Maybe we are not the target audience anymore.  That's sad but that is OK also.  

[stevo88]

carnivals current loyalty program already seems like a joke - let's think of ways they can make it worse

[firefly333]

1 hour ago, stevo88 said:

carnivals current loyalty program already seems like a joke - let's think of ways they can make it worse

I wouldnt sail or not sail because of carnivals loyalty program. Imo they should add something that would make people want to book again. Some monetary bonus for being loyal would be nice.

 

I last did a journey cruise and lost my priority boarding etc.. I think they should change it to just diamond so everyone doesnt lose out. 

 

Add a level beyond diamond so people have something to chase after diamond.

[Illbcruzn4life]

2 hours ago, stevo88 said:

carnivals current loyalty program already seems like a joke - let's think of ways they can make it worse

yeah, they need to come up with better bribes!

[JMAE]

On 3/23/2024 at 1:36 PM, Elaine5715 said:

Which includes infants and kids...Cruise line profits come from onboard spend not cruise fare.

There income is about 70% fare and 30% on board spending. Profits come from a combination of the fares and on board spending. On board spending is a variable base on sold fares. If at capacity about 10 to 15% of the on board spending is used to cover operational expenses. That is why cruise lines like sailing with their capacity greater than 100, meaning more than 2 in a cabin. 

[JMAE]

21 hours ago, lasvegascruising said:

NOW HEAR THIS...we are due to turn platinum December 2024 which happens to be our 40th anniversary cruise.  If this gets screwed up, we are going to SCREAM.  We were due to turn platinum December 2023 for our 39th anniversary cruise but the Panorama was cancelled.  Please wait until 2025 to make any changes so we can at least have one cruise with priority boarding.

If they announce the change in Q4 and they do it like the transition to the VIFP program you should be fine. The last time it was used as a marketing technique to get individuals that were close to a status change to purchase a cruise by their transition deadline. 

[BeachChik]

Loyalty to a cruise line just to have a certain status and a few “perks” that aren’t worth much is so bizarre to me. Especially when you read something like what was posted above where they say other lines go to ports they prefer. 

[jimbo5544]

13 minutes ago, BeachChik said:

Loyalty to a cruise line just to have a certain status and a few “perks” that aren’t worth much is so bizarre to me. Especially when you read something like what was posted above where they say other lines go to ports they prefer. 

Everybody has options

[Elaine5715]

1 hour ago, JMAE said:

There income is about 70% fare and 30% on board spending. Profits come from a combination of the fares and on board spending. On board spending is a variable base on sold fares. If at capacity about 10 to 15% of the on board spending is used to cover operational expenses. That is why cruise lines like sailing with their capacity greater than 100, meaning more than 2 in a cabin. 

I said profits, not income.  Cruise fares keep the lights on.