Anyone with "ins" at Carnival know anything about this?

[CruzVinnieCruz]

I agree that John has been "threatening" us for a very long time re: changes to the Platinum program but I can see where a problem would arise.. Lets just say two passengers are Platinum but passenger #1 has 10 one week cruises for a total of 70 days at sea while passenger #2 also has 10 cruises but each one 3 days thus only a total of 30 days at sea. How is Carnival going to handle those passengers that are already Platinum???? They certainly can't say "too bad, so sad"..... They would definitely need to grandfather those Platinum Members in....

 

What I can't figure out is why it is taking so long to figure out the Platinum gift program... Can't someone just come up with perhaps a 3 - 4 page "booklet" with maybe 6 different gifts to choose from. Or perhaps when a Platinum Cruiser has booked a cruise, they can either email or mail you a choice of gifts that would be delivered to your cabin during the cruise? How hard it this?

 

Simple just tier the program:

 

30 nights Platinum - benefits are .........

70 nights Diamond - benefits are .........

110 nights Double Diamond - benefits are .......

etc

 

They could even mix it up a little:

30 nights Platinum - benefits are.....

70 nights or 14 cruises Diamond - benefits are ....

110 nights or 21 cruises Double Diamond - benefits are......

[S.S.Oceanlover]

No ins with Carnival but we heard the same thing directly from John Heald last March. If they are reworking the program it may get done about the same time the Valors engine problem is fixed.

 

What? The Valor has engine problems too? I have been contemplating booking that ship.

 

I guess I'll cross that off the list.

 

On here almost every day and first I read about this.

 

Bill

[jimbo5544]

I agree that John has been "threatening" us for a very long time re: changes to the Platinum program but I can see where a problem would arise.. Lets just say two passengers are Platinum but passenger #1 has 10 one week cruises for a total of 70 days at sea while passenger #2 also has 10 cruises but each one 3 days thus only a total of 30 days at sea. How is Carnival going to handle those passengers that are already Platinum???? They certainly can't say "too bad, so sad"..... They would definitely need to grandfather those Platinum Members in....

 

What I can't figure out is why it is taking so long to figure out the Platinum gift program... Can't someone just come up with perhaps a 3 - 4 page "booklet" with maybe 6 different gifts to choose from. Or perhaps when a Platinum Cruiser has booked a cruise, they can either email or mail you a choice of gifts that would be delivered to your cabin during the cruise? How hard it this?

 

I tend to agree with you on both counts. Changing the qualifications mid stream would be a nightmare, unless it was on a go forward basis. I also agree with how long this has been in the works. They brought in the loyalty guy from starwoods almost a year ago. Hal (which everyone knows falls under the CCL umbrella) announced their re-vamped loyalty program earlier this year.

[jimbo5544]

Lastly, I would want to see filling in the gaps between attaining Platinum and the milestones (25,50,75,100), as well as offering other types of incentives.

[CruzVinnieCruz]

What? The Valor has engine problems too? I have been contemplating booking that ship.

 

I guess I'll cross that off the list.

 

On here almost every day and first I read about this.

 

Bill

 

I retracted that as it was on the Valor John Heald mentioned the retooling of the loyalty program but the Destiny is the only problem child I know of, sorry for the confusion.

[Litewait]

Something like this would work I think. It's the best of both and everyone (well maybe) could be happy..

 

Simple just tier the program:

 

 

They could even mix it up a little:

30 nights Platinum - benefits are.....

70 nights or 14 cruises Diamond - benefits are ....

110 nights or 21 cruises Double Diamond - benefits are......

[golfadj]

This is getting a little boring now talking and talking about changes to platinum. Carnival hired someone over a year ago to do a makeover and have to wonder what he does all day.

 

Can we talk about something more exciting such as removing auto tips?

[vacruizer]

Simple just tier the program:

 

30 nights Platinum - benefits are .........

70 nights Diamond - benefits are .........

110 nights Double Diamond - benefits are .......

etc

 

They could even mix it up a little:

30 nights Platinum - benefits are.....

70 nights or 14 cruises Diamond - benefits are ....

110 nights or 21 cruises Double Diamond - benefits are......

 

Something like this - with an either/or type thing could work.

 

My issue with the whole sea day thing is that it isn't any more fair than the current setup. Those who sail 7 day cruises like to think they spent more money but that's not always the case. The 2 day cruises to nowhere, for example, often cost more than a 5 day would or even some 7 days. What about those who always sail in a balcony? Are they entitled to more than someone who always sails in an inside? I guess that's why I've always said just leave it alone since Carnival was founded on a making cruising available to the masses concept and not one of those lines where class status applies.

 

I do agree that more could be done for those between 5 and 9 cruises. Some kind of semi-platinum deal.

 

I admit I do have a vested interest in going by cruise since I've done two 2-day cruises. But I've also sailed an 8 night, 3 seven nights, and a 6 night. I also have a 5 night and a 7 night booked. I think for most Carnival cruisers they do a variety of sailing lengths so it all averages out - that very few actually only do short cruise or only do longer cruises.

 

The only truly fair way to do it would be by $$ spend with the line in total - cabin, onboard, excursions, casino, etc. That type thing doesn't advertise well as a loyalty program - it's not friendly sounding to say, "Once you spend $15,000 with you become this level."

[welldone60]

What all do you get for being Platinum? I know VIP boarding, but what are all the bennies?

[vacruizer]

This is getting a little boring now talking and talking about changes to platinum. Carnival hired someone over a year ago to do a makeover and have to wonder what he does all day.

 

Can we talk about something more exciting such as removing auto tips?

 

LOL - there's a nice dress code thread getting heated up. :p

[Relayer]

I think we'll just keep bookin'em and cruisin'em and hopefully I'll find out when I qualify for whatever......

[kelz66]

typical...changing something that is working just fine....I'll be vip in 80 some days.....why not fix what is broken....Like maybe the Destiny...LOL

 

:p

[frazzledrazzle16]

Most of our cruises have been 8 nighters and the rest were 7. We don't live close enough to a port city for a shorter cruise to be worth the long trip. I definately agree with most here that the past guest program should be based on the number of sea days. It always kind of bothered me that 3 or 4 night cruises counted for the same credits as a longer one.

 

We thought about booking a b2b on the Triumph this winter in order to get to platinum for our cruise in May even though we didn't really like the itinerary. Ended up going with an 8 night on the Freedom... The perks seem nice but not nice enough to book a vacation that I'm not crazy about.

[frazzledrazzle16]

Those who sail 7 day cruises like to think they spent more money but that's not always the case. The 2 day cruises to nowhere, for example, often cost more than a 5 day would or even some 7 days.

 

Yes, cruise fares in some cases are going to be more expensive, but that is usually not the case, and what about bar tabs, excursions, tips, etc etc??? The more days you are on a ship, the more money you are going to spend.

[jimbo5544]

Yes, cruise fares in some cases are going to be more expensive, but that is usually not the case, and what about bar tabs, excursions, tips, etc etc??? The more days you are on a ship, the more money you are going to spend.

Total cost spent, another way to skin the onion....

[kelz66]

Most of our cruises have been 8 nighters and the rest were 7. We don't live close enough to a port city for a shorter cruise to be worth the long trip. I definately agree with most here that the past guest program should be based on the number of sea days. It always kind of bothered me that 3 or 4 night cruises counted for the same credits as a longer one.

 

We thought about booking a b2b on the Triumph this winter in order to get to platinum for our cruise in May even though we didn't really like the itinerary. Ended up going with an 8 night on the Freedom... The perks seem nice but not nice enough to book a vacation that I'm not crazy about.

 

That is the reason I did a B2B last year on the Destiny.

 

A cruiss is a cruise....and I don't live near a port either, but have done a couple 5 and 4 day itins as well as 7 and 8 days.

 

no need to change the rules so some people can feel superior than others because they did all 7 day cruises. :rolleyes:

 

It is a loyalty program...it rewards you for repeat cruises, and being a returning customer.

 

;)

[TamLaiSang]

I'm not really sure this has to be an "either or" kind of discussion.

 

Carnival could go with a rewards program that meets somewhere in the middle (Say a 30 day sailing minimum) accommodating both those that take longer cruises and shorter ones.

 

Quite frankly, I think platinum benefits should be harder to get...not easier. As much as we all want to be the VIP...can you imagine what things would be like, if more than 50% of the people on the ship were VIP? Can you say embarkation nightmare?

 

"Yes...you are assigned to VIP priority boarding, group number 3.":D

 

Remember when Gold Credit Cards were only for a very few elite individuals? Now you see someone with out a platinum card, and might wonder what is wrong with them.

 

If VIP benefits become too widespread....they really won't start to matter to anyone.

[CruzVinnieCruz]

I'm not really sure this has to be an "either or" kind of discussion.

 

Carnival could go with a rewards program that meets somewhere in the middle (Say a 30 day sailing minimum) accommodating both those that take longer cruises and shorter ones.

 

Quite frankly, I think platinum benefits should be harder to get...not easier. As much as we all want to be the VIP...can you imagine what things would be like, if more than 50% of the people on the ship were VIP? Can you say embarkation nightmare?

 

"Yes...you are assigned to VIP priority boarding, group number 3.":D

 

Remember when Gold Credit Cards were only for a very few elite individuals? Now you see someone with out a platinum card, and might wonder what is wrong with them.

 

If VIP benefits become too widespread....they really won't start to matter to anyone.

 

Yes but by implementing a tiered program who is to say that Carnival would have to give VIP embarkation to Platinum. Maybe that happens in my example at Diamond. It would be up to Carnival to decide what each tier would have in the way of benefits. It could be a combination of the old Platinum benefits with some more even better ones for higher levels.

 

30 nights Platinum - benefits are .........free laundry, returning guest party, etc

70 nights Diamond - benefits are .........Platinum plus VIP embarkation, a concierge service, etc

110 nights Double Diamond - benefits are .......Diamond and Platinum plus the use of a VIP lounge, etc

 

They could even mix it up a little:

30 nights Platinum - benefits are.....

70 nights or 14 cruises Diamond - benefits are ....

110 nights or 21 cruises Double Diamond - benefits are......

[DarthGrady]

That is the reason I did a B2B last year on the Destiny.

 

A cruiss is a cruise....and I don't live near a port either, but have done a couple 5 and 4 day itins as well as 7 and 8 days.

 

no need to change the rules so some people can feel superior than others because they did all 7 day cruises. :rolleyes:

 

It is a loyalty program...it rewards you for repeat cruises, and being a returning customer.

 

;)

 

Totally agree, I enjoy the simplicity. No need to muck it up with all the math. :D

[jfulcher]

Google Jim Berra (formerly with Starwood) and Rob Borden to see a bit about the folks "at the helm" of possible future modifications to the CCL Loyalty programs.

 

OHH GOD NO - I'm a Delta flyer and regular at flyertalk and have nightmares of Robbie Boy Borden running anything. There is a reason he isn't attached to any other kind of loyalty program that means anything. The guy is a real piece of work.

[CruzVinnieCruz]

That is the reason I did a B2B last year on the Destiny.

 

A cruiss is a cruise....and I don't live near a port either, but have done a couple 5 and 4 day itins as well as 7 and 8 days.

 

no need to change the rules so some people can feel superior than others because they did all 7 day cruises. :rolleyes:

 

It is a loyalty program...it rewards you for repeat cruises, and being a returning customer.

 

;)

 

This a near sighted view IMHO. If Carnival Corp could get their loyalty programs across all of the lines to be somewhat similar would it not be a real benefit to be able to carry some of the perks between the lines? It has nothing to do with being superior if that was the case why have a loyalty program at all if the line does not want a guest to feel special, which could be translated into feeling superior.

[CruzVinnieCruz]

OHH GOD NO - I'm a Delta flyer and regular at flyertalk and have nightmares of Robbie Boy Borden running anything. There is a reason he isn't attached to any other kind of loyalty program that means anything. The guy is a real piece of work.

 

 

Well if Carnival was running Deltas loyalty program you would not be counting air miles. Instead it would be takeoffs and landings.:rolleyes:

[janisutx]

In John's (Heald's) most recent blog entry, he mentions something about the Platinum program possibly being reworked (in response to someone suggesting they institute the "points" system that has been discussed here).

 

I just achieved platinum status in December after 100 days and 9 sailings on Carnival. The points system would certainly benefit those of us who booked the more expensive European and South American cruises. More passenger days on board usually equals more profit for Carnival. After all it is a reward program and needs to be really special.

[ItsAllAboutTheSass]

I say scrap the whole thing.

[salty dingo]

If Carnival is smart, they will stop awarding perks based on the simple number of cruises taken. Instead, they should base the perks on the number of dollars spent.

 

Three or four cruises in a upper-level suite will cost as much as ten cruises in an inside cabin.

 

So, who would you favor, if you were running a business? The customers who made you the most money, or the ones you saw the most often.

 

The answer is very clear...