Heald: New Loyalty Program

[MSRussell]

Just curious....at the completion of your 10 cruises - will you have the 75 days for Tier 3?? Or are you in a situation like we are.....even with 10 cruises complete we will not have the 75 days :cool:.

After my 10th cruise, I will only be at 54 days. The ones I have taken have put me to 30 days.

So I will have to take 3 more 7 day cruises, which will make my 75 days.

Half the fun is getting there!:D

Melanie

[Stargateman]

I am thinking how will the new 75 day system work, this Oct is our 10th cruise and we will have 70 days under our belt. On July 2012 we are taking a 8 night cruise giving us 78 days, will the first 5 days up to 75 be Gold and the last 3 days from 75 to 78 will change to Platinum? are we going to have a Gold SS card till 75 and receive a new Platinum SS cards from 76 and up???? (I am sure lots of passengers will be in this situation) and I can guarantee you there will be a few passengers going to GS demanding their Platinum status on the 75 day. I think it will be confusing, like in our case the 75 day is in the middle of our cruise. If you leave it as is at 10 cruises regardless of the days you become Platinum there is no confusion. (I am sure there will be passengers with 9 and 8 cruises who will be on the same situation)

[westview1]

I am thinking how will the new 75 day system work, this Oct is our 10th cruise and we will have 70 days under our belt. On July 2012 we are taking a 8 night cruise giving us 78 days, will the first 5 days up to 75 be Gold and the last 3 days from 75 to 78 will change to Platinum? are we going to have a Gold SS card till 75 and receive a new Platinum SS cards from 76 and up???? (I am sure lots of passengers will be in this situation) and I can guarantee you there will be a few passengers going to GS demanding their Platinum status on the 75 day. I think it will be confusing, like in our case the 75 day is in the middle of our cruise. If you leave it as is at 10 cruises regardless of the days you become Platinum there is no confusion. (I am sure there will be passengers with 9 and 8 cruises who will be on the same situation)

 

I asked the same question on another thread. If the new program was in place today, I would level up after the 1st day of my next cruise. The answers that I got is that most likely I would have to wait until my next cruise to receive those perks. It won't matter by the time the new program is rolled out, because I will have enough days to make the 2nd level by then. But I was curious as to how they might handle it as well. It would be nice if they did that though. I'm sure we'll get feedback about that when the time comes.

[Stargateman]

I asked the same question on another thread. If the new program was in place today, I would level up after the 1st day of my next cruise. The answers that I got is that most likely I would have to wait until my next cruise to receive those perks. It won't matter by the time the new program is rolled out, because I will have enough days to make the 2nd level by then. But I was curious as to how they might handle it as well. It would be nice if they did that though. I'm sure we'll get feedback about that when the time comes.

Thank you for your answer. If this passes I know for sure it will open a can of worms, I am a 100% there will be passengers at GS demanding their Platinum status according to the day chart lol. You have the usual idiot complaining about a football game, the pool water is salty, the ship moves to much etc can you believe what they will do for their Platinum status :D

[happy cruzin]

I asked the same question on another thread. If the new program was in place today, I would level up after the 1st day of my next cruise. The answers that I got is that most likely I would have to wait until my next cruise to receive those perks. It won't matter by the time the new program is rolled out, because I will have enough days to make the 2nd level by then. But I was curious as to how they might handle it as well. It would be nice if they did that though. I'm sure we'll get feedback about that when the time comes.

 

And even that can proven to be difficult for those who go Platinum on the second leg of a B2B :cool:.

[katiel53]

I think that using days cruised instead of cruises is going along the same lines as Royal Caribbean. The change for them, like Carnival, caused a lot of uprising and it ended up being fair. Even for those who take 3 day cruises that were Diamond (basically equivalent to Platinum on Carnival) were grandfathered in and figured days at the 7 day rate. So, I don't believe that initially, with conversion, that those who are Platinum by doing 3 day cruises will be downgraded.

 

We also live in FL, but all our cruises are 7 days. Also, just as on Royal Caribbean there is a question about whether those cruising in inside cabins should get the same credit as those sailing in balconies and suites. Should it be based on money spent? That then goes to another question, if it's based on money spent, does that include money spent on cabins, excursions, specialty dining, drinks, casino or whatever?

 

I know there are Platinum people who will sail in an inside cabin for 3 days, not spend money for drinks as they are allowed their 2 bottles of wine per couple, don't eat in specialty restaurants, don't go on shore excursions and don't gamble. Is it fair that they get the same credit as others that spend money doing the above? That's not for me to decide, but I don't know that any cruise line tracks all these things. I know they track, but how well and how do they decide who gets more credit? That's why at least, I feel, the days cruised are a start.

[dst]

I am really surprised at how many people are upset that shorter cruises get the same credit as a longer cruise - We do all sorts of cruises; short, long, B2B - but never have I thought that I was entitled to anything more or less than those who cruise differently.

 

We did not always live in Florida and us cruising 3-4 times a year has nothing to do with location, yes it convenient but it's really about doing what we enjoy :D

[Stargateman]

I am really surprised at how many people are upset that shorter cruises get the same credit as a longer cruise - We do all sorts of cruises; short, long, B2B - but never have I thought that I was entitled to anything more or less than those who cruise differently.

 

We did not always live in Florida and us cruising 3-4 times a year has nothing to do with location, yes it convenient but it's really about doing what we enjoy :D

I totally agree with you a cruise is a cruise. We always took 7+ days cruises and always booked a balcony cabin or suite but I do not see why should we get more perks than someone who took the same number of cruises as me regardless of the days or cabin type.

[DanJ]

Princess counts days and number of cruises, and I think that's the best way. I know over there, some people get bothered when people take the overnight cruise from Seattle to Vancouver and get credit for a cruise, and can make platinum with only 5 days. But, a cruise is a cruise. Airlines give out status based on number of miles, as well as number of flights. Can't see the problem with the cruise lines doing it as well.

[Rosefloater]

Um...Why not just leave it 10 cruises to platinum?

 

Because there are some people who have been complaining (whining) that it isn't fair that people who take 10 3-day cruises are equal to people who take 10 7-day cruises. For the most part, these people have sailed on other lines and since this is the way the other lines do it, then Carnival should follow.

 

But if Carnival keeps the levels they are proposing (Blue 1-24 days, Gold 25-74 days, Platinum 75-225 days, White 225+ days), then these complainers have just shot themselves in the foot and will now have to take 11 7-day cruises to reach the 3rd level (Platinum) instead of 10 7-day cruises.

[idiebabe]

I think that using days cruised instead of cruises is going along the same lines as Royal Caribbean. The change for them, like Carnival, caused a lot of uprising and it ended up being fair. Even for those who take 3 day cruises that were Diamond (basically equivalent to Platinum on Carnival) were grandfathered in and figured days at the 7 day rate. So, I don't believe that initially, with conversion, that those who are Platinum by doing 3 day cruises will be downgraded.

 

We also live in FL, but all our cruises are 7 days. Also, just as on Royal Caribbean there is a question about whether those cruising in inside cabins should get the same credit as those sailing in balconies and suites. Should it be based on money spent? That then goes to another question, if it's based on money spent, does that include money spent on cabins, excursions, specialty dining, drinks, casino or whatever?

 

I know there are Platinum people who will sail in an inside cabin for 3 days, not spend money for drinks as they are allowed their 2 bottles of wine per couple, don't eat in specialty restaurants, don't go on shore excursions and don't gamble. Is it fair that they get the same credit as others that spend money doing the above? That's not for me to decide, but I don't know that any cruise line tracks all these things. I know they track, but how well and how do they decide who gets more credit? That's why at least, I feel, the days cruised are a start.

 

Just an FYI: Royal gives double points for Suites and HAL does take money spent on your S&S into account.

[LaurieHoffman]

are on their way to 10 cruises....

My 8th is in 3 months....Will I lose all my previous credits or will it transfer over as days with the new program? I know we don't know the answers to this year but it will be interesting to see what happens...

[Lilmatcat]

Because there are some people who have been complaining (whining) that it isn't fair that people who take 10 3-day cruises are equal to people who take 10 7-day cruises. For the most part, these people have sailed on other lines and since this is the way the other lines do it, then Carnival should follow.

 

But if Carnival keeps the levels they are proposing (Blue 1-24 days, Gold 25-74 days, Platinum 75-225 days, White 225+ days), then these complainers have just shot themselves in the foot and will now have to take 11 7-day cruises to reach the 3rd level (Platinum) instead of 10 7-day cruises.

 

Right now a person becomes Platinum when they step on the ship for their 10th cruise. If you have to complete the 75 days before you become eligible under the new program, people won't reach Platinum until their 12th (seven-day) cruise.

[richfret]

I am a Platinum Cruiser with 14 cruises under my belt and a 8 day cruise planned for March, 2012. This will amount to 116 cruise days and puts me in the third level (75 to 225 days). I got out the calculator to estimate what it would take to get to the 4th level (Milestone). If I take one 7 day cruise a year, I will be 88 years old to reach level 4 assuming I am healthy and can cruise every year without problems for the next 15 years. So it looks for us old timers like level 3 is about where you will get and where you will stay. Now I certainly am not complaining. I enjoy the Platinum status and plan to continue sailing with Carnival. I just did the numbers to see if any thing really changes with the new program. For old timers (Seniors), it really doesn't matter unless you plan on cruising several times a year. Wish I could!

[Aplmac]

Um...Why not just leave it 10 cruises to platinum?

Heck that's a good idea! ;)

 

 

But...these are days when you have to Facebook-fiddle the format

for the sake of novelty!!

 

Don't discount that aspect..

 

.

[PA Dutchman]

What will we do when everybody is VIP ? VIP lines and areas will be longer then the reg lines, there is change in the wind and not everybody will like it. We have 28 cruises and only 208 days, so we go from milestone to tier 3 we need 3 more 7 day cruises to get to 225 or tier 4. Untill we know the perks it may not really matter, 1 perk on 1 cruise for milestone was not a very good deal for being milestone.

[cruzn buckeye]

oops

[happy cruzin]

oops

 

Awww c'mon.....inquiring minds want to know.... ;)

[sweetlissa]

I've got to start cruising more, oh wait, that's a good thing :-)

[carsastic]

It's a good start and while there is a potential gap between 3 and 4

A nice way to close the gap And reward customers would be the addition of counting s&s card. Like Hal

[ccruisequeen]

We'll probably make Platinum late next year or early 2013, depending on how many cruises we get to(2 more to Platinum after May 2012). We've done a mixture of 4 & 7-day cruises. Right. Now , we sail for the experience, since the perks aren't that enticing,

[Socref124]

Thanks for posting this update.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

It "appears" that this may be a move to make the "Milestone" level ( tier 4) less attainable.

 

Currently, it is 25 cruises regardless of length.....with the 4th tier being 225 days...that is at least 32 cruises of 7 days in length.

 

That's my take on it as well. I can only hope that making it so much more difficult to obtain will mean that some tangible changes to the perks will be forthcoming - though what John added about no plans to change the Milestone program is somewhat confusing.

 

I was surprised that it only required 5 cruises for us to reach the top tier with Celebrity (Elite). The fact that Cheryl and I now each receive 1.5 hours of internet alone was a great reward. I think that Celebrity will eventually add a higher tier, as it's too "easy" to max out with them. Carnival, by (PERHAPS) setting 225 points as the top tier may want to build in some staying power to their new program - as it is obviously very difficult for them to make the change to begin with, I don't think they want to do it again for a long time!

 

Carnival seems to want to do all their risk taking beforehand, by testing the response to proposed change on forums such as CC. All they have to do is throw something out there - then just sit back and read page after page... a VIRTUAL program change if you will !! ;) We are but a small portion of the cruising public, but we are a very vocal and opinionated lot! :)

 

Tom

[happy cruzin]

That's my take on it as well. I can only hope that making it so much more difficult to obtain will mean that some tangible changes to the perks will be forthcoming - though what John added about no plans to change the Milestone program is somewhat confusing.

 

I was surprised that it only required 5 cruises for us to reach the top tier with Celebrity (Elite). The fact that Cheryl and I now each receive 1.5 hours of internet alone was a great reward. I think that Celebrity will eventually add a higher tier, as it's too "easy" to max out with them. Carnival, by (PERHAPS) setting 225 points as the top tier may want to build in some staying power to their new program - as it is obviously very difficult for them to make the change to begin with, I don't think they want to do it again for a long time!

 

Carnival seems to want to do all their risk taking beforehand, by testing the response to proposed change on forums such as CC. All they have to do is throw something out there - then just sit back and read page after page... a VIRTUAL program change if you will !! ;) We are but a small portion of the cruising public, but we are a very vocal and opinionated lot! :)

 

Tom

 

LOL....ain't THAT the truth!! ;) :D

[happy cruzin]

Thanks for posting this update.

 

You're welcome!