Platinum Changes

[MonkeyBoy03]

I never said the argument was a smart one. I agree, it is dumb. But, I heard this from my Carnival guy, so I thought I would pass it along.

 

Which is the dumbest argument I've ever heard. Whether you take ten 3-day cruises or ten 7-day cruises, you are making a choice TEN times to be loyal. That's what a loyalty program is about...loyalty.

[cruisin1982]

this some time back because I thought I may spend more $$ on a cruise and can only afford to take one every 2 years because of where we live. But if I lived in FL I caould take short 2-4 day cruises for 1/4 the price we pay and get to number 10 and only really cruised 40 days total. But if I did a 7 day cruise every other year I would have cruised 70 days. When I brought this up I was flamed big time lots of rude statements. I think it is good.

 

Mike

[trvlqueen]

You bring up some very valid points. At least they mirror some of my thoughts. Especially trying to get that one cruise in before the change. We'll be taking our 9th CCL cruise next month and are now trying to figure out when we can fit in a short little 3 nighter before the change. That would give us 10 cruises and 57 days. But Platinum could equal either the 25 point equivalent or the 75 point one. Who knows.

 

 

Check Imagination on 1/6 - it's pretty cheap and runs over the weekend, so easy-peasy. It's my 9th (I snuck it in just in front of my 4 day that leaves on the 9th which will now be my 10th, so I hit that level before the change!)

 

 

 

I agree that blue will probably continue until you hit 25 days - that will be the first level, but I would be that you'd get a couple bennies at that level, too - I'm thinking second level equivelant to current gold, maybe with a couple increases in bennies, but not to the plat level, 3rd level = current plat, maybe with a menu of choices as opposed to "take what we give you" which seems to be the big complaint I see, and the top tier will have the plat bennies +++ - just my best educated guess -

 

All that said, I sure hope the milestone discounts for 25, 50, 75, 100 cruises don't disappear - my goal is to get that freebie for #100 by the time I'm 90, lol.

[PAPERBKWRITER]

Didn't read all the posts but didn't see anything about extra points for booking a suite or reaching a certain level in gaming points...Long cruises vs short cruises? I have never taken a cruise under 7 days and numerous ones for more but I don't begrudge anyone with the shorter cruises reaching platinum status. I'm getting what I expected and if Carnival wants to be generous to someone with less days at sea I'm all for it. PLATINUM STATUS ROCKS. You are treated like royality.

[buddylover]

Someone said that the only person this benefits is Carnival. That is exactly what happened when RCCL switched theirs over - it only benefited them.

 

Absolutely, CCL is not implementing a change in this program to help YOU, it is another form of a cut back, a money saving effort for the big corporation...i.e., to lower the numbers reaching their levels, thus lesser "perks" which costs them less money. Also, as these changes are publicized, people scurry to book more cruises to beat the clock....another bottom line boost for CCL. Most every change made corporately is to better their own "bottom line", not yours!

[buddylover]

this some time back because I thought I may spend more $$ on a cruise and can only afford to take one every 2 years because of where we live. But if I lived in FL I caould take short 2-4 day cruises for 1/4 the price we pay and get to number 10 and only really cruised 40 days total. But if I did a 7 day cruise every other year I would have cruised 70 days. When I brought this up I was flamed big time lots of rude statements. I think it is good.

 

Mike

 

So sorry you were flamed. The flamers are those who have been able to take the shorter less expensive cruises and get to their 10th cruise with minimal 40-50 sea days. I agree completely with you. We too live in Illinois and need to fly to any port to be able to cruise. We only take longer cruises as a result, which cost lots and lots more money at any cabin level to do so. How is it fair that 10 far less expensive and shortercruises should be valued as equal, in the "eyes" of a corporation, to a customer who spends over double on their 10 cruises (at any cabin level)? Should the reward be the same for both patrons? I don't believe so, and it appears that the new system as rumored, would be much more fair. It will "level" the playing field, at least in $ equivalency. Let the flamers flame...they want the most for the least output.

[tamirpr]

So sorry you were flamed. The flamers are those who have been able to take the shorter less expensive cruises and get to their 10th cruise with minimal 40-50 sea days. I agree completely with you. We too live in Illinois and need to fly to any port to be able to cruise. We only take longer cruises as a result, which cost lots and lots more money at any cabin level to do so. How is it fair that 10 far less expensive and shortercruises should be valued as equal, in the "eyes" of a corporation, to a customer who spends over double on their 10 cruises (at any cabin level)? Should the reward be the same for both patrons? I don't believe so, and it appears that the new system as rumored, would be much more fair. It will "level" the playing field, at least in $ equivalency. Let the flamers flame...they want the most for the least output.

 

I'm not flaming at all. I respect your opinion. I do disagree with it. I'm not sure what cheap cruises you think Floridians are taking, but go do a search for a 4/3 combo versus the price for a 7-day. The 7-day is cheaper the vast majority of the time. I know there are cheap getaways that pop up, but there are also cheap 7-days that come up too.

 

We have done half short and half long cruises. We have spent more money on the short cruises than we have the longer cruises. I think you might have a misconception about the prices.

 

As far as the loyalty program, in the end I don't really care. I'd rather pay $15 for laundry than to spend hundreds on a cruise to get free laundry. I'm not going to run out and book a quick cruise just to make platinum. That's a waste of money to me.

[additivecruiser]

Im at milestone ......There is no perks I use except getting on early and lately with so many vips due to certain rooms booked doesnt make things any faster......

Sooo yes I made it doing alot of 4 day cruises.....but I spend alot more on those partying then on 7 day trips....Different crowd and the liver can only handle so much alcohol.........LOL

[Buffettfan 225]

Sounds more like pyrite - fools gold! :D

Funnt! thanks for lightening up the thread

[gnocchi_mommy]

That is AWESOME news for us!!!! We hit 34 days underway after our 17 day fall 2012 cruise, but it will only be 4 cruises total. That would totally motivate me (more importantly, lol, my husband) to get in 2 7 dayers in the following 6 months.

[mjl1960]

Personally, I think it should go by the number of sea days. I am wearing my flame retardant suit, so bring it.

 

I have to fly or drive in from where ever I am at the current time, which costs me money, so I tend to go on the longer cruises. If I lived near a port, and could do ten 3 day cruises, that would be great, but that is only 30 sea days. I can do that with 4 longer cruises, so why shouldn't I get platinum with less cruises? I am paying more for my cruises than the person doing the 3 day cruises by far. I should get something for that. Maybe I should get something for my expense of traveling so far to get to the port, which those that live near the port don't have to pay for...my perspective says that would be fair, too.

 

As far as spending more money on the shorter cruises partying...you never have partied with us, now, have you? ;)

 

I think going to awarding Platinum by going with the number of sea days is very fair. I would be very satisfied with this change. I think it is a lot fairer than what they have now, and will allow those of us that have to travel farther to get more credit for the longer cruises that we tend to book, and the extra money that we spend that those that only book the 3 or 4 day cruises book don't spend on travel.

 

I am not jealous, but if I lived near to a port, every long weekend would be spent on a ship, where else can you drive over and get all you want to eat, have activities available, wake up and see something new each morning - and be treated like they are someone? Cruising is as cheap on Carnival as staying in a better hotel - and you get so much more, and the service is better and comes with lots of smiles.

[additivecruiser]

Personally, I think it should go by the number of sea days. I am wearing my flame retardant suit, so bring it.

 

I have to fly or drive in from where ever I am at the current time, which costs me money, so I tend to go on the longer cruises. If I lived near a port, and could do ten 3 day cruises, that would be great, but that is only 30 sea days. I can do that with 4 longer cruises, so why shouldn't I get platinum with less cruises? I am paying more for my cruises than the person doing the 3 day cruises by far. I should get something for that. Maybe I should get something for my expense of traveling so far to get to the port, which those that live near the port don't have to pay for...my perspective says that would be fair, too.

 

As far as spending more money on the shorter cruises partying...you never have partied with us, now, have you? ;)

 

I think going to awarding Platinum by going with the number of sea days is very fair. I would be very satisfied with this change. I think it is a lot fairer than what they have now, and will allow those of us that have to travel farther to get more credit for the longer cruises that we tend to book, and the extra money that we spend that those that only book the 3 or 4 day cruises book don't spend on travel.

 

I am not jealous, but if I lived near to a port, every long weekend would be spent on a ship, where else can you drive over and get all you want to eat, have activities available, wake up and see something new each morning - and be treated like they are someone? Cruising is as cheap on Carnival as staying in a better hotel - and you get so much more, and the service is better and comes with lots of smiles.

Well no I havnt, but sounds like it may be a good time........ Living by the port does save travel money but also makes it too damm easy to spend alot of money cruising....... ADDICTION.......but like I said it doesnt matter what level you are, the current perks suck....and i hate pulling out my card at the bar because u get hit up with the ??? Why is that different ??? Then after you explain why you got a different card !!!!! U now are a cruise snob to them....now I have the bar tenders remember my ####.... I dont get blown off now....

[Buffettfan 225]

Well no I havnt, but sounds like it may be a good time........ Living by the port does save travel money but also makes it too damm easy to spend alot of money cruising....... ADDICTION.......but like I said it doesnt matter what level you are, the current perks suck....and i hate pulling out my card at the bar because u get hit up with the ??? Why is that different ??? Then after you explain why you got a different card !!!!! U now are a cruise snob to them....now I have the bar tenders remember my ####.... I dont get blown off now....

I raed your posting twice and confused. Maybe because it was a response to another post, but...are you saying you do or don't have "a status" and that your name is used because of the card? Please explain, I am being honest and just confused at point. :o

[KruznKel]

So with JH's little titbits on his blog about people being close with be grandfathered??? I am curious to see what close is... next cruise Platinum or Milestone.. or if they are only going to grandfather those that have the status???:confused::D

[additivecruiser]

I raed your posting twice and confused. Maybe because it was a response to another post, but...are you saying you do or don't have "a status" and that your name is used because of the card? Please explain, I am being honest and just confused at point. :o

 

Im milestone.......and when i use the card ...since it looks different, people ask why its different ......after explaining i cruise alot with carnival ,so I get a different card ,they actually get stand off ish.........so i have the bartenders remember my card number so i dont have to pull it out 30 times a day and explain myself......

[Buffettfan 225]

Im milestone.......and when i use the card ...since it looks different, people ask why its different ......after explaining i cruise alot with carnival ,so I get a different card ,they actually get stand off ish.........so i have the bartenders remember my card number so i dont have to pull it out 30 times a day and explain myself......

Thannks for explaination- learn something about Carnval or something on CC everyday. Now 30X a day..that's a big bar bill :D

[big_duck]

Thannks for explaination- learn something about Carnval or something on CC everyday. Now 30X a day..that's a big bar bill :D

 

This thread is rapidly deteriorating into who is the biggest lush.

[gardengirl2011]

Personally, I will be very glad when they change to sea days. I'm really tired of people whining about floridians taking short curises to be platinum. Honestly, the perks are not that great! The few times I have used free laundry service, they have ruined my clothes, so no longer even try to use that perk. Canapes, and petite fours are not to my taste so don't even touch them. The only good thing is not having to stand in long lines to get on the ship. I get better perks from the casino than I do being platinum.

[tamirpr]

This thread is rapidly deteriorating into who is the biggest lush.

 

I vote Big Duck!:D

[pacificoclan]

We have been on many cruises and everything is just fine...Why in the world would Carnival come up with this bonehead idea in the first place.Leave things the way they are and let people enjoy their cruise.

[kicia]

I really like that Carnival is changing from number of cruises to number of days. I don't see how a 3 day cruise can be counted the same as a 12 or 14 day cruise. We've done a few short ones but mostly longer cruises. Airlines already do this by counting number of miles flown to reach a certain tier. Now Carnival is going to do the same by counting number of days sailed. I can't wait until we hear all of the benefits.

[additivecruiser]

This thread is rapidly deteriorating into who is the biggest lush.

 

SORRY !!!!!! Just trying to make a point from experience.......not trying to ruin the thread......

[Snorkel2Much]

I really like that Carnival is changing from number of cruises to number of days. I don't see how a 3 day cruise can be counted the same as a 12 or 14 day cruise. We've done a few short ones but mostly longer cruises. Airlines already do this by counting number of miles flown to reach a certain tier. Now Carnival is going to do the same by counting number of days sailed. I can't wait until we hear all of the benefits.

Actually most airlines look at both "miles flown" and "number of flights" when determinIng loyalty status and accompanying status benefits, which is what we're talking about here with Carnival.

[BND]

RCI did this last year. We had booked cruises with them out through this year and the cruise we just returned from would have made us Diamond with them. When they changed the plan, they added a new status called Emerald and we ended up there instead just prior to this last cruise. As a result we need one more cruise to hit Diamond. Just don't be surprised by anything they do as it's their plan and just like with RCI, some of us were delayed in achieving status. It helps keep those with a lot of short cruises accumulating status faster than those who take longer cruises. I wasn't thrilled with not making Diamond already as there are a lot more perks at that level, but it is what it is and we don't cruise for status. We love being at sea.

[Captain Carnival]

Funny! thanks for lightening up the thread

 

 

And for my next trick I'll turn water into.....never mind, that one will get me flamed (figuratively and literally) however a little alchemy-style humor in this thread may go a long way! :rolleyes: