Why Would anybody have Loyalty to CCL?

[eponym]

I agree. Looking at cruises for next year for a family of 4 over spring break. The next cheapest alternative to Carnival is $1100 more. Same itinerary. It would be in a suite so it comes with a slightly better room and suite perks. Is that worth $1100?? And the one next to that is $1000 more with no suite. And we would be gold on our next Carnival Cruise. If they can not include me in a past guest party and save me $1100 so be it.

 

I still haven't decided but other cruise lines have different loyalty programs be cause YOU are paying for it, not because they love you!!! One free drink at brunch and a past guest party does not equal $1000 to me.

 

I am confused by your post. To be clear you are comparing what cabin on Carnival to a suite on another line for same intinerary?

[jimbo5544]

Actually as a platinum cruiser they have a ton of loyalty to me.... I get VIP boarding, free laundry, special gifts, a VIP party, free drink, etc. Not to mention the free cruises the casino has given me, discounted rates, free upgrades, etc. So when you earn your spot they will prove their loyalty

 

And that is what it is all about.

[amyh13]

I am confused by your post. To be clear you are comparing what cabin on Carnival to a suite on another line for same intinerary?

 

Balcony on Carnival and RCCL. And a mini-suite (no other 4 person balcony cabins available) on NCL. I am wrong, there are NO suite perks with a mini suite on NCL.

Edited May 6, 2015 by amyh13

[amyh13]

Balcony on Carnival and RCCL. And a mini-suite (no other 4 person balcony cabins available) on NCL. I am wrong, there are NO suite perks with a mini suite on NCL.

 

Exact same ports, Carnival/Port Canaveral, others out of Tampa.

Edited May 6, 2015 by amyh13

[gtalum]

Balcony on Carnival and RCCL. NCL, penthouse suite (lowest level with a balcony).

 

EDIT:

 

Just noticed that you're actually talking a Mini-Suite. Probably not worth $1100 more than carnival. The "Mini-Suites" on NCl are about the same size as a typical balcony cabin on carnival and come with no special perks. Standard cabins on NCL are TINY.

Edited May 6, 2015 by gtalum

[amyh13]

EDIT:

 

Just noticed that you're actually talking a Mini-Suite. Probably not worth $1100 more than carnival. The "Mini-Suites" on NCl are about the same size as a typical balcony cabin on carnival and come with no special perks. Regular cabins on NCL are TINY.

 

I corrected my post. The NCL cabin at that price is a mini-suite and does not qualify for any suite perks. The penthouse suite is $2800 more, practically double the cost of carnival.

 

All same CC star ratings, and Carnival actually has the newer boat.

[gtalum]

See my note about Mini Suites on NCL. It's exactly like a regular balcony on Carnival. We sailed in one on Pearl. it's plenty nice, but not worth more than Carnival.

 

The standard cabins on NCL are ridiculously tiny.

[Jdfireman]

Is what it is

[Podna's]

so? I don't cruise for a past guest party. I cruise whoever is sailing out of new orleans who isn't royal or ncl. lol.

 

 

 

As long as I'm not doing the cooking, cleaning, laundry, i'm good. I'll still enjoy my coffee and ice cream on the balcony.

 

 

 

I'll focus on relaxing and making memories with my family.

 

 

I agree. I can care less if I'm blue or diamond, I'll continue to cruise Carnival because of the vacation experience they give me and my family. The drink coupon is a bonus to us.

[bluemoon12]

I am gold and never have went to the past guest partys. I just really dislike the cut backs every time you turn around. I have not cruised another line because I was actually trying to make platinum. I have been getting tempting emails from a pvp from NCL that I am going to take advantage of next year. I have two cruises booked this year already with carnival and was going to book another for next year while on board. I like all the perks you get with a suite with NCL. Its worth a try anyway.

Edited May 6, 2015 by bluemoon12

[Luv2Cruz35]

I have always cruised Carnival and have only been to one past guest party that I did not like. So with that being said I am not mad at not being able to go to the parties for past guest.

Edited May 6, 2015 by Luv2Cruz35

[Luv2Cruz35]

I really don't get the loyalty thing. I don't feel the need to be loyal to a business - and that is what makes the world go 'round!

 

If you are an entrepreneur starting your own company, you have to count on people not being loyal, otherwise you will never get any business.

 

I can count maybe 2 products in my household that I am "brand" loyal to - otherwise, make me an offer and I might buy your product. Cruise lines are included in this.

 

I'm not loyal to one grocery store or one department store. I shop for convenience, selection and budget. Cruise lines are included in this, also.

 

I agree!!!!

[SadieN]

They have none to YOU

 

 

Wrong.

They were the only ones to stay on the West Coast. EVERYBODY else pulled out. For several years they were the only game in town.

 

Have seen the diminishing of our loyalty levels on HAL, Princess, and airlines.

Edited May 6, 2015 by SadieN

[bruadhin]

Wrong.

They were the only ones to stay on the West Coast. EVERYBODY else pulled out. For several years they were the only game in town.

 

Have seen the diminishing of our loyalty levels on HAL, Princess, and airlines.

 

Any comparison of a cruise line loyalty program to an airline or hotel program is a false one. Airline and hotel programs are all about business travelers. Any vacationer earning their way in is an aberration. Corporate expense accounts versus personal checkbook is a much different economic reality.

[Gryffindor55]

No loyalty to CCL? Must be a WUM.

[nitro2448]

Speaking for myself, I'm not loyal to CCL, they just have what I want for the best price. Even with all these silly little changes that some of you people get all worked up about.

[ScottsSweetie]

I am gold and never have went to the past guest partys. I just really dislike the cut backs every time you turn around. I have not cruised another line because I was actually trying to make platinum. I have been getting tempting emails from a pvp from NCL that I am going to take advantage of next year. I have two cruises booked this year already with carnival and was going to book another for next year while on board. I like all the perks you get with a suite with NCL. Its worth a try anyway.

 

This is what I genuinely don't understand. "Trying to make platinum" - because why? What exactly is the thought process? After I get to platinum, I will get _______ ?? I don't see that a free bag of laundry or priority embarkation is worth spending tons of money TRYING to get to a certain status.

 

Unless, of course, you think that you are getting a great value and a great vacation along the way, in which case you are making the point that others of us are - you are cruising CCL for the value of the vacation. Surely if you didn't feel like you were getting a good deal you wouldn't keep going back just to get to some status?

 

And be sure to let us know how that suite price on NCL compares to whatever room you normally book on CCL. ;)

[stormy_weatherman]

This is what I genuinely don't understand. "Trying to make platinum" - because why? What exactly is the thought process? After I get to platinum, I will get _______ ?? I don't see that a free bag of laundry or priority embarkation is worth spending tons of money TRYING to get to a certain status.

 

Unless, of course, you think that you are getting a great value and a great vacation along the way, in which case you are making the point that others of us are - you are cruising CCL for the value of the vacation. Surely if you didn't feel like you were getting a good deal you wouldn't keep going back just to get to some status?

 

And be sure to let us know how that suite price on NCL compares to whatever room you normally book on CCL. ;)

 

You know... make Platinum so you can come to CC and let everyone know that you've "accomplished" more than the rest. And how uncrowded your party was.

 

Speaking on loyalty... in the past I've only gone to Carnival.com when it's time for a cruise. Over. From now on I'll be sure to shop the market. I don't mind paying a little more if I feel appreciated and respected by the line. All the cutbacks at Carnival in such a short amount of time are laughable.

 

Our last cruise (March) on the Dream from NOLA was the most expensive cruise (all Carnival) we've been on so far- but the first SB cruise, so I understand why. A few months out I compared the price to a balcony on the NCL ship (Dawn) out of NOLA on the same day with the same itinerary. While they offered my choice from free drinks, free specialty dining, or $200 OBC, they were also a cheaper option. So Carnival really isn't the absolute budget line anymore, as it has become comparable with others in prices, depending on where/when you sail to/from.

[bruadhin]

You know... make Platinum so you can come to CC and let everyone know that you've "accomplished" more than the rest. And how uncrowded your party was.

 

Speaking on loyalty... in the past I've only gone to Carnival.com when it's time for a cruise. Over. From now on I'll be sure to shop the market. I don't mind paying a little more if I feel appreciated and respected by the line. All the cutbacks at Carnival in such a short amount of time are laughable.

 

Our last cruise (March) on the Dream from NOLA was the most expensive cruise (all Carnival) we've been on so far- but the first SB cruise, so I understand why. A few months out I compared the price to a balcony on the NCL ship (Dawn) out of NOLA on the same day with the same itinerary. While they offered my choice from free drinks, free specialty dining, or $200 OBC, they were also a cheaper option. So Carnival really isn't the absolute budget line anymore, as it has become comparable with others in prices, depending on where/when you sail to/from.

 

Well said. I am finding Norwegian is often less than Carnival and with nicer offers. Others have told me people there are just as up in arms as Carnival cruisers. I guess I will just have to find out if I book one.

 

I know we had some friends that took a NCL cruise years ago when we were just starting on Carnival. They liked it. I didn't care for the nickel and diming for dining so we didn't try them. But with the dining package, I may just try it.

[wds13196]

Been on 10 Carnival Cruises so far with 2 more already booked.... I come back not for the loyalty program, but because each vacation has been exceptional and when there has been an issue Carnival has resolved it to my satisfaction or better without any grief.

 

Sure the perks are nice, but they are not what brings me to Carnival time after time.

Edited May 6, 2015 by wds13196

[sparks1093]

Well said. I am finding Norwegian is often less than Carnival and with nicer offers. Others have told me people there are just as up in arms as Carnival cruisers. I guess I will just have to find out if I book one.

 

I know we had some friends that took a NCL cruise years ago when we were just starting on Carnival. They liked it. I didn't care for the nickel and diming for dining so we didn't try them. But with the dining package, I may just try it.

 

If it were just regular changes I think people would be more accepting but NCL has undergone a big change at corporate with a new guy in charge and he is changing the feel of NCL (which in and of itself isn't necessarily a bad thing but it is making people think twice). When I booked next year's cruise CCL was $800 less than NCL was.

[jimbo5544]

Any comparison of a cruise line loyalty program to an airline or hotel program is a false one. Airline and hotel programs are all about business travelers. Any vacationer earning their way in is an aberration. Corporate expense accounts versus personal checkbook is a much different economic reality.

 

 

True it is different, but still a factor.

[Rottweiler Puppy]

... I didn't care for the nickel and diming for dining so we didn't try them. ...

 

If you didnt cruise them how can you say they nickel and dimed for dining?

 

You can cruise NCL and have a nice sit down MDR meal every night without spending a single nickel extra.

[bruadhin]

If you didnt cruise them how can you say they nickel and dimed for dining?

 

You can cruise NCL and have a nice sit down MDR meal every night without spending a single nickel extra.

 

That was not the impression I got at the time and still don't based upon all the for fee venues they have. But, they also have an ultimate dining package now. So I can just buy it and be done with it.

 

I haven't done the math other than guestimating, but I believe we could cruise on the Getaway next year for less than the Breeze or equivalent, even after buying the ultimate dining package. I'm going to wait and see if they bring back the free drink package as a promo. That and see if we want to cruise next year or do something different.

 

Will I be as happy on NCL as I have been on CCL, I don't know. I do know this much, the changes at CCL have me looking elsewhere. It may seem minor, but to constantly take away from your loyalty program is annoying. It was enough to make me really think about going elsewhere. To me, that means it was a complete and utter failure by corporate.

 

I had already had thoughts of trying NCL, this just sealed the deal for me. Someone is running the numbers at CCL and they may get their desired goal, but it is definitely doing a number on their image in the meantime.

[isaiahsnana]

I am confused by your post. To be clear you are comparing what cabin on Carnival to a suite on another line for same intinerary?

 

I am not the person this was posted for, but for me and my family of 5, Carnival offers us several cabin types and alternatives, most other cruise lines that is only possible at the suite leve (if at all)l. Kids are 2, 5, and 10 - so can't be in a different cabin from the adults.