Loyalty levels to change

[pe4all]

11 hours ago, Chief93 said:

 

Here is my unsolicited take on Carnival's cost for the loyalty program.  My first cruise in 2002 was seven days and my S&S balance was over $3,000.  My last cruise was also seven days and my S&S balance was $150 (I prepay tips).  I've already bought all the souvenirs, I don't gamble, and I no longer buy shore excursions.  In the end, I believe Carnival would rather sell my cabin to someone newer who is going to spend more money on the ship.  Perhaps I am not representative of other platinum folks.

 

 

Agree.   Off the Magic last month, and my sail and sign was zero. We actually had around $10 left on our account, which we told them to donate to St. Jude.  We had no obc waiting for us except a few dollars ($6) in port tax refund.   I put down $200 in Carnival gift cards we got for holiday presents as I boarded.  Purchased no drinks, photos or excursions.  Prepaid grats, bottomless bubbles, 12 pack of water and computer time for cabin.   The big expense onboard was a bottle of perfume, which my dd always gets when we cruise, hence the gift cards.   Our other expenses were for clam chowder and a sandwich at the seafood shack, and a couple of sushi's, and 3 virgin kiss on the lips.    Carnival probably spent more on our 2 bags of laundry, 2 bottles of cabin water, past guest party drinks/food, sweets in cabin and plat gifts  (though I doubt the luggage tags cost much)  than we spent onboard.  We are definitely not the demographic population CCL is aiming for.  And as far as the loyalty levels changing, I think everything will be on hold until the coronavirus is under control and Carnival sees what people will do with their current and future bookings.

[xDisconnections]

2 hours ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

 

On MSC you have to cruise at least once every 3 years to maintain your loyalty level. 

 

2 hours ago, jimbo5544 said:

True, if Carnival adopted something along these lines it would have to be multi faceted and more aggressive. 

I completely agree with this.

 

I haven’t cruised Carnival between 2012 and 2019. When I decided to sail the Liberty on a whim in Dec 2019, do you really think I should have stepped on that ship with my Platinum benefits? No.

[miataman19]

2 hours ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

 

On MSC you have to cruise at least once every 3 years to maintain your loyalty level. 

Totally agree. I'm Diamond status on MSC because of their status match. I have to sail within the next 2 years (sailed on Divina last year) or I lose my status. A 3 year requirement is not unreasonable. (Gold on Carnival)

[mz-s]

On 2/29/2020 at 10:46 AM, miataman19 said:

Totally agree. I'm Diamond status on MSC because of their status match. I have to sail within the next 2 years (sailed on Divina last year) or I lose my status. A 3 year requirement is not unreasonable. (Gold on Carnival)

 

With MSC's program, do you have to start over as a new cruiser if you don't sail after so long or do you simply get bumped down a tier?

[PhillyFan33579]

1 hour ago, mz-s said:

 

With MSC's program, do you have to start over as a new cruiser if you don't sail after so long or do you simply get bumped down a tier?

You start over again with a new loyalty membership number. 

[glrounds]

On 2/28/2020 at 5:31 PM, Chief93 said:

Here is my unsolicited take on Carnival's cost for the loyalty program.  My first cruise in 2002 was seven days and my S&S balance was over $3,000.  My last cruise was also seven days and my S&S balance was $150 (I prepay tips).  I've already bought all the souvenirs, I don't gamble, and I no longer buy shore excursions.  In the end, I believe Carnival would rather sell my cabin to someone newer who is going to spend more money on the ship.  Perhaps I am not representative of other platinum folks.

 

 

 

You're exactly correct, Chief93, and very representative of other platinum folks. I've said this for years. Carnival would just as soon we P&Ds move on. Always get a lot of blow-back from the Cheerleaders, though. With the number necessary to make Platinum and Diamond we've already figured out how to beat the system and cut corners. Carnival would most definitely want to sell my cabin to a newbie anxious to buy $10 drinks, buy all the photos, take every excursion, and blow a house payment in the casino, as I spend very little on the ship. 🙂

Edited March 2, 2020 by glrounds

[BallFour4]

3 hours ago, glrounds said:

 You're exactly correct, Chief93, and very representative of other platinum folks. I've said this for years. Carnival would just as soon we P&D's move on...🙂

I truncated your post and I agree with it entirely. We walked off the ship in January with a 5 dollar credit. We prepaid gratuities, shore excursions and Bottomless Bubbles. Our only expenses were tax on sodas while in US waters and tips for the other days.
 The past guest parties have morphed into a "I'd rather be working the recycling dumpster" look from officers and staff. I don't blame them after hearing some of the complaints while in line at Guest Services in the priority cue.
 I don't care if I get another luggage tag, blanket, binoculars, hat, game board or anything else. We find a kid who is being well behaved at dinner and give those things away.
 There is a big gap in the second one hundred days to get to Diamond, so perhaps another level there and one above Diamond will be created.

.

[jimbo5544]

13 hours ago, glrounds said:

 

You're exactly correct, Chief93, and very representative of other platinum folks. I've said this for years. Carnival would just as soon we P&Ds move on. Always get a lot of blow-back from the Cheerleaders, though. With the number necessary to make Platinum and Diamond we've already figured out how to beat the system and cut corners. Carnival would most definitely want to sell my cabin to a newbie anxious to buy $10 drinks, buy all the photos, take every excursion, and blow a house payment in the casino, as I spend very little on the ship. 🙂

I would agree that experienced cruisers spend way less than new cruisers and Carnivals focus has always been on new cruisers in as many home ports as they can.

[PhillyFan33579]

14 hours ago, glrounds said:

 

You're exactly correct, Chief93, and very representative of other platinum folks. I've said this for years. Carnival would just as soon we P&Ds move on. Always get a lot of blow-back from the Cheerleaders, though. With the number necessary to make Platinum and Diamond we've already figured out how to beat the system and cut corners. Carnival would most definitely want to sell my cabin to a newbie anxious to buy $10 drinks, buy all the photos, take every excursion, and blow a house payment in the casino, as I spend very little on the ship. 🙂

I agree with you 100%. I have commented on this board more than once that Carnival’s ideal cruise is all blue cards. I think they value repeat customers to some degree, but no doubt their main focus is attracting as many new cruisers as possible. I don’t know how accurate this comment was concerning the percentage, but one of the officers at a Diamond special event last year told us 97% of the US population has never cruised and their focus is getting these potential new cruisers to cruise on Carnival. 
 

Just an FYI, I am still only Platinum but have attended quite a few Diamond special events as the guest of a Diamond.

[missholly24]

I find this interesting after reading this thread. I am currently living with an adult step child (well he with us) but he is Red and we are Platinum. He receives offers constantly in the mail. Nice huge flyers in color begging him to sail. We never receive anything.  Its a joke in our house that they know my husband and I are a sure thing so why market to us.....😕

[jimbo5544]

27 minutes ago, missholly24 said:

I find this interesting after reading this thread. I am currently living with an adult step child (well he with us) but he is Red and we are Platinum. He receives offers constantly in the mail. Nice huge flyers in color begging him to sail. We never receive anything.  Its a joke in our house that they know my husband and I are a sure thing so why market to us.....😕

There are many different marketing programs.  We have joked when some newbi cruisers get better deals than we get via email. Get my chops busted on that on a fairly regular basis.  Only thing worse than that is when boarding and priority boarding takes longer to get on the ship than regular....

[missholly24]

Just now, jimbo5544 said:

There are many different marketing programs.  We have joked when some newbi cruisers get better deals than we get via email. Get my chops busted on that on a fairly regular basis.  Only thing worse than that is when boarding and priority boarding takes longer to get on the ship than regular....

HA that would be a wild scene! 😜 We had many priority folks on our last sailing. Standing room only and it was pretty early. Went fast though. 

[xDisconnections]

43 minutes ago, jimbo5544 said:

There are many different marketing programs.  We have joked when some newbi cruisers get better deals than we get via email. Get my chops busted on that on a fairly regular basis.  Only thing worse than that is when boarding and priority boarding takes longer to get on the ship than regular....

Stop sailing with Carnival for a few years and the deeply discounted offers will come to your inbox. Or at least, they did for me. Turned down many offers over the years because I wasn’t ready to sail on Carnival again.

[ALWAYS CRUZIN]

2 hours ago, missholly24 said:

I find this interesting after reading this thread. I am currently living with an adult step child (well he with us) but he is Red and we are Platinum. He receives offers constantly in the mail. Nice huge flyers in color begging him to sail. We never receive anything.  Its a joke in our house that they know my husband and I are a sure thing so why market to us.....😕

Carnival already knows you are a regular and he is not. So they are sending him promotions to get him to cruise. Others have mentioned. Stop sailing with Carnival for awhile and the offers will come.

[missholly24]

20 minutes ago, ALWAYS CRUZIN said:

Carnival already knows you are a regular and he is not. So they are sending him promotions to get him to cruise. Others have mentioned. Stop sailing with Carnival for awhile and the offers will come.

Haha no way! Just kidding we do RCI occasionally but Carnival is my number 1. Go Navy. 

[glrounds]

3 hours ago, missholly24 said:

HA that would be a wild scene! 😜 We had many priority folks on our last sailing. Standing room only and it was pretty early. Went fast though. 

 

A little over a month ago on the PANORAMA there was standing room only in the Main Showroom. Short and sweet though. Youngest Diamond introduced at 10 years of age ! 🙂

Edited March 3, 2020 by glrounds

[Jamesatgsu]

On 2/28/2020 at 8:31 PM, Chief93 said:

Here is my unsolicited take on Carnival's cost for the loyalty program.  My first cruise in 2002 was seven days and my S&S balance was over $3,000.  My last cruise was also seven days and my S&S balance was $150 (I prepay tips).  I've already bought all the souvenirs, I don't gamble, and I no longer buy shore excursions.  In the end, I believe Carnival would rather sell my cabin to someone newer who is going to spend more money on the ship.  Perhaps I am not representative of other platinum folks.

 

 

A lot has to do with for first time cruisers (or infrequent cruisers), they are more focused on this being a one-time or rare occurrence for them, so they seek to maximize the experience.  At the same time, I'd say regular cruisers tend to be more likely to pay for the suites.

[DebJ14]

On 2/21/2020 at 2:24 PM, sanmarcosman said:

Be careful what you wish for. Many of us who had been gold for several years were demoted to red the last time the program was overhauled. 

And many of us who were told we would be grandfathered in as Diamond were stuck at Platinum for a few extra cruises.  

[xDisconnections]

33 minutes ago, Jamesatgsu said:

A lot has to do with for first time cruisers (or infrequent cruisers), they are more focused on this being a one-time or rare occurrence for them, so they seek to maximize the experience.  At the same time, I'd say regular cruisers tend to be more likely to pay for the suites.

I’d say, regular cruisers are more likely to pay for the interiors.

 

Princess has name plates depicting the loyalty level of the stateroom outside every door. Most of the Elite members are in interiors.

[glrounds]

5 hours ago, jimbo5544 said:

There are many different marketing programs.  We have joked when some newbi cruisers get better deals than we get via email. Get my chops busted on that on a fairly regular basis.  Only thing worse than that is when boarding and priority boarding takes longer to get on the ship than regular....

 

Yah got that right, Jimbo. 🙂 Priority boarding is starting to take on the same resemblance as my red'n'blue card days. Never saw so many priority guests lining up to board. Used to be a tiny group of 25-50 walking from the priority room to start boarding. I think the staggering of "show-up" times is making great inroads in this event.

 

Edited March 3, 2020 by glrounds

[jimbo5544]

26 minutes ago, glrounds said:

 

Yah got that right, Jimbo. 🙂 Priority boarding is starting to take on the same resemblance as my red'n'blue card days. Never saw so many priority guests lining up to board. Used to be a tiny group of 25-50 walking from the priority room to start boarding. I think the staggering of "show-up" times is making great inroads in this event.

 

Would not be surprised that whenever, if it ever changes, this be one of the areas they address. 

[PhillyFan33579]

41 minutes ago, glrounds said:

 

Yah got that right, Jimbo. 🙂 Priority boarding is starting to take on the same resemblance as my red'n'blue card days. Never saw so many priority guests lining up to board. Used to be a tiny group of 25-50 walking from the priority room to start boarding. I think the staggering of "show-up" times is making great inroads in this event.

 

More than once when cruising out of Miami they have started Diamonds and Platinums boarding on one end of the terminal and FTTF boarding on the other end just a few minutes later. I think it was a cruise on Horizon last year when we heard them calling Zone 1 to board when we were still walking in the terminal due to how many D&Ps were in the priority waiting area. 

[jimbo5544]

1 hour ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

More than once when cruising out of Miami they have started Diamonds and Platinums boarding on one end of the terminal and FTTF boarding on the other end just a few minutes later. I think it was a cruise on Horizon last year when we heard them calling Zone 1 to board when we were still walking in the terminal due to how many D&Ps were in the priority waiting area. 

Yup, we were leading the way out of the Diamond/Plat lounge with escort to Board and the rest of our group was on the elevated walkway laughing that they were ahead of us.  

[Joebucks]

Some people think making any purchase makes them a valuable customer. They go in a restaurant for a half priced appetizer and a water, and talk about how important their business is. "If the restaurant isn't making money off of it, they wouldn't be offering it". When in reality, it is a loss-leader designed to get people in the door, in hopes of making money in other areas.

 

This is where Carnival's problem is. They don't necessarily make as much off of the fare as some other competitors do. So to them, any customer in the door can be more beneficial.

 

People really don't understand what marketing departments do. It's always about getting more customers in the door and getting them to spend more money. Look at the casino offers. It isn't to give anyone anything for free. If your room is comped or very cheap, you have already paid for it many times over. They want you to do it again.

[jimbo5544]

58 minutes ago, Joebucks said:

Some people think making any purchase makes them a valuable customer. They go in a restaurant for a half priced appetizer and a water, and talk about how important their business is. "If the restaurant isn't making money off of it, they wouldn't be offering it". When in reality, it is a loss-leader designed to get people in the door, in hopes of making money in other areas.

 

This is where Carnival's problem is. They don't necessarily make as much off of the fare as some other competitors do. So to them, any customer in the door can be more beneficial.

 

People really don't understand what marketing departments do. It's always about getting more customers in the door and getting them to spend more money. Look at the casino offers. It isn't to give anyone anything for free. If your room is comped or very cheap, you have already paid for it many times over. They want you to do it again.

They def know who spends and who does not.