Diamond & Platinum Not great

[ALWAYS CRUZIN]

Just got off of the Mardi Gras. Not impressed. Do your room morning OR evening. Not much for them to do anymore. Well our next Carnival cruise will be our 50th. Once we reached the Priority boarding level we we so very happy. The other perks are nice but not as great as Priority Boarding. Well not this time. Only those that purchase a suite were considered priority. Look at your boarding pass. Do you see priority on it? I just went and took a look at the list. It still shows Priority boarding. Well the Mardi Gras boarding took 1-1/2 hours. Now lets cover the other perks. Want your free bottle of water. Go get it yourself at the bar. Want the ships pin and gift. Go get it yourself at Pixels. By the way. No ships name on the pin any longer. Want the nice strawberries or cookies delivered to your room. Call room service. So I guess you going to get the items yourself is saving them money? How? There was nothing telling us any of this. If we did not ask, we would never have known. Remember the get together party. Free flowing drinks and hors d'oeuvres. Now you receive one glass of wine. No other choice. Then they give you a $10.50 voucher for a drink. Now! they are saving money and demoting our status at the same time. If you are not going to give something additional, at least do not take things away. I do understand they took a hit. They are charging more for the cruise plus other things. Maybe the Priority Boarding will just be temporary. What can they possibly be saving there? If you purchase a suite and you get priority boarding why not us that deserve it. Guess loyalty has been tossed overboard.

[StolidCruiser]

Your guess would be right.  Choose another line that will respect your loyalty and show Carnival the ramifications of dismissing a guest of your stature.

[mondello]

They seem to have also shown their priority by taking Platinum and Diamond for granted when ignoring them when offerring the great specials this summer on Cheers and casino deals.

[1025cruise]

Everything you stated has been known since Carnival restarted cruising. The reason for only suites getting priority boarding is due to there being less of them to minimize crowds due to Covid. Same for everything else, to minimize the people going in/out of your stateroom.

 

There should have been information in the app or via scanning the QR code in your cabin.

[firefly333]

I'm also in the category of I wouldnt be booking carnival again soon or recommending them. We had some dining issues and the only reason I went to brunch or Mdr was because I wanted bacon for breakfast and cant always get it in the buffet. More cost cutting. I filled out my cruise reviews so they know. I paid more for vista inside than my aft corner on rcl so price is no incentive, I'm not on their lower promo price list. I'd booked a year ahead is the only reason I kept my expensive vista. 

 

I'm on the list I want bacon with my eggs. ..I didnt ask for my strawberries, or bottle of water. 

[Bgcruising]

Time to dump the benefits for the platinum guests. There's too many and that's the excuse typically given.

[Guest BasicSailor]

Well the post have been fairly tame up to this point , my surprise. I feel your anguish and you have valuable points. Reading here shows quite a few people are dissatisfied with  Mardi Gras as well as you. One reason I'm in no hurry to sail on her.

[mondello]

2 minutes ago, Bgcruising said:

Time to dump the benefits for the platinum guests. There's too many and that's the excuse typically given.

I know when I first started cruising that Platinum seemed unattainable. Enjoy some B2Bs and those days start adding up. Another year or two and I'll probably be Platinum. No big deal because I'm aware of the benefits.

DS will probably get a kick out of making Platinum as a teenager.

Carnival should add a Titanium level with some real perks to reward the old salts. Throwing in a free jacket, Steakhouse dinner, or a bottle of sparkling wine wouldn't set them back much.

[pcrum]

14 minutes ago, StolidCruiser said:

Your guess would be right.  Choose another line that will respect your loyalty and show Carnival the ramifications of dismissing a guest of your stature.

That is exactly what we have done. Once we reached platinum on Carnival we discovered NCL and Celebrity and have never looked back.  Recently compared a Celebrity Cruise with drinks and tips included to a Carnival sailing the same time adding in Cheers and tips and Celebrity was less expensive.  I don't see a Carnival cruise in our future unless they go to the all inclusive model. 

[mondello]

Carnival could really make a statement if they'd just lay all their cards on the table. Imagine if the brought back FTTF before they bring back Priority boarding for Platinum & Diamond. You have to admit, FTTF is a money maker for them.

OP said it took 1 1/2 hours to board Mardi Gras. How long do you think it will take when they start hitting capacity? I expect Christmas to exceed 85%. Mardi Gras seems to be a home run, with the extensive dining and bar venues outweighing the skinny cabins.

[Don Kehote]

1 hour ago, ALWAYS CRUZIN said:

Guess loyalty has been tossed overboard.

It surely has. Thanks for shopping at Carnival.

[Illbcruzn4life]

1 hour ago, ALWAYS CRUZIN said:

Just got off of the Mardi Gras. Not impressed. Do your room morning OR evening. Not much for them to do anymore. Well our next Carnival cruise will be our 50th. Once we reached the Priority boarding level we we so very happy. The other perks are nice but not as great as Priority Boarding. Well not this time. Only those that purchase a suite were considered priority. Look at your boarding pass. Do you see priority on it? I just went and took a look at the list. It still shows Priority boarding. Well the Mardi Gras boarding took 1-1/2 hours. Now lets cover the other perks. Want your free bottle of water. Go get it yourself at the bar. Want the ships pin and gift. Go get it yourself at Pixels. By the way. No ships name on the pin any longer. Want the nice strawberries or cookies delivered to your room. Call room service. So I guess you going to get the items yourself is saving them money? How? There was nothing telling us any of this. If we did not ask, we would never have known. Remember the get together party. Free flowing drinks and hors d'oeuvres. Now you receive one glass of wine. No other choice. Then they give you a $10.50 voucher for a drink. Now! they are saving money and demoting our status at the same time. If you are not going to give something additional, at least do not take things away. I do understand they took a hit. They are charging more for the cruise plus other things. Maybe the Priority Boarding will just be temporary. What can they possibly be saving there? If you purchase a suite and you get priority boarding why not us that deserve it. Guess loyalty has been tossed overboard.

 

The answer to this question is that they are counting on people not to be bothered to pick up their items.  Money saved by CCL!!

[Illbcruzn4life]

39 minutes ago, pcrum said:

That is exactly what we have done. Once we reached platinum on Carnival we discovered NCL and Celebrity and have never looked back.  Recently compared a Celebrity Cruise with drinks and tips included to a Carnival sailing the same time adding in Cheers and tips and Celebrity was less expensive.  I don't see a Carnival cruise in our future unless they go to the all inclusive model. 

 

We have only done 1 CCL cruise since we made platinum back in 2010.

 

We mostly cruise with RCI now with a couple NCL's sprinkled in. Love the Oasis class ships and the entertainment.

 

We did have a cruise booked on the Carnival Horizon for last December but covid cancelled that. We just took a cash refund

[audcc77]

1 hour ago, ALWAYS CRUZIN said:

Well the Mardi Gras boarding took 1-1/2 hours.

Just curious…What time slot were you?   

Were you able to get an early time and sign up 2 days earlier?

 

Carnival needs to come up with other ideas for P&D.  I can’t see chasing down water, a luggage tag, etc.  

 

The $25 casino cash is nice though. 

[mondello]

5 minutes ago, Don Kehote said:

It surely has. Thanks for shopping at Carnival.

If they really cared they'd also remind you to pick up your shiny, new luggage tags on the way out.

[VaTech8912]

On Pride a few weeks ago, the D&P gathering had free flowing drinks made to order. Maybe they are doing things differently on smaller ships. Loved the $25 casino dollars (free money).  While different, still received my water, strawberries and cookies easily enough.  We had a QR code in room stating the benefits and also Guest services confirmed everything when asking about something else.  While it does take a little more work, I appreciated being able to request the cookies and strawberries when I wanted vs them delivering on the formal night.  Absolutely agree they can save $ by making it more an effort  for the customer but at least they do not waste items if someone doesn't want them anyway.   Hope you enjoy your weekend.

[cruisingguy007]

1 hour ago, StolidCruiser said:

Your guess would be right.  Choose another line that will respect your loyalty and show Carnival the ramifications of dismissing a guest of your stature.

 

Paying more money for a cruise in order to get "free stuff" isn't going to show them anything. Overall price to value still matters in the end. If you are getting a bit less "free stuff" that you could easily buy with the savings, it isn't much of a deal in the end. People get too caught up in these marketing ploys. Plus it isn't like the OP couldn't get the items, they just don't want to fetch them. Doesn't seem like such a hassle to me since most folks pass by these locations daily anyway.  

Edited November 6, 2021 by cruisingguy007

[firefly333]

1 minute ago, cruisingguy007 said:

 

Paying more money for a cruise in order to get "free stuff" isn't going top show them anything. Overall price to value still matters in the end. If you are getting a bit less "free stuff" that you could easily buy with the savings, it isn't much of a deal in the end. People get too caught up in these marketing ploys. Plus it isn't like the OP couldn't get the items, they just don't want to fetch them. Doesn't seem like such a hassle to me since most folks pass by these locations daily anyway.  

What savings are you referring to? I paid $100 more for 7 days inside on vista than a aft corner balcony on rcl. Rcl gives me 4 free drink vouchers daily and balcony discounts. Carnival gives me laundry. If you arent getting these lower prices, other lines are cheaper is what you are missing. 

 

I agree with above saying carnival is taking long time cruisers for granted and targeting newbies. I feel taken for granted. Thanks I'll book the lower prices I'm getting elsewhere rather than paying extra for less on carnival and not getting these lower priced promos. I get it, some are ok with paying extra for carnival. I'm not and it's annoying to hear time after time on my cruise how much less others paid. Not one person paid as much as I did and a lot were bragging. Carnival should offer the same rates to all if it's not a casino rate. 

[ALWAYS CRUZIN]

1 hour ago, 1025cruise said:

Everything you stated has been known since Carnival restarted cruising. The reason for only suites getting priority boarding is due to there being less of them to minimize crowds due to Covid. Same for everything else, to minimize the people going in/out of your stateroom.

 

There should have been information in the app or via scanning the QR code in your cabin.

Give me a break. Crowds due to Covid. So very incorrect. The lounge had one person in it. Where is the over crowding. The very, very long line. As I stated 1-1/2 hours to board. That is where the crowding is. The person in and out of my state room would be one person the same one cleaning it. He brings the water and delivers the ships pin and gift. No additional people at all. As for the delivery You do not need to be there. They will walk in and deliver it. So guess you are incorrect there also. Guess a stupid excuse is better than none at all.

[ALWAYS CRUZIN]

13 minutes ago, cruisingguy007 said:

 

Paying more money for a cruise in order to get "free stuff" isn't going top show them anything. Overall price to value still matters in the end. If you are getting a bit less "free stuff" that you could easily buy with the savings, it isn't much of a deal in the end. People get too caught up in these marketing ploys. Plus it isn't like the OP couldn't get the items, they just don't want to fetch them. Doesn't seem like such a hassle to me since most folks pass by these locations daily anyway.  

What savings are you referring to? Prices are higher than ever. The only free stuff as you say that I want is Priority boarding costing them zip zero.

[cruisingguy007]

3 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

What savings are you referring to? I paid $100 more for 7 days inside on vista than a aft corner balcony on rcl. Rcl gives me 4 free drink vouchers daily and balcony discounts. Carnival gives me laundry. If you arent getting these lower prices, other lines are cheaper is what you are missing. 

 

I agree with above saying carnival is taking long time cruisers for granted and targeting newbies. I feel taken for granted. Thanks I'll book the lower prices I'm getting elsewhere rather than paying extra for less on carnival and not getting these lower priced promos. I get it, some are ok with paying extra for carnival. I'm not and it's annoying to hear time after time on my cruise how much less others paid. Not one person paid as much as I did and a lot were bragging. Carnival should offer the same rates to all if it's not a casino rate. 

 

I concur with your assessment. Taking the best deal is prudent (if it's in fact the best deal). Booking with another line out of spite from some minor value items not being included, isn't. 

[ALWAYS CRUZIN]

38 minutes ago, audcc77 said:

Just curious…What time slot were you?   

Were you able to get an early time and sign up 2 days earlier?

 

Carnival needs to come up with other ideas for P&D.  I can’t see chasing down water, a luggage tag, etc.  

 

The $25 casino cash is nice though. 

I did my cruise information and printed out my Boarding Pass as soon as it was available. My time slot was 12:30 to 1:00 That is the time we have always bordered any cruise ship just because of our driving situation. Same distance to Port Canaveral and Port Everglades. We NEVER were in line that long. We are on the Caribbean Princess in December. We will see what they have changed.

[firefly333]

7 minutes ago, cruisingguy007 said:

 

I concur with your assessment. Taking the best deal is prudent (if it's in fact the best deal). Booking with another line out of spite from some minor value items not being included, isn't. 

I'm mostly mad at myself as I didnt predict carnival prices cratering and missed 100s of dollars of price drops. 

 

As a example, I am paying more for allure b2b dec 2022 because I loved oasis. I'm under $1300 total including all taxes and fees. One is the very last inside boardwalk balcony. I can see out the aft and the diving before someone says it's not comparable to carnival outside balcony. I've had skin cancer so I cant wait. The other is a double wide city park, but double deep, another special cabin. My boardwalk end was already booked. 

 

Attached is carnival cheapest balcony dec 2022, before taxes .. it's more $$$$. 2nd attached is view from oasis which is amped and not as good as what I'll have. I can see water. From a balcony. Allure is open on the back. .. I'm always being told carnival is cheaper. Not for what I book. I'll be at 5 free drink vouchers a day on rcl by jan. 

 

[keels81]

I'm sorry for your frustration because in many ways, loyalty programs across the board (not just cruising) have been changed or ultimately deemed redundant by companies -- especially thanks to the pandemic. Even airline and hotel loyalty status isn't what it once was, so I'm just using my points where I can and traveling when it's convenient for ME -- not when my status affords me the best opportunity in the company's eyes.

 

I do think we're entering into a new age of cruising where there are so many new ships, lines, routes and destinations that pricing is going to be completely competitive instead of rewarding those that are loyal. And frankly? I'm here for it.

 

I'm almost to Elite Plus on Celebrity and just made Gold on Carnival. Do I care? Not really ... loyalty and status are no longer influencing what cruise I book -- there are just too many other new ships and lines to explore for me to beholden to one line, reminiscing about what things were like in the "Before Times".

 

[ALWAYS CRUZIN]

Like I mentioned. All I want is Priority boarding back. They can keep all the so called perks. Not for this topic but. On the Mardi Gras. Only one news channel CBS news. Other than that. TCM, Vacation Creation (Carnivals show) Discovery and Spooky Travel channel. Kids channels and then all Carnival channels.