Carnival Redesigning the VIFP program?

[DallasGuy75219]

3 hours ago, wemjam said:

I agree about the change in behavior, but let's put this in perspective though.  Think about people in general in society today versus 20 years ago.  I think it is more about society as a whole then the cruise line you sail on.  I don't care WHERE you go, you find a huge change in manners.  More and more people are entitled and care only about themselves and what is in it for them, and *#$&! everyone else as long as they are happy.

Agreed, but in terms of cruises I see it more on Carnival than for instance Royal and Princess, people who can't or won't follow directions that are clearly communicated to them multiple times.  Rules and instructions simply don't apply to them because they paid their $299 cruise fare with their hard earned money and they're going to do what they want to do how and when they want to do it.

[1kaper]

1 hour ago, DallasGuy75219 said:

Agreed, but in terms of cruises I see it more on Carnival than for instance Royal and Princess, people who can't or won't follow directions that are clearly communicated to them multiple times.  Rules and instructions simply don't apply to them because they paid their $299 cruise fare with their hard earned money and they're going to do what they want to do how and when they want to do it.

 

In my work, I often have to communicate things and direct large groups of people.  
At least half of the people I see suffer from this. Maybe more. 
Start time means nothing. Emails with directions mean nothing.  Social media information means nothing. Signage means nothing.  Rules are for others. 

[Ilovesailaway]

Perception is reality unfortunately. Carnival's reputation is worsening and that is dangerous for a company as vulnerable as they are right now. Its going to take some talent at the top to fix this. Lowering the quality of the product, lessening the experience, and putting customers in uncomfortable environments does not seem like a recipe for success.

I have another Carnival cruise booked but I have a couple booked with other lines as well. If I experience any of the nonsense I have been seeing recently I will put Carnival on the shelf and not consider them for future bookings.

I don't see any changes to the VIFP program being robust enough to get me to tolerate where Carnival appears to be heading. I hope I'm wrong because I have so many awesome memories with Carnival.

[ProgRockCruiser]

On 9/2/2022 at 1:33 PM, DrSea said:

Are you saying that you have only sailed with CCL?

Indeed.  I have friends and relatives who have sailed other lines, and nothing makes me want to try them just yet.  But as I also said, we're not hugely experienced cruisers, still just Gold (not even half way to platinum).

 

If something dropped in my lap, a really good deal on NCL or RCI out of our local port (Canaveral), I might try it.  But right now, the lure of new-to-us ports and ships, and the Carnival "feel" makes us come back.  We only sail once a year on average, and have repeated a ship only once (Liberty), though we will be making a repeat for our next cruise (Magic).

[SwordBlazer Cruising]

Be thankful Carnival

does not status match like other cruiselines do. That right there is a tad bit insulting to say the least. 

[DallasGuy75219]

1 hour ago, SwordBlazer Cruising said:

Be thankful Carnival

does not status match like other cruiselines do. That right there is a tad bit insulting to say the least. 

Might be some takers at lower tiers (red and gold equivalents), but I don't think many people with mid- to top-tier status on another line are looking to cruise Carnival, status match or not. 

[ShakyBeef]

1 hour ago, SwordBlazer Cruising said:

Be thankful Carnival

does not status match like other cruiselines do. That right there is a tad bit insulting to say the least. 

 

Why should we be thankful?  Why is it insulting?

[Lane Hog]

On 9/3/2022 at 1:06 PM, 2wheelin said:

What about the recent rash of free casino (and other) cruise offers. Should those folk who cruise basically free on multiple cruises per year receive the same points as someone who paid for a balcony or suite?

That's where spend becomes an equalizer -- keep in mind they might not be putting up as much for their cabin, but what someone is dropping in the casino and at the bar is where the profit is made.

[2wheelin]

1 hour ago, Lane Hog said:

That's where spend becomes an equalizer -- keep in mind they might not be putting up as much for their cabin, but what someone is dropping in the casino and at the bar is where the profit is made.

You’re right that many casino goers pay a lot more to cruise. But there have been several just on these board who have never set foot in the casino and get great deals.

I do have to shake my head at those big spenders (losers) who proclaim free cruising though.

[DrSea]

5 hours ago, ProgRockCruiser said:

Indeed.  I have friends and relatives who have sailed other lines, and nothing makes me want to try them just yet.  But as I also said, we're not hugely experienced cruisers, still just Gold (not even half way to platinum).

 

If something dropped in my lap, a really good deal on NCL or RCI out of our local port (Canaveral), I might try it.  But right now, the lure of new-to-us ports and ships, and the Carnival "feel" makes us come back.  We only sail once a year on average, and have repeated a ship only once (Liberty), though we will be making a repeat for our next cruise (Magic).

I respect that decision. But just know that there is a whole world to explore.

 

FYI, RCL has been having deals that are cheaper than CCL recently in the last month. 

 

Happy cruising

[Guest BasicSailor]

13 minutes ago, DrSea said:

I respect that decision. But just know that there is a whole world to explore.

 

FYI, RCL has been having deals that are cheaper than CCL recently in the last month. 

 

Happy cruising

I found the RCL folks hit the hay by ten thirty. Mostly older generation crowd. At 66 I felt like a teenager 🙃. 

[mz-s]

4 minutes ago, BasicSailor said:

I found the RCL folks hit the hay by ten thirty. Mostly older generation crowd. At 66 I felt like a teenager 🙃. 

 

For a "fun ship" Carnival offers very little to do after 10PM as well.

[Guest BasicSailor]

1 minute ago, mz-s said:

 

For a "fun ship" Carnival offers very little to do after 10PM as well.

Disco inferno Bro. Late night for us kiddies.🙃

[DrSea]

2 hours ago, BasicSailor said:

I found the RCL folks hit the hay by ten thirty. Mostly older generation crowd. At 66 I felt like a teenager 🙃. 

Haha. Yea the night life is calmer on RCL. It's a plus for some and really depends on what you are looking for @ProgRockCruiser I FREAKING LOVE the flow rider as I am a surfer. Favorite attraction at sea hands down. 

 

NCL has an active night life. On CCL it's mostly the club or drinking. But I find that there are a lot of other options too on NCL in addition to the club and drinking. The Local/O'Sheana are both great restaurants that imho blows pizza pirate/the deli counter, and it's open 24/7. You get actual musicals too. I have a degree in theater from undergrad from a top 10 theater school in the US, so I am very critical about the, frankly, trash shows on CCL and most CL. 

 

NCL/RCL are my favorite lines. I was very much against CCL 10-15 years ago. But keeping an open mind and cruising with CCL has opened up many options for cruising for me as CCL sails out of my home port weekly. 

 

Again, no shade. Who am I to to tell others how to enjoy their vacation. But just know that there is a whole buffet of options (pun intended) to cruising that you may be shutting yourself from. Loyalty perks are important, but not the end all be all imho. 

 

Just my 2 cents as another gold VIFP person (only 30 nights and laughably far from Pl also). 

 

Happy cruising. 

[DrSea]

2 hours ago, mz-s said:

 

For a "fun ship" Carnival offers very little to do after 10PM as well.

There is the club scene. It's my favorite from all the CL imho. 

 

The club scene is DEAD on RCL and sometimes awkward when no one wants to be the first person on the dance floor. 

[DrSea]

5 hours ago, DallasGuy75219 said:

Might be some takers at lower tiers (red and gold equivalents), but I don't think many people with mid- to top-tier status on another line are looking to cruise Carnival, status match or not. 

Yes agreed with this. 

 

I hear PAX on HAL and PCL, esp HAL, talk sh about CCL. 

[icft]

16 minutes ago, DrSea said:

Yes agreed with this. 

 

I hear PAX on HAL and PCL, esp HAL, talk sh about CCL. 

PAX on CCL talk sh about CCL

 

 

😁

[DrSea]

4 minutes ago, icft said:

PAX on CCL talk sh about CCL

 

 

😁

SO TRUE!!! HAHA!!!

[Illbcruzn4life]

3 hours ago, BasicSailor said:

I found the RCL folks hit the hay by ten thirty. Mostly older generation crowd. At 66 I felt like a teenager 🙃. 

 

I found just the opposite. It all depends on the length of the cruise, itinerary, time of year, and ship as to what kind of pax will be onboard.

 

I'm usually on an Oasis class ship going to the Caribbean from FL.

[DallasGuy75219]

5 hours ago, icft said:

PAX on CCL talk sh about CCL

 

 

😁

Myself included. Carnival's death by a thousand cuts has turned their product into such crap that they can't give it away (at least to me).  

 

I get casino offers for free cruises on Royal, Princess, and Carnival, and Carnival is my last choice. I currently only have 3 Carnival cruises currently booked because (1) I needed to use FCC from COVID cancellations before it expired, (2) another is with a group I enjoy cruising with, and (3) they have the most options out of New Orleans if I want to combine a cruise with a visit to family nearby.

 

On my last Carnival cruise (first post-restart), again my last choice and booked only because Royal canceled my Jewel cruise a month out and I already had hotel and airfare booked, I found myself constantly comparing my experience to Royal or Princess and so often concluded "this would be better on Royal or Princess because (insert reason)" and then would just get irritated with the whole Carnival experience. 

[Joebucks]

18 hours ago, Ilovesailaway said:

Perception is reality unfortunately. Carnival's reputation is worsening and that is dangerous for a company as vulnerable as they are right now. Its going to take some talent at the top to fix this. Lowering the quality of the product, lessening the experience, and putting customers in uncomfortable environments does not seem like a recipe for success.

I have another Carnival cruise booked but I have a couple booked with other lines as well. If I experience any of the nonsense I have been seeing recently I will put Carnival on the shelf and not consider them for future bookings.

I don't see any changes to the VIFP program being robust enough to get me to tolerate where Carnival appears to be heading. I hope I'm wrong because I have so many awesome memories with Carnival.

 

This typical doom and gloom approach can be found all over the internet, and for all types of vacations. 

 

I also visit other travel sites. Almost everyday it's "Hilton is terrible and going downhill, I'm going to Marriott" simultaneously while "Marriott is terrible and going downhill, I'm going to Hilton". This AI has gone downhill because it doesn't have what it once did. This airline is now awful. Head over to the Royal Caribbean thread here. Similar complaints go on. 

 

Some people love to make mountains out of molehills. We're in a period of recession, with labor shortages, and high inflation. Yet we constantly hear complaints about pizza at 4 am and other trivial matters. Carnival is the largest cruise line in the world. They aren't going under because of some observations on the internet. They have significant value propositions in their new fleet while their old fleet is retired. Do you think their average cruiser is really crying cutbacks when Excel class ships replace Fantasy class?

[mz-s]

7 hours ago, DrSea said:

There is the club scene. It's my favorite from all the CL imho. 

 

The club scene is DEAD on RCL and sometimes awkward when no one wants to be the first person on the dance floor. 

 

I've been on MANY CCL cruises that had dead clubs as well...

[jimbo5544]

15 hours ago, SwordBlazer Cruising said:

Be thankful Carnival

does not status match like other cruiselines do. That right there is a tad bit insulting to say the least. 

Which of the big three status match?

[Guest BasicSailor]

Sorry, still getting the grove on from my other post 😇

😆

[SwordBlazer Cruising]

14 hours ago, ShakyBeef said:

 

Why should we be thankful?  Why is it insulting?

People on this thread are complaining about cut backs that they personally do not like. Whats worse is MSC matching your status from certain cruiselines which is giving people the "perks" when they were not earned, insulting the passengers who spent thousands to earn those perks.