VIFP Revamp - What are YOUR Ideas?

[talkorpi]

Bored on a slow monday morning at work where 90% of the employees are off for the holiday, so here we are.

 

There have been some rumors of Carnival planning to overhaul the VIFP program sometime in the near future, and so I was wondering what everyone's ideas were if this were to happen.  What do YOU want to see?  What do you expect to see?  What tweaks should be made?

 

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Personally, I think that there should be a system that considers cabin category and assigns different value to that.  Someone paying for an inside and a suite should not get the same number of VIFP points, for example.  Maybe it can be something like Interior x1, OV x1.5, Balcony x2, and Suite x3?

 

Also think there needs to be a tweak in the upper levels.  Maybe something in between Gold and Diamond (Emerald ???), and then the slots for loyalty can be adjusted accordingly.  Maybe something like:

 

Blue: First Sailing
Red: 1-24 Points

Gold: 25-69 Points

Emerald: 70-149 Points

Platinum: 150-249 Points

Diamond: 250+ Points

 

Of course if we combine both of these ideas then the point thresholds would likely be higher.

 

Finally, there need to be better perks for the higher levels.  I think starting with Gold and moving up things should be bulked up.  Maybe give the Gold + the free laundry perk.  Emerald starts to get the appreciation parties.  Platinum starts to get a free speciality dining credit per cruise.  Maybe Diamond can get a set amount of OBC per sailing - $25 - $100 depending on length?

 

Would love to hear everyone's ideas.  This is meant to be a fun discussion about your ideas for changes.  Chat away!

Edited December 19, 2022 by talkorpi

[shof515]

10 minutes ago, talkorpi said:

Personally, I think that there should be a system that considers cabin category and assigns different value to that.  Someone paying for an inside and a suite should not get the same number of VIFP points, for example.  Maybe it can be something like Interior x1, OV x1.5, Balcony x2, and Suite x3?

 

 

 

On NCL they do something similar with 1 point for interior, oceanview and balcony and double points for suite  

[jsglow]

I believe adding a 'spend' component is reasonable, possibly measured by S&S expenditure or your proposed cabin bonus system, but probably not both.  That said, your curve is much too steep in my opinion. Perhaps 1-1.5x from Inside to Balc; 2x for Suites.

 

I also think they need to further elevate and enhance benefits for the highest levels. Some would be zero cost to Carnival such as Guaranteed Table for 2 at Fixed Dining for Diamonds, for example.  Some would be optional items that have a modest up-charge. Princess does a free wine tasting for their highest tier while other pax are charged. Free once a cruise secondary up-charge restaurant (think Cucina) might be a solution. Also, there has to be some inter-CCL line points crossover.  Not full matching mind you but something other than Blue Card status if one is at least Platinum status on Carnival. It encourages corporate loyalty.

[ray98]

People really put too much into this.  You spend thousands on a cruise and get giddy over a free bottle of water and a drink coupon or a bag of laundry when you hit Platinum.  

[jsglow]

2 minutes ago, ray98 said:

People really put too much into this.  You spend thousands on a cruise and get giddy over a free bottle of water and a drink coupon or a bag of laundry when you hit Platinum.  

It's north of zero...... Not really enough to drive cruise decisioning but not nothing.  Frankly it should be more generous at the highest levels.

[ray98]

1 minute ago, jsglow said:

It's north of zero...... Not really enough to drive cruise decisioning but not nothing.  Frankly it should be more generous at the highest levels.

Yup....if it all disappeared I probably wouldn't notice.  After all, we always get Cheers so the free bottle of water and drink coupon have always went unused anyway.

[jsglow]

12 minutes ago, ray98 said:

Yup....if it all disappeared I probably wouldn't notice.  After all, we always get Cheers so the free bottle of water and drink coupon have always went unused anyway.

I can understand if you get Cheers.  We don't.  And I promise you, we appreciate laundry on longer cruises.

[elklemi]

Since I cruise solo most of the time and pay double for my cabin I would like to receive credit for those two fares not just one.  

[shof515]

3 minutes ago, elklemi said:

Since I cruise solo most of the time and pay double for my cabin I would like to receive credit for those two fares not just one.  

thats what royal does when you book a regular cabin. nice perk 

[ChuckF]

I like your ideas.  Agree that the multiplier might be a bit steep. Maybe 1.25 for OV and 1.5 for balconies and 2 for suites.  Free laundry is a big deal for us, so I do appreciate the perks. Also, really like the idea of free/discounted specialty dining, and possibly a bottle of wine. I often get these types of perks from casino hosts, but would be nice to get as part of loyalty program. 

[Riles34]

I like your ideas. I just wish they would consider your loyalty, room category, spending, etc. and have a simple equation to calculate your points. As for what you get, thats a tough question with inflation these days. Anything would be nice but I will not hold my breath as we know it will be a cut back...there goes out water lol.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

The VIFP program update rumors have been swirling for the better part of TEN YEARS.

 

Whatever they end up doing, and whenever, it will be anticlimactic - of this I'm quite confident ! ! !

 

My vote for a new tier is for Double Diamond (or Unobtainium)... with a free specialty dinner each cruise and deeply discounted (or FREE) CHEERS and Internet. Then they'd be talking my language!

 

Carnival probably has $200K+ of my vacation dollars, but I do appreciate the bottle of water... 😉 

 

Tom

[CeleBrat]

Controversial opinion:  those receiving free cruises (and free drinks) shouldn't have those cruises count toward their VIFP points.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

2 minutes ago, CeleBrat said:

Controversial opinion:  those receiving free cruises (and free drinks) shouldn't have those cruises count toward their VIFP points.

That's why I feel that total, and onboard, spend should come into play. There are those who get free (casino) cabins, and only risk a few hundred in the casino. Then, there are others who still put a lot of money into play... or spend a few thousand in the jewelry store, etc !

 

Many moving parts, to be sure!

 

Tom

[CeleBrat]

3 minutes ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

That's why I feel that total, and onboard, spend should come into play. There are those who get free (casino) cabins, and only risk a few hundred in the casino. Then, there are others who still put a lot of money into play... or spend a few thousand in the jewelry store, etc !

 

Many moving parts, to be sure!

 

Tom

Exactly!  I actually had a free casino cruise earlier this year (I don't gamble), and ended up spending about $50 total in my onboard expenses.  I also used the $25 Platinum casino credit in the casino, and cashed out slightly higher than $25.  High roller...that's me!

[skrufy]

Good ideas. My first thought is the present platinum should be grandfathered into the new program. There are only a couple of platinum perks I like. They are the priority check in, the laundry, the access to cabin to drop off luggage and the Diamond and platinum window at guest relations. Even though the Diamond and platinum party is pretty much the same on each cruise, I like going sitting down and having a few drinks.

[pzsdd6]

As a longtime Diamond member, I think Diamond and above should get a free “axe” throwing with Christine Duffy as the target!

[ninjacat123]

56 minutes ago, skrufy said:

Good ideas. My first thought is the present platinum should be grandfathered into the new program. There are only a couple of platinum perks I like. They are the priority check in, the laundry, the access to cabin to drop off luggage and the Diamond and platinum window at guest relations. Even though the Diamond and platinum party is pretty much the same on each cruise, I like going sitting down and having a few drinks.

THIS!

[luv2kroooz]

For clarity, I am Diamond level and have been for many years. I rarely sail on Carnival, though. I would focus more on perks that matter to passengers....in my opinion, a free pin or logo item is a nice gesture, but they really don't have any value to us and we never know where we are supposed to go to get these. A lunch in the middle of a steady where the busy senior officers and cruise director have to attend is also not important to us and probably not to them. The free drink is a start, but I feel like it's use is limited to a dining room during brunch.

 

Just load a couple drinks on my card each day and let me use them at my convenience and give me a dinner in the steakhouse to use any day, and an hour or so of internet and I'd be happy. 

 

[Joebucks]

To me, most perks are trivial. The best loyalty plan right now is Royal Caribbean. If Platinum on Carnival, got me 3 daily cocktail vouchers, similarly to Royal, that would be enough for me. I don't need a pin, my laundry done, or to rush off the ship at 6 am. 

[EngIceDave]

7 hours ago, CeleBrat said:

Controversial opinion:  those receiving free cruises (and free drinks) shouldn't have those cruises count toward their VIFP points.

To clarify something....

I may get $100 cabins from the casino, but I dump a ton of money into their casino, so it ain't free.

 

Casino comps are not FREE, that is a fallacy the casinos want you to buy into, "free stuff," that's why casinos always have give aways.

 

I pay more for my cabin and free beverages than people paying rack rate. 

[EngIceDave]

 

 

- Each level has it's own line at CS, so higher levels get priority.

-Higher levels should get comp upgrades

-The most premium levels should offer some type of comp off-site parking/shuttle service.

-Premiums should get priority booking and walk up at the restaurants.

-Premium boarding waiting area should have comp drinks, even if only some foo-foo drink to get you in the mood. 

-Premiums should have an easily identifiable card, one that can easily seen at a distance, reflective, so your wait staff/bartender knows you're priority. I actually prefer a 24/7 colored wristband.

-Premiums should get comp room service, 24/7.

-Casino status should be considered and be an allowable comp status jump if your play accumulates enough points. 

 

Cruise lines should consider discounts on your total onboard spend, your discount increasing with your status, and those funds are applicable to your next trip.

 

Little off topic, but applicable IMO - Need to have dedicated land based casino hosts. Someone specific who knows you, your wants and needs, and knows how to make you happy in order to spend money in the casinos. That person can relay that information to the ship board hosts, giving them a heads up about the players that have coming on each cruise.

[Eli_6]

9 hours ago, ray98 said:

People really put too much into this.  You spend thousands on a cruise and get giddy over a free bottle of water and a drink coupon or a bag of laundry when you hit Platinum.  

The laundry is not a minor thing if you have a family of 4 and are cruising abroad.  

[mz-s]

48 minutes ago, EngIceDave said:

 

 

- Each level has it's own line at CS, so higher levels get priority.

-Higher levels should get comp upgrades

-The most premium levels should offer some type of comp off-site parking/shuttle service.

-Premiums should get priority booking and walk up at the restaurants.

-Premium boarding waiting area should have comp drinks, even if only some foo-foo drink to get you in the mood. 

-Premiums should have an easily identifiable card, one that can easily seen at a distance, reflective, so your wait staff/bartender knows you're priority. I actually prefer a 24/7 colored wristband.

-Premiums should get comp room service, 24/7.

-Casino status should be considered and be an allowable comp status jump if your play accumulates enough points. 

 

Cruise lines should consider discounts on your total onboard spend, your discount increasing with your status, and those funds are applicable to your next trip.

 

Little off topic, but applicable IMO - Need to have dedicated land based casino hosts. Someone specific who knows you, your wants and needs, and knows how to make you happy in order to spend money in the casinos. That person can relay that information to the ship board hosts, giving them a heads up about the players that have coming on each cruise.

 

You're describing what a lot of land-based venues do as I'm sure you are aware. Thus far it doesn't seem like the cruise lines are so interested in loyalty. Likely because there is still so much growth in the industry. Once the market is more saturated and it mostly becomes a game of lines poaching customers from each other (as MSC and Virgin are trying to do), we'll see more of this type of thing.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

44 minutes ago, EngIceDave said:

 

...

 

Little off topic, but applicable IMO - Need to have dedicated land based casino hosts. Someone specific who knows you, your wants and needs, and knows how to make you happy in order to spend money in the casinos. That person can relay that information to the ship board hosts, giving them a heads up about the players that have coming on each cruise.

 

With Carnival, in my case at least, that was Michael Bayona. He was a friendly POC, who often would go that extra mile and was able to "make things happen". I think he left their Players Club a few years back.

 

Tom