Platinum Disappointment

[HOUSTONVIP]

not sure where you get your  "announcement" but it was never clear to us. Disappointed that it wasn't made clear.

 

[wemjam]

1 hour ago, HOUSTONVIP said:

not sure where you get your  "announcement" but it was never clear to us. Disappointed that it wasn't made clear.

 

I think what is being said is the change has been out for about 2 years now, started with Covid situation after start up again.

 

So, it is like everything else, we have to do our own diligence to try to understand things.  Carnival can not possibly "instruct" everyone on every single thing related to their cruise.

 

I am curious if you knew about these perks, why would you not have asked at customer service?  That is how we actually found out ourselves on our first cruise back after Covid.  We knew these things had been there  so we asked.

 

One thing I didn't mention above is the free drink too... used to get little coupons.  Now they don't you have to ask for it as well.

 

BEST solution for anyone is research, research, research.  And if you are already somewhat informed and aware of something but doesn't seem to be the way you think... ask someone.

 

I have cruised 50 times and I just learned something new today I didn't know about the Diamond "brunch" 😆

 

 

[HOUSTONVIP]

it's not a big deal, I just figured that after not cruising since pre Covid, I would have got the same treatment I was used to as a Platinum cruiser. Showed up at dinner and had to be told, we needed to check in via the AAP

[icft]

1 hour ago, HOUSTONVIP said:

it's not a big deal, I just figured that after not cruising since pre Covid, I would have got the same treatment I was used to as a Platinum cruiser. Showed up at dinner and had to be told, we needed to check in via the AAP

I completely understand where you are coming from. Our first cruise post-covid we were in the same boat but Diamond. No notification from Carnival that anything had changed with regard to the items in the room. Like you it wasn't a big enough deal to go stand in that long customer service line.

 

Then I came across CC and when I mentioned it I got the same response you are getting. I apparently didn't get the memo that the only place to get information on a Carnival cruise was CC and I was an idiot for not knowing that and spending hours on CC to find out what Carnival had changed.

 

In my opinion one of Carnival's main customer strategies is a form of gaslighting. They change things, don't mention it, then try to make you think it has always been that way. If they know that won't work then they say it is temporary, like bacon only every other day, due to covid shortages and supply chain issues. If you were to pin them down now they would probably just say it has been that way for years.

[wemjam]

8 hours ago, icft said:

I completely understand where you are coming from. Our first cruise post-covid we were in the same boat but Diamond. No notification from Carnival that anything had changed with regard to the items in the room. Like you it wasn't a big enough deal to go stand in that long customer service line.

 

Then I came across CC and when I mentioned it I got the same response you are getting. I apparently didn't get the memo that the only place to get information on a Carnival cruise was CC and I was an idiot for not knowing that and spending hours on CC to find out what Carnival had changed.

 

In my opinion one of Carnival's main customer strategies is a form of gaslighting. They change things, don't mention it, then try to make you think it has always been that way. If they know that won't work then they say it is temporary, like bacon only every other day, due to covid shortages and supply chain issues. If you were to pin them down now they would probably just say it has been that way for years.

CC is not the only place to get information... again they have a guest services desk you could have simply asked any questions at, and as Diamond it is a pretty quick trip usually.  Just saying.

 

Also, after the start up they did put letters and instructions out on all this (and maybe an email? not sure about that but I have a vague memory of it). Right in the beginning it was a bit chaotic, but a short while after like on my 2nd, 3rd, 4th cruises,  I remember getting letters in my room about where to "find" all the things that used to be delivered.  However, you can't expect that they will keep providing such instruction for the next 10 years so every single possible customer that hasn't sailed for a while can 'catch up'

Edited April 28, 2023 by wemjam

[AtSeaWithChris]

16 hours ago, BlerkOne said:

Why do people never have the time to ask on the ship but always have time to complain after?

It’s the cruise Critic site. They are critiquing. 

[mz-s]

11 minutes ago, AtSeaWithChris said:

It’s the cruise Critic site. They are critiquing. 

 

You're only allowed to critique other passengers on here, not Carnival.

[Honolulu Blue]

1 hour ago, wemjam said:

I remember getting letters in my room about where to "find" all the things that used to be delivered.  However, you can't expect that they will keep providing such instruction for the next 10 years so every single possible customer that hasn't sailed for a while can 'catch up'

I humbly suggest that they do exactly this forever.  We know they have the printing capacity.  We know they're not shy about handing out flyers.  They know where all the platinum and diamond passengers are.  Let's say it costs them a nickel per to print out and distribute.  With 500 P&D passengers per cruise, that would be $25 added for each cruise.  Assuming 40 cruises by CCL per week, that would add up to $52,000 per year - a microscopic impact on their bottom line.  Of course, once people are better informed about their privileges and gifts, they'll use more and that has a price tag too, but isn't that the point?

[mz-s]

13 minutes ago, Honolulu Blue said:

I humbly suggest that they do exactly this forever.  We know they have the printing capacity.  We know they're not shy about handing out flyers.  They know where all the platinum and diamond passengers are.  Let's say it costs them a nickel per to print out and distribute.  With 500 P&D passengers per cruise, that would be $25 added for each cruise.  Assuming 40 cruises by CCL per week, that would add up to $52,000 per year - a microscopic impact on their bottom line.  Of course, once people are better informed about their privileges and gifts, they'll use more and that has a price tag too, but isn't that the point?

 

If they really think it's suddenly a sin to just deliver the stupid pin and chocolate delight like they did for decades, then just print out coupons for each gift (sort of like the old sea day brunch drink coupon) and put those in the stateroom. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy.

 

They print and throw away thousands of photos every cruise, and who knows how many $0 receipts for everything, both on non-recyclable paper, so yeah this is a rounding error by comparison. Especially since this paper is recyclable. 

Edited April 28, 2023 by mz-s

[Drazil65]

Some people need a little more hand holding than others and perhaps dont read every email sent to them prior to a cruise from CCL.  Now you know and if the pin or treat in the room is that important to you (and I know some people do like all those little trinkets) you have the information to make sure you get them next time. 

 

If you are at a bar ordering a drink then ask for your water bottle, if you are walking around and happen to be in or near pixels then ask for your gift, if you are in your cabin and want your treat just pick up the phone and request it...go ahead and get the perks that are important to you, no one is refusing them and many people dont even want some of them (ie the pins, we have never taken them).  Ask and you shall receive...and you may want to read up on cruising for the last year or two here on cruise critic to make sure you are up to date somewhat...

[wemjam]

So, in case you haven't noticed they don't print all the photos and throw them all away anymore, they don't send all the fliers, Daily new letter, etc. anymore - there has been a HUGE change in this compared to years past. 

 

In case you didn't know this too, they now have the computers and app where you can select what pictures you want and then they get printed (at least on a lot of the ships now).  And they have the app where you get all your info so you don't get all the fliers.

 

I am sure it is to help their bottom line but it is also does help save the environment and it is better not to have a bunch of different people in and out of the rooms.  I personally prefer to not having a bunch of people in and out of my room.

 

At what point does one have to take responsibility for being informed themselves.  I would be more "sympathetic" if we were talking about someone that was a newbie and had never done this before so they had no idea that these things were even possible.  But, again, if you know what to expect (or think you should be entitled to something), all it takes is a simple question to someone.

[2Shoes2Go]

On related note... Just off b2b Paradise. We received the old style daily Fun Times (think it’s called or Capers😂) and two plates of Choc Delight delivered to cabin. Strangely— didn’t want or need either anymore. So, some changes may be coming.

[shof515]

14 minutes ago, wemjam said:

In case you didn't know this too, they now have the computers and app where you can select what pictures you want and then they get printed (at least on a lot of the ships now).  And they have the app where you get all your info so you don't get all the fliers.

 

 

not all ships have the digital photo system. Ships with Pixels Digital Photo Gallery is currently on the following ships: Carnival Breeze, Carnival Celebration, Carnival Conquest, Carnival Firenze, Carnival Horizon, Carnival Jubilee, Carnival Magic, Carnival Panorama, Carnival Paradise, Carnival Radiance, Carnival Venezia, Carnival Vista and Mardi Gras.

 

 

If you are on other ships that do not have the digital system like the Sunshine, Freedom, Miracle and so on they will still print out the photos' and display it on the shelves 

[ObstructedView2]

11 hours ago, icft said:

 

No notification from Carnival that anything had changed with regard to the items in the room. Like you it wasn't a big enough deal to go stand in that long customer service line.

 

 

2 hours ago, wemjam said:

 

again they have a guest services desk you could have simply asked any questions at, and as Diamond it is a pretty quick trip usually.  Just saying.

 

 

Hi 🙂

 

Don't forget about the (Dedicated Phone Line) at Guest Services that SO MANY passengers overlook. The dedicated phone line is picked up quickly & there is no waiting in line to ask a simple question.

 

 

 

 

 

 

🍹

[wemjam]

8 minutes ago, shof515 said:

not all ships have the digital photo system. Ships with Pixels Digital Photo Gallery is currently on the following ships: Carnival Breeze, Carnival Celebration, Carnival Conquest, Carnival Firenze, Carnival Horizon, Carnival Jubilee, Carnival Magic, Carnival Panorama, Carnival Paradise, Carnival Radiance, Carnival Venezia, Carnival Vista and Mardi Gras.

 

 

If you are on other ships that do not have the digital system like the Sunshine, Freedom, Miracle and so on they will still print out the photos' and display it on the shelves 

I know that 🤣  that's why in the exact sentence you quoted it says "a lot of the ships now."

 

The point is ALL the ships that do have it they save ALL those photos 

Edited April 28, 2023 by wemjam

[LHARTWICK]

We always receive an e-mail from CCL prior to our cruise explaining how to take advantage of all of the Platinum/Diamond perks.  There is also the QR code in your cabin that explains everything.

[Elaine5715]

20 hours ago, mz-s said:

 

I could see how people who aren't super plugged in would go into their room and not see a free bottle of water, chocolate delight, etc., waiting for them and assume it was just as simple as Carnival quit that program and not take it any further.

A email outlining benefits is sent out about two weeks before sailing.  Mine came yesterday for a 5/13 sailing.  

[Elaine5715]

4 hours ago, Drazil65 said:

Some people need a little more hand holding than others and perhaps dont read every email sent to them prior to a cruise from CCL.  Now you know and if the pin or treat in the room is that important to you (and I know some people do like all those little trinkets) you have the information to make sure you get them next time. 

 

If you are at a bar ordering a drink then ask for your water bottle, if you are walking around and happen to be in or near pixels then ask for your gift, if you are in your cabin and want your treat just pick up the phone and request it...go ahead and get the perks that are important to you, no one is refusing them and many people dont even want some of them (ie the pins, we have never taken them).  Ask and you shall receive...and you may want to read up on cruising for the last year or two here on cruise critic to make sure you are up to date somewhat...

I hold hands for Blue and Red card cruisers.  Once you reach Platinum, you should have the routine down.  

[scoobysnacks70]

5 hours ago, Drazil65 said:

Some people need a little more hand holding than others and perhaps dont read every email sent to them prior to a cruise from CCL.  Now you know and if the pin or treat in the room is that important to you (and I know some people do like all those little trinkets) you have the information to make sure you get them next time. 

 

If you are at a bar ordering a drink then ask for your water bottle, if you are walking around and happen to be in or near pixels then ask for your gift, if you are in your cabin and want your treat just pick up the phone and request it...go ahead and get the perks that are important to you, no one is refusing them and many people dont even want some of them (ie the pins, we have never taken them).  Ask and you shall receive...and you may want to read up on cruising for the last year or two here on cruise critic to make sure you are up to date somewhat...

I think it is more so this than anything.  Just in this thread you have had several people say they could care less about any of it but the early embarking/disembarking.  If they just put it in your room and you don't want it then it's wasted.  If you really want it then you can get it yourself.  I do think they need to advertise better about where everything is.  Maybe now that the printed fun times is coming back then they can put it there...

[TravelBluebird]

On 4/27/2023 at 12:55 PM, HOUSTONVIP said:

Just back off the Breeze, first cruise since Covid. Fun times, No masking. Felt pretty normal, however, As a Platinum Carnival cruiser, I was very disappointed that there were ZERO Platinum perks. No Pin, no gift, No Brunch cocktail, no In room treat. Nada. Yes we got Priorty boarding. I have been Platinum for a while, but this was my wife's first cruise as a Platinum guest. I guess things have changed.

 

As others have mentioned, they make you work for ALL of it now.  

 

Started with the pandemic, and as many things in travel in general and cruising in particular, reduced services started with the Pandemic and never went away. 

[MagnoliaBlossom]

Just to clarify the $25.  Is that a platinum perk and not a casino booking perk?

[BlerkOne]

7 hours ago, mz-s said:

 

If they really think it's suddenly a sin to just deliver the stupid pin and chocolate delight like they did for decades, then just print out coupons for each gift (sort of like the old sea day brunch drink coupon) and put those in the stateroom. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy.

 

They print and throw away thousands of photos every cruise, and who knows how many $0 receipts for everything, both on non-recyclable paper, so yeah this is a rounding error by comparison. Especially since this paper is recyclable. 

Pictures are a revenue source. Stupid pins et al are an unnecessary expense. Delivery is a bigger  waste of money.

[stevethepirate]

10 minutes ago, MagnoliaBlossom said:

Just to clarify the $25.  Is that a platinum perk and not a casino booking perk?

It's a Platinum perk. They're not doing the tournaments, so they give you $25 in free play. You have to go to the casino desk and ask for it. On some ships they just give you cash.

 

[BlerkOne]

13 minutes ago, MagnoliaBlossom said:

Just to clarify the $25.  Is that a platinum perk and not a casino booking perk?

https://www.carnival.com/vifp/terms-and-conditions

 

[jimbo5544]

On 4/27/2023 at 1:03 PM, sgttami said:

I believe you have to go to Pixels to get gifts etc.  and call from your cabin for in room treats and go to casino for your $25 cash.

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