Changes to Carnival Loyalty Program

[ninjacat123]

7 minutes ago, skywalkr2 said:

 

If I was lucky enough to live in florida, I think I would probably do about 10 3 day cruises a year.  They typically are cheaper than a nice night out.

Yes!  It's crazy how expensive a "special dinner" is, even at your own home.  

[mz-s]

We all have our own financial situations that are none of anyone else's business. Just because someone doesn't cruise that often doesn't mean they aren't loyal.

[aborgman]

13 minutes ago, skywalkr2 said:

 

If I was lucky enough to live in florida, I think I would probably do about 10 3 day cruises a year.  They typically are cheaper than a nice night out.

 

Yikes...

 

Either a nice night out for you is a lot fancier than for me, or prices are way, way higher where you live.

 

I just pulled up the cheapest cruise from Florida I could find for any dates in existence.

 

$827.30 for two.

[skywalkr2]

9 minutes ago, aborgman said:

 

Yikes...

 

Either a nice night out for you is a lot fancier than for me, or prices are way, way higher where you live.

 

I just pulled up the cheapest cruise from Florida I could find for any dates in existence.

 

$827.30 for two.

 

Well to be fair:

 

1) I only ever book when there is a sale going on, and 

 

2) I do live in Philadelphia, so prices are probably much higher than in FL.

[JMAE]

On 3/22/2024 at 1:50 PM, Elaine5715 said:

Nongambling people would lose their minds when gamblers spending $20K a cruise lapped them in status.  

I'm a "nongambler", and it wouldn't bother me if they provided a VIFP benefit to gamblers since it is my choice not to gamble.  I just hope they improve their overall VIFP program, which I believe there is a lot of room for development.     

[mz-s]

If somebody blows $20K in Carnival's casinos, they can enjoy all the laundry they want as far as I'm concerned. No skin off my nose.

[BeachChik]

16 minutes ago, skywalkr2 said:

 

Well to be fair:

 

1) I only ever book when there is a sale going on, and 

 

2) I do live in Philadelphia, so prices are probably much higher than in FL.

Doubtful. Florida is one of the least affordable places to live when you compare costs vs income. 
 

But regardless, I doubt you are spending the cost of a three day cruise for two on a single night out. Maybe back when you could book a 3-4 day cruise for $150. But those prices, even sales, don’t exist anymore. 

[ninjacat123]

2 minutes ago, mz-s said:

If somebody blows $20K in Carnival's casinos, they can enjoy all the laundry they want as far as I'm concerned. No skin off my nose.

I get a little vicarious thrill when I place my $10 minimum bet on the roulette table and then someone throws down pile after pile of chips, loses then slides $500 for more chips. Not my style but it's fun to watch!

[mz-s]

2 minutes ago, BeachChik said:

Doubtful. Florida is one of the least affordable places to live when you compare costs vs income. 
 

But regardless, I doubt you are spending the cost of a three day cruise for two on a single night out. Maybe back when you could book a 3-4 day cruise for $150. But those prices, even sales, don’t exist anymore. 

 

The only way to get those rates these days is to get casino rates.

[JMAE]

2 minutes ago, mz-s said:

 

The only way to get those rates these days is to get casino rates.

Are casino rates already an undocumented VIPF benefit?  

[jimbo5544]

6 minutes ago, JMAE said:

Are casino rates already an undocumented VIPF benefit?  

do those come from the cruise line?

[mz-s]

5 minutes ago, JMAE said:

Are casino rates already an undocumented VIPF benefit?  

 

Not really related. There are plenty of folks who get free/cheap cruises and have blue, red, or gold cards.

[aborgman]

40 minutes ago, skywalkr2 said:

 

Well to be fair:

 

1) I only ever book when there is a sale going on, and 

 

2) I do live in Philadelphia, so prices are probably much higher than in FL.

 

That IS a sale price.

 

$400 per person including all port fees, taxes, and gratuities.

 

I just went out to a relatively nice restaurant for an evening (best rated steakhouse in Michigan) - and fed 3 people steak and seafood, with drinks - for $250 including tip.

 

A nice night out around here can be had for $100/person - at $400 a person we're talking high end escorts and drugs.

[angelsfort]

1 hour ago, skywalkr2 said:

 

If I was lucky enough to live in florida, I think I would probably do about 10 3 day cruises a year.  They typically are cheaper than a nice night out.

 

I wish I could!!

[JMAE]

2 minutes ago, jimbo5544 said:

do those come from the cruise line?

 

1 minute ago, mz-s said:

 

Not really related. There are plenty of folks who get free/cheap cruises and have blue, red, or gold cards.

Not sure since I don't receive gambler rates, but may have to assume CCL has have some guidance in issuing their rates.

 

I guess that may be my point in one sense.  Guests of all levels of the VIFP program are receiving the gambler benefits, so why not incorporate them into the VIFP program since the VIFP program is to entice repeat guests and it appears the gambler rates do that well.       

[skywalkr2]

Just now, aborgman said:

 

That IS a sale price.

 

$400 per person including all port fees, taxes, and gratuities.

 

I just went out to a relatively nice restaurant for an evening (best rated steakhouse in Michigan) - and fed 3 people steak and seafood, with drinks - for $250 including tip.

 

A nice night out around here can be had for $100/person - at $400 a person we're talking high end escorts and drugs.

 

Right now with no big sale going on I saw 4 days out of Miami a cabin for $700 ($690 or so).  Less than $400 a person.  Now if you include the tips, that changes things.

 

But again its comparing 4 days versus one 2 hour (at most dinner).  My point (although could be considered by some to by hyperbolic) is that the value on carnival far exceeds prices you pay for a good dinner, but typically when I say night out I mean more than just a dinner (not including hookers and blow).

[jimbo5544]

6 minutes ago, JMAE said:

 

Not sure since I don't receive gambler rates, but may have to assume CCL has have some guidance in issuing their rates.

 

I guess that may be my point in one sense.  Guests of all levels of the VIFP program are receiving the gambler benefits, so why not incorporate them into the VIFP program since the VIFP program is to entice repeat guests and it appears the gambler rates do that well.       

good questions, but what ever the deal is, it is between CCL and the casino sub(s).  The sub pays the contracted rate to CCL and subsidizes the rest.  The rate that the person pays (whatever it is) has nothing to do with VFIP (other than it would count towards it, meaning it is not a VFIP discount. 

[Frank12]

1 hour ago, skywalkr2 said:

 

If I was lucky enough to live in florida, I think I would probably do about 10 3 day cruises a year.  They typically are cheaper than a nice night out.

As a Florida resident I can assure you this is no longer the case.  DW and I used to book 3 and 4 nighters for around $600, sometimes less.  That's not happening any time soon as long as demand stays high. You're looking at at least $1000 with taxes, gratuities, etc.

[mz-s]

8 minutes ago, JMAE said:

 

Not sure since I don't receive gambler rates, but may have to assume CCL has have some guidance in issuing their rates.

 

I guess that may be my point in one sense.  Guests of all levels of the VIFP program are receiving the gambler benefits, so why not incorporate them into the VIFP program since the VIFP program is to entice repeat guests and it appears the gambler rates do that well.       

 

The casino does its own thing when it comes to comps. Elite casino cruise guests get Platinum VIFP status no matter what VIFP status they've earned for example.

[Elaine5715]

Pack and go offers still pop up in my offers occasionally for 3/4 days cruises at less than $500 all in.  A nice night out in Miami will run close to $300 for dinner, $100 at least for drinks, plus Uber/Taxi for just one night.  

[starstruck05]

2 hours ago, mz-s said:

 

The casino does its own thing when it comes to comps. Elite casino cruise guests get Platinum VIFP status no matter what VIFP status they've earned for example.

Terminology is important here. They don't get Platinum status. They get Platinum TREATMENT. So they get the perks of that level but their loyalty card is exactly whatever card it is supposed to be. They get an additional card to show they are Elite players and a lanyard. 

[Colorado Beach Bum]

6 minutes ago, starstruck05 said:

Terminology is important here. They don't get Platinum status. They get Platinum TREATMENT. So they get the perks of that level but their loyalty card is exactly whatever card it is supposed to be. They get an additional card to show they are Elite players and a lanyard. 

Not true.  We took someone on an elite who was a red card and for that one elite cruise she had a platinum card.  

[mz-s]

7 minutes ago, starstruck05 said:

Terminology is important here. They don't get Platinum status. They get Platinum TREATMENT. So they get the perks of that level but their loyalty card is exactly whatever card it is supposed to be. They get an additional card to show they are Elite players and a lanyard. 

 

Fair enough (I don't qualify for Elite cruises so no first hand experience) but I took the terminology I used directly from their website. https://www.carnival.com/casino/carnival-players-club/cruises/elite

[starstruck05]

Just now, Colorado Beach Bum said:

Not true.  We took someone on an elite who was a red card and for that one elite cruise she had a platinum card.  

Not sure how. I've been on a couple of Elite cruises (not apart of them) I only saw the extra card and the lanyard with normal loyalty cards. Maybe something has changed recently.

[mz-s]

1 minute ago, starstruck05 said:

Not sure how. I've been on a couple of Elite cruises (not apart of them) I only saw the extra card and the lanyard with normal loyalty cards. Maybe something has changed recently.

 

I would say the casino butters the bread, so they get what they want...