arizonaperson Posted July 20 #51 Share Posted July 20 1 hour ago, DCThunder said: Perhaps, does Plus or Premier get access to the E/P lounge? I never buy the packages so honestly don't know. No plus or premier package has nothing to do with the platinum,elite, & full suite lounge. They are independent. A passenger could have access/ status to get in lounge & have plus or premier package or they may not have any package. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCX22 Posted July 20 #52 Share Posted July 20 2 hours ago, Retired-N-Happy said: Wouldn't the Elite/Platinum lounge hold less value since 75% on board would have purchased Plus or Premier? The PES Lounge doesn't entitle those availing of drinks. It would make more sense to say that the PES Lounge doesn't add any loyalty benefits because the base cruise fare already includes food. The cabin mini bar benefit for Elites holds less value for Elites with packages because they already pre-paid for their drinks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retired-N-Happy Posted July 20 #53 Share Posted July 20 7 minutes ago, arizonaperson said: Less value? Eye of the beholder. Plus & Premier are separate entities. The onboard - platinum , elite ,full Suite lounge -those passengers could be on standard fare. Some of course may be on plus or premier fare. If on standard fare the lounge (alcohol)drinks are $8. + gratuity. Not all PES patrons participate in alcohol. There is snacks in that lounge. On ships that have a concierge lounge- full suites may use that or the PES lounge. We always get the Plus package and will be getting the Premier on our 7 day journey's since we'll get 4 speciality meals over the B2B. I said less value since 75% of the passengers already have their drinks covered by the packages so appetizers would be the only draw and it would be a minor one since it's kinda of difficult to go hungry on a cruise. We're only Ruby and will turn Platinum later this year. Did I read it right that if you're cruising on the standard rate, they charge you 8.00 + grats for the drinks they come around with? Wow. I assumed it would be similar to how it was back in the day on Carnival at the past guest parties with trays of drinks for the taking, not to be charged for. I understand that not all PES patrons participate in alcohol consumption. If they did they would be part of the 75% instead of the 25%. I have a feeling we'll check out one of these gatherings on the Sun in January to see how the teetotalers party and never step foot in them again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arizonaperson Posted July 20 #54 Share Posted July 20 (edited) At the Captain’s Circle party ( 1 night only) they usually pass around appetizers and drinks,( complimentary /free) but that’s different than the lounge and I wouldn’t call it a teetotalers area. It’s usually a nice relaxing ( live music playing ) pre-dinner lounge for most. And yes, with the passengers that have premier and or plus and that are also elite, full suite, platinum status ,yes there might be less interest to attend. Yes there is a list of drinks that are approximately eight dollars plus the gratuity in the platinum, elite, full suite lounge. Of course, there is a full bar. You can get what you want, but not for that price. Yes, you should check it out ,once you are platinum. I don’t think the statistic of 75% of the people have plus or premier is published?Still wondering where the statistic came from. I still say it’s in the eye of the beholder. Are less and less people attending this lounge, maybe/perhaps? If they stop offering this perk, I would assume it’s because of lack of interest if that happens. It could happen. But for right now, it is still a perk that is offered and it does take quite a bit of set up for the appetizer station.( complimentary) Edited July 20 by arizonaperson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Coral Posted July 20 #55 Share Posted July 20 58 minutes ago, Retired-N-Happy said: That's another story. We have an annual medical insurance policy that covers us outside the US. I have never paid for cancellation or trip interruption insurance. I agree - cancellation or trip interruption should not be mandatory. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BlerkOne Posted July 21 #56 Share Posted July 21 1 hour ago, SCX22 said: The PES Lounge doesn't entitle those availing of drinks. It would make more sense to say that the PES Lounge doesn't add any loyalty benefits because the base cruise fare already includes food. But nibbles aren't available at bars for the common folk. 1 hour ago, SCX22 said: The cabin mini bar benefit for Elites holds less value for Elites with packages because they already pre-paid for their drinks. except for places with draconian liquor laws like Texas. The packages don't work until you get to International waters, but the mini-bar is available. Also convenient for taking a shot or two on shore excursions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BlerkOne Posted July 21 #57 Share Posted July 21 1 hour ago, Retired-N-Happy said: We're only Ruby and will turn Platinum later this year. Did I read it right that if you're cruising on the standard rate, they charge you 8.00 + grats for the drinks they come around with? Wow. I assumed it would be similar to how it was back in the day on Carnival at the past guest parties with trays of drinks for the taking, not to be charged for. Carnival Cruise Line did away with the past guest party which was only once per cruise, anyway, versus daily. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare karatemom2 Posted July 21 #58 Share Posted July 21 (edited) 1 hour ago, Retired-N-Happy said: We always get the Plus package and will be getting the Premier on our 7 day journey's since we'll get 4 speciality meals over the B2B. I said less value since 75% of the passengers already have their drinks covered by the packages so appetizers would be the only draw and it would be a minor one since it's kinda of difficult to go hungry on a cruise. We're only Ruby and will turn Platinum later this year. Did I read it right that if you're cruising on the standard rate, they charge you 8.00 + grats for the drinks they come around with? Wow. I assumed it would be similar to how it was back in the day on Carnival at the past guest parties with trays of drinks for the taking, not to be charged for. I understand that not all PES patrons participate in alcohol consumption. If they did they would be part of the 75% instead of the 25%. I have a feeling we'll check out one of these gatherings on the Sun in January to see how the teetotalers party and never step foot in them again. We are not “teetotalers” nor do we drink very much. I enjoy an occasional glass of wine with dinner some nights, not all. And we enjoy a few cocktails over the course of the cruise, generally in the Elite Lounge. We have no use for the Plus/Premier package with our 1/2 price WiFi benefit, no interest in juice/coffee or “desserts” and minimal alcohol consumption, especially when we can relax before dinner in the nice Elite lounge, with our $8 cocktail, nice hors d oeuvres and live music. It’s lovely. We generally get at least two complimentary meals in the specialty restaurants, chocolates and chocolate covered strawberries, and bottle of champagne from our Casino host, plus our Elite mini bar which we switch out for soda and water. So with all that we are well set without a package. So you see, the Elite benefits do sometimes have a bearing on the decision not to buy into the packages, as well as Casino perks. And it isn’t just for “teetotalers” as you seem to presume. Edited July 21 by karatemom2 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCX22 Posted July 21 #59 Share Posted July 21 40 minutes ago, BlerkOne said: But nibbles aren't available at bars for the common folk. Food is food. You already paid for it in the cruise fare. The buffet is usually open when the PE Lounge is open and the IC is always open. 40 minutes ago, BlerkOne said: except for places with draconian liquor laws like Texas. The packages don't work until you get to International waters, but the mini-bar is available. Also convenient for taking a shot or two on shore excursions. There's only one ship homeported in Galveston for only part of the year. If you can't wait for a few hours for a drink, I'd look into getting help for alcoholism. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retired-N-Happy Posted July 21 #60 Share Posted July 21 43 minutes ago, BlerkOne said: Carnival Cruise Line did away with the past guest party which was only once per cruise, anyway, versus daily. The last time we went to one was about 10 years ago prior to the introduction of the Cheers package I was still under the impression that it got shifted to the last evening and was reduced down to 45 minutes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retired-N-Happy Posted July 21 #61 Share Posted July 21 22 minutes ago, karatemom2 said: We are not “teetotalers” nor do we drink very much. I enjoy an occasional glass of wine with dinner some nights, not all. And we enjoy a few cocktails over the course of the cruise, generally in the Elite Lounge. We have no use for the Plus/Premier package with our 1/2 price WiFi benefit, no interest in juice/coffee or “desserts” and minimal alcohol consumption, especially when we can relax before dinner in the nice Elite lounge, with our $8 cocktail, nice hors d oeuvres and live music. It’s lovely. We generally get at least two complimentary meals in the specialty restaurants, chocolates and chocolate covered strawberries, and bottle of champagne from our Casino host, plus our Elite mini bar which we switch out for soda and water. So with all that we are well set without a package. So you see, the Elite benefits do sometimes have a bearing on the decision not to buy into the packages, as well as Casino perks. And it isn’t just for “teetotalers” as you seem to presume. You're Elite, so you have earned perks that not everyone has achieved. In general, those that don't get the Plus package are teetotalers or have at most two glasses of wine. Say what you want about it. I've had a plethora of discussions on the various package threads and the assumption regarding that those who don't get the packages are teetotalers is true. You swap out your wine and beer from your elite bar for soda and water. Yet you're trying to tell me you're not a teetotaler. Having a few $8.00 glasses of wine over the course of your week on board makes you lean towards being a teetotaler when you combine it with your bar swap out. Glad that you're happy with your elite swap out, 1/2 price WiFi and whatever perks you get from the casino. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Its the journey Posted July 21 #62 Share Posted July 21 17 minutes ago, SCX22 said: Food is food. You already paid for it in the cruise fare. The buffet is usually open when the PE Lounge is open and the IC is always open. There's only one ship homeported in Galveston for only part of the year. If you can't wait for a few hours for a drink, I'd look into getting help for alcoholism. I'm a non alcoholic, but I do like getting a drink in my hand soon after I board (to me that is when I am officially on vacation). And the drink package costs the same leaving from Texas as it does when I leave from Florida. I think that if your drink package is useful for less hours because of sailing from a particular port, they should at least discount it a bit as compensation. As to carnival and princess combining loyalty programs, I bet my drink package it won't happen. However, if princess really does want to attract children, they could take some pointers from both carnival and royal. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BlerkOne Posted July 21 #63 Share Posted July 21 23 minutes ago, SCX22 said: Food is food. You already paid for it in the cruise fare. The buffet is usually open when the PE Lounge is open and the IC is always open. Maybe to hogs. You won't find the food at the PE lounge anywhere else. 23 minutes ago, SCX22 said: There's only one ship homeported in Galveston for only part of the year. If you can't wait for a few hours for a drink, I'd look into getting help for alcoholism. Currently. There are other ports with restrictions that Princess might sail from one day. Instead of a lame attempt at an insult, just admit it. You were wrong. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCX22 Posted July 21 #64 Share Posted July 21 3 minutes ago, Its the journey said: I'm a non alcoholic, but I do like getting a drink in my hand soon after I board (to me that is when I am officially on vacation). And the drink package costs the same leaving from Texas as it does when I leave from Florida. I think that if your drink package is useful for less hours because of sailing from a particular port, they should at least discount it a bit as compensation. The Elite cabin mini bar is hardly a drink. It just mini bottles of certain types of liquors. As for discounting drink packages out of Texas, that has nothing to do with loyalty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BlerkOne Posted July 21 #65 Share Posted July 21 22 minutes ago, Retired-N-Happy said: The last time we went to one was about 10 years ago prior to the introduction of the Cheers package I was still under the impression that it got shifted to the last evening and was reduced down to 45 minutes. There is instead a Platinum/Diamond party on cruises of 5 days or more, generally the last day. On the newest Carnival ships, you are limited to a drink and maybe one more loaded onto your ship card. The older ships still know how to party. Does Princess still have something similar? I don't go to either these days. Just seems like a good place to acquire a parting covid gift. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCX22 Posted July 21 #66 Share Posted July 21 3 minutes ago, BlerkOne said: Maybe to hogs. You won't find the food at the PE lounge anywhere else. 3 minutes ago, BlerkOne said: Currently. There are other ports with restrictions that Princess might sail from one day. Instead of a lame attempt at an insult, just admit it. You were wrong. It's just all perception and how much an individual values something that is not valuable. Believe me if it had true value, and Princess would not be giving it to you for free. They would go out of business. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare karatemom2 Posted July 21 #67 Share Posted July 21 16 minutes ago, Retired-N-Happy said: You're Elite, so you have earned perks that not everyone has achieved. In general, those that don't get the Plus package are teetotalers or have at most two glasses of wine. Say what you want about it. I've had a plethora of discussions on the various package threads and the assumption regarding that those who don't get the packages are teetotalers is true. You swap out your wine and beer from your elite bar for soda and water. Yet you're trying to tell me you're not a teetotaler. Having a few $8.00 glasses of wine over the course of your week on board makes you lean towards being a teetotaler when you combine it with your bar swap out. Glad that you're happy with your elite swap out, 1/2 price WiFi and whatever perks you get from the casino. Agreed and we are very happy - my point was specifically in relation to having Elite benefits, since that was what this thread was about, or at least that is how the discussion was framed. And in my mind, I have always assumed the definition of teetotaler is someone who abstains from alcohol completely, which definitely does not define my husband or I. We are simply very light drinkers at best. But I can't help but feel like somehow your reference to people being teetotalers is equated with being no fun - and I can assure you I'm very fun even stone cold sober! ☺️ 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BlerkOne Posted July 21 #68 Share Posted July 21 7 minutes ago, SCX22 said: It's just all perception and how much an individual values something that is not valuable. Believe me if it had true value, and Princess would not be giving it to you for free. They would go out of business. Food is subjective and you are entitled to your opinion. Princess does give me free stuff of value, including laundry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retired-N-Happy Posted July 21 #69 Share Posted July 21 1 hour ago, Its the journey said: And the drink package costs the same leaving from Texas as it does when I leave from Florida. I think that if your drink package is useful for less hours because of sailing from a particular port, they should at least discount it a bit as compensation. No need to discount the drink package from Galveston. Your choices are just limited to the "Texas Menu", which is a reduced amount of choices across the board Depending upon which line you sail on will also determine whether or not you can even get a drink package. Carnival doesn't offer it on day one when embarking from Galveston as well as NYC. But NCL does as we have sailed on their Prima out of Galveston. But, it does have the reduced choices while in Texas waters. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suzyed Posted July 21 #70 Share Posted July 21 On 7/19/2024 at 9:28 PM, Kay S said: I don’t expect that to happen although it would be nice. It could take me over the top for Carnival. Since the grandkids are older we haven’t done much Carnival. They voted for Princess last time (Alaska) If it were combined with Holland we would probably try HAL. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suzyed Posted July 21 #71 Share Posted July 21 15 hours ago, DCThunder said: I hope everyone realizes that the entire purpose of "loyalty programs", regardless of the entity setting one up, is to get your data and then use that data for some purpose. That purpose is usually so they can sell you more of something and also so they can sell that data to various data brokers. The purpose isn't to "reward" frequent users of the product, although that's the lure used to get you to sign up. It would be interesting to know if cruiser data is shared between lines at the CCL level. I'd think it probably isn't, which is why CCL management would much rather have separate programs for Carnival, Princess, HAL, and Cunard so they get four streams of cruiser data rather than only one. They can slice and dice that data by all sorts of demographics and individually target come-ons to get just the mix of passengers they want. One thing I recently noted was that our Princess Loyalty numbers are exactly the same as our Cunard numbers.....that seems strange to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BlerkOne Posted July 21 #72 Share Posted July 21 2 hours ago, Retired-N-Happy said: No need to discount the drink package from Galveston. Your choices are just limited to the "Texas Menu", which is a reduced amount of choices across the board Depending upon which line you sail on will also determine whether or not you can even get a drink package. Carnival doesn't offer it on day one when embarking from Galveston as well as NYC. But NCL does as we have sailed on their Prima out of Galveston. But, it does have the reduced choices while in Texas waters. The drink package from Galveston doesn't begin until International waters. You can't even get bottled water - you have to pay by the drink for the limited menu. The only thing you can use it for are coffees (non-alcoholic). At least Carnival doesn't charge you for day one. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare J13C85 Posted July 21 #73 Share Posted July 21 7 hours ago, BlerkOne said: Carnival Cruise Line did away with the past guest party which was only once per cruise, anyway, versus daily. True story, in our early cruise days we sailed with Carnival. We attended the past guest party on our fourth cruise. It was on a formal night, captain was at the party, they did a presentation where the put each Carnival ship on the big screen and we would "hoot and holler" if we ever sailed on her. There were free drinks and snacks. Toward the end of the party they pulled the "win a free cruise" raffle tickets and they were offered to us at half price. We bought 20 as opposed to 10. Party was fun. Felt like the whole purpose was to sell more raffle tickets, lol. Shock of all shocks, we won the raffle at the end of the cruise (never won a drawing before or since). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare J13C85 Posted July 21 #74 Share Posted July 21 I find this topic interesting. To me, when I look at CCL I see the entire corporation in tiers or levels. I see Carnival as the entry level brand, Princess and HAL as the first elevated level and Seabourne as the top (not really thinking about Cunard, P&O, and Costa for this discussion as we are in North America). As a corporation, Carnival spends a lot of advertising money to attract people to their lines lines, yet they offer no incentive to stay within the corporation. As an example, when we felt we "graduated" from Carnival to the next level, there was no loyalty incentive to stay within the corporation. Even the slightest incentive is better than nothing. In our case, it put Princess, HAL and Celebrity on equal footing. Also, as we are nearing Elite on Princess, we are less likely to explore HAL as we would have to start all over again (as we did with Princess). Lastly, once we are ready to try the luxury line Seabourne is now on the same footing as Viking and Oceania as there is no incentive to stay within the Corporation. Funny thing is MSC with their status match gives me more incentive than Carnival Corporation does. The entire point of marketing is to get people to try your product and it seems counter productive to convert viewers into customers and then not take an obvious and inexpensive step to keep them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retired-N-Happy Posted July 21 #75 Share Posted July 21 8 hours ago, BlerkOne said: The drink package from Galveston doesn't begin until International waters. You can't even get bottled water - you have to pay by the drink for the limited menu. The only thing you can use it for are coffees (non-alcoholic). At least Carnival doesn't charge you for day one. Not on NCL. Have first hand experience on the Prima with their drink package starting immediately on embarkation day with the limited Texas menu, which had specially marked bottles and only certain beers available. Once international waters were hit, the regular bottles were put on display to be used. That's the difference between Carnival and other lines. As you know Carnival doesn't start Cheers out of Galveston or NYC until day two, whereas other lines out of both cities start them immediately. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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