Vote: Your choice of Platinum "gift"

[quickrate]

We don't care so much what kind of a gift we receive because other than the 1st 2 thermos' and the tote, we've never done anything more than toss the others.

 

It would be nice to have it be something like you are suggesting. But what I would really appreciate is being TREATED like I'm Platinum. Too many embarkation ports don't have separate VIP lines for security, have too few people checking VIPs in etc.....

 

I know this is lazy, but I don't want to have to stand in line for anything, there should be a VIP queue for MDR, getting off and back on the ship in port.

 

But the thing that really burns me is not being treated properly during debarkation. Too many times they have forgotten to come get the VIP self assists (which should be the very 1st people off the ship), they should only be giving luggage tag number 1 to VIP and they should allow sufficient time for those 1st 2 groups to debark before calling for regular self assist which is the 3rd group called.

Regular self-assist isn't always the third group called-when we were on Legend the end of last month, they called regular self-assist before Platinum. took them over an hour to get them all off before they called us. So many people are using self-assist these days that to put them before platinum at debarkation doesn't make sense to me. and if they're going to do it that way, then don't have us waiting in designated area over an hour before they call platinum.

pat

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Regular self-assist isn't always the third group called-when we were on Legend the end of last month, they called regular self-assist before Platinum. took them over an hour to get them all off before they called us. So many people are using self-assist these days that to put them before platinum at debarkation doesn't make sense to me. and if they're going to do it that way, then don't have us waiting in designated area over an hour before they call platinum.

pat

 

We stopped (many cruises ago) playing the WAKE UP EARLY, SIT, and WAIT (perhaps even getting OVERLOOKED) game for someone to let you know it's your turn.

 

No thanks - we now take our time and leave whenever we are ready - straight from our cabin. Be that 7:30 or 8:30!!

 

I really WISH that Carnival would be more civilized about that last morning - which already does not find many people in the best of spirits for a variety of reasons. Forgo the endless announcements into your cabin EARLY in the morning - which are nothing more than a WAKE UP CALL. Do they feel that there are so many who will oversleep that they must harass everyone? :eek:

 

 

 

Tom

[jimbo5544]

That was one suggestion of mine in a letter to Jim Berra over a year ago. Another MILESTONE perk I suggested was FULL breakfast via room service!! (Fingers crossed)!

 

After FIVE sailings with Celebrity, between Cheryl and me, we receive THREE HOURS of internet... FREE!! Now THAT is a PERK !!!

 

Tom

and it does not "cost" them anything (other than some potential lost revenue....)

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

and it does not "cost" them anything (other than some potential lost revenue....)

 

Unfortunately, I think that's how the Bean Counters looks at EVERYTHING! :(

 

Tom

[Uturnalley]

I vote for OBC got enough of everything else,I'd even go for a free drink. This Christmas Cruise will be my 19th:) Carnival Legend here we come! Can't Wait

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Unfortunately, I think that's how the Bean Counters looks at EVERYTHING! :(

 

Tom

 

methinks I type and post TOO fast...:o

 

Tom

[GlendaleCruiser]

OBC would give you your choice!

 

Tom

 

 

Exactly. You could spend it in the gift shop. I like OBC option the best.

 

I think a choice would be great, too, though. What if you have 5 things to choose from and it was on the website when you filled out your information. Then it would be waiting for you when you boarded.

[hill6]

OBC makes the most sense to me. Maybe throw in something else small with it like some soda coupons.

[Tapi]

Another MILESTONE perk I suggested was FULL breakfast via room service!! (Fingers crossed)!

 

Let's be realistic here for a minute. Carnival is a budget cruise line. Low prices are the main "perk" which keeps people coming back. Why would Carnival feel the need to enhance their loyalty program then? They're not having any issues retaining repeat cruisers or filling up the ships!

 

In my opinion, more elaborate loyalty programs are necessary when you have premium products competing against each other. When price is not one of the main driving factors to select a specific cruise line, past guest incentives, (along with other perks and attention to detail), can definitely sway one person from one cruise line to another. Full breakfast in your stateroom with linens, fine china, and a personal waiter? It would be great! In fact, other cruise lines are already doing it. They just don't fall in the same category as Carnival.

 

The day Carnival has a TRUE head on competitor that could potentially steal their budget conscious clientele away from them, (and no, I don't consider Royal Caribbean even a NCL a true head on competitor), we MAY see some drastic changes to Carnival's past guest program.

 

Until then, be happy with priority embarkation, free laundry, soda coupons, free entry to casino slot tournaments, and a shiny platinum plastic card. For a budget cruise line, the perks are actually pretty good!

 

I'm not trying to demean Carnival. I think they have a GREAT product (and as you can see from my signature, I keep coming back!). But I do want to put things into perspective. We can't expect Hilton Diamond privileges if we're La Quinta Silver members...

[pnjkeith]

OBC and or free internet time.

 

Soda coupons = chintzy

[PA Dutchman]

Everybody is getting a plastic Freddy.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Let's be realistic here for a minute. Carnival is a budget cruise line. Low prices are the main "perk" which keeps people coming back. Why would Carnival feel the need to enhance their loyalty program then? They're not having any issues retaining repeat cruisers or filling up the ships!

 

In my opinion, more elaborate loyalty programs are necessary when you have premium products competing against each other. When price is not one of the main driving factors to select a specific cruise line, past guest incentives, (along with other perks and attention to detail), can definitely sway one person from one cruise line to another. Full breakfast in your stateroom with linens, fine china, and a personal waiter? It would be great! In fact, other cruise lines are already doing it. They just don't fall in the same category as Carnival.

 

The day Carnival has a TRUE head on competitor that could potentially steal their budget conscious clientele away from them, (and no, I don't consider Royal Caribbean even a NCL a true head on competitor), we MAY see some drastic changes to Carnival's past guest program.

 

Until then, be happy with priority embarkation, free laundry, soda coupons, free entry to casino slot tournaments, and a shiny platinum plastic card. For a budget cruise line, the perks are actually pretty good!

 

I'm not trying to demean Carnival. I think they have a GREAT product (and as you can see from my signature, I keep coming back!). But I do want to put things into perspective. We can't expect Hilton Diamond privileges if we're La Quinta Silver members...

 

I fully understand where Carnival fits in to the scheme of things - cruise line wise.

 

I also understand why their room service menu is lacklustre compared to other lines.

 

I don't think it would be any real stretch (financially speaking) if they could:

 

A> give PRIORITY room service to Platinum guests. There is something about hearing that it will be 45 minutes for your BLT at 2 AM... EVERY TIME you call!:rolleyes:

 

B> give an EXPANDED room service menu (including, at least, a full hot breakfast option) to Milestone guests. There are rarely more than 5-10 people on most sailings who fit into this category anyway.

 

In the end, I realize that they (REALLY) owe me nothing, and only offer more as a way to say THANKS and to encourage me to return. As the total $'s I have spent with them continues to increase, it would be in their best interest to dangle a juicier carrot out there on their stick!

 

Tom

[gargoyle999]

I just want VIP boarding, priority tender and laundry. I would like priority tender on the way back to the ship as well.

 

Of course I still have to do 4 more Carnival cruises until I really can worry about all of that. But DW will get "us" to Platinum in March on the Splendor! :D

[gargoyle999]

A> give PRIORITY room service to Platinum guests. There is something about hearing that it will be 45 minutes for your BLT at 2 AM... EVERY TIME you call!:rolleyes:

 

I'll vote for this one too! ;) I've stopped using room service since it always takes about an hour to arrive.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

I'll vote for this one too! ;) I've stopped using room service since it always takes about an hour to arrive.

 

Yep - it's pretty depressing!

 

On our Dream sailing over Thanksgiving week there were 1200 kids onboard. I can picture ALL THOSE WONDERFUL LITTLE ANGELS ordering LOADS of room service at all hours... most of which they likely didn't eat!

 

I can see why SOME LINES decided to tack on a surcharge for late night orders - perhaps that would help weed out those which are ordering because they are bored, and those who are really wanting a snack!

 

Tom

[KruznKel]

I just want VIP boarding, priority tender and laundry. I would like priority tender on the way back to the ship as well.

 

Of course I still have to do 4 more Carnival cruises until I really can worry about all of that. But DW will get "us" to Platinum in March on the Splendor! :D

 

There is priority boarding back to the ship for tendering as well.. I did not use it for my 1st Platinum cruise as there was no line.. but I have read that others have used it..especially at HMC... I did get the priority boarding in belize somewhat kinda after all the Carnival groups went...

[Manatee Mom]

Heck - I would like some good COOKIES... or a coupon for a free (specialty) dessert, ice cream, or similar treat!! :)Tom

 

Speaking of cookies, did you know when we were on last our kids asked where their smiley face cookies were at bed time, and were told carnival is no longer doing them.

 

I like both the list to choose from or an OBC. IMO they should give every past guest a coupon for a free picture. It only costs a few cents and it helps the guests to remember what a good time they had!

[KruznKel]

We stopped (many cruises ago) playing the WAKE UP EARLY, SIT, and WAIT (perhaps even getting OVERLOOKED) game for someone to let you know it's your turn.

 

No thanks - we now take our time and leave whenever we are ready - straight from our cabin. Be that 7:30 or 8:30!!

 

I really WISH that Carnival would be more civilized about that last morning - which already does not find many people in the best of spirits for a variety of reasons. Forgo the endless announcements into your cabin EARLY in the morning - which are nothing more than a WAKE UP CALL. Do they feel that there are so many who will oversleep that they must harass everyone? :eek:

 

 

 

Tom

 

I wish they would still allow Platinum or Milestone pax to get off priority whenever they want... for me flying with a later flight.. I do not want to be off the ship at 7am.. I would prefer to stay on the ship until last call and be able to leave the ship and not wait in the line... also with customs they should have a special line .. that would be an awesome perk for someone like me;)

[Forchunut1]

I can't imagine Carnival ever offering OBC as a gift. This would cost them way too much compared to an physical "gift" or perk.

 

I'm thinking that a reserved chair by the pool might be a nice perk. :D

[F22Smitty]

From the other thread.

 

The beach bags were nice. We gave the thermos's away. We gave the picture frames away. We don't drink soda. The OBC is not a touchy/feely.

 

What I would really like is two new in the bag Carnival beach towels to go with our beach bags.:D Works for me.:cool:

[Sargent_Schultz]

No matter what Carnival does, there will be whiners and complainers. Doing away with the program is the only thing that makes sense.

[frazzledrazzle16]

I like the idea of a platinum/milestone menu, where we could pick and choose what we would like and it would be more personalized... Some people could use internet time, some do not. Some people like bar/soft drink credits, some don't. I remember when we were in a suite on Princess, they asked us what kind of soft drinks we liked and stocked our mini fridge with the complementary beverages. Perhaps something like that would go over better than throwing a few soft drink coupons at each platinum guest (like Carnival has been trying recently). Priority tendering might be a big perk for some, but with the cruises we have been on recently, we would have never gotten to use that perk. I also like the idea of an enhanced room service menu. We haven't taken our platinum cruise yet (been on 9 Carnival sailings, so our next one will be), but I know for us, picture frames and thermoses would just be another piece of junk in the basement.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

No matter what Carnival does, there will be whiners and complainers. Doing away with the program is the only thing that makes sense.

 

... and cut off the A/C to the cabins while they're at it.

 

Damn WHINERS! :D

 

Tom

[Sargent_Schultz]

... and cut off the A/C to the cabins while they're at it.

 

Damn WHINERS! :D

 

Tom

 

People used to be grateful, even for cheap crap, but now they want more and more. Even the cheap crap costs something - there is no free lunch.

 

I don't want the price of my cruise going up so Carnival can rebate some percentage of that increase back to me. With more money in my pocket, I can pick and choose what perk(s) I want.

[chocolate melting cake]

I wish they would still allow Platinum or Milestone pax to get off priority whenever they want... for me flying with a later flight.. I do not want to be off the ship at 7am.. I would prefer to stay on the ship until last call and be able to leave the ship and not wait in the line... also with customs they should have a special line .. that would be an awesome perk for someone like me;)

On our last two cruises we were in the same boat:D-----we had late flights and were given early departure tags. Both times we went to the (platinum) service desk. On the first, they simply gave us the tags for the latest departure---on the second they told us we could keep the original tags on and depart as late as we wanted, the great part of that was that ours were the only bags left in the section--no need to crawl through the rows trying to find them!!!