Milestone after new "platinum" changes

[DGP1111]

. . . never did I need to request anything.....I had alway.....had a letter attached to the bag in my cabin stating all the information , and for the slot tournament, it was in my cabin as well a paper stating to bring this to the casino for a free chance. Yes, this was always but only for 8 other cruises but not this one.....

 

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Dorene: I'm curious to know . . . a chance at what?? :confused:

 

For a while I used to receive a letter from Ocean Players Club (Carnival Players Club) asking me to bring the letter to the casino host for a complimentary cocktail, but that offer ended in September 2010.

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[scperk]

Anyone with the slightest bit of marketing sense knows that you do not create new loyal customers by making it harder to get perks that have value to a customer but cost next to nothing. Carnival, if nothing else, knows how to invest in its marketing.

 

The most expensive perks Carnival gives its repeat customers are the Past Guest Party and the Milestone OBC at 25, 50, 75, and 100 cruises. Those little gifts, VIP, and laundry are chump change, and an investment in future business. Carnival would be stupid to make these things harder to get. You will see Past Guest parties reduced before you will see them force you to take more than 10 short cruises to get VIP and free laundry.

The PAST GUEST party has now be reduced to 45 minutes.....Dennis

[kicia]

Tier one is the current BLUE...tier two is the current GOLD...tier three is the current PLATINUM...tier four is the current WHITE. How can milestone, which you need 25 cruises to make, be able to be accomplished in the future with only 75 days sailed? Oh, I know, you're aiming to get milestone with 25 three day cruises and that's how you came up with your wrong assumption about the proposed new program.

 

It seems that you're getting perturbed about something since you're getting kind of nasty. Aren't you Platinum yet? We made our Milestone with 188 days and we'll make tier 4 next year. I'm just asking where do you see that Platinum is 75 days? The place where Carnival needs to make the biggest change is to the Milestone program. Other than the 4 cruises where you get the 25%, 50%, 75%, or 100% OBC, the perks are the same for your 99th cruise as for your 10th. We've done 26 cruises with 2 fourteen day cruises, and 4 twelve day cruises besides mostly 7 day cruises with a few shorter ones thrown in so, no we are not looking to be Milestone with 25 three day cruises.

 

Until the actual program is published, everything is pure speculation anyway, but I'm not concerned about making tier four and I know we won't get bumped back to Platinum.

[SNJCruisers]

It seems that you're getting perturbed about something since you're getting kind of nasty. Aren't you Platinum yet? We made our Milestone with 188 days and we'll make tier 4 next year. I'm just asking where do you see that Platinum is 75 days? The place where Carnival needs to make the biggest change is to the Milestone program. Other than the 4 cruises where you get the 25%, 50%, 75%, or 100% OBC, the perks are the same for your 99th cruise as for your 10th. We've done 26 cruises with 2 fourteen day cruises, and 4 twelve day cruises besides mostly 7 day cruises with a few shorter ones thrown in so, no we are not looking to be Milestone with 25 three day cruises.

 

Until the actual program is published, everything is pure speculation anyway, but I'm not concerned about making tier four and I know we won't get bumped back to Platinum.

 

Yes, I am already platinum, getting ready for number 16 on Carnival, although I did not receive credit for my first two cruises in 86 or 91 because I did not keep my sail n sign card or buy an embarkation picture to prove I was on the ship.

The only thing that has irritated me is if the rumor becomes fact regarding platinum members being grandfathered into the new program and automatically receiving 75 days of sailing credit even though they may have 10 cruises and only 40 days sailed. They deserve the platinum status because they earned it, but they certainly do not deserve IMHO 35 free days sailed added to their total. Someone posted that RCCL did it this way.

 

It has amazed me though about all the bantering about pure speculation. Almost as much as the many threads about the new menu and "shrimp cocktail gate".

[Dorene1]

It seems this thread is full of Grumpy, know it all people, the letter would state bring this paper to the casion for your free slot or black jack tournament. I dont think I will continue to review this thread. I guess I was lucky or special, to get everything in my cabin each time on my cruise for the last 8 cruises except on my last cruise on the Triumph this month. Now I know I need to ask.......really.......should I ask? I don't think so.

 

But now I know if it's not in my cabin.....I will...... but if most of you are on the Carnival cruises.....it's time to change..... What is going on with Cruise Critic it has become somewhat of a not so nice place to come to, I guess this is what I was told about some people on Cruise Critic......I guess they were right....

 

I hope you all stay here on Carnival because I also get my perks on Royal, Celebrity and Princess........

 

Dorene

[near the beach]

Yesterday I was looking at the RCCL past guest perk list, or whatever you call it. On RCCL you are Platinum after five cruises of any length. They have different perks. However RCCL Platinum level does get priority boarding. If Carnival set priority boarding at five cruises the VIP lounge would get very crowded.

[yogimax]

Yesterday I was looking at the RCCL past guest perk list, or whatever you call it. On RCCL you are Platinum after five cruises of any length. They have different perks. However RCCL Platinum level does get priority boarding. If Carnival set priority boarding at five cruises the VIP lounge would get very crowded.

 

Priority Boarding on RCCL does not mean "lounge access" for those with 5 cruises. It is simply a separate check-in line.

[kicia]

Carnival does not list a BLUE tier in their current loyalty program. That is just the color of the card for first time cruisers. There are no benefits associated with this. I, personally, don't think Carnival will make people wait until they have sailed for 25 days to get something, even if it is just the Past Guest Party.

 

I'm glad they're changing to days sailed because I've never felt it was fair for a 3 day drive to the local port cruise to count the same as a 12 day fly to Europe cruise.

 

Carnival really needs to change something for their most frequent cruisers. It is just not equitable to receive the same perks for your 25th, 30th, 80th, 90th, etc. cruise that you receive on your 10th cruise. Changes must be made to the Milestone program. I think it's great that Carnival gives the OBC for the four cruises, and we enjoyed taking advantage of that this year on the Magic; but, a few more perks would be nice. This is the rationale behind my saying that tier 4 will be something beyond Milestone and that tiers 1, 2, and 3 will be comparable to the current Gold, Platinum, and Milestone levels. The days cruised for the new tiers matches what is currently the lowest end of the required days for attaining those levels. I never said it applied to me.

 

Have a Magical Day!

[232271]

Does anybody have any better idea when this NEW program will start??

[waiting4acruise]

Does anybody have any better idea when this NEW program will start??

When Carnival makes the announcement. Or when hell freezes over.

Which ever comes first.

[232271]

When Carnival makes the announcement. Or when hell freezes over.

Which ever comes first.

 

 

thanks, i will make sure I have my coat and gloves ready then, HAHAHAAAA:p

[kicia]

The TA website shows:

 

For your information, sometime in mid-2012, we will roll out a new Past Guest Recognition Program. Even though we do not have details to share at this time, current Platinum and Milestone guests will be grandfathered into the new corresponding levels.

 

It's anyone's guess what that really means but at least it is in writing somewhere official.

[mj]

Does anybody have any better idea when this NEW program will start??

 

It sounds like it will be this year, but when, that seems to be anybody's guess.

[glrounds]

The dilemma for Carnival is that they are driven by pricing. Their cruises, on average, are significantly cheaper than RCCLs. This means there is less money to spend on extras like their loyalty program.

 

RCCL, on the other hand, charges more for cruises and can therefore spend more on their loyalty program which is significantly better than Carnival's.

 

One has to therefore make a decision... spend less and receive less in the way of a Carnival loyalty program OR spend more and receive more in the way of an RCCL loyalty program.

 

That's EXACTLY the dilemma Carnival faces also, IMHO.

 

The best "loyalty program" Carnival has, IMHO, is significantly cheaper pricing. VIP boarding, FREE slots or blackjack, and FREE laundry essentially cost them NOTHING, but the only perks I really care about. I stumbled over another picture frame I hadn't given away yet, just the other day. The stationery with your name "typed" up in the corner and that pen'n'notepad thing were lame . . . so lame.:rolleyes:

 

[Frank12]

That's EXACTLY the dilemma Carnival faces also, IMHO.

 

The best "loyalty program" Carnival has, IMHO, is significantly cheaper pricing. VIP boarding, FREE slots or blackjack, and FREE laundry essentially cost them NOTHING, but the only perks I really care about. I stumbled over another picture frame I hadn't given away yet, just the other day. The stationery with your name "typed" up in the corner and that pen'n'notepad thing were lame . . . so lame.:rolleyes:

 

 

Very true.

[foxesden1]

Well said.

 

We are looking at doing 45 cruise nights over the next few years. We have one on the books with Royal, but I am waiting to see what carnival comes up with.. And how much the rates may go up..:eek: before I book the next two long cruises.

[yesaccasey]

I also have 18 cruises with Carnival and 2 children that are platinum..Never received a letter telling me about the laundry or slot tournament. I asked the steward and went to the casino and asked..

 

What ships have you been on that they gave you that??

 

I get a letter in my stateroom at the beginning of each cruise stating the benefits... now instead of a letter it is more like a pamphlet. Same idea though...

[SNJCruisers]

I stumbled over another picture frame I hadn't given away yet, just the other day. The stationery with your name "typed" up in the corner and that pen'n'notepad thing were lame . . . so lame.:rolleyes:

 

My thoughts exactly......the picture frame, stationary pad, six pack cooler were all a joke...the aluminum thermos was OK. How about BOGOF coupons for drinks or maybe a free picture, something that is useful. RCCL diamond members get a 2 1/2 hour open bar each night from 530-800, I believe. Think I'm asking for too much????

[near the beach]

I know VIP boarding and free laundry doesn’t cost Carnival anything. However we like them. Free laundry is great. Free entry into the slot tournament is fun.

 

Carnival doesn’t have to spend money for enjoyable perks. Reserved seats once a cruise would be nice. A coupon for a free photo would be nice. We don’t drink much so free drinks would not mean much to us either.

 

Like many other people we are waiting to see what the new perks will be and how they get disturbed between the new levels.

[breenw]

No matter what gifts Carnival or any other cruise line would come up with, there are always going to be some people who won't like the choice. You can't please everyone. I at least appreciate the effort they make to give us something. To me, it is the thought that counts, not whether I've got to many picture frames or don't need anothr cooler. Seriously, can anyone here really think of an item that would be loved by everyone?

[ryanpatricksmom]

No matter what gifts Carnival or any other cruise line would come up with, there are always going to be some people who won't like the choice. You can't please everyone. I at least appreciate the effort they make to give us something. To me, it is the thought that counts, not whether I've got to many picture frames or don't need anothr cooler. Seriously, can anyone here really think of an item that would be loved by everyone?

 

 

Cash

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

No matter what gifts Carnival or any other cruise line would come up with, there are always going to be some people who won't like the choice. You can't please everyone. I at least appreciate the effort they make to give us something. To me, it is the thought that counts, not whether I've got to many picture frames or don't need anothr cooler. Seriously, can anyone here really think of an item that would be loved by everyone?

 

In a perfect world, they would have a few items from which to choose. Some people may like a small internet package, some may like a few BOGO drink coupons, some may like photo coupons. But to pick a single item and give it to everyone, though a nice gesture, is wasteful - as a fair % of people will find it useless.

 

I think we'll hear something within a couple of months - hopefully by our Liberty cruise, so I can "give it a try"!

 

Tom

[SNJCruisers]

Seriously, can anyone here really think of an item that would be loved by everyone?

 

Cash

 

 

So true! :p

[Frank12]

How about drink coupons of a certain dollar amount to be used for any beverage on board to include alcohol, soda and the coffee shop. Everyone drinks something while on a cruise!

[kicia]

The whole point of Carnival giving you something is that it is a logo item. Something with their name on it that will give advertising to people when someone sees you using it. It's also something that you will have long after the cruise to remind you of the good times you had. If you get drink coupons, OBC, etc. you don't have anything to take with you. The problem with the logo items is when people cruise frequently, which most Platinum and Milestone cruisers certainly do, then they accumulate a large quantity of logo items that are either given away or stored someplace. How many of anything can you use? I still like the original tote bags the best but the new backpacks are nice too. There probably is no one thing that everyone will like and use so I wish there was a selection to choose from. They also need to change the available items at least once per year and still have a selection. I hope all this happens soon because I want it in place before the end of Auugst. If it's supposed to be announced in the Spring then we have two more months. We'll see how they really do with this.