Platnium changes

[imnance]

As long as we aren't talking with our wallets.

 

Bingo!

 

And the cheerleaders will never do that. CCL could poop on their pillows and call it a mint and the cheerleaders would say "thank you"!

[EastTex]

And the cheerleaders will never do that. CCL could poop on their pillows and call it a mint and the cheerleaders would say "thank you"!

 

 

Oh come on...what's next, an Occupy Carnival movement?

[Engrvrgal]

Here is the link for the Carnival website for those who need it.

 

 

 

 

http://www.carnival.com/cms/Static_Templates/carnival-past-guest-recognition.aspx#gm

[waiting4acruise]

I personally always thought it was funny to give food away as a "perk" on a cruise, as if there isn't already enough food!

 

I agree, it seems like things are being taken away. Many posts have reflected that. If they change it to 75 days, we will likely need 11 cruises to hit it. I just want the vip line at the desk and the free laundry!

I also want the free slot tourny entree and VIP embarkation.

[imnance]

Oh come on...what's next, an Occupy Carnival movement?

 

I realize it was an exaggeration, but the point is....there are CCL loyalists who will take any cutback thrown at them with a smile and a thank you. They'll do the same when an item that used to be free is now charged for. CCL can do no wrong in their eyes.

 

So far, CCL has done nothing that has had any major impact on my cruising, but there has been some minor impact. I'm pretty low maintenance. Eat at the buffet, don't rely on the cruise line for entertainment, spend lots of time in my cabin or on my balcony, but even I notice the cutbacks. And the lack of loyalty CCL has to it's repeat customers. And the fact that even legitimate complaints are mostly met with a form letter. And the lack of cohesive training CCL reps get. And the fact that a multi billion dollar company has a website that always has glitches. And the fact that other cruise lines have people who monitor these boards and actually offer help or clear up rumors and misconceptions. Etc., etc., etc.

 

I have a Future Cruise cert to use and after that, I'm not sure what we'll do for vacation. It's really up to Carnival at this point. If they keep going in the direction they have been, I feel an AI in my future. I'm sure the loyalists will always be happy no matter what though.

[EastTex]

I realize it was an exaggeration, but the point is....there are CCL loyalists who will take any cutback thrown at them with a smile and a thank you. They'll do the same when an item that used to be free is now charged for. CCL can do no wrong in their eyes.

 

So far, CCL has done nothing that has had any major impact on my cruising, but there has been some minor impact. I'm pretty low maintenance. Eat at the buffet, don't rely on the cruise line for entertainment, spend lots of time in my cabin or on my balcony, but even I notice the cutbacks. And the lack of loyalty CCL has to it's repeat customers. And the fact that even legitimate complaints are mostly met with a form letter. And the lack of cohesive training CCL reps get. And the fact that a multi billion dollar company has a website that always has glitches. And the fact that other cruise lines have people who monitor these boards and actually offer help or clear up rumors and misconceptions. Etc., etc., etc.

 

I have a Future Cruise cert to use and after that, I'm not sure what we'll do for vacation. It's really up to Carnival at this point. If they keep going in the direction they have been, I feel an AI in my future. I'm sure the loyalists will always be happy no matter what though.

 

I knew you were exaggerating but what the heck, that's what popped into my mind. Wasn't meaning to be critical of you. You make some good points.

[big_duck]

We were getting petit fours one night and hor doerves another night. Now we just get a plate of desserts one night.

 

Used to get stationary with our names on it and now that is gone.

 

Believe one other thing went away but do not remember what it was.

 

Petit fours and hors douvres were changed to Chocolate covered strawbs at the urging of the Acolytes.

 

The "stationary" is no loss really.

 

The other thing was the Galley tour.

 

I think at one point there was an attempt to change the Casino tourney entry to a BOGO.

[Doug910]

I realize it was an exaggeration, but the point is....there are CCL loyalists who will take any cutback thrown at them with a smile and a thank you. They'll do the same when an item that used to be free is now charged for. CCL can do no wrong in their eyes.

 

...Sorry, I have to respectfully disagree with this point of view. It's about being a realist. I'm basically paying the same amount of money for my family of four to cruise now as I was 10 years ago. It should be obvious that most of their costs have risen over the past decade, starting with fuel. Their labor costs have risen, food costs, and most of all, the costs involved with building the ship in the first place.

 

...I'm sure that most realize that cutbacks had to come from somewhere. If Carnival is able to keep cruising within financial reach for my family by cutting back little things, than that is OK with me. Being Platinum, I really didn't need the silver stationary, the petis fours, the hor doerves or the free deck of playing cards. Has the quality of the food come down a little? Maybe, but we're really not that picky and we feel the quality of the food is just fine. Has the MDR service declined? Pretty obvious, as the waiters now handle more tables than they have in the past.

 

...It's really not about being a cheerleader. Cutbacks are made, and they are either accepted, or vacationers can vote with their wallets and take another cruise line or another type of vacation entirely. The corporation is profitable and, in my opinion, the percentage of past guests on each ship seem to be rising just by looking at the turnout at the past guest parties. They are doing something right.

[glrounds]

In the Grand Scheme of Things . . . the perks that Carnival gives are pretty much a joke, or at least inconsequential, especially when one is expected to weigh that against so many other factors when choosing a cruise line.

 

The Ship - Overall cleanliness, attractiveness, and functionality

Cuisine (food selections, preparations and service)

Accomodations (cleanliness, size, condition and service)

Entertainment (variation, talent, and number of venues)

Price of drinks if one is a drinker

Flight availability and cost if flying

Parking (security and costs)

Itinerary and ports stopping at

The Basic Cost of the Particular Stateroom Level on the Cruise

 

Don't misunderstand, I like the EARLY BOARDING (costs them nothing), I like the FREE SLOT TOURNAMENT (costs them nothing) and I like the FREE LAUNDRY (costs them some detergent and hot water), and they can have the rest. With all the other factors that enter into the costs associated with a cruise, it really doesn't matter that much to me one way or the other.

 

If I had to pick just one I'd take EARLY BOARDING.

 

The biggest issue that keeps me "looking" at other cruise lines is Carnival's dumping of the 150% of DO for SOLO cruisers. This, for me, set Carnival apart from all the other lines and they've now dumped it. :( So, PLATINUM, or not, I'm always looking (RCI & Princess) :)

 

[CCLNCLRCICRUISER]

I think people should get out there and try the other lines, regardless of the perks.

 

None of them seem all that attractive to me and I have pretty high status with Carnival, Royal and NCL.

 

Carnival has some people dangling...on something that when it does arrive, most will say it wasnt worth the wait. About 5-6 years ago, Carnival didnt even have a past guest program, so what is currently offered is a step up from that :p

 

 

If you like the Carnival product, just enjoy it...but if you never tried the other lines recently, you might be surprised what they offer. Don't allow a company to hold you hostage, if you truly aren't satisfied with their product.

[jonbgd]

None of them seem all that attractive to me and I have pretty high status with Carnival, Royal and NCL.

.

Balcony discount and free Internet on RCCL works for me.

 

I will be on RCCL in 3 days

[CCLNCLRCICRUISER]

Balcony discount and free Internet on RCCL works for me.

 

I will be on RCCL in 3 days

 

Have a great time

 

I dont book balconies or use the internet on the ship, but Im sure those are great perks for those that do.

[glrounds]

...Sorry, I have to respectfully disagree with this point of view. It's about being a realist. I'm basically paying the same amount of money for my family of four to cruise now as I was 10 years ago. It should be obvious that most of their costs have risen over the past decade, starting with fuel. Their labor costs have risen, food costs, and most of all, the costs involved with building the ship in the first place.

 

...I'm sure that most realize that cutbacks had to come from somewhere. If Carnival is able to keep cruising within financial reach for my family by cutting back little things, than that is OK with me. Being Platinum, I really didn't need the silver stationary, the petis fours, the hor doerves or the free deck of playing cards. Has the quality of the food come down a little? Maybe, but we're really not that picky and we feel the quality of the food is just fine. Has the MDR service declined? Pretty obvious, as the waiters now handle more tables than they have in the past.

 

...It's really not about being a cheerleader. Cutbacks are made, and they are either accepted, or vacationers can vote with their wallets and take another cruise line or another type of vacation entirely. The corporation is profitable and, in my opinion, the percentage of past guests on each ship seem to be rising just by looking at the turnout at the past guest parties. They are doing something right.

 

Excellent post. So well put, Doug.

 

To add to your 10-year comparison, my wife and I took our first cruise on the Carnival TROPICALE to the Mexican Riviera, some 26-28 years ago. We paid either $599 or $699 per person for an inside cabin (sorry, can't remember). The food was fantastic, the service superb, we dressed for dinner EVERY NIGHT. We danced, drank, and gambled till the sun came up almost every night/morning and we along with our 12 friends had a ball.:D

 

Today, you can take a Mexican Riviera cruise on the SPLENDOR, the newest Carnival ship ever homeported on the West Coast for $359 :eek:on Dec. 2 and $10 more on the weeks before and after that ! ! Of course the food isn't quite as good, and as Doug noted the service is stretched, but just DO THE MATH. :rolleyes:

 

I'm sometimes surprised Carnival even makes ANY MONEY.:confused: But they must be doing something right because I'm seeing so many PLATINUM cards these days it is amazing and Carnival DOMINATES the cruise industry.

 

[old sole]

I'm basically paying the same amount of money for my family of four to cruise now as I was 10 years ago. It should be obvious that most of their costs have risen over the past decade, starting with fuel. Their labor costs have risen, food costs, and most of all, the costs involved with building the ship in the first place.

 

I see this argument all the time and I just can't make myself feel sorry for the cruise lines. All of them have significantly increased the number of balcony cabins as they introduce new ships, and those go for 2X what an inside/OV goes for and have the same square footage. All of them have chopped up what used to be a "balcony" category into balcony A- balcony M or N types of balconies, each new letter desigation bringing a higher price. If you sailed in an inside/OV 10 years ago and still do sail in a lower category inside or OV, then yes your individual cost may not have gone up very much. But the SHIP is bringing in a heck of a lot more revenue through cabin pricing (for the same square footage) than it used too.

[glrounds]

Have a great time

 

I dont book balconies or use the internet on the ship, but Im sure those are great perks for those that do.

 

Same here. Those perks would be as meaningless as dried out petit fors, stationery, and another picture frame on my cabin desk on Carnival. :)

 

[glrounds]

I see this argument all the time and I just can't make myself feel sorry for the cruise lines. All of them have significantly increased the number of balcony cabins as they introduce new ships, and those go for 2X what an inside/OV goes for and have the same square footage. All of them have chopped up what used to be a "balcony" category into balcony A- balcony M or N types of balconies, each new letter desigation bringing a higher price. If you sailed in an inside/OV 10 years ago and still do sail in a lower category inside or OV, then yes your individual cost may not have gone up very much. But the SHIP is bringing in a heck of a lot more revenue through cabin pricing (for the same square footage) than it used too.

 

It has to. :)

 

[dclark]

I realize it was an exaggeration, but the point is....there are CCL loyalists who will take any cutback thrown at them with a smile and a thank you. They'll do the same when an item that used to be free is now charged for. CCL can do no wrong in their eyes.

 

 

I think the cheerleaders will shake their poms for everything CCL cuts back, I guess boasting that the price of a cruise hasn't changed in five years helps them forget that with cutbacks in entertainment and food, they are really pay a lot of money to be able to eat unlimited burgers on a ferry ship with sleeping berths.

I think most people get it- CCL has been turned into a trashy, low quality cruise line. Entertainment is now supplied via playing old movies on the lido deck and chintzy audience participation nonsense (some done by Hasbro). Those people who find this amusing will not notice that the shrimp cocktail has been replaced with mac n cheese, heck, they'll like it more. And, when they are in the mdr eating their ham steak and fried chicken, even if it is cold and flavorless, they'll boast "At least I didn't have to cook lol!"

The undeniable proof that CCL is down the drain, on the way to the sewage plant, is the Destiny/Sunshine disaster.

The whole loyalty program is another joke. They have been talking about changing it for so long, that it is the travel version of vapor ware. Where once upon a time, it was to reward cruiser loyalty, now the program, where it stands, is to reward cruisers for their endurance.

[glrounds]

I think the cheerleaders will shake their poms for everything CCL cuts back, I guess boasting that the price of a cruise hasn't changed in five years helps them forget that with cutbacks in entertainment and food, they are really pay a lot of money to be able to eat unlimited burgers on a ferry ship with sleeping berths.

I think most people get it- CCL has been turned into a trashy, low quality cruise line. Entertainment is now supplied via playing old movies on the lido deck and chintzy audience participation nonsense (some done by Hasbro). Those people who find this amusing will not notice that the shrimp cocktail has been replaced with mac n cheese, heck, they'll like it more. And, when they are in the mdr eating their ham steak and fried chicken, even if it is cold and flavorless, they'll boast "At least I didn't have to cook lol!"

The undeniable proof that CCL is down the drain, on the way to the sewage plant, is the Destiny/Sunshine disaster.

The whole loyalty program is another joke. They have been talking about changing it for so long, that it is the travel version of vapor ware. Where once upon a time, it was to reward cruiser loyalty, now the program, where it stands, is to reward cruisers for their endurance.

 

10 years and 26-28 year comparisons, but who's reading?

 

Bitterness is such a negative emotion.:D

 

[Guest LoveMyBoxer]

I think the cheerleaders will shake their poms for everything CCL cuts back, I guess boasting that the price of a cruise hasn't changed in five years helps them forget that with cutbacks in entertainment and food, they are really pay a lot of money to be able to eat unlimited burgers on a ferry ship with sleeping berths.

I think most people get it- CCL has been turned into a trashy, low quality cruise line. Entertainment is now supplied via playing old movies on the lido deck and chintzy audience participation nonsense (some done by Hasbro). Those people who find this amusing will not notice that the shrimp cocktail has been replaced with mac n cheese, heck, they'll like it more. And, when they are in the mdr eating their ham steak and fried chicken, even if it is cold and flavorless, they'll boast "At least I didn't have to cook lol!"

The undeniable proof that CCL is down the drain, on the way to the sewage plant, is the Destiny/Sunshine disaster.

The whole loyalty program is another joke. They have been talking about changing it for so long, that it is the travel version of vapor ware. Where once upon a time, it was to reward cruiser loyalty, now the program, where it stands, is to reward cruisers for their endurance.

 

All I can say is WOW! Having just gotten off the RCCL Explorer two weeks ago and that being the WORST cruise we have EVER been on, your explanation basically states everything that happened on that ship! Actually, Explorer's fried chicken wasn't even fried and it was barely edible! But thank you for your honest opinion.

[imnance]

CCL has been turned into a trashy, low quality cruise line.

 

I don't know that I'd go that far, but it's obvious to me that CCL has begun pandering to the lowest common denominator.

 

Because of the type of cruiser that I am, CCL still works for me. If I were a different type of cruiser, CCL would no longer work. Even so, I'm right on the edge.

[patmanrules]

Our last cruise in June 2011 on Fascination was a trashy experience. Literally. The debris floating in the pool (bandaids, plastic wrappers) and crap on the pool deck were very disappointing. BUT, when we sailed on the Dream in March 2011, there was none of that. I think it has to do with the length of the cruise. The longer cruises seem to always be better managed.

[patmanrules]

I think I strayed too far off topic on that last post. We were supposed to be talking about platinum perks.

[halos]

I think people should get out there and try the other lines, regardless of the perks.

 

If you like the Carnival product, just enjoy it...but if you never tried the other lines recently, you might be surprised what they offer. Don't allow a company to hold you hostage, if you truly aren't satisfied with their product.

Amen!

[laumicmah]

I think you are dreaming when you think Carnival is going to give the same perks other lines give.. the other lines also cost more. I hope they wait .. and wait .. and wait.

 

My experience with RCL changing to days was not a plus.

 

I cant see why people want to change to counting days vs cruises. You really think its going to help you?? I dont.

 

I demand NO CHANGES .. Im happy counting # of cruises.

I'm with you Fire! I will have 5 CCL cruises under my belt after my April cruise, but only 24 days. I was excited to be halfway to platinum.

[camper49]

I also want the free slot tourny entree and VIP embarkation.

Slot tournament is good!! Even better now that i won!!! While sailing Ecstasy in Feb.