Carnival VIFP Club Flaws and Improvement Suggestions

[Nic6318]

I agree that most everyone likes the idea of getting some perks as a reward for loyalty as a consumer but I don't think that most Carnival cruisers are looking at these rewards as any way influencing their buying decision. While preferred embarkation or a few bags of laundry are nice once you are entitled, I for one and I am sure many other people cruise with Carnival because of itinerary and price. I have sailed with other cruise lines but most times when comparing similar cruises I find that the Carnival cruise will save me hundred of dollars and you can see the same savings in all cabin classes. So yes, some other cruise lines offer more attractive loyalty programs but with the money I save I can buy the perks they offer.

Carnival isn't trying to impress with their loyalty program, they are trying to attract as many new cruisers by keeping prices down and I think they are doing a pretty good job delivering affordable value to their customers. So I doubt they would enhance the program very much, mainly because the don't really need to. I believe they would prefer a new cruiser to a return customer any time.

 

If you want to save money Carnival is the cruise line for you

 

Enjoy you cruises

[pe4all]

I agree that most everyone likes the idea of getting some perks as a reward for loyalty as a consumer but I don't think that most Carnival cruisers are looking at these rewards as any way influencing their buying decision. While preferred embarkation or a few bags of laundry are nice once you are entitled, I for one and I am sure many other people cruise with Carnival because of itinerary and price. I have sailed with other cruise lines but most times when comparing similar cruises I find that the Carnival cruise will save me hundred of dollars and you can see the same savings in all cabin classes. So yes, some other cruise lines offer more attractive loyalty programs but with the money I save I can buy the perks they offer.

Carnival isn't trying to impress with their loyalty program, they are trying to attract as many new cruisers by keeping prices down and I think they are doing a pretty good job delivering affordable value to their customers. So I doubt they would enhance the program very much, mainly because the don't really need to. I believe they would prefer a new cruiser to a return customer any time.

 

If you want to save money Carnival is the cruise line for you

 

Enjoy you cruises

Everything here you wrote is true. Carnival is definitely after the new cruisers - not into keeping their old. Just as a comparison, here are NCL's reward program points and levels:

Bronze 1 - 19

Silver 20 - 47

Gold 48 - 75

Platinum 76+

Their Platinum level has more perks than Carnival's highest level- and it is attainable for way less points. They also give you more ways to earn points: book more than 9 months in advance, suites, etc. Thier point spread seems more reasonable than CCL's. Just pointing it out for reference purposes only. All are free to make their own decisions on which lines to sail.:D

[JasonV1]

This nails it. Across all mass market lines new cruisers are where the money is, as they spend all the money. The cost to sail the ship is fixed for the most part, it doesn't matter how many sail. The new cruiser who spends $$$ on high markup items is worth far more than the veteran who spends little or none.

 

I haven't been on Carnival in a couple of years, but on a recent Royal raise I was told than on average 50% of the ship are first time cruisers. Next time you are are a carnival ship keep an eye out for "newbie" ship pass cards, I'll bet that rings true for them as well.

 

I'd love to see Carnival do loyalty status matching with their other lines. We decided to do Alaska next summer and the Celebrity status match to Royal gave me some really nice, useful perks that made me choose them over the other lines (such as Princess). Heck, I'd settle for cross-line preferred boarding/tender/disembark rights as those are among my favorite perks as they save me time (which is in short supply on vacation). Those perks wouldn't cost them anything either.

 

 

I think I might be a cynic. I doubt anything more than a tiny percentage of Carnival customers pay much attention to the loyalty points, or being loyal at all. I think most cruisers pick a cruise line based on price, ports of call, departure points and dates of sailing, not on getting loyalty points.

 

Carnival could tweak the points the way you suggest or make it even better but if they don't offer a trip I want at a price I am willing to pay, I would not book it.

 

My other cynical point is I don't think Carnival really want to push too many to the higher levels. Lets face it, the more you cruise the less money you spend. Do you really still book excursions through Carnival? Still buy 10 pictures? I don't. I live on the West Coast and have been to Ensenada about 10 times. First few, booked excursions. Now? They don't make a nickel from me on excursions. The diamond plus sailers have been to the Caribbean ports 20 times. Are they still booking shore excursions in Cozumel or Ocho Rios?

Edited October 4, 2014 by JasonV1

[Vitality08]

I'm relatively new to cruising, having cruised 3 times, with 4th coming up. I will be gold. What does that mean for me? A pin. I am buying cheers so won't go to the past guest party and the free drink coupon won't do me any good. Not that I got into cruising for a loyalty program. Just wanted a different vacation.

 

Wouldn't going to the party and using the coupon stretch out your 15 drinks a day?

 

Not saying that you want more than 15 drinks a day but if you can use the coupon and it not count against you that's doing some good.

[Vitality08]

I know this subject has been beat to death but I just wanted to add that the Next Cruise Certificate would be a bigger factor over loyalty rewards.

 

I check cruise prices daily. I typically sail solo and have seen some really great deals in the last few months. Flight prices haven't been as great but not terribly expensive.

 

I guarantee had I had a certificate on hand to book and pay for the cruise, I would have done it. Even though I've paid for the certificate, when using it in the present it feels like a discount and helps since I also have to book last minute airfare.

[irishnyc]

I also think you should get more points for booking more than one room, like parents that get a room for themselves and one for the kids.

 

Not really the same, as they would get those points if they were in my room. Two cabins is more than one cabin and IMO should count more in points.

 

Overall I really don't care, I am happy with what Carnival does for me. Just contributing to the thread and that is the only thing that I feel could possibly be counted differently.

 

Why? The actual people in those additional rooms are getting the points. There's no difference in revenue between me booking my family in two rooms on my credit card, or me booking a room for my husband and I in one room, and my kids booking their own room on their own credit card. Just because you put it all on one card, you think there should be a reward of more loyalty points? If you could get extra points just for booking more than one room, people would be putting entire families in multiple rooms on one credit card just to cheat the system.

 

 

How could you have been anticipating Diamond in 3 more cruises when Diamond didn't exist and the original points requirement was 200 from it's beginning?

 

I'm Diamond and became so on the 2nd cruise after the program changed. I do understand the frustration of how long it could take for someone to make Diamond, but I think that big of a gap is necessary to avoid a very rapid increase in the number of Diamonds.

 

It currently takes eight 7 day cruises to make it to Platinum. It takes 28 7 day cruises to make it to Diamond. The level of loyalty deserves to have a noticeable difference in the perks. Yet the only ongoing additional perk after you've used your one time upgrade and specialty restaurant perks is a private reception with the Captain and senior crew.

 

My issue with assigning points based on how expensive your cabin is in my mind is at the very least a slippery slope. Just because you book a balcony doesn't always mean you paid more for it on a per person basis compared to any other category of cabin. That cost can also be offset by how far in advance you purchased it, what kind of rate you booked under, how well other categories of cabins are selling, or special resident/senior/military rates or last minute sales.

 

And if you are going to award points on the basis of monies spent then you better have a way to figure in excursions, specialty restaurants, gift shops and casino revenue.

 

There is no way to keep all of that straight for every booking.

 

Additionally, before the Loyalty program changed it was so easy to make Platinum and the last few years it became no big deal and virtually no recognition was given to your loyalty level. And even now when I have to use my Diamond White S&S card it rarely even evokes a comment.

 

I completely agree.

 

 

 

I personally could not care less about loyalty to any cruise line, because cruising isn't our primary vacation choice. I've been on both Carnival and Royal. The perks all the way up the levels aren't worth enough to me to gain my loyalty. I'm not getting any free cruise out of it, no matter how many times I sail, and I certainly don't care if I get a pin, a free cup, a hat, or whatever other piece of junk they'll give me for being loyal. Free laundry isn't a bad perk, but it's certainly not going to be a factor in my decision, nor is a token free drink or two. Rooms being ready when boarding, going to the front of the guest services line, etc., are all nice perks, but again, not enough to sway my decision about who I cruise with. The day they start rewarding cruise loyalty with a program comparable to frequent flyer miles, that's when I MIGHT pay more loyalty to a cruise line.

Edited October 4, 2014 by irishnyc

[tkportersat]

You are entitled to your opinion, even if it doesn't make any sense. Because yes, of course parents want to pay more money to put their kids in a separate room (sarcasm) when it cheaper to pile everyone in to one. Most do so for privacy or so they can actually walk in the cabin. And yes two rooms costs more than one, go run the numbers.

 

Why? The actual people in those additional rooms are getting the points. There's no difference in revenue between me booking my family in two rooms on my credit card, or me booking a room for my husband and I in one room, and my kids booking their own room on their own credit card. Just because you put it all on one card, you think there should be a reward of more loyalty points? If you could get extra points just for booking more than one room, people would be putting entire families in multiple rooms on one credit card just to cheat the system.

 

 

 

 

I completely agree.

 

 

 

I personally could not care less about loyalty to any cruise line, because cruising isn't our primary vacation choice. I've been on both Carnival and Royal. The perks all the way up the levels aren't worth enough to me to gain my loyalty. I'm not getting any free cruise out of it, no matter how many times I sail, and I certainly don't care if I get a pin, a free cup, a hat, or whatever other piece of junk they'll give me for being loyal. Free laundry isn't a bad perk, but it's certainly not going to be a factor in my decision, nor is a token free drink or two. Rooms being ready when boarding, going to the front of the guest services line, etc., are all nice perks, but again, not enough to sway my decision about who I cruise with. The day they start rewarding cruise loyalty with a program comparable to frequent flyer miles, that's when I MIGHT pay more loyalty to a cruise line.

[irishnyc]

You are entitled to your opinion, even if it doesn't make any sense. Because yes, of course parents want to pay more money to put their kids in a separate room (sarcasm) when it cheaper to pile everyone in to one. Most do so for privacy or so they can actually walk in the cabin. And yes two rooms costs more than one, go run the numbers.

 

I didn't say anything about booking only one room.

[tkportersat]

Next..............:rolleyes:

 

I didn't say anything about booking only one room.

[Davey Wavey]

Well, you kind of do. The children sailing get the credits though...

 

I booked a balcony cabin for 5 on Triumph and my children got sailing credits. Later, I booked 2 cabins at nearly twice the cost and got the same sailing credits. While I would disagree with almost all of the OP message, I do think if I pay for multiple cabins I should get points for them, even if there is a maximum number that I could claim per cruise.

[PAPERBKWRITER]

I think the program is basically fine with the exception that platinum to diamond is way to far apart.

[Luckysll]

Add to the list: Guests who book single/solo in a cabin and pay a 200% fare should earn double points for having to pay double for their cruise.

 

This!!

[Domino D]

Merging together a lot of the comments on here, it seems like one change that would be well received is some kind of point per dollar spent. This would provide additional credit for people who book two cabins, travel solo, book excursions, use cheers etc.

 

Of course either the points awarded or the point levels to reach certain levels would be adjusted. But it does seem like that would benefit both Carnival and its customers. Would you be more likely to book excursions through Carnival if you got extra VIFP points? Maybe.

 

I belong to the program (why not), but the thing that keeps me from being more motivated to push to rack up points isn't the way points accumulate, the rewards don't seem all that exciting to me. I've never had a problem with boarding, disembarking, shore excursions, Spa appointments, etc. So every perk involving the word "Priority" is just eh to me. Chocolates would be nice I guess. The one time stuff doesn't add up to be very much in reality. Shoot I can buy early boarding for $50 so that is all its worth evidently.

 

Best part of being Platinum or Diamond, which I will hopefully be someday is that means I have spent a lot of time cruising, and thus not working.

[theriac]

Like the free drink coupon, does it really matter if it is at breakfast, lunch or dinner? No difference in cost but the perception changes.

 

It actually does matter, people are more inclined to continue to drink once they've had one so if you force the people to get early in the day then more apt to keep on drinking instead of starting to drink right around dinner. Also the difference in cost is more people would use it at night(club, comedy, show, dinner, casino, et cetera...)then getting a drink during the day which means a lot of the coupons then go unused meaning less of a cost for Carnival.

 

I get what you mean by not making a difference because it appears it really doesn't but with a little bit of thought you can see they have it set up this way for a reason. There still is the loop hole though of getting an unopened beer, ordering a shot and just buy a soda later to make your own mixed drink, ordering a glass of wine. you could even order a cocktail no ice and keep in your mini fridge to have for later. Having said that most people don't think this way and carnival knows it so they have this policy set up to appear like a great thing of getting a free drink, when in reality it behooves them.

[kteachcruiser52]

Yep, after this cruise in Nov. I would have needed 3 more cruises to be Diamond. Now I will need between 50 to 60 more points to make Diamond. I think the points should be adjusted to 150 to 175 points to achieve Diamond. Platinum is great and looking forward to Diamond one day. Sooner better than later.:)

 

People were given at least a year to be grandfathered into the platinum at 10 cruises rather than the 75 days. I thought there was no grandfathering for Diamond because there was not a Diamond level before. In other words before this new program was implemented there was not XXX amount of cruises needed to become Diamond so I do not understand why you think you would have been Diamond after 3 more cruises. As I understand it Diamond has always been 200 days, never a specific number of cruises.

[katiel53]

I also think you should get more points for booking more than one room, like parents that get a room for themselves and one for the kids.

 

I do understand your point but what about those of us who have kids and couldn't afford to pay for two rooms? What about those of us who now cruise without the kids because we are paying for their college etc? Why should we be penalized and to me, that's what you are suggesting as now your kids are getting credit.

 

The ONLY issue I see with opening it up to people booking more than one room and giving them more points for doing so is that as someone mentioned there would be no way to regulate someone who decides to book say 3 rooms of friends on one card rather than actual families.

 

I would think that maybe the best compromise would be to award people who spend money on the ship. Say 1 point per 100 or 1 point after the first 200 spend and 1 additional point after that. Limit it to only excursions and Fun shops and for the family possibly $$ spent in the Arcade... I say this because lets face it, its easy to get a 1000+ on your sign and sail if you are in party mode lol.

 

 

So Whiskey, because I don't do excursions or get photos, but I spend a fortune in the casino and buy drinks, I should be penalized? No way!

[Disconnections]

People were given at least a year to be grandfathered into the platinum at 10 cruises rather than the 75 days. I thought there was no grandfathering for Diamond because there was not a Diamond level before. In other words before this new program was implemented there was not XXX amount of cruises needed to become Diamond so I do not understand why you think you would have been Diamond after 3 more cruises. As I understand it Diamond has always been 200 days, never a specific number of cruises.

 

While you are correct that Diamond was not previously offered and it has a qualification requirement of 200 VIFP Points, you should also be aware that Milestone guests were supposed to be grandfathered into the highest tier. This highest tier became known as Diamond with Milestone requiring 25 cruises.

 

As you can see from the attachment on Post #19 of the "Apology Ltr to Milestone Cruisers" thread, you will find timestamped and dated posts for three years of Carnival's brand ambassador stating such. In addition, you will learn about a multitude of promises that were never fulfilled. As an aside, Carnival did not honor the elite status that previously Gold members had acquired by being a Past Guest and were downgraded to Red if they did not meet the new qualification requirements.

 

Post #19: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=34210726&postcount=19

 

"Apology Ltr to Milestone Cruisers" thread: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1655257

Edited October 7, 2014 by Disconnections

[Fun, Fun 44]

In the end, just pick brand, ship, cost, ports, perks, etc. that are worth it to you and go with it. If everybody and every cruise line was the same it would be a boring world. :rolleyes: None of the cruise lines HAVE to give us anything. And as far as being Diamond, look at the chart. A couple one time things and a set of luggage tags is all the difference from Platinum to Diamond. We just made Diamond, in 8 years and 8 months. We have no children to put through school, parents in good health (thank you God), we just cruise. Ones with children will hopefully have help in their older years. lol All a trade off. We entertain in the home rather than going out, don't cruise in peak times. All in what each household has got going and chooses outta life. Pick one that makes ya happy and enjoy! :) Kat

[Whiskey60]

 

 

So Whiskey, because I don't do excursions or get photos, but I spend a fortune in the casino and buy drinks, I should be penalized? No way!

 

I'm not saying penalized.. Trust me, I am with you on the spending a fortune in drinks and a good bit in the casino. Not complaining there either BUT my suggestions I try and look at both sides, Ours as a consumer but also Carnival. The reason a point for $$ spent on drinks and the casino doesn't make sense for them is the same reason people don't want to see the program get changed in the first place and that's because of the rate at which people would advance. As many have mentioned, for members that cruise a lot the amount of money they spend on the boat as far as Excursions and such goes way down. The thing that may stay constant is the drinks and casino for some. To Carnival they would like you to do that AND spend money on the other stuff.

 

When I wrote the letter it was more of a "Hey I like the program but see some issues". I do love that we for the most part have had a TON of good suggestions. One thing I do try and do with mine is play devils advocate where I can. Because lets face it Carnival is a business, so as many have mentioned as it sits now it doesn't behoove them to adjust it because that just means lost revenue on Platinum members that don't spend as much as Blue and Red cards.

 

I would even go as far to say that after you reach Diamond they should start rewarding points for $$ spent on the boat to earn a free cruise/free upgrades. This would IMO (and could be loony) give incentive again to those who already know the system or ports to spend money back on the boat. And if they couldn't care less about it then nothing changes. But I bet for those that wouldn't mind a free cruise once in a while would start looking to maybe buying a new watch or jewelry on the boat.

Edited October 8, 2014 by Whiskey60

[FSRoberts]

I'm new to cruising, but I do have some thoughts as a lowly red (though gold on my next voyage).

 

First, I am surprised by the lack of ANY reciprocal benefits on other Carnival Corp. lines (HAL, Princess, Costa, etc.). Granted, it would be unfair for people to have earned status on interiors on CCL ships to suddenly have equal status on Princess, for example, but perhaps you can be at least eligible for past guest rates and promos on some of the other lines. And perhaps travel in the nicer or equivalent lines can earn points on CCL cruises (while perhaps earning partial points toward status for other Carnival Corp. loyalty programs for sailing Carnival.) This is similar to how airlines and hotels do it. Air France frequent fliers, for example, get benefits on KLM flights as they are owned by the same company (and in fact even expand it through alliances such as Skyteam, Star, and Oneworld). Hilton HHonors members get points and benefits on ANY Hilton property, from the basic Hampton Inn, to the 5 star Waldorf and Conrad properties. Marriott Rewards members get points and benefits rather at the Ritz or at the courtyard.

 

The above makes sense as, outside the caribbean, CCL offers few options, while sister companies do. CCL no longer sails Europe, but Costa is huge there. CCL has 1 ship in Alaska while HAL and Princess each have 4 in summer. And there are many more examples. But now, if a CCL customer wants to take a cruise outside the caribbean, they will find few CCL options, and now loyalty program to keep people with a Carnival Corp ship in another line. Carnival has to lose business to Norwegian and RCL to this. Right now, if I want to take an Alaskan cruise that goes the whole way to Anchorage, there is nothing to keep me on a HAL or Princess ship over a Norwegian, RCL, or Celebrity ship.

 

The other thing is how long it takes to earn ANY decent benefits. If you are below platinum, all you get is past guest pricing, a free brunch drink, and the past guest party if you are gold. Meanwhile, you suddenly get to platinum and are showered with benefits, with priority everything, free laundry service, and the like. It seems to me there needs to be something between the gold and platinum levels. Once I get to gold and get my free drink party with each voyage, I will need to take 7 more weeklong voyages before I get any additional benefits, more than it took to get to gold in the first place. As a not rich person that does not live near a cruise port, that does not motivate me to stay with Carnival much as that level is then at least the better part of a decade away, and with few benefits coming from gold, I might just decide to head to competing lines (especially, as mentioned above, they offer more interesting itineraries to me).

[pe4all]

Once I get to gold and get my free drink party with each voyage, I will need to take 7 more weeklong voyages before I get any additional benefits, more than it took to get to gold in the first place. As a not rich person that does not live near a cruise port, that does not motivate me to stay with Carnival much as that level is then at least the better part of a decade away, and with few benefits coming from gold, I might just decide to head to competing lines (especially, as mentioned above, they offer more interesting itineraries to me).

And it will take 17 more week-long cruises on CCL to get from Platinum to Diamond! Crazy point spread there! (75-200)

[Captain Carnival]

Perhaps these Levels may "level" things off....?

 

Blue 1st sailing

 

Red 2-24

 

Gold 25-74

 

Platinum 75-99

 

Tanzanite 100-149

 

Emerald 150-199

 

Diamond 200+

[FSRoberts]

And it will take 17 more week-long cruises on CCL to get from Platinum to Diamond! Crazy point spread there! (75-200)

 

True, but that one doesn't irritate me as much as there is a much smaller gulf between what a platinum and a diamond gets versus what a gold gets and a platinum gets.

 

I feel like it would make more sense to have "platinum" at 100 days, but something at 50 days between the current gold and platinum. Maybe red for second cruise through 24 days, "silver" for 25-49 days (with current gold benefits), a new "Gold" for 50-99 days with 1-2 bags of free laundry, a few free drinks, and priority ship boarding behind higher status and FTTF (but no priority tender boarding), and 100-199 and 200+ the current Platinum and Diamond (maybe sweetened up a little with discount excursions/spa treatments or something).

[John F]

We will be reaching the Diamond level on our next cruise on the Breeze (12/06/14). We just got off the Freedom last Sunday and that was our 25th cruise with Carnival. We got the white card with Milestone on it had many crew members acknowledge it. I wish Carnival would make up a nice Diamond level pin. We have a terrific looking pin from RCCL for our Diamond Plus status. Anyway, we enjoy cruising with Carnival (great prices) and also a lot of the other cruise lines. We are very lucky and enjoy our days at sea on any ship!! John & Priscilla :) :)

[tkportersat]

Well, that is a personal thing really. I don't see how that is any different than some that can afford only an inside vs. a suite. I was a single mom for years and when I traveled we mostly booked inside or occasionally an oceanview. We only traveled twice in two different rooms after I remarried and could afford to and when my children were minors and not paying for anything. If they travel now at 22 & 20 and get their own room than yes they should get the credit because I wouldn't be paying for it.

 

 

I do understand your point but what about those of us who have kids and couldn't afford to pay for two rooms? What about those of us who now cruise without the kids because we are paying for their college etc? Why should we be penalized and to me, that's what you are suggesting as now your kids are getting credit.

 

The ONLY issue I see with opening it up to people booking more than one room and giving them more points for doing so is that as someone mentioned there would be no way to regulate someone who decides to book say 3 rooms of friends on one card rather than actual families.

 

I would think that maybe the best compromise would be to award people who spend money on the ship. Say 1 point per 100 or 1 point after the first 200 spend and 1 additional point after that. Limit it to only excursions and Fun shops and for the family possibly $$ spent in the Arcade... I say this because lets face it, its easy to get a 1000+ on your sign and sail if you are in party mode lol.

 

 

So Whiskey, because I don't do excursions or get photos, but I spend a fortune in the casino and buy drinks, I should be penalized? No way!