VIFP Club Benefits Change(email from Carnival)

[FlorenceItaly]

I received a Carnival VIFP Conneciton Newsletter this morning also, 2 actually for some reason, but I do not see any mention of this change in this email. We also are platinum.

 

It is at the very bottom on the email.

[riffatsea]

We didn't get an e mail but perhaps that is because we booked with our niece who is a TA. We have always used the coupon easily so will miss it.

We don't drag water on board as we really travel light.

We'll certainly use the bottled water but having the drink coupon was more festive!! Oh well!:rolleyes:

[firemanbobswife]

I got the email too. If they were doing this truly in response to the feedback received regarding when and where it could be redeemed, they should lift the restriction. Oh, and from the sounds of it, only Platinum people must attend breakfast/brunch, huh? Because they still get their free drink at those times. Lame. Just lame.

[kelkel2]

I would prefer the drink coupon, but would like to use it at any time not just at brunch when it's utter chaos with the entire ship trying to do the same thing.

The bottled water, eh I'm sure we will use it since it's there but we cold live without it too. We have never been compelled to bring water on the ship and have always just brought our own bottles and filled them with ice water on the lido.

[RTRMom]

We never got the email. But....The Carnival website won't allow me to select the "yes" for emails. Seems like a glitch, as I also tried to update an email address on one of the accounts. Wouldn't save the information.

[Niquein99]

I just got the email and I'm Gold. So instead of allowing us to use the coupon anywhere, Carnival takes it away and gives me water. :eek: LAME.

[Cruise, J.D.]

They used the same reasoning (and method) to cancel the Fun Farewell party. It doesn't bother me too much as I will use the water, but I'd still prefer the free drink.

[capcutie2002]

Annoying! I just went from a $9 drink to a $5 bottle of water. I like going to breakfast and brunch and enjoyed getting a drink there. I will use the bottle of water coupon but would rather have the drink.

[Kd_chocolate]

I'm only Red and saw it in the newsletter this morning too. Nice how they just tucked it at the very bottom of the newsletter...I may have missed that if I hadn't seen this post! I'll miss the free drink because we do make the brunch just for the free drink...lol! Oh well!

[cruizinisthebest]

They should have changed the chart for the VIFP benefits before they did this. I haven't got the email but just looked and the chart is still the same.

 

Seems like more work on the room stewards. Now they have to dole out bottles of water and still make sure rooms are ready for priority members and fttf.

[Cruzlover7]

No e-mail here either. Maybe because DW & I are both platinum and not affected by the change?

 

I am platinum and received the e-mail this morning. Maybe its still coming.

[Cruisegirl6]

I HATE the change! I don't want a darn bottle of water, they can keep it! I get the Cheers Program I can always get a glass of soda water when I want it, a bottle of water is a slap in the face, the drink was a nice touch and now its gone!

 

Why does Carnival always do things to disappoint, I mean every time they make a change its not for the better, its always to do something cheaper or take away totally?

 

The only reason I choose Carnival now is for the premier/casino offers if I don't have them you be sure I jump on a RC ship...lets see...more perks for members, immediate discount on rate according to your status, no limit in the Beverage program and many choices to choose from in their beverage programs, etc. When RC does something it improves the quality most of the time, when Carnival does things its always for the cruise line and not for the passenger.

Edited January 28, 2015 by lyndamr

[l2f]

I agree this is lame. Just make the free drink coupon available anytime, any bar on the ship.

[maggieworkman]

John Heald just announced it on Facebook.

 

Maggie

[Qchell]

Disappointed here too. The Sea Day Brunch is actually one of the meals that we really enjoy and look forward too. We always ensure we take our coupon and get a free drink with the meal. It made the meal that much more fun.

 

We don't do Cheers and normally do not order drinks with our meals, so for us it was a special treat.

 

The water - unless we are going on an island tour where we have to bring our own water I don't know that we would use it.

[falkcor]

meh. it's not as if the free drink was a major benefit... but to take it away and offer water instead? water?

 

in terms of the 'guests responded it was too restrictive' - then just let it be redeemed anywhere anytime as many have said since it was introduced... that's a fail.

 

for everyone saying 'well i'm platinum so it doesn't matter' - just wait until they replace the platinum 'chocolate delight' type treat with slices of white bread delivered to your stateroom. it's just tacky imo.

[bury me at sea]

Carnival continues downgrading. I have never paid for a bottle of water in my entire life, so giving me that free is SUCH a better deal than giving me one Bloidy Mary?

[markntara]

use it at any time not just at brunch when it's utter chaos

Utter Chaos?!

 

During the past 8 Cruises, I've not noticed any other person outside my group using the coupon.

I've not even experienced as much as a line.

Therefore, I appreciate the free drink coupon, use it during brunch, and have found the entire experience associated with the coupon to be enjoyable.

 

I'm a water drinker. 14 large bottles on my S/S bill from a 5 day cruise over new years week. As a Platinum guest, I gain a free bottle of water, and still keep the coupon to only be used at brunch.

 

Counting the days until I have the opportunity to use that free coupon ... In Utter Chaos!

Yeayyyyyyyyyyy!

[tropicaledrink]

Personallu, I'm irritated by this change. We ALWAYS go to the brunch and use our coupon. I don't care about the water. I mean we will use it, but come on....this is a money saving measure disguised as "what we wanted".

 

Even if they had kept the time frame, I wish that they would have given more venues.

 

Whatever. Not like it's a deal breaker for us. I just find it irritating.

[cruizinisthebest]

meh. it's not as if the free drink was a major benefit... but to take it away and offer water instead? water?

 

in terms of the 'guests responded it was too restrictive' - then just let it be redeemed anywhere anytime as many have said since it was introduced... that's a fail.

 

for everyone saying 'well i'm platinum so it doesn't matter' - just wait until they replace the platinum 'chocolate delight' type treat with slices of white bread delivered to your stateroom. it's just tacky imo.

 

Yeah those snooty comments aren't really necessary.

 

Trying to figure out if this is a real money saver or not. I would think they would have to buy more water as nobody ever purchases onboard the amount they are going to give out. On the flip, I know for sure we have blown off the sea day brunch plenty of times. I only think I've gone twice in 7 cruises.

[Dive Master]

I am Gold. Wow what a wonderful idea Carnival has come up with for their loyal cruisers-- a free bottle of water ! I am going to call my PVP right now so I don't miss out on this wonderful opportunity, NOT !

[PC Cruisin]

If they take away one of our perks for being loyal to Carnival at least replace it with a better perk than free water. I can bring that on board with me :mad:

[FSRoberts]

Carnival's loyalty program is a joke and this only makes it worse. Seriously, there is nothing that keeps a relatively new cruiser coming back. Not a single decent perk until you hit platinum.

 

The free drink coupon was nice. I don't need the bottle of water. There is free water coming out of every tap and plenty available on lido.

 

Right now, the only real benefit of being red is getting a red sign and sail card. That's it.

 

The only benefit to being gold is the gold sign and sail card, a stupid pin, and the crappy past guest party with watered down drinks that you only get if you snag a good seat.

 

Then all of the sudden, you hit 75 days at sea and get the good stuff, essentially free faster to the fun, priority everything, laundry service, and a decent free gift.

 

I still have probably 6-8 cruises (depending on length) before making platinum. That is too much with nothing to make my loyalty worth anything. From here on out, it's price and itinerary only.

 

Is particularly BS because they claim the problem is too many restrictions. While the easy solution is remove the restrictions, not changing the perk. Instead they change it to a bottle of water that they probably pay less than a quarter for wholesale. Heck, it's a 1 liter bottle. They are not even giving away the 2 liter bottles they previously sold in the room.

 

This week I'm booking a 10 day on Serenade of the Seas next January. Granted, this has nothing to do with the drink coupon, but it reinforces that I'm making the right call. Unless you rack up a ton of cruises, the loyalty program means nothing. It's no longer a consideration. It's not that I'm not going to consider Carnival, but loyalty programs are no factor anymore.

[cruiser fanatic]

I didn't get any type of email. Maybe because I am Platinum and I am not affected?? I very much support this change.

[hlb76]

I think this is a huge fail as well. Granted I did not always use my free drink coupon but it was nice to know it was there. When I did use my drink coupon it was hard getting bar service, I agree.

 

Many ways to fix this. More waitstaff at breakfast, Have a cart of pre-made drinks (they do this on the Lido all day in the hot sun) or lift restrictions.

 

Water does not equal a free drink to me. We never have used bottled water on board. Guess now I will feel I need to or at least dump it out so I got my perk. It might be nice to take ashore with me? We do bring our own bottles and fill on the Lido or in the room so I guess I could stop packing those?

 

Here is a question maybe even a light at the end of the tunnel? Do they allow you back aboard with an open water bottle? I know they do not allow you through on embarkation day with open bottles. If they do maybe my water will turn to wine after a day at port?? :rolleyes: