VIFP Club Benefits Change(email from Carnival)

[Cruisegirl6]

I don't drink water hate it only drink it in iced tea, lemonade or soda water...what brand water do they have on the ship?

[bubbakirk43]

crystal springs ,or some such name.Supposed to be geyser water ,wonder if it comes from old faithful in yellowstone.

[teriwinkle]

I think that's terrible! We really appreciated using our drink coupons on our recent cruise. They keep taking away and taking away......

[ccruisequeen]

You can bring a case of water on board. So a free one is lame. the drink you technically can not bring on board.

 

I'd rather have free water on board than lug it on with my carry on

 

 

I still cruise for warm chocolate melting cake (with two sugar free vanilla ice creams)

[Pixelate]

I'd rather have free water on board than lug it on with my carry on

 

One bottle of free water lasts you an entire cruise resulting in you no longer needing to bring a case?

Edited January 29, 2015 by Pixelate

[sanmarcosman]

wonder if it comes from old faithful in yellowstone.

 

No, it does not.

[teriwinkle]

I think most people's issues with this - including mine - are the fact that Carnival has taken what we the customer said that needed improving, and twisted it all around making it the total opposite of what was intended.

 

So instead of lifting the restriction (which was the complaint), they did away with the whole perk for many, but not all, and still left that same restriction in place for the few that still receive the benefit. All the while saying that's what we wanted. Well I say that's horse crap! We didn't ask for water, we asked to use the coupon anywhere on the ship.

 

They must be using that Common Core sense of reasoning to come to this conclusion as it makes absolutely no sense to me!

I love your "Common Core" analogy! Bravo! (I am a teacher by the way, who would love nothing more than to see Common Core go the way of the dinosaur, and also get my Carnival Drink Coupon reinstated!)

[teriwinkle]

My kids are gold and they looked forward to a shirley temple or virgin smoothie at the brunch. :( I am sure you could have used coupon at brunch to get a bottle of water.

I still see the smiles on my grandchildren's faces when they got their "virgin daiquiris" with their coupons at brunch! Priceless--I'll just have to pay for it the next time. Sigh. Water? We don't pay for water......What a scam.

[fourkittys]

 

CHEAPSKATES!!!! Just another cost cutting ploy!

[Cruisegirl6]

Another reason why I going to book my next two cruise on RC so I become Emerald there and nothing is ever taken away but more are given!

[lappy22]

Another reason why I going to book my next two cruise on RC so I become Emerald there and nothing is ever taken away but more are given!

 

 

So if this is not the first and only reason, which would be crazy, what is the other reason?

 

 

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[TheTravelista]

Another reason why I going to book my next two cruise on RC so I become Emerald there and nothing is ever taken away but more are given!

 

LOL

 

This simply isn't true. RCI has had its fair share of cutting/changing things from their loyalty program over the years.

 

I cruise both so I have no dog in this fight but its only right to be fair.

[capcutie2002]

I wonder how many people will start drinking the mini bar water thinking it is free. It's the same size bottle that sits on the serving tray now. Then they'll get charged and complain to guest services. This whole water thing is just a mess. I feel bad for the room stewards for having to deal with getting them in the right rooms as well.

[Cruisegirl6]

My benefits have always remained the same on RC, I am currently still Platinum but after my next two cruises I go to Emerald. The only changes RC has done to their program called the "crown and anchor" was the concierge lounge will be for suite passengers, Diamond Plus might of been kicked out of the Crown Lounge (but this didn't really matter because there are two lounges one for Diamond the other for Concierge and they offer the same amenities, RC did this because the lounge was getting crowded and ADDED another lounge) and there was a new level added between Diamond and Pinnacle.

Carnival's red only offers water, gold which is 25-74 points only gets water and VIFP party...On RC Platinum which is 30-54 points gets onboard booking bonuses usually a booklet of coupons for discounts on the ship such as drinks, bottle wine, specialty dining, souvenirs, casino credit etc., you also get a welcome back party, priority check in, private lounge with continental breakfast, robes in cabin and you get $100 off the price of the stateroom....for Emerald which is 55-79 points you get the same as platinum but you also get a welcome gift/amenity such as a tote bag or whatever they give out changes each year and a choice of drink I am unsure how much off on the cruise you get I believe something like $150.

 

Now, do you feel that Carnival is in competition no way not even close!

 

Lappy22- I am tired of Carnival always diminishing things for instance they are the only cruise line on their everyday menu that offers flat iron steak which is less costly than RC daily offering of Strip Steak...for those who will argue with me flat iron steak is tough....calories on a 252 gram flat iron steak are 345 more fat than the strip which is 250 and total fat on flat iron for that same size of meat is 15.6 g compared to the strip being 6g.

 

What I am saying is that Carnivals cutbacks are more drastic than other cruise lines cutbacks just tired of it, this is the reason why I will book RC on my next cruises...maybe Princess also I am Ruby there. :roll eyes:

Edited January 29, 2015 by lyndamr

[mzloolue]

crystal springs ,or some such name.Supposed to be geyser water ,wonder if it comes from old faithful in yellowstone.

 

It comes from Big Lots.

[LTS1960]

crystal springs ,or some such name.Supposed to be geyser water ,wonder if it comes from old faithful in yellowstone.

 

 

Bottled water comes from a factory tap! Not a geyser, seriously? Old faithful water is full of sulphur, you would not want to drink it. I am so tired of the bottled water crap, it all comes from a tap. Get a filter and make your own purified water and help save the planet. I lived in Hawaii for 3 yrs and the number of plastic bottles washing up on the shore was disgusting, just think how many plastic bottles are floating out there in the ocean.

 

 

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[Pixelate]

Bottled water comes from a factory tap! Not a geyser, seriously? Old faithful water is full of sulphur, you would not want to drink it. I am so tired of the bottled water crap, it all comes from a tap. Get a filter and make your own purified water and help save the planet. I lived in Hawaii for 3 yrs and the number of plastic bottles washing up on the shore was disgusting, just think how many plastic bottles are floating out there in the ocean.

 

Edited.

Edited January 31, 2015 by Pixelate

[LTS1960]

Edited.

 

 

.? Edited, what does that mean?

 

 

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Edited January 31, 2015 by LTS1960

[Budget Queen]

Another reason why I going to book my next two cruise on RC so I become Emerald there and nothing is ever taken away but more are given!

 

You've made several references to your loyalty statuses with a statement I seem to recall, you have sailed over 50 times? It's surprising you aren't higher than gold or emerald?

 

Do you have status with another line you sail?

[put me on a ship]

Actually no loyalty program on any cruise line encourages my loyalty. I don't want to be loyal to any line. I like variety when I cruise and I pick the ship that meets my wants and needs at that time. I wonder how many cruisers are like me? I cruise a ship for multiple reasons...none of which include the loyalty perks which are usually minimal on any line compared to what you pay to cruise. I think it is great that they offer them, but I don't expect them to give me a certain amount of perks and I don't really care if they change them....they are free perks, nice to get but don't really matter in the grand scheme of my vacation. In my opinion some are just blowing this whole thing way out of proportion. It's a couple dollars, smh...I don't get the big deal that some are trying to make it.

 

Hey, we're like you! All that matters to us is being on a ship and relaxing. With that said, Carnival is no longer our first choice when looking at cruises, in fact, they are pretty much our last choice now. And that has nothing to do with a free drink vs a bottle of water, but has a lot to do with other cutbacks, the 2.0 downgrades, and overall experience. There are other cruise lines that are comparable in price, but we are willing to pay extra for a great experience!

 

And our platinum perks with Carnival aren't nearly enough to keep us loyal to them!

Edited January 31, 2015 by put me on a ship

[rtap23]

You couldn't of said it better. We have sailed mostly on Carnival but am no way loyal to them as they are a business. We cruise for the ports, or price or ship or a combination of all three. Not for one free drink at brunch! We spend much on tasty adult beverages every cruise and am looking forward to our cruise next month and not have to bring our 2 bottles (no not a 24 pack like some passengers we have seen) of water in our carry on.

 

 

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Completely agree with you and warm breezes. I refuse to have to carry anything aboard on my vacation when I can just purchase it on board. It might be more expensive but I think if anyone is paying for a cruise they can afford to buy the water.

 

 

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[talliana]

I hope you are kidding. We enjoyed getting a free drink at the brunch on Sea days. I've seen people use their coupons on the day we disembark and have a nice send off for themselves. Really I don't need water, I can get that anywhere for myself. It was nice to get a free item that we actually enjoyed getting in our stateroom when we came aboard.

[talliana]

You can buy any drink with the coupon not just alcoholic ones. The kids get a soda, shakes or smoothies and I usually get a virgin pina colada while my husband gets to buy his usual drinks. It is not the cost of the free drink it was the thought that it was like getting a real gift for returning to the cruise line when we could have chosen another.

[Pixelate]

You can buy any drink with the coupon not just alcoholic ones. The kids get a soda, shakes or smoothies and I usually get a virgin pina colada while my husband gets to buy his usual drinks. It is not the cost of the free drink it was the thought that it was like getting a real gift for returning to the cruise line when we could have chosen another.

 

You could even purchase a 1L bottle of water with it!

[rtap23]

You can buy any drink with the coupon not just alcoholic ones. The kids get a soda, shakes or smoothies and I usually get a virgin pina colada while my husband gets to buy his usual drinks. It is not the cost of the free drink it was the thought that it was like getting a real gift for returning to the cruise line when we could have chosen another.

 

 

I guess I'm not that type of person that needs something free to feel special. Sorry it is just my own opinion.

 

 

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