Should Carnival Have 6 Tiers in the VIFP Club?

[gupebreedr]

I think they could also collapse the structure and remove a level.

Good point, not to mention they could discontinue the program totally......

[jimbo5544]

FYI you cant buy a decent drink for $9.00 on ccL. So u either get a beer or you pay additional for a real drink and additional bar tip. Glass of wine just house wine is over $10.00

 

 

Wrong on all counts, but let's no inject facts into the discussion.

[jimbo5544]

The Australian man with the hats doesn't cruise Carnival boats anymore?

 

 

I am pretty sure he does.....regularly. Saw him in January and he was still cruising.

[MrMileStoner]

The Australian man with the hats doesn't cruise Carnival boats anymore?

 

He does. I think there was a disconnection somewhere.

[StaceySteveDMB]

I was speaking with my wife last night about this and decided, that if they added a level between Gold and Platinum at say 50 days, they would most likely then increase the number of days it takes to get to Platinum to 90 or 100. It could have its benefits but also its drawbacks.

[Cruisin 4 Ever]

I bet if "Golds" could vote.......90% would rather have that $9 dollar ticket for a free drink at any bar on the ship; than go to a party.

 

That is a nice gift.

 

I"m gold and I don't think it's a nice gift. We had the free drink as a gift and it was taken away for a bottle of water. Then the party was taken away and we were given a free drink. So really, we get a bottle of water instead of the party. And, not everyone went to the party just to get a free drink. I loved the video where they showed all the ships and you cheer when you see ships you've been on, that was fun.

[Tomazing]

Seeing as cruise critic is likely the largest consortium of cruisers on the Web.... We should take the lead... Instead of all this discussion about the negatives, lets try to be proactive and recommend changes to Carnival. We should all contribute to what we feel is an important part of cruising. Within reason we should create a list of what is important and what is not important and give it to carnival. At least then we can say we did something other then talking about something. Actions speak louder then words....

 

 

I for one would love to see this as a tier structure:

 

Blue: First Cruise-20 days cruising

 

Red: 21 days-50 days cruising

 

Gold: 51 days-100 days cruising

 

Platnium: 101 days-250 days

 

Diamond: 251 days +

 

Now I know I have increased certain groups but you must understand, the bigger the group the better the perks. For perks I would like to see the following things done:

 

Blue: same as now

 

Red: One free drink after 5pm last sea day

 

Gold: Red's benefits, pin, Welcome letter in state room, Free picture of choice from cruise, choclate strawberrys on 5 day + cruise

 

Plat: Golds Benefits, VIP party, seaday brunch drink, B1G1 casino tourney, Priority check in line and debarkation, Priority reservations at restaurants, wash and fold, 2 bags.

 

Diamond: As it stands now.

 

I feel that Plat has too much as it stands right now, while gold is severly lacking.

 

 

ANd before I get flamed, im not even gold (i have only been on one cruise).

[luckycruzer]

According to the Carnival website, there is...

 

Blue: First Sailing

Red: Second Sailing - 24 Points

Gold: 25 Points - 74 Points

Platinum: 75 Points - 199 Points

Diamond: 200+ Points

 

I don't think "Double Diamond" is official to Carnival, I think it's just something people do on their own. Correct me if I'm wrong anyone!

 

 

Diamond..since the inception 3 yrs ago.....just finished with 400 days last week....and have 29 more booked thru November.....I will still be a Regular Diamond....till a new tier is official.

[tropicaledrink]

I agree with Tomazing on the comment that it seems as though Platinum is loaded with benefits, and Gold keeps getting shafted. I've been Gold for 5 years now (before they even went to this new structure), and even after this month's cruise on the Pride, I will STILL be 25 days out from Platinum. That means I've done 43 days in 5 years, which averages out to 8.6 days per year. That's more than one cruise per year on average.

 

I like the free drink. I don't like the restrictions on it. I'll miss the party - I actually enjoyed going and clapping for the ships I had been on and seeing how many days those crazy Diamonds had been on. For someone who has been Gold for 5 years, and at least another 2-3 years until Platinum, it feels like a slap in the face. We felt appreciated by Carnival at the party. A free drink just doesn't quite convey the same message, in my opinion.

 

I looked at RCI's structure last night, and there benefits are a million times better. Granted, for the times we can travel, they are generally much more expensive (on average - $500 more per cruise total during the months we can travel, which is admittedly pretty limited at this point since DH is a student). I've always price checked. Carnival has always been the better value and we've been happy.

 

I'd like to see to see Carnival adopt a 5th tier. Not sure on the name? But something to where it feels like moving up is actually attainable in a 5 year or so time span.

[sandij]

I've offered to exchange my party invite for a drink ticket, get it and take it to my balcony for some peace and quiet. That's cruising at it's best/

[bruadhin]

I"m gold and I don't think it's a nice gift. We had the free drink as a gift and it was taken away for a bottle of water. Then the party was taken away and we were given a free drink. So really, we get a bottle of water instead of the party. And, not everyone went to the party just to get a free drink. I loved the video where they showed all the ships and you cheer when you see ships you've been on, that was fun.

 

That is my thing. I would like to have attended one. Sure, free drinks are nice, but it would just be interesting to have attended one. Quite frankly since it has come out, Carnival has removed everything from the tier I was currently in and moved it to a higher one.

[Rottweiler Puppy]

dbl post

Edited May 7, 2015 by Rottweiler Puppy

[Gryffindor55]

I am pretty sure he does.....regularly. Saw him in January and he was still cruising.

 

Good to know. Jimbo do you know what benefits he gets as a Double Diamond Elite?

[Rottweiler Puppy]

I bet if "Golds" could vote.......90% would rather have that $9 dollar ticket for a free drink at any bar on the ship; than go to a party.

 

That is a nice gift.

 

Are you Gold? What level are you?

[jimbo5544]

Good to know. Jimbo do you know what benefits he gets as a Double Diamond Elite?

 

 

I can only hope I can get there...... Maybe a funny hat will help?

[Rottweiler Puppy]

The Australian man with the hats doesn't cruise Carnival boats anymore?

 

I saw him on NCL last November

[bruadhin]

Something that hasn't been mentioned.

 

I really feel sorry for guest services and the people at the party for the next few months. Most people don't have a clue this has happened, they aren't on here and they aren't following John. There are going to be a lot of Gold members that find out when they don't get their invite and some of them certainly are going to crash the party or go down to guest services and complain.

 

That may well be where the rubber meets the road on the change.

[Rottweiler Puppy]

So it's a coupon for $9 off your drink?

 

Basically. Its not a drink but a discount on one. Well you could get a bottle of beer.

 

Its like taking business clients out to dinner to make an impression but making them order off the kids menu.

[LCTXcruiser]

I bet if "Golds" could vote.......90% would rather have that $9 dollar ticket for a free drink at any bar on the ship; than go to a party.

 

That is a nice gift.

 

I'll take the drink. Keep the unappetizing canapés and watered down whatever that is served at the party :)

[Gardeneroflove]

On Disney, all past guest receive a gift in the cabin when they arrive for thier second cruise. We recieved a nice blue backpack, some chip and dale snakes, a key chain and I think maybe a water, I'm not sure (the gifts change however often). It was exciting and yes, it was something I was looking forward to, but of course NOT the reason I choose to sail with them again. They also send you a post card/frame of ship.

 

We attended past guest parties before they were for gold, we'll be gold on our next cruise. I like the ticket for a drink better than having to mingle and wait to get watery drinks in a crowd, esp since I'd have my 3 year old with me!

 

Now, We'll go to the bar on the last day and get a drink. Though, I normally get a drink from the bar before packing...so carnival just lost $9. :D

 

 

"Gold: Red's benefits, pin, Welcome letter in state room, Free picture of choice from cruise, choclate strawberrys on 5 day + cruise"

 

I don't want a pin or strawberries, but a free photo wouldn't cost carnival anything, that's a great idea! A post card of the ship would be cool, something for the memory book.

[BartRock]

Well, as a first-time cruiser next month, I'm going to throw in my unsolicited opinion on the tiers. I think they're great for those of you who can cruise multiple times a year and are platinum or diamond. You deserve whatever perks you get, because that's a lot of loyalty.

 

Having said that, for my family, assuming we love cruising and want to do it every year, it would take us three more years just to get to gold. A party, now-gone, a free drink, a bottle of water, a pin...really? That is a pretty pathetic "reward", if you ask me and it's not nearly enough to inspire me to be loyal enough to even get to gold, let alone to continue cruising for the seven more years it would take to get to platinum.

 

So, for us, there would have to be another level between gold and platinum and they'd have to do a heckuva lot better than what they're doing now for us to be loyal to one cruiseline. That doesn't mean we won't continue to cruise Carnival, but the "rewards" won't be the reason we do.

[jimbo5544]

Well, as a first-time cruiser next month, I'm going to throw in my unsolicited opinion on the tiers. I think they're great for those of you who can cruise multiple times a year and are platinum or diamond. You deserve whatever perks you get, because that's a lot of loyalty.

 

Having said that, for my family, assuming we love cruising and want to do it every year, it would take us three more years just to get to gold. A party, now-gone, a free drink, a bottle of water, a pin...really? That is a pretty pathetic "reward", if you ask me and it's not nearly enough to inspire me to be loyal enough to even get to gold, let alone to continue cruising for the seven more years it would take to get to platinum.

 

So, for us, there would have to be another level between gold and platinum and they'd have to do a heckuva lot better than what they're doing now for us to be loyal to one cruiseline. That doesn't mean we won't continue to cruise Carnival, but the "rewards" won't be the reason we do.

 

The loyalty program is not so much an enticement to cruise but moreover a reward for cruising. Much the same way an airline program works.

 

For discussion sake, since you brought it up, what would inspire you?

[jimbo5544]

Basically. Its not a drink but a discount on one. Well you could get a bottle of beer.

 

Its like taking business clients out to dinner to make an impression but making them order off the kids menu.

 

You lost me on that analogy....:confused: Also lost on the only beer comment.

[Podna's]

Basically. Its not a drink but a discount on one. Well you could get a bottle of beer.

 

Its like taking business clients out to dinner to make an impression but making them order off the kids menu.

 

I saw you mentioned this on another thread also. Couldn't be further from the truth. The majority of drinks Carnival offers are under $9. I attached the current bar menu since I know you really want others to think their coupon is worthless.

 

http://www.zydecocruiser.net/Carnival-Bar-Menu/CarnivalCruiseBarMenu.htm

Edited May 7, 2015 by Podna's

[It's a Ship!!!]

FYI you cant buy a decent drink for $9.00 on ccL. So u either get a beer or you pay additional for a real drink and additional bar tip. Glass of wine just house wine is over $10.00

 

You can get plenty of decent drinks for $9. You can't get a Grey Goose Martini or the best wine, but you can get a regular martini and a house wine. Their house wines are most definitely not over $10. Most of their frozen drinks and classic cocktails are also under $9.

 

There are certainly some drinks over $9 but not the majority. Why do people feel the need to post something that is 100% false?