Should Carnival Have 6 Tiers in the VIFP Club?

[nokidz]

I am gold on Disney, almost on Carnival. I do not cruise for the perks. A free drink coupon is better than no coupon. Of course freebies are nice and appreciated. I would rather be given a color coded lanyard, like Disney does. I would much prefer VIFP, level specific, discounts towards on ship merchandise and activities.

Just my 2 cents.

[bruadhin]

Hi..ok..I see where you are coming from...I guess I made assumption that many times it was a fail to them for cost, too many too drunk..or whatever...but that I do not now for sure...

 

Thanks..just trying to brainstorm a fix after the issues probably both known and unknown to all of us..:):).

 

Somehow there has to be a revamp and re-loyalty thing..as far as I can tell and an admission that some of those deals were pathetic...like the pack your clothes drink...LOL..sarah

 

The sad thing is, as a cost saving measure this is stepping over dollars to pick up pennies. Their labor costs more than the liquor, and we all know just how cheap their labor is for tipped crew.

 

Well liquor, which is the Fun Ship and almost all DODs are made from, is dirt cheap. Then when you consider a buyer the size of Carnival and their purchasing power, it will be insanely cheap. If they aren't buying direct from the wholesaler, it is only because of state liquor distribution laws.

 

Excluding mega casinos, where else do you make liquor deliveries in an 18 wheeler?

[jimbo5544]

Sarah - I am not trying to be mean, but among other things, I do not understand why you characterize an over attended social party as a 'failed drinking party'. It's only overattended if it's popular, and only failed if attendance is too low.

 

 

And don't pick on my new friend Sarah.........

[maldenmusic]

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.

 

We quit going to the parties years ago. Too crowded. I'd rather have the free drink coupon.

[uncleg]

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, i only went to party for free drinks. There goes my cheap champagne...guess I will have to go to start going to the art sales. LOL

[luckycruzer]

Here's how I'd set up the VIFP loyalty program. Feel free to comment as you wish.

 

Blue

First cruise.

Perks:

* "Welcome to Carnival" postcard, printed on regular thick paper

 

Red

2 to 25 cruise days

Perks:

* Buy a DoD in a souvenir glass for the price of a regular glass, once per cruise

OR Coupon to use on a soda or premium coffee

 

Bronze

26 to 50 cruise days

Perks:

* Free photo 5x7 or smaller, one per cruise

* Buy a DoD in a souvenir glass for the price of a regular glass, once per cruise

OR Coupon to use on a soda or premium coffee

 

Silver

51 to 75 cruise days

Perks:

* Free photo 5x7 or smaller, one per cruise

* Coupon to use on any drink, anywhere, at any time

 

Gold

76 to 125 cruise days

Perks:

* Free photo any size, one per cruise

* Coupon to use on any drink, anywhere, at any time

* "Gold Level" pin on each sailing

* "Welcome to Gold Level" postcard, printed on nice glossy paper, first time only

 

Platinum

125 to 250 cruise days

Perks:

* Past Guest party for Platinum and Diamond

* Free drink in the MDR, once per cruise

* Priority tendering

* Priority line for guest services

* Priority MDR and specialty restaurant reservations

* Free gift at each sailing (this includes food trays)

* Free laundry service, once per cruise 6 days or longer

* Discounted Cheers package prices

 

Diamond

Over 250 cruise days

Perks:

* Past Guest party for Platinum and Diamond

* Free drink in the MDR, once per cruise

* Priority embarkation

* Priority debarkation

* Priority tendering

* Priority line for guest services

* Priority MDR and specialty restaurant reservations, over Platinum

* Free premium gift at each sailing (this includes premium food trays)

* Free laundry service, unlimited on any cruise

* Free specialty restaurant visit, one time only

* Priority 800-number

* Discounted Cheers package prices

 

 

are over 400 days get that we dont already?..

[eponym]

And don't pick on my new friend Sarah.........

 

Better you than her. Agreed.

[Sparky2]

I don't think another level is needed between Gold and Platinum but instead between Platinum and Diamond. Something like Emerald or Platinum Plus. There is only 50 days between Gold and Platinum but there is 125 days between Platinum and Diamond. I would be in favor of a level between Platinum and Diamond.

 

I agree. We are Platinum with 100 days. We received Platinum status just before the change to 75 days. After our B2B in 2013 (?) we reached Platinum status with a total of 72 days on 10 cruises.

 

We've been cruising since 2003. At that time, if I remember correctly, we received our Gold card on our 2nd cruise and were invited to the Past Guest Party. On our last B2B (Jan. 2015) on Conquest, the G/P/D party was in the main lounge and was full and many were also in the 2nd level. They really should honor the "invitation only" and that would eliminate lots of peeps from the party. Then they wouldn't have to kick out the Gold members.

 

Since we're in our low to mid 70s, we may no longer be able to cruise 100 more days to reach Diamond. I do hope we'll still be cruising 10 years from now! We now only do B2Bs (14 days total), and it will be 2022 when we reach Diamond!!! God willing!

Edited May 8, 2015 by Sparky2

[eponym]

are over 400 days get that we dont already?..

 

Well, the answer may be that the corporation wants you to sail on some of her other brands for any further recognition.

[eponym]

Recently the company began advertising as one unit (all nine lines / T least for the most part) so that is a small step in the right direction.

 

Five or six years ago Carnival hired Jim Berra awY from Starwood who was responsible for their loyalty program. Everyone (including me) had delusions of grandeur on what he would make the Carnival program into.

 

Yep. I knew it. JIMBO on hallucinogens. And a fellow stockholder I presume.

Edited May 8, 2015 by eponym

[jimbo5544]

Better you than her. Agreed.

 

 

That's fair

[jimbo5544]

Yep. I knew it. JIMBO on hallucinogens. And a fellow stockholder I presume.

 

 

Living the dream , a true believer since our first cruise back in 96

[makeda]

maybe carnival should have NO VIFP, that would settle this, won't it?

[sjn911]

The sad thing is, as a cost saving measure this is stepping over dollars to pick up pennies. Their labor costs more than the liquor, and we all know just how cheap their labor is for tipped crew.

 

Well liquor, which is the Fun Ship and almost all DODs are made from, is dirt cheap. Then when you consider a buyer the size of Carnival and their purchasing power, it will be insanely cheap. If they aren't buying direct from the wholesaler, it is only because of state liquor distribution laws.

 

Excluding mega casinos, where else do you make liquor deliveries in an 18 wheeler?

 

There is a grand lesson here in sales and economic theory...my econ class did not do too well in but I got some psych stat class..go figure..LOL....

 

Yes I have just been reading about sales in low and high margins and what will count...

 

A good value still...with honest explained change, when they have to, and not at all with total greed perks is my vote. What I don't know is if the things NCL was offering per se that were taken away or cost added to....was a too generous stance...the thing is we will never know..banks used to be honest....small community banks bearing the brunt of the mortgage scandal..it is all very very sad, I think really it is about the BIG MULTIPLE LINE CORPORATION and I am not anti good big corporate..just when bad and too much, but I am not a business math type...thanks for your comments.....Sarah

Edited May 9, 2015 by sjn911

[sjn911]

And don't pick on my new friend Sarah.........

 

Awee lol thanks Jimbo ( my dad is Jimmy when joking..LOL)...thanks E. too.

 

I want Jimbo to be right..the corporation is not too big I hope with the different lines...plenty of competition out there and happy camper situations for all..but we are all so habit oriented..one little change and any perceived kick in the teeth is SERIOUS..LOL and NOT LOL.

 

This is a speech and debate class too...have a good weekend.

[jimbo5544]

Awee lol thanks Jimbo ( my dad is Jimmy when joking..LOL)...thanks E. too.

 

I want Jimbo to be right..the corporation is not too big I hope with the different lines...plenty of competition out there and happy camper situations for all..but we are all so habit oriented..one little change and any perceived kick in the teeth is SERIOUS..LOL and NOT LOL.

 

This is a speech and debate class too...have a good weekend.

 

 

On a more serious note, this is one interesting corporation, both from a historical perspective as well as the largest cruise line company in the world. During their extremely high growth period, their vision (other than to become really big) was not exactly clear.

 

Now it is much more so? Carnival was and always is and will the value and fun proposition. The rest really have a place, where they overlap is where the shades of grey cloud the picture. The loyalty program is just a small yet complex component of this complex picture.

[PAPERBKWRITER]

They could thin the herd at the VIP party by having sea passes checked at the door. I've been to a lot of those parties and never saw anyone doing a check.

[eponym]

On a more serious note, this is one interesting corporation, both from a historical perspective as well as the largest cruise line company in the world. During their extremely high growth period, their vision (other than to become really big) was not exactly clear.

 

Now it is much more so? Carnival was and always is and will the value and fun proposition. The rest really have a place, where they overlap is where the shades of grey cloud the picture. The loyalty program is just a small yet complex component of this complex picture.

 

You musta known I was going to have to come in and bust up the lovey dovey going on between you two.

 

It is interesting to watch the company, it's history, and its behaviors over time. Sort of like people watching, but with investment money in the game. Never quite sure how things will be spun or experiemented with.

Edited May 9, 2015 by eponym

[sjn911]

On a more serious note, this is one interesting corporation, both from a historical perspective as well as the largest cruise line company in the world. During their extremely high growth period, their vision (other than to become really big) was not exactly clear.

 

Now it is much more so? Carnival was and always is and will the value and fun proposition. The rest really have a place, where they overlap is where the shades of grey cloud the picture. The loyalty program is just a small yet complex component of this complex picture.

 

Thanks for comment....it is very interesting, complex even for a economic stock/business simpleton with slight interest, focusing on other things would be nicer way to describe myself,,..,. and on a tiny scale compared to what we are all hearing about in communications tech and all that fast changing monopoly worry..makes me wonder...these little blips....a teeny sign or not of "devil may care" attitude?

 

Agreed on Carnival's Original fun ship plan...my cruise TA friend went to NCL after Carnival for the big group cruise after so many years..way before the current concept on NCL and then back to Carnival for her smaller groups.

 

Now with semi retirement almost exclusively Crystal moving up the ranks in So Cal and being single she did many families and group travel but it all settled down to cruising and finer and finer situations as she has always been single and now 71..She was from St. Louis and we met in her Oregon TA beginnings in a class on how to pick a cruise...LOL...

 

So many many many changes for the TA in the whole situation too. She earned her way big time...like you I am sure, whether you are in for just groups and family or more... Thanks for interesting conversation..being thought of as positive helped me be more so this week in harder places..thanks for that boost too.:)

Edited May 9, 2015 by sjn911

[sjn911]

You musta known I was going to have to come in and bust up the lovey dovey going on between you two.

 

It is interesting to watch the company, it's history, and its behaviors over time. Sort of like people watching, but with investment money in the game. Never quite sure how things will be spin or experiemented with.

 

Friendship, respect..much different...than lovey dovey.

 

I don't think it is wrong to study, watch, hope for the best and be a tiny part of your retirement in your industry or hobby or travel company choice...that is what my friend is..her income one thing and at 50 she fund travel and her niche to make it to 71 and hard work and hard fun...could never do people and as groups like she does...take care...sarah

[sjn911]

You musta known I was going to have to come in and bust up the lovey dovey going on between you two.

 

It is interesting to watch the company, it's history, and its behaviors over time. Sort of like people watching, but with investment money in the game. Never quite sure how things will be spin or experiemented with.

 

New acquaintance friendship, respect..much different...than lovey dovey or gamey ......

 

I don't think it is wrong to study, watch, hope for the best and be "in" with a tiny part of your retirement in your industry or hobby or travel company choice...that is what my friend is..her income one thing and at 50 she found she could travel for work ans some pleasure using her history and people skills and photographic memory and desire to travel and her niche to make it to 71 and hard work and hard fun...could never do people and as groups like she does...take care...sarah

 

PS....The 50/50 vote on the tier plan says something about confusion and frustration.

Edited May 9, 2015 by sjn911

[Out to sea!]

New acquaintance friendship, respect..much different...than lovey dovey or gamey ......

 

I don't think it is wrong to study, watch, hope for the best and be "in" with a tiny part of your retirement in your industry or hobby or travel company choice...that is what my friend is..her income one thing and at 50 she found she could travel for work ans some pleasure using her history and people skills and photographic memory and desire to travel and her niche to make it to 71 and hard work and hard fun...could never do people and as groups like she does...take care...sarah

 

PS....The 50/50 vote on the tier plan says something about confusion and frustration.

 

Well, to be truthful, there wasn't an option to get rid of the program completely. I cruise for the sake of cruising, not for the loyalty program. If I wanted to pay for a loyalty program, Carnival's would be the last thing on my mind.

[sjn911]

Well, to be truthful, there wasn't an option to get rid of the program completely. I cruise for the sake of cruising, not for the loyalty program. If I wanted to pay for a loyalty program, Carnival's would be the last thing on my mind.

 

In the 90's I watched loyalty programs a lot living in a perfect sized city.

 

Then I had a condo in said city for 7 years in 2000's.

 

As far as travel...and truly even with loyalty programs i have been more a budget on everything splurge on a few things in my mind and have or consider myself very fortunate though have done nothing compared to amount some have done here...but many of those have become friends and something to dream about or hope for...LOL....their amount of travel...yet I still feel fortunate about a lot in my life...including some very special travels....many more than many too.

 

You are right they did not leave the option and if I really could afford to aim for a loyalty program on any cruiseline..I probably would not on Carnival (except they are the closest to me in California all year) either but personally am so grateful they are out there and have saved my sanity twice on nice affordable vacations. I just have decided above anything...I like to have a decent place to be on a moving thing...used to be car, plane, train or ship...LOL as I age ship wins...

 

Thanks for your comment...sarah

 

Oh..always one more thing for me....loyalty still really matters..I don't go as deep as some here and some are just playing around but I do get the slap in the face feeling of some...many people stand by their word in impossible situations and deserve the same..really see it in a tiny micro people state with a maximum area to cross much of the time in winter.

Edited May 9, 2015 by sjn911

[luckycruzer]

Well, the answer may be that the corporation wants you to sail on some of her other brands for any further recognition.

 

 

and still do......since several years.....and have more booked as we speak....It is all about my enjoyment..from the time I leave my home, return..then repeat. Not..about the recognition, or gifties.....just keep delivering what the corp sets forth, puts it in print, and follows through..for my patronage, and dollars spent....myyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy dollars !

[eponym]

and still do......since several years.....and have more booked as we speak....It is all about my enjoyment.myyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy dollars !

 

Thats is perfect. We do too, across many brands and love every minute of it.