lol Carnival

[eponym]

Carnival is rewarding loyalty, not ability to spend.

 

and its apparently easier to skim Carnival and receive unwarranted perks for skimming. I think that is the point.

 

As a shareholder I will say that IF your sentence is true, they should just give all the cruises away since spend is not measured and has no bearing in your world.

Edited May 9, 2015 by eponym

[AngAndBoys]

and its apparently easier to skim Carnival and receive unwarranted perks for skimming. I think that is the point.

 

As a shareholder I will say that IF your sentence is true, they should just give all the cruises away since spend is not measured and has no bearing in your world.

 

I know nothing of Carnival's corporate strategies, but my guess is, they are not making money from selling cabins, but from add ons once onboard. I would guess they don't care so much about cabin type as getting you on their ships. And much like casino rewards programs, you are rewarded for giving them the opportunity to get your money, whether they actually get much of it or not. Every day onboard is potential revenue for them.

[mzloolue]

Curious why only New Orleans? If you're driving, Galveston or Houston is not that far.

 

We did Galveston once.

It was a hard drive.

That extra 220 miles makes a big difference.

 

Then the debark was horrible and we did not get to the parking lot until after 11:00. That put us too late to get back home. There was a hurricane coming in and finding a hotel was hard.

 

Oddly, New Orleans and Mobile are the same distance, but Mobile is such an easy drive that we could leave early in the morning the day of the cruise.

 

For New Orleans we always go the day before just to be safe.

[eponym]

I know nothing of Carnival's corporate strategies, but my guess is, they are not making money from selling cabins, but from add ons once onboard. I would guess they don't care so much about cabin type as getting you on their ships. And much like casino rewards programs, you are rewarded for giving them the opportunity to get your money, whether they actually get much of it or not. Every day onboard is potential revenue for them.

 

Only if you spend. Cabins, booze, soda, treats, trinkets, artwork, jewelry, shops, excursions, etc... is all revenue.

Edited May 9, 2015 by eponym

[AngAndBoys]

We did Galveston once.

It was a hard drive.

That extra 220 miles makes a big difference.

 

Then the debark was horrible and we did not get to the parking lot until after 11:00. That put us too late to get back home. There was a hurricane coming in and finding a hotel was hard.

 

Oddly, New Orleans and Mobile are the same distance, but Mobile is such an easy drive that we could leave early in the morning the day of the cruise.

 

For New Orleans we always go the day before just to be safe.

 

Ah ok, I can see why you wouldn't want to do that again! I used to always drive to ports to save airline costs, did one harrowing all night drive from Houston to Jacksonville by myself with 3 kids asleep in the car so I couldn't even stop to go to the bathroom! I hit bad traffic and just didn't really have enough time to stop and sleep like I planned. I have not tried to drive that far again. I thought maybe you were north of here. These days I use an airline credit card to rack up miles so flying is an option, but I still prefer to just go from Galveston. So excited Dr the new ships!

[AngAndBoys]

Only if you spend. Cabins, booze, soda, treats, trinkets, artwork, jewelry, shops, excursions, etc... is all revenue.

 

Well right, they can't make you, but a majority do spend some onboard.

[mzloolue]

Well right, they can't make you, but a majority do spend some onboard.

 

I think people are more likely to fall prey to their scams when they have not cruised much.

Like the inch of fake gold, the fake watch specials, the fake bracelets and all the other crap that they lie about onboard.

 

Oh, our airport is Memphis. It is dying and still overpriced.

[eponym]

Well right, they can't make you, but a majority do spend some onboard.

 

OK, then the programs should be based on overall spends. That's the point.

[mzloolue]

OK, then the programs should be based on overall spends. That's the point.

 

Is it?

 

Apparently not to Carnival.

 

Booking cabins during high demand times at premium prices is good for Carnival, I'm sure.

 

But they also need to run those ships during the off season when prices are lower. If they did not make money during the off season they would not be running the ships, right?

 

So apparently Carnival appreciates the people who book during hurricane season and in January.

 

And they also have all those interior cabins to fill.

If everyone only booked balconies and suites, what would they do with all those interior spaces?

 

I know that some of Royal's new ships have interior balconies overlooking a park like area, but really that is a way to sell interior cabins at higher prices.

I live far from the ocean and I live in a real park like setting with real trees, flowers, grass, birds, rabbits and deer .

If the cabin overlooks a fake park, then I might as well be in a windowless cabin, you know?

Edited May 10, 2015 by mzloolue

[eponym]

Is it?

Apparently not to Carnival.

 

Perhaps. Or maybe it is just in transition.

 

I didn't have time to read through the rest of your post tonight, but will look at more of it tomorrow.

[elliair]

The new drink coupons for Gold are only on the LAST day, and AFTER 5pm. Can someone shed some light behind this logic, besides a lot of people being in their cabins packing and doing last minute things before debarkation, and with their minds somewhere else besides redeeming a free drink coupon?

 

IMHO, I think that Carnival is betting that most people won't use the coupon thus cutting down on costs. Whenever I'm told to cash in something "free" between certain times, I have a tendency to feel it isn't worth my effort to haul myself down to some obscure lounge to cash in my coupon for a watered down drink. I can only recall one time using a free drink coupon and gave the others away.

[elliair]

I think people are more likely to fall prey to their scams when they have not cruised much.

Like the inch of fake gold, the fake watch specials, the fake bracelets and all the other crap that they lie about onboard.

 

Oh, our airport is Memphis. It is dying and still overpriced.

 

That's true about unexperienced cruisers. The newbies get S&S shock when they see their final print out. We met one couple who spent too much the first 3 days, that they couldn't afford to have a good time the rest of the 4 days of the cruise. I think newbies get onboard and are caught up on the sales pitches and all the merchandise, that they lose all sense of controlling their spending. No one is making them hand over their S&S, they let their feelings control them. If one plans to become a frequent cruiser, you learn fast the first cruise.

[AngAndBoys]

OK, then the programs should be based on overall spends. That's the point.

 

No, it is not the point. I don't know if you are not hearing what I'm saying or just disagree. Basing rewards on spending level rewards ability to spend, not loyalty. I am not even saying that's a bad thing, I'm saying I think Carnival is rewarding people who choose them over and over without regard to their spending level. It's 6 of one, 1/2 dozen of the other. If they reward based on spending, people who cruise a lot but don't have a lot of extra money for suites and drinks, pictures etc would then be upset about those able to "buy" their perks. If you want rewards based on spending, the casino is the place to go. They will give you hella better than a few free drinks!

[AngAndBoys]

That's true about unexperienced cruisers. The newbies get S&S shock when they see their final print out. We met one couple who spent too much the first 3 days, that they couldn't afford to have a good time the rest of the 4 days of the cruise. I think newbies get onboard and are caught up on the sales pitches and all the merchandise, that they lose all sense of controlling their spending. No one is making them hand over their S&S, they let their feelings control them. If one plans to become a frequent cruiser, you learn fast the first cruise.

 

Oh this made me smile. On my first cruise I almost fainted when the bill showed up under the door the last night! We bought ALL the pictures, babysitting, drinks, souvenirs, I have 2 of those stupid inch of gold bracelets from that trip that I never wear for shame! One thing they had then that they don't now is the henna tattoos. I did like those because you could get a cool design that would be there after the cruise because it wouldn't tan. That was kinda cool.

 

These days, I still spend in the casino and bars, but that's pretty much it.

[eponym]

No, it is not the point. I don't know if you are not hearing what I'm saying or just disagree. Basing rewards on spending level rewards ability to spend, not loyalty.

 

No. It's clear. I disagree. It should be willingness to spend (that means actual spend for the purposes of loyalty programs) not ability to spend and here is why:

 

This discussion is within the context of vacations and corporation that soley exists for the purposes of travel, vacation and hospitality, not any essential life or survival purposes or services such as housing, energy, medicine, etc...

 

If customers frequently only buy inside cabins and have no other spend, then the actual amount of their carriage spend is accumulated (like everyone else's carriage and on board spends are) and is applied to a loyalty chart. Pretty straight forward.

 

I don't think it's whatever the 6 and half one dozen or another means.

 

The company is in business to make money, not make you or I happy.

Edited May 10, 2015 by eponym

[eponym]

Oh this made me smile...

 

These days, I still spend in the casino and bars, but that's pretty much it.

 

Yes, and that is part of actual spend, and should be the primary consideration for future perks and loyalty offerings almost identical to credit cards, shopping and almost all other economic basis.

 

Carnival has certainly been unique in the past with their programs in that regard.

Edited May 10, 2015 by eponym

[KevInPitt]

No. It's clear. I disagree. It should be willingness to spend (that means actual spend for the purposes of loyalty programs) not ability to spend and here is why:

 

This discussion is within the context of vacations and corporation that soley exists for the purposes of travel, vacation and hospitality, not any essential life or survival purposes or services such as housing, energy, medicine, etc...

 

If customers frequently only buy inside cabins and have no other spend, then the actual amount of their carriage spend is accumulated (like everyone else's carriage and on board spends are) and is applied to a loyalty chart. Pretty straight forward.

 

I don't think it's whatever the 6 and half one dozen or another means.

 

The company is in business to make money, not make you or I happy.

 

 

You're still equating "spend" with "loyalty". They are two very different things. A guest who repeatedly returns to cruise in an inside cabin is equally as loyal as the guest who repeatedly returns to cruise in a suite.

 

The VIFP program is a loyalty program, not a cash-back program.

 

You clearly disagree (which is your privilege). Many others don't.

[eponym]

You're still equating "spend" with "loyalty". They are two very different things. A guest who repeatedly returns to cruise in an inside cabin is equally as loyal as the guest who repeatedly returns to cruise in a suite.

 

The VIFP program is a loyalty program, not a cash-back program.

 

You clearly disagree (which is your privilege). Many others don't.

 

The ones who don't spend overall won't agree, and that may be many on Carnival or it may not.

 

Hmm. I never indicated it should be a cash back program. Point accumulation program yes, and it is. I differ on how points should be accrued. Label it however you want, it is loyalty based point accumulation.

 

I found this article helpful. My firm uses big data in our decisions, and our client business recommendations. Carnival clearly has access to big data, and now sounds like they will start leveraging that more in the future (and claim they haven't been too much).

 

http://blogs.wsj.com/cio/2015/04/30/carnival-strategy-chief-bets-that-big-data-will-optimize-prices/?mod=yahoo_hs

 

As a previous poster added the casino is measured too. I add that it is actual play through, which is a form (measured willingess) to spend too, and is additive into the equation and resulting perks/loyalty benefits chart.

Edited May 10, 2015 by eponym

[winddawn]

The ones who don't spend overall won't agree, and that may be many on Carnival or it may not.

 

Hmm. I never indicated it should be a cash back program. Point accumulation program yes, and it is. I differ on how points should be accrued. Label it however you want, it is loyalty based point accumulation.

 

I found this article helpful. My firm uses big data in our decisions, and our client business recommendations. Carnival clearly has access to big data, and now sounds like they will start leveraging that more in the future (and claim they haven't been too much).

 

http://blogs.wsj.com/cio/2015/04/30/carnival-strategy-chief-bets-that-big-data-will-optimize-prices/?mod=yahoo_hs

 

As a previous poster added the casino is measured too. I add that it is actual play through, which is a form (measured willingess) to spend too, and is additive into the equation and resulting perks/loyalty benefits chart.

 

Gee, that article looks familiar. ;);) Didn't I just post that a few minutes ago on another thread? LOL!

 

I think Carnival's use of data analytics does explain its recent behavior. On the surface, Carnival's way of offering free cruises seems schizophrenic with no apparent rhyme or reason. But in understanding how Carnival really arrives at that decision, it makes perfect sense. And loyalty is only one tiny piece of the puzzle in the decision, and that minute detail is in no way tied to Carnival's advertised VIFP program IMO.

[eponym]

Gee, that article looks familiar. ;);) Didn't I just post that a few minutes ago on another thread? LOL!

 

I think Carnival's use of data analytics does explain its recent behavior. On the surface, Carnival's way of offering free cruises seems schizophrenic with no apparent rhyme or reason. But in understanding how Carnival really arrives at that decision, it makes perfect sense. And loyalty is only one tiny piece of the puzzle in the decision, and that minute detail is in no way tied to Carnival's advertised VIFP program IMO.

 

 

You did post it up on the board, and I took the time to thank you. LOL!

 

I don't know about free cruise programs, except to say some of them are tied to actual spend through at their casino's.

 

It MAY have been without the use of big data, but won't likely be.

Edited May 10, 2015 by eponym

[AngAndBoys]

No. It's clear. I disagree. It should be willingness to spend (that means actual spend for the purposes of loyalty programs) not ability to spend and here is why:

 

This discussion is within the context of vacations and corporation that soley exists for the purposes of travel, vacation and hospitality, not any essential life or survival purposes or services such as housing, energy, medicine, etc...

 

If customers frequently only buy inside cabins and have no other spend, then the actual amount of their carriage spend is accumulated (like everyone else's carriage and on board spends are) and is applied to a loyalty chart. Pretty straight forward.

 

I don't think it's whatever the 6 and half one dozen or another means.

 

The company is in business to make money, not make you or I happy.

E,

Yup, we have to agree to disagree. KevinPit summed up what I've been saying. A couple of things, you differentiate vacation dollars from living expenses. Even those who can afford to vacation can't necessarily afford a top of the line cabin, so it's still not really a choice.

 

The other thing you're forgetting is this. I have 5 cruises booked this year, 6 if you consider I purchased 2 cabins for 1 of them. 3 4 day and 2 7 day. 1 inside, 3 OV, 2 balconies. I brought 1 person in January who would not have gone otherwise, 4 who had never cruised before in April (and spent like newbies do!), I've got 4 more coming with me in June, including my mother who generally prefers Princess, and my kids plus a friend, for a total of 3 balcony cabins booked. The kids won't generate much as they don't even like soda, but they will have money and shop in the fun shops, at least $100 each. July is me and only me unless I can think of someone I can tolerate in close quarters for 7 days :D October, bringing 3 more people I took on their first cruise last year and they invited 2 more, all heavy drinkers/gamblers. I spend more than the cruise fare in the casino every trip.

 

So, my suite sailing friend, you gonna generate that much revenue for Carnival with your planned sailings this year? I think I'm going to write Carnival and see if they'll hire me as a cruise recruiter.:D

[bruadhin]

We did Galveston once.

It was a hard drive.

That extra 220 miles makes a big difference.

 

Then the debark was horrible and we did not get to the parking lot until after 11:00. That put us too late to get back home. There was a hurricane coming in and finding a hotel was hard.

 

Oddly, New Orleans and Mobile are the same distance, but Mobile is such an easy drive that we could leave early in the morning the day of the cruise.

 

For New Orleans we always go the day before just to be safe.

 

We are fellow Memphians, and we are headed to Miami right after the half day of school.

 

Yes, it isn't going to be a fun drive, but we'll manage it. I do agree with your earlier comment, fares are much too high at the airport here, particularly considering all the flights we have lost and losing the Delta hub.

 

I find it interesting you consider the drive to New Orleans hard. Other than the roads being in worse shape, I found it easier than driving to Knoxville. Fewer trucks and hills, great for cruise control.

 

We have friends in Houston and it does seem there really isn't a great route to get there. Hopefully I-69 moves along and improves that.