Why Loyalty To One Cruise Line?

[MAGNUM PI]

I am a relatively novice cruiser, with only seven Caribbean cruises experienced.

 

I will never reach diamond, platinum, or any level....

because I find no compelling reason, to stay loyal to only one cruise line. Granted, there are "perks", for attaining such levels. However, I have the curiosity to at least, "experience", multiple cruise lines-at least once. How can one possibly "know what's out there", if don't have a sense of adventure?

 

First cruise was on Celebrity; too formal, "stuffy for my liking". Next five cruises on RCCL; which I prefer. And one cruise on Carnival.

 

Our next cruise is Carnival Magic; family group of 10, some never cruised before.

 

So, I remain flexible when selecting which cruise line.

 

*** I am not questioning the mentality, of those devoted, loyal cruisers to one cruise line. I am sure there are some who love Carnival's product, to such an extent, that they have no desire to experience anything else. That is absolutely fine; their choice.

 

But I am not at that point, to exclusively book one line.

If RCCL offers me a better military discount, for example, it would tilt my selection, in their favor.

 

I thought it would be interesting, to hear WHY some loyal veteran cruisers, remain that way? I'm not challenging them in any way.

[troublemaker256]

For us "working stiffs" or at least me, location, pricing is what keeps me with Carnival. A vacation is what you make of it. Us, we just like the get away feeling and only a 3 hr drive to Galveston, so no airfare. If we do an Alaska, we will probably keep with Carnival since we are familiar with the policies.

 

 

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[poz222]

My mother eats oatmeal... EVERY DAY. She LOVES oatmeal... She knows what she is getting. She does not like to try new foods... She is happy. I make her oatmeal every morning... THat is what she likes...

 

I can't say why she is like that... She just is. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Some people go to the same beach or cabin every year for vacation, they like knowing what to expect and what they will get...

 

Everyone travels differently. They are comfortable. Some people prefer to adventure and are only happy trying new things... Different strokes for different folks... We all have that choice and do what makes us happy... Don't know if you can "quantify" why people enjoy one thing or another more than I can quantify Why my mom will only eat oatmeal for breakfast...

 

Everyone is different

[ANGELSwithANGLES]

I am a relatively novice cruiser, with only seven Caribbean cruises experienced.

 

I will never reach diamond, platinum, or any level....

because I find no compelling reason, to stay loyal to only one cruise line. Granted, there are "perks", for attaining such levels. However, I have the curiosity to at least, "experience", multiple cruise lines-at least once. How can one possibly "know what's out there", if don't have a sense of adventure?

 

First cruise was on Celebrity; too formal, "stuffy for my liking". Next five cruises on RCCL; which I prefer. And one cruise on Carnival.

 

Our next cruise is Carnival Magic; family group of 10, some never cruised before.

 

So, I remain flexible when selecting which cruise line.

 

*** I am not questioning the mentality, of those devoted, loyal cruisers to one cruise line. I am sure there are some who love Carnival's product, to such an extent, that they have no desire to experience anything else. That is absolutely fine; their choice.

 

But I am not at that point, to exclusively book one line.

If RCCL offers me a better military discount, for example, it would tilt my selection, in their favor.

 

I thought it would be interesting, to hear WHY some loyal veteran cruisers, remain that way? I'm not challenging them in any way.

 

I tried a second line second cruise out, and kept sling shotting out. Trying only one line you'll never be able to compare. I do laugh at some that have only cruise one line and proclaim it to be the best.

[ATL_Miami_Cruiser]

I'm loyal to the price and the quality of the product for that price. It it wasn't for that I would mix and match cruises all year. My goal is to achieve the highest status on every cruise line in my lifetime. So Carnival first then perhaps if the price is right Royal next.

[LaCal]

We cruise Carnival, Princess and NCL and Love them all

 

But for us we gamble a lot while on our cruise so mainly cruise with whoever gives us the best bang for our buck in Discounted or Free cabins, perks etc

 

Currently that's Carnival where our last cruise and the 2 upcoming ones had a Free Ocean View cabin and $1,500+ in cash from the casino......So it's a No Brainer currently why we're sticking with Carnival(They basically pay us to cruise ) 😜😜...plus they are a totally fun cruise line

[CRUZBUDS]

We've cruised on many lines, we earned our loyalty levels, more or less by accident.

 

We sailed whatever line home-ported in San Diego. We became Platinum on Carnival, Diamond on RCL and Elite+ on Celebrity, mostly because they all had ships sailing from San Diego.

 

Now that there is little cruise industry in San Diego, we'll be sailing more from LA. Princess has a strong presence there with itineraries appeal to us more than Carnival. Our next two cruises are with them and we'll almost be starting over, loyalty status wise.

 

If Celebrity or RCL brought a ship to the west coast, we would likely be on it. You do get a spoiled with the perks. We have priority boarding, free laundry, a cocktail party every night, free internet minutes.

 

None of these thing existed when we began cruising. It was just the last ... maybe 10 years, that the perks on some lines became meaningful.

[MAGNUM PI]

I tried a second line second cruise out, and kept sling shotting out. Trying only one line you'll never be able to compare. I do laugh at some that have only cruise one line and proclaim it to be the best.

 

That is one observation, I have made. Some people with 40 cruises, on one cruise line. How can they possibly compare, and proclaim it's the best? Compared to what?

[A&Jfamily]

I wouldn't say I am "loyal" to Carnival, but I am excited to become Platinum - it's not really the perks, its just the fact that I can look back and go wow - how lucky I am to have cruised so much - kinda a goal?. I will never be a "snob" over the issue. I have cruised RCI (didn't care for my experience - older ship, tiny room, grumpy staff) and Princess. I "prefer" the feel of Princess. But as another poster said, when I am looking to travel, given the fact that we get two rooms (one for us and one for the kids) price matters, and so far, with the exception of the Caribbean cruise on Princess where we hit a great deal, Carnival wins on price by hundreds of dollars. And for now, that is the driving factor, and the reason I am close to Platinum on Carnival.

 

As our kids grow and we have more flexibility with travel dates and an expanded budget, I look forward to trying Cunard, Celebrity etc. I am not a fan of the RCI mega ship concept and have read enough reviews about bad food on NCL that I don't have any burning desire to try those. But perhaps someday, the price, itinerary and timing might just take me there. But for the foreseeable future, and under current prices, you will likely find me on Carnival.

[ANGELSwithANGLES]

I'm loyal to the price and the quality of the product for that price. It it wasn't for that I would mix and match cruises all year. My goal is to achieve the highest status on every cruise line in my lifetime. So Carnival first then perhaps if the price is right Royal next.

 

That was me. I used to come back to Carnival just for the fact I was paying less or even the same, and actually getting more. Problem was, around 2008 and forward, that balance changed. Suddenly I was paying less and actually was getting less. And the less grew over the years until Carnival became a generic cruise line.

 

Now if I choose Carnival, I have just come to expect less. My choice.

[Bookworm1985]

I have only cruised Carnival. I am happy with their service, and as of yet I have not found a cheaper cruise elsewhere that does the same itinerary at the same time as when I want to/can go. Even if I did, I probably would stick with Carnival. Maybe one day I will try another line if I find a cruise that is significantly lower in cost than Carnival.

[MAGNUM PI]

Maybe people living in close proximity to a given port, results in their devotion to a cruise line? Can drive there.

 

I depart from San Juan, Miami, Port Everglades, Port Canaveral; variety of cruise lines service these ports.

I live in Michigan, and take flights to departure locations.

[MAGNUM PI]

I have only cruised Carnival. I am happy with their service, and as of yet I have not found a cheaper cruise elsewhere that does the same itinerary at the same time as when I want to/can go. Even if I did, I probably would stick with Carnival. Maybe one day I will try another line if I find a cruise that is significantly lower in cost than Carnival.

 

I will say that Carnival cruises, seem to be lower in cost.

But I would pay more, for a more appealing itinerary.

I do NOT stay on the ship, at any port of call. I am there to explore. The days at sea, are all I need to enjoy the ship itself.

[cruzeluver]

I would be bored to tears going on the same line over and over and over again, and I have yet to find a line with loyalty perks that do anything for me. We can drive reasonably to several different ports so we intentionally mix it up. We really enjoy Celebrity and Royal and we do Carnival under the right conditions. Hoping to try HAL next. Only line we are in no hurry to go back to is NCL.

[Frank12]

If it ain't broke don't fix it.

When it breaks I'll fix it.

[Hoosierpop]

My loyalty is to whoever gives me the best value. That's been Carnival, primarily because of casino rates. I don't think the perks of getting to platinum or diamond are worth it by themselves. So, I'll go on whatever line offers me the best value. And I realize value is different from person to person.

 

One thing I've noticed in talking with people on cruises: frequent cruisers go on a lot of different lines. They may lean toward one, but every time I talk to someone, they say they also go on others a good bit.

 

That's why I'll never understand people who get so worked over things Carnival does. Just go on a different line. I just think there are some people who look for something to complain about. It's like, "yes, I won a million dollars in the lottery, but can you believe the taxes I have to pay?" Having fun is painful for some people.

Edited February 26, 2016 by Hoosierpop

[dacsmom]

I started out with Carnival, went to RCI for a few years, now coming back to Carnival, and giving NCL a try too. It used to be that the loyalty programs were great and worth staying with one line, but not so much anymore. For me there is no compelling reason to stay with any one line, I like to see different ships. I think all the lines have both good points and bad points. Any day on a cruise ship is perfect for me so I will work my way up each cruise lines loyalty program a little bit at a time.

[mediccruzin]

I wouldn't say I am "loyal" to Carnival, but I am excited to become Platinum - it's not really the perks, its just the fact that I can look back and go wow - how lucky I am to have cruised so much - kinda a goal?. I will never be a "snob" over the issue. I have cruised RCI (didn't care for my experience - older ship, tiny room, grumpy staff) and Princess. I "prefer" the feel of Princess. But as another poster said, when I am looking to travel, given the fact that we get two rooms (one for us and one for the kids) price matters, and so far, with the exception of the Caribbean cruise on Princess where we hit a great deal, Carnival wins on price by hundreds of dollars. And for now, that is the driving factor, and the reason I am close to Platinum on Carnival.

 

As our kids grow and we have more flexibility with travel dates and an expanded budget, I look forward to trying Cunard, Celebrity etc. I am not a fan of the RCI mega ship concept and have read enough reviews about bad food on NCL that I don't have any burning desire to try those. But perhaps someday, the price, itinerary and timing might just take me there. But for the foreseeable future, and under current prices, you will likely find me on Carnival.

 

Food can't be any worse than what Carnival puts out. All lines have their snobs that have never cruised another line.

[mediccruzin]

I have only cruised Carnival. I am happy with their service, and as of yet I have not found a cheaper cruise elsewhere that does the same itinerary at the same time as when I want to/can go. Even if I did, I probably would stick with Carnival. Maybe one day I will try another line if I find a cruise that is significantly lower in cost than Carnival.

 

I have found plants of cruises cheaper than Carnival recently, just not during the times I can travel. They are there, you just have to look.

[bakersdozen12]

I've been on one Carnival Cruise and have four more booked on Carnival. My first cruise, as well as my soon to be third cruise, are group cruises, so I didn't pick the cruise line. As far as the others, they were all booked based on the fact that they were the most affordable cruises with the best itineraries during the time in which I want to cruise. So while none were picked specifically because of the cruise line, I do think that it says a lot for Carnival and what they have to offer.

[mediccruzin]

I really want to try another line, but since my wife is a teacher and we still have in college and Carnival port is less than hour drive it's Carnival for us. RCI does sail out of Galveston but we have a limited window to cruise and we always do a back to back, seems RCI always repeats their route during that time. I can't see adding 2 days to travel to Florida and hotels in the Miami area are not cheap so that adds another $1,000 to cruise cost. Once we retire in a few years we can branch out.

[OCruisers]

There was an interesting comment from a man on the Carnival board a while back.

 

He only had one week a year to take his family on a cruise. They had always enjoyed their Carnival cruises and feared trying another line they might not like as well.

[ImaginationCruiseBride]

We cruise for itinerary and price, we have sailed Carnival and Celebrity. However, we have such a wonderful PVP that she makes it so it easy to just email/call her and she does her magic that it is easy to just stick with Carnival because we are used to her doing all the work for us.

[WhyIsTheRumGone23]

For us, it is fear of the unknown I guess. We started out with Carnival because our friends were Platinum with them. We tried multiple ports and itineraries but never a different cruise line. We have always found an itinerary we wanted to do from a port we could fly or drive to on Carnival and, the price was lower than anyone else. The fear comes from the idea of spending several hundred dollars more per person and at the end of the cruise not realizing any improvement in the quality of our vacation. We know what to expect from Carnival and we get the most bang for our buck every time. We haven't been let down so why change? We discuss other cruise lines every time we book a new one yet, we end up on Carnival. We are stuck in a rut however, we are happy in that rut!:D

[funship freddy]

Fair question. I just returned from my 37th cruise. I have cruised on several different lines for various reasons. The most recent was a "Boy's Cruise" on Carnival. We select the Boy's Cruise by length (short) and price point (cheap). It isn't always Carnival... RCCL and Celebrity have 4-5 day cruises at times. My current favorite is Celebrity (Reflection) but it is $$$$. If I could do it all over again I don't think I would be loyal to one line. Too many differences. Number 38 is in April on Allure of the Seas because I wanted to see the Rising Tide bar. Sounded like fun. Number 39 is in October because I wanted to try MSC Divina. If I had done all of my cruises on one line I would have missed out on many things. Besides... a free bag of laundry is not enough reason for me to be that loyal. Just my view. :D:D