Loyalty Program

[kelhag]

Quick question. I understand the loyalty program, the more points the better the perks.  However, why do we have to have colors on our sign and sail cards(blue, red, gold,  platinum and diamond)? Are those so the staff can tell where you are on the point scale?

[Elaine5715]

8 minutes ago, kelhag said:

Quick question. I understand the loyalty program, the more points the better the perks.  However, why do we have to have colors on our sign and sail cards(blue, red, gold,  platinum and diamond)? Are those so the staff can tell where you are on the point scale?

No.  Every loyalty program changes card colors depending on level.  It is helpful seeing at a distance when entering the priority line at GS, priority,  water shuttles, etc.  I do look for blue cards if someone seems lost and ask if they need help.

The crew doesn't care.

Edited September 8, 2019 by Elaine5715

[kelhag]

funny...but when I was reading topics about lanyards most Diamond and Platinum card holds don't like lanyards.

[Elaine5715]

2 minutes ago, kelhag said:

funny...but when I was reading topics about lanyards most Diamond and Platinum card holds don't like lanyards.

They are most likely referring to the current Platinum gift which is a lanyard with a cheap plastic card holder.  These lanyards are being returned and re-gifted so are even worse for the wear.  By the time one reaches Platinum, we have accumulated numerous lanyards anyways.   

[Fla Senior]

It's no different from hotel & airline loyalty programs which also have different colors for each level.

[Stick93]

It’s like a badge - once you earn it you understand. 

[bury me at sea]

"Earning it" is a strange way of thinking about it.  Take enough cruises, qualify for the next level of perks.

 

I have no idea why the color of the S&S cards matters.  Mine lives in my pocket until I pull it out for a purchase or to get off and on the ship.

 

 

[CruiseHealing]

13 minutes ago, Dave & Mel said:

I'm Platinum and spent a lot of money getting here. I don't hang my card from a lanyard and don't need to "show off my card". don't be a hater, remember if you are on a cruise, first timer or diamond, your on a cruise and got to wait in line for your Guy's Burger!

Well said. We are also Platinum and carry our cards in our pockets. We are always sending a lot of time on helping other cruisers that look to need help during the first few days of the cruise. I remember our first cruises and we appreciated all of the extra help. 

[vicky3vicky]

I will turn platinum on our next cruise in November. I have always worn my card on my lanyard because I misplace things very easily. I had thought about no longer wearing it on my lanyard when I turn platinum to keep people from being offended, but decided against it. I figure, why should I stress myself out because some people choose to be offended for the most inane reasons?  

[satxdiver]

I keep my cruise card in my pocket and only get it out when I need it.  T then put it back in my pocket.  I certainly do not need to advertise my loyalty level on any cruise ship, airplane or hotel.  

[beachbum6264]

I'm platinum and never wear a lanyard.. It reminds me of before I retired and had to wear one, nothing to do with showing what color my card is. When I look at my card I don't feel pride, rather I just feel fortunate to be able to cruise as often as we do. Do the 'perks' that go with the color of the card make a major difference in my cruise? No. Are they nice? Yes, but we've sailed on a few other lines and enjoyed every cruise even without and perks. We're just happy to cruise.

[Elaine5715]

I usually wear a lanyard since I rarely have pockets.  Used it with a blue, red, gold, platinum card.  Never think nor care why anyone is looking at my lanyard.  

[christyran1228]

I wear a lanyard with the card flipped over so no one can see what color it is.  Lol

[Banditswife]

We are platinum on Carnival, I don't usually wear a lanyard.  But when I do, I turn the card backwards, I am not trying to brag about my status.  Sometimes it's just convenient to have it hanging around my neck.

[glrounds]

4 hours ago, bury me at sea said:

"Earning it" is a strange way of thinking about it.  Take enough cruises, qualify for the next level of perks.

I have no idea why the color of the S&S cards matters.  Mine lives in my pocket until I pull it out for a purchase or to get off and on the ship.

 

Same here. I feel fortunate to be able to cruise as often as I do. The color of the card is insignificant. Lately, I give my Platinum gift to a newbie cruiser as well as the pin. (unless it's a Tervis tumbler 🙂 )

[coevan]

5 hours ago, bury me at sea said:

"Earning it" is a strange way of thinking about it.

 

 

That's the word airlines use regularly is "earn mileage" 

[RumpunchGirl]

I use a bungee type thing that attaches to the card and then clips to a belt loop or on my purse depending on the situation. I do the same with my Casino loyalty cards here at home. That way I don't leave them behind anywhere. I'm very forgetful!

[evandbob]

I'm Diamond and I will look for a family who has blue or red cards to offer them the free loyalty gifts, like logo merchandise, that I don't need or want.

 

Last month on the Conquest i "re-gifted" the lanyards, back packs and coffee mugs we received from the casino or loyalty program, and 3 different families appeared to appreciated them.

 

So to the OP, the color of the S&S cards can serve as a quick gauge of the pax experience level from my perspective.  When I use my white card though, I'm often asked by other pax who get a quick glimpse of it when I'm paying for something, what level is that since they rarely see one.

[PhillyFan33579]

7 hours ago, Elaine5715 said:

No.  Every loyalty program changes card colors depending on level.  It is helpful seeing at a distance when entering the priority line at GS, priority,  water shuttles, etc.  I do look for blue cards if someone seems lost and ask if they need help.

The crew doesn't care.

 

The crew is supposed to care, at least according to Carnival. When both my wife and I had our first milestone cruise for 25 cruises (not on the same cruise), Carnival made a big deal in a letter we got saying we were provided a special card (white with red and blue swirls for lack of a better description) so crew members would recognize we were on a milestone cruise so they could help make it an extra memorable experience.  

 

As a big people watcher on cruises, it has been my observation that Diamonds tend to get more attention from bartenders. Of course you can also get more attention from bartenders if you tip well. 

Edited September 9, 2019 by PhillyFan33579

[Elaine5715]

1 hour ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

 

The crew is supposed to care, at least according to Carnival. When both my wife and I had our first milestone cruise for 25 cruises (not on the same cruise), Carnival made a big deal in a letter we got saying we were provided a special card (white with red and blue swirls for lack of a better description) so crew members would recognize we were on a milestone cruise so they could help make it an extra memorable experience.  

 

As a big people watcher on cruises, it has been my observation that Diamonds tend to get more attention from bartenders. Of course you can also get more attention from bartenders if you tip well. 

Milestone cards are now white.  Crew do remember bad tippers and great tippers so I would credit it that more than status.   

[jmcathome]

Had a wwhite milestone card om=n my last cruise. No one ever noticed it. Carnival loyalty program is one way, Customers are loyal Carnival is not. They figure that if you are dumb anough to keep on coming back, they do not have to be loyal to you

[jimbo5544]

1 hour ago, jmcathome said:

Had a wwhite milestone card om=n my last cruise. No one ever noticed it. Carnival loyalty program is one way, Customers are loyal Carnival is not. They figure that if you are dumb anough to keep on coming back, they do not have to be loyal to you

Yet you made it to 25, congrats!

[jmcathome]

5 hours ago, jimbo5544 said:

Yet you made it to 25, congrats!

 

5 hours ago, jimbo5544 said:

Yet you made it to 25, congrats!

yep. I am one of the dumb ones.Have three more scheduled. Carnival and others now feel they have you where they want you. When I started few people knew the value of the cruise. Now all cruise lines do not care whether you come or not. Wait until there is another recession and see if cruising keeps its place in travel. 

[RWolver672]

8 hours ago, evandbob said:

So to the OP, the color of the S&S cards can serve as a quick gauge of the pax experience level from my perspective.  When I use my white card though, I'm often asked by other pax who get a quick glimpse of it when I'm paying for something, what level is that since they rarely see one.

 

I too think they serve as a good conversation starter.  I've seen white cards while in an elevator and ask the person how many cruises they had been on.  People have seen our silver cards and have asked us how many it takes to get there or why ours are different than theirs.    

[jimbo5544]

11 hours ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

 

The crew is supposed to care, at least according to Carnival. When both my wife and I had our first milestone cruise for 25 cruises (not on the same cruise), Carnival made a big deal in a letter we got saying we were provided a special card (white with red and blue swirls for lack of a better description) so crew members would recognize we were on a milestone cruise so they could help make it an extra memorable experience.  

 

As a big people watcher on cruises, it has been my observation that Diamonds tend to get more attention from bartenders. Of course you can also get more attention from bartenders if you tip well. 

We get recognized by the crew (not all the time) when they see the white card.  Certainly our team knows and always brings it up. Without  exception when boarding, we get comments on Diamond status an d the “welcome home” which we like. At times, maitre’d’s come up to us at dinner and strike up comments and questions.  Occasionally, we get cards and notes or are approached by hotel directors asking if everything is ok.