Suggestion to Carnival (for guests in excel suites) and misc. VIFP musings

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

One of the included amenities for guests in excel suites (Mardi Gras) is a complimentary Bottomless Bubbles package. I see on Carnival.com that it's a value of $8.50/day.

 

I don't see anywhere an option to upgrade to the Cheers package, which is $51.95 on its own. It would seem reasonable to offer excel guests the ability to upgrade for the difference between the two packages ($43.45/day). I called and spoke to someone at the Diamond desk and asked about that - no such option (she was actually rather uninformed in general, for someone who they have answering that line, IMO).

 

Hey while they're at it (they aren't, they're understandably preoccupied right now!!) perhaps they could add a Cheers package discount for Diamond guests. For that matter, perhaps it's time to look at updating the VIFP program. Take NCL for example, we're Platinum with them (4th out of 6 tiers in their Latitudes program), which could easily be reached after 5 week long suite sailings (or 10 non-suite weeks). Some of those benefits include:

 

> Dinner For Two At Cagney's Or Le Bistro With A Bottle Of Wine (per stateroom)                        
> Dinner For Two At Moderno Or La Cucina (per stateroom)                        
> 60 Free Internet Minutes (w/Platinum)
> Chocolate-Covered Strawberries (per stateroom)                        
> Behind-The-Scenes Ship Tour

 

With our reaching Diamond with Carnival, we enjoyed a (one time only) benefit of dinner in the Steakhouse. That was appreciated, but that's it - once and done. Perhaps Carnival could add that higher tier that's be discussed on the boards for a few years. Or, perhaps they could add the ability to pick up extra VIFP points booking certain promos or suites. All sorts of options there! WHY do they show (and it's been this way since the beginning of the program) a total for CRUISE DAY POINTS and VIFP points which are THE SAME? Obviously, there was some initial thought given to having cruise day points be your number of cruise days, and VIFP would be a higher number based on... ??

 

Obviously - we need to get sailing first and foremost, and then down the road we can hopefully look forward to some other options or updating of their past guest program.

 

Tom

 

 

[asalligo]

Wow, we could talk all day about how much Carnival needs to up their rewards program game, but from their standpoint why should they. Their real bread and butter is new cruisers and people cruising for nothing but the price. As long as that keeps filling ships, I see no reason for them to add incentives. 

 

All of your suggestions are good ones though. 

[d12j28]

5 minutes ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

One of the included amenities for guests in excel suites (Mardi Gras) is a complimentary Bottomless Bubbles package. I see on Carnival.com that it's a value of $8.50/day.

 

I don't see anywhere an option to upgrade to the Cheers package, which is $51.95 on its own. It would seem reasonable to offer excel guests the ability to upgrade for the difference between the two packages ($43.45/day). I called and spoke to someone at the Diamond desk and asked about that - no such option (she was actually rather uninformed in general, for someone who they have answering that line, IMO).

 

Hey while they're at it (they aren't, they're understandably preoccupied right now!!) perhaps they could add a Cheers package discount for Diamond guests. For that matter, perhaps it's time to look at updating the VIFP program. Take NCL for example, we're Platinum with them (4th out of 6 tiers in their Latitudes program), which could easily be reached after 5 week long suite sailings (or 10 non-suite weeks). Some of those benefits include:

 

> Dinner For Two At Cagney's Or Le Bistro With A Bottle Of Wine (per stateroom)                        
> Dinner For Two At Moderno Or La Cucina (per stateroom)                        
> 60 Free Internet Minutes (w/Platinum)
> Chocolate-Covered Strawberries (per stateroom)                        
> Behind-The-Scenes Ship Tour

 

With our reaching Diamond with Carnival, we enjoyed a (one time only) benefit of dinner in the Steakhouse. That was appreciated, but that's it - once and done. Perhaps Carnival could add that higher tier that's be discussed on the boards for a few years. Or, perhaps they could add the ability to pick up extra VIFP points booking certain promos or suites. All sorts of options there! WHY do they show (and it's been this way since the beginning of the program) a total for CRUISE DAY POINTS and VIFP points which are THE SAME? Obviously, there was some initial thought given to having cruise day points be your number of cruise days, and VIFP would be a higher number based on... ??

 

Obviously - we need to get sailing first and foremost, and then down the road we can hopefully look forward to some other options or updating of their past guest program.

 

Tom

 

 

I like how some of the land based casinos do it. You earn "tier" points (like VIFP level) but you also earn some type of "cash" that can be used for food or shopping. So basically VIFP would be based on days sailed, but they could have another "cash" type option you could earn based on type of room, money spent on board, etc that could be used to pay for Cheers, steakhouse, photos.......You could even base the "cash" earning on VIFP level. Diamond earns an extra %10, Platinum %5, Gold 3% or whatever. 

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

2 minutes ago, asalligo said:

Wow, we could talk all day about how much Carnival needs to up their rewards program game, but from their standpoint why should they. Their real bread and butter is new cruisers and people cruising for nothing but the price. As long as that keeps filling ships, I see no reason for them to add incentives. 

 

All of your suggestions are good ones though. 

 

Agreed - it's the blue and red card holders which take them across the finish line in the end.

 

I was actually surprised to see Carnival, with the Mardi Gras, introduce a higher tier of suites. They are among the last of the major lines not to have carved out a different experience for those sailing in suites. Changes of this type will take some time for guests to accept - and not feel like they're on a lower class rung. It only stands to reason that those willing to pay more for a product should expect something additional in return (not just a tub or larger room, etc). 

 

It's all good - we'll all be breathing the same sea air in the near future!!

 

Tom

[firefly333]

I think rcl and celebrity has it right. When I bought rcl and ccl stock maybe 15 years ago ccl was higher priced. Rcl has long since passed them by. They give perks out more generously and it brings people back. 

 

It wouldnt cost carnival more, but giving a extra loyalty pt if you book a JS or above. You would be surprised how much more popular suites are. Of course carnival has its top loyalty at 200 pts, so maybe they dont care about being more profitable and able to raise the prices on suites. So far they seem to  ot care about anything but newbie cruisers and say that's their niche. I can see in the future it might be good to work to have people say more loyal to carnival. I know some are, but not like rcl. 

 

The stock prices tell the story. Carnival also concentrates on gamblers and offers so many deals to attract them. It's a disincentive to some of the rest of us. I dont want to border with 800 priority. It's hard to know if you dont gamble which cruises ro avoid.

 

Carnival does a lot right obviously. They can keep the chocolate covered strawberries they seem to deliver just before I return to my cabin to get ready for dinner. If I eat them it ruins my appetite.

 

For suites free booze included or a special dinner imo would go a long way. They could do something like rcl and add 3 drinks to the card a day. Not limitless. Rcl does this for diamonds and above, only good during happy hour.  Rather than the paper coupon carnival does for their platinum. I've thrown it away accidentally. Nice to have it added to my card. I would rather a steak dinner for 2 than strawberries. If 3 or 4 in the cabin, maybe they have to pay if carnival doesnt want to pay for the whole cabin. Idk. Would be easy to make the suites more attractive. 

[mondello]

They could give suite holders better gifts that don't reduce the amount spent by guests. How about keepsake embroidered robes or fleece jackets featuring "The Suite Life"? These exclusive gifts featuring the Carnival logo could be bought in bulk, wouldn't cost Carnival much and would be treasured long after the plate of choc. cov. strawberries was forgotten.