Platinums and Diamonds; What would you be happy giving up in return for what?

[vicky3vicky]

I have heard that Carnival is rethinking their Platinum and Diamond rewards. Assuming that Carnival is reading this forum, what would you be willing to give up in order to get a little more?

 

I definitely want to keep my option for earlier embarkation, my pin[husband collects them] 2 free laundry bags [I don't need 3]. So long as I were able to keep these 3 perks I would happily give up 1 free laundry, my strawberry plate, casino freeplay, the token gift, my bottle of water and everything else in exchange for 1 free alcoholic drink a day.[at any location on the ship] 

 

Knowing that when Carnival negotiates the new program that they are almost surely more likely to take more away more than they would add. What perks would you be happy to give up for a perk you particularly care for?

[BlerkOne]

Carnival knows they can't please everyone. They should probably just get rid of the program. They really messed up when they allowed people to collect VIFP points on free and discounted cruises. Start everyone over at zero. Get rid of levels. Just have a checklist of perks cruisers can select from based on sea days.

[sanmarcosman]

I'd give up chocolate delight, water, pin, and the gift for 3 shirts or blouses pressed with heavy starch on a 7 day cruise. 

[Elaine5715]

If they followed the same restrictions as airlines do when giving out loyalty perks, they would not need to cut back anything.  Loyalty perks should be exclusive and not diluted with workarounds.  

[Momma1980]

I wouldn’t want to give up early disembark or priority embark.

[Guest BasicSailor]

40 minutes ago, vicky3vicky said:

I have heard that Carnival is rethinking their Platinum and Diamond rewards.(Where did you hear that ?) Assuming that Carnival is reading this forum, (Oh, Carnivals reads here for sure)  what would you be willing to give up in order to get a little more?

 

I definitely want to keep my option for earlier embarkation, my pin[husband collects them] 2 free laundry bags [I don't need 3]. So long as I were able to keep these 3 perks I would happily give up 1 free laundry, my strawberry plate, casino freeplay, the token gift, my bottle of water and everything else in exchange for 1 free alcoholic drink a day.[at any location on the ship] 

 

Knowing that when Carnival negotiates the new program that they are almost surely more likely to take more away more than they would add. What perks would you be happy to give up for a perk you particularly care for?

 I don't feel it's a matter of what a person is willing to give up or not. It's what Carnival is willing to offer their most loyal customers in appreciation for their continuous loyalty.  Usually when the rethinking 😏is said and done most people won't be happy campers.

[wikoffclan]

25 minutes ago, Momma1980 said:

I wouldn’t want to give up early disembark or priority embark.

In my most recent (3 cruises since August) experience, Priority Embark and Early disembark are nonexistent for Platinum and above. There's no Priority embarkation for anyone other than possibly suites and disabled. Early disembarkation is for folks who are carrying off their own luggage. No Priority that I could see.

 

I would give up my umpteenth lanyard, pin and the latest goodie - a photo "album" (!) for some of the perks we used to have - amenities in the cabin, Welcome back party on ALL cruises for All returnees, Thanks for joining us party on the last day of the cruise, the Future Cruise Desk, edible Eggs Benedict on the buffet, twice daily room cleaning, a Cabin Steward who had fewer that 37 (!!!) cabins to service, I could go on 🤣

 

But for the price I pay for someone to cook, clean and do the dishes while I can laze the day away and read a book or 3, I'll happily continue to sail Carnival.

[BlerkOne]

59 minutes ago, Elaine5715 said:

If they followed the same restrictions as airlines do when giving out loyalty perks, they would not need to cut back anything.  Loyalty perks should be exclusive and not diluted with workarounds.  

Airlines go bankrupt and bailed out with my tax dollars. That's the only reason.

 

Meanwhile they just keep upping the number of miles and reducing the availability of FF seats.

[auburn77]

On a 14 day cruise, one of our perks is a total of ten bags of laundry. Who needs 10 bags of laundry? Two wash and press would be better.

[stobe1]

I don't think anything should be given up. Many of the priority perks that we have earned after years of loyalty continue to be diluted with things like Faster to the Fun.  

 

If they want to restructure the program into new tier levels, that would be fine. But giving up perks shouldn't happen.

[pirate4me2]

I’ll happily trade in the pin, casino perk, and chocolate delight for a drink voucher good for any bar, any time. 

[lazydayz]

Compared to my Diamond Plus perks on Royal, my Platinum perks on Carnival are pretty weak. On both I get priority embarkation or early debarkation, but with Royal I get five free drinks each day and access to a private lounge.  So when the deals are close, I lend toward Royal. 
 

So I think Carnival should look at their program and make it more competitive.  Carnival was smart to limit it to individual cruisers, while Royal extends it to cruisers’ spouses and minor children.  So while Royal has to wrestle with how to deal with so many loyalty members, Carnival needs to figure out how to make us regular cruisers pick them.  

[Colorado Beach Bum]

I agree that the laundry perk is almost too much to be able to use, but I do enjoy that perk.  Priority embarkation and debarkation should remain.  Pins are nice but the other gifts are a joke.  I’d like to see maybe an option of a few drinks per day or free Internet packages.  It has to be an option as if you have cheers or casino drinks that would be worthless.  Skip the lame goodies in the stateroom too!

[obnancy]

Keep... water, laundry, Platnum reception, priority embark, tender and debark.

Couldn't care about pin, crappy trinket.  

Add... more free drinks, a day pass for spa and internet or discount on either,   a man to peel grapes and feed them to me while fanning me with a palm frond on the serenity deck.  

 

[ilovesparky13]

I just want some credit for the arcade. ☹️

[dandeck]

Let's take a realistic look at this.  My wife & I are Diamond.  We have achieved the highest level.  Therefore, we have nothing to lose by spending our $$ on other lines to achieve preferred status with them as well.  We currently have multiple cruises scheduled with Carnival.  I would suggest Carnival not reduce / take away or in any way dilute the perks at all.  Rather, they should offer additional incentives to retain the business of their most loyal customers.  We are VERY sensitive to such matters.  While we economize on rooms, we usually cruise 6 - 8 weeks a year, (except this yr with covid), and spend considerable $$ on board for drinks, specialty dining...  Reduce or dilute our EARNED benefits and we won't like it.  Loyalty is a two way street!!  

Edited January 18, 2022 by dandeck
Spelling

[firefly333]

I dont pick up the chocolate treat or use the laundry and a luggage tag, really? Dont drink bottled water, so the perks mean little to nothing on carnival.

 

People who like free drinks come to rcl, people are loyal to royal. 4 5 or 6 free drinks a day of your choice anytime anywhere. At diamond plus (175 pts) a free bottle of wine you pick. At 340 pts a 2nd bottle of wine. At 175 pts bogo every cruise on pay restaurants night 1 and 2 to book up restaurants on slower nights. Free picture at diamond 80 pts. Balcony discount is nice when it works. At 340 pts solos get 50% off the 2nd fare for any cabin. Wifi, 1 free day at diamond, 2 free days at diamond plus, all cruise free wifi at pinnacle., pinnacle gets a lot included. Coastal kitchen on ships that have it. The diamond lounge is a nice touch. Capachino coffee maker for breakfast with continental, nice finger foods at 5 pm and go have a drink before dinner and snack. Some laundry I dont use. Oh crystal blocks with the ships name you are in at 140 pts and every 70 pts thereafter. I should get a crystal back stop next cruise saying liberty OTS. Nicer than a luggage tag lol. 

 

I dont think the perks are even comparable if you like to drink. I'm convinced people are loyal to royal for the free drinks. Carnival doesnt try to compete, it's not their thing. Maybe have a higher level above diamond to shoot for. Many have reached diamond on carnival as someone said above, now there is nothing to shoot for. 

 

A higher level than diamond would be my suggestion. Drop the gifts and come up with a better gift but not so often. Drop the water and let people choose? Not a big deal but I'd rather a can of Pepsi. No biggie. I can bring soft drinks with me. Other than early boarding which was turning into a joke so many are platinum and diamond nothing carnival gives matters to me. Low prices are good but it's not a great thing to be known for cost cutting, bacon on vacation. Cut rate costs. Doesnt matter to me what they offer. 

 

I cruise carnival for the low prices, period. Their loyalty program means nothing. Just cruise and enjoy cruising. Other than a higher level to shoot for, their loyalty program means nothing to me. I'm at 197 pts on carnival so one more I'm diamond ... then what?

 

 

Edited January 18, 2022 by firefly333

[pe4all]

Priority embark (though the lounges have been so crowded with Plats/Diamonds it is crazy!), water and laundry (2 bags per person are more than enough) are nice for us.  Really don't need or use anything else.  Haven't even ever cashed in the free drink coupon....

[evandbob]

I'll trade the strawberries for 10 or 15% discounts on excursions.  I only get strawberries that no one would buy anyway.

 

I'll cede the pin for a specialty dinner for 2. (NCL gives away a free specialty dinner for 2 every cruise for a mid level loyalty reward!!)

 

I'll trade my free drink ticket for another bottle of water since we don't drink alcohol.

 

Leave my laundry, early embark & disbark and Diamond Captain's party alone!

[BlerkOne]

47 minutes ago, evandbob said:

I'll trade the strawberries for 10 or 15% discounts on excursions.

Carnival Mastercard gets you a 10% discount.

[BlerkOne]

Consider that Princess has been in business longer than Carnival, and their highest loyalty level is at 150 sea days. I don't see Carnival adding higher levels. Perhaps as Princess does, additional perks for the cruisers with the most sea days on any given cruise. That is limited in scope and sustainable.

[Joebucks]

I'd trade 90% of the stuff in favor of daily drink vouchers. Royal gives 3-5 a day for diamond and above. That would be amazing. Hell, I'd be happy with 1-2.

[cruizergal70]

6 hours ago, dandeck said:

Let's take a realistic look at this.  My wife & I are Diamond.  We have achieved the highest level.  Therefore, we have nothing to lose by spending our $$ on other lines to achieve preferred status with them as well.  We currently have multiple cruises scheduled with Carnival.  I would suggest Carnival not reduce / take away or in any way dilute the perks at all.  Rather, they should offer additional incentives to retain the business of their most loyal customers.  We are VERY sensitive to such matters.  While we economize on rooms, we usually cruise 6 - 8 weeks a year, (except this yr with covid), and spend considerable $$ on board for drinks, specialty dining...  Reduce or dilute our EARNED benefits and we won't like it.  Loyalty is a two way street!!  

All this "loyalty " only exists in your mind. You would be better served cruising on any line that meets your needs instead of trying to feel special on Carnival. You don't have the power you think you have as diamond or whatever. 

[SwordBlazer Cruising]

13 hours ago, Elaine5715 said:

If they followed the same restrictions as airlines do when giving out loyalty perks, they would not need to cut back anything.  Loyalty perks should be exclusive and not diluted with workarounds.  

The airlines have the same issue. Every airline has co branded credit cards that provide almost ALL the perks of someone trying to obtain status by flying.  At least Carnival does not status match like MSC, that is really pushing it.

[Elaine5715]

20 minutes ago, SwordBlazer Cruising said:

The airlines have the same issue. Every airline has co branded credit cards that provide almost ALL the perks of someone trying to obtain status by flying.  At least Carnival does not status match like MSC, that is really pushing it.

Not like that.  They dilute by letting P/D book others into their staterooms to get status perks and then let them switch around onboard.  You can't just walk up into First Class on a plane because there is an empty seat.  While you can include your flight partner with your status upgrades in some situations, you can't switch back and forth during a flight so those in Economy get free adult drinks and meals.  The good gate attendants don't let the entire traveling party on with high status boarding unless it is on their boarding pass.  Carnival rarely enforces (when available) Priority anything.  The Priority Debarkation gets crowded because few are checked.  You can bring what like 6 more people per P/D member for water shuttle front of the line use. You can't bring everyone in your group into the Sky Clubs just because you have a Club membership.  Carnival dilutes the perks by letting anyone into the P/D party.