VIFP Revamp - What are YOUR Ideas?

[icft]

I disagree with those who think casino deal "free" cruises should not be counted as cruise days. I think they don't understand how this works.

 

The cruise fare for "free" casino passengers is paid just like the fare for other cruisers is paid. The ship gets paid. The only difference is who pays.

 

In the case of "free" casino passengers it is paid by a corporation that is separate from the corporation that owns the ship. That is why you get referred to "casino operations" for questions on casino offers. An outfit known as "Global Casino Operations"

https://www.oceancasinojobs.com/

offers the "free" cruises and pays the fare for those who receive the "free" cruises.

 

Global Casino Operations is a separate line of business that runs the casinos and does what it does to maximize the profit from the casino operations. If they think they maximize profits by getting certain people onto a ship with one of their casinos by offering to pay that person's cruise fare then that is what they do. But the cruise ship operation is not out any money and has given nothing away.

 

[ninjacat123]

6 minutes ago, icft said:

I disagree with those who think casino deal "free" cruises should not be counted as cruise days. I think they don't understand how this works.

 

The cruise fare for "free" casino passengers is paid just like the fare for other cruisers is paid. The ship gets paid. The only difference is who pays.

 

In the case of "free" casino passengers it is paid by a corporation that is separate from the corporation that owns the ship. That is why you get referred to "casino operations" for questions on casino offers. An outfit known as "Global Casino Operations"

https://www.oceancasinojobs.com/

offers the "free" cruises and pays the fare for those who receive the "free" cruises.

 

Global Casino Operations is a separate line of business that runs the casinos and does what it does to maximize the profit from the casino operations. If they think they maximize profits by getting certain people onto a ship with one of their casinos by offering to pay that person's cruise fare then that is what they do. But the cruise ship operation is not out any money and has given nothing away.

 

Good to know!!  Thanks for that information😀

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

8 minutes ago, icft said:

I disagree with those who think casino deal "free" cruises should not be counted as cruise days. I think they don't understand how this works.

 

The cruise fare for "free" casino passengers is paid just like the fare for other cruisers is paid. The ship gets paid. The only difference is who pays.

 

In the case of "free" casino passengers it is paid by a corporation that is separate from the corporation that owns the ship. That is why you get referred to "casino operations" for questions on casino offers. An outfit known as "Global Casino Operations"

https://www.oceancasinojobs.com/

offers the "free" cruises and pays the fare for those who receive the "free" cruises.

 

Global Casino Operations is a separate line of business that runs the casinos and does what it does to maximize the profit from the casino operations. If they think they maximize profits by getting certain people onto a ship with one of their casinos by offering to pay that person's cruise fare then that is what they do. But the cruise ship operation is not out any money and has given nothing away.

 

 

I like that they finally came to the table (the one I'm at, at any rate) and offered up lots of deals with "Drinks Everywhere". That gets my attention (hence all the RED in my upcoming cruises list)!

Tom

[CajunOyster]

On 12/19/2022 at 12:14 PM, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

That's why I feel that total, and onboard, spend should come into play. There are those who get free (casino) cabins, and only risk a few hundred in the casino. Then, there are others who still put a lot of money into play... or spend a few thousand in the jewelry store, etc !

 

Many moving parts, to be sure!

 

Tom

 

Are you sure about that?  Only a "few hundred" in play gets one a free casino cabin?  That doesn't sound right.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

56 minutes ago, CajunOyster said:

 

Are you sure about that?  Only a "few hundred" in play gets one a free casino cabin?  That doesn't sound right.

 

I guess they're hoping that the next time (with the "Free" cabin) that you'll go on tilt !

 

Tom

[BlerkOne]

7 hours ago, icft said:

I disagree with those who think casino deal "free" cruises should not be counted as cruise days. I think they don't understand how this works.

 

The cruise fare for "free" casino passengers is paid just like the fare for other cruisers is paid. The ship gets paid. The only difference is who pays.

 

In the case of "free" casino passengers it is paid by a corporation that is separate from the corporation that owns the ship. That is why you get referred to "casino operations" for questions on casino offers. An outfit known as "Global Casino Operations"

https://www.oceancasinojobs.com/

offers the "free" cruises and pays the fare for those who receive the "free" cruises.

 

Global Casino Operations is a separate line of business that runs the casinos and does what it does to maximize the profit from the casino operations. If they think they maximize profits by getting certain people onto a ship with one of their casinos by offering to pay that person's cruise fare then that is what they do. But the cruise ship operation is not out any money and has given nothing away.

 

Loyalty programs are marketing programs and exist to increase business. They have budgets and expect a certain return on investment. I don't see anything about a loyalty program, especially Carnival's loyalty program, enticing gamblers to book. Nothing competes with a free room and all the other casino perks.

 

Casino operations are certainly capable of creating a parallel program with similar benefits if they wanted to and stop diluting the real loyalty program for paying customers.

 

 

[Frank12]

I definitely agree with upping the points for each level.  Platinum at 150 is good with me because I have 160. 😆 Our last cruise on Freedom had 300 Platinums.  Past guest party was crazy crowded!

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

They should not raise the number of VIFP points required for the various levels, that would seem like bait/switch to those striving for the next tier, but rather add new levels (above Diamond), with additional perks IMO.

 

Tom

[d12j28]

14 hours ago, BlerkOne said:

Loyalty programs are marketing programs and exist to increase business. They have budgets and expect a certain return on investment. I don't see anything about a loyalty program, especially Carnival's loyalty program, enticing gamblers to book. Nothing competes with a free room and all the other casino perks.

 

Casino operations are certainly capable of creating a parallel program with similar benefits if they wanted to and stop diluting the real loyalty program for paying customers.

 

 

Right, like there's no return on investment with gamblers. I'm sure Carnival would change how the casino offers work if they weren't making any money.

 

If the casino made their own program it would be better than Carnivals and everyone would be screaming about how it's not fair. Like it or not, gamblers are the REAL paying customers. 

[icft]

27 minutes ago, d12j28 said:

Right, like there's no return on investment with gamblers. I'm sure Carnival would change how the casino offers work if they weren't making any money.

 

If the casino made their own program it would be better than Carnivals and everyone would be screaming about how it's not fair. Like it or not, gamblers are the REAL paying customers. 

The casino does already have its own program. See my post (#51) above. And those not in the casino program do already scream about how it is not fair.

 

The ship operations and the casino operations are separate corporations and separate lines of business. Each has its own perks program to attract customers to its business. The spa operation is also a separate business for that matter.

Edited December 22, 2022 by icft
Correct typo

[phauenstein]

On 12/19/2022 at 10:20 AM, shof515 said:

 

On NCL they do something similar with 1 point for interior, oceanview and balcony and double points for suite  

Yes, I just booked a Haven Suite with NCL and got 3 points per night, so 21 points.  It's going to almost get me from Silver to Gold in one booking.  I get 1 per night standard, an extra 1 per night for the suite, and I booked on a returning rewards member offer for another 1 point per night.

[phauenstein]

On 12/19/2022 at 7:23 PM, EngIceDave said:

To clarify something....

I may get $100 cabins from the casino, but I dump a ton of money into their casino, so it ain't free.

 

Casino comps are not FREE, that is a fallacy the casinos want you to buy into, "free stuff," that's why casinos always have give aways.

 

I pay more for my cabin and free beverages than people paying rack rate. 

I haven't been on a Carnival Cruise in 6 years, so I haven't put any coin in at Carnival specifically since 2016.  I still get offers for $100 per person 7-day cruises from their casino offers.  I do gamble at Caesars and MGM properties on occasion and they may be sharing information, but hell, I would love to take them up on more offers if my wife's leave policy (nurse) was a little more flexible.

[BlerkOne]

58 minutes ago, icft said:

The casino does already have its own program. See my post (#51) above. And those not in the casino program do already scream about how it is not fair.

 

The ship operations and the casino operations are separate corporations and separate lines of business. Each has its own perks program to attract customers to its business. The spa operation is also a separate business for that matter.

So casino players are double dipping. Even more unfair. They should not earn sea days on comped cruises. Celebrity doesn't give points to comped cruisers.

[bucfan2]

1 hour ago, BlerkOne said:

So casino players are double dipping. Even more unfair. They should not earn sea days on comped cruises. Celebrity doesn't give points to comped cruisers.

Life's not fair.  Love that Carnival, Royal and NCL all give points for free cruises...double in suites is really awesome.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

1 hour ago, BlerkOne said:

So casino players are double dipping. Even more unfair. They should not earn sea days on comped cruises. Celebrity doesn't give points to comped cruisers.

 

I'm up to 1500 points, and a fair number have been casino sailings (though every one I've paid to upgrade, or received a casino discount). On the flip side, I've paid OOP for a couple of sailings in a PH. My CS and RS cabins all earned 12 points/night, the PH I think was 18!

 

Tom

[BlerkOne]

1 hour ago, bucfan2 said:

Life's not fair.  Love that Carnival, Royal and NCL all give points for free cruises...double in suites is really awesome.

Oh, but when the pendulum swings the other way, it won't be the wind that's howling.

[BlerkOne]

30 minutes ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

 

I'm up to 1500 points, and a fair number have been casino sailings (though every one I've paid to upgrade, or received a casino discount). On the flip side, I've paid OOP for a couple of sailings in a PH. My CS and RS cabins all earned 12 points/night, the PH I think was 18!

 

Tom

Congrats. I can only base it on my one comped Celebrity cruise. So far, nada. But I will be getting triple points for the next Celebrity cruise that I (under) paid for. Celebrity charged way too little. So it all evens out.

[d12j28]

20 hours ago, icft said:

The casino does already have its own program. See my post (#51) above. And those not in the casino program do already scream about how it is not fair.

 

The ship operations and the casino operations are separate corporations and separate lines of business. Each has its own perks program to attract customers to its business. The spa operation is also a separate business for that matter.

I'm referring to a casino loyalty program like a land based casino where you actually get different levels based on play over time. The casino program on Carnival isn't quite the same as there's no rime nor reason to how they hand out stuff. 

[d12j28]

19 hours ago, BlerkOne said:

So casino players are double dipping. Even more unfair. They should not earn sea days on comped cruises. Celebrity doesn't give points to comped cruisers.

It's not double dipping. The room is paid for by the casino so Carnival loses nothing.

[Luckysll]

On 12/19/2022 at 8:02 AM, elklemi said:

Since I cruise solo most of the time and pay double for my cabin I would like to receive credit for those two fares not just one.  

Me, too.  Princess does it.  I've never understood why Princess can but Carnival can't.  They are both under the Carnival Corp. umbrella.

[BlerkOne]

1 hour ago, d12j28 said:

It's not double dipping. The room is paid for by the casino so Carnival loses nothing.

OF course it is. The free room is the incentive for the gambler to cruise. and the free drinks. Now they also want an extra bottle of water and an extra drink?

 

What rate does the casino pay for the room? More than what a paying customer would? I don't think so.

[BlerkOne]

1 hour ago, Luckysll said:

Me, too.  Princess does it.  I've never understood why Princess can but Carnival can't.  They are both under the Carnival Corp. umbrella.

Princess does do it. Princess also bases loyalty on number of cruises or days at sea.

 

Different business units. Different business models. It's business.

[bucfan2]

1 hour ago, BlerkOne said:

OF course it is. The free room is the incentive for the gambler to cruise. and the free drinks. Now they also want an extra bottle of water and an extra drink?

 

What rate does the casino pay for the room? More than what a paying customer would? I don't think so.

You answered yourself in the next post….. It's business.  They’re not too interested in your input, although one could argue any business input in these times could only help lol. 

Edited December 23, 2022 by bucfan2

[BlerkOne]

15 minutes ago, bucfan2 said:

You answered yourself in the next post….. It's business.  They’re not too interested in your input, although one could argue any business input in these times could only help lol. 

I'm quite certain you have no insight into their thinking. They want to increase profit and my suggestion is the only logical conclusion. lol.

[BlerkOne]

Less there be any doubt about what Carnival brands are targeting

 

Carnival Corporation is ramping up advertising spending across its portfolio of brands, according to President and CEO Josh Weinstein, speaking on the company’s year-end and fourth quarter earnings call.

He said it was a move to support future demand.

“I’ve actively been working with each brand on their strategies and road maps,” Weinstein said. “As a result, I’ve authorized our brands to take a significant step up in advertising activities, including a nearly 20 percent increase in our investment this past quarter over 2019, to elevate awareness and consideration and to drive demand for both the near and the longer term. This should be particularly impactful with those new-to-cruise, where we draw about one-third of our guests, as we position to take share from land-based alternatives.”