Carnival Edges Royal Caribbean, Norwegian in Customer Vote

[pe4all]

Having been to many of the ports multiple times we just get off the ship to walk around a little, then right back on.  Not really beach people.  We use the ship as our "destination" - floating hotel.  Give me my balcony, my kindle, my meals prepared and fresh towels and I am a happy person. We use NCL for more "exotic" destinations - Europe, Hawaii, etc. Carnival meets our needs, with CCL cruise #31 coming up in a few weeks.  Our sail and sign cards are hardly used (drinks on us for free from casino anywhere on ship)- No photos.  We go to a few shows, maybe the comedy club, and just relax from the rat race at home!

[firefly333]

13 hours ago, BlerkOne said:

No worries. Prepaid reservations are needed or you don't go up the steps. There is no line (currently).

 

The Skyride is free.

I did the sky ride. Too much excitement for me. They closed it down right after I got on so I went around by myself. Got around the bend and hit the wind and it blew the car swinging sideways. Looked up and still connected, so started back pedaling. In my mind I never considered how much those rides can swing in the wind. Once was enough. At least I can say I did it.

 

Dream up next, only good spa cabins and rope course that class. Did breeze b2b last year, not dream. 1 year 14 days. With jubilee cancelling .. jubilee not until after dream looks like for carnival. I'm really hoping for that shareholder obc to put toward pay dinners. I keep hearing carnival isnt giving it to so many now. I love to spend obc. Lol still at 197 pts for carnival... .one more.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

32 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

...Lol still at 197 pts for carnival... .one more.

 

Too bad that Carnival doesn't offer PUP (Power Up Points) like Celebrity does. It's an EASY way to add on a few points here and there to get you to that next tier prior to boarding !! 10 PUP's translates into 1 Captain's Club point. I've probably managed ~20-25 points that way. I'm currently at just over 1,500 points - though 3,000 is the next/final tier. That's a LONG HAUL, not sure if I'll make it or not! 🙂

 

Most of these points earning activities involve watching destination webinars (typically earning 50 PUP's = 5 points) or a link to some info to read and take an easy quiz (typically 2 points).

 

Carnival should do something along these lines !

 

-----------------------

 

Earn Points From Home

 

Introducing Power Up Points—an exclusive new way for Captain’s Club members to earn points even when you’re not sailing. We’ll email you different activities—including sharing your preferences and social media content—and you’ll earn Power Up Points just for participating. We’ve created this program as a way for you to earn points from the comfort of your own home—and have some fun.

 

Not a Captain's Club member? Enroll now.

 

 

 

Tom

[firefly333]

2 minutes ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

 

Too bad that Carnival doesn't offer PUP (Power Up Points) like Celebrity does. It's an EASY way to add on a few points here and there to get you to that next tier prior to boarding !! 10 PUP's translates into 1 Captain's Club point. I've probably managed ~20-25 points that way. I'm currently at just over 1,500 points - though 3,000 is the next/final tier. That's a LONG HAUL, not sure if I'll make it or not! 🙂

 

Most of these points earning activities involve watching destination webinars (typically earning 50 PUP's = 5 points) or a link to some info to read and take an easy quiz (typically 2 points).

 

Carnival should do something long these lines !

 

-----------------------

 

Earn Points From Home

 

Introducing Power Up Points—an exclusive new way for Captain’s Club members to earn points even when you’re not sailing. We’ll email you different activities—including sharing your preferences and social media content—and you’ll earn Power Up Points just for participating. We’ve created this program as a way for you to earn points from the comfort of your own home—and have some fun.

 

Not a Captain's Club member? Enroll now.

 

 

 

Tom

I saw that but never did any of those for celebrity. I used tier matching on celebrity from rcl so if I cruise more on celebrity I stay the same tier until my pts catch up.

 

When cruises restarted I did vista with cheers at pre covid prices. Way over priced but I didnt want to bother my ta to price match, so maybe got a bad start. Then the b2b breeze and rcl was doing some super cheap deals I missed. Rcl brought in independence then changed 7 to 8 days, but I was booked on breeze when they got such good deals. Then I found out rcl would give a solo discount so I chased rcl pts.

 

But now it makes no difference. Whatever is the best deal. I'd prefer something a little different at this pt. The 14 day dream takes me to new ports. I'm not a fan of rcl 2024 prices but they added harmony 8 days to coco cay and dec is with friends. 

 

Either I'm burning out or just ready for new itineraries. I'm also looking to book a ncl prima but after final payment when the costs for the extras fall off. Lol free flight for 2nd pax does nothing for me. 

 

MSC is building a new terminal at Galveston. More and more choices. Maybe I'm burning out. Got sick last 2 cruises didnt help. 

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

5 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

I saw that but never did any of those for celebrity. I used tier matching on celebrity from rcl so if I cruise more on celebrity I stay the same tier until my pts catch up.

 

When cruises restarted I did vista with cheers at pre covid prices. Way over priced but I didnt want to bother my ta to price match, so maybe got a bad start. Then the b2b breeze and rcl was doing some super cheap deals I missed. Rcl brought in independence then changed 7 to 8 days, but I was booked on breeze when they got such good deals. Then I found out rcl would give a solo discount so I chased rcl pts.

 

But now it makes no difference. Whatever is the best deal. I'd prefer something a little different at this pt. The 14 day dream takes me to new ports. I'm not a fan of rcl 2024 prices but they added harmony 8 days to coco cay and dec is with friends. 

 

Either I'm burning out or just ready for new itineraries. I'm also looking to book a ncl prima but after final payment when the costs for the extras fall off. Lol free flight for 2nd pax does nothing for me. 

 

MSC is building a new terminal at Galveston. More and more choices. Maybe I'm burning out. Got sick last 2 cruises didnt help. 

 

Regarding the Prima:

 

I realize that the suite prices are higher on Royal, Celebrity, and NCL than on Carnival - yet you do get substantially more for that higher price. Having said that, we did have the Prima booked for this coming February - I grabbed a nice aft corner Haven cabin early. But, at $14k for the two of us for 7 nights, I decided it was just over priced. I ended up cancelling and then booked the Mardi Gras for the same week (aft corner Excel)... $2,500 for the cabin, OBC, and CHEERS on a casino offer. That was easy math for me!!!

 

Tom

[firefly333]

4 minutes ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

 

Regarding the Prima:

 

I realize that the suite prices are higher on Royal, Celebrity, and NCL than on Carnival - yet you do get substantially more for that higher price. Having said that, we did have the Prima booked for this coming February - I grabbed a nice aft corner Haven cabin early. But, at $14k for the two of us for 7 nights, I decided it was just over priced. I ended up cancelling and then booked the Mardi Gras for the same week (aft corner Excel)... $2,500 for the cabin, OBC, and CHEERS on a casino offer. That was easy math for me!!!

 

Tom

I just couldnt pay 14k for a cruise. I know people who book suites but they just got too high. As a solo I dont value the extra space, maybe if I was cruising with someone romantic I would book suites. 

 

$2500 for a aft excel sounds like a awesome price that even I'd go for.  Obviously I need to gamble more. My issue with carnival is they dont reward loyalty like rcl. I find it hard to pay several hundred more for a inside on carnival over what i can book a inside balcony on rcl. Plus rcl throws in 5 drinks a day and 2 plus days of free wifi i miss when i do carnival. Carnival just costs more. The newer oasis class ships have so many balconies, often a inside balcony is cheaper for me than a inside cabin on carnival by hundreds of dollars. Lol dec 10 2023 a inside balcony was cheaper than a inside cabin on harmony by $18. With my $250 balcony discount  ... and then solo discount. .. carnival isnt competitive for me.

 

I'm perfectly willing and wanting carnival, just wouldnt pay extra. Carnival wants newbies. Rcl encourages loyalty, carnival doesnt with their perks. I keep hoping carnival has a deal for me. People make fun of me for defending carnival. 

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

2 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

... Plus rcl throws in 5 drinks a day and 2 plus days of free wifi i miss when i do carnival.

 

Owing to our status with Celebrity, automatically being Diamond on Royal was a great perk. So, we're at the 4 drinks/day/each point, which is still a very nice benefit - meaning that we can forgo the beverage package, saving a chunk of change there. What happens if we go a couple drinks over our 4 daily freebies? We just pay for them, with a smile!

 

I'd be more apt to jump on over to HAL or Princess (they have some interesting itineraries) from time to time IF Carnival would extend some reciprocity stemming from our Diamond VIFP status. It still keeps the $'s under the same corporate umbrella! 

 

Tom

[firefly333]

1 minute ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

 

Owing to our status with Celebrity, automatically being Diamond on Royal was a great perk. So, we're at the 4 drinks/day/each point, which is still a very nice benefit - meaning that we can forgo the beverage package, saving a chunk of change there. What happens if we go a couple drinks over our 4 daily freebies? We just pay for them, with a smile!

 

I'd be more apt to jump on over to HAL or Princess (they have some interesting itineraries) from time to time IF Carnival would extend some reciprocity stemming from our Diamond VIFP status. It still keeps the $'s under the same corporate umbrella! 

 

Tom

I was tempted by some good prices on princess in jan, but my mom isnt doing well, so I'm staying home. I started with princess. Carnival was later. I agree carnival needs to up its game for perks. 

 

The 4 drinks is nice but dont forget for both of you to use your free 24 hours of wifi as a rcl diamond. I also like the bogo I get on pay restaurants.. carnival diamond a one time free steak house visit vs every cruise I get a bogo on rcl. And it brings in extra income for rcl. I know .. another thread. But carnival could easily bring in more income with some perks. 

 

My 14 day dream goes to aruba curacao and costa rica and Panama and Columbia. I had a hard time picking which cruise. .. but that date worked best. Carnival my 14 day skips the B on abc islands but still nice. I picked it for the ports. Excursions will cost a mint. Carnival goes where I want. Some cruises for the ports, some I book for the ship. If only carnival would up their game for loyalty. Not just discount to attract casino. 

[BlerkOne]

It's really pretty simple - Carnival's business model doesn't depend on bribing repeat business. Carnival wants customers who like the brand. Although they have corrupted that with the casino offers.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

2 hours ago, BlerkOne said:

It's really pretty simple - Carnival's business model doesn't depend on bribing repeat business. Carnival wants customers who like the brand. Although they have corrupted that with the casino offers.

 

And I'm the fly, lured into the lair !  🕸️

 

Tom

[firefly333]

13 minutes ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

 

And I'm the fly, lured into the lair !  🕸️

 

Tom

Even princess is giving me better prices. I'm loyal to my wallet. To me carnival is mostly luring casino players.  My friend who went with me complained how hard it was to even get on a machine. Was a prime or something casino week. So many casino offers hard to book and miss them.

 

To say carnival doesnt need to lure people back with loyalty perks is just a nonsense statement. Lots are booking becaus of cheap casino rates. That's who they cater to. 

 

Princess is offering lower solo supplements out of Galveston.. each gives offers to lure in who they want. To claim price makes no difference .. does to me. 

[Joebucks]

7 hours ago, firefly333 said:

I just couldnt pay 14k for a cruise. I know people who book suites but they just got too high. As a solo I dont value the extra space, maybe if I was cruising with someone romantic I would book suites. 

 

$2500 for a aft excel sounds like a awesome price that even I'd go for.  Obviously I need to gamble more. My issue with carnival is they dont reward loyalty like rcl. I find it hard to pay several hundred more for a inside on carnival over what i can book a inside balcony on rcl. Plus rcl throws in 5 drinks a day and 2 plus days of free wifi i miss when i do carnival. Carnival just costs more. The newer oasis class ships have so many balconies, often a inside balcony is cheaper for me than a inside cabin on carnival by hundreds of dollars. Lol dec 10 2023 a inside balcony was cheaper than a inside cabin on harmony by $18. With my $250 balcony discount  ... and then solo discount. .. carnival isnt competitive for me.

 

I'm perfectly willing and wanting carnival, just wouldnt pay extra. Carnival wants newbies. Rcl encourages loyalty, carnival doesnt with their perks. I keep hoping carnival has a deal for me. People make fun of me for defending carnival. 

 

I agree Royal has the best loyalty plan. The daily vouchers are an outstanding value prop for me. I actually intended to sail Royal for my upcoming cruise. Then Carnival hit me with $1250 (and a $100 off AMEX offer) for 7 nights, in a balcony, on the Celebration. Royal barely has any interior rooms on the Oasis class for that price. Then there's also itinerary and timing considerations.

 

Last year was similar. They hit me with $880 for 7 nights on the Panorama, in a balcony. We had been interested in Mexican Riviera cruise, so why the heck not? I find myself traveling for close to around 30 days a year, which I am very fortunate to be able to do while still working. I don't need all of the extra stuff. As much as everyone fights for their particular line, there's a lot of similarities. Just because something has "free" slapped on it, doesn't mean I am actually pocketing money. 

 

But variety is the spice of life. I can certainly see the value of the other lines. I'm hoping to hop on Royal sooner than later. Perhaps one day, when I am Diamond or above, it will make sense. Maybe I'll be bored of it by then. 

[BlerkOne]

Like smokers, gamblers are a vocal minority. Most Carnival cruisers aren't on casino rates. 

 

Clearly Carnival is satisfied with the number of repeat cruisers or they would change the marketing/loyalty program. 

 

Repeat business doesn't grow the business and discount cabins don't reduce debt. Attracting new cruisers will grow the business with customers who actually spend money on a cruise 

[IntrepidFromDC]

6 hours ago, BlerkOne said:

It's really pretty simple - Carnival's business model doesn't depend on bribing repeat business. Carnival wants customers who like the brand. Although they have corrupted that with the casino offers.

There she goes dragging us degenerates into the conversation.  Blerk, how many times I gotta tell you just let us fly low, under the "Carnival changes" radar!  😁 🏴‍☠️  Free cruises are a lifestyle!

[BlerkOne]

11 minutes ago, IntrepidFromDC said:

There she goes dragging us degenerates into the conversation.  Blerk, how many times I gotta tell you just let us fly low, under the "Carnival changes" radar!  😁 🏴‍☠️  Free cruises are a lifestyle!

Free cruises are easy to throttle with nothing set in stone, but Carnival isn't the only one playing that game.

[bucfan2]

12 hours ago, BlerkOne said:

Deleted

Edited January 1, 2023 by bucfan2

[FSHLOT]

12 hours ago, BlerkOne said:

Like smokers, gamblers are a vocal minority. Most Carnival cruisers aren't on casino rates. 

 

Clearly Carnival is satisfied with the number of repeat cruisers or they would change the marketing/loyalty program. 

 

Repeat business doesn't grow the business and discount cabins don't reduce debt. Attracting new cruisers will grow the business with customers who actually spend money on a cruise 

If it wasn't for Gamblers and smokers your stock will be even more worthless then ever. 😆

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

10 hours ago, IntrepidFromDC said:

There she goes dragging us degenerates into the conversation.  Blerk, how many times I gotta tell you just let us fly low, under the "Carnival changes" radar!  😁 🏴‍☠️  Free cruises are a lifestyle!

 

Well, if nothing else - I've learned something. All along, I had assumed (yes, I know...) that BlerkOne was male.

 

Tom

[ontheweb]

2 minutes ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

 

Well, if nothing else - I've learned something. All along, I had assumed (yes, I know...) that BlerkOne was male.

 

Tom

🤣, Does that make any difference?

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

42 minutes ago, ontheweb said:

🤣, Does that make any difference?

 

Absolutely not - just goes to show how easy it is sometimes to just assume things. It's difficult to come to everything with a blank slate.

 

Tom

 

(BTW - I sign my posts... it's virtually always me posting... you're pretty much guaranteed never to hear from Cheryl on here)

[ninjacat123]

22 minutes ago, ontheweb said:

Maybe in your mind's eye when you picture Blerk, you see a cheerleader. 🤣 Though there are male cheerleaders, the great majority are still females.

I thought I remembered a review by BlerkOne on MG with a pic of BlerkOne riding Bolt.  And he had a beard.  Hmmmm....

[BlerkOne]

18 hours ago, BlerkOne said:

Like smokers, gamblers are a vocal minority. Most Carnival cruisers aren't on casino rates. 

 

Clearly Carnival is satisfied with the number of repeat cruisers or they would change the marketing/loyalty program. 

 

Repeat business doesn't grow the business and discount cabins don't reduce debt. Attracting new cruisers will grow the business with customers who actually spend money on a cruise 

To double down, some cruisers seriously overvalue themselves. Nobody is irreplaceable. Still more people who have never been on a cruise, than have.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

58 minutes ago, BlerkOne said:

To double down, some cruisers seriously overvalue themselves.

 

In cruising, and in life. This is not news.

 

Tom (not the Cheryl)

 

 

[staceyglow]

2 hours ago, BlerkOne said:

To double down, some cruisers seriously overvalue themselves. Nobody is irreplaceable. Still more people who have never been on a cruise, than have.

And I am sure that when some high-maintenance cruisers exclaim, "Well!  This is the last time I will ever cruise this line again!!!"  The cruise lines are like