No More $25 Casino Credit

[RoperDK]

I've been sailing on Carnival for over twenty years.  I've been Platinum for a long time and 3 more 7-day cruises will make me Diamond. I've heard rumblings of changes to the loyalty program for at least 10 years.  In reality, the benefits I receive aren't spectacular by any means.  I choose to cruise on Carnival for price (which isn't nearly as enticing anymore) or ship/itinerary.  I don't cruise because of the benefits, because they aren't that great.  I have ventured to other lines because I prefer their product.  What does keep me coming back is the fun ship atmosphere and the casual free dining options.  The bottom line for me is if Carnival delivers a value product regardless of the extras. So far, the value is disappearing.        

[jimbo5544]

1 hour ago, RoperDK said:

I've been sailing on Carnival for over twenty years.  I've been Platinum for a long time and 3 more 7-day cruises will make me Diamond. I've heard rumblings of changes to the loyalty program for at least 10 years.  In reality, the benefits I receive aren't spectacular by any means.  I choose to cruise on Carnival for price (which isn't nearly as enticing anymore) or ship/itinerary.  I don't cruise because of the benefits, because they aren't that great.  I have ventured to other lines because I prefer their product.  What does keep me coming back is the fun ship atmosphere and the casual free dining options.  The bottom line for me is if Carnival delivers a value product regardless of the extras. So far, the value is disappearing.        

If you think the value is somewhere else, then follow that path, regardless of the reason. Their demand and occupancy is at record levels, but if you see better elsewhere then go for it.

[BlerkOne]

The casino could replace the $25 credit with a bar of gold and some would complain.

[staceyglow]

3 hours ago, wo5m said:

 

While he has mentioned this several time recently. Lets not forget he reported that the VIFP revamp was going to change prior to the dark ages(during covid shutdown). Covid probably messed that up.

 

 

 

Now that Royal has announced their loyalty match across it brands, I think Carnival will probably have to do the same if for no longer reason, because of the competition. It also make since. You have a lot of Diamond and Platinum guest who started out young. As they get more "seasoned", things like roller-coasters, water slides and the "fun" of the fun ship losses its appeal. By doing a loyalty match, it would allow carnival(the parent) to keep them as a paying customer, by letting try Princes, or Holland America since they already have skin in the game. Without the match there make no difference is cruising with Celebrity, Viking or Virgin as you start a 0 again either way. 

 

 

I agree with this 100%.  DH and I have recently turned Diamond, and we also are interested in cruises that skew older in terms of the "experience" of the passengers.  In terms of perks, there is zero incentive for us to stick with Carnival Corporation cruise lines.  We might as well try the other lines.

[stevethepirate]

They have dumbed down the perks so much that they're not really perks anymore. I have two 5 days back-to-back. And then I make Diamond. I have six cruises booked. And I'm afraid to book any more cruises because they promised to announce new VIFP benefits. And I don't want to be Platinum forever. It's been 12 years already. I'm so tired of this stupid silver card. 

[dandeck]

23 hours ago, DallasGuy75219 said:

 

It was originally a free tournament entry, then changed to BOGO for an entry before tournaments were cut due to COVID.

 

I'm certain it used to be any day at brunch. 

Yes, has always been any sea day brunch.  Has that changed?

[jimbo5544]

5 hours ago, stevethepirate said:

. And I'm afraid to book any more cruises because they promised to announce new VIFP benefits. And I don't want to be Platinum forever. It's been 12 years already. I'm so tired of this stupid silver card. 

Careful what you ask for, you just may get it.  Are you really afraid to book a cruise because of the color of the card?  

[jimbo5544]

9 hours ago, staceyglow said:

I agree with this 100%.  DH and I have recently turned Diamond, and we also are interested in cruises that skew older in terms of the "experience" of the passengers.  In terms of perks, there is zero incentive for us to stick with Carnival Corporation cruise lines.  We might as well try the other lines.

Covid (kind of like the dark ages analogy) messed up a ton in this industry, prob more than any other.  Because of it changes have happen and will continue to happen.  That said, cruising is always evolving, and options are always a better thing.  It is human nature to think the grass is greener on the other side of the street.  Cruisers speak with dead presidents, where they spend their money.

[rainbowflag]

5 hours ago, dandeck said:

Yes, has always been any sea day brunch.  Has that changed?

Yes, now the VIFP benefit specifies at brunch on the last day. They also discontinued the one time donation to St Jude's Children Hospital as a Diamond benefit. Who's next, Jerry's Kids? I object to how these benefits are changed with no notice. 

[jimbo5544]

2 hours ago, rainbowflag said:

Yes, now the VIFP benefit specifies at brunch on the last day. They also discontinued the one time donation to St Jude's Children Hospital as a Diamond benefit. Who's next, Jerry's Kids? I object to how these benefits are changed with no notice. 

How much have they donated (still donating) to St Jude, let start with millions?  

[rainbowflag]

3 minutes ago, jimbo5544 said:

How much have they donated (still donating) to St Jude, let start with millions?  

 I object to how these benefits are changed with no notice. 

[jimbo5544]

12 minutes ago, rainbowflag said:

 I object to how these benefits are changed with no notice. 

OK, how much notice would make it ok?

[jimbo5544]

39 minutes ago, jimbo5544 said:

OK, how much notice would make it ok?

It was a serious question, I get where you are coming from.  I just looked at the list again, there are things all over the place, controlled from different perspectives and departments.  Would it be perceived better if they announced in stages?  I do not think that would go over any better.  The end result is we will end up where we end up. 

[BlerkOne]

50 minutes ago, jimbo5544 said:

OK, how much notice would make it ok?

I wonder how many actually read the Terms and Conditions of the marketing program. Specifically Section 3 which has been there forever.

 

"CCL reserves the right to alter or modify the Club at any time in CCL’s sole discretion without notice to Members, including without limitation, the right to add, modify, delete or otherwise change any provision of the Terms and Conditions or any aspect of the Club, including without limitation, any procedure, the Levels, the number of VIFP Points required for any Level, the method of earning VIFP Points, and the Benefits, each as defined below. CCL further reserves the right to terminate the Club at any time without notice to Members. Since any changes will be posted on this page, Members should check this page regularly. Continued membership in the Club following any changes to these Terms and Conditions constitutes acceptance of such changes."

 

[ohioNCLcruiser]

17 hours ago, BlerkOne said:

The casino could replace the $25 credit with a bar of gold and some would complain.

 

And John Heald could take a dump on a dinner plate and some people would say it's a great enhancement and offering by Carnival and complainers need to get over it.

 

I get why some don't care about this change but I get the people that view it as another cut back. Am I going to miss it? yes. Do I think it's a cheap cutback? Yes but will it make me change who I sail with? Not even close..

[BlerkOne]

1 minute ago, ohioNCLcruiser said:

 

And John Heald could take a dump on a dinner plate and some people would say it's a great enhancement and offering by Carnival and complainers need to get over it.

 

I get why some don't care about this change but I get the people that view it as another cut back. Am I going to miss it? yes. Do I think it's a cheap cutback? Yes but will it make me change who I sail with? Not even close..

What some people fail to realize is that the Carnival Cruise Lines doesn't control Casino promotions. By definition, promotions exist with the expectation of a certain ROI on the investment. When it fails to produce, the promotion no longer has value to the Casino.

 

People will call it what they want to, but the Casino is a business.

[jimbo5544]

2 minutes ago, ohioNCLcruiser said:

 

And John Heald could take a dump on a dinner plate and some people would say it's a great enhancement and offering by Carnival and complainers need to get over it.

 

I get why some don't care about this change but I get the people that view it as another cut back. Am I going to miss it? yes. Do I think it's a cheap cutback? Yes but will it make me change who I sail with? Not even close..

John is the senior spokesman for the cruise line.  What should he say other than what he says?  It is his job to do just that.  I have never understood posts like this.  On this particular feature, we know the history, what it started and what it evolved to.  It is not like chocolate covered strawberries that have little value, it is real hard cash.

[ohioNCLcruiser]

13 minutes ago, jimbo5544 said:

John is the senior spokesman for the cruise line.  What should he say other than what he says?  It is his job to do just that.  I have never understood posts like this.  On this particular feature, we know the history, what it started and what it evolved to.  It is not like chocolate covered strawberries that have little value, it is real hard cash.

I wasn't meaning that to be about anything about what John Heald does or says, I'm just saying some people on this board will swing even the worst thing as a positive "get over it people" type of thing. Or they say because it's allowed in the terms and conditions that it can't be viewed as a negative. 

[jimbo5544]

4 minutes ago, ohioNCLcruiser said:

I wasn't meaning that to be about anything about what John Heald does or says, I'm just saying some people on this board will swing even the worst thing as a positive "get over it people" type of thing. Or they say because it's allowed in the terms and conditions that it can't be viewed as a negative. 

I am sure it will be a topic of discussion, this item and whenever they roll out the program.  All opinions count, and people can react however they want.  The point I would make, is whether someone likes it or hates it, it is needed.  At the end of the day, it will be what it is.  

[RoperDK]

19 hours ago, jimbo5544 said:

If you think the value is somewhere else, then follow that path, regardless of the reason. Their demand and occupancy is at record levels, but if you see better elsewhere then go for it.

I have been, but I still cruise on Carnival sometimes.  All cruise lines are sailing full with higher prices and fewer extras. How long that will last is anyone's guess. We all make our choices based on how we feel when cruising on that particular cruise line.  What is a perfect fit for someone can be a great disappointment for others.        

[icft]

12 minutes ago, RoperDK said:

I have been, but I still cruise on Carnival sometimes.  All cruise lines are sailing full with higher prices and fewer extras. How long that will last is anyone's guess. We all make our choices based on how we feel when cruising on that particular cruise line.  What is a perfect fit for someone can be a great disappointment for others.        

Like minds here. Except for Journeys cruises we generally sail NCL now. That means the loss of the $25 doesn't much matter to us. But we did chuckle when we saw this. It is typical Carnival. Almost all the "temporary changes due to covid" that reduced cost to Carnival and service to the passenger were permanent while the temporary change that had a cost to Carnival and benefit to the passenger truly was temporary.

[Frank12]

15 hours ago, stevethepirate said:

. And I don't want to be Platinum forever. It's been 12 years already. I'm so tired of this stupid silver card. 

Because of work schedules / pets/ etc. we take a lot of short cruises (3-5 days).  Fortunately we live in Florida so we can do this. Been Platinum since 2010.  40 cruises on Carnival and still 20 days away from Diamond! 🤣

[IntrepidFromDC]

In other cutback news, Carnival is delighted to announce that after the successful removal of tablecloths, they will now be getting rid of tables in the MDR.   Valued guests will instead be issued improved dual purpose bed comforters that will also serve as picnic blankets ("CPB's).  Guests will be required to bring their CPB's or entry to MDR will be denied.  Carnival is pleased to announce this new aspect of FUN.

[4x4TX]

I just got off the Jubliee and got the perk this week, guess we got lucky. 

[mz-s]

3 hours ago, IntrepidFromDC said:

In other cutback news, Carnival is delighted to announce that after the successful removal of tablecloths, they will now be getting rid of tables in the MDR.   Valued guests will instead be issued improved dual purpose bed comforters that will also serve as picnic blankets ("CPB's).  Guests will be required to bring their CPB's or entry to MDR will be denied.  Carnival is pleased to announce this new aspect of FUN.

 

On the Legend last week, the crew just asked guests to eat over trash cans. (sarcasm)