New S&S cards COOL!

[Avril]

I was just doing some thinking. I really do like the new cards a lot better than the old ones. :D I'm about to take my 9th cruise (with Carnival) in May so will be Platinum on the one after that (I can't wait)!! :D The thing that's making me wonder is what does it matter what your card looks like? All I use it for is to get into my cabin, to get on and of the ship in port and to pay for stuff onboard (drinks, stuff in the gift shop, etc). I don't go waving it in other people's faces and bragging about how many cruises I've been on. Yes, it's nice whenever I get some recognition from the crew and/or fellow passengers but honestly, it doesn't really matter if the whole world knows I've been with Carnival 8 times (almost 9). I've always enjoyed meeting my fellow passengers and chatting with them and have always thought Carnival has some of the nicest passengers in the world. :D I had no idea that the majority were bragging snobs who rub their number of cruises in others faces. :( Sorry, not trying to be rude here, just saying what's on my mind.

[*Mach*]

What difference does the design on the card make? Does it really affect your cruise? Again, aren't you enjoying yourself on a cruise? Or is this just something to whine about?

 

Please just try and enjoy yourself. You are paying for a great cruise. And if the design on the card has any impact on that enjoyment, sorry!

 

I have to admit.... this is one of the reasons why I love Cruise Critic. Arguments and disagreements that erupt into world war III!!!!!!!! Hey, I think I'll wear sequined flip flops on formal night.... that should get you going!!!!!!

 

 

No one here said it effects their cruise.

Carnival developed Gold and Platinum status to recognize and reward cruisers for their loyalty, just like credit card companies, hotels and car rental agencies do.

I think the rub here is that the new cards simply don't display the status the way the current cards do. That seems perfectly reasonable to me.

At the end of this year I'll be Platinum. That's a lot of money and time spent on Carnival vessels.

Some have said that the crew will recognize first timer/gold/platinum and that's probably true but the newer folks won't or probably won't. Many a conversation has started with 'I see you're Platinum... what's your favorite port?' etc...

Every cruise line recognizes repeat cruisers in one way or another. There has recently been quite a bit of discussion at Carnival about improving the past guest recognition programs and I can't help but feel that this is a step backwards...

[LorrieB]

No MADNESS here (well, I don't think I'm crazy... :confused:)

 

 

Gold Member

Exclusive past guest offers

Complimentary subscription to Currents magazine

Special Gold Sail & Sign card

Invitation to special cocktail reception (5 day or longer cruise)

 

 

 

Platinum Member - Carnival Concierge Club

All Gold member benefits

Carnival Concierge Club benefits* including:

Personalized stationery

A special Carnival logo item

Guaranteed dining times and supper club reservations

Complimentary $20 entry fee into blackjack or slots tournament**

Spa Carnival priority reservations

Petit fours and/or canapés delivered to cabin*** one evening

Complimentary wash and fold laundry service

Priority tender boarding

Priority embarkation and debarkation

Complimentary arcade tokens valued at $5 dollars for guests under

18 years of age

 

 

 

Platinum Member - Milestone

 

Sail and celebrate your Carnival “milestone” with our exciting new guest recognition program. Past guests who sail on a “milestone” 25th, 50th and 75th “Fun Ship” cruise will receive shipboard credit representing 25 percent, 50 percent, or 75 percent of their cruise fair, respectively, for that particular voyage. And, for your 100th earn a complimentary Caribbean, Mexican Riviera or Alaskan voyage up to eight days in length. These “milestone” cruise benefits are in addition to the other amenities and privileges of being a “Platinum” cardholder.

 

Tom

WOW!!!!!!! I'm a bit confused about the milestone cruising but I can't wait to be a PLATINUM MEMBER. So does that mean 25th cruise, 50th cruise and 75th cruise? Are we automatically Gold when we take our second cruise or does it take more? Okay, let me do the math..... 2 cruises a year get's me to platinum in 4 more years, milestone in 9 years, 19 years, and 24 years???? Am I correct????? I better start booking cruises.

[*Mach*]

WOW!!!!!!! I'm a bit confused about the milestone cruising but I can't wait to be a PLATINUM MEMBER. So does that mean 25th cruise, 50th cruise and 75th cruise? Are we automatically Gold when we take our second cruise or does it take more?

 

 

Cruises 2 through 9 are gold...

[cschultz]

What is Carnival doing to us?

 

First, the "new" cards, I DON'T LIKE THEM,

 

Second, taking away the cards at the end of cruise? (Cunard has done this for at least two years. Cunard's reason: "security". For some reason I always manage to loose mine about two days before the end of crossing and have to get another on. :rolleyes: Me Be Bad.)

 

Third, taking away the Stockholders OBC?

 

Carnival, (Uncle Gerry and John, are you listening? This is NOT a way to encourge your past passengers to continue to sail with Carnival. The bottom line is made by returning customers/guests/passengers. Don't upset them.

 

We had been considering buying Carnival stock for the OBC. Did they take that away?

I hadn't heard that.

[Aplmac]

sounds like there is a lot of whining going on.

- yeah they are a little more cartoonish, but they are still blue, gold and silver.

what's the fuss!

What's the FUSS?!

 

 

The new cards don't scream..

I'm Special - I'm Platinum! Unlike you other mere mortals. :eek:

 

That's the fuss.... sheeeesh!

[EarthGirl517]

When I first saw the cards I thought they went with the "fun" theme of Carnival. I am not platinum and thought the cards were cute. However, after reading this thread I can certainly understand how the platinum guests feel. I think it it important to take that into consideration. Getting to platinum is no small feat for some (it will take a long time for me to get there), and they deserve to be heard.

 

I do think the old cards are kind of ugly and "seventies" looking, but they should make the new gold & platinum stand out more.

[kelz66]

Ahem...

 

That's blue, gold and PLATINUM.... :rolleyes:

 

:D

 

Tom

 

They all look white to me....LOL :p

 

Cruises 2 through 9 are gold...

 

The Splendor will be my last Gold one!!

:D

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

We had been considering buying Carnival stock for the OBC. Did they take that away?

I hadn't heard that.

 

Reference my previous reply to that comment (on page 11):

 

...

 

That has been idle speculation on a couple of threads --- given the economic times we are in. I hope not also!!!

 

Tom

 

Tom

[antlou]

John is watching this thread but you can also post in the comments section of his blog:

 

www.johnhealdsblog.com

 

Currently, the majority of folks posting on the blog like the new cards but others, like many here, would like to retain to old card and the recognition that comes along with the colors...

 

Cast our vote to keep the old cards. We have sailed with Carnival 15 times and are in the process of booking one now. We always feel special when our Platinum card is recognized. Probably the folks in favor of the new cards are not Platinum members. We should put it up for a vote!

[obx_fintoo]

 

Some have said that the crew will recognize first timer/gold/platinum and that's probably true ....

Sadly, Mach, that most likely won't be the case. What we found on our first couple Platinum cruises was that the crew had never seen the new cards before. Remember, most of them aren't sitting on their computers reading these boards or even John's blog thingie! After a few times we did see improvements and now it is common, but I expect to see less recognition on the crew's part when the change is made. :(

 

And for the couple of Platinum envious folks out there, it is not always an "I am better than you" scenario. When I see a fellow cruiser with a blue card that looks confused, I will stop and offer my assistance, be it how to navigate the ship, how many entrees you can order at dinner, what time is the midnight buffet, etc. If it is only a slight difference, I won't be starting at that persons card to tell what color it is!

 

I am sorry if you have experienced otherwise or if you just need to vent some frustrations, but please don't make this into a "haves and have nots" thing. It is simply a post as to whether folks on this board like the looks of the new card... or not. :cool:

[Rowan555]

On my first platinum cruise, I guess the whole thing was still pretty new, so I got mentions by quite a few of the staff when I used my card to pay for drinks, shop purchases, etc. Now maybe one person says something about my being platinum. The number of platinum cruisers on the Fantasy was something around 6 on my first platinum cruise, and the last cruise had at least 25. I'm sure on the newer, larger ship there are tons. What we DID notice on our last cruise was that a big fuss was made when our kids used their cards - most of the staff seemed shocked to see a 7 year old and a 9 year old with platinum cards. They usually made a big deal about it to the kids, which was nice, and made our kids feel special.

[LemurCat]

Seriously? Folks are upset that they're card isn't going to scream platinum? Do you folks also get upset when when people don't comment on your brand of sneakers or model of car? Do you folks also make it a point of say "GOLD American Express" instead of just "Amex"?

[lidoplease]

Our upcoming cruise is our platinum. It has taken us seven years to get. I prefer the old cards and hope I still get one when we cruise in 25 days. Updated design is okay...but leave the background color solid. To me, the new platinum card looks like a faded version of the 'new cruiser' card.

[cruisingirl75]

Love the new cards!!! Way cool.:cool: I never heard of the ship making you turn in your cards. Everyone I know that's cruised, always got to bring them home.

[NMCruiser55]

I like the new cards because I love the funnel. Now that I've read all these posts I vote for the compromise cards by ash4020. Since it will be years before I'm platinum, I'll be happy as long as the card lets me in my cabin. :)

[Azure Moon]

I don't care what the card looks like, but I do care that they take them away!

We've kept all of our cards and want to keep collecting them.

PS...I LOVE NCL's hull art and the pictures painted around their outside decks! :p

[RVman]

I don't care what the card looks like, but I do care that they take them away!

 

We've kept all of our cards and want to keep collecting them.

 

PS...I LOVE NCL's hull art and the pictures painted around their outside decks! :p

They’re not taking your cards. Read this post :)

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=939869

[Azure Moon]

They’re not taking your cards. Read this post :)

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=939869

Great to hear! Thanks for the link :cool::).

[cruzn buckeye]

I am Platinum. The way I feel about the new cards has nothing to do with that though.

I just think they are plain ugly and goofy looking....this opinion has nothing to do with being platinum

[smarks]

I personally dont see what is the big deal. Sounds like the ppl who have platinum are more worried about being "noticed" than anything. If its truly all about Carnival employees knowing you are platinum, I'm sure they will know the difference. Just my opinion.

It does have to do with being noticed. When you go to the concierge desk, they see your platinum card and come over to serve you. When its time to tender, you go to the desk and show your platinum card and get escorted down to the front of the line. I don't think too many passengers notice our platinum cards or if they do, most don't know why we have them. That's OK. What matters is the staff knows, because it stands out. It's not snobbery, its just a very nice perk that is available to anyone with 10 or more cruises.

 

So add two no votes for the change, unless it is something like ash did.

[Slimpickins]

It does have to do with being noticed. When you go to the concierge desk, they see your platinum card and come over to serve you. When its time to tender, you go to the desk and show your platinum card and get escorted down to the front of the line. I don't think too many passengers notice our platinum cards or if they do, most don't know why we have them. That's OK. What matters is the staff knows, because it stands out. It's not snobbery, its just a very nice perk that is available to anyone with 10 or more cruises.

 

So add two no votes for the change, unless it is something like ash did.

 

Cool, you are one of the few that posted that its not about being "noticed". You can clearly see the Platinum color in the waves. So I don't think any Platinum cruiser will have any trouble recieving their well deserved and earned perks with the new card. I'm sure when you walk up to the concierge desk they will notice you are Platinum.

 

GL

[falkcor]

did anybody else notice the first implementation of the waves motif over on carnival.com today?

 

http://www.carnival.com/FunShips.aspx

 

they updated the fun ships page and aside from adding the little 'info' icons (which are clearly not complete), they incorporated the waves into the bottom of the window with the ship names.

 

photobucket's down for maintenance so can't upload big pic. see link & attached. it's barely noticeable at a glance but definitely there.

 

obviously, someone over at carnival really likes the waves...

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Cool, you are one of the few that posted that its not about being "noticed". You can clearly see the Platinum color in the waves. So I don't think any Platinum cruiser will have any trouble recieving their well deserved and earned perks with the new card. I'm sure when you walk up to the concierge desk they will notice you are Platinum.

 

GL

 

And certainly it would be wrong for someone to even have the slightest interest in being noticed!

 

Granted, there is a fine line between taking a little pride in ones accomplishments, and having it be your actual motivation.

 

Would we continue to sail Carnival if we did not get a "special" card (regardless of the design of said card :D)? SURE. Would we continue to sail Carnival if we did not have a list of perks associated with our continued patronage? SURE. Do I take a little pride in having others see my card, or feel a tad bit "privileged" to stand in the Concierge line? SURE. Am I, as are most others, put off by people waving their card around demanding attention and expecting others to bow down to them? NO DOUBT!

 

PRIDE is one of the "Seven Deadly Sins", though I am not quite ready to live like a monk - and some things, in small doses, are not inherently wrong! (IMHO ;) )

 

Tom

[aggieastrosfan]

There are some people who hate the card for reasons other than the fact it doesn't scream, "I'M PLATINUM, I'M SPECIAL, BOW AT MY FEET!"

 

IMO, there's two things that make this card look horrible - the waves and the white background. Does any other line have such a "white" card? I know Princess doesn't, it's the only other line I've been on. Last I remember, they use the solid blue/gold/platinum/black cards.

 

The white makes it seem too much like a coloring book background to me. And the waves just make the whole thing cartoonish, like it really was straight out of a coloring book, and someone just colored the picture and slapped it on a card.

 

Put a design like this on another line's card I've never been on, where I was a newbie, and I'd still think it was ugly.