Carnival Switching from Loyalty to Rewards Program

[dreamer17555]

Don't you have to take a cruise every 5 years to keep your status on DCL?

DCL has the option to remove status after 5 years of no cruises but so far no record of it happening to anyone. MSC has a similar policy but that is VERY different than needing to spend X amount of dollars every two years and starting from zero each time. If DCL had a program to match, you’d need to complete 10 or more cruises every 5 years just to stay Platinum, instead of just sailing once in that time to keep your status (and again, I haven’t heard of anyone actually losing their status after the 5 years).

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Don't you have to take a cruise every 5 years to keep your status on DCL?

Yes.

 

[jwalk03]

I suppose the question is "Are you loyal if you cruise on the same cruise line all the time, or if you spend money on it?"

IMO (and only my opinion) taking lots of cruises on the same cruise line is more loyal than spending money on it.

BUT, by spending more money on a single cruise line could mean better "rewards".

I appears Carnival values the money more than the loyalty.

And honestly the perks you earn for working so hard to get their status are kind of a joke.

Red Status: 1 free bottle of water
Gold Status: 1 free drink (only on 5+ night cruises)
Platinum: 2 free drinks, a bag of laundry, and you can drop your bag off in your room early? (Plus some other “priority” things that I have no idea have valuable they are.

Some ok perked if you just happen to get there after several cruises, but Doesn't seem remotely worth the effort of having to re-qualify for it every 2 years!!

This whole program seems to be going over like a lead ballon. Sure seems like they are going to have to modify it or walk it back in some way or they are going to suffer some serious customer loses.

Though to be fair I think Southwest charging for bags is a colossal blunder too and they seem to be forging ahead with that anyway- so what do I know?!

 

[DCL58]

Just read that you had to sail 200 nights on carnival to reach their highest loyalty tier. On DCL, the same can be accomplished with only 75 nights (25 three night cruises to make Pearl).

Interesting changes to their loyalty program. Doubt it goes over very well. Bet most people who sail carnival will not spend $16K per year to achieve the new top status - since carnival cruises don’t seem to cost very much.

If DCL went to the $16K per year for top status, bet lots of people would qualify.

 

[dreamer17555]

Do any of the lines do room upgrades? I'm not sure their room availability would make it practical to even offer it as a perk. I suspect it would upset members who felt they were guaranteed an upgrade.

Here is what Diamond (100,000 Stars) on the new Carnival Rewards gets you is below. Plus, you can redeem points for things like cruise fares, drinks, and more. For example, a 50 minute aromatherapy hot stone massage will cost you over 10,000 points.

To reach Diamond, you’d need to spend over $33,300 every two years, since you earn 3 Stars for every $1 spent.

Stars are tracked individually, with stars earned in a stateroom are split equally among all guests in the room. It’s still unclear exactly how that works with kids, so more clarification is needed there.

Member Perks

Earn & Redeem

• Earn points
• Redeem points

News & Offers

• Member e-newsletter
• Member-only offers

Recognition & Status

• Diamond member sail & sign card
• Member collectible pin

Support

• Dedicated Diamond support (sales & service)

Onboard Extras​

Beverages

• Two complimentary beverages
• One complimentary 1.5L bottle of water

Dining

• Guaranteed Main Dining time (early or late - dinner only)
• Priority Specialty Dining reservations

Stateroom

• Complimentary Wash & Fold (2 to 5 bags)†

†Number of wash & fold bags varies based on cruise duration

Priority Access​

Pre-Cruise Priority

• Early online check-in (16 days)

Embarkation Priority

• Check-in
• Security line (where available)
• Captain’s lounge (where available)
• Boarding
• Luggage delivery (checked luggage)

Onboard Priority

• Retail concierge services
• Access to a dedicated casino host (upon request)
• Early bag drop-off in stateroom (carry-on bags)
• Guest Services phone assistance
• Guest Services line
• Casino cashier line
• Spa reservations
• Water shuttle boarding (ship to shore)
• Debarkation

 

[dreamer17555]

Just read that you had to sail 200 nights on carnival to reach their highest loyalty tier. On DCL, the same can be accomplished with only 75 nights (25 three night cruises to make Pearl).

Interesting changes to their loyalty program. Doubt it goes over very well. Bet most people who sail carnival will not spend $16K per year to achieve the new top status - since carnival cruises don’t seem to cost very much.

If DCL went to the $16K per year for top status, bet lots of people would qualify.

Keep in mind it is done individually with staterooms "splitting points" so on DCL with 2 Adults in a family they would need spend over $33K per year... not as easy, $64k every two years for 2 adults is a LOT on cruising even for DCL. And no word from carnival if kids are being counted in the reward split or not.

 

[jwalk03]

Keep in mind it is done individually with staterooms "splitting points" so on DCL with 2 Adults in a family they would need spend over $33K per year... not as easy, $64k every two years for 2 adults is a LOT on cruising even for DCL. And no word from carnival if kids are being counted in the reward split or not.

Yeah $30k/year to get a “free” bottle of water, 2 “free” drinks, and a “free” bag of laundry?! What a joke.

 

[eticketplease]

Yeah $30k/year to get a “free” bottle of water, 2 “free” drinks, and a “free” bag of laundry?! What a joke.

I’m not sure 120,000 quarters in my suitcase will pass the checked baggage weight for that laundry

 

[dreamer17555]

Yeah $30k/year to get a “free” bottle of water, 2 “free” drinks, and a “free” bag of laundry?! What a joke.

To be fair you can redeem to 100,000 points on items (once you get to that level you are given the laundry and water etc). 10,000+ points gets you a 50 min hot stone massage, 2,000-5,000 points gets you a stingray beach encounter, 5,000-10,000 gets you a steakhouse dinner. It is still a crazy amount of spend considering it is per person.