Curious why levels are not based on # of days sailed

[Jennifer777]

This is pure speculation but I have suspected that one of the factors contributing to their loyalty program structure is that, in some ways, it favors FL residents. FL residents get discounts at the parks, they often get special rates on cruises and because of their close proximity to the ports, they are likely some of the most common last minute passengers for those short cruises. Disney, as a company, has been fairly loyal to their FL residents (or at least it seems so from the other side of the country). Not sure if it's because they are the most loyal customers of WDW and DCL or if it's because Disney has received tax incentives from FL and this is a thank you or even a part of the agreement to receive those incentives, but this policy, IMO definitely favors those FL residents who are able to snag those last minute fares for those short weekend cruises.

And yes, I know that there are plenty of non-FL residents who also have benefitted from this structure and cruised dozens and dozens of times but as a whole, FL residents are the ones DCL seems to target most to fill those empty staterooms on last minute and short cruises and with this loyalty program structure, each time they cruise they get a notch in the belt. I have yet to figure out whether I prefer this to a per night system but I can say it's one of the reasons we're considering a B2B instead of a 7 night next time around. A B2B would put us in gold giving us a better shot at a Cabana, which is very important to us.

 

[Starwind]

Maybe they like people taking B2B cruises, which this certainly encourages.

We did a B2B 3 and 4 night on the Dream as our 3rd and 4th cruise vs a 7 night on Fantasy specifically so we got more credit towards "Gold".

Of course, we enjoyed it so much that our next cruise will be a B2B as well, but a 7 night and 7 night

SW

 

[Starwind]

Well airlines do it by miles not be number of trips. So I would think days would translate from that model better.

Many airlines doa combination: miles and/or segments (which translartes not just to number of trips, but segments within trips).

Some airlines are now dropping the miles and using the cost of your ticket to accumulate their reward points. Most still have a segments requirement or way to gain tiers as well.

SW

 

[gismo1554]

Some airlines are now dropping the miles and using the cost of your ticket to accumulate their reward points. Most still have a segments requirement or way to gain tiers as well.

SW

I think a couple are using the costs as well to determine the "points" you get so if you purchase a more expensive flight then you are a more "points" on their reward system and get closer to being a higher category level. BA for example says 300 tier points & 2 eligible flights or 25 eligible flights in a year to progress from their base level to the next one (blue to bronze).

To me I think the and/or system would give the best of both worlds.

 

[Trera]

This is pure speculation but I have suspected that one of the factors contributing to their loyalty program structure is that, in some ways, it favors FL residents. FL residents get discounts at the parks, they often get special rates on cruises and because of their close proximity to the ports, they are likely some of the most common last minute passengers for those short cruises. Disney, as a company, has been fairly loyal to their FL residents (or at least it seems so from the other side of the country). Not sure if it's because they are the most loyal customers of WDW and DCL or if it's because Disney has received tax incentives from FL and this is a thank you or even a part of the agreement to receive those incentives, but this policy, IMO definitely favors those FL residents who are able to snag those last minute fares for those short weekend cruises.

And yes, I know that there are plenty of non-FL residents who also have benefitted from this structure and cruised dozens and dozens of times but as a whole, FL residents are the ones DCL seems to target most to fill those empty staterooms on last minute and short cruises and with this loyalty program structure, each time they cruise they get a notch in the belt. I have yet to figure out whether I prefer this to a per night system but I can say it's one of the reasons we're considering a B2B instead of a 7 night next time around. A B2B would put us in gold giving us a better shot at a Cabana, which is very important to us.

We live in Orlando and I agree that we have a lot of incentive from Disney to cruise and go to the parks but if they didn't offer those same incentives, we probably wouldn't go as much as we do. Clearly Disney has done their research here and I am sure we are not the only florida residents that feel the same way.

Our DD took her first cruise when she just turned 1 and she turned 3 a couple of months ago and she will be taking her 10th cruise tomorrow, so yes we utilize the florida resident rates and that is a huge savings for us and allows us to take more cruises. Of our 11 cruises, only 4 of them were back to back and we enjoy that as well as we love CC..............so on a 7 day B2B we get to stop there twice.

I am not sure what the best way would be but dollars spent may be a better gauge like the airlines are doing. It would allow concierge level guests to benefit from their increased cruise costs vs a family that travels at lower levels. I have seen some of these concierge rooms go for over 15,000 on a 7 night fantasy cruise. Our family can take 6 three night cruises on an FLR rate in a verandah room for the same price.

I guess it doesnt really mater what I think because Disney will do what they want. I am happy we are finally Platinum and I will take our early boarding, early booking new cruise itineraries, early booking window for activities and meet and greets as well as a Free Palo and move on down the road.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[Quellman]

Well airlines do it by miles not be number of trips. So I would think days would translate from that model better.

Many airlines doa combination: miles and/or segments (which translartes not just to number of trips, but segments within trips).

Some airlines are now dropping the miles and using the cost of your ticket to accumulate their reward points. Most still have a segments requirement or way to gain tiers as well.

SW

Deltas program is based on Miles or Segments AND dollars Spent on tickets or your Delta credit card. Plus you are only that level as your earn it and for the following calendar year. At the end of the calendar year, your status reverts. To be fair, air travel restting is a lot more different than cruising, since many people travel for pleasure or business whereas cruising is a vacation and not a means of transport.