New Carnival Loyalty Program Being Planned

[Emrys]

Carnival Cruise Line Brand Ambassador John Heald recently posted that the cruise line is planning a new, refreshed loyalty program. He did not reveal details about the program but did admit that it was in dire need of an update. Apparently, more details on this will be coming later this year. What would you like to see from the new program?

[euroguy]

@Emrys thank you for the heads up about the up coming changes.  I am interested to hear what changes they will make.  i suspect that it will include some benifit for spending for items while onbaord the ship, like spa treatments, specialty dinning, jewelry etc will earn points when hitting different levels of spending. Additionally suspect since they will give points for spending on ship that go towards your loyalty level, that they will change the loyalty points needed for each tier.

I know that many have wanted to see different point values earned for different cabin types, i.e. inside,oceanview,balcony,suite I'm not sure about that happening but I know other lines do offer this. 

In conclusion I guessing that the loyalty program very well could change from # of days cruised to a points based system as several other cruise lines do this and it also encourages spending on the ship which inturn means more revenues for CCL

that's my prediction... I guess time will tell.

Edited March 25 by euroguy

[RoadTravelled]

@euroguy outlines I think many of the ideas that have been floated and likely to be included.  As he says, only time will tell, and so far John has been very tight-lipped.  But, he's right that the program definitely needs another look.

This may be a tangent to the OP's question, but I would love to have a program that allows you to have your loyalty status on Carnival ships somehow be accommodated and recognized on other CCL branded ships, like Princess, P&O, Aida, Costa, etc.  I think this could be a win-win for the company as it would allow you to experience what other brands bring to the table, further add revenue to CCL corporate, and open up a whole new level of port options.

[Kendall James-Vargas]

@euroguy I like the idea of earning points based on our cabin type too. Although I'm not the type to book superior cabins, I think if you are spending more to book those cabin types, you should earn more for spending more! Many cruise lines offer a similar structure. I agree with most of your predictions, and this whole VIFP restructuring will hopefully work in your favor!

@RoadTravelled I'm glad CCL is remaining proactive, and keeping guest's opinions in mind. The fact that CCL is always open to change, remaining progressive, is really nice. Many cruise lines can be sedentary, stuck in their ways, but CCL is always open to advance and expanding, making it remain a leader in the industry. Speaking of CCL advancements, the new details of Celebration Key have me so excited! The "suncastle" that will be 10-stories high will have waterslides coming out of it. The designs for Celebration Key are pretty epic. 

[Senior Cruiser]

I sincerely hope Carnival Corporation will add cross-recognition of loyalty status across their lines as they look at the loyalty programs. As CCL adds larger, more kid-oriented ships and scraps the older,, smaller ships, we would like to cruise more often on some of the sister lines with smaller ships. We hate to lose our few perks when we do as we would be still cruising Carnival Corporation lines.  We love longer cruises and then the laundry perk on CCL is really nice.  We don't have that on the other lines.

 

[Cruising Caribbean]

@Senior Cruiser As much as I would love the idea of a status match program through Carnival Corporation, I doubt it will ever happen. If anything I think Carnival Corporation is looking to make its loyalty programs more exclusive, considering how competitive it has become. Not many cruise lines offer a status match program, but I appreciate those that do. Cross recognition would be nice at least for those that are higher up on the loyalty totem pole. Have you cruised with any of CCL's sister lines? Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Seabourn, Cunard, Costa, P&O Cruises, and AIDA Cruises are all great lines. I have cruised on Costa Cruises and really enjoyed it. It's much more quaint/high quality than CCL in my opinion. 

[euroguy]

I suspect the CCL will not do loyalty matching across its lines. The reason being that each of CCL sister lines are sub corporations of the mother corporation of CCL and each of the each of those other lines have their own niches and target audiences. Then comes the logistical nightmare of trying to figure out what loyalty level you get on another ccl line as each line has its own separate requirements for each tier level. 

Final note, the loyalty match isn't a button that is being pushed by many lines at the moment, so I don't see CCL Corp to be overly concerned with it and making it a priority. Furthermore let's face facts, all cruise lines not just CCL are revenue generating machines and they have perfected the ability to set the stage to get guests to spend, thus I believe that one of the changes that will take place is points based which include additional spending on board will count toward your loyalty level. By doing this it will change the mind set to its okay to spend on specialty dining g or shore excursions or bingo or jewelry etc.. as I will move up the tier level quicker and actually count for something beyond the item spending for. In the consumers mind it's a win win and CCL will see an increase in on-board profits.  It would be great if it included the casino but highly doubt that will happen as the casino already offers many items to people including free cruises.

[Cruising Caribbean]

@euroguy I feel very similarly. Out of all the changes Carnival Corporation would possibly make, I just don't think the loyalty match will end up being one of those. The levels per cruise line are so unique, not very similar to one another, so trying to find a perfect match is almost impossible. You did a great job breaking everything down. This loyalty match, cross over thing wouldn't be the most lucrative decision for each cruise line. If you haven't been loyal to all of the lines, maybe you don't deserve to get those loyalty incentives.

[Kendall James-Vargas]

@euroguy CCL many not end up doing cross-recognition of loyalty statuses, but your upcoming cruise should have the new VIFP loyalty gift offering! I would suspect the VIFP tote bag would be offered to you on your Carnival Firenze cruise you have booked for later this year! Do you think you would use this gift? It's supposed to be perfect for pool/beach days. 

[kefthecruiser]

I hope this is not the promised "Carnival Cruise Line Brand Ambassador John Heald recently posted that the cruise line is planning a new, refreshed loyalty program."

Is it big enough to carry groceries when I get back home?

Yawn... 

[euroguy]

@kefthecruiser I'm with you..ugh might makenfor good grocery bag or fishing lol

[3Sisters]

@kefthecruiser Is this not your idea of a new and refreshed loyalty program? I could see how people could use it out by the pool but I also see how it could be used as a grocery bag. I don't think a tote is a really original VIFP gift. Tote bags are a staple go-to propaganda item. I think CCL could be more creative! What have been some of your favorite VIFP gifts @euroguy? The blanket was a cool, but not very practical to use onboard. A VIFP tumbler is a really practical gift!

  

[kefthecruiser]

@3Sisters In all honesty, I don't recall a single VIFP gift I've kept for long after the cruise, including the pins. They were just laying around the house, I got tired of dusting around them and, oops, they 'fell' into the trash bin. This one might be keeper as a grocery bag! Sometimes I give the gift to good kids on board, through their parents, for a memento for them.

You are correct - other cruises give them out with towels on beach days, to anyone!

[3Sisters]

@kefthecruiser That's a shame! That means CCL could be doing much better in this department. CCL should be giving gifts that guests want to keep an enjoy, not toss away. I also don't like to keep clutter so unless it's serving a purpose it needs to go away. Also the fact of dusting something you don't need is so counter productive! Things should make your life easier, not more chaotic. Clutter can feel very chaotic. I use reusable bags weekly and keep them in my car. I use them for groceries or sports equipment. I also use totes for the pool a few times a week, so a durable bag could get a good amount of use. CCL is a lower-priced cruise line in comparison to cruise lines that offer more exclusive gifts to guests. I wouldn't expect a high-end gift from CCL, but I would expect a higher-quality gift from a luxury cruise line! 

[kefthecruiser]

@3Sisters Completely agree.... though I am at that point in life where one needs to cut back on 'junque' rather than add to it!

I'm guessing that  many others really enjoy all these VIFP gifts, just no longer my thing

[Cruising Caribbean]

@kefthecruiser I have an idea. What if you put all of you VIFP "junque" into your new VIFP tote and store it in the attic? Yes, you will have to store it, but at least you won't have to dust it! I have contemplated living in an RV, but I have too much "junque" I would have to bring along. It may be a good idea when I'm retired. Clearly I love traveling by ship or car (I definitely prefer cruise ship), so exploring the world while living my day-to-day would be so ideal. Needless to say, if I lived in an RV, all of the "junque" would have to go.

[Kendall James-Vargas]

@kefthecruiser What are some of your preferred VIFP perks? Clearly the gifts aren't as incentivising for you, and I don't blame you. I prefer other perks over gifts such as access to the thermal suites or complimentary beverages here and there. Priority embarkation/disembarkation is also a game changer! Out of all the cruise lines, CCL has a really strong loyalty program and I'm anticipating what is to come. Hopefully, CCL reveals more details in the coming months! 

[kefthecruiser]

@Kendall James-Vargas good question. I went back and looked over the list so I'd say the it's the priority boardings & disembarking that really make the difference for me, followed by Guest Services priority line. I also never turn down a free drink. Trinkets - not so much. 

[euroguy]

@3Sisters @kefthecruiser @Kendall James-Vargas @Cruising Caribbean im with @kefthecruiser the vip gifts are meh at best and really not a thing... now if they did tshirt or pullovers then i would be happy, never can go wrong with either of those. 

Regarding perks I do enjoy the priority boarding on embarkation day and tender ports, as well as priority guest services, priority dining reservations for all restaurants, FREE Laundry (really enjoy that), free drinks everywhere on ship... so funny at home I rarely drink but on a cruise I indulge a bit 😅. and last but not least my CCL personal  assistant that is on speed dial. Yeah I suppose I enjoy the perks a little.

Now if thwy only had a priority line for my morning mocha that would be amazing 👏 

[Kendall James-Vargas]

@euroguy Thanks for sharing your insight here. I think I would use a shirt or sweatshirt often and it would be a good marketing strategy for the line. The biggest issue with clothing is sizing. Everyone is a unique size and has unique sizing preferences. That could make VIFP gifting more challenging. Can you imagine the line at guests services if half of those who received their VIFP shirt did like the size they received? That could be insanity. 

CCL does an exceptional job at offering great VIFP perks. I would think free laundry is one of the best perks the line offers, but many VIFP guests don't actually use the service. I totally would use that perk, and not many cruises lines offer it. Free drinks everywhere is another huge VIFP perk. It's a huge money saver too! If it's free everywhere onboard, you have to splurge and make the most of it.

Having a CCL personal assistant on speed dial is something most don't have. That's something you have to indulge in as often as possible! Where do you typically grab your morning mocha onboard? There has to be a location you can grab it where the lines are shorter!