Carnival has announced some benefit changes on a few cruises.

Personally, I would be okay with that. I still get my perk. I’ve been accused of being a Pollyanna! I would have enjoyed a few $$$ OBC as well. But they’ve set a plan and have kept it.

A man with a plan...would that have caused a riot onboard? What difference? At least its creative thinking, which is better than what CCL did!

Oops -sorry, dropped the mic

IMO - if I were the cruise line, I would still allow the HIGHEST tier to receive their 'earned' perks, and just restrict the second highest tier. Not knowing the actual numbers of loyal cruisers booking this particular cruise, but still trying to reward the highest level, while still encouraging the second highest to continue to earn the top designation. Pollyanna ???

Well said..especially the last paragraph..you were reading my mind (ugly neighborhood) re the airlines. Decided not to include the Reference. Muddied waters? Screwing with those airlines perks or miles is an invitation to a riot.

Geez guys, better ease up. The mic is really taking a beating today.

While I possess enough of a level of cynicism to agree with your statement that the lines created these perks for one reason and one reason only..to induce people to cruise with them AND KEEP COMING BACK, I would HOPE there would also be a sprinkling of "what perks can we offer our most loyal repeat customers to show our gratitude" thrown in there by some of the more customer service orientated individuals in management.

Obviously the lines need to address this issue by either adhering to providing the perks, or by finding a reasonable compensation or substitution. They should never forget they operate in the free market system, and if this issue gets out of hand, some competitor or startup will find a way to exploit it and lure away the disgruntled. The airlines are already dabbling with matching their competitors "elite status" for frequent flyers. If they can do it, I'm sure cruise lines could come up with some sort of program.

Thanks guys! Just so you know, we are not on either of these sailings. We have been on other Journeys cruises and received the same letter.

I understand that this program was created to keep people sailing with Carnival. It worked with it. We we considering trying someone else when the program first started. Then the top level was Platinum and the requirement was 10 cruises (now it’s 75 days). We had completed 12 cruises and figured it was worth another Carnival cruise to see what it really would improve. Obviously, they hooked us into staying loyal. Not all incentive programs are equal, but since they are similar enough, folks may still shop around to find the cruise line that fits best. I’m not saying Carnival is the best for everyone, just that is works for us. That’s the beauty of the industry, there are so many choices.

I think you're forgetting one thing...the lines created these perks for one reason and one reason only..to induce people to cruise with them AND KEEP COMING BACK...take them away, or reduce them, or make them part of some corporate game to be available or not based on some kind of "occupancy" standard, just serves to further reduce the number of so-called "experienced" cruisers who will find a better bang for their bux. Wonder what would happen if some cruise line offered a "reduced fare" in exchange for NO perks whatsoever...none..I'm sure somewhere is a bunch of beancounters who know exactly what each and every one costs, in terms of "accommodating" those who have spent tens of thousands of dollars to earn them, or the resentment caused by screwing around with them.....we still haven't booked anything past what we had lined up thru 11/24 (4 more bookings)...and by now we would have had a few way further out than that...

And don't apologize...you earned the right to rant.....wasn't so long ago that almost NOBODY was posting in here....cept a handful of diehards....

Even before the shutdown, the cruises that had one third to one half Platinum/Diamond passengers would ask that these passengers only drop off their luggage and not linger in their cabin until all cabins were ready. Yes the number of Platinum/Diamond passengers is much larger than before. Another solution to the problem would be to raise the number of sea days to reach those levels. That solution would be met with great anger. Maybe add another higher level and eliminate Platinum from the perks (that's what happened to the Gold card holders with the repeater party). Don't think that would work either. These "one off" cruises are so popular because they are not the same itineraries that alwyas are available. Even with more housekeeping staff, the turn around day would be stretched to get all the cabins ready. You might think I'm this outside "cheer leader" trying to put down those with the status, but you'd be wrong. We are part of that group AND our FAVORITE perk is the early boarding and debarkation (including ports of call). Yes, it's frustrating to lose that advantage, but it's a concession one makes when sailing with so many other loyal guests. At least they send the information before you get onto the ship so one can plan accordingly. That in itself is a positive gesture. I get so frustrated with the "I'm better than you" mind set, when it's serious. Our last cruise we had another couple that we "played" the "I deserve this because I'm Diamond, but I'm even better because it's my milestone cruise, but I have more cruises and already had my milestone cruise and...." then we'd laugh like hyenas. However, there are others that would say that and really mean it. Maybe they could offer something extra for the inconvience, but what? People complain about the "gift" now and whatever the extra offered, there would be some that would complain that it wasn't enough, cheap, or demeaning or something else. Whatever happened to civility and consideration for the situation? I don't consider it a taking away of our earned perks; it's a consider the situation and realize the magnitude of effort needed to accomodate everyone. We should be experienced cruiseers and know what it takes for the housekeeping staff to get things ready on turn around day!

I think you're making a big deal out of a small inconvience.

Sorry for the soapbox rant. But, I think we should all appreciated the perks given when and while we can. It would be just as easy for the cruise lines to eliminate the program all together. Maybe even easier.

Fair enough...just as a general observation, covid isn't over, "they" just quit reporting it...officially even, from the Fed to the States on down...and while the cruise industry took a massive massive hit from it, so did many other businesses, who are now noticing just how few people they really need to operate, and just how much they can charge for everything from cruises down to a dozen eggs. Great "excuse", and learning experience too eh?...SO WHY STOP???.....theres a fair sized town not all that far from me which had its downtown flattened by a tornado about 20 years ago. A handful of folks did die, but not many, because after all it was downtown such as it was, and already dead...most small town rural Southerners and Midwesterners know EXACTLY what I mean... Yes it took a few years to rebuild, and, with the usual infusion of somebody elses cash, they did an absolutely magnificent job...now folks wander around a quaint (yet modern) downtown all the time, on foot even..as opposed to suburban big box stores...they (and we) go there just to enjoy the ambiance (like cruising used to be but I digress)..spend a few bux, do lunch..sit in the square...old timers and others will tell you like they have told me..."that tornado was the best thing that ever happened here..." Get my point????