Loyalty scheme review

[Golden Princess]

Dont know about Suites, but on Princess the priority tendering is only from the ship and not on the return journey.

[Boris+]

We have used priority tender cards when returning from shore to ship - and it worked fine. That was on Cunard.

Getting back however to this thing of loyalty schemes - for us now the most important thing is 'unto yourself be true' - I'm not loyal to any one particular cruise line. Of those we currently go with, we've got the level we are comfortable with, but that happened simply as a matter of course, it wasn't something which we went out to achieve. There's no such thing as a 'free lunch' - so all these loyalty schemes just get ignored.

[qbman1]

Whilst the 10% Baltic discount on P&O is a nice bonus, the other on-board benefits are incidental and wouldn't influence our decision either way. I do, however, value the priority embarkation. Since the changes introduced last year, we have never taken longer than 30 minutes from arrival at the terminal to being in our cabin. So much better than the scrum in the embarkation lounge.

[AnnCAgain]

What about the slippers?? How will we function without them?? The bags they come in are so useful (even if the slippers go in the bin.)

[Silver_Shiney]

I had a follow-up survey today, which floated (pun not intended) some interesting ideas: complimentary 2-hour internet time (3-hour depending on tier), loyalty points available across the Carnival fleet, bar discounts, complimentary dressing gown....

[Mervyn and Trish]

All interesting ideas. However, we already get internet time on Cunard and Princess, but what it saves us is less than the 8.5% we currently get off our on board bill on P&O. And we already get that discount on bar bills. Robes would be helpful on packing and sharing the benefits across Carnival would be an extension of what we get on Princess where we are top tier courtesy of our P&O history. My worry would be what they take away to pay for any improvements

[Raybosailor]

I had a follow-up survey today, which floated (pun not intended) some interesting ideas: complimentary 2-hour internet time (3-hour depending on tier), loyalty points available across the Carnival fleet, bar discounts, complimentary dressing gown....

I had the same survey and from that it looks like they are trying to trim the loyalty benefits and being in the bottom tier it doesn't inspire me to stay loyal to P&O.

Under the existing scheme I get 5% discount for onboard spend and with my Christmas cruise plus a possible cruise in the spring I would get 7.5% and one sailaway bubbly.

Under the proposed scheme I would get no onboard spend discount in this tier and only 5% when I reach the next tier so if P&O think that will encourage me or any new customers to book more cruises they are in for a shock.

I have already started looking at other options so if I find something that takes my fancy I will not be looking over my shoulder thinking about loyalty benefits.

One question that did make me chuckle was the one about the lifetime benefit award for passengers who have spent 1000 nights on a P&O ship, at the rate we book with P&O I will be very happy to receive this award if I am still kicking at 140 years of age.

[oldbluefox]

It seems loyalty perks are given so grudgingly and P&O are continually looking to dilute them. There are plenty of perks which could be given which effectively would cost P&O very little but might encourage some people to remain loyal to them.
However why should they need to rely on a loyalty scheme? If the product is attractive and reasonably priced people will want to cruise with them anyway.

[towny44]

All interesting ideas. However, we already get internet time on Cunard and Princess, but what it saves us is less than the 8.5% we currently get off our on board bill on P&O. And we already get that discount on bar bills. Robes would be helpful on packing and sharing the benefits across Carnival would be an extension of what we get on Princess where we are top tier courtesy of our P&O history. My worry would be what they take away to pay for any improvements

With the current levels of OBC there is very little value in the onboard spend discount, but free internet access and possibly free drink vouchers would have much higher value, at least they would for us as we do not take many shore excursions and our current OBC covers a high level of our on board spend.

[wolfie]

I had a follow-up survey today, which floated (pun not intended) some interesting ideas: complimentary 2-hour internet time (3-hour depending on tier), loyalty points available across the Carnival fleet, bar discounts, complimentary dressing gown....

I had the same follow up survey but the internet time was 6 or 24 hours, depending on which new version you preferred.

That is one perk that I would never be interested in.................I'm on holiday!


Maybe they sent out slightly different surveys to those on different tiers

[Raybosailor]

The surveys were definitely biased towards the tier you are on as I was only shown the benefits that was applicable to my tier, and under the proposed new tier that would no benefit.

[Suekersh]

We had the same survey. One option was choosing 6 benefits out of Approx 10 choices. That way everyone could tier which benefits they would get the most out of.

Sue

[qbman1]

I've had mine too (and there was me feeling all left out !)

Some interesting ideas there - especially the choose your own benefits bit and calculating the benefits on spend and cabin type

[Manoverboard]

A new and improved Loyalty Scheme, how exciting .....

[qbman1]

Tough crowd !

[daib GC]

I've had mine too (and there was me feeling all left out !)

Some interesting ideas there - especially the choose your own benefits bit and calculating the benefits on spend and cabin type

So more for being in a suite....... Oh goody.!!!!!!

They can tell now exactly how much you spend in the casino as well. Certainly on the larger ships.

[qbman1]

I've had mine too (and there was me feeling all left out !)

Some interesting ideas there - especially the choose your own benefits bit and calculating the benefits on spend and cabin type

So more for being in a suite....... Oh goody.!!!!!!

They can tell now exactly how much you spend in the casino as well. Certainly on the larger ships.

Yep, you can now get your socks washed for free !!

[CaroleF]

I had the survey too. One of the tiers included a choice of a certain number of options - some of these were first come first served - no thank you. You could choose which you wanted and then be told, sorry that option is full. I admit, like Dai, the option of taking into account the amount you spend on a cabin would be attractive to us because we usually have either a suite or mini suite but I can understand other people who cruise a lot on inside cabins wouldn't think this was fair. It will be interesting to see what they eventually decide upon. I wonder how many people this survey has been sent to. Another question was about whether we think that the loyalty level should be able to be transferred to other cruise lines - like Princess takes account of your level on P&O.

Carole

[qbman1]

I had the survey too. One of the tiers included a choice of a certain number of options - some of these were first come first served - no thank you. You could choose which you wanted and then be told, sorry that option is full. I admit, like Dai, the option of taking into account the amount you spend on a cabin would be attractive to us because we usually have either a suite or mini suite but I can understand other people who cruise a lot on inside cabins wouldn't think this was fair. It will be interesting to see what they eventually decide upon. I wonder how many people this survey has been sent to. Another question was about whether we think thatthe loyalty level should be able to be transferred to other cruise lines - like Princess takes account of your level on P&O.

Carole

Yes, and they did make the point that it would be reciprocal and asked whether the P&O faithful would object to other Carnival brands muscling in on the P&O loyalty club.

[Peter D]

Disagree with points going on amount spent on cabin. There are cruisers out there who cannot afford Suites/Mini Suites even Balconies. So, you are saying punish them because there cannot afford what other afford. That will definitely put out a them and us feeling. Next thing the Suites/Mini Suits and Top Tiers will be asking for is separate restaurants so the do not eat with the riff raff,

I am more for keeping the Amount of Days Cruised and then adding on extras depending on Tier. Maybe, one meal in a speciality restaurant, priority tenders, similar to suites, canapes every formal.

[david63]

Peter - It is no different than the airline loyalty schemes where Business/First Class get more "points" than Economy - and that does not stop people flying.

[Peter D]

Disagree with you there David,

Cruising is a full holiday package, you have the transport, hotel, restaurants, entertainment and bars. Everyone under one roof and in the same boat, pun intended. If you are going to reward people for choosing your brand then it is wrong in this instance to penalise someone who cannot afford the suites etc. The upper tiers already have come up through the ranks, so to speak, and have the top?? bonuses, early boarding, extra % off, special Peninsular Parties. Something that some cruisers may, yes may, get to in time. But to say, because I book a suite etc I should get more and more bonuses is sorry, in my opinion, just greed.

A flight is just an A to B, you do not have to join their loyalty scheme, frequent flyers do, because of the air miles. But someone who only goes on a plane once a year or even less will not bother. Whereas a cruise lines bonuses are open to everyone who cruises irrespective of income, class or frequency, from day one and they are all treated the same. I think a much fairer system.

So you cannot compare flying and cruising together. It is like the saying, comparing Chalk and Cheese, they are not compatible.

Having only been cruising since 2008 for us, we are not worried about the bonus, well 7.5p off in the £ is not going to make a blind bit of difference to our budget. For us it is itinerary first, then what will my budget stretch to, and if I am looking at something special, then we make sure it is still within our budget.

As an add on. We only book Balconies, but have also been in Mini Suites and Suites. I am more than happy for Joe Bloggs in the bottom grade inside cabin to get the same points for a 14 day cruise as we do.

[Raybosailor]

Well said Peter

[Happydays]

I agree with Peter. If you start giving higher rewards for the more expensive cabins perhaps you should also give more depending on the on-board spend on previous cruises. We have bought original art while on board. Our bill could make some people's eyes water ha ha where would it end, just leave it as it is! I definitely don't want internet access. I don't send messages or phone calls when on holiday, our family members know how to contact us in an emergency and no one else matters! I'm on holiday

[Jan Rosser]

Before the last update of the loyalty scheme I had attained "Goldie" status so didn't lose out with the changes and am presently Baltic though this status can revert to Caribbean if you don't cruise enough Since becoming a widow I have paid double on occasions for single occupancy of a cabin regardless of grade and don't agree someone in an inside cabin should be treated any differently to someone occupying a suite. Let's face it I am probably paying far more per night than most people particularly since I have "upgraded" myself to an outside or balcony cabin. I have been going over my cruise spend over the last few years and am lying down in a darkened room recovering from how much it adds up to - I'm not moaning - it's my choice at the end of the day. When I first started cruising both with P&O and Princess the points were transferred and although I have sailed far less with Princess I am Elite on their ships and entitled to lots of perks but no discount off cruise spend. On Oriana in June I had so much OBC I actually only had the 10% discount on a very small amount so sometimes it is of very little benefit - I'm afraid no matter what P&O offer there will still be lots of moans and groans - by the way they haven't asked my views on any changes - yet.