Carnival's current loyalty program is based solely on the number of days a cruiser spends sailing with the company. While this policy rewards cruisers that sail more days, it can exclude some cruisers that spend on onboard. There are many cruisers that take a short cruiser and earn less loyalty points, but spend enough money onboard to nearly equal another cruise vacation. Everything in this post is how I think Carnival should rewrite their loyalty program. Since I am already giving my opinion on how the loyalty program should be rewritten, I am also going to share the perks I think people should get for being a part of each level. None of this is an official announcement and this my opinion on how the loyalty program should be done!
How Points Could Be Awarded
Cruisers could earn points based on the days sailed and revenue spent during cruising. Both of these categories would combine to create one point total that shows a cruiser's overall loyalty to Carnival.
For Sailing:
Everyone should get some points for the number of days sailed, just like Carnival's existing structure of the loyalty program.
1 point = 1 Day of the Cruise
Onboard Spending:
- 1 point earned for every $100.00 spent onboard. Partial points could be awarded for increments of $25 or $50. For example, if a cruiser spends $150.00 he or she could earn 1.5 points. This category could be maxed at 10 points to insure a person could not buy a higher loyalty level.
- .5 point earned for each shore excursion booked.
- 1 point earned if a cruise's onboard expense account is linked with a Carnival credit card.
- 1 point earned if a future cruise is booked while onboard the cruise. The point will not be awarded until the final payment of the cruise comes.
- .5 earned for booking a transfer or airfare with Carnival.
How Points Could Be Awarded
Cruisers could earn points based on the days sailed and revenue spent during cruising. Both of these categories would combine to create one point total that shows a cruiser's overall loyalty to Carnival.
For Sailing:
Everyone should get some points for the number of days sailed, just like Carnival's existing structure of the loyalty program.
1 point = 1 Day of the Cruise
Onboard Spending:
- 1 point earned for every $100.00 spent onboard. Partial points could be awarded for increments of $25 or $50. For example, if a cruiser spends $150.00 he or she could earn 1.5 points. This category could be maxed at 10 points to insure a person could not buy a higher loyalty level.
- .5 point earned for each shore excursion booked.
- 1 point earned if a cruise's onboard expense account is linked with a Carnival credit card.
- 1 point earned if a future cruise is booked while onboard the cruise. The point will not be awarded until the final payment of the cruise comes.
- .5 earned for booking a transfer or airfare with Carnival.
Loyalty Levels - The Way I Think They Could Be Done:
Level 1: First Cruise Only
1) Digital Newsletter By Email
2) E Coupon Book Mailed To Cruiser's Email Address - Carnival could send some digital coupons a cruiser can print from home and bring to the cruise that could be valid for various offers
3) Certificate At End of First Cruise - This certificate could certify that the cruiser has completed his or her first cruise and could name basic voyage information.
Level 2: 2nd Cruise - 69 points
1) Two Free Cruise Raffle Tickets - Carnival could have a shipwide drawing where cruisers have a chance to win a free cruise. In this level each cruiser would get two raffle tickets to put into the free cruise drawing.
2) Carnival Logo Ballpoint Pen - This could similar to the old pens Carnival would place in staterooms.
3) Digital Newsletter By Email and E-Coupon Book - Same Descriptions As Level 1
4) Certificate of Completion of Voyage - This certificate could show the cruiser's name, ship name, itinerary taken, and dates onboard.
Level 3: 70 points - 139 points
1) 5% Off A Cruise Upon Entry To This Level - When a cruiser earns this level Carnival could offer a 5% cruise discount that can be applied to the booking. This would be a one time offer.
2) Three Free Cruise Raffle Tickets - Carnival could have a shipwide drawing where cruisers have a chance to win a free cruise. In this level each cruiser would get three raffle tickets to put into the free cruise drawing.
3) Admission To Select Activities, Games, and Events - Carnival could have designated activities onboard, in addition to the regular activities, that are for cruisers on the Level 3 loyalty level and above. Some of these activities could include things such as trivia, bean bag toss, or a scavenger hunt.
4) Extra Hour To Utilize Facilities - Such As The Waterslide, Casino, Pools, Serenity Adults Only Retreat. Carnival could open these things one hour earlier to avoid impacting other cruiser's vacations.
5) Carnival Logo Ballpoint Pen - This could similar to the old pens Carnival would place in staterooms.
6) Digital Newsletter By Email and E-Coupon Book - Same Descriptions As Level 1
7) Certificate of Completion of Voyage - This certificate could show the cruiser's name, ship name, itinerary taken, and dates onboard.
Level 4: 140 points - 249 points
1) 10% Off A Cruise Upon Entry To This Level - When a cruiser earns this level Carnival could offer a 10% cruise discount that can be applied to the booking. This would a one time offer.
2) Five Free Cruise Raffle Tickets - Carnival could have a shipwide drawing where cruisers have a chance to win a free cruise. In this level each cruiser would get five raffle tickets to put into the free cruise drawing.
3) One Free Beverage Coupon - It would be great to have a coupon that could be used on any item under a certain price, at any place, and at any time.
4) Additional Main Dining Room Selections Menu - Carnival could offer a few extra options on the main dining room menu at dinner for these guests. These options could be available for an additional charge to everyone else, but free to people in this level.
5) Half Price Beverage Service 8:00 - 9:30AM On 1st Sea Day
6) Free Tour of An Area of the Vessel - Carnival could give people a choice of touring the bridge, engine control room, Deck 0 crew areas, or galley of the vessel.
7) Ship on a Stick Trophy - Carnival could give a ship on a stick trophy to all guests that qualify for this level.
8) Admission To Select Activities, Games, and Events - Carnival could have designated activities onboard, in addition to the regular activities, that are for cruisers on the Level 3 loyalty level and above. Some of these activities could include things such as trivia, bean bag toss, or a scavenger hunt.
9) Extra Hour To Utilize Facilities - Such As The Waterslide, Casino, Pools, Serenity Adults Only Retreat. Carnival could open these things one hour earlier for these guests to avoid impacting other cruiser's vacations.
10) Carnival Logo Ballpoint Pen - This could similar to the old pens Carnival would place in staterooms.
11) Digital Newsletter By Email and E-Coupon Book - Same Descriptions As Level 1
12) Certificate of Completion of Voyage - This certificate could show the cruiser's name, ship name, itinerary taken, and dates onboard.
13) Name Entered Into Drawing For Free Faster to the Fun - 2 weeks prior to cruising a random guest from this category will be selected to receive Carnival's Faster to the Fun for free.
14) 15% off All Photo Gallery Orders
Level 5: 250 points - 499 points
1) Port Taxes and Fees Waived For One Cruise Only - The fees that are added to the base ticket price could be waived upon entry into Level 5.
2) Seven Free Cruise Raffle Tickets - Carnival could have a shipwide drawing where cruisers have a chance to win a free cruise. In this level each cruiser would get seven raffle tickets to put into the free cruise drawing.
3) Past Guest Lunch Party- Instead of the typical party, Carnival could offer lunch in a dining room for guests of this level and above. The lunch could be a variety of selections from the regular main dining room and steakhouse. Carnival could offer free beverage service to all the guests in this party. This could take place on the last sea day of the cruise vacation.
4) Free Bag of Laundry - Carnival could allow for the guests in this level to have one free bag of laundry washed per cruise.
5) Chocolate Covered Strawberries - Carnival could send a plate of chocolate covered strawberries to these people's staterooms.
6) Logo Gift - Carnival could give a logo gift to these guests similar to what the actual current program does.
7) Priority Boarding and Disembarkation At Normal Boarding & Disembarkation Times
8) Priority Line at Guest Services
9) Priority Dining Selections For Main Dining Room
10) Admission To Select Activities, Games, and Events - Carnival could have designated activities onboard, in addition to the regular activities, that are for cruisers on the Level 3 loyalty level and above. Some of these activities could include things such as trivia, bean bag toss, or a scavenger hunt.
11) Extra Hour To Utilize Facilities - Such As The Waterslide, Casino, Pools, Serenity Adults Only Retreat. Carnival could open these things one hour earlier for these guests to avoid impacting other cruiser's vacations.
12) Carnival Logo Ballpoint Pen - This could similar to the old pens Carnival would place in staterooms.
13) Digital Newsletter By Email and E-Coupon Book - Same Descriptions As Level 1
14) Certificate of Completion of Voyage - This certificate could show the cruiser's name, ship name, itinerary taken, and dates onboard.
15) Welcome Letter From The Captain - An official letter from the ship's captain welcoming the guest back onboard could be presented upon arrival.
16) Priority Luggage Delivery
17) 20% Off Photo Gallery Orders
Level 6: 500+ points
1) Dinner With the Captain & Officers - A complimentary steakhouse style dinner with the ship's leadership team could be provided.
2) Unlimited Laundry - Carnival could allow these guests unlimited laundry washing.
3) Past Guest Lunch Party- Instead of the typical party, Carnival could offer lunch in a dining room for guests of this level and above. The lunch could be a variety of selections from the regular main dining room and steakhouse. Carnival could offer free beverage service to all the guests in this party. This could take place on the last sea day of the cruise vacation.
4) Automatic Boarding - Instead of waiting in the terminal for boarding to begin, these guests could be escorted onboard to a specialized waiting area on the ship. At the time regular boarding will begin, the guests would then be told they are free to move about the cruise ship.
5) Chocolate Covered Strawberries - Carnival could send a plate of chocolate covered strawberries to these people's staterooms.
6) Logo Gift - Carnival could give a logo gift to these guests similar to what the actual current program does.
7) Priority Boarding and Disembarkation At Normal Boarding & Disembarkation Times
8) Priority Line at Guest Services
9) Priority Dining Selections For Main Dining Room
10) Admission To Select Activities, Games, and Events - Carnival could have designated activities onboard, in addition to the regular activities, that are for cruisers on the Level 3 loyalty level and above. Some of these activities could include things such as trivia, bean bag toss, or a scavenger hunt.
11) Extra Hour To Utilize Facilities - Such As The Waterslide, Casino, Pools, Serenity Adults Only Retreat. Carnival could open these things one hour earlier for these guests to avoid impacting other cruiser's vacations.
12) Carnival Logo Ballpoint Pen - This could similar to the old pens Carnival would place in staterooms.
13) Digital Newsletter By Email and E-Coupon Book - Same Descriptions As Level 1
14) Certificate of Completion of Voyage - This certificate could show the cruiser's name, ship name, itinerary taken, and dates onboard.
15) Welcome Letter From The Captain - An official letter from the ship's captain welcoming the guest back onboard could be presented upon arrival.
16) Priority Luggage Delivery -
17) Priority Room Service Order - These guests could receive priority room service delivery.
18) 25% Off All Photo Gallery Orders
19) First To Have Stateroom Serviced At Night - These guests could have their stateroom serviced at night before the others.
20) Free Tour of The Bridge, Engine Control Room, and Galley - This could be similar to the Behind the Fun Tour, but without seeing the full tour area. Most likely, the people in this level would have already seen these places, but may want to visit them again.
Please keep in mind all of these items are my suggestions and are not officially happening at this time. Some of these ideas I based on the current loyalty program, but many others I have come up with on my own.
Level 1: First Cruise Only
1) Digital Newsletter By Email
2) E Coupon Book Mailed To Cruiser's Email Address - Carnival could send some digital coupons a cruiser can print from home and bring to the cruise that could be valid for various offers
3) Certificate At End of First Cruise - This certificate could certify that the cruiser has completed his or her first cruise and could name basic voyage information.
Level 2: 2nd Cruise - 69 points
1) Two Free Cruise Raffle Tickets - Carnival could have a shipwide drawing where cruisers have a chance to win a free cruise. In this level each cruiser would get two raffle tickets to put into the free cruise drawing.
2) Carnival Logo Ballpoint Pen - This could similar to the old pens Carnival would place in staterooms.
3) Digital Newsletter By Email and E-Coupon Book - Same Descriptions As Level 1
4) Certificate of Completion of Voyage - This certificate could show the cruiser's name, ship name, itinerary taken, and dates onboard.
Level 3: 70 points - 139 points
1) 5% Off A Cruise Upon Entry To This Level - When a cruiser earns this level Carnival could offer a 5% cruise discount that can be applied to the booking. This would be a one time offer.
2) Three Free Cruise Raffle Tickets - Carnival could have a shipwide drawing where cruisers have a chance to win a free cruise. In this level each cruiser would get three raffle tickets to put into the free cruise drawing.
3) Admission To Select Activities, Games, and Events - Carnival could have designated activities onboard, in addition to the regular activities, that are for cruisers on the Level 3 loyalty level and above. Some of these activities could include things such as trivia, bean bag toss, or a scavenger hunt.
4) Extra Hour To Utilize Facilities - Such As The Waterslide, Casino, Pools, Serenity Adults Only Retreat. Carnival could open these things one hour earlier to avoid impacting other cruiser's vacations.
5) Carnival Logo Ballpoint Pen - This could similar to the old pens Carnival would place in staterooms.
6) Digital Newsletter By Email and E-Coupon Book - Same Descriptions As Level 1
7) Certificate of Completion of Voyage - This certificate could show the cruiser's name, ship name, itinerary taken, and dates onboard.
Level 4: 140 points - 249 points
1) 10% Off A Cruise Upon Entry To This Level - When a cruiser earns this level Carnival could offer a 10% cruise discount that can be applied to the booking. This would a one time offer.
2) Five Free Cruise Raffle Tickets - Carnival could have a shipwide drawing where cruisers have a chance to win a free cruise. In this level each cruiser would get five raffle tickets to put into the free cruise drawing.
3) One Free Beverage Coupon - It would be great to have a coupon that could be used on any item under a certain price, at any place, and at any time.
4) Additional Main Dining Room Selections Menu - Carnival could offer a few extra options on the main dining room menu at dinner for these guests. These options could be available for an additional charge to everyone else, but free to people in this level.
5) Half Price Beverage Service 8:00 - 9:30AM On 1st Sea Day
6) Free Tour of An Area of the Vessel - Carnival could give people a choice of touring the bridge, engine control room, Deck 0 crew areas, or galley of the vessel.
7) Ship on a Stick Trophy - Carnival could give a ship on a stick trophy to all guests that qualify for this level.
8) Admission To Select Activities, Games, and Events - Carnival could have designated activities onboard, in addition to the regular activities, that are for cruisers on the Level 3 loyalty level and above. Some of these activities could include things such as trivia, bean bag toss, or a scavenger hunt.
9) Extra Hour To Utilize Facilities - Such As The Waterslide, Casino, Pools, Serenity Adults Only Retreat. Carnival could open these things one hour earlier for these guests to avoid impacting other cruiser's vacations.
10) Carnival Logo Ballpoint Pen - This could similar to the old pens Carnival would place in staterooms.
11) Digital Newsletter By Email and E-Coupon Book - Same Descriptions As Level 1
12) Certificate of Completion of Voyage - This certificate could show the cruiser's name, ship name, itinerary taken, and dates onboard.
13) Name Entered Into Drawing For Free Faster to the Fun - 2 weeks prior to cruising a random guest from this category will be selected to receive Carnival's Faster to the Fun for free.
14) 15% off All Photo Gallery Orders
Level 5: 250 points - 499 points
1) Port Taxes and Fees Waived For One Cruise Only - The fees that are added to the base ticket price could be waived upon entry into Level 5.
2) Seven Free Cruise Raffle Tickets - Carnival could have a shipwide drawing where cruisers have a chance to win a free cruise. In this level each cruiser would get seven raffle tickets to put into the free cruise drawing.
3) Past Guest Lunch Party- Instead of the typical party, Carnival could offer lunch in a dining room for guests of this level and above. The lunch could be a variety of selections from the regular main dining room and steakhouse. Carnival could offer free beverage service to all the guests in this party. This could take place on the last sea day of the cruise vacation.
4) Free Bag of Laundry - Carnival could allow for the guests in this level to have one free bag of laundry washed per cruise.
5) Chocolate Covered Strawberries - Carnival could send a plate of chocolate covered strawberries to these people's staterooms.
6) Logo Gift - Carnival could give a logo gift to these guests similar to what the actual current program does.
7) Priority Boarding and Disembarkation At Normal Boarding & Disembarkation Times
8) Priority Line at Guest Services
9) Priority Dining Selections For Main Dining Room
10) Admission To Select Activities, Games, and Events - Carnival could have designated activities onboard, in addition to the regular activities, that are for cruisers on the Level 3 loyalty level and above. Some of these activities could include things such as trivia, bean bag toss, or a scavenger hunt.
11) Extra Hour To Utilize Facilities - Such As The Waterslide, Casino, Pools, Serenity Adults Only Retreat. Carnival could open these things one hour earlier for these guests to avoid impacting other cruiser's vacations.
12) Carnival Logo Ballpoint Pen - This could similar to the old pens Carnival would place in staterooms.
13) Digital Newsletter By Email and E-Coupon Book - Same Descriptions As Level 1
14) Certificate of Completion of Voyage - This certificate could show the cruiser's name, ship name, itinerary taken, and dates onboard.
15) Welcome Letter From The Captain - An official letter from the ship's captain welcoming the guest back onboard could be presented upon arrival.
16) Priority Luggage Delivery
17) 20% Off Photo Gallery Orders
Level 6: 500+ points
1) Dinner With the Captain & Officers - A complimentary steakhouse style dinner with the ship's leadership team could be provided.
2) Unlimited Laundry - Carnival could allow these guests unlimited laundry washing.
3) Past Guest Lunch Party- Instead of the typical party, Carnival could offer lunch in a dining room for guests of this level and above. The lunch could be a variety of selections from the regular main dining room and steakhouse. Carnival could offer free beverage service to all the guests in this party. This could take place on the last sea day of the cruise vacation.
4) Automatic Boarding - Instead of waiting in the terminal for boarding to begin, these guests could be escorted onboard to a specialized waiting area on the ship. At the time regular boarding will begin, the guests would then be told they are free to move about the cruise ship.
5) Chocolate Covered Strawberries - Carnival could send a plate of chocolate covered strawberries to these people's staterooms.
6) Logo Gift - Carnival could give a logo gift to these guests similar to what the actual current program does.
7) Priority Boarding and Disembarkation At Normal Boarding & Disembarkation Times
8) Priority Line at Guest Services
9) Priority Dining Selections For Main Dining Room
10) Admission To Select Activities, Games, and Events - Carnival could have designated activities onboard, in addition to the regular activities, that are for cruisers on the Level 3 loyalty level and above. Some of these activities could include things such as trivia, bean bag toss, or a scavenger hunt.
11) Extra Hour To Utilize Facilities - Such As The Waterslide, Casino, Pools, Serenity Adults Only Retreat. Carnival could open these things one hour earlier for these guests to avoid impacting other cruiser's vacations.
12) Carnival Logo Ballpoint Pen - This could similar to the old pens Carnival would place in staterooms.
13) Digital Newsletter By Email and E-Coupon Book - Same Descriptions As Level 1
14) Certificate of Completion of Voyage - This certificate could show the cruiser's name, ship name, itinerary taken, and dates onboard.
15) Welcome Letter From The Captain - An official letter from the ship's captain welcoming the guest back onboard could be presented upon arrival.
16) Priority Luggage Delivery -
17) Priority Room Service Order - These guests could receive priority room service delivery.
18) 25% Off All Photo Gallery Orders
19) First To Have Stateroom Serviced At Night - These guests could have their stateroom serviced at night before the others.
20) Free Tour of The Bridge, Engine Control Room, and Galley - This could be similar to the Behind the Fun Tour, but without seeing the full tour area. Most likely, the people in this level would have already seen these places, but may want to visit them again.
Please keep in mind all of these items are my suggestions and are not officially happening at this time. Some of these ideas I based on the current loyalty program, but many others I have come up with on my own.