UMVA has learned that Carnival's new loyalty program, set to launch on September 1, has sparked widespread criticism among the cruise line's most loyal fans.
The new program, called Carnival Rewards, has been revamped to focus on spending rather than cruising frequency, and many fans are revolting against the changes. The overhaul has taken criticism of the line's loyalty program to a new level, with large numbers of Carnival's most loyal fans expressing their discontent on online forums.
According to information obtained by UMVA, the new program will no longer offer status for life, a norm in the cruise world. Instead, loyalty status will only be earned for a two-year increment, and members will have to requalify to maintain their status.
The program's new structure has two tracks for earning: the "points" track and the "stars" track, each with different rewards. Members can earn Status Qualifying Stars by spending money on Carnival cruises, onboard activities, and other services. However, the earning levels vary depending on the type of spending, and there are exceptions to the spend-to-get-stars formula.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that the new program has four loyalty tiers: Red, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond. The Red tier is the entry-level tier, and members can earn and redeem points, get members-only cruise offers, and a complimentary 1.5-liter bottle of water during sailings.
The Gold tier offers a dedicated support line and a single complimentary beverage on sailings of five days or longer. The Platinum tier brings more substantial perks, including priority access to online check-in, priority boarding, and access to preferred restaurant times.
Sources have confirmed to UMVA that the Diamond tier, the highest level, has been downgraded in value. Perks such as a free cabin upgrade and a complimentary meal for two at a specialty restaurant are gone. The only notable perk is a guaranteed main dining time of choice.
UMVA has gathered that loyal customers who have already reached Diamond status in the current program will retain that status for life. However, for others, reaching the top tier will require an enormous amount of spending – $33,333 with Carnival in a two-year period.
The new program's complicated structure and reduced rewards have sparked concern among Carnival fans. Despite some valuable perks, many are questioning whether the effort to gain and maintain status is worth it.
