Carnival Cruise Line has notified its Diamond and Platinum level passengers scheduled to sail aboard the Carnival Splendor on August 24, 2024, about some changes due to the unusually high number of VIFP (Very Important Fun Person) guests booked for the trip.
The cruise line announced that priority embarkation and debarkation will not be available during the 16-night journey from Singapore to Sydney. This includes all ports of call, which encompass Jakarta and Lombok in Indonesia, as well as Darwin, Airlie Beach, and Moreton in Australia.
Moreover, Diamond guests may not be assured seating in the main dining room.
On the day of embarkation, staterooms will only be accessible after 1:30 p.m. Guests are encouraged to drop off their carry-on luggage in their staterooms before heading to lunch once onboard.
“These operational adjustments align with other Carnival Journeys cruises where we experienced a large number of Diamond and Platinum guests,” stated Colleen Oliverio, vice president of guest services at Carnival Cruises. “We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.”
This is not the first instance of VIFP benefits being modified. Similar loyalty perks were suspended during a transatlantic crossing on the Carnival Freedom and the Caribbean itinerary of Carnival Venezia, both occurring in September 2023.
Exclusive Perks for High-Tiered VIFPs
Carnival Cruise Line’s VIFP Club, established in 2012, offers loyal customers a variety of perks and benefits. The program’s most distinguished levels are Diamond and Platinum, aimed at Carnival’s most frequent cruisers.
Platinum members, who have cruised with Carnival for 75 nights or more, enjoy benefits such as priority check-in and boarding, complimentary drink vouchers, and invites to exclusive onboard parties. They also have the advantage of priority spa bookings and guaranteed seating in the main dining room.
Diamond members, who represent the highest tier, are those who have cruised for at least 200 days with Carnival. They enjoy all the privileges afforded to Platinum members, along with additional exclusive benefits.
These enhanced perks include unlimited complimentary laundry service, a dedicated phone line for Diamond members, a one-time complimentary meal at a specialty restaurant, an invitation to a unique cocktail reception with the captain, and guaranteed reservations for sold-out shore excursions.
Read Also: Loyalty Programs – Should You Stay Loyal to One Cruise Line?
Carnival Journeys, which run between 9 to 16 days, are designed to provide a rich and unique vacation experience. These longer voyages are particularly appealing to VIFP members who want to maintain their status, presenting challenges for the cruise line in accommodating all benefits.
Despite the recent changes, Diamond and Platinum members aboard the Carnival Splendor will continue to enjoy several fundamental benefits, such as priority spa reservations, room service delivery of Chocolate Delight, VIFP merchandise, and a complimentary beverage.
The beverage, which serves as a “thank you” to VIFP members, underwent changes recently in July 2024. The cruise line has suggested that significant modifications to the VIFP program are on the horizon. Some adjustments have already taken effect, including the removal of a $25 FunPlay ship credit for the casino and a donation to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.
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