Cruise line loyalty programs vary greatly, but most members who reach higher-level tiers appreciate the perks that come with that status.
Most of those perks are on the ship with top-tier members getting everything from dining discounts to free drinks and invites to special events. Royal Caribbean arguably gives its highest level Crown & Anchor Society members the most meaningful perks, as they get 4, 5, or 6 drinks up to $14 in value each day, as well as access to a dedicated lounge.
Related: Carnival Cruise Line makes an impressive last-minute change
The Crown Lounge offers a 24/7 coffee machine that makes everything from basic coffee to lattes and cappuccinos. It's also staffed part of the day by a concierge who can help with show, dinner, and excursion reservations.
Carnival Cruise Line does not offer anything quite that generous, but it does offer some physical tokens of appreciation. Gold, Platinum, and Diamond members get special pins on each sailing.
Before Covid, those pins were delivered to the members' cabins. Now, however, the procedures have changed and Carnival Brand Ambassador John Heald wants VIFP club members to know about the changes and how to claim their pins.
Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter to save money on your next (or your first) cruise.
Image source: Carnival Cruise Line
How to claim your VIFP pins
Heald, who spent the week of Aug. 9 on Carnival's Mardi Gras, has been posting several videos from the ship to his Facebook page. One of "walkies," as he calls them, showed off the Pixels photo gallery on the ship.
That's where passengers can order and pickup photos taken by ship photographers. It's also a spot for more esoteric ideas like having your image put on a crystal block.
"It's all fabulous, isn't it? Look at these," Heald said as he showed off the various crystal block options.
Pixels, he pointed out, also sells camera accessories as well as items for your phone.
He then shared why he was making this video.
"The reason I am doing this is to highlight this," he said. "Remember, if you are Gold you can pick your pin up here. If you are Diamond or Platinum you can pick your pin or your gift up here."
Heald then detailed how you claim your pin and gift.
"You come up to the desk on any of the ships. It doesn't matter what ship you are on, You go to the photo gallery desk and you see this lovely lady and you show her your card," he shared.
After scanning your card, the crew member (who is not guaranteed to be lovely or a lady) will give you the appropriate items.
Carnival passengers push back on pin process
Not every passenger enjoys having to go somewhere to get their pin and gift. Many people made that known in response to Heald's post.
"Why must we claim them? The casino offers get all of their perks delivered to their cabin! Oh yeah, money is more important than loyalty," wrote Jody Candela Studt.
By "casino offers," Studt means people who are sailing free based on offers from Carnival's casino. In many cases, those passengers get items ranging from cookies and other food to bottles of wine delivered in their cabins.
"Why is it so hard to deliver them? I understand when the restart happened and they were limiting contact. But that era is long gone. You can certainly deliver all the 'junk' mail wanting you to spend more money. Go back to treating your most loyal customers like you used to prior to Covid, added Lisa Walters Polidora.
Other posters shared different complaints about the free pins.
"I really wish the Gold pins had the name of the ship and year. I’m going on my fourth cruise of 2024 next month and already have the 2024 VIFP pin," wrote Michelle Edelen Mattingly.
ALSO READ: Top travel agents share how to get the best price on your cruise
Others took a less combative view.
"Easy to go and get them. If it's something we already have a bunch of we simply just don't pick it up. We aren't going to complain about any gift we get," shared Angie Harris Bourbeau.
Related: Get the best cruise tips, deals, and news on the ships from our expert cruiser
