Carnival Cruise Line's loyalty program is arguably much less rewarding than that of its main rival, Royal Caribbean.
Top Very Important Fun Person club members do not get the free daily drinks and exclusive lounge access that similarly tier Royal Caribbean Crown & Anchor members receive.
Still, while the overall benefits may not be as great, Carnival Diamond and Platinum members (the top two tiers) receive freebies on every trip. These range from Carnival-branded beer sleeves to various bags, blankets, towels and other company items.
Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter to save money on your next (or first) cruise.
The latest gift, however, has sparked some negative reactions.
Carnival brand ambassador John Heald showed off the gift on his facebook page: it's a baseball cap with the VIFP Club logo. It's a blue hat with hints of Carnival red, and the rejection was pretty immediate.
Image source: Carnival Cruise Line.
Carnival passengers reject the gift of loyalty
Hundreds of Heald's followers commented on the new gift. The brand ambassador acknowledged having deleted one of the comments.
“I deleted your 'J.' comment,” Heald wrote. “I know you're both Diamond members and I really appreciate your loyalty. However, I don't appreciate you telling me to shove a baseball cap up my butt.
“Also, you didn't spell it correctly, you missed the R, I think that was pretty rude. If you don't like the gift, maybe I suggest you pick it up and then give it to someone else.”
“It's a gift to show our appreciation for your loyalty. I like it, I don't like it. I respect both. I don't respect what you suggested I do with the hat.”
Related: Carnival Cruise Line Answers Question About Bathroom Discrimination
Many people appreciated the gift without really liking it.
“My first platinum gift was the blanket in a bag. Best gift ever. While I'm grateful for the gift concept, this one is definitely more for men than women,” wrote Glenda McLarty.
“Carnival, maybe something more generic than a baseball cap would have been better. So I'll thank you, but I won't pick up my gift. Disappointed. This is only slightly better than beer.”
Stacy Schneider had a better idea than just not picking up the gift.
“Glenda McLarty, you might consider purchasing it and giving it as a gift with a blue card. You will literally brighten their day and their cruise. I do this and it's more fun,” he wrote. (A blue card is someone who is at a lower level in the loyalty program.)
Some passengers like the Carnival gift
Not all passengers think that baseball caps are exclusively for men.
“I'm a woman and I will wear this with no problem! I would prefer this to a blanket,” said Kimberly Auld-Bartone.
Glenda Jackson McFarland feels the same way.
“I always wear a cap while I'm on the pontoon or fishing boat. It keeps my hair from getting tangled,” she added.
Many people are simply happy to receive a gift.
“I appreciate any gift, whatever it is! It's something extra that Carnival doesn't have to do! I, for one, will use it on my cruises,” Mary Neubauer shared.
“I agree with those who suggest that if you receive a gift you don't like, simply brighten someone else's day by giving it to them,” wrote Bill P. Beaudin.
“Depending on the gift, maybe a blue card passenger, a child, etc. Those who criticize you for 'bad' gifts are probably not the giving type and get no joy from making others happy.”
READ ALSO: Top travel agents share how to get the best price on your cruise
That's a sentiment echoed by Lisa Cunningham.
“I was at Breeze last week and bought a bag; I wore it all the time and loved it! A baseball cap, not so much. I still appreciate the idea and will give it to someone who will enjoy it. I understand “You can't please everyone all the time, but everyone should be grateful for the effort to give a thank you gift and use it or give it to someone else to use,” he shared.
Are you taking a cruise or thinking about one? Visit our Come Cruise With Me website to get answers to all your questions.
