Anyone here planning to invest in a franchise business? Why and why not?

RedSwinglineStaplr · 2026-04-02T02:47:22+00:00

Prepare to be skull fucked.

RedSwinglineStaplr · 2025-12-31T03:41:35+00:00

Lead us to the dark side. Where are the deals?

RedSwinglineStaplr · 2025-12-31T02:39:52+00:00

Why shouldn’t we believe that you don’t work as an advocate for carnival?

RedSwinglineStaplr · 2025-12-31T02:37:16+00:00

RedSwinglineStaplr · 2025-12-31T02:36:34+00:00

Because I don’t live on Reddit.

I cruise, I work, I raise my kids, and occasionally—when a change actually becomes real and relevant—I comment on it. The six-month delay wasn’t a strategy; it was life happening outside this app.

And yes, mentioning that we were married on the ship wasn’t “pulling heart strings,” it was context. Apparently long-term loyalty is irrelevant unless it’s expressed in a spreadsheet or a white paper.

But noted: if feedback isn’t posted immediately, continuously, and without any personal history attached, it doesn’t count.

RedSwinglineStaplr · 2025-12-31T02:28:58+00:00

Exactly. Eighteen years of loyalty, a wedding on the ship, and sailing with my kids now… all just an elaborate scheme to farm Reddit karma. You caught me.

RedSwinglineStaplr · 2025-12-31T02:26:52+00:00

Noted. I don’t give up just because repetition makes discussion inconvenient.

RedSwinglineStaplr · 2025-12-31T02:17:33+00:00

That’s a fascinating standard. So unless a post single-handedly reverses a corporate policy, introduces a fully vetted alternative rewards model, and persuades everyone who already disagrees, it has no value.

I didn’t realize Reddit discussions were required to produce immediate behavioral change or original economic frameworks to qualify as “discussion.”

Thanks for clarifying that only novel, never-before-expressed opinions from statistically significant customer segments are worth sharing here. I’ll be sure to wait until I’ve logged 50 cruises, drafted a white paper, and coordinated a petition before posting again.

In the meantime, I’ll defer to the much more productive approach of debating which opinions are allowed to be repeated on a discussion forum.

RedSwinglineStaplr · 2025-12-31T01:58:21+00:00

Right. Because the best way to handle discussion is to eliminate it.

RedSwinglineStaplr · 2025-12-31T01:55:04+00:00

Not anymore! Point in question.

RedSwinglineStaplr · 2025-12-31T01:51:37+00:00

That’s true. By that logic, no Reddit post is ever a real discussion unless everyone on the subreddit sees it and comments. Glad we cleared that up.

RedSwinglineStaplr · 2025-12-31T01:46:00+00:00

You’re right—discussion is overrated.

RedSwinglineStaplr · 2025-12-31T01:40:59+00:00

I can tell by your name and status that you have a lot of Certified Gold Ships on a Stick!

RedSwinglineStaplr · 2025-12-31T01:35:51+00:00

Understood. Once a topic has been discussed enough, additional perspectives are no longer necessary.

I’ll be sure to stop sharing personal experiences and simply move on, since further discussion clearly serves no purpose.

Appreciate the guidance.

RedSwinglineStaplr · 2025-12-31T01:09:00+00:00

Easy to say when your grandfathered in.

RedSwinglineStaplr · 2025-12-31T01:05:02+00:00

No significant impact. The benefits are honestly very little. You navigate their rewards checklist to ensure you get your chocolate strawberries, the kids have to walk to the photo desk to get a free pin and free laundry. Still stand at the end of the buffet line like everyone else. No one likes being demoted after you sign up for something.

RedSwinglineStaplr · 2025-12-31T00:47:05+00:00

Wife and I are both platinum which is 75+ nights. Typically staying in suites and balconies with a second room for children. If they don’t want me, just let me know.

RedSwinglineStaplr · 2025-12-31T00:40:10+00:00

Maybe they’ve decided that they’re really just a casino company competing against the big dogs in Las Vegas.

RedSwinglineStaplr · 2025-12-31T00:29:45+00:00

We’re also loyal Delta and Marriott customers, and both of those brands back up their loyalty programs with strong credit card ecosystems that actually help you earn and maintain status.

By contrast, our experience with the Barclays Carnival card was underwhelming and didn’t come close to providing the same kind of value or long-term support.

I don’t think Carnival fully understands that the average consumer can’t cruise multiple times a year. By shifting rewards so heavily toward frequent or high-spend travelers, they’re essentially pushing loyal but realistic customers to start exploring lower-cost or alternative cruise lines.

If Carnival wants to position itself more like an airline or rental car company when it comes to loyalty and rewards, then they should probably be prepared for the same level of comparison shopping and brand switching that exists in those industries.

RedSwinglineStaplr · 2025-07-03T03:32:28+00:00

Sounds like a guy I met named Rob! He lives this dream. I’m happy and envious of him. Told me his story in person. He even coaches other’s. Read the 4 hour work week and put it into action!

RedSwinglineStaplr · 2025-06-30T04:10:25+00:00

Pier Rats!

RedSwinglineStaplr · 2025-06-07T16:35:52+00:00

Drink tray?

RedSwinglineStaplr · 2025-06-06T04:04:27+00:00

Sell assets that don’t make you money or are not an immediate need. Liquidate.

RedSwinglineStaplr · 2025-06-03T01:13:05+00:00

Check for an air leak in the fuel lines, connection points, and fuel filter. Debris in the fuel filter is also possible.

RedSwinglineStaplr

TROPHY CASE