Just Back From Valor - Platinum Card

We just returned from the Valor 1/22 sailing. As this was our 10th cruise on Carnival, we were given the platinum cards and "Concierge Club" priveleges.

We did not check out the priority embarkation because we were cruising with friends on their first cruise, and we wanted to re-live that first time experience by watching them during the boarding process (and we didn't want to just ditch them after trying so long to get them to cruise with us).

There was some Platinum colored stationery in our room with my wife's name on it.

One day a Carnival logo tote bag was left in the room for us.

We never did get the canapes and petit fours, but no big deal - we probably could have if we'd asked about them.

Free laundry service was available, but we didn't use that either.

What we did use and like a lot were the following;

There is a spot at the purser's desk for concierge club only, so we never had to wait in line there.

In the tender ports when we were ready to debark, all we had to do was go to the purser's desk and let them know, and we were either escorted to the lounge and let off with the next group (Grand Cayman) or given #1 tender stickers without having to wait in line for them (Belize).

Final day debarkation - We were issued priority platinum colored luggage tags, and met in the Lincoln Dining Room at 8:30AM. As soon the self-assist debarkation was complete, we were the next group let off. It was amazing walking through a practically empty terminal, and not having to fight the crowds any step of the way. By 9:00AM we were back on I-95 headed for home!

Wow! Congrats! Sounds like just what they described in the Currents!

We've still got two more to go, but we are ready for our Platinum cards!

Glad you had a good time and posted your experience!

Wow thanks for letting us know.

We are hoping that the service will be on the Glory by March 11th, but Carnival couldn't be sure if it would or not. They did say we would at least have the VIP boarding available so we will definitely take advantage of that.

Diane

Wow, I guess it really does vary from ship to ship! We're just off the Miracle, and we didn't get any of those things except the VIP debarkation tags if we wanted to use them. We didn't, as our flight wasn't until after 3. But here's what we did get with platinum: we had skipper's club, so I don't know about priority boarding for platinum. We were brought to a special boarding area though and were on the ship right after the wedding party. On board and heading for lunch at 11:30! There was a special VIP reception with the captain and all the top brass of the ship. And there were only eight of us passengers there. It was very nice. Also, we always have soda with dinner, and the bar waiter never charged us once for unlimited sodas. He would just wave us off and say "you're platinum". He kept them coming without even asking. Several nights we "floated" out of the dining room!;) Other than that, we really didn't get anything special. Just alot of "wow, how many cruises have you had with us?" from the crew. It was still very nice the little extras we were afforded.

Next up for us is the Valor, so it will be fun to see what's in store!

Wow, I guess it really does vary from ship to ship! We're just off the Miracle, and we didn't get any of those things except the VIP debarkation tags if we wanted to use them. We didn't, as our flight wasn't until after 3. But here's what we did get with platinum: we had skipper's club, so I don't know about priority boarding for platinum. We were brought to a special boarding area though and were on the ship right after the wedding party. On board and heading for lunch at 11:30! There was a special VIP reception with the captain and all the top brass of the ship. And there were only eight of us passengers there. It was very nice. Also, we always have soda with dinner, and the bar waiter never charged us once for unlimited sodas. He would just wave us off and say "you're platinum". He kept them coming without even asking. Several nights we "floated" out of the dining room!;) Other than that, we really didn't get anything special. Just alot of "wow, how many cruises have you had with us?" from the crew. It was still very nice the little extras we were afforded.

 

Next up for us is the Valor, so it will be fun to see what's in store!

I think it's only being done on one or two ships right now, will be phased in on other ships.

Thanks for the update on the Valor. We are doing our 11th Carnival cruise, so I quess we will see some of the new extras

for Platinum members. Hopefuly our docs will saying something about our Platinum status, so we can get priority

boarding in the Skippers Club area. We are off on the Valor

on 3/05/06. John F

We're on the same cruise, John F! Meeting more and more cruise mates on the board lately!

I like the platinum perks, though it will be a while before we have enough cruises to qualify. I did experience pretty much the same perks on NCL last year, as some in our party were in a suite, and they extended the suite perks to us. Sounds like Carnival is doing the same with the platinum status, and I think that is a great idea.

Glad you got your perks!

it really has been hit and miss from ship to ship. We were on the Spirit last July and had the Logo Carnival tote waiting for us in our room. There were canapes on both formal nights in our room. Our waiter waved off the cost of a birthday cake we had delivered one night for our son. There were a few other items but sadly I am having a senior moment and can't remember.

We are headed out on the Pride in March and can't wait to see how it goes.

Awesome!!! I think that is just wonderful. I have a long ways to go since I am just getting ready for my 2nd cruise but its nice to have rewards for being a repeat customer. Congratulations everyone.

Thanks! The perks were all very nice and very unexpected. I'm sure they will get more standardized from ship to ship as time progresses. Though it sure would have been nice to have priority boarding on the tenders. We tendered on three out of four ports!:eek:

OOOHHH!!! This makes things so frustrating! I have eight cruises under my belt, so I only need one more before I get the Platinum perks!! I sure wish they had cruises to nowhere out of Galveston so I could get that ninth one out of the way!

Are there any ports that do the cruises to nowhere regularly?

I had a Gold Card when I was on the Legend and we couldn't find out anything if we had any benefits with it. Do you get stuff with a gold card??

I had the gold card as well on the Conquest. I think you get... you know basically a gold card- LOL. Never even had anyone comment on it but since you get the gold card starting with only your second cruise and Carnival has so many repeat passengers the crew probably see them all the time. I like what I'm hearing about the Platinum Cards though- only three more cruises to go!!

BTW, does the Platinum card take effect during your 10th cruise or during your 11th cruise.

BTW, does the Platinum card take effect during your 10th cruise or during your 11th cruise.

I had the Platinum card on the Triumph last September and just got the nice remarks from the crew. Nothing else.

I go on the Miracle on March 5th and hope to take advantage of these perks. 14 cruises for me so far. :)