Issue with PLATINUM/MILESTONE benefits - Just off the Sensation

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

We just got off the 9/3/09 Thursday-Sunday Sensation sailing.

 

We had a VERY nice time - didn't get off the ship (again!) in Nassau. It was drizzly that morning, and just cloudy the remainder of the day. Our sea day coming back (yesterday) was smooth and sunny. I managed to win enough in the casino to pay off our next couple of cruises - so that's nice! What follows was only a fragment of our cruise experience, and did not adversely impact the fun we had – nice food, nice people, calm seas!!

 

This cruise marked my 39th with Carnival (Cheryl’s 42nd). Carnival, once again, dropped the ball with us – from a “Past Guest Standpoint”:

 

> No (Platinum) welcome back letter.

> No personalized stationery.

> No petits fours.

> No past guest gift.

> No (last night) letter with special debarkation instructions or zone 1 tags.

 

I called the first afternoon about not having the stationery (we do use it!) and was told it would be delivered that evening. NOPE...

 

(Each time I would call, I was polite - and not demanding - BTW)

 

I called the second (Nassau) day and told them we still did not receive it. "Sorry, it will be delivered this evening". NOPE...

 

Last evening - with no gift, petits fours, stationery - I again called the Concierge line (luckily I recalled the number, as I had no letter from them to go by) and told them "OK - so I called two days in a row and (listed all the stuff which never showed up), could you at least send up some ZONE 1 luggage tags?" They did have them to us shortly thereafter.

 

Around 10 PM last night - after giving it some thought I decided to call "Guest Relations" again to ask about getting the "gift". Not that we wanted it, but I give them to my staff. I reached another fellow and told him the same tale - he asked "Are you Platinum". I replied "Try Milestone" - he said (something to the effect of) "Oh my - OK we will take care of it." About 30 minutes later I received a call from housekeeping that they had a bottle of champagne from Guest Relations for us. I told them, no thanks... I don't need a bottle of generic "Champagne".

 

I have often, on the main boards - and John's blog, made suggestions for additional "perks" for Platinum and Milestone members. Frankly, until they get a handle of what we are supposed to get to begin with, I don't see that adding anything will do anything more than frustrate people when they drop the ball … again! :rolleyes:

 

Nonetheless - IMHO:

> Platinum members should have:

-----1. A private late afternoon/early-evening cocktail party. John suggested something on his blog involving breakfast or lunch ... a set-aside part of the dining room. WOO HOO... a meeting in the dining room... how "special".

> Milestone members (25+ sailings) should be able to enjoy:

-----1. Dining room menu delivered to their stateroom during hours they are open - breakfast, lunch and dinner.

-----2. 60 minutes of free internet (value: $24.95)

-----3. Private Bridge/Engine Control Room tour. From what I understand this is now, on some ships, going to be an excursion which people can purchase. They should offer either slots in the excursion for Milestone members, or the option to have a private version.

 

There... I got that off my chest. I have not mailed an "After cruise letter" to Carnival in a couple of years - I think it's time. Not that it will generate anything other than a semi-personalized form letter reply. At least I'll feel better!

 

Whether any of these "suggestions" take root or not - we will still sail Carnival, as it's very convenient (20+ minutes from Pt. Canaveral) and we enjoy their product.

 

I will add something... the only "negative" event on our cruise was being awakened at 1:30 am (this morning) to a woman's screams on Lido deck (since our cabin overlooks the Lido pool area). It would appear that her 60 something year old husband was beating a 20-30 year old guy to a pulp. Repeatedly kicking him while down - bloody, motionless after a point. A small crowd gathered. I called guest relations to have them send security. They were there shortly thereafter, and gained control. I did not stay up to watch it all --- we were tired, and went back to bed! I can only surmise that everyone was intoxicated, and the young guy must have made some comment to the older fellow which set him off - there is no telling. Neanderthals... :rolleyes: (and I mean no disrespect to actual Neanderthals! :D)

 

Tom

[auntkaty]

What game do you play in the casino that you are good at?

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

What game do you play in the casino that you are good at?

 

Blackjack.. and rather than saying I was "good at" it, I would term it "Periodically Lucky"! :eek: :D

 

I was "harpooned" by two people in the qualifying rounds of the BJ tournament yesterday. The first time I was ALL IN (about $2,000 in tournament chips) on a double down - my A-7 vs. a dealer 4. The ignoramus (and I use that term with endearment - NOT) to my right HIT their own 14 and drew, OF ALL CARDS, a THREE! I then received a SIX, giving me a 14. Dealer totals with 17, and the person to my right PUSHED :mad:, otherwise the dealer would have busted. Second qualifying round - all in again with a double of my A-3 vs. a dealer 4 ! To my right (different messenger of death this time) player with a 15 hits and draws a SEVEN. AMAZING - almost poetic! Same end result. Moral of this story, to win 7 hands takes ZERO skill, and ONLY luck! Yes, yes - I know that those misplays were as likely to have helped than to have hurt. Yet... :rolleyes:

 

Tom

[cathyoo]

We just got off the 9/3/09 Thursday-Sunday Sensation sailing.

 

 

This cruise marked my 39th with Carnival (Cheryl’s 42nd). Carnival, once again, dropped the ball with us – from a “Past Guest Standpoint”:

 

>

Tom

Wow, and you would think that frequent easy going cruisers like the two of you would be the exact passengers Carnival would be cultivating.

[Melismass]

So what is the gift you are supposed to get?

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

So what is the gift you are supposed to get?

 

At this point in time - it's a picture frame. (I know, I know!)

 

Tom

[luv2cruise777l]

With as many past cruises as we have had, this is the first fight we have witnessed. I am sure idiots are created in many forms, and sail all lines! Of course, on the sailing before ours, an IDIOT jumped off the ship on the last night!... something about LAST nights I suppose!

 

Tom

 

Evidently, the crew messed that up too! The rumor out there is that they were an "embarrassment" while trying to rescue the man that went overboard. Maybe they need to have a little more training of their crew on that ship.

 

Congrats on you big win in the casino!;):D

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Evidently, the crew messed that up too! The rumor out there is that they were an "embarrassment" while trying to rescue the man that went overboard. Maybe they need to have a little more training of their crew on that ship.

 

Congrats on you big win in the casino!;):D

 

Yep - that bit of embarrassment was obvious, and a few were dealing it the only way they could - humor. I was told by one dealer that, from now on, the call would come across the PA: "Bravo, Bravo - Call Disney" :D

 

I'll bet that the Sensation, and other ships will be doing a lot more drills to hone their skills. Scary stuff - when we are relying on them!!

 

BTW - if I ever go overboard... I was PUSHED!! ;)

 

Tom

[iluvdoxies]

wow, Tom....sounds like they really dropped the ball, I would def write a letter !

[dan40]

With as many past cruises as we have had, this is the first fight we have witnessed. I am sure idiots are created in many forms, and sail all lines! Of course, on the sailing before ours, an IDIOT jumped off the ship on the last night!... something about LAST nights I suppose!

 

Tom

 

 

Last Nights are like the Santa Ana winds. They just make people crazy!

[luv2cruise777l]

Yep - that bit of embarrassment was obvious, and a few were dealing it the only way they could - humor. I was told by one dealer that, from now on, the call would come across the PA: "Bravo, Bravo - Call Disney" :D

 

I'll bet that the Sensation, and other ships will be doing a lot more drills to hone their skills. Scary stuff - when we are relying on them!!

 

BTW - if I ever go overboard... I was PUSHED!! ;)

 

Tom

 

 

:D:D:D Too funny!

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

wow, Tom....sounds like they really dropped the ball, I would def write a letter !

 

Yes, I will. One thing I wanted to clarify... in my post I indicated they they dropped the ball AGAIN. That did not mean that it's a common occurance. Rather there have been isolated things previously (several times) - but none as complete as this time! I know for a fact that we were in their system as Platinum, as I saw our names on the list in the casino when we picked up our free tournament entry cards. There was one fellow (Adolf) who had 53 sailings, so we were not the absolute top of the list this time, but we are always close.

 

Tom

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

 

“No one is perfect, and I will be the first to admit that you are not.”

 

OK all... let's have a TRUCE before someone ends up OVERBOARD or beat to a (virtual) pulp!! :eek:

 

Tom

[redskin80]

With as many past cruises as we have had, this is the first fight we have witnessed. I am sure idiots are created in many forms, and sail all lines! Of course, on the sailing before ours, an IDIOT jumped off the ship on the last night!... something about LAST nights I suppose!

 

Tom

 

 

Becasue they did not win in the Casino LOL

[yst347]

OK all... let's have a TRUCE before someone ends up OVERBOARD or beat to a (virtual) pulp!! :eek:

 

Tom

 

Relax Tom, I have made my comment to the bigot. Sorry Carnival dropped the ball. It would be better to have no past guest program than to have this happen.

[auntkaty]

I agree to a truce...it's just my opinion anyway. I must admit though that some of the responses prove my point...

[jetskier]

Hi Tom,

This has only happened to us once and it was quickly taken care of. The fact that you were on the roster definitely meant someone dropped the ball especially with you being in the Owner's Suite.

Dave

[DGP1111]

[ Note to self ]

.

 

Never sit to Tom's right when playing Blackjack.

.

.

 

Oh, wait . . . um . . . nevermind. :p

.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

[ Note to self ]

.

 

Never sit to Tom's right when playing Blackjack.

.

.

 

Oh, wait . . . um . . . nevermind. :p

.

 

Hey Don - next time we play together (methinks 10/22/09), you are more than welcome to sit on my left. :D

 

If we both have the same luck as last time, we'll be in good shape. Do you recall the female dealer who I said was always very friendly - yet would consistently take your chips? On the Sensation last month she was the one who we actually won with! Well this time she was her "old self" - I sat down and in the first 5 hands she had 3 blackjacks! It didn't get much better, and I cut that session short!

 

We were in the Fantasy dining room this time, and Drago was our Maitre d' again. I made a point not to order the short ribs this time, and opted for the Veal. I had an unfulfilled taste for french fries the entire day, so had a side of those with my meal. Nothing like a side of fries when you have a nice decanted bottle of wine you are enjoying! :o

 

Tom

[Ascott318]

The same thing happend to me on my 12/2008 sailing on the Sensation.I am only platinum though,working my way to milestone. I would also like to add ,why do they give platinum a special line at pursers guest only to be ignored? I was the only one in line to give/get medication that has to be refrigerated for my DH ,only to be ignored while everyone in reg line was being taken care of.I neither received anything in my room this time ,finally got my thermos on last night after asking 2x. I wrote a letter expressing my disappointment,not looking for anything but answers. I did receive a 45 day letter with a nice OBC for my Oct Legend sailing. I would rather everyone just all be on the same page & get with the program.

[GayleR]

I agree to a truce...it's just my opinion anyway. I must admit though that some of the responses prove my point...

 

Your responses prove your own point. LOL:cool:

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

The same thing happend to me on my 12/2008 sailing on the Sensation.I am only platinum though,working my way to milestone. I would also like to add ,why do they give platinum a special line at pursers guest only to be ignored? I was the only one in line to give/get medication that has to be refrigerated for my DH ,only to be ignored while everyone in reg line was being taken care of.I neither received anything in my room this time ,finally got my thermos on last night after asking 2x. I wrote a letter expressing my disappointment,not looking for anything but answers. I did receive a 45 day letter with a nice OBC for my Oct Legend sailing. I would rather everyone just all be on the same page & get with the program.

 

LOL - don't even get me started on the Concierge Line! I have written about issues with that perk in the past. Of the 3 times I went to Guest Relations this cruise, only once (first) did I use that line, and nobody was in any line at that point. The second time I was helped faster in the regular line, and the third time I gave up and went to the casino cashier. I just needed to break a bill for tips on the last night and, as they have a tendency to do at Guest Relations - when nobody is in that line, they will move people with "extended issues" over to that spot for resolution. Such was the case this time - a family of 3 with their blue S&S cards going on and on about a $7 charge on their account. By "on and on" I mean 15 minutes!! Like I said, I finally left.

 

That reminds me of something else - at embarkation we were issued the NEW S&S cards (with the majority Platinum background) - for the brief moment I saw it, it did look nicer. HOWEVER, since they did not have any of those cards with the MILESTONES designation the person checking us in insisted on getting one onboard - so on we went, and when she returned from the Guest Relations area we had the (older) new style cards again. Oh well - so close, and yet so far. It would seem that Carnival (the Sensation at least) does not have the newest version (Milestones) yet. It's absolutely not a biggie - just something else to point out.

 

Tom

[burtonsgigi]

Tom-n-Cheryl,

 

I was on the same cruise with you. I'm just Platinum, but I did get all the usual perks (picture frame, etc). It looked to me like there were A LOT of people with Platinum/Milestone status. Is Milestone at 25? If so, I've only got a couple more to go! Anyhow, I wonder what the deal was with them dropping the ball with you guys? I even had the usual "Good Night" desserts and all.

[TahoeBob]

I agree to a truce...it's just my opinion anyway. I must admit though that some of the responses prove my point...

 

What really proved your point was your own comments.

[Guest JJWW]

Well if you believe that Lie I'll tell you another one !:D

 

Tom we had no problems with receiving the perks other than the ship pins.

According to John H , as platinum members we were to receive them ?

 

Not a biggie, but I did or did enjoy our collection of pins .

 

OH WELL :D.