Sail N Sail Cards

[rhorhorho]

I don't think it's so much about being treated better, or thinking you're better. It's the little things that go along with platinum status that I am looking forward too - in 2 days:D. We sailed with friends last year that were platinum and instead of "Welcome Aboard" it was "Welcome Home" I got "Welcome Back".

 

I admit I am looking forward to priority boarding and the free laundry service. I did notice at the pool bar last year that the platinum card did catch the bartenders attention faster, but still waited for others to be served - our friends were just acknowledged more quickly than others (but they tip well too, so maybe that was why).

 

I plan to take full advantage of the 'perks' offered, as someone said on another thread I paid for them. But I certainly don't think some little piece of plastic makes me better or more important than anyone else.

 

2 Days woooo hoooo...2 Days wooooo hooooo.:D

[southbayer]

No prob man, like I say, for me, I just see it as an accomplishment for myself... And for those with thier first cruise, I feel happy, and excited for them:D

I'm going to be a bit blunt as well

 

Just as you see some people subscribing to the "I'm platinum, I'm better" mentality, I also see people who go out of their way to claim they don't care about the color of the card, as if they want a pat on the back for not caring.

 

I hated the white background cards because they looked like something out of a coloring book. The almost all-white card was bland and boring. And yes, I didn't like it either because the blue, gold, and platinum was not as prominent.

 

Having a different color card doesn't make anyone any better or worse. I liked having a gold card - I like having a platinum card. Why is that so bad around here? I honestly don't see what's so bad about liking the card I earned.

 

BTW, to the poster I quoted, I wasn't directing this at you. :)

[Senoj84]

I don't really care about the status on the card as long as I have my S&S card I'm fine.

[LHP]

Many times it has nothing to do with Carnival employees treating you better...simply helps Carnival employees easily identify you when Platinum perks are warranted.

 

For example....we do not have to go to the "theater" and get a tender number. We just use our Platinum card (actually Milestone now...and they are all white with the little Platinum wave and the words Milestone Rewards Member on them) in lieu of getting a tender number.

 

Or when you go to the Platinum line at Guest Services.

 

Anything that helps the staff ... is a good thing.

[ETinCA]

To agree with some on here, the Platinum isn't a matter is feeling better than anyone. It's enjoying the perks earned (quick check in a laundry are my favorites) and the service, though normally great anyway, tends to get even a bit better when they see the platinum card. On my short recent cruise, we requested a table change at dinner. He was a bit hesitant and asked to see our room card. When he saw the card his attitude changed and took care of our request quickly. Some crew could care less, and I have no problem with that, but it is nice to get that extra smile or extra assistance.

[BigDoug]

I'm going to be a bit blunt as well

 

Just as you see some people subscribing to the "I'm platinum, I'm better" mentality, I also see people who go out of their way to claim they don't care about the color of the card, as if they want a pat on the back for not caring.

 

I hated the white background cards because they looked like something out of a coloring book. The almost all-white card was bland and boring. And yes, I didn't like it either because the blue, gold, and platinum was not as prominent.

 

Having a different color card doesn't make anyone any better or worse. I liked having a gold card - I like having a platinum card. Why is that so bad around here? I honestly don't see what's so bad about liking the card I earned.

 

BTW, to the poster I quoted, I wasn't directing this at you. :)

I have to agree. When I became Platinum, the card was completely silver. It was great to watch the staff's eyes light up when they saw my card. It indicated that you were a 'special' customer. And by 'special' I mean very loyal customer. On the next two cruises, the cards were white with a silver wave. Usually the staff's thumb was over the wave and they could not determine your cruise status at a glance. I think (and prefer) that very loyal or 'special' customers should get recognition from the staff. A solid color card makes that very easy for them. I love it when a staff member asks how many Carnival cruises I have taken. It usually leads to a discussion about which ships we have both been on.:D

[Kurbanfan]

When you say"you will notice a change in how staff greets or treats you" how are you not implying that cruisers that dont have platnium arent treated as good? So many cruisers have platnium, it's not a big deal. Maybe because some cruisers may think the change in card color should allow them better service, but it is not the case. Carnival cruiseline employees treat everyone the same, there is not a "class system" on the cruise ship.

 

Sorry I disagree:) On our last Carnival cruise there were only 15 platinum on board out of 2300 passengers......there is not as many as you think.

Platinum get escorted to the front of the tender line.....a separate VIP line at the pursers desk, VIP embarkation with some ports with their own VIP rooms, free laundry, free slot tournament, preferred dining......etc........this is much better service then I received before I became platinum.........

[southbayer]

Just curious, how could one find out how many platinum guests there are on a particular sailing ?

Sorry I disagree:) On our last Carnival cruise there were only 15 platinum on board out of 2300 passengers......there is not as many as you think.

Platinum get escorted to the front of the tender line.....a separate VIP line at the pursers desk, VIP embarkation with some ports with their own VIP rooms, free laundry, free slot tournament, preferred dining......etc........this is much better service then I received before I became platinum.........

[Kurbanfan]

Just curious, how could one find out how many platinum guests there are on a particular sailing ?

 

They have a list at the casino cage.......when you go to get your free slot/black jack tournament play card they check your name off the list........

[cantw82cruise]

Like it or not being platinum is a status on the ship. It’s no different then many other companies in the travel industry. As most people on this board know from traveling. You can’t swing a dead cat around with out hitting the same thing anywhere you vacation. Hotels have there points systems and color of cards. Rental cars have the same thing as you know if you have waited at the counter while others just get in there car and go. Last week as we were waiting to board our Northwest flight they must have called over 10 different program names to board before us. Carnival is just doing what they can to keep up with their market. I for one think it works very well. Now that we are platinum I don’t even look at other lines because we will be giving up to much. We just did the 12 day Hawaii and we had laundry done every day. It was nice to get home and only have a little laundry to do.

 

As with most programs like this one, if you have it you love it and if you don’t you’re either working toward it or you hate it.

[geenafeena]

was on freedom last week and noticed the different color sign and sail cards. they shouldn't categorize passengers by the amount of cruises they have under their belt.

[BigDoug]

was on freedom last week and noticed the different color sign and sail cards. they shouldn't categorize passengers by the amount of cruises they have under their belt.

Sure they should. I believe that every cruiseline acknowledges their past guests in some fashion. I love being recognized as a past cruiser. I also like the perks that come with being Platinum.

[Poomah]

Working towards Platinum and looking forward to the "perks"

[Warm Breezes]

My DS(15) collects a ship model from every cruise we have been on. He proudly displays them on a book shelf in his room with his S&S card from that cruise right next to it. I think he wants us to make him Platinum before he is pushed out of nest. ;) We will see.....

[Traveler353]

was on freedom last week and noticed the different color sign and sail cards. they shouldn't categorize passengers by the amount of cruises they have under their belt.

 

Of course they should. Recognizing faithful customers is a sure fire way of getting more repeat business out of them. Making a customer feel special and valued is just good business sense.

[lollylew]

Ok- now I see the change in the cards-I got out my Pride card from last year & last month's Splendor card- they are different!

It's cool to see all the different changes in cards. For my 1st cruise this past December, I had the "old" blue one, then in May on the Valor had the one that was all white except the waves were gold (remember the fuss over those ones?), and then in September, I got the *new* all gold one :D

 

I too have to chime in here and say that on my past two cruises, when people see that my card is gold, they start to ask questions like "How is yours different?" and "How can I get one?". It's a great conversation starter to tell people about Carnival and how much I like sailing with them. I think that if I were new to Carnival, seeing all those Gold and Platinum cards would just let me know how much people do enjoy sailing with Carnival if they are willing to come back!!

 

I too got my "Welcome Back" on the Elation and was tickled pink :p Of course, this was my mother's first cruise with Carnival and now, she wants a "Welcome Back" all of her own (which she will get in May on the Paradise!) :):D

 

Oh and to the poster who doesn't like Carnival treating passenger any differently because of card color, please remember this ISN'T the Titanic. We aren't going to be locked below while waiting for all the "Platinum" cruisers to board the lifeboats first.

[BigDoug]

Oh and to the poster who doesn't like Carnival treating passenger any differently because of card color, please remember this ISN'T the Titanic. We aren't going to be locked below while waiting for all the "Platinum" cruisers to board the lifeboats first.

Now this SHOULD be a definite Platinum perk. Priority tender and lifeboat service.;):D

[Luluwa]

Perhaps when you finally receive a PLATINUM card, you'll understand. :p

[geenafeena]

ok, let me correct myself, all passengers should be treated the same is some regards. let me add that i have been on 3 carnival cruises. the color of the S&S card is a good conversation starter though.

[cherylcorwin]

I wish that Carnival (The Parent Corporation) would combine the total number of cruises we've taken with all the cruise lines they own to determine status (Carnival, Princess, Holland America, etc...) . Princess goes places Carnival doesn't, and sometimes I want to upgrade to a Holland America cruise. I've given Carnival (the Parent) a lot of money, but have spread it out over three different lines. I am penalized because I haven't been "loyal" to just one Carnival brand.

Love to hear thoughts on this!

I'd be a lot closer to Platinum if they would add my 1 Princess & 1 HA to the list! :)

[Old Tom]

Sign N Sail cards should be judged by the content of their character, not the color of their plastic. If you've got enough on yours to buy me a drink, come on down.:rolleyes:

[cherylcorwin]

Sign N Sail cards should be judged by the content of their character, not the color of their plastic. If you've got enough on yours to buy me a drink, come on down.:rolleyes:

Latest S&S also include Muster Station (they didn't in Sept!

[cathyz]

This is so silly. A status thing on a Carnival cruise...a mass market cruiseline, I don't think so. The staff could care less about your status as a loyal Carnival cruiser, as busy as they are I'm sure all they see is more work. I'm a Carnival cruiser but I couldn't care less about the color of the card .

Actually, many crew members say 'welcome back' when they see our card and also many ask us which other ships we've been on, it's a good start for a conversation.

[LHP]

Just curious, how could one find out how many platinum guests there are on a particular sailing ?

 

There is a list at the casino cage that you have to sign to get your free Slot (or Blackjack) Tournament entry.

 

It shows the number of Platinum member and even the number of cruises and their age.....

 

We have been on cruises where there were only 8 (and 4 of them were US) and then we have been on cruises where there were 80.

 

The past year or so.....it has run from 15 - 50......

 

Our family of four were Platinum before the program ever started.....we walked onto the ship in Alaska (2005) with the original Platinum card and thought..."what is this???"

 

At the time, there were no perks at all.

 

But we sure got lots of funny looks from the crew....most had never seen one before (including our cabin steward).

[dan40]

FYI..... It is "Sail and Sign", not Sign and Sail.

 

http://www.carnival.com/CMS/Static_Templates/EMB_sail_and_sign_boardingcard.aspx

 

Didn't want you to give out incorrect information. ;)

 

My opinion on the card issue is this. I like the new design. Do I care what color it is? Nope. I can't even tell you what other people's cards looked like on my last cruise which was my first cruise.

 

I thot it was a "Spend & Sink" card!

 

In the staff's eyes:

blue card= lots of 'newbie' questions.

gold card= fewer newbie questions.

platinum card= very few newbie questions, maybe even an intelligent one----AVOID!:D:D