This old dog learned a new "Platinum" trick...

[okgirl]

I'm confused. Are you referring to BC3 on the Dream last December? Wasn't that at Port Canaveral? Also, BC4 will be boarding in Miami.

 

I'm asking for a clarification as we will be boarding in PC later this year as first time Platinum. Is this the port that is a problem or will be the best???:confused:

 

Sorry, I get them confused I was talking about BC2 from NOLA on the Fantasy in Feb 2009.

 

Don't let me confuse you. PC does have the very best VIP check in and boarding IMHO. They have a separate line to get into the terminal building and go through security (just ask at the front of the big line where VIP is, it's all the way past where the regulars are entering the terminal), then once at the top of the escalator there is a VIP que and a regular que (they still have the VIP lounge but the last time I was there in December on BC3 they weren't using it)

 

Instead when you get to the front of the VIP que you are directed to the next available agent. If it's not one down on the VIP side (left side) the agent you go to will go down there to get your card. End result is the same, you get the next agent among the 20 or so to check in with. Then you do sit in a special VIP area and are boarded 1st after wedding parties etc.

 

I wish that is how it was done in all ports.

 

As for Miami, They have a really nice newer VIP lounge but I haven't been there since May of 2008 so I don't remember how getting into security goes. I guess I'll find out on BC4 in February.

[okgirl]

They will need to have a seperate line that says Platinum only. If this goes like everything else Platinum, this will be enforced very sporadically as are all of the other Platinum perks.

they already backed off the platinum debarkation off first and moved us with all VIP. Same as for embarkation.

Our Milestone status means nothing.

 

I'm disappointed at this too........I don't mind getting up at dark-30 to Platinum self assist off the ship. But they need to put us in a lounge (with danish and juice like the old days) PREVENT anyone else from being in that lounge, by checking id's, then escort us off before they start allowing any of the general self assist off the ship.

 

This is just another instance of the management at Carnival having a stated policy and not enforcing it.

 

Like I said, even in my own corporation what those at the top think is happening down here at my level RARELY is........And why should it if there is no oversight.

[misguidedangel]

I am going to have to give this a try at Half Moon Cay coming back from a all too short, but long day of bliss. I will be Platinum this cruise coming up and I might just want to stroll on to the front of the line and peeve off a few people....I have spent enough, I deserve it......*BG*

[okgirl]

I am going to have to give this a try at Half Moon Cay coming back from a all too short, but long day of bliss. I will be Platinum this cruise coming up and I might just want to stroll on to the front of the line and peeve off a few people....I have spent enough, I deserve it......*BG*

 

I've haven't tried priority tendering for a long time......It got to be such a hassle that I would just wait........my biggy is getting back on the ship even when in docked at a pier........It's all my back and knee's can do to walk the pier in Coz then stand in the blazing sun for 30 minutes........

[mississauga]

Sorry, I get them confused I was talking about BC2 from NOLA on the Fantasy in Feb 2009.

 

Don't let me confuse you. PC does have the very best VIP check in and boarding IMHO. They have a separate line to get into the terminal building and go through security (just ask at the front of the big line where VIP is, it's all the way past where the regulars are entering the terminal), then once at the top of the escalator there is a VIP que and a regular que (they still have the VIP lounge but the last time I was there in December on BC3 they weren't using it)

 

Instead when you get to the front of the VIP que you are directed to the next available agent. If it's not one down on the VIP side (left side) the agent you go to will go down there to get your card. End result is the same, you get the next agent among the 20 or so to check in with. Then you do sit in a special VIP area and are boarded 1st after wedding parties etc.

 

I wish that is how it was done in all ports.

 

As for Miami, They have a really nice newer VIP lounge but I haven't been there since May of 2008 so I don't remember how getting into security goes. I guess I'll find out on BC4 in February.

 

Thank you for the clarification. :)

[BaconIsGood]

hehe Platinum is nice! We got the VIP status with our suite on the last cruise. I have 2 more to go and I’ll hit my 10 and officially be VIP. I wish you would reach VIP status based on # of days that you have cruised and NOT total # of cruises. I like long cruises, but I feel like I’m being punished a little cause if I took a bunch of 3 day cruises Id reach VIP much quicker, and for les $$$$! Oh well.....

[hockeyluver]

good thing i have till February to be platinum, all the kinks will be worked out by then..... I hope :)

[LHP]

I personally wouldn't do it unless there were people in my party that were in distress or something.. just butting into line because you can.. doesn't seem like a perk for me.. if you are quite capable of waiting do so.. ;)

 

 

I have no problem with people exercising a privilege that they have earned.

 

Especially on those really hot days and there is no shade to stand in.

(HMC leaps to mind)

 

(Which is FAR WORSE than standing in an air-conditioned airport line......)

[LHP]

We usually head back at weird times when there is no line....but that does explain why every now and then (when there was a line like at HMC), the Security Guard called us to the front. (we wear lanyards, so he could see we were VIP)

 

Again, not consistantly though...so I still wasn't sure...

 

now we are!! :)

[azurewater]

We recently booked a 9 day cruise out of San Diego. My PVP told me my husband will achieve his platinum status on that cruise (I will only have 9 at that time).

 

What does this platinum mean? Will he have to wait until he gets his sail & sign card before taking advantage of these perks? What else does he get with this? and one more question....do I get to tag along?

 

Thanks to anyone who can shed light on this. We never paid much attention to how many cruises we had and to be honest never knew about the platinum thing until I start reading these boards.

 

Joy

[scchasgal]

Signage is not going to help, you hear all the time the comments flying at guest service when the Plats walk up and the signage is there.

 

People either don't read the signs or just like to moan and complain about something, kinda like some of these threads.:D

[sjn911]

Yes.

I recall years ago when Universal Studios in Orlando started offering 'front of the line access' to guests staying at one of their on site hotels. We were a group of 8 staying at the Hard Rock when it just opened (it was really a nice hotel)...we got to the park, and upon going to our first amusement ride, were ushered in through the back to hop right on. You would not BELIEVE the looks we got. If looks could kill, we'd have certainly been dead on the spot.

It was freaking awesome :D

 

 

 

I agree!! Signs stating the perk would limit the hairy-eyeball.....

 

LOL...I've heard of the "jaundiced eye"...but not the "hairy eyeball"!!!:)

 

 

Cool perk singing LHP...I think I'm too want to try different lines..to get there very soon!!!

[Elaine515]

Wow... I guess I have been extremely lucky and never had a problem with being Platinum... We have always been able to go right inside the 4 Port Terminals we have so far cruised out of without waiting in the regular line.

 

Anytime we have wanted to leave the ship someone from Guest Services has always literally dropped what they were doing and have personally escorted us to the front of the line, whether tendered or not...

 

I am looking forward to the priority reboarding as it is really hard for my Mom to not only have to stand in the long lines but also the heat is not good for her... this one is a true blessing right up there with the free laundry!!!

 

I also believe that Carnival is way behind on what their perks are and needs to do some upgrading.... Starting with better gifts or changing them more often, giving Platinum Members the 1st upgrade offers closer to cruising time, coming up with some more incentives to make us want to stay with Carnival and not stray...

 

I luv Carnival, as most of us do, but truly hate the New Management Team and the way they are handling things....

[Kurbanfan]

Anytime we have wanted to leave the ship someone from Guest Services has always literally dropped what they were doing and have personally escorted us to the front of the line, whether tendered or not...

 

 

You have them escort you off at all ports:confused:

[Elaine515]

You have them escort you off at all ports:confused:

 

 

 

If we have a private tour booked, YES.... Otherwise, if we're just going shopping or walking around, NO, we wait until the "rush-hour" is over to leave the ship without the escort...

[Kurbanfan]

If we have a private tour booked, YES.... Otherwise, if we're just going shopping or walking around, NO, we wait until the "rush-hour" is over to leave the ship without the escort...

 

Platinum perks include tender ports only according to my letters.........

No wonder some of the employee's get a little pissy:p:D

[denisey]

At a recent stop in Belize (Feb 2010) we marched right up to the tender and got right on!

 

Of course, there wasn't anyone in line at the time :)

 

That was my first tender port since going platinum, and since we had an early morning tour, it was not an issue.

 

But I love when a non-platinum person stands in the Platinum line, and then is not redirected by the staff. I mean, if you answer there question, fine, but let them know they need to be in the regular line next time!

[cascole]

Signage is not going to help, you hear all the time the comments flying at guest service when the Plats walk up and the signage is there.

 

People either don't read the signs or just like to moan and complain about something, kinda like some of these threads.:D

 

I must be one of the lucky ones, too... I have never had an issue with anyone questioning the concierge club line.

[evandbob]

Been doing this since I turned platinum.....it helps me and I've never been hassled by other PAX in line.....I do hold my card up like a badge, seems to do the trick......

[DEBnGAB]

We just use it for the tendered ports when we need to get off in a hurry and never had an issue getting an escort from Guest Services (that came out wrong:o)

 

We did get the stank eye once from a group and someone tried to purposely (physically) block my daughter from getting on to one of the tenders...took me 5 seconds to take care of that problem. ;)

[chickie_mite]

We just use it for the tendered ports when we need to get off in a hurry and never had an issue getting an escort from Guest Services (that came out wrong:o)

 

We did get the stank eye once from a group and someone tried to purposely (physically) block my daughter from getting on to one of the tenders...took me 5 seconds to take care of that problem. ;)

 

Wow, there's just no excuse for that at all.

 

That would be my fear/worry, that some people might start physical altercations, especially people who have been drinking all day.

 

Is there security for instances like that?

[DEBnGAB]

Wow, there's just no excuse for that at all.

 

That would be my fear/worry, that some people might start physical altercations, especially people who have been drinking all day.

 

Is there security for instances like that?

 

 

Yea the security folks are right there just in case. This guy stuck his arm out to the side and grabbed the railing so she couldnt get by and she got seperated from us. I walked up and said Excuse Me and reached for her...at first he didnt move, and then my husband at the time walked up and then he moved his arm. She was just 15-16 yrs old at the time..good grief!

[shipfanatic]

Been doing this since I turned platinum.....it helps me and I've never been hassled by other PAX in line.....I do hold my card up like a badge, seems to do the trick......

 

What, like you're warding off vampires or like it's a torch and you're holding back a mob of angry villagers?

[winddawn]

Of course, I knew about LEAVING the ship but RETURNING to the ship was always a gray area BECAUSE....the Security Guards said the "perk" was only one way. Good to know that Platinum folks get this perk BOTH ways.

 

This was posted on John's blog yesterday....

 

"I mentioned the Platinum experience earlier and wanted to go back to a question I answered some time ago about the tender priority our Platinum guests are allowed. It was mentioned that there was not a fleet wide directive on this which has now been rectified and I can confirm the following.

 

DEBARKATION BY TENDER

 

When you are ready Platinum card holders should go directly to the Guest Services Desk where a Guest Service Associate will arrange a staff member to escort you to the front of the tender ticket line or if a tender ticket system is not being used will take you to straight to the tender.

 

RETURN TO THE SHIP

 

Platinum card holders should go straight to the front of the line and show their cards to the security guards who will allow you on the tender."

This is great news. We've waited in line for about an hour to get a tender back to the ship from Half Moon Cay, and it was really hot. Thanks for the Platinum tip!

[Kurbanfan]

I must be one of the lucky ones, too... I have never had an issue with anyone questioning the concierge club line.

 

Me either.......