VIPS only. Have you ever used the credit card method to take nonVIPs with you?

[Cruise-Crazy]

On my last cruise (last weekend) my mother went along in a separate cabin. Her S&S was on my credit card. She went through VIP checkin with me but was not included in the F2F. I also did not expect them to include her in it since she is not platinum.

[LHP]

Oddly enough...the most complaints I have heard about this came from Carnival employees....

 

they are the ones that had to deal with the flack when someone comes in there with 10 extra people (especially when none of them had filled out their Fun Passes) and blocked up the VIP lounge for 30 minutes. (yes..that is one actual example)

 

I have repeatedly said that large ports like Miami will probably handle this well....

 

but smaller ports are going to struggle.

 

In New Orleans last week.... when Diamond members arrived at 10:50am....the VIP lounge was already clogged... they ended up going to the regular line.

 

Thankfully we had gotten there about 10am (earlier than usual) and did not have any issues checking in...but almost all the VIP seating was taken. And most of the seating in the regular area was taken....I have never seen it that full...that early.

 

Now if a small port can not even handle VIPs, how are they going to handle another special area AND separate seating for them???

 

We won't even talk about debarkation....what a zoo!!

[Moxie75]

My mom is a VIP and she took 3 extra cabins with her on our Elation cruise because we were all linked she did not put us all on her card. No problems at all but there was nobody else checking in at the time and we all had our fun pass filled out so it took about 10 min. We did not use this for debarkation.

[laumicmah]

I purchased F2F for my 8/5/13 cruise and I got it for both cabins (DH and mine as well as our kids' cabin) and my SIL, who is also going and linked to us, purchased it for her cabin also.

 

If VIPs who have other cabins on their CC have to check in together...why do they then have to go to the VIP lounge together? Wouldn't just the VIP folks in the party go to the lounge and the non-VIPs go get in the seats with the masses of other non-VIPs and get a boarding # card? If there is not a VIP in your cabin, then you should do regular boarding, no?

[bonniemari]

I have never taken anyone else thru the VIP check in. Luckily my friends are all adults with their own credit cards and can handle going thru the regular check in all by themselves.

 

LHP-We had the exact opposite of your experience in NOLA on the Elation. We arrived around 10:40 and no one was else was in the VIP check in. We were on the ship in 10 minutes.

 

Getting off the ship was a breeze also. For the first time that I have seen on any ship they had the doors on Empress closed and they had crew at the doors letting people that had business with Guest Service thru. The middle hallway (where the art auction pictures are was open but surprsingly being "guarded" by casino dealers. That was a first also-never seen the casino staff helping with disembarkation. The VIPS met in the Romeo & Juliet lounge and we were in our car and on our way about 15 minutes after we left the lounge. One of the entertainment staff led us down the stairs and thru the hallway to get off the ship. Probably one of the easiest off the ship I have ever experienced. Not sure if this is always the procedure on the Elation or if this was a one time thing cause they knew it would be chaos-this was the cruise that was extended one day compliments of Hurricane Isaac.

[stewpapa]

Question 1: We will be VIP (Platinum) on our next cruise. We usually travel with our Mothers who are 78 and 84 years old. We would not want to leave them in the longer line. In your folks opinion would it be wrong to take them with us and go in the shorter line. If so, we will wait with them in the long line with everyone else because we wouldn't want to leave them although they are in good health and independent and would tell us to leave them, we just wouldn't.

 

Question 2: If we DID just go with them through the normal line, would our Sign and Sale card be there when we check in or would they go get it or would they make us go to another line after waiting all that time with our Mothers ?

[cruise101101]

I am platinum and have never done the short route with companions, but if my parents who are elderly were able to sail with me, you bet I would take them through Platinum even if I had to put them on my sail and sign account or whatever it took.

 

No guilt for elderly parents and I would let you go in front of me if you were there with them. ;)

[kaseykahnefan]

I ask again what is F2F?

[stewpapa]

A new Program on some ships. "Faster to the Fun" I think its called. You can pay $49 for several VIP amenities for your cabin.

If I'm wrong, I know I will be quickly corrected!

[kaseykahnefan]

A new Program on some ships. "Faster to the Fun" I think its called. You can pay $49 for several VIP amenities for your cabin.

If I'm wrong, I know I will be quickly corrected!

 

Thanks!!!!

[laumicmah]

I am platinum and have never done the short route with companions, but if my parents who are elderly were able to sail with me, you bet I would take them through Platinum even if I had to put them on my sail and sign account or whatever it took.

 

No guilt for elderly parents and I would let you go in front of me if you were there with them. ;)

I agree...with kids too. Really it isn't a big deal for VIPs to take a few (a cabin or 2) non-VIPs with them (if they are cruising with family or close friends)...I just don't think it's right for a VIP to take, say, 6 cabins of non-VIP friends or extended family with them.

[martinchem]

We tried to purchase it but they said we get it for free, awesome!

[laumicmah]

We tried to purchase it but they said we get it for free, awesome!

Holy moly...I'd say you should definitely get it for free...are you ever NOT on a cruise? Looks like you have not done the CCL Sensation, Legend, Magic.....Miracle yet. Which ship is your fave?