VIP Self Assist COMMON SENSE!!!

[Brenna's Mom1]

We do not have that option.

 

We have a son with Autism who would have a melt down standing for over an hour in the Customs line once you get off the ship....

 

so we MUST use VIP self assist....

 

When my Dad was still around we always waited on the ship even though he used a wheelchair to exit. My brother would always let the disembarkation team know and when we were ready to leave we took the HDCP route off the ship and into customs where we were immediately directed to the front of the line, because of my Dad's anxiety. Have you spoken to Carnival about your Son...I am sure that someone would be happy to assist you in getting to the head of the line no matter when you decide to leave, if it is an issue. Speaking to a security guard is also a way to get help.

 

And, if you like to drag along your own luggage I have never seen anyone from any cruise line confiscate luggage that someone wants to schlep around themselves on debarkation, no matter what time it is.

[gfy012]

We do not have that option.

 

We have a son with Autism who would have a melt down standing for over an hour in the Customs line once you get off the ship....

 

so we MUST use VIP self assist....

 

Isn't it self assist then VIP? Or now do they have self assist and VIP combined? We get off VIP without our luggage.

[kmc500]

In the future with more and more FTTF, this will become a mess. Unless I need to catch a plane, I'll just wait until the ship is almost empty. Maniacs in such a hurry to get off the ship, fill the elevators and landings, block the stairs and landings . . . getting insane.

 

I am with you! I always try to have our return flight late enough so we can relax and let the maniacs and crazy people off first. On our first cruise we suffered in that debarking disaster, clogged into a stairwell with hundreds of other sweaty people. Never again if I can help it.

 

We head to Lido once we have to leave the room, and have a leisurely breakfast and enjoy the people watching.

 

Kevin C

[MrPete]

Ok...I am just going to post this here and vent...

 

why is it that people lose all common sense during VIP Self Assist???

 

On the Conquest last month, they had VIP Self Assist meet in the Main Dining Room...

 

common sense...when you walk in, go to either side to the END of the line.

 

Do not stop at the door ... blocking everyone else trying to come in.

 

On the Elation yesterday....they had VIP Self Assist in the Cover Band Lounge..

 

Do not stop at the door ... come on in and move to the END of the line.

 

Because if you think it is bad now...wait until they add another 150 FTTF.....

 

No one should have to tell people to move to the end of the line....

 

There should be a Carnival employee assigned to do that task. And if there was not, you should feed that back immediately on the right venue.

[craftykitty]

Why in the world people want to be the first to get off is beyond me anyway. Just wait awhile, enjoy a cup of tea and get off when the mad rush of all the important people are through.

 

This too is my way of doing it. After spending months looking forward to my cruise, I'm never in a hurry to get off the ship. It always amazes me that so many can't wait to leave!

[WendyVF]

We usually cruise during Spring Break. My favorite are the families with a stroller and a couple of small kids in tow trying to do self assist.

[cv322]

I just got off the Miracle on Saturday & this was the best they've ever handled it. The last time (April 2012) self-assist VIP's waited in Maguire's Bar just outside of the casino....with their luggage.

 

This time we were directed to sit in the seating area just outside of the atrium bar (immediately next to the gangway), however, no one could bring their luggage into the seating area with them! Everyone was instructed to add their luggage at the end of a "line of luggage" ;)...just outside of the sitting area...in the walkway going back toward the casino.

 

This way, when security said the ship was cleared & we could begin disembarkation, everyone walked, very civilized, back to their luggage & then proceeded (in the line formed by the placement of their luggage), to the final "pinging" of the S&S card...and off we went!

 

When we left from Maguire's bar in the past, we had to work our way past & through many already lined up outside of the elevators, in the casino, in the atrium...what a mess!

 

This time it was excellent! :D.

[kmc500]

I just got off the Miracle on Saturday & this was the best they've ever handled it. The last time (April 2012) self-assist VIP's waited in Maguire's Bar just outside of the casino....with their luggage.

 

This time we were directed to sit in the seating area just outside of the atrium bar (immediately next to the gangway), however, no one could bring their luggage into the seating area with them! Everyone was instructed to add their luggage at the end of a "line of luggage" ;)...just outside of the sitting area...in the walkway going back toward the casino.

 

This way, when security said the ship was cleared & we could begin disembarkation, everyone walked, very civilized, back to their luggage & then proceeded (in the line formed by the placement of their luggage), to the final "pinging" of the S&S card...and off we went!

 

When we left from Maguire's bar in the past, we had to work our way past & through many already lined up outside of the elevators, in the casino, in the atrium...what a mess!

 

This time it was excellent! :D.

 

Sounds like a fabulous idea, and I find it amazing that this is not the way it is always done!

 

Kevin C

[okgirl]

Why in the world people want to be the first to get off is beyond me anyway. Just wait awhile, enjoy a cup of tea and get off when the mad rush of all the important people are through.

 

I would rather be in a crowd of 150 pushing and shoving people, than in line behind 1000+ people half of whom havaen't filled out their customs forms correctly or at all, or can't find their passport or government ID's, or can't handle their mountain of luggage that they've brought with them

 

On the Triumph last September, it was headed to drydock so most of the staff were off the ship.

 

The poor Security Chief that was running the VIP Self Assist was trying to do 13,000 things at once because all the folks who usually do this were the first ones off the ship. (crew get off first)

 

Anyway, she asked if I would mind handling the VIP Self Assist as they came into the Main Dining Room...and I said sure....

 

and my greeting was...."come on it...pick either side and go to the END of the line...."

 

over and over and over again....

 

that worked...but it is sad that you have to even TELL people to do that....

 

I was very pleasantly surprised two weeks ago on the Conquest. The Guest Services agent running the VIP self assist process from the Renoir was very nice but strict about making people move to the end of the already seated guests, not let them park their luggage in the walkway and kept us informed the entire time.

 

We were instructed to be in the Renior at 7:15, but got there to about 50 people at 6:45, debarkation actually started at 7:45 and we were in a cab at 8am.

[iceleven]

We've never done self-assist because we thought it was for people who had only one piece of luggage the size you could put in the overhead bins in an airplane. I'm certainly glad I've never attempted to do this now since reading all of these horrible experiences.

 

I'm claustrophobic and even worse when there are crowds of people. I'm the person who gets out of the elevator when more than six people get on with me. Since I book the cruises and the flights, I am in control of when we get off the ship and I always ask for a high number at guest services if we are given a low number for our luggage tags so that we can avoid the crowds.

 

We've never had to wait in a long customs line like someone else here pointed out. We generally just breeze through after locating our luggage. There are always plenty of taxis outside and we are on our way to the airport in no time.

 

Maybe I should be thankful for all of those pushing and shoving people who are getting off the ship at the very first opportunity. It makes it quicker for those of us who prefer to wait and avoid the crowds. :rolleyes:

[crusinpsychRN]

I was pleasantly surprised on Legend mid September. VIP gathered in a conference room that quickly overflowed so I sat outside on a nice sofa. When some foreign passenger FINALLY heeded the call to present to Custom's, the VIP group was led to the Atrium exit area and within a few minutes we were off.

 

Others trying to get in the line were politely told this was for VIP only and they'd have to wait "over there". There were a lot of VIP's.

 

LHP, sorry you had this happen. Each disembarkation is different.

[LOVECRUISING100%]

What I'm not allowed to stop at the door & block everyone from coming in??? I've never

heard of this rule before .. LOL .. J/k .. Its very frustrating.. : )

[blueangel74]

Sadly it isn't just the Elation....

 

we cruise 7 times a year on Carnival and every VIP Self Assist is the same.

 

Although the good news is that we had a good time on the cruise!!!

 

Karaoke ROCKED!!

 

 

 

The cruise was awesome. The karaoke was awesome. Found myself day dreaming at work about the cruise. Think it is time to book the cruise for next year & I just got back to work. lol.

[sonicbuffalo]

Even worse when people in walkers and self assist think they shoulddo self assist.

 

What? I don't understand that statement at all.

[brokenbusted]

There should be a Carnival employee assigned to do that task. And if there was not, you should feed that back immediately on the right venue.

 

agreed... We sale alot out of N.O. and have never had issue with VIP getting on or off. I do take issue with the lack of parking spaces at the port... I wish they had VIP parking lol:D

[BigDfromTN]

There should be a Carnival employee assigned to do that task. And if there was not, you should feed that back immediately on the right venue.

 

We were off the Elation last week. There was an Employee in the back of the lounge just "staying out of the way" so to speak until he got word over the radio to bring on the herd.

 

I thought it odd to have the VIP SA take their luggage up two floors just to have them bring it back down.... I get the fact that on the Fantasy class there is no dining room to gather VIP like the Conquest has... But there has to be a better way. What can you folks think of???

 

agreed... We sale alot out of N.O. and have never had issue with VIP getting on or off. I do take issue with the lack of parking spaces at the port... I wish they had VIP parking lol:D

 

I like the way your thinking!!

 

To the other poster about VIP and Self Assist....

Per Carnival it SHOULD go in this order. VIP Self Assist, VIP, Self Assist, Then zones in order. Notice I said Should!!

[LHP]

Isn't it self assist then VIP? Or now do they have self assist and VIP combined? We get off VIP without our luggage.

 

There is a VIP Self Assist that is literally the first ones off the ship.

 

Then Self Assist...

 

Then VIP regular Debark (for those VIP who do not want to haul off their luggage)

 

Then Regular Debark....

[LHP]

When my Dad was still around we always waited on the ship even though he used a wheelchair to exit. My brother would always let the disembarkation team know and when we were ready to leave we took the HDCP route off the ship and into customs where we were immediately directed to the front of the line' date=' because of my Dad's anxiety. Have you spoken to Carnival about your Son...I am sure that someone would be happy to assist you in getting to the head of the line no matter when you decide to leave, if it is an issue. Speaking to a security guard is also a way to get help.

 

And, if you like to drag along your own luggage I have never seen anyone from any cruise line confiscate luggage that someone wants to schlep around themselves on debarkation, no matter what time it is.[/quote']

 

 

Yes, they know him. He is 21 and has over 50 cruises with Carnival.

 

They would probably jump through all kinds of hoops for him, but since this method works for us.... we do not ask for anything else....

[LHP]

I just got off the Miracle on Saturday & this was the best they've ever handled it. The last time (April 2012) self-assist VIP's waited in Maguire's Bar just outside of the casino....with their luggage.

 

This time we were directed to sit in the seating area just outside of the atrium bar (immediately next to the gangway), however, no one could bring their luggage into the seating area with them! Everyone was instructed to add their luggage at the end of a "line of luggage" ;)...just outside of the sitting area...in the walkway going back toward the casino.

 

This way, when security said the ship was cleared & we could begin disembarkation, everyone walked, very civilized, back to their luggage & then proceeded (in the line formed by the placement of their luggage), to the final "pinging" of the S&S card...and off we went!

 

When we left from Maguire's bar in the past, we had to work our way past & through many already lined up outside of the elevators, in the casino, in the atrium...what a mess!

 

This time it was excellent! :D.

 

Our best debarks have been on the Spirit class ships...they have the best set up!!!

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Yes, they know him. He is 21 and has over 50 cruises with Carnival.

 

They would probably jump through all kinds of hoops for him, but since this method works for us.... we do not ask for anything else....

 

Linda - enjoy your sailing on the Breeze next month. That is one new ship that I'd like to see the inside of, with Farcus out of the lead designer spot!

 

Tom

[LHP]

I was pleasantly surprised on Legend mid September. VIP gathered in a conference room that quickly overflowed so I sat outside on a nice sofa. When some foreign passenger FINALLY heeded the call to present to Custom's, the VIP group was led to the Atrium exit area and within a few minutes we were off.

 

Others trying to get in the line were politely told this was for VIP only and they'd have to wait "over there". There were a lot of VIP's.

 

LHP, sorry you had this happen. Each disembarkation is different.

 

 

At least with our 7 cruises a year, this seems to be a recurring theme.

 

It just always amazes me how grown adults can not come in and go to the end of the line...

 

The Spirit class layout sets itself up to be the easiest because they have all that room down the Casino hallway to work with.

 

Sadly the other ships do not have that kind of lay out. The Conquest class would be a piece of cake IF folks would just come in and go to the end of the line of either side...

 

but on every cruise...time and time again...people walk in and park it right in front of the door....

 

The Fantasy class ships are the most difficult because you have people debarking on a deck with cabins....

 

Just one of life's travel mysteries.... lol

[LHP]

We were off the Elation last week. There was an Employee in the back of the lounge just "staying out of the way" so to speak until he got word over the radio to bring on the herd.

 

I thought it odd to have the VIP SA take their luggage up two floors just to have them bring it back down.... I get the fact that on the Fantasy class there is no dining room to gather VIP like the Conquest has... But there has to be a better way. What can you folks think of???

 

 

 

I like the way your thinking!!

 

To the other poster about VIP and Self Assist....

Per Carnival it SHOULD go in this order. VIP Self Assist, VIP, Self Assist, Then zones in order. Notice I said Should!!

 

Jalila handled ours and she was at the front door telling these clods over and over again to go to the back of the line and not block the folks who were there first.

 

She really did her best and it just amazed me that she had to be so persistant with folks who are "suppose" to know what they are doing...

 

I also agree the up 2 flights to come down 2 flights with all your luggage is ridiculous and when FTTF is added...it is only going to get worse....

 

I will say that this time... the middle elevators were pretty quick...so that helped....

 

but as you said, with the set up of the Fantasy class ships...they really do not have a lot of options...

 

On our cruise...there were more blue cards in VIP Self Assist that VIP....folks tagging on with their VIP friends....

 

I can only imagine what it will be like when they add the FTTF.....(and their tag alongs..)

[LHP]

Linda - enjoy your sailing on the Breeze next month. That is one new ship that I'd like to see the inside of, with Farcus out of the lead designer spot!

 

Tom

 

You were SUPPOSE to be on there with us!!

 

and you will be GREATLY missed......

 

I know you will be able to get a peak soon!!

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

You were SUPPOSE to be on there with us!!

 

and you will be GREATLY missed......

 

I know you will be able to get a peak soon!!

 

As much as we wanted to keep that two nighter on the Breeze, the Siren's Song from Princess was too much!

 

Honestly, if there had been any decent cabins on the next (full length) sailing on the Breeze, we'd have gone for a B2B. We just started looking at it too late.

 

Enjoy a GUY'S BURGER for me!

 

Tom

[LHP]

As much as we wanted to keep that two nighter on the Breeze, the Siren's Song from Princess was too much!

 

Honestly, if there had been any decent cabins on the next (full length) sailing on the Breeze, we'd have gone for a B2B. We just started looking at it too late.

 

Enjoy a GUY'S BURGER for me!

 

Tom

 

RATS...we are going to miss y'all by ONE day in Aruba!!