FTTF vs. Platinum & Diamond... what's your opinion?

[danny91180]

FTTF people also get prority tender and their own line at guest services just like Platinum/Diamond per carnivals website. On our last sailing on the Sensation the FTTF guest services line was the same line as the platinum diamond vip. Is it safe to assume that the FTTF tender line is the same as platinum diamond? Can anyone confirm this? If true this means a platinum diamond could be pushed back behind 30 to 60 FTTF people when trying to board a tender or at guest services.

 

Platinum/Diamond guests were assured that they not be affected. However there are several stories where FTTF were let on board before Platinum/Diamond.

 

What is everyones thoughts? Platinum/Diamond and non Platinum/Diamond thoughts.

[DarthGrady]

FTTF people also get prority tender and their own line at guest services just like Platinum/Diamond per carnivals website. On our last sailing on the Sensation the FTTF guest services line was the same line as the platinum diamond vip. Is it safe to assume that the FTTF tender line is the same as platinum diamond? Can anyone confirm this? If true this means a platinum diamond could be pushed back behind 30 to 60 FTTF people when trying to board a tender or at guest services.

 

Platinum/Diamond guests were assured that they not be affected. However there are several stories where FTTF were let on board before Platinum/Diamond.

 

What is everyones thoughts? Platinum/Diamond and non Platinum/Diamond thoughts.

 

My thought is that FTTF is an insult to loyal cruisers, and one of the reasons why I cruise with Carnival less now. The fact that they actually expected people to believe that FTTF wouldn't degrade service to the Diamond and Platinum guests shows you exactly how unintelligent CCL believes their guests to be.

[bookcreator]

FTTF people also get prority tender and their own line at guest services just like Platinum/Diamond per carnivals website. On our last sailing on the Sensation the FTTF guest services line was the same line as the platinum diamond vip. Is it safe to assume that the FTTF tender line is the same as platinum diamond? Can anyone confirm this? If true this means a platinum diamond could be pushed back behind 30 to 60 FTTF people when trying to board a tender or at guest services.

 

Platinum/Diamond guests were assured that they not be affected. However there are several stories where FTTF were let on board before Platinum/Diamond.

 

What is everyones thoughts? Platinum/Diamond and non Platinum/Diamond thoughts.

 

We are diamond, and the last 3 cruises, FTTF only involved one of the 3. Maybe we are picking the wrong cruises because with so many Platinum, we were denied entry to the VIP lounge on the last 3 cruises due to too many platinum passengers. On one of the cruises we were sent back to the regular line. The other two, we were sent to an area that was supposed to be overflow platinum, but we boarded last behind platinum.

One the cruise with FTTF, they sat us all together, and called diamond and platinum first, but never checked the cards of the passengers being sent through, so everyone figured that out quickly and everyone got up. Basically, there is too many platinum anyway, and diamond just gets lost in there.

 

As for tendering; there were so many platinum, FTTF, and diamond that priority tendering was a huge amount of passengers. When we saw how it was, we just said forget it and never got off the ship in Cabo - just too many people. After 12/31, we are told by that time there will be a huge amount of platinum, and pretty much most of the ship will have priority tendering, so in essence, there is no priority tendering - not that we can see anyway.

 

Book an early Carnival tour (because they go first anyways) that is the only way to get priority tendering in our opinion.

 

The lines at guest services for diamond, platinum and FTTF, are longer than they used to be, so it will be a shorter line, but that is all.

[CDNseekingheat]

If I was not Platinum, I would jump on the FTTF program. I would gladly pay to avoid the bulk of the crowd as I feel very uncomfortable in big crowds. I am NOT opposed to this program.

However, the way that Carnival is implementing this program, blending FTTF with Diamond and Platinum, and with the ratio involved (increasing in the next few years), there is no longer a benefit when it means that 100% of the passengers are divided into two lines of 60/40 or 65/35 (give or take).

The most disappointing part about this is that prior to last year when the FTTF program was introduced, there was only a few ways to get priority boarding and the special line at the Pursers desk. One of those ways was to earn the opportunity. Carnival strongly encouraged guests to take 10 cruises to be part of this "special privilege" and many of us bought into this status to receive those perks. - Each cruise cost several thousand dollars in my case as we always travel with family.

If I had have known years ago that Carnival was going to introduce the FTTF program, I'd have travelled with several cruise lines and not dedicated all of my cruising time solely with Carnival.

It's a great idea, if implemented in a different fashion ... but Carnival is providing no "extra" service for the money they are taking.

What I mean by that is; They have to board all passengers regardless of which line you are in, they must provide customer care at the Pursers desk, whichever line you are in, etc.

Carnival is making their most loyal customers "pay the price" while they take the money.

[i5trucker]

If Platinum/Diamond members want to be treated like FTTF members, then they can buy the FTTF too. Why do P/D members think they deserve the same perks as FTTF? Pay up suckas!

[cruzn buckeye]

I feel that having earned my Platinum status even before the program began, and continuing to cruise Carnival for many reasons, that by offering the perks that am I entitled to after spending thousands of dollars cruising, that offering the same perks it cost me thousands of dollars to others for 49 dollars is not right. I also feel that by allowing people to hurry up and get their ten cruises by the end of this year to hit the Platinum status was also not right. Supposedly, they changed the program to days instead of number of cruises, because there were too many Platinum cruisers. So what was the point? And to not grandfather those close to Diamond that were within a cruise or so of hitting milestone, to Diamond, as we were told was wrong also. Not that it makes that big of a deal, the highest category gets a few once in a lifetime perks. And those perks should be for every cruise taken.

Now having said that, if I was not Platinum, I would jump on the FTTF. Hell, for 49 dollars you can get what it cost me probably at least 10 grand. And that is just with my first ten cruises and my money spent onboard.

[cruzn buckeye]

If Platinum/Diamond members want to be treated like FTTF members, then they can buy the FTTF too. Why do P/D members think they deserve the same perks as FTTF? Pay up suckas!

I have been on 24 cruises with Carnival. Not because of the perks, but because I love cruising and have always had a great time on their ships. The real question here is , why do people that have one or two cruises think they deserve the same perks as those who have cruised anywhere from 10 to 50 times? Other lines have past guest programs for their loyal guests. It is not different than frequent flyer miles. This used to mean something to Carnival. They should remember it is us past guests that bring many new cruisers to them.

[cdnmr]

If Platinum/Diamond members want to be treated like FTTF members, then they can buy the FTTF too. Why do P/D members think they deserve the same perks as FTTF? Pay up suckas!

 

haha, I love it! :D

 

Wonder if we'll start to see people start every post with "Well, I am FTTF :cool:" (like we already do with some very special people).

[bshow]

The real question here is , why do people that have one or two cruises think they deserve the same perks as those who have cruised anywhere from 10 to 50 times?

 

Because we're socialists engaged in class struggle. Down with the bourgeoisie!

[Aplmac]

Because we're socialists engaged in class struggle. Down with the bourgeoisie!

Yew got that right, and it's coming on gang-busters!

 

The next four years is gonna be fun fun fun! ;)

 

.

[RWolver672]

We cruise for the cruise, not the bennies. The way I look at it which by the way means nothing, is that if I want the bennies of what the P/D members get for free, I have to pay for them. I don't get free laundry, I don't get a free gift, I don't get a free ship's pin, etc.

 

We purchased FTTF on our last cruise. Never used the special phone number, never used the special guest services line, never used the tenders. The only thing we used was getting onboard early, being allowed to go into our cabin right away and our luggage was waiting for us outside the cabin when we got there. And it was no big deal that our luggage was already there.

[Cruizinman]

If Platinum/Diamond members want to be treated like FTTF members, then they can buy the FTTF too. Why do P/D members think they deserve the same perks as FTTF? Pay up suckas![/quote]

 

I agree with what many are saying here. Carnival in fact failed to make a change years ago, now we're over run with Platinums ,so lets add the FTTF people ...... wait thats already full with Platinums . Carnival became a greedy company and could care less what their customers think.

 

Their after money and more money. Years ago the above post would have made me angry, today I completely agree with it.

 

Suckas Suckas Suckas ;)

[mailgirl1978]

If true this means a platinum diamond could be pushed back behind 30 to 60 FTTF people when trying to board a tender or at guest services.

 

 

I believe they only open up 15 slots at a time and only open more after knowing how many platinum/diamond are sailing. I think at most there are 30 FTTF slots per cruise.

 

I bought it and Im excited to use it :)

[mailgirl1978]

I feel that having earned my Platinum status even before the program began, and continuing to cruise Carnival for many reasons, that by offering the perks that am I entitled to after spending thousands of dollars cruising, that offering the same perks it cost me thousands of dollars to others for 49 dollars is not right. I also feel that by allowing people to hurry up and get their ten cruises by the end of this year to hit the Platinum status was also not right. Supposedly, they changed the program to days instead of number of cruises, because there were too many Platinum cruisers. So what was the point? And to not grandfather those close to Diamond that were within a cruise or so of hitting milestone, to Diamond, as we were told was wrong also. Not that it makes that big of a deal, the highest category gets a few once in a lifetime perks. And those perks should be for every cruise taken.

Now having said that, if I was not Platinum, I would jump on the FTTF. Hell, for 49 dollars you can get what it cost me probably at least 10 grand. And that is just with my first ten cruises and my money spent onboard.

 

FTTF does not give the same benefits that platinum/diamonds receive.

[irishnyc]

FTTF doesn't get all the same perks as someone who earned diamond/platinum, so I don't see the big deal. It's not like everyone on board can purchase FTTF. FTTF doesn't get gifts, pins, laundry, parties, etc. they just get to go to the head of the line for a few things. Big deal. Where are you in a hurry to get to on vacation? The only perk of FTTF I'd really like to have for myself is to get to my room earlier to drop off carry-on items.

[mzloolue]

We cruise for the cruise, not the bennies. The way I look at it which by the way means nothing, is that if I want the bennies of what the P/D members get for free, I have to pay for them. I don't get free laundry, I don't get a free gift, I don't get a free ship's pin, etc.

 

 

None of those things are free.

 

And where do you get the bennies?

I had no idea...

:eek:

[Socref124]

We just got back from a cruise on the Paradise. The line at guest services on embarkation day was as long at the VIP counter as the regular line and most of the people in the VIP line were FTTF guests. I was a little perturbed at the loss of this perk:(. I can only imagine getting on a tender in Belize or Grand Cayman now.:(

[Snowball]

My thought is that FTTF is an insult to loyal cruisers, and one of the reasons why I cruise with Carnival less now. The fact that they actually expected people to believe that FTTF wouldn't degrade service to the Diamond and Platinum guests shows you exactly how unintelligent CCL believes their guests to be.

My thoughts exactly!!! Issues such as this and other cutbacks and "maintenance issues" that have degraded the Carnival Cruise experience are the reasons why we are considering booking our 2014 Med cruise with another line.

[RWolver672]

I don't get free laundry, I don't get a free gift, I don't get a free ship's pin, etc.

 

None of those things are free.

 

And where do you get the bennies?

I had no idea...

:eek:

 

The last time I checked, these were free benefits of being P/D.

[CocoaMom]

FTTF people also get prority tender and their own line at guest services just like Platinum/Diamond per carnivals website. On our last sailing on the Sensation the FTTF guest services line was the same line as the platinum diamond vip. Is it safe to assume that the FTTF tender line is the same as platinum diamond? Can anyone confirm this? If true this means a platinum diamond could be pushed back behind 30 to 60 FTTF people when trying to board a tender or at guest services.

 

Platinum/Diamond guests were assured that they not be affected. However there are several stories where FTTF were let on board before Platinum/Diamond.

 

What is everyones thoughts? Platinum/Diamond and non Platinum/Diamond thoughts.

 

I am not platinum/diamond on carnival. Having said that, I feel it's another slap in the face for those that are.

 

Some people here are very loyal to carnival and I just can't grasp why. As a 'loyal' customer, wouldn't you like to receive an obc for booking another cabin for your 1st time sailing friend? How about a discount coupon for a balcony? A nice way of saying thank you from a different cruise line ... it's called good customer service, something which carnival needs to really improve.

[bshow]

New cruisers are where the money is. Repeat customers just whine about being bored and expect freebies.

 

Logically, the benefits should be higher for first-time cruisers. For example, new guests would be greeted with a cheerful "Good morning, Mr. Smith!" Repeat customers would be addressed as, "oh, it's you again." At the Platinum level (rename to Lead or Tin or something like that), it would be, "25 cruises? Really? Haven't you got something better to do?"

[PaulMedik]

FTTF is working well in my opinion. Last week on Breeze I visited the Platinum line several times for various reasons. On the first visit, which was to swap rooms for two cabins' passengers the line was ~20 deep for Platinum and way out and around the corner for the regular line. Carnival had a rep working the line and pulled folks that weren't in the correct line out and directed others to where they really needed to be such as the excursion desk or the dining room for time changes. We ended up waiting five minutes and our room changes were handled quickly once were at the front of the line.

 

Later in the week I had to visit guest services to have my cc reswiped and there was a line of about 15 in the regular line. Several of them became vocal and wanted to know what disability I had that entitled me to go ahead of them. I ignored them, but the guest services staff didn't; they said I earned the right to go first by being Platinum and that loyal cruisers always come first. That placated most, but one still demanded to know how they could get a Platinum card. The prompt reply was 'cruise more.'

 

On another visit I was impressed to hear a guest services rep tell an irate passenger that they would listen to his concerns once he made it to the front of the line and not before. Prior to that admonishment he had been constantly interrupting and asking where he could pick up his confiscated items. :p

 

Incidentally I also overheard security earlier in the week advise a passenger that they were welcome to receive their contraband early if they so desired and that it would be handed to them at the first port of call where they would be disembarked. That pretty much ended that discussion.:eek:

 

FTTF boarded AFTER Platinum / Diamond. FTTF also meant that we could officially drop our carry on luggage off at our room right after boarding which we normally did without authorization prior to FTTF.

 

Our cruise was over half (or so it seemed) Platinum / Diamond and though I heard FTTF mentioned, I never encountered any actual FTTF cruisers. Obviously I did encounter several that were clamoring for FTTF benefits without earning or paying for them. ;)

[bitemyfly]

My thought is that FTTF is an insult to loyal cruisers, and one of the reasons why I cruise with Carnival less now. The fact that they actually expected people to believe that FTTF wouldn't degrade service to the Diamond and Platinum guests shows you exactly how unintelligent CCL believes their guests to be.

 

Carnival knows exactly the habits of diamond and plats

They knew , they calculated and executed

Btw just finished reading an article about the downgrading of perks in airlines and three major hotel chains

They know and thats why they do it

[jimbo5544]

FTTF is working well in my opinion. Last week on Breeze I visited the Platinum line several times for various reasons. On the first visit, which was to swap rooms for two cabins' passengers the line was ~20 deep for Platinum and way out and around the corner for the regular line. Carnival had a rep working the line and pulled folks that weren't in the correct line out and directed others to where they really needed to be such as the excursion desk or the dining room for time changes. We ended up waiting five minutes and our room changes were handled quickly once were at the front of the line.

 

Later in the week I had to visit guest services to have my cc reswiped and there was a line of about 15 in the regular line. Several of them became vocal and wanted to know what disability I had that entitled me to go ahead of them. I ignored them, but the guest services staff didn't; they said I earned the right to go first by being Platinum and that loyal cruisers always come first. That placated most, but one still demanded to know how they could get a Platinum card. The prompt reply was 'cruise more.'

 

On another visit I was impressed to hear a guest services rep tell an irate passenger that they would listen to his concerns once he made it to the front of the line and not before. Prior to that admonishment he had been constantly interrupting and asking where he could pick up his confiscated items. :p

 

Incidentally I also overheard security earlier in the week advise a passenger that they were welcome to receive their contraband early if they so desired and that it would be handed to them at the first port of call where they would be disembarked. That pretty much ended that discussion.:eek:

 

FTTF boarded AFTER Platinum / Diamond. FTTF also meant that we could officially drop our carry on luggage off at our room right after boarding which we normally did without authorization prior to FTTF.

 

Our cruise was over half (or so it seemed) Platinum / Diamond and though I heard FTTF mentioned, I never encountered any actual FTTF cruisers. Obviously I did encounter several that were clamoring for FTTF benefits without earning or paying for them. ;)

Not to steal the thread but, Paul, how was your cruise? You keep her safe and sound for us on Saturday?

[PaulMedik]

Not to steal the thread but, Paul, how was your cruise? You keep her safe and sound for us on Saturday?

 

 

Jim,

 

Excellent! Close to being our best ever and Breeze is for sure our new favorite ship.

 

We had 6 days of heavy winds so we smacked her around quite a bit, but after the winds calmed down on the last day she sailed very smooth and no worse for the wear.