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Platinum Sneak Preview!!

SoCalKJ

By SoCalKJ,
in Carnival Cruise Lines

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SoCalKJ

SoCalKJ

Posted
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I'm less than a month out from my 10th cruise and you know what that means: Platinum baby!!

 

I haven't even finished the online check-in, but I was curious to see (as many have said that their 10th cruise boarding documents show it) if there was any indication that Carnival is aware of who I think I am! :D

 

Sho'nuff - when doing a print preview of my luggage tag, a bright green PRIORITY pops up!

 

Who can't wait for this (albeit short weekend) cruise, now?! :)

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mgm3430

mgm3430

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In Long Beach you'll have a special building to check in at for Platinum & higher ups. It has cushy couches and chairs and free lemonade & water. Then they escort you past the lines of people to the special line for security, etc. You'll be the first ones to get onboard. I love it. I was so excited on my 10th cruise. I just had my 11th and it never gets old. Hope you have a blast!!!!

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AmberTeka

AmberTeka

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It means that now....for $50 bucks..anyone can pay that much money and everyone in their cabin............gets about everything you earned. Family of five..$10 pp buys VIP Status on Carnvial.

 

If you like priority boarding due to medical issues or such..BUILD your hours on another cruise line and just PAY $50 bucks to get the same thing on Carnival. Actually...$25 pp for two.....$16 for three pp $12.50 for 4 people pp And they are making a fortune doing it? Really? Driving off long time customers? and yes.....they are leaving. Carnival's bookings are way down.

 

Classy........no?

 

I am kicking my fanny we did not build them on Princess. And price is not an issue. Once you are Past guest on Princess...........you get offered discounts on most sailings that are better than Carnival.

 

Like right now $899 for an 11 day RT Panama Canal cruise..which does cruise part of the Canal. $299 PG rate for a four day cruise on The Ruby....right before Christmas. Oceanview...$399 and on and on.

 

I am about fed up with Carnival. In all of our cruises on Carnival, I have written glorious reviews and was totally truthful in all of them. I am not even writing a review on the Breeze. I am so disgusted with the way those who had earned a privilege were treated. And for the folks who claim to be VIP and want to come on and accuse me of being a snob. do so. I am voting my money on other cruise lines. We have one cruise on Carnival left. My DD and her family are coming with us as our guests, and they want to see the ports on that cruise. After that cruise................NCL I think. We have sailed on them 3 times before..and only the fact that Carnival has ports much closer to us...has kept us on Carnival a lot. Also Princess. NCL is in Tampa which is closer to us.

 

The folks who think FTTF should be just given to everyone or sold for a pittance....then they should work real hard to get ahead at anything......let them someone sell what you worked for..(((and yes.......you do book cruises just to get to VIp or did pre FTTF.)))..and then for a relatively small amount of money..If everyone in the cabin..buys it. All for $10pp...covers up to FIVE people. 10$ per person. for what you spent.thousands to earn.

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AmberTeka

AmberTeka

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In Long Beach you'll have a special building to check in at for Platinum & higher ups. It has cushy couches and chairs and free lemonade & water. Then they escort you past the lines of people to the special line for security, etc. You'll be the first ones to get onboard. I love it. I was so excited on my 10th cruise. I just had my 11th and it never gets old. Hope you have a blast!!!!

 

Keep reading these boards. You will find that on mnay, many cruises YOU are NOT the first on board. You are mixed in with hundreds of FTTF people. many small children and a lot of them apparently not controlled by anyone.

 

Don't take my word for it.

Read this board. Read what others say. And yes..the Cheerleaders who claim they are VIP try to discredit them..and shout them down.

Keep reading. See how many say the same thing I am saying.

 

You will be darn lucky to get a seat at your embartation on some ships. Lucky to not be trampled at disembarkation.

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jimbo5544 "Live from...." Rare

jimbo5544

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Enjoy being platinum, welcome to the club! Don't let the negative poster get you down. She has other issues. You will find that the program is rewarding and worthwhile. If you have any questions, just ask. The VAST majority of us enjoy it.

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jimbo5544 "Live from...." Rare

jimbo5544

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Keep reading these boards. You will find that on mnay, many cruises YOU are NOT the first on board. You are mixed in with hundreds of FTTF people. many small children and a lot of them apparently not controlled by anyone.

 

Don't take my word for it.

Read this board. Read what others say. And yes..the Cheerleaders who claim they are VIP try to discredit them..and shout them down.

Keep reading. See how many say the same thing I am saying.

 

You will be darn lucky to get a seat at your embartation on some ships. Lucky to not be trampled at disembarkation.

You really have issues, let us all know about the loyalty program at Princess. Especially debarkation.

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Jamman54 Great Review Rare

Jamman54

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It means that now....for $50 bucks..anyone can pay that much money and everyone in their cabin............gets about everything you earned. Family of five..$10 pp buys VIP Status on Carnvial.

 

Keep reading these boards. You will find that on mnay, many cruises YOU are NOT the first on board. You are mixed in with hundreds of FTTF people. many small children and a lot of them apparently not controlled by anyone.

 

I am far from being a Carnival cheerleader, but your statements above are either totally false, or not the norm.

First of all, those that are lucky enough to procure a FTTF spot for their cruise do not get nearly all the same perks that a Platinum cruiser does, not even close. I'm not going to list those Platinum perks that the FTTF don't get, but I will say that with the introduction of FTTF, Platinum and Diamond cruisers GAINED a few perks that they didn't have before, immediate cabin access, and priority luggage delivery. Because of that, I believe that myself and the majority of Platinum / Diamond cruisers, have no problem with those that purchase FTTF.

As for embarkation / debarkation, my last cruise on the Splendor was my first one after FTTF was implemented, and everything was handled just like it should have been. Can't speak for every embarkation port, but New York had it handled perfectly.

Now I realize that things do go wrong on some cruises, and am sorry that your last experience was not good at all, but many times when things do go wrong, it is the passengers that initiate the problems, and cause the crew to lose control. Again I agree these things happen, but they are not the norm.

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richfret

richfret

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Sorry AMBERTEKA but you need to check the facts. Here are some differences from VIFP and FTTF: Carnival Logo Gift Item, Complimentary Wash and Fold Laundry, Complimentary Arcade Credits, Casino Buy 1, Get 1 Free Entry into a Tournament, Chocolate Delight, Priority Spa Reservations, Unique Ship Pin, VIFP Gold, Platinum and Diamond Party and Complimentary Beverage at Breakfast, Brunch or Lunch. You gave the impression that both categories were the same. In addition, VIP has all the priviledges of FTTF.

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MIZZ_K

MIZZ_K

Posted
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I'm less than a month out from my 10th cruise and you know what that means: Platinum baby!!

 

I haven't even finished the online check-in, but I was curious to see (as many have said that their 10th cruise boarding documents show it) if there was any indication that Carnival is aware of who I think I am! :D

 

Sho'nuff - when doing a print preview of my luggage tag, a bright green PRIORITY pops up!

 

Who can't wait for this (albeit short weekend) cruise, now?! :)

 

I'm also less than a month until my platinum cruise:D have fun and enjoy.

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SoCalKJ

SoCalKJ

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eh...nevermind. :rolleyes:

 

I'm still excited. I earned it. This year's mad dash to Platinum was fun. Freakin' fun, I tell ya. I don't care how much money it cost (vs. FTTF)...who WOULDN'T wanna take 4 cruises in a year? :D

 

I don't wanna debate the merits of FTTF vs. VIP...I could care less. Maybe those who pay for the FTTF are actually funding better future deals for me (complimentary stuff, amazing cruise rate discounts, etc...)

 

BTW: I currently don't work on Mondays and I'm still gonna have to pay $51 for parking there in Long Beach whether I debark at 7am or I'm the last one off at 10-ish. Do you think I give a rats patootie about priority DEBARKATION?! :D

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GAMOM4

GAMOM4

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I am less than a month away from being Platinum also! My husband and I also made the mad dash to make it! (unfortunately my husband had a massive heart attack on September 9th and passed away on the 10th) I had decided to cancel the cruise but it was paid for and I thought about it and knew how MAD he would be if he knew I canceled it when we were so thrilled to finally be platinum.

 

We purchased FTTF on the Freedom cruise in May of this year .. and I thought it was the best $49.95 we had ever spent on any cruise...and I know everyone has opinions and everyone doesn't have the same one. I see absolutely nothing wrong with someone purchasing it if that is what they choose to spend their money on.

 

Maybe other cruise lines have better perks or different perks ...I don't know nor do I care.....out of 9 cruises with Carnival we have been happy with every one of them .. and I hope on the 16th of November that I find that my 10th one will be great also (of course not as great as it would be if my other half was there with me.....but he loved cruising with his whole heart....so I know he will be there with me in spirit):)

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GlendaleCruiser

GlendaleCruiser

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A friend of mine does not have to buy FTTF to get early boarding with me. She gets no other perks.

 

Another friend bought FTTF (separate cabin) and her cabinmate did not. Cabinmate will not board early with her so NOT EVERYONE IN CABIN gets to go when one buys FTTF and one does not.

 

I have heard that in some cases FTTF went in at the same time as Plats and this is unfortunate, but the CCL says they are trying to make sure Diamonds and Platinums get on first, before FTTF.

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MIZZ_K

MIZZ_K

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A friend of mine does not have to buy FTTF to get early boarding with me. She gets no other perks.

 

Another friend bought FTTF (separate cabin) and her cabinmate did not. Cabinmate will not board early with her so NOT EVERYONE IN CABIN gets to go when one buys FTTF and one does not.

 

I have heard that in some cases FTTF went in at the same time as Plats and this is unfortunate, but the CCL says they are trying to make sure Diamonds and Platinums get on first, before FTTF.

 

FTTF is per cabin not per person.

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SoCalKJ

SoCalKJ

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Congrats! :D

 

As for platinum and FTTF ongoing drama, it always cracks me up for a plat to talk about how hard they worked for that plat status. It's a flipping cruise!!! How many people can't afford even one???!!! Get over it. :rolleyes:

 

When I do the math and think about how fast I get on the ship sans any special privileges when arriving early enough at the port, the embarkation perks really don't matter. With the exception of the last one with 2 wedding parties in front of the Priority/FTTF groups, we've always gotten on pretty freakin' fast!

 

I'm seriously grateful to have been afforded the opportunity to cruise as often as I have (this year alone!). All of my friends kinda give me poopie ("you're going on another cruise?!?") but I mean, hey?! Why not? I live in an area where you get all these choices and a lot of my friends drive 5 hours to spend the weekend in Vegas, others do Disney or Universal or San Diego...or whatever else our touristy area offers...I just happen to prefer cruises when I can get an entire weekend off (I DJ weddings for 2 banquet facilities and own a Karaoke/DJ business so time off - - like 3 days off in a row - - is something that must be planned like....6 months + in advance).

 

Anyway, 'tis all good.

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SoCalKJ

SoCalKJ

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I am less than a month away from being Platinum also! My husband and I also made the mad dash to make it! (unfortunately my husband had a massive heart attack on September 9th and passed away on the 10th) I had decided to cancel the cruise but it was paid for and I thought about it and knew how MAD he would be if he knew I canceled it when we were so thrilled to finally be platinum.

 

We purchased FTTF on the Freedom cruise in May of this year .. and I thought it was the best $49.95 we had ever spent on any cruise...and I know everyone has opinions and everyone doesn't have the same one. I see absolutely nothing wrong with someone purchasing it if that is what they choose to spend their money on.

 

Maybe other cruise lines have better perks or different perks ...I don't know nor do I care.....out of 9 cruises with Carnival we have been happy with every one of them .. and I hope on the 16th of November that I find that my 10th one will be great also (of course not as great as it would be if my other half was there with me.....but he loved cruising with his whole heart....so I know he will be there with me in spirit):)

 

Your post is the very reason why all the other bickering here is so completely unnecessary and a waste of good, fun energy!

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SoCalKJ

SoCalKJ

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In Long Beach you'll have a special building to check in at for Platinum & higher ups. It has cushy couches and chairs and free lemonade & water. Then they escort you past the lines of people to the special line for security, etc. You'll be the first ones to get onboard. I love it. I was so excited on my 10th cruise. I just had my 11th and it never gets old. Hope you have a blast!!!!

 

I see it everytime I walk by to get into "general boarding" lines....LOL!

 

I did get to hang inside a few years ago when I did the 3-day with my Mommy. It was her first cruise and when the upsell Fairy called about a Grand Suite, she jumped at it....and all the perks that went with that.

 

I remember being deathly ill AFTER Ensenada during that trip...but that's a whole 'nutha story! :eek:

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SoCalKJ

SoCalKJ

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Congrats on making platinum... Welcome to the club... I love the perks... I'm sure you will too

 

Truthfully: I'd love the cruise even without the perks. While I'm under no illusion as to what a basic nobody I really am...LOL...I'm really looking forward to having that platinum-colored S&S card dangling from my neck at all times so people can ooh and ahh as I sashay by. :rolleyes:

 

Okay, I know, I know: noone is gonna notice! :D

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