Platinum Boarding with others?

[jessed]

I should know the answer to this but I forgot. We're platinum - can a couple traveling with us that are not platinum, board with us?

[tree.critter]

I should know the answer to this but I forgot. We're platinum - can a couple traveling with us that are not platinum, board with us?

 

Not unless they're in the same cabin with you. You can board with them if you'd like though. :cool:

[thomarvin]

only if you are on the same Sail and Sign card. Sorry.

[KenMo]

Having the same credit card linked to both cabins doesn't work anymore.

 

They've closed that loophole. (Just from what I've read here.)

[vols_159]

only if you are on the same Sail and Sign card. Sorry.

 

 

not true..loop hole is closed.. same room only...

[Lerin]

If they get FTTF

[DebJ14]

Last summer our son got FTTF and he ended up boarding way ahead of us and we are Diamond/Platinum.

 

Two years ago we went to VIP check in and they went to regular check in. We waited for them and their check-in only took about 5 minutes longer than ours. We all boarded together that time.

 

They had to close the credit card loophole - with all the Diamond/Platinum and FTTF the VIP check in was getting way overcrowded.

[PA Dutchman]

With all the Diamond/Platinum and FTTF the VIP check in is getting way overcrowded. And it will continue to get way overcrowded. Way to many people in the VIP area before embarkation so that it has already downgraded the VIP status. Carnival is already looking at that problem they created.

[klfrodo]

To answer your question,,,, No

Last year in Miami, my wife and I checked in (eventually) in the VIP lounge.

Our son and his wife went the normal route.

 

:( son and DIL were on the ship before us by about 30 minutes.

[forwardcabin]

DW and I are platinum. The rest of our family is not. We all started together in the VIP line and went thru security. Then we split up because we got our S&S cards at a different checkin desk. Then we all met up to get pictures before all boarding together.

[RWolver672]

I don't know how it is in other ports but in FLL, there was a separate line for FTTF and were given a priority boarding card, then we sat with everybody else. The Platinum/Diamond people were in a separate room. They called them right after wedding parties, then called Priority which was FTTF. Then they started calling by zones.

[RuthlessBoss]

DW and I are platinum. The rest of our family is not. We all started together in the VIP line and went thru security. Then we split up because we got our S&S cards at a different checkin desk. Then we all met up to get pictures before all boarding together.

 

This is what people forget, or are not aware of. (that cards are in different locations).

[winddawn]

When I cruised out of New Orleans in December, after checking in Platinum in the VIP lounge, I was instructed to exit the VIP lounge and sit with everyone else out in the main check-in area. When we started boarding, people would just crowd the aisle every time they called a group. Very unorganized.

 

It is worth noting too that no photography was allowed in the check-in/boarding area.

[put me on a ship]

With all the Diamond/Platinum and FTTF the VIP check in is getting way overcrowded. And it will continue to get way overcrowded. Way to many people in the VIP area before embarkation so that it has already downgraded the VIP status. Carnival is already looking at that problem they created.

 

Well, that's easy....stop selling FTTF!

[Georgiagolfer]

With all the Diamond/Platinum and FTTF the VIP check in is getting way overcrowded. And it will continue to get way overcrowded. Way to many people in the VIP area before embarkation so that it has already downgraded the VIP status. Carnival is already looking at that problem they created.

 

The "problem" is no problem to CCL. FTTF is a money maker, and I seriously doubt CCL will change this.

 

Well, that's easy....stop selling FTTF!

 

Never happen, but may increase as CCL is looking for revenue.

[RuthlessBoss]

Well, that's easy....stop selling FTTF!

 

I agree, but I can't imagine it happening. It has caused grief in many areas of passenger travel, yet it's a money maker for Carnival.

[!!SAM!!]

When I cruised out of New Orleans in December, after checking in Platinum in the VIP lounge, I was instructed to exit the VIP lounge and sit with everyone else out in the main check-in area. When we started boarding, people would just crowd the aisle every time they called a group. Very unorganized.

 

It is worth noting too that no photography was allowed in the check-in/boarding area.

 

I have cruised out of all the Carnival ports and New Orleans is the worst port I have ever been out of both for embarkation and debarkation. Will not stop me from cruising from there but I keep hoping they will improve the process.

 

I think Carnival should do as some other cruise lines do. They have seperate areas for the different tiers (Diamond, Platinum, FTTF, etc.) and strictly enforce the embarkation and debarkation process.

[Georgiagolfer]

I have cruised out of all the Carnival ports and New Orleans is the worst port I have ever been out of both for embarkation and debarkation. Will not stop me from cruising from there but I keep hoping they will improve the process.

I think Carnival should do as some other cruise lines do. They have seperate areas for the different tiers (Diamond, Platinum, FTTF, etc.) and strictly enforce the embarkation and debarkation process.

 

One problem with this logic. DW and I like CCL, but it seems to us that they do not enforce any of their rules or guidelines.:(

[AmberTeka]

I booked My daughter, son in law, and grand daughter on my Credit Card. Plus DH. I booked two cabins with them in one and us in another. I set up a cash account for them, on which we are putting Cash. ( her birthday is that week.) and we have a credit card on my account. I did not give them charging privileges as we are putting cash, and they are also bringing cash to put on it.

 

I was told they could board with me.....but nothing else.( could not get off with me...or get tenders early anything. As my GD is 3, almost four..I worried about her first time in a long line,) Then I felt bad when I thought about people who were not Platinum getting on the same way, because I had fussed about FTTF for that very reason.

 

So I checked the Carnival Board every day. ONE FTTF was left when I saw it. I bought it. I thought better to buy what everyone has the same opportunity to do ( and if you are cruising...$50 buys about four small adult five Beefeaters gin martinis. DH indulges when he wins in Casino.) Also I worried about being confronted..as policy seems to be different in every port...and them Kicked out of priority boarding. Feelings can still run high over who boards early and how.

 

So I was tickled to get it. Now we get on being Platinum. They get on with us, having paid to do so. I don't feel bad about it. I still think FTTF devalues loyalty rewards. but after the free cabin give always, which seem to have been to punish long time good customers, I suspect the demographics of Carnival will change. Older folks going elsewhere...........young folks and other targeted passengers booking more. So perhaps they don't see the need for that many loyalty perks. Not stirring the Pot. Fine with FTTF. Just bought it. Fine with cruise cabin give away. Cancelled a cruise....going get new Kitchen Cabinets. Which I needed. So all is good.

 

I look forward to the cruise. If I were you......I would haunt the Carnival site..........and if FttF comes up..and a toddler is involved....BUY it.

Edited February 24, 2014 by AmberTeka

[carrieluvsgreg]

You could get sound it by splitting your booking. But it might end up being more trouble than it's worth. We were with 14 people in December, we were platinum, they were blues and reds. We had split our booking so our kids would board with us and just met everyone else up on lido. By the time we checked in, boarded, dropped off our luggage, they met us upstairs within about 5-10 minutes.

 

 

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[Mysticks1]

With all the Diamond/Platinum and FTTF the VIP check in is getting way overcrowded. And it will continue to get way overcrowded. Way to many people in the VIP area before embarkation so that it has already downgraded the VIP status. Carnival is already looking at that problem they created.

 

[/color]

 

The "problem" is no problem to CCL. FTTF is a money maker, and I seriously doubt CCL will change this.

 

Never happen, but may increase as CCL is looking for revenue.

 

I also doubt that FTTF is going away and likely to be expanded because it is making money on services that they already provide. I think it is more likely that they would re-structure the loyalty points program again to reduce the number of platinum's with priority boarding so they can continue to bring money in with FTTF.

[bills blasters]

If you get there early enough it shouldn't make that big of difference. We are platinum, our son and family was not. In Miami, we checked in and sat in the VIP room. They were in the regular boarding area. I think they were number 8. We boarded early, then sat in the lobby and waited for them. Less than 10 minutes later, they boarded. Wasn't any problem waiting for them. Just enough time to go to the bar and get a drink.

Claudia

[!!SAM!!]

One problem with this logic. DW and I like CCL, but it seems to us that they do not enforce any of their rules or guidelines.:(

 

 

Yes - it all goes back to people feeling entitled and the cruise lines worrying about hurting their feelings for enforcing their guidelines.

 

Every survey I get it seems my only comment is the embarkation and debarkation guidelines not being followed.

[Hinano]

DH and I are platinum and the past three cruises we have linked our freinds/family's cabin to our sail and sign card so that we can board together. That's the only "perk" we care about. Last cruise was June 2013 and brought my In-laws with us, no problems. Booked my daughter's B-day cruise last October, for this March and did not think criteria had changed. Thanks to this site...I found out it had. My bad for not checking but honestly didn't think I needed to. Called Carnival tonight and they were great. Moved my daughter in my cabin and put my husband in with my son-in-law. Waived the fee to make changes. Nice. :) They are going to acknowledge her Bday in a special way, Totally unsolicited. Completely happy with Carnival right now.

[SadieN]

To answer your question,,,, No

Last year in Miami, my wife and I checked in (eventually) in the VIP lounge.

Our son and his wife went the normal route.

 

:( son and DIL were on the ship before us by about 30 minutes.

 

I thought that was only Long Beach's problem. 20+ v 3 clerks for Priority.