Platinum Boarding with others?

[cruisedarling]

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.

 

I am having a similar dilemna, I am platinum so I get to board early :p I am traveling with my husband and two teens who are not platinum. We have connecting cabins. I booked my husband in one and myself in one. I was just going to switch us around after boarding, so I bough FTTF for my husband and one child. Is it necessary to have 2, I am wondering if I can cancel one if I don't need it. Thank you for any insight. I am so ready to be cruising :D

[MUTailG8]

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?

 

Everyone will tell you no, but last week on the Ecstasy I brought someone who was on my Sign and Sail account, but was in a separate cabin with me to the Captain's Lounge in Miami and they checked both of us in without question.

[christmas]

Unless you are in the same room as them they cannot board with you. There are so many Platinum and Diamond's already so the VIP room is crowded. Then Carnival decided to bring out the ridiculous FTTF and make the room even more crowded!

[nhraformula00]

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.

 

Sounds like they have changed it since last Sept, for the good.

[Disconnections]

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.

 

Each Platinum/Diamond (and possibly Faster to the Fun - unconfirmed) guest is allowed to bring up to 5 guests with them on the tenders.

 

Edit:

 

I am having a similar dilemna, I am platinum so I get to board early :p I am traveling with my husband and two teens who are not platinum. We have connecting cabins. I booked my husband in one and myself in one. I was just going to switch us around after boarding, so I bough FTTF for my husband and one child. Is it necessary to have 2, I am wondering if I can cancel one if I don't need it. Thank you for any insight. I am so ready to be cruising :D

 

You are allowed to bring your children through priority check-in with you, as long as they are minors.

Edited March 7, 2014 by Disconnections

[RuthlessBoss]

Everyone will tell you no, but last week on the Ecstasy I brought someone who was on my Sign and Sail account, but was in a separate cabin with me to the Captain's Lounge in Miami and they checked both of us in without question.

 

You just lucked out. Perhaps there is less congestion due to the size of that ship.