DIAMONDS and PLATINUMS ONLY - NO GUESTS - OFFICIAL

[jiggs]

well I'll get my popcorn ready to see what the reviews are of the party next week. My wife and I are plat...our son however is not. I would like to bring him along to the party rather than assume he's going to go to camp carnival. He's only 6 so he won't be hogging drinks from the waitress, but it is his 4th cruise so he'd be able to cheer for several ships.

 

I understand the overcrowding as the lack of enforcement of any type meant half (or more) of the ship was in attendance...I liked to grab a drink or two, listed to the CD say his piece and listen to some music, grab a cheap-o glass of red then head to dinner.

[Pom Lover]

I bet if they make any exception it will be for those traveling with a young child who is not Platinum. We are fortunate that our 7 yr old granddaughter is Platinum so her attending with us will be no problem but we certainly would not attend without her!

[maldenmusic]

I'm truly nor trying to be disrespectful, but is the party that great? Is it just free drinks and food or what?

 

I've been to PGP on the Elation, Triumph and Fantasy and I don't think they are that great. We stopped going about 4 cruises ago.

[MMastell]

I'll have to see how it is on my next Carnival cruise. I am Platinum and my initial thought was: "I'd rather have the drink coupon." The VIFP party was becoming pretty boring and it was getting way too overcrowded. I completely understand why they did this but after a number of cruises the parties become more of a inconvenience than a treat. That is purely my own opinion. I have friends who just love them.

 

We'll see how it pans out.

 

Take care,

Mike

[eponym]

I'll have to see how it is on my next Carnival cruise. I am Platinum and my initial thought was: "I'd rather have the drink coupon." The VIFP party was becoming pretty boring and it was getting way too overcrowded. I completely understand why they did this but after a number of cruises the parties become more of a inconvenience than a treat. That is purely my own opinion. I have friends who just love them.

 

We'll see how it pans out.

 

Take care,

Mike

 

With the invites now slashed, it should be manageable for the company and the attendees. Let us know how the new format is!

Edited May 15, 2015 by eponym

[Elaine515]

I don't mind this. My dh can hang out and I can go meet some new people. It's only an hour or so. He will be platinum soon enough. This change will hopefully make the parties less of a zoo.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

 

To me this is the perfect response... It's only 1 hour of a 5 or more day cruise and I am sure that the other person can find something to do for that hour....

 

Hang out at the pool

Take a nap

Read a book

Go to the casino

Walk around the ship

Go to the gift shops

Check out the photographs

 

Yup, plently to do ...

[Isasprings]

The official word just came from John (of course really from the Beards)... After someone asked him if a spouse or only one other person traveling with a Diamond or Platinum passenger can also attend the Past Guest Party...

 

 

John Heald I did indeed speak with the senior beards and they are saying that it is only for VIFPs and not for those they are traveling with. You see this way it remains a very exclusive party and especially with the new format, food and drinks we will serve it needs to be so. I think this is something that we will have to look at carefully bit for now that is the rule

 

 

 

I'll let you guys all know in about a week as I'm on the May 16th Glory, first sailing where this is suppose to start...

 

I am glad DH and DD are platinum too.

[Nana257]

Well, its official. We got our letter from Carnival letting us know that we are no longer welcome at the Party. But to make up for it, we get a free drink. I am ok with that. DH and I didn't go to the party on our last cruise but I did notice that we did not get the free drink coupon that we had received the past few cruises. So the letter is saying that we get a free drink instead. I think that we are just getting our drink back. But that's ok with me. I like being able to choose when and where to have my drink. And the food is free anywhere on the ship anyway. No big loss as the parties were too crowded anyway. I agree that it is nice to cheer all of the ships that we have been on during the party but either way, its all good. It certainly won't ruin my cruise.

[trvlgirlmq]

Well, its official. We got our letter from Carnival letting us know that we are no longer welcome at the Party. But to make up for it, we get a free drink. I am ok with that. DH and I didn't go to the party on our last cruise but I did notice that we did not get the free drink coupon that we had received the past few cruises. So the letter is saying that we get a free drink instead. I think that we are just getting our drink back. But that's ok with me. I like being able to choose when and where to have my drink. And the food is free anywhere on the ship anyway. No big loss as the parties were too crowded anyway. I agree that it is nice to cheer all of the ships that we have been on during the party but either way, its all good. It certainly won't ruin my cruise.

 

You don't get to choose where or when you use the coupon. It's for AFTER 5pm on the LAST day of the cruise only. Pretty limited in my opinion. I wonder why some are getting a letter and some (me) are not? I am cruising next Saturday so you would think they would want to inform me so I don't show up at GS and make a stink about where my invite is.

[thomarvin]

You don't get to choose where or when you use the coupon. It's for AFTER 5pm on the LAST day of the cruise only. Pretty limited in my opinion. I wonder why some are getting a letter and some (me) are not? I am cruising next Saturday so you would think they would want to inform me so I don't show up at GS and make a stink about where my invite is.

 

Where did you hear that it was after 5? I thought it was just on the last sea day.

 

I am not platinum (a couple more cruises for me), I really don't care about missing the party but I do believe that the platinum/diamond guest should be able to bring a guest and invites collected at the door. I certainly wouldn't go alone. I think that we will see that happen in the near future.

[Nana257]

DH and I still drink after 5 on the last day so no biggie. We will use the coupon happily.

[thomarvin]

DH and I still drink after 5 on the last day so no biggie. We will use the coupon happily.

 

 

me too. :D just curious.

[trvlgirlmq]

Where did you hear that it was after 5? I thought it was just on the last sea day.

 

I am not platinum (a couple more cruises for me), I really don't care about missing the party but I do believe that the platinum/diamond guest should be able to bring a guest and invites collected at the door. I certainly wouldn't go alone. I think that we will see that happen in the near future.

 

It has been posted numerous times by John Heald on his FB page.

 

I really hope they don't make any exceptions to someone bringing a guest. That is a slap in the face to those of us who do not have a P/G family or friend to travel with and have had to earn our own way. Even after my 2016 cruise I will still have to cruise another 30 days to make the current Platinum number. That's another 4 year's so about 2020 if they don't change the days again.

[jimbo5544]

You don't get to choose where or when you use the coupon. It's for AFTER 5pm on the LAST day of the cruise only. Pretty limited in my opinion. I wonder why some are getting a letter and some (me) are not? I am cruising next Saturday so you would think they would want to inform me so I don't show up at GS and make a stink about where my invite is.

 

 

There have been about 1000 posts on the reason why. Why would they have to inform you, you already know and at any rate the way they inform is through the invitation. I can't think of one cruise where I did not get a drink after five on any day including the last day, but that's me.

[thomarvin]

It has been posted numerous times by John Heald on his FB page.

 

I really hope they don't make any exceptions to someone bringing a guest. That is a slap in the face to those of us who do not have a P/G family or friend to travel with and have had to earn our own way. Even after my 2016 cruise I will still have to cruise another 30 days to make the current Platinum number. That's another 4 year's so about 2020 if they don't change the days again.

 

i don't think it is a "slap in the face". It is just proper etiquette. Most times when you are invited to a function (wedding, holiday party etc) you are able to bring a guest. Unless it is a "work" event, which this is not, I think (I will have to check my copy of Emily Post) it is proper etiquette or at least the right thing to do. IMO

[trvlgirlmq]

There have been about 1000 posts on the reason why. Why would they have to inform you, you already know and at any rate the way they inform is through the invitation. I can't think of one cruise where I did not get a drink after five on any day including the last day, but that's me.

 

It seems that some people are getting an official letter stating the change to their benefits. I have not received one so just wondering what the criteria is when I am Gold AND have a cruise coming up. If I was not on this site or FB how would I know that I was no longer welcome at the party? When I got on board the ship and after a few days no invitation showed up then I might wonder what was going on and go to GS to ask when the party was or if I had missed it. This may be happening in the coming months and people may be upset to learn about it while on board. At least I get to be pissed now and can take it out on all of you here and not on the hapless GS people.

[trvlgirlmq]

i don't think it is a "slap in the face". It is just proper etiquette. Most times when you are invited to a function (wedding, holiday party etc) you are able to bring a guest. Unless it is a "work" event, which this is not, I think (I will have to check my copy of Emily Post) it is proper etiquette or at least the right thing to do. IMO

 

My opinion will continue to differ on this subject. I thought I had earned this perk. If someone hasn't actually earned it then they should not get to take advantage. I don't care if it's a party or something else. Proper etiquette be damned in this instance.

[thomarvin]

My opinion will continue to differ on this subject. I thought I had earned this perk. If someone hasn't actually earned it then they should not get to take advantage. I don't care if it's a party or something else. Proper etiquette be damned in this instance.

 

With that philosophy, when you board, your significant other (in your cabin) should not be able to board with you and the rest of the platinum guests and board with the rest of the gold, red and blues, because "they haven't earned that perk".

[jimbo5544]

It seems that some people are getting an official letter stating the change to their benefits. I have not received one so just wondering what the criteria is when I am Gold AND have a cruise coming up. If I was not on this site or FB how would I know that I was no longer welcome at the party? When I got on board the ship and after a few days no invitation showed up then I might wonder what was going on and go to GS to ask when the party was or if I had missed it. This may be happening in the coming months and people may be upset to learn about it while on board. At least I get to be pissed now and can take it out on all of you here and not on the hapless GS people.

 

 

Feel free, we have big shoulders. I do agree that you should not take it out on guest services.

[Elaine5715]

i don't think it is a "slap in the face". It is just proper etiquette. Most times when you are invited to a function (wedding, holiday party etc) you are able to bring a guest. Unless it is a "work" event, which this is not, I think (I will have to check my copy of Emily Post) it is proper etiquette or at least the right thing to do. IMO

 

If you are invited to a wedding and your invitation doesn't name someone or say "And Guest", you better bet that doesn't mean you can bring anyone. If anyone is rude to bring someone or even call the bride and try to negotiate extra invitees, it is the height of poor manners and you can bet the wedding folks have some bad words for you.

[Elaine5715]

i don't think it is a "slap in the face". It is just proper etiquette. Most times when you are invited to a function (wedding, holiday party etc) you are able to bring a guest. Unless it is a "work" event, which this is not, I think (I will have to check my copy of Emily Post) it is proper etiquette or at least the right thing to do. IMO

 

http://www.emilypost.com/weddings/planning-your-wedding/656-inside-weddings-handling-your-guests-with-grace

Emily agrees with me .

[eponym]

i don't think it is a "slap in the face". It is just proper etiquette. Most times when you are invited to a function (wedding, holiday party etc) you are able to bring a guest. Unless it is a "work" event, which this is not, I think (I will have to check my copy of Emily Post) it is proper etiquette or at least the right thing to do. IMO

 

It is a commerical enterprise's customer loyalty/reward/perk/incentive set aside for those who are specifically qualified and not a wedding, holiday party, or work event. Even then, follow the invite.

Edited May 16, 2015 by eponym

[thomarvin]

http://www.emilypost.com/weddings/planning-your-wedding/656-inside-weddings-handling-your-guests-with-grace

Emily agrees with me .

 

i didn't say to bring someone that wasn't invited. I said they "should be" invited. I would never bring someone that wasn't invited. That is rude. But I would never invite someone to a party where they know no one and expect them to come alone.

[eponym]

There have been about 1000 posts on the reason why. Why would they have to inform you, you already know and at any rate the way they inform is through the invitation. I can't think of one cruise where I did not get a drink after five on any day including the last day, but that's me.

 

I don't think I can remember having an alcoholic drink after 5PM on the last night on any Carnival cruise. Not really drinker though.

 

If the hoards of non positive replies on Heald's (Carnival's) Facebook page TODAY are any indication (beyond the many user posts/threads that were made here and subsequently deleted by mod's), there is a large contingent of people that are not pleased with the past guest party changes.

 

Two things: No longer can the excuse of not being posts from real people be used to mask the discord that many Gold patrons are expressing. Plenty of Platinums seem to be upset too, now that the 'new format' has a clear stated policy to allow ONLY eligible passengers to attend.

Secondly, as the news starts to travel out further, the more pushback seems to be happening on FB.

 

It is what it is, until the next change comes down.

Edited May 16, 2015 by eponym

[n6uqqq]

Good luck getting that drink after 5 on the last sea day. You will be in line with perhaps hundreds of other golds clamoring for the last tangible gold benefit.