Benefit of being Platinum?

[wemjam]

OK... so totally didn't mean to open this can of worms! Seriously, I was simply trying to say that as of late I have seen no real difference in the benefit of being Platinum when it comes to getting and off the ship (in my last few experiences).. and at the Guest Services desk (as another poster mentioned the regular line moved faster than the Platinum line). And NO it is not a sense of entitlement!

 

However, I HAVE spent a lot of money with Carnival to get to this place. And while I do try VERY hard to take my most calm/zen state of mind in the boarding and unboarding process there are ALOT of very rude and inconsiderate people out there that try my last nerve.

 

Let's see... the group of people that think it is OK to stand in the line in front of you screaming for people way in the back to come on...come on and before you know it there are twenty in their party now in front of you. Then there is the 100# lady that packs the suite case big as she is and she can't handle it but insists on carrying it on anyhow and constantly has to keep stopping because she keeps dropping it in front of you (so you almost break your neck when you trip repeatedly), and can't get it to go around the corner cause she keeps running it into the wall. Then there's THAT person (and usually it is more than one)... that can't follow instructions and has to stand in front of you in line trying to dig out that sail and sign card they were just given and told to keep out, but they insist on putting it away anyhow and now that can't find it... And don't get me started on the people who don't keep their kids controlled (and by the way this is not a slam on the kids as I have two boys and cruised with them several times when they were younger, it is a dig at those parents that don't watch their children). I am sure the rest of you can think of a lot more LOL...

 

This all does try one's last nerve when it is over and over and over.....

 

Part of the reason we stayed with Carnival through all these cruises was for the loyalty program and to and be able to take advantage of this one (for me major!) benefit to avoid some of this hassle. There is nothing worse than starting the trip off peeved off LOL! (of course a trip to the bar always calms the nerves eventually - woop! woop!)

 

As I said, maybe I am doing something wrong that I can adjust to take better advantage of it and that is why I asked - maybe I need to get my backside to the pier earlier or something? Maybe others know a trick to it I don't? In at least our last two to four cruises I have yet to be only in a group of Platinum/Diamond/Suite guests boarding the boat. I have always been mixed in with lots of other passengers.

Edited June 30, 2015 by wemjam

[I Luv Crusin]

yeah, between the free laundry and also not having to buy FTTF but getting the perks, looking forward to Platinum this winter. It will also be interesting to see how the VIFP party changes since there should be MUCH less attendance than before.

 

I remember my first "past guest party", it was held in a small lounge and was not crowded.

[scuabacruiser]

Ditto!

 

Actually it is priority not guaranteed dining times.

 

As for FTTF people can pay as much as they want to board the ship behind me. However they are pay more than the people just behind them.

I think for P it is priority and for the D it is guaranteed. That said, we have always been taken care of even before P.

[PA Dutchman]

OK, so this may be unpopular to post, but it is a genuine question. I feel like maybe I am missing something somewhere?

 

What is the real benefit to being Platinum (or higher) anymore with FTTF? The last couple cruises we have gone on, we had to wait for FTTF, and even general boarding, to get on and exit the ship in front of us. The FTTF and Platinum/Diamond guests all use the same "special" areas on the ship (the front desk), and for boarding and getting off - so we had to wait in big long lines everywhere anyhow.

 

We went to the VIP room to check in and waited 30 minutes - and then they just pointed us toward the hoard of general boarding people (so like 100 or more people in front of us). Used to be you went to the front of the line with an escort. When you get to the port to board, the line for VIP was as long as the line for general boarding (because of the FTTF) outside security area. One time we had to go to the general boarding desks and wait there, for like 5 groups of people in front of us, check in because the VIP area was all full (and I could see FTTF paperwork and red cards coming out of there).

 

I wholeheartedly understand the FTTF and I don't knock it - good for cruisers and good for Carnival - puts some extra bucks in their pocket to keep cruise prices low for everyone - but it is quite frustrating for someone that has spent 12+ years acquiring the Platinum status (and tens of thousands of dollars with the company) to have some of their key benefits diminished due to being grouped with those that spent $50 to have rooms with up to 4 people receive the same benefit.

 

I am thinking I am missing the boat (pun intended) here, and maybe I am just not getting in the right lines, arriving at the right time, something?

 

Surprise, the same thing will happen to you if your Diamond. Carnival does not really care

[CruiseReg]

P&Ds don't bring in any more revenue that a blue or red card. FTTF actually adds revenue so expect the "purchased status" to continue and perhaps expand.

 

I certainly don't bring in as much revenue as many other non-Platinum/Diamond folks! Like my wife and I will likely never do the Cheers program unless we get it as a free perk with a booking special. That alone is nearly $1000 Carnival won't get from us that many others pay, including blue/red cards. We also don't even get close t o $1000 worth of beverages.

 

I'm also just as happy in an inside cabin as a balcony or oceanview. We have never paid for a suite of any kind on Carnival and likely won't ever.

[JLee1973]

Last cruise I had FTTF. This was in Long Beach. FTTF had there own check in line while platinum and diamond had the VIP lounge which we were not allowed in.

 

Also we boarded after Diamond and Platinum but before general boarding. I think they simply handle it differently from port to port.

 

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[DebJ14]

its all little things, but IMO they all add up to a smoother nicer cruise.

 

- Laundry Is probably the BEST perk I think

- Guaranteed requested Dining times

- Your stateroom is ready when boarding

- Priority Tendering

- I was also told (off the record) by a PVP that if you book a GTY room you will be placed at the highest available opening at the time of final payment cut off. (IE: once final payment cut-off passes, the Platinum & Diamond QTY bookings get placed first. So you have a better chance at a higher cabin over other GTY bookings)

----- also anyone linked to your booking will more likely be placed on the same floor at least as you.

- Buy one GET ONE FREE Casino Tournament entries

- a matching PRETTY pin to go with your card.. LOL

 

I always thought FTTF just got you on the ship faster and that was it? To me this is a complete gamble of timing... and most people spending it just throw away their money. Depending on the port, if you get there at the right time, you could simply walk right on. My first cruise was the ONLY cruise I have ever had to sit and wait to board.

 

 

Platinum no longer gets guaranteed dining times. That is only for Diamond Guests. Platinum are just priority for dining once all the Diamonds have been satisfied.

[mzloolue]

Last cruise I had FTTF. This was in Long Beach. FTTF had there own check in line while platinum and diamond had the VIP lounge which we were not allowed in.

 

Also we boarded after Diamond and Platinum but before general boarding. I think they simply handle it differently from port to port.

 

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In New Orleans they used to have a lounge for Platinum.

Now they have a bigger VIP area, but you go in, get your Sign and Sail card and then they told us to leave and go sit out in the chairs with everyone else.

 

I know a lot of people say that priority boarding is no big deal, but I have stood in line for two hours or more several times before we got to platinum.

 

I like not standing in line for two hours.

[scuabacruiser]

This is a list of some of the perks we received on the Dream last month as Platinum. Some were expected and some where not.

Laundry

Priority boarding/tending/disembarkation

Free liter bottle of water

Chocolates

Carnival gift, travel chess board

Free drink

BOGO blackjack tournament

Go straight to the cabin after boarding to drop off our carry on (they get P/D cabins ready 1st)

P/D party, 1st time since they changed this. It was nice with 20 to 30 v. a couple 100. That's why we quit going to them.

Priority at customer service. We were help by the 1st available rep once we stepped up to the counter.

 

It seems the spa also has perks. Not sure if this is on all ship though. They ran a special for $99 my wife wanted, but it was for Wednesday only. We were busy that day so she asked about doing it Friday. They said no it was for that day only. Then she saw my wife's s&s card. She made a call and honored her Friday request. So she took our DIL and they loved it.

[eponym]

My opinion is if they let others buy the perks that we earned as Platinum, it definitely cheapened the loyalty program. So what if they pay?? I payed over years and years of cruising... everyone has a loyalty program... there is nothing wrong with that... but it is wrong when they let others buy the same, if not most important , perks that Platinum get.

 

Didn't the changes actually assign monetary value to the perks otherwise received for free?

[scuabacruiser]

In New Orleans they used to have a lounge for Platinum.

Now they have a bigger VIP area, but you go in, get your Sign and Sail card and then they told us to leave and go sit out in the chairs with everyone else.

 

Yup, that's nice. Like the pastries and beverages.

[urbanhawk]

I'm gold, but will be turning platinum on my next cruise in Sept. Will I get the perks as a platinum, such as past guest party, or get the free drink coupon, as gold?! (Doesn't really matter-going on a cruise to ALASKA!-was just curious. Thanks.

[eponym]

I'm gold, but will be turning platinum on my next cruise in Sept. Will I get the perks as a platinum, such as past guest party, or get the free drink coupon, as gold?! (Doesn't really matter-going on a cruise to ALASKA!-was just curious. Thanks.

 

Yes, your card/status would be Platinum for the cruise and going forward.

[scuabacruiser]

I'm gold, but will be turning platinum on my next cruise in Sept. Will I get the perks as a platinum, such as past guest party, or get the free drink coupon, as gold?! (Doesn't really matter-going on a cruise to ALASKA!-was just curious. Thanks.

Yes, you will get both. Have fun!

[AngAndBoys]

Here at Port Tampa Bay there is a separate check in line for FTTF and another for Priority Guests (Diamond/Platinum/Suites). Additionally only the aforementioned "priority" guests sit in the lounge and the FTTF guests sit with the zone number guests too.

 

As for the boarding order there is a clearly defined order that is strictly enforced as follows:

 

Wedding Guests

Diamond

Platinum

Suites

FTTF

Special Needs (Ambulatory)

Number Zones

 

This is how its done in Galveston as well.

[cruzn buckeye]

How is it done in Miami now?

[HectorAchilleus]

How is it done in Miami now?

 

In Miami on the Glory in June, they boarded us all together - Diamonds, Plats, FTTF.

[cruzn buckeye]

Didn't the changes actually assign monetary value to the perks otherwise received for free?

i am not sure i understand what you saying here.. but yes... they can buy the same perks that i have for a measly 50 bucks. I have spent thousands of dollars on the cruises that I took to get to Platinum. And years of loyalty. Of course, I didnt cruise to earn perks. When they started the program, I was already there. I didn't buy a bunch of three days to hit the 10 cruise limit... nor did i rush to book three cruises in one year, like others when they did the grandfathering and let people have another year to get there. This alone hurt the program, this is why there are so many Platinum cruisers. now. All it means to me is that as a cruiser that has been on 26 cruises, my loyalty is worth 50 bucks.. FTTF is great for those that use it. My friends use it. But I am still totally against it. But it is what it is.. a slam to the loyalty program . I am thinking they need to revamp the loyalty program... or just do away with it and let everyone purchase perks that they want, which is probably what they are heading towards.

Edited July 2, 2015 by cruzn buckeye

[cruzn buckeye]

In Miami on the Glory in June, they boarded us all together - Diamonds, Plats, FTTF.

 

And this is wrong. It needs to be in order... Diamonds, then Plats, then FTTF.

[quickrate]

And this is wrong. It needs to be in order... Diamonds, then Plats, then FTTF.

 

I for sure agree with this!! Now that there are so many Platinums, adding FTTF to the mix doesn't make boarding so special anymore. I enjoy cruising Carnival, but realize that my perks aren't what keeps me cruising them

Pat

[Rudyard]

The biggest benefit of being Platinum is that you get to shake your fist and tell those FTTF kids to keep off your lawn.

[love my grandkids]

i am not sure i understand what you saying here.. but yes... they can buy the same perks that i have for a measly 50 bucks. I have spent thousands of dollars on the cruises that I took to get to Platinum. And years of loyalty. Of course, I didnt cruise to earn perks. When they started the program, I was already there. I didn't buy a bunch of three days to hit the 10 cruise limit... nor did i rush to book three cruises in one year, like others when they did the grandfathering and let people have another year to get there. This alone hurt the program, this is why there are so many Platinum cruisers. now. All it means to me is that as a cruiser that has been on 26 cruises, my loyalty is worth 50 bucks.. FTTF is great for those that use it. My friends use it. But I am still totally against it. But it is what it is.. a slam to the loyalty program . I am thinking they need to revamp the loyalty program... or just do away with it and let everyone purchase perks that they want, which is probably what they are heading towards.

 

like

[love my grandkids]

And this is wrong. It needs to be in order... Diamonds, then Plats, then FTTF.

 

Have been diamond for 3 cruises now and never have seen Diamonds go ahead of platinum.

[snc_cam]

Have been diamond for 3 cruises now and never have seen Diamonds go ahead of platinum.

 

I am pretty sure on the 14day Pride repo cruise, the Diamonds were called first, then Plats, then FTTF. Though on this cruise, there were over 100 Dias, 600+ Plats, and only 60 FTTF. :)

[HectorAchilleus]

Have been diamond for 3 cruises now and never have seen Diamonds go ahead of platinum.

 

I have been Platinum for a bunch of cruises and have NEVER seen Diamonds boarded first either - they should be, but they are not.

 

In Tampa on the Pride last January, they seated Diamonds, Plats, and FTTF all in one area. The nice gentleman in charge TOLD us that It would be Diamonds then Plats, etc. However, we were all given identical Priority plastic cards to hold. A FTTF woman asked him if their friends (who were Zone 5, 6 & 10) could sit with them, and he graciously said yes. The area got very full, and Plats, FTTF & diamonds had to sit in another area.

 

When the gentleman announced that the DIAMONDS only should board, two Carnival workers started waving the Priority cards, and everyone - FTTF, Plats, Diamonds, even zone people just surged ahead. It was chaos. There was no attempt to board either Diamonds or Plats first. The zone people just left their cards on there seats and joined their friends.

 

It was a pretty good deal for the FTTF people. They paid a measly $50.00 and had at least 20 people board before the Diamonds. As usual, the blame only partly lies with them, however. Carnival needs to set a consistent policy for ALL ports and ENFORCE it.

 

Most people, Plats, FTTF etc. are willing to follow the rules, but there are always rude people who think that the rules do not apply to them. The only way to correct incidents like this is to consistently enforce the rules.