Benefit of being Platinum?

[Maraprince]

Hubby and I would get two tickets for B/J tourney and he would use both. Now we refuse to play as our protest.

 

Once we booked closed to sail date and we were given late dining and MD said he couldnt move us.

 

Went to guest services to complain and than we were moved to early.

 

 

By the 2nd day, tables open up in the MDR since people may not come the first night or find that they want a different dining time. Best to check with Maitre'd as soon as you board regarding table assignment. Many times passengers are told to come 1/2 hr. after dinner starts and if there are available tables, you will be assigned a table.

 

MARAPRINCE

[FloridaGram]

We will be platinum next cruise and I was looking forward to that benefit. Then someone told me they do it all in hot water. Is that true? if so it is hardly a benefit because who could take a chance of their clothes getting ruined?

[gtaylor]

We will be platinum next cruise and I was looking forward to that benefit. Then someone told me they do it all in hot water. Is that true? if so it is hardly a benefit because who could take a chance of their clothes getting ruined?

 

We definitely use it, but we're selective.

 

Socks, underwear, t-shirts, etc., one set of sheets/pillow cases that we brought from home (when we drive).

 

gary

[Roscoe13]

We definitely use it, but we're selective.

 

Socks, underwear, t-shirts, etc., one set of sheets/pillow cases that we brought from home (when we drive).

 

gary

 

OK, I'll bite...why do you bring your own sheets/pillow cases?

[gtaylor]

OK, I'll bite...why do you bring your own sheets/pillow cases?

 

To run them through a bag of free laundry.

 

gary

[FloridaGram]

That is too funny, Gary, but I just might give it a try! I wonder what the people in the laundry think? "Crazy Americans!"

[gtaylor]

:)

 

gary

[PAPERBKWRITER]

I've found that it depends on the port. In NY we always get the VIP treatment and get right on. In Fort Lauderdale (after I complained) we were handed a sign (VIP) and told to walk in front of everyone and show that we were VIP. The treatment isn't uniform throughout the system.

[mississauga]

We will be platinum next cruise and I was looking forward to that benefit. Then someone told me they do it all in hot water. Is that true? if so it is hardly a benefit because who could take a chance of their clothes getting ruined?

 

They are all washed in hot water.

 

On 7 days cruises, we don't bother. On longer ones, we just send DH's underwear and socks. We have had a t shirt discolor once.

 

Not a Perk we use often. We have suggested on John Heald's facebook page and on our post cruise surveys that for those of us who prefer to do our own laundry that Carnival give us the credit on our S&S cards especially on the ships which use the S&S cards in the laundry rooms.

 

So far, no luck.

[Maraprince]

We will be platinum next cruise and I was looking forward to that benefit. Then someone told me they do it all in hot water. Is that true? if so it is hardly a benefit because who could take a chance of their clothes getting ruined?

 

I too was worried but happy to say everything (colors, prints and whites) came back nicely folded, clean and smelling great! We sent 2 bags but we could have sent a 3rd if it was earlier in the sailing.'

 

 

MARAPRINCE

[SurferJoe57]

Just disembarked from Fantasy. In addition to ALL OF THE ABOVE, unless you're snooty about it, the crew will - certainly did this time - treat you with extra courtesy.

We recognized the Anytime Dining hostess from the Miracle- and she remembered us - and we were treated to a window table for 2 every night.

Don't forget priority Spa Reservations as well.

[evandbob]

They are all washed in hot water.

 

On 7 days cruises, we don't bother. On longer ones, we just send DH's underwear and socks. We have had a t shirt discolor once.

 

Not a Perk we use often. We have suggested on John Heald's facebook page and on our post cruise surveys that for those of us who prefer to do our own laundry that Carnival give us the credit on our S&S cards especially on the ships which use the S&S cards in the laundry rooms.

 

So far, no luck.

 

What a horrible idea! I do laundry at home, why would I do it on vacation? To me that's a waste of my time on board the ship. Even though I often book an interior 1A cabin on Verandah, Empress, or the Upper decks that is close to the laundry room, I'd much rather be elsewhere than in a darn laundry room!

 

I send out tee shirts, briefs and sox and have never had a problem. I'm doing a 21 day B2B this Jan-Feb and plan to carry one 21" piece of luggage on board. I'll be relaxing up on Lido deck or in port when my laundry is being done, TYVM!

[Maraprince]

Tried doing my own laundry once on board and just like at home, unless you are there when the washing is over, count on someone to take it out and leave it on the table!

 

MARAPRINCE

[mississauga]

What a horrible idea! I do laundry at home, why would I do it on vacation? To me that's a waste of my time on board the ship. Even though I often book an interior 1A cabin on Verandah, Empress, or the Upper decks that is close to the laundry room, I'd much rather be elsewhere than in a darn laundry room!

 

I send out tee shirts, briefs and sox and have never had a problem. I'm doing a 21 day B2B this Jan-Feb and plan to carry one 21" piece of luggage on board. I'll be relaxing up on Lido deck or in port when my laundry is being done, TYVM!

 

 

It's all about choice. If you choose to send your laundry out, great. For those of us who choose not to, it is an alternative for us.

 

At the present, we choose to use it only for underwear and socks so not much of a perk for us. Again, it is our choice. The perk is there for us to use...unlimited. Just would like a different choice.

 

Not suggesting they do away with the present perk, just give us the two options.

[sandij]

We usually send out a bag on just a 7 day cruise with just underwear and t shirts in it. For those who don't think the laundry rooms on Carnival are a perk you probably haven't sailed on a line that has none. It can be very inconvenient when you need to wash something or when you need to iron something.

[DebJ14]

rather annoying when platinum and diamond doesnt mean anything.

 

like!!!

[mzloolue]

DH and I are platinum.

We usually don't send things to the laundry.

Or perhaps some underwear and things that will not fade or shrink.

 

Most of my clothes are too hard to find (size thing) and I don't trust anyone but me to launder them.

I wash in cold water and usually hang dry most items.

 

If they were to lose my luggage I would have to spend the whole cruise in the clothes I wore on board.

 

I have used the laundry.

Especially when DS'S spray on sunblock exploded in a suitcase.

FYI

It does not wash out well...

I was going to file it on insurance, but then got busy and never got it done.

 

On another cruise that we flew to they said that DD's spray on sunblock had to be in a checked bag.

It exploded too which was more understandable.

Edited July 21, 2015 by mzloolue

[DebJ14]

I've had cruises where I felt the same about FTTF diminishing the platinum benefits, however -- we just got off the Carnival Freedom this past weekend and the crew on that ship went above and beyond to make sure anytime there were platinums/diamonds in a line or grouped with FTTF, they called the diamonds and platinums to the front of the line. I was surprised that when we got to the terminal in Galveston, we were a bit later than we usually are and there was a line at the VIP check in. A lady actually came out and asked if there were any Platinums or Diamonds in the line, and she escorted us to the front of the line. Also -- there was a very large group inside the VIP area and they turned the group away from checking in at VIP except for the family that actually had VIP status. I was really surprised by this. But, I was glad to see them do it. There were at least 10 of them in that group that did not have VIP status.

 

Also, this past cruise was our first past guest party since they changed it to Platinums and Diamonds only and it was really fabulous!!! We didn't have to fight for a drink! We actually were able to meet the senior officers in attendance and have a few moments to visit with them. The previous parties had become very "un-fun" with so many people and not enough servers. I had started to feel like a very under-appreciated past guest at those parties.

 

Very glad to hear this.

[DebJ14]

What a horrible idea! I do laundry at home, why would I do it on vacation? To me that's a waste of my time on board the ship. Even though I often book an interior 1A cabin on Verandah, Empress, or the Upper decks that is close to the laundry room, I'd much rather be elsewhere than in a darn laundry room!

 

I send out tee shirts, briefs and sox and have never had a problem. I'm doing a 21 day B2B this Jan-Feb and plan to carry one 21" piece of luggage on board. I'll be relaxing up on Lido deck or in port when my laundry is being done, TYVM!

 

I refuse to do laundry on vacation and DH fully understands. We always send our laundry out and have never had a problem.

[near the beach]

One benefit to FTTF is that before FTTF cabins were not ready when you first board. Now they are ready for platinum and diamond passengers.

[bobsfamily]

One benefit to FTTF is that before FTTF cabins were not ready when you first board. Now they are ready for platinum and diamond passengers.

Yep! Love it.

Will be using that perk in 199 days!

 

I do not cruise for loyalty perks although I enjoy them. I cruise because I like cruising.

 

I cruised on Carnival enough to become Plat because we had 2 little girls and it was the best bang for the buck, they loved the programs and we loved cruising.

 

We now cruise other lines (the "kids" are grown) but got a great deal on a cruise 15 minutes from home to new ports so we are going to enjoy it and our Plat. "perks".

[Hawaiifrank]

I have a back-to-back-to-back, or B3B, cruise starting 28 Nov. The second day of the third week I'll have the points for Platinum. Do you think they'll grant me Platinum the first week or will they have me wait until the 3rd week?

 

It'd be nice to have the free laundry about the end of week 1. By the time week 3 starts we'll need all 3 bags for each of us. We do get 3 each, don't we?

[Bases5]

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.

 

We just got off the Conquest and the P&D party was great. 2 D and about 50 P You could not eat and drink fast enough. I love the change, It really moved up the list of perks for us

[Rock712]

I'm not sure where you have sailed from to have had that experience, we have sailed as Platinum on Pride out of Baltimore and multiple times on Victory out of Miami. In Miami, FTTF has their own check-in set up alongside regular check-in and Platinum has a separate lounge.

 

Plus, FREE laundry, and the card actually is prettier. :D

 

I think there is chocolate delight delivered to your stateroom on one day, as well as a Carnival Logo Gift on each sailing (YMMV with those).

 

And of course the VIFP party.

 

 

I truly see both sides of this coin. Platinum/Diamond is a perk that you've achieved through your loyalty to company , and you should see some extra's for it. We are working towards Platinum , still have a couple of cruises to go. On the other hand , we have purchased FTTF for our last two cruises , and already have purchased for our next cruise in April 2016. I am willing to pay the extra $$$ to have our room ready when we board and the priority off the ship at end of cruise. Priority on the ship really not that big of a deal as we usually arrive early and are in one of the first boarding groups anyway. On our last cruise out of Miami on the Splendor , we were directed to the Platinum/Diamond lounge to check-in. We were checking in at the same time as 2 other parties and when all three were finished we were all escorted by a Carnival rep to an elevator and then taken to the Platinum/Diamond lounge. All of the people in that lounge were then boarded at the same time. No separation between Platinum/Diamond and FTTF.

[Jana60]

We just got off the Conquest and the P&D party was great. 2 D and about 50 P You could not eat and drink fast enough. I love the change, It really moved up the list of perks for us

 

Since people are saying they won't even let you bring your boyfriend/husband with you and I'm the only one platinum in my family I have concerns about having to go to the party all by myself. When a room is very crowded it doesn't make too much difference because you do end up sitting with other people whether you want to or not but it's different when it's less crowded . Do the other passengers invite people who are alone to sit with them? Or do they just end up sitting there by themselves eating and drinking. To me that wouldn't be much of a party.