Benefit of being Platinum?

[bobsfamily]

All of the people in that lounge were then boarded at the same time. No separation between Platinum/Diamond and FTTF.

 

When there are not many P/D and the number of FTTF sold are low I could see this happening.

[Bases5]

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.

 

I cannot speak for others but we would. We are not old but in our 50's. When we went there was a very old couple sitting by themselves. I told my wife let go say hi. Turned out to be a very nice couple in there 90's on there first cruise.

They were very interesting and we have now invited them to our home in 2 weeks. They have out lived there children, (so sad) I'm so happy we meet them and wish it had been earlier on the cruise.

 

Side note. When me and DW went I just showed them my card, They did not ask to see her's.

YMMV

[FlyingCruiserNJ]

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?

 

Some people have mentioned it in this thread but for me, boarding first, priority debark, first choice of dinner time in mdr, LAUNDRY, etc. Things like not waiting to check in when you get to the ship is something you kind of take for granted when you sail other lines and have to wait forever with everyone else to check in and board. I still suspect that they give upgrades at the last minute to those with platinum and diamond status also so that matters some. Things like free drink coupon are nice but not a deal breaker. I know fttf gets most of this also now but not everything and I enjoy the perks of having some frequent cruiser status. And yes, I know platinum pax generally get more perks on other lines but I am not near platinum on any other lines so....

 

But the confidence that I can be onboard 15 minutes after showing up to the port and being able to get off the ship first to catch an early flight home is a big thing. As I said, the other things I listed are very important also.

[funinthesun1964]

I love the free laundry, we send our workout clothes and others that will not likely fade or shrink.

 

As far as priority boarding, I don't really care if I'm absolutely the first one on, but it is certainly nice not to have to wait. We have always arrived at the ports early anyway, so never had that much of a wait once boarding had begun.

 

I will say that the luggage did not arrive any earlier being a Plat. I was hoping to get all unpacked before muster last cruise (Liberty Mar. '15), but the luggage was not there until just before dinner time.

 

I do enjoy the VIFP party and think it will be even better with a smaller crowd.

 

The other perks are okay, but I just really love cruising!

[The4Cruisers]

Not to sidetrack the thread, but how does Carnival actually "do" the Platinum laundry?

 

Is your stuff thrown into a mesh bag and washed with everyone elses stuff? Or is it washed separately?

[bassmaster150]

So here is my $.02......We are Platinum on Carnival, and other than the free laundry, there is really not much to being Platinum on Carnival. I mean, is laundry really free when you paid like $30,000 for the cruises to get there? No...but in all honesty, we didn't really cruise just to get to Platinum. We have memories that will last us a lifetime that were part of that process. Now we are currently about to be Platinum on Princess, and will also make their Elite level shortly as well.....they do have some more perks like free internet, and other things...but again...those perks are not the reason why we cruise. We do it for the experience, and the memories that will last a lifetime

[Bases5]

Not to sidetrack the thread, but how does Carnival actually "do" the Platinum laundry?

 

Is your stuff thrown into a mesh bag and washed with everyone elses stuff? Or is it washed separately?

 

I'm pretty sure both. It's put into its own mesh bag and washed as a group of bags

[Jana60]

Side note. When me and DW went I just showed them my card, They did not ask to see her's.

YMMV

 

I actually had sort of thought about having my boyfriend hold the invitation and just wearing my Platinum card on a lanyard around my neck to see if they would even ask. I know there's a lot of people who would bust my chops for saying this.

[KCRUZ1977]

I became platinum on my last cruise and the minute I walked up to my first Carnival employee he welcomed me aboard as a platinum guest. Then I made it to the next person she checked my passport said welcome aboard MS. Grant thank you for being Platinum member go right through this line. The two people that were with me and myself walk straight up to the security line, and and went straight to our cabin that was ready. I did receive the bottles of water I received a cookie platter one night. Chocolate covered strawberries and champagne one night. The free laundry was great! I loved the reception for platinum and Diamond guests. It defiantly made me feel more special than before they changed it.(BONUS- DID YOU KNOW THAT DURING THE RECEPTION YOU CAN ASK THE BARTENDERS TO MAKE ANY KIND OF DRINK YOU'D LIKE AND THEY WILL?? Not just the premade drink they are carrying around. I love the mudslide and I think I had them make me 3. Also... If you can carry it you can take as many drink.as you like with you.) I was aboard the Carnival Sunshine. By 11:30 am and it was really nice to feel special and to get rewards for being a loyal guest.