Past Cruiser Party

[chestnut]

I remember on our first Carnival cruise a party going on and hearing it was for those who cruised with Carnival before. Our second Carnival cruise ( Liberty) is 1/06....so do they still do this and if so, what do they do and is it worth going to? Thanks!

[jleq]

You should get an invitation in your cabin. It's similar to the Captain's Cocktail Party[free drinks/music]. The Past Cruiser Party will generally be held the night after your first "Formal Night"

[tef43]

You should get an invitation in your cabin. It's similar to the Captain's Cocktail Party[free drinks/music]. The Past Cruiser Party will generally be held the night after your first "Formal Night"

Not necessarily. The scheduling varies from ship to ship, depending on itinerary. The last two that I attended were mid-afternoon after an early port sailaway.

[Cotton]

Chestnut - Yes, the Past Guest party is worth going to. They're held on all cruises five nights or longer. You'll receive an invitation in your cabin, and hand over your invitation as you enter the party. (They draw names from the invitations for bottles of champagne.)

 

There's never a set time or place for the party. A cruise director told me that they will vary on each cruise; they decide after the ship sails when and where to have the party.

 

It's a nice little party. The Captain and cruise director will be in attendance, as well as a band or combo playing. A short 'history of Carnival' will be shown - which is interesting. Comp cocktails and hors d'oeuvres. It's certainly worth the approx. 45 min. to an hour.:)

[Sharon2U]

Is this a dress up affair? Dining room attire but not formal?

[dms_cruisers04]

I'd say that depends on when the party is scheduled.

We've had a few that were right before our dinner time, as we usually do early, so we were dressed for dinner. But for those that had later dining times, they were dressed in their bumming around the ship before I have to get ready clothes.

[SeaSick]

On our last cruise everyone was dressed as if it was formal night. Others might of had different experiences. Also dancing on the stage was very popular.

[big_duck]

On our last cruise everyone was dressed as if it was formal night. Others might of had different experiences. Also dancing on the stage was very popular.

 

Ours too, but then it was a formal night. Our invitation specified the required attire (Smart casual).

[Valor2005]

So they have a Past Cruisers Party AND a Captain's Party?? On our last cruise we only knew about one of these. Think it must have been the PC one as we received an invite and pins. How do you know where and when the CP is and is it open to everyone?

[Valor2005]

So they have a Past Cruisers Party AND a Captain's Party?? On our last cruise we only knew about one of these. Think it must have been the PC one as we received an invite and pins. How do you know where and when the CP is and is it open to everyone?

[jeanneful]

If you have someone in your cabin that is NOT a past cruiser can they come with you to the party?

[serene56]

You need your invitation to get in the doors. Everyone in our party wsa past cruisers excpet one person and he was told he couldnt come in. he went to the casino instead.

 

The party is not advertised anywhere so regular cruisers will not know that its being held.

[cheshyrkat]

So they have a Past Cruisers Party AND a Captain's Party?? On our last cruise we only knew about one of these. Think it must have been the PC one as we received an invite and pins. How do you know where and when the CP is and is it open to everyone?

 

The Captain's Party is open to everyone and it will be announced in the Capers.

[cheshyrkat]

Everyone in our party wsa past cruisers excpet one person and he was told he couldnt come in. he went to the casino instead.

 

Wow, when I sailed with a first time cruiser I was welcomed to bring her!

[gjules]

Wow, when I sailed with a first time cruiser I was welcomed to bring her!

 

I wondered about this as well. I'm cruising with my dm and dd and really didn't want to go to the past cruise party alone :o

[NJCONVCRS]

On my recent Victory Cruise, the Past Guest Party was held from 7:15 to 8:00. Couldn't tell you what took place, or if they gave out any champagne since the timing perfectly coincinded with my dinner, and probably the dinner of half of the possible attendees. Seems like a great way to act liek your inviting people to a party, but you know they won't come - keeps the costs down.

 

When I called to ask if there were two, one for the early and one for the late seatings, I was told now, and later received a preprinted form letter appologizing for any inconvenience and thanks for choosing Carnival. Guess I'll never find out what goes on at a past guest party.

 

BTW - The invitation said Dress: Smart Casual

[serene56]

Wow, when I sailed with a first time cruiser I was welcomed to bring her!

 

Was that in 1999 or 2005?

 

 

today-- i think you have to show your sign and sail card to enter. a new cruier will have a blue one.

 

I guess it all depends on the ship and the Cruise director.

[mathgal]

On my recent Victory Cruise, the Past Guest Party was held from 7:15 to 8:00. Couldn't tell you what took place, or if they gave out any champagne since the timing perfectly coincinded with my dinner, and probably the dinner of half of the possible attendees. Seems like a great way to act liek your inviting people to a party, but you know they won't come - keeps the costs down.

 

When I called to ask if there were two, one for the early and one for the late seatings, I was told now, and later received a preprinted form letter appologizing for any inconvenience and thanks for choosing Carnival. Guess I'll never find out what goes on at a past guest party.

 

BTW - The invitation said Dress: Smart Casual

 

Same thing happened to us on our 2004 cruise on the Paradise. Afterwards I filled out one of the comment cards left in the cabin and mentioned what bad timing this was. The next day we had a letter slipped under our door apologizing and told us we should come to the Purser's desk for a free bottle of champaigne (which we did.) The girl at the Purser's desk acted surprised when I showed her the letter so not sure if they really meant to give us the champaigne or not (but she did.)

 

This past August we had the early (5:45) seating on the Victory so it was a bit easier to make it to the party at 7:15. This time we were sailing with our 3 sons and daughter-in-law. Our DIL was a past guest so she took our son (who was a first time cruiser) and no one said a thing. I asked about this at the Purser's desk and was told "sure...he can come!" My other two sons thought they should get to go also but I didn't think it was right that they should be there.

[Cotton]

So they have a Past Cruisers Party AND a Captain's Party?? On our last cruise we only knew about one of these. Think it must have been the PC one as we received an invite and pins. How do you know where and when the CP is and is it open to everyone?

 

The Captain's Welcome Aboard Party is held on the second night of your cruise - formal night. Everybody knows about this party, as it's announced in the Capers and several times during the day.

 

The Past Guest Party is never announced anywhere, as it's a private party for past guests. It should be for past guests only. We have 'earned' this privilege, and first-time cruisers will have their chance to go to the party on their next cruise (provided it's a 5 night or longer cruise).;)

[NJCONVCRS]

mathgal - we had the 6:15 dinner, so making the Past Guest party was not really an option for us. Nothing was offered to us other than that generic apology. Not a big deal, but I don't understand the concept of a thank you party for repeat customers at a time that is almost impossible for a large percentage of them. Doesn't seem like good customer service to me. I would rather have not known about it, then I wouldn't feel like I missed something.

[mathgal]

mathgal - we had the 6:15 dinner, so making the Past Guest party was not really an option for us. Nothing was offered to us other than that generic apology. Not a big deal, but I don't understand the concept of a thank you party for repeat customers at a time that is almost impossible for a large percentage of them. Doesn't seem like good customer service to me. I would rather have not known about it, then I wouldn't feel like I missed something.

 

Exactly the way we felt on the Paradise. We also had the 6:15 dinner so did not want to rush through the meal and get up and leave our friends who were first time cruisers. An afternoon party would have been much nicer in my opinion.

 

After attending I realize the party isn't really anything all that special. We aren't big drinkers so next time I wouldn't care if I attended or not.

[deborahjo]

I will not miss one. Where else on a cruise can you drink free booze for a solid hour and eat all the canapee' you want. I just love them.

[cheshyrkat]

Was that in 1999 or 2005?

 

 

today-- i think you have to show your sign and sail card to enter. a new cruier will have a blue one.

 

I guess it all depends on the ship and the Cruise director.

 

serene: That was this past September on Conquest. Things do tend to vary from ship to ship so I wouldn't be suprised!

[Boitexan]

There were 12 couples in our group on the Sensation in June. Exactly half were past cruisers and the other half were first timers. One of our past cruisers called someone after they received their invitation to the party and explained about our group being half past cruisers and half first timers. He was told that each person with an invitation could bring a first time cruiser. All 24 of us went and had a great time. Actually, no one really looked at the invitations. Going in looked alot like a receiving line at a wedding. I'm quite sure we could have just walked in and no one would have questioned any of us. The place was jumping. This party was much, much better than the Captains party.

[cruzzza]

I also think that it's lousy that 4 day cruises don't have past passenger parties. I don't think it should be about cost - there are lots of 4 day cruises that cost just as much or more than the 5 day ones. I would guess they (4 day) are probably more popular because it's easier to take a long weekend for working folks. Carnival does so little for it's past guests as it is. I would also be upset if they scheduled it during dinner. I will be cruising for the first time since they introduced the color-coded S&S cards. What's the point? Do we get better service or something if our card is a certain color? That hardly seems fair.

 

On a positive not, the one past guest party I have been to was very good. The alcohol flowed freely and they had some kind of grilled (?) shrimp that was awesome!