"Fast Track" Elite status

[Go-Bucks!]

Recently I was on the Caribbean Princess and talked separately with 2 women who each said that they were on their 3rd cruise with Princess and they were told on embarkation that they had been elevated to Elite status. After the first woman told this to me, I told my daughter (who was present) that the woman was either confused or lying because it takes 15 cruise credits or 150 sail days to become Elite. The next day another woman said the same thing. This woman said she spent alot of money in the casino and wondered if that had something to do with it.

 

Since I was really confused, I went and talked with the Captains Circle rep. She reluctantly admitted that about 18 mo. ago Carnival Corp. started a new policy on Princess where people who spend ALOT of money on the ship and/or on a Princess credit card (she said about $1,500/day) get into the new program called "Fast Track" Elite status! She said she didn't agree with it but couldn't do anything about it.

 

Anyone else heard about this? I can't remember reading anything about this on CC. :confused:

[fishywood]

Anyone else heard about this? Maybe I'm just ignorant, but I can't remember reading anything about this on CC. :confused:

 

The reason you read so little about it is that the vast majority of high rollers who are given a surfeit of under-the-table perks, or even comped cruises, from the casino provider(s) that have these deals with Carnival Corp know what "the first rule of fight club" is :halo:.

 

No clue how much those two ladies drop each night in the casino, but I doubt they win much if they can't keep their "tells" to themselves. :eek:

[neverbeenhere]

Let's see... spend many thousands in the casino and Princess will give you a few free drinks (they already get some free drinks for gambling), free laundry (never wash clothing as they are in the casino 24/7), expedited tender service (they don't leave the ship, need to sleep when the ship is in port, casino is closed). I'm not sure elite status is worth too much. (Snarky comment of the day)

 

 

Enjoy your cruising experiences.:evilsmile:

[GUT2407]

Probably paid a heck of a lot more than I have by cruising.

[timtrek]

This is the first I ever heard about a Fast Track to Elite. It would have been nice to know it was an option instead of it having been a "secret", although I dont think I would have chosen that way to make it to Elite - I enjoyed every one of the 15 cruises I took to get there.

[neverbeenhere]

There are a few gambling programs available on cruise ships. "M" life, Blue chip club (or something like that) and others, so I'm not surprised this is an option. A certain Princess/Celebrity cruiser from the Bay area might come and comment about these programs. Or they may not.

[ar1950]

I'm guessing that anyone who spends an adequate amount of money on a few cruises will make it a good business decision to give that person an honorarium of Elite status. If they make the extra money it makes sense for the corporation to give a "token" benefit for the money spent. Las Vegas has long made extra accommodations for "whales".

[Lucky TGO]

This is the first I ever heard about a Fast Track to Elite. It would have been nice to know it was an option instead of it having been a "secret", although I dont think I would have chosen that way to make it to Elite - I enjoyed every one of the 15 cruises I took to get there.

 

I totally agree with you. :D :D

Tony

[framer]

There is no gambling on any Princess ships, just a hole you throw your money in... Call it a wishing well... My "Snarky comment of the day".

 

framer

[JEH]

A Nevada casino executive who was a client once told me " There are only two types of people walking out of a casino , liars or losers "

[Mr Princess]

If you do 1 round world cruise (104 days) & 1 round Pacific cruise (75 days) you qualify for Elite status after only 2 cruises......not hard!

MP.

 

 

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[SadieN]

5 one day solo suite cruises would also get you Elite.

A few years back Princess couldn't give the short cruises out of LA away. These were put on 'fire sale'. (Cheap and your fare was credited to a longer cruise.) Plenty of pax were booking b2b2b to do the run up to Elite.

[Micahs Grandad]

If you do 1 round world cruise (104 days) & 1 round Pacific cruise (75 days) you qualify for Elite status after only 2 cruises......not hard!

MP.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

 

What a great idea:)

[ian441672]

This happened to us. We were Ruby, had just completed our last cruise as Ruby, and was about to board as Platinum for our new cruise when I received a letter at check in. I didn't realise what it was until I opened the envelope in our room, and we were very excited.

 

To give some concept of how much we spent, our first 3 cruises were on mini suites, our next cruise was a full suite, and the next 2 we had book (for future, including the one we were just joining) were also full suites - all for 2 week + cruises, which did involve some money spend! I am not saying if it is right or wrong, but I was grateful for it - they have us now, we get the benefits, and while we can afford it, we will always book full suites.

 

I guess it is a win / win, perhaps unfair for others, but I can see why they did it as a commercial business, as their outlay in the upgrade is negligible, and ours is substantial! We were told to keep it quiet, and you are the first one I have told :)

 

...it was almost 3 years ago now though....

[pro76]

This just happened last month on the Regal for my mother. After 30 years of cruising, our next cruise we will become elite. My mother on the other hand, became elite on her third cruise. The year before she dropped 2 grand at the spa on the Regal. I thought it must have been a mistake but maybe they felt sorry she blew a ton of dough on acupuncture for a sprained ankle!

[dockhl]

We have friends who are Elite who brought another couple with them on a cruise last year---they had no suites, 26 cruise days, 3 cruises, 7,7 and 12 days. No big casino spending....and they were "Fast Tracked" at check-in. They are now Elite.

 

 

I have to say it makes the rest of us earning loyalty rewards the long way a little cranky. :mad:

[Woobstr112G]

We got a slight acceleration to Elite. Our last cruise (CB Iceland/Norway T/A 2016) was supposed to be our elite qualifying cruise. When we were checking in at the Southampton terminal, we found out we were elevated to elite at the beginning of the cruise instead at the end. While I didn't dump a bunch of money at the Casino, (actually hit a jackpot that included a 1099 on this cruise:D) , I did spend $$$$ on both booking suites (to get the double credits) and also in Facets.....:):):)

 

Bob

[beg3yrs]

I suppose that contrary to all those people who say there are too many Elites, Princess doesn't seem to think so.

[azbirdmom]

I suppose that contrary to all those people who say there are too many Elites, Princess doesn't seem to think so.

 

 

I was thinking the same thing!

[Jeter02]

Personally, I feel accomplished with a since of pride, knowing I earn my Elite status the old school way, of actually taking all the cruises. Doesn't seem fair, if you're a big spender, they accelerate your loyalty status. The only spending you will see me doing, is the spending of purchasing all my AWESOME cruises I get to go on. I also find it ridiculous they give you a full cruise credit for a 3 day cruise. So those who think they are out smarting the system by taking multiple cruises and or staying in suites giving them double the credits, whereas I am here taking 7 days or more and receiving the same amount of the 1-2 cruise credits in a cabin smaller than a suite. What to do.

[Selion]

$1500 a day to fast track to Elite? That's $10500 for a 7-days cruise. Not worth it if you are just doing it for the status. Still nice perks if you are not expecting them.

[grapau27]

We are Elite on Princess,we have cruised with them 3 times but our P&O cruises gave us Elite status on Princess.

 

43 cruises and counting.

[Thrak]

It's all in my signature line... :cool:

[Jeter02]

It's all in my signature line... :cool:

 

LOVE IT THRAK!!!!

 

I was so excited when I reached the elite status. Grant you it took several cruises after to give in to use the free laundry service, out fear something would get ruined. Must say, besides all the free bottles of water in the mini bar, the laundry is an awesome perk. Clean everything before disembarkation, and don;t have to worry about it when you get home. They do a fantastic job on their service.

 

Now that I completed the goal of elite status pretty quickly (the joys of port everglades in my backyard), my next major goal is to be come the youngest most traveled passenger onboard. That's is what I am currently having fun trying to accomplish. :)

[USNUZULOOSE]

I will never make elite. Oh well.