Too many Platinum / Diamond

[IntrepidFromDC]

12 hours ago, DANCING GRANDMOMMY said:

What is a premier party?

 

https://cclpromos.com/carnivalplayersclub/premier/

[IPlayWithString]

14 hours ago, firemanbobswife said:

I don't know, as far back as I can remember we've had to be out of cabins by 8:30AM. They can make everyone get off early if they wanted to. I think it has to do with the room stewards having more and more cabins to clean so it takes longer. And with all the Diamonds/Platinums/FTTFs having their cabins ready as promised upon arrival, it's getting harder and harder to deliver. 

Just because they're SUPPOSED to be out of their cabins by 8:30 doesn't mean they WILL be. We always are, because we want to debark as soon as possible to get on the road for the drive home (about 5-6 hrs depending on how things go). I've heard stories (and read them here on CC) about people saying "Oh they're just SAYING they want you out at 8:30..you can actually stay until 10-11 am and they won't kick you out unless they HAVE to.". Things like that. 

[cruzincat50]

21 hours ago, bury me at sea said:

 

Oh yay!  I can dream of one day being Aluminum!

 

Thank goodness I don't cruise for the perks.  I enjoy sailing out of Galveston and for me Carnival offers a good value for money spent.

 

 

I am holding out for transparent aluminum.

[cruzincat50]

As long as I am able to drop off my carryons and stow them in one of the closets, I will stay happy.  I think John Heald responded to someone on a cruise where they emailed everyone that the cabins would not be available until later than usual, that this would be the case.

[firemanbobswife]

3 minutes ago, cruzincat50 said:

As long as I am able to drop off my carryons and stow them in one of the closets, I will stay happy.  I think John Heald responded to someone on a cruise where they emailed everyone that the cabins would not be available until later than usual, that this would be the case.

With the S&S cards being in the mailboxes when the cabin is ready, you won't be able to drop your stuff off in the closet. This system prevents this very thing keeping people out of the hallways and out of the RS way so they can get their work done.

[cruzincat50]

10 hours ago, firemanbobswife said:

With the S&S cards being in the mailboxes when the cabin is ready, you won't be able to drop your stuff off in the closet. This system prevents this very thing keeping people out of the hallways and out of the RS way so they can get their work done.

In September on the Pride out of Baltimore, they were still giving us the cards at checkin in the terminal.  Hopefully they will still be doing that next Sunday.

[jimbo5544]

9 hours ago, cruzincat50 said:

In September on the Pride out of Baltimore, they were still giving us the cards at checkin in the terminal.  Hopefully they will still be doing that next Sunday.

Tjeyy are converting all home ports over to having cards outside your cabin.  It is a significant enhancement over the old process and saves time for everyone (staff and cruisers).

Edited October 29, 2018 by jimbo5544

[evandbob]

Why not just give out early check in times to those who has early cabin access?  Let those who aren't priority check in and board at later time windows?

 

If a particular cruise has "too many" P&D and FTTF's (and possibly casino fares) on it, then just delay the whole process by an hour and start boarding later?

 

By continuing to allow early check ins of 10:30 or 11AM for anyone, Carnival creates their own boarding madness.

[jimbo5544]

2 minutes ago, evandbob said:

Why not just give out early check in times to those who has early cabin access?  Let those who aren't priority check in and board at later time windows?

 

If a particular cruise has "too many" P&D and FTTF's (and possibly casino fares) on it, then just delay the whole process by an hour and start boarding later?

 

By continuing to allow early check ins of 10:30 or 11AM for anyone, Carnival creates their own boarding madness.

This is not the first time they have done that.  I suspect I know how this will work out (kind of a hybrid of rumors here) but will wait till it all unfolds.  Your suggestion would keep everyone happy,

[mizLORInj]

Wait, can we go back to MSC matching your Carnival tier?  How does this work if you're platinum on Carnival?

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While I appreciate Carnival's platinum perks, they don't keep me cruising only Carnival.  There are other very nice ships out there and I enjoy variety.    

[SwordBlazer Cruising]

The one thing that the cruise lines do better than the hotels is they do not GIVE AWAY their status as the hotels do with challenges, credit card offers etc. As far as I am aware, each level is earned by us paying. So kudos to the cruiselines for not diluting their loyalty program like the hotels and airlines do.

[evandbob]

31 minutes ago, mizLORInj said:

Wait, can we go back to MSC matching your Carnival tier?  How does this work if you're platinum on Carnival?

------------------------------------------

While I appreciate Carnival's platinum perks, they don't keep me cruising only Carnival.  There are other very nice ships out there and I enjoy variety.    

We just cruised the brand new MSC Seaside, where we matched our Carnival Diamond and Platinum to MSC's top tier Black and Gold cards.  With Black Card, I got most of the same Carnival Diamond perks except free laundry.  They gave me a free specialty dinner meal along with several free drink perks as well.

Just use the MSC link to provide proof of your cruise line or hotel loyalty status and you may get a reply well before your sail date.

[sc4125]

On ‎10‎/‎27‎/‎2018 at 11:51 AM, tallnthensome said:

Of course people will do what they want and spend their money how they want. We've both sailed the MSC Seaside. They status match Carnival and you also said it was the most beautiful ship you have ever been on. I agree with this. My point is that there are many missing out and are simply too scared or to loyal to Carnival to step out of their comfort zone and experience it by taking a chance. 

 

I don't think you can assume that a person choosing to stay with what they like is due to them being simply too scared or too loyal to Carnival.  I am Platinum and have a long history with CCL - as a passenger & a crewmember, but the main reason I stay with them now is because I get great casino rates (I know, I know - I pay for those rates with the $$ I spend in the casino - so, no need to tell me that).  I am spending the same amount of $$ in the casino as I did before I started getting the great rates, so though I wouldn't mind giving another line a try or two, right now I just can't get myself to pay full rate. 

 

I'm sure that I will look at something different in the next few years now that it's basically me and my sister cruising most of the time now - our kids are grown and don't cruise with us as much as they use to.  But, if not, I'm perfectly satisfied with my cruise experience and trust me, I'm not scared to try something new.

 

 

[NavarreCruiser]

23 hours ago, cruzincat50 said:

I am holding out for transparent aluminum.

 

You have got to talk to Scotty.

[PhillyFan33579]

4 hours ago, evandbob said:

Why not just give out early check in times to those who has early cabin access?  Let those who aren't priority check in and board at later time windows?

 

If a particular cruise has "too many" P&D and FTTF's (and possibly casino fares) on it, then just delay the whole process by an hour and start boarding later?

 

By continuing to allow early check ins of 10:30 or 11AM for anyone, Carnival creates their own boarding madness.

 

When I was at the D&P party on Magic this Summer, someone brought up that exact point when several of us were talking with a few ship officers.  I thought that was a great idea when I heard it then and think the same way now after reading your post.  It shouldn’t be too difficult for Carnival to adjust boarding times for each cruise based on the number of passengers, the number of D&Ps, the number of FTTFs, etc.  I also like your idea to delay boarding if there are too many D&Ps on the cruise, which happens frequently on journey cruises and when a new ship starts sailing from the states. 

 

Assuming a big part of the issue is there are too many Platinums, one option, which I know a lot of people would not like, is to raise the number of days to reach Platinum. They did this in the past so I could see Carnival doing it again. If they did something like this, I would think they would implement it similar to last time where people who were already Platinum stayed Platinum and they gave passengers time to get in 10 cruises before changing to the 75 days criteria. 

Edited October 29, 2018 by PhillyFan33579

[firefly333]

On 10/27/2018 at 5:54 PM, firemanbobswife said:

 

 

Oh wait, I know - Platinums (and Diamonds if they don’t nix it for them too) will get a discount on FTTF/cabin ready upon arrival. What a favor they will be doing us then lol!

 

You mean like the only perks they give to suites are the same as the perks I already get?

 

Oddly enough I have gotten a suite on RCL but not Carnival, hmmmm

Edited October 30, 2018 by firefly333

[BlerkOne]

10 hours ago, evandbob said:

Why not just give out early check in times to those who has early cabin access?  Let those who aren't priority check in and board at later time windows?

 

 

Lots of priority passengers don't arrive at the terminal at the crack of dawn and have no need for early check in or early cabon availability. For example, those driving in the day of the cruise.

[firemanbobswife]

5 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

 

You mean like the only perks they give to suites are the same as the perks I already get?

 

Oddly enough I have gotten a suite on RCL but not Carnival, hmmmm

I think suites get an extra bottle of water, guaranteed dinner preference (which Diamonds but not Platinums get), and to pay more in gratuities. That's all I can think of off the top of my head. If there are more I'm sure someone will chime in. Suites don't get the dedicated GS line, priority luggage delivery, or their cabin ready upon boarding. So yeah, if you're D/P having a suite isn't anything extra special as far as perks.

[BlerkOne]

8 hours ago, evandbob said:

We just cruised the brand new MSC Seaside, where we matched our Carnival Diamond and Platinum to MSC's top tier Black and Gold cards.  With Black Card, I got most of the same Carnival Diamond perks except free laundry.  They gave me a free specialty dinner meal along with several free drink perks as well.

Just use the MSC link to provide proof of your cruise line or hotel loyalty status and you may get a reply well before your sail date.

 

If you haven't completed a MSC cruise at least once every three years, your status disappears and you get to start over. Carnival status doesn't expire. Yet.

[IPlayWithString]

7 hours ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

 

 

Assuming a big part of the issue is there are too many Platinums, one option, which I know a lot of people would not like, is to raise the number of days to reach Platinum. They did this in the past so I could see Carnival doing it again.

I would certainly hope they'd leave those who were already Platinum at that level. Because if they didn't, we would be..well..I can't say it because there might be preschoolers reading this. But I would not be a happy girl.

[Thorncroft]

On 10/26/2018 at 8:04 PM, Cobrakev said:

And how did they give you those loyalty perks? Just ask for them?

 

MSC will match your status from any cruise line. Yes, just ask for it. 

[wytygr8]

On 10/25/2018 at 11:55 PM, Joebucks said:

If you enjoy cruising Carnival, then why would you leave? P/D perks only sweeten the pot

 

For the same reason I don’t always go to the same restaurant.

[cruzincat50]

23 hours ago, evandbob said:

Why not just give out early check in times to those who has early cabin access?  Let those who aren't priority check in and board at later time windows?

 

If a particular cruise has "too many" P&D and FTTF's (and possibly casino fares) on it, then just delay the whole process by an hour and start boarding later?

 

By continuing to allow early check ins of 10:30 or 11AM for anyone, Carnival creates their own boarding madness.

One problem with that idea is that some people book more than one cruise in advance.  Happened to us. We had our cruise that starts next week booked since June of 2017.  We booked another cruise for this past September afterward.  That cruise gave us enough points to turn Platinum for the cruise next week. If we didn't already have an early boarding time, we could get on earlier. I guess we booked early enough that it is not an issue, but if we had booked in June of 2018, we would have been stuck with a later boarding time with your idea.

[evandbob]

13 hours ago, BlerkOne said:

 

If you haven't completed a MSC cruise at least once every three years, your status disappears and you get to start over. Carnival status doesn't expire. Yet.

For us, that won't be a problem.  Of our 5 or 6 cruises a year, it'll be easy to pick at least 1 MSC.  We're leaning towards the Seaview or Divinia next year.

[cruzincat50]

13 hours ago, BlerkOne said:

 

If you haven't completed a MSC cruise at least once every three years, your status disappears and you get to start over. Carnival status doesn't expire. Yet.

But, if they still have status matching, can't you just get it back that way, if your membership has expired with MSC?