VIFP Platinum and Diamond Guest Update letter

[lennythenose]

I just went back and checked and this is the email I received on June 24. My cruise is in October. 

[BlerkOne]

I never got a letter and I've already cruised. Cruise again in a few weeks.

[skrufy]

6 hours ago, Honolulu Blue said:

Did my fellow high-status Carnival members get this letter from Christine Duffy?  I couldn't find any discussion on it, but then again it might have been swarmed by discussion of other subjects in the past day.

 

Anyway, the letter lists several items that P&D members should be aware of, and that we've mostly discussed already in scattered threads:

 

• Pick up the brunch beverage in the MDR
• Pick up the freebie bottled water (1.5 liters!) at any bar
• Request the chocolate delight from room service to have it delivered
• Pick up the logo gift and ship pin at the photo gallery
• Online check-in starts 2 days early for us
• Please arrive promptly for your selected appointment time; your Plat/Diamond card won't help you if you arrive early
• Staterooms may not be ready early, but you can always drop off your luggage and scoot
• Water shuttle priority may vary based on port and their local guidance
• No casino tournaments, but all P&D members are given $25 in Casino FunPlay
• Priority disembarkation may not be available if there are too many P&D passengers

If it were not for this community I would not see half the e-mails from Carnival. I didn’t get this letter either.

[fresnel468]

Cruise in 11 days and no letter/email on Platinum/Diamond modifications.  Did receive an email today and buried amongst the Steakhouse promo and "don't forget your flip flops" static was a link to learn more "Our Commitments to Health, Safety and Fun Vacation" in which was described the major protocol changes upcoming.   This is the only information I've received about the change in protocols directly from Carnival.

 

 

 

Really disappointed in Carnival and the lazy communications of these major changes (at least to me).   I'm sure there will be a few if not many showing up at embarkation without a clue about the changes. 

[Honolulu Blue]

Thanks everyone.  I haven't got a full read on who this communication went out to, but the replies have been interesting nevertheless.

[BlerkOne]

3 hours ago, fresnel468 said:

Cruise in 11 days and no letter/email on Platinum/Diamond modifications.  Did receive an email today and buried amongst the Steakhouse promo and "don't forget your flip flops" static was a link to learn more "Our Commitments to Health, Safety and Fun Vacation" in which was described the major protocol changes upcoming.   This is the only information I've received about the change in protocols directly from Carnival.

 

 

 

Really disappointed in Carnival and the lazy communications of these major changes (at least to me).   I'm sure there will be a few if not many showing up at embarkation without a clue about the changes. 

The covid changes are not new. It is a passenger responsibility to read the ticket contract and likely is still part of the check-in process. The ticket contract points to the protocols.

 

In any event, by the time you are P/D you should know your job.

 

As for P/D changes, your room steward or guest services can help you locate your treasures.  

[BlerkOne]

Carnival Loyalty Program Terms and Conditions - they change so everyone should read occasionally because they do change. I noticed a partial update for Covid. What happens after August???

 

https://www.carnival.com/vifp/terms-and-conditions

 

IMPORTANT NOTE: For sailings through August 2021 – Given our focus on meeting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) requirements and implementation of new health and safety protocols, we will need to adjust how we deliver some of the VIFP priority benefits, as follows:

• PRIORITY CHECK-IN & BOARDING – Platinum and Diamond guests will now be given 48 hours advance access to select their preferred Arrival Appointment while completing their Online Check-In. A boarding zone will be assigned based on guest's Arrival Appointment.
• WATER SHUTTLE PRIORITY – Priority water shuttle debark will be provided subject to local guidance at the destinations we visit, which may change without prior notice.
• CASINO – We are currently unable to host casino tournaments on board and guests will be given US $25 in Casino FunPlay^®.
• DEBARK – We will do our best to offer priority debarkation, however, this may not be possible if we have unusually high numbers of Platinum and Diamond guests on board.

[KenNBarbie]

BACK2BACK

 

Anyone else doing the sailing on the 26th? That roll call is not very active. Only 5 days on a cruise just isn't enough, especially given it's been 18 months without any Vitamin SEA.

 

The fine print says B2B cruisers will be tested between sailings. I have to believe we will be tested onboard. Should be interesting how that all plays out.

 

Given the COVID restrictions in the Bahamas,  most likely we'll stay onboard in Nassau & Bimini. Too bad, never been to Bimini.  Undecided about HMC. Flexible given we repeated Nassau & HMC the following week. 

[LRDR01]

21 hours ago, JaniceB said:

I did not get it either and we cruise end of October.  Didn't realize we could drop off luggage and scoot.  I had not seen this anywhere before.  One thing I just saw on my planner was the ability to buy FTTF.  I find this a little annoying if Platinum and Diamond are not being granted early boarding. 

We sailed on the Breeze a couple of weeks ago.  We are Platinum and tried getting to our cabin to drop off some stuff after we boarded.  No Go....   They had staff at every door leading to the cabins and would not let us pass.  Not a huge big deal, but, it would have been nice to drop and go.  We were able to get to our cabin around 12:30pm when they had most of the luggage moved to outside the cabins.

[GonzoWCS]

18 hours ago, jus4fun said:

This is good to know.

Agreed and thanks!

[blondie444]

2 hours ago, LRDR01 said:

We sailed on the Breeze a couple of weeks ago.  We are Platinum and tried getting to our cabin to drop off some stuff after we boarded.  No Go....   They had staff at every door leading to the cabins and would not let us pass.  Not a huge big deal, but, it would have been nice to drop and go.  We were able to get to our cabin around 12:30pm when they had most of the luggage moved to outside the cabins.

Not sure if the OPs email is wrong or they read it wrong. The website says that Platinum/Diamond won't have early access to cabins like you experienced. 

[ScottsSweetie]

12 hours ago, BlerkOne said:

Carnival Loyalty Program Terms and Conditions - they change so everyone should read occasionally because they do change. I noticed a partial update for Covid. What happens after August???

 

https://www.carnival.com/vifp/terms-and-conditions

 

IMPORTANT NOTE: For sailings through August 2021 – Given our focus on meeting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) requirements and implementation of new health and safety protocols, we will need to adjust how we deliver some of the VIFP priority benefits, as follows:

• PRIORITY CHECK-IN & BOARDING – Platinum and Diamond guests will now be given 48 hours advance access to select their preferred Arrival Appointment while completing their Online Check-In. A boarding zone will be assigned based on guest's Arrival Appointment.
• WATER SHUTTLE PRIORITY – Priority water shuttle debark will be provided subject to local guidance at the destinations we visit, which may change without prior notice.
• CASINO – We are currently unable to host casino tournaments on board and guests will be given US $25 in Casino FunPlay^®.
• DEBARK – We will do our best to offer priority debarkation, however, this may not be possible if we have unusually high numbers of Platinum and Diamond guests on board.

Despite this reading through August, I do have the extra 48 hours for check-in for my 9/4 cruise.

[sailingships]

34 minutes ago, ScottsSweetie said:

Despite this reading through August, I do have the extra 48 hours for check-in for my 9/4 cruise.

I have the 16 day window for my Sept 2023 cruise too.

[ChrisNCruiser]

On Wednesday at 12:01 AM E.S.T., we completed our 16 day check-in for our Aug 21 cruise on the Magic and smugly high-fived each other for scoring boarding group A01. That said, there are so many cabins still available for that sailing that we're wondering if there's even gonna be a boarding group A02 🤣.

[AtSeaWithChris]

15 hours ago, BlerkOne said:

In any event, by the time you are P/D you should know your job.

 

14 hours ago, BlerkOne said:

What happens after August???

You should know by now that they will either extend it, change it, or go back to business as usual. 

[AtSeaWithChris]

2 hours ago, blondie444 said:

Not sure if the OPs email is wrong or they read it wrong. The website says that Platinum/Diamond won't have early access to cabins like you experienced. 

John said people could drop off their stuff if P/D

[Jasonsterling]

23 hours ago, Lizc7gb said:

No email for new protocols or platinum and I cruise on the breeze on the 21st. 

Same here- on the Breeze the 21st and no policy change email or this Platinum update. Maybe it doesn't count for us- lol. No masks! No tests! Actually I worry for people not into social media without knowledge of the policy change. I expect a lot of unhappy people showing up on the 14th and 21st without an antigen test and unable to board. 

[Jasonsterling]

19 hours ago, fresnel468 said:

Cruise in 11 days and no letter/email on Platinum/Diamond modifications.  Did receive an email today and buried amongst the Steakhouse promo and "don't forget your flip flops" static was a link to learn more "Our Commitments to Health, Safety and Fun Vacation" in which was described the major protocol changes upcoming.   This is the only information I've received about the change in protocols directly from Carnival.

 

 

 

Really disappointed in Carnival and the lazy communications of these major changes (at least to me).   I'm sure there will be a few if not many showing up at embarkation without a clue about the changes. 

It is lazy and it is disappointing. It's a mass email- it shouldn't be that hard to get it out to people, especially when the ships aren't even full. Still, the port day ***** show of people who weren't informed is on Carnival and it's their mess if it comes to that but you have to wonder what their end game is when they don't let you know about a change that denies you boarding and you don't find out til you get to the port. 

[Honolulu Blue]

3 hours ago, blondie444 said:

Not sure if the OPs email is wrong or they read it wrong. The website says that Platinum/Diamond won't have early access to cabins like you experienced. 

 

I'm the OP and I'm not reading it wrong.  And I rather doubt that the text of the email is wrong as they've allowed this in the past for P&D guests.

 

Quoting the relevant portion of this email:

 

• STATEROOM ACCESS – Due to enhanced cleaning and sanitation, staterooms may not be ready at the time of boarding for the early Arrival Appointments.   If you have not checked your bags, feel free to quickly drop off your luggage while our crew puts the finishing touches on your stateroom.  This will allow you to complete your e-mustering process and start your vacation promptly.

[Cruise Related]

7 minutes ago, Honolulu Blue said:

 

I'm the OP and I'm not reading it wrong.  And I rather doubt that the text of the email is wrong as they've allowed this in the past for P&D guests.

 

Quoting the relevant portion of this email:

 

• STATEROOM ACCESS – Due to enhanced cleaning and sanitation, staterooms may not be ready at the time of boarding for the early Arrival Appointments.   If you have not checked your bags, feel free to quickly drop off your luggage while our crew puts the finishing touches on your stateroom.  This will allow you to complete your e-mustering process and start your vacation promptly.

I know for a fact I was able to drop my luggage off as soon as I boarded the Horizon on July 18th. I wasn’t allowed to hang around or anything nor was I able to obtain my S&S card until 1:30, but I was definitely allowed to drop off my luggage. 

[phoneman69]

On 8/5/2021 at 12:42 PM, Honolulu Blue said:

Did my fellow high-status Carnival members get this letter from Christine Duffy?  I couldn't find any discussion on it, but then again it might have been swarmed by discussion of other subjects in the past day.

 

Anyway, the letter lists several items that P&D members should be aware of, and that we've mostly discussed already in scattered threads:

 

• Pick up the brunch beverage in the MDR
• Pick up the freebie bottled water (1.5 liters!) at any bar
• Request the chocolate delight from room service to have it delivered
• Pick up the logo gift and ship pin at the photo gallery
• Online check-in starts 2 days early for us
• Please arrive promptly for your selected appointment time; your Plat/Diamond card won't help you if you arrive early
• Staterooms may not be ready early, but you can always drop off your luggage and scoot
• Water shuttle priority may vary based on port and their local guidance
• No casino tournaments, but all P&D members are given $25 in Casino FunPlay
• Priority disembarkation may not be available if there are too many P&D passengers

Did not see this thank you for the post as we are Platinum VFIP members 

[BlerkOne]

3 hours ago, Jasonsterling said:

Same here- on the Breeze the 21st and no policy change email or this Platinum update. Maybe it doesn't count for us- lol. No masks! No tests! Actually I worry for people not into social media without knowledge of the policy change. I expect a lot of unhappy people showing up on the 14th and 21st without an antigen test and unable to board. 

My guess is Carnival will be lax on the first cruise or two and/or let some vaccinated people be tested at the port, although it will kill an hour or two of their drinking time.

[pc2425]

We are booked on Mardi Gras 8/14. I am platinum and my husband is gold.  He just missed getting platinum before they changed it to sea days instead of number of cruises.  Anyway, I got the email about gold  but nothing for platinum.  I had no idea about the $25 casino credit.  Thanks for posting this or I would have never known!

[phoneman69]

15 hours ago, Honolulu Blue said:

 

I'm the OP and I'm not reading it wrong.  And I rather doubt that the text of the email is wrong as they've allowed this in the past for P&D guests.

 

Quoting the relevant portion of this email:

 

• STATEROOM ACCESS – Due to enhanced cleaning and sanitation, staterooms may not be ready at the time of boarding for the early Arrival Appointments.   If you have not checked your bags, feel free to quickly drop off your luggage while our crew puts the finishing touches on your stateroom.  This will allow you to complete your e-mustering process and start your vacation promptly.

How do you drop your bags in your stateroom if you don't have your S&S card. (normally in your mailbox now) If your room door is open because of cleaning do you feel it's safe to just leave your stuff ?

[Honolulu Blue]

8 minutes ago, phoneman69 said:

How do you drop your bags in your stateroom if you don't have your S&S card. (normally in your mailbox now) If your room door is open because of cleaning do you feel it's safe to just leave your stuff ?

 

The mailbox is right by the door.  If the S&S card is there and the door is closed, your room is probably ready.  If the door is open, the cleaning crew is probably there or very close by.  They're not going to steal your stuff.  I'd feel safe stuffing my bags either under the bed or in the closet area under those circumstances.