Boarding Diamond, Platinum, VIFP, Special Needs?

[tattoos]

This is a question for recent cruisers.  I'm aware that when you complete your online check-in, you will be able to print luggage tags and must choose a boarding time.  Do Diamond, Platinum, VIFP and special needs cruisers have to adhere to their check-in time?  I am Diamond on Carnival and the last time I sailed was before the Pandemic...we chose a check-in time, however, we were allowed to board right after special needs people.  I don't know if that is still the procedure or do we have to adhere to our check-in time.

 

Also, once we are onboard, do we still have to go to a bar on the ship to retrieve our complimentary water?  Where do I pick up my logo gift and pin?

 

Thanks in advance for your help.

[BlerkOne]

The only priority boarding is for suites (and I assume wedding guests). Wheelchairs are boarded when someone is available. Otherwise stick to your check-in time.

 

Yes you have to pick up your water. Logo gift and pin from Pixels.

[firefly333]

Platinum diamond and suites get to choose their boarding time 2 days before the others. 16 days vs 14.

 

That is your priority.  

[Vidimom]

Pick up your gift at Pixels and get your water from any bar.  They will charge it then refund it.  You also have to order your chocolate plate from room service.  Don't forget you get 25 free play in the casino instead of the tournament bogo offer.  

 

[nlktx49]

6 hours ago, Vidimom said:

Pick up your gift at Pixels and get your water from any bar.  They will charge it then refund it.  You also have to order your chocolate plate from room service.  Don't forget you get 25 free play in the casino instead of the tournament bogo offer.  

 

Is the "gift" the luggage tag? Just want to know if it's worth finding Pixels just to add to my collection of the gift luggage tags! Also, is the gift different for Platinum?

[mondello]

1 hour ago, nlktx49 said:

Is the "gift" the luggage tag? Just want to know if it's worth finding Pixels just to add to my collection of the gift luggage tags! Also, is the gift different for Platinum?

Yes, they continue to give out the luggage tags. They also give the pins at Pixels. Pins are not ship specific, back to Fun theme or something like that, no ship name.

[Surrealistic]

Yes, arrival times need to be adhered to.  Diamonds and Platinums that arrived too early were complaining because there was no place for them to wait.  Apparently, it has to do with covid protocols.

[DEL67]

5 hours ago, nlktx49 said:

Is the "gift" the luggage tag? Just want to know if it's worth finding Pixels just to add to my collection of the gift luggage tags! Also, is the gift different for Platinum?

In August on the Miracle the Platinum gift was a luggage tag that was not even worth bringing home.

[Guest BasicSailor]

Boarding Is more or less like a free for all . They call one cat right behind the next within five minutes apart . No priority given to Diamond ,Platinum or handicapped people in Port Carnival last week. No separation ( Covid related with or without mask ) between seating allowed. Lanyard for gift at photo gallery . No drink coupon given just request it during brunch. Bottled water pickup at the bars.  

Edited October 10, 2021 by BasicSailor

[firefly333]

Took me 3 days to find someone working in pixels, maybe 4 days lol

. 

 

[mondello]

4 hours ago, Surrealistic said:

Yes, arrival times need to be adhered to.  Diamonds and Platinums that arrived too early were complaining because there was no place for them to wait.  Apparently, it has to do with covid protocols.

You'd think they'd be in the early groups with a 2 day head start to check in?

[firefly333]

19 minutes ago, mondello said:

You'd think they'd be in the early groups with a 2 day head start to check in?

I took it to mean they arrived early even before the first boarding time. 

 

Though the non priority folks on vista still got 1030, the first time, just A03, maybe 10 minutes later and we all waited together. Plat and diamond doesnt mean anything right now. 

 

.. though I'm having worse luck with board dec for rcl. It opened at 90 days during my vista cruise, lol, closed and rcl changed to 45 days now to pick a boarding time .. you guessed it right in the middle of my breeze cruise when I dont have wifi. Probably be in very last group.,

 

Just gotta take the good with the bad. 

[JeanG]

2 hours ago, DEL67 said:

In August on the Miracle the Platinum gift was a luggage tag that was not even worth bringing home.

We were on the 8/17 Miracle to Alaska and received Tervis Tumblers.  Was surprised as I had read most ships were giving the luggage tags 

[Schoifmom]

As others have said, the ability to check in 48 hours ahead of anyone else right now is your priority status.  Everyone is expected to arrive within their arrival time.

 

Just an FYI, there is no longer a Special Needs boarding class.  They did away with that a few years ago because it was being abused by those who didn't really need it.  If you need wheelchair assistance or are otherwise considered to be "special needs," you are expected to board with your assigned group.

[dbrucern]

On 10/9/2021 at 12:14 PM, tattoos said:

This is a question for recent cruisers.  I'm aware that when you complete your online check-in, you will be able to print luggage tags and must choose a boarding time.  Do Diamond, Platinum, VIFP and special needs cruisers have to adhere to their check-in time?  I am Diamond on Carnival and the last time I sailed was before the Pandemic...we chose a check-in time, however, we were allowed to board right after special needs people.  I don't know if that is still the procedure or do we have to adhere to our check-in time.

 

Also, once we are onboard, do we still have to go to a bar on the ship to retrieve our complimentary water?  Where do I pick up my logo gift and pin?

 

Thanks in advance for your help.

We are Diamond and just on Mardi Gras only those with suites board first, not that I agree with this, however at Port Canaveral they were only letting people in at their boarding times listed on their boarding passes.  In Seattle which we were on the Miracle in August, they never even looked at the boarding passes. 

[rtrtx2]

Just of Breeze last week, platinum. I actually drank one of the bottles of water in may cabin. They automatically adjusted my sail and sign account and listed it as no cost for platinum benefit. I did not need to request, it was automatic. 

[Ohio Bucki]

On 10/10/2021 at 5:33 AM, Vidimom said:

Pick up your gift at Pixels and get your water from any bar.  They will charge it then refund it.  You also have to order your chocolate plate from room service.  Don't forget you get 25 free play in the casino instead of the tournament bogo offer.  

 

What is the 25 free play???

[jantoni]

On 10/12/2021 at 12:34 PM, Ohio Bucki said:

What is the 25 free play???

I'm also curious, don't know what the 25 free play for casino is.  🤔 

[Schoifmom]

On 10/12/2021 at 1:34 PM, Ohio Bucki said:

What is the 25 free play???

 

5 minutes ago, jantoni said:

I'm also curious, don't know what the 25 free play for casino is.  🤔 

 

Diamonds and Platinums get BOGO tournament entries in the casino.  Since they are not doing tournaments (I think?), they are giving them $25 in free play in the casino instead.

[Ohio Bucki]

32 minutes ago, Schoifmom said:

 

 

Diamonds and Platinums get BOGO tournament entries in the casino.  Since they are not doing tournaments (I think?), they are giving them $25 in free play in the casino instead.

Thanks for the info!!  How do you receive it? Just show them your card and they give you $25 in chips?

 

Edited October 13, 2021 by Ohio Bucki

[Knights on the Beach]

Sounds like we lucked out with early boarding - we had 10:30 - 11:00 check in and were onboard at 11:00.  We were on Magic at the end of August out of Port Canaveral and after we checked in, they sent us upstairs with platinum/diamonds. I heard them call suites and once they lined up to board, everyone else upstairs got up and followed behind. After reading multiple times there would be no priority boarding except for suites, we sure didn't expect it.  And maybe it was just a fluke and hasn't happened there since, who knows.  😂

[Colorado Beach Bum]

49 minutes ago, Ohio Bucki said:

Thanks for the info!!  How do you receive it? Just show them your card and they give you $25 in chips?

 

Go to the casino cashier and request it.  If a slot player they will put $25 fun play in your casino bank.  If table player you can get fun play chips. You can cash out any winnings from the $25 but not any of the fun play dollars. 

[Ohio Bucki]

14 hours ago, Colorado Beach Bum said:

Go to the casino cashier and request it.  If a slot player they will put $25 fun play in your casino bank.  If table player you can get fun play chips. You can cash out any winnings from the $25 but not any of the fun play dollars. 

Thanks!!!😃

[mrak]

Just to be clear, Check-in/arrival time is selected pre-cruise, either 16 or 14 days prior, but boarding zone is based on when you check in, correct? So, you could have the earliest check-in time of say, 1030, but still get a later boarding zone if you show up late? Basically, to get the earliest boarding zone, you need to have the earliest check in time and get there as early as possibly within that window?

[DPTexas]

We were on the Breeze in late September.  Boarding times were selected at check-in; however, at the terminal, they did allow suites and special-need passengers to board before everyone else.  Then, by the group on your boarding pass.  It went quickly - I think because it was at 65 - 70% capacity.  HTH.