Platinum gift

[hapytobehr]

On 8/29/2022 at 9:11 PM, Sgwscruiser said:

We couldn’t care less what the platinum gift is 

THIS!

[DrSea]

There was a discussion about the VIFP possibly getting restructured. 

 

I honestly think that they will axe the Pl gifts when it is revamped. 

[cruisemom67]

On 8/3/2022 at 1:06 PM, z_cruisers said:

We are platinum but haven't cruise Carnival since 2018. We are headed out on the Mardi Gras soon. Do they leave gifts in cabins still or do you go retrieve? 

We call it our scavenger hunt and enjoy looking for all of our freebies!

[Wennfred]

On 6/26/2022 at 7:36 AM, elklemi said:

Been on two cruises in last month and both times it was the koozie that slips around a can.

 

Thats what they are giving out today, and before that was that cheap rubbery luggage tag.

 

[Wennfred]

On 8/4/2022 at 11:05 AM, Island Dog said:

Lol. My vacation time is too precious. I understand it's a gift. I'm not complaining. It's just not worth my time I could be spending elsewhere. Besides, be careful what you wish for. Next "gift" may likely me a sticker!

 

I get them and give them away to kids that are sitting nearby in the MDR, especially the free lanyards.

 

[LHARTWICK]

17 hours ago, DrSea said:

I honestly think that they will axe the Pl gifts when it is revamped. 

Agreed since there are so many who like to complain about free stuff.  And those same people will complain when the gifts are gone. 🙄

Edited September 1, 2022 by LHARTWICK

[toby #1]

On 8/30/2022 at 2:32 PM, leen50 said:

In addition to the Strawberries, 2-3 chocolate truffle-like candies & 3-4 strawberry colored cookies. 

And the cookies taste like cardboard, no thanks.

[leen50]

1 hour ago, toby #1 said:

On 8/30/2022 at 2:32 PM, leen50 said:

 

And the cookies taste like cardboard, no thanks.

Hubby is Gluten Free & doesn't eat chocolate. I don't eat berries. We ask for some Gluten Free cookies & get it...sometimes. Whatever, it's all good. Happy to be cruising!

[audcc77]

1 hour ago, toby #1 said:

And the cookies taste like cardboard, no thanks.

Really?!  I was going to ask for those next time since I don’t eat the strawberries.  
 

I figured the cookies were like the ones in the coffee shop, no?   Or are they like the buffet cookies?

[leen50]

45 minutes ago, audcc77 said:

Really?!  I was going to ask for those next time since I don’t eat the strawberries.  
 

I figured the cookies were like the ones in the coffee shop, no?   Or are they like the buffet cookies?

They are small pink/red filled sandwich cookies. Don't remember seeing them on the buffet.

[Number12]

I think the cookies are macarons.

 

[ShakyBeef]

[leen50]

24 minutes ago, Number12 said:

I think the cookies are macarons.

 

No, the macarons are Gluten Free, these are not. They have subbed them for Macarons when I asked for GF cookies.

[audcc77]

42 minutes ago, leen50 said:

They have subbed them for Macarons when I asked for GF cookies.

Hmmm.  Macaroons have got to be better than those pink cookies.   Maybe I will see about those.  I haven’t had the berries in years because they just look unappetizing. The one time I didn’t and wished I did was on a Get Away cruise and the strawberries had little tuxedos on them. LOL.   

[ledges1]

Last cruise we did not request the chocolate covered strawberries and cookies because they are not very good and we throw most of them away.

[cruisemom67]

7 hours ago, ledges1 said:

Last cruise we did not request the chocolate covered strawberries and cookies because they are not very good and we throw most of them away.

We didn't ask for it, either. I didn't need the extra food! I got plenty of dessert at dinner.

[leen50]

8 hours ago, audcc77 said:

Hmmm.  Macaroons have got to be better than those pink cookies.   Maybe I will see about those.  I haven’t had the berries in years because they just look unappetizing. The one time I didn’t and wished I did was on a Get Away cruise and the strawberries had little tuxedos on them. LOL.   

The Macarons are the same as they used to have at Afternoon Tea.

[Ilovesailaway]

give stock

[lunyma]

On 8/30/2022 at 4:47 AM, pe4all said:

Platinum gift picked up at Pixels.  Pin was left in my cabin on last 2 cruises.  Chocolate delight now has to be ordered from room service- they will ask when you want it.  Free waters picked up at any bar or dining room.  Laundry still the same - bags in drawer in room.  $25 slot tourney credit at casino cage.  Free brunch drink in dining room, though I have gotten it at a bar last 2 cruises.

@pe4all… I apologize for my delay in replying but the last week has been quite disturbing for me as I lost 2 beloved pets that were part of our family since they were just babies. First, out 18 year old cat Jasmine, just over a  week ago, and then, just this past Tuesday, we had to send our 17 year old maltipoo Nelli over the Rainbow bridge to join her two pup besties that she grew up with, but they were a bit older than her and left us peacefully in the last few years. This is the first time in over 30 years where we only have one furbaby living with us. He’s a 1 1/2 year old terrier mix that I rescued from a no kill shelter in Arkansas, in February. I live in IL. Sorry for  sharing this with y’all, especially those who thought the need to share their dislike of koozies or anything else I asked about 🙄. 
I do want to thank you for the information though, as I haven’t had much time to look up the answers to my questions, which I’m sure I could have done if my situation was different. Anyway…. This was a last minute booking and I was only slightly aware of post Covid lockdown changes. I love all the perks, and since I haven’t cruised in so long, I will accept them all graciously along with my Player’s Club perks which are certainly more valuable in dollars but equal in gesture. My only other question now is how did you get the free brunch drink at a bar?  Was there not a brunch on your sailing?  I wouldn’t go if there was one anyway but I’ll rarely, if ever, turn down a free drink!  So if anyone cares to celebrate my birthday with me on Freedom boarding day, Saturday October 1st, I will graciously accept a drink from you and say Cheers to a much needed cruise. Just look for the short (not so) little old lady with the buzz cut and (probably) purple hair.

 

Edited September 9, 2022 by lunyma

[pe4all]

Lunyma -

  So sorry to hear of the loss of your fur babies.  My Pixie (cat) is 14 years old - still thinks she is a kitten - but I see her slowing down a bit.  I will be heart-broken when...

In answer to your brunch drink question - my June Magic cruise we went to Seaday brunch (I was not impressed - very slow service and food was meh) and we used my dh's and dd's brunch drink there.  I was not in the mood for my drink, and later went to the atrium bar (right outside the dining room) and they very nicely and easily honored my drink.  Just make sure you are not charged for it on your sail and sign card.  The 2 cruises before that was a January and February "covid" cruise - low capacity, and I guess they just let us redeem the drink at a bar.  The ships were at 40% and 60% capacity and we did not go to brunch (or even eat in a dining room) as we were very covid conscious.  If you are contemplating going to Seaday Brunch I would suggest just use your drink there - it may stop some problems if you do not go to brunch and try to redeem it at a bar now that ships are back to full capacity/less staff.  Enjoy your upcoming cruise

[lunyma]

51 minutes ago, pe4all said:

Lunyma -

  So sorry to hear of the loss of your fur babies.  My Pixie (cat) is 14 years old - still thinks she is a kitten - but I see her slowing down a bit.  I will be heart-broken when...

In answer to your brunch drink question - my June Magic cruise we went to Seaday brunch (I was not impressed - very slow service and food was meh) and we used my dh's and dd's brunch drink there.  I was not in the mood for my drink, and later went to the atrium bar (right outside the dining room) and they very nicely and easily honored my drink.  Just make sure you are not charged for it on your sail and sign card.  The 2 cruises before that was a January and February "covid" cruise - low capacity, and I guess they just let us redeem the drink at a bar.  The ships were at 40% and 60% capacity and we did not go to brunch (or even eat in a dining room) as we were very covid conscious.  If you are contemplating going to Seaday Brunch I would suggest just use your drink there - it may stop some problems if you do not go to brunch and try to redeem it at a bar now that ships are back to full capacity/less staff.  Enjoy your upcoming cruise

I probably wouldn’t even bother with the brunch. I like to spend my daytime hours out in the sun and there’s plenty of good food to be found by the pool. Blue Iguana has an awesome breakfast burrito & ya can’t go wrong with a Guy’s burger & fries   I actually like Carnival’s pizzas as well so I certainly won’t starve. Honestly….  If it’s nice out, I probably wouldn’t even remember to try & cash in on that drink & from what I can tell, I think my sailing’s gonna be full.  😎🛳🍹

[DallasGuy75219]

On 9/1/2022 at 10:57 PM, Ilovesailaway said:

give stock

Great idea, that will be even cheaper than the trinkets they give away now!

[bguppies]

On 9/1/2022 at 11:30 AM, LHARTWICK said:

Agreed since there are so many who like to complain about free stuff.  And those same people will complain when the gifts are gone. 🙄

I don't think anyone is complaining about there being free stuff.

Just in the declining quality of what they are offering for what is supposed to be a frequent customer appreciation gift.

Basically when Carnival puts less and less effort and ingenuity into these items, they are just showing their frequent customers their true value to the company.

From quality items like bluetooth speakers, headphones, and Tervis Tumblers to decent still usefull items like Blankets, toiletry bags, mini backpacks, nightlights, ballcaps, etc.

down to minimal thought/usefullness items like luggage tags and koozies.

 

It just shows that the thoughtfulness/expense of the gifts is equal to what they think of their frequent customers.

[Colorado Beach Bum]

1 hour ago, bguppies said:

It just shows that the thoughtfulness/expense of the gifts is equal to what they think of their frequent customers.

Or it’s a company making business decisions they feel are the best decisions in todays environment of high inflation and supply issues. At least consumers have a choice to take their money wherever they want. 

[bguppies]

1 hour ago, Colorado Beach Bum said:

Or it’s a company making business decisions they feel are the best decisions in todays environment of high inflation and supply issues. At least consumers have a choice to take their money wherever they want. 

Exactly.

Lower your offerings to the customer until they look elsewhere for where to spend their cruise dollars.

 

Exactly what our next 2 cruises will be for us.

Branched out once to try NCL but found it almost identical to Carnival experiencewise, but Carnival's ports are more convienent for our location.

 

But if the experience has fallen below other lines, then we may have to reevaluate how much the convienence of the ports outweighs the cruising experience onboard. (Charleston and Jacksonville are superclose for us for weekend cruises, but we already have to travel to Port Canaveral or Tampa for longer cruises and everybody else cruises out of those too)

 

Clearly reading alot of responses on this board, Carnival has not yet hit some minimum threshold for many of you. They can just keep cutting amenities and experiences until they finally hit one that crosses a line.