Recent Elite experience?

[CruiseMomTX]

Has anyone been on an Elite recently?  We have our first booked on the Dream 8/12 out of Galveston so are getting excited!  

[lazydayz]

We did one in late March and have the next one coming up at the end of this month. Love the Elite treatment! 

[CruiseMomTX]

8 minutes ago, lazydayz said:

We did one in late March and have the next one coming up at the end of this month. Love the Elite treatment! 

Please share any details and photos.   Wondering what our shore excursion choice will be.  We are on the Dream 8/12 sailing from Galveston to Key West, Freeport, Half Moon Cay & Nassau.

[lazydayz]

20 minutes ago, CruiseMomTX said:

Please share any details and photos.   Wondering what our shore excursion choice will be.  We are on the Dream 8/12 sailing from Galveston to Key West, Freeport, Half Moon Cay & Nassau.

From my March Elite cruise on the Celebration

 

Started off with a nice cocktail party with lovely food.  They gave away three prizes and introduced the hosts, Denver, Dion, Maya and Darrien (think he is in training).  You go to the casino cage to get parking reimbursed (did not need a receipt) and the Platinum bonus $25.

 

Casino was busy but could always find a machine.  Drawing at 11 each night (except the last day, when the drawing was at 4) and games included Matilda, Bubbles, Super Joker and Fill my Bag.

 

As to gifts, we got the wine and cheese basket, a Carnival Swiss army type tool, eight cookies, and two waterproof speakers.  Very nice gifts this time.  
 

We choose one of the offered excursions and all of the hosts were there, though they kept to themselves for the most part.  If you choose the credit instead, it is $150 per person, for up to two people. 
 

I was also given dinner for two at Rudi’s but for the first time, it didn’t include a bottle of wine.  With Free Drinks Everywhere for both myself and my husband, we really didn't miss it. And $100 for Bonsai Sushi, which was a feast!  Hard for two people to eat $100 of sushi, but they do have a steak which was very good.

 

Only the Elite players were eligible for the drawings.  
 

Our pre-ordered (free) tequila, vodka, and mixers were waiting in the cabin.  
 

Over the course of the week, there were some really big jackpots won.  The highest I heard was $23,000, but several more were over $10,000.  I won two small jackpots, one each on the last two days. 

[CruiseMomTX]

Thank you @lazydayz for all the information!!  We are wondering if our free excursion will be offered in Half Moon Cay which would be nice as we have never been there.  Also just realized there's no Italian restaurant on the Dream, lol.  We sailed on her several years ago but forgot about that.  

[EllaDuChien]

21 minutes ago, CruiseMomTX said:

Thank you @lazydayz for all the information!!  We are wondering if our free excursion will be offered in Half Moon Cay which would be nice as we have never been there.  Also just realized there's no Italian restaurant on the Dream, lol.  We sailed on her several years ago but forgot about that.  

 

For my Elite in June, there was one excursion offered in each port (although we could only choose one total) we could pick which port or take the $150 per person for any excursion at any port.

[CruiseMomTX]

For the drinks on us everywhere onboard for both of us does it start on embarkation on the Dream out of Galveston?  Does it include drinks from room service?

[weezal]

6 minutes ago, CruiseMomTX said:

For the drinks on us everywhere onboard for both of us does it start on embarkation on the Dream out of Galveston?  Does it include drinks from room service?

Due to Texas state law, our Drinks On Us! benefit is not available on embarkation day for sailings departing from Galveston, TX, but will be available at the start of day two. 

[CoachAname]

47 minutes ago, CruiseMomTX said:

For the drinks on us everywhere onboard for both of us does it start on embarkation on the Dream out of Galveston?  Does it include drinks from room service?

 

Just got off an Elite on the Dream out of Galveston. Drinks on Us! Anywhere starts when the casino opens in the early evening. You won't get the two bottles of alcohol until the second day. You will have the Elite gathering where drinks will be offered. Our party started pretty early (maybe 4:30 ish), and by the time the hour was up the casino was open. I don't know for sure about drinks from room service, but I would assume they would NOT be included. 

 

Shore excursions offered on mine were:

Option 1: Shipwrecked Castaways: Adult Only Beach - Freeport

Option 2: Dolphin Encounter, Waterpark, Beach & Lunch for all - Nassau

Option 3: Choose your own and get up to $150 per person credit.

 

I did have to provide a receipt for the parking redemption. 

Edited July 12, 2023 by CoachAname

[weezal]

21 minutes ago, CoachAname said:

I did have to provide a receipt for the parking redemption. 

how does the parking redemption work, without a receipt, if it's paid upon exit?

[May1cruiser]

4 minutes ago, weezal said:

how does the parking redemption work, without a receipt, if it's paid upon exit?

For us in port Canaveral, They knew the total cost for 8 nights and paid us cash at cage. No receipt but checked off the sheet where we indicated "park at port" to verify funds payout.

[lazydayz]

1 minute ago, May1cruiser said:

For us in port Canaveral, They knew the total cost for 8 nights and paid us cash at cage. No receipt but checked off the sheet where we indicated "park at port" to verify funds payout.

 

Same with us in both PC and Miami.

 

As to excursions, we have done three Elites, and never offered more than a choice of two excursions.  On the upcoming Pride cruise, both were for Icelandic ports, so no options for Dublin, Belfast or Kirkwall.  We just elected to take the credit and will book something on the ship.

[CoachAname]

16 minutes ago, weezal said:

how does the parking redemption work, without a receipt, if it's paid upon exit?

So none of the ones I have done have been paid on exit.

 

In Galveston the official port parking garage was booked and prepaid. The receipt I provided them was the same one I showed to get into the garage. 

In Port Canaveral, they had us on a list and just gave us money without a receipt. Although, I think it was paid on arrival at the parking garage. 

[LPut714]

On 7/11/2023 at 4:35 PM, CruiseMomTX said:

Has anyone been on an Elite recently?  We have our first booked on the Dream 8/12 out of Galveston so are getting excited!  

We just got off an Elite on the Miracle-San Fran to Alaska

Lost a port going out due to med evac but neat to see Coast Guard come and drop the basket down to get the patient and then raise the person back up-spinning like crazy as it was very windy. Pray they are ok

We had limo pick up from airport with great communication-drop off at San Fran Hotel-Just gave tip to driver

We opted to walk to the port in San Fran about a mile and a half but smooth sailing with the cases.

When we got to the port they werent boarding so dropped cases with porters and kept back packs-usually $1 a bag

Headed over to pier 39 from our check in pier of 35. Hardly any sea lions compared to 5 years ago.

Came back to ck in line for our 11-11:30am time-met a great couple from Tampa Debbie and Mike that we saw throughout the cruise. Processed thru and on the ship around noon. Headed right to our muster. Rooms not open till 1:30pm unless suites. So even tho Platinum kept bags with us. Lunch in the buffet nothing special. A little before 1:30p headed to our cabin. Found keys outside room which indicated room done. Dropped bags and went exploring. Had been on this class of ship before so familiar with layout. Elite lanyards and schedule in room. Got luggage and unpacked. Elite meet in theater at 4:30pm-drinks and appes flowing. Lasted for an hour. 

Each evening had casino activities during the day and evening

We were able to get drinks throughout the ship with no problems

On evening we got a steakhouse selection for both of us and a bottle of wine in the dining room which was the best meal ever. Took some of the filet back and put in the fridge to have for breakfast the next day.

We were on an Elite cruise to Alaska so our excursion was the White Trail Train out out Skagway as the other was a whale watching which we had already booked independently. Loved the time and scenery on the train. Originally booked for 1p but changed to 9am which allowed us time to visit the breweries in town after. If booked on later excursion talk to excursion desk about changing. They have to get ok from casino host.

Got gifts in room every day to every other day-cups, speaker, champagne, cookies. Love the laundry.

Don't miss the comedy shows-Bella the host is the best but think she may  be out for a bit

Table 372 main dining-Anita-Ni Huh, Malcom, Machelle, Bihau-The best team 100 percent.

 

Lots of 11pm games for Elites-Matilda, Fill my bag, etc. Able to win $3000 so came home with money

Great casino staff

 

Heading out on Elite on Venezia end of Aug so hoping for find great things.

Enjoy.

[VIFP1987]

@LPut714Thanks so much for your review! 

Edited July 13, 2023 by VIFP1987
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[urbanhawk]

Not trying to hijack this thread, but I do have a question re: elite perks, that perhaps someone will know the answer...If I booked a cruise on the Panorama, out of Long Beach, would the airport pick up be at Long Beach, or could it also be at LAX? Thanks.

[Colorado Beach Bum]

20 minutes ago, urbanhawk said:

Not trying to hijack this thread, but I do have a question re: elite perks, that perhaps someone will know the answer...If I booked a cruise on the Panorama, out of Long Beach, would the airport pick up be at Long Beach, or could it also be at LAX? Thanks.

It should be either.  Can also be hotel to cruise if you come in a day early.  Just one ride before, one after. 

[lazydayz]

For our upcoming Pride cruise, we are being picked up at London Gatwick and dropped off at our hotel in Dover.  Then being picked up at the port of Dover and driven to our hotel in London.  

 

[LPut714]

On 7/13/2023 at 11:59 AM, urbanhawk said:

Not trying to hijack this thread, but I do have a question re: elite perks, that perhaps someone will know the answer...If I booked a cruise on the Panorama, out of Long Beach, would the airport pick up be at Long Beach, or could it also be at LAX? Thanks.

I think 40 miles is the most they will go. May want to check with PVP

[LPut714]

On 7/13/2023 at 12:20 PM, Colorado Beach Bum said:

It should be either.  Can also be hotel to cruise if you come in a day early.  Just one ride before, one after. 

We are actually doing a B2B on the Celebration next year-first week is an Elite promotion second is DOU and free play. Found out I can use my second ride following second week cruise. So win win