CCL VIP is BS IMHO

[truecruiser]

...

The real issue here is not the lack or screw ups but listening to my wife about it and she too was sold a bill of goods and I don't blame her either.I cannot accept the what was done was done and move on because I am still living it and will probably have to listen to it for months or until the next cruise.

Steve

 

LOL Steve! don't think you are alone w/ that. i'd do the same thing (i can almost guarantee it), and DH wld be looking to strangle me. :D

 

sounds like you had a host of screw-ups by both the ground crew and the imagination crew. this shld be reported to CCL so they can advise the ships officers (FWIW), who can maybe get their crew on the same page, and they shld notify groung employees in miami.

 

i have been on almost 10 cruises, but they have not all been w/ carnival so i have some sailing to do b/4 i reach that platinum status w/ CCL. but, i have read so many wonderful things about this program on here, that i am actually trying to sail CCL exclusively until i reach it! sorry you had a bad run of it. hope this will not be the case on your next sailing. --trish

[steveaaaa]

Could it be that the Carnival personnel have read all of your anti-tipping posts?

 

LOL :D

 

I am not anti-tipping but include it in the fare or tip in cash!

Steve

[big_duck]

Sounds like the Imagination was having a bad week all round. :(

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=528365

[DqALEX]

On my last cruise I was platinum and had no problems at all with the program. I must have had the right people who knew what they were doing. Anytime i cruise I feel it it a roll of the dice with your fellow cruisers and with the crew, and cabin. For the most part I have been happy with Carnival

[steveaaaa]

this shld be reported to CCL so they can advise the ships officers (FWIW), who can maybe get their crew on the same page, and they shld notify groung employees in miami.

 

You are right.

Its hard when you have thousands getting on and off and as another reply stated, they GIVE these things.I wonder when you have it in writing does it make a difference.

My PVP stated in an email.....and as an extra incentive,your debarkation will be the best you ever had and we guarantee it.You will wait in a private lounge and will be escorted first off the ship to an area where your luggage will be waiting for you along with porters to assist with your bags and you will be zipped thru to customs to whatever travel arrangements you have made.......

 

Well they failed to guarantee it,now what? I know it is not part of the contract,but it was a material fact in my booking.Again something so simple has turned into grief for me and all I did was book 2 cabins this past cruise and 4 for the next one.

Steve

[steveaaaa]

There were several other VIP things they screwed up

 

The laundry issue...

We boarded on Monday and we had a flier which stated that laundry received by 9am is guaranteed back in your room by 7pm.

Monday night I filled a bag,wrote wash and fold VIP on the bag and left it on the bed.The steward did not pick it up.Since we slept past 9am the next morning the bag was not picked up until lunch time and was delivered Wednesday night.

On Wednesday morning I asked for another bag which seemed a chore for the steward but I did get it.We filled it again and again on Wednesday night he did not take it.On Thursday morning we left and when we came back to the cabin at 3pm,we found the room was not even done so I went to the purser and had a fit.She had the steward do the room ASAP and took the luggage.I stated I wanted it back by 7pm as guaranteed,since not only did I have it out that day,I had it out the night before so I was within the time.Around 7pm the pursers called to tell me it won't be ready on time.That night I asked for and filled another bag and left it out and when we got back around midnight,it was not taken.I contacted the pursers who contacted the steward at midnight and I was told I already submitted a bag that day.????? I submitted one for Wednesday and he forgot to take it. No matter,the laundry was closed so it won't be done until Friday anyway.

Steve

[steveaaaa]

Bless your little heart, Steveaaaa, you always seem to have problems.

 

 

Want more?

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=9635869#post9635869

Steve

[truecruiser]

Want more?

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=9635869#post9635869

Steve

 

OMG! i'm almost ready to cancel the liberty cruise. i usually don't care about repeat ports of call or, POC that i don't really want to get off the ship in (like san juan at night w/ kids), but this changed liberty itinerary is a total been there done that million times for all POC except ochos rios, and as the day wears on, the info on this port just keeps getting worse!

[jakesplace]

The laundry issue...

We boarded on Monday and we had a flier which stated that laundry received by 9am is guaranteed back in your room by 7pm.

Monday night I filled a bag,wrote wash and fold VIP on the bag and left it on the bed.The steward did not pick it up.Since we slept past 9am the next morning the bag was not picked up until lunch time and was delivered Wednesday night.

On Wednesday morning I asked for another bag which seemed a chore for the steward but I did get it.We filled it again and again on Wednesday night he did not take it.On Thursday morning we left and when we came back to the cabin at 3pm,we found the room was not even done so I went to the purser and had a fit.She had the steward do the room ASAP and took the luggage.I stated I wanted it back by 7pm as guaranteed,since not only did I have it out that day,I had it out the night before so I was within the time.Around 7pm the pursers called to tell me it won't be ready on time.That night I asked for and filled another bag and left it out and when we got back around midnight,it was not taken.I contacted the pursers who contacted the steward at midnight and I was told I already submitted a bag that day.????? I submitted one for Wednesday and he forgot to take it. No matter,the laundry was closed so it won't be done until Friday anyway.

Steve

 

So let me get this right, You laundry picked up by 9AM would be back at 7PM, but you were asleep past 9AM.

 

and the cabin Steward did not sneak in and pick up the laundry?

[Cotton]

Want more?

 

Steve

 

NONONO, please NO.:D

[jakesplace]

NONONO, please NO.:D

 

 

LOL at cotton:o

[fireflytx]

VIP, or Platinum status is attained on your 10th Carnival cruise, and thereafter.

 

 

Doesn't it pertain to Full Suite guests as well? What all is included?

[Wennfred]

I would like to know what Cruise Terminal Steveaaaa had a problem in?

 

In Miami you are treated First Class :D First they check you in at a nice Air Conditioned office then they send you off past everyone to the second level where the Sail and Sign cards are handed out. Then they tell you proceed and have a nice cruise.

 

Long Beach, Only problem I had was at the Queen Mary, the Rep told me to get into the Long Line, when I showed her my CVC Membership Card she said Sorry and then told us to get into the VIP line. VIP Embarkation on the Pride at Long Beach was a breeze also.

 

 

 

Fred

[runcassrun_07]

We have used the VIP 4 times in 3 different ports (Tampa, Long Beach and New Orleans) and have had excellent results so far.

 

But then, I do not have a "sheep" mentality. I know what to expect and if that is not happening....I find out why. At Check In, I know what will take place and if anything deviates from that....I make sure it is corrected immediately.

 

When sending clothes for the free wash and fold (which we have used one or twice on every cruise)...I mark the tag clearly "PLATINUM FREE WASH AND FOLD" and I write the same thing on the bag. We have never been charged.

 

As for the debarkation, this is where Carnival needs to do better.

 

I believe the main problem is that Carnival did not anticipate how many people would use the self assist debarkation.

 

On our last cruise a couple of weeks ago, the "VIP debarkation letter" allowed VIP self assist first. *(then the regular self assist) Then the VIP debarkation and then the regular debarkation.

 

We elected to do the VIP debarkation (not self assist) and all the self assist people had filled up the customs line .... but here is a trick at the New Orleans port...if you use a porter...they will take you to the head of the side by going a side way. We bypassed that long line ..got our luggage and was out in minutes.

I thought I cruised alot, it sounds like you are a fanatic too!:p

I'm a little confused about debarkation you talked about. What is the difference between VIP self assist & regular self assist? Is self assist for those with early flights? And the "VIP debark letter" is the one you receive in your room?

Thanks

Cassandra

[truecruiser]

I would like to know what Cruise Terminal Steveaaaa had a problem in?

 

In Miami you are treated First Class :D First they check you in at a nice Air Conditioned office then they send you off past everyone to the second level where the Sail and Sign cards are handed out. Then they tell you proceed and have a nice cruise.

 

...Fred

 

sounds like the ground crew in miami needs some lessons. when we were VIP on elation out of port canaveral (b/c we had a cat 12), we were whisked by everyone from start to finish ... right onto the ship. it was sweeeeeet!

[jakesplace]

Well if its Miami its no telling where you embark or disembarked. last year on the Victory We were VIP suite.. everyone was lumped together in a warehouse.

But I just roll with the punches and remember I am going on a cruise.

 

As far as priority disembarkation, customs is in control not carnival, They tell them when and how many, and control the lines, it only moves as fast as they want it too, they could careless if you were VIP of your Kindergarten class in 1959 or anything else.

[PINEVIEW01]

Doesn't it pertain to Full Suite guests as well? What all is included?

No!:(

[steveaaaa]

So let me get this right, You laundry picked up by 9AM would be back at 7PM, but you were asleep past 9AM.

 

and the cabin Steward did not sneak in and pick up the laundry?

 

You chopped my sentence...:)

The whole sentence stated......

Monday night I filled a bag,wrote wash and fold VIP on the bag and left it on the bed.The steward did not pick it up.Since we slept past 9am the next morning the bag was not picked up until lunch time and was delivered Wednesday night.

 

If he picked it up the night before.We would not have had an issue.I am not going to wake up early for his screw up.

Steve

[steveaaaa]

I thought I cruised alot, it sounds like you are a fanatic too!:p

I'm a little confused about debarkation you talked about. What is the difference between VIP self assist & regular self assist? Is self assist for those with early flights? And the "VIP debark letter" is the one you receive in your room?

Thanks

Cassandra

 

 

Wennfred,it was Miami.

Cassandra,

There is no VIP self assist,just regular self assist.

Yes self assist is for early flights and those who want off early.

The VIP letter is the one you receive in your room.

Steve

[barneco]

It appears to me that the way in which Carnival has implemented the VIP/Platinum perks is not applied consistently across the embarkation ports and the ships. We have been platinum on the Celebration (right after the program first started and we received no perks other than the Platinum card), the Glory and the Miracle.

 

On the Glory (Port Canaveral), we were escorted all the way to the ship. I seem to remember that we went in through a separate entrance and that there was either a separate line or we went to the front for Security. The "petit fors" and "can-of-peas" just showed up in our room on a couple nights. We also received all the other in-cabin freebies that others have described. We arranged for the personalized galley tour (basically, it was the regular tour, but just a lot fewer people). When we got off the ship, we were the very first group to get off. I believe we were told to meet at 7:15 and I remember that we were in the car driving by 8:00 AM. We did have our laundry done at least once and it seemed that it was if collected by 9:00 AM, it would be back that evening.

 

On the Miracle (Tampa), we were escorted through the lines, but not all the way to the ship. Also, there was no separate line for Security and that we were in the same line with everyone else (which was fine as it moved pretty quickly). Each day before they were to be delivered, we were called to be notified about the "petit fors" and "canapes". As for laundry, which we used twice, we were told it was collected in the morning and delivered the next afternoon. As for getting off the ship, we were told to meet at 8:00 and we would be let off after Self Assist. I remember that when they came to get us, we went to a shorter line to get off.

 

I seem to remember reading that the port decides the order of who gets off (Self Assist or VIP), but I could be mistaken.

 

We are sailing again on the Glory next month and definitely look forward to the perks.

 

Barry

[Wennfred]

Wennfred,it was Miami.

Steve

 

Sorry Steve, u must of ran into a Clueless rep, Next time let them know you are VIP and not to sit you with the people over there in Steerage :D

 

 

Fred

[PINEVIEW01]

The Concierge phone number is the pursers desk.

The Concierge host is the purser also.

Almost got into a fight over the Concierge line.They need a couple of posts and a line to seperate it or give the illusion of a sperate line.

I do agree they need to put up post and give a visual of this being for VIP only. Some people did get upset when I walked up to stand under the sign.

[jakesplace]

You chopped my sentence...:)

The whole sentence stated......

Monday night I filled a bag,wrote wash and fold VIP on the bag and left it on the bed.The steward did not pick it up.Since we slept past 9am the next morning the bag was not picked up until lunch time and was delivered Wednesday night.

 

If he picked it up the night before.We would not have had an issue.I am not going to wake up early for his screw up.

Steve

 

 

First off , I DID NOT chop Your sentence, I used the whole thing and HIGHLIGHTED some of what you wrote and merely asked a Question for clarification

[runcassrun_07]

Wennfred,it was Miami.

Cassandra,

There is no VIP self assist,just regular self assist.

Yes self assist is for early flights and those who want off early.

The VIP letter is the one you receive in your room.

Steve

Thanks that makes better since. I was really surprised with what happened on your cruise of the Imagination. I have been on many too but always loved the service we received as Platinum. I've had a few problems with Carnival Vacation Club but those have improved. I'm glad you didn't cancel your Glory cruise and hope you stay with Carnival. They will treat you well on the next not because of the Imagination cruise but that experience couldn't happen again.;)

Cassandra

[letscruisegd]

I contacted the pursers who contacted the steward at midnight

Please don't attack me here but I have to ask...wasn't it a bit extreme to have the steward contacted at midnight? I realize I wasn't in your shoes so therefore, I don't know how or what you were feeling at the time. When I had the laundry service done on the Destiny, when it wasn't in my room when I returned late that evening, it never crossed my mind to have the steward contacted at that hour (expecially since I know how hard they work). I went to bed and when I got back in my room the following afternoon, my laundry was there. It just seems like a bit much to contact the steward at midnight. Like I stated, please don't attack me...I'm truly trying to understand.