What are the past passenger perks for sailing multiple times?

[cruisinisforme]

I have to agree with many others here. RCCL beats carnival in the past guest perks. I have sailed both cruise lines many times, but I truly wish Carnival would do something more for past guests.

 

As a diamond on RCCL I get $200 of my balcony, a huge plus when booking and makes me lean towards them, especially with the coupons they offer on many sailings, combine that with the discount and I have $375 off per cabin. The coupon books in the cabin start right after your first cruise, including free pics, drinks, etc and the more you cruise the better the coupons are. They also give chocolate covered strawberries and a plate of fancy desserts in your cabin to diamond members. And my favorite is the concierge club before dinner every night with appetizers and free drinks.

 

On carnival you have to sail with them 10 times before any of their perks start and like I said on RCCL they start right away. Also if you book a suite on RCCL you get 2 cruise credits towards reaching diamond and diamond plus.

 

Im not telling anyone not to cruise carnival, or to choose rccl over them, like I said I have cruised both cruise lines many times, but when it comes to the perks RCCL definitely beats carnival in that category.

[jerick]

For as many cars as I have bought, I'd sure like to get a years worth of FREE GAS. Also, for being such a loyal shopper at my local grocery store all these years, how about free groceries?? Better yet, how about my mortgage company making some payments on my home??

If you cruise for perks, you're doing it for the wrong reasons.

 

I cruise for the pool chair that I keep reserved all week in case I want to use it :rolleyes:

[mariemorgan]

Does the length of cruise matter? For instance there is a big difference between taking 10 4 days cruises and 10 7day cruises.

[obx_fintoo]

Does the length of cruise matter? For instance there is a big difference between taking 10 4 days cruises and 10 7day cruises.

 

They only look at the number of cruises, including Cruises to Nowhere.

[habby]

When did the "Gold S&S Card" start? We cruised to Hawaii four years ago and we had a blue one, and we were past cruisers.

 

I don't know when the different colored cards started. When we sailed in 2004, we had been on two cruises previously in the late 1980s, and we got the red, white and blue card. For our cruises in 2005-2007 we got gold cards.

 

To Stargate Fan, I think the gifts you got from Royal were great, and I agree that it would be nice for Carnival to do more for past guests. I mean, who doesn't want something free (and that wasn't said to put anyone down). An embroidered tote bag would be a very nice gift, as would coupons for drinks and photos, etc.

 

We haven't sailed any other cruise line because Carnival has had the better fares for the times and places we have wanted to go, and we haven't had an experience that made us come close to thinking we would never sail Carnival again.

 

I would definitely call whoever you booked your Liberty cruise through and inquire about any discounts that might be available. I don't think it would hurt to try.

[ArkieCruiser]

I have sailed Carnival 8 times and other than the gold sail and sign card and the past passenger party and a pin, I have not seen any perks or consideration given to past guest. On my 5th cruise I asked for a specific dining room and did not get it. Met a couple who was sailing for the first time and booked one week before the cruise and asked for the same dining room and got it. Don't get me wrong, I love Carnival and they have great rates but they should do a little more to show their appreciation for loyal customers. Also, I think they should use the number of days sailed to determine Platinum status. Like someone said a cheap cruise to nowhere coutns the same a a seven day cruise with a suite. No matter, I will stick with Carnival but even a loyal customer has a right to offer suggestions for improvements.

[crusinmama06]

Now don't go and get all huffy anyone, but I wish Carnival had better benefits for their past guests.

 

We have sailed Royal Caribbean and Carnival twice each. On our second RC cruise, we received beautiful tote bags in our cabins with the cruise line and the ship name embroidered on them, one for each of us. I use my bag when we go to the beach. I think that is much nicer than a pin, in my opinion. And much more useful.

 

And like CCL, we had a very nice past guest party.

 

But we also received coupon books, again one for each of us, that included free pictures, free drinks, free entrance to Johnny Rockets (I know, not applicable on CCL), and many more, which we used.

 

Don't go and tell me, "Then stick to Royal Caribbean." or some other unkind remark. I just think that it would be nice to make past guests, who sail under 10 times, feel respected and reward us with a little more.

 

I agree 100%! RCCL does have better perks for not only past cruisers but for suite passengers as well.

 

I am going to make Platinum on RCCL after the next cruise. My children will also be Platinum as they assume my status.

 

And RCCL offers benefits to those who do suites, more credits and a faster way to make the next level.

 

On Carnival, it will be forever until I make Platinum. They should at least have some suite guest perks, besides VIP embarkation.

[Beachcruzer]

When did the "Gold S&S Card" start? We cruised to Hawaii four years ago and we had a blue one, and we were past cruisers.

 

I think it started 2-3 years ago. I know we got a Gold S&S card on at least our past two cruises. I remember the first time we got one everyone kept asking what was the difference between the color cards. We certainly have a long way to go before we make Platinum.

[Beachcruzer]

I cruise for the pool chair that I keep reserved all week in case I want to use it :rolleyes:

 

 

Heeheeheeheeeheeheee.........:D

[stargate fan]

The perks kick in when you have sailed 10 times. You get a platinum card. So sail a bunch of three day cruises and boom you are platinum. :D

 

Excellent idea! I'll get right on that.

"Oh, honey, you need to take the next three weeks off of work as I have booked seven 3-day cruises. I'm sure your boss won't mind, will he?"

[Wennfred]

When did the "Gold S&S Card" start? We cruised to Hawaii four years ago and we had a blue one, and we were past cruisers.

 

Probably after 2001.

[Wennfred]

Does the length of cruise matter? For instance there is a big difference between taking 10 4 days cruises and 10 7day cruises.

 

Don't matter because my April Freedom cruise would make me Platinum its a 7 day cruise. I just booked a 4 dayer for this November and it also list me as VIP.

 

 

Fred

[PACURN]

Excellent idea! I'll get right on that.

"Oh, honey, you need to take the next three weeks off of work as I have booked seven 3-day cruises. I'm sure your boss won't mind, will he?"

 

I don't see a thing wrong with that do you? :D

[micro yaya]

Don't matter because my April Freedom cruise would make me Platinum its a 7 day cruise. I just booked a 4 dayer for this November and it also list me as VIP.

 

 

Fred

we are doing our 23 cruise next month on rccl, we have done 13 carnival cruises having just been on the freedom in europe. we book for price and ports, we usually only cruise from tampa or the port . i have to agree that we love carnival, but we now have 3 tote bags and multiple pins, maybe they could come up with something just a bit different. i love the perk thata gives us guarantee dinner time . lol kathy

[glrounds]

The perk I like most is the Concierge Class Embarkation. You're boarded right after the handicap and wedding passengers. On the VICTORY out of NYC to Canada, Amy and I were the 3 & 4th passengers to board the ship ! . . . On the SPIRIT out of San Diego I was the absolute FIRST person to board ! ! Its a weird feeling, actually, as you wander around the ship and there are absolute NO PASSENGERS around you . . . UNNERVING . . . SPOOKY ! ! :D

 

The tote bag is nice, don't care for the canapes or deserts, but the PLATINUM card whenever presented brings any crew member to complete attention ! !

 

I've only used the FREE laundry a couple of times. It was a nice perk. The past guest parties have truly turned into gala events. Always enjoy those. :)

 

Interesting anecdote: Many years ago, I went to my first PAST GUEST party where there was 2 bottles of champagne, cold finger sandwiches all on an 8 X 4 table and EIGHT past guests attending ! ! :D

[dandsfranklin]

I agree, the perks from Royal Caribbean are nice. It's nice that you get them after ONE cruise. It just makes it seem like they take notice that you have sailed with them before and they appreciate it.

I have cruised both Carnival and RCI. Actually have cruised Carnival 4 times and 2 times with RCI. Carnival usually has the best rates, which usually helps me decide, but I understand what you are saying.

[Pegs222]

I think it started 2-3 years ago. I know we got a Gold S&S card on at least our past two cruises. I remember the first time we got one everyone kept asking what was the difference between the color cards. We certainly have a long way to go before we make Platinum.

 

Thanks Laura, and all the rest that answered this. Gold S&S card for us. Long way does not describe how long I have for Platinum. Now that my DH and I are retired we can do all these cruises but we also like to stay on the Texas Gulf Coast (right on the beach, well in a condo LOL) during the winter and that is not cheap. I envy all the cruisers that go on a cruise "just because". We have never done that. We have always cruised on those very special anniversary's. I am just not a "fly by the seat of my pants" type. I have to plan that cruise fore months and months.

[stargate fan]

I don't see a thing wrong with that do you? :D

 

Of course not.

Ooh, I had better start packing. Maybe I will call the boss myself instead.

"Pleeeeaaase, John, pretty please let my husband go for three weeks. We'll bring you a souvenir!"

[scotts82705]

My sister swears that on my last cruise they told me my next one I will be VIP. But my next one is numbe my 9th one. So is it on your 10th you get the benifits? Where is it listed if you are? When I go to View the tickets online it say go to VIP check-in. Is it like that for everyone?

[TheDINGOateMyBaybay!]

Isn't it so funny how after the waiting and waiting and coutdown clocks, endless posts', anticipation, shopping, etc, and then, after ALLLL that all we want to find a way to get off the ship quickest...

 

Seriously though, waiting to disembark is the only drawback to me too....I never was particularly loyal to any one line until I found out that you had to have 10 to get priority disembarkment. It's carnival for me for the foreseeable future. Although, I DO think you should get a little something more than a gold card at least after the 5th cruise or so. Maybe free drink coupons like the airlines get, or a casino credit..I might just start a topic on this come to think of it...

 

 

 

Fred,

 

Thanks for the quick reply. Do they ever offer early disembarkation for past guests? Waiting around forever to get off the ship is the main drawback I ever have to cruising. Any words of advice?

 

I see you've been on the Spirit a few times. That's the first cruise hubby and I ever went on. :D