Do you get dirty looks ? Platinum

[pmc7704]

But I can't wait that long to find out !!! lol :confused:

[BamaCruiser20]

I will become Platinum on my December cruise on the Inspiration. I will be traveling with three other ladies and I will be the only Platinum cruiser. I know they priority boarding will only apply to my cabin mate and myself. But, will all four of us be allowed to take advantage of the priority tendering? And, am I reading some of the post correct on this thread? Do Platinum cruisers also get priority debarking at ports that are NOT tender ports??

[dan40]

I get a hole punched in my Platinum card and wear it around my neck on my CRUISE CRITIC lanyard. That really causes confusion among the peons. "Let them eat cake!":D

 

Dan

[glrounds]

I get a hole punched in my Platinum card and wear it around my neck on my CRUISE CRITIC lanyard. That really causes confusion among the peons. "Let them eat cake!":D

 

Dan

 

LOL . . . . Hilarious (screw 'em) :D

(there just low class gold-carders scum) :rolleyes:

[CruzVinnieCruz]

Just look out, here I come :D I wonder what Guarantee Dining Times means? If you go to see the Maitre'D for a time change, Im sure that comes with a table change as well.

 

Do away with the Concierge Line then, thats rude and pushy also. :rolleyes:

 

• All Gold member benefits

• Carnival Concierge Club benefits* including:

• Personalized stationery

• A special Carnival logo item

• Guaranteed dining times and supper club reservations

• Complimentary $20 entry fee into blackjack or slots tournament**

• Spa Carnival priority reservations

• Petit fours and/or canapés delivered to cabin*** one evening

• Complimentary wash and fold laundry service

• Priority tender boarding

• Priority embarkation and debarkation

• Complimentary arcade tokens valued at $5 dollars for guests under

18 years of age

 

Fred,

 

I understand the guaranteed dining time but took that to mean your dining time request when booking the cruise becomes guaranteed and no longer a request. I am a little confused why you need to see the Maitre'De after boarding. Do you change you mind after making the original request? Just wondering.

[G'ma]

If I do, I don't notice it. I don't pay much attention to things like that anyway.

 

If someone actually directed a comment to me, I suppose I might respond but certainly wouldn't be rude. I'd just tell that person that after 9 cruises, she can do it to...or something to that effect.

 

I did get a few envious stares tendering a time or two but didn't feel any hostility at all. Most people, I think, recognize that certain perks are available under certain circumstances in most of the travel industry, hotels, airlines, etc.

[DGP1111]

Usually only when you walk up to the head of the line when you need to talk to the Maitre'd when getting a table change.

 

I wonder what Guarantee Dining Times means? If you go to see the Maitre'D for a time change, Im sure that comes with a table change as well.

 

Fred, I hope you can see where the confusion originates. Many of us remember reading (after your April sailing on Carnival Freedom) that you went to check on table selection for the three of you, but didn't make a change to dining time.

That's why it could seemingly appear that your initial statement in this thread would be a personal decision to adjust the stated perks to something else.

 

Fred,

 

I understand the guaranteed dining time but took that to mean your dining time request when booking the cruise becomes guaranteed and no longer a request. I am a little confused why you need to see the Maitre'De after boarding. Do you change you mind after making the original request? Just wondering.

 

I still think it's a risk to frustrate other passengers, whom you'll be spending multiple days with, to attempt the described created perk.

 

Aaron Peirsol's record is often challenged on these Cruise Critic boards.

[glrounds]

Fred,

 

I understand the guaranteed dining time but took that to mean your dining time request when booking the cruise becomes guaranteed and no longer a request. I am a little confused why you need to see the Maitre'De after boarding. Do you change you mind after making the original request? Just wondering.

 

When you are booking, it is only a REQUEST . . . once onboard you may not like what you were GIVEN, in spite of your REQUEST. Even if your request was fulfilled you may not care for the exact location of your table, once onboard. None of this affects me, but some people are very selective about dining table location.

[DGP1111]

Does anyone know if Ft Lauderdale has a VIP lounge, or special area for Platinum members ? Our May cruise will be our first Platinum cruise, and I'm really looking forward to it.

 

Unfortunately no lounge, and if you arrive early they may not have even set up the VIP line for assistance at the desks.

Once you're checked in, VIP passengers will wait while sitting along the left wall (rows 1&2) with the rest of the passengers (sitting in row 3+). When boarding time comes, the embarkation staff will direct those in the first two rows to continue around the room perimeter, into the location where debarking passengers had gathered their luggage, and then onto the ship.

If you are arriving after the initial embarkation has already started, I have to admit I have zero clue how they handle that. I've read worse stories of other places, but Fort Lauderdale had been the most mis-managed embarkation experience on any of my vacation cruises. I'm hoping things have improved.

[PINEVIEW01]

I think a lot of people standing in a long line tend to get frustrated. And when someone just walks up past everyone- and from some of the posts I have seen here probably with a smug attitude- I am sure the people in the line get angry. Everyone hates it when there is a big line and there is that one person who thinks they don't have to wait like everyone else and tries to break in the line. Those people probably have no idea it is a platinum passenger. Carnival could avoid those issues by having a seperate line that was well posted.

 

They do have a seperate line. Has a rope on each side with a welcome map. It also has a sign over it. It still doesn't stop the people in the other line from yelling at you and the Carnival Staff. It also doesn't stop the newbie from jumping in it. Some people don't read or pay attention. Than there are the people how politly ask about it and than get excited about have something like that to look forward too.

 

Not all platinum people are snotty. I have seen very few that are. This is Carnival after all. I like to use people asking (not the ones yelling at you)as a chance to promote Carnival. I've had the staff smiling when they listen to me explaining the program. Takes some of the heat of them to.

[deepnite10]

Why would anyone NOTICE whether some stranger is looking at them as they walk by - unless they look around hoping others notice (or making sure they DO)? :confused: :rolleyes: When I'm somewhere fun like a cruise - even checking in - no one else matters to me but us and the fun we're having. You could be on stilts with your hair on fire and I wouldn't notice OR care! And how would a person get a "dirty stare" just for having a platinum card? Who would SEE it unless you're waving it around - again hoping others notice that there's something "special" about you? So just carry on and do your thing - who cares who notices or what kind of "look" they may give?

 

id think that if you we re a plat. member you d be more interested in getting to your destination rather than seeing if you we re getting

any notice from us less fortunate..:cool: ..it s like the winning a ball game

..the couch would always tell us..*act like you ve been there befor*

[southbayer]

Wow, what a ruckus I started on this thread, ROFL!!!!:D

 

But as far as I know on any of the cruises I have taken, why doesn't the Cruise Director explain about Platinum and its benefits, so there are no misunderstands while on the cruise.

 

And as far as debarking at a port, instead of pushing past the hoards of peeps waiting since the crack of dawn to get off, why doesn't Carnival let Platinum Guests exit with the crew at the other gangway ? It would go alot better to defuse tensions and make things better all the way around.

 

Now go take on the day!:D

[Elaine515]

Just curious for those of you who are Platinum Guests -

 

Do you get dirty looks for walking right up to the Concierge Desk ?

 

For walking past everyone at port for your excursion ?

 

For simply having a platinum card, and getting dirty stares ?

 

 

Not only have we gotten dirty looks, we had one lady yell and scream at us "Hey the lines back here"... in the middle of the crowded atrium. Yes, it was very strange, almost embarrassing until my husband explained to her why it was ok for us to get on the line under the sign that read "Concierge Desk"... It was a "if looks can kill" look...

 

We have also used the priority tendering, sometimes the Crew noticing our Platinum Cards and escorting us to the front of the line, other times going to the Concierge Desk and having them escort us to the front... We only use it when we have a private tour booked and know that the tour guide is waiting for us.

 

And, for whatever reason, every single time we cruise Carnival manages to give us the late seating when we always ask for early, but we have NEVER EVER went to the front of that line. We wait our turn, just like everyone else, because we know they have to change it anyway.

 

I'm not going to lie and say I don't notice fellow passengers looking at us, and sometimes (unlike being yelled at in the middle of the atrium) I actually enjoy it....

 

I also think most passengers truly have no idea why our cards are a different color than theirs. I always wear my card around my neck and sometimes another passenger will ask me what it means and they usually walk away with that "I can't wait to get one of those cards" look...

[jetskier]

One of the things I do while walking around when I see someone with a confused look is ask if they need help. Usually they are lost. I give them directions on how to get to where they are trying to go. The comment I normally get is "Do you work for the cruiseline?". Nope, just cruise alot. I usually have my lanyard with all my ship pins and my platinum card in a pouch.

 

I dont mind helping people out even though it is a vacation for me.

 

Dave

[PINEVIEW01]

I also think most passengers truly have no idea why our cards are a different color than theirs. I always wear my card around my neck and sometimes another passenger will ask me what it means and they usually walk away with that "I can't wait to get one of those cards" look...

I too, think this is the norm.

[pearose]

Well we aren't platinum yet, but we will qualify for VIP embarkation this time due to our category. Looking forward to finding out about dirting looks as we hopefully whiz right through the embarkation procedure! Can't wait. Never been VIP before! :cool:

[luv2cruz66]

I too, think this is the norm.

 

My DH and I are only half way to Platinum but I can't wait. What I really want to know is what do I need to do to have a past cruise list like yours pineview01 ?! Three cruises back to back?! That is my dream? You deserve platinum and then some!

[Once a Cruiser]

I too, think this is the norm.
__________________
Melody

</DIV>

Did someone mention my name?;)

 

Was wondering what you are called when you have done 35 Carnival Cruises? I have just booked my 36th Carnival Cruise and ALWAYS get funny / strange looks etc. when I am 'escorted" on board the ship!!!

 

I usually book an Outside Guarantee and ALWAYS receive an upgrade to a Balcony as well as receive "free" on-board stuff! Sometimes, it's Dinner at the Captain's table on Formal Night or a Complimentary Dinner at a Supper Club (for 2) or a free shore excursion!

 

When you cruise as much as I do........I think I deserve it!!!

 

Happy cruising and hopefully, we will get to meet one - day on board a Carnival ship!!:cool:

[DarthGrady]

I too, think this is the norm.
__________________
Melody

</DIV>

Did someone mention my name?;)

 

Was wondering what you are called when you have done 35 Carnival Cruises? I have just booked my 36th Carnival Cruise and ALWAYS get funny / strange looks etc. when I am 'escorted" on board the ship!!!

 

I usually book an Outside Guarantee and ALWAYS receive an upgrade to a Balcony as well as receive "free" on-board stuff! Sometimes, it's Dinner at the Captain's table on Formal Night or a Complimentary Dinner at a Supper Club (for 2) or a free shore excursion!

 

When you cruise as much as I do........I think I deserve it!!!

 

Happy cruising and hopefully, we will get to meet one - day on board a Carnival ship!!:cool:

 

Hey Norman, your cruise list is certainly something to strive for!

 

I remember seeing you on Carnival TV last year on Glory, you were friggin' everywhere man! I was telling my friends that it would be sweet to have enough Carnival cruises so that the entire crew knows you.

[carribeancruzr]

Stares? Try getting "buzzed" everytime during your cruise you tried to debark or embark the ship! We were some of the first passengers to "enjoy" Platinum cards on our last Carnival cruise-in 2006. Apparently the security system hadn't caught up yet. It was quite annoying to get pulled aside EVERY time and have to go through a complete security check and be promised it was fixed and wouldn't happen again, so we asked to have our gold cards back! Oddly, the problem was corrected after that. The concierge desk was knowledgle about the new program, but not some of the other areas. Once again though, we can thank Carnival for fond memories-we had gone with another family on that cruise and now when we get together if one of us makes a "buzzer" sound we all laugh! :D

[Wennfred]

Fred,

 

I am a little confused why you need to see the Maitre'De after boarding. Do you change you mind after making the original request? Just wondering.

 

It was my Mother-in-Laws first cruise and I wanted a table for ourselves so that she can relax and not have to entertain others at the table.

 

 

 

Fred

[southbayer]

Hey Fred, I don't remember if I asked you before, but does San Diego port have a platinum lounge, or is it pretty much of a no frills port ?

 

thanks

It was my Mother-in-Laws first cruise and I wanted a table for ourselves so that she can relax and not have to entertain others at the table.

 

 

 

Fred

[Wolfie48]

My DH and I are only half way to Platinum but I can't wait. What I really want to know is what do I need to do to have a past cruise list like yours pineview01 ?! Three cruises back to back?! That is my dream? You deserve platinum and then some!

 

DW and I are working on Platinum too, but some of the perks I won't need. I want to be the first one on the ship....but the last one off! The cruises aren't long enough IMHO so why be in a rush to get off? Our plan is to reach Platinum by 2010...see you in the VIP line :D

[CWcruisers]

San Diego has a separate line for Platinum, but San Diego has their act together and no one waits in line very long. Most people are on the ship with a DOD in their hand before noon.

 

One place I enjoyed being Platinum was St Thomas, where you have to re-immigrate. There was a very long line that we had to walk past to get to our meeting point, and many people in that line made comments as we passed. I was not flaunting my status, just taking advantage of it, but they did not know that. Although on that ship, I was told by a crew member how nice I was for a Platinum guest. That made me sad to think that others are not.

[OHS81]

How many Carnival cruises do you have to take to become Platinum? I should know this :rolleyes: , the last cruise we went on, friends in our party were Platinum and they let us know some of the perks....daily :) This thread has been very informative to say the least :D cant wait to be Platinum too!!