Okay, Platinum cruisers...your favorite perk?

[umwife11]

I'll be Platinum on our next cruise and am getting really excited about it ;)

 

I know the brochure gives you the list of perks and all that, but I want to know from real people--what's the best thing I've got to look forward to?

 

I think the one that will probably come in most handy is the laundry service...our cruise is part one of a two-week vacation and well, I'm thinking it'd be awfully nice to have clean clothes when we disembark and then head off to see California...

 

But what else is great?

[Peachie1]

I think that having the laundry done is my favorite perk, although getting the treats in the room is pretty high up there. Oh heck, I like ALL the perks!

 

Peaches in Rowlett Tx

[docs wife]

VIP check in and Platinum line at pursers desk

[Ms Belvedere]

Checking my lipstick using the reflective metallic front of the card. :p

[Cabana Girl]

VIP check in and Platinum line at pursers desk

 

Heartily agree. Like getting off first at the end too.

[DqALEX]

VIP check in IMO is the best. Next is Laundry. That really helped to cut down on my packing

[luckycruzer]

early VIP debark too

[KenMo]

VIP check in is my favorite.

 

I've only used it in Miami and it's nice. A separate room with sofas and chairs.

 

I like the Plat line at the purser's desk, too.

[tha sista]

VIP boarding and wash and fold laundry!

[CarribbeanTina271]

Laundry has be my fav perk.. of course then VIP boarding, then VIP line at pursers desk.. Oh ok I like them all..

:p

[Fun, Fun 44]

All were great. But have to agree with the others the VIP check in and laundry are the BEST! :D It's those things that make me not want to cruise another cruiseline. Have only been on one Platinum cruise, but really looking forward to our b2b with the VIP check in and laundry perk. :p

Happy cruising!

Kat

[mek]

Free laundry! It was great on our 12 nt Med cruise last October.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Laundry.

 

Equally important would be the Concierge line (at Guest Relations), IF it were properly managed - meaning the protocol which the people behind the counter use when a guest approaches that line. I have gone to that line MANY MANY times for various reasons (card demagnetized, inquiry on account, etc..) and have had a few occasions where people in the regular line were helped (multiple people) prior to me. Though the most often "issue" with that line is when people needing "extended assistance" from the regular line are shifted over to that (typically) open space. So I approach the line, and someone with a blue card (it almost always is, lol) is having them make phone calls for them - or whatever - but it goes on for easily 5-10 minutes.

 

Granted - that is a vast minority of the time... but it happens.

 

There, I covered my same gripe... again. OFF MY SOAPBOX now!!

 

Still -- I do appreciate all that Carnival is doing (and working on more) to show their thanks to frequent cruisers!!

 

Tom

[nowendy]

I'll be Platinum on our next cruise and am getting really excited about it ;)

 

I know the brochure gives you the list of perks and all that, but I want to know from real people--what's the best thing I've got to look forward to?

 

I think the one that will probably come in most handy is the laundry service...our cruise is part one of a two-week vacation and well, I'm thinking it'd be awfully nice to have clean clothes when we disembark and then head off to see California...

 

But what else is great?

 

I've never seen anyone complain about it, but here it goes. the 3 times that I sent clothes to the laundry, it came back folded, but so packed into the bag that it needed to be ironed before we could wear it again. in my case, it was no problem because i was coming home. if you intend to have it ready to wear, you may need to rethink your plan.

[bighairtexan]

Notice that the free "gift" aka thermos lately, is not high up on the list. I also like having my dining time guaranteed. Love the canapes in the room.

[LRene]

I agree my favs are the Concierge Line at the Info desk and VIP check in (not debarkation - it's usually a mess).

 

I also agree with Tom - being ignored at the desk is frustrating and I think I've only had it happen a couple of times but on the SAME ship!

 

Laundry - NO WAY am I using the laundry. :eek: Having my clothes put in a mesh bag and washed with other clothes then dried to bits and smashed into a bag. Nope. I'll do my own but my dh uses it some.

[G'ma]

I'll be Platinum on our next cruise and am getting really excited about it ;)

 

I know the brochure gives you the list of perks and all that, but I want to know from real people--what's the best thing I've got to look forward to?

 

I think the one that will probably come in most handy is the laundry service...our cruise is part one of a two-week vacation and well, I'm thinking it'd be awfully nice to have clean clothes when we disembark and then head off to see California...

 

But what else is great?

 

I think all the perks are nice....a nice touch to reward loyal cruisers....

 

My very favorite is priority embarkation...then priority tendering... I also like the plate of sweet nibbles brought to the cabin one evening.....yummy. Everything else is just gravy... I don't use the laundry thingie..... I suppose if I ever do a cruise longer than 7 days or a B2B, I would.

[nolaAlive]

Complimentary wash and fold laundry

[DGP1111]

Another vote for the laundry as well.

I used to say the priority debarkation, but for the last five sailings (all within a few months) that has just not happened . . . unless doing self-assist.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Another vote for the laundry as well.

I used to say the priority debarkation, but for the last five sailings (all within a few months) that has just not happened . . . unless doing self-assist.

 

True - nothing like putting a system into place and then not following though on it, with predictability at any rate. We are SO OVER getting up early for those ~7:00 AM Platinum meetings in the CARD ROOM... SPORTS BAR... LOBBY only to get there and SIT - sometimes for an extra hour or more (it's always "customs" - I can accept that... but ALWAYS?). Worse still is to be there, and nobody ever comes to escort you off the ship, because they FORGOT about you.... again! As of late, we make a point to SLEEP IN, and are usually not out of our room until 9 or so. We let our cabin steward know the night before so that he/she does not come knocking!

 

Tom

[Uncle Doug]

The VIP boarding has been the best perk. The VIP disembarkation has been getting better. Some of the earlier cruises we were forgotten also. The past couple of times they have sent the CAD and we were off the ship even before the posted meeting time. I guess if we showed up at the posted time we would still be sitting there.

 

We have only used the wash and fold a couple of times with mixed results. Once the clothes did not return for 2 days and had to send the room stewart to look for them.

 

I could do without the canapes, they usally go straight out or we try to give to someone else. Its just a personal taste thing. Bring me some chocoalate covered strawberries instead.

 

The thermos we have started to give to friends who travel with us. They will also be a few as door prizes for our cruise party on Sunday.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

...

I could do without the canapes, they usally go straight out or we try to give to someone else. Its just a personal taste thing. Bring me some chocoalate covered strawberries instead.

...

 

True - they look better than they taste, if we can't give ours away, they usually end up IN THE TRASH. Nothing like coming back to your room to find treats left for you "who knows how many hours prior" sitting at room temperature!

 

Tom

[KenMo]

Yep....I dump the canapes.

 

They look beautiful, but yuck!

[MrPete]

Without a doubt, priority embarkation and debarkation. That time savings alone makes it worth it to us.

 

Everything else is fluff.

 

But the best is how the staff reacts when you flip that card out. Quite uncomfortable at first, but I got used to it. I wish I could find a way to wear it on my forehead without the fellow pax being able to see it. Landyards not an option!

[gracie65]

Wash & Fold Laundry, this is great when we have our son!!!