A first timer Carnival Premier Cruise Review

Let me preference my review by saying these are my opinions and observations from my December 9th cruise on the Carnival Sunshine. I’m writing this review because upon my decision to take this trip there were few post about the items you get, etc., so I decided to give other fellow newbies my take.

Faster to Fun was on our luggage tags and priority was on our boarding pass. Boarding was a breeze due to the priority privilege given. The check in people were slightly confused with our boarding pass saying priority but we weren’t going to the diamond/platinum lounge. However we went to the line for special guest and events and our room keys were there. We were off to our room it was about 1:20 pm at this time. Our bags were not delivered until very late, I’m talking 8 pm late even with the FTF tags. We went to guest services and they checked as well, also gave us a couple of free drink coupons to smooth things over. Our steward pulled them in the room for us and all was well. FYI the was a welcome gift was in our room, aluminum water bottles, schedule of events and drink on us cards for both of us.

Welcome party was great drinks flowing we tipped graciously and we saw several people who did not and wondered why they got minimal drinks. Food came around via servers with plates/napkins. Live music was playing and eventually we were welcomed and details of the week were given. We received casino cash and had no problem getting it on day 2.

Gifts were delivered to our room periodically during the week. Cookies, chocolates, champagne, and the final gift which was a passport/luggage tag set. We were also given some other items from the host based on our play and interactions with them, the additional gifts/comps were nice. There is potential to get meals comp and other specialty items sent to your cabin that based on their discretion.

Drawings: Happened every day. Some automated some pulled from a box for various games to win cash or prizes. My name was called once my guest was not called.

Casino: The casino was packed and I mean packed. You need to be very flexible with the time you want to play. There was no choice in machines if you wanted to play, your best was to just pick something open and play. The slots were always full, the tables hit or miss most times there was a spot ort two open. Craps was always crowded. Drinks in the casino were fine sometimes you had to wait sometimes you didn’t we always tipped and they were proactive when they saw us. Yes it was very smoky if you are sensitive to smoke bring a mask. I don’t smoke normally I’m fine but a few days I had to get some fresh air. Very aggressive players I’ve never seen so much charging to your sign and sail account in my life however if you comfortable with that more power to you. I saw some people with 10k points on day 2 and 50k by day 6/7.

Overall I’m glad we went to see what it was all about not sure if we would go again just because waiting to play on a machine and not even the machine you want is a bit much. I felt we were out of our league. I got 9k by the end of the my spouse 4k so we do play but not at that level.

I hope this helps the next person considering a premier cruise.

Thank you vache! We will be on our first Premier cruise next month. We are looking forward to seeing what it is all about. I am concerned about crowding, though. I play slots and enjoy particular ones. I am not overly patient and don't want to sit at a tight machine just to play. My husband plays on the tables, so he enjoys a crowd. We will see. Appreciate your input.

Dawn

Good Luck Dawn! I only got play my favorite games after midnight on the slots.Sometimes later than that. So if your a night owl you might be okay.

Glad you had fun. We’ve been on over 8 premiers and yes some are busier than others for sure

9,000 points isn’t bad at all. That qualifies you automatically for a Ultra invite next year and also a Drinks on Us card automatically on day 1 if your next cruise and maybe even Casino cash

Contact ocean players Casino Dept when you plan your next cruise

I checked for my Mother in Law on a Non premier cruise and she got the drink card and $250 cash and was happy

I enjoyed reading your review.

Keith

Thank you also. Did they also give you the casino cash on your card? If so, were you able to withdraw at all or do you have to lose it all before you can?

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Thank you also. Did they also give you the casino cash on your card? If so, were you able to withdraw at all or do you have to lose it all before you can?

 

 

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They give it all to you in cash.

Thanks Keith! Good Luck

I enjoyed reading your review.

 

Keith

Let me preference my review by saying these are my opinions and observations from my December 9th cruise on the Carnival Sunshine. I’m writing this review because upon my decision to take this trip there were few post about the items you get, etc., so I decided to give other fellow newbies my take.

 

Faster to Fun was on our luggage tags and priority was on our boarding pass. Boarding was a breeze due to the priority privilege given. The check in people were slightly confused with our boarding pass saying priority but we weren’t going to the diamond/platinum lounge. However we went to the line for special guest and events and our room keys were there. We were off to our room it was about 1:20 pm at this time. Our bags were not delivered until very late, I’m talking 8 pm late even with the FTF tags. We went to guest services and they checked as well, also gave us a couple of free drink coupons to smooth things over. Our steward pulled them in the room for us and all was well. FYI the was a welcome gift was in our room, aluminum water bottles, schedule of events and drink on us cards for both of us.

 

Welcome party was great drinks flowing we tipped graciously and we saw several people who did not and wondered why they got minimal drinks. Food came around via servers with plates/napkins. Live music was playing and eventually we were welcomed and details of the week were given. We received casino cash and had no problem getting it on day 2.

 

Gifts were delivered to our room periodically during the week. Cookies, chocolates, champagne, and the final gift which was a passport/luggage tag set. We were also given some other items from the host based on our play and interactions with them, the additional gifts/comps were nice. There is potential to get meals comp and other specialty items sent to your cabin that based on their discretion.

Drawings: Happened every day. Some automated some pulled from a box for various games to win cash or prizes. My name was called once my guest was not called.

 

Casino: The casino was packed and I mean packed. You need to be very flexible with the time you want to play. There was no choice in machines if you wanted to play, your best was to just pick something open and play. The slots were always full, the tables hit or miss most times there was a spot ort two open. Craps was always crowded. Drinks in the casino were fine sometimes you had to wait sometimes you didn’t we always tipped and they were proactive when they saw us. Yes it was very smoky if you are sensitive to smoke bring a mask. I don’t smoke normally I’m fine but a few days I had to get some fresh air. Very aggressive players I’ve never seen so much charging to your sign and sail account in my life however if you comfortable with that more power to you. I saw some people with 10k points on day 2 and 50k by day 6/7.

Overall I’m glad we went to see what it was all about not sure if we would go again just because waiting to play on a machine and not even the machine you want is a bit much. I felt we were out of our league. I got 9k by the end of the my spouse 4k so we do play but not at that level.

 

I hope this helps the next person considering a premier cruise.

Can I ask...how long was this premier cruise that you took

I took an 8 day on the Dream in January and we enjoyed the premiere experience. Weather was awful so we probably had a chance to stop in more often for the scheduled drawings. They gave us $500 in cash at the casino and I won $75 on a drawing and $875 on a slot machine last night which was awesome. My husband pulled another $100 out of the crane machine too! We didn’t feel the casino was too crowded and getting free drinks immediately was another great value! We saw a lot of people winning and the extra gifts in the room almost every night were a nice treat!

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Thank you for all of the reviews on the Premier cruise. We will be going in October, 28, 2018 and this will be our first Premier cruise!

So I guess the people with 30,000+ points get the Elite Cruise?

So I guess the people with 30,000+ points get the Elite Cruise?

I don’t know about that but they stated we would be qualified for one in the Fall if we took a Premier in the winter. Will let you know

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I don’t know about that but they stated we would be qualified for one in the Fall if we took a Premier in the winter. Will let you know

 

 

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Happy to say we will be sailing the Horizon in October on an Ultra offer. We already had it booked with friends and then it was tagged as one of the Ultras so happy to be able to take advantage of it. If anyone has done an Ultra recently, would love to hear about it!

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