Is Platinum Worth it?

[PA Dutchman]

We have been Platinum sinse there was a Platinum, after 25 cruises with Carnival, Now we are milestone, Platinum embarkation for our last 4 cruises we have been moved into and with the VIPs or Suites people. No seperate line or call for Platinum first. This used to be. But not lately, So some ports just don't do it anymore.

Laundry: Its OK just don't send anything really good.

A couble of freebys for the dress up nights. One they can keep, we don't like it. You really get better things from the Players club.

Debarkation if you wish to bag drag and are Platinum, last 3 cruises it didn't matter, you were put with the VIPs again. Several hundred people. If we did not drive to the port we don't even think of useing this. We ask for the last Zone number, park on the lido deck and then walk off, when called.

Gift, if they don't soon change they can keep the picture frame, we have been giveing them away to non Platinum people we meet on the cruise.

Its very rare we go to the pursers desk, so that don't matter to us.

Free entrance for the casino slot tour, that OK

Are these the things that would keep us cruiseing with Carnival, NO

The perks are nice, better then nothing, like after cruise #25. When you get a white S&S card and nobody knows what it is, they think you work for Carnival.

Only a great Price for a balcony and the crew of carnival ships is what has been keeping us comming back to carnival.

This is just my opinion after many Platinum cruises.

[zonabelle]

[quote name='travelntreats']From post #33 i.e. okgirl
[COLOR=red][I][b][u][U][B]Unfortunately there is no platinum line to get back on the ship. I really think they need 2 lines in some ports.[/B][/U] One for old and/or handicapped and one for everyone else.[/I][/COLOR]

My response:

My post was not even directed to you.... it was to member "okgirl" who felt that there should be seperate lines for re boarding the ship in ports provided to "platinum" passengers.

Read before you accuse or try to start a fight !![/quote]


I think if YOU read the post by okgirl, she said there should be a line for [B][COLOR=red]old and handicap people[/COLOR][/B] and [B][COLOR=red]one for everyone else[/COLOR][/B]. She said nothing about a line for platinum in her post.

Since I did ask if there was a separate line in difficult ports like Key West, it appeared that your post was aimed at me.

I accept your apology.

[TheTravelista]

Platinum is nice I guess. I mostly enjoy the priority embarkation, seperate guest services line and free entry into the slot tournament.

I couldn't care less about free laundry. I don't need or want anyone washing my clothes. I bring more than enough clothing for a week. And don't get me started on that eternal Platinum picture frame...

While I enjoy the perks when I'm on a Carnival cruise, they are not enough to keep me sailing with Carnival solely. I just enjoy a few of them while I am there and don't really miss them when I'm not. Now if the perks were like what RCI gives their Diamond and Diamond Plus members then that would be another story entirely lol!

You should absolutely keep cruising to get there though. You seem to love the product and will continue cruising with Carnival either way. Why not get some perks for it? :)

[travelntreats]

[quote name='zonabelle']I think if YOU read the post by okgirl, she said there should be a line for [B][COLOR=red]old and handicap people[/COLOR][/B] and [B][COLOR=red]one for everyone else[/COLOR][/B]. She said nothing about a line for platinum in her post.

Since I did ask if there was a separate line in difficult ports like Key West, it appeared that your post was aimed at me.

I accept your apology.[/quote]
OK... if you want to feel you have won the discussion...so beit, I am not wasting my time on this topic anymore... but no apology is due to you and will not occur I assure you.

[IGGY63]

[quote name='mississauga']

We are 1st time platinum in less than 2 weeks. [/quote]

Less than 2 weeks.......me too!!

Carnival Miracle......

Woot woot!!

[golfadj]

And some day they will change the gift as most platinums have more picture frames than they know what to do with.

[LambKnuckles]

[FONT=Georgia][SIZE=4][COLOR=DarkGreen]I'll be HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY to be PLATINUM... But merely for the fact that 9+ CARNIVAL cruise are under my belt!!! And I'm on my 10+ cruise!!!!

I love to CRUISE!!!
I'm ADDICTED to cruising!!!
And I LOVE CARNIVAL!!!!

But the perks are just that... PERKS!!! EXTRAS!!! Thank yous!!!
[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Georgia][SIZE=4][COLOR=DarkGreen][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Georgia][SIZE=4][COLOR=DarkGreen][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[LambKnuckles]

[quote name='ETinCA']We enjoy the perks simply because they are there. If they weren't we'd still travel Carnival, just like we did for the 9 cruises without perks.
My wife and I are Platinum and enjoy:
The priority embarkation- This can be great if the lines are long
The laundry- As we normally travel as a family of four, so it keeps our packing down a bit. Especially with our kids.
The line at the desk- Nice to have if the other line is really busy
We love the priority dining- We always get the time we want and if we would like a change in location, they are normally able to help.
The chocolate strawberries are good too.
The picture frame we could do without.
Platinum stationary is cool, only for the fact I send letters to my family to tease them after the cruise. Otherwise, no biggie.

Also, when kids turn Platinum, they get arcade tokens as well. So my son is at 9 cruises and can't wait for his turn.

Just my two cents. Doesn't mean we don't like or enjoy other lines, but the perks are nice to have anyway.[/quote]

[FONT=Georgia][SIZE=4][COLOR=DarkGreen]AMEN!!! Well said!!! :) [/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Georgia][SIZE=4][COLOR=DarkGreen][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[near the beach]

[COLOR=black][FONT=Times New Roman][FONT=Arial][SIZE=3]It doesn’t cost any extra to become a platinum cruiser. We have never been able to get to our cabin early. Even the one time we had VIP boarding because we booked a suite. The VIP lounge was nicer than the chairs that we were use to while waiting to board the ship. The hall ways have always been closed and no one was admitted until all of the cabins were ready. We have paid for the laundry service. I think it was a bit costly. But it was worth it. We used the just press service also. I can see that the laundry service would be a good thing on a long cruise. Our room steward and wait staff always makes us feel like VIPs’ even if we are not platinum yet. I figure our grandson will be a platinum cruise before he has to pay for his own cruises. We enjoy cruising. :)[/SIZE][/FONT][/FONT][/COLOR]

[Medtech2]

[quote name='firefly333']they do that to board the ship .. no one says they are wanting classes or complains about that, why would this be class?

I think a lot of people who are platinum have also said they would like priority on tenders .. going back to the ship .. not just off the ship to the port.[/QUOTE]
No, they said one for handicapped and old...

Sorry hit wrong post to reply to--was replying to the post above, who thought they wanted to divide the lines due to "class" not need...

[firefly333]

[quote name='near the beach'][COLOR=black][FONT=Times New Roman][FONT=Arial][SIZE=3]It doesn’t cost any extra to become a platinum cruiser. :)[/SIZE][/FONT][/FONT][/COLOR][/quote]

Exactly .. so how can something that you achieve, be not worth it. Just show up for those cruises .. and just like the moon setting and the sun rising it happens.

[murphysdad]

Geez you people. We took a short 3 day cruise just to get to platinum, and frankly can't wait to use our benefits. We cruise in 3 days on the Miracle to new ports. I consider any perks we get on platinum great, and would not consider the bitching some of you do...wow...some poster said that if you do not want to use the benefits then don't...that is a perfect response.

As far as another line to get back on the ship for the handicap and elderly, that would be great for me because I cannot tell you how may times we have to wait for them to get back on that gangplank...but the worst offenders are those idiots that are not ready to get back on the ship with their sign and sail cards out and have to dig for them while everyone waits..THESE people need a separate lines for just being stupid and not caring about anyone else but themselves.

[cruisingwithoutkids]

[quote name='Bo Didly']There are no free cocktail parties for platinum .[/quote]

We had a free cocktail party for past guests on Carnival Fascination in December. They even served beer this time.

[Bo Didly]

I've never been on a three day cruise to obtain platinum, matter of fact I have never been on a three day cruise .

Read through all the comments again and the one that caught my eye was this coment,
"[B][U]Doesn't cost any thing to become platinum" [/U][/B]

Dont know about the rest of the platinums on this board but it cost me a bundle . :eek:

If your not platinum and reading this discussion, don't worry when all us platinums are on board a ship we're all hugs and kisses :D

[Bo Didly]

[quote name='cruisingwithoutkids']We had a free cocktail party for past guests on Carnival Fascination in December. They even served beer this time.[/quote]
Yea thats called , [B][U]THE Past Guest Party[/U][/B] Not a party for Platinum members only;)

[firefly333]

[quote name='Bo Didly']

If your not platinum and reading this discussion, don't worry when all us [COLOR=Red]platinums[/COLOR] are on board a ship [COLOR=Red]we're all hugs and kisses [/COLOR]:D[/quote]

:eek: I must have missed this in the literature. Im one who became platinum on Carnival .. in spite of myself. I love to cruise and there Carnival was waiting for me... :D .. ready for hugs and kisses ... Iv been missing out.

[quickrate]

[quote name='Bo Didly']Wash , ruined shirts as well as shrunken items.
Fold , [U][B]horrible[/B][/U].

For the most part is useless.[/QUOTE]
I'm sorry you had that experience. Every time we've used wash and fold everything came back spotless, unwrinkled, and the same size they left the cabin!:D
Pat

[near the beach]

[FONT=Arial][SIZE=3]I have a question. Getting on a tender first. How does that help? The last person to get on arrives at the location at the same time as the first person. Platinum is not something to pay extra to get. So why would anyone complain about it? [/SIZE][/FONT]

[MEOWSMURPHY]

[quote name='murphysdad']
as far as another line to get back on the ship for the handicap and elderly, that would be great for me because i cannot tell you how may times we have to wait for them to get back on that gangplank...but the worst offenders are those idiots that are not ready to get back on the ship with their sign and sail cards out and have to dig for them while everyone waits..these people need a separate lines for just being stupid and not caring about anyone else but themselves.[/quote]

amen!!!!..well said

[firefly333]

[quote name='near the beach'][FONT=Arial][SIZE=3]I have a question. Getting on a tender first. How does that help? The last person to get on arrives at the location at the same time as the first person. Platinum is not something to pay extra to get. So why would anyone complain about it? [/SIZE][/FONT][/quote]

It helps when the port first opens as there is not room on the first or second tenders for everyone who wants on them.. Iv only used it once, and it was more a accident. A carnival rep was in the stairwell and I asked her about it and she said come with me.

I didnt even stand in the platinum line last cruise when I wanted to ask about something.. the line wasnt that long, I dont like asking to be treated special.

I wouldnt pay extra to be platinum and get to that magic #10 . but its nice to be recognized mostly.. people who work on the ship saying welcome back is the best perk to me.

[SadieN]

[quote name='Bo Didly']Wash , ruined shirts as well as shrunken items.
Fold , [U][B]horrible[/B][/U].

For the most part is useless.[/quote]

[quote name='jimbo5544']We LOVE the wash and fold service, have had nothing ruined. Makes packing so much easier.[/quote]

It depends on what you send out. The clothes get put into a mesh bag and placed into a hot-water washer that holds about 100lbs of clothes. Whites are with darks. One bleeding red shirt can 'pink' the whole load. Dryer is set on hot. Only send clothes that can withstand this treatment: underwear, preshrunk Tshirts, jeans & socks. Do not send anything delicate.

[SadieN]

[quote name='okgirl']Early access to your cabin is not a Platinum perk and if someone told you that it was they are wrong.
.............................[/quote]

You do on the Paradise:D It's actually written on the paperwork that Platinums receive at check-in. Maybe it makes up for no Canapes/Strawberries?

[quote name='Bo Didly']Never received any [B][U]chocolate covered strawberries [/U][/B]as a perk :confused:

But that would be better than the other crapola they deliver to your room.;)[/quote]

Their last cruise was on the Paradise. 3/4day cruises don't get all the perks.

[PROCRUISE]

[quote name='Bo Didly']Wash , ruined shirts as well as shrunken items.
Fold , [U][B]horrible[/B][/U].

For the most part is useless.[/QUOTE]

Have to agree here. Don't send any clothing out to be washed and folded that you value. For underwear, tee-shirts its okay. Laundry comes back with dull oder, slightly stiff, and often, a slightly smaller size too!

[PictureChris]

Just got this from my PVP yesterday....

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif][SIZE=3]As a Carnival Concierge Club member, the Platinum Guest will receive the following privileges and benefits:
[U]VIP Check-In at the Pier[/U]
Guests will be advised in their cruise documents to proceed to VIP Check-In (formerly known as the Skippers Club), in ports where VIP Check-In is normally offered.
[U]Personal Guest Service Staff[/U]
A dedicated telephone line will be available and answered by the Purser’s Information Desk 8:00am-8:00pm; in addition, there will be a priority line at the Purser’s Information Desk for Platinum Guests who need assistance.
[U]Personalized Stationery[/U]
Special Carnival Concierge stationery personalized with the guests’ name will be delivered to the stateroom prior to embarkation.
[U]Canapes [/U](Note: For cruises 5 days or longer only)
Canapes will be delivered to the stateroom one evening via room service.
[U]Petit Fours[/U]
Petit Fours will be delivered to the stateroom one evening via room service.
[U]Carnival Concierge Tote Bag[/U]
A special Carnival Concierge tote bag (per Platinum Guest) will be delivered to the stateroom.
[U]Complimentary $20 Entrance to Blackjack or Slot Tournament[/U]
The Platinum Guest (18 years or older) will contact the Casino Cashier Cage for his/her complimentary ticket.
[U]Complimentary Wash and Fold Laundry Service[/U]
Complimentary unlimited wash and fold laundry service.
[U]Guaranteed Dining Assignments [/U]
Guests may change their assigned dining time.
Note: This is for the Platinum guest and immediate family, maximum of two staterooms.
[U]Guaranteed Supper Club Reservations[/U]
Guests may get confirmed reservations for the Supper Club.
[U]Exclusive “Behind the Scenes” Tour of the Galley[/U]
Guests may take a private tour of the Galley with other Platinum Guests.
[U]Priority Spa Carnival Reservations[/U]
Guests will be encouraged to book early to be assured of their requested appointment selection.
[U]Priority Tender Boarding[/U]
In ports where the ship will tender, guests not on a shore excursion will proceed to the Concierge Desk and be escorted to the appropriate gangway for the next available tender.
[U]Priority Debarkation[/U]
Guests will receive a debarkation letter offering a choice of how they would prefer to disembark the ship. They will be given the choice of Self Assist (where offered) or regular debarkation; for regular debarkation, the guest will receive Carnival Concierge Club Luggage tags.
[FONT=Calibri, sans-serif][SIZE=2] [/SIZE][/FONT]
[/SIZE][/FONT]

[PictureChris]

The solo rates for Carnival vs Royal were discussed earlier in this thread. For 3-5 day cruises, no one can beat Royals rates. When you get up to the 7 day cruises however, I have found that CCL is beating Royal in most cases.

Having been on 5 Royal cruises now, I can tell you that the "class" system is hugely noticeable on Royal. There is an area at Labadee only for guests of certain status. There are seats reserved in some of the venues for certain status. Some status have a different area for dining, free cocktails etc. Passengers walk around with stickers/pins showing what category they fall into.

They have recently updated the program and have added a couple layers to the loyalty program. Nothing against the program, just want to point out that it is MUCH more obvious on Royal vs the Platinum/Non Platinum distinction on Carnival.