jillmom2 Posted March 7, 2011 #1 Share Posted March 7, 2011 I will have a suite on my upcoming trip on the Glory with VIP check-in. I have heard about these new self-service kiosks that carnival now has. I have never used one before as they were not available on my previous cruises. My questions is with VIP check-in do I still need to use self-serve check-in and then go to VIP area, or just go directly to VIP area and they will handle it from there?. .......Thank you for the information Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulMedik Posted March 7, 2011 #2 Share Posted March 7, 2011 I will have a suite on my upcoming trip on the Glory with VIP check-in. I have heard about these new self-service kiosks that carnival now has. I have never used one before as they were not available on my previous cruises. My questions is with VIP check-in do I still need to use self-serve check-in and then go to VIP area, or just go directly to VIP area and they will handle it from there?. .......Thank you for the information jillmom2, Go directly to VIP checkin. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
futureAG Posted March 8, 2011 #3 Share Posted March 8, 2011 How is VIP different form regular check in? I know the line is MUCH shorter but other then that, what is the difference? We are in a VS for our upcoming cruise out of Vancouver. Do we just head to the VIP line or do we have to wait for someone to escort us? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
babies12 Posted March 8, 2011 #4 Share Posted March 8, 2011 How is VIP different form regular check in? I know the line is MUCH shorter but other then that, what is the difference? We are in a VS for our upcoming cruise out of Vancouver. Do we just head to the VIP line or do we have to wait for someone to escort us? Escort you? LOL! Sorry, couldn't resist. All you get for VIP is priority embark/debark. And no, nobody will escort you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nezmo Posted March 8, 2011 #5 Share Posted March 8, 2011 Escort you? LOL! Sorry, couldn't resist. All you get for VIP is priority embark/debark. And no, nobody will escort you.Unless you're in an Owner's Suite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elcuchio24 Posted March 8, 2011 #6 Share Posted March 8, 2011 The VIP line is well marked, head in there. The line is shorter. We do kiosk check in, so for us VIP (when we have had suites) probably saves 15 minutes tops during embarkation, so not the biggest deal in the world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrpayroll Posted March 8, 2011 #7 Share Posted March 8, 2011 The VIP line is well marked, head in there. The line is shorter. We do kiosk check in, so for us VIP (when we have had suites) probably saves 15 minutes tops during embarkation, so not the biggest deal in the world. BUT you do get to walk in the V.I.P line.....that in itself is an honor.....:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkyMaster Posted March 8, 2011 #8 Share Posted March 8, 2011 How is VIP different form regular check in? I know the line is MUCH shorter but other then that, what is the difference? We are in a VS for our upcoming cruise out of Vancouver. Do we just head to the VIP line or do we have to wait for someone to escort us? Escort you? LOL! Sorry, couldn't resist. All you get for VIP is priority embark/debark. And no, nobody will escort you. BEG TO DIFFER! When you check in at VIP in Tampa, you're more often than not, escorted directly to the gate after they do your paper work at the desk. First Class service in Tampa! "SKY" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigdaddyvoges Posted March 8, 2011 #9 Share Posted March 8, 2011 Go to VIP, was in a JS on the Valor in 2009 and things were so much better hanging with all the VIPs!!! ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
okgirl Posted March 8, 2011 #10 Share Posted March 8, 2011 I was on the Glory in Miami last week. VIP check in is at the opposite end of the terminal from where you will leave your bags with the porters. You will go past the 1st long security entrance that most of the people are lined up in because there is a separate VIP security entrance (to go through xray) After your bags are scanned through xray, you will be directed up the escalator to the VIP lounge going left off the escalator. There will be someone inside the door to greet you and direct you to the next available VIP agent (there are usually 3) We got to the pier around 12:20 on Sunday 2/28 and walked right in to the VIP lounge and even though there were other people in there they called us up to the desk for the next available agent. I don't know if it was because we were on our 23 cruise or because we were on the Blogger's cruise. At any rate, it took about 5 minutes to check us in, and they directed us to go to the escalator that is to the left of the VIP lounge. There a shoreside agent held up the general embarkation line (they were calling zones 24/25) to insert us next onto the escalator up to where the photos were being taken and we stepped on the ship at 12:30. We usually get to the pier around 10:30, but I knew there were going to be a ton of VIPs on the Bloggers cruise and I didn't want to stand in line behind them, so we had a leisurely breakfast at the hotel (Holiday Inn POM) ask for late check out (12pm) and watched a movie. Honestly the easiest embarkation that I've ever had and a bar stool was still waiting for me in the lobby to have my 1st Bloody Mary of the cruise...:p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fleckle Posted March 8, 2011 #11 Share Posted March 8, 2011 For those who have done the one-way cruise to Hawaii on Carnival Spirit, what advantage (if any) does VIP gain you for San Diego check in and bus loading or for boarding the ship at Ensenada? TIA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeM Posted March 8, 2011 #12 Share Posted March 8, 2011 Escort you? LOL! Sorry, couldn't resist. All you get for VIP is priority embark/debark. And no, nobody will escort you. Embark only, not debark. Only Platinum guests enjoy priority debark. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elcuchio24 Posted March 8, 2011 #13 Share Posted March 8, 2011 BUT you do get to walk in the V.I.P line.....that in itself is an honor.....:) We got a free upgrade to a suite back in the day when DW was still GF. We were in our VERY early 20's. We thought we were pretty hot stuff being in the VIP line. Some seasoned VIP was complaining about how it was taking too long to get checked in and that as VIP's we deserved better. We were like "yeah.....what is the meaning of this.";) Then when they were checking us in they asked if we were waiting for our parents because we looked so young, haha. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nezmo Posted March 8, 2011 #14 Share Posted March 8, 2011 Embark only, not debark. Only Platinum guests enjoy priority debark.This is incorrect information. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare jimbo5544 Posted March 8, 2011 #15 Share Posted March 8, 2011 We got a free upgrade to a suite back in the day when DW was still GF. We were in our VERY early 20's. We thought we were pretty hot stuff being in the VIP line. Some seasoned VIP was complaining about how it was taking too long to get checked in and that as VIP's we deserved better. We were like "yeah.....what is the meaning of this.";) Then when they were checking us in they asked if we were waiting for our parents because we looked so young, haha. We have seen it where VIP was slower than regular checkin (when its slow). Nothing like getting ribbed from others in the group on the ship saying " what took you so long....VIP huh?" All that being said it is not a bad feature. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hankandteri Posted March 8, 2011 #16 Share Posted March 8, 2011 Embark only, not debark. Only Platinum guests enjoy priority debark. Wasn't true for us last year on Legend. We had a suite and were in group 1 even though it was only our second Carnival cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
serene56 Posted March 8, 2011 #17 Share Posted March 8, 2011 How does VIP with a suite differ from the Platiunum? When we sailed the Pride the VIP lounge were escorting the people onto the ship. (maybe coz there was no one in the line???) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hlb76 Posted March 8, 2011 #18 Share Posted March 8, 2011 We has a suite on our Spirit cruise in Feb. I was all excited about the VIP part. We got to the port found the VIP line and headed that way. We got stopped a few times but a quick flash of my papers we where fine. Seeing the port is a huge warehouse type building where all ships in port go through the same security. We got right in w/ the rest of the line saving us prob a whole 5 mins. Waiting for the xray machines took a long time. Once through that we headed to the VIP checkin again and walked right up to the desk and where checked in. The people in line next to us through security got checked in just as fast. So our experience it meant nothing othere than our pride. Maybe leaving from a bigger port w/ a VIP lounge or something might make a difference. We did love the suite though. The debark tag of number 1 was good too. not that we hurried off the ship. We had no where to go so waited it out a bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hankandteri Posted March 8, 2011 #19 Share Posted March 8, 2011 How does VIP with a suite differ from the Platiunum? Platinum is someone who has 10 or more cruises with Carnival. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elcuchio24 Posted March 8, 2011 #20 Share Posted March 8, 2011 How does VIP with a suite differ from the Platiunum? When we sailed the Pride the VIP lounge were escorting the people onto the ship. (maybe coz there was no one in the line???) Embarkation is exactly the same. But you don't get the Canapes, pen/paper, priority tender, all that jazz that you get when you're Plat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeM Posted March 8, 2011 #21 Share Posted March 8, 2011 This is incorrect information. Stand corrected, thanks, was thinking of tenders. From Fun Times VIP Check-In Program Priority Debarkation VIP Check-In Program Carnival’s VIP Check-In is an exclusive service designed to afford our Platinum guests, Carnival Vacation Club members and those traveling in deluxe suite accommodations with special registration privileges. Cruise tickets for Platinum guests and those traveling in deluxe accommodations will read, "Please proceed to VIP Check-In". Qualifying guest need only to ask for “VIP Check-In” upon arrival at the cruise terminal. Embarkation staff will ensure that the guests are expedited through the check-in procedure as quickly as is possible, while providing quality service. We offer VIP Check-In at ALL embarkation ports. Note: For those guests traveling with an additional stateroom that does not fall into one of the three categories above, the additional stateroom may check in through the VIP Program only if, 1) there are minor children traveling in the additional stateroom, or 2) the guests in the additional stateroom share the same Sail & Sign account with the qualified VIP guest. Priority Debarkation In addition, Platinum guests and those traveling in deluxe suite accommodations will receive a debarkation letter offering a choice of how they would prefer to disembark the ship. They will be given the option of Self Assist (where offered) or Priority Debarkation; for Priority Debarkation, the guest will receive special luggage tags which will entitle them to debark the ship after the Self Assist guests but before the remainder of the guests. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
serene56 Posted March 8, 2011 #22 Share Posted March 8, 2011 Thank you- so basically it is the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
denisey Posted March 8, 2011 #23 Share Posted March 8, 2011 There were cookies and lemonaid in the VIP lounge on our recent Miracle cruise! Yum! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nezmo Posted March 8, 2011 #24 Share Posted March 8, 2011 Stand corrected, thanks, was thinking of tenders.... No sweat. It's a common misunderstanding. I've seen the comment that suite VIPs do not get priority debark many many times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJI2596 Posted March 8, 2011 #25 Share Posted March 8, 2011 Escort you? LOL! Sorry, couldn't resist. All you get for VIP is priority embark/debark. And no, nobody will escort you. We were escorted last cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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