Confused about Platinum?

[Froufie]

Our first platinum cruise is next month and I am really looking forward to the laundry service. I just have one question- should you only put sturdy clothes like tee shirts in their laundry? I would be afraid to get a bathing suit or sundress ruined but HOT wash & dry.

 

Do not put anything 'special' in the laundry - I would stick to underwear, socks, t-shirts, short, jammies - nothing that may require some individual attention (definitely not a bathing suit!!! I never put those in the laundry - very easy to hand wash in cabin sink and hang to dry!)

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Our first platinum cruise is next month and I am really looking forward to the laundry service. I just have one question- should you only put sturdy clothes like tee shirts in their laundry? I would be afraid to get a bathing suit or sundress ruined but HOT wash & dry.

 

I only place things such as my: socks, underwear, jeans, t-shirts, and swimsuit in there. Cheryl may use it for some socks or an inexpensive top or similar. Never do we put anything "nice" or dressy in there. My white workout socks usually come back somewhat grey.

 

Tom

[sallyb]

Thanks, that is what I thought. Will work great for DH, not so much for me. I'm used to hand washing bathing suits, etc. I even bring a few clothespins for that pull out line in the shower.

[TorDyrdal]

Yes, being one of the first to board a ship 10 min before everybody else is really exciting.

 

We had vip last time on the Triumph with our suite. I LOVED not having to stand in those awful lines. We registered in a small office while we had cookies and orange juice, sitting in chairs!

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

We had vip last time on the Triumph with our suite. I LOVED not having to stand in those awful lines. We registered in a small office while we had cookies and orange juice, sitting in chairs!

 

This is a good example of how a small perk can make a person feel that they are valued - that is a wise move by any company to help build loyalty. Different things impress different people. After receiving certain perks (many times) one can eventually think of them as "par for the course" and the wow factor is diminished. Thus, it would be wise to add or change some perks over time to keep the experience from becoming stale!

 

 

Tom

[idlenote]

The best part we found was going to the head of the line for disembarking at the tender ports. Go down to Guest Services, they escort you down. Coming back you wait in line on the dock with everyone else. Just the lack of hassle getting off makes it worth it.

 

Also the salmon canapes aren't bad either.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

...Coming back you wait in line on the dock with everyone else. ...

 

That depends who you ask, and apparently what ship and port you are at. The last "official" word I heard was that it was priority both ways -- though Carnival does seem to have issues putting some of these things down "on paper" so to speak (thinking of the oft given perk of priority DEbarkation to suite guests, yet the ONLY place I have found it written is in the Funville/Blog:rolleyes:)! We utilized the priority trip back to the ship from HMC last year with no real problem (though I did go up front to the head security guy and ask if it was offered).

 

Tom

[yesaccasey]

I have a question about milestone. On your 25th cruise do you get the 25% OBC or can you choose to use the OBC anytime after your 25th cruise... Just curious in case my 25th isn't anything spectacular. I want to make sure the 25% OBC is used on a longer/more expensive cruise.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

I have a question about milestone. On your 25th cruise do you get the 25% OBC or can you choose to use the OBC anytime after your 25th cruise... Just curious in case my 25th isn't anything spectacular. I want to make sure the 25% OBC is used on a longer/more expensive cruise.

 

You don't have to use it on your 25th. Many here have strategically planned their use of that OBC for a pricier cruise!

 

Tom

[yesaccasey]

You don't have to use it on your 25th. Many here have strategically planned their use of that OBC for a pricier cruise!

 

Tom

 

Oh, that is great! I was kind of worried about that and was getting ready to plan my cruises out so I made sure I hit a good one on the 25th. Now I can just wait until the right one comes along.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Oh, that is great! I was kind of worried about that and was getting ready to plan my cruises out so I made sure I hit a good one on the 25th. Now I can just wait until the right one comes along.

 

We were planning on using Cheryl's 50th for a suite on a Hawaiian cruise. We ditched those plans and used it on a chartered sailing (Sixthman/VH1 "Best Cruise Ever II). I was happily surprised that Carnival allowed its use on a chartered sailing! Now, we just have to figure out when to use mine. No rush -- we'll get around to it!

 

Tom

[izzypooch]

I'll be platinum on my upcoming cruise. I didn't realize that guaranteed dinning time was one of the perks. When I booked online second seating was the only option so that's what I'm down for now. How do I go about getting it switched to early dinning? Just wait till I board and check in with the matra'd?

[Rosefloater]

Our first platinum cruise is next month and I am really looking forward to the laundry service. I just have one question- should you only put sturdy clothes like tee shirts in their laundry? I would be afraid to get a bathing suit or sundress ruined but HOT wash & dry.

 

Put only items that won't shrink, bleed, or are delicate. I like to take a picture of what I get laundered just in case I am missing something when I get my clothes back.

 

I'll be platinum on my upcoming cruise. I didn't realize that guaranteed dinning time was one of the perks. When I booked online second seating was the only option so that's what I'm down for now. How do I go about getting it switched to early dinning? Just wait till I board and check in with the matra'd?

 

Call Carnival and see if you can get your dining time changed. If not, go to the Maitre d' when you board. You should be able to get it changed then, but not always. I saw 1 platinum couple (in line behind me) who were in the same situation as you, but they couldn't get their dining time changed.

[toby #1]

Didn't help me any last January out of Charleston, S.C. on the Fantasy. And I even had a grand suite. That was a mess and I hope I never have to cruise out of there again. :(

[mississauga]

I'll be platinum on my upcoming cruise. I didn't realize that guaranteed dinning time was one of the perks. When I booked online second seating was the only option so that's what I'm down for now. How do I go about getting it switched to early dinning? Just wait till I board and check in with the matra'd?

 

Was it online through Carnival? If so, call the Carnival 800 # and ask to change to early dining. Because you are Platinum, you will get a confirmation of early dining by email. If you booked online with a travel agency, do you have another method of contact? They will have to request it for you.

[popsec]

And don't bank on that either--last year as we were boarding the Miracle the VIP line was longer than the regular line!! We were on the ship well ahead of many of the people standing in the VIP line. As the number of Platinums increase, I suspect you are going to see this happen more and more. I can't know how many of those people in the VIP line in FLL were Platinum, but given there wasn't a big wedding party going on--no one in line seemed to know anyone else--and given the number of suites on the Miracle vs. how many people were in that line, I'd say a great number of them had to have been Platinum and using that "perk".

 

Also, on the casino VIP cruises all of those booked through the casino have VIP boarding so that adds alot more people with VIP boarding. We'll be triple VIP on our cruise in a few weeks....milestone cruise, VIP casino cruise plus we're in a suite.......how sweet is that? :D

[iluvdoxies]

And don't bank on that either--last year as we were boarding the Miracle the VIP line was longer than the regular line!! We were on the ship well ahead of many of the people standing in the VIP line. As the number of Platinums increase, I suspect you are going to see this happen more and more. I can't know how many of those people in the VIP line in FLL were Platinum, but given there wasn't a big wedding party going on--no one in line seemed to know anyone else--and given the number of suites on the Miracle vs. how many people were in that line, I'd say a great number of them had to have been Platinum and using that "perk".

 

Boy I agree !! On our last cruise, the Fascination out of Jax, the VIP room was STANDING ROOM ONLY !!!!! Had to wait about 1/2 hour before we got to one of the desks to check in...after that, it went quick.

 

I didnt see any wedding parties either, just a lot of VIP's that day I guess.

[iluvdoxies]

That depends who you ask, and apparently what ship and port you are at. The last "official" word I heard was that it was priority both ways -- though Carnival does seem to have issues putting some of these things down "on paper" so to speak (thinking of the oft given perk of priority DEbarkation to suite guests, yet the ONLY place I have found it written is in the Funville/Blog:rolleyes:)! We utilized the priority trip back to the ship from HMC last year with no real problem (though I did go up front to the head security guy and ask if it was offered).

 

Tom

 

It worked fine at HMC this past spring--the line was a million miles long for the return tender, so we walked to the front and asked the security guy if we got to go to the front- he escorted us there himself, very nice !

Everybody glared at us when they boarded the tender after standing in that long line in the heat. I just put on my sunglasses lol - John still had his Milestone card in his hand and when peeps were nasty, he would flash it at them.

 

I did read on another thread it DIDN'T work returning to the ship in Caymen.

 

So as usual, not much consistency.

[crusinpsychRN]

Yes, you get to board the ship first, and in most ports, there is a separate VIP room for check-in, no waiting on lines. The gifts are nice, no big deal... You are guaranteed the dining time that you want without having to worry about being waitlisted, there is a separate line for us at Guest Services, but I think the best thing about being Platinum is the free laundry service they offer...

 

Otherwise, it just means that we have cruised more often than others... But, I will say, being one of the first to board a ship is exciting...

 

Agreed, laundry is a great perk. I was behind 3 guys on one embarkation but one of them was handicapped and had to stop for something so I was the first on the ship. Went straight to purser and signed up for Behind the Fun which was great. The goodies in the cabin after the tour were yummy!

[VegasGreen]

So beyond Platinum, it's just Milestone? Is that based only on 25 cruises, or days also? I the OBC on the one cruise the only Milestone perk ?? someone mentioned a "white card"?

[Chris41]

What do they mean by complimentary treatment upgrade at the spa?

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

So beyond Platinum, it's just Milestone? Is that based only on 25 cruises, or days also? I the OBC on the one cruise the only Milestone perk ?? someone mentioned a "white card"?

 

Yep - from your 10th to your 24th sailing (that is FOURTEEN cruises) your status remains the same, after seeing a BUMP in status at the second and tenth sailings. On the 25th (and beyond) sailing/s you are given a white background Milestone card. You receive the 25% OBC (based on your individual cruise fare prior to fees/taxes) on/after your 25th sailing - ONE TIME. Then you have to wait until your 50th sailing until the next perk - which is then 50% OBC. Between the cruise fare, specialty meals, casino, etc... it's pretty easy to spend $5,000 per cruise - so after 25 or 50 sailings, you have a chunk of change "invested" in your vacation experience! From that standpoint, I feel it's wise for Carnival to do their best to retain the frequent cruiser.

 

 

 

What do they mean by complimentary treatment upgrade at the spa?

 

Good question - one to which I don't have an answer, though my skeptical thought is that it's not very (if at all) significant. I look forward to hear of others use and evaluation of this perk.

 

Tom

[elcuchio24]

Boy I agree !! On our last cruise, the Fascination out of Jax, the VIP room was STANDING ROOM ONLY !!!!! Had to wait about 1/2 hour before we got to one of the desks to check in...after that, it went quick.

 

I didnt see any wedding parties either, just a lot of VIP's that day I guess.

 

Seriously. We have had VIP boarding with suites a handfull of times, maybe shaved off 15-20 minutes total during the boarding process.

[clearwatergirl]

Ah...Milestone! Thank you!

 

Menopause has been like using the delete key on my brain... :(

 

LOL:D I know how you feel. :eek:

[yesaccasey]

Yep - from your 10th to your 24th sailing (that is FOURTEEN cruises) your status remains the same, after seeing a BUMP in status at the second and tenth sailings. On the 25th (and beyond) sailing/s you are given a white background Milestone card. You receive the 25% OBC (based on your individual cruise fare prior to fees/taxes) on/after your 25th sailing - ONE TIME. Then you have to wait until your 50th sailing until the next perk - which is then 50% OBC. Between the cruise fare, specialty meals, casino, etc... it's pretty easy to spend $5,000 per cruise - so after 25 or 50 sailings, you have a chunk of change "invested" in your vacation experience! From that standpoint, I feel it's wise for Carnival to do their best to retain the frequent cruiser.

 

 

 

 

 

Good question - one to which I don't have an answer, though my skeptical thought is that it's not very (if at all) significant. I look forward to hear of others use and evaluation of this perk.

 

Tom

 

I got one of these cards once because they ran out of the regular platinum one and I hate to get my card replaced onboard. It was nice to have at least for part of a cruise! I have a few more cruises to go before I get hit the real milestone level!