Diamond Captain's Invite

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Upon reading the perks sheet in our cabin when we boarded the Freedom yesterday I noticed the wording for the “Special Invitation from the Captain” for Diamond guests. Initially I thought that this invitation was on each sailing, but this indicates that it only occurs on your FIRST cruise as a Diamond guest.

 

This is the first I’ve heard of this – but then again, I don’t spend as much time on the Carnival boards as I used to.

 

 

 

Tom

[winddawn]

Upon reading the perks sheet in our cabin when we boarded the Freedom yesterday I noticed the wording for the “Special Invitation from the Captain” for Diamond guests. Initially I thought that this invitation was on each sailing, but this indicates that it only occurs on your FIRST cruise as a Diamond guest.

 

This is the first I’ve heard of this – but then again, I don’t spend as much time on the Carnival boards as I used to.

 

 

 

Tom

Hi, Tom. Did you get the invitation on your first Diamond cruise? I don't remember ever reading any posts here about what the experience is like. Thanks for sharing this information.

 

How is your Freedom cruise going? Any luck in the casino so far? Have a great cruise.

[Beth]

We have been Diamond our last 3 cruises an gotten an invitation on each cruise. First time we got to go to the bridge and look around and the captain came and talked to us for about 1/2 hour and they did have snacks. Second time did not do it. Last time they had a get together in a small bar with all senior officers and captain. Had snacks & drinks

[DebJ14]

I'm just off the Magic after my first "Diamond" cruise. Not only did I not receive an invite to the Diamond event, but I didn't even get an invite the the Past Guest party and had to go into battle to get the darn hat and the drink coupon. Guest services was a total screw up from start to finish.

[winddawn]

I'm just off the Magic after my first "Diamond" cruise. Not only did I not receive an invite to the Diamond event, but I didn't even get an invite the the Past Guest party and had to go into battle to get the darn hat and the drink coupon. Guest services was a total screw up from start to finish.

I didn't get many of the Platinum perks onboard on my last Carnival cruise either, Deb. They didn't have any Platinum gifts to give out. No petit fours, no appetizers. No drink coupon. Early debarkation was a mess too. About all I got was the pin, and I did claim my BOGO slot tournament entry in the casino.

[barbatkins]

Upon reading the perks sheet in our cabin when we boarded the Freedom yesterday I noticed the wording for the “Special Invitation from the Captain” for Diamond guests. Initially I thought that this invitation was on each sailing, but this indicates that it only occurs on your FIRST cruise as a Diamond guest.

 

This is the first I’ve heard of this – but then again, I don’t spend as much time on the Carnival boards as I used to.

 

 

 

Tom

 

Hey Tom....I've been on several cruises since becoming Diamond and every time I got a special invite to meet the Captain. Last cruise we had so many Diamonds, we got a very nice cocktail party with all the officers.....And the website does say "each sailing"

[islandwannabee]

Hey don't worry, I bet they just worded it incorrectly. We have been on 9 cruises since turning diamond and received an invite to something special each time.

Cindy

[kicia]

The letter in the cabin does state:

 

A Special Invitation from the Captain.

If this is your first cruise as a Diamond, you'll be invited to spend some time getting to know the captain during this sailing. Invitation to follow.

 

It implies that you only receive this on your first Diamond cruise but we have gotten an invitation every time since we achieved Diamond status. The Captain's invitation was cancelled at the last minute on our last cruise due to very heavy fog and there was no substitute.

 

Maybe this is supposed to be like the Milestone program. When it started we received the white card on every cruise after the Milestone cruise but it was supposed to only be on the actual Milestone cruise and it has been changed so that you get the Platinum card after that.

 

Since that is the only Diamond perk that is not one time only, I hope it stays.

[CWcruisers]

John Heald stated that the Diamond event with the Captain would happen every cruise and it was up to the Captain what the event would be, so it could be a different experience each sailing.

 

From what I am reading, the Captain's have gotten complacent and offer a bridge tour with no other goodies and most times, the Captain isn't even present.

 

Brilliant!!!:rolleyes:

[sanmarcosman]

One would be more than enough for me, my Italian is a little rusty. ;)

[Sargent_Schultz]

John Heald stated that the Diamond event with the Captain would happen every cruise and it was up to the Captain what the event would be, so it could be a different experience each sailing.

 

From what I am reading, the Captain's have gotten complacent and offer a bridge tour with no other goodies and most times, the Captain isn't even present.

 

Brilliant!!!:rolleyes:

 

It is up to the Captain and subject to his availability (clearly stated in the program FAQs).

 

The Captain has been present at ALL of the Diamond events I've attended and there have always been goodies and sometimes cocktails. :)

 

We expect to be invited to another one in a few weeks. :)

[golfadj]

John Heald stated that the Diamond event with the Captain would happen every cruise and it was up to the Captain what the event would be, so it could be a different experience each sailing.

 

From what I am reading, the Captain's have gotten complacent and offer a bridge tour with no other goodies and most times, the Captain isn't even present.

 

Brilliant!!!:rolleyes:

 

Still about 5 cruises away from Diamond and this is the only perk of interest to us.

 

If Carnival thinks this is important they will have the capt do it each cruise and if he is not there on most occasions this shows how unimportant Diamonds are to them.

 

However do understand that there can be circumstances (fog) where the capt needs to give the safety of passengers and ship his undivided attention.

[okgirl]

This is probably the thing I'm least looking forward to, but the FAQ does indicate that the invitation should be on every cruise:

 

“A Special Invitation from the Captain.” Benefit limited to Diamond Member and one guest once per Cruise, subject to Captain’s availability and discretion. No substitution if Benefit is unavailable.

[MrPete]

Upon reading the perks sheet in our cabin when we boarded the Freedom yesterday I noticed the wording for the “Special Invitation from the Captain” for Diamond guests. Initially I thought that this invitation was on each sailing, but this indicates that it only occurs on your FIRST cruise as a Diamond guest.

 

This is the first I’ve heard of this – but then again, I don’t spend as much time on the Carnival boards as I used to.

 

 

 

 

Tom

 

Watch out Tom. You might be steering that boat for a spell, possibly ovenight. :p

[SkyMaster]

I too, have had the invitation, and met with the Captain on each and every cruise since the "Diamond" plateau was started. I've REALLY enjoyed these meetings, and have enjoyed getting to know the Captain, and some of the senior officers. They are quite busy, and it is up to the Captain what he wants to do, so it's different each and every time. There have been times when I was the only "Diamond" passenger aboard, and other cruises where there have been as many as 10 or 12. ALWAYS fun though! I was requested to do a "command performance" on one ship, and sing for the Captain and Senior Officers! GREAT FUN!

 

"SKY"

[NavarreCruiser]

We also were diamond when that level was created and have been on 13 Carnival cruises since then. We have been invited to a Captains event on each cruise. Most times a cocktail party, once a bridge tour, and twice just tea and cookies in the library. But all were appreciated.

[PA Dutchman]

Our last 3 cruises it was a bridge tour, Capt and CD, no goodys. We did get pictures with Capt and CD sent to our room and all the pictures we did.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

We've received an invite on every sailing since the new program began with the exception of one.

 

We've only attended two of them, and have politely declined other offers - including dining at the Captain's table. While I appreciate the thought/offer, it's not really something from which we derive any benefit.

 

Tom

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

...

How is your Freedom cruise going? Any luck in the casino so far? Have a great cruise.

 

Going very well - they've been very attentive. This is our first "Premiere Casino" cruise, so that's fun as well. That has apparently brought more "players" to the tables as well (though mostly it's slots people). They even broke out the purple chips at the $25 tables - have not seen those in easily 25+ Carnival sailings. Managed to take a handful away from the table the first night... should not have returned yesterday! :eek:

 

Watch out Tom. You might be steering that boat for a spell, possibly ovenight. :p

 

:D

 

Tom

[winddawn]

Going very well - they've been very attentive. This is our first "Premiere Casino" cruise, so that's fun as well. That has apparently brought more "players" to the tables as well (though mostly it's slots people). They even broke out the purple chips at the $25 tables - have not seen those in easily 25+ Carnival sailings. Managed to take a handful away from the table the first night... should not have returned yesterday! :eek:

 

 

 

:D

 

Tom

I'm glad you are having fun and that lady luck isn't treating you too badly. Win lots of money and come back and tell us all about it. I just booked my first premiere for early November, so I will be anticipating lots of details and tips from you upon your return. Maybe those purple chips will find their way into your pocket. :-)

 

Have a great cruise and smooth sailing!

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

... Maybe those purple chips will find their way into your pocket. :-)

 

Have a great cruise and smooth sailing!

 

As long as I remember to cash them in at the end of the cruise. Otherwise those would make expensive additions to my chip collection :eek: (about 100 chips at this point)!

 

Thanks,

 

Tom

[okgirl]

As long as I remember to cash them in at the end of the cruise. Otherwise those would make expensive additions to my chip collection :eek: (about 100 chips at this point)!

 

Thanks,

 

Tom

 

I have a friend that plays the tables and she's always been able to cash in chips from previous cruises. I had about $50 in $1 coins when they went cashless in the casino, but they let me cash those in too.

 

We're taking our 1st Premier Casino cruise in October on the Magic. I was already booked ES, but when I called the PVP I used for that booking he said he could change us to the PC3 rate and get us all the perks. I know I got the rate, but the offer I got in the mail said it was for new bookings so we'll see if I get the rest of the perks.

[misstopgun]

So far we have been invited to the bridge, which we respectfully declined due to the fact we knew we would be drinking in Cozumel and didn't want to appear on the bridge less than sober.

 

The second time was dinner with the captain and his officers, Chief engineer, Head of Housekeeping, and the Ships Doctor.

 

It was my husband and me and two other couples who were diamond. The meal and service surpassed any we had ever had onboard. Everything perfectly on cue, hot or cold as it should be.

 

We have also gotten white cards on our last two cruises. I wonder if they will change us back to platinum now. Doesn't matter really but we will find out next month.

[kicia]

The white Milestone cards and the white Diamond cards are different. Since Milestone is not a level in the VIFP program you are supposed to receive the white card only on the actual Milestone cruises - 25, 50 75, 100. Once you're Diamond you should always be Diamond, unless Carnival institutes another level at some point, so you should always get the white Diamond card.

 

Our first Diamond Captain's event was tea time with the Captain and the officers. We had 17 Diamonds that time. The second was a bridge tour with little tea sandwiches, champagne, mimosas or orange juice and of course the Captain and officers. The third was a visit to the bridge with the Captain and we had small pastries, coffee, tea, water, etc. Our fourth was supposed to be a visit to the bridge with the Captain on the Glory in July but it was cancelled due to very heavy fog. There were seven Diamonds on that cruise and one of the couples apparently received an invite to the bridge with their non-Diamond friends about midway during the cruise. There was no substitution for us but since the scheduled event for was 4 PM on the last day and the fog was really very heavy, there was no time to schedule anything else. We're doing a B2B on the Dream again in 3 weeks so we'll see what we do then.

[Sargent_Schultz]

We've had dinner with the Captain, tea on the bridge, tea in a private dining room and more. Obviously, some events such as dinner and bridge tours will probably diminish as more and more cruisers become Diamonds. Such events are simply not sustainable and will eventually be replaced with something else, but as always, the Captain's choice.