is Platinum check in reallly all the special??

[whisker2193]

It's certainly not necessary but it is nice. Few weeks ago boarding Legend, there was a delay due to 'routine maintenance'. We strolled up at 12:30 and there was a line around the building waiting for them to start boarding and we escorted to the front of the line and sent inside. It certainly helped out that trip. We did two small loads of laundry free on board, never waited in line at Guest Services and enjoyed our free Mimosa at the Sea Day Brunch.

[zephyrhillscruisers]

Up until last year, we waited in the regular lines like common folk :D..living in Florida, you get used to long lines...theme parks,stores, traffic, etc.

 

Without a doubt, the Carnival embarkation lines were the smoothest and quickest of the lot at Canaveral, Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Longest wait time was about 45 minutes, that was during peak embarkation.

 

What kept the lines from going faster? Ill prepared humans who didn't have docs at the ready, as you are reminded ad-infinitum on your way to the desk, or those that just had to vent over some trivial issue and started treating the agent like their own personal man (or lady) servant. First time cruisers normally have more questions, and that is perfectly understandable, but that normally accounts for just a few extra moments.

 

We upgraded to a suite for our Honeymoon last October on the Breeze where the wife qualified as Platinum. About 15 minutes from the luggage check-in to the ship, and thats pretty much because we sauntered up to the gangway.

 

Our occupations are pretty stressful, so truthfully the line is where the decompression begins.

[SUSIEK]

We do enjoy the perks!

 

Love priority check-in and being able to go to our cabin right away to drop off carry-ons and our wine! We never used to use the laundry service, but last year on the Breeze I did....BOY was that great. I actually felt kind of guilty going to the dedicated c/s desk. But I did ;-)..... The other line was sooo long.

 

If we didn't have these perks... fine, but I will take what is given to me!

[maldenmusic]

The worst time we ever had getting on the ship was at Mobile which was a total nightmare. We were turned away at the parking area twice and then when we finally got inside it was a line of people that went on for a long time. Since then we have cruised from NOLA and the process has been much, much smoother. Hope it continues that way this June.

[msolberg]

I think it used to be special. When they rolled out the program there weren't that many people in the platinum check in so it did feel nice. On our latest carnival cruise there were about 75 people in the waiting area. Don't get me wrong, everyone was happy and excited to get on the ship so how bad can that be? Lol But it isn't what it once was.

[beberenn]

My cabin stewart threw away my hair extentions last week on pride, and I do not think if I were not platinum they would have reimbursed me...BUT they did, and I was still upset but happy they took care of me.

 

AND I like the buy one, get one free slot trny! didn't use my free laundry, no time to gather it up!!!! and wasn't too keen on trusting my stewart with my clothes!!!

[SoCalKJ]

I was also "forced" to go on 4 cruises last year and I'm already platinum! I would live on a cruise ship if they'd let me live there for free and not make me work in the kitchen. :D

 

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Oh man! You and me both! I do own a karaoke business and sing with a band so I could apply....but I want to live on a ship...NOT WORK on it!! :-)

Edited April 16, 2014 by SoCalKJ

[snedecor]

Those who are not platinum:

 

"It's no big deal! The lemonade is weak and lukewarm! We get on really fast anyway! I really don't want to be in that 'special' room. You guys are just elitists! You're nothing special. I can pay $50 and get just about everything you get!"

 

Those who are platinum:

 

"It's really special! You're not there! I'm really special. I get on before you do! I smile at you as I walk past you, growling with your number 37 card. My room is ready when I get on. My luggage is there and is already unpacked and in the closet. I even have a special line to go past you when you're in line at the service desk, and even at the tenders. I'm special!

[Terre]

I quess you aren't aware if the extras in the priority lounge. The slippers, complimentary massages from the spa staff and my favorite, the fresh baked chocolate chip cookies!

 

 

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We must be going on the wrong ships -- have never had the slippers, complimentary massages or cookies in the lounge...:mad:

 

But I like the lounges and being able to drop off our carry-ons as soon as we get one instead of dragging them around with us until 1:00. I like the priority tendering and my special window at Guest Services. Dang, after buying all those cruises over the years, I deserve something, don't I?

Edited April 16, 2014 by Terre

[Jenhem31]

I'm going on my first cruise on the 28th. We are booked in a grand suite so we have priority boarding.

 

I've heard all kinds of horror stories about the platinum cruisers giving the FTTF folks a hard time for "being where they don't belong." I hope it's not the same for those booked in a suite. Yikes!

 

 

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[nodogkisses]

Priority Embarkation is definitely great, but what's even better to me is the Priority Debarkation. We usually drive to the ports and are always anxious to get off the ship and get started driving home. Hey, when the cruise is over, it's over!

[Sparky2]

It depends on what your previous embarkation experience has been.

 

We have had many that were truly unpleasant.

Standing for hours waiting.

Computers barely working.

Getting on and waiting so long that we got on right before the muster drill and missed lunch.

We did not know any better, so we accepted it as part of the process, but I really do not want to go back to that.

 

We also have had a couple of unpleasant experiences in the past.

 

Our last 2 (since Platinum) have been easy-peasy.

Edited April 16, 2014 by Sparky2

[poison7fl]

I have seen 2 hour check in lines, and I have seen check in lines that are quicker than standing in the Platinum line. Overall, it depends on when you get to the port.

 

I do like the perks though.

Edited April 16, 2014 by poison7fl

[R&S]

We had a family vacation in January sailing out of NOLA on the Sunshine. My wife and I were finally platinum and used the priority check in. Both of our boys, and their wives, used FTTF. They boarded the ship and we were receiving text messages from them, while we were still in the priority lounge, telling us how nice the ship looked and asking where we were. Oh, and they received their luggage before we did.

 

Oh well, at least we got the free laundry service!

[PAPERBKWRITER]

My cabin stewart threw away my hair extentions last week on pride, and I do not think if I were not platinum they would have reimbursed me...BUT they did, and I was still upset but happy they took care of me.

 

AND I like the buy one, get one free slot trny! didn't use my free laundry, no time to gather it up!!!! and wasn't too keen on trusting my stewart with my clothes!!!

 

We send out socks, underwear, and tee's usually once during a 7 day cruise. Very nice perk. I wouldn't send out anything very good. Did the sot tournament when it was free. IMO a complete waste of time but everyone has different taste.

[OrlandoD]

We generally sail out of Port Canaveral - which IMO is very well organized. (Only one time we had an issue and it was the Port computers not CCL) We appreciate getting on to the ship quickly and dumping carry ons but we appreciate getting OFF without tender lines even more!

I do think Carnival should be more conscious about letting Platinum customers on before the FFTF group. There should be a reward for being such a loyal customer not a reward for just paying more.

[diamondcharl]

We generally sail out of Port Canaveral - which IMO is very well organized. (Only one time we had an issue and it was the Port computers not CCL) We appreciate getting on to the ship quickly and dumping carry ons but we appreciate getting OFF without tender lines even more!

I do think Carnival should be more conscious about letting Platinum customers on before the FFTF group. There should be a reward for being such a loyal customer not a reward for just paying more.

 

As someone who has done FTTF, I actually am surprised that this is boarded before platinum customers. I agree with you.

[keith75]

It depends on what your previous embarkation experience has been.

 

We have had many that were truly unpleasant.

Standing for hours waiting.

Computers barely working.

Getting on and waiting so long that we got on right before the muster drill and missed lunch.

We did not know any better, so we accepted it as part of the process, but I really do not want to go back to that.

 

Those are the type I remember too. Long security lines, another long wait to get sign and sail card, and then another wait to board the ship.

[Jana60]

As someone who has done FTTF, I actually am surprised that this is boarded before platinum customers. I agree with you.

 

I tend to wonder if the people who were preceded on board by the faster to the fun group only arrived after boarding had already commenced. On every cruise I have taken since becoming platinum they always let all the people in the priority lounge board before anyone else. But if you arrive after boarding has begun did it would depend on how long it took for you to check in with the staff. Factors like how quickly the passenger hands their paperwork to the staff and how quickly the staff walk over to the area to get your boarding pass. So if two people one platinum and one fttf arrived at the same time but after boarding has begun and if the staff happen to be free in the line for the faster to the fun they could get on ship quicker. Priority boarding is really only effective if you arrive before boarding has begun.

 

 

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Edited April 18, 2014 by Jana60

[msolberg]

When we boarded in Miami in March, everyone in the lounge boarded at the same time. Didn't matter if you were Platinum/Diamond, Suite guests or FTTF, as soon as the ship was cleared for boarding everyone was led onto the ship at the same time.

[wb3690]

As someone who has done FTTF, I actually am surprised that this is boarded before platinum customers. I agree with you.

 

I feel the same way. We cruised out of Miami last time and we used FTTF. They definitely boarded platinum before us. In fact we were sitting by another family who was also FTTF and they were SO mad about it. I was a little embarrassed for them and to be sitting by them. They got up and got in the line and I kept thinking it's not FTTF time yet. they didn't call us. So when they denied them the man kept arguing "but we PAID for this we get priority boarding" the gate agent was so nice. She kept saying "after this group sir" he was mad. Anyway I do enjoy getting on early and will probably keep trying to buy FTTF until we get that perk by cruising alot.

[tphitman]

We have been Platinum for a long time. The FTTF people have never boarded before us on any cruise we've been on. Just got off the Breeze recently and there were a lot of Platinum/Diamond cruisers.

 

 

 

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[rrraydon]

I never really appreciated how much I LOVE the VIP line at the guests services desk until this past cruise on RCI.

 

The guest services desk on EOS was ALWAYS packed and sadly there was no VIP line for the upper tier guests. As I waited in line forever I realized how much I love this perk from Carnival!! :):p

[adamt]

I hit platinum last year. The check in really doesn't effect us as we generally get there quite early regardless. Where it WILL help you is when you get there during peak times of embarkation.

 

The Laundry is a nice perk, also. The Nike hat was pretty disappointing, but the glassware they're giving away now looks really nice. Hope it's still around in August.

[dpkd]

Does anyone have any experiences with sailing out of Vancouver?

I know that Platinum members get onboard faster, but how do you get your luggage to the cabin sooner?