Gold Member Past Guest Party

[Podna's]

I just wish Carnival had given me the chance to experience one or two packed past guest parties so I could be more understanding. The only party I was invited to before the change was in a half-empty comedy lounge. Without golds, there would have been maybe ten people there. :confused:

 

 

 

The problem with the coupon is that the restrictions are so ridiculous that it's too obviously an attempt to drastically reduce the number of people who use it. After 5 p.m. on the last night, when most people are packing and getting ready for long drives or flights in the morning? At least with the former coupons, it could be argued that Carnival wanted to encourage people to try the brunch.

 

 

So you have over 7 hours to use the coupon verses a 1 hour over crowded party. I'll gladly take that coupon off of your hands if you can't use it. Never takes me 7 hours to pack.

[Green Boy]

I'm leaving on # 13 cruise for me, and I have only been to one past guest party, could care less about going.. I had rather have the free drink coupon !

[uncleg]

I always went to past guest parties and it was strictly for the free drinks, never cared for the fruity punch drinks, but downed my share of champagne/sparkling wine. I am happy with coupon, even if it is last night...I traditionally do not drink on last night..but now I will have one last LIT on the last night before I disembark...my new tradition.

 

I know its all about the bottom line, everything goes up but my paycheck. They got to cut were they can.

Edited July 23, 2015 by uncleg

[KatieCharlotte]

So you have over 7 hours to use the coupon verses a 1 hour over crowded party. I'll gladly take that coupon off of your hands if you can't use it. Never takes me 7 hours to pack.

 

Most of my cruises have been with three children and a husband who falls asleep by 10 p.m. I'm not much in the mood for a fun fruity drink when my vacation is basically over and I have to get everything ready to leave the next day for a two-day drive. I preferred the free drink at brunch while my kids were in Camp Carnival, not to mention the uncrowded party I attended where I was handed more drinks that I could handle in the middle of the cruise when I was still in relaxation mode.

 

My point, however, was that the extreme restriction is a too blatant attempt to greatly reduce the number of people who remember and choose to use it. After 5 p.m. or last day maybe, but both? People are not going to look at their coupon and feel warm and fuzzy. They are going to roll their eyes at the restriction. It's bad public relations just to save a few bucks. I'm sorry if that's the Big Bad Wolf theory?

 

Edited to add: I know other cruiselines have had worse PR disasters just to save small amounts of money, and this certainly isn't going to stop me from cruising Carnival, but let's not pretend that this was a kind gesture to the golds or a way to improve the parties for platinums.

Edited July 23, 2015 by KatieCharlotte

[cruizinisthebest]

Most of my cruises have been with three children and a husband who falls asleep by 10 p.m. I'm not much in the mood for a fun fruity drink when my vacation is basically over and I have to get everything ready to leave the next day for a two-day drive. I preferred the free drink at brunch while my kids were in Camp Carnival, not to mention the uncrowded party I attended where I was handed more drinks that I could handle in the middle of the cruise when I was still in relaxation mode.

 

My point, however, was that the extreme restriction is a too blatant attempt to greatly reduce the number of people who remember and choose to use it. After 5 p.m. or last day maybe, but both? People are not going to look at their coupon and feel warm and fuzzy. They are going to roll their eyes at the restriction. It's bad public relations just to save a few bucks. I'm sorry if that's the Big Bad Wolf theory?

 

Edited to add: I know other cruiselines have had worse PR disasters just to save small amounts of money, and this certainly isn't going to stop me from cruising Carnival, but let's not pretend that this was a kind gesture to the golds or a way to improve the parties for platinums.

 

I hear you. And it's a little annoying when everyone automatically assumes you only attended the party for the free drinks. And therefore, the bone they threw with that coupon that you can only use for a few hours on the last night when the moon is under just one cloud between Thursday - Friday when the ship is headed North but not coming from South is genuine. :D

 

OK I'm exaggerating but you get my point. If you're going to give me a coupon, give me one that I can use at any time during the trip. It's the same petty gripe I had with the sea day brunch coupon. I get limitations to a point, but the one free drink was limit enough IMO. I wouldn't have cared about being served any drinks at all at the guest party. I just liked going. I only got to go once and yeah it was corny, but corny is o.k. sometimes. And like you, the one I went to was not super crowded with people grabbing drinks like they didn't have good sense. It was nice little event that lasted about 40 minutes.

 

Perhaps by the time I've been invited to a dozen of them or more, yeah maybe the novelty will have worn off. But that's precisely the reason why the party is not that crowded now. Plats/Diamonds have been there done that. Seems to me like you would give them something else and keep the party for us. But what do I know. I guess you and I are in the minority as it seems most people are happy with the coupon. Oh well. Different strokes. I will still have a great time on vacation.

Edited July 23, 2015 by cruizinisthebest

[Donh44]

Just a two cents here.. By the time you've had your couple of drinks at the party it would amount to the coupon for the free drink in most cases. I really wish people would stop their wining... If it's that big of a deal.. Get yourself to platinum and stuff a sock in it.

 

 

 

I agree with you 100%. I always have felt that I get a great cruise for a reasonable price with good food and a nice selection of destinations and shore excursions. I went to the parties in the past and, to me, there was nothing to them. I always appreciated the past guest pins that they used to give. It just seems that there are always those who are looking for something for nothing. I think that Carnival cruises are a great package for the money.

[bumbles]

What happens when all of the gold member turn platinum????? How about this. Invites go to anyone with 75 or more days at sea. At least that would level the playing field for everyone.

 

Doesn't 75 days at sea on Carnival make you a platinum?

[MasterMason]

More and more people are on Cheers program, so "free drinks" aren't the catch. We always loved the party because it was a great way to mingle with others. Even if they changed it to limited drinks, or wine and sangria only, or something similar we'd be fine with that. Cruises are great with interaction with fellow cruisers~

 

Not everyone asking is a whiner, so take it down a notch.

 

 

 

 

 

_____________________________________________

[figdu]

Doesn't 75 days at sea on Carnival make you a platinum?

 

Right now it does but I would not bet against that changing in the future.

[StolidCruiser]

More and more people are on Cheers program, so "free drinks" aren't the catch. We always loved the party because it was a great way to mingle with others. Even if they changed it to limited drinks, or wine and sangria only, or something similar we'd be fine with that. Cruises are great with interaction with fellow cruisers~

 

Not everyone asking is a whiner, so take it down a notch.

 

Yeah - because there's nowhere else to mingle with others on a cruise ship except the Past Guest Party. :rolleyes:

[mlrm]

Doesn't 75 days at sea on Carnival make you a platinum?

 

It does now, however there are still many platinum's who have fewer sea days then some gold's.

[N2Mischief]

I think the majority of Platinums have earned it...am I wrong? I'm sure there are a few who were grandfathered in, but wouldn't those people by now be legitimate Platinums under the new requirements? I am honestly curious. Does anyone have stats on how many platinums have less than 75 days?

[mlrm]

I think the majority of Platinums have earned it...am I wrong? I'm sure there are a few who were grandfathered in, but wouldn't those people by now be legitimate Platinums under the new requirements? I am honestly curious. Does anyone have stats on how many platinums have less than 75 days?

 

You're probably right. It has been 2 years since the grandfathering. Someday however, there will be too many platinum's, the stretch from platinum to diamond is a big one.

Edited July 23, 2015 by mlrm

[figdu]

Someday however, there will be too many platinum's, the stretch from platinum to diamond is a big one.

 

This is why I believe the number will change in the future.

[katiel53]

My thought is that the cruisers did this to themselves. My reason for saying that is that so many times, so many people brought friends, relatives, cabinmates, etc. that had no invitation, so weren't invited by Carnival, but were invited by Gold cruisers and some also were invited by Platinum and Diamond cruisers.

 

I have read so many times on here and other places how no one checked for the invitations at the door, so tablemates came along, here again with no invitation from Carnival.

 

The other reason I say this is because there were many who admittedly bragged about how they slammed down 5 or 6 drinks in that period of time or had 4 or more and took drinks with them. The day the changes were announced, someone on here, posted that she was glad she had so many drinks on her last cruise because she wouldn't be able to go now as she was Gold.

 

I do put some of this responsibility on Carnival as well in not checking invitations as people came in and John Heald's stating it would take too long was a lot of nonsense. All that was needed was to hand the invitation to the person standing at the door. Everyone who was entitled to be there was given an invitation, so simple to me, no invitation, no getting admitted.

 

I know my view doesn't sit well with some as their spouses/significant other etc. might not be invited. I guess one hour apart on a cruise isn't going to ruin a relationship and if it's that big a deal, don't go. I don't like going alone, so this next cruise I won't attend the party. The one after that I will be attending as I am going with someone who is Platinum.

[linbobky]

My thought is that the cruisers did this to themselves. My reason for saying that is that so many times, so many people brought friends, relatives, cabinmates, etc. that had no invitation, so weren't invited by Carnival, but were invited by Gold cruisers and some also were invited by Platinum and Diamond cruisers.

 

I have read so many times on here and other places how no one checked for the invitations at the door, so tablemates came along, here again with no invitation from Carnival.

 

The other reason I say this is because there were many who admittedly bragged about how they slammed down 5 or 6 drinks in that period of time or had 4 or more and took drinks with them. The day the changes were announced, someone on here, posted that she was glad she had so many drinks on her last cruise because she wouldn't be able to go now as she was Gold.

 

I do put some of this responsibility on Carnival as well in not checking invitations as people came in and John Heald's stating it would take too long was a lot of nonsense. All that was needed was to hand the invitation to the person standing at the door. Everyone who was entitled to be there was given an invitation, so simple to me, no invitation, no getting admitted.

 

I know my view doesn't sit well with some as their spouses/significant other etc. might not be invited. I guess one hour apart on a cruise isn't going to ruin a relationship and if it's that big a deal, don't go. I don't like going alone, so this next cruise I won't attend the party. The one after that I will be attending as I am going with someone who is Platinum.

 

well said!:)

[KatieCharlotte]

My thought is that the cruisers did this to themselves. My reason for saying that is that so many times, so many people brought friends, relatives, cabinmates, etc. that had no invitation, so weren't invited by Carnival, but were invited by Gold cruisers and some also were invited by Platinum and Diamond cruisers.

 

I have read so many times on here and other places how no one checked for the invitations at the door, so tablemates came along, here again with no invitation from Carnival.

 

The other reason I say this is because there were many who admittedly bragged about how they slammed down 5 or 6 drinks in that period of time or had 4 or more and took drinks with them. The day the changes were announced, someone on here, posted that she was glad she had so many drinks on her last cruise because she wouldn't be able to go now as she was Gold.

 

I do put some of this responsibility on Carnival as well in not checking invitations as people came in and John Heald's stating it would take too long was a lot of nonsense. All that was needed was to hand the invitation to the person standing at the door. Everyone who was entitled to be there was given an invitation, so simple to me, no invitation, no getting admitted.

 

I know my view doesn't sit well with some as their spouses/significant other etc. might not be invited. I guess one hour apart on a cruise isn't going to ruin a relationship and if it's that big a deal, don't go. I don't like going alone, so this next cruise I won't attend the party. The one after that I will be attending as I am going with someone who is Platinum.

 

One reason the past guest party that I was able to attend in April was uncrowded was because they WERE taking our invitations at the door. It didn't seem to cause any problems. I was the only gold in my family and had no problem going alone.

[Retired_to_Cruise]

Most of my cruises have been with three children and a husband who falls asleep by 10 p.m. I'm not much in the mood for a fun fruity drink when my vacation is basically over and I have to get everything ready to leave the next day for a two-day drive. I preferred the free drink at brunch while my kids were in Camp Carnival, not to mention the uncrowded party I attended where I was handed more drinks that I could handle in the middle of the cruise when I was still in relaxation mode.

 

My point, however, was that the extreme restriction is a too blatant attempt to greatly reduce the number of people who remember and choose to use it. After 5 p.m. or last day maybe, but both? People are not going to look at their coupon and feel warm and fuzzy. They are going to roll their eyes at the restriction. It's bad public relations just to save a few bucks. I'm sorry if that's the Big Bad Wolf theory?

 

Edited to add: I know other cruiselines have had worse PR disasters just to save small amounts of money, and this certainly isn't going to stop me from cruising Carnival, but let's not pretend that this was a kind gesture to the golds or a way to improve the parties for platinums.

 

You can use the coupon at any venue on the ship that serves drinks - even the dining room. Now tell me you are not going to eat that night.

Edited July 24, 2015 by Retired_to_Cruise

[nycruise1]

and not just for the drinks. We usually struck up conversations with other past cruisers either on line or at our seats. It was nice comparing notes on past and future ships. I think they redid the movie, but we still probably saw it a bunch of times. It was fun clapping for the ships, especially the ones that are no longer in service and did not have many people cheering for them. The treats were tasty too. The party kind of made us feel like we were VIFP.

 

Oh well, we are not that far from platinum so eventually will go again. But it will seem weird not being able to go to a party that we have been to since cruise #2.

[AngAndBoys]

I was platinum for a while before I hit 75 days. I make no apologies for it. I started cruising in 2003. I do a lot of short ones because that's what fits my work and life schedule. I've also dragged along 3 kids on a lot of them, introduced cruising to, and made addicts of, 8 people, brought 1 Princess cruiser to the Fun side. I've been on 16 total Carnival cruises, #17 leaves Saturday. Nope, don't feel bad about my status at all.

[Jana60]

I was platinum for a while before I hit 75 days. I make no apologies for it. I started cruising in 2003. I do a lot of short ones because that's what fits my work and life schedule. I've also dragged along 3 kids on a lot of them, introduced cruising to, and made addicts of, 8 people, brought 1 Princess cruiser to the Fun side. I've been on 16 total Carnival cruises, #17 leaves Saturday. Nope, don't feel bad about my status at all.

 

In truth you probably spent more per person / cruise for your short cruises then a lot of people do for their 7 day long ones. As regards the party I never had a gripe with everybody coming to the party. I thought it was a much more festive occasion when it was truly a past passenger party. What I wish they would do if they can't afford to pay for the drinks of every passenger is simply give a couple of drink vouchers to each platinum and Diamond passenger and let everyone else still attend but pay cash for their drinks.

[nomadron]

By the last night of the cruise my DW and I have been using the "Drinks on us" card from the casino for at least a night or two. So there is not much value in the coupon.

 

If the coupon could be used any time, it would make it much better.

[Elaine5715]

One reason the past guest party that I was able to attend in April was uncrowded was because they WERE taking our invitations at the door. It didn't seem to cause any problems. I was the only gold in my family and had no problem going alone.

 

I'm confused.. you are gold but were able to attend the party because the crew kept the other ineligible guests out?

[KatieCharlotte]

I'm confused.. you are gold but were able to attend the party because the crew kept the other ineligible guests out?

 

No, I was eligible for the party and had my invitation. I was gold for one cruise before Carnival changed the past guest party to a platinum/diamond party. Thus, I was able to attend one past guest party. I followed the rules and did not bring my husband, who was still red. That party was in the comedy club and was not at all crowded, so my perspective on past guest parties is different than those who have experienced overcrowded parties. I really enjoyed the experience, and not just the drinks. At the party I attended, crewmembers were stationed at the doors and asked for invites. I assumed this was ONE of the reason it was not crowded, and asking for invites did not seem to slow the line or lead to any conflicts that I heard.

Edited July 24, 2015 by KatieCharlotte

[Cruisin 4 Ever]

Just a two cents here.. By the time you've had your couple of drinks at the party it would amount to the coupon for the free drink in most cases. I really wish people would stop their wining... If it's that big of a deal.. Get yourself to platinum and stuff a sock in it.

 

Wow, could you be any more rude and arrogant? So because it doesn't bother you everyone else should stuff a sock in it? Try getting some manners.