Past Guest Party: Still in action?

[quickrate]

I know this will get a lot of flack from people who do not think you should ever break a rule but have any of you who have attended the new party seen whether anyone was able to get their non platinum / diamond spouse in with them?

My daughter was with me in June when we cruised on the Fantasy and I went to GS to ask if she would be able to attend the party with me and was told yes, no problem. Had my invite with me at the door, and no one took it from us. I guess it depends on which ship you are on. The party was nice, lots of drinks and apps being offered. I understand why they decided to limit the party to Platinum and Diamond. Over the years, the party has become very crowded. I do believe as others here have expressed that each person should be able to bring one guest with them.

If guest services would have said no, for invited person only, I was fully prepared to attend the party by myself and she would have entertained herself in the Casino.:D

Pat

[Jana60]

My daughter was with me in June when we cruised on the Fantasy and I went to GS to ask if she would be able to attend the party with me and was told yes, no problem. Had my invite with me at the door, and no one took it from us. I guess it depends on which ship you are on. The party was nice, lots of drinks and apps being offered. I understand why they decided to limit the party to Platinum and Diamond. Over the years, the party has become very crowded. I do believe as others here have expressed that each person should be able to bring one guest with them.

If guest services would have said no, for invited person only, I was fully prepared to attend the party by myself and she would have entertained herself in the Casino.:D

Pat

 

Thanks for the answer without the moral judgments. My boyfriend is a workaholic and has not cruised with me in over five years. He is finally going to come on a trip and while I would love to see what the new party is like there's no way I'm going to a party without him on the cruise. He does not even drink alcohol! He also does not gamble so I can't just send him to the casino.

[sc4125]

Thanks for the answer without the moral judgments. My boyfriend is a workaholic and has not cruised with me in over five years. He is finally going to come on a trip and while I would love to see what the new party is like there's no way I'm going to a party without him on the cruise. He does not even drink alcohol! He also does not gamble so I can't just send him to the casino.

 

I was on the Conquest last month. I am Platinum & received the nice invitation - no one was at the door checking this. Anyone could have entered. Probably does depend on the ship & how many Platinum & Diamond pax are on board. The party was nicer, just because it wasn't so crowded.

 

I understand Gold VIFP members are disappointed at not getting to attend, but it really had become so large that it was no longer enjoyable (at least for me). Was it a business decision based on cost? No doubt it was, but I understand companies making business decisions.

 

Question - how do other lines do this - do they have cocktail parties?

[Retired_to_Cruise]

There is never a perfect solution to the loyalty approach in any situation. It is a lot like the management/employee situation. Employees always think they have better ways to run the business than anyone in management. People that want loyalty perks always think that they have better ideas about how to do it than those who have to decide what the company wants to and can provide. There will always be hurt feelings because the vast majority of people who buy goods or services think that the companies they buy from owe them something for being their customers. All they really owe us is good products for the money that we pay them. The perks are just that, perks - not something that the business owes us. If you don't think that the products you bought were worth what you paid, then you would have to be a fool to buy those products again. If you don't like the perks that you get, find a company that gives you better perks. If you would buy an inferior product because the perks are better, then you are being blackmailed by the perks.

[linbobky]

Ahoy shipmates,

 

this has turned into a much more interesting thread since they included the whine package. Lol

 

like!:)

[shortstop95]

We were on the Carnival Pride two weeks ago and attended our first past guest party under the new rules. While I certainly understand the frustration that golds feel- as I would feel it too- it was a much better party. The past few before we were lucky if we got a seat in the show lounge- let alone anything to eat or drink. It was difficult to feel valued or appreciated in that setting. So I was glad for the change- but do have empathy for those who lost something.

 

Interestingly, the cruise director Steve Kinsley said they are getting ready to completely redo the past guest party again. He offered no details. That was the first I had heard of it and haven't read anything on cruise critics- anyone else heard any details?

[stargate fan]

I hope you didn't get a nosebleed holding it so high in the air.

 

I don't understand what I said that makes you convey this sentiment.

 

There is nothing snooty in his/her response at all. Just saying the lower person count makes it more enjoyable now. Sorry that you are butthurt by the truth.:rolleyes:

Agreed.

 

Thank you.

Edited August 17, 2015 by stargate fan

[fuddrules]

Hey fellow cruisers! just wondering if carnival still hosts their past guest party? and is it true that to be eligible you must have had to cruise on 2 of carnivals ships before hand?:)

 

 

[mzlinda]

.......

 

 

 

Interestingly, the cruise director Steve Kinsley said they are getting ready to completely redo the past guest party again. He offered no details. That was the first I had heard of it and haven't read anything on cruise critics- anyone else heard any details?

 

 

John Heald said something last week that very vaguely alluded to upcoming loyalty program changes.

[mzloolue]

John Heald said something last week that very vaguely alluded to upcoming loyalty program changes.

 

Was the word "brilliant" used?

 

Hopefully not...

[Budget Queen]

I know this will get a lot of flack from people who do not think you should ever break a rule but have any of you who have attended the new party seen whether anyone was able to get their non platinum / diamond spouse in with them?

 

It's a loyalty program, meaning certain requirements have been met, to attend. You think, you should be given an exception? Think the party should double in size, for guests? People seem to think Carnival, is paying the cost of these parties off a money tree.

"They should have a gold party", "guests "should" be allowed" etc etc etc.

 

The money for these functions is paid for by the cruise fees. Stockholders aren't going to be too receptive to more costs, just because people seem to think- they are "so" loyal, and haven't even got 75 days. Flame away, but the whole point, is a bell curve. It should NOT be available for minimum number of days, eg. less than 75. It is only 11- 7 day cruises. Far from an unreasonable standard. It should take you "years" to get there. Even in the "doughnut shops", you have to buy 10 before you get a "free" one.

[chocolate melting cake]

We were on the Carnival Pride two weeks ago and attended our first past guest party under the new rules. While I certainly understand the frustration that golds feel- as I would feel it too- it was a much better party. The past few before we were lucky if we got a seat in the show lounge- let alone anything to eat or drink. It was difficult to feel valued or appreciated in that setting. So I was glad for the change- but do have empathy for those who lost something.

 

Interestingly, the cruise director Steve Kinsley said they are getting ready to completely redo the past guest party again. He offered no details. That was the first I had heard of it and haven't read anything on cruise critics- anyone else heard any details?

 

We were on the Pride last week and attended our first party as Diamond. Yes, Steve said the format was different---as you entered there were participation "games" set up (Guess the ships names from pictures, Guess which emblem signifies captain, etc, Guess how many candies in the bag). Some music, the usual movie, ship's officers "parade" and a Diamond guest picture with the officers. Didn't seem much different from previous parties except for the smaller number. As many have stated, I like the ease of access, but understand the frustration of others.

[brenjmull2]

I will just enjoy my water now.. smfh

Edited August 19, 2015 by brenjmull2

[GatorGirl57]

I was on the Conquest last month. I am Platinum & received the nice invitation - no one was at the door checking this. Anyone could have entered. Probably does depend on the ship & how many Platinum & Diamond pax are on board. The party was nicer, just because it wasn't so crowded.

 

I understand Gold VIFP members are disappointed at not getting to attend, but it really had become so large that it was no longer enjoyable (at least for me). Was it a business decision based on cost? No doubt it was, but I understand companies making business decisions.

 

Question - how do other lines do this - do they have cocktail parties?

 

In relation to your question, I can only speak about Royal Caribbean. They have a past guest party that you get to attend starting on your second cruise. On the cruise I went on it was in a lounge and the band played. The drinks were free flowing and there were appetizers. The parties go up from there - as my grandma likes to remind people, she is 11 days from diamond on Royal and they get a open bar every night for an hour or something.

[volmoma]

When they went from 10 cruises to 75 cruise days. In the old days you could have made platinum with 40-50 cruise days

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

 

Thankfully I made platinum before the change happened... I just wish they would put a level in between platinum and diamond. It takes a LONG time to reach diamond.

[sanmarcosman]

John Heald said something last week that very vaguely alluded to upcoming loyalty program changes.

The scuttlebutt is no more platinum party. :eek:

[Green4me]

This will be our first with the new system. DW and I have been platinum for the last 4 cruises, our DD/22 will be with us who is gold (has approx. 30 days at sea with Carnival). Hopefully we get her in, if not she will understand.

 

I actually enjoyed the past parties with combined gold, platinum and diamond. We always had a drink or two and something to eat.

[gtouch]

This will be our first with the new system. DW and I have been platinum for the last 4 cruises, our DD/22 will be with us who is gold (has approx. 30 days at sea with Carnival). Hopefully we get her in, if not she will understand.

 

I actually enjoyed the past parties with combined gold, platinum and diamond. We always had a drink or two and something to eat.

 

Your daughter will get a free drink coupon instead of a party for being Gold.

[DebJ14]

I hope you didn't get a nosebleed holding it so high in the air.

 

This was an uncalled for remark.

[DebJ14]

Maybe they need to do what other lines do. They have a PG party for all cruisers and then a "top tier" event for those who would be the equivalent of Carnival's Platinum and Diamond. The top tier event is smaller and much nicer, but at least there is something for those who have previously cruised the line.

[2ndcruiser-destiny]

Can't lie I was disappointed when I heard of the change. I was one cruise away from Platinum and now i'm several cruises away from Platinum. In my opinion the water bottle is a joke.

[James in SA]

 

... When they started having the past guest party during the shore time in Cozumel I knew that they were cheaping out majorly. ...

 

 

Is this REALLY true? I am platinum and was thinking of coming back to Carnival now that Princess is leaving Houston. It sounds like Carnival has really gone downhill. :confused:

Edited August 19, 2015 by James in SA

[cruiserNC]

I know this will get a lot of flack from people who do not think you should ever break a rule but have any of you who have attended the new party seen whether anyone was able to get their non platinum / diamond spouse in with them?

 

 

Just off the Sunshine and attended the platinum/diamond party. I witnessed several folks with gold cards hanging from their necks which appeared as if they didn't get invited. However when the doors opened for the party my dw was pushed in and she had my invitation. So I just walked in..

 

It really wasn't a big deal.. drinks, appetizers for a hour. I will not go out of my way to attend again. However they did give out prizes but I'm not sure what they were. It was kinda chaotic.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[nwo4life]

Can't lie I was disappointed when I heard of the change. I was one cruise away from Platinum and now i'm several cruises away from Platinum. In my opinion the water bottle is a joke.

 

 

The change was 3 years ago, you must not have been doing much cruising since then.

[DebJ14]

We had several past guest parties late in the afternoon of a Cozumel port day, but they were ALWAYS on days when we had an early departure from Cozumel and they were well after we had already sailed. They never infringed on our port time.