Diamond and Platinum boarding and FTTF

[avenger71]

I was just on the Victory and was surprised how the boarding process worked. I am Platinum so I was escorted into the Captain's Lounge. That was fine but what bothered me is when it came time to board. They called Diamond members first then EVERYONE flocked to the line within seconds after that. They never called Platinum so all of the FTTF people flocked in too, in front of us Platinum members. Has anyone ever experienced that before? I was a little aggravated about this.

[lady_cruiser]

As a Gold Level cruiser I can say I never saw that happen. On ever Carnival cruise we take we purchase FTTF. Only because we like the idea that we have our cabin and luggage waiting for us when we board. We seldom, if ever, use the dedicated line for FTTF at Customer Service. But this is the first time I hear that only Diamond was called not being followed by Platinum then FTTF.

 

Sorry it happened because I am one of the few people who appreciates the perks that come with loyalties. I know and appreciates loyalty perks since I am Diamond Plus on another line.

[SMSACE6]

I boarded the Victory in Miami on Oct 26th, and they called Diamond and Platinum first, then after about 15mins they called FTTF. It was very orderly.

[N2Mischief]

Oh yes, several times. All in Miami. They took Diamonds, Platinums, Suites and FTTF all together in one big group. As we walked through the terminal towards the escalators, random people started joining the group and it became a huge herd. No one checked cards. It was frustrating to say the least.

[kona_wahine]

Last 2 cruises out of Miami, diamond and platinum were in a separate area, FTTF was with general boarding. Diamond and plats went first and not until then did they call FTTF. It was very orderly.

[HectorAchilleus]

Oh yes, several times. All in Miami. They took Diamonds, Platinums, Suites and FTTF all together in one big group. As we walked through the terminal towards the escalators, random people started joining the group and it became a huge herd. No one checked cards. It was frustrating to say the least.

 

Happened to us the last two times in Miami and at New York. At Tampa I had the same experience as the OP. Other places such as Port Canaveral and Baltimore it was the way they say it will be. It really demonstrates that Carnival has little regard for their repeat customers.

[ATL_Miami_Cruiser]

I've never seen this in Miami or at any port. I've always seen Diamond and Platinum's called together and before FTTF.

[2Shoes2Go]

Conquest boarding for Dec. 6 was most horrid experience ever! Corralled all groups into one large, windowless room. We were lucky; arrived early enough for a seat. Wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, all there as well. It soon was standing room only. I'm not bad about claustrophobia, but I felt it!

Someone came in and muttered a few words, "Diamond" was included, and the stampede began. We were directed to walk through the check in area to board! Actually behind those at the counter checking in and in front of the queued up guests. It was unreal. It was like the first time ever doing this, for the staff.

Yes, we have done our best to give feedback.

Likely our last trip out of this port. :(

[avenger71]

Oh yes, several times. All in Miami. They took Diamonds, Platinums, Suites and FTTF all together in one big group. As we walked through the terminal towards the escalators, random people started joining the group and it became a huge herd. No one checked cards. It was frustrating to say the least.

 

I think there should've been someone there to check cards to make sure that Diamond went first, followed by Platinum, etc. Not a single person checked cards. It was like a cattle call.

[avenger71]

Last 2 cruises out of Miami, diamond and platinum were in a separate area, FTTF was with general boarding. Diamond and plats went first and not until then did they call FTTF. It was very orderly.

 

FTTF was with general boarding? Interesting.

[kelkel2]

FTTF was with general boarding? Interesting.

 

We had FTTF on our last cruise and we sat with general boarding as well.

[avenger71]

Conquest boarding for Dec. 6 was most horrid experience ever! Corralled all groups into one large, windowless room. We were lucky; arrived early enough for a seat. Wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, all there as well. It soon was standing room only. I'm not bad about claustrophobia, but I felt it!

Someone came in and muttered a few words, "Diamond" was included, and the stampede began. We were directed to walk through the check in area to board! Actually behind those at the counter checking in and in front of the queued up guests. It was unreal. It was like the first time ever doing this, for the staff.

Yes, we have done our best to give feedback.

Likely our last trip out of this port. :(

 

WOW! Sorry you had such a horrible experience! Was that Miami, too?

[Wilgr]

When cruising out of Miami, show up at the port between noon and one and you can just walk right on, 20 minutes tops from car to Lido.

[crusinpsychRN]

In Tampa too. Lots of FTTF people were getting in line to board when it was announced again and again only Diamond. Than only Platinum. FTTF's were told to stand aside.

[avenger71]

When cruising out of Miami, show up at the port between noon and one and you can just walk right on, 20 minutes tops from car to Lido.

 

We got dropped off around 11 and were boarding around 11:45

[avenger71]

In Tampa too. Lots of FTTF people were getting in line to board when it was announced again and again only Diamond. Than only Platinum. FTTF's were told to stand aside.

 

That's just rude. They really need to be checking S&S cards.

[mulan1123]

Just got off my first Carnival cruise on the Glory. We had the FTTF. We had a quicker security and check-in time than priority and platinum and diamond. There was no one in line at the FTTF check-in. We did wait with the general boarding but they were checking S&S card when they called FTTF to board.

 

It was nice to drop our carry-on bags off in our rooms before getting lunch. The Lido deck was busy but too busy.

[NCTribeFan]

You should've seen it in Port Canaveral for the Journeys cruise on Sunshine 11/28. That was also a Premier Casino cruise, so those people also got priority boarding.

 

Like you, they called Diamond, and then put up on the overhead monitors "Priority Boarding" and the masses surged into line. They were supposedly then telling people it was Platinum only but no one was getting out of line.

 

Of course, there were hundreds of Platinums on that sailing, so it would've been nuts even without the Premier people!

 

It was chaos. Only advantage there over my two Premier experiences in Ft Lauderdale was that at least we weren't all crammed into a small VIP room!

[avenger71]

You should've seen it in Port Canaveral for the Journeys cruise on Sunshine 11/28. That was also a Premier Casino cruise, so those people also got priority boarding.

 

Like you, they called Diamond, and then put up on the overhead monitors "Priority Boarding" and the masses surged into line. They were supposedly then telling people it was Platinum only but no one was getting out of line.

 

Of course, there were hundreds of Platinums on that sailing, so it would've been nuts even without the Premier people!

 

It was chaos. Only advantage there over my two Premier experiences in Ft Lauderdale was that at least we weren't all crammed into a small VIP room!

 

YIKES! I wish there was a way to contact Carnival and actually get them to do something about this. They may not even care but just saying.

[SadieN]

When cruising out of Miami, show up at the port between noon and one and you can just walk right on, 20 minutes tops from car to Lido.

 

 

Long Beach is the same.

[cruznjan]

At Long Beach, the FTTFs went to the general security area, but there was a dedicated line at check-in that bypassed the long line. We went to the next available associate.

Edited December 21, 2015 by cruznjan

[Rottweiler Puppy]

Last 2 cruises out of Miami, diamond and platinum were in a separate area, FTTF was with general boarding. Diamond and plats went first and not until then did they call FTTF. It was very orderly.

 

Same with my recent Splendor cruise from Miami.

[elainmir]

I've had FTTF the last 4 cruises..out of each port it was orderly and Diamonds and Plats went first then FTTF. Sometimes FTTF was seated with general boarding and sometimes in a designated area. But everytime in each port ( Jacksonville,Tampa and Miami) they checked your S&S cards. If you didn't have correct credentials you were taken out of line. Miami is chaotic and crazy anyway and nothing flows smoothly here but out of the ports we've had FTTF in ..Miami was the worst.

[bakersdozen12]

I had FTTF in NOLA a couple months ago, and it was very organized. Diamonds, Platinums and Suites were in a special room. FTTF's were seated in the general boarding area, but they had a couple rows of seats reserved for us and had employees really guarding it to make sure no non-FTTF's tried to sneak in.

 

Then when they started boarding it was definitely Diamonds, Platinums and Suites first, then FTTF's after. And it was all monitored very closely. The employees were strict and well organized, and everyone boarding seemed to "behave" very well, abiding by the rules and listening to the directions given.

Edited December 22, 2015 by bakersdozen12

[jks336]

At least in NYC on our last cruise, They were calling the Plat/Diam member and the wedding party then the FTTF. and they made sure you had the correct card to be boarding. but after that, i don't know as i did FTTF.