"Fast Track" Elite status

[goldenrod]

My former business partner always had a comped suite when we took a company cruise, he would gamble the whole cruise playing Blackjack, they even raised the table limit for him the last cruise we took together was on the diamond Princess he dropped 27k over the 14 day cruise, he paid for his free suite and then some! Idiot!

 

 

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[pris993]

it is all about $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ nothing new... I remember cruising on a Crystal ship in the mediterranean... in early 1990... table next to use in the MDR had staff from the casino come in every evening to make sure they had everyone they wanted or needed, now you know they spending big money in the casino... I do not have kind of money... more power to them.

[tammigirl]

I have to disagree. If someone is fast-tracked, upgraded, comped, or the like it is not their problem if someone else is envious or jealous and takes offense. If a person has envy, that is their problem, not the person who was sharing their experience. I for one am very glad this information was posted. I don't begrudge anyone who is getting this perk whatsoever, even though I am not "fast-tracked," and am thankful that they shared this experience so that I know what I would need to do to get the same perk, since we all have the prerogative to earn it just as they did. I am happy for those folks and congratulate them, and am certainly not offended or bothered.

 

 

Me too! How else do you learn about the possibilities in life if it isn't someone, somewhere sharing the information? If people can't be happy for me, those aren't the people I want around me anyway.

[tammigirl]

 

On the other hand, there are some special things that I don't talk about. I've been really WOW'ed by some things Princess has done for me. I keep them to myself.

 

Completely agree with everything you said.

 

But would love to know this stuff, too.

 

I'm one of those people who gets chills when people get a great unexpected surprise, and celebrates with them rather than being upset it wasn't me.

[smm0218]

After reading about all the snobs on Princess cruises, I'm starting to rethink my decision to cruise Princess. Our first Princess cruise and only our 2nd cruise and after reading this thread am feeling like we shouldn't be on a Princess cruise (or maybe any cruise) since we have an inside cabin. :')

[geoherb]

After reading about all the snobs on Princess cruises, I'm starting to rethink my decision to cruise Princess. Our first Princess cruise and only our 2nd cruise and after reading this thread am feeling like we shouldn't be on a Princess cruise (or maybe any cruise) since we have an inside cabin. :')

There are plenty of people in inside cabins. We chose one for our cruise last month on the Caribbean Princess because the difference in price was more than we were willing to pay. We had one of the best cabin stewards ever--so Princess doesn't give you lesser service for being in a cheaper cabin. And once you're away from your cabin, no one knows whether you're in an inside cabin or a suite unless you tell them.

[Thrak]

After reading about all the snobs on Princess cruises, I'm starting to rethink my decision to cruise Princess. Our first Princess cruise and only our 2nd cruise and after reading this thread am feeling like we shouldn't be on a Princess cruise (or maybe any cruise) since we have an inside cabin. :')

 

There's a good thread going currently about folks who only book inside cabins. One of my adult sons has sailed with us a couple of times. He has a lot more disposable income than we have but no matter how much cash he had he would still only book inside cabins. That's what he prefers. A lot of people prefer inside cabins. Anybody who "values" someone based on their cabin choice (or their economic status for that matter) isn't worth worrying about. There are snobs on all lines and in all places. They aren't worth wasting your time to think about them.

 

Go ahead and give Princess a try and remember that 99% of cruisers never even heard of Cruise Critic and aren't represented by the few snobs you may encounter here. I have found that the vast majority of folks here aren't snobs either. The snobs just stand out. You know... like a rotten potato will really get your notice? :rolleyes:

[trishh]

LOVE IT THRAK!!!!

 

I was so excited when I reached the elite status. Grant you it took several cruises after to give in to use the free laundry service, out fear something would get ruined. Must say, besides all the free bottles of water in the mini bar, the laundry is an awesome perk. Clean everything before disembarkation, and don;t have to worry about it when you get home. They do a fantastic job on their service.

 

Now that I completed the goal of elite status pretty quickly (the joys of port everglades in my backyard), my next major goal is to be come the youngest most traveled passenger onboard. That's is what I am currently having fun trying to accomplish. :)

 

I think the next generation will win this one hands down, my daughter who is now 17 has 250 days on Princess and will be Elite next year. She is definitely looking forward to being the youngest most travelled.. :D

[smm0218]

Thanks, Thrak and Geoherb, I was starting to get a little bit of a complex. A balcony would be great but for the difference in price, I can also spend time in London before the cruise, and my TA got us a sideways cabin which looks amazing compared to the cabin on the Pearl.

 

And I wasn't suggesting the people on here were snobs just the people you run into.

[Mrs.Gosse]

After reading about all the snobs on Princess cruises, I'm starting to rethink my decision to cruise Princess. Our first Princess cruise and only our 2nd cruise and after reading this thread am feeling like we shouldn't be on a Princess cruise (or maybe any cruise) since we have an inside cabin. :')

I have never met one of these elite snobs they talk about. I think Princess is great.

 

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[Go-Bucks!]

I have never met one of these elite snobs they talk about. I think Princess is great.

 

Me neither, luckily. I've never seen anyone lay their cruise card on a table or wave it around. Mine is always in a pocket.

 

 

I'm taking my first cruise on Oceania in December, 2017 and was surprised at how they color code their cruise cards - it's by your cabin category. Insides through basic balcony is white, higher level balcony is silver, penthouse suite is gold and upper level suite is black & gold. I can't imagine why they do this as it seems it could lead to "cabin snobbery." ;)

[Mrs.Gosse]

I've actually even like to elaborate a little further and I've never even had a conversation with anyone about their loyalty level. I don't remember ever talking to someone who mentioned them being Platinum, Elite, Ruby etc. I've never even given any thought to people being concerned about their level except recently I've seen it mentioned a lot on the Facebook forums. They talk about how Elite people aren't allowed in the Forum because they are so obnoxious. I have never experienced that and I also don't know how they would even know people are Elite. Think it might be an urban legend that people who are through princess brag about their status LOL

 

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[grapau27]

Me neither, luckily. I've never seen anyone lay their cruise card on a table or wave it around. Mine is always in a pocket.

 

 

I'm taking my first cruise on Oceania in December, 2017 and was surprised at how they color code their cruise cards - it's by your cabin category. Insides through basic balcony is white, higher level balcony is silver, penthouse suite is gold and upper level suite is black & gold. I can't imagine why they do this as it seems it could lead to "cabin snobbery." ;)

Maybe passenger snobs requested the different colour cards so they could brag when on board or more likely they expect the crew to treat them better the better the card.

 

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[Pierlesscruisers]

I also don't know how they would even know people are Elite. Think it might be an urban legend that people who are through princess brag about their status LOL

 

Look at signature blocks. Some will have icons there that state their level.

 

 

Tom

[pablo222]

Look at signature blocks. Some will have icons there that state their level.

 

Yes. And the contents of the signature blocks is completely unverified.

Anyway can claim anything.

 

To Mrs. Gosse -- there was just a poster here bragging about what icons she had in her signature.

She had earned them, and the cruise line gave them to her.

 

I'm thinking of adding a few to mine, based on the pretty colors.

 

 

 

 

[as400guy]

 

I'm thinking of adding a few to mine, based on the pretty colors.

 

You made my day with your new signature block!!!

 

One of the nicest couples we ever met on a cruise were Elite members. They always booked interior because they saved money and were rarely in the cabin anyway.

[srpilo]

I've actually even like to elaborate a little further and I've never even had a conversation with anyone about their loyalty level. I don't remember ever talking to someone who mentioned them being Platinum, Elite, Ruby etc. I've never even given any thought to people being concerned about their level except recently I've seen it mentioned a lot on the Facebook forums. They talk about how Elite people aren't allowed in the Forum because they are so obnoxious. I have never experienced that and I also don't know how they would even know people are Elite. Think it might be an urban legend that people who are through princess brag about their status LOL

 

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I think it's more the being anonymous on the internet .. There's no doubt that there are people here on CC that subtly use their perceived status or post count, or my favorite, Officer and Crew onboard relationships in their claim to be the final arbiter of all things Princess here on CC.

 

The few here (certainly not all) who use their high post counts as a perceived "college degree" in Princess cruising make me laugh sometimes, because in reality no could be that pompous or that self important in person. (or maybe they could ;p)

 

Oh the freedom and false courage of the anonymous internet

Srpilo

Edited September 10, 2017 by srpilo

[AliceS]

For many of us who suppress signature lines, we will never know :cool:

I'm with you....don't want to see all the signature lists of cruises. I doubt that anyone cares about how many cruises that I have enjoyed. Soon we'll all be Elite. Celebrity and Holland have extra levels of loyalty. Who knows if Princess will ever do that?

[Mrs.Gosse]

Yes. And the contents of the signature blocks is completely unverified.

Anyway can claim anything.

 

To Mrs. Gosse -- there was just a poster here bragging about what icons she had in her signature.

She had earned them, and the cruise line gave them to her.

 

I'm thinking of adding a few to mine, based on the pretty colors.

 

 

 

 

On the fb forums we don't have signatures.

 

On here I'm mobile, so I don't see them.

 

But still, the signatures don't bother me. Technically they did earn their status. I'm fine with it. I stand by no once has ever bragged to me about their status.

 

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[Robinsoncruiseso]

For purpose of this post, I will reveal my status on Princess is Elite. I will state, it does not make a difference to me how people are awarded the status, cruises, cruise days or casino credit. I will say I do not think the "card attitude" is exclusive to Elite status. Sometimes, we have a "blue card" when we cruise due to "how" we book the cruise. I often take my card out in the elevator when returning to my room. I am somewhat floored at the conversations I hear from Ruby, Platinum and Elite cruisers. It is like they talk louder when they see my blue card. Sometimes they are quite rude. Perhaps my conclusion is way off base, but I think the problem may not be with Elite cruisers, but those that flaunt their cruise card of any color towards those with a lesser loyalty level card. And I will say, when cruising with a blue card, I do not try to sneak in any Elite benefits. On the other hand, when cruising last March, we brought our adult kids. We had three cabins total...ours was Elite, one had two Ruby cards and one had a Gold & Blue. We wanted to stay together for embarkation, tendering, etc so we went with the Non-elite group. Each time, Princess staff told us to go to the Elite areas and bring the family. All the other Elites were welcoming of my "non-elite" children. So there are some good black cards out there :)

[vampiress]

who are all these people who waste time and energy being petty about their status or room type on vacation?

[Hazegreyunderway]

This has been a very interesting thread.

 

Here are the main points that I've noticed:

1. "I'm an elite and you're not".

2. My cruise card is colored different than yours.

3. I get free laundry as a perk.

4. " I'm still an elite even though I scammed the system and took a bunch of 3 day cheesy coastal cruises" to qualify as elite.

 

With all that being said let me say this.

First off I have no idea what level we are at. My wife and I have taken 4 princess cruises and have easily spent over 100k. Maybe 75 sea days.

 

When we show up to board the ship they treat us as everyone else- like we are elites. They are pleasant, courteous and very attentive. The staff treats everyone as an elite.

Quite frankly I think all those elite perks are way overrated. We booked the grand suite once (the 1200 sq ft suite) and we were not elite--yet. Whatever. I think princess treats everyone very nice indeed.

 

I've seen those people who flaunt the color badges as if they have more sea time or princess time and quite frankly it's embarrassing for you who do that.

 

For those of you who think that free laundry is THE perk then that's fine. Enjoy. I'll spend the $1 for laundry, then go have a cocktail and then return to fluff and fold.

 

I get it , if you drop some serious coin then why shouldn't princess fast track you to elite? If you're some schmoo with an inside cabin above the prop shaft and bitchin about not being upgraded then deal with it.

 

It's a business like anything else. Don't expect perks or upgrades when you only want to pay for mac-n-cheese.

 

 

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[Sailaway John]

Well it should be stopped. I do not care how much people spend on the ship, I do it the right and honourable way and earn my Elite Status.

 

 

Recently I was on the Caribbean Princess and talked separately with 2 women who each said that they were on their 3rd cruise with Princess and they were told on embarkation that they had been elevated to Elite status. After the first woman told this to me, I told my daughter (who was present) that the woman was either confused or lying because it takes 15 cruise credits or 150 sail days to become Elite. The next day another woman said the same thing. This woman said she spent alot of money in the casino and wondered if that had something to do with it.

 

Since I was really confused, I went and talked with the Captains Circle rep. She reluctantly admitted that about 18 mo. ago Carnival Corp. started a new policy on Princess where people who spend ALOT of money on the ship and/or on a Princess credit card (she said about $1,500/day) get into the new program called "Fast Track" Elite status! She said she didn't agree with it but couldn't do anything about it.

 

Anyone else heard about this? I can't remember reading anything about this on CC. :confused:

[muggo11]

After reading about all the snobs on Princess cruises, I'm starting to rethink my decision to cruise Princess. Our first Princess cruise and only our 2nd cruise and after reading this thread am feeling like we shouldn't be on a Princess cruise (or maybe any cruise) since we have an inside cabin. :')

 

We got to Elite status on inside cabins! Do not despair! I can take three times as many cruises by going with an interior. And then I splurge on Sanctuary on sea days. Best of both worlds. Great sleeping and fabulous sea views! Keep sailing Princess.

 

 

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[caribill]

 

The few here (certainly not all) who use their high post counts as a perceived "college degree" in Princess cruising make me laugh sometimes, because in reality no could be that pompous or that self important in person. (or maybe they could ;p)

 

I am among those with a high post count.

 

It only means one thing.

 

I have too much time on my hands.