Caribbean Princess FLL Embarkation Question

[Tandoorii]

We're on Carib Princess 1.14.06 with Platinum status. Reading all the posts, here and elsewhere, it sounds like it's the way to go when embarking.

Anyway, my wife and I (late 50's) are traveling with friends in their mid-60s who aren't great standing for very long and need a little help from us with luggage, etc. Anyone want to make a guess if we could be successful as a group of 4 entering on our Plantinum status? I dont want to embarass my guests by being turned away and I would feel I should accompany them to the back of the other line should that happen. They are not handicapped, ill or elderly but just need a little assistance and I'd like to give them some through the Platinum entry.

 

Any advice, theories, strategies?

[hugger]

We sailed the Caribbean Princess in November. Lots of grumpy people, including some of the staff. We arrived at 11:30, and there were people everywhere. But many were grumpy because they had to stand in the hot sun with no shade for extended periods of time. Many times I heard the staff say "that's exactly why we tell you to NOT come before 1:00"! That's where the platinum status comes in handy -- we were quickly escorted inside to a seating area.

 

I was wondering how they know if you are Platinum level so that they would escort you in to a seating area?

THANKS

[kcb]

We're on Carib Princess 1.14.06 with Platinum status. Reading all the posts, here and elsewhere, it sounds like it's the way to go when embarking.

Anyway, my wife and I (late 50's) are traveling with friends in their mid-60s who aren't great standing for very long and need a little help from us with luggage, etc. Anyone want to make a guess if we could be successful as a group of 4 entering on our Plantinum status? I dont want to embarass my guests by being turned away and I would feel I should accompany them to the back of the other line should that happen. They are not handicapped, ill or elderly but just need a little assistance and I'd like to give them some through the Platinum entry.

 

Any advice, theories, strategies?

 

While I'm sure I'll get flamed for this, here goes...

 

Platinum status exists for those that have earned it (brand loyalty) or paid for it (booking suites). If you have the status, by all means you should take advantage. But, if you invite your friends to partake, that means the next group who is entitled to the perk has to wait for your friends who are not entitled. Yes, we may be talking minutes here or there, but on a ship with 3100 passengers, what if everyone felt that they had a justifiable reason to bring their friends along? And then what happens if they have a large group? The problem gets compounded, and then the status and perks lose value to those who have earned or paid for them.

 

Perks exist for a reason. You're trying to take advantage of them. What you are asking for is assistance, which I am completely in favor of. If your friends are in need, contact the cruise line now, explain the situation and ask what can be done.

 

While I do have compassion for your friends, your "coat-tailing" them on your status is not fair to anyone. Not only those who do deserve it, but everyone else in that long line that cannot come up with a (justifiable) reason to be given preference.

 

I have good friends leaving on the Golden in a few weeks. I absolutely refused to let them have my plastic ticket sleeve with the "Platinum Check-In" sticker on it from my recent Caribbean Princess cruise. Not because I'm selfish, but simply because it would not be fair to those who did not have friends that could give them the sticker.

[kcb]

I was wondering how they know if you are Platinum level so that they would escort you in to a seating area?

THANKS

 

 

This goes for the Caribbean Princess...

 

The building that you need to enter has a door towards the right side of the building where everyone enters. It will be quite obvious by the long line of people snaking out of it.

 

There are several sets of doors, but they were only letting people thru one set. There were 2-3 more sets of closed doors just to the right of this main door. Either knock on these doors, or find an agent to let you in.

 

You will, of course, need to show them your plastic "sleeve" that came with your tickets that will have a sticker on it showing your check-in status.

[Nicole721]

I was wondering how they know if you are Platinum level so that they would escort you in to a seating area?

THANKS

 

It's our first Princess cruise, but we're in a full suite.

 

On each of the little plastic folders with our documents, there is a silver sticker that says Platinum something.