Platinum Perks

[pcrum]

Hi:

 

Can anyone tell me what being platinum does for you now in the days of COVID?  I turned platinum several years ago, but at the same time, we discovered other cruise lines and have not been on Carnival since.  I know that platinum used to mean you were able to get on the ship earlier, but is that still true?  I have read of people being assigned a time to embark now.  We are trying to decide between Carnival Horizon on Dec. 26 and NCL Escape on Dec. 18.  

 

I remember a past cruise party on Carnival also; is that still going on?  No tender ports, so not concerned with that.  Any other platinum perks to be aware of?

 

And, if anyone has opinions on Horizon, I'd love to hear them.  

 

Thank you!

 

[Elaine5715]

https://www.carnival.com/vifp/overview.aspx?icid=ccl_vifp_footer_0414

[dbrucern]

1 hour ago, pcrum said:

Hi:

 

Can anyone tell me what being platinum does for you now in the days of COVID?  I turned platinum several years ago, but at the same time, we discovered other cruise lines and have not been on Carnival since.  I know that platinum used to mean you were able to get on the ship earlier, but is that still true?  I have read of people being assigned a time to embark now.  We are trying to decide between Carnival Horizon on Dec. 26 and NCL Escape on Dec. 18.  

 

I remember a past cruise party on Carnival also; is that still going on?  No tender ports, so not concerned with that.  Any other platinum perks to be aware of?

 

And, if anyone has opinions on Horizon, I'd love to hear them.  

 

Thank you!

 

During Covid no priority embarkation unless you are in a suite.  Separate line at guest services still in play and laundry. You do get to do the online checkin for the cruise two days prior to everyone to pick your boarding time

Edited October 30, 2021 by dbrucern

[Bostwick girl]

Carnival doesn’t assign you a boarding time, you select the time you arrive when you do your check in 14 days prior to cruise. Things are a little different right now due to COVID.  I suggest you read the health and safety protocols on Carnivals web site, they are right at the top of the page.

 

[nwcruiselover]

Platinum and Diamond can check in 16 days prior to cruising, so are most likely able to get an early check-in time than non-Platinums, if that’s what they want.

[Colorado Beach Bum]

Currently no BOGO casino tournaments as they are not happening with COVID.  Instead you get $25 fun play in the casino. 

[snowballs mom]

6 hours ago, Colorado Beach Bum said:

Currently no BOGO casino tournaments as they are not happening with COVID.  Instead you get $25 fun play in the casino. 

Love that $25 free play. I have never done a casino tournament and usually avoid the casino, but my husband and I both took advantage of the free play and used it in the slot machines. We had a few minutes of fun and even came out ahead.

[mondello]

@pcrum We're booked for Horizon on 12/26.

Post-Covid you have to go get your perks: Platinum gift/Pixels, chocolate covered strawberries/Cherry On Top, free 1 1/2 liter water/any bar, $25 free play/casino. Platinum/Diamond party scaled back, may get a glass of wine and free drink coupon. Past guest party is now a free drink last seaday after 5:00 or possibly seaday brunch.

Horizon has dining packages : $60/$8pp savings, includes Steakhouse and 2 other specialty dinners, also, $38/$7pp savings, covers dinner or $15 credit/al a carte at 3 venues.

One of the best features on Vista class ships is the Havana Cabanas, bookings include exclusive use of the Havana pool/hot tubs, restricted to over age 12. Even Havana interior cabins can enjoy this.

These next 2 cruises will be my first on ships larger than the Conquest class and I'm really looking forward to the additional dining options.

[pcrum]

Thanks for all of the information.  Wow, the past guest party is now just one free drink?  Hope that changes after COVID.   We would purchase Cheers, but it's just the idea that Carnival rewards the platinum members with so few perks that is maddening.  Even though we are platinum on Carnival, when comparing the prices to other lines that include a drinks package (NCL and Celebrity), the prices are so close that we ultimately end up on another line.  Both throw in internet (not sure how reliable), and NCL even gives you a free dinner at a restaurant other than the MDR.  I just wanted to see if we were missing any platinum perks that might sway the decision into Carnival's favor, but it doesn't sound like it.  Maybe we will try Carnival again in a year when hopefully some of the COVID procedures have been lifted, but for now, I think we will go with NCL or Celebrity.

 

Thanks again.

[Colorado Beach Bum]

36 minutes ago, pcrum said:

Thanks for all of the information.  Wow, the past guest party is now just one free drink?  Hope that changes after COVID.   We would purchase Cheers, but it's just the idea that Carnival rewards the platinum members with so few perks that is maddening.  Even though we are platinum on Carnival, when comparing the prices to other lines that include a drinks package (NCL and Celebrity), the prices are so close that we ultimately end up on another line.  Both throw in internet (not sure how reliable), and NCL even gives you a free dinner at a restaurant other than the MDR.  I just wanted to see if we were missing any platinum perks that might sway the decision into Carnival's favor, but it doesn't sound like it.  Maybe we will try Carnival again in a year when hopefully some of the COVID procedures have been lifted, but for now, I think we will go with NCL or Celebrity.

 

Thanks again.

I’m pretty sure past guest party was gone before covid and replaced with the one free drink.  Only platinum/Diamond party before with open bar.  Now just glass of wine. 

[Elaine5715]

19 hours ago, mondello said:

@pcrum We're booked for Horizon on 12/26.

Post-Covid you have to go get your perks: Platinum gift/Pixels, chocolate covered strawberries/Cherry On Top, free 1 1/2 liter water/any bar, $25 free play/casino. Platinum/Diamond party scaled back, may get a glass of wine and free drink coupon. Past guest party is now a free drink last seaday after 5:00 or possibly seaday brunch.

Horizon has dining packages : $60/$8pp savings, includes Steakhouse and 2 other specialty dinners, also, $38/$7pp savings, covers dinner or $15 credit/al a carte at 3 venues.

One of the best features on Vista class ships is the Havana Cabanas, bookings include exclusive use of the Havana pool/hot tubs, restricted to over age 12. Even Havana interior cabins can enjoy this.

These next 2 cruises will be my first on ships larger than the Conquest class and I'm really looking forward to the additional dining options.

 

1 hour ago, pcrum said:

Thanks for all of the information.  Wow, the past guest party is now just one free drink?  Hope that changes after COVID.   We would purchase Cheers, but it's just the idea that Carnival rewards the platinum members with so few perks that is maddening.  Even though we are platinum on Carnival, when comparing the prices to other lines that include a drinks package (NCL and Celebrity), the prices are so close that we ultimately end up on another line.  Both throw in internet (not sure how reliable), and NCL even gives you a free dinner at a restaurant other than the MDR.  I just wanted to see if we were missing any platinum perks that might sway the decision into Carnival's favor, but it doesn't sound like it.  Maybe we will try Carnival again in a year when hopefully some of the COVID procedures have been lifted, but for now, I think we will go with NCL or Celebrity.

 

Thanks again.

Are you confusing the two parties?  The one for all past guests is gone with a coupon for a free drink but P/Ds can use it anytime.  There is still the Platinum/Diamond party with open bar.

[pcrum]

1 minute ago, Elaine5715 said:

 

Are you confusing the two parties?  The one for all past guests is gone with a coupon for a free drink but P/Ds can use it anytime.  There is still the Platinum/Diamond party with open bar.

Ok, gotcha.  I know there used to be a past guest party, but now I understand it's only for platinum/diamond, which is fine.

 

Thanks for the clarification.

[funinthesun1964]

It was reported that on the Mardi Gras, the Platinum/Diamond party was one glass of wine upon entering and then a free drink coupon at the end.  Reports from other ships say there were free drinks, but no longer any food. Maybe too many Plats/Diamonds have been on Mardi Gras, too many passengers? I don't know the answers.

 

Yes, long gone are past guest party, fun farewell party, captain's night with free drinks before dinner.

[Domergirl]

The platinum/diamond party seems to vary now ship by ship.  Also possibly based on which ships have huge numbers of plat/diamond, and which don't.  Some report it has drinks flowing...others do not.  Most report no more appetizers.   Free laundry is still a great benefit for my family...but others are afraid to send their stuff, because it's basically like having everything washed on hot.

 

At any rate...the platinum benefits are OK, but honestly, probably not a deciding factor in terms of which cruise to book.  OP, I think I'd make the decision based on other factors like the ports visited, and the timing of the cruise - which is better for you?   

[mondello]

5 hours ago, Elaine5715 said:

 

Are you confusing the two parties?  The one for all past guests is gone with a coupon for a free drink but P/Ds can use it anytime.  There is still the Platinum/Diamond party with open bar.

I thought someone posted their recent Platinum/Diamond party was only a free glass of wine and a free drink coupon, not an open bar. Thank you for correcting my mistake.

[Elaine5715]

7 hours ago, mondello said:

I thought someone posted their recent Platinum/Diamond party was only a free glass of wine and a free drink coupon, not an open bar. Thank you for correcting my mistake.

It may be ship dependent which is problematic.  VIFP benefits should be consistent  But it could be they mistook the free drink coupon for the party but you get both as a P/D.  It was an open bar on my Miracle sailing in August.  It also could have been a COVID thing which would be silly since they pack the same venue for entertainment.

[Isasprings]

14 hours ago, pcrum said:

Thanks for all of the information.  Wow, the past guest party is now just one free drink?  Hope that changes after COVID.   We would purchase Cheers, but it's just the idea that Carnival rewards the platinum members with so few perks that is maddening.  Even though we are platinum on Carnival, when comparing the prices to other lines that include a drinks package (NCL and Celebrity), the prices are so close that we ultimately end up on another line.  Both throw in internet (not sure how reliable), and NCL even gives you a free dinner at a restaurant other than the MDR.  I just wanted to see if we were missing any platinum perks that might sway the decision into Carnival's favor, but it doesn't sound like it.  Maybe we will try Carnival again in a year when hopefully some of the COVID procedures have been lifted, but for now, I think we will go with NCL or Celebrity.

 

Thanks again.

We just came back from the Sunrise.

The platinum /Diamond party for us was

open bar lots of drinks. Same thing on the Horizon

on September.

Edited November 1, 2021 by Isasprings