Post Covid platinum question.

[Indianamale]

I will be platinum on my upcoming October cruise. What can I expect ie priority boarding etc? Thanks for all your help. 

[stobe1]

Unless Carnival goes back to the old way of doing things, there is no more priority boarding for Platinum and Diamonds. Suites are the only ones to get priority boarding as of now. You will be able to check in and grab an earlier boarding zone 2 days before all the non Plats/Diamonds, though. As far as the on board perks, you still have priority line at guest services and priority tendering and priority debarkation. Your free large water bottle will have to be picked up at any bar and your platinum gift and pin will usually be picked up at the Pixels photo shop.

 

Welcome to Platinum. Only 125 days to go until you reach Diamond lol.

Edited August 14, 2022 by stobe1

[Wennfred]

This is something I saved a while ago

 

Just a reminder for Gold, Platinum and Diamond members; you have to pickup most of your gifts.

 

Gold, Platinum and Diamond:

•Free large bottle of water - request from any bar

 

•Cruise pins - request at Pixels counter. (Photo Shop)

 

Platinum and Diamond only:

•Luggage tags - request at Pixels counter

 

•$25 in free casino play - request Casino Cashier

 

•Chocolate covered strawberries - call Room Service (8000) to request delivery

 

•Platinum/Diamond party was on Friday from 3:30-4:15 in the Liquid Lounge last week, I imagine it will be the same this week. Invitation should be delivered to your stateroom. 
 

Check your ship as it could be held at a smaller lounge.

 

Fred

[Wennfred]

You also get Free Laundry Service, the bag and order form is in your cabin drawer.

 

And First off the ship in ports where you need to Tender out, just show your Platinum card.

Edited August 14, 2022 by Wennfred

[matymil]

I turn platinum in afew weeks. I wish they brought back priority boarding but oh well what are you gonna do

[matymil]

1 hour ago, Wennfred said:

You also get Free Laundry Service, the bag and order form is in your cabin drawer.

 

And First off the ship in ports where you need to Tender out, just show your Platinum card.

Looking forward to that first bag of free laundry lol

[DallasGuy75219]

36 minutes ago, matymil said:

Looking forward to that first bag of free laundry lol

It's washed in hot water with who knows how many other passengers' clothes, so make sure it's not somethiing you'd be upset with if it came back shrunken or with a tint from the other clothes it was washed with.  Personally, I only send out underwear, socks, undershirts, and t-shirts, never any shirt with a collar, jeans, or dress pants.

[DallasGuy75219]

2 hours ago, Wennfred said:

And First off the ship in ports where you need to Tender out, just show your Platinum card.

Not always quite that simple.  Some ships only offer priority tendering for the first 1-2 hours of tendering operations.  After that you're stuck getting a tender pass like any non-status passenger or waiting until there's no longer any wait and general tendering is announced (i.e., the number of people waiting to tender off the ship has decreased such that you no longer need a tender pass).

[Hoosierpop]

Being able to check in two days earlier and select an early zone is just as good as the old priority boarding to me. On the four cruises I’ve been in this year, our zone was called about the same time as we used to be. Now, that’s been NOLA and Miami, so it may be different in some other ports.

 

[Wennfred]

My point is that Platinum/Diamond always gets priority shuttle service period. Whether 15 minutes or 2 hours. It’s a perk that I always use. Of course it’s not offered all day, but you are still off the ship first, this helps for when you have private non-Carnival tours set up as I do today.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[audcc77]

Not too crazy about the 2-day early thing.  Partly because I go to bed early and have to set my alarm for midnight to check in.  

 

We arrived at PC for Mardi Gras within 5 minutes of our scheduled early time and was at the BACK of the huge room. We couldn’t hear them announce the group numbers at all. It was a zoo.  And this was in January, during REALLY low capacity. Once we were able to see the suite people go, we moved about 10 feet closer.  
 

We are going again in a month and in December, and I hope they’ve improved things a little. I can only imagine what full capacity will be like. 
 

Now that they are changing Covid protocols, maybe D&P will be able to go in the little  lounge?  😁. I thought that was the reason they used previously to keep people separated.  🤷‍♀️
 

 

 

 

[runnersuzy]

7 hours ago, matymil said:

Looking forward to that first bag of free laundry lol

Best perk 

[Wennfred]

22 minutes ago, runnersuzy said:

Best perk 

Already had 2 bags done.

[Wennfred]

41 minutes ago, audcc77 said:

Not too crazy about the 2-day early thing.  Partly because I go to bed early and have to set my alarm for midnight to check in.  

 

We arrived at PC for Mardi Gras within 5 minutes of our scheduled early time and was at the BACK of the huge room. We couldn’t hear them announce the group numbers at all. It was a zoo.  And this was in January, during REALLY low capacity. Once we were able to see the suite people go, we moved about 10 feet closer.  
 

We are going again in a month and in December, and I hope they’ve improved things a little. I can only imagine what full capacity will be like. 
 

Now that they are changing Covid protocols, maybe D&P will be able to go in the little  lounge?  😁. I thought that was the reason they used previously to keep people separated.  🤷‍♀️
 

 

 

 

I got to deal with that mess this November for Magic and then a B2B on Mardi Gras Nov 23.

 

Seattle was a surprise, they even had porters this time. Was a breeze checking in with the ArriveCAN & VeriFLY, got onboard by 11:05am.

 

 

 

[jetsfan58]

I am just thankful to have been able to Cruise for decades! Not concerned about my level of cruising as each time I board a Carnival Ship it's like the first time! That's what status means to me.   

[waytoodeep03]

Seems alot more people are platinum now. 

 

Platinum is the new Gold. 

[Colorado Beach Bum]

Priority debarkation is probably the best perk.  Always off the ship right away.  Sailed with our kids a couple months back and figured we’d just go off with everyone else.  What a zoo.  We were first lifeboat called and didn’t even exit ship until they were calling the last number because the line was so long.  Horrible experience. 

[gazingm42]

We are all excited to cruise in 55 days.  My adult daughter and BFF is coming with her, leaving her

husband back to watch the dogs.  DW and myself are platinum already, our Daughter earns platinum

this time.  Her BFF is her first cruise.  It will be nice to get the 2 day early check in. 

 

With some of the perks changed, either way we are happy to sail again. 

[DallasGuy75219]

3 hours ago, waytoodeep03 said:

Seems alot more people are platinum now. 

 

Platinum is the new Gold. 

Probably folks who took lots of bargain cruises post-restart when the cruiselines were practically giving cabins away, to get people onboard and when new cruisers were too cautious to take their first cruise.  I don't blame them; I did it my on Royal to go from barely Diamond to Diamond Plus in 4 cruises.

 

Expect another devaluation of cruise days/elite status post-restart... a decrease in benefits, increase in the number of days to reach elite tiers, and/or a new tier.  IMO most likely a new tier between Gold and Platinum at 75 days (Titanium? lol), then Platinum becomes something in the 125-150 day range.  Existing Platinums who don't meet the new threshold may be grandfathered in or may get bumped down to the new tier like some Golds got bumped down to Red after the last change.

[jsglow]

10 hours ago, waytoodeep03 said:

Seems alot more people are platinum now. 

 

Platinum is the new Gold. 

That IS true.  I'm sure that on an upcoming European cruise we Plats will look like Red Cards to the hoards of Diamonds onboard.  Carnival would be smart to revamp the VIFP program again. Perhaps add a layer at 150 days with some very solid upgraded perks, and then bump the top tier up to 250. 

[Indianamale]

10 hours ago, DallasGuy75219 said:

Probably folks who took lots of bargain cruises post-restart when the cruiselines were practically giving cabins away, to get people onboard and when new cruisers were too cautious to take their first cruise.  I don't blame them; I did it my on Royal to go from barely Diamond to Diamond Plus in 4 cruises.

 

Expect another devaluation of cruise days/elite status post-restart... a decrease in benefits, increase in the number of days to reach elite tiers, and/or a new tier.  IMO most likely a new tier between Gold and Platinum at 75 days (Titanium? lol), then Platinum becomes something in the 125-150 day range.  Existing Platinums who don't meet the new threshold may be grandfathered in or may get bumped down to the new tier like some Golds got bumped down to Red after the last change.

When I started cruising you only needed 10 cruises to become Platinum and then they changed it to 75 days sailed and I was not grandfathered in so I don't think that would happen if they changed it again. 

[ober134]

OK ... More specifically: We turn Platinum on our next cruise in November, so technically 'today' still Gold? My Cruise manager does not reflect 2 day advance check in date.... Am I entitled to those 2 days?

Edited August 15, 2022 by ober134
typo

[LHARTWICK]

On 8/14/2022 at 7:43 AM, Hoosierpop said:

Being able to check in two days earlier and select an early zone is just as good as the old priority boarding to me. On the four cruises I’ve been in this year, our zone was called about the same time as we used to be. Now, that’s been NOLA and Miami, so it may be different in some other ports.

 

This has been our experience, too, for NOLA and Galveston.  We check-in online and grab the earliest slot.  Once we get through security, check-in, etc. at the port and get seated, we are one of the first groups to board after the suites, wedding parties and diamonds.  No difference for us between now and pre-COVID.

[hapytobehr]

On 8/15/2022 at 7:28 AM, jsglow said:

That IS true.  I'm sure that on an upcoming European cruise we Plats will look like Red Cards to the hoards of Diamonds onboard.  Carnival would be smart to revamp the VIFP program again. Perhaps add a layer at 150 days with some very solid upgraded perks, and then bump the top tier up to 250. 

I don't agree with that statement based on the numbers that John Heald posts on his Facebook page when he puts up numbers of passengers  i.e.  Mardi Gras  Total Guests 6009-  blue card 1904, Red Card 1821, Gold card 1720, Platinum card 476 Diamond 88.  

[Wennfred]

Don’t forget the Platinum & Diamond party we get as well, will be going to one tomorrow, I don’t drink but will probably have my free Michelob Ultra then.

 

Fred