Great Platinum experience on the Pride 5/7

[PTcruisers]

Just returned from the Pride on Sunday. Absolutely loved the Platinum perks. From the minute we arrived at the pier until we got off the ship, we were very pleased. Had a special VIP line to check in at the Queen Mary, we then went to a special line where we were the first group to board. We also had our special line at the pursers desk, which felt awkward when you stepped right to the front of the line, while there were 10 other people waiting. The purser acknowledged us immediately and completed what he was doing and stepped right over to help us. In Cabo, we were escorted by the purser right down to the first tender while others stood in the stair wells, once again got the looks, like what are these people doing.

There was no line returning to the tender in Cabo, so I never noticed a special line. We did participate in the slot tournament for free and seen the list of platinum guests. I think there were about 20-25 names on the list out of approximately 2,000 - 2,500 cruisers. We also received the personalized stationery, the canvas tote bags, the petit fours and canapes. We got special tags to disembark and left the ship by 8am. We didn't take advantage of the laundry service, but we could have.

Had a wonderful trip and the platinum perks made it even better. Can't wait for the next trip on the Valor in September. :D

[yogibear]

How many cruises do you have to take with Carnival to qualify for Platinum Status? I had never heard of this before.

Did you find the info on the Carnival Site??.............Karen

[mattmdv]

I beleive that the magic number is 10 cruises.

Only 7 more to go!!!!

 

Matt

[DqALEX]

Just returned from the Pride on Sunday. Absolutely loved the Platinum perks. From the minute we arrived at the pier until we got off the ship, we were very pleased. Had a special VIP line to check in at the Queen Mary, we then went to a special line where we were the first group to board. We also had our special line at the pursers desk, which felt awkward when you stepped right to the front of the line, while there were 10 other people waiting. The purser acknowledged us immediately and completed what he was doing and stepped right over to help us. In Cabo, we were escorted by the purser right down to the first tender while others stood in the stair wells, once again got the looks, like what are these people doing.

There was no line returning to the tender in Cabo, so I never noticed a special line. We did participate in the slot tournament for free and seen the list of platinum guests. I think there were about 20-25 names on the list out of approximately 2,000 - 2,500 cruisers. We also received the personalized stationery, the canvas tote bags, the petit fours and canapes. We got special tags to disembark and left the ship by 8am. We didn't take advantage of the laundry service, but we could have.

Had a wonderful trip and the platinum perks made it even better. Can't wait for the next trip on the Valor in September. :D

When I read a post about Platinum my mouth starts to water. Im going on #8 the legend over New Years

[shootpar]

Congratulations on your Platinum status. I am quite envious. I do, however, have an issue with how Carnival issues Platinum status. It doesn't seem equitable that someone who has taken 10 7-day cruises is treated the same as someone who has taken 10 3-day cruises. They should incorporate a minimum number of days cruised in order to make Platinum status.

[LHP]

We experienced the same thing on the Pride in March. It was indeed wonderful. Our family of four are all Platinum, so we got 4 of everything. We ended up giving 2 of the canvas bags to friends who were cruising with us.

 

On our cruise, there were 22 Platinum (4 of which were us). I don't gamble, but we did play in the free slots tournament. Blackjack was also an option, but I don't have a clue how to play and I figured I had the smarts to push a button on a slot machine. We did not win, but we still had a good time.

 

It is correct that these perks start as you board your 10th cruise. When you receive your documents, the VIP Check In will be printed on the front of your docs. But if for some reason it is not, go to the VIP Check In anyway. They will handle everything.

 

Thanks Carnival...a great job!!

[LHP]

Congratulations on your Platinum status. I am quite envious. I do, however, have an issue with how Carnival issues Platinum status. It doesn't seem equitable that someone who has taken 10 7-day cruises is treated the same as someone who has taken 10 3-day cruises. They should incorporate a minimum number of days cruised in order to make Platinum status.

 

 

You are right. But Carnival was just following the industry standard of counting the number of cruises. That is why the perks are not as good as Princess. Princess has an Elite (Black) card after 15 cruises, but they do not offer the number of 3/4/5 day cruises that Carnival does.

 

Still a good deal. We appreciate being shown the love!

[Beach4me]

Congratulations on your Platinum status. I am quite envious. I do, however, have an issue with how Carnival issues Platinum status. It doesn't seem equitable that someone who has taken 10 7-day cruises is treated the same as someone who has taken 10 3-day cruises. They should incorporate a minimum number of days cruised in order to make Platinum status.

 

Doesn't bother me at all. I'm double-Platinum - only 1 of which was a 4-day. But, that 4-day was not significantly less expensive than many of the 7-days I've taken. If we start worrying about what people are spending, we can take it one step further. I almost always cruise in at least a Cat 11. Should the folks who get inside cabins on the bottom deck be given less "credit" for the cruise than I get. I don't think so. The folks to book Cat 11 & 12's on the 4- and 5-day cruises pay more than the lower inside - and some balconies - on the 7-days. It can just go on and on.

 

I think a "days at sea" program might be more logical on a line that offers a significant portion of their schedule as 8-day+ intineraries. But even on those lines, it works out the way it works out. I've got a Princess 15-day that only counts as 1 cruise on their program - if I took a back-to-back in the Caribbean, I'd be spending less and getting twice the "credit". But, I don't care. I'm going with the line/itinerary I want - any perks for number of past cruises are just that - perks...not the reason for going.

 

I'm for everyone at the Platinum level getting the excellent service the OP described.

 

Thanks for sharing your experiences, OP. Glad to hear that Carnival is stepping up to the plate and making their program mean something. I was on the Liberty on January - before they implemented any of the things you mentioned. Would have been nice to take advantage of a couple of them. Next time!