How Strict is VIP check in?

[cruznlobo]

I am highly amused by those that fail to see the irony of bragging about taking their entire non-entitled party through VIP and observing the process is no faster then going through the regular line.

 

My sentiments exactly!!!

[NCTribeFan]

I could be wrong but ports like Miami they are able to print out cards when you check in now. I recall we checked in with 4 platinums and 2 golds and she printed them out on the same machine. Sorta like how they do club cards at the casinos.....we checked in at the kiosk and gave her our receipt......anyone else have this experience?

 

Really? Interesting. I'm writing my review now. In it I talked about how the VIP check-in desks in Norfolk didn't even have computers. They had to fill out the credit card info by hand for the S&S accounts and then we joined the regular waiting area (but had our blue VIP signs to carry around).

 

Seriously, I felt like one of those girls at the boxing match - when they called VIP to board, I stood up, raised my blue VIP sign over my head and turned around for all those Platinum-envy people to see how important I was!

 

:p

[cruznlobo]

Really? Interesting. I'm writing my review now. In it I talked about how the VIP check-in desks in Norfolk didn't even have computers. They had to fill out the credit card info by hand for the S&S accounts and then we joined the regular waiting area (but had our blue VIP signs to carry around).

 

Seriously, I felt like one of those girls at the boxing match - when they called VIP to board, I stood up, raised my blue VIP sign over my head and turned around for all those Platinum-envy people to see how important I was!

 

:p

 

You go kiddo!!!

[serene56]

 

Like it's some kind of accomplishment. :D.

 

for me its an expensive accomplishment over time. And for this upcoming cruise I will not be at the port before 1:30 so getting to the VIP check in at that time should be a relief instead of standing on that long line.

 

If we were going to the pier about 10:30 - 11:am where they make you wait anyways-- it wouldnt really matter

[jhale]

I know in Galveston there's a "door-man" at the VIP check-in. They literally check your name off the list.

[sweetlissa]

Last month on the Liberty out of Miami when you entered the VIP room you handed the lady at the door your boarding pass and she wrote your name down on a list.

 

You then went and had a seat, (Oh wait there weren't any available) and waited to be called to the desk. not very impressive.:p

 

Bill

 

Similar at Galveston, although there wasn't a wait.

 

 

Really? Interesting. I'm writing my review now. In it I talked about how the VIP check-in desks in Norfolk didn't even have computers. They had to fill out the credit card info by hand for the S&S accounts and then we joined the regular waiting area (but had our blue VIP signs to carry around).

 

Seriously, I felt like one of those girls at the boxing match - when they called VIP to board, I stood up, raised my blue VIP sign over my head and turned around for all those Platinum-envy people to see how important I was!

 

:p

 

Love this

[sweetlissa]

Maybe if you folks weren't so intent on being the first people on the ship, you wouldn't have to wait in line like you're at Disneyworld. The amenities of the "VIP" area (which are paltry at best) don't matter then.

 

Just a thought ....

 

I would love to be the 1st one on the ship, to me that's when my vacation begins!

[iluvdoxies]

May I ask who you emailed to get the non-platinum person VIP docs (when using your 'platinum' credit card?) - wondering if I can take care of this in advance. Thanks.

 

Jeez ----another one ---I know let all platinum cruisers pick 3 or 4 peeps waiting on the regular lines to board with them.

 

It never ceases to amaze me that people want/get what they ARE NOT entitled to.

[cruznlobo]

We were 1st on the 'boat' twice.

In 2004 when we got married on the Glory, I was 1st on, and

last year, Vicki stepped on the Dream, literally, one step before

another cruiser.

 

Mike & Vicki

[elcuchio24]

Yes little difference......separate room, nice cushy chairs, cold drinks, first ones on the ship, not having to set in rows and rows of folding chairs in a warehouse type setting waiting for a zone number. Yes it's the small differences that count. I personally enjoy the small differences.....why yes, yes I do:D

 

And I would like to point out that this is what you said:

 

where the only difference between the VIP waiting area and the sitting and waiting for your zone to be called are is a lemonade machine

 

at the POM there are no folding chairs. I have no idea where you came up with that unless you haven't cruised out of there is a very long time. The regular waiting areas have 'cushy' chairs as well.

[ItsAllAboutTheSass]

We will be going on the Pride in April. While we are VIP, the other couple isn't. For them it is their first time on Carnival and for the one it is her first cruise. I think we are going to hang out with them. Now, if there was someone I could email or call to have our cards with the Golds and Blues (or whatever they will be at that point) so I don't have to inconvenience anyone that would be nice.

[Rowan555]

How does VIP check in work if you have one guest in the cabin who is Platinum and one who is not? I have this situation coming up in February. I'm assuming our keys will be together, so it would be easier to check us in together? Or do we need to get in both lines?

[H82seaUgo]

How does VIP check in work if you have one guest in the cabin who is Platinum and one who is not? I have this situation coming up in February. I'm assuming our keys will be together, so it would be easier to check us in together? Or do we need to get in both lines?

 

you are both considered vip.

[firefly333]

How does VIP check in work if you have one guest in the cabin who is Platinum and one who is not? I have this situation coming up in February. I'm assuming our keys will be together, so it would be easier to check us in together? Or do we need to get in both lines?

 

If you look at your edocs, both boarding passes have VIP up in the corner.

 

Everyone in your cabin shares all the same advantages. One senior, everyone gets the senior rate, same like VIP.

[iTouch]

at the POM there are no folding chairs. I have no idea where you came up with that unless you haven't cruised out of there is a very long time. The regular waiting areas have 'cushy' chairs as well.

 

 

Last time out of POM was May 2010. Could be I didn't pay attention because I was in the VIP room. Before that it was I believe either 2007 or 2006. It starts getting confusing when you cruise out of different ports all the time:D Alot of terminals have those chairs..... that's how I came up with that. Regardless.....it still reminds me of cattle calls:D

[DebJ14]

When traveling with our son and his family we had to part ways at the entrance to the VIP security line. The people in Galveston were very strict and unless they had VIP on the boarding pass they did not get past the lady in the red jacket. They got in the regular line and we went through VIP check in. We agreed on a meeting place and only had to wait about 3 minutes for them to finish regular check in.

However, when traveling with my husband's father in a wheelchair they let him go to VIP check in with us. The check-in people had no problems going to the regular area to get the old man's Sail and sign card.

[DANCING GRANDMOMMY]

Well I have an idea if you dont want to leave them alone. Why not stand in the regular line with them? That way you wont break any rules and you all can stay together.

 

The regular lines move pretty fast sometimes. That way everyones happy. :)

 

Enjoy your cruise.

I'm not sure your sail and sign cards would be available in the other line. At least in Long Beach VIP ge their cards in the VIP lounge. Maybe someone else has some feedback to this

[H82seaUgo]

When traveling with our son and his family we had to part ways at the entrance to the VIP security line. The people in Galveston were very strict and unless they had VIP on the boarding pass they did not get past the lady in the red jacket.

 

they tried to do that with my then 6 year old. guess who won?

[elcuchio24]

Last time out of POM was May 2010. Could be I didn't pay attention because I was in the VIP room. Before that it was I believe either 2007 or 2006. It starts getting confusing when you cruise out of different ports all the time:D Alot of terminals have those chairs..... that's how I came up with that. Regardless.....it still reminds me of cattle calls:D

 

I haven't seen the chairs in POM for a long time, but I agree with you, I did hate them when they were around. I'm glad more ports are being update with nice waiting areas, kiosks, etc...instead of the old days waiting in an un-AC warehouse.

[kelly11]

they tried to do that with my then 6 year old. guess who won?

 

The suite I booked has VIP on the pass, the other room I booked doesnt have VIP on the pass, however, they are all booked under my credit card for S&S (my adult children) so its my understanding that all our cards will be together, so the red jacket lady is going to make them stand in the other line, then make the carnival employee dealing with then trek over to get their cards which will be with mine, that doesnt seem very efficient, I have no problem checking in the regular line with them, dont care long as we get on the ship, but just not sure where all our cards will be:rolleyes:

[Gayle V]

Just want to say thanks for this thread.

 

We will be in a suite, in February, but best friends will be directly next to us, in a balcony room. I was going to just wait in the regular line with them, so we could enjoy the anticipation together. But if that's going to cause a problem with the check in people, we'll just meet on board.

[cruise_girl2002]

to the OP--your friends can check in with you in the VIP lounge IF they are under the same credit card for their sail and sign cards as you are OR they are minors. they were pretty strict in Miami. I am VIP and my mom and aunt are not. however, we were all under the same credit card for the sail and sign account (my credit card) i called carnival twice before our sail date to make sure our reservations were linked (my aunt and mom had a separate room as me)..and was assured they were. When i got to the VIP lounge they told me that my mom and aunt had to go check in outside...i told her i read the rules and called carnival twice and was told that due that we all were under the same credit card they could check in and board with me. they told me that our reservations were not linked. i told them again, i called carnival twice and 2 different people told me they were. then they (the people in the VIP lounge) said they would have to go outside and get their sign and sail cards which they dont like doing (i can understand since it takes time and they want VIP people to get quick service) They must have seen something on the screen and realised that we were linked. They never gave any of the other people in room a hard time having to go back out and get the cards of the others but whatever.

[Froufie]

So were the cards in the VIP lounge cuz you were 'linked' or did they still have to go get them 'outside'? Wondering why it seems to work sometimes and not other times?

[katiel53]

to the OP--your friends can check in with you in the VIP lounge IF they are under the same credit card for their sail and sign cards as you are OR they are minors. they were pretty strict in Miami. I am VIP and my mom and aunt are not. however, we were all under the same credit card for the sail and sign account (my credit card) i called carnival twice before our sail date to make sure our reservations were linked (my aunt and mom had a separate room as me)..and was assured they were. When i got to the VIP lounge they told me that my mom and aunt had to go check in outside...i told her i read the rules and called carnival twice and was told that due that we all were under the same credit card they could check in and board with me. they told me that our reservations were not linked. i told them again, i called carnival twice and 2 different people told me they were. then they (the people in the VIP lounge) said they would have to go outside and get their sign and sail cards which they dont like doing (i can understand since it takes time and they want VIP people to get quick service) They must have seen something on the screen and realised that we were linked. They never gave any of the other people in room a hard time having to go back out and get the cards of the others but whatever.

 

I wonder why your boarding cards weren't together when you were all using the same cc. Just out of curiosity, did you then go to Guest Services when onboard to change to different credit cards? I ask this as I am wondering if Carnival is figuring out how many people say they are using the same credit cards to board together and then change.

 

I do understand with children in another cabin, but, usually, adults pay their own way. Just a question, not a judgement.

[klsimpson]

Our first cruise was last week on the Fantasy out of Charleston, SC. I use a wheelchair and didn't ask for or expect any special treatment so we got in the regular line like everyone else. I didn't know they required assisted boarding. Two people came up and sent us to another line for assisted boarding, which was fine. She also sent my DH, 2 DS and DDIL with me because she asked if they were in our room or on our card, which they were. Half way through the line, someone else sent us back to the regular line because only I was supposed to be in the special boarding line, but, since they were on my card we all had to be together. Okay, we move.

Now, 10 minutes later we were told I would not be allowed to board unless I was in the assisted boarding line and we moved back again because we were told they all had to be with me to use my card.We were there very early and had so far been sent to the end of 3 now very long lines. Now, we get to stay in this line to actually make it to the counter where the lady there was extremely rude and informed us in no uncertain terms that I was the only one she had to check in because the others should not be in assisted. After 20 minutes (really, 20 minutes) of explaining why we were in this line and assuring her we were only here because we didn't know any better and were only TRYING to follow (very confusing/ conflicting) directions,and that we would be happy to get in the correct line if she could only tell us where it was, she consented to very snidely take our information and check us in. As we were moving away from the desk she made a very rude comment on why my adult children were not on a credit card of their own and that we were just trying to get special treatment. (They were there because this cruise was our gift to them and we were paying.)

She also gave the people behind us a very hard time because they were not all VIP and were trying to check into her line with two friends. So from this I gathered the assisted and VIP boarding was together. And if they are all like her, it's not a perk by any means.