Do you get dirty looks ? Platinum

[CWcruisers]

Between cruises 2-5, I think you get free wine tasting on a 7 day or more cruise. They give you some trinket and the past guest party. Check on the RCI board for sure.

[bri9646]

We've had one cruise since becoming Platinum guests and will have the second on Oct 5 sailing on the Valor. Embarkation this July on the Triumph was ok. We had to do the security line that was long like everybody else. We asked the staff and showed them the VIP tags but they said all the perks started past security. After about 30 minutes of waiting we saw VIP's getting escorted to the front but by that time we were almost there. We weren't miffed as we were happy to be on vacation. Once past security we went to the VIP lounge for check in and that was fast and easy! In and out 2-3 minutes. We weren't escorted to the ship and had to wait along with everybody else. Still it wasn't a long wait. The best part of being Platinum in our opinion is the laundry. You can pack so much less and going home with clean clothes is a treat! We asked about the tender priority and were given a sticker to wear this made no difference to the staff at all. I asked the crew and showed them the card and they said they weren't offering VIP tendering. No biggie as once again we were on vacation and after about a 20 minute wait we got a tender. We used the Platinum desk once and I didn't notice anything bad being done or said. The priority debarkation was awesome. In fact we were the very first people off the ship at 730am!

 

We happily use the perks as we've earned them but if they aren't available such as the tendering that day it's no worries. We're on vacation and I'm not going to fret over something small!

[gracie65]

I just got back from The Valor & it was my second time as platinum.

I really think Carnival employees need to all be on the same page as far as the perks & how you get them. The VIP Embarkation, Laundry & Debark. were great. I had trouble with getting answers for the Priority tendering. I have read several things on the boards that say to go to the Purser's Desk you will be escorted, etc. I went to the Purser's Desk & the officers on this ship were clueless. We had to get off on the first tender in Belize for a private excursion. The officer basically told me to flash my card & shoove my way past everyone to get to the front. I walked away shaking my head. Luckily they were escorting the first tender ticket holders off just as we turned & we just filed into line with them. I just had my card in hand in case they asked why I had no sticker.

 

We really didn't need it at any other ports so it never came up again until we were leaving for good. We went down where were to be at 7:30, couldn't really find VIP people. We ended up again filing in line with another group of the self assisters. Then I got really confused because as I handed my card to my favorite Activity Director named Matt he looks at me and says, you shouldn't be standing in line, you need to just flash your card & go on ahead of everyone.

Again, I just don't think Carnival has all it's employees on the same page. Next cruise, if I have Platinum questions I plan to ask one of the Activities Directors. They seem to be the most knowledgeble.

 

Has anyone else ran into any of these problems.

I agree with the previous poster, the wash & fold laundry is really the best. I used it three times.

[REDZONE]

All this platinum talk is killing me...

 

JUST 74 MORE DAYS

[LHP]

As far as tendering goes, we have found that we just "flash the card" and get on the first tender. Now we don't "push others aside".

 

Like in Belize, hubby and oldest son also had an early independent excursion and they simply got in the first line up. We were the either the first or second tender in port. So at any port, basically whenever we are ready to leave....we just go get in line and we don't have to worry about "numbers".

 

At Half Moon Cay, we were on the island "before the beer". :eek:

It was interesting to watch them haul everything they needed to set up that bar (ice, beer, sodas, liquor etc) and set it up.

 

With the Debarkation, you should get a letter that says...if you want to self assist meet at this location at this time....if you do not want to carry your luggage off...meet at this location at this time.

 

What I have noticed about the "self assist" Platinum debarkation ... when the staff get it right...it is really right. But there was one cruise where they forgot us....and just released all the "self assist" at the same time. Thankfully most of the time (we have started using self assist every time) , we are escorted to the "ding" before anyone else.

[dan40]

I am a platinum member with Royal Caribbean all I can say is the perks are wonderful. After my cruise in October I'll be Diamond with even better perks.

 

Don't get me wrong we have sailed Carnival before and have enjoyed our time on board. But Carnival really doesn't do anything for returning guests unless you have sailed with them 10 times.

 

I am Platinum on Carnival AND Diamond on RCL. RCL does have good past guests perks and I have enjoyed all my RCL cruises and will enjoy my future RCL cruises.

That said:

 

I think Carnival's-

Lower prices

Better DR food

and far superior bedding

are all good past AND first time guest perks.

 

Dan

 

RCL has the superior ships [not talking about decor, don't care a wit about that] but at a premium price.

[metfan747]

I actually used my platinum status to help a fellow cruiser. I was on next on the platinum line while the regular line was was 40 or so people deep. A guy in a tuxedo was in a panic. He had gotten married on board a few hours earlier and he and his wife were just settling into their cabin. And her zipper was stuck and she couldn't get her gown off. I just turned to the purser and said he needs help more than I do. The purser laughed and gave him a pair of pliers saying "I hope this does the trick!".

[DGP1111]

As far as tendering goes, we have found that we just "flash the card" and get on the first tender. Now we don't "push others aside".

 

With the new wording that's on the current letters in your cabin, the escorting process (and 'step to the front' process) has gone away, or is going away.

Now reads "Priority tender assignment, while debarking the vessel only".

Staff says that you'll received the earliest tender/sticker number when you go with everyone else to pick them up.

 

The other significant change was concerning supper club reservations, which are no longer guaranteed for Platinum. Now reads "Priority wait list for the supper club reservation".

Poop! :(

[nolaAlive]

Just curious for those of you who are Platinum Guests -

 

Do you get dirty looks for walking right up to the Concierge Desk ?

 

For walking past everyone at port for your excursion ?

 

For simply having a platinum card, and getting dirty stares ?

 

Do you think I have eyes in the back of my head? Who cares? I'm ahead of "them". :D

 

[nolaAlive]

With the new wording that's on the current letters in your cabin, the escorting process (and 'step to the front' process) has gone away, or is going away.

Now reads "Priority tender assignment, while debarking the vessel only".

Staff says that you'll received the earliest tender/sticker number when you go with everyone else to pick them up.

 

The other significant change was concerning supper club reservations, which are no longer guaranteed for Platinum. Now reads "Priority wait list for the supper club reservation".

 

Poop! :(

 

Guess I'll go back to what I did before there was a Platinum category and print my own tender stickers. ;)

[voyagerfl]

Why would anyone NOTICE whether some stranger is looking at them as they walk by - unless they look around hoping others notice (or making sure they DO)? :confused: :rolleyes: When I'm somewhere fun like a cruise - even checking in - no one else matters to me but us and the fun we're having. You could be on stilts with your hair on fire and I wouldn't notice OR care! And how would a person get a "dirty stare" just for having a platinum card? Who would SEE it unless you're waving it around - again hoping others notice that there's something "special" about you? So just carry on and do your thing - who cares who notices or what kind of "look" they may give?

 

I agree.....(ahem...speaking as a Platinum Member)

I really don't think people are noticing you that much unless you want to be noticed.........

 

Although, I do think I'd notice someone on Stilts with their Hair on Fire ...LoL

I may not be looking around to see who is noticing me with looks of envy.........But I do like to see what's going on......LoL:)

[southbayer]

LOL, thats very funny!!:D

Do you think I have eyes in the back of my head? Who cares? I'm ahead of "them". :D

 

[dan40]

No dirty looks, just adoring ones. I guess people can still see how handsome and well built I used to be...........................................:D

 

Dan

[LHP]

With the new wording that's on the current letters in your cabin, the escorting process (and 'step to the front' process) has gone away, or is going away.

Now reads "Priority tender assignment, while debarking the vessel only".

Staff says that you'll received the earliest tender/sticker number when you go with everyone else to pick them up.

 

The other significant change was concerning supper club reservations, which are no longer guaranteed for Platinum. Now reads "Priority wait list for the supper club reservation".

Poop! :(

 

 

I hate to admit it, but I did not even read the letter earlier this month in the cabin!! :eek:

 

Sorry, but I am not standing in line to get a number one. That defeats the purpose of having "the card" IMHO. I will continue to just flash the ole Platinum. What are they going to say???

[Ship Addict]

When visiting a port, does platinum also get you to the front of the line too to get back on board ??

 

This is definitely something I would like to see!

 

When returning to the ship in both Cozumel and Progreso this month, the lines were 30+ minutes long in the scorching, melt-your-face heat.

 

Everyone said how much they hated sailing into ugly Calica, but I do remember they had that nice covered walkway to wait in to get back on the ship!

[LHP]

I have never tried to use the Platinum card getting back ON the ship.

 

But then we don't do excursions, so we are usually getting back on the ship during the least crowded times.

 

One time I vaguely remember being flagged forward, but that could have been because of our son not feeling well and less to do with the Platinum card. He also has ataxia and gets overheated easily.

[Zeta3]

I think I posted this before but when the platinum status business first started we went on the Triumph and got our platinum cards. Well some glitch happened when they were taking my security picture so they could not associate my picture with the card. Everytime I got on or off the ship the alarms went off. No big deal, by the 2nd time the security guys knew me and the situation and off we went. The funny part was, every single time it happened there was a cranky passenger, acting like I was stupid, saying "She's using her credit card, lady, you need to use your ship card!" waving their first-timer cards at me. The security guys and I cracked up every time.

[winddawn]

Who cares if you get dirty looks? Jealous people often treat others poorly. Just hold your head high and enjoy the perks that you earned.

[muffyn]

I'm also glad to see the info. about going to the purser's desk to go to the front of the line while in port. I'd hate to push my way through. Last Carnival cruise was my first time with the platinum status & didn't have a clue it also entitled us to not wait in line at the ports. We were actually standing in line waiting to get off & the guy who was at the water bottle station tapped me on the shoulder & sent us to the front. We will have our son with us who is now 8 & not waiting in the line with a 8 year old is a huge plus.!!

 

does this include your entire family you are cruising with?

 

if not, it would not be a help to you as you would have to wait then at the end of the gang plank for the rest of your family to get off

[candigirl41]

If you are travelling with children, then they are included.

 

Candi

[DqALEX]

All this platinum talk is killing me...

 

JUST 74 MORE DAYS

Nice. Can't go wrong with a Platinum card

[bonniemari]

Can't wait.....

 

he is not really happy right now...Jr. did not finish well in the race yesterday because of a bad call by his Crew Chief. It cost him a couple of spots in the rankings.

 

There is always next weekend!!! :D

 

Jr's my guy also. I had a feeling he would be caught up in the big one at Talledega Sunday.

[LHP]

Jr's my guy also. I had a feeling he would be caught up in the big one at Talledega Sunday.

 

Yep...we breathed a sigh of relief after he missed the first "big one" that took out Truex. Then, it hit again.

 

Oh well, at least we have a cruise on Thursday to cheer him up!!! :D

[gracie65]

If you are travelling with children, then they are included.

 

Candi

 

It includes anyone in your same cabin.

[candigirl41]

Thanks for that reminder. I was thinking maybe they had two cabins and wondered about taking a second group with them. I know if you have two cabins and one has kids they are included in VIP.

 

Candi