The next Carnival cruise I take will be number 10. That qualifies me for platinum status. Do I have to apply for it or is it automatic. The people traveling with me are not at 10 cruise yet. Can they check in early with me or do we all have to be platinum. ????
It should be automatic! When you print your luggage tags it'll say VIP on 'em. If not, then call Carnival, or your agent and have them check your status. Unfortunately, the folks traveling with you will still have to stand in "the other line".
Welcome to the Platinum Club!
The next Carnival cruise I take will be number 10. That qualifies me for platinum status. Do I have to apply for it or is it automatic. The people traveling with me are not at 10 cruise yet. Can they check in early with me or do we all have to be platinum. ????
congrats on Platinum. Free laundry, free slot or blackjack tourney, among other things.
Oh yeah, don't forget your Platinum gift. It's a pen and paper set.
The last time we.checked in, they let the entire group check in with us. They did not have to be cabin mates, just traveling with us.
You got "lucky" with that one. That's really against the rules. Either VIP check in was very quiet, or you got a check in agent who didn't know the rules.
Can you imagine how the speed of VIP check in would be diminished if every Platinum guest was allowed to bring all their friends through with them.
For each guest that is not platinum, the agent has to go to regular check in to get their sail and sign cards, where those for platinum guests are located at VIP check in.
Agreed, on our last cruise we were with two other couples. After being told that only we could go to the VIP we opted to wait with the others (Big mistake, one guy left his passport in his checked luggage, after they searched the bags--around 3,000?---they located his and brought it to those of us in the waiting area, 4 1/2 hours later!!).
Agreed, on our last cruise we were with two other couples. After being told that only we could go to the VIP we opted to wait with the others (Big mistake, one guy left his passport in his checked luggage, after they searched the bags--around 3,000?---they located his and brought it to those of us in the waiting area, 4 1/2 hours later!!).
I think I would have gone ahead and boarded long before the 4 1/2 hours was up .. and let them wait. Yikes.
I just did VIP check in with a newby in New orleans and they were nicer to me than to her, but since her edocs said VIP they went and got her card elsewhere and brought it back to her. .. and thats just one person boarding with me in the same cabin. It was only her 3rd Carnival cruise.
We are in the identical position as the original poster so we appreciate all the information you guys have provided.
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The people that were listed on my booking have went thru the VIP check in with me. These same people were in the same cabin with me ...so that may have made the difference? Love being platinum now...love the early disembarkation as much as the easier embarkation. I love being on the cruise but when i know it is time to go home I want to hurry and get the drive over and done.
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son just off the Pride today he was VIP and the other cabin wasn't. They were not allowed to board together although both cabins were on the same credit card.
They all boarded early together regardless as one of the people cruising was in a scooter so they needed to board with the people who needed assistance.
Yes, looks like this (I found these pictures on another site) is the 2011 gift. I feel that anything given is a gift--and I'm appreciative.
We just got 2, from The Valor, they are pretty nice but we don't want 10 of them. The other gift on some ships is a 12X12X12 cooler bag, blue with carnival in red, we got 2 of those on the Imagination. at least its something different.
Again, the question of boarding together seems to be handled on a case by case basis....
depending on the port, how busy they are when you try etc.
Definately not a consistant answer here....
We just cruised with MIL and FIL ( in their 70's) out of Mobile.
We are VIP...they are not.
We got in the VIP line....
They got in the Regular line ....
We sat in the VIP area...
they sat in the regular area.... and we chatted after checking in....since the waiting chairs were only separated by a rope.
We got on the ship first....they were right behind us in Group 1.
We met back up on the Promenade....no worries.
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COMPLETES THE FLEET
If it is Carnival and it floats....we have sailed it!
Hubby ... DIAMOND (every ship except the Carnivale)
Me ... DIAMOND (every ship starting with the Tropicale)
20 year old son ... DIAMOND (every ship starting with the Tropicale...he is the only DOUBLE Milestone under the age of 21)
24 year old son ... DIAMOND
I read somewhere in Carnival rules that you can embark with a VIP if they put you on their Sign & Sail Card - - not pay for cruise with credit card. Just remembered,, it was in FAQ in answer to VIP Check-In program.
My last cruise was my 10th cruise; however, Carnival partially forgot it was my 10th and managed to give me the right colored card and ave VIP on my documents, and that is where my Platinum status ended. I didn't think it funny when the gal checking us in had to go out to the regular check in space to get my cards, no, I was too busy catching up with my friend who picked me up at the hotel after she arrived in Miami.
As it turned out, they didn't have me on any of the lists for Platinum and I had it corrected later the next day when I didn't have anything in my cabin when I should have had the platinum gift (the first picture frame!).
Therefore, if you get to the port and the agent at checkin has to leave to get your card, don't wait too long, go to guest services and find out if Carnival remembered that it was your 10th, especially if you had a cruise before the program was in place cuz my first cruise was in 1991.
As for your other members of the party, sadly they will have to meet you onboard. One couple on the last cruise had a rather large group of people with him and only him/his wife were Platinum and they were told they had to check in in the main area and would not be allowed to wait in the VIP lounge or board with the couple. The man said he talked to Carnival and they said it was OK, the agent said the rule is only VIP/Platium and the guests in the cabin with them that are not Platinum can board first/immediately. He was making a scene and started acting like a spoiled rotten child and bullied them into allowing his whole party (of which all buh two were Platinum) board together. They were NOT part of a group cruise.....I had front row seat to the drama as we were sitting right by the doors to VIP lounge, which is a reasonable size and rightfully so should be for those passengers who have suite or Platinum status and the others in the cabin with them.
Ooh, and the VIP lounge is also for special needs passengers as you'll see people in wheelchairs or scooters too in there....
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Kuki, if they forget that you are Platinum your card isn't going to be at VIP check in...last cruise my Platinum card was with my friends gold card in the main check in area.
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2008 Conquest & Liberty
2009 Valor, Freedom, and Splendor
2010 Glory and Liberty
2011 Glory
I really do not know the importance of Platinum Status other than you get to board faster in the VIP line and get off the ship a little faster. I don't think there are anymore perts that go along with it.
When they use to have the "Carnival Cruise Club" we could also use the VIP line and not be Platinum.
If you upgrade to a suite, then you also get the VIP treatment without being Platinum.
I think that they should change the way they promote the Platinum status. In stead of having to sail 10 times, if out of 6-8 cruises you upgraded to a suite thus spending more money, then you should not to have sailed 10 times.
Newbie here. Not used to saying that. I'm considered an "oldie" on other boards I frequent.
Anyway, I'm certainly no newbie to cruising. 25 to date mostly 7s.
My next Carnival cruise will be my 10th (so excited to have finally reached platinum status) and I have the Magic booked for November 14, but my next cruise is coming up spring break on NCL Spirit this March. (Hoping I don't regret booking that week...lol taking teens along).
It's good to know I'm not the only cruisaholic in this world! lol
Here is the list from the Carnival site-----we like the laundry service best!
Platinum Member
All Gold member benefits
Carnival Platinum benefits* including:
Personalized stationery
A special Carnival logo item
Guaranteed dining times and steakhouse reservations
Complimentary $20 entry fee into blackjack or slots tournament**
Spa Carnival priority reservations
Petit fours and/or canapés delivered to cabin*** one evening
Complimentary wash and fold laundry service
Priority tender boarding
Priority embarkation and debarkation
Complimentary arcade tokens valued at $5 dollars for guests under
18 years of age
Not too sure about all of them but the ones below I have also received from being VIP Status. ( up graded to a suite)
Platinum Member
All Gold member benefits
Carnival Platinum benefits* including:
Personalized stationery
A special Carnival logo item Guaranteed dining times and steakhouse reservations (Have had) Complimentary $20 entry fee into blackjack or slots tournament ( Have Had) Spa Carnival priority reservations ( Have Had)
Petit fours and/or canapés delivered to cabin*** one evening
Complimentary wash and fold laundry service Priority tender boarding ( Have Had)
Priority embarkation and debarkation ( Have Had)
Complimentary arcade tokens valued at $5 dollars for guests under
18 years of age]
This up coming cruise on Feb 20, we received a nice ugrade from a balcony stateroom to a Suite with balcony for an additional $225.00 total for 2 people and for 5 nights. Was thinking when I up graded, that is about 9 hands of black jack.
did you check with Carnival over the phone (about 10 days before your cruise) to verify your status ? worse case, they could send you an email that you can print and carry with you to check in
One of thing about VIP check in....(depending on when you arrive) ...
it isn't always the fastest.
All the times that family and friends have gone with us that were not VIP...they were on the ship in a matter of minutes after us.
The biggest benefit to VIP check in is IF you happen to arrive at the terminal AFTER 4 transfer buses from the airport....
__________________
COMPLETES THE FLEET
If it is Carnival and it floats....we have sailed it!
Hubby ... DIAMOND (every ship except the Carnivale)
Me ... DIAMOND (every ship starting with the Tropicale)
20 year old son ... DIAMOND (every ship starting with the Tropicale...he is the only DOUBLE Milestone under the age of 21)
24 year old son ... DIAMOND
The next Carnival cruise I take will be number 10. That qualifies me for platinum status. Do I have to apply for it or is it automatic. The people traveling with me are not at 10 cruise yet. Can they check in early with me or do we all have to be platinum. ????
You should go on Carnival's website and register. Then check what they show as your cruise history. IF it shows the 9 cruises you have done on Carnival alone [sister lines do NOT count] then you are good to go. If they show a lesser cruise history, you will need PROOF that you made any cruise not shown in their history.
At most ports there are 2 distinct check-in areas. One for all and one for VIP's. Your traveling companions will not have their boarding docs available in the VIP area. So if you wish to board with them, the polite thing to do is you eschew the VIP boarding and check in in the regular area. NOT vice-versa. You have earned VIP along with all the other VIP's that will be held up by your friends trying to use VIP boarding when they have not earned it.
I qualified as Platinum when the Platinum program first started. I already had 12 Carnival cruises, so I was an instant VIP. I consider my friends as VIP's but Carnival does not and its Carnival's boat!
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