I recently read a posting (an older one )about obtaining Platinum status with Carnival. Can someone tell me about this and what the benefits are in attaining this ?
In the posting they said that you would receive Platinum status after the 10th cruise.

Here is the press release which detailed the benefits.

Linda, It will be on the 10th cruise. I like the VIP check-in and Concierge section at the Info Desk. I have gotten a few dirty looks from people waiting in a long line, and I walk right up and get waited on. They do a few other things that aren't listed that vary with the ships. Usually a bottle of Champagne or Bon Voyage decorations in the cabin. Last year they sent a $15 photo voucher to the dining room one night. It is nice to be appreciated as a loyal customer.

Dwayne

Hi Linda,

I didn't use it on my 10th, but on my 11th cruise I took advantage of the complimentary laundry. It was nice to bundle up the dirty clothing from the day before and have it cleaned and folded in my cabin at night.

Seems like I received something every time I returned to my cabin. I received a photo coupon, a tray of petit fours, a Carnival thermos, stationary with my name on it, free entrance to the slot tournament, a $5 chip for the casino, invitation to tour the galley with my family, and a few things I didn't use.

Really nice perks, tender priority, just went to the front of the line and showed my card.

I had considered cruising on another line just to try it out, but once you reach Platinum, you really don't want to go back to first-timer. I earned this status and I'm sure anyone with Platinum status agrees -- it's the best.

Best part -- I got there by going on cruises!
I hope that people with 25 or more cruises get really good perks in addition. Probably by the time my kids are my age, they will have at least that many under their belts.

Hope you're almost there yourself!

Happy cruising!

Mary

quote:

I had considered cruising on another line just to try it out, but once you reach Platinum, you really don't want to go back to first-timer. I earned this status and I'm sure anyone with Platinum status agrees -- it's the best.

I feel the same way. I do want to try RCCL sometime though. I hope they give me the thermos next time, I keep getting the beach bag thing.

Dwayne

The laundry service is really a nice perk! Let's see, I need 4 more Carnival cruises...

After your ninth cruise and onward with Carnival Cruise Lines, you will receive the following perks.

Platinum Sail and Sign card.
Petit fours and/or canapés delivered to cabin one evening (Must be on a 7 Day or longer cruise)
Personalized stationery
A special Carnival logo item
Guaranteed dining times and supper club reservations
Complimentary $20 entry fee into blackjack or slots tournament (Must be 18+)
Spa Carnival priority reservations and complimentary treatment upgrade
Complimentary wash and fold laundry service
Priority tender boarding
Priority embarkation and debarkation
Complimentary arcade tokens valued at $5 dollars (Must be under 18)

I used the free laundry service for the first time on my last cruise and it was great!

Thank you for all the information on the Platinum Status .Knowing this makes a good excuse to keep on cruising !

We were disembarking last year and for some reason came out to the area on the wrong side from were the line was formed. I was standing there with card in hand trying to figure out which way to go to get in line. A crew member saw us and took us to the front. Another thing, it is easy to find your luggage. It will be in the (1) section with someone there to help you and page a porter for you.

Dwayne

We just got off the Legend and did the Platinum self assist. They had Platinums meet at 7:15 in the Sports Bar.

There must have been 400 people lined up to self assist and we just walked right past all of them to the head of the line.

Loved it!!!

Now thats what I call priority!

It was on the Legend as well that this happened with me. Since I was driving I wasn't in a hurry to get off the ship that morning. It was probably after 9:30, and they had long since called number 1. I didn't even ask to be taken to the front, they just saw me and took me there. Maybe they were in a hurry to get me off the ship.

I really do love the perks!

Dwayne

I saw the VIP check-in on this last cruise out of Canaveral. Sure they got in before we did but we were done & one the ship before they were. There was only one person in the VIP room running things & about 10 people waiting to check-in. I felt sorry for the woman working because no one in that room looked to happy.

I have to say I enjoyed it the most when we sailed on the Holiday in December.

Boarding was delayed by 5 hours because fog kept the ship from docking.

So everyone was trying to get on at the same time.

It took us about 10 minutes!!

There was one couple ahead of us and then the VIP lady checked us in....walked us to the photo line and said "please excuse me, I need to stop your line....these folks are VIP" our picture was next...then walked us to the line where you get your picture emprinted on your Sail and Sign and again said "excuse me I need to stop your line, these folks are VIP!" Our emprints were next...LOVED IT!!

Last year in Tampa the VIP check-in was a little slow when they first opened it. Our friends actually got checked in before us. We were one of the first ones in line though, and I guess everyone got there the same time. It didn't bother me, at least I was sitting down and enjoying good conversation with the other people waiting. We were then escorted to board before they opened the regular line for boarding. Our friends who had completed check-in before us, didn't board until about 25 minutes later. I have no complaints.

Dwayne

The smart thing to do is book a bunch of back to back 1, 2, or 3 day cruises and get there real fast.

I am a dummy. All the cruises that I have been on were 7 days or longer. One was 15 days but I only get credit for one cruise. I am now up to 8 on Carnival but have 68 sea days. I could have taken a bunch of those 2, and 3 days back to back and would have got to platinum without spending the money. Am thinking of taking 2 one day cruises to nowhere to get to that magic number of 10.

Princess uses sea days and I feel that is the right way.

quote:

Princess uses sea days and I feel that is the right way.

I agree. I don't think it is fair to give a 3-night cruise the same value as a 7-night, etc. But, it is their program and they used to not have anything I'd consider a repeaters program.

I also agree! All, except one of my cruises have been yearly ranging from 5-7 days starting in 1993. Using a method that uses the days seems more equitable to me.

Dwayne

Is there anything for us folks who are hitting our third and fourth cruise with Carnival? Ten seems way off in the future.

I believe there are different status ratings on Carnival. I know Princess has 3 catagories and RCI has different ratings. I'd also like to see them consider the catagory you book as well. Maybe give you an extra sea day for a week balcony booking, like 8 days instead of 7. If you book a suite, 9 days instead of 7. Something like that. Ten 3 day cruises would be a lot less expensive than 10 7 day cruises, and if you booked a balcony or a suite, even more expensive. Just a thought.