ShakyBeef

29 minutes ago, Eli_6 said:

OP said her luggage tag said priority.

My question isn't based on the OP, but more upon the later posts that seem to suggest this change.

So, does this mean that Diamond & Platinum no longer get priority luggage?  Or that they are transitioning to this being the case in the near future?  Or just that Carnival can't get its s*!t together?

What are the redemption values for eligible transactions?

Redemption values for eligible transactions are: 

Carnival Cruise transactions of $1,500.00 or more = 1.5%  
Carnival Cruise transactions of $50.00 - $1499.99 = 1%  
World's Leading Cruise lines transactions of $50.00 or more = 1%  
Airfare or hotel transactions of $50.00 or more = 0.90%

16 minutes ago, shof515 said:

nope, standard basic inside cabin

Well, so much for that theory then.

13 minutes ago, shof515 said:

my next cruise in march that says platinum on it, i have another cruise in june that says priority again

 

its very strange that one cruise says priority, other says platinum

i guess it could be port specific?

Are you possibly in a Suite for your June cruise and a non-suite for March?  That could possibly explain it.

I'm Platinum and in a Suite in March and my tags say Priority, but I think that is because of the Suite, not my VIFP status.

8 minutes ago, tcmagnum said:

Thank you for this response.

We knew about priority check-in/boarding and debarking, but we didn't know about the 2 large bottles of water or the bag of laundry.  

And the First Access to Stateroom??  Does this mean we get to go straight to our cabin or just able to go and drop off our stuff so we don't have to carry the stuff around?

 

Starting to get so excited.  Now if only Carnival would release a sale on the drink package.  Lol.

You're very welcome.

I have not cruised since 2020, but in all my past Suites, our room was ready for us upon boarding.  This is supposed to be still be the case.  But there are mixed reports from recent cruisers, some saying their Suite wasn't ready upon boarding.  The Room Stewards assigned to the Suites are the best of the lot and priority is given to theses cabins to get them cleaned and ready for embarking guests.  But with staffing shortages, they may not be getting them all done in time on all ships.  Either way, you are allowed to go straight to your room and at least drop off  your luggage.  I wish you the best of luck with your Suite being ready for you upon embarkation and a fabulous cruise!😁

1 hour ago, allinwonderland said:

I took my first Carnival cruise shortly after they slashed the sea day brunch menu - booked before, so I had been looking forward to items on the old menu, including the chia seed pudding. Since it can't have been that expensive to make, my guess is it just really wasn't popular and/or enough people had sent it back they just decided to cut their losses (I would be slightly worried the consistency would suck if ordering on a ship).

 

BTW, you know chia seed pudding is really easy to make, right? If your daughters like it that much? That and overnight oats are my go-to filling breakfasts that can be ready to go in the morning w/ no effort.

Yeah, I know it's easy to make, thanks.🙂  I've made it and it's good homemade, but somehow not quite the same as the Carnival recipe, and not quite the same as having a favourite cruise treat on a cruise, even if it tastes exactly the same at home, it doesn't really taste the same, know what I mean?😄  It may have been dropped because it wasn't that popular, but it was consistently good, over many cruises.  Our whole family enjoyed it, but my eldest DD really loved it.

11 minutes ago, Joebucks said:

Sorry, but if I get one ask, I 'll fight you for the breakfast filet mignon back. Your request seems reasonable enough. Chia pudding can't be that costly, is it? Perhaps it wasn't popular?

I admit, it may not have been popular.  But let's admit: the ingredients aren't expensive and those that aren't used in other dishes served onboard are shelf-stable (chia seed, for instance can be stored for at least 5 years).  If they bring it back as a pay-for item (John Heald can even put a positive spin on an announcement about its return😜), it can be turned into a revenue-producing item even if only a few are sold per sailing.  I'm just putting it out here with (slim) hope, since saying nothing will definitely get me/my DD nothing.

And, FWIW, I'm with you on bringing back the filet for the steak & eggs.    

I understand that cutbacks are necessary in these times.  I understand also, that chia seed pudding may not have been a hugely popular item.  But, in case it might be worth notice and consideration, I am making my official, heartfelt  plea here: please, Carnival, bring back your chia seed pudding!  My eldest daughter, 20, along with her sister, 16, have been begging for another cruise over the last year or so.  I went ahead and booked one for March 2023 for their sake.  Then a bunch of cutbacks were announced, including the elimination of chia seed pudding from the Sea Day Brunch menu.  As the cutbacks came along and I warned my family about them, my daughter said "I don't care as long as they still have chia seed pudding".  I didn't have the heart to tell her that it was gone.  And still don't.🙁  So, please, Carnival, save me here - bring back chia seed pudding as a pay-for item on the Sea Day Brunch menu.  Before March, please.  I'll gladly pay $10 per pudding to make her happy little cruise memory continue.  Please?🙂

Anyone else with me? 

Yes, with a Suite you get priority luggage and first access to your cabin.🙂

https://help.goccl.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/3593/~/suite-amenities-and-perks

Confirmed Dining Preference in our Main Dining Room
Guests traveling in suite accommodations will be guaranteed their dining option choice.

• If their preferred dining is closed, their request will be entered into the system as a waitlist.
• Overnight, the system will retrieve information and automatically clear the waitlist.
• The waitlist clearing process stops 4 days prior to the sail date. Within this 4 day period, any upgrades/changes to suites or new bookings in suites will not result in the waitlist clearing. In these cases, guests will be guaranteed their dining choice once onboard. The Maitre d’ will send a confirmation to their suite confirming their requested dining time.

Priority Check-In and Boarding
Carnival’s Priority Check-In is an exclusive service designed to afford our guests traveling in suite accommodations with special check-in privileges. Cruise documents are stamped, 'Priority' and state, 'If you have priority check-in (listed on your documents), please proceed to the Priority lounge'. We provide Priority Check-In at all embarkation ports. 

At time of booking, you will need to instruct guests that they must ask for ‘Priority Check-In’ upon arrival at the cruise terminal. Embarkation staff will ensure that guests are expedited through the check-in procedure as quickly as is possible, while providing quality service.

Priority Water Shuttle Boarding / Priority Debark at Ports of Call with Arrivals Later than 9:30am
Guests can take advantage of priority water shuttle service from ship to shore (multiple departure times may be possible) so they can explore ashore as quickly as they want to. For ports where we do not use a water shuttle, to make debarkation as smooth as possible, we also offer priority debark at ports of call with arrivals later than 9:30am.

A letter will be placed in the guest's suite with instructions where to meet and the window of time this service is available. This service is not for those booked on a Carnival shore excursion as these guests are given separate instructions when and where to meet.   

Exclusive Access to the Havana Pool Area 
Guests in Grand Suites on board the Carnival Horizon, Carnival Panorama and Carnival Vista may take advantage of our exclusive Havana experience, which features a beautiful lanai, pool and hot tub spa. To utilize the amenities, guests must be 12 years of age or older. Suite guests will receive wristbands, delivered to their stateroom to wear when taking advantage of the exclusive daytime and nighttime access to the outdoor Havana area.  

Exclusive Access to Terrazza Carnevale and Carnevale Lounge & Bar 
Guests in Ocean Suites and Junior Suites on board the Carnival Venezia may take advantage of our exclusive Terrazza Carnevale experience, which features an elegant outdoor terraced deck with two whirlpools,a bar and tranquil lounging space to take in breathtaking views. To utilize the amenities, guests must be 12 years of age or older.  In addition, guests will be entitled to: 

• Exclusive access to Carnevale Lounge in the morning with complimentary continental breakfast
• Specially-curated brunch on select sea days at our specialty Italian restaurant with a complimentary Spritz or Mimosa
• An exclusive sail-away event in Terrazza Carnevale with live music 

Priority Debarkation
Guests will receive a debarkation letter offering a choice of how they would prefer to disembark the ship. They will be given the option of Self Assist (where offered) or Priority Debarkation; for Priority Debarkation, guests will receive special luggage tags which will entitle them to leave the ship after the Self Assist guests but before the remainder of the guests.

Suite Amenities
In addition, guests in suite accommodations will receive:

• Priority luggage
• First Access to stateroom
• A high level of service provided by our most highly-rated stateroom attendants
• Two complimentary in-suite large bottles of water 
• One complimentary bag of laundry

The following perks are not for those guests traveling in suite accommodations unless they are VIFP Diamond or Platinum guests or have purchased Faster to the Fun.

• Priority line at Guest Services desk
• Dedicated onboard Guest Services phone number

1 minute ago, hard_eight said:

What's the proper way?

Key.

ETA: phonetic spelling: kē.

It's a homonym of key, which, not coincidentally, is how it's spelled when referring to the same types of islands in Florida. 

But this is the Bahamas, and it should be pronounced the Bahamian way.

3 minutes ago, shof515 said:

P in VIFP is Person

 

 

Not Payer?  Or Purchaser?  Just kidding.  Seriously, though, If I could have gotten VIFP points for all the cruises I've paid for for family members over the years, I'd be Diamond by now.😜  But I think the way Carnival assigns the points makes perfect sense.

Sorry, I may not be much help.  But, FWIW: on Spirit Class I book Ocean Suites and Vista Suites.  The only Grand Suites I've been in have been on Fantasy Class.  None of my Carnival Suites have had DVD players.  This youtube video I found shows a tour of a Spirit Grand Suite and it looks like there may have once been a DVD player (the empty nook under the TV), but it is no longer there.

Ugh.😠  Yet another cruise line encouraging people to mispronounce the word cay.  Like RCI with their "Perfect Day at Cocoa Cay".  Irritates the crap out of me.😖 

30 minutes ago, Elaine5715 said:

If you are P/D, you do get the fur-lined ones with cookies in the pocket

However the "fur" is a previous guest's back hair and the cookies are from 3 cruises ago.😉

6 minutes ago, Banditswife said:

Agree with the others who said "just ask cabin steward."  I am glad they no longer put them in your closet ahead of time- you never knew for certain if it was clean or left from previous cruiser.  Plus I am sure it cuts down on them washing every robe after every cruise.  Hubby never used the provided robe,  but I did. So now we just ask for 1.  Now I know it is clean & I have saved them from washing 2 robes.

Yep.  I've heard the horror stories of skidmarks from previous guests in the "clean" robes.🤮  And wadded up tissues and S&S receipts in the pockets.🤢  I have personally seen on many Carnival cruises lack of proper cleaning in our cabins from corners being cut/items being forgotten.  I would never trust that those robes are clean.

We stay in Suites and always ask for the robes to be removed on Embarkation Day.  No way are we wearing those robes and I want that closet space.

24 minutes ago, ninjacat123 said:

The last couple cruises I had check in staff calling out "everyone has their own boarding pass and ID".  I'm the keeper of ALL DOCUMENTS so I gave them up right before we walked into the terminal.😲

That's me exactly!  That's what I do on every trip - cruises, flights, etc.  After a stressful moment many years ago with my husband's passport of:

"I thought you had it." 

"No, I gave it to you, remember?" 

"No you didn't."

etc.,

DH and I now have a well-established protocol.  I always have the passports and docs until, when I hand him his / my DDs theirs right before they are required, I say "You have your passport"  and he follows with "I have my passport".  When I collect them all again I say "I have all the passports" and he says "You have all the passports".  It sounds stupid that we actually go through saying all this out loud, but it makes us both take a moment to take notice of and agree on their location and in the last twenty or so years since we've been doing it this way, no more lost/misplaced docs issues have occurred.😁   

7 hours ago, cruisinqt said:

Ours is also deck 4 it’s cabin 4228.I’m so excited! We are Platinum so I’ll just board along with Platinum guests. Our cruise isn’t until August so I won’t be able to see our boarding passes anytime soon either. It’s sounding like most cruisers don’t think it’s on the luggage tags so I’m hopeful that I can pull off the surprise. Thanks for the info. 

It's been 4237 for us (I'm a Starboard geek🤪).  I put a lot of research into it and am convinced Deck 4 Vista Suites are the best.  You made a good choice!  I can see my luggage tags and they definitely say "PRIORITY" but not " SUITE".  But. like you, I cannot see my boarding passes yet.  Thankfully, others here with recent experience have answered the boarding pass question.  I like your/angela12345's idea of white out/editing the boarding passes.  I know what it's like to married to an engineer (and at the same time an oblivious husband)🙄.  I actually booked a whole cruise as a surprise birthday present for him without my DH catching on.🤣

My booking was also showing my Carnival insurance payment due long before final payment. But I ignored it.  When I booked the cruise with my PVP many months ago, he suggested I tack the insurance on, but that I needn't commit to using it (I usually use other travel insurance) and that I didn't have to pay for it until final payment for my cruise fare was due.  It was slightly alarming/annoying to see the "urgent: payment due!" alerts when I logged into Carnival, but I ignored it and no harm came.🙂   

ETA:  Just noticed you're new here.  Welcome to CruiseCritic!🙂

12 hours ago, cruisinqt said:

And if there’s something that will give it away does anyone have any ideas on how to break the news to him ahead of time in a fun way?

You maybe could have some fun in a practical joke way pretending to "sneak into" the Suites boarding zone.  So he'll think you might "get caught" and kicked out into the back of the Priority line with the FTTF.  You can spin some story about how since your tags and passes say "PRIORITY" no one will know and they'll let you through.  You can say you heard it on CC that people cheat this way and get away with it.  Then you get to take advantage of your actual Suite boarding time and, depending on his comfort level and attitude, possibly have some fun making him nervous about getting caught breaking the rules. 

Happy Anniversary!  And what a nice gift for your DH!  We've had Deck 4 Vista Suites (my favourite) on Pride and love them!  The best cabins on the best class of Carnival ship!  To (kinda) answer some of your questions:

Your luggage tags, as someone said earlier, will indeed say "PRIORITY" along with your cabin number and Deck, but will not say "SUITE".

Your S&S cards may or may not have "SUITE GUEST" stickers on them.  They don't seem to be real consistent on whether or not they use these stickers, and full disclosure: I haven't cruised since 2020, so this might be old info.  But since you don't get your S&S cards until you get to your room, I guess none of this matters.🤪

You will be able to board as Suite guests just after wedding parties and just before Diamond and Platinum.  FTTF comes after Platinum.  If you want to take advantage of this perk, that might "give it away" to your DH.  So, you could wait to board with FTTF and just show your boarding passes to the gate guard as you go through, proving that you were allowed to have boarded already.

Unfortunately, I can't remember if our boarding passes from our last cruise said "PRIORITY" or "SUITE" at the top.  And I can't get into view my current boarding passes until March.  So, not much help here.🤭

Have a great cruise, I'm sure you'll love the Suite!

I loved X and so wish they would come back to sailing out of Baltimore.

5 hours ago, angela12345 said:

Yep, I found an email with my dad from Feb 2016 which just said "Carnival has implemented a new policy regarding beverages that can be carried onboard" but we didn't talk about how much it was or exactly when it had been implemented.  Then another email from Oct 2016 when water was $3.99 for 12-pk, maybe it never was lower than 3.99 ?  I found another two emails in Feb 2018 and Dec 2018 when it was $4.50.  I don't know when it increased to $4.95.

I only know that reference date because this is the oldest thread I could find that referenced it:

I know it happened sometime before that and we discussed it a lot here, but I couldn't find those threads.🙂

1 hour ago, jsglow said:

Priority reservations means you are Very Likely to get the slot you want for dinner; Early, Late, or YTD.  I suspect that's why the 'waitlist' thing exists pre-cruise.  If a Diamond (guaranteed) or a Platinum (preferred) wants that dining arrangement and books the cruise 3 weeks before departure, they're accommodated.  It has nothing to do with the queue when checking in for YTD on the ship.

This is exactly correct.  One little addition, not really important here, but FWIW: Suite guests also get guaranteed dining time choice.

"Confirmed Dining Preference in our Main Dining Room
Guests traveling in suite accommodations will be guaranteed their dining option choice.

If their preferred dining is closed, their request will be entered into the system as a waitlist.

Overnight, the system will retrieve information and automatically clear the waitlist.

The waitlist clearing process stops 4 days prior to the sail date. Within this 4 day period, any upgrades/changes to suites or new bookings in suites will not result in the waitlist clearing. In these cases, guests will be guaranteed their dining choice once onboard. The Maitre d’ will send a confirmation to their suite confirming their requested dining time."

17 hours ago, angela12345 said:

It was approx end 2015/beginning 2016 when they changed it so we could no longer bring on bottled water ?

I know the prohibition was already in place in February 2016, so yeah, that sounds about right.