Platinum?

I don't know how you can blame yourself with everything you have been dealing with between deployments and hospitalizations. I think your doing remarkably well with even being able to plan a trip! Of course you left things up to your travel agent - you had much more important things to focus on.

Board at whatever time you can all board together and enjoy your cruise!

That is nice of you to say. I am used to being on top of it all. And I guess when our our eldest sons health became out of our control it is a coping mechanism to try to stay on top/control the things you can possibly can.

But enough of that. This isn’t therapy. [emoji51]

It will work out.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! [emoji323]

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While I KNOW everyone else is expounding the virtues of a PVP, you will notice I said get a new TA. Not all TA's are like the one you had. A GOOD TA will be able to provide you with more and better service than a Carnival PVP can, you just need to find one that you KNOW you can trust your hard earned vacation with.

BTW, a good TA could move the names around on the reservation, thus solving your problems, even now. I have done it for clients up till 3 days prior to sailing. After the 72 hour mark the ability is gone as Carnival takes the reservations off line.

Good luck, I hope it all works out for you.

I am confused. And feel so stupid.

 

1. Some say I could have put myself, husband and youngest son in the triple cabin and our 2 teens (16 & 19) in the connecting cabin? Even though neither is 21 years old?

 

2. Some said this would have taken care of the priority boarding issue and some say no?

 

3. This late in the game it cannot be switched anyways correct?

 

4. YES I will use a PVP in the future. And develop a relationship with what I hope is a good PVP.

I never book myself. I’ve used the same TA for over 13 years. I decide on the cruise and give him a short list of preferred cabins. He books them for us. And somehow we have never had any issues and reached platinum as loyal CCL cruises.

Though he has started trying to get me to go with other cruise lines but I don’t unless others are sailing with us and its a group decision.

 

I blame myself and am angry at myself. It is not the end of the world. Lesson learned!

 

Y’all have been very kind and helpful. And I am so grateful you haven’t attacked me or belittled me. Trust me, I am mad enough at myself.

While I KNOW everyone else is expounding the virtues of a PVP, you will notice I said get a new TA. Not all TA's are like the one you had. A GOOD TA will be able to provide you with more and better service than a Carnival PVP can, you just need to find one that you KNOW you can trust your hard earned vacation with.

 

 

 

BTW, a good TA could move the names around on the reservation, thus solving your problems, even now. I have done it for clients up till 3 days prior to sailing. After the 72 hour mark the ability is gone as Carnival takes the reservations off line.

 

 

 

Good luck, I hope it all works out for you.

How do you get around the no name changes allowed when working with Early Saver? A GOOD PVP such as mine knows who to call in for special favors. Especially when they have been there since 1992. He actually sails the ships, knows the ins and outs, and where the ACTUAL good cabins are vs what the computer says. What he pulled off yesterday for some of my family and friends was amazing. I had no idea that could be done. I’m very skeptical a TA could have had the same results.

Plus with a TA your chances of free/cheap up sells are all but gone. They are going to contact people that they can call or email directly. With a TA they have to go through a middle man. When they need to fill a ship, time is of the essence.

Anyway I stand by my PVP. TAs gave me nothing but headaches with Carnival and with no real perks with the types of cabins I book, so not worth giving him up.

How do you get around the no name changes allowed when working with Early Saver? A GOOD PVP such as mine knows who to call in for special favors. Especially when they have been there since 1992. He actually sails the ships, knows the ins and outs, and where the ACTUAL good cabins are vs what the computer says. What he pulled off yesterday for some of my family and friends was amazing. I had no idea that could be done. I’m very skeptical a TA could have had the same results.

 

Plus with a TA your chances of free/cheap up sells are all but gone. They are going to contact people that they can call or email directly. With a TA they have to go through a middle man. When they need to fill a ship, time is of the essence.

 

Anyway I stand by my PVP. TAs gave me nothing but headaches with Carnival and with no real perks with the types of cabins I book, so not worth giving him up.

I don't remember the OP stating that they had booked Early Saver. If they did, I stand corrected. It sounds like you have a great PVP and for that I am happy for you. However, many PVP's are nothing more than order takers who can only answer a question based on what is written in their "handbook". Many of them have never even been on a cruise. They all have to start somewhere. Unless you're fortunate enough to have a good PVP referred to you, you do not know what you'll end up with. If your TA gave you nothing but headaches, than you did not have a good TA.

As far as free/cheap upgrades/cruises go, CCL has the e-mails/phone #'s for all of my clients so they can (and do) contact them directly with all types of offers. If my client is interested they call me (I'm available 24/7). If by some off chance they cannot reach me, they book themselves and transfer the booking to me.

I realize working with a TA is not for everyone, but I have worked long and hard to build up my reputation as a great cruise consultant, so it really bothers me to have people just lump all TA's together and write them off as worthless.

Sorry for the rant, but I feel better now :)

My husband, myself and our three sons are sailing on the Magic over Christmas. We have connecting cabins. I am platinum. Everyone else is gold almost platinum. Because our sons are not 21 when we booked we officially put my husband and our eldest son in one cabin and myself with our other 2 sons in the connecting cabin.

Our two teens sleep in one cabin and my husband and I are in the connecting cabin with our 6 year old late in life gift.

Sometimes once we are on board we have the sail and sign cards changed but usually we don’t bother and leave the connecting door open so everyone can always access both cabins.

Clear as mud right? [emoji51]

 

Since I am the only one that is platinum my cabins luggage tags show priority. I am assuming there is no way to have both cabins tags show priority? When I pack I don’t assign each person a suitcase. Instead I pack all of our swimsuits and beachwear together, dress clothes together etc.

 

I assume I could put a priority tag from my cabin on all 5 suitcases since we’re allowed 6????

 

I know since we’re traveling as a family (in both cabins) we all can use priority check in.

 

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I just want to say that I feel for you with all that's going on.

As my physical therapist says when I'm in extreme pain, "Take a breathe." (Yes, breathe, not breath.)

OK, better? Remember that you are spending a great time with family on a cruise ship.

Regarding embarkation, while priority embarkation is nice, your whole family can wait and board when general embarkation zone numbers are called. You and your two sons still have immediate access to the cabin.

You mentioned something about being allowed six suitcases? Actually, there is no limit on how many passengers can bring. Did the TA tell you this?

Speaking of TA, he is misinformed. As others posted the Carnival guidelines for minors, you can indeed book kids in their own cabin. Ages of the kids determines location of their cabin.

If I may make suggestions:

1) Print luggage tags for your cabin and put them on ALL the checked luggage.

2) When you all embark, you and your two sons gather all carry-ons and put them in your cabin.

3) Peruse the Lido and find something delicious to eat.

4) At 1:30, all go to the cabins and squeal TOGETHER, "WE ARE ON A CRUISE!!!"

I hope this is the worst you'll have to endure. Believe me when I tell you that after the first day, this will all seem like it was not worth the time. (Yes, I had an issue with a TA. I stupidly didn't use my PVP due to a "great" deal and paid the price. I haven't strayed from him since.)

Have a great cruise.

I don't remember the OP stating that they had booked Early Saver. If they did, I stand corrected. It sounds like you have a great PVP and for that I am happy for you. However, many PVP's are nothing more than order takers who can only answer a question based on what is written in their "handbook". Many of them have never even been on a cruise. They all have to start somewhere. Unless you're fortunate enough to have a good PVP referred to you, you do not know what you'll end up with. If your TA gave you nothing but headaches, than you did not have a good TA.

 

 

 

As far as free/cheap upgrades/cruises go, CCL has the e-mails/phone #'s for all of my clients so they can (and do) contact them directly with all types of offers. If my client is interested they call me (I'm available 24/7). If by some off chance they cannot reach me, they book themselves and transfer the booking to me.

 

 

 

I realize working with a TA is not for everyone, but I have worked long and hard to build up my reputation as a great cruise consultant, so it really bothers me to have people just lump all TA's together and write them off as worthless.

 

 

 

Sorry for the rant, but I feel better now :)

No problem. You feel as passionate about TAs because you are one and I feel as passionate about PVPs because I have an excellent one.

I admit I got extremely fortunate in getting my PVP. I feel the same about many TAs as you do PVPs. So many have never cruised and Carnival is “beneath” many of them so they don’t bother learning anything about it. I find the CSRs at Carnival to be horrible and I swear some of them don’t know their butt from a hole in the ground.

As far as upsells, we did get one when booking through a TA but only because it was a connecting OV and I have a feeling they needed it for a family. They had to call the TA who had to call us. But I don’t believe Carnival can offer your clients an upsell on a cruise they are currently booked on if it is your reservation. Carnival will not discuss anything with a client who has a current booking through a TA in regards to that sailing.

I really hope the OP tries a PVP and can be fortunate to get someone as good as mine. The TA route already didn’t work out for them.

Anyway, I’m done ranting too and I feel better as well [emoji846]. Happy cruising!

I have corresponded with my TA. As I said I do blame myself. He is use to me researching the cruise I want and even submitting a list of cabins. When life was getting away from me I asked him to select our cabins based on the criteria I always use and I listed it out again for his reference. When I caught the mistake 4.5 months ago the ship was very full. My biggest mistakes was at that time asking him to fix it. His response of “the ship is pretty full and you can keep checking it online too” did send off alarm bells but it irritated me more because I was already checking but needed help when life was not allowing me to stay on top of it. Therefore I asked him too do it. And help me especially before final payment and or around final payment when cabins may open up.

As I have said he knows I am unhappy but he knows I also blame myself and I chalk this up to poor communication on both sides. I have booked 12 plus cruises through him and have never had a problem. That counts for something. He’s gotten us on a flight we booked on Expedia out of Florida when we have been stuck at sea when the port closed due to a hurricane. If he hadn’t we would have been stuck in Florida for days and days and my husband was deploying. And we were already 3-4 days overdue from the port being closed.

He doesn’t want to switch the names on our cabins because he said he used 2 different promotions that is why one cabin is in my name and the connecting cabin is in my husbands name. He said if he switches the names we will loose the discount on my husbands cabin?

He also said he has called CCL and they have noted the system about everything but I explained how Port Canaveral is set up and the CCL employees directing people once you go through security do not have computers or handheld devices so they will not be able to look up the notes on our reservation. So ?

At this point it is what it is. The entire ordeal has been a learning experience and even though I am still upset with myself I choose to use these bumps to learn.

I am loaded up on sea sick remedy’s for our middle son. That is the real concern! His comfort! And trying not giving him medicine where he sleeps the week away. That is where the guilt comes in. He is currently going through a PT Throwing Program for a stress fracture and trying to be ready for Highschool baseball and travel ball. I just want him to relax physically and mentally!!!

And maybe this thread has helped someone else. I am an experienced cruiser and I messed up. It happens.

Life has been so much worse. But our eldest sons latest blood work, bone marrow biopsy and scans were good. I just want him to enjoy this cruise. Enjoy life!

And to put this into perspective I think of the 12 people who lost their lives yesterday on the Mexico excursion. And my heart breaks for all involved. [emoji17]

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I have corresponded with my TA. As I said I do blame myself. He is use to me researching the cruise I want and even submitting a list of cabins. When life was getting away from me I asked him to select our cabins based on the criteria I always use and I listed it out again for his reference. When I caught the mistake 4.5 months ago the ship was very full. My biggest mistakes was at that time asking him to fix it. His response of “the ship is pretty full and you can keep checking it online too” did send off alarm bells but it irritated me more because I was already checking but needed help when life was not allowing me to stay on top of it. Therefore I asked him too do it. And help me especially before final payment and or around final payment when cabins may open up.

 

As I have said he knows I am unhappy but he knows I also blame myself and I chalk this up to poor communication on both sides. I have booked 12 plus cruises through him and have never had a problem. That counts for something. He’s gotten us on a flight we booked on Expedia out of Florida when we have been stuck at sea when the port closed due to a hurricane. If he hadn’t we would have been stuck in Florida for days and days and my husband was deploying. And we were already 3-4 days overdue from the port being closed.

 

He doesn’t want to switch the names on our cabins because he said he used 2 different promotions that is why one cabin is in my name and the connecting cabin is in my husbands name. He said if he switches the names we will loose the discount on my husbands cabin?

 

He also said he has called CCL and they have noted the system about everything but I explained how Port Canaveral is set up and the CCL employees directing people once you go through security do not have computers or handheld devices so they will not be able to look up the notes on our reservation. So ?

 

At this point it is what it is. The entire ordeal has been a learning experience and even though I am still upset with myself I choose to use these bumps to learn.

 

I am loaded up on sea sick remedy’s for our middle son. That is the real concern! His comfort! And trying not giving him medicine where he sleeps the week away. That is where the guilt comes in. He is currently going through a PT Throwing Program for a stress fracture and trying to be ready for Highschool baseball and travel ball. I just want him to relax physically and mentally!!!

 

And maybe this thread has helped someone else. I am an experienced cruiser and I messed up. It happens.

 

Life has been so much worse. But our eldest sons latest blood work, bone marrow biopsy and scans were good. I just want him to enjoy this cruise. Enjoy life!

 

 

And to put this into perspective I think of the 12 people who lost their lives yesterday on the Mexico excursion. And my heart breaks for all involved. [emoji17]

 

 

 

 

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Now things make a little more sense. I just recently split a Mom and Dad up because they both had very generous casino rates and we wanted to get that rate for both cabins. However, I wouldn't beat yourself up over this. If this guy has booked that many cruises for you, he SHOULD know your preferences and booked you correctly to begin with. I WILL say it is very hard to find connecting cabins on some ships, especially for high season sailings.

For your little one that suffers from motion sickness, it has been my experience (dealing with my granddaughter) that if I give her a 24 hour acting meclazine at night before she goes to bed than she is fine. If it makes her drowsy, she'll be sleeping for the next 8-9 hours anyway. I usually start the regiment the night BEFORE we set sail, that way it is in her system when the ship sets sail.

Good luck and enjoy the time with your family celebrating the great news and good health of your son :)

Now things make a little more sense. I just recently split a Mom and Dad up because they both had very generous casino rates and we wanted to get that rate for both cabins. However, I wouldn't beat yourself up over this. If this guy has booked that many cruises for you, he SHOULD know your preferences and booked you correctly to begin with. I WILL say it is very hard to find connecting cabins on some ships, especially for high season sailings.

 

 

 

For your little one that suffers from motion sickness, it has been my experience (dealing with my granddaughter) that if I give her a 24 hour acting meclazine at night before she goes to bed than she is fine. If it makes her drowsy, she'll be sleeping for the next 8-9 hours anyway. I usually start the regiment the night BEFORE we set sail, that way it is in her system when the ship sets sail.

 

 

 

Good luck and enjoy the time with your family celebrating the great news and good health of your son :)

To be honest I didn’t know which discounts he ended up using since we had the military, past cruiser and a casino rate. Past cruiser almost always is the same as military discount anyway.

And that was point. I have used him since 2003/2004 so he does know my preferences. But I had made it clear that I was willing to give up some of those preferences such connecting cabins or even cabins right next to each other if needed. Or a suite and a balcony, suite and interior, balcony and interior etc. Or be under a public area etc.

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An update:

We arrived at the port around 11:45 am and I showed our doc’s to the CCL employee. Without a word she pointed to the left to the priority check in (where btw there was no one in line) and we checked in.

We then were directed to board the ship and both of our cabins were ready.

I don’t know if it helped that we were a family of five, two parents and three children in connecting cabins?

I am platinum. My husband and our eldest son son are days away from platinum and our other sons are gold?

The only hiccup we had was we had 6 small-medium duffle style pull suitcases. They can be pulled or worn (by a strong person) on your back. Three arrived promptly. The other three didn’t arrive until very late Saturday night. And that was only after we had gone to Guest Services. And had asked several people to help. My husband finally offered an anonymous CCL employee cash to take him down to the lower decks where they found the 3 bags together in plain sight and very visible. Needless to say my husband was very aggravated. There were no other bags around waiting to be delivered and our 3 bags were sitting in plain sight and if anyone had really looked they would have easily found them. My husband and the anonymous CCL employee my husband paid found them within minutes.

CCL knew they had messed up. Through out the week we received wine, gifts and 2 letters of apology. Tbh I didn’t want gifts. I would have appreciated a face to face apology and explanation of why it took us paying a employee for access below deck when we had been assured that guest services had conducted the same search several times.

But we weren’t about to let us ruin our Christmas or cruise.

But I noticed some things on my November sailing and then again on this Christmas sailing and it makes me wonder if our loyalty is indeed being rewarded. It is something I really need to consider.

Anyway thank you to everyone who took the time to reply and help me prepare for our embarkation. I hope y’all had a wonderful holiday.

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The only hiccup we had was we had 6 small-medium duffle style pull suitcases. They can be pulled or worn (by a strong person) on your back. Three arrived promptly. The other three didn’t arrive until very late Saturday night. And that was only after we had gone to Guest Services. And had asked several people to help. My husband finally offered an anonymous CCL employee cash to take him down to the lower decks where they found the 3 bags together in plain sight and very visible. Needless to say my husband was very aggravated. There were no other bags around waiting to be delivered and our 3 bags were sitting in plain sight and if anyone had really looked they would have easily found them. My husband and the anonymous CCL employee my husband paid found them within minutes.

 

CCL knew they had messed up. Through out the week we received wine, gifts and 2 letters of apology. Tbh I didn’t want gifts. I would have appreciated a face to face apology and explanation of why it took us paying a employee for access below deck when we had been assured that guest services had conducted the same search several times.

Did you tell Guest Services about an employee escorting you into a crew area for a tip in order to locate your luggage?

Anonymous or not, taking guests into crew areas is strictly prohibited and grounds for immediate termination and being disembarked at the next port of call. As soon as you mention it to Guest Services, a ticket/investigation are created and all anonymity vanishes once the camera footage is viewed.

Let me clarify. He was not in a crew area! The 3 bags were found by themselves grouped together near an elevator. We can only guess that someone had been sent by guest services to find the missing bags and then were “diverted” ,”distracted” or something or someone called them away and the 3 bags were left. My husband was never in a crew area. I said lower deck which was deck 1. And I said access below deck which I can easily see could be interpreted as a crew area. Lower deck to me is deck 1. My husband even shared how tight security was which made him feel better due to his profession. I apologize for insinuating that my husband was running amuck in crew areas. He waited on deck 1 each time.

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Our eldest son spent months in the hospital in the last 1 year. His last bone marrow biopsy and scans were clean.

You have much to celebrate! A serious illness is so hard on the family and a cruise is a great way to put it behind you.

You have much to celebrate! A serious illness is so hard on the family and a cruise is a great way to put it behind you.

YES! It was and memories and pictures to prepare us for the next one.

I have to laugh at myself and tbh I am embarrassed at myself about over reacting. My only excuse is sometimes it seems the things we can control become more critical because there is so much we can’t. Regardless I must chill out.

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My husband, myself and our three sons are sailing on the Magic over Christmas. We have connecting cabins. I am platinum. Everyone else is gold almost platinum. Because our sons are not 21 when we booked we officially put my husband and our eldest son in one cabin and myself with our other 2 sons in the connecting cabin.

Our two teens sleep in one cabin and my husband and I are in the connecting cabin with our 6 year old late in life gift.

Sometimes once we are on board we have the sail and sign cards changed but usually we don’t bother and leave the connecting door open so everyone can always access both cabins.

Clear as mud right? [emoji51]

 

Since I am the only one that is platinum my cabins luggage tags show priority. I am assuming there is no way to have both cabins tags show priority? When I pack I don’t assign each person a suitcase. Instead I pack all of our swimsuits and beachwear together, dress clothes together etc.

 

I assume I could put a priority tag from my cabin on all 5 suitcases since we’re allowed 6????

 

I know since we’re traveling as a family (in both cabins) we all can use priority check in.

 

 

 

 

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Hi there

I can tell you seem upset about the situation, but it really isn't that bad. I keep making the suggestion for people that don't want to pay extra for FTTF. Just arrive a little later.

The cabins are all ready around 1:30 p.m....arrive for check in around 1 p.m. The lines in the terminal are mostly gone by then. Everyone will be able to check in at the same time and board right away. Your cabins will both be ready by the time you board. It's less than two hours later than if you went early and tried to get on first.

It's up to you if you want to send all the luggage to the same cabin. You still get the benefits of being platinum, guest service priority line, and priority tender if applicable. It really doesn't seem like something to get upset about.

hope this helps

have a great cruise

That was my plan for the bags. But the check in I was told would be fine since we’re traveling together. Oh well. Thank you! [emoji1303]

 

 

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You could try to board when Platinum is called, more then likely after you show your card, and if you keep everyone together, they'll let you go, but,,,,,,maybe not, would be at the discretion of the Carnival personal!:confused:

An update:

We arrived at the port around 11:45 am and I showed our doc’s to the CCL employee. Without a word she pointed to the left to the priority check in (where btw there was no one in line) and we checked in.

We then were directed to board the ship and both of our cabins were ready.

 

I don’t know if it helped that we were a family of five, two parents and three children in connecting cabins?

 

I am platinum. My husband and our eldest son son are days away from platinum and our other sons are gold?

 

 

 

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Just wondering, if your husband and son are days from platinum and if those "days" were less than the number of days in the cruise you are taking, then the whole thing should not be an issue !

Just wondering, if your husband and son are days from platinum and if those "days" were less than the number of days in the cruise you are taking, then the whole thing should not be an issue !

They would not turn platinum on the Christmas cruise but will on our next scheduled cruise. [emoji1303]

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