VIFP question

Quick question for all you experienced cruisers. I turn platinum on my next sailing. My teen daughters are in a different cabin than I am and they are Gold. Does that mean when we sail only my husband (who is gold) and I will get priority boarding? Both cabins are linked in terms of the booking.

We were all in the same cabin but it is our anniversary so I talked my husband into booking them an inside cabin :-)

They can board with you.

Yes they can, being teen daughters of yours.

You said teen, but if any of them is 18 or 19 then they do not get to stay with you for priority check-in. At 18 even though unable to book on their own, Carnival considers them adults, and guardian protemp during check-in and boarding for the younger kids in the same cabin.

As long as your children are all 17 or younger, they should share the same platinum priority for check-in, embarkation, tendering, and debarkation. Make sure their luggage tags and individual boarding passes (available 90 days prior to boarding) say priority on them. If not contact Carnival or your travel professional to find out why.

We all should know minors board with their elders .As for over that age it all depends on the port and who you talk to there. Some will let family board together. I have seen it go either way depending on the port. I do understand what other posters say about it and the rules to follow . To put it simple it's not enforced at all ports , regardless.

If they are charging on the same account as you they should be able to board with you.

I have seen it go either way depending on the port.

Involving minors on the same folio?

Involving minors on the same folio?

Of course not minors ,they board with their elders .I sorta thought that much would be obvious ;p

If they are charging on the same account as you they should be able to board with you.

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We had the same situation on this last cruise. I called Carnival and the rep reassured me that the teens, aged 17 and 20, could enter the terminal in the Priority line with us, and he would put a note on our booking. I asked if it was necessary for their boarding passes to say Priority, and he said no, it was all covered in his notation on our booking. Well, come our day of departure from Miami and the employee standing outside the terminal at the entrance to the Priority line does not have a computer or tablet to see said note, and balked at letting my children board with me and my husband. We had to explain the above, she spoke to a supervisor, and we eventually were all able to continue in the Priority line.

Thanks- one daughter is 14 and the other 19.

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You said teen, but if any of them is 18 or 19 then they do not get to stay with you for priority check-in. At 18 even though unable to book on their own, Carnival considers them adults, and guardian protemp during check-in and boarding for the younger kids in the same cabin.

 

As long as your children are all 17 or younger, they should share the same platinum priority for check-in, embarkation, tendering, and debarkation. Make sure their luggage tags and individual boarding passes (available 90 days prior to boarding) say priority on them. If not contact Carnival or your travel professional to find out why.

This was not our experience. Our 18 year old and his 12 year old brother in their own inside were allowed to board on my Platinum status.

The reason is that an 18 or even 21 year old is NOT an adult for Carnival purposes because they cannot cruise without a parent or guardian. Everyone in the cabin must be over the age of 21, or if there are minors, there must be a 25 year old.

My kids turned platinum before we would be able to try checking in with all 18+ but in the OP circumstance, in both my boardings they came through the Platinum line with us.

For all those that talk about loopholes - look at the flip side - should I have to give up my Platinum benefit because I spent even more money, booked my kids a second room? That doesn’t exactly make sense now does it?

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This was not our experience. Our 18 year old and his 12 year old brother in their own inside were allowed to board on my Platinum status.

 

For all those that talk about loopholes - look at the flip side - should I have to give up my Platinum benefit because I spent even more money, booked my kids a second room? That doesn’t exactly make sense now does it?

By Carnival's rules, only if *all* your kids in the non-Platinum room are minors should they be able to do priority check-in with you. You may have gotten lucky because of Carnival's inconsistent adherence to its own rules, but others report being split up from their non-minor kids or given the option to do regular boarding with them in similar situations.

It makes plenty of sense. There is a finite capacity (throughput and waiting area) for priority boarding. The variable is the number of Platinum and Diamond passengers on any giving sailing, and the number of FTTF packages they sell on that sailing is based the number of P and D passengers booked/expected so that they don't exceed that capacity.

If all your non-Platinum kids in another cabin are minors, I wouldn't consider that a loophole. But when people with priority boarding try to let their non-minor kids, relatives, friends, neighbors, co-workers, Facebook friends, roll call buddies, guys they just met on the airport shuttle, and every other casual acquaintance board priority with them,

this is when perks get taken away because the process cannot handle such a larger throughput than it (and Carnival's policies) were for.

By Carnival's rules, only if *all* your kids in the non-Platinum room are minors should they be able to do priority check-in with you. You may have gotten lucky because of Carnival's inconsistent adherence to its own rules, but others report being split up from their non-minor kids or given the option to do regular boarding with them in similar situations.

 

 

 

 

 

It makes plenty of sense. There is a finite capacity (throughput and waiting area) for priority boarding. The variable is the number of Platinum and Diamond passengers on any giving sailing, and the number of FTTF packages they sell on that sailing is based the number of P and D passengers booked/expected so that they don't exceed that capacity.

 

 

 

If all your non-Platinum kids in another cabin are minors, I wouldn't consider that a loophole. But when people with priority boarding try to let their non-minor kids, relatives, friends, neighbors, co-workers, Facebook friends, roll call buddies, guys they just met on the airport shuttle, and every other casual acquaintance board priority with them,

 

 

 

this is when perks get taken away because the process cannot handle such a larger throughput than it (and Carnival's policies) were for.

I don’t agree that this is the policy. I have looked and never seen something in writing that covers this specific scenario. My 18 year old could not travel with his 12 year old brother by Carnival’s rules with an independent booking - so they by definition MUST check in with me. I agree if they were both over 21 they would have been clearly on their own or was was 25 - then their booking stands independent. In fact, Carnival even had all the cards together in the Platinum area - so they figured they would be boarding with us.

Their is an enormous difference between parents checking in a room with their underage (Carnival’s definition) children and those wanting to bring roll call people, Facebook friends and other all 21+ independent reservations. And Carnival can and easily did anticipate my 2 would need to board with me.

No worries now - they are Platinum so qualify independently for all those that are worried[emoji12]

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Per Carnival's FAQs

"PRIORITY CHECK-IN

Carnival’s Priority Check-in is an exclusive service designed to afford our VIFP Platinum and Diamond guests, and those traveling in deluxe suite accommodations, with special embarkation and debarkation privileges. The guest's boarding pass will be stampedPRIORITY*for terminal and Captain’s Lounge* access.

Minors*traveling with parents in separate staterooms, who qualify for Priority, may check in together.*****

In addition, Diamond, Platinum and deluxe suite guests will receive a debarkation letter offering a choice of how they would prefer to disembark the ship and will receive special luggage tags once on board.***

**Some cruise terminals offer a designated area for Priority guests, in lieu of a lounge"

"AGE RESTRICTIONS ON BOARD

Drinking Alcoholic Beverages*/ Cigarette Smoking

Guests must be 21 years of age or older to be served alcohol on board. Proper I.D with birth date is required.*Guests must be 18 years of age or older to smoke and purchase cigarettes.

Casino and Bingo**

Guests must be 18 years of age or older to play the tables and the slot machines.Guests under 18 years of age are not permitted in the casino.*Guests must be 18 years of age to purchase a bingo card and play.

Serenity

Guests must be 21 years of age or older to be in the “Serenity” adults-only area.

Spa Carnival and Cloud 9 Spa

Fitness Center and Studio:*Guests must be at least 18 years of age to use the fitness facilities on their own.*Minor*guests (12-17 years of age) may use the facilities provided they are accompanied by a parent or guardian (subject to restrictions posted outside the Fitness Center).Salon:*Salon services (hair, nail and facial services) are available to guests of all ages.Spa Facilities:*Guests must be at least 18 years of age to receive treatments or utilize spa facilities, including the sauna and steam rooms (within the locker rooms) as well as use of the Thermal Suite and Thalassotherapy Pool at the Cloud 9 Spas.ZSPA:*Teens (13-17 years of age) must be accompanied by an adult when they book treatments on board. Parents or a guardian must complete and sign the spa’s consultation form acknowledging their consent before services are rendered.

Lounges, Shows and the Dance Club*

Guests under the age of 18 should be accompanied by an adult in all public areas of the ship.Guests under the age of 18 must vacate the dance club by 10:00pm.Guests under the age of 18 may not attend the Late Night Shows, which are "R" rated.*

Pools, waterslides, whirlpools, WaterWorks and Splash Park

To read about water sports policies, click*here.

Shore Excursions

Guests under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult (18 years or older) to participate in shore excursions. Some excursions require a minimum age to participate and will be noted accordingly.

Getting Off the Ship in Port

Minor*children 16 years of age and older may debark the ship in port without a parent or guardian. If the parent or guardian wishes to raise this age limit, they must contact the onboard Security department.Minor*children under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult (18 years or older) within the same travel group in order to debark the ship in port."

By inference at 18, Carnival employees consider you eldest to be an adult and capable of escorting your younger child on and off the ship.

If port employees allowed you to and your 18 year old board together as priority then that was their business to do so. People that work inside your departure port are not employees of any particular cruise line and sometimes will interpret a cruise line's rules in their own way.

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The rules state only minors can join you in priority line so your older one COULD POTENTIALLY have to wait ... if this happens just be prepared to either wait with him or meet him somewhere once you board

The rules state only minors can join you in priority line so your older one COULD POTENTIALLY have to wait ... if this happens just be prepared to either wait with him or meet him somewhere once you board

Thus the absolute absurdity of the obsession of some of the posters concerning this policy...and the reason that many of us have had our under 21's board with us. The under 18 in the room could board but the over 18 must wait and check in separately? Really....come on people! And just as in the circumstance stated above where the parents decided to splurge and book a separate room....the kids now must board alone because mom and dad are spending more for the cruise? That is simply illogical.

Life requires common sense...and people often forget to use it.

Per Carnival's FAQs

"PRIORITY CHECK-IN

 

Carnival’s Priority Check-in is an exclusive service designed to afford our VIFP Platinum and Diamond guests, and those traveling in deluxe suite accommodations, with special embarkation and debarkation privileges. The guest's boarding pass will be stampedPRIORITY*for terminal and Captain’s Lounge* access.

 

Minors*traveling with parents in separate staterooms, who qualify for Priority, may check in together.*****

 

In addition, Diamond, Platinum and deluxe suite guests will receive a debarkation letter offering a choice of how they would prefer to disembark the ship and will receive special luggage tags once on board.***

 

**Some cruise terminals offer a designated area for Priority guests, in lieu of a lounge"

 

 

"AGE RESTRICTIONS ON BOARD

 

Drinking Alcoholic Beverages*/ Cigarette Smoking

 

Guests must be 21 years of age or older to be served alcohol on board. Proper I.D with birth date is required.*Guests must be 18 years of age or older to smoke and purchase cigarettes.

 

 

Casino and Bingo**

 

Guests must be 18 years of age or older to play the tables and the slot machines.Guests under 18 years of age are not permitted in the casino.*Guests must be 18 years of age to purchase a bingo card and play.

 

 

Serenity

 

Guests must be 21 years of age or older to be in the “Serenity” adults-only area.

 

 

Spa Carnival and Cloud 9 Spa

 

Fitness Center and Studio:*Guests must be at least 18 years of age to use the fitness facilities on their own.*Minor*guests (12-17 years of age) may use the facilities provided they are accompanied by a parent or guardian (subject to restrictions posted outside the Fitness Center).Salon:*Salon services (hair, nail and facial services) are available to guests of all ages.Spa Facilities:*Guests must be at least 18 years of age to receive treatments or utilize spa facilities, including the sauna and steam rooms (within the locker rooms) as well as use of the Thermal Suite and Thalassotherapy Pool at the Cloud 9 Spas.ZSPA:*Teens (13-17 years of age) must be accompanied by an adult when they book treatments on board. Parents or a guardian must complete and sign the spa’s consultation form acknowledging their consent before services are rendered.

 

 

Lounges, Shows and the Dance Club*

 

Guests under the age of 18 should be accompanied by an adult in all public areas of the ship.Guests under the age of 18 must vacate the dance club by 10:00pm.Guests under the age of 18 may not attend the Late Night Shows, which are "R" rated.*

 

 

Pools, waterslides, whirlpools, WaterWorks and Splash Park

 

To read about water sports policies, click*here.

 

 

Shore Excursions

 

Guests under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult (18 years or older) to participate in shore excursions. Some excursions require a minimum age to participate and will be noted accordingly.

 

 

Getting Off the Ship in Port

 

Minor*children 16 years of age and older may debark the ship in port without a parent or guardian. If the parent or guardian wishes to raise this age limit, they must contact the onboard Security department.Minor*children under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult (18 years or older) within the same travel group in order to debark the ship in port."

 

By inference at 18, Carnival employees consider you eldest to be an adult and capable of escorting your younger child on and off the ship.

If port employees allowed you to and your 18 year old board together as priority then that was their business to do so. People that work inside your departure port are not employees of any particular cruise line and sometimes will interpret a cruise line's rules in their own way.

 

 

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You forgot one very important FAQ:

MINOR GUEST POLICY

Guests are required to be 21 years of age (on embarkation day) to travel on their own. Guest ages will be verified at embarkation. Guests not conforming to this policy will result in denied boarding and no compensation will be provided at embarkation. For additional minor age restriction guidelines while on board, click here.

Guests Under the Age of 21 MUST travel with a relative or guardian of 25 years of age or older

• The guardian does not need to be a legal guardian.
  
• The bookings must be cross-referenced with the relative or guardian’s stateroom and documented properly.
  
• Guests who are 21 to 24 years of age may travel with their minor children.
  
• Minors Traveling Together: The policy is slightly different because of stricter guidelines as follows:
  
  • Must have 1 chaperone for every 8 minors
    
  • Prepaid gratuities per minor are due at final payment
    
  • 8 or more staterooms must be booked through the Group Department and a $100 damage deposit per minor will be charged.
    

Exceptions: Guests under the age of 21 may travel without a relative or guardian of 25 years of age or older under the following conditions:

Legally married couples, including same gender couples

• Proper documentation must be provided at embarkation. Failure to provide documentation or not conforming to this policy will result in denied boarding and no compensation will be provided.
  
• Documentation includes: marriage license issued by the County Clerk’s Office; legal proof of civil union; for newly married couples: a copy of the marriage license application or certificate signed by the official that performed the ceremony.
  

Qualified Military Personnel

• Applies to US Military Personnel and Canadian National Defense personnel (and their traveling companions in the same stateroom) of 18 – 20 years of age.
  
• Copy of proof of service must be provided at embarkation. Failure to provide documentation or not conforming to this policy will result in denied boarding and no compensation will be provided.
  

Thus the absolute absurdity of the obsession of some of the posters concerning this policy...and the reason that many of us have had our under 21's board with us. The under 18 in the room could board but the over 18 must wait and check in separately? Really....come on people! And just as in the circumstance stated above where the parents decided to splurge and book a separate room....the kids now must board alone because mom and dad are spending more for the cruise? That is simply illogical.

 

Life requires common sense...and people often forget to use it.

hey don't knock my common sense it's not me making the rules I personally think if they are immediate family as in parent/child they should be allowed to board together - I am simply stating the facts and Carnival technically has this rule in place - And the over 18 does not have to board seperate the parents and other child can in fact just wait and board with them if carnival decides to inforce the over 18 rule