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Has anyone tried to add themselves to the VIP list on a cruise to get extras?

golfer76

By golfer76,
in Ask a Cruise Question

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golfer76

golfer76

Posted
Posted

Hi everyone,

 

has anyone asked to be a VIP on a cruise they've gone on in order to try and get some extra benefits, eg onboard credit, fresh flowers brought to your room etc? I'm only asking because I saw this mentioned on a cruise tips/secrets website. If you managed to do it how did you actually go about it?

 

Thanks. :)

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AltarEgo

AltarEgo

Posted
Posted
Hi everyone,

 

has anyone asked to be a VIP on a cruise they've gone on in order to try and get some extra benefits, eg onboard credit, fresh flowers brought to your room etc? I'm only asking because I saw this mentioned on a cruise tips/secrets website. If you managed to do it how did you actually go about it?

 

Thanks. :)

If you really want to know, and you really believe it's true, go ahead and buy the e-book. Then you can be a hero by sharing the information with thousands of people on this board that would like to get VIP privileges too. Oh, and I'm sure the cruise lines would appreciate it too.
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startraveler

startraveler

Posted
Posted

I would think that if you are a VIP - whatever that means - the cruise lines would know. There's nothing more that says "I'm not a VIP" than saying "I should be on the VIP list."

 

But if you want to try, do what people on the internet have suggested: Make up a fake press pass and flash it around! (j/k):rolleyes:

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GORDONCHICK

GORDONCHICK

Posted
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We were surprised to learn we were listed as VIPs on our last cruise. We went to the regular check in for past guests and were escorted to the VIP check-in/lounge. It was because of relationships we'd formed with a few crew members and nothing we did or asked for. And we certainly don't expect it. I know on NCL, VIP is different than suite guests, though you can be both. We were not in a suite but were given some of the perks suite guests enjoy.

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tigercat

tigercat

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I am not sure why my sister and I received VIP treatment the last cruise. It was her first but I had sailed several times before. Not enough for VIP treatment though. We were boarded fast and were taken right to our room. We received special things in our room. I didn't ask for it and didn't know I was getting it until we went to the window for check in.

tigercat

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sail7seas

sail7seas

Posted
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Just an 'off the cuff remark' but what could anything be worth if it is so easily received just by asking to be listed as VIP? I don't think you'd be getting such wonderful extras you couldn't manage them for yourself.

 

Most ships make it possible to order flowers (in varying price ranges) for your cabin. You certainly can order any drinks from room service and many ships permit ordering a bottle be delivered with set ups, if you wish.

 

You want wine? There's a wine list in most dining venues.

There are some private parties but those guests lists are arranged for various reasons but someone 'asking' is rarely one of the ways to get your name on the list.

 

Let us know what you learn and how it works out.

Have a great cruise.

 

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jeph

jeph

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To the original poster: Assuming you haven't yet reached "VIP" status (whatever that means to you) by having racked up X number of days at sea (varies by cruise line) on your favorite line, and you don't want to have to shell out for a suite on every sailing either, here's a strategy that might actually work: take a chunk of your savings/retirement funds and buy a good-sized chunk of that cruise line's stock. (Stocks are probably a better bet now than some low/no yield CD, anyhow)

 

Then remember to mention that fact every time you book, whether it's with a travel agent, or directly through the cruise line. From what I've heard, those stockholders do get some extra perks!

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sail7seas

sail7seas

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On HAL, anyone who owns 100 or more shares of Carnival stock receives a shipboard credit when their TA forwards proof of that stock ownership. Seriously doubt that gets anyone an invitation to any parties because they bought a bit of stock. Way too many do just to get the OBC. :D

 

Most of the time, it's people who have cruised the company many times, being in a Suite does not guarantee party invitation, being a friend or relative of the Captain or high ranking officer or being a Hollywood Movie Star perhaps? :D :D

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golfer76

golfer76

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Thanks to all those who've posted. :)

 

I just want to clarify - I'm a first time cruiser from Australia and I wasn't saying I was going to ask to be a VIP...it was just something I've seen on the net in various places advising newbies on how to obtain free extras when you're cruising. I wasn't sure how fair dinkum (or "true" if you like, for all you Americans and other foreigners lol ;)) this advice is or not.

 

I was more interested whether anyone has actually tried to follow some of this advice by these online sites or not and whether or not the cruise lines have provided you with anything as a result.

 

And I agree with those who say every cruiser is a VIP in some way. ;):)

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paul929207

paul929207

Posted
Posted
To the original poster: Assuming you haven't yet reached "VIP" status (whatever that means to you) by having racked up X number of days at sea (varies by cruise line) on your favorite line, and you don't want to have to shell out for a suite on every sailing either, here's a strategy that might actually work: take a chunk of your savings/retirement funds and buy a good-sized chunk of that cruise line's stock. (Stocks are probably a better bet now than some low/no yield CD, anyhow)

 

Then remember to mention that fact every time you book, whether it's with a travel agent, or directly through the cruise line. From what I've heard, those stockholders do get some extra perks!

Keep in mind that there are nearly 800,000,000 shares of Carnival Corporation outstanding. I would think a million would probably get you VIP status.

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Gathina

Gathina

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Why would someone want to lie and act like they are "all that" just to get some free perks? That's really stupid, I think. Save your money and get the perks yourself instead of acting cheap, I say.

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paul929207

paul929207

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I've asked how a person can become a VIP to get early boarding and I was told by my cruiseline that I had to reach a certain level or stay in a certain level of suites.

Each cruise line sets the requirements and perks for repeat passengers. Just as an example, with Princess, you get priority boarding when you have completed 50 days or 5 cruises on Princess.

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golfer76

golfer76

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Why would someone want to lie and act like they are "all that" just to get some free perks? That's really stupid, I think. Save your money and get the perks yourself instead of acting cheap, I say.

 

 

 

Why would you want to steal from, or hurt other people Gathina and yet many people do in this world, both in your country and mine. ;):(

 

Apparently some people cruising do it or at least try, otherwise they'd be no websites dedicated to telling you how to get free extras. ;) A little bit like other internet scams perhaps (does Nigeria ring a bell?) where people have been told they've won the lottery if they only email their details to a particular address or phone a particular number...many fall for these scams also.

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kitty9

kitty9

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Why would you want to steal from, or hurt other people Gathina and yet many people do in this world, both in your country and mine. ;):(

 

Apparently some people cruising do it or at least try, otherwise they'd be no websites dedicated to telling you how to get free extras. ;) A little bit like other internet scams perhaps (does Nigeria ring a bell?) where people have been told they've won the lottery if they only email their details to a particular address or phone a particular number...many fall for these scams also.

 

Could you please be a little more specific as to what these websites are saying you get with regards to these "perks"? You cannot fake being a VIP or a member of their frequent cruiser program because it's all in their computer systems. I guess I really want to know what specific perks these sites say you can get. In all honesty, getting some wilted flowers in your cabin isn't all that big a deal. As for the on board credit, how does one manipulate/lie to get that? I just don't see it.

 

Like we say in the US, if it's free, it's not worth it.

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Aunty Pat

Aunty Pat

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In addition to your number of cruise days or the level of your suite, VIP status can be requested by your travel agent. Whether they can get you anything for free all depends on their relationship with the cruise line. The larger their volume of business with a specific cruise line the more likely they are to get something. Many of the things you think of as “free” are paid for by the travel agent.

Aunty Pat

 

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