just returned, faster to the fun, and Platinum too

[stewpapa]

Wow! Here we are scrambling to get in our 10th Carnival cruise before the end of 2013 to be grandfathered as Platinum mainly for the express boarding perk and now you can just pay $50 and get on even faster. Don't know if that's good or bad. Guess it depends on which side of the gangway you are on.

[laumicmah]

Exactly. If I get to the terminal at the same time as ANYONE, my expectation should be I will get on board before everyone else, unless someone else is VIP arriving at the same time.

So, say you get to port at 12:00 and boarding began at 11:30. They are still calling zones. You go to VIP security line and then VIP check in line and then to lounge to get your S&S cards...right? So, you get through faster than regular folks like me (who go through regular security line and regular check inl line...which are both long at 12:00). I am handed a zone card and sit to wait for it to be called...you get your S&S cards and get in line to get on ship. Because you are VIP you say you are allowed to go to front of boarding line...ahead of zones that were called and had been sitting in terminal likely since before you arrived. I get that if VIPs get there and are waiting BEFORE boarding has begun...they get called to the line after the wedding parties and BEFORE the zones. Now, F2F arrive at 12:00 like you do...they go to their lines and get through quicker because there are less folks in line and you have a problem with that. Maybe they should have 2 lines go to the same check in counters (VIP and F2F) and the staff should take several VIPs before taking a F2F...kinda like the fast pass line at Disney World (where both lines go to the same worker, but then he alternates between the lines).

[LHP]

Another lie.

 

For some reason I am thinking Diamond only...but I would be wrong...

[MrPete]

So, say you get to port at 12:00 and boarding began at 11:30. They are still calling zones. You go to VIP security line and then VIP check in line and then to lounge to get your S&S cards...right? So, you get through faster than regular folks like me (who go through regular security line and regular check inl line...which are both long at 12:00). I am handed a zone card and sit to wait for it to be called...you get your S&S cards and get in line to get on ship. Because you are VIP you say you are allowed to go to front of boarding line...ahead of zones that were called and had been sitting in terminal likely since before you arrived. I get that if VIPs get there and are waiting BEFORE boarding has begun...they get called to the line after the wedding parties and BEFORE the zones. Now, F2F arrive at 12:00 like you do...they go to their lines and get through quicker because there are less folks in line and you have a problem with that. Maybe they should have 2 lines go to the same check in counters (VIP and F2F) and the staff should take several VIPs before taking a F2F...kinda like the fast pass line at Disney World (where both lines go to the same worker, but then he alternates between the lines).

 

Absolutely!

 

In New York, I am escorted to the front of the security line, the line is stopped, and my family and I walk through.

 

From there, I have my own line to board, including pictures for my sail and sign account.

[NEWORLEANSCRUISER1]

VIP should go to the front of every line to board. If you have to go to the back of the line then what's the point of having VIP boarding?? Just another hard earned perk carnival is taking away.

[laumicmah]

Absolutely!

 

In New York, I am escorted to the front of the security line, the line is stopped, and my family and I walk through.

 

From there, I have my own line to board, including pictures for my sail and sign account.

Wasn't aware of that. So, why did OP get told to go to the back of line? F2F should have been as well then. We got F2F for our cruise next August and I would just get in the line...but we always get to port before boarding begins anyway. I am thinking of getting there between 10:30-11. I wanted F2F to get through security and check in quicker and to be able to go right to our cabins.

[laumicmah]

VIP should go to the front of every line to board. If you have to go to the back of the line then what's the point of having VIP boarding?? Just another hard earned perk carnival is taking away.

I thought it was that you didn't have to get a zone card and could proceed right on to the ship (if boarding had begun). But, I guess you are also able to go to front of line too. Not sure why OP was turned away then.

[LHP]

This is confusing to me. I thought the FTTF folk were only to be allowed to board after the VIP were.

 

At least, that's what we were assured.

 

That is what we were "assured" by John.....

 

but as I have always said....Carnival can mess up toast.

[LHP]

No way a VIP should have been sent to the back of any line....

[Ron_L]

I really don't have a horse in this race, and probably never will. At the rate that we cruise I'll never be a VIP, but it seems to me that folks are getting upset over the wrong thing.

 

Which I want to know why? What is different about the two processes? If VIP already boarded, why would a late VIP even be seated?

 

So this group arrives shortly after boarding has begun, the F2F's go to their line and VIPS go to their line. In this case the F2F's were given a priority over the VIPS which arrived as a group. A few minutes would be no problem, but the F2F's were on board 58 minutes (if I understand CruznBuckeye) before her VIP group. Thats no advantage at all. They were sent to the back of the line. I hope CruznBuckeye posts her story to JH blog or FB page and asks for a response from him. Like to see how he will spin in.

 

The FTTF folks weren't given priority. They were in two different places at that point and totally unrelated to each other. The VIP folks had to wait because the agents in the VIP lounge were either slower or busy with other VIPs. The fact that there were FTTF passengers in the terminal had no effect on that. If they were all waiting for the same agents and the agent took an FTTF passenger before a VIP passenger then there would be something complain about, but they were being served by different agents.

[LHP]

I do wish the OP would post this on John's Facebook page, so that he can get the Miami Carnival Reps straightened out.

 

 

Btw, the part about going to the end of the line confuses me....because when you leave the VIP office....you walk to the foot of the escalator where VIP are on one side and regular passengers are in the other....

 

the VIP line is a separate line....why would they send VIP to the end of the regular line???

[big_duck]

I do wish the OP would post this on John's Facebook page, so that he can get the Miami Carnival Reps straightened out.

 

 

Btw, the part about going to the end of the line confuses me....because when you leave the VIP office....you walk to the foot of the escalator where VIP are on one side and regular passengers are in the other....

 

the VIP line is a separate line....why would they send VIP to the end of the regular line???

 

Maybe that is where they are sending the FTTFs? I too would like to see John's take on this.

 

Maybe one of his "Friends" will make up one of those fake questions and say it was from Stu, or me.

[LHP]

Someone posted this incident on John's page and he said

 

 

Well, respectfully...l all I can tell you is what I am told and I am sure you understand that I believe my colleagues 100% and I refuse to judge them otherwise based on one comnment from a guest ion the FTTF program.

 

I can tell you that VIPS embark first, the end. As to what time, well I would suggest that you come down around 10:00am - 10:30am as we always hope with this program that by 10:30am we are starting to embark the VIPS.

 

But.............and it is a huge but and thats your United States Customs and Border Protection trump everything, Carnival, VIPs Faster to anything in fact as happened last cruise when they held "face to face" checks of debarking guests. .......

 

 

Is John saying that what the OP said is not what happened????

[LHP]

This is confusing to me. I thought the FTTF folk were only to be allowed to board after the VIP were.

 

At least, that's what we were assured.

 

"supposedly" that is the case.....according to John....

 

it seems the OP arrived after boarding had begun, therefore, they should have just been sent to the front of the line (like their FTTF friends)....

 

and yes, it is ridiculous when VIP check in takes longer than FTTF....

[Clipper123]

With all this bickering and whining, I think it best if Carnival just gets rid of the VIP early boarding (like they did the past guest party for the rest of us) and offer a limited number of first come, first serve FTTF passes for sale to everyone. :rolleyes:

 

I really do understand the frustration somewhat, but some people are just taking it way too far - you are still getting on ahead of the FTTFs if you arrive before boarding starts - why should anyone who arrives late be shoved in line before others who were there "on time" so to speak. In John's response he stated VIPs should be there by 10:30. FTTPs are supposed to be there at 11, I believe I read, so of course if the VIPs were there on time, they would be boarded before the FTTPs, if not, then you wait your turn.

 

BTW, before you start with your "I spent thousands to have priority boarding and so should be entitled to it" - well so did I but because I purchased for 4 people at a time, I'm not at Platinium yet, even though I myself have paid for enough cruises to be beyond platinum.

[big_duck]

With all this bickering and whining, I think it best if Carnival just gets rid of the VIP early boarding (like they did the past guest party for the rest of us) and offer a limited number of first come, first serve FTTF passes for sale to everyone. :rolleyes:

 

I really do understand the frustration somewhat, but some people are just taking it way too far - you are still getting on ahead of the FTTFs if you arrive before boarding starts - why should anyone who arrives late be shoved in line before others who were there "on time" so to speak. In John's response he stated VIPs should be there by 10:30. FTTPs are supposed to be there at 11, I believe I read, so of course if the VIPs were there on time, they would be boarded before the FTTPs, if not, then you wait your turn.

 

BTW, before you start with your "I spent thousands to have priority boarding and so should be entitled to it" - well so did I but because I purchased for 4 people at a time, I'm not at Platinium yet, even though I myself have paid for enough cruises to be beyond platinum.

 

John's comment about time is out of context here. It is a response to the second part of the original question which was "My question is, what time do you suggest to arrive for the Liberty out of Miami in November so that we can be in the priority group? "

[martinchem]

My feeling is that the op came late and got lost in the shuffle, too bad. I would hope us Milestoners get the respect and priority we deserve when arriving early for our cruise vacations, we earned and worked for it.

[LHP]

John's comment about time is out of context here. It is a response to the second part of the original question which was "My question is, what time do you suggest to arrive for the Liberty out of Miami in November so that we can be in the priority group? "

 

Not out of context....Bill was asking about the Liberty incident and in "addition" he asked about when he should arrive....

 

 

I also posted on John's Facebook, since it seemed that John was missing the point about why the Platinums were complaining...

 

they were sent to the back of the line when their FTTF friends were not....

 

that should not have happened....

[brooklynfc]

There is no reason why the P/D members should have been sent to the back of the line if the F2F people were in front of them. End of story. And that is really the story. The main problem is what is above. You can't help how fast you get checked in, F2F people can't be blamed for having a faster agent......

 

What we all need to sit back and look at here is the fact that this is ONE person's experience. You are getting all riled up over ONE person's experience. As we all know, life is not consistent. If you read the reviews here you will know that you have to take a lot more than one review into account before making a decision. I'm not down playing the OP's experience or saying they are lying or ect. However, we have had plenty of reports in the past of stuff getting messed up in the terminals with VIPs and P/Ds and all well before F2F.

 

Misunderstandings, miscommunications, bad training, bad attitudes (employees) can all lead to stuff like this. If in the next 3 weeks P/Ds come back saying this is happening a lot, then maybe Carnival might want to re-think things from all angles.

[Ron_L]

I've gone back and re-read everything that Cruzn_buckeye posted here and to me the only thing that wasn't handled properly was send the VIP group to the back of the line. That isn't right, but it still has nothing to do with FTTF. That would be an issue even on ships where FTTF isn't offered. Let's not condemn the program because someone didn't allow a perk that the VIP passengers are entitled to. FTTF isn't the issue in that.

[txnucruiser]

So is the VIP lounge on the ship or is it in the terminal? As you can see I am not VIP but due plan on getting there one day! I have been loyal to Carnival since I began sailing and can't wait to get the free perks but in the mean time really hopes this FTTP program goes shipwide soon so I can partake in it! Thanks for the review of the program and I hope the kinks get worked out so our already loyal cruisers wont be so upset!

[Jeffy294]

I would also print out the page on Carnival that talks about getting Platinum status as long as you take your 10th cruise before dec. 2013.

I was gonna do exactly that. Including the part where is states that you become Platinum on the sailing that either reaches 10 cruises or 75 days. That is not how exactly its worded but I know where to find it. Thanks for the info.

[big_duck]

So is the VIP lounge on the ship or is it in the terminal? As you can see I am not VIP but due plan on getting there one day! I have been loyal to Carnival since I began sailing and can't wait to get the free perks but in the mean time really hopes this FTTP program goes shipwide soon so I can partake in it! Thanks for the review of the program and I hope the kinks get worked out so our already loyal cruisers wont be so upset!

 

It's on shore, and not all terminals have them. When we went out of FLL on the Freedom, it was just a separate check-in line.

[barbatkins]

Another lie.

 

Typical.......I didn't expect anything different....... they say anything to shut people up and then do whatever they want....

 

I;m still mad about this program.... just not fair to those of us who have been around for 32 Carnival cruises

[LHP]

I've gone back and re-read everything that Cruzn_buckeye posted here and to me the only thing that wasn't handled properly was send the VIP group to the back of the line. That isn't right, but it still has nothing to do with FTTF. That would be an issue even on ships where FTTF isn't offered. Let's not condemn the program because someone didn't allow a perk that the VIP passengers are entitled to. FTTF isn't the issue in that.

 

Ron: That is correct.

 

This is the point that was missed on John's post that I pointed out.

 

And while not connected to FTTF, it does show how poorly Carnival manages their VIP office.... and IF (note I said IF) IF Carnival Reps are pulled for the special FTTF line...then Carnival should put enough Reps in the VIP office to manage it just as quickly.