Cruise Talk: Carnival's "Faster to Fun" Pass

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Topic: Carnival's "Faster to Fun" Pass

Linerrich
First Class Passenger
Member # 4864

posted 08-09-2012 03:56 PM

I'm curious to see what people think about Carnival's new expedited embarkation and debarkation privileges (for a fee.) Is it worth the cost to you?

Carnival's "Faster to Fun" Pass

Rich

Posts: 4210 | From: Miami, FL | Registered: Jul 2004 | IP: Logged

Grant
First Class Passenger
Member # 1000

posted 08-09-2012 06:22 PM

I find these perks are great and would be worth the cost. The free laundry and gratis internet minutes are the best Princess perk for frequent travellers, but the front of the line certainly is the next favourite for me. If I was not at the top tier, I would gladly pay the price.

Posts: 834 | From: Victoria, BC, Canada | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

Chip
First Class Passenger
Member # 3576

posted 08-09-2012 06:57 PM

I have cruised 34 times for 243 cruise days with Carnival and I am a diamond member (top tier of loyalty program). I feel like Carnival has thrown me under the bus for allowing people to buy into perks I achieved through loyalty.

There is a very active topic (over 200 posts) about what people think of the program on another cruise web site. With very few exceptions most people who are platinum or diamond (top 2 tiers of the loyalty program) are not happy about the program.

[ 08-09-2012: Message edited by: Chip ]

Posts: 19 | From: Farmington Hills, Michigan | Registered: Jan 2003 | IP: Logged

dmwnc1
Cruise Director
Member # 3785

posted 08-10-2012 12:21 AM

I really don't think I would be interested in this travelling as a solo cruiser. Personally I'd rather take that $50 and spend it in the ships store or buy some chocolate covered strawberries. Maybe it would be worth it for a family travelling in the same cabin.

Posts: 5650 | From: Clarksburg WV | Registered: Apr 2003 | IP: Logged

jetwet1
First Class Passenger
Member # 6361

posted 08-10-2012 11:17 AM

Well I am platinum with Carnival and I am not happy.

There are a number of problems with this program, the first one being how they are going to manage it, the are going to allow x number of CABINS to purchase this based on the number of Platinum and Diamond members sailing, the issue is, until the final manifest is done there will not be a firm number for them to go from.

Now from a personal point of view, the one thing I love about having status on Carnival (and Princess and Hal for that matter) is not having to wait in line, get to the port, of load the luggage, head straight into the terminal and get on the ship.

If this program puts an end to that I am done with Carnival, their product is not that great that I can't sail with Princess or HAL, most of the time for less money.

The other issue the priority tender, when you are off loading 3000+ passengers, being able to skip the line is fantastic. On my last non platinum cruise (Mexican riviera) the ship "docked" at 8am in Cabo, we couldn't get off the ship till almost 12pm, with the Platinum we did the same cruise and were on land by 10am, after a nice relaxing breakfast.

The same can also be said for the pursers deck, being able to skip lines there was great, though honestly I used that maybe once.

Posts: 608 | From: Las VEgas | Registered: Mar 2006 | IP: Logged

Grant
First Class Passenger
Member # 1000

posted 08-10-2012 05:43 PM

I guess my attitude in life shapes my position on this matter. I really appreciate the various perks that being top tier with a cruise line offers, and could care less is others PAID for the same perks. Just don't make me pay, nor take away from what frequency of travels has already given me! If this does not work, in all probability they will increase the perks for the well travelled.

Posts: 834 | From: Victoria, BC, Canada | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

jetwet1
First Class Passenger
Member # 6361

posted 08-10-2012 09:53 PM

Grant, I totally agree with you, the problem is, it will have an impact on you, let's say on the cruise there are 100 platinum cruisers, CCL sells 15 cabins with this perk, that could be up to 60 (probably closer to 30) extra people the clog up the lines.

Posts: 608 | From: Las VEgas | Registered: Mar 2006 | IP: Logged

Chip
First Class Passenger
Member # 3576

posted 08-10-2012 10:36 PM

Grant, in June of this year Carnival downgraded the past guest perks for the majority of their past guests. Lots of people who had been platinum under the old program are now either red or gold under the new program. The reason Carnival gave for downgrading people was because there were too many people who were platinum and it was causing issues. Among the issues were not enough room in the VIP check in room, priority tendering, priority debarkation, and the VIP line at guest services / pursers information desk. If there was such issues then why only 2 months after announcing the new loyalty program is Carnival now allowing people to but those perks?

Posts: 19 | From: Farmington Hills, Michigan | Registered: Jan 2003 | IP: Logged

steeplechase
First Class Passenger
Member # 4056

posted 08-12-2012 04:54 PM

I agree with the "Perk" People. You worked hard for your perks and now some Yo-Yo walks up and plunks down fifty bucks and his whole family gets in front of you. I am in Delta's highest status and if that started happening there I would move to Star Alliance, then of course they would realize how much money wast o be made there and start doing the samething that all of the other Cruise Lines will start doing 6 mnths after Carnival!?

Posts: 663 | From: elkton maryland | Registered: Aug 2003 | IP: Logged

steeplechase
First Class Passenger
Member # 4056

posted 08-12-2012 04:57 PM

[ 08-12-2012: Message edited by: steeplechase ]

Posts: 663 | From: elkton maryland | Registered: Aug 2003 | IP: Logged

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