Disappointed Platinum Member

[jane01jp]

I am a newly minted platinum member with two upcoming cruises booked.

For each cruise, I have two adjoining cabins.

I just learned that the people in the adjoining cabins can not check on using the platinum check-in, because they are not platinum members.

In one case, it is my wife and daughter (both gold status) who are staying in the adjacent cabin. In the other case, it is my son's girlfriend. In each case, I paid the full price for everyone traveling.

This seems like a very odd customer service experience. I am having to forgo my platinum privileges to check in with the other members of my party.

The only remedy would be for me to consolidate my parties into one cabin. This seems like it would be a bad outcome for both me and Disney.

Very strange indeed.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I am a newly minted platinum member with two upcoming cruises booked.

For each cruise, I have two adjoining cabins.

I just learned that the people in the adjoining cabins can not check on using the platinum check-in, because they are not platinum members.

In one case, it is my wife and daughter (both gold status) who are staying in the adjacent cabin. In the other case, it is my son's girlfriend. In each case, I paid the full price for everyone traveling.

This seems like a very odd customer service experience. I am having to forgo my platinum privileges to check in with the other members of my party.

The only remedy would be for me to consolidate my parties into one cabin. This seems like it would be a bad outcome for both me and Disney.

Very strange indeed.

Why is it fair that non-Platinum members should have Platinum perks (few as they are)?

 

[Ofinn]

Why is it fair that non-Platinum members should have Platinum perks (few as they are)?

If they were in the same room they would get the same perks. I agree with op if you book two rooms for one family they should all get the same perks as the lead on the reservation.

 

[jane01jp]

Princess, because, in one case, I'm married to them, and the other is my daughter.

We got two adjoining cabins for our upcoming Norwegian fjords cruise. We are considering dropping one of the cabins and all staying in the same cabin.

Then, we will all be able to get platinum check in. We will save several thousand dollars, but be cramped. Disney will lose the second booking and have to replace it.

So, the only way non-platinum members can get platinum check in is for me to spend less on the trip.

 

[Weedy]

As soon as the Gold Members window opens go online and book the PAT. You should still get a very early PAT. The difference in boarding #'s won't be much once they start boarding it goes very fast.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

if you book two rooms for one family they should all get the same perks as the lead on the reservation.

I believe if OP was booked in one room (with minor, under 18, kids) and his wife was in a second room (with minor, under 18, kids) both rooms would be able to check in together. In that case - it's a nuclear family occupying two rooms.

Since, generally, each room is it's own reservation, the perks are applied based on the highest CC level in each room. In this case, all rooms seem to be filled with adult people, so no extended perks to those rooms that aren't Platinum.

 

[MUN]

I am a newly minted platinum member with two upcoming cruises booked.

For each cruise, I have two adjoining cabins.

I just learned that the people in the adjoining cabins can not check on using the platinum check-in, because they are not platinum members.

In one case, it is my wife and daughter (both gold status) who are staying in the adjacent cabin. In the other case, it is my son's girlfriend. In each case, I paid the full price for everyone traveling.

This seems like a very odd customer service experience. I am having to forgo my platinum privileges to check in with the other members of my party.

The only remedy would be for me to consolidate my parties into one cabin. This seems like it would be a bad outcome for both me and Disney.

Very strange indeed.

Did you complain to DCL?

 

[cedricandsophie]

We usually have two or three rooms amongst our family. Since 4 of us are platinum, our travel agent just moves people around to make sure there is a platinum booked in each room, even though they may nOT actually sleep in said room. We get room keys for the right rooms when we get onboard. That way ea h room gets a platinum gift, a free bottle of wine, and a free dinner in palo for the adults. And we can all get early access to excursions and palo reservations.

 

[jane01jp]

Let me give explicit details.

1. Yes. I have complained to Disney, both by phone, and by e-mail.

2. They have had little chance to respond, since I just complained today.

3. Booking details:

Upcoming cruise 1 (12/12/15 Fantasy):

Cabin 1 - me (age 54) and my 19 year-old son. I am platinum, he is gold.

Cabin 2 - my son's 19-year old girlfriend. She had not cruised with Disney.

We will all have to use the regular check in. We cannot even use Castaway Club check in for her. We could have all stayed in one cabin, but it would have been awkward.

Upcoming cruise 2 (6/29/16 Magic):

Cabin one - me and my now 20 year old son. He will still be gold.

Cabin two - my wife and my 17 year-old daughter. Both are gold.

We are a nuclear family, and we are not all adults.

Our only option, if we wish to check in together, is to do it as gold members. Alternatively, we can cancel one of the cabins and all check in under platinum.

 

[vinotinto]

OK, really stupid question from someone who is not a regular DCL cruiser (only silver). What are you losing when you don't check in as platinum? Are you trying to get a cabana?

 

[jane01jp]

Early boarding time.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

OK, really stupid question from someone who is not a regular DCL cruiser (only silver). What are you losing when you don't check in as platinum? Are you trying to get a cabana?

Platinum gets to board right after Concierge. No boarding number necessary. Also, the line at Concierge/Platinum check in is usually shorter, so could board sooner. Other rooms (non-platinum level) would be assigned a boarding number, based on their PAT.

I'll just point out that often the "regular" (first timer) check in line is shorter/quicker than the Castaway Club line.

 

[vinotinto]

Ah, OK. I thought it had something to do with online check in. Thanks for explaining.

I guess it depends on the cruise, but our first cruise on DCL we had a 10:30 PAT and were on the ship not too long after they announced concierge. They called out the numbers very quickly. It seemed to me the biggest difference was in terms of getting to the port (on your own vs a shuttle) and how long you are willing to wait, as opposed to arriving after they are calling in numbers (which is what we did on the second cruise).

 

[kollerbear]

That seems odd. I would expect them to handle it the way that they handle status on airlines. As long as the reservations are together and especially if they are all paid for by the member with the higher status, you are still entitled the perks associated with that status. I travel with my dad who has very high status on AA and we always are able to use his perks even though he's usually flying coach with us when that happens. This is a very odd thing--kind of poor show honestly--and I'm surprised that with their level of customer service they do this.

 

[Weedy]

I understand that you are upset but it really won't be that bad. When you check in as Platinum/Concierge there are only 3 check in stations. Last time we checked in every one was having an issue and it took forever to check in. It would have been faster to go to the regular line. Always my luck. We still had plenty of time before they started calling for boarding. Also I don't think it would be a problem with you using one of the Castaway club stations but the lines for the regular check in are usually shorter (once again at Port Canaveral)
Also when you board you still have to go through the regular que (at Port Canaveral) your don't get to go through the Concierge entrance.
As you know Concierge and Platinum usually get boarding #1 and sometimes #2. If you pick your PAT on the 1st day you should get one of the first PAT's and will get a boarding # of 2 or 3. It will just be 10-20 minutes later.

Dont let it get you down you'll still have two great cruises.

 

[Bdunn]

This is not a big problem. We are talking minutes lost, not hours.

 

[texas disney mom]

Tangent- how did you get sons girlfriend in cabin by herselfb if 19? They would not let us book our 19 year old without an over 21 (although they told us we could switch once on board)..
2. You could switch son to girlfriends cabin so you would at least have gold. Even if he does not actually stay in thst cabin.
3. Seems like they dont give you much with platinum anyway?

 

[Justacruiser]

This is very easy. there are 4 of you. You get your boarding number #1 and they can get there time. When it's time to go, you lead the way with your #1 and tell the folks they are in your party. They will let everyone go. Seriously don't worry about it. Just use your #1 slip. They won't even question you. There are another 2500 folks behind you wanting to get on. Don't stress. IMHO only.

 

[darkwing818]

Early boarding time.

All of this just for an Earlier Boarding Time??

 

[PrincessShmoo]

All of this just for an Earlier Boarding Time??

Apparently.