Returning Guests Complimentary Cocktail Party

We usually go to the ones on Carnival (the only ones we are eligible for) because it is fun to meet others who have sailed as much as we have. In years past, they collected the invitations and drew a winner... usually a dinner for two at the steak house. They have stopped doing that and now have a contest to see if you know the different ships by sight with no words on them, officer ranks and some other trivia about Carnival. Neither of us do very well at these and the prize is a bottle of "champagne" or something similar. They also usually announce the person on board with the most days on board... we are never close. So if nothing else intrigues us for the time frame, we go.

Oh2beCrusing, I took a three year cruise hiatus at gold on Carnival headed to diamond, only to find so many things had changed! Bummer, the cruise coupon should be able to be redeemed anytime will at sea.

You know, I used to have the "why bother attitude" with this party/reception but our last 2 cruises were 2 weeks and each and I told myself that I needed to get out there and do as much as possible given we had so much time. So, yes we did go to the returning guests reception on HA. They served champagne and very tasty appetizers. She chatted with some nice people and had a very nice 1/2 hour. If you have the time, why not?

We are platinum, and we dont flount our status. We keep our cards in our pocket and not wear them on a lanyard "advertising". The appreciation cocktail party is for both platinum and diamond guests.They included gold, but there is so many gold, there is no room for the party to be held, and not everyone could get a drink, thus cutting out the gold. Last party we attended, there were many platinum guests, so if that continues, only diamond will have the party. We probably wont see diamond as we been on most of the carnival ships and it tends to get boring riding on the ship 3 or 4 times. Last party we were invited to go was on Vista, we passed. Same ole stuff, big crowds, video of all Carnival ships, captain saying he is glad we stayed with Carnival (blah, blah, blah). We like the free drink and water and chocolate covered strawberries, and priority getting on and off, the party is on the bottom list for us. It is good, but we wont cry if we miss it or do away with our level.

Sorry to hear that. I like to travel on different cruiselines, too. It is fun to compare the different cruiselines. They are more alike than different, I think. One of these years you will get invited, I'm sure.

All it means is they dropped more money with the cruise line. I prefer to cruise on different cruise lines instead of concentrating on just one. By over the years I move up anyway on the various lines. Just a factor of age now.

I was disappointed that they changed their policy. I know how I felt when they didn't have previous cruises of mine in their computers which didn't allow me to go to their cocktail party. I finally talked my way into it anyway but I still remember feeling the disappointment. Most passengers look forward to it as I do.

Carnival gets so many repeat passengers that they have run out of room to entertain them all at the same time. It is too bad that they had to eliminate some of them from the event.

RDrebel, in the old days you would get invited on your second cruise with the line on RCL. Carnival now only does it for platinum members. It was a fun pre-dinner cocktail party on formal night. Fun to be out since everybody was all dressed up. On one transatlantic cruise our cabin neighbor (a European lady) ran into us at the repeaters party on formal night and said "wow you guys clean up well, Im surprised that Americans dress up" LOL she had only scene us in jeans and shorts up till then and was surprised I was in my Tux and the kid was in a Suit and tie.

The repeaters cocktail party was part of what used to make cruising elegant, back in the day with no jeans allowed in the MDR at dinner.

I've never been to one, nor have I ever been invited.

(Too few cruises per line)