Calling all Elite Cruisers for the Carnival Sunshine Oct 4, 2014

The countdown begins...only 7 days to cruising. So excited for this cruise. It will be our first experience for a Elite cruise or premier cruise. Who else is going with us. Sure hope I win one of the snowball draws. Looking to have a great time and a well deserved break from work.

I will be there also, can't wait seems like it has taken forever to get here. Are you staying in Florida the night before? My sister and I will be in Florida on Friday staying at the Radisson and they are picking us up there Saturday morning to go to the port.

We fly in 2 days before and we are staying in Orlando. We are getting picked up in Orlando. So excited for this cruise. We will see you at the port. We are getting picked up at 9 30.

I'll be there too and can't wait! Due to my work schedule I have to fly in the morning of the cruise. A little stressed over the timing but I do have a direct flight from Nashville arriving at MCO at 9:50. The car service they are providing from the airport to the ship was a really welcomed benefit of this cruise. See everybody soon.

I'll be there too.

Staying at LaQuinta Friday night

I am here sitting at work, trying very hard to get into to my job but it is becoming difficult to keep my mind on work when in three sleeps I will be on vacation and in 5 sleeps on the wonderful Carnival Sunshine enjoying 8 days of relaxation.

How did you guys get this offer? Was it thru a land based casino or another random Carnival promo?

I am UBER jealous!!!

TIA

How did you guys get this offer? Was it thru a land based casino or another random Carnival promo?

 

I am UBER jealous!!!

 

TIA

It was a carnival promo

My daughter and I are also going. My daughter is flying in Thursday from North Dakota. We will spend Friday doing the ladies thing such as mani pedis and a little shopping. I live 2 hr 20 min from port so we are driving there and parking at the port (which is paid for by the promo). I have been on a number of premier cruises but I think this one will top them all. Really excited (and I just got off the Glory 9/13). See you all in the casino Sat for our Elite luncheon.

My daughter and I are also going. My daughter is flying in Thursday from North Dakota. We will spend Friday doing the ladies thing such as mani pedis and a little shopping. I live 2 hr 20 min from port so we are driving there and parking at the port (which is paid for by the promo). I have been on a number of premier cruises but I think this one will top them all. Really excited (and I just got off the Glory 9/13). See you all in the casino Sat for our Elite luncheon.

Enjoy your Elite cruise. I wish I was going. Got the offer, but by the time I called it was filled. And I called the day after I got the email. But I did receive the Ultra offer and called immediatlely and booked that. Enjoy!

Enjoy your day with your daughter, and see you on the cruise. It is October 1, just three more sleeps to our cruise. We are heading to Orlando tomorrow, and Friday will be a day of shopping for us. Hope to meet on the cruise.

I just finished packing. We will be leaving Friday morning. Parking at the port.

See everyone on board. and safe travels to all.

I'm hoping that someone who was on this cruise will come back and post of their experiences:D..

I would love to hear all of the details....PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE:confused:

I had a fantastic time on this cruise. I am going to just go over the highlights of the casino perks and casino experience here to answer the question that was posed rather than do a big, full cruise review.

I flew into Orlando airport from Nashville on the the morning of the cruise. The day before I had an email from the executive casino host Lillian with the details of my car service pick up at the airport. (One of the perks of the cruise was either car pick up at the airport or nearby hotel or comp back for parking at the port.)

Arrived in Orlando and my driver was waiting for me at the end of the escalator at baggage claim. Once we had my bag, it was off in a Lincoln Town Car for the 45 minute ride to port. Arrived at Port Canaveral around 11:30. My mom, dad and sister were also on the cruise. My sister (who lives in Davenport Florida) was my guest and was waiting for me at the entrance to security. She drove my parents (mom is the "player" and dad her guest in that duo) to the port and they parked at the port. Mom had to pay for the parking there on arrival, but once on board, the casino cage took her parking receipt and gave her this money back in cash. Once I met sis, we headed through the Priority Security check point and then into the Priority lounge. After about a 5 minute wait, we were called for our pictures for our sail and sign cards and I got my first happy surprise. This Elite cruise included platinum benefits for anyone on it. This was just my 8th cruise overall so I am still gold. I had expected they'd just give me a gold card with a FTTF sticker so I'd have access to the priority VIFP service line, but no, I actually had a real platinum card with all the platinum benefits including laundry, the platinum gift (the toiletries bag) and buy one get one free slot tournament entry. After getting the card, we were given a priority boarding zone pass and sent upstairs to wait about another 5 minutes before we boarded.

Once on boarded we arrived at our ocean view suite to find our first of daily gifts from the casino. The casino had left me 2 6 packs of coca cola and 2 giant bottles of water. My mom and dad had waiting for them in their cabin the 2 bottles of water and a fifth of whiskey. They had asked us by email a few weeks before what our drink of choice was and that was what we had each told them. Through out the week, we would get a gift every day. I forgot to write them all down, but I know we got a plate of cookies one day, chocolate covered strawberries another, a bottle of Proseco, 2 more big bottles of water, and on the 7th day a beautiful set of bath towels with the Carnival Player's Club Elite Casino cruise logo on them.

At 5 o'clock on embarkation night, they had a cocktail party in the comedy club for the elite players with lots of free drinks and free appetizers. We met our Elite casino cruise hosts, Carlos and Lillian and were introduced to the main Sunshine Casino staff as well including Host Maria, Manager Christopher, and slot manager Alexander. Here we also got the big "Announcement." While the cruise included the "drinks on us" card for free drinks in the casino, they also let us know that at then end of the week, the casino was going to go back and comp all by the drink alcoholic and non alcoholic beverage purchases made anywhere on the ship by the elite casino player and his or her guest. While I don't drink a lot, this wound up being a huge thing for my sister who practically lived at the Alchemy Bar all week LOL. She walked off the ship with a 53.00 sail and sign bill which was only for a few small items she bought in the gift shop on board. Without this comp, I think her bill would have been over 900.00. They also told us at the cocktail party that the only times the casino would be closed all cruise was while we were docked in the ports of Aruba and Curacao. The casino stayed open in Grand Turk.

They also did the first of many drawings of the week at the cocktail party. At this one, they drew for a stay in the captain's suite for this 8 day cruise. Through out the week, there were at least 2 daily drawings and you had to be present to win. One every day was a snow ball raffle for cash. If the winner was not present, it increased in value to the next day by a large amount. If they were present, it still increased in value, but not by as much to the next day. At other drawings through out the week (usually the one they did at 11:30 PM each night) , if they picked your name, they were for games like "casino pong" where you tossed ping pong balls at bags with cash in them and a deal or no deal game that the cruise director Jamie Dee actually came down to the casino to host. The very last drawing of the cruise, the gave away a voucher for a free 8 day cruise in a grand suite with elite casino cruise perks on any ship that was valid for one year.

Every night of the cruise except the first night they took 24 people from the big group to dinner at the steak house. 6 players and their guest would eat with either Lillian or Carlos at 6:15 and then 6 more players and their guests went with the other host at 8:15. My parents were selected on night 3 while my sister and I got to go the last night. In addition to the meal, they served us lots of wine with dinner including starting the whole thing off with a Dom Perignon toast.

They also hosted a special slot tournament for the casino players on the last sea day. If you acquired 2000 points at the slots or tables through out the week, you qualified to play in this. If you made the finals, all 9 players got something. 9, 8 and 7th places got 50.00. 6th and 5th got 100. 4th got 175.00. 3rd 250. 2nd 400.00. And if you won, you got an a free 8 day cruise in a balcony cabin.

One other perks of the cruise were that if you used your credit card directly at the casino cage to get cash or used your sail and sign card to charge at the tables, they refunded the 3.5% transaction fee for that. Some body also said, if you used the ATM machines on board, if you took your slip to the cage, they gave you back that 6.00 transaction fee, but as I never used the ATM, I don't know about that for absolute certain.

The cruise also included a free shore excursion for you and your guest, up to 100 per person. My sis and I chose to do the North Coast jeep safari in Aruba. A lot of people in the elite cruise picked this one and as a result, the entire casino staff actually went with us on this excursion!. This was a lot of fun hanging out with them off the ship and I got a great picture of Lillian feeding the ostrich at the ostrich farm which was part of the tour. I can't say enough about what wonderful ladies Lillian and Maria are btw. I left the ship feeling like I left 2 good friends behind and I really hope I get to sail with them both again soon.

Carols is also an awesome guy. My sister and I ate with him at the steak house the last night and I really enjoyed talking to him. Then only bad thing that happened all week unfortunately took place at this dinner. A few hours before dinner, they made a ship wide "bright star" announcement for a medical emergency. While we were at dinner, Carlos got a call on his cell. So sadly, the emergency had been one of the elite players who tragically passed away. Carlos had to excuse himself, understandably, but what really touched me is that he was truly hurting that we had lost one of our group. He was crying when he had to come back and tell us why he had to leave early and I realized that he as well as Lillian and the others really care on a personal level about their players. They made such an effort all week not just to spoil us so we would gamble more, but also to get to know us.

I know I am probably forgetting some other small details about perks, etc. but I guess the most important thing I want to end with is that this was my best cruise ever. I wasn't a big winner gambling wise and, in fact, left the ship with a lot less money than I got on board with, but I had such an amazing time. At the end of the 8 days, I came close to having lost what I would have spent for 2 people in an ocean view suite for 8 days plus alcohol--so I guess that means I came out even right LOL. Lillian and Carlos along with Maria and Christopher of the Sunshine Casino are such wonderful, fun people. They gave us an amazing week!

Very last thing, if the family of the person who passed ever wanders across my post here, please know you are still in my thoughts and prayers. I am so very sorry for your loss and if there is anything I can ever do for you, please let me know.

Sounds like you had a really amazing cruise.

Thank you for your kind words and posting this. I will update later, but my husband is only arriving back in Nova scotia today. I have a rough time ahead, but I just wanted you to know that Carnival Casino Team and Care Team are excellent, I would not have been able to get through this without their help. THANK YOU CARNIVAL, CARLOS AND LILLIAN.

I had a fantastic time on this cruise. I am going to just go over the highlights of the casino perks and casino experience here to answer the question that was posed rather than do a big, full cruise review.

 

I flew into Orlando airport from Nashville on the the morning of the cruise. The day before I had an email from the executive casino host Lillian with the details of my car service pick up at the airport. (One of the perks of the cruise was either car pick up at the airport or nearby hotel or comp back for parking at the port.)

 

Arrived in Orlando and my driver was waiting for me at the end of the escalator at baggage claim. Once we had my bag, it was off in a Lincoln Town Car for the 45 minute ride to port. Arrived at Port Canaveral around 11:30. My mom, dad and sister were also on the cruise. My sister (who lives in Davenport Florida) was my guest and was waiting for me at the entrance to security. She drove my parents (mom is the "player" and dad her guest in that duo) to the port and they parked at the port. Mom had to pay for the parking there on arrival, but once on board, the casino cage took her parking receipt and gave her this money back in cash. Once I met sis, we headed through the Priority Security check point and then into the Priority lounge. After about a 5 minute wait, we were called for our pictures for our sail and sign cards and I got my first happy surprise. This Elite cruise included platinum benefits for anyone on it. This was just my 8th cruise overall so I am still gold. I had expected they'd just give me a gold card with a FTTF sticker so I'd have access to the priority VIFP service line, but no, I actually had a real platinum card with all the platinum benefits including laundry, the platinum gift (the toiletries bag) and buy one get one free slot tournament entry. After getting the card, we were given a priority boarding zone pass and sent upstairs to wait about another 5 minutes before we boarded.

 

Once on boarded we arrived at our ocean view suite to find our first of daily gifts from the casino. The casino had left me 2 6 packs of coca cola and 2 giant bottles of water. My mom and dad had waiting for them in their cabin the 2 bottles of water and a fifth of whiskey. They had asked us by email a few weeks before what our drink of choice was and that was what we had each told them. Through out the week, we would get a gift every day. I forgot to write them all down, but I know we got a plate of cookies one day, chocolate covered strawberries another, a bottle of Proseco, 2 more big bottles of water, and on the 7th day a beautiful set of bath towels with the Carnival Player's Club Elite Casino cruise logo on them.

 

At 5 o'clock on embarkation night, they had a cocktail party in the comedy club for the elite players with lots of free drinks and free appetizers. We met our Elite casino cruise hosts, Carlos and Lillian and were introduced to the main Sunshine Casino staff as well including Host Maria, Manager Christopher, and slot manager Alexander. Here we also got the big "Announcement." While the cruise included the "drinks on us" card for free drinks in the casino, they also let us know that at then end of the week, the casino was going to go back and comp all by the drink alcoholic and non alcoholic beverage purchases made anywhere on the ship by the elite casino player and his or her guest. While I don't drink a lot, this wound up being a huge thing for my sister who practically lived at the Alchemy Bar all week LOL. She walked off the ship with a 53.00 sail and sign bill which was only for a few small items she bought in the gift shop on board. Without this comp, I think her bill would have been over 900.00. They also told us at the cocktail party that the only times the casino would be closed all cruise was while we were docked in the ports of Aruba and Curacao. The casino stayed open in Grand Turk.

 

They also did the first of many drawings of the week at the cocktail party. At this one, they drew for a stay in the captain's suite for this 8 day cruise. Through out the week, there were at least 2 daily drawings and you had to be present to win. One every day was a snow ball raffle for cash. If the winner was not present, it increased in value to the next day by a large amount. If they were present, it still increased in value, but not by as much to the next day. At other drawings through out the week (usually the one they did at 11:30 PM each night) , if they picked your name, they were for games like "casino pong" where you tossed ping pong balls at bags with cash in them and a deal or no deal game that the cruise director Jamie Dee actually came down to the casino to host. The very last drawing of the cruise, the gave away a voucher for a free 8 day cruise in a grand suite with elite casino cruise perks on any ship that was valid for one year.

 

Every night of the cruise except the first night they took 24 people from the big group to dinner at the steak house. 6 players and their guest would eat with either Lillian or Carlos at 6:15 and then 6 more players and their guests went with the other host at 8:15. My parents were selected on night 3 while my sister and I got to go the last night. In addition to the meal, they served us lots of wine with dinner including starting the whole thing off with a Dom Perignon toast.

 

They also hosted a special slot tournament for the casino players on the last sea day. If you acquired 2000 points at the slots or tables through out the week, you qualified to play in this. If you made the finals, all 9 players got something. 9, 8 and 7th places got 50.00. 6th and 5th got 100. 4th got 175.00. 3rd 250. 2nd 400.00. And if you won, you got an a free 8 day cruise in a balcony cabin.

 

One other perks of the cruise were that if you used your credit card directly at the casino cage to get cash or used your sail and sign card to charge at the tables, they refunded the 3.5% transaction fee for that. Some body also said, if you used the ATM machines on board, if you took your slip to the cage, they gave you back that 6.00 transaction fee, but as I never used the ATM, I don't know about that for absolute certain.

 

The cruise also included a free shore excursion for you and your guest, up to 100 per person. My sis and I chose to do the North Coast jeep safari in Aruba. A lot of people in the elite cruise picked this one and as a result, the entire casino staff actually went with us on this excursion!. This was a lot of fun hanging out with them off the ship and I got a great picture of Lillian feeding the ostrich at the ostrich farm which was part of the tour. I can't say enough about what wonderful ladies Lillian and Maria are btw. I left the ship feeling like I left 2 good friends behind and I really hope I get to sail with them both again soon.

 

Carols is also an awesome guy. My sister and I ate with him at the steak house the last night and I really enjoyed talking to him. Then only bad thing that happened all week unfortunately took place at this dinner. A few hours before dinner, they made a ship wide "bright star" announcement for a medical emergency. While we were at dinner, Carlos got a call on his cell. So sadly, the emergency had been one of the elite players who tragically passed away. Carlos had to excuse himself, understandably, but what really touched me is that he was truly hurting that we had lost one of our group. He was crying when he had to come back and tell us why he had to leave early and I realized that he as well as Lillian and the others really care on a personal level about their players. They made such an effort all week not just to spoil us so we would gamble more, but also to get to know us.

 

 

I know I am probably forgetting some other small details about perks, etc. but I guess the most important thing I want to end with is that this was my best cruise ever. I wasn't a big winner gambling wise and, in fact, left the ship with a lot less money than I got on board with, but I had such an amazing time. At the end of the 8 days, I came close to having lost what I would have spent for 2 people in an ocean view suite for 8 days plus alcohol--so I guess that means I came out even right LOL. Lillian and Carlos along with Maria and Christopher of the Sunshine Casino are such wonderful, fun people. They gave us an amazing week!

 

Very last thing, if the family of the person who passed ever wanders across my post here, please know you are still in my thoughts and prayers. I am so very sorry for your loss and if there is anything I can ever do for you, please let me know.

Hello,

Just wondering how to get invitation to Elite? What did you play slots or table? What did you bet per hand?

Or its by points? Could you pls give this info if its possible?

Thank you :)

Thx for your great post on the perks n comps etc

I'd also like to know at what point level do you reach Elite??

We were cruising with Carnival quite a bit and they started sending me mail with discounted cruises and best so far was $1,000 cash from the casino and treats and wine sent to the cabin each day

We aren't whales but I gamble each day on a cruise between 8-10 hours approx

And avg $50 a bet on BJ or 3 card poker

Ncl then started giving us Free cruises and the free Drinks on us card so we switched and have been sailing with them BUT......

After my upcoming March NCL Cruise if they don't keep a proper track of my play etc like what happened on my last cruise w them I'm jumping back to Carnival 👍👍

I'm Sorry as well for the guest that passed on the cruise you were on and my condolences go to the family