Venting - "free cruises" are out there again

I'm happy for people who score free cruises . . . but why not me? I'm a loyal customer, I'm platinum, I spent some money in the casino and shops. . . . I keep reading on here and in real life hear of people getting free cruises, for example: a woman I know went on a "free" 8 day cruise on the Splendor in August. Tonight I learned she scored another "free" cruise, this one 8 days out of Florida in March. Of course "free" means pay $100, get $100 credit and pay taxes and port charges - still a great deal. For the past several months I've checked my VIFP status multiple times a day for offers - none. Then a few weeks ago there was a ridiculous offer of a $25 with $25 credit 2 days cruise originating in California. Absolutely not worth the air fare and time to travel across the country for a short 2 day cruise. Great for people living in that area, but from the East, no way. Apparently Carnival threw out a few crumbs to some of of Platinum cruisers. Not appreciated by me at all - why can't I get a "free" cruise like so many others are getting?

You win some; you lose some.

I'm happy for people who score free cruises . . . but why not me? I'm a loyal customer, I'm platinum, I spent some money in the casino and shops. . . . I keep reading on here and in real life hear of people getting free cruises, for example: a woman I know went on a "free" 8 day cruise on the Splendor in August. Tonight I learned she scored another "free" cruise, this one 8 days out of Florida in March. Of course "free" means pay $100, get $100 credit and pay taxes and port charges - still a great deal. For the past several months I've checked my VIFP status multiple times a day for offers - none. Then a few weeks ago there was a ridiculous offer of a $25 with $25 credit 2 days cruise originating in California. Absolutely not worth the air fare and time to travel across the country for a short 2 day cruise. Great for people living in that area, but from the East, no way. Apparently Carnival threw out a few crumbs to some of of Platinum cruisers. Not appreciated by me at all - why can't I get a "free" cruise like so many others are getting?

The free cruises are based on a combination of spend and time in casino. You need to bet X for Y hours a day to be considered. If you go into the casino and play one hand for $5,000 and never go back they prob won't give you anything. But if you play 3-4 hours a night for $25-50 a hand odds are at the end they'll give you something.

The free cruises are based on a combination of spend and time in casino. You need to bet X for Y hours a day to be considered. If you go into the casino and play one hand for $5,000 and never go back they prob won't give you anything. But if you play 3-4 hours a night for $25-50 a hand odds are at the end they'll give you something.

Not all free cruise offers are coming from the casino. Some are from loyalty recognition and others are targeted based on qualifications nobody at Cruise Critic could tell you. Some are completely complimentary requiring only taxes and fees to be paid, whereas others offer a full reimbursement of your cruise fare in the form of onboard credit.

Not all free cruise offers are coming from the casino. Some are from loyalty recognition and others are targeted based on qualifications nobody at Cruise Critic could tell you. Some are completely complimentary requiring only taxes and fees to be paid, whereas others offer a full reimbursement of your cruise fare in the form of onboard credit.

you are correct-- however the majority of them appear to be casino driven.

The free cruises are based on a combination of spend and time in casino. You need to bet X for Y hours a day to be considered. If you go into the casino and play one hand for $5,000 and never go back they prob won't give you anything. But if you play 3-4 hours a night for $25-50 a hand odds are at the end they'll give you something.

NOT TRUE! We were offered a free cruise last spring. We NEVER go to the casino and our onboard spending is minimal,(under $70). There has been a lot of speculation on who is choosen with NO solid explaination. Luck of the draw I guess.

you are correct-- however the majority of them appear to be casino driven.

May I remind you of the continuous waves of free cruises earlier this year and last where it seemed as if every member here received an offer?

Ocean Players Club offering consistent free cruises for casino spend has been introduced very recently. Other cruise lines, such as Norwegian, have been offering free cruises for casino spend much longer than the once rare offer from Carnival. The commonality, I haven't a clue as I haven't sailed with Norwegian. However, reading posts on their boards, it seemed to happen quite frequently when I considered trying their brand.

I remember reading A LOT more posts about the random waves of free cruises than free casino cruises.

We have gotten "casino offers" with onboard credit. But, no where near free.

My spouse got a free offer for October.......pay 100 get 100 OBC. I can assure you this had NOTHING to do with casino play. He does play but not on the scale that I do..........and he doesn't lose on the scale I do. It wasn't a good time and was offered to late for us to take advantage of. Maybe next time, IF there is a next time.

We have gotten "casino offers" with onboard credit. But, no where near free.

 

My spouse got a free offer for October.......pay 100 get 100 OBC. I can assure you this had NOTHING to do with casino play. He does play but not on the scale that I do..........and he doesn't lose on the scale I do. It wasn't a good time and was offered to late for us to take advantage of. Maybe next time, IF there is a next time.

The 100/100 offer was first received from a Platinum/Diamond targeted promotional rate.

Just off a cruise Saturday. Played about 4 hours a day with an $18 min bet and got a free cruise letter on the last day. Don't really know the formal but wanted to share what worked for me.

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I'm pretty new to cruising, and I don't expect a free cruise. (I'm never that lucky) but, I have to say when I hear of some people getting two or three free cruises it does tick me off a bit....

Not a casino offer--

Few weeks ago Carnival dropped some cruise fares for Diamond/Platinum.

$25/IS and $35/OV with $25 OBC + port fees and taxes.

Going on the Imagination next week.

Last year we got the free cabin offer and booked an extended balcony on the Legend for only taxes/fees. My wife plays penny slots so we are not big spenders. Recently received another casino offer which was not as good and booked an extended balcony on the Pride for $500.00 with $100.00 OBC. Still can't figure how they decide who gets these offers but certainly am happy whenever one shows up.

Casino offers are based on play in the casino. Must spent some time each day in the casino doesn't matter if you are winning or losing only that you are playing. They do offer some Free cruises based on other things like if you haven't cruised in a few years they try to get you back so you will start up again. These offers are only on non peak times and if the cruise isn't filling up on bookings.

I'm happy for people who score free cruises . . . but why not me? I'm a loyal customer, I'm platinum, I spent some money in the casino and shops. . . . I keep reading on here and in real life hear of people getting free cruises, for example: a woman I know went on a "free" 8 day cruise on the Splendor in August. Tonight I learned she scored another "free" cruise, this one 8 days out of Florida in March. Of course "free" means pay $100, get $100 credit and pay taxes and port charges - still a great deal. For the past several months I've checked my VIFP status multiple times a day for offers - none. Then a few weeks ago there was a ridiculous offer of a $25 with $25 credit 2 days cruise originating in California. Absolutely not worth the air fare and time to travel across the country for a short 2 day cruise. Great for people living in that area, but from the East, no way. Apparently Carnival threw out a few crumbs to some of of Platinum cruisers. Not appreciated by me at all - why can't I get a "free" cruise like so many others are getting?

Hello , I do not know what to tell you ! this has frustrated me for years. I have been cruising on Carnival for years . I take one a year at least and am a Platinum cruiser. I am a big gambler and spend between $2-4000 per cruise in the casino. I am in there for probably min of 6 hours a day and average $20 per hand . I have only ever gotten casino offers which are never that great . You hear people on here saying they only gamble $100 a day and they are getting free cruises . Then there are the ones that say they havent cruised in years and are getting free cruises . And my favorite, The ones who only spend min on the cruise at all and get them . So I dont know what to tell you but YES !! it is very frustrating and there is no rhyme or reason to how they do it which makes it even worse especially being such a loyal cruiser. If you call you get every excuse in the book from them . They tell you a different story every time . Some people are just lucky I guess!! Thats what I rack it up to ! Still waiting for my freebie . I will keep looking and hoping :)

The 100/100 offer was first received from a Platinum/Diamond targeted promotional rate.

The 100/100 I've been getting WERE casino offers - had nothing to do with my being Platinum. Now the 50/50 on the small 2 day cruises mentioned in an earlier post was a loyalty type offer. As far as I know the vast majority of "free" cruises are from the casino. Even the ones offerred to those who haven't cruised in a few years - my niece got one of those offers, but it was from the Players Club.

I'm Platinum and was never offerred that type of promotional rate. So ... not saying it never happens, but if all those getting the 100/100 OBC look at their offers, I've got a feeling that they will see that it's from the Casino - either the Players Club or a casino host.

I'm happy for people who score free cruises . . . but why not me? I'm a loyal customer, I'm platinum, I spent some money in the casino and shops. . . . I keep reading on here and in real life hear of people getting free cruises, for example: a woman I know went on a "free" 8 day cruise on the Splendor in August. Tonight I learned she scored another "free" cruise, this one 8 days out of Florida in March. Of course "free" means pay $100, get $100 credit and pay taxes and port charges - still a great deal. For the past several months I've checked my VIFP status multiple times a day for offers - none. Then a few weeks ago there was a ridiculous offer of a $25 with $25 credit 2 days cruise originating in California. Absolutely not worth the air fare and time to travel across the country for a short 2 day cruise. Great for people living in that area, but from the East, no way. Apparently Carnival threw out a few crumbs to some of of Platinum cruisers. Not appreciated by me at all - why can't I get a "free" cruise like so many others are getting?

I understand your frustration, but hang in there. It took me 35 cruises before I got an offer, which I used on the Splendor repo. Another long time poster here, and a long time Carnival cruiser, just got her first offer, which she is using to do a B2B on the Liberty next month. Keep checking your offers, and maybe one day it will be your turn.

The 100/100 I've been getting WERE casino offers - had nothing to do with my being Platinum. Now the 50/50 on the small 2 day cruises mentioned in an earlier post was a loyalty type offer. As far as I know the vast majority of "free" cruises are from the casino. Even the ones offerred to those who haven't cruised in a few years - my niece got one of those offers, but it was from the Players Club.

 

I'm Platinum and was never offerred that type of promotional rate. So ... not saying it never happens, but if all those getting the 100/100 OBC look at their offers, I've got a feeling that they will see that it's from the Casino - either the Players Club or a casino host.

Umm... the very first 100/100 offer came from the Diamond/Platinum offer. If you read the post correctly, you would know it stated the word "first." It was originally only offered to Diamonds, but later opened to most Platinum guests when available capacity was still usually high.

Edit: As you can see, it was not from the casino.

It is frustrating when the "I don't cruise often and spend almost no time in the casino" people come to brag about getting free offers.

I'm just back from my first Premier Casino cruise (my 21st Carnival cruise). In the past, I only played slots. This time, I played Roulette more than the slots.

On the last night, everyone was talking about getting the free cruise offer delivered to their cabin. Not me!

And my cruise wasn't close to being free (I was solo so got to pay 200%). Yes, the cash was nice and the free drinks. Yes, I booked at a discounted rate. And I had a good time. I got three new ports to visit.

What I don't like is not knowing what point level I was at when it was over. With slots only, you can see your points. I wasn't putting $25 chips on a dozen numbers, but I did play several hours every evening. So how do I know whether I was close to spending whatever seemingly-arbitrating point level is needed to receive decent/free offers?

Honestly, if I had $2000-$5000 to drop in the casino on a cruise, I wouldn't be sailing Carnival. I'd use that money to sail something more upscale and spend my time on board doing other things than sitting in the casino! :p

I have been on one Carnival cruise. Before cruising, I filled out the online registration including the section that asks about cruising history and household income.

We cruise 1-3 times a year or take land based vacations.

On our cruise, we didn't gamble, drink, or buy photos. We did book several excursions.

Within one week of returning home, we did get a call offering us a free Carnival cruise. We turned it down.

My only explanation is that we perhaps belong to a demographic that Carnival Cruise Lines would like to attract and have become a regular customer.

I have never even been offered a special sale. I have told myself that Carnival would be stupid to offer me a free cruise when I never spend more than $10 on board and have only once booked a Carnival excursion. But, I was secretly hoping I would be rewarded after I booked with friends who have never sailed Carnival before, or Carnival would notice we haven't booked a big family cruise yet for this winter/spring. Still nothing. Beyond the enticements for casino spenders, "free" cruise offers seem pretty random. No matter what, their purpose must be to increase revenue, not reward loyal customers, so I'm not taking it personally.

Do these free cruise offers come through your VIFP or do you get phone calls. I get calls occasionally saying I've won a free cruise and I just hang up since I don't think anything is really free. Gee maybe I should listen more closely.

Do these free cruise offers come through your VIFP or do you get phone calls. I get calls occasionally saying I've won a free cruise and I just hang up since I don't think anything is really free. Gee maybe I should listen more closely.

VIFP offers, phone calls, email and snail mail. However, any eligibility will display in your VIFP offers, regardless of the method of communication they attempt to use.

My offer came through a PCP at Carnival.

My husband and I thought maybe the reasoning was that since we do cruise frequently, and had now tried Carnival, if they could entice us back on board, we might become regular Carnival cruisers.

Hello , I do not know what to tell you ! this has frustrated me for years. I have been cruising on Carnival for years . I take one a year at least and am a Platinum cruiser. I am a big gambler and spend between $2-4000 per cruise in the casino. I am in there for probably min of 6 hours a day and average $20 per hand . I have only ever gotten casino offers which are never that great . You hear people on here saying they only gamble $100 a day and they are getting free cruises . Then there are the ones that say they havent cruised in years and are getting free cruises . And my favorite, The ones who only spend min on the cruise at all and get them . So I dont know what to tell you but YES !! it is very frustrating and there is no rhyme or reason to how they do it which makes it even worse especially being such a loyal cruiser. If you call you get every excuse in the book from them . They tell you a different story every time . Some people are just lucky I guess!! Thats what I rack it up to ! Still waiting for my freebie . I will keep looking and hoping :)

Well stated, hockeymom. There indeed does not seem to be any rhyme or reason to who Carnival bestows free cruise benefits on. I certainly understand that some very loyal, deserving Carnival customers are not feeling the love.

Carnival seems to have a knack for creating bad will among its customers these days. It would make a lot more sense for Carnival to have a well defined and public rewards program in place to show appreciation to its best customers, but that just isn't the case.