Shut Out on the Free Cruise? How do you feel?

[Rosethorn40]

Envie certainly is a green monster, illustrated by this one thread.

 

Never met Envie, but I have met Envy. Anyway, the point of this thread wasn't "Not Fair", Or "How dare Carnival not give me a Free Cruise!" and I am well aware that life isn't fair and I am grateful that DH and I have good jobs that pay us enough that we can afford to cruise/travel several times a year.

 

That said, Human Nature being what it is I do feel a little "Left Out" and was wondering if anyone else felt the same way. I don't know what Carnival hopes to get out of this. I sure it's some kind of marketing plan. Maybe it's for people who DON'T spend money on shore ex, photos, spa treatments and such, and the hope is by giving away a cruise PAX will spend more on the extras, the things that really drive the bottom line.

 

I work for a large mortgage servicer and 4/5 years ago we offered a streamline refinace with no out of pocket closing costs, no appraisal needed, etc. The "Invites" were sent to some, but not every customer of ours that had a mortgage loan. Never knew why some customers got the offer, and others didn't, but our customer service phones lit up from people wanting to know why their neighbor got the offer and not them (It had nothing to do with someone's credit score-that much I did know).

 

I expect NOTHING from life but death and taxes (But a free cruise would have made my day :) )

[elliair]

I'm peeved that people have to work for a living, save enough money to take a vacation while millions of others sit at home getting free food, free rent, free phones and the list goes on. There's plenty of real life stuff to be ticked off about and lucky for those (including me) who got the free cruise. I however won't be taking that free cruise as it would cost me too much money in air fare, parking, and the expenses on board, oh, and the taxes I have to pay in April so that millions can enjoy their vacations at home in front of the TV while talking on their free phone.

Edited February 16, 2014 by elliair

[EZ4]

 

 

I work for a large mortgage servicer and 4/5 years ago we offered a streamline refinace with no out of pocket closing costs, no appraisal needed, etc. The "Invites" were sent to some, but not every customer of ours that had a mortgage loan. Never knew why some customers got the offer, and others didn't, but our customer service phones lit up from people wanting to know why their neighbor got the offer and not them (It had nothing to do with someone's credit score-that much I did know).

 

 

I manage the foreclosures on the rest of your customers that didn't get the modifications. LOL ;)

[TeresaJ]

I am happy for those who got it. Am I jealous sure. However if we are selected we would have to purchase airfare and then the free cruise becomes pricey. For those that are close to port, very convenient.

 

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[pepperfeet]

Check out the post right before yours, They got two free cruises because of two different VIPP numbers. I wonder how may people that were on the Triumph disaster last year got one?

[Jana60]

I can understand wishing it was you who got the free cruise. What I don't understand is saying "this is likely to encourage me to give NCL my business.". That is just jealousy at its worst and it's quite frankly ridiculous. I'd say that person needs to go ahead and move on to NCL and see if they'll give them the cruises for free!

 

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[EZ4]

Didn't some Triumph cruisers refund checks bounce? Or was that something else?

[MCAT48]

I think it's insane the number of free cruises carnival has given with this "promotion". Makes me wish I would have kept my cruise last October with them! :)

[Phlybice]

Never met Envie, but I have met Envy. Anyway, the point of this thread wasn't "Not Fair", Or "How dare Carnival not give me a Free Cruise!" and I am well aware that life isn't fair and I am grateful that DH and I have good jobs that pay us enough that we can afford to cruise/travel several times a year.

 

That said, Human Nature being what it is I do feel a little "Left Out" and was wondering if anyone else felt the same way. I don't know what Carnival hopes to get out of this. I sure it's some kind of marketing plan. Maybe it's for people who DON'T spend money on shore ex, photos, spa treatments and such, and the hope is by giving away a cruise PAX will spend more on the extras, the things that really drive the bottom line.

 

I work for a large mortgage servicer and 4/5 years ago we offered a streamline refinace with no out of pocket closing costs, no appraisal needed, etc. The "Invites" were sent to some, but not every customer of ours that had a mortgage loan. Never knew why some customers got the offer, and others didn't, but our customer service phones lit up from people wanting to know why their neighbor got the offer and not them (It had nothing to do with someone's credit score-that much I did know).

 

I expect NOTHING from life but death and taxes (But a free cruise would have made my day :) )

 

That was well illustrated and documented this week at a school, where grade A students were treated to a party with pizza and soda. Those that were excluded wanted to know where "theirs" was.

[Phlybice]

I think it's insane the number of free cruises carnival has given with this "promotion". Makes me wish I would have kept my cruise last October with them! :)

 

I'm pretty sure I read that the marketting of discounting "empty" cabins to rock bottom prices was being eliminated, so they were no longer going to attempt to sail ships full.

 

SOunds like they are now taking those cabins and offering them out, expecting a return with the on board sail and sign account. True empty cabins can't generate incremental dollars.

 

Get some good PR along the way as well, although, I'm not sure those looking for theirs is generating any love.

[IslandSliderGirl]

Who wouldn't love a free cruise?! But obviously Carnival can't give a free one to ALL of us. I'm happy for those who received the offer. I did not get one and will still be cruising with them.

[dna529]

I don't think anyone on here ever said they felt "entitled" to a a free cruise. I certainly don't think that Carnival "owes" me anything. If I did I would be cancelling my upcoming cruise with them and choosing another cruise line. I will be happy to enjoy my cruise in April and will continue to hope that I might receive a letter also!

[dna529]

I can understand wishing it was you who got the free cruise. What I don't understand is saying "this is likely to encourage me to give NCL my business.". That is just jealousy at its worst and it's quite frankly ridiculous. I'd say that person needs to go ahead and move on to NCL and see if they'll give them the cruises for free!

 

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Why is this jealousy at it's worst? If two companies are competing for my business (cruise line or any other business) why would anybody not prefer the one that gives them something for free? If NCL lets my kids sail for free, this is a marketing strategy to get my business. I think that is the whole point of them giving them away to begin with, to sway customers to book with them. It has nothing to do with envy.

[thistoo]

I console myself with the fact that I couldn't have cruised by the deadline anyway (not enough vacation time saved up) so it wouldn't matter if I did get it. I do wish my parents had; they're talking about a short cruise this year to introduce friends to cruising, and they live right near Port Canaveral so they could use it for sure.

[Scotch Mist]

I think Carnival could have handled this promotion better. I was in a Future Cruise Presentation last month and apparently 2.5 million passengers sailed with Carnival last year. If Carnival did indeed send out 1 million "free cabin" letters then it would be entirely feasible that each household that sailed last year would have received one. Yet several people have received multiple offers and some have received them that due to age can't use them unless accompanied by an adult!

 

Rather than send out 1 million offers, why not just apply an OBC to the first so many new bookings made within the offer period? Surely that would have been fairer? Keep existing customers happy and encourage new customers to sail with Carnival?

 

I'm no marketing expert but it looks like this promotion has alienated a lot of loyal customers and let's face it, how many people that got the free cruise will be repeat business and spend all the money that Carnival is clearly hoping for onboard?

[winddawn]

I will embark on my 24th Carnival cruise in 11 days and I didn't get a free cruise offer either. It doesn't make business sense to me that Carnival isn't interested in rewarding its best customers. I'm not feeling the love either.

[GTO-Girl]

How were you notified? E-mail......or some mentioned through VIFP???

 

Just don't want to miss it....:rolleyes:

[EZ4]

Way to go, Gerry!! 50 people are lobbying to have a holiday named after you, and the rest are gathering up torches and pitch forks. :p

Edited February 16, 2014 by EZ4

[kneedeep1964]

I for one would absolutely love it if my friend got an email for a free cruise on Carnival..she stretches nickels into dimes in ways that I couldn't even imagine and deserves something wonderful once in a while....

 

 

 

at which point I would book a cruise just so we could go with her!

[AmberTeka]

People are so unbelievably jealous. I've been on 15 Carnival Cruises and for most of those I paid for a friend or family member to accompany me! I also drop a few hundred bucks in the casino on every cruise because I'm a poor gambler. But while I appreciate those platinum perks I by no means expect the cruise line to be giving me my cruises free. It was entirely my choice to go on those cruises and entirely my choice to spend money in the casino. Carnival owes me nothing except a fun time on my next cruise!

 

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They are not jealous. Who made you Queen of the world to come on and call them that? They have invested in Carnival, and in return they have been slighted by Carnival. They have a perfect right to express disappoint me and irritation. No one has been ugly. We have hundreds posting about getting a free cruise, and some "not likening Carnival much" but it is a ;free cruise" That stings.

 

Like I thought I was VIPF. Well, apparently some are a lot more VIPF than me. and it stings. And NO....I don't think it was random. and a MILLION sent out? I think I did not get picked for a reason. And I feel used. I have written 13 glowing reviews for Carnival cruises, 4 mote for Princess, 3 for HAL and that does influence people to cruise. You can read them all here on Cruise Critic. And I feel stone stupid. I was not past guest enough. I was not VIP enough. Neither was my husband. We have one more cruise on Carnival. Paid for..can not cancel. I know they need someone to pay for all of these free cruises, but it is not going to be me. ever again. One more cruise review on Carnival for Cruise Critic.......and then...............land vacations. NCL. Celebrity. both of which I like.RCI. never tried it. I don't even feel the same way about cruising now. Just a bitter taste.

 

And for all we know, you could be a travel agent with 15 of these free cruises to give out and we would not know it.

 

I have not seen anyone protesting about not getting a cruise calling others bad names, or insulting anyone who got one ......And for people to come on and point out there is misery in the world so no one who got shafted can complain is LOL.

 

Maybe the people who didn't get a free cruise work with church missions. ( I have a cruiser pal who does) maybe they spend time in Haiti or Africa ( like my sister). To relate morality to whether you are able to afford a cruise...is contemptible.

 

And if people want to take their money to another cruise line...it is their money and they can do it. And they have the right to come on here and say they are going to do it. I cancelled a cruise over it. I just have a bitter taste in my mouth for Carnival right now.

this grand gesture of Carnival's might not turn out to be such a great deal in the end...when the folks who didn't get one leave or cruise less...and the folks who did........book RCI or NCL again. And it is over. Done. Quit talking about it. The sooner we move on, the better we will all feel.This is a sore and folks keep pulling the scab off of it. Enough. Enjoy your cruise. Talk about it when you are crusing. But don't lecture people who are irked that they.......like me........were not PG enough. Not VIP enough. Just not enough........

Edited February 16, 2014 by AmberTeka

[kneedeep1964]

I can see the threads now...

 

 

"I went on my free cruise... NEVER AGAIN..."

[kneedeep1964]

They are not jealous. You are arrogant. They have invested in Carnival, and in return they have been slighted by Carnival. They have a perfect right to express disappoint me and irritation. We have hundreds bragging about getting a free cruise, and some "not likening Carnival much" but it is a ;free cruise"

 

Like I thought I was VIPF. Well, apparently some are a lot more VIPF than me. and it stings. And NO........it was not random. and a MILLION sent out?

 

Most of the people on this board are very nice. But there are a few that like to come on and preach to everyone. and you are doing it. Name calling. And for all we know, you could be a travel agent with 15 of these free cruises to give out and we would not know it.

 

I have not seen anyone protesting not getting even a cruise bad names, insulting anyone who got one ......but sure are throwing the insults around.

 

And if people want to take their money to another cruise line...it is their money and they can do it. And they have the right to come on here and say they are going to do it. I cancelled a cruise over it. I just have a bitter taste in my mouth for Carnival right now.

this grand gesture of Carnival's might not turn out to be such a great deal in the end...when the folks who didn't get one leave or cruise less...and the folks who did........book RCI or NCL again.

 

wait..you CANCELLED your cruise because you didn't get a free one? Because you feel unfairly treated? Just how badly have you been abused by Carnival? You spent money..you got a great return on your investment... food, entertainment, time away from the struggles of life..the list goes on and on....

 

 

I'm VIFP, too... and this whole spoiled cruiser attitude that has been floating around regarding this reminds me just how good my life must be to not care one way or the other that Carnival didn't choose ME to get a free cruise.

[vwrestler171]

I think a lot of the issue is when multiple family members in the same household get free cruises and another group can't get 1. I have seen people post that they get 2 free cruises as husband and wife both got 1. Should've been spread better, why should they get 2 free cruises and I can't get 1? That said I am happy for the people who have received them and hope I can get 1 in the future.

 

 

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[golfb4cruzing]

If they change the rules, you all are welcome to the ones we received. Haven't been on Carnival after our crappy Destiny cruise 2 yrs ago. Carnival doesn't do it for me any more. If we lived in Fla, the offer would be great but wasn't after you add in flights or travel and hotels. Save a couple of hundreds dollars and you still get Carnival.

[GTO-Girl]

If they change the rules, you all are welcome to the ones we received. Haven't been on Carnival after our crappy Destiny cruise 2 yrs ago. Carnival doesn't do it for me any more. If we lived in Fla, the offer would be great but wasn't after you add in flights or travel and hotels. Save a couple of hundreds dollars and you still get Carnival.

 

How were you notified? E-mail or some other way?