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

[sassy0930]

We've sailed Carnival 12 times, with #13 182 days away and #14 about to be booked. We've never received an upgrade offer, an upsell offer, nor any kind of offer.

Maybe Carnival figured out that we keep sailing the line and doesn't have to entice us. :confused:

 

EXACTLY! And before this whole "free cruise" deal went around, were you unhappy with the product that you've paid again and again for? So if you were happy to pay for it, why on earth be upset that the company wants to advertise this way to someone who wouldn't pay for it until they get a chance to experience it (again)? Bummed, disappointed, etc about not being chosen, sure! I get that. I feel the same every day when I watch Wheel of Fortune and my ID isn't picked to win $5000! But I don't get mad and boycott Wheel of Fortune because they didn't pick me to get the money! And that is worth even more than cruise fare!

[Midwestgal]

I got one ....my last name begins with a G.

[Mikel1733]

Makes you wonder what the demographic they used. I'm sure it's not a random lottery. There has to be a method to the selections.

[nunuc2000]

Am I disappointed I didn't get a free cruise? Sure, that would have been great! But oh well, c'est la vie. There's certainly worse things in life that could happen. :rolleyes:

 

But I'm curious... did any Canadians get the free cruise? None of my fellow Canadian cruising friends did, so I wonder if it was only only offered to Americans? Can anyone chime in on this?

 

 

Still wondering if any Canadians were offered the free cruise deal?

[MickCruiser]

Sunday mornings after reading that someone else won the PowerBall lottery must be brutal.

Edited February 17, 2014 by MickCruiser

[EZ4]

Sunday mornings after reading that someone else won the PowerBall lottery must be brutal.

 

LOL

 

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[Rosethorn40]

EXACTLY! And before this whole "free cruise" deal went around, were you unhappy with the product that you've paid again and again for? So if you were happy to pay for it, why on earth be upset that the company wants to advertise this way to someone who wouldn't pay for it until they get a chance to experience it (again)? Bummed, disappointed, etc about not being chosen, sure! I get that. I feel the same every day when I watch Wheel of Fortune and my ID isn't picked to win $5000! But I don't get mad and boycott Wheel of Fortune because they didn't pick me to get the money! And that is worth even more than cruise fare!

 

From what I read most of the people getting this offer are past Carnival cruisers, and if fact sailed recently and may already had another one booked. It doesn't seemed about enticing someone to sail with them who has never sailed with them, or wooing back a past guest. Of course I don't work for Carnival in the marketing department, but I know that companies don't do this without an expectation on a return for the investment. If I was Carnival I wouldn't be handing out "Free" cruises to anyone that probably would never afford to go again. I think it's about trying to get people to spend money while on board. Just my opinion.

[Mira28]

My guess is Carnival is trying to fill empty cabins and generate income from on board spending. Get people excited about cruising and talking. So they randomly send out these offers. It sure seems to be working!

By the way, I thought the whole purpose of this forum was to discuss experiences and express opinions about Carnival cruises. Don't understand why anyone should be castigated for doing just that.

[cruizinisthebest]

Sunday mornings after reading that someone else won the PowerBall lottery must be brutal.

 

Not for me, because I don't play powerball. But since I cruise, yes it would have been nice to get the offer. I would say this was a successful marketing push. Maybe they'll do another for Summer cruises. Seems like all of the free offers are for cruise through June. Not seeing anything consistent other than that. I'm still moving forward with my plans. I was planning to pay anyway. Everyone enjoy your vacations!

[stargate fan]

EXACTLY! And before this whole "free cruise" deal went around, were you unhappy with the product that you've paid again and again for? So if you were happy to pay for it, why on earth be upset that the company wants to advertise this way to someone who wouldn't pay for it until they get a chance to experience it (again)? Bummed, disappointed, etc about not being chosen, sure! I get that. I feel the same every day when I watch Wheel of Fortune and my ID isn't picked to win $5000! But I don't get mad and boycott Wheel of Fortune because they didn't pick me to get the money! And that is worth even more than cruise fare!

 

I know-Wheel of Fortune NEVER picks my ID number. What's up with that? :eek:

 

We are very easy going cruisers. Give us tasty meals, a nice cabin (though it must have a balcony) and deck chairs in the sun and we are happy. Am I disappointed that others get lots of offers? I'm happy for them. Do I wish we'd get one? Hello, we're human so of course. Does it make us not sail Carnival anymore? Nah.

 

But, I also respect others' opinions and feelings. If someone is feeling upset or left out, that person does have the right to his/her emotions.

 

C'mon Kelly and Michael...pick my postcard!

Edited February 17, 2014 by stargate fan

[CocoaMom]

Well, I feel disappointed that I haven't gotten a free cruise. I do not feel entitled whatsoever, but it just would have been a nice surprise. I have become a bit obsessed when my mailman arrives and I'm checking online too. Regardless, I'm still going to cruise!

[Jana60]

There is a difference between expressing an opinion and totally going off the deep end, taking it as a personal insult, and canceling your future cruises because somebody else won a free cruise from the company. Hey I'm disappointed that I didn't win the free cruise, but I don't think that carnival did it to personally exclude me. And yes when a person believes that others have a personal grudge against them when there's no particular reason why that other entity would think positively or negatively about them that IS paranoia. I'm not naming any names but if the shoes fits........

 

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Edited February 17, 2014 by Jana60

[awhcruiser]

This. There is probably someone out there who needs the free cruise more than us, and I am ok with it. We can afford to cruise so not getting a free one won't cause us to boycott cruising.

Well, I feel disappointed that I haven't gotten a free cruise. I do not feel entitled whatsoever, but it just would have been a nice surprise. I have become a bit obsessed when my mailman arrives and I'm checking online too. Regardless, I'm still going to cruise!

[L&J]

I'm happy for those that received a free cruise and disappointed I didn't get one. End of story. I'll still book my next cruise with Carnival and love every minute of it just like I did on my previous cruises. There is far too much jealousy and entitlement floating around over this and I think its hilarious how worked up some people are getting.

 

Sent from my Nexus 5

Edited February 17, 2014 by L&J

[MCAT48]

There is a difference between expressing an opinion and totally going off the deep end, taking it as a personal insult, and canceling your future cruises because somebody else won a free cruise from the company. Hey I'm disappointed that I didn't win the free cruise, but I don't think that carnival did it to personally exclude me. And yes when a person believes that others have a personal grudge against them when there's no particular reason why that other entity would think positively or negatively about them that IS paranoia. I'm not naming any names but if the shoes fits........

 

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Someone really canceled their cruise because of this? I'd be more likely to cancel if I heard the cruise line had another ship bobbing up and down in the ocean with no power....not because they gave away hundreds of free cruises.....just sayin'.....

[h_blond2]

It would be nice to win a free cruise, but it's not the end of the world if I don't. I just feel fortunate that I am in a position to be able to afford a cruise each year and the fact that I have a job that allows me the days off to be able to cruise (I'm a 5th grade teacher). If the worst thing that happens to me is not winning a cruise, I'd say that I'm doing pretty well!

[RD64]

As there are literally millions of past Carnival passengers, not everyone can get the free cruise offer - that is just the way it is. Given their current extremely low prices, it seems as if they are practically giving then away - at least the ones I have been looking at.

 

I would not expect to see these extended into the summer - although there will three fouradditional ships in the Caribbean during summer 2014, many more will have left for Europe and Alaska.

[bherndon2112]

We got lucky. I got a free cabin, my husband did and so did my father in law. So we booked 3 cabins and are taking more family with us! 8 of us going in 3 rooms on Veranda deck for a total of 579! Oh it's a 5 nighter! We haven't cruised with carnival in about 3 yrs, my father in law in about 5 yrs. the family comin with us have never cruised and couldn't afford to without us booking this way! We love only 2 hrs from Charleston the port we choose to keep cost down more. Looking forward to this cruise and hope those that didn't receive a letter this time will soon! Ours came in the mail. My father in law found his online after I called to tell him about ours. Ours was a VIFP and his was the casino one.

 

 

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[Rosethorn40]

We got lucky. I got a free cabin, my husband did and so did my father in law. So we booked 3 cabins and are taking more family with us! 8 of us going in 3 rooms on Veranda deck for a total of 579! Oh it's a 5 nighter! We haven't cruised with carnival in about 3 yrs, my father in law in about 5 yrs. the family comin with us have never cruised and couldn't afford to without us booking this way! We love only 2 hrs from Charleston the port we choose to keep cost down more. Looking forward to this cruise and hope those that didn't receive a letter this time will soon! Ours came in the mail. My father in law found his online after I called to tell him about ours. Ours was a VIFP and his was the casino one.

 

 

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Congrats on your good fortune! Charleston is a lovely city to sail from, and not as crazy or busy as Miami or Ft Lauderdale. If you can, try to spend at least a day in that beautiful city.

 

Are you sailing on the Fantasy? While I have enjoyed each of my cruises on Carnival, The Fantasy was my favorite. The crew was amazing and the food best on any Carnival cruise.

[Prinycesa07]

Honest answer? A little slighted. But I know that's not fair. I am happy for those who did get it though. We save up all year long as we live on one income while I'm a SAHM to 2 small kids so it would have really really been helpful to us but that doesn't mean we still won't continue saving up for this springs trip. Ah well, you won some, you lose some.

[boaterette]

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........

 

You have got to be kidding. That is one of the most " I am entitled" posts that I have read in a while. I too am a VIPF and in no way do I feel a "sting" of not getting a free cruise. Hooray for those who did. Perhaps learning to feel happiness for others would be a good lesson for anyone to learn.

[bherndon2112]

Yes out if Charleston. We love that city and visit often since it's a 3 hr drive. We have cruised the Fantasy 2 times before and like that ship. It's easier to pack and go then Miami although we have enjoyed those cruises too. Had we not already been booked for this coming Oct on the Disney dream we would have probably taken a long cruise from Miami

 

 

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[geovet]

well...waaaaaaaah! :mad:

 

 

 

I've been booking comfortable carnival insides

in the distant hope i'll get bumped up to a glorified chain-locker somewhere

but "my ship just won't come in" dammit!

 

 

I'm so ticked off i think i'll book cunard instead and expect nothing.

.

 

lol :d

[dmarie1623]

Sure I'd like a free cruise, but I'm not upset that I didn't get one. It's the luck of the draw. I will continue to sail with Carnival because I like the product, the price, and I always have a good time.

[Velvetwater]

Was never going to get one being from the UK so not bothered...especially as we wouldnt be able to fly over and use it before June due to work.

 

However I do wonder if Carnival have missed a trick.Could they have targeted carribean holiday makers that had not cruised before?Carnival gets so much money from first timers.

 

Im happy to be on the Panama cruise even though I am paying the best part of 6k to go.