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

[awhcruiser]

LOL. I used to work there...I can tell you they aren't nice..

That's what's so hilarious to me - the IRS aren't such nice people ya know. Next December there will be a thread here about someone complaining about getting a 1099 from Carnival and their freebie has been reported to the IRS. I can read the threads now: "Good for you, you deserve to get taxed on something I didn't get!" LOL!

[sailingawaysoon]

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!

Our offer reads book by March 2014 and sail by Nov 2014.

[Sparky2]

I was reading several threads about the free cruise offer a number of Carnival Cruisers, but not all, received. To be honest, I really didn't have much of an opinion (Good for Them!, Not Fair, Why not me? etc.) UNTIL I got an email from a good friend today. She got one of the offers and is now booked to go in June as soon as school lets out (She's a teacher). The funny thing is I was the one that introduced her to cruising in 2011. Her first cruise, my first time on Carnival. Since that date she has sailed twice with Carnival with her husband, and I have sailed 3 times with mine. Neither one of us spends any money in the casino, and I know my on-board bill is always much higher than hers.

 

Anyway, happy for her, but now that someone I know got the offer and I didn't I have to admit that I am just a little bit annoyed with Carnival. Doesn't mean I will never sail with them again-Guess I'm just not feeling the love.

 

Me neither. However, I'm almost glad that we haven't received the offer because we just returned from a B2B the last 2 wks of January. A free cruise would be great, but the airfare would be a deal breaker for us.

[wanderingjew]

I would worry about taxes only if CCL asked for your SS#

[Harrier1961]

I was reading several threads about the free cruise offer a number of Carnival Cruisers, but not all, received. To be honest, I really didn't have much of an opinion (Good for Them!, Not Fair, Why not me? etc.) UNTIL I got an email from a good friend today. She got one of the offers and is now booked to go in June as soon as school lets out (She's a teacher). The funny thing is I was the one that introduced her to cruising in 2011. Her first cruise, my first time on Carnival. Since that date she has sailed twice with Carnival with her husband, and I have sailed 3 times with mine. Neither one of us spends any money in the casino, and I know my on-board bill is always much higher than hers.

 

Anyway, happy for her, but now that someone I know got the offer and I didn't I have to admit that I am just a little bit annoyed with Carnival. Doesn't mean I will never sail with them again-Guess I'm just not feeling the love.

 

So, if you played the lottery every week faithfully, but never win, but some one who only plays occasionally wins, would you still feel the same way? That the Lottery commision "owes" you because you play every week?

 

Hardly. It is luck of the draw.

This time, you didn't get one.

 

Andy

[Spincognito]

Might be a good deal for someone who doesn't have to fly or any additional upfront costs. Paying those tips is a butt clencher for me, paying the taxes and fees too - so the cruise isn't for free. Don't know why people are so upset that they didn't get something that they have to shell money out for.

 

They are upset because they would only be "shelling out" a small fraction of what they normally would to book a cruise.

 

I got the letter and will be cruising in 7 weeks with people who did not get the letter and paid 10X what I did. Yes, I had to book flights and pay taxes but wow, what a great deal...

 

If I had not gotten the offer, I would have been bummed but happy for those who did.

[PSkinner]

WE GOT ONE TOO! We sail in two weeks. I do not understand all of the people that are so upset. There have been several offers that others have received that we didn't and I think "wouldn't that be great?" Even when I read about all of those that get price drops. We always book early saver and only 1 time did we get a price drop but not a big deal, we knew that we had booked and we were ok with what we paid; would have been nice to get the drop but who cares, we are booked.

[djwood24]

what a bunch of whiners...it is a random drawing...

 

how on earth does how many cruises...what you spent on your cruises...make any difference?

Now it is tax implications

 

Bunch of folks eating sour grapes...Typical nonsense thread on CC

[Sailor_Sally]

what a bunch of whiners...it is a random drawing...

 

 

 

I doubt it is random . How did so many people in the same families each get one . What is the probability of that happening at random ?

[mikel24m]

what a bunch of whiners...it is a random drawing...

 

how on earth does how many cruises...what you spent on your cruises...make any difference?

Now it is tax implications

 

Bunch of folks eating sour grapes...Typical nonsense thread on CC

 

I had to laugh about having to pay taxes on it :)

 

I bet Carnival has not one single posters social security number unless maybe they won a jackpot in the casino and needed a hand pay :)

[ScottsSweetie]

I'm happy for the people who got the free cruises, and hopeful that I might still get one.

 

However, from a pure marketing standpoint, I would think that it would have made more sense to send only one to each address. Some people have posted that both spouses received a letter - common sense would say that the same household probably can't take 2 vacations in 4 months (with a June deadline) and even "free" isn't completely free (with port fees, gratuities, travel expenses, etc.). IMHO, reaching more households would have made more sense.

 

I will still anxiously await my mail each day, and hope that all of you who have received the offer and booked have a great cruise! :)

[djwood24]

I doubt it is random . How did so many people in the same families each get one . What is the probability of that happening at random ?

 

like people haven`t won the lottery more than once???

[Sailor_Sally]

Taxes

http://www.bankrate.com/brm/itax/news/tax_surprises/prize-winnings.asp

[Sailor_Sally]

like people haven`t won the lottery more than once???

 

Correct but it is rare . So far a lot of families are getting two or even three free cruise offers .

[2young2care]

The IRS will tax prize winnings. They don't tax discounts given by a company. This wasn't a contest and nobody won a "free" cruise. Nobody "entered" themselves in this perceived contest. It was simply a 100% discount offered by Carnival on a category of available cabins. All other associated costs must still be paid by the consumer. The IRS doesn't tax your savings at the Mattress Warehouse when you buy the mattress and get the box spring for free. They don't tax your savings at Target either when you save a bundle at their 90% off sales. But, hey, anybody who is worried they will suddenly have a larger tax burden next year, consult your accountant.

[djwood24]

Correct but it is rare . So far a lot of families are getting two or even three free cruise offers .

 

Again so what....complaining about it here doesn`t do anything

 

go complain to JH and tell him it is fraudulent....maybe that will get a free cruise

 

does anyone have "proof" it is a fixed contest???

If so then we can start a class action lawsuit....that is the next step

[ContingentSea]

I got my free cabin offer through the Players Club. I had already booked a cruise that was included in the list of available sailings. I called and was able to keep my same booking and cabin for a $100 upgrade fee. I just received the refund to my credit card.

 

I just assumed I got the offer due to the amount of $$$ I lost in the casino on my last cruise :rolleyes:

[tizbo1423]

While I have been on more Carnival cruises than my husband has, he was the one who the free cruise offer (good thing I married the lucky guy, I guess).

 

For those of you who did get the offer and are going to/have booked, is there any catch? I know it's select cruises and have to book by a certain date, but is there a timeshare talk they're going to make us sit through or anything if we book?

[christyran1228]

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*lol*

[Rosethorn40]

So, if you played the lottery every week faithfully, but never win, but some one who only plays occasionally wins, would you still feel the same way? That the Lottery commision "owes" you because you play every week?

 

Hardly. It is luck of the draw.

This time, you didn't get one.

 

Andy

 

With the lottery the odds are never in your favor-Besides the lottery is gaming. This wasn't. Not a contest, not something I entered, nor did anyone else.

 

And PLEASE read and comprehend what I wrote. I NEVER said Carnival owes me anything. Death and taxes are all that I expect out of life.

[carsaw]

With the lottery the odds are never in your favor-Besides the lottery is gaming. This wasn't. Not a contest, not something I entered, nor did anyone else.

 

And PLEASE read and comprehend what I wrote. I NEVER said Carnival owes me anything. Death and taxes are all that I expect out of life.

 

Hello. This is exactly why people need to direct their comments to the appropriate place, not on these boards. So many people are reading comments on here that are opinions and jumping all over people. If they went back and started from the beginning, everyone just stated their opinion, they didn't attack anyone. Then they have numerous people criticizing them when they were not being rude to begin with. Of course some people get offensive at that point and attack back. Any other opinions I have are being directed elsewhere. I will probably get negative comments for this too :)

[sjn911]

Hello. This is exactly why people need to direct their comments to the appropriate place, not on these boards. So many people are reading comments on here that are opinions and jumping all over people. If they went back and started from the beginning, everyone just stated their opinion, they didn't attack anyone. Then they have numerous people criticizing them when they were not being rude to begin with. Of course some people get offensive at that point and attack back. Any other opinions I have are being directed elsewhere. I will probably get negative comments for this too :)

Like...

 

And in addition op..you stated yourself well and many in good humor are feeling it both ways ...happy for the winners..but hey, after so many are announced...many are feeling..it would be nice to win too..giving a good thought for a new bunch of winners...especially Rosethorn..I just love your name..

 

I never thought about taxes on this, interesting comments...Sarah

Edited February 17, 2014 by sjn911

[sjn911]

Hello. This is exactly why people need to direct their comments to the appropriate place, not on these boards. So many people are reading comments on here that are opinions and jumping all over people. If they went back and started from the beginning, everyone just stated their opinion, they didn't attack anyone. Then they have numerous people criticizing them when they were not being rude to begin with. Of course some people get offensive at that point and attack back. Any other opinions I have are being directed elsewhere. I will probably get negative comments for this too :)

Like...

 

And in addition op..you stated yourself well and many in good humor are feeling it both ways and we should be able to have friendly conversation here..but just like any group some will be "hot" one way or the other and go off the beam.

 

Many I am sure feel ..."happy for the winner..but hey after so many announced...be nice to win too"..giving a good thought for a new bunch of winners...!!

 

I never thought about taxes on this, interesting comments...Sarah

Edited February 17, 2014 by sjn911

[Spincognito]

While I have been on more Carnival cruises than my husband has, he was the one who the free cruise offer (good thing I married the lucky guy, I guess).

 

For those of you who did get the offer and are going to/have booked, is there any catch? I know it's select cruises and have to book by a certain date, but is there a timeshare talk they're going to make us sit through or anything if we book?

 

No catch whatsoever. So long as you know that the you are still liable for the taxes and gratuities, you really can get an inside cabin for nothing. My DW and I decided to upgrade to a Balcony for $70 each ($10 per day!) and paid a whopping $355 for a 7 day on Pride. Scooped up some cheap flights to Baltimore totaling $377 RT and we will be sailing for $732 plus $160 for gratuities. Took the same cruise this past November and paid $2200 plus the flights/gratuities.

 

this was a no-brainer for us to cruise for essentially 1/3 of the usual price.

 

Book one now!

[neetyl]

We got our free Cabin through VIFP in Early October, in came via Mail. At first I thought it was a Timeshare Gimmick from Carnival, I had to read it twice. When I called I asked the agent about the offer she said it was a random draw that they do throughout the year. You have to be a Member of the VIFP that is the pool they draw from, the trick is to call as soon as you get it because they fill up quick. We are sailing this Saturday out of Long Beach for a 7 day cruise with an extended Balcony room, our cost was Port Charges and Taxes for two people which came out to $247. This is our 5th cruise on Carnival so its not like we are die hard users, we spend a few bucks on board (a lot more when the kids are with us) but we never go into the Casino, when we do the excursions I always get them in Port (they are Better quality and cheaper) so I can't figure out if it was a demographic thing they blew it on us. As for 1099 us next year big deal your talking about a few Hundred bucks in taxes, look I priced this great freebie as though I was going to pay for it, if we were going to purchase the extended Cabin for this Cruise fro two it would have cost us approximately $1800. ehhh is that a big deal? not really but hey it was practically free and the Port is 30 minutes from Home ...what the hell we will go. So be patient and watch your mail and if you get one great...call as quick as you can.