Venting - "free cruises" are out there again

[tracyvansmith]

Why would Carnival want to give free cruises to those of us who cruise often? They are already getting our money no matter what. They know that the G/P/D pax will continue to book regardless of incentives. They know they no longer have to earn out business.

 

Nailed it.

 

If you want one of these deals, stop booking a cruise with Carnival and see if one shows up. I currently have three cruises booked with Carnival so I don't expect to receive any offers any time soon. I take that back, I did receive a platinum offer for a 2 day cruise out of California, but that's more of a joke than an offer. The fact that some people get offers does not upset me at all. Good for them. Enjoy your cruises.

 

This is about the only consistency I have seen is if you have a cruise booked already you have 99.99% chance of not getting an offer.

[tphitman]

We've been on 35 Carnival cruises. We both play the tables and slots. My point total is ALWAYS over 5000. I have NEVER received a free cruise offer. NEVER. We keep cruising because we enjoy it, but it would be nice for Carnival to throw us a bone every now and then.

 

 

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[pe4all]

pe4all,

I am pretty much in the same "boat" as you. I started on Carnival, but kept reading about CAS/NCL, so we transitioned over. Seems like the regular "comp" rate for CAS is lower than even the Premier sailings or at least very close even with the Casino Cash. Plus, with CAS, no issues with certain dates or sailings. Only thing I miss so far is the extras with the Premier sailings, but then again, we never won any of the extra drawings or raffles.... :) I still price shop the two, so CCL only wins when it is almost free......

 

I can only sail during school vacations, which of course are the most expensive times to cruise. My 3 NCL cruises are all during high season - especially my upcoming Epic cruise. (1 week away!) How can I say no to a free cabin for Christmas?? Even with paying the $600 upgrade to a balcony, I can't go wrong. Even the Premier cruises offers I get on CCL can't touch NCL's Casino at Sea prices. And I am not a heavy gambler!

[PAPERBKWRITER]

My PVP and I discussed this and I told him IMO the free cruises (other than casino earned) cause more hard feelings than good for Carnival. He agreed and said he gets a lot of negative feedback from his customers.

[hockeymom15]

Yes really. All you have to do is actually read many of the posts here and you can almost see the unhappiness just oozing from them. It's pretty sad.:rolleyes:

 

While we're at it, WHY would Carnival be dumb enough to throw money away on it's loyal customers? They've already got you hook, line, and sinker. It's the ones that don't sail with Carnival or not often that they want to reel in. Free cabins to loyal customers would just be a waste of money. Free cabins to non-loyal people might turn them into loyal customers and increase their customer base.

 

 

I understand what your argument is and I agree as well. BUT still like other people on this thread you are seeing alot of loyal Carnival cruisers start to wonder to other lines. Once again I do beleive that repeat customers pay for this line to keep afloat and once Carnival Peevs off enough of us to go elsewhere the line will feel it . It will happen . I have also now because of this thread booked my next cruise with another line . With any company it is your repeat customers that keep your business thriving . Eventually Carnival will open their eyes and clue in. Especially when these other lines are treating their repeat customers better than Carnival, people will stay with them and not return. Happy holidays to all!

[dbsb3233]

It wouldn't surprise me if some of the offers are based (in part) on how much people buy onboard (drinks, photos, excursions, etc.), since that's where most of their profit comes from (in addition to the casino).

Edited December 13, 2014 by dbsb3233

[elliair]

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?

 

Recently, I've received 2 offers for free cruises by Carnival and Princess. Did we take them up on their offer? NO! It's not a deal for us. If these cruises were truly FREE maybe we would go--ALL EXPENSES PAID! I wouldn't put my shorts on for a 2-day cruise on board a ship that has no balconies and loaded with screaming brats running amok. No thank you.

 

P.S. I've been to those ports of call many, many times on cruises. I'll never do a cruise under 7 days ever again--not even for FREE!

Edited December 13, 2014 by elliair

[carsaw]

I understand what your argument is and I agree as well. BUT still like other people on this thread you are seeing alot of loyal Carnival cruisers start to wonder to other lines. Once again I do beleive that repeat customers pay for this line to keep afloat and once Carnival Peevs off enough of us to go elsewhere the line will feel it . It will happen . I have also now because of this thread booked my next cruise with another line . With any company it is your repeat customers that keep your business thriving . Eventually Carnival will open their eyes and clue in. Especially when these other lines are treating their repeat customers better than Carnival, people will stay with them and not return. Happy holidays to all!

 

This is true-my last 4 cruises have been on other lines (and my future 3 also). I tried NCL for the first time after Carnival, have been on 2 cruises with them so far. Both times I have received nice upgrades from wonderful PCC's and because of that have 2 more booked with NCL. I feel they appreciate their customers much more. My last Carnival cruise had many free cruisers and it still was not near capacity-think they are getting the message. ;)

[Out to sea!]

I understand what your argument is and I agree as well. BUT still like other people on this thread you are seeing alot of loyal Carnival cruisers start to wonder to other lines. Once again I do beleive that repeat customers pay for this line to keep afloat and once Carnival Peevs off enough of us to go elsewhere the line will feel it . It will happen . I have also now because of this thread booked my next cruise with another line . With any company it is your repeat customers that keep your business thriving . Eventually Carnival will open their eyes and clue in. Especially when these other lines are treating their repeat customers better than Carnival, people will stay with them and not return. Happy holidays to all!

 

I understand what you are saying but I have to disagree. Carnival, for the most part, wants cruising newbies, not old hats that know how to dodge the photographers, book their own private shore excursions, and are brazen enough to smuggle. The newbies are their bread and butter, they are the ones that spend thousands on a 3 night cruise without thinking about it because they don't know any better. Personally, I think Carnival would love it if all the old hats left and they had nothing but newbies on board but the bad PR would not be good for them. Think about it.......if Carnival treasured their repeat customers so much why would they have the absolute worst loyalty program? Luckily, that fact doesn't bother me. I don't sail for loyalty points, I sail for the love of cruising and am loyal only to my wallet. :)

 

Maybe those that wander will finally get that "free" cruise they crave. ;)

Edited December 13, 2014 by Out to sea!

[winddawn]

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?

Well I finally got a free cruise offer, but it didn't come from Carnival. I've cruised 25 times on Carnival and no free cruises. I sailed once on Holland America 4 years ago and got a casino offer for a free cruise in snail mail from them last Friday. A nice offer too for choice of 4 ships and many different sail dates to pick from--all 7 days cruises. Three ships were for Eastern Caribbean and one ship for Western Caribbean. I jumped on it.

 

What is wrong with this picture Carnival? Lol.

Edited December 14, 2014 by winddawn

[Disconnections]

I understand what you are saying but I have to disagree. Carnival, for the most part, wants cruising newbies, not old hats that know how to dodge the photographers, book their own private shore excursions, and are brazen enough to smuggle. The newbies are their bread and butter, they are the ones that spend thousands on a 3 night cruise without thinking about it because they don't know any better. Personally, I think Carnival would love it if all the old hats left and they had nothing but newbies on board but the bad PR would not be good for them. Think about it.......if Carnival treasured their repeat customers so much why would they have the absolute worst loyalty program? Luckily, that fact doesn't bother me. I don't sail for loyalty points, I sail for the love of cruising and am loyal only to my wallet. :)

 

Maybe those that wander will finally get that "free" cruise they crave. ;)

 

Obviously, as you know, we have wandered away from Carnival. After sailing with them at a frequency much higher than most of their other clientele, we haven't returned since March of 2012. We had been awarded a few complimentary cruises.

 

We decided against taking them up on their offer as we are not ready to return. Eventually the day will come, but that day is not today. It would probably take a family member or a close friend sailing on a cruise to have me reconsider my options at this point. I think you're absolutely correct that Carnival is targeting the first time cruiser, but I think right now, they just want their ships filled and gratuities distributed to their employees to keep morale in the workplace as high as possible and to provide a better experience for their guests.

Edited December 14, 2014 by Disconnections

[YorN]

It wouldn't surprise me if some of the offers are based (in part) on how much people buy onboard (drinks, photos, excursions, etc.), since that's where most of their profit comes from (in addition to the casino).

 

I would agree. Why offer a free cruise to those that are not going to generate revenue in other areas.

[jkd9977]

Well I finally got a free cruise offer, but it didn't come from Carnival. I've cruised 25 times on Carnival and no free cruises. I sailed once on Holland America 4 years ago and got a casino offer for a free cruise in snail mail from them last Friday. A nice offer too for choice of 4 ships and many different sail dates to pick from--all 7 days cruises. Three ships were for Eastern Caribbean and one ship for Western Caribbean. I jumped on it.

 

What is wrong with this picture Carnival? Lol.

 

This shows why Carnival isn't sending free cruises to long timers. They don't need to. HAL sent it to you as a non-loyal customer in an attempt to earn back your business. It worked.

[goduckies05]

Yes really. All you have to do is actually read many of the posts here and you can almost see the unhappiness just oozing from them. It's pretty sad.:rolleyes:

 

While we're at it, WHY would Carnival be dumb enough to throw money away on it's loyal customers? They've already got you hook, line, and sinker. It's the ones that don't sail with Carnival or not often that they want to reel in. Free cabins to loyal customers would just be a waste of money. Free cabins to non-loyal people might turn them into loyal customers and increase their customer base.

 

Yup. I got a premier offer and cancelled my Valor cruise feb 8th for the Breeze on the 28th for free. Saved me a thousand bucks as I am a solo. But I also lost a bit too much in July in the Casino, so they made it up it that way.

 

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[winddawn]

That won't work unless I book a future cruise.

[hockeymom15]

Just saw this new thread !! Sounds to me like this poster still keeps cruising and has never stopped as you can see from her "previous cruises "quote . So the stay away and you will get a free cruise is bogus !! There have also been numerous threads on here stating people seem to get a free cruise everytime they step on a ship and leave they get letter at end .

 

Carnival please have some kind of guidelines to these offers!!! Just so random its mind-boggling ! 9 days until Santa comes . Maybe he will bring me a free cruise becasue I dont think I am getting one from Carnival anytime soon !!!LOL!! :)

 

 

Just booked Free cruise! Thank you casino!!

I just booked a "free cruise" for January 25th. On my previous cruises I didn't gamble, but I went on the Magic back in June, and I think I might have hit 2000 points. Most of that was because I won a little bit on the first night, but I also spent much more than I should have. I didn't get any comps while I was on the cruise, so I wasn't expecting this offer. I actually just lucked into this, as I don't pay attention to my emails and snail mail (although now I will!). I was pricing cruises when I noticed that some of the prices popping up were like $25 and $50! So, needless to say, I jumped on the offer., and booked an anniversary cruise for the hubby and me. When I called carnival, I was told that these were "casino offers."

I did upgrade to a balcony, but that was mere pennies! ($120, with $100 OBC). I'm so excited, I can't stand it!! The oddest part is, my step-mother was on the last cruise with me, and she spent twice what I spent, and was given wine and strawberries and all kinds of goodies on board, yet she didn't recieve the same offer. I'm befuddled.

So, will I be getting assigned a casino host like in land casinos? Should I email the players club, as suggested by some on these boards? Am I going to get less than par service on board since I'm not paying for the ride?

Thanks for any info!

[jakesnana]

We used to sail on Carnival 3-4 times a year (we are Platinum) however recently that has changed. We sailed Carnival in May 2013 and January 2014, but in the past 2 years we have sailed on NCL twice and RCCL twice.

 

While I have not gotten a "free" cruise offer, I did get casino offers similar to what has been reported $25 pp for inside cabin, $35 pp for ocean view cabin and casino cash. Unfortunately, it was a little too little, a little too late as we had already booked the Explorer for next month with the family.

 

While I have future cruises booked, none of them are with Carnival. IF I were to get a "sweet" offer from them, I may take them up on it for a short cruise. Otherwise, I'll wait and see what the future holds.

[NCTribeFan]

Well I finally got a free cruise offer, but it didn't come from Carnival. I've cruised 25 times on Carnival and no free cruises. I sailed once on Holland America 4 years ago and got a casino offer for a free cruise in snail mail from them last Friday. A nice offer too for choice of 4 ships and many different sail dates to pick from--all 7 days cruises. Three ships were for Eastern Caribbean and one ship for Western Caribbean. I jumped on it.

 

What is wrong with this picture Carnival? Lol.

 

Me, too. I sailed once on HAL (14 nights to Hawaii; it was wonderful). I've now received two free casino offers from them in the past couple of months. Unfortunately, I couldn't go on any of the sailings from the first offer because I had two Carnival cruises booked (along with air and hotels and time already schedule off work).

 

I got another one yesterday. Again, I cannot go. I'm a CPA and the latest date on HAL departs on 4/12. And then they pull out of the Caribbean.

 

Maybe I'll get one for next fall that I can use. I've wanted to sail them again since my Hawaii cruise but I've stuck with Carnival. Just off Carnival #21 (which was a Premier Casino cruise - NOT free and I went solo so had to pay 200%) and have #22 booked.

 

Oh, and on that Casino cruise, it seemed like everyone I spoke to on the last day received a free cruise offer in the cabin. Not me, although I spent way, way more than I normally do in the casino.

 

As others have said, why should Carnival offer me a free cruise when I always have at least one more already booked? Why should they give me any incentives to cruise again when I'm already booked to cruise again!

 

I understand. That doesn't mean I like it.

 

And, yes, I will move on to other cruiselines. I'm just determined to stick it out with Carnival until I get to #25.

[winddawn]

Me, too. I sailed once on HAL (14 nights to Hawaii; it was wonderful). I've now received two free casino offers from them in the past couple of months. Unfortunately, I couldn't go on any of the sailings from the first offer because I had two Carnival cruises booked (along with air and hotels and time already schedule off work).

 

I got another one yesterday. Again, I cannot go. I'm a CPA and the latest date on HAL departs on 4/12. And then they pull out of the Caribbean.

 

Maybe I'll get one for next fall that I can use. I've wanted to sail them again since my Hawaii cruise but I've stuck with Carnival. Just off Carnival #21 (which was a Premier Casino cruise - NOT free and I went solo so had to pay 200%) and have #22 booked.

 

Oh, and on that Casino cruise, it seemed like everyone I spoke to on the last day received a free cruise offer in the cabin. Not me, although I spent way, way more than I normally do in the casino.

 

As others have said, why should Carnival offer me a free cruise when I always have at least one more already booked? Why should they give me any incentives to cruise again when I'm already booked to cruise again!

 

I understand. That doesn't mean I like it.

 

And, yes, I will move on to other cruiselines. I'm just determined to stick it out with Carnival until I get to #25.

Sounds like we are in the same "boat" NCTribeFan. I just completed my 25th on Carnival, and it seems to me that the more I cruise on them, the less they seem interested in my business. My recent 25th milestone cruise was not even acknowledged on the ship other than getting the one time white Sail and Sign card. Not even a thank you.

 

I am excited about the upcoming HAL cruise, although I already had one booked on Carnival that will come before my HAL sail date.

 

One thing I will do in the future when booking Carnival is to wait until last minute. Carnival's "low price guarantee" associated with booking Early Saver has become a joke since most of their sales these days, and thus their lowest prices, are for guarantee cabins.

[BeachChik]

.

 

Carnival please have some kind of guidelines to these offers!!! Just so random its mind-boggling ! 9 days until Santa comes . Maybe he will bring me a free cruise becasue I dont think I am getting one from Carnival anytime soon !!!LOL!! :)

 

!

 

Would it really matter if there were set guidelines? Doubtful. People would still complain that they weren't within the guidelines that applied. It's just petty that people are complaining that they weren't picked.

 

Instead of appreciating the fact that you can afford to pay to cruise people complain they didn't get a freebee. There are many people that can't afford to have a nice Christmas and people here are whining that have cruised 30 times and have never gotten a free offer. It's a sad testament to the state of the world today. Never appreciate what you have, just complain about what you don't have.

 

If they are giving away cruises they don't have to tell anyone how people are picked. It's no different then someone being picked for a free or discounted upgrade.

[mom2tcdx2]

I took advantage of the casino offers back in September and booked my cruise for December and January. What was interesting is my sister got the same specials, but my parents didn't. I have cruised more sailings than either of them have. My parents spend more time in the casino. But I think our May cruise my sister and I were booked in a cabin together. We both did fairly well in the casino that we were playing off our winnings. I wonder if they just looked at money spent, not money won as in the end I only lost about $75 in the casino. Though my parents recently received a current offer and I didn't.

 

The current offers don't show anything for me. This will be my 7th Carnival cruise I believe. Not sure if I will see any of these type specials in the future. We aren't big spenders, a few drinks, really don't buy photos, don't shop in the gift shops. Will buy my daughter a soda card and maybe an excursion.

[NCTribeFan]

...It's just petty that people are complaining that they weren't picked.

 

Instead of appreciating the fact that you can afford to pay to cruise people complain they didn't get a freebee. There are many people that can't afford to have a nice Christmas and people here are whining that have cruised 30 times and have never gotten a free offer. It's a sad testament to the state of the world today. Never appreciate what you have, just complain about what you don't have.

...

 

Well, aren't you judgemental? :mad:

 

I never said I don't appreciate the fact that I can and do sail fairly often.

 

It's Carnival that is showing little appreciation for their frequent cruisers.

 

I usually sail solo so have to pay 200%. I sail in inside cabins because it's more important to me to sail more often than to have a larger cabin or a balcony. It's the only way I can afford to cruise. And it's the ONLY thing I do other than work. Seriously. I don't eat out. I don't go to movies. I don't go shopping except for necessities. I'm very frugal.

 

Just because people wish they could understand the criteria for receiving the offers doesn't mean we don't appreciate the fact that we do actually get to cruise.

[BeachChik]

Well, aren't you judgemental? :mad:

 

I never said I don't appreciate the fact that I can and do sail fairly often.

 

It's Carnival that is showing little appreciation for their frequent cruisers.

 

I usually sail solo so have to pay 200%. I sail in inside cabins because it's more important to me to sail more often than to have a larger cabin or a balcony. It's the only way I can afford to cruise. And it's the ONLY thing I do other than work. Seriously. I don't eat out. I don't go to movies. I don't go shopping except for necessities. I'm very frugal.

 

Just because people wish they could understand the criteria for receiving the offers doesn't mean we don't appreciate the fact that we do actually get to cruise.

 

No I don't think I am.

 

"Not appreciated by me at all - why can't I get a "free" cruise like so many others are getting."

 

"I have to say when I hear of some people getting two or three free cruises it does tick me off a bit...."

 

"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 ."

 

"I don't know how anyone is selected but they have annoyed many loyal Carnival customers. "

 

"16 cruises and not one single offer has shown up in my offers tab. Also gave never received an upgrade call. I too get frustrated that new people are getting calls/upgrades/discounts."

 

"It does annoy me that others are rewarded for not being loyal Carnival clients."

 

These are just some of the comments on this thread. Some many getting annoyed/angry over something the cruise line is voluntarily doing. Every time these free cruises roll around everyone gets all mad that they weren't selected. It has been said in more then one thread that this is a random selection.

 

And yes I do think it is petty to get angry over this. Be grateful that you can afford 15-20 cruises not angry that you didn't get one free one.

 

And I agree with out to sea. Why would they give a free cruise to someone that already cruises 3-4 times a year. They want to draw in people that don't cruise often. I think it's been clear that they are looking for the first time cruiser.

[hockeymom15]

No I don't think I am.

 

"Not appreciated by me at all - why can't I get a "free" cruise like so many others are getting."

 

"I have to say when I hear of some people getting two or three free cruises it does tick me off a bit...."

 

"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 ."

 

"I don't know how anyone is selected but they have annoyed many loyal Carnival customers. "

 

"16 cruises and not one single offer has shown up in my offers tab. Also gave never received an upgrade call. I too get frustrated that new people are getting calls/upgrades/discounts."

 

"It does annoy me that others are rewarded for not being loyal Carnival clients."

 

These are just some of the comments on this thread. Some many getting annoyed/angry over something the cruise line is voluntarily doing. Every time these free cruises roll around everyone gets all mad that they weren't selected. It has been said in more then one thread that this is a random selection.

 

And yes I do think it is petty to get angry over this. Be grateful that you can afford 15-20 cruises not angry that you didn't get one free one.

 

And I agree with out to sea. Why would they give a free cruise to someone that already cruises 3-4 times a year. They want to draw in people that don't cruise often. I think it's been clear that they are looking for the first time cruiser.

 

I'm sorry you feel this way. I work very hard for my money . I have been a single mother for over 10 years. I have 2 children and they are fed and clothed and given what they need for life on my own. I work 6 sometimes 7 days a week to be able to cruise . Sometimes with or without them . I don't begrudge anyone who can cruise 10 , 20 or 30 times plus. They to I am sure work hard to be able to do that. I don't get anything given in life and work for everything I have .

 

So no, I'm sorry I'm not be petty just trying to voice how it is great that people are getting free cruises but that it would be nice for carnival to be loyal to their loyal cruisers . That's all! Happy holidays ! :)

[Jeads323]

So I read that some of you received them from a PVP call or snail mail or email, if none of those happen, could it just be in my offers? How often do you log in to check your offers to see if something is there considering you haven't heard from any other source?

 

 

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