Venting - "free cruises" are out there again

[Rochesterboatingdotcom]

They have been bombarding my wife and I with these offers by mail, I think they are targeting people that rarely sail Carnival and have spent a good sum in the casino.

[KatieCharlotte]

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'm just not sure why we should expect a business to show appreciation for frequent customers in the form of free cruises? A few free drinks and VIP boarding, sure, but free cruises? Clearly, the offers are for profit-making purposes. I'm curious what the criteria are or if they're partly random to generate buzz, but I don't expect Carnival to tell. And I don't think they're intended to actually reward anyone. It's no different than the rewards I receive from my grocery store for spending money, which are carefully calculated to encourage me to spend more money at their store, not to literally reward me for loyalty.

 

I want Carnival to keep making the business decisions that result in low cruise prices.

[mouche]

I just wanted to say that I consider myself a frequent sailor and a loyal Carnival Customer and I got the freebie too. I don't know how they pick and choose, but I do know it is offered all across the board of different travelers.

Edited December 17, 2014 by mouche

[buddylover]

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.

 

Kudos to you NCTribeFan.....very well stated and couldn't agree with you more.

 

I don't believe I read one posting where anyone talked about lack of appreciation that they could cruise, nor their ability to afford to cruise. That was not the topic nor the point.

 

The topic is centered on "who" is chosen and possibly "why" to get the Free cruises. As loyal CCL cruisers it hurts to see the children and babysitters of loyal cruisers get the offer, while the parents that pay don't. It hurts to read over and over again how CCL randomly chooses infrequent cruisers to bestow their Free cruises upon.

 

It is not that any of us are saying we can't afford a cruise and therefore putting out our hands.....it is a correctly placed "Thank You" from CCL to those who have funded their bottom line for a long time!

[cfitch]

I noticed a correlation between an influx of me checking out prices on Carnival.com without booking and receiving these offers (2 so far). I do not gamble and I am not a big spender. I only book interior typically. This will be my 4th Carnival cruise.

[zandasmom]

I noticed a correlation between an influx of me checking out prices on Carnival.com without booking and receiving these offers (2 so far). I do not gamble and I am not a big spender. I only book interior typically. This will be my 4th Carnival cruise.

 

I was thinking this too!!! We only sail Carnival, total 9 times since 2003. We never spend more than 100 in casino, book only private excursions, and usually have a S&S of 1,000 (give or take). We received the offer of $75 pp with 150 OBC, and have 6 different sailings to choose from.

 

The only thing I could figure is that they've seen me putting in tons of different cabins, then never booking. I just keep putting in options and get all the way to the end (so I can see the total cost), but then start over and look at a different cabin type or location or ship! Maybe they thought this would help me decide.

 

Guess we can only speculate.

[carsastic]

just came back from a carnival cruise after a 2 or 3 yr layoff.

We went because there were a total of 6 couple that booked .

One couple were gamblers. Well not gamblers , they played slots ( Im a 21 player :D) . Anyway this couple won big on the last nite, she won 2k, he won 7.5k . both on slots . they both received a free cruise each. so in august they booked two rooms on the breeze.. going with another couple.

it certainly was nice getting a free cruise .. although they are down 47 k on this year alone.. nothing is really free

enjoy what makes you smile !

[Vitamin_Sea]

.. although they are down 47 k on this year alone.. nothing is really free

enjoy what makes you smile !

 

:eek: down $47000?? Holy hell, the year is 6 months old :eek:

Edited June 13, 2015 by limoguy1

[bell777]

I was angry with RCL and decided to try Carnival and went on the Dream and by the 4th night had a free casino drinking card but received nothing by means of a free cruise.

 

We then booked on the Breeze and spend another 1500 points and free drinks by the 4 night no free cruise but when i checked the website there it was a discount of interior for 100.00 and obc for 100.00 plus port fees. I did not get anything in the mail but was checking to get a 3rd cruise and it was on the internet.

 

Needless to say i will stay with Carnival unless they make me totally upset like RCL and for the record I was an RCL Diamond member and so was my husband and 2 kids.

[AmberTeka]

We have gotten a couple of those offers. We are Platinum. Have more sea days on Carnival than many sailors.

 

They are limited to certain cruises. for us anyway

they do not include air fare and for us it always involves a flight

taxes

port charges

It is a good deal. but...........not free.

 

We get casino offers. Not the free ones. The 40% off or 35% off with a little cash in the casino. We always book them if we can. it is a savings. Not huge. But much appreciated. My husband does donate to the casino. A lot. I do slots. some. Not a huge player. I was born in a 3 room shack on the side of a mountain. really. it is hard for me to spend more than the money Iake to the casino. which is not much. The cost of dinner and a movie or tour when on vacation. that is my limit. I lock the rest of my money in the safe and forbid my DH from telling me the combination.

Works for me. I never. never. never win. So it is good.

And Bingo.. NEVER won. honestly. NEVER

Edited June 13, 2015 by AmberTeka

[AmberTeka]

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 ! :)

 

Well Said. But almost all of those cruises are casino driven.

[AmberTeka]

Don't believe what you read on the internet.

 

Carnival cannot afford to give many free cruises away without reason

 

the cost

the backlash from paying customers.

[pointdel40]

I finally got my "free cruise" offer. I never gamble or play the slots, the total cruise including port fees and taxes is about $400 for an interior cabin for 2 people. Personally I'm not a fan of interior cabins but $400 for 10 day vacation I will take it.

[bakersdozen12]

I'm confused. You just said you got an offer for a $25 cruise with $25 OBC. So you did get a "free" cruise offer. So why are you trying to say you never get them? Just because you couldn't accept it, that's not Carnival's fault.

[maritaysa]

I don't understand how they choose who they choose to offer non-casino related free cruises to. After almost 20 years and 25 cruises with Carnival, I've never seen an offer. I check almost daily. I hope to be pleasantly surprised one day.

[MamaTortuga]

I'm not a high roller that's been cruising for 20+ years, but a free cruise would be nice. However I'm not going to get mad at the lottery commission cause I spent so much on lotto tickets over the years and never won mega millions ;)

[buddylover]

Again, this is simply not true. I was offered one the other month but didnt return the call to my PVP. All Carnival got out opg me in the casinos is $20 in total.

 

My parents ended up getting one a few weeks later. They only have 1 cruise with Carnival and my mother maybe played $40 tops.

 

They need to fill the ships, simple as that. Having the port fees and taxes covered helps them and any $ spend on board is a bonus.

 

Disagree.....it is not as simple as "they need to fill their ships". YOu must understand that the debate is over WHO is offered the freebies. When there is a large very loyal demographic that has sailed with CCL for years.....why not reward those who have helped CCL's bottom line??? No one will take away the happiness for you, a brand new cruiser who has spent very little on CCL.......but the bottom line is HOW IS CCL MARKETING determining who is "rewarded"?? Seems quite unfair to me :(:confused::(

[buddylover]

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?

 

Completely agree....these new "freebies" are NOT casino offers....and they HURT those who have been loyal for years to CCL and have received NADA!!!:mad::confused:

[linbobky]

we are going on number 16 on carnival in oct. I keep checking my offers and it always says [no offers at this time]:( maybe one day!!:)

[rickechambers1@aol.com]

I got the offer recently. Many cruises were available...but my vacations are booked so ended up booking a 3 day after Thanksgiving. Also, allowed me to book multiple cruises if i wanted but dont have the time off. Going on Holland America for two weeks next month...Fiji in March and Celebrity next October.

 

Think its interesting that when i had Carnival reservatins, i got no offers...when i didnt have a Carnival reservation...unlimited free cruises for 2015. I played about $6,000 in the casino last cruise...but ended up ahead in the end. Not sure if that had anything to do with it.

[singbluesilver1]

I got my offer on Tuesday, 150 to book with 150 obc. We ended up paying 210 for a 11 day cruise to the southern Caribbean on the pride from Baltimore. I've been on three previous carnival cruises, the last was last year. We've never even stepped into the casino, we don't book excursions. We did buy the drink package last cruise though.

 

No idea why we got it but I was happy. We have a severely disabled 16 year old and money is tight

[NavarreCruiser]

Completely agree....these new "freebies" are NOT casino offers....and they HURT those who have been loyal for years to CCL and have received NADA!!!:mad::confused:

 

We have sailed 73 times with Carnival since May 2005 and as far as free cruises are concerned we have also received NADA!

[MsTabbyKats]

We have sailed 73 times with Carnival since May 2005 and as far as free cruises are concerned we have also received NADA!

 

They have no reason to offer you a free or deeply discounted cruise....since they know you are going to sail anyway.

 

For the record....I've never been offered anything. I play in the casino...but I'm relatively a low roller.

[volmoma]

I got my offer on Tuesday, 150 to book with 150 obc. We ended up paying 210 for a 11 day cruise to the southern Caribbean on the pride from Baltimore. I've been on three previous carnival cruises, the last was last year. We've never even stepped into the casino, we don't book excursions. We did buy the drink package last cruise though.

 

No idea why we got it but I was happy. We have a severely disabled 16 year old and money is tight

 

 

EXACTLY!!!! Did you (already) have a cruise booked? We're never without one booked...have heard these deals come too those that do not have anything booked.

[volmoma]

We have sailed 73 times with Carnival since May 2005 and as far as free cruises are concerned we have also received NADA!

 

 

You're preaching to the CHOIR!!!!