Venting - "free cruises" are out there again

[doneinne]

I received a call on Friday night, was not home, and did not think a thing on this as it sounds to good to be true? 2 cruises down, called the lady back but she was not in the office, was wondering what the details were??

 

 

If you log in to carnivals website and check your VIFP offers it should be there. You don't need to go through the lady that called. I thought the same thing. I was cautious it was a scam.

[girlscruise2011]

Ok here is my funny story. Last month came home to a postcard in the mail from Carnival addressed to "John". Finally!!! (My friend and nephew got them all the time and teased the crap out of me). Take a picture and send to my husband, woohoo, we're going on a cruise. Hack into his Carnival online account, go to his Offer page. Nothing! Really? How can I pick a cruise if there is nothing there???? Suddenly I notice its not the same VIFP #. Does he have 2 accounts for some reason???? Nope! The offer is for my 20 year old son. Yup. The kid that may have spent $200 in the casino and lets not forget, he's not old enough to sail on Carnival alone yet. Sure he can take me on a cruise with him, if I pay for him and his GF. At that point, the cruise isn't cheap anymore.

 

I just don't get it.

[RaiderFaninNM]

If you log in to carnivals website and check your VIFP offers it should be there. You don't need to go through the lady that called. I thought the same thing. I was cautious it was a scam.

 

I did that and there was some very generous offers and we are going on a cruise!!! :eek: :D

 

Ok here is my funny story. Last month came home to a postcard in the mail from Carnival addressed to "John". Finally!!! (My friend and nephew got them all the time and teased the crap out of me). Take a picture and send to my husband, woohoo, we're going on a cruise. Hack into his Carnival online account, go to his Offer page. Nothing! Really? How can I pick a cruise if there is nothing there???? Suddenly I notice its not the same VIFP #. Does he have 2 accounts for some reason???? Nope! The offer is for my 20 year old son. Yup. The kid that may have spent $200 in the casino and lets not forget, he's not old enough to sail on Carnival alone yet. Sure he can take me on a cruise with him, if I pay for him and his GF. At that point, the cruise isn't cheap anymore.

 

I just don't get it.

 

Funny!

 

I had 2 different VIFP numbers, I called them to clear it up and she was not sure what happened but I am back to my original #, I thought something was up as one number had NO cruises in my profile and the other one had my past history.......?

Edited June 15, 2015 by RaiderFaninNM

[USNUZULOOSE]

We have only sailed Carnival 3 times and got the casino offer for the free cruise. We don't even gamble. But we could not use the free offer. If I could have given it to someone I would have shared.

[cmukid87]

The worst is when you don't think you come close to deserving a free cruise offer and when you find out it's the chance of a lifetime....everything in life makes it impossible for you to go!

 

When I looked I could get a Journeys cruise between October 2015-January 2016 from 10-14 days for $75/pp with $150 OBC. Can't go.

[cfitch]

The worst is when you don't think you come close to deserving a free cruise offer and when you find out it's the chance of a lifetime....everything in life makes it impossible for you to go!

 

When I looked I could get a Journeys cruise between October 2015-January 2016 from 10-14 days for $75/pp with $150 OBC. Can't go.

 

I got this offer too. The only time I could go is the Port Canaveral-San Juan or San Juan to Port Canaveral. At first those no longer had rooms for this promo. It took a couple days of me checking constantly and a few glitches on Carnival's site but I finally snagged one.

[figdu]

I would see no value to Carnival giving me a free cruise. They already have data showing I am going to cruise 2-3 times a year and spend x dollars once onboard. Why would they waste marketing dollars on me when they get me every year without doing so.

 

I don't mean I wouldn't accept a free cruise. Just not beneficial to them.

Edited June 16, 2015 by figdu

[Out to sea!]

I would see no value to Carnival giving me a free cruise. They already have data showing I am going to cruise 2-3 times a year and spend x dollars once onboard. Why would they waste marketing dollars on me when they get me every year without doing so.

 

I don't mean I wouldn't accept a free cruise. Just not beneficial to them.

 

Exactly! They have already captured you so no need to give you a free cruise. Someone who cruises Carnival only once or maybe twice in 10 years a free cruise may get them to spend their vacation dollars more with Carnival than whoever they are currently spending them on.

[eponym]

I would see no value to Carnival giving me a free cruise. They already have data showing I am going to cruise 2-3 times a year and spend x dollars once onboard. Why would they waste marketing dollars on me when they get me every year without doing so.

 

I don't mean I wouldn't accept a free cruise. Just not beneficial to them.

 

It is not a negative thing, but seemingly reality. If you are that predictable in your onboard spend and habits, and they total below average per passenger per day for completed cruises they likely won't have interest in sending you free cabin offers.

 

On the other hand, if a persons average on board peripheral spends per day are much higher than the average, it is reasonable to assume that a business would entice the customer back with deeply discounted base rates or possibly free offers.

[figdu]

It is not a negative thing, but seemingly reality. If you are that predictable in your onboard spend and habits, and they total below average per passenger per day for completed cruises they likely won't have interest in sending you free cabin offers.

 

On the other hand, if a persons average on board peripheral spends per day are much higher than the average, it is reasonable to assume that a business would entice the customer back with deeply discounted base rates or possibly free offers.

 

I disagree.

 

I never said what my onboard spending is. I actually spend a lot and am usually in a balcony. I won't even get into the bar bill as my entire point is why give me a cruise when they know I am going to book.

[SMSACE6]

I just dont get it. I cruise solo, and pay the price for two in a cabin. But my on board spending still often doubles what I pay for the cruise. I spend in the casino, and I spend on bar drinks, as well as Carnival excursions. I have 6 Carnival cruises since 2000, and never get these offers! I am starting to get p'o, d by this too. Is the trick staying away from Carnival for a few years? I have done that too, sometimes as long as four years between cruises.

[eponym]

I just dont get it. I cruise solo, and pay the price for two in a cabin. But my on board spending still often doubles what I pay for the cruise. I spend in the casino, and I spend on bar drinks, as well as Carnival excursions. I have 6 Carnival cruises since 2000, and never get these offers! I am starting to get p'o, d by this too. Is the trick staying away from Carnival for a few years? I have done that too, sometimes as long as four years between cruises.

 

That's what some people claim.

 

I would say demographics must play a part too in the formula from time to time, as well as where someone resides.

[SMSACE6]

That's what some people claim.

 

I would say demographics must play a part too in the formula from time to time, as well as where someone resides.

 

Well I have only ever seen one Canadian on here claim they got a free cruise from Carnival...only one!, therefore did not want to bring up the discrimination due to where one resides factor. But yes..it too must be part of it. Still just one more item to add to my list of gripes with Carnival:(

[Wilgr]

My free cruises usually cost me between 3K and 9K, I eat on Lido, I never go to shows, I buy drink packages, no photos, no excursions...and I normally have at least one other cabin of red/blue travel with me. I know exactly why they send me offers.

[eponym]

Well I have only ever seen one Canadian on here claim they got a free cruise from Carnival...only one!, therefore did not want to bring up the discrimination due to where one resides factor. But yes..it too must be part of it. Still just one more item to add to my list of gripes with Carnival:(

 

Genuinely not intended to be a gripe starter. Demographics as to targeting certain types of offers, not discrimination of any kind.

 

Yeah, distance from port cities would likely be a part of the formula for some offers at certain times of year/month to fill certain ships/itineraries.

 

Many Canadian friends. Most don't sail. Will check with those that do to see if they have ever received offers.

[hockeymom15]

Well I have only ever seen one Canadian on here claim they got a free cruise from Carnival...only one!, therefore did not want to bring up the discrimination due to where one resides factor. But yes..it too must be part of it. Still just one more item to add to my list of gripes with Carnival:(

 

Hello , I am from Toronto , Ontario CA and yes I have received 3 free cruises . Saying that, they are definitley not Free as I usually spend between $2000-$2500 in the casinos every cruise to get it . It is interior cabins only . So its not free , but that is what I like to do so be it .

They dont have to give me anything is the way I look at it . I am going to gamble regardless so its a plus to get something out of it .

It did take me a long time to get a free cruise . I am platinum and have sailed 15 cruises with Carnival . I just got my first free one last year .

 

There is no ryhme or reason for the way they do it . YOu will drive yourself crazy trying to figure it out . When I have one booked I never get offers in my VIFP but I have read over and over again how some people have 2-3 cruises booked and still have free cruises or premiere cruise offers in their VIFP . So who knows :confused:

 

Then I hear about people who do get the free cruises and upgrade for next to nothing . When I call to upgrade they give me some ridiculous price that is reg pricing so again who knows ! Someone I believe on here said he got an upgrade to suite for $700 . When I called 2 days ago to upgrade they gave me price of $2200 ?

 

It is very confusing and frustrating for alot of loyal customers as to how they work it . Some cruise once get a freebee . Some have cruised 40 times and nothing !!! NADA . I am not sure how they justify that ? Yes I know its business but your repeat customers is what keeps you in business bottom line. I know people will come on and say why would they reward you when you keep booking anyway ? I understand but you can see on this forum they do reward some people over and over ! even when they have cruises booked and keep getting offers so the consistency is not there . Again I think it is just one of those life mysteries that cannot be explained no matter how hard we ponder it!

[doneinne]

I just dont get it. I cruise solo, and pay the price for two in a cabin. But my on board spending still often doubles what I pay for the cruise. I spend in the casino, and I spend on bar drinks, as well as Carnival excursions. I have 6 Carnival cruises since 2000, and never get these offers! I am starting to get p'o, d by this too. Is the trick staying away from Carnival for a few years? I have done that too, sometimes as long as four years between cruises.

 

 

I cruised in January and got the free CABIN offer a few months later.

[eponym]

I disagree.

 

I never said what my onboard spending is. I actually spend a lot and am usually in a balcony. I won't even get into the bar bill as my entire point is why give me a cruise when they know I am going to book.

 

Great point. You don't deserve it since your preditable to them, and they won't offer it to you. Makes sense to me.

Edited June 17, 2015 by eponym

[eponym]

I cruised in January and got the free CABIN offer a few months later.

 

Yes, I have heard most frequently that an offer will emerge within a few months of completing a sailing.

[kublaieod]

I do think it sucks that there are people that are loyal that cruise a lot that don't ever see offers. Like someone earlier said, you could go mad trying to figure it out and there are a million speculations. My DW and I have been very fortunate both of us at different times got a pack and play (basically taxes/fees only) and most recently we have booked cruises with the Carnival Players club.

 

Obviously I spend between 1500 and 2000 each trip total so FREE is a loose term. I know one thing, they track every dollar you spend on your sail and sign and just like playing in the casino; your action is looked at.

 

I do know one thing that I personally have noticed. I have consistently gotten offers when I do not have a cruise booked. But when I have one booked my offers page goes blank when the current ones expire and don't return until magically the mon/tue after my most recent cruise has been logged on my VIFP account.

 

So even though it may have nothing to do with it, I have a cruise booked in September but plan on doing again in Jan/Feb. But I won't book because I want to see what pops up in October/November time frame.

 

But yea it sucks that the most loyal get shafted at times. It would be sad to think they don't because they know you will book, that pathetic because in many industries you are awarded from repeated business.

[sc4125]

Hello , I am from Toronto , Ontario CA and yes I have received 3 free cruises . Saying that, they are definitley not Free as I usually spend between $2000-$2500 in the casinos every cruise to get it . It is interior cabins only . So its not free , but that is what I like to do so be it .

They dont have to give me anything is the way I look at it . I am going to gamble regardless so its a plus to get something out of it .

It did take me a long time to get a free cruise . I am platinum and have sailed 15 cruises with Carnival . I just got my first free one last year .

 

There is no ryhme or reason for the way they do it . YOu will drive yourself crazy trying to figure it out . When I have one booked I never get offers in my VIFP but I have read over and over again how some people have 2-3 cruises booked and still have free cruises or premiere cruise offers in their VIFP . So who knows :confused:

 

Then I hear about people who do get the free cruises and upgrade for next to nothing . When I call to upgrade they give me some ridiculous price that is reg pricing so again who knows ! Someone I believe on here said he got an upgrade to suite for $700 . When I called 2 days ago to upgrade they gave me price of $2200 ?

 

It is very confusing and frustrating for alot of loyal customers as to how they work it . Some cruise once get a freebee . Some have cruised 40 times and nothing !!! NADA . I am not sure how they justify that ? Yes I know its business but your repeat customers is what keeps you in business bottom line. I know people will come on and say why would they reward you when you keep booking anyway ? I understand but you can see on this forum they do reward some people over and over ! even when they have cruises booked and keep getting offers so the consistency is not there . Again I think it is just one of those life mysteries that cannot be explained no matter how hard we ponder it!

 

As far as people being able to upgrade for little extra $$, I believe it's because when they book those categories are available & listed on the offer. For example, last year I got the offer & was able to upgrade to a balcony for less than $100 - however this year the balconies & oceanviews were only listed on the offer for a week or so, then they showed regular price & the only discounted cabins available were the interiors.

 

My PVP explained that depending on how many people upgrade as soon as the offer comes out, they will stop offering those upgrades at the discounted rate.

 

So, this year, I obviously didn't book in time to get the great upgrade deals - does that make sense?

[Surfwench]

And there is always the possibility that people are fibbing, exaggerating, or minimizing the number of $$$ they drop in the casino or on drinks, photos, excursions, etc.

 

There is no free lunch. Carnival is a big behemoth in the business of making as many $$$ as they can. Giving it away is not their business model.

 

:)

[singbluesilver1]

I don't Fibb!

[Wilgr]

And there is always the possibility that people are fibbing, exaggerating, or minimizing the number of $$$ they drop in the casino or on drinks, photos, excursions, etc.

 

There is no free lunch. Carnival is a big behemoth in the business of making as many $$$ as they can. Giving it away is not their business model.

 

:)

 

There are also probably some that are downplaying the sheer numbers and value of offers extended to them in order to not piss people off.

[Cinnamon2]

OP here with an update. Again I am happy for those who score "free" cruises and discounts. However, I continue to have "hurt feelings" because I want some perks too. The women I wrote about many months ago was again offered a "free" cruise - her third in less than a year. And just today while organizing another girls cruise with my friends, when calling to price our cabins, one of the girls learned that she can get a casino rate and will pay $150 less for the same cabin category as the rest of us. I'm happy for her and OK with the price I will pay . . . but can't help to have hurt feelings. My friend said she spends about $20 per day in the casino - and just last month I dropped over $350 in the casino and no offers for me. Oh well - it is what it is.