CCL not promoting cruises?

[Bob7]

Been awhile since we cruised Carnival ... have they got a new marketing strategy that involves no promotions? NCL, Celeb, and Royal all have good promotions with lots of perks such as free grats, bev cards, and OBC's, but all CCL has offered for many months now is a very small OBC.

[RiotAct]

I get approximately 7,900 emails a day from CCL with a bunch of "past cruiser" promotions and whatnot. Would have probably taken them up on one of those if it wasn't for Baby #1 on the way next month :D

[Sweet Dutch Girl]

If you need a "special" promotion to entice customers there may be something inherently wrong with the product to begin with. Besides, the money for "free grats, OBC, and onboard beverages" have to come from somewhere. Probably because the prices are already built into the "fare" which means everyone is paying for something they may not ultimately need or want.

[RuthlessBoss]

If you need a "special" promotion to entice customers there may be something inherently wrong with the product to begin with. Besides, the money for "free grats, OBC, and onboard beverages" have to come from somewhere. Probably because the prices are already built into the "fare" which means everyone is paying for something they may not ultimately need or want.

 

Since new NCL leadership, I get so many offers pushing these things that I don't even open them anymore.

[Sixtytwo]

I would almost guarantee that if bookings were to drop, CCL would be sending out promotions like crazy.

[Sweet Dutch Girl]

I would almost guarantee that if bookings were to drop, CCL would be sending out promotions like crazy.

 

They do have promotions which are usually "reduced fares" available for most everyone. These are "fair" promotions, equitable for all and can result in some substantial savings. Special promotions that target those who hate to tip, or to spend extra money on board, or who want lots of booze or beverages don't in anyway benefit the average cruiser. They become more of a turn off than a turn on for many passengers.

[Cruise life]

I know people that claim to get what they call bounce back offers after a cruise where they played in the casino quite a bit. Like free offers or almost free. As far as I know, that is the only real deal going around right now....

[Retired_to_Cruise]

You don't need to offer "freebie" stuff (see hidden in the higher prices) if the base product that you offer, at the price you offer it, is still liked by the people that buy it, and you are running with ships that generate the amount of profit that pleases the share holders and keeps the company on top of the charts. People who only buy a product for the "pretend" perks need to learn to read the fine print, and realize that they are not really perks but well disguised bribes that are being funded by the people who actually believe that they are free when they are not.

[RjayB]

I am cruising in 2 weeks in a balcony cabin at about the same price per night that I paid in 2002 for a Ocean view window. And people want more freebies and lower prices? Personally, I wish Carnival would RAISE the prices and bring back a little more quality.:rolleyes:

Edited August 21, 2015 by RjayB
clarification

[flyawayca]

I hope Carnival doesn't start adding the "free" things! I've noticed an increase in prices on those lines, especially NCL.

 

I was hoping to book a NCL New England cruise next year with my aunt but suddenly the price increased tremendously and they added the "free" packages. I don't want to pay $670pp when I can go on Carnival for $489pp on a similar ship.

 

The "free" drinks or "free" specialty dining is not worth it to me. I don't drink much alcohol and rarely go to specialty restaurants. I'd rather pay less for a cruise then pay for the extras that I want.

[swedish weave]

Carnival doesn't need to enter into the "hocus pocus" booking hype that NCL is using. They can keep the rates sensible and will inherit a lot of customers that are disillusioned with the antics of Del Rio and company.

[BamaLady#13]

I recently took advantage of an NCL promotion. The first week in June, we sailed to Alaska on the Pearl. Never again. I thought it was a very good price for a balcony room and included their promotional free gratuities. The ship was in deplorable condition. The carpet in our cabin was so stained and dirty that I would not walk on it barefooted. The finish was completely worn off the wooden coffee table and the sofa stained and torn. The cabin looked more like a shabby third rate motel than a first class cruise ship. The buffet consisted mostly of cold cuts, hot dogs and hamburgers, no variety. We tried the MDR and the food was worse. The toughest steak I ever tried to eat. Due to the fact that this sailing also offered a friends and family sailed free, the ship was crowded to the point that the common areas were practically impassable. All of the tables in the buffet were occupied by large family's playing board games or just chatting. I know, you think I am just the type of person that complains....I'm not. I've sailed twice on the NCL Sun, on the Oasis and six or eight Carnival ships. We always had a wonderful time. NCL can keep their promotions, I'm back to Carnival. They have very good prices and therefore have no need to fill their ships by offering "deals".

[knight2096]

I am cruising in 2 weeks in a balcony cabin at about the same price per night that I paid in 2002 for a Ocean view window. And people want more freebies and lower prices? Personally, I wish Carnival would RAISE the prices and bring back a little more quality.:rolleyes:

 

 

I feel the same way and I am right there with you. The only thing I see different is that Carnival along with the other lines are raising the their prices just fine lol. They just seem to have forgotten to bring back the quality. I think it is sad to see the cruise lines all headed in the direction they are going.

[ginger123snaps]

It depends on the cabin category that you are looking at. I agree with everyone above that when you look at ocean view and balcony then the rates are lower then other cruise lines....BUT...when you look at the suite rates they are actually about the same as the other lines but not as many benefits/perks. At least that was my experience when I recently tried to price out carnival suites.

[isaiahsnana]

I recently took advantage of an NCL promotion. The first week in June, we sailed to Alaska on the Pearl. Never again. I thought it was a very good price for a balcony room and included their promotional free gratuities. The ship was in deplorable condition. The carpet in our cabin was so stained and dirty that I would not walk on it barefooted. The finish was completely worn off the wooden coffee table and the sofa stained and torn. The cabin looked more like a shabby third rate motel than a first class cruise ship. The buffet consisted mostly of cold cuts, hot dogs and hamburgers, no variety. We tried the MDR and the food was worse. The toughest steak I ever tried to eat. Due to the fact that this sailing also offered a friends and family sailed free, the ship was crowded to the point that the common areas were practically impassable. All of the tables in the buffet were occupied by large family's playing board games or just chatting. I know, you think I am just the type of person that complains....I'm not. I've sailed twice on the NCL Sun, on the Oasis and six or eight Carnival ships. We always had a wonderful time. NCL can keep their promotions, I'm back to Carnival. They have very good prices and therefore have no need to fill their ships by offering "deals".

 

I so agree, went on this same ship and cruise a year ago. (A repeat of one from 14 years ago on NCL). It was so bad that I swore off NCL. I loved my trips on carnival and loved that first cruise on NCL years ago - what a change.

[jcearth]

I know people that claim to get what they call bounce back offers after a cruise where they played in the casino quite a bit. Like free offers or almost free. As far as I know, that is the only real deal going around right now....

 

My parents have done 6 bounce backs in the past year. They are pretty good deals.

[Zevo]

I recently had a 7 day Eastern Caribbean cruise booked on NCL new ship Escape for April. The total cost was $2410.00 for a balcony on deck 10 that included gratuities and drink package. I canceled that cruise to go 8days on Breeze because I liked the 4 ports better. I am now paying $1875.00 for an interior cabin including gratuities. I'm going to pay an additional 910.00 for the beverage package for a total of $2800.00. I hope its worth it.

[cheewiee]

When I cruise, I look for best value... that's based on Cruise Fare... number of nights, cruise iternerary, ship... an all that.

 

When you start running promotions it sort of skews the price of the vacation where the value becomes harder to determine...

 

Like RCCL and their 50% off second traveler fair... it drives the first occupant price so high up, that I can usually still get a significantly better value on Carnival... same with NCL....

[sfaaa]

No need to promote if you price the product right. I am very happy with Carnival's prices and will continue to cruise with the whale tail brand as long as it remains affordable.

[momof3cruisers]

I recently had a 7 day Eastern Caribbean cruise booked on NCL new ship Escape for April. The total cost was $2410.00 for a balcony on deck 10 that included gratuities and drink package. I canceled that cruise to go 8days on Breeze because I liked the 4 ports better. I am now paying $1875.00 for an interior cabin including gratuities. I'm going to pay an additional 910.00 for the beverage package for a total of $2800.00. I hope its worth it.

 

Seems like you decided it was worth it when you liked the itinerary better. We are going on our most expensive cruise ever in Jan. I know I could get a better deal if I played around with various options, but I wanted a Cove balcony on the Breeze, without going to the Western Carribbean. So, we decided the high cost was worth it because it got us what we wanted.

Edited August 21, 2015 by momof3cruisers

[mousey]

I know people that claim to get what they call bounce back offers after a cruise where they played in the casino quite a bit. Like free offers or almost free. As far as I know, that is the only real deal going around right now....

 

The DH and DS just got that casino offer and we are cruising during Christmas week. Now that's what I call a promotion...LOL!:D Can't wait to sail. I've always wanted to take a cruise during a holiday other than Easter during spring break. So I'm psyched!

Edited August 21, 2015 by mousey

[Brooklyn Boy]

Been awhile since we cruised Carnival ... have they got a new marketing strategy that involves no promotions? NCL, Celeb, and Royal all have good promotions with lots of perks such as free grats, bev cards, and OBC's, but all CCL has offered for many months now is a very small OBC.

 

Since Carnival ships almost always sail full there is no need for CCL to offer endless promos. CCL offers an attractive product at a competitive price. This is all the incentive I need to continue sailing with them.

[emmak8]

The CCL board has mostly satisfied customers posting. The NCL board is mostly complaints. Says it all.

[Lovtotravel2]

No line is giving you free drinks or Tips, or dinners, they are just raising the price for everyone knowing that in the long run the extra they make pays more. Princes is a great example, lower price on drink package, not everyone has to buy it, but they know their customers drink less and many will use very little but pay more for a cruise where it is included. Carnival gets the family and party crowds, and they make their money on the bar I would be very surprised if they raised rates and gave away drinks as they would not make as much that way

[Bob7]

I am cruising in 2 weeks in a balcony cabin at about the same price per night that I paid in 2002 for a Ocean view window. And people want more freebies and lower prices? Personally, I wish Carnival would RAISE the prices and bring back a little more quality.:rolleyes:

Thx everyone for your feedback. RJay what quality aspects would you like to see improved?