Carnival now giving Anniversary and Birthday gifts

[Elaine5715]

I also received the $50 Spa gift card but there was no indication that it was because of a birthday or anniversary...I figured it was just a way to get you to try out the spa so they can try and sell you more stuff...I didn't use it as I am not a spa person. I also wasn't celebrating anything on the cruise...so I doubt they specifically give them for those reasons.

 

Possibly from the Casino?

[cruising with the family]

Must be brand new because I cruised in October for both my 40th birthday and our 16th wedding anniversary--both during the cruise--and got jack *****. It was marked on our reservation. My husband paid to have the room decorated for our anniversary. But no one even sang to us at dinner or anything. It did not ruin my cruise, but I thought it was a little lame.

[koikat]

I was on the Carnival Glory 1/23 to 2/2. It was also my birthday month. I received the $50 spa credit which I used for the fire and ice pedicure. The fire and ice pedicure is $70. So with the discount, its about the same price as what I would pay back in San Diego. I was also given a $10 gift card for Cherry on Top. Gift certificate is for bulk candy. Pretty good since I used it to buy peanut M&M's and ate them on my travels back home.

First time I have ever received anything and it did make me feel special. The room stewart laid out my birthday cards on the bed in front of the towel animal.

 

I am platinum level. Although I don't think this matters. I have been usually sailing Princess (platinum as well), but I might cruise Carnival for a bit as I really felt they went out of their way to acknowledge me by name.

By the way the whole cruise was fantastic. It was a Journey cruise.

[golfb4cruzing]

Hope this is accurate. We board on my birthday in April.

[boaterette]

John Heald addressed this and said it was only a promotional thing for their spa and specialty restaurants. Not everyone is getting them. It is only hit and miss.

[Ralphinsc]

Edited my cruise profile to reflect our anniversary date on our cruise coming up in April. Not expecting anything, but it is always helpful to at least have it noted. We our planning the Steakhouse during our anniversary night anyway :)

[Gallivanting Souls]

If you still need help finding it...

 

Go to My Cruise Manager, then go to My Cruise Details.

Look for the 4 tabs about halfway down the page. Select My Guests.

Look for "modify" on the left, under your name & contact info. It's right there -- hiding in plain sight! :D

 

No Modify button under our two names under either of them :confused:

I booked with a TA. Could that be why I can't edit the info? I even clicked on the green Edit online check in. That doesn't change anything.

 

On another note while we are in here, what is the VIFP#. I have one but DH does not. Please tell me about that.

[cruzelover55]

We leave Sunday, February 21st, on the Dream, and it is also DH's birthday. I noted his "special occasion" when I completed our guest information. Guess we will see whether or not he gets a card or anything special. Of note, I can understand why Carnival would only give gifts if you are celebrating a birthday or anniversary WHILE you are on the ship. It's a stretch to expect something for your anniversary or birthday sailing when you are sailing a month later or earlier, etc. IMHO.

 

I don't agree with this. Some people may have saved up money and time off from work, just to celebrate their "special" occasion. And the cruise they chose does not fall exactly on the date. I think they should qualify. Myself, the only time I remember Carnival giving us anything, above and beyond, was the 1st 2 cruises we took with them. I honestly can't remember if it was '00, or '02. Our PVP at the time asked if we were celebrating any occasion and I said no. He then encouraged me to come up with "SOMETHING". Both cruises we received 2 bottles of wine in our room. Nothing I asked for, just happened. My parents are in their mid '80's, and go on about 2 or 3 cruises per year. They always talk about how nice it was that they received wine at dinner and a cake every time they cruise. Believe me, I personally pay for that. Her b'day in in March and I am going to note that on their info,(as I always do) as they are taking a cruise in that month and shall see if anything happens. For once won't spend the couple hundred I usually do. They also think some genie just zaps down their boarding pass, like Carnival would even know their passport info etc... if I did not provide it. Clueless. Gotta luv em:D

[Yellowbird75]

No Modify button under our two names under either of them :confused:

I booked with a TA. Could that be why I can't edit the info?

 

Yes, if you don't book direct with Carnival there is no edit button.

[kona_wahine]

We are doing a b2b a couple weeks before our actual anniversary. I didn't enter it initially because I really didn't think they would do anything. I was able to go in and add it. (And it is a different month - we return 4/23 and anniversary is 5/8 - we couldn't go at that time) it would be nice to get a little something as we are spending well over $5000 including excursions and what we will spend onboard.

[tayzia00]

If you go to your booking and click on the "guests" tab in blue. Under the guests name if you will click on the modify button the choice is there to add it.

 

Thank you so much for the information!!!! We will be celebrating our one year anniversary in July on the Magic!!! I just updated our booking!! I'm excited to see if we will get something too lol.

[winddawn]

We were recently on the Glory during our anniversary and for our anniversary we received a $50 Gift Card to the Spa, and we received a $25 Gift Card towards a bottle of wine.

 

Used the Spa Card for a manicure...paid a tip was all and used the $25 card for a $25 bottle of wine (there was no gratuity added).

 

The staff said it is something new they are doing.

 

I thought it was Awesome!!

Great news! I'm so happy to hear Carnival is extending the gifts as credits and gift cards where the recipient can pick what they like. That's way better than just sending a bottle of wine the recipient may not like. Kudos to Carnival!

[Mary Ellen1]

No Modify button under our two names under either of them :confused:

I booked with a TA. Could that be why I can't edit the info? I even clicked on the green Edit online check in. That doesn't change anything.

 

On another note while we are in here, what is the VIFP#. I have one but DH does not. Please tell me about that.

 

Yes, as Yellowbird75 said... If you booked with a TA you can't change anything yourself.

 

VIFP is Carnival's version of a frequent-flyer number. It's how they track how many cruises you've taken, and what corresponding benefits you get. Very Important Fun Person.

[Elaine5715]

We leave Sunday, February 21st, on the Dream, and it is also DH's birthday. I noted his "special occasion" when I completed our guest information. Guess we will see whether or not he gets a card or anything special. Of note, I can understand why Carnival would only give gifts if you are celebrating a birthday or anniversary WHILE you are on the ship. It's a stretch to expect something for your anniversary or birthday sailing when you are sailing a month later or earlier, etc. IMHO.

 

I don't agree with this. Some people may have saved up money and time off from work, just to celebrate their "special" occasion. And the cruise they chose does not fall exactly on the date. I think they should qualify. Myself, the only time I remember Carnival giving us anything, above and beyond, was the 1st 2 cruises we took with them. I honestly can't remember if it was '00, or '02. Our PVP at the time asked if we were celebrating any occasion and I said no. He then encouraged me to come up with "SOMETHING". Both cruises we received 2 bottles of wine in our room. Nothing I asked for, just happened. My parents are in their mid '80's, and go on about 2 or 3 cruises per year. They always talk about how nice it was that they received wine at dinner and a cake every time they cruise. Believe me, I personally pay for that. Her b'day in in March and I am going to note that on their info,(as I always do) as they are taking a cruise in that month and shall see if anything happens. For once won't spend the couple hundred I usually do. They also think some genie just zaps down their boarding pass, like Carnival would even know their passport info etc... if I did not provide it. Clueless. Gotta luv em:D

 

I agree with Bama girl. Unless it is your actual birthday, you should not expect a free birthday surprise. Otherwise, every guest on every sailing has a birthday within 365 days. If the extras where handed out based on how much money is spent with Carnival, then people would scream even louder.

Why do people even expect businesses to give them free stuff based on personal ideas of celebration? Back in the old days, the student who was having a birthday brought in the cupcakes for everyone else. You don't walk into a hardware store, announce it is your birthday/anniversary/graduation day and ask for a free hammer.

[tigresslea]

I agree with Bama girl. Unless it is your actual birthday, you should not expect a free birthday surprise. Otherwise, every guest on every sailing has a birthday within 365 days. If the extras where handed out based on how much money is spent with Carnival, then people would scream even louder.

Why do people even expect businesses to give them free stuff based on personal ideas of celebration? Back in the old days, the student who was having a birthday brought in the cupcakes for everyone else. You don't walk into a hardware store, announce it is your birthday/anniversary/graduation day and ask for a free hammer.

 

A hardware store, no, but go into any restaurant and they will sing and give a free dessert. If you are signed up for their rewards program, most restaurants even give you a free meal within a month of your birthday or longer.

[mrpayroll]

Per John...

 

What a few ships are doing to help promote areas like Ji Ji's on the Sunshine or the Spa on another ship is to send some, not all a promotional gift certificate with a discount or a specific promotion offer. It is not every ship and not every week and certainly not everyone who is celebrating a birthday or special ocassion. We also offer suite guests this when we can. It is random and again is really and honestly done to help promote a certain revenue area.

 

 

 

So, pretty much hit or miss ...

 

 

.

For those who might have missed this......:)

:):)

[sparks1093]

We were recently on the Glory during our anniversary and for our anniversary we received a $50 Gift Card to the Spa, and we received a $25 Gift Card towards a bottle of wine.

 

Used the Spa Card for a manicure...paid a tip was all and used the $25 card for a $25 bottle of wine (there was no gratuity added).

 

The staff said it is something new they are doing.

 

I thought it was Awesome!!

 

Cool! We'll be on the Glory to celebrate our 25th next year:).

[cruzelover55]

A hardware store, no, but go into any restaurant and they will sing and give a free dessert. If you are signed up for their rewards program, most restaurants even give you a free meal within a month of your birthday or longer.

 

This is exactly what I meant when I said "people that save up for special occasions". I did not mean or infer that the occasions could be months out of the sail date. Just meant if your birthday is 3/20 and you sail 3/06, it should be honored.

[Elaine5715]

This is exactly what I meant when I said "people that save up for special occasions". I did not mean or infer that the occasions could be months out of the sail date. Just meant if your birthday is 3/20 and you sail 3/06, it should be honored.

 

What about if your birthday is 3/07 .. 3/14 2/15... 3/08 it never ends...

[NoJolt4U]

If you still need help finding it...

 

Go to My Cruise Manager, then go to My Cruise Details.

Look for the 4 tabs about halfway down the page. Select My Guests.

Look for "modify" on the left, under your name & contact info. It's right there -- hiding in plain sight! :D

 

 

Mary Ellen, thank you so much! I was beginning to think I was going crazy trying to find this. We will celebrate our 18th anniversary on board this year. Can't wait!

[Elaine5715]

A hardware store, no, but go into any restaurant and they will sing and give a free dessert. If you are signed up for their rewards program, most restaurants even give you a free meal within a month of your birthday or longer.

 

Not any restaurant will give you a free dessert. Those with a loyalty program might give you a single dessert with the purchase of a meal or a coupon for a free meal with an expiration date and will not honor it past the expiration date. It is not unlimited and it is not universal.

[tigresslea]

Not any restaurant will give you a free dessert. Those with a loyalty program might give you a single dessert with the purchase of a meal or a coupon for a free meal with an expiration date and will not honor it past the expiration date. It is not unlimited and it is not universal.

 

I have never been to a restaurant that hasn't given something complimentary on birthday or anniversary if we mentioned it. Of course it is usually with purchase of a meal. If you are on the ship, most likely you're a paying customer, no?

[Giantfan13]

Does anyone think it matters if you have booked thru a TA opposed to booking directly with Carnival? Would that have anything to do with what you MIGHT receive (if anything) as complimentary?

 

Cheers

 

Len

[Gallivanting Souls]

I was able to get my TA to add my anniversary to the booking.

Thanks OP for starting this thread.

[shof515]

what kind of stuff do they give out on a birthday?..i just added the special occasion to my booking

Edited February 19, 2016 by shof515