The time Carnival gave me a free cruise.......

[rrraydon]

Just sitting here at work looking at cruises and trying to decide which cruise I'm booking next year for my daughter and I and I started staring off into space wishing I had a free cruise listed under my "offers" tab on Carnival's website. Took me back a few years ago when I was on here and people were posting about how the had a "free cruise" offer from Carnival under their offers tab on Carnival's website. I'm like, no way!

 

So, I log in and check my account to see if I was lucky enough to get one. Sure enough...I have one, too!

 

8 day Carnival Splendor out of New York ending in Puerto Rico. We just have to pay taxes and port charges.

 

One of the best cruises I had ever taken...great times!!!

[cruisemom67]

What? How does that happen? Do you gamble a lot?

[rrraydon]

What? How does that happen? Do you gamble a lot?

 

Nope...one or two times I mighta put $20 in and I rarely spend more than like $50 on the cruise ships. I have no idea how I ended up being one of the lucky ones.

 

I haven't heard of them doing it again since. They had like 3 different cruises to choose from. It was a great surprise.

[Jamman54]

Just sitting here at work looking at cruises and trying to decide which cruise I'm booking next year for my daughter and I and I started staring off into space wishing I had a free cruise listed under my "offers" tab on Carnival's website. Took me back a few years ago when I was on here and people were posting about how the had a "free cruise" offer from Carnival under their offers tab on Carnival's website. I'm like, no way!

 

So, I log in and check my account to see if I was lucky enough to get one. Sure enough...I have one, too!

 

8 day Carnival Splendor out of New York ending in Puerto Rico. We just have to pay taxes and port charges.

 

One of the best cruises I had ever taken...great times!!!

 

That was back in 2014. I had the same offer and I was on the same cruise as you. It was a great cruise!

Times have changed though, and since the demand is high, it is unlikely that we'll see any free cruise offers (not casino related), in the near future. We can dream though! :cool:

[rrraydon]

That was back in 2014. I had the same offer and I was on the same cruise as you. It was a great cruise!

Times have changed though, and since the demand is high, it is unlikely that we'll see any free cruise offers (not casino related), in the near future. We can dream though! :cool:

 

Yes, I remember, Jamman! How are you!?

 

That cruise was sooo much fun with the large "drag" group onboard that had huge, glitzy parties. They were so much fun. Out of my 20+ cruises I never stayed up so late before. Not just one of the nights, but every single night or morning rather!

[tallyho8]

We had a free 7 day cruise on Carnival Legend last May 5, 2016. The Legend was having propulsion problems and they had to cancel 2 of the ports it was supposed to go to. Naturally, many people cancelled the cruise so it was left with many empty cabins.

 

They phoned us up 2 days before the cruise offering us the free cruise in any cabin, interior, outside or balcony for up to 4 people. We are close to New Orleans and had to drive to Galveston for the cruise at the last moment but we sure enjoyed our "free" cruise.

 

We have been on very many cruise ships but I believe that the Legend is the most beautiful one we have been on.

[rrraydon]

WOW..you got lucky! :)

[SadieN]

Never had a free cruise but did a two day $25/pp + fees and taxes with $25 OBC/pp. Didn't spent all our money (including shareholders) We received a check in the mail a few weeks later for the monies we left.

 

 

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[pghsteelerfan]

I got the same offer in 2014. This was definitely not a casino related as we've never spent time in the casino recently since we usually end up donating. I do not know the reason but think I read somewhere here on CC that it was random drawings of ALL past guests' VIFP numbers, even those who had only cruised with Carnival once or only a few times. Before I received this offer, we'd only been on four Carnival cruises and had just entered "Gold" VIFP status while on a cruise the previous year. I received the letter in mid-February and I believe we had until early March to book it. The letter listed several sailings but also instructed to check out Carnival's web page as more sailings would be added.

 

 

This is the first I have mentioned that I was one of those "chosen ones" because of the comments I saw here on CC from many thinking it wasn't fair that some got them, especially those who were "Gold" or lower VIFP status. I will say for us that that free cabin offer could not have come at a better time for my husband and I. Life had thrown is some nasty curve balls, the most recent with my husband losing his job the previous August (2013). He didn't work for the government but the company he worked for was government funded. Due to the government sequestration and impending shutdown, they had to cut many jobs. Although my husband spent very long days job hunting, he still hadn't gotten one. He had plenty of phone interviews that lead to multiple in person interviews, but nothing came out of those. It seemed the companies that were hiring were looking for much younger employees (my hubby was 50/51 then) and we have friends who work in human resources in other companies who came right out and told us that was the trend, so we were really starting to lose hope. To add insult to injury, that winter had been BRUTAL. Needless to say, our spirits were down. So when I received my letter, I actually cried. I was standing there in the kitchen with this letter from Carnival offering a free cabin and I'd have to decline because of our current situation. My husband approached me at the end of February and said "life is short" and that we should do this. His reasoning was that when he did get a job, it would probably be at least a year after that before we could consider a vacation. We needed to book late March/early April since we were pretty sure that even if he did get a job at that time, chances are he wouldn't have started yet. One of our choices was Pride out of Baltimore, which we could drive to, but we really needed a warm weather escape so we booked Liberty out of Miami 4/5/14 sailing to the western Caribbean because that was the one where we could get the cheapest, direct flight. Although we didn't have the best weather and actually missed our first port on that cruise, it didn't matter. We did get to 3 ports, had a wonderful time and we fell in love with Carnival Liberty. That cruise really picked us up, and at that time, we really, really, REALLY needed it. We definitely do not live beyond our means and have been able to save over the years and if it wasn't for that, we would not have done this. Some family members thought we were out of our minds, insane, for doing this, but it was worth it.

 

 

My husband did get another job, at the end of July that year, and has been in the same position since. We didn't go on another vacation until over a year later. This was also a cruise, again on Carnival Liberty, but this time out of San Juan on the southern itinerary in September 2015 . So no regrets!!! As a friend told me once "you only get one life, so you have to make the best of it".

[hassellcastle]

We too received the free cruise offer back in 2014. Letter arrived in February 2014. It was addressed to my wife. Although she has been on everyone of the three previous cruises we had taken. I was the primary guest that booked the cruises and she is not a big gambler either. So it wasn't a casino offer.

 

The letter basically stated she was selected to receive a free cruise with Carnival out of any port for up to 7 nights. The offer was for two guests and was for an interior cabin. The only fee's were port charges and taxes. The offer allowed you to upgrade your cabin and all you had to pay was the difference.

 

At first we thought the offer was junk mail BS. But after talking to Carnival we in fact found out it was legitimate. It was amazing looking on the Carnival web site under my wife's VIFP number and the amount PP showed $0.00 for any cruise we looked at.

 

Needless to say we booked a 7 night western Caribbean cruise on the Carnival Magic in June 2014, upgraded to an Oceanview cabin and our total pre cruise expense with was about $300 for the both of us.

[easy1969]

We have been on 3 "free" cruises with carnival. one 5 day, one 7 day, an one 11 southern carrib. all of these were casino offers. I play blackjack a fair amount but not a huge amount have never won or lost over $1000 on a cruise. my wife plays slots but not much. so I have no idea how they decide who to offer these to of what condition pops your name up.

[rrraydon]

I got the same offer in 2014. This was definitely not a casino related as we've never spent time in the casino recently since we usually end up donating. I do not know the reason but think I read somewhere here on CC that it was random drawings of ALL past guests' VIFP numbers, even those who had only cruised with Carnival once or only a few times. Before I received this offer, we'd only been on four Carnival cruises and had just entered "Gold" VIFP status while on a cruise the previous year. I received the letter in mid-February and I believe we had until early March to book it. The letter listed several sailings but also instructed to check out Carnival's web page as more sailings would be added.

 

 

This is the first I have mentioned that I was one of those "chosen ones" because of the comments I saw here on CC from many thinking it wasn't fair that some got them, especially those who were "Gold" or lower VIFP status. I will say for us that that free cabin offer could not have come at a better time for my husband and I. Life had thrown is some nasty curve balls, the most recent with my husband losing his job the previous August (2013). He didn't work for the government but the company he worked for was government funded. Due to the government sequestration and impending shutdown, they had to cut many jobs. Although my husband spent very long days job hunting, he still hadn't gotten one. He had plenty of phone interviews that lead to multiple in person interviews, but nothing came out of those. It seemed the companies that were hiring were looking for much younger employees (my hubby was 50/51 then) and we have friends who work in human resources in other companies who came right out and told us that was the trend, so we were really starting to lose hope. To add insult to injury, that winter had been BRUTAL. Needless to say, our spirits were down. So when I received my letter, I actually cried. I was standing there in the kitchen with this letter from Carnival offering a free cabin and I'd have to decline because of our current situation. My husband approached me at the end of February and said "life is short" and that we should do this. His reasoning was that when he did get a job, it would probably be at least a year after that before we could consider a vacation. We needed to book late March/early April since we were pretty sure that even if he did get a job at that time, chances are he wouldn't have started yet. One of our choices was Pride out of Baltimore, which we could drive to, but we really needed a warm weather escape so we booked Liberty out of Miami 4/5/14 sailing to the western Caribbean because that was the one where we could get the cheapest, direct flight. Although we didn't have the best weather and actually missed our first port on that cruise, it didn't matter. We did get to 3 ports, had a wonderful time and we fell in love with Carnival Liberty. That cruise really picked us up, and at that time, we really, really, REALLY needed it. We definitely do not live beyond our means and have been able to save over the years and if it wasn't for that, we would not have done this. Some family members thought we were out of our minds, insane, for doing this, but it was worth it.

 

 

My husband did get another job, at the end of July that year, and has been in the same position since. We didn't go on another vacation until over a year later. This was also a cruise, again on Carnival Liberty, but this time out of San Juan on the southern itinerary in September 2015 . So no regrets!!! As a friend told me once "you only get one life, so you have to make the best of it".

 

 

Everyone on CC was going crazy at that time. I remember Carnival was offering the free cruises sporadically throughout a week or so time period and everyone here on CC was going crazy daily checking their account on Carnival's website to see if they got the offer...myself included! LOL

 

So glad you guys took advantage of the offer and had a great time!

[YourCruiseGurl]

Ahhhhh, the good ole days! Sigh...

 

I received a free cruise in 2014 as well. Just a random letter in the mail. It was a much needed break.

 

Also got a free cruise last year. They "said" to avoid overbooking the Sunshine out of Charleston. *shrug*

 

Now they have me spoiled and looking for a free cruise every even year! Lol [emoji23]

[Lerin]

This thread got me all excited. :( Thought the free cruises were back.

[SLCruisers]

My husband received a letter for a free cruise. I sat it to the side, thinking that it was one of those timeshare presentation things. A friend mentioned a couple of weeks later about the letters Carnival sent out and she kept looking in the mail to see if she got one. (She saw that here on CC). I told her that we got one but I thought it was junk. Needless to say, I looked for that letter as soon as I got home and we booked a short cruise on the Triumph that night! We only had about a 10 day time frame since I was in school full time plus we already had a cruise plus another trip planned. We had a great time!

 

 

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[honestguy]

they gave them away in 15, as well for the journeys cruises. I have the best PVP ever, as he called and told me the offer. I took an 11 day cruise for 170 bucks. best part was he booked me in a 4J handicap cabin. It was the last one of the ship. He said there was a good chance I would get bumped from the cabin since I wasn't handicapped. Sure enough a week after booking I received a call, asking If I would move to a cove balcony free of charge. It was an awesome cruise.

[azjim66]

We didn't get the "free cruise" but back in the fall of 2013 we got an offer through the mail for an extremely discounted cruise with multiple options. We took the Miracle out of Long Beach in Feb 2014 because we live in AZ and could drive to the port. I forget exactly what the offer was but we had a choice of Inside, OV or balcony with a slight increase for each level. We chose an extended balcony and the total including port fees and taxes was less than $500 total not per person. I checked the available cabins again the next day and saw that 7258 was available which is one of the bowling alley balconies on the Spirit Class. I called Carnival and they switched me to that cabin for no additional $$. We had a great cruise and it was my wife's first one and now she is hooked. We are booked again in October on the Miracle and can't wait.

 

 

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[JaniceB]

Lucky, never have gotten an offer and even the casino ones I receive are not very good. I guess I don't gamble enough.

[rene194215]

they gave them away in 15, as well for the journeys cruises. I have the best PVP ever, as he called and told me the offer. I took an 11 day cruise for 170 bucks. best part was he booked me in a 4J handicap cabin. It was the last one of the ship. He said there was a good chance I would get bumped from the cabin since I wasn't handicapped. Sure enough a week after booking I received a call, asking If I would move to a cove balcony free of charge. It was an awesome cruise.

 

Nice. My PVP does not call or email me back so I just go through the 800 line. I was referred to someone that is ok but I have never had anyone like this!!

[ZoeyVictoria]

I got the same offer in 2014. This was definitely not a casino related as we've never spent time in the casino recently since we usually end up donating. I do not know the reason but think I read somewhere here on CC that it was random drawings of ALL past guests' VIFP numbers, even those who had only cruised with Carnival once or only a few times. Before I received this offer, we'd only been on four Carnival cruises and had just entered "Gold" VIFP status while on a cruise the previous year. I received the letter in mid-February and I believe we had until early March to book it. The letter listed several sailings but also instructed to check out Carnival's web page as more sailings would be added.

 

 

This is the first I have mentioned that I was one of those "chosen ones" because of the comments I saw here on CC from many thinking it wasn't fair that some got them, especially those who were "Gold" or lower VIFP status. I will say for us that that free cabin offer could not have come at a better time for my husband and I. Life had thrown is some nasty curve balls, the most recent with my husband losing his job the previous August (2013). He didn't work for the government but the company he worked for was government funded. Due to the government sequestration and impending shutdown, they had to cut many jobs. Although my husband spent very long days job hunting, he still hadn't gotten one. He had plenty of phone interviews that lead to multiple in person interviews, but nothing came out of those. It seemed the companies that were hiring were looking for much younger employees (my hubby was 50/51 then) and we have friends who work in human resources in other companies who came right out and told us that was the trend, so we were really starting to lose hope. To add insult to injury, that winter had been BRUTAL. Needless to say, our spirits were down. So when I received my letter, I actually cried. I was standing there in the kitchen with this letter from Carnival offering a free cabin and I'd have to decline because of our current situation. My husband approached me at the end of February and said "life is short" and that we should do this. His reasoning was that when he did get a job, it would probably be at least a year after that before we could consider a vacation. We needed to book late March/early April since we were pretty sure that even if he did get a job at that time, chances are he wouldn't have started yet. One of our choices was Pride out of Baltimore, which we could drive to, but we really needed a warm weather escape so we booked Liberty out of Miami 4/5/14 sailing to the western Caribbean because that was the one where we could get the cheapest, direct flight. Although we didn't have the best weather and actually missed our first port on that cruise, it didn't matter. We did get to 3 ports, had a wonderful time and we fell in love with Carnival Liberty. That cruise really picked us up, and at that time, we really, really, REALLY needed it. We definitely do not live beyond our means and have been able to save over the years and if it wasn't for that, we would not have done this. Some family members thought we were out of our minds, insane, for doing this, but it was worth it.

 

 

My husband did get another job, at the end of July that year, and has been in the same position since. We didn't go on another vacation until over a year later. This was also a cruise, again on Carnival Liberty, but this time out of San Juan on the southern itinerary in September 2015 . So no regrets!!! As a friend told me once "you only get one life, so you have to make the best of it".

 

In the early nineties I worked in Virginia and was part of a group that held a corporate pass for Busch Gardens Williamsburg. We always went on a weekday in October and since the pass covered free parking and admission for four people, we would randomly choose two people heading towards the ticket booth and take them into the park with us. One year we chose a couple in their mid-fifties who were so excited and happy for the free tickets because he had just been laid off after almost thirty years at his job. They felt like you did - they desperately needed some fun in their lives at that time and life is so short. I would like to have a nice story about karma taking over and being offered one of the free cruises many years later, but unfortunately it didn't happen that way.

[Tree Hugger]

My wife got the free offer in 2014, but we weren't able to take advantage of it since we had already booked a couple of non-cruise trips for that summer which at up the bulk of out vacation time from work.

[rrraydon]

I didn't know they ran the free cruise offer last year as well. I'm going to have to remember to keep checking my offers tab on the website! :)

[Bkchero]

Nice. My PVP does not call or email me back so I just go through the 800 line. I was referred to someone that is ok but I have never had anyone like this!!

 

It's possible your PVP is not there anymore. There was a job fair down here today and Carnival was one of the employers hiring, the website promoting the job fair said they were looking for PVPs.

[pghsteelerfan]

In the early nineties I worked in Virginia and was part of a group that held a corporate pass for Busch Gardens Williamsburg. We always went on a weekday in October and since the pass covered free parking and admission for four people, we would randomly choose two people heading towards the ticket booth and take them into the park with us. One year we chose a couple in their mid-fifties who were so excited and happy for the free tickets because he had just been laid off after almost thirty years at his job. They felt like you did - they desperately needed some fun in their lives at that time and life is so short. I would like to have a nice story about karma taking over and being offered one of the free cruises many years later, but unfortunately it didn't happen that way.

 

I am sure the couple NEVER forgot you or your kindness. I do hope the good karma Gods smile upon you someday soon. :)

[Midwestgal]

We had recently gotten of the Liberty when my offer came. We booked the Breeze and upgraded to an aft balcony, used airline CC points to fly to Miami......the whole trip for two was like $300.00 not including tip and spending money.

 

Sweet deal