Carnival Casino Offers

[nealstuber]

So I'm getting ready to pull the pin and book a Breeze cruise for this Thanksgiving...

Last cruise on Carnival (New Years) we played a lot more and have had a couple of casino offers hit our email.

 

We usually book with a respected on line TA, and their comp is $100 cash back a couple weeks after the cruise.

 

Can I still use my TA and take advantage of the casino offers? I've had a PVP call me a couple of times, but he came across as an idiot.

 

I might be over thinking this booking, normally I just browse on one or two websites and when I see the deal I like I call or email my trusted agency. I don't know how many points we earned last time, but DW passed the free drink threshold on day 4, me on day 5 (it was an eight day cruise).

 

Should I just take my $100 cash back and run or is there another course of action.

 

 

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[firemanbobswife]

Your TA should be able to book you under any offers you qualify for including the Casino Rate but be sure to tell them. Sorry you had a lousy PVP. Luckily I don't.

[emm126]

I book casino offers, even my bounce back offers with my travel agent. No problems what so ever. Good Luck!

[maryred]

...

 

We usually book with a respected on line TA, and their comp is $100 cash back a couple weeks after the cruise.

 

Can I still use my TA and take advantage of the casino offers? I've had a PVP call me a couple of times, but he came across as an idiot.

...

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

That bold underlined word can make things complicated, unless it leads to a direct interaction with an actual person or that their reservation system asks for your VIPF # to display all of the same options you would have booking directly with Carnival. Many times these large online TAs are nothing more than a block reservation taker when concerning cruises, as almost every cruise line gives discounts, free berths, &/or comps points for each block of 6-10 cabins they can book on top of the commissions. In hopes of stemming abuse of these paybacks cruse lines have safeties in place that no outside company can legally offer a booking fare any lower than what the cruise line itself can, unless there is an exchange of other considerations from the consumer, such as a club membership fee or use of loyality points.

In general the OPC offers are for anywhere from 25% - 100% off the past guest cabin rate for the first 2 passengers plus an on board casino cash incentive for the passengers that qualified by previous gambling, though taxes and fees do remain the same. Since the OPC offer is available by booking directly online yourself at the Carnival website, there is no need to go through a PVP though if you want to deal with an actual person, you could also book directly through the casino promotion's department as well, the phone # should be in the offer. Have you compared the $$s when logged on at Carnival.com through the VIFP My Offers section proceeding through to selecting a cabin (a mock booking), to the same deck and cabin category at your normal online TA? If the the booking price is more than the $100 rebate you will get after the cruise you might just want to consider going direct to the source an have complete control over the booking yourself.

[HawkIVette]

That bold underlined word can make things complicated, unless it leads to a direct interaction with an actual person or that their reservation system asks for your VIPF # to display all of the same options you would have booking directly with Carnival. Many times these large online TAs are nothing more than a block reservation taker when concerning cruises, as almost every cruise line gives discounts, free berths, &/or comps points for each block of 6-10 cabins they can book on top of the commissions. In hopes of stemming abuse of these paybacks cruse lines have safeties in place that no outside company can legally offer a booking fare any lower than what the cruise line itself can, unless there is an exchange of other considerations from the consumer, such as a club membership fee or use of loyality points.

In general the OPC offers are for anywhere from 25% - 100% off the past guest cabin rate for the first 2 passengers plus an on board casino cash incentive for the passengers that qualified by previous gambling, though taxes and fees do remain the same. Since the OPC offer is available by booking directly online yourself at the Carnival website, there is no need to go through a PVP though if you want to deal with an actual person, you could also book directly through the casino promotion's department as well, the phone # should be in the offer. Have you compared the $$s when logged on at Carnival.com through the VIFP My Offers section proceeding through to selecting a cabin (a mock booking), to the same deck and cabin category at your normal online TA? If the the booking price is more than the $100 rebate you will get after the cruise you might just want to consider going direct to the source an have complete control over the booking yourself.

 

Excellent information.

When I get a Casino Offer through Carnival, this is how I book. The Ocean Players Club has a direct line and they will not steer you wrong. There have been times when I have not even received an offer but need to book a cruise. I will call them and ask if they have any deals, and many times they offer me ca$h when I get a booking and have it waiting for me at the casino when I get onboard.

[robin13]

I first booked my cruise with Early Saver and then the next week I got a casino offer that would save me $100. I called my TA and she said that I could use the casino offer with the early saver but I had to pay a $500 deposit (I cruise solo). No problem but unfortunately there was no cash included in the casino offer but at least I did save an additional $100.

[Djptcp]

I have booked all our 41 cruises online with the exception of bounce back casino offers. For some reason I feel it is easier to book directly through a Carnival and Holland America agent on the phone. For all of my premier casino cruise offers, I book online as the cruise websites seem to know my offers. Haven't used a travel agent since Internet booking came about - had some real dillies in the past who didn't seem to know what was what.

[nealstuber]

That bold underlined word can make things complicated, unless it leads to a direct interaction with an actual person or that their reservation system asks for your VIPF # to display all of the same options you would have booking directly with Carnival. Many times these large online TAs are nothing more than a block reservation taker when concerning cruises, as almost every cruise line gives discounts, free berths, &/or comps points for each block of 6-10 cabins they can book on top of the commissions. In hopes of stemming abuse of these paybacks cruse lines have safeties in place that no outside company can legally offer a booking fare any lower than what the cruise line itself can, unless there is an exchange of other considerations from the consumer, such as a club membership fee or use of loyality points.

 

In general the OPC offers are for anywhere from 25% - 100% off the past guest cabin rate for the first 2 passengers plus an on board casino cash incentive for the passengers that qualified by previous gambling, though taxes and fees do remain the same. Since the OPC offer is available by booking directly online yourself at the Carnival website, there is no need to go through a PVP though if you want to deal with an actual person, you could also book directly through the casino promotion's department as well, the phone # should be in the offer. Have you compared the $$s when logged on at Carnival.com through the VIFP My Offers section proceeding through to selecting a cabin (a mock booking), to the same deck and cabin category at your normal online TA? If the the booking price is more than the $100 rebate you will get after the cruise you might just want to consider going direct to the source an have complete control over the booking yourself.

 

 

 

Yes the prices I get with my TA match what Carnival is offering with $100 cash back. I use them because they have a really nice app that makes it easy to see bottom line pricing and cabin availability.

 

When it comes time to book, I'll usually double check to make sure that's the best deal on the cruise lines site and one other agency. Then I send an email or pick up the phone for the agent who's done a great job in the past. It's just a little different this time because I have seen some emails from the players club but not recently. I'm sure it won't be a sailing discount during Thanksgiving week, but was hoping for some casino cash or points to get free drinks sooner.

 

 

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