Free, or very heavily discounted, Carnival cruises

[sofmall]

We're soon to go on a Carnival Splendor cruise out of Australia. We're Platinum level.

I'm in a facebook group for that cruise and frequently someone starts a bragging thread about the free cruises they're offered. Either free or available for a pittance. They say they're emailed to them, or pop up in their online account deals. Many have booked a few cruises for maybe $200 a cruise, so they say. 

I'm curious... is there a reason some people are targetted with cheapie cruises? It's obviously not loyalty level. They don't pop up in my online account when I log in. The cruises I see there are really no cheaper than regular sale prices that appear in a google search.

 

Newbie cruisers in the group are getting either exasperated they weren't give a free cruise too, or excited because they think free cruise offers will flow to them once they've done their first cruise. 

Others claim the offers are made to cruisers who spend a lot of time in the casino. Some gamblers agree, others with wonderful offers say they barely spend anything in the casino. There's a lot of bragging. A lot of disappointment from many... "why not us?"

 

Can anyone throw some light on this free/heavily discounted cruise offer situation? 

[staceyglow]

Free cruises are offered to gamblers. And I am pretty sure that for most of them, they aren't really "free". 

[Mic101680]

In some cases, there is no apparent reasoning for it. While yes, free cruises are most often offered to the gamblers, it's not always the case. In the last year alone, I've booked four free room offers with OBC, usually for interiors and I just had to pay the taxes/port fees. Why I get these kinds of offers and others don't get them is beyond me - I'm not a big onboard spender and some of my cruising buddies have more or fewer cruise days under their belts than I do. Until very, very recently, I've also not ever spent money in the onboard casinos or linked a land based casino account to my Carnival account. 

That said, as cheap as Carnival cruises generally are, I'd still book the same way free or not.

 

[icft]

I don't think anyone has the answer as to how Carnival determines what offers to send to whom.

 

The first thing is to make sure you are signed up to receive mail and email offers. To check, sign in to your carnival account, click on your name at the top to get to your profile, click on "contact settings" toward the bottom and make sure you have the boxes checked to receive news and offers.

 

Other than that there is not much you can do other than play in the casino to hopefully get casino offers.

 

Some say you don't have to play in the casino or can only play a small amount and get offers. That may well be true. The casino operation has its own way of identifying and enticing those who it believes can be enticed to gamble. It may be because you once gambled at a land casino, it may be because they have some other outside data about you that often correlates with those willing to gamble. But a sure way to get a steady stream of offers is to actually gamble in their casino and the more you gamble the better the offers. My wife gambles a fairly small amount each day on a cruise while I spend hours each day in the casino. She gets occasional offers for a free interior room (actually, pay a deposit and port fees and taxes and get an onboard credit for the deposit) while I always have offers for free balcony or suite cabins (same deposit, port fees, taxes and onboard credit part) plus a thousand casino cash and free drinks everywhere.

 

So, once you are on the gamble to get perks path the amount you gamble correlates with the size of perks. But there seem to be other paths they take to entice new gamblers that can result in a non-gambler getting an offer.

 

But be aware, if you gamble to get perks, ultimately in the long run you pay more than the perks are worth. You will pay if it be in cash or in casino losses unless you don't gamble and happen to get one of their offers fishing for new gamblers. If you take a couple of those fishing offers and don't take the bait to gamble they will stop fishing.

[sofmall]

1 hour ago, icft said:

I don't think anyone has the answer as to how Carnival determines what offers to send to whom.

 

The first thing is to make sure you are signed up to receive mail and email offers. To check, sign in to your carnival account, click on your name at the top to get to your profile, click on "contact settings" toward the bottom and make sure you have the boxes checked to receive news and offers.

 

Other than that there is not much you can do other than play in the casino to hopefully get casino offers.

 

Some say you don't have to play in the casino or can only play a small amount and get offers. That may well be true. The casino operation has its own way of identifying and enticing those who it believes can be enticed to gamble. It may be because you once gambled at a land casino, it may be because they have some other outside data about you that often correlates with those willing to gamble. But a sure way to get a steady stream of offers is to actually gamble in their casino and the more you gamble the better the offers. My wife gambles a fairly small amount each day on a cruise while I spend hours each day in the casino. She gets occasional offers for a free interior room (actually, pay a deposit and port fees and taxes and get an onboard credit for the deposit) while I always have offers for free balcony or suite cabins (same deposit, port fees, taxes and onboard credit part) plus a thousand casino cash and free drinks everywhere.

 

So, once you are on the gamble to get perks path the amount you gamble correlates with the size of perks. But there seem to be other paths they take to entice new gamblers that can result in a non-gambler getting an offer.

 

But be aware, if you gamble to get perks, ultimately in the long run you pay more than the perks are worth. You will pay if it be in cash or in casino losses unless you don't gamble and happen to get one of their offers fishing for new gamblers. If you take a couple of those fishing offers and don't take the bait to gamble they will stop fishing.

 

That was a very interesting post. So I checked in my account and I do have those boxes ticked, so nothing to do there. No remarkable offers there either. I'm obviously not considered a desirable passenger for their purposes.

 

Neither my husband nor I gamble and aren't about to start as I feel then we pay for our cruise in our losses. 🙂

We're not drinkers either! So we really spend little money on a cruiseship. Never mind, we'll just go on booking. We haven't been on a Carnival cruise in years - we sail with about 5 different cruiselines depending on itinerary - so are looking forward to seeing again what Carnival's about.

 

[Joebucks]

Towards the restart after the pandemic, it appeared as if there were lots of offers to get people sailing again. Today, it seems like a lot of the offers are geared towards gamblers. I tell ya, some gamblers live quite the exciting life They "barely play at all," win big often, and are given discounted cruises and drinks for no reason.

[sofmall]

1 hour ago, Joebucks said:

I tell ya, some gamblers live quite the exciting life They "barely play at all," win big often, and are given discounted cruises and drinks for no reason.

 

I've wondered too if sometimes the wife or partner, when they say they never/hardly gamble, is unaware that their partner might be having quite a busy time when they're not around. 🙂 

 

[EngIceDave]

I get them, A LOT.

 

I got one coming up, I have to fly all the way down to visit you in Australia and then sail back to Seattle

 

$100 pp

 

But I will put a fair amount into their casino, usually a couple grand. I kind of use what the cruise cost might be in the casino. If you think about it, they're gambling too....gambling that I don't win big in the casino....LOL

 

I think a lot of it has to do with not just on-board casinos, but if you're a upper tier at other casino chains or if you've ever had a marker with a casino.

[1kaper]

In our case, we get them from the casino.  They call it "free room" but you have to put $100pp deposit that is non-refundable.  And you get $200 OBC plus free play.  So technically I guess it is free.  
It works out to about $500 and change with port fees, taxes, deposit. 

 

To add on to the casino conversation.  Prior to covid the last time we sailed I was pregnant (he's 8 now so do the math).  I went to bed early every night so DH played at the casino.  I do not know how much he spent, I didn't ask.  He did get drinks on us.  Just prior to covid he started getting those $100 pp for a balcony offers.  We booked one then covid happened. 

 

When we eventually got to take the cruise, I decided I was going to play a bit in the casino just to see.  I'd take out $50 and play til it was gone. I play Blackjack, which is probably the worst for accruing points.  Sometimes I play slots.  Sometimes I'd come back with enough money to play the next night without touching my budgeted money.  Sometimes I didn't.  I didn't hit any big jackpots but didn't come out too far behind.  I enjoy that casino.  

 

I now get the same offers, but where my husband gets "free" balconies (well, now he's onto oceanview, I guess having to share gambling money with me cramped his style) I get inside rooms.  

 

To add another layer - we also spend on board.  Ok, I also spend onboard.  I book cheaper excursions (like the clamshell at HMC), eat sushi, something at the shops.  We also take the "upgrade" if offered.  

Edited February 21, 2023 by 1kaper

[StephPS79]

A lot of people have a lot negative to say about the casino offers, not sure why.  Everyone has a different opinion on what "a lot of money" is when spent at the casino, and love to say, "well they aren't really free" because you have to spend some money in the casino.  

 

Our current situation is - we have 3 different offers (interior, ocean view, and balcony offers) for a free* cruise that can each be used 3 times.  So that's really 9 cruises we could book.  This round of offers, you do have to sail by May 2024, so a little over a year, and could we really take 9 cruises in the next year?  We couldn't, but some people could.  

 

We have spent no where near the amount of money 9 cruises would cost.  We HAVE booked about 3 of these offers.  I'd wager (haha get it) to say, we've spent less than the 3 cruises would cost, and may book maybe 1 more. 

 

And we have fun doing it.  

 

And, given past experience, after this current round of offers expire, they send a new round with further dates.  

 

But for whatever reason, there will always be naysayers against casino offers.

[1kaper]

19 minutes ago, StephPS79 said:

A lot of people have a lot negative to say about the casino offers, not sure why.  Everyone has a different opinion on what "a lot of money" is when spent at the casino, and love to say, "well they aren't really free" because you have to spend some money in the casino.  

 

Our current situation is - we have 3 different offers (interior, ocean view, and balcony offers) for a free* cruise that can each be used 3 times.  So that's really 9 cruises we could book.  This round of offers, you do have to sail by May 2024, so a little over a year, and could we really take 9 cruises in the next year?  We couldn't, but some people could.  

 

We have spent no where near the amount of money 9 cruises would cost.  We HAVE booked about 3 of these offers.  I'd wager (haha get it) to say, we've spent less than the 3 cruises would cost, and may book maybe 1 more. 

 

And we have fun doing it.  

 

And, given past experience, after this current round of offers expire, they send a new round with further dates.  

 

But for whatever reason, there will always be naysayers against casino offers.

 

 

I wouldn't be sailing if it wasn't for casino offers.  Can't beat the price even if I do spend extra at the casino. 

[1girl3boys]

I have a free cruise offer in my offers right now.  It's for a last minute cruise inside room.  Leaves end of Feb for 5 days.  It says on the offer that its a Last Minute Casino Offer.  

 

[sammee]

46 minutes ago, StephPS79 said:

A lot of people have a lot negative to say about the casino offers, not sure why.  Everyone has a different opinion on what "a lot of money" is when spent at the casino, and love to say, "well they aren't really free" because you have to spend some money in the casino.  

 

Our current situation is - we have 3 different offers (interior, ocean view, and balcony offers) for a free* cruise that can each be used 3 times.  So that's really 9 cruises we could book.  This round of offers, you do have to sail by May 2024, so a little over a year, and could we really take 9 cruises in the next year?  We couldn't, but some people could.  

 

We have spent no where near the amount of money 9 cruises would cost.  We HAVE booked about 3 of these offers.  I'd wager (haha get it) to say, we've spent less than the 3 cruises would cost, and may book maybe 1 more. 

 

And we have fun doing it.  

 

And, given past experience, after this current round of offers expire, they send a new round with further dates.  

 

But for whatever reason, there will always be naysayers against casino offers.

Always people talking saying you spent all this money and they have no clue. I usually only get interiors or balconies, but lots of time I can get a cheap upgrade. Same here,  It's like a Buy One Get 3 offer, lol. I scored Venezia, 10 days for this coming Thanksgiving. Interior, but I'll take it. Before I stopped working, always those claiming I have a problem, hahaha. Husband and I only do slots, once in awhile husband will do a table, but he doesn't give a card, so no points there. Best part, my slot machine money doesn't come out of the checking account or charge cards. I save my money for all my online surveys, rebates and other earning pages.

 

[edh101985]

There’s other ways to earn free cruises. I am going on the Mardi Gras for $220 next week and a 10n Holland America cruise for $200 in December. https://upgradedpoints.com/news/carnival-cruise-status-match/

[justafem]

I look at casino time as part of my onboard entertainment.

 

I cruise A LOT.  I did 8 last year, completed 1 so far this year and I get back on a ship in 2 weeks.  After that I have 4 scheduled.  That doesn't mean that I'll only be taking those 4, those are just the ones paid for.

 

Anyhow, I budget $100 a day for the casino.  I always get offers for a minimum of a view room.  Cost is $200 per room, single or double occupancy, then the price of port fees and taxes.  I get the money paid as onboard credit.  

 

Here's my experience.  I booked a casino offer to Alaska with hubs, cost was $800.  Friend booked the same sale date, a month later we booked, her cost was $3500.  I spent my $1000 in the casino, so my total cost was $1800.  We had the exact same room catagory, they were 1 floor under us. For that $1800 I received free steakhouse, free spa, free drinks and something else, (I think it was credit to the gift shop, maybe it was excursion credit) and hours and hours of entertainment.  We left the ship with $500 in our pockets.  Friend left with an $800 bill.  

 

So I get cruises for half the price.  I'm going to cruise, why not make it cheaper by sticking money in a machine.

 

And that's my opinion. 

[staceyglow]

8 hours ago, sofmall said:

 

That was a very interesting post. So I checked in my account and I do have those boxes ticked, so nothing to do there. No remarkable offers there either. I'm obviously not considered a desirable passenger for their purposes.

 

Neither my husband nor I gamble and aren't about to start as I feel then we pay for our cruise in our losses. 🙂

We're not drinkers either! So we really spend little money on a cruiseship. Never mind, we'll just go on booking. We haven't been on a Carnival cruise in years - we sail with about 5 different cruiselines depending on itinerary - so are looking forward to seeing again what Carnival's about.

 

If you don't spend any money on a cruise ship, then quite honestly, they aren't particularly interested in having you as a customer, and they aren't motivated to give you any deals. All mass market cruise lines are lucky to break even on the cruise fare itself.  All of their profit comes from drinks, gambling, shore excursions, onboard shopping, etc. and they are going to focus on those people. 

 

I am not saying this to disparage you; we aren't big spenders, either. But that's the way the cruise industry works. 

[Honolulu Blue]

Here's a thread about the best (as in cheapest) offer I've ever gotten from Carnival.  It had nothing to do with the casino.  TL,DR:  For some reason Carnival wanted me to go on the Splendor in Alaska and were willing to give away any of a number of cruises to entice me to do so.  I couldn't do it, so I let the offers expire.

 

[scoobysnacks70]

I have received them but am not willing to pay the air fare.  Nothing is free--you still have to pay port fees, taxes, gratuities and all the other extras.  I am not a big gambler.  I play the slots and spend about $20-40 a day when I do.  On this last cruise I tried roulette for the 1st time and spent $50!  Woohoo!  I rarely "win" and usually just break even.  I must be the demographic they are looking for 😄

[mamiamjo]

Looking at an offer on a 7 day cruise on Jubilee next year:

Casino "It's All For You" Offer: $200 Ocean Suite ($100/person), $1,000 Fun Play, DOU Everywhere for you and a guest and $200 OBC (which you are basically paying for when you put your deposit down).

Total Fare Including Taxes and Port Fees $422.40 for two. (does not include gratuity)

[resetjet]

We don't pay for cruises.  Usually 100% free with some freeplay.  All you have to do is lose about $800 in slots or get a few thousand points in the event that you win often.  Then you will get offers.  Make sure you use the same card if playing as a couple, so one guy gets all the points.  Your offers will be for two.  Free inside or outside, free drinks in casino, $50-$100 cash at casino for freeplay.  Then each time thereafter you can cut the losses in half.  I guess you can't call it free, but if I paid for the cruise, the drinks and did not get freeplay cash, it would way way more and no "free gambling"  its very nice to gamble money and not care.  You must pay all port taxes.  The other great thing is we only have to put $100 deposit down on carnival and zero on RCL.  So if you need to cancel, you just call and cancel right up to departure.  So you make bookings that are a good deal far out in the future, but if conditions change and you cannot make it, just cancel.  No big deal.  Its so funny, so many people I know have told this but they refuse to gamble, which I get.  Royal is alot better as they are very transparent on how many points you need to get a free cruise or dollars off.  Usually 800 points for a free inside room on select sailings.  I have done that on $200 if pretty lucky.

[john91498]

Every cruise we've been on for the last 15 years or so have been some kind of casino offer. Usually, it's a discounted fare, but we've indulged in some "free" offers. The "free" offers were balconies during off season and they also charge taxes and port fees. They do give us OBC to offset the taxes and port fees, so technically, it's free.

[antmaril]

My friend and I are considering a casino offer right now.  We both get lots of offers.  Hers are usually a little better than mine, as she spends a little more in the casino than I do.  But, honestly, we don’t spend much.  The cruise we are considering right now is on Venezia in September.  Six nights to Canada/New England.  Total with fees and taxes for an Oceanview cabin is $575.  So, adding a flight to NYC, a hotel room (which costs almost as much as the cruise) and cabs, we can do this for about a $1,000 each.  We could book a balcony room for about $300 more, but I’m not sure we need it for this cruise.  
 

Carnival is usually not high on my list, but we did this casino cruise in 2019 on the Sunrise and I have high hopes that the Venezia will be a nicer experience.  I guess we shall see.  

[LatinaInTexas]

I think it's more criteria involved than just playing in the ships casino also. I have gotten a few crazy offers, some good offers, and some ok offers. I know how much time I spend in the casino, very little, like an hour a day at most. I don't like the smoke and I rarely have free time.

But I do play MyVegas for freebies/comps and go to Vegas at least twice a year, and have taken a few comp cruises through them. I'm guessing that night be what gets me offers🤷

[Elaine5715]

10 hours ago, sofmall said:

 

I've wondered too if sometimes the wife or partner, when they say they never/hardly gamble, is unaware that their partner might be having quite a busy time when they're not around. 🙂 

 

Of course...same people claim they get "free" upgrades when they actually booked the suite.  Yes, many of the "my friend" spent $20 and now gets free cruise offers and a limo at the airport.

[Elaine5715]

33 minutes ago, LatinaInTexas said:

I think it's more criteria involved than just playing in the ships casino also. I have gotten a few crazy offers, some good offers, and some ok offers. I know how much time I spend in the casino, very little, like an hour a day at most. I don't like the smoke and I rarely have free time.

But I do play MyVegas for freebies/comps and go to Vegas at least twice a year, and have taken a few comp cruises through them. I'm guessing that night be what gets me offers🤷

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