FREE CRUISE

[Tampa Girl]

15 hours ago, St Pete Cruiser said:

The PCC quoted $1399 for a vista suite.  

That is a regular balcony on the R class (Zaandam).  They add the word "suite" so it gives you double points, but it is the only balcony class on that ship, except for Neptune Suites and Pinnacle cabins.  Cabins on the R class, unfortunately more than the large ships because they can't hold as many passengers.  However, the balconies on the R class are larger than on even the Vista class, although not by much.  I would think that $1399 for the "vista suite" is a good prince for 14 days?

[Tampa Girl]

Just now, Tampa Girl said:

That is a regular balcony on the R class (Zaandam).  They add the word "suite" so it gives you double points, but it is the only balcony class on that ship, except for Neptune Suites and Pinnacle cabins.  Cabins on the R class, unfortunately more than the large ships because they can't hold as many passengers.  However, the balconies on the R class are larger than on even the Vista class, although not by much.  I would think that $1399 for the "vista suite" is a good prince for 14 days?

Sorry, the word should have been "price!"  Hate Google's automatic word correction. 

[highscar]

Hey, I’ll take a prince for that price.   Whoops better not. 

[bluesplayer]

Congratulations!!  Love calling these the FNF cruise  (Free, Not free)   but still an excellent deal!!

[Haljo1935]

23 hours ago, Lauren and John said:

I got it too.  3 star, minimal casino use. The fine print allowed me to pick up to two cruises. The category booked is N, the lowest category interior. Does anyone know if there are ever opportunities to upgrade as the trip gets closer? We are looking at Mexico in December and Panama Canal in February.  Oh, and fyi, the Panama Canal tax/fees are high, over twice the amount of Mexico. 

I don't know if you can upgrade as the date gets closer, but you can upgrade at the time you book. You can always call and ask if you can upgrade. Most of the ones on the offer I got for Mexico/Caribbean/Panama Canal were $200 to upgrade to Oceanview, which is still a very good deal.

Yes, Panama Canal port fees/taxes are very high.

Congrats - enjoy your cruise!

Oh and if you do call to upgrade, will you let us know the outcome? The offer I got expires tomorrow (6/12) so the answer and price may depend on when you call.

[highscar]

I called the day I received the mail twice recently and no upgrade balcony’s were available.   I have received the upgrade before.  

[aliaschief]

My wife and her sister went on a cruise with this offer last year and have never spent a dime in casino. We got the same offer in an E-mail this week.

[Destiny0315]

11 minutes ago, aliaschief said:

My wife and her sister went on a cruise with this offer last year and have never spent a dime in casino. We got the same offer in an E-mail this week.

And many others who have received these offers haven't spent money in the casinos either. My question would be how much did they spend in other areas, excursions, specialty dining, in the shops, etc...on previous cruises? I have come to believe that that algorithms used for selection maybe based on your onboard spending habits overall, and that they hope that once your onboard that you will be spending even more because you paid so little for the cruise. 

[aliaschief]

12 minutes ago, Destiny0315 said:

And many others who have received these offers haven't spent money in the casinos either. My question would be how much did they spend in other areas, excursions, specialty dining, in the shops, etc...on previous cruises? I have come to believe that that algorithms used for selection maybe based on your onboard spending habits overall, and that they hope that once your onboard that you will be spending even more because you paid so little for the cruise. 

Bingo! I think you may be on too something.

[Haljo1935]

@Destiny0315 you may be correct or close, but I don't think we'll ever know. HAL doesn't want us to know how they offer "free" cruises as people would likely book fewer "paid" cruises waiting for a "free" one to hit their inbox. They'd potentially leave money on the table through missed bookings. And certainly from people who did book more "free" ones and less "paid" ones.

I do not receive the offers I used to and have accepted I will have to pay to cruise, which has great my reduced my annual cruise days. But it won't cause me to stop cruising. At least not yet. All the darn price increases, might, though...

[Florida_gal_50]

I spend a lot on board and I’ve never seen anything like this.  I suspect it’s more people that have done a couple cruises but have nothing booked.  Or possibly people that used to cruise a lot with hal but haven’t lately.  I’m willing to bet these offers are not going out to people that have multiple hal cruises booked that aren’t going to the casino. 

[seekatz]

Seems to be random offer based on the feedback. I think it sends the wrong message for those who continue to pay market rate for their cruise knowing others cruise for only port taxes. As a shareholder I wonder with the current state of Carnival Corp. who thinks free  cruises is a good idea when most ships are sailing at or new 100% occupancy. Even at on non peak sailings I am sure they can sell the cabin at a discounted rate after final payments are made.

[Haljo1935]

@Florida_gal_50 not a casino person here nor is my sister, both of who me rec'd offers.

[Florida_gal_50]

6 minutes ago, Haljo1935 said:

@Florida_gal_50 not a casino person here nor is my sister, both of who me rec'd offers.

That’s not what I’m saying.  At the time you got the offer did you have multiple hal cruises booked?

[Florida_gal_50]

12 minutes ago, seekatz said:

Seems to be random offer based on the feedback. I think it sends the wrong message for those who continue to pay market rate for their cruise knowing others cruise for only port taxes. As a shareholder I wonder with the current state of Carnival Corp. who thinks free  cruises is a good idea when most ships are sailing at or new 100% occupancy. Even at on non peak sailings I am sure they can sell the cabin at a discounted rate after final payments are made.

Exactly, then complain about paying port tax 🙄.  Feeling super bad for you.

[Haljo1935]

Yes @seekatz I've said that several times - knowing you're paying for something others get free or discounted is beyond aggravating and does not promote food will toward current passengers.

[Haljo1935]

8 minutes ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

That’s not what I’m saying.  At the time you got the offer did you have multiple hal cruises booked?

Yes I did.

[lakedweller64]

What most people are missing about the free cruise. although i only pay port fees and taxes and gratuities.When the cruise is over most of us have lost a lot more money then what the original cruise cost.some people a lot more.

[Florida_gal_50]

14 minutes ago, lakedweller64 said:

What most people are missing about the free cruise. although i only pay port fees and taxes and gratuities.When the cruise is over most of us have lost a lot more money then what the original cruise cost.some people a lot more.

Most? I've seen way more posts to say people have spent very little in the casino. I've seen one person say they spend thousands   You see people on this thread so they don't go to the casino period. It's a huge turn off for me to book any more cruises.

[AllTheSun]

No luck on what email address sends these offers? This definitely sounds like the sort of thing that an email provider or client might block so it would be a good idea to put the email address on your do not block list.

Edited June 12, 2023 by AllTheSun

[renee00]

44 minutes ago, AllTheSun said:

No luck on what email address sends these offers? This definitely sounds like the sort of thing that an email provider or client might block so it would be a good idea to put the email address on your do not block list.

 

I've gotten free stateroom offers from: hollandamerica@em.hollandamerica.com

 

They always mention "Free Stateroom" somewhere in the subject line. I started getting the offers once I had a HAL cruise booked (my previous HAL cruise was 6 years ago).

[Haljo1935]

21 minutes ago, renee00 said:

 

I've gotten free stateroom offers from: hollandamerica@em.hollandamerica.com

 

They always mention "Free Stateroom" somewhere in the subject line. I started getting the offers once I had a HAL cruise booked (my previous HAL cruise was 6 years ago).

That's the same address my most recent came from.

And, yes, "Free Stateroom" or similar is in the subject line.

These are different than the "exclusive" or "private sale" offers.

[Destiny0315]

3 hours ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

Or possibly people that used to cruise a lot with hal but haven’t lately.

I agree and as I have said before they have good record keeping of those who have sailed with them. Remember for the 150th anniversary they created a website listing passengers who sailed with them going back to over 120 years ago!! So yes if you haven't sailed in years is one thing considered, if you spent a lot while onboard especially beyond any OBC you have received is another, and then if you haven't sailed with them but are known to have sailed with another CCL line could be another maybe if that basic info is shared. 

[Haljo1935]

11 minutes ago, Destiny0315 said:

I agree and as I have said before they have good record keeping of those who have sailed with them. Remember for the 150th anniversary they created a website listing passengers who sailed with them going back to over 120 years ago!! So yes if you haven't sailed in years is one thing considered, if you spent a lot while onboard especially beyond any OBC you have received is another, and then if you haven't sailed with them but are known to have sailed with another CCL line could be another maybe if that basic info is shared. 

For sure having sailed on a CCL line gets your email shared among the family. That is, I'm sure, how I got an email years ago for a really great deal on Princess, which I booked and sailed several times afterwards. And then again how I got the first offer from HAL for an amazing deal to AK, which I booked and am now 4*.

Previous to those, I had only sailed Carnival - ever.

[Banditswife]

I have gotten a few of these free/not free offers. Yes Panama Canal ends up costing more due to port fees.  We usually just book the cabin category offered-usually inside guarantee, but have gotten OV guarantee.  We do spend money in the casino, but not a lot.  We have taken a "free" 21 day Panama canal at beginning of restart- our cost $1800 for 2 people + gratuitities + any other spending we did on board- still very cheap for a 21 day.  We have done a couple of "free" Caribbean cruises, our cost was about $950 for 2 people but included $400 OBC & $400 casino credit- really cheap.  And we have a 10 day sea of Cortez booked for Nov- our cost with insurance was $780 for 2 ppl.

 

Take note of these rules for these "free" offers: we have always had to pay the full amount at time of booking.  And because we live in Kansas, the airfare isn't cheap, usually more than the cruise fare.  If you get a "free" offer, don't hesitate they are trying to fill the ship & the offers are short lived.

 

I had an offer for a "free OV" last week.  It had a list of available sailings.  I knew we couldn't do it, so I deleted the email, now I am kicking myself wondering what was truly included in an Alaska cruise tour.  It had 7 days on a ship & 7 days on land- so I am wondering if the land portion is really free, there were flights to Dawson city, hotel stays, train rides as well, wondering if those would be included.