Carnival Fun Match Upgrade Offers?

[kevinf2020]

I know a lot of CC'ers have done the status match from casino loyalty program to Carnival (or Holland America) and gotten a free cruise offer. I did it with my MGM Rewards Gold and began receiving the "up to FREE Balcony Cabin*" offers, but almost no cruises actually have the free balcony cabins available and they're mostly interior rooms only.

 

I'd like an upgrade but don't feel like paying almost a full fare on a casino offer to get one. I'd happily bid for one or even pay an upgrade fee, but it feels like the "casino rate" for upgraded cabins (balcony, oceanview, etc.) is only a slight discount over rack rate.

 

Has anyone ever booked one of the interior cabins and if so, do they send you the normal offers to bid on upgrades (or offer paid upgrades) as they do with regular fully paid fares or are you locked out of those since this is a casino offer? Thanks for any insights or first hand experiences!

[Essiesmom]

I don’t think Carnival does the bidding for upgrades.  They occasionally post an upgrade offer on your checkin page.  EM

[Elaine5715]

1 hour ago, kevinf2020 said:

I know a lot of CC'ers have done the status match from casino loyalty program to Carnival (or Holland America) and gotten a free cruise offer. I did it with my MGM Rewards Gold and began receiving the "up to FREE Balcony Cabin*" offers, but almost no cruises actually have the free balcony cabins available and they're mostly interior rooms only.

 

I'd like an upgrade but don't feel like paying almost a full fare on a casino offer to get one. I'd happily bid for one or even pay an upgrade fee, but it feels like the "casino rate" for upgraded cabins (balcony, oceanview, etc.) is only a slight discount over rack rate.

 

Has anyone ever booked one of the interior cabins and if so, do they send you the normal offers to bid on upgrades (or offer paid upgrades) as they do with regular fully paid fares or are you locked out of those since this is a casino offer? Thanks for any insights or first hand experiences!

Upsell offers are on your cabin location and category and Carnival's need to sell underperforming rooms.  It does not matter what offer you booked under.  The upsell department doesn't know nor care.

[nascartim]

Sometimes you just got to put your foot in the door first. If this is your 1st cruise, you might just have to settle for an interior room, terrible as it is, and than once you've spent a little time in the casino, you can show them what you can do and then your deals will get progressively better. With any luck you might just get that Carnival fairy upgrade call.

[mz-s]

Don't bet on an upgrade offer coming your way. Book the room you want, or do the free inside.

 

I rarely get upgrade offers these days but when I do the upgrade is not much of a discount vs. just booking that room in the first place.

[StephPS79]

At this time, Carnival isn't using a bid system for upgrades.  As others have said, there is a possibility you'll receive an offer to "upgrade" for a cost.  Sometimes good value, sometimes not.

 

I don't mind interiors.  I'd say if you really want to get on a ship, grab the interior.  You might get better offers later.

[JMAE]

2 hours ago, mz-s said:

Don't bet on an upgrade offer coming your way. Book the room you want, or do the free inside.

 

I rarely get upgrade offers these days but when I do the upgrade is not much of a discount vs. just booking that room in the first place.

Totally agree. Since cruise demand is high, upgrades are not like they once were.  

[noshoobie]

1 hour ago, StephPS79 said:

I don't mind interiors.  I'd say if you really want to get on a ship, grab the interior.  You might get better offers later.

Agreed! We sailed in an interior cabin on the Venezia last September on a status match offer. The cabin was one of the quietest we have ever been in. The darkness of the cabin at night was also a plus. 

[DallasGuy75219]

I'll only sail Carnival with a casino offer for a free cabin (they've cut their product to the point that I won't pay to sail them, especially when I also get free casino offers from Royal and Princess).  I get interior, oceanview, and balcony casino offers. I believe the last time I got an upsell offer was in 2015.  In the 23 cruises since then, and with 5 more booked, I don't think I've received another upsell offer.

 

If you're not going to be happy in anything below a balcony, I suggest booking it at the casino rate because you're not likely to get an upsell offer.

[kevinf2020]

Thanks for all the responses! I wouldn't necessarily be "unhappy" with a (free) interior, but I would have been "happier" with a balcony and I was just checking to see if that was even a (remote) possibility. It appears not, but I do appreciate all the first hand experiences and data points. You guys rock!

 

Interior it is then and we'll see what may come after that!