StephPS79

8 hours ago, Slattery said:

What is the rough qualification to be offered an elite casino offer with Carnival?

Unfortunately, there's no confirmed answer to this questions.  Play what you can afford and hope for the best.

10 minutes ago, Elaine5715 said:

Because as stated, "points" are a record of a single card in the machine, they offer no insight and people share cards thinking they will "get more".  Offers are based on the information collected by the casino marketing bots that create a profile of your potential spend and resources as a player.  For example, Costco -ideal customer- in the United States is an Asian-American woman. College educated and 39 years old, this individual earns more than $125,000 per year. Costco shoppers, on average, are younger and have higher incomes than those of its primary competitor, Sam’s Club.  Since Costco also sells cruise vacations, using their collected data (average spend, card level)  is very likely a data collection point.  The US Census provides information by census tract including age, home ownership, average income, educational levels, employment-all those questions you answer about yourself.  Your zip code provides information about the average cost of living, cost of rent/home, values, taxes-income.  Your address reveals if you rent or own and what you paid for your house (other resources estimate rents).  The market bot know the profiles of every credit card company customers. All land casino players club, hotels, airlines, rental car places  sell information and the bots know what it takes to get and maintain status at each.  Professional associations and state business agencies sell membership lists and on and on..

It takes about 2 seconds for the bots to figure out a new cruiser who spent $20 on a flutter on their first Carnival cruise is actual a Diamond Plus Caesars, MGM Platinum, Delta Diamond, living in a $800,000 house, owns a business, holds the Costco Plus card and paid for their cruise with a Delta Business Reserve card.   They want that player back onboard but a free interior isn't going to float their boat since they get suites at Caesar's so hello new ECHO offer.

Compare that profile with a Carnival casino player who had 5000 points on their card and paid their ship account with a debit card.  Who is more likely to spend, spend, spend once onboard?  

People want/need to believe it is points so they can feel good about overspending because they got a free steak dinner and "hopefully" will get a good offer.  Should that comp or offer fail to appear, they figure they just didn't spend enough so they spend more.  It is a beautiful casino plan.  For those who are convinced it was their points alone, are either forgetting that their onboard spend also increased (onboard overall spend matters) and are seemingly unaware about how much the casino actually knows about them. One leader of a popular social media club jumped from Blue Card holder to ECHO (Executive Casino Host Oncall-Carnival's term for their top players) quickly.  Was it because they now cruise frequently?  No, it was because they own a HUGE business and are the type of player Las Vegas would send a jet for if they didn't already own one.  

 

None of that answers the question:

1 hour ago, Colorado Beach Bum said:

What is your source of information?  Do you work in the casino department?

5 hours ago, audcc77 said:

I’m not sure I agree with this.  

 

There has to be something which triggers people to begin to get free cruises at some point in time. I would think that it would be points.

Not many people do.  By Elaine's theory, as other has have said, there would be no need to gamble.  Anyone with a nice open line of credit could drop a twenty in a machine, get 100 points, and expect an Elite offer to come flowing in.  Many of us have experience to tell us this just isn't true.  

Yes, I think we can agree that there are marketing demographics that play in to offers, but to think points have no impact on future offers is just silly, as we've all seem impact.

With that said, I think there are probably a lot more factors than just points, even on the bounce-back offers.  Just off a cruise, and I finished with 21K+ points, and my bounce-back offer was 50% off rates.  Terrible.  Everyone says that they give offers to the top whatever percent, but I did check in with other people in the social group, and people with significantly less points (like half) had offers for free rooms.  Most of those people did lose a lot.  My out of pocket was probably about $400 charged to the room in the casino, so I do think some of that info is reviewed, even for the bounce-back offers.  

Of course, as others have mentioned, no one really knows the answer, and there are many factors and variables, but that's just my last experience.

2 hours ago, edrussell said:

Still new to the casino on Carnvial as we have mostly sailed on RCCL (hosts on RCCL are bloody awful and invisible), how many points usually get their attention?  Enough for an ASK of a steakhouse dinner maybe?

 

Just off Celebration 3/3/2024.  On the first night, I was right around 4000 when a host came over and offered a steakhouse dinner.  From experiences I have read, generally around 4000 will get some attention, but it will depend on points from everyone else.  Since it was the first night, I think the 4000 took more notice than if it would have been later in the cruise.

1 hour ago, jerseygirlinAZ said:

 

Yes.  We've asked and have received massages at the spa and specialty dining.  

At 1500 points??  Those hosts must have been feeling generous...

15 hours ago, sanger727 said:

Glad you made it. I’ve never had a major flight issue until we used american as part of a package. It was an all inclusive, but we were getting married on the trip and had to arrive 2 days ahead - which was the day we were supposed to fly our. American cancelled our flight and couldn’t get us there until the next day. Luckily, there was a delta flight we just barely made and we had travel insurance.

Good ol' AA!  We got married on the ship in port in New Orleans last year.  New Orleans makes you appear in person for the marriage license, so even though embarkation was Sunday, February 5th, we planned to head to NOLA on Thursday night, because we had to get to the courthouse on Friday.  Wouldn't you know, our original flight was delayed and we would miss our connection.  They got us on a later flight, and we got to Charlotte (connection), but low and behold as soon as we looked at the board in Charlotte, we saw our flight to NOLA was cancelled.  They said it was cancelled because of "weather," but looking at the board, it was the ONLY cancelled flight.  Of course it was the last flight out that night.  They couldn't rebook us until 10:30PM the next night which meant we would miss the court house.  We got to the hotel that night around 12:30am, and then got up around around 5:00am the next morning to try and get on stand-by.  We eventually were able to get on an 11:30 flight, which would put us in NOLA around 12:30pm (thank god for the time difference!), and then ran to the courthouse.  We made it with about an hour to closing.  Lol.  At least we have a story, I guess.

I had a TBA until check-in, with no penalty.

Adding a name from TBA and changing a name will be viewed differently.  If you have a name entered, you cannot update the name on the website I believe past final payment.  But if you leave at TBA, this isn't considered changing a name.  I have never heard of a cruise being cancelled because of a TBA, but it could be policy that isn't enforced often.

I cancelled a cruise by accident once, oof!  I called and they reinstated it for me with no penalty.  All you can do is call and be honest and ask nicely, and hope for the best.

I definitely would not do this without proper authorization.  I would contact Carnival to see if it is allowed.  As mentioned, previously it hasn't been, but sometimes policies change.  Some lines to authorize this.  If they authorize it, great!  If not, 100% I would not attempt it.

Oasis class ships are beautiful, no doubt.  I still have more fun on Carnival.  

Everyone is different.

11 minutes ago, Cinnamon2 said:

I got a casino survey shortly before my recent Magic cruise and filled it out online.  Not sure if this has anything to do with the survey, but was pleasantly surprised to receive "drinks on us while playing" in the casino.

Curious, how were you notified this was added?

I got blocked once too, after I loaded some funds and then decide I didn't want to play the stupid Dancing Drums anymore, and left before spinning.  Which seems silly, because I was just trying to go to a different machine.  But yes, the host told me just to spin a few times, and it would prevent it from happening, I think as long as you spin once you're fine.

1 minute ago, angelsfort said:

LOL  oh I definitely wasn't judging that young lady!  I was just very amused at being able to see both sides of her, while poor gramma was completed fooled!   At dinner she would brag about the young lady and what a wonderful example she was to others her age...  yada yada yada...   it was quite comical.

I'd probably be more offended by the grandma.  

We were on deck 2 on Horizon, no noise complaints at all, and as @mz-s said, the ease of getting to and from the gangway on port days was super convenient.  I wouldn't hesitate to book a lower deck.

Adding though, no, I wouldn't take the upgrade offer for that price.  I probably really have to put some thought into if I'd even take a balcony at that price though.

1 hour ago, Lee2385 said:

Hi guys, 

  I have done both of these ships but it’s been years. Looking for recent reviews to decide which one to book. Close in price and both itineraries are good

thanks

I haven't been on Vista, but I've been on Horizon, which is similar.  I have been on Magic.  I would 100% choose Horizon over Magic (all other things similar), so I'd have to say I would chose Vista over Magic.  The first time I was on the Magic, I don't know why, but I didn't really care for the ship.  For one, I think the decor is unappealing, but of course that is preference.  I like most of the Farcus ships, but this green and brown color scheme just isn't for me lol.  I liked the Magic a little more on the second trip though, but it still wasn't my favorite.  I really like the Vista class ships though.

There are points to each.  I think yes, the Celebration would have more families with kids, but I think it has more to do with the length of the cruise than where it leaves.  There would probably be a lot less families with kids on a 10-day.  If that doesn't matter to you at all, I would say Celebration, mostly because I think it is closer to the Carnival brand than the Venezia.  Venezia has a few quirks, as it was built for Costa.  I haven't sailed on Venezia yet, and would really like to in the future, it does look like an intriguing ship, but I don't think I would pick it for my first Carnival cruise.

My vote would also be to book for 2.  I’d probably leave the second guest as TBD until it’s confirmed she can go.  You can always add her name or a different person later, or if no one goes, just have it be a no-show.

54 minutes ago, MadManOfBethesda said:

Do you consider John Heald to be an official source? Because according to an article in TheStreet,com, he answered that specific question on his Facebook page. Here's a link to that article, which includes John's verbatim response that the limit does in fact apply to all passengers, whether on a Cheers package or not.

 

Carnival Cruise Line Explains Controversial Beverage Policy - TheStreet

 

I do like John Heald, but he has been known to not always be accurate.  I would prefer to see this in policy somewhere.

Edited to add:

The Cheers FAQ very clearly states:

• Program allows for up to 15 alcoholic drinks, per 24-hour period (6:00am - 6:00am). Once the limit is reached, the guest will not be served ANY additional alcoholic drinks 

So I do find it odd nothing about 15 drinks is listed under the Beverage Policy.

Interestingly, I just reviewed Carnival's FAQ, and there is no indication of the 15 drink limit on the beverage policy.  It does make mention of it in the Cheers Program details...

Can anyone provide sourcing to where it is documented that it limited to 15 without Cheers?

28 minutes ago, Megan_Strick said:

So my next question is this. If he buys a bucket I'm assuming it counts 6 towards his 15? Will they be open or does he have to open? It will be cheaper to buy the bucket and bring back to the room whatever he doesn't drink but that wont work if they open them for you.

I'd pre-order some for the room.  

I don't think they plan much for shared tables during YTD.  It would involve several people who want to be seated with others requesting a table at the same time.  Sure, it's possible, but it's probably less likely to happen than not.

As someone else stated, we prefer YTD because we would prefer to not be seated with others, I'd imagine this is the case quite a bit. 

While yes, I agree that not having a cabin assigned before sailing is unacceptable, I don't think there is any chance the ship would have sailed if there was even the slightest possibility that there wouldn't be enough cabins.

I'm sure this has happened a time or two, but I doubt it is a common occurrence for the ship to sail before all rooms are assigned.  

On 1/20/2024 at 8:29 PM, ferfoodle said:

I don't know if I would feel comfortable filling out how much I plan on spending. If I give a low amount, will my casino offers come to an end? If I give a high amount, will they sign me up for gamblers anonymous?

 

Seriously though, I always take the same amount budgeting a limit for each day of the cruise. Sometimes my winnings on the first or second day cover the rest of the cruise where I don't have to spend my own money anymore. How does one "truthfully" answer that question?

There's no requirement to complete.  If you don't feel comfortable providing the information, skip the survey.  To answer truthfully, it would be the amount that you typically budget per day.

We actually love Bimini, but it's going to be specific to what you enjoy.  We did do an excursion and did a snorkel at the SS Sapona, which was a lot of fun, but short.  Afterwards, we had a lot of time left, so we rented a golf cart and just drove around the island.  There isn't going to be really a lot to do, other than I think the majority of people go the Resort World or whatever it is.  But we actually had one of the best days just driving around in the golf cart.  There are some beautiful beaches.  We stopped at a few of the local "bars" for cheap beers and great views.  

As mention by @jsglow, very "local" vibe, and very chill, but if that isn't your thing, you might not like it.  The Hilton is probably the most exciting thing.

I've no-showed a guest booked under my offer code with no issue, but never no-showed the guest who received the offer code.  Personally, I think it would be risky, but I'm sure people have done it.  There's no guarantee though.