Kristi Williamson

That's right, MarkandSandy. We take 400 for myself and 400 for my husband. We play until it runs out. If we win something, which is more often than not, then we determine how much of that we're willing to put back in, knowing that we will probably lose that amount. Some cruises it's been all of it, but on the ones where we had bigger winnings, we put our original 400 a piece back in the room and brought it back home, while playing whatever was left over from the win.

I'm not sure how they do the free cabins. There are some threads on the boards and some people who say they play penny slots and only play a couple hundred but have been offered a free cruise. We were offered our 10th and 11th cruises with Carnival as free cruises in the same year (last year), but had never been offered the free code before.

We've had casino cash on every cruise but our first two and have been offered the casino rate on the last 7 or so. The one coming up on the Sunshine is one of our larger OBC's to date. (they offered us cash back since final payment isn't due till Thurs but we opted for the OBC instead.)

Have you tried calling the Player's Club? Sometimes you have cash there that has nothing to do with a Casino rate. We've been offered casino cash, plus a fruit plate and gift even when there's no casino rate. Once we got 250.00 in casino cash and it had nothing to do with an offer. I have no idea how they come up with the numbers, though. :eek::p

So in other words you may get 500-1000 off of your cruise then you lose 2-3000 in the casino. Good Deal!!

Making up numbers doesn't make it truth. I've never spent 3000.00 of my dollars on a ship. Ever. We bring 400.00 a piece. We win more, then we can spend more. Sometimes we do, sometimes we don't. We lose it, it's gone and we're finished. We've been on a lot of cruises and all but two we've hit something of relative value. Husband won 2600 once and I won 1500 once. About half the time we've brought our entire 400.00 a piece back home, though we may have put any we won back in.

We've gotten two free cruises and five discounted with hundreds in casino cash. Casinos are basically a racket, otherwise they'd go broke. It's a game and we view it that way (gambling is illegal where we live, so it's the only time we play). But, we have six family members, so free rooms are a ton of money saved for us. You really shouldn't make stuff up and assume it's truth.

I've also sailed on NCL. You're right, it's a great deal, but Carnival's been good to us and been "good deals" on more than one occasion. Doesn't get better than free.

Final payment for our Sunshine cruise is Thursday. Called today and the PZ1 code was on my cruise. 290.00 in OBC for the first room and 300.00 in OBC for the connecting cabin (our cabins are on the line from one category to the next, so that's the 10 dollar difference). Also a little casino cash. Happy!!! :D

Carnival Players Club is a joke! I think they randomly draw names from a hat. By far the worst rewards program I have ever experienced. :eek:

That's not the case for everyone. We were offered two free cruises last year on BOTH of our numbers. We took ourselves and our kids for port charges/taxes only. The second one was an 8 day on the Breeze with connecting balcony rooms. It's been a GREAT reward program for us. ;):D

We were in the same "boat". We've been on the Breeze and LOVED her. We're booked on the Sunshine in June and are ignoring all bad reviews and fully expecting a great time. We've had Butch twice as a CD and he's great, plus...really...how can you have a terrible cruise? We've had bad things happen, but in the end, we've always had an overall blast!!!! :D

You also said this:

 

 

 

Which isn't true......

Actually, it is true. I've just looked at two cruises with "standard fare" prices that don't have the kid's sail free. They are 389.00 for passengers 1 and 2.

With the kid's sail free promotion...the average cruise price is almost 800.00 bucks. ONLY the ones with KSF are jacked up like that, at least during the times we want to go.(Granted, I haven't checked them all)

They ARE jacking the prices up to make the same amount for KSF and that's their option as a business owner, but I think it's a pretty crappy one, too.

Also, if you'll read my title, the point was that Carnival simply doesn't compare to other lines with this promotion. Other lines give you what is their standard offer for you and then the kids also sail free.

For example: When we sailed with RCCL's promotion, we got to use our balcony discount as past guests and the kids still were able to sail free. (other than port charges and taxes, of course) They didn't use only their highest fare for the promo and call it a discount that is equal to other rates. Actually, on some of the bookings we've looked at with Carnival, kid's sail free is higher than any other offer.

NCL tops that with allowing their past guests to use their PG rate AND kids sail free. Their deals with this are off the charts! (just FYI)

Carnival is the WORST line for this promo and that's what I said. They'd do better to dump this one as it's not comparable to other mass market lines.

The people I feel sorry for, are the one's that are not knowledgeable with booking a cruise. We know what to look for.....know how to do dummy bookings.....know about the price drops.....how the promotions work...etc.etc.etc.

I thought about that, too, Champagne. Honestly, it left a sour taste in my mouth because they are the only line who does the kid's sail free promotion in this way. We saved loads of money with NCL and RCCL when they ran this promo. Seems like nothing more than a way to trick new family travelers to me. Boo for Carnival on that one...

We've cruised a lot and we have taken advantage of NCL and RCCL's kids sail free promotions in the past. With those lines, the first two passenger's are well within the parameters of traditional pricing AND the kids sail free...no bumping up the 1st/2nd passenger rates or hiding in fine print. They are truly great deals.

We called Carnival because we thought the website was doing whacky things...it happens, right? ;)

Nope. The price for an interior on the May 31st sailing out of Charleston came out to be 2106.00 for four passengers with 3rd/4th supposedly sailing free. We're platinum on Carnival and I can't find any 7 day cruises that are 800.00/1000.00 for the first two passengers in an interior UNLESS they are part of the kids sail free promotion.

We love Carnival, but if you're going to run a promotion, don't jack up prices and pretend like anyone is sailing free. Just don't run the promotion. And to the cheerleaders who'll say this is from standard pricing: No, it's not. Interior rooms on a seven day Carnival are NOT 800.00 to a 1000.00 bucks a person even with standard prices. Ever. They typically run anywhere from 300-550.00 dollars for the 1st and 2nd passengers. That's what they should be and the 3rd and 4th passengers should be FREE, like the promotion suggests.

On this, Carnival could take a lesson from NCL and RCCL. Their kids sail free are TRULY kids sail free promotions without price hikes. :)

I'm a big fan of Carnival, so no bashing, but you have to admit that picture of Wal-Mart being advertised on the big screen is funny! :D:p:D

Thank you for making me almost snort coffee out of my nose, Mike!

Notice the volcano to the left. We're leaving Barbados.

The Baths of Virgin Gorda

Just before entering Devil's Bay.

One of the reasons we cruise...

600. cantw82cruise , John & Sherri - Battle Creek, MI

601. Elationismyship, Maria & Doug - Cinci OH

602. luvmysox1, Michelle & Jeff - Lake Station, IN

603. MacKenzie Girl plus 1 - Jackson AL

604. CDNseeking heat - Toronto Ontario

605. msolberg, Mark and Diane - Michigan

606. Near the Beach, Charlie,Rhonda & Phillip - Florida

607. Beave8920 - Dave and Barbee - Minden, NV

608. BenjiRodney (Roger)- WV

609. PegNRay Peg and Ray - Illinois

610. Judyzoo , Judy - Miami FL

611. Cruisingcouple2008 - Amy and Austin - Albany, NY

612 lcantwait - Knoxville, TN

613. roxy13 - TXS

614. Breadman54 - John and Christi - Austria, Europe

615. Mandnjim (1 of them ) - Florida

616. Kakraz - Austria, Europe

617. Dutch Diver,JP & Yolanda - Netherlands

618. supercrew1962 stacey and paul - Indianapolis, IN

619. Jeanarch - Oak Grove LA

620. clearwatergirl- Clearwater FL

621. MongoliaBlossom - Louisiana

622. DebJ14 - Bill and Debbie - Texas

623. Hawaii697, Waldorf, MD

624. Oldrailfan, Hiddenite, NC

625. Rusty-Girl, Hiddenite, NC

626. Angie1818, Panama City, FL

627. Tigereye, Montgomery, Al.

628. Riedela, Fayetteville, AR

629. Centurycruiser, Port Orange, FL

630. James in SA, TX

631. Regestd & Dwayne in Olympia, WA

632. Beauty1492 frozen tundra Ohio

633. Cruisingbandmom, Canton, GA

634. Elliair - California

635. Jim & Mieke -Columbus, OH

636 and 637. SteelerCruisers- Myrtle Beach, SC

638 and 639. Smiling Cruiser and Joe

640 and 641 Ocean Dancer & DH, Delaware

642 and 643 ocs1985, Bobby & Dianne- Southside,Al.

644 Lady N Red Paulla Laurinburg,N

645. & 646. Cruise2062 & DH - West Virginia

647. ourfamilylovescruising Deanna and Mike Palmetto, FL

648 Deb Brown - Winter Haven, F

649 &650. dotshub- Larry & Dot, Tampa, FL

651 shayesship - Steve Hayes, Orlando, FL

652 Beth Hayes, Orlando, FL

__________________

653. Kristi and DH, SC

Congratulations to both you and your wife! How exciting! I agree with the other posts thanking you for sharing your fantastic news--I'm grinning through tears for you both. :D:D

Ditto this!!! Congratulations!! That's wonderful news. :D:D

If they got offered a free cruise they are gambling thousands(depending on what they play). Comps from Carnival are not like here in AC :)

This is not true. :rolleyes: We've gotten two free cruises and we don't gamble anywhere near "thousands".

Anywho...we got great rooms both times, OP. Tell them to call. They give you your room number when you're on the phone. Have the ship pulled up and check it out while you're talking to the rep. That's what we did, and if we didn't like the first selection, we just asked for a different one. No problem. Congrats to your parents!!! :)

Both of our offers came via snail mail, and looked very similar to Tom's offer. It clearly listed the Drinks on Us, casino cash and free cabin, although it didn't tell us what kind of cabin we would get.

The first offer had 6 cruise choices that were listed, the second said we had to call to get the list of cruises we could choose from. The first offer we ended up with an OV and with the second, both my DH and myself got a balcony (we received the offers the same day and both were allowed a guest...we took our kids and were even able to add a 3rd person in one room for only 299.00). Both offers had the Drinks on Us included, as well as a party, gift and a few other little things that went with it.

I also agree with Tom that they seem to have NO rhyme or reason as to how they determine who gets the offers and who doesn't. As long as I receive them, though, we WILL find a way to take them. The offers simply can't be beat.

(I've already stated this, but for those that didn't see) The latest offer booked us on the Breeze in October with connecting balconies. We added a 3rd passenger in one of the rooms, then added tips to the total so those would be paid and finished. The TOTAL cost for both rooms, with taxes, port charges, 3rd passenger in one room and tips was : 1218.00 for EVERYTHING. (If we hadn't added tips it was around 800.00 I think?...for 5 people in two connecting balconies on an 8 day cruise)

Don't delete those emails or throw those Carnival letters in the trash, people!! :D;)

Congratulations!!

We are very excited about being on the Breeze in October. We'd made up our minds that we weren't going to cruise this year because money has been tight. We're so thankful for the two offers that we've received this year because it's the only way we were able to cruise.

THANK YOU CARNIVAL!!!!!! :D:D:)

Do you call the Player's Club before you book a cruise or after you book? How do you get a Player's Club Card? And how do you get in touch with the Player's Club?

First, go here:

http://www.carnival.com/cms/fun/playersclub/default.aspx

After you join, when you get onboard make sure to speak to the casino host/hostess and just let them know you're there.

AFTER you book your cruise (and after you've sailed on one since joining...meaning you can't join then call to get perks because you won't have any), call the Player's Club and ask what perks you have. They'll check your booking number and, based on your play from the previous cruise, they'll tell you what perks you've earned.

The only thing we'd ever received was 150.00 player's cash and some chocolate covered strawberries until this year, where we've won free rooms on two different occasions...which we actually believe was just a fluke luck of the draw (no pun intended).

If you don't call, then you will not know what perks you have and they'll be "wasted".

The free room offers will be mailed to you, while all other perks depend on you checking before sailing.

"Drinks on Us" is part of the offer. Your "free drink" card will be waiting in your cabin when you arrive...or at least that's how the one in June worked for us. We also received some chocolate covered strawberries one night, but I don't remember which night.

We booked an extended mid ship balacony on The Legend for $191.48 but they did add the Carnival trip insurance for $98.00 which we did not request and I need to have removed. My wife plays the penny slots so you can imagine she does not spend very much in the casino. I don't know how they decide who gets the offers but I sure was surprised to see the letter. Even though the western carib is my least favorire destination, who could pass up an offer like that. I would have preferred to have seen what was available from Ft. Lauderdale or Miami but since we live in Tampa its only 30 minutes to the port.

Congratulations!! :)

What a terrific deal! I've received some nice perks from the Players Club, but nothing close to a free cabin. Play on!

Do you call before each cruise to ask what they can offer you? We've done this since we joined the Player's Club and we wondered if maybe that had something to do with it, as well? Maybe there's something to being actively involved and making sure they know you care what they can offer repeat customers?

I have no idea if this has any impact, but it may not hurt.

We've cruised with Carnival for years, and this year is the first time they've ever offered us free rooms. I think we just lucked out that we got two in one year. Total fluke that will quite probably never happen again.

We are absolutely thrilled, by the way.

I do not want to get too personal but have much did you have to spend to get the two free cabins the reason I asked this question because in my book there is now such thing as a free lunch.

I re-read your question and wanted to clarify in case someone else gets an offer:

I received an offer AND my husband received the same offer. Each only qualified for ONE room with a guest. (I hope that makes more sense). So, when we called, we asked her to look up BOTH offers, find connecting rooms and then add one passenger to one of the rooms. This was two equal offers, one for myself and one for my hubby. I didn't qualify for two rooms in one offer. (that sounds confusing when I re-read it, but I don't know a simpler way to word it)

Congratulations on your free cruise. I've never been offered one, but have read where some people got OV cabins or better. Heck, for free, I'd sail in one of their upper/lower inside.:D:D

Thanks! If we'd been offered an inside we'd still have taken it, but don't tell them that! :D;)

As a side note to the OP: When you call, make sure to ask them exactly what cruises you qualify for.

Sometimes, you may qualify for a great room on a yucky itinerary, or a great room on an awesome itinerary. There were 11 cruises for us to choose from on the last offer and (i think) 6 to choose from on the first offer. Some ONLY had inside rooms that we could get and some had balconies. There didn't really seem to be any rhyme or reason to it, at least to us. On the Fascination we could have only gotten an OV for a 5 day cruise, but the exact same offer also had the balconies on the Breeze available. Who knows how they come up with this stuff, but make sure to ask for specifics. They were VERY helpful and didn't seem to mind pretty much giving me a rundown of everything, even though it was a "free" offer.

Also, if anyone else gets this offer, please don't forget that you STILL must pay port charges/taxes on every passenger. So, while it's "free", there are still some basic charges.

I do not want to get too personal but have much did you have to spend to get the two free cabins the reason I asked this question because in my book there is now such thing as a free lunch.

Obviously, we gamble, but the most we've ever spent in the casino was 1600.00 on one cruise. We won 800.00 of that. We bring exactly 800.00 every cruise. 400 for me, and 400 for my DH. Once it's gone, it's gone. End of story. However, if we win big, we can do whatever we want, including put it back in the casino. About 4 years ago my DH hit the royal flush and won around 3700. We came home with most of it...maybe 3300? (not sure exactly but that's close)

The other side to that is we cruise at least twice a year and sometimes 3 times a year. I think that has a lot to do with it, as well. I think if someone spends 4000.00 bucks in the casino, but they've cruised twice in 10 years, they may not be as inclined to offer free cruises.

If you're asking do we go in and dump 5000 thousand a trip....No, we don't. I think luck of the draw has something to do with it, too. ;)

We've gotten two free cabins from Carnival and used them both.

The first was a 5 day out of Charleston, which was great because we're only 3 hours from the port. The second, which we received last week, had many more options and they weren't all inside or OV.

We are leaving on October 12th on the Breeze for an 8 day Eastern/Southern carib. cruise.

My husband and I both received an offer, so when we called I asked for a list of the cruises we qualified for on this offer. I believe the code was PCS, and they verify your name/VIP# is associated with this offer. We both were verified and we both qualified for a balcony cabin. Since we have 3 kids, we asked if we could book connecting balconies and add a 3 person in one room. She checked and there was connecting balconies available on Deck 9 and we could add a 3 person in one of the rooms (we had to pay for that passenger, of course). WITH tips added to the cost, 2 connecting balconies on Deck 9 of the Breeze 8 day totaled 1218.00 for five people. (the 3rd passenger, port charges and taxes, plus our tips for five people for 8 days)

The offer is real. No reason not to at least call and see what you got. When we received the one in June, I also thought it was a joke, but it wasn't. That 5 dayer cost us 198.00 total. (port charges and taxes and only my hubby and I went on this one, so that's the cost difference) The highest category we could get on that cruise was an OV, and we jumped on it.

Good luck and enjoy!! :)

We are leaving in a month on Carnival Freedom. It will be my eleventh Carnival cruise and my fourth cruise in a suite. I really enjoy the rooms Carnival gives you in a suite but, to be honest, the perks, beyond those any other Platinum guests are restricted to the size and amenities of the stateroom itself.

 

About a year ago, we interrupted the string of these Carnival cruises and did a ten-day Southern Caribbean cruise aboard Emerald Princess. We had a full suite and were blown away with the extras that you do not get with Carnival suites.

 

One of the most important differences to me was the complimentary, unlimited Internet access. Princess has recently dropped this freebee but, because we were booked early last year, we are grandfathered for unlimited Internet in our full suite on our 16-day Asian cruise aboard Diamond Princess next April.

 

Another perk that I particularly enjoyed was the ability of suite guests to have breakfast in Sabatini's, one of Princess' premium steak houses. This amenity is for suite guests only and is not even available to Princess Elite guests.

 

A third perk is one full stock of the mini-bar that is complimentary. That is really a lot of liquor and wine.

 

A fourth perk that my wife particularly appreciated was the layout of the grand suite itself that allowed for a light-proof curtain that separated the office/sitting area from the sleeping area. That allowed my wife to sleep in dark and quiet comfort while I sat in front of another flat-screen TV in the sitting area with a tablet on my lap posting the day's photos using the free Internet.

 

Carnival's suites are nice but are nothing in comparison to those aboard competing cruise lines.

Completely agree with this in every way! We've stayed in the Garden Villa on NCL's Dawn and some suites on RCCL. Carnival should really rethink their suite policy. They don't compare to competing lines. Granted RCCL wasn't awesome, but NCL blows everyone away with their suite perks. Just truly unbelievable experiences. If you've ever thought about an NCL cruise and want a suite....DO IT. You won't regret it!