Micahs Grandad

Hi Gayle,

 

If you go into your account page, and click "Manage Rewards" (under your FunPoints total, on the right), then click on the big box in the center, "Start using my FunPoints", then, under "Pay With FunPoints", there's a calculator called: "How many "FunPoints" will I need to pay for my cruise?". On that calculator, you can plug in your qualifying purchase amount to see how many FunPoints it will cost to get a statement credit for that full amount.

 

Now, when you plug in $700 as the amount, you get 70,000 FP, which is the same redemption rate as Micah's Grandad got for his OBC. So no difference on that part of the equation, with that particular amount.

 

However, if you take into account the fact that you earn double FunPoints on Carnival purchases, if MG (I'm just continuing to use him as the example in this scenario, as you did, and not picking on him or singling him out for any reason:o) had not cashed in for OBC, but had instead paid his full S&S balance (aside from OBC from other sources, that he mentioned) with the Carnival MC, he would have earned twice the FPs.

 

So let's say before his cruise, he has a total of 70,000 FP. He cashes them all in and gets 700 OBC. He goes on his cruise and at the end, say his S&S total is $1000, before OBC is applied. OBC brings the balance due down to $300. He pays with his MC and earns 600 FPs for that "qualifying purchase". Now, when he comes home, and the dust settles (FPs and purchases post to account), he has 600 FPs. And he got a "refund" of sorts of $700. Total FPs earned (prior and during cruise) = 70,600.

 

Now, let's say before his cruise, he has a total of 70,000 FP. And he doesn't touch them.;) He goes on his cruise and at the end, say his S&S total is $1000. He pays with his MC and earns 2000 FPs for that "qualifying purchase". Now, when he comes home, and the dust settles (FPs and purchases post to account), he has 72,000 FPs. He then redeems 72,000 FPs and gets a credit statement of $720. Total FPs earned (prior and during cruise) = 72,000.

 

Granted, in this scenario of pretty small numbers, the difference between the 2 methods is only $20. But that's 20 real dollars, thrown away if one chooses to go the OBC route.

 

No offense intended towards MG or anybody else that chooses OBC. This is just my opinion, based on real numbers.

 

Now, once the purchase amount gets to $1500, the better redemption rate kicks in, so 100,000 FPs gets you a credit of $1500.;) So it's always wise to wait until you have enough to get that rate.

 

That's how you get more FPs for your $ and more $ for your FPs. :D

 

I hope this helped, and it wasn't too convoluted.:)

 

ETA: I just noticed an oversight in my math: it's not really a $20 difference, it's essentially a $14 difference, since in the first scenario, he has 600 FPs leftover, and in the second he has zero. Sorry about that.

 

But, if he waits to have enough to cash in for a $1500 purchase, that $14 / $20 becomes more.

I am Micahs grandad and both he and myself approve this message.:)

If it wasnt for the fact that we are not using the card anymore would have done it differently.

Hello Skakybeef. I have the Carnival MC but have only recently started using it much. ( I was using my RCI card then used up the point on a cruise with them.) Now I'm back to the Carnival card but have not been watching the points. I'm a bit confused. Could you give an example of how "statement credit" compares to "OBC" for the same amount of points? Like Micah's Granddad's example: He used 70,000 points to get $700 OBC. What kind of statement credit would he have gotten for that amount of points? Is there a formula or something to figure this out?

I could have gotten a $ 700 statement credit but since we very rarely use the card thought it was best to just cash it out thru obc.

If we would have used the card as we had done in the past would have gone the statement credit route. However since our Sams M/C gives us 3% for all travel and restaurant checks no reason to continue using the Carnival M/c.

We rarely use the card these days as there are much better ones.

We had 70,000 points and decided to use them on last cruise first week of Feb and got $ 700 obc which was on top of an additional $ 300 from various other sources.

Knew we would not use them all up and went to guest services to make sure this would be refundable.

Turns out it goes on your account as cruise cash is it is either use it or lose it.

Luckily we checked or would have been rather unhappy campers.

Cashed out the money via the casino so no hard one but couldnt believe they would find a way to keep money after we earned the points using a carnival mc.

Complained via JH who said he would have people look into this.

I do auto tips and let CCL deal with it.

That is what we do. Once upon a time they didnt have as many people to serve and service was much better and we would often tip extra.

Now it is adequate at best so autotips are good enough for what we receive.

Other than for one evening, we saw the Head Waiter only in passing and when he introduced himself on the first night. For the majority of the cruise, there were 3 Assistant Waiters that served our table of 8 (4 couples). There was nothing exceptional about the service from the Head Waiter, but the Assistant Waiters were attentive (taking orders, delivering food, clearing the table). We were not a drinking table.

 

Is that typical?

 

Should we tip each Assistant Waiter $10 each?

Did the Head Waiter earn his tip? If so, any thoughts on how much?

 

Thanks in advance. Disembarking tomorrow.

By any chance are you confusing the head waiter with the MD? Usually have head waiter and two assistants. Easier to just leave the auto tips on and hand cash to those that deserve it.

Seriously? Five pages of people ranting over an 8c increase per bottle of water?

 

 

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To me there is a principal involved. I am a numbers guy and a 33% increase is a big deal.

If you go early to lounge where they are giving out tender tickets, see a social host tell them you need to get off early they will work you into an early tender

We have missed port several times and had a sea day. Wish they had a backup plan for the other side of the island as this happens pretty regularly.

cmptrwiz That's it! I have heard conflicting stories. Husband made the dress. Couple asked to leave MDR. Couple NOT asked to leave MDR. The last time I saw the pic it was full length, so maybe that's why I didn't notice how uh...Ripe, she is, to be kind. That took some guts to wear! To each, his own... I might have worn it myself 40 years ago. Or even 30.:D

Classic picture that comes back periodically. Heard a rumor the couple has split up.

It's so informal now they don't even call it formal night anymore.

 

Bill

True. We miss the old days (20 years or so) when cruising had a nice elegant side to it.

Dw has always found a hair dryer in our cabin no matter what ship we were on

Life has a way of happening on cruises.

Hope the passenger is ok.

Seems like they are selling well so hope they continue. Would like to see them start and finish at same port so we can drive.

Few weeks ago we waited thru security with bride and groom and they were not yet dressed. Think they will find wedding party a place/cabin to dress

Prior to our Glory cruise we had never heard of it either. I thought it was a very nice touch

Two weeks ago on the Valor they brought over a piece of cake with candle and the next night we purchased a cake for our friend.

That is your cabin

Cruised on the Liberty last week for my husband's birthday. There was a birthday card with coupons for a bottle of wine and a free picture. A cake was brought out and the waiters sang Happy Birthday. We were also on the Glory for my birthday and same thing happened

Very nice never heard of that happening before.

Shrimp Burritos.

 

And I love the fresh pico de gallo.

 

 

If they have a meat choice (beef, chicken, shrimp, fish, etc.) at the taco side but not the burrito side, you can ask for it in your burrito and vice versa (so if they only have shrimps on the burrito side but you want a shrimp taco, just ask).

Might have to book a cruise now:)

breakfast burritos

They have been going away from the old production shows which were very good and moving to playlist.

would much rather see production shows.

After they kept saying they wouldnt go as big as RCCL they are getting bigger so wondering what comes next.

Conquest or Dream class is big enough for us

Can count the number of guys in tuxes on two hands.

Once upon a time you were presented to the Capt at his celebration now it is just an excuse for them to sell pictures.

I was told that they are going to try to take half of the bar out of the Punchliner in order to put more seating in. This was from an upper ship management person. The PB bartender said they were trying to make the PB bigger but it was not looking good for that. Guess we will see.

From friends we have sailed with comedy club is half the size as other ships and gotta get there very early to get decent seats.

I am afraid Vista will be the same.

Cassie the CD was outstanding when we were on the Valor two weeks ago.

Wine is much better than the free stuff served at steakhouse.

Just a choice between a red and a white. We normally like sweet white wines but the white wine served was on the dry side and was pretty good.