Tutontow

I'm so with you! I hate the tequila selection and I don't like to order vodka because it almost always gives me a headache. I don't care about the prices that much but I do with they'd get a better selection of tequilas or let me bring my own.

 

I tried to contact John Heald with this idea and I didn't see any kind of a response. I posted here hoping someone from Carnival might see this idea and run with it. Think about it, it would be an easy way for Carnival to make more money and they wouldn't even have to stock the booze.

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I smuggle and will continue to smuggle. We still purchase lots and lots of drinks from the bars, but come on - I like to have a cocktail in my room once in a while. One 5th of rum lasts two of us a week on board, and our bar bills are well over $1000 for a week. They get our money. We gladly give it to them! But I'll be damned if I'm going to spend $70 on a bottle of rum. So there! LOL

 

The only reason I don't smuggle is because it would be a pure sin to see my precious Woodford Reserve being poured down the drain if I got caught.

 

Have you ever seen a grown man bawl like a baby?

Their selection is very limited. The OP's proposal would work for those liquors Carnival doesn't carry or sell.

 

So far you are the only one who got my point. I wasn't clear enough. I tried to buy a bottle of Woodford Reserve through Bon Voyage. I couldn't do it, at least not on The Legend.

 

I fully understand how much money they make on liquor sales and I use Bon Voyage everytime I sail. My point is drinking Woodford on my balcony would have been a real treat as opposed to Jack Black or Bombay Sapphire.

 

I paid $80.00 for the Bombay and quite frankly it didn't bother me that much to pay that kind of money for a $20.00 bottle of liquor. I still came out ahead as opposed to buying it a drink a time at the bar.

 

If they would let me pay $40.00 or $60.00 and let me bring my own Woodford on I would gladly do it.

I wish Carnival would charge me a fee such as $40.00 and allow me to bring up to one liter of my favorite booze on board.

 

It could be as simple as you pay online and then print some sort of a form showing you are allowed to bring your one bottle on board.

I have to start drinking more! I think I had around 15 drinks from my Drinks on Us card!:p:D

 

That works out to about 5 drinks each per day. Considering how much time we spent in the casino that isn't really all that many drinks.

Exactly, There is no such thing as a free lunch. You are paying for those so called free drinks. For the life of me I can not see how people think they are getting free drinks but on the other hand it is their money so if that's what how people want to spend it ,just go for it.

 

I gamble at the same level I used to before they had the drinks on us program. Back then I had to pay for my drinks in the casino. Now that they have the drinks on us program I no longer pay for drinks in the casino.

 

IOW I am not doing anything differently than I did before and I am not spending money on drinks.

 

On our last cruise my wife and I played Blackjack everytime the casino was opened. It was a seven day cruise. Between the two of us we lost right around $600.00 of our own money (they had given us $1000.00 in casino cash.) When we reviewed our sail and sigh account we had received over 60 "free' drinks in the casino. BTW that $600.00 includes tipping for those cocktails and tipping the dealers.

 

Even if we had lost $1600.00 of our money that was a boatload of fun and drinks for the cost.

 

To sum it up we are no longer paying for something that we used to pay for. I guess the same could be said for a free cabin. No, you are still paying port tax, tips and parking.

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

 

It is a good deal for those who would lose 2-3000 anyway. Throw in a drink card and it is a great deal.

This is not entirely accurate. First you are enrolled in OPC as soon as you spin the reels with your S&S card in the machine. I've never gotten to 10,000 points on any of my 32 Carnival cruises. Points do not roll over from one cruise to the next. I do generally get the On Us card by getting to 1500 points and I usually get it by day 3.

 

It is true that 1 point is the equivalent of $2.50 coin in, but I rarely take more than $50 to $75 a day of my money to play with. If I hit a good payout of more than twice what I put in the machine to begin with a keep 1/2 of it and play the other half back into a $1 machine.

 

I generally get to 5000 points by the end of a 7 day cruise, and my typical comps for my next cruise is the On Us card from day 1, some wine and $75 casino cash.

 

My sister gambles significantly less than I do, so she doesn't get as many comps or casino offers as I do. On our next Premier Casino Cruise in August on the Magic my rate code was PC2 and I get $500 casino cash along with all the other perks, Donna's rate code was PC3 and she gets $300 casino cash with all the other perks.

 

Our cruise rate did go down today and we got $30pp rate reduction against our balance due with final payment date of 5/20/2014. I usually pay my cruises off early but I'm going to wait until the last day on this one.

 

Janey you bring up some good points. Sometimes I think it would be easier to understand nuclear physics than the comp system most casinos employ. Many people fail to understand it is not how much you win or lose it is how long you play and your average bet.

 

The best advice I can give everyone is do not change your style of play just to get comps. Play at a level you are comfortable at and have fun. If you earn enough points to get something great if not at least you had fun gambling. There is nothing worse than to sit at a blackjack table with someone who is sweating every hand and moaning and groaning about every card that is dealt.

This was a Premier Cruise on the Carnival Legend. A Premier Cruise is one where they invite certain gamblers to special cruises with special perks for those gamblers. I cannot stress enough, if you get one of these offers do it at least once. It is sooooo worth it.

 

We live thirty minutes from the port of Tampa so the ride over on a Sunday afternoon was a breeze. We used valet parking and had priority boarding. We arrived at roughly 1 PM and were on the ship ten minutes later. Our cabin was ready and my Bombay Sapphire was waiting. A nice drink on the balcony and an envelope waiting for my better half with all of the information concerning free drinks while gambling and the welcome reception for her as a gambler. This was the oh no moment. I booked the cruise and she was supposed to get $400.00 from the casino and I was to get $600.00 from the casino in addition to both of us getting free drinks while gambling.

 

Like I said uh oh, nothing for me waiting in the room. I had contacted the players club at least five times and had received five different answers. Well $600.00 and free drinks is worth pursuing in my book. A quick call to our casino host Vicky and all was made right.

 

At five O'clock we headed down to the meet and greet and my paperwork was waiting there. Vicky came through for me. That meet and greet for the Premier Players is not to be missed. It was a first class operation.

 

They had at least twelve servers running around with gourmet appetizers, the one that stands out in my mind are the panko crusted prawns. The servers also served any drink you wanted from the open bar.

 

After the meet and greet a quick trip to the casino and we had our casino cash.

 

We gambled to the wee hours and ordered room service. On the advice of CC members we ordered two turkey sandwiches and two BLT's then we turned it into a club sandwich. Topped off with the wonderful chocolate cake and all is well with the world. BTW our cabin steward Erfan was the best we have ever had. He kept our room spotless, the ice chest full and was just a very pleasant individual. He receivedt high praises on our comment card as well as some additional green.

 

The next day being a sea day we slept in late and had room service again. We had salmon and bagels along with the chicken fajita wrap. Decaf for her caffeine for me. All was excellent. Room service is a real plus, those two pots of coffee alone have cost me close to $50.00 many times while staying in Las Vegas.

 

Anyway plenty of Black Jack being a sea day and Carlos another casino host asks us what time we would like to eat in The Steakhouse. He comped us the Steakhouse and two bottles of wine were also waiting for us. We only drank one and took the other back to Tampa with us. All in all a wonderful meal.

 

It seemed like just about every night the casino had some sort of nice gift waiting in our room. One night was champagne and chocolate covered strawberries, another it was two plush beach towels embroidered with "Carnival Players Club". We also received a $25.00 bar credit, a box of really nice cookies from Cherry On Top.

 

We ate in the MDR several nights and the food was good, some better than others. Yes the portions are small but I guess that is to cut down on waste. I just ordered a lot and always left satisfied. The Beef Stroganoff was wonderful as was the red snapper and lamb shank. The prime rib was just okay. All in all considering how inexpensive Carnival is I am surprised the food was as good as it is. BTW make sure you try the bitter and blanc.

 

Our service was over the top. We had your time dining and never had a wait to get in. Another great tip I learned here is if you have your time dining and like your waiter you can request him every night. We had Rodrigues at table 363 and we sat in his area everytime we used the MDR.

 

In Conzumel we did the La Casa en La Playa - A Select Retreatit was just okay. They did everything that was promised but quite frankly I don't think it was worth the money. We talked to some people who did Xplor Park - All Inclusive which cost $30.00 more pp and they couldn't quit raving about it. I mean they were really pumped up about it. Oh well we still had a good time and had plenty to eat and drink.

 

In Belize we stayed on the ship and recovered from a very late night in the casino

 

At Mahogany Bay we wandered around and enjoyed the beach. I will tell you next time I won't be so self conscious about this 57 yo body and I will bring my trunks and flip flops and get in that crystal clear water. A good tip, if you get back to the ship early go to The Red Frog and people watch out of the windows. You have a great view of all of the activity at the beach. Nice and cool in there and a nice Miami Vice makes it even better. Muriel the waitress is a real hoot and the foosball and shuffle board is a nice touch

 

Grand Cayman we wandered around and shopped. We did find a place that rents snorkels, mask and lockers for $15.00 total and you explore a reef right at the beach where they rent it. Here is a link http://paradiserestaurant.ky/

As stated above next time I will definitely not be so self conscious about being thirty ponds overweight and I will just enjoy myself. For that matter I might get motivated and just lose the weight.

 

In closing debarkation was a breeze. My wife who only cruised because of me is now a convert. On prior cruises the tipping thing drove her nuts. By the time we left The Legend she was handing out $20.00's everytime I turned around in addition to our prepaid tips. On the last morning we had a letter from the casino stating we have a free inside cabin on any cruise that last from 3-8 days as long as we sail before July 2014.

 

We both were very impressed with how polite everyone was, crew members and passengers alike. My DW stated of course the other passengers are polite, they are in a good mood because they are having fun like us.

 

We are not high rollers. We are just friendly outgoing people who get to know all of the casino workers and we also tip well when we are playing. We also play quite a bit when we are on the ship.

 

From the looks of things I think I just might take them up on that free cruise.

Okay I will chime in. I am a new cruiser but based on a friend of mine who has over 50 cruises under her belt tipping at the beginning isn't a real good idea. In some cultures it is an insult as if you have to bribe them to do the job they are supposed to do anyway. Also what is the incentive to do a good job if you already have your tip. I know pride comes into the equation but you catch the drift. Last but not least have you ever tipped up front in a restaurant?

 

I did tip up front once and it was the worst cabin steward I ever had. He was brutal.

 

I usually like to wait until about four days in and if they are doing a good job I will give them something extra then.

 

My friends tell me a good review mentioning their name on the comment card is one of the best things you can do for any cruise worker. That goes a long way to getting them promoted.

 

As far as the ice dilemma goes a collapsible cooler is the best thing since sliced bread. Check it out http://www.amazon.com/Izzo-Golf-Collapsi-Cool-Cooler/dp/B00CHO8ZCC/ref=pd_sbs_shoe_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=0TQ2KXP9F1S5M1P5RZEH

Do they still offer a certain drinks menu in the bar and get a match play at a table?

 

Thanks

 

They did on the Legend the week of 4/27/2014

 

BTW It looks like Carnival has really stepped up to the plate for the gamblers. I won't go into a dissertation on it but I will say we got $1000.00 in cash just for taking the cruise. We had a meet in greet with the casino hosts. It was top shelf with at least 12 servers running around with trays of hot and cold hors d'oeuvres, can you say panko crusted prawns. Plus an open bar. We also received gifts every night courtesy of the casino, things like embroidered beach towels, a free steakhouse meal with two bottles of wine, strawberries and champagne, free drinks in the casino and last but not least a free inside cabin on any cruise between 5 and 8 days as long as we sail before 6/30/2014.

That host sounds like a real butthead. I have had hosts at more than one casino suggest my wife and I use a copy card so we are rated higher. The host would usually say as long as you are in the same room it is no problem and a way to get comped faster.

 

I have also been in casinos that won't rate you at BJ for less than $25.00 a hand. My wife and I like to play $15.00 a hand and they would rate us as one hand at $30.00.

 

Like I said that host sounds like a butthead to me.

It is 80 for valet, 60 for no valet, i love the valet, so that's what we always use, it maybe cost effective for you guys to do a shuttle, I'm not sure though, call around to different limo and shuttle services, or go right on their website, and you can get quotes, google port of Tampa shuttles, and they come up

 

Actually it depends on the length of stay. It is $15.00 a day for non valet and you can tack on another $20.00 one time fee for valet. Here is the link to the parking site for the port.

 

I am going to valet on an upcoming Legend cruise and it will be $125.00

 

http://tampaport.centralparking.com/Cruise-Parking-Tampa.html

We had a cabin steward like that once. He kept on cornering my wife and whining about the tipping system. She got mad at me because once I just walked away from the conversation and once I guess I had this pretty obvious smirk on through the whole thing. She said I was being rude. The worst part is he did a great job on the cabin. We had prepaid grats so we just didn't tip any extra. If he did a crap job, I think we would have reported him.

 

I hope you locked up your toothbrush when you left your cabin :>)

If you're going to quote me please quote the whole thing. I'm rude IF a worker I don't even know tries to use me as their therapist while I'm on vacation. I have my own problems I'm trying to forget.

 

If I dumped my problems on them while they were on vacation, I'm sure they'd feel exactly the same way.

 

Exactly, I just spent hundreds, if not thousands to escape the day to day BS that we all encounter. I sure as heck don't want to act as your therapist while on vacation. Many here will flame me but the sad fact of life is don't come looking for sympathy from me when I am spending money trying to have a good time. Many times during my work career I was told shut up and be thankful you have a job. I worked 80 hours a week the first ten years of my career trying to get ahead. My wife worked 50 hours a week and went to school at night to get her degree. It took ten years but she finally got that accounting degree.

 

If I am sitting around with friends and family and they complain about their job or their boss I ask them what are they doing about it, do you have a long term plan? I genuinely try to offer them advice.

 

When I am at someone's place of employment and I hear them complain about their job or their boss it just strikes me as somebody who needs to learn to shut up before they get fired. When I am at your place of employment I don't want to hear your problems. You are not my friend. I am here trying to spend my hard earned money trying to have an enjoyable experience. The same goes for fellow passengers, unless I ask I don't want to hear your problems. I am on vacation trying to forget problems.

 

As you can tell acting as a therapist is a pet peeve of mine and as far as the workers go if you think complaining about your boss or job is going to make me tip more you are way off base. Give me stellar service I and will give you a tip that will make your jaw drop.

When we first started cruising with our children, we told them point-blank that the people who work on the ship are NOT slaves, they are hard-working people with families who deserve respect and courtesy. From day one their mother and I have taught them to ALWAYS say "please", "thank you", "excuse me", and, most importantly, "I apologize".

 

 

You bring up some great points. If only everybody would treat each other with respect and courtesy, the world would be a lot better place.

 

My wife and I kid that courtesy and admitting you are wrong seems to be a sign of weakness in todays society. How many people do you encounter day to day who just can't admit they are wrong. None of us are perfect, we are all wrong sooner or later.

Bought a bottle of Kirkland Bourbon from Costco when in FL for $19. The bottle resembled Knob Creek but the $19 price is what it is worth, no bargain not even at that price.

 

 

 

I made the same mistake. Kirkland brands are usually darn good, but this bourbon is almost undrinkable. I poured mine into an old bottle of Jack Black and I will use it late in a party when someone wants a Jack and Coke. I drink Woodford on the rocks and quite frankly I am so spoiled even Single Barrel Jack straight up tastes like rock gut after Woodford.

I think that like when calling Carnival direct and talking to the rep that answers the phone, the answers vary. Asking questions on the boards is pretty much asking what others' experience was regarding similiar situations.

 

You nailed it. I am tickled pink with the offer and for the most part "Carnival" but the problem is, talk to five people at "Carnival" and you get five different answers on any subject. I did finally get the number for the OPC and got a reply that makes sense based upon the answers I received in the post that disappeared.

My wife and I most likely are in the minority but quite frankly we are not cruising to make friends with the staff. I know they work hard and for the most part deserve every penny they get but to me the perfect maid, waiter etc. are the ones you don't even know are there.

 

Now on the other hand after seven days I most likely will be on a first name basis with everyone in the casino and a lot of the bartenders.

 

We are polite to everyone. Smile at everyone and acknowledge everyone, crew and fellow passengers alike. I have to be honest nothing grates me more than a fake smile or fake happiness. The people that work on these ships must be dog tired and for the most part over the faking friendliness.

By the same token I don't want to hear their problems or see a bunch of scowls, that will bring everyone down.

 

In my long winded way I am trying to say as long as they are polite and do their job that is all you can ask for and that is really how I prefer it.

I get the mail packet every 3 months and its only for the person its addressed to . I get $400 not both and we tried that last year. You both get the cabin price and free drinks in the casino and the drawings that's it. Only 1 gets the casino cash. The Freedom cruise for some reason I only get $300 casino cash the rest are $400.

 

If understand what you are saying only you received and offer and not your wife. In my case I received and offer for $600.00 and my wife received her own offer for $400.00. Since we both received our own offers we both qualify for the cash. Where my original concern came was from the fact that I did not receive a voucher and my wife did.

Ha! We were posting at the same time. Great minds...

 

 

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Can you say Karma

[quote name='mickide']Maybe not if you are just looking for a really reduced cruise rate. As I said earlier, for us it took a couple hundred of the rate we already had booked plus gave us cash so we think it's a great deal. Some of us (who spend very little in the casino) are actually happy with the offer :-).

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk[/quote]

I am with you as far as the rate goes, couple that with priority boarding and the drinks us on card and it was a no brainer.

We budget $600.00 a day for the casino. They gave us 1K in casino cash so I am already ahead for at least my first day.

We booked an unobstructed extended balcony for 7 days including al taxes etc. for $700.00 each. Like I said it was too good to pass up.

For some reason my thread disappeared. The question was if both people in the cabin have an offer for casino cash do both people get it or is it one offer per cabin.

 

I received many replies for which I am grateful. Some wondered why my wife received a voucher and they never did. I wondered why she received a voucher but the cruise booked under my name.

 

I think I have received the definitive answer from Shanie Persaud from the Casino VIP Team. She told me my wife must have received that voucher by mistake because the vouchers are no longer mailed out. They are now left in your cabin and that both of us will get the casino cash if we have any coming. Shanie used the example of $200.00 for my wife and $200.00 for me.

 

Once again for all of you that responded to the OP thank you so much.

I was on the same cruise. Yes, we had limes.

 

Thank you so much.

Okay, the most pressing matter on my mind....Did they have limes onboard. I heard that because of the lime shortage they were using lemons in their place. I can't have a gin and tonic without limes.

 

Thanks in advance. I sail next Sunday. I am glad you had a great time.