Lots of OBC from Milestone cruise

[kicia]

Our Milestone cruise will be in May next year on the Carnival Magic and I have some questions. First of all since this is the actual 25th cruise we want to have our Milestone card and use the OBC on that cruise because it's the most expensive. First we were told it can't happen on the the 25th and then we were told it could.

 

We were also told that the OBC is determined by the amount of the 25th cruise even if you actually use it on a later cruise that costs more. So if we took a short cruise before the Magic we would lose out. Since we want to use it for the 25th it doesn't apply to us.

 

It looks like we'll have about $1600 in OBC by using the Milestone for both of us, shareholder credit and future cruise credit. I asked what would happen if we didn't spend it all and were told that we would lose it. I know that is their standard line for some kinds of OBC and in actuality all of it is refundable. Is this any different for the Milestone OBC or do we have to use the casino to cash out? Even after paying tips, etc. we'll probably still have over $1000 left and we don't want to lose it.

 

We have three cruises booked before the Magic and there is a short one in there to make sure the 25th was the Magic so we're hoping this actually works the way we planned it. Since the cruise before the Magic is in February there should be enough time for Carnival to get the documentation together. We were told to call them before we leave for Europe and even though that will be twelve days before the cruise it should work.

 

Thanks for your help.

 

Linda

[shortstop95]

We're planning to do something similiar for our milestone- I'll be curious to see what type of responses you get.

[firefly333]

Our Milestone cruise will be in May next year on the Carnival Magic and I have some questions. First of all since this is the actual 25th cruise we want to have our Milestone card and use the OBC on that cruise because it's the most expensive. First we were told it can't happen on the the 25th and then we were told it could.

 

We were also told that the OBC is determined by the amount of the 25th cruise even if you actually use it on a later cruise that costs more. So if we took a short cruise before the Magic we would lose out. Since we want to use it for the 25th it doesn't apply to us.

 

It looks like we'll have about $1600 in OBC by using the Milestone for both of us, shareholder credit and future cruise credit. I asked what would happen if we didn't spend it all and were told that we would lose it. I know that is their standard line for some kinds of OBC and in actuality all of it is refundable. Is this any different for the Milestone OBC or do we have to use the casino to cash out? Even after paying tips, etc. we'll probably still have over $1000 left and we don't want to lose it.

 

We have three cruises booked before the Magic and there is a short one in there to make sure the 25th was the Magic so we're hoping this actually works the way we planned it. Since the cruise before the Magic is in February there should be enough time for Carnival to get the documentation together. We were told to call them before we leave for Europe and even though that will be twelve days before the cruise it should work.

 

Thanks for your help.

 

Linda

 

I think you need to talk to some other people as this is not totally standard, the stuff you are printing.

 

Talk to LHP, she managed to get the OBC on her 25th cruise.

 

It is not based on the 25th cruise cost, its based on which cruise you are applying it to.

 

$1600 OBC sounds high to me. Are you taking ONE cruise fare, and then subtracting out the port charges from the fare, and then taking 25% of whats left of the one fare??

 

I cant imagine any of the cruises coming to $1600 OBC with 25% of one fare, plus $100 for stockholders and $100 for FCC. (Im assuming you are talking about a 7 day?). Are you booked in a very expensive suite? Or are there two milestone people on this cruise and you are taking 25% of both of them??

 

Hopefully, LHP and some others will weigh in here and explain it better.

[Webecruzen]

We received our Milestone on-board credit on the Freedom last November. It was an 8-day cruise. This was our 25th cruise. My husband and I each received a 25% of the cruise fare as on board credit. We were told that we would have to use the credit on-board or would loose it. We did the Behind the Fun tour, had dinner at the Steak House, and booked our excursions on board. We were able to use our credit. We did have to go to guest services to get our silver cards exchanged for the white "Milestone" cards.

Our 12 year old son reaches milestone on this November's Thanksgiving cruise. He is listed as a second passenger on the ship to be sure to maximize his credit.

 

Good luck and happy sailing to you!

[PA Dutchman]

You paying around $6000 to $6400 for the cruise for 2 people to get $1600 obc. on your 25th cruise. we are useing our milestone for Dec cruise our OBC will only be around $650 for a $2400 balcony for 2. We also have the FFC.

[SkyMaster]

I actually saved my 25% Milestone OBC until my 27th cruise, as it was "Miracle" 8 day, and considerably more expensive than the actual 25th cruise. The 25% was based on the actual price of the cruise, less the port charges, and taxes. Yes, we did have to spend the entire OBC, or lose it. We did NOT get our white card on the actual 25th, but we may be the exception, rather than the rule. Most folks I've talked to, did indeed, get the white Milestone card on the 25th. We DID NOT get any certificate from Carnival at all, stating that we'd get the Milestone 25%. Rather, I just knew about it, (Thanks to the wonderful folks here at Cruise Critic) and had my TA arrange for the OBC to be applied to the 27th cruise instead. No Problem at all.. I was also told that you can save one, or the other of your Milestone 25%, (assuming that both you and your mate become Milestone at the same time) for another cruise, if you think that you won't be able to spend the entire 25% for both of your fares, on one cruise, and that way you'll get another nice OBC on another cruise further down the road. ;)

Hope I'm clear on all the above. Bottom line is that you're not bound to take the 25% on any particular cruise, or for both of you on the same cruise.

Have a GREAT one!

 

"SKY"

[kicia]

Our 25th cruise will be on the Carnival Magic 12 day in the Med in a 9C cat cabin. The OBC will be $637 each since we'll both be Milestone on that cruise. There is $100 shareholder credit and $200 for the FCC so it's actually about $1574 total.

 

We asked the Carnival Milestone rep about what cruise was used to determine the OBC and we were told that the 25th cruise determines the amount no matter which cruise you use it on. I said that other people used it differently and that the OBC was determined by which cruise it was used on and he said I was wrong. I also know that the answers vary by who you talk with so that is why I'm trying to get this straightened out. I will also call Carnival again a few times.

 

Since the Magic cruise is a lot more expensive than the next three we have booked or any that we would take in the year after that, that is why we want to use the OBC on that one.

 

Also, has anyone gotten any unused OBC for Milestone refunded the last night or do we have to use the casino route?

 

Thanks!

 

Linda

[MrsBurgoon]

Hey everyone, the following information is taken directly from Carnival's Travel Agent Portal about the Milestone program:

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When the guest books his/her 25th cruise, the qualifying guest will receive an onboard credit on his/her Sail & Sign account that is equal to the amount of 25% of the guest’s cruise fare including the non-commissionable fees.***

 

The Milestone Onboard Credit will be applied to the booking 2-3 days prior to the cruise.

 

Normal deposit and cancellation guidelines apply.

 

Terms & Conditions:

Milestone Reward is valid for its stated value in U.S. dollars, only on Carnival Cruise Lines, to be used as a credit on board a Carnival ship.

The Milestone Reward is not valid on any other cruise line, including any affiliate of Carnival Cruise Lines.

Milestone Reward is nontransferable, nonrefundable and has no cash value.

Milestone Reward must be redeemed at least 30 days prior to sail date.

Only one Milestone Reward is redeemable per guest, per booking.

Milestone Reward expires 18 months from the date stated on the letter.

-------

 

***For those of you that do not know, non-commissionable fees are your port charges.

 

Hope this helps!!

[firefly333]

Hey everyone, the following information is taken directly from Carnival's Travel Agent Portal about the Milestone program:

-------

When the guest books his/her 25th cruise, the qualifying guest will receive an onboard credit on his/her Sail & Sign account that is equal to the amount of 25% of the guest’s cruise fare including the non-commissionable fees.***

 

Hope this helps!!

 

thanks .. good to know. My milestone will be coming up.

[kicia]

I've seen the info from this site but it does not specifically state which cruise is used for the 25% OBC. Carnival tells me it is the 25th cruise that determines the rate and it doesn't matter which cruise you use it is as long as it is within 18 months but others here are saying that is not true. I tend to believe those that have actually used it and not Carnival.

 

It also states it is non-refundable so if you don't use it you lose it. That also applies to other kinds of OBC where it states it can't be used for tips or other things but it reality it can be. I just wondered if anyone else had first hand knowledge that the OBC was forfeited if not used. If so I would then use the casino method to cash out.

 

The first person I talked with said Milestone doesn't take effect until the 26th cruise and I know that's wrong. The second one told me the above and I doubt that too. I would like to talk with someone at Carnival and get a name and something in writing so we don't have a problem when it gets to be next May.

[firefly333]

I stated it above .. but again .. I know the milestone letter usually goes out after your 25th cruise.

 

So, unless you find someone to apply it specifically it will not be applied to your 25th cruise.

 

I also would double check that you have to use the 25th cruise .. others have posted differently and they are people I tend to believe on CC. So, Im still going with the the OBC is not going to necessarily be from your 25th cruise until I see it in writing.

[mkitchy]

My wife and I will both be using our Milestone on our 25th. cruise. Called the Carnival Milestone phone number (1-877-225-8477) and had no problem having it applied. We'll be doing the repositioning cruise from Hawaii to Ensenada on Sept. 26th. in a Vista Suite, with shareholders credit and a future cruise certificate, so we'll be receiving a goodly amount of OBC. :)

[LHP]

Our experience was:

 

1. We got DJ's 25% ON his 25th cruise.

2. We got to decide 'which' cruise to use it on AND the 25% was based on the cruise we were on...not the 25th cruise.

3. DJ did get his White card ON his 25th cruise.

 

If it helps...here is an email that we just got from Carnival because David's 50th cruise is fast approaching and we want to use it on our Hawaii cruise.

 

------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Thank you for contacting Carnival Cruise Lines. We appreciate the

opportunity to be of assistance.

 

Congratulations on coming up to your 50th cruise! We are excited to hear what an avid Carnival fan you have been!!

 

You are able to use your milestone reward for reaching 50 cruises with us on a cruise later in the year; it does not have to be applied to the 50th cruise.

Once you have sailed on the cruises to reach your 50th, then we can apply the discount to the booking of your choice. Be sure to let us know which booking you would like the discount applied to so we can have it applied.

 

If there is anything else we can do for you please don't hesitate to ask.

 

Kind regards,

 

Armaghan (Army) Nasim

Guest Solutions Specialist

Carnival Cruise Lines

1-800-CARNIVAL

[kicia]

I finally got someone at the Milestone desk that I agree with. What we are being told now is:

 

- Milestone is on the 25th cruise

 

- Can use any cruise after that, up to 18 months, and the OBC will be based on that cruise

 

- A letter will be sent out after the 24th cruise

 

- The OBC can be used on the 25th cruise

 

This verifies what others have said on here so now I'm happy. I have her name and extension number and will call her after cruise 24 in February.

 

The only thing we'll have to deal with is how to get the unused OBC so we don't lose it. I guess we'll have to go to the casino and cash out that way. I really don't want to carry $1000 in cash around Europe for over a month but I guess if we have to then we have to do it that way.

 

Linda