Using C&A Coupons on First Cruise?

[Miz Kat]

I think I may have made a mistake. We're leaving in two weeks on our very first cruise, and are super excited. I've heard of previous cruisers leaving unused coupons in the cabin (such as in the Bible) for others to use, and I found a coupon book on eBay and bought it.

 

But now I'm worried that since we aren't C&A members, I'll have trouble using the coupons and be out the $28 I spent on the coupons. I did the math and the coupons will save us a good deal of money ... if we can use them.

 

Anyone have any ideas?:eek:

[Clarea]

I think I may have made a mistake. We're leaving in two weeks on our very first cruise, and are super excited. I've heard of previous cruisers leaving unused coupons in the cabin (such as in the Bible) for others to use, and I found a coupon book on eBay and bought it.

 

But now I'm worried that since we aren't C&A members, I'll have trouble using the coupons and be out the $28 I spent on the coupons. I did the math and the coupons will save us a good deal of money ... if we can use them.

 

Anyone have any ideas?:eek:

Depends on the coupon. Those like the casino coupons will probably work fine, they never seem to check those. Others like the 2 for 1 drinks are typically not usable because they check your SeaPass card for the necessary C&A level.

[pcur]

I think I may have made a mistake. We're leaving in two weeks on our very first cruise, and are super excited. I've heard of previous cruisers leaving unused coupons in the cabin (such as in the Bible) for others to use, and I found a coupon book on eBay and bought it.

 

But now I'm worried that since we aren't C&A members, I'll have trouble using the coupons and be out the $28 I spent on the coupons. I did the math and the coupons will save us a good deal of money ... if we can use them.

 

Anyone have any ideas?:eek:

 

If you look at the coupons, there is a space to write not only your name, cabin number, but also your seapass (folio) number. If whomever you are giving the coupon to asks you to fill it out, then the information is recorded against your account. If it's a mismatch, you will be charged the full amount of whatever you were using the coupon to buy. If the coupon booklet is Platinun, Diamond, Diamond Plus, or Pinnacle level you will be much more likely to be asked for this information, as you get more with those coupons.

 

Internet coupons must be redeemed at the Customer Service Desk, so you are busted with those; can't use them at all.

 

You take your chances.

 

Posters will reply here that they've never had to fill out the coupon; others they did.

 

You bought the booklet on what is technically the "black market", so you know you are taking a risk.

[Paul65]

I can't imagine spending $28 on a C&A coupon book and thinking it was going to save me "a good deal of money." Most of them aren't really all that useful, but maybe you could squeeze out more than $28 worth of value from them. I suppose a spa treatment discount, by itself, might be worth that much, but since I don't normally use the spa . . .

[CruisinDawn]

Depending on which book you got many of them can be questionable. I wish people would stop selling those to unsupecting buyers. Your C&A status is on the bottom of your seapass and depending on your status the coupons get better & better. I would think a bad one to try is the Diamond Plus buy one specialty dinner get one free the first night, but that is just me. I would be embarassed if I got caught, especially after eating. :eek:

 

BonVoyage

Dawna

[ARCruisinNana]

I can't imagine spending $28 on a C&A coupon book and thinking it was going to save me "a good deal of money." Most of them aren't really all that useful, but maybe you could squeeze out more than $28 worth of value from them. I suppose a spa treatment discount, by itself, might be worth that much, but since I don't normally use the spa . . .

 

The Spa coupons won't be any good. I gave my daughter who is D a coupon from my D+ booklet to use. They would not let her use it since the coupon level didn't match the level on her seapass card.

To the OP-What level coupon book did you buy? You will be able to use the casino match play and Spin to win coupons.

[Miz Kat]

Well, great. I guess that's what I get for trying to plan ahead and save a little. I had no idea they were considered "black market" since I've heard so many times of people finding coupons others had left for them in the cabins.

 

I was wanting to use the BOGO drinks ones, milkshake one, Pets at Sea buy one get one half off, free internet minutes, and spa one. Those alone would save me a significant amount of money, at least significant for me. Doesn't sound like I'm going to be able to, though.

 

Thanks for the comments - at least now I know what I'm in for!

[DragonOfTheSeas]

Friends of ours used a Buy one--get one 1/2 off photo coupon. the salesperson gave them the discount.

 

Also, DH never uses his seapass when he is in the casino. The one that works for match play should work. But, I agree they are not worth that much unless you have a diamond book. They have a few nice soupons in there. However, they will check you card for sure.:p

[ARCruisinNana]

Starting March 1 RCI will begin switching over to the coupons being put on your Seapass card. I haven't seen a schedule for the ships. The selling of coupons and misuse is one of the reasons for the change, along with waste of paper and better technology.

[pcur]

Since this is your first cruise you will have no Crown and Anchor membership at all, and there will be no status printed on your seapass card. I agree the casino coupons are probably the only ones that you can use without showing your card, and that's only if they are busy. If the pit boss is nearby they may want you to fill it out, too.

 

People that leave them in the cabin are not doing anyone any favors, and people that sell them on ebay are only doing themselves a favor.

[Miz Kat]

Unfortunately, I found that out WAY too late...

[Paul65]

Unfortunately, I found that out WAY too late...

 

Don't fret. Lesson learned, and you're not out any huge amount of money. Consider it a loss, and if you manage to get use out of a couple coupons, you'll be pleasantly surprised.

[DonnaK]

You can still try to use them. My mother is one C&A category above us. I've been able to use her coupons, even when she isn't sailing with us. As well, my kids have a different status than I do, and we use each other's coupons too.

 

I've used the internet ones, the beverage ones, and the photo ones, even though the status on the coupon doesn't match the status on the sea pass. I'm rarely questioned, but when I am, I just say that they are my mother's (or kids's) coupons, and they let me use them.

 

I am prepared to be denied, but so far I haven't been. If I am, I won't be embarrassed, I'll just play dumb and say that my mom (or kids) will use them with her Sea Pass later.

[teajak]

You are not the only one to fall for this scam.If you use the slot ones you will probably get a key chain that says VIP. Keep it handy as a reminder.Good luck.

[pcur]

Starting March 1 RCI will begin switching over to the coupons being put on your Seapass card. I haven't seen a schedule for the ships. The selling of coupons and misuse is one of the reasons for the change, along with waste of paper and better technology.

 

I forgot about this! Yes, they are phasing out the paper coupons.