Platinum/Diamond - "Free" drink... why limited?

[cruise pup]

It's hard to see how Carnival is being cheap when they are giving you a FREE drink.

 

If they want to influence passenger behavior with this inducement and it's restrictions, so be it.

 

They are being cheap because it replaces a much more generous drinks perk. It was always for a single event, not making it a free booze cruise. And in no way are they trying to influence passenger behavior. They wouldn't have a drinks package with up to 15 drinks per day if they were concerned with behavior. They want to see people buying a lot of alcohol. It's promoted constantly on the ship. They just don't want the alcohol to be free.

[grammymarcia]

You can also just walk just inside the MDR at lunchtime and catch a waiter, and he'll go get your drink. Saw a whole group in their bathing suits and cover ups doing this (figured they came down from the pool for their free drink).

 

So if there are ways around it, they should just make it ANY BAR...

 

We did the same thing on the Breeze last month. Didn't sit down , hostess just had us stand to the side while the waiter went and got our order, there were 5 of us, no problem.

[SPKEMO]

Wow!! People love to complain about free stuff.

 

Feel free to pay 40% more and sail X. Or 20% more for RC or 100% more for Disney.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Wow!! People love to complain about free stuff.

 

Feel free to pay 40% more and sail X. Or 20% more for RC or 100% more for Disney.

 

THIS thread I started may be three years old, but it helps to point out that generalizations are just that... and don't always reflect reality. In that case, a balcony cabin on the Solstice for my son and three of his friends was LESS expensive than an inside for them on the Dream.

 

Tom

[SPKEMO]

THIS thread I started may be three years old, but it helps to point out that generalizations are just that... and don't always reflect reality. In that case, a balcony cabin on the Solstice for my son and three of his friends was LESS expensive than an inside for them on the Dream.

 

Tom

 

I'm not gonna buy that. I cruise often and check the major lines all the time. You clearly weren't comparing apples to apples. (Same sail date, cruise length, and itinerary.)

[SPKEMO]

What I mean by I'm not buying it is that 2 years ago is 2 years ago.

[happy cruzin]

Also, it was to promote the "Punchliner Comedy Club"...that is the "budget" that these drinks come out of.

 

It was to draw people in to hear the Comedians during their 5 minute pitch.

 

Btw, the comedians will no longer by making their pitch at brunch...thank goodness....

 

I too thought it had been discontinued....but not true on the Breeze - anyway.

Both cruises on the Breeze this year - February and August - had the comedy portion during the Punchliner's Bruch. :cool:

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

I'm not gonna buy that. I cruise often and check the major lines all the time. You clearly weren't comparing apples to apples. (Same sail date, cruise length, and itinerary.)

 

I clearly WAS comparing apples to apples. Though the Solstice apple was a more polished apple (tasted better too)! The fact that they don't allow smoking in the casino was ICING ON THE CAKE !! :D

 

Tom

[happy cruzin]

You can also just walk just inside the MDR at lunchtime and catch a waiter, and he'll go get your drink. Saw a whole group in their bathing suits and cover ups doing this (figured they came down from the pool for their free drink).

 

So if there are ways around it, they should just make it ANY BAR...

 

 

LOL...now why didn't WE think of that! ;) :D We did not use them on on February Breeze cruise - we only went to the Brunch once and forgot to take them :o.

Oh well....interesting way to get the drink!

[SPKEMO]

I clearly WAS comparing apples to apples. Though the Solstice apple was a more polished apple (tasted better too)! The fact that they don't allow smoking in the casino was ICING ON THE CAKE !! :D

 

Tom

 

Again that was 2 years ago. Show me where that rings true now? Find me a booking on Celebrity that is 6 months or longer in the future and is the same or less then CCL.

[SadieN]

I can recall ONE time that we did indeed redeem our coupons. We were at breakfast and asked for a couple of Sprite Zero's in the can (unopened) to be used for mixers in our cabin at a more appropriate time of day!

 

Tom

 

We get Long Island iced teas and transfer them to our tervis cups without the ice to save for later in the day.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Again that was 2 years ago. Show me where that rings true now? Find me a booking on Celebrity that is 6 months in the future and is the same or less then CCL.

 

Can you put the Pom-Poms down and just accept the facts. BTW, it was 3 years ago. I'm not going to waste my time searching for rates...

 

For the record, I'd happily pay thousands more to enjoy any Solstice class over a Dream class ship. In that case, I was REALLY happy to pay less!

 

We all only live in the moment - that was the moment then.

 

Tom

[SPKEMO]

Can you put the Pom-Poms down and just accept the facts. BTW, it was 3 years ago. I'm not going to waste my time searching for rates...

 

For the record, I'd happily pay thousands more to enjoy any Solstice class over a Dream class ship. In that case, I was REALLY happy to pay less!

 

We all only live in the moment - that was the moment then.

 

Tom

 

I'm not debating your fact of 3 years ago but as you said, "We all only live in the moment". And right now, my facts are true.

[SadieN]

Again that was 2 years ago. Show me where that rings true now? Find me a booking on Celebrity that is 6 months or longer in the future and is the same or less then CCL.

 

Carnival isn't always the cheapest. HAL was much less expensive for our family than Carnival in Alaska, same class cabin.

 

Going on a 3day Princess cruise (in 3 weeks) in a mini-suite that is cheaper pp/pd than the 4 day on Carnival in an OV. Both leaving from LA/Long Beach the same day.

[golfadj]

Clever answer on their part, never mind that it's 99% bs !!

 

Tom

 

Just 99%? Eventually they will discontinue it for lack of interest.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

I'm not debating your fact of 3 years ago but as you said, "We all only live in the moment". And right now, my facts are true.

 

What facts are those... that a cheaper line delivers a cheaper product??

 

Tom

[SPKEMO]

What facts are those... that a cheaper line delivers a cheaper product??

 

Tom

 

I feel like were kinda on the same page. Yes, a cheaper line will deliver a cheaper product. A more expensive line should deliver a better product.

[sbnuggie]

Folks have reported using the coupon at other bars on the ship, with no problems.

 

Sent from my GT-S5830D using Forums mobile app

 

Im here to report that on our Dream sailing in May we walked into the Atrium Bar and used our drink coupons for a free drink on the second formal night for a pre dinner cocktail. I had read here on CC that only certain bars will accept the coupons and the Atrium Bar is one of them. I think it is one of the bars the MDR waiters use to fetch your drinks from, but don't quote me on that. Our kids also had free drink coupons so we got them smoothies as well. Many have reported that you can use your free drink coupon outside of the mdr and brunch hours etc. We did.

 

Take Care,

[Phlybice]

Has John ever been asked why the free drink coupon is limited to the dining room (breakfast/lunch/brunch)? If so, what was his reply?

 

That limitation, to me at least, seems like unnecessary "fine print" - making Carnival appear, dare I say, CHEAP! Why not just make it something you can use anywhere/time on the ship?

 

I suppose we'll get some again tomorrow!

 

Tom

 

They just don't want them redeemed. It's an ad ploy.

[The4Cruisers]

I'm actually kind of glad for the restriction. Typically we mill around the Lido buffet at lunchtime. On our past two cruises these coupons enticed us to sit down in the MDR for a nice lunch. We forgot about the MDR for lunch until then.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

I'm actually kind of glad for the restriction. Typically we mill around the Lido buffet at lunchtime. On our past two cruises these coupons enticed us to sit down in the MDR for a nice lunch. We forgot about the MDR for lunch until then.

 

Offering BUFFALO WINGS in the MDR for lunch is more likely to be an enticement for me - compared to a free drink. :)

 

Tom

[Sargent_Schultz]

Yes he has been asked and it's because they are trying to disperse the breakfast/lunch crowds on the Lido by making the MDR a more desirable choice.

 

Absolutely true and in fact, it works. The MDR was underutilized at breakfast and lunch and now is being better utilized. As with other perks, if too many people whine about it, I think Carnival should do away with it. No matter what Carnival does, some will complain.

[Phlybice]

Absolutely true and in fact, it works. The MDR was underutilized at breakfast and lunch and now is being better utilized. As with other perks, if too many people whine about it, I think Carnival should do away with it. No matter what Carnival does, some will complain.

 

That's odd. I always felt the push was away from a service meal to self serve.

[crusinpsychRN]

The free drink coupon is for past guests, not just Platinum/Diamond. I'm Platinum but the kids aren't and they got the coupons. Or are you talking about something else?

[SPKEMO]

That's odd. I always felt the push was away from a service meal to self serve.

 

Clearly it's a push for guests to get to the MDR by offering longer hours and a wide variety of food options.