Wow! Free Cruise on Carnival

[sassy0930]

I think you are totally justified the way you feel. Has nothing to do with casinos, past cruises or future cruises booked. If anyone got offered a free cruise of course they are going to take advantage of the opportunity. What Carnival should have done is give money off to all VIFP members (or some kind of perk) instead of picking certain people to reward. What they did was make people very angry knowing people on their cruises paid maybe $300 for a cruise they paid $3,000 for. :mad:

 

Your thinking is just not in the right place here. This isn't a reward. This isn't like a "yay, you did something we like so here is a free cruise" deal. It's a marketing promotion to get cruisers with specific demographics (that seem random because nobody seems to know or be willing to tell what the criteria are) on board their ships. Do you get this angry when a restaurant sends out free meal coupons to certain houses? It's the same thing. You might eat there every single day and spend thousands of dollars a year there, but if they are marketing to people who live on a different street than you, you aren't getting the coupon.

 

People who cruise with Carnival often are offered loyalty rewards with their VIFP program. This is not a loyalty reward. It's a marketing directive that happens to involve past guests.

[carsaw]

I did that. Again it said..........No Special offer for YOU. So I called Princess ( Carnival owned) and cancelled the cruise we had booked for November 2014.

 

Carnival won't notice that I cancelled. But I felt much better. I hope all of their free cruise folks........turn out be as good a customer as I have been. And sail as much. As stay as loyal as I have been. it is disgusting to treat loyal customers like this. Disgusting and bad business. So................I am not following the line anymore. I do have one cruise left...cannot get my money back. Even knowing that the people in the cabin next to me probably paid less than $400 for their cabin....while I paid a lot for 2 cabins...I will know that it will never happen to me again.

And I will enjoy the cruise. And it is not the fault of the people who got the free cruises. I am sure many are very nice people. but Carnival has put a bad taste in my mouth.

Good for you. I am considering cancelling my booked Carnival cruise also based on principal. Have you voiced your opinion to anyone other than these message boards? I also don't blame anyone for taking advantage of something that was offered to them, anyone would do the same.

[carsaw]

Your thinking is just not in the right place here. This isn't a reward. This isn't like a "yay, you did something we like so here is a free cruise" deal. It's a marketing promotion to get cruisers with specific demographics (that seem random because nobody seems to know or be willing to tell what the criteria are) on board their ships. Do you get this angry when a restaurant sends out free meal coupons to certain houses? It's the same thing. You might eat there every single day and spend thousands of dollars a year there, but if they are marketing to people who live on a different street than you, you aren't getting the coupon.

 

People who cruise with Carnival often are offered loyalty rewards with their VIFP program. This is not a loyalty reward. It's a marketing directive that happens to involve past guests.

 

I don't have time for people that are rude. I am not rude to anyone on the boards and I expect the same consideration. You obviously received the offer and took advantage of it, good for you.

[sassy0930]

I don't have time for people that are rude. I am not rude to anyone on the boards and I expect the same consideration. You obviously received the offer and took advantage of it, good for you.

 

I did not, actually. I booked my cruise and paid cash from a tax refund. I don't think I was rude. I was blunt. And I compared the situation to something similar. I didn't call names, I didn't make fun, and I was not wrong. You are upset and you are well within your rights to be so, because nobody can tell you what to feel. I expressed initially that I cannot fathom that line of thinking. I sincerely do not understand why it would make someone so angry that someone else got a good deal, even if it was not offered to me. I think it's cool that person got a great deal, maybe they'll spend a ton in booze and keep making carnival money and that will help keep my cruise fares cheap for the long run. So sweet. Or maybe I'll meet one of those free cruisers and they'll be a cool person and I'll make a new friend.

[lgerrish]

not in our case, don't think we've ever had a S&S over $300

 

left CCL in a huff:oover changes to the past guest program. I did write a letter of complaint, I didn't receive the offer.;)

 

what's odd is 'ours' came in DH's name & he had never even set up his online VIP account:confused: All his past cruises did appear once I set up an account yesterday though and I could see all the promos he qualified. I had squat in my name:rolleyes:.

 

I am absolutely thrilled to have saved over $2,400 on lowest rate we qualified - 8 night in balcony on the Sunshine. Not sure what i'll do to occupy myself on 4 sea days but will muddle through.:D

 

Our letter came in my husband's name too. I'm the one with the online account and always book the cruises...(He rides on my coattails:D) I'm Platinum, he's not. Guess they want him back!

[iron9er]

I appreciate the free cruise from Carnival, I really do. But, honestly, I almost feel guilty. We don't need a free cruise (we already had one booked in April with them anyway) and I had to stretch on my vacation from work just to make this free cruise work.

 

We are going to have a great time and I really thank them for that, I think it is a great gesture to fill a ship up. At the same time, I'm not loyal to any business/cruise line really. We'll sail on any decent cruise line offering a good itinerary and good value. This offer - although I'll always remember it and be thankful for it - won't change that. I guess that's why I would never be mad if they passed me up for a free cruise.

 

Don't be loyal to a business and expect them to be loyal back. Businesses are there to look out for their own self interests and make $ pure and simple. Expecting anything else will leave you disappointed.

[ccarpenter1963]

 

Don't be loyal to a business and expect them to be loyal back. Businesses are there to look out for their own self interests and make $ pure and simple. Expecting anything else will leave you disappointed.

 

This. This is my motto. If I enjoy my first cruise, I want to cruise all the lines I can afford.

[PaulMedik]

........... I sincerely do not understand why it would make someone so angry that someone else got a good deal, even if it was not offered to me. I think it's cool that person got a great deal, ............

 

 

Sassy,

 

I don't get it either. :confused: I've tried to understand their thinking, but why be upset over other's good fortune?

[cruizinisthebest]

In the letter, they provided "EXAMPLES" of cruises you could book. If you went online to Carnival.com and entered your VIFP number you would see numerous other sailings. People have responded here on the boards that they received a FREE Cabin on Alaska and Hawaii cruises, not just Florida and Houston. I booked one out of New York.

 

Thank you.

[cruizinisthebest]

Does anyone know if more letters are going out, did anyone get one today?

 

I don't know but I'm not going to lie, I want one!:p And I'm not ashamed to say it. I'm not going to change my current travel plans, though, which were already in place before Carnival decided to give out a ton of free cruises. I would even settle for a decent price drop. My cruise seems to go up everyday! #feelingleftout.

[sassy~one]

Got one! Sailing may 10. 116. port and taxs pp

 

80 for balcony pp

 

49 insurance. got scared when i was told IF we had to cancel we would have to pay 1250 pp.

 

So 2 people 8 nights Balcony with INS. 490 ish.

 

300 Ship board credit from cert and stockholders.

 

[Lily429]

my DH got one, he has never booked, never had his name on any credit card payment for any onboard account and never been in the casino. so those can all be ruled out. I on the other hand have booked for and paid for all of it….but no letter for me! AND, get this, only the named person on the letter gets to claim the reservation. we have sailed carnival 5 times, the last time being in 2012 for my 50th birthday. since then we have sailed Norwegian and Disney and made reservations for Norwegian in 2015…..haven't even been to carnival site to see what is available in almost 2 years. no rhyme or reason why we got the promo, who cares….free cruise! Truth is, I think Carnival has some of the best itineraries! we've been wanting to go back to cayman so we booked a 7 day western for spring break, 3 people in a balcony cabin for $712. I'm good with that.:D

[AmberTeka]

That there in red is the problem. You think Carnival is sitting there going "Let's reward these people because we like them better" but they are actually MARKETING! One free cruise to someone who might not sail otherwise might mean thousands of dollars in profit from that person if they continue to cruise after this. Of course, it's a risk. But don't think for a second it's some kind of reward program you got left out of. This isn't some kind of personal affront to cruisers who have spent more money. It's an attempt for the line to gain new customers with the reputation of cruising plummeting lately. It's all about money.

 

You already spend money with them, so why would they aim marketing measures at you? That's just bad business. They need to get new customers with these types of promotions. It's the same as a free month of Netflix. Existing customers can't just call up and get a free month whenever they want, because it's an offer for NEW customers. You get new customers on the ship with free cruises and you keep them by having reasonable rates and the amenities your customers want available on board.

 

 

Sassy , I am sure you a dear person. Do you have a degree in business ? Do you know what firm Carnival has as Public Relations experts? Are they good?

 

existing customers certainly go get the free month from Netflix or anyone else........if they have a problem.& to reward loyaltiy( reward..ATT sends me a gift card on my anniversary with them, & small amounts for pizza or to watch a free movie My favorite department store invites me to special sails which they have twice a year to which you must have a ticket to enter, I could go on and on..............like we had to leave my dog at the Vet's today while our carpets were cleaned. We do a lot of business with them.......day was free.

REWARDS for Loyality.

 

I think what Carnival has done is the stupidest thing I have ever heard of .....Princess gave away "free cruises". It was for past guests. They mailed you one. They sent you e-mails. It was on their website...Everyone knew what the criteria was..PG Everyone who fit that criteria knew about it. It was a great promotion. I am sure people went and booked on Princess. Princess did not Pick Winner and Losers. Not Carnival. They picked Winners.......and Losers.

 

Tonight........the Winners are happy

The Losers..............disgusted.

I did call Carnival Twice. No one knew what I was talking about....so Marketing had not briefed them on it. Another sign of bad management.

I wrote them an e-mail.......NO RESPONSE.

So I cancelled the cruise I had booked on Carnival Corp with Princess. We will most likely sail on NCL. We have 3 with them or celebrity..1 sail, but I really liked it.

And I think about all that can be said about Carnival has been said.

 

The New Guy running all of Carnival Corp was the Guy in charge of Princess so perhaps he will look around and decide that if you have a massive free cruise give a way, all passengers deserve an explanation of how those cruises were given away and why.some got them and some did not.

 

If not...........while I have not spoken to anyone...the more this gets around. .the more people are just going to pass on Carnival.

 

I have already paid for the curise we will take next month, and cannot get my money back.. I will have a good time. Always do. But I will not go the steak house. We will not be buying Excursions. We have been to all of those places many times, and we will just get off and walk around. I will not shop in their shops. I will not write a review. I don't feel the same about them. I don't think I could ever be a cheerleader for them again, so I Won't even try.

 

And as for not talking Money $$$$$$$ Someone else chosen got my cruise for about $600 , but I had to pay almost $4,000. Why? Why did I have to pay.............and they did not. I am VIPF that is money .......they did not give on me. or even tell me why not.

And I do resent it. I resent it a lot. I like keeping my money in my pocket as much as the next person.

Edited February 15, 2014 by AmberTeka

[christyran1228]

I know I'm pretty bummed none of us got one, and it's kind of depressing seeing a new thread about it popping up every 5 minutes....I mean I'm all happy for you all and all that, but .... *sourgrapes* lol

 

I do have a business degree, and that is absolutely a marketing bomb to get prior customers back cruising with Carnival and an attempt to rebuild goodwill. I'm not sure how that was even a question.

 

 

 

Sent from my Commadore 64 using the Cruise Critic forum app

[petesweet]

I did not, actually. I booked my cruise and paid cash from a tax refund. I don't think I was rude. I was blunt. And I compared the situation to something similar. I didn't call names, I didn't make fun, and I was not wrong. You are upset and you are well within your rights to be so, because nobody can tell you what to feel. I expressed initially that I cannot fathom that line of thinking. I sincerely do not understand why it would make someone so angry that someone else got a good deal, even if it was not offered to me. I think it's cool that person got a great deal, maybe they'll spend a ton in booze and keep making carnival money and that will help keep my cruise fares cheap for the long run. So sweet. Or maybe I'll meet one of those free cruisers and they'll be a cool person and I'll make a new friend.

Sassy, you express my feelings so well. I'll probably never get a free cruise (but I'll keep checking!), but I am VERY HAPPY for all who do.:)

 

Happy sails.

 

Kathy

[petesweet]

Sassy , I am sure you a dear person. Do you have a degree in business ? Do you know what firm Carnival has as Public Relations experts? Are they good?

 

existing customers certainly go get the free month from Netflix or anyone else........if they have a problem.& to reward loyaltiy( reward..ATT sends me a gift card on my anniversary with them, & small amounts for pizza or to watch a free movie My favorite department store invites me to special sails which they have twice a year to which you must have a ticket to enter, I could go on and on..............like we had to leave my dog at the Vet's today while our carpets were cleaned. We do a lot of business with them.......day was free.

REWARDS for Loyality.

 

I think what Carnival has done is the stupidest thing I have ever heard of .....Princess gave away "free cruises". It was for past guests. They mailed you one. They sent you e-mails. It was on their website...Everyone knew what the criteria was..PG Everyone who fit that criteria knew about it. It was a great promotion. I am sure people went and booked on Princess. Princess did not Pick Winner and Losers. Not Carnival. They picked Winners.......and Losers.

 

Tonight........the Winners are happy

The Losers..............disgusted.

I did call Carnival Twice. No one knew what I was talking about....so Marketing had not briefed them on it. Another sign of bad management.

I wrote them an e-mail.......NO RESPONSE.

So I cancelled the cruise I had booked on Carnival Corp with Princess. We will most likely sail on NCL. We have 3 with them or celebrity..1 sail, but I really liked it.

And I think about all that can be said about Carnival has been said.

 

The New Guy running all of Carnival Corp was the Guy in charge of Princess so perhaps he will look around and decide that if you have a massive free cruise give a way, all passengers deserve an explanation of how those cruises were given away and why.some got them and some did not.

 

If not...........while I have not spoken to anyone...the more this gets around. .the more people are just going to pass on Carnival.

 

I have already paid for the curise we will take next month, and cannot get my money back.. I will have a good time. Always do. But I will not go the steak house. We will not be buying Excursions. We have been to all of those places many times, and we will just get off and walk around. I will not shop in their shops. I will not write a review. I don't feel the same about them. I don't think I could ever be a cheerleader for them again, so I Won't even try.

 

And as for not talking Money $$$$$$$ Someone else chosen got my cruise for about $600 , but I had to pay almost $4,000. Why? Why did I have to pay.............and they did not. I am VIPF that is money .......they did not give on me. or even tell me why not.

And I do resent it. I resent it a lot. I like keeping my money in my pocket as much as the next person.

Your face is going to be awfully red if you open your mail Monday and find a free offer!!:D

As someone mentioned, it seems to be an ongoing promotion.

 

Kathy

[soopamanluva]

Sassy,

 

I don't get it either. :confused: I've tried to understand their thinking, but why be upset over other's good fortune?

 

Jealousy

[elliair]

Originally Posted by ibcnusoon

In the letter, they provided "EXAMPLES" of cruises you could book. If you went online to Carnival.com and entered your VIFP number you would see numerous other sailings. People have responded here on the boards that they received a FREE Cabin on Alaska and Hawaii cruises, not just Florida and Houston. I booked one out of New York.

 

In my case it doesn't matter which port, we would still have to fly to the destination. Have you looked at the price of airline tickets lately? Fly in the day before and the expense behind that? Some here would go into debt for something that's suppose to be "free." It's not a good deal for us - not even for "free."

[ccarpenter1963]

My question is this: For those who are jumping up and down screaming, "it isn't fair, it isn't fair", If you got the offer of a free cruise would you turn it down on grounds of it not being fair?

[Stacy_C]

AmberTeka - You keep demanding that someone give you the criteria for receiving one of these free cruises. Has is not dawned on you that maybe there is NO criteria and this has been completely random? I have seen people with all sorts of cruising history and spending habits receive these...there seems to be no rhyme or reason. Carnival owes you an explanation about as much as they owe you a free cruise -- they don't.

 

You make it sound like that picked your name out of a list and said, "SHE is NOT getting a free cruise, but everyone else on her ship is!" I highly doubt that is the case. You are taking this so personally, when it was nothing personal at all.

 

Look at my Carnival cruising history. Did I get a free cruise? No (or not yet). Am I happy for others? Yes.

 

Let. It. Go.

[renza]

My husband received the free cruise. We booked the breeze June 7, 2 people in a balcony room 8 nights $348 total. So crazy, this will be our second time on the breeze. We booked an inside room for the kids. Carnival stated they randomly sent 1 million out. I almost threw it out, thinking it had to be a scam. I am thankful I took a second look at it and called.

[officerswife]

I got the free officer and jumped on it!! I booked the Pride out of Baltimore on May 18, 2014. I was originally looking at this cruise for my family of 4 and it would of cost us over $3,000. Now it is only costing $1100 for a Balcony on the Verandah deck. Pretty excited!!

[sammee]

I know everybody is getting mailings and finding it in their accounts. Nothing in mine, but one of their pvps has emailed me this week with the following:

"Please call me today to take advantage of Your Exclusive FREE CABIN OFFER! This is a Limited Time Offer! PLEASE HURRY. Call me TODAY"

 

She also called me. I know she is legit, I've spoken to her in the past shortly after our first cruise in 2009. I'm crossing my fingers on this one. She's not in today so I have to wait til Monday, so I emailed her about it letting her know she can call me and if this wasn't going to be the case, I had questions about another sailing for next year.

[KateLovesCruising]

So, I was reading this thread a week or so ago, and thought lucky them!!!! We're planning moms 65th birthday cruise, and have booked several cabins for August. I go on yesterday to look at some rooms, and to book her cabin, and while searching I go to the icon that mentions deals for VIFP members. So I put in her number, and there weren't any specials for the cruise in August, but as I'm looking over the dates and cruises, I see zeroes "$0.00" next to the price for other cruises. So I start making mock bookings and go all the way through to the payment screen, and everything remains at zero, with the exception of the taxes and fees. I thought either this is a fluke or CC members were right. I then call Carnival, and they say everything is on the up and up. I then call her to see when she wants to go. She tells me the closer to her birthday the better, then I look and see that the last cruise of NY for her birthday on July 4th is June 25th, so she tells me thats fine. I then go through playing with room selections to see what they difference is ($0.00 for IS, OCV $40, BL $80), so of course I choose a balcony room, and to make the deal even better, the Spa Balcony was at the $80 rate total for the cabin not including taxes and fees. Needless to say I booked it!!!! What makes it even better is that me and my sister were just talking about getting them a short cruise (3-5 day) before our August trip so that both of them would be Gold on that cruise. Talk about coincidence!!! Thanks again to the members of CC for providing great information and tips, and passing them along to the other members!!!!

 

Looks like your mom and I share a birthday and will be on the same sailing!! Just booked ours today :) Balcony room for $237 per person. We were a day late on getting the spa pass included. I saw them available yesterday but waited too long and when we booked today they were no longer available. But that doesn't bother me one bit because we are going on the cheapest cruise of our lives and we are going to have a great time!! Thank you Carnival!!

[grumpyjr88]

I got the free officer and jumped on it!! I booked the Pride out of Baltimore on May 18, 2014. I was originally looking at this cruise for my family of 4 and it would of cost us over $3,000. Now it is only costing $1100 for a Balcony on the Verandah deck. Pretty excited!!

 

I will be getting off the ship while you're getting on!

 

I know everybody is getting mailings and finding it in their accounts. Nothing in mine, but one of their pvps has emailed me this week with the following:

"Please call me today to take advantage of Your Exclusive FREE CABIN OFFER! This is a Limited Time Offer! PLEASE HURRY. Call me TODAY"

 

She also called me. I know she is legit, I've spoken to her in the past shortly after our first cruise in 2009. I'm crossing my fingers on this one. She's not in today so I have to wait til Monday, so I emailed her about it letting her know she can call me and if this wasn't going to be the case, I had questions about another sailing for next year.

 

I hope you get it! :)