Free Carnival "elite" cruise

[4104ever]

You're awesome, thanks! :)

 

I added email above

[Tutontow]

Can I call and be added to the Elite cruise? I just got off the Glory on Saturday, dropped 10k, average bet was several hundred at BJ and many hours betting $500 per hand. I think I'm going to call Martin tomorrow and get him to contact the casino manager from the Glory to verify this. I got the free cruise letter again and the end of the cruise and offers for the Premier cruises (too many at the tables) but I feel I deserve to be on this cruise.

 

Please write back and let us know the response you get. Unfortunately at this point in time I am happy with my offers but appalled at the customer service out of the players club. I have emailed them several times, you know "get it in writing", and I never get a response.

[RCH1234]

I was told they sent out the offer to 500 people and the first 90 to book were booked on the elite cruises. I'm shocked I never received an invitation after my March cruise where I lost over 5k and gambled a lot. I mentioned to Martin that I just lost over 10k on my cruise last week, was betting 1k (500 on two spots) per hand on BJ for a full night and averaging several hundred per hand during the cruise.

 

I'm still giving them a chance to send me a decent offer (doesn't have to be an elite cruise). I can get an interior cabin for $350 so I really don't feel that a "free" interior is sufficient, especially when my tips during the week were more than some people spend gambling in a week and get an elite cruise offer.

 

Here's my response from Martin:

 

Hi Ryan,

Unfortunately this offer was an invitation only event, and was fully booked within hours after we made the offer – at this time we do not have any other available cabins.

Regards,

Martin van der Merwe

Senior Executive Casino Host

Global Casino Operations

Carnival Corporation & PLC

And my reply to him since I get a free suite on Norwegian but really enjoy the people in the casinos on Carnival:

Ok. Can you call me anytime after 2pm eastern today please. I'd like to discuss other options with rooms and cash at the cage. You can contact Bogdan before if you don't have my ratings. I need to make my decision between Norwegian and Carnival by Saturday.

 

 

Thanks

 

 

Ryan

Edited June 26, 2014 by RCH1234

[RCH1234]

Either you guys are VERY high rollers or Martin lied right to my face. He told me anyone that received the elite offer lost at least 20k during their cruise. He obviously didn't mean 20k in bets because I told him I lost 10k and was betting 1k per hand for just about an entire night and several hundred per hand every other night I gambled (5 of 7 nights for hours at a time).

 

I sent him an email to get a confirmation in writing that he said this. It will be interesting to see what his response is. I wish we could give away these free cruises to someone because I'm gone to Norwegian and never looking back.

 

FYI, not once was I rude to the dealers, casino managers, hosts, bartenders or Martin. Quite the opposite actually. Bogdan told me all his staff loved me and I'm not kidding when I tell you they received at least a thousand in tips from me throughout the week.

[Tutontow]

(866)672-2572. Not sure what his extension # is. Good luck!

 

Thank You

[Tutontow]

I was told they sent out the offer to 500 people and the first 90 to book were booked on the elite cruises. I'm shocked I never received an invitation after my March cruise where I lost over 5k and gambled a lot. I mentioned to Martin that I just lost over 10k on my cruise last week, was betting 1k (500 on two spots) per hand on BJ for a full night and averaging several hundred per hand during the cruise.

 

I'm still giving them a chance to send me a decent offer (doesn't have to be an elite cruise). I can get an interior cabin for $350 so I really don't feel that a "free" interior is sufficient, especially when my tips during the week were more than some people spend gambling in a week and get an elite cruise offer.

 

Here's my response from Martin:

 

Hi Ryan,

 

Unfortunately this offer was an invitation only event, and was fully booked within hours after we made the offer – at this time we do not have any other available cabins.

 

Regards,

 

Martin van der Merwe

Senior Executive Casino Host

Global Casino Operations

Carnival Corporation & PLC

 

And my reply to him since I get a free suite on Norwegian but really enjoy the people in the casinos on Carnival:

 

Ok. Can you call me anytime after 2pm eastern today please. I'd like to discuss other options with rooms and cash at the cage. You can contact Bogdan before if you don't have my ratings. I need to make my decision between Norwegian and Carnival by Saturday.

 

 

Thanks

 

 

Ryan

 

What Email Address did you use to get such a fast response?

 

BTW I am sorry to hear the response you received. Quite frankly at your level of play I would go somewhere else where they would "really" appreciate your business.

[RCH1234]

What Email Address did you use to get such a fast response?

 

BTW I am sorry to hear the response you received. Quite frankly at your level of play I would go somewhere else where they would "really" appreciate your business.

 

 

The email is ExecHost@carnival.com. That's Martin's email.

 

This is his most recent email.

 

Hi Ryan,

The amount you are referring to is your charging capability on the card – most of our Elite guests arrange for facilities or bring additional cash onboard. We do no strictly base our offers on losses though: we look at points accumulated. In order to qualify, you would need in excess of 20,000 points per cruise on average, and currently you qualify at a 10,000 point level. This does not mean that you are not valued by us, just that the tier you are referring to (Elite) is not something you have qualified for. We will continue to make you offers based on your points, and indeed this is the reason you are getting our Premier offers.

[RCH1234]

Someone PLEASE tell me how points are accumulated on Carnival. I hope it's 1 point for every 100 bet at the table because if not I'm going to try to get conferenced in with Martin and the casino manager. I really don't understand how people get 20k points. I was by far the biggest better on my cruise and the most generous.

 

I will be moving on to another cruise line and will never step foot on Carnival again but I would really like to have a civil conversation with Martin and the casino manager from Glory before moving on.

[M4dC0w]

Either you guys are VERY high rollers or Martin lied right to my face. He told me anyone that received the elite offer lost at least 20k during their cruise. He obviously didn't mean 20k in bets because I told him I lost 10k and was betting 1k per hand for just about an entire night and several hundred per hand every other night I gambled (5 of 7 nights for hours at a time).

 

Actually it has nothing to do with how much you lost on the cruise, as it was clearly stated to you.

 

We do no strictly base our offers on losses though: we look at points accumulated. In order to qualify, you would need in excess of 20,000 points per cruise on average, and currently you qualify at a 10,000 point level.

 

It has everything to do with your level of play. You can buy in with $1000, and play all week, and break even still with $100 per hand bets, and quickly accumulate 10000 points. Always chat up the pit bosses and make sure they are rating you properly.

 

I have seen slot players playing penny slots at max bet for a few hours a day make more than 5000 points easily.

 

You can drop $10k easily if you are playing 2 hands at $500 a hand, and only be rated for an hours play and it would mean nothing to them.

 

After being rated properly, ALL the staff in the casino will bend over backwards for you.

Edited June 27, 2014 by M4dC0w

[RCH1234]

Actually it has nothing to do with how much you lost on the cruise, as it was clearly stated to you.

 

 

 

It has everything to do with your level of play. You can buy in with $1000, and play all week, and break even still with $100 per hand bets, and quickly accumulate 10000 points. Always chat up the pit bosses and make sure they are rating you properly.

 

I have seen slot players playing penny slots at max bet for a few hours a day make more than 5000 points easily.

 

You can drop $10k easily if you are playing 2 hands at $500 a hand, and only be rated for an hours play and it would mean nothing to them.

 

After being rated properly, ALL the staff in the casino will bend over backwards for you.

 

You must have missed the part where I stated I was averaging several hundred per hand throughout the cruise and I gambled a lot! Everyone in the casino knew me, I chatted with the pit bosses all the time and tipped much more than I should have.

[Tutontow]

Actually it has nothing to do with how much you lost on the cruise, as it was clearly stated to you.

 

 

 

It has everything to do with your level of play. You can buy in with $1000, and play all week, and break even still with $100 per hand bets, and quickly accumulate 10000 points. Always chat up the pit bosses and make sure they are rating you properly.

 

I have seen slot players playing penny slots at max bet for a few hours a day make more than 5000 points easily.

 

You can drop $10k easily if you are playing 2 hands at $500 a hand, and only be rated for an hours play and it would mean nothing to them.

 

After being rated properly, ALL the staff in the casino will bend over backwards for you.

 

You might want to point that out to Michael Bayona at the Ocean Players Club. He is the executive host there. He is the one that told me I was awarded a free cruise because I lost $1500.00 on my last cruise. As I have stated elsewhere this is the first time in over 25 years of playing BJ that I have heard of losses being part of the equation.

[popsec]

You might want to point that out to Michael Bayona at the Ocean Players Club. He is the executive host there. He is the one that told me I was awarded a free cruise because I lost $1500.00 on my last cruise. As I have stated elsewhere this is the first time in over 25 years of playing BJ that I have heard of losses being part of the equation.

 

That makes no sense to me as I lose between $1500 and $2000 every cruise and we cruise 6-8 times a year. I usually accrue 8,000-10,000 points per cruise but then I play the slots mostly. I've heard that the tables don't accumulate points for you nearly as quickly as the slots. I can sit down at a blackjack table with $50....play all nite and walk away with my $50. That doesn't benefit the casino....

[RCH1234]

For anyone that appreciates being treated fairly and rated properly I can confirm that Norwegian knows how to do that!

 

I wouldn't care if everyone got treated equally and I only got $100 OBC with Carnival. However, I grew sick of their inconsistency and lack of knowledge from their casino managers/hosts. Like I've stated before, I love the people I meet in the bars and casinos more than any other cruise line but I've had enough of being treated unfairly and under appreciated.

 

I finally made the call to Norwegian this weekend after getting nowhere (once again) with the Ocean Players Club and was very pleasantly surprised with the professionalism and offer received. They booked me in a comped aft facing penthouse suite on the EPIC (valued at $3341) among some other great perks. This is based on my play from my previous cruise on the EPIC where I lost less and averaged a lower bet than my previous Carnival cruise. I hate to give up a "free" cruise with Carnival but that's what I've decided to do. I'd prefer to donate my thousands to a cruise line that actually recognizes my play.

 

Hope everyone that received the "elite" cruise offers enjoys their cruise. My annoyance is with the Ocean Players Club and Carnival and definitely wish everyone that received the cruises good luck and happy cruising. :)

[popsec]

For anyone that appreciates being treated fairly and rated properly I can confirm that Norwegian knows how to do that!

 

I wouldn't care if everyone got treated equally and I only got $100 OBC with Carnival. However, I grew sick of their inconsistency and lack of knowledge from their casino managers/hosts. Like I've stated before, I love the people I meet in the bars and casinos more than any other cruise line but I've had enough of being treated unfairly and under appreciated.

 

I finally made the call to Norwegian this weekend after getting nowhere (once again) with the Ocean Players Club and was very pleasantly surprised with the professionalism and offer received. They booked me in a comped aft facing penthouse suite on the EPIC (valued at $3341) among some other great perks. This is based on my play from my previous cruise on the EPIC where I lost less and averaged a lower bet than my previous Carnival cruise. I hate to give up a "free" cruise with Carnival but that's what I've decided to do. I'd prefer to donate my thousands to a cruise line that actually recognizes my play.

 

Hope everyone that received the "elite" cruise offers enjoys their cruise. My annoyance is with the Ocean Players Club and Carnival and definitely wish everyone that received the cruises good luck and happy cruising. :)

 

I totally get it about Carnival's player's club....after my last go-round with Michael I'd booked only NCL cruises. When I complained to Michael abt my lower offers now his response was, "well it works for us"..and that pissed me off royally and I told him I'd be transferring my gambling to NCL since they appeared to value their players more than Carnival.

 

Out of the blue Carnival offered me a balcony cabin on an 8 day cruise in Aug for $100pp....I grudgingly took them up on it. Then about 10 days after I got that one booked I received the "elite" offer. We'll see how this plays out...I just received my gold player's card on NCL and will be booking more cruises with them.......

[4104ever]

I booked the Oct 4th Sunshine with the Elite promo. A few days later the cruise disappeared off of my cruise manager. An email from Martin said the adjustments would be made by Monday close of business (which was a week ago). My question would be, does your cruise show in your Cruise Manager and also have you heard from PC about additional info? Thanks in advance.

[popsec]

I booked the Oct 4th Sunshine with the Elite promo. A few days later the cruise disappeared off of my cruise manager. An email from Martin said the adjustments would be made by Monday close of business (which was a week ago). My question would be, does your cruise show in your Cruise Manager and also have you heard from PC about additional info? Thanks in advance.

 

I manually added the booking to my cruise manager and it's still showing....nbut shows a hefty balance due. I emailed Martin today and he said they were working on updating them and not to worry about the balance due showing.

 

I'm sure as we get closer to the sailing we'll be receiving more info

[4104ever]

I manually added the booking to my cruise manager and it's still showing....nbut shows a hefty balance due. I emailed Martin today and he said they were working on updating them and not to worry about the balance due showing.

 

I'm sure as we get closer to the sailing we'll be receiving more info

 

 

I have tried to add mine manually and consistently get the message "there is a problem in retrieving your reservation (5007)". I guess another email is in order.

[bxh165]

I was getting that message as well. I called and they changed our booking number to have everyone in the one group. When I called they said my cruise was cancelled but that was not correct, just rebooked under another booking reference number.

[4104ever]

I was getting that message as well. I called and they changed our booking number to have everyone in the one group. When I called they said my cruise was cancelled but that was not correct, just rebooked under another booking reference number.

 

I emailed Martin again and he also rebooked me with a different group number. But, I still cannot add it to my Cruise Manager. Now I get the same message with an error code of. (5005). Were you able to add the new #?

[popsec]

My booking finally got straightened out....it says the total was $1800+ but it says "balance paid in full".........not bad for $248 LOL

[bxh165]

Yes, I had no problem seeing it once they gave me the new booking reference number. I have it there now, but there is still the balance showing, which I am not worried about. The group number assigned is 1Z7WN6, but done use this to sign on you need your booking reference number.

[4104ever]

Yes, I had no problem seeing it once they gave me the new booking reference number. I have it there now, but there is still the balance showing, which I am not worried about. The group number assigned is 1Z7WN6, but done use this to sign on you need your booking reference number.

 

And I still can't see mine. It keeps saying there is a problem retrieving my booking and I am using the new # Martin sent a few days ago.

[popsec]

I'm sure it'll all get straightened out for everyone shortly. Hopefully someone will post on here when they get more info about the whole "elite" thing.....

[pammycakes]

I just returned from the freedom on Saturday on board with us was Lillian she is one of the executive casino host and her and I discussed this "elite" program she would not tell everything she corrected me about the drinks they are in the casino only, they will be picking you up from hotel or airport and its supposed to a lot better then premier and let me say premier was pretty dang nice 2 really nice towels a tumbler a different treat every night they sent me to the spa and got a massage all in all it was good.

[bxh165]

Sounds great, a premier cruise was on my bucket list and now I get to experience the Elite cruise. Looks like it will be a good time. Pennycakes are you booked on the Sunshine in October or the Breeze in July. If July you will be able to come back and tell us all about it and what to expect.