Private Pack and Play Rate $100 OBC +extras

[JWGrayson]

It is interesting the twists and turns this thread has made. I guess all of you have heard the saying "No such thing as a free lunch...", then there is "Pay me now, or pay me later..." These may well apply here.

 

I have never spent a cent in a shipboard casino; thus, I surely don't expect them to send me a free drink voucher, much less a free cruise. But, I suspect that those who do get the free cruise offers from the casino have spent some serious bucks in a casino with some winning, some losing. So, Carnival feels it is worth it to give away a cabin to get them back on a ship.

 

It would be interesting to know how much you have to gamble to get one of these offers. Or, is it a lottery for anyone who has registered in a casino?

 

Also, how close to the sailing date do they send out the free offers? Or, are they open invitations for the ship of your choice sent out many months in advance?

 

Just curious. John

[bingomamma19]

It is interesting the twists and turns this thread has made. I guess all of you have heard the saying "No such thing as a free lunch...", then there is "Pay me now, or pay me later..." These may well apply here.

 

I have never spent a cent in a shipboard casino; thus, I surely don't expect them to send me a free drink voucher, much less a free cruise. But, I suspect that those who do get the free cruise offers from the casino have spent some serious bucks in a casino with some winning, some losing. So, Carnival feels it is worth it to give away a cabin to get them back on a ship.

 

It would be interesting to know how much you have to gamble to get one of these offers. Or, is it a lottery for anyone who has registered in a casino?

 

Also, how close to the sailing date do they send out the free offers? Or, are they open invitations for the ship of your choice sent out many months in advance?

 

Just curious. John

 

 

Not a big gambler here. Usually budget $50-100 per day, depending on if a sea day or port day--some days no money. I won $7000 on my first cruise in 2009--have not spent even half of that total in my cruises since winning that. Just offered my 2nd (that I know of) free cruise.

 

My offers have never come in snail mail, email or phone call, so i may have missed some. I have only found them by going on Carnival.com and checking my VIFP number.

 

From many of the reports here, the offers have gone out to a wide variety of casino players--from small gamblers to large ones, with many of the big gamblers saying they have not been offered one. So I am assuming its pretty random.

 

As far as sailings go, I had my pick of pretty much anything I wanted for the summer, both last year and this year. Both times I picked 8 day cruises :):) I am sailing on the Breeze on July 5th for this latest offer. Both of these free cruise offers were sent in the late spring/early summer. Last year, I got my offer in late May and this year it was early June. Last year I paid only taxes for the cruise (in a balcony on the Splendor), this year it was a free inside with $100 OBC, and upgrade to balcony for $80 per person. Thats what I did.

Edited June 22, 2014 by bingomamma19

[JWGrayson]

Thank you so much for that enlightening post!

 

Not a big gambler here. Usually budget $50-100 per day, depending on if a sea day or port day--some days no money. I won $7000 on my first cruise in 2009--have not spent even half of that total in my cruises since winning that. Just offered my 2nd (that I know of) free cruise.

 

To me "Not a big gambler" is spending $20 a day in the casino. That just shows the difference in people.

 

My offers have never come in snail mail, email or phone call, so i may have missed some. I have only found them by going on Carnival.com and checking my VIFP number.

 

You made me realize that I NEVER check my VIFP info Carnival.com, BUT I JUST did. :) Guess I need to do that before I book my next cruise. Thanks, John

[c&d]

I am happy for those who receive the free cruise deals, WE have never received a free cruise deal, we have received casino rates, a free drink in casino but that is all.

 

I will be Diamond shortly I have the cruises booked, but not there yet.

 

I see why bingomamma is ticked, we pay out good money, but if you book cruises more frequently than others do it appears you do not get the promotional rate others do. Our friends booked a cruise with us this past January because they had not booked a cruise in the past year they got a better rate than us.

 

If I did not have the 14 night cruise booked that will make me Diamond, I may be thinking twice about booking the 1 cruise I need to qualify. We do cruise on other lines, I have been so tempted to take some of the good deals other lines have offered but for personal reasons it was not a good deal at the time.

 

If not for the fact that I am so stinking close to Diamond, I would jump on some of the other lines deals I receive. BUT I want to make Diamond before Carnival changes the rules for becoming Diamond.

 

I am not a cheerleader for Carnival, however I have found that Carnival treats my sister who is developmentally disabled with respect that other lines do not show. That being said my DH and I will cruise with who has the best deal.

 

Heck maybe if I avoid Carnival once I make Diamond they will send me a deal for a free cruise, my luck I will not see the email or delete it, if it comes in snail mail I may just throw it away without looking. That will be my loss then.

[islandwannabee]

I am happy for those who receive the free cruise deals, WE have never received a free cruise deal, we have received casino rates, a free drink in casino but that is all.

 

I will be Diamond shortly I have the cruises booked, but not there yet.

 

I see why bingomamma is ticked, we pay out good money, but if you book cruises more frequently than others do it appears you do not get the promotional rate others do. Our friends booked a cruise with us this past January because they had not booked a cruise in the past year they got a better rate than us.

 

If I did not have the 14 night cruise booked that will make me Diamond, I may be thinking twice about booking the 1 cruise I need to qualify. We do cruise on other lines, I have been so tempted to take some of the good deals other lines have offered but for personal reasons it was not a good deal at the time.

 

If not for the fact that I am so stinking close to Diamond, I would jump on some of the other lines deals I receive. BUT I want to make Diamond before Carnival changes the rules for becoming Diamond.

 

I am not a cheerleader for Carnival, however I have found that Carnival treats my sister who is developmentally disabled with respect that other lines do not show. That being said my DH and I will cruise with who has the best deal.

 

Heck maybe if I avoid Carnival once I make Diamond they will send me a deal for a free cruise, my luck I will not see the email or delete it, if it comes in snail mail I may just throw it away without looking. That will be my loss then.

I am diamond and really it has become no different than platinum and I totaling agree. I do feel slighted for not receiving any offers or discounts. I am thinking maybe there really isn't as many free or almost free cruisers out there, they just happen to all be on here. I would love to see a poll on the actual numbers, but don't know how to put one up.

[Cruisin'Doc]

 

I see why bingomamma is ticked, we pay out good money, but if you book cruises more frequently than others do it appears you do not get the promotional rate others do. Our friends booked a cruise with us this past January because they had not booked a cruise in the past year they got a better rate than us.

 

I would not say this is the case. I take at least 2-3 cruises per year on CCL, and took 6 last year. Myself and my mother both received the most recent 'free cruise' (ie. $50 pp interior with $100 OBC + port fees, upgrades allowable) offer - so it is definitely not that they were trying to 'get us back.' We never left!

 

I do think it is random in that respect. I do not think it has to do with the amount spent in the casino, as I have observed people posting varying amounts spent. I tend to spend more than my mom, she will spend no more than a couple hundred per cruise, I may spend 600-700, and others may spend up in the thousands. I suspect it's almost 'lottery' style, and similar to the lottery, some people are more lucky than others.

[bingomamma19]

I am happy for those who receive the free cruise deals, WE have never received a free cruise deal, we have received casino rates, a free drink in casino but that is all.

 

I will be Diamond shortly I have the cruises booked, but not there yet.

 

I see why bingomamma is ticked, we pay out good money, but if you book cruises more frequently than others do it appears you do not get the promotional rate others do. Our friends booked a cruise with us this past January because they had not booked a cruise in the past year they got a better rate than us.

 

If I did not have the 14 night cruise booked that will make me Diamond, I may be thinking twice about booking the 1 cruise I need to qualify. We do cruise on other lines, I have been so tempted to take some of the good deals other lines have offered but for personal reasons it was not a good deal at the time.

 

If not for the fact that I am so stinking close to Diamond, I would jump on some of the other lines deals I receive. BUT I want to make Diamond before Carnival changes the rules for becoming Diamond.

 

I am not a cheerleader for Carnival, however I have found that Carnival treats my sister who is developmentally disabled with respect that other lines do not show. That being said my DH and I will cruise with who has the best deal.

 

Heck maybe if I avoid Carnival once I make Diamond they will send me a deal for a free cruise, my luck I will not see the email or delete it, if it comes in snail mail I may just throw it away without looking. That will be my loss then.

 

Nope, bingomamma is not ticked :):) I am one of the cruisers who got a free cruise. It was someone else that was upset.

 

I like Carnival, not because I have gotten 2 free cruises, but because they have the best prices and I have really liked all my cruises so far. I like the food, entertainment, kid activities and just sitting on my balcony staring at the ocean and taking a nap.

 

I always dreamed about cruising since I was a kid and watched The Love Boat all the time--went my first time in Feb 2009 and I am hooked. I am just glad I have been able to go pretty much when I want and Carnival fits the bill for what I like.

[sc4125]

Wow, you really are an angry person. I am an extremely happy person--I am going on a free cruise in less than 2 weeks--I don't need a relationship to make me happy. I have found my best happiness in the last year. I bought my first house, my 2 oldest boys just graduated college, my 8 year old and I are going on our 7th cruise.

 

If you think I was hijacking a thread by addressing your complaining about someone else's question about their free cruise, you don't know the meaning of hijacking. My situation was used as a comparison. Nobody has the same thing anyone else has--to complain about someone else's good luck is petty and ridiculous.

 

My life is great and always will be--I think you need to look at why you are so unhappy. Maybe pay your credit card bills and think about others who maybe wish they even were eligible to get a credit card to use.

 

Your life is what you make it, and mine is more incredible than I could have ever dreamed at this point. If I ever do find that great man, I will be sure to come back and share my good news though :):)

 

 

AmberTeka is tough to take sometimes - don't let her get to you. Several months ago she was blowing up the boards about NEVER cruising on Carnival again because she was shoved by rude passengers while trying to disembark (I believe that was the story - it did go on and on).

 

I too got the "free" cruise & am thrilled - but it's the first time in 10 cruises where I received the offer. I, like you, do spend some time in the Casino, but the offers seem to be random.

 

Some people just like to complain. I don't understand why they still cruise on Carnival when they hate everything the company does.

 

Oh well - Congrats on the cruise & double Congrats on living a happy life!!

[bibbysnow]

i actually thought for a minute ( actually longer) that they were giving you some incentive to bring your own pack and play crib verses carnivals! I think i need some sleep

 

 

sent from my iphone using forums

 

lol

[bingomamma19]

AmberTeka is tough to take sometimes - don't let her get to you. Several months ago she was blowing up the boards about NEVER cruising on Carnival again because she was shoved by rude passengers while trying to disembark (I believe that was the story - it did go on and on).

 

I too got the "free" cruise & am thrilled - but it's the first time in 10 cruises where I received the offer. I, like you, do spend some time in the Casino, but the offers seem to be random.

 

Some people just like to complain. I don't understand why they still cruise on Carnival when they hate everything the company does.

 

Oh well - Congrats on the cruise & double Congrats on living a happy life!!

 

 

Thanks--she doesnt bother me--I lived with a very angry person for the last 10 years--I learned people who are angry and bitter have deep issues that have nothing to do with me :):)

 

I am so glad to be out of that insanity and away from that type of life. I avoid people like that now--I keep positive people in my life and enjoy even the smallest things every single day.

 

I leave july 4th for an incredible vacation that I didnt even know I was going to take 3 weeks ago!!! My 8 year old and I are dedicating this as our "girls getaway" !!

 

I love Carnival, and even without the free cruises I have gotten, they are my cruiseline of choice.

[Cruise peace]

I actually thought for a minute ( actually longer) that they were giving you some incentive to bring your own pack and play crib verses carnivals! I think I need some sleep

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

I thought the same thing! It's good to know I am not the only one. I am way too into my first grandchild! That is probably the real reason my husband surprised me with a cruise:)