No promotions?

[laurierocs]

Does this sound odd to anyone?

-we cruise 2 times a year

-usually get a great casino offer

-we are platinum

-we qualify for senior discount

 

This time when we booked, there were no offers, no discounts, no upgrades, no OBC.  My daughter who has cruised 4 times had the best offer. *****? Is this how Carnival rewards us? Anyone else experience this?

[mdsgu]

Try booking through a TA.  You'll usually find some "perks" that way.

[jbethel11]

10 minutes ago, laurierocs said:

*****?

?

 

10 minutes ago, laurierocs said:

Does this sound odd to anyone?

-we cruise 2 times a year

-usually get a great casino offer

-we are platinum

-we qualify for senior discount

Well, sometimes certain sailings have such a high demand, they don't need special discounts to attract potential costumers. However, if the sailing doesn't sell as projected, then you will start to see discounted rate codes.

[laurierocs]

Yes, I should have done that. We booked and I'll just watch for price drops  I guess. 

[midwestman]

Carnival has been increasingly lowering the perks to loyal cruisers, so that doesn't surprise me.  There should always be the past guest "deal" of a "free 2 cabin upgrade" (that costs more and doesn't seem free to me.)  The casino offer likely varies with how much money you gamble in the casino since they partially track that now.

 

However, if you are seeing no "deals" at all, I would guess there is a glitch or bug in the online system. 

[laurierocs]

1 minute ago, jbethel11 said:

?

 

Well, sometimes certain sailings have such a high demand, they don't need special discounts to attract potential costumers. However, if the sailing doesn't sell as projected, then you will start to see discounted rate codes.

Yes, I bet you're right. 

[xDisconnections]

Special offers and promotions are targeted to individuals who meet a specific criteria. At this time, Carnival does not believe they need to send you these offers based on qualification requirement. These offers are designed to increase revenue they might be missing and possibly steer bookings away from their competition.

 

PS: the more you cruise, the less valuable you become to Carnival.

Edited July 29, 2019 by xDisconnections

[jbethel11]

3 minutes ago, laurierocs said:

Yes, I bet you're right. 

I also agree with what @midwestman said. 

[Garth2]

There is no such thing as a "platinum" discount and they rarely offer the senior discount.

[ALWAYS CRUZIN]

1 hour ago, Garth2 said:

There is no such thing as a "platinum" discount and they rarely offer the senior discount.

Correct, we are Diamond and have been for a few years now. Only perks are what you get for your Platinum nothing more. A lower price IF offered at times is for. Military, senior, past guest, reside in the state the ship is docked. Princess, Carnival owned also gives Veterans OBC plus future cruise credit if booked on the ship and OBC and perks are offered when they want to. Own Carnival 100 shares of stock and get some OBC depending on the length of the cruise. If you have a TA that can offer perks, the better. They do not come from Carnival. Carnival is doing their best to keep their cost low in order to offer low cost cruises. Usually lower than any other cruise line. The other cruise lines usually offer a lot but the cost is also a lot more for the same exact cruise. So you are actually paying for the perks and OBC yourself. Example My Halloween Cruise on the Carnival Magic. $125.00 OBC plus $100.00 from my stock. Total $225.00 OBC nothing else.  Cost per day per person without tax and port $81.00 Now Beginning of 2020 we have two Princess Cruises. The SKY Vets OBC $100.00 Stock $100.00 Cruiseline OBC $200.00 total $400.00 Plus two sip and sail packages (Expensive) Cost per person per day without tax and port $132.00 Island Princess $100.00 vets OBC, Stock $100.00 plus a combination of OBC from the cruise line and the TA Total $535.00 Plus a Soda and Coffee package and Pre Paid Gratuities. Cost per day per person without Tax or Port $129.99 So you can see Carnival turns out to be a very good deal. There state rooms are usuall bigger than the others.

[coevan]

2 hours ago, Garth2 said:

There is no such thing as a "platinum" discount and they rarely offer the senior discount.

 

 

Very true and to add, you can go to any online travel site and the basic cruise rate will be the same. I have priced signed in to My Carnival with VIFP, Platinum, and a senior. I have also cleared my cookies and signed in as a guest, guess what, exact same price. 

[Joebucks]

On 7/29/2019 at 3:41 PM, laurierocs said:

Is this how Carnival rewards us?

 

Why should you be "rewarded?"

 

Imagine running a business, especially in a booming economy with ships sailing near capacity. Why would you hand out discounts left and right?

[laurierocs]

1 minute ago, Joebucks said:

 

Why should you be "rewarded?"

 

Imagine running a business, especially in a booming economy with ships sailing near capacity. Why would you hand out discounts left and right?

A lot of businesses have a loyalty program whether it be a discount card or punch card. Perks for being a returning customer. After 20 cruises on the same cruise line, I would have appreciated even $25 OBC. Obviously,  they dont need to do this, it's just nice to be appreciated. 

 

On 7/29/2019 at 2:54 PM, jbethel11 said:

?

 

Well, sometimes certain sailings have such a high demand, they don't need special discounts to attract potential costumers. However, if the sailing doesn't sell as projected, then you will start to see discounted rate codes.

Yes, I bet you're right. 

[StolidCruiser]

51 minutes ago, laurierocs said:

A lot of businesses have a loyalty program whether it be a discount card or punch card. Perks for being a returning customer. After 20 cruises on the same cruise line, I would have appreciated even $25 OBC. Obviously,  they dont need to do this, it's just nice to be appreciated. 

 

 

 

Are platinum benefits not enough reward for your patronage?

[laurierocs]

14 hours ago, StolidCruiser said:

 

Are platinum benefits not enough reward for your patronage?

Platinum rewards are a great perk. 

[MistyRo76]

To the OP - Was your VIFP number loaded into the search function? Sometimes when I've not been on the Carnival site in a while, I will have to repopulate my VIFP number in the search screen. Any offers associated with your VIFP number won't show unless this is entered. 

 

[sfaaa]

Carnival has joint promo with Amex all the time. Another reason to hang out with the in-crowd here on CC.

[SNJCruisers]

On 7/30/2019 at 8:39 PM, StolidCruiser said:

 

Are platinum benefits not enough reward for your patronage?

They are a joke for the most part with the only things worth anything are the roped off area at guest services and being able to get on board early if you wish.   How about a BOGO photo or a BOGO specialty restaurant meal?  These would add money to the coffers and be a perk at the same time.

[Isasprings]

On 7/29/2019 at 3:41 PM, laurierocs said:

Does this sound odd to anyone?

-we cruise 2 times a year

-usually get a great casino offer

-we are platinum

-we qualify for senior discount

 

This time when we booked, there were no offers, no discounts, no upgrades, no OBC.  My daughter who has cruised 4 times had the best offer. *****? Is this how Carnival rewards us? Anyone else experience this?

 I booked Carnival Sensation a short 5 days out of home (Miami) for Sept 2019

My cabin was on the deck Riviera inside today I got an offer to upgrade OV on 

deck 7 by the Atrium for just $20 total. Maybe because is hurricane season lol.

[Eli_6]

It seems like I get promotions left and right. Funny thing...my husband gets different promotional emails than I do even though we have been on the exact same cruises. How do I know? His VIFP number is linked to my email. No clue why. He will get emails that I don't get and vice versa.

 

[mikenbon]

On 7/30/2019 at 4:46 PM, laurierocs said:

A lot of businesses have a loyalty program whether it be a discount card or punch card. Perks for being a returning customer. After 20 cruises on the same cruise line, I would have appreciated even $25 OBC. Obviously,  they dont need to do this, it's just nice to be appreciated. 

 

 

We will never reach Platinum, but I sure would appreciate all the perks for being a returning customer. There's always a gift and reception with food and drinks, from what I've bern told by a friend who is Platinum, plus all of these perks. To me, it seems quite generous.

[AmBear]

On 7/29/2019 at 3:41 PM, laurierocs said:

Does this sound odd to anyone?

-we cruise 2 times a year

-usually get a great casino offer

-we are platinum

-we qualify for senior discount

 

This time when we booked, there were no offers, no discounts, no upgrades, no OBC.  My daughter who has cruised 4 times had the best offer. *****? Is this how Carnival rewards us? Anyone else experience this?

Seems that Carnival has spread out their fleet to a few more ports which lowers the cabin count in certain ports, thus we're not seeing the sales of previous years!

Good news is there are bigger new ships coming in the next few years with a lot more cabins to fill so the sales will come back!

[coevan]

don't hold your breath, all the newer ships are demanding higher fares and people are paying them