Frustrated with offers

[tennboy1981]

So this may be more of a rant than a question and I apologize in advance.   I just wanted to mention how I have friends who have gotten so many more better deals under their VIFP than me and it just frustrates me.  I have a friend, she said she barely spent any money in the casino on her last cruise, she did win a jackpot once years a go on board, shes getting 500 dollars in OBC, free drinks in the casino....I have another friend who hasn't cruised in at least 3 years, and he is getting a similar deal. I have another friend who never gambled in the casino but won BINGO once, about 5 years a go.  He got the same deal.  Meanwhile, I gambled and got about 300-400 points on my last cruise in November (Got a little lucky and played quite a bit), and all I get are offers for lower rates and a measly 25 dollars in on board credit. Nothing else.  It just frustrates me because all these people are telling me they barely even spent any money in the casino and haven't even been on a cruise with them for years. And they are getting rates for 500 in OBC, Free drinks, and 50 dollar rooms.  I sent an email to carnival's players club, and all they send me is the "Sorry not Sorry" line.  Sorry for the rant, just wanted to get it out. lol

Edited April 5, 2020 by tennboy1981
added more

[Aplmac]

You know what they say.........

 

Speak your mind -or lose it!

[firefly333]

I'm back to where when I click on details to see which cruises are offered, nothing comes up, yet it says from $29. Been like this for 3 days. I guess my tablet isnt compatible with carnival site lately.

 

Though tbh I dont really want a offer until next year, I'm turning 70 and the doctors note worries me.

 

I also dont feel a cruise is safe right now. But I'd still like to SEE the offers.

[Host Carolyn]

From what I have seen on this and other boards people are being bombarded with offers. The cruise lines are trying to just refund money, apply FCCs, etc. Carnival is frustrating a lot of you. I understand why these offers are coming out but they aren't helping! 

 

My advice for what it's worth? Take a deep breath, realize that it's going to take at least weeks for them to catch up just sorting out what's owed etc for cancelled sailings. And know ---I'm sure of this -- that those of you anxious to hop aboard one of the first sailings when they do resume will find a "deal". There are different deals for different bookings etc. and that's often confusing in normal times. Now it's just nuts. It will get better.  Deepl breath....

[Bookbug53]

1 hour ago, tennboy1981 said:

So this may be more of a rant than a question and I apologize in advance.   I just wanted to mention how I have friends who have gotten so many more better deals under their VIFP than me and it just frustrates me.  I have a friend, she said she barely spent any money in the casino on her last cruise, she did win a jackpot once years a go on board, shes getting 500 dollars in OBC, free drinks in the casino....I have another friend who hasn't cruised in at least 3 years, and he is getting a similar deal. I have another friend who never gambled in the casino but won BINGO once, about 5 years a go.  He got the same deal.  Meanwhile, I gambled and got about 300-400 points on my last cruise in November (Got a little lucky and played quite a bit), and all I get are offers for lower rates and a measly 25 dollars in on board credit. Nothing else.  It just frustrates me because all these people are telling me they barely even spent any money in the casino and haven't even been on a cruise with them for years. And they are getting rates for 500 in OBC, Free drinks, and 50 dollar rooms.  I sent an email to carnival's players club, and all they send me is the "Sorry not Sorry" line.  Sorry for the rant, just wanted to get it out. lol

Having worked in a casino for years I can only tell you that marketing will target 'little' players to keep them coming back so they become bigger players. 'Big' players are already spending so they consider that a 'made market'.  Frustrating? Absolutely. Fair? No.

I can only speak from personal experience and not say that this is exactly what Carnival does. The same with someone I know getting bombarded with offers and they cruise maybe once every three years. I cruise every year (occasionally twice) and can't remember the last time Carnival gave me anything. I am already a made market for them.

[littlechief]

I completely understand how you feel.  I am actually booked for a cruise in July under Early Saver rate.  My husband in 1 cabin with sons and I in another with daughter.  Both cabins have my VIFP number.  I check rates every morning and each evening, but always use my number. My husband received an email from Carnival last week and rates were unbelievably low.  He had me check our existing cruise and rate was over $200 per person with one code and close to $200 per person difference with the ES code when using the VIFP number in the email.  For a family of 5-BIG difference.  I was so excited when I calculated the totals and immediately emailed my PVP.  Sadly, happiness didn’t last too long... I guess my husband has 2 VIFP numbers in the system.  The number showing his cruise history didn’t have any special prices.  The VIFP with those amazing rates was a blue level with no history.  I’m assuming they are sending rates out to try and get newer customers?  We cruise yearly and usually book 3-4 cabins and I NEVER receive any special rates.  I didn’t know they existed until that email.  Sorry for MY long story OP.  😁. Just trying to make you feel better.  I totally understand your frustration.  I’m bummed that I didn’t get to adjust our cabin prices to those amazing email rates.  I immediately felt that those with a blue level are getting better rates than my gold level.  I chalked it up to maybe will get better offers at next level? It’s all good...I still have a pretty great rate compared to when I originally booked!!  

[skrufy]

2 hours ago, tennboy1981 said:

So this may be more of a rant than a question and I apologize in advance.   I just wanted to mention how I have friends who have gotten so many more better deals under their VIFP than me and it just frustrates me.  I have a friend, she said she barely spent any money in the casino on her last cruise, she did win a jackpot once years a go on board, shes getting 500 dollars in OBC, free drinks in the casino....I have another friend who hasn't cruised in at least 3 years, and he is getting a similar deal. I have another friend who never gambled in the casino but won BINGO once, about 5 years a go.  He got the same deal.  Meanwhile, I gambled and got about 300-400 points on my last cruise in November (Got a little lucky and played quite a bit), and all I get are offers for lower rates and a measly 25 dollars in on board credit. Nothing else.  It just frustrates me because all these people are telling me they barely even spent any money in the casino and haven't even been on a cruise with them for years. And they are getting rates for 500 in OBC, Free drinks, and 50 dollar rooms.  I sent an email to carnival's players club, and all they send me is the "Sorry not Sorry" line.  Sorry for the rant, just wanted to get it out. lol

I’m with you tennboy1981. We are loyal carnival cruisers for 16 years and not a sniff  of a casino offer. My wife gambles very lightly, maybe  $10.00 a day.

Edited April 5, 2020 by skrufy
Correction

[skrufy]

4 minutes ago, littlechief said:

I completely understand how you feel.  I am actually booked for a cruise in July under Early Saver rate.  My husband in 1 cabin with sons and I in another with daughter.  Both cabins have my VIFP number.  I check rates every morning and each evening, but always use my number. My husband received an email from Carnival last week and rates were unbelievably low.  He had me check our existing cruise and rate was over $200 per person with one code and close to $200 per person difference with the ES code when using the VIFP number in the email.  For a family of 5-BIG difference.  I was so excited when I calculated the totals and immediately emailed my PVP.  Sadly, happiness didn’t last too long... I guess my husband has 2 VIFP numbers in the system.  The number showing his cruise history didn’t have any special prices.  The VIFP with those amazing rates was a blue level with no history.  I’m assuming they are sending rates out to try and get newer customers?  We cruise yearly and usually book 3-4 cabins and I NEVER receive any special rates.  I didn’t know they existed until that email.  Sorry for MY long story OP.  😁. Just trying to make you feel better.  I totally understand your frustration.  I’m bummed that I didn’t get to adjust our cabin prices to those amazing email rates.  I immediately felt that those with a blue level are getting better rates than my gold level.  I chalked it up to maybe will get better offers at next level? It’s all good...I still have a pretty great rate compared to when I originally booked!!  

Littlechief, don’t hold your breath, we have been platinum for 5 years

[Beav1279]

I think they more highly target "new-ish" cruisers. DH and I have only been on 1 Carnival cruise. DH gambles about $100-200 per evening. I gamble about $20-50 per evening. We have separate VIFP numbers - he gets much better rate deals than I do. I booked our next cruise for Christmas on the Panorama - we got a Havana aft balcony for less than the published rate for a regular balcony... very good deal, in my opinion! I assume the more we take Carnival cruises, the less deals we'll get, since they will start to expect us to be repeat customers... That's the way marketing works!

[Doggielover68]

2 hours ago, Bookbug53 said:

Having worked in a casino for years I can only tell you that marketing will target 'little' players to keep them coming back so they become bigger players. 'Big' players are already spending so they consider that a 'made market'.  Frustrating? Absolutely. Fair? No.

I can only speak from personal experience and not say that this is exactly what Carnival does. The same with someone I know getting bombarded with offers and they cruise maybe once every three years. I cruise every year (occasionally twice) and can't remember the last time Carnival gave me anything. I am already a made market for them.

This is absolutely correct.

I don't use the casino at all, but my husband and I went on 15+ cruises in 5 years. How many special offers did we get? You guessed it! Zip. 

 

Maybe after we take some time off from cruising we will get something. It's just the way business works

Edited April 5, 2020 by Doggielover68

[Bases5]

I always get offers. Some good some not so good.  I check daily under my profile and look at offers.   Some only last a few days.  
You look at the dates those offers are available.  A certain offer may only be available on 1 cruise a month.  You just never know..  

Don’t wait on e-mail or snail mail to look for deals 

Good luck and keep checking. 

[quattrohead]

An offer I got required a large all most full payment up front and was non changeable in any way what so ever,  so not really useful in these delicate times. No worries as Carolyn say's there will be plenty of offers in the coming year.

Edited April 5, 2020 by quattrohead

[Elaine5715]

7 hours ago, tennboy1981 said:

So this may be more of a rant than a question and I apologize in advance.   I just wanted to mention how I have friends who have gotten so many more better deals under their VIFP than me and it just frustrates me.  I have a friend, she said she barely spent any money in the casino on her last cruise, she did win a jackpot once years a go on board, shes getting 500 dollars in OBC, free drinks in the casino....I have another friend who hasn't cruised in at least 3 years, and he is getting a similar deal. I have another friend who never gambled in the casino but won BINGO once, about 5 years a go.  He got the same deal.  Meanwhile, I gambled and got about 300-400 points on my last cruise in November (Got a little lucky and played quite a bit), and all I get are offers for lower rates and a measly 25 dollars in on board credit. Nothing else.  It just frustrates me because all these people are telling me they barely even spent any money in the casino and haven't even been on a cruise with them for years. And they are getting rates for 500 in OBC, Free drinks, and 50 dollar rooms.  I sent an email to carnival's players club, and all they send me is the "Sorry not Sorry" line.  Sorry for the rant, just wanted to get it out. lol

People who say they hardly spend any money in the casino but get good casino offers..are big fibbers..

[tree.critter]

This post has got me to wondering, I also never get the real good bounce back or casino offers. Carnival already knows I'm a long time returning customer and no deals. So, what I am wondering if this might be a good time to try a cruise on one of the other cruise lines. Do you think they might have offers for first time cruisers with them?

 

[IcanSeaclearlynow]

40 minutes ago, Elaine5715 said:

People who say they hardly spend any money in the casino but get good casino offers..are big fibbers..

😂😂😂 true!  I know someone who fits in that category at a local casino.  Husband also says he always hears how much she wins but never how much she actually put in those machines to win lol. 

[tennboy1981]

15 minutes ago, tree.critter said:

This post has got me to wondering, I also never get the real good bounce back or casino offers. Carnival already knows I'm a long time returning customer and no deals. So, what I am wondering if this might be a good time to try a cruise on one of the other cruise lines. Do you think they might have offers for first time cruisers with them?

 

I am willing to bet you would.  Its good to try new lines. They may offer you better deals than Carnival.   When Carnival catches on to you not booking cruises, thats when they will try to reel you back in with better offers I bet.

[Joebucks]

10 hours ago, tennboy1981 said:

It just frustrates me because all these people are telling me they barely even spent any money in the casino and haven't even been on a cruise with them for years. And they are getting rates for 500 in OBC, Free drinks, and 50 dollar rooms.

 

Every habitual gambler I know won a lot without losing anything. It's incredible really. $20 in. $500-$1000 winnings. Cashes out.

 

I don't care what anyone says, you aren't saving money by getting casino deals.

[movtarget]

I’m booked on that $500 OBC offer. I fall into “we want you back” gamblers since my last Carnival cruise was in 2011. I am not a “heavy” gambler ($100/day budget), and I come home positive in about 1 in 4 outings. (Primarily CES in Vegas)

 

I play craps, so it REALLY depends on how the boxman (banker) and pit boss rate you. I also participated in a Texas Holdem tourney on that 2011 cruise and finished high, but not the big winner.

 

I think this supports the theory that the heavy offers are trying to attract KNOWN gamblers (of any amount), that haven’t booked against their VIFP players account WHILE on a cruise in a while.

 

If you are NOT a gambler, think about running $25-$50 through on a slot machine for fun, and then see if in the future, you get some of the more generous offers. Especially if you take a cruise after that and don’t gamble at all. Might be worth the $25 gamble (pun intended)

 

Movtarget in NC

[SMSACE6]

tennboy1981,  I am frustrated with these offers in a very different way lol!   for years, I cruised Carnival every year or two or three, and spend a bit of time and money in the casino, as it is something that I consider part of my cruise vacation entertainment, and for many years I never got any good offers in that regard, just he usual offers that were not really that enticing.  let a few years pass, and I now cannot travel at all, due to being 24/7 caregivers to family members , I cannot travel now even without the current situation with travel shutdowns, but looking forward, do not see that I will be able to travel or cruise in the next few years, yet the offers keep rolling in, such great offers, but as enticing as they are it makes no sense for me to book even for next year, because I have no idea when I will be able to travel again.  So for me , my frustration is , why....when the times I could travel did those offers never come in, and I had to book cruises at prices that were not really good at the time, but fit my vacation time, and i did so at significant cost, inside room , solo.  Now I get these offers several times a day, that are beyond wonderful, but I cannot take.  So...just saying,  I  do not understand either, would normally be frustrated, but given my life right now, and the global health situation, am just considering all this.

[Sillyjilly]

11 hours ago, tennboy1981 said:

So this may be more of a rant than a question and I apologize in advance.   I just wanted to mention how I have friends who have gotten so many more better deals under their VIFP than me and it just frustrates me.  I have a friend, she said she barely spent any money in the casino on her last cruise, she did win a jackpot once years a go on board, shes getting 500 dollars in OBC, free drinks in the casino....I have another friend who hasn't cruised in at least 3 years, and he is getting a similar deal. I have another friend who never gambled in the casino but won BINGO once, about 5 years a go.  He got the same deal.  Meanwhile, I gambled and got about 300-400 points on my last cruise in November (Got a little lucky and played quite a bit), and all I get are offers for lower rates and a measly 25 dollars in on board credit. Nothing else.  It just frustrates me because all these people are telling me they barely even spent any money in the casino and haven't even been on a cruise with them for years. And they are getting rates for 500 in OBC, Free drinks, and 50 dollar rooms.  I sent an email to carnival's players club, and all they send me is the "Sorry not Sorry" line.  Sorry for the rant, just wanted to get it out. lol

Though shall not covet.

[Elaine5715]

1 hour ago, SMSACE6 said:

tennboy1981,  I am frustrated with these offers in a very different way lol!   for years, I cruised Carnival every year or two or three, and spend a bit of time and money in the casino, as it is something that I consider part of my cruise vacation entertainment, and for many years I never got any good offers in that regard, just he usual offers that were not really that enticing.  let a few years pass, and I now cannot travel at all, due to being 24/7 caregivers to family members , I cannot travel now even without the current situation with travel shutdowns, but looking forward, do not see that I will be able to travel or cruise in the next few years, yet the offers keep rolling in, such great offers, but as enticing as they are it makes no sense for me to book even for next year, because I have no idea when I will be able to travel again.  So for me , my frustration is , why....when the times I could travel did those offers never come in, and I had to book cruises at prices that were not really good at the time, but fit my vacation time, and i did so at significant cost, inside room , solo.  Now I get these offers several times a day, that are beyond wonderful, but I cannot take.  So...just saying,  I  do not understand either, would normally be frustrated, but given my life right now, and the global health situation, am just considering all this.

The Players Club changed significantly a couple of years ago including offers and increased numbers of premiers, ultras   

[Elaine5715]

9 hours ago, skrufy said:

I’m with you tennboy1981. We are loyal carnival cruisers for 16 years and not a sniff  of a casino offer. My wife gambles very lightly, maybe  $10.00 a day.

 

9 hours ago, Beav1279 said:

I think they more highly target "new-ish" cruisers. DH and I have only been on 1 Carnival cruise. DH gambles about $100-200 per evening. I gamble about $20-50 per evening. We have separate VIFP numbers - he gets much better rate deals than I do. I booked our next cruise for Christmas on the Panorama - we got a Havana aft balcony for less than the published rate for a regular balcony... very good deal, in my opinion! I assume the more we take Carnival cruises, the less deals we'll get, since they will start to expect us to be repeat customers... That's the way marketing works!

If it about points for slot players.  You need to hit over 5000 points to get decent offers and 9000 to get good offers and 30000 plus to get great offers.

I cruise 2 or 3 times a year and my offers come in steady

[IcanSeaclearlynow]

2 hours ago, movtarget said:

If you are NOT a gambler, think about running $25-$50 through on a slot machine for fun, and then see if in the future, you get some of the more generous offers. Especially if you take a cruise after that and don’t gamble at all. Might be worth the $25 gamble (pun intended)

 

Movtarget in NC

I wouldn't mind trying this theory out if it weren't for all the smoke in the casinos on the ships.  We were on the Horizon last April & I thought perhaps they had forgotten to install or turn on a filtration system.  Avoided walking through or past it as much as possible.  Casinos here are now nonsmoking & boy is it nice! 

[OfcSupport]

16 hours ago, tennboy1981 said:

So this may be more of a rant than a question and I apologize in advance.   I just wanted to mention how I have friends who have gotten so many more better deals under their VIFP than me and it just frustrates me.  I have a friend, she said she barely spent any money in the casino on her last cruise, she did win a jackpot once years a go on board, shes getting 500 dollars in OBC, free drinks in the casino....I have another friend who hasn't cruised in at least 3 years, and he is getting a similar deal. I have another friend who never gambled in the casino but won BINGO once, about 5 years a go.  He got the same deal.  Meanwhile, I gambled and got about 300-400 points on my last cruise in November (Got a little lucky and played quite a bit), and all I get are offers for lower rates and a measly 25 dollars in on board credit. Nothing else.  It just frustrates me because all these people are telling me they barely even spent any money in the casino and haven't even been on a cruise with them for years. And they are getting rates for 500 in OBC, Free drinks, and 50 dollar rooms.  I sent an email to carnival's players club, and all they send me is the "Sorry not Sorry" line.  Sorry for the rant, just wanted to get it out. lol

I get these offers all the time and never book them. It seems to me they jack up the price of the cruise so you are not really getting a $500 cruise credit. You aren't missing much.

Edited April 6, 2020 by OfcSupport

[dgreeney]

I get offered deals all the time.  I'm a solo traveler so I pay a higher rate for the cruise. However, the offers are great.  My last one was $500 for a spa room, $600 OBC, and free drinks all day.  

I might add that I spend a lot of time and money in the casino.