Looks like Carnival is getting desperate for bookings, even on Mardi Gras

[Encore37]

I haven't sailed on Carnival since 2017 and have been receiving the same casino offers of a small discount in cruise fare plus $200 OBC since then.  Yesterday I received an offer of a free interior cabin, free drinks in the casino, plus $200 OBC and this even included the Mardi Gras.  Carnival must be really struggling to fill their ships if they're sending out those offers to someone that doesn't even gamble much.  

 

Needless to say, I took them up on the offer and will be sailing on the Mardi Gras in November.

Edited September 3, 2021 by Encore37

[mrpayroll]

Not surprised. With all the hoops you have to jump through now to cruise, i'm sure they are getting more cancellations. 

[Encore37]

4 minutes ago, mrpayroll said:

Not surprised. With all the hoops you have to jump through now to cruise, i'm sure they are getting more cancellations. 

 

I'm not surprised either because there's no way I'd pay full price for cruising the way it is now.  But I'll take the comped cruise on their newest ship.

[asalligo]

I know I am sitting at home thinking cruising is just not worth it right now like so many others and Carnival is in the position of needing to make as much money as possible. Not a good set of conditions. 

 

[asalligo]

I am also sitting on two bookings and will have to postpone or cancel both if cruising does not return to normal soon. I wonder how many of Carnival's current bookings are unlikely to come to fruition. 

 

[tallnthensome]

7 minutes ago, asalligo said:

I am also sitting on two bookings and will have to postpone or cancel both if cruising does not return to normal soon. I wonder how many of Carnival's current bookings are unlikely to come to fruition. 

 

Well, once you are aboard as we are currently I can tell you that cruising now isn’t far off from normal. Besides a mask, everything else is the same. Service has been wonderful . 

[Ilovesailaway]

My last 2 cruises were canceled by Carnival including my upcoming December cruise. I would recommend to anyone booking travel right now to make sure your flights and hotels are fully refundable. 

Looks like I'm back to the drawing board looking for a future cruise...  Hope to take advantage of the deals out there.

[csm5986142]

Thanks for mentioning that!  I've never before gotten a casino offer, but I just checked and I do have some now.

[asalligo]

1 minute ago, tallnthensome said:

Well, once you are aboard as we are currently I can tell you that cruising now isn’t far off from normal. Besides a mask, everything else is the same. Service has been wonderful . 

I am sure. It is mainly the requirements pre boarding keeping many from cruising. 

[Joe817]

1 minute ago, tallnthensome said:

Well, once you are aboard as we are currently I can tell you that cruising now isn’t far off from normal. Besides a mask, everything else is the same. Service has been wonderful . 

That's what we found as well. It's the pre-cruise stress, finding a covid testing place, and all the other hoops we have to worry about, tempers the enjoyment greatly. I honestly don't want to cruise for another  year. 

[BoozinCroozin]

Not surprising. At least 10 have already canceled my November cruise. I am sure many others will as well.

[SNJCruisers]

1 hour ago, asalligo said:

I am also sitting on two bookings and will have to postpone or cancel both if cruising does not return to normal soon. I wonder how many of Carnival's current bookings are unlikely to come to fruition. 

 

You did get vaccinated?

[SNJCruisers]

1 hour ago, Joe817 said:

That's what we found as well. It's the pre-cruise stress, finding a covid testing place, and all the other hoops we have to worry about, tempers the enjoyment greatly. I honestly don't want to cruise for another  year. 

But once on board, all of that stress is gone and you can enjoy it like Tallnthensome is currently doing on the Panorama or Saint Greg and WhaleTailFlCruiser are doing on the Mardi Gras.  I'm hoping for many cancellations on my October B2B on the MG, more room to enjoy at reduced capacity and less kids to boot.

[gbearcruiser]

3 hours ago, Encore37 said:

I haven't sailed on Carnival since 2017 and have been receiving the same casino offers of a small discount in cruise fare plus $200 OBC since then.  Yesterday I received an offer of a free interior cabin, free drinks in the casino, plus $200 OBC and this even included the Mardi Gras.  Carnival must be really struggling to fill their ships if they're sending out those offers to someone that doesn't even gamble much.  

 

Needless to say, I took them up on the offer and will be sailing on the Mardi Gras in November.

Hi there, I got the same offer, but do not see the Mardi Gras as an option

[gbearcruiser]

1 hour ago, BoozinCroozin said:

Not surprising. At least 10 have already canceled my November cruise. I am sure many others will as well.

Hi there, I have the opposite, lots wanting to book while they are still under limited capacity even with the required protocols.  

[pc_load_letter]

2 hours ago, asalligo said:

I am also sitting on two bookings and will have to postpone or cancel both if cruising does not return to normal soon. I wonder how many of Carnival's current bookings are unlikely to come to fruition. 

 

 

Yeah, not sure how I feel about Carnival right now. They're like that hot girlfriend you want to spend time with but when you do, you're let down because she wasn't all that great.

 

I dunno, perhaps it's the poopy pants Covid tiresomeness coming out in me.

 

I was bummed when they retired Inspiration and Imagination from LB and San Diego was supposed to get a ship for a couple years. Sure sure, covid probably spurred lots of changes.

 

I am just tired of it all and cruising was one thing my wife and I could always look forward to. Now, its masks and testing and blah blah blah. Just bummed.

[Encore37]

30 minutes ago, gbearcruiser said:

Hi there, I got the same offer, but do not see the Mardi Gras as an option

 

It was there as a option for any ship for me.    I was hoping to book a B2B  on the Mardi Gras but the comped offer was only valid for one sailing and then it disappeared.  I'd keep checking if I were you.  I received another offer today with discounted rates at $500 OBC.  It's looking like they're going to keep the offers coming with so many canceling. 

Edited September 3, 2021 by Encore37

[gbearcruiser]

5 hours ago, Encore37 said:

 

It was there as a option for any ship for me.    I was hoping to book a B2B  on the Mardi Gras but the comped offer was only valid for one sailing and then it disappeared.  I'd keep checking if I were you.  I received another offer today with discounted rates at $500 OBC.  It's looking like they're going to keep the offers coming with so many canceling. 

Thank you!  I will keep looking.🙂

[BohJang]

8 hours ago, Joe817 said:

That's what we found as well. It's the pre-cruise stress, finding a covid testing place, and all the other hoops we have to worry about, tempers the enjoyment greatly. I honestly don't want to cruise for another  year. 

That's why I cancelled our Thanksgiving cruise. Having to fly to Florida, worry about covid tests and wearing a mask - that's a hard no for me.

[Jasonsterling]

8 hours ago, tallnthensome said:

Well, once you are aboard as we are currently I can tell you that cruising now isn’t far off from normal. Besides a mask, everything else is the same. Service has been wonderful . 

This is true and even masking wasn't that invasive. The pre-test was a little stressful but at least I could find out before traveling down to the port. The ship itself was fantastic, everyone was having a great time and it really felt just like it was, except fewer people, lol. I'm headed out again for NYE and can't wait to get back.

[AnitaVacation]

We canceled our September cruise on Mardi Gras when they announced their new indoor mask policy.  Today we canceled our November cruise after we received notice that the mask policy would be extended.  We booked a week on NCL instead. 

[amcankid]

14 hours ago, SNJCruisers said:

But once on board, all of that stress is gone and you can enjoy it like Tallnthensome is currently doing on the Panorama or Saint Greg and WhaleTailFlCruiser are doing on the Mardi Gras.  I'm hoping for many cancellations on my October B2B on the MG, more room to enjoy at reduced capacity and less kids to boot.

You’re such a meanie!!

Why would you want to boot the kids?

lol

[mondello]

1 hour ago, amcankid said:

You’re such a meanie!!

Why would you want to boot the kids?

lol

Got the gout from booting those kids off his lawn.

[KmomChicago]

18 hours ago, Encore37 said:

I haven't sailed on Carnival since 2017 and have been receiving the same casino offers of a small discount in cruise fare plus $200 OBC since then.  Yesterday I received an offer of a free interior cabin, free drinks in the casino, plus $200 OBC and this even included the Mardi Gras.  Carnival must be really struggling to fill their ships if they're sending out those offers to someone that doesn't even gamble much.  

 

Needless to say, I took them up on the offer and will be sailing on the Mardi Gras in November.

 

Enjoy your cruise. Chris Wong, an RCI crew member is on the brand new Odyssey of the Seas, reporting 542 passengers on a recent sailing. Normally a new megaship would have huge initial demand. They are not tanking their prices so much like Carnival, but they are just as desperate. I think all the lines must be.

[firefly333]

10 hours ago, BohJang said:

That's why I cancelled our Thanksgiving cruise. Having to fly to Florida, worry about covid tests and wearing a mask - that's a hard no for me.

You show you are in texas. Why fly to florida when you can drive to Galveston.