The most insane cruise booking offer I've ever seen!

[Honolulu Blue]

12 hours ago, Virga said:

I have never been given more than two uses of the best rate codes - prices like that with $200-$500 OBC.  I sometimes also get another use or two of prices like that without OBC. Sometimes I only get a single use of one.  Since mine are casino offers, the casino folks can tell me how many uses of each code I get.  I don't know if a normal PVP can tell if it's not a casino offer, but probably.  

 

First of all, thank you to everyone who replied to this long post with all the numbers of limited relevance to anyone but me.  I guess I'm a good storyteller. 😄  Also, thanks to everyone who shared their stories of killer deals linked to their accounts.  It seems I'm not so special after all - and for once, that's OK with me. 😁

 

Now, to the post I quoted above, I didn't see anything in the base T&C of the offer that would limit how many of these offers I could book at one time.  I'm not saying there isn't, just that I didn't see it.  Good to know, but even a single B2B would be a sweet deal in my eyes.

 

2 hours ago, seagypsea said:

FYI to the OP - you will not be given your shareholder benefit on a discounted cruise.  It's clearly stated on the corporate benefit page.  I tested that statement by asking for it on a discounted cruise and got a letter instead saying we love you but sorry...

I've always gotten the shareholder credit and all my cruises have been discounted one way or another (though not anything like this group).  I don't volunteer the fact that they're super cheap; I'm sure they can figure it out by looking at the booking and its details.  Even if they find some reason to deny me, that only increases the cost of each cruise from about $15 to about $30 per day.  That's still pretty good. 😁

 

19 hours ago, Eli_6 said:

I just sailed on her. I wasn't being snarky. I was just letting you know since you missed it. 🙂

Gotcha.  I understand.  👍

Edited June 30, 2022 by Honolulu Blue

[Angua]

The best one we ever had was when they first introduced the journeys cruises and people weren't really booking them because of them not being closed loop.  it was $75 pp for an interior cabin ($185 for an ocean view) plus $150 cabin credit, so basically free interior cabins for 10-11 day cruises.

 

We were able to take advantage of one of them and got a deluxe ocean view on the Dream, which was a great cabin.  Would have loved to do more but didn't have enough vacation time back then.

 

 

[stingray310]

6 hours ago, seagypsea said:

FYI to the OP - you will not be given your shareholder benefit on a discounted cruise.  It's clearly stated on the corporate benefit page.  I tested that statement by asking for it on a discounted cruise and got a letter instead saying we love you but sorry...

I just recently booked one of the $100 per person 7 day alaska cruises on the Splendor and I did receive the on board shareholder credit.

[GaHawkeye]

Booked DW for a 6 day on Spirit in August. Her DM and DS had booked this about a week prior for their Moms B’Day. She, my DW is going to surprise her Mom at the airport. All in, for 538 for single interior across the hall from their balcony. She is very excited to say the least. 
Hank

[KyloRen]

Yeah i got a deal right now I’m fighting to not book

 

65 dollar cabin from Seattle 7 day alaska 

 

with a 200 dollar OBC

 

 three total out the door after all taxes and fees is 525 bucks… 

 

maybe I will book it

Edited July 1, 2022 by KyloRen

[2wheelin]

So frustrating that I am seeing nothing like this. Get emails and the best they are is $275-300 starting price for interior plus taxes. Cruise the website and still nothing.  I had an amazing deal in Jan so maybe I am done.

[MarySueSays]

I just got back from Alaska on the Splendor in late May and I'm trying really hard not to book one of these deals. The trip was so delightful, and Alaska is so gorgeous.... and my work can't get ahold of me when I'm on a ship....... 

 

I live a short train ride from Seattle so I don't have to worry about flights and all that fuss that our friends elsewhere do to get to port. 

[Joebucks]

On 6/29/2022 at 9:52 PM, LatinaInTexas said:

I saw this pop up one night, thought it was a glitch. Hope you get to go!

 

That is by far the best cruise deal I have ever seen. I would have booked it and figured out the rest later. 

[BoozinCroozin]

I am not sure, but I saw someone with an F5P offer and I dont think I have seen anything better. I even emailed CCL Casino to see how you can qualify for it.

[bar1068]

Well, they got us on this one. Booked the 7 day Alaska cruise on the Splendor for a cabin rate of $40 pp, with $200 OBC.  Probably not our "dream" Alaska cruise, but looks like we'll have a blast....plus we'd been looking to do something special to celebrate an anniversary, this should do it!!

[StephPS79]

6 hours ago, BoozinCroozin said:

I am not sure, but I saw someone with an F5P offer and I dont think I have seen anything better. I even emailed CCL Casino to see how you can qualify for it.

Curious for the results!  

[southbayer]

I finally scored a fantastic deal as a solo cruiser... A balcony for $329.00 total out the door for the week!  Plus free drinks while playin in the casino, plus $200 casino cash, plus $200 OBC, its on the Panorama

[BoozinCroozin]

8 hours ago, spsarrocco said:

Curious for the results!  

The person that showed it is on my same cruise in June 2023 to the ABC's. They got a suite for 2 people and DOU (casino if I recall) for $500. I have an interior with $500 OBC and DOU in casino for $2650.

[justafem]

I just booked a 10 day Alaskan out of SF, Sept 5, for $800 (taxes and port fees are $600), for 2 people  Includes $200 onboard, drinks in the casino and $500 casino credit (casino credit is only for me, not my hubs).  

 

I was offered an inside, but was upgraded to an obstructed view, with a Juliette balcony at booking. 

 

Now they're offering me the cruise before (5 day Mexican) for the same amount.  I don't think hubs can get the extra time off, but I'm seriously considering it and he'll meet me on the ship.

[Virga]

On 6/30/2022 at 10:57 AM, Honolulu Blue said:

 

First of all, thank you to everyone who replied to this long post with all the numbers of limited relevance to anyone but me.  I guess I'm a good storyteller. 😄  Also, thanks to everyone who shared their stories of killer deals linked to their accounts.  It seems I'm not so special after all - and for once, that's OK with me. 😁

 

Now, to the post I quoted above, I didn't see anything in the base T&C of the offer that would limit how many of these offers I could book at one time.  I'm not saying there isn't, just that I didn't see it.  Good to know, but even a single B2B would be a sweet deal in my eyes.

 

Unfortunately, the code itself isn't limited a certain number of times as a global setting - so the terms and conditions don't mention the limit.  You have to contact Carnival to be told how many uses you get.  Trust me, when I realized I'd 'wasted' my ONLY use (pre gambling) on a weekend Sunrise cruise, I was horrified and only realizing that my husband was also given a use so we could take the heavily discounted Mardi Gras cruise calmed me down. 

 

For instance, right now I have code FJ1 for $100pp rooms with $100pp OBC and free drinks in the casino - I can access the terms here: https://www.carnival.com/cruise-deals/vifp-club/past-guest-offers-FJ1/terms.aspx but only Carnival can tell me how many uses I have.  I guess, technically, you can figure it out yourself, by booking one and seeing if the code still shows up in your account - but that method is not terribly useful for planning.  

 

Six months ago, I'd have encouraged you to throw a little money in the slots to try to improve your offers, but I think the days of 'lose $300, get two free cruises and free drinks' might be over.  We still have some great rates (we each gave them back their $500 in OBC last cruise) but not on very many cruises where the cost is more than $500 per person to begin with.  For our part, I think our gambling days are done and we'll just play enough to order a couple rounds of drinks a couple times a day.

 

I hope that when you contact Carnival they tell you that you have at least two uses!  If not, perhaps a potential sailing mate has a use of the same code, and you could have them book the following week?  The sting of travel expenses is definitely softened with a B2B!

[Honolulu Blue]

7 minutes ago, Virga said:

Unfortunately, the code itself isn't limited a certain number of times as a global setting - so the terms and conditions don't mention the limit.  You have to contact Carnival to be told how many uses you get.  Trust me, when I realized I'd 'wasted' my ONLY use (pre gambling) on a weekend Sunrise cruise, I was horrified and only realizing that my husband was also given a use so we could take the heavily discounted Mardi Gras cruise calmed me down. 

 

For instance, right now I have code FJ1 for $100pp rooms with $100pp OBC and free drinks in the casino - I can access the terms here: https://www.carnival.com/cruise-deals/vifp-club/past-guest-offers-FJ1/terms.aspx but only Carnival can tell me how many uses I have.  I guess, technically, you can figure it out yourself, by booking one and seeing if the code still shows up in your account - but that method is not terribly useful for planning.  

 

Six months ago, I'd have encouraged you to throw a little money in the slots to try to improve your offers, but I think the days of 'lose $300, get two free cruises and free drinks' might be over.  We still have some great rates (we each gave them back their $500 in OBC last cruise) but not on very many cruises where the cost is more than $500 per person to begin with.  For our part, I think our gambling days are done and we'll just play enough to order a couple rounds of drinks a couple times a day.

 

I hope that when you contact Carnival they tell you that you have at least two uses!  If not, perhaps a potential sailing mate has a use of the same code, and you could have them book the following week?  The sting of travel expenses is definitely softened with a B2B!

Thank you for sharing your experience.  It's not nice of Carnival to hide limits to their offer codes - especially if it's able to be self-booked.

 

P.S.  The offer code I mention in my original post has expired, and I'm now getting more "ordinary" prices for those Splendor Alaska cruises.  Oh well. 😐

[Virga]

3 minutes ago, Honolulu Blue said:

Thank you for sharing your experience.  It's not nice of Carnival to hide limits to their offer codes - especially if it's able to be self-booked.

 

P.S.  The offer code I mention in my original post has expired, and I'm now getting more "ordinary" prices for those Splendor Alaska cruises.  Oh well. 😐

 

That has happened to me several times - I've gotten in the habit of putting anything attractive on hold.  Often, it's not that the rate code expires (they have never (technically) ended a code early on me) but they decide they've sold enough at that rate, either on a particular sailing or overall, and suddenly the code can't pull up the good rates anymore.  I also would appreciate more transparency!  I've tried here a few times to encourage people to post very detailed datapoints, but I think I might be more obsessively analytical than most.  New offers should be coming soon, maybe you'll find a diamond in a few days!!

[StephPS79]

6 hours ago, Virga said:

 

Unfortunately, the code itself isn't limited a certain number of times as a global setting - so the terms and conditions don't mention the limit.  You have to contact Carnival to be told how many uses you get.  Trust me, when I realized I'd 'wasted' my ONLY use (pre gambling) on a weekend Sunrise cruise, I was horrified and only realizing that my husband was also given a use so we could take the heavily discounted Mardi Gras cruise calmed me down. 

 

For instance, right now I have code FJ1 for $100pp rooms with $100pp OBC and free drinks in the casino - I can access the terms here: https://www.carnival.com/cruise-deals/vifp-club/past-guest-offers-FJ1/terms.aspx but only Carnival can tell me how many uses I have.  I guess, technically, you can figure it out yourself, by booking one and seeing if the code still shows up in your account - but that method is not terribly useful for planning.  

 

Six months ago, I'd have encouraged you to throw a little money in the slots to try to improve your offers, but I think the days of 'lose $300, get two free cruises and free drinks' might be over.  We still have some great rates (we each gave them back their $500 in OBC last cruise) but not on very many cruises where the cost is more than $500 per person to begin with.  For our part, I think our gambling days are done and we'll just play enough to order a couple rounds of drinks a couple times a day.

 

I hope that when you contact Carnival they tell you that you have at least two uses!  If not, perhaps a potential sailing mate has a use of the same code, and you could have them book the following week?  The sting of travel expenses is definitely softened with a B2B!

Just want to say, if you click the terms link for FJ1, it's actually free drinks everywhere on board, at least for me.  This was enough for me to grab one of those!

[Virga]

7 hours ago, spsarrocco said:

Just want to say, if you click the terms link for FJ1, it's actually free drinks everywhere on board, at least for me.  This was enough for me to grab one of those!

 

Nice catch - very interesting!  It's definitely listed in my deals as only in the casino for me - but clicking on the T&C link does indeed say Drinks on Us "INCLDUED" (not my misspelling) Everywhere in the title.  It also doesn't have the, 'Complimentary drinks are available to the qualified (1) guest only while actively playing in the casino and limited to casino bar menu items.' text I normally see on DoU-Casino offers.  Hmmm...

[StephPS79]

9 hours ago, Virga said:

 

Nice catch - very interesting!  It's definitely listed in my deals as only in the casino for me - but clicking on the T&C link does indeed say Drinks on Us "INCLDUED" (not my misspelling) Everywhere in the title.  It also doesn't have the, 'Complimentary drinks are available to the qualified (1) guest only while actively playing in the casino and limited to casino bar menu items.' text I normally see on DoU-Casino offers.  Hmmm...

Yes, same for me, and I was very suspicious lol.  So I called Carnival to confirm, and they said yes, included everywhere on board with this offer.  Booked and interior for $100pp and $200 OBC, couldn't pass that up!

[DAVLIB007]

free ocean suite $1000 casino play. $200 OBC . Drinks anywhere on the ship use by Dec 2023

Only pay tax and port fees crazy

[kona_wahine]

I just got back yesterday from the Spirit 8 day for $1200 for 2, with $200 OBC. And that was upgrading to an extended balcony on deck 8. It was just an amazing cruise. But, and it’s a big BUT, the excursions cost more then the cruise did. And you don’t want to skimp on excursions because what’s the point of going if you don’t see what’s up there, right?  I looked for next July, as I’d like to go with the Salmon are running, and a 7 day is running about $4,000. Ya, not gonna happen at that price!!!  Here’s a picture to entice you….It’s from the boat excursion on Tracey Arm Fjord.

[imluvncruzn]

OMG thanks to whomever posted this thread!  I have all these casino offers but it never occurred to me to look for Hawaii.  I did and scored a 15 day Hawaii cruise in an inside cabin for $657 total with $200 OBC and $250 in Funplay.  I'm so super excited!  

[Old Fart Cruisers]

On 6/30/2022 at 9:44 PM, Joebucks said:

 

That is by far the best cruise deal I have ever seen. I would have booked it and figured out the rest later. 

 

 

This offer was $100 for a balcony with $200 OBC and $500 casino credit until July 5th, now only an interior for that price, still $200 OBC but NO casino credit.

 

 

[AtSeaWithChris]

On 6/29/2022 at 1:49 PM, Honolulu Blue said:

WARNING:  Long post.  Lots of numbers.  May be dry at times.  There's a TL,DR at the end.  I won't be offended if you move on to the post about dress codes.

 

All right, for the other person that's actually reading, I saw an insane price for one of my cruises listed under my VIFP number.  I'm not a gambler at all, so it's not related to that.  Let's list the details:

• Carnival Splendor (I've been on her twice before, nice ship, missed Guy's though)
• All sailings from July 12 through August 30
• Interior guarantee cabin
• All sailings round trip from Seattle
• Sailing to Alaska and Victoria, BC
• Port fees about $255 per week
• Gratuities about $100 per week

 

Normal stuff so far, right?  Now let me get to the insane parts:

 

• The cabin price for me, single occupancy, is between $70 and $100 PER WEEK.  Not per day, and certainly not PPDO.  $100 or less for the cruise fare FOR THE WHOLE WEEK!  I don't even think I could stay in a hostel for under $15 a night.
• In addition, the offer gives me $200 per cabin per week
• And I also have some CCL shares that would provide $100 per week in OBC

 

So, if I wanted to do a B2B2B2B2B2B2B2B, the net cost would be... about $1150.  That's insane to me, the best offer I've ever seen from Carnival.  Yes, there are some extra costs (any excursions, COVID-19 tests, airfare, various shuttles)

 

And I'm going to have to turn it down because I have a job I enjoy too much to go on an adventure like this.  🙁  This particular rate and offer expires tomorrow, and I don't expect to see it repeated unless I go completely degenerate in the casino.  This would be really fun to watch some vlogger do this and watch them slowly go insane.

 

Story of my life.  Thanks for reading.

 

TL,DR:  I could take any or all of a string of cruises in Alaska this summer for under $150 per week.  No thanks.

I just put a hold on an Australia 9 day cruise balcony for $700 per person that included $750 OBC. $1700 total for 2 people. Of course the flights are ~2K per person. June 2014

Edited July 14, 2022 by AtSeaWithChris
Fixed incomplete sentence