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I have also been picking through the offers we have. I haven't used the suite offers yet because the dates, ships or itinerary just don't line up with what we like. So far we have had better luck with the balcony offers. If flights weren't so ridiculous I would have more cruises lined up instead of only 2.

And here I thought with the title of your thread that you won a Hot Seat drawing in the casino! 🤣

This happened to us in October. Sitting buy the pool me (drinks everywhere from casino) and brother in law (Cheers) wanted to buy a bucket of beer and the server said we couldn't. I said yes I can, I'm buying for a "friend". She had to go ask a manager who said yes, I could buy for a "friend". However, they would not discount the bucket. It use to be that one went against Cheers and you paid full price for the others. This time none against Cheers and paid full price for all. Bottom line is make sure you tell them you are buying for a "friend" and if they say no have them get a manager.

We will agree to disagree on the double dipping. Why in the world would anyone care about a bottle of water or a free drink from the VIFP program when they already get free drinks? We are platinum and besides using the laundry (twice on longer cruises), priority boarding and the buy on get one tourney entry (now $25 casino play) we don't even use any of the other perks. The room is paid. At what rate I do not (nor did I claim to) know, but I do know Carnival is getting money for the room. They are getting at least $200 ($100 pp to book) plus gratuities and taxes from me and whatever rate the casino pays. Everyone gambles at different levels so I can't speak for all but I will say that we spend way more on board than the cruise would of cost. If Carnival decided to change and make the casino and VIFP levels separate it really wouldn't bother us much as I'm sure the casino would offer better things than the VIFP program.

It's not double dipping. The room is paid for by the casino so Carnival loses nothing.

I'm referring to a casino loyalty program like a land based casino where you actually get different levels based on play over time. The casino program on Carnival isn't quite the same as there's no rime nor reason to how they hand out stuff.

Right, like there's no return on investment with gamblers. I'm sure Carnival would change how the casino offers work if they weren't making any money. If the casino made their own program it would be better than Carnivals and everyone would be screaming about how it's not fair. Like it or not, gamblers are the REAL paying customers.

@sid_9169 Awesome Live as always Sid!

You have to be actively playing. YMMV.........

Post #10 FYI.

If you go over by South Beach check out Española Way. Got some good restaurants there.

Love hanging out at Bayside when we cruise out of Miami! Had quite the bar tab at Margaritaville about a month ago. LOL Usually stay at the Holiday Inn across the road. Enjoy your cruise!

You can ask for more than 2 and they will give it to you. Now the mushrooms are another story. The Mrs. was not happy they were gone!

We were on the 10/16 Spirit cruise, which was an elite cruise. Had no issues getting a drink (5 min wait tops) at any bar. Honestly the only really long line I saw was at pizza one night after a show got out. The only thing I would complain about was the music on the ship. Missed having a good band playing.

Yes, it was/still is listed on the VIFP Club page that way. https://www.carnival.com/vifp/overview

We got off the day you got on! Looking forward to seeing how things went for you.

We both got the same ones as you. Trying to move a January cruise to one of these while also looking at a fall cruise. I don't get enough vacation time for all of them!

Yes, it was Miami. We had some of the cookies and water that was out. The room had more than 50 seats (not sure how many to be honest) and people were standing everywhere. A couple of weeks ago leaving Miami there was no special place for anyone and they called Diamond, Platinum and then suites. Before we were even at the top of the escalator they were already on zone A03.

Every premiere we have been on before turning plat (pre covid) we were sitting with all the Diamond/Plat people. This was Port Canaveral and Miami. We did board after them (before faster to fun) but always sat together. Maybe it was different at times but that wasn't our experience.

Elaine, people who book some of the casino offers also get priority boarding and (in the past) have waited with the D/P people regardless of card color.

You guys are all gonna go overboard when stamps go up .03 in January!

That's a bummer. They were really good. Didn't have a live band on the Spirit a couple weeks ago either but they didn't really have a good spot for one either.

Was the Freedom band still playing in the Atrium? They were awesome when we went in March.

We were getting on when you got off. Sailed the 16th on the 6 day. We also had a great time. I would agree with you with the music on this ship. Was terrible. Had a balcony room (7192) and no bugs to report.

Better watch out for that White Claw! I'm not kidding! 😂