Platinum/Diamond - "Free" drink... why limited?

[crusinpsychRN]

I booked a 5 day Cozumel KW on 3/3/14 on X Constellation was 20 more than a 4 day same ports on CCL and X threw in a free Classic Booze program this is for balcony cabins :D

 

Good deal!

 

BTW, any relation to Kinky Friedman?

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

I booked a 5 day Cozumel KW on 3/3/14 on X Constellation was 20 more than a 4 day same ports on CCL and X threw in a free Classic Booze program this is for balcony cabins :D

 

Deals can be had - for those willing to look beyond their "comfort zone".

 

Congrats!

 

Tom

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

OK... so I thought that the drink was not part of the program until the Platinum level. A couple people on here mentioned having it at the Gold level as I recall. Just looked HERE and was somewhat surprised to see that the "free drink" occurs after your FIRST cruise.

 

Makes my Diamond perks seem so much better... as we get the drink too. (sarcasm intended... lol) :D

 

Most of the Diamond perks are fluff. The once in a lifetime meal in the Steakhouse... the one upgrade or free 3rd/4th guest...

 

After 5 Celebrity cruises we get three hours of internet between the two of us EVERY cruise. After our next NCL cruise we'll each have a dinner for two in Le Bistro EVERY cruise.

 

Yes, Bill... I'M WHINING !!! ;) :D

 

Tom

[Warm Breezes]

Of course it's because they're being cheap. There was a time when the Captain's Welcome Aboard Party offered open bar to everyone for 45 minutes. I used to get to the Disco early and get a seat at the bar and order what I wanted instead of taking the prepared drinks from a waiter's tray. Then they changed it to a poorly publicized cocktail party on the last sea day in the afternoon. But it was still open bar and again, I would find a seat at the bar. Now it's one lousy drink coupon only good at the brunch, I believe. But guess what? I had bariatric surgery last month and no booze for me so they can keep their stinking coupon.

 

You can still use it for a virgin drink.... We used ours at brunch on Freedom. Since we went more at lunch time it worked out for us. We tried the brunch on the first sea day and enjoyed it so much we went back the second sea day.

[Warm Breezes]

Absolutely true and in fact, it works. The MDR was underutilized at breakfast and lunch and now is being better utilized. As with other perks, if too many people whine about it, I think Carnival should do away with it. No matter what Carnival does, some will complain.

 

 

I believe this. In our 5 previous Carnival cruises (prior to Freedom) we went to the MDR a total of 1x for breakfast and 1x for lunch. Because of the coupon we tried it for brunch on the 1st sea day and we went back the 2nd sea day because we found we liked it. Both times we went they were fairly busy.

[stewpapa]

Yes he has been asked and it's because they are trying to disperse the breakfast/lunch crowds on the Lido by making the MDR a more desirable choice.

 

Well that was a stupid answer if he said that. How is it dispersing "crowds" when only a few people get it and it is only good for one time per cruise? Seriously, does anyone think they care how long the buffet lines are?

 

We didn't use ours because we do not want to go to the MDR for breakfast or lunch, and if we did, that is not when we want our drinks. That is the reason. A perk "free drink" that everyone wants, but they limit it to a time that no one wants. Carnival is excellent at "bait and switch".

[pe4all]

We didn't use ours because we do not want to go to the MDR for breakfast or lunch, and if we did, that is not when we want our drinks. That is the reason. A perk "free drink" that everyone wants, but they limit it to a time that no one wants. Carnival is excellent at "bait and switch".

As others have, we have used our free drink coupons at the Atrium Bar all throughout the day. I have even gotten "specialty coffees" at that bar using the coupon in the morning. Try it - the worst that will happen is that they will say no. I am sure they will honor the coupon, no matter when you use it.

[stewpapa]

As others have, we have used our free drink coupons at the Atrium Bar all throughout the day. I have even gotten "specialty coffees" at that bar using the coupon in the morning. Try it - the worst that will happen is that they will say no. I am sure they will honor the coupon, no matter when you use it.

 

Ok, we will try that next time. We didn't even try because the couple next to us in the MDR tried to use it at dinner and were told no.

Will try a bar. Thanks again for the tip.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Ok, we will try that next time. We didn't even try because the couple next to us in the MDR tried to use it at dinner and were told no.

Will try a bar. Thanks again for the tip.

 

There sure is a lot that can be learned here on CC! :)

 

Like you said, no harm in trying!!

 

Tom

[soccersharon]

There sure is a lot that can be learned here on CC! :)

 

Like you said, no harm in trying!!

 

Tom

 

 

I hedge my bets on getting your "freebie" at the Atrium Bar ;)

[okgirl]

Absolutely true and in fact, it works. The MDR was underutilized at breakfast and lunch and now is being better utilized. As with other perks, if too many people whine about it, I think Carnival should do away with it. No matter what Carnival does, some will complain.

 

Agree completely, I was on the Dream when she was new and before they had any of the Promenade deck food venues........at that time there was a huge uproar of complaints about the size of the Lido buffets being the same as the Conquest class yet she carried more passengers.

 

So they started adding things like the Fat Jimmies and the salad and wrap bar then the Magic added the Taste bar with breakfast option also, plus the Red Frog Pub.....then the Breeze added on with the Bonsai Sushi....

 

But the MDR was still being underutilized so they came up with the Brunch to not only advertise the Comedy Club, but by giving that free drink coupon during the Brunch I think they hoped it would encourage people to try the MDR instead of the buffet and perhaps continue to enjoy it......and many on here have posted that's is exactly what happened.

 

Well that was a stupid answer if he said that. How is it dispersing "crowds" when only a few people get it (all past guests get the coupon and that's the majority of the ship) and it is only good for one time per cruise? (it's to encourage people to try the MDR and hopefully like it well enough to come back again, and it's working there is a significant increase in the number of people going to the Brunch, compared to before this perk was offerred) Seriously, does anyone think they care how long the buffet lines are?

 

We didn't use ours because we do not want to go to the MDR for breakfast or lunch, and if we did, that is not when we want our drinks. That is the reason. A perk "free drink" that everyone wants, but they limit it to a time that no one wants. Carnival is excellent at "bait and switch".

 

As others have indicated, I've seen the coupons honored at the Atrium bar and the Bloody Mary bar outside the forward dining room. However, depending on their mood this isn't always the case. I know that Zeljko and Alex (the bar manager) on the Breeze in January wouldn't let them be redeemed at the bar because they said that they just weren't staffed to do that. So it really just depends on the mood of the bartenders on duty and how busy they are.

[Tithonus]

Agree completely, I was on the Dream when she was new and before they had any of the Promenade deck food venues........at that time there was a huge uproar of complaints about the size of the Lido buffets being the same as the Conquest class yet she carried more passengers.

 

So they started adding things like the Fat Jimmies and the salad and wrap bar then the Magic added the Taste bar with breakfast option also, plus the Red Frog Pub.....then the Breeze added on with the Bonsai Sushi....

 

But the MDR was still being underutilized so they came up with the Brunch to not only advertise the Comedy Club, but by giving that free drink coupon during the Brunch I think they hoped it would encourage people to try the MDR instead of the buffet and perhaps continue to enjoy it......and many on here have posted that's is exactly what happened.

 

 

 

As others have indicated, I've seen the coupons honored at the Atrium bar and the Bloody Mary bar outside the forward dining room. However, depending on their mood this isn't always the case. I know that Zeljko and Alex (the bar manager) on the Breeze in January wouldn't let them be redeemed at the bar because they said that they just weren't staffed to do that. So it really just depends on the mood of the bartenders on duty and how busy they are.

 

There's a mixEd message here. A free goodie tickie to get you to the MDR (having them serve you as opposed to serving yourself upstairs.....which makes no sense), but making it redeemable anywhere.

 

I've NEVER seen Carnival worry about crowd control. The ships themselves are inherently built to be overcrowded to begin with.

[PaulMedik]

........ Why not just make it something you can use anywhere/time on the ship?

 

.........

 

Tom

 

 

Tom,

 

I agree.

 

I'm thinking that they are hoping people will forget about them. If they were able to be used at any time/place, then more people will use them.

 

Funinthesun,

 

I ALWAYS forget to use mine because it's inconvenient. Free drink coupons from the casino always get used though.

[Sargent_Schultz]

Well that was a stupid answer if he said that. How is it dispersing "crowds" when only a few people get it and it is only good for one time per cruise? Seriously, does anyone think they care how long the buffet lines are?

 

We didn't use ours because we do not want to go to the MDR for breakfast or lunch, and if we did, that is not when we want our drinks. That is the reason. A perk "free drink" that everyone wants, but they limit it to a time that no one wants. Carnival is excellent at "bait and switch".

 

How? Because a lot more than a few take advantage of it. You should try it sometime.

 

Perks are not to reward ungrateful passengers but to increase revenue and/or achieve other specific company, and not individual passenger goals.

[halos]

I feel like were kinda on the same page. Yes, a cheaper line will deliver a cheaper product. A more expensive line should deliver a better product.

Which is absolutely spot on...only CCL isn't always cheaper or much cheaper.

 

I booked a 5 day Cozumel KW on 3/3/14 on X Constellation was 20 more than a 4 day same ports on CCL and X threw in a free Classic Booze program this is for balcony cabins :D

case in point.

[SPKEMO]

Which is absolutely spot on...only CCL isn't always cheaper or much cheaper.

 

 

case in point.

 

There is more to that then just what that person posted. Companies don't just throw in free drinks for fun. Could be a casino rate or something else. Highly doubt that is a normal rate anyone can get.

[halos]

There is more to that then just what that person posted. Companies don't just throw in free drinks for fun. Could be a casino rate or something else. Highly doubt that is a normal rate anyone can get.

I was just referring to the point that the fare was only $20 more. hey...I sailed Celebrity only once and wasn't too thrilled, so all I am trying to point out is that CCL is NOT always cheaper.

 

For me, I have a basic rule for any cruise on any line. I want a balcony at $150 pp/pd or less. I uaually pay less. If I keep my fare within that guideline, I book. Sometimes when I book NCL, if the cruise fare is higher than another line, I find that any cost difference is always made up in perks they offer...usually OBC

I'm a frugal shopper but all things must be factored in.

[SPKEMO]

I booked a 5 day Cozumel KW on 3/3/14 on X Constellation was 20 more than a 4 day same ports on CCL and X threw in a free Classic Booze program this is for balcony cabins :D

 

This is not a rate that just anyone can get.

 

This is the rate for the average cruiser for those cruises.

 

 

 

CCL is by far less expensive.

 

If I won a free cruise on Disney I could claim that Disney Cruise Lines is the least expensive line in the industry. But I would be giving false information just as you are.

 

Facts are facts.

[mafig]

Celebrity is 5 nights. When you take into account the beverage package (or you can take obc or you can have your gratuities paid), it's not higher.

[halos]

This is not a rate that just anyone can get.

 

This is the rate for the average cruiser for those cruises.

 

 

 

 

 

CCL is by far less expensive.

 

 

 

Facts are facts.

 

not 'far less'.

The CCL cruise is 4 day. X is 5...correct?

[SPKEMO]

not 'far less'.

The CCL cruise is 4 day. X is 5...correct?

 

Based on the same number of days CCL is almost 20% on inside rooms; 15% on OV; 10-40% on balconies, and 35% on suites.

 

Far less is subjective but, I would consider those percentages substantial to me.

 

The whole point was the the poster who claimed to get it for just $20 more then CCL and X threw in free booze is not telling the whole story. They are getting a special rate because of something else that they are not mentioning.

 

Would I rater cruise X? Most of the time YES! Do I think they are worth the extra money? That just depends on the trip I want. One thing I know, if I cruise X, I would send a lot more money on the fee based restaurants then I would if I sailed Carnival.

[Sargent_Schultz]

Which is absolutely spot on...only CCL isn't always cheaper or much cheaper.

 

 

Of course you can cherry pick examples where the competition might appear to be cheaper than Carnival, but day in and day out that is not sustainable if the competition wishes to stay in business.

[mzloolue]

I am not by any means a John groupie/fan but I remember he was asked this on his blog one time and he said he had asked the beards if it could be changed. He said he thought it should be able to be used anywhere also.

 

Last sea day on our last cruise DH and I did not eat in the dining room, but we walked over there to cash in our free drink coupon.

We told them that we did not want to eat, just to order our drink.

A guy escorted us to the piano bar and a white suit fellow whose name tag indicated that he was in charge of bar service took our order and went and got our drinks himself.

He said that he thinks the coupon should be good anywhere, but that it was not his decision.

[pe4all]

I hedge my bets on getting your "freebie" at the Atrium Bar ;)

Hedge all you want. We did it without any problem on Breeze. (x2) I don't know if they will honor it for dinner, but I got a Bailey's laced cappuccino on Breeze at the Atrium Bar one morning, and dd got a strawberry daquiri at lunch also at the Atrium bar. The coupons were used on sea days and port days - not just on "brunch" days! Again - it never hurts to try. And handing the coupon with a dollar bill doesn't hurt, either!:D

[halos]

day in and day out that is not sustainable if the competition wishes to stay in business.

...or possibly IF they want to offer more than CCL does????