Wow! Free Cruise on Carnival

[thomarvin]

my PVP told me about the same thing with the insurance. If we are a no show or cancel, we are responsible for the market rate of the cruise. I wouldn't want to have to come up with that. With a dad who is 90, i am not taking any chances. Last year our mom died 5 days before my sisters cruise. Good thing she had insurance. Covered in full.

[Hummer Guy]

Heads up if you got this or know someone who did - they just added a lot of upgrades (like balcony options for $70) throughout the season they are trying to sell.

 

When we first got it, some of the only options on the cruises we were thinking about were interior bottom-deck prices. Still a heck of a deal, but when we checked again their was a balcony upgrade available that wasn't before. Booked - under $300.

[AJI2596]

Heads up if you got this or know someone who did - they just added a lot of upgrades (like balcony options for $70) throughout the season they are trying to sell.

 

 

 

When we first got it, some of the only options on the cruises we were thinking about were interior bottom-deck prices. Still a heck of a deal, but when we checked again their was a balcony upgrade available that wasn't before. Booked - under $300.

 

 

Very tempting!! Hmmmm. We have 2 interior French door rooms booked. We are paying $1200 for 5 of us. Who's idea was it to have that 3rd kid;) LOL

 

I will check it out. Thanks.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[jsscuba2]

I have checked my account everyday, and after 25 cruises, and bringing numerous new cruises to carnival, not once have I received a free offer... :(

 

I am the same way you are. Next cruise will be 25 with carnival. I checked with TA, who is a friend of mine, and she said that they send them out based on certain criteria. I guess they feel they have us hooked so why send us loyal carnival cruisers any special benefits.

[ibcnusoon]

my PVP told me about the same thing with the insurance. If we are a no show or cancel, we are responsible for the market rate of the cruise. I wouldn't want to have to come up with that. With a dad who is 90, i am not taking any chances. Last year our mom died 5 days before my sisters cruise. Good thing she had insurance. Covered in full.

 

If you get insurance (especially now within 2 weeks of "paying in full") you will be covered for cancelled reason.

[ibcnusoon]

Heads up if you got this or know someone who did - they just added a lot of upgrades (like balcony options for $70) throughout the season they are trying to sell.

 

When we first got it, some of the only options on the cruises we were thinking about were interior bottom-deck prices. Still a heck of a deal, but when we checked again their was a balcony upgrade available that wasn't before. Booked - under $300.

 

Were you already booked? I look around now after booking my free cruise and don't see any offers for these prices anymore: $0 for interior, $40 for OV and $80 for balcony

[CheckersMidwest]

Once you book the free cruise, that options disappears from your account when you log in. The offer is only good once, so once it is redeemed, it is gone.

 

The upgrade to the oceanviews, balconies, etc showed up when you clicked on cruises and looked at the price list. They showed $0 for interior then $30 oceanview , $70 balcony , etc. (Those are just examples, however, my balcony was $70.)

[ibcnusoon]

My only regret (and it's a big one) is that I didn't look into Alaska availability! Ugh! That's a trip that is way out of reach otherwise. Please tell me y'all looked at that and there were no spots left on those cruises so I feel better about not looking those up ;)

 

Back to lurking! Cheers, Jo

 

I checked out the free Alaska cruises. There was only 1 from Seattle on the Miracle. I wasn't impressed with the itinerary. Not to mention the fact that at this time we couldn't afford the airfare (same goes for cruises out of Florida and San Juan), so we opted for "rolling out of bed and onto port" in New York - a short bus ride away.

Edited February 20, 2014 by ibcnusoon

[Zarabear]

I guess mine is a different offer, because it says good up to two sailings. Once I booked the 15 day Hawaii, the option remains to book another free cruise. Very strange!

[ibcnusoon]

I guess mine is a different offer, because it says good up to two sailings. Once I booked the 15 day Hawaii, the option remains to book another free cruise. Very strange!

 

Maybe you have the casino offer? Everyone else who booked the one cruise received the "we want you back" offer.

[pit239]

If you get insurance (especially now within 2 weeks of "paying in full") you will be covered for cancelled reason.

 

I'm not going to argue with you. your risk. I saw it on the Carnival web site and the Carni rep confirmed when i made the reservation -- cancellation=market rate penalty. Granted, there can be different "flavors" of the free offers. But if you're insured for $300, that's your limit, that's the "full payment" from the insurance company standpoint. And the policy is not going to pay the actual penalty above that. I suggest you check with the insurance company, not the TA. OK, I did argue, didn't I... done now.:p

[ibcnusoon]

I'm not going to argue with you. your risk. I saw it on the Carnival web site and the Carni rep confirmed when i made the reservation -- cancellation=market rate penalty. Granted, there can be different "flavors" of the free offers. But if you're insured for $300, that's your limit, that's the "full payment" from the insurance company standpoint. And the policy is not going to pay the actual penalty above that. I suggest you check with the insurance company, not the TA. OK, I did argue, didn't I... done now.:p

 

I spoke to 2 different reps from an online travel insurance company on 2 separate occassions, on 2 different days.

 

Each one asked me how much I paid for my cruise. I told them it was free and I only had to pay port fees and taxes of $288.22. They then gave me quotes based on $288.22.

 

I cannot imagine Carnival going after people for $2,000 because they purchased and paid for a $200 cruise. Even if ONE person had to pay full price for a free cancelled cruise, I'm sure we would have heard from them by now. This is not the first time Carnival was giving away free cruises.

Edited February 20, 2014 by ibcnusoon

[pit239]

I spoke to 2 different reps from an online travel insurance company on 2 separate occassions, on 2 different days.

 

Each one asked me how much I paid for my cruise. I told them it was free and I only had to pay port fees and taxes of $288.22. They then gave me quotes based on $288.22.

 

I cannot imagine Carnival going after people for $2,000 because they purchased and paid for a $200 cruise. Even if ONE person had to pay full price for a free cancelled cruise, I'm sure we would have heard from them by now. This is not the first time Carnival was giving away free cruises.

 

Ask the wrong question -- you get the wrong answer. Call Carnival, ask them what the penalty is for cancelling. then ask the insurance company if they would cover THAT cancellation fee based on your policy limits. On a Carib cruise you're probably talking $1200 extra in coverage for $30 more in premium. IMHO, worth it.

[keishashadow]

I'm not going to argue with you. your risk. I saw it on the Carnival web site and the Carni rep confirmed when i made the reservation -- cancellation=market rate penalty. Granted, there can be different "flavors" of the free offers. But if you're insured for $300, that's your limit, that's the "full payment" from the insurance company standpoint. And the policy is not going to pay the actual penalty above that. I suggest you check with the insurance company, not the TA. OK, I did argue, didn't I... done now.:p

 

honestly, not trying to stir the pot or throw flames your way, maybe your offer is different.

 

re TI, it's not the price of the cruise in 'our' case that is of greatest importance to us...it's the other components: medical evacuation, medical, etc. which makes the 'value' of the policy much higher over the price of the cruise.

 

However, if you cancel the FREE trip after the final payment date , you're on the hook for the market value of the cruise at the time of booking ( $1300 in my case) -- I don't think buying $300 worth of TI would cover the full amount of penalty.

 

Just curious if anybody else here who purchased the offer has been told this or seen this anywhere in writing on CCL's website.

 

I'm not doubting what you said you were told, often company reps mis-speak, just scratching head how the heck CCL would fare in collecting the balance if said discounted trip was cancelled.:confused:

Edited February 20, 2014 by keishashadow

[thomarvin]

I too was told if we cancel or are a no-show that we would be responsible for the "market value" of the cruise. I took the insurance with Carnival for $49. Peace of mind to me. Not a risk I am willing to take. My dad is 90 and anything can happen.

[LBumb]

we got one too

[Zarabear]

Maybe you have the casino offer? Everyone else who booked the one cruise received the "we want you back" offer.

 

Yes, this second free cruise offer is casino. The first came and we booked the Miracle, leaving Saturday. Then the 2nd free cruise offer came up- booked the 15 day to Hawaii, and pondering if I can swing a second booking! LoL

[ibcnusoon]

Has anyone cancelled or had a cabinmate "no show" on a free or discounted cruise?? I haven't heard anyone here on these boards say they were charged extra on a free or discounted cruise because they cancelled for a valid reason.

[ibcnusoon]

Yes, this second free cruise offer is casino. The first came and we booked the Miracle, leaving Saturday. Then the 2nd free cruise offer came up- booked the 15 day to Hawaii, and pondering if I can swing a second booking! LoL

 

Do a back-to-back Hawaii cruise! :eek:

 

Did you get the 15 day free too?

 

I am thrilled to get an 8 day free.

[ibcnusoon]

I too was told if we cancel or are a no-show that we would be responsible for the "market value" of the cruise. I took the insurance with Carnival for $49. Peace of mind to me. Not a risk I am willing to take. My dad is 90 and anything can happen.

 

Is that $49 for the 2 of you or $49 each? I'm not too thrilled in taking the cruise line's insurance.

[Zarabear]

Do a back-to-back Hawaii cruise! :eek:

 

Did you get the 15 day free too?

 

I am thrilled to get an 8 day free.

 

It's a bit convoluted, but we did get this 7 day Miracle, Mexican Riviera 'free'. My mom actually got the 'free' cruise, but I had an inside for $50 each, but we received that back in OBC.

 

So we had two inside cabins. I called back two days later, and through some weird twist of fate, was able to upgrade to two extended balconies for $50 per cabin! (Not per person!)

 

Then we took a small trip for Christmas, and I ended up with the next free cruise offer in my past guest specials. I looked and looked, and thought about it... for Vday, my husband said to go ahead and book the Halloween cruise to Hawaii! I could technically book one more, but there are the other expenses to take into account as well as vacation time to consider!

 

If we could swing the airfare back though, I'd book the free 23 day cruise to Tahiti for my son and I to go on a grand homeschool adventure!!

[thomarvin]

It was $49pp. I know my sister uses another company. I asked if we could cancel it when she gets back from the Breeze on Sunday. I wanted to get our cabins booked before all the OV were gone (we actually wanted balconies but they were gone by the time my nephew checked with his boss about time off). I was told yes. I didn't think $49 was too bad for "cancel for any reason". If she checks with whomever she uses and it is cheaper then we will switch it.

[billy10]

I took the insurance too for 49 but I did not know it was cancel for any reason. Are you sure about that?

[golfer1903]

how do you get a free cruise where do i need to look. i went one one cruise and joined that fifp club

[marciemi]

Keisha - we were also told the same. If we didn't show for any reason (illness, missed flights due to weather, etc.) that we'd be charged the prevailing rate (which we were given by the PVP). We also took the $49pp insurance through Carnival although I normally would also always buy it from an outside source but I was afraid that would only cover the $280 we'd actually paid instead of the $1900 "real" cruise cost.

 

This is a snap of the bottom of the letter we received with the offer that talks about being charged for a no show or cancellation: