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Wow! Free Cruise on Carnival

Working 2 Cruise

By Working 2 Cruise,
in Carnival Cruise Lines

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woollife

woollife

Posted
Posted (edited)

Hi folks, new poster here (obvs) and just want to chime in on the free cabin offer...I have only been on one cruise so far (Magic in 2012) and it was too overwhelming for me. Loved the time spent out on the balcony, but the boat and crowds were so massive, long treks everywhere, lines for everything day and night. Not what I had expected. Coped by spending $$$ on booze and the casino, and wasn't planning to cruise Carnival again until trying at least one other line.

 

Fast forward to about a week ago, got the letter but figured it wasn't legit. Free cabin, really? But last night I booked a Triumph balcony for my sister and I in April and I am excited to cruise again! TBH I would not be able to afford any cruise right now without such a deep discount. I totally understand how more frequent cruisers could be peeved at not receiving an offer, but if Carnival's aim is to get relative newbies to try their product again, well, it worked in this case.

 

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

Edited by woollife
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skiwee

skiwee

Posted
Posted
Has anyone that has gotten the free cruise only been on 1 carnival cruise or has everyone that has gotten one been on 2 or more?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

 

I've only been on one carnival cruise and that was this past November.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

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elliair

elliair

Posted
Posted
What are the destinations for the free cruises? I want to know just in case I get a letter...LOL

 

For us it was a 3 dayer to Ensenada. We just got back from there on the Sapphire Princess. Not a favorite destination for us - maybe once a year for a 7 day cruise. Not worth the 8 hour drive or the airline ticket for us for a 3 dayer and kids running amuck. Also it's on the worst ship Carnival has - the Inspiration. No balconies on that ship, inside cabin - no thanks. Look at my sig line for how many cruises we've been on with Carnival. We have switched to Princess and that's probably why we got the "not free" offer.

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tigergrl

tigergrl

Posted
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What are the destinations for the free cruises? I want to know just in case I get a letter...LOL

 

When I entered my VIFP number I had a lot of different ports to leave from with different itineraries. They had free cabins up to June or July I believe.

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montekat

montekat

Posted
Posted
Besides port fees & taxes do the free cruisers have to pre pay their tips ? That would be awful if people got a basically free cruise and then stiffed the staff .

 

We went ahead and prepaid the tips. One less thing to worry about since we are going to pay the tips anyway. The staff earns it and I don't understand the people that stiff them!

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thomarvin

thomarvin

Posted
Posted (edited)

regular mail. but you can go to the Carnival website and then to Manage my VIFP page, put in your VIFP number and see if any promos for you. Don't forget to check all the members of your family.

 

We booked ours today and the letter came to my son who is only 19 and has never paid for any of his cruises, cant drink, and played very little last year in the casino. My nephew got the letter too. So my sister and I are going with our sons.

 

One thing that they did "suggest" was the insurance. If you cancel for any reason or are no-show, you are responsible for the FULL REGULAR PRICE of the cruise. We didn't pay any port charges. Just $35 for an upgrade to an Oceanview, $108 for tax, and $49 for the insurance. Not bad. I'll take it. Thank you Carnival.

Edited by thomarvin
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keishashadow

keishashadow

Posted
Posted (edited)
regular mail. but you can go to the Carnival website and then to Manage my VIFP page, put in your VIFP number and see if any promos for you. Don't forget to check all the members of your family.

 

We booked ours today and the letter came to my son who is only 19 and has never paid for any of his cruises, cant drink, and played very little last year in the casino. My nephew got the letter too. So my sister and I are going with our sons.

 

One thing that they did "suggest" was the insurance. If you cancel for any reason or are no-show, you are responsible for the FULL REGULAR PRICE of the cruise. We didn't pay any port charges. Just $35 for an upgrade to an Oceanview, $108 for tax, and $49 for the insurance. Not bad. I'll take it. Thank you Carnival.

 

Did you ask to see this writing? I was told no cancellation penalty up to final payment date, then it would be normal policy.:confused:

 

we sail in 100 days, this is what is stated on mine.

 

What if I Cancel My Booking?

 

 

If you cancel your booking today, the penalty amount would be $0

 

as usual, I've purchased TI independently, broker determined we only had to declare the cruise on the quote as the amount we actually paid for it...less than $300.

Edited by keishashadow
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pit239

pit239

Posted
Posted

 

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

 

Sorry to bum you, but I did get Alaska in June. If you booked your cruise at least 3 month in the future, you can probably cancel that resrevation and re-book Alaska. Good luck !

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pit239

pit239

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as usual, I've purchased TI independently, broker determined we only had to declare the cruise on the quote as the amount we actually paid for it...less than $300.

 

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.

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JulesNBama

JulesNBama

Posted
Posted

I haven't sailed since December of 2008, I received the VIFP offer December 18th. Booked a Spa 9 interior cabin aboard the Dream departing from New Orleans in April. 7 day Western Carribean- Roatan, Belize, and Cozumel. The offer was $50.00 per person and get a $50.00 per person onboard credit. So total cost for the cruise, not including gratuities was $242.00. I am very grateful to Carnival for this promotion, in 2009 after three failed back surgeries and a stroke at 43, that left me paralyzed on the right side of my body, it is very difficult to stretch the budget to afford a cruise. Now that I have regained 80% of the use of my right side, I am so looking forward to this tropical get-a-way! Thank you Carnival!

 

Sincerely,

 

Jules

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ibcnusoon

ibcnusoon

Posted
Posted (edited)
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.

 

People who had free cruise offers last year were never asked to pay the "market" value of the cruise. People who have a free cruise and click "How much will it cost to cancel my cruise" have reported that the figure is whatever they paid for it.

 

My TI told me to cover the cost of what I paid, so for the two of us on a $288 8-Day cruise, I'm paying $30 for the 2 of us to have travel insurance.

Edited by ibcnusoon
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ccarpenter1963

ccarpenter1963

Posted
Posted
I haven't sailed since December of 2008, I received the VIFP offer December 18th. Booked a Spa 9 interior cabin aboard the Dream departing from New Orleans in April. 7 day Western Carribean- Roatan, Belize, and Cozumel. The offer was $50.00 per person and get a $50.00 per person onboard credit. So total cost for the cruise, not including gratuities was $242.00. I am very grateful to Carnival for this promotion, in 2009 after three failed back surgeries and a stroke at 43, that left me paralyzed on the right side of my body, it is very difficult to stretch the budget to afford a cruise. Now that I have regained 80% of the use of my right side, I am so looking forward to this tropical get-a-way! Thank you Carnival!

 

Sincerely,

 

Jules

 

I am so happy for you! Have a great time!!

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