Wow! Free Cruise on Carnival

[cruizinisthebest]

We got a free inside spa balcony right before you on the 6/17 Splendor. I cannot believe the Spa cabins were included with no upcharge or anything! Our total came to $288. The 8-day spa passes alone, if purchased on the ship are $268 per couple! Technically, I'm paying only $20 for my 8-day cabin! :D

 

That's awesome! I wonder if they will do another round for sailings beyond June 30. Even all of the sales on Carnival's website are for sailings before June 30. What about July, August cruisers? Come on Carnival:p

[Tree Hugger]

I haven't gotten a letter to my knowledge, but I saw this thread today and checked offers on Carnival.com and the offer was there.

 

Is it there for everyone with a VIFP account? (I haven't read the entire thread)

 

I'm gonna talk to my wife about this tonight, we may see about one of the four-day runs out of Galveston and sneak away for a weekend. I'd rather use this for a 7-day to Belize/Honduras/Cozumel, but I already have two weeks scheduled off in May and another in June.

[Tree Hugger]

I think I answered my own question. It was available under my wife's VIFP, but not mine. I'll have to see if it works for the kids accounts.

[sjcruiser]

good for your mom SJ! We miss you on the roll call.

 

Awwwww, its nice to be missed!!!! I tend to be on here in spurts (lol). But I'll be back over today!!!

 

I never got a letter and had my hopes up that I would get one. Its just by chance with checking rates that I clicked on cruise deals when I was logged in to see the specials I was eligible for, and then when I put in her PG number, other rates came up including the free cruises. So, I would tell everyone to try online under cruise deals, or VIFP rates, if you don't get a letter.

Edited February 13, 2014 by sjcruiser

[petesweet]

[ATTACH]301992[/ATTACH]

 

I hope this photo of the envelope goes through...If it does i will post a photo of the actual letter. :)

 

 

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Thank you! That relieves my fear that something came and I tossed it out as junk mail. I believe I would have opened that one.

 

When you consider that those of us on Cruise Critic make up a very small percentage of cruisers, and considering how many of US have received free offers (the "US" does not include me, however:(), they must be giving away a LOT of free cruises.

 

Congratulations to all of you who got such a great deal. Happy sails.:)

 

Kathy

[pepperfeet]

After I got the letter, I logged onto Carnival.....clicked 'my offers'......then chose past guest offers. It was listed there along with several others, like the $50 deposit.

 

After I booked our cruise, I logged on again and it was gone. I suppose so it could only be used once. I used the other promos to book the kids' cabin.

Your right about those offers bein taken down. I am booked on the Liberty on March 22, I was chcking my offers and there was $50 slot play. I looked the next day and it was gone. I called and she told me to keep checking daily, and make a copy and take it with me.

[petesweet]

I read these letters about a free cruise..............and I am so glad my next reservation, after next month is on Princess.

 

Princess did have the free curise. But it was offered to everyone. It was one the web site. They were begging people to take them up on it.

 

Carnival picks winners and losers and won't talk about it. I called yesterday to see if there was something you signed up for...whatever..............After 100 + days of cursing after next month....plus taking my DD's family, always taking Carnival Tours, never complaining about anything but FTTF in all of these years, writing cheer leader reviews...........I was sent to the casino. While the lady on the phone was a dear, but she said only high rollers got hers and that was all she knew about. DH is a bit of a highroller and they are rating him and that is fine. If he gets it or not. If others spent more than him..they should get it.

 

But this just giving out cruises on who they like or don't like..who lives in whatever city..or how ever they do it...................makes me want to drop my dollars somewhere else. And I will. Sorry. I do feel that way and I bet others do too. There is no rhyme or reason to this..so it becomes a personal insult.

 

I am hacked off. Maybe I am mean spirited.

 

That would get my vote!

Kathy

[the2006Junket]

Hi all, my DH was just about to toss the snail mail letter in recycling and I saw it and said "hold on a minute, I see the words FREE CABIN." Good thing, since we were not planning to cruise in at least the next 6 months and I never would've checked on the website using my VIFP #.

 

So we're so excited to fit in a cruise when we weren't planning on it -- for such a low price!!!

 

As for who and why are some folks getting this offer and other not....as a business person who makes alot of decisions on marketing plans, I can tell you that this is NOT random. It's an expensive targeted marketing campaign that likely has demographic and purchase habit metrics to drive the distribution list.

 

I'm not sure what criteria they are using? My Ideas:

- not super frequent CCL cruisers (who are so loyal they know they don't have spend money to get you back on board!)

- but people who have cruised with CCL in the past few years demonstrating that they are open to the brand.

- age range? I'm guessing that they'd target folks who are between 35-70 or so or maybe even more like 45-70. Folks who have more time and money to cruise.

- geography: maybe more East Coast and Southeast folks who can drive to many of the offered ports since the offer ends in June and it's sometimes expensive to book flights to fly soon?

- On-board spending habits: whether it's the casino, bar tab, excursions, shopping, art show, spa, Steakhouse dining, photos ---- they want people who spend money on the things that CCL makes a profit on to be on-board. I bet that people who just book a cabin and who spend less than $50 are NOT getting this offer because those are unprofitable sailors for CCL.

 

I cruised on the Glory two summers in a row, because they were sailing out of Boston and NY up to the Canadian Maritimes. Once just with my DH and once with my son and Father (in another cabin). We don't spend more than $50 in the casino, but run up a decent bar tab, spent probably $100 on Bingo and last cruise treated my son to a G-Shock watch ($90) and way too much $$ in the arcade.

 

Very interesting marketing...it's working to get me back on board!

 

Good luck folks!

 

Lynne

__________________

[cruisetodayteachtomorrow]

We have a free inside cabin booked for August. My letter said limited summer bookings! A great anniversary present to us!

 

 

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[JoeSmooga]

I posted this once in the thread and I think it got lost - I see people saying over and over again that they booked online or through their PVP. Did anyone who use travel agents get this offer?

 

Yes. 23 cruises taken, all using the same travel agent (not a PVP) and I received the letter on Monday. Called our TA Tuesday... his comment... "with as many cruises you have taken with them, it's about time they give you a free one!". We're now booked on the Breeze sailing Apr 12 using this offer.

[cruizinisthebest]

Hi all, my DH was just about to toss the snail mail letter in recycling and I saw it and said "hold on a minute, I see the words FREE CABIN." Good thing, since we were not planning to cruise in at least the next 6 months and I never would've checked on the website using my VIFP #.

 

So we're so excited to fit in a cruise when we weren't planning on it -- for such a low price!!!

 

As for who and why are some folks getting this offer and other not....as a business person who makes alot of decisions on marketing plans, I can tell you that this is NOT random. It's an expensive targeted marketing campaign that likely has demographic and purchase habit metrics to drive the distribution list.

 

I'm not sure what criteria they are using? My Ideas:

- not super frequent CCL cruisers (who are so loyal they know they don't have spend money to get you back on board!)

- but people who have cruised with CCL in the past few years demonstrating that they are open to the brand.

- age range? I'm guessing that they'd target folks who are between 35-70 or so or maybe even more like 45-70. Folks who have more time and money to cruise.

- geography: maybe more East Coast and Southeast folks who can drive to many of the offered ports since the offer ends in June and it's sometimes expensive to book flights to fly soon?

- On-board spending habits: whether it's the casino, bar tab, excursions, shopping, art show, spa, Steakhouse dining, photos ---- they want people who spend money on the things that CCL makes a profit on to be on-board. I bet that people who just book a cabin and who spend less than $50 are NOT getting this offer because those are unprofitable sailors for CCL.

 

I cruised on the Glory two summers in a row, because they were sailing out of Boston and NY up to the Canadian Maritimes. Once just with my DH and once with my son and Father (in another cabin). We don't spend more than $50 in the casino, but run up a decent bar tab, spent pro)bably $100 on Bingo and last cruise treated my son to a G-Shock watch ($90) and way too much $$ in the arcade.

 

Very interesting marketing...it's working to get me back on board!

 

Good luck folks!

 

Lynne

__________________

 

I live on the East Coast and there's a port 45 minutes from my house. In my early 40s. And on our last cruise (one before that was in 2009) , our sign & sail account came to just under $825 for a 4-day cruise. So we don't mind spending money onboard. My demographic alone doesn't match what you suggest but there could be a myriad of cruisers they are targeting. It is interesting though. Only a small percentage of cruiser use this board and look how many have gotten offers. Can't imagine how many that don't chat on here got it.

[ekendall2]

My wife and I have spent a total of $10 in the casino on our last two cruises.

 

We have never spent more than $300 on our S&S card.

 

Wife got the letter on Feb 10. I almost threw it away, thinking it was just a percentage off or something like that. I then became skeptical when i read what it was. Started checking fine print and saw that it was for 2 people! I then became skeptical again because we are both teachers and we cant take any time off except for june and july.

 

I typed in Wife's VIFP number online and saw that there was a 7 day cruise from miami on June 22. This actually worked out perfect as we will be ending our Disney World trip on June 21. So we booked a oceanview room for us and our infant son, and use our Future Cruise Certificate.

 

Sales agent said they sent it to random past guests. We havent been on a cruise since 2012, and werent planning on taking one soon. We actually were about to call and cash in our future cruise certificate. Glad i didnt!

 

Couldnt believe it...

[sassy0930]

Wow! What a great deal. I don't really understand any hate toward the company. Even if it was completely random, why would the company OWE you something for buying their product?! Yay for the people who've gotten it! That's really exciting and I think it's cool that Carnival is doing it, regardless of who it's being marketed to.

[PittsburghGirlee]

Since 2 of my friends have received the same offer of a Free Interior Cruise for two...I am thinking that those folks like myself, that already have cruises booked, are not receiving them....so my question is.....has anyone that is already booked...receiving these offers???

[AmberTeka]

Wow! What a great deal. I don't really understand any hate toward the company. Even if it was completely random, why would the company OWE you something for buying their product?! Yay for the people who've gotten it! That's really exciting and I think it's cool that Carnival is doing it, regardless of who it's being marketed to.

 

As usual..........You are the only person using the term hate.

 

It is illegal or incorrect to be upset with companies over policies they have? since when.

 

Who said anyone owed anyone anything? Who said they resented the people that got the offers?

 

Only in YOUR mind were those things said or implied. And you should apologize.

[AmberTeka]

I may be wrong, but I don't think military people are getting any of the free cruises.

 

I hope I am wrong about that. I understand that Carnival already feels they get a discount so this goes to other people.

 

I still think the nephew of the Owner of all of Carnival must be running the public relations campaign. I have worked in public relations campaigns. Selling political issues.to groups of people.

 

Your aim is make people AGREE with you. To LIKE you.

 

Not to make even some of the people you deal with.................choosing to go else where. And I bet a lot of people are irked by this. particularly right after FTTF.

 

it is like Carnival is just telling older, more frequent cruisers to get lost. some of us will.

All ends well.

[keyguide]

I may be wrong, but I don't think military people are getting any of the free cruises.

 

I hope I am wrong about that. I understand that Carnival already feels they get a discount so this goes to other people.

 

I still think the nephew of the Owner of all of Carnival must be running the public relations campaign. I have worked in public relations campaigns. Selling political issues.to groups of people.

 

Your aim is make people AGREE with you. To LIKE you.

 

Not to make even some of the people you deal with.................choosing to go else where. And I bet a lot of people are irked by this. particularly right after FTTF.

 

it is like Carnival is just telling older, more frequent cruisers to get lost. some of us will.

All ends well.

I hope the military or any other job gets the same chance as everyone else.You are right about it being "irky"

[sassy0930]

As usual..........You are the only person using the term hate.

 

It is illegal or incorrect to be upset with companies over policies they have? since when.

 

Who said anyone owed anyone anything? Who said they resented the people that got the offers?

 

Only in YOUR mind were those things said or implied. And you should apologize.

 

I don't know what "as usual" means to you, because I have not posted to this forum in several years and have only returned because I've booked another cruise and wanted to read up about any changes since the last time I cruised. So I don't know if you're insinuating that I am usually the only person to say hate. I was using "hate" as a colloquialism for negative feelings. There were several people who noted that they would no longer cruise with carnival because they cruised so many times or spent so much money with the company and were not selected to receive free cruises. It is not unreasonable to believe they were feeling entitled to this perk because they had some specific history with the company. I never mentioned anything about people's feelings regarding others receiving the offer, so to answer that question YOU did.

 

I'm deeply and genuinely sorry. For something. I'm sure.

[cruisetodayteachtomorrow]

We have had two separate free cabin offers. We booked one for April and booked one for August. Hubby got two offers. I got one. We got the second offer even after we booked the first AND the second offer is good for 2 different sailing dates. Crazy, we couldn't believe it. We booked the first offer with two cabins one in my name the other in hubby's name.

 

 

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[keishashadow]

I may be wrong, but I don't think military people are getting any of the free cruises.

I hope I am wrong about that. I understand that Carnival already feels they get a discount so this goes to other people.

 

I still think the nephew of the Owner of all of Carnival must be running the public relations campaign. I have worked in public relations campaigns. Selling political issues.to groups of people.

 

Your aim is make people AGREE with you. To LIKE you.

 

Not to make even some of the people you deal with.................choosing to go else where. And I bet a lot of people are irked by this. particularly right after FTTF.

 

it is like Carnival is just telling older, more frequent cruisers to get lost. some of us will.

All ends well.

 

 

yes, you are wrong. ;) DH received the offer, we have always booked military rate with CCL.

[LGadow]

I knew nothing about this and was just on the website last night browsing...I had seen that Priceline had been waiving she single supplement charge. Was looking at an ocean view room and a button popped up that said VIPF Free Cabin. Ended up with an ocean view room on 7 day cruise on the Conquest for $35 plus taxes, etc. Was afraid they were going to say it was a mistake until I read these posts!

[trex-de]

Can't believe it. We just booked out of Baltimore on June15th. After shoveling in PA all day in a foot of snow to get a cruise for just port fees and taxes is unbelievable. Wow!

[AmberTeka]

I don't know what "as usual" means to you, because I have not posted to this forum in several years and have only returned because I've booked another cruise and wanted to read up about any changes since the last time I cruised. So I don't know if you're insinuating that I am usually the only person to say hate. I was using "hate" as a colloquialism for negative feelings. There were several people who noted that they would no longer cruise with carnival because they cruised so many times or spent so much money with the company and were not selected to receive free cruises. It is not unreasonable to believe they were feeling entitled to this perk because they had some specific history with the company. I never mentioned anything about people's feelings regarding others receiving the offer, so to answer that question YOU did.

 

I'm deeply and genuinely sorry. For something. I'm sure.

 

""It is not unreasonable to believe they were feeling entitled to this perk because they had some specific history with the company.""

 

I disagree. People who have sailed often with Carnival, who have been sort of good will ambassadors, who have spent a lot of money, cruised with family and friends, who have returned to them when they are in the news every night for ....shipwrecks...Ships sailing with no power and little food........ships stranded with dead engines.............those people who remain loyal to them in the face of that.....ARE EXACTLY who Carnival should be rewarding. And that is exactly what most companies would do!

 

But Carnival has decided to reward people who "don't like Carnival much" or people who don't cruise often and if they did it would not be on carnival.., don't spend money on board, ' don't go to the casino.............Surely you can see cause of some irritation.

Edited February 14, 2014 by AmberTeka

[gabe1]

Just wondering if any Canadians got the offer? We cruised on the Valor two weeks ago. Got an email asking to submit the csat survey to be entered in for a free cruise, that's about it..

 

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[adfree]

Hubby and I both got letters so we have booked the Legend balcony cabins in April. One cabin in his name and the other in mine. Woo-Hoo! Don't know why we got this but am sooo appreciative! :D