Speculating about why Carnival sent out the free cabin offers

[Davey Wavey]

One person has commented that Carnival sent our 105,000 free cruise offers.

 

What's more interesting than who got them is why Platinums did not!

 

Agree...ask John Heald and see if can explain to you. Platinums at least deserve an explanation.

[crewsweeper]

We got the offer. Unfortunately, the dates on the ships listed didn't work for me. DW called our PVP and obtained about 4 other cruises. The only date that worked for me, because of my work schedule, and DW, because she had an "all girls "cruise with sisters already booked in May, was a 3 -Day Sensation. We snapped it up anyway, aft balcony.

One of the free cruises the PVP brought up was the 9 day Dream Cruise. But this is the transition cruise from Port Canaveral to NOLA. Would have left us high and dry on return with car in PC and no transportation home. Or added to the transportation cost and timing, diluting the value of the "free" cruise. I can see where this particular cruise might not have a full boat.

 

And just a note, not reading page 2 or 3 posts, you do have to pay the taxes, port charges and tips. So it's not a free "free" cruise.

Edited March 3, 2014 by crewsweeper

[ibcnusoon]

We got the offer. Unfortunately, the dates on the ships listed didn't work for me. DW called our PVP and obtained about 4 other cruises. The only date that worked for me, because of my work schedule, and DW, because she had an "all girls "cruise with sisters already booked in May, was a 3 -Day Sensation. We snapped it up anyway, aft balcony.

One of the free cruises the PVP brought up was the 9 day Dream Cruise. But this is the transition cruise from Port Canaveral to NOLA. Would have left us high and dry on return with car in PC and no transportation home. Or added to the transportation cost and timing, diluting the value of the "free" cruise. I can see where this particular cruise might not have a full boat.

 

And just a note, not reading page 2 or 3 posts, you do have to pay the taxes, port charges and tips. So it's not a free "free" cruise.

 

Yes, it's a free cabin, not a free cruise. Every sob story from the the have-nots keep changing it around and making it sound worse.

[rkbeaux08]

My brother and I use the same PVP. He got a call from our PVP about a free cruise. My DB did not receive anything in the mail and has been on less cruises then I have. When my DB asked our PVP if I have received the free cruise he said Carnival was giving the free cruises randomly. Everyone is right the cruise is not really free by time you pay the extra charges but, he is getting on the ship for him and his wife a 7 day cruise for $341.00. You still can't beat that price.. And I am happy for them.

[AmberTeka]

Who cares!! Lol... Loving mine. Booked 12 hours after receiving letter. Awesome marketing whatever the reason. I had defected to RCI for a few cruises after my Destiny experience. But Im glad to come back (for half off of course for the 4 of us)

 

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WHO CARES? Not me. Not anymore. I looked at my VIP number on Carnival for the Millionth time...No special Deals for me. None for my Husband. I cancelled a cruise on Carnival Corporation. Now happily booked on celebrity at a good price. Going to new ports. Have to decide if I want free inclusive drink card for DH and me...or OBC or Free gratuities. For all the years I had that VIP faux symbol..Carnival never gave me a free carrot, much less a cabin.

 

I jumped ship to Celebrity which is RCCI and I am stunned at the deal we got. We are PG. ( Zenith cruise) Military.

 

We have one more cruise on Carnival. We sail on the Dream in a few weeks. I may be the only person on the ship who paid for not one..but two cabins. We are taking my Daughter and her family. We are going to have a wonderful time, God Willing. But you won't see me on a Carnival ship anytime soon.

 

If I am the demographic they did not want to bring to Carnival...............their goal is reached. I am gone. And I am sure that in the headquarters of Carnival........The Great Brains who came up with this are saying.. "Who Cares?" So it is all good.

Edited March 3, 2014 by AmberTeka

[crunchy05]

WHO CARES? Not me. Not anymore. I looked at my VIP number on Carnival for the Millionth time...No special Deals for me. None for my Husband. I cancelled a cruise on Carnival Corporation. Now happily booked on celebrity at a good price. Going to new ports. Have to decide if I want free inclusive drink card for DH and me...or OBC or Free gratuities. For all the years I had that VIP faux symbol..Carnival never gave me a free carrot, much less a cabin.

 

I jumped ship to Celebrity which is RCCI and I am stunned at the deal we got. We are PG. ( Zenith cruise) Military.

 

We have one more cruise on Carnival. We sail on the Dream in a few weeks. I may be the only person on the ship who paid for not one..but two cabins. We are taking my Daughter and her family. We are going to have a wonderful time, God Willing. But you won't see me on a Carnival ship anytime soon.

 

If I am the demographic they did not want to bring to Carnival...............their goal is reached. I am gone. And I am sure that in the headquarters of Carnival........The Great Brains who came up with this are saying.. "Who Cares?" So it is all good.

 

So if carnival sends out another round of free cabins, and you happen to receive one are you going to throw it in the trash? Just curious since this has gotten you so riled up. How do you know you won't be getting one? Maybe this is the first round of many more to come. People are happy they got a free cabin, and I bet if you got the offer you would be on this boards shouting it out as well.

 

Since we have all seen your numerous posts about how you are done with Carnival.........

[PC Cruisin]

I keep getting emails for special rate promotions and just trash them.

 

Reasons I will hold off to book my next cruise

 

*if Carnival past guest stop booking - Carnival will send out more free offers to fill their cabins

 

*if I book now with their special promotions and later get one of their free offers - I won't be able to afford to do two cruises in one year by taking time off from work

[KatieG1125]

My husband and I have not cruised over the last 2 years but this year we decided to check out some dates/ships and tossed around the idea of cruising with the kids. We opted not to take a cruise vacation, but to our surprise a few days later received the free cabin offer in the mail. It was a blessing in disguise since the fair for a family of 5 can get pretty pricey. I am beyond thankful for the free cabin offer from Carnival and I hope I end up getting one again! We booked on the Sunshine for the 8 day - I cannot wait!

[Georgiagolfer]

Agree...ask John Heald and see if can explain to you. Platinums at least deserve an explanation.

 

Why do you feel that those of us who are platinum deserve an explanation? I surely don't.

[AmberTeka]

So if carnival sends out another round of free cabins, and you happen to receive one are you going to throw it in the trash? Just curious since this has gotten you so riled up. How do you know you won't be getting one? Maybe this is the first round of many more to come. People are happy they got a free cabin, and I bet if you got the offer you would be on this boards shouting it out as well.

 

Since we have all seen your numerous posts about how you are done with Carnival.........

 

Some body has to pay all the time to keep the ship floating for the people who only have to pay full price some of the time.

 

After our Dream cruise...............I quit. Other people can pay. If the freebies don't book enough cruises........if enough Old Timers vamoose...........I would say Carnival......is not going to stay in business for much longer.

 

The gave free cruises.....or cabins.........so they could say that they had the highest bookings..which they did........but they are very, very, very quiet about paying people to cruise with them. They deserve the insults some of their "valued free cabin cruisers" are throwing their way.

 

It was bone stupid. It was insulting. If they have a PR firm...handling this "campaign"....and they are paying them millions to drive off good customers.............

Beyond bone stupid.

There is a difference between being Disgusted and being Angry. get a dictionary.

[crunchy05]

So I take that as a no??????

[soccersharon]

I check frequently as well for offers. Haven't found one yet.

 

Can't understand some of the responses here from some. I'm happy for those folks who were offered a free cruise.

 

CCL doesn't owe me anything. I am not entitled to anything. I am free to choose where to spend my vacation dollars where I choose, and CCL can send free cruises to who they choose.

 

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Edited March 3, 2014 by soccersharon

[yogimax]

Just curious since this has gotten you so riled up.

 

Kinda easy for you to be critical of those of us who are angry. I see you have three Carnival cruises under your belt.

 

Well some of us have 10, 20 or thirty and we have been ignored by the geniuses who dreamed up this promotion.

 

Suppose thousand dollar bonuses were randomly given out by your boss. You then found out that part time employees (some working only 5 hours per week) received the thousand dollar checks while you, a full time employee, was ignored. I dare say, you would be angry!

.

[crunchy05]

Kinda easy for you to be critical of those of us who are angry. I see you have three Carnival cruises under your belt.

 

Well some of us have 10, 20 or thirty and we have been ignored by the geniuses who dreamed up this promotion.

 

Suppose thousand dollar bonuses were randomly given out by your boss. You then found out that part time employees (some working only 5 hours per week) received the thousand dollar checks while you, a full time employee, was ignored. I dare say, you would be angry!

.[/QUO

 

I am not being critical, I am just asking a question. How do we know that this free cabin offer is over? Maybe there is plan for all of you cruisers with 20+.

[christyran1228]

I don't know why they sent them out, but I do know why they didn't send us one.

 

It's because DH ate way too many smoked salmon bagels on our last trip.

 

:(

 

 

 

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[Love Cruising With My Hon]

We met a couple on our Valor cruise 1/26/2014 from NH who got the free cruise back in the august mail out. They have cruised carnival 14 times in the past 6 years. Valor was booked solid 2 weeks before we cruised. Typical of the past cruises we have taken in the past 5 years. I'm sure they did a Low Price discount for people from San Juan probably a couple months before the sail date. I truly believe they are cruising full. I could see if the free offers came in 2 weeks before the sail date, but that is not the case.... Wish we got one........:confused:

[vwrestler171]

A friend of mine who is Platinum, almost diamond received the free cruise offer. Once they booked that it have them 5 cruises this year. I think the reason it seems platinums and diamonds got neglected is that there are far fewer of them compared to the lowly red/gold cards.

 

 

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[Maryland Dave]

The speculation is that no, people will not receive VIFP points for their free cruise. There is also discussion that people may receive VIFP points for their free cruise if they paid to upgrade their cabin. I guess we'll find out soon when the first people come back from their free cruise.

 

I just got back yesterday from a free 7 night cruise from Baltimore to the Bahamas. I did get credit for seven nights on my VIFP account.

 

My offer was called Casino Offer - Free Interior Cabin Code CC2

 

The offer I used was good for two sailings. I have to decide by March 5th where to take the second cruise. My choices include over 200 itineraries, ranging from a two night cruise out of Port Canaveral, to a 23 day Tahiti-Fiji cruise from LA to Sidney, Australia with a base price of $2,500.00 per person. I just wish I had three weeks available and the extra money for airfare to LA and then home from Sydney!

[marshhawk]

Some friends of ours got the offer a week after they got back from a cruise, they suggested that we check out to see if we got an offer, which we didn't. Too bad, I always need a cruise. But happy for those who got the offer.

[Maryland Dave]

I wonder if people are checking their VIFP status on the Carnival website, but not getting all the way to the page that shows the actual offers. After login in, it only takes three clicks, but if you don't know what to click on, you may never get there.

So... here are the steps to take.

 

Log onto Carnival.com

1 - Click on the red "Cruise Deals" at the top of the home page.

2 - Click on "Past Guest Offers" in the middle of the page.

3 - Click on the "VIEW YOUR OFFERS" icon on the left of the page.

Your offers should then pop up. Make sure you VIFP number is displayed. If not, fill it in and click "SUBMIT"

 

Then, if you book online, you'll need to make sure that in the window where you select number of cabins and number of travelers, that you click on Check for Deals and make sure that your VIFP number is entered and that Show Rates For VIFP Number is checked.

[Cruising Rules]

Kinda easy for you to be critical of those of us who are angry. I see you have three Carnival cruises under your belt.

 

Well some of us have 10, 20 or thirty and we have been ignored by the geniuses who dreamed up this promotion.

 

Suppose thousand dollar bonuses were randomly given out by your boss. You then found out that part time employees (some working only 5 hours per week) received the thousand dollar checks while you, a full time employee, was ignored. I dare say, you would be angry!

.

 

Well color me angry. This is just another incredibly poor marketing decision made by an incredibly weak management team. First FTTF, then offers to individuals to have a single cruise with Platinum benefits at no additional charge, finally they now are offering free cruises to anyone. What is next? Free upgrades to owners suites to first time cruisers?

I have never seen such poor decisions by any service based company. After 26 cruises and the loyalty I have demonstrated, I am done with Carnival. Next three cruises already booked with RCL and Celebrity.

[mrBit]

Carnival had a great Q4 2013 on top of already forecasting Q1 with the incidents it had and higher operating costs year on year and a 1.4% increase of ticket sales alone Year on year, Carnival is good to go.

 

Thus pretty much makes the OP suggestions of economic numbers and reasons a moot point. But nonetheless fun to ponder...

 

Things i know for sure is that, this has happened before as back in 2007 I had heard give aways back then.

There are several articles covering Carnival giving away cruises to travel agents and the reasons why. My point to this is that contrary to another post, this is not kept quiet, I think Carnival wants the info out there it's inevitable anyway.

 

My take is this is all is about PR as PR is about the tangible "what if" of potential business at an opportunity cost. Carnival was lanced by the media and boutique critics. Passengers whom have cruised before but for some reason are not now could represent a demographic fearful about going Carnival for their next Cruise. I read some time back on how cruising is an industry of repeat customers and those that go for the first time either become repeats or never again. So think about it, bad PR can influence opinion on whether one goes to RCI or NCL or x cruise line over Carnival having sailed them before. Free is the best way to change that fear and get that repeat business, it's the "well I cruised Carnival and had no issues" cruise that helps us forget. The "free" is to get you through the door.

[facepirte]

Kinda easy for you to be critical of those of us who are angry. I see you have three Carnival cruises under your belt.

 

Well some of us have 10, 20 or thirty and we have been ignored by the geniuses who dreamed up this promotion.

 

Suppose thousand dollar bonuses were randomly given out by your boss. You then found out that part time employees (some working only 5 hours per week) received the thousand dollar checks while you, a full time employee, was ignored. I dare say, you would be angry!

.

 

Did you go on your cruises so you would get free stuff? Or did you go on your cruises so you could have a vacation?

 

Why do so many platinum people think they are better than people who haven"t cruised as much?

 

oh, btw, I buy FTTF not so I can get on the ship early and not have my young kids waiting in a long line restless and annoying the people arround them, but rather to get in front of you to ask for cards when you are trying to complain about the tiff raff FTTF people ruining your benefits....

[keishashadow]

A friend of mine who is Platinum, almost diamond received the free cruise offer. Once they booked that it have them 5 cruises this year. I think the reason it seems platinums and diamonds got neglected is that there are far fewer of them compared to the lowly red/gold cards.

 

very good point

 

Well color me angry. This is just another incredibly poor marketing decision made by an incredibly weak management team. First FTTF, then offers to individuals to have a single cruise with Platinum benefits at no additional charge, finally they now are offering free cruises to anyone. What is next? Free upgrades to owners suites to first time cruisers?

I have never seen such poor decisions by any service based company. After 26 cruises and the loyalty I have demonstrated, I am done with Carnival. Next three cruises already booked with RCL and Celebrity.

 

This is not personal, it's a business decision by a large corporation. Loyalty programs are a marketing plan designed to encourage repeat sales. if 'the loyal' would've generated enough $ to keep the shareholders happy then CCL wouldn't bother incurring the cost (and possible wrath of their elite guests) of this sort of promotion.

 

I posted this on another thread:

 

I don't see a large company winging it with this promotion, moreso it's a targeted marketing program designed to reach a specific demographic. Likely they created a profile based upon past guest information, combined with what anybody who has taken a marketing class will remember: the five basic demographic categories of age, gender, income level, race & ethnicity. It's far easier for CCL to state when questioned that the recipients are 'random' vs veering into what some may consider to be a personal exclusion.

[yogimax]

Why do so many platinum people think they are better than people who haven"t cruised as much?

 

oh, btw, I buy FTTF not so I can get on the ship early and not have my young kids waiting in a long line restless and annoying the people arround them, but rather to get in front of you to ask for cards when you are trying to complain about the tiff raff FTTF people ruining your benefits....

 

Please calm down! For the record, I have never complained about FTTF. If you want to spend your $$$ to board the ship before Platinums, be my guest.

 

Making the valid point that many loyal cruisers have been ignored by this promotion does not lead to your conclusions.