No more free drink coupon

[Cruisegirl6]

Maybe thats the difference, I can afford any other cruise lines so I don't have to take the cutbacks they making????

[falkcor]

Maybe thats the difference, I can afford any other cruise lines so I don't have to take the cutbacks they making????

 

i think you're upset in terms of the principle of the matter... not the cost. i was just writing about that on the poll thread. seems like most agree with you.

[Pixelate]

i think you're upset in terms of the principle of the matter... not the cost. i was just writing about that on the poll thread. seems like most agree with you.

 

This doesn't have a monetary concern to me either, especially being Platinum where there is no influence at all. If anything, I gained from this. I remember losing my Platinum perks in 2012 so evidently, I understand where the Red and Gold members are coming from.

[falkcor]

This doesn't have a monetary concern to me either, especially being Platinum where there is no influence at all. If anything, I gained from this. I remember losing my Platinum perks in 2012 so evidently, I understand where the Red and Gold members are coming from.

 

it doesn't have a monetary concern for me either. frankly, i always buy the water in the room anyway (and don't carry it on - water is everywhere) - typically a few. i have always spent more onboard than the cruise fare... it's just the principle, for me. as someone else said in one of these threads 'don't piss on my leg and tell me it's raining'... and if it's so revealed that their analysis and subterfuge is rebuked - so be it.

 

speaking up during shrimp-gate affected results... perhaps water-gate will yield the same. clearly this is not satisfying any mode of consumer feedback as stated.

[sjn911]

I started posting on here 2010-2011 while in the beginning stages of planning my first cruise. There was a lot of talks of cutbacks but I was new and didn't know different. I went on my first cruise on the Liberty in April 2012 and bought the Future Cruise Certificate. I was at the fun farewell party and was looking forward to getting to do that plus I would be Gold on the next one so would get to go to the past guest party. I enjoyed my free cappuccino at dinner in the MDR each night. So within 2 months of my first cruise, I'm now Red not Gold, so don't get to go to the past guest party, the fun farewell party was cancelled (some nonsense about people not going, but they never announced it, just the tiniest line in the Fun Times which I wouldn't have seen if I wasn't looking for it) and there would be a charge for cappuccino at dinner. But we would get a free drink at the brunch, not a great substitute for missing two all you can drink parties, but we did use them.

 

We went on our 2nd cruise in April 2014 on the Breeze ($700+ each airfare from our tiny corner of Canada and we have two kiddos). The FCC changed so no point getting that anymore. I don't have a cruise booked (would be more likely to if the FCC had remained in place) and with our two cruises we are only at 15 days, so a ways off Gold. And now the drink coupon is gone. That was my one perk left and it was supposed to replace the Fun Farewell party. I've never bought water on the cruise. So it's not a $4 pp value to me. So when I do go to book a cruise, I may book with Carnival, I may book elsewhere. Their loyalty program provides me with nothing, so it does not result in loyalty.

Personally..I like the water..but I agree with this. And while it "doesn't matter" to many who live close and this flight cost can not be "used in the arguement"; as someone who is at $650 to $850..California or Florida and paying the pre and post hotel game...cruising is not necessarily cheaper than a hotel package vacation for a solo either...this "little" cutback is more the principal of being wishy washy on the whole deal...and really prooves they are aiming for new rather than repeat cruisers in many's minds.

Edited January 30, 2015 by sjn911

[rooster1961]

I feel its a load of crap,someone earlier said its punishment for complaining passengers,I always got it filled at the main lobby bar. Cmon, you"re telling me hundreds of thousands of passengers said "No, I dont want a free drink, I want water" I am Red VIFP but they could have kept it for Gold and above.

[sweetsixteencruisers]

Wow!! Some of the reactions to this is way over the top. I don't cruise for a free drink, come on people. If this 8 dollar drink busts your budget, I think a check on priorities is in order. Seriously!

 

They could take it away and give nothing in return.

 

And to those who are leaving to another line, you'll be back!

[bobsfamily]

Many things that Carnival has done in the past I have considered a "cutback" and reduced what I considered a part of the cruise experience. Some have been drink related and some have been repeat passenger related. I am Plat. and generally have the "drink" package or have comped drinks while in the casino so that may affect the way I look at this.....

BUT really? All this hoop-la over a drink coupon that at best was hard to use and mainly drove business to the MDR on the last (or first) day at sea. That caused others who regularly dined in the MDR for breakfast to see lousy service, cold food and made some unhappy with their cruise experience.

 

As I said in an earlier post this seems like an upgrade to me. Some said that the drink was worth $8.50 while the liter of water was only $4.

 

That drink most likely cost Carnival in the 25 cent range, even for the most priciest choices... I doubt there is a "full" shot in the fruity drinks to boot, in fact the cost would be in the juice. The bottled water is a wash in that range, in fact may cost more.

[trvlgirlmq]

Now on my next cruise we will receive these 4 bottles of water. They will be room temperature to very warm. The 1 liter bottles will be too big to hold in one hand and the mouth will be too wide to actually drink from easily. What am I supposed to do with this most benevolent gift? It's a cop out and downgrade for sure. I am betting they hope most people won't touch them just as they said people didn't use their coupons.

[RuthlessBoss]

This cruise next month may be our last with carnival.

 

Going back onto Allure?

[sailor_jimc]

Been enjoying the drama... but I keep seeing people call this a "cutback" like Carnival is taking away something they have been doing for generations.. it is NOT a cutback. The free drink coupon has only been around for a couple of years (it surface after they changed to the VFIP loyalty model...

 

So it was something they tried and it isn't working out the way they had hoped or it was costing too much... so they are changing it. Get over it. Businesses do this all the time. It was not that great of a perk anyway. It had to be used during their brunch, which I was never a fan of anyway.. there is a cutback I'd like to see. get rid of the brunch.

[Qchell]

I've seen a number posts stating that it was "just a drink". I disagree.

 

Many people who are disappointed in the change have also taken the time to describe how they used their coupons. In some form or fashion the couple or family would go to the MDR together to order their drinks and then would spend the time enjoying those drinks with their loved ones. Many even had very specific drinks they ordered every time, everything from smoothies, to fancy coffees, to an adult beverage. The coupons had worked their way into people's 'cruise traditions'.

 

Those coupons represented an opportunity to get together during the cruise with friends and family, get a drink, spend some quality time together, and create memories.

 

Yes, you can still do that. You can still get together and purchase your traditional drinks together - but it will not produce the same feeling as it does when everyone collects their coupons and gets together to go get their token free drink together.

 

So before you criticize someone for being disappointed in not getting a single free drink - find out how they used that coupon and if they had any traditions that went behind redeeming that coupon - then you will know what they loss when the coupon was taken away.

 

MY DH and I will still go to brunch and we may still order our drinks - but it will never have quite the same magic as it did when we would hand our coupons over giggling because we were getting a free Long Island Ice Tea with our brunch.

[jimbo5544]

it doesn't have a monetary concern for me either. frankly, i always buy the water in the room anyway (and don't carry it on - water is everywhere) - typically a few. i have always spent more onboard than the cruise fare... it's just the principle, for me. as someone else said in one of these threads 'don't piss on my leg and tell me it's raining'... and if it's so revealed that their analysis and subterfuge is rebuked - so be it.

 

speaking up during shrimp-gate affected results... perhaps water-gate will yield the same. clearly this is not satisfying any mode of consumer feedback as stated.

 

Me thinks water-gate was another whole different thing...but alas, I may be one of the few old enough to know...:(

[riffatsea]

My goodness! The annoyance at not getting the free drink coupon has absolutely nothing to do with the price of a drink! We don't smuggle liquor and pay for our drinks on board without any trouble at all!

It was very nice to get something as a reward for being a loyal Carnival customer. There was no good reason to change the reward to something totally different that doesn't feel like a reward at all! A cruise is a vacation and "free drink" says vacation much better than "free water".

You don't take away things that folks have been used to receiving without expecting some flack.

IF you personally don't understand the issue then that's fine but don't denigrate folks who find it annoying!

[rtap23]

Abandoning ship over a free drink......Funny:D

 

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Forums mobile app

[thomarvin]

I am looking forward to all these people who say they are leaving over not getting their free drink:

 

Now I will have no problem getting a chair poolside. Woo hoo!!!! :D:D

[jimbo5544]

My goodness! The annoyance at not getting the free drink coupon has absolutely nothing to do with the price of a drink! We don't smuggle liquor and pay for our drinks on board without any trouble at all!

It was very nice to get something as a reward for being a loyal Carnival customer. There was no good reason to change the reward to something totally different that doesn't feel like a reward at all! A cruise is a vacation and "free drink" says vacation much better than "free water".

You don't take away things that folks have been used to receiving without expecting some flack.

IF you personally don't understand the issue then that's fine but don't denigrate folks who find it annoying!

 

I think I understand the issue just fine. They removed the feature because the vast majority did not use it or complained about how to use it. It's a drink... nothing more and nothing less. If someone is going to leave Carnival over this (and it certainly is their right to do so), it seems to me to be over the top. Stating this does not seem to me as denigrating them (but it is a pretty cool word!;)). To me (and many others who have posted here) I think the water is just as good or even better. I get both being Platinum, but even if it were not so, to me it is a wash, your opinion may differ....which is fine, but I would chastise you for stating it.

Edited January 30, 2015 by jimbo5544

[Cruisegirl6]

Some of you get the point and then there are others here that don't. Let me put it in another way......

 

When I get that coupon for the free drink in my mind I say this is very nice of Carnival recognizing me as a gold member and appreciating my business....and I look forward to the more better things that the next level will give me....I go get that drink and I say to myself thank you Carnival it was a nice touch.

 

NOW, to take away that drink and give me a bottle of water....my thinking is Carnival doesn't respect my business or care whether they make me happy or not all they want is their money and to fill up cruises.... Carnival doesn't make me feel special, in fact, they hit me over the head with a water bottle instead.

 

Its all about having that feeling that Carnival appreciates me being there.

 

Carnival could of handled this in a more respectful way, obviously they want to cut back they could of done it in a way that is reasonable such as:

1- Remain to give that drink but use smaller glasses

2- Keep the size glass and give us a coupon for 50% off the drink

3- Allow us to choose a bottle of water or a drink (I realize cabin stewards will be responsible for getting the water and delivering it to us, what they could of done is have a coupon that gives us a choice and we check what we want, in return, the cabin steward would either issue us the water bottle or a coupon for the complimentary drink)

[skyeman27]

Carnival also saves on the cost of not printing and delivering the free drink coupons that many of them go unused...

[quickrate]

We used our coupon when I remembered we had them! I actually like getting the water as we do buy liters of water. Does Platinum and Diamond still get drink coupon? I'm still not clear on that!

Pat

[sweetsixteencruisers]

I think keeping the pricing reasonable is appreciation enough!

[bar1068]

We used our coupon when I remembered we had them! I actually like getting the water as we do buy liters of water. Does Platinum and Diamond still get drink coupon? I'm still not clear on that!

Pat

 

Yes they do..which adds to the humor value of most of this thread.

[gtalum]

We used our coupon when I remembered we had them! I actually like getting the water as we do buy liters of water. Does Platinum and Diamond still get drink coupon? I'm still not clear on that!

Pat

 

Yes, Plat and Diamond still get the coupon, and the water. I'm not upset by the move. :D

[iconoclast]

Wow!! Some of the reactions to this is way over the top. I don't cruise for a free drink, come on people. If this 8 dollar drink busts your budget, I think a check on priorities is in order. Seriously!

 

They could take it away and give nothing in return.

 

And to those who are leaving to another line, you'll be back!

 

Virtually every time something changes, there is a very loud chorus of people who state firmly that said change is going to "ruin" their cruise and they will be looking to jump to another line (and pay, I suppose, >50% more for their vacation because of this slight to end all slights.) Remember Tableclothgate, when dozens of people were fed up because Carnival was installing nice new lacquered wooden tables like you see in most upscale land restaurants? That's what this reminds me of.

[iconoclast]

Now on my next cruise we will receive these 4 bottles of water. They will be room temperature to very warm. The 1 liter bottles will be too big to hold in one hand and the mouth will be too wide to actually drink from easily. What am I supposed to do with this most benevolent gift? It's a cop out and downgrade for sure. I am betting they hope most people won't touch them just as they said people didn't use their coupons.

 

Your stateroom steward will bring you ice. Then you pour it into a glass over the ice. That's what you do with it. :)