Those Who Cruised Recently - Experience With New Appreciation Drink Coupon?

[funcruiser1234]

If you did cruise or know of someone that did, I have some questions. Did the crew members make you wait until the designated time (after 5pm on last sea day)? The reason why I am asking is because I read this in a review about the drink coupon, "There were some crew members on the Carnival Elation that did not follow the written fine print instructions on the coupon. A few people managed to use their coupons early in the cruise. Other bartenders told people that the coupon could be used at any time on the last sea day. However, there were some crew members that did follow the rules exactly as presented on the coupon. When a cruise ship is away at sea, the corporate office's guidelines are not always exactly followed as intended. The bartenders were making up their own rules with the drink coupons, but it appeared that most were following the written price limit."

Quote Source: http://www.embarkandaway.com/general-cruise-blog/carnivals-new-vifp-gold-level-appreciation-drink-info-review

 

After reading this is sounds like the crew can do what they want to with the coupons. While this possibility doesn't surprise me, I am wondering if anyone else has had this same experience? Also, how was the liter of bottled water?

[Barbluvstocruz]

I used mine on the last night in the casino. I didn't think about using it earlier. Figured I would enjoy a drink on the last evening so it was fine by me. :)

 

No issues with the water...we had four bottle of the "welcome back" water and ordered a 12 pack of the spring water. All kept us hydrated.

 

Enjoy! :D

[keene state mom]

everyone at my table used them at dinner on the last night , except me I was platinum so had to go without as I never made it to the dining room for breakfast ... how silly , same coupon same drink same dining room but different times to be used so actually the gold card had the better offer

[thomarvin]

We all brought our coupon to dinner on the last night. No problem using it. We liked the water. We used it when we went to Grand turk. it was actually nice to have and not pay the prices at GT to stay hydrated.

[funcruiser1234]

Thank you everyone for the responses. I will try to see if I can use the coupon early and if not I will just wait. A little waiting never hurts.

[Havingfun2010]

All these rules for getting a simple drink.....Carnival really shows how much they appreciate their customers!

[omarchs]

We used it the last night after 5. You had to give them your sign/sail card and sign a 0 receipt I guess for their tracking purpose. We didn't ask if you could pay the additional amount if you wanted a drink over $9.

[bluejay555]

I didn't attempt to use mine until the last night after 5pm, so I can't help you, but I do want to voice my opinion on this new "free drink" coupon. I feel like Carnival doesn't really want to give us a free drink, so they have made it only available the very last night (or for platinums, only in the MDR for brunch) in hopes that most will forget all about it. I think it's a pretty pitiful attempt to "reward" loyal customers.

[keene state mom]

I didn't attempt to use mine until the last night after 5pm, so I can't help you, but I do want to voice my opinion on this new "free drink" coupon. I feel like Carnival doesn't really want to give us a free drink, so they have made it only available the very last night (or for platinums, only in the MDR for brunch) in hopes that most will forget all about it. I think it's a pretty pitiful attempt to "reward" loyal customers.

 

 

that's why I did not use it, I had a choice of a pool chair or brunch , I could not have both after 22 cruises it was disappointing

Edited June 26, 2015 by keene state mom

[Maraprince]

If you did cruise or know of someone that did, I have some questions. Did the crew members make you wait until the designated time (after 5pm on last sea day)? The reason why I am asking is because I read this in a review about the drink coupon, "There were some crew members on the Carnival Elation that did not follow the written fine print instructions on the coupon. A few people managed to use their coupons early in the cruise. Other bartenders told people that the coupon could be used at any time on the last sea day. However, there were some crew members that did follow the rules exactly as presented on the coupon. When a cruise ship is away at sea, the corporate office's guidelines are not always exactly followed as intended. The bartenders were making up their own rules with the drink coupons, but it appeared that most were following the written price limit."

Quote Source: http://www.embarkandaway.com/general-cruise-blog/carnivals-new-vifp-gold-level-appreciation-drink-info-review

 

After reading this is sounds like the crew can do what they want to with the coupons. While this possibility doesn't surprise me, I am wondering if anyone else has had this same experience? Also, how was the liter of bottled water?

 

 

Just returned from a sailing on the Carnival Splendor. I am Platinum but my cabin mate is not. I used my coupon at brunch but my cabin mate was told she had to wait until the last night to use hers. She presented her coupon at dinner the last night and was able to use it. Seems when the brunch service went to enter the code, it would not take it.

 

MARAPRINCE

[eponym]

We received them, held onto them until last day after 5PM and used them with no problems.

[evandbob]

We used it the last night after 5. You had to give them your sign/sail card and sign a 0 receipt I guess for their tracking purpose. We didn't ask if you could pay the additional amount if you wanted a drink over $9.

 

Or to leave the server a tip.

[stargate fan]

that's why I did not use it, I had a choice of a pool chair or brunch , I could not have both after 22 cruises it was disappointing

 

You don't have to actually go to brunch to use the Platinum drink coupon.

 

For our past few cruises we went to the dining room, where there were servers taking coupons and drink orders right outside the doors. We went, got our free drinks, and took them back to our deck chairs. Took all of 10 minutes.

[1maggie1]

We used it the last night after 5. You had to give them your sign/sail card and sign a 0 receipt I guess for their tracking purpose. We didn't ask if you could pay the additional amount if you wanted a drink over $9.

 

 

Yes, you can just pay the difference.

[Earthworm Jim]

Or to leave the server a tip.

 

Don't they get a tip automatically from Carnival with the free drink, same as the drink package? That was my impression.

 

Or do you mean an additional tip beyond that?

[ladygal4.4]

I didn't attempt to use mine until the last night after 5pm, so I can't help you, but I do want to voice my opinion on this new "free drink" coupon. I feel like Carnival doesn't really want to give us a free drink, so they have made it only available the very last night (or for platinums, only in the MDR for brunch) in hopes that most will forget all about it. I think it's a pretty pitiful attempt to "reward" loyal customers.

 

Yeah, I have to agree. But using the other one for brunch in the MDR was super hard to use as well. Why can't it just be a free drink?????