Free drink for VIFP members?

[draco_m]

Was there a recent change in the VIFP program? Last year (2014) I took my second Carnival cruise. I got a coupon for a free drink. I’m taking my third Carnival cruise later this month. It looks like I get a free bottle of water as a “red” member. Wha??? What about my free drink?

[jh2360]

Free drink coupon is for gold if I remember correctly. Feel free to hop over to Carnival's webpage as the information is easy to find.

[ATL_Miami_Cruiser]

The free sea day brunch drink coupons are long gone and replaced with a free drink on the last day after 5pm, but only for 5+ day cruises and only for Gold level and above. Now everyone just gets a free bottle of water.

Edited November 4, 2015 by ATL_Miami_Cruiser

[ready2cruzagain]

Yep it is gone.

Replaced with a bottle of water.

To me, this is a cutback but to some CCL cheerleaders, this is what people wanted.:rolleyes:

Edited November 4, 2015 by ready2cruzagain

[IPlayWithString]

It's not what I wanted..but nobody asked me.:rolleyes:

[wantocruisemore]

I'm good with it. I used to get 1 free drink and now I get a free drink and a bottle of water.

[YubaSutter]

Red card members get a free drink of water.

[IPlayWithString]

I'm good with it. I used to get 1 free drink and now I get a free drink and a bottle of water.

 

We were really looking forward to the past guest party that happened when we turned gold..and we got to go to ONE stinking party before they snapped it away from us. Which kind of peeved me off. Because what's the point of having a loyalty program that doesn't really reward members for being, yanno, LOYAL?:rolleyes:

[jh2360]

Yep it is gone.

Replaced with a bottle of water.

To me, this is a cutback but to some CCL cheerleaders, this is what people wanted.:rolleyes:

 

I'd say it is more the people who aren't going to let a free drink, or lack thereof, ruin their vacation. Cruise for the journey.

[draco_m]

Cool thanks guys. Well, I got my one free drink in 2014 and now I get a bottle of water instead! No worries. It's a minor setback in the big scheme. I just need to adjust expectations a little bit.

[living at the beach]

While I understand those who say that getting one less free drink will not let them ruin the cruise and I agree with it; I would just like to say that it would be good for everyone thinking about a cruise vacation to also check out the competition; namely all inclusives and escorted tours. And I am saying this after coming close to my fortieth cruise on many cruise lines, but the majority on Carnival, Norwegian, and RCI. I now realize that the truly great deals with so much included in the base price over the past 10 years are now gone and that the cruise lines are now focused on appealing to younger cruisers with no memories of how it used to be.

 

But please, be smart and figure in what the extra costs will be when you book that cruise in the current era when things that are free in even a modest hotel with cruise extra charges will add hundreds if not more to your final bill and then check out the alternatives. Like paying high costs for internet which is free elsewhere. And paying high drink costs comparable to elite metropolitan areas, even if you just want to have a drink that you pour yourself in your room; most cruises only allow a very limited amount of wine on board even if it is for use in you own cabin. And then, just starting, if you want to have a room anywhere near in size with what you would get in a moderate hotel chain, or be able to have an access to a pool are that is not over-crowded and almost too small to swim in, or have a balcony, or want food that is really very good, prepare to pull out your wallet and pay lots more.

I'm sorry to say it because I have loved so many things about going on cruises in the past, most cruise lines in the past four years have raise prices and reduced services to the point that I am now sadly deciding to not book any future cruises as I am not a fan of throwing money away.

 

Sharon

[IPlayWithString]

if you want to have a room anywhere near in size with what you would get in a moderate hotel chain, or be able to have an access to a pool are that is not over-crowded and almost too small to swim in, or have a balcony, or want food that is really very good, prepare to pull out your wallet and pay lots more.

 

That's what I tell people who ask me about cruising.

 

"You want a decent size room? You're gonna pay through the nose for it or do like we do and settle for a room the size of a closet. It works FOR US because we're not in the room that much anyway and we've gotten used to stepping all over each other. If that won't work for you..well..be prepared to pay the big bucks."

 

We almost never use the pool, except maybe on the first day, because it's too small, usually overcrowded and there's no shallow end so you're forced to either try to hand onto the side or tread water, neither of which my son (who loves to swim) is comfortable with for very long.

[crusinpsychRN]

Cabins aren't that small.

[IPlayWithString]

I've seen handicap stalls in public mall bathrooms that are bigger than the inside cabins.:eek::rolleyes:

[Flatbush Flyer]

While I understand those who say that getting one less free drink will not let them ruin the cruise and I agree with it; I would just like to say that it would be good for everyone thinking about a cruise vacation to also check out the competition; namely all inclusives and escorted tours. And I am saying this after coming close to my fortieth cruise on many cruise lines, but the majority on Carnival, Norwegian, and RCI. I now realize that the truly great deals with so much included in the base price over the past 10 years are now gone and that the cruise lines are now focused on appealing to younger cruisers with no memories of how it used to be.

 

 

 

But please, be smart and figure in what the extra costs will be when you book that cruise in the current era when things that are free in even a modest hotel with cruise extra charges will add hundreds if not more to your final bill and then check out the alternatives. Like paying high costs for internet which is free elsewhere. And paying high drink costs comparable to elite metropolitan areas, even if you just want to have a drink that you pour yourself in your room; most cruises only allow a very limited amount of wine on board even if it is for use in you own cabin. And then, just starting, if you want to have a room anywhere near in size with what you would get in a moderate hotel chain, or be able to have an access to a pool are that is not over-crowded and almost too small to swim in, or have a balcony, or want food that is really very good, prepare to pull out your wallet and pay lots more.

 

I'm sorry to say it because I have loved so many things about going on cruises in the past, most cruise lines in the past four years have raise prices and reduced services to the point that I am now sadly deciding to not book any future cruises as I am not a fan of throwing money away.

 

 

 

Sharon

 

 

Time to look at Oceania. While the cabin price may seem high, do the math of comparing net daily costs when you figure in the value of O's included airfare, beverages, specialty restaurants, etc.