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So I Won a Free Cruise on the Cruise...

RipDaddy

By RipDaddy,
in Carnival Cruise Lines

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RipDaddy

RipDaddy

Posted
Posted

On the last night in the casino, I won the free cruise drawing. Has this happened to anyone else?

 

The certificate states the free cruise must be booked and traveled within 6 months of issuance. I was wondering if there was any possibility of Carnival offering some flexibility outside of that 6 months. I've already used all of my vacation time for this year. :(

 

Thanks in advance.

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RipDaddy

RipDaddy

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I don't have the certificate at work with me, but I'm pretty sure it said it had to be booked and traveled within the six months. I didn't know if someone else had won something like this and knew if they offered any flexibility to travel outside of that 6 months.

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SadieN

SadieN

Posted
Posted (edited)

Wonder if it's taxable? Friends won a free trip to HI and their's was. If so, keep records (fake booking) as to how low a fare you could have booked.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

Edited by SadieN
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butterball#215

butterball#215

Posted
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Congrats! YES it happened to me[emoji4]! Also received bounce back on this cruise. Currently have Dec cruise booked on another line. Called carnival to inquire if exp date could possibly be extended. Short answer NO. Rep read booking criteria from back of certificate (long answer). Booked bounce back for DH bday. Hope we can do the other late January.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

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riclop

riclop

Posted
Posted
On the last night in the casino, I won the free cruise drawing. Has this happened to anyone else?

 

The certificate states the free cruise must be booked and traveled within 6 months of issuance. I was wondering if there was any possibility of Carnival offering some flexibility outside of that 6 months. I've already used all of my vacation time for this year. :(

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Lucky you, congrats.

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Rod in Az

Rod in Az

Posted
Posted
It does count towards your VIFP. My last three have been free and have counted.

 

From personal experience having won the free cruise drawing, it will not count toward your VIFP days. DW got VIFP days for going with me, but I did not get any credit.

 

 

Wonder if it's taxable? Friends won a free trip to HI and their's was. If so, keep records (fake booking) as to how low a fare you could have booked.

 

It is taxable, and in order to book the cruise you will have to complete an W-9, Taxpayer ID form. Carnival will send both you and the IRS a 1099-MISC with the retail value of the cruise listed.

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NHL Philly Fan

NHL Philly Fan

Posted
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Wonder if it's taxable? Friends won a free trip to HI and their's was. If so, keep records (fake booking) as to how low a fare you could have booked.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

 

In the USA ANY prize of ANY type of ANY amount is taxable earned income.

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NHL Philly Fan

NHL Philly Fan

Posted
Posted (edited)
I won a free cruise once a couple years ago. Yes, it counted on my VIPF. No, they wouldn't bend the rules of the 6 month deadline, and no, I didn't get a 1099

 

Getting a 1099 or not is irrelevant. That is only the responsibility of the person/group awarding the prize. It has zero bearing on your responsibility to report the earned income.

Edited by NHL Philly Fan
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Rod in Az

Rod in Az

Posted
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Sorry, didn't mean to send anyone into a tail spin.

 

The fact of the matter is I didn't earn any cruise days, and I received a 1099 for the free cruise I won as a result of the drawing.

 

Whether or not anyone else did, or does for that matter, and what they choose do with the information is totally up to them.

 

As usual, one can ask a question and get a multitude of answers.

 

Good luck with your free cruise if you can make it work.

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springs741

springs741

Posted
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NHL Philly Fan is correct. "ANY prize of ANY type of ANY amount is taxable earned income" If someone chooses to report or not report it, that is a personal choice.

 

Regarding if the days count or not towards VIFP points, depends on how the cruise was awarded.

 

There are several ways to "win" a free cruise. Land based casinos award them, you may be offered a bounce back (based on your casino play on a specific cruise) you might get a Premier/Ultra/ Elite ( based on casino play over a certain time). There is also a cruise awarded as a Bingo prize.

 

And to answer OP question, I do hope you are able to manage the time off. Casino offers are usually not very flexible.

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RipDaddy

RipDaddy

Posted
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Posted (edited)

It was a drawing in the casino on the last night of the cruise. I think you got one entry for every 100 pts you had earned in the casino.

 

I think we have found cruise that will work! Looking forward to setting sail again.

Edited by RipDaddy
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CocoCandy

CocoCandy

Posted
Posted
On the last night in the casino, I won the free cruise drawing. Has this happened to anyone else?

 

The certificate states the free cruise must be booked and traveled within 6 months of issuance. I was wondering if there was any possibility of Carnival offering some flexibility outside of that 6 months. I've already used all of my vacation time for this year. :(

 

Thanks in advance.

 

 

Wow, congratulations!! Do you think you may be able to take a short cruise during any of the holidays in Nov. or Dec?

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memoak

memoak

Posted
Posted

I have gotten several offers of either a free cruise or "cheap" cruise with $250-$550 casino cash (various cruise lines). The rules have generally been book within 2-4 weeks and sail within 6 months to get the deals. Many times they have a limited number of cabins available per cruise with these deals. I usually try and find a 4 day cruise around a weekend for a gambling and partying trip

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  • 2 weeks later...
tonit964

tonit964

Posted
Posted
On the last night in the casino, I won the free cruise drawing. Has this happened to anyone else?

 

The certificate states the free cruise must be booked and traveled within 6 months of issuance. I was wondering if there was any possibility of Carnival offering some flexibility outside of that 6 months. I've already used all of my vacation time for this year. :(

 

Thanks in advance.

 

My DH won it a couple of nights ago, he was so excited! We just got home today.

 

We are trying to apply it to our already booked cruise in November. They are saying our category 9B balcony is not eligible but they gave me pricing for it. So we would have to downgrade to an 8M.

 

It doesn't make sense, we can pay $235.00 to upgrade to the extended balcony but not the premium balcony for $315.00.

 

It will save us a significant amount so we will just go ahead and make the switch.

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