Ultra Premier Cruises

[Blackjack22]

I'm glad others are thinking like us on the discounts not being great/enticing enough to stay on CCL. I hope they change back to their old ways.

[Wallbanger]

I received my Ultra offer in snail mail today. My PVP told me they haven't been loaded in the system yet. If your Ultra offer ends up being a lower rate than your current rate, you should be able to price match to it and pick up the Ultra perks. If you're currently booked under early saver, you'll retain the more restrictive early saver rules when you price match to the new rate. Be aware the Ultra offer has a non-refundable deposit of $99 per person. You'll likely lose your OBC if you rebook or price match to the Ultra offer. I was a little disappointed that 5 of the 8 Ultra cruises are out of Miami.

You were correct. I would lose my deposit and OBC, but gain $1000 in casino money. However the total cost would be about $1000 more than I paid for the original booking. Pretty much a wash so I decided to stay with what I have. I know I would gain some perks but not worth taking a chance of something going wrong with making changes since I am locked in with a good room. I suppose I will just suffer.

[winddawn]

Just as an FYI - the Ultra Offer is now available online - Just booked!

 

They must be loading them in phases. I got an email earlier today with a "countdown" saying mine would be available in 11 hours or so.

[winddawn]

You were correct. I would lose my deposit and OBC, but gain $1000 in casino money. However the total cost would be about $1000 more than I paid for the original booking. Pretty much a wash so I decided to stay with what I have. I know I would gain some perks but not worth taking a chance of something going wrong with making changes since I am locked in with a good room. I suppose I will just suffer.

 

Sorry it wasn't worthwhile for you. It doesn't seem like an attractive offer when they jack the price up just to give you casino cash. I would imagine the casino will be really busy during your cruise. I agree with some of the others that the casino offers this year (for the most part) are not as worthwhile as they have been in the past. Lots of people seem to be staying away from them and cruising other lines' casino offers. I got a free offer for an August cruise which I booked, but that's been the only decent offer I've had this year from Carnival. So I just didn't book with Carnival. I got a better casino offer from HAL for later this year.

[AmBear]

I booked the Nov. 3 Breeze 14 day cruise

2 weeks ago with a bounce back for a balcony for 2='less then' $1,700.!

The ultra price for the same,,,,,,'$3,282.'!!!!!

Over $1,600. More!

Yeah they offered $1,000.casino cash, but how long will that last! -))

So I'll buy my own iPad (not really), and stick with my bounce back bargain-))

These offers don't feel like the casino players are being rewarded!

Edited May 30, 2018 by AmBear

[Happicruzrr]

They must be loading them in phases. I got an email earlier today with a "countdown" saying mine would be available in 11 hours or so.

 

I received the same countdown timer. I'm very surprised some people have apparently been able to book already

[rellersi]

I received the same countdown timer. I'm very surprised some people have apparently been able to book already

 

I think that the availability to book is based upon the level of each person. ie someone who has spent 50K is going to get the chance to book before someone who spent 10K. giving the higher rollers first choice

[rellersi]

I received the same countdown timer. I'm very surprised some people have apparently been able to book already

I think that the availability to book is based upon the level of each person. ie someone who has spent 50K is going to get the chance to book before someone who spent 10K. giving the higher rollers first choice

[rellersi]

I booked the Nov. 3 Breeze 14 day cruise

2 weeks ago with a bounce back for a balcony for 2='less then' $1,700.!

The ultra price for the same,,,,,,'$3,282.'!!!!!

Over $1,600. More!

Yeah they offered $1,000.casino cash, but how long will that last! -))

So I'll buy my own iPad (not really), and stick with my bounce back bargain-))

These offers don't feel like the casino players are being rewarded!

 

But don't you want the chance to meet Shaq :D

[JennyD1]

I think that the availability to book is based upon the level of each person. ie someone who has spent 50K is going to get the chance to book before someone who spent 10K. giving the higher rollers first choice

That is correct. My PVP explained it to me today. He has been able to book for some and not others. I was able to book today and my friend who got the email offer with the clock countdown had to wait till after 12am to book. (I spend more in the casino) lol

[winddawn]

I booked the Nov. 3 Breeze 14 day cruise

2 weeks ago with a bounce back for a balcony for 2='less then' $1,700.!

The ultra price for the same,,,,,,'$3,282.'!!!!!

Over $1,600. More!

Yeah they offered $1,000.casino cash, but how long will that last! -))

So I'll buy my own iPad (not really), and stick with my bounce back bargain-))

These offers don't feel like the casino players are being rewarded!

 

I agree. Ultra prices are high, and especially all of them NOT out of Miami (and 5 out of 8 are out of Miami). It looks like they increased prices to make up for the casino cash they're giving. I already have a free inside cabin on Carnival in August and a casino offer balcony cabin on HAL for $390 pp plus $500 cash back onboard. I always get free casino drinks too. I just pass on not-so-good offers and wait until something better comes along. I can't see passing on either of my current bookings to book an Ultra instead that involves a non-refundable deposit and more money. Meeting Shaq isn't an incentive to me either. Lol. I also got a casino offer the other day for a John Heald cruise. The per person price for inside cabins for that start at $2617 per person plus port/tax charges.:rolleyes: I had to laugh when I saw that. I guess there are people who think he's worth that much, but I'm not one of them. I have nothing against him. I just don't see that he justifies me paying more. I hope everyone that does book an Ultra has a great time. I'm going to pass on it.

[rondl1]

I personally was shocked at how expensive the Ultra's were and I don't want to go out of Miami.

 

Carnival is slowly pricing themselves out of the Casino comp business. I went on an Elite and it was completely free sans Port Charges and most of the other Elite guests agreed that they were looking at other cruise lines because the offers have gotten so bad.

[winddawn]

I personally was shocked at how expensive the Ultra's were and I don't want to go out of Miami.

 

Carnival is slowly pricing themselves out of the Casino comp business. I went on an Elite and it was completely free sans Port Charges and most of the other Elite guests agreed that they were looking at other cruise lines because the offers have gotten so bad.

 

Well stated. I'm looking forward to my HAL casino cruise because the casino is completely smoke free, and I'll get early embarkation/debarkation and free drinks. That's a huge plus to me. Plus they offer hot food for room service, which I really enjoy on the balcony. I don't care for cruising out of Miami either. I dropped that as a viable option several years ago. Apparently a lot of other people must feel that way too or Carnival wouldn't be having to offer incentives mostly on Miami based ships to fill them.

[AmBear]

But don't you want the chance to meet Shaq :D

 

I'm sure Shaw will be around the ship that day for everyone who wants to meet him.

I'd like to see how he sizes up against 2 other big guys I actually met, basketball player Artist Gilmore, and wrestler Andre the Giant! -)

[AmBear]

I think that the availability to book is based upon the level of each person. ie someone who has spent 50K is going to get the chance to book before someone who spent 10K. giving the higher rollers first choice

 

Actually, those who earned 7500 points on a Premiere Cruise got a day early notice before everyone else.

[d12j28]

I agree. Ultra prices are high, and especially all of them NOT out of Miami (and 5 out of 8 are out of Miami). It looks like they increased prices to make up for the casino cash they're giving. I already have a free inside cabin on Carnival in August and a casino offer balcony cabin on HAL for $390 pp plus $500 cash back onboard. I always get free casino drinks too. I just pass on not-so-good offers and wait until something better comes along. I can't see passing on either of my current bookings to book an Ultra instead that involves a non-refundable deposit and more money. Meeting Shaq isn't an incentive to me either. Lol. I also got a casino offer the other day for a John Heald cruise. The per person price for inside cabins for that start at $2617 per person plus port/tax charges.:rolleyes: I had to laugh when I saw that. I guess there are people who think he's worth that much, but I'm not one of them. I have nothing against him. I just don't see that he justifies me paying more. I hope everyone that does book an Ultra has a great time. I'm going to pass on it.

 

We got that same offer. The pricing is crazy!

[AmBear]

I agree. Ultra prices are high, and especially all of them NOT out of Miami (and 5 out of 8 are out of Miami). It looks like they increased prices to make up for the casino cash they're giving. I already have a free inside cabin on Carnival in August and a casino offer balcony cabin on HAL for $390 pp plus $500 cash back onboard. I always get free casino drinks too. I just pass on not-so-good offers and wait until something better comes along. I can't see passing on either of my current bookings to book an Ultra instead that involves a non-refundable deposit and more money. Meeting Shaq isn't an incentive to me either. Lol. I also got a casino offer the other day for a John Heald cruise. The per person price for inside cabins for that start at $2617 per person plus port/tax charges.:rolleyes: I had to laugh when I saw that. I guess there are people who think he's worth that much, but I'm not one of them. I have nothing against him. I just don't see that he justifies me paying more. I hope everyone that does book an Ultra has a great time. I'm going to pass on it.

 

We got a 8 day Horizon out of NY, code P2W, in July with John Heals for the same price with $1,000. Casino cash.

Simply to expensive, $2600./interior, $4,000./balcony for a 8 day cruise. :(

[pe4all]

We got a 8 day Horizon out of NY, code P2W, in July with John Heals for the same price with $1,000. Casino cash.

Simply to expensive, $2600./interior, $4,000./balcony for a 8 day cruise. :(

We got the same offer. For 3 of us in a balcony the price is $4,073.20. Even with the $1,000 casino cash it is not worth it to me. And I truly don't care if John Heald is on the ship or not - LOL!

[augustonchick]

I'm sure Shaw will be around the ship that day for everyone who wants to meet him.

I'd like to see how he sizes up against 2 other big guys I actually met, basketball player Artist Gilmore, and wrestler Andre the Giant! -)

 

Not part of the "Ultra Crowd", but did book this cruise as a family vacation a few weeks ago.. Is Shaq supposed to be on this cruise or a portion of it as part of the Ultra experience?? My teenage son and his friends would LOVE IT!!!

[winddawn]

Not part of the "Ultra Crowd", but did book this cruise as a family vacation a few weeks ago.. Is Shaq supposed to be on this cruise or a portion of it as part of the Ultra experience?? My teenage son and his friends would LOVE IT!!!

 

According to the marketing materials I received from Carnival, "no." My marketing materials say 3 Ultra participants from each ultra cruise will get to meet Shaq on a future cruise, which sounds to me like the "winners" will have to book another cruise to make that happen.

[AmBear]

Not part of the "Ultra Crowd", but did book this cruise as a family vacation a few weeks ago.. Is Shaq supposed to be on this cruise or a portion of it as part of the Ultra experience?? My teenage son and his friends would LOVE IT!!!

 

he's part of the ultra casino offering, but I'm sure you'll see him, he's a pretty big guy!;p

[JennyD1]

he's part of the ultra casino offering, but I'm sure you'll see him, he's a pretty big guy!;p

The ultra offer states Shaq will be on a future cruise in 2019 and not on the ultra cruises being offered now.

[AllAboardatSea]

Don't know why all the negativity around pricing??? We did an Ultra last year, got some good prizes (Apple Watch, iPad, $750 drawing), booked the 11/25 sailing this time around. We had Amex offers on several of our cards (expired June 1), so $1016 total after tax, minus $200 in Amex offers, $500 in casino cash, and we get a week cruise for two at $300ish, depending how the casino cash works in our favor. That's a pretty good value in my book...

[Moviela]

What is this deal with meeting Shaq? I mean he is nice guy and all, but what the hay, Beyoncé was not available?

[winddawn]

The Ultra offer has been out several days now and I still 7 of the 8 dates available in my offer. They must not be filling up very quickly.