Disappointed w/ Welcome Back Offer ...

[auscgguysgirl]

We just came off the Carnival Splendor to Hawaii 12/01 ~ 12/14.  We loved it despite the pink decor and older vibe.

 

We book our cruises based on where we want to travel and we always want to go somewhere different.  I was quite disappointed to get home and get our Welcome Back Offer.  The deal was great ... the problem is that we are limited to 5 day or LESS cruises and ONLY Mexico, Caribbean and Bahamas?  Seriously?  We never cruise less than 7 days and we are always in a balcony or spa cabin.  Even the Suite offer didn’t give us better options.

 

Both my Hawaii cruise and New England/Canada cruises were booked w/ previous welcome back offers.  If this is going to be a new change ... I’m thinking of finishing the 4 we have booked & switching lines to try something new.

[ctsharpie05]

What was the offer? We go on our first Carnival cruise this year and I was not aware that they even offered this. 

[Djptcp]

We always receive bounce back offers from the casino on the last night of the cruises and have 2-3 weeks to book the offer. I don't know if they are the same as a welcome back offer though. I usually taken them up on the offers as we are retired and can cruise anytime. We also live in Florida close to a port so it's never been a problem. The bounce back and free offers we have received are for inside cabins, but we always upgrade for a minimal charge. I've used the bounce back offers on longer than 5 day cruises, so maybe this is a change. Our Paradise cruise in Nov. was a bounce back offer, but we chose a shorter Paradise cruise out of Tampa because we live 45  minutes from Tampa. Our next Carnival cruise is on the Miracle )also Tampa), but it's a Premier Casino Cruise and not a bounce back. It will be interesting to see what kind of offer we receive after that one.

[auscgguysgirl]

1 hour ago, ctsharpie05 said:

What was the offer? We go on our first Carnival cruise this year and I was not aware that they even offered this. 

 

We also had a suite upgrade offer, but I don't recall the specifics of it.  They are both expired now.  I just happened to have a screen shot of this one that I posted in our cruise group.

 

Edited January 3, 2019 by auscgguysgirl

[auscgguysgirl]

13 minutes ago, Djptcp said:

We always receive bounce back offers from the casino on the last night of the cruises and have 2-3 weeks to book the offer. I don't know if they are the same as a welcome back offer though. I usually taken them up on the offers as we are retired and can cruise anytime. We also live in Florida close to a port so it's never been a problem. The bounce back and free offers we have received are for inside cabins, but we always upgrade for a minimal charge. I've used the bounce back offers on longer than 5 day cruises, so maybe this is a change. Our Paradise cruise in Nov. was a bounce back offer, but we chose a shorter Paradise cruise out of Tampa because we live 45  minutes from Tampa. Our next Carnival cruise is on the Miracle )also Tampa), but it's a Premier Casino Cruise and not a bounce back. It will be interesting to see what kind of offer we receive after that one.

 

We've done a few casino offers in the past too.  These 2 offers are the 1st ones we've seen that LIMIT the days sailed AND ports.  We were hoping to get a decent offer to book either Mexican Rivera or Alaska.

[Bostwick girl]

I don't see anything in this that indicates it has to be 5 days or less. I suppose you're limited if you don't want to go to the Caribbean, Mexico or the Bahamas.

 

ill see what my offer is when we come back from our January 20 cruise.

 

[bingomamma19]

27 minutes ago, auscgguysgirl said:

 

We also had a suite upgrade offer, but I don't recall the specifics of it.  They are both expired now.  I just happened to have a screen shot of this one that I posted in our cruise group.

 

How is this different than any other offer that goes on every day?

 

50 percent off deposit and a 50 dollar or 100 dollar OBC is offered all the time.  And the 20% off is standard too..its just their standard marketing

[auscgguysgirl]

1 hour ago, Bostwick girl said:

I don't see anything in this that indicates it has to be 5 days or less. I suppose you're limited if you don't want to go to the Caribbean, Mexico or the Bahamas.

 

ill see what my offer is when we come back from our January 20 cruise.

 

 

It's not listed in the email or in the offer itself.  When you click on the offer and it gives you the sail date/ship/days screen ... it ONLY shows you dates for 5 days or less and only allows the option to pick Mexico, Bahamas or Caribbean.  I called with the "rate code" and was told it doesn't apply to anything else.

[sfaaa]

Hardly a deal. You can get the same perk or better from a big box TA and others. 

[sc4125]

I've never seen a Welcome Back offer; however, that may be because I have only booked with casino offers for the last 5 - 6 years. I've received numerous Bounce Back casino offers and I have definitely seen a "downgrade" in the last year or two with those offers - less choice and only a few "free interior" choices - mainly on 3 and 4 day cruises only. 

 

I would have to agree with you though - that doesn't look like much of an offer. 

[WPTNGirl]

Did you click on one of the dates on the calendar that had an offer?  Sometimes there are more cruises listed, including 7 day, from different ports.  Not all days would have more offers but some do.  

[auscgguysgirl]

31 minutes ago, WPTNGirl said:

Did you click on one of the dates on the calendar that had an offer?  Sometimes there are more cruises listed, including 7 day, from different ports.  Not all days would have more offers but some do.  

 

YEP ... been to this rodeo before.

[BENHANDEL]

4 hours ago, auscgguysgirl said:

 

It's not listed in the email or in the offer itself.  When you click on the offer and it gives you the sail date/ship/days screen ... it ONLY shows you dates for 5 days or less and only allows the option to pick Mexico, Bahamas or Caribbean.  I called with the "rate code" and was told it doesn't apply to anything else.

 

I was able to see longer cruises. I was pricing 6, 7 and 8 days sailings from FL. I just got off last week. However, I talked with my PVP before booking. I ended up booking through the new year special. It was $10 more (total) for 2 cabins but the more flex on the deposit and "losing" less if something were to happen appealed to me more.