Free Cheers! Promo

[jimbo5544]

9 hours ago, SNJCruisers said:

Once again, have to disagree with you Jimbo.  I cruised on the Freedom in January of 2015, did not cruise again on Carnival for 3.5 years in August of 2018 on the Horizon. Never got any great promotions from Carnival.

Once again, tell me the last time that Carnival has ever given away Cheers for free besides to the gamblers that get it through various casino promos.

Last week to my son in law, who by the way is a big royal cruiser.

[SNJCruisers]

2 hours ago, stellarose said:

It is odd that some got the email some did not. for those who did not get it , did they call carnival to get it anyway? 

Yea, called.  Was told it was a promotion that was going to go out in waves.  I assume the CSR said this to appease me.  Since I have purchased Cheers on the 4 Carnival cruises I have taken since Cheers came out 8 years ago, they have no reason to offer it to me.  But, if they had offered it, I would have taken my first B2B this August.   Their loss and one more step towards cutting the cord with Carnival.  Just as retirement is approaching and more cruises will be taken.  It's OK, there are many other cruise lines that will be happy to take my money and provide me with the value I desire.

[SNJCruisers]

32 minutes ago, jimbo5544 said:

Last week to my son in law, who by the way is a big royal cruiser.

First time I ever read that on the boards.  Puts even more salt into the wound that the offer was to a lowly Loyal Royal.

[jimbo5544]

9 minutes ago, SNJCruisers said:

First time I ever read that on the boards.  Puts even more salt into the wound that the offer was to a lowly Loyal Royal.

He pretty much said the same thing to me

[MoreMouse]

We got the offer earlier this week. I did a mock booking and was able to select it for our already booked 9/11/21 MG sailing.  We’ve never purchased Cheers before. Husband will drink beer and I might have a mixed drink or two, but I’d never spend the money for it. 
 

Called and she wasn’t able to add the promo without BOTH of our VIPF numbers. Don’t know if being gold affected getting the offer. Like others have said, it was a $120 increase, but what the heck. 🤪 Why not?

 

Hope everyone enjoys their cruise!  🙂

[naxer]

8 hours ago, SNJCruisers said:

Yea, called.  Was told it was a promotion that was going to go out in waves.  I assume the CSR said this to appease me.  

 

It might be going out in waves, or the answer might have been given in order to appease you.  But even before this, it occurred to me that I have been a little behind in receiving an offer.  I imagine expanding the offer to more people, or emailing it to more people, depends on how well it meets the target they set for it.    The goal is to generate the revenue without giving away the ship.  For all the snafus we like to discuss here, I tip my hat to how well Carnival has targeted and run their promotions in the past.  This is one of the reasons they are solidly still in business without having sailed for going on a year, and even having ships built and delivered to them.

Edited November 13, 2020 by naxer

[drvmywifecrzy]

27 minutes ago, naxer said:

 

It might be going out in waves, or the answer might have been given in order to appease you.  But even before this, it occurred to me that I have been a little behind in receiving an offer.  I imagine expanding the offer to more people, or emailing it to more people, depends on how well it meets the target they set for it.    The goal is to generate the revenue without giving away the ship.  For all the snafus we like to discuss here, I tip my hat to how well Carnival has targeted and run their promotions in the past.  This is one of the reasons they are solidly still in business without having sailed for going on a year, and even having ships built and delivered to them.

 

Not sure I agree with solidly in business.  They are preparing to offer $1.5 billion more in stock.

 

Close to out of business no , but somewhere in between and 10 months of reduced capacity sailings in 2021 won't help

[PhillyFan33579]

On 11/11/2020 at 4:16 PM, SNJCruisers said:

Just got off the phone with Carnival.  The promotion is only available on certain sailings and also only available to certain past guests of Carnival.  If the promotion is not in your VIFP account, tough luck, you don't get it.  I inquired about our future Mardi Gras sailing and assuming that it would probably not coincide because of the popularity of the new ship, I inquired about the 4 day Liberty sailing in August prior to our MG sailing.  No go on both since I don't qualify at this time.  The CSR I spoke to said the promotion will be going out in waves to different VIFP members.  

 

I used to love Carnival, 18 of my first 22 cruises were on her.  Only 3 of my last 13 have been on Carnival because of other lines offering me better value.  This selective marketing is a slap in my face, but as usual, we don't make the rules, we just play the game.  But unless this promo eventually shows up as an offer to me, our 2 Excellence Class sailings could be the last on Carnival for awhile.

Wr can definitely relate to used to love Carnival. At one point my wife and I had over 30 consecutive cruises on Carnival. However, over the last few years we have only booked cruises on RCI and Celebrity.   Carnival has made so many changes over the last 5 years or so that the experience is not what it used to be. On the other hand, RCI and Celebrity still offer an experience similar to what Carnival used to offer. Additionally, we are more interested in the ship these days and Carnival’s ships don’t compare to RCI and Celebrity ships. Maybe that will change with Mardi Gras, but not sure if we will ever find out first hand. 

[naxer]

23 minutes ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

Additionally, we are more interested in the ship these days and Carnival’s ships don’t compare to RCI and Celebrity ships. 

 

I'm all about the ship too.  I think they're just different styles of ships with just enough different styles of cruising to make a difference.  The big RC ships have little appeal for me at this point in time.  Thirty years ago I would have thought you were crazy if you told me that I'd be such a Carnival Cruise enthusiast, or really, a cruise enthusiast at all.  Happily there are choices to make, and hopefully we'll all be back to sailing our favorite lines in 2021.

Edited November 13, 2020 by naxer

[naxer]

45 minutes ago, drvmywifecrzy said:

 

Not sure I agree with solidly in business.  They are preparing to offer $1.5 billion more in stock.

 

Close to out of business no , but somewhere in between and 10 months of reduced capacity sailings in 2021 won't help

 

Well, I think there are plenty of stock debates on the boards.  But, to my very unprofessional mind, if a company can even consider a billion dollar offering, there must be something worthwhile about it.  The ships are there and the business plan works.  Fingers crossed. 

[stellarose]

4 hours ago, MoreMouse said:

We got the offer earlier this week. I did a mock booking and was able to select it for our already booked 9/11/21 MG sailing.  We’ve never purchased Cheers before. Husband will drink beer and I might have a mixed drink or two, but I’d never spend the money for it. 
 

Called and she wasn’t able to add the promo without BOTH of our VIPF numbers. Don’t know if being gold affected getting the offer. Like others have said, it was a $120 increase, but what the heck. 🤪 Why not?

 

Hope everyone enjoys their cruise!  🙂

that was what I thought. for 120 bucks (total for two)- no brainer. if I wanted the package it would be over 800 bucks for two of us. even with all the drink options (booze and non booze)- no way I would spend that much to break even.  Last trip with drink package was celebrity over 10 years ago. we had to upgrade to an ocean front for the package.  this deal with carnival  was easier and cheaper. 

[ProgRockCruiser]

14 hours ago, katstoy said:

I get it that if you cancel the cruise with a non refundable deposit, you forfeit that deposit.  But what if the cruise line cancels the voyage, or no sail order is still in effect, do they still get to keep the deposit?  

If the cruise line cancels, you get your deposit back (or an opportunity to rebook a future cruise, with the enticement of OBC sometimes).

[firefly333]

On 11/11/2020 at 4:00 PM, jimbo5544 said:

This is not an unusual promo.  Many cruise lines and other companies do it.  Maybe your lack of booking anything other than promo discounted rates is why you did not get one.😎

I've never booked a promo rate. What about people like me who dont gamble ... I'd like a cheers for free offer.

[firefly333]

I'm going to email them. I am seriously pissed. 

[firefly333]

On 11/11/2020 at 3:16 PM, SNJCruisers said:

Just got off the phone with Carnival.  The promotion is only available on certain sailings and also only available to certain past guests of Carnival.  If the promotion is not in your VIFP account, tough luck, you don't get it.  I inquired about our future Mardi Gras sailing and assuming that it would probably not coincide because of the popularity of the new ship, I inquired about the 4 day Liberty sailing in August prior to our MG sailing.  No go on both since I don't qualify at this time.  The CSR I spoke to said the promotion will be going out in waves to different VIFP members.  

 

This selective marketing is a slap in my face, but as usual, we don't make the rules, we just play the game.  But unless this promo eventually shows up as an offer to me, our 2 Excellence Class sailings could be the last on Carnival for awhile.

That's how I feel, it's a slap in the face. Will be my last carnival booking if others get it and not me.

 

I emailed them to let them know my feeling about this selective marketing. 

[mkitchy]

13 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

That's how I feel, it's a slap in the face. Will be my last carnival booking if others get it and not me.

 

I emailed them to let them know my feeling about this selective marketing. 

We feel your pain. We have 51 cruises with Carnival and got the big middle finger from Carnival with this offer. This has been the norm with Carnival for years. They're always looking for new cruisers. and tend to ignore long dedicated cruisers. Oh well.

[stellarose]

I just everyone to be back on the ships again.  

[stellarose]

again,  we all need to hope we can sail again- regards of the  line- I need a cruise. 

[cmukid87]

5 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

Entitled?  Or wanting equal treatment.

 

Royal is already treating me better, leaning that way, so yes, if others get this offer and not me, I'm done with carnival. As a solo I already pay double on carnival, whereas im finding deals on other lines not at 200%. Of my future booked cruises, carnival already the worst value hence I have 1 booked on carnival and 6 on rcl.

 

This will be the straw that broke the camels back. 

 

Rcl gives me a extra pt to cruise solo, often less than 200%, free drinks for being diamond in diamond lounge. And next year anyone booked gets double pts. Wouldnt help me, as pinnacle far out of reach, but at least they didnt pick and choose, everyone gets it.

Seems like your mind is made up.

 

BTW this has been Carnival's marketing for as long as I've been cruising. It's always selective.  Never blanketed.

[JMAE]

We have been on 17 CCL cruises and didn't receive the Cheers offer.  We discussed booking a cruise if we could get the Cheers offer.  Spoke to our PVP and he said he was not provided the logic behind who received the offer, he said it was a random draw.  CCL may have gotten a booking from us if we received the Cheers offer. 

 

Can't wait to sail! 

[firefly333]

3 minutes ago, cmukid87 said:

Seems like your mind is made up.

 

BTW this has been Carnival's marketing for as long as I've been cruising. It's always selective.  Never blanketed.

That's true, I was already leaning away like Xdiscussions who haunts these boards but seemingly has migrated maybe to princess. 

 

It would take this slap in the face to totally leave carnival. I did one future booking, if you dont count the 3 or 4 I had cancelled this year booked on carnival. 

 

I had wanted to do partial Panama on carnival but all those cancelled for almost the next year. Radiance out of Galveston and the ship seems stuck in dry dock. Idk... but the cruises disappeared.

 

 

[maryann2]

35 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

Entitled?  Or wanting equal treatment.

 

Royal is already treating me better, leaning that way, so yes, if others get this offer and not me, I'm done with carnival. As a solo I already pay double on carnival, whereas im finding deals on other lines not at 200%. Of my future booked cruises, carnival already the worst value hence I have 1 booked on carnival and 6 on rcl.

 

This will be the straw that broke the camels back. 

 

Rcl gives me a extra pt to cruise solo, often less than 200%, free drinks for being diamond in diamond lounge. And next year anyone booked gets double pts. Wouldnt help me, as pinnacle far out of reach, but at least they didnt pick and choose, everyone gets it.

I have also strayed from Carnival. I only like to book Europe and Transatlantics so the Caribbean is out for me.

I am Diamond+ with Royal and appreciate the double points for solos.

However I cringe at the Pinnacle crowd. Talk about entitled wearing their badges even on bathing suits.  I also dislike the Captains and Hotel Directors making snide jabs at Carnival.  (We send the left over food to Carnival, our old ships to Carnival etc.)

 

I really love Carnival , my favourite line.  It really is a "welcome home"  feeling. They used to offer 150% solo prices for the 1As so as a solo prices are now high.

 

  Have started sailing Costa as I love their itineraries. Also sail MSC for the same reason. The Costa ships are similar to Carnival ships even with the same furniture.

[firefly333]

9 minutes ago, maryann2 said:

I have also strayed from Carnival. I only like to book Europe and Transatlantics so the Caribbean is out for me.

I am Diamond+ with Royal and appreciate the double points for solos.

However I cringe at the Pinnacle crowd. Talk about entitled wearing their badges even on bathing suits.  I also dislike the Captains and Hotel Directors making snide jabs at Carnival.  (We send the left over food to Carnival, our old ships to Carnival etc.)

 

I really love Carnival , my favourite line.  It really is a "welcome home"  feeling. They used to offer 150% solo prices for the 1As so as a solo prices are now high.

 

  Have started sailing Costa as I love their itineraries. Also sail MSC for the same reason. The Costa ships are similar to Carnival ships even with the same furniture.

My parents are 94 and 102, so for right now I cant stray too far from home. I've heard jokes on both lines against the other line and admit I cringe when they make fun of carnival. I'm not for this and it's not funny. I've run into a few loyal to the max on both lines. A guy on carnival with every boarding card hes ever done and insisted on showing me his collection. I'm always amazed at those who know how many cruises they have been on. I know how many loyalty pts. I had no idea until recently it took 340 pts to reach pinnacle on rcl. 

 

Actually I swore off carnival once before. I was on conquest when Ike hit and left from Galveston and got off in new Orleans to do customs. Some few got back on the ship, I found a rental car. The next day they got permission to go to houston. They said therefore we were due nothing as it counted as closed loop. Of course how would I have known they were working on permission to go to houston, plus never saw my car again. We got no obc and to me if booked round trip Galveston I was due something. On board was a mess. No updates, employees said they werent allowed online and finally one phone call pp which sounds ok, there were 3 of us in 2 cabins, the problem is 2 of them mentally and physically hc. So I had to wait in line hours twice. 4 telephone lines out they said and the internet line to get online hours long too. It was handled badly. 

 

So I knew in a emergency carnival is not very good.. they are fine if things go well. So yes I was hesitant to book carnival during covid. ..but had more faith in rcl. So I was hanging by a thread already and quit carnival once before due to customer service on the ship.

 

I'm for treating all equally ... this is not equal treatment. They obviously dont care about keeping those with many cruises and in the past I've heard plenty of newbies to take your place, go away. We are carnival and dont care.

[maryann2]

Just now, firefly333 said:

. I had no idea until recently it took 340 pts to reach pinnacle on rcl. 

 

So I knew in a emergency carnival is not very good.. they are fine if things go well. So yes I was hesitant to book carnival during covid. ..but had more faith in rcl. So I was hanging by a thread already and quit carnival once before due to customer service on the ship.

 

 

Actually I think it is 700 points to reach pinnacle. At 340 points solos get 150% pricing.  Would be nice if Carnival did that.

 

I have Celebrity Solstice booked for Sept.2021 Vancouver to Japan. 

Carnival Legend booked Oct 31st 2021 from Barcelona to Baltimore.

Costa Fascinosa Booked Dec 1st 2021  from Barcelona to Guadeloupe

Costa Pacifica  booked March 18th 2022 from Dubai to Marsilles.

 

Carnival Legend is no longer showing on the website.  Who knows if the Solstice will sail.  Keeping my fingers crossed with my Costa cruises.

 

Costa and MSC have good solo prices.

[firefly333]

11 minutes ago, maryann2 said:

Actually I think it is 700 points to reach pinnacle. At 340 points solos get 150% pricing.  Would be nice if Carnival did that.

 

Lol you are right. Its half price on 2nd pax pricing at 340, knew there was something at that level I wanted.

 

I kinda dont feel free to do a ta or far away cruise with my dads age. Doing boring caribbean. I keep thinking my dad cant last another year.