Free Cheers! Promo

[SNJCruisers]

7 hours ago, Encore37 said:

I’m pretty sure Carnival’s marketing team knows a little more than you about marketing their cruises.  They won’t miss you.

Let's try this again.   Selective marketing by Carnival towards the newbie cruisers and the powers that be protecting the newbie posters.

[stellarose]

and to be honest, I had no idea we would be able to add the free cheers to our reservation. again, it did go up in price- 120 dollars, but that is not a big deal and had to go from refundable to non refundable deposit. now if my TA said, no you don't qualify for free cheers -I'd be like- OK. 

 

I just want to cruise.  

[jimbo5544]

10 hours ago, SNJCruisers said:

Let's try this again.   Selective marketing by Carnival towards the newbie cruisers and the powers that be protecting the newbie posters.

As is done by all cruise lines.

[MsTabbyKats]

21 hours ago, SNJCruisers said:

Yes, but it was a bean counter or some non genius in their marketing department that decided that selective marketing is the way to go.  They're taking a rifle approach instead of a shotgun approach with this promotion.  Carnival needs money to be put in the coffers NOW.  They are hemorrhaging funds on a daily basis because of the Pandemic.  Why on earth would you be selective with a promo? Let everyone have it that wants it.  Not everyone will take advantage of the program since not everyone drinks alcohol.   And the excuse of those that like to imbibe heavily will pay for Cheers does not hold water.  If Carnival offered this to everyone, I would get it and turn my August cruise into a B2B, adding additional monies that Carnival desperately needs at this time.  Without the offer, no B2B.  So, Carnival's marketing short sightedness will cost them my additional booking and who knows how many others.

Think like a business owner.....would you give someone something for free if you knew they were willing to pay for it?

 

It may have cost Carnival your "your additional booking".  But, they wouldn't be making very much $$$ on that booking anyway and someone else will ultimately book "that cabin".

 

The, as you say, "non-genius" in the marketing dept. knows what he's doing.

 

[MsTabbyKats]

13 hours ago, MeganGC1983 said:

As far as we are hearing and seeing, no. You have to be offered and once offered, almost everyone had to have a new booking. Only Stellarose on this thread had it retroactively applied. 

I could have had it retroactively applied to both legs of a B2B.  Booking is under my name; DH got the offer. 

[SNJCruisers]

51 minutes ago, jimbo5544 said:

As is done by all cruise lines.

Selective marketing is not done by Celebrity or Princess or NCL or MSC when they allow ALL cruisers to obtain a bundled alcohol package. 

Got a question for ya Jimbo, out of the four mass market lines that I just mentioned, MSC is the only one that you have sailed on.  With Fam or at the very least reduced priced cruises, how come you have never sailed on any of those lines so that you're able to give your clientele first hand experience?

[SNJCruisers]

9 minutes ago, MsTabbyKats said:

Think like a business owner.....would you give someone something for free if you knew they were willing to pay for it?

It may have cost Carnival your "your additional booking".  But, they wouldn't be making very much $$$ on that booking anyway and someone else will ultimately book "that cabin".

The, as you say, "non-genius" in the marketing dept. knows what he's doing.

Someone else will not be booking "that cabin".  A certain percentage of the general public has already had a predisposition against cruising because of the previous misgivings in the industry.  Because of what transpired last March, the nail is in the coffin regarding the slim possibility of ever taking a cruise with a certain percentage of vacationers.  Combine this with the financial hardships that many are and will be experiencing in the future, the numbers dwindle even further. 

We are going to be sailing on unchartered waters when it comes to the reinstatement of cruises in the near future.  Past theories of what works and what doesn't need to possibly be adjusted.  Carnival would not be giving anything away for free.  The cost difference upgrade that the cruiser is paying covers the majority of what Cheers would cost Carnival.  Since Carnival needs monies in the coffers now, they are shooting themselves in the foot and have lost a guaranteed booking for next September.  That is of course assuming that cruising has resumed by then.

[MsTabbyKats]

15 minutes ago, SNJCruisers said:

Someone else will not be booking "that cabin".  A certain percentage of the general public has already had a predisposition against cruising because of the previous misgivings in the industry.  Because of what transpired last March, the nail is in the coffin regarding the slim possibility of ever taking a cruise with a certain percentage of vacationers.  Combine this with the financial hardships that many are and will be experiencing in the future, the numbers dwindle even further. 

We are going to be sailing on unchartered waters when it comes to the reinstatement of cruises in the near future.  Past theories of what works and what doesn't need to possibly be adjusted.  Carnival would not be giving anything away for free.  The cost difference upgrade that the cruiser is paying covers the majority of what Cheers would cost Carnival.  Since Carnival needs monies in the coffers now, they are shooting themselves in the foot and have lost a guaranteed booking for next September.  That is of course assuming that cruising has resumed by then.

You're rationalizing.  People forget.  Just ask any NYC resident who lived thru 9/11.  They said lower Manhattan would never come back.  Yet...it did.  And the cost of living down there skyrocketed.

Likewise...when cruising comes back the prices (and I've been saying this for months) will skyrocket.

My prediction is that the costs will be like in the old days...when cruising was a luxury.

[SNJCruisers]

39 minutes ago, MsTabbyKats said:

 

Likewise...when cruising comes back the prices (and I've been saying this for months) will skyrocket.

My prediction is that the costs will be like in the old days...when cruising was a luxury.

Then you'll be in your own element, and you can still hope for the "jewelry on us" promo.

[stellarose]

I agree. prices will rise. I am happy to have MG booked for next winter. 

[firefly333]

3 hours ago, SNJCruisers said:

Selective marketing is not done by Celebrity or Princess or NCL or MSC when they allow ALL cruisers to obtain a bundled alcohol package. 

Got a question for ya Jimbo, out of the four mass market lines that I just mentioned, MSC is the only one that you have sailed on.  With Fam or at the very least reduced priced cruises, how come you have never sailed on any of those lines so that you're able to give your clientele first hand experience?

Rcl is giving all bookings double loyalty pts next year. They started with new bookings and with cwc, they just said ok, any new or existing bookings in 2021. Wish I had more than 2 rcl next year.

 

Celebrity is only giving it to balconys and up. Not ov and insides. But they said going forward they will be all inclusive, but 3 levels. Basic level included for all new and existing bookings. Rcl is discussing this to death, dont make us all inclusive, would take away free drinks and other loyalty perks. Celebrity prices include basic drinks, not top shelf, internet, and something else., before they were like ncl, choose 2 or 4 or get all 4 special. Now they just said all included. Rcl has a loyalty level with free internet. You can bet they are strongly against everyone getting it included. 

 

My thoughts were carnival is kinda trying out the idea on newer or lower spending. See how popular it is. More included. 

[Encore37]

15 hours ago, SNJCruisers said:

Let's try this again.   Selective marketing by Carnival towards the newbie cruisers and the powers that be protecting the newbie posters.

Looks like we have a Platinum cruiser with serious issues.  

[sfaaa]

3 hours ago, stellarose said:

I agree. prices will rise. I am happy to have MG booked for next winter. 

No question on that. It's inevitable with reduced capacity and additional expenses on new health protocols taking a hit at the bottom line. The forward thinking cruisers will lock in the price now with low refundable deposit.

[stellarose]

22 minutes ago, sfaaa said:

No question on that. It's inevitable with reduced capacity and additional expenses on new health protocols taking a hit at the bottom line. The forward thinking cruisers will lock in the price now with low refundable deposit.

we took the chance of non refundable deposit for the cheers deal.

[SNJCruisers]

2 hours ago, Encore37 said:

Looks like we have a Platinum cruiser with serious issues.  

The only serious issue I have is when my next cruise is going to be.

[jimbo5544]

8 hours ago, SNJCruisers said:

Selective marketing is not done by Celebrity or Princess or NCL or MSC when they allow ALL cruisers to obtain a bundled alcohol package. 

Got a question for ya Jimbo, out of the four mass market lines that I just mentioned, MSC is the only one that you have sailed on.  With Fam or at the very least reduced priced cruises, how come you have never sailed on any of those lines so that you're able to give your clientele first hand experience?

I Have the experience, I only list cruises I pay for on my cruise list.  I have been on and experienced all the ones listed....and more.  Would it make you feel better if I listed all that I have experienced?  Selective marketing is done by all cruise lines, I can assure you of that.  Pricing, packages, rooms are all up on the board.  

[SNJCruisers]

3 hours ago, jimbo5544 said:

I Have the experience, I only list cruises I pay for on my cruise list.  I have been on and experienced all the ones listed....and more.  Would it make you feel better if I listed all that I have experienced?  Selective marketing is done by all cruise lines, I can assure you of that.  Pricing, packages, rooms are all up on the board.  

Cheers has never been given away since it's inception in 2012 except for variations like the drinks on us card for gamblers to utilize in the casino and a variation for higher end gamblers to use it all over the ship.

I know we'll agree that the Havana area is the best thing that Carnival had come up with in years, eventhough it was just a reduced variation of what was already available on NCL with the Haven and MSC with the Yacht Club.  

I learned a long time ago that I don't make the rules, I just play the game. And if this is the game that Carnival wishes to play, it's OK since there are many competitors that will be happy to take my money just as retirement is approaching and my two cruises per year will be increasing. 

[firefly333]

10 minutes ago, SNJCruisers said:

 

I learned a long time ago that I don't make the rules, I just play the game. And if this is the game that Carnival wishes to play, it's OK since there are many competitors that will be happy to take my money just as retirement is approaching and my two cruises per year will be increasing. 

I wrote to let them know I'm disappointed, that they choose to show I'm not their target cruiser. As a solo I've seen them go from solo 1A no supplement, 50% supplement, now it's always double. Rcl welcomes solos, has solo cabins as does ncl. 

 

Carnival cruises seem to be big gambling cruises more and more. I hate priority boarding with 800 of my best friends. 

 

Anyway, doesnt hurt to write. See if they bother to answer next week. I just want equal treatment, and it's not equal if only some get cheers on us. If carnival no longer wants me onboard, like you I'll take my business elsewhere. But I am booked carnival next sept. But I've gotten a little more bored with them too. Thought I'd try it one more time. Nothing wrong with emailing them and letting them know you want equal treatment. They dont have to agree, but it's my right to tell them I think this is the wrong marketing campaign. 

[kona_wahine]

We didn’t get the offer. I wonder how it was determined, just random? I’m use to never “winning” anything. 

 

We rebooked our cruise to march 2022, and willl use the $600 plus the extra $100 casino offer to pay for cheers. We also will have drinks on us, so just gonna be a drunken time. Lol

 

I booked because I figure once cruising starts again cruise prices will go up. Some people won’t book right now because of COVID. I rebooked, and if I’m out $100 for the deposit then I’m out $100. 

 

Also booked HAL to Alaska for may 2022, our 40th anniversary. Wanted Glacier Bay and Carnival doesn’t appear to go there anymore.

[jimbo5544]

7 hours ago, SNJCruisers said:

Cheers has never been given away since it's inception in 2012 except for variations like the drinks on us card for gamblers to utilize in the casino and a variation for higher end gamblers to use it all over the ship.

I know we'll agree that the Havana area is the best thing that Carnival had come up with in years, eventhough it was just a reduced variation of what was already available on NCL with the Haven and MSC with the Yacht Club.  

I learned a long time ago that I don't make the rules, I just play the game. And if this is the game that Carnival wishes to play, it's OK since there are many competitors that will be happy to take my money just as retirement is approaching and my two cruises per year will be increasing. 

Lol....ok. I have no idea on the games to which you infer, are you sure they have never invented cruisers by offering free cheers for certain slots of cruisers?  All that said, happy cruising.  

Edited November 16, 2020 by jimbo5544

[jimbo5544]

6 hours ago, firefly333 said:

I wrote to let them know I'm disappointed, that they choose to show I'm not their target cruiser. As a solo I've seen them go from solo 1A no supplement, 50% supplement, now it's always double. Rcl welcomes solos, has solo cabins as does ncl. 

 

Carnival cruises seem to be big gambling cruises more and more. I hate priority boarding with 800 of my best friends. 

 

Anyway, doesnt hurt to write. See if they bother to answer next week. I just want equal treatment, and it's not equal if only some get cheers on us. If carnival no longer wants me onboard, like you I'll take my business elsewhere. But I am booked carnival next sept. But I've gotten a little more bored with them too. Thought I'd try it one more time. Nothing wrong with emailing them and letting them know you want equal treatment. They dont have to agree, but it's my right to tell them I think this is the wrong marketing campaign. 

Never hurts to ask.  As mentioned before, incentives are given all the time to sub groups by all the cruise lines.  It is done by the airlines as well.  If you think this incentive is them telling you to take your business elsewhere, then so be it.  As is always the case, the decision on where you spend your cruise dollars is up to you.  You could always sail on NCL or celebrity where drinks are free ...NOT.  It is, and has always been in swizzle of the representation by the cruise line.  There is no such thing as a free lunch.  

[xDisconnections]

On 11/14/2020 at 2:22 PM, SNJCruisers said:

Yes, but it was a bean counter or some non genius in their marketing department that decided that selective marketing is the way to go.  They're taking a rifle approach instead of a shotgun approach with this promotion.  Carnival needs money to be put in the coffers NOW.  They are hemorrhaging funds on a daily basis because of the Pandemic.  Why on earth would you be selective with a promo? Let everyone have it that wants it.  Not everyone will take advantage of the program since not everyone drinks alcohol.   And the excuse of those that like to imbibe heavily will pay for Cheers does not hold water.  If Carnival offered this to everyone, I would get it and turn my August cruise into a B2B, adding additional monies that Carnival desperately needs at this time.  Without the offer, no B2B.  So, Carnival's marketing short sightedness will cost them my additional booking and who knows how many others.

 

On 11/14/2020 at 5:07 PM, Encore37 said:

I’m pretty sure Carnival’s marketing team knows a little more than you about marketing their cruises.  They won’t miss you.

Targeted promotions have existed in several industries for years whether it’s lodging, cruising, restaurants, air travel, theme parks or retail among endless possibilities. These are reasons that data mining is incredible valuable and some corporations have made acquisitions to adopt a customer base and own their data. Projects such as Carnival’s Ocean Medallion are absolutely critical right now to allow the cruise operator to maximize their revenue and focus on optimization strategies such as yield management. For years, Carnival has been known to rely on targeted promotions so I’m not sure why you’re surprised or upset you didn’t meet their criteria. I have never qualified for SPG’s Select Member Exclusives over the years but never let that deter me.

 

I agree with Encore37... Carnival knows what they are doing and will capture every dollar possible. While doing so, they won’t toss away the potential revenue by giving an offer to someone that won’t provide the appropriate return. As someone Carnival doesn’t miss, again, I agree with Encore37: they won’t miss you.

Edited November 16, 2020 by xDisconnections

[Joebucks]

On 11/14/2020 at 2:22 PM, SNJCruisers said:

Yes, but it was a bean counter or some non genius in their marketing department that decided that selective marketing is the way to go.  They're taking a rifle approach instead of a shotgun approach with this promotion.  Carnival needs money to be put in the coffers NOW.  They are hemorrhaging funds on a daily basis because of the Pandemic.  Why on earth would you be selective with a promo? Let everyone have it that wants it.  Not everyone will take advantage of the program since not everyone drinks alcohol.   And the excuse of those that like to imbibe heavily will pay for Cheers does not hold water.  If Carnival offered this to everyone, I would get it and turn my August cruise into a B2B, adding additional monies that Carnival desperately needs at this time.  Without the offer, no B2B.  So, Carnival's marketing short sightedness will cost them my additional booking and who knows how many others.

 

Marketing is a lot more sophisticated than "give it to everyone" or "I deserve the best". There is a bunch of factors involved. Off of the top of my head, there are things like regaining lapsed customers, attracting big spenders, attracting certain demographics, or maybe low-risk to COVID. Maybe it's even a trial run to test something. Any large company is doing targeted advertising. Not all of them give away their bread and butter to anyone and everyone.

[stellarose]

wow. I am amazed still that this thread has lasted over 8 pages.  my 19 year old, who will be almost 20 by the time we sail, was like.... can I get the package too? uh no sunshine, but nice try. lol

[SNJCruisers]

2 hours ago, stellarose said:

wow. I am amazed still that this thread has lasted over 8 pages.  my 19 year old, who will be almost 20 by the time we sail, was like.... can I get the package too? uh no sunshine, but nice try. lol

There are lines that offer a beer and wine package to those who are 18-20 and have parental permission.