Carnival Cruises..... are there perks?

[jetsfan58]

1 minute ago, BlerkOne said:

Royal cruisers prefer to think of themselves as Kmart shoppers to differentiate. Walmart is still the better value and Kmart is failing.

Excellent and Well Said my friend. 

[SNJCruisers]

2 hours ago, xDisconnections said:

We'll agree to disagree:

"Pinnacle is RCI's equivalent of Diamonds on Carnival."

I'm aware of Pinnacles equivalency.  I was not comparing Pinnacles to Diamonds or Diamond pluses at all.  I was just mentioned that each level was complaining about a perk that Royal may be taking away once cruising resumes.  Which would be a free bottle of wine waiting for Pinnacles in their cabin and free cookies waiting for Diamonds.  No other comparisons were implied, just that both levels were so infuriated about the possibility that the thread got locked.

[jetsfan58]

2 minutes ago, SNJCruisers said:

I'm aware of Pinnacles equivalency.  I was not comparing Pinnacles to Diamonds or Diamond pluses at all.  I was just mentioned that each level was complaining about a perk that Royal may be taking away once cruising resumes.  Which would be a free bottle of wine waiting for Pinnacles in their cabin and free cookies waiting for Diamonds.  No other comparisons were implied, just that both levels were so infuriated about the possibility that the thread got locked.

At this time in my life I am not concerned at all with status and/or classification. All I wish for now is the ability to Thank God, my family's health, my inside cabins and my ability to Cruise at will. We have attained a status with Carnival that certainly allows me to upgrade and/or cruise in those luxury cabins at any time. I still remain humble, frugal and loyal at all times while Cruising in my claustrophobic digs. 

[SNJCruisers]

11 hours ago, BlerkOne said:

Carnival Corp has more brands than the others put together. They can dedicate ships exclusively for different classes, no need to lump altogether.

 

11 hours ago, SNJCruisers said:

 

The fact that Carnival Cruise Line  has the other 8 divisions in the Corporation for niche cruisers has helped them in the past and will again in the future. 

 

41 minutes ago, BlerkOne said:

You have that backwards. Carnival Corp has a number of cruise lines including CCL.

Don't have anything backwards. Read what I wrote again.  I know you're too tied up with all of the various vaccine BS threads, but take the time.  Here is a reminder of what each of us has posted.  I was agreeing with you for once about the different niche lines in the corporation.  My statement is correct that CCL has the other 8 divisions in the Corporation for niche cruisers.  But at the same time I will defend the fact that different classes of cabins will be available on various cruise lines now and in the future.

 

And Royal cruisers would possibly consider themselves as Target shoppers, not KMart, whose store locations went poof years ago.

[SNJCruisers]

22 minutes ago, BlerkOne said:

Royal cruisers prefer to think of themselves as Kmart shoppers to differentiate. Walmart is still the better value and Kmart is failing.

 

20 minutes ago, jetsfan58 said:

Excellent and Well Said my friend. 

More like Target shoppers.  KMart brick and mortar locations went poof years ago.

[SNJCruisers]

10 minutes ago, jetsfan58 said:

At this time in my life I am not concerned at all with status and/or classification. All I wish for now is the ability to Thank God, my family's health, my inside cabins and my ability to Cruise at will. We have attained a status with Carnival that certainly allows me to upgrade and/or cruise in those luxury cabins at any time. I still remain humble, frugal and loyal at all times while Cruising in my claustrophobic digs. 

Obtaining status with Carnival has nothing to do with upgrading or cruising in better cabins.  You either pay the difference, or better yet, drop a bunch of coinage in the casino and get those balcony cabins for free.

[jetsfan58]

1 minute ago, SNJCruisers said:

Obtaining status with Carnival has nothing to do with upgrading or cruising in better cabins.  You either pay the difference, or better yet, drop a bunch of coinage in the casino and get those balcony cabins for free.

You know the oddity regarding your statement is intriguing. I have maybe played the casino slots totaling about $200 in my entire cruise history at Carnival. Yet we have always received "perks" from the casino rewards. Go figure. So status, loyalty, luck of the draw and/or longevity may have something to do with.    

[evandbob]

I'm Diamond on Carnival and enjoy some of the perks like priority boarding (wish they would re-instate that in ports!) and free unlimited laundry.  The casino sometimes sends me 10% off fares (never free) along with casino games/drawings participation.  I am grateful for whatever I get, and if an item they leave for me in my cabin is something I don't need or already have, I'll pass it along to a red or blue card cruiser.

 

However, some other lines also offer some great perks, like NCL's free specialty restaurant dinner for 2 every cruise, and I'm nowhere near their top level.  Celebrity's casino has extended almost free ($198/for 2) week long cruises in balcony mid ship cabins on their brand new ship Apex to us after only a few cruises on their line. We even have an 11 day Southern booked for $598 balcony cabin for both of us.

 

It pays to spread your loyalty around.  Other side benefits of booking other lines might be different excursion experiences and quieter CDs with fewer and shorter announcements.

[BlerkOne]

12 minutes ago, SNJCruisers said:

 

And Royal cruisers would possibly consider themselves as Target shoppers, not KMart, whose store locations went poof years ago.

Perhaps the Kmarts you shopped at, but there are still some stores.

https://www.kmart.com/stores.html

 

Target is US only. They tried to expand into Canada, lost a few billion, and retreated.

 

Carnival Cruise Line is not only a very successful mass market cruise line, but also a feeder line into their higher priced tiers. All in the family. They might give a taste to continue their domination, but know who butters their bread.

[jetsfan58]

5 minutes ago, evandbob said:

I'm Diamond on Carnival and enjoy some of the perks like priority boarding (wish they would re-instate that in ports!) and free unlimited laundry.  The casino sometimes sends me 10% off fares (never free) along with casino games/drawings participation.  I am grateful for whatever I get, and if an item they leave for me in my cabin is something I don't need or already have, I'll pass it along to a red or blue card cruiser.

 

However, some other lines also offer some great perks, like NCL's free specialty restaurant dinner for 2 every cruise, and I'm nowhere near their top level.  Celebrity's casino has extended almost free ($198/for 2) week long cruises in balcony mid ship cabins on their brand new ship Apex to us after only a few cruises on their line. We even have an 11 day Southern booked for $598 balcony cabin for both of us.

 

It pays to spread your loyalty around.  Other side benefits of booking other lines might be different excursion experiences and quieter CDs with fewer and shorter announcements.

Sounds good and appreciate the commentary. I have always compared "Apples to Apples" when booking my cruise vacations. Somehow the Carnival "Apples" are always "sweeter".  

[BlerkOne]

17 minutes ago, SNJCruisers said:

Obtaining status with Carnival has nothing to do with upgrading or cruising in better cabins.  You either pay the difference, or better yet, drop a bunch of coinage in the casino and get those balcony cabins for free.

It's the same as Royal, except Royal suckers newbies into subsidizing the balcony cabins for the loyals. OTOH, Princess still counts number of cruises or days sailed for status.

[jetsfan58]

3 minutes ago, BlerkOne said:

It's the same as Royal, except Royal suckers newbies into subsidizing the balcony cabins for the loyals. OTOH, Princess still counts number of cruises or days sailed for status.

Thanks BlerkOne. Basic as it gets.  

[crzndeb]

I predominantly cruise both Carnival and Royal, but leaning towards Royal right now because of itineraries and perks. As a solo traveler, I enjoy the double points. I have a B5B booked for next year, that will get me to the magic 340 points (4pts per day in an inside). That will give me, as a solo, 150% on some sailings. And I will admit, I like those cocktails in the evening. I will continue to sail Carnival for Europe and other unique sailings (or new ships). My last cruise with Carnival was the Splendor over to Singapore in 2019. That was a great trip, and I fell in love with Singapore, and hope to go back one day.

I have seen seen just as many snoots on Carnival as on Royal, and I choose to ignore them. They don’t affect my cruise experience. And I don’t refer to either line by a different name, other than what they are. That’s just silly to me. 

[jetsfan58]

33 minutes ago, crzndeb said:

I predominantly cruise both Carnival and Royal, but leaning towards Royal right now because of itineraries and perks. As a solo traveler, I enjoy the double points. I have a B5B booked for next year, that will get me to the magic 340 points (4pts per day in an inside). That will give me, as a solo, 150% on some sailings. And I will admit, I like those cocktails in the evening. I will continue to sail Carnival for Europe and other unique sailings (or new ships). My last cruise with Carnival was the Splendor over to Singapore in 2019. That was a great trip, and I fell in love with Singapore, and hope to go back one day.

I have seen seen just as many snoots on Carnival as on Royal, and I choose to ignore them. They don’t affect my cruise experience. And I don’t refer to either line by a different name, other than what they are. That’s just silly to me. 

Thanks for the logical responses. I hear people all of the time talking about traveling between competing cruise lines. I certainly have no issue with strong and affordable competition. My issue is that I have never found a more affordable and "friendly" Cruse line other than Carnival. Over the years I have compared many Lines and my family has actually been tempted to try others. In the end we were always able to basically Cruise Carnival "twice" as compared to "once" on the others. 

 

Since being on the same Oceans, Bays and Gulfs is no different, I will continue to Cruise the Line with the most value for my dollars. Carnival Cruise Nut Incorporated.      

[Tippyton]

People watching on any cruise is always a perk!🤣

[BlerkOne]

I keep hearing people thinking double points on Royal for singles is something, but Princess also gives double points for singles (more for single suites), and number of cruises or days count towards loyalty level. On Princess, 8 cruises can get you to their highest loyalty level.

[xDisconnections]

4 hours ago, BlerkOne said:

I keep hearing people thinking double points on Royal for singles is something, but Princess also gives double points for singles (more for single suites), and number of cruises or days count towards loyalty level. On Princess, 8 cruises can get you to their highest loyalty level.

You can get to their highest tier after 5 one night cruises 😉 

[xDisconnections]

5 hours ago, jetsfan58 said:

Thanks for the logical responses. I hear people all of the time talking about traveling between competing cruise lines. I certainly have no issue with strong and affordable competition. My issue is that I have never found a more affordable and "friendly" Cruse line other than Carnival. Over the years I have compared many Lines and my family has actually been tempted to try others. In the end we were always able to basically Cruise Carnival "twice" as compared to "once" on the others. 

 

Since being on the same Oceans, Bays and Gulfs is no different, I will continue to Cruise the Line with the most value for my dollars. Carnival Cruise Nut Incorporated.      

Carnival prides itself on being friendly and selling fun. Not only that, they do it well. They know their audience.

Edited April 18, 2021 by xDisconnections

[James4me]

Maybe Carnival should hand out pins to wear as Royal does 🤣

[BlerkOne]

1 hour ago, xDisconnections said:

You can get to their highest tier after 5 one night cruises 😉 

True, but it will cost you more 

[crzndeb]

5 hours ago, BlerkOne said:

I keep hearing people thinking double points on Royal for singles is something, but Princess also gives double points for singles (more for single suites), and number of cruises or days count towards loyalty level. On Princess, 8 cruises can get you to their highest loyalty level.

I’m a solo traveler and always get 2 pts per night. The deal Royal has until Sept/2022 says Double, but I would get 4 per night (suites are higher). As a solo, does Princess give a discounted solo fare at any point? I’m Platinum on Princess, thanks to credit from Sitmar, but their prices have always been more than I’m willing to spend as a solo.  

[BlerkOne]

2 minutes ago, crzndeb said:

I’m a solo traveler and always get 2 pts per night. The deal Royal has until Sept/2022 says Double, but I would get 4 per night (suites are higher). As a solo, does Princess give a discounted solo fare at any point? I’m Platinum on Princess, thanks to credit from Sitmar, but their prices have always been more than I’m willing to spend as a solo.  

Not aware of any discounts for solo, hence the double points. But they do have casino offers which can help 

[SNJCruisers]

1 hour ago, James4me said:

Maybe Carnival should hand out pins to wear as Royal does 🤣

They do.....

[Linda the Book Lover]

21 hours ago, evandbob said:

I'm Diamond on Carnival and enjoy some of the perks like priority boarding (wish they would re-instate that in ports!) and free unlimited laundry.  The casino sometimes sends me 10% off fares (never free) along with casino games/drawings participation.  I am grateful for whatever I get, and if an item they leave for me in my cabin is something I don't need or already have, I'll pass it along to a red or blue card cruiser.

 

However, some other lines also offer some great perks, like NCL's free specialty restaurant dinner for 2 every cruise, and I'm nowhere near their top level.  Celebrity's casino has extended almost free ($198/for 2) week long cruises in balcony mid ship cabins on their brand new ship Apex to us after only a few cruises on their line. We even have an 11 day Southern booked for $598 balcony cabin for both of us.

 

It pays to spread your loyalty around.  Other side benefits of booking other lines might be different excursion experiences and quieter CDs with fewer and shorter announcements.

Thank you for answering the Perks question. We sail different cruise lines depending on family members or it is just the DH and I cruising alone. I admit the laundry perk is a plus for us on NCL (Platinum), but it will be a very long time before we get it on Carnival, if ever. In the emanwhile we enjoy all of the cruise lines we sail with perks or not.

[jimd909]

Curious if you can order from the main dining room when sailing in a suite? Or is it just the limited room service dining menu?

 

Thanks...