Ultra Casino Cruise Offers Are On The Way!

[TravelBluebird]

Just received an email from Carnival that new Ultra cruise offers are going out on March 21st!  I’m excited to book another one (see below for a link to my LIVE! here on Cruise Critic re my Celebration Ultra Cruise at the end of last year, and also a link to a video of my last Ultra cruise, which I really enjoyed).

 

I actually just booked a Premiere Cruise, not because I was looking for one (I prefer Ultras) BUT because it was a cruise I was already looking to book to go along with some of my theater friends (we have 4 couples on Celebration next year).  So that will be fun!

 

Anyway, if you end up getting an Ultra cruise offer in the new round, and Ultra cruises are new to you, check out my Cruise Critic Ultra Cruise LIVE, and my YT video:

 

 

 

[vandercapellen]

I just go the email too. Hope the dates work out for me!!

[TravelBluebird]

8 minutes ago, vandercapellen said:

I just go the email too. Hope the dates work out for me!!

 

Same here RE dates! I’m glad they sent this email out—I’m looking to add a cruise in the Fall, definitely now leaning more towards Carnival with the Ultra offer!

[TravelBluebird]

For those that are curious what the email looks like, here is an image of mine, with my personal info edited out: 

 

 

[john91498]

interesting...I also got the e-mail but have never been on one. I usually do casino cruises.

 

Out of curiosity, what makes this different than other cruises?

[weezal]

48 minutes ago, john91498 said:

interesting...I also got the e-mail but have never been on one. I usually do casino cruises.

 

Out of curiosity, what makes this different than other cruises?

https://www.carnival.com/casino/carnival-players-club/cruises/ultra/

[Old Fart Cruisers]

I just received the same email.  I was hoping for a another Elite offer, but apparently I didn't get enough points on my last Elite cruises to keep getting those😕

[tha sista]

Can’t wait to see what dates are available. I’m going to book one!  I have a premier coming up!  Your video on the ultra cruises is really good!

[weezal]

3 minutes ago, Old Fart Cruisers said:

I just received the same email.  I was hoping for a another Elite offer, but apparently I didn't get enough points on my last Elite cruises to keep getting those😕

current elite offers end apr 5. look for new offers early next month.

[TravelBluebird]

1 hour ago, john91498 said:

interesting...I also got the e-mail but have never been on one. I usually do casino cruises.

 

Out of curiosity, what makes this different than other cruises?

 

@john91498 Take a look at my LIVE thread or my video for an in-depth answer. Short answer is:  gifts (including one large gift worth at leasst $300 or $300 in free play up to $1000), other gifts in room, nightly drawings for $1000, games played to win money in casino, etc. Its quite a lot of fun!

Edited March 14 by TravelBluebird

[TravelBluebird]

6 minutes ago, tha sista said:

Can’t wait to see what dates are available. I’m going to book one!  I have a premier coming up!  Your video on the ultra cruises is really good!

 

@tha sista Thank you! I dd the video because when I got my first Ultra offer, I didn’t really know what to expect!  I was just on Jubilee booked a long time ago and there was a Premier cruise on board; it felt really weird to be on the ship but not part of the Premier!  

[RoperDK]

Are Ultras more crowded than Premiers?  I received the email, too.  Premiers are pretty crowded and sometimes I wonder if it's worth the frustration, lol.

[UGACamper]

The giveaways in the casino “seem” better than the ones on our recent Elite cruise. Disregarding the Elite benefits, are Ultras a little better in this area?

[TravelBluebird]

28 minutes ago, RoperDK said:

Are Ultras more crowded than Premiers?  I received the email, too.  Premiers are pretty crowded and sometimes I wonder if it's worth the frustration, lol.

 

@RoperDK Very crowded!  That said, I thought the Premier cruise on the Jubilee last week (which I was not a part of; I was cruising on a different offer) was the MOST crowded I’ve ever seen a Carnival casino. It was very hard to get on a machine I liked the entire week!  

[TravelBluebird]

3 minutes ago, UGACamper said:

The giveaways in the casino “seem” better than the ones on our recent Elite cruise. Disregarding the Elite benefits, are Ultras a little better in this area?

 

@UGACamper Well, on the Elite cruise, you are definitely getting the benefits, and the casino giveaways on an Ultra are contingent on having your name called to play//win. I’ve not been on an Elite cruise yet (I don’t think I gamble enough for that)  so I’d love to have someone else weigh in who has been on both an Elite and an Ultra.

[TravelBluebird]

36 minutes ago, TravelBluebird said:

 

@UGACamper Well, on the Elite cruise, you are definitely getting the benefits, and the casino giveaways on an Ultra are contingent on having your name called to play//win. I’ve not been on an Elite cruise yet (I don’t think I gamble enough for that)  so I’d love to have someone else weigh in who has been on both an Elite and an Ultra.

 

I should qualify—except for the Ultra Draw. That giveaway prize is guaranteed

[pe4all]

I also received a "look out" Ultra offer - my first.  My early access start March 19.  Interesting, because I am not a "heavy" gambler - usually get around 6,000 pts on an 8 day cruise (penny slots - never bet near the max) and I have only cruised 1x a year recently.   I am going on a Premier in January.  I never like booking casino offers like that as the casino is so jammed, but that was the date that worked for me in 2025.  I get DOU all over the ship on the Premier - on the Ultra the offer is DOU in casino only for myself and a companion.  I actually like the ability to get a drink anywhere on the ship over just in the casino.  Will be interesting to see what dates are open.

[weezal]

1 hour ago, UGACamper said:

The giveaways in the casino “seem” better than the ones on our recent Elite cruise. Disregarding the Elite benefits, are Ultras a little better in this area?

Ultra prizes are better/higher

[TravelBluebird]

1 hour ago, weezal said:

Ultra prizes are better/higher

 

@weezal Thank you!  Do you personally prefer Ultra cruises or Elite cruises?

[weezal]

Just now, TravelBluebird said:

 

@weezal Thank you!  Do you personally prefer Ultra cruises or Elite cruises?

i haven't been on ultra sailing, but i've seen the casino giveaways and prizes, and was on an elite recently.

based on the perks and benefits, i'd pick elite.

[tradercj]

Got my email today. Can't wait to see the cruises.

[Colorado Beach Bum]

1 hour ago, weezal said:

Ultra prizes are better/higher

Prizes higher yes, but elite perks much better.  Elite is DOUE everywhere for 2 vs drinks only in casino for one.  Add in limo service, excursion, bottle of liquor plus mixers in room and much more and Elite perks far exceed the bigger prize on Ultra. 

[TravelBluebird]

2 hours ago, pe4all said:

I also received a "look out" Ultra offer - my first.  My early access start March 19.  Interesting, because I am not a "heavy" gambler - usually get around 6,000 pts on an 8 day cruise (penny slots - never bet near the max) and I have only cruised 1x a year recently.   I am going on a Premier in January.  I never like booking casino offers like that as the casino is so jammed, but that was the date that worked for me in 2025.  I get DOU all over the ship on the Premier - on the Ultra the offer is DOU in casino only for myself and a companion.  I actually like the ability to get a drink anywhere on the ship over just in the casino.  Will be interesting to see what dates are open.

 

@pe4all That is interesting; my access to book the Ultra doesn’t start until March 21.  I can be an uneven gambler; gamble a ton if its just hubby and me in Caribbean; gamble not as much if with a big group or on a more adventurous itinerary.  

 

Like you, I’m going on a Premier, mine next February (on Celebration), just because I was going to book that date anyway and it happened to have a Premier offer. Also like you, I hate how jammed the casino is (but trust me, its so much worse when you end up on a Premier or Ultra cruise and you are there on a different offer—then its just jammed and you’re not getting any of the extra fun).

[TravelBluebird]

Curious—did anyone get access to booking the Carnival Ultra cruises PRIOR to March 19th?

[tradercj]

Are all prizes and drawings for both people in the room or just one person? Mostly curious about the ULTRA drawing if it would be just me or both of us. Thanks!