Call from Carnival Rep ???

[euroguy]

I thought it was interesting that after.a week returning from my recent cruise and 3 days after submitting my players platinum card from a local casino that I received a call from Carnival. I didn't take the call and they left a msg with The rep providing her direct number and said her job was specifically to make sure I was taken care of on any up coming cruise plans and wanted to make sure I was getting the very best offers and wanted to help.plan my next cruise. Then thanked me for my last cruise.  

Keep in mind I've cruised carnival 8 times and still Gold card but getting close to Platimum and I earned over 8k casino points on my last cruise .. and have been receiving free ocean view cabin offers, but hoping for free balcony offer...lol.   in all my trips I've never received a call like this before.

Anyone else receive this type of call?

 

 

Edited May 9, 2023 by euroguy

[Kendall James-Vargas]

@euroguy It sounds like I need to up my game in the casino! I have a friend who earns so many cruises due to his casino playing, and I think I'm quite jealous. I'm not skilled enough, or enough of a risk taker, to receive a call like this, but it's well deserved for you to receive a courtesy call. You sound pretty high up in the cruise casino game, and I bet CCL is starting to take notice. Remaining cautious with scammers is a wise choice, but if it's a real deal CCL rep trying to check in, I say give a callback. Maybe you will earn the free balcony offer you are looking for. 

[euroguy]

Kendal not to make you cry but I have CCL offer on the new ship Luminesa for 22 day cruise departs from Seattle stops in Hawaii, Tahiti, Fiji, tiawan, Japan and ends at Sydney... and the price is!!!??? Drum roll.... $ ocean view cabin they would end up paying me $300. How so? Cruise cost with port charges $400. On board ship credit $200 which brings cost to $200, but then I get $500 free play at casino so the net is minus $300 in my favor. I've attached a pic of the offer 🤣 

[euroguy]

FYI I can add a guest for $200 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 

not asking you to tag along just think the CCL offer is hilarious and hard to fathom. 

Edited May 10, 2023 by euroguy
Add additional info

[Kendall James-Vargas]

@euroguy This price seems unfathomable! I really hope you book that and take advantage of this offering. Also, adding a person for $200, that's just wild. I'm used to paying the usual prices that generally begin in the thousands, so this sounds like an unbeatable deal! You must be doing something right in the casino. I hope you chose to book it! I think moving any sort of plans you may have around for this is totally worth it. These are some top-notch destinations! 

[3Sisters]

@euroguy I'm so very shocked to be seeing this CCL offer with my very eyes! You should definitely jump on that. I hope you did already! This is an unforgettable itinerary. Have you been to any of these destinations before? They are all on my bucket list. I haven't been to any of these destinations yet. Just to get to visit Hawaii for this price is a dream. I hope you find a friend to join you! Also, how do you receive such an offer? I may need a few casino pointers. 

[euroguy]

I have not returned the CCL Reps call that took place few days ago and today I missed a call and saw it came from Florida and they left a msg. Yep you guessed it the same rep that called previously and re introduced herself and said she was here to assist me in any future cruises and then added "before you book your next cruise please call me as I have some very exclusive offers for you" hmmm guess who I'm calling tomorrow 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 

This is crazy...will be interesting to see what she offers as " very exclusive just for me"

Noone else here has had this happen to them??? 

[Kendall James-Vargas]

@euroguy I will be waiting to see what this CCL rep has in store for you! Please let me know how your conversation unfolds. I would be delighted for you if you are able to receive more CCL cruises at lower than usual rates, or even free! This definitely hasn't happened to me, but if you have any tips and tricks I would be so excited for a Carnival Cruise Line call like this. I think it's pretty rare you are receiving calls like this, consider yourself privileged! Maybe you can tell the CCL rep you are interested in a specific itinerary or stateroom, and the rep can add it to your Carnival portfolio. It sounds like you may already be a high roller in the cruise line's system!

[euroguy]

I now have a personal assistant with a direct # to her and was offered a free balcony so now figuring out which trip.i want to take in Oct, Nov or December maybe Jan. Lol so many options so little time. 😅 

[euroguy]

Oh and I still have free ocean view and interior rooms available if I want.  I will probably ly never use the interior

[Kendall James-Vargas]

@euroguy I'm so impressed you now have a personal CCL assistant. This is amazing. Congratulations to you for earning your free balcony experience! Since we have been communicating on the boards, I have seen your offerings evolve significantly, now to include a personal assistant! So many options, and so little time. Which itineraries are you leaning towards? Do you have the flexibility in your schedule to do them all? You are living many people's dreams! 

[euroguy]

Kendall to be frank my head is kinda spinning as things keep progressing at the pace they have been. I litwrally just opened up my email and received another free room on a premeir cruise which gives me $500 free play, $200 ship credit, free gifts, treats deliver to cabin, invites to special events and so forth... oh and i can use the offer 3 times as long as book by end of june. YIKES!!! Freaking hell... i need to  retire to take advantage of all the free cabin offers i currently have. Sigh!!

The summer time is difficult for me to get away for any length of time, at least for the moment. Regarding destinations I'm really torn. I live in California so of course west coat Mexico is easy but I've taken those trips many times. Alaska would be easy however summer is the best time to go and this summer won't work. I've thought about going out of Galveston, new Orleans,  Florida etc but have my concerns of weather in Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan as flights get impacted delayed or canceled etc. So I have a bit of a dilemma as you see.  I might have to create a spreadsheet to figure this all out 🤣 

[Kendall James-Vargas]

@euroguy It must be such a great feeling to have such a variety of offers! I'm sure they are all well-deserved. Maybe some of these offers could be weekend getaways. Clearly, I truly enjoy cruising, so hearing about all of these options gets me so excited for you. Hopefully, you are able to continue to take advantage of these opportunities, build higher rapport with the cruise line, and find yourself retired on a cruise ship. I'm glad you are able to share all of these concerns with the boards. You may find out some insight based on others' prior cruising experiences. As someone who has cruised out of Florida quite often, I can say sailing out during the winter months, post-hurricane season, can actually be a wonderful time to cruise. In terms of pricing, I usually notice February itineraries to be quite reasonable out of Florida and the weather is prime; although, I don't think you are too concerned about pricing. Flight prices are higher during November/December, due to the holidays but if you booked in advance you would be able to find a reasonable fare in February. Have you taken a Caribbean cruise before?

[euroguy]

Kendall having all the different options is kind of a double edged sword. In one hand I'm like wow ok cool when do I want to go, what locations so on and so forth. On the other hand with so many options and dates and locations it's a bit overwhelming to sort through. 

Regarding weekend trips I looked a bit into them as that was my initial thinking take fee days here and there and then a couple longer one. Problem with most short 4 day cruises have mid week departures so I would have to do local cruises and wouldn't be able to do out of state ones unless I could figure out a way to do back to backs lol.

Yes I have once sailed out of Florida some years ago. At the time they had a 8 of 9 day cruise that hit several stops including Belize. It was a marvelous trip as the whole purpose was to visit Myan Pyramids and towns at each stop. I called it the Myan Trip, (my last trip a month ago was the Saffari trip) It was so amazing, even was able to climb to the top of one (which was terrifying) and checked off an item on my bucket list.

Yes I usually make my trips a theme and base my adventures on the theme. Sometimes it works in opposite.  

Thank you for the insight regarding travel times for Florida that certainly gives me something to chew on. 

[Kendall James-Vargas]

@euroguy I have also noticed many shorter itineraries begin in the middle of the week, which is very difficult for many Monday-Friday employees. I think if there were more options for long-weekend cruising, there would be a surplus in demand and not a large enough supply. A Myan itinerary sounds very intriguing! I can't imagine climbing all the way to the top, that must have taken so much effort. I'm sure you were exhausted and ready to relax on the ship after that. What an amazing experience. Do you enjoy cruising over the holidays? Flights can get pricey but the onboard festivities can be fun! Usually, cruise lines have specialty menus and drink options during certain holidays such as Christmas and Thanksgiving.

I wish you the best in sorting out all of those CCL offerings and itineraries. I would imagine it could be overwhelming and time-consuming to do. Coordinating flights and taxis are also work, sometimes home feels more relaxing when you are constantly on the go! 

[euroguy]

I wasn't so much tired from the climb, I was a bit terrified as the steps where very small as means are short and have small feet..I'm 6'2 with 13's 😆 then over a hundreds of years the rain and wear on the steps are slippery and the one I climbed in Belize you started on the outer outside edges and worked your way through the inside up steep steps to the top which had a hole that you came out on top. No railings or anything so one miss step and splat!!! Once on top it was large but again no railings...I stayed in the center which over looked the whole myan town/village and heard the howler money's in the jungle surrounding the pyramid I was on. It was pretty amazing experience, I now know what the ruler would see and hear when up top.

I've never gone during a holiday. I think my mom would protest and really need to spend those days with here as never know when it's the last as she getting to that age.

My most recent cruise a month ago the "safari" cruise I swam and played with dolphins for an hour, got to hug and get a kiss from a Camel then took a ride on her on the beach for about 45 minutes and then the grand finally I got to spend about an hour interacting with 2 tiger cubs, 1 Siberia and 1 bangle. The Siberia cub was a month old and bagley was 3 months old. I really wanted to play with an older tiger but thats what they had available at the time. Below are a few pics

[3Sisters]

@euroguy These photos are amazing!  I love the colors and the clarity. I couldn't help but smile at the one with you and the camel kissing! Do they spit like llamas? If so, you took a serious risk. This looks like a nice camel anyways. The photo with the cub reminded me of the wild movie that came out called Tiger King. Have you heard of this movie? You were brave to experience all of these animals so up close. The dolphin would probably be the extent of my adventure. What a cool thing to say you did in your lifetime though! 

[euroguy]

Yes camels do spit but usually only when in a threatening situations. She was a sweetheart. The funny part was I really wasn't sure what they smelt like but I grew up on a farm with cows horses etc and camels smell very similar to a horse so it was not uncomfortable for me and in many ways they are just a different kinda horse imo. Yes I have seen the show tiger King which was sad on many levels. Tigers are so majestic, regal and simply beautiful. I do wish they had been a little older/larger..perhaps on my next adventure. Certainly checked off some of the bucket list items. I'm not sure about the brave part but certainly I'm adventurous and love living life and the experiences that the world has to offer.

[3Sisters]

@euroguy As sweet as the photo was, I'm not sure I would be the one kissing the camel, especially now that I have confirmation it could potentially spit in my face. I know people get really into their horses, but since I haven't spent much time around horses, I also don't think you would find me kissing a horse either. What a great memory though!

Tiger King was so very sad but also had some very hilariously absurd scenes. It felt so abnormal and surreal that watching it totally had me perplexed. I couldn't relate to the lifestyle at all and the drama and secrecy had me questioning so many aspects of the film! Let's just say, it was a great way to occupy my time during the shutdown.

I can't believe you actually wished the tigers were larger! Especially after watching Tiger King. Those things are carnivorous! You must live on the edge from time to time. I will enjoy watching the thrill from afar, these on-the-edge adventures have me on the edge of my seat!

 

[Cruising Thomas]

On 5/25/2023 at 7:19 PM, John Lauterbach said:

Referring to Benefits, 
I have discussed with many fellow carnival lovers referring to our benefits we would love to see carnival add  2 - 4 drinks a day for free for anyone over the age of 21 for platinum and above. That is one thing Royal caribbean has carnival crushed on. RCs crown and anchor program has an emerald class thats the same level as our platinum that they get 4 drinks a day for free per person anywhere on the ship. That's a huge perk that I'm sure many people would love to see happen. What we get is a joke, 1 drink for a week on a scheduled time at a place no one will use.

 

On 5/30/2023 at 2:59 PM, Kendall James-Vargas said:

@Cruising Thomas If you have enjoyed Carnival Cruise Line thus far, it's almost a guarantee you will love RCL. In fact, you may love RCL even more. I'm not sure what attracts you the most to CCL but Royal Caribbean Line has amazing amenities, and its newer ships have all the bells and whistles. I would not consider the Royal Caribbean crowd to be snooty at all. The crowds are very similar to CCL, and both cruise lines attract a diverse environment. The prices are relatively the same but I have noticed RCL has some really good rates for cruising with more than 2 guests per stateroom. I love when the line does the promo 3rd and 4th guest cruise free. It comes out to be a very reasonable cruise that way! 

 

[Cruising Thomas]

Just now, Cruising Thomas said:

 

 

@Kendall James-Vargas Thanks so much. 

[euroguy]

@Kendall James-Vargas update regarding my CCL assigned personal assistant.  Well she paid.off in spades.  I was planning for a trip to alaska for the dates of Aug 31 - Sept 7.  Had been on the edge about booking it and finally decided to go for it and sure enough all all the balcony cabins gonzo.  So found same trip and ship for the week earlier put a hold on a balcony cabin for that but it was really a stretch for me to go a week earlier due to work. I made 1 call explained what had happen and what I had done and what I was trying to actually get. She looked in the system and saw that a couple balcony cabins had been placed on hold but not paid for. She set an alert to her self so when the free hold was expired she could grab one for me. Then she canceled my cabin I had on hold on the week earlier then replaced that same cabin back on hold but under her control.  The next day (today) at 750 a.m. I received a call from her and was promptly told she grabbed a balcony cabin for the week I actually wanted and remove the one for the prior week which I really did t want and wasn't sure I could actually go on and had placed on hold as back up plan. So basically end result got my free balcony cabin on the week I wanted all because of her... and yes the ship is almost completely sold out only couple suites left... maybe I can get a free upgrade  🤣 ok maybe not but she certainly got the job done that was needed. Wouldn't have been able to do it without my personal CCL assistant.  Still not 100% sure why I got assigned to her but very glad I did.

Im looking forward to seeing alaska in 70+ days and planning another cruise in April

[euroguy]

Oh the reason she had to cancel my original on hold cabin for the week earlier sailing and put.under her control was because we can NOT hold a cabin and book for another but she could... so basically at one point I had 2 cabins on hold by her until she could complete my booking under the actual week I wanted and then released the back up cabin to the general public

Edited June 8, 2023 by euroguy

[Kendall James-Vargas]

@euroguy This Carnival Cruise Line personal assistant is fantastic! I'm so impressed by her tenacity; she must really want to make sure your every wish is granted. I didn't realize Carnival Cruise Line had such a diligent team of employees willing and able to cater to VIP guests because indeed the line considers you a VIP guest. A balcony stateroom, cruising to Alaska sounds like a dream, that's such an exciting itinerary! Which ship will you be cruising on? The dates are great for an end-of-summer getaway and by this time, most all schools are back in session. That should mean less packed with families onboard. Your personal assistant has some serious skills! 

[euroguy]

I'm traveling on the newly acquired ship from Costa ... luminosa. I have already been on the Spirit before so seemed like the logical choice.  The bummer is I thought it was a new ship but found out that it was built in 2009 and did a refurbish in 2022. after booking I've read horrible reviews about the staff and certain things that had not been updated in 2022 dry dock like restaurants and few other things.  It is a spirit class ship which only carries around 2200 guests which is okay with me as it certsinly will feel less crowded and easier/faster to get on and off. I was surprised that the ship really only has 1 specialty restaurant which is the steak house.  Regardless I plan to have a wonderful trip and appreciate that I get to see Alaska while on a cruise ship and maximize the positives and overlook the negatives. Glass half full vs empty. Of course the casino and I will make friends 😆