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Carnival Cruise Line thinks I’m a gambling high roller, and they invited me on a free cruise. Let me explain.
I currently have Hyatt Explorist status. I keep it every year by matching to MGM Rewards (formerly mLife) and then back again (see this post).
Last year, after reading a post on Frequent Miler, I decided to match my MGM Gold status to Carnival Cruise Line through Carnival’s Fun Match program. After that, I received some offers for discounted Carnival cruises, but nothing substantial and definitely no “free cruise” offers.
Until now.
Free Carnival Cruise Offers
Last week, I received an email for a free inside room on Carnival. The offer was valid on many ships and dates through September 2023. It was even valid for a 14-night transatlantic cruise on a newer ship! Wow, what a deal!
I was tempted. REALLY tempted. However, my husband is running low on PTO time. Plus, I can’t be away from home that long while my kids are in school. And admittedly, I don’t love inside cabins. I’m slightly claustrophobic, and I need at least a window.
My family actually had a Carnival cruise booked for next January. Unfortunately, after learning my husband would not be able to get off work for it, I decided to cancel it. This offer almost tempted me to re-book that same cruise just for me and a kid (or two). I decided to wait a few days and think about it.
The very next day, I got another email, but this time for a free BALCONY room! Now we’re talking! And no, I couldn’t resist this deal.
While the deal says it’s for a “free” balcony room, it’s technically a $100 deposit per person with a $100 onboard credit for up to two people. Plus, you have to pay port taxes (which are $128 per person on the cruise we were looking at). There is no requirement to spend money in the casino.
With the offer, I could choose any balcony room. So of course I picked a cabin with an extended balcony. Why not?
The cruise visits two ports we’ve never been to, Amber Cove and Grand Turk. The ship has a roller coaster on the top deck.
For me and my son, the total cost of our cruise on the brand new Carnival Celebration including taxes and fees is $457.72. Plus, we get $200 of onboard credit to spend on excursions, drinks, etc. And of course, we will need to pay tips on board. So, it’s not free, but it’s a heck of a deal for sure.
I hope to use miles and points for flights and a hotel the night before the cruise.
Do I Have a Gambling Problem?
No, I’m not a gambler. I just happen to have MGM Gold status due to status matches. Carnival wants to attract gamblers to their cruises to spend money in their onboard casinos.
But, I AM a sucker for good deals. And yes, my family travels too much. But soon enough, my kids will be flown and grown. So, YOLO.
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Author: Nancy
Nancy lives near Dallas, Texas, with her husband and three kids. Her favorite vacations include the beach, cruising and everything Disney.
Hello, did you get anymore free offers since then?
@Steph I used 2 free Carnival cruise offers and I’m about to use a free offer from Holland America. 🙂 I haven’t received any more offers since I didn’t actually gamble on any of these cruises.
How much did you have to gamble to keep getting free offers?
@Stephanie I didn’t gamble at all. I got all 3 “free” cruises from matching my Hyatt status to MGM to Carnival/Holland America.
Aw I didn’t know they stopped coming after you took the 1st ones, thanks for the info dear
I did get an inside, then a balcony offer. Only took about 11 days. But most of the balconies from Dover or Rome are gone. Not sure what I’ll book. Thanks for your help!
@Lynn Wow, that was fast! Good luck deciding which cruise to pick!
Just got the confirmation email welcoming me to players club with a few discounts. You waited 6 months after receiving that 1st email?
@Lynn Yes, but I know others got their offers much sooner than I did.
Looks like you only had a few weeks to book before it expired? If so I better keep my eye on it!
Thanks, hope I’m not too late to get at least an inside, even if it takes 6 months!
@Lynn Fingers crossed!
Did you match to RCCL to get another free 5 day cruise? Saw that on frequentmiler. Amazing!!
@Lynn Nope, I didn’t match to any others. I’ve already got too many trips going on next year!
Thanks, Nancy! Thought I’d try this now with match from MGM gold. How did you upload or did you have the actual card sent to you? Thanks for your help.
Just went back to read your answer at top! Couldn’t remember if they had sent out a card. Guess they don’t. Congrats on cruise!
@Lynn I was never sent a card, but there is a way to see a virtual card online. Sign into your mgm rewards account, then click your name at the top and go to My Rewards. Once there, you will see a photo of a small gold credit card on the right side. Click on the photo of the card, and a larger photo of a card with your number will appear.
Just got my free interior room offer and am patiently waiting to see if I get the balcony offer. Thanks for sharing!
@Amanda Yay! If the balcony offer doesn’t come, you can use the interior offer on a category 4J interior room, which has a window to a public deck.
How long did it take? When is the expiration date? Thanks, Amanda!
How long did it take from the time you sent your screenshot to them sending the balcony offer? I’m still only getting the inside cabin offer after a month
It took ~6 months to get the inside free offer, then one day later the balcony offer. I’m not sure there’s any rhyme or reason to the timing. I know others have received offers much more quickly.
What are the details of your status match? MGM Gold matched to VIFP Blue/Red/Gold/Platinum/Diamond ? I’m assuming Gold to Gold, but I’d like clarification.
@Stanley As far as I can tell, my VIFP is Blue (no Carnival cruises yet). My Gold MGM status just filtered over to the Fun Match program for casino info to trigger the offer.
Do you have a physical loyalty card from MGM? I can’t see where to print one on the website, and haven’t been to Vegas in a couple of years to pick up a new card. The “Fun Match” wants a copy of front & back of card, not just a screenshot showing the Gold status.
@Allison No, I don’t have a physical card from MGM. I only uploaded a screenshot of my status. Maybe that’s why I didn’t get any free offers sooner, but for whatever reason I’m getting them now. 🙂
Thanks! I poked around some more on the MGM site and found a way to print the front side of a card, but it doesn’t have an expiration date or a back side. We’ll see how it works!
did you just upload 1 card?
@Aanonymous Yes! That’s all I had.
Amazing!