Wow - right on Que. In my inbox is what seems to be a legitimate offer for a free cruise with $250 freeplay in the casino and the drink package (although I think the drink package is a special one valid in the casino only).
Tips and taxes only, inside cabin and obviously not for any high demand weeks (Not that they are going to have any of them going forward).
I have been on literally 25 cruises in my life, maybe more. They are without a doubt the most convenient way to travel and relax. Value is tough to determine since you always get nickel and dimed on these things, your tab just adds up especially if you are a drinker and like the on-board steakhouse.
The best part of a cruise is you don't have to worry about renting a car, where to eat, entertainment, etc.. It's all right there.
The cruise industry will figure out Covid-19. They are not going out of business, when Carnival gets to $7 or $8 I am going to buy 10,000 shares. They will be back to $50 a share in 2023. This paranoia is not going to last forever. It did not last but a year on 9-11-2001 and this will pass when the virus runs its course.
Is it from the cruise line? Which one?Originally Posted by Daly
Someone I know on Facebook posted today that he got a "free cruise offer".
Also, is it really tips and taxes only, or does it include an "admin fee" or some other fee on top of the taxes? If the taxes part adds up to something like $220 per person, then the cruise isn't free. (This is what you have to pay when taking the Seven Stars annual cruise, btw.)
This is mostly correct, but as I noted in my OP, you can quickly nickel-and-dime yourself into bad value if you're not careful.
For example, the shore excursions... you should always either rent a car at the port or take a private tour, as those are far better value AND typically cheaper than the ship group tours. It's a little more effort but worth it.
The best thing about cruising in my opinion is the ability to make a lot of short visits to places which are either difficult or impossible to get to otherwise, such as islands, glaciers, etc, and you don't have to pack, unpack, or fly anywhere (except to the cruise itself).
Renting a car is a waiting disaster on a cruise. You could easily get trapped and not be able to return it on time and the boat leaves without you. I have seen that before.This is mostly correct, but as I noted in my OP, you can quickly nickel-and-dime yourself into bad value if you're not careful.
For example, the shore excursions... you should always either rent a car at the port or take a private tour, as those are far better value AND typically cheaper than the ship group tours. It's a little more effort but worth it.
The best thing about cruising in my opinion is the ability to make a lot of short visits to places which are either difficult or impossible to get to otherwise, such as islands, glaciers, etc, and you don't have to pack, unpack, or fly anywhere (except to the cruise itself).
Another thing I have seen more than once, including someone in my party; you get drunk and mouth off to staff you get a warning, if it continues and you get even slightly physical you are left at the next port with your luggage. You have to find your way home. Luckily, the wife/husband we were with calmed down and went to their room and slept it off. It was the wife btw that almost got booted.
True story, back around 2011 or so, I was on a New Years Eve party on NCL, there was a group of us, like 10 or so. It was five couples, but we got engaged with other 5 couples and so on at dinner. It was just one of those things on the Lido deck where everyone was drinking. Apparently in the group, someone I did not know got hit on by a dude and a fight broke out. Staff swarmed the group of like 25 of us in a minute. They sequestered the entire group and let us go one by one until they reviewed the film. The NEXT day at 8am in Puerto Rico each fighter were given their luggage and told to leave and that was that, they had to find their way back to the States. The thing about a cruise is no fights and absolutely no drugs or you are gone, cameras everywhere. I actually saw a passenger one time get escorted from the metal detector with weed in his pocket, there was a US customs agent there and who knows what happened to him. Play by the rules on the ships.
Last edited by tgull; 05-05-2020 at 07:14 PM.
Yes PrincessIs it from the cruise line? Which one?
Someone I know on Facebook posted today that he got a "free cruise offer".
Also, is it really tips and taxes only, or does it include an "admin fee" or some other fee on top of the taxes? If the taxes part adds up to something like $220 per person, then the cruise isn't free. (This is what you have to pay when taking the Seven Stars annual cruise, btw.)
The one “catch” was it was a $100 non refundable deposit per person that is refunded to you in the form of shipboard credit on day 1.
If you ain’t scared and you have the time it’s not a bad deal but it’s a hard pass for me at the minute.
Lolz $100 depositYes Princess
The one “catch” was it was a $100 non refundable deposit per person that is refunded to you in the form of shipboard credit on day 1.
If you ain’t scared and you have the time it’s not a bad deal but it’s a hard pass for me at the minute.
How far out can you book?
Not if you're careful.Renting a car is a waiting disaster on a cruise. You could easily get trapped and not be able to return it on time and the boat leaves without you. I have seen that before.
Renting a car is often the best option to see places on your own, especially if you need to go a fair distance away.
You just need to time it right and not cut it too close. You also need to rent from legit franchises like AVIS so you don't get shit cars and you get a decent level of service.
Carnival has cruises leaving out of Miami in September for $109 for 4 full days. That is really hard to believe.
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Reply With Quote