How to get a free or cheap cruise ship cabin upgrade

Table Of Content

• Casino Status Without Stepping Foot in a Casino
• Are there any restrictions on redeeming Carnival Fun Points?
• Carnival Fun Point Benefits
• Carnival’s Faster to the Fun: Are the priority cruise perks worth it?
• Finding and Utilizing Carnival Cruise Promotions
• Learn About Reward Programs

Simply log in to your Carnival account on the Carnival website and navigate to the FunPoints section. There, you will find your current Fun Points balance, as well as a breakdown of how the points were earned. This allows you to keep a close eye on your progress towards your desired redemption option and plan accordingly. If a business card isn’t doable for you and you don’t already have status with a casino, alternate routes through hotel status matches may be able to get you there. Before applying for the Wyndham Earner Business Card, you’ll need to sign up for both the Wyndham Rewards and Caesars Rewards programs. You will start out as a Blue member, but after getting the card, you’ll be automatically upgraded to a Wyndham Rewards Diamond.

Casino Status Without Stepping Foot in a Casino

If you want to upgrade to Faster to the Fun, book as soon as you can because availability is limited. With various exciting rewards to choose from, you can make the most of your Carnival Points and turn them into unforgettable experiences. In the next section, we will explore the factors that can affect the value of Carnival Points when it comes to redeeming them for a free cruise.

Are there any restrictions on redeeming Carnival Fun Points?

Such "forever status" is one of the great allures of cruise line frequent cruiser programs. Most airline frequent flyer programs, by contrast, require loyalty members to requalify for status each year. Getting to the Platinum tier takes 10 cruises, assuming you always sail seven-night voyages. I applied for the card onboard and got 5000 points as a "sign up gift," so I cashed those points as $50 towards my last S&S balance.

Carnival Fun Point Benefits

Priority access to restaurant reservations means you'll get the best table times. The Gold tier adds a single free drink that only can be ordered on the last night of a cruise (and only on cruises of five nights or longer). To restrict the free drink to the last night of a cruise, in our eyes, seems like an inordinate effort on the part of Carnival to discourage customers from using what already is a pretty paltry perk.

Carnival’s Faster to the Fun: Are the priority cruise perks worth it?

Redeeming your FunPoints on these nine cruise lines will always give you a value of 1 cents per FunPoint no matter the cost. This means every 5,000 FunPoints redeemed with World's Leading Cruise Lines is equal to $50 in value. Carnival Funpoints will have the best value when redeemed as a statement credit towards Carnival purchases. You can get up to 1.5 cents per point based on the Carnival net purchase amount meaning that 10,000 FunPoints can be worth as much as $150 in cruise value. The giants of cruising to Alaska are Princess Cruises and Holland America, which are sister lines to Carnival that control a large percentage of the market.

Carnival Fun Points and Free Cruises

For example, if you’re a World of Hyatt Globalist, you may be able to match to Ceasars Rewards Diamond status, the highest tier in that program. Then, you may be able to take your newly earned Ceasars Rewards Diamond status and match it to another casino loyalty program. Matching to more than 1 program may get you more than 1 status, and you’re then able to leverage those new status levels by uploading to the Carnival website. Yes, reaching higher Fun Points balances can unlock additional perks and privileges. Carnival offers different Fun Points tiers, each with its own set of benefits.

You'll also find Carnival ships in secondary cruise ship ports such as Baltimore; Charleston, South Carolina; Mobile, Alabama; and Jacksonville, Florida. This sort of upgrade would typically be a "surprise" that occurs when you check in at the pier, so you can't plan for it in advance. It never hurts to remind the staff how excited you are to be celebrating on the ship and ask if there is any chance for an upgrade. Put on a big smile, be super friendly and ask if there is any chance a better cabin is available.

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The higher your Fun Points balance, the greater the range of benefits you can enjoy. These may include priority boarding and debarkation, complimentary Wi-Fi access, spa discounts, and even access to exclusive areas of the ship reserved for loyal Carnival cruisers. Aside from earning Fun Points through cruises, there are a few additional ways to accelerate the accumulation of Carnival Fun Points. Carnival’s credit card, the Carnival World Mastercard, allows you to earn Fun Points on everyday purchases. By using this card for your daily expenses, you can earn Fun Points faster. Additionally, Carnival may occasionally offer bonus point promotions, allowing you to earn extra points for various actions, such as referring friends or participating in special events.

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However, the credit card information that we publish has been written and evaluated by experts who know these products inside out. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers that are on the market. See our advertising policy here where we list advertisers that we work with, and how we make money. Cruises have become a popular choice for travelers looking for an all-inclusive vacation experience. With a variety of amenities and activities, it’s no wonder that many people are drawn to the idea of setting sail on a luxurious ship. However, the cost of a cruise can sometimes be a deterrent for those who are on a budget.

Some popular sailings and redemption options may have limited availability, especially during peak travel periods. It’s advisable to plan ahead and book early to increase your chances of securing your desired redemption and sailing. Carnival offers a wide range of promotions, loyalty programs, contests, and other opportunities for passengers to earn free cruise credits and enjoy a complimentary voyage. From taking advantage of special offers to participating in onboard activities and maximizing savings, there are various avenues to explore in your quest for a free Carnival cruise. Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive financial compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear).

Travel agents, especially those who do a lot of business with a particular cruise line, have a certain amount of pull. Your agent might be able to snag you an upgrade by contacting the cruise line and asking for a favor. You might not know you have been upgraded until you get to the ship, as it will be based on whether or not cabins are available at the last minute. When you book a cruise, you typically choose a cabin in your desired location. With a "guarantee" cabin, you leave it up to the cruise line to assign you accommodations either in the category you booked or a better one. The bet is that your category will sell out, and the cruise line will have to move you up for free — say, from an outside to a balcony cabin.

Unlike Royal Caribbean and some other lines, for instance, it doesn't give members a free cruise upon reaching this pinnacle of loyalty status. You don't have to worry about different earning levels for different cabin categories or different types of bookings, as is the case with some lines. Here are some tricks to scoring a free or discounted cruise ship cabin upgrade and landing better cruise rooms without breaking the bank. The chart below outlines how much Faster to the Fun costs based on cruise duration, but prices are subject to change.

The new Carnival loyalty program is called "The VIFP Club", where VIFP stands for "Very Important Fun Person". So from now on, all Fun Ship guests are considered "VIP Fun" passengers - no matter past or present. All members of the Carnival VIFP Club form, as CCL says, a "secret society" - with way more fun deeds and deals than secrets.

You don't need dining reservations, priority or otherwise, if you've opted into Your Time open-seating dining and don't plan to splurge on specialty restaurants. And if you have an early flight out on debarkation day, the cruise line will automatically give you an early departure time. The package option usually opens for booking six to 18 months before embarkation day.

Carnival Cruise Lines Carnival Players Club Funmatch Program

Table Of Content

• Carnival Fun Points and Free Cruises
• Must-Have Travel Accessories
• Finding and Utilizing Carnival Cruise Promotions

It won't get you across-the-board discounts on cruises, shore excursions and beverage packages, as some lines offer higher-tier members. But it does bring some worthwhile perks at higher levels, and it's relatively easy to rise through the tiers of the program. I highly recommend checking out the credit cards offered in the Venture Rewards & Spark Rewards program if you're looking to build enough rewards to earn at least one to two free cruises annually.

Carnival Fun Points and Free Cruises

Being bold enough to ask for an upgrade once you are on the ship could pay off. Cruise lines naturally give upgrade preferences to frequent cruisers who are members of their loyalty programs. In fact, you might be a member without even knowing it if your name was added to a cruise line's email and mailing list after your first cruise with the brand. You can also think about whether Faster to the Fun is worth it based on how much you'll need its perks. For example, priority check-in, early stateroom access and express luggage delivery are a few of the biggest benefits of Faster to the Fun that let you maximize your vacation time.

Must-Have Travel Accessories

Additionally, take advantage of any promotions or bonus point opportunities offered by Carnival. Booking multiple cruises within a short period can also boost your Fun Points balance. It’s important to do your research, plan ahead, and take advantage of the opportunities available to earn more Fun Points. However, since I’m a teacher, my vacation time is pretty restricted to peak travel dates. In the end, we were happy to snag an eight-day cruise to the Southern Caribbean on the Carnival Vista in a porthole room.

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Finding and Utilizing Carnival Cruise Promotions

Carnival's fun-focused, affordable ships are a popular pick with families looking to visit Alaska during the short Alaska cruise season, which lasts roughly from May to September. To put that in perspective, that's more ships than exist in the entire fleet of Norwegian Cruise Line, which itself is a major player in Caribbean cruises. For the most part, Carnival ships sail relatively short voyages of three to eight nights. Carnival's biggest operations are out of PortMiami and Port Canaveral in Florida; Galveston, Texas; Long Beach, California; and New Orleans — all major cruise hubs.

Learn About Credit Cards

Since the Wyndham Rewards® Earner℠ Business Card offers Wyndham Diamond status to its cardholders, you can easily become a Caesars Diamond member by grabbing this card with a reasonable $95 annual fee. Remember to be proactive, flexible, and patient as you navigate the process of obtaining a free Carnival cruise. While it may require some planning and research, the rewards of a complimentary voyage and unforgettable experiences at sea are well worth the effort. Timing is crucial when it comes to securing a free or discounted Carnival cruise.

Carnival VIFP levels / points

The specific earning rate will be outlined in the terms and conditions of your cruise booking. Yes, one of the most exciting redemption options for Carnival Fun Points is a free cruise. The number of Fun Points required for a free cruise will depend on the length and fare of the cruise. As a general guideline, a seven-night cruise in an interior cabin usually requires between 35,000 and 70,000 Fun Points.

As part of Carnival’s Guest Recognition Program, Milestone Rewards was developed in appreciation of longtime Carnival guests. This milestone reward benefit is in addition to the wide range of amenities and privileges that guests already receive as part of the VIFP Club. Note that certain charter sailings and nonrevenue fares do not get you any points. The interest rate is 11.9% which is higher than the card I normall use (4.9% - I know - unheard of nowadays). Anyway, I figure I will use it instead of the lower interest rate card since I pay it off every month, and even if I had to take 2 months, the interest isn't that much. You have a period after you return from your cruise to apply your fun points as well.

By taking advantage of these earning opportunities, you can accumulate Carnival Points and work towards unlocking a free cruise or other enticing rewards. In the next section, we will explore the process of redeeming Carnival Points for a dream vacation at sea. But how many Carnival Points do you need in order to earn a free cruise?

What are Carnival FunPoints?

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The number of Carnival Fun Points required for a free cruise can vary depending on several factors, including the length and type of the cruise, cabin category, and the fare paid. As a general guideline, a seven-night cruise in an interior cabin may require between 35,000 and 70,000 Fun Points. The lengthier or more luxurious the cruise, the higher the Fun Points requirement is likely to be. It’s important to check the specific redemption requirements for the cruise you are interested in. For each night spent onboard, you will earn a specific number of Fun Points, determined by the cruise fare paid.

On top of that, the intro bonuses for these credit cards can be as high as 75,000 miles which is equal to $750 in value towards Carnival or any other kind of travel. That's significantly more than what the Carnival World Mastercard offers. If you want to earn rewards redeemable towards Carnival and other cruise lines in half the time, the best rewards program for doing so will be the Capital One Venture Rewards & Spark Rewards programs. If you upload proof of your casino loyalty program status to Carnival’s website, you may receive an offer for a free cruise in return. By employing these strategies, you can optimize your point accumulation and work towards earning a free cruise through the Carnival Points loyalty program. Remember to always check the Carnival loyalty program website and stay updated on the latest offers and point values.

From a single credit card application, we can enjoy eight days of almost-free (and kid-free!) cruising. So, if you're yearning for a nearly-free cruise, this status match may be the key to your next fantastic adventure on the high seas. The Carnival Fun Match allows you to submit proof online of status with a land-based casino.

This became our “anniversary cruise” to Aruba, so we didn’t add the kids for this voyage. Then, last year, I learned that I could use casino and hotel status to match my way to an almost-free cruise through the Carnival Players Club Fun Match Program. Once you’ve found a Carnival cruise promotion that fits your desires, it’s time to utilize it to your advantage. Follow the instructions provided by Carnival and make sure to meet any requirements or deadlines. Whether it’s booking within a specific timeframe or using a promotional code during the reservation process, be diligent in following all the necessary steps to secure your free or discounted cruise. But the best elite perk of the VIFP Club program in our eyes is the unlimited wash-and-fold laundry service that comes with Diamond status.

As the captain of this incredible website, my mission is to provide you with the ultimate sailing experience. Set sail on a journey of discovery with us and indulge in the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation. Our handpicked cruises offer unparalleled luxury and unforgettable destinations. From romantic getaways to family vacations and hidden gem exploration, I've carefully curated tailored packages to ensure every moment is cherished.

Transatlantic Cruises, 2024, 2025 and 2026 Atlantic Ocean Cruises

Table Of Content

• Southampton, England
• Learn From our Guests
• PREPARE FOR THE PACIFIC
• Cruise Ports
• Transatlantic Cruises on Award Winning Ships
• Vacation Deals
• Westbound transatlantic cruises from Southampton

You may spend some time in Caribbean islands, the Western Mediterranean or Northern Europe during your cruise, each bringing something new and exciting to your vacation. This is how many of our ancestors came to start a new life in the New World. It’s also how movies stars, authors and politicians traveled between continents. So now it’s your time to experience the glamour of a transatlantic crossing. The most frequent embarkation points are New York and Southampton, but you can also sail from Hamburg, Miami, Rio de Janeiro and Rome among several other destinations. This luxury brand offers small ships that allow you to explore less traveled ports for unique experiences.

Southampton, England

Travel across the Atlantic in style on our award winning cruise ships. Voted Best Onboard Entertainment, Best Specialty Restaurants, and Best Casinos, you know you’re in for exciting sea days. Sit back, relax, and let Norwegian take you so some of the most beautiful destinations. Truly cherish your time onboard one of the industry’s best cruise ships as you let the ocean breeze carry you along. Gaze upon the rippling waters of the Atlantic Ocean as you await each carefully chosen port city’s experience.

Learn From our Guests

From European powerhouses like London and Barcelona to bustling American cities like New York and Miami – there’s a hot destination for any transatlantic itinerary. Starting in Florida, New York or one of several European ports, a transatlantic cruise may include several city stops, Caribbean ports or a combination of both. Learn about the latest ships and destinations by browsing hundreds of questions (and the answers to those questions) posted by real cruisers.

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PREPARE FOR THE PACIFIC

Cross the Atlantic in style, no jet lag required, on a luxury or popular cruise. A transatlantic sailing has a bit of nostalgia and flair for glamour; this is a chance to feel the true clout of a cruise. With so many days at sea, try something new onboard, but also bring your own entertainment — whether that's an e-reader or a good book. Reposition your view of paradise with a transatlantic or transpacific cruise. As you cross the Atlantic Ocean in the ultimate style, embrace the freedom of the sea, with time to do as much — or as little — as you please.

Cruise Ports

Lisbon has deep cultural roots that are exposed through ruins and museum artifacts. Cruise to Lisbon and discover the culture and history of Portugal in its capital city. Tropical paradise and white sand beaches, volcano hikes & rich culture are waiting on the largest of the Canary Islands, Gran Canaria. Although most Pacific and Caribbean islands have different currencies, many ports accept Australian or American dollars, and larger cities will also accept credit cards.

Transatlantic Cruises on Award Winning Ships

Enjoy a visit to the magnificent Royal residence of Windsor Castle, the largest and oldest inhabited castle in the world. Tour the splendid State Apartments and grand St George’s Hall, admire the world-famous Queen Mary's Dolls' House, and explore the charming town of Windsor. From casual buffets to exquisite specialty restaurants, learn everything there is to know about dining on our ships.

Visit the iconic Harry's Cafe de Wheels in Sydney and tuck into one of their flaky pies filled with curried beef or chicken with a side of classic mushy peas. Consider bringing your own snorkeling equipment and reef boots to save on rental fees, if you're planning on snorkeling at multiple destinations. Immerse yourself in the historic architecture and cultural achievements on either side of the oceans.

Experience the beauty of Fiji when you visit its second largest city, Lautoka, the Sugar City. With innovative spaces like the Lawn and the AquaSpa Celebrity Cruises gives their customers a taste of modern luxury.

The city is full of activities for both water lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. Enjoy an old-world feel as you wander around Old San Juan, relax on the many beaches or explore the rainforests. On a cruise from San Francisco you can experience all that the ‘City by the Bay’ has to offer, from its artistic, forward-looking culture to the beautiful coastline.

Reykjavik was just a small village until seeing a major expansion after World War II, but this popular cruise destination still offers a small town feel different than any other European capital. In Miami, you’ll enjoy a small taste of the tropical weather many of you will experience during your cruise, and you’ll see why Miami is one of the most popular places to live in America. From the old buildings of the past to the vibrant red light district, there’s something for everyone cruising to Hamburg, Germany.

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Each stateroom is a personal oasis of calm, offering the very highest luxury at sea. Sumptuous bedding beckons, beautiful balconies celebrate the ocean view, and even a seven-pillow menu option awaits you. Enjoy sophisticated cities and tropical islands, co-mingled with leisurely days sailing the Atlantic Ocean. Rio de Janeiro, one of the most visited cities in the southern hemisphere, has numerous activities for every desire. Cruise to Rio for the Carnival celebrations, natural environment, beautiful beaches and famous landmarks.

Dover, with its striking white cliffs, is one of the most popular gateways to England. Take in the area’s natural beauty or head to nearby London to see more of England’s most popular attractions. Buenos Aires is a charming European style city with the perfect combination of new world characteristics mixed with old world history and culture. Boston is home to great sports, great food and loads of history with the Freedom Trail and Harvard.

With Amsterdam’s beautiful canals and an open attitude you’ll find no shortage of interesting attractions in the capital of The Netherlands. Get away from the crowd and journey to unique destinations aboard Windstar’s intimate small ships. From ice skating rinks to zip lines, if you can think of it, you can find it on a Royal Caribbean cruise. Best known for the Pacific Princess on the Love Boat, Princess Cruises has been a leading name in cruising and visits a wide range of destinations. Azamara boasts more overnights in ports, longer stays and night time tours. Experience the finest cities along the grand Atlantic’s coasts and the intriguing ports-of-call along the way with a Transatlantic cruise.

Sailing from New York to Southampton takes you Eastbound across the Atlantic, passing beneath the Verrazano Bridge and alongside the Statue of Liberty. It’s an iconic image to behold, one that will stay with you long after the ocean replaces the view of Manhattan’s skyscrapers on the horizon. Drive though Ponta Delgada heading northeast along the pleasant roads bordering agricultural areas stretching across the island to Ribeira Grande. Dublin’s streets are filled with interesting stories and charming people, including a long, celebrated line of writers. Cruise to Dublin and you’ll find something interesting around each corner of this Irish jewel.

A cruise to Civitavecchia is a chance for you to hop a quick train to Rome and explore the enormous history through ruins, galleries and The Vatican museums. Discover imaginative architecture, impressive Spanish dishes and beautiful excursions into nature when you cruise to Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia. Found in bakeries and convenience stores, Australians love their savory meat pies.