- Prologue: The Most Stressed Out Cruise Vacation Ever – So Much Just Went Wrong!
- Introduction: My “Free” Carnival Glory 14 Day Crossing Cruise from Barcelona Spain
- Not Very Impressed: The Atlanta American Express Centurion Lounge (Review)
- Fox Brothers Bar-B-Q Beef Short Rib Delta Air Lines First Class Meal Review
- How to Transfer from Mexico City MEX Airport Terminal 2 to Terminal 1
- The Hilton Mexico City MEX Airport Hotel Terminal 1 Review 2024
- Review: American Express Centurion Lounge Mexico City Airport MEX Terminal 1
- Air France A350 Business Class Mexico City to Paris Review
- Review: The Air France Lounge at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport – Terminal 2F
- Review: Hilton Diagonal Mar Barcelona Spain Corner King Suite – A Diamond Free Upgrade
- Carnival App plus Pre-Boarding and Boarding Experience Arriving Early
- Carnival Glory Aft Wraparound Cabin 7445 Review
- Carnival Glory Main Dining Room Food Review 2024
- Carnival Glory Entertainment Reviews 2024
- Expedia Booked “Rapha Transport” Driver Speeding at 90+ MPH While Blasting Religious Music From Carnival Cruise to Orlando Airport Transfer!
- My Disappointing Delta Air Lines 757 First Class Flight from Orlando to Detroit
- Final Thoughts on my “Free” 14 Day Carnival Cruise from Wydham Status Match Offer.
If you ask any real Frequent Floater what their favorite cruise was, they will almost all say, “The next one!” This past year, thanks to my Wyndham Diamond status, I have taken a number of free-ish cruises, including this 14-day Carnival crossing from Spain. So, was it worth it?
Clearly, a vacation should not start with the stress level I endured (all self-made). I really was an idiot and considering the crazy flights I had setup this was the worst time to make rookie mistakes. But I did get one of the lowest Delta SkyPennies redemptions I have had for years flying Air France business class for just 75,000 points. Nowadays you are doing great to get that rate in premium economy with low-value Delta points.
The point of the free cruise offers is to get a close to free as you can and not being a huge Carnival fan boy this was my intent. After all I flew free on points and stayed free on points (thank you Amex card partners). But…
I just could not resist paying more for the huge rear balcony rather than the stock free side balcony I was offered. We did spend a ton of time outside so overall it was worth it for a few hundred bucks each. But it did cut into the “free” cruise ideal.
After spending two weeks with Carnival I will say they did not convert me away from my favorite NCL but credit where credit is due the food really was good and service was just tops.
One of the things I really dislike about these free cruise offers is you do not get a drink package included that is often a stock offer from most cruise lines nowadays (you just have to pay the daily tips on the drink package around $20). While I am not a heavy drinker a drink by the pool and one or two at dinner can cost you at least that much or even much more.
Overall I did enjoy my time on Carnival with good food, fine entertainment, great service and yet another pleasant and mostly warm crossing of the Atlantic. Bottom line this is a one-and-done for me as I will not be looking to get another free offer via “player two” unlike Holland America that I will be looking for another free sailing. – René
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14 days and this is the content you can generate? No real details as to why they didn’t impress you, or what people might find valuable about this trip.
@Chester – Feel free to read the many linked posts about the entire trip at the top of the post. This is just a sum up of my experience from all the posts above and why, for me, taking another free-ish Carnival cruise is not worth it.
I think I counted 16 related posts at the top of the Rene’s article. Please read them and let us know what you think!
So Carnival was not a winner! Thanks for the review.
@Dee – Really it was fine but just not for me. I get, however, why so many do like them.
If you like the finer things, even in main dining and more, consider others lines vs Carnival.