If Carnival Cruise Line followers weren’t comfortable earlier than, they definitely received’t be now.
In early November, the information broke that AARP modified its discounted charge on Carnival reward playing cards from 10% to eight% off. For instance, this implies a $100 reward card would now price AARP members $92 as an alternative of $90.
However now, simply over a month later, AARP has as soon as once more lower its Carnival low cost – this time from 8% off to five% off. So now as an alternative of saving $8 on that $100 reward card, members would solely save $5.
The month-to-month buy restrict of the reward playing cards – which was lowered from 25 to 5 per thirty days as a part of the earlier low cost replace – nonetheless stays in place.
“So I seen right this moment that the AARP discounted carnival cruise reward playing cards have been dropped right down to solely a 5% low cost. They was once 10% a month in the past. Then AARP revamped the rewards web site and knocked the low cost down to eight%. Checked the AARP web site right this moment and so they lowered it once more down to five%,” one member posted on Reddit – with the change additionally mirrored on the AARP web site.
For the reason that reward playing cards can be utilized to e-book cruises, in addition to experiences and facilities onboard, many seasoned cruisers like to purchase the discounted reward playing cards to make their crusing extra inexpensive.
Between the latest reward card restrict and the lessened low cost, many had been disillusioned – with some saying it was time to cancel their membership.
“Rattling. I suppose they may nonetheless in all probability save me a pair hundred bucks however this nonetheless sucks,” one member shared.
“So we are able to solely purchase 5 and it’s solely 5%?? Pfft cancelled,” one other added.
“Thanks for reminding me to cancel my AARP membership,” a 3rd echoed.
It additionally possible doesn’t assist that AARP’s annual membership dues are growing from $16 to $20 per 12 months beginning in January 2025.
That stated, the non-profit, which caters to folks over 50, nonetheless has higher reductions on different cruise strains – with Royal Caribbean and Movie star Cruises reward playing cards at 10% off as of the time of this writing.
Some AARP trip packages may also supply higher charges – with the web site presently promoting early Wave Season cruise offers onboard Princess Cruises, Holland America, and Movie star Cruises that include as much as $100 in onboard credit.
Is Carnival Accountable?
With Carnival already feeling the warmth after an internet site glitch that prevented friends from utilizing their onboard credit and reward playing cards on-line, some could also be eyeing the Miami-based cruise line as a doable offender behind the slashed reductions – as they did for the November change.
On the time, Model Ambassador John Heald obtained an onslaught of messages complaining in regards to the change on his Fb web page.
“I’ve obtained a considerable amount of bollockings this morning a few change to the share of one thing to do with the reward playing cards. This has nothing to do with the cruise line, that is all determined as all reward playing cards are by the those that distribute them,” Heald wrote on the time, earlier than directing his followers to contact AARP with any additional questions.
Certainly, the reductions can differ primarily based on demand and availability – with even the AARP web site caveating that the Carnival Cruise Line reward playing cards are a “restricted time supply, whereas provides final.”
Learn Additionally: Carnival Cruise Present Playing cards: What You Have to Know
In the meanwhile, future friends won’t even be capable of use their reward playing cards on the Carnival web site on account of an ongoing glitch.
Along with web site upkeep that went on for much longer than anticipated on December 14, 2024, there has additionally been an ongoing situation that has prevented friends from making pre-cruise purchases on-line utilizing onboard credit or reward playing cards.
As of Heald’s most up-to-date replace on the matter three days in the past (December 19, 2024), the difficulty nonetheless wasn’t resolved.
“As soon as once more, I’ve to say the phrase sorry…I do perceive for a lot of of you posting this morning which you can nonetheless not use your reward card or OBC on the web site. I promise you that we’re very a lot conscious and we are going to proceed to maintain you knowledgeable and hopefully I’ll have some excellent news a bit of bit later right this moment,” the model ambassador wrote.
Heald is now on trip till after Christmas, and there have been no additional updates from him on this matter.
Per the feedback part of his publish, it seems that some have regained their potential to make use of onboard credit, whereas others haven’t.
