29 days before sailing & scored big!!

[KJPG]

Leaving on April 5, 2010 and my prices just keep going up!:eek: Why is that??? I mean ...I have been watching the website and it goes up and up each week.

 

You're cruising at Spring Break, which is usually a busy time for the ships. If they're filling cabins at a good pace, they start to raise the prices.

[Baystate]

We booked "Early Saver" in Categories 8D & 4G. Upgrade took me from lowest category in both interior and balcony. The upgrade fares were $429/pp(interior) and $749/pp(balcony) which is a significant rate drop from what I originally booked at.

 

Also, as someone else stated here, I booked "Early Saver" which allows me to apply for any fare reductions up to two days prior to sailing. You just have to be somewhat anal about checking fares on Carnival's website. But, as you can see, in this case it was well worth it. I will also continue to check for reductions until we're two days out. One never knows!

 

I have an early saver 8B cabin and I've been watching the prices, but they have been going up. I had always thought that the early saver was just for that category. So you're saying that if I see a price for booking an 8B automatic upgrade to an higher level that would qualify?

[Nickymjw1]

When I changed my booking from a ES oceanview to a cove balcony on the Dream for our 5/15 cruise, I lost the ES rate. With the regular rate, how late can I get the price adjustment if I see a lower price?

 

Also, how can I check for military discounts? I don't see that listed on the carnival website..

 

Thanks,

Nicky

[afcj1]

WOW!! Way to go...Congrats:)

 

My fare has gone up $200.00 for my May cruise. WAH...no OBC for me:(

[cruiseawaits]

I have an early saver 8B cabin and I've been watching the prices, but they have been going up. I had always thought that the early saver was just for that category. So you're saying that if I see a price for booking an 8B automatic upgrade to an higher level that would qualify?

 

If you see an upgrade promotion say, for example, an 8A, 8B or 8C upgraded to an 8D, you should qualify for Carnival's "Price Protection". On the form it will ask if you want the rate differential in the form of a cabin upgrade or "OBC". Good luck, just keep your eyes posted to the site. I find that the closer you get to the departure date, the better luck you'll have with promotions as they are trying to sail full. And as long as you booked "early saver", you will be entitled to the adjustments until 2 days prior to sailing.

[cruiseawaits]

You're cruising at Spring Break, which is usually a busy time for the ships. If they're filling cabins at a good pace, they start to raise the prices.

 

I'm cruising during one of the more popular winter break weeks, and my rate reduction is about as good as it gets. Again, just keep checking. The closer to sail date you get, the better chance you have.

[cruiseawaits]

Okay, somewhat stupid/smei-newbee (only 1 cruise) question....is there a link/website explaining the strategies on booking a cruise and looking for deals/price drops/upsells? I try to read the posts but am having a hard time figuring out a strategy for my next cruise.

 

Thanks

 

My advice would be to zone in on the date and ship you wish to sail. The cruise lines are smart and know exactly what weeks are more popular than others(i.e.-Hurricane Season(Autumn months) is usually less expensive on Caribbean sailings versus Holiday, Summer and school break weeks where you will often find a significant increase in rates. Once decided, book cruise using "Early Saver" rate(be aware there is a cancellation/change penalty with this fare). Then just keep an eye on the rates via the Carnival website. Just check and check all the time. Every time you see a reduction in rates, submit the "Price Protection" form. There is no limit as to how many times you can request a reduction.

[cruiserbryce]

I would imagine you would get it back...but I think for 4 pax you should have no problem spending that much. Congrats

[Baystate]

If you see an upgrade promotion say, for example, an 8A, 8B or 8C upgraded to an 8D, you should qualify for Carnival's "Price Protection". On the form it will ask if you want the rate differential in the form of a cabin upgrade or "OBC". Good luck, just keep your eyes posted to the site. I find that the closer you get to the departure date, the better luck you'll have with promotions as they are trying to sail full. And as long as you booked "early saver", you will be entitled to the adjustments until 2 days prior to sailing.

 

Thanks so much! I actually have already seen that once. I'm off to check again.

[kellyq]

Congrats!! I can only hope to get so lucky!!

[Prairie_Gal]

Way to go! That is awesome!

[tenthredemption]

That's a lot of money...but you have to spend it on board!

Per Early Saver Terms & Conditions: "Verified rate difference is issued as an on-board credit. The on-board credit is non-refundable, non-transferable and has no cash value. Any unused portion of the onboard credit will be forfeited."

 

Oh boy! What are you gonna do with all that booty?!?!?! :eek:

[terri910]

That's a lot of money...but you have to spend it on board!

Per Early Saver Terms & Conditions: "Verified rate difference is issued as an on-board credit. The on-board credit is non-refundable, non-transferable and has no cash value. Any unused portion of the onboard credit will be forfeited."

 

Oh boy! What are you gonna do with all that booty?!?!?! :eek:

I would SO be a high-roller in the casino with all that!

[padre]

I also had a huge amount of OBC on my last cruise. I wasn't sure if I would get any unused portion back, so I headed to the Casino. You can transfer money from your sign and sail to a slot machine. that means it would basically take your OBC and put it onto a machine. Then just take your balance from the solt machine to the cashier for cash. I did this $100 at a time and used the money for spending on shore. My S & S bill at the end of 7 days was $45.

 

Plus I brought home cash that I took from the casino!

 

Let me know if you want help with how to do it, but I think I have already posted this in the past if you did a search.

[Baystate]

Well I did check and there it was an upgrade from the 8B to an 8D. So I called the gnome online travel agency and explained to them that I wanted the price difference between the two since I booked early saver. The only thing I wasn't sure of was what the difference would be. I booked an 8B for $679, but now the 8B is $799, and the 8D is $839. So I wasn't sure if I would be refunded $160.00 per person or $40 per person. Anyway, the customer service agent first tried to convince me that they didn't offer that, but then with my insistance called Carnival who then told him that they didn't do that. So my final payment is due within the week and after that I think that I'll fill out the form myself and see what happens.

[rickcop44]

I'm pretty sure Carnival must be mad at me. The price on my category (OS) on the 2/14 Victory sailing has dropped twice in the past three months. Each time, I sent in the price protection form. Never heard a thing. Finally, last week, I sent an e-mail to Carnival's Guest Relations Department inquiring about my applications and I got a response saying that requests for OBC's due to price drops are handled in the order received so it might take some time. Carnival's own link says they review them in two business days and make a decision. So I've responded with a link to their own policy. We'll see what happens. I'm not holding my breath though.

[BigDoug]

I have seen two price drops (so far) for my upcoming Legend cruise. ES has saved us $280.:D Still looking everyday for more price drops since there are a fair number of unsold cabins on this cruise.;)

[trock]

Nice!

Enjoy

[Yoli=)]

My cruise is in May but it keeps on going up and up and even more up...

Bummer...but Congrats to everyone else for there OBC!

[Pyro Tec]

That's a lot of money...but you have to spend it on board!

 

Per Early Saver Terms & Conditions: "Verified rate difference is issued as an on-board credit. The on-board credit is non-refundable, non-transferable and has no cash value. Any unused portion of the onboard credit will be forfeited."

 

Oh boy! What are you gonna do with all that booty?!?!?! :eek:

 

 

Good thing I read through this thread, I was looking to see if someone posted this information.

 

So there are 2 types of OBC...refundable credit and non-refundable credit.

 

Refundable OBC can be is like cash, can be used for gratuities, casino, anything you want. If there is an amount left over you will be given a check.

 

Non-refundable OBC CANNOT be used for gratuities or at the casino. It can be used for things like the Spa, drinks, pictures, etc. If there is an amount left over, it will be forfeited.

 

I recently experienced this as well. I cancelled a 7 day and booked a 3 day. There was an amount left over, so they offered to OBC it as refundable credit or give it back to my CC.

 

I also used one of the Future Vacation Certificates which gave me $100 of refundable OBC (because this cruise was already paid for using the credit from the cancelled cruise, it couldnt be applied towards the deposit as orginally intended, so its used as cash) and $50 non-refundable OBC (because its a 3 day cruise, so the OBC is $50, where-as if its a 7 day,I would have received $100 non-refundable OBC using the future vacation cert.).

 

I hope this explains it all and doesnt cause more confusion!

[yogimax]

The point is simple... check as often as you can for price reductions!

[gatorphin]

Just checked and my price went down $20 per person (Wife & I) plus category upgrade from 8B to 8E. I sent my form too. I'll let you know the outcome. Thanks for the info.

[Nickymjw1]

I'm pretty sure Carnival must be mad at me. The price on my category (OS) on the 2/14 Victory sailing has dropped twice in the past three months. Each time, I sent in the price protection form. Never heard a thing. Finally, last week, I sent an e-mail to Carnival's Guest Relations Department inquiring about my applications and I got a response saying that requests for OBC's due to price drops are handled in the order received so it might take some time. Carnival's own link says they review them in two business days and make a decision. So I've responded with a link to their own policy. We'll see what happens. I'm not holding my breath though.

 

Make sure you save a copy of the webpage showing the reduced price so you have proof if it is ever needed!

[butterflychick]

i just checked our cruise, Miracle Jan 31 and it appears there is only 1 room left. Am I reading this right? http://www.carnival.com/Itinerary.aspx?embkCode=FLL&itinCode=WCR&durDays=8&shipCode=MI&subRegionCode=CW&rateCode=PPB&sailingID=46917&sailDate=1/31/2010 So no chance of a OBC for us. We got a message about an upgrade or something, but hubby thought it was to pay more for it? Should we check somehow?

 

Cruiseawaits...Congrats!

[butterfly03]

Congrats and Enjoy!!!