Why NOT to book Early Saver?

[becky7953]

We used ES too. No problems. Got 100 credit for a price drop. If you are sure you will cruise if not that date another date... You aren't out anything.

[CapsR1]

We always book ES when we can and way ahead.

 

Last cruise we had booked on the Dream and decided to change t oValor when they announced Aruba run.

 

Cost us 100 to make the change but long term we are well ahead.

 

Agreed, we once had to make a change which cost us $150, but received OBC for a price drop and the ES rate even after the change was less than any other offered at the time.

[tracyanns]

No name changes if someone can't make it & you want to go with someone else.

 

Unless you get Travel Insurance, you can't cancel without losing an arm & leg.

 

Nowdays, I plan to spend a bit more & use Past Guest rate.

 

Do they offer past guest on every cruise? I am looking at a cruise now for October and there is no Past Guest offered...only ES?

[NCTribeFan]

Just read the "fine print" for the ES rates and if you think any of those exceptions might apply, then don't book it!

 

It works well for some, not for others.

 

Back when it was just me and DD on every cruise, there was no such thing as ES. Then, once it was introduced, DD was no longer able to sail with me, so not knowing if I had a sailing partner or not, or if that person might have to bail at the last minute meant that I just didn't want to risk it. Plus, I just don't know if I'll continue to cruise on Carnival.

 

Sometimes the rock bottom price isn't always the best option. Good thing there are others!

[parrotthead]

Non refundable

Non changeable

 

You Can change, just costs ya the $50pp charge.

And its not like they "keep" the rest, you do get to use it toward another cruise.

You just dont get it back in 'cash'

[parrotthead]

Do they offer past guest on every cruise? I am looking at a cruise now for October and there is no Past Guest offered...only ES?

No not offered on Every Cruise...

Also it comes and goes. It may be available for a while then may disappear.

Oh the Pricing Game!

[KelliKevin]

there are a few things to consider.

We booked ES for our May cruise. Cruise went on sale. Filled out form.

Should have gotten an OB credit of $130

They raised the fees instead! Our fees were $212 and now they are $311

so much for a credit.

 

If you use ES they change your original booking....so it doesn't always work

 

If I book PG rates and it goes on sale, I can cancel and rebook at lower rate w/o penalties.

 

It is all a game, but usually ES works!

[Ehpride]

As long as you're fairly certain you won't nbeed to cancel or change trips, I think it's the way to go. It would take an unforseen event for me to cancel and I buy trip insurance. I love getting price drops after final payment.

[somefunsuntime]

We did these 4 this year. Will also did Ins. after the Concordia tragedy, where do you stay, $$ what med. attention etc. will you need to fly home on your own $. Use to be hit & miss by whim, but now I think about injury/serious crisis & med-vac etc. :eek:

[truesdpr]

I've become a big fan of ES recently since my price drops now amount to $1053.92 on the two cabins I have booked for our Breeze cruise in August. I have spent $300 of that to upgrade the interior cabin we booked and will make sure I have a few cocktails onboard! There may even be more drops to come - who knows?

 

Pam.

[norcalal]

After reading all this and CCL doc, I still have a question.

 

I booked an ES for Jan 13. I am now having second thoughts. I did book solo.

 

I have another cruise on the same ship this June. Can I drop the Jan 13 cruise and have my deposit applied to the June cruise....less 50.00