Past Guest, or VIFP discount, question

[J-lynn]

First, let me apologize if this has been answered before. I tried (though admittedly not very hard) to search for this same question but could not find any answers either here or on the Carnival website.

 

If you are a past guest making reservations for a new cruise with a larger party, will Carnival apply the past guest discount to all cabins that you reserve even if the person staying in the cabin is not a past guest? For example, My husband and I have cruised once before and we keep getting emails about special rates for VIFP members. My children/parents/other relatives have never cruised, but we are considering doing a family cruise in the near future. If I were to put all reservations under my name, would the discount apply to all cabins, or only my cabin in particular?

 

Any info is greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

[MagnoliaBlossom]

Look for a cruise with the fammily and friends rate. I believe it will give you the deal you are looking for. You could also list yourself in one cabin with, say, your mom, and DH in another with your dad and that will work for all members, but it only works for two cabins. You can swap the names once onboard without repercussions. But I have seen the F and F rate a lot lately so shouldnt behard to find a good deal

[serene56]

First, let me apologize if this has been answered before. I tried (though admittedly not very hard) to search for this same question but could not find any answers either here or on the Carnival website.

 

If you are a past guest making reservations for a new cruise with a larger party, will Carnival apply the past guest discount to all cabins that you reserve even if the person staying in the cabin is not a past guest? For example, My husband and I have cruised once before and we keep getting emails about special rates for VIFP members. My children/parents/other relatives have never cruised, but we are considering doing a family cruise in the near future. If I were to put all reservations under my name, would the discount apply to all cabins, or only my cabin in particular?

 

Any info is greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

 

 

no- past guest rates are for past guests only. You can split your booking you in with your mom and honey in with you dad. There are other rates out there too that can be taken into consideration

 

You will NOT be able to book multiple rooms using your name. You can put your name on one cabin number or one reservation. Each cabin has their own booking number.

 

You might want to consider talking to the gropups department if you think you can score at least 8 cabins

Edited July 19, 2013 by serene56

[Josher61]

First, let me apologize if this has been answered before. I tried (though admittedly not very hard) to search for this same question but could not find any answers either here or on the Carnival website.

 

If you are a past guest making reservations for a new cruise with a larger party, will Carnival apply the past guest discount to all cabins that you reserve even if the person staying in the cabin is not a past guest? For example, My husband and I have cruised once before and we keep getting emails about special rates for VIFP members. My children/parents/other relatives have never cruised, but we are considering doing a family cruise in the near future. If I were to put all reservations under my name, would the discount apply to all cabins, or only my cabin in particular?

 

Any info is greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

 

Others have answered your question but I thought I would add that you should check for senior rates, (+55, not sure how old your parents are) but there are often lots of those around. And also resident rates as well. Florida often offers resident rates (although your signature says you are in Florida, I'm not sure where the rest of your family members are located) but there are many states offered discounted rates.

 

If you play around with different combos, you can hopefully come up with some decent rates that at least one person in each cabin must qualify for.

 

EDIT: there are also rates for military etc.

Edited July 19, 2013 by Josher61

[J-lynn]

Thanks for the answers and suggestions! It really is appreciated! :D

[Sparky2]

Others have answered your question but I thought I would add that you should check for senior rates, (+55, not sure how old your parents are) but there are often lots of those around. And also resident rates as well. Florida often offers resident rates (although your signature says you are in Florida, I'm not sure where the rest of your family members are located) but there are many states offered discounted rates.

 

If you play around with different combos, you can hopefully come up with some decent rates that at least one person in each cabin must qualify for.

 

EDIT: there are also rates for military etc.

 

To the OP - To be eligible for Military rate, you do not have to be active military or retired career military.

 

As long as he/she has served at least 2 years with an honorable discharge, he/she would qualify for military rate.

[dawnsi475]

I am trying to book our second Carnival cruise, but when I enter our VIFP numbers the cost of the cruise is exactly the same. I thought I heard a $250 credit for rebooking. Any assistance is appreciated. THANKS! :)

[springs741]

I am trying to book our second Carnival cruise, but when I enter our VIFP numbers the cost of the cruise is exactly the same. I thought I heard a $250 credit for rebooking. Any assistance is appreciated. THANKS! :)

 

There is no credit for booking your second cruise. Even the past guest rate is not always the best deal. As others mentioned to the OP play with the different rates. I qualify for senior, past guest, and casino. Usually I book Early Saver or Casino.

[mzloolue]

If it was me I would call Carnival and get a good PVP.

 

Talk to a couple and find a knowledgable and patient one and then ask all your questions and get enough information to make a truly informed choice.

 

There is a lot to learn about booking a cruise yourself.

There are the cabin catergories, the different rate types and cabin locations to consider.

 

How many cabin catergories are there y'all?

I am thinking close to 20 anyway.

 

And how many different rates?

Maybe 8 or so?

 

A good PVP can help.

[riffatsea]

To the OP - To be eligible for Military rate, you do not have to be active military or retired career military.

 

As long as he/she has served at least 2 years with an honorable discharge, he/she would qualify for military rate.

 

Really??? Anyone who has ever served at any time is entitled to ask for a "military rate"??

That is not how it works for military rates for hotels on land. Please tell us your experience with this ? How do you know this is true? Never mind. I found the info myself. You do need proof of honorable discharge or retirement if you are not on active duty. This applies for Canadians too!

Edited March 18, 2016 by riffatsea

[serene56]

I am trying to book our second Carnival cruise, but when I enter our VIFP numbers the cost of the cruise is exactly the same. I thought I heard a $250 credit for rebooking. Any assistance is appreciated. THANKS! :)

 

not every cruise is the same. Certain cruises will have bigger discounts.

and I have never heard of a 250 credit for rebooking.

You could have seen-- UP TO A 250 CREDIT.

 

like posted a past guest rate is hardly cheaper. Make sure you are looking at the other rates too

[Micahs Grandad]

I am trying to book our second Carnival cruise, but when I enter our VIFP numbers the cost of the cruise is exactly the same. I thought I heard a $250 credit for rebooking. Any assistance is appreciated. THANKS! :)

 

Years ago if you booked a cruise just after returning you would get a small obc of about $ 50 but that is long gone.

[dawnsi475]

Okay thank you everybody! That was very helpful!

[Schoifmom]

I am trying to book our second Carnival cruise, but when I enter our VIFP numbers the cost of the cruise is exactly the same. I thought I heard a $250 credit for rebooking. Any assistance is appreciated. THANKS! :)

 

Perhaps you were thinking on the OBC received for booking your next cruise while on board? The OBC ranges from $50 to $200.

 

https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/2707/~/loyalty-and-cruise-vacation-program

[Hobbsey]

Really??? Anyone who has ever served at any time is entitled to ask for a "military rate"??

That is not how it works for military rates for hotels on land. Please tell us your experience with this ? How do you know this is true? Never mind. I found the info myself. You do need proof of honorable discharge or retirement if you are not on active duty. This applies for Canadians too!

 

I believe the requirement is Active or Retired.

[riffatsea]

Nope! I also thought you'd need to be either active or retired military BUT right on the Carnival site it states that any "veteran" (and it defines veteran as anyone being in for 2 years with an honorable discharge or having fought in a war) is eligible! Here is the info from the Carnival site:

http://www.carnival.com/legal/militarytermsandconditions.aspx

 

[Hobbsey]

Nope! I also thought you'd need to be either active or retired military BUT right on the Carnival site it states that any "veteran" (and it defines veteran as anyone being in for 2 years with an honorable discharge or having fought in a war) is eligible! Here is the info from the Carnival site:

http://www.carnival.com/legal/militarytermsandconditions.aspx

 

 

That is amazingly generous!!

[PAPERBKWRITER]

So, this brings me to another question. If offered a casino rate can you book a room for your friend(s) under the same rate?

[tommytune42]

First, let me apologize if this has been answered before. I tried (though admittedly not very hard) to search for this same question but could not find any answers either here or on the Carnival website.

 

If you are a past guest making reservations for a new cruise with a larger party, will Carnival apply the past guest discount to all cabins that you reserve even if the person staying in the cabin is not a past guest? For example, My husband and I have cruised once before and we keep getting emails about special rates for VIFP members. My children/parents/other relatives have never cruised, but we are considering doing a family cruise in the near future. If I were to put all reservations under my name, would the discount apply to all cabins, or only my cabin in particular?

 

Any info is greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

 

I'm going to muddy the waters even further on this. You and your spouse may actually qualify for different past guest rates. Last year when my DW and I went to Alaska on the Legend, she actually got a better rate than I did, even though I have been on more cruises. My PVP was able to research all of this and find this information. Had I booked the rate would have been $75 higher on the same cabin and there was no OBC. Under her VIFP number, however, she qualified for the lower rate and we got $50/OBC per person.

 

All this to say that working with a PVP really does have its advantages as they can know the "ins and outs" of the systems. In the end, however, you still have to know the right questions to ask. My PVP has learned, after working with me for several years, what those questions are.

[Sparky2]

Nope! I also thought you'd need to be either active or retired military BUT right on the Carnival site it states that any "veteran" (and it defines veteran as anyone being in for 2 years with an honorable discharge or having fought in a war) is eligible! Here is the info from the Carnival site:

http://www.carnival.com/legal/militarytermsandconditions.aspx

 

 

I see this is an older post that I guess I never got back to when you questioned my post re. veterans. We've been using this rate when we have decided not to do ES.

 

Wish hotels had the same policy. Darn.