Sale or wait for early saver?

[purplemusik]

Hey all! I've never booked a cruise more then 1-2 months out and always just paid for it all right then. We were looking at one in feb and see the holiday special they have going on now. If the cabin price changes when I book under that, am I able to get it like with early saver or should I wait until the special is over to see what the rates fluctuate to? Also, what if they have another special once I book ( if it is like early saver) that includes obc, would we be able to get that as well?

[spotte]

We had the same scenario when we booked our cruise. The sale price was less than early saver. We booked the early saver and then immediately had the price adjustment done for the sale price. Was done in the same phone call with our PVP. No problems. We have since had 3 more price adjustments.

[purplemusik]

But does it work the same the other way around?when you don't first book es?

[twinbabies]

We had the same scenario when we booked our cruise. The sale price was less than early saver. We booked the early saver and then immediately had the price adjustment done for the sale price. Was done in the same phone call with our PVP. No problems. We have since had 3 more price adjustments.

 

Exactly what I'd do.

 

 

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[firemanbobswife]

But does it work the same the other way around?when you don't first book es?

 

Yes. Did it with my upcoming cruise. Just be prepared to pay full deposit with ES vs any reduced deposit offers previously.

[purplemusik]

Awesome. Thanks!

[DebJ14]

When booking way far out we prefer to book a rate other than ES, whether it is a sale or a Past Guest. That way our deposit is refundable for a much longer time since stuff does happen. Then before the ES fare expires we may or may not convert it to ES, after looking at pricing and availability.

 

For our upcoming cruise on the Magic we never converted the past guest rate since they were happy to make price adjustments and give upgrades up to final payment for past guests after the Triumph debacle. Our TA got us price drops of nearly $1000 for the cabin and a 4 Cat upgrade before our price settled at what we ended up paying. Our category and the only one above it we could upgrade too sold out before we had to make the decision whether to switch , so it was an easy decision to make to just leave it alone and not switch to ES. No chance of getting any more upgrades or OBC at that point.

[purplemusik]

Ok so just so I'm understanding correctly... I should book the sale price now then just keep watching for cheaper rates but if I get a cheaper rate and its early saver , we're "stuck" in that early saver category?

[rainbowflag]

Ok so just so I'm understanding correctly... I should book the sale price now then just keep watching for cheaper rates but if I get a cheaper rate and its early saver , we're "stuck" in that early saver category?

 

I'd follow the advice in post #2.

[GROUCHPUSS]

Ok so just so I'm understanding correctly... I should book the sale price now then just keep watching for cheaper rates but if I get a cheaper rate and its early saver , we're "stuck" in that early saver category?

 

Book early saver if you want to take advantage of price reductions. Early saver matches any price or sale that you qualify for no mater what the rate is called.

[Tennessee Rose]

Book early saver if you want to take advantage of price reductions. Early saver matches any price or sale that you qualify for no mater what the rate is called.

 

I look at all the available rates on the CCL site, then when ready to book have the site opened and call my PVP to book, so I can tell her what I'm looking at it. She said that actually helps her if her customer can look at the deck plan for cabins and prices as we are discussing the booking.

 

For our next cruise, the Resident Rate was the lowest rate, lower than the Early Saver rate. I asked my PVP about this and she said no problem. She booked us as Early Saver but at the lower Resident rate. Love my PVP!

 

I verified/asked her several times that it was true I could still get any price drops. She laughed and said of course. Well, 3 times during the week after I booked (at that lowest rate---I checked my CCL online acct) there were price drops. I submitted the price protection form each time and got the price drop each time! YaaaaY! :)

[Sparky2]

I look at all the available rates on the CCL site, then when ready to book have the site opened and call my PVP to book, so I can tell her what I'm looking at it. She said that actually helps her if her customer can look at the deck plan for cabins and prices as we are discussing the booking.

 

For our next cruise, the Resident Rate was the lowest rate, lower than the Early Saver rate. I asked my PVP about this and she said no problem. She booked us as Early Saver but at the lower Resident rate. Love my PVP!

 

I verified/asked her several times that it was true I could still get any price drops. She laughed and said of course. Well, 3 times during the week after I booked (at that lowest rate---I checked my CCL online acct) there were price drops. I submitted the price protection form each time and got the price drop each time! YaaaaY! :)

 

That's what's great with ES. You can immediately price drop to a lower rate BUT still remain ES. Then you can get price drops till 2 days before sailing.

 

We booked ES for our B2B January 2014. We have received priced drops for Fall & Winter Sale, Past Guest. Now we've price dropped 3 times to Military Special. BUT we're still ES.

[AmberTeka]

We are VIP as I suppose most of the people posting on this thread are with Carnival.

but our first time with ES. We are doing fine. I enjoy looking up the price daily and get drops often enough to keep looking.

 

If you qualify for a lot of rates..Like with us..VIP...Senior Past Guest...Military..Florida Resident...then it makes sense to book ES. Most of the price drops we have had...are on Miltiary rate.

 

one question.....IF THE CRUISE...was orginally booked under Casino Rate...then changed to ES rate...can I match the ES rate with the Casino rate for that cabin now? We have not received a new casino officer...but when the cruise was booked...Jan.2013...we had an offer from Carnival....had to be booked through the end of Sept. 2013.

 

If we did match or could claim that rate..I suspect that would be a substanial savings. I don't want to be greedy.....but then I am still ignorant about what ES can do..and I would love to have that rate.

 

How do you find out casino rates? I know a special marker comes up if you have one.....

we have sailed on Princess a lot the past two years. Now back on Carnival. we like them both.

[NCTribeFan]

You can price match to ANY rate (for which you qualify) up until final payment. You don't have to be ES.

 

But you can then switch to ES just before it "vanishes" (based on the cruise length) if you think rates might drop and you have no reason to think you might need to cancel or have a problem with changing cabin occupants.

 

I think too many people think they must book ES from Day 1 to get price drops, so do it and then if something comes up or someone backs out, they're all upset because of the penalties.

 

I rarely book ES but have switched to it at the last minute once I was almost positive that I would have no changes to my booking.

[Cruizinman]

With the birth of all the new saver programs ES is not what it use to be, I would still use it but be aware of all the conniving rules before you book !