someone do the math please

[kazbar]

OP

for $79.00 you get the private tour

for $104.99 you get the same tour with Carnival plus $28.59 in OBC

 

you just need to work out if you will be using the OBC (drinks, photos etc.) and if the safety aspects offered by a cruise sponsored tour are worth basically paying that part up front.

[what to go here and there]

It's really surprising how many people do NOT get this math (and think they're only saving 2 bucks).....

 

if people would do the math..., read the disclaimer and read the claim form, (i did) they would understand it is not all that it is cracked up to be. They still have to pay the difference to the higher cost carnival cruise. (which is the 100% of the difference) Carnival is not giving you the excursion at the cheaper private excursion cost. You are getting 10% of the difference of the cost in OBC.. (yes you will see on your OBC account the 110% but you are paying the 100% towards the new cost of the excursion) In my case it worked out to $2.89 extra for OBC after i paid the difference.

[awhcruiser]

We always use a private vendor and have never had an issue getting back to the ship on time. The private vendors are well aware of the ships time in port.

Yes, you would only get back an additional 2.85, plus the 25.00 which is the price difference. However, you do have the guarantee that the ship will not leave without you if you book it through Carnival, instead of a private vendor.

[what to go here and there]

OP

for $79.00 you get the private tour

for $104.99 you get the same tour with Carnival plus $28.59 in OBC

 

you just need to work out if you will be using the OBC (drinks, photos etc.) and if the safety aspects offered by a cruise sponsored tour are worth basically paying that part up front.

 

 

 

Kaz you are missing that you have to pay the higher cost of the excursion from Carnival and work that into the %110 savings .. 100% of that savings goes into paying the difference in the excursion cost in reality you are getting 10% at the end for OBC

[Smart Arsenal Fan]

We always use a private vendor and have never had an issue getting back to the ship on time. The private vendors are well aware of the ships time in port.

 

But of course. Day to day, that is a given.

 

The true value, IMO, is the "insurance" of an out of ordinary circumstance...

 

-Heading back to ship with your wife & kids, your ship-sponsored van gets flat tire- no problem, they call the ship, and the ship is waiting.

 

-Heading back to ship with your wife & kids, your private van gets flat tire- no one to call to advise, and you better roll up your sleeves and help... and hope he has a spare (because no inspections)

 

Again, IMO.... back in the days of me and my college buddies, either would be an adventure... now traveling with wife & young daughters... no thanks, ship (& OBC) for me.

 

YMMV.

[kazbar]

Kaz you are missing that you have to pay the higher cost of the excursion from Carnival and work that into the %110 savings .. 100% of that savings goes into paying the difference in the excursion cost in reality you are getting 10% at the end for OBC

 

no, Im not missing that bit at all.

If you are likely to spend the OBC then you are basically getting that money back, just in a different form (ie as photos or DOD or casino play). Yes you will have to outlay the money initially but that is why I said you need to work out if the OBC is of any use to you. It is just like paying for the drinks/photos/casino part up front.

[sanmarcosman]

Kaz you are missing that you have to pay the higher cost of the excursion from Carnival and work that into the %110 savings .. 100% of that savings goes into paying the difference in the excursion cost in reality you are getting 10% at the end for OBC

 

I'm glad you asked this by starting this thread.

 

Sorry to drift but I've always been curious, what does your screen name mean?

 

Thanks

[Scotch Mist]

I would book my excursion through Carnival if it was that simple. Call me cynical but I'm guessing it's gonna be difficult to get them to honour their price match guarantee. They'll nick pick at each point and try to find a way out.

 

I'm looking at various excursions on my upcoming Splendor cruise and most are available through Carnival and independently. Will be looking closely to see if all aspects are identical before making any decisions!

[nhslb46]

The extra 10% being refunded is not the main benefit. It is just something to add value. The major benefit is getting the safety and guarantees of a Carnival excursion at cost of a private excursion. The only reason I book private excursions is because of price.

 

When booking a Carnival excursion, do you have to pay the entire cost up front?

[CarnivalPlatCruiser]

That's correct, you have to book it through Carnival. Then, if you find it less they will give you 110% of the price difference on your sail and sign.

 

Since Carnival gets 50% commission anyhow, and offs are the difference wont even be close to what they are making... Its a win for them either way...

[KenMo]

When booking a Carnival excursion, do you have to pay the entire cost up front?

 

Yes.

 

If you purchase online before the cruise, you pay with your credit card.

 

If you purchase on the ship, it will be added to your S&S.

[seguincruiser]

Yes you have to pay in advance if booking before your cruise, on your sign and sail card if booked on board. I think you have figure out if you were planning to spend the $ on the ship in the first place: I have a trip where the difference for a group of six (family) would be $600. Our family has never left a cruise with $600 worth of charges on our sign and sail so this is not a good deal for us; IMHO

[SadieN]

The problem is one of transportation, not of the tour.

 

It's pure legalese--it needs to be the EXACT SAME tour. We really need Carnival's definition of 'Comparable'.

 

Is a rental car & tix to Disneyland 'comparable' enough to bus and tix to Disneyland?

 

For ship's tours at tender ports - Some tours are picked up at the ship. Would a tour doing the same itin but starting on land be 'comparable'?

 

Of course some excursions cannot be done on your own because of the provider's contract with Carnival.

Edited January 15, 2014 by SadieN

[Isa65]

if people would do the math..., read the disclaimer and read the claim form, (i did) they would understand it is not all that it is cracked up to be. They still have to pay the difference to the higher cost carnival cruise. (which is the 100% of the difference) Carnival is not giving you the excursion at the cheaper private excursion cost. You are getting 10% of the difference of the cost in OBC.. (yes you will see on your OBC account the 110% but you are paying the 100% towards the new cost of the excursion) In my case it worked out to $2.89 extra for OBC after i paid the difference.

 

Well, to prove your case wrong - someone on the other Excursion Guarantee thread just got approved for $66 OBC (2 people).... So your theory of the $2.89 is way off.

[seguincruiser]

Yes but part of that is the amount they charged for the excursion to begin with. Now $66 OBC for two is a good deal, I think for some of us the difference is too great for money we would not spend on the ship in the first place.

[JohnSpo]

[quote name='rrraydon']110% of the difference= 100% of the difference (whatever the difference in the price is between the 2) plus 10% of that difference.

You get the difference...plus 10%

So, yeah, about $28.60


my bad..about $27.50. I think it's worth it.[/quote]

Yes, just keep in mind you have to pay Carnival the $104.99 to get back the $28.60, so not much of a good deal. Sticking with Carnival you at least are on a Carnival sponsored excursion.:cool:

[what to go here and there]

[quote name='Isa65']Well, to prove your case wrong - someone on the other Excursion Guarantee thread just got approved for $66 OBC (2 people).... So your theory of the $2.89 is way off.[/QUOTE]

yes they got $66 OBC what is the difference they have to pay between the private excursion to the Carnival excursion. I will bet you anything they each have to pay $30 more each for the carnival excursion than the private excursion 2 X $30.00 = $60.00 $66.00 OBC minus the $60.00 difference between the private excrusion to the carnival excursion leaves them with $6.00 on board credit.

You have to pay in full beforehand for the Carnival excursion so yes in turn they will have $66.00 OBC but they spent that $60 ahead of time paying for the carnival excursion that cost $60 more than the private one


PS who ever asked about my strange board name, don't have one two many when you are signing up for CC and make a spelling mistake :o.