What rate do you book under?

[elainmir]

I understand there are many rates that you can book under, is EARLY SAVER the only one that will get you OBC or PRICE DROP? I think they make it very confusing on purpose. I knew I had a Casino Rate but mistakenly thought since it was 6 months before the cruise that also meant ES...now with a 270 price drop I think I'm out of luck. I may have to eat this one but for future reference what rate or rates always get OBC or PRICE DROP? Thanks in advance.

[SadieN]

Only Early Saver will let you get price drops til two days before departure.

 

Most other rates will allow rate changes til final payment.

 

There is one rate that allows no changes whatsoever.

 

We don't use ES because rates rarely go down on our cruises.

We have booked resident, senior, past guest, etc.

Edited April 30, 2014 by SadieN

[KPfromCT]

We booked about 7 weeks ago, and have changed to 3 different promotions. Initially when we booked, the promotion was the $50pp deposit, and final not due until 30 days prior. All of the price drops have had the same rules. I was told by the Carnival agent that these promos have the same fare rules as Early Saver. So, I have another 35 days to save MORE!!!:D:D

So far, we've saved over $600 on our Lido balcony, on the Breeze, in July.

[cruiserNC]

I understand there are many rates that you can book under, is EARLY SAVER the only one that will get you OBC or PRICE DROP? I think they make it very confusing on purpose. I knew I had a Casino Rate but mistakenly thought since it was 6 months before the cruise that also meant ES...now with a 270 price drop I think I'm out of luck. I may have to eat this one but for future reference what rate or rates always get OBC or PRICE DROP? Thanks in advance.

 

I would certainly call especially if you haven't made your final payment. Prior to calling I would look up possible upgrade opportunities to be prepared.

[S.S.Oceanlover]

I would certainly call especially if you haven't made your final payment. Prior to calling I would look up possible upgrade opportunities to be prepared.

 

OP is definitely past final payment according to their countdown timer, unfortunately.

 

Hopefully they can get a nice upgrade as you mentioned.

 

Bill

[elainmir]

Sadly no upgrade as all that was available is near noisy areas...:rolleyes: lol so I'm out 270$..big ole lesson to learn. I thought I had done my homework but now I see I did not understand the rates.. I feel like certain things were omitted by the person who booked us..oh well nothing I can do, I tried...thanks for the advice guys :)

[winddawn]

Normally any rate will allow you to claim price drops up until the date that final payment is due. Early Saver rate will also allow you to claim price drops after the date that final payment is due, but ES comes with many more restrictions. So ES is a trade-off.

 

In the past, I have been able to get OBC after date of final payment with a casino rate.

[BLAMBKY]

Normally any rate will allow you to claim price drops up until the date that final payment is due. Early Saver rate will also allow you to claim price drops after the date that final payment is due, but ES comes with many more restrictions. So ES is a trade-off.

 

In the past, I have been able to get OBC after date of final payment with a casino rate.

 

Any way to get the short list of restrictions? With a daughter starting college soon, Royal might have out priced us. :mad:

[jsfromsc]

I always book early saver, although I haven't been great about checking the rates often. Last year it really paid off for us on our Baltic cruise. We got about $2000 off the total cruise fare for the two of us and an upgrade from a regular to an extended balcony when Carnival began dropping prices after the Triumph incident.

[AmberTeka]

Normally any rate will allow you to claim price drops up until the date that final payment is due. Early Saver rate will also allow you to claim price drops after the date that final payment is due, but ES comes with many more restrictions. So ES is a trade-off.

 

In the past, I have been able to get OBC after date of final payment with a casino rate.

 

We booked under Early Saver for our cruise on the Breeze last September. We sailed with over $700 OBC. Nice. I checked rates every day. Sent the e-mail when I saw reductions on the Carnival Board ( never used another source). Never had an issue. Money was always posted. Loved it.

 

It was fun in a way. Looking every day for a drop then Bingo! had one! It added up.

If we book another cruise far in the future. .I will certainly do it again.

 

right now.....we want a get away. Not expensive. Don't care what kind of cabin. Will book Pack and Go probably middle of Next Month...for a cruise that sails within two weeks. We live close to port. And it is a time we can get away for a week.

[092306]

I always book early saver, although I haven't been great about checking the rates often. Last year it really paid off for us on our Baltic cruise. We got about $2000 off the total cruise fare for the two of us and an upgrade from a regular to an extended balcony when Carnival began dropping prices after the Triumph incident.

 

Wow, that's some savings! I don't remember ours going down much after Triumph incident.

[LHP]

Since we are flexible....we tend to book the Pack N Gos.....

 

if not that, then we just book Past Guest.

 

I do not like the restrictions of Early Saver.

[elainmir]

Well I guess I have to find a fabulously awesome PVP...I keep getting folks on the 1-800 line and one I spoke to the other day could have cared less, the second lady who explained the rates was clear, concise and way nicer but they didn't even suggest CASINO OBC...should I ask them? They offered to move me to a room by the Lobby, dining room or theatre...no way ..when it's time for bed I don't want all that noise! I guess I'm a newbie because I had cruised so infrequently that I didn't realize a lot of things like DON'T pay off your cruise before you have to...I thought I was doing a great thing by paying it off right away..:rolleyes: apparently that causes you to lose out on some price drops/perks ( according to lady at 1-800 number) I guess I learned a very expensive lesson ..that money could've paid our grats...oh well:o

[sooner33]

Just a FYI I always book Casino rate , and I get price drops until sailing , I just call my PVP and he takes care of it for me , if it is after finali payment he adds on the OBC

 

He told me a long time ago , the casino rate will always be the lowest possible and i can always get OBC for any rate drop

[Leesa05]

Just a FYI I always book Casino rate , and I get price drops until sailing , I just call my PVP and he takes care of it for me , if it is after finali payment he adds on the OBC

 

He told me a long time ago , the casino rate will always be the lowest possible and i can always get OBC for any rate drop

 

 

Sorry, I am living under a rock: what's a Casino Rate???

 

 

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[elainmir]

Sooner33 I would love to know why the lady told me on the phone that Early Saver was the lowest ...and that I can't get OBC with casino rate...I'd love to know your PVP...I need someone good...:eek:

[AmberTeka]

Since we are flexible....we tend to book the Pack N Gos.....

 

if not that, then we just book Past Guest.

 

I do not like the restrictions of Early Saver.

 

We are tprobably booking our first one ever and we have sailed a lot. Can you share some of your experience with that rate? Where was your cabin? (Seasick Prone. Tend to not care what category cabin..care a lot about being at the middle. But they do sell Sea Sick pills..and they work fine with me.

Thanks

[Smiling Cruiser]

Casino rate is something the casino gives you. shows up randomly on your Carnival website. You have to log in and look under MY VIFP. Currently it is the best rate for our next planned cruise. Keep looking.

[turning40withMickey]

Since we are flexible....we tend to book the Pack N Gos.....

 

if not that, then we just book Past Guest.

 

I do not like the restrictions of Early Saver.

 

Curious as to the restrictions of Early Saver that turn you off.

First cruise booked with Carnival, and ES, and have had an amazing six price drops.....over 900 in OBC for a June cruise on the Pride.

I am loving ES, but want to be able to make an informed decision in the future. Right now I am thinking ES is the only way to go! (all of the drops after final payment)

Edited May 3, 2014 by turning40withMickey

[sooner33]

Sorry, I am living under a rock: what's a Casino Rate???

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

 

When you play in the casino you receive points , and since we play so much :) we get special offers every 3 months or so " casino rate " Where we get the lowest price ( better than ES ) and usually casino cash, and since we play so much we always get the drinks on us cards ( so we can drink fro free in the casino the whole cruise )

 

We also get " premiere casino offers " but those are limited to the 6 or 7 cruises that carnival picks

[imluvncruzn]

Just a FYI I always book Casino rate , and I get price drops until sailing , I just call my PVP and he takes care of it for me , if it is after finali payment he adds on the OBC

 

He told me a long time ago , the casino rate will always be the lowest possible and i can always get OBC for any rate drop

 

 

You are lucky because casino rates do not provide price protection past final payment! We just called about this last night. Me and my sister are both booked on Valor May 25th . I booked ES and she booked casino rate. There was a $360 drop yesterday. I got it and she did not. She was told no price protection after final payment with casino rate.

 

 

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[bunchesofun]

We book Past Guest. It's usually only a little more than EasySaver, but know that we can change or cancel up to final payment with no penalty. And still get price drops until then. Generally we end up getting some price drops and upgrading our cabin. Last cruise we upgraded three times till we were in an aft balcony. I don't worry about price drops after payment. That's just the trade off. But we've booked 17 months out twice now, and there is just too much that can happen in that period of time.

[tandemcruzr]

We book Past Guest. It's usually only a little more than EasySaver,

 

Easy Saver is not the same as Early Saver.

[Shipbound]

I always book the ES, my VP says that is the best way to go especially if you are booking far

in advance.

[Bases5]

You are lucky because casino rates do not provide price protection past final payment! We just called about this last night. Me and my sister are both booked on Valor May 25th . I booked ES and she booked casino rate. There was a $360 drop yesterday. I got it and she did not. She was told no price protection after final payment with casino rate.

 

 

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When a casino rate becomes available for a cruise I'm interested in, I see if Es is available. If so

I call and book under ES and while on the phone I price match to casino. still keeping my ES status.