What rate do you book under?

[Bases5]

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

 

The main restrictions are in the deposit.

 

If any changes are made (date, name) it cost $50 dollars pp per change.

Also if you have to cancel because something came up and you put a $500 deposit for 2 on a 7 day cruise, You don't get any money back.

$100 charge for a change (cancel)

$400 on a future cruise credit to be used with in 2 years.

So if money is the reason you cancel you are out of luck.

 

I book ES when they include $50 pp deposit then I'm a little more protected.

 

ES also follows the normal cancellation policy after final payment.

[b-fly-travel]

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

 

You can pay off whenever you like. The restrictions are based on the final payment due date, not when you paid. #travelagent

[imluvncruzn]

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.

 

Great advice! However, my sister booked later this time when ES was no longer available so that was not an option!

Edited May 4, 2014 by imluvncruzn

[dmhilton]

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.

 

What exactly do you mean by you checked the Carnival Board every day to check for price drops? Booked my first cruise for December and want to know what to look for. Thanks

[sooner33]

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.

 

 

Only problem with that is the casino cash you get for casino rate right ?

 

My wife is getting $300 this cruise and Im getting $250

[Bases5]

Only problem with that is the casino cash you get for casino rate right ?

 

My wife is getting $300 this cruise and Im getting $250

 

I agree you have to count that $550 into your decision.

I don't get much cash so even adding that es is usually better for us.

[turning40withMickey]

What exactly do you mean by you checked the Carnival Board every day to check for price drops? Booked my first cruise for December and want to know what to look for. Thanks

 

I would guess this person means they do a mock booking on the Carnival.com site to see if there are any new promos or price drops.

 

That is what I do.

[turning40withMickey]

http://www.carnival.com/cruise-deals-classic/resident-rates.aspx

 

You might also try this link. It lists all the available rates in a little chart when you fill in the basics (room type, number of passengers, state you live in)

[Karmalady]

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

 

We booked casino rate this time, the price was about $120 lower than the other rates posted. We are now 9 days our of sailing and the rates have dropped substantially. I put a call in last night and was told there was nothing I could do but I remember PVP saying I could get rate drops after final payment was made. (I know this is contrary to what has been said). I didn't talk to my PVP but did leave her a message. I am so hoping for some OBC. The person I talked to suggested I call promotions once she saw we had a casino rate (this was after she said there was nothing that could be done).

 

I'm just saying it's all confusing and I have a feeling "they" can do what they want to. I'm off to make more phone calls. Wish me lots of luck. :)

[maldenmusic]

Early Saver 7 times and a pack n go rate once

[Lizstar319]

I'm a bit curious about this as well, how the whole thing works. Lately, we've been booking suites so I'm not sure how likely it is that there would even be price drops, but if we ever go back to regular cabins, it would be nice ot have a way to either get lower fare or OBC.

 

Is there some tutorial somewhere on all of this?? I likes saving me some monies!!!

[cruzinlisa]

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

 

Does the casino rate have the normal cancellation rules (i.e. can cancel before final payment and not lose your deposit). I got a really great casino rate in the fall (I know its hurricane season). But I am not sure if I can get the time off work just yet. I should know in a couple of weeks. I know with ES, if I change the date there is a penalty. Would like to book now, if I can cancel and get my money back until final payment date.