Help Please- Super Saver Rate and Cabin Guarantee Questions

[kokonutkroozer]

Hi,

 

I'm a cruise-aholic and it has been two years since I got my last cruise fix. I'm hoping to go on a bender! :D We are a family of 4- myself, DH, DD (18) and DS (13).

 

I'm looking at the Carnival Breeze Southern Caribbean July 5 sailing. So far, the best rate appears to be $514 for an inside quad cabin guarantee super saver rate. I understand this means no refund and no credit for price drops. The sailing is just about 30 days out.

 

Questions:

 

1. Has anyone seen a significant price drop in your category AFTER booking Super Saver? Any regrets?

 

2. Do I wait to see if there are any significant price drops once I'm within the 30 day window?

 

3. Do I book the regular rate which is currently Triple Play for $90 more per person to secure a booking on this sailing and see if price drops? Meanwhile, also looking at another sailing in August?

 

4. Do I book with CCL directly, which is what I'd probably normally do, or do I go with the gnome (which is my go to for cruise price surfing) as they currently have an offer for cruise credit and onboard gratuity? I think I'm eligible for $50 cruise credit and $50 onboard gratuity.

 

5. What strategy might I exercise when I learn of my cabin assignment? I've learned numerous tips here on CC like going to the dining room first thing to see about table assignments- so I'm sure there must be some tips to follow for cabin assignments as well.

 

6. If not a price drop, am I still eligible to move to a higher category cabin if I find it offered at a low rate? Let's say hypothetically speaking that a week after booking, I find my favorite- the cove balcony for $600 a person. Or maybe it isn't this unheard of steal but for some reason I decide I have to change my category. Could I pay the difference to get that category assignment?

 

I'm thinking this is a pretty good deal. The only thing I don't like is being at their mercy with the guarantee room assignment. But for the price, it would be worth it. I'm fine with an inside room and I'm fine with it being in a less than ideal location- like far from stairs, but I guess the only thing I won't like is being under a nightclub or the galley. Other than that, probably worth the gamble just to get my cruise fix on.

 

I'm thinking I need to check daily- not for price drops since I wouldn't be eligible, but to get a good idea of availability and pricing and see what rooms remain "available" closer to sailing.

 

I welcome your tips and suggestions! The only thing preventing me from booking this very instant is that I am waiting for DH time off request to be approved. My fast expiring passport has been expedited and expected to be received by the end of this week. Thank you!

[kokonutkroozer]

*bump*

 

Bumping this to the first page. Over 100 views and not one word of advice? Someone must have had some experience with this?! :confused: I searched CC before posting for info on Super Saver rate and got some old posts in 2012 and older along with an article about the "new" cruise rate structure at that time.

 

If anyone has any experience with the rate or with guarantee cabin assignments, I'd really love to hear from you!

 

Hoping to book tonight.

 

Thanks for your views and your help!

[CoconutJD]

I've never booked a guarantee, but if you're booking a cruise 30 days out, you won't get price drops of any kind. Early Saver bookings disappear about 5 months prior to the cruise.

 

If you find a price you're happy with, book it, and don't bother looking at prices after that.

 

Can't help with the other guarantee stuff.

[cruisingberger]

Hi Maria,

It sounds like you are in he same boat that I was last week. Even the part about your husband getting time off. I ended up booking the July 5th Glory cruise after my husband got his vacation time confirmed. I have NEVER booked this late but the price just seemed to good to pass up. I also booked GTY. We haven't sailed with Carnival before, but with NCL and Holland America the GTY worked out fine so I'm hoping the same will be true about Carnival. I'm also hoping that someone with experience will answer some of your questions! Good Luck and Happy cruising:D.

[kokonutkroozer]

Do you mean that if I had booked a rate like Early Saver, that is normally eligible for price drops- that they are not allowed to claim a price drop 30 days out? I guess that is normally when final payment is due and they are "locked in" so to speak. This is a good point that I have overlooked. It has been a long time since I've booked a cruise! :D

 

I don't think that you mean a price won't be found for lower in 30 days or less because we all know that prices may be discounted if there are lots of cabins to fill so that a ship does not sail empty. But then of course we never know and it is the luck of the draw. No time for woulda shoulda coulda I suppose. There is certainly no way to know how many cabins are left. On another thread, someone mentioned that they only show 10 cabins per category at a time. So, if in the Triple Play rate, it is only showing one cabin available, I've got to believe that I should just go for it and not gamble away a good deal. Quad cabins are usually hard to come by last minute. I would be prepared to split up, but don't want to risk being on opposite ends of the ship with a guarantee. You are absolutely right, if I am happy with it, I should just go for it.

 

Would still appreciate feedback on the whole cabin assignment process- when do you find out, do you have any flexibility, any tips for dealing with that is greatly appreciated!

 

One last thing I have to explore before booking is checking hubby's VIFP number and seeing if he by chance has any of those random casino related promos to take advantage of!

 

Thank you.

[CoconutJD]

Do you mean that if I had booked a rate like Early Saver, that is normally eligible for price drops- that they are not allowed to claim a price drop 30 days out?

No... what I'm saying is you won't find any rates that allow for price drops so close to the sailing date. You have to book like 5 months out to get Early Saver, and then you can claim price drops until 2 days before sailing.

 

Any rate you book now will be within the final payment period, and won't be eligible for price drops.

[kokonutkroozer]

I'm a little slow sometimes, but I gotcha now.;) Thanks again!