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This is Why I Book ES

CruisingSoon88

By CruisingSoon88,
in Carnival Cruise Lines

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CruisingSoon88

CruisingSoon88

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I know that ES does not work for everyone. I have gotten burned myself a couple of times with it. Even our last cruise in December we ended up having to pay a penalty because we changed ships after we booked because I received a Premier Casino offer and switched from the Pride to the Splendor.

 

I just wanted to share that we have made up for those penalties BIG time with our upcoming 2-14 Breeze cruise. We booked several months back because we are celebrating(ignoring) my birthday. It was pretty expensive at around $3700 for 4 people in a cove balcony for an 8 day. I had a casino offer that dropped it to $3200 so I booked ES and then matched the casino rate.

 

It has steadily dropped until we had $705 OBC as of earlier this week with still 5 quad coves left. I was very happy. Then I checked the rates Thursday night late and almost had a heart attack. I had a Pack and Play offer that worked for our cruise date.

 

We now have $2398.60 OBC!! Yay! Happy Birthday to me! I just had to share our success story. Most of my extended family and friends do not cruise so they don't understand. I knew that you guys on here could appreciate how much we lucked out on this.

 

So, my fellow ES cruisers, keep checking your rates and lets celebrate those price drops!:D

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Jasalth

Jasalth

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Congrats!!! That is an AMAZING amount of OBC.

 

I will say I am one of those who has never had any luck with booking ES. Not because of penalties or having to change, but alas I have never seen a price drop.

 

Our Legend cruise booked close to 15 months out, by the time our room category sold out it was almost $900 more for the room we paid.

 

Currently have Pride booked, in 2 weeks rates have gone up by $100+ more for all categories. While I feel bad for those on my role call because of this and well.. yeah I blame my luck with price drops.

 

I wish you an amazing birthday full of Cheers!, massages, excursions and jewelry!

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CruisingSoon88

CruisingSoon88

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So, to break it down, for $1400 total, all 4 of you get an 8 day cruise!!!!! How sweet is that??? You will have a nice chunk to play with on your trip. Congrats! Have a wonderful birthday cruise!

 

Some of our price drops were before final payment so its really even better than that. It is actually $130pp for DH and I and $40pp for our kids. Plus port fees and taxes of course. The total ended up being like $968. Can you believe that? Thank you so much!

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blondietink

blondietink

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The most we had ever received in price drops under ES booking before was $40.00 total. Well, as of today we have saved $260.00 on our upcoming Liberty cruise. Can't wait until after final payment date next week in hopes that it will go down even more!

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LilMissScareAll

LilMissScareAll

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WOW! That's amazing.

My cruise coming up in April is the first time we've booked ES. So far our room rate has never been as less than what we paid but the price of balconies dropped quite a bit so I was able to upgrade our room (3 people) from an interior to a balcony for $80 and upgrade my parents room (2 people) same upgrade and they got 60 OBC. :rolleyes: I told my dad that he owes me.

Still quite a few rooms available so I'm hoping to see some more price drops in the next 60 days. I at least deserve enough for a few free drinks for all the price checking I'm doing!

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lazydayz Great Review Rare

lazydayz

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OP, I am having a hard time getting Carnival to honor the price drop on the Pack and Play. Did you have to jump through many hoops?

 

So far, both price drops (hubby and me in one room; daughter and SIl in another) were denied. Both daughter and I have the offer. After first denial, I called and after speaking to a supervisor and the to Resolutions, we were assured we would get the adjustments but it would take a little while before we could see it.

 

Logged in today and nothing had changed so I called again and was told to give them another 24 hours. I also sent an e-mail and have my fingers crossed. Kind of feel like Carnival is dragging its feet because the OBC would be about $700 per cabin. We are sailing March 12 on the Paradise.

 

And congrats on your amazing OBC!!

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lcgvol

lcgvol

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We had 5 price drops in January for our March 8 Liberty cruise for a total of $290. They were all More=Merrier rates. Since then the only drops we've seen have been for guarantee cabins and we don't want to change since we are with other people. I am happy with what we have. Did you have to give up your cabin for the Pack and Go?

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jenne252

jenne252

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That's so awesome!!! Our first cruise in 2013, people were on here alllll theeee time with price drops. We moved from an Inside to an OV but per my records I paid for it. Then the price did drop, but only $20 each.

 

I am hopeful that we will have a teeny drop this go round too! Maybe enough to cover the Steakhouse :)

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CruisingSoon88

CruisingSoon88

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OP, I am having a hard time getting Carnival to honor the price drop on the Pack and Play. Did you have to jump through many hoops?

 

So far, both price drops (hubby and me in one room; daughter and SIl in another) were denied. Both daughter and I have the offer. After first denial, I called and after speaking to a supervisor and the to Resolutions, we were assured we would get the adjustments but it would take a little while before we could see it.

 

Logged in today and nothing had changed so I called again and was told to give them another 24 hours. I also sent an e-mail and have my fingers crossed. Kind of feel like Carnival is dragging its feet because the OBC would be about $700 per cabin. We are sailing March 12 on the Paradise.

 

And congrats on your amazing OBC!!

 

Mine was originally denied. I mean denied in like 15 minutes from when I submitted it at 1:20am. I called the denial phone number listed the next day and got a lady that was so helpful. She said that the problem with the ES price drops is that the system does not search for all of the rates that your VIFP is eligible for. She could see where I had the offer, but it would not let her apply it at first. She kept at it and overrode the system to get it to work. I thanked her profusely. I am a TA so I went to goccl and my credits were there within 20 minutes. Keep after them and make them give you the rate that you deserve.

 

Thanks and I wish you lots of luck with yours! Happy sailing!

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CruisingSoon88

CruisingSoon88

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We had 5 price drops in January for our March 8 Liberty cruise for a total of $290. They were all More=Merrier rates. Since then the only drops we've seen have been for guarantee cabins and we don't want to change since we are with other people. I am happy with what we have. Did you have to give up your cabin for the Pack and Go?

 

Most of our drops had been with more=merrier rates also. In fact, before this last one, the more=merrier was cheaper by about $500. We did not give up our cabin as I had a Pack and Play not Pack and Go. I know they are similar sounding so its confusing. Even the first lady I spoke with at Carnival kept getting them confused. She kept saying we don't offer pack and go rates that you pick your cabin. I kept saying PLAY its PLAY!LOL

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CruisingSoon88

CruisingSoon88

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That's incredible! :eek: So far I've gotten a $220 price drop for my June cruise for both of my cabins and hoping for more. Enjoy your cruise and happy birthday! :D

 

Hopefully you will get a bunch more. Thank you for the birthday wishes. I love reading your reviews! Thank you so much for doing them!

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LambKnuckles

LambKnuckles

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The most I've ever rec'd is a few hundred on 2 in a cabin! WOW!!! Congrats!!! And don't forget, you DON'T have to spend it all... you can get some on a refund check at the end of the cruise!!! (It should be broken down as to refundable and non-refundable!)

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elainmir

elainmir

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Let me see if I'm starting to remember the rules correctly...I have ES for my March Cruise..it is one that's listed...but I have a scenic OV and it's sold out. So I would not get the big ole price drop..and I'm past final payment...am I finally getting this??:D

 

 

Also the one offer I'm looking at for April should I not be able to use the offer I got ...will give me 100 OBC...I'm so used to prepaying tips...I should leave them off and let my 100 OBC cover it..right? :)

 

You guys are awesome on here...also OP Have a Happy Birthday and enjoy your HUGE savings!

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