Carnival GOOFED---Advice?

[chris330r]

Here's what just happened on the CCL Website...

 

I saw my booked cruise went down $20.00 so I e mailed my PVP and that instantly came back as undeliverable. Ok.

 

So I go to their FB site for help and someone gave me a link to their price protection form which I filled out and sent in requesting my $20 price drop. My fare is Early Saver.

 

Well, not 10 minutes later, I get an auto e mail from CCL showing my balance due INCREASED by $90.00!! What the heck?! It appears they took away my Early Saver fare and turned it into a regular fare!!

 

But here's the kicker!....They also added $160.00 in OBC to my sailing...so doing the math here, it does make me come out $70 bucks ahead. ($160-$90=$70).

 

Before doing the math, I fired an e mail to CCL help to fix it and give me my original fare....but now after doing the math i'm wondering if I should just pay the extra $90 since I got the $160 OBC.

 

Any advice is helpful! I'm not a seasoned cruiser and not sure what to do. Should I e mail them again saying "never mind"?

[hftmrock]

did you purchase the cruise with a 50% deposit offer or having some onboard credit?

[Jenhem31]

I personally would take the OBC. I'll also say all of these rates and rules confuse the heck out of me. I've only changed my rate a couple times.

 

Whatever feels right to you is the right decision. You'll get many opinions, but in my opinion coming out $70 ahead is a good deal. I love having a little OBC to play with.

[Gwing]

I think it's a new tactic they are employing with the OBC Promo they have going on right now. My pal is cruising on the Magic in September, he saw his price drop, submitted the price protection form and just minutes later he owed an additional $200 to get $280 in OBC. He decided to pay the $200 to essentially get $80 in OBC. I checked my price on my September cruise on the Liberty and noticed a Senior Rate that was $80 per person less than we paid for Early Saver, submitted the form requesting the Senior Rate and went to bed. Next morning had an email with my "new booking", I now owed $230 to get $280 in OBC plus I had lost my $100 OBC that I received for booking a cruise while on a cruise! I immediately called customer service, about an hour later I was back to my original rate and $100 OBC after them trying repeatedly to convince me I had submitted my form wrong, I've only submitted forms at least 5 times on previous cruises, I'm not a cruise virgin! Currently have an email in to Carnival demanding an explanation.

[chris330r]

Thanks for all the advice. I'm relieved that i'm not the only one experiencing this. I thought it was some kind of weird computer glitch, but now I understand it's some tactic they're employing.

 

I do like the idea of having OBC and that is $70 free dollars. So after firing off that e mail demanding to revert to my original fare...how to I eat crow and tell them to just leave things as they are?

 

Just send another e mail to their CCL support and ask nicely?

 

And can OBC be used in casino? I vaguely recall reading here that you can get it as cash for a small fee at the casino booths.

 

I may just leave things the way they are...but it was just unnerving and quite a shock to ask for a 20 buck price drop only to see the balance due increase by $90 bucks LOL. Only when I calmed down did I do they math and say "Hey, that's actually not a bad deal!"

[GranysT]

I'm confused here. How can paying an extra $90 to get $70 be coming out ahead?

If it was me, I'd put the extra $90 in my pocket. Take it onboard with me, and have $90 of extra money on my cruise.

[kim300]

Thanks for all the advice. I'm relieved that i'm not the only one experiencing this. I thought it was some kind of weird computer glitch, but now I understand it's some tactic they're employing.

 

I do like the idea of having OBC and that is $70 free dollars. So after firing off that e mail demanding to revert to my original fare...how to I eat crow and tell them to just leave things as they are?

 

Just send another e mail to their CCL support and ask nicely?

 

And can OBC be used in casino? I vaguely recall reading here that you can get it as cash for a small fee at the casino booths.

 

I may just leave things the way they are...but it was just unnerving and quite a shock to ask for a 20 buck price drop only to see the balance due increase by $90 bucks LOL. Only when I calmed down did I do they math and say "Hey, that's actually not a bad deal!"

 

I think carnival's early saver system is automated. Whenever you submit a request, it automatically gives you the lowest price (this would include a higher fare with OBC would give you a lower price after deducting the onboard credit). I had this happen to me- my cruise fare went up after submitting a price protection form- but I didn't notice the onboard credit added to my account. Like you, I e-mailed carnival and asked for an explanation. Their reply explained that the overall price was lower with the additional OBC, but they would honor the lower price (with no OBC) if I so desired. My thought is that you will get a reply from Carnival explaining the same thing, and they will give you the option of the lower fare or the higher fare with OBC. No need to send an additional e-mail. But that was just my experience... Carnival isn't notorious for being consistent! :)

[JAGheel]

I'm confused here. How can paying an extra $90 to get $70 be coming out ahead?

If it was me, I'd put the extra $90 in my pocket. Take it onboard with me, and have $90 of extra money on my cruise.

 

They are paying 90 to get 160.

[chris330r]

I'm confused here. How can paying an extra $90 to get $70 be coming out ahead?

If it was me, I'd put the extra $90 in my pocket. Take it onboard with me, and have $90 of extra money on my cruise.

 

 

Although I'm paying $90 more with the new fare, they're adding on $160.00 in OBC, so that makes out to a $70 profit to me in the OBC. (160 - 90 = 70).

[Gwing]

I'm confused here. How can paying an extra $90 to get $70 be coming out ahead?

If it was me, I'd put the extra $90 in my pocket. Take it onboard with me, and have $90 of extra money on my cruise.

 

 

The OP was paying $90 to get $160 in OBC so realistically only gaining $70. My friend mentioned earlier now has $280 after paying $200 more and really doesn't even know what he and his wife will spend it on, excursions are paid for, they drink little to no alcohol, no gambling. I guess several trips to the steakhouse or onboard shopping. Win win for Carnival.

[chris330r]

I think carnival's early saver system is automated. Whenever you submit a request, it automatically gives you the lowest price (this would include a higher fare with OBC would give you a lower price after deducting the onboard credit). I had this happen to me- my cruise fare went up after submitting a price protection form- but I didn't notice the onboard credit added to my account. Like you, I e-mailed carnival and asked for an explanation. Their reply explained that the overall price was lower with the additional OBC, but they would honor the lower price (with no OBC) if I so desired. My thought is that you will get a reply from Carnival explaining the same thing, and they will give you the option of the lower fare or the higher fare with OBC. No need to send an additional e-mail. But that was just my experience... Carnival isn't notorious for being consistent! :)

 

If Carnival emails me back tomorrow with that explanation, i'm going to tell them to go ahead and leave it. Once you get over the initial shock of the price increase and see the OBC...you realize it's a good deal. :)

[GranysT]

Ok, I missed seeing the $160 OBC.. Now it makes more sense.

[D4]

The OP was paying $90 to get $160 in OBC so realistically only gaining $70. My friend mentioned earlier now has $280 after paying $200 more and really doesn't even know what he and his wife will spend it on, excursions are paid for, they drink little to no alcohol, no gambling. I guess several trips to the steakhouse or onboard shopping. Win win for Carnival.

 

Your friend can use it to pay their tips. Also, if they have extra non-refundable OBC, they can turn it into cash at the casino. Someone else can explain how to do that better than I can. But I've done it when we have excess OBC.

[chris330r]

Your friend can use it to pay their tips. Also, if they have extra non-refundable OBC, they can turn it into cash at the casino. Someone else can explain how to do that better than I can. But I've done it when we have excess OBC.

 

Thanks. Turning it into cash for the casino is a great idea.....plus use some of it for drinks too. I'm happy with the OBC....After all, I was originally requesting a mere $20 price drop and wound up with $70 spendable cash on board instead...that's more than triple my original request. That's a win!

 

I should now change my post title....Carnival didn't goof after all. :)

[christyran1228]

I did the math to see if this was a good deal for us, and I would owe an extra $10, net of the obc. That was dirty. Lol

[familycruizin2013]

Is your booking still early saver if you keep the $70 obc? In not how far along is your cruise. Do you chance that price going lower?

[chris330r]

Is your booking still early saver if you keep the $70 obc? In not how far along is your cruise. Do you chance that price going lower?

 

As far as I can see, this new Onboard Credit promo fare that I accepted takes away the Early Saver.

 

Hopefully someone who knows for certain will chime in, but I THINK if the price drops, i'm ineligible unless I give up the OBC? Or will they just add the amount of the drop to the existing OBC now? It's SO darn confusing.

 

My cruise is 4 day Sensation for 12/6 with final payment due 10/7.

 

I've already received an e mail from customer service (boy they are QUICK!)....She was very nice and as per my final request is leaving my fare with the new OBC promo....so i'm going to keep it and enjoy my 70 bucks. :)

[Rosefloater]

And can OBC be used in casino? I vaguely recall reading here that you can get it as cash for a small fee at the casino booths.

 

The OBC will be used to take care of your tips (if you haven't prepaid them) and any onboard expenses. If there is any OBC left over, go to any slot machine.

 

You will need to set up an account on the machine and press the button that says "charge to your account". Enter the amount that you want. It will show up on the invoice as "entertainment". Play a few times on the machine and then cash out. Go to the cage and tell them you want to cash out. This way you will not get a 3% or 5% fee (can't remember the percentage).

[love my grandkids]

One reason we like to have our pvp handle our ES reductions to make sure we dont have a suprise.

[RuthlessBoss]

Thanks. Turning it into cash for the casino is a great idea.....plus use some of it for drinks too. I'm happy with the OBC....After all, I was originally requesting a mere $20 price drop and wound up with $70 spendable cash on board instead...that's more than triple my original request. That's a win!

 

I should now change my post title....Carnival didn't goof after all. :)

 

I just can't see why you'd pay $90 more to net $70. You say it's for $160, but it cost $90 above the original cost to do so.

[uksimonusa]

I just can't see why you'd pay $90 more to net $70. You say it's for $160, but it cost $90 above the original cost to do so.

 

The net is $70, the gross is $160, if you gave me $90 and I gave you back $160, would you not be happy, with a $70 profit?

Edited July 6, 2015 by uksimonusa

[sweetsixteencruisers]

I'm not sure where Carnival goofed!

 

You either booked with a reduced deposit or your port taxes and fees changed.

Once you put in for a reduced rate these can change. Your deposit becomes the full deposit because it's not a term for the new rate.

 

Sometimes your port charges change. If they have increased, Carnival usually doesn't increase them, but if you change your rate they will. If they decrease, you will get a credit on your sail and sign card.

 

I hope this makes sense and I didn't confuse the issue. This has been my experience!

[RuthlessBoss]

The net is $70, the gross is $160, if you gave me $90 and I gave you back $160, would you not be happy, with a $70 profit?

 

In this case, you've parted with $90, so indirectly you "bought" your so called free OBC:D

[meatloafsfan]

As far as I can see, this new Onboard Credit promo fare that I accepted takes away the Early Saver.

 

Hopefully someone who knows for certain will chime in, but I THINK if the price drops, i'm ineligible unless I give up the OBC? Or will they just add the amount of the drop to the existing OBC now? It's SO darn confusing.

 

My cruise is 4 day Sensation for 12/6 with final payment due 10/7.

 

I've already received an e mail from customer service (boy they are QUICK!)....She was very nice and as per my final request is leaving my fare with the new OBC promo....so i'm going to keep it and enjoy my 70 bucks. :)

 

Once Early Saver fare, always Early Saver fare. You've price matched to the new promotion but haven't changed fares.

 

When checking for price drops now, you'll have to include your OBC in your overall fare. If you match to a lower fare, you'll lose your OBC as it is associated with your current price.

[SeeBurd]

Here's what just happened on the CCL Website...

 

I saw my booked cruise went down $20.00 so I e mailed my PVP and that instantly came back as undeliverable. Ok.

 

So I go to their FB site for help and someone gave me a link to their price protection form which I filled out and sent in requesting my $20 price drop. My fare is Early Saver.

 

Well, not 10 minutes later, I get an auto e mail from CCL showing my balance due INCREASED by $90.00!! What the heck?! It appears they took away my Early Saver fare and turned it into a regular fare!!

 

But here's the kicker!....They also added $160.00 in OBC to my sailing...so doing the math here, it does make me come out $70 bucks ahead. ($160-$90=$70).

 

Before doing the math, I fired an e mail to CCL help to fix it and give me my original fare....but now after doing the math i'm wondering if I should just pay the extra $90 since I got the $160 OBC.

 

Any advice is helpful! I'm not a seasoned cruiser and not sure what to do. Should I e mail them again saying "never mind"?

 

For the life of me, I can't figure out where you think Carnival goofed, but you should examine what may set you up should future price reductions occur. To just do the math, where you are considering paying more to get more OBC just seems weird to me, and probably sets you up for a lockout somewhere along the game.

Edited July 6, 2015 by SeeBurd