Changing from ES to Past Guest rate

[minerva78]

If I book a cruise under a reduced deposit ES rate, can I change that to a Past Guest rate if I pay the rest of the full deposit?

 

I ask because I foolishly fell for a reduced deposit ES sale a few months ago for a cruise in December when I wasn't completely sure if we'd be able to go then. Now we won't be able to make that cruise, but we're looking at some options next April or May instead. I thought I was just out of the deposit, but it dawned on me that if I was able to switch to a Past Guest rate, which would involve paying the rest of the full deposit amount, then once I am under that rate I should be able to cancel the December cruise and apply the deposit to another cruise. But am I allowed to do that under ES? I haven't booked an ES rate in a while, and I don't remember how that works, whether or not I CAN change to a past guest rate or not. This is why I generally stay away from ES, too many rules and restrictions.

[Out to sea!]

ES and Reduced deposits are two different animals. First, no, you cannot switch from ES to Past Guest and start using the Past Guest rules. You can cancel you cruise (if before final payment) and pay a $50 penalty per passenger and then use the rest of the funds from your deposit and book a new cruise. The deposit amount will depend on what the current promotions are.

Edited August 23, 2015 by Out to sea!

[bury me at sea]

My understanding is that if Early Saver, you can price match to a past guest rate for price drops, BUT you remain Early Saver. The exception is if you price match to a guarantee rate where Carnival chooses your cabin. In that event you lose Early Saver.

 

I hope someone will correct me if I am wrong.

 

Happy sailing!

[2Ports]

I hope someone will correct me if I am wrong.

 

Oh, I wouldn't worry about that...

 

Even if you're right :p

[Out to sea!]

My understanding is that if Early Saver, you can price match to a past guest rate for price drops, BUT you remain Early Saver. The exception is if you price match to a guarantee rate where Carnival chooses your cabin. In that event you lose Early Saver.

 

I hope someone will correct me if I am wrong.

 

Happy sailing!

 

That is correct with the exception that one is not supposed to be able to price match to a GTY rate with ES. There have been reports of it being done (and I have done it once personally so yes, you do lose ES if you do that) but it's not supposed to be done.

[springs741]

If I book a cruise under a reduced deposit ES rate, can I change that to a Past Guest rate if I pay the rest of the full deposit?

 

QUOTE]

 

You can not go from ES to PG for the exact reason you want to do it (avoiding $50 penalty)

 

Once ES always ES.

 

I booked an ES cruise and then it was announce that it was a premier casino cruise, which I was invited.

 

I was able to price match to the PC rate and get the benefits but I remain ES.

[minerva78]

Cool, thanks for the info. I figured there must be some restriction that would prevent me from doing what I had thought of, because of how restrictive this rate is. I never knew that once I booked ES I would have to stay ES, because I've heard of people doing the opposite - moving from past guest rate to ES before final payment. Oh well, the reduced deposit was less than the $50 change fee pp, so no point in paying the fee to book another cruise! I'll just let this one go and book another one later. Under past guest rate that is, I'm not messing with this ES stuff again. :). It was a lot easier to take the chance when just my husband and I cruised, but now that our kids are old enough to cruise, a non-refundable deposit for 4 of us just isn't worth it, lol.