VIFP Early saver 1/2 depoist (no refund) vs full deposit (full refund) NEVER DISCLOSE

[sweets2323]

Would you pick the option to pay the full $1000 down for a family of 4 with the option to change the reservation (make changes, full refund) or put half down and risk it?

 

I am glad I called carnival to ask that question because it was not disclose to me before getting read to book?

 

I was surprised that I would lose ALL of my money...

WOW! I am still shocked that the information was not disclosed...

 

I now its all persona preferences, but I would still love to hear your response.

[amyh13]

If you are researching online, there is a link that says "Learn More" under each fare. They spell out all the terms.

 

You don't technically lose all of your money. All but $50 pp transfers to a future cruise.

 

We typically book past cruise rate however we saved a few $ with a casino rate on our next cruise. Also refundable up until final payment.

[StolidCruiser]

My response is the terms are disclosed.

 

Its glaringly apparent you just didn't read them.

[sweets2323]

If you are researching online, there is a link that says "Learn More" under each fare. They spell out all the terms.

 

You don't technically lose all of your money. All but $50 pp transfers to a future cruise.

 

We typically book past cruise rate however we saved a few $ with a casino rate on our next cruise. Also refundable up until final payment.

 

Really? the vacation planner told me that I will lose ALL of my money..

 

I will read it now and also call back again and ask.

[stargate fan]

Would you pick the option to pay the full $1000 down for a family of 4 with the option to change the reservation (make changes, full refund) or put half down and risk it?

 

I am glad I called carnival to ask that question because it was not disclose to me before getting read to book?

 

I was surprised that I would lose ALL of my money...

WOW! I am still shocked that the information was not disclosed...

 

I now its all persona preferences, but I would still love to hear your response.

 

Except for two cruises, we always book Past Guest rate. I don't like the restrictions of Early Saver. We are still eligible for rate reductions until final payment. Actually, we've never seen our rate go down after final payment so ES would do us no good.

 

You need to do what works for your family finances. Regardless of which rate you choose, I highly suggest purchasing trip insurance right after you book, in case something does change. We always buy TravelSafe through insuremytrip. Much better coverage and much less expensive than buying Carnival's insurance.

Yes...unsolicited advice.

[bakersdozen12]

1) The terms of all booking types are most certainly disclosed before you book. You just have to take the time to read the fine print. Unfortunately many people don't. They check off "I agree to the Terms & Conditions" without actually knowing what they are agreeing to.

 

2) The phrase "lose all my money" is subjective when it comes to Early Saver. Technically you don't lose anything but $50 per person, BUT, the rest stays with Carnival to be used for a future booking. So if you plan on rebooking, it's not lost. But if you don't rebook, you never get it back.

 

To answer your original question, yes, I would book under the more restrictive fare, with the lower deposit, because I know that I can always use the deposit (less the $50 pp) towards a future cruise, should I need to cancel and reschedule. I don't mind losing the $100 total for my husband and I. Its a small price to risk in order to get the lower fare (Early Saver is almost always lower than other fare types).

 

 

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[sweets2323]

ES Exclusive VIFP Club offer is $464pp $500 deposit

$50 per room to spend onboard

Half off your deposit

Choose your room location

Free 2 category upgrade

Price Protection

Hurry! Offer ends soon

Great Vacation Guarantee

 

 

Past Guest Offer with 2 category upgrade is $474pp $1000 deposit

Choose your room location

2 Category Upgrade

Great Vacation Guarantee

[MAKINGWAVES]

I usually always book past guest because I like the option of canceling if we need to (we're 78 and 80), before final payment. For our cruise in October I lost my head and booked ES. (lured by the low deposit and $50. credit). I'm now holding my breath that we will be healthy enough to do this in Oct. I've wondered......has anyone tried to change their ES booking to Past Guest etc?

[S.S.Oceanlover]

ES Exclusive VIFP Club offer is $464pp $500 deposit

$50 per room to spend onboard

Half off your deposit

Choose your room location

Free 2 category upgrade

Price Protection

Hurry! Offer ends soon

Great Vacation Guarantee

 

 

Disclaimer

 

Offer is valid for guests with a valid VIFP Club Member number. Offer is capacity controlled and is not combinable with any other discount or promotional offer. Onboard Credit is provided as a non-refundable and non-transferable credit to your Sail & Sign account of $25 per person up to $50 per stateroom. Onboard Credit may not be applied to cruise fare or Taxes, Fees and Port Expenses. Taxes, Fees and Port Expenses range from $58.63 to $367.25 and are additional for each guest based on itinerary. Guest may select the stateroom but category restrictions and exclusions apply. 2 category upgrade is automatically assigned at the time of booking, based on availability in like to like categories only (interior to interior, ocean view to ocean view and balcony to balcony). Subsequent upgrades in lieu of price protection will no longer be offered. 50% per person reduced deposit is applicable to sailings outside of final payment due date and is valid for all ships, stateroom types and sail dates. Deposit is non-refundable. Changes made to the reservation may result in the assessment of cancellation penalties or service fees. Early Saver fare is backed by a unique price protection policy and does not apply to group rates, membership rates, select promotions, or travel agent promotions. No name changes are allowed. Cancellations prior to final payment due date will receive a non-refundable and non-transferable future cruise credit in the amount of the deposit less a $50 pp service fee. The future cruise credit must be used for bookings in USD currency within 24 months from the date of cancellation. To submit a Price Protection claim, visit https://www.carnival.com/cruise-deals/early-saver/price-protection.aspx. Requests will be accepted up to two business days prior to sailing. Offer is applicable on sailings where Early Saver or Last Call is available through April 2019. Offer is applicable on new bookings only and guests have up to 6 weeks to book.

 

Bill

[ryano]

1) I don't mind losing the $100 total for my husband and I. Its a small price to risk in order to get the lower fare (Early Saver is almost always lower than other fare types).

 

 

 

With past guest rate though, you lose nothing and its only about 20.00 more per person. In some cases, less. Sure, you wont get price drops after final payment date but my cruises just keep going up it seems after final payment date. I have booked my last Early Saver cruise. I will go past guest from here on out.

[ryano]

I.....has anyone tried to change their ES booking to Past Guest etc?

 

You cant :( Ive already asked here and Carnival. You can change from PG to ES I think but not from ES to PG rate.

[sweets2323]

I called carnival and was told that the ES will charge me $50pp if I change and the past guest price would give me 100% refund.

 

I asked about the military price and she said that will give me 100% refund.. and i could pick my cabin on this promotion. I just wont get the $50 on board credit.

 

 

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[ItsAllAboutTheSass]

I usually always book past guest because I like the option of canceling if we need to (we're 78 and 80), before final payment. For our cruise in October I lost my head and booked ES. (lured by the low deposit and $50. credit). I'm now holding my breath that we will be healthy enough to do this in Oct. I've wondered......has anyone tried to change their ES booking to Past Guest etc?

 

Did you purchase insurance?

[maryred]

Just think about this as well...

If you go with the Early Saver rate with the reduced deposit if you make any change to the booking (like an $ to $ upgrade) or make a price adjustment claim, the full current deposit rate needs to be made within 48 hours of the change or the booking is dropped.

So if this week you book w/ the reduced deposit then in 2 weeks Carnival runs another sale this time at $40 less per person but no special on deposits, if the price guarantee claim is accepted you will need to be able to bring the money already deposited up to the normal deposit rate anyway.

 

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[sweets2323]

Wow.. basically to reiterate... full deposit is due within a time frame if price adjustment is made and the new promotion or rate does not have a deposit promotion...

 

 

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[saharaga]

Well, technically you do lose all your money, if you don't rebook.

 

Really? the vacation planner told me that I will lose ALL of my money..

 

I will read it now and also call back again and ask.

[YoHoHo]

"$50 per room to spend onboard"

 

Curious, is that shipboard credit available on the CURRENT cruise or is on the future cruise booked on board?