ABSOLUTELY no price difference

[Ocean Cat]

I’m a past carnival cruiser and when I include my VIP number I get no discount for being a past passenger and in some cases I pay more. Is this typical. I figured there was very little difference,but no difference at all? That seems scammy making past passengers think they are getting a deal. 

[joepeka]

Most of the past guest offers I've seen (or that have been made available to me) are of the category upgrade variety or reduced, refundable deposit. The only reduced fares I've noticed are for ES or military. I'm sure others here who may have seen lowered fares for PG will chime in. You can see your PG offers if you login, go to "Manage" and "VIFP Club", on right side of the next page will be a "My Offers" link.

Edited May 25, 2019 by joepeka

[tallnthensome]

There is not any cruise line that gives you much of anything if anything at all if you've sailed them only a couple times. MSC gives 5% off after one cruise with Voyagers Club. Most of these lines are what you'd call deceitful when they "offer" any deals one day over another, especially when it comes to actual dollars off. Carnival has so many past guests they'd be the last to offer any real discount. They don't care about that, you or I, when it comes down to it. 

[havanadaydreaming]

my wife is platinum level, I'm red.  

 

we booked cruise this week after calling consultant.  she got same balcony offer I could get online, but I do think we got deck 8 instead of 7.  she couldn't even get an onboard credit.  

 

 

 

 

[AdGuyMG]

52 minutes ago, Ocean Cat said:

I’m a past carnival cruiser and when I include my VIP number I get no discount for being a past passenger and in some cases I pay more.

 

That seems scammy making past passengers think they are getting a deal. 

All that entering in your Past Guest VIFP number on their website booking engine is doing is allowing a computer program to check to see if there are any specific targeted offers for you. Offers like a Casino Rate or a recent past 2 week cruiser return passenger offer. From time to time they also offer other targeted VIFP offers. But not all of the time.

 

If there are in fact special VIFP offers, and you enter your VIFP number you will see them. If not, you won't.

 

I don't see that as a scam.

[ALWAYS CRUZIN]

Totally depends on the cruise you are wanting to book. It can change from day to day also.

[Bookbug53]

1 hour ago, Ocean Cat said:

I’m a past carnival cruiser and when I include my VIP number I get no discount for being a past passenger and in some cases I pay more. Is this typical. I figured there was very little difference,but no difference at all? That seems scammy making past passengers think they are getting a deal. 

I don't feel scammed as I don't expect a deal each time I book. Sometimes I am sent offers, sometimes I find them in the pricing options, sometimes by checking my account offers, and sometimes there is no discount. I don't think I have ever seen 'discounts' as part of their loyalty program. 

Edited May 25, 2019 by Bookbug53

[simplelife]

It depends on the particular cruise. There are often VIFP rates offered, that may be a bit lower, have some OBC,  or an upgrade. You can click on "Deals" on the   VIFP page, or if doing a booking or mock booking, you can click on "other offers" when you get the fare quote. Often VIFP rates do not have change penalties. I usually  get some savings for being a return passenger.

[phoneman69]

The only time i feel i get a deal is when i am offered a Casino deal. Not a big spender but 100.00 off room rate and 50 fun money works for me. Last 2 bookings i waited for Casino offers.

[sfaaa]

4 hours ago, Ocean Cat said:

I’m a past carnival cruiser and when I include my VIP number I get no discount for being a past passenger and in some cases I pay more. Is this typical. I figured there was very little difference,but no difference at all? That seems scammy making past passengers think they are getting a deal. 

Where did you see the representation from Carnival you are getting a deal? 

[coevan]

I have to be honest, we are Platinum seniors. i have searched every major travel site, cruise site and Carnival, they are all the same. the only difference we noticed were perks, which are always better on the cruise websites, not CCL

[sfaaa]

I am currently looking at a 2020 cruise where VIFP guests pay $95 less pp than retail. Deals do exist but only for selected sailings.

[Ocean Cat]

thanks for the insight. I thought it made a big difference if you were a past cruiser apparently not, and not with just Carnival. 

[ALWAYS CRUZIN]

We pick when we want the next cruise and I then look at all the deals offered by lines we like. There is one site that lists them all. Everything you need to choose without contacting anyone.  So easy to use and lists just about every major cruise line. Gives the lowest starting price, I pick it and then go to my cruise specialist and get the final price along with the perks. The company she works with also offers perks for those that have booked with them a lot. She has also bent there arm to get me perks that were not really offered for the cruise. So, it is a great asset for us to have her on our side. 

[Nic6318]

Hi Ocean Cat

 

The past guest "rate" isn't promoted as the cheapest fare. Typically one of the "early saver" rates will be the least expensive. The early saver rates however have a penalty (the deposit) for any changes to the booking.

 

The main reason to book one of the "early saver" rates is that you can get credit for any price drop (within your cabin category) up till two days before sailing. The main reason to not book early saver rate is if there is any possibility that you may need to make changes. With "past guest" rate you can get credit for price drops, but only until final payment. So, you can price match to the "early saver" rate, but only until final payment.

 

hope this helps

 

[coevan]

3 hours ago, sfaaa said:

I am currently looking at a 2020 cruise where VIFP guests pay $95 less pp than retail. Deals do exist but only for selected sailings.

 

 

 

isn't everyone a VIFP guest after their first cruise? 

[scpirate]

8 hours ago, Ocean Cat said:

I’m a past carnival cruiser and when I include my VIP number I get no discount for being a past passenger and in some cases I pay more. Is this typical. I figured there was very little difference,but no difference at all? That seems scammy making past passengers think they are getting a deal. 

It's marketing.they make believe to offer discounts to get you thinking about a cruise.it seems to work.they own the most ships.i have gotten better deals on other lines it's more about being flexible in vacation time plus I just hate having to drive to miami.

[navybankerteacher]

9 hours ago, Ocean Cat said:

I’m a past carnival cruiser and when I include my VIP number I get no discount for being a past passenger and in some cases I pay more. Is this typical. I figured there was very little difference,but no difference at all? That seems scammy making past passengers think they are getting a deal. 

It isn’t just past passengers that are made to think they are getting a deal - every potential passenger is lured with advertising and enticements: are you a veteran, a teacher, a past passenger, a resident of Missouri — you name it.  Do you really think a cruise line is going to really give away anything to you because you are “SPECIAL”?  They want you to think that - but when it comes down to giving you the deal, you are going to get pretty much the same deal anyone gets on that day - who presses them for the best deal.

 

If anything, a brand new, first time customer is likely to get the deal as an enticement.  If you are a returning previous cruiser they already know they have a hook into you. Sure, they/may give you some free internet, or other benefit- but the basic cruise price for the cabin you want is going to be what it is selling for at that time.  Their interest is maximum revenue - if they can make you think that you are special it is because they want you to think that - not because you are special.

[AAAAmerican]

Sorry, the Best Rates and/or Cost basis is from an ASTA Travel Agencie/Agent.

 

Do you know who books the largest Volumes for Carnival?

 

An agent in New Jersey!

 

Oh BTW in NYC, NY last week a major refurb ship was renamed and as well obtained a new Godmother. But not even one mention on the View Media either??

 

After NYC makes Millions from having Two Ports in it too..

Sorry Boo HISS NYC

[jasong38501]

1 hour ago, AAAAmerican said:

Sorry, the Best Rates and/or Cost basis is from an ASTA Travel Agencie/Agent.

 

Do you know who books the largest Volumes for Carnival?

 

An agent in New Jersey!

 

Oh BTW in NYC, NY last week a major refurb ship was renamed and as well obtained a new Godmother. But not even one mention on the View Media either??

 

After NYC makes Millions from having Two Ports in it too..

Sorry Boo HISS NYC

Uhmmm.... drugs are bad???

Edited May 26, 2019 by jasong38501

[AAAAmerican]

On 5/26/2019 at 3:52 AM, jasong38501 said:

Uhmmm.... drugs are bad???

What are you taking ?

........................

In the Greater NYC area, not one mention of the renaming of the TRIUMPH etc..

 

No Adverts may be a reason in this travel season.

[PhillyFan33579]

On 5/25/2019 at 9:02 PM, coevan said:

 

 

 

isn't everyone a VIFP guest after their first cruise? 

 

Yes, but apparently someone in this thread was happy with the offer they got as a previous cruiser. The only good deals I hear about are from friends who get casino offers, which I never get since I don’t spend too much time in the casino. That would change if smoking wasn’t allowed in the casino, but I am not holding my breath waiting for that to happen. 

[coevan]

probably hold your breath in the casino as well🤣 

[ray98]

It depends on the cruise and the current specials.

[RandomUser123]

With the cruise I booked for October which is my 2nd with Carnival I checked before booking and it was cheaper for me with VIFP by $40.