Non-Refundable / Australia

[thepla]

HI Thanks in advance for information

 

I'm confused. Compared to many of you I'm new to cruising although I've flown over 7 millions miles and been to 70  counties but only 2 NCL, 2 RCCL, 1 MSC and a couple NCL and Oceania cruises booked.

 

I found a cruise is 2022 that was intriguing to me and have on hold, transferred to Ultimate Rewards area and was going to place deposit. I found out it was non-refundable / non-transferrable. I am pretty sure 5 done and 3 in future none have any penalties like that in place. After some back and forth with Carnival and TA it seems I can not even more deposit without losing it all exact same ship / same itinerary different date for a $50 change fee.

 

A refundable is way more money (Surely > deposit) and seems deposit will be quite high.

[NCTribeFan]

Sounds like an Early Saver rate.  Even though I usually use a TA, I always do my "mock" bookings ahead of contacting here.  I know exactly what fares are available and what the fare will be for the cabin I want (I check availability and deck plans to pick a cabin in the location I want).

 

To their credit, Carnival is very transparent with their fares.  If you log in and do a search for the cruise you want, you can see every option and click on the link to see all that's included in the fare and any restrictions.  I also sail other lines and usually, you see whatever fare they're offering.  You don't really see that you can pick from a half-dozen different fares that come with different perks/deposits.

 

I don't care for Early Saver.  I prefer to have more flexibility and ES is often only a few dollars less.  But, with ES, you can get price drops after final payment, which you cannot do under other fares.

 

I often book casino fares, which these days also have non-refundable deposits, but those fares are usually enough lower that it's worth the risk.  Until this virus came around, I never really cancelled a cruise I booked.  If I book, I'm almost positive I'll cruise.  Of course, that's all changed.  But if the cruiseline cancels, you don't need to worry about NR deposits.

 

I have booked 2 cruises out of Australia for 2022.  Both are casino fares so I figure I have to go now, right?  Can't lose those deposits! 😄

[thepla]

1 hour ago, NCTribeFan said:

Sounds like an Early Saver rate.  Even though I usually use a TA, I always do my "mock" bookings ahead of contacting here.  I know exactly what fares are available and what the fare will be for the cabin I want (I check availability and deck plans to pick a cabin in the location I want).

 

To their credit, Carnival is very transparent with their fares.  If you log in and do a search for the cruise you want, you can see every option and click on the link to see all that's included in the fare and any restrictions.  I also sail other lines and usually, you see whatever fare they're offering.  You don't really see that you can pick from a half-dozen different fares that come with different perks/deposits.

 

I don't care for Early Saver.  I prefer to have more flexibility and ES is often only a few dollars less.  But, with ES, you can get price drops after final payment, which you cannot do under other fares.

 

I often book casino fares, which these days also have non-refundable deposits, but those fares are usually enough lower that it's worth the risk.  Until this virus came around, I never really cancelled a cruise I booked.  If I book, I'm almost positive I'll cruise.  Of course, that's all changed.  But if the cruiseline cancels, you don't need to worry about NR deposits.

 

I have booked 2 cruises out of Australia for 2022.  Both are casino fares so I figure I have to go now, right?  Can't lose those deposits! 😄

Thanks, I;m doing something wrong. I only see one price point.

 

I get a row with Best Price and each cabin has an "*" under price. I do not see an option for refundable, etc.

[GUT2407]

And I wouldn’t expect any U.S.A. visitors before 2022 at the absolute earliest.

[thepla]

2 minutes ago, GUT2407 said:

And I wouldn’t expect any U.S.A. visitors before 2022 at the absolute earliest.

Mine is 2022 cruise. I can't find a refundable fare. I'm sure it's me.

[GUT2407]

22 minutes ago, thepla said:

Mine is 2022 cruise. I can't find a refundable fare. I'm sure it's me.

Early 22 or late?

[thepla]

23 minutes ago, GUT2407 said:

Early 22 or late?

june 14

[NCTribeFan]

Not sure what you're doing.  I select a ship, date, cabin type, and a window pops up with a fare.  There's a link under it for more options, which opens and shows me my casino fare, Early Saver, Past Guest, Guarantee, etc.

 

Or, you could always call.  If you don't use a travel agent, having a good PVP at Carnival is very helpful.  Even the generic phone folks should be able to tell you ever type of fare for which you qualify.  Well, in normal times, that is.  Not sure who they having on the generic phone lines these days.

 

GUT - my 2 cruises are in February 2022.  I certainly hope there's a vaccine long before then since I have eight cruises booked between Jan 2021 and Feb 2022!  I'm not expecting the Jan 2021 to sail (which is a replacement for a cancelled HAL cruise last April).  Not sure if I'll sail in March unless there's a vaccine, which would be a shame as that was to be my first on Celebrity (and it's a very low, special rate from my TA).  Going to cancel my April NCL TA.  That leaves the Med/TA B2B next October, which are replacements for the ones I would've been taking this month.

[thepla]

13 hours ago, NCTribeFan said:

Not sure what you're doing.  I select a ship, date, cabin type, and a window pops up with a fare.  There's a link under it for more options, which opens and shows me my casino fare, Early Saver, Past Guest, Guarantee, etc.

 

Or, you could always call.  If you don't use a travel agent, having a good PVP at Carnival is very helpful.  Even the generic phone folks should be able to tell you ever type of fare for which you qualify.  Well, in normal times, that is.  Not sure who they having on the generic phone lines these days.

 

GUT - my 2 cruises are in February 2022.  I certainly hope there's a vaccine long before then since I have eight cruises booked between Jan 2021 and Feb 2022!  I'm not expecting the Jan 2021 to sail (which is a replacement for a cancelled HAL cruise last April).  Not sure if I'll sail in March unless there's a vaccine, which would be a shame as that was to be my first on Celebrity (and it's a very low, special rate from my TA).  Going to cancel my April NCL TA.  That leaves the Med/TA B2B next October, which are replacements for the ones I would've been taking this month.

I did see what you're saying. On hyperlink it does explain rules. I called there is not an option for refundable on cruise I priced out.

[Moviela]

I found the deposits on Australian cruises to be similar US cruises. They want $125. AU$ per person, which is about $90. USD. I believe they are including the gratuities in the down payment because they tell me there is no auto-gratuities added to the sign and sail account as is the practice in US and Europe. They also have different names for various offerings like "value fare" or "your backyard by sea" or "fun select."