Crazy low rates are back

[logan25]

1 hour ago, firefly333 said:

Here is a example of what I mean when I say the math is wrong on final prices. The deals are great but the math is wrong.

 

Here you can see a great price for 1 pax for a balcony of 478.50  says plus 101.88 taxes and port fees. .. that equals 580. .. except it shows 678. .. too low for 2 port fees so it's not that either.

 

I click on 478, select .. and comes to 678. Huh?  Then you can see it says including port fees and taxes of 101.88.

 

I'm getting this on several where the math makes no sense. Great price for a xmas balcony. 

.

I might be able to help.  Did you check the price breakdown?  I believe the difference is prepaid gratuities.  I actually booked one of these Galveston cruises.  Seems passenger prepaying gratuities is in the offer terms and conditions.

[CruiseBro16]

1 hour ago, wasidremin said:

So we are a family of 5, and none of these low rates translate into a room for 3.  And to the best of my knowledge they dont allow an 18yo (My eldest) to be in a room on their own.  One workaround we are thinking about is putting a potential traveler with her in that room, but that persons availability isnt yet known, so there is a high probability they will pull out, leaving the 18yo by herself.  Does anyone know if that might work?

From what I see, the rate is only good for a room for two. 

[Ellusionz]

I was mock booking for a party of 4 for the deal 72-HOUR UNWRAP FUN SALE (P3P) and kept getting this error: No rates available for the number of travelers and specials you selected. I even lowered to two people and got the same error, just silly.

[Schoifmom]

2 hours ago, wasidremin said:

So we are a family of 5, and none of these low rates translate into a room for 3.  And to the best of my knowledge they dont allow an 18yo (My eldest) to be in a room on their own.  One workaround we are thinking about is putting a potential traveler with her in that room, but that persons availability isnt yet known, so there is a high probability they will pull out, leaving the 18yo by herself.  Does anyone know if that might work?

The 18 year old can be in her own room as long as the reservations are tied together.

https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/2544/~/minor-guest-policy

Traveling with Minors
When traveling with a minor where one parent or both parents or legal guardians are not cruising, we strongly recommend bringing an original signed letter from the absent parent(s) or legal guardians authorizing the minor to travel with you. If there is no second parent with legal claims to the minor (due to sole custody, deceased, etc.) other relevant paperwork, such as a court decision, death certificate, birth certificate naming only one parent, would be useful to bring in place of a signed letter. This will expedite processing by the Department of Homeland Security.

 

Where minor guests can be booked in relation to relative or guardian:

• Guests 12 and younger
  If the relative or guardian insists on booking separate staterooms, minors must either be directly across the hall or next door. Guests 12 and under may not be assigned to a balcony stateroom without a relative or guardian (25 years of age or older) traveling in the balcony stateroom with them. 
• Guests 13 - 17 years of age
  Can be separated by up to 3 staterooms from a relative or guardian (25 years of age or older).
• Guests 18 – 20 years of age
  Do not have any restrictions and may book whatever location they prefer. 

[firefly333]

1 hour ago, logan25 said:

I might be able to help.  Did you check the price breakdown?  I believe the difference is prepaid gratuities.  I actually booked one of these Galveston cruises.  Seems passenger prepaying gratuities is in the offer terms and conditions.

Hey maybe that's it. Are people removing tips that they feel this is mandatory? Mames sense now. That's about the difference. I cant click all the way thru on this browser I have to change to chrome.. this browser isnt compatible only for the pay page lolol. Love IT

[wasidremin]

26 minutes ago, Schoifmom said:

The 18 year old can be in her own room as long as the reservations are tied together.

https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/2544/~/minor-guest-policy

 

Okay, thanks.  When booking online it just said they couldnt be the primary in the room, which didnt make sense, but that was probably because I was trying to use a VIFP offer in the room.   As mentioned in my previous post, I am going to go ahead and book with a second person in the room, that may or may not be able to go, that way I can utilize their VIFP offer.  And if they no show we are still good with the room since the 18yo can travel as long as they are in our party.

[dd likes to cruise]

I just booked Mardi Gras, Havana Interior for $55 each, plus tax, etc. Total 391.00 total for the 2 of us, 6 night out of Port Canaveral (Hour and half from us). Jan 2. 
 

Just too good to not do it.  We don’t even care where it’s going. Like so many of you - JUST READY TO CRUISE!! 😎🛳⚓️🛳⚓️🛳⚓️😎

 

 

[gotscrapz]

I have never gambled on board and am only a gold member I sailed the panorama 7 days - balcony deck 7 in October for $130 pp!

we booked about a month out…

 

got these $5 offers shown and booked the panorama again for 8 days $250 pp deck 9.

 

Unplanned but couldn’t not do it at these prices lol! We’re in Lake Tahoe so it’s  about an hour / inexpensive flight. 

 

Befire this year I never received any special  rates! 

[gotscrapz]

2 hours ago, dd likes to cruise said:

I just booked Mardi Gras, Havana Interior for $55 each, plus tax, etc. Total 391.00 total for the 2 of us, 6 night out of Port Canaveral (Hour and half from us). Jan 2. 
 

Just too good to not do it.  We don’t even care where it’s going. Like so many of you - JUST READY TO CRUISE!! 😎🛳⚓️🛳⚓️🛳⚓️😎

 

 

I l wanted to choose another ship but instead of the panorama again but I don’t have much time off and this is the 2nd unplanned week long  cruise I’ve taken since October 30th so figured I better sail close to home lol.

 

Enjoy!

[luckybecky]

On 11/16/2021 at 9:59 PM, Joebucks said:

 

Not exactly. Just having a body onboard isn't doing much good. There are still many food and labor costs that a $10 fare simply won't cover.

 

However, getting people on board who are known to spend money is a different story. It doesn't have to be just casino. People who buy lots of food, dining, excursions, any spending etc are worthwhile getting on your ship. People who won't buy another thing definitely aren't worth $10 offers.

 

We have been receiving a lot of these offers recently. I promise you, we are not big spenders -- unless you count the drink package. We usually do pay for that because we want to be able to splurge on drinks while on vacation. We almost always do excursions on our own, not booking the cruise line. Rarely use the spa. Very little shopping. Never hit the art gallery. We do gamble a little, but we are not high rollers by any measure. So I don't know why we are getting these offers. It's certainly not because Carnival thinks we will be raining money once on board.

 

I recently went on the Breeze, 5 nights, lido deck balcony cabin, $25 per person ... $350 total for 2 of us, including taxes, port fees, gratuities. 

 

I just last week booked a similar itinerary on the Breeze in February 2022, 5 nights, but this time I waited too late to get a balcony. We will be in an ocean view, same price. $25  per person for a 5 night cruise. With taxes, fees, gratuities, it comes out to around $350 for 2 people, 5 nights.

 

I am on the mailing list for a few cruise lines. I am only getting these kinds of offers from Carnival. No one else. But I am getting them frequently from Carnival. As little as $10 depending on the departure port. I'm not sure what is happening because we never got these offers pre-Covid. But we are enjoying the low prices while they last! 

[bucfan2]

8 hours ago, dd likes to cruise said:

I just booked Mardi Gras, Havana Interior for $55 each, plus tax, etc. Total 391.00 total for the 2 of us, 6 night out of Port Canaveral (Hour and half from us). Jan 2. 
 

Just too good to not do it.  We don’t even care where it’s going. Like so many of you - JUST READY TO CRUISE!! 😎🛳⚓️🛳⚓️🛳⚓️😎

 

 

We should see these offers continue after the holiday season.  With these ridiculous masking requirements, they're going to have to continue to give cabins away.  Some of us hardcore cc cruisers will put up with it, but the general public will either pass or try it once and decide paying to wear a mask is not a vacation....or they'll choice celebrity/ncl.

[firefly333]

16 minutes ago, bucfan2 said:

We should see these offers continue after the holiday season.  With these ridiculous masking requirements, they're going to have to continue to give cabins away.  Some of us hardcore cc cruisers will put up with it, but the general public will either pass or try it once and decide paying to wear a mask is not a vacation....or they'll choice celebrity/ncl.

I think it's the testing even more so and now that disney is requiring age 5 and up to be vaccinated that too is a fear with people. I still cant book but wish I could take advantage. .. though I'm not seeing 25 pp rates or rates without solo supplements like I was before. 

 

I want that 25 pp for a Havana inside rate .. havana anything just to say I tried it. 

[sfaaa]

7 hours ago, bucfan2 said:

We should see these offers continue after the holiday season.  With these ridiculous masking requirements, they're going to have to continue to give cabins away.  Some of us hardcore cc cruisers will put up with it, but the general public will either pass or try it once and decide paying to wear a mask is not a vacation....or they'll choice celebrity/ncl.

From some of the reviews I read, masking policy is apparently not strictly enforced on board Carnival ships. It is one reason I have not jumped on these crazy deals.

[JMKreno]

We just booked the Carnival Miracle out of Long Beach over NYE (6 nights). We got a rate of $200p/p for a balcony and $120p/p for an interior. Pricing 4 in a single balcony was almost 2k (3rd and 4th passenger were ridiculous, like $800p/p) so we opted to book 2 connecting rooms at the front of deck 6 for a total of $1100 for 4 people!! That's a smoking deal over NYE, 6 nights, and 2 rooms. And on top of that, this particular cabin has an extended balcony with 2 chairs and a lounge chair!!

 

Never thought we'd book 2 cruises in the same year, but the deals are crazy to pass up right now. I just hope this cruise isn't a major let down compared to the Oasis of the Seas (we have been on the Miracle years ago before any refurbs, so giving iit a 2nd chance)...we just want good food, nice ocean views, and relaxation time which I think the Miracle will easily provide (the Oasis was UNBELIEAVABLE but exhausting lol). Honestly, that doesn't matter, just grateful to go again!!

Edited November 18, 2021 by JMKreno

[cvonscpa]

Like some of the others here I got some really good offers recently.  We are booked to go on the Panorama in March and are excited to have that trip after having our last 2 cruises cancelled due to COVID.  I happened to get on the Carnival website the other night looking for vacation options for next summer and saw some incredible rates for sailings in the next couple of months.  This morning I called my PVP and was going to book 2 balcony rooms on the Miracle for NYE at a rate of $200/pp.  While on the phone with her she asked me if I wanted to prepay the gratuities, which brought my rate down to $120/pp for a 6 day sailing.  I'm not a gambler and have never spent a dime in the casinos, so it wasn't a gambler rate or anything.  Rates like this are just too good for me to pass up. I could have easily spent close to this amount for just dinner and a show on New Year's Eve, now we get to spend it in Cabo 🙂

[CruiseBro16]

1 hour ago, 1stin71 said:

We should enjoy these crazy and insane LOW & FREE rates while we can because sooner or later we are all gonna PAY for these wonderful promotions to get people on the ships.

I have been cruising since 1971 and have never, ever seen anything even remotely similar to this. Not even immediately post 9-11 when there were some real good deals to be had.

Yes! I'm booked in January. I hope they come back in time for April sailings when my kids are on spring break. 

[bucfan2]

9 hours ago, 1stin71 said:

We should enjoy these crazy and insane LOW & FREE rates while we can because sooner or later we are all gonna PAY for these wonderful promotions to get people on the ships.

I have been cruising since 1971 and have never, ever seen anything even remotely similar to this. Not even immediately post 9-11 when there were some real good deals to be had.

Concur...what a great time to cruise.  Been cruising since the early 80's, and as you mentioned, never seen anything remotely similar.  The longer they keep these draconian mask mandates in place, the longer we'll be able to take advantage of these giveaway prices, as the general public will be finding other vacation options.

[ISHCruising]

Does anyone have some advice?

 

I quickly booked on the Legend for a balcony room with a low price.  The prices have since increased significantly.  I would like to upgrade the room, but am now being quoted the difference NOW vs. when I booked.  Nearly $600 to move from an obstructed view to a regular balcony!  

 

I'm totally prepared to suck it up, but am kicking myself I didn't pay closer attention when booking!

 

 

[bucfan2]

23 hours ago, sfaaa said:

From some of the reviews I read, masking policy is apparently not strictly enforced on board Carnival ships. It is one reason I have not jumped on these crazy deals.

Nice to be able to choose the proper ship/line to fit your desires....not strictly enforced masking entices us to book additional sailings.  We may go bankrupt when masks are not required on affordable lines, but we are also part of the minority that has some faith in the experimental therapy.

Edited November 19, 2021 by bucfan2

[babygrljaz]

23 hours ago, sfaaa said:

From some of the reviews I read, masking policy is apparently not strictly enforced on board Carnival ships. It is one reason I have not jumped on these crazy deals.

I've been on the Vista in Sept & Dream in Oct.  Vista was a bit more relaxed but many did wear them everywhere. On the Dream though they had people at almost all entrances & i did notice crew reminding people to wear them often in almost all indoor areas.  Dream is where more people would not wear them in elevators & buffet area

[cruisingguy007]

On 11/17/2021 at 7:03 AM, Schoifmom said:

The 18 year old can be in her own room as long as the reservations are tied together.

https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/2544/~/minor-guest-policy

Traveling with Minors
When traveling with a minor where one parent or both parents or legal guardians are not cruising, we strongly recommend bringing an original signed letter from the absent parent(s) or legal guardians authorizing the minor to travel with you. If there is no second parent with legal claims to the minor (due to sole custody, deceased, etc.) other relevant paperwork, such as a court decision, death certificate, birth certificate naming only one parent, would be useful to bring in place of a signed letter. This will expedite processing by the Department of Homeland Security.

 

Where minor guests can be booked in relation to relative or guardian:

• Guests 12 and younger
  If the relative or guardian insists on booking separate staterooms, minors must either be directly across the hall or next door. Guests 12 and under may not be assigned to a balcony stateroom without a relative or guardian (25 years of age or older) traveling in the balcony stateroom with them. 
• Guests 13 - 17 years of age
  Can be separated by up to 3 staterooms from a relative or guardian (25 years of age or older).
• Guests 18 – 20 years of age
  Do not have any restrictions and may book whatever location they prefer. 

 

So I'm a bit confused. I always thought that someone 21 or over had to be in each booked cabin. The above seems to indicate that I could book my two older teens (both over 13 but under 18) into their own cabin as long as it's within 3 cabins of my other cabins. Is this correct? So say I wanted to book 3 cabins for a family of five. I book an adult and a kid in one, an adult in another and then two older teens in a third by themselves (as long as within 3 cabins), would this be OK? With the way the rates are now, it would actually be cheaper for me to book three cabins as a 2,2,1 vs two cabins as a 2,3 arrangement. 

Edited November 19, 2021 by cruisingguy007

[cruisingguy007]

Went back to look at a booking and tried to do the above scenario and it says "passenger should be at least 21" when I try to add a third cabin to booking. I found some older CC posts where people have confirmed that they have done this as well but the booking engine seems to not allow it when attempting to book.  

Edited November 19, 2021 by cruisingguy007

[babygrljaz]

42 minutes ago, cruisingguy007 said:

Went back to look at a booking and tried to do the above scenario and it says "passenger should be at least 21" when I try to add a third cabin to booking. I found some older CC posts where people have confirmed that they have done this as well but the booking engine seems to not allow it when attempting to book.  

correct you can't do it online yourself.  has to be thru pvp or ta

[Illbcruzn4life]

1 hour ago, cruisingguy007 said:

Went back to look at a booking and tried to do the above scenario and it says "passenger should be at least 21" when I try to add a third cabin to booking. I found some older CC posts where people have confirmed that they have done this as well but the booking engine seems to not allow it when attempting to book.  

Edited November 19, 2021 by Illbcruzn4life

[Joebucks]

On 11/18/2021 at 2:03 AM, luckybecky said:

 

We have been receiving a lot of these offers recently. I promise you, we are not big spenders -- unless you count the drink package. We usually do pay for that because we want to be able to splurge on drinks while on vacation. We almost always do excursions on our own, not booking the cruise line. Rarely use the spa. Very little shopping. Never hit the art gallery. We do gamble a little, but we are not high rollers by any measure. So I don't know why we are getting these offers. It's certainly not because Carnival thinks we will be raining money once on board.

 

I recently went on the Breeze, 5 nights, lido deck balcony cabin, $25 per person ... $350 total for 2 of us, including taxes, port fees, gratuities. 

 

I just last week booked a similar itinerary on the Breeze in February 2022, 5 nights, but this time I waited too late to get a balcony. We will be in an ocean view, same price. $25  per person for a 5 night cruise. With taxes, fees, gratuities, it comes out to around $350 for 2 people, 5 nights.

 

I am on the mailing list for a few cruise lines. I am only getting these kinds of offers from Carnival. No one else. But I am getting them frequently from Carnival. As little as $10 depending on the departure port. I'm not sure what is happening because we never got these offers pre-Covid. But we are enjoying the low prices while they last! 

 

Good data points. While I can't claim to know how their marketing department works for sure, the purchase of Cheers would seem to align with my original claim. Cheers is good revenue and profit for the cruise lines.