Early saver vs instant saver

[LyndaKroooze]

Just noticed a price drop on my category which I had booked early saver before they changed all their categories to different names.

So am I no longer eligible for this price drop? It's $60 or switching to a guaranteed cabin assignment I'm guessing, but I'm not really interested in switching cabins.

Thanks for any info

Freedom. Jan 20th. Category 8a. Early saver

[Ken076]

Originally Posted by LyndaKroooze

Just noticed a price drop on my category which I had booked early saver before they changed all their categories to different names.

So am I no longer eligible for this price drop? It's $60 or switching to a guaranteed cabin assignment I'm guessing, but I'm not really interested in switching cabins.

Thanks for any info

Freedom. Jan 20th. Category 8a. Early saver

Under the new rates/rules -- If you were booked Early Saver prior to December 2012 youcan match ES to a Guarantee rate by giving-up your assigned cabin for a TBD guarantee cabin. If you booked Early Saver in December 2012 or later, you cannot price-match ES to Guarantees at all. ken

[cruzsnooze]

I booked the early saver last summer for a Jan 2013 cruise. The new instant saver is $50 PP cheaper and carnival said too bad, it's a different promo even though it's the same category. I feel ripped off with a worthless guarantee. I knew Carnival had a bad reputation (I usually cruise Princess) and now have experienced it first hand. I will cut back on the ship spending by bringing my own diet coke although I prefer to buy a soda package so carnival looses that revenue.

[MissMeggieMurphy]

Originally Posted by cruzsnooze

I booked the early saver last summer for a Jan 2014 cruise. The new instant saver is $50 PP cheaper and carnival said too bad, it's a different promo even though it's the same category. I feel ripped off with a worthless guarantee. I knew Carnival had a bad reputation (I usually cruise Princess) and now have experienced it first hand. I will cut back on the ship spending by bringing my own diet coke although I prefer to buy a soda package so carnival looses that revenue.

tit for tat. how interesting.

[cruzsnooze]

Originally Posted by MissMeggieMurphy

tit for tat. how interesting.

Actually it's consequences for their deceptive practices.

[Ken076]

Originally Posted by cruzsnooze

I booked the early saver last summer for a Jan 2013 cruise. The new instant saver is $50 PP cheaper and carnival said too bad, it's a different promo even though it's the same category. I feel ripped off with a worthless guarantee. I knew Carnival had a bad reputation (I usually cruise Princess) and now have experienced it first hand. I will cut back on the ship spending by bringing my own diet coke although I prefer to buy a soda package so carnival looses that revenue.

Are you saying that Carnival won't let you give-up your cabin and get the credit? or that they want you to give-up your cabin (which has always been the Policy)?

The procedure prior to Dec 2012 for price-matching ES to any Guarantee Booking is to give-up your cabin for a TBD cabin.

Technically you have to fill-in and submit a Price Match Form and submit on-line, indicating in comments that "you booked ES prior to Dec 2012 and you're willing to give-up your assigned cabin for a Carnival Assigned cabin, per the newly published rules". The 800 number or your PVP aren't supposed to handle ES price-matches and may/may-not be familiar with the procedures/rules.

FYI - the ES rules have always been that you have to match the same Category - Assigned Category 8A is not the same Category as Guarantee, so there's no requirement/obligation to allow matching to a Guarantee booking


ken

[cruzsnooze]

I filled out the form three times and got an email that is denied because i have a cabin assignment and this "instant rate" is not assigned and I'm not allowed to switch. The cabin next door to me is available on this new rate so it's all BS! I had sailed on carnival 25 years ago and didn't like then but am trying it now because of friends. I don't like the way carnival does business and believe this will be my second and last cruise with them. If my friends want to cruise together again they will have to come over to Princess, Celebrity, RCL or NCL with me.

[kona_wahine]

I agree. I think it's Carnival's way around giving OBC.

[bingomamma19]

Originally Posted by LyndaKroooze

Just noticed a price drop on my category which I had booked early saver before they changed all their categories to different names.

So am I no longer eligible for this price drop? It's $60 or switching to a guaranteed cabin assignment I'm guessing, but I'm not really interested in switching cabins.

Thanks for any info

Freedom. Jan 20th. Category 8a. Early saver

I was just today, able to get $160 OBC for my Early Saver inside room on the Breeze matching to Instant saver. I needed to give up the room (it is for my 23 and 21 sons), but in checking, there was only 1 inside on Vista deck and several inside spa rooms, so I am hoping my gamble gets them an inside spa room and my 160 obc for that. (they originally had an inside room on the main deck by our cove balcony).

I booked this in June of this year under ES. I dont think I will be booking ES anymore though, since I believe they will not lower any rates past final payment besides the Instant saver, which they will no longer be honoring for ES OBC.

For my mom (who is over 55) we also have $141 in OBC on her Breeze inside. Did not have to give up her room. She may be the only one we would book ES for anymore, cuz they seem to give good prices for senior rates, even after final payment.

I have a Cove Balcony and I am not giving that up for any OBC. (only the instant saver is less on that one for me)

This is all for the January 13th sailing on the Breeze.

[Ken076]

Originally Posted by cruzsnooze

I filled out the form three times and got an email that is denied because i have a cabin assignment and this "instant rate" is not assigned and I'm not allowed to switch. The cabin next door to me is available on this new rate so it's all BS! I had sailed on carnival 25 years ago and didn't like then but am trying it now because of friends. I don't like the way carnival does business and believe this will be my second and last cruise with them. If my friends want to cruise together again they will have to come over to Princess, Celebrity, RCL or NCL with me.

All I can tell you is that Carnival in this case is responding in accord to the Terms & Conditions of Early Saver, i.e., that you have to price-match to the same Category; assigned Categories like Cat 4A, Cat 6B, Cat 8C are not same categories as the Guarantee Categories of IS (inside guarantee), OV (Oceanview guarantee), BL (Balcony guarantee) or ST (Suite Guarantee). E.G., Inside Category 4A is not the same Category as inside "IS", even tho both are "inside" cabins. There's no BS and there's no Deception - the rule was in place and documented when you booked.

I wouldn't expect such booking problems with the cruiselines you mention, but only because they don't offer the quagmire of booking options that Carnival does, which IMO probably cause more problems/misunderstandings/dissatisfaction than they're worth.

ken

[cruzsnooze]

Originally Posted by Ken076

I wouldn't expect such booking problems with the cruiselines you mention, but only because they don't offer the quagmire of booking options that Carnival does, which IMO probably cause more problems/misunderstandings/dissatisfaction than they're worth.

ken

You are correct about that. Carnival is not for me, I prefer a more upscale experience. We cruise 3 or 4 times a year and this is the first time I'm not looking forward to a cruise. I hope I'm pleasantly surprised though.

[Ken076]

Originally Posted by cruzsnooze

You are correct about that. Carnival is not for me, I prefer a more upscale experience. We cruise 3 or 4 times a year and this is the first time I'm not looking forward to a cruise. I hope I'm pleasantly surprised though.

There seem to be a lot of negative reports - but then there are offsetting positive repoerts, often from the exact same cruise/dates - so it's hard to predict. Are you on the 13 Jan Breeze? ken