Carnival’s 48 Hour Price Guarantee Question

[Debbie42467]

Approximately 2 months ago I booked an inside cabin with a past guest rate. Today I decided that since this will be my birthday cruise that I would treat myself. I called Carnival and asked to be upgraded to a balcony. I paid the difference in the price. Tonight I noticed on a travel website that they offer the same cruise, date, and category (BL) for $52 less. Would I qualify for Carnival’s 110% OBC 48 hour price guarantee? I’m not sure if they go by the date I first booked or today’s date since I rebooked?

 

Thank you,

Debbie

[Justsyd]

I'm not sure, either. Have you called them?

[S.S.Oceanlover]

Approximately 2 months ago I booked an inside cabin with a past guest rate. Today I decided that since this will be my birthday cruise that I would treat myself. I called Carnival and asked to be upgraded to a balcony. I paid the difference in the price. Tonight I noticed on a travel website that they offer the same cruise, date, and category (BL) for $52 less. Would I qualify for Carnival’s 110% OBC 48 hour price guarantee? I’m not sure if they go by the date I first booked or today’s date since I rebooked?

 

Thank you,

Debbie

 

I'd say it's from the time you booked but what do I know. Are you booked in a balcony guarantee or did you pick your cabin.

 

BL is a balcony guarantee. Just want to make sure you are comparing apples to apples.

 

 

 

Bill

[live.love.cruise]

I'd say it's from the time you booked but what do I know. Are you booked in a balcony guarantee or did you pick your cabin.

 

BL is a balcony guarantee. Just want to make sure you are comparing apples to apples.

 

 

 

Bill

I think you're right....it's from the original booking date. Do you have a new booking # for balcony... then you might be eligible.

 

If I were you I would just complete the form online and wait for a response.

 

I took advantage of Best Rate last month when our cruise dropped $100 total the next day after booking....within 2 days I received an email and had $110 OBC applied to our booking.

 

Good luck....and happy sailing!!!

[Debbie42467]

Thank you for your replies.

 

I called this morning and the first customer service agent I spoke to said Carnival does not have a 48 hour price guarantee. She said that Carnival only has the Early Saver promotion. I asked if I could speak to a supervisor and I was disconnected.

 

I called back and spoke to a second agent. She said that Carnival’s 48 hour Price Guarantee is only offered if carnival.com lower their prices. She said that Carnival does not match prices with other travel websites. I guess I missed that part in their following statement:

 

Okay. Breathe in deeply. Hold for five seconds. Now slowly exhale. That sense of calm you're feeling is thanks to our 110% Best Price Guarantee. It works like this: you book your cruise with Carnival. And if within 48 hours you find a lower-priced fare available to the public, we'll give you 110% of the difference in onboard credit. That's what you call your classic win-win situation: peace of mind and a fruity umbrella drink in your hand.

 

I bet if I call back a third time I will get a different answer.

 

I filled out their guarantee form anyways. Either way I'm happy. :) I upgraded from an upper/lower inside cabin to a guarantee balcony for $360 ($180 pp). Was this Good??

 

Thanks again,

Debbie

[Debbie42467]

I think you're right....it's from the original booking date. Do you have a new booking # same number for balcony... then you might be eligible.

 

If I were you I would just complete the form online and wait for a response. I just did never know I do love OBC

 

I took advantage of Best Rate last month when our cruise dropped $100 total the next day after booking....within 2 days I received an email and had $110 OBC applied to our booking. Congrats!

 

Good luck....and happy sailing!!!

 

Thanks

[Debbie42467]

I'd say it's from the time you booked but what do I know. Are you booked in a balcony guarantee or did you pick your cabin.

 

BL is a balcony guarantee. Just want to make sure you are comparing apples to apples.

 

 

 

Bill

 

Yes Bill, it was a guarantee balcony. I'm going from an upper/lower inside to guarantee balcony. TBA assignment I will keep my finger cross that I get a nice view.

 

Thanks,

Debbie

[S.S.Oceanlover]

Yes Bill, it was a guarantee balcony. I'm going from an upper/lower inside to guarantee balcony. TBA assignment I will keep my finger cross that I get a nice view.

 

Thanks,

Debbie

 

Good Luck. I hope you get it.

 

It's unfortunate that CCL reps are not trained better. You shouldn't have to call 3 times nd get different answers each time.

 

Let us know how you made out.

 

Bill

[BeccaBecca1713]

The way I read their terms, it kinda sounds like it must be a Carnival advertised rate: So confusing!!:confused::confused::confused:

 

from their website:

Best Price Guarantee:

The Best Price Guarantee applies to the cruise fare only. The Best Price Guarantee protection will not apply to prevailing government fees and taxes and/or fuel supplement. Lower rates must be publicly advertised fares available to the general public and exclude group rates, membership programs, charters or other Travel Agent promotions not offered by Carnival to the general public, including but not limited to travel agent rebates. To submit a Best Price Guarantee claim, visit carnival.com online and complete all the information required on the Best Price Guarantee claim form. You will be asked to provide the lower rate amount and where the rate can be found. Lower rate must: i) be for the same ship, sail date, stateroom category and number of guests; and ii) be available for booking at the time Carnival reviews your completed Best Price Guarantee claim form. All Best Price Guarantee claim forms must be submitted online within 48 hours of booking your cruise and verified by Carnival in order to qualify for the onboard credit. The onboard credit is non-refundable, non-transferable and has no cash value. Any unused portion of the onboard credit will be forfeited. Best Price Guarantee program may be discontinued or changed at any time.

[S.S.Oceanlover]

The way I read their terms, it kinda sounds like it must be a Carnival advertised rate: So confusing!!:confused::confused::confused:

 

from their website:

Best Price Guarantee:

The Best Price Guarantee applies to the cruise fare only. The Best Price Guarantee protection will not apply to prevailing government fees and taxes and/or fuel supplement. Lower rates must be publicly advertised fares available to the general public and exclude group rates, membership programs, charters or other Travel Agent promotions not offered by Carnival to the general public, including but not limited to travel agent rebates. To submit a Best Price Guarantee claim, visit carnival.com online and complete all the information required on the Best Price Guarantee claim form. You will be asked to provide the lower rate amount and where the rate can be found. Lower rate must: i) be for the same ship, sail date, stateroom category and number of guests; and ii) be available for booking at the time Carnival reviews your completed Best Price Guarantee claim form. All Best Price Guarantee claim forms must be submitted online within 48 hours of booking your cruise and verified by Carnival in order to qualify for the onboard credit. The onboard credit is non-refundable, non-transferable and has no cash value. Any unused portion of the onboard credit will be forfeited. Best Price Guarantee program may be discontinued or changed at any time.

 

I'm wondering how the other site had a lower rate since nobody is allowed to have lower rates?

 

Bill

[Debbie42467]

I'm wondering how the other site had a lower rate since nobody is allowed to have lower rates?

 

Bill

 

 

Skyauction dot com

I've used them several times. They do charge a $15 booking fee. Currently for the same cruise I'm on the Dream April 23th for past passenger rate, deck Vista balcony 8A :

Skyauction with $15 booking fee total $1595.88

Carniaval website total $1639.88

 

The only problem when using skyauction is everything is done by email.

 

Debbie

[Debbie42467]

Good Luck. I hope you get it.

 

It's unfortunate that CCL reps are not trained better. You shouldn't have to call 3 times nd get different answers each time.

 

Let us know how you made out.

 

Bill

 

Thank you everyone who replied to my question.

 

I received the following email from Carnival:

 

Thank you for contacting Carnival Cruise Lines. We appreciate the opportunity to be of assistance.

 

We are truly sorry to disappoint you by not being able to provide a rate adjustment on your reservations for the sailing of the Carnival Dream. I can certainly appreciate your sentiments and hope that by providing you with an explanation you will better understand why we cannot honor your request.

 

Last year, we introduced a pricing program called Early Saver that provides an attractive fare with a price protection feature for guests who purchase early. This means that if a lower fare is offered on the sailing (up to two business days prior to sailing), Early Saver guests are eligible to receive the difference as an On Board Credit. The program, however, does have certain restrictions like a non refundable deposit and an admin fee, if changes are made to the booking. Early Saver is a very successful program because our guests really value the price assurance feature. In order to protect the integrity of the Early Saver program, we are obligated to our customers not to make price adjustments to bookings made on non-Early Saver fares (including Past Guest fares).

 

Despite our best efforts to anticipate demand, at times we are forced to lower fares closer to sailing. Nobody dislikes to lower prices more than we do, but occasionally our "crystal ball" is a little cloudy. Regrettably, this means that guests who do not purchase Early Saver are only eligible for an upgrade (subject to availability) equal to the price differential and not a price reduction.

 

We certainly understand your disappointment,Deborah. We value your business and hope the next time you consider booking with us, you will think about making your reservations a little further out so you can take advantage of the Early Saver program price protection feature.

 

In closing, I ask that you not let this experience color all the fun that is in store for you when you sail. We appreciate your support and would very much like to count on your continued loyalty.

 

Please let us know if we may be of further assistance. Thank you for choosing Carnival Cruise Lines.

 

Regards,

 

Mauricio Leiseca | Guest Solutions Specialist | Carnival Cruise Lines

3655 NW 87 Ave | Miami, FL 33178 | (800) 438 6744

 

If I'm reading this correctly, Carnival cancelled their 48 hour Price Guarantee offer and replaced it with their Early Saver promotion last year.

 

Thanks again,

Debbie

[firefly333]

No they still have both. The 48 hours is from the date you originally booked, not from the date you made some changes to the original booking. i.e. a new 48 hours clock does not start ticking every time you make a change to your booking. The original date is your booking date, and once its more than 2 days after the original date, the 48 hours gty doesnt apply to your booking.

 

They are suggesting next time you book with the early saver fare if you want price protection. (a polite way of saying no?)

[soccersharon]

So, if I see my cruise cheaper on skyauction, can I apply for a credit on my unpaid balance - or does it have to be based on a Carnival advertised rate?

[firefly333]

So, if I see my cruise cheaper on XXXXX, can I apply for a credit on my unpaid balance - or does it have to be based on a Carnival advertised rate?

 

We cant discuss specific sites ... better leave it at that.