Is the Early Saver the way to go?

[kvickers]

Booking a Carnival cruise for March 2016. Wondering if I should do the Early Saver and hope for a price drop/credit or do the Spring saver, which has a 100% refundable deposit before pay in full date? What are the chances or a price drop?

[cruiser fanatic]

You are 11 months out so there is a good chance the price will drop. Early Saver is the way to go.

[kvickers]

Okay. Thanks! First time cruising with Carnival so really appreciate the advice:)

[lizardhowson]

Booking with the expectation of a price drop may be setting yourself up for disappointment (my January 2016 cruise has gone up & up which is fine, I didn't book it with the expectation of price drops).

 

You should evaluate the rules, benefits and restrictions of the fare categories and choose the one which is most beneficial to your situation.

[springs741]

I like Early Saver but be sure you understand the restrictions. There is a $50 change fee should your plans change. The deposit is not refundable but will be held for you to use within two years.

I mention this as I booked early saver for a family vacation and then because of a wonderful opportunity we had to move the cruise a month later. It cost me $400 dollars to Carnival to move the family of 8. That was nothing compared to the airlines charge of $150 per person.

Other than that family vacation I have had good luck with ES. On the few cruises I didn't get price reductions at least I know I had the lowest price.

[Fick293]

It depends on how often you cruise and if you think there is a chance you will cancel. I usually book ES because I don't book unless I am sure (at the time) I can go on the trip. Some people like to put down deposits and then work on their personal schedule to get time off for the trip. If that is what you do, you'd want something with a fully refundable deposit. With ES if something unforeseen happens, I'm OK with canceling and taking the $50 per person penalty. The remaining balance then is a future cruise credit that I'm sure I would use. I've booked ES several times and always get a price drop. I'm currently booked on the Liberty for 09/13 and have received a $100 drop off of my fare plus $50 OBC. It's not a lot but it's something. If you think there is a chance you may have to cancel ES might not be best for you but if you are confident you will take the cruise ES is the way to go in my opinion.

[sjcruiser]

Early saver is the way to go. Our group booked in October for an end of July cruise, and some of those who booked a balcony, saw a price drop today of $100 or so.

[portocaller]

I have $290 in OBC for my July trip due to price drops. But when I booked I knew we would be able to go on the trip.

[kvickers]

Wow! That's great! Does it usually make a difference what cabin you are booked in? Are some categories more likely to get the price drop?

[winddawn]

I like Early Saver but be sure you understand the restrictions. There is a $50 change fee should your plans change. The deposit is not refundable but will be held for you to use within two years.

I mention this as I booked early saver for a family vacation and then because of a wonderful opportunity we had to move the cruise a month later. It cost me $400 dollars to Carnival to move the family of 8. That was nothing compared to the airlines charge of $150 per person.

Other than that family vacation I have had good luck with ES. On the few cruises I didn't get price reductions at least I know I had the lowest price.

OP--Also be aware that Early Saver may not guarantee you the lowest price. Carnival offers many of it best deals as cabin guarantees where Carnival picks your cabin but guarantees you a cabin type. Carnival rules state that they won't price match Early Saver to these cabin guarantee offers. These tend to be offers that come out closer to sail date where Carnival is trying to fill empty cabins.

[thomarvin]

FYI Carnival does not automatically give you the price drop. YOU are responsible for checking the rates and filling out and submitting the form for any price drops.

 

Here's a link to check for price drops (you need to know your cabin category)

http://www.carnival.com/BookingEngine/FareViewer/

 

here's a link for the form that needs to be submitted. Before final payment you can contact your PVP and they will give adjust your rate. After final payment date you need to submit the form.

http://www.carnival.com/request-forms/price-protection-claim.aspx

 

 

Note: If you book thru a travel agent rather than through Carnival direct, Carnival will not talk to you. You must go through the travel agent.

[ilovetotravel1977]

So if you book the Fun Select, can you still get price drops as well? You would just have to ensure you are looking at that price category?

[no1volman]

I like Early Saver but be sure you understand the restrictions. There is a $50 change fee should your plans change. The deposit is not refundable but will be held for you to use within two years.

 

I mention this as I booked early saver for a family vacation and then because of a wonderful opportunity we had to move the cruise a month later. It cost me $400 dollars to Carnival to move the family of 8. That was nothing compared to the airlines charge of $150 per person.

 

Other than that family vacation I have had good luck with ES. On the few cruises I didn't get price reductions at least I know I had the lowest price.

 

 

So do they only charge the $50 change fee if you change ships or sail dates? How about if you change from interior to balcony? Or change categories?

[springs741]

So do they only charge the $50 change fee if you change ships or sail dates? How about if you change from interior to balcony? Or change categories?

 

You can always upgrade. Carnival is happy to take your money or if you are very very lucky the price for the category above yours will drops so that you can upgrade for no additional monies.

[springs741]

So if you book the Fun Select, can you still get price drops as well? You would just have to ensure you are looking at that price category?

 

On the Fun Select rate or pretty much any other rate you can price match until final payment date.

[thomarvin]

On the Fun Select rate or pretty much any other rate you can price match until final payment date.

 

 

With Early saver you can get price drops up till 2 days before sailing. Other rates you can only get the price drops till final payment.

[fhmoore]

I'm confused (as usual).... I can't figure out about early saver. Do you only look at Carnival quotes or if you find a lower quote from, say, Expedia will they look at that? If yes, how do you provide the other website's quote to Carnival???