Changing cabin after booking

[OceanZena]

As I mentioned in my review thread I had a midship cabin on my latest sailing that was in a very busy location. Deck 6 FWD by elevators. I thought it would be a convenient place to be, and it sure was judging by all the traffic in the hallways, but I prefer a more quiet area as i've had in the past in back of the ship. 

 

So I decided to call Carnival today to inquire about changing to a cabin more to the AFT of the ship. Same balcony level, just further back is all I wanted. She told me it would be a new rate to change the location and the new rate was going to be over $300 more than I originally paid. After getting my heart pumping again from the shock, I told her not to make any changes because I really thought it would only cost something like $50 bucks change fee if anything. 

 

She mentioned how she had to refer to her "coach" for a moment, so perhaps I just got an inexperienced trainee on the line? I always thought you can move your cabin somewhere else for minimal penalty as long as it was in the same level category? Should I call another time and get someone more experienced? 

[x lindsay x]

Changing cabins means canceling the original booking and re-booking the new cabin - you would lose any perks tied to that original booking if there isn't currently a similar offer code available. When I did it last year for my Mardi Gras cruise my PVP waived the change fee and I ended up booking a new promo that gave me more OBC so it was a real win-win. 

[ibarrio]

Price has gone up. Maybe call again or hope you get an upgrade offer from Carnival (email and on the website under "My To Do List" 

[OceanZena]

5 minutes ago, x lindsay x said:

Changing cabins means canceling the original booking and re-booking the new cabin - you would lose any perks tied to that original booking if there isn't currently a similar offer code available. When I did it last year for my Mardi Gras cruise my PVP waived the change fee and I ended up booking a new promo that gave me more OBC so it was a real win-win. 

Oh! I had no idea they had to cancel the original booking first. I thought they simply type in a new cabin number as long as it was the same category. Now I understand the giant price jump. 

Understood. Thanks for clearing it up for me. My rate is only $559 for this solo balcony cabin and I sure as heck don't want to lose that, so i'll just stay put for this one and know to book aft for all my further sailings. 

It's like Frogger trying to cross out to the hallways in those high traffic areas lol. 🐸

[Woody14]

You may at some point after booking get an upgrade offer.  I have received one for my end of July sailing, currently I have an inside cabin and they are offering me an upgrade to an ocean view.  I don't like the price or the new location so I turned it down.   On a previous cruise I was given several different options and I did take one of them as the price and location change made it worth while.

 

[OceanZena]

1 hour ago, Woody14 said:

You may at some point after booking get an upgrade offer.  I have received one for my end of July sailing, currently I have an inside cabin and they are offering me an upgrade to an ocean view.  I don't like the price or the new location so I turned it down.   On a previous cruise I was given several different options and I did take one of them as the price and location change made it worth while.

 

Thanks. I kept watch for upgrades for the sailing I got off last week, but none came. I had balcony so I wonder if the upgrades mainly go out for for inside to ocean view bookings and ocean view to balconies?

I would think with a balcony booked, there's no where else to go but suites which are few to be had. I'll keep watch for any offers, but it won't kill me to be mid ship again---I just have to be mindful to poke my head out first and look both ways before exiting the cabin to avoid collision haha. 

But for future sailings i'm booking far aft where it's usually nice and deserted. 

[LatinaInTexas]

I changed cabins once, I had an inside. I was looking one day to see how many empty cabins were showing and saw one of the secret deck window cabins showing for $20 more than what I paid.

I called to ask to change and was just charged the $20 pp, but like others said and unknown to me my previous booking was cancelled and new room rebooked. It was a pain rebuying and rebooking everything.

Plus there had been a promo code glitch at one time where everything was 20 percent off when it should have just been spa treatments. So everything I bought and booked with that glitch promo I had to rebuy at regular price, they wouldn't honor what I paid.

[OceanZena]

11 minutes ago, LatinaInTexas said:

I changed cabins once, I had an inside. I was looking one day to see how many empty cabins were showing and saw one of the secret deck window cabins showing for $20 more than what I paid.

I called to ask to change and was just charged the $20 pp, but like others said and unknown to me my previous booking was cancelled and new room rebooked. It was a pain rebuying and rebooking everything.

Plus there had been a promo code glitch at one time where everything was 20 percent off when it should have just been spa treatments. So everything I bought and booked with that glitch promo I had to rebuy at regular price, they wouldn't honor what I paid.

Unknown to me too. I really thought they just said "Sure! No problem!" and typed in a new cabin number for you and charged an X amount change fee for making the room change. Easy peasy all done lol. 

At least now I know, and for future bookings i'll make sure to choose a location I wouldn't want to be changing if it means cancelling and rebooking. Unless it's a really great deal, it's not worth all that hassle. 

[LaRue1975]

You need a good PVP. I am the Queen of changing my mind and switching cabins. I change cabins quite often and the booking is never cancelled and I‘ve never paid a change fee. 

Edited March 2, 2023 by LaRue1975

[OceanZena]

20 minutes ago, LaRue1975 said:

You need a good PVP. I am the Queen of changing my mind and switching cabins. I change cabins quite often and the booking is never cancelled and I‘ve never paid a change fee. 

Thanks. I will contact Carnival and ask them for one. 

[LaRue1975]

1 hour ago, OceanZena said:

Thanks. I will contact Carnival and ask them for one. 

I would do that and you can also click on the link to request a PVP on the home page of the website. I did that and was assigned my current PVP who is awesome. I just checked the website for the link but couldn’t find it, I know it used to be there because I used it. Good luck! 

[knagl]

I had chosen my cabin for a cruise, and then later Carnival changed the ship on us and randomly assigned us to a similar room on the new ship. Unfortunately, the room they assigned us to was a connecting room and I have read enough here to know that such a room is less desirable due to possible excess noise from the neighbors.

 

When a nearby cabin in the same category became available after final payment, I contacted my PVP and he was able to do a "cabin swap" for me with no issue. It was not a cancellation and rebooking, just assigning us to the new cabin. Our booking and casino offer remained the same.

 

Maybe the front-line folks at the 800 number don't have the ability to do that, but it was done without hesitation when I asked my PVP to do it.

[OceanZena]

8 hours ago, LaRue1975 said:

I would do that and you can also click on the link to request a PVP on the home page of the website. I did that and was assigned my current PVP who is awesome. I just checked the website for the link but couldn’t find it, I know it used to be there because I used it. Good luck! 

I messaged Carnival on their FB page for a PVP and they messaged me back a link that takes you to the form to fill out. I too searched on their website for the form request and couldn't find it but I do remember seeing it last year when I was booking my sailing, so they must have taken it away. 

BTW how long did it take to get the PVP after filling out the form? I sent it out last night so I figure it may take a few days?

 

Here's the link if anyone's interested 

 

https://www.carnival.com/personal-vacation-planners/request-form

Edited March 2, 2023 by OceanZena

[OceanZena]

8 hours ago, knagl said:

I had chosen my cabin for a cruise, and then later Carnival changed the ship on us and randomly assigned us to a similar room on the new ship. Unfortunately, the room they assigned us to was a connecting room and I have read enough here to know that such a room is less desirable due to possible excess noise from the neighbors.

 

When a nearby cabin in the same category became available after final payment, I contacted my PVP and he was able to do a "cabin swap" for me with no issue. It was not a cancellation and rebooking, just assigning us to the new cabin. Our booking and casino offer remained the same.

 

Maybe the front-line folks at the 800 number don't have the ability to do that, but it was done without hesitation when I asked my PVP to do it.

I really think I just got a very inexperienced rep on the line. I was on with her for over 40 minutes because when I asked her about an aft cabin that was available and merely requested what the price/change penalty would be to move there, before even letting me know she apparently moved me to it within seconds and cancelled my original booking! 

 

So she had to get her "coach" to get my reservation back the way it was and it took almost an hour for her to do all that. I was of course livid because I was simply inquiring what the price would be to switch and within seconds I see an e mail pop up from Cabin Confirmations with my new booking and that I was already moved---and for a $300 price increase. My heart nearly stopped lol. 

 

I told her before hanging up that she really should give the price first to the caller before going ahead and making such changes and she was all "I apologize sir, is there anything else I can help you with?" lol....very formal and cold imo. 

 

So hopefully a PVP will be a little more human than that one haha. 

[LaRue1975]

1 hour ago, OceanZena said:

I messaged Carnival on their FB page for a PVP and they messaged me back a link that takes you to the form to fill out. I too searched on their website for the form request and couldn't find it but I do remember seeing it last year when I was booking my sailing, so they must have taken it away. 

BTW how long did it take to get the PVP after filling out the form? I sent it out last night so I figure it may take a few days?

 

Here's the link if anyone's interested 

 

https://www.carnival.com/personal-vacation-planners/request-form

Yes, that is the correct link, thank you for posting it. I think it only took a couple of days, I didn’t answer because I didn’t recognize the number so he left me a message. I waited until I wanted to book a cruise to call him back and was surprised to find out he had been with Carnival 8 years and was super knowledgeable. His big thing is he always calls back within 24 hours, he is religious about it and keeps a record of his calls, lol!

Edited March 2, 2023 by LaRue1975

[OceanZena]

9 minutes ago, LaRue1975 said:

Yes, that is the correct link, thank you for posting it. I think it only took a couple of days, I didn’t answer because I didn’t recognize the number so he left me a message. I waited until I wanted to book a cruise to call him back and was surprised to find out he had been with Carnival 8 years and was super knowledgeable. His big thing is he always calls back within 24 hours, he is religious about that and keeps a record of his calls, lol!

He sounds perfect I want him lol. (I know sharing PVP's is not allowed here though so I won't ask for his info) I'll wait a few days and see if anyone contacts me from the form. Hopefully i'll be able to get a PVP who can accommodate my disability and is able to correspond solely through email or text message. 

[LaRue1975]

1 hour ago, OceanZena said:

I really think I just got a very inexperienced rep on the line. I was on with her for over 40 minutes because when I asked her about an aft cabin that was available and merely requested what the price/change penalty would be to move there, before even letting me know she apparently moved me to it within seconds and cancelled my original booking! 

 

So she had to get her "coach" to get my reservation back the way it was and it took almost an hour for her to do all that. I was of course livid because I was simply inquiring what the price would be to switch and within seconds I see an e mail pop up from Cabin Confirmations with my new booking and that I was already moved---and for a $300 price increase. My heart nearly stopped lol. 

 

I told her before hanging up that she really should give the price first to the caller before going ahead and making such changes and she was all "I apologize sir, is there anything else I can help you with?" lol....very formal and cold imo. 

 

So hopefully a PVP will be a little more human than that one haha. 

It probably wasn’t a coach but a supervisor, most of the agents that answer the 800# have no power to do anything other than the basics. I had this experience a lot as I was trying to navigate through the Covid mess on my own. The agent would say I have to bump this up the chain, put me on hold and make the call then come back to me and we would both wait until the supervisor came on the line. This could take 30 minutes to an hour and I am thinking no wonder it takes so long to speak to someone, while this agent is waiting for the supervisor she could have helped several people. Just ridiculous, I hope Carnival has fixed that problem! 

[PittsburghGirlee]

13 hours ago, LaRue1975 said:

You need a good PVP. I am the Queen of changing my mind and switching cabins. I change cabins quite often and the booking is never cancelled and I‘ve never paid a change fee. 

I am 100% same as you LaRue1975.  I just changed 3 cruise cabins without issue and price charge.

 

I hope the OP gets it resolved in their favor 🙂

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

When I first booked my cruise, I told the TA the cabin I wanted, and during the payment process, her computer crashed, and we had to start over. Well, the cabin I wanted was now "unavailable."  The TA had no way of knowing if somehow someone got it out from under me, or Carnival's computer system still had it on hold for me, but the TA had no way to access it.  

 

So, instead of waiting to see, she booked me in a cabin that was the same category just to get it done, and once we were all booked, and everything done, she checked to see if the cabin I had originally wanted was released.  It was.  She was able to switch me over no problem (and I kept the same confirmation number.... not that it mattered at that point). She also said, if I changed my mind, and wanted the other cabin afterall, just to call back, and she could switch it again, if it was still available.

[pe4all]

I also have changed cabins many times without a problem or charge.  My pvp just quickly does it and sends me a new confirmation.  In fact, I told her I wasn't 100% thrilled with the balcony cabin I booked last week for my January 2024 Magic cruise, and told my pvp so. She told me to keep an eye out, and if another more favorable one opens up just call and she will switch it.

[OceanZena]

The last few replies backs up what I originally believed...that it was a simple act of just changing the cabin number as long as it was in the same category, and if it was a different category there'd be a charge for the new category cabin switched to. 

 

Thanks to all who shared their experiences with this. Now I know I actually don't have to cancel my whole booking and rebook at the current price just to make a cabin change. I have to wonder if this was a sneaky way of Carnival to get me to pay the current price and delete the great deal I already have lol. 

 

$559 total for a 4 day solo Verandah Balcony is a pretty sweet deal and I don't want to give that price up! So i'll wait and see if a PVP ever contacts me and find out what I my options are, but if I have to stay in that heavily trafficked Frogger mid ship area, i'll deal with it. 

[StephPS79]

Just my input, but I think there are way too many variables here for a one-size-fits-all.  I'm pretty sure if booked under no promo code, or a promo code that is always available, the booking can be rebuilt, even under the same invoice/confirmation number.  The issue comes in when a promo code is used that isn't currently active.  They can still rebuild the booking, but not with the inactive promo code.  So even though some might think it's not a cancel/rebook, it probably is, just all done behind the scenes.

 

I cancelled a cruise by accident and immediately tried to get it reinstated, which they were able to do, with the same confirmation number, but my promo code was old and gone, so the pricing was completely different.  Noting again, same confirmation number for both.

[LaRue1975]

48 minutes ago, OceanZena said:

The last few replies backs up what I originally believed...that it was a simple act of just changing the cabin number as long as it was in the same category, and if it was a different category there'd be a charge for the new category cabin switched to. 

 

Thanks to all who shared their experiences with this. Now I know I actually don't have to cancel my whole booking and rebook at the current price just to make a cabin change. I have to wonder if this was a sneaky way of Carnival to get me to pay the current price and delete the great deal I already have lol. 

 

$559 total for a 4 day solo Verandah Balcony is a pretty sweet deal and I don't want to give that price up! So i'll wait and see if a PVP ever contacts me and find out what I my options are, but if I have to stay in that heavily trafficked Frogger mid ship area, i'll deal with it. 

Another thing I would try is calling the 800# number again, the experience and expertise of the agents varies wildly.  I have had good experiences too, one actually straightened out a cancellation my previous PVP had screwed up and it was complicated. That’s when I decided to request a new PVP through the link on the website. I just booked three more cruises with my PVP today for the second half of 2024 using the new casino offers that were released on Tuesday. Took about 10 to 15 minutes, easy peasy! Good luck on getting a better cabin and have a great cruise either way! 

[OceanZena]

33 minutes ago, StephPS79 said:

Just my input, but I think there are way too many variables here for a one-size-fits-all.  I'm pretty sure if booked under no promo code, or a promo code that is always available, the booking can be rebuilt, even under the same invoice/confirmation number.  The issue comes in when a promo code is used that isn't currently active.  They can still rebuild the booking, but not with the inactive promo code.  So even though some might think it's not a cancel/rebook, it probably is, just all done behind the scenes.

 

I cancelled a cruise by accident and immediately tried to get it reinstated, which they were able to do, with the same confirmation number, but my promo code was old and gone, so the pricing was completely different.  Noting again, same confirmation number for both.

I did wonder if it was an Early Saver or even a Casino rate that I booked and I checked all up and down the reservation and can find absolutely nothing referring to it being any special promo rate and my previous sailings have always has the special codes on it in reference to if it were some kind of promo or special sale. 

So...as far as I know, it's not any kind of special rate that would need to be cancelled and rebooked. I could be wrong though and it's in their system and not on the reservation. I guess $559 total for a solo balcony would have to be some kind of special sale because that can't be the regular price. But even so, all I want to do is move the cabin down the hall where it's quieter and not go up or down another category. 

 

Speaking of sales---They do have good ones going on at the moment and I just booked December 2024 on the Glory 4 day solo in an Ocean Suite which I always wanted to try!! It's $1,300 total that includes $100 in OBC so it basically equals $300/day which probably isn't such a great sale lol, but I always wanted to try a whole suite to myself. 🙂 

[vwrestler171]

On 3/1/2023 at 2:45 PM, OceanZena said:

As I mentioned in my review thread I had a midship cabin on my latest sailing that was in a very busy location. Deck 6 FWD by elevators. I thought it would be a convenient place to be, and it sure was judging by all the traffic in the hallways, but I prefer a more quiet area as i've had in the past in back of the ship. 

 

So I decided to call Carnival today to inquire about changing to a cabin more to the AFT of the ship. Same balcony level, just further back is all I wanted. She told me it would be a new rate to change the location and the new rate was going to be over $300 more than I originally paid. After getting my heart pumping again from the shock, I told her not to make any changes because I really thought it would only cost something like $50 bucks change fee if anything. 

 

She mentioned how she had to refer to her "coach" for a moment, so perhaps I just got an inexperienced trainee on the line? I always thought you can move your cabin somewhere else for minimal penalty as long as it was in the same level category? Should I call another time and get someone more experienced? 

 

No, likely what happened is the prices have gone up since you booked and you have to pay the going rate for the new cabin.

 

On 3/1/2023 at 2:48 PM, x lindsay x said:

Changing cabins means canceling the original booking and re-booking the new cabin - you would lose any perks tied to that original booking if there isn't currently a similar offer code available. When I did it last year for my Mardi Gras cruise my PVP waived the change fee and I ended up booking a new promo that gave me more OBC so it was a real win-win. 

Not when it comes to upgrades.