Help Me Refine My ES for Dummies Cliffnotes

[keishashadow]

It's been a bit of a struggle for me to figure out the ES program; thought i'd crimp hints from various threads I've found here via a search & compile.

 

Im still not sure if the info is correct or I've forgotten anything:confused:. Feel free to help me edit so i can finalize word document...TIA:)

 

Carnival Early Saver Info

 

Description

 

Carnival Early Saver program is a rate plan that assures guests of the lowest rate and offers OBC up to 2 days prior to sailing.

 

The reduced price must be for the exact same sailing & room category.

 

To get a price drop on ES, the category you booked has to be listed for a lower price (which means that cabins have to be available in that category; if your category is sold out, you will not be seeing a lower price).

 

You can only switch existing cruise rate while the ES rate is still being offered

 

*3 months before sailaway for 3 - 5 day cruises,

*5 months before sailaway for 6 + day cruises

 

No ‘free upgrade promos’ qualify under ES

 

Once you are booked ES, if any Carnival-advertised Promo rate that you're eligible for drops below your current ES rate, you can submit the price drop form

 

Past Guest (approx 3 – 6 months out)

55+ Senior Rate Drop (closer to sailaway)

Residency Rate

Military Rate

 

How to Submit a Claim

 

Take a screenshot (for proof) and fill out the attached form within 24 hours

 

http://www.carnival.com/cms/requestf...eGuarantee.htm

 

If you booked with a TA, they must submit the claim for you.

 

If you do not hear within 48 hours, resubmit the claim.

 

To save screenshot easily:

 

1. use the Print Screen button on the key board.

2. Open up a word program and hit the paste icon (which then pastes the screen shot into the document)

3. save the document and can email or print it if needed.

 

or

 

1. If print screen button doesn't work for you, hit control – alt – print screen simultaneously

2. Open up Paint.

3. Paste the picture into Paint and print.

If before final payment date, you have paid in full; CCL will issue credit card refunds

If after final payment date, you will receive an OBC. OBC is money you paid up front, if you don’t utilize the entire OBC, you receive a check at the end of the cruise by using your S&S card in the slot machine at the casino. Just cash out and get all your OBC in cash

 

Cancellation

 

If you have to cancel your ESS, outside of standard penalty and are are unable to immediately decide upon a future sail date; you will receive Future Cruise Credit (FCC):

 

Guests will be informed of the FCC at the time of cancellation

 

Full and partial cancellations will receive the FCC

 

The FCC amount is minus the $50 per person service fee assessed

 

Letters will be sent to guests and travel agents with the FCC amount and terms

 

Guests must sail within a year of cancellation

 

Guests are not required to book another Early Saver rate

 

Guests will have to re-deposit on their new reservation

[scchasgal]

Thanks for that info I am saving it as I just booked an Early Saver rate cruise.

[keishashadow]

Thanks for that info I am saving it as I just booked an Early Saver rate cruise.

:oim not sure it's all correct, just pasted bits & pieces i found here...

 

waiting for confirmation;)

[cruzecontrol]

If before final payment date, you have paid in full; CCL will issue credit card refunds

If after final payment date, you will receive an OBC. OBC is money you paid up front, if you don’t utilize the entire OBC, you receive a check at the end of the cruise by using your S&S card in the slot machine at the casino. Just cash out and get all your OBC in cash

 

 

One addition-

 

If before final payment date and you have not paid in full, your final payment will be reduced by the amount of the discount. (Just happened to me):D

[scchasgal]

:oim not sure it's all correct, just pasted bits & pieces i found here...

 

waiting for confirmation;)

 

More than I had to start with

[firefly333]

I dont understand your conclusions myself, still scratching my own head.

 

You say can only exchange ES rates while they are available ...you can upgrade only, you can never downgrade if thats what this says?? Not sure what exchange ES rates means.

 

You need to add the cabin you match also has to have the same number of pax. You cant match 2 of the people (as some have tried to argue) in a quad to a drop when the other two go up, it has to be the total booking amount that is lower.

 

The free upgrades can be matched, which you say they cannot. If the base rate for a 8A is less than what you paid on a past guest rate for instance, and you are in a 8D which is included in the free upgrade, then you can match it...as long as your price matches or is lower than whatever price being offered for the base category.

 

Sorry to be confused with your cliff notes.

[Boatsie]

ES only "assures" the lowest price on the cabin cost only.

 

In my case, the cabin price AND the taxes/port fees went down--$100 total.

 

I submitted the forms and they only gave me the reduction on the cost of the cabin ($80)...so someone who booked the exact same category cabin as I a month later received a better rate.

 

Then there was a tread a couple days ago about a couple who were denied the lower cabin price for the EXACT same category, even though they booked ES. Carnival gave them a lame excuse that the reduction didn't apply to them--yet their friends who were in the same situation "fought for" and got the reduction.

 

It appears that Carnival may be making folks jump through some more hoops as this program goes on.

 

I'd say ""theoretically" one can be assured the lowest price, but certainly not without a lot of legwork, hoop-jumping and risk-taking on the part of the person booking the cruise.

 

When making the decision to go for the ES program it's important to keep in mind that in view of risk-reward, the "reward" falls clearly in the Carnival camp.

[Ken076]

It's been a bit of a struggle for me to figure out the ES program; thought i'd crimp hints from various threads I've found here via a search & compile.

 

Im still not sure if the info is correct or I've forgotten anything:confused:. Feel free to help me edit so i can finalize word document...TIA:)

 

Carnival Early Saver Info

 

Description

 

Carnival Early Saver program is a rate plan that assures guests of the lowest rate and offers OBC up to 2 business days prior to sailing.

 

The reduced price must be Carnival-Advertised and for the exact same sailing & room category and same number of guests in cabin - ES Price adjustment is for the combined PAX 1 and 2 change AND the PAX 3 and 4 change, and applies to CruiseFare only (not Govt Fees and Taxes, which if they vary during your booking will be adjusted Up/Down at time of sailing). Name changes or "TBA" names are NOT ALLOWED.

 

To get a price drop on ES, the category you booked has to be listed for a lower price (which means that cabins have to be available in that category; if your category is sold out, you will not be seeing a lower price).

 

You can only switch an existing cruise rate to Early Saver while the ES rate is still being offered

 

*3 months before sailaway for 3 - 5 day cruises (unless sold out),

*5 months before sailaway for 6 + day cruises (unless sold out)

 

No ‘free upgrade promos’ qualify under ES not totally correct - if for example you're a past guest and the past guest rate drops to your ES rate AND includes free category upgrade, you get the price drop AND the included upgrade, etc.

Once you are booked ES, if any Carnival-advertised Promo rate that you're eligible for drops below your current ES rate, if you booked with Carnival you can submit the price drop form (or if booked via TA, the TA submits - make sure the TA you're looking at willingly handles, and does not charge for, ES Price Adjustments)

 

Past Guest (approx 3 – 6 months out)

55+ Senior Rate Drop (closer to sailaway)

Residency Rate

Military Rate

 

You cannot directly Price match ES (assigned cabin) fares with Guarantee (TBA cabin) fares; Carnival's un-published "Policy" for Price-Matching ES against Guarantees is: if the fare for the Guarantee Cabin CATEGORY (OV, BL, ST) above your ES CATEGORY falls below your ES Rate, you can give-up your assigned cabin and get that Guarantee rate and a TBA Cabin in that higher Category.

 

How to Submit a Claim

 

Take a screenshot (for proof) and fill out the attached form within 24 hours

 

http://www.carnival.com/cms/requestf...eGuarantee.htm

 

If you booked with a TA, they must submit the claim for you.

 

If you do not hear within 48 hours, resubmit the claim.

 

To save screenshot easily:

 

1. use the Print Screen button on the key board.

2. Open up a word program and hit the paste icon (which then pastes the screen shot into the document)

3. save the document and can email or print it if needed.

 

or

 

1. If print screen button doesn't work for you, hit control – alt – print screen simultaneously

2. Open up Paint.

3. Paste the picture into Paint and print.

If before final Payment Date Carnival will reduce the Balance Due, unless

If before final payment date, you have paid in full; CCL will issue credit card refunds

If after final payment date, you will receive an OBC (the OBC is technically non-refundable if you don't spend it, so make sure it's charged to first and/or use the casino withdrawal to get the money). OBC is money you paid up front, if you don’t utilize the entire OBC, you receive a check at the end of the cruise by using your S&S card in the slot machine at the casino. Just cash out and get all your OBC in cash

 

Cancellation

 

If you cancel during Carnival's Cancellation Period, the normal Cancellation Penalties listed in the Cruise contract apply to ES Cancellations. If you purchased Carnival's Berkely Trip Protection and cancel prior to Final Payment Deadline, the Berkely premium is refundable.

 

If you have to cancel your ESS, outside of standard penalty and are are unable to immediately decide upon a future sail date; you will receive Future Cruise Credit (FCC):

 

Guests will be informed of the FCC at the time of cancellation

 

Full and partial cancellations will receive the FCC

 

The FCC amount is minus the $50 per person service fee assessed

 

Letters will be sent to guests and travel agents with the FCC amount and terms

 

Guests must sail within a year of cancellation

 

Guests are not required to book another Early Saver rate (but if they don't they lose all ES Price Protection)

 

Guests will have to re-deposit on their new reservation (The deposit, less $50pp penalty will be applied to the re-booked cruise and remains non-refundable)

 

 

ken

[keishashadow]

thanx Ken:)

 

firefly - not my conclusions, i just pasted posts from various threads (many contradictory):confused:.

 

my goal is to just to get an accurate, general consensus from the experts here via putting the main points i've read in one spot & inviting edits...a wiki if u will.

 

who knows, maybe it'll stop the same Qs being posed re ES;)

[Ken076]

thanx Ken:)

 

firefly - not my conclusions, i just pasted posts from various threads (many contradictory):confused:.

 

my goal is to just to get an accurate, general consensus from the experts here via putting the main points i've read in one spot & inviting edits...a wiki if u will.

 

who knows, maybe it'll stop the same Qs being posed re ES;)

 

Great Idea. After we refine it a bit on this thread, I'm going to send it in to Carnival and suggest that they use it as basis for Early Saver FAQ. ken

[coachw]

I was able to get a free upgrade promo. Paid for 8D and upgraded to an 8F. Just had tocall and talk to customerservice rep and they were able to do it.

[wdnoble9999]

I found the ES program outline on bookccl.com. I found it useful to see what CCL uses to explain the program to travel agents. If you're interested, you can link to it HERE.

 

Happy Cruising (and hopefully, Happy Saving) to all! :)

[keishashadow]

Great Idea. After we refine it a bit on this thread, I'm going to send it in to Carnival and suggest that they use it as basis for Early Saver FAQ. ken

 

maybe a sticky here too would be helpful?

 

I was able to get a free upgrade promo. Paid for 8D and upgraded to an 8F. Just had tocall and talk to customerservice rep and they were able to do it.

 

was the 8F the same price as what you originally paid for the 8D?

 

I found the ES program outline on bookccl.com. I found it useful to see what CCL uses to explain the program to travel agents. If you're interested, you can link to it HERE.

 

Happy Cruising (and hopefully, Happy Saving) to all! :)

 

i'll add link & bring it forward, everbody feel free to keep updating ken's edit

[firefly333]

was the 8F the same price as what you originally paid for the 8D?

 

My original post mentioned that yes you can get the free upgrades, as long as your price either matches or you paid more than the base price being offered (in which case you can upgrade and then ask for the difference). You could also pay the difference.

 

If you paid less of course you dont get to just say I want the free upgrade.

[keishashadow]

Carnival Early Saver Info

 

Description

 

Carnival Early Saver program is a rate plan that assures guests of the lowest rate and offers OBC up to 2 business days prior to sailing.

 

The reduced price must be Carnival-Advertised and for the exact same: sailing, room category & number of guests in cabin as the original booking

 

The ES Price adjustment is for the combined PAX 1 and 2 change AND the PAX 3 and 4 change, and applies to CruiseFare only (not including Govt Fees and Taxes, which if they vary during your booking will be adjusted Up/Down at time of sailing). Name changes or "TBA" names are NOT ALLOWED.

 

To get a price drop on ES, the category you booked has to be listed for a lower price (which means that cabins have to be available in that category; if your category is sold out, you will not be seeing a lower price).

 

You can only switch an existing cruise rate to Early Saver while the ES rate is still being offered

 

*3 months before sailaway for 3 - 5 day cruises (unless sold out),

*5 months before sailaway for 6 + day cruises (unless sold out)

 

Standard free upgrade promos don't qualify under ES unless guest is eligible for Past Guest rate that and the past guest rate drops to your ES rate and includes free category upgrade, you get the price drop AND the included upgrade, etc.

 

Once you are booked ES, if any Carnival-advertised Promo rate that you're eligible for drops below your current ES rate (if you booked with Carnival) you can submit the price drop form. When reservation was booked by a TA, the TA must submit the form. Make sure the TA you're looking at willingly handles, and does not charge for, ES Price Adjustments.

 

Past Guest (approx 3 – 6 months out)

55+ Senior Rate Drop (closer to sailaway)

Residency Rate

Military Rate

 

You cannot directly Price match ES (assigned cabin) fares with Guarantee (TBA cabin) fares. Carnival's un-published "Policy" for Price-Matching ES against Guarantees is: if the fare for the Guarantee Cabin CATEGORY (OV, BL, ST) above your ES CATEGORY falls below your ES Rate; you can give-up your assigned cabin and get that Guarantee rate and a TBA Cabin in that higher Category.

 

How to Submit a Claim

 

Take a screenshot (for proof) and fill out the attached form within 24 hours

 

http://www.carnival.com/cms/requestf...eGuarantee.htm

 

If you booked with a TA, they must submit the claim for you.

 

If you do not hear within 48 hours, resubmit the claim.

 

To save screenshot easily:

 

1. use the Print Screen button on the key board.

2. Open up a word program and hit the paste icon (which then pastes the screen shot into the document)

3. save the document and can email or print it if needed.

 

or

 

1. If print screen button doesn't work for you, hit control – alt – print screen simultaneously

2. Open up Paint.

3. Paste the picture into Paint and print.

 

If before final payment date, you have paid in full; CCL will issue credit card refunds

If after final payment date, you will receive an OBC. Although OBC considered money paid to your account pre-cruise, it is technically non-refundable if you don't spend it while aboard. Make sure it's charged to first and/or use the casino withdrawal to get the money if you don’t utilize the entire OBC. Currently, you can receive a check at the end of the cruise by using your S&S card in the slot machine at the casino. Just cash out and get all your OBC in cash

 

Cancellation

 

If you cancel during Carnival's Cancellation Period, the normal Cancellation Penalties listed in the Cruise contract apply to ES Cancellations. If you purchased Carnival's Berkely Trip Protection and cancel prior to Final Payment Deadline, the Berkely premium is refundable.

 

If you have to cancel your ESS, outside of standard penalty and are are unable to immediately decide upon a future sail date; you will receive Future Cruise Credit (FCC):

 

Guests will be informed of the FCC at the time of cancellation

 

Full and partial cancellations will receive the FCC

 

The FCC amount is minus the $50 per person service fee assessed

 

Letters will be sent to guests and travel agents with the FCC amount and terms

 

Guests must sail within a year of cancellation

 

Guests are not required to book another Early Saver rate, however, if they don't they lose all ES Price Protection)

 

Guests will have to re-deposit on their new reservation. The deposit, less $50pp penalty will be applied to the re-booked cruise and remains non-refundable

Link to Carnival's Early Saver Official Information:

https://www.bookccl.com/pdf/Early_Saver_Overview.pdf

[firefly333]

Im not sure Iv seen this rule anywhere, but again, you can only upgrade, you can never downgrade.

 

No name changes. You cannot pay $50 to change the name such as you can on all other rates.

[StingRaysfan]

I did this last weekend!

 

We originallly booked an ES 8c balcony on Valor for $779 each.

The prices went up and the 8a's are currently $779....

 

BUT for past guest rates carnival is currently offering 8a - 8d bookings automatic upgrades to 8e....

 

Since I paid that base price (now the 8a price) of 779, I called and got upgrade from the Verandah deck (8c) to the Panorama deck (8e)...

 

The only problem with this for us is that now I have look for price drops below 779 for 8e's and the chances of that aren't great....

 

Just an example of possible upgrades...