My ES experience

[ihopfar]

I booked ES and have gotten two price adjustments since booking (totalling $170) since we are before final payment still. I consider that a good news story for ES.

 

However (isn't there always a however?), both times the response was from the same guest services specialist, and both times my account showed the new total price, but the previous balance due. I had to send a follow-up e-mail to get this corrected. I will say it was corrected very quickly once I pointed it out, but why is this happening?

 

The guest services specialist says it is a system glitch they are having. Is it the system or is it him? Has anyone else had this? If he knows the system is doing it and how to correct it (because he does correct it when I point it out) why is he not performing the work around on all adjustments?

 

Just curious if anyone else has run into this....

[habby]

We've had price drops and forms submitted on 11/10, 11/24 and 11/26 and have not had the type of issues you are describing. Bummer that you have to go through extra steps but glad things are working out anyway.

[1frayfan]

My sister had a similar situation, but we were onboard before it was discovered. I had printed out every document possible to take with us, and I since I booked theirs as well, I had all of their papers.

 

Anyway, we were already pd in full, so the paperwork showed the adjusted price, but the credit never showed up. I had to show the customer service person, that from an accounting aspect, that the credit (which was not printed on the paperwork) was needed in order for the balance to come out the way it showed.

 

It was such a hassle, but they finally got their credit a day later.

[Tralynn]

I love the ES program, but it seems that they're making it more complicated than it needs to be. I just wish they'd handle their cruise fares like their sister line, Princess does. You simply book the best rate and if the rate drops prior to final pmt., a simple phone call to your TA gets your price dropped. There are no forms to fax or procedures to follow other than to let your TA know there is a drop. If you have a really good TA it even gets done without a call from you. Carnival owns Princess, so I don't really think it would be difficult for them to handle it the same way. Hopefully, Carnival will get the bugs worked out so a price drop doesn't require quite so much follow up.

[Unknotted]

I love the ES program, but it seems that they're making it more complicated than it needs to be. I just wish they'd handle their cruise fares like their sister line, Princess does. You simply book the best rate and if the rate drops prior to final pmt., a simple phone call to your TA gets your price dropped. There are no forms to fax or procedures to follow other than to let your TA know there is a drop. If you have a really good TA it even gets done without a call from you. Carnival owns Princess, so I don't really think it would be difficult for them to handle it the same way. Hopefully, Carnival will get the bugs worked out so a price drop doesn't require quite so much follow up.

 

I agree with you. And some of the cruiselines NOT owned by Carnival Corp. do it that way too - If the price goes down, you call and they adjust your fare. It just seems that Carnival complicates things way more than they should. Then again, they probably make tons of money from people who use ES, have to cancel for some reason, and can't get a refund.

[travelntreats]

and perhaps their process is burdensome in hopes that many will not take the time to go thru the required steps and less price adjustments will need to occur causing less potential loss in revenue ? Seems that CCL pax are more cost conscious than other cruiseline pax to me ! ;)

[Tralynn]

I agree with you. And some of the cruiselines NOT owned by Carnival Corp. do it that way too - If the price goes down, you call and they adjust your fare. It just seems that Carnival complicates things way more than they should. Then again, they probably make tons of money from people who use ES, have to cancel for some reason, and can't get a refund.

I think you hit the nail on the head! But they could still make it non-refundable, but easier to handle....Forms, faxes, follow ups, phone calls, etc. I think they may be hoping that you get to frustrated to ask for a price drop. LOL Carnival, you'll have to try harder than that to make me give up on a bargain or a sale!

[travelntreats]

I think they may be hoping that you get to frustrated to ask for a price drop. LOL Carnival, you'll have to try harder than that to make me give up on a bargain or a sale!

 

LOL.... more proof of CCL bargain hunters !:eek: