Price Drop Question

[Jota62]

Hi everyone! I'm planning my first cruise (have just under a year now!) and it is my first time obviously looking out for price drops. I see people on here checking daily, weekly...

 

My question is if you particular cabin is already sold out does that mean there will be no price drops?

 

When I log on the website and dock a mock booking to see prices I can't select my specific type of cabin (aft facing balcony) because they are completely sold out.

 

Maybe this is a dumb question, but just want to know what exactly I should be looking for to make sure I get the best possible price! Thanks in advance :)

[Lovefuninthesun]

Check the Fare Viewer

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

[ryansmith18]

Generally speaking, you're correct - they're not going to drop the price of a room type that has already sold out. Though it's technically possible still. Some people will have to cancel their cruise, rooms will open up, and there's a slim chance that it just doesn't sell for a very long while and then they drop the price to entice people. I mean it's almost definitely not going to happen that way, but it's technically possible.

[Lovefuninthesun]

The more upscale, or limited your cabin selection is,the less the chance of price drops, because those cabins tend to sell out early.

 

Once in a while, though, the fare for a higher category goes down below what you paid for your category, and you can match to that.

Edited September 4, 2014 by Lovefuninthesun

[bigdawgmatty]

I like this one:

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/price-drop/?src=nav

 

It's also good for last minute deals and easy to filter the settings to find the cruise you already booked.

 

 

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[Anyislandwilldo]

I always keep checking up to 2 days before we sail. You never know when the price drop fairy will visit!

[DaiLina]

I like this one:

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/price-drop/?src=nav

 

It's also good for last minute deals and easy to filter the settings to find the cruise you already booked.

 

 

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This one only checks prices once a week, right?

[bigdawgmatty]

I believe it updates daily.

 

 

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[DaiLina]

Oh ok, I just checked and it said it updates every Friday... I am looking at the right one?

[bigdawgmatty]

This one only checks prices once a week, right?

 

 

I was just relying on the section that says "today's top price drops".

 

 

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[DaiLina]

I was just relying on the section that says "today's top price drops".

 

 

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Oh ok, thanks :-)

[kenmerloo]

My cruise dropped by $500 for same class, but Princess is not willing to give any credit.

[Taylor95]

Once in a while, though, the fare for a higher category goes down below what you paid for your category, and you can match to that.

 

 

I was hoping this would work (balcony drops less than my 6K), but my PVP said it had to be the exact same category in order to qualify :(

 

 

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[re-re]

I was hoping this would work (balcony drops less than my 6K), but my PVP said it had to be the exact same category in order to qualify :(

 

 

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I upgraded from an ocean view to a balcony because the balcony cabin was less, unless things have changed i'm almost sure you can do this, call the 800# and speak with someone else, good luck.

[pbsteve]

There are the occasional sales that come out where every room of a category are the same price, and yours may drop during those sales, even though it's sold out.

[Little Elm]

There are the occasional sales that come out where every room of a category are the same price, and yours may drop during those sales, even though it's sold out.

 

If every category drops to the same price, will they give you an OBC?

[pbsteve]

If every category drops to the same price, will they give you an OBC?

Yes. For example if you have an 8c balcony, and they all sell out but carnival offers free upgrades, all regular balconies from 8a-8f (depending on the class ship aft balconies and premium usually are not included) will be the same price and you get the OBC even if 8c was sold out

[Live to Dream]

So we are booked in Cat 4J, so if interiors drop, to I get OBC?

[S.S.Oceanlover]

So we are booked in Cat 4J, so if interiors drop, to I get OBC?

 

No that is not how it works. The price of your cabin category has to go down in price so if it's sold out there is no price to compare to.

 

Bill

[pbsteve]

No that is not how it works. The price of your cabin category has to go down in price so if it's sold out there is no price to compare to.

 

Bill

 

Not always true, If the category ABOVE you goes down below what you paid, you can ask for the OBC, they have in the past allowed it, or worst case, you move up a category, and get the OBC

[bury me at sea]

Carnival told my TA, who always handles my price drops, that I could not match to a category above my cabin. I could have moved to a higher cabin at the lower price, and received OBC for the difference, but didn't want to do that.

[kleibo]

Can someone post the link to where it shows what the OBC can be used for. I haven't been able to find on the website. This is for OBC from Price drops. Thanks.

[S.S.Oceanlover]

Not always true, If the category ABOVE you goes down below what you paid, you can ask for the OBC, they have in the past allowed it, or worst case, you move up a category, and get the OBC

 

You are correct. I should have put an asterisk after my post.

 

I posted the correct answer but Carnivals reps have their own interpretations and many times will grant request the caller does not qualify for.:)

 

So bottom line is if not granted what you want, just call until you find someone who will.

 

Bill

[pbsteve]

Can someone post the link to where it shows what the OBC can be used for. I haven't been able to find on the website. This is for OBC from Price drops. Thanks.

It can be used for:

1) everything on the ship that costs money

2) excursions booked on the ship (part of why the line is so long on day 1)

3) can be transferred to play in the casino and then cashed out.

 

For example, I'm using mine for cheers, a pedicure for the wife, and the last 40 or so for either coffee drinks for the wife or the casino.

 

 

 

One more thing about the category selling out.

Keep checking, people cancel and upgrade all the time opening up rooms. The lido balconies on my sailing have sold out 5 times, and another one is now open again.

Edited September 14, 2014 by pbsteve

[kleibo]

Thanks PBSteve - Really can't get better than that.