Loop Holes in Early Saver

[bender031177]

We booked on the Glory for Jan. 10th under early saver last January and noticed that Carnival had a major price drop from $759 to $509. I called to take advantage but they tried to deny me because that rate was only for new bookings.

 

I argued my point and they gave in. I did loose my pre selected room, which I was a little bummed about, but it was worth it for $500 in savings.

 

It seems to me that Carnival is coming up with new ways all the time to not honor the Early Saver price drop guarantee. I went through the same argument last year when they had a pack and go rate.

 

The spirit of the Early Saver program was to make sure that no one was going to cruise for less then me, for the same room category. If I am willing to accept the terms of the new promotion (no room selection) I should be offered the rate.

 

Agree?

[snc_cam]

With ES, you cannot price compare to a GTY cabin. You are allowed to switch from ES to GTY which is what you did. Doing this, you lost your specific cabin and are now at the whim of Carnival for what you get. I had a chance to do that a few weeks ago for a $375 difference but would have ended up on deck 1 or 2 instead of the specific cabin on deck 7. I chose to keep the cabin.

[shaharis1701]

I agree with you, they are doing the same thing on my Oct 16th cruise on the Splendor. If I want to give up my preselected room I can save $200 but where the hell will I end up?? I love Carnival but this seems a sneaky way to avoid the Early Saver price guarantee. :(

[snc_cam]

Not sure how this is sneaky on Carnival's part. They state that you cannot price match to a GTY cabin with ES. You agreed to that when you purchased the cruise using ES. And just for the record, I did get two price drops for the rate I booked on the cruise a few weeks ago that was accepted and processed with no problem.

[Isa65]

This is not a loop hole. It has been known for quite a while that with ES you can only price match what is applicable to you (so you cannot price match to a Military nor Senior rate if you're not military or senior) AND you can't price match to GTY rates without losing your cabin.

 

When price matching, your booking is re-fared to the new code. So if you want to get the guarantee rate, you need to go into the guarantee pool.

[katiel53]

Op,

I don't think Carnival is doing anything wrong in that you agreed to a cabin number and to be changed to a guarantee is not the same as you booked. I think so many times people booking don't understand what they are doing---just looking for price drops and feel cheated when they don't meet the criteria.

 

You aren't the only one not understanding how things work, and in all reality, you aren't price matching when you downgrade to a guarantee. I think Carnival is being more than fair, since downgrades aren't allowed on Early Saver. One of these days they will begin enforcing their own policies and even then, you are asking for someone that you entitled to. JMO

[winddawn]

Carnival doesn't usually allow you to switch from ES to a guarantee. Consider yourself lucky if they did allow you to. Most of their fare reductions these days are for guarantees, which is one way they do keep ES guests from getting price drops.

Edited September 21, 2014 by winddawn

[RuthlessBoss]

I don't think they caved into giving you the lower rate, you just changed to a new program to give you no choice of cabins. No cabin choice equals lower rates.

[Lovefuninthesun]

As long as ES has been around you have been unable to price match to a guarantee cabin (super saver, pack and go, etc).

There has not been a conspiracy to keep you from saving money. You were just not aware of all of the rules.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone 5 using Cruise Critic App

[just4steven]

Don't you lose a certain amount when you switch out of ES too? Isn't it like $50 a person or something?

[travler27]

Don't you lose a certain amount when you switch out of ES too? Isn't it like $50 a person or something?

 

Since the OP has now moved from ES rate to GTY rate do they also lose the ability to file for any price reductions between now and sailing?

[nofishforme]

People kill me with there i want i need the best rate and when they dont get there way they scream foul ......

[elainmir]

I don't know so much if folks are screaming foul or just screaming from frustration. I know I was personally told when I booked last cruise that yes I had booked early saver rate and it was not true. I had booked casino offer. I think the girl was an inexperienced agent, couple that with me who is not exacting a cruise rate expert and well it leaves you frustrated if you are the cruiser! When it came to price drops I didn't get any...lost out on over 500$...then couple that with the really pitiful excuses for "upgrades" ( under the lido deck venues) NO THANK YOU. And with the twists and turns they throw at you it is my firm belief they WANT you confused so they can tell you whatever they want to! Carnival reps grant some of the same requests that others deny..it's no wonder people are upset. I can't seem to get anyone to recommend to me a PVP who is experienced and helpful.

[bender031177]

Op,

I don't think Carnival is doing anything wrong in that you agreed to a cabin number and to be changed to a guarantee is not the same as you booked. I think so many times people booking don't understand what they are doing---just looking for price drops and feel cheated when they don't meet the criteria.

 

You aren't the only one not understanding how things work, and in all reality, you aren't price matching when you downgrade to a guarantee. I think Carnival is being more than fair, since downgrades aren't allowed on Early Saver. One of these days they will begin enforcing their own policies and even then, you are asking for someone that you entitled to. JMO

 

I fully understood that I would lose my chosen cabin and was willing to accept that - but Carnival wasn't willing to give me the new rate until I escalated to a supervisor.

 

The issue I take with this is that I could have booked under a regular rate and had a refundable deposit, allowing me to cancel at any time before final payment and rebook under any rate without penalty. But today, the first PVP I spoke to absolutely refused to change me from ES to this new GTY rate (with my full acknowledgement that I would lose my assigned room) and even the supervisor had to put me on hold for a good long time before she was able to make it happen.

 

If I hadn't been booked under ES, I could have easily cancelled and rebooked under this new promotion but my deposit is non-refundable which is generally acceptable because we are told we will have access to price drops...except if it is a special promotion, or a ______(fill in the blank).

 

Not looking for special treatment, just access to the best rate if I am willing to pay out a $250pp deposit a year in advance of the cruise.

[KenMo]

You're still not getting it.

 

Early Saver = Choose your cabin.

GTY = Carnival chooses your cabin.

 

What is the price protection assurance feature with Early Saver?

 

If you find a lower Carnival advertised fare after booking your cruise, we will honor it, issuing the difference in the form of a non-refundable onboard credit. The lower fare must be: (a) for the same ship, sailing, stateroom category and number of guests (b) available for booking at the time you submit your request for the lower rate and © a rate the guest in the cabin are eligible to receive, if special restrictions apply.

 

Early Saver guests are not eligible to be protected on the following programs: Super Saver, Instant Saver or any other program that does not allow cabin selection at the time of booking. Price protection will be subject to the prevailing fees and/or fuel supplement if applicable.

 

So, yeah, you could cancel and lose $50pp and rebook at the lower rate.

 

Or you can have a hissy fit and get Carnival to give you the lesser rate.

[rch3]

And then there are the free or greatly discounted private upsells. Another way to freeze out the ES fare booking public.

[cruizinisthebest]

Nothing nefarious about what Carnival did. The problem is they give in to the switch. I know of several people on my last roll call that switched at the last minute, well after final payment, from ES to guarantee with little to no fuss from Carnival. Further still, some people got their cabin assignments and were unhappy with them and threw a fit until Carnival changed it. So that's twice Carnival let go of their own rules. Can't or shouldn't have it both ways.

 

I agree the lowest prices these days seem to be with guarantee rates. If you don't mind what room you're in, book at the last minute. Otherwise use ES or any other rate well in advance and stick to the rules. Simple.

[bender031177]

You're still not getting it.

 

 

 

Or you can have a hissy fit and get Carnival to give you the lesser rate.

 

Just to be clear, Mona, no Hissy Fit was involved. I was extremely polite and respectful and the Carnival agents returned the curtesy. My issue, again, is that ES was sold to me by making me believe that I would be guaranteed the best deal. To me saving 1/3 the price of a balcony room at the expense of choosing my own room is a better deal.

 

Carnival has acknowledged that fact I was misled by giving me the credit and I appreciate that. I now know that the program does exclude me from this particular price drop but I don't recall the vacation planner on the Sunshine asking me to read the terms and conditions before she accepted my $500 deposit.

 

My main beef is that Carnival seems to be coming up with new programs all the time to exclude ES. I for one will not book under ES again.

 

One more thing Mona, I couldn't help but notice in your overly emotional post that you said "booking your cruise, we will honour it". Do you work for Carnival? If so you should be mindful of who pays your wages before engaging passengers with that kind of enthusiasm.

[oceanseagle12]

Just to be clear, Mona, no Hissy Fit was involved. I was extremely polite and respectful and the Carnival agents returned the curtesy. My issue, again, is that ES was sold to me by making me believe that I would be guaranteed the best deal. To me saving 1/3 the price of a balcony room at the expense of choosing my own room is a better deal.

 

Carnival has acknowledged that fact I was misled by giving me the credit and I appreciate that. I now know that the program does exclude me from this particular price drop but I don't recall the vacation planner on the Sunshine asking me to read the terms and conditions before she accepted my $500 deposit.

 

My main beef is that Carnival seems to be coming up with new programs all the time to exclude ES. I for one will not book under ES again.

 

One more thing Mona, I couldn't help but notice in your overly emotional post that you said "booking your cruise, we will honour it". Do you work for Carnival? If so you should be mindful of who pays your wages before engaging passengers with that kind of enthusiasm.

 

I understand your frustration, and sorry that you felt misled. And I get that you understood that you were guaranteed the best deal, but that isn't quite what ES says. Your next sentence starts with "to me," which kind of shows why "best deal" isn't the guarantee, since that is subjective.

 

The ES price protection gives you the ability to match to a LOWER PRICE for the same stateroom category for any fare that you would otherwise be eligible. Stateroom category is key here, and it means the specific category- not just inside to inside or balcony to balcony. In other words, I am booked in 8C. I can't price match to 8A.

 

Think of a GTY as its own unique category. I know you think they came up with GTY to get around the ES terms, but GTY rates have been out for a long time- many, many years before Early Saver. They are designed as a way to give Carnival flexibility in filling up the ship. In exchange for a lower rate, you allow Carnival to put you where it makes sense for them based on other bookings.

 

All that being said, I hope you wind up with a great cabin and have a blast on your cruise!

[Vitamin_Sea]

We booked on the Glory for Jan. 10th under early saver last January and noticed that Carnival had a major price drop from $759 to $509. I called to take advantage but they tried to deny me because that rate was only for new bookings.

 

I argued my point and they gave in. I did loose my pre selected room, which I was a little bummed about, but it was worth it for $500 in savings.

 

It seems to me that Carnival is coming up with new ways all the time to not honor the Early Saver price drop guarantee. I went through the same argument last year when they had a pack and go rate.

 

The spirit of the Early Saver program was to make sure that no one was going to cruise for less then me, for the same room category. If I am willing to accept the terms of the new promotion (no room selection) I should be offered the rate.

 

Agree?

 

I agree

 

I would take the lower rate and a different cabin, big deal. Its not like they will stick you in the engine room..:p

[KenMo]

One more thing Mona, I couldn't help but notice in your overly emotional post that you said "booking your cruise, we will honour it". Do you work for Carnival? If so you should be mindful of who pays your wages before engaging passengers with that kind of enthusiasm.

 

 

If you had bothered to research the rules of the different code fares, you would recognize that this portion of my post:

 

"What is the price protection assurance feature with Early Saver?

 

If you find a lower Carnival advertised fare after booking your cruise, we will honor it, issuing the difference in the form of a non-refundable onboard credit. The lower fare must be: (a) for the same ship, sailing, stateroom category and number of guests (b) available for booking at the time you submit your request for the lower rate and © a rate the guest in the cabin are eligible to receive, if special restrictions apply.

 

Early Saver guests are not eligible to be protected on the following programs: Super Saver, Instant Saver or any other program that does not allow cabin selection at the time of booking. Price protection will be subject to the prevailing fees and/or fuel supplement if applicable."

 

was a copy/paste from Carnival's FAQs. Really quite easily found.

 

So no, I absolutely do not work for Carnival or any of it's affiliates. Never have.

 

And no "emotional post". I have no idea where you got that. It matters not to me that you got your way. I simply posted the rules of Early Saver.

[sweetsixteencruisers]

Some people just work the system. And get away with it. Working the loop holes.

This happens as we all know in other systems. Some of us wouldn't even consider doing such because this causes break down. Eventually, no more early saver for those who except the rules of the program.

 

I'm sure if there is another price drop between now and January they will be calling again expecting ES price protection. That's how they roll..

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

[fuddrules]

My issue, again, is that ES was sold to me by making me believe that I would be guaranteed the best deal.

 

Where have you been? You've been registered to CC since 2007.

 

A simple reading of threads here on ES rates would make you believe that "whoever" was telling you this was full of whiz and vinegar. Or perhaps you misunderstood what they were telling you?

 

Your angst could have been avoided with a smidgen of due diligence.

 

It worked out in the end and consider this a lesson in understanding Carnival and their policies (and lack thereof).

Edited September 22, 2014 by fuddrules

[Ehpride]

A lot of these issues would be solved if people understood the terms of their rate when they book. Carnival makes the early saver terms pretty clear.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[bonnie&clydecruzers]

Yes there are alot of terms for booking under early saver, that why you should completely understand and agree with all of them before booking with that rate. But moral of the story is, you dont HAVE to book Early Saver. You have a choice, and if you dont like all of the terms and conditions, book your cruise under a different rate. Simple.