This is Why I Book ES

[Saltz]

That is awesome! Good for you guys!! I've been hoping for a price drop too for an 8 day Breeze in June, so far nothing. I still have a few months so I'm checking daily in the mean time.

[YourCruiseGurl]

Awesome!

[cruisingbajan]

I know that ES does not work for everyone. I have gotten burned myself a couple of times with it. Even our last cruise in December we ended up having to pay a penalty because we changed ships after we booked because I received a Premier Casino offer and switched from the Pride to the Splendor.

 

I just wanted to share that we have made up for those penalties BIG time with our upcoming 2-14 Breeze cruise. We booked several months back because we are celebrating(ignoring) my birthday. It was pretty expensive at around $3700 for 4 people in a cove balcony for an 8 day. I had a casino offer that dropped it to $3200 so I booked ES and then matched the casino rate.

 

It has steadily dropped until we had $705 OBC as of earlier this week with still 5 quad coves left. I was very happy. Then I checked the rates Thursday night late and almost had a heart attack. I had a Pack and Play offer that worked for our cruise date.

 

We now have $2398.60 OBC!! Yay! Happy Birthday to me! I just had to share our success story. Most of my extended family and friends do not cruise so they don't understand. I knew that you guys on here could appreciate how much we lucked out on this.

 

So, my fellow ES cruisers, keep checking your rates and lets celebrate those price drops!:D

 

Wow...that is awesome congrats!!

[cruisingbajan]

That is incredible! Way to go!!

 

You can book another cruise onboard with your OBC, get the freebies with that, and technically your next cruise will almost be free.

 

Happy Birthday!

 

I was actually thinking the same thing.:D

 

Although depending on the category booked...it can be absolutely free and still some OBC to use on the current cruise.;)

[ASchaff]

Stupid question. I know in the past any time I have booked, and the rates go down I am able to get OBC. I just read Carnivals price protection policy, and it states that you only have 48 hours. I am a bit confused. Is that only with competitors prices(other websites) or when their prices drop as well? I don't want to book and risk the price dropping, and be told sorry, you only had 48 hours...

[CruisingSoon88]

Thanks everyone! I know I love hearing about others getting a great deal so I appreciate you being excited for us. No worries about us blowing all of the credit. My son is getting braces 4 days after we get back from the cruise. Guess where a lot of our credit will be going? LOL We have another cruise booked in April and we are seriously considering doing another one in June because DH and I can cruise for $130pp with $100 OBC for a balcony cabin. I think we can handle $30 for a cruise. The port fees and taxes are not included of course, but we can't feed ourselves at home for that cheap. We'll see. I think we might have a cruising addiction issue. Who am I kidding? There is no might about it! LOL

[blondietink]

Stupid question. I know in the past any time I have booked, and the rates go down I am able to get OBC. I just read Carnivals price protection policy, and it states that you only have 48 hours. I am a bit confused. Is that only with competitors prices(other websites) or when their prices drop as well? I don't want to book and risk the price dropping, and be told sorry, you only had 48 hours...

 

First you have to book using the Early Saver rate. Then after final payment, you can put in for price drops/OBC. the price protection that lasts 48 hours is good for any booking and if you can find the same cabin cheaper within 48 hours of booking, then you will get the price drop. So far, all of our price drops have been before final payment, which is in 2 days for us.

Edited February 8, 2015 by blondietink

[wareaglefan]

Happy dance indeed! Really exciting and have a great cruise and a very Happy Birthday!:p

[BigRed93]

Stupid question. I know in the past any time I have booked, and the rates go down I am able to get OBC. I just read Carnivals price protection policy, and it states that you only have 48 hours. I am a bit confused. Is that only with competitors prices(other websites) or when their prices drop as well? I don't want to book and risk the price dropping, and be told sorry, you only had 48 hours...

 

They are 2 different things. Price protection if you see

A lower rate somewhere else within 48 hours. Then early saver price protection, where if you book under an early saver rate, you may be able to get any matching price drop

credits up until 2 days before sailing.

 

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

[ASchaff]

First you have to book using the Early Saver rate. Then after final payment, you can put in for price drops/OBC. the price protection that lasts 48 hours is good for any booking and if you can find the same cabin cheaper within 48 hours of booking, then you will get the price drop. So far, all of our price drops have been before final payment, which is in 2 days for us.

 

I know in the past if the price dropped prior to final payment they would go ahead and just take that amount off the remaining balance. I know we saved a few hundred doing that on the Paradise.

[petesweet]

The most I've ever rec'd is a few hundred on 2 in a cabin! WOW!!! Congrats!!! And don't forget, you DON'T have to spend it all... you can get some on a refund check at the end of the cruise!!! (It should be broken down as to refundable and non-refundable!)

 

You have answered the very question I was about to ask. No way would I ever use a great deal of OBC.

 

I have never booked this rate but may try it sometime.

 

Happy sails (and so VERY HAPPY for OP).:)

 

Kathy

[Funsince1983]

Very nice! ES has never paid for me.. we're currently booked for June, $20 price drop right now, but it voids out our OBC making it not worth it. Final payment March 26th, we'll see what happens after that..

[tandemcruzr]

Even if you haven't gotten a price drop booking ES, this means that prices have only gone up and you have gotten the lowest price for that cabin cat. :)

[cmptrwiz]

Nice savings!

[siestakeys04]

Thats Mega obc!!! I wouldn't know what to spend it on. Congrats:D

 

Sent from my PantechP9070 using Tapatalk 2

[Jeansfanatic]

I know that ES does not work for everyone. I have gotten burned myself a couple of times with it. Even our last cruise in December we ended up having to pay a penalty because we changed ships after we booked because I received a Premier Casino offer and switched from the Pride to the Splendor.

 

I just wanted to share that we have made up for those penalties BIG time with our upcoming 2-14 Breeze cruise. We booked several months back because we are celebrating(ignoring) my birthday. It was pretty expensive at around $3700 for 4 people in a cove balcony for an 8 day. I had a casino offer that dropped it to $3200 so I booked ES and then matched the casino rate.

 

It has steadily dropped until we had $705 OBC as of earlier this week with still 5 quad coves left. I was very happy. Then I checked the rates Thursday night late and almost had a heart attack. I had a Pack and Play offer that worked for our cruise date.

 

We now have $2398.60 OBC!! Yay! Happy Birthday to me! I just had to share our success story. Most of my extended family and friends do not cruise so they don't understand. I knew that you guys on here could appreciate how much we lucked out on this.

 

So, my fellow ES cruisers, keep checking your rates and lets celebrate those price drops!:D

 

Holy Crap Impressive!!!! This gives me hope!!!! Congrats! :D

[deladane]

holy cow! that's incredible!! congrats, and spend it well (or as others have mentioned, don't spend it and take the leftovers home to spend elsewhere! lol) I only have $160 OBC so far for my cruise that leaves in 5 weeks... there's still a ton of cabins available in my category, so fingers crossed I come across a deal like yours soon!!!

[Cruisin'Allie]

Congrats and happy birthday CruisingSoon88!

 

I got great price drops on my Breeze cruise too. Three drops and I went from a 4J to deluxe OV plus $490 OBC :)

 

My Conquest cruise in December was booked very low so I'm doubting much from that one, but who knows! I also booked the 4J with that one so the OV cabins would have to go below $540pp (for 8 day) for it to net me $20 OBC.... I guess stranger things have happened!

[megnut78]

Is there any quick way to check the price each day? It's such a hassle to go through all the steps every single day. Thanks in advance

[cruising maniac]

This is the link for the Carnival Fare Viewer for a quick mock booking.

 

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

[skyeman27]

holy cow! that's incredible!! congrats, and spend it well (or as others have mentioned, don't spend it and take the leftovers home to spend elsewhere! lol) I only have $160 OBC so far for my cruise that leaves in 5 weeks... there's still a ton of cabins available in my category, so fingers crossed I come across a deal like yours soon!!!

 

Those ton of cabins in your category will most likely be offered as Guarantee cabins thus negating ES..

[1Honey12]

Early saver recently worked for me!

Got $322 in OBC due to a price drop which is surprising because I thought this "Spring Break Cruise" would sell out. :D

[zumbaqueen1]

Can you give me a step by step process how to even do a price drop?

We are sailing Spring Break Victory out of Miami in April and have a Spa deck balcony. How do I monitor for price drops? How do I apply for them? I did book early saver and cruise is paid off. Thanks to all!

[lazydayz]

OP, Thanks again for posting this. I won the ES battle with Carnival and now have $1426 OBC for our three cabins over Spring Break on the Paradise! Congrats to you and others who were able to take advantage of the Pack and Play promo!

 

Carnival didn't really lose much on us, as we booked the 8-night Conquest for June under the Pack and Play, and added a third person.

 

Happy Cruising.

[1Honey12]

Can you give me a step by step process how to even do a price drop?

We are sailing Spring Break Victory out of Miami in April and have a Spa deck balcony. How do I monitor for price drops? How do I apply for them? I did book early saver and cruise is paid off. Thanks to all!

 

 

Personally, I watch the (Carnival) website like a toddler. Just waiting for those prices to slip and fall below what I booked them at. Then I run over and fill out their "price protection form" and submit it. Usually get an answer within 10 minutes. :D