Carnival policy for paid upgrades and determining cost?

[Craving A Cruise]

[/b]What is Carnival Policy for paid upgrades and determining cost? How do they determine the cost to charge on an upgrade?

Sailed on other cruise lines but our upcoming cruise is first time on Carnival. What is the policy regarding paid upgrades? For example, we have fully paid for our inside cabin. However, the cost has increased since then. But the cost of an outside cabin has decreased.

 

The difference in total cost is minimal and we are considering paying for an upgrade. Will Carnival just charge us the current difference or is the amount we have to pay based on our original amount that we paid?

 

For example, let's say cabin originally cost $1500. Now the cost has increased to $1700. But an outside category is currently priced at $1800. If we are willing to pay for the upgrade, will we be charged ($1800-$1500)=$300 or ($1800-$1700) = $100 ????

 

 

Also, if we do upgrade, will we be able to keep existing OBC or will we have to forfeit it?

 

Thanks in advance for help and advice.

 

Karen

aka Craving A Cruise

Edited June 28, 2015 by Craving A Cruise

[S.S.Oceanlover]

How do they determine the cost to charge on an upgrade?

 

Sailed on other cruise lines but our upcoming cruise is first time on Carnival. What is the policy regarding paid upgrades? For example, we have fully paid for our inside cabin. However, the cost has increased since then. But the cost of an outside cabin has decreased.

 

The difference in total cost is minimal and we are considering paying for an upgrade. Will Carnival just charge us the current difference or is the amount we have to pay based on our original amount that we paid?

 

For example, let's say cabin originally cost $1500. Now the cost has increased to $1700. But an outside category is currently priced at $1800. If we are willing to pay for the upgrade, will we be charged ($1800-$1500)=$300 or ($1800-$1700) = $100 ????

 

 

Also, if we do upgrade, will we be able to keep existing OBC or will we have to forfeit it?

 

Thanks in advance for help and advice.

 

Karen

aka Craving A Cruise

 

It is based on what you originally paid. So if you paid $1500 for an inside and the current rate of an outside is $1800 you would have to pay $300 to upgrade.

 

Can't answer definitively on keeping the OBC.

 

Bill

Edited June 28, 2015 by S.S.Oceanlover

[Kamloops50]

Depending on how the new fare is sold. If it's for new bookings only . You'll probably lose your OBC. If it's just a price drop it will be up to the cruise line.

[Craving A Cruise]

It is based on what you originally paid. So if you paid $1500 for an inside and the current rate of an outside is $1800 you would have to pay $300 to upgrade.

 

Can't answer definitively on keeping the OBC.

 

Bill

Thank you, Bill, for the quick reply. Thought I would ask here first before I phone Carnival. ....think we may just pay for the upgrade but really don't want to lose the OBC.

[Craving A Cruise]

Depending on how the new fare is sold. If it's for new bookings only . You'll probably lose your OBC. If it's just a price drop it will be up to the cruise line.

Thanks Kamloops50. I believe it is a resident rate, don't see any mention of " new bookings only" but I may not be looking in the right place. Lol. Will find out soon......

[sammee]

I know if you have OBC from those casino offers (40% off plus $50 OBC type), they will be lost. I tried to upgrade to Balcony on Father's Day. So I called to get a price. She told me $100 total. I was ready to jump on that assuming I'd lose the OBC. She made a mistake she forgot to include my already paid for insurance when working out the price difference. It jump to 327 difference. I told her I can't do that, leave it as it is. She already did it and lost my $50 OBC. I had to spend half hour on hold for them to restore my original booking and OBC. Lesson learned on that one. Make sure the rep goes over the figures before you tell them OK.

[S.S.Oceanlover]

I don't see anything like that sticky now. Am I wrong about naming TAs? Isn't that a rule somewhere here on the boards?

 

yes it is:

 

There shall be no third-party recommendation (whether positive or negative in tone) of travel agencies on any forums within Cruise Critic. General discussions regarding the TYPE of AGENCY to be used to purchase a cruise will be allowed, as long as no recommendations for any source of purchase are posted.

 

Touting of your personal cruise agent or cruise line "personal cruise consultant" (or any other venue by which you purchase a cruise) is not allowed on our message boards. Postings that contain "tell them John sent you" will be removed without notice.

 

This means you should not ask about someone's travel agent, nor should you respond in kind. Offering to email someone your travel agent's name or info is also not allowed, nor is asking members to email you for the information.

 

It also means you cannot post links to travel agencies, no matter what the specific reason.

 

Cruise Critic will remove violations of the "third-party recommendation" guideline without warning. Additional posts will result in permanent suspension of your posting privileges.

 

Bill

[kolmjhtyr]

I had to spend half hour on hold for them to restore my original booking and OBC.

Edited July 4, 2015 by kolmjhtyr

[MCFTJCH2V]

[/b]What is Carnival Policy for paid upgrades and determining cost? How do they determine the cost to charge on an upgrade?

Sailed on other cruise lines but our upcoming cruise is first time on Carnival. What is the policy regarding paid upgrades? For example, we have fully paid for our inside cabin. However, the cost has increased since then. But the cost of an outside cabin has decreased.

 

The difference in total cost is minimal and we are considering paying for an upgrade. Will Carnival just charge us the current difference or is the amount we have to pay based on our original amount that we paid?

 

For example, let's say cabin originally cost $1500. Now the cost has increased to $1700. But an outside category is currently priced at $1800. If we are willing to pay for the upgrade, will we be charged ($1800-$1500)=$300 or ($1800-$1700) = $100 ????

 

 

Also, if we do upgrade, will we be able to keep existing OBC or will we have to forfeit it?

 

Thanks in advance for help and advice.

 

Karen

aka Craving A Cruise

 

It makes me sad they turned this into a profit center. Upgrades used to be a courtesy, as well as free. Not sure if that's redundant.

[jimbo5544]

It makes me sad they turned this into a profit center. Upgrades used to be a courtesy, as well as free. Not sure if that's redundant.

 

Are not all cruise lines for profit?

[MCFTJCH2V]

Are not all cruise lines for profit?

 

Of course, but you realize not all cabins are the same price right? If you walked down one deck, how many people would you think you would encounter on that one deck that paid the same fare?

[jimbo5544]

Of course, but you realize not all cabins are the same price right? If you walked down one deck, how many people would you think you would encounter on that one deck that paid the same fare?

 

 

Let's not socialize cruising. Why would they be the same? Many factors apply to cabin pricing (as you know), supply and demand, seasonality and many outside factors.

 

That being said, we have been upgraded for free on two occasions by Carnival, once to the Owners Suite on the Ecstasy.

[MCFTJCH2V]

Let's not socialize cruising. Why would they be the same? Many factors apply to cabin pricing (as you know), supply and demand, seasonality and many outside factors.

 

That being said, we have been upgraded for free on two occasions by Carnival, once to the Owners Suite on the Ecstasy.

 

Yes but I thought you were a TA. I'm surprised you haven't gotten more.

[3Pelicans]

I had two balcony cabins on Empress level booked on the Triumph for August, one at a casino rate and one at early saver. I noticed on Friday that AFT Extended cabins had opened up on the same floor that were $20 less than the early saver rate I paid and $90 more than the casino rate I paid. I did not have any OBC with the casino rate so called my TA to switch figuring it would be $70 total. It was a mess that took all day to fix. Carnival moved the rooms and there was a balance of $279 which made no sense. When they moved the rooms back to the original categories we suddenly had $70 of OBC because the rates dropped on the Early Saver room. Finally my TA conferenced me in with Carnival and between the three of us we were able to figure it out. I got to keep the $70 OBC and paid $70 for the upgrade. Even though it took forever...well worth it!!!! Yes having a TA complicated it but she worked really hard yesterday to make this work. :)

[katiel53]

It makes me sad they turned this into a profit center. Upgrades used to be a courtesy, as well as free. Not sure if that's redundant.

 

 

I guess if you were one who got free upgrades, it's sad not to get them any longer. I haven't ever gotten one, so I am fine with everyone paying for them. I believe in paying for the cabin I want as Carnival is a FOR PROFIT business and not a charity.

 

I don't feel anyone is entitled to a free upgrade other than meeting the criteria as an example with Early Saver. When someone who has sailed once or twice on the line would get a free upgrade and the person sailing 20 times doesn't, it sort of ticks off the long time cruiser with the line. JMO.

[Craving A Cruise]

Hi 3 Pelicans

 

OP here, CravingACruise 😀 Happy to hear that you got it sorted out for your upcoming cruise on the Triumph.

 

I gave up trying to do a paid upgrade, as it was too much of a hassle and the $ cost difference was making no sense!!! So we just left things alone.

 

I'm looking forward to our cruise now, as it is only 5 days away. WooHoo!

 

I had two balcony cabins on Empress level booked on the Triumph for August, one at a casino rate and one at early saver. I noticed on Friday that AFT Extended cabins had opened up on the same floor that were $20 less than the early saver rate I paid and $90 more than the casino rate I paid. I did not have any OBC with the casino rate so called my TA to switch figuring it would be $70 total. It was a mess that took all day to fix. Carnival moved the rooms and there was a balance of $279 which made no sense. When they moved the rooms back to the original categories we suddenly had $70 of OBC because the rates dropped on the Early Saver room. Finally my TA conferenced me in with Carnival and between the three of us we were able to figure it out. I got to keep the $70 OBC and paid $70 for the upgrade. Even though it took forever...well worth it!!!! Yes having a TA complicated it but she worked really hard yesterday to make this work. :)