Early Saver vs Casino Offer

[phoneman69]

Looking at an 8 day in Sept 2019 on Magic from Ft Lauderdale. I have a casino offer PZ1 that just gives you a price break on the room rate. (no other bennies) Early saver for 2 on main deck interior room (beds that can be pushed together NOT bunk ) price $1438.30. Casio offer for exact same room is $1356.30. (phantom booking) So book now or do you think Carnival will have a price drop where cruise is so far out or an onboard credit offer? Need to book by end of April for the Casino offer rate.

Thanks Matt

[Jamman54]

Something else to think about. If you book that Casino rate, the entire $99 per person deposit is non-refundable in the event that you cancel, whereas with Early Saver you lose $50 per person and the balance is applied as a future cruise credit. You can price match with any cruise rate up until the final payment date. With early saver you can price match up until two days before sailing. If you are 100% sure that you are going to take this cruise, go with the Casino rate and purchase the appropriate insurance in case something unforeseeable pops up. Happy planning! :cool:

[winddawn]

You can book the early saver rate, and then immediately price match it to the lower casino rate. Just be sure you can live with the more restrictive ES fare rules because once you book it, and even after you price match to the casino rate, you're still bound by the ES rules. It's better to call your PVP and let him/her take care of it all while you're on the same phone call. I've done this several times. By doing this, you can keep the ability to price match up to 2 days before sailing, which you cannot do if you originally book under casino fare.

[CruzCrazy]

If I'm not mistaken, you can book Early Saver, and then immediately turn in the form to PRICE MATCH to the casino rate that is associated with your VIFP number. You then would maintain the Early Saver for any future price drops.

 

I'm pretty sure I've done this before.

[Retired_to_Cruise]

Looking at an 8 day in Sept 2019 on Magic from Ft Lauderdale. I have a casino offer PZ1 that just gives you a price break on the room rate. (no other bennies) Early saver for 2 on main deck interior room (beds that can be pushed together NOT bunk ) price $1438.30. Casio offer for exact same room is $1356.30. (phantom booking) So book now or do you think Carnival will have a price drop where cruise is so far out or an onboard credit offer? Need to book by end of April for the Casino offer rate.

Thanks Matt

 

Book early saver. Then, turn around and price match for the casino rate. You will still be early saver and can take advantage of any other price matches after that if they come along. How do I know this? Well I have two B2B's booked this year and two B2Bs booked next year. When the casino PZ1 hit my VIFP Offers last week, I called my PVP and she got the changes done on all 8 cruises. My SO also got the PZ1 offer but it included $50 casino play. She also got that play.

[Jamman54]

The above posters are correct, and I just did this on my last two bookings by booking ES, then using the Casino Offer PTF which is like yours but with $50 in casino play to price match. I must be losing my mind!!! :eek: :D

[lagienomai]

So I think I know the answer to this but just checking. So I am booked ES for my cruise in Oct. 2019. I always book ES and booked on reduced deposits. I know if I request a price drop I have to pay the remainder of the deposit when this happens. Does the same apply to changing rates. I figured it did. Was just comparing and my Casino rate I just received is 100 less than current rate.

[winddawn]

So I think I know the answer to this but just checking. So I am booked ES for my cruise in Oct. 2019. I always book ES and booked on reduced deposits. I know if I request a price drop I have to pay the remainder of the deposit when this happens. Does the same apply to changing rates. I figured it did. Was just comparing and my Casino rate I just received is 100 less than current rate.

 

Typically that is the case. If you originally paid a reduced deposit, then price match later, you'd normally have to pay the remainder of the deposit. And remember, once early saver, always early saver; meaning ES rules continue to apply no matter what rate you later change to on that booking.

[winddawn]

The above posters are correct, and I just did this on my last two bookings by booking ES, then using the Casino Offer PTF which is like yours but with $50 in casino play to price match. I must be losing my mind!!! :eek: :D

 

You're not losing your mind. You're just overdue for your next cruise! Lol. You're always a wealth of help and information to others, Jamman.

[phoneman69]

Thank you all !! Never thought to price match booking early saver against the casino offer to get the best of both. Thats why it pay's off to ask.

Thanks Again Matt

[SCAnthony]

Just booked with a casino rate by calling a rep from Carnival. He said he would give me the casino rate but would also put it under the early saver rules in case price goes down.

 

 

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[MistyRo76]

I also just heard the same situation on the cruise we booked for next year to Cuba. Our PVP booked us early saver and then immediately submitted for price protection under our casino rate. Got us $50 more off and then we still fall under the Early Saver rules. I doubt there will be many price drops on a Cuba cruise balcony room on the Paradise simply due to the fact that balconies are limited on this class of ships. But you never know!

[phoneman69]

Update Carnival Would NOT price match the Casino offer rate if I Booked Early Saver. Called to book this sailing and told them I wanted to book ES for the price protection and then to have the total cost reduced because of the casino offer. Agent put me on hold so she could call the promotions dept and then returned and said they WON'T match the casino offer in payment or onboard credit. If I wanted the reduced cost I had to book the casino rate and stay at that promotion offer. Wanted the trip so I did it but boy NOT a Happy Camper.

Matt :-(

[winddawn]

Update Carnival Would NOT price match the Casino offer rate if I Booked Early Saver. Called to book this sailing and told them I wanted to book ES for the price protection and then to have the total cost reduced because of the casino offer. Agent put me on hold so she could call the promotions dept and then returned and said they WON'T match the casino offer in payment or onboard credit. If I wanted the reduced cost I had to book the casino rate and stay at that promotion offer. Wanted the trip so I did it but boy NOT a Happy Camper.

Matt :-(

 

Matt, IMHO, this is why having a dependable, informed PVP is invaluable. If you call the 800 number, you're playing Russian roulette with whoever answers your call. You may or may not get good information. I can't tell you how many times my PVP booked me under the ES rate, and then immediately price matched me to the lower casino rate. I would certainly encourage you to seek out and stick with a seasoned PVP. Their help is invaluable. It sounds like the person helping you on the 800 number gave you inaccurate information.

[phoneman69]

bump

[Stick93]

I have a travel agent and was also told about my January 2019 cruise that I booked on ES if I take casino rate I lose the ES. It was $100 difference, so I figure staying with ES is better for me at this time. Although just my opinion - I don’t see the price drops happening like I used to on Carnival. The only people I see getting good deals are the real casino players who they lure back on the ships with free cruise offers. I guess you can pay more either way!

 

 

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[hermitstyle]

I had to fight to get the casino rate applied to my booking and to keep the ES rate. They ended up transferring me to the casino dept and they said that I keep my ES, and I confirmed that multiple times, but looking at my confirmation email, it has the rules for the casino rate and not the ES rate. I was too tired of arguing with Carnival to call back, but I will be calling tomorrow to ensure that I am still following ES rules and have an updated cabin confirmation sent to me

[phoneman69]

I did try a call back saying I had spoken to people who booked ES and then matched to the casino offer. I was told that was no longer an option. Stayed with the casino rate. Price would have to drop 250.00 who knows. Took the gamble.

[Jim and Monika]

Not sure I understand the problem as it is hard to follow how the cruise was originally booked. The way to do it is to book the ES rate (higher than the casino rate), then while still on the phone, have the price adjusted to the lower casino rate. I just did this the other week. The Carnival rep told me he couldn't do it, but I told him he could and asked him to check with a manager. he checked and came back to tell me he didn't realize he could and then did it. I had to pay the deposit and everything on the ES rate before adjusting the price. When switching the ES rate to the casino rate, I had to pay more for the deposit because the casino rate required it. My casino rate will expire on 4-26, so I am checking the pricing every day. I doubt I will find a lower rate before my cruise unless I get another casino offer. If the carnival rep refuses to let you book and change the rate to casino, just call back and you will probably get a different rep that can do it for you.

Hope this helps.