Were are the savings

[phoneman69]

I am looking to book a Carnival Legend cruise out of NY in may of 2020. The price of an inside room on deck 6 early saver is cheaper then the price of a returning guest with a 2 category upgrade. Why do i not get a better deal as a returning guest. This will be cruise number 15 for us. 

[Mm13]

Rates change daily based on sales. If you check every day you will see the dramatic fluculations. 

[riffatsea]

Early saver is almost always the lowest price.

Compare what you would pay for your 2 category upgrade if you were NOT a returning customer and you will see some savings. Don't compare it to Early Saver which is like comparing apples to oranges.

[Lottacruises]

58 minutes ago, phoneman69 said:

 Why do i not get a better deal as a returning guest. This will be cruise number 15 for us. 

 

Did you get a better deal on the previous 14? Just curious.

Edited February 28, 2019 by Lottacruises

[webzila]

53 minutes ago, Mm13 said:

Rates change daily based on sales. If you check every day you will see the dramatic fluculations. 

 

I wish. I have 2 cruises booked and been checking prices daily. Sometimes several times per day. Same price...

 

I also noticed that sometimes it changes and may look like sale but not really. They add OBC but raise the rate or vice versa.

[Mm13]

Is it the May 3rd sailing?

[crzndeb]

There are penalties with Early Saver. That’s why it is usually cheaper. If people cancel, that’s money in Carnival’s pocket. There are no cancellation penalties with PG.

 

I have booked PG with upgrade, but I don’t usually take it because I book far enough in advance to choose a cabin I want.

[scpirate]

Book early saver and get insurance.and don't worry about it your going to spend more than you want anyway.

[phoneman69]

3 hours ago, Mm13 said:

Is it the May 3rd sailing?

No it's the 16th. 9 days 4 ports Southern route

[phoneman69]

3 hours ago, Lottacruises said:

 

Did you get a better deal on the previous 14? Just curious.

Booked early and yes doing a compare got a better deal. 2 of our other cruise was offered a Casino rate. Just disappointed as a platinum cruise the rate is not better. 

[KevInPitt]

7 hours ago, phoneman69 said:

Booked early and yes doing a compare got a better deal. 2 of our other cruise was offered a Casino rate. Just disappointed as a platinum cruise the rate is not better. 

 

The Past Guest rate is available to anyone with a VIFP (or prior cruise) regardless of level.

 

Your angst seems to be that you are not offered a greater fare discount based on your VIFP level.

 

There’s a reason why they don’t offer a discount to those who have achieved Platinum status, if you think about it long enough. 

[ray98]

Early Saver has different T&C's.  The two rates can't be directly compared.

[phoneman69]

2 hours ago, KevInPitt said:

 

The Past Guest rate is available to anyone with a VIFP (or prior cruise) regardless of level.

 

Your angst seems to be that you are not offered a greater fare discount based on your VIFP level.

 

There’s a reason why they don’t offer a discount to those who have achieved Platinum status, if you think about it long enough. 

It's not a VIFP status issue. DW and i really enjoy cruising. The issue is why would not a returning guest ANY LEVEL get a better price for a room then a first timer ? I want Carnival to do well but do we not want to entice people to return. Now if you are a stock holder maybe your view is different.

[midwestman]

No big shocker here.  Most "sales" offer little or nothing in terms of value and savings.  Its a sales pitch to make you think you are getting a value.  I noticed the whole "past guest offer" didn't offer any real value years ago.

[Earthworm Jim]

51 minutes ago, phoneman69 said:

It's not a VIFP status issue. DW and i really enjoy cruising. The issue is why would not a returning guest ANY LEVEL get a better price for a room then a first timer ? I want Carnival to do well but do we not want to entice people to return. Now if you are a stock holder maybe your view is different.

 

Because the first timer is having to commit to a non-refundable deposit, while yours is fully refundable until the final payment date. Considering the Past Guest offer is usually only about $20 more, to me it's the better deal of the two.

[shof515]

11 hours ago, phoneman69 said:

No it's the 16th. 9 days 4 ports Southern route

 

I am also booked on this cruise. I created a roll call here - https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2611963-may-16-2020-journey-to-caribbean/

 

 

One interesting thing i noticed about this sailing, the pricing has been going up and up!!. I booked this cruise when it first came out a few months ago, and my fare already increased by like 50 dollars..i wont be surpised to see the pricing going up in the future. 

 

[elcuchio24]

1 hour ago, phoneman69 said:

It's not a VIFP status issue. DW and i really enjoy cruising. The issue is why would not a returning guest ANY LEVEL get a better price for a room then a first timer ? I want Carnival to do well but do we not want to entice people to return. Now if you are a stock holder maybe your view is different.

 

I have never seen much financial booking advantages for past guests. We have other perks, obviously, but I just dont think its in their business model for big discounts for past cruisers. More of a 'we have good prices, but the price is the price'

[ray98]

1 hour ago, phoneman69 said:

It's not a VIFP status issue. DW and i really enjoy cruising. The issue is why would not a returning guest ANY LEVEL get a better price for a room then a first timer ? I want Carnival to do well but do we not want to entice people to return. Now if you are a stock holder maybe your view is different.

 

You still apparently don't understand.  ES has nothing to do with 'first timers', it is the lowest rate with the most restrictions and penalties that is open to all.  It is advertised as the absolute lowest commonly available rate and will be priced as such because you give up a good bit of freedom.

 

As a past guest you have another option which includes a free two category upgrade and the least restrictive terms and conditions.  It is slightly higher than ES but it comes with less risk.  For the 'first timer' to get a fare with the same upgrade and reduced restrictions will cost nearly $200 more p/p on your particular cruise for an inside.

 

Early Saver $834    Penalty for all changes after booking

Past guest $849     2 cat upgrade with no penalties until final payment...VIFP only

Fun Select $1029   2 cat upgrade with no penalties until final payment

 

 

Edited February 28, 2019 by ray98

[MCC retired]

 The same CCL Past Guest rates are available to any Carnival Corp Cruise Line guest who cruised at least once .

No big thing .

Early Saver is available too all whom want to take a small risk for the Best Rates up until almost sailing date.

There are choices here for a Past Guest concerned about the Lowest Rate.

Edited February 28, 2019 by MCC retired

[Georgie562]

Where*

[Bostwick girl]

Here's a good example.  I'm platinum with 24 cruises and 3 more booked. Last November we did an 8 day family cruise, so because I booked most of the rooms, I get the emails addressed to my grandson (3 time cruiser), his wife 1sr time cruiser) who are now VIFP.  He got an email last week from our PVP (I know it's a generic email, not really from her) with a great fun offer. Out of curiosity I did a mock booking using his number for a cruise I had just booked the day before, chose same deck, cabin next door, then went back and did it again using my number and to my surprise, his fare was $68 LESS than mine!  (That was less than my casino rate!) .I know Carnival is trying to entice new people to cruise, but it's just weird that his rate is less than mine.  

 

Just an observation.

 

Edited February 28, 2019 by Bostwick girl

[BigBuoys]

My god just book early saver and move on...

 

It's the same reason hotel rates are less than loyalty rates if you pay when you book versus at check-in. 

Edited February 28, 2019 by BigBuoys

[mpdog42]

This is a Option and I am serious...try other cruise Lines like RC or MSC...then if you like Carnival better.. come back or continue

to shop around..

 

Mike

 

Cruise brand loyalty does not mean much any more!!

Edited March 1, 2019 by mpdog42
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