Upgrading with Casino Rate

[surfjock27]

I am going to try and explain this to where it makes sense.. LOL.

We are on the Mardi Gras in March. When we booked in January, we had a casino rate and booked an interior (for 2) for $294 a person. 
Now I am wanting to upgrade that to a balcony, but when I sign in, the casino rate is no longer available, although I know that rate is active again because others have it. For me to upgrade to a balcony now would be around $2,000 more. Someone mentioned on another thread you can only use one casino rate at a time, which is why I am unable to see it under my offers. Does anyone know if this is true? Would it be worth calling and seeing if I can upgrade at the casino rate, or am I out of luck because I should have booked a balcony to begin with back in January?

 

Thanks in advance and happy cruising!

[J41DP]

2 minutes ago, surfjock27 said:

I am going to try and explain this to where it makes sense.. LOL.

We are on the Mardi Gras in March. When we booked in January, we had a casino rate and booked an interior (for 2) for $294 a person. 
Now I am wanting to upgrade that to a balcony, but when I sign in, the casino rate is no longer available, although I know that rate is active again because others have it. For me to upgrade to a balcony now would be around $2,000 more. Someone mentioned on another thread you can only use one casino rate at a time, which is why I am unable to see it under my offers. Does anyone know if this is true? Would it be worth calling and seeing if I can upgrade at the casino rate, or am I out of luck because I should have booked a balcony to begin with back in January?

 

Thanks in advance and happy cruising!

I did basically the same thing on my last cruise. They say you cannot change your deal if the cruise is already paid in full. But if you call carnival and say I would like to upgrade my room and book it under a new deal they will work with you. Atleast they did for me.

[surfjock27]

2 minutes ago, J41DP said:

I did basically the same thing on my last cruise. They say you cannot change your deal if the cruise is already paid in full. But if you call carnival and say I would like to upgrade my room and book it under a new deal they will work with you. Atleast they did for me.

 

I feared that was the answer. Unfortunately, the best rate for a balcony right now is around another $2,200 being that I got the interior at such a great deal. When I initially booked, a balcony was around $400 more, and it's my fault for not biting. 

 

[J41DP]

I wouldn't necessarily give up on it unless your cruise is right around the corner. Keep an eye on the deals and something may come back around. Make sure you call the casino department from the start though no reason to wait on hold for twice as long since they'll have to transfer you over.

[d12j28]

11 minutes ago, surfjock27 said:

I am going to try and explain this to where it makes sense.. LOL.

We are on the Mardi Gras in March. When we booked in January, we had a casino rate and booked an interior (for 2) for $294 a person. 
Now I am wanting to upgrade that to a balcony, but when I sign in, the casino rate is no longer available, although I know that rate is active again because others have it. For me to upgrade to a balcony now would be around $2,000 more. Someone mentioned on another thread you can only use one casino rate at a time, which is why I am unable to see it under my offers. Does anyone know if this is true? Would it be worth calling and seeing if I can upgrade at the casino rate, or am I out of luck because I should have booked a balcony to begin with back in January?

 

Thanks in advance and happy cruising!

If it's not under your offers it probably expired. All the casino rates I have seen have been for certain sailings and you can use the same offer to book multiple cruises. 

 

Still wouldn't hurt to call and ask. 

[1kaper]

14 minutes ago, surfjock27 said:

I am going to try and explain this to where it makes sense.. LOL.

We are on the Mardi Gras in March. When we booked in January, we had a casino rate and booked an interior (for 2) for $294 a person. 
Now I am wanting to upgrade that to a balcony, but when I sign in, the casino rate is no longer available, although I know that rate is active again because others have it. For me to upgrade to a balcony now would be around $2,000 more. Someone mentioned on another thread you can only use one casino rate at a time, which is why I am unable to see it under my offers. Does anyone know if this is true? Would it be worth calling and seeing if I can upgrade at the casino rate, or am I out of luck because I should have booked a balcony to begin with back in January?

 

Thanks in advance and happy cruising!

I'm not sure what you mean by you can only see one casino rate at a time.

I am booked on a March cruise and have casino offers available right now for other cruises.  I don't have the option to book a March cruise at a casino offer though (I considered a B2B).  
 

[surfjock27]

16 minutes ago, J41DP said:

I did basically the same thing on my last cruise. They say you cannot change your deal if the cruise is already paid in full. But if you call carnival and say I would like to upgrade my room and book it under a new deal they will work with you. Atleast they did for me.

 

Do you know that direct number, by chance?

[Virga]

I have a related question, my apologies for the hijack.  

 

How about if a better casino deal is offered before you sail?  Can a sympathetic agent or good PVP transfer the payments from the initial booking to a new booking on the same sailing?  I assume you can until Feb 15th, at least, but under normal circumstances, is it usually doable?

[J41DP]

7 minutes ago, surfjock27 said:

 

Do you know that direct number, by chance?

1-866-299-5859

I may be wrong but that's what I used the last time. I'm pretty sure.

[J41DP]

3 minutes ago, Virga said:

I have a related question, my apologies for the hijack.  

 

How about if a better casino deal is offered before you sail?  Can a sympathetic agent or good PVP transfer the payments from the initial booking to a new booking on the same sailing?  I assume you can until Feb 15th, at least, but under normal circumstances, is it usually doable?

The only reason I was able to was because I upgraded my room. If you've already paid in full and want the same room type I doubt they will do it. 

[d12j28]

5 minutes ago, Virga said:

I have a related question, my apologies for the hijack.  

 

How about if a better casino deal is offered before you sail?  Can a sympathetic agent or good PVP transfer the payments from the initial booking to a new booking on the same sailing?  I assume you can until Feb 15th, at least, but under normal circumstances, is it usually doable?

They will do it but depending how far out before you sail you may get hit will cancellation penalties. They would basically cancel and then rebook under the new offer.

[Virga]

Oh, in case this is helpful: when I was trying to figure out how these casino offers worked, I called in and learned that for every casino offer, they set a number of uses.  Last round, we had two uses (each) for the two 'great' cheap rate codes that included Freeplay and DoUE, and EIGHT uses each for the 'good' cheap rate codes that just included drinks in the casino.  I'm sure it's different for everyone based on the algorithm - before we gambled enough to put us on their radar, we each only got a single use code so the offer disappeared immediately after booking.

[Jim and Monika]

Some offers can be used more than once, others only once. I found this out when I did a courtesy hold through Carnival and had our Travel Agent look for the same rate with incentives available from them. They were unable to see the rate I had, and I thought it had expired. When I cancelled the courtesy hold, it showed back up. It was a rate that could only be used once. The Casino office might be able to work with you on switching the room.

[lowroller]

2 hours ago, 1kaper said:

I'm not sure what you mean by you can only see one casino rate at a time.

I am booked on a March cruise and have casino offers available right now for other cruises.  I don't have the option to book a March cruise at a casino offer though (I considered a B2B).  
 

I currently do not have any offers, yesterday at least a 1/2 dozen. If I remember I had plenty of time to book them. Can you or anyone else see your offers right now or is the web page not up?

 

[1kaper]

14 minutes ago, lowroller said:

I currently do not have any offers, yesterday at least a 1/2 dozen. If I remember I had plenty of time to book them. Can you or anyone else see your offers right now or is the web page not up?

 

I can still see Jackpot deals that say they are "

• Exclusive Carnival Players Club^® offer
•  

[cruisewiththekids]

I'm wondering about upgrading too with a casino rate.   Anyone ever try upgrading once on-board?   

[pe4all]

I always book under some kind of casino rate.  I sailed on Freedom last week.(1/23)   I had booked an L-shaped balcony.  It was paid in full a while ago.  2 weeks before we sailed I saw the aft-wrap next to my L-shape open up.  I called my pvp, and upgraded for $300 - a bargain on top of the low casino rate I had booked.

 

[mumofsons]

Here is my experience with this.  We are sailing on Panorama on 2/28 and booked an inside Havana - I had a ton of OBC - I called one day because hubs isn't that impressed with Havana - (we have sailed previously on Vista) so I wanted to move to a balcony - the Carnival rep said well you booked with a casino rate so we can't move you since there are no rooms left for that rate - if you want to change you would lose your OBC - didn't sound correct but I said thanks but no thanks.  A couple of days later called again and I got it changed without penalty and the balcony room was cheaper.  I personally loved the Havana area - but even in families - different strokes from different folks 😂

 

[yourmomthxd]

On 2/2/2022 at 11:29 AM, mumofsons said:

A couple of days later called again and I got it changed without penalty and the balcony room was cheaper.

Hi! I know this is an old post but i’m having a similar issue where i cant upgrade my current room. I just want to move to a higher level but when I call in and try to upgrade, they said it will void the casino deal I have because the casino deal I have can only be used once. I was wondering how you were able to call them and get them to upgrade because I keep on hearing no from customer service. 

[Elaine5715]

51 minutes ago, yourmomthxd said:

Hi! I know this is an old post but i’m having a similar issue where i cant upgrade my current room. I just want to move to a higher level but when I call in and try to upgrade, they said it will void the casino deal I have because the casino deal I have can only be used once. I was wondering how you were able to call them and get them to upgrade because I keep on hearing no from customer service. 

Things have changed since all the vaccine requirements are ended.  This is when having a PVP pays off.  If if can be done, a PVP can do it but understand, there are many nuances that make a difference that isn't apparent to the average guest.  

[lazydayz]

17 hours ago, Elaine5715 said:

Things have changed since all the vaccine requirements are ended.  This is when having a PVP pays off.  If if can be done, a PVP can do it but understand, there are many nuances that make a difference that isn't apparent to the average guest.  

 

Agreed.  I call my PVP and he does his best to get me the new deal.  But generally, I have to have a new deal for him to move it to.  One time I was charged a cancellation fee (changed ship and dates), all the others he was able to just do it.  And you can always check with your PVP to see what an upgrade would cost if you don't have any other deals.  

[resetjet]

You can still get an upgrade call.  Monitor your phone.  It may come up telemarketer.  You must answer or they will move on to the next guest.