VIFP# returns different available cabin results

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

I'm looking at a sailing on the Mardi Gras in 2024 (3/16/24). I was at another computer so I was looking at the available cabins again, but this time just using the default browser (Edge), which didn't autofill my VIFP#. Under suites I saw both Excel corner and aft corner suites as available - in addition to a few other types. Those Excel suites were not there previously.

 

I was thinking, "well - perhaps in the intervening couple of hours these became available". So when I got back over to my computer and checked (for discounts using my VIFP#), they were not showing any longer. Back to the other computer, I went through the process again (no VIFP#), and there they were again. Back to mine, not there! So, I cleared the VIFP field on my computer (using Chrome) and searched... there they were.

 

So, when I search without the VIFP # there are Excel options. When I go through my regular search (w/VIFP#), they are not being offered to me. In the interim, I went ahead and held an aft corner (the only one), and there are 4 forward corners remaining. I'd be interested to see if any of you look at that sailing and see the same issue (dummy booking both with and without VIFP #'s).

 

This is STRANGE, and makes me think that I've perhaps missed things (they've not been offered) in the past... or else this is an isolated glitch. Either way, STRANGE !

 

Tom

[craig01020]

In my experience, cruise lines only release some of the available cabins at any particular time. I often use Costco's cruise search feature which shows all available cabins on a specific cruise.

 

If I see a cabin that I want, I'll book a similar one on Carnival's site and put it on hold. They I'll call Carnival and ask to be moved to the cabin I really want.

Edited December 14, 2022 by craig01020

[pe4all]

Just looked for fun.  My Safari browser allows me to see 5 kinds of suites under my hot streak bonus - including  4 excel corner suites on decks 9 and 10  forward.  

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

1 hour ago, craig01020 said:

In my experience, cruise lines only release some of the available cabins at any particular time. I often use Costco's cruise search feature which shows all available cabins on a specific cruise.

...

 

Yes, I see that frequently too. This situation is a little different - it's that my (at least) VIFP # seems to cause some cabins not to be available, for whatever reason.

 

Tom

[quattrohead]

That is AI playing silly buggers with you.

Find the cabin you want without logging in, start the booking and then login during the booking process...I think that is an option.

Or just book it then call in.

[shof515]

6 minutes ago, quattrohead said:

 

Find the cabin you want without logging in, start the booking and then login during the booking process...I think that is an option.

 

yes..this is what i do. during the booking process page it will ask you to log in to auto fill in all of your information

[Eli_6]

I have had that happen not only with cabins, but even with date availability!  I often try searching in my incognito browser if I am really interested in a date.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

52 minutes ago, quattrohead said:

That is AI playing silly buggers with you.

Find the cabin you want without logging in, start the booking and then login during the booking process...I think that is an option.

Or just book it then call in.

 

Yeppers !
 

Yes, I went ahead and held it, then filled in the info.

 

Moral of this story, don't assume that the results you get are accurate!

Tom

[Eli_6]

1 minute ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

 

Yeppers !
 

Yes, I went ahead and held it, then filled in the info.

 

Moral of this story, don't assume that the results you get are accurate!

Tom

Your post prompted me to try this when Venezia Terrazza cabins didn't show up and, sure enough, they showed up when I used an icognito browser!  

[cruisingguy007]

I have seen this also and I always check with and without VFIP, usually without VFIP first and then with. Some offers are capacity controlled as well. As to why some only see "some" cabins available, the system will only show you a random set of ten cabins in each subcategory if there are a lot of cabins left. So when you select say balcony, then select forward/mid/aft and then see the results of the various decks, only ten will show max in each and that can change if you clear your browser or do another search at a different time.    

Edited December 14, 2022 by cruisingguy007

[hard_eight]

Sounds like a bug to me. 

 

Makes me wonder what we may have missed out on!

[pirate4me2]

This is very, very interesting. What awesome cabins have I missed out on due to this??

[sunonfire]

2 hours ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

 

Yes, I see that frequently too. This situation is a little different - it's that my (at least) VIFP # seems to cause some cabins not to be available, for whatever reason.

 

Tom

I find this especially true if there are sales or special rates. This was true on my Easter cruise.

[quattrohead]

This can work on all cruise lines, flights and hotels.

I always check logged in, logged out and private/incognito.

[sanmarcosman]

Just last month I checked My Offers and saw the rate for a cabin. I opened another Chrome browser without signing in to Carnival and the same cabin was there for the same sailing for $15 less than offered to my VIFP account. Not specific to Tom's situation perhaps but I'm adding this as an FYI to all.

[1BDNANA]

I defiantly miss the good old days when you could see every room available on a deck . Its almost like they are trying to offer less to make you feel like this is what we got.... if you don't grab it your gunna miss out.

 

[lindacat]

I get a lot of casino offers under my VIFP number.  The excel suites did not show up as available cabins to book under my number.  The Carnival Rep I talked to told me that it had to do with my offer code, certain cabins were blocked  I could see the suites under my mother's VIFP number.  

[Pellaz]

16 hours ago, quattrohead said:

This can work on all cruise lines, flights and hotels.

I always check logged in, logged out and private/incognito.

This can work on some big-box and warehouse store websites, too.   Browse or search the site as a guest, then browse/search while logged in...   Different results!   

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

4 hours ago, Pellaz said:

This can work on some big-box and warehouse store websites, too.   Browse or search the site as a guest, then browse/search while logged in...   Different results!   

 

Playin' the field !  😄 

 

Tom

[shof515]

4 hours ago, Pellaz said:

This can work on some big-box and warehouse store websites, too.   Browse or search the site as a guest, then browse/search while logged in...   Different results!   

noticed the same thing with the airlines. last week i reprice my flight due to this nonsense. its nice saving some money here and there

[StephPS79]

I believe the VFIP offers are capacity controlled in some way.  If there were different offers under different numbers, I could see different capacity being available - especially if there was a casino code on one.  

[Lander1215]

If you book under casino offer or heavily discounted offer,  only so many rooms are available for that offer.  Same has happened to me, my offer for suite, no suites available,  but when I do fake booking no vifp# shows suites available 

[Pellaz]

18 hours ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

Playin' the field !  😄 

 

Tom

 

It was odd.  I've noticed this weirdness with search results on Costco's website and also -- I think -- Northern Tool's.  

[Moviela]

I have access to an agency system and can see all available cabins. My offers often exclude expensive cabins. 

 

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

14 hours ago, Lander1215 said:

If you book under casino offer or heavily discounted offer,  only so many rooms are available for that offer.  Same has happened to me, my offer for suite, no suites available,  but when I do fake booking no vifp# shows suites available 

That makes sense, and I've seen that before when I go through the "Offers" section of my profile. It might only show inside or balcony cabins (and all the others are greyed out).

 

However, when one tries to book just using their VIFP#, you'd think that they'd want to show you every category available, especially the higher cost ones!

 

EDIT:  OH - Welcome to Cruise Critic !!!

 

Tom