Now is the perfect time to start shopping for cruises and our Carnival Cruise Tracker is already finding some surprisingly discounted fares. Normally announced only to Carnival Cruises Lines’ registered email viewers, the cruising giant is openly advertising prices that have sent shock waves through the cruising industry. Combining this bold marketing tactic along with their 110% price guarantee must certainly be cause for competitors such as Disney Cruise Lines and Celebrity to rethink how they are positioned in the lucrative mainstream cruise marketplace. Carnival’s compelling call to action pages may well turn shoppers into buyers much earlier in the season. Travel industry experts agree that once a cruise is booked, especially with first time cruises, they are rarely canceled. Carnival Cruise Lines marketing push to encourage potential passengers to book reservations directly at their website further fuels its efforts to gain market share and further entrench brand loyalty. The move must certainly be paying off in a big way.
Let’s use our handy Carnival Cruise Tracker to see just how they position their Early Saver Program – “Sail for Less Than $70 Per Day”. Let’s see if it is really such a great deal:
Taken directly from their website, a 6-8 day cruise starts at a very bargain price starting at $349 or less than $70 per day. Okay so far, but what does that price include? True, much of the amenities on-board are included in this rock-bottom price but you will need to take the extra time to ensure you don’t have unpleasant surprises during your dream cruise.
What About the Fine Print?
Oh, it’s there alright here is a link to Carnival Early Saver Program but in a broad strokes, the fine print goes like this:
Carnival may charge an additional $9 per day per person if the price of oil exceeds $70 per barrel. The offer is double occupancy so there is a potential surcharge of up to a whopping $144. That great deal on a cruise just got bumped from $349 per person to $421 per person . What about government fees, you know, taxes? Sorry, folks. Add another “up to” number. This time up to $145.85 per person. Let’s see, that’s now $569.50 per person.
Is $569.50 per person for a 6-8 day Carnival Cruise a good deal? Let’s just say that it is an okay deal but nothing to rave about. You can do better. Much better.
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