Cruise Passenger Wonders Why They Misplaced $250 Credit score After “Improve” to New Cabin

Planning a cruise, particularly a honeymoon cruise, usually includes reserving early to get the right cabin and make the most of any promotions. However what occurs when plans change, and also you determine you need a totally different cabin class?

A future Carnival cruise passenger not too long ago confronted this very scenario and discovered they’d be dropping their $250 OBC (onboard credit score) in the event that they went by with it.

A current submit on Reddit introduced up a typical–and irritating– scenario the place a passenger found that making a cabin change themselves meant giving up helpful authentic reserving perks.

The unique poster shared their expertise reserving an Alaskan cruise for his or her 2026 honeymoon again in December 2024. Initially, they opted for an inside cabin, securing a proposal that included $250 in Onboard Credit score (OBC) and free drinks.

Nevertheless, they later determined {that a} honeymoon warranted one thing a bit nicer and regarded into “upgrading.”

The Surprising Catch

Their try to modify cabins, first on-line after which by calling Carnival, revealed an surprising catch. They had been advised that in the event that they selected to maneuver to the balcony cabin, they’d lose their authentic promotional provide as a result of the $250 OBC and free on line casino drinks had been now not obtainable promotions.

They must decide a brand new, much less helpful provide presently being marketed. The long run passenger was keen to pay virtually $1700 extra for the balcony however didn’t anticipate to lose the perks that got here with the preliminary reserving.

“Is that this regular? Is there anyway round it? And/or what would you do?” the person requested.

Why This Is Regular

To start with, sure, that is regular.  What the individual was attempting to do was primarily rebook the cruise.  And once you rebook a cruise cabin you lose the unique perks and promotional offers that got here with it. 

Nevertheless, there may very well be some new promotions that you could nonetheless make the most of.

Responses from the Reddit additionally added some perception into this frequent misunderstanding. It is a normal follow when a passenger initiates a change in cabin class. As one commenter put it,

“It’s regular when you’re upgrading of your personal selection, and the promotion you initially had is now not obtainable.”

Promotions and pricing are consistently altering within the cruise business. Your authentic reserving is tied to the particular provide obtainable on the time you booked it. While you determine to vary your cabin class, the cruise line treats this not simply as a easy swap, however successfully as canceling your outdated reserving and making a new reserving.

You don’t get to maintain the very best elements of each the outdated and new presents; you get the package deal obtainable once you make the brand new reserving.  It form of reminds you of the cliché of getting your cake and consuming it too, proper?

Are There Any Alternate options?

The Carnival agent reportedly steered two alternate options to the passenger: wait to see if Carnival sends them an improve provide (which could permit them to maintain their authentic perks) or try to improve as soon as on the ship.

Nevertheless, as the unique poster and others famous, ready carries danger, particularly for in style itineraries like Alaska the place the very best cabins like balconies are likely to promote out nicely prematurely.

The Predominant Takeaway

The complicated half for a lot of is the distinction between you selecting to vary your cabin and the cruise line providing an improve.

When you determine to vary your cabin class after you e-book, the cruise line sometimes sees it as canceling your first reserving and beginning a new one underneath at present’s phrases. Your authentic promotions are often tied to that first reserving and are misplaced.

Nevertheless, if the cruise line presents you an improve, they usually allow you to preserve your authentic perks.

This rule pressured the honeymooners to weigh their choices: Get the balcony now and quit their helpful freebies, or preserve their perks and hope for a cruise line improve later, which isn’t assured.

The primary takeaway? Should you change your cabin class your self after reserving, anticipate it to be handled like a brand new reservation. You’ll get present presents, not essentially the good deal you began with.