Some Details On The One Day Sale (and a consumer warning)

The details are beginning to emerge! They are selling Carnival Gift Certificates in addition to the two category upgrade offer. More details are posted here on this YTB page Looking at the details, well, look for yourself...

2007 Carnival Gift Certificates are now available for a limited time! Great gifts for Parents, Relatives, Close Friends, Business Acquaintances, Employees, Party Giveaways or a Special Unexpected Holiday Surprise.

Certificate Prices are for Two People sharing a Stateroom and are available in different categories for each length of cruise. Once purchased and awarded all certificates can be upgraded by the recipient for an additional fee. Certificate levels include all Carnival Ships sailing itineraries of that length except as noted. Certificates are valid for 18 months. Certificate purchase requires signed agreement.

Choose how you cruise!
Special - This award can only be used from September 1st to December 15th. The price includes cruise fare and port charges only. Federal Taxes and Paid Gratuities are not included and must be paid at time of booking.

OK, so you need to buy it on November 8, 2007. Use it before December 15, 2007, and prepay a gratuity for service that has yet to be rendered? Now who is getting the special deal here?

Oh and check out the restrictions....

Restrictions:
4 Day Certificates: Weekend sailings excluded
5 Day Certificates: NY & 6 Day sailings excluded
7 Day Certificates: Valid on: Carnival Destiny, Carnival Glory, Carnival Victory, Carnival Legend,
Carnival Valor, Carnival Triumph, and Carnival Liberty only.

Extra Special 3 and 4 Day Cruises:
$398.00 (does not include taxes, fees or pre-paid gratuities)
Valid on Fall sailings from Miami on Carnival Fascination only.

I also note that YTB has been making noise about their RTAs being REFERRING Travel Agents and they do not refer to them as "Travel Agents". But in the above webpage, they do refer to them as "Travel Agents" and also in their press release! Seems like they want it both ways again. Just like their sales numbers. Perhaps REFERRING is not a comfortable word with consumers any more?

CONSUMER WARNING!

When you go to purchase that cruise certificate, your data is NOT secure. The page where you are required to input your credit card is NOT a secure page. Check out the URL:

THE URL HAS NOW BEEN CHANGED AND IT IS A SECURE PAGE.

My advice is to NOT book anything online at this page. When transacting any e-business, always look for the "S" in the URL address. To protect your data, and possibly identity, the URL should begin with https://www.your....