In the beginning we always used a TA but now Carnival seems to give as good a price as any TA can usually get. I think our past guest status helps also!
Always used a TA. Found a good one on our second cruise and have used them for the past seven. Also have 2 more booked. We used the same TA for our 2 Disneyworld trips over the past 4 years also. They seem to treat us great every time. Rick
We used a PVP with Carnival and she was great. Last cruise went with Vacations To Go, our PVP could not beat the price. I liked the bottle of wine we got from Vacations to go the first night also. I would go with the best deal.
We looked at Vacations to Go and at Carnival, and found Carnival gave the best orice. We booked with carnival when we went on our cruise this year and they never steered us wrong. So I guess that helped in booking with Carnival again.
We started out booking with a TA then we moved to a PVP at Carnival. Our first PVP was totally awesome, knew exactly what he was doing and worked hard for us. We booked many cruises with him and liked him enough that we passed up the group perks to book a group cruise of 24 cabins directly with him. Then he left Carnival, we've been through 3 PVPs since including the most recent who flat out misled me and then booked me in a cabin on a higher deck that I specifically said I didn't want because she felt it was best for me because it was the best deal (I wasn't looking for best cabin, I was looking for best price). Since then I've booked three with vacations to go and I have been very very pleased. Especially with the most recent which ended up being $30 less per person than even the price that they were showing on their website.
I have booked through a Carnival PVP and Travelocity and I can honestly say I have been content with both experiences. I like the convenience of doing my research online and not having to call someone whenever I have one little question. For my next cruise, I will probably try out CruiseCompete. It is such a neat website. I actually tested it out after booking my last cruise just to see what it would give me and just about all the quotes I got back were cheaper than what I booked with Carnival.
Just as a word of warning!!!! Always be sure that the quote you receive has included the port taxes, and stuff. You might think you are getting a great deal until you see the bottom line.
Louanne, Never had a problem with that, vacations to go is very up front. We did have to pay for the whole trip when we made the booking. Most places include all the port charges and taxes, I have never ran across any that didn't. Thank God!!! Lynn Anne
Just as a word of warning!!!! Always be sure that the quote you receive has included the port taxes, and stuff. You might think you are getting a great deal until you see the bottom line.
I assume this message is for me since I mentioned "quotes". All the ones I received through CruiseCompete included port fees and taxes. Many of the quotes I received were around $40 cheaper (per person) than what I received from Carnival or what I would have received from Travelocity. Not that much but it was something.
BTW, I love how we can talk about TAs and specific PVPs in detail on this message board. The Cruise Critic message board prohibits talk like this for some reason and even disabled personal messaging.
I have done LOTS of websurfing of all the travel web sites and consistently all of the prices are the same whether it be Carnival or any other site. I am told that if you call these web sites directly that you can get a better price quote. Anyone have any thoughts on this?
Just as a word of warning!!!! Always be sure that the quote you receive has included the port taxes, and stuff. You might think you are getting a great deal until you see the bottom line.
I assume this message is for me since I mentioned "quotes". All the ones I received through CruiseCompete included port fees and taxes. Many of the quotes I received were around $40 cheaper (per person) than what I received from Carnival or what I would have received from Travelocity. Not that much but it was something.
BTW, I love how we can talk about TAs and specific PVPs in detail on this message board. The Cruise Critic message board prohibits talk like this for some reason and even disabled personal messaging.
Not directed just to you, but to all of those who come after us, who do not know this.
I have done LOTS of websurfing of all the travel web sites and consistently all of the prices are the same whether it be Carnival or any other site. I am told that if you call these web sites directly that you can get a better price quote. Anyone have any thoughts on this?
What you hear is ABSOLUTLEY correct. Many cruise lines, including Carnival, set policies in place prohibiting travel agents from advertising rates cheaper than their own (other than group rates). HOWEVER the agents are allowed to discount from their commissions and sell the cruises for less. To get the information on what their best price is now requires a direct email or phone call.
Unfortunately you can no longer find out what the best price is just by surfing web sites.
Do You Book With A TA or Carnival?
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