How should I book my Carnival cruise

[lauera9482]

Should I book my Carnival cruise through the Carnival website, over the phone with Carnival, or with a travel agent.


I plan on going in summer 2009 and am planning on getting a catagory 11 or 12 suite.

Thanks

[Trip]

My advice would be to go with a crusie specialist travel agent. They will be your travel advocate, with any issues that arise..They will also , or should, let you know when prices go down on our booking. Remember to always get insurance for your trip as well. Good luck!

[lauera9482]

Thanks a lot for your help

[DENcruise]

if the price goes down, will they sell it to you for the lower price? And is that only if you haven't yet paid the entire fare? I had not heard of that. Thanks!

[IBCRUZIN']

I would book directly through Carnival and just keep checking the price to see if there has been a price reduction. On categories that high, the price generally doesn't go down because there are few cabins in that class and they sell out before the cruiseline has to reduce price to entice sales.

If you book through a TA and something (anything) comes up, you can only deal with the TA, who may or may not have their own agenda. Once you book through a TA, most times the cruiseline will not deal with you directly.

For what it is worth, unless a TA is giving you some really great deal, it is easier to just deal directly with the cruiseline.

[IBCRUZIN']

Originally Posted by DENcruise

if the price goes down, will they sell it to you for the lower price? And is that only if you haven't yet paid the entire fare? I had not heard of that. Thanks!

If the price goes down before you have made final payment and you bring it to the cruiselines attention (you have to call them or have your TA call), they will adjust your price.

If the price goes down AFTER you have made your final payment, they will either give you an upgrade or give you the different between what you paid and the reduced price in OBC (onboard credit) to be spent on the ship however you like.

For this reason, most price reductions come after the cut off for final payment which is usually 60 - 90 days before the cruise.

[Trip]

They should adjust your fare..call your agent to find out our specifics about thow they handle it...I have had price adjustments. You can periodically check the prices too, as well...Be pro- active.

[skymaster]

I have indeed had price adjustments, both before and after final payment. My TA can, and does handle the adjustments just the same as the Carnival PVC does, so that isn't an issue. As IBC said, they will lower the final payment, if final payment hasn't been made yet, or make the refund as an on board credit if final payment has been made.
I ALWAYS watch the price of cruises that I've got booked, and perhaps 10% of the time, the price goes down before I sail.

Good luck, and have a GREAT cruise.

Ken
"SkyMaster"

[Sammy1954]

You can book any of the three ways but I always use a travel agent and
get the insurance so that if prices go down or they run a special I can get that rate as long as its before final payment so I was told. If I understand that correct.
If you are not happy with something and are using a travel agent you can just stop in to complain or call them on the phone.. lol
I always book so far ahead of time like almost a year that I for the most part get the best price for my cabin unless they run a upgrade special.



sammy 1954

[M&M MOUSERS]

I used to use a TA, but had a problem with one lowering my price when the price of the cruise went down. So, I started booking directly with Carnival and have been totally satisfied. No problems having my rate lowered, even after final payment. Carnival guarantees that direct booking will be the lowest price, and they offer discounts (military etc.) I couldn't get from my TA.
Happy Cruising.

[worthew8]

I couldn't find anything cheaper than booking through Travelocity. They were $600.00 cheaper than Carnvial and $200.00 cheaper than Expedia and Orbitz. I got the insurance to protect my investment. I didn't try a TA so I can't compare that. I agree that suites go quick.

Good luck!

[AlaskanGrown]

I have found Carnival Vacation Planners (CVP) to be very helpful. I now use only one, she has given me her email, and direct line, so its very easy to ask a quick question or give her a call whenever I feel the need to. Plus I feel like an exclusive clinet of hers because she always knows my information reguarding the booking number and the sailing dates better then I do, so every cruise I book, I just call her up and she gets me set up the same way every time, just the way I like it. Send me an IM if you want her info, shes a great lady to work with at Carnival.

[rsumrow79]

We have always booked through a TA on all of our past cruises and trips. But on our last cruise we booked with a PVP direct with Carnival. The process was great and also ended with us getting an awesome upgrade. So for any cruises we take in the future we will book with our PVP, but will continue to use our TA for any land based trips. Just make sure to get the travel insurance regardless of who you use. On our Honeymoon almost 4 years ago, we were in Jamaica and run off by Hurricane Ivan and did not have the right insurance and it cost us big time. Its better to have it and not need it, then need it and not have it. Have a great trip.

Randy and Heather

[lauera9482]

I ended up getting a cat. 12 suite. I used Cruises-N-More and got a discount of over $300 per person. Carnival wanted to charge me a little over $4,600 and I got it for under $4000.