H
hampton
Guest
Hi guys, does anyone know if a ta price for a cruise is the same as carnivals, would there be any advantage booking direct? just wondering
thanks
thanks
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S
Sophie
Guest
i dont know of any advantage. and i think it usually cost more.
K
kakarp
Guest
Hi Hampton,
I can’t help with the TA part, but we have always booked right from Carnival. We have picked the cabin we want because I don’t trust the gty. cabin idea. Then I just keep an eye on Carnivals web site, and the Currents magazine we receive from them, and the e-mails I receive also from Carnival. When I or my DW see a sale or reduced price one of us call and have always gotten the new price.
For instance for my upcoming May cruise I booked two cabins on upper deck 6 both balconies. My DW and my brother and his DW. I booked these last June. The cost for my cabins on deck 6 were about 1049 per person. Saw sale and got down to 929 pp. Saw another sale got down to 849 pp and an upgrade to lido deck 9 two balconies. I could have had deck 10 but was to close to front of ship for my tastes. So I asked for lido deck and got it.
Last year after we had paid in full I saw a deal called Carnival and because we were paid in full Carnival credit back to my credit card the sum of $300. $150 pp. My brother took the $300 shipboard credit. At the end of the cruise he had not spent the $300 so on the last night went to the pursers desk and was given a check for the rest. The ship credit worked so well I wish I had elected for that option. Ship credit is what Carnival would rather give so I found out later.
I hope that this has somewhat helped you.
Kevin
I can’t help with the TA part, but we have always booked right from Carnival. We have picked the cabin we want because I don’t trust the gty. cabin idea. Then I just keep an eye on Carnivals web site, and the Currents magazine we receive from them, and the e-mails I receive also from Carnival. When I or my DW see a sale or reduced price one of us call and have always gotten the new price.
For instance for my upcoming May cruise I booked two cabins on upper deck 6 both balconies. My DW and my brother and his DW. I booked these last June. The cost for my cabins on deck 6 were about 1049 per person. Saw sale and got down to 929 pp. Saw another sale got down to 849 pp and an upgrade to lido deck 9 two balconies. I could have had deck 10 but was to close to front of ship for my tastes. So I asked for lido deck and got it.
Last year after we had paid in full I saw a deal called Carnival and because we were paid in full Carnival credit back to my credit card the sum of $300. $150 pp. My brother took the $300 shipboard credit. At the end of the cruise he had not spent the $300 so on the last night went to the pursers desk and was given a check for the rest. The ship credit worked so well I wish I had elected for that option. Ship credit is what Carnival would rather give so I found out later.
I hope that this has somewhat helped you.
Kevin
H
Herb & Judy
Guest
My wife and I have been on 8 Carnival cruises (12 in all). I usually book about 60 days out and always got what I thought was a good price, thinking that the discount online agencies offered the best price. This usually works. However, I just booked the Triumph through Carnival based on email alerts I get from them as a past guest. The price I got was better than Expedia, Travelocity, Vacatiions to Go, Anchors Away, Cruises.com and several others (I do a lot of Internet research). On top of that, Carnival gave me some valuable information on cabin selection that only they were aware of. In addition, I recived a complete list of all shore excursions, and prices as well as dinner menues for each night of the cruise. I never got any of that from the TA's. I found the customer service from a Personal Vacation Planner to be professional and informative. In addition, they made me feel very special and valued. I intend to book the rest of my cruises directly through Carnival.
C
coffeecups
Guest
I will only say due to previous posts this past year that you still need to be careful of who you deal with at carnival. There are some wonderful reps at carnival and there have been some also NOT to helpful reps too. Of course this is not from my experience, but from past posts on this forum.
My feeling is that who you pick to book your cruise is like a gamble. I personally have dealt with the same ta for the last 6 years. They give me discounts, and only once did I not get an upgrade (booked within 4 months of a near thanksgiving cruise), and this past year I was upgraded on a june cruise from 8a to 8e.--lido deck. Also, you have to be sure what the rep or ta is quoting! Does the quote include the port charges, for example.
Many people do find great deals in other ways, but personally I have found that the few times I have tried the internet, that they were no cheaper than the ta I use. But then, it may be possible that my ta in my locality is an excellent cruise agency.
Now, we don't fly, so perhaps someone can wise me up on whether flying affects the cruise package.
Conquest in June!!!!!!!
coffeecups
My feeling is that who you pick to book your cruise is like a gamble. I personally have dealt with the same ta for the last 6 years. They give me discounts, and only once did I not get an upgrade (booked within 4 months of a near thanksgiving cruise), and this past year I was upgraded on a june cruise from 8a to 8e.--lido deck. Also, you have to be sure what the rep or ta is quoting! Does the quote include the port charges, for example.
Many people do find great deals in other ways, but personally I have found that the few times I have tried the internet, that they were no cheaper than the ta I use. But then, it may be possible that my ta in my locality is an excellent cruise agency.
Now, we don't fly, so perhaps someone can wise me up on whether flying affects the cruise package.
Conquest in June!!!!!!!
coffeecups
H
hampton
Guest
thanks guys, ive found a few on the net maybe $50 cheaper than the ta. my wife would rather go to ta as its face to face etc.
J
jimlinalf
Guest
On our previous cruises we have booked with the cruise linel. Always got the reduction in price as it dropped. Didn't get any "free" treats from a travel agent, we just enjoyed the piece of mind that we got a very good price and the cabin we wanted.
Jim
Jim
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stutts
Guest
We have booked our last 2 cruises through Carnival because we have found that the other sites advertise lower prices but when you close the deal there are port charges, taxes, etc added that make it more expensive. Also Carnival will lower the price that you paid if it drops after you book. If you use the same person every trip they will call others in your party if you ask and make sure that everyone is together at meals etc. Booking through a b&m travel agent wasn't bad but I don't like to get second hand info. The price was not better because of the above mentioned and if we needed to ask a question he had to call Carnival then let us know. Overall I am more satisfied booking straight through Carnival. Also we have always gotten an upgrade.
