What is the best way to go about getting a better deal on a Carnival cruise?

Question

I am going on a cruise in the next few months and will be calling Carnival directly about booking (along with talking to TAs and searching online). Obviously, I would like the best deal possible. What is the best way to go about asking for a better deal that what Carnival offers on their website (or deals offered on rival travel websites)? Anyone know of any tips/tricks that have worked other than playing them off one another? If anyone had good experiences with a Carnival rep, please feel free to pass along their name! :)

Answer 1

I have not checked all the various travel sites mentioned above. And that is great advice and all, I'm sure it will yield some rewards. I try the big name travel sites like Expedia, Aol Travel and Travelocity, they all have the same prices that the cruiseline directly gets. Travel agents have NEVER found me a cheaper price and really push for travel insurance and stuff like that. I'm not saying a travel agent isn't a good idea but they are not going to save you money.

One way I have gotten GREAT deals on Carnival cruises is through Costco Travel. All you have to have is a membership to Costco and the travel agency is free. I have gotten up to a 10% discount on cruises through them. For example, I'm looking at a cruise to the Eastern Caribbean in April of 2008. Carnival.com and all the other sites I mentioned are quoting $1811 for 3 people in an oceanview room while Costco can do it for $1695. Thats some darn good savings to me and I already have a Costco membership. I've gone through them before and they were super great as well.

I have not tried any other cruise line through Costco except for Royal Caribbean. They told me Royal Caribbean does not allow them to discount the cruises but they do offer free travel insurance and an amenity basket in your room, so its something.

Good luck!

Answer 2

First I would like to say, I would honestly consider Royal Caribbean over Carnival any day! You can't imagine the problems I have had with them from experience.

Also, I am going to answer from a Travel Agent view. Everyone wants to get the best price; hey I do myself nothing wrong with that. However when saying call Carnival, call a few TAs and search various online sites. Think of the time you are spending one for you online and two, well possibly wasting an agents time. In the first few min. you can a lot of times tell if an agent knows what they are doing.

Now in searching all these options, the amount you may save really isn't going to be a lot. So you will have to determine if hours on end of time spent is worth saving maybe $20.00 or $30.00 bucks. I know for me my time is much more valuable to save over a few dollars.

Hey compare 2 different, via online and carnival direct and see the difference I can almost but guarantee there won't be a big one, if any.

Someone else noted that call up and tell them you found this price and they want your money so badly they will match it. Do places price match sometimes, of course we do. Keep in mind though we know if it is realistic or if one is throwing out a figure "they would like to pay".

I can't speak for all agents on this comment, but the ones I work with I work very hard for them and nothing is worse working different avenues to get a client the best price only for them to not want to pay a $20.00 dollar service fee.

So please take those points into consideration. I know you said you didn't want to play a bunch of people off on one another, but call a few agencies and that is what you are doing.

Again I'm not saying don't do some searching, in fact I recommend it. Just please be honest and don't spend so much time on something that this time could be used for so much more important things such as doing something you love or spending times with the ones you love.

Have a Great Cruise!

Answer 3

I have always cruised with Carnival and have never booked directly with them. These are the steps I take in order to ensure I have done all of my homework. Obviously, you can always call a Carnival PVP to see if they will match the prices.

1. Start out at vacationstogo.com. They have reasonable rates and it's the easiest to see all of the ports and embarkation dates. They generally have good deals, but you can get it cheaper (also, note that their prices do not include government taxes, and the prices quoted are for guaranteed rooms).
2.Go to cruisecheap.com. THey will generally have better rates than vacationtogo.com.
3. Use the rate from cruisecheap.com to get a quote from beatanycruiseprice.com (The Cruise Line Ltd). They will beat that price!
4. Finally, go to cruisecompete.com; They will beat the quote from beatanycruiseprice.com. I still book with beatanycruiseprice.com, just because I trust them and they are SUPER nice.

Make them fight for you-- the cruise industry is so oversaturated right now that most places will fight over getting a cruiser to book with them, and you will get a good deal. Do you qualify for special rates? You do if you live in a certain area of the US, you are military (active or retired), sometimes they will even give discounts for law enforcement and fire fighters, and have you cruised with them or any of their sister cruiselines (ie Costa, Princess, etc). Always ask about these deals if you think you qualify.

Let me know if you have any additional questions. I track cruise rates as a hobby, so I have a pretty good idea of what's out there. Also, check out cruisecritic.com. They have really good forums with more advice on this subject, and great reviews of specific ships and ports of call, which will help you choose where you want to go.

Answer 4

I would check all the major travel sites, and find the best rate, I would either book directly with the cruise line or online directly from the cruise lines site. If you call, you can usually get a better deal you tell them the cruise you are looking at and tell them that you found such and such rate on another sight for the same cruise on either a different line or for their line and they will more then likely beat that, because they are so interested in your business and what your business, and your money. Then serach your airfare as I recommend going down the day before as if you leave the same day as your cruise departs that gets really really hectic. Good luck.

Answer 5

Hi

Information on this are plenty, but the kind of information you need to make a good decision is hard to come by. I got tired of searching all over the place until I came across

http://www.klikks.com/guide_cruise

which has lots of information on cruise vacation and especially on a book written by an ex-Travel Agents which is a guide as a result of years of searching, studying, and scouring hundreds of websites, stores, and magazines - "Super Cruise Guide".

It shows you:
* How To Find The Best Deal On Your Cruise,
* Know The Travel Agency Ploys To Avoid,
* Become More 'In Tune' With Your Cruise Vacation Budget and
:ots more in just 5 Days?

You should check it out.

http://www.klikks.com/guide_cruise

Answer 6

Best way to get prices is to go to the website below they search every website for the best prices also they have 24 hour customer care and personlized service. Check it out

http://travelbureau.worldventures.com/wvindex.html

Dave

Answer 7

I've used in few occasions Yahoo Travel for reference, it's definately better to shop around.

http://travel.yahoo.com/?qs=s

Answer 8

Give us a call at http://www.huontravel.com.au I will see what I can do for you

Answer 9

I second that, try vacationstogo.com!