How do you book?

[tiggerman101]

I have done just about every way. I usually just call and book with the person that answers the phone. I always know exactly what I want and have it all ready. They love me....

I occasionally use a TA that is a friend of mine just to give him some buisness. I will throw him a cruise especially if it is fairly last minute and I am paying everything right then. I figure I might as well give him a commission. I used him for my upcoming Asia cruise because he did a similar one last year (same ports) and I knew he would share a lot of info with me.

I have booked online a couple times as well. It is easy and fast and no biog deal.

Early on I tried to use a PVP, but I hated trying to reach him on his hours, etc. I know many here wiould argue, but I personally do not seethe need for one.

[TMWTim]

I always, always call Carnival. I, too, know exactly what I want before calling and I let the person know first and foremost that I will more than likely be buying a cruise from them paid in full. It seems to snap them in to shape and REALLY help me getting the cabin I want and so forth.

It is really easy as well. Being a passed cruiser with Carnival they can easily pull up my info and the process is much easier then using the website.

I have never used a TA. I probably would have when I was researching our first cruise but this website made me feel comfortable and answered every question I had.


If Carnival outsourced their call centers to India I would be extremely upset. For those of you that have had to speak to India on something you know exactly what I mean.

[Almost Packed]

I book on the phone with whatever CCL rep answers the phone. I pull up the CCL website, and check everything as we are talking, going over cabin options etc. Her/his price has always been the same as what I see online.

For me, there is no need to have a TA involved unless perhaps you have a complicated iten. and you were booking land vacations before/after your cruise. Other than that, they just complicate it and keep you from being able to make changes to your booking.

I have used a TA for a few land vacations involving a complicated iten and changes in country..but other than that, I'll do it myself and be in charge of my own booking.

but that's just me.

[Anzac]

I've seen some online sites that promise OBC and their rates seen to be the same as carnivals website, Does anyone have any experience with these online agencies?

[TMWTim]

Originally Posted by Anzac

I've seen some online sites that promise OBC and their rates seen to be the same as carnivals website, Does anyone have any experience with these online agencies?

I have clicked those websites and after spending a good deal of time researching it I have always found the the CCL website offers the best deal. Others may have got a better deal but we haven't been able to.

It is kinda funny because tonight my wife checked the military travel website and there is a cruise in Dec out of Gal for $550 per/balcony. I checked CCL to compare and CCL was almost $100 cheaper p/per.

[Anzac]

The obc would be nice if the price is the same. But has anyone tried it?

[wb3690]

Our first cruise I just booked online. then I had to switch it and called. I ended up with a great rep and they gave us a good room and helped alot. I will probably call next time as I want more than one room and I want them together.

[C_hasRedBottoms]

I use my PVP. She's great!

[ccruisequeen]

Check prices and deals and cabins available online, then call PVP to finalize details.

[Sneezykevina]

Oh the phone so we can get the best discounts and our PVP has been very helpful AND when we take the kids we want adjoining cabins and it's easier for him to do it.

This time they were all booked but we can get the balcoony divider opened for us which is fine.

[ibcnusoon]

If I am booking a Carnival cruise, I will call Carnival directly and tell them which room I want. I figure I can do this online, but I'd rather see someone making some money off it. Also, this way I can call Carnival anytime with questions about my reservation.

When I booked with NCL, I went with a major online cruise discounter. Their prices were about $400 less than going with NCL, plus I was able to upgrade for free from an oceanview to a balcony, plus receive $100 OBC and have my deposits deferred until 100 days before cruising. LOTS and LOTS of perks I got by booking with them and remember too, they were $$$ less than going directly with NCL.

Too bad Carnival won't let TA's give out discounts such as this, I would have booked with Carnival again.

[tracyvansmith]

I book with a TA. But not all TA's are created equal the same goes for PVPs so when you find one you like keep them.

[BigDfromTN]

I send a text message to her cell phone when I decide what I want. She locks it all down and then calls we when its handy to get my credit card number and finalize the deal.

Gotta love good service!

[ohio beach girl]

Last night I used a pvp, he got me 3 cabins in a row that didn't show up online. I think it is a great location.
Last Carnival cruise I used the 800 number and whoever answered the phone, which luckily for me was a woman who knew her stuff.
I have used a TA (friend of the family) for a couple of cruises several years ago.

I like to have control of the booking myself and part of the fun and anticipation of the trip is researching the ports.

[askimdog]

I watch the Carnival website constantly when planning our cruise. We plan 12-16 months in advance and cruise in Dec. or Jan. We look for 7 days out of a port where we have friends ( one of several). We cruise as 3 and look for a inside Riviera deck cheap. Once one falls into budget ( last year was 3 in a cabin for about 1045.00), we take it.

We keep an eye for a drop then. ironically, we never had a drop occur in the last 2 cruises, we just seemed to pull the trigger at the right time.

[tmac04]

I have used a TA and a PVP. I prefer to call in my reservation because I can pick my cabin earier that way. I have crappy internet & it takes forever to book on line. The ironic part to a PVP, I have never been able to get that person on the phone a second time!

[2Littletime2]

We've done it all, started booking with a great TA, then booked with Carnival through the 'whoever answers the phone' method, then we had a great PVP who we booked a few with, then we had a lousy PVP followed by an "okay" online booking, then followed by an 'okay' TA, then another lousy PVP and the last few have been with a fantastic PVP. When the PVPs are good, they are very very good, but when they are not... I think it you have a fantastic TA, stick with it, if you have a fantastic PVP stick with it. I like the personal touch so I've pretty much decided that I'm unlikely to be an online cruise booker