queenpailhead

7 minutes ago, DebJ14 said:

I added it to my card and then called my TA.  I was planning on booking a cruise anyway, so I just asked her to put the $500 down as the deposit. I got the confirmation from AMEX that I used the benefit.  Today, the $100 credit is showing as coming from Carnival reservations. 

 

The last time they had the spend $750 and get back $150, I paid it toward our January cruise that was booked last year.  No credit came through.  I called AMEX and they said the cruise had to be booked within the time limit stated, so no credit for me.

 

We planned to book a January 2020 cruise for 3 anyway, so I booked it and paid the $750 deposit and sure enough the credit came through.  That credit also said it was issued by Carnival reservations.

Since you've used this before... the cruise I'm looking to book is about $1100. Can I book using my Amex and pay a $500 deposit, then pay another $500 before the deadline and get 2 different $100 credits??

If you don't buy a drink package find the deals.  I found several on my first (and only so far) cruise, like $2 mimosas in the casino daily for an hour, etc. And read the cruise newsletters, you can find out stuff like the $2 mimosas. 😉

Sorry for another post but I just saw that Sunrise goes to Ocho Rios and Grand Cayman the same time Elation goes to Amber Cove and Grand Turk. The prices are very similar. I'm new to cruising (only one cruise) and it was with RCI on Allure. I enjoy the ports and want to sail for a combo of the ports and the ship. I'm very interested in Grand Turk and Grand Cayman, not as thrilled with Amber Cove or Ocho Rios. But the thought of sailing the VERY newly refurbished Sunrise kind of excites me. Can anyone help my decision making? Keep in mind I don't know much about the Carnival ship "classes" but it appears Sunrise is a higher class ship compared to Elation? Anyone have comments on the ports each goes to?

Great points everyone. This trip is more relaxation than excitement. Allure was more excitement. Food is huge to DH and I both lol. If we were taking the kids (teens and tweens) we'd definitely go bigger but I think a smaller ship could be good for just the 2 of us.

Anyone know much about Amber Cove? I'm reading VERY mixed reviews, but I really would love to go to Grand Turk. 

13 hours ago, cruisinmom&2 said:

did you all book through Carnival?  Wondering if this would work if I booked through Costco or other Travel Agent?

This was my question as well, I'm about to book but was using a travel agent. Has anyone gotten the credit when using a TA?? Does it show up on your bill as Carnival or the agency?? I can't remember from my last booking through the TA if it said RCI or the agency.

Hi all, I'm a new cruiser. Cruised on RC's Allure of the Seas this summer and loved it. So DH and I are looking to book a Thanksgiving 2019 cruise for just the 2 of us and wanted to do a shorter cruise than the RC Oasis class provides. The ports that Carnival Elation hit that week (Grand Turk and Dominican) really interest us but I'm afraid that going from one of the Mothers of all Cruise Ships down to a smaller older ship we'll be thinking the whole time that it's disappointing. Anyone have the "perks" of Elation and/or the ports it hits? Anyone done a behemoth ship then dropped down to a small one and been disappointed or was it great in its' own right? Anyone have RC vs Royal thoughts?? I need to confirm booking pretty quickly as the cruise is nearing sell out due to being a holiday sailing but I'm having trouble pulling the trigger due to all of my concerns.