lizardhowson

It's like all the people who think they just HAVE to book ES to get price drops and don't realize that they can do that under any rate up until final payment.

Yes, this a very common misconception !

Almost everyday I see a post here where someone claims you cannot get price drops unless you booked ES rate. So many have not bothered to read and understand Carnival's policies. :rolleyes:

Like you, I never book ES, I want control over my deposit and want it back (not a credit) if I cancel. Plus, I can do name/passenger changes with no fee up through when my final payment is due.

Title says it all. :D

Or you could just search here

Search link

We are sailing on the Carnival Victory, leaving out on April 4. Our last cruise departed at 4:00pm, but this cruise's departure time is 7:00pm. Is this normal?

 

 

 

Do you think we are going to be able to board before lunch or do we need to make different plans? We are going to have our 16 and 12 year old sons with us for their first cruise so we want to have our day somewhat planned.

 

 

Thanks!

It all depends what time the ship docks from previous cruise.

We can only make a quick ATM stop before boarding which means we'll only have a bunch of 20s. We want to have small bills before we get to any ports.

Why not visit the bank before you leave home ?

There are numerous FTTF threads here. If you browse the threads, you will learn more than you ever need to know about FTTF and boarding time experiences at various ports.

Yes, if you have a deposit down and you book other than Early Saver, any price drops up until your final deposit is due come off the amount you owe. Once final payment date is reached, you must be booked Early Saver to continue to get price drops.

Carnival pushes the Early Saver because once you book, they are guaranteed to keep your $$$ (you get a credit toward another booking), not so with other rates (you get your deposit returned to you if you cancel before final payment date). But if the rate falls, you owe less at final payment.

There are some other advantages to not booking Early Saver like being able to do no-cost name changes (saves $50 fee)

You have 24 hours to call and get price protection when you book. The ES rate gives you the price protection until 2 days before you sail, but there are more restrictions on that rate.

This is about finding a lower rate on a cruise re-seller site.

Can you still get a price drop if there are no more cabins available on the deck you booked for?

Deck doesn't matter, it's based on cabin category (like 4F or 8E)

If you are there when they open boarding, you can proceed to the VIP/FTTF counters and bypass the longer lines to register and head through the terminal to the ship.

Yes make sure u choose the price with the price protection. .. well worth the extra time checking the Web site to get even cheaper rates

Every Carnival rate has price protection, some rates offer it until about 2 days before sailing, others until final payment date.

Lido deck

If these totes don't have a handle that will work one handed, I can see them being miserable to carry thru registration/boarding (unless you won't have a single other thing in your hands and both hands are available).

Google is your friend

Review of cabin 6382 on Valor

Even though the review is years old, the cabin info would still be valid.

I always personally select my cabin deck and location based on whats on the deck above and below (noise coming through the steel plates) elevator location, expected hallway traffic, etc.

IMHO when you allow Carnival to pick your cabin, you get the left-overs - the cabins no one else wants because of one reason or another.

Sailing on Valor out of P.C. May 30th, 7 day Western Caribbean. Currently booked Inside Guarantee, but with the 12 hour sale going on today I could upgrade to Oceanview Guarantee for $20 per person.

 

Should I go for the "upgrade" or just let it ride and spend the money elsewhere? Thanks for your opinions! ;)

$20 PP would be a no-brainer for me, but that means nothing.

What you think is all that matters.

I'm booked ES for my June cruise. Can I get this rate or possibly upgrade to a balcony?

Price your current cruise out to see.

Passports for your parents. Don't leave the USA without one.

^^ This ^^

I NEVER book Early Saver/Super Saver for this exact reason !

The measly $20 savings is not nearly enough reward to allow Carnival to keep my deposit (or retain it as a credit) when I can get the entire amount refunded up until final payment date.

I have had to cancel a cruise before and I got back every penny.

Per this email response from Carnival, apparently the 2016 excursions aren't loaded into website yet.

That's why I always triple check that I have the passports before I leave the house, I'm insane that way!

 

I love your post ..... that is ME exactly!! Dh thinks I'm wacko because I check and check to be certain I have all documentation necessary.

 

Then if our bags are packed in the very back of our SUV, I'm feeling the need to re-check for the documentation while we are driving the short distance to the Port. I hop out of the car as soon as my son pulls up at the Port and check AGAIN to be certain documentation is accounted for!!!

 

I think that comes from me being just a bit scatter-brained from me being filled to the brim with excitement!! I just worry I will forget SOMETHING. Documentation would be the worst!!! Yikes!

Well if they are "there" at home, then they are there later as the bags sit untouched.

Last I looked, they don't have legs. :cool:

Already explained on Carnival site.

$50 for each cabin

FTTF web page

Tomorrow getting on the Splendor for 7 nights...

:p

Hummm...

According to your countdown clock you sailed 6 days ago :eek:

That is exactly what I'm doing -- and that's where I'm getting the excursion page that never finishes loading. Can't pick a port or anything. That's why I had to go through the back-door way to even get to FTTF.

 

Our cruise is next February.

 

I guess I should call them, see if they can help me figure this out...

 

 

Update: I just called them, and the very nice lady told me that it will indeed look like the page is still loading if the excursions just aren't available yet. I swear, Carnival and Royal Caribbean must use the same IT people, lol.

 

Thanks, both of you, for the guidance!

I used FTTF on my last Triumph cruise. IIRC, it became available about nine months out. Since you're at less than a year I'd recommend checking daily from this point forward just in case it opens up sooner than that.

I'm experiencing the same thing on a Jan, 2016 cruise.

When I contacted Carnival, I was told shore excursions can be viewed on the "exploring" page (does work) but not booked until about 275 days (about 9 months) out from cruise.

If that is correct, I have about 25 days yet before the booking page will work.

Come on Carnival :mad:

Yes, lots of local merchants stalls by dock in converted metal shipping containers or regular shopping stores across street in brightly painted 3 story buildings.

I guess what is weird is someone needing so many pictures of themselves. Seems a little narcissistic to me.

Great for couples or group shots.

And saves you running after the stranger you handed your camera/phone to as he takes off running away with it (much more common than most people realize)

There are definite advantages to using one.

 

I also really can't find any independent tours because the port is not open. I have emailed them to ask if they will do tours for cruise ships. Waiting to hear back.

There are a few tour operators there already that can take you to falls

Here is one (I have no experience with them but others on Cruise a Critic have)