Booking Question - Adjoining Rooms?

Hey all! I went on my first cruise in April with a friend, I never wanted to cruise but it was offered to me at a price I couldn't pass up and now I'm afraid I've caught the bug! I want to take my whole family on a cruise and my water-fearing husband is finally 'on board' so I've been looking and have a few questions.

We want to cruise in June of 2019. When will these cruises be available for booking? It looks like they're booking through April 2019 now, so am I correct in assuming that cruises are available 18 months out?

Also, we want to book adjoining balcony rooms. I've been playing around online and can't figure out a way to do this online. Should I call Carnival direct for that?

Also- PVP's?? Should I use one? Would I save any money or would the cost be higher?

Hey all! I went on my first cruise in April with a friend, I never wanted to cruise but it was offered to me at a price I couldn't pass up and now I'm afraid I've caught the bug! I want to take my whole family on a cruise and my water-fearing husband is finally 'on board' so I've been looking and have a few questions.

 

We want to cruise in June of 2019. When will these cruises be available for booking? It looks like they're booking through April 2019 now, so am I correct in assuming that cruises are available 18 months out?

 

Also, we want to book adjoining balcony rooms. I've been playing around online and can't figure out a way to do this online. Should I call Carnival direct for that? ;)

 

Also- PVP's?? Should I use one? Would I save any money or would the cost be higher?

Don't leave home without one . They can see rooms not offered on Carnivals website.

Yes, schedules are usually published around 18 months out. You can call CCL or a TA to check on adjoining balcony cabins.

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Hey all! I went on my first cruise in April with a friend, I never wanted to cruise but it was offered to me at a price I couldn't pass up and now I'm afraid I've caught the bug! I want to take my whole family on a cruise and my water-fearing husband is finally 'on board' so I've been looking and have a few questions.

 

We want to cruise in June of 2019. When will these cruises be available for booking? It looks like they're booking through April 2019 now, so am I correct in assuming that cruises are available 18 months out?

 

Also, we want to book adjoining balcony rooms. I've been playing around online and can't figure out a way to do this online. Should I call Carnival direct for that?

 

Also- PVP's?? Should I use one? Would I save any money or would the cost be higher?

you have a few months and a PVP will not help you $$$$ but they can become a real pain .

Don't leave home without one . They can see rooms not offered on Carnivals website.

Thanks! I'm seeing a lot of offers from Carnival right now like on board credit, etc. Would I still be able to get those promos? And where do I even find a PVP!?

When you say whole family, does that mean hubby, you and the kids? Or is it you and hubby and another set of adults? I ask this because when sailing with other adults you might want to forgo staterooms that are adjoining and go with two staterooms that can have the balcony divider opened. Depending on the ship not all can be affixed open. Just something to think about.

I personally enjoy using a PVP. If you have a good one they are priceless. (We can't recommend on here) Everyone one including my PVP says it is so easy to book online. But who is going to find you those perfect rooms that have the balcony divider that can stay open to make the giant balcony? Who is going to remind you that you get slightly sea sick so low on the ship is better for you? Who is going to steer you away from that stateroom because it is under the galley and noisy ? Who is going to make sure you understand that if you booked a reduced deposit fare and price match you will have to pay the full deposit? Who is going to help you understand why you need to purchase travel insurance? A good PVP, and in fairness a good TA, can really help enhance your cruise experience.

When you say whole family, does that mean hubby, you and the kids? Or is it you and hubby and another set of adults? I ask this because when sailing with other adults you might want to forgo staterooms that are adjoining and go with two staterooms that can have the balcony divider opened. Depending on the ship not all can be affixed open. Just something to think about.

 

I personally enjoy using a PVP. If you have a good one they are priceless. (We can't recommend on here) Everyone one including my PVP says it is so easy to book online. But who is going to find you those perfect rooms that have the balcony divider that can stay open to make the giant balcony? Who is going to remind you that you get slightly sea sick so low on the ship is better for you? Who is going to steer you away from that stateroom because it is under the galley and noisy ? Who is going to make sure you understand that if you booked a reduced deposit fare and price match you will have to pay the full deposit? Who is going to help you understand why you need to purchase travel insurance? A good PVP, and in fairness a good TA, can really help enhance your cruise experience.

It will be my husband & I and our three sons, who at the time we sail will be 13, 15 and 17.

I didn't know we couldn't recommend on here, I'm pretty new to all of this... :o I want to save money BUT at the same time I want this to be a great trip. This will be our last family vacation before our oldest's senior year, and my husband has been very against cruising so it was a huge thing for him to tell me "just book us a cruise!" :D So I want it to be great, otherwise I'll have to hear about how cruising was a bad idea :')

It will be my husband & I and our three sons, who at the time we sail will be 13, 15 and 17.

Only you can make the choice but I personally would give up the adjoining and go for the big balcony. When our girls were that age (they are 21 and over now) that is what we did.

I went to guest services and got a key to their rooms. I set a curfew and yes I did do room checks. They had rules like you are NEVER to go into anyone's else's stateroom for any reason and you cannot have anyone into yours. If you tell me you are going to the movie you had better be there. Every night we had our meal together. No exceptions. The consequence for violation-you would spend every waking hour with daddy or me. Then none of us would be happy. Never had any problems.

I understand, and you are so correct, about this being the last time for everyone to be together. We have to struggle to get all three girls together for just a couple of days. No more 7 day cruises. :(

Yes, booking is usually about 18 months or so out.

You can figure out the rooms yourself or use a PVP. I have a PVP, but for the most part before I even call them I already know exactly what ship/sailing I want, what the price will be and the exact room I want.

Depending on the ship the connecting balcony rooms can be limited so I suggest you book as early as possible. The first step is you need to kind of decide which ship you want to do (based on which port you want to sail out of). If you go to "Explore" tab at the top of the Carnival home page you can look at each ship. Under each ship there is a "deck plan" tab, if you click on this you can look at each deck of rooms on the ship and connecting rooms are easily spotted by a little "door" symbol between the rooms. I just looked at one ship, the Glory, and it looks like the connecting balconies are on the Spa deck. Once you figure out which ships you like I would write down the room numbers that have connecting doors.

Then, once the cruises start popping up for your time frame you can explore the cruise itinerary options on the ships you are interested in and pricing info by using the "plan" tab on the home page. Just select that you want 2 rooms, and the number of guests in each. Then you will be given the option of rooms available by deck as you go through the process.

Keep in mind you will need two rooms, one that will hold 3 people (not all do), and one that will hold 2 plus connecting... so you want to book ASAP because this configuration will be limited. You can call to book, once you know exactly what rooms/ship/date you want or just do it online yourself.

Keep in mind based on the age of your children, you will need to list one adult in each room and then 1 child / 2 children with each adult. Your children are not old enough to have a room listed under just them. Don't worry about the configuration as far as room keys, once you get onboard the ship you can go to guest services and get room keys reassigned so everyone can get access to the actual "correct" room they are sleeping in.

The specials vary all the time and what is available right now, might not be later. Reduced deposits/OBC/free upgrades, etc. are all things that come up at random times. Using a PVP does not really save you money, the price you can book for yourself is the same price they will show as well.

Go to cruise deck dot com to see what is above and beneath the cabin you select. If I'm not mistaken when one opens up the balcony divider one of the cabins loses part of their outside view.

Yes, booking is usually about 18 months or so out.

 

 

Depending on the ship the connecting balcony rooms can be limited so I suggest you book as early as possible. Only on the Spirit Class of ships. I just looked at one ship, the Glory, and it looks like the connecting balconies are on the Spa deck. If the ship has balconies, every deck has ones that connect.Once you figure out which ships you like I would write down the room numbers that have connecting doors. There is a difference between connecting cabins and connecting balconies. Connecting cabins have a door that goes between the two. Connecting balconies have the option of opening the balcony divider between two cabins making one longer balcony. The cabins are laid out back to back, meaning that the beds will face one way in one cabin and the opposite way on each side. This places two doors side by side or two windows side by side. In order to be able to open the divider, the divider must not cover a door when it is secured against the bulkhead. So, you need a cabin with the door on one side and the cabin next to it has to have the window next to it. (If you look at a picture of one of the ships with balconies, you'll see that they are laid out with two doors or two windows side by side.)

 

Keep in mind you will need two rooms, one that will hold 3 people (not all do), and one that will hold 2 plus connecting... so you want to book ASAP because this configuration will be limited. You can call to book, once you know exactly what rooms/ship/date you want or just do it online yourself.

 

Keep in mind based on the age of your children, you will need to list one adult in each room and then 1 child / 2 children with each adult. Your children are not old enough to have a room listed under just them. As long as the cabins are close to each other, you don't have to have an adult in each cabin. Don't worry about the configuration as far as room keys, once you get onboard the ship you can go to guest services and get room keys reassigned so everyone can get access to the actual "correct" room they are sleeping in.

This was taken directly from the Carnival site:

Guests 12 and younger

If the relative or guardian insists on booking separate staterooms, minors must either be directly across the hall or next door. Guests 12 and under may not be assigned to a balcony cabin without a relative or guardian.

Guests 13 - 17 years of age

Can be booked up to 3 staterooms away from their relative or guardian.

You may save money bu booking under Early Saver but be cautious about the restrictions. I would highly suggest you e-mail Carnival and request a PVP that has been with the company for at least ten years and has cruised several times. That was how I got ours and we've been real happy with him.

Then tell the PVP what you want and a general idea of where you want to be. They can tell you so much more and can answer any questions that you have.

We always book two rooms. Person above is correct. They can be up to three rooms away. My main concern for you is if your husband was against cruising until now, you may want to call Carnival directly (whoever answers will most likely be your PVP). The PVP will direct you to the perfect room. As new cruisers, I would pay close attention to room location verses connecting rooms. You may not know if seasickness will affect the new cruisers. Chose a room that will have the least amount of movement and is not below anything that will have noise throughout the night. A PVP can help.

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you may want to call Carnival directly (whoever answers will most likely be your PVP).

If you just call Carnival's number, the person you get will be a cruise specialist (I think that's what they call them) and not a PVP. They will be able to book your cabins but don't have as much knowledge as a PVP.

As I said in another post, just e-mail them through their "Contact Us" on their site and request a well experienced PVP. I did that to get ours and the following day I received an e-mail from one giving his experience with Carnival. We've had nothing but great luck with him.

If you just call Carnival's number, the person you get will be a cruise specialist (I think that's what they call them) and not a PVP. They will be able to book your cabins but don't have as much knowledge as a PVP.

 

As I said in another post, just e-mail them through their "Contact Us" on their site and request a well experienced PVP. I did that to get ours and the following day I received an e-mail from one giving his experience with Carnival. We've had nothing but great luck with him.

^^^ THIS!!

I love my PVP. Not because he gets me better rates (because they don't), but because he is my one-stop for everything cruise related. He can answer all of my questions (or get the answers), make all the changes that I need (including price drops), and is an all-around great guy. If he knows that I am looking for a particular cruise or deal and he comes across it, he will call and let me know. Contrary to what my nemesis riclop has to say, I have not experienced being "bugged" by my PVP at all.

Ok so now I am confused. We booked adjoining rooms.....so will we not be able top open up our balconies to make one? We are on the Breeze rooms 8233/8229. Not sure how to tell??

Ok so now I am confused. We booked adjoining rooms.....so will we not be able top open up our balconies to make one? We are on the Breeze rooms 8233/8229. Not sure how to tell??

Since you have connecting rooms, your balcony partition cannot be opened between them.

8229 balcony opens to 8225.

8233 balcony opens to 8237.

https://help.goccl.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/2868

Connecting rooms have a door that opens between them....adjoining rooms are simply next to each other with NO connecting door. When booking, be sure to say you need CONNECTING if you want access between cabins!!!

I suggest you stop by a local travel agent's office to pick up a copy of Carnival's Cruise Brochure.

It contains deck plans of all ships, amenities and venues offered on each, home ports of each, and tentative itineraries for each.

Then you'll have a much better notion of what you want, and of questions you have.

I also suggest, especially for your first booking, that you use that local travel agent OR phone Carnival to request a PVP.

Discuss types of rates so that you understand the restrictions of each, and if using a TA make sure he/she doesn't charge fees for obtaining price drops, canceling the cruise, changing cabins, etc.

Often complaints and problems discussed on these boards arise because the customer simply didn't know what questions to ask when booking.

Hope your family thoroughly enjoys cruising.