Opinions on Carnival Spirit room choices please

[AussieMumma]

Hi everyone,

 

We are a looking at booking our first Carnival cruise for the Oct 8th sailing and being so late there aren't many rooms left for a family of six to choose from!

 

We can go with 7333 & 7335 (across the hall from each other) one is balcony and one interior for about $7550, or we can go with 8131 & 8133 both balcony rooms side by side for about $9350.

 

So we're looking at an $1800 difference which is a lot since we also need to fly in from the Sunshine Coast.

 

What are everyone's thoughts on the choices offered?

 

We've done two cruises with Disney before in connecting rooms, ocean view and balcony so we have no idea about Carnival!

 

Thank you :)

[rkmw]

Hi everyone,

 

We are a looking at booking our first Carnival cruise for the Oct 8th sailing and being so late there aren't many rooms left for a family of six to choose from!

 

We can go with 7333 & 7335 (across the hall from each other) one is balcony and one interior for about $7550, or we can go with 8131 & 8133 both balcony rooms side by side for about $9350.

 

So we're looking at an $1800 difference which is a lot since we also need to fly in from the Sunshine Coast.

 

What are everyone's thoughts on the choices offered?

 

We've done two cruises with Disney before in connecting rooms, ocean view and balcony so we have no idea about Carnival!

 

Thank you :)

 

we havent been on Carnival so i cant comment about the ship but to me $1800 is a lot of difference where you dont spend much time in the room and that money could go towards your airfares or your spending money onboard.....i would go with the balcony and inside cabin

[sheridan318]

How many people is the cabins for that seems alot of money:confused: we got a cabin for balcony for four and a double balcony for just under five thousand last year and have now just booked a balcony for $930 each so make sure you shop around on the prices

Jacquie

[Wyuna1]

Sailed on Spirit last year and enjoyed my time onboard. My choice would be the balcony and inside on Deck 7 with the price difference you mentioned offsetting other costs. You would still have the benefit of a balcony cabin for

sailaways etc. My main concern with adjoining balcony cabins on Deck 8 would be their location directly under the Lido Deck (pool area or the buffet)

and the associated noise from these very busy areas of the ship.

[pinknotes]

I agree with Wyuna1's post above.

 

I'd choose the 2 rooms on deck 7, better deck, less noise from lido, cheaper etc.

 

The interior room obviously not as nice as 2 joining balconies, but id rather have the better deck and more $$$ in your pocket.

 

 

 

 

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[orangestreet]

Agree with others that deck 7 is a lovely deck. Nice and quiet. We had an extended balcony and it was fabulous.

 

The prices you have mentioned is way more than I would ever be willing to pay for a Carnival cruise. We paid just over $900 PP for an extended balcony cabin for 9 nights. Shop around.

[AussieMumma]

Thanks for the replies. I was leaning towards the deck 7 option also.

 

This is our second quote and both were pretty much the exact same cost. I thought maybe it was because we are booking only three months out?

 

We are a family of 2 adults and 4 kids aged 16, 13, 9 & 5.

[sheridan318]

just been to one of my sites and prices i came up with a guarantee quad balcony 949 double 949 plus $250 on board credit per cabin, the quads we had last year had a queen size bed and two bunks so shop around as costing that out its $5694 thats a big difference in cost

[AussieMumma]

just been to one of my sites and prices i came up with a guarantee quad balcony 949 double 949 plus $250 on board credit per cabin, the quads we had last year had a queen size bed and two bunks so shop around as costing that out its $5694 thats a big difference in cost

Can you let me know where you saw this price please? I've only got until tomorrow to pay the deposit on the other rooms.

[sheridan318]

Im sorry but we cannot put the names of any agents on this site but I suggest you google carnival spirit and put special prices it should come up with quite a few different sites hope that helps

jacquie

[torchlight]

I booked 2 weeks ago for the Cruise on the 29th August for 4 adults and got a Suite and an inside cabin for $4200 for 8 nights. I suggest you look at carefully at your prices.

[AussieMumma]

I did two online quotes and got similar prices, cheaper by $200 but the rooms weren't right opposite each other, and my dh rang a different travel agent and got the same price also.

We aren't willing to have the rooms any further away from each other then what they already are so I'm happy to pay the extra cost.

 

Thanks for all of your help :)

[torchlight]

Try the actual website

[sheridan318]

Hi we will be on the august 29th cruise to, so looking forward to it :D

Jacquie

[AussieMumma]

Try the actual website

 

Yep did that also and couldn't get rooms next to or opposite each other for any cheaper then the $7550 already quoted.

[tassie cruiser]

Aussiemumma you really should get another price. I just looked up your cruise where I usually book my cruises and there is balcony cabins from about $1160 p/p twin, even the suites weren't much more and the ocean views and insides even cheaper. There are heaps of cabins left so it's not selling out like some cruises. We can't name the TA on here but there are many online ones in oz that could provide you a cruising quote for way less. :D. Good luck keep us posted. Also, I don't know of carnival still do it but when we were on carnival spirit if there was a price drop it was always passed on to us, think we ended up with 3 or 4 price drops all up. But as said not sure if carnival still offer this as other cruise lines certainly don't. Fiona.

[orangestreet]

I did two online quotes and got similar prices, cheaper by $200 but the rooms weren't right opposite each other, and my dh rang a different travel agent and got the same price also.

We aren't willing to have the rooms any further away from each other then what they already are so I'm happy to pay the extra cost.

 

Thanks for all of your help :)

 

When you say you are calling different travel agents, you don't mean physical agents in shopping malls, do you? Google 'Australian online cruise travel agents' or some such. There are so many of them and a few of them are pretty good.

 

Spend an hour on the web and you will find prices much cheaper for your cruise. Or better still get an online cruise TA to organise it all for you. They do this day in day out. The thing is with these massive prices you are about to pay, you could travel on a much nicer cruise ship for much longer. Mind you, I travelled on Carnival Spirit this year and had a fabulous time.

 

Maybe post your email ID on the forums and somebody will help you with more specific details.

[ozcruisiegirl]

Hi Aussiemumma, I am also from the Sunny Coast & cruising with Carnival in September. Remember to factor in cost of flights & overnight accomm in Sydney. The earliest flight from the Sunshine Coast is 11.00am and this does not give you any leeway if your flight is delayed. The ship will not wait for you as demonstrated a few months back when a number of families missed their cruise. I am flying down two days beforehand & checking out Sydney. Have a great time.

 

 

Regards Ozcruisiegirl

[AussieMumma]

When you say you are calling different travel agents, you don't mean physical agents in shopping malls, do you? Google 'Australian online cruise travel agents' or some such. There are so many of them and a few of them are pretty good.

 

Spend an hour on the web and you will find prices much cheaper for your cruise. Or better still get an online cruise TA to organise it all for you. They do this day in day out. The thing is with these massive prices you are about to pay, you could travel on a much nicer cruise ship for much longer. Mind you, I travelled on Carnival Spirit this year and had a fabulous time.

 

Maybe post your email ID on the forums and somebody will help you with more specific details.

I spent two hours online yesterday and couldn't find two rooms next to each other or across the hall from each other any cheaper. I've sent requests to two online cruise agents but haven't heard back as yet. My dh rang one actual physical travel agent yesterday, same prices.

We are happy with our choice of the Spirit, we don't want to cruise for any longer and it looks like the perfect ship for our four children.

 

If any of you can tell me the room numbers that you are finding at these cheaper prices that would be great, I can then get my TA to match the prices.

 

ozcruisegirl We will be flying out and back in to Brisbane as we're planning on flying in to Newcastle on the way to visit the inlaws for a couple of days before the cruise then we'll fly Syd-Bris after the cruise to our waiting car :)

[AussieMumma]

Well I've gone ahead and paid my deposit! :D

 

I got a quote back from one of the online cruise specialists and it was more expensive, $1133 pp, so I've gone with the cabins I'm happy with and now the countdown begins!!!

 

Thank you all for your input, I do appreciate it :)

[aussiegirl05]

Hi Aussiemumma,

 

We arrived back from our cruise on the Spirit last week & had a great time! You'll love it. We have three kids, we had our two teenage boys in one room & our 10 year old daughter shared our cabin. We both had balconies & it was worthwhile(I loved opening the curtains in the morning to the lovely light, sunshine & views!) for us but not necessary for the boys. We were two cabins apart & at the time of booking couldn't get an interior cabin for the kids on the same level so went with both balconies so they could be close by. Two out of three of the kids used & loved the kids clubs(our 15 yr old we hardly ever saw!). You'll be able to use the money you saved on other things-shore excursions(we organised our own), yummy cocktails(same price as a glass of wine but sooo much better!) & maybe a lovely family photo! If you have any other questions, happy to help. Enjoy!

[AussieMumma]

Hi Aussiemumma,

 

We arrived back from our cruise on the Spirit last week & had a great time! You'll love it. We have three kids, we had our two teenage boys in one room & our 10 year old daughter shared our cabin. We both had balconies & it was worthwhile(I loved opening the curtains in the morning to the lovely light, sunshine & views!) for us but not necessary for the boys. We were two cabins apart & at the time of booking couldn't get an interior cabin for the kids on the same level so went with both balconies so they could be close by. Two out of three of the kids used & loved the kids clubs(our 15 yr old we hardly ever saw!). You'll be able to use the money you saved on other things-shore excursions(we organised our own), yummy cocktails(same price as a glass of wine but sooo much better!) & maybe a lovely family photo! If you have any other questions, happy to help. Enjoy!

 

Thank you, sounds fantastic! Can't wait to be sipping a cocktail poolside!!!

I'm sure I will have lots of questions, first one being the one thing I just can't get away from while on holidays.....washing :rolleyes: Do they have guest laundry facilities on the Spirit?

Edited July 10, 2014 by AussieMumma
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[aussiegirl05]

I know what you mean, the washing doesn't go away when you are on holiday! Yes there are laundrettes on levels 1,4,5 & 7. There are dispensers for laundry powder but I just took my own in a container in my suitcase. It costs 3.25 per wash & the same for the dryer. I only washed underwear & T-shirts once during the 8 days-wasn't keen to spend to much time doing it! You won't need too much warmer gear & if your kids are like mine they spend days in the same clothes! If the laundrette on your level is full, try another level. No cash required, the ship is totally cashless, you just scan your sail & sign card & it goes on your account.

[AussieMumma]

Thank you! The kids will most likely spend the whole time in their swimwear so I'm hoping to only have to do one load also :)