booking onboard not worth the hassle

[LoriSan]

I usually specifically wait to book onboard, so I can get the OBC for my next trip. I booked while onboard the Sunshine last Aug for a sailing on the Pride for this July.

 

1- the lines to speak with the Future Cruise Specialist are always soooo long

 

2- I got NO paperwork that the trip had been booked. Nothing. No Friends and Family Certificates, nothing. It was supposed to be delivered to my cabin, and I got nothing. The only way I knew it had been booked was that I could see that the deposit had been charged to my card.

 

3- The "specialist" and I had talked about the fact that ultimately, the trip would be for me, hubby and my son, but that I was going to just book hubby and myself now, and I'd add my son later, so I didn't have to pay a huge deposit. We talked about this for a while. We agreed that he would choose my cabin for me, since he knew what I wanted.

 

When I finally went to add my son to the booking yesterday, it turns out that he booked us in a cabin that is limit 2 occupants! Grrrrr. So, I had to choose another cabin. Thank God I didn't wait any longer to add my son, as the cruise is pretty full already.

 

4- $100 OBC for booking onboard? Also nowhere to be seen. I had to make the argument that the cruise was originally booked on a day that I was onboard, so I should have the credit.

 

It was eventually resolved, but what a PITA, from someone who is supposed to be the "specialist".

 

Please bring back the future cruise certificates!!

[funship freddy]

I have never seen the benefit of booking while on board. I always get a very nice OBC from my booking agent. He know what I want and delivers. No waiting in line. JMHO :D:D

[huntm]

The future cruise certificates we so nice. We were going to book onboard in November and so thankful I decided to wait because we received a Bounce Back casino offer the morning of debarkation and used that offer instead. It paid to wait.

 

 

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[forwardcabin]

Agreed they need to bring back the Future Cruise Certificates. We would always buy one or two of these every cruise. It's difficult to always know all the details of a future cruise by the time we board the current one.

[wstxn]

We would always buy one or 2 future cruise certificates when they were available. It was easy. After we used all of the certificates we never got involved with the current offering because we didn't want to spend the time. Without the incentive, we began using other brands instead of cruising only Carnival. We still enjoy Carnival, but the current program does nothing to make us as loyal as we were.

[MsSoloTravel]

I was going to buy some future cruise certificates on my next cruise for the first time. I was disappointed to hear they don't do it anymore.

 

I wouldn't mind booking while on board if the obc were more than what they offer throughout the year. I'll just wait and watch for another sale to book the next one.

[skyeman27]

Yes Carnival, bring back the Future Cruise Certificate. I am sure that Carnival has some Future Cruise Specialists that really know what they are doing but haven't met one yet...

[funinthesun1964]

I have booked many times on board to get the OBC (and used to buy the certificates). I really believe that most of the people working at the desk really have no idea what they are doing. And you're lucky to find them there, and if you do there is usually a line. Yes, a PITA. I'm thinking they don't actually want you to book onboard so they don't have to give you the OBC :rolleyes:

 

However, I have always had my paperwork and certificates delivered to my cabin by the end of the cruise. Sorry that you had the troubles.

[29dawgs]

We cruise the same week in Feb. every year and always book it on board. We book early saver and get the $100 on board credit. We have never had a problem.

[PAPERBKWRITER]

I usually specifically wait to book onboard, so I can get the OBC for my next trip. I booked while onboard the Sunshine last Aug for a sailing on the Pride for this July.

 

1- the lines to speak with the Future Cruise Specialist are always soooo long

 

2- I got NO paperwork that the trip had been booked. Nothing. No Friends and Family Certificates, nothing. It was supposed to be delivered to my cabin, and I got nothing. The only way I knew it had been booked was that I could see that the deposit had been charged to my card.

 

3- The "specialist" and I had talked about the fact that ultimately, the trip would be for me, hubby and my son, but that I was going to just book hubby and myself now, and I'd add my son later, so I didn't have to pay a huge deposit. We talked about this for a while. We agreed that he would choose my cabin for me, since he knew what I wanted.

 

When I finally went to add my son to the booking yesterday, it turns out that he booked us in a cabin that is limit 2 occupants! Grrrrr. So, I had to choose another cabin. Thank God I didn't wait any longer to add my son, as the cruise is pretty full already.

 

4- $100 OBC for booking onboard? Also nowhere to be seen. I had to make the argument that the cruise was originally booked on a day that I was onboard, so I should have the credit.

 

It was eventually resolved, but what a PITA, from someone who is supposed to be the "specialist".

 

Please bring back the future cruise certificates!!

 

Sorry to pile on but the only time I dealt with that person I found her rude and unhelpful. Very surprising considering how great everyone else always is.

[StolidCruiser]

OP, you had a terrible experience with a disappointing onboard FCS. I'm sorry to hear that because I have had dozens of completely opposite experiences... right down to the last where my FCS sent a bottle of champagne to my cabin for having to wait 15 minutes while she finished with the guest ahead of me and apologized profusely for the inconvenience. I was flabbergasted and impressed.

 

Dont discount the benefit of booking on board by the action (or inaction) of one lousy representative.

[sfaaa]

Paperwork may take a day or two to get delivered to your cabin but you should receive a booking # on the spot (make sure you ask) and confirmation email from Carnival shortly after you booked. I seldom rely on the so called 'cruise specialist' since I always do my own research and know what I want before I approach the onboard future cruise desk.

[Jimmy Geegitz]

Usually when you book on board. The cost of the cruise is more than the OBC u get. Book last minute and save

[sfaaa]

You sure? Cruises just went up $40 or more across the board this morning. The longer you wait, the higher the price plus you lose the OBC bonus.

[Galleon1234]

So, are you saying not to book onboard... Just posted on another thread and now I am totally confused;0!! Hoping the rep on the Triumph is knowledgeable and helpful... Can you make an appt?? I hate the long lines and they are never open when I am available... HELP!!!!

[cruiseonthebrain]

I usually specifically wait to book onboard, so I can get the OBC for my next trip. I booked while onboard the Sunshine last Aug for a sailing on the Pride for this July.

 

1- the lines to speak with the Future Cruise Specialist are always soooo long

 

2- I got NO paperwork that the trip had been booked. Nothing. No Friends and Family Certificates, nothing. It was supposed to be delivered to my cabin, and I got nothing. The only way I knew it had been booked was that I could see that the deposit had been charged to my card.

 

3- The "specialist" and I had talked about the fact that ultimately, the trip would be for me, hubby and my son, but that I was going to just book hubby and myself now, and I'd add my son later, so I didn't have to pay a huge deposit. We talked about this for a while. We agreed that he would choose my cabin for me, since he knew what I wanted.

 

When I finally went to add my son to the booking yesterday, it turns out that he booked us in a cabin that is limit 2 occupants! Grrrrr. So, I had to choose another cabin. Thank God I didn't wait any longer to add my son, as the cruise is pretty full already.

 

4- $100 OBC for booking onboard? Also nowhere to be seen. I had to make the argument that the cruise was originally booked on a day that I was onboard, so I should have the credit.

 

It was eventually resolved, but what a PITA, from someone who is supposed to be the "specialist".

 

Please bring back the future cruise certificates!!

 

Thank so much for sharing this. I have never booked a cruise while on a cruise but I was considering doing this on an upcoming trip. Out of curiosity, when you book this way how much control do you have over choosing your exact stateroom?

[LoriSan]

Thank so much for sharing this. I have never booked a cruise while on a cruise but I was considering doing this on an upcoming trip. Out of curiosity, when you book this way how much control do you have over choosing your exact stateroom?

 

 

You can usually choose any available cabin that you want. I just wasn't prepared, so I let him choose for me.

 

By the way, I will say that I have booked onboard several times and never had a problem like this before. Long lines, yes, but no problems.

[Galleon1234]

Just posted on John Hearld's page on another site... Hopefully he will answer some of these questions.

 

We have usually cruised other lines where the future cruise desk is much more orderly and knowledgeable. So, have never bought the future cruise "fire sale" type cruises on Carnival. Can't seem to get any help with their long lines and erratic hours.

 

I have noticed many changes in Carnival recently... They must have a new team making some radical decisions...

 

I called the Carnival rep and she was very nice but is as confused with all the changes as we all are.

 

Hopefully, John Heald will answer and give us the information we are seeking.

[cruiseonthebrain]

Just posted on John Hearld's page on another site... Hopefully he will answer some of these questions.

 

We have usually cruised other lines where the future cruise desk is much more orderly and knowledgeable. So, have never bought the future cruise "fire sale" type cruises on Carnival. Can't seem to get any help with their long lines and erratic hours.

 

I have noticed many changes in Carnival recently... They must have a new team making some radical decisions...

 

I called the Carnival rep and she was very nice but is as confused with all the changes as we all are.

 

Hopefully, John Heald will answer and give us the information we are seeking.

 

I love John Heald's wit and humor. But whenever somebody posts that a question was asked of him and we shall all sit by waiting for answer it makes giggle- like stupid out loud giggle. Because in my head I am visualizing John either being the wizard in the Wizard of Oz or being the head of Scientology. Sorry, snort, gulp- I just can't get the images out of my head:-)

[Swampbaby]

I booked this past FEB while on the Sunshine. Went EARLY in the cruise and had no problems. The agent was very pleasant and knew what he was doing. Am planning on booking again this FEB while on the Freedom but would really rather have the certificates come back. I know John Heald has asked about them being brought back so that may happen.

[Galleon1234]

Hope he will answer, then I will be giggling:)! Because then maybe we will know something. From your reply, I am assuming he doesn't really answer real questions????:/! Who do you call because the reps do not know the answers??

Edited December 18, 2015 by shadow1234

[75Vette]

The first time we booked a cruise on board we stood in line for 30 minutes. Knew what cruise we wanted and booked early saver. Not willing to do that again. No changes could be made without a charge and I am not willing to waste 30 minutes of my cruise time.

 

On our last cruise we just happened by when no one was at the future cruise desk. We booked a cruise out for the longest time frame possible out of Galveston (where we prefer to cruise from) used the past guest rate, picked a cabin on the Breeze and 5 minutes later was on our way.

 

Our verification was in our mail box outside our cabin the next day.

 

2 months later we decided to take the journey cruise out of San Juan.

 

I called my PVP, she transferred the booking, booked me under super saver, no charge for any changes since I booked under the past guest rate and I now have $200 on board credit, since it is a 12 day cruise.

 

The only problem I had was the people in Miami thought a 12 day cruise only qualified for $100 on board credit. I e-mailed my PVP a copy of the advertisement from the ship indicating $200 for 12 day cruise and she had it corrected in minutes. I still get a $200 credit even though the cruise I booked on the ship was a 7 day cruise, and only qualified for $100 OBC.

 

I will do it this same way way in March, and I will book out the farthest date possible using the past guest rate so I can switch over to early saver when we decide on the cruise we want.

 

I do prefer the future cruise certificates, but if you jump thru the Carnival hoops you can still get the credit in a fairly painless matter.

 

Just wait until the future cruise desk is waiting to book someone and not a line.

[richfret]

I have booked future cruises while cruising the Breeze 3 times and have not had any major problems. I come to the ship with all the research done and just tell them what cruise I want to purchase. I have seen some cruisers do the Elaine bit (From Seinfeld) where she tapped her fingers on the counter while every one else waited and she did her contemplating. Most of the time, it is the cruisers who hold things up and not Carnival.

 

Some one mentioned that they would get a incentive from the TA instead. Yes but the $100 OBC is in addition to that amount. Also note that the $100 OBC is in addition to any other future OBC or price changes for Early Saver and Military. It is not cancelled if you accept a price change or OBC during a sale.

[Galleon1234]

Great information from all. Please keep it coming!

[The4Cruisers]

I wish people would stop booking onboard until they bring back the FCC's