Carnival usual hotel assignment?

[Grey_Goose]

Hello fellow cruisers!

 

I was wondering if there is a usual hotel that Carnival uses when you let them schedule all the flight/hotel/transportation. This will be in Miami, if that has any bearing. Please tell about any experiences you have had with letting them set up flight/hotel/transportation.

 

Thanks!

 

GreyGoose

[cali-croozer]

You can usually save a substantial amount of money booking air, hotel and transportation to port on your own. We used Carnival on our first two cruises because they were before it was easy to book on your own (18 years ago!)......at least it was easier for me to use them. Anyway, everything worked out fine, we were met at the Miami airport and transported to our hotel by bus, and then the next day from the hotel to the port. You should try to price the air, hotel and taxis/transfers on your own so you can compare to Carnival's price. On our last 2 cruises, Carnival's transportation prices were almost double of what we spent. Remember, you will not have any say in the flights that you get with Carnival. Some people have been happy, others have been routed around the country....... PS: There's also a "Cruise Air" message board that may have tips for you. Good luck planning.

[RWolver672]

Hello fellow cruisers!

 

I was wondering if there is a usual hotel that Carnival uses when you let them schedule all the flight/hotel/transportation. This will be in Miami, if that has any bearing.

According to their 2000-2002 brochure (they don't have it in their new ones) the hotels they use in Miami/Ft. Lauderdale are : Sheraton Bisayne Bay, Wyndham Miami Beach Resort, Fontainebleau Hilton Resort and Towers, Ft. Lauderdale Marine Marriott, Cheeca Lodge, Pier House Resort and Caribbean Spa (Key West).

 

The biggest problem that we had with booking our hotel with Carnival was that we arrived by air early in the day and couldn't get into our hotel rooms until late that afternoon. We wound up changing into summer clothes in the hotel lobby bathrooms just so we could sit outside without roasting.

 

In most cases, you can book your air cheaper on your own. However, Carnival gets a set rate from the airlines each year. If the fuel prices skyrocket like they have in the past, sometimes it is cheaper to deal with the cruise lines. We have had one cruise where we saved money by buying through them and it was a considerable amount too. Plus we had the added advantage of the transfers being included in the price.