TA or Carnival website

[spintowin]

First time with Carnival. Looking ay July 23 out of Long Beach. Is it better to book with a TA or do it myself on line? Also, having only cruised with Royal Caribbean, is there anything I should know about Carnival? I guess I should stop reading only RCI boards.

[RBCL]

We find it easier to book online Carnival's site.

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

A good TA...

[tnsail]

Be sure to apply for a VIPP # before you start to look for your cruise on the Carnival search engine.... I am reading that if you do this that you may recieve the past guest rates and they may be better the resident rate...

 

I have not done this myself but have read a couple of post where people have done it an got better deals... Good luck and welcome to Carnival...

[TheHowards]

I've used both. I prefer booking directly with Carnival, only because I have access to my booking online. With a TA, all inquiries, information, payments, etc. must go through the TA. Just a personal preference, though.

[Bobby_Mac]

I prefer to deal with my CCL PVP on the phone. She has been a great help in getting me things that aren't on the website, like rooms that aren't showing as available on the website and getting more for my money.

[CJinFLA00]

We like booking direct through Carnival. I like to have control and don't want to rely on someone else.

[cardqb]

Whereever you get the most perks.. but do it yourself. We used Priceline for our last cruise and it worked out great, even got 2 nights free hotel stay voucher. We used a PVP from Carnival this time because we had a future cruise certificate. Next time we're just going to keep an eye on the deals on the various websites and compare with Carnival... and book online.

[oo ee oo ee baby]

I've used both. I prefer booking directly with Carnival, only because I have access to my booking online.

 

Are you sure about that? I currently have one booked one through a TA, and I found the booking number on my credit card statement for the deposit .... you know, that little 6 digit alpha/numeric code. After logging into carnival.com, I was able to use it to get into my online account and see all the details of the booking, and I updated my info with a credit card for the sign and sail, my travel info, passport info, etc. Maybe I was not supposed to know I could do this?

[ccarpenter1963]

First time with Carnival. Looking ay July 23 out of Long Beach. Is it better to book with a TA or do it myself on line? Also, having only cruised with Royal Caribbean, is there anything I should know about Carnival? I guess I should stop reading only RCI boards.

 

I have never cruised, so take this for what it is worth. (Nothing!) If you are going July 23rd as in 10 days from now and not next year, I would do an online TA where you can get some OBC added since you won't have to worry with early saver and what not. Some sites are advertising up to 300 bucks spending money. JMHO.

 

I booked my cruise on the Carnival site, but I did early saver and want to be able to check for price drops and be able to fill out my own paper work. If you are sailing in 10 days and can get some OBC, I would go that way.

[spintowin]

Yes, the sailing is in 10 days. Using the military discount which I read cannot be combined with any other offer. Does Carnival lower prices as sailing gets closer? Price so far is 964.00 with no frills.

[TheHowards]

Are you sure about that? I currently have one booked one through a TA, and I found the booking number on my credit card statement for the deposit .... you know, that little 6 digit alpha/numeric code. After logging into carnival.com, I was able to use it to get into my online account and see all the details of the booking, and I updated my info with a credit card for the sign and sail, my travel info, passport info, etc. Maybe I was not supposed to know I could do this?

 

Wow! That must be something new. A very nice change from the way it was on my previous TA bookings. I was only able to access online after the cruise was paid in full before. Thanks for the info.

[Stokeset]

To Spintown: I've been on a good many cruises, and with very few exceptions, have used my TA. I consider her my personal shopper. She knows what's in my closet (where I've been, what I like/dislike) and she has never failed to provide service, quality and cost savings above my expectations. But it takes time to form this kind of relationship, so look for one who has long standing experience in the cruise industry, is certified and has actually been on all the cruise lines and is well-traveled.

 

As for the difference between Carnival and RCCL, that is soooo subjective. Personally, I find the differences not between cruise lines but between the SHIPS, as each seems to have it's own business culture and attitude. Just like the cruisers that are on it. So my advice is not to focus so much on the differences, but look for the qualities you feel are important to you. I hope that you have a great experince.

 

To oo ee oo ee baby: I have always done as you did, no matter the cruise line or whether I or my TA booked the cruise- I go tot he website, enter the necessary info, book excursions, order cabin amenities, and even casino credits. Half the fun of a cruise is planning and preparing for it!

[Phillies]

Carnival, why put your destiny in someone else hands