Joeychgo Posted November 22, 2014 #1 Share Posted November 22, 2014 I just had this happen to me. I had checked the carnival website and figured out which cruise and cabin we wanted. I went onto our TA's website to actually book. I cant name it here but its known for cheap cruises. (hint) As I'm booking through the TA on the phone, I notice at the end, their price is $160 higher then what Carnival's website showed for the same cabin. I called the TA back and got the price fixed. Apparently, Carnival gave me a special rate that the TA didn't pick up on for some reason. Luckily, I got it all fixed and saved the $160 So, always double check the price with the Carnival website and make sure your getting all the specials you should. Make sure your logged into the carnival website with your VIFP # as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
facepirte Posted November 22, 2014 #2 Share Posted November 22, 2014 If you went all the trouble of going through Carnival for prices why not just book there instead of going to a second website to book? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joeychgo Posted November 22, 2014 Author #3 Share Posted November 22, 2014 I don't know -- I've just always booked with this TA. But I've been wondering the same thing lately. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
facepirte Posted November 22, 2014 #4 Share Posted November 22, 2014 Hahaha fair enough Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarnivalPlatCruiser Posted November 22, 2014 #5 Share Posted November 22, 2014 That's actually not possible... Carnival has what is called "Level Pricing" which means the price has to be the same through a TA as it is directly through Carnival. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joeychgo Posted November 22, 2014 Author #6 Share Posted November 22, 2014 That's actually not possible... Carnival has what is called "Level Pricing" which means the price has to be the same through a TA as it is directly through Carnival. I thought so too. I was eligible for some special Casino Rate pricing or something that the TA for some reason didn't know about / have initial access to. Either way, I know its possible because I just had it happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarnivalPlatCruiser Posted November 22, 2014 #7 Share Posted November 22, 2014 Perhaps they didn't give Carnival all the info (military, state of residence, VIFP status, etc). Cause your TA has the same access to any special discounts that you can get directly. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joeychgo Posted November 22, 2014 Author #8 Share Posted November 22, 2014 Perhaps they didn't give Carnival all the info (military, state of residence, VIFP status, etc). Cause your TA has the same access to any special discounts that you can get directly. Sent from my iPad using Forums Quite Possible - who knows. The point it -- double check! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irishnyc Posted November 22, 2014 #9 Share Posted November 22, 2014 (edited) Quite Possible - who knows. The point it -- double check! I think the bigger point (or lesson learned) is that there's really no reason to book with a TA, especially if it's just an online one that you don't personally know or get something special out of using. ;) Edited November 22, 2014 by irishnyc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joeychgo Posted November 22, 2014 Author #10 Share Posted November 22, 2014 (edited) I think the bigger point (or lesson learned) is that there's really no reason to book with a TA, especially if it's just an online one that you don't personally know or get something special out of using. ;) Well, I'm not necessarily a loyal Carnival customer. So prices for other lines can be cheaper. Oh, and there's already been a price drop. Another $40 off Edited November 22, 2014 by Joeychgo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrneil001 Posted November 22, 2014 #11 Share Posted November 22, 2014 Yea, I agree with the others. There is no advantage of going through a TA nowadays. I purchased my Freedom cruise directly through Carnival and when I decided to upgrade, it was a very easy process. I have an upcoming cruise next week that I purchased through Discover Card's TA (to get 5% back), and its been a bit cumbersome having someone act as a middleman for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UpstateCruizer Posted November 23, 2014 #12 Share Posted November 23, 2014 I don't know -- I've just always booked with this TA. But I've been wondering the same thing lately. I used to use an online agency to book my cruises back when Carnival allowed ta's to compete and offer lower prices or OBC. When ES came along the site that used to compete became a hassle since they could no longer offer a better deal. If I'm giving control of my booking to a TA I want something more than what Carnival can give me. Sure there are people that love their TA and may get some strawberries or a few cookies as a gift but it's not worth it to me to have to go through someone else for price drops. Are you gaining anything extra from your TA? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Casco Bay Kid Posted November 23, 2014 #13 Share Posted November 23, 2014 We always book direct. Less channels to go through. Sent from my HTC One mini using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunlite Posted November 23, 2014 #14 Share Posted November 23, 2014 I got $100 OBC for booking with TA. (so 10 free drinks or free 1 person gratuity) everything else was the same as far as price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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