Dangerously Easy

[tortuga1975]

ive always used a TA or PVP to book my cruises. I always cruise in October for my birthday and I saw that October 2019 cruises were now available. I did a mock booking of one and and with the half off deposit sale it was too tempting to not lock it in, especially since it was an aft balcony, which I’ve always wanted to try.

 

So anyway, this is very dangerous for my pocket book now that I’ve seen how easy it is to book a cruise! :p

[holdon216]

I've always booked online myself. Click click click!!!

[beerman2]

ive always used a TA or PVP to book my cruises. I always cruise in October for my birthday and I saw that October 2019 cruises were now available. I did a mock booking of one and and with the half off deposit sale it was too tempting to not lock it in, especially since it was an aft balcony, which I’ve always wanted to try.

 

So anyway, this is very dangerous for my pocket book now that I’ve seen how easy it is to book a cruise! :p

 

Enjoy your aft!

[rok233]

Travel agents will soon be obsolete. It's so easy to book travel yourself now and I can always find better deals than a travel agent.

[firemanbobswife]

Travel agents will soon be obsolete. It's so easy to book travel yourself now and I can always find better deals than a travel agent.

 

I love doing my flights and hotels by myself. As far as the cruise I find what I want and book though my PVP. I find that way easier because if I need something regarding the booking later on it’s much quicker and simpler to call him and get it handled. I have no patience for the people at the 800 number which is who you have to deal with when booking online.

[Donh44]

I love doing my flights and hotels by myself. As far as the cruise I find what I want and book though my PVP. I find that way easier because if I need something regarding the booking later on it’s much quicker and simpler to call him and get it handled. I have no patience for the people at the 800 number which is who you have to deal with when booking online.

 

 

I agree 100% with dealing with PVP. I have dealt with mine so many times that we are actually friends. Nothing is ever too trivial for him and is always very accommodating never bugs me. He does call when he thinks a good deal is coming up but NEVER pushy. I also like the fact that he makes a commission on my booking.

[hftmrock]

please keep in mind that you have to be careful with the discount deposits. If you find a lower price and want to get the better price , you will lose that discount (if the lower deposit sale is not still on) and you will immediately have to pay for the rest of the regular deposit. Many people dont know this and are surprised when they want to save some money on a lower price and see they owe money suddenly

[firemanbobswife]

please keep in mind that you have to be careful with the discount deposits. If you find a lower price and want to get the better price , you will lose that discount (if the lower deposit sale is not still on) and you will immediately have to pay for the rest of the regular deposit. Many people dont know this and are surprised when they want to save some money on a lower price and see they owe money suddenly

 

Also beware that they are most likely tied to ES which means cancellation/change penalties and a non refundable deposit. A good PVP will make sure you know that.

[teknoge3k]

Travel agents will soon be obsolete. It's so easy to book travel yourself now and I can always find better deals than a travel agent.

 

I agree 100%. There are some older people who are scared to plan things themselves or just don't know how to get the best deals. All of the brick & mortar TAs around me have closed. I do know one TA in our neighboring state and each time I've booked our cruises, I send him the rates just to see if he could get a better deal and they can't. The best they can do is give us $50 OBC or a bottle of wine or something. No thanks. I'd rather have my direct contact at Carnival to handle everything cruise wise.

[sfaaa]

So long as you don't choose ES, feel free to book away. Refundable deposit means risk free and perfectly safe on your pocket book.

[javamom]

Good job! I always book myself (even Early Saver, wooooo). When I do need to call the 1-800 people I know what I'm asking for and they are very helpful.

[firemanbobswife]

Good job! I always book myself (even Early Saver, wooooo). When I do need to call the 1-800 people I know what I'm asking for and they are very helpful.

 

When calling the 800 number the problem isn’t me - it’s them. So I don’t. 1 call to my PVP and he handles it. Always get the right answers and the problem solved.

[sfnew2sail]

ive always used a TA or PVP to book my cruises. I always cruise in October for my birthday and I saw that October 2019 cruises were now available. I did a mock booking of one and and with the half off deposit sale it was too tempting to not lock it in, especially since it was an aft balcony, which I’ve always wanted to try.

 

So anyway, this is very dangerous for my pocket book now that I’ve seen how easy it is to book a cruise! :p

 

Love an aft balcony!

[sandy toes]

My FAV cruises are those with the Aft.

ENJOY!!!!

[BenjiRodney]

I check the rates, but I use a TA that books a lot of group cruises, so many times I get extra OBC as part of the group perks in addition to any OBC that Carnival may be offering. Group pricing is generally cheaper than the published fares and deposit is fully refundable up to the final payment due date.

 

 

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[Djptcp]

I always book our cruises online unless there is a special requirement to go through the cruise line reps (for a casino-related cruise) or if I want to upgrade one already booked. Same for land trips, too.....many times the hotels have special online prices cheaper than if you call them to book.

 

I use Chat a lot on Holland America for quick questions and to request a mini-fridge for a cabin on an older ship.

 

I stopped using a travel agent back in the late '90's when I kept getting told I couldn't do something (like booking air for 10 days or 2 weeks instead of the standard 7 days on charter flights) and in reality I could and did.

[riclop]

ive always used a TA or PVP to book my cruises. I always cruise in October for my birthday and I saw that October 2019 cruises were now available. I did a mock booking of one and and with the half off deposit sale it was too tempting to not lock it in, especially since it was an aft balcony, which I’ve always wanted to try.

 

So anyway, this is very dangerous for my pocket book now that I’ve seen how easy it is to book a cruise! :p

It's the best way to book.

[Maddle]

I agree 100%. There are some older people who are scared to plan things themselves or just don't know how to get the best deals. All of the brick & mortar TAs around me have closed. I do know one TA in our neighboring state and each time I've booked our cruises, I send him the rates just to see if he could get a better deal and they can't. The best they can do is give us $50 OBC or a bottle of wine or something. No thanks. I'd rather have my direct contact at Carnival to handle everything cruise wise.

 

I don't understand... if the TA is offering $50 OBC, isn't that better than $0 OBC? Your price would be the same, you would have $50 to spend, someone else does the paperwork, and makes a few bucks (not from you, from the cruise line.)

 

What advantage do you have with the direct contact at Carnival?

[teknoge3k]

I don't understand... if the TA is offering $50 OBC, isn't that better than $0 OBC? Your price would be the same, you would have $50 to spend, someone else does the paperwork, and makes a few bucks (not from you, from the cruise line.)

 

What advantage do you have with the direct contact at Carnival?

 

$50 isn't worth it to me to involve a middle man with my travel plans. I don't want to have to run to someone else every time I want something done. I want full control. Not to mention, the $50 was very few and far between. Normally he couldn't even get that.

[tallnthensome]

$50 isn't worth it to me to involve a middle man with my travel plans. I don't want to have to run to someone else every time I want something done. I want full control. Not to mention, the $50 was very few and far between. Normally he couldn't even get that.

This is correct. I used a travel agent one time and never again. Did nothing that I couldn't do myself. I'm more knowledgeable then she was.

[firemanbobswife]

$50 isn't worth it to me to involve a middle man with my travel plans. I don't want to have to run to someone else every time I want something done. I want full control. Not to mention, the $50 was very few and far between. Normally he couldn't even get that.

 

My experience exactly. It was a total pain and it just so happened this TA wasn’t available 24 hours a day. Almost lost out on several hundred dollars because of it. And some charge $25 for the initial booking and/or changes to your reservation. No thanks. I’ll stick to my PVP.

[dna529]

I agree. Not worth it to not have control over my booking!

 

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[jeffjeffjeffjeff]

ive always used a TA or PVP to book my cruises. I always cruise in October for my birthday and I saw that October 2019 cruises were now available. I did a mock booking of one and and with the half off deposit sale it was too tempting to not lock it in, especially since it was an aft balcony, which I’ve always wanted to try.

 

So anyway, this is very dangerous for my pocket book now that I’ve seen how easy it is to book a cruise! :p

 

That is a nice AFT you got there.