help getting the good discount rate booking cruise

[sshhllcruise]

Hi,

    This is my 2nd time taking a cruise since long time ago.

I wanted to check in how ppl are getting price and discount booking cruise.

So far, looking thru different travel sale site and all pretty much are same offering as the cruise site.

I haven't call the cruise line directly but i would do soon. 

Just checking in how other folks are booking it.

Looking for 8 ppl on this cruise and heading to Caribbean Western route in July.

Appreciated on pointer and advice on this.

[teknoge3k]

Your prices are likely going to be higher now because you're wanting to book a cruise now, for July. In cruise terms, you're booking at the last minute. Just like flights are typically more expensive if you book at the last minute. Most people book cruises 1-2 years in advance to get the best rates. Usually you won't find anywhere that undercuts the cruise line themselves. 

 

ETA: People are already checking-in now for July cruises. Definitely last minute. 

Edited April 3, 2019 by teknoge3k

[sshhllcruise]

Thanks Teknoge for pointer.. As i said, this is 2nd time cruising again in so many years. Please easy on me.

😀😀😀

[teknoge3k]

7 minutes ago, sshhllcruise said:

Thanks Teknoge for pointer.. As i said, this is 2nd time cruising again in so many years. Please easy on me.

😀😀😀

 

Look at the price you're seeing now for the cruise in July you wish to take. Now, look at the same cruise in July 2020 and see what the price difference is. For our cruise next month, people are now paying more for 2 people in an interior cabin than we paid for 4 people in a balcony. The prices have doubled just about for our sailing. 

[shoptom]

The cruise price should be the same everywhere.  It's the perks you can negotiate with whatever travel agent you choose where the value comes from.

[dmdiver]

Fares are the same unless you manage to get into an agency's group booking.  We've done that before in the past.  While going through an agency may not get you a lower fare, they usually will be offering some sort of perk like onboard credit or some freebies.  We've done that as well in the past.  That being said, we still tend to book directly through the cruise line so we have complete control over our booking.  I can watch for price drops & handle them myself instead of having to play phone tag with an agency.  

[soonernstlouis]

If you are booking a Carnival cruise (assuming so since you are posting on a Carnival board....

 

Buy up on the 10% discounted Carnival gift cards sold by AARP Rewards for Good.  

Edited April 4, 2019 by soonernstlouis

[Joebucks]

July is going to be your most expensive month. Wait a month and it goes down. Wait another and it goes down significantly. A TA may be able to give you some other perks. AARP has discount cards. Other than that, there really no other tricks. It is mostly supply and demand pricing. When you are flexible with your timing and itinerary, that is where you can find some good deals.

[MCC retired]

Best way to save this late is to be flexable about dates , cabin choices and ships .

Also TA's are not permitted to advertise their fares ,such as speculative group rates, so merely viewing their websites 

you will not see them . You must contact them.

The more $$$ the cruise , the better the Cruise Specialist TA deals such as OBC .

 

[Elaine5715]

Frequent cruisers get different offers.  You need to be signed up on cruise line websites and opt in for notifications for specials.  Then check your email.

[buckeyefrank]

15 hours ago, sshhllcruise said:

Hi,

    This is my 2nd time taking a cruise since long time ago.

I wanted to check in how ppl are getting price and discount booking cruise.

So far, looking thru different travel sale site and all pretty much are same offering as the cruise site.

I haven't call the cruise line directly but i would do soon. 

Just checking in how other folks are booking it.

Looking for 8 ppl on this cruise and heading to Caribbean Western route in July.

Appreciated on pointer and advice on this.

Like others have said, Carnival will not allow TAs to discount the price of their cruises.  You will find the same price at Carnival and all the TAs.  The only thing you can do to save money on a specific cruise is to pay with GCs that are purchased at a discount or obtain some OBC through a TA.

[sshhllcruise]

Thanks all the reply. This is really help me out. @soonernstlouis, AARP still have the 10% off GC? I am not a member so not sure i be able to see it. 

[grandmarnnurse]

17 hours ago, sshhllcruise said:

Hi,

    This is my 2nd time taking a cruise since long time ago.

I wanted to check in how ppl are getting price and discount booking cruise.

So far, looking thru different travel sale site and all pretty much are same offering as the cruise site.

I haven't call the cruise line directly but i would do soon. 

Just checking in how other folks are booking it.

Looking for 8 ppl on this cruise and heading to Caribbean Western route in July.

Appreciated on pointer and advice on this.

First of all, July is pretty close. For best rates, I book at least one year out. I even have one booked that I booked two years out. And I book online directly through my Carnival website in my account. I don’t bother with a TA, or searching out cruise companies for different rates. I only book directly through a cruise line. So, if you are looking for a discounted rate for a cruise for this July, I believe you are out of luck. Now if you are looking for July 2020, a better rate should be available. 

[sshhllcruise]

Thanks cruisers... I booked for July. Next time, I know I would book in a year in adv.

[ray98]

As others have said, most of the advertised fares are going to be the same.  Some agents will offer some type of incentive for booking with them that is usually a OBC.

 

For now, you have picked a very busy month so you won't have the opportunity to find many bargains.  Most of the itineraries have started to fill up so that means the prices have started rising.  Your best bet at this point is to be flexible.

[sshhllcruise]

Thanks..  booked with the cruise line, they able to offer me the oceanview room for less than $50 off than the interior room. Look like oceanview room is little bit bigger. Plus $50 OBC for each room. Other online agent offer little better on OBC and other incentive but booking directly offer pretty close to the online agencies. So booked it directly and have access to manage my cruise much easier.  

[soonernstlouis]

6 hours ago, sshhllcruise said:

Thanks all the reply. This is really help me out. @soonernstlouis, AARP still have the 10% off GC? I am not a member so not sure i be able to see it. 

You do not have to be a member of AARP at join.  You do need to “earn” point to purchase the gift cards at a discount.  The $100 and $500 cards are currently available; they are mailed when you purchase but $500 or more are shipped UPS & usually require a signature.  Takes about 5-10 days mailed.

 

E-gift cards are currently not available but occasionally are listed on their site.  Refer to the many posts under the Carnival board for more details.