I really could use your thoughts - price issue

[vesw01]

Ok, I know the first thing someone will say is "you should book what you want," but I don't know if that would make that big of a difference. I saw that Carnival is having a sale tomorrow and I am going to call my PVP to see if it helps...

Currently we are booked on the Valor 9/24/-10/1 for $399 each (total) 4a guar. To move to an OV guar would be $400 more (for both of us)

 

This is my husbands first cruise and I don't want him to be disappointed. I know we will have a good time regardless and keep thinking we could use the money toward other things....I guess what I am asking is how bad is an inside cabin? I know they are the same size, but I don't know what to do.........

[jckvpa0]

I've never have stayed in a inside & never will, I know I would feel to claustrophobic. If you can afford the ocean view I would go for it.

 

I'm trying to convince my dh that a 9A is not to small :eek: !!!

[CBXRAY]

Ves...

 

What can you afford? I've never had an inside cabin so I can't help you there. But I know I have always enjoyed waking up and checking outside the window to see the weather and if we were in port yet. Personal decision for you...."do what you want"(j/k). If you can afford it then go for it, but you got a great deal with the inside cabin. You will have fun no matter what!! It's vacation, live it up and leave all your worries behind:D

 

take care,

 

chris

[moonvine]

I don't mind insides. Nice and dark for daytime napping if you turn off the lights. It really depends on the person.

[vesw01]

"Afford" is a relative term - we don't have money oozing out of our pockets and this was a whim purchase. I am going to see how the sale affects our price tomorrow and then I am going to try to stop thinking about it. We had an OV on the Victory (handicap cabin all the way in the front - beautiful to look at NYC) but not sure how much time I looked out the window. We had a small deck in front of ours and there were people out there - so it seems we kep the curtains closed (but heck I can't remember yesterday).

[Gman2004]

"Afford" is a relative term - we don't have money oozing out of our pockets and this was a whim purchase. I am going to see how the sale affects our price tomorrow and then I am going to try to stop thinking about it.

 

The sale is not going to benefit you as the sale does not apply to the gaurantee categories....IS, OV, BL, ST. You have to book cabin assignment for that promotion and the cabin assignment prices are more expensive.

[Gman2004]

Currently we are booked on the Valor 9/24/-10/1 for $399 each (total) 4a guar. To move to an OV guar would be $400 more (for both of us)

 

The prices have gone up since you booked.

 

4A CPNS $579 <---------the category you would need to book tomorrow to take advantage of the sale. It looks like it may benefit you if the sale applies to this sailing and depending on how much extra they charge for the upgrade. The promotion says upgrade from $19. From means exactly that......the upgrades start at $19 and each sailing may be higher.

IS CPCD $479 <---------same cateogry you booked for $399.

OV CPCD $599 <-------------this is what the OV price is today. looks like this has not changed since you booked which is why they may be offering an upgrade promotion so they can try and fill the higher priced cabins.

[bucket_O_beer4john]

First cruise we booked inside, got upgraded to a OV. Loved it.

 

Next 2 cruises, went with a balcony and swore off ever thinking about an inside cabin.

 

Next cruise we booked an inside due to $$$ with our son going along. Did I miss the balcony or being able to see the water? You bet. Did I hate it? Not a bit. Still very nice, we just cruised different, and didn't spend NEARLY as much time in our cabin. Got up and dressed much faster so we could go out and about, see the water, check out our new port, etc.

 

If I got into a situation where it came down to an inside cabin or no cruise again, I would definitely go with the inside cabin with no regrets.

 

A cruise is a cruise is a cruise. And they are all good!:D

[I&MsMom]

We've had balconies on 3 of our 4 cruises. We travel with our two kids (3 and 7). On one trip, I took the kids by myself, booking an inside guarantee 10 days prior to sailing.

 

The inside was fine. You do sleep really well - actually needed an alarm clock! Usually the kids are my alarm!! I thought I would really miss the balcony, but to be honest, I didn't. Got us out of the cabin more, too.

 

We just got back from the Miracle and we had a balcony. We didn't use it as much as I thought we should have.

 

Now, we're booking the Freedom for next spring. I'm poised to book an inside. My thinking is that we're going to have so many long port days, and it'll be key to keep everyone as well rested as possible. As the TA said, it'll be "cozy quarters" when we're all present, but honestly that won't be all that often, at least when we're not sleeping.

 

I'm thinking of sending DH up to the exercise room/spa showers when getting ready for dinner, which is when I fear the biggest traffic jams. In the mornings, even with a balcony, our m.o. is that DH gets dressed while I deal with the kids, then he takes them to breakfast, I get dressed, tidy the cabin and meet them for a light breakfast myself.

 

Also, don't the newer ships have the web cam from the front of the ship broadcast on one of the tv channels? We were on the Triumph when we had our inside, and it didn't have that (or I didn't find it!) The Miracle did have it. I've heard of people turning that on the tv and turning the sound off. That way you awake to natural light, and know what the weather looks like and if you're in port.

 

Have a great cruise, whatever you decide!

[vesw01]

Great idea to use the webcam. I had the OV on the last cruise, but sat by the large floor to ceiling windows near the casino (on the Victory) and read on the at sea days. We did the fall foliage tour, so hanging out on deck tended to be a bit cold- I had thought that the day at sea was going to kill me, but I had a ton of people to chat with and every few hours new people sat down and then it started all over again. Never did any of the games or anything on board.

[bobobeagle]

I don't mind an inside. If you don't have a balcony, it's not that muchof a difference. You aren't there to be in the room anyway

[starketcher]

Ive had an inside, twice, OV several times, a balcony once. Booked the balcony the upcoming cruise. I will never book an OV again...it'll either be a balcony or inside.

 

I'd stay with the booking you have, heck you might even be upgraded. If you arent then enjoy and realize your savings. If you hubby likes cruising, then you two can decide what you want to book for your next one.

[GottaLuvCruising]

Ive had an inside, twice, OV several times, a balcony once. Booked the balcony the upcoming cruise. I will never book an OV again...it'll either be a balcony or inside.

 

I feel exactly the same way! I book an inside for great value or a balcony for a great experience. We don't spend one extra minute in an oceanview stateroom as compared to an inside. The most I would pay for an OV over an inside is maybe $25 per person.

[Grtcdnwolf]

Currently we are booked on the Valor 9/24/-10/1 for $399 each (total) 4a guar. To move to an OV guar would be $400 more (for both of us)

 

 

Unfortunately since you have already booked... the sale does not apply to you....

[vesw01]

According to my PVP I should call her when all the sales come out and she will tell me whether I should cancel and rebook. Yes I know it says that you can't do that, but it seems like that is just put on there to ward people off. I spoke to her today and she asked me to call her tomorrow to see if it would do anything for me.

Heck it is a toll free call - so why not

[victory2020]

I've had all categories & they're really all the same room. I like inside best because it makes us get out of the room to see anything. I's also easier to sleep being its darker. I would save the money for your next cruise.

[phinfan63]

I've only been on two cruises, one inside and one ov. Personally, I'm not sure it was worth the $50 extra dollars to me. My cabin-mate really wanted the window though so .....

 

My husband is going on his first cruise in October and we booked a balcony. Only problem with that is I probably will never want anything else :-)

 

If Carnival can't give you a really good price for upgrading, it's not worth it. You won't spend that much time in your cabin anyway.

[Jerimiah]

Your cabin is a great place to 1. Sleep 2. Change clothes 3. Take a shower. For most other activities, the rest of the ship offers greater comfort, variety, and a much better view than most balconies. The money saved can offset a lot of other very enjoyable expenses. If cash is not paramount, get the balcony, or at least a porthole. The size,location,cost of your cabin will not alone make your cruise memorable, only you can do that, Enjoy.!!

[cod]

Insides are fine. If I had my druthers I would pick a balcony but, even then, I'm not sure it's worth a lot more $.

 

The couple of times we've had a ov the window was over a bed and, other than letting some light in, was worthless as far as having a "view" goes.

 

As with the others, this is MHO.

[connerjc]

I'm like bucket o beer - 1st cruise we had inside & loved the cruise. Cabin didn't bother me in the least and the price was great. Next two times went OV - enjoyed looking out window, robes, refrigerator. Last time had a balcony. We were in the room more, enjoyed being able to go out on balcony but didn't spend much time on it because of wind. Next cruise in 25 days will be OV again, in Dec we've got aft balcony and in Sep 07 on Freedom we picked sensibly inside but think we will go with our heart and change to balcony (our 40th anniversary). Point is we have enjoyed each cruise no matter the cabin - I don't have to cook and get to spend time with husband w/o TV (almost) or phones or work.

I prefer a balcony but don't like paying the price so will cruise in whatever we can afford at the time.

In the end it's personal preference and if you think your husband will have the same amount of fun in an inside then go for it. Try an OV or balcony next time or if you're thinking he'll be miserable then go for the OV. Think since it will be first cruise much more time will be spent out on decks enjoying activities, relaxing in the sun or checking out the ship. Anyway, that's how it was for us on our first cruise. As usual, just my opinion - you know yourself. Wishing you a fabulous cruise.