If you book through a TA, they will not be checking on prices for you, so you must contact them, and tell them that the price has gone down, after checking with the cruise line.
Is why if you have a good one, hold on to them. They all don't do this because it cuts their commission. Thankfully some are more interested in building long term client relationships.
I would like to say my TA was good, and she is in a lot of ways, but when it comes to "checking" for discounts on cruises, once you have signed up, the answer is NO. That is why I "check-up" on my own. This way, if there is a discount coming, I will make sure I get it. If they don't tell us, then it is MORE money in their pocket.
I know what you mean. Have heard stories of some that don't even inquire about resident or military rates.
Another consideration about how far in advance to book is if it is a new ship. The new ships tend to fill up quicker, and the cabins get picked over faster.
Dwayne
Posts: 4979 | Location: South Carolina | Registered: August 22, 2005
We were thinking about going again in April '08 and our PVP (Dave) at Carnival just happened to call me and gave $50/pp discount for early booking. I guess it was either a one-day sale or he needed to make a booking...anyway, we made the deposit in July, so that was 9 months in advance with a choice of the exact stateroom and plenty of time to make the payment. This is cheaper thatn our cruise in May '06, so I guess it paid off!
As a TA, I let my clients know that if the price does reduce, I will TRY to get the discount, there are times you do not qualify for a reduced rate. For instance, if it is a one day sale and the fine print states for NEW bookings only..then chances are you will not get the reduction. I tell my clients to call me and remind me to check for them, if I checked every booking I have made that is all I would get done in a days time..so I let my clients know..if you see the price go down, or you want to know if it went down, then please call me and I will see if you qualify for it. I love getting either the reductions or upgrades for my clients...and they love it also. Not all TA's will refuse to get the reduction for you...some are just so busy they do not have the time to check each booking. As far as the commission lost...its usually not that much..but even if it is, the best policy is to try to get the reduction for your client..this way you will have a loyal client.
I just had clients that booked an inside guarantee on a HAL ship, when their documents came they had been upgraded to an Oceanview..well last week, I received an email from HAL that for an additional $79.00 total per person they could upgrade to a balcony cabin. They were ecstatic..they saved about $300.00 per person by booking the way they did. Of course this is not usually the norm, but its great when it happens.
Sounds like a good deal. Actually Carnival had called me not too long ago, but I told him I had a TA, and he was nice about it, and said, if I have any other questions, to feel free to call him.
Going through the line itself is alright, but I like going through the TA, that way if anything goes wrong, and it has in the past, I can contact them then, and get the situation resolved, or make sure they will reinburse me one way or another. I'm sure the line would too, but I feel more "comfortable" with them close by, for as they say, "Word of mouth is your best customer." This is true. If an agency wants to keep in business, they will TRY their best to work things out with their customers.
I forgot to mention, even though they gave you that discount, keep "checking" on prices, to make sure the rate has not gone down some more, since it is 9 months out, as it could, and they should give you a credit or something for that, if it does.
Actually my TA is not bad, although when I found that "checking" with the cruise line itself, might save you money, I emailed her about this. I could tell she was a little "unhappy" about this, so I decided to email the owner of the company. To make the long story short, when she emailed me back, her "wording" was a little more friendlier.
Also, to say the least, on our last booking, she got us a (I didn't feel right about it, but everything worked out)handicap balcony room, which was very nice. I did tell her we would be "more" than glad to move, should they want us to, but they never ask us to move.
brneyes, I remember when you were dealing with your agent about reductions in prices. Glad it all worked out for you. I hear the handicapped rooms are really nice and a bit larger then the standard room..so you did alright.
I just booked with Carnival for a cruise April 20, 2008. I've been checking the website for the last 4 months on the room availability. Today though I found I could get room upgrade plus past passenger discount. I jumped at the chance. Pays to keep checking.
It depends on if you got a good deal or not.. We booked yesterday, and the price was up 150$ from 2 weeks ago. But it was lower 2 weeks ago from 6 months ago. If you see that the price gets lower, I would demand Carnival to refund part of the price. You can always cancel and rebook.
Originally posted by MONIQUEH: It depends on if you got a good deal or not.. We booked yesterday, and the price was up 150$ from 2 weeks ago. But it was lower 2 weeks ago from 6 months ago. If you see that the price gets lower, I would demand Carnival to refund part of the price. You can always cancel and rebook.
No need to demand. Just ask them and they will gladly do it for you. If it's after final payment, then they will give you OBC instead of a refund. Sometimes they will give you an upgrade instead as well.
Just wanted to add if it is prior to the final payment due date they will make adjustments, even if you have already paid in full. If it is after the final due date they usually don't, unless it is a substantial drop and within a few days.
I booked the Elation cruise 3 months in advance, I was able to get cheap air out Buffalo which was half of flying out of Toronto.
May 2004 - MS Fascination Key West & Cozumel May 2005 - Carnival Glory Eastern Oct 2005 - MS Imagination 5 Day Western (Cancelled due to Hurricane Wilma) Oct 2005 - MS Fascination Nassau (Rebooked After Wilma) Apr 2006 - Carnival Victory Exotic Western May 2007 - Carnival Triumph Exotic Eastern Oct 2007 - Carnival Elation Baja Mexico July 2008 - NCL Norwegian Star Alaska
Hi Carol, yes you are right that our TA got us the handicap room, although I was really "embarrassed" to be using it, but then I really don't think anyone noticed when we went in/out. Yes the room was very nice, and the balcony too. I think in "her" way, our TA tried to make up for the problem that had risen by me notifying her of the price reduction of the rates, and notifying her supervisor too, but I wrote it in a NICE way.
I haven't made the reservations as yet, but as far as I know it will be the Carnival Liberty, for March 29th. This will be an 8 day cruise, which I have never done before. The reason I want to do this one (my friend who is going with me, has NEVER cruised before) is, I have been to so many of the islands, and this time (I just heard of this island last year)we will be going to the island of Tortola, BVI. I am really "excited" about it. I understand it is a small island, but not too commercialized as yet. (I'm still waiting for my friend to tell me which room they want, whether inner, window or balcony. I have no problem with any of them, as I have done them all. I think they is "discovering" that this trip is going to be more than they thought, as I told them the prices, but that we have to ADD on air fare and insurance.)
Since this is posted on the Carnival board the rate reductions are easy. They have great policies on allowing agents to lower fares even inside the penalty period. Carol noted already that there are a few exceptions. If your agent doesn't want to lower the rates for you because of the difference in commissions they are not really looking out for your best interest but their own. The total commission on most bookings will not make a significant impact on any agents earnings overall much less a reduction for one booking.
When checking the price reductions sometime add'l rates codes come up after you've booked that were not initially available. Carnival has great promos on some sailings for military (not only active and retired but also non-active and retired vets) and interline employees. Also senior promotions, resident promos, past pax and more. There are a few websites that allow you to check these categories with the click of a tab to see if any have appeared on your sailing after you booked. If you notice a promo that didn't exist at the time, call and ask for your promo code to be changed so you can get the lower rate. Other lines often won't allow this but Carnival is very good about it.
Also some agencies buy block space. If you book very early (I encourage everyone to for the reasons listed in other posts) and later find that your T/A is among those with onboard credits, lower rates or both you may be able to move your booking into the group and take advantage of the perks. If you booked direct and an agency has these offers but CCL direct does not, call the agency and let them know you'd like the perks. Then call CCL and have your booking transferred to the agency. It's free and may save you money and get you some spending money on the ship.
When checking the price reductions sometime add'l rates codes come up after you've booked that were not initially available. Carnival has great promos on senior promotions, resident promos, past pax and more. Cheers, Neil
Neil, I've been to the Carnival board and tried to find out if there's a senior promo but can never find the place to do that. When I just check for cruises and the pricing page comes up it asks where I'm from but there's nothing there to click off for senior. Where do you look?
That is why I "check-up" on my own. This way, if there is a discount coming, I will make sure I get it. If they don't tell us, then it is MORE money in their pocket.
with them close by, for as they say, "Word of mouth is your best customer." This is true. If an agency wants to keep in business, they will TRY their best to work things out with their customers.
save you money, I emailed her about this. I could tell she was a little "unhappy" 
to be using it, but then I really don't think anyone noticed when we went in/out. Yes the room was very nice, and the balcony too. I think in "her" way, our TA tried to make up for the problem that had risen by me notifying her of the price reduction of the rates, and notifying her supervisor too, but I wrote it in a NICE way. 
