traderneal

I wrote about this earlier in the week. If you have Verizon Wireless and are enrolled in the shopper program, you can purchase Carnival Gift Cards at a 10% discount.

Earlier in the week they only had the $100 cards and they sold out quickly. RIGHT NOW, they have $500 and $100 cards. (The $500 cards are great to pay off any balance you might owe on future travel. $500 means less cards to enter).

You can also use these cards for on board credit. You can enter them into your account before you board.

Hurray these will not last long.

http://www.verizonwireless.com/suppo...verview-video/

Hi:

If you have verizon wireless, and have verizon smart rewards, they are offering a good deal: $100 Carnival Gift cards for $90 (plus .59 per card for shipping). Each card will cost you 1,000 points.

They have offered these cards for a while but have always been out of stock. This morning they are finally in stock. I just purchased 30 of these bad boys to pay off my balance due for my cruise in August. That's a nice savings of almost $300 when you deduct shipping.

I am sure these cards are going to sell out quickly.

Here is the link to sign up and to access your account (I think on the latter)

http://www.verizonwireless.com/support/verizon-smart-rewards-overview-video/

Hey all,

I am going on the Valor on 8/22 out of Orlando. When I booked this trip a little less than three months ago, I paid roughly $869 pp. I have since shaved off roughly $150 pp through price protection. (Don't believe what you hear about the price protection being slow, every time I was eligible I received my credit within 15 minutes. One time at 3:30am on a Saturday morning. (Hey, I was out of town and catching up on work when I noticed the fare had dropped.))

Anywho, for the next 24 hours, the fare for a balcony cabin on this cruise just dropped to $669 (plus all fees and charges) as long as you let Carnival pick your cabin. I think that's pretty sweet. The ship stops at Costa Maya, Belize, Honduras and Cozumel.

Here is the link if you are interested:

http://www.carnival.com/bookingengine/cruise-search/caribbean?datFrom=082015&datTo=082015&embkCode=PCV&shipCode=VA&dur=D2&numGuests=2

Sailing on the Valor on 8/22/15 out of Port Canaveral and I successfully received my second price reduction match in little over a month. Originally paid $869 base price (Balcony), today it was matched down to $809. $240 saved for the four of us, for two quick price completion forms.

It pays to watch the price like a hawk.

I will say, I am impressed in the time it takes Carnival to approve the rate reduction. In both cases it was done in about 15 minutes.

I do have a PVP (at Carnival) and I tried to have it reduced, but she told me I had to fill out the form.

Just got the second reservation approved a half hour after the request.

Leaving on the Valor on 8/22. Noticed about $80 savings, so on my two cabins it would be $160.

I have two booking numbers, so I put the request through on one cabin, and received the adjustment within 90 minutes, but didn't adust the second reservation. Sent the adjustment request on that one and currently waiting for the result.

This is annoying becasue:

1. Why can't I just call and have the price adjusted

2. Why can't Carnival see that I have two booking numbers under my name and adjust both prices.

Haven't been on Carnival in about 7 years. Going on the Valor on August 22nd to the Western Carribean (Belize, Honduras, Cozumel, Costa Maya)

My wife and I are mid 40's, our two girls are 17 and 13. We are getting two cabins on Deck 7 Aft (end of ship, I love those rooms).

Ok, what is the good, bad and ugly? (Wanna add, we had a great cruise last time we sailed Carnival. We went out of NYC on the Miracle.

Are there live poker games at night? Or just the stupid electric table game.

Thanks

Thanks! Didn't even know that forum existed. Thanks for the hotels link as well.

Neal

Flying into FLL one day early (this way we don't have to spend the night at a Philly airport hotel AND get up at 4am for a 6:30am flight) and I would appreciate any recommendations for a nice (doesn't have to be 4 star) hotel and restaraunt near the FLL port.

Thanks

Just a quick note on how RC hooked me up nicely.

I am leaving on the Liberty out of FLL on 1/12 and was booked in a Deluxe Ocean View with a balcony. For the two of us we were paying $1600 (including all fees, port charges, insurance, etc) with a $50 on board credit.

I noticed the price dropped by a couple of hundred dollars and now offered a $100 on board credit, so I called and see if I could get a price match.

Because I had already paid in full for the cruise they couldn't adjust the price nor the on board credit, however they gave me a nice upgrade.

For a grand total of an additional $45, they upgraded me to a Superior Ocean View Stateroom with a balcony AND gave me a $200 on board credit. We also went from deck 7 to deck 10.

Not bad for 10 minutes on the phone.

I am greatly appreciative.

So, if you are booked on a RC cruise leaving soon, be sure to fare compare.

Just a quick note on how RC hooked me up nicely.

I am leaving on the Liberty out of FLL on 1/12 and was booked in a Deluxe Ocean View with a balcony. For the two of us we were paying $1600 (including all fees, port charges, insurance, etc) with a $50 on board credit.

I noticed the price dropped by a couple of hundred dollars and now offered a $100 on board credit, so I called and see if I could get a price match.

Because I had already paid in full for the cruise they couldn't adjust the price nor the on board credit, however they gave me a nice upgrade.

For a grand total of an additional $45, they upgraded me to a Superior Ocean View Stateroom with a balcony AND gave me a $200 on board credit. We also went from deck 7 to deck 10.

Not bad for 10 minutes on the phone.

I am greatly appreciative.

So, if you are booked on a RC cruise leaving soon, be sure to fare compare.

I hate the electronic poker tables. I find it hard to conceive that with 4k folks on board a live game of 6 can't be had.

Looks like I will be saving some money!

Going on the Liberty in January. I like to play poker (Texas Hold 'Em) and I would like to know if there are ring games played during the day and or at night. (Not Carribean Stud or Three Card).

Also, if there are real games, what is the rake?

From what I gather there is an official tourney.

Thanks

Haven't cruised in 7 years. Back then I knew how to play the game and never thought I got screwed on a price. I haven't really been keep pace with changes and wondering how I did on the cruise I booked today.

Today, I booked a cruise through RCL on the Liberty; a five night trip leaving FLL and going to Mexico. I paid $799 for the first person and $400 for the second person for a Deluxe Ocean view from the Stern with a balcony. I am receiving a $50 stateroom credit.

Reading though the RCL forum, I am gathering this is not the best time to purchase a cruise.

Did I overpay? if so any way to get it cheaper (other than checking the prices constantly.)

Let me add that I am extremely flexible with my dates and can change accordingly.

Any and all help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Neal

Hi All:

For the first time in about 20 years, the wife and I are taking a cruise without the kids. Just booked the Liberty of the Seas leaving on January 12th for a quick getaway.

A couple of questions for those who may be in the know:

1. I have never traveled on this large of a ship before and I am a bit apprehensive. I don't know how I am going to like 4449 other folks along for the ride. So my question is, is the ship THAT huge? Does it feel like being in a small city?

2. Because we are without the kids, I have heard the Liberty of the Seas is a kid magnet. But is that true for a cruise in the middle of January and school in session.

Any and all information will be appreciated.

(If you are asking yourself why did I book this before I knew the answers; first, I should have, but it was a spur of the moment thing and I have the entire month of January to travel, so I can easily change everything.

Neal