itzkelly

Hi, I recently created a group booking for a cruise with friends next April. When speaking to the Carnival group booking agent, she said we had 14 days to get at least 8 cabins booked (everyone is responsible for booking their own) in order to keep the group booking status. I'm guessing we can meet this number, and likely even more than that, but with this being my first time organizing a group for a cruise, I wasn't sure exactly what else I could ask for re: perk requests, if any? I understand for every 8 cabins, I get one free berth (which I'd rather split up and give as OBC to each cabin vs. keeping it myself). I did a search here and saw that some other groups were able to get champagne and/or chocolates in each of the room... was this done by Carnival or a private TA?

The carnival agent told me the cruise we are on is worth 2 amenity points (?), and that each cabin would get $60 OBC up front. I was looking at the contract sent to me, and don't see this OBC written anywhere, nor mention of amenity points and what that is even used towards?

Any advice on what I should look for to be ON the contract, and possibly what I can ask for re: perks from those who have booked groups before would be MUCH appreciated! The large print on top of the contract saying I have 10 days to dispute anything listed on there is making me want to ensure what was told to me over the phone is in fact what we are getting with our group. And I do understand just because we are booking as a group doesn't mean the perks are galore. ;)

Thanks for your help!

Tell the newbie that you volunteered everyone in the party for a man overboard drill; the $500 onboard credit was just too good to pass up. Even better would be to have an official-looking waiver form for them to sign.

 

 

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Hilarious! I wish there was a "like" button, I'd have pressed it several times in this thread.

Depends on what time of the year you go. We went on Easter weekend (4 day) out of Galveston, so the kids wouldn't miss so much school. There was no crazy partying at all. Lots of kids running around but not crazy wildness. I LOVED it! Weather was also perfect

We are looking at the 5-day 4/22/17 cruise on Liberty out of Galveston - it's the weekend after Easter so I imagine most of the spring-breakers will have already done their thing. :)

You mention that you would be cruising with others. It is probably a good idea to use a Carnival Personal Vacation Planner (PVP) and book that way. All of the reservations would be easily linked by the PVP, so that dining, boarding times, etc can be together. You wouldn't need to worry about that hassle. The PVP also has more options for cabin selection than you would get by doing it yourself. If changes need to be made, you have a single point of contact in your PVP who knows you and your friends' situation. So it's like having the services of an agent with an insiders connection to CCL. However you still have the option of visiting the website and logging in to your cruise after it's booked without having always to go through the PVP or a travel agent.

Ooh, I didn't know Carnival had this as an option - I will definitely look into it, thanks! :)

Hi - I typically book directly through a cruise line when planning my next cruise, yet wanted to know exactly what advantage or incentive there is if I were to go through a travel agent? I usually book any excursions privately, and have no qualms with contacting the cruise lines if I need to make changes or reservations on board. This time, however, I will be cruising with other friends in their own cabins, so am thinking a travel agent may be the way to go?

Thanks!

Hi - my friends and I (40yrs-ish) are looking into a girls cruise and are trying to decide between a 4-day (thur-mon) and 5-day (sat-thur). My thinking is that the 4-day will likely have more of a younger, wilder vibe vs. a 5-day that happens to cruise more in the week. I may be wrong but wanted to get y'alls opinion on this? None of us going are fuddy-duddies, yet I don't necessarily want to be over-run by craziness that isn't mine, ha!

We'd be leaving out of Galveston, so really these are our only two options since a 7-day cruise is not an option with those us of who have little kiddos.

Thanks for your input! :)

If you have Verizon Smart Rewards you accumulate points through your Verizon account. You can then use those points toward discounted gift cards including Carnival gift cards at a 10% discount. So using your points you can purchase $100 gift cards for $90 or $500 gift cards for $450.

Thx! I've had Verizon for my cell for years, never heard of this! I just went in to sign up, now says I have 23,000 points in my account. I looked at the Carnival options and notice they all say "sold out." Does this happen often? I notice no other "travel" card option is sold out, including the other cruise lines... ?

Do you mind me asking what the benefit is of ordering Carnival gift cards thru Verizon? Never heard of this before!

Why after 1/18? We will be in Nassau end of November.

Is it $80 for kids, too?

I would absolutely bring her! We started doing these kinds of things with my daughter when she was very young as well. No matter if they understand the full experience or not it's learning how to act in social situations, etc. that is such a great lesson. That being said, I am sure your daughter will love it. You get to have cookies and meet more characters - who doesn't love that! And be sure to let her dress up!

 

I would suggest going to guest services for the tickets as soon as you board. As mentioned the tea party is very popular and there are a very limited number of tickets.

Oh great! Thanks!! I am sure she will be in awe of the characters and her own dressy dress. :)

Do you think a girl who is just turning two years old (last day of the cruise!) is too young for the tea party? She is currently 22 months old and is already getting into putting on my clothes and our 3yr old neighbors dress up clothes, so I have recently bought her some size appropriate Disney princess dresses to bring on the cruise with us. I thought this tea party may be fun to bring her to (along with the 3yr old neighbor who will be travelling with us, and her mom as well :) ), however, if it's geared more for older girls, I can understand.

Thanks for any input! :)

The response frequently offered by gamblers as to why they indulge, to wit, "it's fun" or "it's worth the expense for the entertainment it affords" often combined with "and I only play with a set amount of money" fail to convince me. How can someone have fun knowing they are sure to lose if they continue playing.

Don't people know they lose money going to the movies, to amusement parks, etc. no matter what? I'm sure they do, but justify the cost to the amount of enjoyment they get doing such activities. Why can't those who gamble be allowed to use the same justification? People pay thousands to enjoy themselves at Walt Disney World with NO hope of getting their money back...if someone else seeks enjoyment at a casino (with their own budget), why would the same reasoning of "enjoyment" be considered ridiculous?

I am leaving this Sunday on the Conquest and CAN'T WAIT to get to the craps tables!! Here's to hoping this cruise will be as fruitful to me as my last cruise was at the craps tables. Pass line, full odds, come bets, full odds. Oh yeah.... :)

I am so happy to hear how you loved the Panorama Deck. We have booked 1065 and 1067 for the January 17th Conquest sailing. This will be our first cruise on the Conquest and our first balcony. I cannot wait!!!!

Hey there ~ we will be in 1061 just a couple doors down on the January 17th sailing!! It will be our first cruise on the Conquest, yet I'll have my first balcony experience next week on the Ecstasy. :)