better to book at carnival.com or ....

[billbren711]

are there any better offers out there through the internet than just going to carnival.com? Im looking into the carnival liberty cruise Jan 7,2012 to eastern caribbean. Just wondering if there may be better offers out there that I'm missing. We are past guest. thanks in advance!:)

[Diamond Graham]

Quick reminder before people begin responding to your question. I have pasted a section of our community guidelines for review...thanks in advance for following our community guidelines.

 

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[Novatrunion]

Yes there are.

 

I booked with an internet agency and got a cabin credit and premium insurance for the same price carnival was charging.

 

Do some research..

[gtalum]

Booking directly with Carnival (either by carnival.com or with a PVP) will offer you the most convenience. Booking with various online travel agents can offer substantial savings off of Carnival's published fares, and often also provide other perks like OBC, drink coupons, bottles of wine, free insurance, etc. The choice is yours, and of course depends on your own personal preferences. Keep in mind that you have to actually initiate contact with a travel agent in order to receive the discounts and perks, as they cannot advertise a better rate than carnival.

 

Personally, we always use travel agents to maximize our return on investment, but your choice may well be different.

[wasiii]

are there any better offers out there through the internet than just going to carnival.com? Im looking into the carnival liberty cruise Jan 7,2012 to eastern caribbean. Just wondering if there may be better offers out there that I'm missing. We are past guest. thanks in advance!:)

 

.....and I've gone through Carnival.com to do it also. What my TA does is rebate me back some of their commission to get the price lower. Other TA's will include free cabin upgrades, prepaid gratuities, etc.

 

There are better deals out there but the problem is the TA's can't ADVERTISE a lower price than Carnival's website. You have to research who gives what.

 

wasiii

 

ps I believe i stayed within the guidelines. Hopefully I won't get a note sent home to my Mommy. ;)

[RoadTripFanatic]

Just an fyi if you book through a different agency be sure to tell them you are a past guest. They should be able to offer you a past guest offer too.

[Ken076]

IMO you're better off booking "live" with a PVP/TA than directly online: (a) on-line you cannot see ALL the available Cabins in your Category; a PVP/TA can help you choose from all the available cabins and probably help you get a better location, (b) a PVP/TA may be able to identify a better rate than you're aware of. ken

[lisa e]

I saved about 175.00 on my booking going through a TA..however I do find it alot easier to book through the cruise line directly , you have more control when and if you need to change things on your reservation..Happy travels Lisa

[BabyJacks17]

My first 2 cruises were through a TA and I gave up after that. I had the unfortunate luck of one that simply didn't have the time to help me with anything once my cruise was booked.

 

I now go through a PVP @ Carnival & feel fortunate that I landed someone who actually will go above and beyond the call of duty.

 

So I basically think it comes down to luck. As others have said a TA can offer you a lot more behind the scenes than a pvp can, however that's only withstanding that you're lucky enough to land a TA that would be willing to build a relationship and help you like that.