How cheap can I go?

[mikel24m]

Boss is giving me air miles (Yay!). Actually, flying out Northern Illinois / Southern Wisconsin is ridiculous in most cases. The only bargains to be found in the last two years are the smaller airports where Allegiant Air flies. Otherwise, the flight costs as much as 7 or 8 days at sea. My daughter -- who was given the choice -- picked Puerto Rico. She's fluent in Spanish, and probably wanted more language exposure on the ship.

 

southern itinerary is our second favorite lol

 

 

which ports ?

[cvpends]

Look at booking a 4J. They're an outside for an inside price, plus they are on better decks than inside cabins, IMHO.

[xitappers2bx]

My gf and I just returned off of the Carnival Fantasy for a 5 night cruise and absolutely loved it! We have been toying with the idea of going on another cruise sometime in late October/early December she works full time and is a full time student so her funds are limited so I think I may surprise her with another cruise. My mission is to be as frugal as possible and see just how cheap we can cruise...this could get interesting folks! I will keep you updated in the next few weeks once I get my vacation schedule at work figured out and decided which cruise to settle on.

 

Thanks Guys.

 

go early december, and book it as late as possible. keep an eye on the prices, you'll be able to get an idea if they're going up or drown. and do a 3 night, usually you can grab a redic deal on them (you also can search for the pack n go rates). we did this on RCCL in feb, booked it 48 hours before we departed, and paid less than half of what it was going for two weeks prior, so it was an unbelievable deal. airfare was a touch more, but when combined, still cheaper than had i bought it a few weeks earlier.

[ronandannette]

No one can offer cheaper prices than carnival. period. In addition, booking with Carnival directly means you can call them regarding your booking.

 

Carnival's far from the only option. OP, try that site with the gnome. It makes it very easy to search and compare different ships, dates etc., and can sort your results by price. NCL and RCCL are very competitive price-wise on their short itineraries, but the choices are more limited in ships and departure ports.

[KrystalWaters]

i've been reading all the posts and suggestions. While Early December is great...especially the week after Christmas, you stated you are going to surprise your girlfriend.Well FYI, most colleges have their final exams that week so make sure you find out her exam schedule. Although a great gesture(EXCELLENT in fact) the cruise may not be a good idea during that time. Sometimes men forget to think about stuff like that.:p

 

Either way, way-to-go!:D

[iluvdoxies]

Seems like early Dec is usually a pretty cheap time to go....after Thanksginving and before Christmas peak times....

 

Yeppers that's a good time for lower fares.

[FloridaGators]

Look at booking a 4J. They're an outside for an inside price, plus they are on better decks than inside cabins, IMHO.

 

 

Check the prices on PT cabins.....we love port holes! Going on 5 day on Elation for $249 pp:)

[tiggerman101]

I always cruise early December because the deals are to good to pass up. I don't book until late though. The fares that most companies have posted now for that time are laughable. They will come way down after the final payment time.

 

I am doing a short solo cruise in September, but have no idea which one yet. I did buy the air last month because it was so cheap. I just booked my flights to perfectly match three cruises out of Miami. Now I will just sit back and see how low the fares get. I know in a couple weeks there will be great deals so I can be patient for now.

[ripjerry95]

I did the 4 day on the Imagination for $179 each. Flights were free with my miles. Not bad! That was in October and off peak month.

[Surfwench]

My gf and I just returned off of the Carnival Fantasy for a 5 night cruise and absolutely loved it! We have been toying with the idea of going on another cruise sometime in late October/early December she works full time and is a full time student so her funds are limited so I think I may surprise her with another cruise. My mission is to be as frugal as possible and see just how cheap we can cruise...this could get interesting folks! I will keep you updated in the next few weeks once I get my vacation schedule at work figured out and decided which cruise to settle on.

 

Thanks Guys.

 

I'm cheap so I LOVE these threads. There is a 4 dayer out of Miami in first of Dec for 189.00 pp for a port hole interior. There is a 4 dayer out of Tampa first week of December for $239.00 pp port hole interior.

 

Even on 7 day cruises our Sail & Sign never gets much above $300.00.... and that includes eating at the Chef's Table. We steer clear of the photos, casino, gift shops and art auctions.

 

One thing I've learned..... a 5 day cruise is typically Mon-Friday... so I need to take the same number of days off from work for a 5 as a 7. With just a little bit more investment and no additional time off work I expand all my cruises to week longs now. 4 days are different as they tend to leave run Thursday through Monday... Really only 1 and a half days off work for me.

 

Have fun!

[Kcarp]

We took advantage of the 72 hour sale and got the Conquest 7 day $515 per person total. 11/4 Lido deck.

[dololie]

First you have to decide what port to leave from. Driving to a port can be expensive. Cruises are usually cheaper going out of Tampa, ft l. As for myself the furthest I am willing to go is Port Canaveral. Which means I am limited to where I go.

[NCTribeFan]

I sailed a few times in mid-December. In fact, DD had to drive home immediately after her last final, do some laundry, re-pack, and we'd leave the next morning for the port.

 

Younger kids were still in school and the prices were very cheap. I drove to Jacksonville and paid less than $50 per person/per night for an inside. Cheaper fare I ever paid.

 

Love sailing that time of year.

[agc291]

Carnival's far from the only option. OP, try that site with the gnome. It makes it very easy to search and compare different ships, dates etc., and can sort your results by price. NCL and RCCL are very competitive price-wise on their short itineraries, but the choices are more limited in ships and departure ports.

 

I didnt say Carnival was the only option. I said no one can offer lower prices than Carnivals meaning a TA or site can not offer a lower price than what Carnival is offering on their site.

[agc291]

your incorrect

 

we arent talking price drops and early saver

 

No, you are incorrect. No one can offer a lower price than Carnival in regards to TA or travel sites. So whats the point in booking with them and having to talk to Carnival through a 3rd party?

 

Also, not just Early Saver rate gets price drops and you may need to talk to Carnival for something else, which you cant do without your TA doing it for you.

[agc291]

just did a quick look 9/2/12 carnival Freedom $339 per person (6 days)

 

show me cheaper than this

 

Carnivals site has the same price:rolleyes:

[kimmimom]

Wed Pack N Go for Sept 1 out of Jax to Half Moon and Nassau, 5 nights on Fascination. Total after taxes/fees for 2 inside room was $558. Can't cancel and they pick your room, but I will be on a cruise in less than 6 weeks! :)

[amysuch]

Check for relocation cruises!

You typically don't get to go to different ports, but it's a great (and cheap!) way to just enjoy the boat!

[firefly333]

No one can offer cheaper prices than carnival. period. In addition, booking with Carnival directly means you can call them regarding your booking. If you book through a TA or online site they will direct you to call them because they can not help you. TAs also do not have to honor price drops if they do not want to, where as on Carnival you can receive them depending on the rate you book.

 

I can promise you 100% this is not true. .. it can be posted in public all people want .. but I can tell you there are ways to get around this. My TA does. Not especially convenient to book his way .. but TAs are deeply discounting. (and not out of their little commission).

[agc291]

Check for relocation cruises!

You typically don't get to go to different ports, but it's a great (and cheap!) way to just enjoy the boat!

 

Conquest, Valor, and Victory are all doing repo cruises coming up, very good itineraries!

[firefly333]

Conquest, Valor, and Victory are all doing repo cruises coming up, very good itineraries!

 

My Miracle cruise from Vancouver to Calif is considered a TA (repo as you call it) cruise.. but it stops at 5 Hawaiian ports. for some reason I dont think it stops at oahu which Im dissapointed in.. as I hoped to go visit where I used to live.

 

I got it for about $1000 total at the time .. Carnival picks the cabin, I get no choice where I stay on the ship. 15 days. Cant apply FCC to this booking, no price drops (luckily its a great price).. but I can apply stock credit to this booking. I think Carnival sells some cabins on some cruises to dump at cheaper rates .. or its free cabins on groups being sold cheaper .. I dont know .. but this is a cheap price and less than half the going rate last time I looked.

 

There are deals out there.

[agc291]

I can promise you 100% this is not true. .. it can be posted in public all people want .. but I can tell you there are ways to get around this. My TA does. Not especially convenient to book his way .. but TAs are deeply discounting. (and not out of their little commission).

 

I have seen your other postings, you do have a good TA! I however can not seem to find one that would do this. However mike was saying you could find cheaper rates booking on sites. I have never found this to be true. I have looked for all different itineraries and dates because our cruise for October has been cancelled and changed three different times due to something else coming up and we had to cruise at a later time.

 

I like booking through Carnival, my TA wouldnt price match and was difficult to get a hold of. Others have great TAs that are always happy to drop the price and throw in extras.

[jules815]

Right now i am going on sept 3 on the miracle for 500 a person it was a steal for a 8 day cruise

 

Wow, nice! Interior?

 

We're sailing Dream on October 20; 7 days, eastern Caribbean. $669pp, cove balcony. Thought we got a great deal (it's over $800 now), but I still check for price drops daily. (In the past we've only sailed during the summer, so we're loving these off peak prices.)

[mikel24m]

No, you are incorrect. No one can offer a lower price than Carnival in regards to TA or travel sites. So whats the point in booking with them and having to talk to Carnival through a 3rd party?

 

Also, not just Early Saver rate gets price drops and you may need to talk to Carnival for something else, which you cant do without your TA doing it for you.

 

I showed you some prices ,beat those through Carnival direct and show me

 

Most people do not need to speak to Carnival after they book anyway so having to call a TA wouldnt be a problem for most of us

[mikel24m]

I have seen your other postings, you do have a good TA! I however can not seem to find one that would do this. However mike was saying you could find cheaper rates booking on sites. I have never found this to be true. I have looked for all different itineraries and dates because our cruise for October has been cancelled and changed three different times due to something else coming up and we had to cruise at a later time.

 

I like booking through Carnival, my TA wouldnt price match and was difficult to get a hold of. Others have great TAs that are always happy to drop the price and throw in extras.

 

It may be better for YOU because you cancel and re book .Most of the people who cruise dont do this