Did we make a mistake??

[KCcruzor]

Hello! My wife and I booked our first cruise two weeks ago. We are doing a 4-day Bahamas cruise on Carnival in November. We are really looking forward to it! I have a few questions that I was hoping this great forum could help answer:

 

1. We booked the cruise on Carnival's website and airfare at Southwest's. After the fact, I was reading in a cruise book I checked out from the library, that it is best to use a travel agent--that they can find discounts on airfare that some cruise lines offer. Is this common?

 

2. We have an ocean view cabin near the back of the center part of the ship. How do we know whether this could potentially be a loud room (above or below restaurants / bars / movie theatres)?

 

3. Does anyone have any recommendations for transportation service to get us from the Orlando airport (MCO) to Port Canaveral (and vice-versa)?

 

Thanks a bunch!

KCcruzor

[Scrapnana]

Next cruise talk to the cruise line about airfare. Sometimes it is worthwhile to buy from them (like if you are flying in the day of the cruise they won't leave without you) but often you don't get as many choices as if you booked your own.

 

Your cruise line will likely have a shuttle (usually in the neighborhood of $35-40 per person) from MCO to Port Canaveral. Since it is just two of you, that is likely the cheapest and easiest option.

 

Google "deck plans" and the name of your ship and you can check what is above and below you.

 

Hope you have a great first cruise!

Edited August 14, 2015 by Scrapnana

[JVilleGal]

Log onto "your account" on the Carnival website. You need to fill out your info. You can book excursions, dinner reservations and read the FAQ. On this same site you can read about your cruise, your ship, locate your cabin and see what is one deck above & below.

[Essiesmom]

To find out what is above and below your cabin, go to http://www.cruisedeckplans.com. Choose your cruise line, and then your ship. Along the top of the page, on a blue stripe, will be Deck Plans/ Drag Decks/ Pics & Info. Click on Drag Decks. You will be able to drag the deck above your over yours, match the stairwells and see what is above/below. EM

[GUT2407]

Can't help with the airfare and transport question but CC has deck plans.

[Illyria]

Southwest has some pretty good airfares plus you save money on checked bags. It's doubtful that booking air through the cruise line would have saved you much money; it's not a very long or complicated flight.

 

Speaking of which...are you flying in the same day as the cruise?

 

Edit: never mind, I saw in your other post that you're flying in the evening before.

Edited August 14, 2015 by Illyria

[beachbum53]

For many people, letting a travel agent (or the cruise line) handle all of the details is more a matter of convenience, as some don't like to take the time to do all of the on line work themselves. The cruise line will look for the flight that will (hopefully) get you to the port city in plenty of time to get to your ship, but it may not necessarily be the lowest cost. Also, as others have said, looking at the ship's deck plan will help in choosing the cabin you want. If you're not comfortable doing all of the work yourself, an experienced cruise agent is probably your best bet. He/she will be able to interact with you, answer all of your questions, and try to get you what you want. Best cabin choice(s), lowest airfare, flight time that will get you to the port on time, and excursion information, either through the cruise line or an independent contractor. As a first time cruiser, it can be a lot to take on by yourself. For transportation to and from the airport to the cruise terminal, you can either take Carnival's shuttle bus or a taxi. Hope you have a great cruise!

[Krazy Kruizers]

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

Once you have taken that first cruise, you will be hooked.

We prefer to book our cruises through a TA -- we get some nice perks from her. Also if any problems creep up, she can take care of them.

I book our own airfares and hotels.

[skrufy]

We book through Carnival all the time. Pick our cabin from the website

, then call Carnival to check for state, military, or senior citizen rates etc. Sometimes these rates do not show on the website and its done. Travel agents can give you on board credit and or upgrades. Prices for the cruise are the same who ever you use. Here is the drawback to using a travel agent., all your commmunication concerning your cruise has to go through the agent. There are posts that talk about agents who forget or just dont do thier job. And then there are agents who are wonderful.We have never had a problem with the Carnivals reps. Always friendly and helpful.

 

If you book your flight through Carnival you might fly in the day of the cruise. If you incur any delays from connecting flights or weather Carnival will not wait all day for you. I would only fly in the day of a cruise on a non stop and arrive as early in the morning as possible.

 

You can make reservations with a shuttle service or take the Carnival shuttle. Using Carnival you will wait until the bus is filled. FYI, its a 45-50 minute ride from MCO to PC.

 

OVs are on the main (3) and riveria (2) decks. If you are on the riveria deck then all thats above is the main deck. We book riveria OVs for all our cruises, very quiet. Check the deck plans to see whats above your cabin if your on the main deck. Should be an outside walkway with lounges.

[trish1c]

You did not make a mistake.

 

The book -- an old fashioned method of disseminating information -- recommended you use a TA -- an old fashioned method of booking a trip. Go figure. Cruises & flights are DIY on the internet now. TAs are more for people who have tons of Qs & who feel uncertain.

 

Few cabins are all that noisy. The ship designers took that into account. Shorter cruises are more party hearty which could be a consideration but cabin location will probably be fine.

 

Taxi cabs or shuttles are usually your best bet for ground transportation. The bigger concern is that we recommend flying to your port of departure city the day before you cruise.

[skf]

Think of the air leg of the trip more for your convenience...if Southwest gets you there at a good time for you or has more options you might like, or (as in our case) your local airport has a lot of Southwest flights and is only three miles away then you chose well, even if you spent a few bucks extra.

[Flatbush Flyer]

You did not make a mistake.

 

 

 

The book -- an old fashioned method of disseminating information -- recommended you use a TA -- an old fashioned method of booking a trip. Go figure. Cruises & flights are DIY on the internet now. TAs are more for people who have tons of Qs & who feel uncertain.

 

 

Well traveled folks who do their research will find that using top-producing TAs for their chosen line can offer significant perks like OBC and, most importantly, they can get action on problems (since they may easily do more than $1 million in repeat business) where all you can get (on your own) is BS from someone in an Omaha call center. The same travelers, often top tier frequent flyers/guests, will do their own air and hotel to get business/first tix with a combo of economy airfare + points.

That said, do recognize that some of the best cruise specialist TAs won't do Carnival arrangements unless it's a group (not enough commission)

As for Southwest: Mooooo.

[SMerritt]

I actually use the forums here for information - everyone is so experienced and helpful if you can not find an answer. Start browsing your ship, ports, etc right here on CC.

 

You are getting into a typical "worry-mode" that most of us do when our cruise is getting close

 

Just be sure you have the correct documents (passport or official birth cert), clean undies, stop fretting and enjoy!

 

We book through a TA to get extra "perks" but booking through Carnival is fine.

 

I find our own flights due to pricing and flight times that are important to us.

 

Go onto the Carnival site, creat your account, print your cruise tickets and luggage tags and ENJOY!

[serene56]

3. Does anyone have any recommendations for transportation service to get us from the Orlando airport (MCO) to Port Canaveral (and vice-versa)?Thanks a bunch!KCcruzor

 

 

#3 - this is what I found for my trip next April

http://www.cortransbus.com

www.travelynxusa.com

http://www.cbshuttle.com/port-canaveral-rates.htm

 

 

this will be per car- NOT per person. carnival shuttles will be costly at per person-- and you wait til the buses are full. then arrive with all the rest of the people.

 

your return air flight should be after 12 noon

 

posting a cabin number- we can help- (there is a cabin selection tip board. I am hoping you are NOT under the galley

[serene56]

3. Does anyone have any recommendations for transportation service to get us from the Orlando airport (MCO) to Port Canaveral (and vice-versa)?Thanks a bunch!KCcruzor

 

 

#3 - this is what I found for my trip next April

http://www.cortransbus.com

www.travelynxusa.com

http://www.cbshuttle.com/port-canaveral-rates.htm

 

 

this will be per car- NOT per person. carnival shuttles will be costly at per person-- and you wait til the buses are full. then arrive with all the rest of the people.

 

your return air flight should be after 12 noon

 

posting a cabin number- we can help- (there is a cabin selection tip board. I am hoping you are NOT under the galley

[kitty9]

I totally disagree with using the cruise line to book your flights. I've done that twice and said NEVER again. The flights were awful, as the cruise line will book the very least expensive flights that can have you connecting two or more times. I had Carnival book a flight for me, from Milwaukee to Ft Lauderdale, and they had me fly from MKE to St Louis to Memphis, to Montgomery to Tampa to Ft Lauderdale---in one freaking day, starting at 4:30 am. I can get cheaper flights by booking online via one of those airline booking agencies or by using my air miles.