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Is it worth it to book while on a cruise?


portlandpete
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For me it is worth it. I research before cruising and know exactly what I want next time before boarding.

 

I like to visit the future cruise desk early in the week when there is no line. I like the $100.00 OBC I get for a seven day cruise. I like the friends and family voucher we get and a granddaughter has been able to use twice.

 

I like being able to book early saver as a solo, and adding a cabin mate's name later with no penalty under Early Saver. I like that Carnival will transfer my booking to my local travel agent. His is one of the first e-mails I recieve when I take my phone out of airplane mode.

 

I really like knowing, when I disembark, that I have another cruise booked.

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What does the friends and family voucher entail?:confused:

 

You get two vouchers for two friends/family members who book the same cruise as you. They get the same on-board credit options that you do. I think they have to book it within 60 days of your booking.

 

Tip: sometimes the line is long, especially on a sea day. Or worse, you're stuck behind someone who wants to book 6 cabins, but can't decide which sailing. Then which deck. Then which cabins... :(

 

Avoid all that, and -- if you know what cruise you want -- write a note to the Future Cruise Guy, ask him to make the booking and contact you in your cabin with the results. Then just drop the note off for him. :D

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You don't have to know exactly what cruise you want. Book a cruise that is as far out as you can. Don't book early saver.

 

When you get home and you have found the perfect cruise call your PVP and change your booking. As long as you be sure and keep your booking number you will keep the appropriate OBC for your new cruise.

 

If you choose a rate with a reduced deposit while you were on the ship you may have to make up the difference when you change the booking.

 

If you booked a 4 day on the ship and change it to a 7 day your OBC would change from $50 to $100 each.

 

I'm not sure how it effects the friends/family vouchers, but I would guess if you did you changes within the 60 days and they used then it would work. Maybe.

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Edited by Papa_Bear_
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It is for us with the OBC.

 

Since we booked early saver when we booked on board, we were able to get price drops. If the price is lower on Carnival's website, early saver price protection would take care of that.

 

Will you still keep the OBC even if the price drops multiple times and you use the price protection to lower the rate?

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Will you still keep the OBC even if the price drops multiple times and you use the price protection to lower the rate?

 

Yes. With normal bookings you lose promotional obc if you price match to a rate that doesn't include obc. Booking on board is treated differently. You keep the obc as long as you keep the same booking number.

 

As others have pointed out if you happen to book during a reduced deposit sale you will have to pay the entire deposit if you price match to a rate that isn't offering reduced deposits. I pay the full deposit amount upfront to avoid the possibility of this situation.

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Will you still keep the OBC even if the price drops multiple times and you use the price protection to lower the rate?

 

Yes. The only way you lose it is if you have to cancel the cruise and rebook (happened to us once when DH had to have emergency surgery - insurance covered all but that)

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It's not worth it if you spend a lot of time in the casino and might get comped a free cruise. I have heard that most of the bounce back offers will not be offered if you have a future cruise already booked. That being said i got a BB offer with a existing future cruise booked.

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On a past cruise I discussed 2 different options with the tire cruise booth. My sister called and found the prices online to be much less! I was shocked.

 

I would book anyhow for the OBC and get the price drop when I returned home!

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Our friends are currently on a ship right now and got quoted $2,000 more then what I searched for her online at home. To them it wasn't worth it.

 

On a past cruise I discussed 2 different options with the tire cruise booth. My sister called and found the prices online to be much less! I was shocked.

 

I have not found that yet, but no matter which rate you book, you can always call and get the lower rates when you get home as long as it is outside of final payment date.

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