Booking a cruise while on the ship.

[MUPoppy]

Is it cheaper to book another cruise while on the ship, or is it just as cheap to use our travel agent? Wife and I are going on the Fantasy on Jan. 8th and want to book another cruise for our 30th anniversary. Have compared a few different cruises and have all the prices written down was just wondering.

[2Shoes2Go]

There is no longer any advantage to booking while onboard. If there is a consultant working the desk, they have short hours and no seating. We like booking at home.

After your cruise, you should be offered an Early Saver Future Cruise Offer by email. You can find this offer when you log in on Carnival's website, under your VIFP number. It carries a pretty good rate, $50 OBC, and a reduced deposit. If you are ok with the conditions of booking ES, it's a pretty good deal.

Btw, we are sailing on Fantasy with you. :D

[Rob&Bonnie]

We looked at this last cruise with friends and found that we were better off booking on our own. We literally used the computers on the ship in front of the future cruise desk and booked.

[MUPoppy]

Thanks, look for the large group with 9 kids 13 to 2. Griswolds go cruising.

[jnckaufman]

We had a great experience booking on the cruise. We received an extra perk, additional OBC and smaller deposit. I was traveling with my agent, he received credit, and confirmed it was a better deal than what I could done off ship.

 

I already have my booking for 2019. If I find a cheaper price or better perks, I’ll ask them to convert our current booking.

 

It never hurts to look / ask.

 

 

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[richfret]

For info, you can book a cruise while on a cruise and then assign your Travel agent shortly after you return from the cruise. There was a time you would get special discounts if you booked while on a cruise. That is no longer in effect but you can still do the booking. I find that booking at least a year out is the best approach. If the price drops, you can usually get it adjusted to that price. Then do the discounted gift payment and you will save even more.

[jnckaufman]

For info, you can book a cruise while on a cruise and then assign your Travel agent shortly after you return from the cruise. There was a time you would get special discounts if you booked while on a cruise. That is no longer in effect but you can still do the booking. I find that booking at least a year out is the best approach. If the price drops, you can usually get it adjusted to that price. Then do the discounted gift payment and you will save even more.

 

This was just in March 2017 that I received extra perks. I’ve been talking to others on cruises this fall that received additional dollars on future sailings. I guess it depends on the line.

[firemanbobswife]

We had a great experience booking on the cruise. We received an extra perk, additional OBC and smaller deposit. I was traveling with my agent, he received credit, and confirmed it was a better deal than what I could done off ship.

 

I already have my booking for 2019. If I find a cheaper price or better perks, I’ll ask them to convert our current booking.

 

It never hurts to look / ask.

 

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Carnival doesn't give extra perks. You get $50 OBC or $100 OBC for a Suite, reduced deposit, 2 category upgrade, and Early Saver Fares. It's the same for 2 weeks when you get back.

[xDisconnections]

Carnival doesn't give extra perks. You get $50 OBC or $100 OBC for a Suite, reduced deposit, 2 category upgrade, and Early Saver Fares. It's the same for 2 weeks when you get back.

 

The old future cruise certificates worked very nicely... when they offered them.

[firemanbobswife]

The old future cruise certificates worked very nicely... when they offered them.

 

I never did get one but I did on Celebrity. Using one for my upcoming Edge Cruise. $100 deposit, $200 OBC for myself, and 2 other cabins get $100 OBC. It was a heck of a deal.

[cmp03]

There is no longer any advantage to booking while onboard. If there is a consultant working the desk, they have short hours and no seating. We like booking at home.

After your cruise, you should be offered an Early Saver Future Cruise Offer by email. You can find this offer when you log in on Carnival's website, under your VIFP number. It carries a pretty good rate, $50 OBC, and a reduced deposit. If you are ok with the conditions of booking ES, it's a pretty good deal.

Btw, we are sailing on Fantasy with you. :D

 

Do you know if you already have a ES rate booked, can you use this as a price savings IF the price is lower with this special? We have cruise coming up but there's a rate for the room we want now that is good, afraid room will be gone in a few months but not sure how much cheaper the 'future cruise' rates really are.

Edited January 1, 2018 by cmp03
spelling

[nevada2121]

Onboard they have a complete list of open cabins on their computers, the websites push the less desirable ones first, say below pool decks or buffets or above or below night clubs and they list those first, without mentioning others are available in the same class of cabin. Check out the website to see what it says are available and the list tends to only be the less desirable locations before dealing with a onboard specialist & tell them you want a catagory XX on deck A, then go the specialist or Call up and try to book and say you only want a cabin in that area that’s not listed or you won’t book it and surprise they have a whole list of available ones where you want, even though the sites don’t mention them.

 

I don’t believe that 6-12 months before a cruise, the only available ones just happen to be below the pool deck or buffet

 

 

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[2Shoes2Go]

Do you know if you already have a ES rate booked, can you use this as a price savings IF the price is lower with this special? We have cruise coming up but there's a rate for the room we want now that is good, afraid room will be gone in a few months but not sure how much cheaper the 'future cruise' rates really are.

 

Yes, you should be able to price match to the ES Future Cruise Offer. It also carries $50 OBC. Check the rate when it comes in your email. We have priced matched ES to better ES in the past. It is also possible to keep a cabin on hold until you are ready to book. A good TA or PVP can capture for you, when you release it. We have held a cabin for a week when necessary.

[neatokimmo]

Does anyone remember how much the reduced deposit was for an 8 day?

[glrounds]

Several years ago, one could put down $100 on any future cruise you might pick within 2 years and Carnival would give you your $100 back plus an additional $100 credit on that cruise. Didn't notice that little desk, however, the last time I was on board.:(

[CoW mAn]

The future cruise program sucks now. All you get is $50 OBC for the cabin but only on Early Saver and you have up to 2 weeks after your trip to do it.

 

[YOUTUBE]MuJXKocdoes[/YOUTUBE]

[xDisconnections]

Several years ago, one could put down $100 on any future cruise you might pick within 2 years and Carnival would give you your $100 back plus an additional $100 credit on that cruise. Didn't notice that little desk, however, the last time I was on board.:(

 

It was $100 onboard credit for a 7 day cruise but the longer ones went up to $200 or $250 and was able to be combined with the shareholder benefit unlike the holding company they directly competed against.

[simplelife]

Generally the advantage of booking while still on a cruise is to get OBC . As long as you choose a refundable rate, you can change it later, when you find a favorable rate on your own or through a travel agent.

 

 

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[firemanbobswife]

Generally the advantage of booking while still on a cruise is to get OBC . As long as you choose a refundable rate, you can change it later, when you find a favorable rate on your own or through a travel agent.

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Not anymore. The future cruise offer is tied to Early Saver only so you’ll have the penalty and you will lose the $50 OBC. No more “sleeper cruises”.

[v8v83838]

Cruise Critic needs to be completely overhauled , hardly any pics or profiles that mean anything, not many ways to socialize to the point you would really know anyone once you board the ship. FB groups are so much more informative, and have used them on past cruises that really helped. Sorry just saying

 

 

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