best way to book a cruise?

[diggerhawk]

Have any of you booked online, like with Best Price Cruises or something. Is it best to book directly with Carnival, use a travel agent or book online?

[mrsgoofy98]

I am a travel agent with an online presence. I recommend that you get quotes from a couple of agencies. You will receive personal attention if you book through a regular travel agent. Well, at least with me that is the case. To be honest with you, Carnival may not offer you the same discounts that a travel agent or online company might offer. You could check for a price from Carnival just to compare. I do believe that a travel agent is your best bet, however, since we can help you with many questions and will usually assist you if there are any problems, when possible.

Whatever you decide, I hope you enjoy your cruise.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by diggerhawk:
Have any of you booked online, like with Best Price Cruises or something. Is it best to book directly with Carnival, use a travel agent or book online?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

TOO BUSY SELLING CRUISES AND VACATIONS TO TAKE THEM. I WISH I COULD BE ON ALL THE CRUISES THAT I HAVE SOLD IN THE PAST YEAR.

Second Princess Cruise - Can't Wait!
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=008080&cdt=2004;09;22;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]

[dawnp]

Thats really the best advice - read through the boards here and see what people have to say about the online agencies your considering, check the prices at several including the carnival website - different agencies have different prices for the same cruises depending on lots of factors...I've always booked at an online agency and have gotten great prices and I've also gotten personalized service when I needed it but for the most part I don't need too much hand-holding so the online TA is perfect for me. It's all a matter of preference really...

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=191970&cdt=2004;7;3;17;30;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img] until Century

Then let the countdown to the Miracle 08/07/04 begin

Fantasy - 02/04

[halos]

DO YOUR HOMEWORK!
Investigate.
Find the cheapest rate.
Check back with this board to see if the company is reliable.
Book the cruise.
Check on line for price fluctuations EVERY DAY and call the TA for credits or upgrades when the prices drop! Do this up until the day you sail!

I believe in Miracles
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=000080&cdt=2004;6;19;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
MIRACLE JUNE 19, 2004
Calm Seas, Good Friends

[dawnp]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by halos:
DO YOUR HOMEWORK!
Investigate.
Find the cheapest rate.
Check back with this board to see if the company is reliable.
Book the cruise.
Check on line for price fluctuations EVERY DAY and call the TA for credits or upgrades when the prices drop! Do this up until the day you sail!

I believe in Miracles
[url="http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=000080&cdt=2004;6;19;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500"]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=000080&cdt=2004;6;19;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/url]
MIRACLE JUNE 19, 2004
Calm Seas, Good Friends<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

halos - I couldn't have said it better - the last part is so important as you could end up in a much better cabin than you started with or with a nice credit when you leave.

That said make sure that whoever you book with will honor price fluctuations - not all of them do.

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=191970&cdt=2004;7;3;17;30;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]until Century

Then let the countdown to the Miracle 08/07/04 begin

Fantasy - 02/04

[pgmrdev]

My preference is to order with an online wholesaler with big web presence, but is also "brick and mortar" (preferably in your own state). In my case I checked prices with BestCruises and CruiseValueCenter. Both have big web presence, but also both are "brick and mortar" in NJ. In addition, you can not only play one TA against another, but you can play one against itself. For instance, I found BestCruises beat its web price when I also phoned them for a quote. But importantly, whoever you go with, ask questions before booking about their policy and what they will do for you with regard to price drops and the timing of those price drops. In addition, ask if the drops must only be Carnival drops or what if they are other TA price drops that go below your price. It is your money. You should get the best deal you can. And be immune to TA hard luck stories about how little they are making off your sale. If they were losing money, they wouldn't/shouldn't be in business!!!

<html>
<head>
<title></title>
</head>
<body>
<font color="#FF0000">Grand Princess 2-2001</font>
<font color="#0000FF">Grand Princess 12-2001</font>
<font color="#FF8000">Carnival Paradise 3-2002</font>
<font color="#FF00FF">Carnival Destiny 10-2002</font>
<font color="#008000">Golden Princess 10-2003</font>
<font color="#0000A0">Carnival Legend 6-8-2004</font>
[img]http://mywebpages.comcast.net/tshoo/dice.gif[/img]
</body>
</html>

[Cotton]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by dawnp:
check the prices at several including the carnival website...[QUOTE]
________________________

Don't just check the Carnival website. Click the box there that says to have a PVP (Personal Vacation Planner) call YOU! The website rates and the PVP's ability to get you lesser rates are 'way different!

I've used a PVP for my past three cruises, and it's very easy to keep in touch w/her. She has called ME when there has been a rate reduction, and I've called HER when I've found a less rate than what I booked, and have ALWAYS gotten either a rate reduction OR shipboard credits - sometimes both! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

I will tell you that, even tho this PVP has been great (!), I STILL do my homework before actually booking any cruise. I check out a local TA that I sit and talk with, then a couple of online agencies, and THEN I call my PVP. She's always, always gotten me the best deal.

Everybody has their own "best" way to book. I'm just sharing mine, because you asked. Good luck!

Festivale 1987
Carnivale 1988
Mardi Gras 1989
Pacific Princess 1990
Norway 1994
Holiday 2001
Holiday 2002
Holiday 2003

[halos]

Everyone here gave good advise. There are many ways to book a cruise that are great as long as you do the homework. It's well worth the time and effort it takes.

I believe in Miracles
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=000080&cdt=2004;6;19;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
MIRACLE JUNE 19, 2004
Calm Seas, Good Friends

[CruiseFever]

Doing research on every facet of your cruise vacation can not only get you a competitive price but a care-free, quality vacation.

Personal recommendations are powerful. When choosing someone or some firm to book your cruise through the firm that "so and so said did a great job for her" is a great place to start. But they should not be the only place you look.

On our first few cruises I built a good relationship with a TA and was quite happy with the service and prices. I always did research on my own, starting with Travelocity.com, to find potential cruises that fit within our travel window and were in the same price ballpark as our budget [I]before[/I] calling that TA.

All was well for three cruises then I realized that the price I was being quoted was exactly ten bucks less than Travelocity...on every request. This guy knew I researched through travelocity, went there himself, then undercut their price a little bit to make me think I was getting a good deal.

When I expanded my research and paid more attention to this board a whole new world of possibilities opened up and there's been no looking back ever since

I only mention this to drive home what Halos originally replied and others agree; Do your homework

Since you're here asking this question you obviously are....Good for you!

Happy Cruising

Chris

[url="http://www.LifeIsCruising.com"]www.LifeIsCruising.com[/url]

Next up:
Caribbean Princess 06/26/04
Star Princess 10/24/04
Diamond Princess 12/22/04
Carnival Miracle 03/13/05