What is the best way to book 7 rooms?

[smashedpumpkins]

I've never booked so many rooms at once. Normally it's just my wife, kids and myself and it's easy to book online. I'll be booking 6 or 7 rooms in the coming days for a Carnival cruise and I want to make sure we're as close together as possible. I've already located the deck and room numbers that I believe work best. I'm concerned that booking them separately could result in price changes or other unwanted changes down the line.

 

• Should I call and book directly though Carnival? Do they have access to buckets of rooms that don't appear online?
• What about booking through somewhere like Costco for the extra incentives? Can they hand such large bookings on the phone?
• Will I be able to see all reservations under my account, even for the rooms I'm obviously not in? Or will everyone need to create a Carnival account? (Or perhaps both options?)

 

Thanks for any help!

[nydney1]

I would recommend booking with an established travel agent. They can manage the booking and there may be some perks for your group. 
 

There is no cost to you, let someone else manage this trip. 
 

This comes from someone who books directly with Carnival and enjoys managing the process. Seven rooms and seven families (I am assuming) is allot to manage. Let someone else take on that challenge 

[pe4all]

6 hours ago, smashedpumpkins said:

I've never booked so many rooms at once. Normally it's just my wife, kids and myself and it's easy to book online. I'll be booking 6 or 7 rooms in the coming days for a Carnival cruise and I want to make sure we're as close together as possible. I've already located the deck and room numbers that I believe work best. I'm concerned that booking them separately could result in price changes or other unwanted changes down the line.

 

• Should I call and book directly though Carnival? Do they have access to buckets of rooms that don't appear online?
• I would call Carnival directly.  If you do not have a pvp whoever answers phone can help you.  My pvp always has access to cabins that do not appear online.  Maybe look to see what cabins you may want before calling Carnival.  We also always have a cabin number/numbers we want to book in mind beforehand.
• What about booking through somewhere like Costco for the extra incentives? Can they hand such large bookings on the phone? I can't help you with this as we always book directly with CCL.
• Will I be able to see all reservations under my account, even for the rooms I'm obviously not in? Or will everyone need to create a Carnival account? (Or perhaps both options?)
• You can link the cabins to your account - however, unless you want to pay their sail and sign accounts I would have each cabin creat their own account.

 

Thanks for any help!

 

[angelsfort]

for that many cabins, I'd definitely look into a travel agent or a Carnival PVP. 

[Drazil65]

I personally would locate the deck and a bunch of cabin numbers (with cabin type) and have each book their own cabin.  Speaking from experience (one time and done, not again).  It could involve many issues as you go along and can get way too complicated with all the different likes and dislikes.  During and after the cruise was just as bad, any all complaints or opinions on cruising in general and Carnival came my way because I took charge in the beginning to book the cabins (big mistake as I became the go to through out the process). 

 

It all sounds good up front but I would not book everything for everyone, let everyone join in on the process once the deck location is decided.  That way they cannot blame anyone else for most of the decisions and if they are truly interested in going they will jump on booking asap.  If you decide to go forward with booking yourself, I wish you luck and a great cruise!  

[jsglow]

Call Carnival and ask for a PVP.

[n6uqqq]

When friends and family start backing out it can get ugly with the money. Proceed with caution! 

[BlerkOne]

Get it up to 8 cabins and get group rates and perks via the Carnival Groups Department.

[lazydayz]

We needed about 20 rooms for our daughter’s wedding.  Went through a travel agent who had good group rates. I booked the ones I was paying for.  I had a great casino offer so was not officially part of the group.  I gave all the others the travel agent’s info and they booked directly with the travel agent.  The ones in the group got OBC and wine. It worked well.

 

i agree with the other posters here. Have a PCP or travel agent handle the bookings, unless you are gifting the cruise to them.  Even then, I would not do this myself.  Luckily, I have a great PVP who handles most of my bookings now. 

[dacsmom]

I would call Carnival. Find a way to book one more cabin and I believe the group rate gives you one cabin free. I booked three rooms, and I could see them all. Each group had control of their own booking, but I could get into the bookings to see what still needed to be done.

[jimbo5544]

Easy peasey, use a professional. Their knowledge and expertise are free and they can explain the advantages of booking under a group rate and the perks you can get to book under this way,  Choose a TA or PCP and utilize their free expert advice.  It would be by FAR the best solution to your questions.  Group rates are not always the best way, but their are definately something you should consider.  

[beloum]

I would use a travel agent.   They should have access to group booking