FYI "Big" Carnival Sale coming

[vesw01]

I just spoke to my PVP. She said that there are a ton of sales upcoming but that towards the end of this month they are going to do another "super" sale - not there normal Wed. promotions. I know I just read that someone paid $2000 pp for a June cruise but couldn't find their post again - thought they may want to watch out for this sale to see how it could help their price.

[kathy32259]

I was just searching this site and apparently found too many results to display. :eek:

 

:confused: My question is this:

 

When you book directly with Carnival is there ever a chance that the price will go down? I often look at the Carnival website - but in all my cruises have never seen the price go down - it always went up. So many people on this site say the price came down and they got a credit - am I missing something? Or is it because I always book a balcony? The only upgrade I ever got was when I booked a balcony guarantee - I was upgraded to the Panorama deck. (Which I loved BTW)

 

OK that was more than one question - but I would appreciate the input - or if any of you out there know where a thread is that addresses my questions, please send me the link!:)

[tef43]

I know I just read that someone paid $2000 pp for a June cruise but couldn't find their post again - thought they may want to watch out for this sale to see how it could help their price.

Yawn. Yet another "Biggest Sale Ever Since the Last Biggest Sale Ever." :rolleyes: Most likely won't help them one bit. "New bookings only."

[vesw01]

Ok, just so we put this to rest to begin with...most PVP will help you even if you are already booked - it doesn't have to be new bookings only - my PVP has told me to call with each sale and she will tell me whether or not it will save me money. If you don't have someone to help you lower your price, then you should find a new sales rep.

 

Anyway - the best thing to do when trying to get a lower price, is to call the PVP or person you booked it through and have them check. The last sale I looked both online at Carnival and through other agencies and the PVP was able to save me more money, b/c some don't know how the promotion works. This last sale on Wed. when I called the PVP she said that they were going into a meeting about the promotion b/c it was so confusing. Tons of people save money by checking each week on the pricing - they go up and down depending on the current demand and which sailings need a promotion to get them filled. Carnival loves to sail at or near 100% capacity. Once they hit a certain level of patrons to pay for the sailing - each $is mere profit (the crew is onboard regardless) and the more people to drink and spend money on excursions and the casino.

 

 

In the end, don't be afraid to call and ask

[kathy32259]

How have you built a rapport with your PVP? I have just called Carnival and spoke with whom ever answered the phone. When I have got a number to call someone back - I usually need to leave a message. (Makes sense - since they are telephone reps) One time I left a message for the person who booked my upcoming cruise and I never got a return call??:confused:

 

Do you work solely with the PVP who sends you an email about upcoming sales or did you happen to get a good one by the luck of the draw?

 

Your help is appreciated!:)

[serene56]

When you book directly with Carnival is there ever a chance that the price will go down? !

 

There is always a chance the price could come down.. but dont count on it. MOST cruises only go higher.

And if you booked a long time in advance more then likly you got the best possible price you willget. but you should checkprices.

 

I have had only one cruise come down in price. All the rest has sailed at over 250pp more then what we paid. Holiday sailings are not going to come down any. But I would watch that Janu 6th one.

[IrishQT]

How have you built a rapport with your PVP? I have just called Carnival and spoke with whom ever answered the phone. When I have got a number to call someone back - I usually need to leave a message. (Makes sense - since they are telephone reps) One time I left a message for the person who booked my upcoming cruise and I never got a return call??:confused:

 

Do you work solely with the PVP who sends you an email about upcoming sales or did you happen to get a good one by the luck of the draw?

 

Your help is appreciated!:)

 

Well, I went on Carnival.com to look at their various cruises.. at the end they had a little box come up asking if I'd like to be contacted by someone and I said yes.. So that's how I got my PVP, and he's fabulous! HE checks to see if I can get a lower rate with these sales.. has saved me $100 so far on my balcony room! We talk online and on the phone.. he has a good personality, so it was easy to build a rapport. HTH

[pcvtmom]

Our PVP told us back in January that she would apply any specials on our June 18 Destiny cruise UP UNTIL our final payment was due. Last week we got a discount of $61 per cabin, and my mom got a $200 discount!! (It was a special for senior citizens, and she had a single room.) Every little bit helps.

[vesw01]

My rep sends me emails with specials and it has her phone # and extension on them. She prefers not to be emailed b/c she gets to many emails a day she can't keep up with them all - she likes to talk on the phone better. Once you find one that you like, keep calling them - shen I called her today she knew who I was without even giving her my booking # - now that I am impressed by since she receives so many phone calls a day. On the days they have one day only sales, they are swamped so keep calling your PVP if you can otherwise call the 800# and get someone else to take a look at your res for you. You can either pretend to just look at cruise prices (if you feel you need to be sneaky) or give them your booking # and have them look. Remember that not everyone knows everything and has a great deal of experience - if you don't like what they say call back and ask someone new...

 

As for final payment, we haven't reached that point yet, but I have read multiple times that instead of getting a refund they get onboard credits.

[HRKC]

Hi all. I was one who posted that I paid an average of 2ooo per person (including airfare), I don't understand how they justify charging over a 1000 for the 3rd and 4th person. I guess I was willing to pay it since I booked it, but it just doesn't make sense. I was going to book a separate room (inside cabin) for my kids for about the same price, but decided I wanted them in the room with us. Neither of my kids will ever eat the quantity of food that an adult eats.

 

I think our downfall is wanting to plan in advance (not taking advantage of last minute cruises) and liking to choose our specific cabin rather than a guaranty.

 

So far I have not gotten any discounts after booking.

 

I appreciate all the info. :)

 

KC

[LHP]

How have you built a rapport with your PVP? I have just called Carnival and spoke with whom ever answered the phone. When I have got a number to call someone back - I usually need to leave a message. (Makes sense - since they are telephone reps) One time I left a message for the person who booked my upcoming cruise and I never got a return call??:confused:

 

Do you work solely with the PVP who sends you an email about upcoming sales or did you happen to get a good one by the luck of the draw?

 

Your help is appreciated!:)

 

We have used the same PVP for several years. He is wonderful. We used to get Interline rates and he would give them to us automatically without having to go through "Interine". If anyone wants his name, just email me at

musicalcruiser@hotmail.com .

[LHP]

how we got our PVP. Actually, "Uncle Bob" recommended him. We have cruised with Carnival since 1982 and had always used several TA's over the years. One day, "Uncle" Bob sent me a little note, thanking me for my recent letter and that he was going to have a PVP call me with a deal. This PVP has been our go to guy ever since.

 

PS: Yes, we took the deal that "Uncle Bob" had him call with. It was a wonderful cruise on the Paradise (when it was still a non-smoking ship) since my letter had been about the smoking issue.

[mac66]

I am reading this with interest. A couple years ago we booked a significant number of people for a cruise through Carnival and had very good rep from the cruise line who would keep us informed of discounts, price adjustments and got us upgraded three times.

 

This year we are tagging along on my nephews graduation cruise and contacted the same rep. We booked about a year ago. Since then our rep has left as have three of her replacements. (I am beginnng to think I am bad luck for them ;) )

It has been a chore keeping track of prices on our own but we have a very good price for our April 15th cruise though no upgrades.

 

BTW, what does PVP stand for?

[kathy32259]

MAC - Personal Vacation Planner

 

I guess maybe I just need to call more! I will keep trying and thanks everyone for all the info.

 

BTW - I get emails from a certain PVP who tells me about all the sales. Maybe I should contact him and see if I can build a rapport with him. I have always just picked up the phone and called the 800#. Guess I will try a different approach.

[gr81]

PVP = Personal Vacation Planner.

 

Some are great, some are ok and some you wont ever want to work with again. Its like any other service type of position at a company. Ours left and the new person has blanketed us with info via phone messages, email and snail mail, but we could never get in touch with her when we were ready to book. We just called Carnival and got another rep to book our last cruise.

[SandyToes1978]

We are going on a family group cruise in January, and my MIL booked the cruise through one PVP or on line I am not sure which, but I keep getting emails from a different PVP, can I just call him and ask questions, even if he isn't the one who actually booked the cruise for us?:confused: :confused:

[serene56]

We are going on a family group cruise in January, and my MIL booked the cruise through one PVP or on line I am not sure which, but I keep getting emails from a different PVP, can I just call him and ask questions, even if he isn't the one who actually booked the cruise for us?:confused: :confused:

 

you can ask any of them general question-- anything about your booking or your cabin-- you have to ask your agent. No one should speak to you about your booking except taht agent..(for your orwn safety

[vesw01]

Any PVP has access to your booking # so ask away. When you are calling about special sales and stuff all the planners get swamped so you might want to leave a message for your own and if you don't get a call back - just call and get any person.

 

As for the person who paid $1000 for 3rd and 4th - I heard that there are some cabins that are connecting (possibly a balcony and an inside) you may want to find connecting cabins b/c then you will have 2 bathrooms and extra space - just a thought. I don't know how old your kids are and only you know best what is appropriate.

 

Good luck

[crazycruzer68]

I just saved $250.00 on our 5-night cruise, only because I called and ask for specials. As far as my PVP goes I have tried to develop a relationship with her (e-mails, many phone calls-most not returned) it's just not working for her and I, now I just choose to talk to whoever answers the phone. Too bad for her we are working out the details of our 31 person family reunion for next year.