Booking first cruise by phone, any tips or tricks??

[cmlmich]

I will be booking our first cruise on the Valor this Saturday for Jan 31st. Are there any tips or tricks that I should know about? I will be booking a balcony room, is it worth it to pay a extra $20 per person to go from Upper Deck 8A to Upper Empress 8B?

 

Also, what type or information will I have to give them at that time as far as excursions, meals, ect.?

 

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

Thanks

Curt

[PlanoDebbie]

Be sure to book with the new Early Saver program, IF you know that you won't want to change your sailing date or ship at all.

 

We booked back in January and got a better price than the Past Guest rate at the time. Last week there was FINALLY some movement in the prices of cabins. We had originally booked two OV rooms. The prices on the Balcony rooms finally dropped over the weekend to actually be cheaper than our OV rooms. So.....I called up Carnival and asked if they'd move us to the new Balcony rooms rather than giving us any shipboard credit. They did!

 

Today, our new balcony cabins dropped about $100 each, so I've applied for that amount to be credited to us as onboard credit now.

 

We will continue to watch for additional price drops. They will adjust our OBC as many times as we apply all the way up until 2 days before sailing.

[cmlmich]

Thank you, I will plan on the early saver because I am sure of my date. Should I take out the insurance in case something goes wrong. Should I pay the extra $20 for the higher level or hope that when it gets closer, I can be moved up with no charge?

[clweathercruzer]

Thanx planodebbie for the heads up on price drops today. Hadn't checked in acouple of days.

We're cruising on Miracle on Dec 22nd. Just checked & price dropped $120!

That's quite a few DODS!!!!:):D

[gazingm42]

The $ you spend for a Balcony is a personally choice. Some folks will

ONLY book a Balcony. Then folks like us will pay for only inside rooms. As

I rather spend my $ on great excursions.

 

The higher the category normally the higher on the ship. So you will have

a better view.

 

We personally don't spend enough time in the room to warrant a balcony

rate.

[aggieastrosfan]

Some people like to be sandwiched between 2 passenger decks so it's quieter. We had a deck 6 portside wrap on the Splendor, the the music from the aft lounge below was extremely loud.

 

Depending on what's below you, though, it may not be an issue. And how late you stay out, of course!

[Sea Hag]

I don't see an answer to the question about what info you'll need to give them on excursions and meals. They should ask you (and if they don't you should ask them) what sitting you'd like at meals. One or the other, usually early, sittings may be full. They should tell you if that's the case, and ask you if you want the other sitting or if you want to be waitlisted on the one that's full. If you choose to be waitlisted, you may or may not get that sitting. But you'll for sure get dinner somewhere! :D

 

You won't need to set up excursions at that time; you can do that later on the website or on the ship.

 

If I were you, and if I was choosing a specific cabin, I'd have the deckplans of the ship in front of me on the computer, so I could see what was above, below, and to the back of the cabin. I'm one of those who like a less expensive cabin, but I want to make sure it's not one that's going to be noisy due to something or another.

[cmlmich]

Thanks everyone, I just talked to a gentleman at Carnival and he walked me through some of the things that I should know. He said that for the Balcony base price of $669 it would be on deck 6 toward the front or back. If I wanted to pay $689, I could choose either a center room on Deck 6 or go up to Deck 7 and get a front or back room. Not sure what to do there, he said the center rooms usually has less motion and is more centerally located to the elevators for easier navigation. I told him I would call him back to book it either this afternoon or tomorrow.

 

Thanks for all your help.

[giftcard]

I always book something mid-ship as I'm sensitive to motion sickness. If that's a concern for you at all I'd suggest the $689 center cabin. There really is less motion mid-ship. Good luck w/ your plans!!!!

[Au48]

I'd pay the extra $20 to move up to Empress Deck. Deck 6 is right above the Promenade Deck, where all the activities are. It's a good deck unless you're above one of the night clubs or the show room. It can get loud above those areas. A Deck 7 location would alleviate those concerns, and you can just choose the room based on location and not have to worry about what's underneath your cabin.

[yesterdaystime]

If you are looking for a "quiet type" of room, book it between two bedroom decks. IE: there are cabins above and below you - not the casino, disco etc. To best answer your room questions, have the ship deck plans open on your computer so that you and your Carnival Vacation Planner can go over it together and this way, there are no surprises.

 

George

YesterdaysTime

[sa7776]

Have had a balcony on Upper twice...........

 

I would pay the $20. We were over the main show lounge once and disco once. ... Very noisy. I always book between two passenger decks if possible now.