Carnival Cruises Deals
From LoveToKnow Cruises
People looking for the cheapest cruise prices may be interested in Carnival cruises deals. There are several stops they should make online to make sure they get their trip booked for the best price possible.
The first to visit is Carnival’s website to check out Carnival’s Early Saver Fares. These fares let those who plan ahead save up to 30 percent on the cost of a cruise.
- Cruisers book their cabins up to five months ahead on longer cruises and three months ahead on shorter journeys, getting a rate that’s even lower than the Fun Select rate.
- They send Carnival a nonrefundable deposit to reserve their cabins.
- They keep an eye on Carnival’s rates to see if they fall before the date the cruise begins. If so, they can get a refund of the difference between the higher and lower price in the form of an onboard credit thanks to the price protection guarantee.
It’s a good deal for those who like to plan in advance and are diligent enough to keep track of shifting prices online. It’s worth noting that all Carnival cruises now have a price guarantee, though if the cruise isn’t booked the guarantee is only good for 48 hours.
Those who aren’t the plan ahead type and are instead at the other end of the spectrum and like to plan last minute should visit Vacationstogo.com. The site administrator sends out an email each week with the best last minute cruise deals, which are often for Carnival cruises. It also has information on discounts for people who are over 55, in the military, teachers, police officers, firefighters, or who have been on a Carnival cruise in the past. Note that registration is required to see prices.
Searching Travel Websites for Carnival Cruises Deals
Popular travel websites can also have good deals on Carnival cruises, especially for those booking during the off-season. Some sites that are definitely worth a look are:
Sometimes the deals are up to 80 percent lower than Carnival’s brochure price for the exact same cruise.
Other travel websites which are not as well-known can also help to save the green. These sites only book cruises, so the owners may be in the know about less publicized deals. A few to check include:
Using a Travel Agent
Often an independent cruise travel agent can help people find Carnival cruises deals. Large agencies, such as AAA, may have special relationships with the cruise line if they book a lot of cruises. If the agent can’t get a lower price, see if he or she can bargain for extras, such as an upgraded cabin or a free shore excursion. This is a great tactic to use if that cruise is just a little above the budgeted price range.
Calling the Cruise Line
A lot of people don’t know that they can sometimes get Carnival cruise deals just for the asking. Sometimes the best approach is indeed the direct approach. Note that there is no set price for a Carnival cruise, which makes them always negotiable. The closer it is to the cruise date, the greater the negotiation power will be, since the company doesn’t save any money sailing a ship that is only half full. Carnival may also be willing to price match, or even beat, any deals that can be found through third parties.
A Note about Deals
Sometimes ticket sellers will try to negate the money saved by the deal by selling cruisers travel insurance, drink plans, or other unnecessary add-ons. Many credit cards already offer travel insurance when used to pay for the cruise, and other add-ons may be more expensive than they are worth for individual passengers. To find the best Carnival cruises deals, it pays to check out different resources, know what cruise you want to take, and be ready to set sail with your savings.
Learn More
This page has been accessed 1,157 times. This page was last modified 17:02, 27 February 2009.
© 2006-2009 LoveToKnow Corp.
Print this page
Follow ltk on twitter
Visit us on facebook