Discount Carnival Cruises

Many promotional discount offers are restricted to particular ships and particular sailings, often during less popular months. The majority of Carnival’s discounts are associated with Bahamas Cruises and Caribbean sailings, because that is where the majority of the lines itineraries are scheduled. Many offers are also restricted by the type of cabin and cannot be applied to different stateroom categories.

The best way to find a discount Carnival cruise is to contact a travel agent or to sign up on Carnival’s official website to receive notification of limited time, special offers. Many cruise-oriented websites also offer discounts on Carnival cruises, though their offers may not be as affordable as those purchased directly through the cruise line. In order to discount cruises, many agencies lessen their own commission to beat their competitors’ prices. This can help passengers find better deals, and it is always advisable to shop around and compare prices directly from the cruise line as well as several agencies to find the best deal and biggest discount.

Types of Discounts

In addition to public promotional discounts, there are several types of discounts that apply to specific circumstances. Interested travelers should be aware of the differences between them.

• Past Passenger Discounts: These are available on select sailings but are offered only to previous Carnival guests. Past guest cruises are typically arranged 2-4 times per year, usually in off-season months. The majority of past guest cruises are seven nights long.
• Upgrade Discounts: This may not seem like a financial discount at first, but it does save passengers money by giving them a better cabin for their booking price. Cabin upgrades may span several categories and can add up to substantial savings. Upgrades typically apply within one general type of cabin – oceanview cabins, for example, can be upgraded to better oceanviews, but not to balconies or suites.
• Early-Booking and Last-Minute Discounts: Incentives are often given to passengers who either book well in advance (several months prior to the sailing) or at the very last minute (often just a week or two before the cruise). These incentives help the cruise line guarantee that every cabin is filled.
• Group Discounts: Substantial discounts are given to groups who book simultaneously, and can be a great price break for family reunions, church groups, professional organizations, school vacations, or business getaways.

While these discounts may not be available for everyone, they can provide considerable savings if arranged.

What is Not Discounted

The key to considering what may seem like a substantial discount is to remember that not everything is discounted. In fact, discount Carnival cruises only cut the actual fare of the cruise: the government fees, airfare, port taxes, gratuities, shore excursions, and additional onboard amenities are not discounted. Many of these extra charges are not quoted in published fares, and passengers should speak with qualified professionals to determine the exact final price of a cruise (when taxes and fees are added – onboard purchases naturally cannot be calculated before the vacation).

When to Book a Discount Carnival Cruise

Discount Carnival cruise offers are made frequently, but they don’t last long. Many promotional discounts are offered for only a day or two, and the availability is severely limited (usually by capacity or number of qualified cabins). Passengers cannot cancel a previous booking and rebook during the promotional period to take advantage of the savings – those types of bookings are ineligible for the discount. Group bookings are typically not eligible for promotional discounts, nor can promotions be combined with other offers.

If your travel plans are flexible, it never hurts to wait and see what better deals may come along, particularly in off-season months (September and October, for instance). If, however, you do not have much flexibility but discover an impending promotion, it is best to book immediately before the availability is curtailed.

Discount Carnival cruises aren’t difficult to find, but they can be difficult to plan because of limited time offers and restricted availability. More flexible discounts can be arranged for special circumstances such as group travel and past guests, allowing more passengers to take advantage of great deals to make their cruise vacation even more enjoyable and affordable.