just wondering

Moiraine · February 22, 2010

Going to be on my first cruise next month on the Conquest. I'm thinking about booking my second cruise on the Splendor. I know Carnival tries to get guests to book their next cruise while on the one they are on. Do you get better deals that way, or is it better just to call your cruise specialist?

cruisetarp · February 22, 2010

Moiraine - I have not done this on Carnival but have done it on other lines and believe Carnival works the same way. You can make an "open" booking - meaning you do not have to choose a ship or dates for your cruise and in return the CruiseLines give you OBC (on board credit) which you can use on the next cruise you book. You do have to put down a deposit at the time you book the open booking and when you decide on a ship and date you can call your Cruise Specialist, the cruise lines directly or a TA and give them the booking number you are given when you make this booking on board. Hope this helps

Moiraine · February 22, 2010

Thank you. Yes, it helps. I hoped that they'd give free insurance, room upgrades, etc...

OBC is nice, but I'd really like to haggle with them about the important stuff. hehe (I know, I'm dreaming!)

I'd really like to know how (if possible) to work a cabin upgrade.

cruisetarp · February 22, 2010

If you figure out how to work an upgrade, please share how you did it with me. I've been on more than 30 cruises and I'm still waiting for that first upgrade. :biggrin:

Moiraine · February 22, 2010

I'll be happy to share. Wish I was doing more than dreaming! :tongue:

RayColey · February 22, 2010

I sit around waiting for the emails to come from RCI - they offer various and sundry inducements to make a quick booking. The last one I got from them was a free upgrade offer.

DebbieandJerry · February 26, 2010

Sometimes Vacations to Go (dot com) will offer free upgrades. I keep looking at the various search engines and eventually end up with the one that I think is the best deal.

Most of the ships now offer a guaranty that if you find the same cruise offered by the cruiseline cheaper, they will honor the difference in ship board credit. But after reading the post about the cost of cruises going up, I wonder if that will ever happen!?