Carnival launches new "cash back" promotion for cruises through February

[mercedes]

In what could be a sign of a softening market for cruises, industry leader Carnival today is launching another "cash back" sale on voyages booked by the end of the month.

 

The "1-2-3 Go! Sale," as the line is calling the promotion, comes on the heels of a similar "cash back" sale at the line in June but applies to more destinations and includes an additional "best available" upgrade component.

 

The two "cash back" sales -- Carnival's first since last year -- are among a wave of promotions cruise lines have been rolling out the past two months as the economy has shown signs of stalling. In just the last week, three other lines -- Princess Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line and MSC Cruises -- have announced limited-time deals.

 

The new Carnival promotion is available on a wide variety of three- to eight-day voyages to The Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexico, Alaska, and Hawaii scheduled to depart between August and February 2011. Last month's promotion only covered sailings in The Bahamas, Caribbean and Mexico.

 

Like last month's offer, bookings under the new promotion must be made by the end of the month.

 

Carnival says the sale's cash back element will be provided in the form of a shipboard credit that can be redeemed once on board. Passengers will receive a credit of up to $80 per cabin on three- to five-day cruises and up to $160 per cabin on voyages of six days or longer. The credit is automatically applied to on-board accounts and can be redeemed toward shipboard purchases. Any unused funds at the end of the cruise will be returned in the form of a check.

 

The sale's best available upgrade feature applies to new individual bookings for categories 4A and higher. Upgrades are available within specific cabin accommodation types (i.e., interior to interior, ocean view to ocean view, balcony to balcony).

 

The cash back and best available upgrade features must be combined with the line's "Fun Select" rates to be eligible for the promotion.

[cruznation]

They need to do something because they just joined Royal and Celebrity with limiting the deals that travel agents can offer as incentives. The bargains out there are dwindling.

[DebbieandJerry]

I emailed this to my TA to see if Carnival will honor this on our November sailing. I'm not counting on it, though

[DebbieandJerry]

My TA got back to me. If I want to take advantage of this new promotion, it will cost me up to $300 MORE per sailing. I thanked her and said I'll keep what I have.