Question by Pamela G: Cruise Planning Questions?
My husband and I have been on two previous cruises and have immensely enjoyed both.
We have a personal agent with Carnival and we are looking at going on the Carnival Liberty to Cozumel, Ochos Rios, and Grand Cayman in April 2009. Our travel agent says that we should go ahead book now, which I think we are going to do. I just want some more opinions.
The deal is we don’t know for sure that we are going to be able to go. My husband is graduating from college in December looking for a teaching position in High School Social Sciences. I am currently a 2nd grade teacher. If his job does not match up with my Spring Break we won’t be able to go.
My question is should we go ahead and put down our deposit and then cancel if the dates don’t work. Or do you think that cruise prices will be going down because of the economy?
By the Way- if you know anything about the Carnival Liberty let me know that also.
Do you guys realize that Carnival has a guarantee that they are the lowest (which I have checked out at multiple other places) and that you have to pay a fee to an outside agent which actually costs you MORE money.
Best answer:
Answer by TINKERTOY ….. the 1 & only
I suggest that you book now and make absolutely sure that you know exactly when the date is that you can cancel without any penalty and get all of your money back. Book now because cruise lines ALWAYS give the best price for early bookings 9 months to a year or more ahead of time. Its’ been my experience that the price always goes up as the cruise date approaches. I have been on about 20 cruises with 4 different cruise lines, but not on Carnival. But the booking and cancellation process on all cruises is basically the same. Normally you will be required to pay a deposit of about $ 250. per person to book and then the cruise contract will specify a date approximately 60 to 75 days before the cruise when you can cancel with NO PENALTY.
According to Carnival’s web site for a 7 day cruise there is no penalty if you cancel 76 days before the cruise (just to be safe I would count 80 days).: http://www.carnivalcruiselines.com/CMS/Static_Templates/ticket_contract.aspx
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