Expert: Linda - 11/26/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hi Linda,
I am going to purchase tickets for a Carnival cruise.  Is it better to buy from the Carnival web site or through a travel agent - or does it matter?  Should I purchase the
shore excursions at the same time or can I add on excursions later but before the cruise - I don't want to stand in long lines once on the ship to buy shore excursions.  Also what if I purchase a shore excursion now and on the day at port the weather is awful and I would rather stay on the ship - am I just out of luck or would the ship give me a refund?  
Thanks for your help.
Donna


ANSWER: Hi Donna,

Well, to answer your question, you need to do some homework.  First, call Carnival and give them what you want, cabin type, date of sailing, how many going.  Then ask if they have a "guarantee" cabin price (you pay for inside or outside or balcony room, lowest cost of the cabin type.  You are guaranteeed at LEAST that catagory but also stand a good chance of an upgrade, unless there are a bunch of you traveling together and want cabins side by side).  Next, go to Vacations to Go, cruisecritic.com, anchorsaway cruises.com and I'd also google a few more as well.  You'll probably find they're all about the same, but then, maybe there is a special from your state, just shop around.  If it's your first cruise and price is within $50, I'd stay with carnival or a cruise only travel agent as you can get a bit more hand holding should you need it.

Don't get the excursions at the same time you book your ticket, you can do that on line.  After you get your booking number, you can log into the carnival site, read about the excursions, check on line about the ports, then go back to the site and book.

If the weather is bad, BUT the ship still docks and the tour operator doesn't cancel the excurion, then you'll be out of luck.  If the excursion is cancelled by the ship or operator, your money is refunded.  If you're just really not sure about one that you might or might not want to take, wait and go to the port talk.  You can book from your cabin....no waiting, also have not found the lines at the cruise desk long either.

Also, go to cruiscritic.com, join the community (free), then go to message boards, then Carnival and read thru the archives of questions people have posted. You can also read a LOT there about the ports and excursions; all from seasoned cruisers and newbies looking for answers.  The site is just awesome.

Ask away if you have more questions and enjoy your cruise!

Linda

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hello Linda,
I am comparing two ships: the Carnival, Glory and the RC, Mariner of the Sea.  Both ships depart from Port Canaveral.
Glory on Dec 13th and Mariner Dec 14th.  Glory visits
Cozumel, Belize, Costa Maya, Nassau.  Mariner visits Labadee, Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman and Cozumel.  I will be
traveling with my 15 year old daughter - she likes that the Mariner has a movie theather and ice skating.  I have researched the Glory but not the Mariner.  Can you offer some advice?

Answer
If I were you, I'd choose royal caribbean.  by the way, both have a movie theatre but RC has a rock climbing wall, the ice skating rink, outdoor rollar blade rink and it sounds like your daughter is active.
I also think you'll like the ports better.

Grand Caymen, swim with the sting rays is an absolute must, also bring home some rum cake for christmas.

Labadee is private island, great place to swim rent a scooter, bit wheel water bike, great picnics and entertainment.

Ochio rios, would do Dunns river falls if she's active.  Bring a pair of water shoes or old tennis shoes you can pitch at the end of the climb., Cozumel, lots to choose from for excursions from visiting mayan ruins to sightseeing to going to Cancun.

FYI, Costa Maya is fairly new port, but just not a lot to do for a teen.  Belize is VERY poor country, best to do their is ruins, great port if that's what you like, but again, not much else.  Nassau is my least favorite port, unless you go to Atlantis, cheap shopping, but everything else is not.

OK, those are my opinions.

Linda