Expert: Linda - 4/16/2004

Question
Hi Linda,

I'm about to buy a ticket to get on the Conquest Carnival
cruise....

However, they tell me that since it's too close to sail date
(the sail date is May 2nd,...today is April 16th)....they won't
get me tickets...but that I can get it at the pier and just
have my I.D. and the email confirmation they send me.

This has me worried....first, is this true? as I'm buying
through the web or through the agency who I'm not familiar
with other than that they ahve a great site and claim to be a
big wholesaler...just not sure.

Also, wondering if not having hard tickets can lead to
problems.


Ultimately, am I better off buying it from the Carnival agent
if the ticket prices are just more expensive by about
$25pp?

Thank you!!!
Julie

Answer
Julie, it IS true if you book just a few weeks from sailing date, you won't have "hard" tickets.  You'll have your confirmation though.  When you go to Miami, you'll present that e mail confirmation, your picture ID, will need to fill out some forms, then you'll get on.

You should have a "confirmation" number that you got from the travel agency.  To make yourself feel better, call Carnival and verify that 1) you are confirmed for that date and 2) Carnival has been paid.

Now, to make yourself feel REALLY REALLY sure, put CRUISECRITIC.COM in your browser, click on GO, then under the banner at the top of the page you'll see the word "BOARDS" listed.  Click on that (you'll need to register, but it's free) then you'll see if you scroll down the page a bit, a listing of cruise lines.  Click on Carnival, then post your question there and ask how many people have had ticketless tickets and everyone that reads it will reply and it will help you feel better.

We did this once with Princess as we got a really good deal and had no problems, but, like you, I always want to be really really really sure when you're talking big bucks.

Have a wonderful cruise!  We're leaving on our next one on May 9th!