book now or wait ?

[Bem1962]

We are booked on Victory for April 15th this year, my question is this, We are thinking about another cruise next February, should I book it now online or wait?, Are there discounts offered to return cruisers?

[LisaP]

Bem, are you planning to go during Presidents Week? If so, be aware that this is a very busy travel week, so playing the waiting game won't work to your advantage if there's something specific you want.

Carnival offers discounts to return cruisers, yet high-peak sailings are sometimes excluded. You can check with the onboard cruise consultant in April.

I think it's more important to book your air early, as seats go fast and prices increase closer to departure date.

[Bem1962]

Ahhhhhhh Lisa you know me to well,, yes school vacation week in Feb,, if i book now and find out it is chaper after our April vacation will they adjust the price?

[Nyiles]

Bem, If the rate goes down you can get it adjusted. I would book now. I cruised last Feb and didn't book until December. We were very limited on stateroom choice and did not get the dinner seating we preferred (but it worked out anyway).

[Jim C.]

It might be hard to book air travel now... Some if not most of the airlines don't let you book that far in advance... You might have to wait until March or April before you can "see" flights for next February.

I would go ahead and book now if you know that is when you will be traveling.. That way you can get the cabin category you want. Then if you see a past cruiser special later in the year you can ask to be reimbursed.

[PaulaM]

Bem, I'd book now. I just made that mistake for an April 08 cruise with RCCL. I looked at it for months and the day before I wanted to book it went up $150 PP. I ended up booking with Carnival. I'm sure the prices will go up as time gets closer and if any promotions or discounts come along you'll get them as long as you keep checking in on your cruise on line. As for discounts for return cruises - we didn't receive any discount for our 4/08 cruise and we've cruised before. Not yet anyway!!

[Deege2424]

Book now, the earlier the better. If you notice a price change(lower)and worst come to worse you can always cancel (within the time limit) and rebook at the lower price if they give you a hard time when you request the lower price. Cabin shouldnt be lost because it only take minutes to cancel and rebook. I'm booked for August 23,07 out of NYC, wife,son and myself, wife's job had said she would not get time off, so I removed her and left son and myself, now they are giving her the time off. I added her back on and it cost me 50.00 more so you can bet I'm watching everyday to see if the price change back to the lower price. I will also call my carnival travel agent direct and see if she can get me my original price back. When I check the price I only look at the "cruise starts at" price. It read 50.00 more when I rebooked for wife so I see where the 50.00 came from, but the day I notice it is lower(and I check everyday) I will be on the phone.
have a safe and happy cruise all!!!!
Deege