Cruise Tips

1) If you book with Carnival always book directly with the cruise line or with a reputable Travel Agent.

2) Always check the prices *after* you book. If the price goes down before your final payment, you can have your price adjusted. If it goes down after your final payment, you can still get an upgrade, and onboard credit or both. I just upgraded from an Interior cabin to an ocean view (same deck) and got a $50 on board credit for my 12/11 cruise to Cozumel.

3) If you book with a travel agent, you will need to arrange the price drop through them. Do not call Carnival Directly.

4) If you have a PVP with Carnival, call them, other wise just call the customer service line.

5) If your PVP is working from home, or is unavailable, call customer service ASAP. You never know how long the lower price will be around!

6) Once the upgrade or OBC has been awarded reprint your cruise documents. You may need these as verification of the transaction when you board.

Cruise Prices

Oh and most of you know I am cruising solo. When you cruise solo, you end up paying double occupancy rates any way…so if the cruise is $367 per person, you are still going to be paying for “both” people. You will only pay, taxes, fee, and tips for one person, but since you are “spoiling” the cabin (cruise terminology…not mine ) you still pay the 2 person rate.

From a business perspective, this makes sense. I hadn’t planned on going it alone, but even now that I am, the price really isn’t that bad. The cruise and airfare for this 4 days cruise is just about what I spent on a 5 day trip to San Francisco a few years back. The hotel I stayed in was no where near as nice as the ship. The rooms were about the size of the cabins, and pretty blah. This of course didn’t include food, and of course the food I bought wasn’t cruise quality, or entertainment. I went to a few Goth clubs and the cover charges were pretty steep.

Of course it doesn’t include alcoholic beverages, a soda card, any on board purchases, or anything I buy in port. However in  San Francisco I still had the alcoholic beverages, I bought soda at a walgreens, and I still had to pay for ground transit to and from the airport, public transportation, and of course spending money. Rally I’m still coming out a head. When  booked it, I was pretty impressed with the price.  Well they must be having issues booking the cruise, because the price dropped by about $100 for me (roughly $50 per person) so now I am waiting to see if I get an upgrade to an ocean view cabin, on board credit or both. I’d love an ocean view cabin, but the OBC would be fabulous too. a $100 credit would cover my soda card and my adult beverages! My PVP was seeing what he could do, and I should have a final answer by Monday.

Seriously, I know with the credit crisis right now travel may not be a smart move, but I’m telling you if you have the means to do so, travel is really affordable right now!

It has been a while

But I’m baaaaaaaaaaaack!

So far I’ve been thinking about: Finding Emergency Vets while on the road. I had an instance where I was away from home and one of my fids needed medical care. It is a long story, but I promise to sort it all out for you and not make it too depressing…more so just informative for people who take their pets with them!

I’m doing a little business with Air Tran, and I’m just riding this one out to see where it leads me. Has anyone flown with them before, and if so do have any stories or tips?

I’m going on that cruise!!  58 Days and counting! The Inspiration has been refurbed since I was on it last, and this will be my first time as a single cruiser. I’m a little nervous about going it alone. Does anyone have any tips for a lone cruiser???  There has to be a board out there or a group so people can sort of be connected ahead of time. That is next on my agenda.

I’m also working on a new budget traveler primer…it is a work in progress but hopefully I will have it ready to launch soon…