Are Carnival Cruises still filling up?

[kimdeaton1]

I was just curious to know for those that have been on any carnival ship in the past 3-4 months, has the ship been quiet or are they selling out like the good old days? I haven't been on a cruise in a few years and I know that a lot has probably changed.

Can I still expect a full cruise if I go in April? I know the economy has hit everyone including cruises.. Also , are they offering good deals right now because of the bad economy?

 

[Kentskie]

We were on the Spirit in October and they said it was full but there always seemed to be plenty of room to roam.
I love Carnival's anytime dining. They do it right by not letting fixed seating people dine in the anytime dining room. Princess: take note

 

[rslove]

Just got off a full Carnival Magic a week ago...

 

[1948buddy]

Hi, in my experience, it seems like the newer the ship, the more crowded it is. We went on the Magic's first sailing from Galveston, and there were like 4000 passengers...It wasn't as bad as it looked, but my time dining had horrible wait time..From now through summer the prices seem to be up some. I book early saver, and it paid off on the Magic, as I got 3 price reductions, and saved $500. I buy my own cruise insurance through Insuremytrip.com , which saves a lot...The cruise prices for next spring are pretty good as far as what I see now.Send me a private message, and tell me where you want to sail from, and I can look at some sources for the best price...........

 

[kimdeaton1]

well thank you for the through response 1948buddy. That early savers rate seems like something I want to look into. My friend and I were just going to have a travel agent deal with booking. I know that carnival would pay off the travel agent on the side so we wouldn't be paying more.

We found 2 interesting cruises, let me know which is the better deal -

a) Carnival Valor - Interior Per Person = $619.00 6-Day Sun-Sat

or

b) Carnival Inspiration - Interior Per Person = $239 4-Day Catalina/Ensenada

 

[Los Abuelos]

They certainly are! We sailed Magic's Inaugural Galveston also and ease of movement is best described as "the ship is big enough that you've more than adequate space".

Price wise, early saver bookings are really worth it although I would recommend insurance as a must if there are any potential cruise killing events on the horizon (sick/elderly parents, shaky job etc).

 

[bob]

Historically, the 3/4 day Carnivals to Ensanada are party boat cruises, only difference between the two is the 4 day does a stop at Catalina. This ship sails out of Long Beach, the Valor on the other hand sails Caribbean out of Miami. Not knowing where you live, the value would probably most likely be in what it costs you to get to the port. In close to 40 cruises we have only taken 2 3/5 day cruises, both based on all the prices were right and we wanted to get away.
If you live on the East Coast, the Valor is a no brainer, you would spend the difference in air fare, to take a 4 day cruise, also the Valor is a far newer, advanced ship than Inspiration, newer class...DOH..........
If you live on the Left Coast, you need to decide if air to get to FL is worth the extra 2 days for almost $400pp more, I wouldn't do it, but that's me.. If you live in the midwest, well, it becomes a crapshoot. Throw dice or throw darts

well thank you for the through response 1948buddy. That early savers rate seems like something I want to look into. My friend and I were just going to have a travel agent deal with booking. I know that carnival would pay off the travel agent on the side so we wouldn't be paying more.

We found 2 interesting cruises, let me know which is the better deal -

a) Carnival Valor - Interior Per Person = $619.00 6-Day Sun-Sat

or

b) Carnival Inspiration - Interior Per Person = $239 4-Day Catalina/Ensenada

 

[ShipMaven]

well thank you for the through response 1948buddy. That early savers rate seems like something I want to look into. My friend and I were just going to have a travel agent deal with booking. I know that carnival would pay off the travel agent on the side so we wouldn't be paying more.

We found 2 interesting cruises, let me know which is the better deal -

a) Carnival Valor - Interior Per Person = $619.00 6-Day Sun-Sat

or

b) Carnival Inspiration - Interior Per Person = $239 4-Day Catalina/Ensenada

bOB has given you very sensible answers worthy of your consideration.

But allow me to add a comment or two. I would respectfully change the wording that travel agents are paid on the side by cruise lines. Travel agents are paid a commission by the cruise lines that do not add to the cost of your cruise. Oftentimes, a travel agent who does many bookings with a cruise line, or who has a group on your particular cruise, can obtain lower fares for a client than the client can obtain booking directly with the cruise line.