Cabin questions

J

jnojr

Guest
When looking at cruises, the cabin prices are a little confusing. For instance:

Empress 6D Cruise Only $589.00

Upper 6C Cruise Only $559.00

Main 6B Cruise Only $529.00

Riviera 6A Cruise Only $499.00

OV Cruise Only $469.00

What is the last "OV" entry for $30 less for? Is that something like they can put you in any Ocean View cabin on any deck with an obstructed view / porthole or whatever?

Also... why pay more to be on higher decks? I'm told that the higher decks can be noisier, and that all of the cabins or staterooms are pretty much the same. What do I get for $589 instead of $499 or $469?

Oh, and on the deck plans, there are symbols for various combinations of beds. I want one king, or a queen if that's the biggest they have. Most staterooms don't have symbols. How do I make sure I don't wind up with a toddlers racecar bed or a WWII cot? :)
 
J

Jamman

Guest
Good questions. First, the last OV entry is for oceanview guarantee, which if you don't care about where your cabin will be located, is the way to go. You could wind up in a catagory 6D for the low price, but even if you wind up in a 6A, you still saved some money.

The pricing by deck is based on the premise that the higher the deck, the closer you are to the "action", and yes they can be nosier, depending what is located above, below, or around them. A look at the deck plans will help you with this. For example, you wouldn't want to be directly above or below the disco, unless you are a night owl!! There are no differences in the same catagory of cabins (ex. oceanview) from lowest to highest decks.

Lastly, If there aren't any symbols on the deck plans concerning beds, it usually means twin beds which can be pushed together to make a King (more like a queen).

Good luck in whatever you choose, and if you have any more questions, this is the place to ask!! :thumb
 
J

jnojr

Guest
[quote Jamman]The pricing by deck is based on the premise that the higher the deck, the closer you are to the "action"[/quote]

Thanks Jamman!

What difference does it make how close you are to "the action" vertically? I mean, there are elevators, right? I'd prefer to not have to hike for a half-mile to get to an elevator, but once I'm there, what difference does it make if I go up one floor or 20?

Also... if you have a stateroom right near an elevator, is that noticeably noisier too? I can imagine that there might be a constant stream of people going to and from various exciting parties at 4AM :) I think I'd rather have a long walk than be kept up all night.
 
J

Jamman

Guest
Yes there are elevators. Some people prefer to only have to walk up or down a flight or two of stairs to get where they are going, as opposed to waiting for an elevator.

I avoid booking a cabin near the elevator banks for exactly the reasons you have pointed out. See, you're catching on already!! :grin
 
W

Whimsy

Guest
I just got an email that Carnival is having a one day sale on May 24th.

For 24 hours only, you'll receive a FREE best available stateroom upgrade* when you book a variety of "Fun Ship" cruises sailing between now and February 15, 2008.

Carnival has frequent sales. If you are looking to book at least you may be able to pay for a lower catagory and get higher cabin.

We take stairs more often then the elevators because there is usually a wait for the elevators and the stairs help keep the weight gain down.
 
J

jnojr

Guest
[quote Whimsy]I just got an email that Carnival is having a one day sale on May 24th.

For 24 hours only, you'll receive a FREE best available stateroom upgrade* when you book a variety of "Fun Ship" cruises sailing between now and February 15, 2008.

Carnival has frequent sales. If you are looking to book at least you may be able to pay for a lower catagory and get higher cabin.[/quote]

Thanks!

Is there anything in that email about this being a secret deal, or will this option just show up on the 24th?

Also... what's the difference between doing that or getting the regular OV item that doesn't specify a deck? Is that one just completely random? If I get the "best available", and then a bunch more people book that cruise, do I get the best available at the time I book, or the best available at boarding, or ???

And how do they figure the "best"? Does that take into account stairs, elevators, being under the disco, etc?

We take stairs more often then the elevators because there is usually a wait for the elevators and the stairs help keep the weight gain down.
Click to expand...

Are the stairs like normal house stairs, or are they like narrow, steep, slightly-better-than-ladders stairs? :) We're pretty active, and wouldn't mind a little exercise. But we also don't want to feel like we joined the Navy or something :)

Thanks so much for all of the good info!
 
G

Gayle V

Guest
Hello jnojr,

Sorry, can't help with the price questions, but the inside staircases are carpeted and are wide enough for two, sometimes three people to walk abreast going up while another three walk together going down. Not usually as opulent as the staircase in the Titanic movie, but very nice. And the staircases in the dining rooms frequently actually are as nice as the one in the Titanic movie.

Actually some of the staircases are pretty fabulous. You should see the clear glass ones on the Mariner.

I think the reason some people would avoid them is because of just how many stairs are involved in climbing from deck two to deck twelve.

The outside stairs are obviously not as nice but usually plenty wide enough for one person going up and one going down.
 
W

Whimsy

Guest
I would look at prices now on the website and then look at prices again on Thursday. You could also call Carnival and ask about pricing, have them email you the pricing and then call again on Thursday. Ask them when you call about the upcoming sale. It really does pay to do your homework. When we went on our Carnival cruise I was able to use the Entertainment book coupon so if you have an Entertainment book or know someone who has one you may want to check that option out. $100 off a 7 day cruise and $50 off a cruise of less then 7 days. Sometimes, not always, they let you combine discounts. I know for a fact that my neighbor's son booked during a sale and used the coupon, guess it just depends on the sailing.

If you book without picking a room the cruise line will assign you a room and it can change at any time right up till sailing. We picked our own room this past cruise and for our upcoming cruise. Some let the cruise line pick and hope for an upgrade. But DON"T book a catagory you won't be happy with thinking you will get an upgrade.

We will do 3 or 4 flights of stairs but going from deck 8 to deck 15 is too much, then we take the elevators.
 
L

lukababe

Guest
I called my rep listed on the carnival cruise email, and was prepared to pay the amount on the website for an inside, however once I called she offered me a much lower price than I expected to pay plus an ocean view upper deck upgrade. I was very pleased with that and glad I didn't book the online website.

The cruise leaves next week!
 
J

jnojr

Guest
[quote lukababe]I called my rep listed on the carnival cruise email, and was prepared to pay the amount on the website for an inside, however once I called she offered me a much lower price than I expected to pay plus an ocean view upper deck upgrade. I was very pleased with that and glad I didn't book the online website.

The cruise leaves next week![/quote]

I think that has a lot more to do with the near proximity of the cruise's departure date than the simple act of having called :)

And FWIW the website doesn't show any different prices or any "specials" today. I think I'll call them and ask.
 
L

lukababe

Guest
I booked mine a month or two ago, and yes I don't have enough of a track record to know if that is the norm (yet).
 
Top