I WON ! Now What ? Please Help Choose The Ship!

[scliq]

First, THANK YOU for all those posts I have read about keeping a watch on the price and calling Carnival to get it discounted. I am not online a whole lot but I made it a daily habit to log into Travelocity each day and check the prices because what I had read here. While there I naturally enterred whatever sweepstakes was on. They always seem to have one! Well, I found out today I WON the Fun Ship Giveaway. A free 7 day cruise on Carnival between now & 12/31/03. I still can't believe it because I never win anything! THANK YOU THANK YOU for all the advice!

Now What ?? ... the dilemma
As some may know from my past posts I booked our honeymoon cruise with Carnival on the Triumph 10/11 sail. We have a stern balcony cabin. We took alot of time picking this. I have made the deposit and our final payment date is 8/2. The travelocity win is for an oceanfront but, we can probably upgrade that and does not include air. Should I cancel the reservation with Carnival, get refund and deal with travelocity ? I am hoping perhaps I could transfer the booking to travelocity and just get the room cost of the oceanfront deducted from the total. At least that is what would be ideal for us. But, I am afraid that is unlikely. Has anyone had a similiar situation ? I have already decided I do not want to change our cabin on our honeymoon. If I cancel w/ Carnival and deal with Travelocity how likely I can get same cabin ??...lol I know you don't know my answers but any insight will be helpful while I wait for Fedex to deliver the details!

Call me the planner...... Another cruise ?
I have already done a little research (what else am I supposed to do when this excited...LOL) If we can not use the won cruise for our honeymoon I have looked at when I could possibly cruise again. Yes, I know this is the ideally this is the best solution normally. However, while trying to pay off the wedding & the holidays it will be hard. Not to mention getting vacation time at work. But I'll be darn if I don't get to use this so.....

These could be probable options - Which Ship do ya'll reccommend ?
A stop in St. Maarten is necessary because entire family would go & only me & new hubby would have gotten to see my sis who lives there.

Spirit 12/17 - Miami, St. Maarten, Barbados, Martinique,
Would have been to St. Maarten, debark on Christmas ? I do have an aunt who lives
in Miami.

Legend 11/21 or 12/23 Port Everglades, St. Maarten, Barbados, Martinique,
Would have been to St. Maarten

Glory 12/27 Port Canaveral, Nassau, St. Thomas, St Maarten
Little Pricier & have been to all ports

Triumph 11/20 & 12/20 San Juan, St. Thomas, St. Maarten
Same as honeymoon but would know ship & ports...hmmm

Any thoughts and advice VERY APPRECIATED !

Take Care,
Lisa

 

[PokrChick]

Re: using the

Do you know that you can transfer your existing booking from Carnival to Travelocity? That way, Travelocity may be willing to let you use the amount they were going to give you for your win towards the cabin you already selected, since it will already be one of their bookings. However, I would call them first.

Oh, and by the way, CONGRATS!! (both on the win and the upcoming wedding)



Post Edited (07-16-03 10:45)

 

[scliq]

Re: using the

Thanks PokrChick!
I had heard you could transfer a booking but apparently there is a clause that says attempts to use on previous purchases would void the win. I have not read it myself yet and do plan to at least ask the Travelocity rep because that would be the ideal solution for me. Of course my daughter is hoping it means a second cruise. She has been on 3 other cruises which seem to be about 2 years apart and according to her she was supposed to cruise this year and was very jealous of the honeymoon and not being able to go. (She's only 10) However, she is in gifted & talented classes and missing school adds to our dilemmaof when we can go. With just 3 weeks till school starts here (not to mention wedding things) it's tight trying to go beforehand. At least my employer has told me vacation time will not be an issue!
Take Care,
Lisa