According to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), cruising is the fastest-growing travel option in the vacation industry. Carnival Cruise Lines is the largest line in the world, with dozens of ships and thousands of passenger cabins available each week. Carnival's size and popularity lends itself to more bargain cruises.
Start checking prices at the beginning of the year. Cruise lines make approximately 35 percent of their sales from January through March. It also is the time of year when they offer the best deals and lowest prices. It pays to book early, when the cruise line is offering early-reservation discounts. Should the price on your cabin drop after you book, Carnival typically will issue you a refund in the form of an on-board credit. Check with the cruise line first. Discounts are sometimes available based on your age, where you live, whether or not you have traveled with them before and how many cabins you plan to book. Carnival offers special group rates for eight or more cabins booked for one sailing. Online discount travel sites like Expedia, Orbitz or cruise.com. are also great places to check. Carnival is famous for having special one-day-only sales on the Carnival website and discount travel sites. Check the sites often.
Once you have done your online homework, call a travel agent. Travel agents can buy Carnival cruise packages in bulk, which gives them access to substantial discounts they can pass on to their clients. In some cases, travel agents can beat the prices listed on online travel sites. If you are direct with the agent and let her know exactly what you are looking for, she should be willing to negotiate with you and find you a great deal.
If you are willing to postpone your trip by a week or change your itinerary, you can garner huge savings. Carnival also offers last-minute deals for limited sailings. The line doesn't make any money on empty cabins so it will try to fill its berths with last-minute bookings. Carnival knows any money you save on your cabin most likely will be spent on board on drinks, photos and merchandise. Check the newspapers online in port cities like Miami, Ft. Lauderdale and San Diego. Carnival sometimes place ads there for discounted last-minute travel.
