My wife and I bought a cruise on the Pride which sailed 1-12-02. We made the purchase about a year in advance of sailing. At the time we purchased, the travel agent told us that buying that far in advance was the best time to buy because Carnival had a low price guaranttee. If the price were to go down between then and sailing, we would get the lower price. We felt that was a good reason for us to lock in, so we purchased. Then, after 911 happened, there were deals much better than our's. During the cruise, we met serveral couples that received much better deals than ours. When we returned from the cruise, I sent an email to my travel agent. After no reply in two weeks, I called them. They said they had done the best they could do. I wrote Canival, and they sent me a letter explaining that there are different deals in different markets and gave me a code for 10% off a future cruise. That was better than anything my former agent offered.<BR>The Pride is a great ship. It's a fast ship, and the satalite TV helps if you like to keep up on the news, but the guarantee left a lot to be desired. I will not put faith in it again.

A couple of comments.<BR><BR>Cruise lines do have different prices for different markets/areas. I know it is unfair but they do. Some of the FL residents get unbelieveable prices that the rest of the country do not see.<BR><BR>Secondly, if the price goes down - your TA must inform Carnival that you want your rate adjusted. Carnival will not do this on your own. You can play a proactive role in this also by watching the rates. If the rate goes down - call your TA and insist that she call the cruiseline.<BR><BR>Of course there is some fine print here. Some cruiselines will and some will not adjust the price after final payment. Some lower prices offered after final payment are for "new bookings only".<BR><BR>When looking for a TA - make sure you ask if he/she will monitor cruise prices. This means that she will periodically look to see if your price goes down and will adjust your rate accordingly. My TA does this but I consider it a team effort. I also look. Sometimes she finds it and sometimes I find it but if I find it - I just tell her and she calls the cruiseline and adjusts the rate accordingly.<BR><BR>Sometimes I book far in advance - sometimes I don't.

The cruise lines are making it more difficult to adjust the price if the rate goes down.<BR>Holland America just this week announced within 75 days of sailing (when most of the discounts occur), they will treat it as a cancel rebook and you will have to pay the cancellation penalty to get the lower rate.<BR>I personally think this new policy stinks, as do most Travel Agents.<BR>Most cruise lines now have this type of policy or when we get the Fax it says Applies only to New Bookings.<BR>Only you the Consumer can yell loud enough to get them to reverse this.<BR>Agents are expressing it, but they do not care about our opinion.

TO:Theresa,<BR>Thanks for your reply. I agree with you and we did call tha TA every week, but we will not use them again. I do not think they did anything wrong. they just do not know how to keep up and should not be in the business. I am not angry, but I also will not do business with them again. maybe they do better with other forms of travel.<BR>Thanks for your thoughts.<BR>Scott Woodall

Scott - <BR><BR>You may want to seek a Cruise Only travel agent who is possibly a MCC (highest rank with CLIA) - meaning that they have done the schooling, cruising, visiting many ships, passed many tests to reach this status. These people are very well verses on cruise policies.<BR><BR>Most cruise only agents I know pride themselves on monitoring rates. Because I have an invested interest in my cruise - I also monitor them.<BR><BR>Good luck on your next cruise!

You bet Theresa. A TA that does not reduce price for their clients (such as what happened after 9/11) should not be in the business. Granted their commission will also reduce but it makes for repeat clients. So you lose one and gain a couple others.<BR><BR>Paul<BR>