obc or free car parking

[duesouthgirl , S]

Hi me and my hubby are looking to book for a pando Caribbean cruise next year(we will be trying our first cruise in9 days time) just wondered which option people go for, obc or free parking. The amounts are similar but as a newbie wasn't too sure which to do. Thanks duesouthgirl

[dst87, Falkirk]

Hi me and my hubby are looking to book for a pando Caribbean cruise next year(we will be trying our first cruise in9 days time) just wondered which option people go for, obc or free parking. The amounts are similar but as a newbie wasn't too sure which to do. Thanks duesouthgirl

I'm not an expert on these things, but if the values are similar I suppose it might not matter. Two things to consider spring to mind for me:

1) Can you get/are you comfortable with the car parking cheaper elsewhere? The official parking is certainly convenient, but some members of this forum are fans of a service called Park At My House, where you pay a small amount to use someones driveway. This is typically far cheaper than the port parking, and many hosts will give you a lift to the port as part of the cost. I've always been wary of using it myself, but the service generally gets excellent feedback.

2) Will you actually use all of the OBC that's provided? Not much point in taking £200 worth of OBC, then using £100 and paying £200 for parking. (I pulled those number out of the air, but you get the idea)

I love that you're considering your next one before you've even completed your first - the cruising bug really has taken root! (I did the same last year, don't worry!)

Anyway, I'm sure some more experienced cruisers on here will have some cracking ideas for you!

Where are you going in 9 days, and who with? Are you excited? I'm off at the start of May and can't wait!!

[duesouthgirl , S]

Hi thanks for the ideas! We r going with p&o and have also booked for one for sept with princess. Getting cared away but it's so nice to have something to look forward 2.

[bobbybuoy, peterborough]

Hi me and my hubby are looking to book for a pando Caribbean cruise next year(we will be trying our first cruise in9 days time) just wondered which option people go for, obc or free parking. The amounts are similar but as a newbie wasn't too sure which to do. Thanks duesouthgirl

Hi duesouthgirl,

Just pick the one that saves you the most money. Alternatively, there's the other option of waiting for a Getaway Fare. No choices to make there but a good amount of money to be saved.

Bob

[dst87, Falkirk]

Hi duesouthgirl,

Just pick the one that saves you the most money. Alternatively, there's the other option of waiting for a Getaway Fare. No choices to make there but a good amount of money to be saved.

Bob

That's a pretty good idea. If you're not bothered about the specific cabin, or even the type of cabin, a getaway fare with a cabin on a guarantee basis could save a packet. That's how I booked my first cruise with Cunard, and saved a fortune!

The downside for me is that because you don't have it booked it's more difficult to look forward to it! When I got back from my QM2 cruise in October, I pretty much booked my Celebrity cruise within a week!

[Harvey, Bristol upon Cream]

Hi me and my hubby are looking to book for a pando Caribbean cruise next year(we will be trying our first cruise in9 days time) just wondered which option people go for, obc or free parking. The amounts are similar but as a newbie wasn't too sure which to do. Thanks duesouthgirl

Just take the one which gives you the most money.

[Guy, Ormskirk]

If it was me I would be tempted to take the OBC, only because it always feels good to feel that the first $200 dollars or so on the account is already taken care of...Carol

[dst87, Falkirk]

I would not be booking now, but waiting for the getaway fares, just booked two Cunard cruises and basically got two cruises for the price of one. Always a gamble though, but the way I look at it is if you miss out on one deal there is always another to be had.

The only problem with this is that not everyone can take that risk that what they want will be available. I'm really lucky in that my partner and I work from home, so we can take last minute deals whenever we want. Before that, I worked a usual 9-5 and had to get holiday requests in sometimes more than 6 months in advance if I wanted certain dates. If you've only got so many holidays and have to book time off early, it might not be worth the risk.

Of course being retired or working someone really flexible/from home makes this super easy. I only started working from home in January, so I'm looking forward to future cruises being cheap last minute deals!

[Debc, Birmingham]

When we went to the Caribbean with P & O Christmas 2011, we took the OBC (which we always spend!), and stayed overnight at a hotel near the airport. Although we flew from Manchester and only live in Birmingham, it gave us a couple of extra hours in bed and we had a great rate - a family room at the hotel, taxi transfers both ways and 15 days parking was under £100. It's worth considering unless you live right on top of the airport

[duesouthgirl , S]

Hi thanks for all the advice, we have to book in advance, both our jobs need lots of warning before we take annual leave. Think that I will go for obc as if we park a little way from the terminal it is much cheaper! Thanks everyone.