Carnival Info Is Changing: A Message to Our Community

For over a decade, Carnival Info has been dedicated to making your carnival experiences unforgettable. We’ve put our hearts and souls into creating travel packages that gave you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the vivid sights, pulsing rhythms, and vibrant culture of carnival around the world. Through the years, we’ve shared memories of costumes, parades, parties, and laughter. We’ve watched friendships form and lifelong bonds created, all within the joyous spirit of carnival.

Today, we want to open our hearts and share a difficult decision we’ve made—a decision that didn’t come lightly and has taken a lot of soul-searching. After carefully considering all factors, we have decided to cancel our Trinidad Carnival 2025 concierge packages and we will no longer offer conventional concierge travel packages moving forward. This was one of the hardest choices we’ve faced in our entire ten plus years of operation. We are processing full refunds plus additional funds to account for any issues with flight changes to those groups. Please believe that our commitment to you hasn’t wavered, and our desire to serve you in the most effective, transparent, and supportive way possible is what led us here.

Why We Made This Change

1. Logistical Complexity
   Carnival is all about excitement, color, and flow—but behind the scenes, a lot goes into making these magical moments happen. From coordinating airport pickups to organizing hotel stays, from securing costume fittings to setting up ground transportation on those busy parade days—each of these moving parts demanded immense on-the-ground support. We always strived to ensure every detail was set for your arrival, but as carnival celebrations grew more popular, it became clear that the resources and efforts required were stretching us in ways that compromised the personalized service we hold dear.
2. Challenges as a Middleman
   Acting as the go-between for our customers and various vendors presented significant communication hurdles. Because we care so much about providing accurate, timely information, these communication gaps were frustrating not only for you but also for us. We found ourselves working around the clock trying to ensure everyone stayed on the same page—often without enough support from vendors who were also juggling the busy carnival season.
3. Late Payments & Financial Strain
   We always aimed to keep things straightforward and affordable, but over the years, issues with late payments arose more frequently. When customers weren’t able to pay on time, we ended up covering extra costs to keep everything running smoothly. This situation made it increasingly difficult for us to maintain the high-quality experience you deserve while also keeping our business healthy.
4. Credit Card Fraud & Chargebacks
   Unfortunately, in the era of online transactions, credit card fraud is an ever-present issue. We’ve had to deal with unfair chargebacks—situations where payments were reversed after we’d already paid vendors on our customers’ behalf. This wasn’t just costly; it also created complications and, at times, tension between us, our customers, and our vendors.

Merchant Services Complications

Services like Stripe and FreshBooks have been a lifeline in helping us accept and manage payments. Yet, their terms of service change frequently, and often with little warning. As a small business, losing access to these payment portals can be devastating. It disrupts our cash flow, delays the resolution of customer payments, and leaves both you and our team in uncertain territory. We never want to be in a position where we can’t properly support your carnival plans because of technical or administrative complications beyond our immediate control.

Our New Way Forward

In the spirit of transparency and continual growth, we’re excited about the new direction Carnival Info is taking. Instead of juggling multiple roles—travel agency, coordinator, and payment processor—we will now connect you directly to vendors to make your own payments. This means:

• Direct Payments: You’ll manage your own transactions with bands, event providers, and other carnival services, giving you more control and insight into your budget and spending.
• Timely Updates: We’ll still serve as your guide—keeping you up to date with carnival schedules, tips, and special considerations—so you’re never out of the loop.
• Group Management: Our new platform connects you to vendors for each component of your trip - hotels, bands, events, car service, and more. With this tool, you’ll be able to plan, book, and manage your trip with your entire group - 
• 24/7 Virtual Assistant: Our platform provides you with a virtual assistant to guide you every step of the way through planning & your on-the-ground carnival experience, ensuring you have the information you need when you need it.

We believe this model frees us to do what we do best: help you navigate the carnival landscape with expert advice, honest recommendations, and heartfelt support. Our goal is to make sure you have everything you need to make informed decisions and get the most out of your carnival experience.

An Exciting Start to Our New Service

We’re thrilled to share that since launching our new service, we’ve already received over 1,000 requests for costumes and events for various carnivals. This incredible response reflects how much our community values direct connections and smooth transactions with bands and event organizers. We’re honored to play a part in bringing travelers together with the vibrant carnival community across the Caribbean and beyond.

Benefits for Our Valued Vendors

We know that vendors—bands, event coordinators, and other service providers—often struggle with fraud and unwarranted chargebacks. By stepping away from handling payments ourselves, Carnival Info will focus on vetting qualifying travelers and connecting them directly to legitimate vendors. This not only builds trust on both sides but also ensures smoother, more secure transactions.

Our Ongoing Commitment to You

Though we’re shifting away from offering conventional concierge travel packages, our passion for carnival remains. We’re still here to provide:

• Expert Guidance & Recommendations: Count on us for honest advice on which bands to join, which events to attend, and how to craft your perfect carnival itinerary.
• Up-to-Date Information: We’ll continue delivering timely insights on ticket releases, costume collection schedules, parade routes, and more.
• Supportive Community: Carnival is more than a trip; it’s a culture and a community. We will always nurture a space where you can connect, share experiences, and celebrate together.

Thank You for Your Understanding

Change can be hard, especially when it involves cherished traditions. We want you to know that every step of this transition has been guided by our dedication to protecting your experiences and ensuring the longevity of Carnival Info as a trusted resource. We’re incredibly grateful for your unwavering support over the past ten years. Each one of you—through your stories, feedback, and loyalty—has helped shape our journey.

As we move forward, we pledge to remain transparent, approachable, and true to our original mission: to celebrate the spirit of carnival and share it with the world. We can’t wait to see how this new direction brings even better connections, safer transactions, and more room to enjoy all the magic carnival has to offer.

From our Carnival Info family to yours—thank you for believing in us, for growing with us, and for trusting us to guide you through one of the most vibrant cultural celebrations on the planet.