Special Rates...Check Everything!!

I know this has probably been mentioned time and again over the years, but some might not have seen it.

Check every possible source for your cruise rates when booking. I checked on the Carnival website yesterday for our Victory booking. Entering my wife's info (she gets casino VIP mailings), past guest info, residence, and Military info (not quite seniors yet...), I got a set of rates that were pretty good.

I checked them against other online rates and the held up. The casino offer she had was out of date, so I didn't worry about it not showing at that point.

Once we made the decision to do the Victory cruise, I called and spoke with Carnival (I had to call as we were changing bookings--otherwise I might have just booked online). I told her all the rates that I was eligible for and she added the casino rate and another one to the mix.

To make a long story a little shorter, calling her saved another hundred or so buck off the cruise. It was a very good experience because she was a good rep. I've had bad ones; I just call back again.

I like to do everything myself but asking for a little help paid off this time...

thanks, i am going to email my pvp and see about the casino rate. When are you going on the Victory? Ugg I have to wait until February!!

thanks, i am going to email my pvp and see about the casino rate. When are you going on the Victory? Ugg I have to wait until February!!

We're going late October--airfares just made it too good to pass up as it hits ports I've always wanted to see.

I have been always been impressed with the customer service that I get on the phone with Carnival. I work in an inbound sales office, and will say this, get your questions together before you call. I want to make the custonmers experience the best that I can, but the customer has to help too. Example- the caller says I need two tickets for the show. I tell them the best available, they say ok. I am almost done with the order, and go over the seats again, put in the credit card, and then the customer tell me "my partner has his left foot in a cast, and can't do stairs" and now I have to reseat them, why can't people tell me this upfront, so that time and energy isn't wasted. Like" I need two seats for a show, my husband just had surgery and his foot is in a cast." Hmmm? When I usher for the symphony I am always amazed how many people show up in wheelchairs for a balcony seat. Ask. and with Carnival just gettin my questions and wants out there up front, they have never let me down.:)

I told her all the rates that I was eligible for and she added the casino rate and another one to the mix.

 

To make a long story a little shorter, calling her saved another hundred or so buck off the cruise.

Thanks for the reminder and congrats on your savings!! I am curious, what rate ended up saving you the $? What rate was the phone rep able to access that you couldn't see? Thanks for the info!

Thanks for the reminder and congrats on your savings!! I am curious, what rate ended up saving you the $? What rate was the phone rep able to access that you couldn't see? Thanks for the info!

Fun Saver, VFIP, and Military showed up on the Carnival web site. The casino rate did not show up. The agent mentioned that the casino offer we had was out of date (ends 9/30/12) for this sailing but that she could still offer us the casino rate.

I'm convinced that trying to find the right agent (or PVP) when you call in is essential...then be nice to them (smile in your voice!) and ask a lot of questions...the good ones will work hard for you!!