First Ever Phone Call from a PVP

[MagSeven1413]

When we got home from work today, there was a message on our answering machine from a Carnival PVP. I also had an email from her. We have been cruising for 10 years and other than our cruise to Tahiti on Princess in 2010, I have always compared different cruises on all cruise lines and have never received a call from anyone before today.

 

I called her back as a courtesy, and I did mention that this is the first time I have ever been called by a Carnival PVP. She mentioned that since I have been researching a cruise on their website, it was forwarded to a PVP but she was surprised that no one had ever called before. I let her know that we have a TA that takes wonderful care of us and she was very understanding and told me not to leave the TA.

 

So yes, your online browsing on their website can generate a cold call from a PVP.

[wedding121212]

I got one today as well, and an email after I didn't answer.

[Cjlovestocruise]

That’s funny, my PVP also called me today. I have always used her and have been looking at several cruises on their site but she called about a “great” price on a cruise I had not looked at, a 2 day – too short for me.

I wonder if that is Carnival’s New Year’s Resolution – to contact more customers personally.

[Socref124]

When we got home from work today, there was a message on our answering machine from a Carnival PVP. I also had an email from her. We have been cruising for 10 years and other than our cruise to Tahiti on Princess in 2010, I have always compared different cruises on all cruise lines and have never received a call from anyone before today.

 

I called her back as a courtesy, and I did mention that this is the first time I have ever been called by a Carnival PVP. She mentioned that since I have been researching a cruise on their website, it was forwarded to a PVP but she was surprised that no one had ever called before. I let her know that we have a TA that takes wonderful care of us and she was very understanding and told me not to leave the TA.

 

So yes, your online browsing on their website can generate a cold call from a PVP.

 

Same thing happened to us from NCL. I was comparing the Epic with the Dream and one of their reps called and sent me an email. What part of the 'Burgh are you from? I am originally from the McKeesport area, Glassport to be exact.:)

[Yvonne]

Yes, after dealing with an extremely pushy and annoying Carnival rep on the phone (I asked her to stop calling after the first call and she probably called another 3 times after that) I do not log in when I go to Carnival's web site.

 

If I find a cruise I want to book I will call THEM, I don't want THEM calling and bugging me.

[golfadj]

They are just people trying to earn a living and generally if you say you are not interested will leave you alone.

[GTO-Girl]

Just don't log in on the Carnival website and you won't be contacted....

[MagSeven1413]

Same thing happened to us from NCL. I was comparing the Epic with the Dream and one of their reps called and sent me an email. What part of the 'Burgh are you from? I am originally from the McKeesport area, Glassport to be exact.:)

We're pretty close to Glassport - we're in Monessen. It's just a quick ride down Rt 51 for us.

[hotmonia]

They are just people trying to earn a living and generally if you say you are not interested will leave you alone.

 

I agree with this. Also, if you don't log in, you might not be getting the full price options. For my last cruise it was coming up over $1000 (single cruiser, 7 nights). When I logged into the Carnival website and searched again, suddenly I got an offer that was close to $400 less because it recognized me and was offering me the VIP Casino rate. So I always log in when I search, and if they call me repeatedly after that then oh well... the $400 in my pocket makes it a bit easier to deal with the repeated phone calls. ; )

[Lisa81]

That's actually how I booked my cruise this month. I filled out some of the information on the website to check prices, canceled at the payment page. Surprise! The next day Carnival called :).

[jbanana1]

I never log in to Carnival's website when just looking for info but still get calls/emails from a PVP.

[ItsAllAboutTheSass]

Same thing happened to us from NCL. I was comparing the Epic with the Dream and one of their reps called and sent me an email. What part of the 'Burgh are you from? I am originally from the McKeesport area, Glassport to be exact.:)

 

We're pretty close to Glassport - we're in Monessen. It's just a quick ride down Rt 51 for us.

 

 

Hi, Mike.

 

MagSeven - Indiana Twp here. I priced a 2 day on NCL last night. Got a phone call and an email today.

[Martini Mom]

I was also called by a Carnival PVP after they noticed my carnival website use. He pushed and pushed me to put a deposit down. When I told him we would do that soon, but I needed to talk more with Dh about the cabin category etc. he again urged me to put a deposit down right then and it would be fully refunded if I changed my mind after talking to DH. Are they having a contest today or something?! Geesh!

[ItsAllAboutTheSass]

I was also called by a Carnival PVP after they noticed my carnival website use. He pushed and pushed me to put a deposit down. When I told him we would do that soon, but I needed to talk more with Dh about the cabin category etc. he again urged me to put a deposit down right then and it would be fully refunded if I changed my mind after talking to DH. Are they having a contest today or something?! Geesh!

 

 

I don't pick up my phone when my Caller ID says "Florida" anymore. I have gotten calls from so many people that just graduated PVP school or whatever they do, that it bothers me that I know more about the product than they do.

[Whoo]

I had plugged in a cruise on a website that gets competing quotes from TA's - and the next morning a PVP from Carnival called. He ended up getting us booked - price was better than the 10 or so quotes I received. He was not pushy at all.

[Martini Mom]

I don't pick up my phone when my Caller ID says "Florida" anymore. I have gotten calls from so many people that just graduated PVP school or whatever they do, that it bothers me that I know more about the product than they do.

They don't like it when you know more than they do. ;)

[ferfoodle]

Interesting. I log on all the time, my info is correct in my profile and I have never received an email or phone call from the PVPs.

 

I booked myself online at their site - never got a confirmation email.

 

The only correspondance I have received from them was two notification emails that my itinerary had been changed each time they changed and the reminder to have proper documents (passport, ID, etc) when we traveled.

 

I never get promotional offers, news letters, etc. from Carnival and the box is checked to contact me with offers in my profile. Yet I get them from Princess, HAL, NCL and RCI and I never asked them to contact me. Go figure.

 

So, what are the odds I recieve one of the "how was your cruise surveys" when we return? My guess - it won't come.

[Sunseeker11]

I booked my cruise through Carnival and a different PVP called almost everyday... it made me crazy. I didn't need their help, trip was already booked.

[Martini Mom]

I booked my cruise through Carnival and a different PVP called almost everyday... it made me crazy. I didn't need their help, trip was already booked.

I do so much research and comparisons in advance that when I call a TA or PVP, it's just to book the cruise, not for info.

[ItsAllAboutTheSass]

I do so much research and comparisons in advance that when I call a TA or PVP, it's just to book the cruise, not for info.

 

I got to this point and played with the idea of booking online to avoid the hassle. However, I really liked the PVP I had at the time, so I kept booking with her so she would get the credit. Once she left and I started having the issues I noted above, I just started booking online.

[cruise_pirate]

That is how I got my PVP, I used him several times and now I never hear from him. I know he still is a PVP and a great one at that, but I am on the website daily and nothing..:rolleyes: Maybe is is so great he no longer needs to try for my business

[Martini Mom]

We use a local "brick and mortar" travel agency. We get the same price and upgrade offers that Carnival advertises, but she throws in extras, like a bottle of wine in our room. It's not much, but it's more than I would have received from my Carnival PVP.

[ItsAllAboutTheSass]

That is how I got my PVP, I used him several times and now I never hear from him. I know he still is a PVP and a great one at that, but I am on the website daily and nothing..:rolleyes: Maybe is is so great he no longer needs to try for my business

 

Maybe he knows that you will call when you need him or are ready to book and that he no longer needs to pester you. Not that he doesn't need/want your business, just doesn't feel he has to bother you all the time.

[Socref124]

We're pretty close to Glassport - we're in Monessen. It's just a quick ride down Rt 51 for us.

 

We used to play Monessen in HS football way back when I was in school. Small world. I tell everyone that I played HS football against Joe Montana, when he was at Ringold HS, but we both sat on the bench. He was on the bench cos he was a freshman and I was on the bench cos I wasn't any good. I have relatives in Brownsville, Mon City and Charleroi still.

[Socref124]

Hi, Mike.

 

MagSeven - Indiana Twp here. I priced a 2 day on NCL last night. Got a phone call and an email today.

 

Hi ya Jon. Was it the 2 day in March? We looked at that briefly too.