I think I am done with TAs and will use Carnival's PVP

[mpcaruth]

I have enjoyed years of extra OBC though my online TA, but those perks are dwindling.

 

What I used to get with TA:

• $50-$75 OBC for each booking

• $25 Loyalty voucher to use as OBC on my next booking

• $25 referral voucher to use as OBC on my next booking

• no penalty to change booking

 

What I get now:

• No OBC, but a $25 check AFTER the cruise is complete.

• $25 Loyalty voucher with restrictions, such that, I cannot use it on either of my two upcoming cruises, nor will I earn new ones on my two upcoming cruises.

• $25 referral voucher only if the referred friend takes a 7-day and the loyalty member takes a 7-day later.

• $50 p.p. penalty to change cruise (even if not ES)

 

 

I recently referred my sister in-law to book through our TA. What a complete disaster! The agent said there were no cabins available on the ship that would sleep 4. She was booking 9 months out, and I saw on Carnival's website that there were 50+ quad cabins available. Being a first time cruiser, my sister in-law did what the TA told her was her only option and booked two cabins. I intervened upon hearing this. When she tried to change the booking, she was charged a $400 fee. I then contacted the TA directly (since I felt guilty for referring) and finally got the issue resolved without a fee. The TA also gave my sister in-law various wrong pieces of information about passports. AND I just found out referring them was for NOTHING, as there are no referral benefits for cruises under 7-days.

 

On the flip side, for this exact same cruise, I booked my handicap mom's room directly through Carnival's PVP. I had lots of questions regarding accessibility and oxygen machines, and did not want to go through a third party to get answers. What a wonderful experience with Carnival and the PVP! No OBC through Carnival, but none through the TA either.

 

I just called my TA to book our January cruise, and after hearing about the lack of OBC ($0) I would be getting, I politely stated that I didn't think there was any benefit to me in booking through them. Surprisingly, the TA merely suggested I book another cruise line through them. ???? hhhmmmm…

 

I don't mind doing some extra work to save a few dollars and get a better cruise deal. BUT the deals with TA's are no longer there for Carnival cruises.

 

Am I missing something, or are the deals obtained through TAs for Carnival cruises about gone?

[Fla Senior]

I haven't used a TA in many years. To me they are as useful as a newspaper. Old news. I would much rather do my own research and booking.

[reerun25]

My first cruise I booked through a TA, that was the one and only time. The little "perks" they throw out are not enough to get me to keep booking with TA's After reading the forums here, I found out more information than I ever could have imagined, including more than the TA knew (not throwing her under the bus, as I know the book with a lot of different companies) and going for price drops through the TA was awful. I have since used my personal PVP, even have her cell number, and it is such a pleasure dealing with her if we have anything come up, and she handles the price drops for me....

[cougaraz]

It all depends on your TA and how well you align with them. My TA is a dedicated Princess (as am I) cruiser who sails many times a year. That means she is not only knowledgeable through the education program, but giving me first hand knowledge of what it is like aboard right now, what itineraries are like and other tidbits. However, the relationship is unique. Oddly enough, she sails with my parents several times a year, but because of my military schedule we have actually never met.

Edited April 4, 2014 by cougaraz

[Midwestgal]

Right it all depends on the TA.

[festivalfrau]

I had a bad TA experience and because the "TA solutions specialist" worked 3-midnight, with the time change, my TA was gone for the day when the person who could help us was just starting her shift. I ended up on the phone with the CCL person for 3 hours, and every once in a while she would remind me that she didn't need to be speaking with me at all....

 

This TA had previously sent my parents wine and OBC... we got NOTHING this time. :( Never again! My PVP rocks!!

[pbmsmile]

I am running into the same problem with Carnivals reps so buyer beware! Twice in the last couple of months I have been told incorrect info from a Carnival rep and then when I tried to get them to honor what the PVP had promised i was told "I am sorry you were misinformed"....just be careful..

[etwright]

I used to use PVP but got tired of having to change every time I booked a cruise because they turnover so quick. I now have a TA that I absolutely love and will continue using her. She doesn't give perks, but takes care of and answers any questions/problems I have. That is good enough for me. :):cool::)

[winddawn]

I have enjoyed years of extra OBC though my online TA, but those perks are dwindling.

 

What I used to get with TA:

• $50-$75 OBC for each booking

• $25 Loyalty voucher to use as OBC on my next booking

• $25 referral voucher to use as OBC on my next booking

• no penalty to change booking

 

What I get now:

• No OBC, but a $25 check AFTER the cruise is complete.

• $25 Loyalty voucher with restrictions, such that, I cannot use it on either of my two upcoming cruises, nor will I earn new ones on my two upcoming cruises.

• $25 referral voucher only if the referred friend takes a 7-day and the loyalty member takes a 7-day later.

• $50 p.p. penalty to change cruise (even if not ES)

 

 

I recently referred my sister in-law to book through our TA. What a complete disaster! The agent said there were no cabins available on the ship that would sleep 4. She was booking 9 months out, and I saw on Carnival's website that there were 50+ quad cabins available. Being a first time cruiser, my sister in-law did what the TA told her was her only option and booked two cabins. I intervened upon hearing this. When she tried to change the booking, she was charged a $400 fee. I then contacted the TA directly (since I felt guilty for referring) and finally got the issue resolved without a fee. The TA also gave my sister in-law various wrong pieces of information about passports. AND I just found out referring them was for NOTHING, as there are no referral benefits for cruises under 7-days.

 

On the flip side, for this exact same cruise, I booked my handicap mom's room directly through Carnival's PVP. I had lots of questions regarding accessibility and oxygen machines, and did not want to go through a third party to get answers. What a wonderful experience with Carnival and the PVP! No OBC through Carnival, but none through the TA either.

 

I just called my TA to book our January cruise, and after hearing about the lack of OBC ($0) I would be getting, I politely stated that I didn't think there was any benefit to me in booking through them. Surprisingly, the TA merely suggested I book another cruise line through them. ???? hhhmmmm…

 

I don't mind doing some extra work to save a few dollars and get a better cruise deal. BUT the deals with TA's are no longer there for Carnival cruises.

 

Am I missing something, or are the deals obtained through TAs for Carnival cruises about gone?

Plus you can add on extra risk booking through a TA because if they don't forward your payment to Carnival, you can lose your money and your booking. Why take that risk?

[vamartha]

I don't use either.

 

I do my own research, I make my own reservations, I make my own travel arrangements and purchase my own insurance and if something goes wrong, I have me to blame. Exactly the way I like it!

 

But research is the key. Research, research, research!

[Island Hopper58]

Well, I would have said the same thing a few months ago, but I now have a Great TA

she is on FB and gets back to me almost before I ask. Not to mention I asked her if a $4 Drop was even worth her trouble

Guess so she came back with a $60 one :)

So I would say it depends on your TA

[1gr8cruise]

I started out with internet TA's, then started losing the perks. They were giving you a kickback on their commission, Carnival put a stop to it. I now have a GREAT PVP.....always answers my emails within 24 hours, can call him anytime. I think he works out of his house (Tampa area). Have never had a problem...goes the extra mile for me. Watches for upgrades and calls me....

Edited April 5, 2014 by 1gr8cruise

[JustCruiseMe]

I tried to book with a PVP for my sister's cruise and it was a fiasco. She didn't understand anything. She was telling me the rooms I were looking at at that very moment weren't available. I mean all of them "had just been taken" even though they showed avail. She couldn't understand or see the military rate that I was seeing...I got so frustrated finally said "nevermind you're not helping me" and said bye. She said "is there anything else I can help you with" and I replied "well you didn't help me with this not sure how you are going to help me with anything else". I didn't say it meanly just to the point. I hung up and booked the two rooms. We had a question, that I can't remember now, that was about having 2 rooms otherwise I wouldn't even have called.

[LRene]

The loss of perks is not your TA's fault. It's Carnivals. They put the screws to TA's a while back and regulated what they can give which is basically $25, I believe. We never use one for Carnival but always do for Celebrity where we get major perks and better pricing.