To use a PVP or not

[barrelracer89]

We are going to book a cruise for this August just waiting on the hubby's bonus money to come in this month :) we were wondering if we should use a PVP or just book it ourselves. What if any are the perks to using a PVP?? Thank you in advance for you advice!! [emoji3]

[Vitamin_Sea]

We always use a TA cause we get more. If you use a TA you may get an OBC that a PVP cant give you.

 

You may get better attention if you use a PVP if you need to make changes.

 

I use an online TA and never have problems. If my agent is not in office-

a manager will help you right away

[barrelracer89]

How do you find a good TA?

[Vitamin_Sea]

How do you find a good TA?

 

well... we cant name anyone here but there are many reputable companies online.. do a search :cool:

[bakersdozen12]

Right now I have one cruise booked with a TA and one that I booked myself. I honestly prefer the latter. Being booked with a TA is kind of a pain. Not that I don't like my TA, she's really great, but I hate not being able to make changes myself or submit price matches myself. Idk, maybe it's me, but I like to be in control of my booking.

[b714210]

I have booked on my own, used a TA, and for my last 12 cruises, used a PVP. She gives us her Carnival and cell#, and always calls us if we have a good deal coming our way. For example, last fall she called us 3 weeks before we got the postcard informing us of our free (50$ with 50$ credit) cruise. By then she had already booked us on an extended balcony for spring break. Just this morning, I called her because I noticed my son has a casino rate for our March cruise. After she confirmed it, she says "Can I call you back tonight to take care of it? I'm technically on vacation all week". She provides fantastic service I can't do myself and didn't get with a TA. Although I know there are some fantastic TA's and lousy PVP's out there.

[Troublemaker47]

As previous poster stated, we too have a GREAT pvp who knows what we like and she calls me if a special sale pops, like a month ago she called me when they had the $99 deposit, and we booked a back 2 back. I'm sure there are some bad ones out there, but I've never had a problem.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Dpondex]

I have a PVP but I'm thinking he's from the lousy bunch. Called him a few days ago and he has yet to return my call. Are you allowed to switch Pvp's ?

[barrelracer89]

I have one that keeps calling me I think I am going to call when I am ready to book

[Troublemaker47]

I have a PVP but I'm thinking he's from the lousy bunch. Called him a few days ago and he has yet to return my call. Are you allowed to switch Pvp's ?

 

 

You can always change, instead of dialing their ext, just hold on and the 1st available will pick up. Tell them the problem and you would like to switch.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Dpondex]

You can always change, instead of dialing their ext, just hold on and the 1st available will pick up. Tell them the problem and you would like to switch.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

 

Thanks! I will be switching even though I don't cruise until November don't want his level service or lack thereof going forward.

[singbluesilver1]

I always use a pvp it's just easier

[love my grandkids]

I have a PVP but I'm thinking he's from the lousy bunch. Called him a few days ago and he has yet to return my call. Are you allowed to switch Pvp's ?

 

When our previous pvp left we didnt care for the one we were assigned to so asked a cruising friend for theirs and we have used the new one for past 10 or so cruises and she is great.

[mzloolue]

When I got a new PVP the last time I called and spoke to several.

 

Just called and asked a question to which I already knew the answer, but I want a PVP who will take the time to answer questions with patience and knowledge.

 

The first one I spoke to was impatient.

 

The second I had trouble understanding her diction.

I need to be able to communicate well with a PVP.

 

And the third one was knowledgeable, patient and easily understood.

So I booked with her.

 

I have been booking with her for three years.

The two previous PVPs I had stopped working for Carnival for whatever reason.

 

It is nice to have someone to call who you kind of know to call when you have a problem.

 

Oh, like if you have your cruise for 10 people gets cancelled at the last minute.

(5 days out, some of us were packed)

And you get hold of your PVP and she gets you the last cabins on the only other cruise for that week and in driving distance.

 

What I figure is that I am helping my PVP keep her job and she is helping me if needed. Win-win. And costs me no additional money.

[flyawayca]

I used to use a TA but he retired.

 

For my next cruise, and my last two cruises, I booked on my own through each cruise line website (Carnival, NCL, and Princess). I much prefer booking on my own!

 

No having to deal with getting a hold of someone specific to make changes. I notice a lower rate online and just call the cruise line directly on the main number and the change is made. So simple, no waiting on anyone and worrying about missing a sale or having to deal with transfers to managers, etc.

[mzloolue]

I used to use a TA but he retired.

 

For my next cruise, and my last two cruises, I booked on my own through each cruise line website (Carnival, NCL, and Princess). I much prefer booking on my own!

 

No having to deal with getting a hold of someone specific to make changes. I notice a lower rate online and just call the cruise line directly on the main number and the change is made. So simple, no waiting on anyone and worrying about missing a sale or having to deal with transfers to managers, etc.

 

If I book with a Carnival PVP I can still do all that on my own.

I can do whatever I need to online.

And I can still call the mainline and talk to whoever answers the phone.

 

But, if there is a problem, I have the extension and a cell phone number for my own PVP who I have already vetted and have some confidence in.

 

So, with a PVP I do not have to go through a travel agent, but I have a PVP if I need her help.

I usually have my booking all figured out, then call her and have her book the cruise.

She gets the credit for the booking and I get her help if I need it.

And in the past there have been times when my PVP has expedited things.

[bobnfl]

My wife and I have tried it both ways. We have had 2 TA's and both of them were hard to get in touch with and did not return calls. I always had to go behind them to verify things. We like doing it ourselves and if you have any doubts just do a little research and you can find anything you want.

[jacmo24]

I had a GREAT PVP for a couple of years but he left Carnival I guess. He would help with just about anything. I had a complicated cruise switch at one point and even though I had booked through a TA he helped us get through the switch and saved me $$.

 

The PVP I have now is awful. Downright mean when I tell her I'm not ready to book. She calls every time I log in and it got really irritating. Man was she PO'd when I asked her to politely not call all the time and that I'd let her know when we were ready. Needless to say she did not get to book my last two cruises.

[uncleg]

I used a PVP for years until he was promoted, he was great always got me the best cabin at best rate possible. Since he left I have booked online or used travel agent...I personally must have used wrong travel agents in the past..I never got any of the OBC or anything like that. Now I have been booking on line, but have stared working with a PVP again for next year. Will see what happens.

[BaseballMomof4]

I used a PVP for years until he was promoted, he was great always got me the best cabin at best rate possible. Since he left I have booked online or used travel agent...I personally must have used wrong travel agents in the past..I never got any of the OBC or anything like that. Now I have been booking on line, but have stared working with a PVP again for next year. Will see what happens.

 

You and me both! I used a TA once and will never do so again. I had to tell her when there were discounts available and she very nearly lost me one. In addition, the airfares she found for me were $400/pp higher than ones I found on my own.

 

I use a good PVP and he is right on the ball.

[CruizinMama1026]

I've done travel agents, PVP, and myself. The travel agent was nice in that we got some OBC and a free bottle of champagne. But it was kind of a pain. Any changes that we requested had to go through the travel agent. Carnival agents can't help you if you book through an agent. The PVP really had no bonuses and really didn't do anything I couldn't do myself. Once she took our deposit money that was it. When I would try to contact her for price drops or any other questions she was never available and I ended up just calling Carnival customer service. With booking myself, I know what I get and I have control over the reservation. I book for family members now too.

[lido deck larry]

My PVP stopped calling after I asked her out on a date. I only book online.

 

Sent from my SM-G386T using Tapatalk

[crusinpsychRN]

My PVP is a magician. She gets me prices I can't find on line, gets me the cabin I request, got me OBC I didn't see online and is very prompt.

Edited July 9, 2015 by crusinpsychRN

[TNCruzer56]

TA-All the way! We use a large national company. Oy Vay...Ya think I could remember their name:confused: Ours saved us $400. plus a $75. OBC.

-

BTW, you can pull the booking from a PVP and transfer it to a TA.

-

We have always got at least a $100. OBC. PVPs won`t give you anything. Nothing against them, but $$$ is $$$!

[pirate4me2]

I booked my first 4 cruises online myself, then decided to try a PVP. I love my PVP...he doesn't call me when I log into the website, but if I email him he responds in less than 10 minutes and if I call him he's always ready to help me out. He got us one of the grand scenic oceanview cabins for our Glory cruise when it wasn't showing online, he's helped me change room locations when we needed to, and he's always friendly and asks how our cruises went. He isn't pushy at all, and when I need help he's there.