Will my Personal Vacation Planner get mad at me for booking online

[NCMtnBoys]

I love our PVP. She is very responsive and a joy to work with.

 

A few years ago we became part-time home-based cruise agents and I had told her that we probably wouldn't book through her anymore, but I knew I didn't want to lose her as a PVP just in case some day we no longer did the home-based thing. She said that in order for us to keep her as our PVP she would still need to contact us every now and then (even if we didn't book anything) or else she wouldn't be able to continue to be our PVP. So she calls us on occasion to see how we're doing and to keep the lines of communication open.

 

And because she has continued to contact us and is always friendly, knowledgeable and overall fantastic, we recently DID book a cruise through her and forfeited our own commission on the booking. She's wonderful and I didn't mind throwing her our business since she's remained diligent.

[JillySue]

I used the "call me" thing and lucked out. Got a great PVP who doesn't bug me when I'm just dreaming on the site. He is great when I do call, always on my side, and understands that I know what I want and tries his best to make that happen.

[Jana60]

My Personal Vacation Planner is a nice guy. He calls every few months and sees if we are interested in booking. If I have a question, I email him and he emails me back right away.

 

We decided to book a cruise with 3 different families. I did inquire with him about some questions I had. Since there were multiple credit cards...new cruiser names that needed to be added, I found it to be easier to just do it on the website.

 

Will he not get credit for the booking? I want to upgrade one on the cabins, but I am embarrassed to call him since I booked online.

 

What are your thoughts?

 

I booked online because I was afraid of not getting the particular room that I wanted but then I decided to upgrade to a balcony and added another person when I was originally going to go solo so I called her to do this change and she seemed very happy to help me.

[Tapi]

I booked online because I was afraid of not getting the particular room that I wanted but then I decided to upgrade to a balcony and added another person when I was originally going to go solo so I called her to do this change and she seemed very happy to help me.

 

 

They are told to act happy. If you call your PVP after booking online and she acts upset, you know that you'll probably never want to deal with her again. However, if the PVP is pleasant to you. You will think of her next time you're planning a Carnival cruise. Basically acting angry means lost business.

 

My PVP and friend of 10 years told me many times that dealing with guests who'd call AFTER booking somewhere else and then needing assistance was one of the absolute most annoying things that he had to deal with (and ironically, these people were the ones that needed the most help and took most of his time), but that he never turned any of them down, and helped them cheerfully. It did translate into future business. However many PVP's will not be as graceful, and in not so many words tell you to take a hike.

[cruzeluver]

While I can understand a PVP being frustrated when asked to assist a client who booked elsewhere, I cannot abide a PVP who expresses that frustration to the client. They are in the hospitality business.

[Havingfun2010]

Personal is the fact the person knows something about your cruising history, it does not mean private.

 

If you want to go it alone, by all means, but don't take up the time of a PVP and then cheat them out of the credit.

 

It's called the luck of the draw....whoever gets the sale gets it. A PVP is randomly selected for you, because maybe they answered the phone first. No one is getting cheated, it's just random luck. Just like if you walk into a store, and you are ready to buy, whoever takes care of you at that time gets the sale, if it makes a difference to them.

 

FYI, the people at the carnival 800 number are totally different, if you can wrap your head around that. Whoever answers the phone gets to deal with you. When you have a PVP, you deal completely with that person unless of course if it is after hours as they do need time to rest occasionally and possibly even eat and have time with the family they are working so hard to support.

 

The other people are working hard also....so I'm supporting the "other" person. I see no difference unless you personally know them. Makes no difference if they are sleeping or with their kid at the beach. The other family person gets it instead.

 

If you are logged in and looking around the booking area on carnival, I know it is crazy, but they think you must be in the market to book a cruise. Therefore, you will probably receive a call to see if you are, because they are doing what their jobs calls for, and get this, it is the very same thing you agreed to when you signed up on the site. So you are the kind of person that feels fine going on their site and utilizing their resources, but get irritated at the people you have given permission to call you when they call you? Am I getting that correctly?

 

I like to put sales persons on hold, and forget about them. The same goes for any one calling my house. The webpage is to look and view. If I wanted to talk to a person, than I would call them. IF they did not have resources to Utilize, than they would be in the 18th century, and not have the access to the thousands that book vacation on their own, without a pesky sales person.

[AmberTeka]

I have a PVP that I use and I really like her. She beats any outside travel agent I have ever used by a country mile.

 

But if we take an Alaska cruise next year...............as we might with my daughter's family, I might book online

 

JUST because I will book Early Saver. I read and check prices EVERY day...twice a day when I book early saver and I would feel bad calling her every day for a small price drop. I am OBSESSIVE about it and don't want to dump that on a very nice woman.

 

Other than that..............I am very happy with my PVP. She is able to get the cabins I can't at a fair price. she calls me back. she knows her stuff. What not to like?

 

The last time I booked ES was in September 2013 for the Breeze. We sailed with over $700 dollars in OBC. And I liked doing it. I felt like I was playing the mini stock market......insider price checking so as to speak. But for a summer cruise..........................don't know yet. might not get price drops like you always do for the FALL bookings.

 

We are booked for our first ever Christmas Cruise this year. I am overjoyed with the cabin and the price she managed. We did have a casino rate but not one of the biggies. Not that I am not grateful for every penny of it. Love that casino. support them with my donations as does DH.

Edited July 13, 2015 by AmberTeka

[eponym]

They are told to act happy. If you call your PVP after booking online and she acts upset, you know that you'll probably never want to deal with her again. However, if the PVP is pleasant to you. You will think of her next time you're planning a Carnival cruise. Basically acting angry means lost business.

 

My PVP and friend of 10 years told me many times that dealing with guests who'd call AFTER booking somewhere else and then needing assistance was one of the absolute most annoying things that he had to deal with (and ironically, these people were the ones that needed the most help and took most of his time), but that he never turned any of them down, and helped them cheerfully. It did translate into future business. However many PVP's will not be as graceful, and in not so many words tell you to take a hike.

 

Yes, I agree with your post. I disagree with Jimbo's assessment that its just human nature for them to complain back to the customer.

 

It is unprofessional for them to complain back to a customer, and future business is/can be lost as a result of unprofessional behavior/consumer facing interactions.

[AmberTeka]

I used the "call me" thing and lucked out. Got a great PVP who doesn't bug me when I'm just dreaming on the site. He is great when I do call, always on my side, and understands that I know what I want and tries his best to make that happen.

 

Sounds just like mine........except she is a lady. A very nice lady. I really do like her. I have used private travel agents. UGH. Online agents with the big TA that must go un named......and liked them. BUT don't go back for futher help unless it involves an upgrade. But they got the bookings right and a good prices.

 

But CARNIVAL PVP book you. but you can still call and ask questions.......like if you are thinking of taking family with you.........you can get prices. study and then call PVP to do the booking who always gets me a better price or a better cabin.

 

I am sold on Carnival PVP. I really am or I am sold on mine. She delivers and is also NICE.

[eponym]

Sounds just like mine........except she is a lady. A very nice lady. I really do like her. I have used private travel agents. UGH. Online agents with the big TA that must go un named......and liked them. BUT don't go back for futher help unless it involves an upgrade. But they got the bookings right and a good prices.

 

But CARNIVAL PVP book you. but you can still call and ask questions.......like if you are thinking of taking family with you.........you can get prices. study and then call PVP to do the booking who always gets me a better price or a better cabin.

 

I am sold on Carnival PVP. I really am or I am sold on mine. She delivers and is also NICE.

 

But, are you not missing the additional perks and OBC's that a private travel agency/agent might provide beyond what a PVP is limited in?

 

We haven't used TA's for Carnival cruise bookings. It's largely because we don't often have additional travel requirements (like air) to begin or end the cruises we have taken so far. Also, that the promotional rate/booking offers by Carnival Corporation directly to us have been superior in the past. That is very likely to change for us soon, so a TA may become more useful for us.

 

We are also able to book much better travel insurance than what is offered by Carnival/PVP's, so unless there is a very special offer made by promotions department to us, PVP's are becoming less valuable to us to use for Carnival bookings.

Edited July 13, 2015 by eponym

[cruiser fanatic]

Yes, my PVP got made one time because I booked online. I let that go and I kind of understood why she was mad. After another incident, where she lied to me I decided she was no longer going to be my PVP. I book everything online now. Much easier IMO.

[rlkubi]

I always book with my PVP - she is awesome! She is always so helpful and responds quickly to me bugging her with emails:). If you book online they will not get the credit. For me that means a lot. If she is doing the work for it - she should get the credit for the booking. Obviously the people saying it doesn't matter have never worked on a commission or had a specific number of sales they had to make.

[bingo3]

I pretty much do all my research down to what room number i want and then call my PVP and book with her.

More then once she has found me a better rate or an upgrade.

 

This is what I do and then I keep watching for price drops, etc. and let them handle it for me.:)

[katiel53]

I have a PVP that I use and I really like her. She beats any outside travel agent I have ever used by a country mile.

 

But if we take an Alaska cruise next year...............as we might with my daughter's family, I might book online

 

JUST because I will book Early Saver. I read and check prices EVERY day...twice a day when I book early saver and I would feel bad calling her every day for a small price drop. I am OBSESSIVE about it and don't want to dump that on a very nice woman.

 

.

 

My understanding is that even if you book with a PVP, and are booked Early Saver, YOU can still send your form. You don't have to have your PVP do it. I even thought some clients were told to submit their forms and if there was a problem, ie rejected or not worked, then call your PVP.

 

I also check daily, but unfortunately we haven't had any price drops in a while and our cruise is next week.

[Francinecruisegirl]

Your carnival PVP or the Carnival website gives you no extra perks and will not match them from a competitor. I booked with C....n Cruise Outlet and got the same price that Carnival was giving plus $150.00 in onboard credit.Once booked you can deal with them or Carnival directly to get any Early Saver price adjustments.

 

i once called Carnival and they gave me a number to call to get the adjustment.

[irishnyc]

I prefer to book direct with carnival because I've seen too many times on here where someone booked ES and a TA never responded in time to catch lower fares. Even if I have a screenshot, I can't deal with the hassle and annoyance.

 

My last carnival cruise was booked through a PVP because we had 15 people going, needed various category rooms, some connecting rooms, 13 new to Carnival passengers, 5 credit cards, etc. He got it done.

 

When we returned he called the lead passenger in each room for future business. I told him that my family of three would absolutely not be cruising until summer 2016, but we would be a party of 7 needing 3 rooms, two of which needed to be connecting balconies. He called me twice more and I reminded him of that.

Then when those dates opened for booking, I never heard from him or anyone end at carnival. Our plans have changed, but had I gotten a call we may have still booked one cabin for three people. His and Carnival's loss.

We are also able to book much better travel insurance than what is offered by Carnival/PVP's, so unless there is a very special offer made by promotions department to us, PVP's are becoming less valuable to us to use for Carnival bookings.

 

I never use Carnival or any other company's insurance that's offered. You are always free to get that elsewhere whether you use a PVP or TA or any other booking means.

[love my grandkids]

I prefer to book direct with carnival because I've seen too many times on here where someone booked ES and a TA never responded in time to catch lower fares. Even if I have a screenshot, I can't deal with the hassle and annoyance.

 

My last carnival cruise was booked through a PVP because we had 15 people going, needed various category rooms, some connecting rooms, 13 new to Carnival passengers, 5 credit cards, etc. He got it done.

 

When we returned he called the lead passenger in each room for future business. I told him that my family of three would absolutely not be cruising until summer 2016, but we would be a party of 7 needing 3 rooms, two of which needed to be connecting balconies. He called me twice more and I reminded him of that.

Then when those dates opened for booking, I never heard from him or anyone end at carnival. Our plans have changed, but had I gotten a call we may have still booked one cabin for three people. His and Carnival's loss.

 

 

 

Could be your pvp had left the company.

[wegiekat]

I pretty much do all my research down to what room number i want and then call my PVP and book with her.

More then once she has found me a better rate or an upgrade.

 

I do this as well. My PVP loves me. :D I do all the work and she gets the credit which is fine by me.

[christyran1228]

"Personal" is really you and thousands of others. They have a job to cold call, and make sales. Carnival is the only cruise line that needs to do this. No others do this.

 

 

Not true ... I was looking at NCL, and as soon as I registered on their website, my email and and phone are STILL blowing up with solicitations. I even get snail mail.

[RaiderFaninNM]

"Personal" is really you and thousands of others. They have a job to cold call, and make sales. Carnival is the only cruise line that needs to do this. No others do this. .

 

Not true ... I was looking at NCL, and as soon as I registered on their website, my email and and phone are STILL blowing up with solicitations. I even get snail mail.

 

Very true!!

 

I was looking at Celebrity cruise and registered and no sooner did I log off, BAM phone calls and almost on a daily basis emails, RCCL used to be as bad on the emails but nothing as of late, so NO Carnival is NOT the only cruise line to do this, as a matter of fact this month alone we received in the mail 4 offers from Disney...........;)

[irishnyc]

Could be your pvp had left the company.

 

 

No, he's booked my mom on 2 cruises as recently as last month.

[storm1507]

What if you plan to book onboard? Will or can your PVP get credit?

[momonthego17]

Hey Catlin! Just curious if you pronounce your name Cat-lin or Kate-lin. My DDs name is Catlynne, pronounced Cat-lin. Let me know, thanks!

[thisishowwecruise]

Is it possible to transfer an online booking to your PVP?

[icunrse]

My Personal Vacation Planner is a nice guy. He calls every few months and sees if we are interested in booking. If I have a question, I email him and he emails me back right away.

 

We decided to book a cruise with 3 different families. I did inquire with him about some questions I had. Since there were multiple credit cards...new cruiser names that needed to be added, I found it to be easier to just do it on the website.

 

Will he not get credit for the booking? I want to upgrade one on the cabins, but I am embarrassed to call him since I booked online.

 

What are your thoughts?

 

 

 

Every few months?!?! My personal vacation planner calls nearly every single day. I made the mistake of entering my email and telephone number on Carnival.com and have been bombarded. No calls this week, so far though:eek: