TA vs. Carnival Cruise Specialist..I am furioussssss

[westwingjazz]

:mad: For several weeks now, I have been reading you guys threads about recieving upgrades, on board credits, etc. Unfornately, I booked through a TA and apparently, she is not aggressive enough. I called CC and informed them that I have not recieved an ungrade, an onboard credit, nothing!!! Keep in mind I booked a balcony (lowest price available-infact I believe my room is 83??), an inside cabin for my three girls, two other couples booked in my party as well. This is my honeymoon and I am a past guest (3rd travel).

 

I was told by CC that I could not release my booking back to CC (b/c I leave in just three weeks) and my TA has to call when sees a special going on. Some of you were called at home by CC to inform you of your upgrade, credit, etc. I dont understand why CC can not call my TA in order to grant me an upgrade...something. I am HOOOOOT.

 

Do I have to have 10 cruises under my belt in order to be invited to a past guest party, recieve a credit, or an upgrade? Never again will I allow a TA to plan my cruise; I will book directly with CC.

 

I am so upset you guys-I didnt have time to proof..Sorry

[big_duck]

Has the price of your cruise actually gone down?

[OhioJeff]

:mad: For several weeks now, I have been reading you guys threads about recieving upgrades, on board credits, etc. Unfornately, I booked through a TA and apparently, she is not aggressive enough. I called CC and informed them that I have not recieved an ungrade, an onboard credit, nothing!!! Keep in mind I booked a balcony (lowest price available-infact I believe my room is 83??), an inside cabin for my three girls, two other couples booked in my party as well. This is my honeymoon and I am a past guest (3rd travel).

 

I was told by CC that I could not release my booking back to CC (b/c I leave in just three weeks) and my TA has to call when sees a special going on. Some of you were called at home by CC to inform you of your upgrade, credit, etc. I dont understand why CC can not call my TA in order to grant me an upgrade...something. I am HOOOOOT.

 

Do I have to have 10 cruises under my belt in order to be invited to a past guest party, recieve a credit, or an upgrade? Never again will I allow a TA to plan my cruise; I will book directly with CC.

 

I am so upset you guys-I didnt have time to proof..Sorry

 

It doesnt work that way, when seeking out a TA, its always good to ask them if they honor price drops, many do, others just dont put forth the effort....You can ask for a 3 way call with Carnival and your TA, so you can listen in on the call.

 

It very rare for Carnival to actually call a person about an upgrade, so please dont think that is the norm. I always book with Carnival direct, but I monitor pricing and give them a call when the price drops.

 

You will get an invitation to the past guest party on your second cruise. As long as the cruise is 5 days or longer.

[westwingjazz]

The price actually went up by $100.00 dollars. However, a few weeks ago, when carnival had a one day sale it went down and I heard nothing...absolutely nothing!!

[blwms]

At lot of this confusion over upgrades is due to the fact that most people who receive them are so excited (as they should be) that they take time to post their excitement here. What you don't hear is the countless number who do not receive any upgrade at all or a very minor one. No one should ever book a guarantee unless they will be satisfied with the minimum cabin available in the guarantee category they select. There is absolutley no "guarantee" of any upgrade and one should never book with that expectation. Yes, sometimes it does happen..but MANY times it does not!

[big_duck]

The price actually went up by $100.00 dollars. However, a few weeks ago, when carnival had a one day sale it went down and I heard nothing...absolutely nothing!!

 

That's because one day sales are for new bookings only. If you want credit for those, you have to be proactive and call it in yourself.

[westwingjazz]

It doesnt work that way, when seeking out a TA, its always good to ask them if they honor price drops, many do, others just dont put forth the effort....You can ask for a 3 way call with Carnival and your TA, so you can listen in on the call.

 

It very rare for Carnival to actually call a person about an upgrade, so please dont think that is the norm. I always book with Carnival direct, but I monitor pricing and give them a call when the price drops.

 

You will get an invitation to the past guest party on your second cruise. As long as the cruise is 5 days or longer.

 

 

Hey thanks, I will book directly with CC from this day forward. And yes, I like you alway moniter prices and just assume she was handling it. When I called, the one day sale was over and had recieved nothing.

 

Dont get me wrong you guys, I am not looking for handouts; I just thought I am a past guest 3rd cruise and as a result two othe couples booked rooms. Do someting CC!!

 

Thanks again for your reply...I never book anything less than 7 days. I dont care to be teased by the 3, 4, 5 day cruises.

[truecruiser]

... others just dont put forth the effort....

 

i've found this to be the case more often than not. the line is always the same "we've already discounted your cruise..."

[westwingjazz]

That's because one day sales are for new bookings only. If you want credit for those, you have to be proactive and call it in yourself.

 

 

Thanks for the advice...will do!!!

[Illinoisgal]

:mad: For several weeks now, I have been reading you guys threads about recieving upgrades, on board credits, etc. Unfornately, I booked through a TA and apparently, she is not aggressive enough. I called CC and informed them that I have not recieved an ungrade, an onboard credit, nothing!!! Keep in mind I booked a balcony (lowest price available-infact I believe my room is 83??), an inside cabin for my three girls, two other couples booked in my party as well. This is my honeymoon and I am a past guest (3rd travel).

 

I was told by CC that I could not release my booking back to CC (b/c I leave in just three weeks) and my TA has to call when sees a special going on. Some of you were called at home by CC to inform you of your upgrade, credit, etc. I dont understand why CC can not call my TA in order to grant me an upgrade...something. I am HOOOOOT.

 

Do I have to have 10 cruises under my belt in order to be invited to a past guest party, recieve a credit, or an upgrade? Never again will I allow a TA to plan my cruise; I will book directly with CC.

 

I am so upset you guys-I didnt have time to proof..Sorry

 

 

it is your responsibility to call your Ta if you see a price drop etc as mos tdo not have time to monitor every cruise you have booked. You will recieve a past guest invite onboard the cruise itself :) If your booking went up 100 you are Sol as most wont honor 1 day sales promos. it clearly states for new bookings only. Good Luck!

[crusinmama06]

Yeah well try this. I have 8 cabins booked (2 Cat 12's) and MY TA didn't sign them up as a group before she went away on vacation. By the time she came back, Carnival said she couldn't switch them to a group booking.

 

I tried emailing Carnival's group office to be told to "talk to your TA" :mad:

 

I am kicking myself for booking with a TA since it was me who found all of the price info/flight info/hotel info and transportation info. All she did was book it. What am I paying her for? :rolleyes:

 

Lesson learned!

[Cruzman]

Westwing, I think maybe you have made some erroneous assumptions regarding upgrades, OBC's, etc. Many circumstances determine the availability and likelihood of any individual getting these perks. First, if the cruise you are on is selling well, it is very unlikely that you or anyone else will get anything extra. It is only when the cruise is "underbooked" that such perks are offered; and trust me when I say that the cruise line is not going to offer these perks to guests already booked, UNLESS those guests ask for them. You, or your TA or PVP must stay informed about any promotions that affect your cruise, and then request that such promotions be extended to yourself. One other thing that should be mentioned; some promotions are offered "for new bookings only", and in that case, you won't be able to access those.

[Ship Addict]

wwj, don't feel too bad about your situation. I have been on 8 carnival cruises and have never had them bend over backwards to "thank" me for cruising and bringing them new business. (Most of the people I have gotten to go on a cruise with me has gone on to book their 2nd and 3rd cruise on their own.) Sure I got all the stuff I was entitled to, but I have never been called for free OBC, room upgrade, et cetera. But I have always been happy because I know when I book I got the best price I could find for what I think is a very good product!

 

You should definitely be invited to the Past Guest Party. The invite will be delivered to your cabin probably a day or so before the party.

 

Next time, ask around here on the boards for the "magical" PVP and see if that works better for you. I'm still looking for my "magical" PVP too! :D

[westwingjazz]

it is your responsibility to call your Ta if you see a price drop etc as mos tdo not have time to monitor every cruise you have booked. You will recieve a past guest invite onboard the cruise itself :) If your booking went up 100 you are Sol as most wont honor 1 day sales promos. it clearly states for new bookings only. Good Luck!

 

 

Thanks for thant info. I will monitor the prices (in fact I hear there is a one day sale coming up in two days) and I will be sure to call her and CC. I hear you guys...it is making sense to me now...thanks

[Tigeress297]

Have you actually called your TA after a price drop to request it? I have never heard of a TA or a carnival rep just doing it for people just because. Unless it is something major, like the freinds and family military discount. You actually have to call them. They handle 100's of vacations a day and the rates adjust almost daily so you can not expect them to go back through every one of these reservations daily to see what the new rate is. This is your responsibility if you want a lower rate or onboard credit.

 

And like mentioned before some TA do not honor price drops. That is why even though I found the cruise we are booked 4 cheaper with a TA, I still booked directly with Carnival, even though the TA said they would do any price drop. Just not worth the hassle.

[westwingjazz]

wwj, don't feel too bad about your situation. I have been on 8 carnival cruises and have never had them bend over backwards to "thank" me for cruising and bringing them new business. (Most of the people I have gotten to go on a cruise with me has gone on to book their 2nd and 3rd cruise on their own.) Sure I got all the stuff I was entitled to, but I have never been called for free OBC, room upgrade, et cetera. But I have always been happy because I know when I book I got the best price I could find for what I think is a very good product!

 

You should definitely be invited to the Past Guest Party. The invite will be delivered to your cabin probably a day or so before the party.

 

Next time, ask around here on the boards for the "magical" PVP and see if that works better for you. I'm still looking for my "magical" PVP too! :D

 

 

I most certainly will...from this day forward.

[surrocruiser]

Different line, but I saw your post and wanted to add:

 

My TA just charged me to pay for our upgrade to a balcony. When I looked up the cabin number it is OV.

 

I am not a fan of TA's.

 

There really doesn't seem to be any personalized benefit or the feeling of someone on your side. There were zero perks.

 

Best of luck to you. I feel your pain and frustration.

[westwingjazz]

Have you actually called your TA after a price drop to request it? I have never heard of a TA or a carnival rep just doing it for people just because. Unless it is something major, like the freinds and family military discount. You actually have to call them. They handle 100's of vacations a day and the rates adjust almost daily so you can not expect them to go back through every one of these reservations daily to see what the new rate is. This is your responsibility if you want a lower rate or onboard credit.

 

And like mentioned before some TA do not honor price drops. That is why even though I found the cruise we are booked 4 cheaper with a TA, I still booked directly with Carnival, even though the TA said they would do any price drop. Just not worth the hassle.

 

 

I remembering booking my RCCL directly and I was more than pleased. I actually booked a inside cabin and the day I walked into my room, my eyes were filled with tears only to see an oceanview before me.

 

At the time I was a single parent at the time and could only afford inside room. All three of us cried for about 5 minutes.

[westwingjazz]

Different line, but I saw your post and wanted to add:

 

My TA just charged me to pay for our upgrade to a balcony. When I looked up the cabin number it is OV.

 

I am not a fan of TA's.

 

There really doesn't seem to be any personalized benefit or the feeling of someone on your side. There were zero perks.

 

Best of luck to you. I feel your pain and frustration.

 

When I call a RCC Specialist they are at times more excited than myself...and that is hard. I am a cruise junkie and I need my fix...

[TennisLover]

Westwingjazz: you mentioned not being invited to past guest party... does your TA have your past guest #? Make sure of that (seems obvious, but just checking).

 

Also -- you REALLY have to stay on top of TA for the price drops. I was emailing my TA all day yesterday about the price drops he took care of me for my last cruise (RCI). Luckily, I saved all the emails from him. It was like accounting 101 (ship was not selling so they kept dropping the price)! Even though he is really not pro-Carnival, I am planning to book my next cruise through him (Destiny) AFTER he straightens out all my credits -- it will be a group, so he is motivated.

[truecruiser]

Westwingjazz: you mentioned not being invited to past guest party... does your TA have your past guest #? Make sure of that (seems obvious, but just checking).

 

 

good advice, and more impt than having missed those invites, check your cruise history and make sure you rec'd credit in carnival's system for each of your cruises. if they are under 3 different #s you'll have to have someone at CCL link them into one # to use going forward.

[westwingjazz]

Westwingjazz: you mentioned not being invited to past guest party... does your TA have your past guest #? Make sure of that (seems obvious, but just checking).

 

Also -- you REALLY have to stay on top of TA for the price drops. I was emailing my TA all day yesterday about the price drops he took care of me for my last cruise (RCI). Luckily, I saved all the emails from him. It was like accounting 101 (ship was not selling so they kept dropping the price)! Even though he is really not pro-Carnival, I am planning to book my next cruise through him (Destiny) AFTER he straightens out all my credits -- it will be a group, so he is motivated.

 

10-4...I will be on her like white on rice, after today. More importantly, after reading all you guys replies...Thanks EVERYONE!

[WCAB]

What does PVA stand for? Is this someone at Carnival?

 

Carol

[westwingjazz]

good advice, and more impt than having missed those invites, check your cruise history and make sure you rec'd credit in carnival's system for each of your cruises. if they are under 3 different #s you'll have to have someone at CCL link them into one # to use going forward.

 

 

I never thought of that. I will be e-mailing her in minutes.....Thanks. In fact I am calling right now. Thanks again.

[OhioJeff]

What does PVA stand for? Is this someone at Carnival?

 

Carol

 

PVP= Personal Vacation Planner Yes they work for carnival and handling bookings and will answer questions.