TA vs. Carnival Cruise Specialist..I am furioussssss

[lvtotrvl1]

I am still not sure what exactly this TA did that was so offensive..wish the OP would tell us more so I understand?

[catlady1971]

I've gotta say, listen to the Capt'n. He is an awesome guy who knows what he's talking about...

 

and you know this how?:p

 

lol umm, that's my secret. lol

 

only kidding. just by his typing and advice. lol

[truecruiser]

I am still not sure what exactly this TA did that was so offensive..wish the OP would tell us more so I understand?

 

if you read through the posts, it appears that she was under the impression that the TA wld monitor her booking, notify her of sales and provide her w/ the discounts. i believe some 40 plus posts later, she now knows that won't happen w/ a TA (or at the least, is very unlikely).

 

i'd like to think that a majority of the posts have given her HELPFUL information, by telling her how to check that she has received credits for each of her sailings, and combining PG #s if necessary, and with whom to book w/ in the future and/or the importance of self-monitoring prices.

 

i am not w/ Cat lady who says the Captain is all knowing --- the OP didn't need to know that she shld have been happy w/ the price she booked when she booked it so "quit whining" she needed to understand that she didn't get what she was looking for b/c she was not fully understaning the process.

 

The answers to those questions help the OP.

[dromMOM]

: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

 

 

I always start out with my PVP. He is so good I just wrote a note to Mr. Dickenson to let him know. My PVP told me he fields 150 calls a day. There is no way they can call someone to let them know their cruise price went down. He has said to call him any time I want if I hear about a discount. I have had my price changed twice on this cruise. I always start at Carnival with a PVP. Now that I am a week away from final payment I will be transfering my booking to a TA. Not the one on this site but another CC TA who has offered me an additional discount for the privledge of taking over the booking. They do this buy giving up a piece of their profit. I wait ti transfer at this time and let them know I am shopping around for someone to just take over the booking. As they didnt have to do all the telephone work this is an easy sale for them. Questions that I might have on other issues will now be handled by their customer service staff to allow the TA to continue to BOOK cruises. Small TA's just can't afford to do this extra discount especially if they are not a "CRUISE" TA specialist.

My TA's are just as busy and I don't expect anyone to find me an additional discount. That is one of the benefits of this web site to help educate us to at least TRY...to get a discount...

 

Now that I am transfering and getting the additional discount which will cover my travel insurance and still give me money back, I will not need to worry about the best price as I am getting back an additional $278 on my $3200 cruise.

 

Carnival Travel Insurance is at least $30 more per person than I need to spend. So I always shop for that.

[CARNIVALAUTHORITY]

just to give you a heads up, if you're a past guest you more than likely should be able to find a cruise that offers you a slightly discounted rate, and upgrades to the best available deck, the fair code is cdp3, its in your currents magazines. also, the reason most TA's don't search for your discounts is their commission is based directly on how much money you spend on your cruise whereas, your pvp get paid a flat rate no matter what you spend, based on the duration of your cruise. :cool:

[stlrboo]

I am still not sure what exactly this TA did that was so offensive..wish the OP would tell us more so I understand?

I'm guessing the OP originally expected an OBC, upgrade or something, as it sometimes happens, and a lot of people on the boards receive one!

 

I think the OP now realizes that it isn't the 'norm', and that these things happen 'every now and then', and probably not in their specific situation. Most TA's could be more 'active' in pursuing upgrades, OBC's etc., but most people don't expect that stuff. Only us CC'ers who know it sometimes happens..:)

 

I've been married on a Carnival cruise, have sailed Carnival two other times, and am sailing again next month! I have NEVER received an OBC or upgrade, and really don't expect one.:p Unfortunately, the cruises I pick seem to sell-out and the 'freebies' never come my way!:(

[truecruiser]

also, i think the OP started off angry w/ the TA b/c she wasn't yet aware of the inner workings here. since she now has a better understanding, her posts seemed to have gone away from that initial anger toward the TA and if anything, the OP seems mad at herself now for not knowing.

 

don't worry, OP. you know for the future. that's all.

 

the non-invites to the PG parties only raise the more impt issue of whether she has rec'd proper credit in Carnival's system. the parties are no biggies, but if you e-mail guest relations they will send you the Ship Lapel Pins for the 2 sailings after your first.

[Kurbanfan]

I am still not sure what exactly this TA did that was so offensive..wish the OP would tell us more so I understand?

 

From what I read the TA did nothing wrong.....

Just a little misunderstanding on the op's part.:D

[truecruiser]

just to give you a heads up, if you're a past guest you more than likely should be able to find a cruise that offers you a slightly discounted rate, and upgrades to the best available deck, the fair code is cdp3, its in your currents magazines. also, the reason most TA's don't search for your discounts is their commission is based directly on how much money you spend on your cruise whereas, your pvp get paid a flat rate no matter what you spend, based on the duration of your cruise. :cool:

 

 

actually, i think you shld try dp3p45 rather than p1s or dp3. dp3p45 shld give you both the pg discount and the upgrade.

[mosel]

We have been on at least 20 cruises with Carnival and have yet to see the OBC, upgrades or anything else you want after 3 cruises.We also sail with a family group that also has 13-15 cruises themselves and bring many new customers to Carnival with us but still nothing except the platinum baenifits as they seem fit to give. We wish we could tell you when to expect some of these things put after 20 cruises we have kind of given up on anything and just make sure we get the lowest price we can and have fun. Cindy

[bthorn1108]

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!

 

I don't care to take the time to read this whole thread, bashing TA's etc. However, I will advise that even though you were not able to book through the group dept. (some sailings close their group bookings, as they fill up), if you have 8 cabins, you should still be able to get a TC. It will be refunded to you, once you have sailed, but it's better than nothing.

[westwingjazz]

there was a sale which lowered her booking price. she just wasn't aware of it until after the fact. at least that's how i ubderstood it.

 

You are right, there was a one day sale that lowered the price (keep in mind my party/family consist of five) and there after the price went up. If I recieved a $50 credit for each individual;well....

[lvtotrvl1]

One day sales are for new bookings only....if you were already booked, you would not qualify.

[popsec]

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

 

When we got back from our 8 day cruise in Feb I immediately booked 3 short B2B cruises in May with my PVP. I check the prices online everyday and call Carnival as soon as the price drops....so far we've got 3 price drops totalling $60 and an upgrade from 5A to 6A for the same price. You've got to do all the checking yourself and get on the phone the same day to Carnival (twice the price only dropped for one day and now prices are all higher than we booked at originally). With all the bookings these agents handle there's no way they could fare-watch and call everyone involved. Also, on the one day price drop I couldn't get hold of my PVP but anyone at Carnival can handle getting you the better price. Hope this helps clear it up for you.

[truecruiser]

One day sales are for new bookings only....if you were already booked, you would not qualify.

 

again -- this is always stated. i believe there have been posters which have been able to get further discounts anyway. i've gotten add'l discounts in a bit of a different way: i've been in a position where i've booked through a one day sale, gotten a great rate, then a PG discount has come along, given me a better rate, and it's been lowered.

[crusinmama06]

I don't care to take the time to read this whole thread, bashing TA's etc. However, I will advise that even though you were not able to book through the group dept. (some sailings close their group bookings, as they fill up), if you have 8 cabins, you should still be able to get a TC. It will be refunded to you, once you have sailed, but it's better than nothing.

 

Tell me more.."TC"? Is that a travel credit?

 

And to the TA's credit, she just sent me the email that she sent to Carnival's group department. She is TRYING to fix this.

 

She told CCL groups dept what RCCL groups dept had offered me and asked them to reconsider.

[lvtotrvl1]

again -- this is always stated. i believe there have been posters which have been able to get further discounts anyway. i've gotten add'l discounts in a bit of a different way: i've been in a position where i've booked through a one day sale, gotten a great rate, then a PG discount has come along, given me a better rate, and it's been lowered.

 

You are saying that you booked on a one day sale and later got a PG discount. That is always possible. I have been in the business a long time, and very rarely do you see for new booking only sales apply to already booked cabins...other discounts usually do apply.

[westwingjazz]

I totally agree here.......

I don't see what if anything the TA did wrong. Most people that do get the upgrades or obc are constantly monitering the prices themselves.

 

 

I guess I should have booked the crusie myself as well...For future reference, I will definitely book with CC directly if I am going to do all the work.

[westwingjazz]

When we got back from our 8 day cruise in Feb I immediately booked 3 short B2B cruises in May with my PVP. I check the prices online everyday and call Carnival as soon as the price drops....so far we've got 3 price drops totalling $60 and an upgrade from 5A to 6A for the same price. You've got to do all the checking yourself and get on the phone the same day to Carnival (twice the price only dropped for one day and now prices are all higher than we booked at originally). With all the bookings these agents handle there's no way they could fare-watch and call everyone involved. Also, on the one day price drop I couldn't get hold of my PVP but anyone at Carnival can handle getting you the better price. Hope this helps clear it up for you.

 

Thanks for the tip...but I dont know if that is true. I was told when I called that they were not able to discuss my account with me because I booked through a TA. My TA had to call??? So the next time there is a sale, she has to be around in order for me to get in touch with her. Sucks....

[Kurbanfan]

I guess I should have booked the crusie myself as well...For future reference, I will definitely book with CC directly if I am going to do all the work.

 

If you feel you have to do all the work, by all means book directly thru

cc.

Why not get in touch with your TA and explain to them how you feel....might just be a slight communications problem.

When I read about these problems on here, the majority of the problems turn out to be misunderstandings.

Good luck!

[truecruiser]

You are saying that you booked on a one day sale and later got a PG discount. That is always possible. I have been in the business a long time, and very rarely do you see for new booking only sales apply to already booked cabins...other discounts usually do apply.

 

yes. but i believe there are many threads on here (which will turn up on a search) showing discounts given for one day sales after bookings have been made, regardless of the disclaimer. most, if not all, were through carnival cvs' or pvps.

[bthorn1108]

Tell me more.."TC"? Is that a travel credit?

 

And to the TA's credit, she just sent me the email that she sent to Carnival's group department. She is TRYING to fix this.

 

She told CCL groups dept what RCCL groups dept had offered me and asked them to reconsider.

 

TC stands for Tour Conductor (cruise only price for one free berth). The amount will be based on which category had the majority of the cabins. As I said, if you do this through individual reservations, the money will not be sent out till 4-6 weeks after your return. If you cannot get your party into a group, it is better than nothing, for your loyalty.

[crusinmama06]

TC stands for Tour Conductor (cruise only price for one free berth). The amount will be based on which category had the majority of the cabins. As I said, if you do this through individual reservations, the money will not be sent out till 4-6 weeks after your return. If you cannot get your party into a group, it is better than nothing, for your loyalty.

 

Thanks Beverly! That is promising news. :)

[heathriel]

I'm a TA myself (not full time) and I can tell you that we get notices all the time of these one day sales, all of which say "Click here to send to your clients" or some such thingamajig. I have a rule set up in Outlook just to put all of these emails so I can look through them.

 

I get at least 10-15 a day, most of them are for international things (just got one for Turkey) and out of the way places (another for a fishing trip in Alaska) but I always am notified ahead of time of the one day sales for airlines, cruise lines, hotels, etc.

 

If I have a booking for someone, I'll call up and get it taken care of. It depends on the TA though - if it is their full time job, every time the price drops, they lose money, and that's the only money they personally have coming in since most agencies don't charge fees anymore to be competitive. I really feel for them.

 

I just do it for fun, because I love the hunt of finding the best deal. I could never make anywhere near enough money to live by doing this as my real job though.

[mencik]

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!!

 

One Day sales are exclusively for new bookings. You cannot apply that rate to an existing booking. You cannot cancel and then re-book at the new rate, though some TAs have tried that and succeeded. If you want a One Day Sale price, then wait for a One Day Sale to book. It's not like they are that rare anymore!