Any difference booking with a PVP or Carnival "receptionist"?

[Middleager]

I get emails from a Carnival PVP, but have not booked with him before. Recently I wanted to book, but he was not answering, so I just dialed the Carnival main number, got a "receptionist" and booked with her.

 

She said she is a "vacationlist specialist". I asked what is the difference between booking with her and a PVP. She said a PVP is allowed to call out, whereas she is not allowed to call out, but other than that there is no difference in booking with her or a PVP. I had to book that day, so I booked 2 cabins with her. She gave me her extension at the end.

 

Should I ask a PVP to take over my booking file? Other than that a PVP can call out, is there any other difference between what a PVP can do?

 

Also, a PVP is not there 24hr a day (well, neither is the lady "vacation specialist" that I booked with), so what happens if you need to talk to your PVP and s/he's not available?

[chitown cruisers]

I have a PVP that I get e-mail from.....but I don't use him. I had a situation once that a CVP helped me with, and I kept his extension. I've booked 8 more cabins with him and will continue to go back to him.

 

I called the PVP about the "situation" and he said he couldn't help because it was booked in another area. I'll go thru my CVP, but if he is off and I NEED something urgent, I'll just have someone else in that dept assist and then talk to my guy about it later.

[Middleager]

Can a PVP take over the booking? Or does it have to stay with the person I boked with in Carnival?

[flitter306]

PVP can't take over. They can help you with future bookings, but not with any bookings you've done with a CVS.

[7SEASSISTER]

pvps also keep track of your reservations during the booking - so depending on the service level you are getting they can look out for specials call you with them on new or existing bookings. its also speaking to the same person for service that knows you and your family.

 

if it was urgent and you had to call at an odd time, anyone would help you, but if you call at an odd time say midnight - the service or cvs is located in colorado anyways.

 

if you are happy then that is all that matters :D

[Middleager]

Just want to make sure, when you call Carnival, you'll get a CVS (Carnival Vacation Specialist), which is what I originally termed "receptionist"?

 

 

pvps also keep track of your reservations during the booking - so depending on the service level you are getting they can look out for specials call you with them on new or existing bookings. its also speaking to the same person for service that knows you and your family.

 

So a good PVP will monitor your booking and call you for something that may appeal to you. Is the job of a CVS just to take booking orders, and not supposed to monitor bookings s/he made? If that's the case then it sounds like one should make the booking with a PVP, rather than a CVS. Hmm, too bad a PVP cannot take over a booking from a CVS.

[7SEASSISTER]

So a good PVP will monitor your booking and call you for something that may appeal to you. Is the job of a CVS just to take booking orders, and not supposed to monitor bookings s/he made? If that's the case then it sounds like one should make the booking with a PVP, rather than a CVS. Hmm, too bad a PVP cannot take over a booking from a CVS.

 

that is correct. the cvs is general questions and can offer pricing and can service that call they are on righ then and make a booking. it will be hell getting that same person again. my pvp sent me a birthday card, looks over my current and future interests - calls when i say "i'm looking for this price point on this cruise"

[truecruiser]

I get emails from a Carnival PVP, but have not booked with him before. Recently I wanted to book, but he was not answering, so I just dialed the Carnival main number, got a "receptionist" and booked with her.

 

She said she is a "vacationlist specialist". I asked what is the difference between booking with her and a PVP. She said a PVP is allowed to call out, whereas she is not allowed to call out, but other than that there is no difference in booking with her or a PVP. I had to book that day, so I booked 2 cabins with her. She gave me her extension at the end.

 

Should I ask a PVP to take over my booking file? Other than that a PVP can call out, is there any other difference between what a PVP can do?

 

Also, a PVP is not there 24hr a day (well, neither is the lady "vacation specialist" that I booked with), so what happens if you need to talk to your PVP and s/he's not available?

 

you spoke w/ a cvs (cruise vacation specialist). i have both a pvp and a cvs. but have been booking w/ the same cvs recently b/c during one of the one day sales, he was available pretty late in the evening through the 1-800 #, and the sale expired at midnight, so i had to book right then.

 

but, i really liked him, so i chose to use him for the next booking. i don't believe there is a difference except for the following: pvps are in the marketing dept. they call out and can keep tabs on your sailing if the price drops. cvs' do not call out. but they each have their own private e-mail and extension, just like the pvps, and you may contact them when they are working or leave a voice mail any time. if i don't need an immediate answer, i e-mail. it is so convenient. he can get back to me when he can, and he always has, very promptly. i.e. i sent an e-mail assking him to check my liberty sailing which i got at a nice rate during the one day sale, against a later past guest code. he e-mailed me back, told me price did drop, and attached to the e-mail were 2 new invoices reflecting the new reduced rate. excellent service IMO.

 

you must monitor the price drops, but i don't see this as such a biggie b/c there is no guaranty a pvp will do it anyway. most will, but they aren't required.

 

the only new question i have about the pvp/cvs issue just came to my mind b/c of some responses to a thread tonight... some posters have said that their pvp can hold a cabin as a courtesy for 24 hrs. i was told cvs' cannot do this. but, if a pvp can (and i cld see how they may very well be able to b/c they are in a different dept entirely), if i ever needed a courtesy hold, i'd book through the pvp. i'm going to ask about this.

[wework2play]

I called 1-888-Carnival to book my reservation. How do I know if I got a PVP or not??

[truecruiser]

that is correct. the cvs is general questions and can offer pricing and can service that call they are on righ then and make a booking. it will be hell getting that same person again. my pvp sent me a birthday card, looks over my current and future interests - calls when i say "i'm looking for this price point on this cruise"

 

so, so not true 7seaster. see mine and chitown's post.

[chitown cruisers]

so, so not true 7seaster. see mine and chitown's post.

I call my guy and say "hey _____ it's Craig, I want to see about adding another cabin".........his immediate response "will that be for the Glory or Miracle sailing"...........he's up to date with Me and my bookings. And like I said....he took care of a situation when others wouldn't. That's good enough for me.

[truecruiser]

I call my guy and say "hey _____ it's Craig, I want to see about adding another cabin".........his immediate response "will that be for the Glory or Miracle sailing"...........he's up to date with Me and my bookings. And like I said....he took care of a situation when others wouldn't. That's good enough for me.

 

me too. first name basis. nice guy, and i can sense that he is truly looking for the best deal and the best cabins for me. never the "bum's rush."

[kujobie]

I compare booking with a PVP with booking with a TA. If you are unfamiliar with cruising, and with discounts you may qualify for, and may have a lot of questions and want to be able to call up the same person and not have to explain your situation over and over again, then you should book with a TA or PVP. On the other hand, CVP's are more self-service, like booking on-line. If you have cruised before, are comfortable doing your own research, and know what discounts you qualify for, then just call the 800 # and book with whoever answers. As far as discount's go, there are really only four. State of residence, senior citizen, military, and past guest. Hopefully you know which, if any, you qualify for. I am not counting the "sales" which are basically a joke and group discounts which are a different ball game. And just so everyone's clear, if you just have a general question, you can call and ask anyone. You don't have to play phone tag with your PVP. I've done it both ways, but now I just call and book with the first person who answers. It's just easier to make the call and book.

[justcruzn]

We called and booked with the guy that answered the Carnival line. He has called us at our home a couple of times. I guess he is a PVP since he can call out? He's not very responsive though. Sometimes I email him and sometimes I call him and he doesn't respond. I have had to call back and talk to others about questions when he doesn't call back and I do leave him a reasonable amount of time. This isn't my first cruise so I am somewhat knowledgable and don't really pester him or ask stupid questions so I don't know why he isn't very good about calling or emailing. Not good service.

[Middleager]

I called the CVS. She was busy and took down my phone number. She called later. So it looks like a CVS can also call out.

 

Would also like to know if a PVP can put a courtesy hold of a cabin.

[RYPERO]

 

Would also like to know if a PVP can put a courtesy hold of a cabin.

 

My PVP told me they can not do a courtesy hold which I thought was odd since every TA in the world can do a hold except for Carnival themselves. Oh well just more paper work for them as I book and cancel.

[chitown cruisers]

The others can "call out" to return your calls....it's a two way phone line. If I call my guy, and he is busy he just asks if I want him to call my cell or home for the return call.

 

What the others are talking about is the PVP soilcit's (sp?) business. For example, If someone registers at Carnival.com......their info if given to a PVP who then calls this person up to see if they can assist in booking something. The PVP will send e-mails and such to notify of things that might interest you for the sake of getting business.

 

My guy will call me back if it's something pertaining to something I have booked with him.....but won't be calling me to let me know of "one day sales".......or "the best upgrades EVER offered"........I get that stuff from my PVP.

 

I like this arrangement. I know what I'm interested in and when I want to go.......I call _______ when I'm ready to go. And he hooks me up.

[fan3car]

I used to get emails from a PVP but never used her services, I always just called Carnival and booked with the person that answered the phone. I haven't gotten an email from her in several months. Now, I would like to start using the PVP and establish a relationship for our future cruises. Can you call Carnival and ask which PVP is "assigned" to your family? I want to use a PVP because we have been spoiled with a past military rate we got and want to try for the same deal again on a B2B. Any suggestions?

[vencrz]

The others can "call out" to return your calls....it's a two way phone line. If I call my guy, and he is busy he just asks if I want him to call my cell or home for the return call.

 

What the others are talking about is the PVP soilcit's (sp?) business. For example, If someone registers at Carnival.com......their info if given to a PVP who then calls this person up to see if they can assist in booking something. The PVP will send e-mails and such to notify of things that might interest you for the sake of getting business.

 

My guy will call me back if it's something pertaining to something I have booked with him.....but won't be calling me to let me know of "one day sales".......or "the best upgrades EVER offered"........I get that stuff from my PVP.

 

I like this arrangement. I know what I'm interested in and when I want to go.......I call _______ when I'm ready to go. And he hooks me up.

If you don't use hie or her services why do you use the term My PVP. The CVS the helps you should't had givenyou his extension to begin with.

[vencrz]

I used to get emails from a PVP but never used her services, I always just called Carnival and booked with the person that answered the phone. I haven't gotten an email from her in several months. Now, I would like to start using the PVP and establish a relationship for our future cruises. Can you call Carnival and ask which PVP is "assigned" to your family? I want to use a PVP because we have been spoiled with a past military rate we got and want to try for the same deal again on a B2B. Any suggestions?

Yuo shoud had worked wit a PVP from the begining. The do work a lot to get you business and I think it isn't fair for you to call a ramdom person and work with him.

[fan3car]

Yuo shoud had worked wit a PVP from the begining. The do work a lot to get you business and I think it isn't fair for you to call a ramdom person and work with him.

 

Well, that was a constructive answer :confused:

[chitown cruisers]

If you don't use hie or her services why do you use the term My PVP. The CVS the helps you should't had givenyou his extension to begin with.

I say "MY PVP" because he's the one who sends me e-mails (I never asked for him)....he's never done a thing for me. And he's not working to hard to get me to work with him on something either.................I can pretty much say that I find the info about up and comming sales here at CC about a day/day and a half before I get anything from him.

 

....I have extensions of two nice CVS ladies that I worked with on my past cruises too. I don't see why I shouldn't be able to have the extension of someone who helped me with a situation, provides me with prompt service, works with me to set up my bookings, helps me link in new bookings(for friends) to my original booking........and most importantly someone who has built a great business/client relationship. He understands what I look for and works to get it. So I go back to him.

[starketcher]

I did not know they had to designations. I guess I use a PVP.Mine is responsive if I call, but my emails have another PVP's name on them.

 

I wonder what Carnival's business modecum is to have 2 different designations, rather than have just the PVP???

[vencrz]

I say "MY PVP" because he's the one who sends me e-mails (I never asked for him)....he's never done a thing for me. And he's not working to hard to get me to work with him on something either.................I can pretty much say that I find the info about up and comming sales here at CC about a day/day and a half before I get anything from him.

 

....I have extensions of two nice CVS ladies that I worked with on my past cruises too. I don't see why I shouldn't be able to have the extension of someone who helped me with a situation, provides me with prompt service, works with me to set up my bookings, helps me link in new bookings(for friends) to my original booking........and most importantly someone who has built a great business/client relationship. He understands what I look for and works to get it. So I go back to him.

He hasn't done anything because you haven't given him a chance. Besides you got a PVP assigned when you registred online probably some time ago. You didn't ask for it. It's assigned to you as a courtesy.