Travel Agent versus Carnival PVP/Web

[DocF]

I had better dealings with my PVP until recently. We went through four in the last few months since we booked our next cruise. The current one is going to be there a while, it seems.

 

I have gotten much better results dealing with Carnival than with TAs. The typical TA puts down Carnival and I do not care to cruise with their pet lines - the one with the climbing wall and its clone with the big X. I know more than does the TA in virtually all cases. I do not suffer fools gladly.

 

Doc

[DryCreek]

OK, I booked our first cruise this November out of Galveston - on the Ecstasy, 5 nights. I booked online at Carnival.com. Will I be assigned a PVP now, or is that a service you must request?

Also, since I have already submitted a CC and paid the full amount (already charged to card and paid off) do I get the price protection "thingy" I have read about somewhere else on this board? You know, where if the price drops they offer OBC or upgrades? The price has already dropped by $5, and although that's not much, it is a start. Our fare code is PPB (budget), if that means anything.

Ok, one more question - I have read where some savvy cruisers have prepaid their tips. How do I do this? Does it really make a difference if I do?

[Ed F]

I guess I am a hybrid. I will look online at a variety of sites (including the cruise line I am thinking of using) then call my travel agent; I maybe unusual in that I have used the same agency for 16 years. They were our corporate travel agency then our company out grew them yet I continued to use them personally. I like that I have one agent who knows me and my family yet the other staff members know me as well as the owners. They know my preferences and will make recommendation on what is best for me. I look at it in the same vain as my insurance agent she is an independent agent so she can shop what is best for me as opposed to the captive insurance agent can offer from one company. The TA I use is local and they have folks there on the weekend so if there is an issue (like when my daughter flaked the day we leaving for a 7 day on a Saturday)

I think it all boils down to personal preference. At the end of the call or e-mail who gives you the biggest warm and fuzzy feeling.