Not even onboard yet and already excellent service...

[laura2161]

This will be my second cruise as well as my 15 yr old daughter's second cruise. It will be the first cruise for my mom and step-father. I have to say the customer service and the two PVP's that have had to deal with my parents questions as well as my own have been excellent! :)

 

Not only have all of them gone out of their way to answer questions, or if they didnt have an answer, they would find out the answer for us and call me back pronto. I see alot of people complaining about Carnival's customer service and I'm happy to say ,it's been all good for us. One of the PVP's went as far as to remind me to write to the casino host to get my cash back rebate from playing slots! (which I did and which she answered and confirmed within 2 days)

 

I was also able to redeem my '45 day letter' and had no problems and the woman in guest relations that I talked with was extremely pleasant.

 

Then to top all of this off, I booked two cabins and because of a senior discount for my parents, the price of their cabin went down about 5 weeks after I paid in full. They didnt want the upgrade to a different cabin (because they wanted to stay in the cabin next to me and my daughter) and the PVP again went out of her way to make sure they received an onboard credit. She, in fact, faxed me the confirmation this morning- I was pleasantly surprised to see it sitting in my fax papers early this morning.

 

The way I see it, they sure didnt have to give me the drink coupons, or to remind me to write for the cash back rebate, or to give us an onboard credit considering we are in the full penalty phase of cancelling or revising our cabins. I dont view it as 'thats all they gave me was some cheap drink coupons' but rather I view it as 'WOW- They just gave me free drinks!!- How cool! "

 

Anyway, after this long winded post :p would any of you like to share some of the things that carnival PVP's or guest relations have done for you to make your cruise more enjoyable?

 

Thanks in advance!

[palmtre2]

What's this about a cash back rebate from playing the slots - I'm interested.

[funhavn]

I'm glad you are having a good experience so far. What is the 45 day letter? And did you book thru Canival itself or a TA?

[WellesleyIslander]

Sounds like they really wow'd you. What is a PVP? Did you deal directly with Carnival? I went to a TA and the one we went with was a really bad choice. I want to book a cruise for 2007-when is a good time to start booking? It looks like most people book at least a year in advance!

[laura2161]

What's this about a cash back rebate from playing the slots - I'm interested.

 

WHen you sign up for the ocean players club (its free), your S&S card will track your slot play. Then before your next cruise, you simply email the casino host (or ocean players club)and she/he will email you back with your point balance and the cash back amount that will be waiting for you at the casino cage (Minimum is $25.00)

[laura2161]

I'm glad you are having a good experience so far. What is the 45 day letter? And did you book thru Canival itself or a TA?

 

After my first cruise, I sent an email to carnival telling them what a good time we had, and that we were now hooked on cruising and already planning another cruise. LOL.

 

I received a letter in the mail about a week later stating to call within 45 days of my next cruise to 'pick a special gift' that they would deliver to my stateroom. I picked drink coupons. :D

 

Oh, and I booked both times directly with Carnival.

[laura2161]

Sounds like they really wow'd you. What is a PVP? Did you deal directly with Carnival? I went to a TA and the one we went with was a really bad choice. I want to book a cruise for 2007-when is a good time to start booking? It looks like most people book at least a year in advance!

 

PVP = Personal Vacation Planner . I deal directly with Carnival.

I have no idea when the best time to book a cruise is,,,Im sure someone else on these boards with way more experience than me can answer that for you. :)

 

Our first cruise we booked about 6 months in advance. This cruise we booked about 3 months in advance.

[SMigly]

My family booked our first cruise through our time share, and while we enjoyed our cruise we did not get very personal service. This time I booked directly with Carnival and my PVP has been awesome and we are still over 100 days away from our cruise. I have emailed silly questions and real concerns and each time have had a response via email within 48 hours. I also have gotten follow up phone calls. I know that not everyone has been happy with Carnival's customer service but in my opinion they are great.:D

[ladycaveat]

Just curious . . . what is a "45 day letter?"

[rburns44]

A "45 day letter" is based on a previous letter that you have written to Carnival either thanking them for something or letting them know about a problem. They replay with a letter thanking you and asking you to let them know 45 days before you sail again. Then you get some sort of gift. In our case we wrote about what a great time we had. They replied to let them know when we were cruising again. Then 45 days before we cruised again we contacted them. We recieved photo coupons and 2 free snack plates in our cabin. Very welcome!

 

Becky

[kcslim]

Laura, I'm so glad to hear that you are being treated so well. I have always booked directly through my PVP, and had a wonderful experience. Sometimes, in between cruises I just call and say hello! :) Regardless of the bashing I sometimes hear about Carnival, I have always been pleased! Sounds like you're another satisfied customer!

 

Karen

[ladycaveat]

Thanks rburns . . . I'd never heard of a 45 day letter before . . .