VIP (vacation interchange privileges) - HOW??

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

OK... so I just called Princess to make an inquiry about a sailing with them (it would be our first). After 16 minutes on hold, I got through to a live person. I indicated that I was interested in taking my first Princess sailing and that we have many sailings with Carnival. I said that it was my understanding that I would be eligible for past guest rates with Princess as a result. I was told NO. He said that that may be the case with HAL or other lines, but not Princess. I told him that did not sound like what I had been told. He said he has worked there for 3 years, and if I needed to hear it from someone else's lips he could transfer me. I told him it took 16 minutes on hold just to hear it from his lips.

 

Next thing (from him): "JESUS CHRIST"

... and then a classic CLICK sound as he hung up on me.

 

Nice intro to Princess!

 

Is there some "trick" to getting the past guest rate -- or just call and call and call until someone knows about it? :confused:

 

Tom

[paul929207]

You should be eligible for the Past Passenger Rate. The problem is that is often the same and the First time passenger rate. You will do much better finding a TA that will discount the fare.

[Pam in CA]

You should be eligible for the Past Passenger Rate. The problem is that is often the same and the First time passenger rate. You will do much better finding a TA that will discount the fare.

Agreed. CSRs are not known to know as much as CC posters do, regardless of which cruise line.

[Coral]

Also - weekend agents are not always the best on Princess. Just an FYI.

[TracieABD]

OK... so I just called Princess to make an inquiry about a sailing with them (it would be our first). After 16 minutes on hold, I got through to a live person. I indicated that I was interested in taking my first Princess sailing and that we have many sailings with Carnival. I said that it was my understanding that I would be eligible for past guest rates with Princess as a result. I was told NO. He said that that may be the case with HAL or other lines, but not Princess. I told him that did not sound like what I had been told. He said he has worked there for 3 years, and if I needed to hear it from someone else's lips he could transfer me. I told him it took 16 minutes on hold just to hear it from his lips.

 

Next thing (from him): "JESUS CHRIST"

... and then a classic CLICK sound as he hung up on me.

 

Nice intro to Princess!

 

Is there some "trick" to getting the past guest rate -- or just call and call and call until someone knows about it? :confused:

 

Tom

Yikes! Not a nice introduction to Princess... this may be "one bad apple"...

 

I agree with Pam. Find a good TA who will work with you/for you. Sometimes they can do waaaaay better than the CSRs or the website.

 

Best of luck-

TL:)

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

I'll try tomorrow!

 

THANKS,

 

Tom

[MsSoCalCruiser]

OK... so I just called Princess to make an inquiry about a sailing with them (it would be our first). After 16 minutes on hold, I got through to a live person. I indicated that I was interested in taking my first Princess sailing and that we have many sailings with Carnival. I said that it was my understanding that I would be eligible for past guest rates with Princess as a result. I was told NO. He said that that may be the case with HAL or other lines, but not Princess. I told him that did not sound like what I had been told. He said he has worked there for 3 years, and if I needed to hear it from someone else's lips he could transfer me. I told him it took 16 minutes on hold just to hear it from his lips.

 

Next thing (from him): "JESUS CHRIST"

... and then a classic CLICK sound as he hung up on me.

 

Nice intro to Princess!

 

Is there some "trick" to getting the past guest rate -- or just call and call and call until someone knows about it? :confused:

 

Tom

Hi Tom, I'm sorry you had that happen to you. I booked a California Coastal cruise and was given what was called a VIP rate (I told her that I had 7 sailings with Carnival). The way I understood it, the VIP discount is only available on some of the sailings. If you can think of a way for me to get info on who I worked with to you, let me know. Good luck and don't let the bad eggs get you down.

Linda

[geoherb]

That's strange. Did you get the guy's name to complain?

 

I second the suggestion to find a good travel agent.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

That's strange. Did you get the guy's name to complain?

 

I second the suggestion to find a good travel agent.

 

He mentioned his name at the outset, but I did not really pay attention... after being on hold for so long I was just thrilled to be speaking to someone (I had the phone on speaker and was switching that off when he identified himself).

 

Tom

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Turns out the past guest rate was the same as the regular rate for our cabin. I was able to find someone who knew about the VIP program, and managed a $50 pp discount. That was worth it for a bit of hold time!

 

Tom