What is going on with my PVP???

[belle2]

I booked a spring break cruise for 2018 and then our kid school switched spring break to a different week causing me to have to cancel the cruise.

 

I have called my PVP to cancel that cruise 3 different times and she never has. The first time several months ago she told me to wait until I had another cruise to rebook and final payment wasn’t until December 2017. She explained if I was booking another cruise she may be able to keep me from losing my $200 ($50pp) cancelation penalty as it was an early saver rate. I booked another cruise for October 2018 through her and explained I wanted the March cruise canceled. It never was canceled, still showed as an active reservation in my cruise manager. As November rolled around and final payment was in December I called her again and explained it was never canceled. She acted perplexed and said she would take care of it. Two weeks later and two weeks before final payment and it’s still showing as an active booking in my cruise manage. I called Carnival customer service and explained the situation. She showed it as active booking too. I asked her if she knew why my PVP was not cancelling when I asked her too and she did not know and there were no notes on the reservation explaining anything. I asked her if my PVP was avoiding cancelling it because it would penalize her in some way, she didn’t know. She did explain that if it was not canceled before final

Payment that I would not only lose the $200 penalty but also the rest of the deposit that I had paid ($300). She explained if I canceled it now that remaining $300 could be applied to another cruise.

 

So customer service handled in 10 minutes something my PVP couldn’t handle in several months and multiple phone calls. What gives?? Is she penalized in some way for canceling my booking? She has been great for several cruises and came highly recommended from other cruisers.

 

Side note...I referred a friend of mine to her. This friend had booked and paid for her parents to cruise with them. The parents had to cancel and she called our PVP to cancel the cruise as she needed the funds (around $1500) from her parents cruise to be applied to another cruise she had booked. Our PVP begged her not to cancel it because it would hurt her commissions or quota or something of that nature. My friend explained it was a huge chunk of money and she truly needed it to be applied to her other cruise booking. When my friend told me this it all clicked! I think that’s why she avoided cancelling my cruise! Was she willing to let me lose $300??? That’s insane!

 

Sorry, this is so lengthy. Has anyone else experienced this? Any ideas what in the world would make a PVP this desperate? Has Carnival changed the way their commissions are paid?

 

 

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[firemanbobswife]

No idea. I haven’t asked my PVP that but I know he would tell me the truth if I did. I would get a different one if I were you.

[Micahs Grandad]

pvp compares more about her bonus from booking cabins than your welfare.

 

Find a new one immediately if not sooner

[Cafedumonde]

This happened to us but with NCL. We decided to cancel one cruise and book another. The cruise consultant (I think that is what it is called over there) did not cancel the one that needed to be cancelled. A couple of weeks later we contacted him to let him know the cruise had not been cancelled and he said no problem and that he would do it right away. Well... 2 weeks later still not cancelled. This happened for another month or so, back and forth until he finally cancelled it. The last couple of times we called we started calling back the next day which I guess put the pressure on. But it was really weird. We now just book ourselves and transfer it to costco.

[johnnyi]

PVPs are relentless, although I get it. It's sales and a lot of pressure to make target.

 

BUT, I specifically told them in writing to take me off their lists, noting I would never use a PVP as fortunately I have numerous travel agent friends. She confirmed that she removed me.

 

Then about 7 months later I got calls and emails again from a new PVP saying "I know you told us to take you off the list, but just in case you need assistance...." Wow.

 

Once you end up on their radar, it's hard to get rid of them.

[belle2]

PVPs are relentless, although I get it. It's sales and a lot of pressure to make target.

 

 

 

BUT, I specifically told them in writing to take me off their lists, noting I would never use a PVP as fortunately I have numerous travel agent friends. She confirmed that she removed me.

 

 

 

Then about 7 months later I got calls and emails again from a new PVP saying "I know you told us to take you off the list, but just in case you need assistance...." Wow.

 

 

 

Once you end up on their radar, it's hard to get rid of them.

 

 

 

Oddly enough, I sought her out. And she NEVER calls or bugs me. She used to call every now and then if I was poking around on the website. But nothing bothersome. I actually would like her to call me occasionally if she sees something she might think I’m interested in.

 

Now she’s lost my business completely.

 

 

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[belle2]

This happened to us but with NCL. We decided to cancel one cruise and book another. The cruise consultant (I think that is what it is called over there) did not cancel the one that needed to be cancelled. A couple of weeks later we contacted him to let him know the cruise had not been cancelled and he said no problem and that he would do it right away. Well... 2 weeks later still not cancelled. This happened for another month or so, back and forth until he finally cancelled it. The last couple of times we called we started calling back the next day which I guess put the pressure on. But it was really weird. We now just book ourselves and transfer it to costco.

 

 

 

I’m comfortable booking on my own too. I just figured I would give someone the commission especially if they could help me out if ever in a bind. Kind of a scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours deal. But I’m done with her now.

 

 

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[belle2]

No idea. I haven’t asked my PVP that but I know he would tell me the truth if I did. I would get a different one if I were you.

 

 

 

I certainly will be!

 

 

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[CruiseGal999]

For future reference ... download a call recording app on your cell phone and only use your cell to talk to TA, PVP, Cruise Planner, Cell Phone company, Cable company ... etc. These are calls that these companies are recording anyway ...but it's a whole lot easier for you to pull up YOUR call with them when you only have ... say 6 to 10 calls saved. Obviously ... delete your calls that are "honey, grab a gal of milk on the way home". "Ok kids I'll pick you up soon". Etc. This way, you have a legal time & date stamped recorded call(s) telling your PVP to CANCEL that cruise over a period of months.

[mz-s]

PVPs are not paid on commission. I'm sure they have targets and upsells that are tracked, however. I doubt her pay would be docked for a cancellation; it's not the PVP's fault if a customer has to cancel a cruise they can't go on.

[ITeach2Cruise]

I don't want to hijack your thread OP, but I have a question. I have always booked online for my cruises, rather than using a TA or PVP. I'm assuming there are definite perks to using a PVP rather than just booking it on your own.

 

What are the perks? Lessened deposit On board credit?

 

My apologies if this is a dumb question, but I really don't know, maybe I should be using a PVP?

[Micahs Grandad]

PVPs are not paid on commission. I'm sure they have targets and upsells that are tracked, however. I doubt her pay would be docked for a cancellation; it's not the PVP's fault if a customer has to cancel a cruise they can't go on.

 

PVP's get a bonus based on how many cabins they book.

 

If they go some number of months without meeting their target they are shown the door.

[CruiseGal999]

PVPs are not paid on commission. I'm sure they have targets and upsells that are tracked, however. I doubt her pay would be docked for a cancellation; it's not the PVP's fault if a customer has to cancel a cruise they can't go on.

 

It IS the PVPs fault that the cruise wasn't cancelled after 2 months of phone calls and specific requests to CANCEL that cruise.

[riclop]

i booked a spring break cruise for 2018 and then our kid school switched spring break to a different week causing me to have to cancel the cruise.

 

I have called my pvp to cancel that cruise 3 different times and she never has. The first time several months ago she told me to wait until i had another cruise to rebook and final payment wasn’t until december 2017. She explained if i was booking another cruise she may be able to keep me from losing my $200 ($50pp) cancelation penalty as it was an early saver rate. I booked another cruise for october 2018 through her and explained i wanted the march cruise canceled. It never was canceled, still showed as an active reservation in my cruise manager. As november rolled around and final payment was in december i called her again and explained it was never canceled. She acted perplexed and said she would take care of it. Two weeks later and two weeks before final payment and it’s still showing as an active booking in my cruise manage. I called carnival customer service and explained the situation. She showed it as active booking too. I asked her if she knew why my pvp was not cancelling when i asked her too and she did not know and there were no notes on the reservation explaining anything. I asked her if my pvp was avoiding cancelling it because it would penalize her in some way, she didn’t know. She did explain that if it was not canceled before final

payment that i would not only lose the $200 penalty but also the rest of the deposit that i had paid ($300). She explained if i canceled it now that remaining $300 could be applied to another cruise.

 

So customer service handled in 10 minutes something my pvp couldn’t handle in several months and multiple phone calls. What gives?? Is she penalized in some way for canceling my booking? She has been great for several cruises and came highly recommended from other cruisers.

 

Side note...i referred a friend of mine to her. This friend had booked and paid for her parents to cruise with them. The parents had to cancel and she called our pvp to cancel the cruise as she needed the funds (around $1500) from her parents cruise to be applied to another cruise she had booked. Our pvp begged her not to cancel it because it would hurt her commissions or quota or something of that nature. My friend explained it was a huge chunk of money and she truly needed it to be applied to her other cruise booking. When my friend told me this it all clicked! I think that’s why she avoided cancelling my cruise! Was she willing to let me lose $300??? That’s insane!

 

Sorry, this is so lengthy. Has anyone else experienced this? Any ideas what in the world would make a pvp this desperate? Has carnival changed the way their commissions are paid?

 

 

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avoid pvp"s !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Flatbush Flyer]

I booked a spring break cruise for 2018 and then our kid school switched spring break to a different week causing me to have to cancel the cruise.

 

I have called my PVP to cancel that cruise 3 different times and she never has. The first time several months ago she told me to wait until I had another cruise to rebook and final payment wasn’t until December 2017. She explained if I was booking another cruise she may be able to keep me from losing my $200 ($50pp) cancelation penalty as it was an early saver rate. I booked another cruise for October 2018 through her and explained I wanted the March cruise canceled. It never was canceled, still showed as an active reservation in my cruise manager. As November rolled around and final payment was in December I called her again and explained it was never canceled. She acted perplexed and said she would take care of it. Two weeks later and two weeks before final payment and it’s still showing as an active booking in my cruise manage. I called Carnival customer service and explained the situation. She showed it as active booking too. I asked her if she knew why my PVP was not cancelling when I asked her too and she did not know and there were no notes on the reservation explaining anything. I asked her if my PVP was avoiding cancelling it because it would penalize her in some way, she didn’t know. She did explain that if it was not canceled before final

Payment that I would not only lose the $200 penalty but also the rest of the deposit that I had paid ($300). She explained if I canceled it now that remaining $300 could be applied to another cruise.

 

So customer service handled in 10 minutes something my PVP couldn’t handle in several months and multiple phone calls. What gives?? Is she penalized in some way for canceling my booking? She has been great for several cruises and came highly recommended from other cruisers.

 

Side note...I referred a friend of mine to her. This friend had booked and paid for her parents to cruise with them. The parents had to cancel and she called our PVP to cancel the cruise as she needed the funds (around $1500) from her parents cruise to be applied to another cruise she had booked. Our PVP begged her not to cancel it because it would hurt her commissions or quota or something of that nature. My friend explained it was a huge chunk of money and she truly needed it to be applied to her other cruise booking. When my friend told me this it all clicked! I think that’s why she avoided cancelling my cruise! Was she willing to let me lose $300??? That’s insane!

 

Sorry, this is so lengthy. Has anyone else experienced this? Any ideas what in the world would make a PVP this desperate? Has Carnival changed the way their commissions are paid?

 

 

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It always amazes me that some cruisers continue to think that a cruise line's employee will put a passenger's needs ahead of their employer's.

Yes, it takes a load of research to identify an excellent cruise specialist TA (even harder when it's Carnival, which many top TAs will not handle). But, then you've got someone working for you including being able to share their commissions on top f the best deal that any PVP could ever give you.

 

 

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[firemanbobswife]

It always amazes me that some cruisers continue to think that a cruise line's employee will put a passenger's needs ahead of their employer's.

Yes, it takes a load of research to identify an excellent cruise specialist TA (even harder when it's Carnival, which many top TAs will not handle). But, then you've got someone working for you including being able to share their commissions on top f the best deal that any PVP could ever give you.

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Prepare to be amazed yet once again. My PVP has gone way above and beyond. Carnival is so limited in the amount of perks it allows the TAs to give their guests anyway, it’s not worth it. Been there, done that, had a hell of a time. The PVPs that have been there a long time like mine personally know the higher ups and if I need something, he goes right to the source. Probably just gets up from his desk and walks over to theirs.

 

Now for Celebrity, I totally agree that a TA is the way to go. They got me deal that Celebrity directly couldn’t touch. For Carnival I’ll stick with my PVP. $50, a dinner in the steakhouse, bottle of wine, whatever, isn’t worth giving up the service I receive from him.

[Flatbush Flyer]

Prepare to be amazed yet once again. My PVP has gone way above and beyond. Carnival is so limited in the amount of perks it allows the TAs to give their guests anyway, it’s not worth it. Been there, done that, had a hell of a time. The PVPs that have been there a long time like mine personally know the higher ups and if I need something, he goes right to the source. Probably just gets up from his desk and walks over to theirs.

 

Now for Celebrity, I totally agree that a TA is the way to go. They got me deal that Celebrity directly couldn’t touch. For Carnival I’ll stick with my PVP. $50, a dinner in the steakhouse, bottle of wine, whatever, isn’t worth giving up the service I receive from him.

 

 

 

Yes, Celebrity is a different matter. Higher cabin cost means higher commission (to a TA but not to a cruise line PVP) which, that TA (but not a PVP) can share.

As I said previously, the right TA (who may book a particular cruise line more than $1 million/per year and, whose commissions will not cost the cruise line as much as salary/benefits/etc of a PVP) will have far more sway when there's a real problem and will certainly provide you with more than a bottle of cheap wine or a measly $50.

Of course, there remains the issue that the average cost of Carnival's cruises is at the low end of the spectrum and a 10% TA commission share on a $2000 trip will only net you around a $200 rebate or refundable OBC at best.

 

 

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[firemanbobswife]

Yes, Celebrity is a different matter. Higher cabin cost means higher commission (to a TA but not to a cruise line PVP) which, that TA (but not a PVP) can share.

As I said previously, the right TA (who may book a particular cruise line more than $1 million/per year and, whose commissions will not cost the cruise line as much as salary/benefits/etc of a PVP) will have far more sway when there's a real problem and will certainly provide you with more than a bottle of cheap wine or a measly $50.

Of course, there remains the issue that the average cost of Carnival's cruises is at the low end of the spectrum and a 10% TA commission share on a $2000 trip will only net you around a $200 rebate or refundable OBC at best.

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If the TA is making 10% I doubly they are going to give you the whole commission though. I can see the $25 or $50.

 

 

The one time I used a TA for Carnival (one that sponsors this site, actually) and I got a $25 check. It was a nightmare dealing with that agency. They claimed that’s all they could give and it couldn’t even be OBC because Carnival didn’t allow it. Anyway, it’s not worth my hassle.

 

I like to be able to call 24/7 and be able to handle all my payments and see the costs online through the Carnival website. Plus I have gotten upsell calls by booking direct. You get those much more often that way because they want to fill the cabins quickly. When you use a TA, they have to go through them first, then the TA calls you, and they get back to Carnival.

 

I will say that people should either find a REALLY GOOD TA or PVP vs booking on their own. Things happen and it’s nice to have someone there to help. Calling the 800 number is a crap shoot and can be met with frustration and misinformation.

[Flatbush Flyer]

If the TA is making 10% I doubly they are going to give you the whole commission though. I can see the $25 or $50.

 

 

The one time I used a TA for Carnival (one that sponsors this site, actually) and I got a $25 check. It was a nightmare dealing with that agency. They claimed that’s all they could give and it couldn’t even be OBC because Carnival didn’t allow it. Anyway, it’s not worth my hassle.

 

I like to be able to call 24/7 and be able to handle all my payments and see the costs online through the Carnival website. Plus I have gotten upsell calls by booking direct. You get those much more often that way because they want to fill the cabins quickly. When you use a TA, they have to go through them first, then the TA calls you, and they get back to Carnival.

 

I will say that people should either find a REALLY GOOD TA or PVP vs booking on their own. Things happen and it’s nice to have someone there to help. Calling the 800 number is a crap shoot and can be met with frustration and misinformation.

 

 

 

Just to be clear, if the TA does a lot of business with a particular cruise line, s/he is making far more than a 10% commission! Your "share" of that commission can/should be anywhere from 5-10% of the "commissionable" cabin fare. Needless to say, on a "big ticket" long cruise on certain lines that could mean thousands back.

I do, however, agree that calling any cruise line's 800 number can be a crap shoot.

 

 

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[firemanbobswife]

Just to be clear, if the TA does a lot of business with a particular cruise line, s/he is making far more than a 10% commission! Your "share" of that commission can/should be anywhere from 5-10% of the "commissionable" cabin fare. Needless to say, on a "big ticket" long cruise on certain lines that could mean thousands back.

I do, however, agree that calling any cruise line's 800 number can be a crap shoot.

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Yeah, on my average Carnival fare it wouldn’t be worth it for me.