Can a PVP offer any perks?

[4x4TX]

Ah the spirit airlines model lol...Maybe carnival can start charging for each piece of luggage too!

 

Its been stated numerous times that the VIP perks are below standard. I dont think giving a gold a wifi or soda package is that big of a deal to carnivals bottom line versus giving loyal repeat customers more of a family friendly perk. I could care less about the pins or the free drink at some random time on some random day. Funny you mention there are so many gold members, on all of the cruises I have been on the only gold members I see are the people in my family. I agree Platinum users should get much more.

 

 

Carnival’s business model relies heavily on ancillary revenue in order to keep their fares low. A big chunk of Carnival’s revenue comes from onboard spending and they are not going to give that away for free, at least unless they raise fares across the board. And they are definitely not going to give freebies of that kind to gold members considering that there are so many of them. Heck I’m Platinum and I don’t get any of that!

 

With that said, there are several cruise lines that do offer incentives in the form of free beverage or dinner packages, and who also include free WiFi as part of their loyalty perks. But chances are that your base fare will be higher than Carnival’s. You need to figure out which cruise line provides the product and pricing structure that best fits your preferences. But you can’t have cheap fares along with free stuff. That wouldn’t be a revenue producing business model.

 

 

 

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[4x4TX]

Really? 120K + small salary + trip insurance incentives makes more than VPs and upper level mangers? Yikes.

 

You sure you arent a PVP? You sure have a lot of "inside" data.

 

To take this a step further...As an average, the 600 person PVP department employees earn more than 70% of all the rest of the other employees at Carnival. This includes some upper level managers and vice presidents.

[firemanbobswife]

Ah the spirit airlines model lol...Maybe carnival can start charging for each piece of luggage too!

 

 

 

Its been stated numerous times that the VIP perks are below standard. I dont think giving a gold a wifi or soda package is that big of a deal to carnivals bottom line versus giving loyal repeat customers more of a family friendly perk. I could care less about the pins or the free drink at some random time on some random day. Funny you mention there are so many gold members, on all of the cruises I have been on the only gold members I see are the people in my family. I agree Platinum users should get much more.

 

They took away the party for golds so why would they give a free wifi package or something else? They are cutting benefits, not adding them. There were lots of gold cards on my cruises along with plenty of blue.

 

While I agree their perks are far from great, I do enjoy some of them being Platinum. If you really want perks that are better you will need to find another cruise line and probably pay more. I’m Select on Celebrity and some of those benefits will be worthless to me since I got the Go Best package. But I’m OK with that. I don’t look at it as a negative because I got a heck of a deal on my cruise!

[buddylover]

Considering that some PVP’s make six figures and they’ve been working for Carnival for more than a decade, I wouldn’t call their profession undesirable. Chances are that several PVP’s make more money than many of the clients that they assist!

 

 

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And what is your source/backup for this comment?? How would you know what a PVP makes ?

[4x4TX]

They took away the party for golds so why would they give a free wifi package or something else? They are cutting benefits, not adding them. There were lots of gold cards on my cruises along with plenty of blue.

 

While I agree their perks are far from great, I do enjoy some of them being Platinum. If you really want perks that are better you will need to find another cruise line and probably pay more. I’m Select on Celebrity and some of those benefits will be worthless to me since I got the Go Best package. But I’m OK with that. I don’t look at it as a negative because I got a heck of a deal on my cruise!

 

The party was worthless.....Seriously, for the social wifi package we are talking $40 LOL

 

I dont really care about the benefits, its not why I cruise.....but they could be better and actually give things that would be worthwhile. I hate feeling like I am getting nicked and dime'd. I guess I feel this way too because I also got a casino deal and of course it wasnt availabe on the cruise I we booked.

 

I am stuck with carnival because their port is literally 35 miles away and I dont have time or the desire to build up the days on another line. I will make Platinum the cruise after this next one so at this point there really is no going back. I will try another here or there but never enough to get this many sea days.

[firemanbobswife]

The party was worthless.....Seriously, for the social wifi package we are talking $40 LOL

 

 

 

I dont really care about the benefits, its not why I cruise.....but they could be better and actually give things that would be worthwhile. I hate feeling like I am getting nicked and dime'd. I guess I feel this way too because I also got a casino deal and of course it wasnt availabe on the cruise I we booked.

 

 

 

I am stuck with carnival because their port is literally 35 miles away and I dont have time or the desire to build up the days on another line. I will make Platinum the cruise after this next one so at this point there really is no going back. I will try another here or there but never enough to get this many sea days.

 

While the party may have been “worthless” to you, I had my feelings hurt pretty bad when they yanked it and then gave me a bottle of water and said my coupon had to be used the last night vs at brunch.

 

The wi-fi package makes them $40 a pop, the party cost was way less than that per person I’m sure. Wouldn’t make sense to give away something that is an almost guaranteed income generating product when they nixed one that wouldn’t affect revenue too badly.

 

I agree that they could do better, but whatever. I’m about over Carnival now anyway. Not saying I won’t ever sail them again, but I don’t have anything booked and am not actively looking. Shame because I have 5 Amex cards I could use for the $100 off a $500 reservation on. Sad to let it sit there and go to waste, but it’s just not in the stars right now.

[buddylover]

Carnival’s business model relies heavily on ancillary revenue in order to keep their fares low.

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"Keep their fares LOW"?? I beg to differ with you.....our Vista cruise was the highest priced cruise for a standard balcony cabin that we have ever paid....and we have been on Allure of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas in ocean facing balconies too. Our 12 Med cruise on the Breeze as a brand new ship was LESS than our Vista cruise. CCL has been increasing fares steadily and regularly and are MORE expensive than many of the other main line cruiselines.....CCL cannot be remotely considered to have LOW FARES any longer!! Their HIGH fares for a lesser product (to us in our opinion) is what has had us venturing out to their competitors in recent years!

[4x4TX]

I meant to comment on that as well....There wasnt any price difference on RC vs Carnival for me either out of Gavleston this summer. In fact it was right at 1k per person before taxes, tips and ins.

 

"Keep their fares LOW"?? I beg to differ with you.....our Vista cruise was the highest priced cruise for a standard balcony cabin that we have ever paid....and we have been on Allure of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas in ocean facing balconies too. Our 12 Med cruise on the Breeze as a brand new ship was LESS than our Vista cruise. CCL has been increasing fares steadily and regularly and are MORE expensive than many of the other main line cruiselines.....CCL cannot be remotely considered to have LOW FARES any longer!! Their HIGH fares for a lesser product (to us in our opinion) is what has had us venturing out to their competitors in recent years!

[Sizzlechest]

You should also add:

Q: Do you like to maintain control of you booking as in not having to go through a middleman?

A: Any questions you have regarding your booking have to go through your TA. With a PVP you can speak directly to Carnival 24/7.

 

You relinquish no control by going through a TA. I already mentioned that they are your forced proxy for things like price reductions or changes, but you still deal with Carnival for everything else like dining reservations and cruise-line excursions.

 

 

Q: Do you want someone that won’t try and talk you out of Early Saver Fares or even Carnival in general? How about someone who has actually sailed the cruise line and very likely the same ship you are interested in (or at least the same class of ship).

A: PVPs are experts at Carnival and won’t look down on you, try to switch you to another cruise line, or possibly even flat out refuse to book a Carnival cruise. Yes there are TAs that do exactly that. Many also don’t like you to book ES because any price drops will cost them commission. Plenty of TAs have never stepped foot on a Carnival ship. They have no idea what it’s actually like. The good PVPs have and know the ships in and out oftentimes offering up recommendations based upon their experiences.

 

Never had an issue with a TA doing a price adjustment nor have they ever tried to talk me out of a cruise. Sounds like you've dealt with a terrible TA. Too bad we're not allowed to recommend TAs here. Most PVPs I've spoken to from ANY cruise line are brain-dead, but maybe I just got the bad ones.

[firemanbobswife]

You relinquish no control by going through a TA. I already mentioned that they are your forced proxy for things like price reductions or changes, but you still deal with Carnival for everything else like dining reservations and cruise-line excursions.

 

 

 

Never had an issue with a TA doing a price adjustment nor have they ever tried to talk me out of a cruise. Sounds like you've dealt with a terrible TA. Too bad we're not allowed to recommend TAs here. Most PVPs I've spoken to from ANY cruise line are brain-dead, but maybe I just got the bad ones.

Those things that you mention are relinquishing control as in the sense that everything has to be done through a middleman. Want a price reduction? Call TA, they call Carnival, TA gets back to you. Want to see your pricing online? Nope, not through Carnival’s website. Hopefully you have an invoice from the TA. Have a question? Call the TA who prob doesn’t know the answer. They call Carnival and get back to you. If I want something changed or have questions, I want it done now.

 

Not to mention your chances are slim on getting an upgrade offer. They are going to go the fastest route which is direct to the guest. I even asked the lady once when I took a super cheap upsell. She confirmed that yes, they go through direct booked guests first as it’s much quicker. It was her job to get the one sailing done and move onto the next.

 

I have used TAs before and it almost cost me $400 or so one cruise. I would have to go back and look - it was on my first Glory sailing. How many times you see people post questions here and they are frustrated because Carnival won’t talk to them and their TA is out? While I know not all TAs are bad, I don’t have patience for them. PVP is the only way to go IMHO and I’ve booked 7 ways to Sunday. And yes, some do look poorly on Carnival. There are lots of cases of that in here.

 

I have had some good TAs and some terrible ones. Fortunately I’ve only had one PVP and that’s where I’m staying. I wouldn’t give up FF miles, OBC, Steakhouse dinner, Bottle of wine, or even a Cheers package for him.

[AdGuyMG]

Really? 120K + small salary + trip insurance incentives makes more than VPs and upper level mangers? Yikes.

 

Executive and Senior VPs who answer to the President? No. ....Department VPs and upper level management? Yes.

[Tapi]

And what is your source/backup for this comment?? How would you know what a PVP makes ?

 

 

Because for several years, my job granted me direct access to this data. I have seen it and reviewed it so I know without a doubt what I’m talking about. In addition to that, I forged great friendships with many PVP’s, several who are still working there after more than a decade, and who can corroborate this information.

 

 

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[Tapi]

Really? 120K + small salary + trip insurance incentives makes more than VPs and upper level mangers? Yikes.

 

 

This is true. I personally know that several PVP’s have bypassed promotions to management because they have more earning potential as PVP’s than in a position with a fixed management salary.

 

 

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[Tapi]

”Keep their fares LOW"?? I beg to differ with you.....our Vista cruise was the highest priced cruise for a standard balcony cabin that we have ever paid.

 

 

Even though I haven’t booked a Carnival cruise in years, I’m constantly checking and comparing prices and keeping an eye on their promotions. Yes, there are times when Carnival is more expensive, but they are cheaper more frequently than not.

 

I can tell you that the 5 night cruise on the Fantasy that I just booked is ridiculously cheap. Definitely less than any cruise that I’ve taken since I last set foot on a Carnival ship 7 years ago. We are also looking at the Panorama for early 2020 and the prices are shockingly cheap for a brand new ship. The last time I booked a sailing during an inaugural season (Allure of the Seas), I was nauseated by the price. This time, I can book an Ocean Suite for the price of a window or balcony stateroom on pretty much any other cruise line operating the same itinerary. No nausea this time! [emoji3]

 

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Edited May 23, 2018 by Tapi

[firemanbobswife]

I wouldn’t give up FF miles, OBC, Steakhouse dinner, Bottle of wine, or even a Cheers package for him.

Should read "I wouldn't give him up for FF miles, OBC, Steakhouse dinner, bottle of wine, or even a Cheers package". That's what I get for trying to multitask :cool:.

[AdGuyMG]

"Keep their fares LOW"?? I beg to differ with you.....our Vista cruise was the highest priced cruise for a standard balcony cabin that we have ever paid....and we have been on Allure of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas in ocean facing balconies too. Our 12 Med cruise on the Breeze as a brand new ship was LESS than our Vista cruise. CCL has been increasing fares steadily and regularly and are MORE expensive than many of the other main line cruiselines.....CCL cannot be remotely considered to have LOW FARES any longer!! Their HIGH fares for a lesser product (to us in our opinion) is what has had us venturing out to their competitors in recent years!

 

CCL has not been increasing fares regularly. The supply/demand economics of their product has been raising the prices.

 

They may not be your #1 brand choice and you may consider Carnival to be a lesser product (and in some areas it is, in others it's not) but when push comes to shove they sail full and profitably at the prices they publish and that keeps the customers and shareholders happy.

[mz-s]

We have a PVP but haven't used him for anything other than to book the cruise in a few years. When we first started he was valuable as we didn't know what to do. Now we know the cruise we want, the room we want, everything, so we could easily book ourselves but we still book through him just because we have that relationship already.

 

Here lately we've been transferring bookings to Costco after we book with the PVP so we can get the Costco benefit of a gift card after we get home. It's complicated but we don't book more than once or twice a year so it's not a big deal.

[Computer Nerd]

Ah the spirit airlines model lol...Maybe carnival can start charging for each piece of luggage too!

 

Its been stated numerous times that the VIP perks are below standard. I dont think giving a gold a wifi or soda package is that big of a deal to carnivals bottom line versus giving loyal repeat customers more of a family friendly perk. I could care less about the pins or the free drink at some random time on some random day. Funny you mention there are so many gold members, on all of the cruises I have been on the only gold members I see are the people in my family. I agree Platinum users should get much more.

 

Damn, some people just can't give it a rest. If Carnival valued your input so much on how to run the company I would think they would have given you a call by now and offered you a job. :rolleyes:

[Computer Nerd]

The party was worthless.....Seriously, for the social wifi package we are talking $40 LOL

 

I dont really care about the benefits, its not why I cruise.....but they could be better and actually give things that would be worthwhile. I hate feeling like I am getting nicked and dime'd. I guess I feel this way too because I also got a casino deal and of course it wasnt availabe on the cruise I we booked.

 

I am stuck with carnival because their port is literally 35 miles away and I dont have time or the desire to build up the days on another line. I will make Platinum the cruise after this next one so at this point there really is no going back. I will try another here or there but never enough to get this many sea days.

 

So since you refuse to leave Carnival because you want the paltry tokens received at the higher status levels, are you going to bore everyone to death on your future cruises by telling them how you think Carnival should be run?

[4x4TX]

Damn, some people just can't give it a rest. If Carnival valued your input so much on how to run the company I would think they would have given you a call by now and offered you a job. :rolleyes:

 

 

 

Dude it’s a message board where people give their opinions. Take your know it all attitude to another thread if you don’t like it. To take the time to post on a thread multiple times that isn’t yours and you obviously disagree with..wow..I wish the real estate I owned between your ears was worth something but like your rude ass comments they are worthless.

 

 

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[4x4TX]

So since you refuse to leave Carnival because you want the paltry tokens received at the higher status levels, are you going to bore everyone to death on your future cruises by telling them how you think Carnival should be run?

 

 

 

Yup more worthless real estate lol

 

 

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[Computer Nerd]

Dude it’s a message board where people give their opinions. Take your know it all attitude to another thread if you don’t like it. To take the time to post on a thread multiple times that isn’t yours and you obviously disagree with..wow..I wish the real estate I owned between your ears was worth something but like your rude ass comments they are worthless.

 

 

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And you have posted 7 times in this thread "why won't they give me wifi and soda for free because I spent $10k with them". Yawn......