PVP...why?

[Runaway Parent]

So, we've never used a PVP. I always just book it myself on the Carnival website and monitored Early Saver price drops myself. 

 

For those that use a PVP, what are the reasons why? Am I missing some benefit by not using a PVP? 

 

Thanks!

[BroadwayGirl]

I tended to do the same however my assigned PVP came in handy this year dealing with the covid cancellation situation. We had FCC from a  2019 hurricane cruise, another FCC, , and the Monies created by our cancelled cruise and the bonus obc.  The general CS number folks couldn’t make sense of all my money and credits to rebook a new cruise in 2021 and put everything on that cruise. One call to my PVP who I hadn’t spoken to in ages sorted it out in 20 mins. I will use her to book going forward to continue the relationship.  We even referred our friends to her who are joining us on our rebook. It’s nice to have a dedicated agent who can help us and knows her stuff. She may come in handy again some day. 

Edited September 11, 2020 by BroadwayGirl

[Amadawn1]

I always booked on my own.  I requested a PVP after the last batch of cancellations.  My new PVP helped me cancel the Glory for January 2021 due to the current situation.  It was an early saver deposit, and the cruise was paid in full.  With his assist I re-booked a December 2021 cruise.  He transferred everything over, including pre-paid grats, FTTF and our Cheers package.  I also did not forfeit any of my Early Saver deposit and have a small additional OBC because the new cruise was about $80 less expensive.  So the Dec. 2021 cruise is paid in full, with FTTF and Cheers.  Happy camper here.

[Tapi]

I’ve had the same PVP for years. Super easy to book a cruise once you’ve developed a relationship with one. I qualify for discounts not available on the website so I do need to book directly with someone in order to take advantage of those discounts. I’m also very particular about specific cabins or locations which most of the time don’t show on the website. 
 

I’ll browse online until I’m ready to book and then I’ll send her an email with the sailing and specific stateroom number that I want. She will have the booking ready when I call and all I have to do is give my credit card info. She already has all of our information and preferences stored. For our last Carnival Cruise (Feb 2019), we had a large group of 25 people and she handled most of the bookings, found the cabins that accommodated our needs, and tied them together, something that can’t be done online.
 

You don’t realize how useful a PVP is until you need one. Specially during these changing times, it’s good to have someone who knows you and who can handle things that you can’t do yourself. Much easier than trying to deal with a random person who you’ve never talked to before. 

Edited September 11, 2020 by Tapi

[pjhootch]

I frequently book on the website on my own and just talk to CS if I need something.  However, my PVP was invaluable helping me rebook a family European cruise twice when it was cancelled for covid.  I emailed him and he called me all ready to move things around for all of us. He always can find cabins that are not showing for me on the website too.  So I plan to let him handle my future bookings so he gets credit for them.

[MeganGC1983]

I always use our PVP to see all the rooms available. The website usually only shows 10 at a time. I like more of a variety. 

[hurricane0226]

My PVP is always helpful, in which she is always able to get us a good room location and also finds out

if we have any casino freebees available. Love her and she takes care of us.

[johnboy036]

I always use my PVP when booking cruises. It’s nice to talk to the same person every time who knows your preferences, can easily coordinate combining bookings with other family members and handle rebooking and moving money/credits around during all these cancellations. I just used mine to rebook my cancelled October cruise to a premier  Australian cruise in June 21. It was easy to add a second cabin and he handled everything with moving money around and the onboard credit for rebooking (Australian cruise are in AUD and doesn’t transfer automatically or easily.) The money that was not able to be transferred was refunded and it was processed and back on my card with in 24 hours. Not sure if it just luck to get the refund so quickly but he coordinated everything with his manager and whoever handles Australian bookings for US cruisers. We now have $900 AUD on board for rebooking plus the premier offer. So for myself, it’s well worth using my PVP.

[poz222]

I never in 60+ cruises used a PVP... everything was fine. However, back in March during the first round of cancellations a PVP was randomly assigned to me. I was getting nowhere on hold and frustrated with finding out my options. WOW, it was the best thing. He explained all the options for what ended up being 4 cancelled cruises including one with airfare. He moved them to other sailings (and even had to move one of the rebooked) and got me great prices (calls me when the price dropped ) and extended my final payments while we waited for yea/nay on the sailing... what a great resource. I have given his name and info to a dozen of my cruise buddies, they love him too. Depending on who you get YMMV but I think my random assignment was a huge score! 

[pe4all]

Have used the same pvp for years.  She knows my likes and dislikes, and has all my info at her fingertips.  I always have the sailing/cabin picked out when I call her.   I make her job easy, but it still saves me the hassle of doing it myself.  If there is a problem, or I want to change cabins, or there is a price drop I email to her and she handles everything literally within the hour, including the cancellations/rebookings of my Jan and March 2020 cruises.  (and my rebooking for March '21.)  

[Runaway Parent]

So, based on replies...I don't see the need for a PVP. I just called Carnival when our 2 bookings were cancelled due to Covid. I had no issues transferring to another cruise. It sounds like everyone is doing the work finding the cruise anyway. We don't do the casino--so those perks aren't an issue. I'm happy with the cabins we have available online. We've cruised in a group of 12+ and I just booked them all myself--no issues. Preferences/information? I just give them my VIFP number and they have all our information. It's really not a big issue. 

 

I appreciate your insights so I could make a decision that's right for me! 

[Tapi]

On 9/11/2020 at 8:26 AM, Runaway Parent said:

So, based on replies...I don't see the need for a PVP. I just called Carnival when our 2 bookings were cancelled due to Covid. I had no issues transferring to another cruise...

As poz222 and others said, you don’t really need a PVP until you need one. But it’s purely a matter of choice. Do keep in mind that if you book online or with a random CS agent and then you call a PVP to assist you or to make changes, the PVP will be working for free since they don’t get credit for bookings that they didn’t make. Happy sailing!  

[PalmTree601]

On 9/10/2020 at 9:06 PM, Tapi said:

I’ve had the same PVP for years. Super easy to book a cruise once you’ve developed a relationship with one. I qualify for discounts not available on the website so I do need to book directly with someone in order to take advantage of those discounts. [...]

 

Just curious, can you share any more information about these non-website discounts?  Thanks!  

 

[2wheelin]

On 9/10/2020 at 11:49 PM, poz222 said:

I never in 60+ cruises used a PVP... everything was fine. However, back in March during the first round of cancellations a PVP was randomly assigned to me. I was getting nowhere on hold and frustrated with finding out my options. WOW, it was the best thing. He explained all the options for what ended up being 4 cancelled cruises including one with airfare. He moved them to other sailings (and even had to move one of the rebooked) and got me great prices (calls me when the price dropped ) and extended my final payments while we waited for yea/nay on the sailing... what a great resource. I have given his name and info to a dozen of my cruise buddies, they love him too. Depending on who you get YMMV but I think my random assignment was a huge score! 

Good to hear that a random assignment worked out so well. I shy away from that kind of thing because it seem most places assign the agent who is least busy which means they are either new or lousy. Just dealt with a terrible TA last year and the problem is that you need to go through a certain amount of “agony” to discover how bad they are. Then it is sometimes too late for that trip. We can’t cruise often enough to afford bad experiences.

[May1cruiser]

so our PVP knows what we like. Sees more rooms than shown on website.  Is able to handle any special offers instantly. (including casino offers). Knows of "best" rooms on each ship for our needs. I email her, she calls and cruise booked faster than using website. If I see a better price, i can email her, she adjusts, then emails new info. 

 

Very efficient, painless and fast.

Also, can add some little surprises in the room for special occasions. I always booked myself until I learned how much easier she makes the process...

 

Best change I have made.

[PittsburghGirlee]

I use my awesome PVP to keep people employed, the same reason I do not use self check outs in stores which takes away jobs.... Also as another poster commented, she was a godsend during all the cancellations and rebooking....100%[emoji1303]


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[poz222]

3 hours ago, 2wheelin said:

Good to hear that a random assignment worked out so well. I shy away from that kind of thing because it seem most places assign the agent who is least busy which means they are either new or lousy. Just dealt with a terrible TA last year and the problem is that you need to go through a certain amount of “agony” to discover how bad they are. Then it is sometimes too late for that trip. We can’t cruise often enough to afford bad experiences.

 I know... I was a bit skeptical but at that point I was exhausted from being on hold with them to try to figure out what I needed to do with all the cancellations etc. and was just happy to get to actually TALK to a human!!!  I have been impressed with all he has been able to take care of for us. I even recommended him to my other cruise friends (one gets all the casino offers) and he sends her messages now to let her know when the new casino offers are loaded in the system in case she wants to book one, so she is thrilled! 
 

Strictly speaking you don’t NEED one and can easily do everything yourself... but now I’m like WHY would I? Now I send a message what to keep an eye out for and he follows up. It’s not like the service costs extra so I figure why not? 

[Tapi]

4 hours ago, PalmTree601 said:

 

Just curious, can you share any more information about these non-website discounts?  Thanks!  

 

Hi:

 

Several cruise lines offer discounts for different professions. The most common ones are airline employees, teachers, first responders (police, fire fighters), and military (active or retired). There may be others not listed. There are some specialty travel agent websites that will display these discounts, but cruise line specific websites like Carnival do not. You would need to call them directly to obtain the pricing over the phone, and then you’d need to provide verification of your credentials (usually a screen shot of the ID or paperwork).
 

The good thing about booking with the same PVP is that, once sent, the credentials remain stored in their database, so you don’t have to send them again for subsequent bookings.  

Edited September 13, 2020 by Tapi

[stellarose]

I used one with my trip last winter on the Breeze. When I went to try to book MG with PVP- either he left carnival or never didn't want to get back to me. so I went with my inlaws regular travel agent. 

 

 

[PhillyFan33579]

Not everyone is computer savvy and/or wants complete control of their cruise. 

[stellarose]

I trust my new travel agent . she has been so far. checks on us weekly to let us know how things are going with MG. 

[PalmTree601]

1 hour ago, Tapi said:

Several cruise lines offer discounts for different professions. The most common ones are airline employees, teachers, first responders (police, fire fighters), and military (active or retired). There may be others not listed. 

 

Thanks!  

 

On the original topic, personally, I'm in the book-it-myself-be-in-control camp for my cruises, but I understand others point of view.  

[stellarose]

wish there were discounts for teachers. 

[Oldgoat61]

Really didn't need one until Corona came along.  I am a relative newbie with Carnival, and had many questions about transferring a booking to Hawaii.  She is extremely helpful (the best!) IMHO.  Have booked four more cruises with her since our first call with her.

[2xsin12mths]

We have used a TA for the last 12 yrs of cruising. She quit a yr ago and I have had nothing but issues since. NO ONE at this agency has any idea what’s going on and how to communicate with Carnival. I ended up calling carnival myself for refunds and transferring cruises. My ? is how do I go about getting a PVP? Are they all good or is it a crab shoot?

It’s nice to have a contact person who knows what’s going on and it definitely is not my TA any longer.