Trouble reaching Personal Cruise Specialist ??

[MiddleagedM]

Has anyone been having difficulties reaching their Personal Cruise Specialists the past week or so?    I have been trying to reach mine as well as a couple of backups and the phone message I get after entering their extension numbers is:   "we're sorry, we are unable to locate that extension."

 

I've contacted Princess and they say that the specialist is still employed, so not sure why the extensions are not working.

 

I also tried emailing the specialists and haven't received any responses either.

 

Thanks

[Lady Arwen]

I’ve both emailed and called my CVP this week with no problems.  Phone answered immediately and email answered in less than 24 hours.  Not sure if your Personal Cruise Specialist is the same as my Cruise Vacation Planner, but I’m thinking they are one and the same.

[Itchy&Scratchy]

Around Aug 18-19, I emailed and called a couple of times (CVP is on the phone, please leave a message), left a message, and she called me back within 30 minutes. 

[tml1230]

we love our CVP...he is the best! I tried him a couple times on the phone and got the same result as OP....

so I emailed him (which he prefers) and he got back to me quickly...he did say that princess was "updating the phone system" and it was not a flawless transition and still on going!  he said if calling now , after dialing  the main number before you dial the extension....press the  number 1 , then the extension, then the # sign ...I did that the next day (last week) and got right through....

Good Luck!

 

[MiddleagedM]

21 hours ago, Lady Arwen said:

I’ve both emailed and called my CVP this week with no problems.  Phone answered immediately and email answered in less than 24 hours.  Not sure if your Personal Cruise Specialist is the same as my Cruise Vacation Planner, but I’m thinking they are one and the same.

My regular Princess Cruise planner is Tammy Clancy and the other Princess planner that handles Cunard (Sharleen Gordon) both state that they were unable to locate their extension.

 

It doesn't even give me a chance to leave a message.   Emailing them hasn't worked either as neither one has responded.

 

Not sure whats going on since Princess says they both still work there.   

 

Guess I'll keep trying to reach them

 

Thanks to all responders

 

Mike

[Clampram]

I went through this about a month ago....called and left voice mails/emails/texts and got nothing. I gave up after about a week and booked the cruise myself.

I would love to find a great travel agent but it seems impossible

[boone2]

Our cvp is totally useless. Never replies to emails or voice messages. I know more about cruising then she does and we’ll never use her again 

[dgc2861]

1 hour ago, boone2 said:

Our cvp is totally useless. Never replies to emails or voice messages. I know more about cruising then she does and we’ll never use her again 

First and last time I use one. I'll go through a regular travel agent next time. He was useless. Would never call me back until I posted on his Princess Facebook page that I had called and emailed him multiple times and why didn't he call me back? He got all upset asking, "why did you do that?" I said it was the truth and I figured that would get your attention." And it did, he called me right back. Never once answered his phone in the year + I had him book the cruise. They are sales people. Once they get the sale, they don't want to deal with you again.

[tml1230]

1 hour ago, dgc2861 said:

First and last time I use one. I'll go through a regular travel agent next time. He was useless. Would never call me back until I posted on his Princess Facebook page that I had called and emailed him multiple times and why didn't he call me back? He got all upset asking, "why did you do that?" I said it was the truth and I figured that would get your attention." And it did, he called me right back. Never once answered his phone in the year + I had him book the cruise. They are sales people. Once they get the sale, they don't want to deal with you again.

thanks for posting.....that's not been my experience

[CineGraphic]

The CVP I tried to use seemed to send everything to voicemail, and he'd only call back if you said you wanted to make a new booking.

[Steelers36]

5 hours ago, MiddleagedM said:

My regular Princess Cruise planner is Xxxxx Yyyyyyy and the other Princess planner that handles Cunard (Aaaaaa  Bbbbbb) both state that they were unable to locate their extension.

 

It doesn't even give me a chance to leave a message.   Emailing them hasn't worked either as neither one has responded.

 

Not sure what's going on since Princess says they both still work there.   

 

Guess I'll keep trying to reach them

 

Thanks to all responders

 

Mike

You are not supposed to name PCL internal agent in posts here.  When you called in and asked if they were still employed and were told, "Yes", did you ask for their extension number to see if it was the same or changed?

 

[Steelers36]

4 hours ago, boone2 said:

Our cvp is totally useless. Never replies to emails or voice messages. I know more about cruising then she does and we’ll never use her again 

 

2 hours ago, dgc2861 said:

First and last time I use one. I'll go through a regular travel agent next time. He was useless. Would never call me back until I posted on his Princess Facebook page that I had called and emailed him multiple times and why didn't he call me back? He got all upset asking, "why did you do that?" I said it was the truth and I figured that would get your attention." And it did, he called me right back. Never once answered his phone in the year + I had him book the cruise. They are sales people. Once they get the sale, they don't want to deal with you again.

 

20 minutes ago, CineGraphic said:

The CVP I tried to use seemed to send everything to voicemail, and he'd only call back if you said you wanted to make a new booking.

 

Like any other profession, there are A's, B's, C's & D's.  I have read similar complaints and comments about outside TA's as well.  It can take some effort and time to find the A's.

[boone2]

19 minutes ago, Steelers36 said:

 

 

 

Like any other profession, there are A's, B's, C's & D's.  I have read similar complaints and comments about outside TA's as well.  It can take some effort and time to find the A's.

My close friend has a wonderful CVP. So I called and Left a message asking her to call me. Never replied. I’ll just rely on myself in future 

[SiliconCruiser]

If you are reaching out to book a cruise it should not be any problem.  If you have already given them your money, you probably will not be able to reach them.

 

[Roatanfans]

I tried calling mine last week and had problems also.  Was wondering if he was still working as he seems to always be busy.

[sonomaphil]

I emailed and left a message for my CVP back in March, still waiting for a reply. 

[mtnesterz]

On 8/30/2022 at 12:11 PM, MiddleagedM said:

I also tried emailing the specialists and haven't received any responses either.

Here is what I found that helps, to all of you that have had CVP (Cruise Vacation Planner) trouble. That's what they like to be called now.

Go to their FB CVP page. At the top bar, Groups. I cannot here give you our CVP name, but look at their member numbers. We are so happpy with ours and not suprisingly he has the second highest number of members. Not suggesting anyone in particular, just look and see who is well liked, as a measure of their attentive service.

Then call Princess and request a change if you are unhappy with yours.

 

Edited September 1, 2022 by mtnesterz
Spelling

[icat2000]

I had problems too with extension number and they don't respond to email. I just called the cruiseline directly. I can't be bothered with these CVP. I just continue to do what I used to do. Book directly with cruiseline. 

 

If I had waited for them to get back I would have missed the deal. And still a week and no response. 

Edited September 1, 2022 by icat2000

[cdngrl]

I booked a great deal on my own, knowing a ‘real’ TA wouldn’t be able to discount it by much. The next day, my CVP called and chewed me out for not booking with her!

OP, I wouldn’t know if I was having trouble contacting her as she rarely responds ever and can’t answer questions when she does respond.

[Steelers36]

1 hour ago, icat2000 said:

I had problems too with extension number and they don't respond to email. I just called the cruiseline directly. I can't be bothered with these CVP. I just continue to do what I used to do. Book directly with cruiseline. 

 

If I had waited for them to get back I would have missed the deal. And still a week and no response. 

The CVP's are direct with the cruise line as they are employees.  It is quite apparent there are good ones and not-so-good ones and perhaps downright lousy ones.  Same thing happens with regular reps and also with outside TA's.  Might take a couple of tries and effort to get connected with a good one.  Personally, I use an independent TA who I get good service response with and also gives us cash discount off the cruise fare which doesn't happen with Princess.  

 

[icat2000]

5 minutes ago, Steelers36 said:

The CVP's are direct with the cruise line as they are employees.  It is quite apparent there are good ones and not-so-good ones and perhaps downright lousy ones.  Same thing happens with regular reps and also with outside TA's.  Might take a couple of tries and effort to get connected with a good one.  Personally, I use an independent TA who I get good service response with and also gives us cash discount off the cruise fare which doesn't happen with Princess.  

 

What I mean when I book direct with cruiseline. Is I call the cruiseline main number for bookings. At least you get someone straight away who can deal with the issue.

 

I don't use TAs. Too slow. What happens if they go down the gurgler. A lot did in COVID. Also I rather I control the booking. No need for TA these days. Plus OBC they offer is not that much down in Australia. Not like I hear what TA's in USA offer. So I go with the less risk option in current environment.

 

The funny thing is the cruise deals I found were directly with Princess. I checked a couple of online TA's website and they were not really offering the same sort of deal I could see.

Edited September 2, 2022 by icat2000

[Steelers36]

26 minutes ago, icat2000 said:

What I mean when I book direct with cruiseline. Is I call the cruiseline main number for bookings. At least you get someone straight away who can deal with the issue.

 

I don't use TAs. Too slow. What happens if they go down the gurgler. A lot did in COVID. Also I rather I control the booking. No need for TA these days. Plus OBC they offer is not that much down in Australia. Not like I hear what TA's in USA offer. So I go with the less risk option in current environment.

 

The funny thing is the cruise deals I found were directly with Princess. I checked a couple of online TA's website and they were not really offering the same sort of deal I could see.

Oh, I am sorry.  I am always checking where a CC poster is from under their user name and I did not check yours.  I agree - the deals are not the same anywhere outside the USA.  Sorry for the mixup - I understand your situation for sure.  Aside:  Most agents here in N.A. use your credit card to pay Princess directly, so they have $0 of our money and so if they went down the gurgler, as you say, it wouldn't be a loss to the guest. 

Edited September 2, 2022 by Steelers36

[icat2000]

7 minutes ago, Steelers36 said:

Oh, I am sorry.  I am always checking where a CC poster is from under their user name and I did not check yours.  I agree - the deals are not the same anywhere outside the USA.  Sorry for the mixup - I understand your situation for sure.  Aside:  Most agents here in N.A. use your credit card to pay Princess directly, so they have $0 of our money and so if they went down the gurgler, as you say, it wouldn't be a loss to the guest. 

No worries 🙂  I wish we got the OBC deals that US cruisers get. But I guess its a volume game. 

[Clampram]

17 hours ago, mtnesterz said:

Here is what I found that helps, to all of you that have had CVP (Cruise Vacation Planner) trouble. That's what they like to be called now.

Go to their FB CVP page. At the top bar, Groups. I cannot here give you our CVP name, but look at their member numbers. We are so happpy with ours and not suprisingly he has the second highest number of members. Not suggesting anyone in particular, just look and see who is well liked, as a measure of their attentive service.

Then call Princess and request a change if you are unhappy with yours.

 

LOL....my PVP has a page and someone posts there regularly....don't know if it's her or not. If I looked at this I would think she was pretty good. But, she doesn't answer phone calls, emails, texts  and, yes, I even FB messaged her and that didn't work. I am now my own PVP!

[mtnesterz]

2 hours ago, Clampram said:

LOL....my PVP has a page and someone posts there regularly....don't know if it's her or not. If I looked at this I would think she was pretty good. But, she doesn't answer phone calls, emails, texts  and, yes, I even FB messaged her and that didn't work. I am now my own PVP!

Happy you have something that works for you. Just to be clear though, from what you describe. we're talking about two different areas on FB. In re-reading my post, I see the mistake is on me. I wrote, "their" CVP page, sounding specific. I should have typed, "the" CVP page, more generic. This is the page for all of them, not yours specifically. Response time is acceptable for ours, given he is working accounts.

I believe those who say they have trouble hearing back from their CVP, but what I don't get is, why someone takes on a job where salary is partly commission, then can't even answer their phone, or text or email to make a sale. Given benefits like cruises, seems like someone ambitious could do well.