Is Carnival Assigning PVPs to Everyone?

[StephPS79]

So...we've been cruising with Carnival since 2018 and I've always booked through the website and never requested a PVP.  I noticed on today's offer email that I now have a PVP assigned.  Both my wife and I have the same PVP on our emails, I'd assume because I always link our reservations.  I do prefer to book my own offers, usually casino offers, but it might be nice to have someone to reach out to.  But as I understand it, they don't get commission unless they submit the booking.  I guess I'm not concerned, just curious if this is becoming standard.

[starstruck05]

You've had a pvp since your first cruise. It's automatically assigned but no you don't have to use them. I've used mine maybe twice in all these years.

[mz-s]

Yes, everyone gets assigned a PVP. Whether or not you use them is up to you.

 

I rarely use mine, preferring to book with my preferred TA. But still, any time I browse carnival.com without a cruise booked while logged in with my account I can expect a phone call from my PVP the next day.

[hard_eight]

I like my PVP, he's helped me find the best deals and better rooms. Can't hurt to let them try

[StephPS79]

2 minutes ago, starstruck05 said:

You've had a pvp since your first cruise. It's automatically assigned but no you don't have to use them. I've used mine maybe twice in all these years.

 

Previously, this is what was on our email offers.

 

And currently:

 
 

so I don't know that is entirely accurate.  Seems like something changed.

[starstruck05]

5 minutes ago, StephPS79 said:

 

Previously, this is what was on our email offers.

 

And currently:

 
 

so I don't know that is entirely accurate.  Seems like something changed.

I think the change is them being included in the current emails. I'll have to look back at mine. I used to get a call from mine everytime I looked at a cruise like mz-s said but we came to an understanding a while ago not to call me. I think they don't call anyone anymore unless you request them to.

 

Edit to confirm that yes, last few emails have my PVP info but emails from March and April do not. 

Edited June 19 by starstruck05

[StephPS79]

1 minute ago, starstruck05 said:

I think the change is them being included in the current emails. I'll have to look back at mine. I used to get a call from mine everytime I looked at a cruise like mz-s said but we came to an understanding a while ago not to call me. I think they don't call anyone anymore unless you request them to.

 

Lol, well that's a good understanding.  I can say I mock book cruises almost weekly and no one has ever contacted me.  There have been some times when I've had a few issues that I've contacted the Casino department (accidentally cancelled a cruise - whoops!), so sometimes it be nice to have someone to contact directly.  Maybe the next one I'll give the PVP a test spin.

[Illbcruzn4life]

28 minutes ago, mz-s said:

Yes, everyone gets assigned a PVP. Whether or not you use them is up to you.

 

I rarely use mine, preferring to book with my preferred TA. But still, any time I browse carnival.com without a cruise booked while logged in with my account I can expect a phone call from my PVP the next day.

I changed my phone number so I didn't get those calls.

[mz-s]

3 minutes ago, Illbcruzn4life said:

I changed my phone number so I didn't get those calls.

 

I just set my phone to ignore it when mine calls. It goes straight to voicemail. Every once in a while I go in and delete my voicemails.

[Saint Greg]

I had one but he left the company and I don't think I was ever assigned a new one. But I don't want one either.

[john91498]

I'm on my third one. The first one was promoted and the second one left after having a child. Each time, CC assigned me a new PVP.

[Knights on the Beach]

Many years ago we used a TA who was great but he retired sometime during our 10 year break from cruising. When we started cruising again, I just booked a few online. I then decided to try using a PVP, but the one listed on my emails never replied back so I found my own. She is fantastic and super responsive. I love that we can do everything through texts. Ironically, a new PVP's name now shows up on my emails from Carnival but I only use the one I found on my own.

[luvcruzing]

I haven’t used a PVP since mine lost his job during the pandemic. In the last couple of weeks I’ve been getting phone calls and e-mails from someone stating she is my PVP.

[cruisingTXfamily]

Also, my understanding is that PVP’s don’t earn commission on bookings. But they probably do have some sort of quota and possibly bonuses based on bookings. 

[DanJ]

8 hours ago, StephPS79 said:

 

Previously, this is what was on our email offers.

 

And currently:

 
 

so I don't know that is entirely accurate.  Seems like something changed.

I just looked at an email I got today and it still looks basically like your first example, other than saying contact my travel agent, not find a travel agent. I don't even recall if I used a travel agent the last time I cruised with Carnival, but I suspect that might be why mine says that rather than having a PVP listed. 

[mousey]

I really like our PVP. We haven’t cruised in 9 years and things have changed so much that I had tons of questions before we booked. Our PVP answered every question and never pressured us to book. We did finally book and he’s given us tips and a wealth of information about our cruise. He’s just a really nice guy. I would definitely book all our future Carnival cruises through him. 

[mz-s]

9 hours ago, mousey said:

I really like our PVP. We haven’t cruised in 9 years and things have changed so much that I had tons of questions before we booked. Our PVP answered every question and never pressured us to book. We did finally book and he’s given us tips and a wealth of information about our cruise. He’s just a really nice guy. I would definitely book all our future Carnival cruises through him. 

 

The personal touch that a PVP or TA adds can certainly be nice.

[notscb]

As others have said- Yes, carnival is automatically assigning a PVP to every pax.

 

My experience with a PVP was less than stellar- my Panorama cruise got cancelled last December and I was really looking forward to at least cruising. My PVP wasn't really empowered to help at all and said "oh yeah, it's so close to sailing that all of the prices are a lot higher now." I was dumbfounded. Of course the prices are higher- I booked 8 months ago and now y'all are cancelling on me at the last minute.