Does anyone need Carnival Vacation Club points?

[CaribbeanKim]

I am a member of the Carnival Vacation Club. I do not want to go into a long and drawn out "bashing" of the club, as it would really serve no purpose other than to let me vent...but I might get carried away!

 

To make a long story short...I have a cruise booked for June (the same month that my membership expires in). Carnival has done a price reduction for our sailing, and when I checked the CVC web site - they too, have reduced the cost of our cruise. There was a drop of 2,328 points (which converts to $582)...so I called CVC to see if they would give me an onboard credit or a refund of the extra points that I had to purchase in order to book my cabins. I would've been perfectly happy with an OBC of $500 or the out of pocket expenses that I had to pay. According to the rep. (AND the supervisor I am told) they cannot issue OBC's or refunds, but they are happy to reimburse the points to my membership! I can't use these 2,328 points (remember, our membership expires?).....but, they are willing to let me extend my membership...and it will ONLY cost me another $199!!! (I don't think so!)

 

If anyone out there can use these points, I will be glad to transfer them to you at a greatly discounted rate.

[Wennfred]

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Its too bad that your membership is almost up, I usually book my cabins at the 2300 point mark, those are good Cat.1a or Cat.4a guarantee cabins.

 

I would use up those 2300 points by looking to book another cruise now and just paying the difference if it cost alittle more.

 

I was able to book 4 cruises with my 20,000 points and now I am totally out of points, I have to start using my Land/Shore certs now. Remember you can now use those Land/Shore certificates for booking cruises, not sure whats the discount, but I will use mine for Hawaii and Orlando this and next year.

 

 

 

Fred

[CaribbeanKim]

Thanks Fred~

You gave me an idea. Maybe I can find one of my kids friends to go along in a 1A or better cabin so we don't loose the points altogether!

 

Like they say...lemonade outta lemons! ;)

[CaribbeanKim]

There is another post out there that refers to the Carnival Vacation Club that I was just reading. The poster was asking about VIP priveledges and your name came up, so I thought I would ask you directly. The poster stated that; aside from the priority embark/debark...we should also receive a Welcome Aboard Gift (chocolate covered strawberries?) in our stateroom - and that you would know who to contact once we are onboard the ship to make arrangements. Can you enlighten me? We are sailing the first week of June on the Legend.

 

BTW, I got a call from CVC's Guest Relations Specialist and was given a refund of the money that I had to spend to buy additional points ($300) to go on this cruise with. It wasn't as good as issuing an OBC for the difference in the price drop (almost $600), but it's better than nothing!! lol

[CalifCruiser1]

:) We are members and out of points but you still get the benefits. Call CVC back and let them know when your sailing and the booking numbers (doesn't matter who you book thru) and you will automaticlly get everything. They will ask you questions and just tell them what you want or don't want good luck Karon

[CaribbeanKim]

:) We are members and out of points but you still get the benefits. Call CVC back and let them know when your sailing and the booking numbers (doesn't matter who you book thru) and you will automaticlly get everything. They will ask you questions and just tell them what you want or don't want good luck Karon

 

Hi Karon~

I'm glad that you have been able to receive your benefits through "the Club", but that has NOT been my experience. It seems like everytime I call them I hit a brick wall. The web site displays an ad that states you can redeem unused resort vouchers towards a cruise credit, but when I booked - I was told "No". I had to play "hard ball" just to get a refund for the recent price drop...and it was only a partial refund at that! The worst part is...I paid over $5K for this cruise (membership + extra points) for a cruise that would've cost me a little over $4K to book through a PVP!! Still, I REFUSE to let my experiences booking through them get in the way of enjoying this cruise...what's done is done, I'm a big girl and will just have to suck it up. I just hope that anyone else with a membership has better luck with them than my sister & I have. :)

 

On a more positive note: I AM receiving priority embarkation/debarkation and VIP luggage tags. They also asked for our dining preferences. Yippee!

[mntravler]

Hello, I have been getting info from this board for 5 years now and I have never heard about the vacation club. We have a Sea Miles credit card and know about this but never about the vacation club. Can someone tell me about this.

Thanks Karen

[islahopper]

I also have left over points which are not enough for a cruise. I can not use them and pay the balance in cash. I can buy more points to match my leftover points only, and it still is not enough for a 7 night cruise (I don't want to go on a 3 or 4 night cruise). I have not been happy with CVC and feel I was mislead about it,( maybe I shouldn't have signed up for CVC after drinking a ltr of vodka) live and learn I guess.

[CaribbeanKim]

mntravler~

The Carnival Vacation Club is basically a "timeshare at sea" and was only offered on select ships. There were 3 different levels of membership, where you are given "points" to use toward a future cruise. I bought my membership 3 years ago, after going through a very misleading presentation. First thing you need to know is that "the Club" is NOT a part of Carnival..they only contracted through them. (First red flag)

 

You probably didn't hear about them because there isn't much (good) to say. At this time, they are no longer accepting new memberships. I was told by one of their reps that this is because they have so many members, they are focused on completing their travel plans before accepting new members again....but I suspect it is really because they bit off more than they could chew. I was told at the time of sale that my 20,000 points would be enough to take 4 cruises with...yup - IF I want to stay in an inside cabin on the lowest deck (which I don't)!! I had to purchase additional points just to be able to take my family of 4 on this cruise coming up. (A balcony cabin is an average of approx. 7,000 points per person for a 7 day cruise.)

 

Other members may have a different opinion or better experience with them, I can only speak for myself (and my sister, who also purchased a membership). I have always been good at booking my own travel arrangements, so I should've known better (and only have myself to blame.)

******************

Quote from islahopper: I also have left over points which are not enough for a cruise. I can not use them and pay the balance in cash. I can buy more points to match my leftover points only, and it still is not enough for a 7 night cruise (I don't want to go on a 3 or 4 night cruise).

 

This is exactly what I mean about being deceptive! I was told yesterday that I could have points refunded to my account (due to a price reduction) and then extend my membership for an additional $199 to use those points in the future. (Yeah, right!!) They never once mentioned that I would only be able to buy enough points to match what I had. I told them that if they could accept my money to purchase the added points I needed for this cruise, then they could refund my cash due to the price drop as well. I had to fight just to get my "out of pocket" expenses back...but I got it. The price drop was a difference of $582 (total for 4 passengers), but I only had $300 refunded.

[kkaren]

I just got off the Spirit in February. We received a letter in the cabin from CVC on the second day telling us about the benefits available and the details of who to contact. Sorry I did not pay much attention to it as we are now Platinum. We did go to an on-board reception for CVC members.

[yophilly1981]

My wife and I signed up for CVC on the conquest in Sep 06. I feel like we've been mislead, you are given points that you expect to pay for a number of cruises, but they can charge whatever amount of points as they want. They can be purchased much cheaper elsewhere. Its just not worth it.

[mntravler]

mntravler~

The Carnival Vacation Club is basically a "timeshare at sea" and was only offered on select ships. There were 3 different levels of membership, where you are given "points" to use toward a future cruise. I bought my membership 3 years ago, after going through a very misleading presentation. First thing you need to know is that "the Club" is NOT a part of Carnival..they only contracted through them. (First red flag)

 

You probably didn't hear about them because there isn't much (good) to say. At this time, they are no longer accepting new memberships. I was told by one of their reps that this is because they have so many members, they are focused on completing their travel plans before accepting new members again....but I suspect it is really because they bit off more than they could chew. I was told at the time of sale that my 20,000 points would be enough to take 4 cruises with...yup - IF I want to stay in an inside cabin on the lowest deck (which I don't)!! I had to purchase additional points just to be able to take my family of 4 on this cruise coming up. (A balcony cabin is an average of approx. 7,000 points per person for a 7 day cruise.)

 

Other members may have a different opinion or better experience with them, I can only speak for myself (and my sister, who also purchased a membership). I have always been good at booking my own travel arrangements, so I should've known better (and only have myself to blame.)

******************

Quote from islahopper: I also have left over points which are not enough for a cruise. I can not use them and pay the balance in cash. I can buy more points to match my leftover points only, and it still is not enough for a 7 night cruise (I don't want to go on a 3 or 4 night cruise).

 

This is exactly what I mean about being deceptive! I was told yesterday that I could have points refunded to my account (due to a price reduction) and then extend my membership for an additional $199 to use those points in the future. (Yeah, right!!) They never once mentioned that I would only be able to buy enough points to match what I had. I told them that if they could accept my money to purchase the added points I needed for this cruise, then they could refund my cash due to the price drop as well. I had to fight just to get my "out of pocket" expenses back...but I got it. The price drop was a difference of $582 (total for 4 passengers), but I only had $300 refunded.

 

 

Thanks Kim for taking the time to tell me about this. My Mom always told me that if things sound to good to be true they usually aren't. LOL

Thanks again.Karen

[jandjfun]

I also have left over points which are not enough for a cruise. I can not use them and pay the balance in cash. I can buy more points to match my leftover points only, and it still is not enough for a 7 night cruise (I don't want to go on a 3 or 4 night cruise). I have not been happy with CVC and feel I was mislead about it,( maybe I shouldn't have signed up for CVC after drinking a ltr of vodka) live and learn I guess.

Just an idea for you. We booked a 7 day cruise with money because we only had enough points left for a 3 or 4 day cruise. We also didn't want to book a short cruise because we have to fly anytime we cruise and we weren't going to pay airfare for such a short time. We booked the short cruise as a back to back with our paid cruise. We went to the bahamas on the short cruise then got on RCCL and took the 7 day paid cruise. Both from Port Canaveral, and the short one ended the same day as the long one started. It was great and we have decided that anytime we have to fly to Fl., this is what we will be doing.

Of course if anyone wants to donate points to my CVC account, I will gladly accept them!:D :D

[jandjfun]

Just an idea for you. We booked a 7 day cruise with money because we only had enough points left for a 3 or 4 day cruise. We also didn't want to book a short cruise because we have to fly anytime we cruise and we weren't going to pay airfare for such a short time. We booked the short cruise as a back to back with our paid cruise. We went to the bahamas on the short cruise then got on RCCL and took the 7 day paid cruise. Both from Port Canaveral, and the short one ended the same day as the long one started. It was great and we have decided that anytime we have to fly to Fl., this is what we will be doing.

Of course if anyone wants to donate points to my CVC account, I will gladly accept them!:D :D

I should add this too. I was a little disappointed in the club at first as well. The cruise points didn't go as far as they said they would, BUT I have saved a TON of money using the free and discounted resort certificates you get with the membership. PLUS we still book our resort vacations through them and save hundreds of dollars each time we do! So I am happy!

[cv322]

We joined CVC on our New Year's cruise on the Glory in 2005 & have been very happy with the decision thusfar. I'm sorry your experience was so different. We'll be sailing on our 3rd "points" cruise in May on the Miracle...the first 2 were on the Legend, where it was twice on the Panorama Deck in 8130 and then (by myself) in 8108, both standard balcony 8H cabins. On the Miracle it'll be 8H on the Panorama deck again.

 

We haven't used the land vouchers yet & I'm sure we'll pay the $199 to extend our membership in order to do so. I remember that part as being part of the contract when we purchased...and thinking at the time that "we'll never need to extend, we'll use up the points AND the land vacations within 3 years!" I guess we've been doing more cruises and no land lol.

 

I hope you end up being happy with some resolution. I love the idea of a short points cruise linked to a paid regular cruise!

[Wennfred]

The poster stated that; aside from the priority embark/debark...we should also receive a Welcome Aboard Gift (chocolate covered strawberries?) in our stateroom - and that you would know who to contact once we are onboard the ship to make arrangements. Can you enlighten me?

 

When you arrived to your cabin you should have your 4 Chocolate dipped strawberries or shortly after. One of the best parts of starting my cruise.

 

 

On a more positive note: I AM receiving priority embarkation/debarkation and VIP luggage tags. They also asked for our dining preferences. Yippee!

 

 

They pretty much did away with the VIP luggage tags, you will get a blue strip that wraps around your luggage handle and should have a number 1 on it, meaning the first to debark the ship, thats if they do not have the Self Assist disembarkation.

 

 

 

 

Fred

[okgirl]

Its too bad that your membership is almost up, I usually book my cabins at the 2300 point mark, those are good Cat.1a or Cat.4a guarantee cabins.

 

I would use up those 2300 points by looking to book another cruise now and just paying the difference if it cost alittle more.

 

I was able to book 4 cruises with my 20,000 points and now I am totally out of points, I have to start using my Land/Shore certs now. Remember you can now use those Land/Shore certificates for booking cruises, not sure whats the discount, but I will use mine for Hawaii and Orlando this and next year.

 

 

Fred

 

I didn't realize that you could do that! Do you think I could get at least 1 4A guar cruise for my 3 certs???

[Wennfred]

My wife and I signed up for CVC on the conquest in Sep 06. I feel like we've been mislead, you are given points that you expect to pay for a number of cruises, but they can charge whatever amount of points as they want. They can be purchased much cheaper elsewhere. Its just not worth it.

 

Totally worth it to us due to the Savings and we were able to have 4 pre-paid cruises from our points, on top of that we used the 2 for 1 airfare certificates when we flew to Miami on our Valor Cruise saving us 500.00.

 

Since we were not Platinum members, with CVC we were able to take advantage of the VIP embarkation and the 2 parties they offered us back then. The VIP Embarkation is what I enjoyed the most.

 

Wendy and her Hair Updos, we save 25% for that also and with the Coupon booklet they offered some free items and 10 Minutes extra of the internet cafe.

 

The customer service during booking with them and also while onboard was great too.

 

For those out of points, you can pay cash for your cruise with CVC just as if you were booking with another Travel Agency and they will give you great rates. Also your friends and family can book with them as well to get those good rates.

 

 

 

Fred

[Wennfred]

I didn't realize that you could do that! Do you think I could get at least 1 4A guar cruise for my 3 certs???

 

Not sure how that works using your Land/Shore Certs, but from what I read most people opt out of it and used them instead for their Land/Shore trips.

 

I will be using ours for Hawaii and Orlando, not sure what to use the last one with, maybe use the last cert for the discount on a cruise.

 

 

Fred