GROUP rates....book thru PVP or TA?

[Liv2kruz]

Do you find that you get better perks, or rates when booking a "group" thru your PVP, or your own TA?

 

I recently checked into this, and actually found that a private TA could do more for us than booking directly thru Carnival.

 

But, having never done a group booking before, it would be helpful to know of any advice, or personal opinions on which way to go here.

I am confused by one telling me that we cannot pick our own cabins when we do a group booking, and the other is telling me we can.

 

What exactly are we to expect when booking a group?

[sunluva7]

I too am a novice group planner. I have been researching a 5-day cruise for next summer, and so far one online TA has promised me the following:

 

$50 per cabin OBC;

For 8 or more cabins, a $300 "rebate" for the the group leader;

individual cruise confirmations, manifest reports, payment reminders, and e-docs;

A web page;

Rates quoted me were about $100 less than regular non-group rate for the same category (including port charges, fees, taxes and fuel surcharge

 

Since I have nothing yet to compare this to, I would also appreciate some help in what to expect in booking a group cruise.

[sunluva7]

And one other thing I forgot to mention:

 

The online TA who quoted said we could pick our own cabins at time of deposit but could not hold cabins for future bookings. Not sure if that answers your question about holding cabins.

[jcanino]

But, having never done a group booking before, it would be helpful to know of any advice, or personal opinions on which way to go here.

I am confused by one telling me that we cannot pick our own cabins when we do a group booking, and the other is telling me we can.

 

What exactly are we to expect when booking a group?

 

I too am a novice group planner. I have been researching a 5-day cruise for next summer, and so far one online TA has promised me the following:

 

$50 per cabin OBC;

For 8 or more cabins, a $300 "rebate" for the the group leader;

individual cruise confirmations, manifest reports, payment reminders, and e-docs;

A web page;

Rates quoted me were about $100 less than regular non-group rate for the same category (including port charges, fees, taxes and fuel surcharge

 

With Carnival, group rates are normally $100 less per cabin. Your initial deposit will be $25 per person UNLESS you want to pick specific cabins. If you want to pick cabins and assign names to them, then the deposit is $250 per person.

 

That $50 OBC that you are receiving is due to there being amenity points assigned to that sailing. This tells me that your TA is telling you that there is ONE point and chose the OBC. This does not mean that their really is only one point. That $300 rebate for the group leader is what is known as a TC or Tour Conductor. The TC is one free berth but is the cruise rate only and not taxes, surcharges, etc. Normally, if your group falls below 8 cabins, you lose your TC. If you don't have 8 cabins, it is possible that your TA could use amenity points to lower the TC requirement to 5 cabins. If you fall below 5 cabins, you lose your amenity points as well but you still retain the group rates. Depending on the value of all the cabins your group has, your TC could be more than $300.

[benvan2]

I called the group dept at carnival about a possible 4 day group cruise next summer. The rates were about $50.00 less than posted rates. She said we would have 4 amenity points which would be a $50.00 obc per room. She said we would have to put up a $150.00 deposit per person by May 19th. I thought we would only have to put a $25.00 deposit. She didn't mention anything about picking our own cabins. I guess I need to call her back.

[Liv2kruz]

O.K., I am sorry....but can someone explain the amenity points to me?

 

Does anyone know if it is possible to instead of getting a free berth, if rather they can just credit each of the 8 or so cabins a certain OBC amount?

 

the carnival PVP that I am working with is telling me that we cannot pick our own cabins if we book a group rate. Now, we do have individual deposits down on 7 cabins (7 different families) for a 2010 cruise, all with the same carnival PVP, and we are sure we can get more people to book to put us into the group booking category.

I am kinda thinking that we need to maybe go with a private TA, since the PVP that we are using doesn't seem to be giving us the correct information regarding what our benefits would be by booking a group.

 

Does it make sense that a private TA would be more willing to get us the group perks rather than a Carnival PVP?

 

Joan

[jcanino]

O.K., I am sorry....but can someone explain the amenity points to me?

 

Does anyone know if it is possible to instead of getting a free berth, if rather they can just credit each of the 8 or so cabins a certain OBC amount?

I am kinda thinking that we need to maybe go with a private TA, since the PVP that we are using doesn't seem to be giving us the correct information regarding what our benefits would be by booking a group.

 

Does it make sense that a private TA would be more willing to get us the group perks rather than a Carnival PVP?

 

I am not sure if when using Carnival directly for your group that you can distribute the TA over the cabins. I know that as a TA, we can distribute the TA amount between cabins and reduce the price that is due when making the final payments. The money goes back to the individuals either way.

 

Carnival PVP's are not in the group department. They are trained to sell cruises to individuals not groups where there are a different set of rules. Ask around at your local travel agencies for one that is experienced with groups.

[Tapi]

 

Carnival PVP's are not in the group department. They are trained to sell cruises to individuals not groups where there are a different set of rules. Ask around at your local travel agencies for one that is experienced with groups.

 

This is how it works. If you have a PVP that you have created a relationship with, you call him/her. The PVP will give you all the initial information (about the ship, itinerary, cabins, ammenity points, etc). Once you're ready to make your reservation, you will be conference called with a groups specialist. The groups specialist takes the names and payments, while your PVP is still your main contact for every other question. It's a VERY easy process, and it will take the weight off your shoulders. All that you need to do is set up the initial group, and then each guest wishing to add their name can call in individually to add their name/payment to the group.

 

Discounts, OBC, ammenity points, upgrades and reduced deposits are the same whether you're booking online, through a local TA or through Carnival. However, make sure that whoever you decide to work with, knows what they are doing and that they are experienced, NOT just giving you an additional discount just to get you to do business with them.

 

Keep in mind that PVP's are highly trained in the Carnival product and their knowledge will beat that of anyone out there (they work directly for Carnival, selling only the Carnival product, with first hand experience, not what they're reading from brochures or information manuals.)

[jcanino]

Keep in mind that PVP's are highly trained in the Carnival product and their knowledge will beat that of anyone out there (they work directly for Carnival, selling only the Carnival product, with first hand experience, not what they're reading from brochures or information manuals.)

 

I have been to Carnival's headquarters and have seen all departments in action. Yes, you are right, their PVP's don't get their info from brochures or manuals. They get their info from the computer screen that walks them through every step of the way. Most of those people have never even been on a cruise.

 

Keep in mind that a professional travel agent has had sales training, product training, business training and has traveled and experienced many products. A professional travel agent can tell you if the Carnival product is right for a client. Like you said, PVP's work for Carnival and usually have no other travel experience or product knowledge other than what they read on their computer.

[Liv2kruz]

With Carnival, group rates are normally $100 less per cabin. Your initial deposit will be $25 per person UNLESS you want to pick specific cabins. If you want to pick cabins and assign names to them, then the deposit is $250 per person.

 

 

 

Hmmmm......none of this has been brought to our attention by our carnival PVP, and as I had mentioned he is telling us that we cannot pick our own cabins. I am thinking that he is not very knowledgable with the group stuff, or is maybe not being 100% honest with us !?

We had booked within 30 days of returning from a previous cruise, therefore we received a $25 pp. discount for doing so. The only thing that he is being very clear on is that if we choose to book a group, then we will lose out on that $25 pp discount, and not be able to pick our own cabins. He hasn't given us any positive info on booking a "group".

......Does this sound right??

 

So, are we able to cancel our bookings (all 7 of them) at this point, and start over with a personal TA?

 

Joan

[sailorwife]

Hi; I am another person involved in this cruise and as Joan said about the PVP, we recived about the same info from the PVP,now as you can see we are not sailing until 2010 , we are a Group of Friends from a previous cruise and have decided to go on another one so all imfo is great.

sailorwife

[breanne$5]

Whether you use a TA or PVP, the important thing is just to find one you really feel confortable with. Call Carnival, ask questions, if you feel good about the answers go with them, if not call and try another one. Same with a TA. I have used both, I personally have found a fantastic PVP, who does cruise alot, so she has a lot of knowledge about the ships, ports, and cabins. She has gained my total trust.

 

As far as group versus individual. I looked into both for a cruise we planned a couple years ago. It's not always best to go group. If you have members in your group that can get the military rate, when the friends and family rate comes along you can book upto three cabins using the rate. You can't get other discounts when you use the group rate.

[jason534]

I just set up our group sailing with the groups department.

 

Here's the info I got from the groups dept.

 

*I was told I could start with my PVP and then be transferred to the groups dept, but our PVP didn't earn our repeat business.

*They made me a flyer to advertise the group and sent me 30 Carnival brochures (only asked for 5)

*If you get the "flex" or "special payment plan" the first deposit is $25 for guarantee or assignment. If the ship is selling fast, they can actually tell you the whole $200 is required and will give you two more weeks to get it.

*We get 5 "amenity" points. They will send you a brochure describing all the things you can use the points for. We are going to use all 5 for $100 OBC per cabin.

*The tour conductor gets the "cruise only" portion of their berth free for every 8 cabins booked. The free berth is based on whichever type of rooms make up the majority of your group. In my case, it's either $240 or $290. You can use that towards your payment, have it refunded to your original form or payment or as an OBC.

*You can pick a specific room, but that person will not be updgraded if one is offered.

*You can set up a private cocktail party if you have 20 or more people. The event planning dept will email you all the options if you ask.

*They will email a "statement of group request" that details everything you set up with them.

 

The groups department has been very helpful. I've probably called 20 times and spoken with several different people. They have responded to emails very quickly as well. I like to ask lots of questions to we have no suprises.

 

Sorry so long and I'm sure I forgot some stuff.

 

Jason

[Creole Girl]

With Carnival, group rates are normally $100 less per cabin. Your initial deposit will be $25 per person UNLESS you want to pick specific cabins. If you want to pick cabins and assign names to them, then the deposit is $250 per person.

 

 

 

 

Hmmmm......none of this has been brought to our attention by our carnival PVP, and as I had mentioned he is telling us that we cannot pick our own cabins. I am thinking that he is not very knowledgable with the group stuff, or is maybe not being 100% honest with us !?

We had booked within 30 days of returning from a previous cruise, therefore we received a $25 pp. discount for doing so. The only thing that he is being very clear on is that if we choose to book a group, then we will lose out on that $25 pp discount, and not be able to pick our own cabins. He hasn't given us any positive info on booking a "group".

......Does this sound right??

 

So, are we able to cancel our bookings (all 7 of them) at this point, and start over with a personal TA?

 

Joan

 

Your PVP is being honest with you. The rate that you are being given is a GTY rate. This will allow the opportunity for members of your group to be upgraded. If you wish to select your cabin now you can, but you will not get the GTY rate. You will get the rate for the cabin category you wish to sail. For example my group (with the exception of suites) selected all inside and balcony gty. cabins. This was to allow them the opportunity to be upgraded together. They could have paid more and selected their cabin on whichever deck they wanted. As of yesterday they had all been assigned to the Lido deck. That is subject to change at this point, but it should all be finalized by 30 days prior to sailing.

 

As far as the amenity points, the group leader is told how many points their particular sailing is worth. Your points can be used for add ons for your group. For example my sailing is worth 5 points. I chose to give my group 2 Carnival totes per cabin = 1 point, a 1 hour shared cocktail party = 1 point, and a $75 obc per cabin = 3 points. I don't know if the travel agent is picking what amenities would be best for your group or not. You may want to ask what other options you have than what you are being told.

[jason534]

Hey Creole Girl,

 

I was told that they could pick a cabin in the catagory the gty is for. In our case, the GTY is for 4A and 6A, so if someone needed a cabin assignment they get the same price if they pick it in 4A or 6A. They would lose out on any upgrades though

 

Does that sound right?

[Creole Girl]

Hey Creole Girl,

 

I was told that they could pick a cabin in the catagory the gty is for. In our case, the GTY is for 4A and 6A, so if someone needed a cabin assignment they get the same price if they pick it in 4A or 6A. They would lose out on any upgrades though

 

Does that sound right?

 

That is true. They can pick a cabin in the category, but they will lose out on any upgrade chances. So for the 4A and 6A if they pick they will be on the Riviera deck. I was also told that the best opportunity for upgrades was for category 4 and category 8 (insides and balconies). The reason being that cat. 6's can only go so far up. I let my group know this and they all went with inside or balcony, especially when they found out the windows on the OV do not open :eek: !

[big_duck]

The original question was is it better to book a group through a PVP or TA, the correct answer is neither (sort of).

 

If you are booking a group use either the Carnival groups department or a TA who specializes in or at least has a lot of experience booking groups.

[jason534]

That is true. They can pick a cabin in the category, but they will lose out on any upgrade chances. So for the 4A and 6A if they pick they will be on the Riviera deck. I was also told that the best opportunity for upgrades was for category 4 and category 8 (insides and balconies). The reason being that cat. 6's can only go so far up. I let my group know this and they all went with inside or balcony, especially when they found out the windows on the OV do not open :eek: !

 

Unforunately we don't have any balconies on the Fantasy (except for the suites.)

 

When does your group sail? We sail 3-30-09. If you go before us, I'd love to hear how everything went. If you want, you can email me at jason534@aol.com and we can compare things we're told by the groups dept.

 

Jason

[caribbeanboy]

I'm planning in organizing two cruises for the Oct.5 sailing on the Triumph and the Valor. One is Eastern and the other one is Western caribbean. Don't know yet how many people are going. It can be 10 or it can be 100. My friend will take one group on the Triumph and I will take the other group on the Valor.

 

How is the best way to do this? through my cruise TA in the US or just give Carnival a call? or both and see who gives me the best deal.

[lvtotrvl1]

I just set up our group sailing with the groups department.

 

Here's the info I got from the groups dept.

 

*I was told I could start with my PVP and then be transferred to the groups dept, but our PVP didn't earn our repeat business.

*They made me a flyer to advertise the group and sent me 30 Carnival brochures (only asked for 5)

*If you get the "flex" or "special payment plan" the first deposit is $25 for guarantee or assignment. If the ship is selling fast, they can actually tell you the whole $200 is required and will give you two more weeks to get it.

*We get 5 "amenity" points. They will send you a brochure describing all the things you can use the points for. We are going to use all 5 for $100 OBC per cabin.

*The tour conductor gets the "cruise only" portion of their berth free for every 8 cabins booked. The free berth is based on whichever type of rooms make up the majority of your group. In my case, it's either $240 or $290. You can use that towards your payment, have it refunded to your original form or payment or as an OBC.

*You can pick a specific room, but that person will not be updgraded if one is offered.

*You can set up a private cocktail party if you have 20 or more people. The event planning dept will email you all the options if you ask.

*They will email a "statement of group request" that details everything you set up with them.

 

The groups department has been very helpful. I've probably called 20 times and spoken with several different people. They have responded to emails very quickly as well. I like to ask lots of questions to we have no suprises.

 

Sorry so long and I'm sure I forgot some stuff.

 

Jason

 

You can always pick a specific room, but to do so, the full deposit of 250 ( or whatever the deposit is on that specific cruise is) must be made...not the 25.00. If you do only put the dep of 25 down, once your full 250 is placed on the reservation, you can pick your stateroom.

[jason534]

You can always pick a specific room, but to do so, the full deposit of 250 ( or whatever the deposit is on that specific cruise is) must be made...not the 25.00. If you do only put the dep of 25 down, once your full 250 is placed on the reservation, you can pick your stateroom.

 

Not sure what I was thinking, but our group was quoted $75 first deposit (not $25) and the balance of $125 on November 1st.

 

Sorry, I typed the wrong info.

 

Jason

[Tapi]

They get their info from the computer screen that walks them through every step of the way. Most of those people have never even been on a cruise.

 

.

 

 

Your statement is not accurate. Because most Carnival employees are in Miami, and part of their benefits include complimentary cruises, most PVP's have experienced their own products first hand, something that many travel professionals not working for Carnival don't get to do. they do have an edge over the travel professional sitting in an office in Montana...

 

As an example, my PVP has logged 19 cruises aboard their own ships because of the benefits. There's not one question that she can't answer about their own product because she was trained inside and out on this product, PLUS she knows it because she has experienced it.

[faeriechick]

Your statement is not accurate. Because most Carnival employees are in Miami, and part of their benefits include complimentary cruises, most PVP's have experienced their own products first hand, something that many travel professionals not working for Carnival don't get to do. they do have an edge over the travel professional sitting in an office in Montana...

 

As an example, my PVP has logged 19 cruises aboard their own ships because of the benefits. There's not one question that she can't answer about their own product because she was trained inside and out on this product, PLUS she knows it because she has experienced it.

 

You are both technically correct. PVPs get the same training that any Reservations agent that starts out at Carnival gets, which teaches them the basics. Honestly, there is no way they can fit EVERYTHING into a 5 week training class. They rely heavily upon a support system at first, and have contacts they can call if they have any questions they are unsure about. With time and experience, they gain more knowledge.

 

As far as benefits, it is true that Carnival employees receive complimentary cruises where they only pay taxes, essentially. But that number is limited, and depending upon where they work (there are agents all over the country), it may be easy or difficult for them to go on a cruise.

 

Really, no one is generally better than another. There are PVPs and TAs that stand out for better knowledge and service, and thats really just chalked up to how long they've been doing it, and how much knowledge they've retained about the product.

[7SEASSISTER]

there are a lot of ta's that don't like carnival, they push another line all together too. not so fare to the consumer looking to go on carnival and kind of slided...

[jcanino]

Originally Posted by jcanino

They get their info from the computer screen that walks them through every step of the way. Most of those people have never even been on a cruise.

 

Your statement is not accurate. Because most Carnival employees are in Miami, and part of their benefits include complimentary cruises, most PVP's have experienced their own products first hand, something that many travel professionals not working for Carnival don't get to do. they do have an edge over the travel professional sitting in an office in Montana...

 

As an example, my PVP has logged 19 cruises aboard their own ships because of the benefits. There's not one question that she can't answer about their own product because she was trained inside and out on this product, PLUS she knows it because she has experienced it.

 

Have you been to their Miami office to see how they work? As I mentioned, I have. The work off of computer screens. As for free cruises, they get the same discount that travel agents could get which are not free. I know CCL employees who cannot get space to take advantage of reduced priced cruises.

 

Do you think the person in Montana became a travel professional by sitting in an office? Training and traveling is what makes that person in Montana stand out. Do you think that your PVP will tell you negative things that may pop up about CCL? Of course not because that person can not be objective.