**Help! Why Can't CCL Tell the Truth?**

[BC Todd]

Good morning all!

I am so excited to hear about the Chef's Table and cannot wait to enjoy this experience on our next cruise. Being a planner, I have been sending emails to CCL regarding reserving a seat at the Chef's Table on our upcoming cruise. I was unaware that these requests were being made to John Hearld's blog before my request to CCL. I have sent my request to John Hearld through his blog and am waiting to hear back from him this week.

 

Anyways, in the menatime I have now gotten back three denials from CCL indicating that reservations CANNOT be made for the Chef's Table. I thought you might enjoy seeing that the level of communication at CCL seems as good as ever.;)

 

Why can't CCL just tell me to contact John Hearld's blog? Why tell me I cannot reserve a spot on the Chef's Table? Information is power, providing customers with accurate information is all that is required.

 

I have removed email address and real names to protect the innocent. And I am not sure why CCL wants to call me Jeff???:confused:

 

The following emails are shown in reverse order.

 

Good Morning Jeff,

Thank you for contacting Carnival Cruise Lines. We appreciate the opportunity to be of assistance.

Thank you for your email reply, based on the information we currently have on file and after contacting the appropriate supervisor and manager, the "Chefs Table" can only be booked onboard at the "Guests Service" desk. We also confirmed this on our website under "Frequently Asked Questions". The way you can confirm your seats at the "Chef's Table" is to wait till you get onboard and then speak with "Guest Services", at this time we are not able take reservations in advance. The only reservation requests we take in advance is for the "Stake House", which is on select ships. If you would like to view more information about

the "Chefs Table" please follow the directions below:

1. <LI style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; COLOR: black; tab-stops: list .5in" class=ecxMsoNormal>Visit

www.carnival.com <LI style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; COLOR: black; tab-stops: list .5in" class=ecxMsoNormal>Scroll down to the bottom of the main homepage <LI style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; COLOR: black; tab-stops: list .5in" class=ecxMsoNormal>Under "Help and Customer Service" click "Frequently Asked Questions" <LI style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; COLOR: black; tab-stops: list .5in" class=ecxMsoNormal>In the search FAQS box type in: Chefs Table
Click on: "What is the Chefs Table"? and you will see the following:

If there is anything else we can do for you please don't hesitate to ask.

Cordially,

 

 

--- Original Message ---

From: BC Todd

Received: 7/18/10 10:31:27 AM EDT

To: "Guest Solutions Support (CCL)"

Subject: RE: Chef's Table

 

.ExternalClass .ecxhmmessage P{padding:0px;}.ExternalClass body.ecxhmmessage{font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana;}Hello,

I know seats at the Chef's Table can be reserved. Why would you not tell me about the alternative available? I suppose you may not be aware of the ability to pre-book seats at the Chef's Table. To assist you in your role as guest solutions support I thought I should make you aware that reservations for Chef's Table are taking place.

 

Please, contact the appropriate supervisor, manager or VP within your organization so you will have current information to assist customers in the future.

 

In the meantime, please ensure our four seats are reserved at the Chef's Table for our December cruise.

 

Regards,

BC Todd

 

 

To: BC Todd

Subject: Re: Chef's Table <<#278971-807891#>>

Date: Fri, 16 Jul 2010 15:49:01 -0400

 

.ExternalClass p{margin-bottom:0;}

Good Afternoon Todd,

Thank you for contacting Carnival Cruise Lines. We appreciate the opportunity to be of assistance.

Thank you for your email concerning dinning at the chief's table on your Carnival Fun Ship cruise, you must be very excited to sale on your vacation and we look forward to welcoming you onboard. Regarding "The Chef's Table" dinning experience,the program can be booked on board at the Guest Service Desk.There is a very limited number of guests may participate and the cost is $75 per person. With The Chef's Table, a select group of 12 guests enjoy cocktails and hors d'ouevres hosted by the ship's chef de cuisine. The chef then takes the group on a personalized tour to see the galley in operation, providing participants with a unique perspective on Carnival's extensive food and beverage operations. The evening concludes with a sumptuous full-service dinner with delicious appetizers, entrees and desserts created by the line's master chefs. Depending on the vessel, the meal takes place in non-traditional dining venues throughout the ship - the galley, library, conference center, etc. We hope this information was helpful.

If there is anything else we can do for you please don't hesitate to ask.

Cordially,

--- Original Message ---

From: BC Todd

Received: 7/15/10 10:08:25 AM EDT

To: "Guest Solutions Support (CCL)"

Subject: Chef's Table

 

.ExternalClass .ecxhmmessage P{padding:0px;}.ExternalClass body.ecxhmmessage{font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana;}I would like to request four seats at the Chef's Table on our upcoming cruise.

 

We are travelling on a B2B Cruise on Imagination beginning December 13, 2010.

 

We have a GS booked on board and a stateroom for our two adult daughters, hence the request for four seats.

 

I look forward to your response.

 

Regards,

 

BC Todd

[AdrenalineRush]

You're making the assumption, that everyone at Carnival is aware of what John is doing on his blog. Many probably could careless about all the things John does, its doubtful that John Blog is a big topic in staff meetings.

[pe4all]

1. Maybe CCL doesn't know that JH is taking reservations in advance. 2. Maybe JH is just doing it for "faithful bloggers." 3. Maybe JH is just doing it for people he likes!!:p 4. Maybe the right hand doesn't know what the left is doing. My money is on #4. Be patient, and wait for JH's response.

[tbjl24]

Why can't CCL just tell me to contact John Hearld's blog?

 

 

Right on the homepage of his blog:

 

 

Disclaimer

This is a personal weblog. The views and opinions expressed here represent my own (and those of some of the commentators that I have included) and not those of Carnival Corporation & plc or Heidi. This blog has no official affiliation with Sugar free jelly beans.

 

 

 

While John may be assisting folks get a reservation, it is not an official avenue, would be my guess.

[*Mach*]

We ran into this same variety of issue just over three years ago when John offered to make supper club reservations for folks who read the blog.

I had posted the link to the reservation form and many folks got upset as it did not have the Carnival look and feel. The thought it was a scam. Members here contacted Carnival and they were told that there was no method of booking the supper club in advance. The hue and cry was so great that Laura deleted my thread.

John occasionally does things a bit under the radar. It doesn't surprise me that folks in Guest Services wouldn't know what John had put together.

:)

[SATXLady]

We ran into this same variety of issue just over three years ago when John offered to make supper club reservations for folks who read the blog.

 

I had posted the link to the reservation form and many folks got upset as it did not have the Carnival look and feel. The thought it was a scam. Members here contacted Carnival and they were told that there was no method of booking the supper club in advance. The hue and cry was so great that Laura deleted my thread.

 

John occasionally does things a bit under the radar. It doesn't surprise me that folks in Guest Services wouldn't know what John had put together.

 

:)

 

Undoubtedly, at some point, someone will "officially" find out what he's doing and put a stop to it. John is providing a "work around" to the official system and most corporations don't tolerate that long term. So Carnival can ignore it until too many people find out about the work around and then John will have to stop. Too bad. And the more we talk about it here on CC, the sooner that day will come.

[*Mach*]

Undoubtedly, at some point, someone will "officially" find out what he's doing and put a stop to it. John is providing a "work around" to the official system and most corporations don't tolerate that long term. So Carnival can ignore it until too many people find out about the work around and then John will have to stop. Too bad. And the more we talk about it here on CC, the sooner that day will come.

 

 

I believe that it's more likely that Carnival will make the service official, exactly as they did with steak house reservations.

There's great benefit to having these events booked in advance and making sure that the dinner will be well attended.

:)

[SATXLady]

I believe that it's more likely that Carnival will make the service official, exactly as they did with steak house reservations.

 

There's great benefit to having these events booked in advance and making sure that the dinner will be well attended.

 

:)

 

Hope you're right Mach. After reading the Food Porn thread, I'm thinking about contacting John to see about making a reservation on one of my cruises.

[Vanessa L]

Sure am glad I was able to follow Mach's VERY clear instructions, went to John's blog, made my request and got confirmation 6 days later.

 

This is not rocket science.

[DEBnGAB]

Did CCL really use "Stake House" in their email back to you?? :confused:

[Julia Goolia]

Uh-oh. I didn't realize I was supposed to be looking for a confirmation. (Would have made sense if I thought about it...have just had a ton of other things on my mind.) I sent my request to John on July 8th when Mach first posted about the experience being available on the Freedom. I just looked back through all of my emails, both regular and spam and don't see anything.

 

Should I try to contact John again or do you think that perhaps my confirmation is still coming?

 

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

[firstcruiser2010]

Vanessa I agree, followed the directions and waiting to hear back. I hope that those that did not follow the directions don't cause problems for those that did. We thank John for going the extra mile in trying to get those of us who follow his blog onto the Table in advance.

 

JB

[jrmende63]

Uh-oh. I didn't realize I was supposed to be looking for a confirmation. (Would have made sense if I thought about it...have just had a ton of other things on my mind.) I sent my request to John on July 8th when Mach first posted about the experience being available on the Freedom. I just looked back through all of my emails, both regular and spam and don't see anything.

 

Should I try to contact John again or do you think that perhaps my confirmation is still coming?

 

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

Julia,

John is taking a week off to be with his family. You will get a confirmation but it may take a week or two. If you don't hear back in 2 weeks, I would post on the blog again.

Julie

[*Mach*]

Uh-oh. I didn't realize I was supposed to be looking for a confirmation. (Would have made sense if I thought about it...have just had a ton of other things on my mind.) I sent my request to John on July 8th when Mach first posted about the experience being available on the Freedom. I just looked back through all of my emails, both regular and spam and don't see anything.

 

Should I try to contact John again or do you think that perhaps my confirmation is still coming?

 

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

 

There have been a few requests that didn't get picked up and ended up posted in the comments section on the blog rather than being forwarded to the ship.

If you have the proper directions to request the reservation I'd do it again if I were you...

:)

[*Mach*]

Julia,

John is taking a week off to be with his family. You will get a confirmation but it may take a week or two. If you don't hear back in 2 weeks, I would post on the blog again.

Julie

 

 

I chatted with John yesterday. Although he's not blogging while he's on vacation he's still getting the requests. The guy is a work-a-holic...

:)

[mississauga]

Originally Posted by Julia Goolia

Uh-oh. I didn't realize I was supposed to be looking for a confirmation. (Would have made sense if I thought about it...have just had a ton of other things on my mind.) I sent my request to John on July 8th when Mach first posted about the experience being available on the Freedom. I just looked back through all of my emails, both regular and spam and don't see anything.

 

Should I try to contact John again or do you think that perhaps my confirmation is still coming?

 

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

 

 

Julia,

John is taking a week off to be with his family. You will get a confirmation but it may take a week or two. If you don't hear back in 2 weeks, I would post on the blog again.

Julie

 

My understanding is that the confirmation will come from CCL and not from John or his blog. He will forward the requests every Friday and Monday. I believe that is the extend of his involvement. Even though he is not posting for a week, if your request has been sent in, CCL should be confirming.

[JustJamieH]

Did CCL really use "Stake House" in their email back to you?? :confused:

 

and "SALE"

 

LOL

[Vanessa L]

I think it depends on the efficiency of the person on board your ship who is in charge of the Chef's Table reservations. I got confirmation (in email, from the ship) in 6 days, even though the Chef's Table has not even rolled out on the Miracle yet. In addition, I sent a note back asking what day the Chef's Table was going to be as we also have Nick and Nora reservations already in place. I got an answer back in 2 days that they do not yet have a day of the week set (which is not surprising given it hasn't even opened on that ship yet). But apparently, the lady on the Miracle is on the ball with this stuff :D

[aggieastrosfan]

Did CCL really use "Stake House" in their email back to you?? :confused:

 

LOL, that was my first reaction as well!! I was wondering if they were going to start having vampires circulate, a la Fangtasia. :p

[DEBnGAB]

LOL, that was my first reaction as well!! I was wondering if they were going to start having vampires circulate, a la Fangtasia. :p

 

 

LMAO!! I get the occasional typo, but wow..."stake" really changes the dynamic of that eating experience! :o

[baylivin]

I booked David's Steakhouse on CCL website and when I got e-mail confirmation, I asked about the Chef's Table. I was e-mailed the info on the days of the week and e-mailed back my request. I had confirmation on bothe the Steakhouse and the Chef's Table within a few hours.

[BigRed93]

It took me 6 days to get an answer and I almost missed it in my in-box as it started with an addy of "misteakhouse@", which I quickly realized must have been miracle steakhouse.

 

I'm glad John takes what little extra time he has to do these kinds of things. Just goes to show that no good deed goes unpunished. *sigh*

 

However, if this is an exact copy of the text in their correspondence, well, it just makes me shake my head. Unfortunately, spellcheck won't catch this as they are legit words. Just unprofessional.

[*Mach*]

It took me 6 days to get an answer and I almost missed it in my in-box as it started with an addy of "misteakhouse@", which I quickly realized must have been miracle steakhouse.

 

I'm glad John takes what little extra time he has to do these kinds of things. Just goes to show that no good deed goes unpunished. *sigh*

 

However, if this is an exact copy of the text in their correspondence, well, it just makes me shake my head. Unfortunately, spellcheck won't catch this as they are legit words. Just unprofessional.

 

 

Yeah... it was an unfortunate mistake but for nearly all of these folks English isn't even a second language but the third or fourth.

:)

[quickrate]

I think it depends on the efficiency of the person on board your ship who is in charge of the Chef's Table reservations. I got confirmation (in email, from the ship) in 6 days, even though the Chef's Table has not even rolled out on the Miracle yet. In addition, I sent a note back asking what day the Chef's Table was going to be as we also have Nick and Nora reservations already in place. I got an answer back in 2 days that they do not yet have a day of the week set (which is not surprising given it hasn't even opened on that ship yet). But apparently, the lady on the Miracle is on the ball with this stuff :D

We also received a confirmation from the Miracle for our reservation for 8 for the Chef's table.

Pat

[BC Todd]

Did CCL really use "Stake House" in their email back to you?? :confused:

Yes they did and they called me Jeff! Clearly a cut and paste response:confused: