Travel agent really against Carnival? New cruiser questions

[yrfriscogirl]

Just got off the phone with my TA and he advised me that Carnival is tightening the control over bookings and three weeks before final payment date they are sending out pre-cancellation notices.

 

Not yet in effect, but rumour has it that all bookings through them in the future will have to be paid in full at the time of the booking. That sucks. Any price drops will end with OBC's but by demanding payment in full at the time of booking, they (Carnival) greatly improve their cash flow while draining mine.

 

We are looking at a cruise for the fall of 2014 and they are supposed to be taking bookings in the next couple of weeks. No way do I want to prepay that cruise now when we have two other cruises coming up.

 

This does not apply to all TA's by the way. Most people will not be affected or those that book through Carnival. Apparently this will apply to just some TA's -ours being one of them.

 

Carnival if you do this I will not be happy.

 

That's interesting, if you look at their site, right now, it does not show that? HHHMMMM, only pay your deposit. Love Carnival, they have never done me wrong. Always, book early saver and choose my room. Good luck..... You might just call Carnival and verify.

[yrfriscogirl]

Wow!!! That doesn't make sense to me that you'll have to pay in full when doing initial booking. I would be surprised if that actually comes true. ??? We also looked at RCI, NCL and Disney and none of them have that policy. Seems like Carnival would be hurting themselves if they do that.

 

Yes, I agree. With all the craziness going on with Carnival recently, I think they are very appreciate of their returning guests. Seriously, if something does happen while your on vaca, either your right with God or not.............. Ya, know where you are going.......... atleast your were happy!!!!

[yrfriscogirl]

Travel Agents are salespeople. They are out to make money. Don't think for one minute they are there to help you out or get you "the deal"

 

This is 2013, and nobody needs them anymore...

 

Oh Snappy Doodle!!!! I think ya hit the nail on the head, with that one!! I have also heard, you do not get price drops if you book early saver and use a TA? Also, that once TA's book atleast 16 rooms on one sailing, they get a free cabin? Just sayin........... Book it yourself

[LisainFL]

Oh Snappy Doodle!!!! I think ya hit the nail on the head, with that one!! I have also heard, you do not get price drops if you book early saver and use a TA? Also, that once TA's book atleast 16 rooms on one sailing, they get a free cabin? Just sayin........... Book it yourself

 

You do get the price drops with early saver with a TA...IF..and this is a BIG IF....the TA doesn't mind spending the 30 seconds it takes to put in for the price drop for you.

 

I have read on various forums that some TA's couldn't be bothered, and will actually tell their valued customers that they aren't eligible rather then fill out the very short online form, or worse yet...CHARGE their customer for putting in for the price drop.

 

The worst thing is that if you decide to use a TA, you are no longer in charge of your booking...they are...and you are therefore at their mercy. You cannot put in for your own price drop directly with Carnival, nor can you make any other changes or get info on your own from Carnival...the TA has complete power and control, which I'm sure they like....but doesn't help you much if your TA decides they have more important things to do then save your money.

[yrfriscogirl]

So.... by unfriendly, I would assume you mean that you don't get a good commission by booking Carnival so you try to steer your clients to higher commission lines.. Correct?

 

 

WOW, this is interesting? Horrible customer service. Thanks, the Queen of her bookings............

[yrfriscogirl]

Again I ask the question (with no disrespect to travel agents) in our online society today why would one even need a travel agent? I used one my first cruise on the Elation. I called back on my second cruise and the price they quoted me I could get the exact same room booking directly with carnival $350 cheaper. So with all the online resources where you can compare prices why use a travel agent?

 

WOW, way to go....... I have never used a TA, but have gotten wiser over the last 4 years of cruising. Not a veteran yet, like some of you with 10, 13 or 20 under your belt, but I would say INFORMED AND KNOW WHAT I WANT. You just have to compare prices, look in advance, atleast a year. You will get the best price and be happy with your choice. My teenager, is my TA, she watches for the price drops!!! She knows that means more money for her spending on the ship!!! Simple deduction!!!

[yrfriscogirl]

I have done many cruises on Carnival and in fact have another booked in about a month on Carnival Dream. I have also done a few on RCL and one on NCL. Trying to stay on the topic of the OP, my opinion is RCL an CCL are very similar experiences. Both will have very crowded pool areas and some noisy areas. I find the food on CCL to be better, I find the entertainment on RCL much better and I find CCL to be a more active on board experience. The ports are the same for everyone. I have also been on Carnival Freedom twice. I find it to be one of the better Carnival ships. I personally don't like the smaller, older Carnival ships as much as the larger ships. I like the active on board experience the is provided by the larger ships.

 

Have a great time.

 

If you love the bigger ships, you need to go on Ms. Magic. Holy Moly, she is beautiful. Lots of on board things to do and the ropes course!!! Oh my............ gotta try it

[yrfriscogirl]

You do get the price drops with early saver with a TA...IF..and this is a BIG IF....the TA doesn't mind spending the 30 seconds it takes to put in for the price drop for you.

 

I have read on various forums that some TA's couldn't be bothered, and will actually tell their valued customers that they aren't eligible rather then fill out the very short online form, or worse yet...CHARGE their customer for putting in for the price drop.

 

The worst thing is that if you decide to use a TA, you are no longer in charge of your booking...they are...and you are therefore at their mercy. You cannot put in for your own price drop directly with Carnival, nor can you make any other changes or get info on your own from Carnival...the TA has complete power and control, which I'm sure they like....but doesn't help you much if your TA decides they have more important things to do then save your money.

 

Oh no, I would not be ok with that at all. Guess, I am a control freak? It's my money, my vaca and I want what I want............. I am booking mine myself.

[firefly333]

I hope you have a great cruise. Just remember that the CC message boards represents at best 5% of the cruise public. Also remember that no one on cruise critic is going to stake their professional advice and reputation on the opinions they post about excursions. A professional travel consultant will. Cruise critic is a fantastic resource for information, but information is not the same as knowledge.

 

I beg to differ. I know people like myself .. or Sargent Schultz, who cruise a lot and post to help people a lot do feel like we stake our professional reputations on being correct with our information. What hotels are the best deals and where we would stay in ports.. the ships, etc.

 

If we were wrong about a lot of stuff, no one would listen to us. So, in a way we do have reputations here on CC.

 

So far yours isnt very good. You seem to be about making money and posting that people need you and not about actual knowledge to help people. Get yourself out there.. start giving advise other than, book with me, Im the one you need. .. start showing your knowledge of booking. Put your knowledge on the line like I do daily.

 

I challenge you to start putting yourself out there and post answers to questions, not just posting about you being a travel agent. People post questions on specific ships and food and all kinds of things. Post answers to these people, show you really do have the knowledge you brag about.

[richard1s]

Many who post on CC say the cruise lines are similar and in many cases, Carnival is better. What are you actually getting for the extra money you would pay on RCI?

 

 

I believe that without exception, every main stream cruise line has found many ways to cut corners over the last 12 years at the expense of quality and making a cruise more than just a vacation. But I also believe that Carnival has been the leader in doing this trying to appeal to the mass, budget-minded market who in some cases, only view the ship as a conveyance to get them from port to port.

 

At the same time, the worst MDR food we ever had was on Celebrity and the absolute most enjoyable casino we ever experienced was on the Carnival Spirit. I believe that there are pluses and minus to every cruise line.

 

However we had friends who were travel agents and as far back as 2000, vowed they would not book passengers on Carnival for many reasons. Can you imagine how much time travel agents must have wasted dealing with the absurd fiascos Carnival created just this year with all their mishaps and cancellations? Who would waste their time with such an unreliable product and dealing with the aftermath of so much confusion?

[EZ4]

That is probably one of the silliest things I have ever read to compare a movie rental to a vacation experience. Apples and kumquats as far as differences.

 

My post was in reply to another, about Blockbuster and Netflix, and wasn't directed at you, AND was admittedly off topic. I WAS on your side for awhile, but, you know what? Carry on. :p

[deborahjo]

I hope you have a great cruise. Just remember that the CC message boards represents at best 5% of the cruise public. Also remember that no one on cruise critic is going to stake their professional advice and reputation on the opinions they post about excursions. A professional travel consultant will. Cruise critic is a fantastic resource for information, but information is not the same as knowledge.

 

I think someone is really trying to make themselves a tad more important then they really are.

 

Have you not read the excursion boards? People are very honest how they feel about excursions. Good or bad. People know if they post here they may be helping another poster make a decision. I would say that is their reputation every post every day.

[firefly333]

I think someone is really trying to make themselves a tad more important then they really are.

 

Have you not read the excursion boards? People are very honest how they feel about excursions. Good or bad. People know if they post here they may be helping another poster make a decision. I would say that is their reputation every post every day.

 

I agree completely, thats why I challenged coach to actually start posting helpful posts. right now he likes to stir the pot and thats about all. makes himself a target which he seems to enjoy.

[cruise_girl2002]

I hated RCL. I tried them once, not happy, said I would never sailed them again. decided to go last minute (since carnival was sold out) tried them again in January..never again. even though a bit better than the first, it just wasn't worth the extra $$$. The food was bad, entertainment wasn't the greatest, pools were more crowded on RCL imo, not to mention..they leave the hamburgers under a heat lam...yuck. carnival gets them right off the grill.

[LisainFL]

I hated RCL. I tried them once, not happy, said I would never sailed them again. decided to go last minute (since carnival was sold out) tried them again in January..never again. even though a bit better than the first, it just wasn't worth the extra $$$. The food was bad, entertainment wasn't the greatest, pools were more crowded on RCL imo, not to mention..they leave the hamburgers under a heat lam...yuck. carnival gets them right off the grill.

 

 

I've read many favorable, not-so-favorable, and downright horrible reviews of RCL over the years...just like every other cruise line. I'm a Platinum cruiser with Carnival, and enjoy the perks. Why would I spend more money for another cruise line in the hopes of getting a better product....when it doesn't seem like any of the reviews are anywhere near 100% sterling...when I can cruise on Carnival more frequently, and know that I am thoroughly pleased with their product? It just doesn't seem like I need a TA to convince me to go elsewhere and spend more money when the odds are just as good it will be equal or less then my experiences to date on Carnival.

[CoachT]

If we were wrong about a lot of stuff, no one would listen to us. So, in a way we do have reputations here on CC.

 

So far yours isnt very good. You seem to be about making money and posting that people need you and not about actual knowledge to help people. Get yourself out there.. start giving advise other than, book with me, Im the one you need. .. start showing your knowledge of booking. Put your knowledge on the line like I do daily.

Actually I have been very careful not to solicit business as that is against the rules. I saw on here a post about TA's refusing to do business with Carnival and I came to confirm that.

 

I have more than enough business (and can and do turn away new business) actually and instead of giving it away for free clients pay me for my knowledge like any other professional.

 

I do know that if it were just about money, I would be selling all-inclusives instead of cruises as I could make more with an AI than a cruise. As far as commission, it truly is about Carnival. I will sell on NCL and make the same amount as I would with Carnival on an apples to apples ships, sailing and itinerary basis. What Carnival has done towards the agent community that has caused many many agents and agencies to stop selling them.

 

Somehow this turned into the usual CC argument about why anyone would even use a TA and I provided information that the reverse is actually true, more people book through an agent than book direct.

 

I will say it again, I hope the OP has a wonderful cruise experience if she feels it is right for her.

[firefly333]

I've read many favorable, not-so-favorable, and downright horrible reviews of RCL over the years...just like every other cruise line. I'm a Platinum cruiser with Carnival, and enjoy the perks. Why would I spend more money for another cruise line in the hopes of getting a better product....when it doesn't seem like any of the reviews are anywhere near 100% sterling...when I can cruise on Carnival more frequently, and know that I am thoroughly pleased with their product? It just doesn't seem like I need a TA to convince me to go elsewhere and spend more money when the odds are just as good it will be equal or less then my experiences to date on Carnival.

 

Except you are ASSUMING that Carnival is always the cheapest. Pays to check around. I know I find RCL is cheaper at times.. so I do RCL when its the same or cheaper. Last cruise, my cheapest ever 7 day .. and it was on RCL. Nothing is always true.. making assumptions just means you can often be incorrect.. I would agree, RCL is mostly more expensive, but never agree its always cheaper... I look for bargains and find them. It does seem to me many Carnival loyaltists must not bother, since they make statements like things are always true that simple arent.

 

I also agree, that I wouldnt pay extra or much difference to do RCL .. but I find bargains where I dont have to.

[LisainFL]

Except you are ASSUMING that Carnival is always the cheapest. Pays to check around. I know I find RCL is cheaper at times.. so I do RCL when its the same or cheaper. Last cruise, my cheapest ever 7 day .. and it was on RCL. Nothing is always true.. making assumptions just means you can often be incorrect.. I would agree, RCL is mostly more expensive, but never agree its always cheaper... I look for bargains and find them. It does seem to me many Carnival loyaltists must not bother, since they make statements like things are always true that simple arent.

 

I also agree, that I wouldnt pay extra or much difference to do RCL .. but I find bargains where I dont have to.

 

I've already said I have checked RCL and other lines numerous times, and have never found that to be the case. I'm not saying it's never the case.

 

I don't cruise during the summer months when school is out, or during Thanksgiving or Christmas week. I prefer not to cruise with a shipfull of children, as I made that mistake on one Christmas cruise and won't do so again. So perhaps it's the times of year that I cruise that I don't see better prices on the other lines....we cruise mid-September to mid-November, and mid-January to mid-April. I also find the ports to be too hot and humid in the summer months, and much prefer shore excursions when the temperatures are more tolerable.

 

Another consideration for me is that I live in South Carolina, and Carnival has a ship sailing out of Charleston. We booked our last cruise in March, 8 days before sailing, and got a rock bottom price for a last minute cruise, with a 90 mile drive to the port.

 

Our next cruise is out of Port Canaveral...I researched several cruise lines for our fall cruise, and couldn't find a better deal for anything out of Florida in mid-November then Carnival.

 

I'll keep looking, because I am curious as to the differences between one cruise line and another...but lately with all the upgrades Carnival has been making to their ships, with Guys Burgers and Cantina's and Rum Bars etc...I'd like to experience some of those things too. So the price would have to be considerably lower then Carnival to convince me to take a chance on another line, and lose my frequent cruise perks on Carnival. For $50 or $100 bucks, I wouldn't choose another cruise line. I don't think I'm going to find one for $500 less for 2 people.

[richard1s]

I've read many favorable, not-so-favorable, and downright horrible reviews of RCL over the years...just like every other cruise line. I'm a Platinum cruiser with Carnival, and enjoy the perks. Why would I spend more money for another cruise line in the hopes of getting a better product....when it doesn't seem like any of the reviews are anywhere near 100% sterling...when I can cruise on Carnival more frequently, and know that I am thoroughly pleased with their product? It just doesn't seem like I need a TA to convince me to go elsewhere and spend more money when the odds are just as good it will be equal or less then my experiences to date on Carnival.

 

LOL - so you make your decisions on what "not to do" based on reviews - yet your last cruise was on the CCL Dream which has one of the lowest review rating of any ship?

[firefly333]

I've already said I have checked RCL and other lines numerous times, and have never found that to be the case. I'm not saying it's never the case.

 

I just had a cruise for 4/1 cancelled this spring and booked a last minute, I havent taken out of my signature on Navigator for 7 days, $410.XX total. Elation for 5 days would have cost me more. Im cruising solo and Carnival always charges me 200%, so for me its a difference. Never got $410. total ($319 plus taxes and fees) from Carnival because of the solo supplement. Best ever was $289 pp X 2 on Carnival. Ive seen some crazy low senior prices on RCL.

 

Ive seen short hop cruises as low as $99 on RCL out of Florida, but like you I want to drive. the one above I could drive to. I have gotten some crazy low prices on RCL last minute .. but like I said.. I watch their prices and ready to jump. Have my bag packed. the one above, I only booked 4 days before it left. I have gotten others like this very last minute with RCL. A year ago, my TA got me on one spring 2012, for a few hundred total.

 

If there is a hurricane near Galveston or NOLA .. Im on the phone to see if there are some unpublished prices last minute.. got one only once on Ecstasy, 3 days to nowhere, $129 pp because of a hurricane. Ill take anything really low I can get if I can get away and dont have anything booked that week.

[LisainFL]

Actually it's my next cruise that is on the Dream, and I sailed on her in 2010 as well...so my decision to sail on the Dream again was based on my own personal past experience. And yes I do base some decisions, primarily shore excursions, partly based on the reviews of others, bearing in mind that more people will take the time to post bad reviews then will post good ones. The people who are happy go on with their lives and don't usually take the time to post good stuff.

 

As far as the post you are quoting...my point was, that all the cruise lines seem to have the same quantity of favorable versus unfavorable reviews...so that reviews ARE NOT a consideration when choosing a cruise line to book.

[LisainFL]

I just had a cruise for 4/1 cancelled this spring and booked a last minute, I havent taken out of my signature on Navigator for 7 days, $410.XX total. Elation for 5 days would have cost me more. Im cruising solo and Carnival always charges me 200%, so for me its a difference. Never got $410. total ($319 plus taxes and fees) from Carnival because of the solo supplement. Best ever was $289 pp X 2 on Carnival. Ive seen some crazy low senior prices on RCL.

 

Ive seen short hop cruises as low as $99 on RCL out of Florida, but like you I want to drive. the one above I could drive to. I have gotten some crazy low prices on RCL last minute .. but like I said.. I watch their prices and ready to jump. Have my bag packed. the one above, I only booked 4 days before it left. I have gotten others like this very last minute with RCL. A year ago, my TA got me on one spring 2012, for a few hundred total.

 

If there is a hurricane near Galveston or NOLA .. Im on the phone to see if there are some unpublished prices last minute.. got one only once on Ecstasy, 3 days to nowhere, $129 pp because of a hurricane. Ill take anything really low I can get if I can get away and dont have anything booked that week.

 

Yes those last minute deals are great! That's how we booked our last cruise in March. We had debated taking a cruise or driving up to DC to do some sightseeing for a week....kept watching the cruise prices out of Charleston...when they dropped to $179 a person a week before the sail date, we booked the cruise.

 

We got a porthole room (two round windows, 225 square feet) and the total price for both of us for a 5-day cruise was a little less then $500 with the port fees and taxes

 

I actually had a fantastic time on this cruise, even though we have sailed the ship and the itinerary before. I decided I had missed out on a lot of shipboard activities by spending so much time lounging by the pools and hot tubs, so I carried my Fun Times folded up in my pocket each sea day and went to everything I could squeeze in....absolutely loved the Tea Time in the Piano bar...can't believe I missed that on my previous 8 cruises...won 3 trivia contests, participated in the shipwide scavenger hunt, and got picked as a contestant for the game shows one evening (I find you get picked easily if you jump up and down, wave your arms wildly in the air, and shout "pick me pick me")...embarrassing but it worked, and won a prize there too. Lost $100 in the casino, made some great friends at the casino bar, and made sure I didn't miss anything happening on the ship. I didn't get much of a tan, or read as much as I usually do, but I had one heckuva good time on that cruise!

[C Cruise Dude]

Hi,

We've taken one cruise last Christmas with Carnival on the Freedom and we had a great time! There were some things we didn't enjoy (Mainly the crowds at pools and really noisy in our room) however over all we had a great time! We're thinking of another cruise in 2014 and called the same cruise agent who helped us with this cruise and she is REALLY pushing Royal Caribbean over Carnival... I've been on their boards and website and I just can't see that it's worth $700 more... Just wondering what your thoughts are here? We're looking at the Dream or Breeze for Carnival 8 nights and Independence of the Seas Royal Caribbean ship. We have 2 boys, ages 10 and 7 with my husband and myself. Thank you!!!

 

You can't lose either way. It's what you personally want. I took a 10 on Royal this pass March, am booked on Royal again in October and booked on Carnival in December. As a solo cruiser at times Royal is an advantage because they only charge 150% ( same with Princess) if I book solo. Carnival and NCL will charge 200%. I enjoy both lines and look forward to Celebrity some day (RCI line). Good luck.

[S.S.Oceanlover]

Hopefully you booked Early Saver, not Easy Saver, as once past final payment only Early Saver gives price protection. Carnival does offer both Easy Saver now and Early Saver. A few booked the wrong rate, which hopefully doesnt apply to you.

 

I have found deals on RCL too, so dont quit looking. I will pay up to $100 more total for RCL but not more than that extra. $100 is where I draw the line .. and some deals on RCL are cheaper than Carnival .. but I really shop around and dig and work at finding deals.

 

I thought i read on here that easy saver wasn't available to book until early saver went away?

 

If they are both available at the same time it seems like it could very easily be confused.

 

Bill

[firefly333]

I thought i read on here that easy saver wasn't available to book until early saver went away?

 

If they are both available at the same time it seems like it could very easily be confused.

 

Bill

 

I was just commenting on a post with that reply that someone said they booked easy saver for the price protection. who knows? I have seen a few other posts where people seemed confused between the two. One said her TA booked easy saver and she told her to book early saver. 3rd hand info, so I dont know.

 

I was looking for a last minute but not any more. We have company coming in June, and got July, August and Sept booked .. so Im back to not looking at rates.