PVP Perks?

[SmittyCo]

We have our 8th(?) cruise booked .... which I have booked, done the fareviewer checks for price drops, etc. I read about people's amazing PVP's. What perks are there to having one?

[missy428]

What is a PVP?

[ShakyBeef]

What is a PVP?

 

Personal Vacation Planner - a Carnival sales rep assigned to you

[Micahs Grandad]

no perks just someone who will help you with any problems

[ShakyBeef]

I had the same PVP for about 9 years until she got a big promotion up to corporate. I now have a new one, who is not only new to me but new to being a PVP - he's still in training, in some regards, but he is enthusiastic and friendly.:)

 

I don't know if I'd call them perks, but here's why I like having a PVP:

 

 

• One number to call, to talk to one person about any issue I have. I have his work phone extension, his cell phone, and his email.
  
• I like not getting the annoying sales calls - my PVP knows I'll call him with what I want after I've gone online and done my research and picked my cruise. Unlike some PVPs (and random Carnival sales people for those that don't have PVPs), mine won't harass me when he sees I've been on Carnival's website. That's my preference - you can tell your PVP yours.
  
• My PVP was so motivated to help me with a saildate change that he was able to talk the powers that be into waiving the $50 per person change fee for me - saving me $200 (family of four sailing)!:D
  
• He's not just some random guy that works for Carnival picking up the phone when I have a question or an issue - he's the guy that is motivated to help me and keep me happy because he gets the 'credits' for my booked cruises. It's a mutually beneficial business relationship that is far superior to going through the call centre crap shoot.
  
• I like that personal "Bon Voyage" call a couple days pre-cruise and that "Welcome home, how was your cruise?" call upon returning home.:o
  

I hope this helps. It's all I can think to list at the time. I'm sure others will have plenty of input for you.:)

Edited January 22, 2016 by ShakyBeef
spelling

[ShakyBeef]

Having a PVP is one thing I miss when booking with other cruiselines. It's one area that Carnival beats the others, IMO. Do the other Carnival Corp cruiselines (HAL, Princess, Costa, etc) have PVPs?

[jabberjaw070596]

I had the same PVP for about 9 years until she got a big promotion up to corporate. I now have a new one, who is not only new to me but new to being a PVP - he's still in training, in some regards, but he is enthusiastic and friendly.:)

 

I don't know if I'd call them perks, but here's why I like having a PVP:

 

 

• One number to call, to talk to one person about any issue I have. I have his work phone extension, his cell phone, and his email.
  
• I like not getting the annoying sales calls - my PVP knows I'll call him with what I want after I've gone online and done my research and picked my cruise. Unlike some PVPs (and random Carnival sales people for those that don't have PVPs), mine won't harass me when he sees I've been on Carnival's website. That's my preference - you can tell your PVP yours.
  
• My PVP was so motivated to help me with a saildate change that he was able to talk the powers that be into waiving the $50 per person change fee for me - saving me $200 (family of four sailing)!:D
  
• He's not just some random guy that works for Carnival picking up the phone when I have a question or an issue - he's the guy that is motivated to help me and keep me happy because he gets the 'credits' for my booked cruises. It's a mutually beneficial business relationship that is far superior to going through the call centre crap shoot.
  
• I like that personal "Bon Voyage" call a couple days pre-cruise and that "Welcome home, how was your cruise?" call upon returning home.:o
  

I hope this helps. It's all I can think to list at the time. I'm sure others will have plenty of input for you.:)

I love my PVP. She is awesome. Even came on my last sailing so we could meet and have lunch

[LEXIpoo]

My PVP is pretty great too. I'm a texter/emailer and she always responds to my needs in a timely manner.

 

I contacted her when I was contemplating booking my upcoming cruise and she kept me updated on current sales and such. She makes the booking process SO much easier for me b/c I loathe booking online. & since I'm traveling with a large group, she took care of everyone's bookings, answered any questions for the first time cruisers and of course linked us all together.

 

So the perk to me is the peace of mind, especially when planning a group cruise.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Edited January 22, 2016 by LEXIpoo

[jabberjaw070596]

My PVP is pretty great too. I'm a texted/emailer and she always responds to my needs in a timely manner.

 

I contacted her when I was contemplating booking my upcoming cruise and she kept me updated on current sales and such. She makes the booking process SO much easier for me b/c I loathe booking online. & since I'm traveling with a large group, she took care of everyone's bookings, answered any questions for the first time cruisers and of course linked us all together.

 

So the perk to me is the peace of mind, especially when planning a group cruise.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Agreed. My parents come on many of my cruises and she makes everything so easy

[dcs1989]

From my experience it just depends on how much work you do when booking/ your preference on researching your cruise or using a valuable resource.

 

I personally do my research when picking a cabin, research when searching picking a cruise and love doing it 100% on my own.

 

My partner prefers calling up his PVP and lives by her - wont book without her (shout out to Linda!),

 

I've compared bookings and our prices are generally 100% the same and she has no other insight - I just personally love the thrill of spending a couple hours looking into my booking which you could save when using a PVP. I don't think the PVP's always look at your Casino offers tho so you may want to pull up a your casino offers first before calling your PVP.

 

EDIT:

 

AND there are some other advantages when booking multiple cabins - linking cabins. THey have some behind the scene features that make it easier so if your group booking and wanna schedule same dining times, etc. - a PVP makes it easier.

Edited January 22, 2016 by dcs1989

[riclop]

We have our 8th(?) cruise booked .... which I have booked, done the fareviewer checks for price drops, etc. I read about people's amazing PVP's. What perks are there to having one?

None except them constantly calling you to book another cruise, they are a pain!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ShakyBeef]

None except them constantly calling you to book another cruise, they are a pain!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

Not if you have a good one - one that only calls when you want them to.;)

[GalFitness19]

My PVP was extremely helpful when my mom decided to cruise with my son and I, after the deposit but before last payment was due. He coordinated the whole thing for me, got us a cabin where we wanted it (decided to upgrade) and saw to it that I didn't have to pay any fees for changing my reservation.

[ImaginationCruiseBride]

In addition to the advantages listed above, when I find a price drop I just email her and she processes it for us, and if for some reason they deny it, she manually puts it in for us. She also knows we plan two or three cruises ahead, so she keeps an eye out for specials that fit our desires and lets us know as soon as something comes up.

[lemansz20]

Im friends with mine on facebook and hes awesome, and doesnt have a serious bone in his body I think. Its just fun to call him, you know theirs a joke somewhere for my next cruise to be booked.

 

Also I am in sales, so I appreciate the difficulty of their job to have to call and introduce themselves out of the blue. For the guy that said they are annoying, how about picking up and respectfully telling them you just want to book by yourself??? I guest thats a crazy idea, but try being in sales and then youll appreciate the level of difficulty it is to be on their end.

[Ahsndpro]

In addition to the advantages listed above, when I find a price drop I just email her and she processes it for us, and if for some reason they deny it, she manually puts it in for us. She also knows we plan two or three cruises ahead, so she keeps an eye out for specials that fit our desires and lets us know as soon as something comes up.

 

The easy processing of the price drops is the main benefit of the PVP that I see. Everything else is just as easy to do online.

[ShakyBeef]

Thanks, I forgot to mention the ease of processing price drops - it has definitely been easy for me with my PVP. One phone call to her, and it was taken care of.:)

[suzycruiser2]

If booking online, only 10 cabins show as available. A PVP has access to ALL of the cabins available.

 

My PVP sends me emails about upcoming sales, but she knows that I don't want constant phone calls. When I am ready to book, I call her. She will sometimes say that she saw that I had been looking online and she was waiting for me to call.

[mzloolue]

I have a PVP.

 

I do my own research and then I call her.

 

Her number is programmed into my phone.

 

I like being able to call someone and she knows who I am, you know?

 

At first she did not say a lot, but over time I have come to know her better. A real person and not just a voice on the phone.

 

She was very helpful when we had to cancel a cruise at the last minute.

 

Also, she calls me about once a year and I can handle that.

 

She also invited me to join her facebook page where she shares information that I might be interested in and posts cruise photos and such.

Edited January 22, 2016 by mzloolue

[Micahs Grandad]

Thanks, I forgot to mention the ease of processing price drops - it has definitely been easy for me with my PVP. One phone call to her, and it was taken care of.:)

 

Same with us. And she knows not to call me unless something important with our booking. She knows I will call when ready to book so it also makes it easy for her.

[mamieof3]

I have cruised several times with Carnival. First few cruises I used a TA until she let me know they no longer really had incentives for cruisers and I should just book on my own....alrighty then. So, since then I have done my own research but then when ready to book, I call Carnival. Mainly because I usually have questions or requests (linking accounts, adjoining cabins, etc..). I have never had 'my own PVP', just whomever answers my call. but I would like one. I have never had one person call, always different people. So, I guess what I want to know is how do you get your own PVP....someone like many mention above, that watches out for their best interest, keeps an eye out for deals, handles issues, etc....I know you can't state who your PVP is but can you tell me how you got her/him?

[ShakyBeef]

I have cruised several times with Carnival. First few cruises I used a TA until she let me know they no longer really had incentives for cruisers and I should just book on my own....alrighty then. So, since then I have done my own research but then when ready to book, I call Carnival. Mainly because I usually have questions or requests (linking accounts, adjoining cabins, etc..). I have never had 'my own PVP', just whomever answers my call. but I would like one. I have never had one person call, always different people. So, I guess what I want to know is how do you get your own PVP....someone like many mention above, that watches out for their best interest, keeps an eye out for deals, handles issues, etc....I know you can't state who your PVP is but can you tell me how you got her/him?

 

I was lucky with both of mine - they were assigned to me and made first contact with me. You can get a personal referral from fellow cruisers (try asking a friend on your next cruise). Or, you can simply call Carnival's 1 800 number and ask to have one assigned to you. Give them a 'test drive' period. If you don't like them, call and ask to be assigned to someone else.

 

You're correct, we cannot give names or contact info of our PVPs here, but if you have contact info for any of your Carnival cruising buddies, ask them if they like their PVP and for the contact info if they do.

 

And when you do get a PVP, if he/she isn't doing things the way you would like, let him know what your preferences are. Some of them need to be trained a little.;) Good luck!:)

 

ETA: Looking at your extensive Carnival cruise history, I'm surprised you were never assigned one. Looks like someone at Carnival dropped the ball and has missed out on grabbing you up. ;)

Edited January 22, 2016 by ShakyBeef

[memoak]

As for other lines Princess has the same type of setup - I have one person I can call or e-mail when I am thinking about booking. She will check for casino rates for me, promos and even put a hold on the type and location of cabins she knows I prefer. Never calls me and always sends reminders of final payment date, Bon Voyage and welcome back e-mails. It has been great the last couple of years since I started using her.

[ShakyBeef]

As for other lines Princess has the same type of setup - I have one person I can call or e-mail when I am thinking about booking. She will check for casino rates for me, promos and even put a hold on the type and location of cabins she knows I prefer. Never calls me and always sends reminders of final payment date, Bon Voyage and welcome back e-mails. It has been great the last couple of years since I started using her.

 

 

Thanks! That's good to know. I do plan on trying Princess within the next few years.:)

[utopiagal]

From my experience it just depends on how much work you do when booking/ your preference on researching your cruise or using a valuable resource.

 

I personally do my research when picking a cabin, research when searching picking a cruise and love doing it 100% on my own.

 

My partner prefers calling up his PVP and lives by her - wont book without her (shout out to Linda!),

 

I've compared bookings and our prices are generally 100% the same and she has no other insight - I just personally love the thrill of spending a couple hours looking into my booking which you could save when using a PVP. I don't think the PVP's always look at your Casino offers tho so you may want to pull up a your casino offers first before calling your PVP.

 

EDIT:

 

AND there are some other advantages when booking multiple cabins - linking cabins. THey have some behind the scene features that make it easier so if your group booking and wanna schedule same dining times, etc. - a PVP makes it easier.

There is one big advantage of having the help of a PVP. When you book yourself you can't see all the available cabins. The website never shows more than 10 cabins in any location. I like being able to have my PVP tell me all the cabins available. More choice.