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*********** NEWSFLASH: New Carnival Policy goes in effect August 1st, 2012
Carnival has just announced that effective 8/1/12, they will not allow travel agents to give ANY cash equivalent value-adds (i.e shipboard credit, pre-paid gratuities, gas cards, airline miles, reduced airfare; free or discounted travel insurance, hotel nights, or shore excursions) and will be limiting any booking incentives to a $ 25 pp non-cash equivalent item (like a tote bag, hat, beach towel, memory book, sunglasses and Carnival gifts delivered onboard (Bon Voyage items)). This new policy applies not only to advertising, but all forms of communication, including in-person, phone or any other means. If any travel agent is caught violating the policy, (whether big, small or even a home based agent belonging to a host agency) their commission can be eliminated and they can be put on a "no book" status.
What does this mean for you??
If you are a consumer and have been thinking of booking a Carnival cruise sailing in 2012, 2013 or 2014...make sure you book it before July 31, 2012 with a CLIA certified travel agency so that you can maximize your booking bonus before this new policy becomes effective. If you have a Travel Agency you already book with, use them. If you don't, give us a try. Either way, support the Travel Agent community and make sure you book with a cruise specialist before August 1, 2012.
**edited to remove advertising***
Last edited by Snoozeman; July 15th, 2012 at 08:58 PM.
Carnival will be facing a real competitive situation from RCL and others if they do not follow Carnival and does this apply to all the lines owned by carnival?The travel agents got around the same pricing with these perks and will come up with something.Carnival has raised their prices in the specialty restaurants to match their competitors and this new pricing requirement will give their competitors a good selling point and in many cases equal pricing.Many years ago the cruise lines were required to include port charges in their base price and I would like them to also include taxes and give us one total price to compare.
Groups will still get the Carnival "perks" that agents can use the "points" offered to purchase shipboard credits, alternate restaurant dinners, cocktail parties etc. which Carnival offers.
Just not outside "value added amenities" like hotel nights, pre-paying gratuties, and such.
Though they say it's supply "clarity" to the customers and parity for all sizes of agencies, I do believe the hoped for result is driving more customers to shp directly with the cruise line's pvps.
What is a PVP? I have a special guy I call (I have his direct number) at Carnival. Would he be a PVP? Perhaps this means "Personal Vacation Planner"
If this is the case..He did not help me plan a thing..lol I just called him to book the sailing I had already located online. However, he did help me by giving me not only my past guest discount, but an additional discount (I wanted a higher level on the ship and he nixed those extra costs associated with that). So in the end, it did pay to book with him I suppose. There were no other "perks."
I wonder if I missed out by not previously booking with a TA. Though I feel like I got some pretty good deals so far..
What is a PVP? I have a special guy I call (I have his direct number) at Carnival. Would he be a PVP? Perhaps this means "Personal Vacation Planner"
If this is the case..He did not help me plan a thing..lol I just called him to book the sailing I had already located online. However, he did help me by giving me not only my past guest discount, but an additional discount (I wanted a higher level on the ship and he nixed those extra costs associated with that). So in the end, it did pay to book with him I suppose. There were no other "perks."
I wonder if I missed out by not previously booking with a TA. Though I feel like I got some pretty good deals so far..
Believe me CCL doesn't give anything away. Along with your past guest discount you also get free upgrades.
He didn't nix them to do you a favor. That is what you are entitled to by booking past guest rates.
You need to become more familiar with CCL's pricing or use a TA so you don't lose out.
I feel bad for the people who book thru a TA for the perks. I have been booking thru the cruise lines for years. I am too much of a control freak with my bookings.
Personally, I haven't seen any difference in booking through a TA or directly with CCL. Maybe I am missing something here.
I did have one bad experience with a TA. I priced the cruise I was going on and then called a TA and she said she could do better for me. After looking at what she was giving me, she lowered my catagory to give me a better price. I told her which stateroom I wanted and the price was the same. Go figure.
Thanks Bill..Looks like I need to find myself a good TA!
Yes you do! A good travel agent is the best way to go.
TM
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Carnival will be facing a real competitive situation from RCL and others if they do not follow Carnival and does this apply to all the lines owned by carnival?The travel agents got around the same pricing with these perks and will come up with something.Carnival has raised their prices in the specialty restaurants to match their competitors and this new pricing requirement will give their competitors a good selling point and in many cases equal pricing.Many years ago the cruise lines were required to include port charges in their base price and I would like them to also include taxes and give us one total price to compare.
I agree. They should include the total price upfront and not tease you with the base price and find out the fees and taxes are almost the same.
Got thinking about this. I think it has probably happened because some TAs will advertise "buy a cruise and get X OBC." That is no longer a "gift" but an effective rate reduction. Carnival will not let TAs undercut their advertised proces.
__________________
Bob
A Bad Day At Sea [with power] Always Beats A Good Day At Work
Alaska 2014 - haven't picked a cruise yet
Carnival: Glory 2004, Destiny 2008, Splendor 2009, Freedom 2011, Valor 2012
Celebrity: Summit 2011
Princess: Ruby 2010, Caribbean 2013
Got thinking about this. I think it has probably happened because some TAs will advertise "buy a cruise and get X OBC." That is no longer a "gift" but an effective rate reduction. Carnival will not let TAs undercut their advertised proces.
exactly.....
__________________ Snoozeman Moderator
My Personal Cruise Blog: Ray's Cruise Blog
Booked Cruises: Carnival Legend 9/1/2013, Carnival Sunshine 11/1/2013, Carnival Sunshine 2/16/2014, Navigator of the Seas 3/23/2014.
Just because you book at a past guest rate doesn't mean you're entittled to a free upgrade. It depends on the prevailing promotions at the time of your booking. If the PVP pointed the customer to the past guest rate instead of the rate she saw online, then he did help her. I only booked one cruise directly with Carnival because I always got a better deal (and onboard gifts), better customer service and discounted trip insurance from my warehouse club travel service. When Carnival approached the travel service recently with these new rules and regulations, the warehouse club dropped them. Now I'm reconsidering whether or not to book any more cruises with Carnival.
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No more TA gifts on Carnival?
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