question for Kristi

[jodandlin326]

Kristi, what kind of changes did Carnival make that makes you not want to sell Carnival cruises anymore? I was just curious. We had a good time but it had nothing to do with the ship or the crew other then John Heald I love him, but I thought this cruise lack alot of Carnival fun but I was wondering what changes they made. Thanks

[Host Kristi]

Just a lot of cutbacks. Now for groups they won't give us a room to meet in unless we buy a cocktail party. They've changed their customer service hours and are only open until 5 pm my time and not on the weekends at all. I work a day job so this gives me basically my lunch hour and 45 minutes after I get home as the only time I can call them. On top of that, they've supposedly "updated" their system and we should be able to do a lot of things online. Unfortunately their system doesn't work right and about 3/4 of the time we can't do it online. I guess the people who work there are not happy about the changes because they're very rude when we call in. Their first response is "you have to do that online". The other day Pam called at 4:50, was on hold until 5:04 then the woman who answered her told Pam that they were closed and Pam would have to call back the next day! Pam explained that she did call in before they were closed but they refused to help her. It's just very frustrating. Many times the problems are something small that wouldn't cost Carnival money but they refuse to do the right thing. It just seems that their attitude is, "Oh well, if we lose that customer there are plenty of others out there".

Between Pam, Nancy and I we have sold ALOT of Carnival. They just don't seem to care. Nancy has been in their top 3 in sales for many years but she gets nothing - no invitation to pre-inaugural sailings etc. Our reps from RCI and Celebrity go out of their way to help us.

I just got fed up with them and their terrible customer service. I told Nancy I won't "sell" Carnival anymore. I'll take orders for them but I won't promote them to my clients anymore.

[jodandlin326]

Wow from the sounds of it I don't blame you, thanks for the info.

[Host Kristi]

Here's another reason I'm done with Carnival!

My client was in I<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comhttp://www.cruisefools.org/ /><st1:country-region w:st=raq</st1:country-region> when he booked the cruise. He couldn’t send me his military id because the Iraqi government was shutting down all communications (internet, phone etc) due to the elections. I don’t know how much you know about military travel, but you get flown from base to base and have no way of knowing when you’re going to get back. As soon as he got back into the States he sent it to me. Because they didn’t get it within 72 hours they took him out of the military rate. Then when they did get the id from him they switched him back to the military rate but it had gone up. They refuse to change the rate back because they didn’t get the documentation within 72 hours. I’m not about to call a soldier who has served our country in Iraq for the past two years and say, “you weren’t quick enough so you owe another $100”. So, I’m going to end up eating the cost myself.

[jodandlin326]

Well you know when Carnival first started they were not the best either and if they don't watch what they do they may go backwards in time instead of forward. I noticed a difference in the way the crew was it didn't seem to matter whether you were happy or not, just like the comment card they always used to tell you anything less the exceptional under any category meant they failed for the week, they didn't say anything about that this time probably because they know people aren't as happy as they use to be. Like I said I had a good time but it had nothing to do with the ship we made our own fun. I don't know I just felt the whole atmosphere was idfferent, but when it comes to our military they should make any exception they have to make.

[zydecocruiser]

Do the other cruise lines offer military rates?

I think whatever the issues with Carnival, they seem to impact group cruises much more than individual bookings.

As for ship staff, I do think Carnival has tied the hands of management on the ships and for whatever bizarre reason micromanaging from corporate.

[allenee]

I still like Carnival. It's my favorite cruise line and David's too. He has agreed to go on the Oasis because it's a huge ship but said after this sailing, he'll only do Carnival.