IamCdn-

I doubt your CVC rep will be working for CVC very much longer if she doesn't start to do the hard sell.

Had you listened to the sales pitch before our was this your first time? If it was your second time I'm curious as to why you would waste cruise time sitting through the presentation again? I've considered going so that I could ask VERY loud and pointed questions so that the other cruisers around us could hear the flaws in the program.... but I never have bothered, I just make it a point to tell everyone I can NOT to sit through the pitch.

No, this was our first cruise on Carnival. While I read message boards (not this one, until I was researching CVC) I had never heard of CVC before. Boy I'm glad I didn't sign up. Being from Canada, I assume I would have even less recourse to get out of it.

quote:

Originally posted by IamCdn:
LHP I see you were recently on Miracle. Did you go to the CVC presentation? If so, did not notice any difference in sales tactics, or promises.

We went to the presentation last week. We went on the first day at sea (early in the week). I found that Susan, our CVC rep, was not aggressive at all. She presented the material, left the room, returned, and asked, "So, do we have any new members?" We said no and that was it.

We were given a book of coupons. Most were useless, but one was 2 for 1 in Mr. Luckys for any tournament which we used. Actually we both advanced to the slot final. We were also given a flight voucher, but I think this will be useless too. And, we were invited to their Mexican night, but it was during our dinner, so we didn't go.

I an accountant by profession, and I don't claim to have any superior skills in being able to digest the sales pitch. However, as an accountant, I'm conservative by nature and don't dive into anything, ever. The part that made me perk up was when she said we're partnered with I.C.E. and we get vacation vouchers for only $299 per stay. Thats time share no matter how you package it.

I'm really suprised Carnival still allows this to go on. Many posters have vowed never to cruise with them again after their program expires. I'm sure their contract with CVC has an "out" clause for disreputable business practice. Maybe Carnival's cut of the action is too lucritive to pass up.

Live and Learn.

Hey, I am an accountant by profession as well.
(Wall Street Journal Award winner...ok, I know that is bragging!!)

I did not sit through the entire presentation again on the Miracle (since this was our 3rd cruise that had a CVC office on it in just over a year). I did talk with an "sales agent", who made a passing comment that he could beat the Interline price. I knew that was a lie. But I could tell he was a real snot and I did not want a snot to dampen my vacation. So I just said, "well, as an accountant and have done a year of research about this CVC program, I know you can't!" The second I said I had a "year of research about CVC", he disappeared faster than a set of rims at a PuffDaddy concert.

When we were on the Pride in March, the "big cheese manager" and I had a conversation and he did admit that they had "altered their presentation".

Sadly, though, to get the numbers they need....they can't do it honestly and he knows that. I know there are people would will pay $1,000.00 for 5 years (last I heard) of VIP Check In and Debarkation...but not many.

I have just sent a letter to the "powers that be" at Carnival because this is damaging their reputation. Word on the street is "Why Carnival?" Why not Cunard or Celebrity?

It is difficult to even discuss the "why Carnival?" without sounding like someone is disrespecting a segment of our society.

The answer we are hearing is because Carnival caters to a clientelle that can be manipulated more easily.

If this is the case, then Carnival is taking the hit for knowing exploiting these clients.

But because it is so hard to discuss this issue without dividing folks by education or financial status...it is not addressed much.

Carnival already has the "Walmart" reputation and this is seen as Carnival taking advantage of "Walmart" folks.

But the question remains...why Carnival? And if it is because ICE saw Carnival passengers as the easiest targets...then why would Carnival allow this?

Dear LHP. I have mentioned before that I worked for them . The programme is endorsed by none other than Bob Dickenson himself from Carnival .Why I cannot fathom it is dishonest if that seems a bit harsh then lets say lesser side of transparency. Word on the street has it that as far a Bob is concerned Marcia Rowley(ceo of CVC) can be very persusive when she starts grinning .

Keep enlightening all it is the right thing to do.

All we can hope is that people, who do buy it while on a cruise, check on here and other cruise forum sites, so that they can make an informed decision during their 3 day grace period.

Well, guess what? I actually got all my money ($4995) refunded! I called and complained and was given a person named Stacy. After telling her of all the lies that we were told and how disappointed we were. (In great detail, of course!) She said that she would take my concerns to management. Lo and behold, I got a letter in the mail yesterday and the full price had been refunded to my credit card.
To tell you the truth - I can hardly believe it. I was ready for a long, drawn out fight. I don't know if the fact that we live in South Carolina had anything to do with it (They are not allowed to sell to residents of S.C. - but they still sold to us) or if they are finally coming around because there are SO MANY people upset about being scammed into this program... But whatever it was - they refunded my entire amount. WHEW!

Good deal Cash110... much better than having to fight with a scam artist. Typically they do everything in their power to keep you money as long as possible. Most likely, they get the interest on it.

quote:

Originally posted by cash110:
Well, guess what? I actually got all my money ($4995) refunded! I called and complained and was given a person named Stacy. After telling her of all the lies that we were told and how disappointed we were. (In great detail, of course!) She said that she would take my concerns to management. Lo and behold, I got a letter in the mail yesterday and the full price had been refunded to my credit card.
To tell you the truth - I can hardly believe it. I was ready for a long, drawn out fight. I don't know if the fact that we live in South Carolina had anything to do with it (They are not allowed to sell to residents of S.C. - but they still sold to us) or if they are finally coming around because there are SO MANY people upset about being scammed into this program... But whatever it was - they refunded my entire amount. WHEW!

I am thrilled for you. I would bet good money that the fact that they broke the law, when they sold it to you, had a major role in their decision to refund your money.

Whenever anyone asks about CVC anywhere in the Internet world....I simply post this url and they are shocked! (and thankful that they found it before making that decision)

quote:

Originally posted by Cruising is Awesome:
I WILL DEFEND THEM.

I am a member - used a resort stay in Orlando at the Sheraton for $299 for one week.

I used another certificate at the Pueblo Bonito in Cabo for $299.

I used some of my points on the Carnival Conquest and got exactly what I wanted, with better service.

So far, me and my wife have had 3 vacations for less than $5000 - and I still have more than enough Points left over to take another cruise, and 1 more vacation certificate. Thats 5 vacations for less than 5 grand.

You don't like what you bought - fine, cancel. For the rest of you - if you like to travel this is awesome. I know I have saved money.

Have you noticed the only people who are on this site are complainers?

I am angry at myself for even creating a log-in.

Hubby and I also became Carnival Vacation Club members during an 8-day cruise on the Spirit last year.

We have used our $299 week's-stay at a Resort. We had several to choose from just in the area we preferred (Cozumel). It was wonderful. (In fact, unrelated, while we were there we won another week's stay there to use within the next year -- for FREE).

We discussed whether we wanted to have our points go as far as we could get them to go -- in other words, book the cheapest rooms available and get maybe 2 or 3 cruises fully paid for -- or use the bulk of them to book one really fabulous once-in-a-lifetime cruise. We chose the latter. We booked the Carnival Freedom cruising the Mediterranean next May.

So far, everything we understood the CVC to be has worked exactly as promised.

Of course, we asked a LOT of questions before we signed on the dotted line. We didn't depend upon someone telling us how many cruises we'd be able to purchase with our points. We were on a cruise we'd paid for (and had researched enough to get what we thought was a pretty darn good price)...we asked, if one of your members wanted to book THIS cruise for the cabin WE are staying in -- how many points would it cost? The calculations page was right there, and how the points worked out, the cruise we were on would have been, perhaps, $100 to $150 less per person. Not a lot, but when taking into account the VIP embarkation and debarkation, a little more influence with the Maitre'd for dining room seating, and CVC member private parties, we thought it was reasonable. We did not expect something for nothing (except for the extra service). When finally deciding to book our Med cruise, we checked for the best price we could find. Then we called CVC. Using our points, it worked out pretty much as we had determined when we signed up. A little bit less through CVC, not a lot, but some.

Perhaps because our expectations were reasonable, we have not been disappointed.

Perhaps we've just been lucky.

I don't know.

As long as we do not run into any problems on our Med cruise (and we shouldn't, Carnival has our booking) I suspect we will continue our membership.

quote:

Originally posted by MrOctober:
wonder why practicly everyone who agrees with this program is a "New Cruiser" I havent seen too many of them answer any questions or responces.... hmmmm anyone else catch this?

I know Im just a wise guy Nuck ..nuck...nuck

Just a thought

Well, if you notice, I may be new, but my posts in this thread are not my first. My first, I believe, was one asking if there were any others booked on the same cruise next May. I just discovered this forum -- I have posted at CruiseMates for a while. Since hubby and I joined Carnival Vacation Club, I certainly was interested in this thread.

You have no basis in fact to do anything other than take every person posting on these forums at face value. I assume those that are unhappy with their decision to join CVC are actually, truly, unhappy. You should assume that those of us that are satisfied with our decisions are actually, truly, satisfied.

And perhaps I should assume that those that tell others, whose experience is different from theirs, that they are "stupid" are...well....simply not very nice people.

quote:

Originally posted by Terri R.:

quote:

Originally posted by MrOctober:
wonder why practicly everyone who agrees with this program is a "New Cruiser" I havent seen too many of them answer any questions or responces.... hmmmm anyone else catch this?

I know Im just a wise guy Nuck ..nuck...nuck

Just a thought

Well, if you notice, I may be new, but my posts in this thread are not my first. My first, I believe, was one asking if there were any others booked on the same cruise next May. I just discovered this forum -- I have posted at CruiseMates for a while. Since hubby and I joined Carnival Vacation Club, I certainly was interested in this thread.

You have no basis in fact to do anything other than take every person posting on these forums at face value. I assume those that are unhappy with their decision to join CVC are actually, truly, unhappy. You should assume that those of us that are satisfied with our decisions are actually, truly, satisfied.

And perhaps I should assume that those that tell others, whose experience is different from theirs, that they are "stupid" are...well....simply not very nice people.

Terri:

The point is that everyone deserves honest information to make the best decision for themselves.

When generalizations like "I have gotten 5 vacations for $5,000.00" are made, that is irresponsible. Lots of people get 5 vacations for $5,000.00 for 2 people. That does not mean CVC gave them a good deal.

You can find cruises all day long during off season for $250.00 a person. We just went on the Miracle for 3 people (inside room ) for $1,000.00 for 7 days. And did not have to pay $1,500.00 for the priviledge.

The OP who made that statement bragged about getting the Sheraton for $299.00. Well, guess what...I was offered that same Sheraton for $199.00 and again I did not have to pay $1,500.00 for the priviledge. That is the kind of honest FACTS that these boards are here for.

The resorts offered are time share units that any "joe blow off the street" can get without joining CVC....so how is that a "perk"?

The bottom line is that if you join CVC you are spending $1,000.00 at a minimum (1,500.00 if you buy the Silver package etc) basically for VIP Check In and Debarkation and a party.

If people think that is worth it, then they should join.

But the only people here that are "simply not very nice people" are those who mislead people into ventures like CVC.

And there are plenty of folks on this thread alone that were flatly and plainly misled.

I agree 100% it is a GREAT DEAL!
If you listened to the presentation and heard what they said it is a great deal! And as far as the "Only New People saying that is it worth it" they are wrong! I have cruised over 30 times and 26 were Carnival Cruises. So I am far from a new cruiser. It's really a shame that people use this board to do a whole lot of complaining, instead of what it was intended for! And if you do your homeowrk when looking for a great deal on a cruise, They do beat any lower price you find on the internet, all you have to do is point it out to the CVC rep. And if you book a cruise and you see the points have gone down they will lower them also just give them a call! I have done both and they have always honored the lower price or points. As for the resort vacations I have never had any problem booking them EVEN in peak season, Just give yourself enough time don't expect to book it in a in less than two weeks. It is a great deal if you enjoy the VIP perks and Five Star Resorts!

quote:

Originally posted by LHP:
The point is that everyone deserves honest information to make the best decision for themselves.

I agree. My point is that as far as my husband and I are concerned, we GOT honest information. We made an informed decision and made a good decision for us. Because we -- and others -- made ourselves informed and decided it was a good choice, and, additionally, that it has worked exactly as we understood it to -- is NO REASON for others to say we are stupid or to imply we are lying and are shills for CVC (which you know darned well was the implication of the low-post count observation). That is not something, IMO, that nice people do.

quote:

When generalizations like "I have gotten 5 vacations for $5,000.00" are made, that is irresponsible. Lots of people get 5 vacations for $5,000.00 for 2 people. That does not mean CVC gave them a good deal.

It also doesn't mean they've been ripped off.

quote:

You can find cruises all day long during off season for $250.00 a person. We just went on the Miracle for 3 people (inside room ) for $1,000.00 for 7 days. And did not have to pay $1,500.00 for the priviledge.

I'm happy for you. Hopefully you share your good experience with the people of this forum. Just as I have shared my good experience.

quote:

The OP who made that statement bragged about getting the Sheraton for $299.00. Well, guess what...I was offered that same Sheraton for $199.00 and again I did not have to pay $1,500.00 for the priviledge. That is the kind of honest FACTS that these boards are here for.

Please do not tell me that you are implying that I am lying when I tell you that we got a very good deal on our resort stay? And I know that we did, because we spoke to others staying at the resort, in our complex. We saved $600 over what any of the other persons we spoke to in our complex paid for the week. It's a fact. One I was very happy to learn. I am not saying that someone, somewhere, might not be able to find a better deal, or even that there might not have been people there who did better than we did. I am just saying that we know we got a better deal than every other couple we spoke to during the week (that were in our complex -- those staying in hotel rooms, I imagine, probably paid less than those of us in suites with private decks and hot tubs).

quote:

The resorts offered are time share units that any "joe blow off the street" can get without joining CVC....so how is that a "perk"?

See above. I don't know that the deal we got was a "perk"....but apparently most of the people there with us were joe schmoes, rather than joe blows, because they paid more than we did. Considerably more.

quote:

The bottom line is that if you join CVC you are spending $1,000.00 at a minimum (1,500.00 if you buy the Silver package etc) basically for VIP Check In and Debarkation and a party.

It hasn't seemed to work out that way for us. Although, I admit that the VIP held much attraction to us, for lots of reasons.

quote:

If people think that is worth it, then they should join.

And they shouldn't be called "stupid" for doing so. Or liars.

quote:

But the only people here that are "simply not very nice people" are those who mislead people into ventures like CVC.

I don't believe any person posting within this thread has mislead anyone. I believe all have been completely honest about their experiences -- including those of us who do not believe our experiences to be anything other than what we expected. If you think it is nice to make aspersions upon the honesty or integrity or intelligence of people whose experience is different than yours, then you and I simply have vastly differing criteria for determining "nice"...

quote:

And there are plenty of folks on this thread alone that were flatly and plainly misled.

And that is wrong, and should not have happened, and I hope they get their refunds, I sincerely do. But I could not let this entire thread stand without including our experience, which has been the opposite. We were not promised something for nothing, we read fine print, we asked more questions than you can imagine, we discussed what we would get; we determined we wanted it, and we've gotten what we expected. And that, LHP, is an honest fact.

As they say....your mileage may differ.

Where in the world did you find resorts IN SEASON???

This is the first I have heard about them decreasing anyones points. Carnival Vacation Club did not honor the senior fare on a cruise we have booked. The problem with CVC is that when you get home and find out the lies it is too late (past the 3 days). They have the CYA(cover your a*#) principal in their contract so you do not have a legal leg to stand on. The contract says they do not have to honor the sales reps. This is really a sad situation. We have 2 resorts and 1 cruise booked for 2007. The jury is still out about the quality of the resorts. The cruise is using most of our points. There was no way we could have booked 3 seven day balcony cruises for our points. Even though I told the representative we were traveling on senior fare, he said no problem we could have the same accomodations.

I hope we are going to have a wonderful cruise next year, but we could have gotten it cheaper and it has not been worth the stress this has put us through.

Terri: I was not implying that you were lying about getting your resort for $299.00. I was merely pointing out the fact that "anyone" off the street can get the same deal. I personally got a completely unsolicated offer from Sheraton for the Vistana for $199.00 for 4 days.

I did not have to take any "time share tour" or anything. My point is that the $299.00 resorts can not be considered a perk when "anyone" can get the same deal without having to join CVC.

Why pay $1,000.00 - 1,500.00 for this perk, when anyone can get it for free????

And yes, these people were ripped off. They were promised 3 cruises with balconies with a Bronze package. NOT TRUE They were promised 30-60% discounts...NOT TRUE They were sold to people in South Carolina which is against the law!!
The bottom line is that these people ended up paying MORE for their cruises than if they had sought out Internet prices. This is a rip off. And sadly that is misleading people.

I have said many times that "if" VIP Check In and Debarkation is worth a minimum of $1,000.00 then people should go for it. But they should not spend $1,000.00 for resort deals that can be gotten FOR FREE.

I am really glad it worked out for you. But when it DID NOT WORK OUT FOR 80 people out of 102 ... then common sense tells you that there is something WRONG with CVC. Of the 102, 80 people were LIED TO. 20 people did not feel like they were going to get exactly what they were promised but could live with it.
And 2 people said they would renew. (one of which was a 19 year old from South Carolina where it was against the law to even sell it to him to begin with)

What part of any of this would you be PROUD to promote?

Again, I am glad you are happy, but look at the expense your happiness cost others. That is sad.

quote:

Originally posted by Cpresti246:
I agree 100% it is a GREAT DEAL!
If you listened to the presentation and heard what they said it is a great deal! And as far as the "Only New People saying that is it worth it" they are wrong! I have cruised over 30 times and 26 were Carnival Cruises. So I am far from a new cruiser. It's really a shame that people use this board to do a whole lot of complaining, instead of what it was intended for! And if you do your homeowrk when looking for a great deal on a cruise, They do beat any lower price you find on the internet, all you have to do is point it out to the CVC rep. And if you book a cruise and you see the points have gone down they will lower them also just give them a call! I have done both and they have always honored the lower price or points. As for the resort vacations I have never had any problem booking them EVEN in peak season, Just give yourself enough time don't expect to book it in a in less than two weeks. It is a great deal if you enjoy the VIP perks and Five Star Resorts!

Others on this board are merely questioning that isn't it amazing that a "select" few people had such wonderful outcomes when 80 people were flat out lied to.

All we have ever tried to do on these boards is protect others from becoming one of the 80.

As you can tell I have cruised some myself and a person has to wonder:

why you would pay extra money for perks you already get as a Carnival Platinum member??? And why would you pay for discounted resorts when you can get the same discounts without having to join CVC????

Sorry, but these facts alone should cause others to question your idea of a "great deal"!!

If you are happy, so be it...but the 80 others who were lied to are just as entitled to their opinions.

I replied to much of your post, but when it came down to it, I realized I'd already given my experience, and the only thing that really needed addressing at this point was this:

quote:

Again, I am glad you are happy, but look at the expense your happiness cost others. That is sad.

What in heaven's name do you mean by such a thing? What has my good experience cost ANYone? Explain that. What an insulting thing to say. I should keep my mouth shut about having a perfectly suitable experience because someone else has NOT? Somehow I am contributing to someone else's unhappiness? Do you think everyone else is so stupid they cannot be held responsible for the decisions they make, so you have to blame someone else -- like me -- for them? How utterly disgusting. If you must blame someone, put it where it belongs: on those that do not read what they're signing, and those that misrepresent to those potential customers -- neither of which describe me.

A person with any decency at all would apologize for such an outrageous statement.

Although that WAS what was typed, I would like to think the message was not meant the way it came out. We are all on here to share information, helpful, advisory, along with meeting fellow cruisers. So TerriR bought something and likes it. That is not a crime, nor is telling people of her satisfaction with it. I personally don't think the CVC is a good deal for me, even if it does everything they say, but I just cannot see disecting and attacking TerriR's happiness with the program that she doesn't even seem to be selling!

quote:

Originally posted by Terri R.:

A person with any decency at all would apologize for such an outrageous statement.

Terri: A person with any decency would apologize for supporting a company that has caused as much harm to 80+ people in just 6 months. That is exactly what I meant when I said that your good fortune was at the expense of these other 80 people. Have you even gone back and read all these posts?

These are not stupid people. They are hard working, tax paying American citizens that were blatantly LIED TO by a company who has broken the law. A company who has abused its own employees.

You were very quick to question our motives and promote a company that is so corrupt that it has already been banned by one State Attorney General in total and some other 18 State Attorney Generals in part.

Your own post said "It doesn't mean they have been ripped off." Yes, it does. When people have been lied to..they have been ripped off.
If you had taken the time to read the posts of those people who were lied to...you would see this.

Sorry you don't like the fact that the perks from this CVC that you enjoy were built on the backs of cruisers who were lied to. But those are the facts.

I am glad you were not lied to, but you are the exception...not the rule. And to promote CVC as anything else is "utterly disgusting".