Good to know. It's not been a problem for us but then again, I haven't been on anything newer than the Victory! Thanks and have a great cruise!!!

I'm a CVC member just back from a 6 day on the Liberty. Now to be fair I will say that CVC does not have a booth on the Liberty, was told it would in Mar 07. We booked a balcony on deck 6 and did not get any upgrade . Our room was decorated with Bon Voyage tinsel and such, however no chocolate and fruit as promised. After a few hrs I called to complain and was told they had it and was running behind. It did arrive after we had been on our way for 3hrs or more. The point is it should have been there when we entered our room. I must say the embarkation was great, we walked past thousands of folks standing in line and was on the ship in 15 mins.
Getting off was the same, walked right off and our luggage was waiting in a VIP area. Over all I would say some perks were nice, still unsure on what to think as if it was worth the price payed. A upgrade would have been worth it

My brother & sister-in-law are vacation club members and we just planned a "family cruise" the booking of our trip has been a nightmare from the very get go. My sister in law was led to believe they would set a block of rooms for our family all for the same price but when I got around to booking my trip the price had increased considerably. They would not budge on the price so I decided to go ahead since we all wanted to be on the same floor close together. Since then my reservation has been cancelled by the guy who booked it and they charged my credit card twice so we in affect have paid for the whole cruise but we don't have a reservation. All this and we haven't even set sail yet. I am not at all impressed and will never use them again. I could have gotten the same cruise for less money if I had booked through Carnival.Buyer beware!!!!

I am so glad that I read this thread. When we cruised on Pride in early February, people were swarming the vacation club area. My husband is always cautious about paying for anything "up front". Whenever you see people surrounding anything in droves you feel like, hey, what do they know that I don't? We will not be joining Carnival's Vacation Club. Thank you for enlightening me!

quote:

Originally posted by A;ndrea:
I am so glad that I read this thread. When we cruised on Pride in early February, people were swarming the vacation club area. My husband is always cautious about paying for anything "up front". Whenever you see people surrounding anything in droves you feel like, hey, what do they know that I don't? We will not be joining Carnival's Vacation Club. Thank you for enlightening me!

I have to admit that it does still amaze me that people spend a minimum of $3,500.00 without "checking references" (so to speak).

They go on these cruise ships...don't know a thing about the company they are dealing with...simply believe whatever a sales agent tells them and then is mad when they have been lied to.

True, no one should be lying to them...but honestly people do need to take some personal responsibility for "jumping into unknown waters". Common on folks, when someone hands you a "400 page contract" to sign that can't possibly be read or understood in the limited time you are given to sign it....take a hint!!
But apparently, it is still happening every day.
Like you said, the offices were "humming" with activity.

Sadly a current ICE employee a year ago told me there is a reason ICE came to Carnival with this concept. It was "understood" that Carnival cruisers were (in their words) "less educated" and an easier "target" for this kind of product.

I have written the "powers that be" at Carnival with a strongly worded letter expressing my disappointment in their participation with a timeshare company that would view Carnival customers in such a degrading way.

All that being said, some people do think the mimimum of $1,000 lost in this transaction is worth the VIP Check In and Debarkation for 3 - 5 years. ( I have heard both lengths of time)

They are literally paying for the "perks" that come to Platinum members for free. And this program does work for those people. If someone sailed 3 times a year and gets the perks for just 3 years...that is like paying a little over $100.00 a cruise for the VIP Check In and Debarkation.

By the time their 3 years (5 years in some cases) is up, they are Platinum members and get those perks for free.

If someone purchases the cheapest package with that plan in mind and that is what they are looking for...then more power to them.

All I have ever advocated is that people have the information to make the decision that is best for them. Just know before you go....

LHP, WOW! A 400 hundred page contract? And, cruisers don't think to let a lawyer look it over before signing? So, Carnival targets the "less-educated" crowd for their vacation plan. Interesting.

What's the saying, "there's a sucker born every minute". I guess that's to Carnival's benefit.

Thanks for the insight!!!

quote:

Originally posted by Andrealovescruising:
LHP, WOW! A 400 hundred page contract? And, cruisers don't think to let a lawyer look it over before signing? So, Carnival targets the "less-educated" crowd for their vacation plan. Interesting.

What's the saying, "there's a sucker born every minute". I guess that's to Carnival's benefit.

Thanks for the insight!!!

Just so you know....Hubby and I still have every piece of paper we have ever received from Carnival Vacation Club. Everything together does not equal 400 pages (even if you counted paper printed on both sides as two pages).

Unless lawyers have managed to make it even more complicated than necessary, the "400 page contract" comment was just a bit of hyperbole.

We've managed to read (and understand -- imagine that! ) everything we've signed with CVC.

Terri R. Please don't start with me next. I meant no disrespect to anyone. I was conversing with LHP. I'm not here to start trouble, only to learn. You may do as you like. Just don't involve me. Thank you.

quote:

Originally posted by Andrealovescruising:
Terri R. Please don't start with me next. I meant no disrespect to anyone. I was conversing with LHP. I'm not here to start trouble, only to learn. You may do as you like. Just don't involve me. Thank you.

"Start" with you? All I was doing was making sure you knew that the contract wasn't (at least at the time of our signing) 400 pages long. I wouldn't have signed something that long!!!

I didn't think you were being disrespectful (nor was I trying to be)....and the only thing I was involving you in (in my mind, anyway) was conversation!

I don't own stock in CVC, so it doesn't matter to me whether anyone joins it or not. Just an advocate of accuracy, that's all, Andrea! I believe LHP when he/she says he/she just wants people to make an informed decision, and I support that position wholeheartedly.

Just a reminder to all....there is no fighting or crying in this forum!

quote:

Originally posted by Dave Beers:
Just a reminder to all....there is no fighting or crying in this forum!

quote:

Originally posted by Andrealovescruising:
LHP, WOW! A 400 hundred page contract? And, cruisers don't think to let a lawyer look it over before signing? So, Carnival targets the "less-educated" crowd for their vacation plan. Interesting.

What's the saying, "there's a sucker born every minute". I guess that's to Carnival's benefit.

Thanks for the insight!!!

Yes Andrea, that is why the "400" was in quotes. One of the multiple complaints was the all the fine print and being rushed to signed without a thorough and complete review or understanding. Of couse, not "every one" complained...just 75%..which definately shows a problem. You are always going to have that one or two that are the exception to the rule.

I have been a member of the Carnival Vacation Club for over 2 years. In that time I have seen a great idea diminish into what used to be, and promises that can't be possibly met.

From a financial standpoint I have to say I probably got my monies worth - Sure if I researched each vacation I may have gotten a better deal, but I chose the simplicity of the membership instead.

While it was a tremendous club it is obvious that they have started cutting back - no more wine at the tables (a nice touch), the margarita party is now more of a "get together", no free pens, no free t-shirts, nothing. In short, it was a great value due to its benefits - now its a financial decision.

On my last cruise I found out that Dave Wallensky the Director of Sales is not with the company anymore (he was mentioned in this posting earlier on) The staff themselves stated on my cruise that they are likely leaving as well.

I got my monies worth in my 2 years. All I can say as a member is that thank GOD its a 3 year membership and I am not stuck in it for the rest of my life. When the management starts "abandoning the ship" its not a good sign.

quote:

Originally posted by 123Cruises321:
I have been a member of the Carnival Vacation Club for over 2 years. In that time I have seen a great idea diminish into what used to be, and promises that can't be possibly met.

From a financial standpoint I have to say I probably got my monies worth - Sure if I researched each vacation I may have gotten a better deal, but I chose the simplicity of the membership instead.

While it was a tremendous club it is obvious that they have started cutting back - no more wine at the tables (a nice touch), the margarita party is now more of a "get together", no free pens, no free t-shirts, nothing. In short, it was a great value due to its benefits - now its a financial decision.

On my last cruise I found out that Dave Wallensky the Director of Sales is not with the company anymore (he was mentioned in this posting earlier on) The staff themselves stated on my cruise that they are likely leaving as well.

I got my monies worth in my 2 years. All I can say as a member is that thank GOD its a 3 year membership and I am not stuck in it for the rest of my life. When the management starts "abandoning the ship" its not a good sign.

What you've just written, 123, has been my main concern while reading all the negative comments. And that is that what should basically be a good idea (at least for some people) may have become a problem. While my husband and I experienced no hard sell or lying by the gentleman that we dealt with, I worry about management of an enterprise when I hear that others have experienced it.

So far, for us, it has worked as expected. If we don't get another thing other than the VIP embarkation/debarkation, etc., on our upcoming cruise, I will still feel as though we've gotten our money's worth.

But, if it ever does NOT work for us as promised, we have no particular loyalty to CVC and would not renew.

As I posted earlier, On my last cruise we had some things not as the CVC had stated it was. I reccomended that they read this thread. I recieved a letter from them yesterday saying how sorry they were and that it will not happen again. They also enclosed a list of membership entiltements and it seems to be more condensed and very easy to read. I will try to scan it and attach it soon....

Carnival Vacation Club is a rip-off. I have to contact them numerous time to obtain free air coupons only to find out nothing is as it seems. You have to purchase ticket with minimal price of $300 in order for free accompanion fare. I was able to purchase airfare from VA to FL for next years vacation for two aboard US Air $225? Go figure.

In addition, you will never be able to use those resort certificates because nothing is ever available to accomodate your traveling schedule at anytime. The average cruise points per person will cost 3700-4200. You'll do better with booking through Costco Travel. I had the pleasure of being aboard Carnival Glory last and frequently hung-out in front the of club's informational desk to discourage people from signing-up.

quote:

Originally posted by mzsumthing:
Carnival Vacation Club is a rip-off. I have to contact them numerous time to obtain free air coupons only to find out nothing is as it seems. You have to purchase ticket with minimal price of $300 in order for free accompanion fare. I was able to purchase airfare from VA to FL for next years vacation for two aboard US Air $225? Go figure.

In addition, you will never be able to use those resort certificates because nothing is ever available to accomodate your traveling schedule at anytime. The average cruise points per person will cost 3700-4200. You'll do better with booking through Costco Travel. I had the pleasure of being aboard Carnival Glory last and frequently hung-out in front the of club's informational desk to discourage people from signing-up.

I can't comment on the companion airfare, as we didn't even bother to send in the coupon.

However, your statement that

quote:

you will never be able to use those resort certificates because nothing is ever available to accomodate your traveling schedule at anytime

is simply false, because my husband and I used our resort certificate last October, at the exact resort we wanted to stay in, in the time period we wanted to stay.

It would be more accurate for you to say that YOU were unable to schedule a stay when you wanted. Your blanket statement is simply false.

As I've said before, so far, it has worked exactly as we've expected it to, and we are satisfied. If and when it does NOT work as expected, we'll be happy to let people know of that experience, as well.

Hi all I will start by saying I was NOT impressed with all of the program after i got home and was able to look at the choices of the resort stays or the air fare

I was given a free resort stay besides my other 2 i recieved with the silver cert i bought and I did get a week in lasvegas in a 2 bedroom villa sleeps 6 at the time I wanted second I have booked 1 of my other resort stays for orlando 1st week after the kids are out of school again when I wanted it and again in 2 bedroom villa.
3rd I am booked on my fist cruise when i wanted out of puerto rico ,but i am only going to get 2 cruises from the package but both will be balcony rooms i did have to research for the better times to go that were cheaper but I dont cruise without a balcony
I can say I wont buy another package because of the hard times you get to find resort stays and you get no great deal on the cruises either but I can honestly say I have gotten my moneys worth out of it
1)stay in vegas if I booked direct would of been $1000 for the week
2)stay orlando if booked direct was $1800
3)cruise san juan if booked through carnival $749 each x2 $1500
4)cruise mexican baja $919 each x2 $1840 total $4350 plus 1 resort stay but remember the great perks they tell you about LOL!!!!!
and I still have 1 resort stay left and those wonderful airline tickets i cant give away and the hotel perks you cant use

so all in all its all how you use it and I cant say I didnt get moneys worth but I DID HAVE TO WORK TO GET IT (SO BEWARE)

sincerly Scott

My wife and I joined back in 2004 on the Conquest. We didn't feel any pressure to join, it was our decision and we have been disappointed since. I am just glad we bought the $3500.00 membership. We did receive the free companion airfare certificates and used one. We found that we can fly cheaper without the certificates by just booking through the airlines. We have been on one cruise and everything went as promised. Walked right on the ship, went to a special room where all of our paperwork was taken care of and we were in our room in about thirty minutes. Had a welcome present waiting on us, had a couple parties for Club members and had a few extra perks as well. We got off the ship very quickly at the end of our cruise. Just as promised. The downside is we used almost all of our points on one cruise for a balcony suite. We were also told Club members get the first upgrades before anyone else. Not true. We were on an excursion with a lady who got an upgrade from an inside stateroom to a junior suite. Go figure. She booked through Carnival Cruise Lines. I have checked numerous times for resort stays and nothing is ever available when we can travel. It looks like we are going to get one cruise for the remarkable price of $3500.00, not including airfare!
We are going to Alaska in August on the Spirit and we booked through Carnival itself. It costs less than using what points we have left and renting additional points to make up the difference. Carnival also has been great to deal with in the past using their service. We usually get an upgrade and a lot of the perks the Club promises are nothing more than what Carnival gives as well.
If you go on a Carnival Cruise, save time and money-bypass the Carnival Club presentation. I know there are better things to do!

I am surprised this is still a topic.

A Vacation Club? Hello.

Did anyone go to 8th grade and take a business class? It is the one that should have taught supply and demand principles.

There is no substitute for common sense.