I noticed some interesting trends here regarding CVC. Most of the posts are against CVC and ICE, but the members seem to ease off on the Carnival. I, personally, love Carnival & Princess and think they are wonderful and do plan to continue cruising with them in the future. However, I do believe the management at Carnival should take the responsibilities and provide the solutions to Carnival’s loyal customers. I think instead of filing complains against ICE at your local BBB or Attorney General's Office, you should file against Carnival Corp. After all, CVC is a Carnival brand and they are selling on Carnival properties.

Just a thought.

Steve

quote:

Originally posted by sc6103:
I noticed some interesting trends here regarding CVC. Most of the posts are against CVC and ICE, but the members seem to ease off on the Carnival. I, personally, love Carnival & Princess and think they are wonderful and do plan to continue cruising with them in the future. However, I do believe the management at Carnival should take the responsibilities and provide the solutions to Carnival’s loyal customers. I think instead of filing complains against ICE at your local BBB or Attorney General's Office, you should file against Carnival Corp. After all, CVC is a Carnival brand and they are selling on Carnival properties.

Just a thought.

Steve

I have to agree with you. I know it is all over the contract (and other paperwork) that CVC is not in any way affiliated with Carnival. But Carnival sold them the use of its name. Which means it also sold CVC the use of Carnival's reputation...which is being drug through the mud. I can't imagine Carnival getting any amount of money that is worth a bad reputation for defrauding your customers.

I am one who definately holds Carnival accountable for putting its "valued" customers in harms way of these "cruise sharks".

New to this board but experienced traveler. I would suggest to anyone having trouble with CVC not to give up so easily.

Very good suggestions given here to contact your credit card company with references to this board, 'cut and paste' complaints and also the BBB with the same info.

You might be surprised at the results.

This is the letter we sent in and if everybody will get together we should be able to form some sort of a lawsuit..

Dietmar,
I just got done doing some research on this so called bargain of a club that my wife and I were dupt into purchasing on your ship the pride in 2005. I must say what a fine job your sales rep did, Not only did they make us believe we were getting a deal but also made it sound like sea miles and points were the same. Not only are the points not worth 25 cents but just 17 and the resort stay we took in venezuela was nothing more than a joke. Not only did they not have broken toiletries but elec.outlets did not work and cords were cut to appliances that constatute a fire hazard and the only people there were the workers. We were there less than 20 minutes before calling our cab back and going to the hilton to get the service that we deserved.
We have yet to recieve our flight vouchers but as the research shows I guess this is normal and we probably will never recieve them.They can only be used in the usa and not internationaly as promised by your rep. We were never able to use our free week in mexico as the stays always seem full. We used all of our points going to alaska and bought another cruise for my inlaws, but after checking prices its obvious that it was nothing more than a rip off! I feel we should get some kind of refund or a guarantee that my next land trip will not be at a dump and we will be lucky enough to book it for the time we want. You should take a look at cruise chat.com to see what once valuable customers are saying about your co. I understand that a class action lawsuit is in the works and if we are not givin some sort of compensation for the promises that have not been fullfilled we will have no choice but to join this lawsuit!
Unsatisfied in california

You had best check your contract....we all signed away our right to join a class action suit.

We had no luck with AMEX....they refused to unravel the contract....still working with Arizona BBB. We don't expect any better results with BBB....this contract is so tight an ant couldn't get out of it. Since all of the fraud is done at sea, I doubt that the Texas AG has any jurisdiction.. I'm afraid we have all been had by experts!!!

Jim

quote:

Originally posted by cinjim:
You had best check your contract....we all signed away our right to join a class action suit.

We had no luck with AMEX....they refused to unravel the contract....still working with Arizona BBB. We don't expect any better results with BBB....this contract is so tight an ant couldn't get out of it. Since all of the fraud is done at sea, I doubt that the Texas AG has any jurisdiction.. I'm afraid we have all been had by experts!!!

Jim

Try the Attorney General's office in the state where ICE is registered as a Corporation.

The BBB can make recommendations to others looking for information on ICE, but the Attorney General's office can put a lock on their door.

LOCKING THEIR DOORS would do us no good....we would lose everything. My wife insists that we try to get as much out of the bad situation as we can...I tend to agree with her....this is exactly what CVS is depending upon.

I feel as though I've been buggered.

JIM

quote:

Originally posted by cinjim:
LOCKING THEIR DOORS would do us no good....we would lose everything. My wife insists that we try to get as much out of the bad situation as we can...I tend to agree with her....this is exactly what CVS is depending upon.

I feel as though I've been buggered.

JIM

What I was trying to convey is that the Attorney General's office is the one with the power, not the BBB. And it does not cost you anything to file a complaint with them.

Just because the AG can lock the doors, CVC will sit up and take notice.

I am a CVC member and about to use it for the first time in the comming weeks. My question is being a CVC member can I get an upgrade in cabins when I arrive at the terminal, if available? Also, how do I increase my odds of an upgrade if I have already been assigned a cabin?

Benny-

If you booked an exact cabin and not a "Guarantee" cabin then your odds of get a "free" upgrade are pretty close to zero. And if have already been assigned a cabin, then you most likely will have that cabin. You possibly can purchase an upgraded cabin at the terminal, but the odds are small that they will have any cabins available. Your best bet if you are willing to pay for the upgrade is to contact your travel agent and ask them if you can purchase a cabin upgrade (sometimes you can do this on CCL's website if your reservation number works on the website)

We just got home from a week on the Carnival Spirit. The Vaction Club was there in your face every day and I must admit we did wonder what it was all about. Deep down though, I had a gut reaction to stay away from the well dressed (albeit Carnival uniformed) young men and women who seemed a little slick. We are now home and after "googling" CVC are we ever glad that we did not waste a minute of our time talking to these folks. As has been pointed out and personal slogans my momma taught me, "there's no such thing as a free ride" and "you get what you pay for!"

We too are astounded that Carnival would condone this "shady" side of the business given a lot of the experiences that have ben shared here by cruisers.

This was our third Carnival cruise and the other two were in 2000 and 2001. We noticed a huge decline in service and quality of food so joining the club would have been a waste as we're not sure we'll be cruising again even though there are many other options, some outside the Carnival umbrella.

Bob D. of Carnival needs to be reminded of all the experiences you have been through in this not so wonderful option.

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.

Hello Cruising is Awesome,

How wonderful that you are happy with the Vacation Club. Not everyone is. But good reports are always welcome. And we allow all sides of the debate here in cruise-chat, not just the complaints.

If your anger at creating a log-in continues, let me know. I can remove it for you.

Very well said Dave!!!

I am also happy for Crusing Is Awesome for getting such a good deal. However, not every one had the same experience and I, personally, do not agree with their business method or practive.

I think that's a great business to be in, only not at cruiser's expense

I beg to differ, not everyone on this site is a complainer. I find a ton of useful information being offered on this forum and as for complainers...not so much

I went to listen to the plan. It was offering 20% to 40% off selected cruises. It also offered vacations for 7 nights (land tours) for only $299.00 (I think for two persons) You could add more people if the resort would allow. It started from $3,900 up to $9,800. There was a service fee for every 3 or 4 years. I remember the $3,900 was for 2 land vacations and discounts on cruises. We did not buy because we felt it was only pre-paying for the cruise and the land part there was not enough selections for the resorts. The resorts were mostly in the USA.

No, It's not a scam. I joined and have had no problems.. And if you find a better rate anywhere all you have to do is call and they will beat that rate! I cruised for 7 days in a balcony room for 549.00 total by using cruise points which are 17.5 cents each. The VIP treatment is WONDERFUL getting on and off was a beeze.. NO Lines!!You get priorty seating, as well as free cocktail parties, and many other extra perks! As soon as my points run out I am going to join again!

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.

The sad truth is that your Sheraton stay can be bought by any Joe Blow off the street for $199.00 for 4 days. It was offered to me as a matter of fact. And I did not have to pay $1,500.00 (which is what you paid) for the priviledge.

If you are complaining about people having factual honest information so that they can make an honest informed decision....then complain away. Because as long as I am on here, honest facts is what they will get.

People have been told that they would save 30-60% on their future cruises. That was a lie.
People have been told that they could sail on 3 balcony cruises of their choice for the Bronze package. That is a lie.

People have been told of the wonderful resorts that are open for their use. 80+ people who purchased these packages from January - June 2006 found out this was a lie. They tried to book these resorts and were repeatedly told...no vacancy. Then they find out that there is ONE week in Aruba in September. Or there is the Sheraton that ANYONE can book for $199.00 for 4 days.

I had one guy actually bragging ~on another board~ that yea, he knew he had lost some money on the deal. But he had only lost (his words not mine) $375.00 on his $5,000.00 package. He was talking about the 7.5 cents that you "lose" on these worthless resorts and companion airfare. Even he knew it was lost money. The very sad fact was that he was so ignorant that he did not even know how to calculate the loss properly. He had not lost $375.00.... he had lost $1,500.00. He actually bragged on 4 separate posts. When I politely pointed out that sadly he did not even know how to figure how much he had actually lost...of course, we never heard from him again.
Funny how he was so willing to brag (and he called it bragging) until he realised that he had spent $5,000.00 and did not even know how much money he had lost.

If it makes you mad that people are being told the truth so that they can decide if it is right for them BEFORE they are pitted against professional timeshare agents...then shame on you.

quote:

Originally posted by Cpresti246:
No, It's not a scam. I joined and have had no problems.. And if you find a better rate anywhere all you have to do is call and they will beat that rate! I cruised for 7 days in a balcony room for 549.00 total by using cruise points which are 17.5 cents each. The VIP treatment is WONDERFUL getting on and off was a beeze.. NO Lines!!You get priorty seating, as well as free cocktail parties, and many other extra perks! As soon as my points run out I am going to join again!

Well, I am glad that you had such a good experience.

Sadly, you are the exception and not the rule. We get the same perks as Platinum members. I have read over 100 posts from people who did actually purchase these programs. 80+ are not just disappointed...they are furious. Of the 100+ people, only 2 people plan to renew. Now that tells anyone with a doubt all they need to know.

That and the fact that several states have now outlawed the selling of these packages to their residents and 18 states prohibit their residents from "renting" extra points.

These are the kinds of facts that people need to know before they buy.