Getting runaround by Carnival
 

Talked to Carnival agent by phone about Xmas sailing with 4 cabins. I was surprised to be offered military discount for my cabin although I am only hon. discharge and I clearly stated this. Then checked with local travel agent who does group buying here in Mobile for comparison. While I was present CCL offered two cabins on discount--good deal! Then after booking, CCL said none of the cabins were eligible for discount so I made other plans. The agent just called and said now CCL says my cabin is now discounted(AGAIN) Who answers these phone calls at CCL?

To answer your question about who answers the calls, it could be anyone of hundreds of staff who take the calls as they come in.
One thing I always do is to ask the person I spoke with for their name and extension number. Otherwise each time you call you're talking to whoever is free at the time you call. That person can pull up your reservation, but they can only rely on a little comment line about what the previous person told you. Always insist on speaking to the same person, even if it means waiting a few days until they return.

Like most major corporations, these kinds of communications issues can really stress you out.

Another option is to always deal with a travel agent and let them work out these kinds of problems for you.

Another problem is talking to different departments there who, like the airlines, quote all different rates. If you call the main number you'll just get a reservations person, if you were talking to someone in "promotions" they may have access to other rates for past guests, military personnel, senior citizens, etc. It's frustrating, I know.

The reason CCL may have called your agent back with a lower rate could be that between your first call and that second one, Carnival announced a new discount. Happens all the time.

Hope you get everything corrected to your satisfaction.

One thing about Carnival - it seems the right hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing. Carnival has given active duty and retired military discounts for some time. It is only in the last month that they extended this to all honorably discharged veterans. Seems some reservationists still are unsure of the policy. If you call 6 people, you get 6 answers. It's as if nobody will tell you exactly which cruises and which cabins have military discounts available. My husband is retired USAF and it was only by chance that I finally picked a cruise that was eligible for discount. And the amounts of the discounts seem to vary by cruise, or maybe by cabin type. It is very difficult to get clear info from Carnival on this. You are not alone.

IME Carnival is the worst at providing consistent information.

While I agree that it is nice to make a note of whom you spoke to that said what, I can tell you from personal experience that all this got me was a series of apologies for the compounded misinformation - coupled with attitude - that I received.

Either they are overworked or undertrained but truly their res and CS agents are the worst in the business.

I find this to be consistent with their ships.

I doubt very much if the above poster has even sailed with Carnival. Therefore how can he know some much about them? I am sorry the OP is having a hard time but that can happen with anybody. I do hope you get some resolution. I did. That is I wrote to CCL to complain about some off color comments made by an entertainer, someone who was a member of the original Platters group in fact. I received a letter of apology and a free cabin upgrade for our next cruise. Best of luck.

Hi Fairhope,
Try another opinion at Cruises Only for example...ask for a military rate...it is my understanding they they usually do not offer Interline(airline employee) or Military discounts on holiday sailings, but could be wrong..I also know they will ask your agent for copies of your ID or proof for the discount asap or will adjust the rate back to normal...Their website is www.interlinespecials.com, but just specify it's military, not interline when you call...good luck !