Carnival Cruise Line Book Agents

I'm sitting at my desk yesterday when my phone rings. It is a Florida number (my cell phone tells me the state the phone call is coming from) with a 305 zip code. The number is not in my phone book, but I know exactly who it is. I ignore the call and as expected, my voice mail. I don't even have to listen to the voice mail...I know what it is about. It is the same voice mail I have been getting since November. No, it isn't a bill collector. No, it isn't an ex-boyfriend. I am being stalked by my Carnival Cruise lines booking agent.

Laugh if you will, but the booking agents take their jobs very seriously. They are all about pursing that sale. I'm not sure if it is over zealous customer service, or if they get paid on commission only, or if they are trying to bring up their numbers, or some combination of the three, but it is a little much at times.

This whole ordeal started with a simple e-mail. I e-mailed the cruise line to get some basic pricing information for cruises in June. Little did I know, that fateful choice would haunt me for months to come. All I wanted to know was how many people I needed to book to get a group rate, and what were the prices per person of a few of the Caribbean cruises I had looked at online.

The next thing I know, a booking agent names Shelly contacted me. Mind you I had spoken with Shelly before. I created a Carnival Account so I could fill in the appropriate paperwork and check on the details of a cruise my parents had booked for my family. Shelly contacted me when I opened said account, and I kindly let her know that while I appreciated her phone call, I did not need her assistance with booking at this time. I already had a cruise booked, and I was not in the market to book another one at that time. At that time, Shelly just put me on her mailing list. That means at least once a week, I get a lovely little e-mail from her listing deals and promotions. Okay that is fine. I can handle that, but I could have never imagined what would happened when I said wanted to book a cruise.

I told her how many people we were planning on having, and where we wanted to go. Shelly looked up all the cruises, and helped me find a four day one to Cozumel. It was decently priced and she gave me all the payment details. I was impressed with her level of professionalism. I took down all the information and told her I would relay it to the other people who were spearheading this little trip.

I sent off my e-mails, but no one really got back to me on it. My feelings weren't hurt. It wasn't like I had done a whole lot of work. I sent an e-mail and then spent some time on the phone. If it isn't what we wanted to do, no harm no foul. I e-mailed Shelly back and I let her know that I did not get a positive response from the group. I did appreciate her time and effort, but maybe we could do a different trip later. I never should have left that door open.

Next thing I know, the e-mail volume gets heavier. Okay, not a big deal. I look at the deals and if anything screams at me I look into it. The thing that makes me a little nervous is the weekly phone calls and voice mails. Shelly diligently calls me with the latest deals, promotions and returning guest discounts and hopes I am ready to book my next fun filled vacation with the cruise line. Each time I would answer and once again tell her right now wasn't a good time. Usually I am lucky, she calls while I am at work so I can be guilt free when I do not take her call. I do like that they follow up with you, but it seems almost a little overkill at times. I'm getting her e-mails and your phone calls (which by the way say the same thing), and when I do choose to book I will want her help. However, until then politely saying thanks but no thanks is getting old. It is sad that some booking agent calls me more than my friends, but it is a reality I face.