Venting over comp'd trip

[jrdoa]

I decided to reserve a trip on Carnival back in April of 2005 as a gift for my wife’s birthday. Everything was all booked and the ship would be sailing from Tampa to Cozumel for a four-night cruise.

We were both looking ever-so forward to this mini-vacation, my first cruise, and to get some well-needed rest from our 2 and 3 year olds. We arrived at the port with hours to spare. With the ship in site, that’s when we received a phone call we regretted to get. My wife’s close relatives’ health took a turn to the worse and we needed to turn around and get back home immediately. This relative passed away late that Saturday evening.

I wrote to Carnival, per my Carnival planner's advice, and received a letter back from Carnival that we were getting a comp'd trip good for one year. We were so excited and appreciated Carnival's kindness. It was one of those space available deals. I can totally understand that they would rather make their money on paying customers and not just giving the cabin away. I was told that I needed to get them a set of dates we were interested in going. We did that and then were told that the dates were unimportant and if we had a desired date, to contact Carnival about 3-4 weeks in advance. Ok, fine.

We are looking at going April 20th and I called several times within that 3-4 week window with no results. It was either, "you're calling too early" or "we don't show anything is open at this time". I just called again today, April 10th and was told again "we don't show anything open at this time" and to call back again later in the week.

I don't know if I'm just being inconsiderate because they gave us this free cruise, but this is getting quite ridiculous. We need to arrange babysitting so my parents are awaiting word if we are going or not, plus airfare for less than 14 days is totally ridiculous and / or not available. Back in '05, we paid approx. $1100 for the cruise with airfare. Checking airfare now, it would cost us close to $800 alone for airfare. At this point, we don't even want to take it because of the hassles and waste of money (airfare $$$)

Sorry, just needed to vent.

 

[Cruizer]

A typical cruise ship leaves port at 102 - 103% capasity (100% is two per cabin). So finding a ship with an open cabin is not easy. I guess that this is another reason to buy insurance.

 

[buck_i_chic]

jrdoa,

I can totally sympathize with you~I just ran into the same situation. Like I said in one of my posts under Carnival just made my day~it's lengthy but it's all in who you talk to. My advice to you is to call this number 800-438-6744 ext 70041. They finally got us booked.
Hope all goes well.

 

[jrdoa]

Buck,
unfortunately, that's the same group of people that i'm dealing with as well. Thanks for your input. I haven't totally given up on that date, but am awfully close.

 

[serene56]

I am impressed that Caranival did that for you. Usually if you cancel for any reason they are not under any obligation to help you out. (thats why insurance is good to have)

Have you checked the availablity to see what exactly is available for that particular week?
You can check by making believe you are booking a cruise. SOmetimes these agents think the publick is brain dead and we dont know what we are talking about.

 

[Mbandy]

Carnival's travel agent rates are also "space available". The down side is just as you are experiencing, they usually don't release the space until the very last minute. Hopefully you'll get out there very soon.

 

[jenneml]

Carnival does have your money you paid so no it is not a "free" trip as you indicated. It is called a comp trip but it is not free as you did pay. Carnival needs to realize that there is more to it than just sailing away with them. There are plane tickets to purchase(many time non-refundable) as the majority of people do fly to their destination of where the boat leaves. Not to mention childcare to arrange. In all reality how many people pay for a cruise(a dream vacation for most) and then just decide to "not" show up for it???I am sure you would have been on that cruise versus a funeral home and that is something that Carnival needs to realize. Emergencies happen in life and that needs to be taken into consideration. If you call in and get booked - then that needs to stand. You are just as important as the next guy.

 

[cruise-girl]

Just a thought....why don't you call Carnival and ask when the first availability would be for you to use the tickets and book it? If there is nothing available now...then that would give you time to arrange a sitter. Talk to a supervisor.

 

[BlueChef]

[quote jenneml]Carnival does have your money you paid so no it is not a "free" trip as you indicated. It is called a comp trip but it is not free as you did pay.
Emergencies happen in life and that needs to be taken into consideration. - .[/quote]



Jenne - Sorry, but you're really looking at this the wrong way. Unless the OP purchased insurance for that cruise, Carnival OWES THEM NOTHING! So, it is indeed a FREE cruise Carnival is giving them. I'm sorry for the reason they missed the cruise, but it wasn't Carnival's fault, either.

All the other things you said are just not Carnival's responsibility. Read the contract. They don't HAVE to do a single THING for these folks. They are showing good will by GIVING them this future cruise.


JRdoa - I know you're going through a tough time getting re-booked, but I hope you realize at the same time that you are EXTREMELY lucky that they are giving you this cruise. If they had stuck by the contract (which would have been within their rights) you would be out the entire $1100, period....no ifs, ands, or buts. Appreciate what they are doing for you.

I hope you get it worked out soon.

 

[buck_i_chic]

BlueChef,

I have to disagree with you. Like Jenne said, the cruise was PAID FOR! It' s not a free cruise.
Yes, Carnival is being generous by offering the "comp cruise" but with that they must understand that most people cannot just call two weeks prior and say book me. I know from a past experience you are not told you can only book two weeks to sailing or oh your 50 % off voucher is only good for a 3-5 day cruise. I wasnt told that info last year when I was issued my 50% off voucher but Carnival did indeed fill the request I had and here I am booked 3 months prior to sailing and yes two "comp cruisers" are booked in their own room. It took me a few weeks to get the results I wanted and we are on the second to bottom floor interior but they know they will get my money when I step foot on that ship. It's all in who you talk to. I am not different than the next "comp cruiser" so what goes for one should go for the other.
Just my opinion.

I understand the insurance part of it but unfortunately not everyone can afford the insurance and to most people ( me personally) it's a once in a lifetime experience. Side note...I enjoyed cruising so much I now saved for my next cruise but as a first time cruiser that's not something you think about.

 

[jenneml]

Blue Chef: You are incorrect. Purchasing the insurance does not guarantee anything. I am an example of this. This past November booked a cruise and Northwest Airlines could not get us off the ground due to mechanical failure. Could not get us rerouted either due to some horserace in Kentucky going on and all flights were completely booked. Could not get us there in time for the boat to leave. Was at Columbus Ohio airport from 6am to 2 pm trying to get some resolution. Carnival said it was not their fault so they would not reimburse an elderly couple who did purchase the insurance. Carnival nor Northwest Airlines would hold responsibility (even though it was the airlines) Those elderly people were out of their cruise because "it was no fault of Carnival". They even went through a travel agent. Even though it was not Carnival's fault the plane could not get airborn-they still have all of our money and need to take every case into consideration.

My point is emergencies happen - people just do not pay for something (luxury of a cruise) and purposely not go on it. That is insane. I imagine Donald Trump would not even do that. It all boils down to quality customer service and that is the only way to ensure repeat customers.

Furthermore, Carnival is doing them no justice by letting them book a comp cruise only to be told two weeks prior- sorry-but we have no room for you. The majority of individuals do not have the luxury to just say that is okay-I will try again when it is more convenient for you. The majority of us work - need to request vacations "in advance" and preplan things in advance. Most employers may be sympathetic to the circumstances but a lot are not. The bottom line is quality customer service.

It is not a "free" cruise to anyone who has put their money upfront to purchase something that they did not get. That is free money to the Cruiseline.

I say to be relentless and talk to as many higher ups as you can to resolve your problem and I wish you success in accomplishing that. It worked for me. And I will continue to utilize Carnival for future cruises due to their "making it right" for me.

 

[buck_i_chic]

Who let the dogs out...who who who who...

Sorry practicing that song for the cruise

 

[BlueChef]

Disagree with me all you want, BUT.....Quoting from Carnival literature:

"CANCELLATION OF CRUISE:

Persons cancelling their cruise 7 days or less prior to cruise - Cancellation fee = 100% of total fare.

NO REFUNDS will be made in the event of 'no shows' OR CANCELLATION BY THE GUEST.

We strongly recommend the purchse of travel protection. See the Vacation Protection Plan."


(I located the Carnival Cruise Vacation Protection Plan.....)

"SECTION 1...

TRIP CANCELLATION: Up to total cruise vacation cost: If you have to cancel your vacation for certain, specified reasons (such as injury, illness or death affecting you, our immediate family, or your traveling companion), Carnival will refund your otherwise non-refundable Carnival cruise and air cancellation."


Therefore --- Unless Jrdoa purchased the insurance- LEGALLY, Carnival does not have to refund any portion of the cruise fare, and owes them NOTHING.

What is so hard to understand about this???

 

[buck_i_chic]

Sorry you went to the trouble of copying, pasting and digging up the protection plan for us but I have a right to state my opinion and it differs from yours so...Happy Cruising!!!!

 

[jenneml]

Blue Chef:

No one is saying anything about what Carnival legally owes them. We are talking Quality Customer Service here. What is so hard to understand about that. It is called "courtesy". The victim here is not you(whom I am assuming has invested stocks with Carnival) it is Jrdoa. We are only offering advice what worked for each of us (not your bickering about what Carnival does not owe them). I am sure they appreciate your quoting what Carnival legally owes them and what they do not. They obviously have found out on their own already!!!!!!!! Good luck Jrdoa. The best to you and like I said be relentless as it will pay off in the long run. Do not let anyone dishearten you trying to get a positive resolution to your misfortune on this forum.

 

[janz]

The week you want is also April vacation week..booked way in advance. :cheers

 

[BlueChef]

[quote BlueChef] . They are showing good will by GIVING them this future cruise..[/quote]

Quoting myself here, in case you missed it. Enough of this for me. Can't beat a dead horse. Happy cruising, all.

 

[snowball]

I'm sure that this won't be a popular opinion and I'm sorry if it sounds unsympathetic, but I personally don't think that Carnival should deviate from its cancelation policy - ever. I don't think it is good customer relations to make exceptions for certain people. Everyone has the opportunity to purchase trip insurance (which is just a small percentage of the cruise cost and is well worth it) and if they choose to not purchase the insurance then they should realize that they can lose their money if something happens that prevents them from going on the cruise - plain and simple.

Also, the money that was paid by the OP was for the original cruise - not this new one they are trying to book. The OP did not show up on embarkation day, so it's not even like Carnival could sell their room to somewhere else to recoup the $$. So this new cruise is FREE to the OP.

Who do you think ends up paying for comp'd cruises for situations like this? The rest of the paying passengers - that's who.

 

[buck_i_chic]

Just an FYI to Jrdoa, talk to the Revenue Department, they are the ultimate decision maker on what gets approved

 

[jenneml]

Not sure what you mean about the rest of the passengers paying for comp cruises????Not sure where you came up with that at all. Where did the money go that these people originally paid. In Carnivals bank account. I am not disagreeing that Carnival has shown goodwill. All I am saying is - that they should. Here's to hoping nothing detains your upcoming cruise in June. Two individuals not showing up for a cruise would not even put a dent in what the cruise lines make off of other things offered on the ship. (Primarily liquor)

Good luck Jrdoa. I am on your side on this one!!!!!!!!