The Critical Cruiser

We have (4) cruises booked this year on Carnival, mainly because of their casino offers.  Between the “Free Play” money, on board credits and free drinks for both of us everywhere, it’s kind of hard not to cruise with them.  What everyone else has said about the lack of transparency regarding their points system is true, which really doesn’t make sense, but as long as we’re still getting decent offers, we’ll continue to cruise with them.

I had a cruise booked on Royal for this December, but only put down the initial down payment (of which I requested a refund for due to the pandemic and received a future cruise credit).  After what happened earlier this year with trying to get a refund back from Carnival, there was no way I was going to pay everything again upfront.  As of right now, that cruise is still scheduled to take place.  Like most people, if I rebook it, it’ll be a last minute thing, which is fine.  I really would like to go, but don’t want to book something that might yet still be cancelled.

Talking about Chive TV?
 
https://thechive.com/category/chive-tv/
 

Does anyone know (or remember) the name of that funny video program they show on the big screens on Royal Caribbean Ships?  It shows people and animals doing funny and crazy things.

Finally received a full refund this morning after 49 days for our cruise that was scheduled to leave this Saturday, 5/23.  I am done with Carnival.

As of this morning, I have received all but the actual Carnival cruise (itself) money.  I guess they're releasing it in drips and drabs, stay tuned! 

32 minutes ago, luv2trvlnow said:

This is what I was wondering about.  So many people are saying they are refunding in the order of cruise date.  But that would not be fair to people who have cancelled cruises that are later in the year.  You should still get your refund in the ridiculously long time of 90 days.  You should not get consistently pushed backed as they cancel more cruises before yours.  You could then be waiting 6 months to 9 months.  That simply is unacceptable.

 

I am glad I jumped ship (ha-ha) at the first sign of trouble.  I cancelled all 3 of my cruises before Carnival cancelled any cruises.  I had booked with refundable deposits and had all my money refunded in about 3 to 4 days.  When it comes time for us to book again we will definitely be booking with a refundable deposit.  It just made things so much easier. Also at our ages (husband is over 70) we didn't want to take any chances on what conditions might be enforce later.  Better to be temporarily on the sidelines watching the proceedings.  

I agree, I don't think they are refunding by cruise date, I think they are refunding by the date of the requested refund.  

On 5/4/2020 at 12:45 PM, The Critical Cruiser said:

When I cancelled our trip (scheduled for May 23rd) on April 1st, the only thing I got from Carnival was a "Shore Excursion Cancellation Notification", nothing for the cruise itself.  It has been 34 days and counting, no refund of any kind as of yet...

An update to my situation, I had booked the drink packages and shore excursions on my credit card and the cruise (itself) on my debit card.  I called my credit card company this morning, they credited me for the drink packages and shore excursions, I tried the same thing with my debit card for the cruise itself, they would not do it.  So out of $3,500.00 total, I have now gotten $1,000.00 back, which is a start...   

On 5/2/2020 at 4:28 AM, skywonder said:

I thought I read on here a while ago that when people cancel their Carnival cruise, they are not getting a confirmation number, email, nothing of any kind, Is this true? Is this with online cancellations through their website or just on the phone with a PVP? I'm just wondering which way is the safest way to cancel, if there is one.

When I cancelled our trip (scheduled for May 23rd) on April 1st, the only thing I got from Carnival was a "Shore Excursion Cancellation Notification", nothing for the cruise itself.  It has been 34 days and counting, no refund of any kind as of yet...

I cancelled on April 1st with Carnival, then they cancelled my cruise, allowing me to get a 100% refund.  I was told (like most people) "it will take a while", and "it may take up to 90 days, because people are working from home."  I'll be calling next week when it hits the 30 day mark for an "update."