Just back and charged an additional $272.87???

[happy cruzin]

Yep. That's correct. Happens every day at hotels.

 

It happens lost of places - not just hotels. But, I don't think anyone is arguing that point! :cool: I was referring more to your comment "so there's not a need to think they've taken money".

Edited February 12, 2014 by happy cruzin

[jakeT]

Carnival always puts holds on your CC account. Last cruise there was a $300 hold put on our account 10 hours before we got on the ship to leave

[agc291]

Carnival always puts holds on your CC account. Last cruise there was a $300 hold put on our account 10 hours before we got on the ship to leave

 

A $300 hold would have seemed normal to me. I was concerned because it was 4 uneven totals, none of which total to my final invoice.

 

I am sure it will be resolved.

[riclop]

They will take care of it , dont worry.

[agc291]

Just wanted to make sure I updated that the $141 was the real charge and the other 3 were removed from pending today. Thanks for all who were kind. I have only done cash accounts and panicked :)

[sjcruiser]

I have went to guest services and closed out my account usually after dinner on the last night, but often I forget I'm going to be hanging out for awhile, and continue to use the S&S acct., in which I go to GS after I leave the club to make final payment. One time I forgot and got another bill handed to me by my room steward the morning of debarkation, which I paid straightaway.

[elainmir]

We only use cash on our SS account...I keep a pretty good handle on what we have spent and usually end up with a check in the end! I hate your having to handle this issue after such a great cruise! That stinks!

[belkin]

Just wanted to make sure I updated that the $141 was the real charge and the other 3 were removed from pending today. Thanks for all who were kind. I have only done cash accounts and panicked :)

 

Glad it all worked out for you. It's definitely a learning process and these boards can be very helpful.

[Tantra1]

Did you purchase anything the last morning?

Pictures? videos? drinks?

 

I didn't think you could purchase anything while the ship is in port. Aren't the shops and bars closed?

 

Cheers!

[Aplmac]

Could it be gratuities? I wouldn't know because I always prepay mine.

You and I are def. among the smart ones, honey. ;)

 

We do sensible things like pay the FULL deposit (no tears next week when they cancel you)

We pay auto-tips along with the rest of the cruise cost AND..

Lo and Behold, we leave them in place and tip extra. :eek:

 

We run Cash accounts on board (no surprises) and easily sorted, if there are.

 

.

[Daddyfto]

We got back from a wonderful cruise on Saturday. I checked my bank account and noticed there were 4 charges from Carnival. We had a cash account on board but on thursday we added a card to our account to finalize everything because we had to debark early to make our flight. Our final bill was slipped under our door at 6 am totaling $114.71 to be charged to the card.

 

I now have 4 charges totaling $272.87 We were on top of our account during the week since it was cash and there is no way we racked up these additional charges. The first charge is $141.46, 26.75, 47.53, 57.18. If you add our bill total and $26.75 you get $141.46 ( one of the charges) so I am sure that the 141 amount is correct. It is possible we spent another $26 after the bill was ran. It is time stamped at 12:17 and we were out til about then. However I am not sure about the other charges totaling almost $110.

 

I called guest services but they are closed until tomorrow. I want to make sure the charges they have are legit. I am quite disappointed seeing as we had such a great cruise and now have to deal with this fuss. I should have just added more cash the night before debarking but figured this was the easiest. I will go back to 100% cash accounts in the future.

 

The first charge is probably gratuities 115 plus a couple drinks ...how much cash did you give them?

[mzloolue]

A $300 hold would have seemed normal to me. I was concerned because it was 4 uneven totals, none of which total to my final invoice.

 

I am sure it will be resolved.

 

Don't be so sure that it will be resolved without some effort.

 

Some years back I got a bill from Carnival a month after a cruise.

It was a big mess.

John Heald got something done, and the problem went away, but I never got a good explanation from Carnival.

[rccranbob]

On one of our cruises we used a debit bank card, first they authorized a hold which was fine, then we found out for every purchase at the end of the day they put a hold on for each item purchased. At the end of the cruise we checked our bank balance after debarking and they actually charged the total. So they actually had a hold plus $200.00, and the total balance. We called customer service at our bank and they released the initial hold plus all the single purchases. So I would advise never use a debit, I don't even use a credit card, I put a cash on my account and add if necessary, on the last night I either withdraw or add any small amounts of cash to cover expenses. I always prepay my gratuities. I also buy my shore excursions in advance

[ShoMeChiefsFan]

I learned from my experience, when I cruised back in 2012, our cruise was great until, we got back home. Let me fast forward.....I normally would put my visa credit card for the sign and sail, never had any issues until this cruise. After that cruise I had a cabin attendant, try to bill me for all the drinks in the cabin, and also try to charge for towels and robe. I never use any of the drinks in the cabin, because I always smuggle mine onboard. As for the towels, we always turned those in each port. Now as for the robe, this is what is so damn funny, I am XL and do not fit into the robes, so I have never used the damn things. I think we ended up with a disgruntle cabin attendant, who thought he would make somes ones day. Well he sure made mine, It took several weeks fighting with Carnival, but the charges were finally reversed after I stood my ground, and also contacted my credit card and disputed the charges. I then called my Carnival Rep, who then informed me that this happens from time to time, when they get crew members who become upset, because they had found out someone did not pay the gratuties. We always pay ours, even go above and beyond if the service is excellent by providing cash to the individuals who make it worth while. After that I will never sail again, without getting a pre-paid credit card. I learned from this experience.

[awhcruiser]

If there are plenty of funds available, then debit cards should not be an issue whether the charges are pending or not.

[ShoMeChiefsFan]

Something similar happened to me this past summer on the Breeze (although I was using a credit card). On the last morning, the statement that was delivered was accurate and we left the ship.

 

Upon returning home, I phoned the credit card company to find out what the actual charge was when the Sail and Sign balance was converted to Canadian dollars. I was shocked to find that it was significantly more than the balance showing on my FINAL statement.

 

I phoned/emailed Carnival several times without a response. It was once I started posting on Facebook, and on John Heald's page, that someone finally started looking into it. The charge was for mini-bar charges that were conveniently added after we disembarked. I refused to pay it - and it was only when they analyzed my actual bar charges to find that we had not once in the eight days drank anything that they claimed was taken from the mini-bar.

 

Long story short, the cabin steward was questioned, and he admitted that he had not done an inventory of the mini-bar for the past several cruises. When he finally got around to it at the end of our cruise - we were charged for everything that was missing. I was impressed that Carnival was able to get to the bottom of this, even though it was several weeks later. To their credit they did remove the charge from my credit card statement.

 

In the future, I will always ask to have the fridge cleared out as soon as I meet my steward. It is frustrating to try and get something cleared up from 1500 miles away.

 

Hopefully your issue just has to do with the "holds", but if not Carnival will be able to tell you exactly what the charges are for, and if it is alcohol, even the brand in question.

 

Good luck with everything.

 

I knew this happens more than some tends to believe. I wanna know how many fail to catch the scenario that you just described!

[awhcruiser]

These were pending charges there is a difference. Your card was not actually charged.

 

I now have 4 charges totaling $272.87 We were on top of our account during the week since it was cash and there is no way we racked up these additional charges. The first charge is $141.46, 26.75, 47.53, 57.18. If you add our bill total and $26.75 you get $141.46 ( one of the charges) so I am sure that the 141 amount is correct. It is possible we spent another $26 after the bill was ran. It is time stamped at 12:17 and we were out til about then. However I am not sure about the other charges totaling almost $110.

 

I called guest services but they are closed until tomorrow. I want to make sure the charges they have are legit. I am quite disappointed seeing as we had such a great cruise and now have to deal with this fuss. I should have just added more cash the night before debarking but figured this was the easiest. I will go back to 100% cash accounts in the future.

[northern_gals]

For those who have done cash only for the S&S... How does it work? When you check in prior to boarding the ship, do you give cash then? I thought you always had to give a credit card? Is thre a set amount of money they want you to put down??

 

I'm going on my sixth cruise, but have only used credit... I would much rather pay cash....

 

 

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[tree.critter]

For those who have done cash only for the S&S... How does it work? When you check in prior to boarding the ship, do you give cash then? I thought you always had to give a credit card? Is thre a set amount of money they want you to put down??

 

 

I have only used cash accounts for the last several years and it's worked out great for me. On the cruises that I didn't have onboard credit I was asked at check in how much I would like to put down, it's totally up to you. They take your cash and give you a receipt and sign for it. If your cash starts to get low during the cruise you can go to GS and add additional to your account. I usually have about $200 pp as a good starting point, the casino doesn't get to see any of my money :)

 

At the end of the cruise you can cash out at GS any balance you have, others have reported cashing out in the casino but I've never done that so can't speak to the ease of doing so.

[ShellLoves2cruise]

For those who have done cash only for the S&S... How does it work? When you check in prior to boarding the ship, do you give cash then? I thought you always had to give a credit card? Is thre a set amount of money they want you to put down??

 

I'm going on my sixth cruise, but have only used credit... I would much rather pay cash....

 

Yes, when you check in just tell them you are planning to use cash for your S&S account. I did it for the 1st time on my last cruise, I'm not sure if there is a set amount required ~ when I checked in and told them I'd be using cash they gave me the choice of putting the cash on once on the ship or in the terminal before boarding...I just did it at check-in in the terminal, they didn't ask for a set amount and seemed fine with the amount I gave them, they gave me a receipt for it and then I kept track of how much was on my account at the kiosks on the ship ~ it was very easy!

[agc291]

For those who have done cash only for the S&S... How does it work? When you check in prior to boarding the ship, do you give cash then? I thought you always had to give a credit card? Is thre a set amount of money they want you to put down??

 

I'm going on my sixth cruise, but have only used credit... I would much rather pay cash....

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

Cash is very easy. I have given cash at the terminal before boarding but then you can add cash through out the cruise at guest services or one of the kiosks on board.

 

This last cruise I checked in at Miami airport and wasnt able to add cash they just accepted cards so we added money once we boarded. They do allow a bit of a grace period if you go over the cash you have added and let you know to go to GS to add money as soon as possible.

[northern_gals]

Awesome!!! Think I'll try that this time!!! Anyone know if the legend has kiosks?

 

 

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[Sparky2]

Wow...that is CRAZY!

 

Last time I asked to have the fridge emptied - on the Magic I believe - I was told "no" that he wasn't allowed. :rolleyes: So - now we just asked that it be lock it - it's not cold enough to keep anything in anyway...IMO!

 

 

I was amazed at how cold our mini fridge was on Liberty recently.

 

I did ask our cabin steward to remove the stuff, but he said he wasn't supposed to do so. I told him I would put the stuff in the bottom of one of the closets and he said that was fine.

[DebJ14]

Because of the holds, it's highly recommended to use a Credit Card and not a debit card to avoid more funds than necessary being tied up until the holds fall off. Just something to consider for next time.

 

I agree with this. However, you also have to have a credit card limit that will support the pending charges.

 

We have one particular card that is saved for travel. It has a very high limit just in case we have an emergency while traveling. Even if you have travel insurance if you have a medical problem and are treated out of the country, most places will make you pay first and then get reimbursed from the insurance company. I hope the angels are with lots of these people who scrimp and save just to get on the cruise and have no cushion to fall back on if something bad happens.

[DebJ14]

Something similar happened to me this past summer on the Breeze (although I was using a credit card). On the last morning, the statement that was delivered was accurate and we left the ship.

 

Upon returning home, I phoned the credit card company to find out what the actual charge was when the Sail and Sign balance was converted to Canadian dollars. I was shocked to find that it was significantly more than the balance showing on my FINAL statement.

 

I phoned/emailed Carnival several times without a response. It was once I started posting on Facebook, and on John Heald's page, that someone finally started looking into it. The charge was for mini-bar charges that were conveniently added after we disembarked. I refused to pay it - and it was only when they analyzed my actual bar charges to find that we had not once in the eight days drank anything that they claimed was taken from the mini-bar.

 

Long story short, the cabin steward was questioned, and he admitted that he had not done an inventory of the mini-bar for the past several cruises. When he finally got around to it at the end of our cruise - we were charged for everything that was missing. I was impressed that Carnival was able to get to the bottom of this, even though it was several weeks later. To their credit they did remove the charge from my credit card statement.

 

In the future, I will always ask to have the fridge cleared out as soon as I meet my steward. It is frustrating to try and get something cleared up from 1500 miles away.

 

Hopefully your issue just has to do with the "holds", but if not Carnival will be able to tell you exactly what the charges are for, and if it is alcohol, even the brand in question.

 

Good luck with everything.

 

We actually do use the mini bar quite a bit. We check it as soon as we board to make sure that everything that is supposed to be there is in there because we don't want to get charged for what the previous passengers drank. We call to have certain items refilled (wine, vodka, tonic water and sodas) during the cruise and check our statement during the cruise to make sure the mini bar charges are correct. DH has often had a soda the last night and a week or so later a charge for a few $$ usually shows up.