Terrible unique change to early cancellation means I will never go CCL again!

[living at the beach]

Just contacted Carnival to cancel a cruise that I booked for January 2017- about 5 months from now. Previously, I have cruised 41 times with many cruise lines, and many of them have been with Carnival. In the past, even recently, al cruise lines have had the same policy that if you cancel out many months apart, you do so without penalty. Makes sense, as they will have a huge amount of time to rebook that cabin; often at a higher rate. Let me explain that this was for a 7 day highly desirable Eastern Caribbean cruise on the Glory leaving from Miami; not some obscure cruise that might not book up. When I called, I was informed that in order to do so it would impose a penalty fee of $250 for my lowly basic interior cabin.

SO I THEN CHECKED WITH Norwegian, who had a different offer for a similar price for a cabi leavin later that month that offer diverse live entertainment, included beverage package to see if Carnival was just going along with competitors. Instead, I was told that has all cruise lines have always offered, that there would be no penalty if I cancelled before late October.

So, I booked the Norwegian Breakaway from NYC near where I live, did not cance the Glory, but I will never book with CLL again until they revert to the more reasonable policy of letting people cancel before the 90 day before the cruise policy. I have also gone through the cancelling of live bands sailaways, real entertainment, and better food and service accompanied with still good but decreased service due to cuts by the company to the number of service staff, I cannot understand why CLL has a rationale to impose such a steer penalty on a $1000 cabin of $250 when I had also purchased cruise insurance and I was five plus months out!

A warning to all thinking about going or staying with Carnival.

[VASOXFANN]

Did you read the terms and conditions before booking? That's important to avoid surprise and hurt feelings when canceling. :rolleyes:

[Hoosierpop]

I'm confused. Did they change the canceling fee since the time you made the reservation?

[riffatsea]

When you book a trip , whether it is a cruise or a stay in a hotel it is good to read the policies that deal with cancellation beforehand.

Carnival has different policies depending on which cruise rate you have booked.

There is not just one blanket policy.

Sorry you were disappointed.

[LMaxwell]

Something ain't right here....

[Michelle236]

My guess is that you booked either the Pack & Go, Early Saver* and Super Saver fares as you do not get your deposit back.

 

Their cancellation policy is as follows:

6-9 day cruises (excluding: Alaska, Europe, Transatlantic and

Panama Canal cruises) Up to 76 days

None (except Pack & Go, Early Saver* and Super Saver fares**)

 

75 to 56 days Deposit

 

55 to 30 days Deposit or 50% of Total Fare, whichever is greater

 

29 to 15 days Deposit or 75% of Total Fare, whichever is greater

 

14 days or less 100% of Total Fare

[NYGirl1002]

I booked a Carnival cruise for September leaving from Miami. Carnival changed the itinerary for that specific cruise and when my TA called them to change to another ship going to southern caribbean like my first cruise, they wanted to penalize me! She got them to waive it.

 

So now I'm booked on a Carnival cruise for next year because I could not get my down payment back.

[firemanbobswife]

Sounds like you booked Early Saver.

[Nic6318]

Hi there Living at the beach,

 

Just wanted to mention that different fare/rates/cabin promotions have different cancellation rules. Some rates on Carnival will allow for cancellation without penalty. Unfortunately your rate didn't allow for that.

 

Considering that you have cruised so many times, not understanding the cancellation penalty for your particular booking, really is not the fault of the cruise line. Sorry you didn't understand...I hope you purchased a cancel for any reason insurance policy, so that you could make the claim for your out of pocket expenses.

 

hope your next cruise works out better

[tropicaledrink]

Sounds like you booked Early Saver.

 

Exactly. Know exactly what you are booking and make sure it works for you. I wanted to book early saver for my May 2017 cruise (as it would have saved us about $60), but chose the safer past guest rate as I was unsure of a conference work date at the time (and was booking on board to get the bonus OBC). Know what you are paying for and make sure the terms suit you.

 

Also - I have sailed Eastern routes that weren't full - so saying it's highly sought after is your own judgement, but may not be accurate. Some prefer Cozumel. I happen to prefer Half Moon Cay. ;)

[Podna's]

Sorry you didn't understand the rules for your particular fare but todays rules have been in place for many years. I'm going to go ahead and stick with Carnival.

[living at the beach]

You are totally right. My bad. After going on so many cruises; many with CLL, and liking the itinerary for nest January, and purchasing the "CLL insurance! After almost 20 years of cruising, I did not read the fine print. But that is why I am posting this as a warning to others, as I have done so many cruises and didn't realize that with my double price as a solo adding up to a comparable price to both NCL and Holland without an early saver price, with so much less to offer than they used to offer and what their competitors offer that CLL would treat customers this way. early saver rate offers me a very small reduction in price, no other lines have a similar price structure that costs so much so far in advance. caveat preemptor!

[VASOXFANN]

You are totally right. My bad. After going on so many cruises; many with CLL, and liking the itinerary for nest January, and purchasing the "CLL insurance! After almost 20 years of cruising, I did not read the fine print. But that is why I am posting this as a warning to others, as I have done so many cruises and didn't realize that with my double price as a solo adding up to a comparable price to both NCL and Holland without an early saver price, with so much less to offer than they used to offer and what their competitors offer that CLL would treat customers this way. early saver rate offers me a very small reduction in price, no other lines have a similar price structure that costs so much so far in advance. caveat preemptor!

 

Huh? So why did you book it then? READ BEFORE BUYING!

[firemanbobswife]

You are totally right. My bad. After going on so many cruises; many with CLL, and liking the itinerary for nest January, and purchasing the "CLL insurance! After almost 20 years of cruising, I did not read the fine print. But that is why I am posting this as a warning to others, as I have done so many cruises and didn't realize that with my double price as a solo adding up to a comparable price to both NCL and Holland without an early saver price, with so much less to offer than they used to offer and what their competitors offer that CLL would treat customers this way. early saver rate offers me a very small reduction in price, no other lines have a similar price structure that costs so much so far in advance. caveat preemptor!

 

It also works both ways. No other cruise line (that I know of) allows price drops up to 2 days before sailing, either. That is the beauty of ES. However, it is not for everyone and unfortunately you found out the hard way. But to swear off a cruise line because you were ill informed is a little extreme in my book. However, it's your right and I wish you happy sailings on whatever ship you sail on.

[Micahs Grandad]

Still think there is more to the story.

[bigman01]

that CLL would treat customers this way.

 

Sorry, but Carnival didn't "treat customers this way." YOU booked a cruise with a non-refundable rate, and now you're mad because you didn't read the fine print that goes with the rate you booked. Nobody's fault but your own. Your statement should say express disappointment that "I would treat myself ths way."

 

Carnival is simply following the rules for the rate you booked.

[JohnSpo]

Just like you, I made a decision to cancel a cruise for a different itinerary. I understood the penalty to cancel and I made the decision to do it. Nobody likes to lose money but sometimes you may have to to get something better. Ultimately you made the final decision to cancel knowing the penalty just like it did. You should probably just move on and enjoy the new cruise. it really isn't Carnival's fault.

[DevCruise]

I'm confused....I thought with early saver it was a $50 cancellation fee and the rest of any money already paid was held for the next booked cruise?

[JLee1973]

I'm confused....I thought with early saver it was a $50 cancellation fee and the rest of any money already paid was held for the next booked cruise?

That's what I've always been told.

 

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

[firemanbobswife]

I'm confused....I thought with early saver it was a $50 cancellation fee and the rest of any money already paid was held for the next booked cruise?

 

If you book during a 50% off ES promotion the stipulations read like this:

 

Early Saver terms & conditions (T&C) apply. 50% deposit is nonrefundable. $50 per person (pp) fee assessed for ship/sail date changes made prior to final payment date. Cancellations prior to final payment date will receive future cruise credit (FCC) for deposit amount less a $50pp fee.

 

That makes sense in the fact that they would have paid $250 deposit (normally $500 for a solo). However, the deposit is still not refundable. True, the balance minus service fee can be used for a future cruise, but you can't get it back.

[lizardhowson]

You are totally right. My bad. After going on so many cruises; many with CLL, and liking the itinerary for nest January, and purchasing the "CLL insurance! After almost 20 years of cruising, I did not read the fine print. But that is why I am posting this as a warning to others, as I have done so many cruises and didn't realize that with my double price as a solo adding up to a comparable price to both NCL and Holland without an early saver price, with so much less to offer than they used to offer and what their competitors offer that CLL would treat customers this way. early saver rate offers me a very small reduction in price, no other lines have a similar price structure that costs so much so far in advance. caveat preemptor!

 

Apparently you don't follow (read) Cruise Critic either as threads about Carnival's cancellation rules/penalties for various fare rates are regularly discussed here. Funny that you came here to bellyache (even if it took 2 identical threads to do so).

 

No one likes to lose money, but as in all contracts, this is a buyer beware situation. Carnival is not "treating you this way", they are simple exercising the cancellation policy you failed to bother to understand.

Edited July 29, 2016 by lizardhowson

[HawkIVette]

Apparently you don't follow (read) Cruise Critic either as threads about Carnival's cancellation rules/penalties for various fare rates are regularly discussed here. Funny that you came here to bellyache (even if it took 2 identical threads to do so).

 

No one likes to lose money, but as in all contracts, this is a buyer beware situation. Carnival is not "treating you this way", they are simple exercising the cancellation policy you failed to bother to understand.

 

My sentiments exactly. You come on here to warn others for something that YOU made a mistake about.

[nw_man]

Penalties for cancelling a cruise?

 

Welcome to the world of cruising when you are not a US or Canadian citizen.

 

We have always had penalties. Always.

[cruzeluver]

At least take comfort in the fact that Carnival has been honest with you. They have special restrictions attached to the rate your chose to book (you could have booked a different, less restrictive rate) and they are following the policy.

 

NCL on the other hand lied to you. For their rep to say ALL cruise lines have ALWAYS allowed cancellations in advance is obviously a falsehood.

[lizzyplague]

Read the cruise contract.