Had to cancel our cruise - what can I expect?

[AZPurdue]

Greetings.

 

My wife and I have cruised 10+ times before. We were booked on a Carnival Journeys sailing, January departure. Unfortunately, I was unexpectedly hospitalized and discharged on day 15 prior to sailing. We could not make the trip and had to cancel. We did not buy the trip insurance (lesson learned). 

 

Carnival advised me to send an email for their review, which I did. That was three weeks ago. I received an acknowledgment but have read that reviews can take six weeks or more. I received the 25% refund, as provided when cancelling 15 days out. I sent my plea for a future cruise credit for the penalty amount. Anyone with experience know? What are my chances of seeing a cruise credit for the penalty amount or a lesser amount?

 

The 14-day cruise was pretty much sold out so they probably were able to resell our cabin...for more than we paid. 

 

Thanks! 

[mz-s]

Straight up cancelling, chances are slim you'll get anything. Maybe a token credit of $200 or something as a "we're sorry"

 

If you requested to move your funds to a future cruise you'd have a better chance.

[AZPurdue]

1 minute ago, mz-s said:

Straight up cancelling, chances are slim you'll get anything. Maybe a token credit of $200 or something as a "we're sorry"

 

If you requested to move your funds to a future cruise you'd have a better chance.

 

Thanks. Actually, I have since rebooked. A little background. We have been trying to do this 14-day sailing for probably four years. This journeys itinerary seems to run every other year in January. It is also available in Oct/Nov, but that can be hurricane season so we stayed away from that.

 

Originally booked the 14-day Radiance sailing for 1/16/22, booked back in 2019 sometime. Carnival cancelled Radiance sailings (we were notified in July 2020). So booked the Jan 2023 sailing, which we did not go on due to medical issues. 

 

I have since rebooked for the Dream sailing in January 2025 (not offered in 2024). Hoping they let me apply some or all of the penalty to that sailing. 

[mz-s]

2 minutes ago, AZPurdue said:

 

Thanks. Actually, I have since rebooked. A little background. We have been trying to do this 14-day sailing for probably four years. This journeys itinerary seems to run every other year in January. It is also available in Oct/Nov, but that can be hurricane season so we stayed away from that.

 

Originally booked the 14-day Radiance sailing for 1/16/22, booked back in 2019 sometime. Carnival cancelled Radiance sailings (we were notified in July 2020). So booked the Jan 2023 sailing, which we did not go on due to medical issues. 

 

I have since rebooked for the Dream sailing in January 2025 (not offered in 2024). Hoping they let me apply some or all of the penalty to that sailing. 

 

If you included that detail in your appeal letter you might have some chance. As you mentioned earlier they don't owe you anything but there's certainly no harm in asking.

[jsglow]

You mentioned the 'lesson learned' of not having trip insurance. I trust you appreciate that Carnival (and all cruise lines) have cancelation policies in place for a reason. There's certainly no harm in asking as long as you appreciate that any consideration beyond the contractual obligation is strictly their call and should be considered a gift. Good luck!

[Babr]

If you paid with a credit card that offers travel benefits, you could file a claim with them. Depending on the card, it may not cover full reimbursement; but you would get whatever it offers up to the policy limit.

 

On the other hand, if you were hospitalized for a pre- existing condition, it won’t pay at all.