Has anyone ever used the Carnival Great Vacation Guarantee?

If you invoke the guarantee, an incentive will be extended to you, should you decide to give Carnival another try.

 

However, there are reports of Royal Caribbean banning a passenger from future cruises because of complaining onboard then bragging about their compensation on message boards, such as Cruise Critic.

IIRC the couple had a long history of doing this type of thing and RCI finally decided to cut their loses.

They put us on the lowest deck all the way in the back of the ship. That was okay. What wasn't okay was that the entire room rattled constantly. Not one rattle but many different things rattled. (I counted 23 distinct rattle locations).

Given I'm in the aft-most cabin on deck 1 of the Splendor next week, I'm suddenly more concerned. I was expecting noise, but wasn't expecting rattling.

We were on a cruise and we let them - Carnival pick our cabin. They put us on the lowest deck all the way in the back of the ship. That was okay. What wasn't okay was that the entire room rattled constantly. Not one rattle but many different things rattled. (I counted 23 distinct rattle locations). I went to GS and asked if they had another room and they said. no. I then said that I would probably need to use the 110% guarantee then. The lady looked at me like I was crazy and said "What guarantee?". I said nicely, you may want to ask your boss about it. She turned, ask another lady who was sitting at the desk. She jumped up and quickly disappeared. The next thing I knew I was in the GS manager's office and we discussed moving us away form the rattles. He confirmed that lower level rooms near the engine were notorious for rattles and he found us a new room. It was middle level deck in the middle of the ship and it had an ocean view! I would have just been happy with a quieter room but they upgraded us. I loved the cruise and I slept so much better! Because of how well they corrected the problem, we cruised again on the same ship 6 months later.....by the way, I'm usually the guy that just puts up with problems and never complains. This was out of character for me.

Interesting that you had this problem in the original location, but that it was resolved amidships. We were recently on Caribbean Princess in a balcony cabin slightly aft of midship and the cabin vibrated incessantly. I started to shove folded pieces of paper between surfaces that vibrated against each other to stop the noise. It never eliminated the problem entirely, but ameliorated it somewhat. Still, I had trouble falling asleep because of the annoyingly rhythmic sounds -- a bit like Chinese water torture for me. I never thought of asking to move -- perhaps next time I should. Can't hurt to ask, I guess...

It's interesting to note that those who decide a BC is good enough to sail on a closed loop cruise would be unable to take advantage of the guarantee.

Sorry, would you explain what this means?

Travler27: did you write a review?

Would be interested to know what went haywire on your Sunshine cruise, what happened to make it your worst cruise.

Thanks --

I don't really want to get into a tit for tat argument with all the cheerleaders on here so I won't go into all the specifics. Suffice it to say there was no single glaring problem that made us decide to invoke the guarantee.

It was things like a comedy club that requires you to get in line an hour in advance to have a chance of getting a seat. A main theater that keeps the doors locked until 5 minutes before show time. A tub that won't drain after 4 attempts by maintenance to fix it. There were probably 25 or so small things like this that manifested themselves in the first few hours. We always get a suite of grand suite in an effort to have the most trouble free cruise possible.

We met with the GS manager and she actually agreed that we had every reason to invoke the guarantee. However, since our cruise started with 2 sea days, she asked that we give them until our first port to see if they could address our concerns. They were unable to address most of the problems but made such an effort to do so that we decided to stay on and make the best of the situation. We will never get near the Sunshine again. Invoking the guarantee is nothing to be taken lightly as it creates a lot of work and effort on both the part of Carnival and the passenger involved.

We enjoy Carnival (as evidenced by our upcoming B2B on the Splendor) but this cruise was terrible. I think it was mostly the design of the Sunshine and nothing any employee could fix. Our solution will simply be to avoid the Sunshine and ships like her.

I don't really want to get into a tit for tat argument with all the cheerleaders on here so I won't go into all the specifics. Suffice it to say there was no single glaring problem that made us decide to invoke the guarantee.

 

 

 

It was things like a comedy club that requires you to get in line an hour in advance to have a chance of getting a seat. A main theater that keeps the doors locked until 5 minutes before show time. A tub that won't drain after 4 attempts by maintenance to fix it. There were probably 25 or so small things like this that manifested themselves in the first few hours. We always get a suite of grand suite in an effort to have the most trouble free cruise possible.

 

 

 

We met with the GS manager and she actually agreed that we had every reason to invoke the guarantee. However, since our cruise started with 2 sea days, she asked that we give them until our first port to see if they could address our concerns. They were unable to address most of the problems but made such an effort to do so that we decided to stay on and make the best of the situation. We will never get near the Sunshine again. Invoking the guarantee is nothing to be taken lightly as it creates a lot of work and effort on both the part of Carnival and the passenger involved.

 

 

 

We enjoy Carnival (as evidenced by our upcoming B2B on the Splendor) but this cruise was terrible. I think it was mostly the design of the Sunshine and nothing any employee could fix. Our solution will simply be to avoid the Sunshine and ships like her.

I agree, the design is terrible! I did enjoy our cruise on her, but like you, will not return to the ship. I don't go to shows or comedy club so even though I didn't experience the notorious long line issue, the layout and untimely drink service was enough for me

to steer clear of Sunshine in the future.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Originally Posted by Out to sea!

It's interesting to note that those who decide a BC is good enough to sail on a closed loop cruise would be unable to take advantage of the guarantee.

This means that if the person only has a Birth Certificate and the first port is not a US port they won't be able to fly home. So they couldn't invoke the guarantee. :rolleyes:

Sorry, would you explain what this means?

If someone is using a birth certificate/government ID instead of a passport they would not be able to fly back from a foreign port, so they would have to stay on the ship.

Sorry, would you explain what this means?

The last paragraph of the article:

The guarantee must be invoked within the first 24 hours of the cruise. The program applies to U.S. and Canadian passengers only and those using it must have a valid passport to return to their countries by air.

While someone may cruise on their BC (Birth Certificate) on a closed-loop cruise, one must have a passport to fly home from a foreign port. Therefore, without a passport, one would not be able to invoke the guarantee. And yes, I know it's possible for one to get a passport in an emergency in a foreign port but I have to assume that Carnival is not going to also provide meals and lodging while waiting for that to happen hence the rule that one MUST have a passport to invoke the guarantee.

Just wondering if anyone has ever decided they didn't like cruising on a Carnival ship within 24 hours and used their guarantee to get them home early? If so, how did that work?

 

Lisa

On the Glory our room was changed(without permission) to a room directly below the casino. Casino closes at 2AM and you could hear the machines and yelling until about 4AM. Complained and told Guest Services we wanted off at first port. We were refused airfare home and told nothing could be done. We ended up taking our blankets to top deck and sleeping on lounge chairs. Emailed and call Carnival when we got home and nothing ever came of it.

And, if the first port is a US port (ie: From NOLA with first stop Key West) wouldn't getting off there violate some law resulting in a fine for the cruise line that would be passed on to the pax?

aenglish1609,

 

Sail on the Sunshine and get back to me on that. :)

As you can see in my sig, I am going in about 2 weeks... And I will let you know, although I can guarantee you I will have a good time :cool:

On the Glory our room was changed(without permission) to a room directly below the casino. Casino closes at 2AM and you could hear the machines and yelling until about 4AM. Complained and told Guest Services we wanted off at first port. We were refused airfare home and told nothing could be done. We ended up taking our blankets to top deck and sleeping on lounge chairs. Emailed and call Carnival when we got home and nothing ever came of it.

Why didn't you sleep right in front of the Guest Services desk?

And, if the first port is a US port (ie: From NOLA with first stop Key West) wouldn't getting off there violate some law resulting in a fine for the cruise line that would be passed on to the pax?

If the guarantee is invoked, Carnival will fly the guest home from the second port of call to avoid the fine from the PVSA. If cruising in Alaska, Carnival will eat the per person charge for violating the PVSA.

The last paragraph of the article:

 

The guarantee must be invoked within the first 24 hours of the cruise. The program applies to U.S. and Canadian passengers only and those using it must have a valid passport to return to their countries by air.

 

While someone may cruise on their BC (Birth Certificate) on a closed-loop cruise, one must have a passport to fly home from a foreign port. Therefore, without a passport, one would not be able to invoke the guarantee. And yes, I know it's possible for one to get a passport in an emergency in a foreign port but I have to assume that Carnival is not going to also provide meals and lodging while waiting for that to happen hence the rule that one MUST have a passport to invoke the guarantee.

I doubt that the State Department would even consider this to be an emergency so the wait would probably be a long one.

Originally Posted by Out to sea!

It's interesting to note that those who decide a BC is good enough to sail on a closed loop cruise would be unable to take advantage of the guarantee.

 

This means that if the person only has a Birth Certificate and the first port is not a US port they won't be able to fly home. So they couldn't invoke the guarantee. :rolleyes:

Of course! I just didn't get what "BC" stood for, so I was in the dark! (I never cruise without my passport so I did not think of BC as "birth certificate.") Thanks.

Its very unlikely I will ever invoke this, but I can see myself doing it if the air conditioning doesn't work and I had no where to go (full cruise)

Would definitely use it if our cabin is hot as he** like the last several cruises and Carnival gives me same old within limits song and dance. Keep your fan and fix the air!

I don't pay that much to be uncomfortable in my own cabin.

Of course! I just didn't get what "BC" stood for, so I was in the dark! (I never cruise without my passport so I did not think of BC as "birth certificate.") Thanks.

Sorry for not spelling it out. After a while, I guess I just assume everyone knows what all the acronyms are. My apologies.

Sorry for not spelling it out. After a while, I guess I just assume everyone knows what all the acronyms are. My apologies.

No problem! Everyone (but me :o) probably does!

Glad you asked. I didn't know what BC meant either

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

After much discussion on this posting on the Royal forum, I believe this would be the perfect case to exercise this option, if this would ever happen on a Carnival vessel.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2187935

After much discussion on this posting on the Royal forum, I believe this would be the perfect case to exercise this option, if this would ever happen on a Carnival vessel.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2187935

RCCL didn't compensate them for delayed airline flights and the fact they don't own a credit card. Go figure. :rolleyes:

RCCL didn't compensate them for delayed airline flights and the fact they don't own a credit card. Go figure. :rolleyes:

But...Under the Carnival Guarantee, within the first 24 hours, the couple could request a refund and return ticket home, for ANY reason!!

Just wondering if anyone has ever decided they didn't like cruising on a Carnival ship within 24 hours and used their guarantee to get them home early? If so, how did that work?

 

Lisa

There was a guy that poster here talking advantage of that "FOR ANY REASON" clause. He was flown back and got his money+ back.

The only way I would ever invoke this would be if my room had no AC. However, I would be fine being moved to any room, including a tiny interior, so long as they gave me back the difference if it was a lower category than I paid for (and no, I would not pay for an upgrade, if that is all they have then they have to suck it up). Other crazy things could happen but this is the only one I could see being something that is even close to a possibility.

Tried to use on the Glory once but was denied. They upgraded me, without permission, directly above casino. Noise was so bad until 3 am. we ended up sleeping on the top deck,under the stars, with their beach towels as covers. Purser desk said they had never heard of a guarantee./ Now we download their guarantee and take a copy with us.