Not happy!!!

Carnival is the only cruise line my husband and myself have cruised. We are both Platinum cruisers and own Carnival Stock. We have organized numerous group cruises and highly recommend Carnival. I don't call anyone LIARS unless I have been lied to. January 2014 was the last time we cruised and decided to purchase a Future Cruise Vacation on board for sailing Jan 2015. The Carnival Rep that sold us the future cruise had responses for every question we had including only book 1 PERSON but had to deposit $600 to secure our spot. We weren't sure if that time frame would work for our jobs. As it was, it didn't. We had to cancel and the representative at the time said, since there was only 1 name on the reservation I would get penalized $50 not $100. That's the reason why I only had my name on the certificate. That REP LIED. We were penalized $100 and the $100 on board credit was also rescinded. We were also told numerous times that credit will still be available. Guess it's time to try other cruise lines. Has anyone had a similiar experience. I feel it's a waste of my breath to write Carnival, but maybe someone might have some insight into this matter.

Haven't had to deal with the same problem, but I would certainly try to talk to a manager on the phone or send a detailed letter to the corporate office. Sometimes the phone reps don't handle things correctly. Also, if the person on the ship was wrong, corporate needs to know & correct them, but they also need to stand behind what you were told and make it right.

Carnival is the only cruise line my husband and myself have cruised. We are both Platinum cruisers and own Carnival Stock. We have organized numerous group cruises and highly recommend Carnival. I don't call anyone LIARS unless I have been lied to. January 2014 was the last time we cruised and decided to purchase a Future Cruise Vacation on board for sailing Jan 2015. The Carnival Rep that sold us the future cruise had responses for every question we had including only book 1 PERSON but had to deposit $600 to secure our spot. We weren't sure if that time frame would work for our jobs. As it was, it didn't. We had to cancel and the representative at the time said, since there was only 1 name on the reservation I would get penalized $50 not $100. That's the reason why I only had my name on the certificate. That REP LIED. We were penalized $100 and the $100 on board credit was also rescinded. We were also told numerous times that credit will still be available. Guess it's time to try other cruise lines. Has anyone had a similiar experience. I feel it's a waste of my breath to write Carnival, but maybe someone might have some insight into this matter.

The buzz word "accountability" applies here. Had research been done, you would have learned from other people's posts that when booking a cruise on board, and you are not sure if you'll be able to sail, book Past Guest, or another fully refundable, rate, not ES.

The Future Cruise agent also has all the paperwork with limitations and rules of booking on board available.

I learned, from these boards, to book the furthest, cheapest, cruise available with the smallest deposit that is fully refundable . We do so, knowing full well that we have no intention of actually sailing that booked cruise. When we get home, we research and once we find the right cruise, we transfer that booking # through our PVP.

Sorry it's not the answer you want.

Good luck.

I have booked 2 future cruises while onboard under either past guest or military rate, knowing that I would be changing the date and/or ship. I have changed them around multiple times, while retaining the $100 OBC. Sounds like you booked Early Saver, which is why you got penalized.

I refuse to book onboard with the Future Cruise Salesperson.

It is somewhat pathetic when I could tell him more about a cruise we were interested in booking than he could tell me. Back in 2010 we were aboard Miracle (Spirit Class), and were looking into booking Legend or Pride (both Spirit Class) and was interested in a 4K cabin (hadn't tried one yet). He went on to tell me that these types of cabins were not on the Legend or Pride :eek: even when confirming that they were sister ships to the Miracle, therefore the same design/layout...he gave me the look like 'you don't know what you're talking about', and when I pushed the issue, he told me I should look at some deck plans before telling him what category cabin I wanted.

Hence to say we did not book then, and have since refused to book onboard during our last 5 cruises and just wait until we are home to make our choice. We did finally get to sail in a 4K (on Miracle) in 2012, and yes, they have them on all 3 ships :D

The buzz word "accountability" applies here. Had research been done, you would have learned from other people's posts that when booking a cruise on board, and you are not sure if you'll be able to sail, book Past Guest, or another fully refundable, rate, not ES.

 

The Future Cruise agent also has all the paperwork with limitations and rules of booking on board available.

 

I learned, from these boards, to book the furthest, cheapest, cruise available with the smallest deposit that is fully refundable . We do so, knowing full well that we have no intention of actually sailing that booked cruise. When we get home, we research and once we find the right cruise, we transfer that booking # through our PVP.

 

Sorry it's not the answer you want.

Good luck.

Its not the posters fault that they were lied to when booking on board. I have personally been on 8 cruises with Carnival. I do alot of research and try to be informed on everything. Just for giggles, I went to one of those future cruise booking shows on board. I can not even count how many incorrect facts the person presenting had given to the audience.

I was astounded. I would never ever book on board after hearing this presentation. I do alot of research before booking a cruise and go directly through my PVP--not worth it over some piddly OBC to book on board and be led astray.

Its not the posters fault that they were lied to when booking on board. I have personally been on 8 cruises with Carnival. I do alot of research and try to be informed on everything. Just for giggles, I went to one of those future cruise booking shows on board. I can not even count how many incorrect facts the person presenting had given to the audience.

 

I was astounded. I would never ever book on board after hearing this presentation. I do alot of research before booking a cruise and go directly through my PVP--not worth it over some piddly OBC to book on board and be led astray.

This is my point. You did the research so you know that you were given incorrect information.

We have to be our own advocates. There is no one else to blame for being under informed.

I don't consider $100 to $200 on board credit "piddly."

I appreciate all of the responses I have received. This was the first time we have ever booked a cruise on board, before we would buy the future cruise certificates. I do not purchase internet while on board, so I didn't do my research, shame on me. I won't make this mistake again. I guess I put my faith in the representative on board but never did I feel he was lying to me. I do understand the ES rates and the penalty, but was told with one person on the reservation, we would only lose $50. I was ok with that, I was misinformed and there goes another $50. Also was told we would still have onboard credit of $100. Now I know. Ther4 are way too many threads to read out there and unless you are looking for certain posts you will never educate yourself on all situations. Never did I expect someone to lie to me on board a Carnival Cruise ship to purchase a future cruise.

I appreciate all of the responses I have received. This was the first time we have ever booked a cruise on board, before we would buy the future cruise certificates. I do not purchase internet while on board, so I didn't do my research, shame on me. I won't make this mistake again. I guess I put my faith in the representative on board but never did I feel he was lying to me. I do understand the ES rates and the penalty, but was told with one person on the reservation, we would only lose $50. I was ok with that, I was misinformed and there goes another $50. Also was told we would still have onboard credit of $100. Now I know. Ther4 are way too many threads to read out there and unless you are looking for certain posts you will never educate yourself on all situations. Never did I expect someone to lie to me on board a Carnival Cruise ship to purchase a future cruise.

I know I have heard this on board ship before. I would question this too. You should get the OBC on next cruise within 2 years of original cruise you booked on.

The only benefit for booking on board is to get the additional OBC. That's it. the future cruise staff is NOT a travel agent, they are simply, an order taker. You HAVE to know exactly what cruise and when you want, ON YOUR OWN.

The OP booked Early Saver- the terms are CLEARLY written and they agreed to them. They are PENALTIES.

I find it a "hurting only yourself" in reference to the poster above, with their "4K cabin" dispute. So what? It was 5 years ago, and you have lost $500 by not booking your 5 cruises (assuming they were 7 days) on board.

Guess it's time to try other cruise lines.

Regardless of this negative experience, I think it's an awesome idea to mix things up and try different cruise lines. You can experience new ships, new cuisine, new forms of entertainment, new ports, and at the same time, this will let you appreciate what Carnival has to offer.

Loyalty to one cruise line makes very little sense to me, even with past guest benefits.

Carnival is the only cruise line my husband and myself have cruised. We are both Platinum cruisers and own Carnival Stock. We have organized numerous group cruises and highly recommend Carnival. I don't call anyone LIARS unless I have been lied to. January 2014 was the last time we cruised and decided to purchase a Future Cruise Vacation on board for sailing Jan 2015. The Carnival Rep that sold us the future cruise had responses for every question we had including only book 1 PERSON but had to deposit $600 to secure our spot. We weren't sure if that time frame would work for our jobs. As it was, it didn't. We had to cancel and the representative at the time said, since there was only 1 name on the reservation I would get penalized $50 not $100. That's the reason why I only had my name on the certificate. That REP LIED. We were penalized $100 and the $100 on board credit was also rescinded. We were also told numerous times that credit will still be available. Guess it's time to try other cruise lines. Has anyone had a similiar experience. I feel it's a waste of my breath to write Carnival, but maybe someone might have some insight into this matter.

I'm so sorry that happened to you. I would definitley call Carnival and ask to speak with a manager. Maybe there's something they can do to help you.

This is my point. You did the research so you know that you were given incorrect information.

We have to be our own advocates. There is no one else to blame for being under informed.

 

I don't consider $100 to $200 on board credit "piddly."

its piddly if you have to pay a fee to change your booking or cancel. I am not going to pay upfront just to lose that same benefit later.

You can only do research on so many things. Nobody knows everything nor what they might encounter or never knew they might want. Carnival really does give out wrong information about these future cruises booked on board, as I heard it myself in their presentation. But I am an experienced cruiser, many people that go to these presentations are new or pretty new to cruising, They are sold based on what Carnival is presenting. I just sat there thinking this is crazy that so many people can get sold something that may not be what they think. The push early saver big time with all the perks, but never say a word about the penalties. How would a new cruiser understand all the different ways you could book. Shady way of selling cruises.

I do love Carnival and will continue to cruise, but I will never book onboard. Plus, 4 of my last 8 were pack n play offers, so I cruise for almost nothing. I just look for those now. And NO i dont spend a fortune in the casino--about 750 total per 7-8 day cruise. And that does come with a $100 OBC also

I appreciate all of the responses I have received. This was the first time we have ever booked a cruise on board, before we would buy the future cruise certificates. I do not purchase internet while on board, so I didn't do my research, shame on me. I won't make this mistake again. I guess I put my faith in the representative on board but never did I feel he was lying to me. I do understand the ES rates and the penalty, but was told with one person on the reservation, we would only lose $50. I was ok with that, I was misinformed and there goes another $50. Also was told we would still have onboard credit of $100. Now I know. Ther4 are way too many threads to read out there and unless you are looking for certain posts you will never educate yourself on all situations. Never did I expect someone to lie to me on board a Carnival Cruise ship to purchase a future cruise.

I agree with the others about calling and speaking to a manager to get a better resolution. Be nice, explain your loyalty and ask that they honor what you fully believed to be within the rules. It really shouldn't be your job to know the rules. You should be able to believe what you are told at purchase. It should be pretty clear to them that the only possible benefit to booking it single was to limit the cost to you if you need to cancel. Can you pick a new date and be ready to book for two people? It may make it easier to accommodate you.

Personally most of us know more than an on board agent. We've had more than one occasion that we've actually helped people in line with their questions as the consultant couldn't answer them. Not a fan and wouldn't book with them.

As one poster said...if you do, book the furthest cheapest refundable one, go home and make whatever changes you then want.

The only time I've ever purchased a FCC was last May on Pride. Of course, I did my homework HERE before I decided to do that.

When I boarded, I discovered that there was no person manning that desk that week. I went to the service desk and was told that all I had to do was go to the internet room (in the library on that ship), book my cruise online like I would if I were at home not using my PVP, print out the booking and bring it to them at the desk.

I did that and they took a copy of the receipt. I booked the Splendor repo and I did NOT book ES. I rarely book ES because I don't like restrictions. In fact, it's very likely that I'll cancel that cruise.

When I got home, I emailed a copy of the booking to my PVP (who already knew I'd booked) and he made sure the $100 OBC was applied to the Splendor cruise.

Do people realize that they can book other than ES and then SWITCH to ES just before the ES rates disappear? That way, you have plenty of time to decide it you want to change the booking without penalty. If you're positive you're going to keep the booking, you just change to the ES rate (assuming it's lower than what you booked, of course).

It's like all the people who think they just HAVE to book ES to get price drops and don't realize that they can do that under any rate up until final payment.

So, yes, do your homework before you cruise. If you're Platinum, you should have a good PVP that could help you with this issue. I know mine would! It's the only reason I have one. I could easily book everything myself but I go through him "just in case" I need help with something later.

Carnival is the only cruise line my husband and myself have cruised. We are both Platinum cruisers and own Carnival Stock. We have organized numerous group cruises and highly recommend Carnival. I don't call anyone LIARS unless I have been lied to. January 2014 was the last time we cruised and decided to purchase a Future Cruise Vacation on board for sailing Jan 2015. The Carnival Rep that sold us the future cruise had responses for every question we had including only book 1 PERSON but had to deposit $600 to secure our spot. We weren't sure if that time frame would work for our jobs. As it was, it didn't. We had to cancel and the representative at the time said, since there was only 1 name on the reservation I would get penalized $50 not $100. That's the reason why I only had my name on the certificate. That REP LIED. We were penalized $100 and the $100 on board credit was also rescinded. We were also told numerous times that credit will still be available. Guess it's time to try other cruise lines. Has anyone had a similiar experience. I feel it's a waste of my breath to write Carnival, but maybe someone might have some insight into this matter.

To prevent a "He said / she said" debate, get whatever you're told in writing. That way, you have written proof of everything. Then, even if the sales person gives you inaccurate information, you still have something concrete to back you up. I don't know if it would be considered a binding contract, but it's better than hearsay.

I refuse to book onboard with the Future Cruise Salesperson.

 

It is somewhat pathetic when I could tell him more about a cruise we were interested in booking than he could tell me. Back in 2010 we were aboard Miracle (Spirit Class), and were looking into booking Legend or Pride (both Spirit Class) and was interested in a 4K cabin (hadn't tried one yet). He went on to tell me that these types of cabins were not on the Legend or Pride :eek: even when confirming that they were sister ships to the Miracle, therefore the same design/layout...he gave me the look like 'you don't know what you're talking about', and when I pushed the issue, he told me I should look at some deck plans before telling him what category cabin I wanted.

 

Hence to say we did not book then, and have since refused to book onboard during our last 5 cruises and just wait until we are home to make our choice. We did finally get to sail in a 4K (on Miracle) in 2012, and yes, they have them on all 3 ships :D

In a sense, the salesperson also acts as a customer service person. My contention is, and has been for years, that if you're going to be a salesperson/customer service person, make it a point to know what you're talking about. If I, as the customer, know more about the product/service than you, as the salesperson knows (or should know), then I'm not going to waste my time with you, and I'll take my business elsewhere.

To prevent a "He said / she said" debate, get whatever you're told in writing. That way, you have written proof of everything. Then, even if the sales person gives you inaccurate information, you still have something concrete to back you up. I don't know if it would be considered a binding contract, but it's better than hearsay.

Thank you for using the words "inaccurate information", because that's what it is;) I think using the term "they LIED" is not accurate. I doubt if a representer lies to get a booking, that's not good business practice.

Thank you for using the words "inaccurate information", because that's what it is;) I think using the term "they LIED" is not accurate. I doubt if a representer lies to get a booking, that's not good business practice.

Lie

inaccurate information

withholding information

Although not all, and without making a generalization, a "sales persons" job is to get the money. In return, they get paid. Pay is based on quotas. The life of a sales person is about quotas, incentives and increasing their paycheck. I have worked with many "sales people" and have caught many "sales people" telling inaccurate info. Mainly, because I know many of the tricks.

It's not about business practice, because the business practice of increasing your paycheck is usually the most important.

The buzz word "accountability" applies here. Had research been done, you would have learned from other people's posts that when booking a cruise on board, and you are not sure if you'll be able to sail, book Past Guest, or another fully refundable, rate, not ES.

 

The Future Cruise agent also has all the paperwork with limitations and rules of booking on board available.

 

I learned, from these boards, to book the furthest, cheapest, cruise available with the smallest deposit that is fully refundable . We do so, knowing full well that we have no intention of actually sailing that booked cruise. When we get home, we research and once we find the right cruise, we transfer that booking # through our PVP.

 

Sorry it's not the answer you want.

Good luck.

This is my point. You did the research so you know that you were given incorrect information.

We have to be our own advocates. There is no one else to blame for being under informed.

 

I don't consider $100 to $200 on board credit "piddly."

I can't even begin to understand where you are coming from. You seriously think that it's the poster's fault she was lied to, by a CARNIVAL employee nonetheless, and she should have done "further research"? Are you kidding me? Do you honestly think that everyone comes on these message boards? That's like 0.00001% of the population of people who cruise. I cannot seriously picture my 91 year old grandmother knowing to go online to "message boards" and do research before she trusts the actual Carnival employee standing in front of her giving her facts. She doesn't even know what a message board is.

If it was some sort of outside company selling her a cruise vacation, then I would say you absolutely have responsibility and accountability in making sure that company is legit and is not going to lie to you. But when you are buying a future cruise ONBOARD A CARNIVAL SHIP, speaking to a CARNIVAL EMPLOYEE, you should not have to do any further research as to what they tell you. (Obviously that's not the case, but again, 99.9999% of people would not know how poorly informed these people are.) It' Carnival's responsibility if they cannot train their people correctly to give out accurate information, NOT the OP's fault whatsoever.

Do you think that when you go buy and Apple Ipad, from an actual apple store, that you should have to then go home, and do research to make sure that what the APPLE employee told you is correct? NO. It's the Apple employee that you should be able to go to for correct answers, not message boards. She is absolutely not at fault.

On the other hand, I don't think it's likely that they purposely lied. They probably just didn't know what they were talking about due to poor training and that should not happen with an actual Carnival employee.

I can't even begin to understand where you are coming from. You seriously think that it's the poster's fault she was lied to, by a CARNIVAL employee nonetheless, and she should have done "further research"? Are you kidding me? Do you honestly think that everyone comes on these message boards? That's like 0.00001% of the population of people who cruise. I cannot seriously picture my 91 year old grandmother knowing to go online to "message boards" and do research before she trusts the actual Carnival employee standing in front of her giving her facts. She doesn't even know what a message board is.

 

If it was some sort of outside company selling her a cruise vacation, then I would say you absolutely have responsibility and accountability in making sure that company is legit and is not going to lie to you. But when you are buying a future cruise ONBOARD A CARNIVAL SHIP, speaking to a CARNIVAL EMPLOYEE, you should not have to do any further research as to what they tell you. (Obviously that's not the case, but again, 99.9999% of people would not know how poorly informed these people are.) It' Carnival's responsibility if they cannot train their people correctly to give out accurate information, NOT the OP's fault whatsoever.

 

Do you think that when you go buy and Apple Ipad, from an actual apple store, that you should have to then go home, and do research to make sure that what the APPLE employee told you is correct? NO. It's the Apple employee that you should be able to go to for correct answers, not message boards. She is absolutely not at fault.

 

On the other hand, I don't think it's likely that they purposely lied. They probably just didn't know what they were talking about due to poor training and that should not happen with an actual Carnival employee.

I stand by my statement about accountability. Why should anyone put all his/her trust in a salesperson whose sole job is to sell? What does anyone know about the training that person received?

My 86 year old mother-in-law knows to find all the information she can when she purchases cruises. No, she is not on Cruise Critic nor another message board. She contacts travel agents and talks to friends who have experience.

To answer your question about Apple, yes, we researched before we bought iPods four years ago. We research when we buy cars, cameras, appliances, anything that is of value. Do you purchase big ticket items without knowing anything about them? Why should a cruise be any different?

It's like all the people who think they just HAVE to book ES to get price drops and don't realize that they can do that under any rate up until final payment.

Yes, this a very common misconception !

Almost everyday I see a post here where someone claims you cannot get price drops unless you booked ES rate. So many have not bothered to read and understand Carnival's policies. :rolleyes:

Like you, I never book ES, I want control over my deposit and want it back (not a credit) if I cancel. Plus, I can do name/passenger changes with no fee up through when my final payment is due.

I stand by my statement about accountability. Why should anyone put all his/her trust in a salesperson whose sole job is to sell? What does anyone know about the training that person received?

 

My 86 year old mother-in-law knows to find all the information she can when she purchases cruises. No, she is not on Cruise Critic nor another message board. She contacts travel agents and talks to friends who have experience.

 

To answer your question about Apple, yes, we researched before we bought iPods four years ago. We research when we buy cars, cameras, appliances, anything that is of value. Do you purchase big ticket items without knowing anything about them? Why should a cruise be any different?

How does she know what this is JUST a sales person whose entire job is just to sell? You say, "do research with a travel agent". Well a travel agent is just as likely to lie then by your reasoning. Where and when do you start to believe people? A travel agent's job is to SELL VACATIONS just the same as a Carnival employee's. If a travel agent gives misinformation, I hear people say, "Well you should have called Carnival and asked them instead of just trusting a travel agent." It's the same deal. Who can you trust? And bottom line, the person you should be able to trust the most are the people who work for the ACTUAL COMPANY providing the service. Your reasoning makes absolutely no sense. And to say someone is accountable for being misinformed by an actual Carnival employee shows how sad our society is getting, that a company is not held accountable for lying to it's customers, it's the customers that should "know better than to trust."

Yes I have an IPAD, and yes I did reasearch. But bottom line again, the most research I did was from APPLE. When I bought my first one we went in and grilled the heck out of that guy with questions. So should I have then went to the guy on the street selling IPADS, asked him a bunch of questions, and trusted what he was saying to me over apple? I think not.

It just makes me laugh that when there are serious questions about cruising, people on the message boards are like, "Duh, call carnival and ask." And then when Carnival is wrong, people are like, "duh you should have known better than to trust them." Seriously?!?!

Lie

inaccurate information

withholding information

 

Although not all, and without making a generalization, a "sales persons" job is to get the money. In return, they get paid. Pay is based on quotas. The life of a sales person is about quotas, incentives and increasing their paycheck. I have worked with many "sales people" and have caught many "sales people" telling inaccurate info. Mainly, because I know many of the tricks.

 

It's not about business practice, because the business practice of increasing your paycheck is usually the most important.

I know it's inaccurate;) But a lie is to deliberately falsify.