Never Again! Carnival is the single worst cruise line ever!

My question is, what was your final Sail & Sign account bill? From my experience Carnival places an initial $100 hold and then daily holds on my credit card for the cumulative amount I spent. At the end of the cruise if I added up each individual hold amount it equals my final bill (or close to it), then Carnival submits the final amount to my credit card which clears all other holds that still may be present.

So if Carnival is holding $1,300 does that mean you charged $1,300 on your Sail & Sign card? Just a question, not flaming :cool:

OP,

the one thing you have not replied about is what you think Carnival was supposed to do

lets play it out your way. Your amex is no longer valid. You knew there was a problem. You paid a one time charge with bank card but Carnival is not to use that card. you have no other card.

you continue to make charges. these charges build up.

the cruise is over... they now stop you from leaving because you owe money.

what are you going to do and how would it be any different than the situation you are in now????

Several people have asked this and its the one thing you have not answered

All the kiosk said was a balance was due... I paid it! I paid it was what I had on me, which was a debit card! I was on my way to an excursion for Christ sake. And had 5 minutes to spare... I was on f**ing vacation! I returned in the middle of the night in Puerto Vallarta as we were overnighting and didn't give it any more thought as I have never had any problems with Amex in the past! I never had an issue the rest of the trip, which I come to learn later was because they were draining my checking account. I am not passing bounced checks jack ass... I was merely explaining how carnival screwed me even at the airport parking facility, and was advised they wouldn't take a check. If they would have taken a check I would have paid in that manner because I could resolve this first thing tomorrow am when my bank opens (closed today).. Once again... Carnival has $1300 or so in holds on my account when they have already presented the bill for payment, and HAVE NOT released the holds! If you know anything about banking when they put a hold on a purchase or transaction there is a code assigned, and when you present the purchase or pay,net for processing you are suppossed to link that code to the payment and it is subsequently released. Carnival FAILED to do this! Screw Carnival! And you for being downright accusatory

Banks release holds not the company.

Most people, seasoned travellers or not, would check why their charging privileges were suspended.

There is a definite lesson here about protecting yourself when cruising.

If I ever had a problem charging to my account when I knew I'd set up a credit card then I'd be at guest services at the first opportunity I had. Whether that was before an excursion, afterwards or whenever. Just for peace of mind more than anything to find out what's going on. If you suspect there is a problem but then admit that you haven't given it a second thought, then you have to take some of the blame. (In any scenario, not just this one)

On my most recent cruise with Carnival some excursions had to be cancelled due to weather. We received a refund and booked some more. Unfortunately me and my Husband are set up with separate accounts and didn't realise the refund had gone to one and the excursions to the other, leaving me with a huge invoice and not enough money in the bank, and my Husband with a huge credit and all the holiday money in his account.

I could easily have been in a similar situation as the OP but I double checked our accounts with guest services to the night before to make sure they were charging to the right cards and discovered the error. They sorted it out within about 3 minutes and we left happy. 10 minutes queueing for that was clearly worth the peace of mind, so next time just take a bit of time out of your holiday to check. If Carnival is so horrible as you claim, then you won't mind taking half an hour out of this terrible holiday to put your mind at rest.

This isn't meant as an insult, just a bit of friendly advice. Heck, I check my cruise accounts are going to be ok even if there ISN'T a problem! I can't afford not to!

We were on a cruise once when our credit card information got stolen mid cruise. Guest services let us use the phone for free to get on with the credit card company sndcancel the stolen charges, but we needed a new form of payment to carnival. Besides that one card, we only had our debit card so we gave that to them. They told us by giving them a debit card there would be a hold of however many dollars on our account and it will take several days for that remainder to be returned. I fail to see how that's carnivals fault.

All the kiosk said was a balance was due... I paid it! I paid it was what I had on me, which was a debit card! I was on my way to an excursion for Christ sake. And had 5 minutes to spare... I was on f**ing vacation! I returned in the middle of the night in Puerto Vallarta as we were overnighting and didn't give it any more thought as I have never had any problems with Amex in the past! I never had an issue the rest of the trip, which I come to learn later was because they were draining my checking account. I am not passing bounced checks jack ass... I was merely explaining how carnival screwed me even at the airport parking facility, and was advised they wouldn't take a check. If they would have taken a check I would have paid in that manner because I could resolve this first thing tomorrow am when my bank opens (closed today).. Once again... Carnival has $1300 or so in holds on my account when they have already presented the bill for payment, and HAVE NOT released the holds! If you know anything about banking when they put a hold on a purchase or transaction there is a code assigned, and when you present the purchase or pay,net for processing you are suppossed to link that code to the payment and it is subsequently released. Carnival FAILED to do this! Screw Carnival! And you for being downright accusatory

Wow! Such anger. First, if you gave Carnival your debit card, then you authorized them to use the card since the AmEx was no longer working. Knowing that the AmEx was not charged, it is totally on you to go to GS and check on the problem. If you never checked it is not on Carnival it is on you. Take some responsibility. You just said you never gave it another thought. Why not? That is totally on you. (Someone tell me if there is staff at GS at any time of the day or night?)

As for the holds, there have been many people on here that work at banks and will tell you the BANK has to take off the holds not Carnival. Check with you bank, it is on them not Carnival. So, you need to take this attitude to your own bank. Carnival did not fail to release the holds, your BANK did!

And, as stated by someone else, when you present a check to someone knowing that there is no money in the account (whether you plan to do something about it the next morning or not), that is check fraud. Not saying that is what you meant to do, but that is what it is.

And, for the record, nealstuber was not being accusatory. They were basically re-stating the facts you stated early. You owe them an apology. Not his/her fault that you cannot take clearly stated facts about your situation. Which are almost entirely of your own making.

Who the hell are you to,judge me? I have lied about one thing! Everything happened the way I said it did

Are you starting to regret posting your experience on the Carnival board? ;)

My anger is misdirected when I made a one time payment of $104.65 and Carnival decides to hold onto my visa debit card information and attach it the folio without my permission? I didn't authorize them to touch the card... What don't you get? Then they proceed to charge the visa debit card $604 and $659... And then when they charge that amount they don't release the holds of another $1300 which are in various amounts? Give me a freaky no brake! Carnivals cations are unforgivable and fraudulent

Hardly fraudulent, once you use the debit card (because your other card is not working) that is now your sign and sail payment, and they are allowed to hold a certain amount each day for payments. It is standard practice and in their contract with you. Also, since your AMEX was cancelled, how did you think you were going to pay for your charges? And without that Debit card on file now, you would have had NO sign and sail privileges the rest of the cruise

The main thing taught to everyone who reads this thread: A kiosk = a Customer Service Representative.

OP chose to resolve his issue of his AMEX card not working with an electronic CR. Had he gone to a living CR, he could have asked the question why he wasn't able to charge to his S&S. Instead, he chose the fast method by inserting a valid payment card(his debit card). The computer in the kiosk then REPLACED his AMEX card with the new information. What else is this electronic CR supposed to do? A living person could over ride the computer, but the kiosk cannot over ride its programming.

We always carry 2 credit cards too just in case something happens. Always better to be proactive.

or 3, heck i stil have some ancient traveler's checks that travel with me. Retired from financial industry, wouldn't dream of taking a debit card on vacation that is attached to my main bank account. :eek: Woud purchase a prepaid VISA/MC/AMEX if i didn't have a CC to use.

Hotels & cruise lines will place what are 'soft' holds on whatever card you run for charging privledges. Problem is with a debit card it freezes the hold amount on your checking account for as long as the bank's policy permits. The travel provider releases the funds when you check out, not so the bank. I'd allow three to five business days before they re-appear.

I know many resorts that will place up to a $1,300 hold. Believe it's initially $200 on cruise ships, but they review your spending every day & readjust the hold to cover current and projected expenses, then do the release when back in port.

While CC charging can be suspended due to travel outside normal area or pattern of unusual spending, it is helpful to call provider & give dates of travel. Even if purchasing an item of more than few hundred $$$ or reusing the card after a prolonged period can red flag it.

We found out when in Nassau on a cruise that a VISA, our main CC for the cruise, had been shut down. The company offered to have a replacement card waiting at one of their banks in the next port of call or once we returned to the US, we declined.

OP quite the mess, but think you dropped the ball by not stopping at GS to make an inquiry when the charge was initially declined.

OK !!!! The mystery continues .

Let's see. a)Tropicana/Atlantic City = Casino .......b) Gambling = Cash.......

.....c) Cash = Credit Cards d) Cash = Debit Cards e) Cash = Cash Advance

f) Limited Cash = Credit/Debit Cash Advance

Aha ! (screw Carnival for winning all the cash? ).....maybe !

Who the hell are you to,judge me? I have lied about one thing! Everything happened the way I said it did

Would you clarify this?

:confused: Even as a new cruiser(only one under my belt with one upcoming) this post surprises me. I always travel with 2 methods of payment..its just logical.

And honestly, from the original post..it feels like the OP was looking to hate the cruise before they even left.

I don't know, I just try to find fun no matter what happens. Its a vacation!

OP, just one more thing and then I'll quit busting on you:

If you think the bank holding your money for a couple of days stinks, try dealing with a vacation provider that has gone bankrupt.

If you actually were able to bankrupt Carnival, all those with deposits and full payments made on future cruises (many of whom are on these boards) would be the ones getting screwed. Lucky to get pennies on the dollar years from now.

So expecting sympathy from a group you're intent on screwing does not seem to make much sense - especially since you were totally negligent in not asking "why" when you were presented with an outstanding balance on your sail and sign account when you thought your credit card was in order.

All the kiosk said was a balance was due... I paid it! I paid it was what I had on me, which was a debit card! I was on my way to an excursion for Christ sake. And had 5 minutes to spare... I was on f**ing vacation! I returned in the middle of the night in Puerto Vallarta as we were overnighting and didn't give it any more thought as I have never had any problems with Amex in the past! I never had an issue the rest of the trip, which I come to learn later was because they were draining my checking account. I am not passing bounced checks jack ass... I was merely explaining how carnival screwed me even at the airport parking facility, and was advised they wouldn't take a check. If they would have taken a check I would have paid in that manner because I could resolve this first thing tomorrow am when my bank opens (closed today).. Once again... Carnival has $1300 or so in holds on my account when they have already presented the bill for payment, and HAVE NOT released the holds! If you know anything about banking when they put a hold on a purchase or transaction there is a code assigned, and when you present the purchase or pay,net for processing you are suppossed to link that code to the payment and it is subsequently released. Carnival FAILED to do this! Screw Carnival! And you for being downright accusatory

Sorry 'dude' but YOU spent money on Carnival and YOU didn't pay attention. YOU created YOUR problem. You are certainly one of the mist entitled brats I've seen on here in a very long time. Please, do us all a favor and just don't cruise at all. Clearly not your thing.

Not the first time the OP has decided a cruise line was worth the effort of boycotting. Posted in another thread on 9/29/13:

I will never cruise with NCL again and after relaying my story to my friends and family all have agreed to boycott NCL.

And just a year later on an NCL Getaway roll call on 9/18/14:

Look. Forward to meeting you! Counting the days! :)

I suspect the OP will get over this if the opportunity to spend time in a Carnival casino should present itself again.

I don't understand your statements about a one time payment. When you gave them the information and left it there, you essentially gave them permission to use it.

This!

Post 172 and the OP still hasn't explained how he expects to make payment on his outstanding charges. The credit card is locked, and he doesn't want Carnival to use his debit card, so I guess Carnival should just write off the charges?

Not the first time the OP has decided a cruise line was worth the effort of boycotting. Posted in another thread on 9/29/13:

And just a year later on an NCL Getaway roll call on 9/18/14:

I suspect the OP will get over this if the opportunity to spend time n a Carnival casino should present itself again.

You definitely have too much time on your hands, but well done for finding this. Puts it all into perspective. :p

The OP should be renamed the King of Hyperbole.

Re the original complaints about waiting in line. I once had to wait 3-4 hours to board in Yokohama with no seats or air conditioning. (this due to weather issues and a very small window for guests to leave/board)

It REALLY sucked and I was so exhausted we didn't even make it to our room and had to have a rest on a deck halfway!

But you know what... 10 minutes later I couldn't give a toss! Too busy exploring and having a great time.

I'm a glass half-full sort of person. Others just want to tip the glass over.

Although I still believe you are misdirecting your anger about your charges...I want to publicly apologize for my earlier assumption about you. With all the negativity being directed at you about your post, you have not resorted to name calling or nastiness in any way.

You spoke a little too soon

Questions for all who might have an idea of how this works.

I know you get "buzzed" instead of "dinged" at the debarking kiosk if your account is not in order at the Debarking port.... But does the same thing happen at ports of call?

Not the first time the OP has decided a cruise line was worth the effort of boycotting. Posted in another thread on 9/29/13:

 

 

 

 

And just a year later on an NCL Getaway roll call on 9/18/14:

 

 

 

 

I suspect the OP will get over this if the opportunity to spend time in a Carnival casino should present itself again.

To be fair, it does sound like the NCL incident was really awful-- and certainly blame for that can surely be posted in their column. He seems to have gotten over that, though. Now he can fully focus his attention on blaming Carnival for his packing choices and the cancellation of his credit card.

You spoke a little too soon

 

Questions for all who might have an idea of how this works.

 

I know you get "buzzed" instead of "dinged" at the debarking kiosk if your account is not in order at the Debarking port.... But does the same thing happen at ports of call?

I wondered....so if the OP had never paid at that kiosk then Carnival would have buzzed him getting off and then what? Do they take you back in?

Who would travel far from their home area and make large credit card purchases without notifying their credit card company? The fraud prevention software incorporated at most credit card companies looks for things out of the norm. An east coast resident making charges in LA and Mexico is probably out of the norm. If the OP did that every other week, the fraud software would not have a problem as it would be the norm. Once a year, probably will cut you off until you call and explain.

It amazes me the number of folks who have debit cards and have no idea of the way they work and the differences between credit cards and debit cards. I would never use a debit card for anything but most folks never read the associated contract documents when they agree to the terms of a debit card. They assume that since they look like credit cards they act like credit cards. Bad mistake.

People do dumb things all the time. A lot of them like to blame their dumb actions on someone else.

I wondered....so if the OP had never paid at that kiosk then Carnival would have buzzed him getting off and then what? Do they take you back in?

The OP wouldn't have been able to make any new purchases during the cruise and during debarkation just steps away from freedom he would have got buzzed and security would send him back to GS for final payment. It's very embarrassing indeed :o

OP,

 

the one thing you have not replied about is what you think Carnival was supposed to do

 

lets play it out your way. Your amex is no longer valid. You knew there was a problem. You paid a one time charge with bank card but Carnival is not to use that card. you have no other card.

 

you continue to make charges. these charges build up.

 

the cruise is over... they now stop you from leaving because you owe money.

 

what are you going to do and how would it be any different than the situation you are in now????

 

Several people have asked this and its the one thing you have not answered

I think it hasn't been answered because there was no other option of paying except for the debit card and he knows it was his error but wants to shift the blame to Carnival.