Use Carnival online booking at your own risk

[Rhumbline]

I booked a Carnival cruise on-line, paid a $1,000 deposit, and thought my card would automatically be charged for the remainder. It was not, so my reservation was cancelled. When I called to check on it they told me I had to rebook the cruise at higher current prices or lose my $1,000 deposit. I talked to three layers of Guest Solutions personnel and was told that all of this was my fault so I was out of luck.

Obviously, this will be my last Carnival cruise but I hope to let others know that if anything goes wrong with your booking, Carnival is going to hang you out to dry.

[smc0320]

why did you think that your card would automatically be charged for the balance? when would this occur?

this has not been my experience, so curious what happened...

[amillard222]

With all due respect. It wasn't Carnival fault that you assumed that they would just automatically take the money. I do feel bad for you!

[Cruzin2paradise09]

Sorry you had a problem. Like the other responder, where did you get the idea that your card would automatically be charged for final payment? Did you go ahead and rebook?

Sent from my Kindle Fire

[riclop]

Originally Posted by smc0320

why did you think that your card would automatically be charged for the balance? when would this occur?

this has not been my experience, so curious what happened...

It has always been my experience that the card that you make your deposit with is the one they will charge for final payment unless they hear from you with other instuctions.

[bythehex]

Originally Posted by Rhumbline

I booked a Carnival cruise on-line, paid a $1,000 deposit, and thought my card would automatically be charged for the remainder. It was not, so my reservation was cancelled. When I called to check on it they told me I had to rebook the cruise at higher current prices or lose my $1,000 deposit. I talked to three layers of Guest Solutions personnel and was told that all of this was my fault so I was out of luck.

Obviously, this will be my last Carnival cruise but I hope to let others know that if anything goes wrong with your booking, Carnival is going to hang you out to dry.

If you're talking about your final payment, it's the responsibility of the passenger to make sure it's paid in full. You obviously didn't do what you were supposed to. That's not Carnival's fault. Good luck with other cruise lines holding your hand either.

[kona_wahine]

I have to agree with the others. Have always booked online and know when I have to finish paying. Not sure how you missed that.

[Cruzin2paradise09]

Originally Posted by riclop

It has always been my experiance that the card that you make your deposit with is the one they will charge for final payment unless they hear from you with other instuctions.

With a travel agent yes, but never on Carnival's site, at least in my experience.

Sent from my Kindle Fire

[Raylynn]

Never heard of having your card automatically charged. I have always had to call and make my remaining payment on any trips I've ever taken. Cruise or other wise. Unless I made a total payment at booking.
Even if they allowed it and if I had authorized an automatic draft, It would still be my responsibility to be sure it was done. If I didn't I wouldn't be upset with them if my reservation was cancelled. It would be my own fault.

[groo]

Mine has never automatically been charged. I just keep track of when final payment is due and make sure it gets taken care of.

One warning I might make is that by default the entire amount is charged. I checked the box to pay the deposit, then went back to look at something and when I went back and pressed pay now, the entire cruise was billed. My fault. Should have been paying closer attention.

[firefly333]

Originally Posted by riclop

It has always been my experience that the card that you make your deposit with is the one they will charge for final payment unless they hear from you with other instuctions.

You have to be signed up to automatically pay the final payment. My PVP always asks me if I want it and I say no thanks.. its up to you.

[smc0320]

the only other thing I would add is we get an auto email reminder & a personal phone call from my PVP about a week before final payment date....but I've always known my final payment date so have alwas been ready.....

[StillPooh]

Our upcoming cruise final payment was due 11/15. We received multiple e-mails at regular intervals in the weeks leading up to that date to remind us. I find it hard to believe Carnival does not do the same (although both cruises we took with Carnival were booked fairly last minute and thus paid in full at that time).

[popsec]

Originally Posted by Raylynn

Never heard of having your card automatically charged. I have always had to call and make my remaining payment on any trips I've ever taken. Cruise or other wise.

I booked our past Liberty cruise with an online agency I'd used a couple times in the past. This time, tho', my credit card was automatically charged when finally payment was due (I'd tried calling her 2 days in a row before due date but hadn't gotten a call back). When I finally spoke to her she said my CC had been charged. I was rather peeved as this hadn't happened before and I'd wanted to get the points on my Southwest CC, not the one I'd paid the deposit with.

[old sole]

Originally Posted by Cruzin2paradise09

With a travel agent yes, but never on Carnival's site, at least in my experience.

Sent from my Kindle Fire

Not a self-booking on Carnival's site no, but my Carnival PVP always asks if I want this set up using the same card as the deposit.

[picomullet]

Originally Posted by firefly333

You have to be signed up to automatically pay the final payment. My PVP always asks me if I want it and I say no thanks.. its up to you.

My PVP always ask me too.. I sign up but have always called a few days before to go ahead with payment. I don't want my cruise cancelled!!!

[Malinger]

My experience was the opposite, when i booked my cruise I was expecting to only make a deposit. It wasnt until i looked at my credit card balance did I figure out I had been charged for the whole thing.
It all is the same in the end I suppose. I only use the card to get frequent flyer miles so....just got the miles sooner.

[vwrestler171]

So it's Carnival's fault that you THOUGHT that they would do your job for you? Wow.

[Cruzin2paradise09]

Originally Posted by old sole

Not a self-booking on Carnival's site no, but my Carnival PVP always asks if I want this set up using the same card as the deposit.

I don't use a PVPbut since that is along the same line as a TA the clearly that would make sense. I Kind figured my comment would be twisted a bit since I made a general statement.

Sent from my Kindle Fire

[Rhumbline]

Originally Posted by bythehex

If you're talking about your final payment, it's the responsibility of the passenger to make sure it's paid in full. You obviously didn't do what you were supposed to. That's not Carnival's fault. Good luck with other cruise lines holding your hand either.

Yeah, heaven forbid a company in the hospitality industry go out of their way to help someone who has spent thousands of dollars with them.