Hurricane Sandy cruises-what did Carnival give you?

[gram2trips]

Just off the Pride last night and we got $29.04 per person refunded for the 2 ports we missed. Supposed to have 3 stops, managed to get one of them in. And we also got 50% off of a future 2 to 7 night cruise. Our cruise wasn't shortened per say. We arrived back to Baltimore last night and were given the option to disembark completely or return to the ship and disembark in the morning. We chose to go ahead and disembark since we had driven to the port. No biggie for us. I thought the compensation was more than fair considering I know the ports are never a guarantee.

 

We still had a blast through all the rocking and rolling and like I said I think the fact that they offered any kind of future cruise discount was really above what they had to do to, especially half off! :D

 

Ditto what u said...we opted to stay on board for the night, had breakfast this AM then disembarked for home. Was glad we got to GrandTurk, had fun on the golf cart!! When we left the port at 9:45 there were 6 cars in line, I am assuming to cruise. The coast guard shut sown the port of baltimore & the pride was not able to go out today.

[Yako]

Just off a week of misery on the Fascination. To be fair, no the hurricane is not their fault, but the way Carnival handled it is. 20% off of a cruise most first timers will never take is a joke. We were off the coast of Jax and could see lights, but could we dock....no. If we docked a day early the rocking and puking would have stopped, but the casino would of had to close. They were not about to let that happen, so it was money over people, as usual.

[agc291]

Just off a week of misery on the Fascination. To be fair, no the hurricane is not their fault, but the way Carnival handled it is. 20% off of a cruise most first timers will never take is a joke. We were off the coast of Jax and could see lights, but could we dock....no. If we docked a day early the rocking and puking would have stopped, but the casino would of had to close. They were not about to let that happen, so it was money over people, as usual.

 

 

I just think everyone should get the same thing. Yes we lost a day so we will be given that day refunded but that was announced the day after we were given the 20% off. If everyone got nothing or everyone got 20% that would be fair but there is a big difference between 20 & 50%.

[StillPooh]

Just off a week of misery on the Fascination. To be fair, no the hurricane is not their fault, but the way Carnival handled it is. 20% off of a cruise most first timers will never take is a joke. We were off the coast of Jax and could see lights, but could we dock....no. If we docked a day early the rocking and puking would have stopped, but the casino would of had to close. They were not about to let that happen, so it was money over people, as usual.

What makes you so sure there was space available in the port for the ship to dock?

[veryhotred]

I'd rather have them keep me safe then worry about what I should be getting for missing a port, staying out longer, etc...

[ItsAllAboutTheSass]

What makes you so sure there was space available in the port for the ship to dock?

 

Or that the Harbor Master or USCG would allow them into port, or that there were dock workers there to perform the functions that must be done for a ship to dock....

[Yako]

Yes, I understand that there are a lot of what ifs. I do not buy that we could not find somewhere to dock between Key West and Savannah. There are several cruise ports and a lot of ships out of port.

I do not expect to be compensated for the weather, but I do expect that the cruise line put people's welfare above the bottom line. Most of us that are first time cruisers or first time with Carnival will never use their future discount. We would much rather had been treated with some respect and if we could not dock, at the least, explain that to us. Being told that you are perfectly safe while on your knees in front of a toilet when you are 3 miles from shore does not inspire a lot of trust or confidence.

[BamaCruiser20]

Why should Carnival "give" you anything except a refund on the portion of your cruise you did not use?? The ports are not guaranteed and subject to change at anytime. They kept you safe and out of harms way.

 

I don't think anyone at Carnival forced you to book a cruise during hurricane season just as much as I don't think anyone at Carnival had anything to do with the formation of a hurricane.

 

Gimme, gimme, gimme.....

[bbohbbneedacruise]

Or that the Harbor Master or USCG would allow them into port, or that there were dock workers there to perform the functions that must be done for a ship to dock....

 

Wasn't Jaxport where Eurodam had to pull in at??

If so that's probably why Fascination could not get in there. Most likely HAL was in the industrial area due to the bridge. If tides were not right Fascination would have nowhere to go but wait it out on the ocean.

[BamaCruiser20]

Yes, I understand that there are a lot of what ifs. I do not buy that we could not find somewhere to dock between Key West and Savannah. There are several cruise ports and a lot of ships out of port.

I do not expect to be compensated for the weather, but I do expect that the cruise line put people's welfare above the bottom line. Most of us that are first time cruisers or first time with Carnival will never use their future discount. We would much rather had been treated with some respect and if we could not dock, at the least, explain that to us. Being told that you are perfectly safe while on your knees in front of a toilet when you are 3 miles from shore does not inspire a lot of trust or confidence.

 

 

As a first time cruiser, you may not know this, but Carnival (or any other cruiseline) can't just put on the blinker and turn into a parking space as if they were driving a car. There are MANY aspects of docking a ship, especially a cruise ship. Also, 90% of the time, if the seas are really rough, you are much safer at sea than a dock.

[Beach4me]

Yes, I understand that there are a lot of what ifs. I do not buy that we could not find somewhere to dock between Key West and Savannah. There are several cruise ports and a lot of ships out of port.

I do not expect to be compensated for the weather, but I do expect that the cruise line put people's welfare above the bottom line. Most of us that are first time cruisers or first time with Carnival will never use their future discount. We would much rather had been treated with some respect and if we could not dock, at the least, explain that to us. Being told that you are perfectly safe while on your knees in front of a toilet when you are 3 miles from shore does not inspire a lot of trust or confidence.

 

This was my 51st cruise and I promise you this, if it had been my first, I'd never have stepped foot on a ship for a second go 'round!

 

You are right, Yako, several things were mishandled on this voyage. (And yes, I have experienced other weather-related challenges on some of my voyages over the years so I do have some basis for comparison.)

 

To the OP - we got $17 back in port charges (we missed Nassau) and 20% off a 2-5 night voyage before Oct 2014. More than fair in my opinion. I just wish I could get the discount on a 7-day out of Charleston because that is the only itinerary I'm at all interested in.

 

Funniest sight on the ship...the Future Cruise desk with a huge sign talking up booking your next cruise and stacks of barf bags piled up right next to the sign. LOL!

Edited October 28, 2012 by Beach4me

[adkcruiser]

We were on the Miracle out of NYC. The cruise was reduced from 8 to 7 days and two ports (St. Thomas and Grand Turk) were cancelled. As compensation we received 50% off a future cruise (with restrictions and must be used by 10/2014). In addition, we received a refund of port fees for St. Thomas and Grand Turk, and a refund (coming within two weeks) of one day of the cruise fare. Our on board accounts were also credited for one day of tips. Carnival also provided free service on the in cabin phone on Saturday PM so that people could make alternate travel arrangements since we were arriving one day early.

 

We had no issue with the compensation offered - thought it was more than fair!! We also had NO PROBLEM with the decision to concel two ports and head back to NYC early. Made perfect sense to us as passenger safety has to be paramount!

 

Kudos to Carnival and their handling of the Miracle cruise.

[cruise_pirate]

Sounds like they are being quite fair to me, afterall it is still hurricane season! :cool:

[SexyK]

No matter what is given or not given.... everyone will not be satisfied. Everyone should be thankful that they made it back safely. Just sayin.....

[dwaterhouse]

Pride cancelled today

100 percent refund

25 percent off future cruise

Free lunch and a free beer

[Don Haynes]

There are many who have had turbulent flights this week. No one has received any compensation for a rough ride and heavy weather. Why should cruise ships do so when the airlines don't?

 

The cruise lines will compensate for the port fees of the ports of call you missed, and prorate any cruise length shortages, but that is all they have to compensate for. Anything else is gravy.

[ryfiphone]

The epic battle of entitlement. Joy! Carnival kept everyone safe through a natural disaster. They probably gave some people 20% and others 50% because of the rate you paid for your cruise. If you sailed on a budget sailing where the interiors are going for a few hundred bucks you probably got 20% and those that were six hundred plus probably got 50%. Either way they compensated you for something outside of their control so kudos to Carnival.

[agc291]

The epic battle of entitlement. Joy! Carnival kept everyone safe through a natural disaster. They probably gave some people 20% and others 50% because of the rate you paid for your cruise. If you sailed on a budget sailing where the interiors are going for a few hundred bucks you probably got 20% and those that were six hundred plus probably got 50%. Either way they compensated you for something outside of their control so kudos to Carnival.

 

 

No.. everyone on our cruise received 20% off, the Pride and the Miracle received 50% off regardless of if you booked a suite or interior room.

Before I am asked "well how do you know the entire cruise got the same discount?" Feel free to check our roll call, also the letter that was left in all of our cabins was blown up to poster size and put in the area by the atrium elevators on deck 5.

 

Again, no one seems to be grasping that this is no about being entitled to a discount. It is that the ships were in the same storm and were given different things.

[Rainbowfalls]

:( sorry for all of you not cruising right now but glad you all are safe :).

 

I am amazed carnival doesn't have a set regulation in place for times like this in regards to compensation if any.

 

I know lots of places ( i.e hotels, resorts) acts of nature is considered an issue not for compensation however if they do they typically have compensation set the same for everyone treating all equally who had the same like conditions. To avoid conflict and because it's better business lol.

 

Almost seems like each ship is acting as it's own instead of under the same company.

 

Just my opinion and observation :)

[ryfiphone]

No.. everyone on our cruise received 20% off, the Pride and the Miracle received 50% off regardless of if you booked a suite or interior room.

Before I am asked "well how do you know the entire cruise got the same discount?" Feel free to check our roll call, also the letter that was left in all of our cabins was blown up to poster size and put in the area by the atrium elevators on deck 5.

 

Again, no one seems to be grasping that this is no about being entitled to a discount. It is that the ships were in the same storm and were given different things.

 

These three ships left from the same port, same itinerary, same amenities, and had the same cabin rates?

[agc291]

These three ships left from the same port, same itinerary, same amenities, and had the same cabin rates?

 

 

Obviously not but again you are missing the point.

 

Carnival Miracle from New York to Port Canaveral, Nassau, Freeport

Carnival Pride from Baltimore to Port Canaveral, Nassau, Freeport

Carnival Glory from Norfolk to Nassau (11:30 am Wed - 10 pm Thursday), Freeport

 

All 3 ships only made one stop and ours was shortened from 2 days to 7 hours.

 

The Glory & Miracle were brought home a day early, the Pride was brought home the night before but were given the option to stay on board until morning. I am unsure if the Miracle was given this option.

 

There are ships out of Florida that also only received 20% off and went through the same experience.

 

So you see, our point is

 

same week

same storm

same circumstances

different solutions

 

Another situation that has come up is that both the following sailings on the Glory & Pride were cancelled.

 

People on the Glory are receiving a full refund, people scheduled to be on the Pride are being given a full refund as well as 25% off a future cruise.

Although the Pride may be given that because some passengers were actually able to board the ship and then were made to debark as opposed to fully cancel the cruise the day before like the Glory.

[ryfiphone]

Obviously not but again you are missing the point.

 

Carnival Miracle from New York to Port Canaveral, Nassau, Freeport

Carnival Pride from Baltimore to Port Canaveral, Nassau, Freeport

Carnival Glory from Norfolk to Nassau (11:30 am Wed - 10 pm Thursday), Freeport

 

All 3 ships only made one stop and ours was shortened from 2 days to 7 hours.

 

The Glory & Miracle were brought home a day early, the Pride was brought home the night before but were given the option to stay on board until morning. I am unsure if the Miracle was given this option.

 

There are ships out of Florida that also only received 20% off and went through the same experience.

 

So you see, our point is

 

same week

same storm

same circumstances

different solutions

 

Another situation that has come up is that both the following sailings on the Glory & Pride were cancelled.

 

People on the Glory are receiving a full refund, people scheduled to be on the Pride are being given a full refund as well as 25% off a future cruise.

Although the Pride may be given that because some passengers were actually able to board the ship and then were made to debark as opposed to fully cancel the cruise the day before like the Glory.

 

I understand your frustration but I think you are missing my point. This was not Carnival fault, and they still have a business to run. They probably had higher profit margins based on cruise fare prices on the ships that were offered the higher percentage off a future sailing. It stands to reason of those people paid on average more per cabin than you, then they are receiving a higher amount back. It would take an in depth analysis to determine "fairness" in this case, and while I understand that the storm probably put a heavy damper on your vacation you will only stress yourself out more worrying and arguing over a discount that was given in good grace, and to be brutally honest you were not entitled to.

Edited October 29, 2012 by ryfiphone

[glrounds]

Yes, I understand that there are a lot of what ifs. I do not buy that we could not find somewhere to dock between Key West and Savannah. There are several cruise ports and a lot of ships out of port.

I do not expect to be compensated for the weather, but I do expect that the cruise line put people's welfare above the bottom line. Most of us that are first time cruisers or first time with Carnival will never use their future discount. We would much rather had been treated with some respect and if we could not dock, at the least, explain that to us. Being told that you are perfectly safe while on your knees in front of a toilet when you are 3 miles from shore does not inspire a lot of trust or confidence.

 

Don't you understand the MAYHEM and CHAOS that is created when you dock at a DIFFERENT port than the one you are supposed to dock at ? :confused:This involves bussing people to the place where their cars are parked or where their airport is for returning home. This has happened before when it was absolutely necessary with Mobile and NOLA and the problems immediately created are immense.:(

 

[sccindy]

Maybe after a few days, "not the day of", we will have more information about what and why. The fact about anything you purchase is you may not pay the same as someone or everyone else. Passengers on the same cruise, having an identical room may not pay the same amount. Last minute "pack and go" most likely pay significantly less than other passengers. Is that fair? If you are the "pack and go" passenger you most likely think it's not only fair but fabulous.

 

Perception is reality.

 

In a few days perhaps we will have more information. In the mean time maybe give all the cruise lines the benefit of doubt.

Edited October 29, 2012 by sccindy

[SNJCruisers]

 

The 20% discount I doubt I will use. Not many 2 to 6 night cruises close to home to pick from.

I'm inferring that you don't want to fly to FLA, so besides the Norfolk Glory sailing next fall, the only other option would be the Glory out of NYC to Canada next summer. The Labor Day sailing is 5 days for 399, which would be 320 with your discount. Personally, I would look for cheap air to MIA or FLL and book a 6 day Breeze sailing.