Hurricane Sandy cruises-what did Carnival give you?

WhansaMi · October 29, 2012

I am not understanding why you and the rest of these posters do not understand it is not that we think we are owed this because we were in a storm. It is the fact that we were all in the SAME situation and were given different things. If they do decide to give something it should be across the board not you get this and you get that.

Actually, if it were standardized like that, folks could claim that there *is* a policy. It is better for any company to make these discretionary decisions more randomly. If they were to start giving everyone the same thing people would say that they deserve it.

jen7079 · October 29, 2012

I am not understanding why you and the rest of these posters do not understand it is not that we think we are owed this because we were in a storm. It is the fact that we were all in the SAME situation and were given different things. If they do decide to give something it should be across the board not you get this and you get that.

7-8 day cruises received 50% off

5-6 day cruises received 20% off

With out going back and looking at all the posts this is what it looked like to me.

Yes you were all in the same situation and it stinks that you booked during huricane season and there was actually a huricane, but all things were NOT equal on the different cruises.

agc291 · October 29, 2012

7-8 day cruises received 50% off
5-6 day cruises received 20% off

With out going back and looking at all the posts this is what it looked like to me.

Yes you were all in the same situation and it stinks that you booked during huricane season and there was actually a huricane, but all things were NOT equal on the different cruises.

So one day = 30%?

What about the 5 day cruises in Florida that received 25% ?

Again there is no logic to this.

People were given different amounts depending on the ship you were on.

HMH G · October 29, 2012

I am completely baffled as to why anyone thinks the cruise line owes them anything due to a weather related event. :confused:

Wait, you mean Carnival doesn't control the weather? :confused:

This is news to me!

:cool:

jen7079 · October 29, 2012

So one day = 30%?

What about the 5 day cruises in Florida that received 25% ?

Again there is no logic to this.

People were given different amounts depending on the ship you were on.

I don't see where a Florida cruise got 25? off, which ship was that?

I see where the Pride was canceled and they got 100% back and then 25% off another cruise.

DMRick · October 29, 2012

Citibank has extended the amount time you can pay your charge card bill, and will refund late charges. Some companies do stuff like this, because they want to make their customers happy, even if they can't control the weather. I just wish I hadn't already paid my bill early, in anticipation of the storm LOL.

Dear Bank of America, please don't bounce my checks - it was too stormy to come and make my deposit.

agc291 · October 29, 2012

I don't see where a Florida cruise got 25? off, which ship was that?

I see where the Pride was canceled and they got 100% back and then 25% off another cruise.

I am on the phone with Carnival now and that is what I was told by the rep.

There were multiple ships in Florida that also had issues according to the storm.

The Pride cruise was cancelled and they were given a full refund and 25% off. The Glory cruise was cancelled and they were just given a full refund.

spotdog32 · October 29, 2012

Nope.

And we don't owe them anything either.

Yes this true BUT that is the chance you take when you cruise at this time of the year. in 2010 aboard The Miracle we were chased and they actually went and found us 2 ports we where waiting to be told that we would spend the time out there floating around, but Carnival did a great job then.:cool:

WhansaMi · October 29, 2012

You know, when I was a teacher, sometimes I would allow things that my classroom guidelines didn't really allow for... I'd give a few extra credit questions on a test, or allow test corrections for credit instead of a retest... or even just give out candy for the kids won games or a whole class who, although they didn't all win the game, they all demonstrated they knew what they were doing.

Occasionally, I would have somebody complain about *what* they were being offered -- a kid who wanted some candy I didn't have, or I didn't allow test corrections on the *other* test, and I vividly remember thinking, "Ummmm.... really? I didn't *have* to give you anything/make any allowances, and now you are complaining about it?"

Courtesies do not have to be equal. They are discretionary. That is the whole thing about courtesies -- they are at the whim and pleasure of the giver.

These offers are not policy at Carnival (or any cruise line). They are courtesies.

I don't understand people fretting over who got what. If you were offered a courtesy, accept it, or don't, but since isn't isn't something that the company has to do, to compare it to what they did for someone else (which they also didn't have to do) is rather futile.

There is an old saying... "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth".

ryfiphone · October 29, 2012

So one day = 30%?

What about the 5 day cruises in Florida that received 25% ?

Again there is no logic to this.

People were given different amounts depending on the ship you were on.

Exactly. I am amazed you still don't get it. It doesn't matter if all three ships sailed side by side the entire cruise and docked at the same times. There are financial reasons why Carnival made the decisions they made whether you choose to recognize it or not. You claim to believe that Carnival doesn't owe you anything, yet you complain about unfairness. Say three people pay $1 for a scratch off lottery ticket, 1 wins $50 and two win $20 do you think those that won $20 should call the lottery commission to complain? Chock it up to luck if that sits better with you. You chose the wrong ship to win the big entitlement prize.

MrPete · October 29, 2012

I think everyone is just trying to point out that unless the cruise line did something deliberate to in some way inconvenience you purposely, any compensation you happen to receive should be considered a bonus.

Sure. But why does one cruise losing a day get 20%, and another cruise losing a day get 50%?

agc291 · October 29, 2012

Exactly. I am amazed you still don't get it. It doesn't matter if all three ships sailed side by side the entire cruise and docked at the same times. There are financial reasons why Carnival made the decisions they made whether you choose to recognize it or not. You claim to believe that Carnival doesn't owe you anything, yet you complain about unfairness. Say three people pay $1 for a scratch off lottery ticket, 1 wins $50 and two win $20 do you think those that won $20 should call the lottery commission to complain? Chock it up to luck if that sits better with you. You chose the wrong ship to win the big entitlement prize.

You are the one that does not get it. Buying lottery tickets is completely different.

You are saying that it was a financial decision with nothing to back it up except that you seem to think you are a genius.

It makes 0 sense that these people were all in the same situation and all given something different. The only difference is the # of days except according to you obviously those people on the Pride & Miracle paid more so they got more. With no knowledge whatsoever of the cost of any of these cruises and the rate at which the fares changed.

ryfiphone · October 29, 2012

You are the one that does not get it. Buying lottery tickets is completely different.

You are saying that it was a financial decision with nothing to back it up except that you seem to think you are a genius.

It makes 0 sense that these people were all in the same situation and all given something different. The only difference is the # of days except according to you obviously those people on the Pride & Miracle paid more so they got more. With no knowledge whatsoever of the cost of any of these cruises and the rate at which the fares changed.

It makes 100% sense if there is financial justification, and since neither of us has evidence either way I am simply stating that it makes more sense that they DO have financial justification rather than just tossing around credits without thinking through the repercussions.

Edited October 29, 2012 by ryfiphone

kokoko · October 29, 2012

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 personally would stay home if I believed the Captian of that ship wouldn't put the safety of the passangers first. Yes the bottom line is always money but not at the risk of the crew and guests. So you puke, you are on a ship you are not in danger or they would have gotten to some port. Look at what has happened to so many ships, alot of rearranging going on. Carnival did it's best to take care of it's guests and ships. I am going out in a week I sure don't want rough waters but if they happen I will have to cope and from everything I have read over the years Carnival does THE BEST of all the lines at taking care of their guests. Starting with the price of their cruises to the size of their rooms, location of their ports and their food is better than Disneys.

RuthlessBoss · October 29, 2012

I think everyone is just trying to point out that unless the cruise line did something deliberate to in some way inconvenience you purposely, any compensation you happen to receive should be considered a bonus. Life is so short and precious that I try to make a point of not complaining about what "freebies" I didn't receive, but instead concentrate on the things I do have. You were able to cruise in spite of the weather being so bad. Maybe you didn't make all your ports, but that can happen when cruising during hurricane season. You pretty much received what you paid for, and what you didn't receive, the cruiseline compensated for that by giving back port fees, pre-paid gratuities and money for the missed port(s). The passengers did deserve to be compensated for what they paid for and didn't receive (missed ports). After that, I would not expect anything additional. The fact that the cruiseline offered reduced rates on a future cruise despite the hurricane not being their fault, is in my opinion, a very nice gesture on their part, even if the percentages are not the same across the board.

The ships may all operate under the aegis of Carnival, but they are different ships leaving different ports traveling different distances, probably paying different fees for their homeports and functioning under different operating budgets. I would hazard a guess that some of that and more is taken into account when offering future reduced rate cruises.

Considering the loss of life that has happened as a result of this hurricane, I'm just happy that everyone is back home and safe and has the opportunity to cruise again if they so choose.

Exactly. None of us know what the business aspect really is and how they come up with compensation amounts.

MrPete · October 29, 2012

Exactly. None of us know what the business aspect really is and how they come up with compensation amounts.

And those that are trying are wasting their time.

DirtyDawg · October 29, 2012

I find these threads just fascinating. I hate to break it to some pp here but Carnival is a business and its primary goal in life is to earn profits for its shareholders. It does this by providing a SERVICE to its customers and charging for that service in excess of the cost to provide that service. Of course they want to provide good service to their customers so that they are happy with the cruising experience and will return as future customers. Hopefully happy customers will also tell their friends and family and the company will get even more future customers – and more future profits.

Now of course Carnival is not responsible for bad weather (they tell you as much in those contracts that we sign – mostly without review by our lawyers!). But they have chosen to provide their service at a time and place where there are lots of hurricanes. Why? Because they have found it is profitable to do so. People want to cruise at this time of year and chances (and extra costs) of a hurricane are not significant to Carnival.

The consensus opinion seems be that Carnival should refund unused days, gratuities, port fees and that’s it. Anything extra the company is not responsible for and customers are not entitled to and should not expect. Hey if airlines don’t offer extra compensation for bad weather why should a cruise line. It’s not because they are bad people in anyway but Airlines don’t have offer extra compensation because there are few substitutes available to their customers. If you experience delays or a rough flight what are your options next time? Another Airline – same problems. For most people driving or taking the train is not a realistic option so there’s no real substitute for flying. But if you experience a bad cruise due to weather what are your choices for your next vacation. Another cruise line is one option. Or, and I know it is heresy to say this, but people could actually go to a land based resort. You know the ones that don’t bob up and down and don’t cause sea sickness.

So Carnival might not be technically, or legally responsible to provide any compensation over and above the basics but competition, the availability of substitute services, and the desire to retain customers makes it in Carnival’s best interest (and their shareholders best interest) to offer something to increase the chances that their weather beaten customers return with more cash!!

Now that Carnival has made the business decision to offer extra compensation in the form of a future cruise discount they need to be perceived as treating the affected customers equally (within reason of course). In the age of instant communication (darn you Al Gore and your internet!) this can be difficult. There might be some solid business reasons for the different discounts offered on future cruises but it certainly appears to be a big difference between offering a 20% discount (nice) and a 50% discount (great). As someone said early, perception is reality and if some people perceive that others are getting a better offer from Carnival that can be a problem. Maybe it’s time for the company’s marketing department to step in and convince people that nice is the same as great.

Edited October 29, 2012 by DirtyDawg

Warm Breezes · October 29, 2012

You know, when I was a teacher, sometimes I would allow things that my classroom guidelines didn't really allow for... I'd give a few extra credit questions on a test, or allow test corrections for credit instead of a retest... or even just give out candy for the kids won games or a whole class who, although they didn't all win the game, they all demonstrated they knew what they were doing.

Occasionally, I would have somebody complain about *what* they were being offered -- a kid who wanted some candy I didn't have, or I didn't allow test corrections on the *other* test, and I vividly remember thinking, "Ummmm.... really? I didn't *have* to give you anything/make any allowances, and now you are complaining about it?"

Courtesies do not have to be equal. They are discretionary. That is the whole thing about courtesies -- they are at the whim and pleasure of the giver.

These offers are not policy at Carnival (or any cruise line). They are courtesies.

I don't understand people fretting over who got what. If you were offered a courtesy, accept it, or don't, but since isn't isn't something that the company has to do, to compare it to what they did for someone else (which they also didn't have to do) is rather futile.

There is an old saying... "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth".

I agree. Some people think that life has to be "fair".....it's not. I tell my kids all the time that life is not "fair" and not to expect to be treated equally in every situation. Sometimes you get more than others, sometimes you get less than others, and sometimes you get equal. Be thankful for whatever you get as you weren't entitled to it in the first place.

ryfiphone · October 29, 2012

I find these threads just fascinating. I hate to break it to some pp here but Carnival is a business and its primary goal in life is to earn profits for its shareholders. It does this by providing a SERVICE to its customers and charging for that service in excess of the cost to provide that service. Of course they want to provide good service to their customers so that they are happy with the cruising experience and will return as future customers. Hopefully happy customers will also tell their friends and family and the company will get even more future customers – and more future profits.

Now of course Carnival is not responsible for bad weather (they tell you as much in those contracts that we sign – mostly without review by our lawyers!). But they have chosen to provide their service at a time and place where there are lots of hurricanes. Why? Because they have found it is profitable to do so. People want to cruise at this time of year and chances (and extra costs) of a hurricane are not significant to Carnival.

The consensus opinion seems be that Carnival should refund unused days, gratuities, port fees and that’s it. Anything extra the company is not responsible for and customers are not entitled to and should not expect. Hey if airlines don’t offer extra compensation for bad weather why should a cruise line. It’s not because they are bad people in anyway but Airlines don’t have offer extra compensation because there are few substitutes available to their customers. If you experience delays or a rough flight what are your options next time? Another Airline – same problems. For most people driving or taking the train is not a realistic option so there’s no real substitute for flying. But if you experience a bad cruise due to weather what are your choices for your next vacation. Another cruise line is one option. Or, and I know it is heresy to say this, but people could actually go to a land based resort. You know the ones that don’t bob up and down and don’t cause sea sickness.

So Carnival might not be technically, or legally responsible to provide any compensation over and above the basics but competition, the availability of substitute services, and the desire to retain customers makes it in Carnival’s best interest (and their shareholders best interest) to offer something to increase the chances that their weather beaten customers return with more cash!!

Now that Carnival has made the business decision to offer extra compensation in the form of a future cruise discount they need to be perceived as treating the affected customers equally (within reason of course). In the age of instant communication (darn you Al Gore and your internet!) this can be difficult. There might be some solid business reasons for the different discounts offered on future cruises but it certainly appears to be a big difference between offering a 20% discount (nice) and a 50% discount (great). As someone said early, perception is reality and if some people perceive that others are getting a better offer from Carnival that can be a problem. Maybe it’s time for the company’s marketing department to step in and convince people that nice is the same as great.

Well said. Thank you!

KuffMUp · October 29, 2012

We were off the coast of Jax and could see lights, but could we dock....no.

Several cruise lines were kept from docking in Port Canaveral and were re-routed to Jacksonville so you may have been in a que to get in. And Carnival isn't the only one that sat off shore. In Miami, I saw Carnival, NCL, and RCCL leave port and then sat off the coast. CCL and RCCL left Miami on time while NCL got out several hours late. I was mortified on Sunday when I saw Majesty of the Seas off the coast of Nassau in 60 knot winds.:eek: I also saw Disney get out of Port Canaveral heading south only to be stuck off Miami bobbing in the seas. RCCL Monarch got stuck in Port Canaveral for nearly 2 days of their 3 day cruise and Disney got into PC but the damage to her was extensive. I'm sorry about your situation but you weren't the only one or the only line!

WhansaMi · October 29, 2012

Several cruise lines were kept from docking in Port Canaveral and were re-routed to Jacksonville so you may have been in a que to get in. And Carnival isn't the only one that sat off shore. In Miami, I saw Carnival, NCL, and RCCL leave port and then sat off the coast. CCL and RCCL left Miami on time while NCL got out several hours late. I was mortified on Sunday when I saw Majesty of the Seas off the coast of Nassau in 60 knot winds.:eek: I also saw Disney get out of Port Canaveral heading south only to be stuck off Miami bobbing in the seas. RCCL Monarch got stuck in Port Canaveral for nearly 2 days of their 3 day cruise and Disney got into PC but the damage to her was extensive. I'm sorry about your situation but you weren't the only one or the only line!

Yep, the weather affects everyone and every line.

When DH and I were talking about whether or not,and why they would or wouldn't, the Pride would be cancelled, at one point we looked at each other and said "We act like we have any control over this, debating this doesn't do a thing."

Same thing with the courtesies they extend. We can debate them until the cows come home, but ultimately, they make the decisions they make, and us talking about it doesn't do a thing. Beyond our circle of control.

cruisecrazy82 · October 29, 2012

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.

The Glory itinerary was 6 nights to Nassau for Wedneday at 11:30 am- 10 pm on Thursday. Freeport on Friday.

I thought that the Miracle & Pride were both doing the Port Canaveal, Nassau, Freeport itin but I could be wrong.

All 3 cruises only stopped 1 of the 3 original port days.

Both the Glory and the Miracle came back a day early. The Pride came back the night before but passengers were given the option to stay on board until morning.

The only difference is the length of the cruises.

Glory a 6 day, Pride a 7, Miracle an 8. if the logic was that they have more days in their cruise then why did the Miracle and the Pride receive the same compensation?

We were on the Pride and our itinerary was not the above mentioned one. We were supposed to be going to Grand Turk, Half Moon Cay, and Freeport.... Initially when HMC & Freeport were cancelled we were given the 20% off and told we would be going to Port Canaveral as a substitute. When they determined we also would not be going to PC that is when we were extended the 50% off offer. I was happy with the 20% off b/c I understand that it is of no fault of the cruise line in regards to the weather and I realize they really had to give us no more than our port taxes and fees. But it is what it is and I for one am pleased with their graciousness :D

Mikel1733 · October 30, 2012

How did a post about comparing the inconsistancy of refunds go to name calling and contract quotes to telling people they deserve nothing?

SMH

Good question.

Tips2Cruise · October 30, 2012

Typically this is the end of hurricane season in the Atlantic and usually don't have to worry about major hurricanes. This is usually when I book a Caribbean cruise to avoid storms. But WOW Sandy is crazy! Stay safe up there. Who would of thought me living in Florida was safer than my relatives in New Jersey.