Carnival Providing FULL REFUND for Triumph Expenses: A + Helpful Thread-No fighting!

[sailawaybellaluna]

I've been involved in reading/posting on some of the threads regarding Carnival providing refunds for passengers who were booked on the Triumph. Unfortunately, they've gotten quite negative - full of name calling and non-helpful suggestions.

 

So, I wanted to start this thread for people who are STILL WAITING or trying to figure out how to get their cancelled Triumph trip refunded...We were scheduled to sail on 2/16.

 

I was able to get a full refund for my cruise fare while talking with a representative over the phone. She processed it while I was on the phone, and when I called my credit card company 24 hours later, it was already posted. Now, I didn't call just for that - I was trying to re-book another cruise, and before I gave Carnival any more money, I wanted to ensure my Triumph cruise fare would be refunded.

 

I had a hotel booked through Orbitz that was a "non-refundable" rate. Thankfully, the hotel was very gracious and agreed (verbally) to provide a refund. So, I had to call Orbitz back and tell them that the hotel has agreed to the refund. The rep put me on hold, called the hotel to confirm, and within minutes I had a full refund for the hotel. I wanted to try this first, before asking Carnival to cover the costs. It was just one more receipt to submit, so I'm thankful this worked.

 

Now, the airfare is where I nearly went nuts. I was one of the many that booked flights 7 months in advance on SouthWest Airlines. I have nothing bad to say about SW - this of course was not their fault. I wasn't expecting a refund from them.

 

However, I was advised by Carnival to CANCEL my flights with SW and then fax them copies of the cancellation notice in order to receive a full refund. To be honest, we toyed with still flying out to Texas (since my brother lives out there), but in the end, didn't want a 10 day land vacation in Texas. :)

 

Despite Carnival stating the following, they wouldn't confirm that they would in fact reimburse us: "You will receive a full refund of your cruise fare, a refund of non-refundable transportation costs, pre-paid shore excursions and gratuities, government fees and taxes (excluding Carnival's Vacation Protection Plan). No further action on your part is necessary, as refunds will automatically be processed in two weeks"

 

Now this is the reason the other threads drove me nuts. All the accusations of people being entitled and trying to "double-dip" - i.e., get "credit" from SW as well as a refund from Carnival. I had no intention of double dipping, and if my family could have used the credit with SW, I wouldn't have stressed about it.

 

However, there was no way we could use the credit before it expired. And for the record, it expires exactly one year from the date of PURCHASE. Since we booked way in advance, this didn't leave much time. You cannot transfer or purchase a ticket for another person with the credit. You can possibly extend it for an additional 6 months for $100/person. Trust me, we called several times and asked. Again, I'm not pointing fingers at SW - they are probably more generous in their policies than any other airline.

 

Unfortunately, we don't have a lot of flexibility to just "take another trip" with the credit before it expires. We typically do two or three family trips a year (one or two cruises, and one trip to Europe or Latin America). These have all been booked for 2013, and unfortunately, my husband doesn't get 2 months of vacation/year from work! :D

 

After several (and I mean several) attempts of contacting Carnival, I finally sent a very forceful (read: caps lock in bold) message requesting a full refund of our flights OR compensation of $100/person to extend the tickets so that our family could actually use the credit.

 

Yesterday morning I received this response via email:

 

Hello XXXXX,

 

We will provide a refund of your air fare and in this case there will no longer be a credit with Southwest as this will now be void since we are providing a refund.

 

Please provide an address to where you would like the check to be mailed to.

 

Thank You.

Sincerely,

 

XXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXX

Guest Solutions Specialist

Carnival Cruise Lines | 3655 NW 87th Avenue | Miami, FL 33178 |

800-438-6744

iCare@carnival.com

 

I am THRILLED that they are doing the right thing. I'm also very thankful that they've obviously figured out a system with SW Airlines to prevent the double dipping, but provide the "full refund" they initially promised.

 

And, once I get the check in the mail, we will be turning around and booking a February voyage out of NOLA on the Elation. :)

 

So, if you're in the same boat and absolutely cannot use the SW credit offered to you, be persistent and it should pay off.

 

Best of luck!

[deladane]

I'm so glad it's all working out for you :) I have followed a few of your reviews... your photos are amazing, and your escargot-loving son is adorable! Hopefully all of these refunds and cruise discounts will allow you and your family to sail plenty more in the future :)

[aggieastrosfan]

Thank you for giving an update! So glad to hear that everything worked out for you, and I hope the information you provided will help others get a satisfactory resolution to their situation as well.

[meeda00]

I am glad everything worked out for you. Instead of requesting a refund we opted to rebook on the Fascination out of Jacksonville for the same week we would have been on the Triumph ( feb. 16th) it was a huge hassle and we ended up paying over $500 more.

[sailawaybellaluna]

I'm so glad it's all working out for you I have followed a few of your reviews... your photos are amazing, and your escargot-loving son is adorable! Hopefully all of these refunds and cruise discounts will allow you and your family to sail plenty more in the future

 

Deladane,

 

Thanks so much! I'm happy it's all worked out too!

 

And thanks for reading my reviews! Our son requested escargot this week! :eek: I explained to him we can only order that on cruises when it's free (not $40 at a restaurant)! Haha. :D

[sailawaybellaluna]

Thank you for giving an update! So glad to hear that everything worked out for you, and I hope the information you provided will help others get a satisfactory resolution to their situation as well.

 

Thanks AggieAstrosFan! I'm really glad it all worked out too! I see you get to sail the Triumph in May! Have a wonderful time...I look forward to seeing and hearing about the voyages when she's back in the water. I'm sure it'll be like sailing on a semi-new ship!

[sailawaybellaluna]

I am glad everything worked out for you. Instead of requesting a refund we opted to rebook on the Fascination out of Jacksonville for the same week we would have been on the Triumph ( feb. 16th) it was a huge hassle and we ended up paying over $500 more.

__________________

 

Hi Meedo00

 

Sorry for your inconvenience and hassle too! Ugh. Did you at least end up enjoying the Fascination?! I hope so! We had a fun time on the Inspiration, but our SoCal weather failed us and it was windy and cloudy and cold the entire week! Oh well...We tried to make the most of it! :D

[douglinc@msn.com]

Glad it all worked out for you, enjoy your next cruise.

 

Doug

[BenjiRodney]

Thanks for letting us know it worked out.

[LSUcajunmom]

So glad it all worked out and so glad it didn't turn you away from cruising and Carnival.

[loxley]

This is what I said would happen the whole time. It was the credit with SW that was causing the problem.