Are changes normal & wondering if there is anything I can do?

[Wave61]

This Feb., we are planning our second cruise with Carnival again. Last year we had no problems or changes to our itinerary - 4 day out of Miami on ecstasy. This year?, a totally different story.

First we booked a 4 day on sensation out of Port Canaveral, only to be I formed that it changed to a 3 day due to the 'dancing of the ships'. We decided to book another cruise altogether because 3 days is just too short. So we booked the same itinerary as our last cruise on ecstasy. Next we discovered that we'd be on the fantasy which is fine. And now!, we've just been informed of yet another itinerary change. Instead of boarding at 11:00 with our fftf, boarding will be between 3:00 & 7:00 with sail away at 8:00 pm. We've booked early assigned seating..... I guess that's not a go for the first night. And I'm not so sure fftf is even worth it now.

But the icing on the cake and the thing that's really ticking me off is that the letter from Carnival states that the change in times is due to coming out of dry dock. Yet when I search their website, I see that there is a 2 day cruise prior to ours! So in actuality, it's got nothing to do with dry dock, the ship arrives in Fort Lauderdale Monday morning, drops off passengers and then has to make its way to Port of Miami.

I am wondering if they'd let us board the ship in Fort Lauderdale? And also wondering if complaining would bring about any sort of compensation, and if so, who should I speak to?

[Fitzget]

Changes happen, and your cruise contract states you're not due any compensation.

[BenjiRodney]

No they will not let you board in FLL

 

 

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[OCruisers]

Unfortunately, there is absolutely nothing you can do about it.

[AnonomissX]

This Feb., we are planning our second cruise with Carnival again. Last year we had no problems or changes to our itinerary - 4 day out of Miami on ecstasy. This year?, a totally different story.

First we booked a 4 day on sensation out of Port Canaveral, only to be I formed that it changed to a 3 day due to the 'dancing of the ships'. We decided to book another cruise altogether because 3 days is just too short. So we booked the same itinerary as our last cruise on ecstasy. Next we discovered that we'd be on the fantasy which is fine. And now!, we've just been informed of yet another itinerary change. Instead of boarding at 11:00 with our fftf, boarding will be between 3:00 & 7:00 with sail away at 8:00 pm. We've booked early assigned seating..... I guess that's not a go for the first night. And I'm not so sure fftf is even worth it now.

But the icing on the cake and the thing that's really ticking me off is that the letter from Carnival states that the change in times is due to coming out of dry dock. Yet when I search their website, I see that there is a 2 day cruise prior to ours! So in actuality, it's got nothing to do with dry dock, the ship arrives in Fort Lauderdale Monday morning, drops off passengers and then has to make its way to Port of Miami.

I am wondering if they'd let us board the ship in Fort Lauderdale? And also wondering if complaining would bring about any sort of compensation, and if so, who should I speak to?

 

The 2 day sailing on 02/20-02/22/2016 for the Carnival Fantasy is round trip out of Fort Lauderdale. So when it arrives in Port Everglades, they then have to both clean the ship, and move it that same day to Miami. That is going to take longer than just arriving in Miami, and cleaning it in between customers. Also, by doing this, everyone going on that short 2 day cruise doesn't have to have a passport, as it is closed loop, not FLL-MIA.

 

You could speak to someone and ask to book the earlier cruise , Oceanviews are going as low as 189 + tax per person. Also, this would work out for you because you could either park or fly to either Miami or Fort Lauderdale, they are only 30 miles from each other, and a shuttle or taxi in between.

[cruzeluver]

Unfortunately you just got caught in a very unique set of circumstances. I hope you understand that as frustrating as all of this may be, none of this was done to you. The odds of this many issues arising is very rare. Hope you can still make the best of it and enjoy your cruise.

[cruizinisthebest]

Usually there are not this many changes. Book the short cruise first if you are able to and do your first Carnival b2b.

 

I would keep fttf as it still provides the same benefits no matter when check in starts. Plus all of the other benefits.

Edited September 22, 2015 by cruizinisthebest

[DaveRRT]

I would cancel the fttf, just do it online.

[Koshlong]

They're not going to let you board in Ft. L; US regulations say that you have to depart and return to the same port, unless you visit a FAR foreign port in between, and that isn't possible on a 4 day cruise. It doesn't really make sense anymore, but that's the rule.:confused::confused:

[Sweet Dutch Girl]

If you have booked a 5 day or less cruise you are entitled a full refund of any payments or your deposit before Dec. 1.

 

If you are unhappy just cancel. And why would you get compensation for a cruise that hasn't sailed and which you can still cancel?

 

And FTTF isn't about "early" boarding it is about priority boarding which means you can be among the first onboard whenever boarding starts.

 

And, at all of my sailings that have left in the evening, dinner is always served on schedule, regardless, and passengers who board later in the evening have the option of the buffet.

Edited September 22, 2015 by Sweet Dutch Girl

[SadieN]

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And FTTF isn't about "early" boarding it is about priority boarding which means you can be among the first onboard whenever boarding starts.

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FTTF gets you Front of Line privileges whenever you show up.

[evandbob]

FTTF gets you Front of Line privileges whenever you show up.

 

FTTF is behind the weddings, diamonds and platinums! And I'm not sure where the priority boarding for casino guests factor into the boarding order.

 

If you have FTTF and show up at 10AM and boarding starts at 11, you will just have to wait your turn until the top priorities board first..

[dioxide45]

I agree with others, no compensation is due. If you don't like the changes, you can cancel your cruise and book another. If you are really bothered, book on a different line and let Carnival know that is what you are going to do when you cancel. They probably won't care, but they won't know unless you tell them. Vote with your feet.