Never Again! Carnival is the single worst cruise line ever!

[hartwickds]

I just returned from a 7 day cruise of the Mexicain Riviera on the Carnival a Miracle and where do I begin? By way of history I am a veteran cruiser, 9 times on Norweigan and 2 times on Celebrity. I rarely if ever complain and only do so when I am pushed to the edge. I read some pretty bad reviews about Carnival but decided to give it a try as I had been given a deeply discounted cruise through the Tropicana Casino in Atlantic City. I arrived the night before from Baltimore to LA in a great mood looking forward to get to the warm weather of Mexico. I booked my roundtrip transportation through the cruise line. It was reliable and uneventful. The bus dropped me off at Long Beach and I was directed to the most obscene line I have ever scene. It was a cold morning and we were made to stand outside in 40-50 degree weather for nearly 2 hours. I was advised by a supervisor that 7 people had called out sick, and as a result only 5 of 12 booths were being manned. I also came to find out that since I was on the first floor (window view) we were treated as less desirable and made to wait outside while nearly everyone else was allowed to check in the dome. By the time I got through the line 2 hours later I was miserable and numb and wanted to go home. I made it to my room and thought it was average. I didn't care for the decor. The room steward Johanna as great though. I found the food on the ship to be 2.5 out of 5. The main dining room food was a 2... I didn't once have anything outstanding. The steak house was a 3. I ate there twice as I couldn't stomach another day eating mediocre and subpar food in the main dining room. I found the entertainment to be okay, the shows good, but the comedians completely blue collar and frankly not funny.

 

The ports of call were good. The best excursion I ever have been on was in Cabo on the Luxury sail. Outstanding.

 

Disembarking was another pain... Took 25-30 minutes despite being group #2.

 

It is now the day after th cruise and I am attempting to fly back from LA to Baltimore. I went to the ATM to withdraw money only to find out that my checking account is overdrawn by $887. I say to myself ho can this be? Well good old carnival submitted my final bill. To the wrong credit card... Billed me $604 and change and $659. They never removed any of the holds, of $500, $300, $359,and $104.65. I called to address the issue and of course they are closed on Sunday. My bank is closed on Sunday. I get to a customer service representative for new bookings and after 1 1/2 hours I have been advised there is nothing that can b don!

 

Now I am stranded with no money when I should have $1800!

 

I won't sleep until Carnival goes bankrupt!

Edited January 17, 2016 by hartwickds

[SMSACE6]

Wow...I am truly sorry about your experience, but also sorry to say that you will be sleepless for a very very long time.

 

Best wishes though for the future on the other cruise lines. I have been on both NCL and Celebrity and no complaints, however Carnival still is my preferred cruise line.

Edited January 17, 2016 by SMSACE6

[KenMo]

How was Carnival able to bill the "wrong" card? Who gave them the number?

 

As for the holds on your account, that is up to your financial institution as to when they come off.

 

I am sorry that you had such a bad experience.

 

I hope your next cruise is much more enjoyable.

[JMAE]

Sorry you had a bad time. They are moving to a staggered embarkation to help the situation you described. I don't understand how they submitted the your bill to the wrong account you enter that info when you complete you online check-in.

 

I hope you enjoy your next cruises on whichever cruise line you select.

[joeyancho]

Yeah, not crazy about the Miracle either , for a lot of the same reasons. Old, ugly, tacky ship.

[hartwickds]

How was Carnival able to bill the "wrong" card? Who gave them the number?

 

As for the holds on your account, that is up to your financial institution as to when they come off.

 

I am sorry that you had such a bad experience.

 

I hope your next cruise is much more enjoyable.

 

Midway through the cruise I went to charge something and found my charging privileges to be revoked. Perplexed I went to the kiosk and found there was a balance of $104.65. Not thinking anything of it I used my check card to pay the balance. It was a one time payment. I opened the account with an American Express card.

[amsred2]

How was Carnival able to bill the "wrong" card? Who gave them the number?

 

As for the holds on your account, that is up to your financial institution as to when they come off.

 

I am sorry that you had such a bad experience.

 

I hope your next cruise is much more enjoyable.

 

 

You are right about the pending charges being up to the bank. I have had the same problem with charge authorization holds on my card. When I posted about using debit cards, and did some research, I found that while other people had the same problem, many who have different banks had no problems at all. Since my first experience with debit, I always put a regular Credit Card or cash for my S&S.

 

I'm pretty sure the OP will die of sleep deprivation before Carnival goes bankrupt. #LoveCarnival #LoveTheMiracle

Edited January 17, 2016 by amsred2

[hartwickds]

You are right about the pending charges being up to the bank. I have had the same problem with charge authorization holds on my card. When I posted about using debit cards, and did some research, I found that while other people had the same problem, many who have different banks had no problems at all.

 

I'm pretty sure the OP will die of sleep deprivation before Carnival goes bankrupt. #LoveCarnival #LoveTheMiracle

 

I have never had a problem when I used a debit card on Norweigan and Celebrity... When the charge is submitted the hold is lifted instaneously. I have been with the same bank for ever

[cruizinisthebest]

 

I won't sleep until Carnival goes bankrupt!

 

Well in that case, might I offer you some toothpicks? Perhaps a pallette of energy drinks?

Edited January 17, 2016 by cruizinisthebest

[Trumpster]

Dreadful. Glad I wasn't in your shoes. But I would suggest sleeping, Carnival is not going bankrupt any time soon.

[kona_wahine]

Sorry you had a bad cruise. I'm sure you will enjoy the other lines with white collar comedians more. ;)

[Elaine5715]

Your cabin selection had nothing to do with your boarding. If you didn't read your boarding documents telling you when to arrive, that's on you.

[oneillcd73]

You say you are now stranded with no money. Did you not have a round trip ticket? We're you planning on taking out cash to buy a return flight today?

[amsred2]

I have never had a problem when I used a debit card on Norweigan and Celebrity... When the charge is submitted the hold is lifted instaneously. I have been with the same bank for ever

 

My first experience with the bank holds was on NCL. I called the bank (its actually a credit union) and they told me that they put an automatic 3 {business} day hold on all authorizations to prevent fraud and overdraft. Wonder if your bank has changed policy?

[hartwickds]

Well in that case, might I offer you some toothpicks? Perhaps a skid of energy drinks?

 

I will file a complaint with the Feds as they didn't have authorization to charge my visa debit card anything other that $104.65. It appears they decided upon themselves to link a one time payment to the account.

[hartwickds]

You say you are now stranded with no money. Did you not have a round trip ticket? We're you planning on taking out cash to buy a return flight today?

 

Yes of course, but couldn't pay last nights hotel room, and have no idea how I am getting out of the car lot at BWI. I had $28 to my name. Enough for lunch. Again, there should be $1800 in my checking account. Screw. Carnival!

[RuthlessBoss]

I will file a complaint with the Feds as they didn't have authorization to charge my visa debit card anything other that $104.65. It appears they decided upon themselves to link a one time payment to the account.

 

One time payment for what???

[zqvol]

Plus the banks are closed tomorrow, as it is a Federal holiday.

 

I just question how there can be an issue with an AX card, there is more going on here, that is 100% in control of the OP that he is not telling.

[hartwickds]

Your cabin selection had nothing to do with your boarding. If you didn't read your boarding documents telling you when to arrive, that's on you.

 

It said to arrive between 1 and 3:00pm, which I did

[Trumpster]

I will file a complaint with the Feds as they didn't have authorization to charge my visa debit card anything other that $104.65. It appears they decided upon themselves to link a one time payment to the account.

 

Dreadful glad I'm not in your shoes. But the Feds will do very little. By the time they will care Carnival will sort it all out.

 

NCL did that to us once, over debit an account, they took weeks to refund the $ but they did do it. Carnival is usually much quicker on tefunding $.

[amsred2]

I will file a complaint with the Feds as they didn't have authorization to charge my visa debit card anything other that $104.65. It appears they decided upon themselves to link a one time payment to the account.

 

You signed a receipt when you did the charge, be sure you read it before you file the complaint. If it specifically says that Carnival will not put any other charges on it, include it with your complaint. However, I have a few of my receipts (the ones you sign at guest services) from past cruises and the fine print says that Carnival will use whatever recent card they have filed for remaining on-board charges.

[cruizinisthebest]

I will file a complaint with the Feds as they didn't have authorization to charge my visa debit card anything other that $104.65. It appears they decided upon themselves to link a one time payment to the account.

 

Uh brother. Listen. I have found that setting up your account online as cash is always best. THEN if you choose, you can load it with a credit or debit card once onboard or in the terminal. This one tiny step has always prevented me from having any holds on my credit cards. I learned the trick from a long time cruiser of another cruise line, so I can't take credit. But as this is your last cruise with Carnival, you can try it when you sail elsewhere.

 

File the complaint if that will make you feel better, but I assure you Carnival will not be found in the wrong. Sorry you didn't enjoy your cruise, but take a deep breath.

Edited January 17, 2016 by cruizinisthebest

[Hoosierpop]

Yes of course, but couldn't pay last nights hotel room, and have no idea how I am getting out of the car lot at BWI. I had $28 to my name. Enough for lunch. Again, there should be $1800 in my checking account. Screw. Carnival!

 

 

You have an AmEx card, right? So couldn't you pay for whatever you need to with that?

[hartwickds]

Plus the banks are closed tomorrow, as it is a Federal holiday.

 

I just question how there can be an issue with an AX card, there is more going on here, that is 100% in control of the OP that he is not telling.

 

Apparently the American Express card was compromised sometime during the cruise and they couldn't get a hold of me and cancelled the card and area apparently mailing me a new card

[firemanbobswife]

Yes of course, but couldn't pay last nights hotel room, and have no idea how I am getting out of the car lot at BWI. I had $28 to my name. Enough for lunch. Again, there should be $1800 in my checking account. Screw. Carnival!

 

I know it's frustrating. I have heard horror stories about debit cards so I never use them and always open a cash account. I don't give them a credit card at all so no chance of erroneous charges. It's too late for you now, but something to consider for the future. I also carry at least 2 high limit credit cards with me "just in case".

Edited January 17, 2016 by firemanbobswife