Suggestions on handling dual-occupancy cruise 8 days away that I can no longer attend?

[polphi]

Greetings All,

 

I am scheduled to take a 6-day Carnival cruise next Saturday with a family member (same last name).   I can no longer attend, and am about to contact my cabin mate to advise him I cannot go, and of his remaining options.

 

-The cruise was booked in my name, on my account, at a promotional rate (taxes, deposit, and fees only).

-He may want to take the cruise and occupy the cabin without me.

-He may prefer to have another family member accompany him.

-I also have friends who live at the port of departure who may go in our stead.

-I do not have trip insurance. 

-I last sailed on Carnival 20 years ago, and have no idea how much good a personal appeal might do.

 

Reading through Carnival's policies, it's clear (and understandable) that we are not eligible for a refund.  Accordingly, I am willing to eat the cost of the cruise if it comes to that.  However, I would love to give my family member the option of inviting someone else, which *seems* like it should be within policy, since one of the two folks originally booking the cruise will still go (apologies if I missed something!)

 

Any advice or suggestions on how to best handle this situation would be most appreciated.  Thank you for your time!  

[Schoifmom]

If you are the primary person on the booking and cannot go, you cannot be replaced on the reservation.  Your family member can go without you, checking in at the port and answering the question about your whereabouts with a "he's arriving separately."  This will make you a no-show, rather than a cancellation.  Your port fees and taxes will be refunded to the original form of payment.  In this scenario, DO NOT CANCEL.

 

One caveat, it is possible that if you have a specialty rate (such as a casino rate) that they may charge your family member an additional amount to take his fare to the going rate. It is highly unlikely, however.

 

If you want to cancel and have your family member go without you or replace you on the reservation, Carnival will either charge him the single supplement (if going along) or refare the reservation at the going rate (with someone going with him) or both, depending on the terms of your promotion.

Edited November 4, 2022 by Schoifmom

[canes20]

Best choice will be for family member to go solo and you be a no show as stated above. I think "highly unlikely" that the cruise rate will not change as stated above could be a little on the optimistic side. I would go with 50/50 that the rate doesn't change.

[mz-s]

Call your travel insurance and see what options you have if you are unable to go for a covered reason.

[Jamman54]

Just now, mz-s said:

Call your travel insurance and see what options you have if you are unable to go for a covered reason.

OP stated that he didn't have insurance. 

[mz-s]

2 minutes ago, Jamman54 said:

OP stated that he didn't have insurance. 

 

Too bad.

Edited November 4, 2022 by mz-s

[Nic6318]

Hi Polphi

 

Welcome to cruise critic. 

 

As Schoifmom has said, your family member "might" be able to get away without having to pay any penalties if you just don't show up. Again, as said, do not cancel. The key is that they may have to pay full price for both persons. 

 

The main problem is that this promotion is only allowed to be used by the person that it was addressed to, and also it is stated that you were required to sail. Your family member cannot replace you without paying full current price for anyone who sails. 

 

We all get promotional offers, some better than others, we cannot trade these offers. If it was as easy as you had hoped, everyone would do it. Maybe someone who has personal experience will chime in, but I wouldn't be too sure of it happening without extra cost, especially if you contact them to remove your name from the booking.

 

 

[2wheelin]

3 hours ago, mz-s said:

 

Too bad.

Ahhh. Now we know you didn't miss that on the OP. Just want to get in a dig at a new poster. Shame.

[mz-s]

Just now, 2wheelin said:

Ahhh. Now we know you didn't miss that on the OP. Just want to get in a dig at a new poster. Shame.

 

Honestly, I didn't read half the post. I usually just skim posts because generally they're all asking the same basic questions. A bad habit of mine perhaps.

[polphi]

Thank you for the welcome, and the thoughtful replies!  This community is a great resource. 

 

5 hours ago, Schoifmom said:

If you are the primary person on the booking and cannot go, you cannot be replaced on the reservation.  Your family member can go without you, checking in at the port and answering the question about your whereabouts with a "he's arriving separately."  This will make you a no-show, rather than a cancellation.  Your port fees and taxes will be refunded to the original form of payment.  In this scenario, DO NOT CANCEL.

 

This is helpful.  Nic6318 makes a fair point too: the cruise was indeed offered to me, not my family member, and they could make the argument that I was trying to transfer the offer.  Of course I have documentation attesting to the family emergency which is causing me to miss the trip--but they may not care, and the T&C certainly don't require them to.

 

Will keep monitoring this thread closely, and will certainly follow up with whatever we end up doing so others can benefit however possible.

 

Thanks again, everyone! 

 

 

[Essiesmom]

Another comment that hasn’t been addressed.  You cannot substitute all guests on the booking with different guests, such as the friends of the OP that live at the port.  On every cruise line, at least one of the original guests on the booking must sail.  Otherwise, you would see lots of cruise bookings on eBay.  EM

[windsor26]

If you had covid and could not cruise  they would be more sympathetic to your family member going solo

[Elaine5715]

24 minutes ago, windsor26 said:

If you had covid and could not cruise  they would be more sympathetic to your family member going solo

Not anymore.  

[polphi]

7 hours ago, Elaine5715 said:

Not anymore.  

Interesting Eliane.  Have you (or others) seen any data points or company statements indicating a shift on this?  TIA.  

[Elaine5715]

2 hours ago, polphi said:

Interesting Eliane.  Have you (or others) seen any data points or company statements indicating a shift on this?  TIA.  

Yes

[firefly333]

Maybe the other guy will repay you for your half of the cruisefare. Really a no show is the only option or he losses out big time. Refared at current rates and 200% solo supplement. 

 

Say nothing, dont cancel or you mess him over. Your port fees and taxes will be automatically refunded after the cruise.